There's the parade, yes. But before that, nearly a month of cultural and celebratory events of all stripes makes up the festival of Sydney Mardi Gras, and there's something for everybody, even Straighty McStraight-Straight. Who relates absolutely and 100 percent to the social expectations of their gender and sexuality? Nobody, probably. And that's something to love, savour, and take away from this most iconic of Sydney events. This year, there's a push to establish a Mardi Gras Museum, starting off with a temporary exhibition of Sydney's queer history. Then there's family-friendly fair day, art, roller derby, and one of New York's premier cabaret artists, among all the parties between February 8 and March 3. With gay marriage rights so firmly on the agenda at the moment, 2013's Mardi Gras will definitely be one that's remembered. Here's our pick of the ten best events. 1. Sydney Mardi Gras Museum Could this be the most colourful museum in the world? In the 35 years since its inception, the Mardi Gras has been the site of not only liberation and artistic extravaganza but also fiery controversy. Take a wander through the spectacular events and extraordinary lives that have contributed to making Sydney’s proudest parade what it is today. From February 12-19, catch special evening talks featuring the likes of Julie McCrossin and C. Moore Hardy. January 30 to March 3; 11am-7pm; free entry; cnr Oxford and Palmer Streets, Darlinghurst; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/sydney-mardi-gras-museum/ 2. Fair Day Preen your pooches and pack your picnic in preparation for Fair Day. Every year, tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors come together at Victoria Park to celebrate the arrival of Mardi Gras season with international food, stalls, and carnival rides. Main Stage has the music pumping all day long; the Youth Hub keeps the young 'uns out of trouble, and Doggywood plays host to some of the most fabulous canines you could ever hope to lay eyes on. One little tip: you might want to secure yourself a front-row position for the late afternoon Tug-o-War. Sunday, February 10; 10am-7.30pm; free entry; Victoria Park, City Rd, Camperdown; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/fair-day/ 3. Justin Vivian Bond Is Mx America Is there anything Mx Justin Vivian Bond can’t do? In a career spanning more than 20 years, the cabaret hero has played Huck Finn as a tranny prostitute; reinterpreted the likes of Radiohead, Kate Bush, and Tracy Chapman; and written an award-winning autobiography (Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels). Along the way, Bond has picked up an Obie Award (2001), a Bessie Award (2004), an Ethyl Eichelberger Award (2007) and a Tony nomination (2007). On a return visit to Australia in late February, Bond will present a new show: Justin Vivian Bond Is Mx America. February 16; 8pm; Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/justin-vivian-bond-is-mx-america/ 4. Mardi Gras Film Festival If all the partying starts to tire you out, you can always recharge your batteries by dipping into Mardi Gras' quieter side: the Film Festival. Some of the picks of this year's program include Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, a stunning black-and-white re-creation of the Hollywood hero's life on the edge; the Australian premier of Kyle Henry's quirky, funny Fourplay; and Head On, the movie that set the benchmark for queer filmmaking in Australia. February 14-28; $14-$18; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/mardi-gras-film-festival-presented-by-queer-screen/ 5. Queer Thinking What happens when you blend fashion, art, music, technology, and a fearless desire to transcend the outer limits of convention? Chicks on Speed, that's what. For 10 years now, Melissa Logan and Alex Murray-Leslie have been blowing boundaries out of the water with their artistic experimentations. As part of Queer Thinking, they'll be discussing and performing with their latest creations, 'Objekt Instruments'. Other thinkers on the day include Mx Justin Vivian Bond. February 16; 12pm-8pm; $15; Seymour Centre, Cleveland St, Darlinghurst; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/queer-thinking/ 6. Battle on the Bent Track If Chicks on Speed aren't fast enough for you, don't despair. You're sure to be struggling to keep up when some of Australia's quickest, toughest roller girls battle it out on the Bent Track. This major roller derby festival is the brainchild of the Australian Vagine Regime, a queer association committed to raising cash for charity. Where do the country's fastest girls go after the country’s toughest race? The bar! The Standard, to be specific. DJ Sveta and Adele Moleta have teamed together to magic up an http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/battle-on-the-bent-track-official-after-party/">all-night party. Expect sexy, danceable beats, live cabaret, and some serious roller action. Guests include burlesque performers Lillian Star and Miss Kelly Anne Doll and DJs Sveta, Lady Bones, Ariane, Del Cat, and Mall St. Saturday, February 16; 5pm; Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/battle-on-the-bent-track/ 7. History Walk with the Order of Perpetual Indulgence Don your walking shoes and your wildest imagination for a rollicking journey through the history of gay activism in Sydney. Sisters from The Order of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of locally based gay male nuns and lesbian monks, will meet you at Hyde Park Barracks at 10am. As you traverse the sites where significant events of protest have occurred, the Sisters will be letting you in on all the intimate details. Like the history of most fights against institutional discrimination, it's not all pretty, but the Sisters are sure to keep the mood high with their irreverent humour. Sunday, February 24; 9.45am-3pm; free; Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie St, City; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/history-walk/ 8. Take My Breath Away - Daniel Mudie Cunningham In 1977 in Belgrade, Marina Abramovic and Ulay created a video titled Breathing In, Breathing Out, in which the two kneel face to face, with their mouths locked together and their noses obstructed with cigarette filters. For twenty minutes, they depend upon one another entirely to breathe. The intimate physical interaction that results, as the two struggle to work together to survive, leads us to ask questions about human interdependence. Take My Breath Away is a remake of this seminal performance. This time, however, the breathing is channelled through a white balloon, giving rise to a whole lot of sucking and blowing and putting a postmodern spin on the concept. February 8-23; 1pm-5pm; free; Peloton, 78A Campbell St, Surry Hills; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/take-my-breath-away-daniel-mudie-cunningham/ 9. Confessions of a Grindr Addict Gavin Roach's one-man monologue makes its way back to Sydney after sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012 and the Melbourne Fringe 2011. It's an expedition through the intimate emotional and physical world of Felix, who is about to go on a date for the first time in a year. Accustomed to interacting in cyberspace, Felix grows increasingly uncertain and frightened and starts to wonder why he ever wiped his Grindr app off his smartphone. According to Stage Whispers, Confessions of a Grindr Addict is one of those rare one-man shows that enables you to "forget that's what you're watching". Tuesday, February 19, to Friday, March 1; 8pm; $20; TAP Gallery, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst (upstairs); http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/confessions-of-a-grindr-addict/ 10. The Parade On June 24, 1978, a few hundred people gathered on Oxford Street to voice their opinions against anti-homosexual discrimination. Late in the evening, when the numbers rose to 2000, the police put an end to the march and arrested 53 of the protestors, many of whom lost their jobs as a result. Thirty-five years on, the Mardi Gras is the largest gay celebration on the planet, with about 10,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. It’s a glamorous, glitzy, outrageous, fun expression of every individual's right to love freely. Get there early if you want a view. Saturday, March 2; 7.45pm; free Oxford and Flinders St, Darlinghurst; http://www.mardigras.org.au/events/sydney-mardi-gras-parade/ Mardi Gras is on from February 8 to March 3.
Big screen, big highlight of Sydney's summer for cinephiles, big movie: when Westpac Openair Cinema kicks off its 2025 season, returning to Mrs Macquaries Point with its three-storey-high screen as it does every January and February, it'll do so with Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two) as Bob Dylan. Biopic A Complete Unknown has been announced as the outdoor picture palace's opening-night pick, which will start 41 nights of movies under the stars in stunning surroundings. A Complete Unknown steps through the early days of the music icon's career, focusing on how Dylan became a sensation. Directed by Walk the Line helmer James Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) — swapping Johnny Cash for another legend, clearly — the film covers folk singer's early gigs, filling concert halls, going electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and more. That's what Westpac Openair Cinema attendees will be watching on Thursday, January 9. Across the rest of the season until Tuesday, February 18, highlights revealed so far include the previously unveiled Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers)-starring Gladiator II; the first Wicked movie with Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba; and 2024 Cannes Palme d'Or-winner Anora from Tangerine, The Florida Project and Red Rocket filmmaker Sean Baker. Newly added to the lineup ahead of the full program drop at the end of November 2024: We Live in Time, Nightbitch, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Conclave and Better Man. We Live in Time stars Florence Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Andrew Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven), leading a romance from Brooklyn filmmaker John Crowley, which follows a couple's relationship across a decade — and Nightbitch hails from The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood filmmaker Marielle Heller, with Amy Adams (Dear Evan Hansen) playing a stay-at-home mum who turns canine. Rom-com Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the fourth film in the franchise, again with Renée Zellweger (The Thing About Pam) in the eponymous role; Ralph Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) is at the centre of witty papal election thriller Conclave, alongside Citadel's Stanley Tucci, Killers of the Flower Moon's John Lithgow and Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini; and Better Man adds to Westpac Openair Cinema music biopics, putting Robbie Williams in the spotlight. [caption id="attachment_980239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Buffet Digital, @patstevenson[/caption] Also announced: the fact that this year's season will feature a Festival of Food, with Luke Nguyen (Botanic House's Culinary Director), Danielle Alvarez (Chef and Sydney Opera House's Culinary Director of its event venues) and Scott McComas-Williams (Love Tilly Group's Group Executive Chef) curating. Three dining experiences will greet moviegoers. At the casual Luke Nguyen at The Point, Vietnamese fusion menu will be on offer. Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez is all about Mediterranean-inspired meals and full-service dining. And at Fabbrica at Chandon Garden, there'll be a pasta bar-style menu. As happens every year, tickets to Westpac Openair Cinema likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 9. 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. [caption id="attachment_978120" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fiora Sacco[/caption] [caption id="attachment_978121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Grundy[/caption] Westpac Openair 2025 runs from Thursday, January 9—Tuesday, February 18. The program will be announced on Thursday, November 28, 2024 with tickets on sale on Monday, December 9 — check back here then for further details, and head to the event's website in the interim. Top image: Buffet Digital, @patstevenson.
With every new year comes new ambitions, goals and hopes for the next 12 months. Despite not quite ticking off everything from last year's resolutions list, there's something about a new year that restores your faith in your own ability to achieve your dreams this time around. And, if the world has shown us anything these past few years, it's to lean into fun while you can. While trying new things can be somewhat daunting, we hear that getting out of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. Whether you've been promising yourself to sign up to an acting class for years or you feel like trying a different sport, there are loads of ways you can get involved in a new activity this year. We've teamed up with Just Play to give you some inspiration for your extracurricular activities in 2022. PLAY A TEAM SPORT After so much time in solitude and indoors over the past few years, there's never been a better time to get involved in a team sport. Although this may sound very intimidating to some — especially if your high school dabbled in dodge ball — being part of a team sport can be a completely supportive and enjoyable experience. If you're ready to play but haven't got enough mates who are as keen you, Just Play is here to help find you a team. Simply sign up to one of the sports on offer — basketball, netball, futsal, soccer, touch footy, cricket, volleyball and more — as an individual or with a mate and you'll be added to a team in your area. How good. Once you've registered, Just Play will then send you a playing top and you'll be off and away with your new teammates. LEARN A NEW CREATIVE SKILL There's something super satisfying about getting your hands dirty to learn a new skill or to make something. And Work-Shop offer plenty of courses that will leave you feeling creatively fulfilled. You can try your hand at workshops across various art forms including ceramics, jewellery making, pot painting or simply sip on some wine as you paint a watercolour masterpiece. It even offers Kintsugi classes — the art of repairing broken pottery. By the end of each workshop, you'll leave with a beautiful piece of art and a story to tell your mates at dinner. Plus, classes fall on a range of different days and timeslots, making it easy to fit in around your busy weekly schedule. VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT Volunteering is a top-tier way to get involved in your community and potentially discover new areas of interest. In Sydney, Story Factory has ongoing volunteer opportunities, both online and in person, focusing around greater western Sydney schools. If helping under-resourced communities through creative writing sounds like something for you, this will be right up your alley. There are heaps of other places you can volunteer, too. Consider yourself an animal lover? You could volunteer at an animal shelter. Love to read? Libraries could use your help. Or, if you like life on the more dramatic side, your local theatre is likely to love your creative input. Go Volunteer can help you get started with opportunities and organisations listed or Volunteer Match can help you find something that aligns with your interests. HIT YOUR MARK IN AN ACTING CLASS Ever think you could be the next Cate Blanchett or Eric Bana but just haven't been discovered yet? Well, it might be time to enrol in a NIDA Open course to help you discover your true acting ability or to simply have a bit of fun centre stage. There are intensive part-time courses and shorter weekend and evening classes available in stage acting, screen acting, stand up comedy, design, writing and more. Some courses require an audition to enter but many are available to anyone ready to take on a creative challenge. The best bit? NIDA Open offers regular classes in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. ELEVATE YOUR CULINARY SKILLS You can never stop learning when it comes to cooking. Some of us simply want to master the art of slicing things up a little more intricately. Others might want to figure out which spices should go with what dishes while some might want to perfect a pad thai recipe. Whatever skill you want to refine, a cooking class could be your answer. You can find a range of classes on Red Balloon to suit a range of palate preferences. Want to finally learn how to make some proper Italian pasta? How about delicious Japanese or Middle Eastern food? Either way, Red Balloon has you covered. You can even take a cocktail masterclass and impress all your mates next time they come over for drinks. ENROL IN A LANGUAGE COURSE Learning a new language is one of those things that perpetually seem to be on the 'I should get around to finally doing that' list. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to answer 'Parlez-vous Francais?' with more than 'Oui'? Well, this could be the year. There are plenty of courses to help. The Vocational Language Learning Centre offers courses in Arabic, French, Italian, Greek, German, Japanese, Indonesian, Russian and Spanish at centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. EXPLORE YOUR CITY ON SKATES Time to limber up those legs and get on some skates to see your city in a whole new way. Rollerskating is an excellent way to keep active and try something new and still maintaining an element of social distance (ideal in 2022). There are plenty of routes for you to roll around in our major cities. Hit up the St Kilda Beach Promenade in Melbourne, let loose on the long and scenic Brisbane River run or lap it up at Centennial Park in Sydney. In terms of purchasing the gear, Impala Roller Skates online store has plenty of good stuff. Or, there's Bayside Blades in Melbourne, Extreme Skates in Brisbane and Skater HQ in Sydney. Ready to try something new in your city this year? For more information on Just Play, visit the website.
If you're a garlic girlie, then you should make your way to the fresh eatery located in the foyer of the recently opened Novotel City Centre on York Street: Birdie Bar and Brasserie. The new spot boasts a fusion of British and modern Australian fare on its menu that champions local produce and celebrates Aussie fauna of the feathered variety. The charming space has an avian theme throughout, from its colourful wallpaper and nest lampshades to its cocktail list. British Head Chef John Lyons is at the helm of the kitchen. Lyons cut his teeth working in Michelin-starred and AA Rosettes-earning establishments back in the UK, and now he's here to put his own stamp on Sydney's hospo scene with a menu best described as playful with plenty of British elements, and with local suppliers and producers championed throughout. "We are proud to embrace and showcase many local artisan suppliers on Birdie's menu, from the local ingredients Lon's creatively combines on our plates to the breweries and distilleries we partner with," says the venue's Director of Food and Beverage, Ben Nicholls. [caption id="attachment_941003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Duck[/caption] Some menu items that exemplify this philosophy are the Fremantle octopus with koji sourced from Keiko Ikeda in Bondi, and the black sesame dessert, which is a take on a classic British sponge cake and includes the rare citrus fruit poorman's orange, which has been resurrected by Peter Dryden in Gordon. And it wouldn't be a British spot without Sunday roast with all the trimmings, including the mandatory Yorkshire puddings and lashings of gravy. "Birdie tells a tale of time through food, which we have proudly brought to life with spices and herbs sourced from Birdie's travels around the world. I can't wait for people to dine in this alluring atmosphere and try our dishes, especially those where we've had some fun to create something truly unique," says Lyons. [caption id="attachment_941009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Head Chef John Lyons[/caption] You can tell Lyons and his team are having a lot of fun with this menu, with entrées like The Duck — duck liver parfait shaped into two little duckies — and the cheeky The Bird — bumps of caviar Paris with shots of Grey Goose vodka in wooden shot cups and a polaroid snap of you and your dining guest. Don't leave without trying the garlic bread that does not skimp on the butter, garlic or bread — lots of texture and plenty of garlic flavour. The mains don't skimp on flavour either, with options like the equally garlic-forward allium risotto with comte and chervil, the massive one-kilogram t-bone steak with a side of house-made mustard (of course), and smoked ocean trout with cucumber and horseradish. The fun continues on the dessert menu, with the not-so-appetisingly named Dogs Dinner, which literally comes plated in a dog's bowl and features chocolate "kibble", mini biscuits, moose and nuts with an oat biscuit in the shape of a bone. [caption id="attachment_941001" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freemantle Octopus[/caption] If you can't decide on your mains, there is a chef's choice menu called Canary in a Coal Mine — a minimum of four people required — that features eight plates to share from the mains, sides and desserts. The portions are big, so you definitely won't be going hungry for days. You can level up this chef's choice with a pairing for four drinks for $30 per person. The drinks menu takes the venue's theme to a new level with each inspired by a Aussie native bird. There's the Sulpher-Crested Cockatoo, with gin lemon, meringue foam, and shortbread crumble; the Satin Bowerbird, with Irish whiskey, lemon, blackberry and hibiscus; and the Galah, with strawberry gin, guava liqueur and sparkling rosé. Each cocktail comes with a cute description of the beverage, with the bird theme extending into these stories. The wine list includes drops from across Australia, Europe and South America, while the beers include Birdie's very own lager and bevs from local breweries Young Henrys, Atomic Brewery and Lord Nelson. [caption id="attachment_941007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cocktail[/caption] [caption id="attachment_941002" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sunday Roast[/caption] [caption id="attachment_941010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birdie Bar and Brasserie Interior[/caption] You'll find Birdie Bar and Brasserie open from 12–10pm Sunday–Thursday and 12–11pm Friday–Saturday at the foyer of Novotel City Centre, 7–9 York Street, Sydney. Head to the restaurant's website for more information and to make a booking.
Sydney's luxury lifestyle and homewares label In Bed is hosting its annual warehouse sale this July. After launching its first bricks-and-mortar store in Paddington last year, In Bed is now taking over an Oxford Street studio with discounted linen and cotton bedding, bath towels, kitchen textiles, sleepwear and homewares. As well as discounts of up to 70 percent on the above, there'll also be a slew of samples, seconds and surplus stock to get your mitts on. If you've been lusting after the label's all-natural linens for a while now, here's your chance to finally take them home. But, a word of warning: it's going to make getting out of your cosy bed this winter even harder. In Bed Sydney Warehouse sale is Friday 11am–7pm, Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 8am–3pm.
Salt Meats Cheese has expanded again. This time, it has ventured across the Bridge — to the northern beaches. The restaurant chain's sixth New South Wales establishment, which opens its doors today, is a 120-seater located on the ground floor of the Lighthouse by Meriton in Dee Why. It boasts a big open kitchen, lots of reclaimed timber and recucled terracotta tiles and its signature woodfired pizza oven. And it's the chain's biggest venue yet. The pizzas are, of course, the hero here, and include house favourites like the Amatriciana — topped with smoked scamorza, amatriciana sauce, pancetta and pecorino — and the Tartufo, made with fior di latte, mushrooms, pecorino and truffle oil. A new (extravagant) signature sees house-made dough topped with Balmain Bugs, broad beans and 'nduja oil. There are gluten-free bases and dairy-free mozzarella up for grabs, too. With pizza must come pasta, and a standout is the tagliolini with blue swimmer crab, zucchini and chilli. Other Italian staples on offer include antipasti and cocktails. The latter includes a menu of signature spritzes, like the Garden (Hendricks, mint, rose and cucumber) and the Riviera Spritz (ruby red grapefruit aperitif, prosecco and soda). One of the cocktails better suited to later in the meal is the tiramisu martini — which is made with Frangelico and Sydney's own Mr Black coffee liqueur. Salt Meats Cheese's NSW expansion doesn't stop in the Northern Beaches, either — a seventh instalment is coming to a rooftop bar in Circular Quay in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on this space for updates. Salt Meats Cheese Dee Why is now open at 882A Pittwater Road, Dee Why. It is open 11am–3pm and 5pm–9.30pm, daily.
Kitchen by Mike's casual approach to fine dining was game changing when the restaurant first opened in Rosebery all those years ago (way back in 2012). It combined casual eating, American high school lunchrooms, locally sourced ingredients and an acclaimed chef — Mike McEnearney — to create a flexible, no frills restaurant that sold itself through the main event: food. The canteen-style restaurant then closed — to much despair from fans — in 2015. But, it's about to return. This time, though, it's reopening in the CBD — which means city workers' lunch options are about to improve tenfold. Moving into the digs of McEnearney's soon-to-close fine diner No.1 Bent Street — which is located, fittingly, at 1 Bent Street — Kitchen by Mike will start serving fresh, nourishing food, from breakfast through dinner, from Wednesday, May 1. Those familiar with the now-closed flagship KBM in Rosebery, or the new canteen at Sydney International Airport, will be pleased to know that well-loved breakfast favourites are still on the bill, such as McEnearney's bacon butty and the sourdough pancakes with lemon curd. His famed woodfired sourdough will also be available — at all times. For lunch and dinner, you'll be able to browse through an array of salads, woodfired and slow-cooked meats, tartines, pizza and pastries. Many vegetarian options will be on offer, too, including cauliflower, sheep's curd, green apple and radicchio on sprouted buckwheat toast, and the famed cucumber, mirin, ginger and sesame salad. While it seems like the Rosebery KMB has been closed forever — four years is a long time — McEnearney says plans to reopen the restaurant have been in the works for quite some time. "We've been trying to re-open Kitchen by Mike for a while," said McEnearney in a statement. "Then it hit me— it was right under my nose all the time. No. 1 Bent Street is the perfect fit." According to the acclaimed chef, the casual style of eatery is more fitted to the CBD at the moment — with city workers on the look out for "casual yet wholesome places to eat" — so, he decided to close No. 1 Bent Street, and open KBM instead. Keeping with McEnearney's environmentally friendly approach to running venues, the restaurant will also be low waste and single-use plastic free. Customers will also be encouraged to bring their own reusable takeaway containers — and coffee cups, of course — when ordering food to-go. And there are plans to rebuild the Physic Garden, which was once attached to the Rosebery KBM outpost. At its biggest, the urban garden contained 100 different plant species, 50 of which were grown for their medicinal properties. Find Kitchen by Mike at 1–7 Bent Street, Sydney from May 1. It will be open from breakfast through dinner, with both dine-in and takeaway options available. No 1 Bent Street will close on Thursday, April 18.
Shenanigans will run rife from the Chinatown basement to the Joan Sutherland Theatre, as Good God Small Club packs up and brings its undying party vibes to the Opera House on May 30 for Vivid LIVE. Headlined by the man Rolling Stone called "the next Rodriguez", cult South African musician Penny Penny and his seven-piece band, the stage will get some support act lovin' from Bart Willoughby of seminal indigenous band No Fixed Address, ever theatrical Royal Headache frontman Shogun flying solo, Melbourne soft rockers Montero and Sydney's indescribable Donny Benét. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Blk2nsFCt8I
With Opal's electronic ticketing system solidly in place and paper tickets a thing of the past — not to mention the rise of alternative bank card and smart tech payment methods — you may have noticed quite a few of Sydney's ticketing offices closed for business. To be exact, 300 have closed across the city's train stations since the introduction of Opal in 2014. Now, some of these redundant spaces will be given a new purpose, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Sydney Trains has released plans to turn 30 of these offices over to retailers by November. The locations chosen are both regional and metropolitan, and specifically include closed offices at Central Station and Martin Place. The repurposed retail spaces boast central positions within each station and are up to 135-square-metres in size. Sydney Trains recently presented this opportunity to potential lessees, stating that the introduction of Opal had "streamlined operational and staffing requirements" and resulted in "the creation of new retail opportunities". In the nearly two years since transport officials ended the sale of paper tickets, the Sydney Trains Annual Report 2016/17 shows that station staff numbers have fallen from 1918 employees in the 2013–14 financial year to 1408 in 2016–17. Apparently, all revenue from the retailers will be invested back into network operations, which a Sydney Trains spokesman said will potentially ease taxpayer subsidies. No information on lessees has been provided just yet — we can only hope it won't just be another 30 City Convenience and 7/11 outlets. Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
Cinephiles, picnic-lovers and everyone in between, rejoice — the annual combination of movies, outdoor eating and park hangouts that is Moonlight Cinema is back for another round. After locking in their dates back in September, Australia's biggest outdoor cinema this morning announced their full 2026-17 summer program — and it's a goodie. Kicking off on the first day of summer (how fitting) in Sydney and Adelaide before launching in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth just a few days later, this year's setup boasts all the regular features that make this one of the country's most popular summer events. Big screen shimmering beneath the stars? Check. Food trucks serving the ultimate movie munchies? Check. Letting super-organised patrons BYO their own snacks? Check. A huge lineup of new releases and cult classics? You betcha. Expect all the big summer releases, like sci-fi thriller Passengers, the much-anticipated La La Land with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and Lion, based on the true story of Saroo Brierley who found his birth mother in India via Google Earth after 25 years of separation. Naturally, they'll also be playing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which was released today) as well as the yet-to-be-released Star Wars: Rogue One and game-turned-film Assassins Creed. As always, they'll also throw in a few cult favourites — this year it's Grease and Back to the Future — and some Doggie Nights, which will kick off with The Secret Life of Pets. Of course, heading to Moonlight isn't just about the movies shown, as fun as getting a sneak peek of upcoming flicks or sharing the joyous glow of watching iconic favourites on a big screen is. It's also about the experience, which is why you're allowed to start getting excited without knowing which films you'll be watching — and why you should be blocking out December through to April in your calendar. Tickets are on sale now. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2016-17 DATES: Sydney: December 1 – April 2 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: December 8 – April 2 (Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: December 8 – March 5 (New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse) Adelaide: December 1 – February 19 (Botanic Park) Perth: December 3 – April 2 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Moonlight Cinema's 2016-17 season starts screening around the country from December 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit moonlight.com.au.
If you're a long-term fan of Veronica Mars, you can be forgiven for taking an 'I'll believe it when I see it' attitude to news of the show's resurrection. It eventually worked for the Veronica Mars movie, however, and it also seems to be working for the series' small-screen comeback, with a teaser dropping for the long-awaited fourth season. Veronica Mars initially lasted three seasons across 2004–2007, then set a crowdfunding record to get a film off the ground in 2014, and even spawned two novels and a web series spin-off after that. Now, as confirmed in September last year, an eight-episode revival is slated to hit television screens in 2019. The teenage private eye drama is getting a similar treatment to Twin Peaks — it's a revival featuring original cast members, rather than a new effort that remakes the same concept with different folks and starts all over again with its narrative. And yes, crucially, Ms Mars herself is back, with Kristen Bell resuming the role that brought her to fame. Bell is also the star of Veronica Mars' first fourth-season sneak peek, with her character sat at her desk and listing everything that's in store during spring break in her home town of Neptune — "drunks, derelicts, flashers, frat boys, sorority vomit, pickpockets, bottomless drinks and topless dancers" all included. Crucially, the teaser also delivers an important piece of information: a US air date of July 26. https://twitter.com/veronicamars/status/1116744093646905344 Hulu, the streaming platform that turned The Handmaid's Tale into the phenomenon that it is, is behind the new season. As reported by Variety last year, Veronica Mars creator and writer Rob Thomas (no, not that one) has also returned — and is executive producing and writing the first episode. Bell also executive produces alongside Diane Ruggiero-Wright and Dan Etheridge, who were both involved in the original seasons and film. The new season will see Neptune's favourite blonde-haired, pint-sized sleuth again solving mysteries in the seaside town. This time, she has been hired by the parents of a dead spring breaker to investigate a string of murders and is drawn into a power struggle between the town's wealthy elite and its working class. Familiar faces such as Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra and Max Greenfield are all returning, along with new inclusions such as Patton Oswalt, Clifton Collins Jr and Bell's The Good Place co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste. There's no word yet on whether any other big names have been signed on for the show — or if any of Veronica's other ex-boyfriends will re-emerge — but, given that the original show featured appearances from Amanda Seyfried, Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat and Michael Cera, Buffy's Alyson Hannigan and Charisma Carpenter, Thor: Ragnarok's Tessa Thompson and more, you can probably expect a few familiar faces to pop up. With Hulu airing the revival, we're not sure when Veronica Mars 2.0 will be hitting Aussie and NZ TV screens — or where it'll air. Here's hoping it won't take long to head down under. We'll update you as soon as we know more.
Australia's most sinister festival, Dark Mofo, is back for its seventh year and is set to be as boundary-pushing as ever, with its full lineup announced today. As always, the festival will take place in the lead up to the winter solstice, exploring connections between old and contemporary mythology through art installations, performance, talks and music — all taking place in the darkness of Tasmanian winter. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Dark Mofo will takeover most of Hobart between June 6–23, showcasing a melting pot of artists, creatives and thinkers who dwell in the shadows of mainstream culture. Just-announced musicians include FKA Twigs — who's also bringing her experimental dream pop to Vivid Sydney this year — New York-based composer Nicolás Jaar, American singer John Grant and multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno. Other highlights of the music program include an audiovisual 'soundbath' by Sigur Rós; an international metal program, featuring Brazil's Mystifier; and the return of Night Mass — a ritualistic series of multi-venue, late-night parties featuring Sampa the Great, FAKA and Empress Of. These musicians and creatives join those announced in the first lineup drop last week, which included boundary-pushing speakers in the Dark + Dangerous Thoughts program, artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, and singer and actor Sharon Van Etten. [caption id="attachment_716526" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saeborg, Pigpen. Courtesy of Dark Mofo and the artist.[/caption] The festival's dark and quirky arts lineup has grown, too, with the addition of a latex-filled installation and performance by Japan's Saeborg and an immersive group exhibition — of ten international artists, including Canada's Cassils, USA's Paul McCarthy and India's Shilpa Gupta — inside the former Forestry Tasmania Building. The award-winning building — which once housed its own forest — is just one of many new venues to join this year's program. Come June, revellers will also be able to party inside the Old Hobart Blood Bank, the Avalon and Odeon theatres, the Old Davey St Congregational Church and aboard a floating natural wine bar, dubbed Natty Waves. Of course, all the festival favourites are set to make a triumphant return, too. You'll be able to drink and eat amongst inverted crosses and candles at the Winter Feast, try not to freeze during the very cold Nude Solstice Swim and absolve your sins at Night Mass. Dark Mofo returns to Hobart from June 6–23. Pre-sale tickets are available from 6pm on Monday, April 15 with general tickets on sale from midday on Tuesday, April 16. For more information, and to check out the full lineup, head to the festival website. Images: Andy Fraser; Meagan Streader, Response VII — Partition III, photo by Sam Whiteside; and All This Coming and Going, Terrapin.
It's just as unmistakably Italian, but Matteo Downtown, soon-to-launch sister venue to Matteo Double Bay, is worlds away from its laidback coastal counterpart. For this second joint project, owners Adam Abrams, Orazio D'Elia and Eddie Levy are taking their cues from the Italy's buzzing urban destinations of Milan and Rome, in contrast to the relaxed coastal vibes of its Double Bay sister. In the CBD, expect a dynamic, all-day operation, that cruises from early morning espressos to late-night negronis. Sydney design firm Acme & Co has shaped the Bond Street space to suit, complete with an intimate dining room, bustling open kitchen, sophisticated bar area and roomy al fresco terrace, primed for people-watching. Head Chef D'Elia is tapping into his southern Italian roots, to deliver a menu that's steeped in tradition, yet executed with modern flair. In the morning, you'll find pastries and panino for the fly-by crowd, alongside a full breakfast offering of creations like Italian-style shakshuka. From 11am through 11pm, you can nab something off the express menu, or head over to the dedicated mozzarella and antipasti bar, stocked daily with fresh cheese and house-cured meats. If you prefer to linger, head to the dining room, and do so over dishes like squid ink fregola, and osso bucco teamed with saffron risotto. In true Italian style, Matteo Downtown will celebrate aperitivo hour wholeheartedly — from 4-6pm weekdays, drop by to team your after-work spritz or wine with a selection of complimentary snacks from the kitchen. The bar offering itself boats a hefty Italian contingent, with a carefully curated range of craft beers, spirits and small-batch liqueurs, all sourced from the homeland. A spritz selection changes with the seasons and the house wines are on tap, while a broad-ranging, 300-strong collection of bottled wines make a masterpiece of the dining room's back wall. Find Matteo Downtown at 20 Bond Street, Sydney, from August. Images: Kai Leishman
Every December, fans of sparkling sights are gifted a luminous feast for their eyes. No, we're not talking about Christmas lights. Regardless of whether you're bathing in a festive glow or hardly fond of all the merriment, 'tis the season for the Geminids meteor shower to soar through the sky — starting on Monday, December 4 and finishing for 2023 on Wednesday, December 20. Even better: Down Under, it's at its peak on the evening of Thursday, December 14 and the morning of Friday, December 15. If you have a telescope at hand, it's clearly a great time to put it to use. Eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony? Here's everything you need to know. [caption id="attachment_754955" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A composite of 163 photos taken over 90 minutes during the Geminids by Jeff Smallwood for Flickr.[/caption] WHAT IS IT? Lighting up the end-of-year skies, the Geminids meteor shower is considered the most spectacular meteor shower of the year. Again, Christmas lights aren't the only spectacle worth peering at this month. The Geminids is caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere — and it was first observed in 1862. Some years, you can catch as many as 150 meteors every 60 minutes, so this definitely isn't just any old meteor shower. [caption id="attachment_699423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai.[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The 2023 shower kicks off on Monday, December 4, running through till Wednesday, December 20. As with every year, it's expected to be at its peak in Australia overnight mid-month — between Thursday, December 14–Friday, December 15, specifically. If you fancy a stint of stargazing, the best time to look up is on Thursday, December 14 from around 9pm in Brisbane, 10pm in Perth, 11pm in Sydney, 11.30pm in Adelaide and 12am in Melbourne. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere, but before sunrise. [caption id="attachment_882304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ESO/G. Lombardi via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] HOW TO SEE IT For your best chances, it's worth getting as far away from bright lights as possible. This could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. To see the meteors, you'll need to give your eyes around 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark (so try to avoid checking your phone) and look to the northeast. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower runs from Monday, December 4–Wednesday, December 20, and will be at its peak during the night on Thursday, December 14–Friday, December 15. For further details, head to Time and Date. Top image: A composite of 88 photos taken over 60 minutes during the Geminids by Paul Balfe via Flickr.
"I will not sell anything that I would not put in my own home". When a store owner has this bold a motto, you know you're onto a winner. And you're certainly in safe hands at Mary Katsikas' new venture The Chic Interior Co. Having opened in early 2019, the boutique showroom in Ramsgate is filled with beautifully curated accent furniture and decorative homewares designed to give your home a few luxe touches. The store has everything from small items that give a hint to your personal style — think a brush gold and mirror tray or pink marble vase — to statement pieces like plush velvet storage ottomans or an art deco-style accent chair. Katsikas also offers personal interior styling services if you need a bit of a push in the right direction. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Spring and summer are just the right time of year for live music, and there's just a vibe you can't find in the other seasons. One of the music festivals filling stages and venues for springtime festivities is Live and Local, a weekend of Central Coast local musicians taking over venues across the Gosford CBD. On Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2, you'll find musicians from all genres playing shows in everything from coffee shops and churches to bars and breweries. There'll be shows from Tiali, Shacked!, Joel Leggett, Almighty Zilla, Ruby Archer, Mindy Lou and Caitlyn Duran. In terms of venues, check out the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Funhaus Factory, Gosford Anglican Church, Parlour Lane and South End Social. Different genres, different artists, and different venues, but they all have the same dates in common: Friday, November 1, from 5pm and Saturday, November 2, from 10am.
Set up in 2011 by Damien Horan and Dan Oliver, this brand specialises in minimalist, beach-going basics for men and women. Think linen shirts, studio pants, silk shorts, long-sleeved shirts and track pants in whites, blues, greys, blacks, seaside-inspired stripes and tropical prints. In addition to a handpicked selection of clothing, there are impeccably arranged homewares and accessories.
In 3000 Nights, a pregnant schoolteacher finds herself imprisoned after being falsely accused of collaborating with terrorists. In The Curve, an unlikely set of companions travel across Jordan in a VW van. And in Villa Touma, three Christian sisters caught in a metaphorical time warp find their lives thrown into disarray with the arrival of their orphaned niece. Such are the stories — of adversity, companionship and transformation — that you'll find on the program at this year's Palestinian Film Festival. Returning to select cinemas in capital cities around the country, including Palace Norton Street in Sydney from November 17–20, the latest edition of this vibrant film festival boasts a handful of features along with a selection of short films than run the gamut from documentary to science fiction. For the full Palestinian Film Festival program visit palestinianfilmfestival.com.au.
Forget your morning coffee: tea is having a big ol' moment. Having had major success in Redfern since opening on Abercrombie Street late last year, specialty tea brewers The Rabbit Hole have opened a second venue at Barangaroo South. Opening yesterday, Wednesday, June 23, their spinoff will build upon the popularity of their first, bringing the same eclectic selection of teas, along with sweet and savoury food, to the bustling harbourside precinct. The Rabbit Hole is owned and operated by Amara Jarratt and Corinne Smith. The co-creators of the Sydney and Melbourne Tea Festivals, and founding members of the Australasian Specialty Tea Association, these two certainly know their stuff, and are all too happy to share their expertise. Visitors can expect an extensive menu of original and seasonal teas, as well as tea lattes, tea-infused hot chocolate, and tea sodas on tap. "We really want to redefine what tea's about," Smith told Concrete Playground. "It's about infusing food with tea in other ways, and presenting a good combination of sweet and savoury, but not in a traditional format." Indeed, the tea extends well beyond the drinks list, with a food menu featuring everything from black tea-infused beef and pickle sandwiches, to green tea noodle soup, to earl grey chocolate cake. "Take everything you thought you knew about tea, and start again with us," says Smith. Smith also says that business at Redfern has been "going gangbusters," and believes that attitudes towards tea are finally beginning to change. "There are actually people who like tea and don't drink coffee, shock horror," she says with a laugh. "You can get amazing chocolate, amazing wine bars, go to cafes that serve single-estate coffee, but tea has really missed out and been relegated to the backseat up until late." "I think that traditionally tea has been in the feminine realm," she continues. "Our experience in the wholesale business is that a lot of cafe owners a male... I think that a lot of the guys who have gone into coffee are just starting to realise that there's a lot of cool stuff about tea, and that it's not all doilies and fancy vintage teacups as they once might have thought." The Rabbit Hole is now open at Shop 1, 23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo South. Their Redfern location can be found at 146 Abercrombie Street, Redfern. For more information follow them on Facebook or visit therabbithole.com.au.
This year, you'll have another excuse for enjoying a G&T in a garden — Australia's gin and tonic festival is kicking off its 2021 national tour with a party in The Rocks. Descending on the area's First Fleet Park from Thursday, March 25–Sunday, March 28, the Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Festival is a huge tasting event dedicated to the classic tipple. Here, you'll have the chance to sample over 20 different gins — from Melbourne's world-renowned Four Pillars to Sydney's Archie Rose and international favourite Hendrick's — matched with top tonics from Fever-Tree's range of mixers. Plus, you'll be able to purchase one of the final 100 bottles of Garden Grown Gin's Blue Mountains Gin, which is helping to raise funds for bushfire relief. Explore the pop-up Gin Village, Tonic Discovery Bar and Ultimate Gin & Tonic Bar, then grab a snack from one of the food trucks or kick back with a gourmet picnic hamper. Rounding out the fun will be live entertainment, lawn games and activities, as well as a series of complimentary drink demonstrations and expert-led workshops. Tickets to the Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Festival clock in at $65 (or $55 if you get in quick), which'll score you entry and six mini gin and tonics. Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Festival runs from 5–9pm Thursday–Friday, 11.30am–9.30pm Saturday and 12–6.30pm Sunday.
Art Month 2016's program has landed — and, boy, does March look better already. It will be the first festival under new artistic director Barry Keldoulis, and while favourites like Collectors' Space and Art at Night will return, some new ideas will be thrown into the mix as well. One of these is this year's feature exhibition, which is designed to give an artist's insight into art and the art world. Titled Green Eyed Monster Eating its Own Tail, it features the works of Tracey Moffatt, Tom Polo, Heath Franco, Grant Stevens, Elvis Richardson, Gordon Bennett (aka John Citizen) and PJ Hickman — and gives some perspective on this very cultural landscape in which Art Month exists. "A key start point for the exhibition is the general suspicion of the wider public in regard to the insular nature of the art world and the idea promoted by the media that the art world is elitist," Keldoulis told us. "The role of Art Month is to overturn these assumptions, and this is an exhibition that explores these ideas in an engaging and often humorous manner, succinctly saying visually what may take hours to try to explain verbally…Why not ask artists themselves for insights into the insecurities, the ego bolstering and bruising, the delights and disappointments of seeking brand-name recognition in a simultaneously supportive yet competitive environment?" But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Art Month 2016 will kick off on Tuesday, March 1, when Beau Neilson opens the doors on a party at Eveleigh Creative Precinct. Visitors will head into a never-before-entered warehouse and discovering performances. Then, it's time to get stuck into the Art at Night part of the program. On March 3, head to Alaska Projects for a twilight tour through the East Sydney precinct; on 10 March, follow the Paddington and Woollahra night trail; and on 16 March, make tracks to Chippendale and Redfern. Between 7pm and 10pm after each event, Cake Wines will be running the official Art Bar nearby, providing drinks, live music and performances. Check out the rest of the Art at Night program over here — it's all free. Throughout the month, there'll be exhibitions, open studios, experiences, tours and talks galore. Hit Marrickville on the weekend of March 5-6 to visit 53 studios, galleries and artist-run initiatives — you’ll get to see artists doing their work, and chat to them about it. Get to Newtown on Saturday, March 12 by 10.30am to join Culture Scouts on a walking tour revealing the best of local street art. Jump on yer bike to join ARTcycle tours, which will be happening in various neighbourhoods every week. Wanna find out what's going on further afield? Curated bus tours will be travelling west, north and east. Meanwhile, Collectors’ Space is taking over an unoccupied house. We don’t know where yet — the venue won’t be announced until mid-February — but we can tell you that you'll be getting an insider's look at collections belonging to Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Courtney Gibson, Danny Goldberg and Jasper Knight. When you're ready to sit down and hear some wise words about art, grab a seat at a talk. On Thursday, March 3, City of Sydney public art consultant Barbara Flynn, curator and artist Glenn Barkley, Jess Cook of 107 Projects and artist Lindy Lee will get together to discuss how Sydney works as a creative community – and market. On Wednesday, March 9, hang out at The Bearded Tit alongside Kaldor Public Art Projects director John Kaldor, artist and publican Emma Price, and Jeff Khan from Performance Space to discuss whether performance art is collectable. And on March 12, find out what it's like for the sprogs, when a bunch of people — including Celia Bradshaw, Evan Hughes, Maddie Love, and Anna Shapiro — whose parents are famous art figures, reflect on their childhoods. More than ever, Art Month is about Sydney — it's all about lifting the city's art scene up to the renown of our harbour and pretty landscape. "When you look at the art being produced in Sydney — the artists that make it, the galleries that show it, and the collectors and art lovers who enjoy it — it becomes obvious that Sydney is a dynamic engine of creativity and that the city is a global arts hub," says Keldoulis. "Art Month '16 aims to unpick the puzzle of how a city like Sydney operates as a generator of ideas and an engine of creativity. Art Month's program investigates the various parts that make up the functioning whole." Art Month Sydney will run from March 1-20. For the full program and more information, visit their website.
Already home to a natural landmark that can be seen from space, as well as a luminous installation that brightens up the night sky, the Northern Territory is about to add another stellar sight — and site — to its list. From next year, Australia's Top End will make history when it becomes the first privately-owned location outside of the United States to launch NASA rockets. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility is partnering with the NT's Arnhem Space Centre, SBS reports, with private outfit Equatorial Launch Australia receiving the contract to provide temporary launch facilities in the southern hemisphere. Four rockets, measuring approximately 15 metres high, are expected to launch from the spaceport next year according to the ABC, with each spending around 15 minutes in suborbital space. Their purpose: scientific investigations. Already a lure for tourists, it was Arnhem Land's distinctive landscape and geographical location that reportedly proved an attraction — with NASA clearly taking the Top End moniker literally. The ASC is located in Nhulunbuy, around 700 kilometres east of Darwin. While NASA won't take off from the site until next year, it's expected that the ASC will be ready to launch small rockets by the end of this year. Even better — the centre is planning to launch spaceflights in 2020. The news comes as Australia keeps stepping up its space game — or reigniting it after closing down the Australian Space Office back in 1996. The federal government announced formed the Australian Space Agency in 2018, and revealed that it'd be headquartered in Adelaide from this year. In a statement, ASA Head Dr Megan Clark AC said that "NASA's interest in conducting a sounding rocket campaign in Australia shows the increasing importance of commercial launch activities from Australia". Via: SBS/ABC. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls.
When it comes to being happy, what personality type are you? A Perfectionist? (Happiness? What's that?) A Giver? (I'll be happy as soon as I've burnt myself at the stake.) A Boss? (You'll be happy when I tell you to, and not before.) A Tragic Romantic? (I'm not sure, but I've written lots of poems about what it might feel like.) A Mediator? A Performer? An Optimist? An Observer? A Devil's Advocate? If you've ever sat an Enneagram Test, these categories might be familiar to you. If you haven't, you're in luck, as they'll be getting a good workout in front of Sydney audiences when Happy as Larry hits the Seymour Centre. The creation of cutting-edge Australian choreographer Shaun Parker, the show combines ballet, break-dance, roller-skating, comedic antics and philosophising in an explosive theatrical performance that explores the meaning of happiness through nine archetypal characters. Originally staged at the 2010 Sydney Festival, Happy as Larry has since toured the world and sold out an entire season on London's West End. It's a NZ Banksy Award Winner and received a nomination for Most Outstanding Choreography in the 2011 Australian Dance Awards. It'll play the Seymour Centre for just one week before heading overseas again. If you're enthusiastic about supporting Shaun Parker's work (and hanging out with VIPs) you might still be able to nab a ticket to the September 12 Fundraising Event, where the man himself will be conversing with the crowd and raising funds for the development of his 2014 projects. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r5mUJnZf3FQ
The party heroes at Heaps Gay are once again throwing a big ol' bash this Mardi Gras. They've teamed up with the folks over at The Oxford Tavern to bring a slice of Oxford Street to Sydney's inner west. The party collective has pledged to make it a Mardi Gras for the ages, with some of Sydney's best queer DJs and performers taking the stage, including Twiggy Stix, Peach Fuzz, Dive Cups, Flowerboy, Double D and heaps more. The parade will be on the big screen, too, and the bar will of course be slinging craft booze and tasty bites all night long. It'll all kick off from 6pm on Saturday, March 6. It's a first-in, best-dressed affair here — no bookings at all, so get in early to nab a spot.
Author, comedian and frequent contributor to the New Yorker, David Sedaris, has released dates for his fourth Australian tour. In line with the launch of his newest title, Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977–2002), Sedaris is putting on a number of memorable shows for his cult followers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. Often hailed as one of the world's foremost humourists, Sedaris is known for his snappy wit and has established himself as a unique observer of life's moments, both trivial and extraordinary. Ranging from observational comedy to social critique and readings from his outrageous personal diary, his live shows regularly traverse new and unpublished material. In addition, he'll be throwing it over to the crowd for a Q&A and signing copies of his book.
Here's a restaurant pop-up not to miss. Anyone with Melbourne friends who rave about Supernormal will know you're in for a mighty fine feast. For one afternoon only, Supernormal's head chef Andrew McConnell is coming up to Sydney to serve his ingenious Asian-inspired creations out of Icebergs Dining Room & Bar. Coming off the back of the Belles Hot Chicken pop-up, Icebergs restaurateur Maurice Terzini chose this collaboration to kick off 2015, stating "Andrew McConnell and I have been friends for years and both stared our careers at the same time and are huge fans of each others work. In Melbourne I live 500m from Supernormal and am there every night!" So from 2pm on January 25, you can take your pick from three of McConnell's signature dishes: a New England lobster roll; Cobia fillet with yuzu kosho, fennel and seaweed cracker; and smoked beef tartare with clam mayonnaise and pickled shallot and smoked beef tartare. Each dish is accompanied by your choice of Besserat de Bellefon Champagne or Kirei Shuzo Karahucki 80 Junmai Nama Genshu (2013) sake. And for those wishing to push the festivities on into the night, $10 Aperol Icebergs Sundays will start as usual from 4pm (DJs included). Blending Bondi's breathtaking beach views with Flinders Lane fine dining, this is one Sunday dinner we think you'll want to remember.
Although the holidays are over, the sun is still shining and Sydney's favourite season is now in full swing. But, summertime doesn't need to be all about sand and surf. When you're not hanging by the beach, why not head to the CBD to get your cultural kicks? This summer, The Rocks Goes Pop — a series of pop-up events — has your artsy side sorted, with the precinct's cobblestone laneways jam-packed with art tours, themed high teas, outdoor sweat sessions and weekend markets peddling locally crafted goods. We've partnered with The Rocks to help you plan an activity-filled day out in the area, so all you have to do is pencil in a day in your diary. [caption id="attachment_787817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy Lee, 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember' (2020), installation view, 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020, stainless steel, image courtesy of the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney. Photograph: Anna Kucera[/caption] THE ROCKS ART TRAIL If you really want to get to know these cobblestone streets from a cultural perspective, spend the day following The Rocks Art Trail. Curated by Sydney artist Squidinki, the tour will guide you through the area's latest galleries, artisanal shops and creative spaces. To help you on your way, Squidinki has created a custom map of The Rocks highlighting 22 art retailers, which include everything from Indigenous art at Argyle Gallery to steampunk jewellery at AHW Studio, and surrealist art at Billich Gallery, plus local makers, boutique shops aplenty and, of course, the MCA. To download the map, head to the website, or keep an eye out for the QR codes in participating store windows. [caption id="attachment_790083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] GIN AND TONING In the latest line of booze-fuelled exercise classes, The Rocks is hosting a weekly Gin and Toning event over summer. Running each Wednesday from January 13 through February 24, it kicks off at 5.30pm with a free one-hour pilates class at First Fleet Park. Following your sweat session, you'll receive a free gin cocktail voucher (in the form of a Mahjong tile) for post-pilates bevvies at Sergeant Lok that evening. The cocktail in question is called Never Say Never and the deal is only available to those who attend the class, of course. No bookings are required, but the maximum pilates class size is capped at 30 — so first in, best dressed. For more information, head here. [caption id="attachment_785522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy Lee 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' , Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop, MCA. Image credit: Anna Kucera[/caption] LINDY LEE: MOON IN A DEW DROP AT MCA Any cultural trip to The Rocks should include a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art — especially this summer, when the blockbuster retrospective of Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee is on. Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop has taken over the Museum until February 28 and features over 70 works from the artist's illustrious career. Expect Lee's early photocopy works, newly commissioned sculptures and even whole-room installations. And, we've even picked out six must-see works, should you be short on time. Best of all, the exhibition is free to attend. [caption id="attachment_797555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] THE ROCKS MARKETS A mainstay in the precinct, The Rocks Markets is particularly worth a visit over the warmer months. Running every Friday through Sunday, the markets is your go-to spot for picking up goodies such as jewellery, cosmetics, textiles, candles, leather goods, quirky homewares, hand-crafted chocolates and more. You can expect the usual makers to be there, with stalls selling the likes of vibrant prints from Emilio Frank Designs, fashionable threads from Ederbyanna, fun picnic blankets from Glorious Difference and adorable children's clothes from Applecart Co. There's also heaps of gourmet street food to keep you fuelled and harbourside views to enjoy while you're at it. For more stall details, head here. AUSSIE HIGH TEA AT THE TEA COSY Once you've taken in all of the art and culture you can handle — and shopped till you've (almost) dropped — it's time to enjoy a relaxing bite to eat. Go for something beyond the usual pub feed and sit down to an Australian-themed high tea at The Tea Cosy instead. The elegant affair is offered from 10am–3pm every day between January 20–26 and will see you feasting on an array of sweet and savoury delights. Think scones, fancy pies, prawn sangas and the Tea Cosy's signature fairy bread. The entire sitting will be served with Australian sparkling wine and Billy Tea, with a Dame Edna impersonator hanging around from 11am–2pm on January 26, too. Check out more pop-up events happening in The Rocks this summer over here. Top image: Destination NSW
A ubiquitous feature at most art exhibitions is some variation on the 'DO NOT TOUCH THE ART' sign; a surly security guard, a cordon subtly but firmly separating audience from artist, a general feeling that chin-stroking contemplation and a safe distance from the work is expected. Richard Kean's new installation 'Aural Labyrinth' flips the script on these norms and instead directly encourages and almost demands participation from those who visit. This new piece consists of a series of acoustic strings, stretching out stretch out along the walls and vaulting to the ceilings of the 300 cubic metre room. Sounds are made when people touch the strings, which are affixed to the space with objects roughly approximating the frets of a guitar. The transformation of the room into a giant instrument is not merely a vessel for the interactivity but allows the piece to also function as a large scale, minimalist, visually striking response to the grey walls, wooden pillars and exposed beams of the space. The setup means strangers can become instant collaborators and co-conspirators in a fun, messy, musical melange. One of the real pleasures of the installation is watching the looks on people's faces as they react and reply, often with surprise and laughter, to the discordant musical interjections of those around them. The artist himself does perform on the installation, and proved a surprisingly accomplished practitioner of this most unlikely of instruments, but generally the work becomes a kind of toy instrument cacophony as multiple people pluck strings and have the sounds overlap and reverberate around the space. Kean is a Sydney-based artist whose previous works have focused on the interplay between space and sound, and here he has come up with a work of real playfulness. This seems inspired in roughly equal measures by heavy art theory on the relationship between a site and the art and the artist and audience and those giant keyboards that you could walk across in toy scores as a kid. No two people experience find the work exactly the same and that's the beauty of it. This is art you can touch, pull, pluck and play with to your heart's content. Articulate is currently open 11-5 pm Friday-Sunday. The next artist performance is on 9 December.
Amid an ongoing legal battle, Australia's answer to a certain cult American burger chain Down N' Out has put out a call for suggestions for a new name, after Federal Court Justice Anna Katzmann ruled Hashtag Burgers (the team behind Down N' Out) "sailed too close to the wind" when it came to appropriating the name, menu and design of the California-based In-N-Out. Down N' Out declared on Facebook that there was "nothing left to do except eat away our feelings", while sharing its latest weekly special — that surely no one could fit their mouth around — filled with double meat, triple cheese and beer-battered onion rings. The post asks for ideas on what the next iteration of the business should be called, saying the person behind the winning suggestion could "win free burgs for life". [embed]https://www.facebook.com/downnoutofficial/photos/a.1207446045955152/3095562290476842/?type=3&theater[/embed] Co-owner Ben Kagan told Concrete Playground that he and business partner Andrew "Archie" Saliba, "opened Down N' Out in 2016 with no hospitality background and very little experience". "We have always done our own thing and we are disappointed with the outcome," Kagan continued. "However we know that our fans will continue to support us regardless of what our name is. We may be down at the moment but we sure as sh#t aren't out." Since popping up at the Sir John Young Hotel on Liverpool Street in 2016, Down N' Out has spawned its own CBD restaurant and outposts in Ryde, Castle Hill and Crows Nest. The case between In-N-Out and Hashtag Burgers is set to continue in court next month, so we'll keep you updated as we learn more. You can suggest a new name for the burger shop on the Down N' Out Sydney Facebook page, and read Federal Court Justice Anna Katzmann's full ruling over here.
Meet the Makers Festival is a month-long celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and culinary excellence on NSW's South Coast. Returning for its second edition in September, the jam-packed event will take over Milton with unique experiences designed to bring people closer to the talented makers who make artisan goods a reality. Running from Saturday, September 6—Sunday, September 28, visitors will encounter 30 fascinating experiences, with each showcasing the region's vibrant community of makers. Think immersive workshops, exclusive dining adventures, inventive exhibitions, gastronomic tutorials and more. While the full program is still to be revealed, a selection of highlights is bound to get you in the mood. For instance, enchanting garden-to-plate cafe Milk HAUS will join forces with a host of its friends to present an intimate Dinner with Dangerous at the iconic Milton Hotel. At Cupitt's Estate, guests are invited to a hands-on blending workshop, where you'll have the chance to craft your own signature wine. Meet the Makers Festival also presents plenty of opportunities to indulge your creative side. Allow yourself to get absorbed in a floral and art workshop by FRED Flowers, or head to Motion Ceramics to see if you've got the magic touch when it comes to shaping pottery. Then, pop over to Delicious Vibrant Beauty to create natural skincare products. While there's no shortage of incredible dining throughout regional NSW, Milton has become a thriving culinary hotspot. When you're next in town, find Japanese-inspired cuisine and vinyl DJs at Bar Yuki, get caught up in the modern Middle Eastern flavours of Nomah and swing by the ever-popular Milk HAUS for wine and a feel-good feed produced entirely from its kitchen garden. Meet the Makers Festival is happening in Milton from Saturday, September 6—Sunday, September 28. Head to Instagram for more information.
Across the past nine years, Sydney's All About Women festival has featured sessions on everything from hip hop and toxic masculinity to the post-#MeToo era — and, for its tenth iteration in 2021, it's once again presenting an exciting and eclectic program. When the event returns across two days on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, it'll feature talks, panels, workshops and films about the future of women in Afghanistan, sexual entitlement, and pushing beyond the gender binary — as well as design, art and love. Once again, the fest will take place around International Women's Day. While last year's festival of ideas focused on power structures that limit the female experience, 2022's edition pulls together an all-star cast to discuss a wide and far-reaching collection of topics surrounding gender, justice and equality. Leading the lineup of speakers is advocate and former political staffer Brittany Higgins who will be joining British slam poet Joelle Taylor and beloved presenter Julia Zemiro for the Opening Night Gala. Debbie Millman — designer consultant for the likes of Maria Abramovic, Ai Weiwei and David Byrne, and host of the Design Matters podcast — will be discussing the importance of design in our lives and the merits of living creatively with Yumi Stynes. Elsewhere on the lineup, Clementine Ford will be delivering a sermon on love; Laura Tingle and Anne Summers are deconstructing our always outlandish political landscape; a host of LGBTQIA+ storytellers will be taking to the stage for Queerstories; and Debra Keenahan, Elly-May Barnes and Eliza Hull will lead a discussion on parenting with a disability. As for workshops, head in person and you'll have the chance to vent and seek council from Wiradjuri women Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Aunty Norma Ingram, Aunty Millie Ingram, and Aunty Bronwyn Penrith about problems in your life; learn to dye fabrics or seek advice on being successful from Flex Mami. Returning this year is the option to livestream the talks and panels online if you can make it in person. Head to the Sydney Opera House's website to see what's on offer both in-person and online. [caption id="attachment_844646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Top image: Prudence Upton
The hospo pros at Parlour Group are at it again. With Riley St Garage, Surly's and The Village Inn under their belt, they've now moved into The Cannery in Rosebery, where they're about to open Stanton & Co. Headed by executive chef Regan Porteous — who helped set up Riley St Garage four years ago — the restaurant will serve up modern Aussie fare dashed with Japanese influences. In collaboration with head chef Marcelino Papio (also of Riley St), Porteous has come up with two modern Australian-Japanese menus. At lunch, you'll be sitting down to casual, a la carte dishes; come dinner, the menu will switch to a long, shared feast. On the drinks list there's an extensive selection of cocktails, as well as premium craft beers and boutique wines. Parlour Group worked with Alexander&Co on the interior, which honours The Cannery's history and, at the same time, draws on ideas from New York's famous Meatpacking District. There's a large dining space, a roomy bar and an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs in action. Parlour Group owner Brody Petersen is excited to be opening a new venue in Rosebery. "The area is thriving and has really come alive as a leading food destination in Sydney; it is inspiring and exciting for us to be surrounded by people who share our passion for great food and drink," he says. "We want to create a beautiful venue that is fun, relaxing and vibrant, a place where guests feel like they are eating at a bar rather than drinking in a restaurant." Stanton & Co. is set to open in October at The Cannery, 85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery. For more info, keep an eye on their Facebook page. Image: Nikki To.
Sometimes, watching a movie is all about escapism. Sometimes, it's a thought-provoking and eye-opening experience. You won't forget the world's troubles at the Environmental Film Festival Australia, but you will find out more about them — especially as they relate to the state of this planet we all call home. As its name makes plain, EFFA shines a spotlight on cinema that puts the environment in firmly focus. The 2021 event is going virtual, hosting its lineup online; however, the same remit remains between Thursday, October 14–Sunday, November 14. So, eco-conscious cinephiles can explore the struggles and splendours of the natural world, all from their couches. Leading the charge is The Weather Diaries, which sees Australian director Kathy Drayton chronicle her daughter's teen years as the planet is increasingly affected by climate change — and it's joined by The Fourth Kingdom, about illegal immigrants living in a New York recycling centre; That's Wild, where teens traverse Colorado's mountains; and The Forum, focusing on the World Economic Forum. The list of flicks goes on, including documentaries about everything from Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jacques Duboche and local farmers on the French island of Martinique to the School Strike 4 Climate movement.
The Abbotsford Anglers are a lousy, Saturday morning, suburban cricket team, led by Ted (Stephen Curry), a sweet but kinda hopeless guy who lives in a mate's garage and works at a sports store. When his best mate, Rick (Brendan Cowell), announces his plans to marry and have children (which, to the boyish Ted, amounts to no less than treason), Ted can see his beloved cricket team will be overtaken by nappies, wives and all the other dreadful trappings of manhood. Oblivious to the inevitable fact that the times and the nature of his friendships are a-changing, Ted leads his D-grade team into the depths of India for a tour of glorified park cricket. It’s here that tensions arise, friendships are frayed, life lessons are learned and Ted must finally man up, grow up and fondly leave his teenage dreams behind. Save Your Legs! is about as blokey and Strayne, and silly as you’d expect a cricket bromance penned by Brendan Cowell to be. There's alot of toilet humour and alot of Channel Nine's "Wide World of Sports" theme music going on. Admittedly, I’m not the film’s target audience member (in other words, I’m not a cricket-obsessed, "nice Aussie bloke"), but it’s lovely to see a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Until it does, when the cricket metaphors start coming thick and fast (“There’s only one innings in life. You only get once chance” and so forth). Underlying all the beer and bravado, Save Your Legs! is about mateship and coming of age, with an affectionate portrait of everyday Aussie battlers that puts it in the same cinematic bracket as The Castle and Kenny. If the idea of a crew of drink-addled guys swanning around stoking chaos sounds familiar, it's because the film is also a bit of an Australianisation of The Hangover. Cowell and Curry give endearing performances as man-boys who are forcefully and finally shoved out of adolescence and into adulthood at the ripe old age of thirty-five. As a lighthearted, nostalgia-drenched film, Save Your Legs! hits a six.
Are we changing sex or is sex, in fact, changing us? We might think the internet is the best thing since sliced bread, but do we actually have any idea what it's doing to us? If we had to write a totally honest letter to our closest friend, romantic partner or business partner, would he or she really want to read it? What happens to The Odyssey in the hands of one of the UK's greatest storytellers? These are just a sprinkling of the questions to be tackled at this year's Sydney Writers' Festival. Authors, poets, troubadours, editors, critics, publishers, academics and media personalities from far and wide will be converging on venues around the city to talk about how our stories reflect, embody and influence who we've been, who we are and who we might become. Here are our picks of the festival's ten most dynamic, original and upbeat events. Festival Club: Thursday Thursday, May 23, 7pm, Pier 2/3 Club Stage, Pier 2/3, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $10 Wednesday to Saturday nights, Festival Club will keep the action happening until the late hours. Created with the input of Eddie Sharp, these gatherings will see the meeting of an eclectic mix of writers, personalities and live music. Though they're all worth checking out, Thursday's our pick. There'll be 90 minutes of erotic fan fiction, featuring new stories from the likes of Noni Hazlehurst, Benjamin Law and Ben Jenkins; unpredictable banter between The Chaser crew and international guests Sylvie Simmons, Mark Forsyth, and Aleks Krotoski; and performances from Kate Miller-Heidke, Swimwear and Dave Graney. The Silent History Saturday, May 25, 10am, Pier 2/3 Club Stage, Pier 2/3, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $10 What Charles Dickens made famous Eli Horowitz has taken into a brave new world: the serialised novel. Between October 1, 2012, and April 19, 2013, the ex-McSweeney's managing editor-turned-novelist published a 500-page narrative via daily updates accessible on iPad and iPhone. The Silent History is a futuristic dystopia about a generation of children unable to use or understand language. Horowitz will join Australian writers Krissy Kneen (Affection), Josephine Rowe (Tarcutta Wake) and Sam Cooney (The Lifted Brow) for a panel discussion. Are we changing sex or is sex changing us? Friday, May 24, 8.30pm, Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney, $25/$20 Five 'sexperts' get together to talk about the topic that, once taboo, now seems ubiquitous. In conversation with Radio National's Natasha Mitchell, Benjamin Law (Gaysia), Frank Bongiorno (The Sex Lives of Australians), Naomi Wolf (Vagina), and Faramerz Dabhoiwala (The Origins of Sex) will be trying to determine who's actually wearing the pants these days: is it us or is it sex? And how do attitudinal changes in the west compare with those in other parts of the globe? Daniel Morden: Tales from the Odyssey Sunday, May 26, 10am, Pier 2/3 The Loft, Pier 2/3, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, free Daniel Morden, one of the UK's most gifted and charismatic storytellers, brings his modern magic to an ancient tale. Having worked as a professional weaver of tales for nearly 23 years, he's been described by BBC Radio as combining "the skills of the troubadour, the actor, the bard, the stand-up comedian and the preacher in the pulpit". He'll be making several appearances (including the opening address), but this, his idiosyncratic telling of The Odyssey is probably the pick of the bunch. Literary Mag Revival Friday, May 24, 2.30pm, Bangarra Mezzanine, Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, free Back in the day, literary journals were the go-to for hot new writing talent. Their position diminished as a reading audience once unified by the homogeny of the print press and the dominance of a small selection of publishing houses became splintered by the internet. However, like vinyl, the literary mag seems to be experiencing something of a revival. Craig Taylor (editor of online UK mag Five Dials), Rebecca Starford (Kill Your Darlings), Sam Cooney (The Lifted Brow) and Alice Grundy (Seizure) discuss the why, how and where of this phenomenon. Question Time with Sheila Heti Saturday, May 25, 11.30am, Pier 2/3 Club Stage, Pier 2/3, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, $14/$10 Drawing on the work of theatre creative Darren O'Donnell, Sheila Heti is planning on turning this Q&A upside-down. The sometimes divisive writer and Believer interviews editor will be the one asking the audience questions, in the process aiming to reveal what it is in other individuals that makes them fascinating to us. Anyone who's read Heti's novel, How Should a Person Be? will know that her approach to identity sure ain't about 'keeping yourself nice'. Aleks Krotoski: Untangling the Web Thursday, May 23, 11.30am, Pier 2/3 Club Stage, Pier 2/3, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, $14/$10 What's the internet doing to us? It's impacting everything, from shopping to playing to communicating, but it all seems to be happening so quickly, how can we possibly figure out whether or not the long-term consequences are desirable? Social psychologist Aleks Krotoski has committed the past ten years to these questions. She'll be chatting about what she's discovered with Marc Fennell, self-confessed cyber addict and presenter of Radio National's Download This Show. People of Letters Thursday, May 23, 4pm, Pier 2/3 Club Stage, Pier 2/3, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, free This popular show will be making its Sydney Writers' Festival debut. Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy have asked five diverse pairs to compose letters addressed to their 'other half'. We'll be hearing words from the musical partnership of Brendan Maclean and Paul Mac, the media duo of Wendy Harmer and Angela Catterns, the literary relationship of editor Alex Craig and author Hannah Kent, the marriage of Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall and the writing collaboration of Jacquelin Perske and Claudia Karvan. Troubadours and Minstrels Saturday, May 18, 12pm, The Rocks Square & Laneways, The Rocks Square, Playfair Street, The Rocks, free (bookings essential) Pied Piper of Hamelin fans will love this one. After gathering at designated areas in The Rocks, audience members will be asked to follow wandering troubadours wherever they may lead. The destination is a series of intimate performance spaces, where the trusting will be treated to live poetry readings. MCA Zine Fair Sunday, May 26, 11am, Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks, free Fancy yourself an editor? Don't let the insular hiring practices of big media stop you. Have a go at creating your own zine at the MCA Zine Fair, which is now in its sixth year. Apart from attending DYI workshops, zine aficionados will have the chance to browse and buy an array of zine classics. There'll also be a 'show and tell session' conducted by MCA curator Glenn Barkley, who's something of a zine expert. The Sydney Writers' Festival is on from May 20-26, 2013, mostly at venues in and around Walsh Bay's Pier 2/3 and 4/5. Check out the full program at their website. Images courtesy of Sydney Writers' Festival, Museum of Contemporary Art and Miles Merrill.
Everyone should see Henry Rollins on a stage. Luckily, audiences have had ample opportunities for more than four decades. The musician first came to fame singing behind the microphone in punk-rock band Black Flag and then Rollins Band, but is now just as renowned for his spoken-word shows, where he waxes lyrical (and candid and amusing) about his life, fame and the state of the world. Australians are no stranger to Rollins getting chatty; however, thanks to the pandemic, he hasn't taken to stages Down Under since 2016. That's about to change come winter, with the icon, actor, author and radio host heading around the country on an 18-show, 17-city tour. The place scoring a double dose of Rollins? Brisbane. Rollins' spoken-word gigs always sell out, and they're always an entertaining — and unflinchingly honest — night spent listening to the Sons of Anarchy, Lost Highway and Heat star. This time, he's visiting both capitals and regional centres, and notching up every Aussie state and territory, on a tour dubbed 'Good to See You'. Attendees can look forward to Rollins looking back over the past seven years since he last visited Australia, stepping through his life from 2016 until COVID-19 hit — and, of course, exploring what's happened since. Fingers crossed for more mullet insights, too. Rollins makes his way around Australia after a massive leg in Europe, where he's currently flitting from Croatia, Poland and Finland to Sweden, Germany, France and the United Kingdom — and more. And, his latest tour comes after he added two more books to his name in 2022: Sic, which draws upon the frustration of not knowing if his touring life would ever return; and Stay Fanatic!!! Vol. 3. [caption id="attachment_888225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morten Jensen via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] HENRY ROLLINS 'GOOD TO SEE YOU' TOUR 2023: Monday, June 5 — Perth Concert Hall, Perth Tuesday, June 6 — Margaret River HEART, Margaret River Thursday, June 8 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Friday, June 9 — Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs Saturday, June 10 — Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin Tuesday, June 13 — Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Cairns Thursday, June 15–Friday, June 16 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Saturday, June 17 — The Events Centre Caloundra, Sunshine Coast Tuesday, June 20 — Llewellyn Hall ANU, Canberra Wednesday, June 21 — Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Thursday, June 22 — Civic Hall, Ballarat Saturday, June 24 — Hamer Hall, Melbourne Tuesday, June 27 — Anita's Theatre, Thirroul Wednesday, June 28 — State Theatre, Sydney Friday, June 30 — Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Sunday, July 2 — Princess Theatre, Launceston Monday, July 3 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Henry Rollins tours Australia in June and July 2023, with ticket pre sales from 11am local time on Monday, February 13 and general sales from 11am local time on Wednesday, February 15. Head to the tour website for further information.
Telly Tuita, Sydney Festival's Visual Artist in Residence at The Thirsty Mile, is bringing his vibrant "Tongpop" aesthetic to this year's Festival precinct, celebrating his Pacific heritage and the energy of Sydney. Drawing on his Tongan roots and maritime history, Tuita's work features extravagant totems, dancing divas and immersive spaces transformed into trippy dreamscapes. Born in Tonga, raised in Western Sydney and now based in Wellington, Tuita's art combines kaleidoscopic chaos with urban vibrance. His installations for Sydney Festival 2025 include SS John Oxley, a transformed historic steamship featuring Tuita's signature textiles and patterns; Moonshine Bar, where you can discover colourful totems and digital screens showing dancing Tēvolo (ghosts); Flags & Festival 'S', a large scale work throughout the festival precinct featuring Tongpop-inspired flags and a giant 'S' adorned with Tēvolo divas; and Colour Maze, a collaboration with Amigo & Amigo conjuring a playful, immersive art experience for all ages. Images: Neil Bennett
TEDxSydney is back for yet another year, and this time it's bringing you ten speakers at the forefront of thinking in the areas of energy, economic, politics, science and creativity. Each will give you their take on the event's theme, Three Horizons, looking at three aspects of the problem they present – triage (what's happening now), transition (how we're changing) and transformation (what the future might look like). On the program are human rights lawyer and Grata Fund founding Executive Director Isabelle Reinecke, who'll be discussing how law can challenge gridlocks in human rights, climate change and democratic freedoms, as well as climate philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court, who'll dive into how political independents can transform Australian politics. Look out, too, for rewilding adventurer Gina Chick, waxing lyrical on how connecting to nature and each other can improve our future; author and broadcaster Sarah Wilson on "what a former climate activist does in the face of collapse"; and Saibai Seisia Elder Aunty McRose Elu discussing how we can bring Indigenous knowledge lore into our legal system. Other speakers include Bega Group chair Barry Irvin; global ecology professor Corey Bradshaw; singer-songwriter Ruby Rodgers; insect ecologist Tanya Patty; climate finance advocate Tim Buckley; poet and performer Jessica Chapnik Kahn and singer-songwriter Luke O'Shea. Registration is open now.
When Tandem, Newtown's Copenhagen-inspired neighbourhood bar, arrived on the scene in 2018, it promised to break us out of our comfort zone. And with its brand new cocktail menu, it's doing just that. At its heart is aquavit, a spirit that Scandinavians have been making for more than 700 years. It's a bit like gin but is distilled from caraway seeds, instead of juniper, which means that you end up with a heady explosion of herbs and spices, like dill, anise and cardamom. Yep, it's exactly what you need to drink your way through a long, snowy, Danish winter — or a cool Newtown autumn. And, to mark the coming of the cold, Tandem founder Peter Lynn has created seven signature cocktails all inspired by aquavit. It's a versatile spirit, so, at one at end of the spectrum, you might find a light drop like the traditional Danish Aalborg in a fruity spritz and, at the other, a barrel-aged version such as Linie — which is aged on the top decks of ships travelling the world — in a stirred-down, late-night drink. "Aquavit's slightly savoury notes are so evocative of Danish hospitality and cuisine," says Lynn. "Every home in Scandinavia would have bottles of Aquavit in the pantry — after all, that's why it means 'water of life'." Keen to try it out? You're in luck — we're giving away a night out a Tandem. You and a mate will enjoy an aquavit cocktail each, an aquavit tasting experience and a large cheese board to share. You'll be enjoying them in Tandem's cosy quarters, designed to feel like a lounge room in a Copenhagen apartment and inspired by Lynn's mum and his adventures as a bartender in the city. Enter with your details below for a chance to win. [competition]716455[/competition] Images: Nic Newland and Newtown Photography.
This article is sponsored by our partners, General Assembly. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the work-sleep-eat grind. But the last thing the folks at General Assembly want to see is you, losing your precious youth to blood, sweat and tears. So they’ve come up with a simple, straightforward, foolproof solution. On Thursday, September 25, they’ll be hosting an epic, free warehouse bash at Work-Shop (80 George Street, Redfern). And all things work-related will be left at the door. All you have to do is turn up, ready to chat, dance and sample some high-quality, handcrafted beverages. Any ‘I-should-be-networking-and-handing-out-my-business-cards’ sensations can be completely and luxuriantly ignored. Guest DJs Seekae will be spinning a three-hour set, shortly before jetting off around the world. This year, the Sydney-London three-piece has played at SXSW, blitzed the UK with a sold-out tour and released their third album, The Worry. In the meantime, drinks will be sponsored by the Rocks Brewing Company and Naked Wines. The former is a local craft brewery based in Alexandria, run and operated by fifth and sixth generation descendants of convicts. The latter is a crowdfunded wine business. Customers invest in independent winemakers, and, in return, score exclusive access to fine, handmade wines at wholesale prices. Entry is free, but you'll need to secure yourself a spot by booking online via the General Assembly website. General Assembly hosts events and classes in tech, design and entrepreneurial business, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and around the world.
On the streets of Cuba, music and politics are inseparable entities. In a country where musicians critically shape national identity, the influence wielded by one group of innovative artists in the face of socialism is nothing short of, well, beautifully revolucionario. Los Van Van — highly acclaimed as a crucial social influence on post-revolution Cuba — is a storytelling, ideological whirlwind with nothing gimmicky about their use of a cowbell. With bass guitar and idealism held high, founding father, Juan Formell, lead the first Cuban fusion of synthesisers and traditional rhythms over four decades ago, with their unique melange of Afrofunk, hip-hop, dance and rock — even grabbing a shiny Latin Grammy Award in 2000. The recipe here is a dish of charanga; a festive Cuban ensemble style Mambo-esque marching group, that conjures visions of palm fronds and light Spanish breezes at the drop of a timbale. With this post-revolutionary tour de force barrelling through Sydney, this Cuban dance orchestra is sure to vividly melt the senses and sultrily infuse the mind with a castanet or two. With such an adaptable sound and over 40 years of fire, Formell's son Samuel has now effectively taken the band reigns, with favourites such as "Soy Todo" still sending dancers into a furious Latin spin of colour, rhythm and wild hot fusion. Joined by special guests Latin Block Party, this dangerously infectious blend of Cuban changui and son montuno is sure to light your cigar with gusto, and have you donning a white linen suit faster than you can say "Llego Van Van!"
In the historic fishing town of Patonga, located along the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay, you'll find the recently renovated Boathouse Hotel. The Boathouse Group's eighth venue, it now offers all-day dining, seaside views and a large outdoor deck overlooking the water It's the first Central Coast venue for the Boathouse Group, which originated in Palm Beach back in 2008. The stunning new interior is similar to the group's other beachside venues and resembles the inside of a luxury yacht, while the large outdoor deck offers prime seating for the warmer months. The menu spans breakfast through dinner with a focus on quality produce and fresh fare. For brekkie, there are healthy options like the granola ($17), bircher muesli ($17) and green bowl (avocado, kale, broccoli, seed loaf and cashews, topped with a poached egg — $21), along with more decadent eats like the croissant french toast ($21) and sausage sangas with manchego, caramelised onions and chilli ($16). For lunch and dinner, classic pub grub, including parmas ($24), pork ribs ($39) and burgers ($26), sit alongside more refined fare — think snapper ceviche with cucumber and sesame ($23) or yellowfin tuna pasta with capers and herbs ($31). A takeaway shop turns out finger food like fish and chips, too. The classic cocktail list continues the beachside vibes, with a frozen watermelon margarita, cucumber cooler and pomegranate mojito all making the list at $18 a piece. Other drink specialties include a rare magnum offering and 17-strong beer list. Non-alcoholic options range from cold press juices and smoothies to tonics and kombucha. As of January, the hotel's accommodation will also reopen and include one-to-three bedroom guest rooms, each with waterfront balcony views. Located a 90-minute drive from Sydney, or 30-minute ferry trip from Palm Beach, it's the perfect spot to build a weekend getaway around. If you do, here are a few more Central Coast spots to check out while you're there. The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is now open at 6/8 Patonga Drive, Patonga. Open Monday through Tuesday from 7am–4pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 7am–10pm.
South American food is all the rage right now. Most of us are familiar with the wonderful empanada and the delightful churro (never mind heath food stores' obsession with quinoa), but this little Chilean bakery in Fairfield has much much more to offer. For one, the atmosphere. Plastic chairs and tables, white tiles, and Chilean pride everywhere. We're talking coloured streamers that stay up all year, flags, plastic streamers of flags, and Chilean television buzzing away at the end of the room. If you're trying to learn Spanish, this is the perfect chance to practise. More importantly, the food. The equivalent of a pork roll from your local Vietnamese bakery is the Lomito, which in the Completo version comes as pork slices on a white bun with lettuce, tomato, sauerkraut and mayo. Chacarero ($8.80 for the 'Palta' or avocado version) is the beef alternative. Then, of course, there's the empanadas. Choose from eight varieties, including Pino ($3.70) with beef and egg, Pollo ($3.70) with chicken and olive, Espinaca ($3.70) with spinach and cheese, or the indulgent Queso ($2.60), fried with cheese filling. One of the more unusual savories not to be missed is the Tamale ($2.50 each). Made from masa (corn dough) and wrapped in a leaf, these are super soft and filled with surprises. The desserts (up to $3) have a cabinet all to themselves and, to be fair, they deserve it. The specialties here feature manjar, which is a little like dulche de leche. Try the Tres Leche, three milk cake or the Horns filled with manjar. You'll also find churros (Chilean donuts), Berlin donuts and a range of biscuits. La Paula is the real deal, and it tastes (and feels) like it. Prices are low and the food is super fresh, making it well worth the journey to Fairfield - or the Kingsford branch if you prefer. [nggallery id=141]
Without hangovers, would we have the gift of long boozy brunches? It doesn't bear thinking about the culture we'd miss out on if we didn't feel a little dusty, but also ready to keep the party going at the same time. Next time you feel the need to feed your aching body with good food, great company and even better drinks, take advantage of one of the many excellent brunches Sydney has to offer. But before you do, it's crucial to arm yourself with a list of where to find restorative food and a ridiculously good hangover-busting cocktail. So we've partnered with Grey Goose, the world's finest French vodka, to help you locate seven boozy brunch spots so you can order that plate of pulled pork tacos with a spicy bloody mary, or avo on toast with a fruity vodka spritz. There's no judgement here — you'll feel better in no time.
The annual Surry Hills Festival is back on Saturday, September 27, in a celebration of everything there is to love about the inner-city suburb. From the 9am dog show to the after-dark art takeover of a laneway, and with plenty of gourmet picnics hampers and market-stall tastings in between, it's a choose-your-own adventure of artisanal, community-minded promenading. Headlining the music program is Donny Benet, his eccentric tunes harking back to a time of kitschy disco meets funk (his new track with Kirin J. Callinan is everything you'd expect from the duo; an '80s throwback to perfection). Also headlining are Sydney psychedelic rockers, The Laurels, who have recently toured alongside the likes of Tame Impala and The Black Angels. There's also Spookyland — helmed by Marcus Gordan — aptly named thanks to their haunting folk tunes. For dancing after dark, Sydney electronic outfit Canyons will be playing a DJ set, as will Goodgod's rock 'n' roll dancehall favourites, Yo Grito!. Indie-pop band The Lulu Raes, electro-rock two-piece Tales In Space, singer-songwriter Little Fox, and the fantastic genre defying Spirit Valley (think Brian Jonestown Massacre but with chaotic drone) will also be bringing good vibes to the 'hood. For a chance to support local up-and-comers, AIM will be showcasing some of the best musical talent from its tiers. If you still can't think of an excuse to come down, proceeds raised will go towards a fundraiser for the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre for vital community projects to keep the suburb alive and going. The festival will be spread out over Shannon Reserve, Ward Park and (in the case of the psychedelic Velvet Cave) in a cluster of lanes behind Taylor Square. The Surry Hills Festival will run 10am-11pm. Check out the day's program on the festival website.
Arisun has long been a late-night favourite for big, rowdy groups sharing their signature beer towers and Korean fried chicken sets. The Seoul-style beer garden offers an extensive menu, but you'd be remiss to overlook the fried favourite, which is really perfected by the house-made sauces on offer — including spicy garlic, shallots and wasabi, sweet, sour and spicy options. Choose from boneless or bone in (all $32) and make sure to keep the beer flowing. There's just something special about tucking into a big bowl of fried chicken with a cold beer late at night, and Arisun has perfected this.
NAIDOC Week, the annual celebration of the achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is set to return this month from July 8–14, and Klub Koori is always a highlight of the week. The mini-festival, which will take place on Saturday, July 14, is hosted by Sydney's only First Nations radio station Koori Radio and presented in collaboration with contemporary art space Carriageworks. The event promotes the talents of established and young Indigenous artists to a large and diverse audience while also advocating for a broader appreciation of Indigenous arts and culture. For $15, you can expect a great mix of hard-hitting beats and sultry tones across the night, with things kicking off at 8pm. Adelaide electro-soul act Electric Fields are top billed. The award-winning duo's clash of traditional Indigenous culture — including member Zaachariaha Fielding singing in his traditional language — with electronic music has made them a sought-after outfit across Australia and the world. They'll share the stage with the honeyed neo-soul vocals of Kaiit and upcoming artists including rapper Dwayne Broome, Chloe Grant-King and Kakyra Ocean. Organiser Koori Radio 97.3FM has been on-air since 1993, offering listeners a 'live and deadly' cultural mix of Australian and International Indigenous music interspersed with discussions on news, current affairs and community information. Klub Koori will take place at Carriageworks on Saturday, July 14 from 8pm onwards. To purchase tickets, visit the Carriageworks website. Koori Radio will also broadcast the performances on-air and online. Image: Matsu Photography.
