Vivid is not something you should do on an empty stomach. If you're at could-eat stage before you embark on your citywide tour of Sydney's biggest light installation, then you're sure to surpass cranky-starving-sore feet stage by the time you're done. Luckily, the good folks at Westfield Sydney are staying open late Thursday to Saturday during the festival with a food court full of food and seats to let you rest your weary legs. So in between catching a gig at the Opera House, completing the Light Walk or partying with Björk, you can pop into the Pitt Street shopping centre for some dumplings at Din Tai Fung or New Shanghai, smash a bowl of ramen at Ippudo, snack on pork buns at Tim Ho Wan or grab a rice bowl to go from Rice Workshop. On levels five and six, Westfield Sydney will also have an enchanted forest light installation set up. Out in Pitt Street Mall, they'll also have a 3D sculpture in the shape of a sodium chloride crystal. Named True Life, the installation will be lit up with images of larvae and coral cells as seen under a lens in real time, giving you an insight into what true life consists of. From a practical standpoint, Westfield Sydney is also offering valet parking throughout the festival. Something to keep in mind when you're circling the city trying to find a park. You can access it via 135 King Street, Sydney.
The latest pop up venture from chef Jared Ingersoll and self-professed "wine pimp" Jason Hoy sounds like an excellent addition to the summer culinary scene. Bottle and Beast opened in late January and will be filling the bellies of Pyrmont until March 31, serving up a different beast each night along with a selection of Rieslings from around the world. Presenting food that is ethically sourced (think fresh, foraged, seasonal and sustainable), Ingersoll is roasting everything from chicken to goat to pig over coals and thinking up delicious sides to accompany them. Recently, he served up pork seasoned with fennel seeds, salt and lemon accompanied by onions in buttermilk jam. Jason Hoy serves as a kind of one-grape sommelier, with his aim being to "bring Riesling back to the masses". Prices are pretty reasonable. The prix fixe lunch menu is $35 and in the evenings $55 will get you the 'Feast of the Beast' menu of starters, the daily meat, sides and dessert. Check out the menus from the past couple of weeks at the pop up's Facebook page to get an idea of what you're in for. You can make a reservation by calling 0449 107 036. Opening Hours: Mon & Thurs 5.30pm – 11.30pm, Fri – Sat 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 11.30pm, Sun 10am – 5pm
It doesn't matter what the weather holds for Suzie Sakamoto: with her husband and son missing when Apple TV+'s Sunny begins, the series' titular term can't apply to her days. An American in Kyoto (Rashida Jones, Silo), she's filled with grief over the potential loss of her Japanese family, anxiously awaiting any news that her spouse Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima, Drive My Car) and their boy Zen (debutant Fares Belkheir) might've survived a plane crash. She'd prefer to do nothing except sit at home in case word comes; however, that's not considered to be mourning in the right way according to custom and also isn't appeasing her mother-in-law (Judy Ongg, Kaseifu no Mitazono). When Suzie soon has a robot for company, an unexpected gift from Masa, dwelling in her sorrow doesn't appear to be what he'd want in his absence, either. In this ten-part series, which adapts Colin O'Sullivan's 2018 novel The Dark Manual for the small screen and starts streaming from Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the technology that's quickly immersed in Suzie's existence is a homebot. The artificial-intelligence domestic helpers are everywhere in this near-future vision of Japan, aiding their humans with chores, organising tasks and plenty more — everywhere other than the Sakamoto house with its firmly anti-robot perspective, that is. Amid asking why her husband has not only sent the eponymous Sunny her way, but also why it's customised specifically to her, questions unsurprisingly spring about his true line of work. Has Suzie been married to a secret roboticist, rather than someone who designs refrigerators? What link does his job have with his disappearance? How does someone cope in such an already-traumatic situation when the person that they're possibly grieving mightn't be who they've said they are? Often with a science fiction twist, Apple TV+ can't get enough of mysteries. Approaching five years since the platform launched in late 2019, that truth is as engrained as the service's fondness for big-name talent, including across Severance, The Big Door Prize, Hello Tomorrow!, Silo, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Constellation, Sugar and Dark Matter. Thankfully, there's no content-factory feel to this lineup of shows, or to the streamer's catalogue in general, which is one of the best on offer in the online fight for eyeballs. Sunny's closest equivalent hails from beyond the brand, bringing Charlie Brooker's Channel 4-started, now Netflix-made Black Mirror to mind, but even then it's far more interested in its characters than their relationship to technology. That said, that people and how they use tech remain the real enemy, not gadgets and advancements themselves, hums at the core of both series. Indeed, Sunny proposes a radical path forward for Suzie, especially at a time IRL when generative AI has been making its presence known, and rarely for the better. Creator, showrunner and executive producer Katie Robbins (The Affair) takes her human protagonist down a route where the program's namesake, which matches a WALL-E vibe and emoji-leaning face with the cheerful voice of Barry, I Love That for You, Quarantine and Emma Approved's Joanna Sotomura, is perhaps the only thing that can be trusted. There's no shortage of other flesh-and-blood characters around Suzie, with some kindly and others patently nefarious. Bartender Mixxy (singer/songwriter Annie the Clumsy, Miss Osaka) falls into the first category. The platinum-blonde Hime (You, 9 Border), who seems to have a history with Masa, sits in the second camp. But with her world constantly being turned upside down and her usual confidante in Masa gone, technophobe Suzie might only be able to put her faith in the machine that's now ceaselessly by her side. A show such as Sunny, which is a comedy, drama, thriller and slice of dystopia all in one — alongside an odd-couple buddy pairing, plus a series with multiple puzzles, a stack of technology-driven and existential questions, and a probing of the human condition — needs two things beyond its compelling narrative. If viewers couldn't feel the confidence infused in this delicate mix of components, the show would crumble like circuitry haphazardly jammed together. If audiences couldn't sense the ambition to do far more than join dots as well, Sunny would similarly fail to compute. Not just thanks to its penchant for cliffhangers, this is a mystery with more always on the way, and one that adores teasing out its intricacies in a lived-in world that no other series can call home. That's assurance. That's initiative. Diving in is like strolling through Tokyo: there's always a new lane to mosey down, whether in the pursuit of solving the storyline or unpacking Suzie. The Dark Manual of O'Sullivan's moniker pops up as a hacker guide to customising homebots. Here, the plot also thickens. Still, as the yakuza feature, flashbacks tease out Suzie and Masa's meet-cute, the latter's time as a hikikomori — the portion of the Japanese population who choose to actively withdraw from society — is weaved in and surveillance is ever-present, Sunny never lets the avalanche of developments and threads that keep fuelling its tale become its sole or even main attraction. As penned by a seven-strong writing team led by Robbins with backgrounds on Bunheads, The Staircase, Apples Never Fall, Hit-Monkey, Tiny Beautiful Things and more, this is gripping and addictive viewing. It's a show to sleuth along with. Its retrofuturistic look and Saul Bass-esque opening credits are worth returning for again and again. Nonetheless, Sunny wouldn't connect if didn't value the personal and the human angle of being cast adrift from everything that you relied upon with no certainty about where to turn. Aided by being played by Jones, who so expertly married optimism and cynicism as Parks and Recreation's Ann Perkins — as she had to as the midpoint between Leslie Knope and Chris Traeger versus Ron Swanson and April Ludgate — Suzie is a character of unflagging determination crashing against mourning and anguish. She yearns with hope, as everyone does, for a lost loved one to re-emerge. She couches everything, including that longing, in sarcasm. That she journeyed to Japan to escape past woes, her lack of friends beyond her family and her alienation by refusing to learn the language all help construct a complex portrait. Also assisting: even simple moments, like swigging wine on the toilet. It isn't a secret that bounding through chaos is more relatable when the external tangle that greets a character reflects their inner jumble, as Jones anchors at the heart of her performance. The Boston Public, The Office, Celeste & Jesse Forever, Angie Tribeca and On the Rocks star in never-better territory, in fact, as she must've spotted the potential for; she's also among Sunny's executive producers. New TV arrivals of mid-2024 are now two for two when robot companions are involved. Fantasmas is the other. They're also two for two in world-building and production design that plunges viewers into screen spaces that resemble nothing else, which is no small feat for Sunny with Japan as its setting. Another commonality: not merely making audiences grateful that the non-stop flow of new streaming series can keep delivering programs this unique, but sparking a hunger for more to come. That's the sunny side of more TV begetting more TV and then more still, because a heaving crowd is always made up of individuals. Few new streaming arrivals of late are as distinctive as Fantasmas and Sunny, though. Check out the trailer for Sunny below: Sunny streams via Apple TV+ from Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
Diamond Head Campground lies in the sheltered southern corner of Dunbogan Beach, on the watery edge of Crowdy Bay National Park. There's plenty to do, from swimming in the calm, aquamarine water to exploring spectacular Split Rock. Walkers will be keen to conquer one of the nearby hiking trails, which take in swamp mahogany and paperbark forests, as well as coastal panoramas aplenty. Just check NSW National Parks website first, as some are still closed because of the bushfires. The campground has 75 pitches for tents, but you're welcome to pull up in your caravan or motor home, too. Among the facilities are showers, toilets, barbecues and picnic tables, so you're fully covered here. [caption id="attachment_770660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] National Parks NSW[/caption] Top image: National Parks NSW
Clear your calendar - Darlo After Dark is taking over Darlinghurst from June 19-29, serving up winter nights packed with live music, street performances, solstice rituals and all the good things that happen after dark. Curated by the team at Arts Matter, this ten-day festival spans ten venues between the Coke Sign and Green Park, encompassing Victoria, Burton and Liverpool Streets, as well as Darlinghurst Road. The neighbourhood will transform into a kind of cultural crawl - part pop-up, part performance, part party. This one's for the night owls, the curious, and the creatively inclined. Expect a sultry solstice performance from Malaika Mflame at The Darbury (yes, there'll be mulled wine). Over at Gino's Trattoria, you can catch live opera while tucking into Southern Italian eats. And if you wander into Ouzo, you'll find James Domeyko on sax, soundtracking your night with ambient jazz while you snack on Greek small plates. There's also limited-edition solstice ice cream from Messina, sake tastings at Nomidokoro Indigo, and tarot readings tucked away inside Dust Antiques. Need something hands-on? Head to Rainbow Studios for lantern-making workshops or craft your own whimsical flower crown at the twilight markets. Cap it off with an intimate screening of The Witches of Eastwick at Govindas Cinema - a dark fantasy comedy that hits that perfect sweet spot between witchy and wicked. This isn't your average winter festival — it's layered, hyper-local and full of surprises. Start early, stay late, or just wander. The fun is in the in-between. For more information, visit DarloVillage and be sure to follow us on socials @darlovillagesydney. Images: Supplied
Kickass fish and chips will no longer be out of reach for inner city dwellers. North Bondi's celebrated fish and chippery, Bondi's Best, is set to join the Barangaroo lineup. One of North Bondi's local gems, a beloved alternative to the half-hearted seafood takeaway joints of Campbell Parade, Bondi's Best is close to locking in a contract with the CBD waterfront development, according to Good Food. BB will join already confirmed Barangaresident Matt Moran, amongst the epic food and drink precinct planned for the area. Barangaroo marks the third chapter for Bondi's Best, after owner-chef Joel Best opened a second eatery on Bondi foodie strip Hall Street. Snuggled beside Maurice Terzini's Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, A Tavola and China Diner, Bondi's Best opened its TomMarkHenry-designed doors just one month ago to lazy, lazy cheers from the South Bondi community. While the Barangaroo/BB residency has not been signed on the dotted line, we can expect confirmation pretty soon. We're predicting the menu will stem from the existing Bondi's Best slam dunks — nothing about beer battered hoki and chips with tartare needs improving. Via Good Food.
So far in December 2020, Australia has experienced heat, snow and a patch of wet weather that has caused a Byron Bay beach to erode. That's an erratic set of conditions — so if you're wondering what Friday, December 25 has in store, that's understandable. Is a sweltering hot Christmas on the cards, or is it literally set to rain on everyone's festive parade? According to the Bureau of Meteorology, most of the country's capital cities will fall in the middle of those extremes. On the east coast, it'll be warm, but not sweltering, and either cloudy or mostly sunny. If you're still making barbecuing, beach-going and festive-feasting plans, take note. In Sydney, a maximum of 28 degrees is currently forecast, with a medium (30–40 percent) chance of showers and rain possible across the partly cloudy day. It'll also be a little windy, with northeasterly gusts getting up to 15–25 kilometres per hour. Conditions are expected to be mostly the same on Wednesday, December 23 and Thursday, December 24, too. For Melburnians, prepare for a mild Christmas — with the mercury only set to reach 21 degrees maximum (and with a minimum of 12 degrees predicted). Like Sydney, the Victorian capital will be partly cloudy and experience winds up to 15–25 kilometres per hour. There's only a 20-percent chance of rain or a shower, though. In Brisbane, it'll also be cooler than usual. Yes, we know that 25 degrees isn't exactly cold, but it's much, much milder than usual Brissie summer weather. It's also cooler than the temps leading up to December 25, which'll range from 27–33 across the week prior. The temperature isn't forecast to fluctuate much on Christmas day, with a minimum of 21 degrees expected. Also, it'll be cloudy, with light winds and a 50-percent likelihood of showers interrupting your game of backyard cricket. https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1339866903884513282 Over in the west, Perth will be hot, getting up to 31 degrees — although, given that temps of 38 and 39 degrees are forecast between Tuesday, December 22–Thursday, December 24, it's likely to feel like a cooler reprieve. There is little expected chance of rain, at just five percent, but winds up to 15–20 kilometres per hour are possible on what's predicted to be a mostly sunny day. Folks in Adelaide can expect sun, warmth and wind. It'll be mostly sunny, like Perth, while the mercury will hit 29 degrees and gusts will get up to 25–35 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, Darwin looks set to be the hottest state capital for Christmas, getting to 32 degrees with showers, light winds and a possible thunderstorm — and Hobart will be the coldest, at just 16 degrees, with a 40-percent chance of morning rain and winds of up to 15–20 kilometres per hour. And in Canberra, it's expected to hit 28, with a medium (30–40 percent) chance of showers and rain possible and gusts getting up to 15–25 kilometres per hour. Of course, while these are BOM's forecasts just under a week out from December 25, conditions may change — so keep an eye on the Bureau's website for the most up-to-date information. For further details about the Bureau of Meteorology's Christmas forecasts, head to the BOM website.
Finally, here's a place to direct your writing skills, firsthand research on Sydney's small bar scene and excessive feelpinions on that latest play or movie. Concrete Playground is looking for interns. You'll be able to put your knowledge to use while learning the real ins and outs of producing arts, culture, food and lifestyle editorial in a fun and fast-paced online environment. Interns will work within our Redfern office one day per week for a set period of time. Working with the editorial team, you will be exposed to tasks such as writing, subediting, content production, photography and using social media. To apply for the role, you will need to demonstrate excellent writing skills as well as a love of and engagement with Sydney's cultural life. Expressions of interest should be addressed to editor Rima Sabina Aouf at contribute@concreteplayground.com.au. Include a short bio, CV and 2-3 samples of your written work. Image from Girls. Does not resemble real life, where you won't be kept in limbo for two years but will probably go on to a life of freelancing for us and radness.
If Justin Gignac's success in selling garbage as art is anything to go by, doing something (and doing it well) because others thought you couldn't, actually works. Gignac's New York City Garbage is just that, except packaged nicely in transparent cubes and sold as art. Selling between $50 online and $100 at selected stores in the U.S, the handpicked NYC Garbage has owners in 29 countries, according to Gignac's website. The New York City-based artist and entrepreneur has been selling garbage since 2001 and has said he wanted to prove packaging could sell anything. Gignac has also sold commemorative editions of NYC Garbage cubes including St. Patrick's Day in Ireland and President Obama's inauguration. It sounds ridiculous but you’ve got to love a guy who can make a profit out of garbage at a time where newspaper sales are declining. Image: nycgarbage.com
When the Australian Government announced a ban on non-essential events and mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, March 16 due to COVID-19, a flurry of event cancellations was always going to follow. In Sydney, that means a massive change to the city's usual Easter ritual, with the Sydney Royal Easter Show shuttering its 2020 plans. In a statement on the show's website, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW announced that "due to increased public concern, to protect the health of stakeholders and visitors, and in response to the Prime Minister and COAG's direction that any organised mass gathering over 500 people should be cancelled, the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show is cancelled". https://www.facebook.com/RASofNSW/photos/a.220183041408213/2895303727229451/?type=3&theater This year's event was due to run from Thursday, March 26–Monday, April 6 — with the show considered Australia's largest annual ticketed event, attracting more than 820,000 attendees each year. First held in 1823, this is the first time the show has been cancelled because of a public health emergency since the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919. Ticket holders and exhibitors will receive refunds, and will be contacted about the next steps within the next five working days. The Sydney Royal Easter Show joins a growing list of cancelled events and closed venues, with large swathes of cinemas shutting in China, Iran, South Korea, Japan and across Europe, and theme parks doing the same in Asia, Europe and the US. We've also seen the cancellation of Texan music and film festival South by Southwest and postponement of Coachella. More locally, Tasmania's Dark Mofo and both the Grand Prix in Melbourne and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have all been cancelled. The 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show will no longer take place from Thursday, March 26–Monday, April 6 . For more information, visit the show's website. 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.
When the ABC announced that Spicks and Specks would return in 2024 after sitting 2023 out, it was big news, as anything to do with the hit Australian take on the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks always is. IRL, here's something just as exciting: the Brisbane-born and -based Not On Your Rider is also back for this year, although it didn't take a year off. On the agenda: playing a music quiz show filled with well-known faces live — and yes, the audience gets to play, too, including in Sydney in May. You'll be peering at a stage, rather than a screen. You'll be answering questions, of course. And if it has you thinking about pub trivia nights, they don't include The Creases' Aimon Clark — who is also behind Isolation Trivia — hosting, or Patience Hodgson from The Grates and Jeremy Neale from Velociraptor captaining the two teams, let alone a heap of entertainment-industry guests. At past events, guests have included Murray Cook from The Wiggles, Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno from Aunty Donna, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, Agro, Cal Wilson, Ben Lee, Steven Bradbury, Kate Miller-Heidke, Robert Irwin, Ranger Stacey, Craig Lowndes and Tim Rogers. Among the other musicians who've featured, Powderfinger, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Ruby Fields, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants and The Go-Betweens have all had members take to the stage. Sydneysiders can join in on one 2024 date: Sunday, May 5 at Factory Theatre. The event is coming to town for the Sydney Comedy Festival. Here's how it works: Not On Your Rider takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. While the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. The quiz element is accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees. Images: Dave Kan / Bianca Holderness.
Feeling a fraction frazzled? A bit bamboozled? A touch touchy? Every now and again, you've got to step out of the action and into some downtime. And here to give you a helping hand are the good folk at independent Australian company The Downtime Agenda. Started by entrepreneur Julie Haslam, The Downtime Agenda aims to help everyday folks actually take time for themselves — when was the last time you did? Really did? By enabling Aussies to maximise their valuable downtime and actively relaxing, Haslam intends to boost mindfulness and wellbeing with a range of deliverable products, gifts and services — "a place dedicated to the things we do when we're not doing things". To get you started on your high quality R&R quest, in partnership with TDA, we're giving away a whole lot of free time. The big prize up for grabs is a weekend camping experience for two people. Another great independent Australian startup, CampNow is a local service made for people who dream about camping, but never seem to find the time or the gear. To make it easy, the team turns up on your doorstep with everything you need — from air mattresses and pillows to head torches and first aid kits. So, you end up with a weekend of camping delivered, without the hassles of storage and cleaning. You can also ask CampNow to show you the way to secret camp spots. Two runners up will score $100 vouchers to spend at The Downtime Agenda. These can be used to enjoy one of TDA's relaxing experiences, including massages, meditation classes, yoga sessions, men's grooming, pizza-making master classes, stays in Thredbo and more. [competition]613765[/competition]
Travelling from Bengal to Iraq, to the Kimberley, Temporary Certainty explores the tensions between certainty and permanence and doubt and ephemerality through new works by Bangladesh-born Sarker Protick, and Kununarra artist Alana Hunt, and Kurdistan-born, Melbourne-based Rushdi Anwar. All three investigate interactions between identity, geography, political interventions and the passing of time. Protick, in his work-in-progress Exodus (2015–ongoing), takes us to the decaying buildings and overgrown grounds of East Bengal's abandoned feudal estates, which once belonged to rich, powerful Hindu jamindars (landlords). Also occupied with built environments are two works by Anwar. His video and sound installation Facing Living: The Past in the Present (2015) delves into Saddam Hussein's dictatorship over Iraq, while We have found in the ashes what we have lost in the fire (2018) is his response to visiting a church in Bashiqa, Mosul, which lies in territory disputed over by the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi government. Meanwhile, Hunt's Faith in a pile of stones (2018), visits Lake Argyle, a freshwater reservoir 18 times the volume of Sydney Harbour, in Kununurra in the Kimberley. Built in 1971 for irrigation, the structure caused major changes to country belonging to Miriwoong, Gija and Malgnin people, including the drowning of places of significance. If you're willing to get up early on Saturday, September 22, you can join the gallery for a breakfast tour — you'll go for congee in Chinatown, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition. It costs $25 and you can book here. Image: Sarker Protick, Disintegration, from the series Exodus (2015—ongoing). Photographic installation, variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.
Lightsabers, caped crusaders, fast cars and fairy tales — if you went to the cinema this year, we're betting that you saw at least one of the above. And, if you caught more than a couple of flicks, you probably roamed your eyes over creepy clowns, cheeky spies, immersive accounts of war and an acclaimed Aussie drama as well. From Star Wars, Wonder Woman, The Fate of the Furious and Beauty and the Beast, to It, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Dunkirk and Lion, they're the movies that Australians flocked to in 2017. Of course, they had company. Nearly 400 films were released onto Aussie screens over the past 12 months, and even the biggest cinephiles among probably skipped a couple. Based on box office figures, here's ten we think you might've missed, and should make the effort to catch up with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDiVGDmgsFY RAW One of the year's best films, under-seen or otherwise, is also one that arrived with a bloody splash. When Raw premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016, audience members reportedly fainted during its tale of a vegan teenager turned cannibalistic college student — and while they might've been overreacting, the French film isn't for the gore-averse. What it is, rather, is an unforgettable and visceral take on the savagery of growing up from first-time writer/director Julia Ducournau. She's matched in talent by her leading lady Garance Marillier, who makes viewers understand both the reluctance and excitement that comes with going to university, breaking free from her usual personality and casually snacking on severed limbs. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J5jcPqfYss PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN 2017 was a wonderful year — for films with 'wonder' in the title, at least. While Wonder Wheel is completely missable, and Wonderstruck only played select festivals, Wonder Woman kicked superhero ass. And, it wasn't the only movie about the famous comic book character to make it to cinemas, or the best. In Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, movie-goers received the origin movie they didn't know they needed, following the story of Diana Prince's creation by William Moulton Marston. The psychologist turned comic book author (Luke Evans) took inspiration from his own life with his wife (Rebecca Hall) and live-in girlfriend (Bella Heathcoate), as relayed with passion and personality by writer/director Angela Robinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdhN4oMxCQ BAD GENIUS Mark our words: in the next couple of years, an English-language version of this Thai thriller will reach our screens. A high-stakes high-school exam flick, it's smart and slick, funny and fast-paced, tautly made and tension-filled — and it turns a situation we can all relate to into a nail-biting heist caper. Straight-A student Lynn (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) is the misbehaving high-achiever of the title, who first hatches a plan to make money by feeding her classmates test answers, and then bands together with her customers to cheat the biggest test there is. The premise was taken from reality, and part of the movie was shot in Sydney, but the real highlight is Bad Genius' lively style and thoroughly entertaining narrative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2RYbGgBQeM THE LOST CITY OF Z Because these things always come in pairs, The Lost City of Z is one of two 2017 features that send former film franchise heartthrobs into the jungle. It's the only one you won't want to end, however. Robert Pattinson plays second fiddle to Charlie Hunnam in this account of geographer and explorer Percy Fawcett's life, and to James Gray's astutely measured direction, as well as cinematographer Darius Khondji's lush and striking images. Indeed, Hunnam does some of his best work as the man determined to find the fabled locale, while Gray shows that his skills apply not only in urban settings, but to vast Amazonian wilds too. A visually precise and painterly effort result, one that's an existential adventure, a lush-looking portrait of feverish obsession and an engaging biopic all in the same mesmerising package. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SMmn5fu2oI WINTER AT WESTBETH This Australian-directed, New York-shot documentary only received a tiny cinema run earlier this year, so you can be forgiven for missing it. That said, if you were a fan of Bill Cunningham New York or Iris, or like factual looks at real-life creative types doing what they love — and wearing their eccentricity on their sleeves — you'll want to redress that oversight as soon as possible. A small film that leaves a big imprint, it focuses on three elderly residents of Manhattan's Far West Village for retired artists, each coping with their advanced years by immersing themselves in their chosen fields. Guided by their tales, Aussie filmmaker Rohan Spong crafts an insightful and empathetic doco that's never anything less than revelatory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih9P0QCCrUw IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD With gorgeous watercolour animation and a bittersweet but graceful approach, In This Corner of the World turns a dark chapter of the past into a thing of beauty. That applies both emotionally and visually, in a film that enchants even as it delves into life in World War II-era Hiroshima. Teenager Suzu Urano (Non) finds things forever change when she weds a naval clerk in 1943 and moves to city where he's based; however, history dictates that more is still to come. It's the type of multi-layered wonder that Studio Ghibli would usually make, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that writer/director Sunao Katabuchi worked as an assistant director on Kiki's Delivery Service. His work here is certainly worthy of the comparison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eByhbavkA6E HEAL THE LIVING In her third film, French writer/director Katell Quillévéré wades into tricky waters, but never forgets to admire life's beauty. Given that organ donation is her main topic, that's a simply stunning feat. Based on the book of the same name, Heal the Living follows the many people affected when a 17-year-old surfer's existence is cut short: his grief-stricken parents and girlfriend, the medical professionals charged with his care and the ailing woman in another city who might get a second chance through this tragedy. As well as the sensitive handling of the subject matter, the detailed depiction of hospital routines and the spot-on charting of intricate, intimate emotional terrain, the feature boasts movingly lyrical sensibilities, and a mastery of both poetic and clinical imagery. A word of warning: if you've ever been through something similar, you may find the experience especially devastating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zzw4Lmej9s THE VILLAINESS John Wick: Chapter 2 and Atomic Blonde aren't 2017's only ace assassin films. From South Korea, say hello to The Villainess. The latest in a long line of kinetic, frenetic action flicks from the country's shores, it follows a woman trained to kill, forced to lend the government her skills and sporting one heck of a backstory. If it sounds familiar because you've seen plenty of similar fare — Luc Besson's La femme Nikita and Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill included — don't worry; this isn't a mere walk down a well-worn path or an easy clone. Understandably, it's the fast and furious displays of carnage that particularly stand out thanks to director Jung Byung-gil's high-octane approach, as well as a memorable score. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl_eP39tXW0 SCHOOL LIFE Did a teacher change your life? Did you discover your true passion at school? Even if you answered no to both of those questions, there's no doubting the influence that education has on our identities — not just in the things we learn, but the people we encounter and the experiences we go through. Still not convinced? Let Irish documentary School Life show you. Set at a boarding school, it's a movie about many things: bright minds facing the future, dedicated teachers determined to do their best at their important task at hand, and two specific veterans still shaping the next generation as their own days fade. As they step through all of the above, documentarians Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane find the right balance between observation and emotion, and between affection and insight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTenw8uVSw SONG TO SONG Love him or hate him, no one makes movies like Terrence Malick. As a result, when it comes to his dream-like explorations of human existence, you're either on his whisper-soundtracked, roaming camera-shot, attractive actor-starring wavelength, or you're not. Song to Song won't change anyone's minds, but those eager to go along for the ride will find the iconic filmmaker in top form in this particularly prolific phase of his career. Partially set and shot at SXSW, and featuring Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith (among others), Song to Song proves an intoxicating dance-filled picture with oh-so-pretty folks coping with the complexities of love and life. Read our full review.
First, it was a 1990 John Waters-directed film starring Johnny Depp in the titular role. Since 2007, it's been the second of the iconic director's movies to get the stage musical treatment — after Hairspray, of course. We're talking about Cry-Baby, which has already picked up four Sydney Theatre Awards, and is now heading to the Sydney Opera House. From Thursday, July 22–Sunday, August 15, songs such as 'I'm Infected' and 'Girl, Can I Kiss You With Tongue?' will echo throughout the famed venue, all thanks to Cry-Baby The Musical. Sure, you've seen plenty of takes on the teen rebel genre before — it's a cinema staple, after all, and has been since the 50s — but only Waters could've dreamed up this Baltimore-set tale. The musical follows Wade 'Cry-Baby' Walker, leader of the 'Drapes'. He falls for Allison, a 'Square' rich girl — and yes, if you're thinking about West Side Story or Grease, that's understandable. But, again, the key is Waters. His tongue-in-cheek film has been adapted by the same team that first brought Hairspray to the stage, too. For the Opera House shows, the folks behind the musical's aforementioned award-winning run at the Hayes Theatre Co are returning, too — including Hayes Theatre Co is director Alexander Berlage (American Psycho — The Musical), Christian Charisiou (The Wedding Singer) as Cry-Baby and Ashleigh Rubenach (Sound of Music, Muriel's Wedding) as Allison. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, April 27 for Sydney Opera House Insiders, 9am on Wednesday, April 28 for What's On pre-sales and 9am, Friday, April 30 for the general public. Images: Hayes Theatre Co, Robert Catto.
If you’re in the mood to dance why not take your gyrations on a perambulatory tour of Sydney while you’re at it? discoDtours, as the capitalisation of the ‘D’ might suggest, transform the streets of Sydney into your very own dancefloor. Running tours during Fair Day, and through The Rocks and Surry Hills, discoDtours will provide you with your own headphones, some Hawaiian leis for good measure, and then, after a brief warm up, you will be unleashed on the unsuspecting city. The Mardi Gras Parade eve dress up drag queen tour sounds like a particular highlight. Saturday, Feb 21, 2pm — Victoria Park, Camperdown (Fair Day) Sunday, Feb 28, 6.30pm — Cadmans Cottage, George Street, The Rocks Wednesday, Mar 2 and Friday, Mar 4, 6.30pm — The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills
The winter chill is enough to make anyone head for the airport. That idea is even more tempting now that Qantas has just discounted 350,000 seats across its international network for a huge one-week sale. With economy fares starting at $499 return, perhaps an overseas adventure is the perfect way to cure the winter blues. Featuring discounted flights on more than 30 routes across Asia, the Americas, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Pacific, now is your chance to soak up fascinating (and warmer) destinations. Think the bright lights of Los Angeles, a Tokyo shopping spree or some much-needed beachside bliss in Bali. For those who can't just get up and go, the sale features travel dates from July 2025 to May 2026, offering plenty of time to carve out some space in your calendar. Meanwhile, the sale coincides with the school holidays alongside must-see international events, like the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations in LA. Ready to depart? There's no shortage of options. Melburnians can book return flights to Bali from $599, while Sydneysiders can soak up the island scenery of Nadi for the same price. There's also discounted return departures from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Vanuatu from $549, Tokyo from $949 and Los Angeles from $1099. Plus, holiday-seekers in Perth and Darwin can journey to Singapore from $519, while those in Perth can kick-start a European adventure in London with return flights from $1749. There are heaps more routes on the list too, with premium economy and business fares also discounted for those with a little more room in their travel budgets. "What makes this sale special is the availability during school holidays, which is something we know families really value," says Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace. "Whether you're looking for a tropical escape to Bali, exploring Los Angeles and Dallas or experiencing the culture in Hong Kong, there's something here for everyone." Qantas' international sale is on now and ends at 11.59 AEST on Monday, August 4. Head to the website for more information.
Under a crisp blue sky, a black Ferrari careens in circles around a dusty track. It circles, and circles, and circles. If you're bored already, then chances are you won't fancy taking a trip to Sofia Coppola's Somewhere. Shot in long takes, this languorous, intimate and shamelessly introspective film is in many ways created as a companion piece to Lost in Translation; another story that could easily be lumped under the title 'first world whinge,' were it not so beautifully crafted. Ensconced in the plush purgatory of the Chateau Marmont, listless and lost celebrity Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) whiles his time away in semi-drunken stupor, his only company being whomever he can lure into his bedroom, and the occasional phone call from his agent. Then one day Johnny wakes up to find his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) sitting on his bed, and in her company Johnny starts to notice, and then to question, the gilded cage he has crafted for himself. Somewhere is time-image cinema in the vein of Michelangelo Antonioni. This essentially means: don't expect much to happen, it's all about sinking into the atmosphere that Coppola quietly, expertly conjures. Coppola, with her remarkable cinematographer Harris Savides (Elephant) and accompanied by original music from her partner Thomas Mars of Phoenix, together have crafted a piece of contemplation as cinema. It won't work for everybody, particularly those who can't quite dig up some empathy for a character tantamount to a poor little rich boy. But here Coppola is both aware and unapologetic — the jets, the glamorous hotel suites, the press junkets — it's her world and she's recreating it intricately and self-reflexively. Dorff benefits from similarly reflexive casting, where his own faded celebrity almost becomes a cautionary tale for Johnny. Drunk, bewildered, and eventually yearning, Dorff brings Johnny to life with compassion and pathos. He is however routinely upstaged by the glorious Elle Fanning, whose fresh-faced performance delights, and who manages to hit her emotional mark with much more conviction than her costar. But their chemistry is wonderfully understated and in a testament to Coppola's assured direction. For all its restraint, slice-of-life naturalism and superb soundtrack, Somewhere is a film and a mood that you can sink into like a deep, comfy sofa. This languid ambiance is threatened by the film's comparatively overstated ending, for in crafting the conclusion to the opening metaphor, Coppola unfortunately goes for the glaringly obvious. It feels like a disappointing misstep, but even this is not quite enough to spoil the reverie. *Advance screenings at select cinemas on Christmas day https://youtube.com/watch?v=uVQtL8GQPFA
When discount airlines started soaring into business, they made air travel both easier and much more affordable, drastically shaking up the aviation game. Now that you can routinely fly from Sydney to Melbourne for less than the cost of a degustation dinner, conquering longer flights, reducing the environmental impact and offering niche services have become the industry's new sources of inspiration. Think direct Australia-to-London journeys, trips fuelled by mustard seeds, and now an airline dedicated to art events. Launched by Chinese-American performer Qinmin Liu, Angelhaha Airline "promises to only fly to art," as its website explains. Its first flight will take off on December 6, travelling from New York to Miami for the latter's Art Basel event; however the artist and choreographer has further one-way trips planned for jaunts between Beijing and Hong Kong in March, London and Venice in May, and Berlin and Paris in October, among others. Each coincides with an exhibition, art month, art fair or something similar. In total, 25 flights are currently listed on the airline's website, though The Guardian reports that they don't come cheap. Tickets aren't available at present — although you can sign up to be notified when the next flight opens for bookings — but the maiden voyage, on a private plane taking nine passengers, is setting back travellers between $2,700-$3,500. https://www.instagram.com/p/BbmyuFdHKeH/?taken-by=qinmin_liu In addition to its specific destinations, Angelhaha also aims to turn flying through the sky into a happier experience. "Angelhaha will do everything to provide the happiest moment and environment to human beings," the website states. Just how it will achieve that task is yet to be revealed, but if France can start an airline for millennials, and Europe a service that only heads to ski fields, then the world can have a joy-spreading, art-loving carrier as well. Via The Guardian.
Injecting a little sparkle and shine into otherwise dull neighborhoods, these architectural designs celebrate all that glitters. Gilded in gold, sequins, crystals, and more, each structure looks fit to house a disco party, or perhaps a drag-queen. Peruse 10 of the world's most blinged-out buildings, and indulge in a little decadence, dahhhling. 1. Maison Martin Margiela @ Beverly Hills, US 2. Golden House @ Nuweiba, Egypt 3. 8 Woningen Kettingstraat @ The Hague, Netherlands 4. Zaha Hadid’s proposal for a new gold Lego-covered courtyard building at The Louvre @ Paris, France 5. Theresa Himmer's 'Glacier #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 6. Swarovski flagship store @ Tokyo, Japan 7. Copper sulphate crystal-covered abandoned housing estate @ London, England 8. Theresa Himmer's 'Volcano #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 9. Theresa Himmer's 'Waterfall #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 10. The Visionary Art Museum @ Baltimore, US [via Flavorwire]
About a 25-minute drive out of Nelson Bay is Oakvale Wildlife Park, a farm and park filled with native Australian animals that you can interact with. The park was first established in November 1979 and remains a family owned and operated business to this day. You'll need to reserve a good few hours to explore this 25-acre animal wonderland, which is filled with native species including kangaroos, dingos, koalas, quokkas and Tasmanian devils. There are exotic animals like llamas, highland cows, water buffalo and camels to see, too. If you'd like to get up close and personal with some of them, there are a few wildlife encounter packages available on top of the $29.50 entry fee (family passes available, too). You could have a ring-tailed lemur sit on your shoulder, feed a koala or meerkat or hold a reptile. Various shows and talks occur throughout the day, too, so you can go home having fed some baby farm animals and armed with facts on koala conservation and the cassowary. Images: Destination NSW
The Pillowman by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (also the screenwriter of Seven Psychopaths and In Bruges) is a well-made play. Such plays can often be squeaky clean, with every theatrical nook and cranny exposed, each laugh well-placed and plot points expertly positioned, making for a tidy night in the theatre. But well-structured as The Pillowman is, its ambiguity and horror save it from being one of those plays. In a nondescript totalitarian regime, short story writer Katurian (Oliver Wenn) has found himself a marked man, labelled a dissident writer despite his claim that his writing is apolitical and any 'messages' are purely incidental. His accusers admit that they like executing writers, because it 'sends a message'. His macabre short stories such as The Little Jesus and The Little Apple Men seem uncannily similar to two child murders that have occurred in the town. Katurian's inspiration for his well-written horror tales is a childhood spent listening to his brother, Michal, being tortured in the room next door by his parents. His cathartic stories are all well and good until Michal feels inspired to re-enact them. It turns out these stories are not as innocent as Katurian thought. The play is a defence of artistic expression, but an absurd one. The initial evidence that his art is directly responsible for two murders seems to support the argument that violence in art is incitement. But the ensuing violence and farce turn that argument on its head as Katurian chooses his stories over his own life. Even bad cop Ariel (Jeremy Waters) decides the tales are worth saving. The play has a lot of meat to it and requires equal measures of heightened comedic and tragic energy from the cast. Waters offers an appropriately high level of energy that is not matched by other members of the cast. Wenn is at his best when reciting stories to the audience, but during the guts of the drama we're never sure how high the stakes are. He slips into noble resignation of his fate a bit too easily and the tragedy of his story doesn't find its full expression in his performance. Peter McAllum playing good cop Tupolski strikes an appropriate laconic chord but doesn't deviate from this even in the climactic moments. Overall the piece lacks rhythmic variation and the pace lags in the second half. The cast is so close to the level of raging, hysterical farce that the piece calls for. Maybe they just need a loud, hooting audience to encourage them. Get to it .
Dream musical double alert: this winter in Australia, you can make a theatre date to see both Hamilton and In the Heights. Sydney is hosting the only Aussie return season for Lin-Manuel Miranda's second big Tony Award-winning show from late July — and now it's also welcoming his debut smash, too. Sydney Opera House will turn into New York City's Washington Heights for a six-week season of In the Heights, also kicking off the same month. Initially staged in 2005, then leaping to off-Broadway in 2007, then playing Broadway from 2008–11 (which is where it nabbed those 13 Tony nominations and four wins), Miranda's first stage sensation spends its time with Usnavi, a bodega owner from the Dominican Republic who dreams of going back — and who also sports a crush on Vanessa, who aspires to move out of the neighbourhood. Miranda himself originated the role of Usnavi, scoring a Tony nomination for his efforts. In Australia this winter, Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) will step into the part. When the show's Sydney Opera House run spans Saturday, July 20–Sunday, August 25, fellow Moulin Rouge! The Musical alum Olivia Vásquez will play Vanessa. Alongside Gonzalez, she'll be joined by Richard Valdez (All Together Now — The 100) as the Piragua Guy — another character that Miranda has brought to life personally, this time in the 2021 film version of In the Heights. On the stage and on-screen, the production not only follows Usnavi and Vanessa's connection, and their respective hopes for the future, but also the residents of Washington Heights, their family ties across multiple generations and their friendships. And the soundtrack — which helped In the Heights win Best Musical and Best Original Score Tonys — as well as the vibe and mood bring together salsa, soul, rap, hip hip, merengue and street dance. "In the Heights is an uplifting musical that celebrates collective joy in a truly genuine and spirited way. Community, culture, connection and colour explode on-stage in a vibrant setting, as we are enveloped into the lives of characters holding fast to their history and creating new traditions," said Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance Ebony Bott, announcing the season. If you're keen to watch the movie — or rewatch — in the interim, it stars Anthony Ramos (Dumb Money) as Usnavi and Melissa Barrera (Abigail) as Vanessa, as well as Leslie Grace (In the Summers), Corey Hawkins (The Color Purple), Jimmy Smits (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Stephanie Beatriz (Twisted Metal) and Olga Merediz (Somebody I Used to Know). Check out the trailer for the film below: In the Heights will play Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre from Saturday, July 20–Sunday, August 25, 2024, with ticket presales from 9am on Tuesday, May 7 and general sales from 9am on Friday, May 10 — head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Daniel Boud.
After introducing its cookie pies to the world last month, followed by serving up an OTT red velvet one, Gelato Messina is bringing the decadent dessert back for a third round with the OG chocolate chip flavour. Hang on, a cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. And it serves two–six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. These pies are now available for preorder — so if you missed out last time, here's your chance to get yourself a piece of the pie. On its own, the indulgent choc chip pie will cost $20. But to sweeten the deal, the cult ice creamery has created a few bundle options, should you want some of its famed gelato atop it. For $28, you'll get the pie and a 500-millilitre tub, while with a one-litre tub or a 1.5-litre tub, it'll cost $34 and $39 respectively. The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to get one. You can place your preorder now via Bopple, with pick up times available between Thursday, May 14 and Sunday, May 17. You can preorder a Messina cookie pie via Bopple to pick up from all NSW, Vic and Queensland Gelato Messina stores (except The Star) from May 14–17.
There's something rather cool about being ahead of the curve when it comes to cinema, watching the latest and greatest flicks on the silver screen well before anyone else. And at Australia's biggest short film festival, you can do just that. The internationally acclaimed Flickerfest is celebrating its 31st year come January 2022, too, so you can expect an A-class lineup of cinematic delights. The annual short film festival is Australia's leading Academy Award-qualifying short film fest, and is backed with BAFTA recognition, too. In January, you can catch screenings under the stars at the festival's beachside home in the northern end of Bondi Beach Park. The outdoor deckchair cinema, supported by Waverley Council, will be set in a glam garden and feature an indoor cinema in the mirrored, circus-style tent The Famous Spiegeltent, which is a spectacle to behold in itself. You can choose from a program of over 200 short flicks from Australia and around the world, handpicked as the most inspiring, provocative and entertaining among the whopping 3100 submissions this year. The program is divided into 29 sessions, so you can catch all the flicks in the genres that interest you most — like comedy, romance, LGBTQIA+ and documentary films. Want to make a night of it? Drop by the festival's new beachside pop-up garden bar for a pre- or post-show drink and snack. Plus, there'll be an ultra-swish opening night gala and closing night event which, for a few extra bucks, you can attend to be part of the action. After wrapping its ten-day stint in Sydney, Flickerfest will share the short-film love, popping up at over 45 venues across the country between February and October. To see the full Flickerfest 2022 program and grab tickets, head to the website. Flickerfest will run in Sydney from January 21–30, before touring nationally from February–October 2022.
Attention seafood lovers. Get ready to get your mitts on some of the freshest oysters in the country at the Narooma Oyster Festival. The annual event is back with a mouth-watering selection of NSW-native rock oysters, seafood, and other gourmet treats from the Eurobodalla Coast region. On Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, visit the Narooma quay for a day of live music, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, and, of course, plenty of oysters (almost 70,000 will make it from tide to table). Meet local oyster farmers and learn about the art of oyster shucking, or simply sit back and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. This year, the Narooma Oyster Festival is offering tastings from oyster farms from all over southern NSW in Oyster Farmers Alley, oyster-tasting masterclasses with a leading Aussie seafood authority, cooking demonstrations from top chefs, a twilight social, a lazy champagne and oyster cruise, and much more. Tickets start from $25 and are as plentiful as the oysters — but are selling fast, so head to the website to get yours. Pro tip: the festival is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, so local accommodation is popular and should be booked in advance. Shuttle buses are bookable to and from Bateman's Bay and Bermagui. Images: Destination NSW
Master blender Dr Rachel Barrie has been in the whisky game for over 30 years, but she originally trained as a chemist. This scientific background paved the way for her to become a leader in the delicious field of whisky blending, requiring her to use those stoichiometry skills on the daily. Before she embarked on a professional career that saw her mix drops for several world-renowned whisky brands, she learned her trade from legendary industry figure Dr Jim Swan. In 2017, Dr Barrie became the Master Blender for The GlenDronach, Benriach, and Glenglassaugh distilleries. She was then inducted into Whisky's Hall of Fame in 2018, becoming the first woman in the scotch industry to be awarded that honour, earning her the title of the World's First Lady of Scotch. And nowadays? She continues to run the master blending arm at these three distilleries where she artfully crafts premium single malt whiskies. We could think of no other expert to sit down with and talk about whisky with. Read on to find her thoughts on crafting the perfect dram, gather tips on how to become a true whisky connoisseur (even if you're new to the delicious amber liquid) and learn of the best advice she's ever received. Let's say I'm new to whisky and I'd like to develop my taste for and understanding of it, what advice would you have for me on how to start? "It's best to start with a neat dram, a teaspoon and water — first tasting neat, then adding water to experiment and unlock different tastes. Always remember to smell with your mouth slightly open. If you nose with your mouth closed, you will smell the alcohol instead of the aromas within the glass. Keep your lips open slightly and inhale a few times. Take your time to access the aroma and uncover the different flavours within. A great introductory whisky to try is the Benriach's The Original Ten. The best way to describe it is like having a pastry with fruit, toasted almonds and vanilla custard in it. Tasting with canapés or small nibbles helps showcase each whisky's flavour, giving you the opportunity to discover the richness of complementary or contrasting combinations. The Benriach 10-year-old goes perfectly with heavily roasted nuts such as peanuts, cashews and walnuts." How about if I'm someone who thinks they don't like whisky, what would you advise then? Is there a style of whisky or approach to drinking the spirit for me? "I always encourage people to be adventurous and open to trying new things. When it comes to whisky, I encourage people to enjoy it however they choose — whether that's neat, over ice or mixed in a cocktail. Every person is different. It is important to take your time, nose the whisky and explore the different aromas and flavours with each sip. The first sip is there to get your palate ready, the second sip is when it's time to explore the different flavours in the glass. If you are finding it too strong, just have a teaspoon of water, it will make it more comfortable." What are your golden rules for how to serve whisky? "First, bring your chosen bottle of whisky to room temperature. Next up, glassware: it is important that there is a slight funnelling to the top of the glass, this helps to concentrate the aromas in the right direction. It also allows you to view or nose the whisky. Once you have the right glass, pour it and let it breathe. A good rule to follow is to let it breathe for one minute per year. So for The GlenDronach's Grandeur 28-Year-Old, I like to pour it and leave it out for at least 28 minutes before enjoying. Enjoy your whisky with a friend or loved one and make sure to take your time to appreciate the flavours and aromas coming from the glass. Stop and ask yourself: what fruit does this remind me of? Is it cherry? Raisins, dates, plums? As you dig deeper you will find notes that remind you of other things or trigger memories. Experience the whisky you are drinking with one another." Whisky cocktails — yay or nay? "Yay! Although I am partial to a neat whisky, we're finding consumers are increasingly looking for more experiential, 'fun' serves with a twist that play on flavours, colours, textures, aromas and interactivity. One of our most popular cocktails is the Benriach Penicillin, which perfectly mixes smoke, lemon and ginger." Smoke Season Penicillin Recipe 25ml Benriach The Original Ten 25ml Benriach Smoke Season 20ml ginger and honey syrup 20ml fresh lemon juice Shake all ingredients, then strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with candied ginger and lemon. [caption id="attachment_891265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Benriach[/caption] People think of single-malt whiskies as being the opposite of blended whiskies, but crafting a single malt still involves blending. What is it that you're trying to achieve when you blend a single malt? "The difference is a blended whisky is a mix of barrel-aged malt and grain whiskies, a single-malt whisky is a blend of whiskies from a single distillery. When I blend a single malt I'm trying to achieve a combination of flavours from one distillery. For example, at Benriach I have artistically crafted a range of single malt whiskies that perfectly marries tradition and innovation. We seek out an eclectic mix of casks from around the world, so chosen for the exceptional character and flavour notes they lend our whisky. Once brought back to Speyside, we fill them with one of our three styles of distilled spirit: classic, peated or triple distilled. And then we wait. Our spirit matures — flavours collide, combine and intertwine. And only when we are satisfied our whisky is ready, can you enjoy a dram that is richly multi-layered and full of character." What makes a good master blender, and what has your job taught you about flavour? "Exploring flavour is a huge part of my job. Whisky making is much more than an art or a science; for me, whisky is looking deep into nature and understanding it much better. The best way to understand it is if you moved a distillery a mile down the road, and used the exact same techniques, it won't be the same. It is all the things we cannot see that go into the whisky-making process. My approach is to 'nurture the best nature' of each distillery, fully understanding how each environment influences them. As the master blender for The GlenDronach, Benriach and Glenglassaugh distilleries in Speyside and the Highlands of Scotland, I often describe them as taking you from the glen to the 'ben' to the sea. I feel uniquely connected to all three distilleries." How did you forge your career in whisky and what has kept you in the field? What do you love most about whisky and your job? "My love for whisky started when I entered the industry through the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. I researched the flavours and the impact different oak wood casks have on spirit flavour development over time and quickly began to think about a future as a master blender. I had a passion for the science and technology of distillery production, maturation, flavour and sensory science. Loving what I do has motivated me and kept me in the field. My biggest challenge is that I can't sample enough whisky! I have sampled in excess of 150,000 casks across dozens of distilleries, and to this day can say each distillery and single cask teaches me something new each day. The opportunity to keep learning and creating excites me." Whisky related or not, what is the best advice you've ever received? Who gave it to you and what was the context? "My parents were my biggest mentors. Growing up in rural Aberdeenshire, my family was grounded and taught me the power of a strong work ethic. I learned early on that never giving up will always create the best future. The three sayings that have remained with me most on my journey and led me to where I am today are: do your best and forget the rest; seek balance in every day; and success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out. My biggest mantra is 'Love what you do and do what you love'. I take this approach with everything I do." To start your whisky journey, or continue it, shop Benriach and The GlenDronach whiskies at Dan Murphy's, Nick's Wine Merchants, Vintage Cellars and BWS.
With its Cheap Trick-sung opening theme tune, 90s and 00s sitcom favourite That '70s Show described its setup perfectly: hangin' out down the street, the same old thing we did last week. The decade clearly changes in sequel series That '90s Show, and viewers don't yet know if the introductory track does as well, but the same idea will still ring true in the new Netflix sitcom — based on its just-dropped full trailer, at least. Prepare for nostalgia on plenty of levels — including for the OG series itself, and for the 90s era that this follow-up is set in. Helping the former: the fact that the bulk of the initial comedy series' cast is back this time around, although they're not the focus. Instead, teenager Leia Forman (Callie Haverda, The Lost Husband) is. So, while Topher Grace (Home Economics), Laura Prepon (Orange Is the New Black), Mila Kunis (Luckiest Girl Alive), Ashton Kutcher (Vengeance) and Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS) all pop up, returning to the characters of Eric Forman, Donna Forman, Jackie Burkhart, Michael Kelso and Fez — and Debra Jo Rupp (WandaVision) and Kurtwood Smith (The Dropout) are also back as Eric's parents Kitty and Red — a new group of high schoolers will be hanging out both down the street and in the Forman family basement. In his typical cantankerous manner, Red is hardly thrilled about it. Kitty, though, revels having more kids to look after. If you're keen on That '90s Show for the returning old faves, take note: the new crew is firmly in the spotlight in this sneak peek. But all of those aforementioned original characters do indeed make an appearance in the trailer, and make it feel like no time has passed at all. That '90s Show hits Netflix on Thursday, January 19, with the 1995-set series revisiting Point Place, Wisconsin during Leia's summer trip to see her grandparents. Hardly popular at school, she finally feels like she belongs with Kitty and Red's rebellious teen neighbour Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide, Four Kids and It), her brother Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan, Gabby Duran & The Unsittables), his girlfriend Nikki (Sam Morelos, Forgetting Nobody), and their pals Ozzie (Reyn Doi, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) and Jay (Mace Coronel, Colin in Black & White). As well as nostalgia, expect déjà vu to strike amid the familiar sets — clearly by design. Behind the scenes, creators Bonnie and Terry Turner are back, also with their daughter Lindsey Turner. Yes, the multi-generational vibe flows on- and off-screen. In fact, in front of the camera, that even includes Tommy Chong (Color Out of Space) returning as Leo. Check out the trailer for That '90s Show below: That '90s Show will hit Netflix on Thursday, January 19, 2022. Images: Patrick Wymore/Netflix © 2022.
Step inside White Rabbit Gallery for their 10th milestone exhibition, Reformation, and you'll undoubtedly spend a good slab of time staring up at the spectacular Salon Hang in the foyer. From Bingyi's I Watch Myself Dying, throbbing with Frida Kahlo-esque torment, to Chen Chun Hao's meticulous landscape of glittering nails, it's a glorious quilt of past favourites, stretching from floor to ceiling. Although, do make sure you tear yourself away eventually, because the upper floors are crammed with more marvellous acquisitions. Reformation is a meditation on the cultural explosion that has burst forth from the ‘opening up’ of China. These works are full of wild experimentation and daring new directions. However, there is also an emphasis on painterly craft, which is perhaps residual of the rigour of Soviet art training. In this way, it’s interesting to see how traditional techniques and subversive ideologies coalesce to produce dramatic results. There is a current of optical trickery that courses through this exhibition. Take for example, Zhou Xiaohu’s silicon business men frozen in mid-conversation. These arrestingly realistic sculptures are partnered with ‘mirrors’ that reflect animated paintings of their facial expressions. I have to say, this illusion achieved its full effect on opening night amid swarms of people. There's also Dong Yuan’s scrupulous reproductions of domestic interiors by European masters. However, the twist is that she divides the painted subjects from their backgrounds, pegging them up like freshly laundered canvas clothing. It is as if she is cleansing and cataloguing the content according to her personal preference. However, if these works delve into double takes, He Yunchang's epic of self-torture is frighteningly real. According to the artist, physical torment generates the ‘intensity’ needed to transform ordinary experiences into art. In One Metre of Democracy, a group votes on whether a surgeon will make a one metre cut from He Yuchang’s shoulder to his knee without anaesthetic. As you can imagine, the gruesome result is squeamish and deeply guilt-inducing. It seems everyone associated with the process carries some level of responsibility for the artist's agony. There are also notions of sin and seduction running throughout Reformation. On level two, you’ll be struck by the fetishistic centrepiece of the exhibition. Play 201301 by Madeln Company is a cathedral of genuine and artificial leather. Adorned with BDSM accessories, this castle of kink is embedded with both contemporary and medieval understandings of ‘gothic.’ Also, the conspicuous overlap of sex and religion provokes some pretty interesting questions regarding lust, pleasure and guilt. Neighbouring this work is Zhao Bo's Circulation which has a similar theme of excess. Reminiscent of Goya and Daumier, the lushness of Bo's painterly style is disturbed by the depiction of a giant, godly toad, whilst slaves toil tirelessly in the foreground. It comes across as a kind of dystopian fairytale with an element of shock eroticism. You don't whether to laugh or cringe. I would also add the sinister soundtrack bleeding into the gallery space from Yi Lian’s video work,Undercurrent instils an ominous atmosphere that compliments the sadistic potential of the other works quite nicely. Whether you're absorbed by the hypnotic rotations of Shyu Ruey-Shiann's Eight Drunken Immortals or Tu Wei Cheng's antiquated image-makers, there’s just so much to see at Reformation. Another wonderful work that deserves a mention is Hu Weiyi's poignant photography series, documenting the temporary tattoos of clothing marks on skin. Whilst there’s obviously a strong Chinese core, there’s an increasingly global tenor to many of these works. Delivering the blockbuster exhibition that we all expected, White Rabbit Gallery remains a remarkably well-run and accessible treasure trove, offering up art that is visually and conceptually enthralling. Follow You (2013) by Wang Qingsong.
What do women really want? Sydney is about to find out — with All About Women returning in 2014. Entering into its second year, this is a whole-day festival, presented by Ideas at the House and Daily Life and devoted, solely, to the ladies. Roping in international names and local personalities, the festival speaks to a diverse range of ideas important to women of the millennial, from modern parenting and workplace issues to illuminating perspectives on the goings on in Egypt and Somalia. Featuring talks with the likes of Alison Bechdel (inventor of the 'Bechdel test' for movies and writer of comic Dykes to Watch Out For) and British environmentalist Lucy Siegle, All About Women will also feature panel discussions and a clothes swap, while home-grown heroes Annabel Crabb, Cassandra Kelly and Kaz Cooke conduct 'how to' sessions. In a year where we've been led to reflect women's experience in public life, All About Women provides a safe, dynamic and inclusive platform to get roaring (think Helen Reddy circa 1970 and not that terrible karaoke scene in Sex and the City 2). Tickets are on sale from February 3.
Frustrated at the distant Australian release date for The Great Gatsby? Forget the flamboyance and pizzazz of Baz Luhrmann's film, because the best way to get lost in the decadent world of The Great Gatsby is through this 8-bit video game. Okay, maybe we're exaggerating a pinch, and maybe this isn't the best bit of Gatsby paraphernalia going around. But the Great Gatsby video game is undoubtedly the best Friday afternoon procrastination that we have stumbled across in a very long time. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yqTUKgQ_Cz4 The story behind the making of the game is a Gatsby-esque rags-to-riches tale in itself. Having come across the 8-bit Nintendo game at a yard sale and forking out a whopping 50c for it, the developers thought it deserved some time in the sun and transformed it into an open-source online game. For all the Gatsby fans out there, the thrill of playing as a butler-and-showgirl-killing Nick Carraway in search of both your fortune and the mysterious Gatsby himself is only matched by the games plethora of references, some of which we loved (like that deliciously smug gentleman reading a book and dishing out directions), and some which I imagine flew right over our heads. If nothing else, the game may just be one more thing to get us in the mood for Luhrmann's film, which by now we're busting to see. Via Fast Co.Create.
Twilight at Taronga — the after-hours live music series that boasts arguably the best view of Sydney Harbour as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs. Past lineups have featured the likes of The Jezabels, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, and, from the looks of things, its 25th anniversary series will be just as epic. Held in Taronga Zoo's natural amphitheatre, the concert series will run from Friday, January 31 to Saturday, March 7, 2020. And we've got some real humdingers to look forward to including Aussie rockers Wolfmother, US gospel queen Mavis Staples, NZ synth-pop duo Broods and the Gravy King himself Paul Kelly (who'll be performing with composer James Ledger, singer Alice Keith and the Seraphim Trio). Band member from You Am I, Powderfinger, Jet and Spiderbait will also come together as the Australian Rock Collective to perform hits off The Beatles' Abbey Road album with Linda Bull. And, as always, the ABBA tribute act Bjorn Again will be back by popular demand. You can BYO a picnic, but there'll also be gourmet hampers available onsite alongside a handful of food trucks. Tickets include discounted same-day entry into the zoo (so you can sneak in a visit to your favourite mammal, bird or reptile beforehand) and, if you want to make a weekend of it, you can add on a night at Taronga's luxe new eco-retreat. As always, all proceeds will go back into Taronga's ongoing conservation work, including its campaign to protect our marine life. So, you can see a gig and feel good about helping the zoo. Get excited and check out the full lineup: [caption id="attachment_745448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat[/caption] TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2020 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP Friday, January 31: Broods Saturday, February 1: Wolfmother Friday, February 7: Pete Murray Saturday, February 8: ARC perform 'Abbey Road' Live Friday, February 14: Bernard Fanning Saturday, February 15: Sunnyboys Friday, February 21: Kasey Chambers Saturday, February 22: James Morrison Big Band Friday, February 28: Paul Kelly in 'Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds' with James Ledger, Alice Keith and Seraphim Trio Saturday, February 29: Bjorn Again Thursday, March 5: Mavis Staples Friday, March 6: Meg Mac Saturday, March 7: Comedy Gala Tickets for Twilight at Taronga 2020 Summer Concert Series go on sale at midday on Thursday, October 31 via twilightattaronga.org.au.
Harvest is back for its second year and the official lineup has now been announced. International favourites on the lineup include Beck, Sigur Ros, Grizzly Bear and Santigold. At Harvest's debut last year, festivalgoers witnessed performances from Portishead, The Flaming Lips, The National and TV On The Radio at what most hoped would be the first of many festivals to come. With rumours about the 2012 installation circulating for weeks, it was hard not to be excited when the full lineup for the November events came through at last. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 28 at 9am from Harvest Festival, Oztix & Ticketek. Harvest Festival 2012 lineup: Beck Sigur Ros Grizzly Bear Mike Patton's Mondo Cane Santigold Beirut Cake The Dandy Warhols The Black Angels Chromatics Ozomatli Liars Ben Folds Five F**K Buttons The War on Drugs Dark Dark Dark Plus many more to be announced... Harvest 2012 dates: Sunday, November 11 at Melbourne's Werribee Park Saturday, November 17 at Sydney's Paramatta Park Sunday, November 18 at Brisbane's Botanic Gardens
Sydney's CBD has landed a major dose of the Tokyo-esque practical and compact, with the former Bar Century space reopening in May as The Capsule Hotel, a three-storey, luxury boutique stay. The George Street cheap drinks den, which closed in 2016, was taken over by developer Walter Guo, who invested a massive $5 million on a full interior refurb, carried out by interior design consultants Giant Design. The heritage building has somewhat retained its vintage fit-out but with more of a nod to the futuristic space-like capsules of The Fifth Element. The bar and hotel are running as separate entities, with the first two levels acting as The Century Bar, while the top three floors of the building are dedicated to the capsules. Each of the 70 capsules contains a large flatscreen TV and entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and a climate control panel. Guests can choose from single or deluxe beds with entry from either the side or the end of the capsule. The communal facilities include a kitchen space, breakfast bar, lounge area, rooftop terrace and individual bathrooms. If you're worried about security, don't be — each capsule is fitted with a secure lock and the security desk runs 24-hours. But let's set the record straight — The Century is not a hostel, and it's not aimed at overindulgent locals that can't seem to make it back home. "The accommodation, which is not quite hotel nor hostel, is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpackers and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget," says Christopher Wilks, an associate at Giant Design. It's set to sit well within your budget, with prices ranging from $50-90 a night. Which, depending on how far from the CBD you live, could be a lot cheaper than a cab home at 1am.
Wearing a pair of R.M. Williams says 'I'm ready for anything'. You could be going to the pub, walking into a work meeting or heading out to the farm to milk the cows. Sparkly footwear doesn't quite conjure up the same feelings of practicality. Well, until R.M. Williams released a special run of boots in gold metallic. For the past two years, the Aussie bootmaker has released a limited run of metallic gold boots to much fanfare — the shoes sold out quicker than most of us could transfer all our money into one bank account to pay for them. So we're sure more than a few people will be happy to hear that R.M.s will release a new limited edition metallic boot, this time in silver. This time it's the women's Millicent boot that has received the sparkly treatment. As with each R.M. boot, these have been crafted out of a single piece of leather and feature the same slim shape, elegant stitching and tapered heel cuban heel of the regular Millicent range. Each pair will be made to order, so expect a two-week delivery timeframe. R.M.s are arguably Australia's most iconic shoe. From a modest start in the Adelaide outback servicing the stockmen and women of the heartland, 85 years later, a diverse range of people still wear the boots — from farmers in the outback, to corporate businessmen, to the style set at fashion week. Australian designer Dion Lee has used R.M.s regularly in campaign shoots and runway shows, even creating his own for New York Fashion Week in 2014. Continuing to embrace contemporary styles and adapting to modern fashion without sacrificing their DNA has surely guaranteed the longevity of this historic label. This latest addition to the women's range is only available online. At $545 a pair, they're not exactly cheap — but if you're looking for an investment piece, a pair of R.M.s is the very definition of the phrase. If you ask nicely, maybe someone will chip in for them for Christmas. R.M. Williams' silver Millicent boots are available to order now at rmwilliams.com.au.
When it comes to movies, we sometimes use 'Hollywood' as a pejorative. We might employ it to mean schmaltzy, unrealistic, vapid and other similar unpleasantries. But when I say The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the ultimate Hollywood movie, I mean it's the good side of Hollywood, all packaged and wrapped up in time for Christmas. Funny, optimistic, life-affirming and full of pretty pictures and massive special effects, the film is something of a passion project for Ben Stiller, who directed, produced and stars in it. It's adapted from a 1939 short story by Jamie Thurber that's been reshaped entirely beyond its basic premise. The film follows a quiet Life magazine staffer as he learns to seize the day. As the head of the negative assets department, Walter is responsible for selecting and processing the works of their world-roving star photographers, chief among them the shamanistic Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn). But Walter has never experienced this wide world for himself, after the blows of life turned him timid. Instead, he imagines epic adventures for himself — diving into exploding buildings to save a dog, hiking the Arctic and, in a high point of the film, living a backwards Benjamin Button-like life with the woman he loves. That he 'zones out' while engaged in these daydreams does not help his social standing in cutthroat New York. Life doesn't exist any more, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is set in the dying days of the monthly magazine. Ted Hendricks (a disconcertingly bearded Adam Scott) is brought in to oversee the move from print to online and the accompanying rafts of redundancies, and Walter is firmly in his sights. Unfortunately, Walter can't find Sean's 'negative 25', which the photographer has described as capturing the "quintessence of life" and which is wanted for the final cover. Given new courage by love — in the form of colleague Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) — he sets off to track down Sean and the missing negative, using the few clues he has. Iceland is his starting point for a very big adventure that sees his latent resourcefulness and cool coming to the surface. For a mainstream, very feelgood film, it's the weird quirks that make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty loveable. Aside from the interjecting daydream worlds, Walter is shadowed by an over-caring eHarmony customer service representative, Todd (Patton Oswalt), who's determined to help him succeed in love. Their phone chats, coming at inevitably odd times throughout the film, are always funny and welcome. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is really ideal New Year's rather than Boxing Day fodder, egging you into living fully and booking that adventure holiday you've been putting off. There's so much focus on travel as a means to self-realisation, in fact, that it's ultimately to the film's detriment. It's simplistic; skateboarding down the valley of an active volcano might make you a more open person, or it could make you a twat. All outcomes are possible for the intrepid traveller. But that shouldn't ruin the journey of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's a charmer with a good heart and a healthy dose of unrealism. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ve8mc6UNSk
Classic flicks just keep making the leap to the stage, turning their big-screen tales into song-filled musical adaptations in the process. From 9 to 5 and Muriel's Wedding to Moulin Rouge! and Shrek, a hefty number of beloved movies have done just that — and now Adam Sandler's smash-hit film The Wedding Singer is joining them. The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy was originally due to hit Melbourne in June this year but, as we all know, the pandemic hit. Now it'll head to the city in April 2021, before hitting up the Gold Coast in June and Sydney in July. When it does finally arrive on our shores, The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy will deliver an all-singing, all-dancing stage show based on its hilarious namesake 90s flick. And it's from the same crew that propelled it to sell-out success on Broadway and across the UK, including the writer of the original movie, Tim Herlihy. This one promises to yank you right into The Wedding Singer's 80s world of big hair and classic wedding bangers, thanks to a toe-tapping score that's sure to prompt a few hearty crowd singalongs. It retells the story of party-loving wedding singer and wannabe rock star Robbie Hart, who's left stranded at the altar at his own nuptials. Heartbroken, he sets out to destroy every other wedding he's a part of, until a chance encounter with a waitress: Drew Barrymore's character Julia. Now, he just has to win over the girl... and somehow put a stop to her own upcoming marriage along the way. If you need a refresher, you can watch the OG nostalgic film trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjOXMTa6vA THE WEDDING SINGER: THE MUSICAL COMEDY AUSTRALIA 2021 TOUR Melbourne: from Friday, April 30 at The Athenaeum Theatre, with tickets via Ticketek Gold Coast: Wednesday, June 16–Saturday, June 26 at HOTA, Home Of The Arts, with tickets via the venue Sydney: from Thursday, July 1 at the State Theatre, with tickets via Ticketmaster The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy starts touring Australia from Friday, April 30, 2021, with seasons in Melbourne, on the Gold Coast and in Sydney. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, December 1 — for more details, and to join the waitlist, head over to the show's website.
During lockdown, Tacos Muchachos transformed a Surry Hills cafe into a pop-up Mexican restaurant, serving up exciting Mexican street food dishes to anyone within five-kilometres of the shop. It proved a hit with locals — people flocked to their quesabirria tacos, takeaway margaritas and al pastor nights. Following lockdown, the cafe took back custodianship of the Surry Hills space, so Tacos Muchachos went looking for a new home. Now, they've settled on the ground level of Chippendale's new Mexican-inspired boutique accommodation, Hotel Hacienda. The menu has stayed consistent with the pop-up: nachos ($18), consommé ($4), street-style burritos ($18) and quesabirria tacos ($18). These tacos are what will keep you coming back. The rich and cheesy showstopper are a must-try. And, Sydneysiders are sure to be excited by the unique flat and crispy burrito packed filled with refried beans, sautéed onions, jalapenos, cheese and your choice of fillings. An exciting rotation of weekly specials are continually popping up, with tortas and al pastor to be added to the menu soon. The Tacos Muchachos crew sourced their al pastor machine from Mexico and marinate their pork shoulder in achiote, pineapple juices and citrus. As for the drinks, a classic margarita ($10 during happy hour) or agua fresca ($5) spiked with tequila are currently on offer as well as a selection of beers and Jarrito sodas ($6). Head in between 5–6pm and you'll be treated to a happy hour special on drinks, with more cocktails soon to be offered. Tacos Muchachos is located at 179 Cleveland Street, Redfern. It's currently open 5.30pm until late Thursday–Saturday.
Founded in the late 80s, the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative exists to celebrate, promote and support Aboriginal artists from all over NSW. The Leichhardt space showcases an original collection of works from artists both experienced and emerging. Each exhibition shares a special part of Aboriginal history and connection to Country, through multidisciplinary art forms including painting, ceramics and screen printing. We suggest visiting Boomalli for one of its regular openings, which you'll find details of on its Facebook page. Enjoy a glass of wine, check out the art at your own pace, connect with the artists and learn more from the passionate team who run the space. Images: Sharon Hickey
Actors are sometimes accused of narcissism, attention-seeking behaviour and daftness. The Lunch Hour by Chris Aronsten at Darlinghurst Theatre, directed by Kate Gaul, is not helping. The play is a self-referential, singing, dancing farce about actors employed at a theatre box office, where they surreptitiously work on grant applications and project ideas whilst being hounded by their ineffectual washed-up boss, Martin, a playwright. Theatre about theatre can be plagued by in-jokes and narrowness, but it doesn't have to be a sentence to irrelevance. The Sydney Theatre Company's The Histrionic was about theatre as well as (among other things) the xenophobia of Austria and, by extension, Australia. The Lunch Hour, by comparison, is theatre about only theatre. It reveals some extreme narcissism on the part of Aronsten and a poor programming decision by Darlinghurst Theatre. What seems to have been intended as a cathartic group hug for struggling artists is more like an embarrassing 'overshare', to use an ugly word. These details of actors' lives are neither interesting nor dramatic. Often when plot is missing there are at least some remarkable relationships to hone in on, which in this case are also not forthcoming. Some of the cast have moments of triumph over the text. For example, Branden Christine playing a grouchy Fran has some smooth dance moves and very funny rapping. Similarly, Briallen Clarke playing a dopey Felicity and Bali Padda playing the cleaner, Ali, were comic standouts. The problem with this play is not so much its tiny scope but its complete lack of breadth. David Williamson and Joanna Murray-Smith may be prime examples of Australian parochialism, but they at least attempt to tell relevant stories, after a fashion. The Lunch Hour is not only provincial; it is also about absolutely nothing. Thankfully, this sort of infantile storytelling is an exception to Sydney's otherwise stimulating theatre community.
Each February, there's an easy way to find out what's hitting cinemas in the months ahead. When American football's biggest event of the year arrives, so does a heap of big-name movie trailers. In 2025, the week leading up to the Super Bowl has seen everything from Fantastic Four: First Steps to Jurassic World Rebirth debut sneak peeks. Also capitalising on prime timing: F1. The Formula 1 racing thriller already unveiled a sneak peek in 2024, but now another look has dropped linked to the Super Bowl. In it, Brad Pitt (Wolfs) feels the need for speed as a former driver who returns to the track. Filmmaker Joseph Kosinski clearly experiences the same sensation, too, given that this is his latest flick heading to cinemas after 2022 smash Top Gun: Maverick. "Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston and now McLaren all have a speed on the straights. Our shot is battling in the turns. We need to build our car for combat," said Pitt as Hayes in 2024's teaser trailer — if you're wondering how competitive the storyline will get. Zooming onto the silver screen at the end of June 2025, F1 focuses on fictional team APXGP, with Pitt as Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris (Snowfall) as his colleague Joshua Pearce. Also featuring on-screen: Kerry Condon (Skeleton Crew) and Javier Bardem (Dune: Part Two), giving the movie a recent Oscar-nominee (for The Banshees of Inisherin), plus another winner (for No Country for Old Men) alongside Pitt — and also Tobias Menzies (Manhunt), Sarah Niles (Fallen), Kim Bodnia (Nefarious) and Samson Kayo (House of the Dragon). If Kosinski's feats with his Top Gun sequel didn't already bode well for F1's racetrack action — and they do, and Top Gun: Maverick screenwriter Ehren Kruger (Dumbo) is also onboard here as well — then the fact that the movie shot during actual Grand Prix weekends should, too. F1's racing pedigree includes seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton's involvement, courtesy of his Dawn Apollo Films production company. The feature is also being badged as a collaboration with the Formula 1 community, spanning its teams, drivers and promoters. Check out the trailers for F1 below: F1 releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
The realisation that eventually comes to everyone underscores Once My Mother, one that dawned slowly upon filmmaker Sophia Turkiewicz. She grew up listening to stories her mother, Helen, would tell of her life, but could only see as far as the intersection with her involvement. More immediate family history weighed upon Sophia, driving a desire for distance as she grew from a girl into a woman. Unforgiving about time spent in an orphanage, she also demonstrated an unwillingness to look past the emotional scars of her upbringing. It follows that Once My Mother takes a universal process — that of discovering the real personality of our parents, of understanding the true impact of their past not just upon their lives but our own, and of showing compassion for any missteps along the way — and relates it to the audience in the only way possible: as a personal journey. Turkiewicz's documentary is dedicated to dissecting Helen's resilience through decades marked by difficulties of destruction, discrimination and displacement; however, it is also shaped by a daughter's burgeoning awakening to things only age and experience could help her appreciate. Many laudatory words are directed towards Helen in the film's narration, written by and told from Sophia's perspective as a letter from the latter to the former but actually voiced by another. The extolling of virtues is justified by the accounts of Helen's epic ordeals in Poland and Siberia during the Second World War, then in Africa in the aftermath, and finally in Australia in an attempt to establish a new life as a single mother. The language remains lyrical and love-fuelled, sensitive and sentimental, even if the revelation that it is uttered by someone else (Jen Vuletic) somewhat skews the sense of intimacy. Of course, the spoken component is just one part of the documentary, with the visual complement impressive in its detailed assemblage. Starting with Helen in an aged care centre, then going back to the beginning, Sophia combines archival footage and photographs with contemporary-shot interviews and visits. The most fulfilling and fortunate element comes from work filmed many years ago, in the fledgling days of her career and with the flame of inquiry into her maternal genesis just beginning to spark, of earlier chats with Helen. Turkiewicz's career has spanned a significant slice of Australian film and television since the early 1980s, most notably the AFI-winning feature Silver City. It is fitting that it similarly took stock of familiar circumstances, albeit in fictionalised form. Here, she confronts the true tale with obvious emotion, but also insight and information. Once My Mother is a time capsule of a unique bond, and a testament to the impact of tenacity, both resonant and relatable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fos7dm2inE
Putting birds beside guns may seem a dangerous move, ripe for violence. Actually, it makes for quite a nice dialogue between two new solo exhibitions at the recently relocated Gaffa space. Dan Simon likes playing with guns. Canons, bombs, axes and chainsaws also feature in past and present work. The obvious overtones of violence and destruction are a field within which Simon plays, re-presenting these objects in different ways. By recasting, remoulding and (figuratively and literally) opening up different weapons, an innate aesthetic is exposed which has little to do with the social constructs hovering around them. I was lucky enough to see one observer explaining, in simple terms, the operating mechanisms of a semiautomatic to his young daughter. Be careful not to mistake Simon's fascination for worship, however; context is acknowledged and subtly teased out in different ways. On a slightly lighter note, a walk into the next gallery reveals Andrew Ensor bringing the humble doodle to a whole new level. Bird Brain explores a feathered fascination, through a plethora of twig-like sketches with blobs or scratches of colour. The focus often strays from the birds themselves in a deliberately absent-minded way, providing visual representation for fleeting thoughts or child-like associations: pirates feature alongside pigeons and penguins. Foolishness is fun, and we don't at all mind the weird and wonderful ideas that crop up here. Image by Andrew Ensor.
Activewear fans, we've got some big news: P.E. Nation is bringing back its warehouse sample sale — but, this year, it's all online. The athleisure experts hosted their first ever sample sale in 2016 (and everything sold out in the first day) but, luckily, you don't have to worry about being crushed in a throng this year. You just need to have your mouse at the ready. Whether you're stocking up your own balcony-gym wardrobe (or WFH outfit, if we're totally honest) or doing a solid for sporty loved ones, you'll find an extensive array of swim, activewear, accessories, sweaters and jackets available from 12pm on Thursday, April 16 — and all for 60 percent off. There'll be accessories from $40, tops and bottoms from $60, outerwear from $140 and snow (for those future holidays) from $230. Remember the age-old advice of when it comes to sample sales, you need to get in quick. Given the following the label has amassed since General Pants Co. design director Pip Edwards and former senior Sass & Bide designer Claire Tregoning joined forces, its functional, fashionable bits and pieces are bound to be popular. So, keep an eye on the website. P.E. Nation's Online Warehouse Sale goes live on Thursday, April 16. 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.
With the bulk of 2020 now past us, the idea that visiting the shops might mean you need to pay special attention to your health is no longer new. Indeed, that scenario is now a normal part of life during a pandemic — and one that New South Wales residents have been getting used to during the state's response to COVID-19. Naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is key element of NSW's containment strategy, and yesterday, Tuesday, October 13, it announced the latest places that Sydneysiders should be wary of. The big one: IKEA in Tempe, with anyone who went looking for affordable Swedish furniture between 1.30–5.30pm on Wednesday, October 7 asked to monitor their health, and get a test for COVID-19 and then self-isolate if they start suffering from even the mildest of symptoms. Also on the list is Woolworths Oran Park, with visitors to the centre on three specific days asked to watch for symptoms: between 5.30–6.30pm on Wednesday, September 30; from 5.15–6pm on Thursday, October 8; and between 6–6.30pm on Friday, October 9. Folks who frequented Bunnings Gregory Hills between 7–8pm on Tuesday, October 6 fall into the same category as well, as do those who went to Fantastic Furniture Campbelltown from 3.30–5.20pm on Friday, October 9. Rounding out the latest rundown of venues are a number of spots in Emerald Hills, specifically for folks in the area on Friday, October 2. At Prasadi Nepali, the warning applies to those in attendance from 3.30–4pm that day. The same applies to visitors to McDonalds from 5–5.15pm and anyone at Aldi Emerald Hills from 5.30–6.15pm. https://www.facebook.com/NewSouthWalesHealth/posts/1422467214619282 NSW Health has been maintaining an ongoing register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, and you can check out the entire list on its website. And, if you need a reminder, the symptoms to look out for are coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. At the time of writing, NSW has 59 active COVID-19 cases, from a pandemic-long total of 4106 across the state. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
If you find that your temptation to play World of Warcraft greatly outweighs any need to talk to friends, eat food or breathe fresh air, you may be suffering from an addiction to the internet. And now the detrimental effects of spending hours online may be solidified in the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," a widely-cited guide for medical practitioners and others in the field. There are proposals for internet addiction to be classified as a substance-related disorder in the manual, which is due to be published again in mid-2013. This proposal is hardly surprising, given that a recent survey of 250 people in the journal Psychological Studies found that people had a greater urge to check Facebook than have a cigarette or alcoholic beverage. So how can we do we classify somebody as a certified internet addict? Many of us use the internet for hours on end, either for leisure or employment purposes. Dr. Jerald L. Block stated in the American Journal of Psychiatry that symptoms include "excessive use... withdrawal... and negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue." Oh no. Sounds like me on weekdays. If internet addiction is indeed classified as a mental illness, it will be interesting to see how this affects the community at large. Will more people begin to blame their crimes and failures on the crippling need to get a fix of Facebook? If so, how will the legal system respond to this new-found mental illness? Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how one gets cured of internet addiction. Maybe a healthy dose of television will do the trick.
Summer is here, which means that it's time to leave the den that we've crafted for ourselves for our winter hibernation. We need to go outside, and there's no better way to get into the 'outside' than by roughing it under a canvas sheet with fire and nature. But camping doesn't have to be all about being at one with nature; it can be about surviving in the coolest way possible. With this level of bad-assery in mind, here are the top ten gadgets you need to make camping an excellent trip to the great outdoors instead of a terrible trip to the hospital with hypothermia. TENTSILE STINGRAY TREEHOUSE TENT First on your pyramid of camping needs is shelter, and this is the coolest shelter around. The Stingray hangs from the trees, keeping you safe from bugs, animals and all those things that go bump in the night. Going for about AU$850, this genius tent is 4.6 metres square and can hold a whopping 400kg. Now all you have to worry about are the Drop Bears. US$749 from tentsile.com MUSUCBAG LITE Despite having a potential gross-out for a name, this is the 'handiest' sleeping bag you'll ever see. Because it has hands. And feet. Ever get sick of having to get up out of your sleeping bag to get some water or a snack? Fear not, the MusucBag has you covered. Now you can sit around drinking with friends without having to leave the comfort of your bedding. It's like the Snuggie of the camping world. The 'classic' is 119 euros from musucbag.com. TRANSPARENT CANOE For the more sporty of us, summer camping trips are all about getting in or on the water, whether it's the beach or a not-at-all scary lake. For these grand occasions, there's Hammacher's Transparent Canoe. Can't decide between snorkelling or kayaking? Fine, because now you can row your heart out and check out the depths beneath you, all at the same time. US$1900 from the Hammacher online store. BIOLITE CAMPSTOVE Possibly the coolest innovation in heat since the discovery of fire, the BioLite CampStove takes the heat from an internal fire to create electricity that charges phones, tablets, lights and anything else with a power cord. One chamber holds a fire made from twigs that's suitable for cooking, which fuels a generator in another chamber. It's about the size of a drink bottle, affordable and eliminates the need for lighting a giant fire every time you want a cup of tea. The BioLite CampStove is simply one of the coolest inventions in town. US$129.95 from the BioLite online store. KANZ FIELD KITCHEN Camping can seem somewhat less appealing when you think about the fact that it means eating a whole load of tinned spaghetti — it's hard to lug around the gear necessary to cook a decent meal. Instead, why not pack up the portable and awesomely nifty Field Kitchen? It houses a two-burner stove top, cabinets and a prep area, all in less than a metre cubed. Get the fully pimped propane version for US$1640 from the Kanz online store. LIFESTRAW Not only is it important to be comfortable and have your phone charged whilst camping, it's also important to have clean water, which is where the life straw comes in. The straw looks like a little water bottle, and can filter 1000L of filthy, stagnant water into the purest elixir you've ever had. Handy for when you just can't boil up some river water and wait for it to cool. US$19.95 from the Lifestraw store. Plus, for every straw you buy, part of the funds go towards distributing LifeStraw Community institutional water purifiers to schools in Africa. BEAR GRYLLS SCOUT ESSENTIALS KIT Whether or not Bear Grylls really does do all the wicked stuff he appears to on television, there's no doubt that he's the ultimate survival guy, and this kit is all the basics he deems necessary to live outside. There's a scout knife, a first aid kit, a compass and an LED light, just for starters, and it's all packaged up polypropylene case. £35.99 at the Bear Grylls website. VICTORINOX TINKER DELUXE SWISS ARMY KNIFE This isn't just a camping essential; this is a life essential. Everyone needs a Swiss Army Knife because they can do just about anything. Victorinox are always coming up with innovations that already improve on the perfect design, and the Tinker Deluxe is one of the best examples. With a knife, a can opener, scissors, pliers, screwdriver and the always handy bottle opener, this camping/life essential is well worth the $80 it costs to have one. YETI TUNDRA 65 WHITE COOLER The Tundra 65 isn't the cheapest cooler in town, but it sure is the best. It holds 60L, which is about 39 cans of beer. Which is a lot. Plus, the walls are super thick, so it keeps these cans of beer cooler for much longer than your regular old cooler. It may cost a pretty penny, but what a price to pay for beer that's still cold until you've finished the case, which is what camping is all about, isn't it? US$399.99 from Yeti, FESTIVE BRAZIL HAMMOCK Finally, it's essential to touch on the more comfortable side of sleeping outdoors — glamping, if you will. For those of us who really don't like getting dirty or sleeping on a thin mat, glamping is an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views outdoors in comfort. And for that, there's the Festive Brazil Artisan Crafted Hammock. Not only is it big enough for two, it's all done up in pretty rainbow colours, and is finished with crocheted draping, hand crafted by Brazilian artisans. At $160, it's the perfect excuse to skip the hike. US$159.99 from Novica.
Fourteen brewers, two beer trucks, a cider tent, three food tents, live musicians, a petting zoo and plenty of beers will converge on Willoughby on Saturday, September 10, for the fifth annual Willoughby Craft Beer Fair. Entry to the shindig is free. But, if you're keen to sample, you'd be wise to invest in some tasting tix before the date. For $33 online and $36 at the door, you get a tasting ticket, which will let you do just what its name implies. Expect Australian brewers peddling their creations — Balmain Brewing Company, Gang of Four from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Mountain Goat from Richmond, Victoria, Yulli's Brews from Surry Hills and Murray's from Port Stephens have all been on the bill in previous years — plus a stack of drops from around the world. The Fair is hosted by The Willoughby Hotel, and is an all-day affair. Expect the craft beer fun to kick off at 11am and wind up at 5pm.
