It's been 13 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Thankfully, Laneway Festival has just confirmed it will be heading back to its collection of unconventional venues for another year, revealing it's 2018 dates and first two headliners. Returning to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland and Singapore next January and February, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with what looks to be one heck of a lineup. Following on from sweltering sets from AB Original, Chet Faker, Tame Impala and Glass Animals last year, the festival has just announced two of 2018's headliners: California's inimitable Anderson .Paak with his live band The Free Nationals, and Canada's Mac DeMarco, who swayed, pashed and crowdsurfed through his slacker-rock set with about 20 of his buds (and his mum) at Laneway 2015. The full lineup is expected to be announced soon with a Via pre-sale happening this week and the rest of the tickets going on sale on September 18. But here's the dates so you can save the one in your city LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2018 DATES Singapore — Saturday, January 27 Auckland — Monday, January 29 Adelaide — Friday, February 2 Melbourne — Saturday, February 3 Sydney — Sunday, February 4 Brisbane — Saturday, February 10 Fremantle — Sunday, February 11 Image: Andy Fraser.
The restrictions on our social lives during the pandemic gave us some real clarity on just how important it is to gather with others, enjoy our freedom and, yes, party. And that is exactly what's on offer at this otherworldly experience taking place under haloes of light. For those looking to pair beats and a dance floor with the stunning light shows of Vivid, this event is for you. Gear up for a night of congregating with strangers, mingling and dancing under giant floating rings, an installation conceived and created by British design studio Lucid Creates in the midst of COVID. Head to Tumbalong Park, where huge rings of light will be suspended above attendees, with alternating messages spread across through the inner bands and an accompanying soundscape to capture your senses. A 360° light show will also follow to top off the night. Ready to embark on your journey? Look out for the three huge floating rings from Friday, May 26 onwards — they will guide you to your destination. Check out the Dance Together event page to stay up to date with the latest event details.
The year of the tiger is almost upon us (goodbye year of the ox, go sleep it off), and the festivities are starting to pick up. And what's the best way to partake in the celebration? We've got it right here — and it'll make you happier than a hungry big cat. From Monday, January 24, dumpling master Din Tai Fung is offering new limited edition chocolate and biscoff tiger buns and, like the chain's usual annual Lunar New Year special, they're ridiculously cute. They're buns with little tiger faces — how could they be anything other than adorable?. Din Tai Fung is famous for its dumplings, and is known to release eye-catching novelty varieties for special occasions (check out these adorable little monkey buns from 2016, pig bao from 2019 and masked ox buns from last year). The new tiger buns are stuffed with a sweet filling of molten chocolate, which oozes out when you squeeze them, and the cookie crumb spread that is biscoff. The tiger buns are available for $8.80 for two at Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets in Sydney, so you'll want to hit up its World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, Westfield Sydney, Broadway Shopping Centre, Gateway Sydney, The Star, Greenwood Plaza, Martin Place and Marrickville venues. In Melbourne, you have one spot to head to, with the buns on offer at Emporium Melbourne. They're also available for delivery both separately (for $12 for three) and in the chain's big frozen Lunar New Year hampers (for $108) — also from Monday, January 24. The only problem we can foresee with the cute Din Tai Fung dish? Eating those sweet little tiger faces may be hard… but we're sure you'll manage it. Chocolate and biscoff tiger buns are available from Din Tai Fung's stores in Sydney and Melbourne, and also via delivery, from Monday, January 24. Head to the chain's website for further details or to order.
Just a few short months ago, your 2020 plans likely included a range of trips, adventures and new experiences, such as heading overseas, seeing different sights and making this year your best one yet. That's not how things are turning out for anyone due to COVID-19; however, thanks to virtual tours and travel live-streams, you can still pretend. Thanks to Airbnb's Online Experiences feature, too, you can also get a taste of places and activities far, far away from your own lounge room. The sharing platform has launched the new addition to its online offering, teaming up with hosts around the world — who'll hold everything from magic lessons and coffee tastings to dance sessions and sketch classes from more than 30 different countries via Zoom. Highlights include meditating with a Buddhist monk, taking pastry lessons from a Swedish baker and learning how to make pasta with an Italian nonna — plus, mixing up cocktails — and sangria — with drag queens and going on a plague tour of Prague. If you're always been curious about the dogs of Chernobyl, aka the descendants of canines that were abandoned after the 1986 nuclear disaster, you can make a virtual visit. If rescue goats are more your style, you can head to an animal sanctuary in the Catskills Mountains as well. And if you'd prefer to meet some penguins in South Africa or meditate with sheep in Scotland, you can do that too. With the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics postponed until 2021, Airbnb has also launched a range of virtual experiences with some of the world's best athletes. Do sprint sessions with Bahamian sprinter Andretti Bain, learn to hammer throw with American athlete Gwen Barry and chat to Paralympic swimmer and triathlete David Hill about prosthetics and how he completes everyday tasks without a forearm. At present, more than 50 Online Experiences are available, with thousands more set to join its virtual portal in the coming months. Session dates, times and costs vary — and, in some cases, you can request specific dates for your own private group experience. For more information about Airbnb's Online Experiences — or to book one in — visit the sharing platform's website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Updated July 29, 2020.
For screen fiends who spend their winters indoors at their favourite picture palaces, there's one surefire way to know that better weather has hit: the arrival of outdoor cinema season. When Sydney's chillier temperatures give way to sunny days and warm nights, the city's spaces set up plenty of openair big screens showing flicks. One such spot: The Rocks Laneway Cinema. As you might know from past runs, this film-loving pop-up sticks around for close to half the year, screening movies every Wednesday night — and for free. After returning for the end of 2024 in November, it's screening until March 2024. Mark your diary for a date on Atherden Street. Also, get ready for different monthly themes. December will naturally showcase Christmas classics. On the lineup: 80s-era laughs thanks with Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building) and the late, great John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, which screens on Wednesday, December 4; a dose of Dr Seuss via The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on Wednesday, December 11; and 90s favourite Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Wednesday, December 18. Laneway Cinema's movies screen from 7pm each week — and although entry is free, bookings are recommended because seating is limited. Heading along also means helping a good cause, with the proceeds from every $2 bag of popcorn sold going to charity. The beneficiary changes monthly, too, with Plate It Forward receiving the funds in December. If you're the kind of cinemagoer that needs snacks and sips, the venues around laneway have plenty to eat and drink on offer. That means making a date with spots such as Caminetto Restaurant, Ribs and Burgers, Pancakes on the Rocks, Playfair Restaurant and more. Obviously, you'll need your wallet for whatever tempts your tastebuds. Images: Anna Kucera / Adam Scarf.
Having established itself as a summer favourite in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne over the last few years, The Royal Croquet Club is finally gearing up for its Sydney debut. After a false start last year — in which the event was cancelled at the last minute — the outdoor festival is set to take over Bondi Beach next month. Gracing the shoreline from November 24 to December 4, the ten-day event promises all the fun and flavour of its interstate incarnations, offering up a buffet of live entertainment, experiential arts, food, drink, and — of course — more than a few games of croquet. The al fresco festival will see revellers of all ages and skill levels hitting the central croquet pitch, with some of Sydney's best food on hand for refuelling in between games. And the fun continues away from the mallets too, with a lineup of local and international artists dishing up live tunes, and an assortment of unique pop-up food stalls and bars for further indulging in that summertime spirit. While there's no word yet on who exactly will be feeding us at this year's event, previous festivals have seen Gelato Messina serve up ice cream creations in Campbell's Soup-like tins — so we've got pretty high expectations. Fashion stalls, markets, and an array of health and wellness events will round out the RCC experience, which is expected to pull a 60,000-strong crowd for its first Sydney stint. The Royal Croquet Club Sydney will come to Bondi Beach from Thursday, November 24 to Sunday, December 4. For more information as they announce it, check back here or visit royalcroquetclub.com.au.
Just in time for summer, Surry Hills mainstay Maybe Frank has opened a sister cocktail bar and pizzeria in Randwick. Owner Stefano Catino says the plan is to put a little bit of the inner city in the east. Seeing the need for a good-quality cocktail bar in the area, he and business partner Vince Lombardo have essentially opened up a twin: the menus are virtually the same across both venues and the outfit is similar. However, there are a few surprises. Patrons will find a weekly rotating menu that helps you decipher the drinks and pizza list, with a theme every week and a matching hashtag, along with an emoji scale to indicate the flavour strength of each item. Menu highlights include more than 20 pizzas, four different calzones (all with lashings of fior di latte), antipasti and insalata. There's also homemade pasta dishes, including the incredibly indulgent pesto lasagne, plus 'Frank's planks': cheese, charcuterie and veggie boards, ideal for after work snacks and a spritz. The new space occupies an exposed-brick double frontage on Perouse Road with large sharing tables in the front and a flowery beer garden out back — which also grows herbs for the food and cocktails. Walls are adorned with local illustrator Jamie Preisz' works and there's a vibe that can only really be described as contemporary-Australian-meets-Italian-chic. Maybe Frank has pulled in a few respectable names for their new venture. Andrea Gualdi has resumed his position as creative director of the bar (but with a shiny, new trophy that reads '2017 World Class Bartender of the Year') and Balasz Molnar, previously of Hong Kong's luxurious Lobster Bar, has been snapped up as bar manager. "These people are serious and come from world-class backgrounds. I'm super humbled that they're all on board with us," Catino says. "But mainly we want to have fun." Maybe Frank is open Tuesday to Thursday 5:30pm–10:30, Friday and Saturday 5:30pm–11 and Sunday 5pm–10. 69 Perouse Road, Randwick. Images: Daniele Massacci
Sydney's favourite dingy venue The Annandale is being revived by new owners, with a focus on food and hopefully no apparent intention to alleviate any of the venue's beloved stickiness. Under new ownership with Oscars Hotels (Camperdown Hotel, Hotel Sweeneys and the ever-adominable Bar Century), the Annandale will continue its live music tradition, telling The Music it will "continue to pay homage" to its band-ridden roots. Cynical fist-shakers, the stage ain't going anywhere — the Annandale's new owners are keeping that hallowed ground intact for more legends and up-and-comers on the calendar ahead. "[The] majority of acts in August will be local Sydney talent, varying from hip hop to old timey and Americano," an Oscars Hotels spokesperson told Fairfax, confirming live music would be scheduled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The venue capacity will also be slightly reduced from 400 to 350. Architect Elaine Richardson (of Bat and Ball, Trinity and Henson Park hotel revivals) has been focused on making the pub's food and beverage element that little bit less sticky pub-like, with a courtyard beer garden, coffee bar and all-day bistro joining the Annandale's usual bar bits. The fundraising efforts of the venue's Buy a Brick and Save the Annandale campaigns will be commemorated with mounted plaques, so punters remember their roots and keep coming back for local pride reppin'. But you heard a little something something about food? Executive chef John Rankin (ex-Waitan) has crafted a brand new Annandale menu to take the pub grub next level. Rankin's breakfast menu includes hearty daystarters and drinkable hair-of-the-dog options, while lunch and dinner sound pretty fried-friendly — southern fried chicken burgers, grilled cheese sangers, nachos — alongside a somewhat random roast duck Yorkshire pudding. Signature cocktails will attempt to keep up with Sydney's bursting shaker scene, while more boutique and craft beers will join the Australian-heavy wine list. Whether the facelift convinces hardcore Annandale locals remains to be seen, perhaps the team should try something completely new rather than polish the wartorn limbs of the old, beloved inner-west haunt. But until we've tried those fried chicken burgers, we'll leave off judgement. Find the Annandale Hotel on the corner of Nelson Street and Parramatta Road, Annandale. Keep up to date with their sweet, sweet reno on their Facebook page. Via The Music and SMH.
Step into a land where hip hop is always playing and bros just want to be bros. Simple and cosy on Elizabeth Street, Basket Brothers is one CBD spot where you can drop in for a chill brunch or find relief from a furious hangover. Operators Jono Forsythe (Mad Pizza e Bar) and Deepak Singh (formerly of Kantine) are no restaurant rookies, and they aren't looking to be the next trend with their new project. Instead, they have come together to create a safe haven for food that can withstand the test of time. They're a great team; Deepak handles the kitchen and turns out some serious plates, while Jono jovially chats with patrons and newcomers. With its windowed corner location, BB attracts all types — from lonesome writers to daters to groups of brunching bros. The name of the game here is comfort food. The grilled ham and cheese ($9) is one of their nostalgia-driven dishes taken to the next level. A quattro formaggi, the creamy béchamel lovingly oozes from the sandwich while the housemade pickles give the dish a tangy crunch. The ham is thinly sliced and the sourdough perfectly crusted. The bacon and egg roll ($10), an Aussie staple, is made a standout with streaky bacon and a complex homemade barbecue sauce. The same sauce is used on their smoked brisket hash ($18), a CP favourite on the menu. The 12-hour slow cooked brisket melts in your mouth, and the barbecue sauce is smoky and cumin-scented. Served with a wild rocket aioli, the fresh herb balances the heavy dish and we wish there was an entire bucket of it. This is all topped with a jalapeño salsa, which isn't overpowering but adds a gentle kick to get your morning started. And when it comes to lunch, well, who doesn't love a double patty cheeseburger? The Brother Burger ($13-$17) is well cooked and decadent. And while there is great variety in the BB menu, there is still an obvious sense of coherence; the sign of a truly talented chef. The coffee is nothing to snark at either. Using Allpress Espresso, their single origin changes weekly. And if you're taking your finicky, health nut of a friend, there is still the 'light stuff' on the menu, including mango and guava bircher muesli and organic house granola ($10 each). But come on, live a little. Basket Brothers is looking to open for dinner soon, but for now, catch them for lunch, brunch or breakfast seven days a week.
SXSW Sydney is still three months away (yes, we're counting), but the first-ever South by Southwest to be held outside of the US just keeps getting bigger and bigger. So far, the conference-slash-festival has dropped an initial round of speakers, a batch of music highlights and must-attend parties, and details of its gaming strand. Now, it has unveiled more fascinating folks who'll be chatting behind a microphone. The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival hasn't yet revealed what it'll be showing; however, SXSW's Sydney debut has just added a stellar session on First Nations storytelling with three impressive filmmakers on the bill. Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road: Origin) and Jub Clerc (Sweet As) will all take to the stage at The Next Gen Blak Storytellers, which is about Indigenous talents telling 'modern' Blak stories. On moderating duties: Brooke Boney. Also familiar from plenty of screens is Osher Günsberg, who'll be on the SXSW Sydney bill recording an episode of his podcast Better Than Yesterday with a yet-to-be-announced special guest. Hailing from behind the scenes, Gone Girl, The Nightingale, The Dry, Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers producer Bruna Papandrea joins the lineup as a featured speaker, as does Binge's Executive Director Alison Hurbert-Burns. And, the SXSW Sessions lineup now includes Silverchair's Ben Gillies talking about creating music videos with AI, plus other talks on video-game collecting at the National Film and Sound Archive, plus death and dying in video games. Another of SXSW Sydney's new high-profile names: Layne Beachley, with the seven-time World Surfing Champion discussing facing retirement at 36 and reinventing herself afterwards. Fellow just-announced speakers include Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, plus Expedia Group Chief Technology Officer and President Rathi Murthy. Also joining the program: connecting our minds to hands-free digital devices, e-waste, AI in the workforce, Aussie startups, NFTs, the future of news media, protecting the oceans, swiping right, sessions on lab-grown meat and more. Obviously, all of the above names and sessions — plus others already announced — are still just the beginning of what's promising to be SXSW's massive Sydney arrival. The entire event will happen within a walkable precinct in the Sydney CBD, Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, Chippendale and more, with the fest's footprint operating as a huge hub. SXSW will also be packed with festivals within the bigger fest, exhibitions, talks, networking opportunities and streetside activations popping up everywhere. So far, venues named include Powerhouse Museum, ICC Sydney, UTS, Central Park Mall, the Goods Line Walk, The Abercrombie and Lansdowne Hotel. Attendees can hit up the SXSW Sydney Conference, which is where those keynotes, presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions come in — more than 400 of them. And, there's the SXSW Sydney Technology & Innovation Exhibitions, which is all about innovative and emerging tech and entertainment companies from across the Asia-Pacific region. Plus, at the Startup Village, up-and-comers from all industries and sectors will have space to meet, present and chat. SXSW's arts fests will span the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival, which will be focused on live music venues in central Sydney — and the aforementioned SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival, complete with more than 100 local and international independent games to play at venues (alongside demonstrations, launches performances, exhibitions and social gatherings). Movie and TV lovers, get excited — because the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival isn't just a film fest. There'll be flicks to see, including at red-carpet premieres; episodic content; and digital, XR and social content. Expect Q&As and panel discussions with the folks behind them as well. SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues — head to the festival's website for further details. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
As one of the biggest events on Sydney's cultural calendar, Lakemba Nights is your chance to experience first-hand the rich culture and traditions of Ramadan. With people of the Muslim faith fasting from dawn to dusk throughout the month of Ramadan, iftar — or the evening meal — usually means gathering with family and friends for a joyous feast. For this special festival, 60 food stalls and food trucks are on hand to tempt your tastebuds. Running Thursday to Sunday between 6pm-2am from February 27 to March 30, Haldon Street will be transformed into a vibrant street market, with stalls dedicated to tantalising cuisine from several continents. Serving as the ideal spot to break your fast or take part in this celebration with the local community, heading along with an empty stomach makes for a memorable encounter. Last year alone, over 1.6 million people visited from all corners of Australia. Of course, Lakemba Nights is an unmissable chance to get involved with Ramadan and its eclectic cuisines. Yet it's also how people can learn about the multicultural tapestry that makes up Canterbury-Bankstown. With many of the most cherished restaurants and eateries from the surrounding area bringing along something special, you'll find tasty creations from Lebanese and Indian, to Pakistani, Syrian and Burmese cuisine. "Lakemba Nights during Ramadan is one of the biggest events in our city and one of the main reasons we can host such an event is because of our diverse multicultural and multi-faith community," says Mayor Bilal El-Hayek. But with the festival being so busy, it's important to plan your journey. While there is limited parking available, avoiding the crowds is made easy using the free shuttle buses, available from 6.30pm and operating from Campsie and Roselands to Haldon Street. Otherwise, catching public transport is bound to be a little less stressful than navigating the bustling streets surrounding the festival. "Although far from its humble beginnings as a street barbeque, the event continues to bring people together from all parts of the globe to experience the holy month of Ramadan together," says El-Hayek. "I encourage everybody to come along to taste what our city has to offer and to also participate in the unique traditions of other cultures in a safe environment." Lakemba Nights is happening every Thursday-Sunday from February 27 to March 30 along Haldon Street, Lakemba. Head to the website for more information.
Would you rather spend your hard-earned pennies on a funky piece for your house than on new clothes? Are you the kind of friend that your mates come to for interior decorating advice? Then, you're also probably the kind of person that shudders at monstrous televisions that often break, not make, a living room's feng shui. Thankfully, we've teamed up with Samsung to give one lucky design geek a brand-new The Serif. This stylish TV was designed to be a focal point in the living room, and to complement interior aesthetics instead of being an eyesore taking up space in the corner. Developed through a collab between two of the world's most esteemed industrial designers — Paris-based brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec — The Serif TV features an iconic 'I' shape when viewed from the side. Its seamless form means it looks good from any angle. So, you can position it on its own legs, on a counter or on a traditional TV cabinet, and it'll not only integrate seamlessly into your home but also transform it into something resembling those chic spaces you drool over on Instagram. The major prize winner will receive one 43-inch The Serif TV and one limited-edition artwork by the Bouroullec brothers. We've also gotten our hands on 99 more of those artworks to share as runner-up rewards. To be in the running, enter your details below. To find out more about The Serif, visit the Samsung website. [competition]831045[/competition]
Taking a trip to Thailand or Japan is already on the cheaper end of itineraries for Australian travellers. Yet the cost of your next trip could be even more affordable than usual, as Scoot has just announced new flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, and Okinawa and Tokyo in Japan. Commencing between December 2025 and March 2026, these deals might convince you and the crew to lock in another adventure. Ready to take to the skies? One-way economy flights to Chiang Rai start at $219, while Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) fares start at $329. With all flights from Australia including a stopover in Singapore — Scoot is Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary — now is your chance to check out what many consider the world's best airport, from its peaceful butterfly garden to the Rain Vortex — the world's tallest indoor waterfall. But if a stellar stopover isn't enough to convince you to book, the destination at the end of your flight might. Situated in Thailand's lush northern region, Chiang Rai's mountainous terrain and cool climate present a different side of the country from its white-sand beachfronts. With the Lanna region home to seven major hill tribes, expect a multicultural experience captured through architecture, cuisine and art. Okinawa and its 160 island neighbours present a similarly distinct experience for those keen to visit Japan. Located over 600 kilometres south of the mainland, this subtropical archipelago is renowned for its pristine beaches, clear waters and Ryukyu heritage shaped by the region's indigenous people and culture. Paddle a canoe deep into Yambaru National Park to explore the region's immense natural beauty. Though it needs little introduction, Scoot is also offering cut-price fares to Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Whether you're heading along for the first time to see what all the fuss is about or returning for a second, third, or fourth adventure, you could spend years exploring this megalopolis and barely scratch the surface. Best of all, making the most of a Tokyo adventure on a shoestring budget is simple with a little research and planning. Perfect for an end-of-year escape, three-time weekly flights to Okinawa will begin on Monday, December 15, while Scoot will begin five-time weekly flights to Chiang Rai on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, daily flights to Tokyo (Haneda) will commence on Sunday, March 1, 2026. With loads of flights added to the schedule, the launch of these three routes could be just the excuse you need to take off in the months ahead. Scoot's new flight service commences from Monday, December 15, with bookings now open. Head to the website for more information.
When relaxation is the name of the game, these peaceful baths on the outskirts of Lithgow are the perfect escape for anyone in need of a little R&R. Taking its cues from centuries-old Japanese culture, this picturesque bath house boasts indoor and outdoor onsen, as well as massage services, traditional gardens, public baths and accommodation all surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains. Book for a casual visit or a full day, or make the most of your relaxation with an overnight stay in one of the Japanese-inspired rooms celebrating the simple, unobtrusive beauty of the shibusa aesthetic. And don't bother bringing a phone charger, by the way — there's no wifi on the property and reception in the area is patchy at best, so you can unwind without any external distractions.
Local festivals are a dime a dozen these days. Not that we're complaining — every one has its own special flavour. And Penrith's approach is to highlight the region's unique natural environment. Across November 2–3, the annual Real Festival will return to the banks of the Nepean River in a clash of art, culture and food. The picturesque location is the hero of the festival, from the water — with jetpack performances, dragon boat racing and kayak tours — to the land — think rock climbing and gardening workshops with Costa Georgiadis. Meanwhile, several art installations will explore the area's urban future, sustainability and waste. Tench Reserve will be abuzz with roving street performers, silent discos and live music planned while internationally celebrated outdoor theatre troupe Stalker will perform Mountain, an exciting fusion of circus, dance and aerial acrobatics. If you want to eat on the go, many of Sydney's much-loved food trucks will be in attendance including Gelato Messina, Burger Head and Stroop Bros. But if you want to put your feet up and soak it all in, head to the sustainable rooftop cafe or riverfront bar, both providing the perfect spot to soak up the sun. Alongside ultraviolet murals, market stalls and a host of other great events, Real Festival is a great way to kick off your November and celebrate the great outdoors. Real Festival will run from 5–10pm on Friday, November 2 and from 2–10pm on Saturday, November 3. To keep up to date on the event program, follow Real Festival's Facebook page or head to its website.
Since COVID-19 was first reported in Australia at the end of January, 6606 cases have been recorded across the country (as at 3pm on Sunday, April 19), bringing with it 70 deaths and a drastic change to life as we know it. As the coronavirus has spread, travel has been banned and restrictions on everyday movement have been implemented, good news has been few and far between of late — which makes the past weekend's significant drop in reported cases across Australia a welcome development indeed. In Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that zero new cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, which comes after just five cases were announced on Sunday morning and eight on Saturday morning. It's the first time in more than six weeks that the state has recorded no new cases overnight, with the state's total currently sitting at 1019 out of 85,870 tests administered. In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that only one new case was confirmed overnight. That news comes after just nine new cases were announced on Sunday, with the state's total currently sitting at 1329. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/photos/a.523591701005345/3097645476933275/?type=3&theater And while overnight numbers in New South Wales haven't dropped quite as low, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that only six new cases were confirmed overnight last night — from almost 3500 tests conducted yesterday — which is the state's lowest total in five weeks. As Australia's worst-affected state, NSW's total currently sits at 2963. Whether the drops in new cases will eventually lead to a loosening of current restrictions might vary state by state — with the Federal Government already outlining the three conditions that need to be in place before Australia-wide rules surrounding social distancing and public gatherings could start to be relaxed, and announcing that the earliest that this might be possible is in four weeks. Announcing today's news, Queensland Premier Palaszczuck noted that, "if we can keep this up over the coming weeks, I'm sure this is going to mean that we will be able to make some changes and ease some of those restrictions on the population." In Victoria, where a State of Emergency is in effect until at least midnight on Monday, May 11, Premier Andrews advised that "these numbers are not an invitation for us to roll back all the rules". 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. Image: Julia Sansone
Daft Punk have never been averse to some commercial collaboration, and now they've teamed up with perhaps the biggest and most recognised soft drink company in the world. It's just been announced that Coke will release two limited edition bottles in silver and gold, entitled 'Club Coke,' as a tribute to the French electro duo's robot helmets. The bottles will begin production in March 2011, and will be coupled with the launch of the Daft Coke website. Naturally, the bottles will almost solely be available in clubs, where shiney things are always the best things, and will no doubt be the source of many a French hipster's pick-up line. They'll also be sold at the very chic, high-end store Colette in Paris as a collector's box set (although how long can you keep Coke for? Or is Coke like baked beans, and strong enough to survive nuclear holocaust?). Daft Punk have previously collaborated with Adidas and The Gap to sell stuff, so the Coke venture doesn't come as much of a surprise. But surely the real question, and one that everyone seems to be ignoring, is: does it taste like Daft Punk? https://youtube.com/watch?v=86vQMkR9raI
Maybe you're a fan of puzzles, or of horror movies. Perhaps you've always considered yourself a bit of an escape artist. Or, you might've spent so much time at home over the past year that the idea of trying to sleuth your way out of another space — any other space — sounds ideal right about now. Whichever category you fall into, Sydney isn't short on escape rooms, including The Cipher Room in Newtown. Soon, however, you'll be able to experience its games at a second site in St Peters. Come Tuesday, March 23, you'll be able to head to a warehouse on May Street, put your noggin to good use and try to figure your way out. The Cipher Room's owners — and self-confessed puzzle fanatics — David Vella and Marise Watson have also come up with a brand new scenario for their new space. If you find dolls particularly unsettling, consider yourself warned. The new site will play host to Mr Pepper's Toy Shop. No, guessing where it's set isn't part of the puzzle. Here, you'll step inside an abandoned and haunted toy store, because inspecting properties with ghostly visitors is your job. Once inside, you'll need to work out why people have noticed strange lights and noises coming from the place more than 70 years after it closed. Mr Pepper's Toy Shop comes with a warning about creepy imagery — again, there's dolls — and potential jump scares. So, if you're easily spooked, it mightn't be for you. Vella and Watson plan to keep creating new games for their new site, and doing it all themselves. The pair designs the concepts and narratives, all the puzzles, and the sounds and lighting. Supporting fellow local businesses, they also source props from nearby second-hand and vintage shops — and use reclaimed and recycled materials where they can. Over at the original Newtown venue, which is a six-minute walk from the new St Peters spot, you can still opt for 1940s spy thriller Espionage if that's more your style. There's also Cabin, where you'll play a detective hunting a serial killer, and The Marlowe, a film noir-style experience where you'll track a gangster in 1950s New York. Find The Cipher Room's second venue at 31–35 May Street, St Peters, from Tuesday, March 23.
Clear your weekend schedules Sydneysiders — a bottomless margaritas and tacos weekend brunch is here. Carbòn, Bondi haunt Taqiza's new wood-fired Mexican joint, has decided to indulge in a brunch experience that brings all the good vibes of a summery vacation in Tulum to a standard Sydney weekend. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12–5pm, you can feast away on all the tequila, lime and salsa goodness your belly can fit for $75 per person. For the tacos, imagine the likes of confit beef brisket, fried barramundi, barbecue octopus and even vegan chorizo. The high-quality ingredients don't stop at the food either, with Carbòn using some of the best tequilas and mezcals for those margs you'll be downing — including the aromatic vintage Tequila Ocho. So, for a non-stop flavour feast, reserve a table online, put on your snazziest pair of stretchy pants and hop on down to Bondi for all the margaritas you can drink and tacos you can eat.
We've come to expect a little more from a Japanese restaurant than simply delicious teriyaki. Japan is all about aesthetics, so why not Japanese dining experiences? Sometimes, though, those animated order screens are a little too intense. This is where Wa steps in. More Hokkaido than Tokyo, Wa's interior is all pale wood and marble, with everything minimal and in its right place. The true gem however, is the courtyard. Seated amongst greenery and delicate dried fronds, you can pick a table and pass the time watching the large screen flick through peaceful moonlit landscapes. The atmosphere is perfectly balanced and as unobtrusive as the service. The menu offers an enviable range of choices, authentic dishes retouched slightly to make the most of fresh Australian ingredients. My picks are the Miso Eggplant, with hearty halves of eggplant and a delicious blend of two sauces, and the Agedashi Mochi, sticky rice balls in agedashi sauce. A comprehensive set menu is an alternative to picking and choosing, offering six courses with options. Vegetarians will also be at home, with loads of dishes to choose from or a set menu of their own. Alcohol is BYO but with a bottle shop right next door, this isn't an inconvenience. The only tricky part, in fact, is making sure you get a table. I'd recommend booking, particularly if you're looking to bring a group.
New year, new plans to eat healthier. Yes, we all know how resolutions go. And if you're kicking things off by ditching meat — altogether, or just by trying to work more plant-based options into your meals — but you don't want to cook each and every dish that you tuck into, Deliveroo has announced a handy special to start 2022. Until Monday, January 31, the delivery service is offering Australians free delivery from more than 1500 local restaurants, but only if you're ordering plant-based fare. Looking for an excuse to munch on a fried cauliflower burger from Mary's, one of Zeus Street Greek's pitas with plant-based lamb, Katsu King's vegan katsu curries or a classic vegan burg from Betty's Burgers? We've just found it. Other eateries involved include Huxtaburger, MadMex, Fishbowl, Grease Monkey and Grill'd, plus Oriental Teahouse, Royal Stacks, Grassfed, I Love Pizza and Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers. Obviously, the list goes on. Odds are that if you can think of a dish that doesn't include meat, it's part of the deal somewhere around the country. Of course, whichever plant-based dish you choose, you'll still need to pay for whatever you'd like to eat; however, you won't have to fork out more on top to get it brought to your door. Deliveroo is calling the special 'veganuary' — and, as you usually do, you'll need to place your order via the Deliveroo app. Deliveroo's free delivery on plant-based dishes on offer until Monday, January 31 Australia-wide via the Deliveroo app.
It was a year ago now that Sydney's North Shore was blessed with a new opening, and a long-awaited one, too. Bar Infinita has taken over the local Italian dining scene from its Gordon home, and it's already celebrating its first birthday. In a fantastic convenience, that birthday just so happens to fall on National Tiramisu Day, so we lucky diners are getting some deliciously themed specials to celebrate. Typically, the birthday celebrant isn't the one giving the gifts, but who are we to complain in the face of tasty treats? Cocktail aficionados should swing a booking on Thursday, March 20 and get into $5 Tiramisu Martinis. Come Friday, March 21, Bar Infinita's famous Nonnas Tiramisu takes centrestage, and is free for all bookings between 5pm and 6pm. That's right, free tiramisu — that's not your Nonna's happy hour special. [caption id="attachment_995404" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Take Studios[/caption] If you miss the initial offering, the birthday celebrations are continuing through the weekend with a limited-edition Pistachio Tiramisu on Saturday, 15% takeout discounts on Sunday, and a set menu wine dinner on Monday, March 24. Those are the specials, but Bar Infinita has a hell of a lot more than just tiramisu going for it. In fact, it hasn't lost a puff of steam since its opening. Chef Francesco Iervolino (who has previously worked at Surry Hills' Firedoor and Mosman's Ormeggio) helms the menu, which is packed with high-end Italian classics and fuelled by a wood-fire oven. But there's not a slice of pizza in sight here, with that oven instead going to work cooking up some seriously top-notch steaks. And carb fiends fret not; the lack of pizza is made up for with bowls upon bowls of pasta and inventive antipasti.
If you're hyperventilating just thinking about Christmas shopping Westfield-style, here's a way to calm your nerves. Online gift shop hardtofind.com.au, which specialises in all things independent, creative and beautifully-designed, is going to take a brief sojourn in the bricks-and-mortar world with a Christmas pop-up shop at The Rocks. Co-founders Eri Stewart and Trudi Jenkins will be presenting an eclectic, handpicked selection of presents, covering everyone in your social circle, from your annoying little brother to your mad auntie to your hard-to-please mother-in-law. The pop-up will be found in the foyer of 5 Hickson Road — on the George Street side. Doors will first open between Friday, November 28 and Sunday, November 30, and then from Thursdays to Sundays until December 14. Your visit will be rewarded with free cupcakes, and while you're there, take a quick Instagram and post with the hashtag #hardtofindpopup to go in the draw to win every item on display. Stewart and Jenkins met while working on delicious. magazine and have since become experts in gift-giving. The 28,000 items on their site, sourced from 800 Australian and international small businesses, are the product of countless hours of research. Their aim is to save you the time, hassle and frustration of trawling through shopping centres and online stores.
When International Dog Day rolls around on August 26 each year, there are a few acceptable ways to spend it. All of them involve oh-so-adorable doggos, obviously. If you don't have a pet pooch in your life, looking at cute canine videos and photos is perfectly acceptable. Yes, that's what the internet is for. And if you do have a four-legged, barking companion — or several — you really should be spoiling them as much as you can all day long. Here's a question for this glorious occasion: would your dog look better wearing a bandana? You can apply the same query to your friend's pupper, or your parents', or whichever canine you like to pretend is yours if you need to get your pet joys vicariously. Obviously it's a trick question, because the answer is always yes. Find us a dog that wouldn't look dapper with a bandana and you will have found nothing because it's just not possible. The team at Australian activewear label The Upside clearly agrees, so it has released a doggo bandana for International Dog Day. The name: The Pupside, naturally. And this is a piece of canine fashion that also helps dogs and other animals in need, because all of the proceeds from each $19.99 item are being donated to RSPCA NSW. Blue in colour, covered in a paisley print, lined with soft grey marle jersey and suitable for pooches of all sizes, the bandanas went on sale today — because today is August 26, aka the dog-focused day in question — and they're made from recycled fabric offcuts, so The Upside is doing the environment a solid as well. The brand is aiming to not just support RSPCA NSW, but also to encourage people to adopt animals — including dogs, of course — in need. And if you need more motivation to deck out Fido with some new threads, just look at the brand's images of bandana-wearing pooches. Go on. We'll also remind you that, for NSW residents in lockdown, RSPCA NSW has moved its adoption process online again. The Pupside bandanas ship nationally, though, so dogs across the country can spruce up their outfits. The Pupside bandanas are available for $19.99 via The Upside website.
No matter where you are in Australia, you probably spent the majority of 2020 in your own state — and in your own bedroom — thanks to interstate border restrictions. Limits on domestic travel have still been popping up in 2021 so far; however, if you're still keen to see more than your own backyard this year, Virgin Australia is selling 1.9 million fares to destinations around the country. And, those cheap flights are starting at $75 for a one-way ticket. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, less than 12 months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital, launched a comeback sale in early July and its voluntary administration officially ended on Tuesday, November 17. Virgin's current Let the Good Times Fly flight sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 8 — or until sold out. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights on a heap of routes to destinations across the country, with travel dates spanning from March to September 2021. If you've been waiting to book your first getaway for the year, now might be the time. Discounted flights span both economy and business, and include seat selection and checked baggage. Some of the routes on offer include Sydney to Ballina from $75, Brisbane to Proserpine from $84, Melbourne to Hobart from $99, Brisbane to Darwin from $165, and Melbourne to Hamilton Island from $179. The discounted flight sale is timed to coincide with Queensland reopening its border to New South Wales, which came into effect on Monday, February 1. Virgin is also increasing the frequency of trips between the two states, including between Sydney and the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Hamilton Island and Brisbane. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin is also waiving change fees and allowing unlimited booking changes between now and June 30, 2021 — extending a scheme that was initially due to end at the end of January. Virgin's Let the Good Times Fly flight sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 8 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
Adults of Sydney: prepare to revert to a childlike state and have your face painted as a tiger because you’re going to the zoo. Announced this week, the new $36 million Sydney Zoo is set to be constructed over 16.5 hectares of the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee and don’t worry, it will be nothing like Bob Fossil’s Zooniverse (we hope). Where The Mighty Boosh's fearless zoo leader Fossil can boast 'the black and white people who eat sticks' (pandas), 'the grey leg-faced man' (elephant) and 'the windy man, the long mover' (python, if you want to get technical about it), the new Sydney Zoo will house more exotic creatures. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8cQulDUzNs[/embed] John Burgess, the founder of the Sydney Aquarium, and his son are behind the project, set to hopefully open by 2017. Burgess told the Sydney Morning Herald that the zoo isn’t looking to steal visitors from other zoos and the exotic offerings such as sharks, rhinos, lions and zebras are likely to appeal to local residents, whereas veteran establishments Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park appeal to a tourist crowd because of their large native animals quota. Zoos tend to get a bad rap for their history of animal cruelty and the very idea of wild animals in captivity, however Sydney Zoo will apparently provide the highest level of care for their animals, including extra-large enclosures and of course, animal experts and zoolologists on site. Plus, some enclosures will be cage-free entirely. Sydney Zoo will also run a breeding program to boost the numbers of endangered species from around the world, including Asian elephants, lowland gorilla and tigers. And you know what this means: more Snapchats from zoo day of you squealing while a baby elephant squirts everyone with water. So let's take a little walk through the future zoo. Here's the proposed entrance: And the boardwalks of wonderment: And this grassy picnic spot where you can all compare your winning Zebragrams: Sydney Zoo is coming to the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee, to possibly open in 2017. More details to come. Via Sydney Morning Herald. Images: Sydney Zoo/Dollar Photo Club.
Mardi Gras-goers were rocking cowboy hats long before they became the go-to accessory for hen's parties and festival fits. So it's only fitting that a few Stetsons and leather chaps would be busted out for WorldPride at Sydney's other longtime advocate for cowboy attire, Shady Pines Saloon. The low-lit Darlinghurst dive bar is hosting a series of free Pride parties each Wednesday throughout the festivities with its usual world-beating cocktails and stellar whiskey menu, free bowls of peanuts and a stacked entertainment lineup. Some of the names across the program include cowboy drag king Kazier, circus performer MissTaken Identity, Big Thick Energy's burlesque goddess Demon Derriere, as well as Gabe Woods, Billie Burnout, Diva Attenbra and Mr Benjamin Butterfly. Since we're talking Shady Pines here, naturally there'll be the mandatory presence of live country music performed across the three weeks. Plus, there's a recommended dress code that Shady Pines describes as 'Ruff n' Ready Redneck' and those who observe will be treated to a bowl of free peanuts. Entry is free, and as always, the bar is walk-in only so you'll want to arrive promptly if you're after a table. If there's a certain performer you want to catch, you can head to the Swillhouse website where each week's lineup is laid out.
It's been over a decade since we first got hooked on the rough and rowdy antics of these boys from the deep South. Peddling fast-paced garage rock and loveable ratbag tunes like 2007's 'Bad Kids' or 2011's 'Modern Art' and 'Family Tree', Black Lips have been a staple of all your recent summer road trips. Now they're back in town peddling their seventh studio album (count 'em). Released early last year, Underneath The Rainbow and its lead singles like 'Boys In The Wood' and 'Justice After All' see the four-piece staying true to their roots with those iconic raw vocals and all-round messy musical style. Despite being partly produced by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney, the album does however lose some of the hooky melodies you know and love from their past hits. But even if you're not so keen on the new stuff, their live show is always worth the money on the door. Best to come with covered shoes and loose morals: Black Lips are known for intense crowd-surfing, regular nudity and a few disturbing moments where band members have spit into each other's mouths. Though they're coming off the back of a busy festival season in the US, Europe, the Middle East — they were actually the first American band to tour there since The Grateful Dead in 1978 — Falls, and soon Laneway, they're sure to deliver not only a good show but a great story too.
If you consider yourself a little bit food obsessed, then Crave Sydney International Food Festival is most likely already in your iCal. Complete with reminders going off every week. For everyone else, it’s a food festival that runs in October with almost 500 events going on. There are tours, talks, tastings, cooking classes, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (some with secret locations) and more foodies than you can poke a stick at. Not to be missed is Breakfast at Bondi on Sunday, October 14, from the nippy, seize-the-day hour of 5.30am. Imagine watching the sunrise over Bondi beach in time to a full symphony orchestra with soprano Lorina Gore, from Opera Australia, joining in. Now picture this scene with your own BYO breakfast (or having grabbed something from one of the surfside food stalls), alongside a few of your closest thousand friends. You could bring some fruit salad, sip coffee in a thermos, or plate up a full English breakfast with all the trimmings from tupperware to give food envy to all around you. Or you could just pay to get into the VIP area to have Bill Granger make you brekkie. In one of the year's most popular events, Hyde Park gets its Asian hawker-style market on (complete with authentic massive crowds) during 13 nights in spring. Get to the Night Noodle Markets as early as you possibly can (even with extended hours) after work and grab some noodles, dumplings, and Asian desserts. There are three bars to quench your thirst and entertainment including something to do with a lucky Chinese lion. And if lines aren't your thing, you can book the Noodle Box, a rustic pop-up Malay village cafe, created by Chinta Ria (which luckily has its own bar). Other highlights of the festival include the World Chef Showcase, where you can have Terry Durack tell you what's what when it comes to food, Matt Moran will add fun to your fine dining, and Giovanni Pilu will cook up a storm of Sardinian dishes for you. There will be stacks of barbecue events (hopefully some that will teach certain people how to not turn sausages into charcoal), including one at Sydney Grower’s Market where chefs like Kylie Kwong will be holding the tongs. The pop-ups and parties also aren't to be missed, including a Mad Hatter's Tea Party from the Studio Neon team, involving a three-course themed dinner in a secret warehouse location. Paris's Diner en Blanc will allow you to get your best whites on with a glamorous public picnic. This is no ordinary picnic, as they insist that you bring a feast, to be eaten off white linen, with silverware, napery, glassware, and proper chairs. White bow tie anyone?
Sydney is set to gain a major dose of Filipino culture when the annual Philippine Pasko Festival returns to Darling Harbour for its fourth year running. The two-day Christmas event will take over Tumbalong Park from Saturday, November 9 through Sunday, November 10, and feature live entertainment, lantern making competitions and — most importantly — a whole heap of food stalls. Those stalls will, of course, be slinging sweet and savoury Filipino favourites. Most notable is the holiday season go-to lechón — a whole roasted suckling pig, sliced and served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. In previous years, the offering has also included Filipino barbecued skewers (pork, chicken and longaniza sausage varieties), plus plates of whole fried fish and bowls of chicharrón (pork crackling). For those with a sweet tooth, expect cones of ube (purple yam) ice cream, deep-fried banana on a stick and halo halo in a cup. The latter is possibly the Philippines' best known dessert — a shaved ice treat consists of layers of sweetened beans, coconut strips and jellies, all topped with ice cream and a drizzle of evaporated milk. Apart from all the food, there will be Filipino song and dance performances throughout the day. The festival will run from 10am–8pm on Saturday and from 11am–7pm on Sunday. And entry is free, so all you need to bring is your empty stomach. Images: Bronnie Barnett
Biding your time until the next season of Stranger Things drops, or just looking for a fun new procrastination technique? Thanks to Netflix's latest addition, you can now do both. The streaming platform has just jumped into the mobile games realm, adding five titles to its Android app — and two of them are Stranger Things-themed, because of course they are. If you have an Android device (and the Netflix app installed on it, obviously), you'll now be greeted with the option to play Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game — as well as the non Stranger Things-related Shooting Hoops, Card Blast and Teeter Up. Mashing buttons obviously isn't why you normally open up Netflix on your phone, but clearly the streaming behemoth is hoping that'll change. The company is aiming to leap into mobile gaming in a big way, in fact, offering the same kind of mix that it's launching with — so, titles linked to its streaming content, plus a range of others. While Netflix's gaming options are only available on Android for now, they'll be rolled out to iOs as well in the near future. If you now know how you're going to spend your public transport trips to and from work, you'll be able to access Netflix's new games as part of your existing subscription — and there's no in-app purchases, either. Netflix is offering its games in multiple languages, too, and on all devices linked to each account — but not via kids profiles. Here are the five games available to download and play, with a whole lot more coming! 🕹Stranger Things: 1984 🎮Stranger Things 3 🏀 Shooting Hoops 🃏 Card Blast 🎱 Teeter Up — Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 2, 2021 This isn't the first time that the streaming service has flirted with gaming, if it all sounds a little familiar. Back in 2017, it released a retro-style, side-scrolling online video game that also nodded to Stranger Things — and in its streaming content itself, it's given viewers choose-your-own-adventure style movie specials such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend. Also, we've all clearly just watched Squid Game. Yes, you can probably expect a mobile game linked to the hit Korean series to pop up at some point as well. Netflix's mobile games are now available via its Android app. For more details, head to the Netflix website.
There's an unappealing Bonds campaign on at the moment. It adds one very slightly rude word to an underwear campaign that feels almost exactly the same as every crass underwear ad campaign that's gone before it. Very barely suggestive, and very much the same as before. Two time Archibald winner Del Kathryn Barton's pressure to the need, by contrast, is full of explicit penises, vaginas and quite a lot of thorn-like boobs. But there is absolutely nothing same-y about her work. Every image she makes of the body seems to look at it obliquely. But her focus is on the strangeness, not the alienness of the human form. This is most obvious in the opening ink and watercolour images. Each combines strange spaces with a mindscape of objects, or very naked human figure studies. Barton's work is often compared to Egon Schiele, and when she's drawing in delicate lines that similarity is pretty obvious. But here, her figure workseems much closer to Aubrey Beardsley's Lysistrata, with wonderful glimpses of Chrissie Abbott as parts become windows into another space. In the next room her colour work is simply magic. In the smaller portraits the colours balance from afar, like Chagall or Kandinsky. But these combinations are every bit her own, her paints making her cascades of colours hues shimmer like the sheen of beetles' wings. to hold 4 makes its serious face out of the translucent colours of rhubarb, painted china and Smarties. Her bigger canvases are even more spectacular, their figures' eyes bird-like and perceptive, or glazed over like untenably thin stained glass. but my dreams seems to feature an enormous and literal beehive of black feathery hair. Pulsing arteries sprout out the top, combining with a three quarter profile for a pursed stare that gives it the feel of a Frida Kahlo self portrait. the human dress sits underneath the weight of her feathery hair as though this brain is unpleasant, dominant and powerful, while of pollen makes a ruff from colourful leaves, sprouting at the collar like a much the more interesting cousin of Jack in the Green. Even with a modern phone Roslyn Oxley9 can be a little complicated to find, the gallery almost hidden by tiny Soudan Lane's sheer rock face. But Barton's stunning colours make this mini adventure in urban orienteering well worth the effort. Roslyn Oxley 9 is open 10-6 Tuesday to Friday, 11-6 on Saturdays. Image: Del Kathryn Barton, pressure to the need, 2013, Installation view at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney. Image courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney. Photo: Jessica Maurer.
Founded by twins Cam and Chris Grant back in early 2017, Unyoked's tiny houses have been in high demand since the outset. There are 13 cabins across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city. The off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Unyoked's ethos is to connect back with nature to help unplug, alleviate stress and anxiety. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape, too. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. [caption id="attachment_745749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Brimble[/caption] Images: Unyoked and Luisa Brimble
Nerds and drinks? Don't mind if I do. The secret's out and Tokyo Sing Song's a treat. The vibe at the late-night bar is part Mai Tai jelly square, part Asahi schooner, and the gorgeous guys in bubble wrap skirts — one of whom I swear was dressed as a game of Tetris — clashed swimmingly with the Tokyo decor, black-and-white film projections and pop rock candy conversation. There's a strong aesthetic of darkness and intrigue: a stage draped in foil and flickered with red, blue and white lights is smooshed in between cosy old-school vinyl booths with silver-topped tables scattered with sweets in shiny wrappers, plates of beans, and bright cans of Mount Fuji and Giddy Geisha — tasty "poptails" in soft drink fancy dress, with a sprig of mint or a handful of candy and a "shot 'n' a half" of booze. Each month sees a new curator tizzy up the joint and the debut month has been designed by Melbourne based artist and lighting designer, Duckpond. "I'm thrilled with the way it looks and feels," he said at the midnight launch party on October 10. "I like to explore the dark crevices, the nooks and crannies." With his mop of grey hair, dark-rimmed glasses frosted with the silver glitter covering his eyebrows and sporting a bright purple pair of soft cotton pyjamas, Duckpond hardly stood out on launch night amidst the gowned and glowing. He's an advocate of sleepwear at any time of day — "'at any given moment you can have either just stepped out of bed or be perfectly ready to go back to bed" — and Tokyo Sing Song is just the venue to tout such activism. Christa Hughes as Fanny Warhol tooted off proceedings at the launch party with a breathless rendition of Celine Dion and later on in the eve See More Butts and local icons Matt Format and Aaron Manahan kept the eve on the wide and windy. Poptails go for $12 a can and the Sumo Sour — plum wine, lime, Suntory CC Lemon Soda and sour candy is a winner. Cocktails are $16 and the sashimi platter — a trio of alcoholic jelly cocktails served with Midori 'wasabi' — is delish. There's zilch in the way of food, although complimentary edamame beans are served all night.
No one likes receiving the same Christmas gift twice, but when it comes to festive-themed films and their sequels, that's typically what you get. Unfortunately, Bad Santa 2 doesn't escape that trap. Back in 2003, the original film prove a rude, crude blast of fresh air that flouted and took the piss out of yuletide clichés. By comparison, the long-awaited follow-up plays like a half-arsed version of the exact same thing. For Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton), that means drinking, brawling, swearing, screwing, stealing, scamming, cracking safes and soaking in his own urine, usually while dressed up as Father Christmas. He's reluctant to return to the red coat and wig, but he's also eager to pilfer whatever cash he can when Christmas rolls around — 'tis the season to be burgling, and all that. That's why he agrees to re-team with his duplicitous, diminutive former partner-in-crime Marcus (Tony Cox), trading an unsuccessful suicide attempt for a scheme to fleece a Chicago charity. That the third person in their thieving plans is his estranged ex-con mother (Kathy Bates) complicates matters considerably. Add a lustful love interest (Christina Hendricks), plus a well-meaning but dim-witted hanger-on (Brett Kelly), and the Bad Santa formula everybody knows and once loved is back in action. Alas, with original director Terry Zwigoff (Ghost World) and writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love) nowhere in sight — replaced by Mean Girls' helmer Mark Waters, first-time feature screenwriter Johnny Rosenthal and What to Expect When You're Expecting scribe Shauna Cross — Bad Santa 2 rides its sleigh straight into tired territory. If there's a cinematic equivalent of asking for a pony and getting a photo of one instead, Bad Santa 2 is it. Everything looks the part, but this follow-up is no substitute for the real thing. Instead of humour steeped in the dark side of the season — be it the rampant consumerism, the gnawing loneliness or the manufactured cheer — this sloppy second effort just dials up the obscenity and anti-social behaviour, then tops the tree with familial drama. Indeed, in trying to coast by with little more than a predictable premise, easy gags, outrageous situations, unlikeable characters and a late splash of sentimentality, Bad Santa 2 could be mistaken for one of the poor imitators that the first movie inspired. At least Thornton is on hand to do what he does best. If nothing else, the been there, done that air and apparent lack of effort suits his bad protagonist to the wearied, wise-cracking bone. Accordingly, when a handful of the script's grossly inappropriate jokes land, Thornton is usually the reason.
There are no maybes about the Melbourne International Film Festival's major high-profile guest for 2018 — but, as fans of the Bluth and Fünke families will know, there is one Maeby. Best known for playing Arrested Development's resident teenage film industry executive, ignored daughter, slacker banana stand employee and alluring cousin, Alia Shawkat is headed to Australia as part of this year's fest, where she'll chat about her career and her life in general. Taking place on Saturday, August 18 as part of the 18-day film event, MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will see the actor talk for an hour with writer and presenter Lorin Clarke — it will be her only Australian appearance. Considering she's officially attending the fest in support of her new film Blaze, a biopic about country and western songwriter Blaze Foley which Ethan Hawke directed, we're guessing there won't be any dancing like a chicken. Thanks to TV series Search Party and Transparent — plus movies such as Green Room, 20th Century Women, Nasty Baby, Night Moves and Whip It — Shawkat's resume spans much, much further than television's worst real estate family, and that's just on the screen. She's also a jazz singer, pianist, painter and illustrator, and recently starred in, co-wrote and executive produced the film Duck Butter. Plus, if Broad City has you wondering about Shawkat's doppelganger-like connection with Ilana Glazer, we have to point out that the latter was just in Melbourne this month too. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation joins MIFF's growing 2018 program, which also includes an all-night Nicolas Cage marathon and a screening of Drive with an all-new live score. The fest has also announced its first 32 titles for this year, including Blaze, with the full program set to be revealed on July 10. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will take place at the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 18. Tickets cost $25, and are available online now.
From prosciutto-wrapped spatchcock to slow-cooked lamb shanks on a rainy weekend, most kitchen-loving folk among us are like pigs in the proverbial when it comes to good meat. But finding the best cut, and a fair and decent source that considers animal welfare as vital as profit margins, is like finding a vegetarian on Masterchef — far from impossible, of course, but often predictably disappointing. That's why here at Concrete Playground we've devised a list of eight of the best, from south to north to practically on the shores of Bondi Beach itself. Feast your eyes on these respectable merchants and get cookin', good lookin'. Feather and Bone Feather and Bone make it their business to know what 'free range' means and supply some of our city's greatest dining destinations with only the happiest animals that once lived. In fact, these guys' mission is to "open up the line of sight between the farm and the consumer" so to ensure every step of the raise-slaughter-eat process is as respectful as their attitude toward a truly decent dish. Available for home delivery or pick up from the Marrickville basecamp, all produce is as free from chemicals and hormones as it was from cages and pens. Order pick up Tues 12pm-5pm, Wed 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-12:30pm; Unit 8, 10-14 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville; 02 9818 2717; www.featherandbone.com.au Sam the Butcher Sam the Butcher knows organic, and this award-winning butcher understands a healthy animal means more than just great taste and flavour. Organic means saving energy, preventing soil erosion and promoting biodiversity, to list just a few socioeconomic benefits, and this passion for sustainability draws in a continual stream of happy customers. That or it's Sam's eclectic selection of fresh game, including rabbit, wild boar, ‘roo, venison and croc. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 8am-3pm; 129 Bondi Road, Bondi; 02 9389 1420; www.samthebutcher.com.au Hudson Meats This Sydney chain should be proud of its Surry Hills, Cammeray, Lane Cove and Mosman locations that all follow the same taste for an inviting aesthetic and produce-to-plate philosophy. Offering a fine choice that includes Tasmanian Cape Grim beef to Barossa chickens and Byron Bay pork, Hudson Meats is serious about quality. Quality and community that is; it's formed strong relationships by serving up grub to all the schools around its stores, like Crown Street Public and KH John J Caroll Pre-School. Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm; 410 Crown Street, Surry Hills; 450-476 Miller Street, Cammeray; 24-28 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove; 900 Military Road, Mosman; www.hudsonmeats.com.au/home Victor Churchill 'Luxury' and 'butchers' aren't two words that often go hand in hand, but this luxury butchers — known and loved by many in Woollahra and beyond — makes the nomenclature as tasty a pair as duck fat and, well, anything. Established in 1876, Victor Churchill has grown from horse-and-cart family business to boutique institution with a cutting-edge interior design, brand-new mobile app from a social-media-savvy marketing team and meat more desired than this season's must-haves from inside its Queen Street neighbours. Check out the red-velvet-roped queue come Christmas if you need a little extra convincing. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm; 132 Queen Street, Woollahra; www.victorchurchill.com The Artisan Butcher Many believe Potts Point, aptly in cohorts with Sydney’s very own branding, is indeed like a village inside a city. The Artisan Butcher on Macleay, then, is suited to this miniature foodie community. It offers not only a range of goods from Aussie favourites to French fungis and Italian salamis but supplies an undoubtedly passionate serving of knowledge, advice and desire to share it all with the natives. Whether you're looking for something specific or just fancy a steak for dinner tonight, the Artisan can and will help you out. Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-4:30pm, Sun 10am-4pm; 4-50 Macleay Street, Potts Point; 02 9331 2245; http://theartisanbutcher.com Bresnahan’s Butchers & Fine Foods Frequented by hungry bellies nearby, afar and even owned by fellow butchers, Bresnahan's is a south Sydney fave that prides itself on knowing its clientele and knowing what said clientele want. Not only does this friendly local butchers stock for cafes, restaurants and meat raffles you'd actually want to take home, it offers award-winning sausages to throw on the barbie, or thick or thin, specially made low-salt alternative sangas for those suffering from Meniere's disease. Going the extra mile or what? Mon-Fri 7.30am to 7pm, Saturday 7am to 5pm, Sun 8am to 4pm; 42 Morts Road, Mortdale; 02 9570 8188; www.bresnahans.com.au Eilat at Hadassa You'd be hard pressed to find a Jewish Sydneysider that doesn't have time for this Bondi kosher butcher. Don't be fooled by its modest shopfront; Eilat is a tidy little business down on O'Brien Street that's been serving up worthy produce conforming with kashrut dietary law for over 31 years. They also deliver to most surrounding suburbs and offer cooked specials if your mother-in-law's popping over for a last-minute surprise visit. 17 O'Brien Street, Bondi; 02 9365 4904 La Macelleria La Macelleria, meaning 'the butcher' in Italian, has everyone from Bondi hipsters to camera-toting Japanese tourists through its doorways. But this yellow-and-black beachside beacon signals more than just a meat-lover's bounty ahead; it's also a rotisserie and salumeria, meaning a supplier of other traditional foods such as cheeses, eggs, pastas and ready-to-go roast potatoes cooked alongside great big cloves of garlic. Let's just say, you won't be kissing anyone soon after a visit, but whatever you purchased will probably make up for it. Mon-Sun 10am-8pm; Cnr Curlewis and Gould Streets, Bondi; 02 9300 6388; www.italianbutcherbondi.com Top image: Victor Churchill by Paul Gosney.
If you've ever dined in the Darling Harbour eatery ABODE you'll be familiar with its dining approach of accessible sophistication and sustainability. The seasonally-led kitchen is about to go all-in on the biggest culinary draw card of the season: for just one winter evening on Saturday, July 29, ABODE is levelling up its usual offering of Australian produce with a luxe Truffle Dinner. ABODE has joined forces with certified biodynamic and organic Elvesgate Truffle Farm to curate a five-course dinner showcasing that subterranean black gold: the black truffle. Each course of the meal will be designed around, star or be inspired by the luxurious culinary gems (black truffle is quite literally valued in the hundreds of dollars per kilogram). You'll also meet a member of the family behind Elvesgate Truffle Farm, who'll be imparting knowledge of the food as well as the farm. These truffles will star in dishes featuring duck breast, house-made bread, beef fillet, chocolate and more. Your $140 ticket includes a welcome drink and five courses of food, and for an extra $50pp you can get matching Gartelmann Wines from the Hunter Valley region to wash it down. Truly a gastronomical delight, no? For key details on the Truffle Dinner and to secure your ticket, visit the website, or visit the ABODE website for more information.
Any Questions for Ben? and House of Lies' Josh Lawson writes, directs and stars in an effort destined to be labelled a sex-fuelled Love Actually. Sex Actually? Different types of fetish, kink and between-the-sheets behaviour are explored through the relationships of four couples. Maeve (Bojana Novakovic) wants Paul (Lawson) to fulfil her rape fantasies. Rowena (Kate Box) finds herself aroused whenever husband Richard (Patrick Brammall) cries. Phil (Alan Dukes) finds Maureen (Lisa McCune) at her most attractive when she is sleeping. Dan (Damon Herriman) and Evie (Kate Mulvany) make a foray into roleplaying that backfires. There's laughs both out loud and cringey to be had as the adventurous comedy unfurls. The Little Death is in cinemas on September 25, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=BnnhesQ8Rxc
Regiment is a busy glass-walled cafe smack-bang on the busiest part of George Street. You won't be able to escape the hustle and bustle here, but it's one of the best places in the CBD to enjoy a cup of coffee. Stepping in, you'll be greeted by two sleek white Synesso Hydras, warm lighting, blond wood, and a wall stacked with all the things you'll need to make a great coffee (here, courtesy of Five Senses). There's also turmeric lattes, kombucha on-tap and cold-pressed juices. Given its location, the venue is filled with office workers on coffee breaks and suit-and-tie types taking meetings — but that doesn't mean this is any old CBD cafe. There are some great picks on the small-health focused menu. If you're in a pre-meeting rush, grab a coffee to go and pick a sweet treat from the glass case next to the counter — on any given day there might be anything from flourless chocolate brownies to hunks of caramel slice. Time to spare? Take your pick from a selection of bowls, salads, sandwiches and dishes. The slow beef stew ($15) is a highlight — a rich hunk of just-falling-apart beef in a deep yellow (courtesy of the turmeric and butternut) sauce full of ginger and other aromatics. It's accompanied by some brown rice, a refreshing dollop of yogurt and black pepper. This hearty bowl is the very definition of a winter warmer. Those looking for something lighter can opt for a soba noodle bowl ($14) with generous portions of rewardingly spicy house-made kimchi and pumpkin roasted in its skin with a smattering of crushed peanuts and shallots on the side. Lime miso brings it all together and, if you're craving protein, you've got options like seared tuna or pork shoulder which can be added to your bowl for an extra $5. Fair warning: you may have to move around the small tables carefully lest you knock something over. Quick staff who somehow manage to skilfully weave through a throng of customers round out the experience. There are a lot of lunch options in the CBD, but if you're looking for a casual sit-down meal, Regiment should be at the top of your list. Images: Kimberley Low.
When Meredith celebrates its 31st festival in 2023, it'll do so with a live set more than half a century in the making. Doing the headlining honours: none other than German electro pioneers Kraftwerk, who have not only announced a solo tour of Australia this December, but also locked in a key slot in Meredith's Supernatural Amphitheatre. Aunty Meredith comes bearing two big pieces of news, with Kraftwerk leading the bill — aka the only artist that's been revealed for 2023's fest so far — and the ticket ballot opening. Book that long weekend now, pop your name in the running and cross your fingers that you'll be spending Friday, December 8–Sunday, December 10 at The Sup. "Kraftwerk, quite simply, are the reason music sounds like it does today. Progenitors of pop. Of music as we know it," the Meredith team advised, announcing the Düsseldorf-formed group as the event's first big name for 2023. They're not wrong. "Specks of Kraftwerk DNA hurtle through the space-time continuum, embedding themselves into Bowie, Spacemen 3, Afrika Bambaataa, Prince, Daft Punk, New Order, Radiohead, Missy Elliott and every Meredith Music Festival for the last three decades." [caption id="attachment_847588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Fletcher[/caption] As for who else will join Kraftwerk, watch this space. In 2022, Meredith's first festival since 2019 due to the pandemic, the Caribou-, Yothu Yindi- and Courtney Barnett-led lineup dropped in mid-August. To nab tickets to the beloved three-day BYO camping festival, you've got until 10.31pm AEST on Monday, August 14 to enter the ballot. [caption id="attachment_865642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chelsea King[/caption] MEREDITH 2023 LINEUP: Kraftwerk and more to come Meredith Music Festival will return to Meredith on Friday, December 8–Sunday, December 10, 2023. To put your name in the ballot to get your hands on tickets, head to the festival's website before 10.31pm AEST on Monday, August 14. Top image: Steve Benn.
Australian painter Brett Whiteley loved to paint, draw and sculpt works of art around the theme of birds. He once said he couldn't think of a nicer theme of celebration than the feathered creatures he was fascinated by since childhood. And Whiteley chose to use his bird theme across his career to express joy, humour and love. Now, in an exhibition at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, you can see many of those works of art together — a full flock of creative expression and adoration for sculptural nests, giant eggs and anthropomorphic sketches. Whiteley captured not only the beauty of birds, but also their characters. Since he was a kid, he'd observe birds in all their actions and perceived personalities. He wanted to get to know them, and, through this free exhibition you can get to know his pet passion in all its glory. As the exhibition is not ticketed, you can simply fly by for a visit between 10am–4pm, Thursday to Sundays. Images: Installation view of the 'Brett Whiteley: Feathers and Flight' exhibition at the Brett Whiteley Studio, Surry Hills. Photos: AGNSW
If you've eaten more mi goreng than you did back at uni lately, we get it. Not all of us can be baking our own sourdough or learning how to make pasta from an Italian nonna. But, if you're time poor — or your wallet is on the lighter side these days — instant noodles and cans of tuna aren't you're only choice. Now bringing affordable healthy meal packs to homes across Sydney is The Grub Club. So put that packet down and keep reading. The Grub Club is from the teams behind CBD small bar Since I Left You and caterer Shared Affair — so, it's safe to say these guys know what they're doing in the kitchen. The club's aim is to provide tasty nutritious meals without the hefty price tag. Plus, it'll save you a trip to the crowded supermarket. Each meal comes frozen and packed with seasonal veggies and protein at costs just $7.50, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than some other food services going around town at the moment. And all you have to do is heat and eat — leaving more room for living room boogies or movie marathons. The menu changes weekly, but you can expect to be tucking into the likes of Moroccan chicken tagine, Nonna's bolognese, hearty casseroles, heartwarming curries and a lamb shoulder shepherd's pie. You can also go all out and get an antipasti platter for two for $15 and a bunch of desserts for a fiver, including sticky date pudding, Nutella fudge brownie and Persian orange cake. Better yet, it's also got its own wine — with bubbles, white, rosé and red starting from just $15 — pre-batched cocktails and some six-packs available. Did we mention delivery is free on orders over $50? For smaller orders, you'll be able to pick your feed hub from one of the Grub Hubs around town. Right now, you can drop into Since I Left You or The Lord Gladstone, with more locations expected to be added. Although Since I Left You and Shared Affair have been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Grub Club has allowed them to rehire staff to help prepare and deliver meals. So, you can have your cake and feel good about it, too. The Grub Club is offering free delivery on orders over $50 or you can pick up at Since I Left You and The Lord Gladstone. To check out the menu and to place an order, head here.
Western Sydney is set to score an ambitious new academic precinct, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing plans for a second University of Sydney campus to be built in Westmead. Part of the University's promise to invest a cool $500 million towards the region's future, the new campus is expected to host over 6000 students by 2030, and potentially up to 25,000 by the year 2050. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the campus would be located on the site of Cumberland Hospital, and right near Westmead Hospital. As such, the new campus would have a focus on research and health. The university's Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence AC said in a statement that the Westmead campus will focus on "the opportunities and challenges posed by disruptive changes at the intersection of technology and the human experience", which means things like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and data would be some of the main topics studied. The University of Sydney has the Berejiklian Government's support, so it will now enter into a two-year negotiation period with Health Infrastructure NSW and UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation. A master plan should be released after that. The new campus is part of a huge push to boost Sydney's Western infrastructure and services to allow it to act like Sydney's 'second CBD'. As part of the State Government's $1 billion Westmead Hospital Redevelopment, plans for the site also include a research-led education facility backing the Westmead Health and Education Precinct, affordable housing options and public services including a new school. The new uni will join join Western Sydney University, which had campuses in Bankstown, Parramatta and Campbelltown, among others. Other significant plans for the area include a second Sydney airport to be built at Badgerys Creek by 2026, major improvements to transport infrastructure (like the Parramatta Light Rail and the Sydney Metro West project, which includes a high-speed underground tunnel linking the two CBDs) and the $2 billion mixed-use redevelopment they're calling Parramatta Square.
In the latest example of movie land crossing over into reality, a Japanese team has created a four-metre-tall Transformers-style robot that can switch between walking mode and vehicle mode in about a minute. The work of robot software company Asratec, a prototype of the J-deite RIDE robot was unveiled last week, and will be on show at the GoldenWeek DOKIDOKI Festa All Working Cars Assemble in Tokyo on May 5. The design is operated both by wireless network remote control and by a steering wheel in the cockpit, with two people able to ride inside at once. Asratec's unique V-Sido robot control systems allow the robot to transform from a driveable car to a walking humanoid giant, though clocking in at around 60 seconds, it's fair to say the process isn't quite as speedy as in the movies. A group called Sansei Technologies is now looking to develop the technology for 'robot-type amusement rides' — it sounds like transforming go-karts could be just around the corner.
Sydney's sunny season is in full swing — and, if you like celebrating warm weather, adorable animation and mini golf all at once, the part-tee is just about to begin at Darling Harbour. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Sydney at a putt-putt course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films. Yes, Pixar Putt is returning, with the kidult-friendly course heading to the Pier St Underpass from Friday, December 16–Sunday, February 5. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Flicks such as Monsters Inc, Onward, Finding Nemo, Up, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, Inside Out and Soul all get some putting love, too. Clearly, there's no need for a trip to Disneyland — and this year's course features new holes inspired by Pixar's recent Turning Red and Lightyear. So, if you don't think you'll beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday–Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Operating from 7–10pm, the late-night putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Otherwise, head along from 10am–8pm Sunday–Wednesday, and be prepared to have littlies for company.
It's happening again: Dune, the sci-fi epic with a tumultuous on-screen history, is stuck in another cinematic sandstorm. There's always a feeling of déjà vu around Dune chaos, after David Lynch's 80s version became one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever crafted, and Alejandro Jodorowsky's take sadly didn't make it to screens (see: excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune). For filmmaker Denis Villeneuve's (Blade Runner 2049) two-part vision of Frank Herbert's 1965 book, off-screen events keep stopping it from reaching picture palaces when planned — initially COVID-19, and the latest setback coming during the writers' and actors' strikes. Pop culture's spiciest sci-fi saga went through this before a few years back, with Dune: Part One delayed considerably in the pandemic's early days, jumping from Boxing Day 2020 to early December 2021. Now, as expected since SAG-AFTRA joined the WGA on strike in mid-July, Dune: Part Two is pushing back its release date from November 2023 to March 2024. The film's Twitter account (now X) now states "only in theatres March 15", which is the US date. Because films open on a Thursday Down Under, Dune: Part Two should now release in Australia and New Zealand on March 14. Variety reports that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will also move release dates from mid-March to mid-April 2024 — and shifts back are also still being considered for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom and The Colour Purple. Already, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 has been delayed, with no new date announced as yet; and so have Kraven the Hunter, the sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, tennis flick Challengers, the Ethan Coen (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) solo-directed Drive-Away Dolls and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, all either to 2024 or with no date confirmed so far. Villeneuve's first Dune scored ten Oscar nominations and six wins, but only told part of the novel's story. Cue Dune: Part Two to keep the tale going when it now hits the silver screen next year. As seen in not one but two trailers so far, war has arrived on the franchise's spice-laden planet, and Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, Bones and All) and the Fremen are ready to fight. The former doesn't just want to face off against the folks who destroyed his family, but for the sandy celestial body, with Zendaya's (Euphoria) Chani at his side. The first film had Paul head to Arrakis because his dad Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac, Moon Knight) had just been given stewardship of the planet and its abundance of 'the spice' — aka the most valuable substance in the universe — and then get caught up in a bitter battle with malicious forces over the substance. It also saw Paul meet the population of people known as the Fremen, including Chani, plus Javier Bardem's (Lyle, Lyle Crocodile) Stilgar, which is who he and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Silo) are with in Dune: Part Two. Expansive desert landscape, golden and orange hues (again, Villeneuve helmed Blade Runner 2049), sandworms, the director's reliable eye for a spectacle and Hans Zimmer's (The Son) latest likely Oscar-winning score: they've all shown up in the new film's two glimpses so far. So have some of the franchise's new players, with Austin Butler ditching his Elvis locks as Feyd Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew of Stellan Skarsgard's (Andor) Baron Harkonnen. Christopher Walken (Severance) and Florence Pugh (The Wonder) also join the saga as Emperor Shaddam IV and his daughter Princess Irulen. From the first film, Josh Brolin (Outer Range), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Beau Is Afraid) and Charlotte Rampling (Benedetta) return, while Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future) is another fresh addition to the cast. Off-screen, Villeneuve has brought back not just Zimmer, but Oscar-winning Australian director of photography Greig Fraser (The Batman), Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermett (Vice), Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker (The Unforgivable), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert (First Man) and Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West (Song to Song). Hollywood's actors are on strike to fight against diminishing residual payments for performers, and to establish firm rules about the future use of artificial intelligence in the industry, among other improvements to working conditions. When they took action in mid-July, SAG-AFTRA's members joined their counterparts in the Writers Guild of America, who've been striking since May. Check out the latest Dune: Part Two trailer below: Dune: Part Two will now release in cinemas Down Under on March 14, 2024. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter.
UPDATE, April 7, 2021: Weathering with You is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video and iTunes. To watch as Weathering with You roams around Tokyo, wandering through its alleys and roving beyond its well-known tourist spots, is to almost feel like you're walking through the sprawling city yourself. That's an uncanny achievement for an animated film, however it speaks volumes about the level of detail evident in Makoto Shinkai's first movie since his huge 2016 hit Your Name. The luminous lights, towering structures and Shibuya's famous scramble crossing all feature, rendered as vividly as they demand. Also present: the rows of nondescript buildings that stretch across the Japanese capital, its maze of laneways, the blue vending machines on every block, and everything from everyday cafes to love hotels to small markets. While Weathering with You serves up a mix of romance, fantasy and drama in its narrative, it is fiercely determined to steep even its most fanciful narrative leaps in a realistic setting — and that choice has an impact not just visually, but emotionally. Three years after Your Name became the second-highest-grossing Japanese animated release ever around the globe — a feat that places it behind only Studio Ghibli's beloved Spirited Away — Shinkai's latest film once more ponders love, disaster and whether some things are just meant to be. Like the director's last movie, it also pits star-crossed teenagers against forces outside of their control, and aims for something offbeat yet insightful in the process. Themes of identity and self-exploration bubble to the fore again, albeit without Your Name's body-swap gimmick this time around. Instead, Weathering with You ponders societal and environmental changes, placing its high school-aged protagonists in the middle of both figurative and literal storms. If Hirokazu Kore-eda's Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters swapped actors for anime, added teen relationships and otherworldly elements, and examined global warming as well as life on the Japanese margins, it might actually look like this. Introduced on a boat approaching Tokyo just as a typhoon hits (and just as he's saved from a grim watery end by a stranger), 16-year-old runaway Hodaka (Kotaro Daigo) is a fresh-faced arrival in the big city. He has nowhere to stay, no job and no way to scrape by, failing to even find work in seedy bars or to get a moment's rest behind bins in an alleyway. When he first crosses paths with the orphaned Hina (Nana Mori), she's a fast food employee who gives him a free burger. When they meet again, he saves her from an exploitative new gig. A connection springs, but it's Hodaka's new place of employment that intertwines their fate. Hired as a live-in assistant to the jaunty Suga (Shun Oguri), who runs an occult-focused magazine out of his house, the teen is charged with tracking down people who can reportedly control the weather — and, following an eventful visit to a rooftop shrine during a time of trauma, that's a skill that Hina happens to possess. Writing as well as directing, Shinkai soon tasks his central duo with starting their own business to make the most of Hina's gift. As Tokyo's prolonged spell of unseasonable rain just keeps falling day after day, she brings sunshine to folks needing a reprieve — in small spots, only for short periods and for a fee. Of course, as many a movie has stressed, with great power not only comes great responsibility, but considerable consequences. It's here that Weathering with You starts weaving its various threads together — and although they don't all shine as brightly as the rays that Hina commands, the film still offers a smart and moving contemplation of one's place in, and impact upon, the world. That's true when it's poking into life at street-level and taking the planet's changing weather systems in a drastic direction, and remains the case when it's exploring individual decisions and influential relationships, too. As he did with Your Name, Shinkai packages his tale with an upbeat pace, expressive character animation, delicate voice work and music from Japanese pop band Radwimps, with the group's songs given pride of place across the picture's many montages. Indeed, while the filmmaker helms his sixth movie (with Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words also among his credits), Weathering with You often feels like it's following closely in its immediate predecessor's footsteps. That's where the film's finessed use of detail not only proves pivotal, but makes an immense difference. Its gorgeous frames serve up more than just something vibrant to look at, although they easily tick that box. A strikingly lifelike, never-romanticised vision of Tokyo anchors the narrative's Shinto-inspired spiritual and supernatural leanings. More importantly, it gives weight to both Hodaka and Hina's sizeable struggles, and to the movie's musing on where massive weather events could take today's society. Embracing fantasy, yet always ensuring that it remains equally enchanting and grounded, the result is a dynamic, stunningly animated outsider story with a heart and a conscience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLO5iPc1yo
Celebrating a white Christmas is at the top of many people's bucket lists — and now you can cross it off with the German International School Sydney's annual Christmas Market. Held on August 17–18, the market brings festive cheer to Sydney's northern beaches with a host of open-air market stalls, traditional German food, fairy lights and music. Before you explore, grab a mug of warm and spicy mulled wine from the Glühwein Hut. The market will be overflowing with traditional German cuisine, including favourites such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, pancakes and pretzels. Styled like a classic European Christmas market, the array of stalls will be covered in charming fairy lights with many offering a range of high quality local produce, festive decorations, homewares, jewellery and more. There will also be a giant inflatable 'snow globe' with fake snow that you can step inside, a bonfire that'll keep you thawed and some marshmallows going around that could use some light toasting on the flames. The German Christmas Market will run from 5–9pm on Friday, August 17, and 4–9pm on Saturday, August 18.
