Think watching a movie under the stars is a summer activity? Think again. Braving the elements to catch a film in winter comes with its own rewards: snuggling up next to your nearest and dearest, enjoying the brisk night air, and sipping hot mulled wine, for example. After luring cinephiles out of the cinema and into bed, the folks behind Mov'In Bed Cinema have something else up their sleeves now that the weather is cooler. As part of the broader Bastille - The Food Wine Art Revolution festival, they're turning the Tallowoladah Lawn outside of the MCA into a pop-up openair movie theatre — complete with views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. Screening six sessions over four days between July 13 to 17, Le Cinema lets attendees get cosy in 50 deck chairs (with blankets, of course), and offers up a glass of mulled wine and popcorn to complete the outdoor film-watching experience. Movies include Life Is Beautiful, Moulin Rouge! and The Boat That Rocked — and it wouldn't be a French cinema outing without Amelie on the program.
Buying a famous pop culture house can be a solid life choice. Cruising home to your San Diego Top Gun beach house, stealing your parent's car from your Ferris Bueller pad. But for anyone who's ever watched David Lynch's Twin Peaks, there's a certain creepy, foreboding vibe to this new real estate option. Welcome To Twin Peaks has reported that the fictional Twin Peaks-located home of Laura, Sarah and Leland Palmer is up for sale. Sitting at a super reasonable asking price of $549,950, the iconic, not-so-picture-perfect home of the Palmers served as the interior set for the Twin Peaks pilot (as well as the interior/exteriors for the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me). Lynch used different digs for the Palmer house during the series, but these are some pretty woah-inducing interiors for TP fans. You'll find the Palmers at 708 33rd Street in Everett, Washington (the other house is also in Washington, but in the town of Monroe). The real estate blurb for the freaky fortress of Lynch makes no mention of Twin Peaks in their listing. Charming 1930s home in the heart of Historic Rucker Hill. This home features hardwood floors, crown molding, oversized rooms & timeless character. A grand entryway leads into circular main floor layout that is warmed with natural light. Four bedrooms upstairs surround open staircase & two bedrooms have access to an enclosed sun room. Basement has space for a rec room and den. The large lot spans two streets. Detached two-car garage. Close proximity to Rucker Hill Park. This is a must see home! While the bedrooms don't come with additional BOB space or storage for boring, boring James-shaped boyfriends, this house is one creepy investment. Here's a little mash-up the legends at Welcome to Twin Peaks put together — pointing out Laura Palmer's rocking chair, which actually lives in the house. Yeesh. Via Welcome to Twin Peaks and The AV Club.
This huge 1100-square-metre warehouse nursery on the Princes Highway is your go-to for plants and pots — especially if you're on your way to IKEA. Garden Life specialises in high-end plants and is frequented by professional designers and landscape architects as well as those looking to make their home more green. The space is filled with a wide range of specimen trees, indoor succulents and outdoor plants — sourced both from Australia and around the world. Apart from plants, you can also shop for a range of outdoor homewares, gardening tools and a whole heap of pots.
Next-level Cantonese cuisine is headed straight for the CBD, with Sydney's famed hospitality team Lotus Dining Group announcing the launch of its latest venue. The hospo team's newest venture, Pearl, will offer a contemporary Cantonese dining experience with top-notch views — serving up traditional dishes from China's Guangdong region with a modern flare. The group's eighth restaurant location is set to open on Bridge Street in Quay Quarter next month, expanding the ever-growing hospitality empire even further. "This is an exciting and new venture for our group, we have been looking to open a venue with a premium offering and are hoping to reimagine the perception of Cantonese dining," Lotus Dining Group founder and chairman Michael Jiang said. The lavish 84-seat restaurant and bar, brought to life by Darren Kong Architects, will boast stylish banquette seating and accents of blue adorning the venue — alongside Pearl's eye-catching centrepiece, a sleek rectangle bar situated in the heart of the space. If you're scoping out the scene for a special occasion or an especially intimate meal, there are private dining options available to book. Plus, you'll also be able to opt for al fresco dining on the 30-seat balcony, which, when paired with picturesque views of the Harbour Bridge, creates the ultimate Pearl experience. Following the ethos of reimagining traditional dishes, Pearl's menu combines Hong Kong Chef and Director of Culinary Cheung Shui Yip's nostalgic ties and knowledge of Cantonese flavours with Executive Chef Steve Wu's modern dining expertise within Australia — all while drawing inspiration from Hong Kong's gorgeous culinary craftsmanship. "We noticed a gap in the market and have been working to create what we feel is a perfect harmony between Canton traditions and the modern Sydney dining scene," Jiang continued. When dining in, expect to see a celebration of traditional flavours and beautiful local Australian produce. From steamed and stir-fried dishes, barbecue and rice- and noodle-focused dishes to roasted duck, hearty soups and live seafood, there will be a plethora of flavoursome Chinese dishes to choose from. Keep an eye out for the likes of a pork belly roast with crispy crackling, the scallop tart with dried ginger and crispy rice crackers and crab Xiao long bao — all of which are set to be standout features on the menu. Head Sommelier Karen Dollimore leads the charge on the drinks offering, with an extensive beverage program that includes a range of signature cocktails. Get excited for the Kino Negroni, which will be made with Lotus mandarin gin, campari, vermouth and chocolate bitters, alongside over 200 wines ranging from familiar drops to newer, experimental sips. [caption id="attachment_852979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Quay Quarter Lanes[/caption] You'll find Pearl at Shop R1013, Retail Level 1, 50 Bridge Street in the Quay Quarter Building. The venue will open next month for dinner Tuesday–Saturday and lunch Tuesday–Friday. Secure your spot prior to its opening at the restaurant's official website — bookings are now open.
The changes of the past couple of weeks have hit Australia's hospitality industry hard. First, there were the tighter restrictions on venue numbers and spacing; then the government's closure of all non-essential businesses means hospitality venues were forced to shut their doors and rely solely on whatever takeaway service they had operating — or adapt and launch new ones. As a result, a huge number of hospitality workers have been left without jobs. According to website I Lost My Hospo Shift, as of Thursday, April 23, 2594 Aussie hospo workers had lost their jobs and 13,237 shifts had been cut, equating to around $2.1 million in lost wages this week alone. Thankfully, some industry legends are coming to the rescue, lending a helping hand in the form of a few much-needed free feeds. And they're not just helping out unemployed hospo workers either, they're providing free meals to frontline health workers, international students and those just generally doing it tough right now. In Sydney, James Thorpe — co-owner of Petersham's Oxford Tavern and The Taphouse in Darlinghurst — announced both his venues will continue serving up free takeaway meals for any struggling hospo workers. "If you are a casual hospo worker who is currently underemployed, I will pay for your meal," he said in a post on The Taphouse Instagram page last week. "Simply make yourself known at the bar with your RSA in tow (or just let us know where you work if a cafe worker) and our team will hook you up with a menu." https://www.instagram.com/p/B95Th-Np__4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Meanwhile, Newtown restaurant Hearth & Soul made a comeback especially to throw some support behind struggling Sydneysiders. Owner Rachel Jelley closed the venue in November, but has thrown open the doors for a series of free Friday meal services, catering to both staff and employers in any industry who've lost jobs or income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside a crew of volunteers, she's serving up a rotating menu of produce-focused dishes from 12–2pm each week, inviting diners to register via the website. "These are the people who have been working tirelessly to provide you with the dining-out experiences you love," Jelley explained. "They've also been cutting your hair, doing your physio, making your coffee and baking your croissants, and now their livelihoods have simply evaporated overnight, in silence. So, I want to feed them." https://www.instagram.com/p/B9-5LUHjva2/ Over in Enmore, Colombo Social is a Sri Lankan restaurant that provides employment opportunities and support to asylum seekers and refugees. But in response to these turbulent times, it's now expanded its focus, teaming up with Mission Australia and a bunch of other local charities to feed as many vulnerable community members as possible. The kitchen's being put to good use, whipping up over 4600 hot, nutritious meals for free to those who are hungry or struggling to feed their families. Italian chain Fratelli Fresh is also donating 650 meals every week to healthcare workers via its Feed the Front Line program, which is running until the end of June. You can donate a meal for $10 over here, too. Then, there's the group of Manly venues that have banded together in an effort to feed vulnerable hospitality workers. Via a new Go Fund Me campaign, spots like The Cumberland, The Hold, Hugos Manly and 4 Pines are raising money to fund free meals for those in the industry who've lost income and work. Impacted workers are invited to get themselves verified, then to register for any of the nightly-changing, home-delivered dishes. The meals are created using leftover food stocks donated by local restaurants. And Chippendale local Sneaky Possum has transformed into soup kitchens, dishing up free feeds to hard-hit hospitality staff with complimentary hospo meals from 8pm nightly. Down in Melbourne, Attica has set up its own soup kitchen. It's selling $25 Thai-inspired chicken broths, with $5 from each one sold going towards preparing food for unemployed hospitality workers on temporary visas. The crew from Brighton barbecue restaurant Coal Blooded Griller are drumming up donations to enable them to whip up free meals for those in need. Having already raised over $3500, they're able to serve hundreds of ready-to-heat, two-person food packs. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N8a2rg0wD/ Meanwhile, Essendon burger joint Dribbles is handing out four free meals each week to people who've lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. It's currently taking nominations for the freebies via its Facebook and Instagram. Newly-hatched non-profit event organisation The Issue X has made a mission to shed honest light on the issues and obstacles faced by the hospitality industry. And in these troubled times, it's turned its attentions to our city's hard-hit hospo staff, especially those on temporary visas who can't bank on any government support. The Issue X team knocked up a heap of nightly meals for those in need. And Brunswick's Viet-inspired restaurant Shop Bao Ngoc is giving back to its hard-hit hospo community by offering up a nightly changing meat-free dish, available for contactless delivery within three kilometres of the venue. The crew's encouraging a $10 donation for the meals — think, tofu pad thai and vegetable shepherd's pie — but say no one will be turned away for lack of funds. You can even pay it forward by donating money towards someone's future feed. https://www.facebook.com/baongocbrunswick/photos/a.439164586552477/841547599647505/?type=3&theater In the Brisbane suburb of Annerley, South Indian restaurant Sankalp is lending a hand by cooking up a swag of free vegetarian meals each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The dishes are on offer to international students and any locals in need, to collect from the restaurant between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Having pivoted its business in response to new public health regulations, Gold Coast eatery The Henchman is now operating as both a takeaway restaurant and food store. For as long as is possible, the owners are inviting anyone feeling the pinch to pop by and fill a bag with pantry supplies, on the house. And on the Sunshine Coast, a group of Noosa Junction venues have joined forces on a mission to support both their local hospo community and international students staying in the region. Together, eateries including Pasta Pronto, Bombetta and Moto are serving a stack of free breakfasts, lunches and dinners, across a range of daily offers. If and when you do decide to head out to get food, remember to follow the Australian Government Department of Health's social distancing guidelines. Know of any other restaurants, cafes or bars doing their bit to help the community? Let us know at hello@concreteplayground.com.
We can't think of a much better way to alleviate all that hectic airport stress than some pre-flight puppy cuddles and wet-nosed kisses. Thankfully, Sydney Airport has a new team of four-legged employees that is very happy to help on all counts. In an Aussie first, American Airlines and Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) have teamed up to launch a new program called emBark at Sydney International Airport, in an effort to make the whole travelling caper much more bearable. Two mornings each week, a group of ADA-trained floofers will be stationed near American Airlines' check-in desks, to help anyone, young or old, that needs a calming cuddle before tackling all that airport hustle and bustle. As well as proving excellent company and very effective stress relief, the dogs will also help to raise awareness about ADA's work and the huge difference these animals can make. As American's Managing Director – Asia Pacific Russ Fortson explained, "The atmosphere at check-in is noticeably lighter and more relaxed. If these inspiring dogs can accomplish this during short interactions with our customers, imagine the positive impact they can have on the daily lives of the people who need them." At present, emBark pups are stationed at Sydney International Airport's American Airline check-in desks between 7-9am, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Images: Christine Bernasconi Photography
The flashy girl from Flushing is headed to Broadway, with beloved sitcom The Nanny making the leap from the small screen to the New York theatre scene. Of course, the protagonist of the 90s series is no stranger to the latter circles. For six seasons between 1993–98, the show charted the chaos that followed when Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) knocked on the door of British-born Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy) and nabbed a job looking after his three children. Thanks to the theme song that you likely now have stuck in your head, you should remember The Nanny's overall premise: working in a bridal shop in Queens, Fran was dumped by her boyfriend, started selling cosmetics, then scored her new gig — because she had style, flair and she was there. Across 146 episodes, the series followed the aftermath as kids Maggie (Nicholle Tom), Brighton (Benjamin Salisbury) and Grace (Madeline Zima) all adjusted to her presence. Mr Sheffield fell for Ms Fine's charms, his business partner CC Babcock (Lauren Lane) was unimpressed and butler Niles (Daniel Davis) welcomed the change. Sitcom co-creators Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson are behind the new stage version of the show, alongside Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star Rachel Bloom and executive music producer Adam Schlesinger. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical's Marc Bruni is set to direct — but the musical's cast, as well as when it'll actually hit the stage, is yet to be revealed. We do know that Drescher won't be reprising her famous role. In a statement, she said "of course I would do it myself, but we'd have to change the title to 'The Granny'", Variety reports. As well as its existing narrative links to Broadway, The Nanny also featured plenty of gags about musicals Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady — and that catchy theme song — so there's plenty of material to work with. If you need a refresher, all six seasons are currently streaming in Australia on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL6tbu1Blzs The Nanny is the latest screen favourite to earn a stage adaptation, following in the footsteps of Bring It On, Mean Girls, The Bodyguard, Amelie, Waitress, Muriel's Wedding, Moulin Rouge!,Mrs Doubtfire andMagic Mike. A stage version of The Devil Wears Prada is also in the works, as are theatre adaptations of Empire Records, The Notebook, The Princess Bride and Aussie classic Starstruck. Via Variety.
The review of Sydney's controversial lockout laws has been a long time coming. After asking for the public's feedback back in March, the NSW Government received over 1800 submissions from Sydneysiders and has interviewed over 50 people (including Lord Mayor Clover Moore). The report was released to the public yesterday — and while some 'relaxation' of the lockout laws is considered, it doesn't recommend the changes many campaigners were hoping for. The findings have been handed down by former High Court Judge Ian Callinan in a 151-page Review of Amendments to the Liquor Act 2007. In the report, Callinan finds that a trialling "staged relaxation" of the laws could be "considered" by extending the lockout time at "genuine entertainment venues" (presumably live music venues and strip clubs, although this isn't specified in the report) until 2am and last drinks until 3.30am — that is, by a whole half an hour (the current lockout time is 1.30am and last drinks is at 3am). Gee, thanks. In another small concession, the report recommends that the sale of takeaway alcohol could be extended by an hour until 11pm, finding that the "sale of takeaway alcohol, whether before or after 10pm, makes little or no contribution to violence and anti-social behaviour". While these recommendations are at least a small step in the right direction, on the whole, the report seems resistant to change. It cites that all-night trains and extra policing would come at an extra cost and that "cultural attitudes are difficult and slow to change". Bear in mind the report is just that — a report. It's a non-binding set of recommendations that the NSW Government may or may not take on board. Here's what Sydneysiders are saying about it. That's what you get when you ask a retired high court judge who last went out when The Beatles toured Australia #keepsydneyopen — *An Horse* (@jonnoseidler) September 13, 2016 Callinan so thoroughly misunderstands culture and the objectives of the nightlife industry that it's unclear whether he listened at all. — very earnest tweets (@adam_lewis) September 13, 2016 I just read the Callinan report. I found the report to be sloppily written and unbelievably biased. Call this rigorous?!? #nswpol #auspol — Matt Barrie (@matt_barrie) September 13, 2016 The fact that clubs can be considered as not live music venues is an insult to the many artists who play live in those clubs #keepsydneyopen — Caitlin (@dedicaited) September 13, 2016
You can see Oprah, and you can see Oprah, and you can see Oprah: Oprah Winfrey has announced a December 2025 trip Down Under, including bringing her latest in-conversation events to Sydney. At ICC Sydney Theatre on Thursday, December 4, you'll be able to see the famed talk-show host get chatting — in an intimate session rather than on TV, where The Oprah Winfrey Show ran for 25 years. This is Winfrey's first jaunt this way in a decade — and that tour sold out, so expect this one to be popular as well. Authenticity and resilience will be among the topics of conversation, in what's designed to be an inspirational natter. [caption id="attachment_1015691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Disney/Eric McCandless[/caption] "One of the things I have always enjoyed is sitting down for real, honest, enlightening conversations, and this experience is all about that," said Winfrey, announcing the tour. "The energy, warmth and spirit I feel in Australia and New Zealand have stayed with me, and returning will be an opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and be reinspired — together. I look forward to sharing stories, ideas, and meaningful connection about what's possible in our lives moving forward."
Forget about kennel stays or pet-sitting — the latest homegrown tourism campaign to hit our small screens is encouraging very good dogs to head off on their own weekend getaways (well, it's encouraging their owners to bring them along for the ride). The latest — and yes, slightly ridiculous — Visit Victoria ad campaign pushes the idea that dogs make the world's best travel buddies, showcasing pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, accomodation, breweries, wineries and activities all across regional Victoria. In an advertising first, it's also "dog-optimised", apparently, featuring a visual set-up designed specifically for dogs' eyeballs, apparently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHbvL1dwVYk Pulling together content from some of the state's favourite four-legged social media influencers, Your Dog's Happy Space expands on the recent human-focused Your Happy Space campaign, and highlights the best out-of-town stuff you can enjoy with your dog in tow. The video ad features pet-friendly destinations like the Yarra Valley's DeBortoli Winery, Pancho Cafe in Daylesford and Toorongo Falls in Noojee, while a supporting website boasts a sprawling directory to yet more spots, organised by region. You can check out the new campaign and all its dog-friendly suggestions at visitvictoria.com/dogs. Currently, around 65 percent of Victorians own a pet, but most think that travelling with them is simply too hard. Let's see if this changes a few human (or dog) minds. Images: Courtesy @tomandcaptain
Freshwater Brewing Co is swapping hops for grapes as it hosts another inviting wine festival focusing on the next gen of natural wines. Popping up in Sydney's north on Wednesday, May 15, Into the Vines will bring over 25 different drops of vino from five boundary-pushing winemakers to the breezy brewery for a midweek journey through some of the exciting things happening in the booze world. The lineup of producers includes Fin Wines from Yarra Valley, VIC; Mada Wines and Mallaluka Wines from Canberra, ACT; Renzaglia Wines from Bathurst, NSW; and Vinden Wines from Hunter Valley, NSW. The festivities will kick off at 6pm, and a $15 ticket will allow you to chat with the winemakers and taste their wares. If you want to grab dinner, there's a combo deal, which includes the hour-long tasting session plus a pint and a burger at the brewery for $40. If you're still keen for more, the $45 deal also includes a platter perfect for two. The approachable wine festival is great for any Sydneysiders north of the bridge who would usually have to travel into the inner-city to find such an eclectic mix of new-age winemakers all in one spot.
Dancing is back in Sydney, again — and if cutting loose in a warehouse in The Rocks for three nights sounds like your ideal way to celebrate, Ministry of Sound has just the solution. The entertainment group has found just the right way to mark the June long weekend and celebrate its 30th birthday, too, thanks to a huge multi-room event that'll have you making shapes to 90s, 00s and recent bangers. More than 70 DJs will be hitting the decks at Ministry of Sound: Testament — A Warehouse Experience between Friday, June 11–Sunday, June 13 — and enticing you to hit the Campbell's Stores dance floor, obviously. It's a choose-your-own-adventure type of party, so fans of old-school tunes can dance to 90s house, rave, trance and garage tracks on Friday, and lovers of 00s electro and breaks can head along on Saturday. Finishing things up on the Sunday night: all the recent techno and house songs — and EDM anthems — that've been getting a spin lately. As a result, each evening will see different DJs working their magic, with big names on the bill across the entire lineup. Groove Terminator, Pee Wee Ferris, Nick Law and Robbie Lowe are among the 90s highlights, while Bag Raiders and K.I.M. from The Presets will do DJ sets on Saturday night — before PNAU, Anna Lunoe, Crooked Colours and Yolanda Be Cool head things up on Sunday. The warehouse party forms part of this year's new Sydney Solstice festival, which is slotting into Vivid's usual June slot to help liven up the city's nightlife when winter hits. It's an apt event, given the fest's broader purpose. As well as helping to mark Sydney's return to normal, it'll have you feeling nostalgic not just about retro tunes, but about the days when banning dancing was relegated to Footloose, not reality. [caption id="attachment_812356" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] PNAU. Image: Pat Stevenson[/caption] Ministry of Sound: Testament — A Warehouse Experience will take over the Campbell's Stores warehouse in The Rocks from Friday, June 11–Sunday, June 13. For further details, and to buy tickets — with pre-sales available from 9am on Tuesday, May 18 and general sales starting at 9am, Wednesday, May 19 — head to the event website.
American photojournalist John Stanmeyer has been named winner of the 57th Annual World Press Photo Contest. The competition's international judging panel named Stanmeyer's photo, 'Signal', both the overall winner and first prize in the contemporary issues category. Shot for National Geographic Magazine on the shores of Djibouti, the image (shown above) captures African migrants holding up their phones, hoping to tap into cheap signal from neighbouring Somalia. En route to new lives in Europe and the Middle East, they're trying to make contact with loved ones elsewhere. Commenting on the winning image, judge Jillian Edelstein said, "It's a photo that is connected to so many other stories — it opens up discussions about technology, globalisation, migration, poverty, desperation, alienation, humanity. It's a very sophisticated, powerfully nuanced image. It is so subtly done, so poetic, yet instilled with meaning, conveying issues of great gravity and concern in the world today.” The competition received over 98,000 submissions and granted prizes to 53 photographers of 25 nationalities across categories ranging from sports to nature to world news. Following controversy last year, stricter image manipulation guidelines apparently saw 8 percent of entries disqualified. Winning photographs will now tour over 45 countries as an international exhibition. See the full gallery of winners at the World Press Photo website. 3rd Prize in Daily Life Category: "Street Dogs," Julie McGuire, UK 1st prize in Spot News (singles) category: Typhoon Survivors, Philippe Lopez, France 2nd prize in Spot News (stories) category: Massacre at Westgate Mall, Tyler Hicks, USA 3rd Prize in Staged Portraits (singles) category: Chiwetel Ejlofor, Nadav Kander, UK 1st Prize in General News (singles) category: Temporary Accommodation, Alessandro Penso, Italy Third Prize in Sports Action (singles) category: Forehand Foreward, Al Bello, USA 2nd Prize in Nature (singles) category: A flock of Guillemots, Markus Varsvuo, Finland 1st prize in Contemporary Issues (stories) category: A Portrait of Domestic Violence, Sara Naomi Lewkowicz 3rd Prize in Observed Portraits (singles) category: A Traditional Berber Bride, Pau Barrena, Spain 2nd prize in Sports Feature (singles) category: Kite Skier on the Mountain, Anastas Tarpanov, Bulgaria
Blessed be your streaming queue: come mid-September, it'll start being home to the fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale. It's the batch of episodes we've all known is coming since 2020, when the hit dystopian series was renewed for this fifth season before the fourth even hit. And, thanks to that fourth season, it promises one helluva reckoning. Saying that anything to do with The Handmaid's Tale is stressful is like saying that Gilead looks like a terrible place to live. Praise be the obvious again and again. Still, if you want to call the show's sneak peeks at its upcoming fifth season tense, disquieting and unsettling, all of those words fit. Hulu, which airs the series in the US, has just dropped the full trailer for season five — and, unsurprisingly, nothing is well. If you're up to date on the series you'll already know why. Of course, things are never well in The Handmaid's Tale — but now June (Elisabeth Moss, Shining Girls) faces the fallout from her actions in the show's last go-around, and Serena's (Yvonne Strahovski, Stateless) in-mourning getup speaks volumes. In the new trailer, June doesn't just navigate more than a few consequences. Still fighting Gilead from afar, with Luke (O-T Fagbenle, Black Widow) and Moira (Samira Wiley, Breaking News in Yuba County), she admits how much she enjoyed her most recent choices. As for Serena, she's in profile-raising mode in Toronto, as Gilead's influence creeps into Canada — and Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford, Tick, Tick... Boom!) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd, Rebecca) are endeavouring to reform Gilead. Also returning among the cast: Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Madeline Brewer (Hustlers), Amanda Brugel (Snowpiercer) and Sam Jaeger (The Eyes of Tammy Faye). With all of the above, blessed be the bleak dramas, too, which is exactly what The Handmaid's Tale has been serving up since 2017 now. Of course, on the page, this grim look at a potential oppressive existence has been drawing in fans since the 1985, when Margaret Atwood's book first hit shelves. A film followed in 1990, and opera in 2000 — plus a sequel novel in 2019. Yes, there have been many ways to dive into The Handmaid's Tale over the years, but only one keeps winning small-screen awards and stars a phenomenal Moss. The date to mark in your diary: Thursday, September 15, given that the show will return in the US on September 14. Down Under, episodes air weekly on SBS in Australia, and stream via SBS On Demand — and hit Neon in New Zealand — at the same time as in America. Check out the trailer for The Handmaid's Tale season five below: The fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday, September 15 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
UPDATE: APRIL 1, 2020 — Wild Life Sydney Zoo has announced it'll live stream its kangaroos Dot and Dusk on Thursday, April 2 at 2pm AEDT. The below article has been updated to reflect this. To help brighten up your newsfeed a little, Sydney's Sea Life Aquarium and Wild Life Zoo are live streaming playtime and feeding time with some of their cutest and scariest animals. We've previously met Pig the dugong and Rocky the 365-kilogram saltwater crocodile and, next up, are penguins and quokkas. At 11.30am AEDT on Thursday, March 26, you can watch the gentoo and king penguins slide around their icy home and gobble many fish via Sea Life Aquarium's Facebook page. You'll also have a chance to chat to their keeper Amy about all things sub-Antarctic penguin. It'll also be hosting Seahorse Week, which will kick off with a live-streaming of baby seahorses at 11.30am (AEDT) on Tuesday, March 31. To watch, head here. On Wild Life Zoo's Facebook page you'll get to hang out with Davey the quokka at 3pm AEDT on Friday, March 27. Then, at 2pm AEDT on Thursday, April 2, you'll catch its two kangas from Kangaroo Island, Dot and Dusk, enjoy playtime with their keepers Shania and Caroline. Thankfully, these aren't the only live-streams the zoo and aquarium are planning. Keep an eye on future cute (and maybe slightly scary) content, including possible shark feedings, penguin hangs and tropical fish tours. [caption id="attachment_765633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pig the Dugong[/caption]
Changes are afoot at one of Sydney's historic beachside boozers. A long-standing locals haunt, the 1956-built Beach Road Hotel has a new resident — and it's travelled far from the eastern suburbs. Wander upstairs to the bar's sprawling lounge, and you'll find a space replete with couches, pool tables, a large central bar and a new pop-up pizzeria called Antico's. While this beachside pop-up is new, opening in early March 2021, the pizzeria itself isn't. The OG Antico is located an hour southwest of Sydney, in a heritage-listed Narellan building. Opened 15 years ago by Mike Nikolovski, the suburban eatery is now a true family affair. Mike's wife Margarita — "the best pizza cutter in the world" — works in the restaurant alongside their son Aleks (head pizza honcho), Aleks' partner Lauren (customer service and marketing), his sister Sofija (front of house and events), and, most recently, his brother Alen. If you're a Sydney bar fly, you'll recognise Alen. He's worked at watering holes across the city for more than ten years, including at Tio's, The Baxter Inn and Shady Pines Saloon. It's thanks to his connections in the industry that the pop-up was possible. "I was in here [Beach Road Hotel] for lunch not long ago and the GM Ben Pearce, who is a really old friend of mine, was asking about our family business and how it's going," Alen told Concrete Playground. "He mentioned that they had a pizza oven upstairs that they were only using a few days a week and if we would be interested in doing a pop-up. I instantly said yes and then called my brother and dad." [caption id="attachment_803067" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pat Stevenson[/caption] The pizza at both venues is closest to traditional Roman-style pizza. "Big fluffy crust, a few more toppings than the Napoli style and holds up well, not too floppy," explains Alen. The dough recipe, which Mike has had for over 35 years, is a closely guarded family secret. "It's like the Colonel's KFC seven secret spices recipe, no one will ever really tell you," says Alen. While the family won't share the recipe, they will share how it's prepared and cooked. "It's 48-hour proof. When getting made it's under constant supervision, making sure there is enough water and flour while in the dough machine, and by feel and look deciding when it's finished. It's a true art form," says Alen. "It comes out super soft, is stretched by hand and cooked in the traditional oven at high heat, giving it a super cloudy crust while maintaining a strong middle to hold the toppings up." And what are those toppings? At the pop-up, you'll find classics like the margherita with cherry tomatoes and a pepperoni with sopresso salami and chilli flakes; more left-of-field numbers like the truffle oil-topped mushroom and peri peri chicken pizzas; the always-controversial hawaiian; and Alen's favourite: a burrata and anchovy number. [caption id="attachment_803063" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pat Stevenson[/caption] The pop-up, which is set to run for three months, isn't the only recent expansion for the pizzeria, either. Early last year, the team launched a food truck. Because of COVID-19, however, events have been few and far between — but, in upcoming months, expect to see it rolling out markets and festivals, including at the upcoming Yours and Owls Festival, which has just been given the green light to go ahead this April Find Antico's at the Beach Road Hotel, 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach from 4pm–late Wednesday–Saturday. It's set to close at the end of May. Images: Pat Stevenson
Right now, we all fall into two categories. Firstly, there's the hefty group of people who are already devoted to The Last of Us, the hit video game that's been a button-mashing favourite since 2013 and spawned a sequel in 2020. Then, there's the folks that are about to start obsessing over its new HBO adaptation when it arrives in 2023. Whichever camp you fall into, the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the streaming series sets a moody, creepy, action-packed scene — as expected of a game-to-TV show that dives into a tense and fraught post-apocalyptic version of the US. For The Last of Us newcomers, here's the premise: 20 years after modern civilisation has been destroyed, survivor Joel is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a tough and oppressive quarantine zone. There wouldn't be a game, let alone a television version, if that was an easy task, of course — and if the pair didn't need to weather quite the brutal journey, as well as a nightmarish quest for survival. So far, so intriguing — and while the debut sneak peek does indeed conjure up memories of The Walking Dead, that just comes with the basic concept. The Naughty Dog-created PlayStation game wouldn't be the huge hit it's proven for almost a decade now if it simply cribbed from that TV show, obviously. As a series, The Last of Us also boasts a heap of impressive names — starting with star Pedro Pascal (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) as Joel, plus Game of Thrones' alum Bella Ramsey as Ellie. Fans of the game will note that Ashley Johnson (Blindspot) and Troy Baker (Young Justice), who voiced the two characters in the source material, will indeed pop up in the HBO show. They'll clearly be playing different characters, however. Also pivotal to HBO's adaptation: co-creator, executive producer, writer and director Craig Mazin, who already brought a dystopian hellscape to the US network (and to everyone's must-watch list) thanks to the haunting and horrifying Chernobyl. He teams up here with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. Alongside Pascal and Ramsey — and Johnson and Baker — the series also boasts Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate) as Joel's younger brother and former soldier Tommy, Merle Dandridge (The Flight Attendant) as resistance leader Marlene and Aussie actor Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as smuggler Tess. And, Nico Parker (The Third Day) plays Joel's 14-year old daughter Sarah, Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Nick Offerman (The Resort) feature as isolated survivalists Frank and Bill, Storm Reid (Euphoria) pops up as Boston orphan Riley, and Jeffrey Pierce (Castle Rock) plays quarantine-zone rebel Perry. As seen in the trailer, Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey also guest stars. The Last of Us doesn't have an exact 2023 premiere date yet — it'll be available in Australia via Binge and in New Zealand via Neon when it does — but you can check out the trailer below: The Last of Us will hit streaming in 2023, including in Australia via Binge and New Zealand via Neon— we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced.
The Workers on Balmain's Darling Street opened its doors with a rather impressive nod, wink and a nudge to the venue's Labor Party roots. Not only did Tim Freedman from the Whitlams play out the night, former PM Bob Hawke officially opened the doors to this hip mash-up of Mexican, American and Aussie. Once the home to Sydney's first Labour Electorate League, now a funky addition to Balmain's watering holes, we suggest you take a drink. The big bar, headed by Lo-Fi mixologist Ben Johnson and overlooked by a great big hairy buffalo head, is stocked with a nice range of the usual beer and wine suspects as well as fine-tuned cocktails like the tall and refreshing Batanga of tequila, lime, salt and cola ($18). The menu follows this city's well-versed trend of Mexican tapas bites, even featuring $3 tacos on Wednesdays. Titled Viva La Tacos, and on other days $5.50 each or four for $20, you can live life to the belly full with options like the Nemo Gonzales: a combo of battered blue eye, slaw, salsa pico de gallo and baja sauce (a spicy seasoned mayonnaise). The Pulled Porky Pig of slow cooked pork shoulder, red slaw, pico de pina asado and fresh coriander is also tops. Or head due north on the culinary map for a little stars and stripes spangled loving with a variety of sliders, named The Slider Diaries. Identically priced, the pulled duck with cabbage, spring onion salad and smoky BBQ sauce, aka The Quack, pulls rank, swiftly followed by the Mini Mac of grilled beef, pickles, onion, cheese, tomato and French yellow mustard mayo. Don't miss $4 sliders complemented with $4 ciders every Sunday from 2pm. Then there's everything else, or The Rest, like fresh corn chips with very decent guacamole ($7), spicy Jalapeno Poppers consisting of deep-fried and bacon, jack cheddar and cream cheese stuffed jalapenos ($12) or Fried Frys: shoestring fries with cumin, rosemary salt and baja dipping sauce. Basically, if you don't give a crap about calories, you're in heaven. The place itself is undoubtedly cool, has plenty of space for live music every Thursday and even a colourful and relatively spacious outdoor seating area to lap up the summer rays with shades on and drink in hand. Worth a visit, The Workers won't be going anywhere soon.
This latest lower north shore Sunday session lets you spend a decadent afternoon eating loaded croissants, sipping bubbles and playing a casual game of pétanque as you watch the sunset. Greenhouse-inspired rooftop bar The Fernery is hosting a series of retro-French events across four Sundays, starting September 15. While you enjoy free rounds of the game — which is often played among the rolling vineyards of Provence — you can sip French rosé ($12 a glass) and Lanson champagne ($99 a bottle). Punters can also pair these drinks with one of the OTT croissants. Choose from one filled with oozy brie and truffle, or the sweet chocolate cookie crumble version — with each freshly baked pastry costing $17. For those hungry for something a little more substantial, the menu will also include steak au poivre with frites: a perfectly cooked peppercorn-crusted steak served with a creamy pan sauce and sweet potato chips ($28). Croissants and Pétanque runs from 11am–6pm.
If you're the kind of person who goes out for dinner but never quite knows what to order, Hoost in Surry Hills could be the restaurant of you (and your fed-up dining companions) have been waiting for. Now open on Fitzroy Street, this European-style eatery, named after the Danish word for 'harvest' takes the decision out of your hands by only serving one main dish each night. Unveiling a new menu at the beginning of each week, owner and chef Samantha Pok hopes to provide diners with a different experience every time they visit, crafting food that draws upon fresh seasonal produce. "As there is only one main dish on offer a night, I am able to fully focus on the quality of the food served," says Pok. "I will also be marrying lots of Asian flavours and ingredients with others into the upcoming dishes, keeping everything quite simple while still aiming to deliver flavours and textures with a punch." Some of the dishes that Pok has conjured up so far include pork belly with leek confit, oyster mushrooms and lemon and black pepper shortbread crumbs, some sticky lamb ribs with charred pomegranate molasses and Spanish onion, and black garlic stuffed chicken breast with pickled strawberry and chamomile tea butter sauce. Sticky lamb ribs w/ pomegranate molasses burnt Spanish onions, and green salad. A photo posted by Hoost (@hoostrestaurant) on Feb 20, 2016 at 1:05am PST In addition to the mains, the menu will feature a number of different entrees and desserts. Start your meal with harissa roasted bone marrow on toast, and finish it with milk pudding and a fizzy strawberry-rolled doughnut topped with sour cherry compote. Hoost is located at 98 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills. Their opening hours are 6-10pm Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, including their latest menu, check them out on Instagram or visit hoost.restaurant.
What do The Simpsons, Star Wars and Shrek have in common? They've all graced the big screen, they clearly share a love for the letter S and they're each huge hits. Oh, and they've all inspired their own firmly adults-only stage parodies, as pop-culture favourites starting with the 19th letter of the alphabet happen to do in Australia, it seems. Somebody once told us that Shreklesque is the burlesque and drag take pop culture's favourite green ogre that you didn't know you needed — and we're telling you that now. (And no, nobody informed you two decades ago that the animated hit would turn out like this, because no one could've predicted it.) On the bill at the aptly named show: the kind of irreverent and raunchy take on all things Shrek that The Bad Collective will be serving up with its upcoming The Stripsons, too — and, while Shreklesque has been around for a couple of years now, earning awards and acclaim in the process, the Aussie production is hitting the road for a national and New Zealand tour in 2022. That means that it's time to make a date with a production that might share a general storyline and a fondness for the colour green with the much less satirical — and actually family-friendly — Broadway hit Shrek the Musical, which came our way a year or so back, but couldn't be more different in a heap of ways. If you're wondering who had the brainwave to turn Shrek into a burlesque show, that'd be Trigger Happy as Shreklesque's creator and director. For this tour, the show's cast includes Bebe Gunn, Rainbow, Tugboat Tiffy, Baron Von Envy, Henny Spaghetti, Barbie Banks, Selin Tian, Rosaline DeRussi, Indea Sekula and De La Vinx. Wearing green is obviously recommended — although you'll be seeing plenty of it on-stage anyway. And if this is exactly your sense of humour when it comes to beloved pop-culture commodities, all that glitters is gold, naturally. SHREKLESQUE AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022 DATES: February 18–20: The Flamingo at Gluttony, Adelaide June 3–4: Enmore Theatre, Sydney June 11: The Princess Theatre, Launceston June 15–18: The Tivoli, Brisbane June 24: The Astor, Perth June 29–July 2: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne July 8–9: The Opera House, Wellington July 16: Entertainment Centre, Darwin Shreklesque tours Australia and New Zealand throughout 2022, starting in Adelaide in February, then picking back up again in June and July. Head to the show's website for further details and tickets. Images: SomeFX.
Redfern will soon be home to its very own craft beer bar. The Noble Hops is due to open in the coming weeks as the suburb's new go-to for all things craft. Occupying the former Angry Pirate digs, new owner Joe Wee self-proclaims the amount of craft beer on offer as epic. "Redfern is an awesome suburb, all it really needs a neighbourhood bar that focuses on beer," says Wee. Previous owner Peter Groom will remain as manager for the time being and the two will welcome both existing and new patrons to their craft beer den. Positioned as the next neighbourhood haunt, the bar's ten taps will be reserved for local brewers above all else. "My philosophy is Noble Hops should be a neighbourhood, inner west bar and there are plenty of good beers around the neighbourhood to create this" says Wee. Wayward and Shenanigan's will both sit on tap this month, along with SA's La Sirene. Local and Australian brews aren't the only kind you'll find here though. Wee is also sourcing kegs and bottles of craft from around the world, including Victory Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada, which will both be on tap for the opening weeks. For the local guys, Wee is planning tap takeovers, brewers' nights and potentially a Noble Hops collaboration brew. "I'd love to create a beer just for Redfern. The neighbourhood deserves its own beer," says Wee. A home brewer, Wee won last year's People's Choice Award at Uncle Hop's SCBW home brewer's competition. While the bar will not have a kitchen, patrons are encouraged to bring in takeaway from the new La Coppola Sicilian pizzeria that just opened across the street. "There's no better combination than wood fire pizza and beer," says Wee. The rustic interior has a big focus on timber, making it quite the warm and cosy place to grab a pint. It will surely be a welcome addition as winter's chill starts to descend upon Sydney. The Noble Hops will open late next week at 125 Redfern Street, Redfern. Want a solid Redfern bar before The Noble Hops opens? Try this one.
The bond between Italians and their food and wine is a sacred one, and with the Sydney Italian Wine + Food Festival, Sydneysiders are invited to partake in this holy combination. Get ready to abandon any carbless aspirations and embrace gloriously hearty nosh as this festival returns to Sydney. With it comes the promise of produce that will dance upon your tastebuds in a merry cheese and basil-infused tarantella. This year, they're setting up shop for the day at the Eveleigh's Australian Technology Park for the first time and they're bringing along some of the best names in Italian cuisine. Cooking demonstrations and talks will be on all day. Want to see mozzarella being freshly made? You can. Want to watch fettuccine be churned out from scratch? Go for it. As well as watching the creation of Italian food, you can also, of course, eat some. There will be fresh produce to purchase, with everything from gelato to coffee, pasta to pizza on offer. The marketplace will host pop-up restaurants from some of Australia's best chefs, including Via Napoli, Rocker, Lucio's Pizzeria and Cow and Moon. There will also be a bruschetta station, serving up free slices of the tomato-topped toast all day. Pair that with over 150 of Italy's finest wines and you've got yourself a damn good feast. Not to mention a casual spritz and negroni bar. Once you've eaten yourself silly, you can loll around in a semi-food coma in the wine garden while enjoying some live Italian jazz — or stay inside and watch 'pizza acrobatics'.
Yep, the pointy end of the year is here for Sydney. The Christmas party after Christmas after Christmas party marathon is about to start and, despite all the good advice on offer EVERYWHERE, things are going to get messy. But, even before the marathon begins, the compulsion has kicked in to go along to every last art opening before Sydney's art world goes to sleep for a month or so and we're deprived of art and all that complimentary tongue-loosening white the galleries like to serve. hiccup. oops.Which is why I'm saying thank you to Jamie North and Manya Ginori. Their upcoming shows at MOP are just the things to encourage more graceful contemplation. North's exhibition of photographs and sculptures, The Path of Least Resistance, "documents, embroiders and emulates" the wily native plants that, clinging to concrete crevices, have so adapted to city life.In amongst all this a power struggle rages, as the organic clings to and strangles the inorganic and the inorganic gives nothing back. Over a series of visits you may just observe which wins. In Gallery 2, Ginori's series of paintings on masonite panel and moulded acrylic sheet are a "playful and dynamic investigation of colours interacting". Four-part pieces, the masonite panel geometric abstract paintings can be re-configured in installation. This exhibition continues Ginori's exploration into the phenomenological experience of colour and space.Image: courtesy of Manya Ginori.
After a few years absent from screens, the Guardians of the Galaxy are back in a big way. First, they popped up in this year's Thor: Love and Thunder, although Marvel's ragtag space-hopping superhero crew only made a brief appearance. Then, they scored their own — and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first-ever — Disney+ holiday special. Next comes the long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which'll soar into cinemas in 2023, and just unveiled its first trailer. When this threequel hits, it will have been six years since 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 knows it. "We've been gone for quite a while," Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt, Jurassic World Dominion) says in the just-dropped sneak peek — and yes, the film is set to have a sense of occasion about it. Not only do Quill, Mantis (Pom Klementieff, Westworld), Drax (Dave Bautista, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Groot (Vin Diesel, Fast & Furious 9), Nebula (Karen Gillan, The Bubble) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley) arrive back in cinemas in their own flick, but this might be their last mission. "We'll all fly away together one last time, into the forever — that beautiful sky," says Rocket, which might be the calmest thing he's ever uttered. There's no Kevin Bacon in the trailer, or likely in the movie, but there is the return of another familiar face — because Vol. 3 is serious about getting the team back together. Off-screen, that includes usual writer/director James Gunn (The Suicide Squad), after a chaotic few years that saw him fired by Marvel, then make the switch to the DC Extended Universe — where he's now actually co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios. Gunn returned to the MCU, however, for the holiday special and Vol. 3. The new film picks up after the festive episode, after the rest of the MCU's mayhem over the past few years, and with Quill still coping with big events. But, the Guardians still need to defend the universe, including on that possibly last quest that could lead to their end. Also back is Sean Gunn (The Terminal List) as Kraglin, while Bodies Bodies Bodies and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan's Maria Bakalova voices Cosmo the Spacedog as she did in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Plus, Will Poulter (Dopesick) joins the cast as Adam Warlock — and Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) as The High Evolutionary. Check out the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 below: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 releases in cinemas Down Under on May 4, 2023.
iPhone users in Sydney got a strange surprise from their weather app this morning, with the built-in iOS weatherman predicting a downfall of sleet and snow. But don’t start stockpiling tinned food just yet. As bad as the weather has been lately, this isn’t The Day After Tomorrow. Your iPhone just got it wrong. Turns out the Apple weather app is powered by the American-owned company The Weather Channel, which means it’s not always particularly reliable for those of us on the other side of the world. “They've obviously got a lower quality data source for Australia than a local provider,” Weatherzone meteorologist Alex Zadnik told The Sydney Morning Herald, adding that “there's no chance of snow and sleet with temperatures above five degrees. It's wrong on many many levels.” Screencaps of the dodgy forecast were plastered across social media before Apple had time to correct the mistake. For the record, the app is now back to predicting the same thing it has been for days: rain, wind and thunderstorms. In their latest severe weather warning this morning, the Bureau of Meteorology likewise warned residents of the Metropolitan and Illawarra districts to prepare for more torrential rainfall and damaging winds, as the city continues to be battered by some of the heaviest storms in close to twenty years. So yeah, you won’t be sledding down George St anytime soon. White water rafting, on the other hand, might actually be a possibility. Via SMH. Image: Miniskirts in a snowstorm, NYC 1969. Historic NWS Collection, Wikimedia Commons.
You read that headline correctly: Newtown has officially scored its first self-service bar. Taking over the site formerly occupied by Lentil As Anything, Buddy's brings a brand new bar concept to life that'll put your beer-pulling skills on display. Located in the guts of King Street, the two-storey boozery is the brainchild of co-owners Jimmy Roe and Duncan McGeoch, who've kept the fit-out relatively simple with ample seating, polished brick, and a heap of natural light, as well as playful custom artwork by Newtown artist Paul Tooth. But the main event here is the beverage wall on each level which boasts a selection of 33 taps to pour from (soon to be upped to 45). This considerable drinks lineup comes from a carefully curated selection of local craft beer, natural wine, house-made cocktails and non-alcoholic options, all of which are stored in kegs. And the storage choice is purposeful. Roe and McGeoch are committed to reducing their environmental impact, ensuring that lowering waste and minimising the business's carbon footprint is top of mind and steers their business practices. Roe told Concrete Playground, "We want to offer an experience without the wastage that can be traditionally generated at hospitality venues," Roe says. The pair also acknowledge the significance of being the first venue to open in the former home of a beloved, long-time Newtown institution. "We saw it as an opportunity to take over an incredible site and build a space that continues to create long lasting memories and a connection with the community," says Roe. If you're wondering how exactly the self-serve system works (and how it isn't an RSA minefield), here's the general gist. You start by procuring a Buddy's venue card upon entrance and pre-load it with your desired amount to spend. From there, you head to the beverage wall where you grab a glass and select your booze of choice, the tap your card to activate the tap and pour to your heart's content. The system tracks volume limits and is responsible for card reactivation, so you'll be kept in check. It's not all booze, though. If you're feeling peckish, Buddy's has partnered with the local crew from Rub-A-Dub seasoning and has a snack-heavy sharing menu on offer. You'll find a bunch of beer-friendly options like nachos, flatbread Italian pizzas and Rub-A-Dub's famous chicken ribs, alongside Aussie classics like fairy bread. And if you're catering to a larger group — or just up for an insane personal challenge — opt for the one-metre long bruschetta. The top level of the venue is also exhibition-friendly and can be booked out for private functions, and DJs play tunes and bring vibe every Friday and Saturday. Buddy's Newtown is open at 391 King Street, Wednesday to Friday from 4pm to 12am and on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 12am.
Jugemu and shimbashi are two very different styles of Japanese cooking, the former focusing on grilling, while the latter primarily involves soft, soba noodles. Rather than get suckered into a soft shell versus hard-shell style debate, Jugemu and Shimbashi threw their hands up and said, "why don't we have both?" The restaurant is split in two, with the teppanyaki grill side modelled on a modern, flashy venue, whereas the noodle side is more traditional in its decor. Either way, the food is incredible. After dinner, head down to the Pickled Possum for some weirdly good times. This lower north shore institution holds karaoke on Friday nights, so get ready to belt out some Aerosmith in front of a whole bunch of people. Image: @jess.xv.v / Instagram.
Medeski, Martin and Wood's music is lush, spooky, psychadelic and super cool. Like a soundtrack to a Jim Jarmusch film. Its improvisational free jazz, a musical genre who's very name would have warranted me hurling their albums across the room in disgust about two years ago. Now I love it, but I'm also suddenly really into real estate, so maybe my Saturn return is just kicking in. One of the best things about being in an improvisational jazz trio would be that you could really pump out the albums. Because they, you know, just, like, make it up. The trio have recorded over 20 albums since 1992. They're playing at the The City Recital Hall during the Sydney Festival. Oh, and also they're from Brooklyn. Like every, bloody, one else.
If you are nuts for nuts or go gaga for grains, then you should definitely check out one of the Source Bulk Foods stores. These specialised bulk food stores, located in Balmain and Willoughby, stock over 400 food products including flour, honey and delicious snacks in enormous quantities. What's more, shopping for seeds has never been more fun! Bring in your own containers or jars and fill them with as much or as little of each product as your seed-loving heart desires. It's like going to the candy bar at the movies. But healthy. And way more affordable.
Vivid Sydney is no stranger to lights. In each year's program — including with 2023's set-to-dazzle lineup, complete with Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney — filling the Harbour City with luminous installations is one of the citywide arts festival's main aims. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a wander around town in June involves stunning radiant sights awaiting at every turn. And this year, that glow will extend down to Wynyard's unused railway tunnels for the first time ever. This is the first time ever that the subterranean spot will be opened to the public, in fact — and turned into a light show beneath the streets. Meet Dark Spectrum, the ticketed installation that's world premiering at Vivid Sydney as a just-announced addition to the 2023 program. We hope you like lasers, secret passageways, bright colours and a one-of-a-kind experience, all on offer from Friday, May 26–Sunday, July 16. A collaboration between Vivid Sydney, Sony Music, Mandylights and Culture Creative, this underground spectacle features eight rooms, all heroing a different hue, with the entire setup inspired by raves and their dance floors. They're each meant to mimic the human experience through life, too, as helped by robotics, visual technology and a pulsating electronic dance music soundtrack. Accordingly, Dark Spectrum will take attendees through rooms themed around separation, constriction, pressure and the unseen, then spaces that are all about reflection, the unfamiliar and connection. The last one? It serves up an end with a revelation — which will obviously need to be experienced rather than explained. Vivid Sydney has given a few hints about what's in store, though. In Construction, 150 LED pipes will hang from the roof, while Pressure will feature 50 archways covered in lights and mirrors — and make Wynyard's tunnels look like a never-ending tunnel. Or, there's Interaction, a sea of hanging string lights and illuminated plants that respond to movement, which takes its cues from Avatar. "We're thrilled to announce this world-first experience for Vivid Sydney 2023. Dark Spectrum is a perfect fit for this year's festival theme, exploring the intersection between human emotions, our natural environment and the urban landscape and relics of Sydney's industrial past," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. "Diving beneath the surface of what is now one of the city's busiest railway lines, Dark Spectrum is a truly mesmerising and engaging experience for visitors to explore Sydney in a whole new way. I am excited we get to shine a light on unknown spaces across the city". After its Sydney debut, Dark Spectrum will tour the world — so for folks outside of the Harbour City who can't make it along during Vivid, cross your fingers that it next comes your way. Vivid Sydney 2023 will run from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. For further information and tickets — including to Dark Spectrum from Friday, May 26–Sunday, July 16 — head to the event's website.
Hot chicken fans listen up, the team behind beloved burger joint Mister Gee has opened a new fried chicken shop in Concord and it's giving out 100 free chicken combos on Saturday, September 10. The giveaway is based around Ruby's secret off-menu F**k Me Up Fam fried chicken boxes. If you order the hidden menu item, you'll be given a super-spicy F.M.U.F chicken tender designed to blow your socks off, accompanied by an original fried chicken wing, coleslaw, pickles, kaya butter and Ruby's specialty sauce. The first 100 customers to order the box from 11.30am will be given their combo on the house, but this is a buyer-be-warned situation, with Ruby's promising the hot tender packs a considerable spice punch. If you want to go check out the new Concord spot but you're not a spice fan, there's plenty more to love on the menu. There's a fried chicken sando on the menu, a kaya butter doughnut or you can order tenders, wings or a mix of both accompanied by chips, pickles and sauce. Plus, make sure to pair your chicken with a bottle of housemade pink lemonade.
It's not every day that a state scores new national park. Many of the idyllic spots we now take for granted might've been covered in concrete long ago were it not for some pretty determined activism. Take Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, for example, which became one of the first reserves on Sydney Harbour in 1912, after the public fought long and hard to keep it in their hands. So, it's great news that the NSW Government has just added 4500 precious hectares to our current stash of national parks. Made up of five swathes of bushland, this bonus includes koala habitat, swap-threatened ecological community in Upper Kangaroo Valley and rainforest in the Upper Hunter and Upper Kangaroo Valley. Next time you head north, you'll have four new playgrounds to visit. Ninety minutes' drive west of Newcastle, what was Yango State Forest has transformed into Yango State Conservation Area, and, another 260 kilometres north, the Curracabundi State Conservation Area has gained 1144 hectares of Mernot State Forest. Continue another 300 kilometres (via a winding road that passes along the coast) to reach Willi Willi National Park, which has scored 2080 hectares that formerly belonged to the Carrai State Forest. Finally, an hour's drive west of Coffs Harbour, the 513-hectare Muldiva State Forest is now protected under Part 11 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and 90 minutes' drive south of Sydney, Budderoo National Park – famous for its waterfalls and rainforest – has extended, thanks to 120.6 hectares of Yarrawa State Forest. These additions are just one stage of the NSW Government's national park expansion. By the time it's done, you'll have an extra 43,000 hectares (or 430 square kilometres) to explore. NSW's current total is more than seven million hectares — or around nine percent of the state. When rainforests and bushland receives national park status, culturally and historically significant sites are protected — as are endangered flora and fauna — conservation research programs are begun, weed and pest animals are controlled, and fire management strategies are implemented. Much of which is carried out by volunteers, which you can read more about and get involved with here. To help you navigate all this lush parkland, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service earlier this year released an app, which has everything from downloadable maps to top camping sites. Image: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, D Finnegan.
Architects across the world are adopting the idea of exhibitionism in their design of some very ‘open’ houses. Not leaving much to the imagination, people who live in these see-through structures obviously aren’t shy about exposing their true selves. Ranging from a three level, blue-tainted glass box set in snowy Milan, to an oversized toy house in the middle of Tokyo, these houses are perfect for the eccentric exhibitionist looking to reveal some of their quirkiness to the outside world. The Glass House by Philip Johnson — New Canaan, Connecticut Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe — Plano, Illinois Glass House by Unit Arkitektur AB — Träslövsläge, Sweden Glass House by SANTAMBROGIOMILANO — Milan, Italy Glass House by JM Architecture — Lake Lugano, Italy House NA by Sou Fukimoto Architects — Tokyo, Japan Jodlowa House by PCKO — Krakow, Poland The Sebastopol Residence by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects — Sebastapol, California
Work is well underway on Rooty Hill's ambitious new performing arts centre, with theatre-lovers west of Sydney now just 12 months away from having their own local destination for musicals and large-scale stage productions. Plans for the Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre (WSPAC) were revealed this time last year, raising a few eyebrows with the fact the project is funded by profits from Rooty Hill RSL's pokies. Aside from the questionable cash, the $100 million, world-class centre is undoubtedly a huge pull for the area, which currently has nothing to rival a cultural offering of this scale. The state-of-the-art facility will boast a 2000-seat 'multi-mode theatre' that can be adapted to host musicals, ballet productions and everything in between, as well as a 30-capacity orchestra pit, retractable seating (so it can also host concerts) and a swag of plush amenities, including 11 dressing rooms. New technology is promising audiences a fully immersive sound experience, complete with clever acoustic design and sustainable LED lighting. A five-star Pullman Hotel will also be built nearby, to cope with the expected boom in visitors lured to the area. [caption id="attachment_694754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] WSPAC as of October 3, 2018[/caption] The Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre has this week announced it's "open for business", now taking program submissions and bookings one year out from the anticipated opening date. We'll update you as soon as any notable shows are announced. The Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre is slated for completion in October 2019.
When you think of vibrators, 'charming' probably isn't the first word that comes to mind. It may not even feature in the top hundred. In fact, 'charming' has probably never been used in that context at all, yet Tanya Wexler's film about the invention of the vibrator is precisely that: charming. Set in 1880, it follows the young Doctor Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) and his unsuccessful attempts to modernise medicine against ardent resistance from the old establishment. This was, after all, Victorian England — an era when bacteria were still just theoretical, phrenology was well-respected, and women were considered neither capable of, nor interested in, sexual gratification. Shunned by the profession, Granville ends up in the employ of Dr Robert Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce), an elderly physician using the unlikely method of clitoral stimulation to 'treat' women of their so-called 'hysteria'. Reeking of misogyny, hysteria was the convenient diagnostic catch-all for every unsightly or erratic female act, be it the mildest melancholia or the most extreme necrophilia. Unsurprisingly, Dalrymple's niche practice soon grows in popularity as the duo unwittingly perfect their 'treatment', and it's necessity rather than ingenuity that drives Granville to invent what will eventually become the world's bestselling sex toy. Hysteria is all tremendously light fare, playing for laughs whenever possible and leaving it entirely up to Maggie Gyllenhaal's character, Charlotte (Dalrymple's rebellious and progressive daughter), to address issues of class disparity, sexual inequality, and the overall prudishness that defined the time. Rupert Everett plays a wonderful supporting role as Granville's eccentric and wealthy benefactor, and Wexler does a wonderful job of keeping the subject matter amusing instead of awkward. It's a remarkable (and true) period piece played out with the cheekiness and charm of an Oscar Wilde play. So much so that you could take your mum along and not cringe even once. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_alb352gqAk
One of the most iconic performances of Sydney Festival, this show gives the public free access to what would, in usual circumstance, be an expensive night out. Enjoy the sounds of Sydney Symphony Orchestra and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sydney Festival with a 'best of' from the performances the orchestra has played throughout the years. For the ruby anniversary of the festival, all attendees are asked to dress in red — so pack a picnic, don your ruby slippers and enjoy a glamorous night with your loved ones. All for free. Sydney Festival will also be running Opera in The Domain for free on January 23. More details here. Check out more of the best Sydney Festival events under $50 here. Image: Catherine McElhone
When you've been sipping on blue milk, how ready will you be to battle the Galactic Empire? Will tucking into green burgers and dessert space stations get you fuelled to rebel against oppression? There's only one way to find out the answers to these questions: by visiting the brand-new Star Wars Galactic Cafe, an Australian-first eatery that's now open at Melbourne Museum. After the Victorian venue became the top spot right now, in this very galaxy, to see Star Wars come to life via Lego courtesy of the world-premiering Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition — and the only place to check out life-sized recreations of the space saga's locations, characters, duels and moments as made out of eight-million-plus plastic bricks, in fact — the same site has welcomed another Aussie debut. As first announced back in May, never before has an official Star Wars cafe popped up Down Under. This one is only here for a limited season. Yes, blue milk is definitely on offer, because it wouldn't be a Star Wars-themed spot for a snack and a sip without it. You can enjoy it chilled or as part of a slushie. And the source of that all-important hue? Butterfly pea flower powder. The cafe's full food and drink range features other dishes and selections inspired by the franchise — and while there's no green milk or fish eggs, green-hued burgs and a Death Star by chocolate sweet treat are ready to tempt your tastebuds. Fittingly, the bites and drinks have names like Canto Bight Burger, Naboo Garden Vermicelli, Outer Rim Chicken Katsu and Tatooine Sunset. Also on offer: a Chewie gingerbread cookie that adorably resembles its namesake. A range of kids meal packs are available, too, with monikers such as Endo Explorer (featuring chicken nuggets) and Padawan Power (with a hummus and salad sandwich). Open since Saturday, June 7, 2025 and set to run until January 2026, the Star Wars Galactic Cafe is the result of Australian-first collaboration between Museums Victoria, Disney and Lucasfilm. The decor matches the menu, with the pop-up delivering an immersive eating and drinking experience beyond what you're consuming by taking you to a Corellian Star Cruiser to get feasting. If this sounds like the kind of spot that'll be popular, that's because it already is — so bookings are encouraged, with walk-in availability limited. Images: Carmen Zammit, courtesy of Museums Victoria.
It's been less than two years since Sophie Ellis-Bextor last played live Down Under; however, when she took to the stage at Summer Camp in Sydney and Melbourne in 2022, and Melt Festival in Brisbane as well, Saltburn hadn't happened. So when the British singer-songwriter performs in Australia and New Zealand in spring 2024, busting out 'Murder on the Dancefloor' is certain to be a whole new experience. The 2001 single has always been an earworm, a delight and a floor filler, but echoing over an unforgettable scene in one of 2023's best movies has made everyone remember that they love it again. Indeed, expect it to be a highlight not just of Ellis-Bextor's set, but of the whole show that's actually a Take That tour with Ellis-Bextor burning the goddamn house right down in support. Those houses: RAC Arena in Perth, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Spark Arena in Auckland, all across late October to mid-November. Take That and the talent that also helped make Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' so memorable are also playing A Day on the Green, with Ricki-Lee also on the bill. On those shows, they'll head to Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, then Bimbadgen in New South Wales' Hunter Valley and finally Sirromet Wines in Mount Cotton in Queensland. Still touring 34 years after first forming, but now a trio consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald — with fellow OG members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange no longer part of the group — boy band Take That are leading the trip Down Under fresh from releasing their latest album This Life in 2023. Certain to include 90s hits 'Back for Good', 'Pray' and 'Relight My Fire', these gigs will be their first in the region since 2016. Take That This Life Tour with Sophie Ellis-Bextor — Australia and New Zealand 2024 Dates: Wednesday, October 30 — RAC Arena, Perth Saturday, November 2 — A Day on the Green, Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley, with Ricki-Lee Wednesday, November 6 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, November 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, November 9 — A Day on the Green, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, with Ricki-Lee Sunday, November 10 — A Day on the Green, Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, with Ricki-Lee Thursday, November 14 — Spark Arena, Auckland Take That and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024. Presales start at 3pm local time on Wednesday, February 7, with general sales from 1pm local time on Tuesday, February 13. Head to the tour and A Day on the Green websites for further details. Top image of Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Laura Lewis.
Been spending the first few months of 2022 pondering the future? That's only natural whenever a new year hits, especially a couple of years into a pandemic. Over the coming weeks, however, you might want to look to the skies as well — and feast your eyes on the night sky. Across the second half of April each year, the Lyrids Meteor Shower sets the sky ablaze. This year, it's doing just that from April 14–30. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but it's still very impressive. Plus, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Lyrids annually. In 2022, the Lyrids will be at its most spectacular over Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23. For folks located Down Under, you'll want to peer upwards early on the Saturday morning. Here's how to catch a glimpse from your backyard. [caption id="attachment_767783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] jpstanley via Flickr.[/caption] WHAT IS IT The Lyrids Meteor Shower is named after constellation Lyra, which is where the meteor shower appears to come from near star Vega, and is created by debris from comet Thatcher. While the comet, which takes about 415 years to orbit around the sun, won't be visible from Earth again until 2276, the Lyrids can be seen every autumn between around April 14–30. So, you can even pencil it in for next year. It's also the oldest recorded meteor shower, so there's that, too. On average, you can see up to 18 meteors per hour, but the Lyrids are also known to have outbursts of nearly 100 meteors per hour. So, while no outburst is predicted for 2022, you could get lucky. WHEN TO SEE IT In Australia, the shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Saturday, April 23 according to Time and Date, but will still able to be seen either side of those dates between Thursday, April 14–Saturday, April 30. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see meteors moving at about 177,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT When a meteor shower lights up the sky, getting as far away from light pollution as possible is the best way to get a prime view. If you can't do that, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the Lyrids, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Lyrids. The site updates these details daily. The one caveat: the weather. If showers or cloud pop up, they could present problems in terms of visibility. So, keep an eye on the forecast if you're making plans to head to a prime viewing location. Top image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
As the weather heats up and Sydneysiders flock to the coast, the city's hospitality scene is giving locals even more reasons to spend spring and summer days in Bondi. The famous waterfront suburb has seen a wave of new openings in recent weeks including Spanish tapas joint Iberica, Argentinian grill house Zama and now Easy Tiger, a new Southeast Asian restaurant and cocktail bar. The new feather in Bondi's hospo cap comes from the team at House Made Hospitality (Hinchcliff House, Bar Mammoni, Promenade) and takes over the Campbell Parade space of the crew's summer pop-up Rancho Seltzo. The limited-time seltzer bar that opened back in January has now made way for Easy Tiger. Instead of boozy slushies and falafel flatbread, the new tenant is shaking things up with a flavour-packed menu and affordable banquets. Ex-Mr Wong and Queen Chow chef Andrianto Wirya leads the way in Easy Tiger's kitchen. The accomplished chef celebrates his Indonesian heritage throughout the menu, while weaving in dishes and flavours of Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. "While you may recognise many of these dishes, we're putting fun spins on them you might not see elsewhere," says Wirya. "Our aim was to create a menu that's affordable and exciting enough to make you want to come back for more — and that's light enough you can hit Bondi Beach for a swim after you eat." If you're heading in for a snack, there's crispy corn larb, tiger prawn rolls, beef rendang party pies, tamarind chicken wings and Balinese suckling pig in fluffy bao buns. You'll also find heftier dishes on the menu including laksa, crispy turmeric spatchcock, claypot chicken rice and wood-roasted cauliflower in a green curry, but the best way to approach the menu if you're hungry is to opt for the banquet. The multi-course menu allows groups of two or more to feast on five plates of their choosing, plus rice, for just $42 per person. [caption id="attachment_919559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] The bulk of the drinks menu is made from Bondi Brewing Co beers and seltzers, which sit next to an all-Australian wine list (there's one French champagne) featuring a couple of funky skin-contact drops, plus five signature cocktails. The Kaya Colada is a creamy pineapple, coconut and kaya jam creation, while the South Bondi Tiger is a refreshing combination of floral gin, tamarind, lime and Vietnamese mint — and calls out to be ordered when the mercury hits 30 degrees. Boasting the capacity for 70 inside and another 30 out on Campbell Parade, Easy Tiger is an ideal group catch-up spot. If you're on the hunt for a communal space to chat over top-notch food and drinks, there are three ten-seat communal tables available inside for groups, plus another three ten-seater terrazzo high tables out front. Easy Tiger is now open at 182 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach — operating from 5–11pm Wednesday–Thursday, 11.30am–midnight Friday–Saturday and 11.30am–10pm Sunday. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Food is a love language for many. None understand that better than co-owners of the newest Italian restaurant on Crown Street, Giulia Treuner and Esmeralda Perez, who opened Giuls in Surry Hills this month. A nod to the nickname Treuner's grandfather gave her growing up, Giuls takes inspiration from the region of Tuscany with a hyper-focused and curated menu of handmade pasta, Italian wine and seafood. "Giuls is all about fresh pasta. Esmeralda and the team produce almost everything in-house and fresh each day," Treuner says. To start you'll find focaccia with smoked rosemary and olive oil made in-house, fresh oysters with a strawberry vinegar and thyme dressing, and arancini with scamorza smoked mozerella. Smaller plates run to grilled Tasmanian octopus, market fish crudo with ginger and capers, or steak tartare eye fillet with truffle aioli. The slurpy stars of the show reflect 15 years of Italian cooking experience, with a squid ink fettuccine, with crab, cherry tomatoes and chilli crowning the pasta choices. The conchiglie paired with a vodka, pancetta and taleggio sauce is another favourite, or opt for the heartier ragatoni with lamb ragu and parmesan. A concise Italian wine menu and small selection of cocktail favourites round out the offering. Giuls brings together Treuner's decade of hospitality experience hailing from Rockpool Dining Group and Head Chef Perez's deep knowledge of Tuscan cuisine. Perez collaborated with Florence-born Alessio Rago to curate the menu, who has trained under three Michelin Star chefs in his career. "Esmeralda and I are convinced the people make a venue. As an almost all female team we are so inspired to see more female restaurateurs and entire teams killing it in Sydney, a city with such a competitive restaurant scene... particularly after such a trying year for the food industry," said Treuner. Giuls is open Wednesday to Thursday 4pm-late, and Friday to Sunday 12pm-late at 515 Crown Street, Surry Hills.
It's not often you'll voluntarily fork out 30 bucks to watch a bastard mock you, but then Red Bastard comes along. The internationally renowned clown, alter ego of Los Angeles' Eric Davis, is heading to the Bondi Pavilion. Habitually selling out shows and receiving five-star reviews, Red Bastard will take to the stage on Saturday, March 1, for one night only. And supposedly, many audience members quit their jobs, reunite with estranged loved ones, propose marriage and end friendships throughout the course of the show. Led by Red Bastard and open to everyone, a two-day clown workshop will also take place on March 1 and 2.
Get with the times: Salomons no longer belong to the back trails. And to prove that point even further, the French sports brand has teamed up with much-loved indie pop duo Royal Otis for a free surprise gig in the heart of Bondi. Held on Friday, December 19, in a soon-to-be-revealed location, this brand-new partnership is all about living in the moment. With that in mind, the gig is phone-free, giving the band's biggest fans the chance to tune out from their devices and into the experience. However, the moment won't just live on in your memory. Salomon has also assembled a team of photographers to capture the event, with every attendee receiving the full photo album the following day to relive their encounter with this homegrown Sydney band. Ready to score tickets? Head to the Salomon website to enter the draw — 400 lucky winners will be selected on Wednesday, December 17, receiving the inside word on the gig's secret location. Performing one last show in their hometown for 2025, be present in more ways than one for this Royal Otis send-off.
If you can't decide on the reigning champion of Shakespeare's plays, the upcoming production In A Nutshell has you covered. Do balcony-top conversations between star-crossed lovers seal your theatrical deal? As You Like It exactly as you like it? Or, do you simply enjoy an on-stage cultural exploration? Regardless, this 90-minute production is sure to satisfy your performance palate. Spotlighting the linguistic prowess of Shakespeare — and celebrating The Neilson Nutshell's debut — this offering from Bell Shakespeare is set to be something truly special. Curated and commentated by Bell's artistic director Peter Evans, In A Nutshell journeys through the best of (and Evans' favourites from) the illustrious playwright. Expect Macbeth's bloodthirsty tyranny joining that of King John's, as well as the strings of gossip and playing-Cupid in Much Ado About Nothing. https://youtu.be/aOH4Ou4xyNw Actors (several of whom are fresh from Bell's recent critically acclaimed production of Hamlet) will dance from role to role, moods and stories will shift and overlap. So, if you're a sucker for a Shakespeare soliloquy, like to see fourth walls brought down or simply want to enjoy some art alongside our glittering harbour, nab tickets to this rich exploration of a true literary great. In A Nutshell is on from Thursday, August 4 till Sunday, August 7 at The Neilson Nutshell. Head to the website to grab your tickets. Top images: Tony Davison
In its first move to get Australians to Europe faster and with fewer stopovers, and vice versa, Qantas launched direct flights from Perth to London. Then came straight-to-Rome routes as well. Next on the agenda are flights from Perth to Paris — which will be perfect for Euro summer getaways, hitting up Europe in general all year round and also for the 2024 Paris Olympics. If you've been watching the Matildas endeavour to quality to play next year's big sporting contest in qualifiers in Perth, this news might feel particularly timely. Even if you don't fall into that category, it's still a welcome development. Sitting on one plane for almost an entire day isn't for everyone; however, if you can handle looking at the same aircraft walls, screens and fellow travellers for 17 hours, that'll be on the agenda to Paris from July next year. Expect to spend three hours less in transit from Perth to Paris as a result, which is three hours more that you get to spend in the City of Light pretending you're in Lupin or Emily in Paris. Expect to fly on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, too. When they start soaring on Friday, July 12, 2024, the flights will run four days a week to begin with, moving to three days per week in mid-August 2024 after peak season. "This route has been on our wish list for a while and we think customers will be as pleased as we are to see it go on sale," said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson, with tickets available now. "Our direct flights to London and Rome have been hugely popular, and Paris is the next most-requested destination, so we know the demand for this service will be strong as well." "Some of the first customers on these flights will be Australian athletes heading to Paris to compete at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games." Qantas is the only airline doing direct Perth-to-Paris flights, with the new service adding 75,000-plus new seats from Australia to Europe annually. Fares currently start at $1899, as a launch special that's available until Thursday, November 2. Fancy jetting into Paris direct, then coming home from London or Rome — but still non-stop from those cities? The airline is also doing 'circle fares', which operate between the three European places that it flies direct to and from. Of course, if you hail from another part of the country other than Perth, you will have to make your way to the Western Australian capital first. Still, that flight from Perth to Paris won't make a layover — getting you from Down Under to France quicker, plus without switching planes, worrying about connecting legs and navigating other airports. Wondering about the possibility of travelling non-stop to Europe from Australia's east coast, which Qantas has been looking into for years now? The carrier announced that in 2022 that direct Sydney-to-London flights (and direct Sydney-to-New York routes as well) would start in late 2025. Fingers crossed for departure dates from Melbourne and Brisbane as well, and adding a direct leg to Berlin among the non-stop Euro destinations, too. Qantas' new Perth–Paris direct flights will start flying from Friday, July 12, 2024. For more information, or to book tickets, head to the airline's website. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Art/Work is a new Concrete Playground series where we take some time to chat with our local creatives in an attempt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist. First cab off the rank is Mitch Cairns, a Sydney-based artist represented by BREENSPACE. He is also one quarter of the now defunct collaborative group, Cosmic Battle for Your Heart. He can also play the drums. Most days you'll find me in a bit of a jam, I'd very much like to be in the studio, but being an adult is difficult and most days lately I'm either at accruing pennies or… When I am not there I am working on the next batch of paintings. Painting, for me, is a tricky problem and generally involves 'filling in' the frame with an image of some sort. In order to keep painting, I set up a few hooks to work out from. Currently I've been looking a lot at cartooning, straight up and down visual gags that generally involve the tragedy of going bald. After combing over this material I then go through a process which includes a night of heavy carbs, waking, stretching, keeping up fluids and eventually setting off on a light jog. My day job is at Oxford Arts Supplies, I work with good people, I get to peruse the store, at times, like a guest.... It's great, I could be digging holes right now. Like all job you've got to turn up to be paid.... this isn't a problem for me really, but I am seeking a double, anybody that fits the type of 'chubby greyhound' should apply here. Working in an art supply house is fine, the discounts aren't wild but they're helpful. In fact I work with some really awesome artists.... so yes it is quite a stimulating place to work. If money wasn't an issue I'd have a beer in the fridge. Being an artist/musician in Sydney is very tight right now. But I would never leave for any great deal of time. I have entertained moving to New Zealand, I mean our house is being bent over soon, we gotta live somewhere. My neighbourhood is currently in Rozelle, I am peninsulated. There is in fact a whole bunch of really excellent artists that live on the peninsular, its a very nice neighbourhood. Best kept Sydney secret Balmain Star. It's a pho joint in the Balmain Plaza, very simple, cheap, delicious food. I'm not sure why you'd ask me about hip Sydney secrets thou? Isn't that your job to tell us? I'm a mild mannered and sometimes awkward guy, I got no secrets..... good afternoon.
No more a safe haven of vintage knick knacks and retro wares, this week marks the last for the iconic Sydney Antique Centre. Though the much-loved red building in Surry Hills is in fact the oldest antiques store in the country — and one of our personal favourites — the owner of the building has decided to sell. From next Monday, June 30, the store will officially close. This sad news will leave more than 50 in-house art and antique dealers out of business, with many not able to survive the move. Though some traders will move their business to online, others will struggle to find new storefronts. And by all accounts their old home, the red stalwart of South Dowling Street, is destined to become a set of inner-city apartments. Though many see vintage stores as a bit old and fusty, the Sydney Antique Store has an incredibly rich history for Sydney-siders. Its homewares were employed as perfect props on the set of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, and it has reportedly furnished the homes of nearly every Australian prime minister. Not to mention its importance to the average customer — it's been there for you every time you went hunting for the perfect gift, party costume or retro accessory for the season. However the store's trade was undeniably suffering, and in speaking to the site's vendors the Sydney Morning Herald discovered that many blame the trends of younger customers." A lot of young people don't have an appreciation for fine things," said vendor Lyn Doolan. "Younger kids want to go to Ikea, buy everything, then change it all three years later. It is all very disposable." "Your generation doesn't like any clutter," said fellow stallowner Bill Gregg. "They like dinnerware that goes in the dishwasher." Though we're not sure it's entirely our fault, it's definitely a tough time for vintage retailers. Independent fashion boutiques are closing down all over the country as large international buzz brands take over the market, and discount homewares are now easier to buy than ever. The loss of this vintage paradise will undoubtedly be huge for those seeking something different on the market. From now until June 30, Sydney Antique Centre will be hosting a huge closing down sale, so now's the time to get down and pay your respects. Spend the afternoon, rummage around the treasures, and pick up a bargain. Before you know it, these retro legends will have packed up their vintage leather bags and disappeared. Sydney Antique Centre is located at 531 Dowling Street, Surry Hills. It's open from 10am-6pm daily until Monday, June 30. Via Sydney Morning Herald. All images via Sydney Antique Centre.
