There's plenty of food at Bondi Feast, but it's not the main course. The Rock Surfers Theatre Company's annual festival serves up offbeat performances, comedy and writerly projects from some of our favourite creative Sydneysiders, all backed up by a rotating cast of food vendors in the Bondi Pavilion's Festival Bar. With tickets to shows starting at $10, consider it a tapas of ideas, hilarity, provocation and feels. The shows here have fronted up ready to compete for our very limited attention spans on title alone. There's My Struggle: The Life and Times of an Individ (in a World Full of Hipsters), This Is My Box, Awkward Conversations with Animals I've Fucked, Jack Kerouac's Rules for Spontaneous Prose, Destroyer of Worlds and Josipa Draisma is Jean Claude Van Damme. The synopsis for (Melbourne Fringe Festival and Green Room Award winner) Tim Spencer's Sweet Sweet Merch reads simply, "Shock hot super cool amazing unbelievable award winning prizes escalation fireworks blow by blow action responsive titivating nudity live girls progressive mind bending altering adulterating celebrity scandal high quality mindfulness organic all natural beatific excellence quality service customer care highlights moisturising elevating prosthetic cyborg money back guarantee*". What more could you ask for? But there's a lot of substance to these dishes. With acts pulled together by festival director and regular indie theatre conduit Phil Spencer, Bondi Feast is a showcase of the east coast's best fringe or up-and-coming performers and writers. "Bondi Feast 2014 is packed full of action with guided meditations, dance classes, open auditions, 24 hour playwright parties, scratch nights, hot soup and bags of new works," says Spencer. Included on the bill is Eddie Sharp (Erotic Fan Fiction), Genevieve Fricker (TV's The Roast), Vanessa Bates (Every Second), Jessica Bellamy (Shabbat Dinner), Caleb Lewis (Death in Bownegabbie), Daniel Townes and Hannah Malarski (Bushpig). For the duration of the fest, the Bondi Pav will kitted out as a North American roadside diner, featuring designer Gemma O'Nions' "bespoke truckie cab shrines". A different food truck or local business takes over the kitchen each night (in previous years that's included the Bucket List, Veggie Patch, Misschu, Bondi Harvest and the Beach Burrito Co), while Batlow's hot spiced apple cider provides the support you need to step out onto that blustery balcony with the killer beach views. Bondi Feast 2014 is on from July 8-26 at the Bondi Pavilion. Thanks to the Rock Surfers, we have one double festival pass to give away (that's valid for all shows in the 'Big Theatre' throughout the festival). To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Update Tuesday, June 7: Due to COVID-related concerns, this event has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. Long weekends are a real treat — an entire extra day to spoil yourself with relaxing activities, good food and even better company. Here to make your long weekend even better, I Should Be Souvlaki is celebrating its first birthday by giving away free signature wraps at their Newtown location to the first 50 food-loving customers across Queen's Birthday long weekend. I Should Be Souvlaki prides itself on an entirely plant-based menu that adheres to traditional Greek flavours. Think dairy-free tzatziki, warm pita, fresh salads and a Mediterranean herb mixture developed by co-owner Adam Papastathopoulos's yiayia (grandmother). "We're incredibly excited to be celebrating our first birthday here at I Should Be Souvlaki, Newtown. Opening a new venue just days before Sydney went into widespread COVID lockdowns last year was not part of our initial plan, but we've received overwhelming community support over the last twelve months, and this is an important shared milestone for our customers and our team alike," co-owner Emma Langley said. Available from midday on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, the first 50 customers each day will be able to choose from marinated cauliflower, soy-based lamb, mushroom-based lamb or chick'n in their pita. If you miss out on the free goodies, you'll get a chance to spin a wheel for freebies like vegan cheesecake, upgraded meals and gift vouchers. "When people first try our menu, they can't believe that plant-based food can be so mouth-wateringly delicious yet still taste authentically Greek. We do not cut corners on flavour," co-owner Adam Papastathopoulos says.
UPDATE, Friday, March 15, 2024: The Aqua with Special Guests tour is no longer taking place on Sunday, March 24 at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena, moving to Tuesday, March 26 at Enmore Theatre instead. Also, 2 Unlimited are now the only support act. This article has been updated to reflect that change. For the past year, we've all been living in a Barbie world, with Greta Gerwig's Margot Robbie-starring Barbie film the biggest thing in pop culture over the past 12 months. What happens when you combine the planet's love for the pink-hued hit with the never-ending trend that is 90s nostalgia? Aqua touring Australia to bust out 'Barbie Girl' at a throwback party, that's what. Life in plastic will be fantastic when the Danish-Norwegian band make their first trip Down Under since 2019. Back then, the group responsible for still having their best-known single stuck in your head, plus 'Doctor Jones' and 'Turn Back Time' as well, toured on a bill filled with other acts from the era. This time, they're doing the same thing. Joining Aqua on Tuesday, March 26 at Sydney's Enmore Theatre: Belgian-Dutch dance duo 2 Unlimited. Originally, the show was set to include British boy band East 17, R&B group Big Brovaz, and English dance acts Phats & Small, Booty Luv and Urban Cookie Collective, too, but they're no longer on the bill. Your latest excuse to keep celebrating all things Barbie-related — and to get a big blast from the past — comes after Aqua popped up on the movie's soundtrack with rapper Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice on the tune 'Barbie World'.
If you didn't end April or start May binging Heartstopper, then you probably weren't anywhere near your streaming queue or social media. As charming as romantic comedies, LGBTQIA+-championing tales, British series and coming-of-age stories can get, this webcomic-to-page-to-screen delight dropped all eight of its first-season episodes at once, became an instant Netflix hit and started many an obsession — regardless of whether you currently are or ever have been a queer teen trying to be true to yourself, navigating high school and riding the emotional rollercoaster that is falling in love. The great news: if you haven't seen it already, season one is obviously still there and waiting. The even better news: Netflix has just renewed the series for two more seasons. So, sometime in the future — with no dates given as yet — Heartstopper will be making tickers miss a beat again, and twice, with the graphic novel's author and illustrator Alice Oseman also returning as the show's writer (and creator, obviously). It's easy to see why more Heartstopper is on its way — and not just because its narrative has continued past where season one stopped on both the web and in print. The series hit the Netflix top-ten list in 54 countries, wowed audiences and earned the social-media attention to prove it, and has already made stars out of its delightful cast. ✌️ more seasons of Heartstopper! 🍂🍂https://t.co/u65kBHzJ9p pic.twitter.com/s6NKkU9Hl3 — Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) May 20, 2022 Story-wise, Heartstopper heads to Truham Grammar School, where Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) is in year ten. He finds himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) at the start of a new term, and sparks fly swiftly and overwhelmingly — at least on Charlie's part — with a crush and then a life-changing love story both blossoming. While director Euros Lyn (Dream Horse) gives Heartstopper's first season a dreamy look and feel — with emotionally astute showers of colour, too — teen romance is always complicated. Actually, teen life in general is. Also popping up here, with their own ups and downs: Charlie's self-hating secret boyfriend Ben Hope (Sebastian Croft, Doom Patrol); his disapproving, high-drama best friend Tao (fellow debutant William Gao); their recently out trans pal Elle (Yasmin Finney); her lesbian school friends Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell); and the quietly happy-go-lucky Isaac (Tobie Donovan). Oh, and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) as Nick's mum. The end result isn't afraid of teen tropes or rom-com cliches, such as grand gestures in the pouring rain, blissful montages and the stress of text messages — but it also isn't willing to deliver anything other than a thoughtful and tender account of high schoolers being and finding themselves, even amid unavoidable teen angst and taunting. There's currently four volumes, spanning five chapters, of Heartstopper on the page — and a fifth volume set to arrive in February 2023 — so fingers crossed there'll be even more seasons of the Netflix series in our futures. Check out the trailer for Heartstopper season one below: Exactly when Heartstopper will return for season two and three hasn't yet been revealed — we'll update you when dates are announced. The first season of Heartstopper is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review. Images: Rob Youngson/Netflix.
If Four Weddings and a Funeral can come back as a television series, then it appears that another beloved rom-com from the past few decades can too. Continuing a trend that's never going to end — aka building pop culture's future out of its past — How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days is the latest flick getting the small-screen remake treatment. And we do mean small, given that streaming platform Quibi is behind the series. Founded by ex-Disney and Dreamworks bigwig Jeffrey Katzenberg, the newcomer won't launch until next year, but it's being designed as a short-form, smartphone-only service. That means content broken down into eight–to–ten minute chunks for ease of viewing when you're somewhere other than the couch. So, How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days isn't just getting a modernised do-over, but one that'll unfurl in bite-sized pieces. Few details about the rom-com remake have been announced as yet, although it'll be penned by The Mindy Project writer Guy Branum. The underlying premise has been given a bit of a makeover, focusing on an online columnist and an advertising executive who need to prove that they can be monogamous, as TVLine reports. Who'll be stepping into Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson's circa 2003 shoes, and whether either will pop up, will be revealed down the line. A release date hasn't been set as yet either, although Quibi is set to drop in April 2020. If and when it'll be available Down Under also hasn't been announced. Until more details hit, check out the trailer for the original How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFGr2_cOOTk
The Entertainment Quarter's multi-storey live music venue is set for a huge transformation with the Mary's Group taking over operations at the Moore Park spot. Formerly Hi-Fi and Max Watt's, the 1200-capacity hall will be renamed Liberty Hall and taken under the wing of burger bros, Mary's founders Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham. Located across from the Hordern Pavillion and the Entertainment Quater's new pub Watson's, Hi-Fi quickly became a Sydney mainstay for midsized gigs in the early 2010s. It was then renamed Max Watt's House of Music in 2015. Now, with Smyth and Graham at the helm, the venue will host gigs ranging from local acts finding their feet and club nights to tours with big international acts. "We are humbled at another opportunity to take the reins of yet another fallen live music venue and pour energy and hard work into creating an exciting creative space for Sydney's arts community," Graham said. Liberty Hall will swing its doors open from late October with initial lineups and shows set to be announced over the next couple of months. View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Kostopoulos (@gm.kosto) "Today's announcement is another great step forward in the renaissance of Sydney's live music scene," NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said. "This new venue will give a platform for creative talent from Sydney and beyond, whilst also helping to revitalise the Entertainment Quarter precinct. It's a big shot in the arm for our city's 24-hour economy and I can't wait to experience its first performances." The live music venue will be accompanied by a new Mary's restaurant next door, serving up the team's signature burgers and fried chicken. The burger joint will become the group's fifth Sydney location, joining Newtown, Castelraigh Street, Circular Quay and the recently opened Castle Hill outpost. This won't be the team's first foray into live music programming. Below the Circular Quay location, you'll find another salvaged space, the underground gig space Mary's Underground. Previously known as The Basement, Mary's resurrected the venue a year after it was forced to close. Smyth and Graham also ran gigs out of The Lansdowne for over half a decade before stepping away from the venue in February. Thankfully for the city's live music junkies, the beloved City Road pub has been saved by the Oxford Art Factory team. [caption id="attachment_747991" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's by Kitti Gould[/caption] Liberty Hall will be located at Building 220, 116-122 Lang Road, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. It will open in late October. Images: Tom Wilkinson
Sydney's rambunctious leotard-loving lads, Bluejuice, are calling it a day. The beloved pop/rock/dance/errrthang ratbags Jake Stone, Stavros Yiannoukas, Jamie Cibej and James Hauptmann have announced their final national tour and an upcoming greatest hits tour to wrap everything up by the end of 2014. "After 13 years of broken bones, broken hearts, sore heads, passive aggression, regular aggression, several arrests, questionable skin infections, and a busload of infuriated tour managers, Bluejuice are announcing they are calling it quits at the end of 2014," says today's press release. Abercrombie-going Purple Sneakers alumni are shedding many a tear today. Since 2001, the beloved Sydney outfit have had one heck of a ride, keeping the chin of Australian music up with three celebrated albums (Problems, Head of the Hawk and Company) on the shelf and still holding the position of most played track on triple j ever ('Vitriol'). https://youtube.com/watch?v=ldBhDmvWFXE Bluejuice have decided to part ways to test the waters in other projects, with the sad intention of giving those leotards a rest. Before they take their final bows, the team will release a big ol' greatest hits album — a retrospective ride dubbed Retrospectable, with all your favourite mid-2000s sticky-floored party go-tos, best bits from their three albums, extra rare content and new single 'I'll Go Crazy', produced by Dann Hume (Sticky Fingers/Alpine). Bluejuice will kick it on their final national tour this September/October. Starting at Adelaide's Uni Bar, the pair will meander through the capitals and rural centres before finishing up where it all started — Sydney (at the Metro Theatre, where many a drunken Bluejuice escapade has roamed before). In one of the most emotionally-charged press releases we've ever seen, Bluejuice's legacy is laid down. "They shall leave behind a body of work of which they are all very proud, and they look to the future with a mix of hope and fear of starvation, not unlike the chick at the end of Children Of Men." Top notch. Bluejuice — Retrospectable: The Farewell Tour (with special guests to be announced) Tickets on sale August 9 THU 25 SEPT — Uni Bar, Adelaide. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 26 SEPT — Capitol, Perth. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 27 SEPT — Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha. Tickets via REAF. THU 02 OCT — Hi-Fi, Brisbane. Tickets via Oztix. FRI O3 OCT — Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 04 OCT — Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 10 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. (Under 18's only Matinee show 12-3pm) Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave. Tickets via Ticketmaster and Village Green Hotel. SUN 12 OCT — Barwon Club, Geelong. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 17 OCT — Waves, Wollongong. Tickets via Moshtix. SAT 18 OCT — ANU Bar, Canberra. Tickets via Ticketek. THU 23 OCT — Bar on the Hill, Newcastle. Tickets via BigTix. FRI 24 OCT — Metro Theatre, Sydney. (LIC/ALL AGES)? Tickets via Ticketek.
Stanmore has welcomed a new neighbourhood bakery that may already be staking a claim to be up there with the city's best. After cutting their teeth at the Ryde Wharf Markets, co-owners Mutiara Sucipto (ex-Sonoma) and Hari Wibowo have taken over an unassuming Parramatta Road space and transformed it into a tiny cafe with flaky, buttery, inventive baked goods on offer. Surrounded by stores specialising in water filters, flags and beads and plenty of empty shopfronts, this stretch of Parramatta Road isn't where you'd typically find one of Sydney's most exciting new openings. But Sucipto and Wibowo say they've received a warm welcome from neighbouring businesses and are excited to make the most of their Stanmore spot. Originally looking for a space to bake out of for their market stalls, the pair found 336 Parramatta Road on Facebook Marketplace. "Let's just do it" said Wibowo to Sucipto, deciding to throw caution to the wind. After a soft beige paint job and a nostalgic DIY fitout, the space has now been transformed into a homely neighbourhood meeting spot. Thanks to the cult following they'd built at the markets and a couple of viral TikToks, Pantry Story has already been a huge success, with patrons lining up out the door and along Parramatta Road to get their hands on a sweet or savoury treat. All of the day's tasty options are laid out around a curved white table in the centre of the cafe, a decision that Wibowo says was inspired by memories of his family congregating around a big round table during Chinese New Year celebrations. There are a few different must-tries so you might have to come back a few times in order to make your way through the menu. Wibowo's pick of the bunch is the signature pandan cookie, which has been on the menu since the first market stall. A take on the Indonesian favourite klepon or onde-onde, the cookie melds together coconut, hand-stretched mochi, a palm sugar filling and an icing sugar coating. There's also a chocolate chip cookie that's perfectly firm and gooey with melty pockets of choc throughout and a sprinkling of sea salt on top. Sucipto's pick of the bunch is the beef brisket hand pie — a one-handed puff pastry take on the servo classic that can be eaten on the run (or, more specifically, on a walk from Pastry Story to Stanmore Station). Other highlights include focaccia baked with kimchi or miso mushrooms, pork sausage rolls with caramelised pear and onion, and weekly specials like the pandan and custard buns that the team created in collaboration with Marrickville Road cafe Algorithm. Plus, if you're after your caffeine hit for the day, there are Stitch Coffee cappuccinos, mochas and iced long blacks, alongside matcha lattes and cold maple chai. Pantry Story is located at 336 Parramatta Road, Stanmore. For more information and to stay on top of its regular specials, follow the bakery on Instagram.
After a successful run in Melbourne last year, crowdfunding platform Pozible is bringing its pop-up love-in to Sydneysiders next month. Dubbed Anything's Pozible, the project will be taking over The Makery in Darlinghurst from March 7-13 to celebrate the already existing work of emerging creatives and develop their skills for the future. In a more straightforward way, that means workshops, film screenings, classes and performances — all at artist-friendly prices and bookable as (what else?) Pozible campaign rewards. To celebrate the great work that Pozible has already done, opening night on Friday, March 7, will feature a bunch of crowdfunding success stories, including the EP release of local dreamboat, Oliver Tank. It will also be a great opportunity to hear about the innovation behind smaller projects. See Sydney printmakers Rizzeria detail how they raised funds for a new stencil press, check out Trent Jansen's sustainable bicycle reflectors made from old road signs, or hear how James McKay raised over $65,000 on the idea of a single coffee cup. Throughout the following days, workshops will include printmaking (courtesy of the folks at Rizzeria); online marketing for design, film and publishing (courtesy of The Loop); and general crowdfunding know-how brought to you by Pozible itself. Even if you don't have a creative project on the horizon, it's probably worth heading along and mooching some creative inspiration off these people. Embrace the love-in. Find some ideas worth investing in. Registration for classes and workshops is open from Wednesday, February 5, via Pozible.
Our Melbourne comrades are doing it especially tough right now, currently pushing through the fourth long week of their current stage four lockdown. But if you know a southerner who could use a distraction from their 8pm curfew and five-kilometre travel restrictions, you can now send them a little sweet relief courtesy of Uber Eats. This week, the delivery service is allowing interstate mates to send Victorian friends free dessert or ice cream, via its new #lockdownlove offer. From today, Monday, August 31, to Friday, September 4, you can surprise your Melbourne mate with a free Uber Eats dessert delivery, up to the value of $20 (including delivery fee). There are 1000 of the freebies available each night, starting from 8pm. To share the love, simply plug your friend's address into the app, order from one of their local dessert venues and enter that day's promo code (it's 'mondaylove' for Monday, 'tuesdaylove' for Tuesday and so on). Once you've ordered, you can click 'Share This Delivery' at the top of the app and your pal will be able to track their sweet treat on the move. Brighten their day with some Pidapipo gelato, send some Greek doughnuts from Lukumades, or maybe treat them to a wedge of cheesecake courtesy of the iconic Brunetti. If you're a sweet-toothed Melburnian who could do with some free dessert, we just send this article to an interstate friend — as a very unsubtle hint. [caption id="attachment_687498" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Doughnuts by Shortstop[/caption] Top image: Lukumades
Have you ever been half way through the work week and fantasised about living the simple life? Perhaps you've been dreaming about waking up in a timber cottage with nothing but rolling hills as far as the eye can see? Well, luckily for you, there's a small collection of quaint cottages on vineyards and rustic cabins set amongst idyllic gardens in Victoria — perfect for your next serene weekend venture. To help you live out your dungaree-wearing, straw chewing, horse riding dreams, here's a list of the most charming farm stays across Victoria you can book right now. UNDER A PEPPERCORN TREE, CASTLEMAINE A beautifully renovated self contained studio perched under an ancient peppercorn tree. Just four minutes from Castlemaine, a charming country town with a bounty of restaurants, pubs and small shops. From $216 a night, sleeps two. DOG-FRIENDLY HOLLOW LOG ESTATE, MUSK VALE With weatherboard interiors, a stylish yet quaint kitchen and stain glassed windows, this stone cottage looks like its straight out of a fairytale. Bring your pup for a weekend on the 23 acre property featuring gardens, open paddocks and dams. From $225 a night, sleeps two. HALCYON COTTAGE RETREAT, STRZELECKI This stylish cottage is perfect for a group of friends searching for an idyllic weekend away spent cooking and drinking wine in front of jaw-dropping views of the Strzelecki Ranges. There's a veggie garden and an outdoor bath, too. From $290 a night, sleeps six. MOORAKYLE RETREAT AT EASTERN HILL ORGANIC FARM, BLAMPIED This cottage is set on a 300 acre property that is a registered farm animal rescue and grows wildflowers. Perch yourself on its deep verandah that overlooks grows overlooks native forests, a creek, and Mt Kooroocheang. From $255 a night, sleeps two. BUSH HAVEN CHAPEL NEAR CASTLEMAINE, FRYERSTOWN If you want to mix things up for your next country stay, consider booking a weekend at this chapel (originally built in 1861), which has been lovingly restored and styled. Swim nearby at the mineral spring reservoir if you stay during summer. From $210 a night, sleeps two. ORTO TWO STRAW ECO COTTAGE, BLAMPIED Set on a regenerative permaculture farm, and nestled between even more farms with delightful offerings (free-range pork, home cooked sweets, organic wine and berries), this straw eco cottage also has cooking lessons for two to ten people. From $230 a night, sleeps two. A VIEW TO A HILL, BULLAROO Bullaroo has two spacious bedrooms, each of which can be rented separately or all at once if you're with a group. There's a high-end kitchen and a top floor terrace with a barbecue and bar with sweeping views across acres of farmland. From $690 a night, sleeps five. THE JUNE, BIRCHCREEK This two bedroom cottage is tucked into the foot of the Mornington Peninsula Hinterland, close to beaches and nearby towns. Wander the grounds of the working farm you'll be staying on — you'll see goats, cattle, alpacas and beehives. From $275 a night, sleeps four. RED HILL BARN IN IDYLLIC RURAL SETTING, RED HILL A picturesque barn-style house stands amongst vines and olive groves. The timber wrap-around deck is ideal for afternoon drinks, and there's a dam for swimming on those balmy summer days. From $390 a night, sleeps six. RURAL RETREAT, SELF-CONTAINED STUDIO, WOODFORD If you want alpacas, sheep, pigs and chickens as your neighbours for a weekend, this newly built studio set on five acres of farmland is right up your alley. The farm also supplies fresh free range eggs and has a walking track nearby. From $140 a night, sleeps two. ON A PEACEFUL VINEYARD IN THE YARRA VALLEY REGION, ARTHURS CREEK This B&B is on the first floor of a vineyard farmhouse 45 minutes from Melbourne with world renowned Yarra Valley wineries only a 15 minute drive. If you want to stay in, there's a clawfoot bath for soaking, plus a deck overlooking a private garden. From $246 a night, sleeps two. THE ROCKS, PYALONG This off-grid studio is truly unique — it's surrounded by massive granite boulders and just as many sheep. Bask in views across the Great Dividing Range from the deck, or by the fire through floor to ceiling windows. From $210 a night, sleeps two. MACEDON RANGES FELLCROFT FARMSTAY, COBAW Built by the Crozier family who have been farming in the Macedon Ranges since 1862, every detail in this house has been thoughtfully planned for an authentic and relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle of city life. From $255 a night, sleeps two. HALFMOON CREEK — MOONDANCE COTTAGE, WANDILIGONG If you've been needing to finish that book with a glass of wine, unreachable by your boss, Moondance Cottage has cozy, rustic decor, no television, no phone reception and gets all of its water and power from the nearby creek. From $255 a night, sleeps two. BABENOREK STUDIO, DEANS MARSH Charmingly styled, with a small but dreamy country-style kitchen and handmade furniture, this solar powered studio was hand-built from lime-rendered straw bales twenty years ago by the family that owns the farm. From $175 a night, sleeps four. TORQUAY FARMSTAY BLUE STUDIO TRUCK, FRESHWATER CREEK Close to Great Ocean Road beaches and national parks, this tiny house has been built on a truck using a recycled timber, windows, doors and stain glass. Don't be fooled by the exteriors — three lofts and a fully functioning kitchen await you inside. From $155 a night, sleeps four. COUNTRY PARADISE IN THE GULLY, SMITHS GULLY The twisted staircase leading to a wooden mezzanine along with stain glass windows and a pitched roof give this farm house a magical feel. Enjoy panoramic views of vineyards, nearby farms and the Kinglake Ranges. From $195 a night, sleeps four. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
They can't all be great. They can't all be good. They can't all even be watchable. Every year, cinemas and streaming queues fill up with new movies — and every year, that includes a whole heap of excellent films. But, as the annual Golden Raspberry Awards also recognise, it also spans awful flicks as well. While the Oscars and Golden Globes shower love on the best and brightest movies of the past year each time that they roll around, the Razzies do the opposite, handing nominations and gongs to the films it considers the worst of the annual bunch. 2023's accolades mark the awards' 43rd and they're aiming big, with high-profile titles such as Blonde, Morbius, Elvis and Disney's live-action Pinocchio among the contenders. Of course, just as naming ace flicks is subjective, so is shaming terrible ones. Expect Elvis to notch up Academy Award nods, too, for instance. But the Razzies has given Baz Luhrmann's film two nominations, and both for Tom Hanks: for Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Screen Couple with his latex makeup. Hanks isn't just one of the world's favourite actors, but one of the Razzies' this year, also picking up a Worst Actor nomination for playing Gepetto in Disney's Pinocchio. That film received six nods in total, coming third to Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde with eight and Machine Gun Kelly's stoner comedy Good Mourning with seven. Also among the nominees: Pete Davidson twice, for Marmaduke and Good Mourning; the Firestarter remake's Ryan Kiera Armstrong for Worst Actress; filmmaker Judd Apatow for the pandemic-set supposed comedy The Bubble; and the two 365 Days sequels. And yes, it's morbin' time at the Razzies, with the Jared Leto-starring supervillain flick ranking fourth nominations-wise with five: for Leto for Worst Actor, Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actress (for Adria Arjona), Worst Director (Daniel Espinosa) and Worst Screenplay. The 43rd Annual Razzie Award winners will be announced on Sunday, March 12, Australian and New Zealand time. Check out the full list of nominees below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES 2022: WORST PICTURE Blonde Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning The King's Daughter Morbius WORST ACTOR Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Good Mourning Pete Davidson (voice only), Marmaduke Tom Hanks (as Gepetto), Disney's Pinocchio Jared Leto, Morbius Sylvester Stallone, Samaritan WORST ACTRESS Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Firestarter Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic Park Dominion Diane Keaton, Mack & Rita Kaya Scodelario, The King's Daughter Alicia Silverstone, The Requin WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Pete Davidson (cameo role), Good Mourning Tom Hanks, Elvis Xavier Samuel, Blonde Mod Sun, Good Mourning Evan Williams, Blonde WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Adria Arjona, Morbius Lorraine Bracco (voice only), Disney's Pinocchio Penelope Cruz, The 355 Bingbing Fan, The 355 and The King's Daughter Mira Sorvino, Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend WORST SCREEN COMBO Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning Both real life characters in the fallacious White House bedroom scene, Blonde Tom Hanks and his latex-laden face (and ludicrous Aaccent), Elvis Andrew Dominik and his issues with women, Blonde The two 365 Days sequels (both released in 2022) WORST DIRECTOR Judd Apatow, The Bubble Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning Andrew Dominik, Blonde Daniel Espinosa, Morbius Robert Zemeckis, Disney's Pinocchio WORST REMAKE, RIPOFF or SEQUEL Blonde Both 365 Days sequels: 365 Days: This Day and The Next 365 Days Disney's Pinocchio Firestarter Jurassic World Dominion WORST SCREENPLAY Blonde Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning Jurassic World Dominion Morbius
If December to you means luminous festive decorations — November as well, or basically the second that Halloween is over — then simply driving through your neighbourhood can be a jolly good time. Wherever you look, there just might be a glowing set of Christmas lights sharing its seasonal merriment and brightening up the suburban streets. Of course, these lit-up displays really shouldn't cause such a fuss. They pop up everywhere every year, after all, and we're all well and truly aware of how electricity works. But twinkling bulbs are just so hard to resist when it's the happiest portion of the calendar. Perhaps you're a casual Christmas lights fan, and you're completely fine just checking out whichever blazing displays you happen to pass in your travels. Maybe you have a few tried-and-tested favourite spots, and you return to them every year. Or, you could want to scope out the best and brightest seasonal-themed houses and yards. Whichever category you fall into, an Australian website called Christmas Lights Search is likely to pique your interest, especially given that it has been updated for 2023. Christmas Lights Search is as nifty and handy as its name suggests, covering festive displays all around the country. To locate all the spots that you should head to, it's as easy as entering your postcode or suburb — or those of places nearby — and letting the site deliver the relevant options. Plus, it also rates the lights displays, if you want to either go big or stay home. It's also constantly being updated, so, like the best combos of glowing trees, sparkling bulbs and oversized Santas, you might want to check it out more than once. When you pick an individual address listed on the site, you'll be greeted with some key information, too. The level of detail varies per listing, but expect to potentially peruse photos, the ideal hours to swing by, a date range and a description of what's on offer. All that's left is to get searching, plot out where you'll be heading every night between now and Christmas Eve, and get ready to see oh-so-many reindeer, candy canes and snowmen. Putting up your own Christmas lights for the neighbourhood to see? Spotted something in your travels that you think everyone else would like to check out? You can add both to Christmas Lights Search as well. [caption id="attachment_882325" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] To find festive displays near you, head to the Christmas Lights Search website. Top image: Donaldytong via Wikimedia Commons.
There are sandwiches, then there are sandwiches, and then there's Lucky Pickle. Take the sharp turn into High Holborn Street at the corner of Crown and Devonshire Streets, and you find yourself in a minuscule, hole-in-the-wall-type operation, where the staff stand behind a counter dishing out their own take on bread with fillings, and it's a take on things that's definitely worth trying. Opened by Tio's bartender Arash Katrak with Anna Berry, Lucky Pickle takes the approach of simplicity — simply choose from five different sambos. To accompany, there is a selection of soft drinks, and the whole deal is cash only. But rather than getting the feeling that there isn't much to choose from, it instead makes for a quick decision, and a high likelihood of being satisfied. The lunch variations are all a fancier version of classic sandwiches, using homemade sauces and ingredients prepared in-house. Take the pork belly sandwich, accompanied by duck liver pate, veggies and a crazily excellent sriracha. With the heat from the chilli and the spice from the coriander thrown in there, you get a unique twist on the classic Vietnamese banh mi. Sticking with the Asian theme, they also make a great chicken katsu, dished up with sesame and red cabbage, as well as the traditional Japanese tonkatsu sauce. It's not all meat (though there is also a mortadella with smoked mozzarella and pesto). The pescatarian option contains fish dip, radish, rocket and mayo, and a vegetarian option is always on rotation, whether it be a goat's cheese sandwich or quinoa salad. The style of the joint is, once again, in its simplicity. There's hardly room to sit, with a single communal table tucked in behind the door and a few bread crates outside. But that's the vibe of the shop — come in, grab a quick, tasty bite and be on your way. If you're going to sit down, grab a carafe of water and your sandwich on your canteen tray and enjoy with the magazines scattered about the place. It's important to get in quick, though, because this little gem is only open Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 2.30pm, or until they're all sold out. It's silly to say that the guys at Lucky Pickle are reinventing the sandwich because, well, how? It is fair to say, however, that this one-stop sandwich shop is creating intensely tasty versions of classic sandwiches that are well worth taking an early lunch break for.
Before the pandemic gave our everyday lives a big shake-up, we're betting that your spring routine was full of picnics. Sydney is a great city for packing a basket, gathering the gang and pulling up a rug, and then enjoying everything that comes next. But given that nothing has been quite normal lately — including the fact that Sydneysiders have spent much of 2021 in lockdown — picnics haven't played a big part in this spring so far. Thankfully, from Monday, September 13, that's changed. Back at the end of August, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that because the state had hit six million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (yep, all in arms), the government would be loosening a few rules. Specifically, it'd be easing restrictions around outdoor recreation — so, for "sitting for relaxation, or to eat, drink or read outdoors", as defined on the NSW Government website — and changes would come into effect in all parts of the city. Now that the day for those eased conditions has arrived, you might be wondering exactly what's allowed. The short version: if you're fully vaccinated, your options just expanded. If you've had both jabs and live outside of Sydney's Local Government Areas of concern, you can enjoy outdoor recreation in groups of five as long as all adults are fully vaxxed and you all stay within your LGA or within five kilometres from home. Or, if you live in a hotspot LGA, you can enjoy two hours of outdoor recreation with the family members you live with, or with one other person if you live alone — as long as all adults are fully vaxxed, you stay within five kilometres of your house and you abide by the nighttime curfew. The list of things you can and can't do can be a bit overwhelming, though. So, we've broken the new outdoor recreation rules down for you in more detail. This information is correct as of Monday, September 13. [caption id="attachment_750943" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] What is outdoor recreation? First up, you're probably wondering what's meant by outdoor recreation, because it's not the kind of term we all used to describe heading out of the house before the pandemic. NSW Health advises that "recreation includes outdoor leisure activities such as sitting for relaxation, or to eat, drink or read outdoors". So, that includes heading to a park or beach to have a picnic, just sit and read, or even just to sit. Who can leave the house for outdoor recreation? Under the new rules that came into effect on Monday, September 13, the definition of outdoor recreation hasn't changed. But, who can head out for that exact reason has been given a revamp. The main rule: if you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you have more options. The restrictions also vary depending on where you live — so whether you live outside of Greater Sydney's Local Government Areas of concern, or within them. Outside of hotspot LGAs: For people who don't live in an LGA of concern (so, 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), you have two options. If you're fully vaxxed, you can now can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five adults for outdoor recreation, as long as all everyone with you that's aged 16 years or over is also fully vaccinated. If you haven't had both your jabs, you can only enjoy outdoor recreation with one other person that you don't live with, or your entire household — or your nominated visitor under your singles bubble. This rule hasn't changed, and remains in place even with new eased rules coming into effect for folks who've been fully vaxxed. Inside hotspot LGAs: For people who do live in one of the LGAs of concern and are fully vaxxed, you can go out for outdoor recreation with fully vaccinated members of your household for two hours per day — or with one other fully vaccinated person who is not a member of your household. Not vaccinated, but live in one of the LGAs of concern? This doesn't apply, as you're not able to go out for outdoor recreation. When can I leave the house for outdoor recreation? Again, this depends on where you live — and if you're vaccinated. Outside of hotspot LGAs: Fully vaxxed, and live outside of the LGAs of concern? Then you can enjoy outdoor recreation whenever you like. There's no curfew on when you can go out. If you're not in a hotspot LGA, this actually also applies to people who aren't vaccinated — but they can still only enjoy outdoor recreation with their household or one other person. Inside hotspot LGAs: For people who live within an LGA of concern and have had both jabs, you need to abide by the 9pm–5am curfew when you're going out for outdoor recreation — and you can only go out for outdoor recreation for up to two hours per day. Not vaxxed, and live in a hotspot LGA? Again, you're not permitted to go out for outdoor recreation. How many people can I have a picnic with or hang out with outside? To reconfirm, picnics and just sitting and relaxing outside are covered under the definition of outdoor recreation. For further information, see the point on this above. And, as keeps proving the case, how many pals you can meet up with depends on where you live — and if you're jabbed. Outside of hotspot LGAs: If you don't reside in one the LGAs of concern and you're fully vaccinated, there's a five-person limit. So, you and four other fully vaxxed mates — who don't have to live with you — can all meet for a picnic or just to hang out outside. And, that five-person limit only covers adults. So, beyond those five fully vaxxed people over the age of 18, you can have any number of children aged 12 or under in attendance. Also, the kids don't need to have had their jabs, given that the vaccination campaign isn't currently open to this age group. Not vaccinated, but live outside the hotspot LGAs? Again, you can only exercise or enjoy outdoor recreation with one other person that you don't live with, or your entire household — or your nominated visitor under your singles bubble. This rule hasn't changed, and remains in place even with new eased rules coming into effect for folks who've been fully vaxxed. Inside hotspot LGAs: As mentioned above, for people who do live in one of the LGAs of concern and are fully vaxxed, you can go out for outdoor recreation with fully vaccinated members of your household for two hours per day — or with one other fully vaccinated person who is not a member of your household. Not vaccinated, but live in one of the LGAs of concern? This doesn't apply, as you're not able to go out for outdoor recreation. Where can I enjoy outdoor recreation? Yes, we're going to say it again — it depends on whether you've been vaccinated, and also where you live. Outside of hotspot LGAs: Everyone outside of the LGAs of concern can only undertake outdoor recreation either within their Local Government Area or within five kilometres of their home. This applies whether or not you're vaccinated. Inside hotspot LGAs: People inside the LGAs of concern who've been fully vaccinated can only undertake outdoor recreation within five kilometres of their home. Not vaccinated, but live in one of the LGAs of concern? You're not able to go out for outdoor recreation. Do I need proof that I'm vaccinated? In a word, yes. If you're going out for outdoor recreation, you must have proof of your vaccination with you at all times. If you're requested to show that proof of vaccination to a police officer, you must do so. Need to know where to find proof you've been jabbed? Our guide to booking your vaccination in Sydney explains that, handily. Just checking, what does 'fully vaccinated' mean? There's no harm in making sure you know exactly what's expected when it comes to being fully vaxxed. The rules around this state that "fully vaccinated means you have had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccination or have a medical contraindication certificate issued to you." Do I have to wear a mask? Yes, masks are compulsory unless you're at home. That means that you need to wear them whenever you're outdoors, other than if you're exercising; in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces (if you can't work from home, that is); on public transport, and while waiting for public transport; at outdoor markets and outdoor shopping strips; and standing in an outdoor queue waiting for a coffee or something to eat. You'll still obviously need to carry a mask with you at all times whenever you leave the house — even if you are exercising. The full list of rules — and exemptions to those rules — is available on the NSW Government website. Can I drive to a park for outdoor recreation? Yes, but you must abide by the distance limits. So, in parts of Sydney that aren't classed as LGAs or suburbs of concern, you must stay within your local government area for outdoor recreation, or within five kilometres of where you live. In LGAs or suburbs of concern, you're limited to a strict five-kilometre limit. And carpooling with people outside of your household still isn't allowed anywhere in Sydney, so you can't drive with your mates or family members if they don't live with you. Can I go to the beach? Yes, but only if a beach falls within your distance limit. Again, in parts of Sydney that aren't classed as LGAs or suburbs of concern, you must stay within your local government area for outdoor recreation, or within five kilometres of where you live. In LGAs or suburbs of concern, you're limited to a strict five-kilometre limit. During Sydney's last lockdown, many local beaches closed, so you'd be best to check your local council website before heading out. And if you're driving to a beach because it's within your distance limit, remember that carpooling with people outside of your household still isn't allowed anywhere in Sydney — so you can't drive with your mates or family members if they don't live with you. Can I go to a coastal/regional town? No, you cannot. You can not travel beyond your distance limit for outdoor recreation. It's also now an offence to leave Greater Sydney to travel to regional NSW without a reasonable excuse. If you do need to travel for an allowed reason, you'll need to get a permit. Can I road trip to an out-of-town beach for a day? Again, no. You can't take a day trip out of town for outdoor recreation. And, once more, it's now an offence to leave Greater Sydney to travel to regional NSW without a reasonable excuse. If you do need to travel for an allowed reason, you'll need to get a permit. For more information on what you can and can't do in NSW, head to the NSW Government website or read the NSW COVID-19 public health orders. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Sydney has no shortage of speakeasies. Some of the city's best bars are hidden in basements, down unmarked laneways or behind decoy shopfronts. What sets the secret 1920s-inspired hotel bar Brooksy apart is the opulence that it lavishes upon those lucky enough to find it — this is a speakeasy so glamorous, it could make a Gatsby blush. Parquet floors, marble countertops and deep-pile velvet upholstery. Chevrons, curves and polished wood finishes. A palette of corals, umbers, moss greens and midnight blues. Add them all together and Brooksy's luxurious decor is a full-throated love song to the art deco and bauhaus movements, down to the last draped curtain and brushed-brass light fixture. Hidden on the ground floor of the Amora Hotel on Jamison Street in the CBD, it's a space that summons the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, with just a little 21st-century license. And the decadence doesn't stop with the fitout. The cocktail list, designed by award-winning bartender Brendon Hill, is an ode to the golden age of travel — a time when globetrotting socialites crossed continents in search of adventures. Each concoction marks a stop on a grand global itinerary, taking in Australia, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and even the Caribbean. For example, the Uluru (a blend of green grapes, lemon, Campari, gin and white vermouth) seeks to evoke the wonder of exploring the outback, while the Amalfi Coast-inspired Saluti hopes to whisk you away on an Mediterranean retreat via a mingle of house-made citruscello, peach granita and prosecco. Sticking with the theme of 1920s excess, you'll also find absinthe fountains, a roving premium whisky cart and oysters shucked tableside on the menu. The theatrical flourishes continue with the bar's entertainment offering, with live music performances and palm readings by fortune tellers on the billing. If all that excitement has helped you work up an appetite, executive chef Hemant Dadlani's menu of bar snacks is at the ready. It also takes its cues from Hill's international concept, with yuzu scallops with zippy hits of ikura and wasabi, Glacier 51 toothfish served shiro miso and cucumber salsa, and fiery Jamaican jerk chicken sliders among the dishes on offer. A thirst for discovery underpins any speakeasy experience, but Brooksy is upping the ante with the cryptic promise of "hidden offerings and giveaways throughout the bar for those looking closely for clues." And yet, for all its OTT extravagance and luxury trappings, this 70-seat venue is compact enough to still feel intimate and cosy. Find Brooksy at 19 Jamison Street, Sydney, open 5pm–late Tuesday–Saturday — head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Chad Konik.
First came the return of the Kirra Beach Hotel, pouring drinks again after three years out of action while the surfside pub was rebuilt as an all-new 1300-square-metre watering hole with a sunny beer garden. Then arrived Kirra Beach House, with multiple spaces to eat and drink — and cabanas for both — on the beachfront. Now, for everyone heading to the Gold Coast to take advantage of the two venues, or just in general, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments is up and running. Out-of-town visitors and staycationers alike have a new spot to stay at Kirra Point, the precinct that's reshaping this part of southeast Queensland's coast. If you're keen to slumber for at least two nights — with longer trips welcome, too — this sleek new accommodation boasts one-, two- and three-bedroom options, all in a prime location. Killer views from each apartment overlooking the beach are a huge highlight. So are expansive balconies that are designed for hanging out outside as much as in, whether you're going solo, or you're with your partner, mates or travelling as a family. No one usually books a holiday apartment with more room than they need — and with prices starting at $395 per night, that'll prove the case here — but whichever size abode you pick, you'll still be peering at the water. Beach vistas are part of every apartment, so you won't miss out on making the most of the scenic surroundings. Fancy taking a splash, too? That's where the block's elevated pool deck comes in, also with stunning views. As you swim in the 25-metre heated pool or kick back on the poolside lounges, you'll have an uninterrupted vantage of the beach. The communal al fresco area also includes barbecue facilities and an outdoor shower. Back inside, expect a contemporary aesthetic; sizeable bedrooms, with the main featuring a king-sized bed; a full kitchen with European appliances and a Nespresso coffee machine; a 65-inch television with a Chromecast; internet access; and a full laundry. Plus, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments has its own air-conditioned gym, and hires out beach carts, umbrellas and bikes for exploring the area. Need a charcuterie platter or picnic hamper to make your stay even better? They can be delivered. If you're new to Kirra, you'll be venturing 70 minutes from Brisbane, 30 minutes from Broadbeach and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. And if this is the first that you're hearing about the Kirra Point precinct, it's all about giving folks the beach life whether they're dropping by for a sip and a meal, residing onsite or temporarily calling it their home away from home. Find Kirra Point Holiday Apartments at 4 Miles Street, Kirra, Queensland — head to the apartments' website for bookings and further details. Images: Elise Hassey.
He gave The Social Network five stars, Hostel none, famously refused to grade Romper Stomper, and declined to cover Wolf Creek 2 at all. But how would David Stratton rate a documentary about his own life and love of film? It's a question we'll never know the answer to, although the fact that we're all wondering speaks volumes about the veteran film critic's impact. It also explains why there's now a doco about him and the Australian cinema landscape he has helped shape for more than half a century. Let's face it — for most Aussie film and television viewers, movies and David Stratton go hand in hand. For 28 years on SBS's The Movie Show and then ABC's At the Movies, he dissected the week's big screen releases on the small screen, with much of the country tuning in to catch his insights and hear his banter with co-host Margaret Pomeranz. He'd profess his hatred for shaky cam, she'd sigh "oh David," and their back-and-forth would make a conversation about an average film much, much more interesting. They even have their own board game. And while that might've all come to an end, the movie buff's movie buff isn't done sharing his love of cinema. Indeed, from the end of May, he'll talk audiences through the best flicks Australia has to offer in a three-part TV series. Consider David Stratton: A Cinematic Life the feature-length appetiser. Directed by experienced television helmer Sally Aitken, the documentary endeavours to do two things: step through Stratton's life and career, and explore a selection of influential Australian titles. The former comes complete with tales of the critic's cinema-obsessed youth, photos of his pre-beard days, a glimpse inside his catalogue of movie notes (which he refuses to digitise), and a number of famous faces popping up to sing his praises, including Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Mad Max director George Miller. To achieve the latter, the film takes Stratton around the country to visit locations immortalised on film while diving into explorations of the titles in question – from outback horror Wake in Fright and beloved comedy Muriel's Wedding, to the roadway thrills of the original Mad Max and the relatable warmth of The Castle. Understandably, there's plenty to fit in — the British-born Stratton arrived down under for what was supposed to be a two-year visit, became the director of the Sydney Film Festival for 18 years, and was the subject of ASIO interest thanks to his trips to overseas film festivals. Similarly, with around 100 flicks earning a mention, there's no shortage of movies in the spotlight. Using one as a gateway to the other, David Stratton: A Cinematic Life does an impressive job of weaving its two points of focus together. Hearing about Stratton's fascinating experiences will make you want to discover more (thankfully, his 2008 autobiography I Peed on Fellini can help fans do just that), while discovering his thoughts on an array of local films will make you want to dedicate the foreseeable future to an Aussie movie marathon. Deftly edited and filled with affection, David Stratton: A Cinematic Life is the kind of film the man himself would likely give several stars and probably more. We reckon Pomeranz would feel the same way, although here we have to be content with her commenting on her former sparring partner's shoes. Yes, that's another reason the documentary is worth watching. Come for the moving tribute and informative trip through Aussie film history, stay for the long-awaited David and Margaret reunion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoTbplWKvOg
Barangaroo's cult-favourite bakery Shortstop is staying open late this winter to host a series of after-dark doughnut-making masterclasses for its adoring fans. Join head doughnut maker Natalie Waugh on July 8, 29 and August 19 and learn all there is to know about creating these trendy desserts. The 90-minute class will see participants rolling, proofing and frying their own doughnuts from scratch. While the doughnuts are rising, you'll also be instructed through making three-types of glaze to finish the tasty treats off. Of course, you can't be expected to make doughnuts without eating some at the same time, so there will be fresh cinnamon doughnuts and batch brew coffee passed around while you bake. Tickets are a pricey $100, but include a box of professionally made doughnuts for takeaway, recipes for Shortstop's special yeast dough and your glaze creations from the night, plus a $10 voucher to the shop. All ingredients will be included, however you need to BYO apron and enclosed shoes are recommended. It's also recommended that you book in ASAP — these classes sell out very fast.
You know a show is a big deal when you have to Google whether the musician is still alive or not. Thankfully for us, the legendary tambourine man is still very much alive and kicking. And, to celebrate his 73rd birthday yesterday, Bob Dylan has announced a month-long run of Australian and New Zealand tour dates to kick off in August. Though this birthday would signify the age of retirement for many, this world-renowned singer-songwriter is showing no signs of slowing down. Having last toured the country with his 2012 album Tempest, Dylan has recently been leaking new content on his website. After releasing a cover of Frank Sinatra's 'Full Moon and Empty Arms', some have suggested the prolific musician's next album — number 36 — could be a compilation of covers. Either way, it'll be a treat to see this living legend perform live. But be sure to get in early! With an iconic sound that has spanned generations, these all ages shows are bound to sell out quick. Tour dates: Saturday, August 9 - Claudelands Arena, Hamilton. Wednesday, August 13 - Riverside Theatre, Perth. Thursday, August 14 - Riverside Theatre, Perth. Monday, August 18 - Palais Theatre, Melbourne. Tuesday, August 19 - Palais Theatre, Melbourne. Monday, August 25 - Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane. Friday, August 28 - Royal Theatre, Canberra. Sunday, August 31 - Entertainment Centre, Adelaide. Wednesday, August 3 - State Theatre, Sydney. Thursday, September 4 - State Theatre, Sydney. Wednesday, September 10 - CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch. Tickets for the Australian shows go on sale Tuesday, June 3 at 9am via Ticketek and Ticketmaster.
The anticipation is building for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™. Seeing as we are hosting the iconic occasion Down Under, Sydney is set to witness some exhilarating matches. Meaning the city will be bursting with football fever and a plethora of vibrant events and experiences to enjoy. So, if you're planning a trip to the city, be sure to witness the best of what Sydney has to offer. From art and culture to music and culinary delights, Sydney is poised to showcase its dynamic spirit during the month-long World Cup celebration. Luckily for you, we've rounded up some top picks that you should not miss during your stay.
Kings Cross has had a tough year. The tragic death of Thomas Kelly following a vicious assault had people wondering: is there anything good about the Cross? Sydneysiders (and indeed Australians) know the area as being home to the infamous drag of mafia-owned strip clubs, seedy bars and nightclubs. However, the Drink 'n' Dine Group, known for glamming up rundown pubs, are opening Santa Barbara, a venue they hope will restore some credibility to Kings Cross. And the boys have placed their new diner in an ideal location to engage a revitilisation of the areas nasty stigmas. You'll find yourself directly beneath the infamous Coke sign when taking a visit to Santa Barbara. Fresh from opening a Jamaican-inspired eatery, Queenies, Santa Barbara will be Drink 'n' Dine's sixth opening in recent years. Co-owner Jaime Wirth caught up with Concrete Playground before the venues official launch that Santa Barbara would be a bar serving tropical classics and dishing up "US-Asian BBQ", which will include American food infused with Chinese takeaway, Tex-Mex and Hawaiian roadhouse concepts. "I went on a research trip for 10 days in Los Angeles and New York with our designer Michael Delany-Korabelnikova, where we were hanging out 24/7 checking out heaps of good bars and non-stop eating," said Wirth. "The name of the bar changed about five times but we came back to the first idea we had: Santa Barbara." Wirth said the concept of Santa Barbara was nothing that's being done in Sydney. There's bings ($5.50) which are similar to Chinese pancakes, Char Sui ribs with salsa verde, cucumber and jalapeno finger salad ($18), one hand burgers ($10-$12) and the impressive dragon dog which has smoked and deep-fried octopus, complete with tentacles. Wirth said every dish on the menu, crafted by Drink 'n' Dine executive chef Jamie Thomas, could be eaten without cutlery. "It's definitely got the 'bar with great food vibe' which I love. It means people can come to have a drink and have dishes that you can eat with one hand," he said. And the drinks? Wirth described the menu as taking on classics with a holiday resort theme, with touches of Mexican and Asian flavours. Cocktails start at $15, including the Santa Colada with rum, coconut puree, pineapple and Amaretto, as well as the Largerita with tequila, beer, agave and a paprika salt rim. As you walk up the stairs a huge mechanical bear greets visitors with 'Santa Barbara' emblazoned in neon lighting. At the bar, there are quirky knick-knacks which Wirth says have been collected on eBay and also on a spending spree in China. There are also lit up pictures of various dishes behind the bar, similar to a Chinese takeaway. Santa Barbara is Drink 'n' Dine's biggest and boldest project to date, Wirth said. "Kings Cross is a bit of a hot topic at the moment. It's new territory for us as we're opening more of a bar that serves really good food," said Wirth. "When we opened The Norfolk, people told us that nobody wanted to go there and now it's pumping. We're hoping something like that can happen for us in Santa Barbara. We're trying to make it so people can go there on a Tuesday night, instead of just at 3am on a Saturday when they're trashed," he said. Good luck to you boys, we're rooting for you. And here's to your mini-revolution of the Cross' dining and drinking scene. Santa Barbara opens on 30 November. Mon - Thu 12pm - 2am, Fri 12pm – 3am, Sat – Sun 4pm – 3am; Lot 1 82-94 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point 2011.
Jenny Lewis, former lead singer of indie rock group Rilo Kiley, is about to release her first solo album in six years, so why not come back with a bang (and a viral video)? Her social media freakout-inducing clip for first single, the Beck-produced 'One of The Guys' has a few of Hollywood's leading ladies taking the piss out of gender roles by tracksuiting up and acting like real tough dudes. Unlikely accomplices Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart and Brie Larson casually make up Lewis's backing band, eventually winding up in drag, fly kicking, breakdancing and giving each other those perplexing man-hug-hand-shake things. Snaps to Lewis for fusing taking Taylor Swift-style famous friend collab cues. There are so many high-fivable things going on here, it's hard to know where to start. Lewis's rainbow pantsuit, Hathaway's rat-tail and keytar, and Stewart actually looking like she's having fun for once in her life — all good places to start. Despite all this nonchalant splendour, Larson takes the cake. The Short Term 12 star is completely hysterical in this clip as a boy, and is probably the most convincing lip syncher of the band next to Lewis. Despite the silliness, the single is actually quite a poignant note on being comfortable with yourself both in your womanhood and in your age. Just goes to show, dealing with heavy stuff doesn't mean taking yourself seriously all the time. 'Just One of the Guys' is the first single from Lewis' new record Voyager, which will be out by the end of the month. Watch 'Just One of the Guys' right here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Irvcf6dCk-k Via Rolling Stone.
Six decades after first dancing its way across the big screen — and singing, too — a certain New York neighbourhood rivalry is returning to cinemas. It was back in 1961 that West Side Story first made the leap from theatre to film, and now it's repeating the feat this December. Yes, the Jets and the Sharks will be facing off again. This time around, Steven Spielberg is in the director's chair. Obviously, West Side Story's narrative will remain the same, though. In the Big Apple in 1957, a Romeo and Juliet-inspired love story will play out, as Tony (Ansel Elgort, The Goldfinch) and María (film debutant Rachel Zegler) fall head over heels despite their backgrounds — because Tony's best friend Riff (Mike Faist, Panic) leads the Jets, and María is the younger sister of Sharks head honcho Bernardo (David Alvarez). Also popping up among the cast: Ariana DeBose (The Prom), Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle (Imprisoned), Corey Stoll (Ratched) and Brian d'Arcy James (Devs), plus the great Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time) — who also played the role of Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend, in the original movie. The film's long list of talent continues off-screen, too, with West Side Story circa 2021's screenplay penned by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Tony Kushner (Lincoln), and the choreography coming courtesy of fellow Tony-recipient Justin Peck. Spielberg and company are taking the original 1957 Broadway show rather than the 1961 movie adaptation as their basis and, as the just-dropped first teaser trailer shows, the results look vibrant and lively, but still with a classic old-school musical sheen. Thankfully — and unsurprisingly — it also looks worlds away from the filmmaker's last feature, Ready Player One. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6xoDxf676w&feature=youtu.be West Side Story opens in Australian cinemas on December 9. Top image: Niko Tavernise, 2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
There's more than beaches and beautiful weather to draw you to Queensland. The Sunshine State's art scene has become one of the most vibrant in Australia, and 2023 is shaping up to be a non-stop calendar of festivals, exhibitions and cultural events that you'll want to lock in ASAP. And it's not just Brisbane: the quintessentially Queensland beachside towns and rural cities come alive all year long as well. You'll find everything from boundary-pushing urban installations that merge art and science to world-first exhibitions of iconic artworks, celebrations of First Nations creators, new interpretations of classic performance pieces and international music acts satisfying all your boot-scootin' and blues-rockin' needs. Together with Queensland, we've rounded up nine stand-out arts and culture events that warrant a trip to the tropics all on their own. Book your flights and pack your sense of artistic appreciation, culture vultures — the north awaits. [caption id="attachment_876729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aerocene 2 and Aerocene 1.2, Studio Tomás Saraceno[/caption] 'AIR' AT GOMA, BRISBANE Until Sunday, April 23, 2023, the entire ground floor of GOMA will be given over to a sprawling exhibition exploring the ethereal element we breathe — aptly titled Air. Through the themes of atmosphere, burn, shared, invisible and change, diverse artworks will explore this vital, intimate and at times dangerous element that is core to our existence. The exhibition features Australian and international artists, including collection pieces from Ron Mueck and Jonathan Jone, plus commissions from Jemima Wyman and Tomás Saraceno. The artworks address weighty issues like climate change and the pandemic, as well as evocations and meditations on the place of wind and breath in the natural world. Encounter Air through a broad range of artistic mediums, from solid light installations to moving sculptures, the release of scents and art made from breath and pigment. 'Air' at GOMA, Saturday, November 26 till Sunday, April 23, 2023 [caption id="attachment_880980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lizzie Himmel, Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985. Artwork ©️ Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.[/caption] 'POP MASTERS: ART FROM THE MUGRABI COLLECTION, NEW YORK' AT HOTA, GOLD COAST For 15 weeks, the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts (HOTA) will play host to an exclusive, world-first exhibition of pop art. Pop Masters will take over the Sunshine State from Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023. What's on show? Renowned works from the icons of the artistic movement that emerged during the late 50s — the likes of Andy Warhol will get cosy alongside the great Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Characterised by playful, incisive creative conversation with popular culture, these pieces have been selected from the private New York collection of Jose Mugrabi. More than 40 works will span the 60 year history of pop art — there will be legacy pieces from the original artists of the 70s and 80s, and those they inspired up until now. Don't miss the rare chance to see these works in person on Australian shores. 'Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York' at HOTA, Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023 [caption id="attachment_853020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL ft. CURIOCITY BRISBANE, BRISBANE Open your minds and feed your desire for new knowledge, insights and thought-provoking art at the World Science Festival. Presented by the Queensland Museum Network, the program offers a stellar lineup of live events across STEM, education and art, with activities for all ages and curiosities. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, March 26, 2023, the festival will hit locations through the Queensland Museum precinct, South Bank and the city, before it takes a tour of locations in regional Queensland. Curiocity Brisbane is back too. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023, the city will transform into a landscape of wonder, strange encounters and eye-opening experiences, where an intersection of science, technology and art come to life in installations throughout the urban playground. World Science Festival ft. Curiocity Brisbane, Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023 [caption id="attachment_878012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] CMC ROCKS QLD, IPSWICH Pull out the cowboy boots and grab your Stetson, Australia's biggest international country music festival is boot-scootin' its way back to Ipswich. Over three days (March 17–19, 2023), Rebel and Stampede — the two main stages — will keep up a non-stop musical program of epic shows. Past years have brought big name talents — think The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Troy Cassar-Daley — and 2023 is no different. Next year's fest is hosting the finest country acts from here and abroad. Morgan Wallen and Kip Moore will be joined by the exclusive chance to witness the Zac Brown Band perform Down Under. Expect yeehaws of all kinds: old-school classic country, alt and pop-country. Camp onsite and come join the good country people for a hoedown and/or hootenanny. CMC Rocks QLD, Friday, March 17 till Sunday, March 19, 2023 BLUES ON BROADBEACH, GOLD COAST Now in its 22nd year, Blues on Broadbeach always draws a lineup of big-name artists and the best local talent in blues, rock and soul to its sunny locale. Ever-popular and packed with fans of good tunes, good grooves and good times, this free fest will run from Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023. Those that've been know the fun they're in for. First time? It's massive: gigs take place throughout Broadbeach, from the seaside parklands to favourite venues, with around 20 different spots for you to catch a performance. Make a holiday of it — stay a few nights, explore the area, eat and drink delicious local things. You're free to get up and dance the trip away, or simply sit on the grass with a brew while soaking in the beachy energy of this seaside blues party. Blues on Broadbeach, Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023 [caption id="attachment_879295" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Click Photography[/caption] CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR, CAIRNS AND GREAT BARRIER REEF The annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is both a leading ethical art market place and a true celebration of First Nations culture. From Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023, the event provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to exhibit, collaborate and connect with each other and wider Australian audiences. Next year's theme, 'Weaving Our Future: Claiming Our Sovereignty', highlights the crucial point of time we're in, on the edge of wide-scale change, bringing the narratives and lived experiences of Queensland's First Peoples into national discourse and uplifting their voices. The festival is comprised of both free and ticketed events, with stages at the Cairns Convention Centre precinct and other venues throughout Gimuy (Cairns) featuring art, music, fashion, comedy, food, crafts, conversations and more. It's an optimal time to book a trip to the tropical north — sun, sea and a showcase of stand-out Australian art. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023 TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS, SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND COUNTRY Toowoomba will burst into bloom again for the much-loved, endlessly photographable, month-long Carnival of Flowers from Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023. Expect citywide floral displays, tours and activities, from a glorious swathe of natural colour taking over 25 hectares of Queens Park, to the floral floats and street performers of the Grand Central Floral Parade and the private gardens of proud Toowoomba residents in the Chronicle Garden Competition. By night, take a twilight tour through the magical grounds of Laurel Bank Park or explore the illuminated Botanic Gardens. It's not all buds and petals: there are foodie experiences, pub tours, and a food and wine mini-fest of Southern Queensland Country producers — plus music, local markets and a ferris wheel. Explore Toowoomba at its most lush with a trip next September. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023 BRISBANE FESTIVAL, BRISBANE Brisbane Festival is the vibrant celebration that hits the city annually, bringing bold art, boundary-pushing performances and installations throughout the city. With a focus on challenging, disruptive and bold art, the popular fest spotlights international, local and First Nations creators and collaborators. Although official dates are yet to be released, it's set to run through September 2023. Expect to be able to head to free events, live concerts and interactive hands-on activities — in past years, there's been Naughty Nights Out, magic shows straight from the streets of Tokyo, all-out block parties, blow-out burlesque performances — even rollerskating. The starter? The famous Riverfire display over the waters of the Brisbane River. Brisbane Festival, September 2023 THE RING CYCLE, BRISBANE There's no opera quite like Wagner's Ring Cycle. Totalling 15 hours, you're in for four nights of powerful, operatic wonder. But even if you've seen it before, we're sure you've not seen anything like the upcoming rendition by Opera Australia. Hitting QPAC from Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023, the production comes from Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng, and brings together performers from here and abroad. The version places Wagner's classic interpretation of Germanic mythology into a futuristic, parallel-universe setting, using digital art to create virtual landscapes. Breathtakingly original, the music is led by French conductor Philippe Auguin, who has headed up The Ring Cycle on numerous occasions. If you're an opera buff or just a fan of fantasy, futurism, timeless tales and truly epic theatre, this is an unmissable cultural event. The Ring Cycle, Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023 To explore more arts and culture events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website.
Everyone has a New York bucket list, filled with must-visit places throughout the busy city. And, we're betting that The Metropolitan Museum of Art features on most of them. Founded in 1870, presenting over 5,000 years of art from around the world and considered one of the top museums in the world, it's a iconic site for many reasons, including the pieces within its walls, its exhibitions and its annual gala. Another reason The Met is a favourite for visitors? For the past 50 years, a pay-as-you-wish scheme operates regarding the entry price. The suggested admission for adults is $25, but walking through the door for free is perfectly acceptable. That'll change on March 1, but it'll only impact folks who aren't New York State residents or students from New Jersey and Connecticut. In short, if you're from anywhere else in the world and you're keen to wander through The Met, you'll now pay the $25 fee. The mandatory full-priced admission tickets will be honoured for three days at the museum's three locations, however, so out-of-towners can make the most of their money. The news comes after The Met welcomed over seven million visitors in 2017, and put on 60 exhibitions. In a statement on the museum's website, Met president Daniel Weiss said the change was needed "in order to sustain its mission for future generations and to remain an accessible source of inspiration to all." It's expected that mandatory admissions will affect around 31 percent of their annual visitors. Image: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
There's a time for coffee and there's a time for cocktails — and, sometimes, there's a time in the day when you want both. Australia's caffeinated booze expert Mr Black ticks both boxes with the release of its new bottled beverage: a pre-batched coffee negroni. The company's first bottled cocktail, the coffee negroni is made with Mr Black coffee liqueur, Campari, sweet vermouth and Moore's dry gin, which is produced at the same distillery as Mr Black, Distillery Botanica. Each bottle is going for $49 and can be used to make five cocktails (yes, that's a very reasonably $9.80 a drink). To make said cocktail, you just need to pour 100 millilitres of the sweet stuff into a glass over ice and garnish with a citrus twist — if you want to get a little fancy. No stirring (or shaking) required. It's the second new product the Mr Black team has released during lockdown, with the company launching a hand sanitiser in late March. As well as selling thousands (and thousands) of bottles to the public, the team donated hundreds to front-line medical workers, not-for-profits, testing clinics and medical centres. It's not the only distillery to launch its own hand sanitiser during COVID-19, either, with Queensland icon Bundaberg and Sydney rum distillery Brix, among others, also jumping on the trend. To get your hands on a bottle of coffee negroni, which, knowing Mr Black's track record, will sell out fast, head over to the Mr Black website. It's currently offering free shopping on all orders over $80. Mr Black's coffee negroni is on sale now for $49.
Keen for a solid burg in the CBD today? There's a cheeky little burger battle happening underneath Martin Place, with the genuine wizards at Pub Life Kitchen taking on the burgers of Barrio Cellar. On Thursday, August 27 from 12-3pm, the PLK Cheeseburger will take on the Barrio Burger, giving you an excuse to wolf down more than your average recommended burger portion for a regular Thursday. Not familiar with the competition? PLK have earned their stripes in burgery serving seriously excellent creations inside Ultimo's tiny Lord Wolseley Hotel. PLK have been known to put everything from Dorito fried chicken to chilli jam doughnuts on their buns, so don't underestimate these guys. Needless to say, their cheeseburger is a force to be reckoned with. Barrio Cellar, while they're probably known more for tacos and tequila, have created a worthy weapon of their own — the meaty, meaty, oh-so-cheesy Barrio Burger. This really is the best way any Thursday lunch could go. Bring on the burgs.
June is here, so is the cold weather — and usually the Sydney Film Festival also would be in full swing right about now. But in 2021, SFF is unleashing its cinematic wonders a little later than normal. That doesn't mean that you can't spend its traditional time slot thinking about all the things that you're going to watch between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29, though. Also a bit later than usual, SFF has just announced its first program sneak peek for 2021, ahead of the full lineup drop in July. The short version: even based on the list revealed already, your eyeballs are going to be busy at this year's 12-day fest. So far, the event has named 22 movies that'll help it make its proper return to cinemas after a two-year gap. The 2020 event moved online due to the pandemic — and when a summer season brought cinephiles back to the glorious State Theatre in January, it only screened a handful of movies. If these first 2021 titles are anything to go by, film buffs are in for quite the treat come August. Leading the charge: New Zealand's The Justice of Bunny King, which stars Essie Davis (Babyteeth) and Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit); Riders of Justice, a revenge-fuelled Danish comedy led by the inimitable Mads Mikkelsen (Another Round); 2020 Sundance hit Zola, which is based on a lengthy 148-tweet Twitter thread; 2020 Berlinale Golden Bear winner There Is No Evil, a searing Iranian drama about the death penalty; and Undine, the alluring and beguiling latest film from German auteur Christian Petzold. Festival director Nashen Moodley has also programmed documentary The Kids, which sees Australian filmmaker Eddie Martin (All This Mayhem) explore Larry Clark's 1995 film Kids; climate change doco The Magnitude of All Things, which includes Greta Thunberg chatting about the topic; Shoplifters of the World, a drama about a fan of The Smiths trying to cope with the band's breakup; and three-time Sundance 2021 winner Hive, the first film to ever win the fest's Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award. Or there's also the tense and engaging Night of the Kings, which takes place in a rough Côte d'Ivoire prison; The Beta Test, a Hollywood-set horror flick that's been getting comparisons to The Twilight Zone; and the Taika Waititi-executive produced sci-fi film Night Raiders. And, on the local front, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow hones its focus on Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, following the couple as they prepare for 2004's Kura Tungar — Songs from the River — a collaboration between the First Nation artists, Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra. Plus, Step into Paradise explores the collaboration and friendship between Aussie fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. The 2021 Sydney Film Festival will run between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29. Check out the event's just-announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on Wednesday, July 22. Top image: Zola. Anna Kooris / A24 Films.
It's a marriage of the ultra trendy and timeless style. Italian label Superga has collaborated with 'it girl' Alexa Chung's eponymous fashion line to create an exclusive shoe collection of chunky, retro, yet elegant kicks. Trading in Superga's iconic canvas for suede and velvet, the limited edition range reboots the oldie, but goodie bowling shoe with thick soles, as well as the Italian label's sports training styles — a model from the brand's over-100-year-old history books. Now, it's all too often these sort of collaborations are only available to our mates in the northern hemisphere, but Superga and Alexa, being the inclusive types they are, will launch the Superga x ALEXACHUNG collaboration in Australia this week. And we've secured two spots for you and your plus one at the exclusive launch party happening in Sydney this Friday. While we won't know the location until the day of, we do know that Alexa Chung will be there in the flesh. So along with partying with Sydney's style set at this secret (waterside) location, you'll be rubbing shoulders with one of the fashion industry's biggest names. Whether you'll be fangirling/boying or not, it's a party you'll certainly want to secure an invite to just for the killer Sydney views, Aperol spritzes, flutes of Perrier Jouet Champagne and canapes like seared scallop with spicy shellfish vinaigrette and crackling, orecchiette puttanesca and goat's curd and tomato tartlets with black olive — what a way to kick off the weekend. Plus, on top of all that, we've secured two pairs of Supergas for you and your favourite friend. You'll be able to slip into those crisp white kicks just in time for the arrival of warmer days. The Superga x ALEXACHUNG capsule collection launch will take place this Friday, September 21 in the evening at a secret location. To secure an RSVP, as well as some Superga kicks for you and a plus one, enter your details below. [competition]689242[/competition]
Thailand is undoubtedly one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations, and Bangkok is one of the world's most visited cities by international tourists. The sprawling metropolis makes room for the old and the new — one minute you're cruising down the Chao Phraya river, the next you're travelling through the city at breakneck speed on the BTS skytrain. We've going to bet that a few of you have been to Bangkok before. Maybe you've even trekked up to Chiang Mai and Pai, or soaked up some sun scuba diving off one of Thailand's many islands. That's why we've left some of the obvious Bangkok destinations out of this article, like the mind-boggling Chatuchak markets, the opulent Grand Palace and the silk-lovers heaven that is Jim Thompson House. If you're in the country's capital and looking for a fun way to spend a few days, we recommend giving a few of these a visit. Drink at high altitudes Bangkok has quite a nifty reputation for its rooftop bar scene, so we decided to check out the highest one we could find — it was the Sky Bar at the Lebua State Tower (also known as the rooftop bar from The Hangover 2). Come alone or come in a wolf pack to the 65th floor — the service is friendly and the cocktails are outstanding. We could drink their blueberry sour G&T's all damn day, but there's also a Hangovertini for those looking to stay in theme. Sunset is generally the best time to arrive but, then again, we're yet to find a bad time to drink at high altitudes. We also climbed to the top of Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Bangkok, located on the 61st floor. It's extremely easy to pass the hours when you're seated against the glass wall overlooking the city — with free bar snacks that were constantly replenished, no less. There was a smart casual dress code at both of these rooftop bars, so it's worth checking ahead to make sure drinking in the clouds stays firmly on your conquered list. Yes, both of these places were a bit pricier than your average 60 Baht bottle of Chang beer, but if you're after a nice night out, this is it. What can we say? Bangkok has us now. Work Your Way Out Of Escape Hunt Escape rooms are becoming a bit of a thing in Australia, but we tried out the Bangkok version at Escape Hunt anyway. For the uninitiated, escape rooms are like playing real-life Cluedo: you get 'locked' in a room, left to solve a murder mystery before your time is up. In our case, we had an hour to figure out who had killed a female painter — one of her three boyfriends, or the groundskeeper? This was totally awesome. And if Bangkok hasn't already tested your relationship with your travel partner, this certainly will. You're allowed to get clues from your host, but each clue deducts one minute off your time, so we recommend only using them when you're desperately seeking some Sherlock intuition. Thankfully, we made it out with just under two minutes to spare, and we were given the cutest tweed detective gear to put on and take photos in. Check Out Cat, Dog and Bunny Cafes Cat cafes did originate in Asia, so it's no surprise there are a few here in Thailand's capital. We're not sure exactly how many cat cafes Bangkok has, but we know there are at least three. Purr Cat Cafe Club is one of the more prominent ones in Sukhumvit, and in a city filled with apartment buildings and high rises, it's no wonder Bangkok locals are looking to spend some quality time with a furry friend. Purr is run by a Thai sitcom actress and houses 14 fluffy Persians cats. At the cafe you can have cat-shaped brownies and whiskers drawn on your hot chocolate. There is also Kitty Cat Cafe and Makura Cat Cafe in Bangkok if you can't get enough of your feline friends. Cats not your thing? Don't even worry about it. Bangkok also has a cafe that specifically houses Siberian huskies called True Love Cafe. There are 17 of these adorable pups running around, all of different colours and sizes. One final animal establishment we'd like to throw out there is the Lucky Bunny Cafe & Restaurant, which houses happy, healthy rabbits. All of the cute, all at once. Food and (Safe) Sex Together At Last With a tagline like 'Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy', how could you possibly refuse a meal here? There are mannequins covered in elaborate condom costumes which are hilarious and honestly quite impressive, but Cabbages and Condoms is not the money-grabbing, photo-opportunity establishment you might first think. Cabbages and Condoms was initially created to promote a better understanding of sexual health and family planning, as a portion of the profits go towards the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). It's all in the name of an excellent cause, so you might as well get amongst. The menu is strictly Thai cuisine, and there's plenty to choose from. There are a few Cabbages and Condoms located all over Thailand, so if you're heading over to Thailand but not staying in Bangkok, there's still a chance to check this out. Grab a handful of free dingers on the way out and have yourself a safe and merry day. Choose Your Own Adventure: Thai Street Food Let's be honest, this section could be a whole article to itself. Thai street food is the best kind of street food — cheap, unpredictable (in a good way), and, above all, delicious. The rules are simple: eat anything that looks interesting, ask questions later and try something new every time. On a personal note, I spent two years of my childhood living in Thailand, so I had a slight advantage of knowing that (1) My chances of death were slim if I chose wisely, and (2) I could identify some of the strangest looking toppings on Thai snow cones. Boat noodles (kuay tiew rua) are a Bangkok street food staple, and there is a whole alley dedicated to this delicacy located near Victory Monument. For other noodles on the run, a safe bet is the readily available stir-fried wide rice noodles (pad see ew) or Pad Thai. Our favourite savoury snacks were easily the bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, as well as the ever-present and super cheap grilled pork sticks (moo ping). For sweets you can't go passed mango and sticky rice (kao niao mumuang) — it's traditional and delicious. For some who are keen for a little lucky dip, give the Thai snow cone (nam kang sai) a go. You fill the bottom of the bowl with anything from black jelly, chestnuts, sweetened taro to red beans, then place a mound of shaved ice on top of that and cover with flavoured syrups and condensed, evaporated or coconut milk, depending on how sweet you want it. Top image thanks to Scalino, Lubua photo taken by Vicky Chung via Flickr, cat image thanks to ironypoisoning, Cabbages and Condoms image thanks to micamonkey, street food image thanks to jaaron.
Just like their killer villains, some horror franchises never seem to die. In 2021, two big recent sagas have released their latest instalments, with Spiral: From the Book of Saw and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It keeping their respective spook-filled realms going. Alas, neither movie was anywhere near either series' best, but the fact that both Saw and Conjuring flicks are still reaching screens is a great testament to James Wan. The Australian filmmaker has been a key figure behind both franchises, directing their early instalments and still earning executive producer credits now — as he's followed the tried-and-tested path from horror movies to Hollywood blockbusters. Wan mightn't have been behind the lens of Spiral and The Devil Made Me Do It, but he is returning to his favourite genre this year — after detouring into action with Fast & Furious 7, Aquaman and the upcoming Aquaman 2. His latest flick Malignant will hit cinemas in September, marking his first horror film that isn't attached to an existing franchise since the initial Conjuring movie released back in 2013. This time around, he's playing with nightmares — but of the daylight variety. Malignant's protagonist Madison (Annabelle Wallis, Boss Level) keeps having visions of disturbing murders, only to find out that they aren't just figments of her imagination. Also complicating matters, as seen in the just-dropped trailer: the fact that, as a kid, she told people that she was speaking to the devil. The suitably moody and dark-hued trailer teases out this exact scenario, throws in a few bumps and jumps, but obviously leaves the key details for horror fans to discover when the film hits the big screen. Wan co-wrote the story behind the movie, with screenwriter Akela Cooper (upcoming Conjuring Universe sequel The Nun 2) penning the script. And, cast-wise, Maddie Hasson (Mr Mercedes), George Young (Containment), Michole Briana White (Songbird), Jacqueline McKenzie (Palm Beach), Jake Abel (Son of the South) and Ingrid Bisu (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) all co-star. Check out the trailer for Malignant below: Malignant opens in Australian cinemas on September 7.
After seven years of bringing food to Australians' doors — and alcohol, kitchen and household products, and pop culture-themed board games in some places, too — Deliveroo has delivered a significant piece of news: it now no longer operates in the country. Via a series of messages to customers, on social media and on its local website on Wednesday, November 16, the company announced that it was shutting its Aussie service effective immediately. "Deliveroo no longer operates in Australia," the organisation's website now reads. "Deliveroo has taken the difficult decision to leave Australia. We have been proud to bring so many people amazing meals from Australia's great restaurants over the years," it continues. The company is now in administration, with KordaMentha appointed to oversee the process. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Deliveroo (@deliveroo_au) In its statements on social media, Deliveroo called the news a "sad announcement" and reiterated that it "has been a very difficult decision to make". It also called out Australia's "amazing food" and "thousands of brilliant restaurants and riders". Obviously, the sudden shuttering will impact both considerably. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Deliveroo staff will receive compensation, and drivers who made a delivery in the past three months. As a result of the closure, Deliveroo's app is now no longer accepting orders, leaving customers to use competing food-delivery services such as UberEats, Menulog and DoorDash. Since opening in Australia in 2015, in efforts to stand out in a crowded market, Deliveroo has done everything from giving away burgers and Tim Tams, offering free delivery during lockdowns and slinging free fries based on vaccination levels through to even dropping off free Gelato Messina choc tops by boat. For more information about Deliveroo ceasing operations in Australia, head to the service's website.
When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common. A big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, but it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. French Impressionism is an exception, then, returning to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne in 2025 after initially gracing the institution's walls in 2021. When it was first announced for that debut Australian run, French Impressionism was set to be a blockbuster exhibition — and with 100-plus works featuring, including by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, it's easy to understand why. But 2021 wasn't an ordinary year, like 2020 before it. Accordingly, when this showcase of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts opened Down Under, it was forced to close shortly afterwards due to the pandemic. Cue another season in this part of the world four years later, thankfully, with French Impressionism back at NGV International from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. [caption id="attachment_977042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claude Monet, French, 1840–1926, Water lilies, 1905, oil on canvas, 89.5 x 100.3 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series, French Impressionism isn't short on gems, especially given the array of artists with pieces on display, which also includes Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot. But one certain must-see is the presentation of 16 Monet pieces in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing of his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), and that still leaves the US gallery almost as many to display in Boston. Another section digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. As the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors will enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. [caption id="attachment_977038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.
Ichi-ban is a well-known ramen in Sydney for a reason. It's cheap, it's delicious and you have it in front of you just minutes after ordering — which is handy given the queue you can expect at peak times. While there are plenty of options on the menu, including some great gyoza, the ramen is the real hero here. The noodles are made fresh and cooked al dente and we recommend the karaage ramen, which is topped with melt-in-your mouth fried chicken. Having said that, their miso ramen is also worth your money, particularly if you want to stick to the cheapest $18.90 option. While there are a few Ichi-bans now in Sydney, head to their flagship restaurant at The Galeries for the best. As of just recently, the restaurant now takes card.
The World's 50 Best Bars list was just announced in Hong Kong, with two Australian hot spots taking out impressive rankings. Sydney's Maybe Sammy affirmed its position as Australia's most consistently awarded bar on the list, while Melbourne's Caretaker's Cottage improved its previous ranking. The annual list, which has been operating since 2009, is curated from the votes of The World's 50 Best Bars Academy, which includes expert bartenders, consultants, specialists and drinks writers. The list, as voted for by more than 800 experts across the world, represents an international guide to the best bars and drinking destinations globally. The inclusion on the list this year, at number 42, marks seven consecutive years for Sydney bar Maybe Sammy. The bar, co-founded by Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino in 2019, has garnered an impressive array of national and international awards since its opening, including being named Best Bar in Australasia five times by The World's 50 Best Bars. Catino says, "For seven years, we've proudly put Sydney on the global cocktail map, and that consistency means everything to us. Australia is one of the best food and drink destinations in the world, and we're honoured to be part of it. Thank you to everyone who voted — it truly means the world." Caretaker's Cottage, tucked away in Wesley Place precinct in a historic bluestone building, is no doubt one of Melbourne's favourite and most awarded bars. It can now add another notch in its belt, being ranked number 19 on the list, and taking out the Best Bar in Australasia award for 2025. The World's 50 Best Bars List says of the petite-sized Melbourne hotspot, "Beneath the skyscrapers in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, there's a small, humble-looking place that was once the residence of the caretaker of the church next door. It's here you'll find a small team taking care of the thirsty, the tired and those in need of a good time…the real feat they've achieved in a small place is ensuring that — despite being Melbourne's busiest cocktail bar — every guest feels like they've found a place of their own." In another impressive feat that puts Aussies on the world stage, the double-concept venue Tigra (downstairs) and Disco Pantera (upstairs) were honoured with the Best Bar Design Award 2025. Feels like a drink is in order all round. Images: Mario Francisco. All this talk of drinks got you feeling like a bar crawl? Check out the best bars in Melbourne — weekend plans sorted.
"They're more scared of us than we are of them," many mothers have told their offspring, soothing fears of monsters, spiders and other scary forces — and in The Boxtrolls, the adage proves accurate. The village of Cheesebridge is intent on exterminating the cardboard-wearing, subterranean-dwelling titular creatures, driven by tales of child stealing, people eating, and rivers of blood. All the benevolent grey critters want, however, is to play with junk and tinker with machines. A lost baby is the source of the boxtrolls' bad reputation, after the villainous Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) convinces the townsfolk of their involvement. A decade later, the missing boy has been raised by his new pals and christened Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), happy in his existence beneath the streets. Then Winifred (Elle Fanning) spots him, her morbid curiosity soon turning to affinity. Alas, Snatcher's pursuit continues, with the rest of the populace ambivalent to the girl's protests. From animators Laika, The Boxtrolls is steeped in the offbeat and styled in the eccentric; this is the stop-motion studio that brought Coraline and ParaNorman to life, after all. Adapted from Alan Snow's novel Here Be Monsters!, the film shares many aspects with their previous hits: gorgeously grotesque imagery, smart gags slipped amongst endearing detail, a winning blend of the sweet and surreal, and intelligent messages for young and old. With a steampunk aesthetic, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi lovingly revel in their intricate world, complete with rusting metal, slops of mud, unattractive adults and more. They remain unafraid of letting the harshness of life manifest in the gothic look, albeit lightened by the sense of adventure, the cuteness of the boxtrolls, a celebration of cheese (food, not corniness) and a story concerned with acceptance outside the norm. The weighty themes don't stop there, nor does the studio's penchant for a specific type of material. Outcast children find fondness in things typically considered strange, looking beyond accepted bounds to discover their identities and values. Open-mindedness is championed, just as the blinkered view of most — Snatcher's coveting of social-climbing grandeur, and Winifred's father's (Jared Harris) preference for dairy over his daughter — is skewered. The thoughtful feature even contemplates self-determination and the outsourcing of immoral deeds to the poor through the comic conversations of Snatcher's employees, voiced by Richard Ayoade, Nick Frost and Tracy Morgan. Such high-profile casting tops the delightfully dark film, its talent deepening the characters rather than merely inciting the usual celebrity spotting (although Ayoade and Frost's banter is always a treat). Stitching together the sensibilities of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl, The Boxtrolls is a warm and witty excursion through the weird and wonderful, as well as a true slice of cinematic enjoyment for all ages. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uHfkJMILG4U
Sydney drinks and dines divinely well and it now has a sparkly new summer spot. The beach boys behind Bondi Hardware have established a balmy bar and restaurant on the lower north shore. The Botanist, sown in the central street of Kirribilli, is the small bar come grazing ground the area desired. Laden with luscious plants, lots of wood and the occasional nautical knick knack, The Botanist feels foliaceous and fanciful. Named after the English botanist who ran a bookshop on the site during the turn of the century, the place oozes Victorian apothecary-style charm; the menu is marked with botany illustrations and water is served in scientific-looking bottles. It pulls a cheery mix of locals and North Sydney workers, but with a breezy vibe you'll find more boat shoes than Blahniks. Forget a plum in the mouth, here you get the whole fruit bowl with a drinks list focusing on herbs, fruit and exotically spiced liquors. Open up The Botanist's elegant green menu and you'll see a charming Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, "What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." The subsequent cocktails, in the interests of discovering the most virtuous of verdures, feature herb flavours and curious combinations. The Green Grass ($16) has cinnamon-spiced vodka, apple syrup, fresh green apple juice and a little lime and is soul-soothing and festive. Lulu Warriors ($18) has pirate-like spiced rum, amaretto liqueur and pine-lime juice; improbably, it works. The Botanist's food is the kind of casual and slightly eccentric fare suited to sharing over drinks; with hints of British India, the elements are a modern mishmash of the spice trade. The lamb salad is robust and satisfying, with slow roasted spiced lamb shoulder with roasted capsicum, tomato, hummus, minted yoghurt, rocket and marinated fetta ($19). The sliders (4 for $20) are a big hit; these babies running the gourmet gamut from India (butter chicken with cucumber and lime relish) to Lebanon (lamb kofta, tabouli and hummus). The quesadillas, with chorizo, spiced beans, potato and cheese, are hearty and limey with tomato salsa and guacamole ($18). Sprightly and whimsical, The Botanist is abloom with good food, great drinks and a fun, furzy mood.
If crafting a successful sequel wasn't already a difficult assignment, doing so for a movie remembered for its quirkiness and surprise factor must border on the impossible. Still, when Kingsman: The Secret Service took in over $400 million worldwide, a follow-up was inevitable. And so two years later director Matthew Vaughn has returned to the world of suave secret agents with Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Let's be clear: this is a ridiculous movie in almost every respect, from the mad-cap story through to the action scenes, cameos and costuming. Everything in Kingsman: The Golden Circle is hyped-up, spun-around, slowed-down, blown-up or cut in half. Gravity is largely ignored, except when it's used as a weapon, and henchmen die with the same violent regularity as extras in Commando. There are robotic killer dogs, cannibalistic villains and Elton John ninja-kicking a bad guy in the face. As we said, it's ridiculous – but also surprisingly entertaining. Our villain this time round is none other than Academy Award winner Julianne Moore as Poppy, the world's leading and most ruthless drug tzar. Her Cambodian lair has been fashioned as an homage to 1950s Americana, complete with bowling alley, golden age cinema and a shake and burger diner in which she both conducts her business and minces her victims. She's an apron wearing Stepford Escobar who owns every second of screen time given to her. Tasked with stopping Poppy are the bespoke-suited Kingsmen in chav-turned-gent Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and his tech man Merlin (Mark Strong). Back too is Colin Firth's Galahad, suffering from a nasty bout of retrograde amnesia. They're also joined by their American counterparts The Statesmen, whose ranks include Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Jeff Bridges and a criminally-underused Channing Tatum. Silly and fun as it might be, there are some glaring problems with this film, most notably that it's unfathomably sexist. With the one exception of Julianne Moore's Poppy, every single woman in Kingsman: The Golden Circle exists only as a victim, a love interest or an assistant to her male counterparts. Given the movie was co-written by Jane Goldman, it's beyond comprehension why such rampant and unnecessary gender bias could exist in a movie where masculinity plays no meaningful purpose. Yes, it's about spies in sumptuous suits, but as one of the early scenes demonstrates, Eggsy's best friend and colleague Roxy looks as good if not better in the ole pin stripes and paisley, to say nothing of her abilities. Still, the film is entertaining in spite of its flaws and it thankfully retains enough shock factor to honour the original. The final scene also makes clear that the producers are prepping for part three. Love it or leave it, there's more Kingsman to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nxc-3WpMbg
"An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all," Oscar Wilde once famously quipped. Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas puts such a claim to the test. For three days, the event transforms the Opera House into a simmering cauldron of probabilities, possibilities and impossibilities. There's no question that can't be asked, no convention that can't be challenged, no notion that can't be overturned. Now in its fifth year, the Festival promises to penetrate the territory of the taboo deeper than ever before. The programme, announced today, features 82 speakers from 10 different countries and 33 hours of discussion across 32 various subjects. Journalist David Simon (creator of The Wire and Treme) will bring his intellectual might and downtown experience to the statement 'Some people are more equal than others', exploring the searing divide that undermines America's claim to the provision of equal opportunity. The perpetual question of gender and power will receive a 21st-century treatment, with Hannah Rosin considering the aftermath of 'The end of men',before joining a panel discussion proposing 'The world is not ready for women in power'. Then there'll be debates on 'monogamy vs. monogomish', the 'death of journalism', and John Safran masquerading as a white supremacist. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Already feeling fired up? Tix, available in a range of multipacks, go on sale on Monday September 2. FODI runs from 2-4 November.
Urban wineries are a popular facet of European and New Yorker lifestyles, but winemaker Alex Retief's new cellar door, Urban Winery Sydney, is the first of its kind in Australia — it's the only large-scale, working winery in Sydney's inner suburbs. Launching in St Peters, the urban winery then located to Moore Park in mid-2018. Retief has owned his label, A.Retief Wines, since 2008 and has seen much commercial success, especially with his 2013 – 2015 collaborations with Bourke Street Bakery. The born and bred Aussie spent the early 2000s in Bordeaux where much of his inspiration for an urban winery took root. "In France, everyone knows about wine — how it's made, where it's produced," he says. "They all have such a passion for their local wine that it's almost like the love of a futball team it's so ingrained in them." Retief hopes to bring a bit of this European culture to Sydney — his wines have a strong focus on locality, the vineyard and the origin and type of grape used for each wine. The A.Retief Shiraz is sourced from his parent's biodynamic vineyard in the Gundagai wine region just outside of Wagga Wagga. "I have a deep passion for NSW wines and want to bring that to Sydney," says Retief. "People want to see where things are made more and more and we're happy to be able to bring that to them," he adds. The space is housed in the Entertainment Quarter, with neighbours like El Camino Cantina, B Lucky and Sons and Brent Street dance studio. Heading east situates the winery considerably closer to the CBD and the SCG, and the EQ also offers a larger space for all that wine. The walls of French oak barrels are not just for show and are accompanied by shiny, shiny winemaking pumps, presses, syphons, filtration systems — all things you might get to understand a whole lot better with Reitef's planned future classes. "We really want people to get involved with the winemaking process — to get to come down and squash grapes, or blend their own wines and understand why they like what they like." The tasting bar is now open seven days a week, with the winery also doing tours, blending classes and the occasional chef's dinner. Updated November, 2019
In what's proving to be a huge year for new places to stay in Brisbane, Fortitude Valley has just welcomed its next addition: The Calile Hotel. Two years in the making — as anyone that spotted the constant construction site on James Street will know — the seven-storey, 175-room spot is calling itself 'Australia's first urban resort'. Yes, that means that going for a splash in the central pool, lazing around in cabanas or on a sun lounge, and eating on the hotel's outdoor deck are all on the agenda. So is hanging out at the spa, which is also open to the general public, and just making the most of Brissie's climate. The white brick design, by architects Richards and Spence, certainly highlights the tropical side of things. Think open-air spaces and breezeways, natural ventilation and plants aplenty, as well as a cool, soothing colour scheme. Inside the rooms, guests will find oak furniture, cork floors and sisal matting in the bathrooms, day beds for afternoon naps, linen robes and a mini bar stocked from local suppliers. Recognising how sunny the city gets, every room is also fitted with motorised blackout blinds. If you need to escape the glow, the in-suite Chromecast and sound bar will help as well. Rooms start from just over $200, with The Calile also featuring nine suites and two premier suites, complete with poolside and terrace-style balconies as well as two private rooftop terraces — for when you're feeling like splashing some cash around. Operated by TFE Hotels Collection, other drawcards include the all-day Lobby Bar, the opening of Hellenika's first Brisbane digs — bringing the Gold Coast's favourite Greek eats to town — and meeting and function rooms that can cater for up to 500 people, including an outdoor amphitheatre. The Calile joins W Hotel Brisbane, the Ovolo Inchcolm Hotel in Spring Hill, the Novotel in South Bank, the new Emporium (also in South Bank) and the revamped Ovolo in Fortitude Valley among the fresh staycation spots opening their doors across the city in 2018. It will boast one unique highlight, too — Ada Lane, a micro-precinct filled with five bars and eateries, that's set to open later this year. Find The Calile Hotel at 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley. Images: Sean Fennessy.
The Chaser and One Man Show's Chris Taylor is kindly taking us on a tour down Oxford Street. From Woollahra down to Hyde Park by street number. Here we go. 315 - For lease 312 - For lease 307 - For lease 305 - Fashion boutique staffed by a lonely and sad-looking attendant 301 - For lease 295 - For lease 292 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant uploading Facebook photos of herself from a party at Backroom last night 284 - For lease 282 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant uploading Facebook photos of her recent “modelling assignment” for a student hair show 278 - 280 For lease 259 - For lease 257 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant hanging up a 'Back in 5 mins' sign so she can go and have her eighth smoko break of the morning with her friend down at MAC Cosmetics. 231 - For lease 229 - For lease 227 - The sole food shop in the area for 20 blocks 225 - For lease 221 - Multinational fashion store selling the kind of tops and skirts that the Ascham and Kambala girls go shopping for on Saturdays. 219 - For lease 217 - Paddington pub full of middle-aged men watching a Waratahs game 213 - For lease 205 - Multinational fashion store selling the identical tops and skirts that Ascham and Kambala girls go shopping for on Saturdays. 201 - For lease. 193 - Multinational fashion store that still thinks it's cool to play Jamiroquai on the in-store sound system. 185 - For lease 179 - Paddington pub full of middle-aged men watching a Swans game 173 - For lease 168 - MAC Cosmetics where, in the absence of customers, the three attendants take it turn to do each other's makeup. 162 - For lease 157 - Cockroach-infested cafe that offers patrons a choice of nachos or fettucine carbonara. 155 - For lease 143 - Sleek independent bookshop where a half-dozen introspective browsers thoughtfully thumb the new releases, before leaving with the latest Jamie Oliver. 139 - Rival independent bookshop where a half-dozen introspective browsers thoughtfully thumb the new releases, to pass time before their film session at the Verona begins. 138 - For lease 126 - Formerly popular and iconic gay bar that's now a multinational shoe shop. 122 - For lease 116 - Formerly popular and iconic twin cinema whose landlord is so greedy that not even a multinational shoe store can afford the rent. 112 - Pie Face 105 - Empty Brazilian restaurant 102 - For lease 95 - Empty Balkan restaurant, despite owners' best attempts to make it look busy by sitting on the one lone table out the front. 93 - Subway sandwiches 87 - Empty struggling bar and nightclub that clearly must be a front for something else. 84 - For lease 82 - Iconic gay bar full of heterosexual tourists. 78 - Fast food and kebab store where everything in the bain-maries looks as if it’s been there since 1987. 68 - For lease 62 - Pie Face 56 - For lease 54 - Pie Face 49 - Pie Face 45 - Pie Face 38 - Hipster bar that the real hipsters stopped going to 18 months ago because something better, or at least newer, opened up in Redfern. 33 - Pie Face 28 - Hipster bar full of people who couldn't get into Shady Pines. 26 - Gloria Jeans. 24 - Hungry Jack's 22 - Subway sandwiches 15 - Nightclub that’s bizarrely still in business even though no-one's ever seen or met anyone who's ever gone to it. Presumably it has a Pie Face inside it. 13 - IGA store that’s exclusively patronised by the mentally unwell. 301 - For lease 8 - Pie Face 6 - For lease 5 - For lease 2 – City of Sydney sign welcoming people to "Sydney's iconic Oxford Street – the pulsing heart of the city!" 1 - For lease You can currently see Chris Taylor in One Man Show, on in Sydney at the Metro Theatre on May, The Concourse Chatswood on May 2 and the Factory Theatre on May 24. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek.
It's official — Neil Perry's Rosetta is coming to Sydney. Perry posted an image on Instagram yesterday, announcing that the restaurant's second location is in the works at Grosvenor Place in the CBD. The much-loved Melbourne original has been teasing Sydneysiders for years, offering up authentic Italian cooking from both the country's northern and southern regions. Come this autumn, we too will boast our own version of this high-class Italian affair. Word of the restaurant's migration to Sydney was first heard back in November when Urban Purveyor Group acquired the Rockpool Group to form the Rockpool Dining Group. Their combined portfolio of eateries became 47 venues overnight, and they expect their portfolio to grow to more than 80 venues in 2017 alone. They've recently launched two take away spinoffs, Fratelli Famous and Saké Jr, and plan to open 100 of each (yes, of each) over the next five years. Plus, Perry's Burger Project plans to keep expanding, with one opening in Brisbane last month and another in Parramatta this week. Rosetta will be in good company, with Perry's fine-casual dining restaurant Eleven Bridge just down the block. We personally can't wait to dig in to some buttery, handmade pasta and fresh seafood dishes that the Melbourne location is known for, along with the expertly curated and extensive wine menu from Italy's best regions. Bring that carb food coma on. Rosetta is set to open this autumn at Grosvenor Place, 225 George Street, Sydney. Watch this space for updates on the restaurant's official opening.
UPDATE, July 20, 2020: The Lion King is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Picture this: as gorgeously detailed nature documentary footage plays, an exceptional cast of big-name actors lend their voices to prowling lions. In addition to vocalising the animals' thoughts and feelings, the human-uttered dialogue gives the majestic big cats an epic story, charting the ups and downs of a young cub born to the king and queen of the pride. The tale that follows combines parts of Hamlet, Star Wars and Kimba the White Lion, complete with love, loss, courage, threats, rebellion and father-son issues. It features witty one-liners and catchy songs, plus antics involving hyenas, meerkats, warthogs, hornbills and mandrills. But, even as the famous tones, engaging emotional beats, amusing gags, rousing music and lively array of critters all work their magic, something seems a little out of place — namely, the rendering of all of the above with such lifelike visuals. That's The Lion King circa 2019 in a nutshell. Using technology that has only improved since he turned The Jungle Book into a naturalistic spectacle three years ago, filmmaker Jon Favreau remakes another of Disney's cartoon hits with this different kind of animated wizardry. Here, unlike in his adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic text, there's no visible trace of humanity — and that just might make all the difference. Such an absence is true to The Lion King's source material, obviously, but without a character such as Mowgli scampering around, this special effects onslaught lacks an anchor. The film couldn't look more realistic, and yet it never feels real. While audiences have long become accustomed to getting swept away by Hollywood's trickery — especially since digital capabilities began bringing extraordinary sights to the screen — The Lion King can't quite manage the feat. Narrative-wise, anyone familiar with the 1994 movie knows what's in store. This version might credit a different writer, with Jeff Nathanson (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) adapting the original screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, but it has really just been given a new coat of CGI paint. As initially presented to the animal kingdom in an awe-inspiring ceremony, young Simba (JD McCrary) is fated to follow in his father Mufasa's (James Earl Jones) regal paw prints, much to the dismay of the latter's scowling, scheming brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor). And so, a plot is hatched. Instead of preparing for his destiny with help from his mother (Alfre Woodard) and best friend Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph as a cub, Beyonce once she's grown), Simba is tricked into becoming an outcast. He runs free with pint-sized pals Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), and adopts their carefree attitude. As an adult lion (now voiced by Donald Glover), he's eventually forced to reassess his choices, as well as his role and place in the Pridelands. The cynical might say that this return to The Lion King lacks humanity behind-the-scenes, too, given all that the surefire box office hit represents. Disney keeps turning its animated back-catalogue into live-action fare — or photorealistic ones in this case — with a clear plan in mind: tap into nostalgia, then profit. Still, even knowing where it stands in the huge entertainment behemoth's filmmaking assembly line, the movie doesn't lack feeling. It's clearly the result of great affection and attention to detail, ensuring that its animals really do look like they're simply strutting through the savannah. Astutely chosen cast members such as the returning Jones, the melodic Glover, and the hilarious Eichner and Rogen all invest their four-legged alter-egos with resounding emotion. Coming back to the material that originally won him an Oscar, composer Hans Zimmer gives the story another stirring score, while Elton John and Tim Rice's reused tunes all hit the same stirring marks as they once again muse about love and life. Indeed, you can almost see the human fingerprints on the film, including in its gently moving tufts of lion fur, sweeping plains and flowering greenery — or the genuine love and care that went into them, to be more accurate. That said, viewers also bear witness as one of the most beloved movies of the past quarter-century is transformed into a very expensive and true-to-life cat video. That's no knock on feline clips or nature docos. Cooing over a cute mouser is one of life's simplest pleasures, and marvelling at the splendour of the natural world is one of its great privileges. But, watching The Lion King, it's impossible to get completely lost in any of these joys. Or, for that matter, to surrender to the slavishly faithful story or undeniably impressive visuals, which work well separately and yet don't convincingly fit together. Perhaps it isn't by accident that Timon and Pumbaa steal the show as they frolic through the film's frames, with an ad-libbing Eichner and Rogen proving the picture's standouts (sorry, Beyonce fans). It isn't new, but the wisecracking comic duo do espouse a fitting motto, and one that Disney probably hopes viewers truly take to heart this time around. It's possible to say "hakuna matata" to The Lion King redux, and feel the love for its highlights without falling tail over paws for the end product. Alas, it's harder to shake the sensation that it doesn't convincingly take its place in the cinematic circle of life. That opening, though, as recreated nearly frame-by-frame in all of its electrifying glory — it's a complete and utter wonder, albeit one that the rest of the movie can't manage to match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TavVZMewpY
UPDATE: JUNE 1, 2020 — Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 has announced its new dates, with the exhibition reopening from June 22 until January 28, 2021. The below article has been updated to reflect this. The wonders of the animal kingdom are coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum courtesy of a huge exhibition of nature photography. Headed to the venue this autumn, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase comes direct from London's Natural History Museum — which has developed and produced the prestigious competition since 1965. Highlighting the astonishing sights that the natural world has to offer, this year's contest attracted 48,000 entries from 100 countries. That not only shows how much we all love creatures great, small, cute, majestic and everything in-between, but how much we love both taking and looking at snaps of them as well. From that huge number, 100 winning pics were chosen for their creativity, originality and technical excellence, and then tour internationally. You can see the eye-popping, awe- (and 'awwwww') inducing results during its Sydney stop from June 22 till February 28, 2021. Prepare to rove your eyes over everything from up-close-and-personal shots of gorgeous creatures to astonishing visions of sweeping landscapes. It'll be open every day of the week during its five-month season — from 9.30am–5pm daily. [caption id="attachment_761873" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The Moment' by Yongqing Bao, Grand title winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.[/caption] Top images: Jason Bantle and Daniel Kronauer, courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Natural History Museum, London.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Japan's prison themed restaurants make Draculas look like a scene from The Sound of Music. One of the freakiest is Tokyo's Alcatraz ER. Yes, it's an eatery that, to all appearances, is actually a prison hospital. Dishes include 'penis on lettuce' (a specially modelled sausage) and 'human intestines' (a really, really long sausage served up with kidney). Then, for cocktails, there's the 'brain buster', complete with fake human head, and the 'play by yourself', which, as the name hints at, comes with a vibrator or two. Make a wrong move and one of the 'nurses' will attempt to inject you with an enormous syringe. Then there's The Lockup, which is all prison, no hospital. Diners are handcuffed by a policewoman from outer space and led to a cell, where the eating happens behind bars. The food is less human and more regular than at Alcatraz ER, but the cocktail list includes the 'human experiment', which arrives as a set of test tubes containing coloured liquids, with a beaker for mixing. Once the meal's over, the lights go out and the scary stuff starts. The team behind The Lockup also runs Arabian Rock, a restaurant housed in a glowing pyramid and inspired by Disney's Aladdin.
One half of the makers of Jafflechutes, Adam Grant, has set up shop with a new endeavour. But fear not, it's just as ridiculous and strangely excellent as his first. Pimp My Myki is a glittery service Grant operates from his home that offers to decorate your Myki or Opal cards. For the low, low price of a postage stamp, your Myki could be transformed into a majestic eagle or a fierce black bear. Something to ward off ticket inspectors at the very least. The process is simple. Just post your current card to a PO Box in Fitzroy (or pay $12 for a new one to be delivered), and wait in glitterless anticipation for it to be deposited in your mailbox within the week! If you'd like a little more certainty in the process, Grant also operates a service called Bearki (or Bearpal) — for those who would just rather have a bear on their cards and be done with it. Now, this obviously isn't for everyone. Understandably some people love their snot-green Mykis. Its resemblance to the mucus-olive pack of smokes in their pocket offers a security in the fact that the world is both dreary and horrible. For the rest of us, a pimped Myki is a little pick-me-up to the 86 tram or a way to daydream about a more exciting trip. Needless to say, renowned dementors Public Transport Victoria are not happy. Despite the fact the cards still clearly display serial numbers and remain entirely functional, representatives have claimed "A Myki that has been altered or defaced in any way is an invalid ticket." In reply, Grant said, "I understand from an official standpoint they might have to say this for whatever reason, but it doesn't bother me a great deal." If a ticket inspector gets in your face about it, let's hope the picture of a cute panda bear is enough to calm them down. For more information head to Pimp My Myki, Bearki, or Pimp My Opal.
If you ever managed to wrangle a trip to Disneyland back when international travel was a thing, chances are you're well acquainted with Dole Whip. The pineapple-flavoured dairy-free soft serve has long been a staple treat for visitors to the famed theme parks, with the dessert becoming as much a symbol of Disneyland as Mickey Mouse's ears and that wild Space Mountain ride. But, this April, you won't need a plane ticket or a Disneyland pass to get your mitts on one of these classic creations — because Dole Whip is headed to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The much-loved soft serve is set to make its first-ever appearance at the annual show, after the COVID-19 pandemic put last year's planned debut on hold. A fleet of Dole Whip trucks will be onsite slinging their signature treats for the show's duration — from today, Thursday, April 1 through until Monday, April 12. If they're a hit, Aussie distributor Ted Foster has plans to take them on the road, visiting shows all around the country. Pineapple is the OG and best-known Dole Whip flavour, first launched by the Dole Food company back in Hawaii in the 80s. But at the Royal Easter Show, you'll be able to sample a whole range of signature variations, including watermelon, strawberry and the very Aussie mango. To nab yourself some soft serve, seek out the trucks at the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome and the Kids Street Giants Stadium Concourse. Find the Dole Whip food trucks at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which runs from Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 12 at Sydney Showground.
It's omurice time. Some dishes are as straightforward as they sound, and this one — aka omelette rice — is among them. It's an omelette made with fried rice, then typically topped with sauce. Clearly it's an easy concept to get around. And Motokichi Yukimura from Kichi Kichi Omurice in Kyoto keeps visiting Down Under to whip it up. Not all iterations of this western-influenced Japanese eggs-plus-rice staple are made equal, which is why Kichi Kichi Omurice's version might be on your travel bucket list. Chef Motokichi Yukimura's viral-famous take on the dish has made him an internet star — the term "Japan's most-famous omurice chef" has been used — and seen his eatery become a tourist destination. Sometimes, however, he brings his omurice to Australia, as he's set to again in March 2025. If you'd like the Kichi Kichi Omurice experience without the airfares, you can make that a reality in Sydney, Broadbeach and Brisbane. And if this sounds familiar, that's because Yukimura headed this way twice in 2024. He's again visiting Harajuku Gyoza to show why the dish he's been making for over 45 years is such a smash. The chef is doing 'meet and eat' events in all three cities, cooking everyone who attends his specialty — and putting on a show, complete with his Kichi Kichi Omurice song and dance. Folks in Sydney are headed to Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour across Tuesday, March 18–Thursday, March 20. For Brisbanites, your destination is Harajuku Gyoza South Brisbane from Sunday, March 23–Tuesday, March 25. And on the Gold Coast, Harajuku Gyoza Broadbeach is your destination on Saturday, March 22. Tickets cost $170 per person, with sittings for both lunch and dinner. That price covers tucking into Yukimura's omurice, as made at your table, plus a range of Harajuku Gyoza signature dishes — and meeting the chef. Alongside removing the need to book a flight to Japan, this is an easier way to enjoy the Kichi Kichi experience for another reason. As of January 2024, the Kyoto eatery is no longer doing bookings in advance. Now, diners are only able to make reservations on the same day they're eating, and need a password that's placed on the restaurant's door each morning to lock in their seating. Kichi Kichi at Harajuku Gyoza — March 2025 Tuesday, March 18–Thursday, March 20 — Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour, Sydney Saturday, March 22 — Harajuku Gyoza Broadbeach, Gold Coast Sunday, March 23–Tuesday, March 25 — Harajuku Gyoza South Brisbane, Brisbane Motokichi Yukimura will be at Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour, Broadbeach and Brisbane in March 2025. Head to the eatery's website for further details and bookings.
