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.
Cybershaming and cybersexism, drug addiction and neurology, the 'extreme centre' of politics, climate change and capitalism, robots and unemployment, and sugar. They're all on the programme for the seventh incarnation of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Coming to the Opera House over September 5–6, this year's event will be bringing us a stack of Damn the Man activists, provocative authors and controversial intellectuals from all over the world — with Canadian No Logo author, social activist, and filmmaker Naomi Klein, freed journalist Peter Greste, and The Men Who Stare at Goats author, journalist and NPR regular Jon Ronson just three of the big guns on the bill. Returning to Sydney, Ronson will flesh out his new book So You've Been Publicly Shamed in a talk on 'Shame Culture', while Klein explains the ideas behind her new book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Culture. Then, Greste will deliver his first big public talk since being imprisoned in Egypt with two other Al Jazeera English journalists, a talk dubbed 'Journalistic Freedom'. DIETLAND author Sarai Walker will be sticking it to fat shaming in 'Radical Fat Acceptance', while American journalist and Fast Food Nation/Reefer Madness author Eric Schlosser will be unpacking his latest book Command and Control, which digs deep into America's nuclear arsenal secrets. Israeli director, screenwriter and writer Gideon Raff (who created Israeli series Prisoners of War and its US adaptation Homeland) will be talking about the responsibilities of film and television when using 'real life' events in their storylines. British Pakistani writer, journalist, and filmmaker Tariq Ali will present a talk on 'The Twilight of Democracy' (focused on Greece no doubt). The Economist's international section editor Dr Helen Joyce will take you through the publication's controversial right-to-die campaign, and Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Rise of the Robots author Martin Ford will delve into the not-so-distant future in 'Hello Robots', discussing the possibility of a robot economy and subsequent jobless future. And beloved NYC podcast storytellers The Moth will make their first Sydney appearance for FODI onstage. FODI's not just about keynotes and solo speeches, with a panel program set to fire up some furious debate on the Opera House stage. Controversial I Quit Sugar writer Sarah Wilson will chair a healthy eating-focused 'Big Sugar' panel with That Sugar Film creator Damon Gameau and executive manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) Jane Martin. Alongside her own talk about the hactivist group Anonymous, academic and author Gabriella Coleman will take her online expertise to the 'Cybersexism' panel with powerhouse writer Clementine Ford and Penny Red/Unspeakable Things author Laurie Penny, and Seoul-born, New York-living writer Suki Kim will lead the hard-hitting 'Inside North Korea' panel, with Michael Kirby and Anna Broinowski. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the 2015 Festival of Dangerous Ideas, for the full program head over here. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan. Images: FODI, Daniel Boud.
If it's been a while between Chardonnays with you and Orange, or if you've never actually ventured to the regional foodie hub of New South Wales, now's your time to make amends. This Thursday and Friday, Sydneysiders can take in the best of Orange's food and wine right in the heart of the CBD, at the annual Taste Orange @ Sydney festival in Martin Place. Taste your way through NSW's 'food basket' with 15 of the regions best wineries offering tastings, including Phillip Shaw, Brangayne, Logan, Ross Hill, Tamburlaine and more. Seriously, if you haven't tasted a Phillip Shaw Chardonnay, get amongst it. After-work drinks are made for the Pop-Up After Dark Orange Wine Bar, open 5pm to 8pm both nights. But you're going to want some high quality, Orange-grown nibbles with that vino. Taste's lunch and dinner offerings include the incredibly Orange-proud team at Agrestic Grocer’s tasting plate of venison, pork belly with 'agrestic' preserve. Or you could dig in to Union Bank's braised Hereford red short rib with Vietnamese greens — UB's an absolute restaurant must if you're passing through Orange, by the way. There's also Franklin Road Kitchen’s chicken skewers with kusundi sauce for the casual nibblers. Of course, Orange is no stranger to dessert. You'll be able to Instagram and devour (charge your phone for this) some of The Old Mill Cafe's best sweet treats — here's hoping they bring the lemon meringue tarts, or you can sample single origin chocolate from Origin Chocolate. If you can't wait until Thursday, Taste Orange is doing a special Orange four-course preview dinner with Chiswick on Wednesday, September 9 at 6.30pm. Local Orange producers have been working with chef Richie Dolan to create a special Orange-focused menu, with matching Orange wines of course. It's $115 pp and bookings are essential (02) 8388 8688. Taste @ Orange is open Thursday and Friday from 11.30am - 2.30pm, and 5-8pm.
The Sydney CBD is getting a brand new rooftop bar and live music lounge, albeit only temporarily. Presented by Art & About Sydney, the pop-up bar will sit atop Town Hall's Marconi Terrace and will be serving up food, drinks and free live performances over nine nights throughout the second half of September. As if Sydney's office workers needed another reason to look forward to the end of the day. Located on the Druitt Street side of Town Hall, The Terrace has been inspired by New York's rooftop bar scene, particularly the magical arboretum that is Gallow Green, complete with garden-style features by Sydney design duo Amber Road. The venue will be open 5pm–10pm from September 18–27, except on Sundays when it’ll be open from 3pm. The music program features a diverse range of artists including Jones Jnr, Pat Capocci, Microwave Jenny and Richard In Your Mind, along with an acoustic set by Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths and a closing night performance by Paul Capsis accompanied by the Cafe of the Gate of Salvation gospel choir. That's in addition to a lineup of local DJs spinning sets every night. Best bit? Entry to The Terrance is 100 percent free. Here's hoping we see more openings like it. Sydney's rooftop bar scene isn't crowded with options, but with the arrival of spring, it seems like the perfect time to change that. Image: Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths. Picture by Alexander Kalyk.
Meet Iris Apfel, the kind of stylish, straight-talking, bespectacled nonagenarian everyone wishes was their grandmother. The New York cult figure has stood out from the crowd across decades of trends, and dabbled in everything from art to interior design. If she sounds much cooler than most people a quarter of her age, well, that's because she is. The 93-year-old's resume speaks for itself, given that she has spent over 75 years in fashion traversing everything from working at Women's Wear Daily to setting up her own textile design firm with her husband to still lecturing about style today; however, it is her personality and outlook, rather than her achievements, that shine brightest. That she says she was probably the first woman to wear jeans speaks to her pioneering spirit. That she notes that she's more excited about dressing up for parties than actually going to parties does as well. Indeed, the ever-flamboyant Apfel remains an individual at a time when such a term has started to lose its meaning, as she herself observes when musing over the common correlation between black attire and fashion. Always decked out in rows of couture costume jewellery and never seen in an outfit that could be classed as boring or bland, she advises that she approaches dressing a bit like jazz — with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It shows. So bounces forward a loving portrait of blazing your own path — and never compromising for or caring about the opinions of others — as given perhaps the strongest living example. From the moment Apfel graces the screen and thrusts her oversized pearls of wisdom upon the audience, it is immediately apparent why she's the subject of the documentary that shares her name. From the moment the film displays its frame, the affection, energy and insight filmmaker Albert Maysles channels is also evident, as is his making of the movie in the style befitting his subject. Alas, there is a lone sad note to the engaging ode, despite the slight but sweet exploration that comprises the documentary's running time. The joy and vivacity that Apfel exudes on screen, fierce and frank until the last moment, is balanced by the knowledge of the film's director. The great Maysles, noted for crafting the iconic Grey Gardens and Gimme Shelter, passed away at the age of 88 in early 2015, with this his penultimate effort. Accordingly, Iris actually pays tribute to two great trailblazers and showcases what both do best: pave their own way and create their own stories through their chosen mediums of fashion and film.
Newcastle’s genre-busting This Is Not Art festival (better known to its friends as TiNA) is all grown up. And to mark its 18th birthday, the city is gearing up for a massive long weekend. More than 150 events will be serving up fun, creativity, inspiration, innovation and surprise, incorporating art, theatre, dance, sound, words, mixed media and experimental performance. The event draws together four happenings: the National Young Writers Festival, Critical Animals, Crack Theatre Festival and, for the first time ever, Ladyz in Noyz Australia. Take a late-night trolley ride around Newcastle East, hearing stories, watching performances and, quite possibly, meeting ghosts, with Asian Ghost-ery Store. Throw on a lab coat and take control of an alien research facility to investigate the mysteries of human reproduction with PressOne4Love. Get lost in an installation that reimagines J.M. Barrie’s Neverland for the late ‘90s. Give your creative fitness an hour-long work out at the therapeutic, invigorating ART FIT. Discover another 146+ events at the festival website.
Anyone old enough to remember the mid-'90s will likely recall that something happened on the world’s tallest mountain back in May 1996. Something bad. But how bad? Well, the specifics are probably a bit hazy. That’s why there’s always the great temptation with movies based on real events to look up what happened before you see them. Sometimes it’s to make sure you’re across the facts or so that you don’t get confused, but usually, if we’re honest, it’s so that we don’t spend the whole film wondering who lives and who dies. Everest is one such film, and whatever you do, avoid turning to the internet until the credits have rolled. Genuine, compelling tension is such a rarity in modern cinema that to rob yourself of the experience when it finally presents itself would be madness. And boy does it present in Everest. To behold the ordeal at the centre of this tale is to almost endure it on a miniature scale. The film is relentless and punishing, leaving you exhausted, shaking and breathless. "Human beings,” explains the expedition’s leader Rob Hall (played by Jason Clarke), “simply are not built to function at the cruising altitude of a 747. Our bodies will be literally dying.” Thanks to the extraordinary team behind Everest, you believe it. Heck, you feel it. This is an ensemble movie done the right way, where nobody engages in scene stealing despite some big names scattered throughout. Sam Worthington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, Robin Wright, John Hawkes and Emily Watson all join Clarke with committed but reserved performances that ensure the focus remains on the film’s true star: the mountain. Granted that sounds incredibly trite, but the scale of this film and its sumptuous cinematography all serve to reinforce both the grandeur and the peril of such an extraordinary place; “another beast altogether”, as Hall described it. To date, more than 250 people have died climbing the mountain, and the means of their demise are more varied than you might expect. The difference between this film and so many other recent offerings, however, it that instead of sensationalising nature, Everest simply shows humility towards it. In light of its wretched and treacherous conditions, one well might question why anybody would ever even consider summiting Everest, but the film has an answer for that, too. Several, in fact. Some try for the thrill, others for the challenge, and one extraordinary mailman attempted it purely for the symbol and inspiration it might provide others back home. More importantly, though, for those who actually make it — those few exceptional climbers who literally reach out and touch earth’s upper limit — the moment of exhilaration and accomplishment is so powerful and affecting that you’re moved to tears. It is, in short, an exceptional and experiential film with a story steeped in both tragedy and indomitability. Worthy of its name, Everest is a staggering and spectacular piece of cinema that deserves to be seen.
How'd you like to populate your Christmas feast with local, artisanal goods to make your relatives impressed and your in-laws floored? Carriageworks is putting on their first Twilight Christmas Market this year, where you can buy fresh seasonal produce just a couple of days before Christmas. Importantly, you can also buy gifts just days before the big day, because we know what you're like. Hitting Carriageworks on Wednesday, December 23, the market will be a cornucopia of the spoils of NSW's best producers — think homemade plum puddings, succulent turkeys and hams, fresh cherries, smelly cheeses and more, alongside artisan food and gift stalls. Plus, they'll even have Christmas trees for you traditionalists — or highly unorganised folk. Expect the best from the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market, including favourites like Pudding Lane, Sweetness the Patisserie, Willowbrae Chevre Cheese, Feather & Bone, Carlson's Handcrafted, The One That Got Away, Mirrool Creek Lamb and more. Plus, there'll be plenty more joining the party, from Archie Rose Distillery to Ralston Brothers Oysters, Cornersmith, Flour and Stone, Young Henrys, Slow Wine Co, Shepherds Bakehouse and a whole host more. Look at that, Carriageworks just saved Christmas. Image: Zan Wimberley.
Have a very Murray Christmas with that most loveable of movie cranks, as the elves at Golden Age Cinema & Bar celebrate the festive season. The venue has been counting down the days to the holiday all week, with a film program featuring such yuletide classics as Gremlins, Home Alone and It's a Wonderful Life. But on Christmas Eve, one jolly man in particular will be sliding down the chimney. And his name isn't Santa Clause. Forget the milk and cookies. On the night before Christmas, the great Bill Murray stars as a mean-spirited television executive in Scrooged, Richard Donner's 1988 retelling of A Christmas Carol. Although it's not put up on a pedestal in the same way as Ghostbusters and Groundhogs Day, this might actually be one of Murray's most underrated films. Watching this guy act like a jerk flat out never gets old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fTMi2hoYA
If there was ever a reason for a road trip to South West Rocks aside from that killer coastline, it's a regional craft beer festival. The first ever Crafts on the Coast beer event is coming to the Seabreeze Beach Hotel, located five hours drive from Sydney on the New South Wales’ mid-north coastal hideaway of South West Rocks. It's the hotel's first ever craft beer event, happening March 5 and 6. What a bloody good reason to hit the road. Crafts on the Coast is all about celebrating local and regional boutique breweries. Expect to be surrounded by the likes of Bucket Brewery (Kempsey), Black Duck Brewery (Port Macquarie), Little Brewing Co. (Port Macquarie), Murray’s Brewery (Port Stephens), Six String Brewing (Central Coast), and South Australia's Hills Cider. Best bit? Entry is free. You stock up on tasting tickets ($22 for 10 with a tasting cup), hand 'em over and get to know your local NSW brewer — then of course, taste their wares. The Seabreeze will be creating paired food menus for the event, featuring produce sourced locally from Macleay Valley. If you're serious about your beer-food pairing, there's a big degustation Brewer's Dinner on Saturday night with the brewers behind your chosen tipple. There'll be live music by Josh Needs and Craig Stewart over the weekend too, so you can really settle in for the arvos. Plus, the Seabreeze is offering a range of accommodation packages for the event, so check the website and plan your craft beer-fuelled escape.
It’s always exciting when two people you love get together, like Seth and Summer on The OC or you and Johnny Depp in nightly dreams. But no pairing has excited us more than Morgan McGlone of Belle’s Hot Chicken and Monty Koludrovic of Icebergs Dining Room and Bar who are finally giving in to all that crazy culinary tension and bringing us a massive pop-up party at Harpoon Harry this long weekend. Morgan and Monty (aw so cute) are concocting a bespoke menu of wings, hotdogs and moonshine shakes for the shindig. You read that correctly, moonshine milkshakes. Morgan is cooking up a spin on Belle’s famous hot chicken with a Barbacoa flavour. And Monty has invented what may possibly be the most perfect hotdog in existence: handmade spiced pork and beef frank, wrapped in a soft bun with mustard, pickles and chilli. And while we’re a wee bit sceptical about the moonshine milkshakes (made with Morgan’s homebrew moonshine and fior de latte gelato), love does make people do crazy things. Of course, we'll give it a try. This isn’t the first time Belle’s Hot Chicken has taken over Harpoon Harry’s either. They did a pop-up several months ago and are back already because apparently Sydney can’t get enough of what Belle’s got. Happily for us, they’re not into monogamy and are working with a horde of hospitality legends to provide bevs and tunes. The boys at Young Henry’s are bringing tinnies, DRNKS are cracking open their vino and Kali from Picnic Social will be soundtracking the evening. Where else would you be this long weekend than at a moonshine shake shindig?
A regular highlight of the Melbourne dining scene that pioneered the term ‘ginstronomy’ is making its way to Sydney for three weeks this November. Led by premium gin brand Bombay Sapphire, Project Botanicals is a pop up bar and restaurant that aims to showcase the aromatic flavours of the spirit in ways other than commonplace unions like tonic and juice. Taking inspiration from the ten exotic botanicals found within Bombay Sapphire — juniper berries, coriander seeds, liquorice, almonds and cassia bark — award-winning Biota Dining chef James Viles has teamed up with the gin giants to create two five course menus matched with five inventive gin cocktails. The offering will rotate weekly, and you'll have the chance to choose between two botanical menus, 'Plants & Roots' and 'Berries & Bark'. But you don't have to go the whole hog to enjoy this pop-up. Project Botanicals will also boast a rooftop bar, open from 5.30pm Wednesday to Saturday. The drinks have been created in collaboration with some of Sydney's best bars, including Eau de Vie, The Barber Shop, The Rook and This Must Be The Place. There's no doubt that this is the best place to get your gin on. The Sydney debut of Project Botanicals will be open for three weeks at the Old Rum Store warehouse building in Chippendale's new Kensington Street precinct, with two sittings each day. The ticket price includes a five-course menu matched with five Bombay Sapphire cocktails. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and can be bought here.
If you're in the wretched position of being the world's biggest animal lover but you're not allowed to own a highly Instagrammable Frenchie because your landlord's a dingus, this is the event for you. Behold, the mighty, mighty Super Furry Festival, coming to Surry Hills this weekend. Billed as a "furry, fun day filled with cuddles, activities, music and animal love" the Super Furry Festival will see the most decadent array of adventures for animal lovers in Sydney. Take a breath... there'll be doggy massages from Rocky's K9 Rescue, DIY cat toy classes from the Cat Protection Society, a kissing booth from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, caricatures by Greyhound Rescue, fortune telling by Golden Oldies, a kitty cuddle tent and guess-the-weight comp by Monika's Doggie Rescue, a 'cattoo parlour' by Cat Rescue 901, a balance-the-coin comp by Animals Australia and a photobooth by Staffy Rescue. But the animal instincts don't stop there. There'll be stalls selling both human and four-legged treats, including pop-ups from the likes of Peticular, Luxe Pups, Haus of Harley, Paddo Pets, Puss Week Magazine, Twenty3, Sydney Animal Physiotherapy, Sydney pet Vet, Snug Dog, Kookie Box, Potty Plant and Beer Dog's Brewhouse. Entry is free, because sometimes life covers you in glitter and puppies. Plus, Gelato Messina made these for the occasion: Images: Dollar Photo Club, Gelato Messina.
From Stripes to Ghostbusters to Groundhog Day to Zombieland, Bill Murray has been entertaining us for decades. He’s also apparently the world’s greatest party crasher, although whether half those stories are true we’ll probably never know. Murray’s most recent role is as the titular character in St. Vincent, a comedy about a bitter old New Yorker who becomes the reluctant babysitter to his 11-year-old next-door neighbour. It may sound a little cutesy, but it’s actually one of our favourite films of the summer. In fact we like it so much that we’re presenting a screening of it at Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema. So head down to Bondi on Friday, February 6, to celebrate everybody’s favourite movie curmudgeon. Gates open at 6pm. There'll also be a live set by local DJ MK-1, and because it’s a Friday, everyone above the legal drinking age gets a complimentary Aperol Spritz.
Calling all reggae lovers and jerk enthusiasts, you're invited to Bob Marley's 70th birthday. Again marking the would-have-been occasion, Queenie's is hosting another Jamaican-inspired birthday feast complete with enough jerk and birthday cake to please the legendary musician himself. Five courses of Marley-inspired cuisine are on the table — 'Chantdown Rasta-Muffin' (fried chicken, fresh corn muffin, pickled okra, jerk remoulade, bibb lettuce), 'Tuff Going Tartare' (smoked beef, kale crisps, Calypso Coffee beets, horseradish). Then there’ll be 'Satisy My Shrimp' (barbecued prawn, japanese pepper, Soul Shakedown sauce) and 'Pimper’s Paradise Pork' with a jerk and honey glaze. Finally, dig into 'Bob’' Birthday Cake', a dark chocolate and black cherry cake with evaporated milk ice cream and peanut brittle. Bob's birthday dinner is happening this Thursday, February 5. It's 50 beans a head (not bad for five courses) and there’s a vegetarian menu available, legends. There’ll be cocktail specials on the night and of course, a significant bucketload of loud and cruisy Bob Marley classic on the stereo all night. To book (and you probably should), call (02) 9212 3035 or shoot the Queenie's team an email to bookings@queenies.com.au.
The Smith Street Band have an incredibly endearing habit of looking out for the underdog. Following their November release of their third album, Throw Me in the River, the Melbourne four-piece found themselves in the news as a result of their sold-out EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which features a portrait of Tony Abbott and protests the Australian government's current treatment of refugees. Throw in a fundraising gig for refugee advocacy groups in Melbourne on Australia Day and you've got one seriously outspoken Aussie band. On their upcoming tour around Australia they're keeping up their determination not to forget anyone, with the aptly titled 'Get High, See Everyone Tour', featuring an impressive 24 dates across Australia, including regional stops like Bendigo and Maroochydore and a whole heap of all-ages gigs for younger fans. The pairing of desperate energy and youthful, emotional frenzy with surprisingly thoughtful and touching lyrics have earned The Smith Street Band a loyal fan base. And, bless them, the band is going to do their best to see every one of you. Supported by PUP (Canada), Great Cynics (UK) + Apart From This.
2014 has been a big year for Firstdraft. After 19 years residing on Chalmers Street, they made the move to a bigger and better space housed in Woolloomooloo, one of the oldest suburbs in Sydney. It's a fitting precinct for the gallery, which itself is one of the longest artist-run initiatives we have in Australia. To celebrate this year's achievements, Firstdraft is holding a cracker Christmas party, curated by Tom Smith, who you might recognise from his musical output with fellow collaborator Marcus Whale. Witness the cultural imprint of wunderkind Holly Childs, the author behind the mind-bending novella No Limit; composer Austin Buckett; intermedia artist Giselle Stanborough; sonic explorers Half High; Young Thug-influenced artist Hamishi Farah; violinist Jon Rose; Lion Mountain Studio; experimental synth musician Nina Buchanan; and Marcus Whale, who will be performing a eulogy to his past nine years producing under the Scissor Lock moniker. There's a $5 entry fee, but free sausage sizzle, so on balance, you definitely win.
