A favourite among Sydneysiders for its top-notch gyoza and free karaoke, Goros is turning pink for six weeks to celebrate Sakura season. As part of the Sakura Festival, pink sushi, pink burgers and pink mochi desserts will be on offer, plus Goros' signature bubble tea cocktails will be turning pink. The festival of pink has taken over the bar until Saturday, May 7 and includes a whole heap of activities and antics to accompany the brightly coloured eats and drinks. Goros dance floor will take centre stage with a heap of DJs popping up at the bar over six weeks. There are also plenty of cherry blossom-themed installations and decorations that set the vibe and create ample photo opportunities. Entry is free, but to ensure you get a spot, you can book online. Make sure to nab a karaoke room while you're there for the full Goros experience.
Another week, another chance to fill it with as much fun as possible. Thankfully, Sydney is a place that knows how to deliver. Art shows on a Monday, live music on a Thursday, festivals on a weekend — that's just life in this busy city of ours. No day is ever the same, and no span of seven days either. Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way. Too much to do, too little time? If that's how you're feeling, don't worry, we've got you covered. To help you get the most out of every moment across this particular week, we've teamed up with Australian Red Cross and Uber to cast our eyes over the best events happening around town from Monday to Sunday. The result is a jam-packed agenda that not only takes care of your free time but makes sure you're having a mighty fine time while you're at it, too. If you need a ride to or from your destination, Uber can obviously assist — but the ride-sharing service and Australian Red Cross also have your Sunday sorted. That's when they're holding their annual Uber x Red Cross clothing drive, and will even send a driver to your house to pick up your unwanted threads. As well as helping clear out your wardrobe and helping those in need, it's the perfect way to cap off your busy week. Spend Monday to Saturday at markets, bars and galleries, then chill at home, donate to a good cause without leaving the house, and make a date with your couch.
Executive pastry chef Anna Polyviou is spreading the Christmas spirit this year. She's creating an extravagant, four-metre long gingerbread train at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney. Gingerbread baking has a serious rep. In fact, in the 17th century only professional gingerbread bakers were allowed to bake it, the only exceptions being at Christmas and Easter. Although no such restrictions persist, some things are still better left to the experts — like Polyviou's ambitious creation. The giant train combines 1000 kilos of gingerbread bricks, 500 kilos of lollies, 200 kilos of fondant, 200 lollipops and untold quantities of icing. It gives sugar high a whole new meaning. And the festivities don't stop there. A festive high tea is taking place throughout December, too. Also designed by Polyviou, the menu features Christmas trifle, festive scones, choux, turkey sandwiches and eggnog pipettes. You can make your own gingerbread, too, when Polyiviou hosts two gingerbread-men making classes on Saturday, December 2 and December 16, between 11.30 am and 3.00 p.m (to partake in the class, you'll need to be booked into the morning high tea on that day). If your sweet tooth still isn't satisfied — or you're looking for sugary Christmas presents — head to the pop-up store selling Christmas puddings, mince tarts, lolly jars and, of course, gingerbread. The gingerbread train and pop-up store are open daily from 7am; the festive high tea is available daily from 12pm–2.30pm and 3pm–5.30pm, you can make a reservation for the high tea here or call (02) 9250 6295.
It's that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — all thanks to Westpac OpenAir. Film lovers can see Sofia Coppola's Priscilla open the outdoor picture palace's big summer return, plus Ferrari, Next Goal Wins and Poor Things on the rest of the lineup. They all have company, whether you're keen to see the Sydney premiere of The Dry sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2 or can't wait for the new Mean Girls musical — or just think that Saltburn would look spectacular in the venue's surroundings. Running from Wednesday, January 10—Tuesday, February 20, Westpac OpenAir will also show May December, which stars Natalie Portman- (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper); scandal-fuelled comedy Wicked Little Letters, as led by The Lost Daughter costars Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking); and Nicolas Cage (Renfield) in Dream Scenario, where the inimitable actor plays an ordinary man who starts haunting the world's slumbers. Or, you can look forward to theatre and the screen combining via National Theatre Live: Dear England, featuring Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) — plus sublime Japan-set Oscar contender Perfect Days from iconic German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). Other highlights span wrestling drama The Iron Claw, with Zac Efron (The Greatest Beer Run Ever), Jeremy Allen White (Fingernails) and Harris Dickinson (A Murder at the End of the World) leading the cast; Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (His Dark Materials) getting swooning in All of Us Strangers; the new version of The Color Purple; the George Clooney-directed The Boys in the Boat; and war veteran tale The Great Escaper, which could be Michael Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance. [caption id="attachment_927997" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St. George OpenAir Cinema 2015, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 07.01.2015[/caption] Or, there's Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) both starring in and directing Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, Ridley Scott (House of Gucci) reteaming with Joaquin Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) for Napoleon, and Paul Giamatti (Billions)-led and Alexander Payne (Downsizing)-helmed comedy The Holdovers. The list goes on, complete with the already-released Past Lives, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Dumb Money and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One also set to screen. Among the classic picks, Amélie, Pretty Woman and The Notebook will also score a whirl. No matter the choice of film, it'll look and sound fantastic, the screen is raised three stories high above the water with a sharp 4k projection and immersive Dolby digital surround sound to ensure all 1650 guests get the full experience. Westpac OpenAir is also more than just a cinema, the full experience is one of drinks, dinner and DJs by the harbour before the films even commence. Attendees can nab a bite at the fully serviced restaurant Summer House Dining or pick from the extensive a la carte menu at Chandon Garden and a diverse-yet-casual experience at Mike & Friends at The Point. As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 11. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale, for instance — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac OpenAir 2024 runs from Wednesday, January 10 to Tuesday, February 20 2024. Doors open from 6pm and films start at 8.30pm nightly. For more information or to get your tickets, visit the website. Images: Fiora Sacco, Andrew Maccoll and Chris Grundy.
At the end of each year, the Australian Ballet rests its commitment to the groundbreaking and the contemporary, and visits the comforts of festive fantasy. Even for a devotee of the abstract in dance such as myself, by December I ache to be lost in snow falling from the glittering heavens of the Sydney Opera House ceiling. This year's choice for an end of year spectacular is The Sleeping Beauty, and it couldn't be more perfect for the season.Choreographed in 2005 by Stanton Welch after the original 1890 work of Marius Pepita, this production of The Sleeping Beauty is as enchanting as one could hope. A narrative piece, this ballet involves fairies, spells, elves, trolls and at the heart of it all, a princess. A battle wages between the winter fairy Carabosse accompanied by her motley tribe of ne'er-do-wells and the Lilac Fairy with her magical sisters of the elements to bequeath the role of Herald of Spring on the newborn Princess Aurora. Hilarity does not ensue. On the occasion of Aurora's sixteenth birthday, Carabosse tempts the princess with the black rose whose thorns give the beauty her titular sleep. Until her true love manages to plant her a kiss, winter shall reign forevermore.Carabosse and her entourage of owls and elves almost steal the show, with her bubbling cauldron and stunning sequinned cape that serves to hide her true identity and sweep dramatically across the length of the stage, the audience gasping all the while. The dancer's icy splendour and powerful movements make it difficult to root for the reemergence of spring. Aurora, the sole dancer clothed in a tutu for the entire production, portrayed by delightful senior artist Amber Scott in the performance I saw, dances en pointe more often than not. High up on jaw-dropping tippy-toe, she rules the stage with her lithe grace even in sleep, occasionally shown up by the humorous palace cats, who roll and loll and preen, quietly scene stealing.The set and costumes, designed by the famed Kristian Fredrikson, are inspired by Thai and Bollywood cinema aesthetics, combined with elements of the noble Russian setting of the initial ballet. Colourful as Christmas wrapping paper, they sit well with the occasionally overwhelming power of the original Tchaikovsy score. A series of painted scrims are used to great effect, displaying simultaneous action. Confusingly, however, the 'good' fairies are clothed in muted tones that are sometimes hard to distinguish against the white of the 'wicked'. It's a small gripe in an otherwise magical production.The final ballet of 2009, The Sleeping Beauty marks a welcome end to a troubling year in history; for a few hours at least, one can believe in the phrase "happily ever after."
Turning Valentine's Day into a month-long celebration of love, Loftus Lane Cafe is hosting a whimsical Heart High Tea. Featuring swoon-worthy sweet and savoury delights across daily afternoon feasts, these get-togethers are themed around ferris wheels and carousels, making it a vibrant way to spoil your partner or your besties. Running until February 28, each feast offers a warm-hearted assortment of mini sandwiches, scones with cream, macarons, berry tartlets, sliders and more. Plus, this bright and bubbly cafe and bar is adorned with many thoughtful touches, from fresh flowers and custom Valentine decor to elegant French tableware. Starting from $69 per person (minimum two people required), the Loftus Lane High Tea runs for 90 minutes and includes a non-alcoholic beverage package. However, you're invited to step up to the Signature Cocktail High Tea ($85pp), which adds a refreshing drink, or the Boozy High Tea ($129pp), where unlimited house wine, spirits, tap beer and non-alc beverages pour free.
Queer party collective Heaps Gay and LGBTQIA+ community organisation Twenty10 are teaming up to throw an arts party and auction to raise money for trans and gender-diverse young people on Friday, May 5. In the lead-up to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia on May 17, Totes Gay will take over 107 Projects in Redfern for a night of fundraising and performance. The idea is simple. 42 one-of-a-kind tote bags have been created by a host of the country's most beloved queer creatives. Some of the names that are transforming humble tote bags into works of art include The Veronicas, Courtney Act, MAY-A, The Huxleys, Betty Grumble, Dylan Mooney and Crap Design. The totes will be auctioned off online from 6pm on May 5, with final bids being placed by 5pm the following Friday, May 12. To kick things off, all of the bags will be on display at 107 Projects on the opening night of the auction, and a lineup of musicians and performers will be taking to the stage for a free night of entertainment. Catch Stereogamous on the DJ decks, Jamaica Moana with their braggadocious brand of hip hop and performance artist (and featured tote designer), Betty Grumble alongside Marlena Dali, Lady Fur and Dyan Tai on the night's music and performance lineup. The night will kick off at 6pm and run until 10pm. Entry is free, but donations to Twenty10 are encouraged. And, if you can't make it, you can still bid on a tote via GalaBid. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Heaps Gay (@heapsgay)
Looking for something meaningful to do on January 26? You can head to Sydney University, where Indigenous-run social advocacy group We Are Warriors is once again bringing together a lineup of First Nations musicians, dancers, filmmakers and artists from across the country for a day dubbed Blak Powerhouse. The goal? To empower First Nations youth, share their art and push for action. Now entering its fourth year running, Blak Powerhouse returns to Manning House on the Sydney University campus for a free night of Blak pride and joy through live music and DJs, dance, panel discussions, weaving workshops, interactive art installations, market stalls and short film showcases. [caption id="attachment_1066365" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nikhil Ninan[/caption] From 6pm, the event will open with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country from Aunty Nadeena Dixon and a dance performance from We Are Warriors founder, Nooky. Then come performances from Rapper Ziggy Ramo, R&B Soul vocalist Mi-Kaisha, hip hop rap duo Birdz & Fred Leone, rapper BARKAA and First Nations supergroup 3%. Elsewhere, panel discussions led by First Nations creatives Aretha Brown, Rudi Bremer, Travis De Vries and the We Are Warriors team will lead discussions of cultural practice, connection and power. For some keepsakes from the event, you can browse the market stalls all night, but you'll also find some potential new ink at Aretha Brown's Tattoo Parlour or a family portrait by WAW. You can try your hand at weaving in a workshop led by Aunty Dixon from 7pm, enjoy a short film showcase presented by We Are Warriors and Powerhouse, and get a feed from the food trucks on site. We Are Warriors was launched on January 26 in 2022 as an organisation dedicated to celebrating Blak excellence and fostering the next generation of First Nations creatives. In its first year, it delivered a feature presentation at Semi Permanent and launched WAW Fest as part of Vivid Sydney, before hosting the first Blak Powerhouse in 2023. We Are Warriors founder Corey Webster (aka Nooky) said, "Blak Powerhouse continues to be shaped by community, led by First Nations voices and grounded in deep cultural practice. We are honoured to partner with We Are Warriors to present this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind event to celebrate First Nations culture in Sydney on January 26." Blak Powerhouse will run at Murray House from 6 to 11pm on Monday, January 26. For more information or to book a ticket, visit the website. Top image: Nikhil Ninan
Bondi Festival is back bigger than ever for 2025, and it's set to heat up the beachside 'hood between Friday, July 4–Sunday, July 20. On the bill you'll find a jam-packed lineup of comedy, theatre, live music, art installations and interactive experiences, alongside beloved mainstays like the beachside ice-skating rink and the 25-metre-high Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel. Plus, a brand-new food market will showcase delicious local eats in Bondi Park every Saturday throughout the festival. On the music front, you'll be able to catch a powerful NAIDOC week performance starring soulful Sydney songstress Mi-Kaisha and 2024 triple j Unearthed winner RIAH, while four-time ARIA award-winner Meg Washington will bring her magnetic voice to Bondi Pavilion Theatre for a Friday night special on July 18. There's also an eclectic spread of stage acts, from the debut of the Bondi Festival Comedy Gala — which takes place across two nights at Bondi Pavilion Theatre — to the experimental three-night production POV by re:group, a mash-up of stage and screen in which a film is made on stage. Meanwhile, award-winning comedian and disability advocate Madeleine Stewart will make her debut at Bondi Festival this year as the host of Bondi From the Barber's Chair, an interview series spotlighting prominent neighbourhood personalities in barbershop Badlambs. Among the returning favourites is the Pavilion Paw Parade — an activity-packed, family-friendly day out for doggos and their humans — and Gladdy Drawing Club's inclusive life drawing sessions. Of course, no Bondi Festival is complete without the Bondi ice-skating rink and the 25-metre-high Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel, which will both be back this year. And over three massive Saturdays, the all-new Blue Sky Markets will fill Bondi Park with food stalls from some of the Eastern Suburbs' favourite restaurants.
Sydney hospitality giant Merivale announced its expansion into regional Victoria last May with the news it had purchased the historic Lorne Hotel. Since then, the group has stayed hush on its exact plans for the coastal site — until now. It's just been confirmed the Great Ocean Road pub will play host to a fifth outpost of Merivale's much-loved Italian eatery Totti's, slated to open this coming February. Launching as the group's first Victorian opening, the restaurant will be helmed by Merivale Executive Chef (and Totti's creator) Mike Eggert, along with Lorne Hotel Executive Chef and Surf Coast local Matt Germanchis. It'll take over the Ground Floor space formerly home to MoVida Lorne, where Germanchis was most recently on the pans. [caption id="attachment_879250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] The venue's set to plate up a faithful interpretation of the Italian fare that's earned Totti's its cult status up north, though with a few twists and new creations courtesy of the local chef. Familiar favourites will be in strong supply, from the puffy wood-fired bread to the fresh house pasta; while the hotel's location will guide the menu's expansive seafood offering, showing off plenty of locally sourced ocean-fresh inclusions. Similarly, the drinks list is set to zero in on Victorian winemakers and producers, across a broad-ranging lineup of drops for all tastes. [caption id="attachment_879252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Germanchis, by Hugh Davidson[/caption] As for the vibe, it'll also embrace the restaurant's coastal setting, the space just as well suited to long weekend lunches, as to thirsty walk-ins strolling fresh off the beach. And you can expect foreshore views from every seat in the house. Totti's has proved a winning concept in Sydney since the opening of its OG Bondi outpost. The stable has expanded to include venues in Rozelle, the Sydney CBD and, as of August, Allianz Stadium, where Merivale has taken over the entire food and drink offering. [caption id="attachment_879230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hugh Davidson[/caption] [caption id="attachment_879251" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_702662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Totti's Sydney, by Nikki To[/caption] Find Totti's Lorne at 176 Mountjoy Pde, Great Ocean Rd, Lorne, from February, 2023. We'll share more details as they drop. Top Image: Steve Woodburn
If dance floors around Sydney weren't already in full swing following last month's rolling back of restrictions, they're about to be, thanks to a free dance party that'll run for a full 24 hours across 11 Sydney venues. The aptly named 24 Hour Party will feature more than 80 artists across 17 stages, kicking off at 8am on Saturday, May 15 and continuing until the same time on Sunday, May 16. The 11 venues in question span from Newtown to Kings Cross and Parramatta, including: Kings Cross Hotel, Goros, The Golden Sheaf, The Albion, Barangaroo House, Public House Petersham, The Erko, The Clock, The Marly, The Bank and The Sackville. Each venue will have a unique lineup featuring some of Sydney's and the country's best live performers and DJs and, as entry is free at each venue, you'll have the option to park yourself in front of one stage or head out on a bar crawl to catch the action at multiple venues. The Bank, The Erko and The Marly are set up particularly well for the latter. 24 Hour Party is the brainchild of hospitality group Solotel, which has enlisted the help of party collectives and cultural powerhouses Heaps Gay, FBi Radio, Motorik, Picnic and Fruit Bowl to craft a program overflowing with local talent and dance floor-ready tunes. Heading up the lineup: Triple J House Party presenter KLP, former The Jezebels lead singer Hayley Mary, Charli XCX collaborator Banoffee and Wollongong bedroom-pop producer Stevan. Some big names will also be taking to the DJ decks across the 24-hour period including Dena Amy, Claire Morgan, Jennifer Loveless, Mickey Kojak and Ben Fester. "People want to party," said Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon. "Similarly, the excitement among the music and entertainment industry to get back out doing what they do best is palpable." The set times will be announced closer to the date, but for now you can head to the 24 Hour Party website to see everyone that's playing. 24 HOUR PARTY LINEUP: Banoffee Ben Fester Clair Morgan Dena Amy Hayley Mary I Know Leopard Jennifer Loveless Kesmar KLP Lara Andallo Mickey Kojak The Regime Stevan Tim Ayre + more to be announced 24 Hour Party will take place across 11 Sydney venues from 8am Saturday, May 15. For further details, head to the festival's website.
Wild Life Sydney Zoo has just announced a new exhibit, devoted to the humble...bin chicken. Yes, the divisive long-beaked hero formally known as the Australian White Ibis is having its long-deserved moment in the spotlight, with the Darling Harbour zoo announcing that it's responded to intense customer demand and installed a 'state of the art' Bin Chicken display. With the timely launch of April 1. According to so-called 'Senior Bin Chicken Keeper' Emma Malik, the exhibit will be home to five birds — Wynston, Timothy and three unnamed females — with plans to even run "a unique bin chicken breeding program". The presser also lists favourites from the ibis' preferred diet, including crayfish, mussels, and of course, human scraps. Though we all know they're partial to basically anything you're eating, regardless of whether you're finished with it or not. Unfortunately, the April 1 announcement date means that an actual bin chicken exhibit is unlikely. But, we can promise you'll see your fair share of the majestic avian residents whenever you visit the zoo (or Hyde Park). Roaming free range, as always.
Heaps Decent are celebrating ten years of being just that, with a rare Sydney charity art auction that will have punters shivering in excitement rather than fear. Thirty-four of Australia's established and emerging artists — from typographers to street artists and mural makers — are offering up limited edition works to be sold under the happiest hammer in town at I He(art) Heaps Decent. So pick up a paddle and head down to Surry Hills' Special Group Studios on September 27 to bid on visual treasures by the likes of Amok Island, Daniel Boyd, Gemma O'Brien, and more. Entry is free, but you'll have to RSVP via hey@heapsdecent.com.au. Founded in 2007 by muso legends Diplo, Nina Las Vegas and DJ Levins, the Heaps Decent culture warriors have traversed the country providing art and music workshops to youth in disadvantaged and marginalised communities. All funds raised from the auction will go towards delivering the organisation's upcoming projects. Let's put it this way: it's work worth throwing your pennies at. And if you end up going home with a unique piece of Aussie art, there's not much you can't he(art) about that.
While most of us were urged to "stay home" by our Prime Minister (and have done so by kicking back on the couch and doing puzzles), Australia's healthcare workers were called to the frontline of COVID-19 — and have been working nonstop since. We all can't wait for our next holiday, but those in our hospitals probably need the biggest break of all. Helping out in a small way is Aussie startup Unyoked, which is offering 100 free getaways to Royal Prince Alfred ICU workers and has launched the Prescription to the Wilderness gifting initiative. The latter lets you buy a friend, family member or neighbour working on the frontline a stay at one of its off-grid cabins — once travel restrictions are lifted, of course — at a 20-percent discount. You just need to add in their place of work at checkout. The idea came about when Unyoked founders Cam and Chris Grant got off the phone with their mate Dr Jack Purcell at the RPA, knowing that, right now, our emergency services and hospital workers are working round the clock in very tense environments. So, once the crisis is over — or at least dialled down — they'll need a (very) well-deserved break. The discounted stays start at $178.4 for one night or $356.8 for two and can be used for any of Unyoked's 13 cabins across NSW, Vic and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. Unyoked's ethos is to connect back with nature to help unplug, alleviate stress and anxiety, which is something we're guessing many health workers are in need of right now. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city. The off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape, too. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. So, even if you're not working in on the frontline, you may want to consider booking yourself a remedial weekend away once allowed. Unyoked cabins are located across NSW, Vic and Queensland. While you shouldn't book just yet, you can check them out here.
Summer in Sydney is always welcome, this year more so than ever. Back are the long days, the beach escapes and the long-awaited gatherings with friends. With so much to enjoy, you may not always have time to plan ahead but, with help from our friends at Jacob's Creek, we've put together the definitive list of restaurants and bars to head to for last-minute catch-ups. Think of it as the plan for when you don't have a plan. [caption id="attachment_671515" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida[/caption] THE WINERY, SURRY HILLS Gather your posse for a get-together at The Winery, the always buzzing bar in Surry Hills. The verdant outdoor garden space is the perfect place to be on a summer's afternoon, with the light filtering through the trees making your beautiful people even more so and the days seem endless. All the catching up and people watching is tough work, so you'll soon need to venture to the bar (or send an obliging pal for you). Light and fresh, Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé is the ideal accompaniment for such a gathering. [caption id="attachment_717351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Karina Lee[/caption] COOGEE BAY HOTEL, COOGEE Like gin and tonic, Sydney summers and beach days are made to be together. After a day in the surf at Coogee Beach, head over the road to Coogee Bay Hotel for an impromptu session with your pals and the taste of salt still on your lips. In keeping with its beachside location, the atmosphere is languid here; the most important decision you'll need to make is what drink to start with. One that's done, settle into the garden for the best view of the beach as the sun goes down. [caption id="attachment_688657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Enzo Amato[/caption] SEAN'S PANAROMA, NORTH BONDI Chances are you and your friends will find yourselves at Sydney's most iconic beach this summer. Why not take advantage of the location and head to Sean's Panaroma? While many other restaurants have come and gone, Sean's has remained steadfast, welcoming diners through its doors since 1993. There's a clear recipe for success here: chef Sean Moran's passion for produce teamed with an unpretentious neighbourhood charm. The roast chicken is the stuff of legend. Adding to the appeal, Sean's is also BYO so bring along a chilled bottle (or two) of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Pinot Gris to share with the table. [caption id="attachment_780365" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] SLIMS ROOFTOP, DARLINGHURST Where do you head with your mates when you want a drink with a view but don't have a plan? Slims Rooftop, with its mix of enviable city views and greenery is the perfect choice. The bar sits atop Darlinghurst's Hyde Park House and it makes the most of its aerial location with an eye over Hyde Park and the high rises beyond. Gather under one of the bright umbrellas splashed across the verandah and order a round as you drink in the westerly sun. SOCAL, NEUTRAL BAY An unexpected touch of California in the lower north shore, SoCal is an ideal spot to drop into for a last-minute summer soiree. With its beachside vibes, marked by a coastal colour palette, lush greenery and washed timber, this rooftop bar is not the kind of place you expect to find in suburban Neutral Bay. Like the venue, the food is relaxed. It's also designed to be shared — think tacos, quesadillas and slow-barbecued meats, made in the on-site smokehouse. Find yourself there for weekday happy hour and you'll be seriously tempted by the frozen slushy cocktails ($12). BERT'S, NEWPORT If you and your crew are in the mood for some off-the-cuff fanciness, then Bert's is the place to be. It takes minimal planning to have a great time here because most of the details have already been taken care of. Set inside Merivale's Newport behemoth, the brasserie is all class, with its panoramic windows, sun-drenched central bar and impeccable detailing all working together to create a palatial hotel feel. It would be almost criminal not to order from the oyster bar to start, with a glass of bubbles to match. After that, let the unhurried atmosphere wash over you as you settle in for the afternoon. THREE BLUE DUCKS, ROSEBERY You'll smell it before you see it: the spit roast cooking in the garden of Three Blue Ducks' Rosebery outpost. It's all the excuse you need to get some friends together and join the crowds for a long lunch. Beyond the barbecue, vegetables are celebrated in all their glory. Roasted until charred, piled into vibrant salads or whipped into dips, they're the perfect accompaniment or main event. Among all the eating, your group is sure to work up a thirst. SCOTCH AND CO, BARANGAROO It's a familiar scenario: you get together with friends for a catch-up and realise you're all so hungry you could eat a doorframe. Scotch and Co is on hand to help. This classy steakhouse, located at the bottom of the International Towers in Barangaroo, has extensive views over the harbour. Seafood makes a strong play on the menu, including fresh rock lobster, which will pair excellently with Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay. But don't skip the steak. While some of the wagyu prices may make your eyes water, the result is mouth-watering enough to help you forget. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: The Winery by Letícia Almeida Please drink responsibly.
Back in June, Great Southern Nights promised to bring 1000 gigs to the greater Sydney and regional NSW regions this November. Now, it has delivered, unveiling hundreds of gigs across over 300 venues all taking place next month. More than 2500 artists will take the stage across Sydney and in regional hubs including Wollongong, Newcastle, Albury, and Bowral this November in a much-needed leg-up for the NSW live music, hospitality, and tourism industries. Some highlights you'll be able to catch around Sydney include Jimmy Barnes performing at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill with his daughter Mahalia Barnes, Amy Shark performing a stripped back solo set at Leichhardt's Crowbar, Alex the Astronaut's intimate shows at Marrickville's LazyBones Lounge, and teenage heartthrob Ruel taking to the MCA rooftop in Circular Quay. Regional NSW will be treated to Missy Higgins, Matt Corby, Kasey Chambers, and The Jezabels' Hayley Mary in venues that stretch from Brunswick Picture House to the Albury Entertainment Centre. The Great Southern Nights website even provides a road trip feature that allows you to see which parts of regional NSW have been blessed with gigs. So, if you've been looking for an excuse to get out of Sydney for the weekend, what better reason than catching Sneaky Sound System at the Lake George Winery. [caption id="attachment_750114" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MCA rooftop by Jacqui Manning[/caption] "NSW will come alive with great Australian music in November," NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said in a statement, while affirming how important this initiative is to everyone involved in the music and hospitality industries. A survey conducted by the Australian Live Music Business Council in August spotlighted the worrying state of our live music industry, with nearly 70 percent of Australian live music venues saying that would not survive the next six months without government support. Great Southern Nights is the initiative of several NSW organisations including Destination NSW, ARIA and the Australian Council for the Arts. ARIA Chairman Denis Handlin summed up the excitement around the return of gigs, saying, "music fans will once again have the opportunity to experience those spine-tingling moments that the power of artists and live music provides." Tickets are already on sale for the gigs, so if you're keen to get out there and enjoy some live music, head on over to the Great Southern Nights website. The gigs will kick off from Thursday, November 5. You can find them and buy tickets through the Great Southern Nights gig guide. Top image: Destination NSW
Australia's best aperitivo hour, Delfino Aperitivo, is getting into the festive spirit for its last session of 2019. On Sunday, December 22 from 5–8pm, The Dolphin's Wine Room is serving up $5–7 festive drinks and tasty snacks from Head Chef Tom Deadman. And, to help with all of your last-minute Christmas shopping, the sparkly bar is transforming into a bottle shop for the afternoon, too. It'll be selling an extensive range of rare bottles and "rare Xmas bangers" chosen by Head Sommelier Marie-Sophie Canto and Wine Director James Hird, as well as bottled cocktails from award-winning bartender Matt Whiley. Even if you've finished your shopping, we think picking up a few more tasty drops for upcoming public holidays, NYE and summery picnics is a smart move. Now in its third year, Delfino Aperitivo is known for bringing together some of the country's most exciting chefs, sommeliers, winemakers and booze-shakers to cook and pour tasty snacks and drinks all between $5–7. This year has seen the likes of Belles Hot Chicken's Morgan McGlone, the team from Melbourne's Leonardo's Pizza Palace and the Restaurant Hubert crew descend on the Surry Hills bar for the afternoon. We can't wait to see 2020's lineup. Miracle on Crown St #1 runs from 5–8pm.
Another week, another Gelato Messina special. That's been the dessert chain's contribution to making lockdown a little more bearable over the past 18 months, and it isn't changing that tactic now. So, if you're under stay-at-home conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, you now have another decadent sweet treat to look forward to. For folks in southeast Queensland, you've got an excuse to eat dessert even now that the region's latest lockdown is over. On the menu this time: the return of the brand's sticky brioche snails, complete with plenty of caramel. Basically, it's Messina's interpretation of a Cinnabon-style scroll, and it's another limited release. It also comes paired with a tub of cheesecake gelato — because Messina always likes to team up its baked goods with the frosty dessert it's known for, obviously Wondering what exactly Messina's latest sticky snail entails? It comes stuffed with caramel custard and choc chips, and covered in malt caramel — and the latter is oh-so-gooey. As for the accompanying tub, it's filled with layers of vanilla custard gelato and cheesecake mousse, and then topped with cheesecake crumble. Dubbed a 'lockdown snack pack', this special can only be ordered online on Monday, August 16. It will set you back $69 for both the snail and the tub of gelato — and, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is 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). The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to pick up your order. They'll be available for collection between Friday, August 20–Sunday, August 22. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your pie — with a ten-kilometre limit in place for picking up food in most lockdown areas, and a five-kilometre limit in place in Local Government Areas of concern. Melburnians, if lockdown is extended again until then, you'll also only be permitted to travel within a five-kilometre radius to pick up food. Then, after you've got the sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila! You can preorder a Messina lockdown snack pack from Monday, August 16, to pick up from Friday, August 20–Sunday, August 22.
If you're a fan of Michael Mu Sung and his work with Potts Point icons, Farmhouse and Jeremy & Sons, get very, very excited. He's adding a new restaurant to the collection: a slick 20-seater ramen bar called Bones Ramen. You'll find this one across the road from Farmhouse, decked out in red brick, ocean blue tiles and parquet wood floors courtesy of design firm, Guru Projects. Ten of the seats will be overlooking the ramen action in the kitchen, and the other ten will be outside, ready for any density limit shenanigans. "Bones is our chance to serve something that we love and in our own style. The ramen dishes themselves are high-quality, something we felt was missing from the Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point dining precinct," explains Mu Sung. And the ramen? It's a tight, spicy menu, stuffed with seasonal ingredients and headed up by Jacob Riwaka — whose previous culinary experience spans years at Newtown favourite Rising Sun and Cornersmith restaurants. So let's talk food. Bones will start with four specialty ramen bowls, including a pork broth with chashu, soy egg, watercress and menma, chicken paitan with whole chicken chashu and shallots, a seafood bowl with scallops, ebi shinjo and nori, and a veggo ramen with Jerusalem artichoke and celeriac chashu, punched up with shiitake and oyster mushrooms. There's a little something for everyone. You can also top things off with lacto-fermented nuka pickles, or maybe a smoked chilli and egg yolk potato salad. "Unique to Bones will be our in-house production, barrelling and storage of taré, which is the soy seasoning for the broths. Controlling this from the restaurant means we're able to ensure continuity across our bowls at the highest possible standard," Riwaka says. In terms of nearby competition, Bones should have the strip pretty much covered. Mu Sung will be the only one slinging a dedicated ramen menu every night, backed up by Aussie craft beers like Sailor's Grave, Retches and Yulli's. So plonk yourself outside with a big bowl in the fading sunshine and prepare for meat sweats: this one's gonna be delicious. Bones Ramen can be found at Shop 4, 51 Bayswater Road, Potts Point. It's opening on Friday, January 21 from 12pm.
Among the beachside bars, boutique stores, surf shops and ice cream parlours of Bondi Beach, there's a moody new Japanese restaurant. Isabel is located in an intimate space with mahogany furniture, leather booths, yakitori and highballs served in chunky crystal glasses. Fronted by a group of Sydney hospitality elite — Geraint Coles and Mitchell Slattery of Panama House, Michael Riley of Milk Box Tuckshop and award-winning bartender Kate McGraw — Isabel takes inspiration from the izakayas of Japan. It's where you can go to enjoy tapas-like snacks with beautifully designed cocktails. The idea for an izakaya came from the space itself. The team had been searching for the perfect location for a long time — and when the Campbell Street spot popped up, they knew it was the place. "Our approach was 'what would you do with this space?' and the answer came straight away: a Japanese style bar," says McGraw. Like traditional izakayas, drinks are the focus at Isabel. "We are a beverage-focused venue, which dictated what we do across the board," explains McGraw. "We wanted to create a food menu that adds and encourages, rather than inhibits, what we are doing on the beverage side." On that food menu, you'll find traditional Japanese street food with contemporary Australian twists. Sydney rock oysters are topped with kelp ponzu, NSW wagyu beef is served with miso mustard and baby octopus is skewered and lathered in fermented capsicum. Speaking of skewered items, there's a whole heap of yakitori and kushiyaki on the menu, too, including teriyaki wings, tsukune (chicken meatballs) and miso eggplant. [caption id="attachment_736884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] Isabel also houses one of Australia's largest collections of whiskies and at least 40 different sakes. But, according to McGraw, it's the cocktail menu that will really bring the hordes. On it, you'll find five highballs, signature cocktails, non-alcoholic options and 'danger juice'. Made using ingredients such as burnt miso, toasted sesame, quandong and pickled cabbage, every cocktail is nearly a meal in itself. Go for the Blossom (with vodka, finger lime and coconut mirin) if you're after something light and refreshing or the Miso (with burnt miso, toasted sesame, quandong and Pierre Ferrand 1840) for something a little darker and heavier. While she recommends every drink on the beverage list, McGraw is particularly partial to the highballs: "They are so simple in there construction, but so complex when the sum of all the parts work in harmony. It makes it a beautiful thing to sip on." And what exactly is the house-made 'danger juice'? Essentially fruit wine. The team juiced and fermented around 50 kilos of seasonal fruit (such as nashi pears and persimmons), which proved a little lethal. "After a few glasses on the first test run, we knew it definitely needed to come with a warning," says McGraw. Find Isabel at 180–186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. It's open from Wednesday–Friday 4.30pm–midnight, Saturday 12pm–midnight and Sunday 12pm–10pm. Images: Kimberley Low
I heard Jonathan Boulet between the cabin crew's witty quips and Kate Miller-Heidke tunes on Virgin Blue the other day; he's definitely creeped into the mainstream since releasing his debut on taste-making Modular Records a few months ago. The album of electronic-tinged folk is full of exultant and uplifting tunes that recall the anthemic moments of Arcade Fire, all played and produced by the Hills District wunderkind. Boulet has received some serious respect thus far: Triple J feature album, great reviews and even a big up from Mr. West himself, Kanye, who posted a link to the clip for 'A Community Service Announcement' on his blog, with title "Please watch this it's fucking amazing". Better exposure than Virgin Blue airtime, I reckon. The other bonus for this free show is Sherlock's Daughter, the young Sydney band who are going great guns and are about to do Texas's South by Southwest, as well as a string of other U.S. shows. The band's sound is built on almost hypnotic, pulsing Krautrock-esque rhythms and chants, which explode into dynamic freak-outs. Take the chance to see both bands at the Beach Road Hotel while they still do shows for free. https://youtube.com/watch?v=LyU7udQhBr8
Is it possible to make a heist movie that's inspired by detective fiction but takes some cues from reality, including riffing on the director's own mother's experiences and her work as a filmmaker? Then, can such a flick become a charming crime caper that's effortlessly fresh and oh-so French, and yet also could've been made during both the French New Wave and American cinema's glorious 70s era? With his latest feature The Innocent, consider actor, writer and helmer Louis Garrel 100-percent guilty. Consider the film itself an utter delight, too. And, consider it gorgeously shot (by César-nominated Les Misérables cinematographer Julien Poupard), smartly penned (by Garrel, gumshoe novelist Tanguy Viel and Garrel's The Crusade co-screenwriter Naïla Guiguet) and winningly cast, with the latter including Little Women's Garrel himself opposite Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant, plus Roschdy Zem (Other People's Children) and Anouk Grinberg (The Night of the 12th). Actually, in his fourth stint as an actor-turned-filmmaker following 2015's Two Friends, 2018's A Faithful Man and 2021's The Crusade, Garrel hasn't just assembled a stellar core quartet of actors. In addition to that, he has them anchoring a movie that overtly explores the role of acting in everyday life. Sylvie Lefranc (Grinberg) is a theatre thespian and teacher, as initially observed showing imprisoned men the tricks of the board-treading trade. In her class is Michel Ferrand (Zem), who she swiftly marries — with Sylvie's thirtysomething son Abel in attendance but hardly approving, especially because this isn't her first set of jailhouse nuptials. He's worried about his mom and suspicious about his new stepdad, which gives him a distraction from grieving for his recently deceased wife and hearing about her best friend Clémence Genièvre's (Merlant) tumultuous love life. He knows that Sylvie's head-over-heels infatuation isn't a performance, but is the just-released Michel's claim that he's now on the straight and narrow all for show? To answer that question, Abel gets a-tailing throughout Lyon with the game and eager Clémence's help. This couldn't be a heist film if they found nothing amiss, of course, with ex-con Michel's plans linked in with the cute little florist shop he's opened to make Sylvie's dreams come true — claiming that a friend had rented them the space for free, which is obviously far too good to be accurate. So, Abel is faced with his own spate of acting to protect his mum. Michel can't do the job without assistance from him and Clémence playing decoys, and his mother will suffer if he doesn't aid and abet an armed robbery pilfering lucrative Iranian caviar. Yes, as well as being a heist movie, a romance, and a drama about parents, children, love, loss, moving on and second chances all in one, The Innocent is a delicious and hilarious farce. There's a clear contrast at the heart of The Innocent: women who love quickly and deeply, as Sylvie and Clémence do, and men who are hesitant and guarded, as Abel and Michel prove. In much lesser hands, that juxtaposition might be dated and cliched, not to mention needlessly and gratingly stereotypical. Thankfully, adding to the lengthy list of things that The Innocent manages to be, and breezily, it's also an intelligent, textured and savvily scripted character study. Even when they're overtly acting a part — for work, for each other and, in the widowed Abel's case, often with himself — Sylvie, Abel, Michel and Clémence are each lived in to the point of seeming ready to walk right off the screen. Crucially, every move they make is steeped in their fleshed-out stories and backgrounds, rather than mere convenience, too. Garrel, Viel and Guiguet have penned these characters with nuance, intricacy, and realistic emotions and motivations. Thoughtful touches abound around The Innocent's stars; see: Abel's job as a marine biologist at a local aquarium, where Clémence also works, which nicely stresses the difference between analysing and diving in — and also provides a dazzling setting for pivotal scenes and shots. The film makes wonderful use of Sylvie and Michel's florist in a comparable way, the space literally blooming with colour and life but its roots not what they seem. The Innocent's casting can't be underestimated, though, as particularly seen in Grinberg, Merlant and Zem's efforts. Grinberg steps into Garrel's IRL mother Brigitte Sy's shoes, given she too is an actor who got married in prison, and does so with a gregarious and yearning spark. With a sense of lightness here, Merlant keeps showing her exceptional range, boosting a growing resume that also includes Jumbo, Paris, 13th District and Tár. And Zem, a director himself — including of 2011's Oscar-shortlisted Omar Killed Me and 2016's Monsieur Chocolat — is sincere, determined and charismatic, and also helps turn a bit with a bowtie into something special. As for Garrel, he enlists himself for the fourth time as the fourth character called Abel (although in A Faithful Man and The Crusade, they're the same figure), and he's again ace under his own direction. When your godfather is Jean-Pierre Léaud, one of the faces of the French New Wave ever since starring in the movement's seminal film The 400 Blows, perhaps being drawn to spirited and soulful movies about emotional chaos just comes with the territory. Garrel keeps writing, directing and performing in them, with The Innocent his most entertaining instance yet. Cinema was always in his blood as well as his orbit, seeing that his father is French filmmaker Philippe Garrel, whose pictures he often features in (such as 2013's excellent Jealousy); Sy clearly has an acting history (including 2018's Invisibles); his sister Esther also pops up on-screen (as seen in Call Me By Your Name); and his grandfather is the late actor Maurice Garrel (César-nominated for La Discrète and Kings and Queen) — and it shows. As conveyed in celluloid dreams, heists, crime capers, mysteries and noirs frequently involve throwing an array of moving parts together in high-stakes circumstances, then seeing what fits, sticks, struggles and leaks. French greats Rififi and Bob Le Flambeur, both of which The Innocent feels tied to, knew this. US highlights The Long Goodbye and The Last of Sheila, which it similarly brings to mind, capitalised upon it as well. In all of their many guises, these narrative setups and mainstays strike a chord because they so vividly reflect life's mess, just in heightened circumstances — and Garrel is equally well-aware of that. The Innocent's French pop-synth soundtrack gifts the already fast-paced film with a marvellous sense of bounce, but also reflects exactly what the movie is: a supremely finessed, funny, endearing and engaging flick that echoes for everyone.
Sydneysiders, your summer plans now include a date with the biggest name in street art there is: Banksy. The mysterious artist isn't there. Or, if they are, no one will know anyway. More than 160 works are showcasing Banksy's art, however, including infinity rooms and simulations that play with some of Banksy's most famous creations. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits has finally hit Sydney Town Hall, displaying from Wednesday, January 24. A massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon — the exhibition's hefty array of artworks include Banksy's certified art, prints on a heap of different materials, plus photos and sculptures as well. For an immersive experience, there's installations, physical and digital, alongside murals and mapping shows. One such installation: a simulation of Dismaland Bemusement Park. Another: that mirrored infinity room. Banksy's murals in Ukraine also get a nod, and one space is devoted to the MV Louise Michel, the 30-metre-long high-speed lifeboat funded by Banksy that patrols the Mediterranean to rescue refugees. Attendees can also peer at reproductions of Banksy's works that have been made exclusively for this exhibition, recreating some of the artist's pieces using — of course — stencils. Flower Thrower, Kissing Coppers and sculpture Phone Booth make an appearance — and spray painting your own shirt is an option. Adding Sydney to its list of stops alongside Istanbul, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Bucharest, Cluj and Budapest, plus Riyadh, Vienna, Warsaw, Seoul, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Chile, Seattle and Mexico City, The Art of Banksy: Without Limits will run daily and take between 45–60 minutes to wander through. And yes, you can snap away for the 'gram while you're there.
For over 50 years the Dutch company Nederlands Dans Theater has nimbly stretched the limbs of contemporary dance, and yet its appearances in Sydney are few and far between. This week is a rare exception, with four works from the company's repertoire to be viewed at the Sydney Opera House. While no longer the coolest kid on the barre, Jiŕí Kylián still stands as a tremendous figure in the field of contemporary dance choreography. Originally trained in ballet, Kylián took the precision and physical discipline of the form and contorted it with expressions of wit and experimentation to create his own style, demonstrated here by his two pieces Sweet Dreams and Sarabande. Also on show are two newer works, SH-Boom and Shoot the Moon (it is staggering how many of NDT's titles begin with an S). Choreographed by NDT's current artistic director, Paul Lightfoot, and his long-term collaborator Sol Leon, these works carry on in the vein of humour found in Kylián's; however, they have morphed into their own dramas, featuring almost love scenes and half-formed rooms. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xq2EgAm6vTo
When Sydney was in lockdown earlier this year, having a drink at any bar around town fell into the realm of fantasy. Come December, however, the city's residents will be able to book in for a gin beverage at a very unusual and unique watering hole — at a floating hot air balloon bar. We hope you like hovering more than 30 metres above Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour (110 feet, to be exact) and drinking Hendrick's gin, because that's the exact combination on offer. The hot air balloon bar has been dubbed 'Hendrick's Gin Most Unusual Balloon Bar', after all, and it's designed to promote the spirits brand. Still, it looks set to serve up a bucket list-level experience. Block out a window of time between 3–9pm on Saturday, December 5 in your diary, because that's when you'll be able to take to the sky — if you can nab a ticket, that is. To score yourself a spot, you'll need to head online from 9am on Monday, November 30. It's first come, first served, obviously. Tickets are free — which'll get you quite the lofty view, as well as some gin to sip. There'll also be hampers of Hendrick's-themed goodies onboard, which will pay homage to the cucumbers that the brand loves and constantly recommends pairing with your beverage. Hendrick's Gin Most Unusual Balloon Bar will hit the skies above Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour from 3–9pm on Saturday, December 5. To book a ticket, you'll need to head online from 9am on Monday, November 30.
Every weekend away should involve a good brunch, and Bowral offers just that in the form of The Press Shop. Part printing workshop and part cafe, the diner showcases Southern Highlands produce at its best with its farm-to-fork mentality. For breakfast, expect dishes like whipped ricotta on sourdough with strawberries and honey ($13), eggs benedict ($25), waffles with coconut parfait ($18.50) and potato gnocchi with mushrooms, fried egg, cheese and watercress ($18.50). If you're heading there a bit later (after midday), there's the likes of watermelon and tomato salad with buffalo mozzarella and mint ($19.50), suckling pig sandwich with slaw ($19) and a house-made flatbread with peach, rocket and brie ($18.50). The cafe serves up one fine cuppa, too.
Trivia nights mean gathering your mates around, enjoying a few beverages and trying to convert your respective stores of knowledge into glory. At this particular trivia night, you'll do all that, but there'll be a particular emphasis on your pals. Given that the topic of the evening is a certain sitcom about a band of best buddies, celebrating your chums is the thing to do. Yes, Friends is in the spotlight at the Ess's next battle of pop culture tidbits. If you haven't yet heard of the Ess, it's the brand spankin' new rooftop bar atop Macquarie Park's Governor Hotel. With its neat cocktail list, Japanese charcoal grill and Friends trivia, we're liking it already. If you think you know everything there is to know about the show that caused viewers to agonise over whether Ross and Rachel would get together, wish that Joey and Chandler lived next door and get their hair cut like Jennifer Aniston, here's your chance to prove it. Prizes are on offer for the winning team and there'll be complimentary dessert, $9 cocktails, $6 classes of sparkling wine and $1 dumplings, too. Remember, though, it has been 14 years since Friends was on TV, making the contest not just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories. No one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way. Entry is free, and you can book your spot here.
When January 10 hits in 2019, it'll mark three years since David Bowie shuffled off this mortal coil. In celebration of his life and music, Lyons Gallery — a brand new addition to Paddington's art world — will host an evening dedicated to the singer-songwriter. From 6pm till late, the gallery will transform into a time machine, filled with images of Bowie, memorabilia and film screenings. Look out for works by Brian Duffy, the photographer behind Aladdin Sane; Masayoshi Sukita, who collaborated with Bowie for four decades; Helmut Newtown, who famously shot Bowie in Monte Carlo in 1983; and Terry O'Neill, who took more than 180 photos of Bowie over 30 years. A handpicked selection of limited-edition photos will be on sale. Founded by media personality and former Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons in November last year, Lyons Gallery specialises in iconic images of celebrities, rock stars and royals — from Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II to Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. Let's Dance: The Life of David Bowie is free to attend, although RSVPs are required by emailing the gallery on info@thelyonsgallery.com.
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes pinot noir as 'sex in a glass'. Winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. Broadway wannabe Titus Andromedon loved it so much he compares it to 'caviar, Myanmar, mid-size car' (see below). No wonder the good folk at Revel — who bring Malbec Day and Mould our way, too — created Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things peeeno noir. The event usually hits up Aussie capitals each year and lets wine connoisseurs sample more than 200 drops, direct from Australia and New Zealand's best producers. But in 2020, like many things, it's going virtual. Whether you're a newbie who likes something light and inviting, or a pinot pro fond of the biggest, most complex drops there are, prepare to get sipping at Pinot Palooza Side B. From 4pm on Saturday, November 21, you'll simply be tuning in digitally. As part of the stream, there'll be winemakers talking about the business and guest DJs spinning tracks — turning the whole event into a party in your dining room. Drinks-wise, you have a couple of options. If you know exactly what type of pinot you like, you can nab a free event-only ticket, grab your own vino and get pouring. Or, you can order a '12-track pinot pack' for $85 — which includes a dozen 150-millilitre cans of wine from regions such as Gippsland, Northern Tasmania and Central Otago that you can taste while you're streaming the shindig. https://youtu.be/A6yttOfIvOw
Experience the diverse range of food and wine in the Orange region at Borrodell Vineyard. Renowned for its bountiful produce and stunning high-altitude vistas, Borrodell is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area. The property was purchased by Harold Borrodell Gartrell, affectionately known as Borry, in 1965. Borry grew up on the Borrodell farm and was committed to unlocking its full potential. In the 1990s, he replaced commercial apple crops with cold-climate wine grapes. However, apple lovers need not despair as the estate still boasts over 180 varieties of heritage apples, 230 varieties of heritage plums, and some of the oldest truffle trees on the mainland. In 2002, the family opened the accommodation options. Visitors can choose between the Cider Suites and two cottages. The Cider Suites offer a modern, romantic retreat with a king-sized bedroom and a lounge area with views of the mountain valley. The two cottages, 'Chardonnay' and 'Truffles,' each feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an ensuite. While there you can admire the serene countryside from the fireplace or balcony while sipping a glass of vino. You can even indulge in bespoke pampering packages, including beauty treatments, helicopter joy flights, and horse-drawn carriage rides on the estate. For those looking to dine out, Sister's Rock is Borrodell Vineyard's on-site restaurant. Boasting endless views of the Towac Valley slopes, Sister's Rock is the perfect spot for a memorable meal. Alternatively, guests can opt to have their dinner sent to their suite. For a tipple, head over to SkyBar, which combines a cellar door with a bar. Here, you can taste the vineyard's top drops and purchase a bottle or six. There is live music every Saturday during the summer months and Happy Hour every Friday from 4.30–6pm.
Not one, not two but three art fairs are set to descend upon Sydney this week. The one you might not have heard of, which makes it all the more alluring, is Spring 1883 — named after the street where it started at Melbourne's grand old Hotel Windsor in 2014. Spring 1883 is the brainchild of founders and gallerists Vasili Kaliman (Station), Geoff Newton (Neon Parc), and Vikki McInnes (Sarah Scout Presents) and began as an alternative fair to Melbourne Contemporary. Its debut was filled with an energy and vibrancy that had exhibitors and collectors hot under the collar for more. Spring 1883 is now bringing its boutique art fair brand to Sydney to take over Justin Hemmes’ Establishment Hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. So why does Sydney need a third art fair? Well, unlike most art fairs, each gallery participating in Spring 1883 has been selected via invitation only. This means that the directors can focus on presenting and selling the contemporary art that makes them tick, creating a unique environment for artists, galleries and collectors to come together and talk about the art, as well as buy it. For its first Sydney edition, Spring 1883 will feature 25 Australian and international galleries.
Forget the dry cucumber sandwiches, this high tea is all about Nutella. Nutella croissants, stacks of Nutella pancakes, scones with Nutella and Nutella knafeh bites (a twist on the Middle Eastern dessert) — you'll find it all at Sydney Tower Eye's Nutella Sky-High Tea. And it's not just the tiered plates that are high at this one-off breakfast, you are, too. You'll be eating all of the chocolatey, hazelnuty goodness on the Observation Deck, which is located 250 metres above Sydney. Setting you back $50, the high tea is running from 8–9am on Wednesday, February 5, which is, coincidentally, World Nutella Day. We're not usually fans of 'food days', but we think this high tea is worth getting behind. As well as all of the above Nutella-filled food, you'll get tea, fruit tarts and yoghurt and muesli pots (it's all about balance, right?), and you'll get to leave with your own personalised Nutella jar. The Nutella Sky-High Tea is only happening once, so we suggest you snag tickets ASAP if you want to head along.
Creative space Commune is hosting Our Hood, a massive monthly precinct night that brings culture, art and music together with wellness, maker markets and food stalls. With the aim of bringing the neighbourhood together, the evenings provide a collaborative outlet and meeting space for the community. The latest iteration of the event will see FBi Radio present live performances from synth-rock trio The Goods, hip hop emcee Mirrah and the 20-women Bad Bitch Choir. On the culture side, they've also got talks and workshops hosted by TEDxHaymarket, on the topic of making meaningful connections, and flow yoga run by drag superstar Dusty Glass. Among the many food and drink stalls, there'll also be life drawing classes, art installations, a pop-up barber shop, plenty of mulled wine and a hidden rum bar. All events are also dog and family friendly, so it's really a catch-all kind of event. Image: Sam Ali.
Burger battles, immersive cocktail parties and European-style laneway feasts are just a few of the delicious events March Into Merivale has brought us over the past decade. And the restaurant group-wide shindig is back for 2017. But, this time, it'll be squeezing what was a month's worth of eating, drinking and experimenting into one glorious night. Taking over the whole ivy complex and its surrounding laneways on Wednesday, March 22, the festival will transform Ash Street into an Asian street food market. Expect to see legendary chef Dan Hong hovering over sizzling platters and smoking barbecues. Wandering around, you'll discover stalls selling tasty morsels with origins all over Asia, from pillowy bao and dim sum to sushi and oysters with jalapeño and ginger nuoc cham. Palings will be spending the night dishing out all things weird and wonderful. Chefs Patrick Friesen and Christopher Hogarth — who are on the pans at the newly opened Queen Chow — have joined forces to create the menu. A whole lamb on the spit will be centrepiece, ambushed by quesadillas, fish tacos, nachos supreme tostadas and the pair's famous Papi Chulo burgers (which won last year's aforementioned burger battle). When you're full up on savouriness, move onto The Den for high tea, loaded with pastries, sweets, desserts, Champagne and cocktails. Meanwhile, the ivy ballroom will be turned into a European garden. Sitting among greenery, you'll be treated to dishes from John Wilson, Merivale's dedicated events chef. And get poolside for whole pork bellies cooked over the fire by chef Jordan Toft along with patatas bravas cones and warm creme Catalan. "Since its inception nearly a decade ago, March into Merivale has offered Sydney a spectacular feast of culinary events and food experiences, evolving each year with our expanding portfolio," said Justin Hemmes, CEO of Merivale. "This year, fresh from the biggest period of growth in Merivale's history, we want to deliver one exceptional experience that celebrates the group's diversity and quality of offering, as well as the talent and creativity leading Merivale into our exciting future." Tickets for March into Merivale 2017 are just $60, and include all food as well as three drink tokens. They're on sale now — we reckon you'd best be speedy to snap one up.
If you're a devourer of books and words, you can look forward to feasting on a hefty lineup of talks, workshops, panels and more, when the Emerging Writers' Festival returns for 2022. After all-digital instalments in 2020 and last year, the fest will be back to hosting a jam-packed program of IRL events, though handily, a stack of them will also be accessible online. Running from Wednesday, June 15–Saturday, June 25, this year's edition has events for all varieties of lit-lover and writing enthusiast, featuring over 150 artists. EWF favourite Amazing Babes will see a cast of familiar faces sharing stories about the women, real and imagined, who've helped shape their lives; while the return of the National Writers' Conference will deliver a day of panels, workshops and pitching sessions headlined by the likes of Yassmin Abdel-Magied, and award-winning author and editor Jennifer Down (Bodies of Light). On Friday, June 17 and 24, you can head to State Library Victoria to be serenaded by stunning soundscapes and spoken word for Bodies of Sound, while on June 23, the Scienceworks Planetarium hosts a special full-dome screening of Starlight followed by the sharing of responsive works by two emerging writers. You can also up your own writing skills with an array of masterclasses and workshops covering everything from zines to narrative audio, catch inspiring exhibitions and readings, and celebrate all things mateship at performance-meets-speed-friending event Best Bookish Friends.
When Dirty John and The Case Against Adnan Syed leapt from audio to television, it was a floodgates moment. The true-crime genre definitely isn't new, but more shows based on grim real-life stories — and inspired by the podcasts that cover them, to be specific — were always going to follow. Dr Death is the latest, sporting a moniker that speaks volumes from the outset. Even if you know nothing about Christopher Duntsch going in, and you've also never heard the Wondery podcast that shares the series' name, that title really doesn't bode well for the surgeon's patients. Working in Dallas during the past decade, Duntsch was originally a rising neurosurgery star. Then, as the series charts, his patients started leaving the operating theatre either permanently maimed or dead. If you've ever faced going under the knife, this is pure, unfettered and deeply disturbing nightmare fuel — and it all really happened. Joshua Jackson plays Duntsch, and is bound to shed any lingering Dawson's Creek-era affection audiences might have for him in the process (and fondness from The Mighty Ducks and Fringe, too). He's joined by Alec Baldwin (Pixie) and Christian Slater (Dirty John) as fellow surgeons who raise the alarm, and also by AnnaSophia Robb (Words on Bathroom Walls) as the Dallas prosecutor who takes the case. As the just-dropped first trailer for the series show, this is quite the bleak story. Whether you already know how it all turns out or you'll be discovering the details fresh, you'll be able to watch Dr Death on Stan sometime this year — although exactly when it'll start streaming hasn't yet been announced. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYWEAWFONSw Dr Death will be available to stream via Stan sometime in 2021 — we'll update you with a release date when further details are announced.
Every Wednesday and Thursday night this autumn and winter, Handpicked Wines is hosting a series of Raclette Suppers at its cellar door in the Chippendale, bringing a taste of Europe's après-ski culture to Sydney. Melted cheese, served fresh from the wheel, is poured over plates of potatoes, confit mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, cornichons and rocket. Cured meats such as Prosciutto di San Daniele and Jamón Ibérico de Bellota are optional extras. With the Handpicked Wine Maker's Flight, visitors can pair their cheese with wines from some of Australia's most renowned wine regions, including Margaret River, Coonawarra and Yarra Valley. According to Handpicked's Sydney Cellar Door Manager Andrew Robinson, the events "bring our team's passion for regionality onto your plate, with cheese and meat sourced from some of our favourite producers around the world. Combine it with our incredible wines from some of Australia's best-loved wine regions, and it's a match made in heaven." The dining event runs from 5.30–8.30pm every Wednesday and Thursday until the end of winter, and costs $20 per person without any additions. Walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are recommended at the website.
From architecture and interiors to world-class contemporary craft, this Canberra festival covers all things design. Running from Monday, November 9 through Sunday, November 29, Design Canberra celebrates our capital as a global design hub. As the city is home to top-notch food, wine and brews, too, it's the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway. The festival will see more than 150 (mostly free) events, exhibitions, talks, tours, collaborations, artist studios and workshops take place across 21 days. The program celebrates Canberra's epic design history, including the city's renowned 50s architecture and its thriving community of artists. Returning this year are the popular Open Studios, which will run every Saturday of the festival. You'll get to step inside the studios of some of Canberra's top makers and designers, where you can support local talent by directly purchasing handmade ceramics, furniture, jewellery, textiles, glass and more. [caption id="attachment_734024" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Design Canberra[/caption] Other program highlights include art installations and performances, behind-the-scenes tours of iconic architecture, hands-on workshops, a pop-up wine bar and a photography exhibition celebrating the streets of suburbia. With so much art, architecture and new design popping up in Canberra this spring, we suggest you pack a bag, take a trip south and spend a couple of days eating, drinking and exploring the capital. Design Canberra 2020 is taking place from Monday, November 9 to Sunday, November 29. For the full program, head here. Top image: Open Studios, Five Foot Photography For the latest info on ACT border restrictions, head here.
For Sydneysiders, the longest nights of the year mean one thing — more hours to party. The Solotel team are turning this month's winter solstice into a week-long affair called The Longest Night, set to light up pubs and bars across the city when the sun goes down. Over the six days from the solstice on Tuesday, June 21 until Sunday, June 26, music acts and art installations will be bringing 17 locations stretching from Kings Cross to Surry Hills and Newtown to Parramatta to life. Venues taking part in the winter celebration include Darlo Bar, Courthouse Hotel, The Marly, Paddo Inn, Public House Petersham, The Sackville, The Regent, Albion Parramatta, The Bridgeview Hotel and more. Solotel CEO, Elliot Solomon, is proud of the collaboration the hospitality group has had with local artists and their communities to bring the mammoth program to life. "Each neighbourhood venue has its own unique vibe and audience and so programming is individually tailored to reflect this," he explains. Some hotly anticipated acts will be bringing the tunes, such as Set Mo, Yolanda Be Cool and Northern Beaches band Crocodylus. Other music highlights include a dreamy set from Sydney sweetheart Dominic Breen at The Bank Hotel and an unmissable night of dancefloor fillers at Goros courtesy of beloved triple j DJ Shantan Wantan Ichiban. Incredible light and art installations will be illuminating things, as well as pop-up art installations from the National Art School — best viewed when the sun goes down. In particular, Barangaroo House, The Golden Sheaf, The Bank Hotel, and Kings Cross Hotel will feature bespoke ambient mirror and LED installations by Reelize Studio, Yeti and Vincent Buret. There will also be queer film screenings at The Bank Hotel as well as comedy sets and slam poetry readings at The Erko — whatever your arts and culture pick of choice, it will be catered to. A mix of free and ticketed events make up the lineup, so check out the full schedule for the week of music, art and entertainment on the event website. Keen to check it out? For more information and to peep the full program and participating venues, visit the website.
To get musicians back onstage after the pandemic, the New South Wales government and ARIA launched Great Southern Nights. Following two blockbuster years that saw thousands of gigs pop up across the state, the series is returning in 2024 with another 300-plus shows over 17 nights. Live music will ring out throughout NSW between Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 24, with musicians big and small performing in Sydney live music institutions and regional hubs, including Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and the Northern Rivers. With such a huge lineup, it's hard to know where to start — but let's break it down. If you love the classics, you'll be able to catch sets from Jimmy Barnes, Peter Garrett & the Alter Egos, The Church, You Am I, Yothu Yindi, The Whitlams Black Stump Band, Hoodoo Gurus and Kate Ceberano. Local hip hop heads can hit up gigs from Barkaa, 360, JK-47, Bliss n Eso, L-Fresh the Lion, Illy, Drapht, YNG Martyr and Jesswar. If you're an indie-rock aficionado, Ball Park Music, Sarah Blasko, King Stingray, The Buoys, Ruby Fields, Budjerah, Alex Lahey, Gordi, Gretta Ray, The Vanns, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers will be coming to a stage near you. If your prerogative is to dance, The Presets, Havana Brown, Tigerlily, Sneaky Sound System, Hermitude and Anna Lunoe are all part of the Great Southern Nights program. [caption id="attachment_793807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Buoys, April Josie[/caption] Plus, there will be shows from Becca Hatch, Cub Sport, Dune Rats, Vika and Linda, A.Girl, Xavier Rudd, David Campbell, Fanny Lumsden, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Redhook and Northlane — and also a special tribute to Rowland S Howard. "We're extremely excited to be involved again with the Great Southern Nights program. This time we'll be heading to Northern NSW to play our first-ever show in Brunswick Heads," says Ball Park Music. "A few of us grew up in this area, so it feels really special to come back and play. We'll have our good friends Bean Magazine in tow, too. It's gonna be a ripper of a gig." Check where your faves are playing and what shows are happening near you via the full gig guide. GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS 2024 PROGRAM: 360 A.Girl Alex Lahey Anna Lunoe Ball Park Music Barkaa Becca Hatch Big Skeez Bliss n Eso Budjerah Cub Sport Dan Sultan David Campbell Drapht Dune Rats Elixir Fanny Lumsden Godlands Gold Fang Gordi Gretta Ray Havana Brown Hermitude Hoodoo Gurus Illy James Blundell James Reyne Jawbreakers Jessica Mauboy Jesswar Jimmy Barnes JK-47 Jon Stevens Kasey Chambers Kate Ceberano Kate Miller-Heidke King Stingray Kye L-Fresh the Lion Lydia Lunch and Joseph Keckler Northlane Pacific Avenue Pania Peter Garrett & the Alter Egos Pop Crimes – The Songs of Rowland S Howard Raechel Whitchurch Redhook Ruby Fields Sarah Blasko Sneaky Sound System Sophiya Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers The Buoys The Church The Cruel Sea The Presets The Primitives The Vanns The Whitlams Black Stump Band Tigerlily Vallis Alps Vika and Linda Xavier Rudd Yng Martyr Yothu Yindi You Am I Great Southern Nights 2024 will run from Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 24 throughout New South Wales. Tickets are on sale now via the festival's website. Images: Enmore Theatre, Ben Sanford.
If views are what you're after to see out 2019, then The Glenmore is the place to be this New Year's Eve. The Rocks' famed rooftop bar overlooks Sydney Harbour, with uninterrupted views of the Opera House. So, here, you can expect fireworks and good times aplenty. At the pub's NYE Party, you'll be ushering in 2020 while kicking back on the rooftop and around the cocktail lounge. Your ticket will cost $385 and includes four hours worth of drinks, with select wine, beer and spirits, plus a celebratory glass of Mumm at midnight. And you can't put a price on those million-dollar views, really. In between sipping, you'll be feasting on top-quality canapés, plus there'll be a grazing station on arrival should you need to line the stomach early. And, of course, it's New Year's Eve, so there'll be live tunes playing all night long, with Emily of One Stop DJs kicking things off, followed by the dreamy (and dance-worthy) harmonies of Thousand Rivers.
With colder weather ahead, adding some new ideas to your cosy winter menu ensures your soups, stews and roasts are better than ever. Fortunately, the Carriageworks Winter Seasonal Market is here to help from 8am–1pm on Saturday, June 14, featuring top-notch farmers from across NSW alongside a free live program exploring seasonality and sustainability. Spread across 60 stallholders, visitors have an array of delicious wares to look forward to, from fresh produce and artisan baked goods to handmade preserves and sustainable meats. With so many in one place, you won't get a better chance to stock up on citrus flavours, leafy greens and seasonal blooms shaped with the help of local farmers and producers that do what they do best. Also taking place is a free live program featuring fascinating talks and cooking demonstrations that elevate eco-conscious choices and everyday food skills. For instance, Louise Tran from OzHarvest — Australia's leading food rescue organisation — will share practical tips and tricks for fighting food waste in the kitchen. Plus, former Cornersmith owner and current Clove Head Chef Alex Elliot-Howery will cook up the best seasonal winter produce before your eyes. With the Carriageworks Farmers Market allowing visitors to chat with the growers themselves, learning more about where your food comes from and how best to prepare it is made easy. Images: Jacquie Manning.
They say everything in moderation but not this month. How can you keep things in check when Sydney's throwing a cheese festival, a chocolate festival and not one, but two festivals dedicated to Italian cuisine? You can't. So lean in and get amongst it. Have your cake (and your camembert and cannoli) and eat it, too.
Absolut Vodka is joining forces with Heaps Gay to bring back one of Sydney's most beloved queer celebrations. The iconic Heaps Gay Street Party is set to return on Saturday, November 29, marking twelve years of what the organisers call "chaos 'n' community." This year's event will unfold at a secret location in Marrickville, adding an extra layer of excitement to a day already known for colour, creativity and wide-open dance floors. Absolut has a long history of supporting LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide, and the partnership with Heaps Gay feels like a natural continuation of that commitment. The Street Party is expected to draw in thousands for an inclusive, high-energy celebration that moves from sunshine to sundown. The event will feature three open-air stages, each with its own mix of DJs, live performers and dance crews. The lineup spans a wide range of musical styles, including house, nu-disco, pop and experimental electronic, ensuring that everyone will find their own corner of the party. Heaps Gay is known for spotlighting both emerging talent and established queer artists, and this year's list is packed with standout names. International guests Reysha Rami from the United States and ISAbella from Spain will join a strong line-up of local performers that includes 2charm, Vv Pete, Cosmo's Midnight, Cat and Calmell, Djanaba, Maz and many more. The programming reflects the event's mission: an ever-expanding community celebrating expression, artistry and unapologetic joy. With its secret location, bold lineup and lively spirit, the Heaps Gay Street Party promises to be one of the most anticipated events of Sydney's summer. Further details will be announced closer to the date, but the message is already clear. It's time to gather, dance and celebrate twelve years of queer community at its most vibrant. Images: Supplied
Following a series of pandemic-impacted online editions, Liveworks is returning IRL to its longtime home. Carriageworks has played host to the festival of experimental arts since 2015 and this year it's back at the expansive venue with yet another lineup of fascinating pieces to discover at this year's event — both in-person and online. "I couldn't be more excited that we're throwing open the doors—both in-venue and virtually—and returning to a full-scale Liveworks Festival program this year," the festival's outgoing Artistic Director Jeff Khan said. "I hope this year's Liveworks will be a refreshing and revitalising experience for audiences and communities, inviting us to consider new perspectives and offering us the rush of creativity at its boldest and most adventurous." Across ten days, the festival will feature 18 live shows and nine distinct digital events featuring more than 60 artists. Australian-Papua New Guinean artist Yuriyal Eric Bridgeman will unveil a new set of 19 large-scale shield paintings as part of their new work 'A barrow, a singsong'. There will be musical performances from Rainbow Chan, Sui Zhen and experimental musician Jon Rose who will be unveiling Night Songs, a new composition created with the sounds of the Australian Pied Butcherbird. And, the acclaimed queer dance party Day for Night will be making a glorious return to the festival. There will also be a range of artist talks including a keynote conversation between Bridgeman and Bradley Vincent, the Head of Curatorial and Programs at the Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, Queensland. For the full program, head to the Liveworks website. [caption id="attachment_868370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cynthia Sciberras[/caption] Top image: Eric Bridgeman by Carl Warner
Regarded by many as the greatest car movie ever made, Vanishing Point is a film that embraces its minimalist simplicity and triumphs because of it. It’s 106 minutes of 100% car chase as a fugitive known simply as Kowalski (Barry Newman) guns his supercharged 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco with amphetamines in his veins (appropriately ‘speed’) and police on his tail. There’s no real reason for the mad dash beyond a bet by his drug dealer that it couldn’t be done in less than 15 hours, thereby defining Kowalski as something of a counter-culture hero on a fatalistic, anti-establishment rampage. Spurring him on via the radio is blind black disc jockey ‘Super Soul’ (Cleavon Little), who declares Kowalski “the last American to whom speed means freedom of the soul”. Super Soul’s live broadcasts of the pursuit quickly turn Kowalski into a media sensation and local celebrity, framing the incident as ‘oppressed versus oppressors’ and ‘freedom versus authoritarianism’, but at its heart this remains a car and road movie – simple and true. Vanishing Point is a film with little dialogue and lots of action, but the ratio is spot on in this case. The extraordinary stunts and relentless pace don’t just look dangerous, they feel it, and the sublime cinematography and carefully considered soundtrack compliment that tenor perfectly. It’s grindhouse at its best, yelling at everybody and nobody all at once. The best thing to do is simply strap yourself in and yell along with it. The team behind the much-anticipated event Downtown Drive-In has announced Carriageworks in Sydney’s Eveleigh, just three kilometres from the Sydney CBD, as the location for its three-night season, which will run from November 29 to December 1, 2012. A seldom-used section of the 120-year-old heritage listed building will form the perfect backdrop for the Back Roads USA season of films. The films to be screened include On The Road, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Vanishing Point. Downtown Drive-In will also feature a custom menu with individual items designed by The Dip, Sydney’s favourite American-style diner, playfully paying tribute to the films and shared Americana settings and atmosphere. Major sponsor Audi will supply a range of luxury cars for the ultimate drive-in experience. The cars will also feature razor-sharp sound from audio partner Bang & Olufsen. Entry into Downtown Drive-In will cost $50 for vehicles of up to four people. Walk-in deck chair seating is also available near the screen, at $25 per person. For more information on the film schedule, drive-in experience and participating partners, visit www.downtowndrive.in
Keen to escape the realities of 2020 for a little bit? We don't blame you, it's been a pretty wild ride. Helping you go back to simpler times this November and December is Hoyts Cinemas, with its new retro series the Best of the Classics. First up, the entertainment company is screening a heap of flicks from the 1970s and 1980s, full of lo-fi special effects, bad fashion, epic stunts, nail-biting adrenaline and cheesy one-liners. In other words, the ideal antidote to our current reality. Every week till December 2, Hoyts Cinemas across Sydney will be screening 70s horror and 80s action blockbusters, so you can get your cinematic chills and thrills on the big screen this spring. From the 70s, expect Ridley Scott's Alien, the 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie, William Friedkin's The Exorcist and everyone's favourite shark film, Jaws. If you're more keen on action-packed cinema, then catch Bruce Willis in the OG Die Hard, James Cameron's sci-fi thriller Aliens or Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator and Predator. Sessions dates and times vary for each participating Hoyts cinema, so best to check the Hoyts Best of the Classics program here before booking in your next movie date. [caption id="attachment_788789" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Alien'[/caption] Find your closest Hoyts Cinema here — then check out the Best of the Classics program and book your seats. Top images: 'Predator' and 'Die Hard'
Some of the biggest queer film titles of 2016 are headed to Sydney this week, as part of this year's annual Queer Screen Film Fest. Running from September 20-25 at the Event Cinemas on George Street, the latest edition of this LGBTQI-themed film fest will showcase 11 feature films along with a selection of international shorts. But you'd best get your movie-loving skates on, because tickets are already selling fast. This year's program features a fantastic mix of titles from all around the world. Park Chan-wook's critically acclaimed South Korean thriller The Handmaiden screens ahead of its limited theatrical release next month. It's one of two South Korean films on the program, with the other being Lee Dong-ha's charming documentary Weekend, about the country's only gay men's choir. Other standouts include the gruesome horror-comedy You're Killing Me, music doco Danny Says, and indie rom-com The Intervention. And if you do miss out on something, don't despair just yet – a select number of titles will also screen in the Blue Mountains in late October.
Slurp your way through hump day at The Morrison, with the George Street bar turning every Wednesday into a cheap oyster feast. And while the texture of this seafood morsel isn't to everyone's liking, the feeling it evokes should be — who doesn't want to slide into the latter half of the week the way that an oyster slides across your tastebuds? If you are a fan, then your wallet will be as well. As part of its $1.50 Oyster Hour, The Morrison is slinging oysters for, well, $1.50 each. They're on offer from 5–7pm weekly, with the venue extending its usual hour-long special to two hours post-COVID-19 lockdowns. And, they're available for both walk-ins and for bookings — although if you want to reserve a table, you'll also need to order a main meal. Pair them with a glass of sparkling, because it's well-accepted advice that oysters and something boozy go hand-in-hand. All that's left is to mosey on down to the CBD spot come Wednesday and settle in for your fair share of saltwater bivalve molluscs. After-work drinks? Dinner before you head out? This special caters for both options. The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room's weekly Oyster Hour takes place on Wednesdays from 5–7pm.
