A boundary-pushing new venue is set to arrive in Newtown in February after more than a year of anticipation. Pleasure Club will arrive beneath King Street on Friday, February 23, hitting the Inner West with cocktail and entertainment programs to rival the city's best. The bustling basement bar comes from Odd Culture Group, the hospitality team behind the likes of The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitz and its namesake bar. The space has been granted the first 4am license issued in Newtown in 100 years, and will feature a live music and performance lineup that the team promises will be a bastion of creativity and inclusiveness in this city. Adding to the excitement, there will be a creative drinks program crafted in tandem with innovator Matt Whiley (Re-, ex-Scout) and Creative Beverage Lead and General Manager Sam Kirk (Jacksons on George, The Coldroom). [caption id="attachment_828933" align="alignnone" width="1920"] King Street, Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] "We want to change the way we perceive and interact with late-night experiences in Sydney," says Odd Culture Group Creative Director Nick Zavadszky. "After so many years of control and limitations, Pleasure Club is our creative vessel — a pocket dimension of all the weird and wonderful shit we like to celebrate. It exists to provide connection, escapism from the world above, and give Sydney a safe and inclusive space to enjoy late nights." Whiley and Kirk will lead an in-venue cocktail lab at Pleasure Club. The pair, who previously worked together at Whiley's acclaimed London venues The Talented Mr Fox and Peg + Patriot, will conceptualise seasonal cocktail programs built on themes and stories. Expect these lists to colour outside the lines, starting with the opening lineup of drinks branded Nostalgia Machine. [caption id="attachment_896941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cocktail at Matt Whiley's Re-[/caption] "Our first menu will be a new take on Australiana that you wouldn't have seen or experienced before, not necessarily relying on Australian native ingredients or only Australian products to convey a story," says Kirk. "The cool thing is, with the lab equipment we have, we can create anything without any limits, and the team is letting their imaginations run wild," adds Whiley. These exciting mixed drinks will be part of a wider drinks menu with a little something for everyone — and will accompany the equally innovative slate of entertainment. Visitors can expect everything from stripped-back acoustic sets and twisty jazz performances to live theatre and plenty of fast, loud rock. [caption id="attachment_873974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Duke of Enmore[/caption] "Crafting the entertainment experience at Pleasure Club has felt akin to curating the art inside a grand museum," says Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf. "Art defies convention (or at least the best art should) — it's immersive, experimental, subjective, confronting and stirs something in you, which is everything the Pleasure Club entertainment bill seeks to offer. Surrender to your primal instincts, embrace the allure of sin, and revel in the celebration of the unique and unconventional. When that curtain opens, expect the unexpected." If this all sounds like a lot, it is — but that's the most exciting thing about this new venue from one of Sydney's most passionate hospitality crews. You'll just have to wait until Friday, February 23 to experience everything Pleasure Club has to offer for yourself. [caption id="attachment_844384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hot Mess Party at Odd Culture Group's now-closed Oxford Tavern[/caption] Pleasure Club will open at 6 Wilson Street, Newtown on Friday, February 23. It will operate from 4pm–4am Wednesday–Sunday. To stay up to date with everything happening at the venue, follow the bar's Instagram account. Top image: Christopher Pearce
After loading Sydneysiders onto a cruise ship for an immersive Titanic Experience, transforming a Melbourne CBD building into a jail for recreation of The Shawshank Redemption and taking over a sandstone mansion for a Great Gatsby party, Beyond Cinema are not short on material for its fantastical cinematic extravaganzas. But, even so, it's bringing back one of its more popular events: the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Take leap down the rabbit hole for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Sunday, August 4 at Centennial Homestead. Transcending the boundary between film and imagination, the two-hour Alice in Wonderland-themed immersive experience won't screen the film, but will instead recreate it with an English afternoon tea, which, much like the film, is expected to go insanely awry. There will be two sessions: one at 10am for families and another at 1.30pm for adults only. Tickets are $83 and include a high tea spread, as well as a coffee and a glass of sparkling. As with other events, fancy dress is required, which in this case will be your most colourful and bizarre outfit — each attendee will also be assigned a character to gear their costume toward. Just don't be late.
It might not be quite the same as jetting off on an international getaway, but the banks of Circular Quay are about to get a taste of New Caledonian beach life, as part of a four-day pop-up this July. A whole heap of sand will transform the eastern side of the quay, between the ferry terminals and the Sydney Opera House, into a tropical oasis inspired by the French island's beach villages. The summery beach is part of the city's annual Bastille Festival, which also includes a wintry Christmas in July Village over in the Rocks. As well as New Caledonia, the temporary beach takes inspiration from the artificial beaches that pop-up along the Seine in Paris during summer. The Sydney beach, however, will have a bit more going on. From July 11 to 14, the sandy stretch is set to be the ultimate playground for those avoiding winter, dotted with beach chairs and palm trees and filled with cocktails, treasure hunts, games and island-inspired fare. Imagine lazing beneath the beach umbrellas while you tuck into the likes of barbecued prawn and pineapple skewers and coconut-glazed roast pork, before sampling limited-edition Noumea-style ice cream treats and desserts from your mates at KOI and Messina. Yep, the Sydney dessert big guns are getting involved for this one. To match, there'll be a bar serving a cocktail selection heavy on rum, coconut and pineapple, along with a tidy lineup of French rosé and bubbles. But it doesn't have to be all lounging and lazing. If you prefer a more adventurous sort of summer getaway, round up your own crew of pirates to take part in a giant treasure hunt, trekking all through Circular Quay and the Rocks. Or, have a crack at 'coconut pétanque' — a riff on the classic European game, which plays a little like Aussie lawn bowls. The Island Kanak Beach Village will be open from Thursday–Saturday 10am–10.30pm and Sunday 10am–8.30pm.
January has already baked Sydneysiders with its heat, but the hot and dry conditions have sparked more than just soaring temperatures. Near Bundeena, the city's Royal National Park has been closed due to out-of-control bushfires, with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) instructing people to avoid the area. According to the emergency warning posted on the RFS website, two fires are burning in the park — along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive at Flat Rock, and south of Wattamolla Road. While firefighters and waterbombing aircraft are currently responding, the fire is causing plumes of smoke to billow over the area, which is visible across the city. https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/954553567754403840 https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKD9fVF4Lq/?taken-by=txmmy90 https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKDDQTFJAA/?taken-by=mntaylz https://www.instagram.com/p/BeJ5CSrn1iz/?taken-by=_malone_ranger_ The park is closed at Mckell and Farnell avenues. Anyone inside has been advised to leave only if the path is clear, or if they've been directed to move by emergency services. Visitors have also been told that beaches may offer safety. Via the ABC. Image: Peter Reid via Instagram.
Nothing can stop time, but there are plenty of ways to slow it down. A balanced approach to eating and drinking, regular exercise and wellness, and a quality skincare routine are the most popular ways to slow down signs of ageing. We're here to deliver the good news that you can bundle those practices into an all-in-one event thanks to Clarins and Bodylove Pilates. Clarins, a leader in premium skincare focused on natural ingredients, will be taking over Bodylove Pilates on Clarence Street in the CBD (opposite the QVB) for two days offering a series of bookable treatments or experiences from Wednesday, February 8 to Thursday, February 9. If you're feeling up to a proper workout, make a booking for a 45-minute reformer pilates session to work on your strength. As well as a workout, you'll get a $20 Clarins voucher and samples of their Extra-Firming creams. If it's something quick and relaxing you're after, you can swing by for a hand and arm massage and a mini-fragrance experience — an ideal lunch break detour to freshen up your day, which will also get you a free sample of the Extra-Firming Day & Night cream. Firm up with Clarins at Bodylove Pilates from Wednesday, February 8 to Thursday, February 9. Spaces are limited so visit the website to make a booking.
Last November Jim Finn, of Art vs Science fame, launched his solo project Vydamo with the single 'Gonna Make It', a user-friendly, catchy little anthem of a hit that almost fooled me into thinking the New Radicals had finally followed up their '90s one-hit wonder 'Get What You Give'. But this is real music that is real fun or, as Richard Kingsmill of triple j puts it, this guy (and this music) is "extremely likeable". Vydamo will kick off his first tour this Friday when he plays to Sydneysiders at OAF before heading south for a Saturday at the Toff in Melbourne. Next weekend Brisbane will get their taste of Jim Finn solo and live. Art vs. Science first got our attention in 2008 with the call-and-response dance number 'Flippers'. The dynamic little three-piece have been on the up ever since, and with their most comprehensive tour of the States coming up in June, it could well be worth your while to catch their frontman doing his thing before it starts costing you $200 a pop.
Since June 1, when regional travel across NSW was allowed once again, Sydneysiders have had (pretty much) free rein of NSW. But, today, Wednesday, July 8, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned against travel to (and from) some regional towns as COVID-19 cases spike in Victoria. While a large swathe of Victoria is reentering lockdown from midnight tonight and the Victoria-NSW border has closed (for the first time in 100 years), Premier Berejiklian has said that the possibility of contagion in NSW is "extremely high". "We are in a high-risk situation and I don't want to see the good work we've done in New South Wales undone," the Premier said at a press conference today. To help mitigate the risk of increased infections in NSW, the Government is effectively sealing off towns on the Victorian border. "If you live in a border community and you're a New South Wales resident, please do not travel outside your border community at this time," the Premier said. "If you are a New South Wales resident outside of those border communities, please do not go to those communities unless you absolutely have to." https://www.facebook.com/NewSouthWalesHealth/posts/1339669139565757?__xts__[0]=68.ARBDT6dzQmTEZQc7n72PZdN6keGYOqYbAxD4WYXH6tkyP5SNM0ooTzOtoLqkz694IqWNbjD91XlTdXAA7JQqX53SVTwxmFb7N5JCpD22_fu8p-WDEuh6Cf3KrVSyVDXOyPG-lmTJs4lDuKp2gluVwp4wqe6q3GjGAYyos8WhHvtnxvXKs7K8UKEYcBZZAufXXwCpJ7V7v1hfT6IKCtpy1mkUQugPIgdX8yD1d9MRGzLycrdJ5iDkBIFWaPWyGAeSCMr3SeI142DFvv0Ws0v4S4gsGVHKHRt251DPlgrOoXTlNlEWS99tRyRGUSxs0S1CLZetotDv5i4_aCTX1NFFAX1KHsfavme-i8ITx8t0Vmiy36iplTsH0UhLI_VRXOiBgDGkKBQ6PrwDQNqszxm__25clCAaxbYWYfYK20lYrvoTEycsbKOP46BPYWk8D_cvnjA6vt0GuR4AYAKSG0hoB09lyCeI36RzoJt2XUTIzAaQj29iN5hNUs3y&__tn__=-R While no public health orders have been put in place preventing travel to or from these towns as yet, the Premier has not ruled the possibility of this happening in the near future. "I will stress that the government is considering what further action we take to make sure the bubble, as we call it, of those border communities is maintained." Exactly what towns are considered "border communities" has not been set in stone, but the NSW Government is encouraging Sydneysiders to use their commonsense. "Border community means a community that a reasonable person would consider to be a community located at or near the border," is the definition used in the newly published border control public health order. In the press conference earlier today, the Premier mentioned Albury and Wagga Wagga, as well as Merimbula, where there is a returned traveller from Victoria who has tested positive and is currently in isolation. At the moment, the border between Victoria and NSW is closed — as of midnight on Tuesday, July 7 — and those who want to enter from Victoria, including NSW residents, will need to apply for a permit via Service NSW. The NSW Government has said patrolling the border will be a "mammoth task" as there are 55 border crossings, including four main roads, 33 bridges, two waterways and multiple smaller roads, across 11 local government areas and five police districts. Those who cross without a permit, or do not follow the permit rules, could be hit with an $11,000 fine and spend up to six months in jail. For more information about the new border restrictions and the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Government website. Top image: A town near the NSW-Victorian border by Denisbin via Flickr.
Situated in the backstreets of Paddington, surrounded by old-school pubs and terrace houses, is leading Sydney contemporary art gallery Piermarq. Founded on the belief that art should be accessible and fun, the Gallery hosts openings so you can check out some new art with a vino in hand — and maybe bump into an old art-loving pal — as well as organises one-on-one showings with its knowledgable curators if you're in the market for a new wall hanging. Here, expect to find works by local Aussie artists such as Justin Williams, Gemma King and jordy Kerwick, as well as international names like Zhuang Hong Yi and Cosimo Casoni.
Aaahh falling in love — 'tis both a blessing and, when it all ends in tears and razor blades, a wicked, wicked curse. Most of us have known the heartache and pain that comes with the unwanted ending of a beautiful love story. It is at this end point that the gifts, photographs, scent-infused t-shirts and other memorabilia accumulated over the course of the relationship take on revered status, as they come to symbolise and embody that lost love long after the actual object of our affection has left the building. It's hard to let go sometimes and, unlike other significant life events, break-ups are not typically marked by any shared rituals or rights of passage to help us move through our grief. With this obvious gap in the in the market of shared human suffering in mind, Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisi founded the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia, where people can donate and share their love memorabilia in an effort to achieve communal catharthis through the sharing of this most bittersweet of experiences. Aside from the more obvious letters and teddy bears, objects on display at the museum have included an axe, a gallstone and even a prosthetic leg (hopefully taken with at least begrudging permission from it's previous owner and not stolen in a fit of scorned-lover-style rage). The museum unveiled it's permanent collection in October 2010 and now receives over 1000 visitors each week. In an extension of this unique exhibition, Griffin Studios are inviting us to send in our own love memorabilia over the next three months for eventual display on 8 June 2011 in our very own Museum of Broken Relationships. These objects will also provide inspirational material for resident artists Ian Meadows, Kate Mulvany, Shannon Murphy and Paige Rattray to create a series of related works. You can send your love relics, preferably but not necessarily with an accompanying story or context, to 13 Craigend St, Kings Cross 2011 (or drop off in person to the same address — the white terrace house on the corner of Nimrod St). They say a burden shared is a burden halved. Perhaps the same can be said for broken hearts.
When global media giant Condé Nast Traveler releases its annual Readers' Choice Awards lineup, it's usually guaranteed to instantly have you dreaming of far-flung holiday destinations. But one of this year's award winners might just foster a newfound appreciation for what's in your own backyard, with Sydney ranking among the world's top ten in the Best Cities in the World list for the second year in a row. The awards are significant as they always pull a high number of votes — this year, more than 600,000 readers participated. As happened last year, they scored so much feedback that the Best Cities list was once again split into two, separating the the top ten small cities, as well as their top ten 'big city' counterparts. Flipping the tables on the 2018 result, Sydney chalked up a win in the indulgent age-old battle with Melbourne, with the New South Wales capital earning a spot on the list over Victoria's capital. Moving down from sixth place last year, Sydney ranked tenth in 2019. The Condé Nast team once again described the city as "an ideal getaway no matter the season", praising its al fresco dining, outdoor lifestyle and cultural calendar. The magazine specifically suggests that visitors hit the beach during summer and explore the arts scene in the cooler months, specifically giving a shout-out to Paddington, Manly and the "cool kid 'hood" of Surry Hills. While Melbourne came in third in 2018 — three spots above Sydney — it hasn't made the 2019 list at all. Topped by Tokyo and Kyoto yet again (first and second, respectively, for the second year running), this year's selection also includes Singapore, Vienna and Osaka in the top five, followed by Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Taipei. If, rather than basking in Sydney's glory, you're looking for holiday suggestions, the small city list might help as well. Mérida in Mexico came in first, with Dresden in Germany in second place, Québec City in Canada in third, Salzburg in Austria in fourth and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico in fifth. Norway's Bergen, Italy's Florence, Mexico's Puebla, Monaco's Monte Carlo and Germany's Cologne round out the rankings.
One of the best new openings in town is also one of the savviest. Teddy welcomed its first guests in early September with Sydney still very much in the throes of the cost-of-living crisis. With this fact front of mind, happy hours, discounts and enticing deals are a cornerstone of their offering, proving that neighbourhood diners can still be an affordable night out, even in such economically turbulent times. Monday to Saturday between 4–6pm, punters can take advantage of the generous happy hour, where a selection of signature cocktails are on offer for just $12 and glasses of house wines are available for just $10. On Sunday, the same offer applies, except it's available all day long — perfect for a cheeky end-of-the-weekend sesh that won't break the bank. On top of that, there are also dining offers every day of the week. On Mondays, BYO is available with zero corkage fee while on Tuesdays, the minute steak is available for the discounted price of $29. On Wednesdays, the pasta and vino offer will get you a pasta main and glass of wine for just $29 and on Thursday, the raid the cellar night offers $50 bin end bottles. On Fridays, you can start the weekend as you mean to go on with the "business women's special" (although you don't need to be in business or even a woman to take advantage), which offers a main and marg for $35 during the lunch service. And because lunchtime margs on a Friday often lead to bleary-eyed hangovers on a Saturday, bloody marys, the classic hair-of-the-dog cure-all, are available for $12.
Cancer: Generally deep down in the 'not funny' basket. It's almost natural, then, that big-dreaming writers will take that as a challenge. Young playwright Rita Kalnejais has found the comedic key with her new work, Babyteeth, commissioned especially for Belvoir. It’s a bit of an ode to a childhood friend of Kalnejais', so there's a very real and giving tone to this bittersweet story, whose cast of eccentrics are each affected by the sharply declining health of 14-year-old Milla (Sara West). She's a child aware she'll be missing womanhood, and the dead are speaking to her of the beauty of the world. When a drug-addicted 25-year-old, Moses (Eamon Farren), swoops in to tend to her nosebleed, he may be saving her life, and she his. Although some of the characters emerge as caricatures — a mini assault on your warm, Zen journey — others are so wonderful you curse the moment they'll skip off the whirling set and leave you. Babyteeth has a beautiful heart, and it is parents Henry (Greg Stone) and Anna (Helen Buday) as they struggle to cope with their daughter's approaching death and try to give her the experience of a full life before it. When one or both of these characters is on stage — whether they're negligently but understandably mixing barbiturates, emotionally adopting the wayward girl next door, or clumsily trying to revive their romance in between appointments — the play is at its most electrifying. Director Eamon Flack has a great sense of the playful in a text (as he's shown with his As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream), and he and Kalnejais have perfectly balanced the light and dark in Babyteeth. It's a striking night of theatre that spills you out onto a sweeter-smelling Belvoir Street when it's done.
Zhang Huan lives for the ephemeral. The Shanghai-based performance artist has made a celebrated, controversial career from moments of fleeting intensity — from having mangled doll parts and red liquid poured over him at Beijing’s National Art Gallery, to calligraphing his entire family tree all over his face and using fish and honey to attract flies to his body from his childhood village’s public toilets. Yep, intense. But in recent years, the artist has found a new Buddhist-infused means to find enlightenment in the temporary — and we get to join him this summer at Carriageworks. Zhang Huan’s Sydney Buddha (presented in conjunction with Sydney Festival) joins the Carriageworks program in 2015, if only for a limited life. For this highly-anticipated work, two, five metre tall Buddha sculptures made of 20 tonnes of incense ash and its aluminium case, will face each other. Made of incense ash collected from Chinese temples (and set to disintegrate slowly within Carriageworks) acting in the same way a Tibetan Buddhist mandala works — a stunning, complex, time-consuming artwork to be briefly enjoyed and subsequently destroyed, reminding us of the brevity of life. Sydney Buddha will sit in the Carriageworks public space from January 8 until March 15, available to view from 10am-6pm daily. Zhang Huan will speak about his work ‘In Conversation’ at Carriageworks on Thursday, January 8 at 4pm. Tickets are free and currently waitlisting, available here. Image: Zan Wimberley — Zhang Huan, Sydney Buddha, 2015, ash and aluminium. Presented by Carriageworks in association with Sydney Festival, courtesy PACE Gallery, New York.
A new and improved InterContinental is set to be unveiled in September with the longstanding Sydney hotel and its heritage-listed building being given a $110 million renovation. Included in the revamp will be restoration work on the historic facade, upgrades to all 509 rooms and two new bars. InterContinental Sydney is located in the restored Treasury Building of 1851. It first opened in its historic Macquarie Street home in 1985 over a century after the building was first erected. The renovation and restoration process has been a two-year journey that started in 2020 and will finally be complete over the next two months. "An extremely meticulous design process was required to ensure the heritage buildings have been honoured and the new adaptions respectfully integrated," said Tracey Wiles, the Design Leader at the firm in charge of the renovations, Woods Bagot's Regional Interior. [caption id="attachment_861791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] InterContinental, 2013, Lawrence Wang[/caption] The rooms boast a green and blue colour palette inspired by the nearby harbour and Royal Botanic Gardens, plus picture frame-like windows designed to highlight the views of iconic Sydney landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Circular Quay surrounds. The revamp also includes the introduction of two bars. The first is a classic lobby bar decked out in a heap of greenery, while the second is the sky-high rooftop bar located on the 32nd floor of the hotel. The rooftop has been equipped with an outdoor terrace primed for sipping cocktails as you take in the uninterrupted views of Sydney's skyline. "We are thrilled to finally share more on what's been happening behind closed doors these past two years," General Manager Jennifer Brown said. "The reimagination of Sydney's most iconic heritage hotel redefines the contemporary luxury hotel experience whilst paying homage to the building's rich past and its many unique stories." More information on the revamp is set to come down the line before it is officially unveiled in full in September. You can keep up to date with all the news on the hotel's Instagram account. InterContinental Sydney is located at 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Bardo Pond make huge washes of explorative sound, using noise elements of distortion and drone to carve out space and time. Does that description make me sound like an acid casualty? So be it, because I'd be well at home in the Bardo family. Any band who, since they formed in 1991, have released albums with wink-wink drug references in their titles (um ... Dilate, anyone?) should be okay with that. Not to mention that the band splinters off into side projects with names like 500mg, Third Troll, Prairie Dog Flesh and Hash Jar Tempo. Truly influential amongst younger psychedelic-leaning bands and their contemporaries, they appear in Sydney at the invitation of Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed as part of the Vivid festival. Signed between, for the most part, two record labels — Matador and ATP — Bardo Pond aren't a particularly prolific band, but their releases range into the hundreds via furtive bootlegging amongst loyal fans intent on stretching those moments of bliss into an eternity. That's the sound the band is all about, the feedback fever dreams and trip-on-this space rock akin to the music of My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3. To see them hold court in the Studio at the Opera House is something of a small triumph for totally, ahem, jazzed fans. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WjXDVim-ylg
Bondi convenience store-turned-brunch spot Harry's is about to expand. Owned by Harry Lambropoulos and his family for 15 years, Harry's Espresso Bar will see a complete redesign as Harry's Bar and Dining. Set to reopen on Wairoa Avenue, the newly revamped Harry's will take over the laundromat next door as well. Having operated originally as a convenience store and a cafe since 2005, this little coffee bar in the corner is becoming a fully-fledged restaurant. The brainchild of Lambropoulos and his business partner, Chris Karvelas, Harry's will now exist as an 80-seater eatery overseen by new chef Bryan O'Callaghan (former Tilbury) — the focus on using only fresh, seasonal and local produce. Breakfast at Harry's ain't going anywhere, it's just evolving. GF reports menu developments of coconut, yoghurt and chia pudding alongside quinoa balls with poached eggs and fatoush — fingers crossed for a continuation of their open bagels. If you're a bit of a late riser, lunch looks like stinging nettle and gnocchi, and the team will likely continue on their love for all things green juice, mango mint smoothie, housemade nut milk and fresh coffee-related. The good news for local Harry's enthusiasts is the team are opening for dinner service from February 12, Thursday to Saturday. O'Callaghan's menu is yet to be revealed. Harry's Bar and Dining will open by the end of February, fully licensed with a selection of imported varietal wines and house made cocktails. But if you're not a fan of complete and utter change, they're keeping the beachside kiosk open — even now you can grab Five Senses coffee and pastries. They'll be slowly adding smoothies, housemade nut milks, organic sodas, sandwiches and more from this week onwards. Find Harry's at Shop 2, 136 Wairoa Avenue, Bondi Beach. Via Good Food.
Just because your bank account is looking a little empty, doesn't mean you've got to resort to sad, uninspiring lunchtime fare. At least, not this week, with food app Ritual dishing up tasty meals for just $1 a pop. Having launched in Sydney late last year, the mobile order and pay app is offering a very sweet deal to tempt CBD workers, from now until November 8. It's dropping the price of select menu items from 250 of its restaurants to just $1 a pop. In this budget-friendly lineup you'll find feeds from some of your favourite CBD, Barangaroo and North Sydney vendors, which normally clock in at around $15. We're talking the terriyaki salmon bowl from Nudefish, Dutch Smuggler's famed mie goreng toastie, salt and pepper chicken bao from Bing's Bao and Beer, pitas from Zeus Street Greek and American burgers from Burger Project. There are also $1 toasties from Bistro Guillaume, french toast from Hills Bros, six pan-fried dumplings from Dainty Sichuan, an eight-inch pizza from Fratelli Famous and a cold brew bubble cup from Industry Beans (pictured below). Just remember that you do need to pick up your drink or meal, so make sure the eatery is in walking distance. [caption id="attachment_706984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bubble Cup from Industry Beans[/caption] Download the app and you'll be able to tap into three of these $1 deals over the week the offer is running. Which means a few mornings of extra shut-eye, thanks to not having to whip up lunch yourself. You'll also get to road test some of Ritual's nifty features, including a 'skip the line' function that allows you to order ahead and avoid queues, and 'skip the trip', where you can group together multiple orders from the one office to save everyone from making the same trek. There are a couple of restrictions, though. The deal is only valid between 5am and 5pm daily, and you can only order once per day and once per restaurant. If you've previously ordered on Ritual, you'll need to refer a friend to get access to the deal — new users can access it straight away. You can check out all the nitty-gritty details over here. Ritual is offering three $1 meals or drinks per user through its app (for Android or iOS) until 5pm on Friday, November 8.
Icons teaming up with icons: when documentary series Pretend It's a City hit Netflix in 2021, that's what it served up. Earning attention: Fran Lebowitz, with Martin Scorsese directing. The focus: the acclaimed writer, humorist and social commentator chatting about her life for the legendary filmmaker, following on from Scorsese's Lebowitz-focused 2010 feature-length doco Public Speaking. Of course, Lebowitz doesn't need to be nattering with Scorsese, or in front of The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman helmer's lens, to prove a must-watch figure. Her sharp opinions and deadpan humour have made her famous for more than five decades now, and over a career spanning magazine columns, books, working with Andy Warhol, notable late-night talkshow appearances and public-speaking tours. It's the latter that's bringing her back to Australia in 2024 — including getting talking at the Sydney Opera House. [caption id="attachment_912246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bill Hayes[/caption] Lebowitz will take to the stage on two nights in the Harbour City, on Tuesday, February 13 and Wednesday, February 14, as part of a tour aptly dubbed An Evening with Fran Lebowitz. Will she chat about attending the Succession season four premiere party? Her role as a judge in the Law & Order franchise (and The Wolf of Wall Street)? Saturday Night Live's parody of Pretend It's a City? Being a columnist for Warhol's Interview mag? Growing up in New Jersey? New York in the 70s? Topics such as race, gender, media and politics? Anything that vexes her? Everything? At least some will earn an unfiltered mention — including at the audience Q&A. Top image: Harrison Dilts.
There was a note stuck to the back of a Darlinghurst bus stop seat. "ROSE," it read, "Gone up the Cross. Ring me! Trevor." The year wasn't 1970, it was 2009 and I was on my way home from a bookshop opening. I don't know if Rose ever found Trevor, but Kings Cross has a rich history of fateful meetings, missings and other miscreant behaviour. In the summer of '70-'71, photographers Rennie Ellis and Wesley Stacey were in town to capture exactly that. While local artists gathered in the Yellow House on Macleay Street laying the groundwork for the future of the Sydney experimental scene, American Vietnam soldiers trundled the streets on leave looking for a good time. The girls of Les Girls fanned both their longs legs and slobbering onlookers on break from their office jobs a little ways down William Street. Carlotta held court, Hare Krishnas clapped and danced, red lights glowed, the fountain dribbled. In other words, you could walk down the street without tripping over the cast and crew of Underbelly shooting a nightclub scene. Ellis and Stacey's photographs of this sliver of Sydney life are currently on display at the Museum of Sydney, and while you're tripping over the city scenes, have a look out for Rosie and Trevor. Maybe they'll be in the gift shop.
What's this, a good, old-fashioned fairytale — and one that doesn't rely upon shadowing a classic story in darkness, looking at it from a different angle or adding a twist? That'd be the latest version of Cinderella, one so close to the animated effort everyone grew up with, it's uncanny. Swap cartoons for live action, and you've got the gist. Thankfully, this new take on a decades-old movie and a centuries-old tale doesn’t just lovingly revisit our collective childhoods, as enjoyably nostalgic an exercise as that is. This retelling stays faithful to the story as well as its spirit, spinning an account of transformation driven by kindness and free from modern-day cynicism. Before she earned her nickname for sleeping too close to the fire, Ella was a ten-year-old (Eloise Webb) mourning for her mother (Hayley Atwell), and then a young woman (Lily James) witnessing the remarriage of her father (Ben Chaplin). Next, she's an orphan forced to cook and clean for her nasty stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and two shallow stepsisters (Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger), while wanting nothing more than a break from the drudgery to attend a ball hosted by a handsome prince (Richard Madden). Where this is going is hardly a surprise, yet here familiarity is by no means a flaw. Though director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Chris Weitz have films like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and The Twilight Saga: New Moon on their respective resumes, they both show that they know a thing or two about fleshing out well-known worlds, particularly through casting and revelling in the details. Any movie that boasts both Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter is already making wishes come true; however, using them to toy with audience expectations is a masterstroke. The immaculately styled Blanchett breaks bad with aplomb, and Bonham Carter is a breezy delight at the fairy godmother. While everyone else is more than fine, the charming pair of James and Madden included, the two great actresses playing against type are the real drawcards. Well, them and the gorgeous surroundings they all find themselves in, with Cinderella a visual treat. For the character, the decadence of pumpkin carriages and gorgeous gowns may vanish at the stroke of midnight; for the film, the splendour continues regardless of the hour. It's not just Cinders herself who's as pretty as a picture, but the picture itself. If you really were to dream of a traditional fairytale world of grand ballrooms and sprawling forests, it would look like this. That timeless approach may also extend to a heroine who largely waits rather than acts — patiently and purposefully, rather than as a damsel in distress looking for a man to save her — but never does the treatment of the tale feel regressive. Indeed, it's a funny state of affairs when retaining the essence of a classic can be seen as a welcome breath of fresh air. With Cinderella, its old-fashioned elegance is the glass slipper that fits the film just perfectly.
Readers of the lower north shore have been gathering at The Constant Reader since it opened way back in 1979. On top of being one of Sydney's oldest independent bookshops, it's also one of the biggest. Lose yourself in more than 238 square metres — crowded with fiction, biographies, art, design, cooking, crime, sport, travel and more. The Constant Reader also runs the Writers at Stanton program, a series of lunchtime talks featuring authors that's been running since 1990 at Stanton Library in North Sydney.
Whether you're travelling for work, leisure or something in-between, if you're a Sydneysider who has been in Victoria lately — and will still be there after 4pm today, Thursday, May 27 — you've probably been happy to venture further than your own city. But, with the southern state currently experiencing its second lockdown for 2021, the New South Wales Government will require anyone who has visited Victoria from this afternoon to also abide by the same stay-at-home conditions. Yes, you should be feeling a bit of deja vu. Exactly the same thing happened when Brisbane went into lockdown twice earlier in 2021. NSW isn't closing its border to Victoria, but it has put a new isolation requirement in place for anyone in NSW who has been to the state and then enters NSW after the above time. As announced in a NSW Health public health alert released today, if you fall into that category, you're required to isolate under the same conditions that will be in place if you were to stay in Victoria. The rules are the same as during NSW's March 2020 lockdown, which means that you're only allowed to leave the house for select reasons. So, you can only head out for work or education if you can't do that at home, for essential shopping, for exercise in your local area, and for health care or to provide support for a vulnerable person. Victoria's lockdown will come into effect at 11.59pm tonight and run through until the same time on Thursday, June 3. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1397752475097042945 The one exception to NSW's stay-at-home requirement for folks who've been in Victoria: residents in border communities. You'll only need to stay home if you head outside the border region in Victoria after 4pm today — as per the map that's been used for previous bubbles. NSW Health is also advising people in the state against non-essential travel to the Greater Melbourne area at present. If you do travel and then come back to NSW while Victoria is in lockdown, you'll be subject to the above stay-at-home conditions upon your return. Victorian residents are advised not to travel to NSW after lockdown begins, unless they're permitted to do so. As always, the usual general advice regarding hygiene and social distancing applies in NSW, as it has throughout the pandemic. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For further details about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, check out the Victorian Department of Health website.
For some, it's simply a Beach Boys tune, for others a '90s track that evokes flashbacks of Marky Mark's six-pack, but for us Sydneysiders, we get to feel the excitations and sweet, sweet sensations of Good Vibrations every summer. This year, the festival has outdone itself by announcing a lovely 2011 lineup, and we knew it was gonna be a cracker, thanks to a series of cryptic clues they posted on their website in the buildup to the announcement. Aaah I see now! So, no, you won't be getting no sleep, because the mighty godparents of dance music, Faithless (in their full trifecta entirety of Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Rollo) are bringing their good vibes to Sydney along with hip hop and reggae collaborators Nas and Damien Marley. Meanwhile, Frenchies Phoenix are bringing an exclusive indie vibe to the usually jammin' affair. The shit-hottest thing to come out of the states since pre-crack is wack Whitney, Janelle Monae, will be showing us how dancing's really done, Erykah Badu is touring for the first time in Australia, and to top off the girl power is a chick who’ll bring all the boys to Centennial Park (along with ex-husband Nas), Kelis. You'll also feast your ears on a mix-up of dance, electro, hip hop and indie acts including Ludacris, Sasha, Miike Snow, Yolanda Be Cool, Cee Lo Green, Fake Blood, Koolism, Friendly Fires, Kill The Noise, Tim & Jean and Rusko. Probably the next best thing to bringing out Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, eh? Tickets go on sale on Thursday, September 16.
With summer upon us and Christmas on the horizon, it's the perfect time to treat yourself and sort out your sleep. If you're tossing and turning at night it might not just be because of the state of the world, it could be your mattress and pillow as well. Luckily, premium homewares brand Ecosa wants to help you get a good night's sleep. All items on the Ecosa website are 25 percent off from Monday, November 9 to Wednesday, November 11. If you've been complaining about a crook neck, maybe head off to the physio and get yourself fancy new memory foam pillow. The ergonomic pillow boasts an adjustable height, a curved shape that suits side and back sleepers and a compressible foam that supports the natural shape of your head. Plus, two compression bags so you can pack it up and take it with you everywhere. Yep, it's one helluva pillow. If that's not enough, Ecosa also offers free shipping and returns Australia-wide, plus a 100-day free trial period. And, with everything on sale, get in early with some Christmas shopping. Ecosa is your one-stop sleep shop, with luxe bamboo sheets, silk pillowcases, wooden bed base, memory foam mattress and weighted blanket all available at the discounted price. So, you can treat yourself, your friends and your whole family to a better night's sleep. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Yoko Ono. The name carries a lot of associations. John Lennon. The Beatles and their subsequent break-up. Weird clothing designs and weirder musical experimentations. Regardless of what Yoko means to you, her retrospective, War Is Over! (if you want it), at the Museum of Contemporary Art is well worth a look. She's a powerhouse of an artist and she's racked up a surprising amount of achievements in her 80 years, many of which have been eclipsed by the spectre of Lennon. Yoko's life has been peppered with hardship. Born in 1933 in Tokyo, her father got a job in San Francisco and the family spent the next few years moving from Japan to the U.S. and back again. They were living in Tokyo when the U.S. decided to firebomb the city. Her father was held in a concentration camp while his once wealthy family was forced to carry their possessions in a wheelbarrow and beg for food. Fast-forward a few years. Her second husband, Anthony Cox, has abducted the daughter she had with him, changed the child's name and absconded to an underground Christian sect. She found love with Lennon but the years she spent with him were no walk in the park, either. She suffered a miscarriage, served as the target of crushing hatred and vitriol following the break-up of the Beatles and then, in 1980, she witnessed her husband's brutal murder at the entrance to the Dakota Building in New York. It's a litany of woe and what is most remarkable is that in the face of all this, Yoko has become a tireless proponent of peace and love. What is striking about War Is Over! (if you want it) is the sheer joyfulness of the pieces. The exhibition is ridiculously happy-making. The works are highly conceptual but very, very accessible and many encourage viewer interaction. When first entering the gallery, you'll be greeted by several tables with chess sets atop them. It will take a moment to notice that all the pieces are white. In order to effectively play the game, both participants need to actively engage in discussion. It's tremendous fun. Glass Keys to Open the Skies is another notable work. The small keys sit, evenly spaced, in a small Perspex box. It’s such a wonderful trigger for the imagination. Another work invites you to write a small message to your mother which you then tack to the gallery wall, allowing everyone to broadcast a message to your mum on one of the most 'important' walls in Australia. Many of the works involve wishing or hope for something better. There's a box where you can make a travel wish and up on the terrace there are a few of Yoko's Wish Trees. You write a wish on a small piece of paper then attach it with twine to the branches of the tree. The effect of the paper and twine amongst the leaves is beautiful. Perhaps the real magic of the work lies in the reading of other people's wishes. It can be a profoundly affecting exercise. You're reminded that we all pretty much want the same things. Most of the wishes fall into the same category - the desire for happiness both for ourselves and the people we love. Would she be as famous today had she not married Lennon? Probably not, but does it matter? She's a wonderful artist.
The views from Shangri-La Sydney look as if they have been plucked right out of a Tourism Australia ad. They are crazy perfect. Look to the left, and you'll see the Harbour Bridge up and close. Roll over in bed and look to your right, and you've got the Opera House just sitting there looking right back at you. It's unbelievable. And yes, like most places in Sydney, you'll definitely be paying for that view. The Shangri-La isn't what we would call budget friendly, but you get a whole lot for that price tag. It's not hard to see why Shangri-La Sydney is one of the best hotels in the city. And everything you get is centred around those panoramic harbour views. Each of the 564 rooms gets a different angle of the harbour. The restaurant and bar — appropriately named Altitude — up on level 36, are also made for gawking out at the surrounding Sydney landmarks. As you'd expect from a 5-star hotel, the Shangri-La Sydney also comes with its very own opulent spa facility. Massages and treatments are based on traditional wellness practices shared by many Asian cultures. Chi, The Spa, also features treatments highlighting Australian healing techniques and botanical ingredients indigenous to the region. Relax here before heading to the gym, indoor swimming pool, hot whirlpool bath or sundeck. Deep dive into that self-care life. We could think of worse places to rest your head for a few nights.
Feel like royalty at this landmark building. The Land Administration Building was finished in 1905 and transformed into the Treasury Hotel ninety years later alongside the Treasury Casino in the former Treasury Building. Basically, It's chock-full of history and heritage features. Be transported back in time – even in the gym which has ornate curtains, potted plants and oak wood finishes. And the rooms are just as elegantly designed, boasting views either over the river, Queens Gardens or the city centre. You will spend a pretty penny to stay here, but this 5-star luxury hotel makes it worth it. That's especially true if you also hit up one of their five restaurants and some of their four bars. You'll likely feel like a winner when staying at the Treasury Casino and Hotel, one of Brisbane's best hotels – even if you end up losing at the poker tables. Feeling lucky? Top image: Grace Smith
This October, the streets of Marrickville will be flooded with over 120 stalls boasting local produce, indie artwork and emerging artists, all set to the backdrop of live music pouring from the main stage. Yep, Marrickville Festival is back for 2017. The entertainment lineup not only includes the fest's usual array of talent belting out tunes from its central spot, but also The Break music competition, showcasing the best local acts around. Or, if you're keen to throw some shapes, head to the international dance floor. Taking place from 10am on October 22 on Marrickville and Illawarra Roads, the festival promises a sensational day out in the sun for both small and big kids alike. Whatever you're into, it's as good a reason as any to spend a Sunday in Marrickville Image: Wendy Kimpton.
If stargazing isn't the world's oldest pastime, then it'd have to be right up there. At the very least, it's an ace way to spend a winter evening in the great outdoors, away from the bright artificial lights and hustle and bustle of Sydney's daily grind. On Friday, August 17, you'll be able to do have your own starry escape when Centennial Park hosts its annual astronomy session. Arrive at 5.30pm and spend the evening staring at the stars and discovering the science and stories behind them. An astronomer from Western Sydney University will be on-hand to point out all the good stuff as you wander around the park and, when you're ready to wind down, you can take a seat by the campfire and listen to traditional Aboriginal stories about the night sky.
Push your adrenal gland into overdrive at Parramatta's Labyrinth Escape Room, where all of the experiences are decidedly intense — in the best possible way. Obsessed with Narcos and love to imagine what the lifestyle of a cartel leader is really like? Labyrinth has capitalised on the popularity of the Netflix mega-series by creating its own 'real-life' version of the show where you can immerse yourself in the show's themes without actually being in harm's way. If that's a little too intense for you, the escape room's latest experience, Excluded, sees you and your mates held hostage by a sinister neighbour who wants in on the action (similar to the movie Game Night). You can also opt to get locked inside the confines of an asylum with a convicted murderer on the loose, or choose to uncover a well-kept (and ghoulish) secret of a cursed circus. Whichever option you decide, groups can book rooms for 2–8 people until 10.15pm daily, with the price marked at $40–45 per person.
While everybody is pretty damn exited about the announcements made this morning for the musical and lighting parts of this year's Vivid Live festival, there were also some amazing announcements made regarding what's in store for Vivid Ideas. Vivid Ideas is the third integral part of the entire Vivid ethos, hosting a program of public and industry events focused on discussion and creative collaboration. Over the 18-day program the newly made-over Museum of Contemporary Arts will become home to the creative hub of Vivid, connecting industry with emerging talent and global leaders in over 100 events, double the creative industry events of the previous three years. This year's program will see the CEOs of Etsy, Threadless and VICE giving keynote talks, as well as appearances from Cory Doctorow, author and co-founder of weblog Boing Boing, and Henry Holland, from the UK fashion label House of Holland. The talks will run alongside major industry events such as Song Summit, X Media Lab, Mumbrella 360 and SPARC Design. Other highlights include a partnership with the Sydney Film Festival, an Etsy microbusiness conference and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ABC's Rage at CarriageWorks. The public program includes free and ticketed events and goes on sale on Thursday, March 22. Vivid is unique amongst Australia's festivals, and a major celebration of creative industries. This year's instalment of Vivid Ideas looks to reinforce just how vibrant and innovative this city is becoming. Check out the full program here.
By now, it's an all-too-familiar story. Put the human ball of hilarity that is Kate McKinnon in a film and it instantly improves. It was true in Office Christmas Party, Rough Night and Masterminds, no matter how average, sometimes awful those movies ultimately were. It's true again in The Spy Who Dumped Me as well. Thankfully, however, the Saturday Night Live standout isn't a rare diamond this time around. McKinnon's latest action-comedy doesn't always hit the mark, but it entertains in both the action and comedy departments — complete with death by fondue, affairs with Edward Snowden and completely relatable gushing over Gillian Anderson. That said, even when she's declaring that Anderson's MI6 boss is "the Beyonce of the government", and delivering other one-liners and asides with gusto, McKinnon is only one half of The Spy Who Dumped Me's modest charms. Mila Kunis is the other, playing the straighter role against McKinnon's gloriously goofy energy. Together, they not only make an engaging comedic pair, but furnish a funny, mayhem-fuelled ode to female friendship. That's the film's secret weapon. Director Susanna Fogel doesn't just throw women into the usually male-dominated realm of big-screen espionage, and nor is she content to just laugh as ordinary folks get caught up in the spy world. Rather, she shows that her characters cope with their new outlandish life by relying on each other. It's a recognisable scenario, even when it isn't. Girl meets boy, they bond over beers and bad jukebox songs, and then settle into a comfortable relationship. A year later, grocery store cashier Audrey (Kunis) is suddenly dumped by text, and aspiring actress Morgan (McKinnon) is her trusty shoulder to cry on. What they don't know is that Audrey's ex, Drew (Justin Theroux), is a lethal CIA agent immersed in a globe-trotting plot. When they find out, it's courtesy of two fellow operatives (Sam Heughan and Hasan Minhaj), a hook-up gone wrong and a shower of gunfire — plus a promise to travel to Europe to finish Drew's mission. "Do you want to die having never been to Europe, or do you want to die having been to Europe?" Morgan asks. Hopping between Vienna, Prague, Paris and Berlin, Audrey and Morgan try to do what's right, work out who they can trust and, of course, not die even though they've now been to Europe. And they do it all amidst cafe shootouts, an eventful Uber ride, stealing from Australian tourists, chatting about Balzac and trying to outrun the icy Russian gymnast turned model turned assassin (Ivanna Sakhno) on their trail. Whether you're a seasoned spy flick fan or barely know your Bond from your Bourne, everything you expect to happen happens. Well, almost everything, with the Cirque du Soleil finale a zany surprise. But even when the film seems predictable (and stretches its material about 30 minutes too far), the hyper-violent set-pieces always come with a slice of humour, the gags always inspire at least giggles, and the movie knows it is wading through a sea of genre cliches. More than that, its love of its central duo remains. This might be Fogel's first foray into big, bouncy action, but it's telling that her only other film — 2014's Life Partners — spun a story of lifelong besties who find their relationship being tested. While espionage wasn't part of that flick, there's plenty that's universal about women grappling with life's challenges with a pal by their side. Here, co-writing the script with David Iserson (United States of Tara), Fogel never questions Audrey and Morgan's camaraderie. Rather, The Spy Who Dumped Me feeds off of the characters' connection, using it as a constant source of affection, affirmation and amusement throughout all of the chaos. There are the foreseeable high points and a few low points, and most of the movie falls firmly in the middle, but it always feels fitting: that's friendship, after all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URUVhRYJsgA
The post is sponsored by our partner Thredbo When the June long weekend rolls along, ski addicts the nation over breathe a collective sigh of relief: no more pacing the floor and resenting surfers their year-round, unlimited access to adrenalin-fuelled action. Not only does the onset of winter open the floodgates to months of spontaneous dashes to the mountains, its coinciding with the Queen’s Birthday presents the opportunity for a rather enormous party. This year, the good folks at Thredbo Alpine Village have organised a bash that would have Lindsay Lohan shaking in her shoes (or moon boots, rather). A free Saturday night concert headlined by the Potbelleez is the major drawcard. The electro trio, who’ve been more pumped than ever (who would have believed it possible?) since releasing their single, ‘Save it in a bottle’, will be powering through a two-hour set of dance anthems. That’s just the icing on the cake. Rekorderlig will be hosting its first ever apres poolside bar in Australia, featuring DJ Abel el-Toro on the decks, while the Steve Edmonds Band will keep the music going until the late hours. Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa are planning on doling out their usual blend of hits and gigs via a live appearance on the Friday evening. Then there’s a cocktail competition, the annual Thredbo fashion show, a snowman building contest, a three-course long lunch and fireworks. For the full lineup of events, visit www.thredbo.com.au
In life and in horror movies, don't pick up a book bound in human skin. Just don't. Anthropodermic bibliopegy is the name of that gruesome covering process, and it isn't a fictional creation of the Evil Dead world — so heeding this guidance really is sensible. Of course, there wouldn't be any films in the boomstick-waving franchise if its characters listened to such a warning. There'd be no cabin-visiting folks battling Deadites again and again, and no chainsaws coming in mighty handy, either. Evil Dead Rise, the fifth big-screen instalment in the saga that also started Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's careers long before the OG Spider-Man flicks, Burn Notice and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, does indeed include that flesh-wrapped Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. Also, the terrifying tome is grabbed, opened and unwittingly allowed to unleash its gory chaos. The body count rises, demons hop into bodies, and shotguns and power tools become necessary weapons. That said, while Evil Dead Rise definitely knows the series it's in, it's no mere exercise in blasting expected targets. There will be blood in this addition to the Evil Dead fold, and not just inking The Book of the Dead's pages. There's gallons of it, in fact, with assistance from an elevator overflowing with crimson liquid. Writer/director Lee Cronin is clearly happy to jump from his 2019 debut The Hole in the Ground to this beloved horror franchise while giving The Shining some love as well. And yet, nods to past Evil Dead films and scary fare in general aren't the main point of Evil Dead Rise, even though they're still there — loudly when "dead by dawn", words that are also part of Evil Dead II's title, is yelled. It shouldn't feel so rare to see a feature that isn't solely kept beating by gobbling up as many pieces of its predecessors as possible, but that's these nothing-must-die times. (When intellectual property is revived repeatedly by Hollywood's intonations, bringing back Evil Dead over and over couldn't be more appropriate.) Consider this another play around with recognisable parts — and with mutilating them, with Cronin showing no signs of holding back with his setpieces, gleefully unhinged onslaught of carnage or visual compositions. Or, think of it as striding into a lived-in hut with a keenness to make something already-beloved new again. With Raimi and Campbell only involved as executive producers, the film also doesn't ever feel like Cronin wrote a different script, then just dumped in a Necronomicon here and a Deadite there. Again, it's well-aware of the path it's treading, and of what's done so before. Still, amid the ample guts, the obligatory creepy pages and the eerie incantations (which for viewers unlike the movie's characters, are well-worth listening to closely), this saga-extender finds the right balance between affectionately savouring Evil Dead's groovy history and being its own fright-inducing meal. Familiar swooping and whooshing camerawork kicks Evil Dead Rise into gear, though, knowingly so. In a clever touch, it stems from a is doing the shooting, not due to supernatural nefariousness. There's a remote abode in the woods — an A-frame shack this time, levelled up to match 2023's travel aesthetic — and unsettling things afoot; however, the bulk of the film takes place a day earlier. That's when guitar technician Beth (Lily Sullivan, Picnic at Hanging Rock) cuts out a the worldwide tour to surprise her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland, New Gold Mountain). The latter is a tattoo artist and mother of three who has recently been left parenting solo, and is interrupted dying her hair 'cool mum' red when her sibling arrives. There's baggage between the pair, but there'll soon be viscera as well when Ellie's teenage son Danny (Morgan Davies, Blaze) finds a certain text — and, because he's a budding DJ, some dusty vinyl sporting words that no one in an Evil Dead movie should be saying or hearing. There's that trusty advice being disregarded. Danny's sister Bridget (Gabrielle Echols, Reminiscence) is on hand with an "I told you so" or several, mirroring what viewers are thinking. Actually, Evil Dead Rise inspires a new take on the old "don't pick up a book bound in human skin" counsel: don't go plunging into a hole in the ground when the condemned high-rise you're living in cracks in an earthquake and you spot an old bank vault in the newly opened void, then 100-percent don't pick up some literally underground tunes and the entombed, flesh-packaged tome they're buried near. But Danny does all that, thinking the volume might be worth something to help his mum's money worries. Bridget scolds and youngest sister Kassie (Nell Fisher, My Life Is Murder) is quickly scared by the aftermath. The trapped inhabitants of the about-to-be-demolished building are all unnerved, to say the least, as the Evil Dead realm's wicked spirits let loose their hellish waking nightmare. There will be splatter, too, as the 1981 original introduced on a supremely low budget. Each Evil Dead chapter loves imparting its own vibe, after the second film got funnier, 1992's third effort Army of Darkness became a dark fantasy, then 2013's Evil Dead snatched out every trace of absurdity — and, on the small screen, Ash vs Evil Dead got amusing again — but gore usually flows eagerly. Like grated cheese, there's no such thing as too much in Cronin's eyes. Like making that shredded dairy, a particular kitchen utensil gets a workout. With cinematographer Dave Garbett, an Ash vs Evil Dead alum, Cronin also frequently draws attention to the act of seeing, while making sure there's almost always something savage to lock one's peepers on. A fish-eye peephole earns some savvy use, and the overall cavalcade of mayhem just keeps mounting to the point where it's so purposefully ridiculous that you can't look away. Evil Dead Rise isn't going for a Raimi-and-Campbell mood. It isn't aiming for the pair's laughs and slapstick since the OG flick, either. But it spies that constantly ramping up the slashing, stabbing, scalping, ripping and gouging is as relentless as it is OTT, especially when paired with devilishly delivered lines like "mommy's with the maggots now". And, although its guiding force takes too long establishing the new characters' family dynamic, then does too little with the themes of trauma and parenthood it starts flirting with, the franchise's latest cast is up to the task when things get demonic. Australian trio Sutherland, Sullivan and Davies each leave an imprint, with one also giving the saga one of its best Deadite performances. No Evil Dead fan will ever want Raimi and Campbell to stray too far from this series, but this latest bite doesn't ever feel like it needs them, or leave its audience wishing it was watching Ash J Williams instead.
When Harry Met Rico. It might not quite have the same ring as the classic rom-com but could the upcoming Ricos Tacos x Harry's Terrace Bar collaboration elicit a response similar to Meg Ryan's sandwich? We're willing to find out. Ricos' mastermind Toby Wilson knows his way around a bloody good taco. And this month his tortilla slinging operation will be teaming up with Hotel Harry to host Ricos Tacos x Harry's from Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19. Expect classic fillings — like pork belly carnitas, chicken achiote, and lamb shank birra — alongside Ricos signature sides to fill out your table of tacos every evening after 5pm. And you'll be accompanying them with a haul of beverage options with Drinks Director Josh Reynolds serving up all-new adult slushies alongside wine by Shun Eto. While walk-ins are welcome, if you want to be sure you've locked in a table to set down your tacos, we really recommend you make a booking at hotelharry.com.au or call 02 8262 8800.
It's no secret that here at Concrete Playground, we love an event or two. Every single day, our fair city is buzzing with a variety of happenings. Sure, the daily grind can often leave you wanting to crawl straight into bed at tools down, but that inner culture vulture of yours needs to be fed. So, we've rounded up the best things to do in Sydney after work tonight (that's Thursday, May 17). Rather than heading straight home, check out a whole bunch of free art (with a glass of bubbly), warm up with ramen in Bondi or see Sydney Dance Company's newest show and have something interesting to talk about at work tomorrow.
For five hours on Sunday, March 20, restaurant Baba's Place in Marrickville will be transformed into a gallery. On display: Suburban Ghosts, an original photo series that tackles topics such as immigration, suburban beauty and cultural resilience. All photos — framed and unframed — will be available to purchase, and the images will also be printed in the first issue of Baba's new zine, which will be available to buy as well. The issue will also include other works, including an essay on the doily, plus half of the restaurant's recipe for its bouillabaisse bolognese. In addition to all those pics to peruse — and the zine to read — the event will also feature an exclusive range of t-shirts, a special Solo-inspired cocktail and the one-day-only return of Baba's cherry kofta wrap. Head along from 1–6pm, with Munasib and 700Feel providing the soundtrack to get you on the dance floor.
The state of Colorado is a land of mind-blowing extremes. In one visit, you can climb rugged mountains, wander through arid desert landscapes, canoe down wild rivers and camp by serene lakes. Meanwhile, in the capital city of Denver, which rests a mile above sea level, you'll find gallons of craft beer, creative chefs, loads of indie artists and a buzzing music scene. Colorado-based singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov, who's currently in Australia, embodies the state's spirit: whenever he's not on the road, he's at home on his farm, growing produce and recording in his custom-built studio. To mark his tour around our homeland, we've come up with a tour for you around his homeland. Here, we take you through all the eats, drinks, sights and sounds for you to discover on a trip to Denver, CO. EAT BREKKIE AT SNOOZE Snooze is all about helping you start your day on a high and fully fuelled. Prepare for upbeat vibes, lots of energy and happy, happy people. Nearly every dish on the menu is made from scratch, according to what local farmers have on the go. So, you never know what to expect. That said, if the pineapple upside-down pancakes are on offer, look no further. Or, if sweet in the AM isn't your thing, opt for the Chili Verde Benedict — a spicy feast of tortillas with green chilli sauce, melted cheese, slow-cooked pulled pork, barbacoa-style beef, poached eggs, green chilli hollandaise, pico de gallo and cotija cheese. EAT FRENCH ONION SOUP DUMPLINGS AT CHOLON At ChoLon, a much-adored restaurant in Denver, two of the world's greatest comfort foods — french onion soup and dumplings — collide. Foodies travel far and wide to sample these delights, which are loaded with gruyere and sweet onion, then steamed to perfection. Their creator is head chef and owner Lon Symensma, who opened ChoLon after working at Buddakan in New York City. If you're still hungry post-dumplings, move onto an array of modern Asian flavours — from crunchy Thai shrimp rolls with umami mayo to diver scallops with fennel puree, wok hay grapes and candied pistachios. EAT POUTINE AT EUCLID HALL Have yourself a classic American tavern experience at Euclid Hall, set in a 19th-century building that formerly housed a bar by an infamous Wild West gangster, Soapy Smith. You'll find it in Denver's Larimer Square historical district. Get started with poutine — fries loaded with all kinds of deliciousness, like duck confit, cheddar curds and black pepper duck gravy or green chilli-braised pork with cheddar curds, cilantro, radish and crema. The house-made sausages are hard to pass by, too. Match your pick with a craft beer or signature cocktail, like the Salty Oboe (whiskey, lemon-ginger shrub, orange bitters and lemon). [caption id="attachment_711888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RiNo Art District, Nick and Marissa Napoletano[/caption] B-CYCLE YOUR WAY AROUND DENVER'S CREATIVE NEIGHBOURHOODS With all the inspiring natural wonder surrounding the city, Denver is a magnet for artists, designers, makers, writers and musicians. To see their creations at a leisurely pace, grab yourself a Bcycle and go exploring beyond the city centre. Be sure to check out the Art District on Santa Fe, the Golden Triangle creative district near uptown and the Highlands neighbourhood. Meanwhile, in RiNo (River North), you'll find plenty of street art sharing the neighbourhood with independent boutiques, craft breweries and unique eateries. Plan for a full day of wandering and window shopping. DRINK LOCAL BREWS AT WYNKOOP BREWING COMPANY Since a man by the name of Governor Hickenlooper brewed the first pint here in 1988, this downtown pub has been a local favourite. It's also the first brewpub to have opened in Denver since Prohibition wound up way, way back in 1933. Set in a 100-year-old former bank with several bars, including one that used to be a vault,Wynkoop has 30 brews on tap — all of which have been made in Colorado. There's a drop for pretty much everyone here — from those who enjoy a lush, hop-heavy ale (opt for the Mile High pale ale) to those after something creamy and semi-sweet (look to the Cowtown milk stout). If you're keen to get behind the scenes, you can also join a tour Tuesday–Saturday at 3pm and 4pm. DRINK AN AVOCADO DAIQUIRI AT THE FAMILY JONES Opened in 2017, The Family Jones puts a bunch of Denver's best distillers, chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs under one (vaulted) roof. It's a paean to craft spirits, creative cocktails and small plates — splashed with copper, blue velvet and greenery. Watch a master distiller in action, while sipping an avocado daiquiri: a decadent concoction of the distillery's Mo Jones Rum, passionfruit, lime, arbor chilli and avocado. And if you're after even more, tours and tastings, which include a seven-strong flight of house-made spirits, take place every Saturday at midday and 1.30pm. Meanwhile, happy hour is 4pm–6pm daily. DRINK SOUR BEER AT CROOKED STAVE ARTISAN BEER PROJECT After sipping brews at the historic Wynkoop Brewing Company, head over to Crooked Stave a 'modern artisan brewery' that's been on the scene since 2010. Crafting a wide range of wild and sour drops, head brewer Chad Yakobson is all about combining art with science to create complex, boundary-pushing beers bursting with flavours. Two of his secrets are the use of brettanomyces yeast (which gives beers — and some wines — that funky textural taste) and barrel ageing. Visit the taproom in Denver to sample the results — from the American-style IPA, which contains five types of hops (Azacca, Galaxy, Amarillo, Motueka, and Citra) to the Nightmare on Brett Raspberry, a dark sour ale aged in Leopold Brothers whiskey barrels brewed with Washington raspberries. [caption id="attachment_708869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Denver.[/caption] SEE A CONCERT UNDER THE STARS AT RED ROCKS If you're a live music junkie, chances are Red Rocks Amphitheatre is already on your bucket list. This extraordinary concert venue, which lies around 15 kilometres outside of Denver, is a naturally formed amphitheatre, framed by stunning rock formations. Some say you'll find no better acoustics anywhere in the world. Just a few of the acts to have played legendary concerts here under the stars include The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Depeche Mode and Dave Matthews. If you're not able to see a show, consider taking a guided tour or stopping by for a snack at Ship Rock Grille. HIKE, BIKE OR RIDE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS Just a two hours' drive north of Denver lies the Rocky Mountain National Park. Its spectacular slopes have attracted hikers, mountaineers, adventurers and horse riders for hundreds of years. There are countless walking trails to conquer — from the short but steep and incredibly scenic Alpine Ridge Trail to the 12-kilometre long Timberline Falls Trial, which takes in Alberta Falls and several pristine mountain lakes. Alternatively, jump on horseback for a guided tour and see the scenery like you're from the Wild West. STROLL THROUGH THE GARDEN OF THE GODS Also within a two hours' drive from Denver is the magical Garden of the Gods. As the name suggests, this rather awe-inspiring place, dotted with 100-metre-high rock formations, looks like it was created by giants. If you're not keen to get too adventurous, soak up the views from the glass-walled cafe or, if the weather's warm, the outdoor terrace. Alternatively, take a hike or join a guided tour — be it by Segway, bike or jeep. Ready to go? Start planning your trip to Denver and wider adventures in the state of Colorado.
Sometimes you need to wait for the things you love. In Hacks, that's true off- and on-screen. It's been two years since the HBO comedy last dropped new episodes, after its first season was one of the best new shows of 2021 and its second one of the best returning series of 2022 — a delay first sparked by star Jean Smart (Babylon) requiring heart surgery, and then by 2023's Hollywood strikes. But this Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner returns better than ever in season three as it charts Smart's Deborah Vance finally getting a shot at a job that she's been waiting her entire career for. After scoring a huge hit with her recent comedy special, which was a product of hiring twentysomething writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, Julia), the Las Vegas mainstay has a new chance at nabbing a late-night hosting gig. Fictional takes on after-dark talk shows are having a moment, thanks to Late Night with the Devil and now Hacks' third season. At times, some in Deborah's orbit might be tempted to borrow the Australian horror movie's title to describe to assisting her pitch for a post-primetime chair. That'd be a harsh comment, but savage humour has always been part of this showbiz comedy about people who tell jokes for a living, which returns via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in Aotearoa from Friday, May 3. While Deborah gets roasted in this season, spikiness is Hacks' long-established baseline — and also the armour with which its behind-the-mic lead protects herself from life's and the industry's pain, disappointments and unfairness. Barbs can also be Deborah's love language, as seen in her banter with Ava. When season two ended, their tumultuous professional relationship had come to an end again via Deborah, who let her writer go to find bigger opportunities. A year has now passed when season three kicks off. Ava is a staff writer on a Last Week Tonight with John Oliver-type series in Los Angeles and thriving, but she's also not over being fired. Deborah still sees it as a necessary move, and a push for her protégée to chase her own dreams. Ava feels scorned and betrayed, particularly since she was the catalyst for her mentor ditching the act that she'd been performing at a casino residency for decades, then getting raw and real by sharing stories about being a woman in comedy over that period, reinventing her image in the process. Back in Vanceland (our term, not the show's; Deborah's mansion is sprawling enough to warrant such a name), everything is gleaming without Ava — but Deborah isn't prepared for being a phenomenon. She wants it. She's worked for years for it. It's taken until her 70s to get it. But her presence alone being cause for frenzy, rather than the scrapping she's done to stay in the spotlight, isn't an easy adjustment. She's hardly fond of her new writers (Dream Scenario's Dylan Gelula and Orphan Black: Echoes' Jordan Gavaris), and crowds feeding off her merely standing onstage means that none of her material actually matters. Deborah's life is now unfettered praise and no challenges; as her Estate Manager Josefina (Rose Abdoo, Leo) remarks to her Chief Operating Officer Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins, The Beanie Bubble), the comedian staying up all night rearranging her salt-and-pepper shakers isn't a great sign. Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs and Jen Statsky — all Broad City alumni, all co-writers, with Aniello also directing and Downs co-starring — were never going to keep Deborah and Ava apart in season three. The reunifying developments: first crossing paths at Just for Laughs in Montreal, then tucking into Tom Cruise's famous coconut cake, then attempting to win Deborah a hosting job that she once almost had and hasn't recovered from losing. With Ava's show on hiatus for three months over summer, she agrees to head back to Vegas to help do whatever it takes. If it sounds like a reversal of season two's finale, that's because it is — instead of Ava being free to pursue her own passions, she's parking them for Deborah's — but codependency has also long been at the heart of this always-astute gem. Although Deborah can't stomach being seen to rely upon someone, Ava has changed her. As for the latter, she can't divorce her own career from the comedy legend. But time away, and also the success of the special that neither could've made without the other, puts them on more-even footing when they reteam. Hacks season three again also explores the other pairings in Deborah's life, including her daughter DJ's (Kaitlin Olson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) festering hurt over her mother's absence in her childhood, and Marcus feeling undervalued and stagnant while running her business empire. Now out on their own, Deborah and Ava's manager Jimmy (Downs, How It Ends) and his assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter, Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain) have their own codependency to grapple with, especially as they work their way through the industry (which is where guest stars such as Blindspotting's Helen Hunt and Knuckles' Christopher Lloyd come in) on Deborah's behalf. Hacks' third season has a comedy roast, where DJ revels in the catharsis of slinging mean words at her mum; a dress from Deborah's treasure trove that Ava describes as "giving Big Bird"; and Mad Men great Christina Hendricks as fellow big-name guest. Its main duo get lost on a hike, navigate a golf trip and weather a chaotic Christmas party. Deborah also admits to feeling the passage of time, as well as the urgency to achieve everything that she's ever wanted ASAP that snowballs with it. The season surveys humour today from high-profile ridicule sessions to cancel culture. It's unsparing about the glass ceiling in late-night TV, as it should be. Along the way, Aniello, Downs and Statsky keep improving their series — and keep proving some of the smartest and funniest writers in the business. Crucially, the pursuit of Deborah's all-time coveted gig takes Hacks into new terrain, ambitiously for the show and the character alike. A sitcom built around an odd couple, the show could've coasted by on its mismatched intergenerational lead twosome. It could've remained a must-see thanks to the excellent performances that the never-better Smart and equally engaging Einbinder bring to their parts, because they're both that magnificent. But while Deborah might've clung to a routine for much of her life, the series hasn't, and it's all the greater for it. If longevity is about taking risks, Hacks makes its latest confident and hilarious claim for a long-haul run. Check out the trailer for Hacks season three below: Hacks season three streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand from Friday, May 3. Read our reviews of season one and season two.
It's going to be a spicy summer in Bondi this year with the arrival of one of the country's beloved hot chicken chains. Belles Hot Chicken has built a passionate fanbase — and landed on our favourite Sydney fried chicken spots — through its Circular Quay, Glebe and Barangaroo eateries in Sydney, alongside multiple Melbourne venues. Now, it has hit the Harbour City's east with an inaugural Bondi outpost on Hall Street. The Belles team has transformed the former site of Fonda into a 60s- and 70s-inspired American-style diner serving up all of the chain's favourites. Four kilometres of natural Australian timber has gone into the venue, lining the walls and ceilings. Adding to the throwback energy are retro floor tiles and stained-glass lampshades reminiscent of old all-you-can-eat Pizza Huts. The menu features plenty of fried chook, available in the signature spice levels ranging from Original to Really F**kin Hot — plus chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, buffalo cauliflower and top-notch beverages. The drinks selection is always a highlight at Belles Bondi, with playful cocktails, top-shelf spirits, a refreshing house lager, natty wines and boozy slushies all mainstays across the Melbourne and Sydney locations. If the pairing of spicy fried chicken sandwiches and spiked whisky slushies by the beach on a hot summer's day sounds like an absolute match made in heaven, you are not alone. There are some notable additions to the beverage menu for Bondi. If you're a high roller, you can enjoy a glass of Pappy Van Winkle 15-year for a casual $85 a shot; the wine list features everything from funky pét-nats to vintage Dom Perignon; the cocktail range has been given a retro revamp with the addition of long island iced tea and piña colada milkshakes; and there's a range of shots on offer to kick off the weekend. Sydney's east has been known to be a little cliquey at times, so in order to win over the locals, Belles is offering 20.26 percent off all items for any Bondi residents for its first 20 days of trade. All you have to do is flash your ID proudly displaying the 2026 postcode on it. Belles Bondi is the latest edition to the vibrant culinary precinct that is Hall Street, joining the likes of Da Orazio, bills and the recently-revamped China Diner, as well as nearby favourites like the Bondi outpost of Chaco Ramen and sunny brewery bar Curly Lewis. Belles Hot Chicken Bondi is now open at 85 Hall Street, Bondi Beach — operating from 11.30am–9pm Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday, and 11.30am–10.30pm Friday–Saturday. Images: Pat Stevenson.
Hands up anyone who’s ever dreamed of touring with the band? The heady mix of hedonism and the seductive lure of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll? David Porter dreamed such dreams and realised them under the pseudonym Jacques L’Affrique, photographing the rock scene in Melbourne as it was gathering momentum in the 1970s. He has an archive of 3000 negatives, and it is of these that the current exhibition, Unreal Rock, is comprised. Black and white, small and intimate, the images present the archetypes of the provocative '70s rock musician and adoring audience. My only criticism of the exhibition is that, while the display may present a nice walk down memory lane for anyone of that vintage, to a younger crowd, styled in the slick planning of contemporary rock studio photography, the images seem a world away. UV3D is, similarly, a survey of the past. Vernon Treweeke presents his early work from 1966 through to contemporary work created just this year — all of which is made acutely current by the advent of 3D TV. Treweeke’s paintings show a hyperreal world that is very much created in the here and now, citing influences such as Salvador Dali, art therapy, Brett Whitely, Leonardo da Vinci, Sydney’s Gallery A and the Yellow House artists. Treweeke says his aim "is to create an artificial world in each work of art … to challenge the conventional concept of reality", and the result is a truly individual aesthetic and intricate inventories of other worlds, which call to mind Surrealist landscapes. The translation of 2D visual art into a 3D display likewise presents Treweeke and viewers with an ‘other world’ and a unique technique "whereby I paint and sculpt at the same time". A free, curator-guided tour will take place for both exhibitions on Saturday, June 12 at 11am.
The view from Mrs Macquaries Point is nothing short of stunning; however the view during Westpac Openair season is even better. When the outdoor cinema returns to the waterside spot for its 2020 run, Sydneysiders can soak up two gorgeous sights: the harbour, of course, and the impressive range of films that'll grace Openair's big screen. From Thursday, January 9 until Friday, February 21, plenty of movies will play under the stars — starting with opening night's already-announced preview of Bombshell, which stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie. That's just the beginning of the lineup, with Openair finally revealing its full program. Get ready for blistering revisionist takes on Australian history, crowd-pleasing biopics, Robert Pattinson playing a lighthouse keeper and more. Yes, fresh from dropping its fiery first trailer, Justin Kurzel's exceptional True History of the Kelly Gang ranks high among Openair's standouts — and this must-see has much more in common with the Snowtown director's fantastic version of Macbeth than his forgettable video game adaptation Assassin's Creed. Other highlights include the Tom Hanks-starring A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, which looks set to earn Oscar attention, plus psychological horror movie The Lighthouse. The latter not only features Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, but marks filmmaker Robert Eggers' first movie since he creeped everyone out with The Witch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42_UHhpq530 Viewers looking for something amusing can opt for The Personal History of David Copperfield, the new film from Veep and The Death of Stalin's Armando Iannucci; Like A Boss, with Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek playing friends and business partners tested by a big new deal; and the latest adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. Or, if you're fond of historical true tales, both Radioactive (with Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie) and The Current War (with Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison) should hit the spot. Filmgoers can also get a proper blast from the past thanks to a the 100th-anniversary screening of newly restored Aussie silent classic The Sentimental Bloke, complete with a brand new score performed live by Paul Mac. If you missed some of Openair's previous lineup sneak peeks, its previously unveiled titles should get you excited, too. Greta Gerwig's version of Little Women leads the charge alongside Guy Ritchie's new gangster flick The Gentlemen — and between them, they star Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep, Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Michelle Dockery, Henry Golding, Charlie Hunnam and Hugh Grant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCPiBWrIaSI Plus, if you've missed a few recent highlights at your local picture palace, Openair is also screening everything from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Hustlers, Rocketman and Official Secrets to Marriage Story, Blinded by the Light, Knives Out and Pain and Glory. After they release in December, it'll also play Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Throw in movie snacks by two top chefs — James Viles (Biota, Bertha's Meats) and Clayton Wells (Automata, A1 Canteen) — with the pair cooking up oysters, smoked beef tartare and sashimi kingfish belly, and your summer movie viewing just levelled up a few notches. Westpac Openair season will release tickets at 9am on Tuesday, December 10, and they always sell quickly, so consider yourself warned. Westpac Openair 2020 runs from January 9 to February 21, 2020. Tickets are on sale from 9am on Tuesday, December 10, with pre-sale tickets available for Westpac and St George customers from 9am on Friday, December 6. Second image: Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, Copyright TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
There's this wondrous thing about magic: it almost never fails to capture the imagination of even the most ardent cynic. It might just be for a split second, maybe even less, but in that fleeting moment as the card reappears or the coin vanishes or god knows what else, you can't help but ask yourself "...how the hell did they just do that?" Because of course we all know magic doesn't exist, not real magic, yet our inability to reconcile that which we know from what we've just seen needles away at our curiosity like a splinter under the skin. It's baffling and frustrating and utterly beguiling. But then there's this awful thing about magic in film: it almost never succeeds in capturing the imagination of even the most hopeful viewer. That's because film, unlike real life, already possess the ability to do everything the imagination can muster. The transformation of a pigeon into a pocket square can never hope to impress when space ships can warp into black holes, child wizards can drag race dragons and Hulks can smash. Good movies about magic (such as 2006's The Prestige) aren't about magic, they're about the magicians, and yet the problem with Now You See Me, is that it never really commits to being about either. At the start of the film (when the only genuine magic trick takes place and is legitimately good enough to elicit an audible response from the audience), we meet four magicians played by Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson. All are performing independently until a mysterious benefactor brings them together with the challenge of executing the "greatest magic trick ever conceived". Fast forward a year and they pull it off: a live televised robbery of a French bank vault without ever leaving their stage in Las Vegas. With the promise of even greater robberies to follow, the FBI brings in cynical agent Mark Ruffalo to stop them, whilst professional 'debunker' Morgan Freeman sets out to expose the means behind the magic. There are some nice performances from Harrelson and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds); however, the plot is utterly ridiculous and the magic isn't even remotely engrossing. It's a sort of 'pop heist movie'; an Ocean's Eleven for Gen-Y that's more concerned with looking cool than being it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KzJNYYkkhzc
Cheese and wine nights are great, but when you combine them with learning some fun hands-on skills then it becomes something special. That's why Clay Sydney is throwing biweekly wine and cheese ceramic workshops in its Marrickville studio. Here, you'll learn the basics of ceramic and pattern design and they'll have you shaping your own creations in no time. They've got the cheese and crackers (and all the tools) covered, so all you have to do is bring a fine bottle of wine and a playful attitude. You'll be hand-building a mug or mini vessel out of white speckled clay then using vibrant glazes to finish. At the end, you'll get to take home a perfectly imperfect product, handmade by you. These super-popular two-hour workshops occur every Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 6.30pm. They're strictly limited to 30 people per class, so we recommend booking sooner rather than later — they sell out fast. And don't forget to BYO wine. If you do miss out, Clay Sydney also runs wheel-throwing classes, date nights, mimosas and ceramic mug events and planter workshops. Or, if you're planning a special occasion, you can also arrange a private class — think hens parties, birthdays and corporate events, where you'll leave with something you can proudly call your own. Check the Clay Sydney website for future class dates.
Father's Day is a holiday that tends to really sneak up on you. One minute you think you have weeks to plan something, the next it's tomorrow and you've completely spaced on getting dad a gift. Dad might be happy with another barbecue set, apron, bottle of whiskey or a voucher for BCF, but if you really want to impress him, we have an idea. There's a good chance your dad isn't a "stuff" guy, he might want some quality time. You could settle for a bike ride or get dinner, but how about something more special? How about a helicopter flight, a rally driving race or a scuba diving session? An adrenaline-packed experience is the kind of quality time dad deserves. That's why we've teamed up with Adrenaline this Father's Day to make it happen with an exclusive giveaway. Fill out the form below, and you'll officially enter the running to win a $500 Adrenaline voucher, plus a GoPro Hero 13 and accessory bundle, so you can take dad on an adventure and capture every minute of it on camera. If all else fails, get dad an Adrenaline gift voucher, it's delivered instantly and valid for up to five years. To put your name into the running, fill out the form below before Sunday, August 31. [competition]1011630[/competition]
Under current social distancing guidelines, Sydney's public transport network is running at just a quarter of its usual capacity. But with more and more Sydneysiders heading back to work, more and more people are catching buses, trains and ferries — and, if you've tried to catch one of late, you may've noticed lines and wait times are getting longer. Thankfully, from July 1, catching public transport will be slightly less of a headache with the NSW Government today, Tuesday, June 16, announcing that the network will almost double its current capacity from this date. Which means 23 commuters will be allowed on a bus (up from 12), 68 on a Waratah carriage (up from 32), 450 on Freshwater ferries (up from 245), 40 on a light rail carriage and 65 on Metro carriages. While this is a significant step up from current limits, it's still less than 50 percent of the network's usual capacity — so, the NSW Government is continuing to encourage Sydneysiders to avoid travelling during peak times and to walk or ride their bike where possible. To help with the latter, Transport for NSW and the City of Sydney are constructing six new temporary bike paths, which are set to be completed by June 30 this year. If you do decide to catch public transport, real-time apps — including TripView, TripGo, Google Maps and the Opal App — now show the safe capacity for each service and 450,000 green dot decals have been rolled out across the network, which signify the safe, socially distant spots to sit and stand. As the public transport numbers continue to increase, the government is continuing to clean carriages three-to-four times a day and is telling commuters not to travel if they're feeling unwell. "If you feel the slightest bit unwell, don't get on the transport network, get tested," Transport Minister Andrew Constance said at a press conference today. "Don't jump on with a runny nose." Increased capacity on public transport is just one of the restrictions set to ease in NSW on July 1. From this date, all community sport will be allowed to restart, the 50-person cap on people in hospitality venues will be lifted (and replaced by a one person per four-square-metre rule) and outdoor stadiums that can fit up to 40,000 people will be allowed to fill a quarter of their seats. To plan your journey and for more information about Sydney transport options, head to the Transport for NSW website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
