If you're looking for a decadent way to toast to the change of the seasons, you should make your way to Reign at The QVB for a spring-themed high tea celebrating the launch of Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition — the first in Roku Gin's Seasonal Festive Collection. Roku, which translates to 'six' in English, is made with six Japanese botanicals. Each of these botanicals is plucked at the peak of its seasonality — as is the Japanese practice of Shun. The sakura season is one of the most popular times of the year in Japan, as the petals blanket the country in a pink hue. A vision of marble, brass and musk pink, Reign at The QVB is the perfect location for a high tea with a Japanese twist. On the savoury tier, you'll find cranberry chicken sandwiches, smoked salmon sandwiches with dill and cream cheese and Japanese egg sandwiches. On the sweet tier, choose between plain and wattleseed raisin scones with clotted cream and quandong jam, macarons, madeleines, raspberry brownies and lemon meringue tarts. For those keen to sample more of the seasonal gin, guests can enjoy three bespoke cocktails made with Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition that will be served with the high tea. First is the Sakuragi Spritz, a regal-themed floral-forward spritz made with the gin, St Germain, Pommery Brut Royal Pommery Brut Rosé champagne and a touch of chrysanthemum syrup to amplify the sweet floral notes. Next up is a more fruit-forward number, "A Night in Tokyo", a blend of Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition, strawberry-infused Campari and jasmine tea. The third is called "My Amai", which translates to "my sweetness", a take on a gin sour made with Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition, rose syrup, lemon juice and egg whites. Ahead of the delectable Japanese-inspired high tea and paired cocktails, guests who purchase the VIP experience ($129pp) will enjoy an exclusive and intimate gin tasting led by Roku Gin Brand Ambassador James Buntin. He will be joined by florist-turned-perfumier Saskia Havekes, founder of Grandiflora, who has crafted a beautifully floral perfume inspired by the floral botanicals in Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition. All attendees at this event will go home with a full-size perfume (50ml, valued at $220). This fragrance will only be available at exclusive Roku Gin and Grandiflora events happening throughout spring in Sydney. Tickets to this exclusive high tea are limited. Be sure to book in fast to secure your spot. Find out more information on the event website. Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition is available at Dan Murphy's stores nationwide. Find out more info and purchase on the website. Images: Supplied
It might not be quite the same as jetting off on an international getaway, but the banks of Circular Quay are about to get a taste of New Caledonian beach life, as part of a four-day pop-up this July. A whole heap of sand will transform the eastern side of the quay, between the ferry terminals and the Sydney Opera House, into a tropical oasis inspired by the French island's beach villages. The summery beach is part of the city's annual Bastille Festival, which also includes a wintry Christmas in July Village over in the Rocks. As well as New Caledonia, the temporary beach takes inspiration from the artificial beaches that pop-up along the Seine in Paris during summer, which look a little like this: The Sydney beach, however, will have a bit more going on. From July 11 to 14, the sandy stretch is set to be the ultimate playground for those avoiding winter, dotted with beach chairs and palm trees and filled with cocktails, treasure hunts, games and island-inspired fare. Imagine lazing beneath the beach umbrellas while you tuck into the likes of barbecued prawn and pineapple skewers and coconut-glazed roast pork, before sampling limited-edition Noumea-style ice cream treats and desserts from your mates at KOI and Messina. Yep, the Sydney dessert big guns are getting involved for this one. To match, there'll be a bar serving a cocktail selection heavy on rum, coconut and pineapple, along with a tidy lineup of French rosé and bubbles. But it doesn't have to be all lounging and lazing. If you prefer a more adventurous sort of summer getaway, round up your own crew of pirates to take part in a giant treasure hunt, trekking all through Circular Quay and the Rocks. Or, have a crack at 'coconut pétanque' — a riff on the classic European game, which plays a little like Aussie lawn bowls. The Island Kanak Beach Village will pop up at East Circular Quay from Thursday, July 11–Sunday, July 14 as past of Bastille Festival. It'll be free to enter and open from 10am–10.30pm Thursday–Saturday and 10am–8.30pm Sunday.
Remember the days when you could swim up to a pool bar and order a cheeky margarita? On holiday we'd aim for life to be as slow and simple as possible, ideally with a salty rimmed drink in hand and a gripping read to look forward to. Well, as we can't travel very far right now, it might be fun to bring those holiday vibes to your home with the flavours of your favourite beachside tipples — namely margaritas, mojitos, daiquiris and piña coladas. And it's easier than you think. If you have a cocktail shaker, ice and a few spirits lurking in the cupboard, you're already halfway there — and now that French brand Monin has added a range of its 'bartender in a bottle' mixes and syrups to Amazon for around $13 a bottle, with free delivery for orders over $39, all you need is to add your desired flavours to your virtual cart and you could be shaking up a creamy piña colada without touching a pineapple. Considered bartender staples, Monin's premixed cocktail flavours are made with real fruit juice and nothing artificial, so in the strawberry daiquiri mix you're tasting ripe strawberries and lime that's coloured naturally, as well as vegan and gluten free. And with the minty, tangy mojito mix you can skip the muddling step entirely and just add rum, or whip up a non-alcoholic soda by adding carbonated water. Like the daiquiri mix, it's also made with natural ingredients and it's halal, kosher and dairy free, too. Order your preferred mix on Amazon, then load up a tropical island playlist and slip on some floaty linen ready for your stay-at-home staycation. For some inspiration, see the below recipe for a zesty margarita with a hint of orange. MARGARITA INGREDIENTS 45ml Monin Le Mixeur Margarita Mix 45ml blanco tequila Fresh orange and good quality salt for the rim METHOD Add Monin Le Mixeur Margarita mix and tequila to a standard cocktail shaker. Let those liquids make friends for a while as you press the rim of your glass into a freshly cut orange. Dip the rim into a plate of salt to coat the glass all the way around. Add ice to your cocktail shaker and rigorously shake. Strain the cocktail into a glass. See the full range of Monin products on Amazon. Top image: Tanialee Gonzalez.
As part of the flurry of new streaming services competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic — with the pay-per-view platform not only screening movies, but pairing them with virtual Q&A sessions as well. That's a point of difference all year round, but the service also goes the extra mile for National Reconciliation Week, which is when it hosts the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival. In 2022, that'll take place between Thursday, May 26–Monday, May 30, all solely online. The returning event will showcase five titles: the first two episodes of TV series Firebite; films My Name is Gulpilil, Off Country and Wash My Soul in the River's Flow; plus shorts by up-and-coming First Nations talent. That means you can watch your way through an array of Aussie content focused on Indigenous stories, spanning both dramas and documentaries — and exploring race relations in the process. Sessions will also feature guest speakers, with filmmakers Tanith-Glynn-Maloney, Molly Reynolds and John Harvey among those doing the chatting. And, viewers can tune in on a film-by-film basis, or buy an all-access pass to tune into everything. Top image: Firebite, Ian Routledge/AMC+.
Endeavour Cycles in Gymea has been operating for 20 years, providing services from bike-fitting to bike servicing to southern Sydneysiders. With bike brands including Cervélo, Pinarello, Specialized, Focus and ByK, it's a good place to come when you want to learn the difference between a $1000 road bike and a $9000 trail bike. The shop also sells cycling equipment, like indoor smart bike trainers, car bike racks, and essential accessories like lights, helmets and locks. The store is also just a few train stops away from the Royal National Park, if you're planning to get your new wheels onto some trails ASAP.
If you've been pining for Cafe Paci since the Darlinghurst restaurant closed in 2015, then here's some good news. Chef Pasi Petänen will again team up with Dennis Roman, Zoltan Magyar for a second pop-up at Mecca's Alexandria roastery and cafe, where they'll be hosting 12 feasts involving wine and collaborations. Taking place over four weeks, the dinners find their inspiration in the colours of the season. Each week's menu is dedicated to a particular shade. So, in week one, look out for red ingredients, from red prawns, radicchio and red cabbage to duck, beef and paprika. In week two, yellow will take over, bringing with it saffron, ginger, honey, yellow-tail kingfish and yellow wine, among other sun-coloured delights. Then, in week three, it's white's turn, which means crab meat and calamari in savoury dishes and popcorn and white chocolate for sweet teeth. Finally, green, with its endless possibilities, will be wrapping up proceedings in week four. Think green-lipped abalone, seaweed, avocado, coriander and honeydew melon. Some specific dishes have been rumoured, including white salad, strawberries with smoked capsicum, corn with butter and cabbage with parsley and anchovies. For each offering, there'll be a matching wine available by the glass or bottle. Dennis and Zoltan put together the drinks list from a handpicked selection of local and international producers. The feasts will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week, kicking off on Friday, October 12 and finishing on Sunday, November 4. Tickets are $85 for a five-course, set menu. Match the entire banquet with glasses of wine for $65 or buy drinks individually. Cafe Paci's Cooking by Colours pop-up will be at Mecca, 26 Bourke Road, Alexandria from October 12 until November 4. To book, email info@cafepaci.com.au or go over here.
It may be tempting to pull the doona back over your head and stay in bed as the shortest day of the year rolls around. But, Coogee Bay Hotel is giving us all a pretty solid reason to put on a scarf and beanie and head outdoors. The beachside bar is gearing up to host its Winter Solstice Festival across Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. Supported by 4 Pines Brewing, the two-day fiesta will celebrate all that is great about the cold season with hot food, steamy drinks, night markets and live entertainment. From 12pm till late each day, you can fill your belly with dishes from five market-style food stalls set up in the garden. You'll be able to indulge in ramen with a chicken and pork (or a vegan option), beef and cheese pies with pea puree and gravy, lamb spit, paella, nachos and more. And, of course, you'll need something to wash it all down with — that's where the mulled wine, mulled cider, 4 Pines Pacific Ale and Nitro Stout come in. For live entertainment, you'll be entranced by fire performances, while a range of musicians — from a didgeridoo player to a saxophone duo — will play across the weekend, too. Plus, State of Origin game two will be playing live on the big screen at SELINA'S on Sunday evening, so you won't miss any tries as you embrace the winter spirit. Coogee Bay Hotel's Winter Solstice is free to attend. To RSVP, visit the website.
Quay Restaurant's Executive Chef is injecting a dose of nostalgia back onto its menu — Peter Gilmore's renowned Snow Egg is returning after six years in retirement. This throwback dessert took the country by storm upon its initial appearance at Quay Restaurant's menu back in 2008, and now it's back for a temporary residency at the eatery. The Snow Egg even featured on an episode of Masterchef, so you're guaranteed that its return is a massive deal. For ten dessert-filled days, the coveted dish will appear on Quay Restaurant's menu once more, with American Express aiding the venture. You'll be able to experience the dessert in the form of four experience packages from Saturday, May 25, to Saturday, June 15 — if all of the reservations haven't already been snapped up. Dished up in the restaurant's private Green Room, you can pair the treat with either a glass of bubbles for $98, a glass of rosé for $136, a glass of 2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires for $175, or a non-alcoholic feijoa fizz infused with cardamom and vanilla for $98. Slots start at 6pm each night, with final bookings available at 9.45pm.
The Museum of Contemporary Art remains the place to be on the last Friday of the month when MCA ARTBAR takes over the gallery with an adults-only party of art, music, design and performance. Each month is curated by a different artist, making the series an ever-changing yet constant facet in Sydney's after-dark culture scene. For the final ARTBAR of the year, taking place this Friday, November 30, the museum has enlisted Hoda Afshar as curator. The Melbourne-based artist, who primarily works with photography and moving image, is one of the artists featured in this year's Primavera — the MCA's annual exhibition celebrating young Australian talent. The collection of work investigates identity through a social, political and cultural lens — and the Friday night event will delve even further into this theme. Elyas Alavi will kick things off at 7pm with his performance art piece I Wish Grapes Would Ripen, which explores his lived experience as a Hazara refugee. And then, you're free to roam around the museum. Video works from Walter Bakowski on spirituality and Payam Mofidi on political power structures will be interspersed with immersive live performances; Léuli Eshraghi will lead a healing ceremony while Alexandra Talamo explores Latin-American migrant experiences through choreography. You'll also have an opportunity to speak to journalist Behrouz Boochani, who has been detained on Manus Island since 2013, via WhatsApp in real time. And, if all of this art has got your creative juices flowing, there'll be collaborative bookmaking with Isabella Capezio and a portrait drawing workshop with Abdul Abdullah. When you need a breather, head to the terrace for a classic negroni and music from DJ Wael-X, and cheers the end of the work week. Images: Leslie Liu, Sam Whiteside, Jacqui Manning.
Sweet birthday babies, the big dose of déjà vu you've long been waiting for is finally almost here. It's been three years since Russian Doll first brought its Groundhog Day-meets-The Good Place vibes to Netflix, proved a hit and got renewed for a second season — and if you've been hanging out to rehash the smart and twisty Natasha Lyonne-starring series all over again, it'll drop new episodes in April. Orange Is the New Black, Irresistible and The United States vs Billie Holiday star Lyonne plays New Yorker Nadia, who had a 36th birthday she'd never forget in Russian Doll's first season — although she desperately wished that she could. While getting stuck at a celebration in your own honour will sound like a literal party to most folks, that wasn't Nadia's path. So, after a couple of go-arounds, she went searching for answers. Indeed, being trapped in a loop featuring her closest pals (Sisters' Greta Lee and Werewolves Within's Rebecca Henderson), friendly ex (Yul Vazquez, Severance), wise aunt (Elizabeth Ashley, Ocean's 8), a cute roaming cat and a determined but neurotic guy (Charlie Barnett, You) who lives around the corner wasn't quite bliss for the show's acerbic, misanthropic lead character. Co-created and co-written by Lyonne, the one and only Amy Poehler, and filmmaker Leslye Headland (Bachelorette, Sleeping with Other People), the show's eight-episode first run was one of the highlights of 2019 — and fingers crossed that its second season proves the same in 2022. As well as announcing that Russian Doll's second season will drop on Wednesday, April 20, Netflix also released a first sneak peek at the new episodes, although little is given away story-wise. Examining fate, logic, life's loops and wading through limbo in a clever and compelling way is this show's wheelhouse, though — and proving dark, heartfelt, hilarious and inventive all at once, too, even though the do-over premise has become a well-established trope on both the big and small screens. So, if any series was well-placed to serve up a savvy second season — a do-over in a show that's already about do-overs — it's this one. NYC's subway system does feature prominently in the season two trailer, so there's one big clue. Also, Barnett is back as Alan. A graveyard is seen, too, as so is Nadia providing her latest advice: "when the universe fucks with you, let it." Plus, although they're not glimpsed in this first sneak peek, Schitt's Creek and Kevin Can F**k Himself star Annie Murphy and District 9's Sharlto Copley also join the cast. Check out the first teaser trailer for Russian Doll's second season below: The second season of Russian Doll will be available to stream via Netflix on Wednesday, April 20. Image: Netflix.
As the sun starts to dip over the Sydney skyline, the bar scene starts buzzing. In a city with so many watering holes, finding the perfect venue to rendezvous with friends can be tricky. But don't worry, gentle reader, we've got you. Together with Basil Hayden Bourbon, we've selected six excellent venues when you want to dial up your next golden hour outing with your closest crew and some classic cocktails to boot. Picture it... You're surrounded by plush furnishings and the gentle clink of glasses as you sip on a Boulevardier cocktail — what could be better?
“You still have your fingers on the strings, even now.” Although the third instalment of The Godfather was released in theatres over 25 years ago now, Michael Corleone’s words still resonate today. Literally. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will have their fingers on strings and all of the other instruments involved in the appropriate recreation of the cinematic score when Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning American crime masterpiece is screened at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. There will be three performances of the iconic soundtrack arrangements, originally written by Nino Rota.
Games in the Backyard was, by all accounts, a highly successful play when originally performed in Israel. Which is hardly surprising given its source material. Edna Mazya’s script is based heavily on the actual events of the 1988 gang rape of an Israeli teenager by a group of slightly older boys. And, as effective art often does, Games examined a cultural sore spot, picking apart a fictionalisation of the rape itself and its fallout. In the play's version of events, 14-year-old Devori (Jessica Palyga), impressionable and vaguely rebellious, is manipulated over the course of an evening by four older boys who cross her path at a local playground. Pushed into increasingly sexualised games and eager to prove herself as more experienced than she is, Devori’s control of the situation is rapidly eroded until she's in a helpless spot. These events are juxtaposed throughout with moments from the boys' subsequent trial, where their lawyers and prosecutor are played — pointedly — by the same actors as the rapists and victim. The same attitudes surface again within a dynamic that’s sometimes changed, but often not. Devori’s legal alter ego is frequently subject to familiar patterns of harassment by the group of boys turned lawyers. Games engages heavily with the victim-blaming that often surrounds sexual assault. Devori is played as a flirt and transgressor, but the play is adamant that this doesn’t change the nature of what happens to her. In the context of the original crime, that would have been a fiercely relevant statement to make. (In reality, the perpetrators were initially acquitted — to public outcry — before four were ultimately convicted on appeal). But severed from that controversy, this production loses something. ATYP's marketing for the play claims it will leave you questioning your judgement — that the situation isn't black and white — but I’m not sure how. Netta Yashchin's direction downplays anything that could conceivably be construed as consent on Devori's part, making it abundantly clear that the boys are committing a crime from the get-go (if you don't catch it, the rape is dramatised in full late in the production and leaves no room for confusion). Despite physically committed and believable performances by the cast, this leaves the did-they-or-didn't-they questions raised during the trial sections feeling disingenuous and the play's overall tone bordering on shrill. Which comes across as a missed opportunity, given that bullshit questions about rape victims' dress or manner still get asked with tiresome frequency. This is a play that’s very forthright about responding to a particular set of those questions, but absent that context, it's like hearing only half of a heated argument.
The media critic Charlie Brooker recently wrote a column about the aesthetic convergence of television news and bigger-budget movies, as fancy consumer cameras become the de rigeur news-gathering gear for photojournalists. Writing about the packaging of the recent Egyptian revolution in shallow depth of field cinematic shots, he wrote “the end result was that it resembled a sleek advert framing the Arab Spring as a lifestyle choice. I kept expecting it to cut to a Pepsi Max pack shot.” In truth, that’s nothing especially new. The World Press Photo photojournalism awards, in particular, have skirted that line for a long time; celebrating the the most exquisite framing of the previous year’s global atrocities since 1955. It often makes for a stomach-churning exhibit, as World Press presents wrenching and bloody images of world conflict with a concurrent eye for beauty and composition that comes uncomfortably close to rendering them as entertainment. But it’s a testament to the show’s curation that it rarely crosses over wholly into exploitation. Winning images are often so uncomfortably close to both the horrific events they portray, and an awful sort of humanity, that they can bypass the viewer’s media filter and register as an actual thing that’s happened. A part of our lives, and something that informs what it means to be human. Together with categories for photographs that can live up hackneyed phrases like “life affirming,” that has generally made World Press a sort of awful must-see. An exhibition of both the good and bad extremes of what being alive can be. Which makes it a rude shock that the focus on humanity is almost entirely absent in this year’s exhibit, which is exactly the sort of hollywood-inflected packaging of conflict and disaster that Brooker alludes to in his Arab Spring gag. Where previous year’s shows have gotten so close to subjects that it’s impossible not register their humanity, almost all of this year’s “winning” shots are emotionally, and physically, distant. The most telling examples of how emotionally bankrupt World Press 2012 is are two particularly empty contributions: Guillaume Herbaut’s tits-out shot of Inna Shevchenko, is the sort of smirking acknowledgement of Femen that belongs in Zoo weekly, while a series of photos of the Utøya massacre in Norway focus on circling helicopters and corpses photographed from a distance of safety. There’s a focus on guns and destruction this year that’s adolescent in its attention to detail, while the choice of images overall feels more informed by a desire to cater to fans of various iterations of CSI than any real interest in world events. No less than three images ape Eddie Adam’s infamous 1968 Viet Cong execution photo, albeit with a fetishistic focus on the hardware involved, while an over-the shoulder shot of Muamar Gaddafi’s laid-out corpse is completely pointless except as a rubber-necking curiousity. Images of the Japanese tsumani, meanwhile, largely favour the physical wreckage of that disaster over images of the human toll, though — to be fair — David Guttenfelder's jaw-dropping series of images does cover that side of the tragedy. NB: Many of the images linked to depict real world events that may be NSFW and/or distressing.
For the majority of us who missed out on seeing Led Zeppelin perform live overseas or during their only visit to Australia in 1972, this tribute event promises a little more than the local RSL. “We are aiming to establish a community of people who appreciate the way we pay homage to iconic bands and performers. Our shows feature exceptionally talented contemporary performers revisiting and reworking classic music in great rooms, not mimicking or trying to recreate the music note for note,†says Classic Rock Series Music Director, Joseph Calderazzo. The line-up of vocalists includes Dave Gleeson (Screaming Jets), Simon Meli (Ooh la la), Steve Balbi (Noiseworks), Natasha Stuart, Danny Marx-Young and Virginia Lillye, who will be joined by a 13-piece powerhouse band including the Sydney Lyric Strings ensemble. Calderazzo says he is looking forward to delivering: “A great rock show by some great local performers - with all the bells and whistles but with the honesty and intent that makes rock music what it is.†A rock photography exhibition by Philip Morris (whose lense has captured the immortal quartet plus Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan and AC/DC) will also be held in the Enmore Theatre.Photo by Philip Morris
If you thought yoga retreats were all silence and brown rice, Yoga Cucina invites you to reconsider. Initiated by a trio of yoga instructors — and wine drinkers — it's a new kind of yoga-inspired getaway. And after booked out getaways last year, they're doing it all over again this September. Gear up to spend a relaxing time practising your salutes to the sun and downward dogs, in between sampling several drops, feasting on Italian fare, playing darts and swimming beneath waterfalls. The adventure — adventure sounds more fitting than retreat — will be held over three days and nights, from September 6–9 at Highball House in the Southern Highlands. On the first night you'll meet for a pre-dinner wine tasting, then sit down to a big Italian feast. The rest of the weekend will see you waking up to yoga sessions, honing your practice in workshops, trundling off to national parks for swimming under waterfalls, learning how to make pasta, eating, drinking and playing games. A weekend at the retreat will set you back $1050–1200 per person, which includes all activities, food, wine and accommodation. Image: Leeroy Te Hira.
This extensive national headline tour will see the Oxford outfit launching into the highly acclaimed material from their third album, Holy Fire, released in February this year. Lead single 'Inhaler' received much radio love across the country this year, and the new material pleased old and new fans alike. Last in the country for the Big Day Out festival, the five-piece sold out many of their intimate sideshows and, due to the high demand, will return for larger performances this time around. With their hugely successful past records, Antidotes (2008) and Total life Forever (2010), Foals will be playing a variety of old and new material, making way for those killer anthems like 'Spanish Sahara', 'Cassius' and more. Melbourne outfit Alpine, whose record A Is For Alpine won the hearts of many local and international fans, will be kicking off the proceedings. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_PMvjmC6M
Violent Soho are responsible for some of the rawest local grunge-rock anthems, most notably, 'Jesus Stole My Girlfriend', which peaked at #21 on the 2010 Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The Brisbane four-piece are about to unleash their next beast of a record, Hungry Ghost, which is due out on Friday, 6 September, and will be celebrating the news with three intimate shows along the east coast of Australia. These shows will be the first place to hear their new material live. Although it's been nearly three years in between albums, the outfit has dropped some treats to keep their fans' interest piqued, with 2011's double A-side which featured 'Tinderbox' and 'Neighbour Neighbour' and, more recently, the hilarious video for the first single off the new record, 'In The Aisle', which follows Dario Western cycling nude around the streets of Brisbane. But it's time for more new material, and Holy Ghost is described as a diverse yet typically Soho record. Expect no bullshit, and a hellova lotta hooks and riffs. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nWj8bcmMZ5U
Thought bingo was for your nan? Think again. It's also for you — or perhaps, if she's a groovy gran, for the both of you. Hijacking the traditional format of bingo with raves, conga lines and lip sync battles, Bingo Loco is 50-percent one of those strange dreams you get after eating too much cheese and 50-percent just a walloping good time. This isn't Bingo Loco's first time in Sydney; however, when it returns on Saturday, February 27, it'll do so as part of a new Bingo Loco Rainbow Rave event. Time to coincide with Mardi Gras, this one-off will let Sydneysiders dance and celebrate in a COVID-19-safe way, all at the Enmore Theatre. Sabrina Babyslut will be playing host, while confetti showers will go off throughout the night (perhaps wear your glasses). Bingo ravers will compete for ultimate glory (and prizes) over the course of multiple rounds. In between the traditional bingo games, you'll be expected to groove to classic 90s rave bangers, partake in dance-offs, and battle others for lip sync queen titles. Basically, be prepared for many high-octane, energetic activities — gone are the days of simply raising your hand when you've got a full sheet of numbers. Doing your stretches and vocal warm-ups first are advised. You'll vie for prizes, which in the past have included Coachella tickets, boats and cars, among other goldmines. Bingo Loco has been running across the globe for a few years and now will trumpet its way around Australia once more, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. Tickets are on sale now — by the table, starting at $296.60 for four people and going up to $724.80 for ten people.
If you regularly walk down Crown Street, you've probably wandered past the windows of Hay and admired its beautiful designs while stuck at the traffic lights. Its pieces reference classic mid-century Scandi design as well as more contemporary industrial influences, using good-quality, durable materials and showcasing a range of beautiful, functional approaches to design. Teak fans are especially well-catered for here. The Surry Hills store also has a selection of homewares, lighting and contemporary stationary.
Who inspires iconic directors? Other great filmmakers. So when Martin Scorsese names the talents that've helped blaze a trail for him and his work, everyone should pay attention. Ousmane Sembène, the Senegalese filmmaker who has been called "the father of African cinema", isn't just worth celebrating because he has Scorsese's admiration — but it's a helluva tick of approval. The late, great Sembène, who passed away at the age of 84 in 2007, is earning Sydney Film Festival's love in 2024. Each year, the fest includes a retrospective showcase honing in on one filmmaker's work — and Sembène's pictures will be in the spotlight from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16. Starting with 1966's Prix Jean Vigo-winning Black Girl, nine features are on the lineup. While retrospectives can sometimes function as a way to compile the output of a filmmaker that's already widely available anyway, just akk in one spot, the Ousmane Sembène — A Revolutionary with a Camera program is filled with flicks that you won't just find at the press of a button on streaming or at your local cinema's flashback sessions. Also on the bill from the director's big-screen looks at African life: Mandabi, Emitaï, Xala and Ceddo through till the end of the 70s, then 1988's Camp de Thiaroye, 1992's Guelwaar and Sembène's final feature Moolaadé. Three of his shorts round out the program, which comes a year after the centenary of the director's birth, with Borom Sarret, Niaye and Tauw playing in front of select full-length films.
Summer may be most Sydneysiders' season of choice, but there is one very compelling reason to enjoy the cooler months while they're here, and that's the ability to test your limits on spicy food. Beaches and barbecues are great, but so is rugging up in a cosy cardi, popping on the heater and devouring a hot (both temperature and spice level) meal. And chilli has benefits beyond lighting a little fire in your belly — think antioxidants and endorphins. So, with our mates at DoorDash, we've rounded up an array of spice-heavy dishes from all manner of cuisines that'll help you keep temperatures high. No matter where you live in Sydney, the choice is yours. 'Tis the season for cosy decadence, after all.
Coogee's annual food and drink festival is returning this November for its eighth year. The Taste of Coogee Food and Wine Festival has quickly become a prominent weekend on Sydney's culinary calendar with its array of tastings and experiences, live music and its always popular long lunch. This year the event has been moved to Moore Park. Eighty food and drink stalls will be popping up at Entertainment Quarter alongside a demonstration kitchen with talks and classes from the likes of Peter Everett, Colin Fassnidge and Rowie Dillon. Tickets are $40 for adults which gets you entry to the festival, a tasting cup and access to the cooking demonstrations. Kids under 18 are free and there will be rides and activities for the little ones making it an ideal weekend activity for the family. If you're looking to take your trip to Taste of Coogee to the next-level, you can purchase a ticket to the long lunch. The lunch will set you back $100 per person and includes food, wine and beer supplied by a selection of the festival vendors. Rowie Dillon will also be cooking up a long lunch for the kids and you can secure tickets for anyone under 15 for $30.
The organisers of Sydney's newest music and arts night aren't about to let those nightlife laws rain on their parade. Instead, they've chosen a venue deep in the heart of the lockout zone to deliver a weekly serve of accessible, cultural goodness. Kicking off at 5.30pm each Sunday, within the CBD's underground whisky bar 80 Proof, Symposium offers a platform for local artists to both grow and show off their stuff. Each week, the night features four musical acts, taking the stage alongside live painting and visual displays by a local artist. Each set is also recorded live as an EP. The initiative offers Sydneysiders the chance to discover great new local talent, with the likes of Andie Isalie, Huckleberry Hastings and Diplazar featured in the lineup so far. As well as the aural and visual treats — which you can check out for free — you'll find $5 schooners, $9.90 burgers and a weekly changing $12 cocktail. Images: Sophie-Jaye Hayman.
Long beloved by film fans, Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece Metropolis is coming to the Opera House. Showing as part of the Screen Live series, this digitally restored silent classic has been re-scored by South Australian musicians the New Pollutants (aka Mister Speed and DJ Trip). Accompanied by vocalist Astrid Pill and cellist Zoe Barry, they will lend their modern talents to Lang's futuristic dystopia in a dramatic live performance. Set in 2026, Metropolis portrayed a gleaming civilisation divided into the above-ground elite and the nameless workers toiling below. In crafting his provocative parable, Lang blended his architectural background with the contemporary expressionistic aesthetic; the result is a truly groundbreaking work of science fiction that expanded the language of cinema and became one of the first (and enduring) icons of the art form. https://youtube.com/watch?v=X3vzEAcWGMQ
More than any other pasta, gnocchi seems to cultivate a ravenous fanbase. The pillowy portions have such a large following that we now have entire restaurants dedicated to gnocchi and gnocchi alone. When are we getting a standalone rigatoni restaurant? Now that's the real question. One of Sydney's best purveyors of all things pasta, Fabbrica Pasta Shop on King Street, is facilitating our love for gnocchi once a week with a Tuesday night special. Each Tuesday, the CBD provisions store, bottle shop and small bar will be cooking up a different midweek dish showcasing Fabbrica's house-made gnocchi. Part of the Love Tilly Group, Fabbrica is known for boasting some of the city's best pasta alongside its sibling venues Ragazzi and Palazzo Salato. As with all of its other renowned carby creations, the gnocchi at this inner-city haunt is delicately handmade in-house, here using both royal blue and désirée potatoes. The series kicked off on Tuesday, July 25 with a winter warmer in the form of a truffle and pecorino gnocchi, but each week you can expect a different bold flavour combo. Servings of the gnocchi specials are limited and available from 5pm. Swing past after work to break up your week with a big dose of comfort food paired with one of Fabbrica's many top-notch organic and minimal-intervention wines. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fabbrica (@ciaofabbrica) Top image: Dexter Kim.
From fancy jigsaw puzzles to cheese and charcuterie sets and whisky subscriptions, we're (thankfully) able to get a whole heap of entertaining and edible packages delivered to our doors during lockdown. The latest to launch is a big win for boba fans across the country: The Bubble Tea Club. While lots of bubble tea shops are delivering ready-to-drink boba, these DIY bubble tea sets mean you can make yourself a tea — whenever the whim hits. The Bubble Tea Club is delivering packs in eight different flavours (and 14 different toppings) all across Australia. You can get the classic milk, taro or Thai tea or go fruity with honeydew, mango, green apple, passionfruit or lychee. Toppings include the likes of coconut jelly, grass jelly, lychee popping pearls, aloe vera and red bean paste — and tapioca pearls, of course. Packs start with five serves (from as little as $20.95) and ten ($34.95) and go all the way up to 50 ($99.95) and 365 serves ($800) — because, face it, who doesn't want a boba a every day. Inside the packs, you'll find premium tea leaves, flavourings, toppings and wide straws (with reusable options available). Depending on how many you buy, the packs work out to as little as $2.19 a serve. And shipping is a $9.95 flat rate or free if you spend over $59. You can, of course, attempt to make your own boba pearls at home, too, but this is a lazy (and easy) version if you're not feeling quite that motivated. You can now order DIY bubble tea set from The Bubble Tea Club website.
Biannual art and design market The Finders Keepers is returning for its final summer iteration, bringing shoppers the latest and greatest from its stellar lineup of Australia's most creative makers. The Eora edition is taking over The Cutaway — the staggering sandstone-walled space in Barangaroo — from Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 11. Joining the creatively charged stalls is a tasty range of food and beverage offerings — all the makings of a prime day to get out, have a chat with artists and support the local creative industry. At the core of the conscious shopping space is a focus on helping you discover and connect with the next wave of independent and emerging artisans. So, you can expect to find everything from jewellery, fashion and ceramics to leather goods and body products. And, for the market's final run of the year in Sydney, there's a blend of new makers and returning faves. Cult-classic jewellery and homeware creators Doodad + Fandango will be onsite for those seeking A-list aesthetics, Bea Bellingham is back with playful ceramic creations, as are returning crowd faves Emi Ceramics, Trade The Mark and Voluptuary Ceramics — or, and you can contribute to a ceramics installation at Clay Sydney's interactive space. Plus, you'll be able to shop sustainable swimwear from Myriam Swim, lovely linens at Fauve and ethical activewear from Amble Outdoors. Once your bag is full and your tummy is empty, make a beeline for the banging Brooklyn Boy Bagels, or grab some moreish 'Wafels' and ice cream sandwiches from StroopBros, and maybe a doughy baked delight from Nutie Donuts. Wash that down with the returning bar-meets-bottle-o SIP'ER or beers and kombuchas from Yulli's Brews. As well as nabbing a ticket to enter — which is just $5 for daily general admission — be sure to remember that the market is completely cashless. So check (then check again) that you've got your digital (or plastic) payment methods at the ready — it would be a travesty to leave empty-handed. The Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Markets take place on Friday, December 9 (4–9pm), Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 (10am–5pm) at The Cutaway, Barangaroo. For more info and to check out the full vendor lineup, head to the website. Images: Samee Lapham
Electro highflier Gold Panda (aka Derwin Powers) first popped onto the radar in 2009, and has constantly thrown EPs and 7"s at us since. He's dropped two critically praised albums, 2010's Lucky Shiner and 2013's Half of Where You Live. This latest album holds truth in its name. Half of Where You Live is an electronic echo of the producer’s experiences: having lived in Japan and travelled extensively, he's now based in Berlin. With tracks such as 'An English House', 'Enoshima' and 'My Father in Hong Kong 1961', our ears get an ambiguous, aural journey through Powers' experiences and geography.
If you spend your free time binging on true crime, then you're probably familiar with the Golden State Killer. Between 1974–1986, the serial killer, rapist and burglar terrorised California, committing at least 12 murders, over 50 home-invasion rapes and more than 100 burglaries. Until 2018, however, the culprit hadn't been caught. Accordingly, it's the type of case that has kept more than a few folks wondering over the years and decades — including writer Michelle McNamara. HBO's new true-crime docuseries I'll Be Gone in the Dark chronicles McNamara's obsession with the case, as well as her hunt to find the perpetrator. Her tale is filled with intrigue, too, with her nights spent sleuthing through unsolved crimes while her family slept, as well as penning the blog True Crime Diaries. Fixating on the Golden State Killer led to an article for Los Angeles Magazine, plus a book deal. But before she could finish her manuscript, McNamara — who was also married to comedian Patton Oswalt — died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in her sleep. Based on McNamara's book I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, which was published two years after her death (and before an arrest was made in the case), the six-part series steps through this whole scenario. When the series hits HBO in the US at the end of June — with dates Down Under yet to be revealed, but Australian airings likely to happen via Foxtel — viewers can obviously expect quite the detective story. On offer: archival footage and details from police files; interviews with detectives, survivors and family members of the killer; and McNamara's own words, via original recordings as well as excerpts from her book read by actor Amy Ryan (Late Night, Beautiful Boy, The Office). The series also doubles as an exploration of the handling of sexual crimes in the 70s and 80s, as well as an examination of true-crime obsession and pursuit of justice. Check out the trailer the below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTNHJETw0S8 I'll Be Gone in the Dark starts screening on HBO in the US on June 28. An air date Down Under is yet to be announced — we'll update you when further details come to hand. Top image: Robyn Van Swank/HBO.
If you prefer an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall, prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery. Originally set to open in late 2020, then postponed till autumn 2021, The Lume will make its home permanently at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) with projections of some of the world's most celebrated artworks splashed across various surfaces, backed by powerful musical soundtracks and complemented by aromas. The inaugural exhibition at The Lume will celebrate the works and life of Vincent van Gogh. So, you'll be able to walk through artworks like The Starry Night and Sunflowers while listening to a classical music score. If you were lucky enough to make it up to Sydney this year for Van Gogh Alive, expect something very similar. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Experiences, which, for the past 14 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. The Lume will open at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in autumn 2021. We'll let you know when more details are announced. You can check out some of Grande Experiences' other gallery experiences over here.
Whether you've been directly impacted, have watched on from your own less-waterlogged patch of southeast Queensland or have seen the news from further afield in Sydney, the past week's catastrophic wet weather has been impossible to ignore. It's been a lot to take in, actually, thanks to record rainfalls in Brisbane, relentless deluges hitting from the Sunshine Coast down to northern New South Wales, and floodwaters destroying homes and businesses in two states. Accordingly, it might've left you wanting to do your part to help out. In Brisbane, you can sign up to the Mud Army 2.0 to assist on the ground — and wherever you're located, you can also throw your support behind a fundraising effort by Surry Hills' Bar Suze. The late-night Sydney haunt is helping the flood-relief cause in two ways: in-person at a big wine-fuelled five-hour event on Sunday, March 6, and online via a raffle. For Sydneysiders, you'll want to swing by Foveaux Street between 1–6pm to sip rare natural wines, mix them up with Poor Toms gin and tonics, and tuck into Bar Suze snacks. Whatever you choose to eat and drink, all of the proceeds will go to flood-relief funds for folks impacted by the weather in NSW and Queensland. At the event, the venue will also be drawing a raffle, with more than 25 prizes on offer — and all of the proceeds from the $50-each tickets will also go to the flood relief fundraising effort, too. Prizes include a dinner for two at Bar Suze, as well as a one-night stay at the soon-to-open Ace Hotel Sydney in Surry Hills, a two-evening trip to a Byron hinterlands retreat that sleeps 12 — and boasts its own saltwater pool and outdoor cinema — plus an In Bed linen set, hair salon vouchers, a Coffee Supreme subscription, and a bar tab at Redfern's The Woolpack. There are also prize packs on offer from DRNKS, Cocktail Porter, Pepe Saya Butter, Worktones and Lo-Fi Wines — and the list goes on. The raffle is open to everyone, and tickets can be bought online, too — so that's how you can get involved if you're not located in Sydney or can't make it along on Sunday. (Obviously, tell your Sydney pals to attend either way). For tickets, just get buying before 5pm AEST on Sunday, March 6, with the raffle drawn live at Bar Suze that evening. As for all of those proceeds, they're going to on-the-ground initiatives in the Northern Rivers and Queensland. At the time of writing, Bar Suze is supporting Flood Relief Cook Up — Northern Rivers region, Bundjalung flood relief and Northey Street City Farm flood relief — with more worth initiatives likely to be added. Bar Suze's flood relief fundraiser will take place from 1–6pm on Sunday, March 6. Raffle tickets are on sale online now, with prizes drawn at 5pm AEST on Sunday. Images: Nikki To.
If ever there was a dance party you could take your folks to, it's Hot Dub Time Machine. While they'll get their dose of Bill Haley and the Comets, you'll get your Skrillex or whatever it is from the recent charts that compels you to move. Over the course of one long set, Sydney DJ Tom Loud spins, mixes and mashes his way through the story of dance music — since 1954. The catch is that the entire operation is 'powered' by energy generated by the crowd. Whether you're dancing, singing, talking or yelling, you'll be helping to keep the action rolling. But if, at any point, the people's contribution drops to a level lower than that of a "fully sick party", the Hot Dub Time Machine will come to a grinding halt, meaning you'll be stuck in time — repeatedly listening to "when-ever" you've landed. First performed at the Sydney Fringe Festival 2011, Hot Dub Time Machine has since been a hit at festivals and clubs in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. It'll be making several appearances at this year's SydFest, with three ticketed midnight shows in the Spiegeltent (January 11, 18 and 25) and two free shows — Friday, January 10, as part of the Parramatta Opening Party and Saturday, January 11, as part of Summer Sounds in the Domain. You can also try the Tix for Next to Nix booth for $25 tickets on the day. Want more Sydney Festival events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
Time really must be fleeting because the Rocky Horror Show is celebrating its 50th birthday. Since making its stage debut in 1973 from maestro Richard O'Brien (and a beloved film adaptation in 1975), the show had a meteoric rise in popularity. Now, it's coming to Australia for a 50th anniversary tour in 2023 starting at the Theatre Royal Sydney in February. In case you're among those who haven't had the pleasure of viewing this rock 'n' roll masterpiece: It follows a squeaky-clean young couple who experience car troubles while driving on a remote highway and walk to a nearby castle to find help. Waiting in that castle is a mad scientist, his mad staff and an even madder creation. You've almost certainly heard of it before since the musical alone has had over 30 million viewers worldwide. This run will see Neighbours legend Jason Donovan take the lead as Dr Frank-N-Furter, plus Ethan Jones (9 to 5 The Musical) and Deirdre Khoo (Once) as the couple in question, Brad and Janet. The cast also includes Myf Warhurst as The Narrator, Ellis Dolan (School of Rock) as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Columbia, Loredo Malcolm (Hamilton) as Rocky and Henry Rollo (Jagged Little Pill the Musical) as Riff Raff. So jump to the left, take a step to the right, and then head to the website to secure tickets — because they're already on sale. If you didn't get the references, you should put this production on your list. The Rocky Horror Show opens in the Theatre Royal Sydney on Tuesday, February 14. Visit the website for more information and to secure tickets.
Aunty Donna have been busy over the past few years. Since 2020, they've brought both Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun and Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe to the small screen. They've played corpses in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and also dropped a $30 bottle of wine that's literally called $30 Bottle of Wine, too. The Australian comedy troupe embarked upon a world tour in 2023 as well, selling 90,000-plus tickets. If you're keen to see Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane live, your next chance in Sydney happens in 2025. Aunty Donna are hitting the stage again — and in the Harbour City, Enmore Theatre is their destination, playing nightly between Monday, September 1–Saturday, September 6. This time, audiences will enjoy the Drem experience, with Aunty Donna unveiling their brand-new live sketch show. Will everything be a drum again? Will morning brown get a tribute? How much room should you leave for Christmas pud? If you're instantly thinking about these questions, you're clearly already a fan. In the trailer for the tour, Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane are promising big things in their comedic usual way. "In 2025, Aunty Donna will be touring the greatest live comedy show ever seen by human beings," the trailer advises. "You have asked 'is it funny?'," it continues. "Leading experts in the field have made it perfectly clear that it is the best comedy show ever made."
If it's firework views you’re after with the chance of a good boogie (join the queue, pal), the King St Wharf’s Cargo Bar a better destination at NYE than at any other time of year. Art vs Science, Van She, Gold Fields and DJ sets from Alison Wonderland and Bag Raiders will bring in 2014 with cheer — and with no screaming children in sight. The event sells out year after year, so nab your tickets in order to get down. Image from Cargo Bar's NYE 2011 party. See more events in our guide to NYE and NYD in Sydney.
Bleached perms. Feathered earrings and feathered hair. Acid-wash. Ra-ra skirts. Rayban Wayfarers. Swatch watch envy. Eyeliner for all. Crop tops over leotards. Bangles, tons of bangles. They may be 80s cultural cliches (or a list of what's actually in stores right now), but they're cliches for a reason: fun. The Powerhouse Museum is turning back the clock for it's new 80s exhibition, just like how Cameron turned back the mileage on his dad's Ferrari in Ferris Beuller. Kinda. Breaking up that greedy post-disco decade into themes, the curators have examined what really did define the 1980s, and whether anything more serious than Scott and Charlene's wedding had any major impact, especially in Australia. The categories they look at are: screen, subcultures, partying, the AIDS crisis (the bowling grim reaper still gives me the heebie jeebies), fashion, music, fads & toys, design, neo-80s, video games and the big events. The exhibition is bigger than Cyndi Lauper's fringe. Of course, the 80s weren't all about material girls in culture clubs, there were bands like ESG and the Pixies making waves back then too, and it's nice to know they've not been forgotten in the music section. Before you dress up like Duckie in Pretty in Pink (you know you always wanted to) and head down to the Powerhouse, be sure to have a look at the exhibtion's own exhaustive website, which changes weekly. https://youtube.com/watch?v=E-2BLRg9dCU
It's something we've all thought a million times before: "It's a Monday / It's so mundane / What exciting things will happen today?". In her huge single, 'Avant Gardener', Melbournian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett has managed to capture our first world struggles perfectly in her hilariously matter-of-fact, charming drawl, stream of consciousness lyricism and folky-psychedelic tunes. Barnett has received a ton of press since last year's release of her double EP A Sea of Split Peas, on which 'Avant Gardener' was the lead single. She's been compared to Bob Dylan by Rolling Stone, debuted in the US on Jimmy Fallon, and had the privilege of performing at Glastonbury and Coachella this year. Now, you can catch her playing a string of shows on her headline tour around Australia (supported by Castlemaine's supremely talented multi-instrumentalist D.D Dumbo). https://youtube.com/watch?v=bcnIhzaDTd0
A Johnny Cash show, to be held inside Parramatta Gaol, is on the bill for the 2015 Sydney Festival's Parramatta program. Aussie rocker Tex Perkins will take on the role of the legendary singer-songwriter, recreating his groundbreaking 1968 Folsom Prison shows, framed by looming, razor-wired limestone walls in what was once the jail's exercise yard. The 19th-century jail is now out of commission but will make a suitably moody backdrop for Perkins' Far From Folsom, which also involves The Tennessee Four and Rachael Tidd doing the the vocals of June Carter. The one-night only spectacle is but one of five world premieres to which Western Sydney audiences will be treated. At the Parramatta Opening Party (POP), scheduled for January 9, Paul Kelly will bring his new collaboration, The Merri Soul Sessions, to the stage for the first time ever, for which he’ll be joined by a bunch of our best local soul performers, including Dan Sultan, Clairy Browne, Kira Puru and Vika and Linda Bull. The free event, which kicks off from 6pm at Parramatta Town Hall, will also feature Radical Son, Christine Salem, New York City DJ, $mall ¢hange, the Waratah Drumcorps and 'Uptown' Brown. Elsewhere in Parramatta, there’ll be a rooftop performance from the Stiff Gins and a block party hosted by the fine Soul of Sydney folk. The emphasis on dancing your way to a good time will be continued at Disco Dome, which is described as “an after dark walking tour” but sounds more like a mobile dance party. Situated at the Information and Cultural Exchange, this event transports the audience back to a time when “the funk” had a strong grip on Parramatta — between 1979 and 1995. It’s a journey not only through music but through architecture and history, featuring dynamic digital, sonic and live artworks by Justene Williams, Khaled Sabsabi, Liam Benson, David Capra and Heath Franco, Fadia Abboud and Jerome Pearce. Meanwhile, the Riverside Theatre will provide a temporary home for two world firsts. There’s Legs on the Wall's PUNCTURE, which will see the stage turned into a dance floor that travels through a world history of body movement, from ballet to tango to hip hop, and, wait for it, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show — yep, every child’s favourite ravenous critter will hit the stage in puppet form. We know it’s meant for kids, but... Finally, there’s Cirque Alfonse, coming all the way from Quebec, to entertain us with a whole lot of “whip-crackin’, wood-chuckin’ and log-balancin’ and axe-jugglin’ galore — with live banjo-pickin’ and bluegrass-playin’ thrown in for good measure”. Multipack tickets for Sydney Festival Parramatta go on sale at 9am on October 24, while single tickets will be up for grabs from 9am on October 27. The full Sydney Festival program will be announced at noon tomorrow (October 23). Watch this space.
Queenslanders The Cairos are sitting pretty in the vanguard of a resurgent Brisbane music scene, one populated by bands like Violent Soho, Millions, Ball Park Music and Dune Rats, and revitalised by new music venues like The Triffid, run by Powderfinger’s John Collins. The Cairos might sit at the more conventional, indie pop-rock end of Brisbane’s musical spectrum, but their recent recordings yield deceptively complex pop songwriting, recalling the sophistication that underpins the music of legendary bands like The Cure. Although they’ve previously released two EPs, it took The Cairos six years to release their first full-length album in May this year, Dream of Reason. It's an increasing trend for emerging artists who sign with major labels — in this case mega-brand Universal’s Island Records — but the strategy seems to have paid off for the band, who are treating their Sydney fans to an early Christmas show at the Newtown Social Club. Supported by March of the Real Fly + Smaal Cats.
Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — is an annual festival bringing a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent to Sydney's Victoria Park. Held each year on January 26 on Gadigal Land, the festival consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions, speeches and children's activities. After a few COVID-impacted years, the festival returned in full last year — and for 2024, it's serving up a huge program of beloved musicians. The lineup features a mix of up-and-coming and longstanding songwriters and performers. Emily Wurramara and Tasman Keith lead the way, alongside Velvet Trip, Fred Leone, Chasing Ghosts, Tjaka, Mi-Kaisha, Frank Yamma, GLVES, Cindy Drummond and Green Hand Band. [caption id="attachment_937421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] A heap of dance groups will also be performing on the day, including Yangkay, Jannawi Dance Clan and Mui Mui Bumer Gedlam. Plus, you can attend panel discussions and community forums at the Speak Out tent, and shop for goods from First Nations businesses at the market. If it's a hot day, Victoria Park Pool is also right there for anyone who wants to cool off, so pack your swimmers just in case. If you can't make it down to Yabun Festival 2024 — or you want to join in from interstate — you can watch via a live stream via the festival's website.
If staying at home more often than usual has you hankering for decadent desserts, you're not alone. We've seen many Australians turn to baking while in iso, plus restaurants and cafes across the country offer up ready-to-bake cookie dough. Not to mention cult ice creamery Gelato Messina selling red velvet cookie pies. Now, Burwood cafe The Picnic is grabbing a piece of the pie, too, collaborating with OTT delivery dessert company Cake Mail and Chef Jack New (Icebergs, Teramoto by Kuro) to create the mother of all pie-sized biscuits. What's a cookie pie? It's pretty much as it sounds — a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. The OTT dessert in question is a white choc chip and salted caramel cookie pie ($39), which comes loaded with Nutella, Oreos, marshmallows, Kinder chocolate and white Kinder Bueno. Once it arrives at your house, you just need to throw it in the oven for ten minutes at 150°C. The result: a messy, gooey delight that's sure to satisfy any hardcore chocolate fiend. Since indoor venues across the country were forced to shut up shop back in March, The Picnic at Burwood, run by restaurateur Jad Nehme, has been whipping up a bunch of dishes for home delivery — from 'Zoom night' packs to DIY burger kits, produce boxes and Lotus Biscoff caramel pancakes. Deliver is available for all orders over $60 within 15 kilometres of Burwood from 2–6pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Contactless pick up is also available from the cafe between 11.30am–2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday The Picnic at Home take-home menu and cookie pie is available to order via thepicnicathome.com.au.
Easter in Sydney doesn't just mean chocolate, hot cross buns and whatever other sweet treats the city's eateries happen to come up with at this time of year — it also means the Sydney Royal Easter Show. And, while you won't find the latter at El Camino Cantina's Tex-Mex joints around town, the chain is getting into the spirit of the event with its limited-edition margarita menu, which it has dubbed 'the Royal Rita Show'. For its latest batch of creative flavours, El Camino Cantina is serving up Jelly Belly, Warhead, Chupa Chup and Kinder Surprise margs. There are Trolli Lolli and Rainbow Nerd versions, too. Basically, it's the candy and booze combination you obviously didn't know you'd someday want when you were a kid. These lolly-flavoured ritas are on offer from Tuesday, April 5–Saturday, April 30, costing $20 for a 15-oz glass, $24 for the 20-oz size and $35 for a tasting paddle of four 220-millilitre glasses. And if you'd like to pair them with tacos, you'll find a Royal Rita Show food menu on offer as well; think tacos with popcorn chicken, chorizo and potato hash, slow-cooked barbecue brisket, and prawns with bacon. In Sydney, you'll find both the margs and tacos tempting your tastebuds at El Camino in The Rocks, Entertainment Quarter, Manly and Miranda.
If you've ever wondered what it'd be like to hit golf balls around the same stadium that hosted the 2000 Sydney Olympics, you'll soon be able to answer that very question. For seven days this December, ANZ Stadium will be transformed into a nine-hole golf course, giving amateur golfers the opportunity to hit a hole-in-one on and around the famous sporting ground. At G9 Stadium Golf, players will have the chance to tee off not only from nine different locations around the stadium, but from different levels of 80,000-plus capacity venue. All of the holes will be located on the turf, though, so you'll be swinging your club in that direction. Capacity is limited, in line with COVID-19-safe practices — and you'll need to bring your own clubs. But if this sounds like your idea of a great stint on the green, you can now book tickets across two December periods, with G9 Stadium Golf operating from Friday, December 4–Sunday, December 6, and then again from Thursday, December 10–Sunday, December 13. Adult tickets start from $79, and tee times commence at 7.30am each day — running through until 7.45pm on Thursdays and Sundays, and till 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. There'll also be a clubhouse set up onsite, on the stadium's on the north-western terrace, for pre- and post-game sustenance. [caption id="attachment_791765" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ANZ Stadium via Gavin Anderson, Wikimedia Commons[/caption] G9 Stadium Golf will take place at ANZ Stadium from Friday, December 4–Sunday, December 6, and then again from Thursday, December 10–Sunday, December 13. For more information, head to the event's Facebook page — and to buy tickets, head to Ticketek.
Minimalist Aussie clothing designer Assembly Label is currently hosting a massive online charity sale so you can upgrade your WFH wardrobe with linen pants, baggy tees and a big cosy jumpers — and help Aussies doing it tough. With both men's and women's wear on offer, you'll find winter essentials such as denim, basic tops, jumpers and jackets, plus swimwear, dresses and shorts if you're already dreaming of hitting up the beach once the cold months pass. Best of all, you can nab it all at up to 70 percent off — and with free shipping across Australia, too. Because the label is known for its chic-yet-comfy casual staples, it'll now take you from going to grab your morning coffee, working in your living room and lounging around on weekends — really, you won't need much else while you're spending more time at home. If you've been shivering through the current cold snap, you'll probably want to snap up something like this super warm turtle neck ($90). As part of the sale, Assembly Label has a choose-what-you-pay initiative raising money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. When you buy a sale item, you can choose to pay an extra $5, $10 or $15, with that amount then matched by Assembly Label and donated to The Red Cross. So, you can grab some new threads and feel good about it too.
After spending more time in our home city than we'd usually choose to, it's sometimes easy to forget how beautiful Sydney truly is. And, if you're in need of a reminder, one of the easiest ways to fall back in love with Sydney is to enjoy a meal by the ocean. It's hard to argue with harbour views, sparkling water lapping up against boats, and a beautiful plate of food in front of you. In this spirit, we've partnered with Captain Cook Cruises to pick out six bars that will well and truly reignite your love affair with the Emerald City, from hidden wharf cafes to a floating bar that not only gives you harbour views, but also takes you under the Bridge as you dine.
As well as giving popular culture some of its most beloved characters of the past few decades, the Harry Potter franchise has also conjured up a whole heap of astonishing critters. The Boy Who Lived himself studied them at Hogwarts, all thanks to textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Then, to the joy of Potter-loving muggles everywhere, that tome became an actual IRL text in 2001. Every Wizarding World fan knows that that book followed the original Harry Potter novels in making the leap from the page to the screen, resulting in a first film in 2016, then 2018 sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and also 2022's Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. But if you're more interested in the actual fantastic beasts than a movie plot spun around them — and in natural history in general — exhibition Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature has you covered. First announced in 2020, then premiering at London's Natural History Museum, this is all about critters that fly, scamper and scurry through the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts realm on the page and screen; however, it's also about real-life creatures, specimens and artefacts, too. The exhibition combines beasts from the natural world, the mythical world and the Wizarding World, and was always slated for an international tour. Now, it's Australia's turn to see it, with the showcase displaying at Melbourne Museum from Friday, May 19–Sunday, October 8. Visitors to Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature will see legendary beasts placed alongside specimens and historic objects, while also venturing through elements from cinema's last two decades. Unsurprisingly, there'll also be a hefty focus on Newt Scamander, the Wizarding World's famed magizoologist as played Eddie Redmayne (The Good Nurse). You'll see items from the Natural History Museum's scientific collections, custom-made Wizarding World models, props from the flicks and original artworks from Bloomsbury Publishing. And, you'll also also wander through a celebration of real-life scientists trying to understand the planet's animal inhabitants. In London, the exhibits included a tiger, a Galápagos marine iguana and a giant oarfish (the planet's longest bony fish) alongside an Erumpent horn and the dragon skull from Professor Lupin's classroom. Patrons were also able to compare the camouflage tactics of a jaguar to those of the Demiguise. Images: Trustees of the Natural History Museum London.
