A month-long food, drink and arts festival is taking over Surry Hills throughout November, pulling together beloved venues like Mille Vini, Dove & Olive, Yulli's, Dead Ringer, Four Pillars Laboratory, Gogyo, The Clock and Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney for 30 days of pop-ups, activations and special deals. The aim of Heart of Surry Hills: showcasing what the suburb's businesses do best, and celebrating its chefs, sommeliers, cocktail creators, hospitality personnel, local beverage producers and more, all while making the most of the parklands — and throwing in art and music. Highlights of the festival include Murder Most Foul, a series of walking tours through Surry Hills focusing on the dark underbelly of the suburb's past; a vintage market day and a two-day festival at Shannon Reserve, the latter featuring tunes from Stereogamous and The Dollar Bill Darlings, food trucks and pop-up bars; and an after-dark tour of the suburb that includes stop-offs at Brix Distillers, Four Pillars and the Shakespeare Hotel. [caption id="attachment_868624" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Clock, Maria Boyadgis[/caption] On top of this, you'll want to check the Heart of Surry Hills website if you're heading to the city for a drink or bite to eat, with a heap of top venues offering special November deals as part of the festival. The Dove & Olive will be offering a craft beer paddle and spicy American-style chicken wings for $20 throughout the month, Mille Vini has put together a $35 tasting plate that comes with a paired wine, and Dead Ringer is serving up $12 martinis between 5–7pm each day. Plus, Refettorio, the collaboration between OzHarvest and Massimo Bottura, will be hosting two neighbourhood dinners. These public meals help to raise money so that the restaurant can those experiencing food insecurity with free lunches Tuesday–Friday each week. There's even more happening during the festival, so make sure to check out the full program. Top image: Mille Vini Kitti Gould
Following a stellar debut edition in 2022 headlined by the likes of The Dandy Warhols, DMA's and The Tesky Brothers, Wanderer Festival is returning to the picturesque Sapphire Coast between Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1 — and it has just dropped its jam-packed lineup. The indie-rock-heavy program of acts pulls together beloved locals with a sprinkle of international acts and a hefty dose of young fast-rising musicians. Headlining the lineup is a quartet of festival faves in Ocean Alley, The Jungle Giants, Spiderbait and Thelma Plum, alongside the UK's oddball rock group Django Django, American folk songwriter Kevin Morby and contemporary blues singer-songwriter Son Little. Deeper into the lineup you'll find the recent subject of the 2023 Archibald Pize-winning painting, Montaigne, plus Art vs Science, Lisa Mitchell, Urthboy, Alice Skye, Babe Rainbow, C.W. Stoneking, Kim Churchill, Haiku Hands, Dice, Annie Hamilton and Rum Jungle. Just like last year, the festival will also host a heap of local south coast NSW musicians including the Bega Sound Collective, Whiskey Dram, Flavuh and the Big Lost Band — a huge rock and roll orchestra made up of musicians from local high schools and arts communities. The full program will also feature art, comedy, theatre, circus performers, artisan workshops and live screenings of both footy grand finals. [caption id="attachment_788985" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ocean Alley[/caption] "Wanderer is beyond anything I could have hoped for in a festival and for this region. It delivers an authentic and exceptional festival experience no matter who you are or where you come from and it was amazing to see it so wholly owned, embraced and deeply loved by the local community as well as travellers from as far as Western Australia and the Nothern Territory," said festival's founder Simon Daly. The festival is all-ages and family-friendly. One-, two- and three-day passes are all available, as well as camping tickets and even glamping packages available for $1045 for two people or $1155 for groups of five. Wanderer Festival will return to Pambula Beach, Saphire Coast between Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1. Tickets are on sale now. Festival images: Ruby Boland
Lynne Ramsay's We Need To Talk About Kevin is a stunning and unnerving adaptation of Lionel Shriver's acclaimed 2003 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Eva (Tilda Swinton), a free-spirited travel writer whose life undergoes a radical (and, in her mind, unfavourable) disruption following the birth of her son Kevin. Tormented by his incessant screaming and frustrated by the unfamiliar role of 'stay-at-home mum', Eva quickly develops an extreme case of post-natal depression typified by unqualified resentment of her child. Tragically as Kevin matures their relationship simply grows colder, with Eva's indifference matched only by Kevin's calculated disobedience. He is as defiant with her as he is affectionate towards his father, which in turn merely exacerbates Eva's already bitter jealousy. Later, when Kevin suddenly embarks upon a devastating high school killing spree reminiscent of the Columbine massacre, Eva becomes both the focus of an outraged community's scorn and victim of her own conscience as she grapples with the possibility that her parenting (or lack thereof) was ultimately to blame. Swinton is simply mesmerising in the role of Eva, with her transformation from carefree Bohemian to haunted loner incredibly confronting both physically and psychologically. John C. Reilly is also excellent as her earnest but sceptical husband, though he's unfairly burdened by the 'comedian-turned-serious-actor' problem that curiously fails to operate inversely when serious actors pop up in comedies. Lastly there's Ezra Miller in the role of Kevin, whose eerie calm and recalcitrant manipulation affords the audience a small level of sympathy towards Eva as she tries and fails to love him like a parent should. Visually, We Need To Talk About Kevin is a joy to watch thanks to the sublime cinematography of Seamus McGarvey and polished direction by Ramsay. Psychologically, it is perhaps the most unsettling film of 2011, filled with moments of such suspense and disquiet that you'll emerge from the cinema utterly rattled by the experience and suddenly terrified of parenthood. To win a double pass to see the film, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=YVvRHzTEzeQ
If you've found yourself eating your way around London at some stage in the past few years, you're probably familiar with legendary 24-hour Brick Lane bakery Beigel Bake. Now, you can get your hands on a close rendition of its signature house-made, carbo-loaded treats — without the 23-hour plane flight. Yes, a crew by the name of Salt Beef Beigel has hit Aussie shores and it's channelling the beloved Jewish-style 'beigels' (the word 'bagel' is thought to be an Americanisation of the word 'beigel', which is used throughout England) for a new kitchen takeover at Enmore's Slyfox. To match the inner west bar's regular booze offering, Salt Beef Beigel will be plating up two pillowy bagel creations, which can be matched with waffle fries and your choice of dipping sauce for $16. There's the meaty edition, loaded with 18-hour slow-cooked wagyu brisket, crunchy pickles and mustard — as well as a vegan chickpea-crusted cauliflower bagel. Gluten-free options are also on offer, for a couple of extra bucks. And when it comes to those sauces, you're seriously spoilt for choice, with the likes of confit garlic aioli, chilli jam, smokey BBQ sauce, toasted cumin and lemon aioli, gravy, hot sauce and even a UK chip shop-inspired curry number. Find Salt Beef Beigel at the Slyfox, 199 Enmore Road, Enmore. It's open from 6pm till sold out, Tuesday–Saturday.
Planning a date isn't always easy. Sure, big romantic dinners are nice, but they can start to feel a bit humdrum if that's all you and your boo do. This week, swap your same-old date night for an action-packed day instead. We've teamed up with the adventure expert, Adrenaline, to bring you this date itinerary where you can travel to another dimension with a VR experience, take your date to daring heights on a Blue Mountains hike or try your hand at bouldering — and taste some out-of-the-ordinary eats along the way. Whether you're newly dating or lifers, this list has you covered, and takes all of the stress out of the planning too. [caption id="attachment_789763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] ENJOY A HEARTY BREKKIE AT PERCY PLUNKETT As fuel for your action-packed day ahead, start your date with a hearty breakfast. Instead of stopping at your local, change it up and head to Penrith's Percy Plunkett. Set in a historic brick house on Station Street, the cafe's old-timey vibes are part of the appeal. On a nice day, grab a seat on the porch and enjoy your brekkie in the sunshine. The all-day menu offers something a little different from your average Aussie cafe — think lamb eggs benedict, Korean fried rice, with kimchi, pickled slaw, avocado and a fried egg, and a deep dish pancake, served with butterscotch sauce, white chocolate mousse, caramelised banana and berries. TRAVEL TO ANOTHER DIMENSION WITH A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE If you and your date are missing overseas travel, why not travel to a different world instead? Adrenaline's multi-player VR experience will transport you to a post-apocalyptic world where zombies reign. You don't need to be into video games to enjoy this immersive experience — it's just an absolute blast. FREAK VR Penrith has exclusive rights to this game, which is a step above your average virtual reality experience. Its world-class 4D effects means you'll really feel like you're inside the game, even when it carries you up and down 'elevators'. It's suitable for up to four players ($189), so you can even turn the day into a double date if you fancy — you can either work as a team or in competition. Bookings start at 9.45am and regularly book out, so be sure to secure your spots in advance. EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD IN KATOOMBA After FREAK VR, you'll need to calm your nerves from all that immersive zombie killing. Take a break from the physical adventure and enjoy a food-filled one instead. At Katoomba eatery 8Things, you can eat your way around the world from a succinct menu of eight street food-style dishes. The menu changes regularly and spans dishes from a range of regions, including Southeast Asia, Africa, North America and the Mediterranean. At the moment, there's South Indian-style dosas, Korean-style pork belly bao, NYC-style cheeseburgers and Balinese-style nasi goreng on offer. [caption id="attachment_789764" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE YOUR DATE TO DARING HEIGHTS ON THE WENTWORTH FALLS HIKING TRAIL Now you've braved a virtual world, it's time to take your date on a daring adventure of a different kind. Katoomba is surrounded by heaps of gorgeous Blue Mountains hikes, but one of the most adventurous is the Wentworth Falls track. This trek may be quick (only 1.4-kilometre return), but it is no cakewalk. The steep hike will take you 100 metres up to Jamison and Wentworth lookouts before descending 200 steps to the cliff's edge of Fletchers lookout. It offers sweeping valley views far below, with sharp drops hidden at every turn — so you'll have to tread carefully. TRY YOUR HAND AT BOULDERING IN PARRAMATTA When you've finished scaling the Blue Mountains, head off to try another type of climbing experience. On your way back into the city, stop in Parramatta to go bouldering at 9 Degrees. The gym is split into nine levels of difficulty, each of which is colour-coded. If you're new to bouldering, you can start with yellow (the easiest); more experienced climbers can go for white (the hardest). The gym also has a training wall (dubbed the kilter board) to help you level up. 9 Degrees also boasts locations in Lane Cove, Alexandria, and a brand new outpost in Waterloo, so you can choose the one that's most convenient for you, and a day pass costs just $20 (with an extra $7 for optional shoe hire). [caption id="attachment_786073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Walsh[/caption] END THE DAY WITH COCKTAILS AT SYDNEY'S NEW SKY-HIGH BAR 83 After a full day of adventure, end the day with cocktails at a brand new, sky-high Sydney venue. Bar 83 sits, as you'd expect, 83 floors above the city in Sydney Tower — claiming the title of the city's tallest bar — and offers glittering 360-degree views. While your focus may be on the panoramas, the bar's fit-out is impressive in its own right. A mix of retro and futuristic vibes, the bar has circular red and white lounges, gold lights and striking mirrors. Now, for the drinks. The cocktail list was created by award-winning bartender Jenna Hemsworth (Restaurant Hubert, The Baxter Inn) and offers signature drops like the Pain Pleasure Principle (cognac, cacao and lemon myrtle) and the Ignore All Rules (tequila, sherry, tomato and basil). Sit back, relax, and enjoy a well-deserved tipple after your jam-packed date day. To explore all of the Adrenaline experiences available in Sydney and beyond, head over here. Top image: Wentworth Falls Track, Destination NSW
If you’re planning on heading to Oxford Art Factory to see The Paper Scissors play on Friday night, one thing you probably won’t find being emitted from the stage is the homely twang of an Australian accent. Jai Pynes seems to be making a conscious attempt to progressively neutralise his vowel sounds with every album the band releases, and we’re loathe to admit that its making their music sound really, really good. Granted the guys spent a few months travelling around the US writing songs before returning to our shores to play them, so the spacey vibes and ambiguous vocal origins could maybe be put down to lingering jetlag. If that is indeed the cause, bands should deprive themselves of sleep more often — it’s not like extensive travel has ever been known to dampen the ability of Jai Pyne, Xavier Naughton and Ivan Lisyak to invest their live shows with seizure-like movements and the occasional vein-swelling howl. As long as they don’t drop that penchant for pretending they all have ADHD in the process of delivering more controlled, long-form epic rock soundscapes, then we don’t really care if they sound like Americans.
Losing yourself in a giant Pac-Man-inspired maze may or may not be your idea of the ultimate reality break, but it is something you'll actually be able to pencil into the diary when The Pac-Maze hits Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next year. Yep, someone has created a human-size version of the classic 80s arcade game that had you losing hours navigating tiny yellow Pac-Dots and avoiding ghosts. As with most immersive, themed experiences happening across Australia these days, this one's popping up in secret locations on unknown dates. At this stage, all we know is that it's only popping up for one day in each city — and that you can sign up for notifications and first dibs on pre-release tickets via the website. The Pac-Maze comes courtesy of the same masters of nostalgia that brought you the adults-only Lego bar, The Brick Bar, which means you can expect a bunch of interactive fun that'll delight both your adult self and your inner kid. Organisers are promising an immersive escape room-style experience, held within a 1.5-kilometre, LED-lit maze, with the chance to score prizes if you're quick enough to elude those multi-coloured ghosts (aka Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde). You can play solo or in teams of up to ten, though there are only 500 tickets in total up for grabs in each city. To stay in the loop and snag pre-release tickets, visit The Pac-Maze website.
So change is, on the whole, a good thing. The Oxford Street Design Store was made from the start to be a low cost storefront for local designers to get their work out, while events played out out back. Their low-cost City of Sydney lease just got renewed and to take themselves long term they're taking on lodgers. Once a month local artists and designers will take turns popping up in the store front, while related workshops play on out back. First up, at the newly-renamed Oxford Street Design Collective, is T-shirt powerhouse Lonely Kids Club. Lonely Kids are a normally online-only operation run by Warwick Levy, who collaborates with local artists to get their art on your front. While he occupies the frontage with a bespoke new range of designs, workshops will be run out back introducing artists to the wonders of screen printing. The Oxford Street Design Collective is open from midday Wednesday to Sunday. The $150 workshop, Screen Printing Digital Designs, will run Sundays 24th February and 3rd of March. For more info and to sign up, email the tutor, Badger Lane's Laura Walsh.
It seems the New York Metropolitan Opera has caught wind of what those clever fellows over at the British National Theatre have been up to; they've launched their own live, high-definition screenings of productions for the delight of international audiences. As with London, New York has too pesky a time difference for Sydneysiders to see the shows live, but instead you can while away an afternoon at the Chauvel, the Hayden Orpheum or the Dendy Opera Quays for Ambroise Thomas's lauded adaptation of Hamlet. Inspired by Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Thomas's 1868 opera is best known for extending Ophelia's descent into madness in a gripping scene celebrated in operatic circles for centuries. https://youtube.com/watch?v=w_ivQ7gHvq4
After a year of streaming flicks on our laptops and phones, it's time to put bums back on seats at actual cinemas. Excitingly, you can do that at IRL film festivals, too. Yes, festivals. There are multiple happening RN. We've rounded up a few of our faves right here. Order an extra large popcorn and get ready for some serious viewing.
Sydney's northern beaches are again set to reap the rewards of acclaimed chef Giovanni Pilu's flair for regional Italian fare, as the Sardinian-born chef prepares to open his next bar and restaurant venture this weekend. Sister to Pilu at Freshwater, the soon-to-launch AcquaFresca by Pilu is a local take on the coastal trattorias of Italy, complete with al fresco dining, a share-friendly food offering and some primo waterfront views. It's also expected to have significantly cheaper prices than Pilu at Freshwater, so will be a way to experience Pilu's renowned fare with burning a hole through your pocket. The menu will feature a hefty antipasti offering with burrata and candied tomato crostini, and a bite-sized assembly of mortadella, farinata and pickled fennel. Add a drop or two from the strong list of both Italian and local pouring wines and you've got yourself an ideal after-work scenario. Deeper in, you'll find freshly rolled pasta — think pumpkin gnocchi with burnt butter, sage and truffle pecorino — along with a handful of mains and pizzas, made on dough proved in-house for 48 hours. Local beers and a crop of classic-leaning cocktails and spritzes round out the beachside fun. The restaurant will open inside the new Harbord Diggers, a $160 million dining and entertainment precinct in the northern beaches. Run by the Mounties Group, and replacing the former club overlooking Freshwater and Curl Curl Beach, the precinct will be home to a slew of bars and restaurants — including AcquaFresca, Teddy Larkin's Seafood and Steakhouse, pan-asian eatery WaterDragon and a new Harbord Diggers Bar — childcare facilities and a new senior living residences called Watermark Freshwater. These will all be part of Harbord Diggers' stage one openings, happening this Saturday, June 30. The second stage, slated to open in late 2019, will include a new fitness and aquatic centre and the completion of Watermark Freshwater. AcquaFresca by Pilu will open in Harbord Diggers, 88 Evans St, Freshwater, on Saturday, June 30.
How do you know that a new year is officially in full swing? If you're a movie lover, it's when Australia's film festivals start dropping their lineups. The Mardi Gras Film Festival jumped in first for 2023, and next to unveil its program is Sydney and Melbourne's Europa! Europa — aka the cinema celebration that's all about new and classic flicks from across the entire European continent, and will screen titles from 24 different countries in February and March. 2023 marks Europa! Europa's second year, after debuting in 2022 with an impressive lineup — a feat it aims to match in its sophomore run. This time around, there's 29 movies on the bill, showing at Sydney's Ritz Cinemas in Randwick, and Melbourne's Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn between Thursday, February 16–Tuesday, March 7, and covering everything from awards contenders to beloved masterpieces. Hailing from France, eco-thriller The Blaze will kick things off, while Europa! Europa 2023 will come to a close with the Judi Dench- and Jennifer Saunders-starring British drama Allelujah. In-between, the range of flicks includes fare from Italy, Estonia, Ukraine and Croatia, plus Georgia, Spain, Germany and Romania. The list goes on, with France particularly well-represented. Gallic cinema buffs, consider this your warm up for the upcoming Alliance Française French Film Festival. An absolute must-see, especially if you've never had the pleasure before on a big screen, is Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours Trilogy. With Three Colours: Blue starring Juliette Binoche (The Staircase), Three Colours: Red led by Irène Jacob (The OA) and Three Colours: White focusing on Julie Delpy (the Before trilogy), this trio of masterpieces are among the most influential international films of the past three decades. Each one will show as a 4K restoration, too. Among the new titles, eight movies on Europa! Europa's bill were submitted as their country's entries for this year's Best International Feature Film Oscar. Highlights include Armenian documentary Aurora's Sunrise, which tells a 14-year-old genocide survivor's story; Safe Place from Croatia, which unfurls its story over 24 hours; and Moldova's dark comedy Carbon, about the effects of war. Or, there's Il Boemo from Czech Republic, which steps through opera composer Josef 'Il Boemo' Myslivecek's tale — and road-trip effort Orchestra from Slovenia. Elsewhere, illness drama More Than Ever stars Vicky Krieps (Bergman Island), alongside Gaspard Ulliel (Moon Knight) in his last role; La Vie En Rose director Olivier Dahan is still in biopic mode, with Simone: Woman of the Century telling French feminist icon Simone Veil's tale; Wunderschön, about five women in Germany, was the country's highest-grossing local film of the 2022 box office; and the Charlotte Gainsbourg (Sundown)-starring The Accusation heads Down Under after premiering at the Venice Film Festival. Europa! Europa will screen in Sydney and Melbourne between Thursday, February 16–Tuesday, March 7. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
En route to reclaim Gandalf's mantel in The Hobbit, Sir Ian McKellen is stopping off in Australia to play Estragon in Waiting for Godot (insert requisite 'Gandalf to Godot' pun here). Samuel Beckett's groundbreaking play has invoked the fascination and incredulity of audiences for over 50 years and remains one of the foundational examples of absurdist theatre. In the famous plot where there's "nothing to be done", two old friends Estragon and Vladimir (Roger Rees) spend two days chatting, arguing, swapping their bowler hats and, yes, waiting for a man named Godot. Pozzo (Matthew Kelly) and his 'slave' Lucky (Ronald Pickup) twice punctuate the pair's interminable wait, in which themes of religion, war, philosophy and death are all out during their series of piecemeal and expectant discussions. Many people would pay to hear McKellen's gorgeous, rounded tones reading the phonebook, so what a treat to have him taking up residence at the Opera House with director Sean Mathias' acclaimed West End production. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ktSU8As66LE
Sydneysiders are lucky enough to live in a city with a thriving gallery scene, and every two years, things turn up a notch — when several of the city's major cultural institutions band together for a free citywide program of art. Titled The National, this biennial celebration of Australian art kicked off back in 2017, before returning for a blockbuster run in 2019 and then again for a much-need post-lockdown dose of art in 2021. Now, it's back with its latest iteration, The National 4: Australian Art Now. This time around, there are four participating galleries — the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) and Campbelltown Arts Centre (C-A-C), marking the first time the program has expanded outside of the inner city and into the west. [caption id="attachment_895428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elizabeth Day, 'The Flow of Form: There's a Reason Beyond a Reason. Beyond That There's a Reason' (1797 Parramatta Gaol), Carriageworks, Redfern, 2023. Installation view, 'The National 4 : Australian Art Now', Carriageworks. Photo: Zan Wimberley[/caption] All four exhibitions are officially open as of today, Friday, March 31, and will run until Sunday, June 25 at both C-A-C and Carriageworks, Sunday, July 9 at the MCA and Sunday, July 23 at AGNSW. 48 new artistic projects will appear across the four distinct spaces. Some of the highlights include an immersive exploration of migration through the lens of artist Allison Chhorn's Cambodian-Australian family; The Circadian Cul-de-sac, an otherworldly mess of discarded items like fish tanks, Tampax instructions and empty photo frames from Erika Scott; a massive ceramic piece made from over 600 hand-formed tiles by Gerry Wedd; and Nabilah Nordin's colourful and immensely textured new sculpture Corinthian Clump. [caption id="attachment_895418" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heather Koowootha, 'The Bush people's walking pathways of Country site's and story places', 2023. Installation view, 'The National 4: Australian Art Now', Carriageworks. Photo: Zan Wimberley[/caption] For the first time, The National will also be activating the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, with Archibald Prize-nominee Natasha Walsh presenting her new body of work Hysteria, where she reinterprets famous paintings of women painted by men. In a joint statement, the program's five curators Beatrice Gralton (AGNSW), Freja Carmichael and Aarna Fitzgerald Hanley (Carriageworks), Emily Rolfe (C-A-C) and Jane Devery (MCA) said: "The National 4 is a dynamic collaboration resulting in four distinct exhibitions that unfold across our respective organisations. It brings together diverse works by more than 80 artists reflecting the multiplicity of perspectives informing the art being made in Australia today." [caption id="attachment_895419" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erika Scott, 'The Circadian Cul-de-sac', 2023. Installation view, 'The National 4: Australian Art Now', Carriageworks. Photo: Zan Wimberley[/caption] "Collectively the artists in The National 4 contribute to broader conversations across a range of critical ideas, including intergenerational learning, community and social interconnectedness, the role of language, and personal narratives that acknowledge broader social and political issues." To kick things off, the galleries are hosting a series of free events including performances, film screenings, talks and workshops across the first full weekend of The National, from Friday, March 31–Sunday, April 2. Head to the exhibition's website for the list of events and the full program of art that you can catch over the next three months. [caption id="attachment_895430" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Nabilah Nordin's 'Corinthian Clump', 2023, presented as part of 'The National 4: Australian Art Now' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mim Stirling[/caption] 'The National 4: Australian Art Now' is running from Sunday, March 31–Sunday, July 23 across the Art Gallery of NSW, Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Campbeltown Arts Centre. Top image: Installation view of Nabilah Nordin's 'Corinthian Clump', 2023, presented as part of 'The National 4: Australian Art Now' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mim Stirling.
It's been in the works for almost 50 years, but the NSW Government has announced plans to complete Woollahra Station in Sydney's eastern suburbs. In addition to bringing much-needed public transport infrastructure to the area, the station will support up to 10,000 higher-density homes permitted under newly rezoned sections of Woollahra and Edgecliff. Although this moneyed part of the world is home to some of Australia's most expensive property, Woollahra has been earmarked as one of the most feasible areas to construct new housing within touching distance of the city. With the area lagging on new home approvals, the neighbourhood's population has dropped 11 percent over the last 50 years. As reported by Guardian Australia, an up-and-running Woollahra Station would allow commuters to reach the CBD in just eight minutes. And with the line only operating at 43 percent capacity during the morning rush, it has the most potential for increased passenger numbers of any line in the city. If all goes to plan, construction will begin in 2027 with an opening date pencilled in for 2029. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) So, why has Woollahra Station taken so long to open? While it was partially built in 1976, it was abandoned to reduce growing costs around Sydney's soon-to-open Eastern Suburbs Railway line. Meanwhile, the project faced stiff opposition from some locals, who had adopted the previously empty green space as a park. So concerned were the resident groups about construction that they took the matter to the High Court. As for the project's rebirth, it's safe to assume significant pushback will come from pockets of the surrounding community, with Premier Chris Minns saying he doesn't expect the decision to be "met with universal happiness." However, Minns and the NSW Government see Woollahra Station and its rezoning plans as key to addressing Sydney's housing shortage. "For too long, young people and families in New South Wales have been forced to choose between moving away from the Sydney CBD and not being able to afford a home at all," said Premier Minns in a statement. Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson took an even stronger line: "We are not afraid to take on NIMBYs to deliver more housing where there is the space and infrastructure to support it. This new station just makes sense." Construction on Woollahra Station is expected to begin in 2027, with an opening date planned for 2029.
All things good about the country will converge on Dungog for the tiny town's second annual festival, happening 22–25 October. It's a four-day extravaganza where food, drink, flicks, music, dance, theatre and art combine. If feasting is on the agenda, reserve a seat at the Long Table Dinner, which will set up smack-bang in the middle of Dungog's main street for an evening of boutique wines, local produce and live music under the stars. Leading the film element of the program is Projector Bike, which sees a handmade, two-wheeled contraption travel around town, screening films in unexpected places followed by a mobile audience on bikes. Alternatively, in the more conventional setting of James Theatre, catch a range of films and documentaries, including The Cambodian Space Project, Best of Enemies and a horror compilation showing at midnight. Headlining the music segment will be Paul Mac, starring at Saturday's Starry Night Concert, accompanied by special guest Ngaiire. Meanwhile, on the Night Market Stage, there'll be performances from singer-songwriter Steve Smyth and bush band Swamp Dawkins. Or, for a rowdier experience, head to the Settlers Arms to see The Pigs turning pop and rock songs into bluegrass masterpieces. Image courtesy of Destination NSW.
Gluten conscious and cruelty free foodies, we bring you tidings of great joy. No longer will you be deprived of doughnuts, thanks to the good folks at Nutie. After a year hopping from market to market around town, the Nutie Donuts team is opening a permanent location in Balmain next month where they can sling their sweet treats full time. Opening on Saturday, March 4 at 13 Beattie Street, Nutie Donuts will bake their doughnuts daily in an open kitchen using premium gluten-free ingredients. They'll also offer a variety of vegan and dairy-free options because doughnuts are for everyone. Speaking of options, let's talk about their flavour combinations. Among the extravagant creations that have popped up on their Instagram account in recent times are pink Champagne, black sesame and green tea, and beetroot with dark chocolate ganache. Oh, and don't worry: despite there being not a gluten protein in sight, they assure us that they taste just like the real thing. Double Choc? So 2016. Choc 5ways is where it's at! 🍫🍫🍫@lunarmarkets 📷@bellatimar A post shared by Nútie Donuts (@wearenutie) on Feb 3, 2017 at 10:09pm PST To give you a little added incentive to pay them a visit, Nutie will be giving away free doughnuts to the first 100 customers on their first day of operations, while a dollar from every subsequent doughnut sold that day will be donated to the local Police Citizens Youth Club. "We want Nutie Donuts to be a strong part of the Balmain community, not just a shopfront," said owner Sina Klug. "That means [doing] everything we can to make a positive difference to the people around us." Nutie Donuts will open at 13 Beattie Street, Balmain from 10am on Saturday, March 4. For more information visit them on Facebook.
Fire has caused chaos in Sydney's inner west this afternoon, as more than 60 firefighters battled a huge blaze at the General Gordon Hotel. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that fire crews arrived to find the building's second storey alight just after 1.15pm and were still working to contain it at 2.30pm. A boarding house next door to the pub has been evacuated and there are warnings for cars and pedestrians to steer clear of the area, as smoke continues to spread. What's more, because of the pub's location just across the road from the Sydenham train station, safety concerns meant a bunch of rail services were also disrupted. Trains have only recently resumed stopping at Sydenham. Trains will not stop at Sydenham due to fire near the track causing hazardous conditions at Sydenham. Customers wishing to transfer to the @T3SydneyTrains Bankstown Line should continue on to Central to interchange.https://t.co/1c9V9iBMfL — T4 Sydney Trains (@T4SydneyTrains) July 30, 2018 Meanwhile, those catching buses could face more delays into the afternoon — at time of publication, route 418, 425 and M30 services were all still being diverted away from the fire and avoiding some nearby stops. Due to a building fire near Sydenham Station, route 418 buses to Bondi Junction & route 425 buses to Tempe are diverting away from Gleeson Ave via local streets, missing 1 stop. Route M30 buses towards the city are starting at Railway Pde Stand B & missing 1 stop. pic.twitter.com/MMh9OUBOFc — Buses Inner West (@BusesInnerWest) July 30, 2018 The General Gordon Hotel was recently sold to new owners and is in the middle of an extensive renovation. With its roof now totally collapsed, it seems likely that opening date could now be a little further off than first expected. Fire and Rescue NSW Inner West Duty Commander Gary Meagher told the ABC, "They won't be drinking there for a while". via SMH Images: Fire and Rescue NSW
If you're on the hunt for some new-school fun to make the impending frosty months go faster, you can stop searching right now. Someone, somewhere, has dreamed up the impressive combination of bumper cars and ice-skating — and is bringing the concept Down Under. In an Aussie first, Bumper Cars on Ice will hit both Melbourne and Sydney this August, and promises to yank you right out of winter hibernation mode. Not a whole lot of info has dropped just yet, though from the photos, it looks like this unique activity will have you pinballing around an ice rink in a bubble-shaped bumper car, slipping and sliding into mates. We assume the cars will head to one of Sydney's six long-running pop-up ice rinks — or the newly saved Macquarie Ice Rink — and maybe Melbourne's pop-up Eastland Shopping Centre rink. But, we'll update you as soon as we know more. [caption id="attachment_706065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Macquarie Ice Rink.[/caption] If this sounds like your kind of icy jam, you can sign up for ticket info at the website. Bumper Cars on Ice will pop-up at yet-to-be-announced locations in Melbourne and Sydney this August.
The 2010 Biennale of Sydney with its theme The Beauty of Distance — Songs of Survival in a Precarious Age addresses nature and its existence, one of the facets of our world that can’t speak for itself (or at least, can’t speak in words that everyone can hear). Two of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, Fiona Hall and Janet Laurence, take centrestage in the environment debate with their works in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, a site loaded with colonial significance and layered with the Western notion of capturing and containing flora. Laurence’s WAITING — A Medicinal Garden for Ailing Plants (2010) calls to mind the regal authority of having one’s own medicinal garden, but the perspective is overturned: the plants are in their own waiting room, sick and needing help. In another subversive action, Hall has installed several hives of Sugarbag bees in the gardens. These bees, native to Australia, smaller than the recognised European bee and stingless, are in dwindling in numbers in the Sydney area but are being slowly reintroduced. Hall’s The Barbarians at the Gate (2010) comments not only on the threat to native species by the introduction of foreign ones, but the patterned beehive boxes representing different nations also speaks volumes on xenophobia in our society. Also on show is Choi Jeong Hwa from Korea with the Unbearable Lightness of Being (2010). Image: Breeding Ground by Fiona Hall.
The lower north shore will see a fast food staple back in action when Chargrill Charlie's reopens its Willoughby store this Saturday, November 10. The much loved chicken and chips shop has been under renovation for the past two months, and, to celebrate the reopening, it's giving out quarter-chicken-and-chip combos for free. The comfort food giveaway will happen from noon–1pm this weekend, so go ahead and leave your wallet at home. While you wait in the inevitable line for your eats, you can catch a glimpse of the fully refurbished and expanded shop — which is the entire reason for the freebie, after all. The Willoughby reopening comes just two months after the launch of Chargrill Charlie's Frenchs Forest store, bringing the brand's northern Sydney total to six.
This Queen's Birthday Long Weekend, Sydneysiders are allowed to travel to regional NSW once again, but it doesn't mean everyone can — or wants to. If you're staying local, it's certainly no time to despair. With restrictions easing, the city's shops, cultural institutions and hiking trails are reopening, so there's plenty to explore. From starting your day with a flaky fresh-from-the-oven pastry to ending it watching a flick on the big screen at a drive-in cinema, our fair city has lots to offer. As some COVID-19 rules are still in place though, it's not 100 percent business as normal, with limited capacities and social distancing measures at most indoor and outdoor venues. So, we suggest you check the relevant websites before making plans. To find out exactly what you can and can't do under NSW's current restrictions, have a look over here. [caption id="attachment_652424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Infinity Bakery Paddington by Kitti Gould[/caption] START YOUR DAY WITH A FLAKY FRESH-FROM-THE-OVEN PASTRY There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries to whip your appetite into a frenzy. And that first bite of fluffy doughnut or glazed danish, not too long out of the oven? That's one way to kick off your long weekend. You can do just that at long-standing Sydney favourite Infinity — led by brother and sister duo, William and Sophie Peterson — which has outposts in Manly, Paddington and Darlinghurst. Alongside its range of sourdough — white, wholemeal, spelt and rye — you can find expertly made pastries, including croissants, cinnamon scrolls and piping hot pies, plus cakes, muffins, sandwiches and a brownie that can't be beaten. If you want to keep the bakery crawl going, check out the some more of our favourite bakeries across the city. [caption id="attachment_770818" align="alignnone" width="2000"] 'And Now' at White Rabbit by Kimberley Low[/caption] EXPLORE THIS THREE-STOREY ASIAN ART EXHIBITION To celebrate its tenth anniversary last year, Chippendale's White Rabbit Gallery launched a huge two-part retrospective. The first half, dubbed Then, featured giant pink fibreglass undies, a porcine car with an 11-metre gold tongue and 30 life-sized naked figures. Now, the follow-up exhibition is taking place, fittingly called And Now. Showcasing 15 key works from the second part of White Rabbit's life, 2011–2019, the show takes over the three-storey gallery with videos, giant sculptures, paintings and performative pieces. A three-part video installation by Liu Chuang will see Stephen Spielberg, Zhou Dynasty bells and bitcoin come together (figuratively) to explore issues of displacement in Bitcoin Mining and Field Recordings of Ethnic Minorities, while Zhu Jinshi's The Ship of Times — made from 14,000 sheets of xuan paper, 1800 pieces of fine bamboo, and 2000 cotton threads — will symbolise spiritual transformation. You'll also find a tall pillar of red glass by ceramicist Liu Jianhua, a performative video piece by Patty Chang in which she washes a rotting whale carcass, and two works by provocative artist, and former Ai Wei Wei studio assistant, Zhao Zhao. Want to keep your art adventure going? Here are three other IRL art exhibitions happening around Sydney this month. MEANDER THROUGH SYDNEY'S CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP At the south end of Darling Harbour, you'll find a hidden oasis: the Chinese Garden of Friendship. While the silhouette of the city skyline shadows the garden, you'll be put at ease by the towering willow trees and soon forget your woes. The garden is peaceful and harmonious, making it the perfect place to stop and recharge your batteries or devour a good book. Take a deep breath and you'll feel instantly revived. If you're keen to stretch your legs and explore, the garden has waterfalls, sculptures, lakes and local wildlife, such as koi carp, water dragons and lots of pretty birds. While Lotus at The Gardens is currently closed, you'll find plenty of snacks nearby at Steam Mill Lane and Darling Square. The gardens are open every day from 10am–4pm daily and entry is $8. VISIT BABY BABOONS AND WOBBLY WOMBATS AT SYDNEY'S NEW ZOO Sydney's first new major zoo in 100 years — aptly called Sydney Zoo — is reopening its doors to the public on Saturday, June 6. Located in the city's west near the Great Western Highway, it's home to more than 100 animals, including, African painted dogs, hyenas, spider monkeys, tigers, zebras, 11 chimpanzees and 13 baboons (and three baby baboons), as well as Aussie wombats, echidnas, dingos, emus, koalas, Tasmanian devils and kangaroos. You can check out all these animals from pram and wheelchair-friendly raised boardwalks, too. It doesn't stop there either, with the zoo also home to the country's largest reptile and nocturnal house — with 60 different species, including the world's most venomous snakes, ghost bats and giant grasshoppers — and an aquarium with fish and penguins. Before you head in, you need to book a ticket, which you can do over at the website. [caption id="attachment_650370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track by D Finnegan for NSW Parks[/caption] HEAD ON A STUNNING SEASIDE WALK (AND PRETEND YOU'RE ON HOLIDAYS) In the spirit of turning off and seeking out some wholesome nature, we tracked down some top-notch seaside walks to freshen up your routine. From the shores of the northern beaches to the bush tracks of the Royal National Park, recharge this weekend by embarking on one of Sydney's best coastal walks. One you'll really want to scope out this weekend is the Palm Beach to Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk. Perched at the top of Sydney's northern beaches, just 90 minutes from the CBD, Palm Beach is the ultimate spot for a staycation. It boasts the laidback vibes you'd expect from a tropical escape, minus the airfare. So, it's the ideal spot for an easy day trip from the big smoke. While you're there, head to the top of the peninsula for the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk. This cruisey three-kilometre trail takes you through the bush to the lighthouse, with sweeping views of Palm Beach and beyond. Tip: take the short but steep Smugglers Track route for the best views (and photos). [caption id="attachment_771678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skyline Blacktown Drive-In[/caption] CATCH A FLICK AT SYDNEY'S ONLY PERMANENT DRIVE-IN CINEMA Most of Australia's cinema industry has earmarked July as its relaunch date, aiming to reopen in time for the planned release of Christopher Nolan's Tenet. But if you're a movie buff keen for some big-screen fun before that, Sydney's drive-in theatre is filling the gap — and, given that their whole concept involves folks watching flicks in cars, social distancing is already part of the experience. Blacktown's Skyline Drive-In is hosting screenings from Thursday–Sunday each week (plus a Monday night session on the Queen's Birthday public holiday), with four flicks playing each night. Films on the bill include The Invisible Man, IT: Chapter Two, Spies in Disguise, Joker, Grease and Knives Out, with horror-themed Friday nights and retro programming on Saturdays also on the agenda. Its diner is also back in business, serving burgers, hot chips, choc tops and other snacks. [caption id="attachment_757975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Una Mas by Steven Woodburn[/caption] HIT UP A BAR, PUB OR RESTAURANT During lockdown, many of the city's hospitality venues had to close (or offer takeaway only), but now a whole swag of them are back and welcoming dine-in (and drink-in) customers once again. Whether you want to down a single pint at a pub or go for an eight-course dinner (with bottomless booze) at a restaurant, you can. If you want to hit up Mary's new rooftop burger bar in Chippendale or visit a new pop-up Israeli street food spot on the lower north shore, you can do that, too. Or, hit up any of the reopened bars and pubs, as well as restaurants and cafes of your choosing. Hot tip: with venues allowed a maximum of 50 customers (or one per four square metres) many require reservations, so check before heading in. Top image: Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track by D Finnegan for NSW Parks
Throughout the pandemic, treating ourselves to Gelato Messina's desserts has become a tasty self-care go-to, and the chain has been releasing quite the lineup of special sweet treats — its own takes on Viennettas and Iced Vovos included — to help. Now, after a chaotic few weeks weather-wise across Queensland and New South Wales, the gelato brand is putting its OTT dishes to great use in another way, raffling them off to raise cash for flood relief. Buy a $10 ticket, go in the draw to win Messina treats, gelato tubs, chocolates, vouchers and merchandise: that's what's on offer until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. The gelato chain is hosting its own raffle, with $5000 in desserts and prizes up for grabs — in 150 packs filled with more than 60 of the brand's limited-edition wares. Those aforementioned Messinettas and Iced Vovo bavarians are included, with 2o of each on offer — and 20 of Messina's Basque cheesecake hot tubs as well. There's also 20 1.5-litre gelato tubs, 30 sets of its pick 'n' mix choccies, and five $150 Messina vouchers. Messina socks, caps, hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts and balm — they're all on the list as well. Tickets can be bought online, with 100 percent of the profits to be split between Australian Red Cross and Vinnies flood appeals across NSW and Qld. Winners will then be notified on Monday, March 21. Eating gelato, assisting folks in need: that's the best and most helpful way to enjoy dessert. Gelato Messina's flood appeal raffle is selling tickets until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. Head to the Messina website for further information.
The Sydney-born social enterprise Welcome Merchant has been supporting small businesses run by refugees and asylum seekers in Australia for four years now. The wonderful organisation has provided vulnerable people with a platform and space to sell their goods while also teaching them business skills. To mark its fourth birthday and bring the great businesses it supports together, the team is taking over Petersham Bowling Club on Saturday, March 16 with a heap of market stalls. Aunty's Ginger Tonic will be in attendance with homemade drinks based on centuries-old African recipes, Afghani artist Nazdana Bakhtiari will be showcasing her art, and Just Shea will have a stall where you can find natural skincare built on African ingredients. There will also be floral arrangements from Camifleur and sustainable fashion from Gina Barjeel and Shaajh — House of Fashion. If all of this shopping gets you peckish, Sangee's Kitchen and African Food Feasts will be popping up on the day with street food stalls. Get down from 12–5pm to support these local businesses and enjoy some top-notch street eats at Harmony Market. A good time for a good cause. And entry is free!
UPDATE, MARCH 19: Due to concerns around COVID-19, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet will no longer screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas onFriday, April 17. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. David Attenborough will turn 94 in 2020, but the acclaimed broadcaster and natural historian isn't slowing down anytime soon. Fresh from narrating and presenting two new TV series last year — Our Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet — and even appearing at Glastonbury to promote the latter, he's now bringing his latest movie-length documentary to cinemas. Called David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the film sees Attenborough look back on his more than nine decades on earth, the sights he has seen and the changes he has witnessed. Specifically, he reflects upon humanity's enormous and damaging impact on the natural world. Produced by wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films and global environmental organisation WWF, the resulting doco us described as "a powerful message of hope for future generations". In the just-released first trailer, Attenborough doesn't hold back. "The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel, yet the way we humans live on earth is sending it into a decline," he comments — before further noting that "human beings have overrun the world". He calls the film his "witness statement" and his "vision for the future", exploring humankind's actions over its existence and how moves can be made to address the planet's current environmental state. Naturally, Attenborough's wise words are combined with striking footage — as you'd expect of anything that the broadcaster is involved in. A Life On Our Planet will screen in cinemas Down Under for one night only, on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year. Head along to see it on the big screen, and you'll also be treated to footage of Attenborough from the film's London premiere hours earlier, where he'll joined live on stage by a range of guests to discuss issues raised in the doco. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVkqjHrAzw&feature=youtu.be David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet was due screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced. Image: Joe Fereday, Silverback Films.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter when the Sydney Dog Lovers Show comes around. And in 2022, it's returning for another year of pats, licks and parades on the weekend of Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7. Once again, it'll take place at the Sydney Showgrounds — and yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. The Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from dozens rescue groups across NSW in the adoption zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with the process. Plus, DockDogs will be back, featuring a competitive long jump and high jump for talented dogs who want to flop into a pool of water. Dogs, amiright? But hold up — you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-a-Pooch zone to cuddle up to a wide range of Australia's most loveable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity dachshunds to fluffball samoyeds. This has undeniably been the main attraction of previous year's events, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun with appearances from celebrity vets Dr Chris Brown and Dr Katrina Warren. Not sure which type of pooch is perfect for you? Sign up to find your pawfect match, at sessions where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets.
For the better part of four decades, the Griffin Theatre Company has been dedicated to telling Australian stories, right from its home in the cosy, intimate and historic SBW Stables Theatre. The storied stage has seen the likes of Cate Blanchett, David Wenham, Michael Gow, Louis Nowra, and countless other homegrown creative talents, stretching their acting chops in productions written by Australians, about Australians and for Australians. The 2019 season is no exception: Meyne Wyatt takes the stage in his own attack on injustice, inequality and Australian identity City of Gold; Australian playwright and actor Rita Kalnejais returns from London with First Love is the Revolution, a gory romantic comedy about a 14-year-old boy and a young fox; and Lucy Bell and Simon Gleeson star in Hilary Bell's chilling thriller Splinter. If the household names and impactful productions aren't enough for you, Griffin Theatre Company also hosts a number of creative programs each year, including playwriting awards for emerging and established theatre makers, a studio residency program for directors, writers and dramaturgs, and the annual Batch Festival — that's dedication to the future of Australian theatre. Image: 'Happy Prince' by Pia Johnson.
If you've always been curious to peek behind the curtain in art studios, now is your chance. Artists are opening their doors for a celebration of creativity and community with the Inner West Creative Weekend with the return of Creative Trails Midjuburi on November 2–3 from 11am–4pm and 2044 Street Takeover on Sunday, November 3 from 12–6pm. [caption id="attachment_976096" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creative Trails Midjuburi, Erth Workshop Tours[/caption] Creative Trails Midjuburi This free two-day festival will take place on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, from 11 am to 4 pm at 40 artist studios, independent galleries, and artist-run initiatives. Meet local artists and makers, see works in progress, watch art demonstrations, participate in workshops and join artist talks. You can even buy art created by talented local artists at studio prices at locations in Sydenham, Tempe, St Peters, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill. Studios getting involved include Airspace Projects, Clay Cartel, Erth, Monster Mouse Studios, Scratch Art Space, Mothership Studios, Studio ARTES, and Tortuga Studios. Attendees can follow the self-guided map — all studios are pinned on the Creative Trails Google Map. — or book a tour on a bespoke bus or with expert local guides. Some highlights among the workshops (many free) include porcelain cup glazing at Monster Mouse Studios and upcycled fashion at Mothership. Check out demonstrations where artists will candidly share their creative processes, including shibori dying to screen-printing and puppetry mastering. For a full list of all the happenings, check out the website. [caption id="attachment_976092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 2044 Street Takeover, credit Jodie Barker[/caption] 2044 Street Takeover On Sunday, November 3, from 12–6pm, the streets of St Peters will come alive for the 2044 Street Takeover, a one-day celebration of the Inner West's unique creative energy. Set against the industrial backdrop of May Street and May Lane, this free street party invites locals to enjoy a lineup of live music, roving performances, craft workshops and outdoor dining. Expect performances from homegrown talent like Lady Lyon, CINTA, and school bands from Tempe High and Public School, plus the odd surprise — like a wandering, very lost and confused clown. It's not just a party — 2044 Street Takeover is a community-driven celebration, with hands-on workshops ranging from photo developing with Darkroom Social to urban-inspired art-making with Echoes of the City. Sydney Trapeze School will bring the aerial thrills, while local food vendors serve up delicious eats. Funded by Transport for NSW's Open Streets program, this event transforms local streets into vibrant hubs of creativity and culture. So mark your calendar and join the Inner West's finest for a street festival unlike any other. Creative Trails Midjuburi is taking place across the Inner West at select studios, independent galleries and artist-run initiatives on November 2–3 from 11am until 4pm. Find out more information — including a map of the locations — about this free event on the website. 2044 Street Takeover is happening on Sunday, November 3, from 12–6pm. Find out more information on the website.
When you're not quite in the mood for a complicated cocktail, but are after something with a little more pizzazz than your go-to mixed drink, the humble highball proves a perfect sip. The simple combination of a spirit, a soda and a twist has long been popular on the Japanese bar scene, and now it's the star of the show at Sydney's newest pop-up drinking destination, The Highball Bar. Tucked away on the first floor of the City Tattersalls Club, it's a cosy, elegant haunt, with moody lighting and soft jazz setting the tone for simple sophistication. Open until at least March next year, the bar's offering a menu that aims to bridge that gap between cocktail and mixed drink, filled with fuss-free, sessionable sips that were made to be enjoyed. It's the brainchild of Flynn McLennan — also behind Japanese restaurant Kagura and film noir-inspired cocktail bar The Long Goodbye — with Strangelove's artisanal sodas and tonics pushing the drinks list's local focus, and a rotation of grazing platters and interesting cheeses sure to tempt discerning snackers. Ranging from $12 to $18 and showcasing almost every spirit imaginable, the highball lineup has all tastes covered — see concoctions like the Armagnac and triple sec with mandarin mineral water, or the zesty blend of Jensen's Old Tom Gin, house-made pineapple cordial and yuzu soda. You can shake up your standard vodka and soda or gin and tonic game, too, with drinks like the Santamania vodka with burnt lemon and soda, or a Poor Tom's Gin with 'dirty tonic'. Alongside the hero drinks, sits a tidy wine list championing biodynamic and organic drops, an Aussie-led craft beer selection and a range of classic cocktails, heroing precision over the elaborate bells and whistles you'll find elsewhere. While it is located inside the City Tattersalls Club building, it's not part of the club, and you don't need a membership get it. Find The Highball Bar within the City Tattersalls Club, 194/204 Pitt St, Sydney until March, 2019. You'll find it on the first floor, if you hit the foyer and catch the second elevator on the left.
One of Sydney's most exciting (and tastiest) times of the year is nearly upon us. Good Food Month 2019 kicks off on October 1 and, man, does the program look good. This year, the month-long celebration of all things food features dinner with legendary French chef Alain Passard, a pop-up sushi restaurant by a top Tokyo chef and an all-vegan feast at Mary's Underground, to name a very few. If you truly want to make the month special, book yourself into a staycation at the new West Hotel on Sussex Street, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Situated in Barangaroo, this luxurious hotel has you perfectly situated to check out all of the happenings around town — and it means you won't have to go far once the inevitable food coma hits. [caption id="attachment_639920" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida[/caption] WANDER THROUGH THE NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS There is no more quintessential Good Food Month experience than a food-fuelled stroll through the Night Noodle Markets. It'll again take over Hyde Park for eight full nights from October 11–18. Expect a tasty assortment of bites from more than 40 street food stalls, along with a program of performers, live acts and DJs. This year's instalment features Thai-inspired Gelato Messina, Filipino barbecue by Hoy Pinoy, roasted pork belly and egg custard bao from Wonderbao, yakisoba fried noodles by Teppanyaki Noodles, and plenty more to be discovered. Find all the details and menus here. [caption id="attachment_736325" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Felix by Nikki To[/caption] CHECK OUT THE NEW OPENINGS IN THE IVY PRECINCT Hospitality giant Merivale is having a big year, having announced in June that it'll open four CBD venues in the second half of 2019, all four in the group's Ivy Precinct. Already up and running is Little Felix, a 60-seat 1920s Paris-inspired cocktail bar and little sister to Ash Street's hatted bistro Felix. Expect 1.5-litre magnums of champagne, old-world cocktails and tartines aplenty. Also set to open around the corner on Angel Place is Ragazzi, a minimal-intervention wine and pasta bar from the crew behind Love, Tilly Devine. Here, a succinct menu of authentic Italian eats will be paired with 250 bottles of carefully chosen wine. [caption id="attachment_721616" align="alignnone" width="1920"] El Loco at Slip Inn[/caption] ENJOY HAPPY HOUR AT ONE OF THE CBD'S BEST BARS Another joy of a CBD staycation is how easy it is to make it to happy hour. Some of Sydney's best bars offer serious bargains during the approximate hours of 4–7pm (depending on the place). The Rook is pouring $8 London dry gins six nights per week; Since I Left You is slinging $6 tinnies, $12 cocktails and live tunes; and El Loco at Slip Inn is serving up $10 margarita slushies and $5 tacos — and has the added benefit of being just one block from West Hotel. Lucky for you, every bar on this list is within a 15-minute walk, too, so it's too easy to hit any one of them before or after your Good Food Month event. Short on time? Solander Bar, in your hotel, has its own daily happy hour, too, from 5–7pm offering spritzes for $12 and beer, wine and sparkling for just $8 a glass. [caption id="attachment_738976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Title Barangaroo[/caption] JAZZ UP YOUR HOME COOKING WITH A NEW COOKBOOK If eating all of this inspiring food makes you want to jazz up your home cooking game, it's about time to nab a new cookbook. Sydney is home to heaps of gorgeous bookshops with plenty to choose from, whether you're after celebrity chef cooking or more local talent. We recommend keeping an eye out for Josh Niland's (Saint Peter) The Whole Fish, which was just released in September. You'll find Title Barangaroo next door to West Hotel — it offers a massive collection, and you won't need to walk far in order to drop your purchases off. Other favourites include George Street's Kinokuniya, Darlinghurst's Ariel Booksellers and Paddington's Berkelouw. [caption id="attachment_739712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kings Cross Organic Markets by Harriet Davidson[/caption] PERUSE THE WEEKLY MARKETS FOR SOME LOCAL FOOD INSPIRATION Once you've picked out a new recipe to try, it's time to hit up a few fresh food market to nab some top-notch produce and inspiration. Start nearby at The Rocks Friday Markets, which are on each week from 9am–3pm. Here, you'll find handmade, dried, baked, whipped and roasted products from local makers, along with handmade chocolates and prepared lunches to feast on. Lovers of healthy food should head to the Kings Cross Organic Market, which takes over the Fitzroy Gardens each Saturday and Sunday. And The Entertainment Quarter precinct hosts a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays, too. TAKE A PASTA OR PIZZA MAKING CLASS IN CIRCULAR QUAY Popular Italian restaurant chain Salt Meats Cheese expanded its empire into the CBD when it opened inside Circular Quay's Gateway dining precinct back in 2017. But the venue isn't just about stuffing your face with pizza and sipping cocktails on the rooftop at the group's recently opened Bar Ombre. This iteration of the SMC brand also lets you get your hands dirty and learn a few tricks-of-the-trade — hosting regular cooking classes throughout the year. Choose from a variety of workshops, including Italian bread making, calzone and pizza masterclasses and a heap of pastas courses — think handmade gnocchi, chewy tagliatelle and pesto fettuccine. For a full list of events, head here. [caption id="attachment_685674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Topa by Nikki To[/caption] BRUSH UP ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF FAMOUS AUSSIE CHEFS Since you'll likely be spending time this month tasting the creations of some of the country's most exciting chefs, you may want to brush up on your celebrity chef knowledge. Look no further than Lee Tran Lam's podcast The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry. The lauded food writer has enviable access to many of Australia's best restaurants and chefs, including Josh Niland (Saint Peter), Jordan Toft (Bert's, Bar Topa, Coogee Pavilion) and Hugh Allen (Vue de Monde, Noma). Her podcast is also just an overall joy to listen to if you're a food lover. [caption id="attachment_693460" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barangaroo Reserve by Destination NSW[/caption] MAKE A PICNIC AND ENJOY IT IN THE SUNSHINE Apart from all of the good food floating around town in October, the month is also sure to see the return of the warm weather. Enjoy a combination of the two by taking a picnic to the park. Barangaroo has plenty of shops worth stopping at if you're looking to create the ultimate picnic basket. Start by picking up supplies from Bel & Brio, a European-style food emporium that offers a bit of everything, from daily baked breads and freshly made paninis to cold pressed juices and an impressive wine cellar. Don't forget to swing by the local outposts of Shortstop and Bourke Street Bakery for doughnuts and pastries before finding a spot at Barangaroo Reserve. TRY ALL THE CHEESE YOU CAN HANDLE AT THIS SPECIALTY SPOT You cannot let Good Food Month pass by without trying out a few artisanal cheeses, and the CBD's GPO Cheese and Wine Room is just the place to do it. This restaurant is a fine dining cheese establishment like no other. Here, you can taste more than 100 varieties of cheese, some of which you've probably never heard of. The seasonal selection ranges from local Australian producers to options from Europe, the US and the UK. We recommend letting the in-house cheese-masters curate a platter, which you can pair with one of 200 wines — or opt for a cheese and wine flight while you're at it. [caption id="attachment_741284" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prince of York by Mitchell Ferris[/caption] DANCE OFF ALL THAT FOOD AT ONE OF THESE BARS A month's worth of food indulgence can take its toll. To keep the party going while burning off some of those extra calories, head to one of Sydney's best bars for a weekend boogie. Just a five minute walk from West Hotel is the newly opened Prince of York. This multi-level venue offers a basement dance hall with a disco ball, giant tequila punch bowls and a 2am licence — and dancing on tables is encouraged. If you're keen to go a bit further afield, head to the dancing mecca that is Oxford Street, where you're sure to have an ace time at Stonewall Hotel, Universal Sydney, Oxford Art Factory and The Cliff Dive. Good Food Month runs through October 2019. Explore all the dining experiences the city has to offer from the convenience of West Hotel Sydney, found on Sussex Street. Top image: Night Noodle Markets by Letícia Almeida.
For 89 years, Luna Park Sydney has been in the business of whisking attendees off to another world. Amusement parks do that. They cast away the daily grind, getting visitors enjoying rides and games instead — and, from Saturday, April 13, getting lit in a rave room-style immersive installation that's about to become the Harbour City tourist spot's latest attraction. At the end of 2023, Luna Park Sydney welcomed Dream Circus, which has been filling the Milsons Point site's big top with rollercoasters, hot air balloons, underwater creatures, fantastical critters, futuristic lights, skulls, eyes, spiders and geometric architecture ever since. The $15-million experience that uses 360-degree projections, holograms, motion-activated LED screens, lighting, surround sound and spatial audio mapping is just one of the park's new additions, though. Sonic Neon is the next, this time taking over the venue's Crystal Palace. Lasers, mirrors, 26,000-plus lights: they all await at this six-room attraction, as hailing from Luna Park Sydney itself and Mandylights — which is also behind Dark Spectrum, the soon-to-return one-kilometre labyrinth in Wynyard's railway tunnels that's part of Vivid Sydney's program again in 2024 after debuting in 2023. When Sonic Neon arrives before May hits, it'll also bust out neon galore, obviously, alongside UV lights, interactive elements and a fitting soundtrack. Expect to take up to half an hour to wander through the all-ages fun's 150-metre-long expanse, which will operate daily. By filling Crystal Palace, Sonic Neon will make a space that dates back to 1935 — and was constructed for Luna Park Sydney's grand opening, in fact — its home. The site has also featured dodgems, the penny arcade and a BMX track over the years. "Immersive experiences continue to dominate the global market, and Luna Park Sydney is committed to delivering world-class experiences to Sydneysiders and visitors to our beautiful harbour," said Luna Park Sydney CEO John Hughes. "Luna Park Sydney celebrates the best of the old and the best of the new. Housing Sonic Neon in our 1935-built Crystal Palace will be a spectacular collision of heritage and modern technology." "This immersive experience will offer the public a new way to enjoy Sydney's original, ever-evolving playground." Find Sonic Neon at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Saturday, April 13, 2024, with tickets on sale from 6pm on Monday, April 8 — visit the park's website and the event's ticketing site for more information.
It's Sunday afternoon — you did not want a cider, but you have had three — and you realise that you are having the same conversation you had last week, at the same table and you are with the same people. Now, you can start back on the life affirmation conversation, or skip that and head down to the Cherchez La Femme at the Vanguard to hear interesting, accomplished women talking about… whatever, in a relevant way. Plus there is a bar and you can bring your mates. This casual-feminist-forum-in-the-pub started three years ago in Melbourne and has found a permanent home at the Gasometer in Collingwood, so a Sydney sojourn is well overdue. I am imagining RocKwiz but everyone is Julia Zemiro and there's no obligatory head nodding ("Oh yeah, of course Nick Cave is actually pronounced ca-VAY.") Creator of Cherchez La Femme and organiser of SlutWalk Melbourne, Karen Pickering will be hosting the evening as women from science, the arts and Cosmo come together for that great female tradition, the Sunday debrief. On the panel will be playwright/Twitterer Van Badham, Princesses & Pornstars author Emily Maguire, fat activist Frances Lockie, Nareen Young from the Diversity Council of Australia and scientist Catriona Wimberley.
Kaldor Public Art Projects is back with their 27th show in 44 years. And they are obviously a superstitious bunch: hosting 13 international artists in 13 purpose-built rooms in the millennium's 13th year and calling the show 13 Rooms. Hmmm... It adds up to 11 days of artistic awakening down at Walsh Bay. And for the more adventurous, there is an after-dark option on Fridays. An onslaught of reactions to and interactions with the exhibition, Parlour Nights encompasses thinkers, artists, musicians and people who just like talking. With a little help from UTS and curated by SuperKaleidoscope, Parlour Nights will be set to the familiar beats of FBi DJs and lubricated by Grasshopper, one of our CBD's first small bars, now on pop-up duties. The drinks will be good, and even the coolest amongst you will be toe-tapping and shoulder-shrugging. So prepare yourself with a solid argument like 'Damien Hirst: art or commodity/art as commodity' and brush up on the mother of performance and video art, Joan Jonas. Oh, and if you love watching politely confused old people, hang out in the Xu Zhen room (or just click here). Parlour is free, but it's booking out. Reserve your place via Eventbrite.
Secret Squirrel Productions are back with their latest Underground Cinema screening. It's a day designed to get you as excited by the movies as you were seeing Jurassic Park — that's right, childhood blockbuster excitement is still attainable — so they have designed a type of scavenger hunt meets mystery screening. Last time, Bondi was taken over by a themed mob of cinema-goers who were treated to a skating show, a walk to the Pavilion and Catherine Hardwicke's Lords of Dogtown replete with in-character organisers steering them through the day. So what are our clues this time? Right, well the theme is snow, the dress code is all white with trousers and sensible shoes, the theme is a three-way slashie: forgeign/arthouse/horror and it is on in just under two weeks. Not a whole lot to go on, but sign up and you should get a few extra hints. Oh, and start writing your ideas down — you want to be one of the correct guessers on the next video of past events.
In excellent news for anyone who loves scouting out new tunes from fresh local talent, the folks at Rare Finds have launched an east coast touring circuit, kicking off in January 2018. The Sydney-based PR and artist management company has long been a champion of emerging Aussie artists, hosting regular showcases in Brisbane and Sydney over the past two years. Now it's teamed up with Oporto and creative collective Pilerats to bring its latest musical finds to a stage near you. Touring once a month across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, each Rare Finds circuit will feature a curation of up-and-coming acts, providing an all-important live platform for these emerging artists. Headlining the first tour in January 2018 is Sunshine Coast songstress Ayla, off the back of her second EP Let's Talk Monday. She'll be joined by a different lineup in each city — Aikonawena, The Longboys and Rare Finds DJs will be in-tow for the Sydney leg. Catch the first iteration of the circuit on January 20 at Oxford Art Factory's Gallery Bar.
After recharging throughout January, you might be keen to find some fun in the city once again. We sure are. And one way to do just that is to head to Haymarket for Lunar Lanes as part of the 2022 Sydney Lunar New Year celebrations. On Saturday, January 29, the bustling laneways of Haymarket will be transformed into an incredible street festival to celebrate the year of the tiger for Lunar New Year. Expect the laneways to be filled with live music, DJs, roving performances, market stalls, art activations and delicious food, of course. The best bit? There'll be a luminous, ten metre-long LED dragon that'll be sweeping its way through the streets to the lively street festivities. Go in search of the 100 Good Wishes Quilt displays that'll be located in six locations throughout Haymarket. These beautiful quilts have been based off drawings from children living in Greater Sydney that symbolise energy, luck and well wishes for the new year. Or, if lanterns are more your thing, head to Dixon Street to see stunning lanterns light up the night. For even more art, check out Contained by Asian-Australian artist, Susan Chen. It's an immersive artwork that represents a perfect balance of yin and yang by bringing together a tiger and water. These two subjects both share common opposing characteristics such as tranquility, stillness and calmness, while also being capable of great strength, ferocity and power. Food-wise, there are loads of Chinatown restaurants that'll be getting into the spirit with exclusive Lunar New Year menus. Our picks are Ho Jiak, Old Town Hong Kong Cuisine and The Gardens by Lotus. After filling up on food, make tracks to Bancho Bar for a celebratory drink. Lunar Lanes will take place from 5pm on Saturday, January 29. For more information, visit the website. Covid-19 safety plans are in place for Lunar Lanes and all NSW Health regulations will be followed. The City of Sydney strongly encourages all visitors to be vaccinated and to wear masks. If you're feeling unwell, please stay home.
For 125 million film and television lovers around the world, Netflix's two-note intro sound is synonymous with one thing: settling in to watch an episode or movie on your TV at home (or on your computer during your lunch break, or on your phone during your commute, let's face it). Soon, however, it could also echo through cinemas, with the streaming platform apparently looking into buying its own theatres. First reported by The Los Angeles Times regarding the sale of one particular US chain — Landmark Theatres, which Netflix ultimately opted not to purchase — the potential move would assist the company in achieving two things. Firstly, it could give the company a bigger footprint within the entertainment landscape. Secondly, it'd provide a cinematic outlet for its films. And, as you might've noticed, there's no shortage of the latter. Indeed, whether it's snapping up flicks at festivals, funding them from the get-go or saving the day when traditional distributors want to back out of putting their movies in theatres — as happened with both The Cloverfield Paradox and Annihilation earlier this year — Netflix's slate of originals is only growing. It has released more than 20 so far this year, and will more than double that number by the time December comes to a close. In total, Netflix will spend up to $8 billion on content in 2018 alone, and CEO Reed Hastings has recently said that's not enough. You mightn't think screening their films in cinemas would be important to the streaming behemoth, but playing in theatres is absolutely essential for one thing: collecting Oscars and other industry accolades. And they're starting to do just that, with Netflix's Icarus picking up the Academy Award for best documentary this year, while drama Mudbound garnered four nominations. Both had a short cinema run, something that's a necessity to meet the Academy's criteria. But, unsurprisingly, few existing theatre chains are eager to screen flicks that are also available on the streaming platform at the same time or shortly afterwards. On the international front, it's a battle that saw Netflix withdraw its films from this year's Cannes Film Festival, after the fest announced it had banned flicks that wouldn't also play in French cinemas. Part of the prestigious event's requirements is that movies also screen locally; however France also stipulates that a film can't make its way to home entertainment platforms, be it DVD or streaming, for three years after its big-screen appearance. Obviously, that doesn't work for Netflix. Last year, Okja was available online a month after it premiered it Cannes, while the Noah Baumbach-directed, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller-starring The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) released in October. Just how far Netflix will pursue their cinema prospects is yet to be seen, but the company isn't known for doing things by halves. At present, reports centre on opening theatres in the US, with no word on any international plans. Via The Los Angeles Times.
If you're looking for a new place to party all night during Mardi Gras, you'll find it at the 2019 Festival Club. The club is taking over the Seymour Centre with a rotating lineup of hosts and DJs every night from 9pm between February 16 and March 1. Hit the dance floor or catch pop-up performances from festival guests including drag superstar Aaron Manhattan, and burlesque performers Trigger Happy, Lillian Star and Bunni Lambada. When you're not showing off your best moves you can relax in the chill out areas and hang out with new and old friends. Plus, entry is free.
It seems like Merivale have gone a little loco lately. First the insanity of Freaky Tiki, now this: a downtrodden Surry Hills pub transformed into a Mexican cantina. El Loco is a temporary solution to the reinvention of this venue, a prequel to a fully blown Mexican restaurant. But we think the wild mishmash of this whirlwind transition is the best part about it. Gone is the band room and, while we deeply regret the loss of another live music venue in Surry Hills, it's looking good. The previously sound-proofed walls have been pulled apart and repainted with brightly coloured cacti and skulls in Mexican hats. Lights hang from exposed beams and the busy kitchen stands open for observation. While there's a few options on the menu, this place is all about the soft tacos (all $5). Don't expect an entirely traditional offering, however. While this place is conceptually Mexican, the food's strength is its subtle Asian twist. I loved the Carne Asada, with lemongrass beef and salsa verde, and the Queso de Soya, chilli marinated tofu with pico de gallo. The front room remains more recognisable as a pub-style bar, with classic tap beers, wine and spirits still on offer. The new addition here is the tequilas, with over twenty varieties to pick and choose from. The cocktail menu is a little pricier than the food, with all options at $13.50, but the margaritas are justifiably delicious. With opening hours that stretch to 3am on weekends, this is a great late night option for a drink and a bite. Remember that it's only temporary though, so make the most of these tacos and get in quick.
Following two years of heartbreaking postponements and cancellations, 2022 is looking set to deliver a big one for live music fans. With vaccination rates across NSW soaring and the reality of international borders beginning to reopen, the return of major music festivals feels more like an imminent certainty than it has for a long time. The past month has seen a flurry of announcements from Australian music festivals, new and old, locking in dates and lineups across the state. From New Years Day celebrations and blockbuster 20th anniversary festivals, to summer Pride events with big international acts and hidden regional gems — there's a whole lot of dancing set for next year. So, if you've been missing the thrill of dancing in a field to your favourite song, surrounded by your nearest and dearest, now's the time to book in a boogie.
The Hollywood Quarter refers to the wedge of Surry Hills that's made up of just a few streets around the intersection of Campbell and Commonwealth, but those few contain some of the liveliest spots in Sydney. Taking its name from the Hollywood Hotel — a long-standing institution of the precinct where you've probably encountered many a schooner, the neighbouring venues include Ace Hotel Sydney, Paramount House, Alberto's Lounge and Tio's. They're all joining forces to take part in a special gig trail on Saturday, 23 March from 4pm. It's a one-night-only event that involves a curated walk through the neighbourhood for a journey of free live music at the various venues, starring Sydney artists like Tasman Kieth, Charlie Villas, Jono Ma and Kirin J Callinan (scroll down for the full gig list). Also on show will be some equally rocking deals from the area's many excellent dining establishments, so start scheming up your perfect dinner and a show lineup now. In-Venue Gigs Ace Hotel Sydney: Charlie Villas and Fried Pork Chop (6pm-12am) Alberto's Lounge: Fritto Disco Speciale starring Kirin J Callinan (lunch) Burdekin Hotel: Kingdom Calm ft Burkina Flats & Bakura (7-10pm) Butter: Cherryrype, Grebel, Izzybops, LXGCY (9pm-12am) Golden Age Cinema & Bar: Tasman Keith (10pm-1am) Harry's: Refuge Recording presents SilverStix (7pm-3am) Hollywood Hotel: The Zoe K Experience (New Orleans Edition) (7pm-1am) Paramount House Hotel: Jono Ma (5-8pm) Soda Factory: Soda's House of Fun ft DJ Nino Brown & Friends (7pm-4am) Food & Drink Specials Alberto's: Lunch special, 2 course and wine $45 from 12-5pm Beau: Happy hour from 4pm to 6pm at the bar or laneway Butter: 3 crispy chicken wings and a Tiger Beer for $20 Gilda's: Open from 5.30pm for a pre-show meal or a drink with snacks Kiln: Late night snack menu plus DJ tunes Nel Restaurant: Join Nelly Robinson for his native Australian degustation Pellegrino 2000: Dine al-fresco, be entertained by the troubadours, and be transported to Italy! Poly: "Apolytivo" delicious drinks and food at happy hour prices from 5-6pm The Rover: Happy Hour from 4-6pm with $2 oysters, $6 beers, $6 G&Ts, $10 wine and a $14 spritz Nomad: Feast al-fresco and be entertained by the troubadours. Book an outside table now. Tio's: Nachos, live tunes and $12 margarita specials (till sold out) Top image: Declan Blackall
In Dune, Josh Brolin jumped wholeheartedly into one of the best sci-fi subgenres there is: the space opera. When a movie follows a spice-war fought by feuding houses on far-flung planets, no other description fits the bill. And, the 2021 big-screen hit — and 2022 big-time Oscar-nominee — firmly did its slice of science fiction proud. But, as well showing up for next year's sequel Dune: Part Two, Brolin definitely isn't done with sci-fi just yet. Making a rare small-screen appearance — his first ongoing episodic role since 2003, in fact — the Milk Oscar-nominee leads Outer Range, the next trippy streaming series that you'll want to add to your queue. That recommendation is based on the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the eight-part series, which'll hit Prime Video from Friday, April 15, and promises quite the mind-bending supernatural western. The setup: on a ranch in Wyoming, Brolin's Royal Abbott is trying to keep his land, and ensure that his family stays together, after his daughter-in-law Rebecca goes missing. His neighbours, the Tillersons, are after his parcel of turf, and strange things start happening — including an eerie black void in the middle of the Abbotts' west pasture. So far, the show is keeping most of its small town-set storyline close to its sci-fi/western/thriller/mystery chest — but the sneak peek certainly sets an unsettling tone. And yes, it's shaping up to be a big year for unnerving stories set in vast expanses of US land, with Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope covering the same terrain. Outer Range will drop two episodes per week, so you'll spend around a month soaking in its mysteries, turf wars and wild revelations. If you've currently got a Yellowjackets shaped hole in your viewing schedule, this might just fill it. On-screen, Brolin is joined by an impressive cast that includes Imogen Poots (The Father), Lili Taylor (Perry Mason), Tamara Podemski (Run), Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) and Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek). Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range will start streaming via Prime Video Down Under on Friday, April 15.
Merivale's latest George Street addition is already attracting (socially distant) crowds, which is, in part, thanks to the talents of Lebanese Australian Head Chef Simon Zalloua (The Collaroy, Rockpool). Jimmy's Falafel was set to open back in March, but plans changed when COVID-19 restrictions came into place. Now, the Ivy Precinct eatery is open — for both takeaway and dine-in — slinging mezze-style share plates, $16 cocktails and pitas aplenty. The Middle Eastern eatery boasts a late-night takeaway kiosk at the front and a lively bar at the back, both of which take design inspiration from kebab stores of the 1960s and 70s. The menu pulls influence from countries all across the region, including Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. As the name suggests, falafel is the star of the show here. Zalloua spent weeks travelling across Lebanon researching his recipe, which he then perfected over about three months (and 50 kilograms) of trial and error. The rest of the takeaway menu is especially vegetable heavy, too, with pitas filled with za'atar cauliflower, eggplant and falafel varieties (all $15) — as well as a late-night edition with lamb kafta, sumac onions and toum. [caption id="attachment_775854" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Meanwhile, in the bar, share plates are the name of the game. Expect mezze dishes like slow-cooked beans, barbecued eggplant salad, harissa-spiced fries and cabbage rolls. Another specialty is the kibbe nayeh, a Lebanese dish of raw beef, bulgur, seven spices and toum (garlic sauce). Off the charcoal grill come more Middle Eastern dishes, including chicken shawarma, za'atar calamari with pistachio and lamb kafta with hummus and aleppo peppers. For drinks, the wine list focuses on Lebanese and Greek drops, while the cocktail list offers six classics for just $16 a pop — including a spicy watermelon margarita, a rose old fashioned and a cobbler made using Havana Club rum, fino sherry, pomegranate and mint. Jimmy's Falafel is part of Merivale's latest plan for the Ivy Precinct, which has also included the openings of Little Felix and Bar Totti's. For those who want to give Jimmy's a try but aren't prepared to brave the CBD crowds just yet, you can also order a box of the restaurant's best dishes for $95 via Merivale's new delivery platform. Find Jimmy's Falafel at 312 George Street, Sydney from 11.30am–late Monday–Friday and 12pm–late Saturday. Images: Nikki To
Sydney's CBD is set to gain a major dose of Hanoi with the opening of Forty Licks, a modern Vietnamese eatery and cocktail bar. The 75-seat basement venue is slated to open along York Street on April 30 and promises to go well beyond your standard pho, rice paper rolls and banh mi. The restaurant's menu is thanks to ex-pat head chef Joel Manton, who spent years living in Hanoi — where he raised a family and opened up a popular fusion restaurant called Pots'n Pans. Lucky for us, Manton has returned to Aussie shores and is bringing his knowledge of Vietnamese fare back with him. The restaurant will showcase traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques and dishes lesser-known to Sydneysiders. On the menu, there's a vermicelli and beef noodle soup called bún bò huế — a spicy lemongrass cousin of pho — and chả cá lã vọng, a popular Hanoi street snack of grilled kingfish marinated in turmeric and fresh dill, served over noodles. Turmeric tofu with braised eggplant also makes the list. Other talent behind the venture include Sydney restaurateur Tony Mowad and bartender Kurtis Bosley (Bistro Moncur, The Collaroy) — he's created a Vietnamese-inspired cocktail list to match the menu. On it, you'll find the Red Lotus (vermouth, pear brandy and amaro with lemon and bitters) and the Hanoi Sour (bourbon and ginger liqueur mixed with a Peruvian purple corn beverage, lemon and pecan bitters). Local design firm GSBN Studios is responsible for the fit-out, which centres on a tiered dining room that is meant to emulate the look of Vietnam's rice paddies. In this way, the venue will try to combine and contrast Sydney's bustling city streets with Vietnam's natural landscape. Forty Licks will open at 24 York Street, Sydney on Tuesday, April 30. Opening hours will be Monday–Friday from 11am–late.
Oh, the misery of spending those sunny days indoors at work. How are you expected to get anything done with those warm rays beating through the window, beckoning you to the beach? As soon as December 1 pops around there'll be a remedy — and it's in the form of a tiki bar, taking over the now-closed York Trading & Co. space right in the middle of the CBD. Lost Luau is born out of a string of successful tiki nights at Burrow Bar. Burrow's owners Chau Tran and Bryce McDonough have decided to make it semi-permanent, collaborating with rum aficionado Tom Bulmer (Sydney Rum Club), who'll be running the bar. Expect timber and hessian decor, coconuts, umbrellas, beach vibes and plenty of rum-based cocktails. The pop-up is also open for coffee each morning (except Sundays) from 7am till 4pm, with lunch running from 1–4pm. Dinner will kick off from 5pm with a Caribbean-inspired menu by chef Phil Spence and the kitchen team from Factory Theatre, before picking up at night for a tiki beach party until late. Lost Luau will be open from 7am till midnight Monday to Saturday until the end of summer.
Come October 2025 in Sydney, Tomato Day will be back on the big screen, all thanks to Looking for Alibrandi's inclusion in this year's Italian Film Festival lineup. A quarter of a century has passed since the Pia Miranda (Invisible Boys)-starring Australian page-to-screen classic reached cinemas, so the nation's annual celebration of Italian movies has programmed the beloved picture based on Melina Marchetta's 1992 book in its closing-night slot. Audiences will get a particular filmic treat, too, given that the 4K restoration of the film will be gracing the screen. So, as well as surveying the latest in Italian cinema — as IFF does every year, 2025 being no exception — there's an Aussie flavour to the festival this time around. Another example: the Greta Scacchi (Darby and Joan)-narrated Signorinella: Little Miss, with the team responsible for Lygon St — Si Parla Italiano turning their attention to Italian women who helped make the Italian Australian community what it is. 2025's Italian Film Festival kicks off in mid-September, running across Thursday, September 18–Wednesday, October 15 at Palace Moore Park, Palace Norton St, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema in Sydney. While Looking for Alibrandi is on closing duties, romantic comedy Somebody to Love will get IFF 2024 started, as hailing from Perfect Strangers filmmaker Paolo Genovese. In the festival's centrepiece slot is La Grazia, the latest from Paolo Sorrentino (Parthenope) — and, like The Hand of God, Loro and The Great Beauty, starring Toni Servillo. Its inclusion is quite the get for IFF, given that the movie will head to Australia direct from having its world premiere opening the 2025 Venice International Film Festival. Servillo is a significant feature of IFF's lineup this year, too, thanks to also appearing in Sicilian Letters and The Illusion, with the first focusing on Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro's time as a fugitive and the second heading back to Giuseppe Garibaldi's efforts in 1860 to unify Italy. In another highlight, Napoli — New York sees Gabriele Salvatores (Cassanova's Return) chart the path of two Neapolitan children to New York in 1949 — and continue, as also evident courtesy of Looking for Alibrandi and Signorinella: Little Miss, the festival's celebration of migrant stories. The must-sees keep coming from there, with IFF also screening 2024 Venice Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winner The Mountain Bride — Vermiglio; Diamonds by Ferzan Özpetek; The Great Ambition, which won Elio Germano (Trust) the Best Actor Award at the David di Donatello Awards for portraying former Italian Communist Party leader Enrico Berlinguer; Italian box-office hit The Boy with the Pink Trousers; and the Valeria Golino (Maria)-led Fuori, a biopic about Italian feminist writer Goliarda Sapienza. Or, attendees can catch post-WWII-set drama My Place Is Here, as based on the novel by Daniela Porto; The Life Apart, which sports Vicenza as a backdrop; and Gianni Versace — Emperor of Dreams, as focused on the fashion icon. And, for its blast from the pasts for 2025, the fest is embracing giallo, to the delight of horror and thriller fans. Think: a new 4K restoration of Dario Argento's Deep Red, alongside Lucio Fulci's A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Mario Bava's Blood and Black Lace, Pupi Avati's The House with Laughing Windows and Sergio Martino's All the Colours of the Dark.
2018 came and went without new episodes of two of television's most popular series. Thankfully, the same won't prove true of 2019. Game of Thrones' final season is coming in April — before winter — and Stranger Things will return mid-year. Mark your calendars accordingly. In the case of everyone's favourite 80s-set sci-fi/horror series, Stranger Things will drop its third season on Thursday, July 4. Prepare to return to Hawkins and face the demogorgon once more — and to find out what 1985 has in store for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Galen Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and the gang. Netflix unveiled the date as part of a brief teaser, which doesn't feature any new footage from the forthcoming eight-episode season, but does interrupt a New Year's Eve broadcast with cryptic government messages. It also reveals that the series will be set around the July 4 American holiday, continuing a trend of releasing new episodes to coincide with special occasions. The show's second season dropped in October 2017, with Halloween weaved into its storyline. While the streaming platform is yet to launch a proper trailer for season three of Stranger Things, it did reveal the season's episode titles in another teaser back in December. Feel free to ponder the meaning of names such as 'Suzie, Do You Copy?', 'The Mall Rats', 'The Case of the Missing Lifeguard' and 'The Battle of Starcourt' until July 4 rolls around. https://www.facebook.com/NetflixANZ/videos/366266914175965/?__xts__[0]=68.ARB6tA30GHZBliVxnjVfAQxVNsz_44Zuezt6075kSgJQk1NDr6kHK5hQSmwE2gCZIba35AqA010k8OC9d1oImVX3qqzIh89nRh4BIPIfRfFeZlosAB31BFi-mC6se4R0ibCnvdo3R9RSi4Ip36BjZ_j_UmOpbYQdZdlUPAYsg4kQhBxseS4PgzCL3nYHlLTru5XVDn1GV5dzbtMsMGjQmlmRqzND6gm9xeqit_zmru8SrmgqXGSOJhoL42UFS5cUGT45wf_7vlSdE0PcfB5WK0OfczrE8pUODXnX0KNVzBvIzICi_tw-Klap4ZgIDKKInsCSUU-lGzAkgFZMt42oackL8lqMKpVaedzLZA&__tn__=-R Stranger Things season eight will arrive on Netflix on Thursday, July 4.
From architecture and interiors to artistic objects and craft, this Canberra festival covers all things design. Back for its sixth year, Design Canberra Festival is your chance to spend a weekend contemplating everything pretty yet purposeful. Running from Monday, November 4 through Sunday, November 24, Design Canberra celebrates our capital as a global design hub. This year's theme is 'utopia' and the festival will see more than 150 (mostly free) events, exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes take place across 21 days. The program covers every aspect of Canberra's epic design history, from the 75,000 year old culture of the Ngunnawal people to the city's renowned 50s architecture and its contemporary and future infrastructure. So, expect US architects Walter Burley and Marion Griffin's visionary designs from a century ago; experimental modernist architecture of the 1950s and 60s; and boundary-pushing, sustainable and utopia-driven designs of today. Plus, Canberra will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus — a German design movement that reflected the utopian ideas of the 20s and early 30s — with Bauhaus in Canberra. One of the most intriguing recurring events is Living Rooms, which allows you to explore the living rooms of acclaimed Canberra houses. You'll find pop-up design exhibitions in these living rooms, so even if you can't buy the house, you can buy the furniture, homewares and some of the jewellery on display. Other program highlights include the opening night party, a weekend design market at the National Portrait Gallery, workshops and both the graphic intervention and architectural photography competitions. With so much art, architecture and new design popping up in Canberra this spring, we suggest you pack a bag, take a trip south and spend a couple of days exploring the idea of a perfectly designed world. Design Canberra 2019 is taking place from Monday, November 4 to Sunday, November 24. For the full program, head here.
One of Sydney's most beloved and picturesque cultural spaces, White Rabbit Gallery is back with another free exhibition showcasing contemporary Chinese art throughout summer and autumn. SHUO SHU 说书 is an expansive exploration of the role of the storyteller in society, displaying at the Chippendale gallery until Sunday, May 14. The passing on of stories has been a cornerstone of communities and societies for millenniums, with the written word in China dating back over 4000 years. As we turn more towards digital and online spaces when communicating our histories and tales, Judith Neilson's White Rabbit Gallery is dedicating five months to the IRL iteration of the storyteller through this collection, which features more than 25 different artworks spanning an array of messages and media. Showcasing a variety of works including luminous installations, historical artifacts, animations and traditional paintings, these pieces explore aspects of storytelling ranging from myths and romances to political propaganda and censorship. White Rabbit Gallery is open 10am–5pm Wednesday–Sunday and entry is free. If you want to turn your trip into a real double-header, make sure to also put your name into the ballot to score tickets to Phoenix Central Park, the gallery's neighbouring concert venue. The upcoming season at this intimate hall features a range of experimental performances including a six-hour-long show from Sydney band pleasure. Images: courtesy of the artist and the White Rabbit Gallery, Hamish McIntosh.
