Prefer to make up your own mind about whether an artwork is awesome or awful? Disruptive revolutionary Stefan Simchowitz is leaving the art critiquing entirely up to the viewer when he takes over Sorry Thanks I Love You (STILY) this month. That Simchowitz has been dubbed 'the Patron Satan' of the art world by The New York Times should give you some idea of what to expect — or what not to, more accurately — when his in-store art project pops up at the concept retail space. Kicking off with a thought-provoking launch event on Thursday, July 19, the exhibition sees Simchowitz showcase large-scale oil paintings from LA-based post-internet artist Marc Horowitz, all in a format that's far from traditional. You might love it. You might hate it. Either way, the neutral setting and minimal media noise means you'll be free to decide either way. Grab tickets to the launch event to be among the first to pass judgement — you'll enjoy complimentary bubbly as you browse the works, soak up the art vibes and shop STILY's diverse mash-up of wares. Image Credit: Andy Braithwaite
With Australia's craft beer scene going gangbusters and innovative new local drops hitting the shelves every week, it can be hard to keep track of what's worth buying. But if you fancy scouting out some winners, The Independent Beer Awards, affectionately known as The Indies, is a decent place to start. The Aussie awards just announced its top beer picks for 2019, after a team of judges drank their way through a record-breaking 1017 beers from 147 Australian breweries. The scoreless competition awards gold, silver, bronze and no medal across a range of categories, rather than the usual numerical quantification or points system. And what better than this expertly chosen lineup of winners to inform your springtime beer hit-list? The triple dry-hopped double Red Eye Rye imperial red ale from Carrum Downs' Dainton Brewery took out top honours, claiming the coveted title of Champion Australian Independent Beer. Better get that one in your fridge, stat. Meanwhile, the most celebrated venues included Victoria's 3 Ravens, named Champion Independent Australian Brewery in the small/medium category; Fixation Brewing Co, taking out the large category counterpart; and All Hands Brewing House at Sydney's King Street Wharf, which was bestowed the title of Champion Australian Independent Brewpub. State brewery winners included SA's Mismatch Brewing Co, the ACT's Bentspoke, Gage Roads from WA, 3 Ravens in Vic and Sydney's All Hands Brewing House. The Gold Coast's Balter Brewing Company was named Queensland State Champion, after its XPA took out top honours at GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers list earlier this year for the second time in a row. Among The Indies' list of top brews in each style, you'll find a beer for just about every palate. There's the spring-perfect Surry Hills Pils from Sydney Brewery, which claimed the title of Champion Lager; Modus Operandi's big, bold Former Tenant as Champion IPA; and named Champion Session Beer, the Piss-Weak Sauce by Marrickville's Sauce Brewing Co. Also on the list are the Champion Porter/Stout — the Bunker by Collingwood's Stomping Ground — the Champion Pale Ale from Mismatch and the Champion European-Style Ale, claimed by Bright Brewery's Razor Witbier. You can check out the full list of The Indies' 2019 winners over at the website.
Latin America produces good film. The documentary The Forgotten Tree, from Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal's travelling Ambulante Film Festival, revisits the slums of famous director Luis Bunuel's masterpiece Los Olvidados, Mexico's equivalent to Bicycle Thieves. Optical Illusions shows the world of a man whose sight is being slowly restored, while Eyes Wide Open explores Latin America through the prism of the book Hugo Chavez gave to Barack Obama, The Open Veins of Latin America. And all of them are screening at the fifth Sydney Latin American Film Festival. Running at a record four venues this year — the Dendy Opera Quays, Mu Meson Archives, Macquarie University and the Casula Powerhouse — the festival is run by volunteers, and its proceeds go to community development projects around Latin America. The party for opening night has tango and the rough espanol of Watussi. For the inner-city closing night, the pulsing, colonnaded atrium of the Dendy will become a venue for mariachis accompanying the multithreaded Mexican film Chilango Chronicles. Good films, good causes — they know about it in Mexico, you should too. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ospkB6qmdUE
Know your Kubrick from your Coppola? Like to dissect the mise en scene as much as you do the montage? Then head to Cinemania at the Museum of Contemporary Art, where video and performance artist Diana Smith of Brown Council invites film buffs to explore the influence of screen culture on everyday life through a series of multimedia presentations. Sebastian Goldspink, founder of ALASKA Projects, a Kings Cross-based arts space, and FBI radio host and artist Kate Jinx will take the floor to share snippets of their personal cinematic obsessions. Tackling themes as diverse as femme fatales and addiction to awkward adolescence and modern-day witchcraft, this is the Facebook generation's answer to Margaret and David's At the Movies. Once you've had your fill of the silver screen, join the speakers on the MCA's Sculpture Terrace for an apres-film vino whilst soaking in the gorgeous view of Sydney Harbour.
Wolf Comedy is a monthly room held on the last Thursday of every month at Chippendale's best-kept secret, Knox Street Bar. Run by up-and-coming comedians Shubha Sivasubramanian, Kara Schlegl and Bish Marzook, as well as Gruen writer and creator of SBS Comedy's Backburner, James Colley, the motto of this room is, simply, 'be excellent to each other'. What that means in practice is a fun, accepting room, committed to diversifying comedy (read: comedians who are not solely twenty-something white dudes), and encouraging new people to perform. If you're a comedy fan but think insult comedy is tedious machismo or you simply don't want to be picked on as an audience member, this is the room for you. However, before the neckbeards rise up and start chanting Political correctness has ruined comedy! Seth MacFarlane is a god!, don’t mistake pleasantness for dullness. This room is all killer, no filler, and tickets routinely sell out.
Winter may be nearly over, but that doesn't mean we're ready to stop treating ourselves to delicious comfort food just yet. And, of all the belly-warming bites available, melted cheese has to be up there as one of the best. The alpine-inspired Swissôtel Sydney has been dishing up the perfect solution to our cheesy dreams this season: Swiss fondue. The hotel's take on the retro meal features emmental and gruyere (and gorgonzola if you so wish) melted together with white wine and garlic. The mix is delivered to your table in a steaming pot, ready for you to dip into with the bite-sized selection of sides including bread, meatballs and vegetables. To help you enjoy the very last few days of winter, we've teamed up with Swissôtel to give you and three mates access to this delectable fondue experience — for free. Tradition says that whoever loses their bread in the dip has to buy the group drinks but, luckily, your prize also includes a carafe of mulled wine. We'd still recommend dipping responsibly though — your mates might hold you to it the next time you're out. To enter, see below. [competition]684148[/competition] Images: Jesse Jaco.
A crucial chapter of Australia's music history is coming to the Powerhouse Museum, with the Ultimo site hosting a three-month-long exhibition dedicated to Maton Guitars. Even if you don't immediately know the name, you've likely seen someone play one of the Aussie company's instruments — with everyone from Archie Roach, Missy Higgins, Keith Urban, Daniel Johns and The Easybeats to Elvis Presley, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, George Harrison and Billie Joe Armstrong strumming their strings over the years. That's what Maton: Australia's Guitar will celebrate, showcasing the guitar manufacturer's hefty and important history. Since being founded back in 1946 by Melbourne-born jazz musician, woodwork teacher and luthier Bill May — who set up the company in a small workshop in his garage — it has created over 200 guitar models. And, it was also the first manufacturer to use Aussie wood species in guitars on a sizeable scale, making its instruments out of Queensland maple, bunya and Victorian blackwood. [caption id="attachment_777672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zan Wimberley[/caption] More than 130 guitars will be on display at Powerhouse, including custom-made models made for famous Aussie music figures such as Tommy Emmanuel and Johnny Diesel — plus ukuleles, lap steels and amplifiers, too. Maton: Australia's Guitar will run from Saturday, July 25–Sunday, October 11, and will be free to attend, with bookings required. It'll also mark Powerhouse Museum's first major new exhibition since it reopened on June 1. Top image: Zan Wimberley
Halfway through summer, Sydney's outdoor movie scene is in full swing, showcasing all your favourite blockbuster films at a number of locations. If, however, you think that's just one too many showings of Harry Potter to handle and you're looking for something a little different, take a look at Chinatown's pop-up cinema. Swapping moonlight for streetlight and popcorn for dumplings, 4A's Cinema Alley will coincide with Chinese New Year festivities to celebrate the Asian-Australian cultural identity. Instead of blockbuster hits, this cinema night will showcase five significant short films plus a selection of animation shorts from filmmakers around Asia and Australia. Experimenting with black & white, 35mm and Super 16mm, each artist presents a portrait of their own city and the impact that migration and globalisation has had on them. Some stories tackle the hardships of Taiwanese factory workers and the fate of once-rural Chinese regions. Best of all, this is open-air cinema is free — giving you plenty of change to enjoy spicy pork buns throughout the night. *Bookings essential
Waterfalls have served as tourist attractions and natural wonders. And thanks to TLC we know we should never chase them. Powerful and beautiful forces of nature, flowing waterfalls can actually freeze whilst falling creating amazing and bizarre shapes. It's one of the most spectacular visuals of something frozen in time, quite literally. Take a look at the photos below to see some of the largest and coolest frozen waterfalls captured on camera.
Filmed in Melbourne, sci-fi thriller Predestination circles around the life of a Temporal Agent who travels through time in pursuit of the one criminal who has taunted him his whole career. The film is written and directed by Australian brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, known for their previous futuristic outing, Daybreakers. Based on the 1958 sci-fi classic short story All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein, Predestination stars Ethan Hawke as the agent a mission to stop the elusive terrorist The Fizzle Bomber from massacring over 10,000 New Yorkers. During this process he comes across a new recruit called John Doe (played by Australian actress Sarah Snook). The film shifts in and out of different time-periods, executed in a way that is described as "futuristic and nostalgic" by the Sydney Morning Herald. Predestination is in cinemas on August 28, and thanks to Pinnacle Films, we have 15 double passes to give away, as well as three DVD prize packs of Drive, Jobs, Welcome to The Punch, Dark Skies and The Expatriate. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVOpfpYijHA
In Japan there is a deep appreciation for the iconic cherry blossom (sakura) tree. The prevalence of the tree in the Japanese landscape signifies the commencement of spring, and is worthy of a national celebration. Festivities commonly include parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms. In Australia, it's Sake Restaurant and Bar that's leading the appreciation for the cherry blossom, the spring season and a bit of Japanese feasting. For the month of September, they have organised a special food and drink menu and exclusive events. The festival includes executive chef Shaun Presland's signature spring menu ($88) and spring lunch menu ($38), a $15 sake flight with suggested food matches, and the Harajuku Pop-Up Bar, a fun and casual incarnation for the restaurant. Try the special cocktail, The Kimono Doll ($17), which shows off the tantalising flavours of ichiko shochu, cherries and coco. If you want to go all-out, join the 24-seater Cherry Blossom Dinner (September 4 and 24 only, $120pp), which comes with matched sake, shochu and tea and includes courses like cuttlefish and urchin dashi jelly shooter, ocean trout and scallop tartar with truffle ponzu and caviar, and chirashi sushi rice bowl.
Think Bondi Beach, and you're instantly thinking about sun, sand and surf; however, once the middle of winter hits, it's all about the ice ice baby. For the entire month of July, the Bondi Winter Magic program is back with an avalanche of frosty fun — including turning its famous beachside area into a ice skating rink. This year's event isn't just about sliding across a frozen surface, though. Prepare to scale great heights and wander through a feast of entertainment. For the first time, the former comes courtesy of the Bondi Eye, a 32-metre high ferris wheel serving up the best views in town (and keeping you safe from the chilly sea air in fully enclosed rotating gondolas). The latter arrives in the form of Bondi Feast, a pop-up winter festival of comedy, music, theatre, storytelling, visual arts, hot foods and — of course — mulled cider. If that's not enough fun, there'll be history walks, free art and music on the streets, and markets every Sunday. Or, experience something different courtesy of Books by the Beach. Yep, it's a pop-up outdoor library, and it's a great way to take a break from the action.
Owner of Barrel and Beast Jared Ingersoll is somewhat of a commitment-phobe. At least, he is when it comes to choosing a location of his much-loved eatery. Opting to go down a non-traditional path, Ingersoll is all about the pop-up business model. As the name implies, Barrel and Beast is known for it's barrel-stored alcohol, and the use of the whole animal in the cooking process. The restaurant takes pride in creating a cosy atmosphere complete with shared tables, as well as locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. For the entirety of winter, Barrel and Beast has found a home on Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. Prior to this it was in Pyrmont. Come spring, Ingersoll has hinted at a new location for the restaurant across the bridge. Barrel and Beast pop up will run until the end of August at 65-67 Foveaux Street (past the red door). Bookings can be made by emailing contact@bottleandbeast.com.au.
UPDATE, September 4, 2020: Paddington 2 is available to stream via Netflix, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Break out the marmalade, slather it on a sandwich and stash it under your hat in celebration, because Paddington is back. In 2014, the Peruvian mammal journeyed from author Michael Bond's pages to his first movie adventure, and the resulting blend of heartwarming sweetness and madcap goofiness proved an utter delight. Three years later and we're pleased to report that the follow-up is every bit as much of a joy. As with its predecessor, this sequel adores its furry protagonist every bit as much as generations of readers have, and is determined to bring that love to his latest big-screen excursion. But it's also committed to being entertaining; to jovial jokes, smart sight gags and well-meaning silliness. In short, it'll leave you sporting the biggest, sincerest of smiles. Picking up where part one left off, Paddington 2 sees the eponymous bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) still happy with the Brown family, both in their hearts and in their home. Risk analyst Henry (Hugh Bonneville) is annoyed about losing out on a promotion, his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins) is preparing to swim the English channel, teenage daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris) has started her own neighbourhood newspaper and son Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) is reinventing himself at school. As for Paddington, he's trying to purchase an antique pop-up book for his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) back in the jungle. Working odd jobs helps raise the cash he needs, but soon two problems present themselves. The first comes in the form of famed theatre actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), who is after the text as well. The second arises when the prized tome is suddenly stolen. Quicker than our hero can stuff a toothbrush or two into his ears, Paddington 2 jumps from a carnival to prison to touring London's famous landmarks. With a jailbreak, some amateur sleuthing and a train-top chase included, it's a busy 103 minutes as the talking bear falls victim to prejudice, befriends a burly jail cook (Brendan Gleeson) and tries to restore order. Despite this, however, the movie never feels over-stuffed. Nor is it lacking in visual treats, be it the exceptional CGI work used to bring Paddington to life, or the gorgeous animation that takes viewers through a pop-up world. The film offers up such a feast of precise, playful and picturesque imagery that it's easy to imagine Wes Anderson sitting at the helm. Indeed, if the man behind Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel had a British counterpart, it'd be Paddington director Paul King. Before he steered the series' maiden movie outing, the filmmaker directed all 20 episodes of The Mighty Boosh as well as the similarly surreal comedy Bunny and the Bull, and the offbeat sensibilities of both shine through here. Witty, whimsical and filled with wonder, in King's hands the film is a comic caper that offers a warm hug and a fierce rib-tickling at the same time. It also finds room to make a gentle statement about the merits of inclusiveness — a message that feels extra important given the current climate in Paddington's adopted England, as well as the world at large. All that's left is for the cast to ace their roles, which is exactly what they do. The returnees remain in fine form, with Whishaw's vocal work proving a particularly perfect match for Paddington's famed kindness and politeness. Grant, meanwhile, hams things up spectacularly, turning in his best and most enjoyable performance in years. Moreover, there's an expressiveness and physicality to his efforts that could've worked just as well in a silent movie — as could've much of the immensely bearable fun throughout the film. Everyone talks, of course, but Paddington 2 serves up an array of well-executed nods to cinema history, along with the feeling that it'll be joining all of those classics soon enough. It's not only the best family-friendly flick of 2017, but one of the best of the year in any genre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aQR1oc3E40
Art in the Park is taking art out of white cubes and closer to you. Its second incarnation, happening at Sydney Park on May 16, will deliver a bigger lineup than the first. Fifteen artists will head out and about for the afternoon, where they'll create works before your eyes. Names on the bill include YoungEarlGrey, creator of pop art-inspired works; Martina Martian, whose skate art and fashion accessories come with an '80s retro twist; Vishmi Helaratne, whose work combines photography, drawing, painting and printmaking; Tori Rose Wright, an illustrator who describes herself as inspired by "femininity, body positivity, nature, emotions, friendship and youth"; and ten others: Rohan Goode, Playkill.SC, Tsuki, Taropea, Joel Easson, Natasha Michels, Spoonty, Bofus, Sudjuice and Alex Xerri. You're invited to simply kick back and watch or bring your own pencils and paints and give your art muscle a run. By way of soundtrack, there'll be live music from Sarie Mannering, a Sydney-based singer-songwriter, along with others. Photo by Jemima Richards.
A tiger, or even a volleyball called Wilson, wouldn't go astray in Adrift. Instead, this seafaring survivalist drama attempts to keep afloat on the strength of Shailene Woodley's performance. The talented star can do many things, from bringing a semblance of life to the bland Divergent franchise, to comfortably holding her own against some of today's best actors in TV's Big Little Lies. But she's given a tricky task in this unremarkable drama, with Adrift wading through waters tackled by better, similar films, even though it's actually based on a noteworthy true story. Woodley plays the real-life Tami Oldham, a restless twentysomething who finds herself in Tahiti in 1983. Eager to explore the world — and to avoid going home to San Diego — Tami is looking for her next globe-trotting adventure, but finds love instead with fellow sailor Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin). Their courtship is as quick and breezy as the wind their shared passion for boating relies upon, making the decision to take a friend's yacht nearly 6000 kilometres to America a relatively easy one. Once the couple are on their way, however, a thunderous hurricane has other ideas for their planned romantic journey. With Oldham's ordeal having taken place more than three decades ago, director Baltasar Kormákur (Everest) and his team of three writers clearly hope that the details have slipped from the public's collective memory. Or, at the very least, that no one in the watching audience knows what happened or has ever read Oldham's memoir. They're the only reasons that can possibly explain Adrift's two storytelling missteps: sticking to a unimaginative formula and leaning too hard on its love story.When the movie isn't charting a course straight through the same territory previously traversed in All is Lost, The Mercy and Life of Pi (in the last decade alone), it's jumping backwards and forwards in its timeline to ramp up the amorous aspect of the narrative. To the film's detriment, neither following the usual template nor mixing a potential tragedy with romance proves anything other than routine. Still, just as it takes grit to try to stay alive when nature trashes your boat in the middle of the ocean, it also takes fortitude and determination to play someone trapped in such stressful circumstances. Woodley is at her near-best as Oldham, never giving the plucky protagonist superhero-like strength or abilities, and never losing sight of both the physical and emotional toll that arises when you think your life is about to end. It's the same kind of empathetic portrayal that has served Woodley well across her career, and it's well-suited to this rare female-centric dive into the survivalist pool. Her co-star Claflin is given little to do other than take on the token love interest part. Pushing a determined woman to the fore and rendering the male character as a supporting player, it's a role-reversal that doesn't escape attention, although Adrift doesn't capitalise upon it as much as it could've. As Everest illustrated, Kormákur is fond of tense true tales about courage in the face of seemingly fatal adversity. As his 2012 Icelandic movie The Deep also demonstrated, the filmmaker is similarly drawn to life-or-death exploits in the water. Adrift owes a little to both but falls somewhere in the middle; it's as driven by incident and spectacle as the former, yet also proves as intimate as the latter. As a result, when Woodley isn't stealing the show, her unforgiving surroundings — and Robert Richardson's (Breathe) glossy cinematography — jostle for attention. Indeed, a stripped-back version of the story that simply focused on its star tussling with the sea would've made for compelling viewing. But by giving it the standard disaster flick approach and trying to tug at the heartstrings as well, Adrift sadly starts to sink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LunQJEnmNdU
Two Sydney cocktail bars and a beloved celebrity chef are joining forces for a weekend-long celebration of two of the world's most divisive foodstuffs: oysters and Guinness. The pair of acquired tastes are beloved and berated in equal parts, and will come together for two days of freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and perfectly poured pints between Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27. Inspired by the Galway International Oyster Festival in Ireland, the Guinness & Oyster Festival will be held at The Rocks favourite The Doss House in collaboration with its sibling venue Frank Mac's. Across the program, you can expect Guinness stalls, oysters courtesy of East 33, tasting sessions, live music, a food menu from popular chef Colin Fassnidge, and pop-up bars from Drumshambo, Basil Hayden, Glenglassaugh, Slane Irish Whiskey and Benriach Whisky. [caption id="attachment_912285" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Fassnidge's array of eats will feature a whole pig on a spit, colcannon turnovers, and a beef and Guinness pie. The renowned Dublin-born, Sydney-based chef will also be jumping in on a Glenglassaugh tasting session at The Doss House from 4–4.45pm on Saturday, August 26. Other tasting sessions popping up as part of the Guinness & Oyster Festival include a Drumshambo gin experience and a James B Beam distillery pop-up. Entry to the festival is free, but if you want to reserve a spot at one of these sessions, you'll have to purchase a ticket for between $27.78–75.43. "Although the concept of pairing oysters with Guinness might be new to many people, I have no doubt when they taste the salty brine of an oyster alongside a creamy Guinness they'll be converted," says Ciara Doran from Heritage House Co (The Doss House, Frank Mac's). Top image: Alana Dimou.
Sure, you know Dracula. But what do you actually know? If we brass-tacks this, you've got a deathly pale, rake-thin Eastern European guy with a black cloak, high collar, high cheekbones and low voice. "I vont to suck your blooood." So, next to nothing, in other words. If you want to change that, this is where you start. Shake and Stir have been cranking out literary adaptations for a decade now. Past productions include 1984, Animal Farm, George's Marvellous Medicine and Endgame.Last year they tackled Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's unsettling, romance-y trek over the English moors. Mr Stoker, one imagines, is in very good hands. When Jonathan Harkness, an up-and-coming lawyer pays a visit to Castle Dracula, he is intrigued by his host, an odd gentleman with a rather macabre fascination for… well, you know the rest. But you don't, do you? Book a ticket here. Image: Dylan Evans.
Blue Mountains native Julia Jacklin is Australia's voice of the moment. A member of the Sydney band Phantastic Ferniture, Jacklin has gone solo this year with her debut LP Don't Let The Kids Win, which was released in October. You've likely fallen in love with Jacklin's deep, bluesy voice in songs like Leadlight and Pool Party, which are constantly playing on FBi and triple j — the latter of which have supported Jacklin through her 12-date Aussie tour that leads to the iconic Oxford Art Factory this Friday, December 9. Jacklin's powerful lyricism in this insightful and occasionally nostalgic album perfectly complements the strength in her voice, which is at times heart-wrenching and, above all, just absolutely lovely to listen to. We can't wait to sway along with dreamy eyes while she rocks the OAF stage. Jacklin is sure to go on to be a major global success, so this is your chance to see her on the cheap and show some serious Aussie pride in such an impressive new artist. Tickets to her OAF gig have now sold out — if you missed out, Jacklin will be playing one last show this side of the new year on Friday, December 16 in her native Blue Mountains. Tickets to The Carrington Hotel gig in Katoomba are still available here, but you best grab 'em fast as most of her Aussie gigs have sold out.
Art on the Streets is, yep, art on the streets. And not just any streets. It'll be on the streets of Bondi, harking back to what those Impressionists did with the whole 'en plein air' thing. But rather than creating it outside, this time they're just selling it outside. Art on the Streets will see emerging visual artists selling their works out in the open at the Roscoe Street Mall. Handily, on the same day at the Bondi markets. The aim is to make the works affordable and easy to view. And why not make a Bondi day out of it? On the day you'll also be able to get your hands all dirty (in a chalky way) by chalking up the streets with your own pavement piece. And before you head there, measure up that wall you've always been wanting to buy something for. You just never know what you might find.
The gym is a fitness ecosystem inhabited by various species of exercisers. The long legs of the gazelles grace the treadmills, the lions flex their muscle on the bench press and the herds trot in tandem in their step classes. Whatever fitness pack you associate with, we all have different motivations for purchasing our membership — some want to get fit, others just want to look good, and some want both. But is there more behind our desire to run on a conveyer belt and repetitively lift heavy objects? This is what Circuit explores, flexing its muscle to expose what we are truly working out whilst we are working out. Through six intersecting and relatable monologues, we learn that we often enter the gym because we are lost. Adam (Sean Corcoran) wants to become a standout fish in the sea after breaking up with his boyfriend, Justin (Tom Mesker) runs to remind himself that his heart isn't actually broken, Janine (Aimee Timmins) wants to belong and so joins the 'Zumba movement', Darcy (Grace De Morgan) is disillusioned with the world and Kelly (Anika Herbert) has some serious Jane Fonda circa-1985-inspired mother issues that she is trying to resolve. We also have Joel (Michael Drysdale), who works at the gym yet seems neither lost nor found, largely because we never get to completely connect with him. Our investment is not rewarded and this is the single grievance with what is otherwise a very enjoyable play. When we are finally exposed to what appears to be his sensitive side, our yoga mat is pulled from underneath us as his facade is revealed. And when Adam finally takes the bold step we want him to, it is abruptly blocked by the only weak joke of the entire play. Justin's story also feels unresolved, which is a shame as Mesker is arguably the standout monologuist. The play then abruptly ends, leaving us unable to complete the emotional circuit. Having said that, Circuit is an incredibly enjoyable night of theatre. The delivery of the piece makes us feel that we have been personally chosen to become each character's workout partner. The humour is also expertly scripted and delivered, with countless one-liners hitting home — especially Justin's scientific explanation of how running gets an ex-lover out of your system. Circuit is certainly the most enjoyable way to work out in the gym for two hours without raising a sweat and will leave your theatrical chakras feeling aligned.
Before Julian Assange took residence in London's Ecuadorian Embassy, he was spreading his ideas at the 2011 Festival of Dangerous Ideas alongside Germaine Greer, David Marr, Michael Kirby and a slew of other big names. Presented by the Sydney Opera House and St James Ethics Centre, FODI is now in its sixth year running, bringing the most interesting speakers and big thinkers to town. We've sifted through the packed-out program, have narrowed it down to our top five picks and are ready to be reminded that FODI is more than just a festival with provocatively titled events. Television Has Replaced the Novel – Salman Rushdie and Emily Nussbaum When was the last time you read a novel? When was the last time you watched a TV series? If the difference between your answers would horrify your year eight English teacher, you're not alone. Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children novelist Salman Rushdie and Tthe New Yorker's TV critic Emily Nussbaum will nut out the two modes of storytelling and their place in the future with the help of chair Michael Williams (director of The Wheeler Centre). Sunday, August 31, 11.30am-12.30pm, Concert Hall. Tickets from $45, available here. Russia is a penal colony – Pussy Riot After their numerous protests and guerrilla performances, the feminist punk rock art collective Pussy Riot instigated worldwide critique of Vladimir Putin's presidential reign (and spurred an HBO doco series or two). They were sent to a gulag, where they were subjected to harsh physical conditions, slave labour and physical violence but, thankfully, were released late last year. In conversation with former ABC Russian correspondent Monica Attard, Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina will talk about their subsequent work in prisoner advocacy and the establishment of Zona Prava, their NGO founded to defend the rights of the almost 1 million people imprisoned in Russia. Saturday, August 30, 2.30-3.30pm, Drama Theatre. Tickets from $25, available here. Place Hack Your City Bradley Garrett was probably the type of kid who, itching to start the day and explore, couldn't sit still long enough to eat his cereal of a morning. If there was one FODI event that resonating with us at Concrete Playground, it would be this one. The American researcher/explorer/geographer will be talking about 'place-hacking', exploring your city from every angle and why erring on the side of danger rather than caution should be your new favourite pastime. Saturday, August 30, 11am-noon, The Studio. Tickets from $25, available here. Cat videos will save journalism It's a 21st-century truth that regardless of your natural disposition towards cats (loving, hating, allergic), there is a cat video out in the big wild world of The Internet that will make you cackle till the cows come home. But are these omnipresent felines hindering 'serious journalism'? Or do they stand at the doorway to more hard-hitting and challenging content (at least on occasion)? A panel discussion will air the opinions of BuzzFeed's Australian editor Simon Crerar, Sound Alliance's content director Tim Duggan, deputy editor of The Australian Peter Fray and managing director of the ABC Mark Scott. This event is sold out, but you can find it in its natural habitat, the internet, when it live streams on the day. Sunday, August 31, 10.30-11.30am, The Studio. Tickets from $25, available here. Breaking Australia's Silence – John Pilger In his groundbreaking documentary Utopia, Australian investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger exposed the ugly truths related to the abuses and atrocities committed in Aboriginal communities. In conversation with Liz Ann Macgregor, director of the MCA, Pilger widens his critique by examining other 'unofficial truths' impacting on class and power structures and limiting public debate in a nation that strives to maintain an image to the contrary. Sunday, August 31, 3.30-4.30pm, Concert Hall. Tickets from $25, available here. To plan your dangerous weekend, check out the FODI website.
UPDATE, MARCH 1 2018: At present, Pitch Black will no longer be coming to Sydney in 2018. If you eat a meal but don't upload a photo of it to Instagram, did it really happen? That might be the culinary question of the last decade; however one trend has been making food snaps irrelevant for a while now. Sorry, cuisine-loving shutterbugs — you can't take a picture when you're dining in the dark. Indeed, light — from bulbs above, from flickering candles in the middle of tables, and particularly from your iPhone's flash — isn't part of the dark dining equation. Rather, on the menu is a sensory experience designed to heighten the taste, smell, texture and sound of sitting down for dinner. After kicking off in Europe in the late '90s, the concept has been doing the rounds in various forms ever since, and it's coming back to Sydney in January 2018. At the aptly named Pitch Black, 50 guests will first enter a warmly lit space — but it won't stay that way for long. After everyone has had some time to get comfortable in their surroundings, they'll sit down to a three-course meal without the lights on. If the silverware is gleaming, you won't be able to see it (but you will be directing your attention towards flavour, aroma and mouthfeel). Patrons will attend in 90-minute blocks, with the waiting list for tickets now open before they go on sale within the next two weeks. Prices, dates and venues will be revealed at the same time. This isn't the first time grabbing a bite sans illumination has popped up in Australia, or even in Sydney; The Dark Side of Hyde Park previously operated in the CBD, aiming to raise awareness of what it feels like to be blind, while Melbourne played host to a restaurant called Black Out, and Brisbane boasted Dining in the Dark. And then there's the spate of pop-up events that have graced most Aussie cities, often using blindfolds to ensure no one takes a sneak peek. For more information about Pitch Black, head to the event website.
Darling Harbour will fill with festive cheer over two days in the lead-up to the jolliest time of the year. Set in Tumbalong Park, this Christmas Festival will feature carol-heavy live performances, fake snow, roving entertainers, a selfie station and appearances from the big man himself, Santa. Ranging from children's bands to ex-The Voice contestants, the musical lineup over the two days features the likes of jazz group Summit, the Soul of Sydney DJs, family-friendly trio Vegetable Plot, R&B group Kaleidoscope Dream and rockers Gang of Brothers. Accompanying the entertainment will be an array of food trucks featuring gelato, festive-themed fairy floss, doughnuts, snowcones, and heartier selections like The Pharaoh BBQ and Burgerhead. Topping off the whole occasion will be fireworks which you can catch over Cockle Bay at 9pm each night. This handy guide lays out the best vantage points around Darling Harbour to catch the fireworks. And, throughout summer, Cockle Bay is also taking the magic up a notch with pedal boats available to hire. Whether you're looking for an adventure with your date or your family, the boats are available for $44 for a 30-minute session.
Having established itself as a summer favourite in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne over the last few years, The Royal Croquet Club is finally gearing up for its Sydney debut. After a false start last year — in which the event was cancelled at the last minute — the outdoor festival is set to take over Bondi Beach next month. Gracing the shoreline from November 24 to December 4, the ten-day event promises all the fun and flavour of its interstate incarnations, offering up a buffet of live entertainment, experiential arts, food, drink, and — of course — more than a few games of croquet. The al fresco festival will see revellers of all ages and skill levels hitting the central croquet pitch, with some of Sydney's best food on hand for refuelling in between games. And the fun continues away from the mallets too, with a lineup of local and international artists dishing up live tunes, and an assortment of unique pop-up food stalls and bars for further indulging in that summertime spirit. Dining-wise, prepare for a feast of flavours on the shores of Bondi, with some of the city's favourite eateries serving up their best wares. That includes Milky Lane's first-ever fish-and-chips burger (named The Frying Nemo), Hoy Pinoy's Filipino street food, Mamak's Malaysian meals, Bao Stop's fluffy, filled, steamed buns, and Old City Kitchen & Bar's Middle Eastern delights. And if you're after something sweet, yes, Gelato Messina will be serving up their indulgent desserts. Previous Royal Croquet Clubs have been treated to their ice cream creations in Campbell's Soup-like tins, so we've got pretty high expectations. Of course, all of that mallet-swinging is bound to work up a thirst, which is where a number of watering holes come in. Prepare to sip and swig your beverages of choice at the Pol Roger Champagne Garden, Captains Tavern, Yalumba Vine Room and Pimms Garden Shed. Fashion stalls, markets, and an array of health and wellness events will round out the RCC experience, which is expected to pull a 60,000-strong crowd for its first Sydney stint. The Royal Croquet Club Sydney will come to Bondi Beach from Thursday, November 24 to Sunday, December 4. For more information as they announce it, check back here or visit royalcroquetclub.com.au. By Libby Curran and Sarah Ward.
Amidst all of this pandemic doom and gloom, three Sydney hospitality legends have joined forces to bring us a new restaurant to look forward to. Bistro Rex's Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden are teaming up with Chef Ben Sears (Paper Bird, Moon Park) to open Ezra — a love letter to Tel Aviv, a city on Israel's Mediterranean coast. "Kirk and I used to live in London and there are amazing Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants over there, which led us to visit Israel," Nick told Concrete Playground. "We were instantly swept up by Tel Aviv. It is one of the coolest cities on earth. It has this huge nightlife scene and an unstoppable sense of hospitality." It's this unstoppable hospitality the trio hopes to bring to Kings Cross, where Ezra is set to open inside an old terrace house in early September. Its design takes cues from Tel Aviv's byzantine and bauhaus architecture, with many curves and lots of earthy tones. The space boasts two plant-filled courtyards — one out back and one in the front — a long walnut bar and a large mosaic archway, made using handmade Lebanese tiles. Floral sculptor Tracy Deep will make dried native arrangements for the space, too, while local artist Amy Hunter will create original pieces for the walls. Apart from table seating, diners can pull up a stool at both the bar and in front of the open kitchen. Expect family-style dining here, with the menu split into small snacks, salads and larger charcoal-grilled dishes. It'll be veggie heavy, too. While the menu is still being finalised, a few dishes that Sears is testing out include a falafel and tahini snack, baked cauliflower with haloumi and a chicken parfait with amba (a pickled mango condiment) that's a play on a classic Israeli liver and onions dish. For starters, expect mezze and flat breads made in house — and, for dessert, an ice cream baklava sandwich is in the works. At Moon Park and Paper Bird, Sears was known for his riffs on Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes, and he'll be incorporating some of those flavours into the dishes at Ezra, too. The whole grilled flathead, for example, will come dressed with a chickpea miso from Tasmania. To accompany the food, a relatively succinct wine list will span both "natural" and "nostalgic", meaning you can get pét-nats, orange and minimal-intervention wines alongside a classic chablis. "Every day we'll be opening something different and seeing what the neighbourhood leans into," says Nick. Apart from wine, there will be a short cocktail list, created by a friend from Melbourne's Black Pearl. On it will be a paloma, a limonana — a gin-spiked Israeli mint lemonade that's been shaken with lemon sorbet — and a play on a Brazilian batida de coco. That last one is a dark rum-based drink similar to a piña colada, but the Ezra version uses natural yoghurt instead of coconut milk. If the trio's experience in Tel Aviv is anything to go by, expect them to be downing shots at the end of the meal with you, too. "Young people [in Tel Aviv] are being quite creative with cafes and restaurants," says Kirk "They'll bring you whisky at the end of a meal and ask if you want to do a shot together, that sort of thing. It's such a vibrant city full of rooftop bars and restaurants doing fresh, zingy takes on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean blended food." The restaurant has room for 90 all up, but that number will be limited by NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions — so booking ahead is highly recommended. But, when the days of spontaneous walk-ins finally resume, you can bet a free seat at the bar will beckon you inside. Ezra is set to open on Friday, September 4 at 3 Kellett Street, Potts Point. Keep an eye on this space for an official opening announcement. UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020 — Ezra was originally slated to open on Friday, August 28 but this has been delayed by a week until Friday, September 4.
Big festival, big names: that's one of Sydney WorldPride's unspoken mottos. From Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5, the queer celebration is showering the Harbour City with 300-plus events, plenty of which feature breathtakingly high-profile talents — such as Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Nicole Scherzinger, Kim Petras, MUNA, G Flip and Kelly Rowland. The latter will hit the citywide party to headline Domain Dance Party mid-fest, on a bill curated by DJ Dan Slater. DJ Suri and DJ Isis Muretech will also be on the decks, but the big star is clearly the former Destiny's Child member, who'll work through tracks from across her career. The Domain Dance Party isn't small, either. None of WorldPride's gigs at The Domain are — 'tis the place for massive shindigs soundtracked by astonishing stars, after all — with this one running for seven hours. Fancy getting sweaty on the dance floor with 10,000 people from 3pm on Sunday, February 26? That's what's on offer, alongside Rowland, the DJ lineup, onstage dancers and surprise acts.
Rapper, songwriter, and arguably one of music’s most notable controversy magnets, Azealia Banks, is on her way back to Australia for Splendour. Banks's long awaited album, Broke with Expensive Taste, was finally released last year and had many agreeing that it was worth the wait. When Banks charged into house parties worldwide with ‘212’ in 2011 it was clear that this was a force to be reckoned with — everyone loves a killer beat and the chance to yell expletives. She's continued her warpath with ‘Van Vogue’, ‘Ice Princess’ and ‘Yung Rapunxel’ Unfortunately, Banks has been known to cut her sets short (a few times now) during shows in Australia, so we have our fingers and toes crossed that history doesn’t repeat itself. We say take the plunge and grab a ticket, there’s a damn good chance she’s going to blow the roof off.
Just ten short years ago, few people cared about Westerosi power struggles, how many times Sean Bean dies on-screen, if Jon Snow really does know nothing and whether winter is coming. Game of Thrones has existed on the page since 1991, but it was the first season of HBO's huge fantasy-drama series in 2011 that made that three-word title a household term, got everyone hooked on the fight to assume the Iron Throne and had us all watching along for seven more action-packed seasons. Over the past decade, no TV series was bigger — not only in popularity and pop culture impact, but when it comes to small-screen battles and bloodshed, plus labyrinthine plots filled with cunning plotting and double-crossing. Oh, and dragons, too. Whether you loved or hated how it ended, Game of Thrones is always going to sit high on everyone's rewatch list (because, let's face it, everyone has watched it once already).
Porch & Parlour has risen from the ashes, opening its doors for the first time since a fire forced its closure in August. The beloved Bondi bar and eatery is sporting a fresh look throughout, incorporating a new retail space and a revamped menu offering. On the walls, you'll now spy artworks by the likes of Vicki Lee and Ted O'Donnell, while a striking blue San Remo coffee machine is turning out those New Year caffeine hits. Alongside tried-and-true menu staples like the green pea pancake and breaky bowl, the Porch & Parlour kitchen is dishing up a swag of new season creations, zinging with vibrant local produce. Think, cinnamon scroll french toast, topped with banana, blueberry compote, maple syrup and a whipped lemon feta cream, and a loaded veggie bowl with cashew and turmeric dressing, all primed for those post-beach brunch sessions. And for lazy afternoon visits, see the 'sundowner' offering, running from 4–8pm, Friday through Sunday. You'll find top-notch specials on sips like Regal Rogue spritzes, lemon myrtle-infused gin and tonics, and mezcal margaritas. Find the new-look Porch & Parlour at 17-18/110 Ramsgate Ave, Bondi Beach. It's open from 6.30am–4pm Monday to Thursday and 6.30am–8pm Friday to Sunday.
Christmas has come early for foodies. Sydney's Good Food Month is Australia's largest food festival, a sprawling event which includes everything from bargain deals in suburban hotspots to extravagant harbourside dining, a cacophony of events running the gamut from casual picnics to buzzing parties. There's a real focus this year on ethical dining, with locally sourced produce and sustainable consumption a theme in numerous events. Pop-ups are also in vogue, with The Mint and Sydney Markets hosting events, while another intriguing pop-up dinner event starts with a treasure map and a Surry Hills laneway. The special deals are also back, with Let’s Do Lunch offering the chance to have a lunch with a glass of Brown Brothers wine or a Coopers Beer with tea or coffee for only $38. Always a great way to sample some of Sydney's fine diners at a more affordable price, this year's participating restaurants include est, Aria, The Bathers’ Pavilion Restaurant and Gastro Park. For the first time, there’s also The Supper Club, which offers late-night dining and aperitifs. Over a million people are expected to attend the festival, whose calendar is packed with more than 500 events. Concrete Playground has sorted through the program to select these mouth-watering highlights. Night Noodle Markets Long a staple of Good Food Month, the Night Noodle Markets are the ideal after-work hangout, combining the bustling atmosphere of an Asian hawker market with the opportunity to kick back with a couple of drinks and watch the sun go down in Hyde Park. Over 200,000 people attended last year, and with many of Sydney's top Asian restaurants amongst the stallholders, this year promises to be just as popular. October 9-12, 14-19, 21-26; Hyde Park North Rene Redzepi: A Work in Progress Head chef at Copenhagen's illustrious Noma, named the best restaurant in the world three years in a row, the extravagantly talented Redzepi is one of the most inventive food makers on the planet, infusing his visually striking creations with a real sense of playfulness and wonder. The menu at his impossible-to-get-into restaurant has included crawling ants, edible flowerpots and live shrimp in a jar of ice. At this event he discusses his work and pre-launches his new book A Work in Progress: Notes on Food, Cooking and Creativity, which combines recipes, photos and an extensive journal of a year at the pinnacle of the food world. There's also a dinner with Redzepi, which promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. 28 October, Sydney Opera House, tickets from $45 Dinner in the Sky Every great meal is memorable but it's fair to say this is one you're never going to forget: dinner at a table hoisted 50 metres into the sky, complete with waitstaff and a chef in the centre of the table attending to the 22 diners. It's been a sensation overseas and Good Food Month brings it to Australia for the first time. 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 October, Moore Park, Tickets from $230 Omnivore Originating in France, Omnivore is an international tour de force that emphasises an innovative approach to the culinary arts by breaking down barriers between chef and consumer, method and madness. Part of the Omnivore repertoire is a series of masterclasses, to be held at the National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, which promises to reveal the secrets of the masterminds behind a number of Sydney and Paris's most beloved kitchens. If you're more of an appreciator than a creator in the kitchen, however, Omnivore's pop-up dinners may be more your style. For $120 per head, you can experience a feast crafted from the freshest local ingredients and paired with a selection of world-class wine at Sixpenny in Chippendale. Prepared by James Parry and Daniel Puskas, the dynamic duo behind Sixpenny, in collaboration with Sven Chartier, famed for his farm-to-table approach to French cuisine at Saturne in Paris, this pop-up dinner is just one of a handful of banquet options on the menu between Friday, 4 October, and Sunday, 6 October. 3-6 October, Australian National Maritime Museum, Tickets from $45 Jamming and Jammin' Rosebery’s Kitchen By Mike has been a revelation with its back-to-basics food, which uses radical simplicity and topnotch ingredients to great effect. They host this event, where the affable Mike teams with Grant (Three Blue Ducks) and Matt (Hands Lane) teach you how to make your own jams and preserves. Throw in live music and a charcuterie dinner and it sounds like a winner. 2 October 6-10pm, 1/85 Dunning Ave Rosebery, Tickets $75 Pop-Up Ethical @ Cake Wines HQ There's a real focus on ethical food consumption this year, and this event by community-minded winemakers Cake Wines (they give 25 cents from each bottle sold to community radio) is a prime example. Their previous pop-up wine bars have been excellent, and this three-course feast promises to take their commitment to ethical production to the next level, focusing on ethically sourced food which is locally produced and minimises waste. Their dining hall in Redfern will be transformed for the event, which includes a cocktail on arrival, a range of craft beers and wines as well as art and music. 10-11 October, Redfern St Redfern, Tickets $90 Bucket List Seafood Fest Part of Bondi’s resurgent dining and bar scene, The Bucket List are seafood specialists, offering the likes of lobster spaghetti, mussels and the ubiquitious fish and chips opposite the famous beach. Their weekend-long seafood fest offers the opportunity to attend a seafood masterclass (a bargain at $30 which includes a glass of wine and food) or you can simply wander through the stalls and feast on a range of seafood for as little as $10 a plate. 25-27 October 12-6pm, Shop 1 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Pavillion Mariachi Monday Mexican Markets Fans of alliteration and Mexican culture will want to mark this one in their diaries; it combines fiery food, latin music and a street party in Macquarie Place. Having previously won awards for Sydney's Best Tacos, the La Lupita team have moved permanently into The Basement and this event celebrates their authentic approach to Mexican cuisine. 28 October 6-9pm, The Basement 7 Macquarie Place Sydney, Free Oz Harvest Hunger Buster Food Truck Oz Harvest are a charity that rescues food that would be wasted and redistributes it to local charities. To date they’ve rescued almost 6 million kilograms of food that would otherwise have been landfill. For this Good Food Month, they have a series of food trucks which will be dotted throughout the CBD. By day they'll be offering affordable Middle Eastern favourites like hummus, tabouleh and falafel ($5-15). For every $1 the trucks raise, Oz Harvest will be able to provide two meals to people who need them. By night, the trucks will serve free meals to the homeless or hungry. You can also purchase a meal 'forward', meaning it goes to those in need. 1-21 October 11am-3pm, Various locations (check their facebook page for details) Wild Tucker @ Eveleigh Markets Eveleigh's Carriageworks hosts one of Sydney’s best farmers' markets every Saturday, and on Saturday, 19 October, they take their commitment to interesting use of local produce to another level with this event, which will introduce you to the exciting flavours of bush tucker. Aboriginal elder Aunty Beryl Van Oploo and Billy Kwong head chef Kylie Kwong team up with Skye Blackburn, an expert on insects as food, for a talk and cook-up based on this exciting new foodie frontier. 19 October, 243 Wilson St Darlington, Free Check out the full program at the sydney.goodfoodmonth.com.
There's nothing quite like a rooftop bottomless brunch with Sydney skyline views to ring in the start of spring. Take advantage of the warm weather and longer days at a Brunch n' Boujee session at Lady Banks Rooftop. The Bankstown bar, which boasts panoramic views from the city to the Blue Mountains, has started a monthly bottomless brunch on the first Sunday of each month. For $79 per person, you'll get a choice of a savoury main alongside unlimited pancakes and waffles with your choice of toppings. The savoury options include eggs benedict with lobster mornay, avocado and crab or truffled mushroom and spinach. You can also choose from smashed avocado flatbread with harissa eggs, pulled lamb flatbread with yoghurt and coriander, breakfast hash with chorizo or a brunch burger. And of course, you can enjoy bottomless bloody marys or marias, mimosas, grapefruit bellinis or prosecco with your meal. Brunch n' Boujee will be held on the first Sunday of every month, so make sure you snag a table before they book out. Find out more and book in for the next session on Sunday, October 1 at the Lady Banks Rooftop website.
Religious imagery, especially of the Catholic variety, is often bloody and bleak, twisting a broken body around rigid lines of wood and stone. But not so in Justin O'Brien's paintings. His works, predominantly famous for their interpretation of religious motifs, shimmer with a lush palette that you'd expect from an eccentric South American artist — not one from Hurstville. Born in 1917, O'Brien experienced the chaos of WWII while serving in Palestine and Greece as part of the Australian Army Medical Corps, a tour which climaxed with his incarceration in a Polish prisoner-of-war camp. This time left a lasting impression on O'Brien, leading him to create works that capture the mysterious energies of an old world through rich colours and subtle symbolism. Though a lapsed Catholic, O'Brien won the inaugural Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1951 and had his work, The Raising of Lazarus, purchased by the Vatican. Now, for the first time since 1987, a collection of over 90 of O'Brien's works are being exhibited by the Art Gallery of NSW, giving a rare glimpse into this artist's soft-rendered world of spiritual awe. Image: The Harlequin Boy, by Justin O'Brien
Auckland's Clap Clap Riot have a tendency to whip up a raucous, good-vibin' crowd; the dudes can't help it. Armed with catchy-as-blazes hooks, singalong singles and loud, loud amps, the foursome are rampaging across the Tasman for a short run of Australian dates down the east coast; stopping at Melbourne's Shebeen, The Brightside in Brisbane and Sydney's FBi Social for a genuine humdinger of a mini-tour. Showcasing their second album Nobody / Everybody released in February, the foursome have moved away from the more rock-steady sound of their wildly successful debut Counting Spins (which casually debuted at #1 on the Official NZ Album Chart). Produced and mixed by Kody Nielson (The Mint Chicks / Opossom) and engineered and mastered by Olly Harmer (The Naked and Famous), their second release is peppered with handclap-worthy singalongs and '60s throwbacks; a cleaner, catchier package all round. Hitting FBi Social with applauded singles 'Everybody' and 'Cold As Ice' and brand newie 'All About The Weather', Clap Clap Riot are a surefire live shindig for your Saturday. Supported by The Upskirts + special guest. https://youtube.com/watch?v=h6Yk0jyoIlY
Jardin St James won the prize for most unusual cafe location when it opened within the crypt of St James Church back in 2015. Now, the venue is expanding its French influence over the city by popping up in Potts Point from Friday, July 7. JSJ will move into a hole-in-the-wall underneath the Coca Cola sign, where you'll be able to tuck into bona fide French baguettes and Little Marionette coffee on a daily basis. The standing room only, takeaway-style joint will launch the new JSJ baguette menu for lunchtime crowds seven days a week. Owner Julien Besnard has been desperate for a legit version of his homeland's namesake sandwich for eight years now and has decided to take matters into his own hands. Just a few of the unbelievably tasty looking baguettes on the eight-item menu include La Pro (prosciutto, potatoes, béchamel & rosemary), Le Cordon Bleu (chicken, ham, caramelised onions, creamy dijon sauce) and Le Porky Porc (BBQ pulled pork, caramelised onion, slaw, aioli, parmesan). Now for the mouthwatering bit — the raclette-style hot cheese kind. Choose from proper raclette ($2.5), swiss or blue ($2 each) to lovingly blanket your baguette in all its ooey gooey glory, with recommendations noted on the menu. You can also add optional pickles and crisps ($2) to round out your deli-style meal. It's hard to think of a better feed to beat back the winter cold. You'll find the JSJ pop-up at 82 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point. It is open for takeaway only, seven days a week from 6:30am until 3:30pm.
Step inside Blak Box, a sound pavilion currently stationed in Blacktown, and you'll be carried into a world of First Peoples' stories. Spoken word, music and field recordings combine to create a stream of consciousness that expresses experiences of the land — from the past, the present and the future. The installation is the creation of Urban Theatre Projects, who commissioned architect Kevin O'Brien to design the immersive pavilion. It first popped up in Barangaroo last year, and has made a return for Sydney Festival. Lighting is kept to a minimum, encouraging "deep listening", a concept that invites you to pay attention, not only to the stories, but also to the silences and spaces between them. Radio National presenter Daniel Browning curated the audio. His selections include 15 commissioned sound pieces, oral histories of Barangaroo before 1788, informal interviews and spoken word performances. The installation's latest incarnation includes dialogue from Elders Uncle Wes Marne and Aunty Edna Watson, and music from Emma Donovan and violinist Eric Avery. It's been described as a "21st century campfire". "BLAK BOX is one of our most ambitious projects to date – bringing together design, installation and sound for a unique contemporary storytelling experience," said Rosie Dennis, artistic director at Urban Theatre Projects. "Daniel has curated an intelligent, layered and thought-provoking program which grapples with the complexity of urban development, place and history." BLAK BOX will be at Blacktown Showgrounds until February 2. Performances happen each night at 6pm and 7.15pm and tickets are $35.
Now that it's basically the end of the year (sorry, but it is), it's once again time to hit up Sydney's best outdoor venues. And, to help you get straight into it, Sydney's Wayward Brewing Company and Bondi Bowling Club have joined forces to bring you one helluva Sunday session on Sunday, November 24 from 2–10pm. The lawn bowls party is chockas with freebies, starting with a complimentary tinnie of Wayward's raspberry sour for every single punter through the door. Plus, you'll be able to play lawn bowls free of charge (if you can nab a green quick smart) and there'll be a free sausage sizzle for the first 200 people. And tinnies will be just five bucks throughout the whole afternoon and night. There'll also be DJs spinning tropical house tunes and beach pack giveaways from day until night. Entry is (of course) free, but you should RSVP here.
Yep, the pointy end of the year is here for Sydney. The Christmas party after Christmas after Christmas party marathon is about to start and, despite all the good advice on offer EVERYWHERE, things are going to get messy. But, even before the marathon begins, the compulsion has kicked in to go along to every last art opening before Sydney's art world goes to sleep for a month or so and we're deprived of art and all that complimentary tongue-loosening white the galleries like to serve. hiccup. oops.Which is why I'm saying thank you to Jamie North and Manya Ginori. Their upcoming shows at MOP are just the things to encourage more graceful contemplation. North's exhibition of photographs and sculptures, The Path of Least Resistance, "documents, embroiders and emulates" the wily native plants that, clinging to concrete crevices, have so adapted to city life.In amongst all this a power struggle rages, as the organic clings to and strangles the inorganic and the inorganic gives nothing back. Over a series of visits you may just observe which wins. In Gallery 2, Ginori's series of paintings on masonite panel and moulded acrylic sheet are a "playful and dynamic investigation of colours interacting". Four-part pieces, the masonite panel geometric abstract paintings can be re-configured in installation. This exhibition continues Ginori's exploration into the phenomenological experience of colour and space.Image: courtesy of Manya Ginori.
Possessed doll and recurring subject of childhood nightmares, will return to his twisted ways in his latest film Cult of Chucky. Coinciding with Sydney Underground Film Festival, the film's premiere will be screened free of charge, at the stroke of midnight on Saturday, September 16, at Marrickville's The Factory Theatre. With his grotesque appearance and slightly murderous tendencies, the supernatural serial killer quickly made it into the ranks of Hollywood's most feared film characters, alongside the likes of Freddy Krueger and Leatherface. Chucky's first appearance was in Child's Play nearly 30 years ago, and since then he has been the subject of six sequels. With more inventive killing techniques and an increasing body count, this one's for the horror buffs. Sydney Underground Film Festival is the city's largest festival celebrating bizarre, audacious and controversial visual works will screen over 100 films, running from September 14 to 17.
The play that launched Brendan Cowell’s theatre career is having somewhat of a fifteenth birthday celebration by returning to its birthplace at the Old Fitz. Men was written by Cowell, who also starred in the first production, alongside Toby Schmitz and Anthony Hayes, in the three male roles of Poet, Penis, and Panther. Red Line Productions is now remounting Men with Ben O’Toole, Sean Hawkins and Jamie Timony. Cheree Cassidy will be the maternal presence onstage, watching these three try to out-macho each other. It’s a script that requires intense acting prowess from the cast, but, with the pressures of masculinity changing, does it still resonate? Director Jessica Tuckwell thinks so, and will likely add complexity and empathy from her own vantage point. Warning: Men may provoke observations and discussions about Australian masculinity culture — make sure to go with friends who embrace debate.
If a Hollywood screenwriter devised a story about an elderly French filmmaker, a younger street artist and their rural travels to plaster eye-catching, over-sized portraits on crumbling buildings, it probably wouldn't get very far. Even for a buddy comedy, the concept seems a little too unlikely, doesn't it? That's the beauty of real life, and of the movies that depict it. The above situation did occur, it has been captured on film, and it drives one of the best documentaries of the year. From the gorgeous, heartwarming effort that is Face Places, to an exploration of the treatment of rats, to an astonishingly intimate dance documentary, that's what the Antenna Documentary Film Festival is all about: telling truthful tales, including those that seem stranger than fiction. The 2017 program features more than 50 shorts and features, giving Sydney cinephiles plenty to watch between October 10 and 15 — including these five must-sees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSteoTFx9U FACES PLACES If everyone in the world looked at strangers in the same manner as Belgian-born filmmaker and French New Wave icon Agnes Varda, we'd be living in a much, much happier and kinder society. The almost 90-year-old's empathy, enthusiasm and understanding drives Faces Places in two ways: in the photographs that she takes with street artist JR, and in the film that chronicles their snapping — which is then followed by printing out giant versions of their pics, and plastering them on the walls of rustic, historic buildings. In fact, her attitude towers over the film in the same way her artworks loom over villagers below, and the impact is just as enchanting. Accordingly, love, life, creativity, connection, accepting others and acknowledging that nothing is permanent are all a part of this charming documentary. Oh, and goats as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36iHKZmeH60 BRIMSTONE & GLORY It's human nature to stare at the sky whenever fireworks ascend to the heavens. We hear the popping sound, spy the bright flashes of light and simply can't help ourselves. Set in the tiny town at the heart of Mexico's fireworks industry, Brimstone & Glory captures that feeling more effectively than anyone could've expected. Indeed, the gorgeous and immersive documentary commits the vibrance of watching colourful explosions twinkling above to film as it charts the locale's National Pyrotechnic Festival, explores the lives of those both working and watching, and proves as spellbinding as the substance at its centre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9xQrdMAfhE PHOTON No big deal, but Photon endeavours to encapsulate everything we know about life and evolution. Actually, the experimental documentary by Polish video artist Norman Leto is a huge deal. Time, space, stars, humans, the big picture, the small details: expect them all, in an effort loosely based by physicist David Deutsch's The Fabric of Reality. Blowing up microscopic images, adding animation and chatting about the universe, it's the surrealist science lesson you didn't take in high school, as well as the out-there nature doco you won't see on the nature channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7oITFo7rHg SPETTACOLO Think Tuscan life sounds like bliss? With its scenic sights and laid-back vibe, it likely comes close; however, no matter where you reside, daily living always has its struggles. So, the inhabitants of the 136-person town of Monticchiello found a way to work through their issues and try to maintain their relaxed atmosphere: each year, they get together, turn their lives into a play and perform it in their piazza. The results of one particular effort, which might be their last, informs Spettacolo — which sees Marwencol's Jeff Malmberg evolve from documenting miniature battlefields as a way to work through anxieties to turning an entire village into a stage production. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Glv_kh07Ew VENUS Let's talk about sex might've been quite the fitting title for Venus, if it didn't immediately get Salt-N-Pepa's 1991 hit stuck in everyone's head (although we're not sorry about that). Regardless of the documentary's moniker, discussing sexuality is exactly what the women in Mea Glob and Mette Carla Albrechtsen's film do — honestly, intimately and candidly. The filmmakers placed an ad for subjects, received 100 responses and recorded the auditions. Little did they know that those astonishing to-camera chats would become the actual movie. The Antenna Documentary Film Festival screens at Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Norton St and the Museum of Contemporary Art from October 10 to 15. For the full program, head to the festival website.
Here's some news you won't read in Lady Whistledown's latest pamphlet — and a reason to frock up like you're in Regency-era London, too. In February 2023, for one day and night only, Sydney Town Hall is playing host to party that'll whisk you back in time: the wholly unofficial but still appropriately themed The Ton Ball. If you're keen to be the talk of the ton, mark Saturday, February 25 in your diary — and prepare for the social soiree of the season. If you've binged your way through two seasons of the Netflix hit already and you're excited about more (and a Queen Charlotte prequel), consider this your chance to pretend you've stepped right into the series. On the agenda: dancing to tunes played by a string quartet, tucking into four hours of food and booze, playing games of chance, doing some life drawing and (probably) gossiping in corners while looking fabulous. Sydneysiders can do just that from 7–11pm, with tickets costing $209 per person. The best way to prepare: watching Bridgerton, of course. Although, surely The Ton Ball won't involve powerful families trying to marry off their children and scandal sheets getting everyone a-tutting. It will let you party like you're a duke or duchess, though. Images: Melissa Hobbs Business Photography.
If you haven’t gone yet, 20 June is a good opportunity to explore and experience what’s on offer at Danks Street's galleries, during their Winter Solstice late night. Nine galleries in Danks Street are heralding the arrival of winter and the Sydney Biennale, inviting anyone and everyone to enjoy the art and a glass of wine. Stella Downer Fine Art gallery on Danks Street represents over 30 contemporary Australian artists who work across many mediums, with a commitment to supporting and promoting sculpture and in particular placing works in both urban and rural environments. It and its eight neighbouring galleries will open between 6pm and 8pm to let you explore their many shows before the shortest night of the year takes hold. Danks Street Depot is also offering a Winter Solstice Feast at 6:30pm and 8pm, bookings on 9698 2201 or enquiry@dankstreetdepot.com.au
Do you ever bemoan the lack of serious theatre tackling hard-hitting topics of geopolitical import? This is not the play you're looking for. Psycho Beach Party is a tongue-in-cheek homage that lovingly mashes up surf and horror films and was originally called Gidget Goes Psychotic. The 1987 off-Broadway play starred playwright Charles Busch as the 16-year-old female lead, though the role was recast for the 2000 film. This version, playing at the Bondi Pavilion, is directed by Stephen Nicolazzo (sex.violence.blood.gore) and stars Ash Flanders (who as half of Melburnian queer theatre heroes Sisters Grimm has plays on in both the STC and Griffin 2013 seasons) in the role of Chicklet. Ingeniously, it will feature an actual psycho beach party, on the afternoon of Sunday, December 2.
Sydney's lockout laws might doing a good job of raining on your late-night parade, but it seems they're no match for David James and Brett Ayton, who've launched a weekly after-hours party at Darlinghurst's Club 77. Called Afters, it's the ultimate serve of breakfast fun, kicking on from 5am until noon each Sunday. Boasting great cocktails and a top-notch international DJ program, it's a primo situation for revelers keen to extend their nighttime shenanigans, or hopso kids looking for some after-work fun of their own. It's already proved a serious hit, just two months in. Of course, the whole thing's entirely above board — while Club 77's usual operations run to 3am, these guys won't kick things off until 5am when the lockout ends. There'll also be the odd 15-hour venue takeover which will run right through, but with no drinks sold between 3-5am and no entry from 1.30-5am. The next of these is presented with CAUSE on December 9 and 10, featuring a marathon lineup of tunes from the likes of East End Dubs, Jake Hough and Alex Ludlow. For more information about Afters, check them out on Facebook.
“Your nose like a delicious slope of cream / And your ears like cream flaps / And your teeth like hard shiny pegs of cream.” Diner en Blanc — like Howard Moon's poem — will have you in all white. But sorry, Booshers: the second edition of this Sydney event is just for the sophisticated. Now on five continents, the Diner en Blanc began in Paris 25 years ago thanks to François Pasquier and friends. This year, around 3000 of Sydney's creme de la creme will once again dress in all white on Saturday, November 30, for the event held at an iconic location that remains secret until the very last moment. Following an evening of elegance, fine dining and live music, the foodies then pack up their crystal, dinnerware, tables and litter. Like ghosts (white 'n' all), they leave behind no sign of their rendezvous. (But don't get any ideas: a white sheet thrown over your figure will not do for an outfit). Diner en Blanc guests must either be invited by a member from the previous year, or get on the waiting list for a $38.50 ticket (+$5.50 membership fee).
Gallery-hopping is always more exciting in the romantic half-light of evening, wouldn't you agree? Similar to Art at Night last year, Precinct Nights offer you the golden opportunity to enjoy a spate of art venues open late, transforming your art viewing into an after-hours adventure trail. Participating precincts include Paddington/Woollahra, Alexandria/Waterloo, Surry Hills, Chippendale/Redfern, Rozelle, and East/Darlinghurst. Rozelle's night also features some performance events that have caught our eye: for example, dLux MediaArts presents DTV, an outdoor screening of single channel artworks in the Artereal Gallery car park. Precinct Nights is part of Art Month 2013. Check out our guide to the festival's ten best events here
Do you need an election hangover cure the entire family can enjoy? You’re in luck, ‘cause Festival of the Winds is here to nurse the headache at Bondi Beach this Sunday, September 8. Colourful cartoon characters, giant animals and flowers, fighter kites, box kites, delta kites and more are scheduled to appear at the festival, which kicks off at 11am on what we hope will be a sunny spring day. Internationally renowned kite flyers (yes, they exist) will be boasting some pretty spectacular flying skills with their handmade creations. So dust off that kite you packed away at age ten and show off your (probably rusty) flying skills, or join in on one of the kite-making workshops on offer throughout the day. But this isn’t just a day for kite enthusiasts; there’ll be loads of dance workshops, puppet shows and a whole lot more that both children and the nostalgic can enjoy.
Ever since cartography was first used in Ancient Babylonia in 2300BC, humans have relied on cartography to navigate, utilise, conceptualise and define geographical space. Modern digital technology allows us to produce and manipulate visual representations of geography in astounding ways, no longer limited to just geography. Benjamin Hennig at the University of Sheffield has created a series of innovative cartograms which illustrate new ways of seeing the planet, transforming our preconceptions of space and human impact. The population distribution of the globe, with the more densely populated areas such as Central Asia appearing much larger in comparison to the insignificant size of Australia. The world's major nuclear forces. The world's poorest health systems. The world's biodiversity hotspots. Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Cluster Submunition Casualties in 2010. Immigration to countries around the world (which really puts the debate in Australia into perspective).
At this year's Sculptures By the Sea, you needn't content yourself with merely spectating. Thanks to the chipper folk at Suntory Whisky and Neighourhood Bondi, there'll be an opportunity to create your own masterpiece. And not only will it provide you with artistic satisfaction, it'll come with a top-notch single malt. Every Thursday evening during the exhibition, Suntory Whisky ambassadors will be heading to Neighourhood Bondi to host ice carving classes. For just 25 bucks, you'll get to shape your very own, perfect, hand-carved ice ball before covering it in a nip of Suntory Whisky Japanese Harmony and sampling your work. Simultaneously, you'll be served with canapes and a Suntory Kakubin Highball. There'll be just three classes all up — 22 and 27 October and 5 November, from 6.30pm. Tickets are strictly limited, so book a spot by emailing bookings@neighbourhoodbondi.com.au.
