National Young Writers' Festival (NYWF) is the four-day writerly celebration that takes over the imaginations of young writers around the country. Directors Alexandra Neill, Jessica Alice and Lex Hirst's colourful program features familiar names like Benjamin Law, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Clementine Ford, Lawrence Leung, Genevieve Fricker, Steph Harmon, James Colley, Patrick Lenton and more (including some other names you might not recognise now but definitely will in the next five years). As well as more serious talks on slacktivism, mandatory detention and identity, NYWF won't be holding back on the life's practical truths, informing young writers about how to get paid as a writer, how to become an astronaut, how to make a sumptuously good sandwich and how to keep a diary and still be cool. Like any good writers' festival, Breakfast Book Club will start each day with impassioned discussion on life changing books, ones that make you plain angry and ones that are so good you turn into a nocturnal creature. Over 60 panels, discussions, workshops, performances and launches will carry you through deep into the evening when you'll get to sit back and relax to late night romance, crime and dystopian readings. Did we mention the whole festival is free? Yep, all of it. Blowing out 17 candles this year, NYWF is growing bigger and wiser by the year. But a festival is never too old for an intergalactic-themed ball and a spelling bee-cross-Hunger Games-style battle of the brains, right? NYWF runs from 2-5 October. Check out the full program here. Image: Alan Weedon.
We're pretty familiar with the drinks that are typically associated with summer: beer, spritzes and, more recently, the rise of the seltzer. And whilst we are big fans of knocking the top off one of these delightful drinks when the mercury rises, sometimes we can't shake our penchant for something a little bolder to hit our tastebuds. After long days spent sizzling in the searing sunshine, there really is nothing better than a bourbon in hand inside a cool, air-conditioned bar to take the heat off. To make things easier, we've teamed up with Buffalo Trace to help you find a spot to scratch your bourbon itch this summer.
Out to shakeup the image of Middle Eastern fare, Glebe's Thievery is transforming itself into a month-long Middle Eastern yum cha pop-up once again. Running until December 22, the limited-edition menu delivers a clever twist on the Chinese dim sum experience — a flavour mash-up that sounds a little left-field, but that Executive Chef Julian Cincotta promises works a treat. Here, you'll find yourself tucking into creations like lamb kofta manti (small Middle Eastern dumplings) with XO sauce, baba ganoush dumplings, Lebanese prawn toast with fermented chilli sauce and Chinese-style fried chicken — and maybe mango pancakes or steamed za'atar cake (a bit like a sticky date pudding) for dessert. And, in homage to yum cha's traditional roots — the word translates to 'drink tea' in Cantonese — the feast comes complete with its own specialty range of tea cocktails, served in share-friendly teapots. Try drinks like the Hennessy green tea mojito, lychee margarita and Hennessy bubble tea. Or you can add on 90 minutes of bottomless green tea sangria to your brunch or lunch for $32. Middle Eastern yum cha will be on offer for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Opt for an a la carte selection, or leave the decisions at the door with the nine-course set menu for $58 at dinner or seven-course set menu for $40 at lunch. A limited selection of dishes will also be available for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Updated: November 6, 2019.
There is an exercise you can do try to understand the experience of schizophrenia. You put on headphones (and sometimes goggles) that scream loud abuse in your ears. You try to act like normal. And you fail. I Love Todd Sampson is a gentler version of this sort of thing. The play takes you into the head of Laura (an energetic Gabrielle Quin), who is skating along the edges of a nervous breakdown. Her mind is exploded across Pier 2/3, her grief dissected and pinned to the walls, like the atomised belly of an open frog. Along with her fragmented experience of mind, Laura has become obsessed with Gruen Transfer-ing ad man Todd Sampson, who makes a virtual cameo in her fantasies and in the play itself. The audience is on its feet for most of this striking hour and a half of theatre, though there are some chairs scattered along the way. Laura, responsible for the death of a pedestrian in a traffic accident some years before, suffers a breakdown seemingly triggered by the death of her father. Hallucinations torment her, played by the rest of the cast. You follow her and her visions along the full length of the play’s cavernous venue. They throw themselves from one set to the next as furiously as OK Go rush between Heath Robinson machines. The sets are similarly complex, but in this case they've been assembled by a collection of artists and architects to create a low-key, uncanny evening on the boards. They range from spider-like chandeliers in an improbably sound-making piano bar, unexpected vehicular incursions, and pieces of house at play. The back of each piece of art or architecture shows, which gives a feeling of blurred edges that suit the themes. The sets are stunning, and a full list of the production's many contributors are listed on the site. The narrative flow of the play is spot on, drawing the audience from one set to the next with perfect timing, as Laura descends into suicide and sadness. The audience experience is a little less precise, with unclear practical boundaries, especially when it came to knowing what you can or cannot touch. This doesn’t undermine the fun, though. And there’s something of a drink-free, wander-as-you-like Jurassic Lounge feel to things. There are also innumerable neat minor touches, from a split-screen bedroom to the almost-imperceptible movement of the show's pianist (Alister Spence). So much of this play is made from surprise spectacle and the subtle accumulation of acting and soundscape that I Love Todd Sampson is an easy play to recommend, though a hard one to describe. What does this add up to? An intimate and, despite its heavy themes, delightful experimental theatrical production. Also, wear comfortable shoes. I Love Todd Sampson plays at 7.30pm every night until March 10. It uses strobe lighting.
Go big by going small. That’s the philosophy of a group of local artists, who’ll next month launch a brand new exhibition space of truly pint-sized proportions. No larger than a breadbox, Sydney’s Smallest Gallery will showcase works the size of thimbles. Who’d have guessed that one of the biggest highlights of Sydney Art Month would require a magnifying glass in order to view it? The diminutive free gallery is the brainchild of Natalie Cheney and Stephen Clement, and will be housed inside the (regular sized) Nauti Studios in Stanmore. Only one person will be permitted to view the tiny gallery at the time, although it will be populated by several equally minuscule patrons. Contributors will include artists Cheney, Chris Kellan and Loni Thompson, as well as community science lab BioFoundry, who have produced a replica of the Mona Lisa made out of bacteria. Members of public can even submit pieces of their own, as long as they're less than 3cm x 3cm x 3cm. Sydney's Smallest Gallery is one of many must-see exhibitions on at this year's Sydney Art Month, which kicks off on Friday March 6 and runs until Sunday March 29. Another big standout on the program is the return of the Collector's Space, an annual exhibit displaying pieces from private collections. This year will showcase the collection of restaurateur Kylie Kwong and her partner, multidisciplinary artist Nell, as well as Max and Gabrielle Germanos’ extensive collection of work by Australian and indigenous artists. Further highlights include Art at Night — featuring after-dark openings of galleries all around the city — as well as ARTcycle tours, in which patrons bike from one art hotspot to another (although the less athletically-inclined might prefer an air conditioned bus). The Art Month program also includes a wide array of public talks, on topics ranging from video art to ceramics to art in the public space. All in all, this year's Art Month Sydney will include more than 100 participating galleries, from the big to the very, very small. For our top ten picks of the program, head over here.
This Christmas, all you need is love — plus a festive little cabaret that showcases all of the hit tunes from Love Actually. It's the way to celebrate the season when you're not just leaving the seasonal favourite flick on repeat at home. Yep, that's Christmas Actually. Created by the folks behind Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle, Christmas Actually features all of the tracks that've become synonymous with this merry time of year — including Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', naturally. Songs by Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Beach Boys and The Beatles are all on the bill as well — and, to help belt them out, Price will be joined by Luke Kennedy, Stefanie Jones, Doron Chester, Scott French, Mik Easterman, Lauren White and Ben Kiehne. There'll even be more than one nativity lobster, plus a jolly mood and a whole room full of festive cheer. That room is Sydney Coliseum Theatre, where Christmas Actually plays its 2024 Harbour City date on Saturday, December 21. Get excited by revisiting Love Actually's trailer below. 'Tis the season, after all. Top image: Katy Bedford.
Beach days and good weather aren't the only thing summer brings. With the return of music festival season, we're getting wind of Australian tour dates from heaps of cool bands. The latest news is from Okkervil River and Austra, who will be appearing at this year's Perth Festival and other sideshows around the country. Okkervil River Get ready, folk-rock fans, for a little something to spice up your musical repertoire from Okkervil River. The Texan-indie rockers have released their seventh full-length studio album, and you could hear it live this summer when they make their sixth tour of Australia. A nostalgic ode to the days of his New Hampshire-spent youth, The Silver Gymnasium is the autobiographical creation of frontman Will Sheff. Since the band members grew up in the 1980s, it's only fitting that the album stays true to the times with lots of pop influences. You probably wouldn't think of '80s pop and southwestern folk rock as a match, but Okkervil River makes it seem completely natural. Tracks like 'Stay Young' and 'Deep Down the Deep River' could be soundtrack-worthy of cult classics like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles with their catchy tunes and reflective lyrics. You'll find yourself humming along, fondly (or not so) reminded of the glory days of your high school years. Sydney: 21 February, Oxford Art Factor Melbourne: 22 February, Corner Hotel Perth Festival Tickets available from Handsome Tours. https://youtube.com/watch?v=n7UeGBULQ7Y Austra The Canadian electro-pop group Austra caused a sensation at the 2012 Laneway Festival, with their exhilarating fusion of riveting vocals and electronic synth. That performance was just from their debut album, and since then they've added two new members and dropped a fantastic follow-up album. 2013's Olympia is the perfect combination of indie rock and new wave. Katie Stelmanis, the main songwriter, rings a bell of Florence Welch and London Grammar's Hannah Reid with her operatic voice. Her songwriting talents have shone as well in this second album, which is a beautiful collection of lyrically personal tracks. But perhaps its been her ability to expand the band's range of sounds — which encompasses many dimensions of trance, electro and pop — yet stay true to feeling of their first album that have made Austra so successful. They've recently had a crazy touring schedule, sharing the stage with big-timers such as The xx, Grimes and The Gossip. This summer, Austra will be returning to the country for Perth Festival, and making appearances at sideshows in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Adelaide: 13 Feb, Uni Bar Sydney: 14 Feb, The Standard Melbourne: 15 Feb, Corner Hotel Perth Festival Tickets available from Handsome Tours https://youtube.com/watch?v=ODyWKkDBb4U
One of world's biggest bubble tea chains, CoCo originated in Tamsui, Taiwan back in 1997 and now boasts over 4000 stores worldwide — across countries like Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UK, the US and, of course, Australia and New Zealand. Yet, despite the brand's magnitude, each shop still serves up a quality product every time. The tea is made using fresh seasonal fruit and whole tea leaves, sourced both locally and abroad. Expect flavours like pandan, taro and salty cream, plus signature white pearl varieties. You can also add pearls to any and all flavour combinations, as well as additional toppings like aloe vera, lychee jelly and 'cloud' — which is a whole heap of cream floating on top. At the moment, there are 18 Sydney locations, including nine in the CBD.
Since 2011, frosty things have been afoot — or so we've been constantly told. We've all lost count of the amount of times that someone has said "winter is coming", both in Game of Thrones or by someone you know quoting it. Watching new prequel series House of the Dragon, the same sentiment shines through again, too. Something chilly is indeed headed Sydney's way on Monday, September 12, however: House of the Dragon-themed gelato in House Vanillaryon and Heir to the Cone flavours. The two new limited-edition varieties are being whipped by up Gelato Messina, and they'll only be available for a single day at the chain's Newtown store. Also, there's 3000 scoops and they'll all be free. If your tastebuds are as eager as a Targaryen about sitting on the Iron Throne, House Vanillaryon combines burnt vanilla gelato, smoked chocolate brownie and burnt honey caramel, while Heir to the Cone will feature red velvet cheesecake gelato with dragonfruit puree. (Something dragon-related was always bound to pop up.) Just for the day from 12–9pm, Messina's King Street spot is also transforming into Westeros, which is set to involve appropriate decor. Given that House of the Dragon is all about the Targaryens, expect to feel like you're stepping into their world. Dragons will likely feature heavily here, we suspect — and if want to wear your best (or worst) blonde wig while you're there, that's up to you. A key caveat: Messina's collaboration with Australian streaming service Binge, which airs House of the Dragon, is a first-come-first-served event. So, while the one-day-only affair will kick off at 12pm and could indeed run till 9pm, those free gelato flavours are just available while stocks last. Also, you do need to go in-store to get your freebies, as it isn't on offer via delivery. Go on, try not to say "winter is coming" while you're there. Check out the trailer for House of the Dragon below: Gelato Messina's one-day-only House of the Dragon makeover, and its free Heir to the Cone and House Vanillaryon giveaway, takes place on Monday, September 12 at 262 King Street, Newtown — from 12–9pm, or until stocks last. House of the Dragon streams via Foxtel and Binge in Australia. Read our full review of season one.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
It has been 65 years since Godzilla first rampaged across through Tokyo, and the super-sized creature isn't done wreaking havoc just yet. Like comic book characters and Star Wars, the king of the monsters is a cinema mainstay. The scaly critter is also asserting its place atop the kaiju food chain in the latest trailer for Godzilla: King of the Monsters. If you haven't kept track of the Japanese figure's many, many screen appearances, this is its 35th. It's also the sequel to the last American-made Godzilla film, which hit screens back in 2014 — and this time, the giant critter isn't the only behemoth rampaging through cinemas. In what promises to be quite the hefty creature feature, Godzilla: King of the Monsters sees the eponymous figure enlisted to help the planet against a heap of the beast's own enemies, including Mothra, Rodan and the three-headed King Ghidorah. At one point in the new trailer, it's mentioned that there are at least 17 monsters, which will be sure to keep Godzilla and the film's human cast — including Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, Charles Dance and O'Shea Jackson Jr — rather busy. Yes, plenty of oversized creature mayhem is in movie-goers' futures come May 30 — and more next year as well. Godzilla: King of the Monsters will be followed by another monster mashup in 2020's Godzilla vs. Kong, pitting Godzilla against a certain giant ape in a film that also acts as a sequel to 2017's Kong: Skull Island. Partially shot in Queensland, it stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler and Demián Bichir. Check out the latest Godzilla: King of the Monsters trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW3xYYJ6NoE&feature=youtu.be Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Being abducted by a giant psychedelic bird and falling through a tripped-out realm of giant saxophones is all in a day's work for Wagons. To celebrate the announcement of a pair of Victorian shows following Wagons' recent Acid Rain and Sugar Cane album tour, the Melbourne outfit's latest single 'Chase the Eclipse' comes with a trippy new video. Featuring the super '70s claymation work of Wagons band member Si the Philanthropist, the clip is just the ticket for a boring ol' weekday afternoon. "Inspired by Gumby and the movie Jason and the Argonauts, the story is like Greek mythology meets acid trip wonderland," says Si the Philanthropist "A strange creature kidnaps Henry, then the band are transformed by its powers while trying to rescue him, until the eclipse destroys the magic and releases them. I wanted to make a strange, and colourful video to match the technicolour nature of the song. "One month, 6500 shots, all made in a home studio with a skateboard for a dolly, ten packets of modelling clay, one jumbo packet of smarties, 180 coloured paper circles, some fern trees, two guitars, a keyboard, a saxophone and Henry." Here's the clip, see you on the other side of the rabbit hole: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Hlqf43YSP1g WAGONS EXTRA AUS TOUR DATES: Fri Aug 8 at Caravan Music Club. tickets here. Sat Aug 9 at The Substation, Newport, tickets here.
Good thing this isn't on a school night because there's so much to celebrate here. There's Step-Panther's great new EP, Dreamcrusher. There's Bleeding Knees Club frontman Alex Wall's debut solo album, Celebrity Beatings, released under the moniker Wax Witches. There's also new Sydney label Jerko, which is the label doing all the releasing. This sounds like a lot of blood and crushing and beating crammed into one show, but these words are actually quite poor indicators of the sounds you will be hearing. Step-Panther makes bouncy NME-approved shred-rock and Wax Witches is doing youthful noise-pop with a dash of California psych. Perth garage-rockers Foam, who are supporting in both Sydney and Melbourne, are also well worth shouting about. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Rg9DsZG-rlY
This light, bright jewellery store is like walking into an art gallery. Each hand-picked and ethically made gold necklace, delicate single-stone ring and silver hooped earring is displayed with pride by owner Gemma, who named the store in memory of her grandmother. Lily & Mitchell opened in 2013, and its mission is to source locally-made jewellery from Australian craftsmen and women to introduce the designers to shoppers in Mosman. Gemma likes to match each buyer with an item of minimalist jewellery, often crafted by brands such as By Charlotte and Kirstin Ash.
Anything can be gelato, at least the way that Gelato Messina makes it. Well, any other dessert can get the the ice cream treatment, it seems. The chain has whipped up a lot of of tasty specials in its time, with plenty taking cues from other sweet treats: think red velvet cookie pies, caramel scrolls with cheesecake gelato, Golden Gaytime-inspired Viennetta and even Iced VoVo gelato. The next beloved dish getting the Messina treatment: lemon meringue pies. You can taste the tang just thinking about this gelato version, can't you? The limited-edition dessert is being dished up for the brand's Mother's Day special, but that doesn't mean that it's just for mum. If you can't spend the day with her eating this dessert, she'd want you to treat yo'self. Wondering what exactly a lemon meringue pie gelato hot tub entails? Served in an octagonal tub, this dish comes with burnt vanilla gelato, pie crust and lemon curd mousse, all topped with an intricately piped and torched Italian meringue. Obviously, it sounds delicious. If you're keen to get yourself a piece — which'll cost you $40 — they're available to preorder online on Tuesday, April 26. And, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is now staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). Gelato Messina's lemon meringue pie gelato hot tubs will be available to order on Tuesday, April 26 for pick up between Friday, May 6–Sunday, May 8. Head to the Messina website for further details.
Bicep are the Northern Ireland house duo talking the talk and walking the walk. Like most electronic artists these days they’re great at the Internet, and use it to drop digital dance floor bombs from the likes of Nick Holder, Byron Stingly and Derrick Carter via their mp3 blog Feel My Bicep. But more recently their own stuff has been getting massive Internet airtime thanks to straight-up house jams like last year’s irresistible ‘Vision of Love’. Now Bicep are beefing up the already solid bunch of acts comprising the Adult Disco series Future Classic has been hosting in the Civic basement. After two disco-heavy gigs they’ll be taking revelers forward a couple of decades to the early ‘90s when house was deep, soulful and muscular. They’ll be joined by Touch Sensitive of 'Real Talk' and Van She fame on his live debut, with Parkside and the Future Classic DJs helping flesh out the hours between 10pm and God knows.
Following on from a killer, sold-out season in London, LIMBO will hit Sydney Festival in 2014. And this circus cabaret looks to be little less then explosive. With awe-inducing acrobatics, breathtakingly brilliant manoeuvres and a serve of cheeky cabaret, LIMBO is circus like you’ve never seen before. Presented by Strut & Fret (producers of last year's Sydfest circus spectacular Cantina), Underbelly Productions and Southbank Centre, LIMBO has all of the danger — but much more sexiness — of your regular night at Cirque du Soleil. This is circus with grit, set against the funked-up, old-time jazz, oompah, rap and bossa nova of Sxip Shirey's electric live score.
Oh, 2023 — you've been an interesting one. With the cost of living through the roof during a time when we were all desperate to head out and enjoy our post-lockdown lives, it's been a real rollercoaster. Keen to send off this year in style, no matter what it's brought your way? You're in luck. There are plenty of places celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney with events big and small. After all, Sydney loves NYE. Whether you're eager to see the back of 2023 with a few champagnes in hand, or looking to start 2024 on a boogie-filled high with DJ sets and a good ol' d-floor session, a slew of Harbour City bars, pubs and restaurants are happy to help. We've compiled a list of the best Sydney spots to ring in the New Year with style, regardless of your budget. While lots of events have officially sold out, there are still plenty of memorable parties that you can score tickets at the last minute. And, if you've still got some fight in you, there are some cheeky New Year's Day kick-ons included. [caption id="attachment_798924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] FREE Cafe Freda's: The Oxford Street iteration of this Sydney institution opened on New Year's Eve 2019–20, so the day holds a special place in the Freda's team's heart. As such, the corner wine bar is one to throw an end-of-year celebration, and this year is no different with its free NYE/third birthday party. Going down from 5pm–2am, there will be DJ sets from a host of Freda's regulars. Entry is free, and it's walk-in only. Barangaroo House: DJ sets, cocktails, water views and tasty eats will be available across all three levels of Barangaroo House this New Year's Eve. House Bar, Smoke Bar and Rekodo will all be hosting parties, with each space celebrating a different era, including the 70s, 90s and 00s. Free entry to all three levels means you can move between spaces throughout the night. If you want to secure a spot, you can make a booking — plus, you can also pre-purchase a bottle of champagne for the midnight countdown. Parramatta Park: A family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration is popping up in Western Sydney's Parramatta Park. There will be food trucks, a 9pm fireworks display and a pop-up bar. You'll also be able to send off the year to hits like 'UFO' and 'Pictures' thanks to a headline set from Sneaky Sound System. The Bank: Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a huge night of celebratory tunes at The Bank courtesy of a b2b set from Dom Alessio and Adam Lewis. The best part? Entry is free all night, and the party won't stop until 4am. Marly Bar: The Marly is going neon across all three levels this New Year's Eve. The beloved Newtown pub will be throwing a free UV NYE Party from 8pm–4am, with DJs filling the dance floor on all three levels of the venue — including its underground rave cave Tokyo Sing Song. The Newport: Up north, you can spend NYE waterside with the Barney Cools DJs and two fireworks displays at The Newport. The venue's also offering $7 schooners of beer and $10 schooners of boozy pub squash. Get down early — entry is free all afternoon, with a $25 cover charge kicking in at 6pm. UNDER $50 The Abercrombie: After eight years in the wilderness, The Abercrombie reopened with its 24-hour license intact this time last year. One year on, it's throwing a huge first birthday party on Saturday, December 23, and backing it up with a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31. Catch Human Movement, Troy Beman, DJ Macaroni, Flexy Ferg and Raquel among a huge lineup of DJs running over multiple levels of the club. Tickets are $34–42, which includes up to ten hours of partying, with the tunes continuing way past the countdown, all the way until 6am. Harbord Hotel: Local favourites Set Mo will be ringing in the new year at the Harbord Hotel to close out 2023. The party kicks off at the Northern Beaches favourite at 5pm, with sets continuing until 2am. Tickets are $35. Club 77: Sevs will be running its Sundays at 77 program for NYE with Berlin-based DJ Claire leading the lineup. You'll be able to party from 10pm–4am at the beloved underground rave cave. Tickets are just $10 if pre-purchased or $25 on the door. Crowbar: Sydney stalwart Crowbar is bringing two of the hottest rock bands out right now to Parramatta Road with duel headline sets by Dear Seattle and Teenage Joans. The Toothpicks and Great Job! will be in support, rounding out a lineup primed for local pop-punk and indie-rock lovers. Tickets are $46. UNDER $200 Dear Sainte Eloise: Dear Sainte Éloise is hosting a special New Year's Eve party so you can bid adieu to 2023 in style. The Potts Point diner will be open from midday, serving a seafood-heavy menu and hard-to-find wines. The set menu, designed by DSE's new Head Chef Elias Selloum, kicks off with small bites like kangaroo tartare and oysters, before moving on to French Provençal-style bouillabaisse stuffed with seafood galore. You'll also be sampling drops throughout your meal from DSE's well-curated wine cellar. Tickets are $130. Manning Bar: The party crew behind Cockatoo Islands' beloved MODE Festival will be taking over Manning Bar with an eight-hour openair rave. International DJs CCL, Maara and Objekt will be joined by local legends Moktar and Mazzacles for the Camperdown dance party. Tickets are available through Resident Advisory for $81. Ivy: Merivale's multi-storey mega club is hosting two NYE parties. Carl Cox is headlining Defected Sydney in the main space, while LF System will be bringing their global smash 'Afraid to Feel' to the Ivy Pool Bar for an NYE Pool Party. Tickets to Cox alongside Danny Howard and Riva Starr will set you back $174, while passes to the poolside shindig are on offer for $67. Lady Banks Rooftop: Bankstown's sky-high bar will be hosting dinner at 6.30pm featuring honey truffle focaccia, roasted chicken, cauliflower, salads, gelato and canapes. DJ sets kick off from 8pm, continuing the party until the early hours of the morning. If you're looking for a place in Western Sydney with panoramic views stretching from the Blue Mountains to the CBD, this one's for you. You can secure a spot for $179. Odd Culture: The beloved King Street wine bar is hosting a moody candle-lit celebration in its mezzanine level. There will be a banquet dinner and a one-night-only menu of rare and vintage cuvees. A seat will set you back $150, which includes all of your food, plus a drink on arrival. The Old Fitz: Woolloomooloo mainstay The Old Fitz is hosting a jazzy end-of-year party with Coucou Zazous providing the soundtrack. For $120, you'll be treated to champagne on arrival; a set menu featuring oysters, raw tuna, wagyu bavette steak and chocolate mousse; and live music. BLOWOUT Dean & Nancy on 22: Maybe Group's sky-high hotel bar Dean & Nancy on 22 is hosting a New Year's Eve party tucked into the Sydney skyline. There are a few packages ranging from $200 per person to $2100 for a booth of six to seven. Each booking includes a signature cocktail on arrival; champagne at midnight; and a curated menu featuring jamon iberico, kingfish ceviche, scallop ravioli and octopus. FBi Radio's Jack Shit and Liz Ham will be providing the entertainment for the night on the DJ decks. Make a booking at the Dean and Nancy website. Hickson House: The building housing The Rocks' Hickson House is no stranger to a celebration, with the working distillery and destination cocktail bar set in the former Saatchi & Saatchi garage — the location of many infamous warehouse parties. For $320, tickets to this extravagant Sydney New Year's Eve party include an array of canapes, DJs providing the music, and a premium three-hour beverage package featuring the venue's own gin, as well as wine, craft beer and house spirits. Best of all, you'll also get access to The Rocks precinct with views of the Harbour Bridge fireworks from Hickson Road. Whalebridge: Waterfront French diner Whalebridge is making the most of its vantage point right by the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a huge NYE dinner. Guests will be treated to a shared four-course menu, champagne on arrival and a deluxe wine package. Steamed Murray cod, aged wagyu rib-eye, caviar and creme fraiche tarts, lobster rock oysters and raspberry vacherin will all make appearances at the feast. Tickets to the harbourside celebration range between $600–1000, depending on where you're seated. View Sydney: When people think of prime viewing locations for the fireworks, their minds often go straight to the CBD, but there are plenty of panoramic views to be enjoyed on the other side of the bridge. View Sydney is making the most of its vantage point by throwing an end-of-year soiree. The no-holds-barred cocktail event features four food stations — seafood, Texas barbecue, Asian eats and dessert — plus a full beverage package including Manly Spirits cocktails, Australian wines and beers. This view-heavy party will set you back a pretty penny. Get set to drop $637 on your ticket if you want to secure your spot. Bennelong: Wondering what the most expensive New Year's Eve experience is in Sydney? From what we can tell, it's Bennelong, Peter Gilmore's iconic diner below the Sydney Opera House where a booking will set you back between $1600–2220. If you have that kind of money to splash on a single night, you'll enjoy a four-course menu from the Bennelong kitchen, a premium drinks package, a glass of champagne on arrival and at midnight, and live entertainment. W Sydney: Much-hyped wave-shaped hotel W Sydney is now open, and it's sending off 2023 in style at its rooftop bar. There are a few packages that you can purchase here. The $550 tickets will get you into Level 29 and include a four-hour beverage package, canapes, a live hibachi grill and oysters. If you want to celebrate one floor higher, entry to Level 30 will set you back $899, with an oyster and caviar bar, plus after-midnight snacks and free-flowing champagne. Browse all of the packages to determine how you want to spend NYE. NEW YEAR'S DAY Field Day: New Year's Day tradition Field Day is back with another genre-bending dance-ready lineup for the first day of 2024. RÜFÜS DU SOL, Central Cee, G Flip, Genesis Owusu, Sub Focus, Ross From Friends, Claptone and Destroy Lonely are all on the lineup alongside fast-rising local DJs like Logic1000 and Dameeeela, plus The xx's Romy bringing her Fred again..-backed dance project to Sydney. You can still nab tickets for $217. Club 77: After partying until 4am on New Year's Eve, Seventy Seven is backing it all up the next day with another late night. On January 1, the William Street club will be hosting Dave Stuart, Trinity and Magda Bytnerowicz, with music pumping until 4.30am. Tickets are $10 if pre-booked or $25 on the door. Greenwood Hotel: North Sydney fave Greenwood is welcoming in 2024 with four stages of dance music, including headline sets from none other than Basement Jaxx and Faithless. NYD 2024 Day One: Reverence will see more than 30 electronic tastemakers behind the decks from 1–11pm. Tickets are $104. Manly Pavilion: If you want to start the year dancing by the water, head up to the Northern Beaches for a DJ set from Winston Surfshirt. Alongside the local funk and pop kings, there will be DJ sets all afternoon long, and your $60 ticket includes a complimentary drink on arrival. Woollahra Hotel: Anyone with a sore head on New Year's Day can head to the Woollahra Hotel for the pub's Monday meal deal. You'll be treated to $15 mixed-dozen dumplings — the perfect recovery brunch from a big night of celebrating.
In one shot a man lays submerged, upside-down in a lake, ripples radiating outwards. The only hint of life held in his outstretched arms. In another we see a lonely northern hemisphere street corner where daily grinders hurry, briefcases in hand, to the warmth of their offices. The first has something eerie, lonesome and Ophelia-esque to it, while the second looks like the unhappy sequel to Hopper’s Nighthawks. Both distinct images make up part of Christopher Riggert’s eight-years-in-the-making exhibition The Chemistry of Sympathy at Challis Studios. Riggert says he shoots things just as he finds them, that "they are discovered moments of everyday people and places". But how then does he get such a strong narrative element in there? Well, he's been shooting film since his dad gave him a camera at age 11, so not only does he know his equipment, but his day job as a commercials director plays into it too. Setting the clock back on zero with this exhibition, Riggert can now embark on another eight years of documenting the everyday.
The Blackeyed Susans have traveled far across the rocky wilds of Australian independent music since their Perth formation in 1989. Their lineup has shuffled more than a blackjack dealer's favourite deck, and they have often fallen into periods of deep torpor, but the dark romance of their sound has never wavered in its strength. Listen to the Susans and you're drawn into the land of the blues ballad, the cabaret croon and the cracked chords of dirty country. Originally scattered across a sporadic discography, these tales were gathered together in 2009 as a retrospective collection, Reveal Yourself 1989-2009. Upon the back of this release the reinvigorated Susans toured to Europe with the Triffids in 2010, only returning after their defeat by the erupting Eyjafjallajökull. Now, in light of their rebirth, the Susans are touring a series of Christmas shows, with two sets to be unwrapped in Newtown's the Vanguard. Those able to grab a ticket are in for a fine treat. A regal whiskey would taste the way this band sounds — twenty years have seen members of the Triffids, Augie March, Dirty Three, Martha's Vineyard, the Cruel Sea and Chad's Tree infuse the Susans' back catalogue. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_HK-Nrn68c4
Looking to hit the dance floor this long weekend? Sydney party crew Cosmic Boogie is celebrating its one-year anniversary of good times at its Chippendale home The Lord Gladstone with a massive 12-hour party. A crew of 11 different DJs have been compiled to take over the pub from 3pm on Saturday, October 1 all the way until 3am that night. Dance floors will pop up both inside the Gladdy's main bar and out in the courtyard, with the DJs serving up hours of party-ready tunes. Jameson has also come on board, offering up a range of drinks specials throughout the day including pickleback shots. Entry is free between 3–6pm, and just $10 after that. Or, if you pick up a Cosmic Boogie t-shirt you'll be granted free entry all night long.
Now showing after a successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Stay Woke is the latest acclaimed comedy to grace the hallowed stage of Darlighurst Theatre Company. The play follows two brothers with a lifelong rivalry on a weekend away accompanied by their partners. Written by Aran Thangaratnam and directed by Bridget Balodis, the stage-show explores how wokeness is weaponised, as the conversation on the trip away becomes political. "In rehearsals, I kept thinking about comedians like Alok Vaid-Menon and Hannah Gadsby — it's a knife's edge comedy, and even though the play has a big heart, no one is safe from scrutiny," directer Bridget Balodis says. While the play reflects on society and the prevalence of things like bare-minimum activism, it's also an exploration of the two protagonists (Niv and Sai) and their relationship with Australia. "To me Niv and Sai's perspective on Sri Lanka would be a conflicted one, feeling a reactive allegiance to Sri Lanka growing up, due to the other-ism of growing up in Australia, but also knowing that it's a country that has historically rejected people like them through the civil war," says writer Aran Thangaratnam. Darlinghurst Theatre Company's Artistic Director Amylia Harris added: "This comedy will hopefully not only make people laugh, but also challenge audiences to self-reflect on their own progressive politics and intersectional identities."
Slightly patchier than last year's lineup, Days Like This Festival returns to the Entertainment Quarter (yes, it used to be called Fox Studios, and yes the new name is stupid). Once you get over the fact that you are hanging out in a car park between cement buildings behind the cricket ground, you will probably have some fun. I went last year and it seemed like it catered to people avoiding both the neon and Southern Cross tattoos that are often prevalent at festivals. More than amazing headliners, this year the attractions are some slightly more obscure gems. Micachu & The Shapes pricked my ears a while back with their lo-fi folky electronics and cut and paste sounds, complimented by 21 year old front woman Mica's obscure lyrics and vacuum samples. Another example is Mayer Hawthorne, a hip hop MC and producer who made an old school soul record in his bedroom and is now riding it around the world. Having pointed those out, there are some bigger acts that are worth seeing too. Roots Manuva is somewhat of a legend these days with his dubbed out grimey hip hop, and skip the Cat Empire for the other feline feature Cat Power, who is still sober and still playing soul tunes. It is a lineup for dancing, and with funky cats like The Bamboos and hip hop greats Method Man and Redman, it should be another fun festival to start the year. Check the website for the full lineup because we couldn't squeeze it in here.https://youtube.com/watch?v=8TRkZpFgJcI
The inaugural Taste of Sydney Collective is set to descend on Barangaroo for a four-day extravaganza of food, drink and general revelry. From Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, November 11, The Cutaway will be buzzing with chef demonstrations, masterclasses, pop-up bars and a mini gourmet food market. To help you make the most of this exciting event, we've joined forces with Tanqueray to give you and a friend an exciting VIP experience. Your immersive experience will begin at The Taste Residence. You will be greeted with a welcome cocktail, and then go on to snack on two taster-sized dishes prepared and hand-delivered by renowned Aussie chef Mark Best (ex-Marque and Pei Modern), paired with a glass of wine. Post-meal, you'll receive a digestif before moving on to the Tanqueray pop-up bar. This elegant terrace bar will be a great place to unwind throughout the festival — but before you do, you'll undertake a gin masterclass with Tanqueray ambassador Krystal Hart. Hart will demonstrate how to make world-class cocktails at home, like the Tanqueray No. Ten elderflower collins and Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla spritz. Finish by relaxing on the terrace and savouring your botanical cocktail. To enter, see below. [competition]695701[/competition]
From clowns to furry critters to dolls, 80s and 90s pop culture drew plenty of scares from childhood staples. Decades later, Hollywood is conjuring up plenty more by bringing it all back again. With the IT remake not only working a charm back in 2017, but releasing a star-studded sequel later this year, the folks behind it are reviving another old favourite: Child's Play. While the horror franchise released its last instalment, Cult of Chucky, as recently as 2017, the new Child's Play is starting all over again. Remaking the original 1989 movie, it'll re-introduce the world to the psychopathic flame-haired plaything with a lust for murder. This time, the toy will terrorise Aubrey Plaza, who plays a young mother to a son who comes into possession of the knife-wielding doll. And Chucky will be voiced by none other than Mark Hamill, who's swapping lightsabers for killer dolls. Whether you've seen any of the seven other Chucky flicks or are too creeped out by the idea to watch, you can probably guess where the story goes. This time, however, the murderous plastic moppet has been updated for today's surveillance- and technology-heavy times. Indeed, there are more than a few recognisable internet-enabled gadgets in the film's new trailer — the second sneak peek, after releasing a first glimpse earlier this year. If you're particularly excited about the character's comeback, then you'll be just as excited to know that even more is in store, with a Child's Play TV series also in the works. Check out the unsettling latest trailer for the new Child's Play movie below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeHNLikDiVw Child's Play releases in Australian cinemas on June 20, 2019.
Even if you've been hiding under a rock for the past year, trying to avoid the wrath of Thanos, you'll still know that Avengers: Endgame is the biggest movie of 2019. After doing titan-sized business in cinemas for the past few months, the superhero behemoth is about to release on home entertainment — and Marvel is celebrating with a burger-fuelled party. Joining forces with Chur Burger in Surry Hills, the entertainment company is giving away 3000 free burgers between Wednesday, August 14 and Friday, August 16. If you're wondering about the number, you obviously weren't paying enough attention during Endgame, or to Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his daughter's professions of love. Fans can tuck into cheeseburgers — another Avengers reference — on fittingly purple-hued buns, all while dressed up in character and getting their photos snapped holding Captain America's shield and Thor's beloved mjolnir. Yes, busting out your best caped crusader outfit is thoroughly recommended. You'll need to head by between 11am–6pm, with 1000 free burgers available each day. This'll also be your chance to farewell Chur Burger in Surry Hills, with the joint closing up shop after Saturday, August 17. Image: Oh My Disney.
Halva yoghurt. Israeli date honey. Smoked labne. Over the past five years, Kepos Street Kitchen has been the mouthwatering gift that keeps on giving — and locals keep on coming back. To celebrate the Redfern stalwart's fifth birthday this month, owners Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley are hosting a series of mouthwatering Middle Eastern-style dinners over three Wednesday nights. On November 15 Israeli-born chef Rantissi will tackle sustainable Aussie seafood with a 'loaves and fishes' dinner. On November 22, Rantissi will shift his focus to serving up a whole lamb with local butcher Marcus Papadopoulo. To round it all out on November 29, the event series will end with a vego feast of seasonal veggies (both preserved and cooked over charcoal) and Mediterranean-style cheeses from cheesemaker Kristen Allan. Each dinner costs $65 per person, with drinks coming in as extra. There will be two seatings per event, 6–8pm and 8.15–10pm. If you're a regular, this is a great way to support your local. If you're yet to check it out, well this is a great opportunity to do so.
On return from her artist residency in Arita, Japan, Sydney-based ceramicist Milly Dent will hold a solo show at Saint Cloche in Paddington. Inspired by the rich ceramic history of Japan, Milly's work explores how history affects contemporary practice. Capturing a sense of space, form and clarity, her work illuminates the juxtaposition of the pristine mountains and forests that surround Arita and the heaps of discarded ceramic cut-offs piled behind the ceramic factories. In her own words, Dent wanted to create "a sense of revival or reincarnation of the forms, which can now be seen as more beautiful and interesting with the capturing of the decay". And so, through a combination of utilitarian and sculptural technique and style, Dent's work reflects the beauty and timelessness of earth's essential ecosystems that are continually at work, regardless of human activity. If you've got some cash to spare, all of the pieces will be available to purchase.
They've been one of Sydney's best Thai eateries for more than two decades, and they're bringing their beloved street food to the Gateway dining precinct at Circular Quay. Rejoice, Chat Thai fans – and then start lining up. Sure, that's good advice whenever you're in the mood for some yen ta or som dtum; however when those delicious dishes are half price, things are going to get busy. If you ever wondered just how Chat Thai could make the news of a new store even better, this is it. To celebrate their opening weekend in the grandest style possible, they're going halvsies on everything on their menu from 10am to 10pm on October 15 and 16. Yep, everything. Because you need something to read while you're standing in the queue, we'll keep telling you about their new digs. Joining the likes of Gelato Messina, Neil Perry's Burger Project, Four Frogs Creperie and The Gozleme Co. in the new eating destination, it's their biggest place yet — with a noodle bar, two kitchens and 145 seats to prove it, as well as more than 100 meals on the menu (including some brand new additions) and a hefty booze list. The Gateway Sydney restaurant joins Chat Thai's other spots in Haymarket, Centre Point, The Galeries, Manly and Randwick, meaning that you're never too far from your favourite food fix. For now, you'd best get standing and waiting — and then eating as much half-price tastiness as possible. Find Chat Thai at Gateway Sydney, Circular Quay. Check out their website and Facebook page for more information. Via Good Food.
Spotting top-notch vintage wares takes a particular eye, whether you're interested in retro threads, hats and bags to pair with them, or costume jewellery to layer over the top. And sure, if you regularly deck out your wardrobe with secondhand finds, you're probably quite astute at picking great pieces. But Lou Murray of Lou Murray's Vintage has been in the game for more than 30 years. Inside this Potts Point go-to, you'll find personally selected clothes, linen, collectables and more, all hailing from last century. Murray is particularly interested in 20th-century fashion — so you might as well capitalise upon the store's expertise. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
If last week's drastic drop in temperature has you dreading the blustery days ahead, fear not — Merivale is giving Sydneysiders a reason to push forward into winter. For all of June, the Sydney hospitality empire is saying Bottoms Up, Sydney with a whopping 49-percent off all the booze at 37 of its venues between 5pm and 7pm. No joke. For those two hours every day in June, its bars and pubs will be slinging all cocktails, mixed drinks, spirits, beer, wine and even Champagne at nearly half price. That's precisely $8.67 packaged Japanese cocktails at Ms. G's, $9.95 thyme Campari tonics at Charlie Parker's and $7.65 margaritas at El Loco, plus cheap wines by the glass at The Newport and Fred's and even cheaper craft beers at the Queens Hotel and The Paddington. The only catch is this: it doesn't apply to items over $200 (which is still pretty generous if you ask us). So, while you'll have to pay full price for a magnum of Veuve on the Coogee Pavilion Rooftop, a 750ml bottle of the orange-label bubbles will only set you back $71. Other high-end discounts you'll be able to snag during the month include a bottle of Burgundy at Felix bar for less than a pineapple, a glass of premium Chablis at Bert's bar for only $12.24 and a $10.2 whisky-heavy cocktail at Palmer & Co — and you can save upward of $90 on some pretty special French wine labels at Potts Point's The Fish Shop. If you were looking for an excuse to splash out, this is it. And why the very specific discounted price of 49 percent? Well, NSW liquor laws prevent it from being any more generous (RSA, how ya goin'), but we're not arguing — we take our cheap cocktails where we can get 'em. Punters can also expect additional partner events and offers on throughout the month, so keep an eye on this space. And organise knock-off (almost) half-price drinks ASAP. Bottoms Up, Sydney will run every day from June 1–30 from 5–7pm. For more information and to check out the full list of participating venues head to the website.
If you haven't sorted your New Year's Eve plans yet, the team over at Prince of York has you covered. The new multi-level restaurant, bar and underground nightclub in the CBD is bringing Sydneysiders a 90s- and early 00s-themed party to ring in the new year. On the decks spinning these throwback tunes will be DJs Chux and Parihaka, along with hospo legend Ed Loveday (Bar Brosé, The Passage and the recently closed Acme). You can book in for dinner up at the restaurant head straight on down to Pamela's — a den of champagne, tequila and disco — and party (like it's 1999) into the new year. The nightclub's pink suede banquettes are also available for booking by emailing hello@princeofyork.com.au. And don't forget you're encouraged to dance on the tables here, too. The party will run from 4pm–2am and entry is free. All you last-minute planners have really lucked out this year. Image: Mitchell Ferris
An artist-led research centre and creative hub, Culture at Work has a mission to connect art and science by collaborating with people in both the artistic and scientific fields. The eclectically-painted building inspires future generations through exhibitions, events, public talks and programs.
Sydneysiders love a bottomless brunch. We've got plenty of them, too. But, as far as we know, the city's latest is completely unique. Why? Its star dish is charcoal chicken. Surry Hills newbie Henrietta has jumped on board the brunch train and is now serving up 90 minutes of endless cocktails and a Lebanese banquet every Saturday and Sunday. From 12–3pm each and every week, the Crown Street restaurant is loading plates high with hummus, falafel, beef brisket tacos, chips, Lebanese bread, plenty of toum and, of course, lots of its charcoal chook. You'll get chocolate mousse with honeycomb and pistachios for dessert, too, and you'll be drinking never-ending glasses of Aperol spritz, strawberry fool spritz and an alcoholic slushie. As an added bonus, there'll be a different flavour slushie each week (if you were looking for an excuse to return). Henrietta is serving up its bottomless banquet from 12–3pm Saturday and Sunday.
One of the best interactive museums in Sydney, Powerhouse is frequently filled with colourful, immersive and mind-boggling exhibitions. It also hosts educational courses and workshops on topics such as astronomy, writing and computer coding. Until April 2018 it is hosting the vivid Future Park. Stretching across eight different interactive installations, Future Park is fuelled by human interaction, evolving in real time as visitors engage and leave their own mark on the artworks.
Handy with a set of clubs? Found yourself in the southern part of NSW? Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club is the ideal place to practise your swing, with not one but two 18-hole courses — and regular tournaments — revealing how you measure up. With the club also boasting a driving range, a chipping green and two putting greens, budding Shooter McGavins will find themselves in heaven. Head to the website to plan your trip. Image: Unsplash
Six years ago, while receiving a standing ovation in Paris, Concha Buika burst into tears on stage. "I don't feel I am more special than you," she explained to a Guardian reporter, reflecting on the event. "But in that moment I realised what was happening to me, how amazing it was. People in the audience were crying with me." Eight years before, Buika had been carving out a living in Las Vegas as a Diana Ross and Tina Turner impersonator. An independent album released in 2002 didn't make many waves. But when she teamed up with producer Javier Limon (Lagrimas Negras), something more powerful than either of them had predicted was unleashed. The resulting album, Mi Nina Lola (My Child Lola), became the sweetheart of Spanish youth. Buika's flamenco training, gained through singing on the street and hanging out with local Romani people, met Limon's ingenious capacity for fusion, which brought African rhythms, jazz, blues and soul into the mix. Above it all resides Buika's searing emotional honesty. "I sing the the truth. I sing about love. I sing to let the things inside me out so they don't hurt me," she says. "I feel what I sing, and I sing what I feel. Really, that's all I can do." Since then, she's collaborated with the likes of Chucho Valdes, Anoushka Shankar, Nelly Furtado and Seal; performed in the film The Skin I Live In; received a Grammy Award nomination; and been listed in the NPR's 50 Great Voices gallery for radio. https://youtube.com/watch?v=B8SVDn34vVQ
While this past week of rainy gloom wouldn't have inspired too many plans for weekend beach sessions, here's a little news that might just change your tune — ocean temperatures off the coast of NSW are having an especially balmy moment, currently clocking the same heat as you'll find in the tropics in December. Yep, summer might be long gone, but Sydney's beaches are primed for a dip, with sea surface temperatures (SST) along the NSW coastline sitting at between 22 and 26 degrees — one or two degrees above the March average. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, that puts a good chunk of the state's beaches among the warmest ten percent for this time of year. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1108437167821459457 The BOM told Concrete Playground that these high temperatures are thanks to the return of the warm East Australian Current, which sat offshore during the first two months of the year when high pressure and northeasterly winds caused unusually cold SST's throughout January and part of February. An especially strong current has helped things along, too, moving warm waters south down the NSW coastline, while a marine heatwave, which developed back in December, has also kicked up temperatures. Add to that the fact Sydney's expected to hit balmy maximums of 28 and 30 degrees this weekend, and we're forecasting some pretty decent beach sessions ahead. Who needs summer, right? Need some suggestions of where to hit up this weekend? These are our favourite spots to swim. Images: Shelley Beach by Paros Huckstepp.
This month, things are about to get a little noisier here in Sydney, thanks to the arrival of a brand new outdoor pop-up space dedicated to live music, DJ sounds and street art. Taking over the corner of College and William Streets from January 5–30 as part of Sydney Festival, Speakers Corner is set to deliver a giant dollop of al fresco summer entertainment. It'll play host to a stellar and diverse lineup of performances, with openair gigs from artists including Brisbane singer-songwriter Jaguar Jonze, punk hip hop trio Shady Nasty, drill trio Sydney Yungins, Melbourne's Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir, and stacks more. Catch indie rockers King Stingray fresh off the back of their Triple J 2021 Unearthed Artist of the Year win, groove to live tunes from the legendary Gordi, or soak in the sounds of Radiohead performed by Josh Cohen on the piano. Also in the mix, you'll find a healthy sprinkling of comedy, cabaret and art to liven up your summer nights. Meanwhile, the onsite bar promises to keep you hydrated with sips from the likes of Squealing Pigs, Gordons, Atomic Brewing and Heaps Normal, while culinary options include bites like spiced beef kofte and mango curd tart. Gigs are intimate with limited capacity — if you fancy a balmy evening of live tunes under the stars, you'll want to snap up tickets here quick smart. [caption id="attachment_838522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaguar Jonze[/caption] Top Image: Cash Savage and the Last Drinks by Naomi Lee Beveridge
The Opera House is transforming The Studio into a party hub for Vivid's opening week. Each night from 9pm, the space will be taken over by local and international DJs – from Astral People to the UK's Burial. Head down on May27 to catch Kuren alongside Electric Fields (Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding), in a celebration of the 1967 Referendum's 50th anniversary. Kuren's been doing the rounds on the festival circuit, while Electric Fields combines soul-infused pop, electronica and storytelling in Zaachariaha's traditional language, spoken by SA's Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara people. If you're strapped for cash, then save your party for May 31, when London's Burial throws a free shindig, driven by his UK garage beats, otherworldly arrangements and haunting vocals. The following night, Sydney's Astral People will invade with a New York disco, featuring Danny Krivit, Natasha Diggs and Lauren Hansom. Finally, on June 2, Mad Racket, who've been keeping Sydney's house and techno fans happy for 19 years now, will play the finale, with Lord of the Isles in live mode.
Catering to our fierce love of seafood over the holiday period, Sydney Fish Market is once again pulling its annual all-nighter so you can get your hands on the freshest ocean treats for Christmas lunch. Each year, the Fish Market — which will be relocated to a $250 million new site come 2023 — capably serves over 100,000 buyers looking to snag a deal. Between 5am on Wednesday, December 23–5pm on Thursday, December 24, the market is yours to scout out the most sumptuous fish, king prawns, oysters and calamari. Even better: it's all Australian-sourced. It's not only fish here, though. You can also peruse cold meats and cheeses at the deli for a grand charcuterie platter or stop by the onsite bakery and greengrocer. Or, if you're more of a Northern Hemisphere traditionalist, you can even pick up a turkey from the butcher. They sell basically everything here. If you're stuck for gifts, there are plenty of opportunities for that last-minute find. Head to the gift shop, florist, bottle shop or even grab a voucher for a cooking class at the popular Sydney Seafood School. Like most things, the seafood marathon will be a little different this year, however. To keep things COVID-19-safe, there'll be a single point of entry (on the corner of Bank Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road) — and you'll need to register upon arrival via QR code and get your temperature tested. Social distancing will be enforced, too, including queuing 1.5 metres apart. And wearing a mask is strongly encouraged.
The QT is known for its decadent hotel rooms and bold aesthetics, and it's safe to say its day spa is no different. The signature SpaQ within the Market Street hotel is a dark, moody oasis that's the perfect spot to escape reality for an afternoon — perhaps with an energising Tutti Frutti body peel ($185) or one of four 90-minute Femme Fatale facial treatments (from $185). There's a range of de-stressing massages, a swag of different facial therapies and plenty of multi-treatment packages for those wanting to really settle in. And afterward, you can continue your withdrawal from the real world with champagne and oysters in the hotel bar.
Sake has really blown up in Australia over the last decade, with more and more bars able to access Japan's national drink. Of course, we're not sake masters — there are so many more varieties of rice wine that we haven't had the chance to experience yet. Enter Nihonshu Australia, an association of sake importers, who are aiming to change that once and for all. Presented by Nihonshu along with REVEL — who organise boozy events including Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones — Australia's first sake festival is coming to Carriageworks on Saturday, October 28. There'll be more than 60 types of sake on offer, each representing the drink's different styles, serving temperatures and prefectures of origin in Japan. For $60, punters will get access to unlimited tastings plus a free Plumm glass valued at $35. Food will come courtesy of Paper Bird and Toko, while Déjà vu Sake's Yukino Ochia — Australia's only certified sake educator — will also be in attendance. Sake Matsuri will be held at Sydney's Carriageworks from 1pm on Saturday, October 28. For more information visit sakematsuri.com.au.
One of Sydney Festival 2017's most Instagrammed events was The Beach, an enormous ball pit inside a human-made cave, as created by Brooklyn-based design studio Snarkitecture. Tonnes of the city's residents spent at least some part of January diving, cannonballing and floating about in a sea of plastic bliss. Understandably. If you've been fretting about whether this kind of fun would ever return, here's your answer. Another ball pit is on its way around the country. After originally being slated for summer — and Melbourne getting first dibs — the party is coming to Sydney in May. Like The Beach, it'll be a behemoth, made up of one million balls. Rather than filling up just a single space, they'll be arranged across several, creating a kind of playground. There'll also be an on-site cocktail bar, to let you rest and refuel in between dips and dives. The ball pit will pop up in Bondi Junction on the weekend of May 18–20, and will be open from 5pm–1am on Friday, 11am–1am on Saturday and 11am–7pm on Sunday. Entry will be via ticket — $35 each, or $68 with a bottomless brunch thrown in — which will entitle you to two hours of playtime. Sessions are likely to sell out pretty quickly, so buy them in advance.
Get your Hunter Valley gourmet experiences and fine wines with Sydney Harbour views this autumn. Hunter by the Harbour is on its way to Cockle Bay. So, between Monday, October 12, and Sunday, November 8, you're invited to a stack of scrumptious dinners, special wine menus, beer invasions and masterclasses. If you're a newbie to the often intimidating world of wine tasting, book a spot at Blackbird Cafe's Wine 101 with Tulloch Wines, scheduled every Thursday throughout the month. If you want to know more about how and why wine creation happens (and have a feast while you're at it), head to one of the wine maker's dinners, like this four-course degustation with McWilliams at Baia the Italian, this repast with Michael Partridge of Petersons Champagne House at Cafe Del Mar or this shiraz-powered seafood and meat extravaganza with Di Iuliis at I'm Angus Steakhouse. Meanwhile, numerous Cockle Bay bars and restaurants, including Adria and Nick's Cafe & Bar, will be adding Hunter Valley wines to their menus. And, at Pontoon, Murray's Craft Brewing Co. is planning on taking over the taps all month.
The Hunter Valley's music and wine festival Grapevine Gathering is gearing up to finally return to the vineyards of Pokolbin's Roche Estate in 2022 after several postponements and cancellations over the last two years. The festival pairs the very best drops with a vibrant music lineup full of local talent. British indie-rockers The Kooks who are currently touring their beloved 2006 debut album Inside In / Inside Out lead the lineup alongside party-starters Peking Duk and 'Untouched' icons The Veronicas. They'll be joined on the winery stage by Ball Park Music, Jack River, Confidence Man, The Rions, Alice Skye, Nyxen and Becca Hatch. It's going to be a big day of tunes, folks. Aussie sketch comedians and Instagram celebrities The Inspired Unemployed are taking on hosting tunes to keep you entertained between acts. In addition to the tunes, punters will have access to an array of first-rate food options and a heap of wines, of course. Plus, as a special treat for NSW festivalgoers, the festival has teamed up with KFC to give away free fried chicken for you to enjoy between sets. That's right, there will be live music, plenty of wine and free KFC, all in the same place. What more could you want? To help make commuting to-and-from Pokolbin a little easier, the festival has organised return buses from Haymarket, Penrith, Newcastle, Gosford, Maitland and Cessnock. You'll just need to add a (slightly pricey) bus pass to your ticket.
As any Sydney seafood aficionado should know by now, The Morrison has a constant focus on the not-so-humble oyster. But in August, when the month-long Oyster Festival takes over, that focus turns into an overwhelming obsession. From Wednesday, August 1 through to Friday, August 31, the Sydney bar will become a shucking shrine to the freshest oysters around, which will be delivered daily. One of the major drawcards is Oyster Hour. Between 6pm and 7pm every single day, you'll be able to eat as many oysters as you can handle at just $1 a pop. Throughout the month, Head Chef Sean Connolly will be conjuring up his favourite oyster dishes, from fried oyster tacos, chowder and fries and the carpet bag steak (an eye fillet stuffed with oysters and wrapped in prosciutto). Plus, there'll be special bevs — like oyster shooters, paired cocktails and Champagne (of course) — as well as masterclasses aplenty for those really looking to further their oyster knowledge. This year, there'll also be a specially brewed Young Henrys oyster stout — which is, yes, actually brewed with oysters. Called Captain Barnacles, the beer boasts salty and chocolatey flavours (fittingly) and can be sample throughout the month — and at the beer and oyster masterclass on Tuesday, August 14. What's the ideal number of times to chew an oyster? Brush up on your knowledge of the mollusc with our Bluffer's Guide to Oysters.
Pairing wine with food has been done near to death. Sure, grilled snapper does taste that bit nicer with a glass of Chardonnay, but more and more Australian kitchens have been offering up beer pairings with fine food — and we're all for the alternative. Good Food Month is right onto this and, in collaboration with Beer The Beautiful Truth, has enlisted Bar Ume executive chef Kerby Craig — the guy serving up prawn katsu burgers in Surry Hills — and Lion craft beer sommelier Paul Daley to curate a decadent four-course lunch as part of this year's festivities. Each dish will be expertly paired with a different beer, with mouthfeel, aroma and, of course, flavour in mind. The catch? It's a blind tasting. Each dish will be served with a beer in a non-descript glass to let your senses guide you through the courses. The bottle will only be revealed at the end of each course. Craig's menu for the day will be inspired by contemporary Japanese cuisine but journeys across a vast spectrum of flavours. "I've created food the way I'd want to eat if I was a customer in that setting," he says. This is not just another excuse for a brew. Craig and Daley highlight that beer is not only for enjoying with pub grub, and that beers fall into brand bias. "We'll often dismiss a brand of beer because it's what our father would drink — but when paired with food, you can see a different side of it," says Daley. We all know lager tastes great with a schnitty, but New Zealand salmon sashimi paired with an Asian dry lager might just be one of the best marriages you'll experience. Here's a look at the menu Craig and Daley will be serving up on Friday, October 13 at Good Food Month's 2017 hub Hyde Park Palms. FIRST COURSE: KING SALMON SASHIMI WITH NORI PUREE, CUCUMBER, WASABI AND TAMARI SOY SAUCE Craig's first meal is a sashimi dish with fresh-from-NZ king salmon. "This type of salmon is only 2 percent similar to other salmon species around the world," says Craig. "It's delicious, oily and fatty. Not the greasy kind, but that tasty, refreshing fat." Building on the concept of salmon sushi, there will also be a seaweed puree underneath the sashimi, with the refreshing addition of cucumber, wasabi, lime and tamari. Tamari is a by-product of the miso fermentation process and results in a darker, thicker sauce to the soy sauce we're familiar with. Due to the fermentation process of miso, it takes a minimum of 18 months to produce. It's known as the most traditional of soy sauces in Japan — traditionally the 'correct' sauce for sashimi. Beer pairing: Because sashimi is a light and fresh dish, Daley has paired it with a crisp, dry Asian lager. "It plays on the simplicity of the dish, and it's the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the of the meal," he says. This beer has less body and is reminiscent of sake, both of which are produced in very similar methods. It's also Daley's favourite pairing; it challenges the perception of beer only being suitable for pub food. SECOND COURSE: CHARCOAL-GRILLED EGGPLANT AND SMOKED LAMB NECK WITH KATSUOBUSHI "For me, combining beer and umami is a good thing," says Craig. On his many travels to Japan he's developed a strong appreciation for the savoury, which is highlighted in this course. Eggplant is a summer food (keeping in mind that Japanese summer is more like Australian spring), so now is the best time of the year to bring out these flavours. It's charcoal-grilled but aided in flavour by cured Hokkaido lamb shoulder. Lamb is not huge in Japan and it's produced solely in Hokkaido. Cured lamb is similar to a ham, so there's a smoky, saltier taste and the flavour may throw you off slightly. On top, katsuobushi is sprinkled, a commonly eaten seasoning of shaved, dried bonito. Beer pairing: A golden ale has been chosen to underline this dish. It'll be a bit on the sweet side with caramel malts. "You get a lovely, sweet, toffee flavour, which is complemented by fruity, apricot character from the Amarillo hops," says Daley. The lamb will be saltier than generally expected, due to the curing process, and this will be emphasised by the beer's bold, caramel hops. There will also be a pilsner introduced halfway through this dish, to show a stark contrast between the two beers. THIRD COURSE: ANGUS FLANK WITH SHISO VERDE, WAGYU-FAT POTATOES, SHIO KOMBU AND A SIDE OF TOMATO SALAD WITH SHISO OIL You'll indulge in a juicy, roast Angus flank covered in shiso verde, a green sauce taking inspiration from Argentina's chimichurri, or salsa verde. "Our take on the salsa verde is going to make it a really floral-tasting steak," says Craig. "And on the side there will be a tomato salad with lots of nice umami notes in there." There'll also be sprinklings of shio kombu — kelp dried in soy sauce — to provide that extra flavour hit. Beer pairing: There's an American pale ale involved here. "This beer's hoppy character will bring out interesting herbaceous notes in the steak, and that extra bitterness will cut through the fat in this meal," Daley says. The slight caramel notes in the APA will go well with the Angus. FOURTH COURSE: DESSERT Craig hasn't revealed the dessert, however, it will be paired with a dark ale. "I couldn't go past the dark beer with the dessert. It's probably the most inspiring part of the meal for me." Bar Ume's Love Beer, Have Taste event will take place at Good Food Month's Hyde Park Palms hub at noon on Friday, October 13. Ticket are $70 for four courses paired with brews. For more info or to book tickets, go here.
For one night only, Raising the Bar brings the classroom to the bar to encourage people to unlearn the old and to explore ideas consolidated by new research. In 10 bars across Sydney, 20 academics from the University of Sydney will delve into topics as diverse as body clocks, gambling, refugees, Taylor Swift and the Mediterranean diet. The hugely-popular pub talks are held yearly in New York, Hong Kong, London and, for the third year running, Sydney. Raising the Bar was initiated by scholars from Columbia and New York Universities with the underlying aim of introducing newly discovered research to the public, in a non-academic environment. Topics this year include a discussion on the usefulness of FitBits, a plunge into the link between Internet memes and US politics, and an exploration of the possibilities of using robots to help us deal with social and environmental change. Check the website to book your free ticket and further info on all talks. But get in soon — these talks will fill up super fast.
