Want to see a burlesque show that tells it like it is? Or circus cabaret that contemplates race relations in contemporary Australia? How about singing and striptease while smashing stereotypes? Or a performance that packs a punch of hip hop politics? All that makes up Hot Brown Honey, as well as dance, poetry, drama and a reflection of everyday problems. They return to the Sydney stage for an extended three-week season from June 7-25 following last year's sell-out Opera House season. And these bold performers aren't just trying to entertain, they're also working through issues of colour and culture — and courting controversy — in a show that's certain to get people talking. The story jumps from the simmering shores of Polynesia to the bogan streets of Australia, peering through the eyes of an Indigenous drag queen and stepping through the life of a single mother who just happens to be a DJ. Hailing from Polytoxic Dance Theatre, Circus OZ and Briefs, the Luscious Lisa Fa'alafi, the Curvaceous Candy B and the Bodacious Busty Beatz package their tale and topics in spicy humour and simmering honesty. Some like it hot, indeed.
With every new report from Manus Island or Nauru, it's easy to start feeling hopeless about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. So, Newtown's Parliament on King is inviting you to a dinner that'll restore your faith — and have you astonished at what some people can endure without losing their optimism. Introducing the first Hope Dinner. To be held on Saturday, June 25 as part of World Refugee Week, this three-course meal will feature traditional cooking by asylum seekers and refugees now settled Australia. In between dishing up, they'll be telling you stories, about how they came to be where they are today — from leaving their homelands to adapting to life in a new country. Plus, there'll be spoken word performances, presented by WWM Poetry. Two sittings will take place — the first at 6pm and the second at 7.30pm. Tickets are just $20, food included, so you'd be well advise to snap yours up ASAP.
With technology smashing down the barriers between real and pretend, a bunch of Aussie and Korean artists take a look at what it means to be human — right now and in the future. The results include crossbred cacti, LED books, dancing robots and a pneumatically-powered blender that mixes human biomaterials. Yep, it's pretty much a mind-bending combo of Star Wars, Blade Runner and an ordinary day with Bompas and Parr (who, sadly, aren't in this exhibition). But never fear, artists tackling the future include Perth's Rebecca Baumann, who's obsessed with the relationship between colours, materials and feelings; Seoul's Airan Kang, who's presenting her ongoing Digital Book Project, which explores the future of the mighty book; and Sydney's Justin Shoulder, who'll be creating some mad performance art in the MCA Lecture Theatre on August 8, 9 and 10. New Romance: Art and the posthuman will be bringing a dose of weird and wonderfulness to your winter until September 4. And, by the way, it's free.
Not content with a run-of-the-mill cuppa? Find your people at the Sydney Tea Festival, returning to Carriageworks this month for the third year running. Off the back of their successful venture into Melbourne this May, this wildly popular festival is back with a characteristically eclectic 2016 program. There's a number of offerings for seasoned specialty tea-lovers and advocates of the humble tea bag alike across its market and workshops. Entry to the tea market includes a tasting cup, which will almost certainly come in handy when sampling brews from over 50 stallholders, including T2 (who you'd be sneakily sampling in-store on a weekend anyway), Sticky Chai, T Totaler, Rabbit Hole, Bodhi Organic Tea, Tippity and LongLeaf Tea Vodka (which is exactly what it sounds like). In addition to a variety of specialty loose-leaf tea and herbal tisanes, visitors will find tempting food stalls and tea ware in the market from Black Star Pastry, Bloodwood and Bodum among others. Those wanting to delve further into the uses and brewing of tea should check out the festival's workshops. Try your hand at some divination while waiting for your Hogwarts letter with the tea leaf reading workshop. If you would rather drink the tea than read it, other workshop offerings include bespoke chai blending, tea and chocolate pairing, as well as talks about the history of tea. Cap off the day with a cup of tea in the brew lounge, knowing you've made a stellar contribution to the 7.7 billion cups of tea likely to be sold in Australia this year.
What do Helmut Newton, Judy Cassab, Yoko Ono and Ai Wei Wei have in common? They're all world-renowned artists and they all come from refugee backgrounds. Some of their works, as well as those from 19 other artists who had similar experiences, are brought together in this powerful exhibition titled, simply, Refugees. Gathered from public and private collections all over Australia, the 65 pieces have never before been displayed in Western Sydney. Other names in the mix are Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, Lucian Freud and Aida Tomescu. Plus, there are two new works by Australian artists Guo Jian and Ah Xian, commissioned for the exhibition. Collectively, they explore the many dimensions of the refugee's plight, from being forced to leave home to taking risks on boats to arriving in strange countries. Australia's hardline treatment of asylum seekers is also examined.
Nocturnal creatures and art lovers, get on down to the National Art School this Thursday night for their second free after-dark shindig — and this time they're heading back to the Beat Generation. From 6pm, for three hours, you'll be immersed in '50s and '60s-style Beatnik culture. Channel a strong love for jazz bars, coffee and post-war American art, music and literature into a humdinger of an after-hours event. Berets and turtlenecks strongly encouraged. Enjoy a cheeky vino from Cake Wines, watching Chicago's spoken-word star Miles Merrill perform a spoken-word poetry piece inspired by legendary beat poets Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Find your inner Jackson Pollock with a free action painting workshop. Wander current exhibition Ann Thomson & Contemporaries (open till 9pm) and see a Floor Talk by curator Judith Blackall and the artist herself. Then dance your Beatnik butt off to an acoustic set of '60s inspired tunes from Frances Castley.
Carriageworks and Vivid Sydney are joining forces again this year with their dining series, Sydney Table, which will take place in The Clothing Store's new creative space over four nights from Wednesday, June 14 through Saturday, June 17. Each evening will see one of Sydney's leading chefs present a menu paired with contemporary music, art and design in an interactive dining experience. The lineup of chefs they've wrangled up is quite impressive, though it's no surprise from curator Mike McEnearney — who, in addition to running Kitchen by Mike and No. 1 Bent Street, acts as the creative director for the Carriageworks Farmers Market. Chefs include Lankan Filling Station's O Tama Carey on June 14, Automata's Clayton Wells on June 15, Biota's James Viles on June 16 and rounding out the series is Moon Park's Ben Sears on June 17. While the menus will be decidedly different, from modern Australian to Sri Lankan and Korean, each chef will use fresh, locally sourced produce and each dinner will be paired with wine, liquor from Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Scotchmans Hill, and beer from Asahi. Sydney-based writer and FBi Radio presenter Lee Tran Lam will act as master of ceremonies for each dinner, and creative director Tony Assness has curated each night with artists, designers and musicians from the recently announced Artist Studio Program, which will compliment the menus and add a new level to this creative dinner. For all of this star power, tickets are expectantly expensive at $200 each, but include canapes and a gin cocktail on arrival, followed by a three-course degustation menu. Last year's series was sold out, so best get on to those tickets now. Image: Zan Wimberley.
If tequila makes you wild, gin makes you cry and vodka makes you sloppy, whisky takes the slow-and-leisurely lane at the drinking Olympics. Like your mate throwing a warm jacket over your shoulders, there's something inherently comfortable and satisfying about enjoying an old, wise liquor. There's something even more satisfying about enjoying the rich and brooding flavours of sherried whiskies. Hit by the increasing cost and rarity of quality casks, availability and affordability of sherry-cask aged whiskies has declined in recent years. Lucky for you, experts in the nuances of whisky and founders of Sydney's first new distillery in 150 years, Archie Rose, are inviting you to eat, drink and be sherry at a sherried whisky masterclass with master distiller Dave Withers. Only a handful of the fine single malt scotches and Irish whiskeys you'll be tasting are available in Australia and, with mystery whisky aperitifs on arrival and dinner mid-way through, Archie Rose, new kids on the whisky block, are throwing down the gauntlet with a heavyweight booze offering. Don your drinking cap, get down to Rosebery, and be a part of it.
Palace, a Newcastle-based creator of house and techno shindigs, is teaming up with producer Roland Tings and light artists Underground Arts, to bring you a massive night of music and light at the Imperial Hotel. Happening as part of Vivid, the event will be the second edition of Painting With Light. The first, to be held a week before on Saturday, June 10, will feature Cosmo's Midnight and Sounds Like A Nice Time. At Painting With Light 2, Underground Arts will immerse the room in projections, holograms, UV and black lighting, infinity boxes and fog. Into this, Roland Tings will bring his synthscapes, laced with techno and pop. Tings has just toured the nation on the back of his EP Each Moment a Diamond. Also on the bill are Sydney's Dro Carey and Kato, as well as Elijah Something from the Central Coast. Meanwhile, upstairs OWT DJ's will be running an intimate disco experience with the help of Nine Yards and Russel Feathers.
Flume is teaming up with LA-based, Australian-born visual artist Jonathan Zawada for a blink and you'll miss it multimedia pop-up in Surry Hills this December. Named after the ARIA chart-topping musician's sophomore album Skin, for which Zawada created the cover art, live graphics, related videos and merchandise, the free exhibition will be open at Special Group Studios on Devonshire Street from Wednesday, December 7 through to Sunday, December 11, and will feature a series of new video works created exclusively for the show. "I've always been a huge fan of Jonathan's work so it's been a privilege to have him involved in the visual aesthetic around Skin, from the album art to the live show and merch," said Flume. "Visually I'm interested in the contrast of organic and synthetic, Jonathan's work so cleverly depicts this so it's been a natural fit for the music. I love the way he embraces technology to twist and contort things from the real world in alien ways." The pop-up will feature eight never-before-seen videos that combine fantastical animation by Zawada with ethereal sound design by Flume. Alongside these will be a series of large scale silk prints that further highlight the pair's unique creative partnership. Open daily from 10am - 6pm.
Every present you buy at this event will go straight to helping a puppy. Yeah, you're already making plans for this one aren't you. This December, a pop-up shop has made itself comfortable in Martin Place, selling Christmas gifts for the sole purpose of raising money to train Guide Dog puppies. It takes $35,000 to train one Guide Dog, so every little bit helps. Open every day, 11.30am to 2.30pm, this pop-up shop is the perfect place to shop for the pooch-lovers in your life. Maybe you'll even get to pat one if you're lucky.
Looking for the next wave of Australian choreography? Just after a solid cultural night out in Sydney? This one's for you. Four of Australia's boldest new choreographers have joined forces to present their latest and most ballsy work for this year's instalment of New Breed at Carriageworks. New Breed is the product of a brilliant collaboration between Carriageworks and the Sydney Dance Company, first launched in 2014. The idea is to give a leg-up to the next generation's most impressive dance talents. After all, launching a career on your own can be tough. So, Carriageworks's associate director of programming Lisa Ffrench teamed up with Sydney Dance Company's artistic director Rafael Bonachela to scope out four of Australia's most promising youngsters: Rachel Arianne Ogle (Perth), Shian Law (Melbourne), Jesse Scales (Hobart) and Richard Cilli (Perth). Each of these gifted, creative creatures was given six months to come up with a new dance piece. To help them along, they had access to Sydney Dance Company — both its beautiful studios and its ridiculously skilled ensemble. Now, you get to lap up the results with four new works.
For a taste of the Hunter Valley's finest food and wine without the long drive, take a day trip to the beachside suburb of Avalon, where you can experience all the delights of Australia's premium wine growing region at the inaugural Uncorked Avalon festival. For one day only, over 20 Hunter Valley wineries and gourmet food suppliers will come together to provide a taste of what's to come at this year's Hunter Valley Food and Wine Festival. As well as sampling your way through the goods on offer, you'll be able to brush up on your knowledge of wine at the cellar sessions held by The Wine Selectors Expert Tasting Panel. Tasting vouchers are $3.50 each on the day, or you can skip the line and pre-purchase a Riedel wine glass with four tasting tickets online for $29. Prepare your palate — it's set to be a big day of wining and dining.
Still Life, directed by Dimitris Papaioannou (the man who gave us the pomp and splendour of the Athens Olympics opening and closing ceremonies), is a series of unique individual performances combining to form a hallucination concocted by the director's mind. Inspired by the myth of Sisyphus, the Corinthian king tasked to roll a boulder up a hill for all eternity, Papaioannou tasks his actors with eccentric feats that call to mind the mundane drudgery we face every day. Especially Mondays. The character of Sisyphus has inspired philosophers from Kafka to Camus, spurring them to assert that happiness can be found in the acceptance of our lot, and in the revolt against the melancholia that can result. In Still Life, Papaioannou shines the light of this continental philosophy on the lives of his audience. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list.
For most of us, a world with sight and sound is so natural, so normal that it's almost impossible for us to comprehend a world without them. In Imagined Touch, deafblind artists Heather Lawson and Michelle Stevens invite us into this life, to experience the world of art in the way that they do: without sight or sound. Wearing vision-limiting goggles and chunky headphones, the visitor takes on a unique experience, relying on the remaining senses to feel the story presented by the artists. Imagined Touch will also be presented as a self-guided free installation at Carriageworks from January 10-14. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list.
Hold onto your doughnuts and prepare to say ay, caramba! more than once, because the Sydney Opera House has a huuuuge headliner for this year's GRAPHIC festival: Matt Groening. The comedic cartoonist genius responsible for The Simpsons and Futurama will make his way to Australia for the very first time to speak at the two-day festival this November, which celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Considering most of us probably acquired the large majority of our pre-Internet knowledge on global popular culture from Groening's work (well, when we could wrangle watching The Simpsons instead of the 6pm news), it seems like a brilliant full circle that we're now able to see him speak IRL as adults. He will deliver a talk titled Secrets of The Simpsons, and a Couple of Milhouse Fun Facts, which will delve into the making of the show, include hardly-seen clips and apparently even some full-frontal cartoon nudity. He will also join a session with his friend and fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. Other highlights from the GRAPHIC 2016 program include a screening of George Lucas' 1971 sci-fi epic THX 1138, which will be re-scored live by Asian Dub Foundation. There will be a heap of free talks from cartoonists including Leunig and First Dog on the Moon, as well as two film premieres from Neil Gaiman, who has previously called the festival "the smartest, wisest, most cutting-edge festival and celebration of narrative literature and its intersection with culture in the world".
Western Sydney, loosen your belts. More than 40 food trucks will soon be powering your way. And, when they gather at Rooty Hill RSL on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, they'll form the heart of Off the Eaten Truck, the biggest food truck festival ever to hit Western Sydney. For two glorious days, you're invited to do nothing but sample their wares. You'll be tucking into burgers from Mister Gee, Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas from Happy as Larry, organic creations from Agape, Mexican snacks from Cantina Movil, Vietnamese street food from Mama Linh's and so much more deliciousness. And, while you're feasting, there'll be live and local music to keep your ears happy. Entry is free, but should you decide to make a gold donation, it'll go to the Movember Foundation. Off The Eaten Truck is a collaboration between Rooty Hill RSL and Knafeh's Bearded Bakers. Creative director Ameer El-issa said, "For too long Western Sydney has been a forgotten market when it comes to food festivals. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring together a collective of operators who are all likeminded — who love food, and love bringing it to people."
Sydney is about to get a brand new arts and cultural hub led by people with disabilities. Meet Front Up. Setting up in Seven Hills and run by not-for-profit Ability Options, the centre will provide education, as well as access to a host of cutting-edge facilities, including a theatre, gallery, performance space, audio-visual studios, multimedia and a café. Participants will learn artsy skills, alongside self-confidence and career development. And you're invited to the launch, happening at Barangaroo's The Cutaway on Tuesday, November 15. It's in the form of an art exhibition titled I'm Still Here and created by artists involved in Front Up's 12-week pilot. The artists spent three days exploring the AGNSW's current exhibitions: Julian Rosefeldt's Manifesto, Eko Nugroho's Lot Lost and Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, before getting down to their own works. The show includes paintings, sculptures, installations, performance, poetry and video, exploring identity, visibility and validation.
Lovers of #ladyDJs, here's one for you. FBi Radio has long been a supporter of grrrls who are keen to #takecharge and get the dancefloor started. But, that can be easier said than done in a genuinely male-dominated electronic music industry. So, in collaboration with MoVement Sydney, FBi treated five trainees to masterclasses and mentors, in order to even up this industry with killer new female talent. And now, you — and your dancing shoes — get to sample the results. For free. Head on down to FBi's Alexandria HQ on Wednesday, October 19 for an all-ages party, where you'll hear Melbourne synth-poppers GL, alongside upcoming DJs Ebony Boadu, Ella Haines, Elizabeth Gale, Holly O'Neill and Katrina Stevens. Just don't forget to RSVP online.
Marrickville's newest craft bottle shop, Bucket Boys, is launching this Sydney Craft Beer Week with a history lesson. Owner and self-proclaimed beer geek Johnathan Hepner (ex-Lord Raglan and Batch) knows more about craft beer history than anyone we've ever met. They'll be recreating recipes from five major brewing civilisations and Hepner will take you on a journey through beer, from ye olden days to present.
Anyone who has ever watched a horror movie before knows that you should never, ever go into the woods. Yet that's exactly what the people behind Australia's coolest new immersive cinema experience are asking you to do. Horror Movie Campout is a blood-soaked overnight camping trip held in a secret Blair Witch-style forest an hour from the city. Just please, leave the machete at home. Hitting Melbourne in December and Sydney in March, this uniquely scary take on outdoor movie-going will treat campers to two classic horror films, along with a number of gory shorts. The first is 1973's head-spinner The Exorcist – enjoy the serenity of fear while roasting marshmallows and munching on popcorn (or spilling it) into the early hours of the morning. The second popular horror feature will be voted for by HMC campers via Facebook. But it's not just the movies. Beyond the comfort of your cosy cinema spot, surprises lurk in the forest. Is someone following you? Is that a person’s shadow, or just your imagination playing tricks? Horror Movie Campout promises to put your heart – and your bladder – to the test. Each $180 ticket includes a tent to sleep three mates. Glamping options are also available for $240, offering luxury horror-goers VIP perks such as express entry and primo spots in front of the screen. Just don't think you're exempt from the special horror surprises. It should also probably go without saying that this is strictly an R18+ event. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
You know that thing you've been thinking about doing for ages, but never had the guts to pursue? Those wild, seemingly unrealistic ideas we all have are what a brave few have used to shape their entire careers. And Jack Smyth and John Dawson from the team at Mindshare want to bring you an invaluable insight into how this can all come true. With a diverse panel of speakers, from scientists to reality TV producers, this Vivid Ideas event focuses on how creativity serves as one of the most valuable resources in today's modern economy. Feeling like you're stuck in a rut? This one's sure to fix that. This is one of our top picks for Vivid Ideas events. Read the whole list and reboot your brain.
What's better than one annual showcase of French movies ? Two, of course. After giving Aussie audiences the best in Gallic cinema once a year for the past 26 years — and building the biggest festival of French films outside of France, too — the folks behind the Alliance Française French Film Festival are doubling their efforts. In fantastic news for anyone who likes diving back into the great flicks of times gone by, the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will shine a light on a heap of old favourites. It's the second time the fest has done so, but the first time it has toured around the country. Heading to screens in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne during September through to November, the fest will unleash classic efforts starring everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Catherine Deneuve to Isabelle Huppert for your viewing pleasure, . Feasting your eyes on the game-changing wonder that is Jean-Luc Godard new wave hit Breathless is a must, whether you're keen for a revisit or you're watching it for the first time. Also check out extravagant French western Viva Maria!, the love triangle-focused Cesar and Rosalie, the Venezuelan-set Lovers Like Us, and black-and-white underworld crime drama Casque d'Or. Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will run at two Sydney venues: August 26-28 at Palace Norton Street and September 2-4 at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of brand new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Sydney for four days this September. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big — they've even moved to Paddington Town Hall. You'll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Marni, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Christopher Kane, Kenzo and Iro alongside local favourites from McGraw, Gary Bigeni, Karla Spetic, Emma Mulholland and Benah to name a few. With discounts of up to 80 percent off and items for as little as $20, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that'll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale opening hours: September 7 — VIP PREVIEW September 8 — 9am - 8pm September 9 — 9am - 6pm September 10 — 9am - 6pm September 11 — 10am - 4pm
As evening rolls in on Saturday September 17, a sea of light and colour is set to burst to life in one of the city's thriving local haunts. Now in its fifth year, Chippendale Creative Precinct brings nine alleyways of this suburb alive for one night only in the 2016 instalment of Beams Arts Festival. Visited by over 22,000 local and international guests last year, Beams returns to Chippendale for its annual celebration of all things bright and creative. Following the flourishing transformation of the Kensington Street Precinct from its pre-colonial slumber, this year Beams promises to continue the area's impressive display of art, culture, fine food and wine with this after-dark extravaganza. See Chippendale's creative community come to life from 5pm, featuring everything from performance artists and video animations to light exhibitions and even a spot of live music. Over 40 of Sydney's best street artists will gravitate to O'Connor Street, just around the corner from Kensington Street, to create a 100-metre graffiti wall. As for the nosh, seeing as though the area has exploded with new restaurants and bars of late, expect bountiful eats from Mekong, Bar Chinois, Automata, Andiamo and Kensington Street Social set to keep crowds (and stomaches) happy.
If you've been taking things a bit slow of late, get yourself to The Panic Room for a speed-up. This virtual version of the mighty escape room format demands lightning fast thinking, super-efficient communication skills and Einstein-level problem solving. You and your buddies will be equipped with virtual reality head sets, the clock will be set and you'll be scrambling around, desperately seeking a way out before time's up. There are just four sessions of one hour each and we reckon they'll be pretty damn popular, so it's a smart idea to book sooner rather than later.
St Leonards is often overlooked as one of Sydney's more productive artistic hubs, but this is quickly changing thanks to the TWT Creative Precinct, an artist-run initiative that provides workspaces for over 70 artists working in visual, performing, music and film disciplines. To witness the lower north shore's cultural evolution in action, head along to this year's block party, a free annual event celebrating local artists and creatives. The jam-packed program will feature a range of exhibitions, performances, film screenings, music and workshops, happening in 16 different spaces over 11 buildings on Atchison and Chandos Streets. Highlights include the unveiling of a two-storey high public mural by renowned Sydney street artist Beastman, as well as an immersive installation by William Mansfield, short film screenings by Arcadia and even a shadow puppetry show by interdisciplinary artist Aesha Henderson. Follow the trail through TWT Creative Precinct's exhibition spaces and finish up at X&Co Cafe, a non-profit, artist-run social enterprise where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
If you're the kind of person who is quick to take offence, you might want to give the latest play from writer Declan Greene a miss. Indeed, all you need to do is look at the title to know that The Homosexuals, or Faggots, is not the kind of show to pull its punches. Fresh from a successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Greene's blistering social satire is heading to Griffin Theatre Company. You'll follow Warren and Kim, a pair of wealthy gay men who find themselves in an awkward situation involving a politically incorrect costume party and an easily offended academic. What follows is a farce that takes the piss out of hypocrites on both the right and the left, and has been described by the playwright himself as one of the more provocative things he's ever written. Rehearsal image: Brett Boardman/Malthouse Theatre.
The Oak Barrel is bringing back its sixth annual Sydney Craft Beer and Cider Fair on Saturday, June 24. This indoor showcase collates the very best of Australian and international craft beer and cider under the roof of one of the best and oldest craft bottle shops in the city. This year's fair will feature 22 stallholders, from newcomers Sauce Brewing to Sydney favourites Wayward Brewing and Akasha Brewing, along with Tasmania's Two Metre Tall, Adelaide's Pirate Life and WA's Colonial Brewing. All toll, there will be over 120 craft beers and ciders on hand and many of the brewers behind those beers will be there to have a chat. As in previous years, the festival focuses on local producers and the community aspects of independent, family owned craft brewing. This event has sold out every year running, so best to get your tickets while you still can.
This month, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art hosts An Omen Near and Far, an exhibition of the work of Vietnamese-Australian artist Dacchi Dang. Curated by Pedro de Almeida, the show embraces three decades of Dang's photography, printmaking, video and installation, including a brand new work commissioned for the exhibition titled 'Et in Arcadia Ego' – a wax bamboo forest that will be set alight and melted in a series of performances. Opening on June 9, An Omen Near and Far also presents historical material from the archives of both Dang and 4A, including documentation of the creation of his work 'The Boat' (2001), a significant and memorable artistic consideration of Australia's treatment of refugees. Dang himself arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing war-torn Vietnam. His artistic practice is fed by an ongoing redefinition of what both place and home mean, and an ongoing attempt to articulate the complexity of diasporic experience. Through what he calls a "visually poetic language", Dang aims to preserve stories for present and future Australian Vietnamese generations. Image: Dacchi Dang, Untitled (from the series Spectacle II), 1996.
Vivid LIVE expanded last year with its Artist Talks Program, which saw artists taking the stage for their Vivid show and also for a special Q&A. Artists like New Order, Anohni and Wafia chatted to audiences across multiple Opera House foyers, as well as in the Playhouse. The talks are designed to give audiences the ability to both hear artists perform and also reflect on their creative process. This year, the program is somewhat smaller, but will allow Vivid punters the chance to hear from headlining artists in conjunction with their Vivid LIVE show. Australian electronic producer Nick Murphy (formerly Chet Faker) will chat with Triple R broadcaster Lauren Taylor about his new EP Missing Link — and, inevitably, why he's moved on from 'Chet Faker'. Legendary producer Richie Hawtin will chat with Vivid LIVE festival curator Ben Marshall to unpack Hawtin's career and the modern state of electronic music, ahead of his headline performance on the Northern Boardwalk. The Artist Talks series is completely free, you just need to book in advance. Read more about the Vivid Sydney 2017 program here.
Hold onto your paper plates Sydney, there's another Night Market coming to Carriageworks — this time it coincides with the penultimate evening of Vivid Sydney on Friday, June 16. This year's market will be twice the size of previous years, with a slew of stallholders taking over Carriageworks from 5pm. You can expect to once again sample goods from New South Wales' top tier of restaurants, winemakers, breweries and providores, all inspired by this year's theme 'Cooking with Fire'. Billy Kwong, Young Henrys, Cake Wines, 4Fourteen, No.1 Bent Street and Pepe Saya will be returning, and they'll be joined by the likes of first-timer Hartsyard, Firedoor, Three Blue Ducks, Rising Sun Workshop, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Cairo Takeaway and Lankan Filling Station. Darren Robertson's almost-open North Bondi venue Rocker will be doing the drinks, too. Tickets are $10 — head to the Carriageworks website to book ahead. Image: Tim da Rin.
It's time to set your inner Grand Designs junkie free. For three months from August 29, the Superhouse exhibition will fill the Sydney Museum with the most innovative, magical and downright amazing buildings in the whole wide world. Whether your fix is small spaces, rooftops, skylines, mixing architecture with nature or transformations, there'll be both photographs and immersive displays to inspire you. Highlights include Astley Castle, a 12th-century ruin-turned-contemporary-home, and Solo House, which is built around a swimming pool. The forces behind the show are author and curator Karen McCartney and photographer Richard Powers, who worked together on Superhouse, the book. Karen was at the Sydney Museum last year with the 2014 Iconic Australian Houses exhibition. “The exhibition demonstrates how architectural experimentation and daring can challenge notions of how we should live," she said in a media statement. "A superhouse delivers a 360-degree completeness of form, its exterior and interior have a seamless execution and above all else, it is awe-inspiring ... This quality can be elicited from the perfection of its natural setting, a remarkable use of materials, an exceptional level of craft, ground-breaking innovation or a use of space that lifts the spirit."
One of Melbourne's cult burger heroes is headed across state lines. Master purveyors of awesome, unpretentious, American-style hamburgers, Huxtaburger is firing up its grill at Harpoon Harry in Surry Hills for one weekend only. Expect queues. Big ones. The pop-up Huxtaburger will be flipping wagyu patties from 5–10pm on Saturday, July 25 and again the same time on Sunday. Hungry carnivores will be able to choose from a number of different varities including the classic Huxtaburger (beef patty with mustard, mayo, tomato sauce, tomato, cheese, lettuce and pickles), the Denise (regular huxtaburger with jalapeno and sriracha mayo) and the Clair (southern fried chicken with slaw and mayo), while the Sondra (tofu burger with sesame mayo) means there's an option for vegetarians as well. They'll also be serving up crinkle cut chipotle chips and plenty of cold, cold beer. The pop-up cook-out will also double as the launch party for head chef Daniel Wilson's new book, The Huxtaburger Book: The Art & Science of the Perfect Burger. 'Perfect' is a pretty bold claim, but frankly we'll be too busy licking our fingers and lining up for seconds to argue with him. Wilson will be on hand in case you want to pick up a signed copy, in either ink or tomato sauce. Harpoon Harry's previously hosted a weekend residency for Melbourne fried chicken joint Belle's Hot Chicken in June, to considerable success. Assuming the long distance foodie loving continues, we've got our fingers crossed for a Shawcross Pizza pop-up in August. Huxtaburger will pop up at Harpoon Harry on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 from 5–10pm.
Last year, people queued around the block for FBi Click’s launch party. Twelve months on, FBi Radio's electronica-focused digital station, which plays new beats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is here to stay. And to celebrate its first anniversary, the whole team is returning to Goodgod Small Club on Saturday, 27 June to take over the entire venue. Every single one of the station’s crew members will be in attendance, delivering wall-to-wall DJ sets. That includes Motorik, Picnic, Astral People, Purple Sneakers, Bare Necessities, Body Promise, Goodgod Sound Unlimited, Lazy Radio, Foreigndub Airways and Thump. To top it off, Black Vanilla will be popping in for a special guest DJ set. The music kicks off at 10pm and continues till late. Entry is $15 on the door or $10 for FBi supporters. You can’t book tickets in advance and it’s likely to sell out super-fast, so get there early, equipped for waiting in line. Image: Yael Stempler, FBi Radio.
Could this be Sydney's very own one-day version of South by Southwest? There's a brand new music festival coming to Sydney, letting you wander between three of the city's best venues to discover your new favourite local band. Volumes is a brand new live music project happening this August, a collaborative concept between some of Australia's most groundbreaking labels, hyped-up musicians and Sydney venues to create a kind of mini South by Southwest in the heart of the city. Co-curated and presented by Sydney/Melbourne label I OH YOU, Wollongong’s Farmer & the Owl and the Gold Coast’s Strange Yonder, alongside Vice's Noisey and Thump, Volumes is the first event of its kind in the city. A multi-venued affair, Volumes is happening on August 29 from 2pm across Oxford Art Factory, The Cliff Dive and Brighton Up Bar, handpicked for their high-fiveworthy set-ups and walking distance proximity to each other on Oxford Street. You can pop between venues easily enough on the day; one wristband will allow you to move between stages at Oxford Art Factory, OAF Gallery Bar, The Cliff Dive and Brighton Up Bar (that 2pm start time is intentionally way before lockout). Each stage is being crafted and themed with its own personality, through both genre programming and how each joint is decked out. According to the Volumes team, you can expect anything from tropical psychedelic discos to gritty post-punk dungeons and all-encompassing walls of sound. So who's playing? Volume's lineup sees some of Australia's most genuinely must-see artists (both established and newbie) on one eclectic bill: Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, The Laurels, Canyons, Lower Spectrum, Noise In My Head, World Champion, Catlips, The Walking Who, Zeahorse, Day Ravies, Shining Bird, Step-Panther, Mere Women, The Dandelion, You Beauty, Lovebombs, Steele Bonus, TEES, Mezko, Flowertruck, The Pinheads, Gold Class, Death Bells, Wild Honey, Yo Grito! and Dusty Fingers as well as I OH YOU DJs, Strange Yonder DJs, Noisey DJs and THUMP DJs. Volumes has sights set on some pretty lofty future goals — aims we can truly get behind. The crew intend to grow the festival into a platform for both Australian and international record labels and artists to collaborate, showcase their rosters and curate lineups together — it's like BIGSOUND meets CMJ meets SXSW meets The Great Escape. Take our money. Volumes is happening on August 29 from 2pm at Oxford Art Factory, Brighton Up Bar and The Cliff Dive. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $39.90 for early birds. Grab one here. Images: Volumes and I Oh You.
It's been three years since Florence + The Machine last toured Australia and we were beginning to think it'd be another three years before they toured again. Oh how wrong we were. Not content with just headlining this year's Splendour In The Grass and playing two packed sideshows, the group have announced that they'll be back in November. British powerhouse Florence Welch and her crew will be touring the country with a set list from their third studio album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Guess they like Australia after all (and if the album's debut at #1 on the ARIA charts is anything to go by, we seem to have a bit of a thing for them too.) 2015 has been a busy year for the group, with performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, plus Austin City Limits this coming October. Now they'll be going solo, performing five dates across Australia. This includes two show at one of the country's most iconic venues: the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, an area reserved for the most popular of acts. You'll be able to enjoy an evening of infectious powerhouse art rock against one of the most perfect backdrops in the nation. Tickets to their Australian tour go on sale from 10 am (AEST) on Monday August 3 – and judging from how popular their Splendour sideshows were, you'll have to be extra quick to get your hands on them. Get ready to get your jive on.
At the risk of setting too great store by a Disney film... scratch that, too great store by the single greatest Disney film ever produced we don't want to hear any questions — we're here to tell you this is your ultimate chance to become one with the Circle of Life. The 1994 Disney classic that ruled your life as a child, The Lion King, is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and to mark the entrance into its lion prime Goodgod are throwing a no holds barred Lion King extravaganza. A 7pm screening of the film is just the beginning, followed immediately by trivia where you can desperately try to justify the hours you've spent watching the VHS and singing along to Elton John. The truly inspired part of this night though, is a performance of the entire blessed soundtrack by Sydney's own psych pop legends Richard In your Mind. Wednesday night, it means no worries.
In some circles, brunching is considered a serious artform; well-considered for menu, atmosphere, availability of soothing breakfast booze. Sydney's pretty damn good at brunchery, with smashed avos, applaudable cold drips and all the Bloody Marys filling up Sydneysider bellies every weekend. But if you’re looking to really up your brunch game, there’s one heck of a breakfast party happening in Waterloo’s warehouse conversion tapas and wine bar, mojo. Luke Mangan's Danks Street eatery is holding ‘Brunch of Fun’ on Saturday, April 11, with some of Sydney’s most creative foodie and boozy champs. Pretty much a showcase of Sydney’s culinary ingenuity, Brunch of Fun sounds like a weekend party worth getting up early for. There’s going to be Instagram-worthy desserts from the outrageously talented Katherine Sabbath, fresh ‘wiches from Brooklyn Boy Bagels, crazy, crazy delicious wizardry from N2 Extreme Gelato, locally-brewed goodness from Young Henrys as well as hot treats and breakfast cocktails from mojo. Plus, there'll be local DJs caressing your eardums while you munch. Best of all, it's free entry so you can use all that dosh on nosh. Set your alarm.
What do No Lights No Lycra and Earth Hour have in common? First up, they both started in Australia. Second, they’ve both turned into global movements. Third, neither likes lights. So it makes perfect sense that the two should team up. And that's exactly what they’re doing this Saturday, 28 March at 8.30pm. People all over the world are invited to spend Earth Hour with the lights switched off, dancing, as part of a global event dubbed 'Switch Off and Dance'. The No Lights No Lycra folks are even curating a playlist — so not only will you be letting loose at precisely the same time as thousands of others, you’ll be doing so to exactly the same tunes. As is the case with all No Lights No Lycra events, the danceathon is all about getting down in a place where no one can see you, so there's no being self-conscious or worrying about who's comparing your moves to Beyonce's. The focus is entirely on relaxing, having fun and throwing the worst shapes in your repertoire. Of course, it being Earth Hour, there'll be the added bonus of giving our poor, beleaguered planet some much-needed love and attention. In Sydney, Switch Off and Dance will be happening at Level 1, 251 Riley Street, Surry Hills. To find other events or initiate one of your own, head over here.
Not every Sydneysider has the luxury of being able to nab a cheeky beach dip in Tamarama after work. The words "hectic traffic", "epic trek", "generally CBF" start a long list of pretty solid excuses. If you're an inner-city dweller, chances are you've found your nearest community pool for cooling off and doing mad laps in. Luckily, the City of Sydney's built a fair few aquatic centres around town, five in all. And summer's the perfect time to try 'em all — for free. Over a series of Saturdays, the City of Sydney is hosting a series of free open days in their swimming pools, inviting locals to try out everything each 50-metre pool has to offer — from the insanely pretty Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool located on the edge of the harbour, to the $40 million Harry Seidler and Associates-designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. There'll be a range of activities for all ages on the day, including tours, fitness classes, aquatic inflatables, learn-to-swim information, barbecues and face painting. Plus, you get to swim for free. The idea behind the open days is to give you a chance to test out the facilities associated with the City of Sydney's 360 card — $53.40 a fortnight for access to all five of the City of Sydney's aquatic centres across the city, and their adjoining fitness facilities. CITY OF SYDNEY SWIMMING POOL OPEN DAYS: Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool: Saturday, January 30, 9am-midday Prince Alfred Park Pool: Saturday, February 6, 9am-midday Victoria Park Pool: Saturday, February 13, 9am-midday Cook + Philip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre: Saturday, February 20, 8am-1pm Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: Saturday, February 27, 8am-1pm Image: City of Sydney.
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. A kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas, Vivid's 2015 plans will have you squealing over social and locking in dates. Now staged in four new precincts (Chatswood, Central Park, Pyrmont and expansion in Sydney University), as well as the usual harbourside suspects, Vivid is back for another year of technicolour merriment and reignited appreciation of your city. So what's in store? LIGHT Alongside the predictably mind-blowing projections on the Sydney Opera House sails (Universal Everything), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Danny Rose and Rebecca Baumann this time), and Cadman's Cottage (a 20 multiplayer game this year, just casually), Vivid has some pretty talk-worthy surprises in store. Chatswood will be turned into an aquatic wonderland with giant 3D sea creature projections, you'll be able to 'paint' the skyscrapers in Circular Quay, and the ever-popular Light Walk will feature glow swings, an interactive game of duck, duck goose, musical 'beat dice', playable piano stairs, floating fibre optic dresses from Korean artist Taegon Kim and the obligatory selfie stage (with a 'You Are Here' arrow sign). At Central Park, artists Rekko Rennie and Beastman will project on to the Carlton and United Brewery Facade, and there'll be silent discos on the lawn every Friday and Saturday night. Martin Place will once again be a super pretty illuminated food precinct, and Pyrmont Park will let you let off 'digital fireworks' and project yourself on the casino singing karaoke. Plus, the BBC's Life Story projected on the Argyle Cut sounds just about as beautiful as a weeknight gets. MUSIC Music-wise, this year's Vivid program is equal parts supersuperstars in supersupervenues to loved and local party nights around the city. For Vivid LIVE, the big names came tumbling out of today's announcement. Joining the already announced king gloomsayer Morrissey, eclectic folk dreamboat Sufjan Stevens, immortal art rockers TV on the Radio, Aussie legends Hoodoo Gurus, gravelly folkster Bill Callahan, new album-touter Daniel Johns, longtime shredders The Drones, Sydney hypecards The Preatures, garage go-tos Royal Headache and electronic powerhouse Mad Racket. Red Bull Music Academy are throwing The Studio's opening night, where Future Classic are set to celebrate their tenth anniversary with Flight Facilities, Seekae, Hayden James, Touch Sensitive, George Maple and Flume's only Australian concert for the year; alongside all the Astral People, Elefant Traks label Studio parties we love. Around the city, there's a whole bunch of luminous shindiggery to be had, with Vivid Music this year curated by Sydney radio host, DJ and all-round legend Stephen Ferris. Modular's hugely successful Modulations mini-festival is coming back to Carriageworks after a huge Pet Shop Boys year in 2014, this time with Grace Jones at the helm. This year, the crew are also bringing together Sydney club nights Kooky, Motorik and Pelvis and inviting headliner American jazz saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders to make good use of those Carriageworks acoustics. Freda's will see the return of Sydney's favourite twist-happy party Jingle Jangle and the special performance of Andras Fox under his New Age alter ego A.R.T. Wilson. Goodgod Small Club will see newcomer Oh Reach's debut concert alongside Terry Serio's Ministry of Truth and Spookyland, while Oxford Art Factory showcases brand new Sydney label Personal Best Records (including the Personal Best Orchestra, a ten-piece all live disco electro orchestra with vintage sythesisers). One of the biggest Sydney parties around, Heaps Gay will hold an epic bash at Marrickville's Factory Theatre with the likes of KIM from The Presets, Black Vanilla DJs, Catlips and The Magda Subanskis, and Soul of Sydney are set to hold a huge block party just for Vivid (more details to come). IDEAS Switching on your brain as well as the lights, Vivid Ideas has a chockers program of talks, seminars and conferences to get you right into the global creative conversation. 'The Game-Changers' series will see Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, Monocle and Wallpaper founder Tyler Brule and Rolling Stones/HBO designer Stefan Sagmeister chatting about their wildly overachieving existence. There's going to be a huge one-day conference at Carriageworks to examine the key factors needed to create a 'Southern Hemisphere Silicon Valley'. And the ever-popular Vivid Ideas Exchange is back, with Cool Hunting founders chatting about connecting creatively with consumers, Auxilio Venture Lab talking about the ethics of data usage for Australian business and government (timely), Junkee teaching you 'How to Survive Without a Real Job' and MTV asking if boredom fosters creativity. Phew. There's plenty more to Vivid Sydney's 2015 program than we can fit here, running May 22 - June 8. For the full schtick, head to the Vivid website.
Get on the A train, get on the right track to Goodgod Small Club this Saturday, the Ragetastic Aussie '90s band Swoop are set to play their first gig since 1999. Remember Swoop? If you need some direction, this is a one-way sign to a grand ol' uber-nostalgic time. Headlining Goodgod's Vivid edition of their straight-up killer '90s dance night 'Rhythm of the Night', Swoop will be bringing playing a full set to blueberry skies-lovin' punters. The minds behind 1996's singalong single 'Apple Eyes' (which spent weeks and weeks in the ARIA charts), Swoop were worth getting up early to watch Rage for — shoutout to The Mavis's too. This is their very first show since disbanding in 1999 (after a legitimate four-album career), so we're predicting strawberry wine aplenty. Swoop aren't taking this nostalgic trip alone. Sydney DJs Joyride, Levins, Ariane, Shag, Charlie Chux, G Coo and babygirl will be cranking out all the '90s dance tracks that you've buried along with your Discman. Expect Aaron Carter's 'Crush On You' meets Prodigy's 'Breathe' and every So Fresh banger in between. So if you're feeling hot on account of the sun, get your '90s lovin' butt to Goodgod — scrunchies, FUBU shirts and SMP belts encouraged. Image: Goodgod.
Legendary gloomsayer and friend to the animals Morrissey is the headliner of this year's Vivid LIVE. Set to play four exclusive shows at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday May 26, Wednesday May 27, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, the former Smiths frontman is one epic pull for the Vivid team. But there's one big proviso. In classic Morrissey stylin', the famously vegetarian Meat is Murder singer has requested a ban on meat at the Opera House on performance nights — both in backstage catering and at any food and beverage outlet within the venue. Does this include Bennelong and Opera Bar? Probably. This isn't the first time Morrissey has banned meat at one of his appearances. The outspoken PETA supporter had Belgian festival Lokerse Feesten ban meat in 2011, everything from snails to horse meat sausages. Two years earlier, Morrissey abandoned his Coachella set because he said he could "smell burning flesh," before adding, "and I hope to God it’s human." The Mancunian legend marks a significant booking high-five for Ben Marshall, the Opera House’s head of contemporary music and recently appointed as the curator of Vivid LIVE, replacing the long lauded Fergus Linehan. Having previously booked The National, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Flying Lotus for the Opera House, Marshall's booking of Morrissey is the start of one predictably applaudable Vivid LIVE lineup announcement, set for this month. “I’m thrilled that the first announcement for Vivid LIVE 2015 is a Sydney-only residency by the uniquely gifted and inimitably stylish Morrissey," says Marshall. "I have vivid teenage memories of his face all over our lever-arch files in high school. So it’s amazing to now showcase his artistry on the Concert Hall stage. These four vital, intimate concerts will be a very special occasion for all those like-minded souls who’ve been affected by Morrissey." An Evening With Morrissey will be the artist's only Australian appearances. Want more Vivid music? Check out our top ten Vivid gigs over here.
Actual human soft-mist-hanging-over-pines Sufjan Stevens is returning to the Opera House for a four-night series of shows as part of Vivid LIVE, following the release of his seventh studio album Carrie & Lowell earlier this year. After the 'neon-explosion' that was 2010's The Age of Adz, Stevens returns to his roots on this new record, with a series of delicate, polished folk songs plucked out on banjo and acoustic guitar. It's inspired by the death of his mother (the Carrie of the title) and family holidays they took to Oregon when he was a boy. Take this friendly reminder to pack tissues for 'Fourth of July’ — though you can also expect banjo-accompanied Christmas classics, US regional history (from the time he told us he'd write an album for each of the 50 states and we all believed him because he's Sufjan Stevens), and inimitable tenderness with musical instruments.
Australian politicians, you'd better go incognito for the next few months. British-born, American-based comedian John Oliver is heading to Australia for a string of stand-up shows this August. The Emmy and Writer’s Guild Award-winning writer, comedic actor and politically-outspoken satirist is taking a short break from his Peabody-winning HBO show, Last Week Tonight, to jump on a plane and scatter truth nuggets around our shores. Heading back to his political stand-up roots, it's Oliver's first stand-up tour in Australia. Of course, this isn't his first time fiercely focusing on our great southern land; dropping plenty of not-so-flattering Australian takedowns on his own show and while guest hosting on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This is Oliver's first ever Australian stand-up tour, so expect these tickets to go quicker than Australia's political credibility on late night American television. Expect uncomfortable Australian realities aplenty, with deep burns like this Tony Abbott roast:
The legendary, controversial, performance artist who does 'nothing' is finally returning to Australia after a 17-year absence. The subject of two major projects (at Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and at Pier 2/3 with Kaldor Public Art Projects), Marina Abramovic is heading our way this June. Beloved and equally criticised, 67-year-old Abramovic has been invited by both MONA's David Walsh and John Kaldor to create a two experiences for the public — a retrospective solo exhibition at MONA called Private Archaeology, beginning June 13, followed by Kaldor Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence, with a series of 'exercises' from the Abramovic Method happening over twelve days at Pier 2/3 from June 24 to July 5. If you want to see Abramovic throw down her ideas on a pedestal, she'll be giving a keynote address in the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay on Tuesday, June 30 at 8pm, supported by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The legendary artist will speak about her journey towards immaterial art, her engagement with audiences and the impact of long-durational practices. This will be her only public talk during her 2015 Australian visit, so you're going to want to lock down tickets asap. Private Archaeology opens at MONA on June 13 and runs through October 5. Kaldor Public Art Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence at Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay opens June 24 and runs through July 5. To book tickets to Abramovic's keynote address on June 30, head over here. (Tickets on sale Tuesday, June 9 at 9am.)
Time to scope out an enormous bib and the hardiest pair of gloves you can lay your hands on. On March 12, House of Crabs are bringing back their decadent, annual seafood orgy by the name of 'Endless Bags'. And yes, it means exactly what you think it does. You get to eat as much blue swimmer crab, prawns and mussels as you, your stomach and your shell-cracking knuckles can handle. All you have to do is book a two-hour sitting. We suggest you arrive right on time because you'll have only two hours to get your money's worth. Tickets are $100 a head, which ain't cheap but, the boil is banging and the atmosphere streaks ahead of the city's hotel seafood buffets. Given that the venue inspires queueing on regular nights, bookings are most definitely recommended. Guarantee yourself a bottomless bag by calling (02) 9699 3177 or sending an email to houseofcrabs@drinkndine.com.au.
If you enjoyed the drum-heavy, jazz score of 2014's Birdman then you'll love getting to hear drummer and composer Antonio Sanchez perform his score live alongside the Oscar-winning film. A four-time Grammy Award winner himself, this is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a bloody great movie coupled with incredible live jazz. Sanchez's performance will be improvised, just as it is in the film. While a showing will take place at the State Theatre in the CBD, insiders are headed to the Lennox Theatre in Parramatta, where tickets are only $49 a pop. Check out more of the best Sydney Festival events under $50 here.
Dial your Christmas spirit up a notch at this year's Sydney Living Museums Christmas Fare. With over 40 of Sydney's best artisan food producers, this annual Christmas Fare will host some of the state's finest edible creations and provide plenty of inspiration for the looming Christmas lunch. There'll be more than 40 artisan stallholders including Pepe Saya, Coco’s Table, Cornersmith, Eat Me Chutneys, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, T Totaler, Pecora Dairy, Cicada Chocolates, Black Star Pastry, Handsome Devils Co, and many more. Plus, Young Henrys will be running a pop-up bar, food stalls and live music. Entry is by gold coin, which will also allow access inside the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Eat, drink and be merry — the Christmas season has spoken.
