UPDATE, May 17, 2021: Shoplifters is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Quantity and quality, as alike as the two words sound, have long been pitted as opposites. To be prolific is to be imperfect, or so the thinking goes, although Hirokazu Kore-eda just keeps blowing that idea out of the water. The writer-director's latest release is his eleventh since the turn of the century and, in a hefty collection of intimate, moving movies that includes Nobody Knows, Like Father, Like Son and Our Little Sister, the Palme d'Or-winning Shoplifters is one of the best. There's really no such thing as a bad Kore-eda film, even when he steps into slightly different territory, as with last year's less-acclaimed crime flick The Third Murder. But his rich and poignant new family drama is almost disarmingly affecting (and effective), showcasing the height of the Japanese filmmaker's prowess. The family that steals together, stays together in Shoplifters. Daily pilfering — and other petty crimes and grifts, as well as regular pension cheques — enable father Osamu (Lily Franky), mother Nobuyo (Sakura Andô), grandmother Hatsue (Kirin Kiki), aunt Aki (Mayu Matsuoka) and son Shota (Jyo Kairi) to survive in their tiny, overpacked cottage on the outskirts of Tokyo. On the way home one winter evening after giving their light fingers a workout, Osamu and Shota spy a slip of a girl cold and shivering on an apartment balcony, and soon young Yuri (Miyu Sasaki) is in their care too. While Osamu and Nobuyo's choice to keep the bruised and starving child could be construed as kidnapping, she's just so happy with them. In time, Yuri also proves rather skilled in the family business. 'Family drama' is a loaded way to describe Shoplifters. It's accurate — more accurate than can be conveyed without giving too much away — but the two words barely scratch the surface of Kore-eda's film. Seemingly straightforward in its narrative and themes, but thoroughly complex in the depths it reaches in both its story and sentiments, Shoplifters doesn't simply ponder one family's tough but loving existence. Rather, it contemplates exactly what makes a family. On more than one occasion, a character wonders whether blood or choice forge a stronger bond, a notion that couldn't be more important as the movie's ups and downs play out. Integral to that train of thought is Kore-eda's clear-eyed exploration of an oft-ignored aspect of Japanese society, at least on screen: the realities of life on the country's margins. As embodied by the film's central clan, the poor and the struggling aren't ignored here. They're literally stealing to get by, and they're never denigrated for it. Nor does the movie judge them for their decision to unofficially adopt someone else's child. The cast, which includes some of Japan's great acting talents, deserve a wealth of credit for building textured, layered characters that cannot be pigeonholed — people who feel like they could've walked off of the street and into Kore-eda's naturalistically shot picture. It's not just financial stress that drives Franky's patriarch, for example, but a desperation to connect that's evident every time that Shota steadfastly refuses to call him dad. And it's not just caring for one's elders that cements Kiki's grandma at the head of the family, a truth that's always apparent on the now-late actor's face. Of course, Franky, Kiki and the rest of the movie's stars have the good fortune to be performing for Kore-eda, one of the most empathetic and humanistic directors in the business both in Japan and around the world. Tissues should come with tickets to his films, not because he overtly pulls at the heartstrings, but because he peers so generously at everyone within his frames. Indeed, the kindness that he shows, and the space that he gives his characters, has a quietly overwhelming impact. Here, the filmmaker is at his best when he's cramming Shoplifters' family into their cramped villa, and observing their interactions, emotions and motivations in such close quarters. Every moment of their lives is tainted by hardship and harshness, but every moment is also a tender revelation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOOcpb48Oyo
The drive towards collaboration and connectivity is one of the biggest shifts in social and professional spheres over the last few decades. Nowhere is it seen more strongly than in the creative industries, with designers daily working side by side to reinvent the way the world looks and works. Object Gallery, the Australian Centre for Craft and Design, is hosting a season of local design talent to spread the word on how companies are shaping our lives in new, imaginative ways. Exhibitions and workshops are on offer to the public, featuring the know-how of Dinosaur Designs, DesignByThem, Cloth, Malcolm Greenwood, Oliver Smith, Mud and a score of others. Workshops take the form of industry insights, showing craft skills, through to pow-wows on how to reboot life through the senses.
Smoky Sue's – Neutral Bay's new American-style barbecue joint – is gearing up for an epic giveaway. Be one of the first 500 people to swing by at midday on Sunday, May 27, and a mighty brisket burger will be placed in your hands — for free. Every smoky creation features a toasted milk bun packed with high-marble Black Onyx brisket, slaw, pickles and sauce. The brisket boasts a 3+ score, which means it's about as melty and oozy as it gets. If you don't make the cut, then don't panic: the selfsame burgers will cost just 5 bucks each for the rest of the day. Plus, while you're waiting, you'll be able to kick back and listen to live music, courtesy of singer-songwriter Ashton Tremain from The Desert Sea, who've lately supported the likes of Ash Grunwald, Jebediah and The Fumes with their earthy riffs and powerful rhythms. While you're there (and if you have the stomach space) order a round of wings with a side of brisket beans, fries and mac 'n' cheese balls, and pair it all with a pint (or two) of Young Henrys. Or organise a return trip to check out the rest of the menu, including a gigantic beef short rib, fries loaded with cheese and pulled pork or the Big Bertha — a hefty burger stuffed with brisket, lamb and pork. Smoky Sue's giveaway will take place on the eve of International Burger Day and Brisket Day. The action launches at midday and winds down around 9pm. We're guessing there'll be queues, so roll up early, should you have your heart set on a free feast. Smoky Sue's will be slinging 500 free brisket burgers from midday on Sunday, May 27. For more information about the new barbecue joint, head to the website.
Ferris wheels, friendly lambs and fairy floss ODs — the Sydney Royal Easter Show, as you've always known and loved it, is back. But, this year, Australia's biggest ticketed event is taking its culinary side up a notch. In between rummaging through showbags, you'll be feasting at food truck parks and pop-up restaurants that'll be serving everything from refined Italian fare to Korean fried chicken and burgers. There'll also be plenty of bars to discover — including The Stables which will be swilling the signature Sydney Royal Easter Show Showstopper Australian Pale Ale. It's a far cry from the dagwood dogs and chips-on-a-stick that we remember (though they'll be there, too). To help you make the most of this food extravaganza, we're giving away a VIP package. The prize includes four general admission entry tickets to the Sydney Royal Easter Show (usually 43 bucks each), plus food and drinks galore. You'll get to enjoy a decadent Italian lunch at The Loft Restaurant and Bar ($200 value), drink 50 bucks' worth of booze at the Sydney Royal Beer and Wine Bar and finish up with decadent frozen custard treats from Taylors ($36 value). If you're not lucky enough to score the major win, hang in there for a runner-up prize — we've also got five double entry passes to the Show to give away, too. Enter your details below for a chance to win. [competition]710795[/competition]
When Skyfall initially hit cinemas back in 2012, it did so in a big way. The 23rd film in the Bond franchise — and handily releasing on the 50th anniversary of the series' first movie — the flick not only became the first in the saga to make more than a billion dollars at the box office, but ranked as the second highest-grossing title of the year after The Avengers. It also picked up two Oscars, two BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, two Grammys and a wealth of critical acclaim. The response was understandable. As well as the usual espionage antics, shaken-not-stirred martinis, suits and new standout theme song — all Bond trademarks — Skyfall ranked among the long-running franchise's best films so far. And if you've been hankering to revisit it again on the silver screen, it's returning to Sydney and Melbourne with a live score. Following in the footsteps of the Star Wars and Harry Potter films, as well as Bond's own Casino Royale, Skyfall will grace the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Hamer Hall, with help from both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Audiences will relive Daniel Craig's third stint as 007, as well as Javier Bardem's memorable turn as the resident villain, all while hearing the music behind the movie as they've never heard it before. For those in need of a bigger refresher on the flick, it steps into Bond's backstory as he battles Bardem's ex-MI6 operative-turned-cyberterrorist. After the disappointing Quantum of Solace, the film welcomed director Sam Mendes to the series, who would also helm Spectre. And, given its billion-dollar-plus haul, it became the biggest Bond film, box office-wise, ever released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozgZvg3cggE Both the SSO and MSO will perform composer Thomas Newman's award-winning score — the former across two shows this November, and the latter in a duo of screenings in April 2020. Obviously, the classic theme track that's served the franchise so well for more than half a century now also features. And, for folks in Melbourne, the timing couldn't be better, with the latest Bond flick due to hit regular cinemas in early April as well. Skyfall in Concert plays the Sydney Opera House on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 in 2019, then heads to Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 in 2020. Tickets for the Sydney shows go on sale on Monday, July 29, with pre-sales from Monday, July 22, with further details available via the SSO website. Tickets for Melbourne are on sale now via the MSO website.
Melbourne's bubble tea franchise Gotcha Fresh Tea is rapidly expanding. Having not only opened its fifth Melbourne store earlier this year, but adding a sixth one too and planning at least five more, the chain now has its sights set on Sydney — with plans to launch three new stores here, and soon. Its first NSW store will open on China Town's Dixon Street on Monday, May 20, with a second store at World Square launching on Friday, May 24. They'll be closely followed by a third near Broadway's UTS campus at a yet-to-be disclosed date. While no more NSW spots are confirmed just yet, take a peek at the website and you'll see that stores for Town Hall, Martin Place, Macquarie Centre, Burwood, Chatswood, Parramatta and Strathfield could also be on the cards. Gotcha stands out from the pack thanks to its teas, which are all exclusively grown and hand-picked on the Gotcha plantation in Taiwan — the country where bubble tea originated, mind you. The extensive menu goes deeper than your average bubble tea shop, too. Milk teas come in red bean, bamboo charcoal, taro and durian flavours. Fruit teas come with sliced fresh fruit, including lychee, passionfruit, cumquat and mango. They all range from $5.20–18. There are also teas available with cheese, salted egg or tiramisu foams; a range of 'healthy' collagen teas in bamboo, aloe vera and mulberry flavours; and a menu of macchiatos, lattes, health teas and smoothies to choose from. Of course, you can add pearls and jelly to any and all flavour combinations. Gotcha's expansion is no where near slowing, either, with over 15 stores slated to open in 2019. Five additional stores across Victoria are currently in the works, as well as many more around the country. Images: Gotcha Tea, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
Not a company to stick strictly to the confines of the theatre, Urban Theatre Projects has launched a new immersive arts event that takes you on an adventure through Blacktown. Dubbed Right Here. Right Now., the unique experience is set to run from 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from November 1 to 17, delivering a smorgasbord of art, performance, film, music and food in the spirit of sharing contemporary Australian stories. The 'show' goes for 3.5 hours and will take you on a roving showcase of this dynamic pocket of Sydney, enjoying various local works and performances displayed across restaurants, arcades and public spaces throughout Blacktown's colourful Main Street. As part of the experience, you'll sit down to a communal feast, enjoyed side by side with a table full of strangers — or new friends, depending how you look at it — at some of the strip's best-loved eateries. Persian restaurant Dark Blue plates up a parade of Irani favourites, Abyssina Ethiopian Restaurant promises to impress with its authentic coffee ceremony, and Pameer Afghan Restaurant and Bakery delivers signature Afghani dishes against a backdrop of classic Afghani art. Tickets are $59 and include both show and dinner.
Liveworks is returning in 2023 with an amplified program dubbed 'OF THE TIME'. Carriageworks has been the home of Liveworks since its inception in 2015 and this year it's back at the expansive venue with yet another line-up of free and ticketed ground-breaking new art and performance to discover from 19–29 October. Across ten days, Liveworks will feature more than 60 artists presenting live performances, dance, visual art, installation, screen events, conversation and music by influential artists including new works by Rainbow Chan 陳雋然, Brooke Stamp, Latai Taumoepeau and Rosanna Raymond. Liveworks 2023 will include a major blast to Performance Space's past in honour of this significant anniversary. The legendary cLUB bENT, the OG queer club night that had everyone talking from '95 to '98, is making a fierce comeback. Get ready for one night of unadulterated fun, a glorious celebration of the queer community, and a showcase of talents that'll blow your mind. The original stars are teaming up with fresh faces, all ready to bring down the house in a spectacular fusion of nostalgia and new beginnings. [caption id="attachment_915736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steve Sar, Liveworks. Credit: Joseph Meyers.[/caption] Other returning programs are reimagined for the present, such as Antistatic reborn as Antistatic Redux which features a suite of works – new and from the archives. Nighttime Righttime reimagines Nighttime with new and legendary work from iconic artists The Fondue Set, Post, Julie-Anne Long, Kaz Therese, Tei Kim Pok, Wart and Tina Havelock Stevens. Liveworks 2023 Opening Night on Thursday, October 19 is a free event that will feature a DJ set by Stereogamous as well as some nibbles and tipples. After the festivities, visitors can explore the rest of Carriageworks for the first round of Liveworks performances and installations. The full program for Liveworks will be announced in the coming weeks. The full program and artist lineup are available on the Performance Space website. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, August 31, at 12pm, AEDT. Top Image: The Bridal Lament by Rainbow Chan. Photograph by Capsule48.
The slam-dunkers in Sydney's arts, music, food and culture realms are about to get a shiny assembly award for their awesomeness — FBi Radio have announced their nominees for the 2015 SMAC Awards. Celebrating the top tier of Sydney Music Art and Culture (SMAC), the awards have been running since 2008 and have given ups to young whippersnappers like Flume, Seeake, The Preatures, Hermitude, artists Beastman and Tony Albert and more, who've obviously gone on to be bigwigs. This year, the SMACs have a new bunch of go-getters on the table, all vying for the shiny SMAC in January. Across 11 categories, Sydney artists, restaurants, bars, musicians, performers, event planners and producers have been handpicked by the FBi team and their industry mates. Public voting opens today (November 10) and runs until 5pm December 18. Winners will be announced at a schwanko ceremony on January 12, broadcast broadcast live on FBi 94.5FM — and remember, you can celebrate the history of the SMACs at the giant festival FBi are putting together for Sydney Festival on January 10. Enough chatskies, here's the nominees. FBi RADIO 2015 SMAC AWARD NOMINEES: RECORD OF THE YEAR Hermitude - Dark Night Sweet Light Little May - For The Company Sampa The Great - The Great Mixtape Royal Headache - High Tuka - Life Death Time Eternal Gang of Youths - The Positions NEXT BIG THING B Wise Gordi Sampa The Great Vallis Alps World Champion REMIX THE CITY Bankstown Live Lovebombs Motion Pictures Perfect Match Raising the Bar Sydney BEST ON STAGE The Battle of Waterloo - Sydney Theatre Company The Bleeding Tree - Griffin Theatre Nothing to Lose - Force Majeure The Wizard of Oz - Belvoir Tangi Wai - Performance Space BEST LIVE ACT – presented by Coopers Alex Cameron Flowertruck George Maple Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders Royal Headache FBi CLICK BEST PRODUCER – presented by V MoVement Alba Cassius Select Corin Moonbase Commander Wave Racer BEST MUSIC EVENT FCX: 10 Years of Future Classic House of Mince Mates Repressed Records at Vivid LIVE Volumes 2015 BEST SONG – presented by APRA AMCOS Angie - Down For The Count Shining Bird - River Mouth Gordi - Taken Blame Cosmo’s Midnight ft Kucka - Walk With Me Big White - You Know I Love You BEST ARTS PROGRAM 48HR Incident Little Baghdad Marina Ambramovic: In Residence Underbelly Arts 2015 Yellamundie BEST ARTIST – presented by the Keir Foundation Abdul Abdullah Bhenji Ra Haines and Hinterding Latai Taumpoepeau Rosie Deacon BEST EATS – presented by Cake Wines ACME Andy Bowdy Pastry Automata Dead Ringer Scout’s Honour Vote at FBi Radio's website. Image: Andy Bowdy.
There's something special about escaping to the country for the weekend. We're talking fresh air, a slow pace and loads of delicious local produce to sample. This year, however, it's been a bit trickier to achieve the booze and food-fuelled weekend of our dreams. So if you, like us, are craving a weekend getaway, we've got just the thing to fill the mini break-shaped hole in your heart. This spring, the high country is coming to your home thanks to our pals at Reed & Co Distillery — a family-owned gin distillery based in the Victorian Alpine region town of Bright. Across two Thursdays in September, you and your mates could experience the interactive at-home gin tasting class High Spirits with head distiller and owner of Reed & Co Distillery, Hamish Nugent. Throughout the class, Nugent will guide you through a gin tasting session, teach you how to make the perfect gin and tonic and even take you on a virtual tour of where the magic happens in the distillery. Sound like something you want to sign up to? You can. Just make sure you register at least a week before the session date so the tasting kit will get to you in time. There's nothing sadder than a gin tasting session without gin. Inside the kit you'll find five 100ml spirits, 200ml of Fever-Tree tonic water, a gorgeous garnish pack, creative recipe cards and helpful tasting notes. High Spirits by Reed & Co Distillery will kick off at 7pm on Thursday, September 9 and Thursday, September 16. To get yourself all set for a big night in sampling gin and to book, visit the website.
As the weather gets chillier, one of the nicest night time options is to settle yourself in a cosy bar with some loved ones and simply relax over a glass of wine. Since Sydney's small bar revolution began, we've seen a wave of establishments open which are perfect for the once-maligned activities of chardonnay-sipping in intimate and relaxed surrounds. Now, not only do we have some of the loveliest wine bars around, but we also have a wealth of options. We've whittled down a list of what we think are the best places to grab a glass of wine in this fine city. From the most seasoned connoisseurs to first-time wine drinkers, there is something for everybody, and the onset of winter is the perfect time to get to know all of these cosy establishments. 1. Love, Tilly Devine Address: 91 Crown St, Darlinghurst The people at Love, Tilly Devine are excited about their wine, about the future of their neighbourhood, and about their food. The bar is tucked away in a Darlinghurst alley, with open windows and exposed brick walls, cosy and endlessly welcoming. Don't come to Love, Tilly Devine if you want to get drunk. There are other places to do that. The staff are happy to help out if you feel a bit befuddled by the seemingly limitless selection (the wine list currently sits at just under 300 varieties), and suggest the perfect seasonal food to accompany your drinks. For review and details click here 2. The Wine Library Address: 18 Oxford St, Woollahra Tucked in between the boutiques at the Woollahra end of Oxford Street, The Wine Library melds a high end bar at the front with a trim courtyard in the middle and nookish intimacy out the back. At 7pm you'd be hard pressed to swing a kitten - there's a queue that snakes out the door as locals and blow-ins from across the bridge cram in for their share of prosecco and a board of prosciutto. At lunch they get it just right. There's plenty of room to breathe and time to ponder the clipboarded menu which takes a jolly tour around some of the best of Europe. All of the food is matched up impeccably with the wine list, because after all that's what The Wine Library is all about. For review and details click here 3. 10 William Street Address: 10 William St, Paddington From the people that brought Sydney Fratelli Paradiso, 10 William Street sits inside a converted storefront in the most boutique of boutique shopping strips in Paddington. Given that Paddington has declined since its hey-day back in the '90s as Sydney's groundbreaking dining and drinking scene, 10 William Street is proof that there's still life in Paddington yet, and gives you a very welcome reason to pay a visit. Stripped back and simple, 10 William Street is blessedly free of pretention - there are white walls, naked lightbulbs, a wooden counter and a big chalkboard advertising the entire wine list. While the selection of drinks is vast enough to satisfy the most seasoned connoisseurs, those who feel at a loss when it comes to swilling and sniffing bouquets will also be at home in this comfortable bar. For review and details click here 4. 121Bc Address: 4/50 Holt St, Surry Hills (enter via Gladstone St) With a focus on regional Italian flavours, 121BC's wine list changes monthly, and is complemented by the menu of fresh, seasonal food which is uniformly delicious. If you have trouble picking precisely what it is you want to drink from the prolific wine list, the staff are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and happy to help you out and explain the ins and outs of your drink like an over-zealous chemistry teacher. The long bar around which stools are clustered makes the most of the slick, narrow inner-city space, seating about twenty five people in the sultry, intimate room. The seating arrangement means 121BC works best if there's just the two of you, as you'll be seated beside one another at optimum footsy-playing distance. For review and details click here 5. Timbah Address: 375 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe For a relaxed atmosphere, a guy on the piano in the corner, and a feeling of being very sophisticated for a Sunday afternoon without having to hoof it to the Eastern Suburbs, Timbah is well worth visiting Timbah has introduced an interesting new concept. The first six people to order wine on any night choose the six bottles that will be served by the glass for that night, taking that horrible 'oh dear which wine shall I choose' feeling out of the equation. When those six run out, another lot are chosen. For review and details click here 6. Shop & Wine Bar Address: 78 Curlewis St, Bondi Beach A cafe by day, the Shop & Wine Bar transforms Cinderella-style into one of the best wine bars in town come sundown. The Shop & Wine Bar has nailed the kind of relaxed, Melbourne-esque local wine bar schtick to the ground. Catering to the people of Bondi since 2004, The Shop & Wine Bar is one of the best places to go to if you want a cool, casual place to simply chill with a glass of wine and a few close friends. The wine is the focus here, with a good but carefully curated selection hovering around the $30 mark, mostly sold by the bottle rather than by the glass. You can also get the odd sharing plate if you want something to line your stomach with. For review and details click here 7. Bentley Bar Address: 320 Crown St, Surry Hills While Bentley is an award-winning restaurant, nothing stops you from stopping in just to experience their extraordinary wine bar. With a makeover from Melbourne architect Pascale Gomes-McNabb, the space has been transformed in recent years from the seedy pub of the '90s to a chic, understated dining and drinking space. The Bentley has one of the most comprehensive wine lists in Australia, with over 600 local and overseas bottles on their ever-evolving wine list, curated by award-winning sommelier and Bentley co-owner Nick Hildebrandt. For review and details click here 8. Berkelouw Wine Bar Address: Level 1, 70 Norton St, Leichhardt Wine has to feature pretty heavily on everyone’s winter craving list, when a cosy chair and a glass of red seem to be all that can shake the winter blues. So if you want all that, and to be surrounded by the comforting smell of bound paper, Norton Street’s Berkelouw Wine Bar is your place. Not for the rollicking weekend crowds that inhabit other pubs nearby, this is more the place you could visit for an afternoon aperitif after browsing through the bookstore below. It turns out the grand piano taking pride of place in the centre of the room isn't just for show. Small ensembles, pianists and singers will croon away your troubles as you sit looking down on to busy Norton Street below. For review and details click here 9. Vini Address: 3/118 Devonshire St, Surry Hills If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Italy for the food but haven’t had the chance, Vini brings an authentic taste of regional Italy direct to Sydney. Yet Vini is not just a place for foodies. As the name suggests, wine lovers are well catered for. After a few glasses, however, you might find your memory of the meal becomes a little hazy. The intimate, cosy atmosphere of Vini makes you feel as if you're dropping into your local. With consistently good service and food that satisfies all your senses, a wait in the pub is well worthwhile. For review and details click here 10. The Passage Address: 231a Victoria St, Darlinghurst There's something a little ol' timey about The Passage. It's intimate without being cute, antique without being themed. This long, slim space - decked out with brown leather, marble tables, and crisp black and white artworks by local designers Babëkuhl - is a truly unique offering on the Sydney scene. While their tailor made cocktail menu shines in and of itself, The Passage has an enviable hand picked wine list which alone is worth the visit. Serving mostly by the bottle, their small and curated wine list is predominantly Australian and offers several biodynamic and organic options alongside the more traditional choices. For review and details click here
The seventh season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is currently dropping new episodes weekly via SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand — which means you're either eagerly catching each fresh instalment every Friday, or you've got some catch-up binging to do. Either way, if you've been watching and rewatching the hit cop sitcom since it first premiered back in 2013, then you also have something else to pop in your calendar: Isolation Trivia's upcoming B99-themed online quiz evening. How long did Charles Boyle spend dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? And which one of the latter duo has a twin? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's kids, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for this trivia night. And, because these fictional TV cops wouldn't want you breaking Australia's current social-distancing guidelines, it's all taking place virtually. Live-streaming from 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT) on Thursday, April 2, this online trivia contest is completely devoted to the show that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours, then was renewed for an eighth season before its seventh one even aired, and features more Die Hard references than you'd think possible in one sitcom. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night. If you're as keen to take part as Terry is about a tub of yoghurt, you just need to head to the Isolation Trivia Facebook page, click 'get reminder' and clear out your Thursday night. That'll be your time to shine (and that can also be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). Images: SBS
A spooky murder mystery is one thing, but take it to the high seas, make it interactive and you've got a whole new level of bone-chilling fun. So, we're betting you'll want some pretty strong nerves to tackle the Australian National Maritime Museum's upcoming Murder Mystery at Sea experience. Launching Friday, January 18 for a limited six-date run, this one's an immersive 'whodunnit' adventure, unfolding creepily aboard the aptly named Navy Destroyer HMAS Vampire. At night. Audiences will find themselves transported back to the Cold War era, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, deciphering spooky SOS messages and cracking a series of clues to solve the mysterious murder of their ship's crew and captain. Thankfully, everyone gets a welcome drink on arrival to help calm those frazzled nerves.
Melbourne is back in lockdown, so Melbourne's Sea Life Aquarium is back live-streaming playtime and feeding time with some of its cutest and scariest sea critters. At 5pm AEST on Friday, June 4, you can get up close and personal with the gentoo and king penguins as they slide around their icy home and gobble many fish. From there, the streams will return daily at the same time, running until Friday, June 11. Also on the bill: sneaking a peek at the aquarium's swarms of jellyfish, so you can learn the ins and outs of their luminous lives. As for which other critters will turn up, being surprised each day is part of the fun. To tune in, head head to Sea Life Melbourne's Facebook page. And, because this isn't the aquarium's only dive into digital content, you can also check out soothing watery sights aplenty via its mindfulness and slow TV hub.
UPDATE, April 9, 2021: Ready or Not is available to stream via Disney+, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. "In-laws". It's such an ordinary, everyday term, and yet it's usually uttered with such exasperation. Embodying the flipside of deciding to spend your life with someone, it's a reminder that even the happiest of romances always come with considerable baggage. It also sums up Ready or Not perfectly. At its most basic, this twisty and gory horror flick rests on one simple idea: having in-laws is hell. Of course, there's the minor annoyance that arises when your parents-in-law have too many opinions, or your siblings-in-law are obnoxious, or your uncle-in-law gets embarrassingly drunk at Christmas — and then there's discovering that your new family is plotting to kill you on your wedding night. First seen dressed for her big day, smoking a cigarette and pondering taking the plunge, Grace (Samara Weaving) is initially worried that her soon-to-be husband's family won't accept her. Alex Le Domas (Mark O'Brien) been estranged from his parents for years, but the couple is getting married on their sprawling estate anyway — it's tradition — and unease lingers in the air. While matriarch Becky (Andie MacDowell) is welcoming, she's more concerned about bringing Alex back into the fold. Grace's new brother-in-law Daniel (Adam Brody) seems like he's joking when he says she doesn't belong; however his tone has a clear edge. Other relatives, such as Alex's dad Tony (Henry Czerny), are barely polite. As for eccentric Aunt Helene (Nicky Guadagni), her permanent scowl says everything. So far, so standard. That's how tales of regular folks marrying into obscenely rich dynasties often go. But, as an ex-foster kid who's never had much of a family, Grace is determined to win over the Le Domas brood. Accordingly, when she's told they all have to play a game at midnight, she goes along with it. The family made their money in board games, so it's another tradition. It's not what most couples do after they've just gotten hitched, but there are worse ways to spend an evening than playing hide and seek in a lavish mansion — unless weapons, murder and devilish secrets are involved. Arrows start flying, guns keep firing and avoiding the dumbwaiter is plain common sense, with Grace forced to battle for her life while still wearing her wedding dress. Working with a witty script by Guy Busick (Stan Against Evil) and Ryan Murphy, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Devil's Due) ramp up the chaos and layer in plenty of commentary — and, yes, Ready or Not has much to say. As steeped as the movie is in oh-so-relatable family stresses, it also finds a wealth of subversive and perceptive material in gender roles and class warfare. When Grace's willingness to please and desire to belong sees her treated like prey, the film revels in her transformation from eager and accommodating to plucky and fearsome. And while there's no missing the many digs at the well-off, privileged and entitled, they're no less astute or accurate just because they're obvious. The result: a horror-comedy with bumps, jumps, laughs and vicious satire all in one gleefully manic slash 'n' stalk package. The concept of hunting humans is hardly new (see: The Most Dangerous Game, Turkey Shoot, Series 7 and Bacurau), and neither are family dysfunction nor just-married jitters (see: too many pictures to mention), but it makes a smart and amusing combination. Ready or Not's setting helps immensely, with the film trading on the mystery and intrigue that bubbles in all whodunnits and horror flicks in a stately home — and making ample use of secret corridors and endless rooms as well. Also assisting nicely is the playful You're Next-style vibe and Heathers-esque attitude; if can't have some ferocious fun with this premise, when can you? While Ready or Not holds nearly a full deck of winning cards, two other elements stand out. As the cast flings axes and slings snappy dialogue, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett always ensure that Grace's actions and choices feel realistic, rather than convenient, exaggerated or implausible; she's trying to fight, flee and survive, after all, and the situation is over-the-top enough as it is. Led by Australian talent Weaving, the film's cast is also excellent in general. MacDowell rarely dallies with her dark side, and she's a delight to watch in villainous mode. Brody, when he toys with his usual nice-guy image, is in sparkling form too. Naturally, though, Ready or Not belongs to its fierce bride and the actor behind her. After working her way from Home and Away to Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri to this, Weaving is a formidable and engaging presence — and, as this savagely entertaining flick demands, she's also one hell of a horror movie hero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYTwUxhAoI
UPDATE, March 19, 2021: Assassins is available to stream via Docplay. If a Hollywood screenwriter had cooked up the story at the centre of Assassins, they would've been told that it's too far-fetched. The plot likely wouldn't have even made it into the many direct-to-streaming action flicks that wear their over-the-top narratives as a badge of honour, and probably only would've reached screens in an Armando Iannucci-style satire. Indeed, this is the type of tale that can only be true. Not that the world needs any additional reminders, but it's yet more proof that real life really is far stranger than fiction. And, while this exceptional documentary from filmmaker Ryan White (The Keepers) won't be the only movie to bring the story to the big screen — dramatised versions are guaranteed to follow, and other flicks are certain to mine its minutiae as well — it'll always remain one of the best. On February 13, 2017, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a man was assassinated in broad daylight. While standing by the self check-in kiosks at around 9am, he was approached from behind by two women. After they each rubbed their hands across his face, he was dead within the hour. For a plethora of reasons, the attack garnered global news headlines. Such a brazen murder, carried out not only in public but also in full view of the Malaysian airport's security cameras, was always going to receive worldwide attention. The use of extremely deadly chemical weapon VX obviously demanded scrutiny — and so did the fact that the victim was Kim Jong-nam, the estranged elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. But, despite the onslaught of newsprint, pixels and airtime devoted to the incident when it happened, the full details behind it took time to unfurl. As Assassins explores, those facts are fascinating, gripping and distressing in equal measure. Across 104 minutes, White asks the question that was on everyone's lips four years ago: why? That query has many layers. It starts with wondering why two women in their 20s — one from Indonesia, the other from Vietnam — with no clear political affiliations would kill an exiled North Korean who was once expected to lead his nation. From there, it expands to contemplate why Malaysian law enforcement officers and prosecutors were so content to believe that culprits Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong acted without any involvement from North Korea, and why a number of the latter country's citizens were interviewed, but then released and allowed to return home without facing any legal repercussions. Aisyah and Huong certainly weren't afforded the same treatment. Charged with Kim Jong-nam's murder, they were put through a long trial, and faced the death penalty if convicted. The pair, who didn't know each other beforehand, pled their innocence from the outset. Both women were adamant that they had each been hired to make prank videos for a YouTube show and, as far as they knew, their efforts in Kuala Lumpur were part of their latest production. For those who haven't followed the case in the media, Assassins meticulously steps through the ins and outs. Even if you are familiar with the specifics, the film provides an exhaustive summary. Via interviews with Aisyah and Huong's attorneys shot as the trial was unfolding, it offers an evolving perspective on the two women's situation. For additional detail, it checks in with local Bloomberg reporter Hadi Azmi as he's covering the case. In chats that look back rather than happened as the legal proceedings occurred, it gets the Washington Post's former Beijing bureau chief Anna Fifield to fill in the gaps, including about North Korea's political history, how Kim Jong-nam came to be the black sheep of his family and the hopes some had that he could one day be installed as an alternate leader. Assassins also features discussions with Aisyah and Huong's friends and families, the prank show clips that were central to the duo's defence and audio from their time in court. Returning again and again to CCTV footage of the attack, it turns two well-worn true-crime doco staples — security vision and animated re-enactments — into must-see viewing. From its opening moments, the documentary couldn't be more methodical; however, its tone is just as important as its wealth of material. Assassins tells an unmistakably and inescapably wild tale. As the film works through the attack and its aftermath, White knows that he's in prime thriller territory, too. But, even though this story has more genuine twists, turns and conspiracies than the best works of fiction, it's compiled in an edge-of-the-seat yet never sensationalistic fashion. That's essential not only to accurately survey all the relevant details, but to treat Aisyah and Huong with empathy — and, as the movie explains, no other approach would be suitable. In fact, as remarkable a job as Assassins does in examining the incident in its spotlight, it's even more exceptional at showing how disturbingly easy it was to lay the blame upon a single mother and a cocktail waitress. Accordingly, what starts as a jaw-dropping murder tale becomes a globe-hopping account of exploitation, manipulation and gaslighting — and an equally chilling and infuriating one in the process. Assassins doesn't shout its sense of outrage, but the film is both thorough and incensed, as it needs to be. Given the troubling overall picture that it convincingly paints, nothing else would've sufficed. After all, this is a documentary about a world where a country's agents might've gotten away with murder, all because too many people were willing to buy a flimsy cover story that pointed the finger at two vulnerable women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNkmnVd9wHM
At the heart of any great gig is the feeling that you're "in the moment". Generally this is not a feeling that can be replicated by sitting in front of a screen watching an event that has already transpired, but Don't Think is not your average music video. Shot in 2011 at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, where British electronica legends The Chemical Brothers played a headline set in front of 50,000 fans, Don't Think aims to capture the experience in an unconventional manner. Here that means some clowns, some exploding teapots, some dancers in bolt hats and a frenetic barrage of sound, film and light, all caught on 21 cameras by the band's long-time collaborator Adam Smith. Replicating the delirium of a live gig through film actually makes perfect sense for these Superstar DJs, famous for their audiovisual shows and for pioneering a style of music (later termed "big beat") that avoided losing energy as it moved from the dance floor to the radio. The Chemical Brothers unique fusion of dance, rock and rap fosters not so much collections of songs but transformative journeys, uniting a multifarious legion of fans bearing anything from Ecstasy pills to blinged out knuckle dusters. Join them on Wednesday for an exclusive digital screening, plus the rare chance to chat with Smith. https://youtube.com/watch?v=21UItm9UCr0
“Lecture” must be one of dullest words ever. It’s worse than words like “turgid” or “ullage”, which, though they also sound like giant pendulums moving in slow motion, don’t make you think of falling asleep on your desk at uni or getting reprimanded for drawing Crayola dinosaurs on your bedroom walls. The word “performance lecture”, however, sounds very interesting indeed. In 2012, Serial Space will present a rolling series of these unique orations to explore the relationship between the structure and the guts of a lecture, how the performer assumes authority and what the audience takes away from it. First off the bat will be Nick Key’s Becoming Otherwise Occupied, going down in Martin Place where him and his mates were occupied by a bottle of whisky only a few months earlier. Art collective Soda Jerk's The Carousel is next in line, with other topics ranging from capitalism and the ghosts of cinema to giant earthworms, Facebook robots and the Garden of Eden. Keep a close eye on the line-up, because if you miss one due to a hangover, they won’t be posted online for you to download later and deface with highlighters. Image by Max Braun.
Big, brash, boozy, beautiful — Sydney is many things, but it’s mainly its beauty that the Damien Minton Gallery is seeking to highlight in Five Bells. Using a passage from Kenneth Slessor's poem of the same name as a starting reference, this group exhibition hopes to raise discussion by visually exploring the elements that make up our harbour city. Along with the photos, sketches and paintings there will be a range of readings and talks given by prominent local authors. To Gail Jones Sydney is a brilliant summer’s day around the on the iconic tourist hub of Circular Quay, which provides the introduction to her character-driven meditation on the city Five Bells. To Martin Edmond (Dark Night: Walking with McCahon) it’s the starting point of artist Colin McMahon’s mysterious midnight pilgrimage through the Sydney Botanic Gardens, and to Fiona McGregor the contrast between the affluent suburb of Mossman and a gritty Kings Cross tattoo parlour. Whether it's blooming jacarandas or Oxford Street eccentrics, you'll rediscover something to add your own impressions of the city.
This year, one of the biggest events on the Sydney calendar is a joint birthday party for an 18-year-old and a 40-year-old. Homebake has announced their 2013 lineup, and while there's plenty of bands to get excited about, the biggest changes are to the festival itself: to celebrate their 18th birthday, the festival's been expanded to three days instead of one, and the location's moved from The Domain to the forecourt of the Opera House, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary around the same time. As usual, the lineup celebrates the best of Australian music, both past and present. The 2013 lineup includes The Presets, Paul Kelly, Eskimo Joe, Beasts of Bourbon, Gurrumul, Architecture in Helsinki, Birds of Tokyo, Bernard Fanning and The Rubens. Tickets go on sale at 9am Wednesday, 26 September (so prepare to set your alarm for 8.50am and press F5 repeatedly until you see that 'Buy Tickets' link), and they're expected to go fast. While the smaller space will definitely make for a more intimate festival experience, it does mean that tickets for each day will be strictly limited due to capacity. You can check out the full lineup here.
Beware, child. Beyond the village walls lies the Forest of the Strange. Its weaving paths pass tree roots and the shadows sing queer tunes, the whispers of which will bewitch the ordinary and whisk poor fools away. This is the eternal home of the Bohemian Masquerade Ball. In a society saturated with spectacle, to the point where we have no option but to be a voyeur everyday, the fey children of the BMB offer a vision with some soul. Blending burlesque, gypsy, circus, jazz and trip-hop — amongst many other varied forms — the mad travellers from Bohemia bring disparate cultures together to find a unity in the moment of performance. Now touring in its third year, the BMB is more than a sumptuous excuse to revel in debauchery; it is a lifestyle choice. The members of the company embrace certain practices, from environmental sustainability to a fervent humanism buoyed by a quest for the spiritual. Any guest to their Ball, therefore, will have the opportunity to step beyond the everyday and into the in-between, the place of dreams and memories from before the womb. Wear a mask. Become someone else. Dance to great music. Make love with every sense. And then bring a slice of the bizarre back to your village, to cherish forevermore. Video by Being Films. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rYz570m2o_Q
Something you've probably figured out about us at Concrete Playground is that we love to eat. And, when it comes to Sydney Lunar Festival, we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to incredible dining options. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly endless excellent options for eating and drinking around town, we're here to help. Loads of restaurants and bars will serving up special Lunar New Year-themed dishes and drinks to ring in the upcoming Year of the Tiger. So, to make things easier for you, we've scoured many menus to bring you our top picks. Thankfully, the festival runs from Friday, January 29–Sunday, February 13, so you've got plenty of time to eat your way through this list.
Watch this video. A young woman is walking through a park, purposefully. Slowing down, she sees a white note tagged on a sandstone monument. She pauses to detach the card, and peers down carefully at it. Her back slumps a little, she laughs to herself. She turns around suddenly, looking for the prankster responsible for the card. She continues turning then strides toward a man sitting on a bench nearby and introduces herself as Batman. Had she picked up a different card, she might have spoken in a robot voice or started the conversation with a line from a movie. It's the old game of Truth or Dare. The new incarnation started in New York City as a way to break down the barriers between people in public places. Those opting for the 'truth' side of the card these days tweet their responses using the appropriate hashtag. Now Truth or Dare is coming to Sydney, holding its first game at Jurassic Lounge, the nights that transform the Australian Museum into a grown-up playground of live music, drinks, games, comedy and performance. It's a great concept and an experiment in courage and goofiness. Here's hoping enough people have the guts to hug a stranger or quack loudly for 10 seconds or work the lyrics of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' into their next conversation.
Second-hand shopping can be a total pain in the glutes sometimes, especially if you’re searching for designer gold. It’s a process – you have to size up the kilometres of clothing racks or, if you’re not so lucky, dive into mountains of material, 99.99% of which is overpriced crapola. It makes finding that rusted, falling apart Yves Saint Laurent belt buckle feel like the biggest triumph in the world, but hey - it’s going to fall apart within a couple of hours, which is only half the time it took you to find it in the first place. Wow, I’m bitter. But really, is there no hope…? Wait, what? There is light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, there is hope/light, and it comes in the form of The Diva’s Wardrobe. It’s a genius concept really – a one-day sale where ALL of the clothing, shoes and accessories on sale are sourced by Brisbane’s top fashion insiders – this means stylists, boutique owners and the like will be pelting their vintage and designer wares on the day. Actual vintage, actual designer! There’s an entry fee, but I think ten bucks is a light price to pay for a day of shopping that doesn’t involve you getting in a fight with the clothing rack.
If you haven't heard, Manly's Wharf Bar got a fresh facelift just in time for summer. Better yet, in January it's joined forces with seltzer giant White Claw for a lineup of events packed with live music and the go-to drink of summer. You deserve a bit of VIP treatment after the past year, so we've got a plan for you. We're inviting you and five mates to the White Claw Weekend x Manly Wharf Bar party on Sunday, January 30. For starters, you'll make your way to the event in style. A 28-foot Italian-style timber charter boat will pick your crew up at Circular Quay for a two-hour cruise around the harbour, before dropping you to the Wharf Bar's front door. On board, you can expect a luxe vibe with cosy cushions, a White Claw-themed playlist, a cheese platter and buckets of White Claw. Once you arrive at Wharf Bar, the afternoon will be soundtracked by local electronic music producer Poolclvb, who'll be playing silky beats as you kick back by the water. We'll cover the cost of a water taxi back to Circular Quay once the shindig things wrap up at Wharf Bar, too. Keen to kick it with your crew this summer? Enter details below to go in the running. [competition]836848[/competition] Top image: Katje Ford
Inspired by the theme "what matters", the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is promising more than colourful, queer and fearless events and a slew of international artists running across 17 days. In addition to the signatures — including the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 29 — there's a bunch of new happenings this time round. One of the most anticipated is the return of the Kaftan Party to be held at the Ivy on Wednesday, February 19. Don your favourite kaftan or hottest moo-moo and spend the day kicking back to the Sugar Fed Leopards and various DJs. There'll be prizes for Best Kaftan, Best Cabana Lounging Ensemble and Most Outrageous Summer Accessory. Meanwhile, the Sissy Ball is back for another round, after selling out last year. Taking over Enmore Theatre on Saturday, February 22, this NYC ballroom-inspired event centres around vogue battles in the categories of dance, movement, fashion and air. In between watching acts of unabashed self-expression, you'll be kicking back to live music and DJs. [caption id="attachment_758453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeffrey Feng[/caption] Luna Park will transform into a rainbow wonderland for Family Fun Day and the AGNSW will once again host its free Queer Art After Hours session, while Newtown's Seymour Centre will host the festival hub. Head down there to catch theatre, music, dance, circus, cabaret, burlesque shows and late-night parties from Thursday–Sunday. Among the headliners is the world premiere of Fuck Fabulous — "an unforgettable night of debauchery" — and Hot Brown Honey: a genre-defying show about colour, culture and controversy. Expect a big injection of Eurovision talent, too, especially when 2014 winner Conchita Wurst joins Aussie cabaret star Trevor Ashley for Conchita Wurst and Trevor Ashley in Concert. The pair will play the State Theatre with a full orchestra in tow to deliver a night dedicated to their greatest hits. [caption id="attachment_758451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Smith[/caption] And the chuckles will be flowing freely when Laugh Out Proud pulls together a sparkling lineup of homegrown and international acts into one side-splitting variety comedy event. Hosted by Nath Valvo, this one features appearances from the likes of Rhys Nicholson, Cassie Workman, Zoe Coombs Marr, Geraldine Hickey and Myra DuBois. You can look forward, too, to the return of longstanding favourites, including Fair Day at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 16; Pool Party at the Ivy on Monday, February 24; and Laneway – the Parade's official recovery party – on Sunday, March 3 at The Beresford in Surry Hills. And, of course, the Mardi Gras Party on Saturday, February 29 at Hordern Pavilion, which this year has a host of special guests: Dua Lipa, Kesha, Pabllo Vittar and Sam Smith. You'll be 'Dancing With a Stranger' to 'New Rules' and 'Tik Tok'ing the night away. Top image: Jeffrey Feng
If you're a vegetarian, keen home cook or worshipper of eggplant, chances are Yotam Ottolenghi has had some impact on your life. Now, it's time to meet him in the flesh. On January 29, the cult Israeli chef will appear at the Sydney Opera House for a long chat about food. Happening as part of the Opera House's Talks and Ideas programme, the date marks the release of Ottolenghi's latest book Simple filled with 130 easy-to-make yet super-tasty dishes. But, he'll be talking about much more than that. Firstly, there are all his other books, like the Middle Eastern-inspired Jerusalem, the vegetarian-friendly Plenty and the dessert bible Sweet, a collaboration with Melbourne pastry chef Helen Goh. Then, there are his documentaries and his regular writing gigs: a weekly column in Feast magazine and a monthly column in The New York Times. Before becoming a world-famous chef, Ottolenghi worked as a journo in Amsterdam. On deciding to delve into food, he trained at the Cordon Bleu, as well as a bunch of Michelin-starred restaurants in London, before taking on the role of Head Pastry Chef at Baker and Spice, where he befriended Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi. The two teamed up to found the Ottolenghi deli in Notting Hill — the first of many, many projects. An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Wednesday, December 19, with general tickets on sale from 9am Friday, December 21. Image: Prudence Upton
Get set for a day of tunes and poolside fun at this brand new Mardi Gras event at the Ivy Pool Club. Kick back in your comfiest kaftan, muumuu or most stylish poolside fashion, sip on some retro cocktails and enjoy tunes from New Zealand comedy music duo Topp Twins and various DJs. Plus, you can enjoy the sunset while watching the debut of water ballet troupe the Fabulous Drowning Flamingos. Not to mention that there'll be prizes for Best Kaftan, Best Cabana Lounging Ensemble and Most Outrageous Summer Accessory up for grabs. Tickets start from $52.20, and you can jump in from 4pm till late. And if you're feeling peckish you can get stuck into an Italian two-course dinner for an extra $15, with two seatings running at 6pm and 8pm.
Sydneysiders, get ready for mud crab mayhem at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. The waterside restaurant is celebrating mud crab season with $69 Queensland muddies for the whole month of April. Mud crabs are usually sold at market price — which can push $100 a kilogram — so this deal is one not to be missed. The hefty crustaceans come served one of three ways: piled high with Singapore chilli; steamed with salt and szechuan pepper; or chilled with cocktail sauce. If you want to go really crab crazy, Kingsleys is also offering a special crab-themed set menu for $120 per person. The six-course meal begins with crab croquettes, Alaskan king crab rolls and pickled Queensland mud crab crostini with truffle oil, avocado and orange cream topped with black caviar. Next up, there's gnocchi with mud crab, sage butter and porcini before you move on to the main event — digging into half a mud crab with your choice of sauce. This decadent feast finishes with a dark chocolate mousse and, to really sweeten the deal, it also includes two hours of bottomless Cape Mentelle wines Between bites and shell-cracking, you can sip the sauvignon blanc semillon or the Trinders cabernet merlot — or opt for the chardonnay or the Wallcliffe cabernet sauvignon cabernet franc for an additional $10. With plenty of (sea)foodies expected to take advantage of this crab extravaganza, booking is highly recommended. Muddy Mania will run from Monday, April 1 to Sunday, April 31. Head to the Kingsleys website to book a table.
No one wants to live in a world where Parasite, the best movie of 2019, doesn't exist. But if it didn't for some reason, it's highly likely that Corpus Christi would've been this year's Best International Feature Film Oscar-winner, rather than just a nominee. This Polish drama also focuses on people pretending to be something they're not. As directed by Warsaw 44 and The Hater's Jan Komasa, and written by the latter's screenwriter Mateusz Pacewicz, it casts a wry eye over much about life in their homeland today, too. And it isn't afraid to call out hypocrisy, societal divisions and greed, either — literally in the latter case, via its protagonist's speech at the local sawmill. There are few other similarities between Corpus Christi and the movie it lost to, but perhaps the only one that really matters is how potently, blisteringly and rousingly it unfurls its on-screen gifts. Well that, and how striking every second of the film looks, pairing its ashen, almost-hazy aesthetics with its complicated account of an ex-juvenile delinquent who poses as a small-town priest. The imposter's name is Daniel and, as played with soulful intensity by star-in-the-making Bartosz Bielenia, he's a complex figure. First seen serving the final days of his reform school sentence, he has made a fan out of the facility's head priest, Father Tomasz (Lukasz Simlat). In fact, if Daniel's criminal record didn't preclude it, he'd desperately love to follow in the elder man's footsteps and join the seminary. While the correctional centre's hierarchy means that he has to take on look-out duties when his fellow inmates brutally rough up one of their own — lest he be on the receiving end instead — the look in the 20-year-old's eyes whenever he's reminded that his past choices have stripped away his preferred future is haunting. There's much about Bielenia's exceptional performance that sears itself into memory, but that firm, mournful gaze that adorns his face again and again is unshakeably powerful and poignant. When Daniel is released to work at the aforementioned sawmill in rural Poland, it's better than incarceration. Of course, it's hardly what he has dreamed about. Call it fate, call it divine intervention, or call it either good or dumb luck, but he's soon given the chance to pursue his calling. Through a series of events that never feels convenient or strained, Daniel claims that he's a priest — and that contention largely goes unquestioned. In a close-knit community of devout but struggling souls, with the area rocked by a recent tragedy that still lingers, locals eagerly welcome him as their new spiritual advisor. Daniel's devotion to the task helps to mask his youthful years. With those around his age, he's particularly at ease. He also genuinely has faith and believes in the job, so the jump from jailhouse scraps and drug-addled post-release parties to assisting his surprise congregation is both easy and natural. Corpus Christi is loosely inspired by real-life details, but even though this is a movie about an unconventional priest, it isn't the type of religious true tale that might instantly spring to mind. It couldn't be further from the dutifully pious standard, which remains the case even as it gifts its young protagonist with an unexpected second chance — an unlikely opportunity to follow his heart and make a difference to an insular yet divided town, too — and demonstrates that he's not the only one within the movie's frames with a troubled past to overcome. Whether he's attempting to convince the locals that an old grief-fuelled grudge reflects badly upon their character or getting closer to parishioner Marta (Eliza Rycembel) to an ungodly degree, Daniel is a wiry and magnetic bag of contradictions. Much the same can be said of his potential absolution, too. His motives are sincere, but his shot at vindication springs through subterfuge — well-meaning subterfuge that's purely a result of grasping an opportunity, rather than any misdeeds or maliciousness, but subterfuge all the same. Crafting a film that starts with grey hues, grim visuals and a mood to match, and never buffers out or prays away the grit in its aesthetics, Komasa uses Daniel's situation to veer down an important path. Benevolence and redemption are key tenets of Catholicism, and of many faiths, but there's a difference between speaking of them and putting them into action — which Corpus Christi explores in every reaction that comes its central figure's way. The film doesn't deify its protagonist, nor shy away from his mistakes and woes, but it clearly sees and accepts his desire to aid others. And, in the process, it asks what might be considered a sacrilegious question to some: if people can find the solace, warmth and comfort they yearn for in biblical characters who teach compassion and charity, why can't they in a tattooed, scarred, street-smart ex-criminal standing in front of them, getting to know them, willingly dedicating his time to helping them, and driven by the same kind intentions and aspirations? If that train of thought sounds thorny, tricky and even anxiety-inducing, that's Corpus Christi. When he's lost in prayer, Bielenia's face may look angelic; however, nothing else about this movie is ever so blissful or simple. As a film about a rehabilitated crim-turned-masquerading cleric, tension and foreboding unsurprisingly seethes through every second. First, Daniel wonders how he'll ever be seen as anything other than "scum", as he's called. Next, he worries about maintaining his deception and keeping the position he treasures. As it bubbles and broods, Corpus Christi doesn't ever offer simple answers — to audiences or to its lead character. That's to be expected; this is a feature that spends its entire time rallying against easy solutions, after all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-Z90SEqGQ&t=20s
Surry Hills cafe Meet Mica is turning two this week, and it's celebrating with free coffee for all. This isn't your 'one-and-done' type offer, either — you can order three complimentary coffees at a time, and come back as many times as you'd like. It's all going down this Wednesday, July 17, from 7am–3pm. While pour overs aren't included, all other caffeinated and hot drinks are up for grabs — including any sizes, milks and add-ons. Flat white with macadamia milk? You got it. Double macchiato with mocha? Absolutely. Ginger latte or hot chocolate with soy? Those too. To keep the line moving, each person can order three at a time, but multiple visits and orders are allowed throughout the day. The freebie applies for dine-in, takeaway and advanced orders on the Heyyou app, too. And the coffee is courtesy of another Surry Hills favourite, Reuben Hills, so you know you're getting top-notch cuppas to boot. Whether you need to earn some brownie points at the office or its your shout with the mates, you've really lucked out this week.
When Harvest Rock announced that it was making a comeback for 2025, it locked in a big return for a music festival that's boasted killer lineups on its two past spins: for its debut in 2022 and its second spin in 2023. This year's roster of acts for the two-day Adelaide music festival is again a list to get excited about. There's no "someday" about when The Strokes will next be in Australia: headlining Harvest Rock and doing an Aussie-exclusive show, they're the main event on Saturday, October 25. Also taking to the stage on the fest's first 2025 day are The War on Drugs, also doing an Australian-exclusive gig. Vance Joy, M.I.A., Lime Cordiale and Genesis Owusu will be wowing Saturday crowds as well, as will The Presets, The Jungle Giants, Cloud Control, Bag Raiders and more. If you're a fan of Wolfmother's self-titled debut album, you're also in luck: the Australian band will play it in full. Harvest Rock's Sunday, October 26 lineup boasts Jelly Roll as its headliner, followed by Royel Otis, Groove Armada doing a DJ set, Shaboozey, PNAU, Lauren Spencer Smith, Ruel and Sneaky Sound System — and others. The fest's second day is also scoring the Ministry of Sound Classical treatment, aka dance music hits played live by an orchestra. The venue: Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina. When the event was first born, hailing from the Secret Sounds crew — who were also behind Splendour in the Grass — it not only aimed to get everyone dancing in a park in Adelaide each spring, but also delivered a weekend-long blend of music, food and wine. That's once more the setup. Accordingly, the festival also spans Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up dishes, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings. In 2025, the Amuse-Bouche Stage is part of the lineup, for instance, bringing together culinary figures, podcasters and comedians — with Ben Harvey and Belle Jackson, Nat's What I Reckon, the Marmalade trio and folks from the music bill also featuring. For a bite and a sip, Wildwoods & Cellar Door by Duncan Welgemoed & Nick Stock, Denny Bradden's Dirty Doris Diner, Regent Thai, Africola Canteen, Anchovy Bandit and Gang Gang are among your options. And, label-wise from the vino selection, so are Ochota Barrels, Yangarra, Basket Range Wines, Murdoch Hill, Grant Nash, Sherrah, S.C.Pannell / Protero, Shaw + Smith / Other Wine Co, Henschke, Les Fruits / Parley, Bloomfield, Stoke Wines, Worlds Apart, Koerner, First Drop, Torbreck, Adelina and Champagne Taittinger. Harvest Rock 2025 Lineup Saturday, October 25: The Strokes The War on Drugs Vance Joy M.I.A. Lime Cordiale Wolfmother The Presets Skream & Benga Genesis Owusu The Jungle Giants Cloud Control Vacations Bag Raiders (live) Teenage Joans Divebar Youth Sunsick Daisy Oscar The Wild Any Young Mechanic
For its latest special event, Restaurant Hubert is whisking patrons off to Italy — or, given everyone will still stay nestled in Sydney, doing the next best thing. A collaboration with Giorgio De Maria, Magnums & Movies will screen an Italian cinema classic, accompanied by plenty of wine (in magnums, of course) plus the restaurant's interpretation of Italian theatre and film snacks. And, it'll all take place in Hubert's 120-seat Theatre Royale, to really ramp up the film-meets-cabaret-meets-dinner vibe. To assist, there'll also be a cabaret performance featuring Ashley from Two Metre Tall and Tom from Shobbrook Wines. They'll be picking the tipples as well. Tickets don't come cheap, at $135 per head — but it's the kind of decadent evening out you don't get to enjoy everyday. To head along, contact the restaurant to make a booking. Images: Daniel Boud.
When Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi invited the world to experience the vampire sharehouse mockumentary genre, one of the best comedies of the decade wasn't the only result. Every film seems to spawn sequels, remakes, spinoffs and the like these days, but no one's complaining about spending more time in the What We Do in the Shadows universe. A follow-up, We're Wolves, is in the works, focusing on the undead bloodsuckers' Rhys Darby-led lycanthrope enemies. And six-episode television spinoff Wellington Paranormal, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural, is now streaming on SBS On Demand. Add a US TV remake of the original flick to the pile as well, but withhold any "do we really need a remake?" judgement. First revealed by Waititi last year, given a pilot order earlier in 2018 and now officially moving ahead with a ten-episode first season, the American version will be written by Clement and directed by Waititi, The Hollywood Reporter notes — and will see a documentary crew follow three vampire flatmates living in New York City, according to Variety. The series will star Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou and The Magicians' Harvey Guillen. It's unknown whether Clement and Waititi will reprise their on-screen roles in a guest capacity, but you can watch the first two (very brief) teasers here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLdeHQ_0nts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0idSAp9HRk With What We Do in the Shadows actually starting its life as a short back in 2005, the concept of flatting members of the undead arguing about bloody dishes has taken quite the journey since those early beginnings. If any idea was going to come back in multiple guises, it's this one. Of course, so have Clement and Waititi. Clement has a new Flight of the Conchords TV special airing on HBO this month, while Waititi two post-Thor: Ragnarok flicks in the works — a stop-motion animated effort called Bubbles, about Michael Jackson's chimp, and another by the name of Jojo Rabbit, set during World War II and starring Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell. The US remake isn't set to air in America until early-to-mid 2019. Via The Hollywood Reporter / Variety. Image: Kane Skennar.
The last known Tasmanian Tiger (or thylacine) died almost exactly 80 years ago — on September 7, 1936 — at Hobart Zoo. Although many Aussie species have been driven to extinction since then, none has lingered in our collective imagination with quite as much power. A new play from Human Animal Exchange takes this phenomenon as its dramatic starting point. Titled They Saw A Thylacine and showing at Q Theatre on April 23, the two-woman work stars Sarah Hamilton and Justine Hamilton. Taking on the roles of a thylacine tracker and a zookeeper's daughter, the two conjure up the Tasmanian Tiger's ghost out of death and darkness. Along the way, they reimagine the creature's vanished history, explore the meanings and ramifications of extinction, and reflect on humanity's survival. Following a highly successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, They Saw A Thylacine is the first production in this year's Brave New Work, an annual season of new and innovative Australian theatre, presented at The Joan, Penrith. Image: Pia Johnson.
Portrait of a Distant Land brings together six bodies of photographer Ricky Maynard's work, varying in style and subject. His most recent photo series, and his first ever series are displayed together in the first room and there is a nice counterpoint as we see Maynard's development in style and perspective, yet constancy in tone. The iconic first series, The Moonbird People, documents the muttonbirding season in Tasmania and highlights include Rookery, Trefoil Island, an elegantly composed and textured image, and the exhausted figure in Jason Thomas, the last evening load. Providing a unique historical context to the show is another exhibition upstairs which is curated by Maynard. Here he displays those documentary photographers who have informed his practice, including Dorothea Lange, Paul Strand, Walker Evans and Lewis Hine. Image: Ricky Maynard, Untitled from the series No More Than What You See 1994, 29 x 46 cm, black and white gelatin silver print, courtesy the artist and Stills Gallery Sydney.
Two rules govern the Color Run. First, turn up at the start line at 9am, dressed according to the official dress code: a white shirt. The adornment of the rest of your anatomy is a matter of personal choice. Rainbow tutus, crochet moustaches and leg warmers resembling packets of Life Savers are often part of the scenery. Second, appear 5 kilometres later at the finish line, doused in colour. How you get there is up to you. Even though the event is known as a 'fun run', travelling methods tend to vary from traditional marathon style to human wheelbarrow-ing to commando crawling. The colour part is easy — every kilometre, participants find themselves in a sea of bright cornflour pigment. None of the usual running event conventions apply. Time keeping, winners, divisions, Personal Bests and the like are all overwhelmed by the focus on having a good time. "[It's] less about speed and more about enjoying a colour crazy day with your friends and family," the Sydney Color Run site reads. To secure your spot in the run, head to the Color Run website.
No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga yazz residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, the Twilight at Taronga series is taking it up a huge, cred-worthy notch. One of the most contemporary lineups the series has seen in its 19 years running, the feathered, furred and finned will have plenty to choose from after hours this summer — with huge concerts spanning each Friday and Saturday night from Friday, January 30 through Saturday, March 21 at the zoo. Being one of Australia's most high-fiveworthy zoos, Taronga's drummed up one genuinely killer lineup. Bright Eyes' soul-searching dreamboat Conor Oberst will spin his heartfelt tales among the giraffes. That's right, the Conor Oberst, hangin' out at the zoo. Twee monarchs Belle and Sebastian, the one and only Rufus Wainwright and Powderfinger's legendary nice guy Bernard Fanning will share the season with Paul Kelly presenting Merri Soul Sessions, You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Something For Kate, Little May, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Hiatus Kaiyote and more; all fronting that top notch Sydney Harbour backdrop. Likewise, the Melbourne Zoo Twilights series is worth going interstate for — they get the motherflippin' Village People. Every Friday and Saturday evening from January 30 - March 7, Victorians will also bliss out to the sounds of local classics like Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Bernard Fanning as well as Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and yes, the Village People. Genre-wise, there's genuinely something for everyone; the lineup has you thoroughly covered in the realms of indie, folk, rock, bollywood and cult '70s disco (because why not). Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from the poor little animals. Conor Oberst plays Twilight at Taronga on Friday, March 6 — supported by The Felice Brothers. Thanks to Twilight at Taronga, we have one double pass to give away to one lucky CP reader. 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
With the innumerable Animal Collective ‘homage’ bands circulating the local live scene, it’s a wonderful and refreshing thing to hear a performer who borrows sounds of now, but uses them to create something engaging and unique. With roots in pop, r&b and atmospheric electronica (think Stereolab and Prefuse 73), Danimals recordings are as fun as they are interesting.His reverb-soaked summery vocals layered and looped over and over, strong groove rhythms, and playful accents of quirky R&B pop initially hold your attention because of their charm, but the longer you listen the more the nuanced, developed production shines through. The Sydney artist writes music solo but performs live on synthesiser accompanied by three drummers; Julian Sudek from Mercy Arms, Moses Macrae from Good Buddha, and Sherlock’s Daughter drummer Will Russell. See Danimals supporting Shady Lane at their album launch show August 22, or on September 10 at the Hopetoun Hotel
Christmas shopping can be a drag — sometimes it's best to get it out of the way before it depletes your much-needed December brain power. But when you find yourself browsing stalls of designer products with giveaways, barbecued food, wine and margaritas, it's suddenly become a pretty good-looking evening out. A few of the residents of Rosebery's artisan centre Saporium are holding a Christmas market with designer homewares, perfect for an after-work session of shopping and eating. You'll be able to snap up gifts from Australian designer furniture and homewares store Koskela (with a 15 percent discount all evening, no less), with neighbouring cafe Three Blue Ducks barbecuing chicken skewers, pumpkin and sausages. Five buck wine and beer will be on-hand too, along with activities for both kids and easily distracted adults. Interior stylist Megan Morton will also be on-hand over the night and you'll be able to peruse her MM Souvenirs range, featuring treasures from around the world. And by simply making a food purchase, you'll go into the draw to win hourly giveaways including Three Blue Ducks cookbooks, homewares and restaurant vouchers. Image: Three Blue Ducks.
After the success of their production Bennelong earlier this year, Indigenous Australian dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre is back with three homegrown dance stories performed as ONES COUNTRY — the spine of our stories. Commissioned by Bangarra's long-time artistic director, Stephen Page, the program presents three dance works, each taking viewers on a journey across Australia — from the desert and rough terrain of Arnhem Land to the waters of the Torres Strait Island to the urban life of Indigenous Australians. To bring you his first choreographic work, Place, Bangarra choreographer Kaine Sultan-Babij draws on his own experiences as a young, queer Aboriginal man living in a global society. Fellow Bangarra dancers and Torres Strait Islander women Elma Kris and Nicola Sabatino join forces in Whistler, an authentic story from their land, inspired by the call of the dugong. And finally, Elder, Yolgnu songman and Bangarra foundation member Djakapurra Munyarryun returns with his first choreographic work for Bangarra, Yalu. ONES COUNTRY — the spine of our stories opens Friday, November 24 at Carriageworks and runs until Saturday, December 2. Image: Edward Mulvihill.
From October 31–November 3, The Rocks — an area infamous for its ghostly history — will be transformed into an otherworldly realm of fear-inducing fun featuring a zombie dance party, a horror-filled food market, a Halloween parade and much more. First Fleet Park will transform into the Haunted Woods, where 22 food stalls styled as eerie cabins will create a New Orleans-inspired food and drink market where you can indulge in bone-rattling bites and channel your inner Dracula with cocktails served in blood bags. While navigating through the creepy complex, enjoy chilling music, ghastly performances and perhaps a ghostly encounter or two as you learn Sydney's most disturbing urban legends. This event is free to enter and all ages are welcome. By day, Playfair Street in The Rocks is filled with local vendors selling seasonal treats while visitors wander the historical streets. However, as dusk settles, a more ominous side will peek through the gloom as Ghost in the Rocks' Two-Faced Halloween Market conjures the perfect balance of delight and fright. As you explore this daunting space, look out for theatre troupe Deadhouse, who will be sharing chilling stories of the area's haunted past. The open-air Ghost Cinema will host screenings of horror films sure to scare even the most seasoned scary movie connoisseur while the Zombie Silent Disco dishes up bangers from beyond the grave. This outdoor party hosted by Poliakov Vodka on the Tallowoladah Lawn in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art will spin sickening tunes on an undead dance floor, complete with a five-metre zombie head DJ booth. Revellers can also test their mettle at Poliakov's Reborn from Ice experience, which invites guests to take a plunge into an ice bath before warming up with a vodka tasting. The Ghost in the Rocks Halloween Parade will summon a spooky spectacle inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras. The monstrous procession will take place on November 2, with a horrifying hoard of marchers taking to the streets between The Rocks and Circular Quay. Visitors can also get a ghoulish glow-up courtesy of the Crossing Lane makeover experience, where Sydney's best makeup and body paint artists will transform festivalgoers into nightmarish creatures to truly embrace Halloween spirit. Other highlights include The Murder Bar, an interactive experience where a total of 25 guests will sip on intriguing cocktails while investigating a choice of three different murder mysteries where anyone could be the culprit. The House of Horrors party will also fascinate thrill seekers. Set in a real haunted heritage house — the Union Bond Store where eerie sightings have been reported since 1841 — this hell-raising shindig will feature the most wicked DJs, formidable dancers and horrifying actors for one night of heinous hedonism. Meanwhile, younger scare seekers can also enjoy festivities as The Rocks hosts a trick and treat trail filled with both tricks and treats.
There's something oh-so-relaxing about staring at the sea, even if you're feasting your eyes on the water via the big screen. That's the concept behind the Ocean Film Festival Australia. You can't always spend all your time at the beach, by the river or in a pool — but you can spend an evening peering at the next best thing in a cinema. On select dates in March, screening at either 6.30pm or 7pm depending on the venue, the festival will unleash a cinematic feast of water-focused wonders onto the silver screen at various venues around Sydney. This is the event's 11th year, and it's heading to Randwick Ritz Cinemas on Wednesday, March 6, then Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne from Thursday, March 7–Friday, March 8, and also Event Cinemas George Street on Wednesday, March 13. Film-wise, viewers will spend time both above and below the ocean's surface thanks to a compilation of shorts from around the world. Expect to chase big waves, explore a range of sea life and get a hefty ocean rush, plus a heap of other sea adventures. One big highlight for 2024: Ice Maiden, about Lisa Blair's attempt to become the first woman to sail solo — and also without assistance, and non-stop — around Antarctica. The full program is united by a love of the ocean, an appreciation of the creatures who dwell in its waters and a curiosity to explore the substance that comprises more than two-thirds of the earth. It's the next best thing to diving in, all without getting wet.
Details on what you can expect from Smoke and Mirrors, the new show debuting at this years Sydney Festival, are about as vague and mysterious as the show's name would suggest. We could tell you that it's a "part vaudeville, part fantasy" and also that it's "a lavish and lyrical journey across an illusory landscape". But that doesn't really mean much. What we can definitely tell you is that its directed by Craig Illiot and stars iOTA – those same guys who brought us the awesome and super camp musical Hedwig and The Angry Inch back in 2007. And we also know that it’s been produced by the people behind La Clique, the astonishing cabaret crowd-pleaser that’s been rocking the Spiegeltent for the last three years. So then, we can also safely assume that Smoke and Mirrors will be a world-class anarchic cabaret masterpiece, full of songs and magic and dirty jokes. And that it will be gayer than Liza Minnelli.
After a long, hard day, the last thing you want to do is cook. So many ingredients and so many measurements to contend with. Then comes the boiling pot, the whirring of the extractor fan, the mess — it's all too much. There is something super comforting about Indian and Pakistani cuisine — between the nourishing ingredients, creaminess and tantalising spice, it's the perfect remedy to a bad day. Thankfully, you can get heart- and stomach-warming South Asian dishes delivered straight to your sofa. The only effort required on your part is to decide what to order, get some cutlery ready and put some pants on before you answer the door. Here, we'll get you started on the first part by suggesting some top-notch dishes from reliable, family-run restaurants all across Sydney. You're on your own with the pants though.
With the reopening of the Hotel Palisade, the controversial re-do of Durty Nelly's as The Village Inn, the revamp of the Bellevue Hotel, and the recent Vic on the Park-steered reno of The Lord Gladstone, the debate over great and terrible pub renovations is rife in Sydney at present. Now there's another on the table, with Petersham's White Cockatoo set to reopen as The West Village in October. Celebrated as a tried and true 'sham local with a schnitzel worth crossing the city for, the White Cockatoo is now under new ownership — ex-Drink 'n' Dine ownership. Locky Paech, former general manager of the Forresters in Surry Hills, is one of the new co-owners of the Petersham pub. Alongside business partner James Bodel, Paech has created a new Sydney hospitality group, Goodtime Hospitality. They've recruited lauded design crew Alexander and Co. for the job, renowned for such restaurant and bar fitouts as Surly's, Daniel San, The Print Room, Watsons Bay Hotel, The Morrison and the new Village Inn. Paech told Good Food the pub won't be gimmicky, so here's hoping the pub keeps some of its integrity. If you're worried about the schnitties, Paech is apparently going to keep a version of the dish that made the White Cockatoo famous in Sydney over 12 years of glory (in case you're after the real deal, the original schnitties are now being served at The Goni's Schnitzelria in Marrickville). We're not completely sold, but we'll give it a go. Paech has also recruited former Catalina chef Sam Thomson to create an original, gastropub-style menu for the West Village, with a focus on organic, ethically-produced ingredients. The West Village will open at 30 Terminus Street, Petersham, opening in October. The White Cockatoo's famous schnitzels can now be found at The Goni's Schnitzelria, 296 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Via Good Food. Images: The White Cockatoo Hotel, Dollar Photo Club.
CBDs all over the world are battlefields where vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians collide. In response, cities like Copenhagen and Vienna have long prided themselves on the creation of central car-free areas. In Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been barracking for a sizeable pedestrian zone in George Street, where trees and promenades would replace traffic lights and road rage. You might remember being treated to an all-too-brief taste of the concept back in October 2012, when Art and About’s closing night manifested as a Moveable Feast. A totally tranquil Sydney CBD isn’t happening quite yet, but NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has announced a pedestrian-friendly move. As of the end of 2014, a significant section of the CBD will receive a decreased speed limit of 40km/h — a 10km/h reduction on the current 50km/h. The limit will apply to the area bordered by Castlereagh, Pitt, Kent and Hay Streets. You can think of it as a major extension of the 40km/h section that already applies in The Rocks. The main motivation for the legislation is increasing pedestrian deaths. Seven have been killed in the CBD since 2008 — three of those in the past year and six of those in the area outlined here. "More than 90 per cent of trips made every day in the Sydney CBD are made on foot," Minister Gay announced. "We know that speed is a critical factor for the safety of pedestrians. A vehicle that hits a pedestrian at 50km/h is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle travelling 10km/h slower." However, he also acknowledged pedestrian misbehaviour as a factor. "Pedestrians also need to play their part to reduce the number of crashes," he said. "The Sydney CBD Motorcycle Response Team will continue to monitor poor pedestrian behaviour... Pedestrians should always cross at the lights, obey traffic signals, look both ways before they cross and stay alert by not getting distracted by phones or music." Via SMH.
Australia may be out of the World Cup, but that doesn't mean you need to be. Futbol gives way to foosball over at The Rocks between now and September 20. As part of a live art installation titled Arena Calcetto (which means 'arena for little football'), six 10m-high towers will each encase a publicly accessible foosball table. Created by non-profit Sydney collective Archrival, the work is the result of collaboration between more than 100 designers from ten countries around the world. Every member of every foosball team is a unique, custom-made creation, while the wooden towers are inspired by Venetian sailing boats. Originally made for the Australian Pavilion at the 13th Venice International Architecture Biennale, the work had a stint at Paddington's Reservoir Gardens during last year's Art & About. But with the World Cup on, this seems like the installation's true time to shine. “With its laneways and historic buildings, The Rocks is a great setting for Arena Calcetto's extraordinary timber towers and their hidden foosball tables,” Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO Catherine Gallagher said. "This fantastic installation will transform observers into contestants as they discover the custom-made tables hidden within the sculptures." See more images of the elaborately carved little players and imposing frames of Arena Calcetto here.
Better known as the organisation behind uni-student guzzling grounds Manning Bar and Hermann's Bar, the University of Sydney Union has been quietly adding to their art collection over the years. In Reticulation, the official 2014 Annual USU Art Collection exhibition, the art normally kept behind closed doors comes out to play. The two USU Art Collection officers Esther Rolfe and Julian Woods have curated this year's exhibition and have asked 12 other art-minded USU folk to select some of their favourite works. Celebrating the progress of the art collection and the dedication of the wider USU community, Reticulation will boast works from famed photographers like Bill Henson and Trent Parker, artist and filmmaker George Gittoes and renowned artists such as Vergil Lo Schiavo, Euan Macleod, Terry Ngamandarra, Arthur Streeton, Imants Tillers and Tjapaltjarri Warlimpirrnga. Image: Trent Parke, Untitled (from Dream life Series), 2000.
A food truck park with laid-back summer vibes, games and mini festivals has landed on the northern beaches. Sydney's first permanent food truck destination, Truck Stop is set to makes its home inside Mona Vale's sprawling food and entertainment hot spot Park House Food & Liquor. Truck Stop is home to a rotating lineup of food trucks as well as some pretty impressive permanent features, including a bar in an old-school 50s Airstream, a pizza kitchen and a taco truck in a vintage school bus. In between eating and drinking, you'll be able to listen to live music, on a stage made from an old flatbed pickup truck, and play a round of hand ball, croquet or ping pong. On top of all that, the food truck park will also play host to a series of pop-up events, including Craftoberfest (September 28–October 7) and Pound Paws Doggy Day (November 3). So there's already a fair bit on the agenda to draw you north of the bridge (if you're not already there). Truck Stop will be open throughout spring and summer, from 5–10pm on Fridays, and 12–10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
