Sydney, you're about to discover (and taste) what can happen when an acclaimed Finnish chef and an award-winning Italian sommelier join forces. Giorgio De Maria (formerly of 121BC and Rootstock Sydney food and wine festival), is teaming up with Finnish-born Pasi Petanen (2015's SMH Chef of the Year and the guy behind Café Paci), for That's Amore — a series of wine dinners to be held at Mecca in Alexandria next month. Across 12 nights in March, the pair will combine culinary talents, pulling together innovative foodie flair, some serious wine knowledge, and a couple of lively personalities, for what promises to be one very rare dining experience. This fusion of front and back of house is bound to ensure some well-rounded feasting, starting with the weekly-changing, five-course menu. Here, the duo's hinted at a focus on produce-driven dishes, with an Italian edge. Meanwhile, De Maria's working his own brand of magic, proving the cross-cultural combo isn't the only perfect partnership on the table here. His handpicked selection of wine is available to try matched to each course, or simply quaffed by the bottle. That's Amore dinners will take place on March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at Mecca, 2/26 Bourke Road, Alexandria. The five-course menu is $75 per head, with drinks charged on consumption. Jump on the That's Amore Instagram page for a peek at the menu and nab your spot by emailing thatsamoreinsydney@gmail.com.
With a snap of the fingers, the Marvel Cinematic Universe underwent a huge change back in Avengers: Infinity War, and its movies and TV shows have been dealing with the fallout ever since. But another snap might be coming — not within the ever-sprawling franchise's on-screen narratives, but thanks to a possible slowed-down pace when it comes to filling cinemas and streaming queues with Marvel's heroes. All Marvel all the time: that's seemed to be Disney's approach to building the MCU, and our eyeballs have been busy as a result. In 2021 and 2022 alone, seven films and eight television shows made their debuts, spanning everything from Black Widow, Eternals, Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever through to WandaVision, Loki, Moon Knight and Ms Marvel. And, 2023 has already kicked off with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to come in May. Disney is reportedly thinking about easing the flow of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, and also getting better at curating it. Multiple recent reports and interviews, including in The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly, have spoken about releasing fewer movies and shows each year, as well as ensuring there's more space between them. "The pace at which we're putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine," Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told Entertainment Weekly. Just as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hit cinemas last week, Marvel pushed back its third big-screen release for 2023, The Marvels, from July 28 to November 9. It teams up Captain Marvel (Brie Larson, Just Mercy), Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and WandaVision's Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris, Candyman), but viewers will now have to wait a few more months to see the end result. That's one of a few shifts that the MCU has put in place since unveiling its huge phase five and phase six plans in mid-2022, with other dates moving back as well. Now in its multiverse saga, with a big focus on Jonathan Majors (The Harder They Fall) as new big bad Kang the Conqueror, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has delayed the return of Blade — this time starring Moonlight and Green Book Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali — to September 5, 2024. It'll come after a new Captain America movie on May 2, 2024, called Captain America: New World Order, focusing on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) with the cape and shield, plus Thunderbolts on July 25, 2023. 2024 will also see the next Deadpool flick arrive on November 7 co-starring Hugh Jackman, with The Son actor returning to the role of Wolverine, and both Deadpool and Wolverine entering the MCU. From there, expect yet another Fantastic Four film, which'll now release on February 14, 2025 (with no cast yet announced), plus Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars following on May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, respectively. While slight changes have already been made to the movie slate's dates, more may come in light of Feige's comments — and Disney CEO Bob Iger's own comments that the Mouse House must improve its curating skills with its content. And, the same may prove true of the MCU's small-screen lineup, none of which has set dates so far. 2023 is meant to see five shows arrive: the Samuel L Jackson-starring, Nick Fury-focused Secret Invasion, which was initially expected in autumn Down Under; Ironheart, which features the Dominique Thorne (Judas and the Black Messiah)-played character first seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; season two of Loki; Hawkeye spinoff Echo; and witchy WandaVision spinoff Agatha: Coven of Chaos. But, it's now reported that only Secret Invasion and Loki are certain to hit this year. After that, a new 18-episode Daredevil series starring Charlie Cox (King of Thieves) and Vincent D'Onofrio (The Unforgivable), this time called Daredevil: Born Again, is on the schedule for 2024. These films and series are all still on their way — so, while you might not be watching quite as many new Marvel movies and TV shows over the next few years after all, they're still coming, just better spread out. Maybe this far in, more breaks from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will make the heart grow fonder, especially if you've been feeling a bit of MCU fatigue. For more information about Marvel's upcoming slate of films and TV shows, head to the company's website. Via The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly. Top image: Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel. All images: courtesy of Marvel.
When Sydney's new International Convention Centre opened its doors at Darling Harbour at the end of 2016, it was just one part of the area's ongoing revamp. Welcoming patrons from October 6, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is another — a lush 590-room hotel that marks the city's first new internationally branded luxury accommodation since the 2000 Olympics. While most hotels like to think they're offering creature comforts that you won't find at home, SSDH isn't inflating its luxe claims. As designed by award-winning Sydney architect Richard Francis-Jones, and costing a cool $500 million, the 35-storey building features floor-to-ceiling views of the city and Darling Harbour, a French-inspired rotisserie and grill, a dedicated Champagne bar and a decadent pool drinking and hangout space. Those staying the night can pick between standard rooms or 35 suites, with the latter coming complete with in-bathroom TVs, soaking tubs, private check-in and their own sky-high guest lounge. Meanwhile, anyone just looking for a beverage or meal can pick from the site's signature restaurant and three bars, as well as between the likes of deconstructed bouillabaisse, cocktails in the lobby or by the 20-metre infinity pool, and over 20 types of champers. A 450-person ballroom, 6000 external LEDs that will be used for eye-catching light displays, and other design touches that nod to the indigenous clans of the Eora nation who lived in the area — think sail-like triangular accents, and colours of red ochre and blue — are also part of SSDH's package, as is a link with Marseilles. French-theming is part of Sofitel's general approach worldwide, so they've picked the southern port city as this hotel's inspiration. As well as the look and feel, that means patrons can expect Sofitel Wine Days, aka a month of celebrating French wine and living. Find Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour at 12 Darling Drive, Sydney. Head to the hotel's website for further details.
There are so many rankings in the culinary world! It was only a couple of months ago we were showering praise on Attica for being the best restaurant in Australia as per the rankings in Restaurant magazine. Then, earlier this week, Gourmet Traveller weighed in on the debate and reaffirmed Ben Shewry's Melbourne restaurant as the best. Now the Weekend Australian and their annual 'Hot 50 Restaurants' ranking have deemed Neil Perry's Rockpool as the greatest in all the land. We don't know what to believe, but we do know that having too much delicious food everywhere can hardly be a bad thing. The poll, self-described as "Australia's most honest snapshot of the national restaurant scene," was released this weekend. Rockpool Sydney took out the top gong and various other awards were divvied up across the nation. The titles of both 'Hottest Regional' and 'Hottest Victorian' restaurant was awarded to Dan Hunter's Brae in Birregurra. Wasabi was named the best in Queensland. Martin Ben from Sydney's Sepia was named 'Hottest Chef'. And Melbourne's Stokehouse, rebuilt this year after a devastating fire, was named 'Hottest Classic' without a hint of irony. Editor of the Weekend Australian Magazine Christine Middap had endless praise for both Sydney, Melbourne and South Australia in her published list, though openly derided the restaurant scene in Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. "An almost obsessive, market-driven surge in informality too often has translated to slackness [in these regions]," she said. Foodie cattiness aside, the list itself proves some interesting reading. While some Melbourne and Sydney favourites — Attica, Chin Chin, Momofuku and Rockpool — are regulars to the yearly ranking, 28 of the 50 restaurants included are new additions from last year. Chances are you'll be able to comb the list and find something new near you. However, all that depends on how much money you're willing to fork out. Though they do award a 'Hottest Value' title — Adelaide's nose-to-tail eatery Daniel O'Connell — the rest of the list is bound to set you back a few clams. Maybe save these ones for a special occasion and stick to Concrete Playground's advice for the rest of your trips out. It is The Australian after all. Via The Australian. See the full published list of restaurants here.
Very serious media outlet The Betoota Advocate will hit the road this summer, spreading its particular brand of satire and wit throughout the country. Hitting all capital cities (as well as Townsville, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong), The Betoota Advocate's travelling show will partly be in response to big lay-offs from the major players in Australian media, and the merging of media brands. How have they managed to keep a media outlet in business in the current day and age of readership decrease and draining funds? How did they gain such a cult-like following? Where exactly is "Betoota"? All these questions will be answered and more, when The Betoota Advocate founders Clancy Overell and Errol Parker (and a special guest) take to the stage for a 90-minute satirical presentation about how they've ended up where they are, and how they run on a daily basis. With millions of hits online per month, the Advocate is certainly doing something right — even if that something is turning the zeitgeist completely on its head. If you're reading this wondering who they are and what they write about — well, best get acquainted. Past headlines include "Australia Enjoys Another Peaceful Day Under Oppressive Gun Control Regime", and "21-Year-Old Disappointed To Learn He's Too Old And Out-Of-Touch To Be A SoundCloud Rapper". It's a riot. Since the website has birthed endless confused texts from parents — asking, for example, whether the Australian Citizen Test really includes a question on how to mix cordial properly — we suggest you bring them along. Get your tickets from 12pm Wednesday, August 1, here. THE BETOOTA ADVOCATE ROADSHOW Townsville — Saturday, November 3 Darwin — Sunday, November 4 Toowoomba — Tuesday, November 6 Brisbane — Thursday, November 8 Gold Coast — Friday, November 9 Wollongong — Sunday, November 11 Newcastle — Tuesday, November 13 Perth — Friday, November 16 Melbourne — Saturday, November 17 Hobart — Sunday, November 18 Adelaide — Thursday, November 22 Canberra — Friday, November 30 Sydney — Saturday, December 1
While 'Thrift Shop' swaggers to the clumsy mash of spiky melodic contours and full Ab minor chords, triple j's other Hottest 100 collaborative effort rambles confidently through soulful grooves and grazing vocals. The grooves come at the hands of 9-piece funk/soul/psych/mod Melbourne outfit The Bamboos and the vocals from You Am I frontman Tim Rogers, and the result is one big track that's even bigger live. This month the temporarily ten-piece lineup will take 'I Got Burned' across the country along with some unheard originals and a whole heap of new covers. With Rogers voice and Lance Ferguson's guitar punctuated by the spectacular larynxes of resident Bamboos Kylie Auldist and Ella Thompson plus a handful of brass things and a Hammond organ, the Soul and Rock 'n Roll show should give you plenty of material with which to argue that maybe genre is kinda redundant anyway. Read our interview with Lance Ferguson of The Bamboos here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hZEN_l4j6mY
Melbourne seems to be following the pattern of another day, another new development. But instead of completely decimating the environment around it, Melbourne's newest mini suburb development in the city's inner-northeast looks like it might the most sustainable yet. It's set to become the world's first 'Tesla Town', with Tesla Powerwalls built into every home along with solar panels and electric car recharging points. The new 2500-home development is called YarraBend, and it will border Alphington, Ivanhoe and Kew in Melbourne's northeast. It's being developed by local property group Glenvill, who, on the YarraBend website, have billed the new residential space as "a world-first Tesla suburb" which is "designed to achieve the highest level of sustainability and quality of life". So what exactly does having a Tesla Powerwall in each home mean? Well, quite a lot. A Tesla Powerwall is a battery that not only powers your home but one that stores power for when you need it. It's designed to hook up with your power source, which is either solar power, or the grid, where most people get their electricity from. And it's really smart, because depending on which power source you have, the Powerwall will either store the solar energy for later or charge itself from the grid in off-peak times. This not only saves you and your household some cash, but it's a step away from Australia's reliance on dirty coal and fossil fuels for power, and means that we can move towards cleaner energy like solar, wind and geothermal. Plus, with Australia only getting its first shipment of the batteries earlier this year, this will be the first large-scale project to utilise them. According to the Urban Development Institute of Australia, YarraBend will be one of the most environmentally sustainable developments in the country. "This development leads the way in sustainability," the UDIA's Danni Addison told the Heidelberg Leader. "Some areas that are a standout include water reduction of 43 per cent, landfill reduced by 80 per cent and the potential to reduce energy use by 34 per cent." Along with the Powerwalls, solar panels will also be a standard on houses in YarraBend. Making it even more futuristic, residents will also be connected through their own app and have access to a complimentary tech-concierge, who'll be on hand to help when your internet goes down. Which, if your internet connection's anything like ours, is all the goddamn time. Via Heidelberg Leader.
It gets us around the country, and the world, much faster than any other form of transport that's in widespread use; however, there's plenty about air travel that's far from fun. No one loves being crammed into the tiny amount of space that comes with each economy seat, for instance, or getting stuck having awkward mid-air conversations with strangers. Thanks to Qantas, skipping both of those frustrations is now possible. The Australian airline has just launched a new 'neighbour-free' option. It sounds like the Australian TV landscape now that a certain beloved soap opera is off the air, but it's actually an in-flight move to give you some extra room. The concept really is as self-explanatory as it sounds — aka you'll take to the air without someone sitting in the neighbouring chair. Before you go dreaming about how you'll use the added space on your next getaway, Qantas is still trialling its neighbour-free offering at present, so it isn't available on all routes or flights. The test is only running domestically, too — so cramped overseas trips still await. Unsurprisingly, you do need to pay for the added space, with prices varying depending on the route. The Australian Frequent Flyer forum advises that the cost starts at around $30 — on top of your existing fare, of course — for short flights. Here's how it works: if you're eligible to go neighbour-free, you'll get an email 48 hours before your departure, inviting you to take up the service. You're then able to make the request up to an hour before your flight, including when you reserve your seat — or by hopping into your online reservation if you've already picked where you want to sit. That's when you'll pay the neighbour-free fee, too, and receive confirmation via email. Obviously, the whole thing is subject to availability — and it also can't be cancelled after you've set it up. If Qantas has to seat someone in your extra spot, however, you'll automatically be refunded the neighbour-free cost. (The airline advises that that might happen "for operational, safety or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft".) [caption id="attachment_823330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brent Winstone[/caption] Yes, you could always do this by booking two seats if you really wanted to avoid sitting next to anyone. This new option is much cheaper, though. There's no word yet as to if or when the ability to go neighbour-free might become a standard Qantas offering, or if it'll also be trialled or brought in for international trips. We can think of a few of flights where it'd be particularly handy: the 17-hour direct Perth–London route, and the planned non-stop legs from Australia's east coast to London and New York. For more information about Qantas' new neighbour-free option, head to the airline's website.
No matter how many times you let them up on the couch, how will your pet truly know you love them unless you've got their furry little face emblazoned on your togs and beach towel? Well, you might soon be able to turn that slightly weird dream into a reality, thanks to a Sydney company called Petflair and its range of customisable swimwear. Currently funding on Kickstarter, the project will allow devoted pet owners to upload an image of their animal and have it splashed across one of Petflair's colourful swimsuit designs. It isn't all indulgence either — Petflair has been created to support local rescue and re-homing charity Pound Paws, who aim to encourage Australians to adopt from shelters and pounds. So not only will you get to spend the summer swanning around with your pooch, kitty, bunny or bird printed on your swimmers, but you'll be doing it for an excellent cause. The team's designed swim briefs for guys and a trio of women's one-pieces, all crafted from durable Italian fabrics, as well as a beach towel and a canvas beach bag. They've even got some nifty sticker sets, if, for some reason, you want a slightly more subtle homage to your four-legged mate. If after reading this you've already taken out your credit card, you can donate to Petflair's Kickstarter campaign up until October 12. At the moment they need to raise $5000 to reach their goal of $15,000.
To lovers of bread everywhere: you've all gotten around the dipping breads, focaccia and naans of the world, giving them their fair share of time in the limelight. Now, it's time to shine a spotlight on roti in all of its glorious forms. An innovative roti-centric eatery has set up shop on the edge of the Sydney CBD. Tucked away in a cosy corner of Ultimo is Kafe Kooks, an out-of-the-ordinary casual spot that celebrates the flaky flatbread. Kookiness and rebellion is at the heart of this joint's purpose, with the venue paying homage to David Bowie by name, aiming to build an environment where the eccentrics, creatives and wild childs feel right at home. But whether you're headed in to join the roti revolution or are visiting for a lunch date, you are guaranteed to leave with a newfound appreciation of the previously untapped versatility of roti. Conceived by Andrew Ray, Kafe Kooks has brought his alliterative roti vision to Australian shores. Ray's menu pulls inspiration from a range of Asian influences, featuring food items from Indian, Indonesian, Singaporean and Chinese cuisines, to name a few. If you are trying out roti dishes for breakfast, keep your eyes peeled for the dippy eggs which comes with roti soldiers, the classic Sarang burung — a roti and egg take on a bird's nest with a side of sambal, and the eggs Florentine — served in a roti 'coin'. Take a look at the rest of the menu and you'll find you are spoilt for choice. The dishes range from curries and roti paratha wraps to Asian salads like gado gado, and grilled lamb souvlaki or wasabi prawns. For something different, opt for the madtarbak which is similar to a toasted sandwich. The beef and the curbano madtarbaks are highly recommended. You'll spot fusion dishes on the snacks menu, too, like the signature mooncake — roti paratha paired with luxe chicken liver parfait encased in whipped butter. And for something sweet to round out your meal, try the banana roti or the apple crumble. Pair your selection with a fresh coffee courtesy of Genovese coffee, a milkshake, the dairy-free coconut iced coffee, or a selection from the excellent Simon Says Juice range.
It isn't just traffic that will bring Brisbane's Story Bridge to a standstill in 2024. On one October Sunday, the famed river crossing will close to cars to become the site of a new nude photography work instead. Staging spectacular pieces filled with naked participants has long been Spencer Tunick's remit — and the New York-based artist has announced his next River City installation in advance of staging his first. On Saturday, November 18, 2023, Tunick is taking to numerous spots along the Brisbane River for a piece called TIDE, which forms part of this year's MELT Festival and was announced by Brisbane Powerhouse earlier in the year. Featuring around 150 people posing for the camera, that photography shoot is now considered a prequel for Sunday, October 27, 2024, when the Story Bridge will welcome thousands of folks sans clothes. [caption id="attachment_926438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cape Town, Spencer Tunick[/caption] "This challenging work on the Story Bridge marks the second in my two-part series in Brisbane scheduled one year apart, in 2023 then 2024. It is the first time I have ever worked on installations with the same institution for an extended two-year project. This will allow me to deeply explore the city, its light, environment and its people," said Tunick. "The series will hopefully speak to diverse groups of people, and everyone navigating their way through the difficult challenges of our current world. It is a privilege to be making art that centres around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance." [caption id="attachment_926440" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lyon, Spencer Tunick[/caption] The Story Bridge piece will form part of Melt Open, an expansion of Brisbane Powerhouse's LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival that'll debut next year. The broader fest is a fringe-style open-access event that, like MELT first, champions diversity. So has Tunick's work for decades, whether he's been in the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019 or briefly turning Bondi into a nude beach in 2022. Tunick initially turned his lens Australia's way in 2001 in Melbourne, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a pic near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Since then, he's also photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, then returned to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. Elsewhere, Tunick has photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. The list goes on, with more than 100 temporary installations on his resume since 1992. [caption id="attachment_926441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne, Spencer Tunick[/caption] "This major Tunick installation featuring thousands of nude bodies on the landmark Story Bridge is a visual expression of the diversity and inclusion that Brisbane's new LGBTQIA+ festival, Melt Open, aims to deliver across the city," said Melt Open Executive Producer Pieta Farrell. Brisbanites, or anyone who's keen to disrobe on the Story Bridge for a new piece of art, can put their hand up to join in — with the call for volunteers open now. And Tunick does indeed mean anyone, because there's no limit to the number of people who can take part. If you're not usually located in Brissie and you'd like to get snapped, you will need to travel at your expense. Successful applicants will be informed via email a few weeks prior to the shoot. [caption id="attachment_926442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jay Cull[/caption] Spencer Tunick's 2024 Story Bridge installation will take place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 during Melt Open. Head to the Brisbane Powerhouse website to register to take part. TIDE will be shot on Saturday, November 18, 2023 along the Brisbane River as part of MELT Festival 2023, which runs until Sunday, November 26 at Brisbane Powerhouse. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the fest's website now. Top image: Gateshead, Newcastle, England by Spencer Tunick.
Manly's very secretive new bar is opening its doors today, Tuesday, September 17. Head through a 1920s-style fridge door and wind down a spiral staircase into the underground drinking den that is The Cumberland. It's set beneath Cove Deli, a very real, very functional bodega-style delicatessen that serves up meats and cheese until 1am — all while hiding a stylish bar below. The new northern beaches spot comes from owner Matt Clifton, who is the manager director of MJC Group of Companies, which is also responsible for Manly's Donny's Bar and In Situ. He's signed on GM Pete Ehemann, too, who has worked at the likes of The Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. Ehemann designed the elaborate, botanical-focused cocktail menu together with creative consultant, bartender and fellow former Merivale employee Petr Dvoracek. The list is split into themes such as Foraged and Found, Pre-Temperance Movement Favourites and 19th-Century County Tipples. Under these headings, expect to find classics like the sazerac and French 75, alongside specialties like the dandelion espresso martini, a cocktails that uses locally foraged fennel and a smoking whisky number. There's also the Camden — a vodka martini made with sheep's whey vodka that comes wrapped in real sheep's wool from Clifton's family farm. [caption id="attachment_741940" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Gosse[/caption] Behind the bar, you'll also find over 250 whiskies from around the world lining the shelves. This serious spirit collection is accompanied by Australian natural wines and craft beers from both local and European makers. For eats, Cove Deli offers antipasto boards packed with cheeses and cured meats, delivered downstairs via a vintage dumbwaiter. A second kitchen within the Cumberland serves up snacks such as melted raclette, Spanish meatballs, duck terrine and empanadas. Surry Hills' AZB Creative is responsible for the fit-out of both upstairs and downstairs. In the 75-seat bar, expect ornate and vintage furnishings, upcycled timber and marble bench tops. A leather banquette also wraps around the space. Upstairs, Cove Deli features a white-washed teal facade, penny tiles and a 1920s meat slicer. And both venues are open until midnight on weekends and 1am on weekends, so now you can get your deli and cocktail fix until late. The Cumberland and Cove Deli are now open at 17-19 Central Avenue, Manly. Opening hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm–midnight and Friday–Saturday 5pm–1am. Images: Dan Gosse
Time flies when you're obsessing over a big blockbuster fantasy TV series, as HBO's biggest hit of the past decade demonstrates. This April marks ten years since Game of Thrones first hit screens and became a pop culture phenomenon — broadening the world's awareness of George RR Martin's books, pointing out how often Sean Bean meets an untoward end on-screen and delivering more dragon-fuelled drama than anyone ever knew they needed. Keen to celebrate the occasion like you're in a Westerosi tavern? That's an option, all thanks to a new collaboration between Moon Dog Brewing and Warner Bros Consumer Products. The two have joined forces on a new line of GoT beers, so get ready to sip a Breaker of Chains imperial stout and a Watchers on the Wall imperial white ale. The former features chipotle chilli, vanilla and a chocolate finish, while the latter pairs white chocolate with orange and coriander. Winter might be coming, but these brews will be available this month — so, in autumn — with the Melbourne-based Moon Dog pouring them at its Abbotsford and Preston sites from Friday, April 16. The brewery is hosting a launch party in Abbotsford the day before, then dedicating the weekend of April 16–18 to all things GoT in Preston. An Iron Throne will also be onsite, because clearly Moon Dog couldn't pass up the opportunity to let folks sit on one of the most famous chairs there is. [caption id="attachment_744585" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Moon Dog World, Kate Shanasy[/caption] Lovers of both beer and G0T elsewhere in the country won't miss out on the brews, however, with the two beverages available via the brewery's online store and at craft beer retailers nationwide from Monday, April 19. If you decide to keep some in the fridge so that you can drink it when winter arrives, that's perfectly understandable. And if you're just excited about getting another chance to show your affection for the huge hit series — while you're waiting for the just-announced GOT stage production, and the many TV spinoffs and prequels in the works — that is, too. Moon Dog Brewing's Breaker of Chains and Watchers on the Wall beers will be available from its Melbourne venues from Friday, April 16, and online and in craft beer retailers nationwide from Monday, April 19.
Sydney Opera House's UnWrapped festival is back with a new season full of attention-grabbing works from independent artists. Ranging from First Nations cabaret to Iranian-influenced jazz, the May program features six performances, all taking place in the venue's Studio and Utzon rooms. Black Comedy's Steven Oliver will perform his critically acclaimed cabaret Bigger & Blacker, while dancer and choreographer Angela Goh is presenting Sky Blue Mythic, a solo dance performance accompanied by Corin's experimental electronic music. Runa Cara, the collaboration between singer-songwriter Bonnie Stewart (also known as Bonniesongs) and Danish orchestral musician Freya Schack-Arnott, will perform a set of serene folk songs. And, Iranian Australian composer Hamed Sadeghi is premiering his latest fusion of traditional Iranian music and jazz, Project Masnavi. Outlines, a pair of boundary-pushing pieces with a big emphasis on technology, will round out the festival on its final day. Outlines Part I — R+J RMX recreates Romeo and Juliet using the artificial intelligence technology Omelia, while Outlines II – Apotheosis is a 4D visual art and motion capture dance performance by Serwah Attafuah and Soft Centre, featuring music from Ptwiggs and Lydia Kivela. The six performances will take place between Friday, May 14 and Sunday,May 30, with tickets ranging from $15–45. Tickets are on sale from midday Wednesday, April 7. [caption id="attachment_806502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Outlines Part II – Apotheosis[/caption]
"There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening," reads the opening line of Anthony Burgess's scandalous novel, A Clockwork Orange. How ringleader Alex and his band of teenage delinquents do eventually spend their night — on a rampage of brutal assault and rape which ends in the murder of an elderly lady — propels the audience of Action to the Word theatre's contemporary reimagining of Burgess's seminal text, directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, into an exploration of testosterone-fuelled boredom gone awry. Those who may have attempted the novel but baulked at its unfamiliar, somewhat jarring 'Nadsat' dialect (an English and Russian hybrid language invented entirely by Burgess and later, in a case of life imitating art, employed by real-life gangs following the success of the text) will be grateful for the physicality of the dynamic, all-male cast. Where it may be easy to verbally miss what it means to "tolchock a chelloveck in the kishkas", the actualisation of Alex (Martin McCreadie) senselessly brutalising those unfortunate enough to fall under his malicious gaze when he's looking to break up the monotony of it all cannot be lost in translation. Although a fascination with violence is inherent to the performance, a stylistic emphasis on dynamic dance sequences, accompanied by a modern, high-energy soundtrack, allows some of the more shocking portrayals to remain implied, rather than descend into self-serving vulgarity. This is no coincidence — unlike Stanley Kubrick's highly graphic film adaptation, UK company Action to the Word's stage performance has authorial integrity, having been developed in association with Burgess, who sought to rectify misconceptions of the text as being designed as an invitation to the disillusioned youth of the world to mirror the rage of his fictional droogs. Unlike the originally published and widely circulated American version of the novel, Spencer-Jones’s stage adaptation remains true to Burgess’s original ending. By privileging the author’s intended sequence of closure, a protagonist whose behavior is undeniably animalistic and barbaric throughout the performance is ultimately humanised — it turns out it was all a case of ‘boys will be boys’ and what Alex really wants is the wife, kid and white picket fence, just like the rest of us. Where Burgess may have intended this to suggest an innate potential for goodness in even the most seemingly depraved members of society, it simultaneously highlights the audience's ability to feel empathy for, and identify with, a violent murderer. When played by the achingly charismatic McCreadie, despite his propensity for kicking heads in and pillaging innocent women, Alex is strangely mesmerising and even appealing — what might be most interesting is what that implies about our own attitude towards aggression, manhood and "that old ultra violence". Just what that wider societal attitude might be remains unclear, although just shy of two years on from the London riots, audiences of A Clockwork Orange will feel that its depictions of the human propensity for violence, aggression and brutality remain as scandalously relevant today they were when first published as a text 50 years ago. While it may leave you unsure of whether to take up adult dance classes, attempt (probably feebly) to kick down a street sign or run for cover from the mad, bad world outside, A Clockwork Orange is an immersive triumph of modern theatre that will confront then refuse to neatly provide answers to all of the terror it raises — real horror show, in all senses of the term. This review was written about the Melbourne run of this production, in April 2013.
This self-described dive bar is anything but dingy when it comes to the lineup of live music and entertainment it offers each night of the week — all for free. All that's asked of punters is that they 'be good to one another', which seems like a reasonable price to pay. Head downstairs to hear established and up-and-coming acts behind the mic throughout the week. There's also regular trivia and comedy nights each month. Check out its Instagram for gig details — it's a good idea to book ahead as things can get pretty tight. Images: Jasmine Low
If your natural response to winter is to stay indoors, rug up, make friends with your couch and activate hibernation mode, you might be feeling rather happy about your usual frosty routine over the weekend of Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14. Thanks to a cold front that's currently moving through New South Wales from the alpine region, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting blustering winds across Sydney for the next two days, with gusts potentially reaching 90 kilometres per hour. BOM has issued a severe weather warning for the possibly damaging winds, noting that they'll blow west to southwesterly, especially on Saturday. While the present cold front is anticipated to ease on Saturday afternoon, another is due to make its presence known on Sunday, which means the breeziness will pick up once again. The Bureau is specifically cautioning about winds of around 70–80 kilometres per hour in Sydney, and advises that gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour are possible. Folks in Illawarra, the eastern parts of the Central Tablelands — including the Blue Mountains — and Southern Tablelands, as well as the high country around the Upper Hunter and Barrington Tops, can all expect winds of 60–70 kilometres per hour in Illawarra, with gusts exceeding 90 kilometres per hour. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1149784201874616320 Sydneysiders are only being warned about Saturday so far, while those in the other aforementioned regions should factor more than a stiff breeze into their entire weekend. Temperatures in the city will only reach 15 degrees on Saturday and 16 on Sunday, which will help to keep things chilly regardless of the wind. On Facebook, NSW SES recommends that residents secure loose items, and move vehicles undercover or away from trees. If you're not only venturing out of the house today, but to the airport, the windiness could interfere with flights into and out of the city — travellers in some parts of the country, such as the Gold Coast, have already been advised of possible delays due to Sydney's blustery conditions. The winds are forecast to drop off on Monday, when the second cold front will move away from NSW. Image: Jason Tong via Flickr.
Step back into Japan’s oldest tradition of dramatic art with Theatre of Dreams, Theatre of Play at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This exhibition features a range of cultural materials, from enigmatic masks and dazzling costumes through to paintings, musical instruments and songbooks. Drawing upon the theatrical tradition of no, often referred to as Japanese Opera, this exhibition will uncover the historical rituals and symbols that shape the refined elegance and complexity of this continuous art form. This type of performance is also interspersed with brief comedic interludes, known as kyogen skits, typically recounting folk tales and anecdotes from everyday life. In representing these two styles, curator Dr Khanh Trinh explains, "These objects are not just functional props but also items of great aesthetic appeal ... the patronage by the military nobility also means that no costs and efforts were spared in their production." There has been an immense effort to preserve the fragile beauty of these objects, handed down through influential households. Dating back to the samurai age, many of these artefacts have never been exhibited outside of Japan. It's a rare opportunity to marvel at the richness and intricacy of one of the world’s most ancient forms of performance.
Bummed that you missed out on Splendour In The Grass tix? Luckily, Secret Sounds, the guys behind the Byron Bay music festival, have announced a stellar line-up of Sydney sideshow gigs in July and August. Get in quick - it's anticipated that tickets will literally self destruct like a mission impossible audio tape if you wait too long. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but you get the gist - book now or forever miss out. Tickets go on sale on at 9am on Friday, May 4. THE AFGHAN WIGS In Australia for the first time, the recently reformed Wigs are one of the most acclaimed alternative bands of the early '90s. They'll be at The Factory Theatre on July 26 with material from across their back catalogue including Congregation and Gentlemen. BAND OF SKULLS Also playing at The Factory, the UK trio Band Of Skulls will be back on July 27, fresh from performances at Coachella, a UK tour and a mass of North American shows. This will be the first taste of their new album Sweet Sour, live for Australian audiences. COMMUNION: Michael Kiwanuka with Ben Howard London label Communion is presenting a series of special Splendour sideshows featuring artists Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard and Australia’s Tim Hart. As the brainchild of Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons, this show on July 24 at The Factory Theatre is part of Communion's first fully curated tour. DJANGO DJANGO On August 1 at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory, art-rockers Django Django will be joined by The Cast of Cheers for their first performance down under. No doubt they'll be the happiest, clappiest East Londoners in town following the buzz they created at South By Southwest recently. HOWLER with ZULU WINTER From both sides of the Atlantic - Howler from Minneapolis and Zulu Winter from the UK - come two indie rock bands with a strong following from fellow artists like Arcade Fire and the Kaiser Chiefs. They play Oxford Art Factory on July 25. FRIENDS After blazing out of Bushwick in 2011 with singles ‘I’m His Girl’, ‘Friend Crush’ and a reputation for turning live gigs into spontaneous DIY parties, Brooklyn’s Friends will be coming to Australia for the first time, playing at The Standard on July 26. ELECTRIC GUEST Electric Guest have been working with the likes of Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz, The Black Keys, U2) to produce their debut album Mondo. They'll be bringing their seamless fusion of Motown, indie rock and '60s French pop to Oxford Art Factory on July 31. FATHER JOHN MISTY Having departed Fleet Foxes in 2011, Joshua Tillman celebrates the release of his debut album Fear Fun under the new moniker of Father John Misty. Come and experience the playful melancholy and soulful musings at Oxford Art Factory on July 27. YOUTH LAGOON Youth Lagoon, the moniker of 22-year-old Trevor Powers, return with a full band for an intimate gig on July 28 at The Factory Theatre.
Plan a trip to South Australia, and spending time surrounded by grapes is probably on your agenda. This year, you can pair all those winery visits with plenty of pumpkins, too, because Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin-focused infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens will display at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Friday, April 1. Australia just keeps going dotty for Kusama. Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art's hosted a kaleidoscopic exhibition dedicated to the Japanese artist back in 2017, her Obliteration Room has proven a hit in the Sunshine State several times and, going one better, Canberra's National Gallery of Australia acquired The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens back in 2018. While the latter is a permanent addition to the NGA's collection, it's also going on the road on — which is why Adelaide is your next place to see oh-so-many dots. The piece was first exhibited in 2015. Comprised of a mirrored cube filled with yellow, dot-covered pumpkins, it's a quintessential Kusama work. Whether you're a devoted fan who considers visiting the artist's own Tokyo museum a bucket-list moment, or someone who has simply placed stickers around one of her obliteration rooms, you would've noticed that dots and the concept of infinity are crucial to her art — "our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos," she says. Inside the cube, the bulbous vegetables appear to create an endless field thanks to the shiny surface. On the outside of the cube, the structure's mirrored exterior reflects the yellow-and-black walls in the surrounding installation room — again, making it appear as though the pattern stretches on forever. The NGA's acquisition was made possible via a gift from Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett, which is also supporting the infinity room's tour. AGSA hasn't revealed how long it'll be on display, but entry will be free — and it's obviously a must-visit addition to any Adelaide itinerary. Images: Installation view, THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS by Yayoi Kusama, 2017, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. © Yayoi Kusama, courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/Shanghai.
The unassuming inner west suburb of Mortlake has more than a few tricks up its sleeve, one of which is a specialty coffee roaster. Wolfpack owners Daniel and Irene Plesko started off roasting in Mum's garage and have just moved into upgraded Mortlake warehouse and cafe digs — at which you can expect a damn fine coffee without pretension. The trade runs in the family — Irene's grandparents were leading figures in the coffee culture of Suva, Fiji, back in 1969, and installed the city's first espresso machine. Wolfpack, similarly, aims to make specialty coffee more accessible to the community. The cafe, fittingly dubbed The Den, is a minimalist space that continues the warehouse vibes of the roastery. All of the coffee is roasted onsite, so you know you're getting a supremely fresh cuppa. While takeaway is, of course, on offer, we recommend pulling up a seat (indoor or out) and revelling in the whole 'beans-to-cup' experience. Once you've found the beans for you, grab a bag to go ($15–17) — there's Alpha for milk-based coffees, Beta for black coffees, Delta decaf and Omega single origin. If you prefer your beans pre-ground, Wolfpack has you covered with options customised to your espresso, filter or plunger machine. The beans are sourced from around the globe, including Kenya, Brazil, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Colombia. While the cafe is about the coffee first and foremost, dine-in customers can also enjoy a few snacks alongside, including the roast beef toastie with onion and bourbon relish ($11), smashed avocado on toast with feta and balsamic glaze ($10) and baked goods aplenty. Those who don't frequent Mortlake can expect to start seeing Wolfpack in Sydney cafes and restaurants soon, so keep an eye out. Images: Lisa Pires Photography
Flight of the Conchords return home for a New Zealand and Australia tour this winter. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, the goofy halves of this comedy and musical duo, announced the tour on their website, saying, "We are finally returning to Australia … mostly to apologise." Fans seem to agree that there is nothing to be sorry for: the original tour dates have already sold out. Luckily, additional dates have been added; make sure to snatch yours up quickly. The pair returns from a lengthy run of success abroad, including a BBC radio series, HBO television series, film appearances and an Oscar. Tickets go on sale here on Tuesday, April 17, at 9am. Australian Tour Dates: Thursday, 5th July 2012 - Sydney Opera House, Sydney Saturday, 7th July 2012 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Tuesday, 10th July 2012 - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Wednesday, 11th July 2012 - WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Friday, 13th July 2012 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Saturday 14th July 2012 - The Plenary, Melbourne Wednesday 18th July 2012 - Challenge Stadium, Perth
The super-adorable Finders Keepers Markets have been home to Sydney's most creative (and quirky) designers for almost five years. Now the independent hip-fest is all grown up and bursting forth from the confines of Carriageworks to invade their new home at Eveleigh's Australian Technology Park in 2013. The biannual, designer-centric, come-one-come-all mini-festival has managed to bridge the gap between local market and exclusive exhibition, creating a space for independent designers to engage with the wider community. You'll be able to nab some marvellous treats difficult to find anywhere else. From bespoke leather goods to bespoke stationary, upcycled journals to upcycled bicycle reflectors, every stall will be a unique shopping experience that combines innovative design with grassroots feel-goodery. As usual, there will be live music, a cafe, a bar and thousands of other Sydneysiders celebrating independent art and design. However, because of the move to the bigger venue (three times bigger, to be exact), look out for the $2 entry fee this time around. Finder Keepers is open 6-10pm on Friday, 10-5pm on Saturday.
When Shaun Christie-David launched Colombo Social — a contemporary Sri Lankan diner and social enterprise that supports asylum seekers, refugees and people facing food insecurity — his parents' experiences migrating to Australia in the 1980s were a major inspiration. Memories of his mother's cooking and the way her food bridged cultural divides in her adopted home continue to resonate in every aspect of Colombo Social and Plate It Forward, Christie-David's meal donation charity. Given their close relationship, it might not seem all that surprising that the restaurateur is now joining forces with his amma, Shiranie, for a new series of special menus. What's less expected, however, is that Christie-David is also inviting some of Australia's top chefs to team up with their mothers in the Enmore Road kitchen as well. Colombo Social's Mum Cha events will be delivering multi-course set menus on the last Saturday of every month. In June, Christie-David tapped Merivale's Executive Chef and TV personality Dan Hong (Mr. Wong, MuMu), who was joined on the pots by his mother, Angie Hong. The second event in the series, which takes place on Saturday, July 27, will showcase the talents of Melbourne's Atlas Dining founder Charlie Carrington, who will be cooking alongside his mother Jacqueline. Carrington's impressive CV includes stints at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordan Ramsay in London and pyro-powered Surry Hills diner Firedoor. The eight-course menu will be inspired by Charlie and Jacquie's trips around the world, featuring elevated interpretations of international dishes including a garlic butter-infused smoked drumstick paying homage to the chicken Kiev, a curious fusion of Italian and Asian flavours via a bolognaise vermicelli san choy bao, and a beef taco with European inclinations, dressed with cabbage, peas, mint and ricotta. There are just 40 seats available for the eight-course meal every month, so you'll have to book quickly if you don't want to miss out. Each $150 ticket includes a welcome cocktail on arrival, plus unlimited premium red and white wines for the duration of the 90-minute sitting.
It's been a busy couple of months of stargazing, with both the Lyrid and Eta Aquarids Meteor Showers lighting up our skies, as well as a supermoon. This weekend, there are another two reasons to look up, too: a strawberry moon and an eclipse. Well, it's penumbral lunar eclipse. And you'll have to shake yourself out of your warm bed at a super-early hour on the morning of Saturday, June 6 to catch this one. While the penumbral lunar eclipse — which occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, but they don't form a perfectly straight line — will start around 3.45am, the maximum eclipse will occur at 5.24am. From here, you'll only have a very short amount of time to catch the main event, with the moon setting at 6.59am. For the full details, timeanddate.com has put together a handy to-the-minute schedule of when the eclipse will be happening in each city. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a shade of red, but during a penumbral eclipse, which is much subtler, it'll appear to look dark grey or silver. For a lunar eclipse to occur, there must be a full moon. This June full moon is called a strawberry moon after the wild strawberries that ripen at this time of year. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live-streaming the partial lunar eclipse from the skyline above Rome from Saturday, June 6 at 5am AEST.
Next time that someone hands you a $100 note, you can be forgiven for thinking that it looks a little different — because a new range of the green-hued currency will be released into circulation from Thursday, October 29. Australia's banknotes have been getting a makeover since September 2016, when a different $5 note started doing the rounds. It was followed by a revamped $10 in 2017, a sparkling fresh $50 in 2018 and a brand new $20 in 2019. For the upgraded $100 note, the design still celebrates engineer, soldier and civic leader Sir John Monash, as well as internationally famed soprano Dame Nellie Melba. They're both recognised in several ways on the new notes, with not only their portraits displayed prominently, but with microprint featuring excerpts of a letter written by Monash, as well as text from Melba's autobiography Melodies and Memories. As well as changed artwork (albeit keeping the same colour scheme as old notes), the new $100 boasts the same improved security features as the revamped $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes, which are largely aimed to stop counterfeiting. A clear window running from top to bottom is the most obvious, and contains a number of features such as a reversing number and flying bird. As mentioned above, the note also includes microprint, plus a patch with rolling colour. And, in great news for the vision-impaired, the new series of legal tender has a tactile feature to help distinguish between different denominations. As happened with the other denominations, the rollout will happen gradually. The existing $100 banknotes are still considered legal tender, so you can still keep using them. Australia's new $100 notes will start circulating from Thursday, October 29. For more information about the banknotes, head to the Reserve Bank of Australia website. Images: Reserve Bank of Australia.
He's a hip-hop and fashion trailblazer. His latest album Chromakopia dropped in 2024. He's also heading to Australia again in 2025. That'd be Tyler, The Creator — and he's coming with friends, with the genre-bending rapper boasting Lil Yachty and Paris Texas in support. Tyler, The Creator last headed this way on a headline tour in 2022, and played Splendour in the Grass as well. On his latest trip, he has a three-night date with Sydney, playing Qudos Bank Arena across Tuesday, August 26–Thursday, August 28. Luis 'Panch' PerezThe Chromakopia tour follows his 2024 Coachella headlining set, on a bill that also included Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, No Doubt and plenty more. Before 2022 — which marked Tyler's first set of headline shows down under in over eight years — the last time that the star graced Australian shores was for a series of festival appearances over New Years 2020–21, hitting up the likes of Beyond the Valley and Field Day. [caption id="attachment_823369" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Demxx via Flickr[/caption] Top images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Surry Hills' hidden gem Beau, the intimate laneway bar from the NOMAD team, introduces its latest exciting collaboration with China Heights Gallery, bringing art to the table with its new Artist Series. For three months, Beau will play host to one prominent artist per month, coinciding with their exhibitions at China Heights. Ellen Virgona, Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal), and Otis Hope Carey are the featured artists, and they will transform the laneway setting into a unique and immersive artistic experience. Enjoy curated playlists, floral arrangements, projected visuals, artwork and a collaborative specialty dish inspired by their work. To kick off the series, photographer Virgona will showcase her work from Friday, April 12, alongside a limited-edition dish of Greek-style rice pudding with caramelised figs. Head chef Troy Spencer has crafted this textural dish inspired by Virgona's rich and visceral imagery, a seemingly perfect autumnal dish. The event series brings contemporary art to the hospitality scene, blurring the lines between dining and gallery spaces. So be sure to check out this cultural fusion and experience art through a new lens. Allen's stint starts on Friday, June 7, and Carey's on Friday, September 13.
After Sydney Contemporary's massive opening night shindig at Carriageworks, don't head home just yet. Instead, come party with us. In partnership with Sydney Contemporary, we've organised an epic opening night after-party. As soon as the arty shenanigans wind up at Carriageworks, make your way to the Royal Hotel in Darlington just down the road. There, you'll find creative duo Prue Stent and Honey Long, who'll be travelling all the way from Melbourne to mesmerise you with their spontaneous art and performance, where femininity, playfulness and distortion interact. Aside from this spectacle, the evening will be soundtracked by a steady stream of beats provided by local DJ Bobby Gray. If you're a regular at the Royal, expect to see it as you haven't before: transformed into a creative wonderland. The action will kick on till midnight. Entry to Concrete Playground's Sydney Contemporary Opening Night Nightcap is free. All you have do is RSVP over here, so we know to expect you — even if we can't tell you exactly what to expect. Image: Robert Jahnke.
It has been three years since Australia said a resounding yes to same-sex marriage, with results from the country's postal vote survey on marriage equality announced in November 2017 and the corresponding legislation passed through parliament in December the same year. Now, to commemorate the historic event, the City of Sydney is planning to create a permanent reminder — courtesy of a rainbow footpath through Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills. Announcing the news, Lord Mayor Clover Moore called the proposal "a permanent tribute" — not only to the vote in favour of same-sex marriage, but "to the moment when more than 30,000 Sydneysiders gathered together to hear the results". She continued: "the path will represent both the progress we have made towards equality and the long way to go before our LGBTIQ communities are free of discrimination". Stretching across a 90-metre expanse, the path will feature six coloured bands painted over an existing footpath, to resemble a rainbow (obviously). It'll be curved just like the real thing, too. And, it'll be located in the area that was recently renamed Equality Green, with plenty of grass on either side. Inspired by an idea from the Surry Hills Creative Precinct, the path is at the proposal stage at present — and the City of Sydney is currently asking for community feedback until 5pm on Sunday, November 29. [caption id="attachment_788550" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Damian Shaw / City of Sydney[/caption] The revamped, brightly coloured footpath will join Sydney's rainbow crossing in Darlinghurst — so there'll soon be multiple spots around town where you can venture to the other side of the rainbow. Top image: City of Sydney.
Lock up your children, Hocus Pocus fans. Actually, if you have kids, you'll want to leave them at home on your next getaway. Just in time for Halloween, Airbnb has conjured up a particularly witchy stay in Salem, Massachusetts: the Sanderson sisters' cottage, which comes complete with broomsticks, bubbling cauldrons, cobwebs, curious cats, creaking floorboards, potions in apothecary bottles and spellbooks. Get ready to run amok, amok, amok to indulge your Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 love, with this one-time-only listing arriving not only for the spookiest time of year, but because the latter flick — a 29-years-later sequel to the beloved 1993 film that starred Bette Midler (The Addams Family 2), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) and Kathy Najimy (Music), with all three returning as Winnie, Sarah and Mary Sanderson this time around — hits Disney+ on Friday, September 30. A screening of that movie is included in your magical stay, too, whether you've caught it already by then or you manage to hang out for the ultimate viewing experience. The bewitching date to pop into your diary: Thursday, October 20. But, as tends to be the case with Airbnb's pop culture-themed one-offs, only one booking is being taken. The cottage will welcome in two guests for a one-night stay, with reservations opening at 4am AEDT on Thursday, October 13 via the Airbnb website. There is a fee for the accommodation, costing US$31 dollars — but, if you're lucky enough to score the booking and you're travelling from Down Under, flights and transportation aren't included in that cost. That obviously makes it a much more expensive prospect. Still, this spellbinding experience will be the first time that anyone has been able to get slumbering (and scheming) like the Sandersons. And, it also includes the chance to try the enchantments listed in the Manual of Witchcraft and Alchemy, as well as exploring Salem's history via visits to some of the town's purportedly haunted properties. And yes, the black flame candle flickers. Of course it does. In fact, expect candlelight to be a huge part of your trip — in every room. The cottage has been recreated as though it's 300 years ago, after all. (Bathroom facilities are in a separate outhouse, for example.) "We all know that the Sanderson sisters' story might not have ended when we turned to dust, nor did our shenanigans," said Kathy Najimy, aka Mary Sanderson, helping Airbnb announce the Hocus Pocus stay. "What better way to celebrate the season than to host guests at the trio's historic haunt for a night they'll remember for years to come?" Najimy continued. The Sanderson sisters' cottage joins Airbnb's growing list of movie and TV-inspired getaways, including the Bluey house, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion and the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop just in 2022 alone. For more information about the Hocus Pocus mansion listing on Airbnb, or to apply to book at 4am AEDT on Thursday, October 13, head to the Airbnb website. 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. Images: Helynn Ospina.
Our city's nightlife may be doing it tough, but it's just been thrown a bit of a bone. The City of Sydney has just announced the latest recipients of its late-night grant program, and it looks like we've got a load of new after-dark cultural events and gigs to look forward to. Following a similar grant given to 18 small businesses earlier this year, the new funds will be used to help kick-start new nighttime programming, or to make improvements to acoustics, staging and equipment, at a diverse array of popular haunts including Pocket Bar, The Cliff Dive, Waterloo's Commune, The Cross Arts Projects Gallery and Leadbelly in Newtown. The latest financial injection to Sydney's nightlife scene follows more than $850,000 in previous funding through the City of Sydney's night-time diversification, and live music and performance grants. "Earlier this year, more than 10,000 Sydneysiders, visitors and city workers told us they wanted more and diverse options after dark," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore in a statement. "These grants support live music at a vintage clothes store, a vegan brewery, writers' talks at an art gallery and all-ages gigs at 107 Projects." Newtown's Marlborough Hotel and the Green Park Hotel in Darlinghurst will use their funding to upgrade sound equipment in an effort to improve audience experience, while at Kings Cross recycled and reused goods store Grand Days, the money will help launch a program of after-dark activities, including film screenings, live music and vintage fashion events. Grant funding will also help spawn a new series of monthly all-ages gigs at Redfern's 107 Projects, enable new sound and lighting equipment and staging, to create a live music venue at Yulli's Brews, and see Darlinghurst's Oxford Hotel and Club 77 launch a program of monthly events featuring international DJs on Saturday nights. Projects included in this latest round of funding will kick off from January 2019 and must be completed within 12 months — look out for the new events in our calendar. If you own a small business in the City of Sydney, you'll be able to apply for the next round of funding in early 2019. Image: Leadbelly by Steven Woodburn.
With a history that trips back almost a century, the heritage-listed Balmoral Bathers' Pavilion is pretty hallowed turf. So, it's only fitting the historic waterside venue has an impressive cast of Sydney hospitality and design gurus overseeing its next phase of life. The art deco beauty has reopened after an extensive ten-week makeover, with some new and old hospitality elite at the helm. The new-look beachside venue now sports a fancy fit-out by award-winning design studio Luchetti Krelle, whose works you'll have spied at the likes of Manly Greenhouse, Verandah Bar, Banksii and the Sydney Opera House lobby. Expect lots of white tablecloths, sea-toned stripes, plants and lots of light from the venue's epic floor-to-ceiling windows. [caption id="attachment_744387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The view from the dining room.[/caption] The new-look Bathers' gives you a few options: the bistro, the bar, the kiosk and the fine dining restaurant. The Bathers' Bistro is your more casual option, and it's open for brekkie, lunch and dinner. But, prices still aren't exactly cheap — smashed avo is $22, and mains like grilled Yamba prawns and fish pie will set you back around $35–45. For something a bit more special, you'll want to make a reservation in the venue's fine dining offering, The Good Room. The menu will change daily, but expect lots of seafood and cuts of duck breast and lamp rump. It's a set menu deal here, with two courses for $90 and three for $110. You'll also have 350 wines to choose from and an ocean view from wherever you sit. For snacks, you can grab a seat in the adjoining bar, and, on Sunday afternoons, the terrace will become a champagne bar, so you can indulge in Louis Roederer, prawns and steak frites alongside panoramic views of the ocean. If you're just after a post-swim feed, there's also the option to grab a hamper or fish and chips from the downstairs kiosk. A visit to the upstairs gallery is also an option Front-of-house star Cam Fairbairn has jumped on board to head up the service side of things, filling a void we've all been feeling since the closure of Rushcutters Bay favourite Acme earlier this year. In the kitchen, four years on from a previous stint at Bathers' Pavilion, Cameron Johnston (St Claude's, Jonah's) makes his return, stepping into the role of co-head chef of the venue's fine dining restaurant. alongside Peter Gong (Catalina). Kumiko Endo, with stints at Attica, Tetsuya, Fujisaki under his belt, joins the gang as head pastry chef, while Jess Mead (Acme, Kingdom of Rice) takes on the task of restaurant manager. Owner-Chef Serge Dansereau has overseen the Bathers' Pavilion site for the past 20 years and confirmed earlier this year that he's been granted a new lease for the next two decades. So you can expect to have more than a few Sunday sessions here. Bathers' Pavilion is now open at 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral. The bistro is open daily from 7am until late, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Top image: WikiCommons.
This fashion destination is home to a plethora of designer clothes that'll take you from workout to work — or from the beach to a night out. Created by Deborah Symond O'Neil, Mode Sportif houses both international designers and Australian favourites. Browse playful prints by Copenhagen designer Ganni, easy separates by Lee Mathews, floral numbers by Rixo, activewear by Varley, easygoing denim by Citizens of Humanity, sneakers by Axel Arigato and heels by Rejina Pyo. Accessories aren't forgotten about either, with an extensive range of sunglasses (from the likes of Chloé, Gucci and Shevoke), handbags (by Staud, Hershan and Kayu) and jewellery (from Meadowlark, Anni Lu and Holly Ryan).
As Sydneysiders, we're lucky to be situated so close to so many of Australia's most celebrated wine regions: Orange, Mudgee, the Hunter Valley and Kangaroo Valley (the list continues). Whether you're looking for organically produced, family-operated or award-winning, you'll find it all just a road trip away. If you're a wine fan and you're not taking advantage of NSW's seriously impressive vineyards, it's time to get those engines revving. Here are ten cellar doors worth travelling for, from an elegant farmhouse to an old-school organic vineyard, and even one with its own craft brewery and live music amphitheatre. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. While regional holidays within NSW will be allowed from June 1, some of the places mentioned below may still be closed — or operating differently — due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans.
Let's face it, gift giving is hard. Some people are crazy good at it and others, not so much. But wherever you fall on the spectrum, one thing we can all agree on is that personalised gifts always go down a treat. They are thoughtful, functional and oh so beautiful, making them ideal for a special someone who made your year better. This could be the friend who was your rock during lockdowns, the family member you haven't seen all year or maybe it's the partner who gets you knockout gifts every single Christmas. Yes, something customised will take a bit more planning, but that's kinda the point — you want a gift that show's you went that extra mile, because they're worth it. In partnership with Archie Rose and its new Tailored Spirits range, we've come up with six personalised gifts that'll blow your mum, mate or date away this holiday season. TAILORED SPIRITS FROM ARCHIE ROSE Award-winning Sydney distillery Archie Rose takes personalisation to a whole new level with its Tailored Spirits range, which allows you to craft the perfect nip for your fave vodka, gin or cocktail drinker. Not only can you customise the label for your lucky giftee, but you also get to decide on the tipple's botanicals and the potency of each ingredient to completely suit their taste. Once you decide on the label design and flavours via the user-friendly interface, the team will start blending the individually distilled botanicals into a beautifully designed bottle before sending it on its way. The hardest part of the whole process will be not spilling the beans on what you got them. FRAGRANCE DISCOVERY SET FROM LE LABO There are few things more personal than a scent. So, when it comes to gifting, getting it wrong is a big no-no — but no pressure or anything. Le Labo is known for its fine, hand-blended fragrances, which can also come with custom-printed labels and engravings. Can't narrow it down to just one? The Discovery Set features the brand's entire classic range in a 17-strong sample box, so there's bound to be at least a couple of scents they'll like. Once they decide on which one tickles their fancy, there's a gift voucher for them to purchase a 100ml bottle of their new chosen scent. PERSONALISED NOTEBOOK FROM PAPIER Got a special someone who likes jotting down their thoughts and feelings? Perhaps they're planning on doing a course next year which requires journaling or maybe they're one of those people who just loves making to-do lists (we've all got one). Whatever their needs, Papier's gorgeous stationery designs are made even more unique with the ability to customise them with whatever text you like. Add your giftee's name to the front of their new notebook, or include a funny quote you know they'll appreciate on a 2022 planner. BESPOKE PHONE CASE FROM THE DAILY EDITED Whether your gift receiver is a serial selfie taker, a tech-thusiast or a butterfingers who perpetually has cracks in their phone screen, having a nice phone case is an essential accessory. Connoisseurs of all things personalised, The Daily Edited makes a range of bespoke phone cases that suit just about any aesthetic, from eye-catching patterns comprising their initials to designs that showcase their pride. All you have to do is (subtly) find out what kind of phone they have, take a guess at what colour will suit their style and wait for The Daily Edited to weave its magic. PERSONALISED GOLF GOLVES FROM MR GOLF Know someone who has gotten really into golf in the past couple of years? This is the pressie for them. Made from premium Cabretta leather, these sturdy gloves from Mr Golf can be customised with your favourite golfer's initials — so even if they've spent the day hacking up the green, they can still feel like a pro. As well as a range of colours, you can also pick on which hand to stamp their initials depending on whether they're left-handed or right-handed. They might not make them any better at golf, but at least they'll look good. CUSTOM LUGGAGE BY JULY While we're all itching to get on a plane, some of us already have one foot out the door — and for these people, nothing says bon voyage better than a personalised trunk. July makes a range of beautiful and customisable suitcases, including trunks, backpacks, carryalls and accessories. But to go the extra mile, gift them a polished, hard-shell suitcase with a classic design and old-school latches. Customisation goes further here with ultra-cool fonts (or emojis) which are guaranteed to never rub off. The biggest upside of a personalised trunk? There's no chance of accidentally picking up someone else's bag on the airport carousel. Give someone a gift that's truly theirs this Christmas with Archie Rose Tailored Spirits. For more information, head to the website. Top image: Archie Rose
This lavish Japanese restaurant situated in the Heritage Lounge precinct on Church Street is pushing the envelope of elevated dining in Parramatta. Oribu blends modern techniques with a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine on a sophisticated menu. Head Chef Harry Cho (ex-Nobu) has crafted a menu of precisely constructed and beautifully presented dishes that aim to challenge preconceived notions of Japanese cuisine in the suburb. For starters, opt for the popcorn prawns paired with creamy, spicy sauce and a splash of yuzu juice, the variety of Japanese-style tacos or the deluxe sashimi selection. When deciding on mains, you're spoilt for choice. From nigiri to lamb cutlets with saikyo miso, custard crumbs and grilled cherry tomatoes, and succulent tenderloin brochettes that pair beautifully with pan-fried garlic broccolini or the saiko miso- and onion-topped crispy eggplant. It's all very well-considered from a flavour and texture perspective, and it's all very good. Round out your dining experience with a sweet treat. For a citrus hit, opt for the zingy yuzu sorbet with vanilla fairy floss or basil and lime tart, while the butterscotch bar offers a more indulgent cap to your meal. There's also the chef's tasting menu if you're feeling indecisive or just want to give the best of the menu a spin. Oribu has a moody ambience that sets the stage for an intimate date night or a lavish group celebration. The elegant fit-out features black interiors with flashes of greenery and a growing tree at the centre of its dining area.
Every autumn, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the Eta Aquarids are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Eta Aquarids annually. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Tuesday, May 7 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse. WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Tuesday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 30 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. WHERE TO SEE IT Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. So, if you're living in the city, it could be time for a last minute trip to a clear-skied camping spot. The trick is to get as far away from light pollution as possible. For Sydneysiders who don't mind a long drive, this could mean a trip to the far south coast. We reckon Picnic Point campsite in Mimosa Rocks National Park might be a winner. Or, if that sounds too far away, Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay is pretty light-free. Alternatively, head west — after all, you'd be hard pressed to find better views than at The Dish, just outside of Parkes or at Australia's only Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran. Melburnians might consider a journey to Wilsons Promontory or along the Great Ocean Road, as far as Killarney Beach. For somewhere closer, there's Heathcote, which is just a 90-minute drive from the city, but is an excellent vantage point. For a real escape, head to Snake Valley in the central west, where there's hardly a light in sight. For a quick trip out of Brisbane, try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wivenhoe or Lake Somerset, which are all rather dark, considering their proximity to the city. If you have a bit more time, head two-and-a-half hours' west to Leyburn, which has some of the busiest skies in Queensland, or eight hours' west to the tiny town of Charleville in the outback. HOW TO SEE IT The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Eta Aquarii, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. If you struggle to get out of bed, NASA Apart from that, wear warm clothes, take snacks and be patient. Happy stargazing.
If there’s anything that can really make you dance like no one’s watching without actually altering your mind it’s a fancy tie and a mask covered in glitter and feathers. So if you have access to those two things and you like great music, you should put them on and head to Goodgod this Friday for a masked ball of monumental proportions. Monthly dance party Slow Blow is hosting a masquerade to celebrate the release of Softwar’s This Time Around EP. Black tie and masks are essential, so tireless late night party crusaders and spirited early rises should feel extra fancy as they embark upon a sonic journey through filtery deep funk, galactic dance and glittery house music. Coming along for the ride are Slow Blow DJs and Dreamcatcher and Jungle Snake, plus the all-round nice guys who spin under Future Classic. If you start to bust out some great moves and feel an overwhelming desire to reveal your true identity, stash your mask in your pocket rather than throwing it dramatically into the crowd. It may come in handy as you stumble out onto Liverpool Street in the wee hours of the morning.
Snakadaktal are one of those bands that pop their head out occasionally to remind us of how incredibly talented they are. They won Triple J Unearthed High in 2011 and debuted on the Hottest 100 for that year at number 22 with 'Air', no easy feat for a band fresh out of high school. They then went into the studio bunker for most of 2012, only releasing the dance-friendly wonder 'Dance Bear', which also snuck onto the Hottest 100 despite the band hibernating most of the year on the production front. This time, though, they are set to keep their pleasurable pop where everybody can see it, with their solo nationwide tour. It comes on the back of releasing their debut LP Sleep in the Water, which if lead teaser track 'Ghost' is anything to go by, will certainly feature many claims for entry into a third consecutive Hottest 100. The dream-inducing wizards will be playing at the Metro theatre on August 30 and they will be supported by Fishing and Moon Holiday. This should not be missed. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MNN1JWnXzyQ
Prepare to exclaim "yeah, science!" like Jesse Pinkman — and to see a whole lot more of Aaron Paul's Breaking Bad character. The acclaimed series is making a comeback, cooking up a movie that serves as a sequel to the show's finale. In the spotlight: Walter White's former student and protégé, who happens to be in a spot of trouble (again). When we last saw Pinkman in Breaking Bad's final episode six years ago, he had just escaped captivity, all thanks to Walt (Bryan Cranston). The latter was injured in the process, but when he asked his former meth cooking partner to kill him, Pinkman couldn't bring himself to do it. So, Pinkman ran, and Walt lost consciousness just a cop arrived. And, that's how the series ended. As happens when every great show comes to a conclusion, we've all wondered what happened next. Come October 11 — that's in just over two weeks — fans can find out. First revealed last year, and initially given the working title of Greenbriar, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie will continue Pinkman's tale in a thriller written and directed by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Although this follow-up will span a single package rather than run across multiple episodes, it is still coming to a small screen near you thanks to Netflix. Dropping the debut teaser in August, and another one during this week's Emmy awards, the streaming service has, finally, blessed us with a full-length trailer today. The film is set "in the wake of his dramatic escape from captivity", with Pinkman being forced to "come to terms with his past in order to forge some kind of future", according to the official synopsis. In the trailer, you see him hiding from police, digging holes in the desert and instantly ageing after showering and shaving — all dropping small clues to what you can expect next month. Whether Cranston will show up in El Camino is still the subject of rumour, but the trailer does reveal a couple of familiar faces, with Pinkman seeking shelter with Skinny Pete (Charles Barker) and Badger (Matt Jones). And, right at the end, an unidentified voice asks Pinkman, "you ready?". Could it be Walt? Ed the Disappearer (Robert Forster)? We'll find out very soon. Check out the El Camino trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLUn2DFW4w El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie hits Netflix on October 11.
UPDATE OCTOBER 10, 2022 - Due to heavy rainfall across NSW, the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival has been cancelled. However, the Australian Annual Highland Wine Show is going ahead as planned on October 28. For a full statement from the event organisers, visit the website. The Southern Highlands are known for their cool temperatures, sweeping roadside vistas, cosy cafes and delicious food and drink options. We've all probably driven through the Highlands at some point (being as they are only 90 minutes from Sydney), but it's time to drive to them and explore what's on offer. Your excuse? Make a trip out of the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival. Hosted at the Moss Vale Showground, it's a weekend no NSW foodie should pass on. [caption id="attachment_870798" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chris Frape[/caption] Though the festival itself doesn't start until Saturday, October 29, a full trip should include visiting on the evening of Friday the 28th for the annual Australian Highland Wine Show Awards Night, a cocktail event where you can sample premium local wine while the judges choose the best wine grown in cool climates above 500m for the prestigious title of Australia's Best Wine with Altitude. [caption id="attachment_870795" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chris Frape[/caption] At the main weekend event, you can take in live music while experiencing the best that local producers, wineries, distilleries, brewers and restaurants have to offer, so we suggest coming with an empty stomach to make the most of the smorgasbord of Southern Highlands delights. For something a little more intimate, visit the Olsson's Salt Sessions tent for hands-on workshops with local food and drink masters Colin Fassnidge (Banksia Hotel), Alex Prichard (Icebergs) and Mark Labrooy (Three Blue Ducks). The Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival will be running from Saturday, October 29 to Sunday, October 30 at Moss Vale Showground. Ticket prices vary (kids under six enter free) and Olsson's Salt Sessions VIP tickets are sold separately. For the full lineup and more details, head to the website.
Last month felt particular steamy and uncomfortable (even for Australian summer) and it was — January was Australia's hottest month ever recorded. The Bureau of Meteorology this morning released its monthly climate summary, reporting that, for the first time ever in Australia, the mean temperature for a month exceeded 30 degrees. NSW, ACT, Victoria and the NT all had their hottest Januarys ever recorded, while other states had unusually hot weather and very little rain. If you're currently sitting at your desk — after running through rain in Sydney, waking up to 14 degrees in Melbourne or commuting in low-20s in Brisbane — and thinking, it didn't seem that bad, here's a quick summary of some of the weather we endured last month. The year kicked off with a country-wide heatwave, with the mercury hitting the 30s in every capital city and Canberra sweltering through four days of 40-degrees. By mid-January, the heatwave was causing record-breaking high temperatures across the country — including 48.9 in SA and high-40s across Victoria's North — with Sydney's west copping dangerously high levels of ozone gas. And, just last week, Melbourne survived its hottest day in ten years. Here's how hot our country looked at one point: https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1084218154782478337 Phew. We're sure you're happy to see the back of January. According to the BOM's senior climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins, the unprecedented heat was due to a "a persistent high pressure system in the Tasman sea which was blocking any cold fronts and cooler air from impacting the south of the country." Dr Watkins also said in a statement that Australia looks to continue getting hotter, too. "The warming trend which has seen Australian temperatures increase by more than 1 degree in the last 100 years also contributed to the unusually warm conditions." Unfortunately for our farmers, last month was also extremely dry. In NSW, where 100 percent of the state has been in drought, the northeast experienced one of the driest Januarys on record, while most of Victoria and Brisbane received less than 20 percent of their average January rainfall. Tasmania had its driest Jan on record and SA, which experienced some of the highest temperatures, also had very little-to-no rain — the Bureau's Adelaide city site recorded no rainfall for the month for the first time since 1957. So far, it looks like February is going to be less spicy. But if you'd rather not risk it, it might be time to book a trip to the northern hemisphere. Image: Visit Victoria.
Simone Weil was one of those 20th-century overachievers who seemed to be everywhere, doing everything at once. Political activist? Check. Groundbreaking philosopher? Check. Mystic? (consults Ouija board) Check. Way to make us feel like we've accomplished nothing, Simone. Now, director Imara Savage, composer Kaija Saariaho and soprano Jane Sheldon will bring a large portion of her crazy genius to Carriageworks with the Australian premiere of La Passion de Simone during Sydney Festival 2019. This one-woman chamber opera will deliver a blast of vocal energy backed up with a fierce ideology, that'll inspire all in attendance to get cracking on their own life goals. Philosopher and author Albert Camus was said to have referred to Weil as "the only great spirit of our times". As we continue to defy and tear down our own heroes at dizzying speed, La Passion de Simone may just point you in the direction of a more durable icon. La Passion de Simone is part of Sydney Festival's dramatic and diverse 2019 program. Check out the full lineup here. Image: Samuel Hodge.
UPDATE, APRIL 4: Disney has announced a new release date for Mulan, with the film now hitting cinemas on July 23, 2020. UPDATE, MARCH 13: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that Mulan will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, March 26, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. In Chinese history, the legend of Hua Mulan dates back to the sixth century. At the movies, the formidable female warrior first fought her way across the big screen in a 1927 silent film. The character is no stranger to the page, stage or cinema, but many folks know the tale thanks to Disney's 1998 animated musical. Now, as it has done with everything from Alice in Wonderland to The Jungle Book to Aladdin, the Mouse House is turning the story into its latest live-action remake. Once again, Mulan (played by Chinese American actor Liu Yifei) will evolve from dutiful daughter to kick-ass combatant, all to protect her family in a time of war. She's originally due to be married off to a husband chosen by a matchmaker, until the Emperor of China issues a decree stating that one man per household must serve the Imperial Army as it endeavours to fend off northern invaders. To save her ailing ex-soldier father from having to fight, Mulan disguises herself as a man, takes on the name Hua Jun and becomes an icon. Forget rousing tunes and talking dragons voiced by Eddie Murphy — this time, the tale hits the screen without the singing and smart-talking sidekicks, but with plenty of sword-swinging, arrow-flinging antics. In New Zealand director Niki Caro's (Whale Rider, The Zookeeper's Wife) hands, this version of the story goes heavy on the action and empowerment, as seen in the spectacularly choreographed scenes in the just-released first trailer. As well as Liu (whose resume includes The Forbidden Kingdom and The Assassins), the new Mulan features Jet Li as the Chinese Emperor, Gong Li as a witch, Donnie Yen as the protagonist's mentor, Jason Scott Lee as a villainous army leader, and Yoson An (The Meg, Mortal Engines) as her fellow fighter and love interest. The film hits cinemas next year — check out the teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ON04GCwKs After being delayed from its original release date of March 28, 2020, Mulan will now open in Australian cinemas on July 23, 2020.
Taking to the skies soon? The food might be a little more delicious than you remember. That's because Virgin Australia has just launched new winter menus in both its economy and business classes, so you can embark on a culinary journey at 35,000 feet. Made fresh daily, those in the cheap seats can now tuck into Italian and Aussie dishes crafted by St. Food Co., with options ranging from creamy spinach and ricotta tortellini to savoury sausage rolls. Plus, you can now pair these satisfying flavours with an Archie Rose Gin & Peach Soda. As for business class travellers, a new globally inspired menu is being served from Wednesday, May 28. Think Japanese-style soba noodles with grilled chicken, a three-bean Mexican quesadilla with sour cream and salsa, and an Indian-inspired chickpea masala with herbed jasmine rice. Whether you're flying first thing in the morning or catching the red-eye, the business class menu also features fancy rotating options for breakfast and dessert. Start the day with a blueberry pancake stack topped with mascarpone and boysenberry, blackcurrant and apple compote, or round things out with strawberry cheesecake or sticky date cake. "At Virgin Australia, we believe flying should be as enjoyable as the destination, right down to what's served onboard. Our new winter menu embodies our passion for bringing personality to the skies, featuring fresh, flavour-packed options designed to add value and delight at every bite," says Kyler Chong, Virgin Australia's General Manager Product & Customer Strategy. That's good news if you're a white-knuckled flyer looking to distract yourself, or just someone keen to pass the time with food that doesn't make you regret your life choices. Featuring a thoughtful balance of variety, value and flavour, these winter menus mean your next departure date just got better. Virgin Australia's new winter menu is now being served in economy class, while the business class menu launches on Wednesday, May 28. Head to the website for more information.
Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead (Saturday, November 2), is a celebration of long-standing tradition that is, first and foremost, a way for communities to honour family and friends who have passed on and to celebrate life both past and present. But the holiday has also come to represent the very best of Mexican culture — from tasty food to elaborate costumes, motifs and music. So, to celebrate the day, The Argyle has teamed up with the world's oldest operating tequila distillery Jose Cuevo to put on a two-day fiesta. Head down to the Rocks' historic building and you'll be able to get in on the festivities on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. For two nights, performers, UV face-painters and themed decor will fill both storeys of the bar. There'll also be specialty cocktails featuring Jose Cuevo tequila. Better yet, grab a Los Meurtos margarita and you'll get a token you can redeem for a Jose Cuevo-based drink. The Argyle has got some top-notch music acts planned for the occasion, too. On Friday night, you can catch DJ Keyes and R&B acts Mike Champion and DJ Helena Ellis. Or if you go on the Saturday night, you'll be dancing to the tunes of DJ Tigerlily alongside some other local acts. If you arrive before 9pm on the Friday — and are in suitable dress — entry is free. Or you can join the guest list here. Saturday is a ticketed event; to nab yourself a ticket, head here.
Lady Gaga doesn't shy away from innovation. Ridiculous costumes and outrageous hairstyles aside, the 25-year old artist has harnessed the power of the interwebs to reach over 10 million Twitter followers, 35 million Facebook fans and 1 billion YouTube views. Teaming up with Google, Gaga and her little monsters have created a 90-second ad for Google's Chrome browser. The underlying message? The web is what you make of it. Gaga's not the first musician to endorse Google Chrome. Late last year Arcade Fire released an interactive video clip which made use of the brower's extensive capabilities. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sDPJ-o1leAw [Via Engadget]
A new Japanese cafe in Ashfield has garnered much attention since it opened earlier this year. But its owners, former chefs at Lotus Barangaroo and Billy Kwong, didn't set out to open a cafe — they just wanted to make great miso. "We started off making our own miso paste and dressing, and people kept asking us how to use it," says Donna Chau, who co-owns Koku Culture with Kenji Okuda. "So we decided to open a cafe around these products, where we'd make everyday food but with a Japanese twist." Think smashed avo on thick-cut milk toast from Newtown's Azuki Bakery ($16); zucchini, corn and nori fitters with yuzu sour cream and chilli salt ($15.50); and a matcha soufflé pancake ($16) topped with brûléed custard and served with fresh fruit and honey comb. [caption id="attachment_755408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brûlée matcha pancake by Kimberley Low[/caption] You'll find these three on Koku Culture's all-day brekkie menu — a second lunch menu kicks off from 10am. Everything on both, apart from the seared wagyu ($23), comes in under $20, so a brunch here won't bust your summer holiday budget. On the later menu, there's a confit king salmon with green tea soba noodles and house-made miso dressing ($19) and the popular crispy rice burgers (with rice in place of buns) featuring beef, koji chicken or a corn fritter (all $15). Another fan-favourite is the wok-fried eggs, which is a little like a deconstructed okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancake): the crispy eggs are laid on a bed of purple cabbage and topped with bacon, dancing bonito flakes, Sriracha and okonomiyaki sauce. A daily specials board offers the likes of a sesame-crusted tofu noodle salad with spicy soy dressing and a matcha sundae, which we hope makes a reappearance during the hotter summer days. And for drinks, there's Single O coffee and weekly changing blends, plus matcha, hojicha (roasted green tea) and yuzu teas. You can order iced versions of all of these, too. [caption id="attachment_755403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matcha sundae by Kimberley Low[/caption] The intimate 29-seat Ashfield cafe is meant to feel like an extension of Chau and Okuda's nearby home. It's a simple fit-out with herringbone tiled walls, light timber tables — with a mix of low, high and bench seating — and heaps of natural light. If you (understandably) develop a miso addiction after visiting Koku Culture, you can nab the duo's packaged products for takeaway at the cafe and at the Erskineville Farmers Market. A vegan kimchi will also be released imminently and a range of soy sauces is slated for release sometime in 2020. Find Koku Culture at 1/355 Liverpool Road, Ashfield. It's open from 7am–4pm daily. Images: Kimberley Low.
Do you have eyes? Do you have eyes for what looks good? Are you the kind of person who knows their way around a camera, and how to use it well? Live in Sydney and love it with a passion? Then we might have an opportunity to tweak your interest. Concrete Playground and Olympus have teamed up to offer you the chance to score a particularly excellent PEN E-P1 camera with 17mm kit (valued at $599), and at the very same time land the chance to become a Concrete Playground photographic contributor. Our photographers document Sydney's cultural life minus the boring social snaps - we don't care what you're wearing, only that you're having a good time. Now we have a brand new galleries section, we're looking for someone with an incredible eye to help us share those moments that make this city the ever-changing, never-boring place it is to be. If you think you're the right person for the gig, shoot us an email over to hello@concreteplayground.com.au with a photo you've taken that you think captures something special about Sydney. We'll upload the best snaps to an album on our Facebook page, and invite people to vote for the picture they like best. If your photo gets the most 'likes', the camera and a place in the Concrete Playground family shall be yours. Entries close May 13, 2011 at 5pm.
