Sydney's simmering powerhouses, The Preatures, just kicked another big ass goal, releasing their brand new video for newest single 'Somebody's Talkin'' this morning. Taken from the fivesome's debut album Planet Blue Eyes out today, the Footloose-meets-Modern Love single now has a video — starring your mate, Bondi Bowlo. Directed by Holy Holy, Children Collide and Stonefield music vid magician Gemma Lee, every shot of the Preatchy new vid requires two enthusiastic thumbs up. Epic cinematic shots of Palm Beach, shot by Sydney director of photography Tim Tregoning, will make you want to ditch the office and throw your jaded self into the waves quicksmart. Crisp-as-blazes shots of kickass Aussie pro surfers Jane Ensor, Rosie Mansfield and Jess Van Der Meer ditching their snuggly jumpers and carving the bajesus out of Palm Beach pair perfectly with Gideon Bensen and Jack Moffitt's dreamy beachtastic riffs, Tom Champion's super beacho bass line, Luke Davison's crisp drum whacks and Isabella Manfredi's killer pipes. Then, Bondi Beach Bowls Club, you ol' retro so-and-so. Mad legends at dart boards, old crusty lace curtains, wood panelling; Bondi's rickety ol' bowlo is perfect stage for the nostalgia-drenched single — even the ballroom looks a million dollars with party balloons and Manfredi's can't-even-be-handled brand of cool denim Chrissy Amphlettness. To top things off, bassist Champion wears a damn sailor hat for goodness sake. GET NAUTICAL, PEOPLE. Enough (somebody's) talkin', watch the vid here and get all up in Sydney goodness.
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After playing two balloted shows that sold out faster than you could say "Best New Music," The xx have made good on their promise that they would come back in 2013 to sate the appetites of everyone who missed out. Now that they've released their second album, Coexist, the buzz around the trio is only louder. But Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft, and Oliver Sim are capable of being heard above the din by turning up the volume on one of the most valuable (and most underrated) instruments of all — silence. Their strength is seen through the gaps between bone-chilling reverbs and papery vocals, and they're sexy because they don't specifically mention sex. That's not to say The xx don't get noise. They get much of their inspiration from London's dark techno dance scene, and Jamie and Romy both have thriving satellite careers as DJs. The trio's bankability is bigger than ever, so be sure your credit card is handy and your clicking finger poised when tickets go on sale at noon on January 15. Update: A second Sydney show on Saturday, April 6 has been added after the first sold out in under 15 minutes. Tickets for that are on sale now through Ticketek. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_nW5AF0m9Zw
How much cake can you eat? Performance Space are betting a lot. As part of their Halls for Hire series, the Brown Council is making a valiant, doomed and tasty attempt to cook every single cake in the classic Country Women's Association cookbook Jam Drops and Marble Cake with Mass Action: 137 Cakes in 90 Hours. Too easy? They’re planning to cook non-stop across in just under four days. And there are rules. The judging and eating sessions are booked out already, but there’s still plenty of time to get close to the non-stop baking action, perhaps with a lunchtime visit to see the baking in action or follow the baking tally and webfeed live online. The cooking process is open to the public Tuesday from 12-3 and Wednesday to Friday from 12-3. The (booked out) afternoon tea is on September 1 from 2-4.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the Camera d'Or at Cannes, Beasts of the Southern Wild is the impressive debut feature film from young director Benh Zeitlin. The film, which opens in cinemas from September 13, sees six-year-old Hushpuppy battle a hot-tempered father, melting ice-caps and monstrous creatures called the aurochs as she searches for her mother. Featuring moving performances from Dwight Henry as Wink and Quvenzhané Wallis as Hushpuppy, Beasts of the Southern Wild is a truly one-off fantasy drama that is at once magical and powerfully grounded. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see Beasts of the Southern Wild. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Remember the girl who supposedly left a heartbroken (and potentially drunken — but who's to say when Messina's involved) break-up voicemail on Gelato Messina's answering machine when she found they had closed early on New Year's Eve? Well, you can thank her, because this afternoon Messina is delivering tubs of a gelato created in her honour — for just $1. Yep, $1. In an attempt to win back upset ice cream lover Cecillia, Messina has made a bespoke creation from her favourite flavours. And from salted caramel gelato with baked cheesecake, candied macadamia nuts and hazelnut fudge, the Voicemail was born. Perhaps as an act of good faith, Messina is selling it in 500-gram tubs for just $1. You just have to order it through Deliveroo today — Tuesday, January 24 — between 3pm and 5pm. It's available for delivery in the Sydney CBD and inner east area and around Fitzroy and South Yarra in Melbourne. If you miss out on the delivery window, don't chuck a tantie (or ring Messina) — the Voicemail is going to be available on Deliveroo past 5pm (albeit at a regular price).
Imagine an Eminem-style rap face-off. Then replace the hip hop MCs with contemporary street artists. Throw in a maniacal live audience. Now you’re on the right track. Secret Walls is a gig disguised as an art event. Two artists have a blank wall, one hour, black paint and a handful of markers. Two artworks are created like magic before our eyes. The crowd votes on the best creation by way of applause. That’s it. It’s a simple and winning formula that really broadcasts the insane creativity and spontaneity of some genius street artists, who go far beyond tagging and old school graffiti. This time it’s Dale Bigeni versus Sindy Sinn. But it almost doesn’t matter who the artists are - these nights are always engaging and inspiring and above all, fun. And that’s what contemporary art should be, right?
Promised to us since March this year, French restaurant Été has opened on the Barangaroo waterfront, with fine dining chef Drew Bolton (Aria, Quay, Vine Double Bay) at the helm. Every second eatery in Sydney is big on seasonality these days, but Été takes the word into new territory. It's not only the dishes that change with the weather, but the interior, too. "Not only does the food menu evolve with the seasons, but we want the aesthetics and general vibe to reflect that as well," said Bolton. "We want guests to feel really engaged with what we're trying to do — like they've stepped into another world and have escaped the city." The feel is somewhere between bistro and fine dining, with Bolton bringing both his classical training and his experimental tendencies to contemporary French-Australian dishes. Results include clay-baked chicken with asparagus and truffled potato puree; pork with fermented apple and hibiscus sauce; and, for dessert, crème brulee with peach and lemon balm. If you want to head down for lunch from Monday to Friday and have a $50 note handy, you can indulge in a plat-du-jour, which changes weekly. "We think the plat-du-jour will be a local favourite, as our guests are able to experience the quality technique that you would normally expect from fine dining," said Bolton. There's an impressive wine list and, even if you don't want to buy a whole bottle, you can sample any drop by the glass — thanks to the Coravin, a nifty device that allows you to pour wine without removing the cork. Été offers 125 seats, both indoors and outdoors, overlooking the water. The French provincial-meets-Australian-contemporary interior was the work of Foolscap Studio (Noma Sydney), plus Chicago-based artist John Zabawa, who added some extraordinary artworks including full-wall murals. Find Été at Tower 1, Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, or head to their website for further information.
Now in its third year, the MCA Social at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art promises another extravagant night in the name of creativity and philanthropy. With the theme 'Art Eclectic', and the encouragement to go all-out in the fashion stakes, the evening offers the opportunity to make the most of that outrageous Gaga-esque outfit you've been waiting to wear. But what's more, this annual fundraiser offers both budding and established art supporters a chance to actively support the country's best emerging artists. All proceeds will fund the museum's Primavera exhibition, an internationally recognised platform for the promotion of these promising young Australians each year. There'll be an auction and a raffle on the night, with prizes including a 12-month rental from ArtBank worth over $5,000. Not only will the work of one of this year's artists, Marian Tubbs, be showcased on the night but you'll also have the chance to mingle with past Primavera creatives between sampling inventive Heston Blumenthal-style canapes and cocktails at the open bar. Expect live DJs, performances and custom-designed projections from La Petite Mort to light up the dance floor. Plus, you'll find a makeup artist in the lift (yes, the lift), on hand to add final flourishes to your look on your way up to the party. The MCA Social is on Saturday, July 26, from 8pm, and tickets are $150 each via the MCA website. Thanks to the MCA, we have one double pass to the event to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Three chefs with serious culinary pedigrees have turned their attention to the mighty burger (as is the current casual trend). And, as of 5pm this afternoon, you'll be able to get your mouth around their creations (just), when Burger Head opens in Penrith. The powerhouse trio is made up of Richard Borg (ex-Momofuku Seiobo), Josh DeLuca (ex-Quay) and Timothy Rosenstrauss. They got to know one another while working at the now-closed Master and decided to team up for a more casual venture. On-the-pulse Penrith foodies had a chance to preview the menu on December 14, thanks to a pop-up at the Aussie Night Markets. Burger Head showcased their dedication to house-made ingredients — from secret sauces and pickles to homemade beef patties. Offerings included a $10 cheeseburger (beef pattie, house-made secret sauce, house-made pickles, American cheese, toasted milk bun), a fried chicken burger, puffed pork ($5) and for vegos, a shroom and kale burger. Drinks-wise, you can expect shakes and soft drinks, with a rather delicious-sounding roasted white chocolate milkshake having appeared at the pop-up. Down the track, the boys are planning on getting a liquor licence, which will bring you cocktails, beers and wines. Find Burgerhead at Shop 17, 98 Henry Street, Penrith. It opens at 5pm on Friday, January 6.
Next time someone complains that you're glued to your phone, tell them that you're earning free food. Yes, that's the dream the burger-slinging legends at Royal Stacks is making come true with their new interactive game. Getting your favourite meat-and-bread combo is about to become as easy as spending hours doing something that, let's face it, we all already do. Available to download from the iTunes store from December 2, Royal Stacks' foray into phone-based entertainment combines fun with freebies, and virtual burgs with the real thing. Created by Melbourne's PlaySide Studios, the Tetris meets Jenga-like game requires players to stack ingredients onto a bun, line everything up to make the ideal tower of pixellated deliciousness, and try to make sure the massive creation doesn't topple over — all while building the biggest burger possible. In the process, as you work your way up from Royal Stacks' Single Stack to The King — and work through different skins and themes — you'll receive points that can be used in store for things like burgers, fries, milkshakes and frozen custard. And, if you visit a Royal Stacks joint on the day the game launches and download it while you're there, you'll also get a free serving of fries. Okay, so we all know that this is a clever piece of marketing — but we all want free burgers. Basically, it's the best of both worlds — and everything a game-playing burger lover (aka everyone) could've hoped for, really. Available to download from iTunes.
March can often arrive with a pang of seasonal realisation — summer's done. But there are some who resist the change, especially those intent on creating an entire beach festival in Coogee. You'll quickly forget any farewells to the sunnier months at the Coogee Foreshore Festival, a seaside celebration transforming Coogee Pavilion into a burgeoning marketplace. It's just one tasty, beachy adventure amongst the annual March into Merivale festival. Head along to the Coogee Pav on March 20 for a day of foreshore frivolity — and you'd be well-advised to leave your self-consciousness behind. Want to get your face painted, tie an animal balloon to your wrist or get your pic taken with a roving entertainer? Do it already. Just in case you're finding it hard to let your hair down, there'll be summery drinks a-plenty, courtesy of Veuve Clicquot, and oodles of food, from not only Coogee Pavilion and Coogee Rooftop, but some of our favourite Merivale restaurants including Papi Chulo, El Loco, Mr. Wong and sushi e. [competition]562012[/competition]
If you’ve feasted on jalapeno kingfish sashimi and paired it with next-level aged sake, then you’re familiar with the culinary creativity of Sake. If you haven’t, we reckon it’s about time you were treated to one heck of a dinner. To that end, we’ve teamed up with Urban Purveyor Group to give one of our clever, hungry readers 200 bucks worth of free nosh. Yep, 200 bucks. That’s enough cash to buy you and your loved one or mate or mum a serious feast. We're talking 'gramworthy new-style sushi to significantly impress your date. To enter, all you have to do is pop over here, fill in a quick form and write something vaguely interesting in ten words or less. That’s it. Then spend up at Sake's Double Bay venue or OG spot in The Rocks. GO. Why not brush up on your sake knowledge in the meantime?
It's been about an hour since I left the theatre and I still seem to be unable to stop talking in Oscar Wilde. There is something so endearingly intrusive about Oscar Wilde's prose. While the finer points of his comments on society are perhaps lost on those who are not surrounded by turn of the century London society, his barbarous wit is ever amusing. Only Wilde could come up with a story where two women insist on marrying a man called Earnest, and where two men pretend to be Earnest in order to secure the love of said women, and one of the men happens to have once been found in a handbag in Victoria Station. The Importance of Being Earnest is an immensely popular play. There have been at least two film productions boasting names such as Judi Dench and Colin Firth. It does become then, one of those productions that it is hard to tackle without being compared to numerous other incarnations. The Darlinghurst Theatre Company have, however, managed to live up to the challenge. Though faced with a relatively small space and, I assume, a budget much smaller than that of the most recent Hollywood Reese Witherspoon-starring screen version of the play, director Nicholas Papademetriou has done an excellent job with staging, simplifying the stage down to the most important elements. The actors, including Linda Cropper as Lady Bracknell, who is currently featuring on Channel Ten's Offspring, are all well cast and manage the task of the outrageous comedy with considerable outrageousness. While the pomposity of the upper class accent occasionally defeats some, for most it's spectacularly well done. Watch out in particular for Adele Querol's Cecily — a great talent whose aristocratic airs were more than spot on. The most important thing to remember with a Wilde play is that it's meant to be completely ridiculous. Like the Greek playwrights before him, Oscar Wilde takes everything to extremes. While at times it means that each line is far too outrageous to be true, it is always funny. You won't be disappointed by a trip to Darlinghurst Theatre's The Importance of Being Earnest. In fact all I need advise is to stock up on the cucumber sandwiches before you go. After watching the actors consume copious amounts of tea, sandwiches and muffins, by the end I was truly famished. Rather.
Theatres in Sydney over the last 12 months have been brimming with anti-epic domestic snapshots of fraught intimate relationships, and the latest from UK physical theatre company Frantic Assembly continues the trend. Todd and Kali are despicable human beings. They never leave each other’s side, love IKEA, brag about their beautifully equipped kitchen and say things like "fuck off Ingmar Bergman you are so fucking talented" after watching The Seventh Seal. They will disgust you on multiple levels. The play on ‘Stockholm’ — being both the yuppie couple’s syndrome and dream getaway destination — is excessively literal, and the script is ultimately unambitious in its breadth and depth. The performances are strong, with Leeanna Walsman coming off brilliantly as the obsessive, vulnerable and sensual jealous lover. However, she and her co-performer Socratis Otto are clearly not dancers, and the movement sequences work with mixed success. The climactic fight scene is both highly charged and graceful while the bedroom make-up sequence is almost unbearably clumsy. This is a contained and consistently tense production, a highlight being the live aroma of chopped onion cooking in butter on stage — here’s to theatre exploiting its olfactory capacities more often. Image by Brett Boardman.
Moseying along George Street can involve many things. Rushing to get the train at Town Hall, weaving in and out of QVB or The Galeries, trying to avoid throngs of people doing the same thing — they're all on the list. But on Friday, December 3, the stretch between Market and Park streets will host a huge three-course lunch, serving 600 people right there on the pavement. The sprawling al fresco midday meal is fittingly called George Street Long Lunch, with Chat Thai's Palisa Anderson, Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney, Glass Brasserie's Luke Mangan and Continental Delicatessen's Michael Nicolian all whipping up dishes. It'll also come with a soundtrack, thanks to George Ellis Orchestra featuring Josh Pyke, as well as the Hot Potato Band. If you're wondering why Sydneysiders are being asked to sit down for lunch in the middle of the city street, it's part of a day-long series of dining pop-ups around town that's been dubbed Sydney's Open for Lunch. Aiming to give the city's hospitality sector a boost, the overarching event is all about long-table lunches, other dining and drinking activations, and just spending a day out of the house as Sydney recovers from this year's lengthy lockdown. While the George Street lunch is one of the event's big drawcards, Sydney's Open for Lunch will span across the city — through the CBD, Chinatown, Barangaroo and Parramatta.
The Rocks is celebrating Halloween this year with a series of events across the weekend. Head around the inner-city area to discover haunted houses, catch spooky flicks at an open air cinema or hit the dancefloor at The Argyle during this multi-day celebration of the October holiday. If you're looking for an authentic ghost experience, you can head to a series of five haunted heritage buildings between Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31, each with a secret letter hidden in the form of a QR code. If you find all five letters, it will spell a codeword which will allow you to claim a prize at The Rocks Square. Similarly, a ghost tour will be taking patrons around spooky spots in the Rocks on the same Sunday from 8pm. If you're looking for more of a party-heavy Halloween experience, neighbouring venues The Argyle and El Camino Cantina are both throwing huge dress-up parties across the weekend. Head to El Camino for ghost and ghoul-themed versions of their famed giant frozen margaritas as well as a dress-up party, or pop next door for DJs and fancy dress at The Argyle Asylum. Those looking to participate in the time-honoured tradition of watching a scary movie on Halloween can head to The Rocks' Laneway Cinema to watch family-friendly flicks like Scooby Doo and Hotel Transylvania, as well as the ghostly comedy classic Ghostbusters and acclaimed horror film A Quiet Place.
There's something special about visiting a vineyard. Seeing the grapes up close and meeting the people who create big kids' juice makes you appreciate every drop of vino that little bit more. But going to a winery has been a little trickier this year. So, to makes things easier, we're bringing the high country to your house with Delatite Wine's DIY Wine Blending class. On Friday, September 17 and Friday, September 24, you can take part in an online wine blending workshop with Delatite Winery's David Ritchie and Andy Browning. Throughout the session, you'll sample the leafy aromatics and blueberry characters of the 2019 cabernet. Then, you'll get to enjoy the rounded, juicy goodness of the merlot from the same year. You'll also learn about Delatite's own wine blending process and discover why it chose to make wine naturally and without filtering. Plus, you'll be encouraged to make your very own blend to go in the running to win a $150 voucher to spend at the winery's restaurant (when you're finally able to visit). To ensure you've got the right goods, you'll be sent a sampling kit filled with all the essentials. The pack will include four different bottles of Delatite wine, an empty bottle for you to build your own blend in, a measuring cylinder, wine pourer, tasting mat and more. Just make sure you register a week before kick-off to ensure it arrives in time for the class. Sound like a superior way to kick off your weekend? Delatite Winery's DIY Wine Blending will take place at 5pm on September 17 and September 24. For more information and to book yourself a spot, visit the website.
Break out the martinis and prepare for a shaken but not stirred few months — because Bond, James Bond, is coming to the Ritz Cinemas. At 7pm every Wednesday and Sunday evening between August 19–November 8, the Randwick venue will screen all 24 official films in the espionage franchise, all as part of an event it's calling Bondathon. Sean Connery smouldering his way through everything from Dr. No to Diamonds Are Forever, Roger Moore stepping into 007's shoes between Live and Let Die and A View to A Kill, Timothy Dalton's two-film run in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill — they're all included. So is Pierce Brosnan's stint as the secret agent between GoldenEye and Die Another Day, and Daniel Craig's four contributions to-date since Casino Royale. Aussie actor George Lazenby's one-movie appearance as Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also on the bill. The action franchise's 25th movie, No Time to Die, is currently slated to hit the big screen in November — after being delayed from April due to COVID-19. So, as tends to be the case when it comes to James Bond, Bondathon's timing is perfect. If you're particularly keen to not only rove your eyes over every single detail — and every villain, Bond girl, gadget and opening credits sequence too — but to do so while sipping a martini, they'll be on offer from the Ritz bar. As for donning a tuxedo, well, that's up to you. Need some more motivation? Let the trailer for Spectre get you in a 007 mood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4UDNzXD3qA Bondathon runs every Wednesday and Sunday evening between August 19–November 8 at the Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, with tickets on sale now.
Burger lovers of Sydney, rejoice. Cocktail lovers, too. Harpoon Harry has been back in business for a month or so now, after temporarily closing due to COVID-19 lockdowns. And, after celebrating June with cheap burgs, the Surry Hills spot is doing the same in July — and adding a range of boozy tipples to the deal. On the burger front, it's serving them up at $10 a pop all day every day in July. Usually, the special only applies on Wednesdays; however, as we all know, there's absolutely nothing usual about 2020 so far. That price applies to all three burgers on the regular menu, so you can take your pick — between the fried chicken burger with hot sauce, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato and pickles; the wagyu with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and Harry's sauce; and the crumbed eggplant 'schnitty' with grilled haloumi, lettuce, tomato, pickles, charred onions and aioli. It also applies to the weekly special burg, too. And, your tenner will also score you some fries — with the burger and chips combo on offer daily from 11.30am. Drinks-wise, five different cocktails are available, also for just $10 each. Choose from a classic margarita, espresso martini, negroni, spritz and whatever the weekly 'secret cocktail' happens to be. Bookings are recommended, but you can also just walk on in. Harpoon Harry's $10 burgers (with fries) and $10 cocktails are available for the entire month of July.
We've all been spending more time inside than usual this year. In the process, we've all been looking at our furniture far more often than we usually would. So, if you've suddenly been rocked by the urge to redecorate, rearrange and reorganise, that's hardly surprising — those well-loved cushions, that old couch or your overflowing shelves could probably do with sprucing up. If IKEA is your furniture go-to, then its mid-year clearance sale is here to help, too — offering discounts of up to 50 percent off on some items. Whether you're in need of something big like a bed, chair or desk, or you're eager to fill your walls and surfaces with frames and vases, you'll find slashed prices on a heap of products. The sale runs until Monday, August 10 — and, for Sydneysiders, you have multiple options if you're eager to start buying. Head into the Tempe, Rhodes or Marsden Park stores; browse online, then opt for click-and-collect; or do all your perusing and purchasing on the company's website, before waiting for delivery. IKEA's mid-year clearance sale runs until Monday, August 10 — in-store and online.
Keen to inject a bit more fun into your life this spring? Then head on down to Moore Park for this year's Spring Family Fair, which is taking over Entertainment Quarter for two weeks. Whether you're wanting to channel your inner kidult or you're looking for a way to entertain your actual kids over the school holidays, this epic fair is a surefire (and super-fun) way to kill time. Running from Saturday, September 26 till Sunday, October 11, the Spring Family Fair will have everything from carnival games to thrilling rides, such as dodgem cars, spinning teacups, a giant slide and one called the Super Sizzler. You'll also be able to cool off with a handful of water activities, including the massive Wave Slide and a paddle boat pool. Then, check out the dog talent shows, or pick up gourmet goodies and seasonal fruit and veg at the biweekly Cambridge Market, which runs from 8am–2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Of course, there's a global pandemic to be mindful of, so expect social distancing measures to be in place, plus numerous hand washing facilities and sanitising stations around the fair. Spring Family Fair is taking over the Entertainment Quarter from September 26–October 11. Open 10am–4pm, Monday–Wednesday, and 10am–5pm, Thursday–Sunday. Pre-book your tickets here.
If 2020 has been good for anything, it's upskilling. No doubt you started making sourdough from scratch, did some DIY projects around the house or took up an online course. You probably attempted to mix up a negroni, amaretto sour or perfectly balanced martini at some point, too. But, if your concoctions didn't quite match the expertise of the bartender at your favourite watering hole, now's your chance to level up. This winter, three top Aussie bartenders are bringing the festivities to your living room with a series of online cocktail classes. Kicking off the series is Eau de Vie Melbourne's Jonny Linstead on Thursday, August 20, from 6–6.30pm. He'll be showing you how to make a vodka-based martini dubbed the D'Vine Time. At the same time on Thursday, September 3, Brisbane bartender Millie Tang, behind old-world cocktail bar The Gresham, will be mixing up a twist on the classic Moscow Mule: the Polish Pony. Then, rounding out the three-part series will be award-winning bartender Kate McGraw from Sydney's izakaya-style bar Isabel on Thursday, September 17. Fittingly, she'll be whipping up a Kyoto Highball, which will have you dreaming of trips to Japan. [caption id="attachment_777922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Polish Mule[/caption] A collaboration between premium vodka distiller Belvedere and drink delivery company Boozebud, the at-home cocktail classes will focus on top-quality natural ingredients. Each drink recipe will have a 'less is more' approach, so you'll be making cocktails that you'll actually be able to recreate — again and again and again. The masterclasses are free to stream via Facebook. For Jonny Linstead's class head here, Millie Tang's here or here for Kate McGraw's. But, to make the most of it, you'll want to get a cocktail pack delivered beforehand. The packs cost between $93.99–99.99. Purchase your cocktail packs via Boozebud, then head to the respective Facebook events at 6pm on August 20, September 3 and September 17 to take part in the virtual masterclasses. Images: Kate McGraw, cocktail, Jonny Linstead and Millie Tang
Every week from July to September, Chauvel Cinema will become home to all manner of retro flicks. You've just spent months streaming anything and everything at home, but now it's time to revisit a heap of bona fide classics on the big screen — all as part of the Palace Encore season. It all kicks off on Monday, July 6 with a choice that'll make you exclaim "great Scott!" — and wish that you could drive to the cinema in a Delorean. Yes, that'd be Back to the Future. Wearing a puffy vest is optional. Also on the bill: Studio Ghibli's enchanting Spirited Away, Martin Scorsese's 90s gangster classic Goodfellas and Stanley Kubrick's horror masterpiece The Shining. Or, you can don a bathrobe to watch The Big Lebowski. The list goes on, with everything from Fight Club to American Psycho also getting a whirl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZspM1JrOmA8 Sessions screen on Monday and Friday nights, with tickets costing $10 for Palace movie club members and $15 otherwise.
Set above the Sydney Fish Market, the Sydney Seafood School has been a staple for top-notch cooking classes for a whopping 30 years now. To celebrate its three decades in operation, Manager Roberta Muir has put together one helluva summer program. And it features cooking classes by some of the best chefs in the biz. Coming up on December 14, Belles Hot Chicken's Morgan McGlone will team up with P&V Wine and Liquor Merchant's Mike Bennie to host a Hot Southern Chicken & Cool Natural Wines event. Then, on January 18, Totti's Mike Eggert will make seasonal veggies the star of his show, while Mike McEnearney (Kitchen by Mike) will host a sourdough-making class on February 1. And February 18 will see Lucio's Lucio Galletto pair his Italian banquet with boutique regional wines by Godot Wines' Piero Tantini. [caption id="attachment_671693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Belles Hot Chicken[/caption] This all-star lineup of chefs also includes Mark LaBrooy (Three Blue Ducks), Palisa Anderson (Chat Thai), Paul Carmichael (Momofuku Seiōbo), Giovanni Pilu (Pilu at Freshwater) and Alessandro Pavoni (Ormeggio at The Spit) — to name just a few. Each class acts as a three-part experience, with a live demonstration in the tiered theatre followed by a hands-on cooking class in the kitchen, and finally a communal feast (paired with wine, of course) in the dining room. To check out the full program, head here. The classes are a bit pricey, ranging from $140–$175, but, with the calibre of chefs, you're getting a lot of bang-for-your-buck. And tickets to any one of these would certainly go down a treat as a Christmas gift. Top image: Franz Scheurer
In August, ARTBAR — the MCA's after-dark, adults-only art party — transported you to an underworld of pagan mystery. Now that the weather is warming up, your next destination is an underworld of another kind: a steamy tropical forest. Welcome to Canopy, a rainforest-inspired pop-up bar that doubles as a creative ecosystem. Created by powerhouse DJ and visual artist Hannah Brontë, this shindig is all about fierce women. Listen out for the fearless hip hop of Fiji-born, Brisbane musician Jesswar, who has played Australia's biggest festivals, including Laneway, Groovin' the Moo and Splendour in the Grass. Meanwhile, Sydney's Peruvian-born DJ Carolina Gasolina will bring her extremely danceable collection of 90s R&B and rap bangers — as well as a bunch of tracks you've probably never heard before. Also getting you on the floor will be Tongan-born, Sydney-based DJ Kilimi, whose set combines Afro, baile and jersey edits with R&B voguing favourites. And, when you least expect it, you'll meet Black Birds (aka Ayeesha Ash), who'll lead a performative workshop — while dressed in wearable art. Plus, you'll be able to check out the retrospective exhibition of British female artist Cornelia Parker, which is her first major survey exhibition in the southern hemisphere. While usually ticketed, the exhibition will be open after dark for ARTBAR attendees, so you can check out her powerful, haunting and often violent works for free. ARTBAR usually sells out, so be sure to grab your tickets sooner rather than later. Canopy will take over all levels of the MCA on Friday, November 29, from 7-11pm.
Returning for its second year, Sad by Sad West is a community focused festival that's all about embracing emotion in both music and life. It's taking things back to basics and helping locals to recognise and appreciate their immediate surroundings and the artists that occupy it. Presented by Lesstalk Records and Papaiti Records, the self proclaimed fringe festival is geared toward connecting the community through events that showcase shared ideas and values through art and music. The artists will perform across different genres and mediums in an effort to portray artistic thought in a new light. The three-day Sydney event will take over venues in Marrickville and Parramatta from Thursday, May 4 through Saturday, May 6. First up they'll partner with Marrickville's Cornersmith for a D.I.Wine and Dine event, pairing a three-course meal with five Aussie artists, including Zzzounds and Micro Lectures. On Friday, May 5, the party is headed over to Beatdisc Records in Parramatta, where the stage will be shared by Aussie six acts, including Daniel Comensoli and Dave Drayton, along with New Zealand band Long Distance Runner. On Saturday, May 6 the festival will finish off at Marrickville's Red Rattler with a huge lineup of Aussie acts and an addition of two imports, New Zealand's Carb on Carb and Subsumer from the States.
You can never have too many food trucks and chicken wings, and King of the Wings is hoping that the poultry-loving people of Sydney agree. After slinging their spicy pieces around Brisbane since 2014 — and proving one of the first purveyors of meals-on-wheels in southeast Queensland, in fact — they're heading south to bring their tasty morsels to a whole new batch of hungry customers. Come May, King of the Wings will pop up at The Observer Hotel in The Rocks for what they've dubbed 'wing week', serving up tender, tasty chicken galore. Just running your eyes over their menu should be enough to motivate you to be there. It's about quality over quantity here, with the self-proclaimed wing kings specialising in five flavours: their signature Southern-style herb and spice rub, a sweet chilli-infused honey sesame sauce, traditional American barbecue, the extra hot 'Chillogy' and a Portuguese crumb. You'll be able to order them in six, 12, 20 or 30 packs. The Sydney pop-up comes hot on the heels of King of the Wings adding a second, split-level design truck to their fleet, as well as competing in last year's New York Wingfest — where they took out the best new vendor field, and came second in the best wing sauce category. Sydneysiders, if you want to find out why, you'll just have to head along.
The phrases 'rooftop pottery workshop' and 'car park bike polo vs. unicycle hockey match' get bandied about a lot these days. Oh wait, they never do — especially not in the same sentence. But on Saturday, April 1, Parramatta's multi-level Eat Street Car Park is throwing a rooftop bash incorporating both activities. No, it's not an April Fools' stunt. Fresh from his latest illustration project, All The Buildings in New York, Sydney artist James Gulliver Hancock will transform the rooftop with a live mural painting. It's set to be an evening of live music, experimental video screenings, weird hybrid sports and — better still — table tennis. With delicious Turkish flatbreads on offer alongside freshly baked doughnuts and — hold my clay pot, will you? — crème brûlée from Torch Me Crème Brûlée, life is guaranteed to be sweet on Eat Street (at least for one night). The event will celebrate the recent $135,000 upgrade to the Eat Street Car Park, which will see more maps, signage and a mural added to the structure. The project aims to make the car park feel more welcoming and safe and provide better access to Parramatta's main dining precinct.
Guaranteed to set the staffroom afire with gossip and outrage, New Theatre wades into the prickly issue of teacher-student relationships with Evan Placey's Consensual. Seven years ago, Diane was 22, a teacher's assistant just getting to grips with the blend of riot control and guile needed to haul adolescents through a class curriculum. She made a mistake and got too close to a student who took advantage of her. Seven years ago, Freddie was 15, unhappy and a mess. A teenager, in other words. He was groomed by one of his teachers and bragged about it after the fact. Now, Diane is a qualified teacher and trying to get a new Sex Ed programme through the skulls of her Year 11 class. When Freddie turns up looking to press charges, both versions of events are played out, but Placey isn't interested in who's right. Rather, Consensual promises an unflinching account of what we tell ourselves about the horrible things we do to other people.
What if a trio of old guys robbed a bank? That'd be funny, wouldn't it? That seems to be the only line of thinking behind Going in Style, which remakes a 1979 flick of the same name and brings together a thoroughly likeable cast of elderly actors, but doesn't rise above "aren't geriatrics hilarious?"-style humour. Attempting to bulk up its premise with a hefty tug at the heartstrings and a weak statement about ruthless financial institutions proves about as effective as chewing steak with dentures. Sure, you can give it a shot, but everyone knows that it's not going to work. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin play old friends Joe, Willie and Albert, who toiled away for decades together at a Brooklyn steel works, only to find themselves stripped of their pensions after a corporate takeover by an overseas company. But after Joe witnesses a slick holdup at his uncaring bank — an establishment that tricked him into a loan with a nasty interest rate, is now threatening to take his house away, and happens to be handling the pension debacle — the three hatch a plan to reclaim their entitlements via a caper of their own. Given the talent the film puts on screen, Going in Style probably could've worked quite well without throwing in the sob stories. Alas, the script by Hidden Figures writer-director Theodore Melfi is determined to justify the characters' newfound criminal urges in the most blatantly sappy and cliched ways that it can. Accordingly, Joe has to save the home where his daughter and granddaughter also live, while Willie is in dire need of a new kidney. Former musician Albert takes longer to warm to the stickup idea, probably because he isn't blighted with his own sad tale; instead, he's more preoccupied with his new romance with a grocery store clerk (Ann-Margaret). The fact is, Caine, Freeman and Arkin are all much, much better than the material they're saddled with. If there's any fun to be had here, it's in watching the three Oscar winners sit in a diner bickering and bantering. Any time they're tasked with supposedly comic hijinks, you're left wishing they were all in a better film; a horribly executed sequence in which they attempt to shoplift from a local supermarket as a practice run for their big heist is a prime example. Still, they fare much better than their poor co-star Christopher Lloyd, whose hammy performance might make you exclaim "great Scott!" in horror. Although he's helmed two movies already, in Garden State and Wish I Was Here, Actor-turned-director Zach Braff is still best known for starring in the small screen hospital comedy Scrubs. Perhaps it's not a coincidence, then, that his latest effort feels more like a bland, formulaic sitcom pilot than it does a feature film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Qq3pIWMHk
Spend your Thursday night feasting on smoked meats and dancing to the deep disco beats of Cutloose at Sydney streetwear label ZANEROBE's Cut & Cook BBQ. Orangeville Meat Co. are providing the nosh and ZANEROBE has refreshments covered, supplying free drinks by Coors, Smirnoff, Salumi Australia and Black Bear. Sounds like one heck of an after-work plan. Set to take place at ZANEROBE's Rosebery showroom, the event will also be a chance to check out the brand's latest styles and pick up a piece or two. The whole thing kicks off at 5pm and finishes at around 9pm, so get in early to make the most of the festivities.
Variety might be the spice of life, but it's also the idea behind multiple-course dinners. If you're going to eat your way through several plates, you'll also want to eat your through several different types of food, or so the general line of thinking goes. It's a sensible concept, and one that's been serving the restaurant industry well for years — but The Pasta Masters Collaborative Dinner is about to blow it out of the water. Here, five rounds of dishes means one thing five times: pasta, pasta, pasta, pasta and pasta. Indeed, all things pasta are on the menu at this series of two dinners, which brings a top chef quartet — aka Sotto Sopra's Alessandro Pavoni and Mattia Rossi, and Flour Eggs Water's Sandro Di Marino and Eugenio Maiale — together for a night of food and pasta-related discussion. The evenings won't just celebrate the meal in question, but will focus on the flavoursome fare from the culinary wizs' respective regions in Italy. Dinners will be held at Sotto Sopra on July 19 and Flour Eggs Water on August 23, with tickets costing $75 per person — or $125 with matched wines.
Calling all creative ladies, this 'un-conference' is for you. After a strong debut as part of Vivid Ideas 2016, this two-day event "for, by and about creative women" features a super successful lineup of pioneering international and homegrown talent. With a crew of female-identifying attendees, Make Nice is a two-day creative event that isn't your regular conference format. Each presenter will offer practical advice for working in the creative industries, unpack the value of idea exchange and dialogue, and focus on the importance of genuine professional support. But they'll also be sitting next to you for the conference, learning from your ideas and having mad chats. It will kick off with a non-awkward pre-drink event on Friday, September 22 before the main event, a full-day conference that kicks off at 8.15am on Saturday. This year's speakers include Nashville designer Becky Simpson, sought-after tatooist and artist Stanislava Pinchuk (aka Miso) and journalist and co-host of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast Ann Friedman, amongst others. They'll be speaking on topics that cover imposter syndrome, starting a business, getting into a routine while staying sane and how to avoid completely burning out. Each attendee will be invited to a private online forum (along with the speakers) that will be active year round, connecting you to each other after the event and inviting you to future Make Nice events. The full schedule will be released soon.
Whether you're a whiskey-enthusiast, aspiring table-stylist or wannabe pickler, the Tramsheds has you sorted this winter. Every Monday through Wednesday from July 3 to September 23, Winter Nights gives you the chance to mix up your midweek winter routine — and your own cocktail while you're at it. Pop-up workshops include watercolour and wine, tea blending and detox juicing, along with a native cocktail mixology class that uses all local ingredients. Or satisfy your chocolate-craving at the Chocolatier Know-How workshop where you'll temper your own chocolate (and learn what that actually means). The classes are budget-friendly, too — starting at only $16 — so you can learn some new skills on the cheap. Check out the full list of events here.
Whether sweet, dry or draught tickles your tastebuds, there's nothing quite like a glass of ice-cold cider on a nice spring day. Come September 2, that's exactly The Tudor is serving up, with the Redfern pub throwing their first-ever cider festival. Aiming to showcase cidery goodness of both the local and international kind, there's no prizes for guessing what's on offer — think apple and pear tipples from the likes of Young Henrys, Batlow Cider Co, Black Brewing Co, The Hills Cider Company, Willie Smiths and even Spain's Sidra Del Verano. Tasting as many as possible is what the afternoon shindig is all about, with five available for $15 and ten for $25. If all that sipping works up an appetite, pairing your beverages with pork — spit-roasted on rolls, or of the sausage hot dog variety — is also on the menu. And, it wouldn't be a cider fest without a stint of bobbing for apples, now would it? As well as showing off their apple-grabbing prowess, participants can win more cider, naturally.
After their highly buzzed-about debut at this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Vale Denim are hosting an exclusive pop-up sale in Sydney alongside fellow Australian brand Hansen & Gretel. With their fresh seasonal twists on accessible and comfortable cult wardrobe classics, Vale Denim has been steadily gathering momentum since its creation back in the summer of 2015 by Sydneysider Amber D'Enett. From July 13 to 19 at 14 William Street, the Paddington pop-up sale will feature pieces from the brand's AW17 collection, alongside exclusive one-off samples and archived pieces. Starting from $20, all items available for purchase will be discounted by up to 80 per cent, making it the perfect opportunity for fashionable denim enthusiasts to get behind a local fashion label without digging too deep into their wallets. The Vale Denim and Hansen & Gretel pop-up sale will be open Thursday from 10am to 9pm and Friday to Monday from 10am to 6pm. Image: Vale Denim
The Commune Waterloo will be transformed into a sensory explosion when Eid in the City returns for its second year on Friday, August 4 from 5pm to 10pm. A celebration of Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Middle Eastern Night Markets will bring together a massive variety of street food, art, craft, design, music, photography and film. Ramadan, for those not in the know, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It's the holy month, during which participants fast, pray and give to charity. The aim is to promote empathy, generosity and an attitude of gratitude, and Eid is the festivity and feast that follows. While Ramadan and Eid were celebrated back at the end of June this year, the Commune is keeping the party going with their massive event. You won't be short of company, either — the Facebook event has racked up nearly 5000 RSVPs and counting. Tickets are only 10 bucks but are strictly pre-sale only, so make sure to head over here to nab one.
The Giant Dwarf loves to bang on — so much so, they're dedicating two whole weeks to celebrating the art of it. A brand new festival for the Redfern theatre, YACK will bring together a selection of Sydney's funniest, smartest and most provocative comedians, podcasters and panellists. The little festival will feature big laughs with a great lineup of people who like to have a good ol' chinwag. We're pretty excited to see the Kates (of The Katering Show) live In Konversation and Sam Simmons read a phone book in his hilarious and celebrated show A-K. Peter Helliar, co-host of The Project, will be debuting his first family-friendly show following the release of his bestselling children's novel and Hannah and Eliza Reilly (who you might know from the ABC's Growing Up Gracefully) will remind us of our public speaking insecurities with The Yarramadoon PS Debaters Night. Add to the mix a performance by The Chaser — who will be reminiscing on their most audacious stunt ever (can you guess which one?) — and the first ever live performance of Zan Rowe and Myf Warhurst's podcast Bang On, and you'll most probably be on the ground in stitches. Some of Australia's most witty writers, including Benjamin Law, Cameron James and Caitlin Welsh, will be collaborating with Songs and Stories to pay their respects to the music that has shaped them and Rebecca Huntley and Sarah MacDonald will host The Full Catastrophe, an afternoon-slash-therapy session with people well known for turning horrible moments into hilarious stories. Judging by the state of world affairs, two weeks of non-stop laughing at YACK will be just what the doctor ordered, so head over to the Giant Dwarf website for tickets here. The festival will run from November 6–19.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is rolling out a new winter art workshop program. Inspired by the gallery's popular Sundown Sketch Club, these two-hour Wednesday evening sketching workshops will led by Sydney-based artist Will French, and take place once a month in June, July and August. The classes will focus on still life and nude drawing, with participants using a range of fine art materials and getting a few tips from French along the way. The ever-changing installation will include a model alongside the rather specific ingredients of fresh grapes, white flowers, juicy pears, brioche, hazelnuts and almonds. The evening will be capped off with nibbles, cheese, a glass of Champagne from sponsor Ruinart and a backdrop of Sydney Harbour. The first workshop will take place on June 14, with sessions following on July 19 and August 23. Tickets are $65 and beginners are welcome. Just make sure to book ahead as these events have sold out in the past.
In 1947, one country became two and the world was forever altered. Following centuries of governance by the British, India was divided into distinct, independent territories along religious lines. One would still be known as India. The other would become Pakistan (and later, Bangladesh as well). Unsurprisingly, it was a massive task requiring significant contemplation and causing considerable repercussions, both for the officials charged with overseeing the partition, and for the locals who would be forced to live with the change. Such a chapter of history seems an obvious candidate for a dramatic film treatment — and that's just what Bend It Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha delivers, stepping through the upheaval and exploring just how the two groups coped in such a turbulent period. But while she focuses firmly on the emotional toll of the partition, it's hard not to think that the director has actually missed the best story. Viceroy's House concludes on a rather touching personal note, explaining that Chadha's own grandmother lived through the events depicted on screen. Frankly, you could be forgiven for wishing she'd told that tale instead. Instead it's the last British head of India and his staff that drive the narrative of Viceroy's House. Accompanied by his wife Edwina (Gillian Anderson) and daughter Pamela (Lily Travers), Lord Louis Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) tries to negotiate an arrangement for the future of the sub-continent that keeps the various conflicting parties and his English superiors happy. Meanwhile, within Mountbatten's luxurious Delhi mansion, servant Jeet (Manish Dayal) yearns for his childhood sweetheart Aalia (Huma Qureshi), a situation complicated by the fact that he's a Hindu and she's a Muslim. Accordingly, a quest to determine the shape of two nations and a Romeo and Juliet-style affair combine, albeit somewhat awkwardly at times. Jumping between bureaucratic manoeuvring and matters of the heart isn't always packaged with the smoothest transitions, and doesn't give either side of the story much depth. Nevertheless, Chadha's main aim, of examining the ramifications for the country as well as its people, is successfully achieved. The film wrings most of its feeling from its many contrasts, be they ideological, political, religious or romantic. Standard as it all might be, Viceroy's House still proves a handsome effort. Think lush visuals and a rich score, plus fine performances. Downtown Abbey's Bonneville stays nicely in familiar territory, while Anderson couldn't be more enjoyable to watch. She mightn't be the movie's main star, but she's given the job of embodying its chief message of rising above prejudice and finding the right path in times of turmoil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ZnofZJCD8
Hendrick's Gin and Siren Theatre Co are teaming up in June, inviting guests into a fully immersive, theatrical cocktail experience at COMMUNE in Waterloo. On your journey through the space you'll encounter delightfully creative, unusual scenarios that are designed to reawaken your natural curiosity. The experience will last just over an hour, and promises to evoke eccentric imagination in intimate, daring and sometimes dark spaces. You'll be treated to three Hendrick's Gin cocktails along the way — one classic, one seasonal and one experimental — each uncovered at a different point within the hour. When your journey comes to an end, you'll have access to the Hendrick's Gin bar. It will be a weekend of surprises, interactive fun and delicious cocktails. The Awakening is open from 5pm to 10pm on Friday, June 2, and from 12.40pm to 10pm on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4. Get your tickets here.
If you're the sort of person who likes to eat meat until you start shaking with the meat sweats and can (m)eat no more, then a festival very relevant to your interests is coming to town. Meatstock Festival, a two-day celebration of all things animal, is setting up its smoky self in the Sydney Showgrounds on the weekend of May 6 and 7. Not just your regular food festival, bands on the Meatstock lineup include The Delta Riggs, Dusty Boots, Roy Rose, The Tommyhawks and The Fumes. Sure, there'll be less music than there is at Woodstock, but there will be 200 percent more tasty meat-related foods. The food stars of the show are Burgers by Josh, Chrissy's Cuts, Rangers Texas BBQ and more. Try both, or all of the food stalls and then fall into a sweaty, cholesterol-heavy heap — don't say we didn't warn you. Finally, for a little old-fashioned rivalry, the festival will be running both Barber Wars and Butcher Wars, which will basically be a bunch of hopefully unbloodied people running around competing and wielding various knives. What a weekend.
It'd be easy to be cynical about The Zookeeper's Wife. If it wasn't based on a true story, setting a World War II tale in a zoo could seem like an obvious attempt to wring cheap sentiment out of a tragic situation — we've already seen humans ravaged by combat, so we'll throw animals into the mix instead. Thankfully, that's not actually the case here. The drama might feature cute creatures big and small, but it's firmly concerned with the human impact in times of conflict. To be specific, The Zookeeper's Wife explores how people cope when their lives and livelihoods are threatened, and how they band together to help others subjected to unspeakable horrors. When war hits and Hitler's head zoologist Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl) arrives, it doesn't take long for Warsaw zookeeper Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh) and his wife Antonina (Jessica Chastain) to switch their focus. If they can't run their usual operation — their best animals are shipped to Germany, while others meet a bleaker end — then they'll do everything they can to help rescue the Jewish people that have been rounded up in ghettos and treated worse than cattle by the Nazi regime. Schindler's List might've just popped into your mind, as well as a plethora of other movies based upon tales of courage and sacrifice during the Holocaust. That's perfectly understandable. Familiarity isn't always a bad thing — there's a reason that filmmakers are drawn to similar stories, particularly when they demonstrate people displaying their best possible traits at a time when civilisation as a whole is doing the opposite. There's much about The Zookeeper's Wife that follows the expected path. Whale Rider director Niki Caro brings the non-fiction book of the same name to the screen with handsome images and a solemn tone. There are grim scenes of cruelty and carnage, although the darkest deeds are alluded to rather than shown. The movie charts acts of hidden resistance that saved lives, and paints its otherwise ordinary protagonists as extraordinary heroes. Not unlike the recent Their Finest, it also provides an unmistakably female-aligned view of war, from the nurturing urge that sees Antonina shelter as many escapees as she can, to the clear threat of sexual violence that lingers every time Brühl's villainous character makes his intentions known. Of course, that's where the reliably excellent Chastain comes in. After proving so ruthless and defiant in Miss Sloane, she's softer and kinder here, yet no less compelling. Indeed, there mightn't be much nuance in the film's melodramatic storytelling, but Chastain herself brings plenty. That applies whether she's saving a baby elephant, helping her secret house-guests, conveying a world of dismay in a glance, or rallying against oppression. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ibf46kh2Ec
Local fashion, handmade wares and community vibes aplenty. It's a formula that sounds familiar, though for Enmore's new quarterly pop-up New Form, it's served up a little differently. Billed as "not just another arts and crafts market," New Form aims to be an inclusive hangout space for Sydney's style-savvy culture lovers, delivering a tightly curated mix of design, fashion, music, art and food, all with a local focus. Uniquely, each edition will be helmed by a different creative mind, who'll lend their own expertise and style to the concept. They'll choose the live tunes and art installations, select an exciting lineup of designers to show off their wares and handpick all the other vendors. New Form has also teamed up with folks at The Design Residency, who'll showcase two of their exciting mentee designers at each edition. For its debut outing on Sunday, October 8, the pop-up is heading to a space on Gladstone Road, pulling together labels like Zuku Jewellery, Tuesday Vintage, Carly Rose, Serpent and the Swan, and Studio Coy, along with plenty of other fresh local talent. Food offerings will include Turkish gozleme and Miss Mabel's.
No one needs an extra reason to visit a food truck festival, but this Sydney's offering is serving one up anyway. Head to What the Truck! between December 1 and 3, and you won't just be munching your way through a meals-on-wheels feast. You'll also be helping raise money Livin, an Australian-based charity dedicated to raising awareness for mental health. Tasty bites on offer in the city's west include Dairy Extraordinary's raclette-loving lineup, Muchos Nachos' Mexican bites, Volkwurst's German sausages and Lemon Rose's American meets Middle East eats, as well as Torch Me Crème Brûlée's titular dish, Vege Love's Asian-inspired vegetable concoctions and Gelato Brioche whipping up just what you'd expect. They'll be joined by live music and entertainment from local talents, aka something to watch between meals. The event is being spearheaded by The Daisy Project, who are aiming to put on a high-energy fest that matches their enthusiasm for the cause they're supporting. It all takes place from 5:30pm to 10pm on Friday, 10am to 10pm Saturday and 10am to 9pm Sunday at the Blacktown Showground, with entry costing a gold coin donation.
You love rosé, we love rosé, everyone loves rosé — but like every type of tipple, there's just so many to choose from. Not sure which pink drink takes your fancy? Adored some but haven't been fussed about others? Wish you could try a whole heap and pick your favourite? Or, perhaps you're fond of them all, and you're just eager to indulge. Whichever category you fall into, Rosé Days is for you. Sorry, it's just one day; however it does feature nine whole hours dedicated to the vino in question. Around 20 Australian and international winemakers, distilleries and even breweries will come together to celebrate the best in not-quite-red-coloured wines, offering up tastings aplenty. There'll also be rosé gummy bears, raspberry beer, wild rose vermouth and rosé cider. In addition, attendees can enjoy rosé-themed food from the likes of Three Blue Ducks, Kingsmore and Frenchies; entertainment to get your cheeks nice and rosy, such as indoor pétanque; cooking masterclasses and a dedicated rosé chill-out space. It all takes place from 10am on November 4 in the most appropriate suburb for it: Rosebery. Head to The Cannery for some pink-hued fun, with tickets $22.50 in advance or $25 on the day.
Just try not to gaze longingly into the shimmering azure sea seen in Roza of Smyrna. Sorry, it's impossible. The film has been called a Greco-Turkish Romeo and Juliet, and its blend of scenic sights and romantic drama is a great fit for the Greek Film Festival's 2017 opening night. While you're watching, you'll fall in love with the story and the picturesque region. With the fest taking over Palace Norton Street from October 10 to 22, that's just one of the titles on offer in a rather sizeable program. Other highlights include The Killing of a Sacred Deer, the Colin Farrell-starring latest from The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos (and one of our MIFF standouts); The Bachelor, which has been dubbed the Hellenic version of The Hangover; and Dogs of Democracy, which aims to be an Athens-set, canine-centric version of cat doco Kedi. From Greece's candidate for next year's Oscars to a musical road film about Southern Europe's migrant situation, the flicks just keep coming, including a short film fest within the main fest. It's the festival's 24th year, and they're making the most of it. We'd smash some plates in celebration of that.
