Spring is well and truly here, and The Galeries is celebrating by transforming into a Japanese Zen garden for four green-filled days. Get amongst the leaves, and, once you've located your inner peace, throw yourself into some Spring Social action. There'll be live music, artists at large and enough delicious treats to carry you through till Christmas. Leading the food and drink program is an edible garden, presented by Lotus. Pick mandarin ice cream from a tree, sample green-speckled macarons and experiment with pumpkin mochi. After that, find out what happens when Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato get their dessert-making skills together to create raspberry lychee cake. Then, doze off your excesses on the ground floor in one of Muji's bean sofas. The weekend will bring a bunch of live happenings. On Friday, September 23, join tattoo gurus Little Tokyo as they paint a life-sized canvas. On Saturday, check out how bonsai masters do their thing when Bonsai Environment and Penjing Australia collaborate on a cascading display, complete with live clipping station. And, on Sunday, catch ALPHAMAMA as she closes proceedings with her signature mix of jazz, soul and hip hop. Spend more than $100 during the festival, hang onto your receipts and pop over here to put yourself in a draw to win a trip for two to Kyoto.
South African-raised, Sydney-based artist Keroshin Govender's upcoming painting series Baranasi at Gaffa Gallery delves into the complex relationship between humans and fabric. Especially admired for his meticulous colour selection, Govender employs contemporary design processes to create artwork in traditional mediums that tell a story. He's strongly drawn to portraiture, exploring through his various subjects themes like resilience and the nobility of human suffering. With Baranasi — the follow up to his series, Paramnesia — Govender explores the emotions and diverse identities that fabric can express. Depending on material, colour, style and fold, fabric can convey a person's nobility, virtue, undesirability or spirituality — such as in his painting Priest, in which a Hindu priest's saffron fabric references his status and holy profession. Govender invites the viewer to experience not only the story of each subject, but also the story being silently conveyed by their clothing, which he believes has an ability to "disguise, protect and seduce." While you're at Gaffa, you can take in Dominique Merven's show, Resonance. Image: Keroshin Govender, Andromeda, 2017, acrylic on canvas.
It's not often you get a group of designers competing to have their work set alight. But then again, being chosen as the creator of that iconic Temple — or, The Man — at Nevada's legendary Burning Man festival is a very unique sort of honour. This year, bragging rights go to Arthur Mamou-Mani from London's Mamou-Mani Architects, whose spiralled structure Galaxia beat out a swag of other entries to become the next edition of the festival's most famed installation. It was selected this week by the Burning Man Arts organisation. The Temple has been a Burning Man tradition since 2000, picking a different large-scale art work each year. Towering over the festival's centre in the temporary locale of Black Rock City, it's inscribed with personal messages from festival-goers and then ritually burned to the ground on the final day. Mamou-Mani's take on the project is an enormous, swirling design, made from twenty triangular timber trusses that form paths into the structure's centre, where there'll lie a huge 3D mandela. Word is, it's inspired by the fictional planet Gaia, from Isaac Asimov's Foundation's Edge series of sci-fi novels, with the architect saying it "celebrates hope in the unknown, stars, planets, black holes, the movement uniting us in swirling galaxies of dreams."
Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum has joined the after-hours pop-up party. Launching their very own scavenger hunt aboard the HMAS Vampire, the Maritime Museum is staying open a little later for the grown ups this Thursday, August 28. Structured as a photographic scavenger hunt, Dare, Danger, Destroy is a special after-hours event from 6–7.30pm in which you snap clues with your phone around the museum's prized warship. The third of three Australian-built Daring class destroyers serving in the Royal Australian Navy, the HMAS Vampire has a few secrets hidden below decks — there'll even be a poor ol' sailor 'trapped in time' wandering around the ship ready for all the selfies. Once you've solved the puzzles and poked around the epic ship (the largest museum-owned object on display in Australia), there'll be a pop-up cash bar back on land to reward your hunting efforts. Your hard-solved clue images live stream in the waterfront bar — soundtracked by DJ Stuart Ridley (emagica). Best of all, the event and Vampire quest is free entry — when you reserve a spot and show them the Tag Town app, the very same camera app used for Art and About — and over 18s only, so you can explore the warship and soak up the Maritime Museum without little screaming thingies running around). The Maritime announcement comes just a few weeks after the announcement of The Festivalists' upcoming Hijinks nights at Sydney Aquarium, also hinged around an after-hours scavenger hunt. But that's all sweet with us; the longer we get to spend at Sydney's museums after hours with cheeky booze on a school night, the better. Over 18s only. Image credit: Saberwyn. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
An escape to New Zealand's Waiheke Island feels miles away from the bustle of central Auckland, though it's only a quick ferry ride from downtown. It's an island of varying landscape, with the turquoise-blue waters of the coast giving way to rolling green hills inland. This gives visitors endless options, too — from bushwalks and beaches to art galleries and, most notably, the plentiful wineries on offer. The whole island is easily explored by bus or bike, and trips from the vines of one winery to the next take only a traipse through the vineyard. You could spend a week here and still not hit all of the artisanal producers dotting the island. Join an art walking tour, try your hand at archery or distil your own bespoke gin, just to name a few things waiting for you on this wine island. Here's how to spend your days on Waiheke — what to taste, what to do and where to stay on the island. [caption id="attachment_663060" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Apse.[/caption] DRINK Thanks to the microclimate on Waiheke, there are close to 30 wineries and cellar doors dotted around the island. Wine excursions are one of the most popular attractions, and cellar doors can be enjoyed both with a guide or by simply following your own nose on public transport. Perched on a hill and a 30-minute walk from the ferry terminal is Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant. With its stunning panoramic views, the spot has always been a popular location for proposals, weddings or special weekend visits via helicopter. Wine tastings are available from the cellar door seven days a week, where you'll be guided through four of the winery's varietals across 30 minutes. [caption id="attachment_642965" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mudbrick.[/caption] Go deeper into the island, all the way to the far side, and you'll reach Man O' War. This picture-perfect winery is an excellent spot to while away an afternoon sampling flagship and single vineyard drops. When you've settled on your varietal of choice, find a spot on the grass and enjoy a casual game of lawn cricket with views across to the Coromandel Peninsula. If you're after something away from the tourist trail wineries of the island, head to Te Motu. Continue past big brother winery Stonyridge, and you'll be presented with a shed that has been transformed into a five-star restaurant where you can sample five aged red wines in the tasting room — drops that are not typically available by the glass. Other cellar doors worth checking out while you're roaming the island include Obsidian, Passage Rock, Tantalus Estate, Goldie Estate, Peacock Sky and Cable Bay. And for something entirely different, head to Rangihoua Estate for a lesson in olive oil tasting. [caption id="attachment_663061" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Crawford.[/caption] EAT While the Island of Wine is its official moniker, Waiheke has an equal measure of exceptional restaurants. Casita Miro is a glasshouse-like structure located on a rolling, Spanish-influenced vineyard. Here, order one of their Spanish wines alongside the tapas and raciones sharing menu featuring fine Iberian meats and cheeses. You can also top off the meal with a good range of Spanish sherry. The outdoor area keeps the Spanish theme going, featuring an evolving mosaic inspired by Gaudi's infamous Parc Guell. [caption id="attachment_663048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Poderi Crisci.[/caption] Off the beaten track and on to another European country, you'll find award-winning Italian eatery Poderi Crisci. With a setting that welcomes comparisons to the Tuscan countryside, the restaurant-vineyard is owned by Antonio Crisci, the founding father of Auckland's famed metre-long pizzeria Toto's and Parnell institution Non Solo Pizza — a regular contender for the best Italian in Auckland. As well as a rustic a la carte menu, the restaurant is known for its Sunday long lunch. Set aside a good five hours for this one. [caption id="attachment_629210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Oyster Inn.[/caption] Just up from the ferry and with a large sun-soaked balcony, The Oyster Inn has a roadside allure that draws you upstairs even if you're not in the business of having lunch. A table outside is the quintessential dining position to take in views over Oneroa village and make the most of the seafood-led menu. Not feeling seafood? Down the road, Dragonfired serves up wood-fired street food from its small black trailer. Spending most of its time sitting in the car park by Little Oneroa Beach, the food truck keeps a bustling trade through summer and is widely thought of as the best takeaway spot on the island. The pizzas, calzones and pocket breads are best enjoyed right on the beach and with a bottle of island red, of course. Other eateries to add to the list include the ever-popular Island Gelato, Ringawera artisan bakery for fresh baked goods and the Te Mataku Bay Shop for freshly shucked local oysters. [caption id="attachment_663072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Christian Nicolson: Barebottomland; photographed by Russell Street.[/caption] DO Adventurers, art lovers and foodies can equally feel at home on Waiheke. For a bit of everything, Wild on Waiheke offers an unusual combination of archery and clay bird shooting mixed with a vineyard and craft brewery — plus, a beanbag dotted-lawn, beer garden and regular live music to boot. On the artsy side of things, the ideal way to see it all is with the Waiheke Island Art Walk. The four-hour walk begins at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery in Oneroa and proceeds through artist collectives, galleries and studios, with the tour including an artisan glassmaker, shoemaker and goldsmith. For lunch, the tour makes a stop at the home and studio of artist Gabriella Lewenz, Church Bay Studio, which boasts stunning views over the bay. Finish off among nature with the walk back along the Atawhai-Whenua Forest and Bird Reserve — just one of several walking tracks on offer throughout the island. After your epic culture walk, unwind back in town at the Waiheke Community Cinema. The 16-seat cinema consists of comfy couches rather than theatre seats and shows a mix of new and cult classic films. For a boozier way to relax, book into one of The Botanical Distillery's events that allows visitors to create their own botanical gin and handcrafted tonic, which will be distilled for you during the experience. [caption id="attachment_647794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flamingo Pier.[/caption] If you're looking for an extra reason to visit, there are several events throughout the year worthy of a trip over. In February, nab a doubleheader by checking out Sculpture on the Gulf coastal art exhibition and attending the Flamingo Pier annual music festival — which only takes place in London and on Waiheke each year. Over Easter long weekend, there's the Waiheke Jazz Festival; in November you can participate in the Waiheke Walking Festival; and in December, Sculpt Oneroa kicks off its ten-week art display. [caption id="attachment_605870" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fossil Bay Lodge.[/caption] STAY From boutique hotels to cottages, vineyard stays to glamping tents, there is an overwhelming number of accommodation options to choose from on Waiheke — and a lot of them exist at many of the places you'll be venturing to already. If you're after boutique vibes, The Oyster Inn also holds three hotel rooms along with its breezy restaurant. Plus, they offer complimentary pickup from the Matiatia ferry. For wine lovers, Mudbrick's cottages offer a luxurious stay within their rolling vineyard and cellar door. The charming, two-bedroom cottages include a kitchenette and washer-dryer, plus a private barbecue and even a private spa pool. An easy walk to Oneroa, it's an ideal stay for someone who wants access to both. Getting there may be the best part of all — you can take a helicopter that lands directly on the Mudbrick estate, with three 'heli-partners' to choose from. More rustic types should opt for Fossil Bay Lodge, which offers simple cottages along with a range of glamping tents for $100–$120 per night. You won't quite be roughing it, however — each tent includes a private ensuite with hot shower, queen-sized beds, wooden floors and even a phone battery pack, as well as share facilities like a fully-equipped kitchen, lounge area and free wifi. LET'S DO THIS, HOW DO I GET THERE? Flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand flies direct from all three cities and offers accessible fares. Once you arrive in Auckland, Waiheke Island is only a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown. Fullers ferries provide the most regular option, leaving about every 30 minutes, with a return adult ticket costing $38. Or, if you're looking for something a bit swankier and have the cash to spare, you can hop on an Auckland Seaplane and make the trip by sky instead of water, catching all of that breathtaking coast along the way ($400 return). Head over here to check out all of the options to reach the island. https://youtu.be/9hTMc9qm_1g Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away.
You've been putting in the hard yards at the office all week. It's been early starts and late nights, and you can't remember the last time you hit the gym. The days just never feel long enough. Winter is traditionally a season of hibernation, a time to say yes to staying in and hiding from the cold with a bowl of carbonara in hand. But one too many nights like this feels good for neither the body nor the mind. To get you moving and recover some of that energy, we've teamed up with M.J. Bale to put some boredom-busting activities at the top of your winter to-do list — and provided some suggestions of what to wear while you're out and about. Read on to stay active this winter and look great doing so. [caption id="attachment_721066" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Visit Melbourne.[/caption] GO FOR A BUSH WALK When the temperature dips below 18 degrees, the couch might feel like the only place to be. But trust us on this one. Hitting the trails for a day of fresh air and lush surrounds is an unbeatable way to get the blood pumping. Plus, the cooler months mean you can throw on tons of layers and still finish your hike with minimal sweat. Genius. Head to your nearest national park or scout out a lush coastal walk and enjoy some well-earned tech-free time in the great outdoors. Where: Strap on your walking shoes and try Sydney's Aboriginal Heritage Walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Melbourne's Great Ocean Walk, Brisbane's Buhot Creek Circuit in Daisy Hill Conservation Park and Perth's Bells Rapids Walk Trail in Swan Valley. Wear: The water-resistant and breathable Flannery Gilet ($199.00) layered over natural fibres to crush the cold. [caption id="attachment_721067" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Pasta Emilia.[/caption] TAKE A COOKING CLASS Has the new season of MasterChef sparked your inner gastronomic fire? Then wave goodbye to microwave dinners and say hello to gourmet home-cooked feasts that'll blow your mates' socks off. By joining a cooking class, you can have an expert teach you elusive techniques, like how to fold the perfect ravioli or whip up a bowl of authentic baba ganoush. Plus, on top of learning the tricks of the trade, you'll meet some new faces and enjoy the fruits of your labour over a celebratory glass of vino. Now that's how all school days should end. Where: Get cooking at Pasta Emilia's hands-on pasta making workshop in Sydney, craft heart-warming Middle Eastern dishes at Free to Feed in Melbourne, master Vietnamese soups and noodles at Golden Pig in Brisbane and learn how to make Japanese bar snacks at Salt & Company in Perth. Wear: The Depp Stain Repellent Tee ($59.95), because you don't want to carry your culinary masterpieces home on your clothing. [caption id="attachment_721068" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Handsome & Co.[/caption] GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AT A SHORT COURSE There's no better detox from sitting at a desk all day than making something with your hands. Combine that with the task of learning a new skill, and you're guaranteed to give your brain a healthy gear-shift. Maybe this is the year you finally give pottery a crack, learn how to make your own jewellery or nail the basics of welding. And you never know where your new skills could take you. Here's your chance to explore a passion project or side hustle that could one day see you ditch your nine-to-five job. Where: Let your creative juices flow at The Pottery Shed's Basic Throwing Class in Sydney, try Handsome & Co's Introduction to Furniture Making in Melbourne, learn to throw clay like a pro at The Ceramic House in Brisbane and make your own gourmet cheeses at The Cheese Maker in Perth. Wear: The Tortuga Denim Shirt ($129.95) puts you in something durable while you hone a new craft. [caption id="attachment_721114" align="alignnone" width="2048"] B. Lucky & Sons.[/caption] PLAN SOME FRIENDLY COMPETITION AMONG FRIENDS A night of booze, banter and tasty nosh is how most of us choose to catch up with our mates. But, who doesn't love some healthy competition? Shake up your social routine and test your skills with an evening of group-friendly novelty games. Plenty of venues across the country host mini golf, arcade games and everything in between. All you need to do is gather your mates, pick your arena and get playing. Where: Bring the crew together at Maniax Axe Throwing in Sydney, try your hand at mini golf and karaoke at Holey Moley in Melbourne, revisit classic arcade games at B. Lucky & Sons in Brisbane and race a mate in your own go-kart Grand Prix at Kart World in Perth. Wear: Keep things casual and warm in the Buchanan Merino V-Neck Knit ($149.95). [caption id="attachment_721113" align="alignnone" width="2016"] SportUp.[/caption] JOIN A SPORTS TEAM No, this won't be anything like your memories of high school gym classes. Signing up to a sports club as an adult means social matches and light-hearted fitness with celebratory drinks at the pub afterwards. Grab a few mates or co-workers, and join as a team or go it solo for a chance to expand your network. The best bit? Regular matches mean you'll be held accountable for turning up to that 6am training session (yes, even when it's dark and pouring outside). But at least you'll have the rest of your team suffering alongside in solidarity. Where: Find your fitness tribe with dodgeball at Urban Rec Sydney, shoot hoops at Social Sport in Melbourne, give indoor netball a crack at Sport Up in Brisbane and go for a spot of social badminton with Badminton Buddies in Perth. Wear: The Sports Bag ($99.95) gives you both handle and shoulder strap options. Discover more action-ready wear for winter on the M.J. Bale website.
Sydney's jazz scene is ever-evolving. To help spotlight the city's talented local artists, The Lansdowne Hotel is hosting a JAZZ+ night for free every Sunday at 6pm featuring a lineup of diverse and emerging acts. Last weekend, resident sextet Haztet kicked off the event along with support from Starlings, a groove-based band comprised of Marley Rooney, Sarah Purdon, Tom Andrews, Yonah Rex-McGirr, Ryu Kodama and Riley Hilder. Other groups who have produced their own take on future jazz, neo-soul, DnB, acid fusion, and alternative hip-hop are set to take the stage in the coming weeks. To find out which talents are playing every week, head over to The Lansdowne Hotel's website to stay updated with their lineup. [caption id="attachment_877018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lansdowne Hotel - Supplied[/caption] Top images: The Lansdowne Hotel — supplied
"He is the most accomplished man in Europe in riding, running, shooting, fencing, dancing, music." Writing in his diary in 1779 about Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, American Founding Father and future second US President John Adams didn't hold back with his praise. But the world has barely taken his cue in the nearly two-and-a-half centuries since, letting the tale of this gifted French Creole violinist, conductor and composer slip from wider attention. Within a sumptuous period drama that's charmingly, confidently and commandingly led by Kelvin Harrison Jr — with the Waves, The High Note, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Cyrano star full of mesmerising swagger, and also endlessly compelling as a talent forced to struggle as a person of colour in a white aristocratic world — Chevalier endeavours to redress this failing of history. Veteran television director Stephen Williams (Watchmen, Westworld, Lost) and screenwriter Stefani Robinson (Atlanta, What We Do in the Shadows) begin their Bologne biopic boldly, playfully and with a front-on confrontation of the "Black Mozart" label that's surrounded their subject when he has been remembered — even if they also commence Chevalier with likely fiction. In pre-revolution Paris in the late 18th century, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Joseph Prowen, Father Brown) has an enraptured crowd in his thrall as he both plays and conducts. He pauses, then prompts his audience for requests. The response comes as a surprise: Bologne striding down the aisle, asking if he too can pick up a violin, then getting duelling with the musical instrument against the acclaimed maestro. Williams and Robinson start their film with a statement, announcing that they're celebrating a life that's been left not only ignored and erased — especially in a realm that's so often considered old, stuffy and definitely not culturally diverse — but also been stuck lingering in someone else's shadow. Chevalier's opening scene is well-staged, instantly rousing and a clever kickoff that speaks volumes — also cheer-worthy, as its on-screen viewers heartily deem it — and, most crucially, it sets the tone for Bologne's continual battle. He won't go mano a mano with Mozart again, but he'll never stop fighting in various fashions. Being underestimated, undervalued and worse due to his race is sadly his life story, which Chevalier places front and centre. As 2013's Belle did in focusing on Dido Elizabeth Belle, the film makes plain the prejudices and politics of the era in a genre that too rarely genuinely interrogates either. The world of Bridgerton may now peer backwards with romantic fantasy and colourblind casting, but that isn't the same as stepping through the experiences of someone who should be far better known, and undoubtedly would be if not for the reaction to their heritage. When he's still a boy (debutant Reuben Anderson) being installed in the only boarding school that will take him, far away from the French colony of Guadeloupe that has always been his home, Joseph is told by his father (Jim High, Foundation) that he must always be excellent in order to be accepted. From that exchange onwards, Bologne chases greatness in all matters — with a foil in his hand, and both performing and writing music, most notably. But even as he impresses Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton, Barbie) as an adult, is bestowed the knightly chevalier title and gets a chance to compete to lead the Paris Opera, French society remains quick to drip scorn whenever he exceeds the parts that they'll let him play. Whatever heights he's allowed to reach, he's still viewed as the illegitimate son of white plantation owner and an enslaved Senegalese teen. Williams and Robinson unpack the complexities of Bologne's friendship with the queen, whose progressive ideals are pushed to the fore purely when she's confident in her popularity, and his, among the court. Over both of their futures, the French Revolution looms inescapably — although Chevalier stops before depicting Bologne's time leading an all-Black regiment. Instead, it hones in on two interconnected plot points: that attempt to obtain France's top music post and a romance. For the coveted job, he vies for glory against the snooty and dismissive Christoph Gluck (Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Marriage). In affairs of the heart, he falls for Marie-Joséphine de Comarieu (Samara Weaving, Scream VI), wife of the stern military figure Marquise de Montalembert (Marton Csokas, The Last Duel), after convincing her to sing in the opera that's meant to secure his dream gig. Chevalier repeatedly anchors Bologne's journey in a blatant truth, albeit one that he doesn't see: that the more entrenched he thinks he is within France's upper echelons, the more he's immersed in a discriminatory system that'll never truly welcome him. When his mother Nanon (Ronke Adékoluẹjo, Rain Dogs) re-enters his life, finally free after his father's death, she instantly spots what her son can't — "you are a tourist in their world," she advises — and he isn't thrilled. Whether Joseph is contentedly believing that he's close to carving out his niche or eventually angry at the grim reality, he's feverishly working or dashingly courting, or he's demonstrating his prowess with a rapier or a bow, Harrison Jr is consistently exceptional. He's excellent at conveying Bologne's certainty in his skills and worth, too, including when diva Marie-Madeleine Guimard (Minnie Driver, Starstruck) thinks that he'll bed her because she demands it, and at working through the fiery heartbreak when his society dream is broken. This biopic is an act of rectification. It's a dive into the forgotten past, sometimes taking liberties as it depicts its subject's pursuit of liberté, égalité, fraternité, with a clear purpose and point. The film benefits immensely from enlisting Harrison Jr as its lead. It also boasts fine performances by Adékoluẹjo, Boynton and Weaving, with the former playing plucky and proud, and the latter two each exploring the difficulties of your heart and mind being at odds with the role that you inhabit. Chevalier is gleefully happy to relish its genre's aesthetic and conventions as well, be it at lavish champagne-filled parties or behind opera's scenes, complete with sniping among the well-to-do. While it's the tale, reclamation and portrayals that shine brightest — even if detailing significant parts of Bologne's later story in the text-on-screen post-script is a curious move — reaching ample high notes comes easily.
After two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 popped up in Sydney in early May, the New South Wales Government reimplemented a number of restrictions in the Greater Sydney region. Then, when the direct link between the cases and hotel quarantine couldn't be identified, it extended the new rules until 12.01am on Monday, May 17. When tomorrow morning hits, the current restrictions will indeed end — as confirmed today, Sunday, May 16, by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. So, after a couple of weekends of smaller at-home gatherings, not being able to sing and dance indoors, having to sit down to drink and wearing masks in a number of situations, the rules in Sydney, the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra will revert to what was in place when May began. If you need a refresher, that means that that at-home gathering caps will lift again — but if you're having more than 100 people over to your house, you will need to have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and record visitor details electronically. If you're most excited about being able to make shapes again, dance floors are back once more. All restrictions on singing will ease, too — and drinking while standing up will also return. https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1393733303409143810 And, masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport, or for customer-facing employees working in hospitality venues. They'll move to being strongly recommended instead. If you can't guarantee social distancing elsewhere, you're also advised to wear them. NSW Health hasn't yet identified how the recent community cases were exposed to COVID-19, but the NSW Government is happy to lift restrictions because there has been further transmission related to the cases. That said, Sydneysiders are asked to continue to keep an eye on NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited — and, in terms of symptoms, to look out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste, then get tested at a clinic if you have any. The usual hygiene recommendations still apply, too, including washing your hands, social distancing and staying home if you feel unwell. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Parker Blain.
This Easter, the Berry Donut Van is hosting a special golden egg ticket hunt in collaboration with fellow sweets lover, The Berry Chocolatier. With the lucky winner taking home an exclusive handcrafted Easter chocolate bundle, this jam-packed reward will cover all your dessert needs for the long weekend — let's hope you have the Midas touch. Held throughout the four-day holiday, a smattering of tickets will be hidden inside Nutella doughnut orders every day, with a handful of winners claiming a special prize. If that's you, just head over to The Berry Chocolatier to redeem your ticket for a decadent reward. Filled to the brim with seasonal treats, expect a basket loaded with chocolate bunnies, eggs and other Easter delights. "We wanted to bring a little extra joy and excitement to our Easter celebrations," said Teresa Nazareth, owner of the Berry Donut Van. "Our donuts are already a must-have holiday treat, and now there's an added layer of fun with the chance to win some of the finest chocolates in town. Easter is all about indulgence – delicious sweets, rich chocolate, and moments of joy shared with loved ones. This giveaway is our way of making that experience even more special." Trust that the Berry Donut Van knows a thing or two about Easter celebrations. After all, they've been whipping up mouthwatering desserts and savoury treats since 1974. Prior to finding a permanent spot, the famous donut van cruised across Australia for a year, serving crowd-pleasing creations to customers nationwide. However, it soon found its home in the charming South Coast village of Berry – about two hours' drive south of Sydney. While The Berry Chocolatier doesn't have quite as many years under its belt, since purchasing the business in 2019, owners Cam Ayrton and Troy Weigall have made it a go-to regional highlight for handcrafted chocolate, Genovese-style coffee and Italian gelato. "This collaboration with Berry Donut Van is the perfect way to spread sweetness throughout Berry this Easter," said Ayrton. "We're excited to join forces and share our handcrafted Easter chocolates with the lucky winners, making this festive season even sweeter for the community." The Berry Donut Van is open Tuesday–Thursday from 8.30am–4.45pm and Friday–Monday from 8.30am–6.45pm at 73 Queen Street, Berry. Meanwhile, The Berry Chocolatier is open Monday–Friday from 8.45am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday from 8.45am–5pm at 4/113 Queen Street, Berry.
The Museum of Contemporary Art's monthly ARTBAR has become a firm fixture on Sydney's after-dark cultural calendar. After knocking off work on Friday, head down to Circular Quay for an extra dose of art, a splash of wine and your choice of fun-filled activities — with the added bonus of panoramic views of the harbour from the Sculpture Terrace. Past curators have included the likes of Rosie Deacon, Pip and Pop, Blak Douglas, Haines and Hinterding, and Kate Scardifield — each building uniquely flavoured late-night events. Wander in on the last Friday night of the month and you can expect a lively conglomeration of art, music, design and performance. It's an excuse to let loose alongside some of Sydney's best artistic talent. First, you'll want to brush up on the MCA's New Romance: art and the posthuman with our handy deconstruction of the exhibition, as July's #MCAARTBAR is curated by contributing New Romance artist Wade Marynowsky. The theme of the night is 'Exquisite Corpse' which, much like the take-in-turns drawing game from which it takes its name, will bring together a collection of local artists to create a wonderful collaborative masterpiece. Joining Marynowsky's robotic Moonwalker sculpture, which is currently suspended from the foyer's ceiling for the exhibition, will be works by aural artist Luke Killen, performances by Garry Bradbury and Kazumichi Grime and episodes of guitar violence from Kriss Hades. Providing the soundtrack will be FBi's Ears Have Ears program and Tyson Koh on the decks. Plus, there'll be a first-time collab between Sydney artists Gail Priest and Ruark Lewis. You'll need all your senses for this one. By Annie Murney and Lauren Vadnjal.
One of the most promising young Australian standups out there, Becky Lucas first caught our eye as one of the finalists of RAW Comedy in 2013. Since then she's opened for Wil Anderson, written for Josh Thomas' Please Like Me, and performed at the legendary UCB theatre in LA. Her new show, Baby, marks her second time at the Sydney Comedy Festival, and covers everything from depression and abortion to falling down the rabbit hole on Menulog.
As part of her first headlining tour of Australia, Solange (also known as Solange Knowles, aka Beyoncé’s baby sister) has announced Falls Festival sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne. This will be the first time the Texan-born Knowles has ever treated fans Down Under to a live performance of her 2012 dance-friendly EP, True. This comes in the context of eager anticipation of her long-coming third studio album, on which she apparently collaborated with Aussie dudes Midnight Juggernauts. It's due for release sometime next year. Perhaps as famous for being the offspring of the fabulous Mrs. Carter as for her music, Solange has steadily been earning cred as a singer-songwriter in her own right. She certainly can churn out a catchy pop hit, as her successful single 'Losing You' proved last year. Recalling her elder sibling vocally, it managed to step away from her stylistically and embraced a much splashier, synthy '80s pop feel. The sideshows should be a fun choice for anyone craving a night of uncomplicated, playful, upbeat music.
If the change of season leaves you feeling like you have nothing to wear, consider this your official excuse to mix things up. This winter, Stockland Wetherill Park is helping you reboot your style. And best of all, you could walk away with a $1000 gift card just for doing it. The Western Sydney shopping centre is celebrating the new season of fashion in a big way, with the latest drops from retailers like Bras N Things, Ally Fashion, JD Sports, City Perfume, Forever New, Cotton On, Uniqlo and Laser Clinics Australia. Shoppers who spend $100 or more on fashion or beauty between Saturday, June 14–15 and June 21–22, will also score a $30 Stockland gift card*. Just swing by the redemption booth near City Perfume between 11am–2.30pm to claim yours. Once you've picked up some new pieces, don't forget to enter the national draw online. It only takes a minute, and the $1000 prize is worth a serious haul. Check out the details for the $30 gift card here, or enter the major draw to win a $1000 gift card to reboot your winter style here. *Supermarkets excluded. While stocks last. By Jac Kennedy
Sydney nightlife has been a little less fun since the passing of Adrian Thomas, better known as DJ Ajax. Founding the Bang Gang DJs collective in the '00s, Ajax took out the title of Australia's No.1 DJ in 2006 and 2007 by inthemix, and ranked in the top five each year from 2005 until 2009. To celebrate his life, the remaining Bang Gang members — including DJ Damage, Dangerous Dan, Jaime Doom, Double Nolan and Gus Da Hoodrat — will come together to throw a party like they used to on Saturday, February 22, one year after his death. "Return to Club 77 for the annual celebration of the one and only true dance legend Ajax," reads a poster for the night. "Come and help us evoke his spirit and rediscover yourself in space full of light, sound and dance." Club 77 has been Bang Gang's home turf since moving their weekly parties from Moulin Rouge, and the tribute night (conveniently held two nights before the NSW Government's new licensing laws are enforced) is bound to make Ajax proud. The poster reads "10pm — you know when", but it's sure to get crowded. Forward-thinking partygoers will arrive early.
Movember is un/fortunately coming to an end and men across the country have never felt more masculine or virile. On the other hand, women across the country are counting down the days until December when that upper lip of scuzzy peach fuzz is mercifully removed. As Nick Offerman from Parks and Recreation teaches us "Growing a moustache isn't easy. Nothing incredibly awesome ever is." And while we all know that there are thousands of grieving gentlemen out there whose poor excuses for a handlebar or Magnum PI knock-off leave much to be desired, there are certain men throughout history who give new meaning to the idea of a "lady tickler". So in the spirit of Movember and as a little inspiration for those poor fellas whose final week of furry, nose-warming bliss has fallen well-short of its glorious potential, here are thirteen of history's most magnificent mos that prove that often with great power comes a great moustache. Kaiser Wilhelm I Teddy Roosevelt Pancho Villa Genghis Khan Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain Walter Cronkite Wyatt Earp Friedrich Nietzsche US President William Taft Salvador Dali Mark Twain US Baseballer Rollie Fingers General Ambrose Burnside
So, that 'New Year, New You' resolve has started to fade and the end of summer's left you a little lacking in the motivation department. Well, online fashion retailer The Iconic reckons it has exactly what it takes to inspire us all to jump back into the fitness game — a sweet $135,000 worth of vouchers. The vouchers are up for grabs as part of The Iconic's 2019 Sport Challenge, which kicks off today, Tuesday, February 26. Now in its third year, the eight-week digital fitness competition sees Aussie and New Zealand participants of all skill levels winning vouchers for workout threads, shoes and accessories, by simply exercising and completing fitness challenges. It's free to enter, though you'll need to connect your go-to fitness tracking app or device (there are 13 different compatible apps, including Nike Run Club and Polar Flow) to access the 17 different challenges, divided into easy, medium and hard. Expect things like the beginner-friendly Champion Challenge — where you'll need to tick off three 20-minute workouts for the chance to score a $50 Champion voucher — through to the slightly sweatier Skins Challenge, offering a shot at claiming $50 worth of Skins gear, whenever you clock a non-stop 15km run. Rack up 2km of activity in one go and there could be a $100 Fitbit voucher with your name on it. The vouchers are redeemable online at The Iconic for a bunch of big-name sportswear brands, including Mizuno, Reebok, Nike, Adidas and Running Bare. Participants have eight weeks to smash as many challenges as they can, before the competition wraps up at midnight on Tuesday, April 23. The more times you conquer one, the more chances you'll have to score a prize. Sign up over at The Iconic Sport Challenge website and start moving.
Breaking down a classic tale best known as an opera, rebuilding it as a lovers-on-the-run drama set across the US–Mexico border and making every moment burst with emotion, Benjamin Millepied's Carmen is a movie that moves. While its director is a feature debutant, his background as a dancer and choreographer — he did both on Black Swan, the latter on Vox Lux as well, then designed the latest Dune films' sandwalk — perhaps means that the former New York City Ballet principal and Paris Opera Ballet Director of Dance was fated to helm rhythmic, fluid and rousing cinema. His loose take on Georges Bizet's singing-driven show and Prosper Mérimée's novella before it, plus Alexander Pushkin's poem The Gypsies that the first is thought to be based on, is evocative and sensual. It's sumptuous and a swirl of feelings, too, as aided in no small part by its penchant for dance. And, it pirouettes with swoon-inducing strength with help from its stunningly cast leads: Scream queen and In the Heights star Melissa Barrera, plus Normal People breakout and Aftersun Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal. When Mescal earned the world's attention in streaming's initial Sally Rooney adaptation, he had viewers dreaming of fleeing somewhere — Ireland or anywhere — with him. Carmen's namesake (Barrera) absconds first, then has PTSD-afflicted Marine Aidan (Mescal) join her attempt to escape to Los Angeles. Carmen runs after her mother Zilah (flamenco dancer Marina Tamayo) greets the cartel with thunderous footwork, but can't stave off their violence. Aidan enters the story once Carmen is smuggled stateside, where he's a reluctant volunteer border guard in Texas alongside the trigger-happy Mike (Benedict Hardie, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson). As the picture's central pair soon hurtle towards California, to Zilah's lifelong friend Masilda's (Rossy de Palma, Parallel Mothers) bar, they try to fly to whatever safety and security they can find. That may be fleeting, however, and might also be in each other's arms. Mérimée's 1845 work told of blistering passion, as did Bizet's 1875 aria-filled version that's become the first Carmen that usually springs to mind. Indeed, ardour and intensity are among this tale's key traits no matter what format it's in — see also: iconic French filmmaker's 1983 effort First Name: Carmen; the Beyoncé-starring, 2001-released Carmen: A Hip Hopera; and everything prior and since. Millepied, who co-wrote the script with Alexander Dinelaris (an Oscar-winner for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)) and Loïc Barrere (President Alphonse), doesn't buck the trend. Heat and energy beat through his iteration as kinetically as Zilah's heartbeat-mimicking opening number, with the same burning that blazes in Barrera's eyes and as swelteringly as the movie's desert setting (Australia, specifically Broken Hill, standing in for the other side of the world when the film was shot in early 2021 while the pandemic was still wreaking havoc with international borders). Millepied isn't afraid to be bold with Carmen, clearly. Neither are his collaborators on- and off-screen. Barrera, Mescal and de Palma anchor the former — which also includes Elsa Pataky (Interceptor), Tara Morice (who came to fame with Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom three decades back) and rapper The DOC (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) — with such force that to witness them swish through the feature is to feel like you're in their shoes. Barrera and Mescal's chemistry simmers, pivotally. Together and apart alike, each convincingly unpacks the woes and worries paving their characters' struggles in their physicality as much as their words. Enlisting Pedro Almodóvar favourite de Palma is a spectacular coup, of course, and one that makes the La Sombra Poderosa nightclub stretches glimmer and glide with extra zest and potency. This Carmen doesn't just move — it transports, all while pulsating with emotions usually belted out with gusto in song. The movie's destination: the yearning that pushes Carmen and Aidan's flights towards different lives, the sorrow and desperation that refuses to remain buried in their hearts, the determination to fight and the lusty whirlwind that is their time together. Milliped knows how to immerse his audience in these sensations via his frames, which are so strikingly lensed by Jörg Widmer — a cinematographer with past credits that couldn't better sum up the look and tone of Carmen. Back in 2011, Widmer held the same role on Wim Wenders' big-screen Pina Bausch ode Pina. In 2019, he aided Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life in appearing as visually lyrical as the Badlands and The Tree of Life director's work gets. Carmen is that enamoured with the expressive nature of dance, and with imagery as its own haunting form of poetry. That Carmen means ode and poem in Latin is even verbally mentioned within the feature's dialogue. To peer at, Carmen is arresting, too, with its backdrop more than a minor reason. The arid expanse that's long made Broken Hill a popular filming destination has previously graced Wake in Fright, Mad Max II, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Mission: Impossible II, yet demands fresh eyes as Barrera and Mescal twirl over it with longing. In one particularly stirring scene, the duo cavort and embrace, their bodies as feverish as the golden hues evident in both the soil and sky. Carmen and Aidan come together in a desolate existence, finding — even making — what rays they can, but their romance is as jagged as the rocky, scrubby stretch around them. That Mescal's steps can't quite match Barrera's also feels all the more apt given the locale; it's visibly imperfect, so is his dancing and, of course, Carmen and Aidan's intertwined thrust for a new destiny earns that exact description. Similarly vivid touches: seeing Carmen's characters unleash such telling body language against such a still background, and the film's rich costumes gleaming against the ochre earth. The camera spies it all, yet never just lingers and passively observes. Rather, the cinematography flows — never more than in that sashaying against the dirt, plus a glowing fairground interlude that plays like a dream, in Masilda's clu,b and also a late boxing sequence that's as throbbing as anything on a makeshift or genuine dance floor. Singing is still a part of this Carmen, spiritedly and affectingly so, but this is a drama with carefully placed songs worked into the narrative rather than a traditional musical. To be more accurate, it's a drama with dance and sometimes lyrics, with the grandly ambitious and layered score by Nicholas Britell (Succession) getting intoxicatingly stormy to match the sea of movement that keeps washing through like waves.
In late 2018, an Italian restaurant with olive trees, woodfired breads and next-level pasta opened inside Bondi pub The Royal. Called Totti's, it was an instant hit in the eastern suburbs. And now, it's heading to the city. Come Wednesday, January 15, you'll find Bar Totti's inside Merivale's CBD Ivy Precinct. Like its beachside sister, it has woodfired bread alongside an extended menu of antipasto plates and snacks — spanning twenty different plates, with sardines, scallop crudo, burrata, anchovies, 'nduja, octopus and baked tomino cheese all on the list — but, unlike its sibling, it's also promising high-energy party vibes. A horseshoe-shaped bar sits at the centre of the space, where the focus is on favourite Italian drops, including spritzes, digestifs and minimal-intervention wines. Sit at high top tables and listen to DJs from Wednesday–Sunday nights — or grab a seat next to the large windows overlooking George Street. [caption id="attachment_757524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] As well as the aforementioned antipasto, Totti's Head Chef Mike Eggert together with Chef Jake Ahrens (Ash St Cellar, Uccello) are serving up grilled king prawns with chilli and fennel, haloumi, honey and rosemary chicken wings and grilled garfish. For dessert, expect Totti's signature tiramisu and neapolitan ice-cream sandwiches. Bar Totti's joins 1920s Paris-inspired cocktail bar Little Felix in the Ivy Precinct and two more eateries are still to come: a Lebanese restaurant headed by ex-Rockpool Chef Simon Zallou and a Mexican bar. It's the first phase of Merivale's 'Ivy 2.0', which will see the site entirely redeveloped — but that won't come into play for many years to come. These openings coincide with the end of the lockout laws on January 14, the big Light Rail reveal and the City of Sydney's newly approved late-night trading plan, all of which are hoping to help revive Sydney's CBD. Find Bar Totti's inside the Ivy Precinct at Shop 4/330 George Street, Sydney from Wednesday, January 15. It'll open from noon until late seven days per week. Images: Nikki To
Singles Night in the Garden returns on Thursday, October 17, to help Sydneysiders find romance and love (or just some new mates). As far as romantic settings go, the twinkle of fairy lights around The Grounds of Alexandria garden is certainly pretty enough to make any awkwardness fade into the leaves of the surrounding plant life. Tickets will set you back $30, which will get you entry into the garden, a glass of bubbles on arrival and pizza throughout the night. The Grounds isn't, of course, just going to let you loose with a bunch of strangers without guidance — activities on the night include speed dating, giant games, trivia and live music. Plus, the Garden Bar will be open for when you need a little bit more liquid courage. So you don't feel like you've stepped onto the set of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, tickets are being allocated based on gender — you can get in touch with the Grounds to book your ticket if you'd rather not specify. The event is for those aged 24–35 only, and remember you're in public, so try and keep the PDA to a minimum. Singles Night in the Garden will run from 7–10.30pm.
Add a touch of glamour to your outdoors or music festival experience with a designer tent. Designed by a diverse group of artists, photographers and illustrators, FieldCandy tents feature quirky designs ranging from a wedge of cheese to a drawing of a little old granny. There is a jelly bean tent for the sweet tooth, a galactic-themed tent for the nerd, and many more. Adorable, yes, but these tents aren't just for show--they are all rough-and-tumble ready. Appropriate for those hardcore hikers and campers, and for those of us traveling no farther than our back yard, FieldCandy tents are sure to brighten up your camping experience. Looking for a place to getaway to? Check out Concrete Playground's favourite camping destinations.
Aussie Wine Month finishes off with a celebration dinner at The Winery in Surry Hills, where four of Australia's best wines will be paired with a four-course tasting menu that showcases local produce. Hosted by their resident sommelier, well-known Aussie wine and more obscure vintages will be served, while a modern Australian menu will feature native favourites like barilla bower spinach and finger lime. The Winery will have speciality wines from the diverse Aussie regions on offer the entire month of May, but this dinner will offer the best of the best.
When it comes to job opportunities in the hospitality industry, options aren't limited solely to being behind the bar, on the floor or in the kitchen. There is an entire world of positions within hospitality that many don't realise exists. For example, food festivals don't just come together on their own; and if you've ever been at one of these massive events wondering what goes into the planning — or even picking up on things you would do better — you may just be thinking like an event manager without even realising it. That person behind the curtain is the one looking after every tiny detail to bring all that good food and booze together. In partnership with William Blue at Torrens University, we're asking hospitality graduates who run our favourite events in Sydney to talk about how they got started in the industry. Event management student Rebecca Wheatley is four weeks from graduating with a Bachelor of Business (Event Management), and has already earned a successful position as operations event executive at IMG Culinary. Part of her job includes helping run several of IMG's much-loved culinary events, including Taste of Sydney, Taste of Melbourne and Margret River Gourmet Escape. Just before graduation day, we asked her how she got here and for a few tips on how to be successful in the event management space. And might we add, whether events and the hospitality industry are for you or not, Rebecca gives some pretty steadfast advice no matter what field you're starting in. [caption id="attachment_632242" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] GET AN INTERNSHIP "When I first finished school, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I was working a million jobs, travelling a lot, and then I just started doing a few internships. They all happened to be in the event management industry, and at one of my internships, I met a few students from William Blue who highly recommended the program, so I signed up for the next trimester. It's so important to do internships and to get into the work environment. This is the way to start learning what you enjoy and what you're good at. Networking and learning how businesses work is key, and I wouldn't have my job if I didn't do that." RECOGNISE YOUR STRENGTHS "My very first uni subject was to work with a team to make an event. My team ended up doing a charity cocktail party for 130 people. And since it was for charity we had no budget; so figuring out how long to make it all work was very challenging, especially for beginners. I remember looking into ticketing platforms — which often take a percentage — and realising I had to be more creative and find other options. This first project really made me realise how detail oriented I was when looking at events. It's what really led me to the operations side of event management. This showed me the side of the business that I love and am skilled at." [caption id="attachment_632243" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] JUMP AT OPPORTUNITIES "During uni, a former student came to one of my professors looking for an operations assistant for Brand Events (now IMG Culinary). My teacher recommended me, and I started off there with a three-month contract role. I kept contracting for IMG Culinary after that and now, at the start of this year, they put me on full-time as operations event executive. It's been such a great experience and a great opportunity to now graduate with a full-time role." EXPECT LONG HOURS AND HARD WORK "It's obviously a big challenge to juggle both uni and work; one that so many students struggle through. But finishing school without any job experience is even tougher, so working during uni was key to my success. Right now, I'm working [with] IMG four days per week and fitting uni in where I can. It's really hectic to do both at once, especially when there are events on. For Taste of Sydney, I had to go bump in at 7am, then run back for classes for a few hours and then head back to the event until midnight or 1am. And right now, I'm working on the program for Margaret River Gourmet Escape and managing all 150 exhibitors, as well as the contractors, schedule, council and all of the logistics. In this industry, you really devote your life to getting the event over the line. It's all you do and all you think about. You're constantly trying to come up with new ideas and ways to make it all work. Then, when the event opens and you see it all come to life, its such a rush and a moment to be really proud of yourself. You need to have that passion to keep going." [caption id="attachment_632241" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] STAY DEDICATED "When you're just starting out, it's either long hours, low pay or both, but don't be afraid to work for it and get through it. If you're lucky enough to be in an industry that you love, then it all pays off. Especially when juggling school and work, it's really hard, but remember it's only temporary. Don't be afraid to stick it out. Sometimes it feels impossible to do both, but you'll get through it and be so glad that you did when you have a career at the end of it." William Blue at Torrens University offers courses in Event Management, Hospitality, Culinary Management and Tourism. Find out more about the diverse career options in hospitality, and kick-start your career at the William Blue Open Day on Saturday, August 12 in Sydney or via their website.
Opening the Tamarama Rocksurfers 2014 season is The Pride, which describes itself as "David Attenborough meets The Mighty Boosh" and sounds like a good night out for anyone who likes a bit of surrealist theatre. The award-winning play from Perth's Side Pony Productions is written by director Zoe Pepper collaboratively with cast members Adriane Daff, Brendan Ewing and Russell Leonard. The plot, from what we can gather, revolves around a family drama in the life of three lions. One of them, Bruce, is trying to take care of his family and do some renovations (who knew lions were into home improvement?) while feeling threatened by the presence of James, an attractive, potentially more virile neighbour. Yep, sounds a little strange, but it won the ArtsHub People's Choice Award in 2012 and was apparently a smash at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. So maybe head along and check out what a few talented folks from the west coast can do. The Pride runs from March 18 to April 5 at the Bondi Pavilion, and thanks to the Tamarama Rock Surfers, we have three double passes to the March 19 preview to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1zbvgR2H5Y0
What's the perfect dessert to follow a feast of gyoza or bao? Harajuku Gyoza might be the home of raindrop cakes and Japanese air cheesecakes, but it has another answer to that question: sweet versions of its go-to savoury dishes. Lemon meringue gyoza, marshmallow gyoza and Ferrero Rocher dumplings have been on the chain's menu before. Nutella gyoza sits there permanently. Now, it's time for gingerbread, pavlova and rum ball bao. 'Tis the season, after all. The food mashup fiends are celebrating the jolliest time of year with a new round of inventive limited-edition sweet treats — and new examples to prove the fact that there's no such thing as bad gyoza or bao. Harajuku Gyoza likes experimenting with its savoury range, too (mac 'n' cheese and pepperoni dumplings, anyone?), but turning bao into dessert and a festive treat is multiple presents in one. Available at Harajuku Gyoza's four Australian stores — at Darling Harbour in Sydney; at South Bank and the CBD in Brisbane; and in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast — the Christmas-inspired bao are exactly what they sound like. So, they're bao topped with whichever other dessert they're forming a Frankenstein's monster-style hybrid with, with each deep-fried and dusted in sugar first. Because these are a merry treat, they're only available until Christmas. That gives you just a few weeks to head on in and discover what gingerbread, pavlova and rum ball bao taste like. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harajuku Gyoza (@harajukugyoza) If you're keen on gathering the gang, Harajuku Gyoza will give you a free round of Christmas bao if you have your Christmas party with eight people or more at one of its outposts. And if you fancy tucking into the new dumplings after devouring two old favourites — cheeseburger gyoza, which is stuffed with burger pieces, aged cheddar, onion, pickles, mustard and tomato sauce; and mozzarella gyoza, which is filled with the obvious, then deep-fried and sprinkled with Twisties salt — that's up to you. Harajuku Gyoza's Christmas dessert bao are available at all Australian stores — at Darling Harbour in Sydney; at South Bank and the CBD in Brisbane; and in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast — until Monday, December 25, 2023.
Back in July, Surry Hills favourite Harry's celebrated its return with a $10 burger and cocktail special. Luckily for us, it has decided to make the deal a permanent fixture. You can now enjoy Harry's fan favourite burgers as well as its range of cocktails for just $10, seven days a week. Each day you'll be able to choose between wagyu beef, fried chicken and eggplant schnitzel burgers, with a weekly secret burger option available on Wednesdays. When it comes to cocktails, you have the option of three classics: margarita, Aperol spritz and negroni. The $10 burgers and cocktails come as part of Harry's brand new menu. Lead by Head Chef Gustavo Silveira Melo and Executive Chef Tom Walton, the new lineup also includes taquitos: a popular Mexican street snack of hand-rolled, fried tacos. Barbacoa beef, ancho chicken and chipotle adobo sweet potato taquitos are all available to enjoy alongside traditional pescado, mojo rojo cauliflower and al pastor pork tacos. Mainstays of the Harry's menu like its fish and chips and scotch fillet steak are here to stay, but the potential burger–taco combination is the star of the show. "Burgers and tacos are in our DNA," Chef Gustavo said of the new menu items. "I grew up in Brazil snacking on taquitos and I lived in and out of Mexican restaurants and street food places. I always paired tacos and taquitos with a beer or a margarita." The taquitos are available for three for $9 making them the perfect shared snack or starter before tucking into a burger. If you're not already full from this new selection of mains, the menu also offers a decadent sundae with peanut dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, violet crumble and a waffle cone for dessert. Harry's is open 11.30am–10.30pm Sunday–Thursday and 11.30am–11.30pm Friday–Saturday at 40/44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills. Top image: Exterior photo by Nikki To.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we at Concrete Playground can think of no better way to celebrate the painful plethora of schmaltz to come than with a hilarious collection of love declarations gone awry, thanks to the miracle of autocorrect. Damn You Autocorrect, the collector of texting fails, have compiled ten of their favourite Valentine's Day autocorrect blunders, proving that despite the efficiency it provides the modern lover, texting away your affection is not necessarily the best way to keep your relationship afloat. Via Mashable Image byCalypsoCrystal.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Sydney hospitality legends Kenny Graham and Jake Smyth (of Mary's, The Lansdowne, The Unicorn, P&V Wine and Liquor, Mary's Pizzeria) were taking over historic jazz venue The Basement and transforming it into a live gig space, a wine bar and a new harbourside Mary's — and the latter is opening tomorrow. Yep, on Wednesday, May 1, when you knock off work, you'll be able to stroll on down to Circular Quay and dig into a juicy Mary's burger and fried cauliflower. Wait, what? Yep, this new Mary's will, for the first time ever, have a vegan menu. Plant-based peeps, rejoice — you'll now be able to get your fill of the famed burgers and fried 'chicken'. The 'chicken' will be fried cauliflower and the burgers made with vegan patty, cheese, bun and a vegan take on Mary's sauce. As an added bonus, there'll also be no chance of contamination with the kitchen having its own vegan-only cool room, grills and fryers. If you were lucky enough to head along to Mary's Newtown's one-off all-vegan collab with Shannon Martinez (of Melbourne's Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli), you'll know that the boys do vegan well. Very well. As co-owner Smyth said in a statement, "it's fucking delicious plant based food, designed to make your carnivorous mates jealous." [caption id="attachment_706829" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham by Leyla Muratovic.[/caption] Those carnivorous mates who do prefer their burgers and fried chicken the traditional Mary's way — made with juicy beef and poultry — fear not, you'll find all the meat-filled classic here, too. As well as Mary's classic loud tunes, natural wines, local beers and raucous service. And, if there's not already graffiti in the bathrooms when the 100-seat venue opens, we're sure it won't be long till there is. In a change of direction for the duo, though, you'll also be able to eat your burgers outdoors (in the sun) at the 30-seat Mary's Alfresco. And there's more to come from the new Mary's digs, too. While the upstairs restaurant — fittingly called Mary's Circular Quay — is opening tomorrow, Mary's Underground, the live music venue and full-service restaurant, is slated to open by the end of the month. We'll let you know when it does. Find Mary's CQ at 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney from Wednesday, May 1. It's open from midday–12am Monday–Wednesday, midday–1am Thursday–Saturday, and midday–10pm on Sunday. Top image: Mary's Newtown.
Grammy-nominated New York duo Sofi Tukker have announced they'll be bringing their genre-blurring tunes to Aussie shores, set to take the stage in Sydney and Melbourne next month. Since releasing their debut EP, Soft Animals, early last year, Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern have garnered fans worldwide, snapping up chart spots in more than 20 countries and landing festivals across Europe and North America. The pair's dance-worthy beats draw inspiration from all corners of the globe, resulting in a layering of sound unlike any you've heard before. And the Sofi Tukker live show promises to be every bit as spectacular, starring the duo's own unique instrument, called 'The Book Tree'. Expect a six-foot-tall 'creature', decked out in foliage and hardcover books, each tome engineered to create a different sound when drummed, to compliment that blissful melange of guitar, bass, and bongos. Sofi Tukker plays at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on February 17 and Melbourne's Howler on February 18. Tickets are available from Moshtix from January 12.
Parramatta continues to make a solid case for its status as one of Sydney's most exciting emerging CBDs. And the latest incarnation of its annual Parramatta Lanes festival proves precisely why it's worth making the trek to one of Western Sydney's most vibrant precincts. Here are our picks of the eats, beats and art you absolutely should not miss when the popular (and free!) four-day street party returns for its 10-year anniversary from Wednesday, October 12 until Saturday, October 15. EATS BUTTER The main thoroughfares of Parramatta are already packed with a plethora of eateries that reflect its commitment to embracing emerging Australian hospitality venues — think Ruse Bar and Brasserie, pan-Asian Lilymu and Ciccia Bella by Icebergs' Maurice Terzini in Parramatta Square. Parramatta Lanes festival will see many of them spill out onto the streets, and it's only appropriate that we're spotlighting one of the pioneers that brought urban-cred to the suburbs: Butter Sydney. Born in Surry Hills before branching out to its second outpost on Marsden Street in Parramatta, the iconic sneaker, champagne and fried chicken store is known for its shoestring fries and hip hop vibes. With a reputation for creating exclusive menu items unique to each of its locations (like the hot charcoal chicken roll with ramen gravy and mayo for its Parra store), we can only lick our lips in anticipation while we wait to see what they have lined up for their Parramatta Lanes pop-up. KOI Foodies with a sweet tooth will be spoilt for choice with a delicious selection of dessert pop-ups among the 30+ food stalls that will appear at Parramatta Lanes. As well as a number of local vendors hawking traditional sweet stuff that reflects the suburb's multicultural roots (pro tip: don't miss the Dutch waffles at Stroop Bros), a selection of sophisticated desserts by KOI will be on offer. With Masterchef alumni and Australian dessert royalty Reynold Poernomo's signature treats including Strawberry Lychee, Mango Yuzu and Nomtella Celebration cakes, you're sure to find something to satisfy your cravings for a sugar fix. And of course, indulging in a treat at Parramatta Lanes allows you to take a pretty Insta pic by the Parramatta River as you tuck in. BEATS CULTURAL PERFORMANCES Parramatta is one of the most multicultural metros in Sydney, with 45% of its residents born overseas and collectively speaking 140 languages. If you're keen to see it in practice but not confident enough to start a conversation in Arabic/Tamil/Mandarin, then it's time to talk in a language that everyone understands and catch one of the many local cultural performances timetabled for Lanes. Among the acts on show you'll find First Nations rappers, a colourful Indian dance troupe, and Korean karaoke blasting from a stage set up at 23 George Street in — complete with disco ball. Pair it with a snack from one of the event's many ethnic food stalls and you'll really get an insight into the magical multilingual make-up of Parramatta. BOY SODA With several prolific performers and personalities calling Parramatta home (Rebel Wilson ring a bell?), it's not surprising that Lanes serves as a springboard for aspiring entertainers. Among the local artists and bands you can catch are Mike Champion, 1800-Mikey, Hamza, Qosmea, Scruff Live, Beat Kitchen Records, Clarissa Mei and Nicole Issa. Cast the net a little wider, and you can enjoy performances by two-piece noise band Party Dozen, Italian-Nigerian singer Liyah Knight, triple j-unearthed Doja-Cat-inspired Mung Mung, and Melbourne's CD. Only got time to squeeze in one show? Don't miss Boy Soda — aka Brae Luafalealo — performing his signature modern electronic RnB and hip hop. He's already signed with Warner, so take the opportunity to get up close and personal with the kid from the Central Coast before he really blows up — and remind everyone that you heard him here first. ART FANTASTIC PLANET BY PARER STUDIO Parramatta Lanes truly comes to life after dark, making a post-sunset stroll the perfect opportunity to enjoy illuminated art installations, Fantastic Planet by Parer Studio. A perfect embodiment of Parramatta's vision to establish itself as a global city, these luminously lit humanoid figures will entice passersby with their sci-fi-inspired super-scale presence and encourage guests to explore the lanes where they have been strategically placed in the process. Find your favourite at locations including Parramatta Square, St John's Lawn, Centenary Square, Erby Place carpark, and Lennox Bridge — or snap all five for the full experience. According to artist Amanda Parer, her goal is to "allow the audience to hopefully experience a moment of humility and reflection amongst these large but peaceful giants, a sense that we as a species rarely get to feel." BUBBLE THERAPY BY HOSSEI Between trying to decide which food stall to feast at and losing yourself in one of the previously mentioned live performances, you'd be forgiven for running out of time to discover everything that Parramatta Lanes has to offer. The struggle is real, but fortunately so is the solution, with many of the interactive performances on offer at the festival designed to come directly to you. One of the most perennially popular (with kids little and big alike) is Bubble Therapy by Hossei. The creation of Australian/Persian/Turkish/Russian artist Hossei, Bubble Therapy performers draw on themes of theatre, surrealism and mysticism to present operatic artists roaming Parramatta Lanes blowing bubbles out of their costumes — and blowing your mind with their skills. Parramatta Lanes is on from Wednesday, October 12 till Saturday, October 15. For more information and to plan your visit, head to the website.
While we hope your relationship doesn't involve prison escapes, henchmen and war, Wes Anderson's (arguably) greatest love story does. And, this Valentine's Day, you can watch it with a limited-edition Gelato Messina dessert in-hand. Surry Hills' cinema Golden Age will be screening the star-studded The Grant Budapest Hotel twice on Thursday, February 14 — at both 6.10pm and 8.30pm — and every filmgoer will score a complimentary Messina de Chocolat. Inspired by the Courtesan au Chocolat made by Mendl's Patisserie in the film, the individual towers of choux pastry are filled with chocolate fondant gelato, glazed with pink and green pastel icing and topped with a golden almond — and served in the oh-so-familiar millennial pink boxes. As usual, Golden Age's bar will be open before and after the flick, so you can have a date night cocktail and snack, if you so please.
It's that time of year again. You may or may not have decided this is the year to finally try your hand at a short film, but you definitely know someone who knows someone who has. They've mulled over the Tropfest Signature Item 'dice' and come up with a few quirky ideas, which may or may not involve raiding the Monopoly set. Entries are now closed, the sixteen finalists announced, and it's time to start planning your pilgrimage to the Domain. One hundred and fifty thousand people will descend upon the Domain, with live satellite links across the country and another two hundred and thirty-five thousand odd tuning in on Foxtel's Movie Extra. The event kicks off with the little 'uns, TropJr finalists, screening at 1pm. This year also marks the entry of a new category, the Telstra Mobile Masterpieces, with three finalists screening their mobile phone film creations. Then the main event of seven-minute wonders, consistently boasting ludicrous talent (and usually judged by big name luminaries), which is already on display in Tropfest's gorgeous, animated trailer. So it's time to pray for good weather, and prepare for rain. Sydneysiders have done more than one drenched dash out of the Domain come Tropfest night, but that's just the roll of the dice. Our friends at John Jameson Productions will be giving punters the chance to save their Ksubis and sarongs from unwanted grass stains, instead spending the afternoon reclined on a comfy inflatable chair. Swing past their bar to pick one up. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_zp-LR7kz5U
When LP's opened its doors on Chippen Street back in August, 2014, our reviewer wrote "if you're not addicted to smoking, then you haven't tried LP's Quality Meats". Unfortunately, Sydneysiders must now prepare for some serious withdrawals, with the haven of smoked and cured meats set to close its doors on February 1, 2020. Thankfully, though, you won't be going cold turkey — while the LP's restaurant will be closing for good, its house-made smoked goods will be living on in the space, which'll transform into a wholesale business, shop and events space. Set to reopen later in February, LP's will become a purpose-built meat processing plant to "support the demand for [its] wholesale products" and "broaden [its] production repertoire". There's the silver lining: more mortadella, more sausages, more extremely tasty smoked meats. [caption id="attachment_724983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Powell by Kitti Gould[/caption] While it'll be closed during the week, the shop will open to the public on Saturdays on Sundays, so you can, importantly, stock up for summer and autumn picnics. It'll also play host to sausage making and small goods classes run by owner Luke Powell (the LP in LP's), and there'll be space for 40–50 seats for possible collaboration dinners and events. While it closes for renovations, you'll be able to find LP's mortadella, sausage and salami atop pizzas at Powell's second restaurant Bella Brutta, a next-level pizza joint in Newtown. You'll also find its various smoked meats on the menu at A1 Canteen, Reuben Hills, Paramount Coffee Project and The Dolphin — and, we're sure, many many more restaurants, bars and cafes come next year. Find LP's Quality Meats at 16 Chippen Street, Chippendale until February 1, 2020. It'll reopen as a wholesale small goods shop later in the month, opening to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Top image: LP's Quality Meats by Destination NSW.
After a somewhat traumatising 2020, there aren't many people in Sydney's hospitality scene that would dream of launching a restaurant that's only open for business once a week. For chefs Grace Chen (ex-Poly) and self-dubbed "Big" Sam Young (ex-Lotus) — the timing couldn't be better. The duo launched a private dining business last year after COVID saw the temporary closure of both venues. Business boomed, and the pair have since flown around Australia to curate luxe culinary experiences for clients, with their catering calendar booked out on Saturdays until September. [caption id="attachment_811115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A menu collaboration at Juicy Banana, by Wesley Nel.[/caption] Juicy Banana is their latest brainchild, a Sunday-only lunchtime restaurant out of the old Storehouse at Vibe Hotel in Rushcutters Bay. From Sunday, May 2, Juicy Banana will be inviting special guest chefs each week, with the likes of Toby Stansfield (of Fabbrica) on Sunday, May 16 and Alex Yu (of Sokyo) on Sunday, May 23. PS40 owner-bartender Michael Chiem and front-of-house manager Alessandro Ponzoni (ex-LuMi restaurant manager) complete the permanent Juicy Banana roster. Young says the pop-up restaurant gives himself, Chen and guest chefs the opportunity to collaborate and "create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our guests". "We as chefs often have limitations on what we have to cook in the restaurant that we work at," Young explains. "This is an opportunity for chefs to come to our kitchen and cook whatever they want — no boundaries, just delicious shit." [caption id="attachment_811117" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juicy Banana, by Wesley Nel.[/caption] The formula behind Juicy Banana's weekly shared-style menu is simple: if Young loves the food, and it's delicious — he'll serve it. The bright venue is delightfully suited to leisurely Sunday lunches, bathed in natural afternoon sunlight along with elegant navy and white accents. Set lunch prices will range between $105–$140. For those interested in a more casual experience, Juicy Banana's bar is taking walk-ins and serving casual snacks with cocktails every Sunday. Drink options include a Basque-style old fashioned; a salted cucumber and habanero margarita; and a macerated strawberry spritz with dry sherry, Hendrick's gin, apple ribbon and dill. A curated selection of wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. At the moment, the Juicy Banana team plan to stick to a one-day-a-week trade. "After COVID disrupted the whole hospitality industry, there is room for chefs and bartenders to be owning their own spaces," Chiem says. "But we just want to do Sundays, and do Sundays well." You can book a table and keep up-to-date with all of Juicy Banana's collaborations at their website via By Experience. Pre-payment is required.
When you go to the movies, you abide by the usual cinema etiquette rules. You don't kick the seat in front of you, you refrain from checking your phone and lighting up the darkened theatre with its bright glow, and you don't natter away through the flick and annoy everyone around you, for instance. And, you wear clothes — well, unless you're going to Fantastic Film Festival Australia's nude session of Patrick, that is. Yes, you read that correctly. Starring Kevin Janssens (Revenge) as the titular figure and featuring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement as a musician, Belgian film follows a handyman who works at a remote nudist colony, so attendees are asked to strip down for the session (or just wear their underwear). The nude screening takes place at 4pm on Sunday, April 25 at the Randwick Ritz, and you'll need to sit in the cinema five balcony if you're attending sans attire. There are a few ground rules, though. Photography is completely off limits, you'll need to bring a towel to sit on, only patrons over the age of 18 can attend and you're asked to respect your fellow movie-goers' personal space. You also need to rock up fully clothed, and then disrobe in the cinema. And, if you have to go to the bathroom during the movie — or want something from the candy bar — you'll need to get dressed again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U68CKW0mjg&feature=emb_logo Top image: Charlie De Keersmaecker and Cosima Finkbeiner.
When the weekend hits, after a lazy brunch we’re usually hungry for a little culture hit. However, despite our best intentions, in our endless wandering and moans of ‘what should we do?’, desperate, we end up on a mate’s couch doing a Game Of Thrones marathon with a hand in a bucket of chicken. Why not change it up with the Changing Lanes festival? Now in its second year, the fest draws together the best local talent across music, art and fashion. This year the hit list includes PVT, Gareth Liddiard, Papa Vs Pretty, The Vasco Era, Beni, The Last Kinection, Oscar + Martin, and Juggernaut DJs, plus artists Numskull, Beastman, Ears, Houl and loads more. The festival is also hopping over from last year's Newtown to Devonshire Street in Surry Hills, meaning that it's a mere skip from Central Station - no excuses now! Afterwards, roll along to the official after party at The Standard and kick on into the night with Pluto Jonze, Myth and Tropics, Alison Wonderland and others. Packed to the hilt with stimulation of all sorts, it’ll definitely get you off the couch (and away from that nasty bucket of chicken). Culture hit? Tick and tick.
Keen to round out pool party season with an absolute banger? As part of its Two Months of Rum celebrations, Grain Bar is taking things right back to the 1950s, descending on the Four Seasons' outdoor pool for a freeretro-glam LA-inspired shindig to remember. On Sunday, February 24, punters will get to try the pool, which is usually reserved for guests only. The rum-fuelled evening will be free to attend — you'll just have to pay for your cocktails, which will be going for $15 each. Charlie Ainsbury of Proof & Co (and previously This Must Be the Place), James 'Dub Dub' from Neat Spirits and Grain's own Roderick Boerma have teamed up to deliver a cocktail menu that befits the location. They'll be whipping up sips like the Pineapple Junglebird, Miami Vice and a classic holiday-style Mai Tai, to enjoy while lounging by the pool. Throw in some poolside installations, beats from DJ Turbo and surprise 'change rooms' (whatever that means), and you've got yourself a pretty wild end to summer.
There's a reason that rock music rarely appears in musical theatre — lest we remember Tom Cruise's performance in the Rock of Ages film adaptation. But when it's done right, it can be, well, incredible. Case in point: Belvoir's production Barbara and the Camp Dogs. Co-written by Ursula Yovich and Alana Valentine, Barbara and the Camp Dogs tells the story of a rock band, led by wild and unpredictable singer Barbara (played by Yovich), struggling to break into Sydney's music scene. Alongside her cousin René (Elaine Crombie), Barbara returns to her hometown and is faced with a legacy of trauma and family drama. What unfolds is a confronting and hopeful story that explores the compounding hardships of being an Indigenous woman trying to make it in a relentless industry. Unsurprisingly, the show was an absolute smash hit when it first ran in 2017. So much so that, following the recent nomination for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting in the 2019 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Belvoir is bringing it back for an encore season this April. Throughout the 100-minute run, you can expect emotionally charged and high energy performances from the two returning lead actors, accompanied by a live band. The band sits onstage for the play's duration and performs original rock songs, ranging from raging punk to soulful ballads, to propel the story forward. But the band members aren't the only ones that score a spot on stage. To create the vision of a quintessential Aussie pub rock venue, the stage will be filled with couches, tables and bar stools. Audience members are able to purchase tickets for on-stage seating and become completely immersed in the show. Barbara and the Camp Dogs will run Tuesdays to Sundays from Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 28. On-stage tickets start at $32 and standard audience tickets start at $43 for under-30s. To purchase tickets, head to Belvoir St Theatre's website.
Spencer Tunick’s tableaux vivants are supposed to impress us with the raw beauty and power of the human form, but if you’re like me and find the naked adult body a bit ridiculous you might sooner respond to his work as an elaborate art of mass organisation and collaboration. Having instigated close to 100 short lived, site specific nudie fests around the world, the New York artist is set to create his first large scale installations in Sydney on the Opera House forecourt for the 2010 Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. So get your birthday suit specially cleaned and pressed and register on the website to enjoy skinship with strangers in the name of art.
Falls Festival might be gearing up to celebrate a quarter-century, but it feels a bit like we're the ones getting the birthday presents instead. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 25th year is a pretty buzzworthy gang of musical mates, headlined by Australia's own wunderkind Flume, as he returns to the Falls stage for the first time since wooing the Lorne crowds in 2012. He's joined on the bill by international names like Seattle-based Grammy nominees Fleet Foxes (who were here earlier in the year for Sydney Festival), Oxford four-piece Glass Animals (who were also just here for Laneway), Californian indie-pop darlings Foster The People and The Kooks, who'll be celebrating a milestone of their own, having clocked up ten years since their debut album. If you've had your ear to the ground, you'll already know the part about Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher dropping in for his first-ever Aussie headline shows. True to form, the Falls 2017 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include the party-ready Peking Duk, Brisbane rockers Dune Rats, Melbourne natives The Smith Street Band and Total Giovanni, and indie duo Angus & Julia Stone, off the back of their soon-to-launch album Snow. And it looks like you can start limbering up those vocal chords for a gutsy rendition of 'The Horses', with the legendary Daryl Braithwaite also slated for an appearance. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. You can, however, say goodbye to the usual drink ticket situation, which has been ditched in favour of paywave and cash-enabled bars. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, and the North Byron Parklands, with WA's 2017 Falls Festival landing itself a new home within the Fremantle Oval precinct. But here's the full lineup. FALLS FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP Flume (no sideshows) Fleet Foxes Run The Jewels The Kooks Glass Animals (no sideshows) Peking Duk Angus & Julia Stone Foster The People Liam Gallagher Vince Staples Jungle Dune Rats The Smith Street Band D.R.A.M Daryl Braithwaite Everything Everything Allday The Jungle Giants Thundamentals Methyl Ethel Slumberjack D.d Dumbo Anna Lunoe Dz Deathrays Confidence Man Julia Jacklin Bad//dreems Cosmo's Midnight Winston Surfshirt Luca Brasi Alex Lahey Camp Cope Flint Eastwood Ecca Vandal Dave Total Giovanni + More to be announced
There's nothing like having a film's images and energy follow you as you leave the cinema and go about your day or having a specific scene creep up on you and make you laugh out loud in public. It's a special film that continues to reappear to the viewer after the credits roll, and that happened to me with Ruby Sparks. This is an impressive debut screenplay from Zoe Kazan, who also plays Ruby, and is directed by the married couple who brought us Little Miss Sunshine, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. With the same quirky joy to it, and many tender moments, its composition seems effortless. Ruby Sparks strikes a pitch-perfect balance between laughter, love, and heartbreak in sharing a fun, unbelievable love story. There's a lot to enjoy and have fun with in this film, starting with the plot. Calvin Weir-Fields (Paul Dano, the mute son from Little Miss Sunshine) is a literary genius, except he doesn't like being called so. Modest, introverted, and socially anxious, Calvin's literary success came at a young age. Now his writer's block is causing added stress. Until he has a dream. "You don't even get laid in your dreams, man? That's just sad," spits his older brother, Harry, played by Chris Messina, after Calvin dreams of 'just talking' to a sweet redhead. But the relationship develops as Ruby, quite literally, springs to life, appearing in Calvin's kitchen. She's in love with Calvin, and although he adores her right back, and is writing again, he also feels uneasy loving a woman he imagines. The tension between the typed page and reality starts to wreak havoc on Calvin's moral compass. Ordering Ruby to be happy, sad, clingy, or normal, he realises that to love and be with someone, you have to let them be a person themselves, not just the idealised elements of one. Dano and Kazan's performances are tender and solid, and they make an adorable couple (in real life as well as celluloid). With elements of the Pygmalion myth and traces of Stranger Than Fiction, Ruby Sparks is beguiling, heartfelt, and innocently beautiful. Its enlivened by great cinematography, including wonderful internal shots of Calvin's typewriter, dreamy underwater scenes, and crisp colours and textures, especially when we visit Calvin's mother's rainforest home. Appearances from actors such as Steve Coogan, Elliott Gould, and Antonio Banderas are the cherries in this already delicious mix of a film. https://youtube.com/watch?v=acwm-UAZ3OQ
Thirty-four-metres long, more than twice as big as a regular hot air balloon and ripped straight from Patricia Piccinini's inimitable mind, Skywhale 2013 might just be one of Australia's most recognisable recent pieces of art. And, this morning at sunrise (Monday, March 9), Skywhale took flight once again as part of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. She'll make her second (and final) solo flight this evening at 8pm from the North Lawns — so, if you happen to be in Canberra, keep an eye on the skies. Then, as of May, Skywhale will be joined by her new companion, Skywhalepapa. The new floating sculpture is designed to form a family with Skywhale, with the second bulbous sculpture commissioned as part of the gallery's Balnaves Contemporary Series. In total, the pair will take flight six times during the nearly three-month Skywhales: Every Heart Sings exhibition — with launch locations at Parliamentary Triangle and yet-to-be-confirmed sites in Woden and Tuggeranong. [caption id="attachment_751759" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skywhalepapa, 2019/20 (artist's sketch), Patricia Piccinini. Courtesy of the artist.[/caption] The structures' first co-flight is set to take place on Saturday, May 2 from Parliamentary Triangle. As reported by The Guardian Australia, the new balloon will be around 30 metres tall, 37 metres wide and weigh a whopping 400 kilograms. While the two were meant to take to the sky together today, Piccinini told The Guardian that it was better to have a "staggered approach" and allow Skywhale to be reintroduced to Canberra before Skywhalepapa (and the duo's attached children) take to the skies together. If you can't make it to Canberra to see the growing Skywhale clan, they will also tour the country later in the year, with locations and dates still to be confirmed. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fIa3xHmDu/ Apart from the Skywhales: Every Heart Sings installation, the NGA is offering up a whole heap of top-notch exhibitions in 2020. It'll welcome Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London in November, boasting over 60 works from European masters — most of which have never before travelled to Australia. Art lovers can also look forward to Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now, which'll shine a spotlight on the nation's female creatives; Belonging: Stories of Australian Art, a major collection of 19th-century Aussie pieces; a six-month focus on Chinese artist and activist Xu Zhen; and The Body Electric, a showcase of works by female-identifying creatives that are all about sex, pleasure and desire. Skywhales: Every Heart Sings launched today, March 9 at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes, ACT. Additional flight dates are planned for May 2 through July 25. For further information about the NGA's 2020 lineup, visit the gallery's website. Top image: Skywhale, 2013, Patricia Piccinini. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Gift of anonymous donor 2019, Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
As far as names go, Sydney's latest festival doesn't boast the cheeriest: We're All Going to Die. Take that moniker as inspiration. Knowing that your time alive is limited, should you make the most of it? Forget "YOLO" and "life's too short", although they might sound appropriate. "Fear less, live more" is the fest's motto, and it has compiled the program to prove it, which will take over COMMUNE at Waterloo from 6pm on November 17. The brainchild of founder Stefan Hunt, based on his own anxieties, WAGTD has already been striking a chord before it even kicks off — raising $37,424 through crowdfunding in just three weeks. So, what does this morbid-meets-motivational concept (which has backing from Indigo Project psychologists) and all that support lead to? Opening up the conversation around fear and death via a cultural festival filled with art, music, films, meditation and panel discussions. With more than 50 local and international artists taking part — including the likes of Groove Therapy, RetroSweat and Triple J's Tom Tilley — attendees can expect chats with funeral directors, a rainbow hearse, dance-like-nobody's-watching sessions, gazing into the eyes of strangers, a range of tombstone-related art, a death-focused meditation class, and a 60-second film festival within the broader fest, focusing on topics like death, fear, judgement and life. Because that sounds like hungry and thirty work, there'll also be food and drinks from Mary's Burgers — including the 'We're All Going to Die Burger' — Young Henry's and Cake Wines.
After shuffling through cinemas for decades, the zombie genre has begun to resemble its flesh-eating undead antagonists. It seems that almost every new film takes a chunky bite out of its predecessors, whether nodding to George A Romero's seminal Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and the rest of the Dead saga — as virtually everything does — or opting for more recent references like 28 Days Later. South Korea's Train to Busan franchise is no different, but it is willing to look far and wide for influences. Indeed, when the series first hit the big screen, it took a Snakes on a Plane-esque idea and changed it to zombies on a train, because who doesn't want to watch a speeding locomotive full of living, breathing humans battle brain-munching foes? Train to Busan not only made a top-notch action/horror-thriller flick in the process, too, but spawned an animated prequel in Seoul Station, which detailed the start of the zombie epidemic in another city. Now, series director Yeon Sang-ho expands upon his universe yet again with four-years-later sequel Peninsula. This time, via a bloody boat ride to Hong Kong and a glimpse of ex-pat life for South Koreans now stranded abroad — spoiler: parallels to COVID-19-era racism abound — Incheon is the franchise's new setting. And, in terms of taking his cues from a variety of sources, Yeon clearly adores another genre as well. Peninsula opts for decidedly dystopian Mad Max-meets-Fast and Furious-meets-World War Z heist flick setup, with a big heap of Escape from New York also thrown in. As with Train to Busan, it works. Peninsula doesn't quite reach its predecessor's heights or add anything new to the heaving undead genre. In fact, it also cribs liberally from the storyline that served the saga's first film so well, just with new characters and a different locale. Nonetheless, Yeon twists his familiar zombie and action elements into a frenetic thriller that's rarely less than thoroughly entertaining. If, prior to 2016, you'd ever wondered what might happen should zombies infest South Korea, this series has already provided a few answers. Now, if you've been pondering what could possibly occur next, Peninsula has plenty more thoughts. The less time spent thinking about the film's terrible English-language talk show clips, which spew exposition at viewers in a cringe-inducing fashion, the better — but they do provide some narrative context. Unsurprisingly, zombies have wholly overrun Peninsula's titular land mass, turning it into a wasteland. That said, they've curiously decided to respect the demilitarised zone and not venture into North Korea, a briefly mentioned development that seems designed to set up the next sequel. Initially lucky enough to flee, army Captain Jung-seok (Gang Dong-won) and his brother-in-law Chul-min (Kim Do-yoon) now get by however they can, with the former wracked with guilt for failing to help others on his way out of the country and the latter festering with grief over his own losses. They're subsequently prime targets for a mob of Hong Kong heavies who want to send them back to the abandoned and quarantined Incheon, where a truck filled with cash awaits. Zombies don't care about money, of course, so the city's valuables are there for the taking. But Incheon isn't completely empty. Min-jung (Lee Jung-hyun), her daughters Joon (Lee Re) and Yu-jin (Lee Ye-won), and her father (Kwon Hae-hyo) were never able to escape, so they've spent years evading the undead. Also roaming the streets is a brutal rogue militia group that calls itself Unit 631 and pits survivors against zombies Fight Club-style for sport. As co-scripted by Yeon and Train to Busan's Park Joo-Suk, Peninsula isn't a film about plot surprises — rather, it's a movie predicated upon setpieces and suspense. Splashing an ample array of eye-catching, unnervingly tense action scenes across the screen is the name of the game here, as well as keeping viewers on the edge of their seats while they're watching. The special effects don't always hold up, but Yeon otherwise achieves his aim with rip-roaring flair. Fresh from scoring an Oscar nomination for Parasite, editor Yang Jin-mo gets to show off his hefty skills, too, especially in the feature's big and small car chases (including the inventive use of lit-up remote-controlled cars to distract and shepherd Incheon's hordes). Predictable as it is, Peninsula's narrative still does what it needs to, providing the scaffolding for the movie's action onslaught. Even better, thanks to the film's engaging cast — especially the trio of Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Re and Lee Ye-won — it benefits from grounded performances that ensure that the audience is invested in the feature's characters. But the part of Peninsula that Yeon truly perfects is also its most obvious aspect: its commentary on humanity's savage nature when faced with anything beyond the status quo. Many a movie has sunk its teeth into the same subject before, including several of the aforementioned flicks that Peninsula owes an overt debt to, but this oh-so-timely exploration of barbarity, carnage and an every-person-for-themselves mindset during a life-changing contagious outbreak repeatedly chomps down hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRvHl1dThlg
Since 2015, gin lovers around the country have tripped over themselves to get their spirit-loving fingers on a bottle of Four Pillars' Bloody Shiraz Gin — and that's before they've even had a sip of alcohol. The limited edition shiraz-infused concoction really is that good, so we thought you'd like to know that the next batch goes on sale on Tuesday, June 1. If you haven't come across the gin before, it's basically what it says on the label: gin infused with shiraz grapes. This gives the spirit a brilliant deep cerise colour and some sweet undertones (without a higher sugar content). That, along with its higher alcoholic content — 37.8 percent, compared to an average 25 percent in regular sloe gin — makes the Bloody Shiraz Gin a near-perfect specimen. It can be used in cocktails where you'd usually use your regular gin — or you can keep things simple with a G&T. Four Pillars initially created the game-changing gin when it came into a 250-kilogram load of shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley. Experimenting, the Victorian distillers then steeped the grapes in their high-proof dry gin for eight weeks before pressing the fruit and blending it with the gin, and hoping like hell it would turn out well. It did. This year, Four Pillars is doing more than just selling the cult-favourite drop. Of course, you can still buy a bottle at selected bottle shops, in the Four Pillars online store, at its Yarra Valley distillery and at the Four Pillars Laboratory in Sydney — and you can even buy a limited-edition label version that comes in different packaging, too. But if you fancy something to nibble while you drink, the distillery is also releasing a new 'Made from Gin' range so you have something to snack on. Your choices: bloody shiraz grape and quince paste ($10), and bloody shiraz gin caviar ($25). The 2021 Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin will go on sale around the country on Tuesday, June 1. Head to the Four Pillars website to buy a bottle.
Among the many strategies in place to help combat the spread of COVID-19, tracking and tracing the contacts of confirmed cases ranks alongside hand hygiene and social distancing as one of the most important. In New South Wales, since hospitality venues were given the green light to slowly start to reopen, they've been asked to keep a record of their patrons to help with contract tracing efforts. At the end of this month, however, they'll be required to do so via QR codes. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the news today, Wednesday, November 4, alongside another big revelation — the opening of the state's border with Victoria. Both will come into effect on the same date: Monday, November 23. "From that day, the use of QR codes for hospitality businesses within NSW will be compulsory," said Premier Berejiklian, noting that "there is no reason why, within the next three weeks, businesses that all businesses shouldn't have QR codes". Venues can adopt their own, or they can go with the Service NSW QR code system — which is recommended by the government because it enables the state to get messages to customers quickly. Also, for customers, it means that they won't have to keep inputting their details into a plethora of different systems. "We believe the dual strategy — of opening up our borders to all Australian citizens, all New Zealand citizens, in addition to making use of QR codes compulsory for hospitality businesses — is an important step forward," advised Premier Berejiklian. Accordingly, both NSW residents and visitors from elsewhere should prepare to have their phone in their hand when they head to a cafe, bar, pub or restaurant from the end of November — as you'll be needing it to register your details upon arrival. [caption id="attachment_751281" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] NSW Health will also be asked to talk to community organisations, such as places of worship, to discuss how to manage the collection of data in other venues to ensure compliance with contract tracing requirements. Nothing compulsory will be put in place for those types of sites as yet, but the state is keen to ensure that "all community organisations and all other sections of the community where people will be having interactions do have a system whereby health officials can maintain contact quickly if there is a case, because we know that will be even more challenging moving forward," the Premier said. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Creative space Commune is launching Our Hood, a massive new monthly precinct night that brings culture, art and music together with wellness, maker markets and food stalls. It all kicks off on Wednesday, April 25 from 5 to 10pm, and will run on the last Wednesday of each month going forward. With the aim of bringing the neighbourhood together, the evenings provide a collaborative outlet and meeting space for the community. The launch event will see FBi Radio present live performances from audio visual artist Sampology, local rap-poet Kimchi Princi and electric rap duo Slim set. Alongside the music, the workshop will become home to a large-scale exhibition by painter Jess Cochrane, with 10 percent of art sale profits donated to The Rough Period women's charity. On the culture side, they've also got Tent Talks, which will focus on social justice and plant-based health, and a hatha yoga class that'll include a live set by DJ James Mack. Yoga will be followed by a therapeutic workshop, run by award-winning performing arts educator Lily Balatincz. Sydney Vegan Market has curated the food offering and maker stalls, and the bar features the likes of Young Henrys, Archie Rose and Urban Winery Sydney. All events are also dog and family friendly, so it's really a catch-all kind of event. Image: Sam Ali.
If you've got a hard earned thirst for some spiffy new beer merch, the folks at Victoria Bitter have you covered. The famed Carlton & United Breweries beer has released a new range of branded VB gear for your wardrobe, your head and even your bedroom wall. Dropped this week, the collection's got a definite retro edge, in a nod to the brew's lengthy history quenching the thirst of hardworking Aussies. There are crewneck jumpers, t-shirts, beanies and caps, all emblazoned with that instantly recognisable logo. And yep, these threads are sure to get a serious workout over the upcoming festival season. Alongside the clothes, you'll find a trio of old-school full-colour VB poster prints, vintage-inspired stickers and VB stubby coolers, both in regular size and ones big enough to hold your longneck. What's more, you can feel extra good about your purchase, knowing that the t-shirts and jumpers are all manufactured and printed in Melbourne, by an ethical clothing-accredited manufacturer. Victoria Bitter's new line of 'Big Cold Gear' is available for purchase online.
The Wild Herring is The Anchorage's flagship restaurant, situated overlooking the resort's pool and the marina and ocean beyond. Open for dinner service from Thursday to Saturday, the restaurant is the sophisticated, fine dining option that a romantic weekend away no doubt calls for. Executive chef Michael Jenkins' menu gives diners the choice of two courses for $68 or three for $86, plus the choice to add in matching wines, too. By this point, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this menu also heavily features the region's seafood, which you can find celebrated well in starters like spanner crab tortellini with crab bisque and oysters poached with miso and mains like Moreton Bay Bug risotto. Finish your meal on a decadent high with red wine poached pear with olive oil sponge or dark chocolate cremeux with cherry confit. Then, after dinner, pop over to Moby's Bar, get cosy in one of the leather armchairs and end your evening by sampling some of the world's finest whiskies.
