Cover your iPhone in the artistic works of Australia's own. iArt phone covers feature the designs of Australian contemporary artists David Larwill, Tommy Watson and Adam Cullen, winner of the 2000 Archibald Prize and a contesting 2012 finalist. By combining the practical with the aesthetically inclined, iArt hopes that these hard phone covers will allow the beautiful pieces they spotlight to reach a broader audience. With an iArt phone cover you may hold a tiny masterpiece in the palm of your hand, all the while vitally increasing contemporary art appreciation. To win 1 of 4 Adam Cullen iArt iPhone covers (just in time for the March 30 announcement of the 2012 Archibald Prize winner), make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au. And if you use the code VSzHOS when purchasing a bundle featuring Adam Cullen's work, you will receive 25% off plus free shipping until April 2.
The National Gallery of Victoria has been displaying a plethora of Chinese masterpieces lately, and the opening of its new dual exhibitions — Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape — are two more unmissable additions. The most monumental part of the exhibition is undoubtedly the Terracotta Army: a collection of sculptures that were created for the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang's gigantic tomb back around 221–206 BCE but were only discovered in Shaanxi province in 1974. It's one of the 20th century's most significant archaeological finds. The NGV had displayed some of them before back in the 80s, but has managed to score eight (of the estimated 8000) terracotta warriors for its 2019 Winter Masterpieces exhibition. They're supported by a cast of two breathtaking life-size Imperial Army horses and two smaller replica bronze chariots, and complemented by a remarkable selection of gold, jade and bronze artefacts that date back a thousand years. Finding parallels with the terracotta warriors, Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition provides a contemporary perspective on China's culture and ancient philosophies. Across installation, exhibition design and paintings forged with gunpowder, Cai's work illuminates his sincere commitment to the idea that history and ritual can inform great contemporary art. Below, we've picked out six artworks that highlight why this exhibition is one you have to catch — whether you live in Melbourne or interstate. It will be showing right up until October 13. CAI GUO-QIANG [caption id="attachment_722861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] TRANSIENCE (PEONY) From good fortune to compassion and romance, peonies have held an important significance within Chinese culture for centuries. This artwork is made up of two works, with Transience I (Peony) being a huge mound of porcelain, which has been singed with gunpowder. The second part, Transience II (Peony), is an immersive 360-degree painting where Cai Guo-Qiang showcases the peony throughout its four stages of life — from its emergence to its bloom, wilting and eventually its decay. Each colourful petal displayed across the work was created using colourful gunpowder (in a Williamstown warehouse) to scorch the silk underneath forming unique characteristics and shapes. Together, the two works explore the fragility of life and hint at the downfall of the Qin empire — it was the first dynasty of Imperial China and lasted only 14 years as advisors fought for control. [caption id="attachment_722859" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Titz[/caption] MURMURATION (LANDSCAPE) Featuring 10,000 porcelain starlings, this mind-bending installation seeks to recreate the bewildering phenomenon of 'murmuration', where large flocks of birds move effortlessly in harmony — something that scientists still haven't landed on a conclusive answer for. Simultaneously, Cai's intricate work also resembles the undulating slopes of Mount Li, a culturally and spiritually significant place that was chosen by Emperor Qin Shihuang to house his giant terracotta army. Meanwhile, each of the birds in the artwork were produced in Cai's hometown of Quanzhou, which has strong traditions of crafting high-quality white porcelain. However, Cai used gunpowder to ignite his flock into a dramatic shade of black. [caption id="attachment_723262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Titz[/caption] FLOW (CYPRESS) Like peonies, cypress trees have long been an important emblem in ancient Chinese history. Symbolising resilience and integrity in art and literature, this large-scale creation saw Cai draw with gunpowder and mimic what's known in Chinese as dimai, or 'veins of the earth'. According to feng shui, the Chinese study of energy forces, locations that feature distinct valleys and rivers represent the earth's most abundant settings and have been chosen throughout ancient history as the sites for tombs and other places of supreme importance. This work depicts China's Central Plains, which is considered to be the birthplace of the concepts of yin and yang, Taoism, and the starting point for 400 years of the Han Dynasty. TERRACOTTA WARRIORS [caption id="attachment_723265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] ARMOURED MILITARY OFFICER With an estimated 8000 terracotta warriors buried at the Xi'an excavation site, so far only about 2000 have managed to be successfully removed. However, what has astounded experts is that every figure they've managed to unearth has its own unique attributes, whether that be the uniforms they're wearing, the weapons they carry or the hairstyles of the people. This fact has led many to believe that each of the warriors could actually represent a real-life person from Emperor Qin's army of the time. [caption id="attachment_723264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] KNEELING ARCHER Discovered in one of the excavation site's enormous pits, the kneeling archers are some of the Terracotta Army's best-preserved items that have been discovered to date. Highly realistic with their armour and facial expressions crafted in stunning detail, on average, the kneeling archers stand at about 1.2-metres-tall and are considered absolute masterpieces of ancient Chinese sculpture. It's said that the craftspeople responsible for the Terracotta Warriors paid extra careful attention to the kneeling arches, which can be seen in the stitching on their shoes and the immaculately produced armour plating. [caption id="attachment_723263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] MYTHICAL CREATURE The huge cache of ancient marvels didn't just include thousands of soldiers. For his journey into the afterlife, Emperor Qin decided that he'd need a host of other possessions, people and creatures to help him on his way. So far, archaeologists who remain hard at work digging through the earth have found a wealth of civilian figurines, carriages and even animals, including this remarkably preserved pair of mythical creatures. From singers and acrobats to strongmen, other findings include bronze cranes, horses and suits of armour, plus a host of buildings from his own imperial palace such as halls, stables and offices. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape will both be on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne until Sunday, October 13. Admission is $30 for adults and includes entry to both exhibitions. You can buy tickets at the gallery or in advance here. Images: courtesy NGV International.
It could be just a matter of time before Sydney follows in Amsterdam's footsteps and introduces its own 'night mayor', if a new report by the Commission for a Nighttime Economy is properly taken into consideration. Set up by the Committee for Sydney, the commission's been hard at work finding potential solutions to Sydney's nightlife issues, gathering input from over 40 organisations as it looks at ways of boosting the city's nighttime economy in areas that aren't simply booze-related. And this week it released its findings from 12 months of research, all of which have been compiled into Sydney as a 24-Hour City. The report delivers 22 recommendations for improving Sydney's nightlife scene, one of which calls for the "introduction of a coordinating figure to bring together different agencies and actors in the night-time economy" — perhaps to address the fact that only 46 percent of Sydneysiders that are satisfied with the current nightlife. This concept of a special night mayor has already proved a huge success in Amsterdam over the past few years. Sydney's report also calls for extra public transport options in and around late-night entertainment areas, the introduction of dedicated nighttime precincts and the implementation of a 24-hour economy strategy, driven by the NSW Government. It also emphasises the importance of adding more options to Sydney's after-dark activities, and encourages cultural institutions to extend their opening hours and push back start times, citing London's First Thursdays gallery open nights and The Globe's midnight performances as examples. "It is about creating the amenity of a genuine 24-hour city, where normal day-to-day activities such as shopping, visiting a museum, going to the gym or a public library become as normal at 10pm as they would at 10am," said the commission's co-chair, the Hon. Peter Collins AM QC. "We believe that there are substantial potential benefits to Sydneysiders having access to 24-hour services and amenities". You can see the full report here. Image: Andy Vermeulen/Destination NSW.
If learning to scuba dive has been on your bucket list for a while, consider this your sign to finally tick it off. Pristine diving locations and marine reserves are dotted all along the NSW coast, but the far south coast is our pick for its vibrant sea life. Venture beneath the big blue of the Sapphire Coast to check out weedy seadragons, octopuses and maybe even a few seals with Dive Eden. The local company has all experience levels covered, whether you are a complete novice, need a refresher or are a veteran diver wanting to learn how to free dive. Gear is also available for hire if you need it. Image: Max Gillespie
UPDATE: MAY 28, 2020 — Since publication of the below article, the Japan Tourism Agency has clarified in a Tweet that the subsidy scheme, called the Go To Travel Campaign, is to "stimulate domestic travel demand within Japan after the COVID-19 pandemic and only cover a portion of domestic travel expenses". The scheme is still under consideration by the Japanese Government. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global tourism as we once knew it virtually disappeared overnight, with borders closing, flights grounded and overseas holidays off the cards for months now. But with Australia, New Zealand and other nations around the world gradually beginning to loosen their coronavirus restrictions, that might eventually change — and if you're wondering where to venture to first, the Japanese government wants to help fund your next getaway. As reported by The Japan Times, the Japan Tourism Agency has announced a tourism subsidy scheme that'll pay a portion of travel expenses for visitors coming into the country. If the idea sounds familiar, that's because the Mediterranean island of Sicily is doing the same thing, as it revealed a few weeks back. JTA's chief Hiroshi Tabata told a press conference that the program would come into effect when Japan's COVID-19 case numbers subside and the country subsequently reopens its borders — which he said could be as early as July. Few other details have been revealed as yet, including exactly what costs the scheme will reimburse (such as flights, accommodation and venue tickets). Still, if strolling across Shibuya's scramble crossing, visiting the Studio Ghibli museum, wandering through a kaleidoscopic maze of digital art, singing karaoke in a ferris wheel and eating Godzilla-themed desserts next to a building-sized Godzilla statue are all on your must-do travel list (and they all definitely should be), this is welcome news. The Japanese agency expects to spend a massive ¥1.35 trillion — approximately AU$19 billion — on the tourism initiative, a move designed to help revive the struggling sector. As The Japan Times also notes, Japan's visitor numbers for January–April 2020 are down 64.1 percent compared to the same period in 2019. And, with the Tokyo Olympics rescheduled from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19, there's no longer a guaranteed influx of travellers expected this year. Japan has been under a state of emergency since early April, but it was lifted on Monday, May 25 by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, with infection numbers — especially in Tokyo — continuing to fall. While lockdowns have been loosening in some regions around the country in recent weeks, the latest move also includes Tokyo, where restrictions on restaurants, bars, libraries and museums are also starting to ease. For further details about the Japan Tourism Agency tourism scheme, keep an eye on the agency's website. Via The Japan Times.
There is something about taking a venue and making it new again that we really respond to. Renovations, redesigns, makeovers: They are inviting, and anyone who has visited The Bridge Hotel or The Richmond Club pre- and post-renovations would have experienced this. The gents behind these incredible makeovers, Sand Hill Road, are at it again with the redesign of The Prahran Hotel. They have taken the much-loved Melbourne venue and added stunning architecture to its already long list of characteristics. With a complete wall of concrete pipes that you can sit in and enjoy your parma, this redesign is incredibly well played. We chat to Matt Mullins from Sand Hill Road about redesigning spaces, the perfect pub and where he goes to enjoy a beer. Tell us about Sand Hill Road and how it came about. Sand Hill Road is a group of four guys. The same four guys [Doug Maskiell, Andy Mullins, Matt Mullins and Tom Birch] that were here when it started. We were all twenty five years old, working different jobs and, at the same time, starting to think maybe this work life wasn't what we wanted. The only thing we knew about was pubs. We knew what we knew from spending our misspent years in pubs. We started with one venue. We renovated it, all ourselves. It was before designers and architects were really briefed to redo Melbourne pubs. After the first one we thought, that's fun, and did it again and again. Since then we've done eight or nine pubs, and we're having a really good time! We use the same architects, Techne Architects and Justin Northrop. We also work with the same builders, Visual Builders. You can't build a place like the new Prahran Hotel without good relationships with architects and builders. What would you say the key elements of a 'great pub' are? We've always said that design is one of the areas where we can push the boundaries. Our market seems happy and excited by this, they love coming and being in an exciting building. But, no doubt about it, we talk about what our market is going to want in terms of the actual product. We talk about the food offering being accessible and good value, and high-quality pub food. We talk about that first. People need to be able to eat in small groups and large groups in the entire venue. We talk about them having a public bar, where anyone can come in and not be judged. People want the barman to know them and know what they drink. In the end, the product offering is a good, simple, honest pub offering. Do you think these elements that make your venues work are specific to a Melbourne audience? We spend a lot of time thinking about it, about if these things we're tapping into are Melbourne things or inner Melbourne things, or if it would have all worked in other areas. The answer is we don't know, but it feels like there is something very Melbourne about our market. It's something about the Melbourne market that really responds to a good, honest pub — to a public bar, to a chicken parma and a pot of Carlton. Being able to watch the footy in the background. We built our pubs around that specific market. What do you think it is that keep people coming back? People come to our pubs once or twice for the design. They come back for things like karma kegs, and the public bar that has become part of their life. They come to know us and they can feel at home there. In many ways the design comes second or third or fifth even. Tell us a little about Karma Kegs? The guys and I have been donating money to different causes over the years. About a year or two ago we thought we might be able to involve our patrons more in this aspect of our lives. They are the business and therefore it made sense that they could be part of the charity process too. Doug came up with the idea of the karma keg, on a Friday, at every venue. We donate a keg of Carlton, and punters decide what they pay for it and the whole lot goes towards a local charity. They always choose to pay more than what's it worth. It's incredibly cool. It tells you a lot about our patrons and how they feel about the community. How did you go about redesigning The Prahran Hotel? We start with asking 'who is the market for us and what do they want?'. We start with the general offering and then we talk about how we can design the building around offering that. The architects always ask, 'who is this pub for boys?' The pipes at The Prahran Hotel are pretty wild, they look really cool, but more importantly you get to sit in one of these pipes with the street on the one side and the venue to the other. The design came out of the need for that community beer garden. The beer garden was stuck out the back and was hard to see and get to. It wasn't doing what it was meant to be doing. We needed to bring it right up to the front. Access it from the public bar, and bring light into the heart of it. The pipes now wrap it around the courtyard, an extension of it so to speak. Do you look to the history of the pub when redesigning? Was that an element of the Prahran Hotel redesigning? We absolutely look to the history of the pub. Design can be a great way to incorporate or evoke the history of a venue. The Prahran was rebuilt in the 1940s in the streamline style, the architectural style that came after art deco. They really added the cruise-ship style in the remodel. Everything was done in big long horizontal lines, with portholes and curved brickwork. With the part of the hotel that we left, we borrowed from that era, specifically the circular motif. They were one of the things that inspired the circular pipes. Essentially, they are porthole windows. Iconic of the era. We took that idea and built them on top of each other, creating the wall of concrete pipes. Aside from your own venues, where do you enjoy spending time in Melbourne? I tend to go to venues for one of two reasons. Firstly, it's for us to learn something architecturally, and a good example would be The Boat Builders Yard. What they did there in terms of inside and outside and making things waterproof inside was fascinating and really interesting. The other reason I go to certain venues is to visit places my friends own. I like to know the publican — The Great Northern for me is the number one beer pub in Melbourne and one of the best in the country. What they know and advise with beer and food is out of this world.
It started back in 1956 as a singing contest between a mere seven nations. Now, more than six decades later, Eurovision is a glitter and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Forty-one countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere compete — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse each May to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their playlists. But with COVID-19 continuing to spread, the show won't go on in 2020. Due to take place in Rotterdam, this year's Eurovision Song Contest won't be delayed or rescheduled — it has completely been cancelled. In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union explained that it had explored other alternatives, such as postponing, staging it remotely and running it without an audience, but there was no other viable option. "The uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe — and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities — means the EBU has taken the difficult decision to not continue with the live event as planned," it announced. With big event cancellations and postponements coming through with frequency at the moment — including SXSW, Coachella, Dark Mofo, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Vivid Sydney and Glastonbury, to name a few — scrapping Eurovision 2020 is hardly surprising. It'll still come as a disappointment to fans, however, especially given the contest would've been perfect self-isolating viewing material. And, it's obviously disappointing for the artists already selected by their countries to try to sing their way to glory, such as Aussie talent Montaigne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974&feature=emb_logo While the EBU is still working through the ramifications of cancelling this year's Eurovision, it is in discussions with the City of Rotterdam about hosting the event next year. The Netherlands earned the right to stage Eurovision 2020 when Dutch singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence won the 2019 contest with the song 'Arcade' — as is Eurovision tradition, each year's winning country hosts the next year's event. Also under discussion is whether this year's selected artists can perform when the contest returns in 2021 and, if so, whether they can sing their 2020 songs. The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest will no longer be held in May 2020, or at all in 2020. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Despite going almost a month without any locally acquired cases of COVID-19, a recent northern beaches cluster means that new COVID-19 rules and restrictions are once again the norm. This morning, Friday, December 18, Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed that 28 cases are now linked to the northern beaches cluster and said that all of Greater Sydney was on "high alert". The Premier is urging those in the northern beaches to stay home for the next three days and only leave for essential activities — stressing that they shouldn't go out "unless absolutely necessary". NSW Health reiterated this message in a Facebook post, saying people in the northern beaches should stay home "as much as possible", which includes "working from home where possible, not visiting aged care facilities or hospitals unless essential, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and high-risk venues such as clubs, restaurants, places or worships and gyms, and avoiding unnecessary travel outside of the northern beaches area." While the cluster is located in the northern beaches suburbs, Berejiklian said that there is "potential seeding" outside of those suburbs and is urging everyone to wear a mask when catching public transport, visiting the supermarket, heading to a place of worship and other places where it is difficult to be socially distant. That applies across the entire city, not just to the northern beaches and Avalon area. NSW Health can advise there are now 28 cases associated with the Avalon cluster, with 25 are linked to either the Avalon... Posted by NSW Health on Thursday, December 17, 2020 NSW Health has also named a long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week. Those who visited nine northern beaches locations, including the Avalon RSL Club, Avalon Bowlo and Sneaky Grind Cafe, at specific times between Friday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 16 are being told to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days after your visit. The full list is located on the NSW Health website and will continue to be updated. There is also a series of new pop-up and drive-thru clinics now located on the northern beaches. If you need a reminder, the symptoms to look out for are coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
At skate parks around the world — and on consoles in lounge rooms, too — many an hour has been spent kickflipping and ollieing because of Tony Hawk. He's the professional skateboarder who became a household name, and the man whose licensed video game series had everyone sliding and grinding just by furiously mashing buttons. And, come 2024, he's coming to Australia to chat about his career. The skater icon is taking part in a talkfest aptly called An Evening with Tony Hawk. If you've ever wondered how he landed his famous '900', becoming the first skateboarder to complete two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions — or if you just want to know why Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, its sequels and spinoffs are so damn addictive — head along to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Friday, January 19 to find out. [caption id="attachment_924147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joshua Cutillo[/caption] In the chat, Hawk will discuss life, turning skating into a job, career highlights, his pop culture prominence and other topics, and maybe even his on-screen appearances in everything from the first xXx movie to Sharknado 5: Global Swarming. He'll also be joined by Birdman: Or the Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band. Setting the vibe through tunes from the games, their setlist includes Rage Against the Machine, Millencolin, Goldfinger and more.
Port Macquarie's Festival of the Sun has been running for 15 years, and the boutique summer music festival is still bringing the goods. The lineup for this December has just been released and it looks like it'll be a doozy of a 15th birthday celebration. Vera Blue and Pond will headline the three-day fest, with Winston Surfshirt, Skegss, Tkay Maidza, Angie McMahon, Emily Wurramara and Remi lending their voices too. Didirri, Slowly Slowly and West Thebarton — among others — round out what looks like it'll be a big couple of days of music, with more acts still to be announced in September. The camping festival is also — excitingly — BYO, so you don't need to spend your hard-earned cash on overpriced UDLs. Alongside the lineup of live music, there will also be a heap of food trucks (serving everything from burgers to vegan fare), silent discos and silent comedy. On Thursday, dubbed 'Wabi Sabi Thursday', you'll also encounter a heap of crafty workshops, artist stalls and a glitter bar — to help you kick off the colourful weekend in style. The festival is themed each year, and this year it's the "Roll On Up" edition — looks like it's time to whip out your circus costumes and maybe start practising your stilt walking. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 9. FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 2018 LINEUP Vera Blue Pond Winston Surfshirt Skegss Tkay Maidza Remi Angie McMahon West Thebarton Didirri Slowly Slowly Kwame Emily Wurramara Clowns Boat Show Pist Idiots Good Doogs Clews Jess Locke Body Type Triple One Clypso Halcyon Drive Grace Turner Unearthed
Turns out the Rumours were true — Fleetwood Mac are touring Australia and New Zealand in 2013. Founded in the late-'60s as a blues band, they became superstars in the 1970s (with the addition of Lindsay Buckingham and one Stevie Nicks to the lineup), when songs like 'Rhiannon', 'Go Your Own Way' and 'Dreams' became multimillion sellers and went on to dominate all the best karaoke nights for decades. The lineup from that golden period broke up in 1987 following years of divorce, drug abuse and an almost-complete breakdown of every relationship in the band, but they reunited this year for a North American (and now, Australian) tour. Reviews from the shows so far have been largely positive, so they might just keep it together through the rest of the year. If you don't know them, (a) seriously? and (b) just check your parents' record collection — they'll be there. Announced on the weekend, the tour currently stands at eight dates throughout November and December — but big gaps between shows have already led to speculation that more dates will be added if the shows sell out quickly. Tickets for the Australian concerts go on sale Thursday, June 13. Sunday, November 10 – Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Saturday, November 16 – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley Tuesday, November 19 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Friday, November 22 – Perth Arena, Perth Tuesday, November 26 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Saturday, November 30 – A Day On The Green, The Hill Winery, Geelong Monday, December 2 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, December 6 – Vector Arena, Auckland
If there's a festive trend that everyone can get on board with, it's the emergence of luxury, adult-oriented advent calendars. The start of December now means ripping open the doors, day by day, on something other than cardboard and cheap chocolate. Booze, beauty products, candles, ties, toys, tea, fancier foods: they're all there for the taking in daily doses — and now, so is cheese. The cheese advent calendar is being called a world-first, and it started out as a home-made affair. London-based food blogger Annem Hobson set herself a challenge to come up with the dairy-lover's delight back in 2015, and had such fun making and eating it that she's now preparing to start selling them. Alas, you won't be able to get your cheese fix until 2017; however you can register your interest on the calendar's website. At the time of writing, more than 9,000 people had done just that — and that tally keeps climbing. Everyone's dreaming of a cheddar, brie or gouda filled Christmas, it seems. "But I want cheese now!" your stomach is probably screaming. Don't worry, there's a solution. Hobson has also shared a step-by-step guide to making your own. 'Tis the season for some cheese-inspired arts and crafts, perhaps? Image: So Wrong It's Nom.
If your idea of trifle is Aeroplane Jelly, Madeira cake from the nearest supermarket, tinned peaches and cheap rum, think again. Pastry chef and owner of Enmore's Saga and Darling Square's Saga Lyte Andy Bowdy — whose peanut butter and banana sundaes (once served at Hartsyard) are the stuff of legend — has reinvented the dessert, especially for Christmas. His festive trifles made their debut in 2017 and, thankfully, they've become something of a tradition. In Bowdy's words, "I know a trifle can be a little controversial, but lets face it — a trifle is basically a cake in a bowl." If you've ever sampled his cakes, you'll take that as good tidings. Exceptionally good tidings. These trifles are not just cakes, but OTT masterpieces, loaded with all kinds of goodies, like peach and raspberry compote, brown sugar pecans, coconut macaroon and boozy ginger beer jelly. On the Christmas trifle menu this year are four options. First up, is the Pasan, named for Bowdy's mate and hospo neighbour Pasan Wijesena (Earl's Juke Joint, Jacoby's Tiki Bar). Christmas vibes abound in the Pasan, which has layers of panettone, ginger beer jelly, booze-soaked Christmas fruit, spiced brandy custard, orange curd, caramelised almonds, vanilla chantilly, and fresh plums and blueberries, all topped with a spiced crumble. It's a mouthful. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3yZuZsl3ya/ For those after something a on the (slightly) lighter side, the Eliza is named after Bowdy's sister — he's taken her love of mangoes and run with it. It's got mango pudding, Nan's sponge, vanilla chantilly, fresh mango and passionfruit salad, salted coconut cream, jelly, and the crunch of both coconut macaroons and coconut wafers. Returning for another year, is Bowdy's modern take on the traditional trifle, the Philly. Think layers of vanilla sponge, maple custard, vanilla chantilly and peach and rosemary compote, spiked with peach and bourbon jelly, and topped with brown sugar pecans, Anzac crumbs and fresh peaches and raspberries. Then, for Italophiles, there's the Tiramisu. Each cake is $195, feeds 18–22 people, and comes in a lovely glass trifle bowl that is yours to keep, so you can endeavour to recreate the magic throughout the year. Andy Bowdy's Christmas trifles can be ordered online now and collected from Saga, Enmore, from November 1 through to December 24.
We all love a good pictorial menu to help make those dish selections easier, but how about a menu that that lets you have a sneaky taste of everything before you order — including drinks? That's what the innovative minds at renowned Singaporean bar and restaurant, The Tippling Club, have created for their latest cocktail program, 'Dreams and Desires'. No, you won't sip each beverage before you make your pick. Rather, you'll eat them. The world's first edible cocktail menu, it's the brainchild of head bartender Joe Schofield and chef-owner Ryan Clift, realised with help from American company International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. Instead of a regular old written cocktail list to peruse, guests get one of those classic striped candy bags, filled with 12 different flavoured gummy bears. Each of these speaks to a specific dream or desire, flavoured to represent one of the bar's new signature cocktails. You might find yourself seduced by Lust's heady blend of Champagne, peach, tonka bean and vanilla; or loading up on good vibes with the honey, citrus and tequila creation called Happiness. There's a concoction dubbed Revenge, featuring a moody mix of vodka and umami bitters, and even one called Baby, which is served in a kid's bottle. Choose a favourite based on which flavours take your fancy, and you should end up with your ideal cocktail. The Tippling Club, which recently took out 31st position at the World's 50 Best Bars awards, is no stranger to thinking outside the box when it comes to drinks lists. Launched late last year, its experimental Sensorium cocktail menu used various scents to trigger memories of yesteryear. And, while enjoying their new tipples — and the tasty selection process — will usually require a trip to Singapore, Brisbanites are in for a special sneak peek on December 1 and 2. That's when The Tippling Club bartender Jonathan Lee will be stopping by Gerard's Bar for a two-day Tippling Club takeover in celebration of the new menu. Fancy an overseas cocktail adventure? Find The Tippling Club at 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore.
Making decisions is hard. That's why some of us have spent hours scrolling through Netflix struggling to find the right thing to watch in that moment, or why you shouldn't go to the supermarket hungover and on an empty stomach. It can be hard enough picking a flavour of gelato, let alone making the right decision when it comes to serious financial services. That's probably why comparison website Finder — which helps consumers make big life choices like selecting the right credit card, health insurance and utility company — has done so well. Those curious to know how the business has grown so rapidly can find out from the brains behind the business at an exclusive lunch with the company's founders, Fred Schebesta and Frank Restuccia. The pair, who are two of Australia's most successful self-made millionaires and on AFR's Young Rich List, launched Finder in a Sydney living room ten years ago. Over a two-course lunch at The Tea House in the QVB, you'll hear about building a sustainable business model, what to look for in a partnership, how to get your business idea off the ground and more. After filling your stomach and your brain, you'll be able to mix and mingle with a few drinks at a networking session. Tickets start from $249 or, if you're really keen, you can secure a meet and greet with Schebesta and Restuccia by purchasing a VIP ticket for $499. You can get them here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Caffè sospeso — or 'suspended coffee' — is a Neapolitan tradition where you pay for two coffees at a café, drink one and the second is given to the next customer who walks through the door. It's a small, anonymous act of charity. Now laneway bar Bar Americano is bringing the tradition to the streets of Melbourne. Owner Matt Bax has subsidised espressos and two cocktails on his menu in the hope that it will encourage his customers to partake in the random act of kindness. While the first drink, for yourself, will be full price, the second espresso will cost $3, Amaro Americano (their namesake drink) $7 and Negroni $15. While it's not the first establishment to recreate the tradition down south — STREAT implemented it as an act of kindness for Melbourne's homeless — it is the first establishment to recreate it with cocktails. Bax — a renowned bar tsar who has been working in the city for over 20 years — hopes this venture encourages people to be more tolerant and kind to each other. "It may just be a $3 espresso you are buying for a stranger," he says. "But it's so much more. I think it's an investment in a better society." It might not change the world but — for those who can afford to, at least — caffè sospeso might at least help foster a sense of community in the middle of the CBD. Caffè sospeso is running six nights a week at Bar Americano, 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne. For more information, visit baramericano.com. Image: Alicia Taylor.
Surry Hills' all-day Italian diner Bartolo is the latest to throw its prosecco on ice and launch a new bottomless brunch special. It's available every Saturday and Sunday from 10am–5pm — and it includes everything from fluffy focaccia to pasta and bottomless spritzes. For $45 per person, you'll get a full Italian feast. Start with the likes of house-made focaccia with all the trimmings — marinated Sicilian olives, cured meats and a salad of tomato, stracciatella and basil — followed by a main course of basil and tomato pasta, pan-roasted chicken with broccolini and pancetta pangrattoto, plus a salad and chat potatoes with 'nduja seasoning. The menu could be slightly different on the day, but it'll be in a similar vein — cheesy, carby and paired perfectly to prosecco. Then, there's the booze. You've got two bottomless options: $30 per person for 90 minutes of cocktails and prosecco; or, for $45, the same plus rosé. Bookings are a must if you want to head along — and make sure you bring three friends along with you, as there's a minimum of four guests for the set menu. CORRECTION: FEBRUARY 14, 2020 — This article previously stated that walk-ins are welcome, but this is incorrect. You must make a booking if you want to head along to Bartolo's bottomless brunch.
Founded in 1998, the National Young Writers' Festival is this year celebrating its sweet sixteenth. Of course this doesn't mean they'll be spending the whole festival talking about blogs and feelings while chugging cheap champagne. Although, come to think of it, there is this panel on blogging and this thing all about feelings. And okay, sure, this fake formal is bound to have some Passion Pop on hand. But contrary to the testimony of anyone who's actually met a 16-year-old, being around for that long does give you a bit of wisdom. NYWF consistently delivers an appealing free program and offers amazing insight, advice and assistance to young creatives from all over the country. Like migration, hundreds of wide-eyed literary types descend on Newcastle for it each year — Moleskines in hand. From October 3-6, this year's festival will host 75 free events featuring over 100 young artists including the likes of Tom Ballard, Lorelei Vashti, Benjamin Law and Anna Krien. Over just three days, this can all be a bit overwhelming. NYWF offers frank and honest discussions with the best and most relatable voices in Australian writing, but how can we take it in with everybody talking at once? With the program just released and our fingers poised over Jetstar's 'confirm' button, here's a little of what you can expect from the blossoming festival — Passion Pop and all. Workshops and Panels First and foremost, NYWF is a time for the country's up-and-comers to get together and hone their craft. Ever feel like the lit nerd or the outsider? Don't worry. Everyone sitting next to you at this festival fawned over Vonnegut in high school; for these three days no one's going to give you shit for doing an arts degree. Writing can often be an arduous process so the best events are the ones that force you to put pen to paper. Get each morning started with the Everyday Flash Fiction workshop — breeze down from the seaside, pick up a coffee, and let Scum, The Lifted Brow, and Seizure put a (metaphorical) gun to your head to get you writing. You'll feel productive for the rest of the day, I promise. Plus, if you pen a really touching love poem you can head along to the Speed Writing event and share it. That's right, it's a mix between speed dating and writing — it should be fun because writers are really outgoing and not awkward at all. For the shier amongst us, there will also be a series of more introspective workshops: why do we write, why do we want awards — hell, why do we even go to these festivals? If those are a bit too Inception for you, there's also a handy session called How to not be a douche. Once that's covered, there's not too much else you'll need to know. Parties All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and the same goes for writers. Just look at Jack Kerouac. That's not a great example, but you get the idea. As much as NYWF is a great place to learn, it's also an excellent place to get loose. This isn't class. The panellists won't care if you slur a question over your pint of beer. Actually, I wouldn't take the chance of that at the douche workshop — you'd really be asking for it. But hey, it's spring, you're by the sea, and most events are held in licensed venues — you should take advantage of it. At last year's launch, The Lifted Brow put a naked man on the stage to welcome in their new edition; there was a big party at the Great Northern themed 'Hip Hop Safari'; and it was very much encouraged to bring longnecks and bottles of tequila to the Late Night Read. This year will offer similar opportunities with another mixed bag launch, a session of oddly specific '90s literary trivia, and the most excellent idea of all, a Paranormal Formal. Even with all the civilised panels and writing workshops, I promise the best chances you have of wooing your favourite writer or editor will be as they're dressed as a magician drinking goon punch out of a plastic cup. Readings What would a writers festival be without hearing some of these much-praised words spoken aloud? My highlight of last year's festival was the Late Night Read — an intimate event where writers came together to share their work with midnight beers and mayhem. Lawrence Leung read a story about touching his housemate's underwear, Ben Law talked about old penises, and Tom Walker told an animated story about time travel — it was pretty great. This year, the event is back, with each night having a designated theme: Closer Each Day, Home and Away, Hi, Heartbreak, and Everybody Needs Good Neighbours. I can't say for sure that all the works will be about primetime Australian drama, but I also can't say they won't be. Sydney group Penguin Plays Rough will also be bringing their readings event to the festival, taking a select audience into the tunnels of Fort Scratchley. Underground, you can hear seven writers tell stories of Australia's military history. If you like your entertainment a bit lighter, there will also be readings about first times, trolls and a three-part exploration of memory. The Great Unknown Most things at writers festivals are pretty straight forward. The panels usually oscillate somewhere between 'Who Even Are We?' and 'Where Are We Going?', and the parties often turn into cringe-worthy soirees designed for 'networking' — the single worst word in the world, perhaps only with the exception of 'moist'. NYWF is different. Maybe it's just the sea-air, but things are a little more weird and a lot more fun. The element of the unknown or unexpected is what makes the festival so great. There's the Paranormal Formal and the Speed Writing — there's the 90s literary trivia. But there's a whole host of odd things to look out for over your three-day stay. To start with, there's a real-life sleepover. Yep, you actually have the opportunity to don a onesie and play truth or dare with your favourite writers. You can even sleep alongside them if they're cool with it — seriously, please get their consent. If that's not weird enough, Freya Wright Brough is going to be making you feel guilty about your lack of productivity by writing for 24 hours straight, and there's a workshop dedicated to scribbling all over Gina Rinehart's biography. After all this, you'll find the best events by meeting some new friends and stumbling into something unexpected. NYWF is only one element of the This is Not Art Festival after all, so hold tight, you haven't even heard the half of it. Photographs: Lucien Alperstein and Lucy Parakhina
Interwoven IIIis a group show from the Design Institute of Australia. Jessica Robertson's 'slow palette' designs are felt scarves, jackets and dresses each made from a single rectangular slab of fabric — like a toga, but easier to apply. Megan Jackson's eye motif screenprints aren't complicated, but are well effective, while Kate Ward screen-prints chairs, cushions and curtains in sharp white links over solid colour. Also in present is Steve Woods' Screenhaus, a corner dominated by six giant prints. A native American bust by graffiti artist Sebastian Vicarro Indio, a patched woman at work by Mike Watt, Ryan Bharj's simple and strong Lucha Libre mask, a 1968 French protest banner, Onnie Cleary's relaxed, comfortably lined Get Over Your Hang-Ups: A Young Person's Guide to Call Centres, and Paul Shanta's 'Power Punch' — a fist made out of sound effects from comics. Each is sharp, with strong rough black lines. Each, on a wall, has enough style to centre a philosphy. Catriona Secker's Curious Nature is a collection of oil, acrylic and pencil sketches. Her animals and strange organisms would not look out of place in the background of a Shawn Tan picture book, but her style owes more to kawaii and the microscope than his sharp, weird style. Biology and cell cultures seem to give life to her soft organisms. One black and white image is covered in eyes, while in another, two sharp-faceted viruses menace an embryo in a bucolic collection of seaweeds and nematode plants. The embryo is not sleeping. Her coloured works are bloodier. Though none of them are cut open, each image pulses with the fragile blood of embryonic vessels: fragile, transparent, visceral. She combines the plant with the animal: flowering engorged fronds, tentacles and crinolated viscera. Her pictures are unsettling, organic, soft and cute. Safe from a distance. Image by Catriona Secker.
Thinking of downsizing? Are you aware that you could be part of a movement? The tiny house movement, to be exact. Unenthused by mortgages, mopping and mountains of stuff, more and more people are shifting into Snugglepot-sized spaces. We're about to take a journey through some of the teeniest-tiniest houses in the whole world. Not only do they make you wish you could climb into a J.R.R. Tolkien novel, they're also the environment's new best friend. OTIS (Optimal Travelling Independent Space) Move over, Winnebago. This pod-on-wheels is the creation of a bunch of American REED (Renewable Energy and Ecological Design) students from Green Mountain College, Vermont. Not only is it mobile and ridiculously cute, it's also self-sufficient. A 300-watt solar powered system delivers electricity, a rain collection facility supplies water and the toilet is of the composting variety. Nearly all the construction materials are recycled. At just 2.4 x 3.6m, the OTIS can be easily towed via trailer. The Tiny Project American web designer Alek Lisefski and his partner Anjali were tired of paying through-the-roof rent. At the same time, though, they wanted a place to call home. So Lisefski took matters into his own hands by designing and building a portable miniature house. It's known as The Tiny Project and its motto is "Less House. More Life". Built-in, foldable furniture maximises the 2.4 x 6m of interior floor space. An elevated loft serves as a bedroom and there's even a 2.2 square metre outdoor verandah. "While living in such a small house, my space, and in turn each area of my life, will be simpler, less chaotic, and free from all but what is essential," Lisefski told Gizmag. APH80 Rome might not have been built in a day, but the APH80 can be. Created by Spanish design studio ABATON, it's an impeccably designed, portable micro-home. A double bedroom, lounge-kitchen and bedroom make up its 27 square metres, with a 3.5m gabled roof providing an airy, spacious feel. Sustainably sourced timber is used throughout. If there's no water between your place and Spain, have your very own APH80 delivered for US$42,000. Chico Tiny House A husband and wife team based in Chico, California, designed this 11.1 square metre home. On their Facebook page, Palm to Palm, they describe themselves as "dreamers ... who are holding the vision of bringing a community based sustainable into existence, one alternative dwelling at a time". They built the Chico Tiny House on a tight budget without any construction experience. Now, aspiring micro-dwelling owners are begging for a copy of the plans, soon to be made open source. The sustainable design includes south-facing windows, polyiso insulation, solar-powered hot water and a green house, where grey water can be recycled. The Hobbit Hutch No tiny house list would be complete without the mention of at least one gypsy caravan. This Texas-based, 5.2 square metre Hobbit Hutch features all the mod cons, including a faux wood stove, air-conditioning, coffee machine, chandelier, foldable dining table and bed. There's also a 1.8 square metre verandah. The owners — writers and artists by the names of James and Sidney Mangum — have plans to build an outdoor toilet and shower, to be stored inside a plywood cube and surrounded with curtains for privacy.
A diverse group exhibition that will please gallery-goers possessing a short attention span and a taste for socially driven art is up next at Campbelltown Arts Centre with Looking At Me Through You. 12 artists from a range of disciplines including painting, sculpture, portraiture and video were invited to create a responsive, socially engaged artwork that interacts with the community of Campbelltown — its people, issues, uniqueness and relationship to the broader Western Sydney landscape. Artists including Keren Ruki, Damien Shen, James Nguyen, Abdul Abdullah, Sonia Leber and David Chestworth chose to work directly with the community for inspiration, while others have taken a more analytical approach, drawing from statistical research provided by show sponsor Deloitte as the foundation for their artworks. Expect themes including urban development (and underdevelopment), the diversity of culture and community, the shifting political debate, the collective representation of voice and the uniqueness of Campbelltown as a place. A must see for those who like topical art with local relevance. Image: Courtesy of artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth (2017).
With its fantastic puppetry, tight choreography and more than a few damp-eye moments, the National Theatre of Great Britain's production of War Horse is taking another canter across Australia's stages. After first touring Down Under in 2012–13, the Tony Award-winning play will return in 2020, with seasons currently planned for Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Based on Michael Morpurgo's 1982 novel of the same name, the boy-meets-horse tale was originally adapted for the stage by British playwright Nick Stafford, and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, way back in 2007. Opening shortly before the start of the First World War, War Horse is the love story of a Devonshire lad, Albert, and a young foal, Joey — who, once it has come of age, is sold into service for the British Army. Seeing the injustice in this, the play's boy hero fights against age restrictions and cartwheels to Calais to save Joey, at which point his youthful bravado is tear-gassed into the harsh reality of early modern warfare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMVKWxZyIZU After its first NT run, the play proved to be such a tremendous success that it relocated to the West End and Broadway, and has galloped across everywhere from Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to South Africa and China. Along the way, it has picked up two Olivier Awards and five Tonys, including for Best Play — and been seen by thousands of audiences. You might also remember the 2011 film adaptation of Morpurgo's novel, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, starred a long list of British talent including Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch, and was nominated for six Oscars. On the stage, War Horse owes its longevity to South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, which has created a stable of horses, some soon-to-die cavalry, crows, swallows and a very animated goose. Though surrounded by puppeteers and, in parts, constructed out of obviously mechanical pieces, these puppets realistically breathe and quickly pop out as the most genuine players in the show. War Horse plays Melbourne's Regent Theatre from January 10, 2020, then heads to the Sydney Lyric from February 15, before moving to Perth's Crown Theatre from March 24. For further details, and to join the ticket waitlist, head to warhorseonstage.com.au.
They're sticky, cinnamon scrolls, drenched in glaze and famous all across the USA. And now, at last, they'll be available Down Under. Yep, Seattle-born bakery chain Cinnabon will land in Australia imminently, with a Brisbane outpost ready to open before the year is out. The launch was first announced in January this year, when family-run Queensland company Bansal Foods scored the Aussie rights to Cinnabon. But, now, we finally have some details. Set to open on Saturday, December 14, the store will be located inside Toombul Shopping Centre in Brisbane's north. Cinnabon has been going strong in America since 1985 so it's already picked up plenty of Aussie fans along the way. But this will be the first time we're able to get our hands on those sticky, cinnamon-infused baked goods on home soil. The new Brisbane store be slinging a trio of Cinnabon cult classics, including the classic cream cheese cinnamon roll, the popular chocolate-drizzled Chocobon, and very extra Caramel Pecanbon. They'll be available in both mini and large sizes, along with packs featuring either four or nine 'minibons'. There will be coffee and lots of sugary drinks to pair with your snacks, too, including a cinnamon bun frappe. And, if you're yet to get acquainted with the decadent dessert creations, just know to expect aromatic, cinnamon-spiked dough made to a long-held recipe, decked out with stacks of signature cream cheese frosting and loaded with extras. They're notoriously tough to replicate. Toombul Shopping Centre recently opened a new neon-lit upstairs dining precinct, Cinnabon won't be a part of that. Instead, it'll be located on the ground floor near the Coles. And if you're not in Brisbane, it probably won't be too long until Cinnabon makes its way down south. The Toombul store is set to be the first of many. A second Brisbane store in Mt Gravatt is set to open in January 2020 and, going off plans announced earlier in the year, Cinnabon is looking to launch in Sydney and beyond in 2021. Cinnabon is slated to open its first Australian store on Saturday, December 14 on the ground level of Toombul Shopping Centre, 1015 Sandgate Road, Toombul. We'll keep you updated on an exact opening date.
No doubt by now you've heard something about the Kony 2012 campaign. I know that I got at least three Facebook invitations to Kony-related events last night alone, and in the past few days the link has been shared on Facebook over 750,000 times, making it one of the fastest trending topics of conversation alongside this crazy weather. For those not quite on top of it yet, Kony 2012 is a viral campaign spearheaded by the humanitarian group Invisible Children, an ambitious attempt of a group of Americans who have been trying for nigh on a decade to get Western governments to pay attention to the injustices occuring in Uganda. Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, a terrorist rebel group active for 26 years, and wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, including the abduction of over 30,000 African young people to be used as child soldiers or sex slaves. He is the world's most wanted war lord. Unfortunately, while some of the most atrocious crimes against humanity occur in Africa, little is done by Western governments to intervene unless they have a direct foreign policy or financial interest in the country. As a consequence people in the Western world have been largely ignorant of the problems in Uganda until about 48 hours ago. The Kony 2012 video, made by US director Jason Russell utilising an appealing soundtrack and the emotional heartstring pull of an adorable blonde child, has been viewed more than ten million times in two days. While the group's motives and plan of attack have been criticised because a high proportion of the donations they receive are spent on travel costs and postage expenses, their attempts at raising public awareness in the navel-gazing West is certainly proving effective. A Facebook event has been planned for April 20, where Sydneysiders are set to cover the city in Kony 2012 posters to help raise awareness of the campaign. Hopefully all the awareness will lead to real action in Uganda itself.
If Vegemite can find its way into chocolate, milk shakes, icy poles, ice creams, burgers, pies and smoothies, then it can also be used as a popcorn flavour. In fact, compared to drinking it in milk or turning into dessert, Vegemite popcorn sounds positively reasonable — and it's now a thing that exists. The certain-to-be-polarising snack is available for a limited time at Village and Event cinemas across Australia, turning your next cinema visit into a culinary experiment. Seeing a movie isn't exciting enough for you? Why not pair it with something that you're either going to love or hate to eat — because, let's face it, when it comes to Vegemite they're the only two reactions. In a way, the food mashup makes sense. Everyone loves popcorn smothered in butter, or even just flavoured with butter, so why not throw in another kind of spread as well? And, why not throw in something else on top, too? Not content with simply serving up Vegemite-flavoured popcorn, the Chef's Gourmet Premium Popcorn flavour combines Vegemite and cheese. If you're after other kinds of unusual taste combinations, raspberry and white chocolate, rocky road and salted caramel popcorn is also available. And if you're fine with plain old popcorn — and eating your Vegemite in non-popcorn forms — that's perfectly okay. Via B and T.
Jacob Boehme is no stranger to the combination of theatre, dance and even puppetry to create his own multidisciplinary performances, and his latest dance work Blood on the Dancefloor is another shining example of this. A man of Narungga and Kaurna descent, after his diagnosis with HIV in 1998, Boehme took his plight to his elders, looking for answers. This limited performance at Carriageworks is the culmination of his search, a physical monologue that explores the human connection of blood to memory, to the land, to our history, and to each other. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list.
UPDATE: APRIL 17, 2018 — All the Not a Single Origin boxes have sold out (and eaten, we assume), but you can pop your details in here to be notified when more are ready to be shipped. Sydneysiders appreciate great chocolate as much as anyone, but this data-driven box of chocolates doesn't just taste great — it also gives an insight into the vibrant communities that call Sydney home. Created by the artisans at St Leonards' Bakedown Cakery, Not A Single Origin is the result of a year-long collaboration with data visualisation specialists Small Multiples, who used the 2016 Census to explore the relationship between ethnicity, population and taste. While it's not the first time Sydney's suburbs have been the inspiration for a line of chocolate, it's the first time hard data has been used. More than 200 different ancestries can be found in the communities of Sydney's diverse suburbs, with this collaboration presenting tastes of 12 of Sydney's most 'culturally saturated'. From Rooty Hill's strong Filipino community to Hurstville's Chinese ancestry and Manly's Scottish population that approaches almost 9000 people, Australia's cuisine is indebted to hundreds of migrant communities. "This project has shown us that no matter where you live, from Concord to Cabramatta or Greenacre to Manly, immigrants have helped define places with their cultural traditions exemplified by the flavours they brought to the Australian palate," says Small Multiples co-founder Jack Zhao. Bakedown Cakery's Jen Lo studied each suburb's unique palate of spices and 'native' ingredients to create the Not A Single Origin collection. While Westmead's Indian influence lends itself to a chocolatey blend of cardamom, coconut and cashew, Concord's Italian community morphed into a chocolate flavoured with strawberry and a tart balsamic vinegar caramel. The collaborators went the extra mile for the design of the 12 neatly packaged chocolates with the suburb's mapping data 3D printed onto each tasty block, while the vivid packaging used custom 'algorithmic wizardly' to transform photos of the ingredients into a mass of colourful gradients and clusters. Perhaps the sweetest presentation of data you'll ever see, limited boxes are available for $40 each from notasingleorigin.com. Head to Small Multiples to see more inventive data breakdowns, or find Bakedown Cakery's tasty treats at 62 Atchison Street, St Leonards. Images: Hilary Cam Photography.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. It’s a well-known fact that Japan is home to the fastest trains in the world. In April this year, its Maglev train broke its own record, reaching a speed of more than 600 kilometres per hour and covering 1.8 kilometres in 11 seconds. Its trains are also among the most comfortable on the planet. And last year, East Japan Railway Company decided to take luxury to the next level with the introduction of traditional-style footbaths into one of its Shinkansen (or bullet train) services. In Japanese, these baths are referred to as ‘ashiyu’. Two baths have been installed on East Japan’s Toreiyu Tsubasa train, which travels in a stunning, mountainous area where hot springs abound. Each bath is 2.4 metres by 0.5 metres, so that up to four people can relax together at once. The train offers a 1 hour, 50 minute trip on weekends and public holidays, between Shinjo Station in Yamagata prefecture and Fukushima station in Fukushima prefecture. After partaking in their bath, passengers are invited to sprawl out on tatami mats — traditional Japanese floor coverings made of rushes and straw. Plus there’s an on-board bar, serving sake created locally. Via Japan Real Time.
Being able to tell when someone is lying is a handy gift, and one that sits at the centre of supremely entertaining and addictive new 2023 streaming series Poker Face. But no special talents were necessary to predict two obvious things that've come true since the show first started dropping episodes back in January: that it'd be a hit and that a second season would follow. Armchair detectives, get excited about another round of sleuthing with star Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) and filmmaker Rian Johnson (Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery). US streamer Peacock has just announced that Poker Face will return for season two — and, dropping episodes week by week, season one isn't even finished yet. Exactly when Poker Face will return for its sophomore spin, how many episodes season two will span and who else will pop up — because this is a series with a stacked guest cast, too — hasn't yet been revealed. But the news definitely isn't bullshit, as Lyonne's Charlie Cale likes to utter (and often). A mystery-of-the-week series, Poker Face sees Charlie work her way through resolving a different crime in each episode, all while she's on the road in a Plymouth Barracuda. That's where all those other well-known faces come in, including Adrien Brody (See How They Run), The Menu's Hong Chau and Judith Light, Lil Rel Howery (Deep Water) and Danielle MacDonald (The Tourist) in season one's first few episodes. The show's debut go-around also features Lyonne's Russian Doll mother Chloë Sevigny (Bones and All), plus Ron Perlman (Nightmare Alley), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pinocchio), Ellen Barkin (Animal Kingdom), Nick Nolte (The Mandalorian), Cherry Jones (Succession), Jameela Jamil (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) and newly minted Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once). As seen on Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand, Charlie is cruising her way across the US after figuring out a crime with personal ties in episode one, all by using that lie-detecting talent of hers, but making considerable enemies in the process. While that's the show's overall framing story, each instalment focuses on its own whodunnit in its own place, including mysterious deaths at garages, related to metal bands, in retirement homes and onstage during a play. "Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams," said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. "Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can't wait to hit the road for another season as we continue to build momentum across Peacock's originals slate." Check out the full trailer for Poker Face below: Poker Face streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
Robert Pattinson is speaking at Vivid Ideas. This is not a joke. Although not known predominantly for his intellectual achievements, Pattinson is part of the all-round clever Australian project The Rover. Playing in competition at the Sydney Film Festival, it is the latest film from Animal Kingdom director David Michod and takes place in a dystopian near-future where the world's downtrodden flock to Australia's new gold rush. Stars Pattinson and Guy Pearce, together with Michod and producer Liz Watts, will speak about the film at Sydney Town Hall. It'll be worth tolerating the Twihards to hear this tale. Inside the Rover is one of our picks of the top ten events at Vivid Ideas. Check out the other nine.
Are Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally comedy's funniest couple? Both together and apart, their resumes make a strong case for it. Here's another way to make that call: catching them live onstage together in Australia in their first-ever shared in-conversation session. It's a one-night-only date for the Parks and Recreation co-stars, happening to close out Vivid Sydney 2025. If you're as obsessed with one of the best American sitcoms of the 21st century as everyone should be, you will have spotted a trend at Vivid in the past two years. At 2024's festival, Amy Poehler was on the lineup, also getting chatting. Fingers crossed for Adam Scott or Rob Lowe in 2026. Yes, you should get the bacon and whisky ready for Offerman and Mullally. You should also prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. Making your own canoe? If you can, that's an appropriate way to celebrate, too. Taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Offerman and Mullally's exclusive Vivid show is called Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally, and falls into the Harbour City event's Global Storyteller series — which is also bringing Martha Stewart to the New South Wales capital in 2025, was why Poehler was on 2024's lineup, and has also seen The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, filmmakers Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Australia singer Troye Sivan get talking in past years. Parks and Recreation's on-screen Ron and Tammy Swanson were meant to tour to Australia together in 2016, but Mullally had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, so Offerman came solo. When they finally make the trip by each other's side, the husband-and-wife duo have everything from their multi-hyphenate individual careers to collaborating as creative and real-life partners to dig into, alongside their LGBTQIA+ and environmental activism. Top image: Emily Schur.
Gone are the days when a handful of 20 cent coins was like a wad of fifties, when you would buy finger buns — with their iconic pink icing and coconut shavings — with the silver scraped from the bottom of your bag. The tuck shop might've deserved a visit from the Health Inspector, but the buns were pink, they were sugary, they were cheap; they were everything we once wanted in food. But apparently those days aren't totally gone — just the price point and dubious hygiene. Adriano Zumbo is transforming his Rozelle and Waverley patisseries into 'Fluffy's Aussie Bakery' as a creative homage to Australia Day. For ten days Zumbo's will be the classic Aussie bakery with kitsch decor, vintage chalkboard art and baked goods. Among the treats on offer from tomorrow until January 26 are finger buns, neenish tarts, cream buns and lamingtons. All that's missing is a milkshake and sausage roll. The pop-up bakeries can be found at 114 Terry Street, Rozelle and 24 Arden Street, Waverley, somewhere round Memory Lane.
Sometimes being ridiculously beautiful can be a curse — everyone wants to grab a drink with you, stare at you and boast about you to their friends. We're talking about you, Sydney, and your impossible-to-match views. From the twinkling city lights to the picturesque harbour, it's a city we can't help but show off. And what better way to take it all in than at a rooftop bar with a significant other or a bunch of mates? Together with our friends at Heineken, we've put together a list of four rooftop bars that are perfect for a sky-high night out under the stars. You're welcome.
UPDATE: MARCH 31, 2020 — Since publication, the NSW and Victorian Governments have both released detailed directions surrounding enforcement of the new public gathering and social distancing rules. Police in NSW and Victoria will start handing out on-the-spot fines from midnight tonight, Monday, March 30, for those disobeying the new rules surrounding public gatherings and social distancing. Announced last night by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, indoor and outdoor gatherings must now be limited to two people, excluding those in your household. If you're not with those you live with, you should only be with one other person. The previous gathering limit was ten people. It was also announced that public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks will close from today. The new two-person limit on public gatherings does not apply to weddings (which have a current limit of five people) and funerals (which have a limit of ten), but it does apply to group bootcamps. Also announced last night are new restrictions on social distancing. Outlined by the Prime Minister, and reiterated by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Victorian Premier Dan Andrews this morning, Australians should only be leaving their homes for one of four reasons: shopping for what you need — such as food and other essential supplies — "as infrequently as possibly"; for medical care or compassionate reasons; to exercise, in-line with the new two-person limit; and for work or education if you cannot work or learn remotely. Both Premiers said that leaving your home for an unnecessary reason could also land you an on-the-spot fine. https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/posts/2970976326300217?__tn__=-R On-the-spot fines for individuals not following the new public gathering and social distancing rules are $1652 in Victoria and $1000 in NSW. Penalties are also in place for those not following self-isolation regulations. You can find out more about the new public gathering and social distancing rules at here, and find out how they're being enforced in Victoria and NSW via the State Government websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Whether you love 70s tunes, are obsessed with 80s tracks, live for the 90s or can't get enough 00s vibes, getting a musical blast from the past is rather easy in Australia at the moment. Every week or so, an iconic name seems to be dropping tour dates — from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elton John and Beck through to Blink-182, the Backstreet Boys and Vengaboys, plus everyone from TISM to TLC. The latest to join the list: Sir Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper. They're teaming up and coming Down Under in 2023 for a string of dates across arenas and wineries. Yes, that means that 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?', 'Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright),' 'Time After Time' and 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' are all going to get a whirl at the same gig. Stewart is the headliner, with a huge focus on his hits, including 'You Wear It Well', 'You're In My Heart', 'Sailing', 'Rhythm Of My Heart' and 'Maggie May' as well across a massive two-hour set. But having Lauper onboard is a huge drawcard, whether you love 'True Colours' or appreciate her Tony Award-winning work on the Kinky Boots musical, where she became the first solo woman to win the acclaimed prize for Best Original Score (music and lyrics). She'll play for an hour before Stewart. The pair will be joined by Noiseworks and INXS' Jon Stevens — playing arena shows in Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and the Hunter Valley. If you're a wine-and-dance kind of gig-goer, all three are also gracing the stage in Geelong, Mount Cotton and Bowral as part of A Day on the Green, too. ROD STEWART'S THE HITS! AUSTRALIAN 2023 TOUR WITH CYNDI LAUPER DATES: Saturday, March 11 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, March 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, March 21 — AEC Arena, Adelaide Wednesday, March 29 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, April 1 — Roche Estate, Hunter Valley A DAY ON THE GREEN DATES: Saturday, March 18 — Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong Saturday, March 25 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton Sunday, April 2 — Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper are touring Australia in March and April 2023. For more information about the arena shows, head to the Live Nation website. For the A Day on the Green shows, head to the festival's website. Tickets for all gigs go on sale at 1pm local time on Thursday, November 17.
Underground Spanish wine bar Letra House is gearing up to lead you on an epic journey through the many flavours of Spain's many regions. Launching on Monday, May 5, this quarterly event — dubbed El Camino — will see a series of collaborations with chefs, producers and suppliers take over the venue for one night only. First cab off the rank is Guillermo Rabago, the man behind Mate in Spain, which brings gourmet Spanish produce to Australian restaurants, bars and shops. Letra House's Head Chef, Brandon Jones (ex-La Salut), has drawn inspiration from his range to create a bunch of delicious share plates. Look out for Spanish classics, like La Brujula mussels escabeche with chips and Ubidea guindillas, and La Mar de Tazones spider crab tartlet with green garlic. Also on the list is a new take on Jones's socarrat with Güeyu Mar squid ink, Conservas Eutimio kokotxas (hake cheeks), pilpil and salsa verde. Then, heading up the dessert list is pantxineta — a Basque-influenced custard slice — with turron ice cream. If you can't make this one — or can, and can't wait to do it all again — then keep your eyes peeled for details of the second edition. Happening in August, it'll bring Barcelona-born Frank Camorra all the way from Melbourne's MoVida to Letra House for an evening dedicated to Andalucia.
Diehard gin lovers had best gather round because the Sydney Gin Festival is back again. From Friday, October 28–Sunday, October 30, 62 of Australia's biggest names in the craft gin distillery world are transforming the WINX Stand at Royal Randwick into a gin-sipping fiesta. Each will be serving up their own suite of signature tipples, so expect plenty of local creations infused with native botanicals, and locally-sourced fruits and berries. Purists can also get their hands on classic dry gins, but hey, you've come to the festival to discover something new — why not challenge your juniper-loving pallet a little? Don't miss the likes of newcomers Hickson House in the Rocks, Prohibition Liquor Co, Kangaroo Island distillery, Cape Byron and Barossa Distilling, as well as much-loved award-winners including Archie Rose, Turner Stillhouse and Never Never Distilling. Of course, you won't have to drink all this gin straight. All G&Ts sampled at the event can be paired with tonic mixers or soda from Long Rays. Guests will also score a tote bag and their own tasting glass included in the ticket price. The Sydney Gin Festival runs October 28 (5.30–8.30pm), October 29 (5.30–8.30pm) and October 30 (12–3pm). Tickets are $70 a session with special four-ticket bundles available for $120.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Rekorderlig. Chris Sörman has a pretty enviable lifestyle. As a pro snowboarder and member of the Beautifully Swedish Collective, he travels the world's most dreamy alpine regions and makes them his playground. Here he lets us in on what it's like to live in a permanent winter wonderland and why he never gets tired of going home to Sweden. How did you get into snowboarding? I was, as a kid, into all kinds of sports. Skateboarding was my main thing and I was living the lifestyle with baggy pants and dreadlocks listening to Wutang. When I was eight snowboarding came into my life and I fell in love from the first moment. I decided shortly after that to become a professional in that area. It's worked out pretty good so far. What is the greatest thing about snowboarding for a living? To be able to wake up every single day and do what you like the most in life with your best friend. I wish that for every single person on this earth. Who or what inspires you? A bunch of people have been a big inspiration to me during my ten years as a professional, people both inside and outside of the snowboarding industry. They could be very good snowboarders or just a random person with a good way of looking at life. I am always trying to capture the best of people into myself to create the best possible me. What do you like to get up to most when there's no snow around? I like to do a lot of different things. I am actually a bit of a 'workaholic'. I always have my hands full with different business ideas and projects. I love the feeling of being busy! You've also had a huge hand in a number of Pirate Movie Production films. How did you get into that and how big a role do you play behind the camera versus in front of the camera? Definitely had a bigger role in front of the camera. I mean, I am a snowboarder, not a director. But I definitely always have my input when it comes to angles and stuff like that. But it's not up to me to make that final call. In the end my mission is to always deliver high-class riding. I have spent many seasons filming with Pirate Movie Productions. They are now the biggest snowboard movie company in Europe, so it's pretty cool to have been part of it pretty much since day one. Why do you think snowboarding and film go so well together? I just think people enjoy watching it. I mean it looks like a lot of fun, right? Sometimes it's crazy and people like to watch things that are a bit crazy. The sun is shining, snow is flying and we are doing big jumps — what's not to like. You seem to have boarded in some pretty amazing places. Where is your favourite place to hit the slopes or film and why? I always get this question, and it's always the same answer. Where my friends are, that's where I have the most fun riding. Doesn't matter if it's on the big mountains of Austria, a small hill in Sweden or somewhere in Japan. It's not about the surroundings; it's about the people you're with. Is the travel and the lifestyle of a professional snowboarder such as yourself as amazing as it seems? Most of the time I really enjoy it, but for sure it has its bad sides as well, like anything in life — being away from family, travelling alone, no time for relationships and your sleep and health can really be affected when you're travelling, you have no structure in your life. Everybody has a favourite travel memory that will live with them forever. What's yours? So many! But when I won the Burton European Open back in 2005, that is my biggest and best memory from my career. You get to travel a lot but your home country of Sweden is pretty beautiful. What are your favourite things about her? I will never move from Sweden. I don't really know why? I have been to many countries all over the world in my life and they all have their specialties. Away is good, but home is always the best! Sweden is my home. You know what I'm saying.
According to Toronto-based Richard Smith, 'I have a laptop. It needs a case. So I make laptop sleeves.' Although a simple idea at heart, Richard's computer sleeves are nothing short of unique. Made from vintage sweaters and shirts, Computerwear repurposes unused and unappreciated clothing into suave, handmade laptop and iPad cases, transforming your gadget from an inanimate piece of technology into a proper gentleman. If you never leave home without your laptop or iPad, Computerwear will save your gear from the unwanted and unavoidable bumps and scratches of everyday life. Available on Richard's Etsy store, Finders&Keepers, the cases are machine-washable (unless otherwise noted) and dryer friendly, and make for a pretty dapper tech accessory at US$65.
Really, there's no better way to spend a day than basking in the sunshine with a view out to sea. When stealing a boat just isn't an option, kick back at one of Sydney's many superb waterfront venues instead — you can indulge in some food and drink, and, you know, avoid that whole criminal record thing. To help steer you in the right direction, we've teamed up with our mates at Heineken to bring you five Sydney bars with sparkling sea views. All venues come with high-quality fare, summertime vibes and the refreshing mid-strength lager, Heineken 3. A lighter beer means you can enjoy a few, without getting wobbly on your legs.
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in September at the Sydney Opera House, with the venue set to play host to The Phantom of the Opera. Yes, the music of the night will soon be crooning its way into the Joan Sutherland Theatre, thanks to a new season of the acclaimed Tony-winner. It's being staged by Opera Australia, who is bringing Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit to the city. If you're fond of big anniversaries, the show will kick off just a month before the popular musical will mark 35 years since it first opened in London's West End back in 1986. The current production of The Phantom of the Opera comes to Sydney after breaking records in the UK and touring the US for seven years, with Australia becoming just the third country to witness its take on the tale. Yes, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number (obviously). You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different. Exactly when in September the musical will premiere hasn't been revealed, but Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman will be playing the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by a cast and orchestra of 65 people, which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia. If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom. [caption id="attachment_803896" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Earl Carpenter and Katie Hall in The Phantom of the Opera. Photo by Alastair Muir[/caption] The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stage at the Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre in September 2021, with exact dates yet to be announced. Tickets will go on sale in April — to keep an eye out for further details, or to join the waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top image: John Owen-Jones as the Phantom and Katie Hall as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera — UK Tour. Photo: Michael Le Poer Trench.
Maybe you just like hanging out in Byron Bay. Perhaps you can't get enough of every music festival there is. Or, you could love seeing music legends take to the stage. The experience that is Bluesfest ticks all of the above boxes — and more — and will notch up its 35th anniversary with a couple of stone-cold icons behind the microphone: Tom Jones and Elvis Costello. Jones is no stranger to the event, last playing in 2016. What's new pussycat? Not the Welsh 'It's Not Unusual', 'Delilah' and 'Sex Bomb' singer spending Easter performing to a crowd of thousands in Australia. Costello and his band The Imposters were on the fest's 2023 bill, but had to drop out. So, they'll make the trip in 2024 instead. If you're now making long weekend plans, Bluesfest will take over Byron Events Farm in Tyagarah from Thursday, March 28–Monday, April 1. So far, the festival has named 23 acts and events on its lineup, ranging from Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos through to RocKwiz Live. Among the big names, Jack Johnson will play an Australian-exclusive set, in what's set to be his only Aussie show in 2024. Johnson has a history with the fest as well, first taking to its stages in 2001 when his career was just starting — long before he was a household name. [caption id="attachment_913223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kizzy O'Neal[/caption] Also heading to northern New South Wales as part of the five-day lineup: The Teskey Brothers, Matt Corby, L.A.B, Tommy Emmanuel, The Dead South and The Paper Kites. Although the list already goes on, this is just the first 2024 announcement. The last few years have been tumultuous for the Byron Bay mainstay. 2023's fest lost a number of acts, including King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Sampa the Great, after Sticky Fingers were added to the bill. The fest ultimately dropped the controversial band. And while the fest went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. BLUESFEST 2024 LINEUP — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: Jack Johnson Tom Jones The Teskey Brothers Matt Corby L.A.B Elvis Costello & The Imposters Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos Tommy Emmanuel The Dead South The Paper Kites Drive-by Truckers Newton Faulkner Steve Poltz 19-Twenty Taj Farrant Erja Lyytinen Harry Manx Here Come The Mummies Clayton Doley's Bayou Billabong Little Quirks Hussy Hicks Blues Arcadia RocKwiz Live Bluesfest 2024 will run from Thursday, March 28–Monday, April 1 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Season passes are on sale now — for further information, head to the Bluesfest website.
This year is flying by at rapid pace and that means summer is just around the corner — and we all need to get our warm weather wardrobes in order. Ready-to-wear and swimwear label Tigerlily is offering something very relevant to your interests: a big 29-hour online clothing sale to get you some much-welcome bargains. There's never a bad time to treat yourself to some new clothes, especially when you're saving a heap of money in the process. The Aussie brand is known and loved for its timeless prints and unique patterns, so getting your mitts on some of the goods at up to 80 percent off is a major win. You'll be able to get a brand new threads for a steal, including dresses, shorts, kaftans and sample pieces to help you prep for the summer months. The sale starts at 7pm on Tuesday, November 12 and ends at 11.59pm on Wednesday, November 13, so you'll have to get in quick. To check out what's up for grabs, head here. The Tigerlily click frenzy sale will kick off at 7pm on Tuesday, November 12 and end at 11.59pm on Wednesday, November 13.
The day before kick-off, the Sydney Film Festival has gone and added another five films to its program — five juicy numbers that picked up awards and got critics talking at Cannes. That includes the big prize winner, Winter Sleep, which took out the Palme d'Or. From Once Upon a Time in Anatolia director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the film is set in Cappadocia and follows the journey of a former actor with an inflated sense of self (what never). The fifth film from 25-year-old Xavier Dolan, Mommy, is also in the new crop, making it his second film at the SFF along with Tom at the Farm. On top of Dolan's usual aesthetic verdancy, Mommy has attracted attention for its 1:1 aspect ratio, a la Instagram. Then there's Danish werewolf romance When Animals Dream, which has been likened to clean-lined horror Let the Right One In; the Ecumenical Jury Prize Winner Timbuktu, which looks at the increasingly absurd rules imposed on a village governed by religious fundamentalists; and Special Jury Prize Winner The Salt of the Earth, where Wim Wenders examines the life and legacy of Brazilian artist Sebastiao Salgado (famous for his Hieronymous Bosch-like images of the Brazilian gold mine Serra Pelada). Unfortunately not making the boat trip over from Cannes is Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, Lost River. The film got so totally ripped apart by critics and audiences, we now especially can't wait to see it. For the full SFF program, check out the festival website. Or have a read of our top film picks of the festival and our guide to the SFF Hub.
Merivale is getting into the flower business just in time for spring. The functions and hospitality behemoth behind the likes of The Chicken Shop, Queen Chow, Coogee Pavilion and The Beresford – not to mention the annual madness that is the March Into Merivale food festival – have just announced they will open their first ever flower shop at the ivy in the Sydney CBD. Located next door to Lorraine's Patisserie, Palings Flowers will open its doors on Monday, September 4, and will be curated by florist Hannah Coomber. Previously of Grandiflora, Coomber joined Merivale as their in-house florist back in 2015, and has been creating arrangements for the groups various venues and events ever since. "I'm often stopped in venue and asked about our floral displays," said Coomber in a statement announcing the news. "I thought the Palings Lane boutique was the perfect space to not only display some of the florals we use across the group, but to also allow our guests to purchase the stunning varieties we source from the flower market." Coomber will design each bunch herself, ensuring that no two are exactly alike. The space itself will be designed by Merivale's in-house team, with a vibe described by the group as being akin to a "floral apothecary". Look for Palings Flowers at 3 Palings Lane, Sydney
The thing about the great outdoors is that there's a depth to it that photos and secondhand accounts can't fully capture — its full grandeur has to be experienced firsthand to be truly appreciated. Whether you're hoping to catch a glimpse of rare species endemic to the region, hankering after an adrenaline rush — or simply can't imagine a holiday without taking in the natural wonders of your destination, the landscapes of the American South are just waiting to be explored. In partnership with Travel South USA, we've curated a range of ways to get into the great outdoors in each of the South's nine states. Mammoth Cave — Kentucky A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system, with over 400 miles (over 643 kilometres) explored. Visitors can take guided tours to marvel at its vast chambers, unique rock formations, and fascinating underground ecosystems. Not only is it the largest cave system in the world, it's also situated in a National Park that's ideal for hiking, biking and camping. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area — Louisiana One of the most ecologically diverse regions in the US is found in south-central Louisiana's Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. Not only is the Atchafalaya the nation's largest freshwater swamp, the twisting bayous are where alligators, raccoons, bears, catfish, shrimp, crawfish and over 270 species of birds call home. Within the swamp grounds, ancient oak trees and impressive cypress trees also tower — and can be seen when exploring the swamp on a guided tour either by boat or kayak. Whitewater Rafting in Almost Heaven — West Virginia For an experience that gets you out of your comfort zone and into the splash zone, take to West Virginia's river rapids. The state is home to world-class whitewater rafting, with the highest density of whitewater runs in the country. Beginners all the way through to rafting veterans are all welcome, with family-friendly fun and wild adrenaline-pumping adventures alike to be found in Almost Heaven's wide range of rivers. The rafting is so good in West Virginia that National Geographic crowned it a 2024 "Best of the World Experience". Loggerhead Sea Turtles at Edisto Beach State Park — South Carolina South Carolina's beaches are as warm as they are wide, and are home to a population of loggerhead sea turtles — one of the seven species of the beak-and-flipper-boasting marine reptiles worldwide. Female loggerheads return to the beaches where they were born to nest and every year between May and August, Edisto Beach State Park is home to returning loggerheads and hatchlings as they make their treacherous scurry out to sea. Ranger-guided nighttime beach walks during this period offer a chance to witness the baby turtles take their first breaths and first scurries firsthand. Katy Trail State Park — Missouri Built along the corridor of what was once the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railway, today the Katy Trail State Park is home to the longest continuous rail trail in the US — and an unrivalled way to witness the heritage of the state. The trail consists of 26 trailheads stretching over 386 scenic kilometres meandering through once-thriving small towns along the Missouri River, wine country in the state's east and rural farmland in the west. Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail — Alabama Situated along Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, the Gulf State Park spans a formidable 6150 acres (about 2500 hectares). Despite the size, the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail makes exploring this expanse of pristine nature much more accessible. Over 28 miles (about 45 kilometres) of paved trails it's possible to explore all nine of the distinct ecosystems that make up the State Park. There are a plethora of wildlife-watching opportunities and the trail is ideal for hiking and biking, making it a homegrown favourite that was crowned 2024's Best Recreational Trail by USA Today. Coastal Mississippi — Mississippi Mississippi's extensive coastline is a nature lover's playground. Whether by boat or on foot, there are breathtaking Gulf views to behold and a smorgasbord of experiences unique to the region, including the possibility of fresh local seafood in the catch of the day on a chartered fishing trip or shrimping excursion. The coast's many serene bayous and waterways are ideally suited for exploring from a kayak or paddleboard, while a boat ride is the best way to reach the Gulf Islands National Seashore's pristine beaches. Birdwatchers can flock to Pascagoula River Audubon Center to spot migratory species and there are countless coastal trails just waiting to be strolled along. WildSide in Pigeon Forge — Tennessee In the backyard of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains with over 18 miles (about 28 kilometres) of trails across 900 acres of terrain (about 365 hectares) lies WildSide, one of the ultimate adventure parks in the South. Head off-road on guided UTVs (utility terrain vehicles) or on a mountain bike for thrilling wilderness experiences to suit every skill level and appetite for adrenaline. Grandfather Mountain — North Carolina Standing at 5946 feet (1812 metres), Grandfather Mountain in northwest North Carolina is more than just the highest peak of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which is itself one of the chains that make up the expansive Appalachian Mountains. With 16 distinct natural ecosystems, the mountain is classified as an International Biosphere Reserve owing to its rare plant and animal diversity, many of which are also endemic or endangered. The reserve has a multitude of hiking trails, opportunities to see local species in natural habitats and is also home to America's highest suspension footbridge. Find your next adventure in the South. Discover more unforgettable destinations and start planning your trip with Travel South USA.
Large swathes of cinemas have been temporarily shuttered in China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Italy and France; theme parks have been closed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo; and Texan music and film festival South by Southwest has been cancelled for the first time in 34 years. Music tours have been cancelled throughout Asia, too, and plenty of questions hang over forthcoming events elsewhere in the world — such as Coachella in April and the Cannes Film Festival in May. Now, Australia's arts scene is feeling the impacts of the mounting concerns about COVID-19, with Tasmania's Dark Mofo announcing it will not go ahead in 2020. In the same week that Miley Cyrus cancelled her trip to Australia and charity concert in Melbourne, the announcement was made on Facebook this morning by David Walsh, owner of Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which runs the annual festival. In the statement, Walsh says: "We're killing Dark Mofo for the year. I know that will murder an already massacred tourism environment, but I feel like I have no choice." The art gallery and festival founder says the decision was made off the back of other locally run events not selling well and the prediction that Dark Mofo could also be a flop. "If we ran Dark and nobody came, I'd lose $5 million or more," Walsh said. If this happened, he says it could jeopardise the future of Dark Mofo. https://www.facebook.com/darkmofofestival/posts/2559026007553763?__tn__=K-R Take placing across Hobart during the winter solstice every year, Dark Mofo combines winter feasts, boundary-pushing art, nude swims, warehouse parties, talks and lots of live music. Last year's lineup saw the likes of artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, American musician Sharon Van Etten and one of the world's largest glockenspiels descend on the Tasmanian city. While the lineup for this year had not yet been announced, the 2020 festival was scheduled to take place from June 10–22. For now, MONA will remain open as usual and Dark Mofo is set to go ahead in 2021. Dark Mofo 2020 has been cancelled. You can read David Walsh's full statement over here. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Rémi Chauvin
It's a good moment for Asian Art in Sydney right now. The Art Gallery of New South Wales cottoned on to its magnificence a while back, with their now no-longer new Asian Galleries. The White Rabbit Gallery continues to offer an enormous private Asian art foundation near the city's centre. And just across the tram-tracks from the back of the Capitol Theatre is Gallery 4a, the Asian Australian Artists' Association's gallery of rotating contemporary Asian art. This month they bring together artworks built from stranger fabrics with the show Three Emerging Projects. Emerging from contemplations of the self and its surrounding social web of expectations, Cyrus Tang, Shalini Jardin and Tracy Luff are using cardboard constructions, hair and single-celled organisms to get their artistic muse expressed. Tang's work tends to focus on dislocation, while Luff has hewn a strange forest with mangroves hips from corrugated cardboard, which greets you by the door. (Using similar techniques to a Camper store's odd furniture, but with more ambition.) 4a is eager to lure you in amongst the weird substance these artists have unleashed, and it won't release you from them unsatisfied. Original image by Soggydan.
It has been ten years of Young Henrys, the Sydney brewery responsible for changing Australia's relationship with craft beer. That's no overstatement. Young Henrys was the first of the small-batch and independent brewers to genuinely crossover into the mainstream and started a movement. And despite ten years of expansion, high-profile collaborations and regular new product development (including the launch of a RTD gin and tonic), the business has remained steadfastly independent. Like all great ideas, Young Henrys was first conceived in a pub after an undisclosed number of schooners. The difference is that unlike most ideas that start out as excitable pub chat, this one actually panned out. THE ORIGIN STORY Founders Richard Adamson and Oscar McMahon were running a beer club at a pub in Glebe where punters could sample and discuss craft beers from far and wide. Their enthusiasm and well-trained palate for beer naturally evolved into a plan to give brewing a whirl themselves. According to the story as McMahon tells it, one thing just kind of led to another. "One night after beer club Richard said to me: 'How cool would it be to make a beer company that was in touch with the people drinking the beer, like the feeling of beer club.' We'd obviously had quite a few," he notes. "And then the next morning we actually followed up with a phone call and said 'hey... are you kind of serious about that?' And that began the journey of getting together some like-minded people and it took us about two years to find this site in Newtown and ten years ago this week we sold our first keg." That keg contained the now-ubiquitous Young Henrys Natural Lager. Ten years later, this loose and instinctive approach to developing the brand is warmly described by Dan Hampton, Young Henrys' Head of Sales, as 'the Young Henrys way'. Hampton explains: "The YH way or Young Henrys way is our way of saying that we don't always need to reinvent the wheel — and you can spin your wheels a lot trying to reinvent the wheel. But we go: how can we take good ideas, proven concepts and do them in our own unique way, and put our unique lens on it? Or take something that already exists and completely spin it on its head." A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION The Young Henrys way has resulted in projects, events and creative collaborations that cross cultural intersections. They did a project with You Am I to create a collaborative beer 'Brew Am I' for the band's 20th anniversary tour — a partnership the founders cite as one of their favourite ever. They have since followed that up with partnerships with bands like DZ Deathrays and Foo Fighters, multi Grand Slam-winning tennis champ Dylan Alcott and the Rabbitohs, to name a few. Collaboration has been an important part of the business from the beginning. "We assume that people who are into craft beer will seek out and find and educate themselves on craft beer and craft breweries. We always thought it was a really interesting concept to take a craft beer company and find collaborators in other creative, interesting industries and work on a project," Oscar McMahon explains. "It not only brings new audiences into Young Henrys but into craft beer. It actually spreads that conversation. Also, we're a creative company. We're always coming up with new products and designs and themes and events, so pushing yourself to collaborate with someone means you're not only pushing yourself to be creative to your own standards, but to someone else's as well. And that can create some really great internal pressure." [caption id="attachment_610876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Young Henry's collaboration with Dune Rats in 2017[/caption] THE TEN YEAR BEER No big name collaborations or great internal pressure went into the beer brewed specially to commemorate the 10th anniversary. The limited edition creation '10 Years Strong' is a red ale that was aged in rum and port casks, balancing bitterness and body, and has a hefty ABV of 8%. The beer will be given away to customers whenever they buy any two six-packs or four-packs of any Young Henrys product as a way of saying thanks to the people who have supported them for the past decade. 10 Years Strong is a birthday gift available with any Young Henrys purchase from bottle shops nationally.
