Taylor Swift announcing a new album as she broke records. Barbie's 'What Was I Made For?' winning Song of the Year. Tracy Chapman. Celine Dion. Miley Cyrus' first Grammy ever. Annie Lennox's Sinead O'Connor tribute. The 2024 Grammys had them all. The awards also had SZA entering the ceremony as this year's most-nominated artist, swerving away from swords as she performed 'Kill Bill' and collecting three gongs. Next on the R&B singer's list: touring Australia and New Zealand. [caption id="attachment_939968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacob Webster[/caption] SZA won Grammys for Best Progressive R&B Album, Best R&B Song and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Phoebe Bridgers — and to appreciate why, you'll want to make a date with her shows in Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in April. She's playing two gigs each everywhere but Brissie, all at arenas on a seven-show visit. The S.O.S. tour is in support of SZA's second album of the same name, which dropped in late 2022. She's been performing the record live for the past year, kicking off in North America from February 2023, then playing Europe before returning to the US. Cue 'Good Days', 'Snooze', 'Shirt' and 'Nobody Gets Me' on her current setlists, plus 'Broken Clocks', 'Drew Barrymore', 'The Weekend' and 'Love Galore' from her debut album Ctrl — and everything from 'All the Stars' from the Black Panther soundtrack to 'Kiss Me More'. SZA joins a massive list of big-name tours heading Australia and New Zealand's way in 2024, alongside everyone from Tenacious D, Take That and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and GZA this week alone. SZA S.O.S. Australia and New Zealand Tour Dates 2024: Monday, April 15–Tuesday, April 16 — Spark Arena, Auckland, Friday, April 19 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Tuesday, April 23–Wednesday, April 24 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, April 29–Tuesday, April 30 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne SZA is touring Australia and New Zealand in April 2024, with presales from 2pm on Friday, February 9 and general sales from 2pm on Monday, February 12. Head to the Australian and New Zealand tour websites for more information. Top image: The Come Up Show via Wikimedia Commons.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Sydney is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Sydney. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, eat some of the city's best charcoal chicken, learn to make your own pasta and watch the sunrise over dumplings. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
It won't surprise you to learn that Australians love their wine. In fact, the National Wine Show is now celebrating its 50th anniversary, with each edition seeing an esteemed panel hand out trophies to vino deemed the best in the land. However, the same organisation is taking the opportunity to step up its offering, launching the inaugural National Wine Festival of Australia in Canberra. Held from Thursday, June 12–Sunday, June 15, this four-day event will toast Australian viticulture, with a stacked program featuring expert-led wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events. Dedicated wine-lovers will relish the chance to sip on more than 900 award-winning wines under one roof, as the festival presents the best bottles from across the Canberra District wine region and the broader local dining scene. Though the name recognition of this wine region might not be as strong as others around the country, it's certainly on the up and up, as it's now home to 140 vineyards and 50 wineries. Set just a 35-minute drive from Canberra CBD, this easy-to-reach expanse of rolling hills specialises in cool-climate varieties, like reisling, pinot noir, shiraz and tempranillo. Some of the recommended spots for a sip include Clonakilla, Helm Wines, Mount Majura and Eden Road. As for the National Wine Festival of Australia, much of the program revolves around fascinating masterclasses held at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. For example, beginners can join renowned wine educator Jenny Polack to learn the basics of wine styles and tasting techniques. You can also discover the wines of the future alongside expert Mark O'Callaghan, who'll explore the climatic challenges facing the industry, as well as evolving consumer tastes. For those who appreciate the depth of Mediterranean wines, Perth-based wine reviewer Erin Larkin takes visitors on a journey to the continent without leaving town, featuring sun-drenched reds and crisp coastal whites from France, Italy, Spain and Greece. There are also specific masterclasses for chardonnay lovers and Australian sparkling fans, helping you become an expert in blending, texture and aroma. With the festival's headline event remaining the National Wine Show, Thursday night sees trophies handed out at Parliament House. There are strictly limited tickets available, so if you can't snag a spot, you'll have the chance to sip on this year's best drops the following day. National Wine Show of Australia Chair of Judges Matt Harrop will reveal what earned each wine its trophy, while giving guests the chance to sample. The National Wine Festival of Australia runs Thursday, June 12–Sunday, June 15 at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla. Head to the website for more information.
UPDATE, December 23, 2021: The Sparks Brothers is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes, and will be available on Amazon Prime Video from January 1. "All I do now is dick around" is an exquisite song lyric and, in Sparks' 2006 single 'Dick Around', it's sung with the operatic enthusiasm it demands. It's also a line that resounds with both humour and truth when uttered by Russell Mael, who, with elder brother Ron, has been crafting art-pop ditties as irreverent and melodic as this wonderful track since 1969. Sparks haven't been dicking around over that lengthy period. They currently have 25 albums to their name, and they've taken on almost every genre of music there is in their highly acerbic fashion. That said, their tunes are clearly the biggest labour of love possible, especially as the enigmatic duo has always lingered outside the mainstream. They've had some chart success, including mid-70s hit 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us', Giorgio Moroder collaboration and disco standout 'The Number One Song in Heaven', and the supremely 80s 'Cool Places'. They're beloved by everyone from Beck and 'Weird Al' Yankovic to Jason Schwartzman and Mike Myers, too. They're the band that all your favourite bands, actors and comedians can't get enough of, but they're hardly a household name — and yet, decade after decade, the Maels have kept playing around to make the smart, hilarious and offbeat songs they obviously personally adore. Everyone else should love Sparks' idiosyncratic earworms as well — and, even for those who've never heard of the band before, that's the outcome after watching The Sparks Brothers. Edgar Wright, one of the group's unabashed super fans, has turned his overflowing affection into an exceptional documentary. It's the Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver director's first factual effort, and it's even more charming and delightful than the films he's best known for. That said, it'd be hard to mess up a movie about Sparks, purely given how much material there is to work with. Russell and Ron, the former sporting shaggier hair and the latter donning a pencil-thin moustache rather than the Charlie Chaplin-style top lip he's brandished for much of his career, are also heavenly interviewees. That's the thing about these now-septuagenarian siblings, every Sparks tune they've ever blasted out into the world, and this comprehensive yet always accessible film that's instantly one of 2021's best: they're all joyously, fabulously, eccentrically fun to an infectious and buoyant degree. There's a joke in this doco's title, in fact; when it came to naming the group after cycling through a few monikers across other projects, they firmly rejected The Sparks Brothers. That's one of the many anecdotes that fill Wright's film — some shared playfully and self-deprecatingly by the Maels, some offered by worshipping aficionados that join the entertaining love-in. There's no escaping the documentary's devoted tone, but again, that attitude is quickly contagious. As the movie steps through Sparks' ups and downs, taking the chronological approach and giving as much time to their lesser-known albums as their cult hits, being as enchanted as Wright just comes with the package. He does an exhaustive job of charting the ebbs, flows, jumps, swerves, successes, disappointments and reinventions that've littered his subjects' careers, even as he leaves viewers wanting even more detail in plenty of instances. Crucially for a feature about musicians that many watching will be unfamiliar with, Wright does just as stellar a job at conveying exactly why Sparks have always deserved far more fame and acclaim, why they're so completely and utterly beloved and obsessed over by everyone who comes across them, and why music, comedy and the intersection of the two will forever owe them a debt. The audience first meets Russell and Ron today, looking as hip and unconventional as they always have, before The Sparks Brothers jumps back to their Los Angeles childhood, their teen penchant for movies and then everything that's come since. They originally weren't certain if they'd become filmmakers instead — and there's a theatricality to the pair's songs, shows and sublimely off-kilter music videos that speaks to that cinematic fervour. Wright weaves in an abundance of Sparks' gigs and tunes, showcasing both their creativity and their presence. This is a movie with a killer soundtrack, obviously, and it also appreciates the artistry that goes into creating such clever, distinctive and amusing songs that are always one step ahead of the pack. One clear highlight: a live rendition of 'My Baby's Taking Me Home', a tune that repeats that phrase 100-plus times, doesn't include a single other word, and is an emotional tour de force. Another pivotal message: just how hard the Maels have always worked to do what they love, to make such musical pearls and to keep challenging themselves. In 2008, they did 21 shows in London in 21 nights, playing every one of their then 21 albums through in full, for instance. It's with inescapable melancholy that The Sparks Brothers is also an account of what didn't quite happen; watching it, it's almost impossible to grasp why they haven't been one of the biggest bands in the world for the last half-century. Their 1994 synth-pop track 'When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'', a hit in Germany at the time, manages to be both an anthemic smash and a commentary on what hadn't worked out for them; yes, as Russell's voice echoes and Ron's keyboard skills constantly strike a chord, that's how witty and humorous and just all-round magnificent their music is. 2021 is the year of Sparks, though. Every year since 1969 should've been, but The Sparks Brothers sings their praises with irresistible passion. And, it gives viewers a brief glimpse at their next big project, Annette — the musical that just opened the Cannes Film Festival, is directed by Holy Motors' Leos Carax, stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, and reportedly features the former crooning tunes while getting rather intimate with the latter. The world has always needed more Sparks on a bigger stage; now, to the benefit of everyone that's ever loved them and anyone just discovering them, it's stopped dicking around and is finally delivering.
Can't stop, addicted to the shindig? Then you'll be excited about the latest huge music tour heading to Sydney. Get ready to give it away, give it away, give it away now, too — your money, obviously, to see Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Los Angeles-based rockers are bringing their new global stadium tour our way, with Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and John Frusciante singing songs to you beneath the marquee at Accor Stadium on Thursday, February 2 and Saturday, February 4. The band's dreams of Californication are zipping around the planet as part of a hefty tour that kicked off in June 2022 in Spain, and also includes stops in London, Paris, Dublin, LA, Chicago, New York and more alongside its Down Under leg. And yes, the Chili Peppers have a record to plug in the process, aka Unlimited Love — their 12th studio album, which dropped back in April last year. [caption id="attachment_859838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clara Balzary[/caption] Both Unlimited Love and the tour mark the return of guitarist Frusciante, who left the Chilis back in 2009, then rejoined the band in 2019. And, the tour will see the group head to this part of the world for the first time since 2019, too — and playing plenty of hits from their almost four-decade run so far, obviously. There's a hefty number of songs to choose from. Since their self-titled first EP in 1984, the band has sold more than 80 million albums, won six Grammys and entered the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. They've also released tracks spanning 'Under the Bridge', 'Scar Tissue', 'Breaking the Girl', 'By the Way' and 'The Zephyr Song', as well as 'Otherside', 'Soul to Squeeze', 'Around the World', 'My Friends' and 'Suck My Kiss'. Red Hot Chili Peppers will be joined Down Under by someone else who's sold just as many records: Post Malone. Yes, it's a two-for-the-price-of-one kind of tour — two massive music names, that is. Post Malone heads our way fresh from releasing his fourth studio album Twelve Carat Toothache in June 2022. Images: Pavel Suslov
No nation did Beatlemania quite like we did. Perhaps that's because we had just one chance to express our adoration. The Fab Fours' only tour of Australia started with 1,000 fans, 100 journalists and a rainstorm at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on the morning of June 11, 1964 and finished up with John Lennon's summation, "It was good", on July 1. For two weeks, the country demonstrated a never-before-seen capacity for obsession (with the possible exception, of course, of 60s "egg man" Bob Katter). Fifty years later, we're invited to relive the fervour via the Beatles in Australia exhibition. Both Sydney's Powerhouse Museum and Melbourne's Art Centre are to be transformed into sites of Beatlemania. There'll be rare objects sourced from fans, collectors and museums; newsreels; television footage; radio excerpts and press clippings, exploring the before, during and after of the visit that, according to some, altered the Australian cultural landscape forever.
Perched on the edge of a nature reserve, this small-scale organic farm powers an on-site cafe and pottery centre. Here, you can master the potter's wheel, create adorable pinch pots or become a dab hand at glazing in tailored workshops. There are a number of accommodation options for overnight stays, including unpowered campsites, but it'd be hard to pass up a night in the old schoolhouse. This enchanting octagonal structure sits above the ground on stilts carved from local timber. It's filled with handcrafted furniture and carefully sculpted fixtures that create an almost cartoonish fairytale atmosphere. Include a farm tour with barnyard animal encounters or a bird watching tour in your trip for the full family holiday among the gumtrees experience. Or, if you want to level up, opt for a helicopter tour to get a bird's eye view of Warrumbungle National Park and Pilliga Nature Reserve.
When it comes to expressing how cool something is on the internet, we're kind of spoiled for choice. What with Facebook Like, Digg, Stumble Upon, Delicious and retweets on Twitter, you could argue there's little need for yet another alternative. Google recently jumped on the recommendation bandwagon with the launch of the "+1" button. According to Rob Spiro, a Product Manager at Google, +1s are "the right recommendations when you want them – in your search results." And the power of the recommendations is that they're coming from "people who matter to you." The +1 button takes search in new directions by tapping into the relevancy of relationships, as well as of search keywords. As Google rolls out the new feature, which will appear not only on Google search results but also on external sites, sites which have been "plus-oned" by your contacts will be flagged for you. Kind of helpful when you're sifting through the flotsam and jetsam of the average search query, which can generate many hundreds of thousands of results. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OAyUNI3_V2c
Adelaide Hills gin distillery Applewood wants to help brighten up your time spent inside with a boozy gift: a free Quarantini. If you're yet to hear of this magical creation, here's a quick breakdown: it's a martini cocktail, drank in quarantine. While many Australians aren't quite in quarantine, some are self-isolating and everyone is social distancing and encouraged to only leave the house when it's absolutely necessary. So, a martini can't hurt. Especially when it's free. Applewood has bottled up 1000 200-millimetre bottles of pre-batched martini made with its famed gin, and is giving them away to the first 1000 people who sign up to its mailing list over here, before Wednesday, April 15. If you're one of the first, all you need to do is cover the $10 flat-rate postage fee and it'll arrive at your doorstep. The giveaway is only available to Australian residents over 18 years of age. If you miss out on the free Quarantini, Applewood Distillery has a lot of other fun tricks up its sleeves. As well as selling its usual tasty gins, liqueurs and limoncello, it has Isolation Gin Packs (for $199.99) and Espresso Martini Packs ($110). And it's running nightly Digital Happy Hours where you can learn to make your own Quarantinis and chat about all things gin with Brand Ambassador Henry Hammersla. To win a Quarantini, you'll need to be one of the first 1000 people to sign up to the Applewood Distillery newsletter before April 15.
To the north of Cronulla's main drag you'll find Greenhills Beach, the only dog-friendly beach in Sydney that faces directly onto the ocean (as opposed to a bay). A favourite among locals, another drawcard to Greenhills is the fact it tends to be less busy than the main beaches at North and South Cronulla. To access it, take a scenic coastal walk north along Cronulla Esplanade past Wanda Beach, another popular local swimming hole. As Greenhills is unpatrolled, swimming is not recommended, but the long peaceful shoreline provides a relaxing setting for both humans and their canines to stroll, nap or picnic. And good news for pet owners, dogs can go off-leash on the beach before 10am and after 4pm daily. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
Playing Glastonbury; sharing a stage with Foo Fighters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Smashing Pumpkins; making the leap from a regional town to touring the globe: Amyl and The Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor has done it all. And, if you'd like to hear more about that journey, Taylor is also getting behind the microphone at 2024's BIGSOUND when it returns to Brisbane from Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6. The huge music event, which combines a conference with live gigs in Fortitude Valley, has enlisted Taylor to give a keynote address at this year's fest. Her involvement is part of the first lineup announcement for 2024, which also includes London-based DJ, artist manager and Butterz co-founder Elijah — and Korda Marshall, who started his record label career in 1983 making coffee and scouting talent at RCA. Casper Mills from independent record label 4AD is also on the speaker roster, as is Naomie Abergel, fka Mark Johns. When AEG/Goldenvoice Concerts Vice President Elliott Lefko gets chatting, too, there'll be Coachella and Stagecoach to talk about. "This announcement is really a calling card of what BIGSOUND represents," said Conference Programmer Tom Larkin, revealing the first 2024 details. "The cross section of global industry that will be on ground is a testament to BIGSOUND as a vehicle for connecting artists locally and internationally, and we recognise that in 2024 the need for this is greater than ever." "We're thrilled to go out of the gates with Amy Taylor as a keynote speaker as she will no doubt give a robust insight from many angles." [caption id="attachment_861894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] As always, BIGSOUND drops its details in stages. So, more speakers will join the bill — and the full music lineup is still to come. But organisers have revealed some of the folks who'll be scoping out acts while they're here, such as Adam Ryan (The Great Escape, Lovebox and Wilderness Festival), Patrick Daniel (Reeperbahn Festival, Inferno Events) and Dev Sherlock (SXSW), plus Ben Buchanan from Creative Artists Agency and Roxane Dumoulin from ATC Live Agency. This is BIGSOUND's 23rd year, with the festival continuing to welcome in international and national buyers, agents, music supervisors, bookers and other industry decision makers to take over Brisbane. Its commitment to showcasing impressive acts, artists and bands usually sees more than 150 talents hit its stages at 20-plus River City venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know that this entails filling as many spaces as possible with musos, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. [caption id="attachment_907800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simone Gorman-Clark[/caption] [caption id="attachment_851422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_907799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simone Gorman-Clark[/caption] BIGSOUND 2024 will take place between Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information, visit the event's website. Top image: Ralph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Saga is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in Sydney. The cocktail and wine bar is tucked away at the end of Kensington Street, concealed behind opulent, Moroccan-inspired wooden doors. Once inside, you'll find an eclectic mix of influences from the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. The ornate fit-out is matched by OTT drinks, with an entire list dedicated to what it deems the 'Golden Age of cocktails'. If you come by during happy hour Wednesday through Sunday, all cocktails are just $15, too. Those include the 1920s Knickerbocker (rum, Cointreau, lemon juice and raspberry syrup) and the 1940s El Diablo (tequila, crème de cassis, lime and ginger beer). The succinct food menu pairs nicely, featuring the likes of hummus, tandoori chicken skewers and spicy satay fritters.
If there’s one thing the movies of Noah Baumbach tell us — including the college exploits of Kicking and Screaming, the teenage unhappiness of The Squid and the Whale and the midlife crisis of Greenberg — it’s this: growing up doesn’t come easily. Sure, we all get older as the days, months and years pass, but that doesn’t mean we feel our age. While We're Young lives and breathes this sentiment, and its characters as well. “For the first time in my life, I've stopped thinking of myself as a child imitating an adult,” says documentarian Josh Srebnick (Ben Stiller) to his producer wife Cornelia (Naomi Watts), to which she replies, "you feel that way too?" It's an easy way of expressing the feature's theme in dialogue — a little too easy, in fact — but it rings true. They're trapped by expectations they can't fulfil and ambitions they haven’t achieved, and they're not ready for that realisation. Two events start Josh and Cornelia thinking that maybe their mid-forties life isn't what they think it is. First, friends their own age (Maria Dizzia and the Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz) have a baby and tell them constantly that they should do the same. Then they meet wannabe filmmaker Jamie (Adam Driver) and his wife, Darby (Amanda Seyfried), twenty-somethings they can nostalgically see decades-earlier versions of themselves in. Cue a whole heap of generational contrasts, of the young-folks-like-retro-trinkets versus older-people-prefer-technological-gadgets variety. Again, it's simple shorthand for a divide that looks obvious, but the film isn't just trying to show how things are different. Focused on a couple who don't feel in synch with their age group yet soon learn that they don't really fit in with younger friends and trends either, While We're Young is trying to understand why. That's a big challenge for a 97-minute comedy; however, it is one that the ever-perceptive Baumbach accepts. As he did with the delightful Frances Ha before this, the writer/director homes in on details so specific, they might as well be ripped from many of the audience's lives. And if his last film was his attempt at combining such wry observations with a French New Wave coming-of-age tale, this is him revelling in Woody Allen, comedy-of-manners territory. Though a Bowie song is again in the mix, While We're Young doesn't quite bounce along with the same zest as its predecessor, but it does roll with the punches of a story that morphs into a contemplation of authenticity. Thankfully, the film's bright frames boast that in spades, as it juxtaposes both sides of the age divide but, crucially, never judges. Everyone — Josh, Cornelia, Jamie and Darby alike — just wants to reconcile their dreams with their reality. Performance-wise, the good stuff keeps on coming, gifting Watts her best work in years, letting Stiller show a more chilled version of his Greenberg persona and playing with Driver's natural charm. That said, if there's one thing that doesn't sit right in the whole movie and its musings on getting older, it's one piece of casting. Seriously, who wouldn't want to hang out with Ad-Rock, baby or not, at any age?
Still got a bit of festival action left in this season's tank? Put it to excellent use, with a trip to Tasmania and a few days adventuring at the seventh edition of Party In The Paddock. The laidback music and arts festival makes its yearly return to a property in White Hills, a 20-minute drive southeast of Launceston, from February 7 to 9. And it's bringing with it a good-times lineup well worth crossing Bass Strait for, with UK songstress Lily Allen, four-piece indie rock band The Jungle Giants, electro duo The Presets, Sydney alt-rockers Middle Kids, Melbourne's Slowly Slowly and singer Vera Blue just some of the big-name acts set to grace this year's stage. In addition to three days chock-full of live tunes, the festival is dishing up a hefty arts program, pulled together by the legends at Vibestown. And 2019's version is as big as ever, promising the full gamut of fun, interactive and mind-bending experiences. We're talking existential short film screenings, a funeral ceremony that'll have you farewelling your greatest fears, comedy sessions headlined by Matt Okine and Gen Fricker, morning yoga sessions and a pop-up Willie Smith's bar slinging breakfast cocktails and funky DJ tunes. Browse market stalls filled with top Tassie produce, let collaborative art project Real Talk inspire you to swap social media for some actual conversations, and of course, join the wild, wacky and riotously dressed for the famed Vibestown March. Images: Mitch Lowe and Andy Hardy.
Back in May, Quay Quarter Lanes officially opened, boasting twelve new restaurants and bars. Among the exciting new additions to Sydney's hospitality scene was Zini, a gelateria from charming dessert enthusiast Matteo Zini. While the shop nails classic Italian flavours, it doesn't shy away from trying to do things a little differently. The gelato is created right in front of you in an old-school vertical Cattabriga machine, yuzu sake gelato is continually being churned out for neighbouring Omakase restaurant Besuto, and there are regular gelato degustations for those that want to dive into different sides of gelato. Following a successful vegan degustation, Zini's next variation will focus on truffles. Attendees will be able to taste their way through Matteo's range of truffle-heavy recipes and flavour creations. The four gelatos are a yolk-based custard gelato with truffle shavings, a portabello mushroom and truffle gelato, pecorino cheese gelato topped with truffles and a white chocolate, truffle and pistachio creation. Tickets are $52 and include a coffee to perk you up on arrival, a guided tour through the flavours with Matteo himself and a take-home tub containing all four of the limited-edition gelato creations.
For most of us, a bus stop is a means to an end, a necessary layover during our daily travels, and the place that helps you get from point A to point B. In Singapore, however, the transport hub on Jurong Gateway Road is the kind of place people might actually want to spend time at. When a bus stop has a rooftop garden and free books, you won't want to leave in a hurry. The structure has the bland-sounding name of Project Bus Stop, but it's anything but ordinary, as Australian commuters will instantly recognise. The rampant foliage certainly doesn't escape attention, with the six-metre-by-three-metre green roof boasting trees and drought-resistant shrubs, as well as planter boxes and even a swing underneath. If feasting your eyes on soothing natural sights isn't enough, you can bury your head in a book courtesy of a rack of novels available for everyone's reading pleasure — and if you can't find something that you like, e-books, magazines and newspapers are available to download for free. In fact, the entire bus stop is a tech-savvy delight, thanks to free wifi, phone charging stations, and interactive smartboards that display route and arrival information, Conceived by a group of designers from DP Architects, Project Bus Stop aims to turn the commuting space into a place of social interaction and make waiting for buses an enriching experience. Imagine that — actually enjoying waiting for a bus. Aussie cities, take note. Via Travel and Leisure. Image: Infocomm Media Development Authority / Our Favourite Place.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots because Groovin the Moo is back after a pandemic-enforced break. Things will look a little different for GTM in 2022, however, with the large-scale touring music festival only heading to three of its regular six stops. But for folks in Maitland, Canberra and Bendigo, get excited — in general, and about the just-dropped lineup. GTM won't be making the trip to Western Australia, South Australia or Queensland this year, sadly — but it is bringing a heap of new and established talent to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. On the bill: everyone from Peking Duk, Montaigne, Masked Wolf and Middle Kids through to Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait, and that's just from the local contingent. Also doing the rounds: New Zealanders Broods and Chai, Germany's Milky Chance, and Wolf Alice, Thomas Headon, Riton and Snakehips from the UK. For folks in WA, SA and Queensland, when Groovin the Moo announced in late 2021 that it wouldn't be coming your way this year, it advised that "the whole tour will be back when we can confidently deliver our full quality show". So, cross your fingers for 2023. Enough talk — here's the full 2022 GTM lineup: [caption id="attachment_760714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Sweetnam[/caption] GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 LINEUP: Alice Ivy Broods (NZ) Chaii (NZ) Hilltop Hoods Hockey Dad Hope D HP Boyz Jesswar JK-47 Mashd N Kutcher Masked Wolf Middle Kids Milky Chance (Ger) Montaigne Peking Duk Polaris RedHook Riton (UK) Shouse Snakehips (UK) Spiderbait Sycco Thomas Headon (UK) Wolf Alice (UK) with hosts Dijok and Jawbreakers GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 DATES & VENUES: Saturday, April 23 — Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 24 – Exhibition Park, Canberra, ACT Saturday, April 30 — Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, VIC Tickets for Groovin the Moo will go on sale at 8am AEDT on Thursday, March 3. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Top image: Jack Toohey.
Released in 1945 and directed by David Lean, the film Brief Encounter was adapted from Noel Coward's one-act play, Still Life. It tells the story of Laura and Alec, who fall in love after a chance meeting at a train station but, both trapped in bland yet affectionate marriages, are never able to fulfil their mutual passion. The Guardian's 2010 critics' poll selected Brief Encounter as the best romance movie of all time. In 2008, dynamic UK theatre company Kneehigh (whose Red Shoes was a memorable part of the 2011 Sydney Festival) decided to return the tale to the stage with an epic production combining drama, film, live music and vaudeville. After a successful nine-month run at London's Haymarket Cinema, it toured the UK before jumping the Atlantic to play several seasons in the US. Now, it's on its way to Australia, playing Melbourne, Perth, Wollongong and Sydney. https://youtube.com/watch?v=fgyn5O6iCuM
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
Due to its location, Tasmania stands apart from the bulk of Australia. It's an island at the bottom of the continent, so of course it's separate from the rest of the country. But, for much of 2020, the Apple Isle has been shut off from the nation in another way — with Tassie enacting strict border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, just as many other states on the mainland did as well. Thankfully, while most Aussies couldn't head to the country's southern-most state for much of this year without seeking permission and then going into quarantine, border restrictions don't have any dominion over our tastebuds. You mightn't have been able to spend time in Tassie for big stretches of 2020, but drinking beverages by Tasmanian producers has always remained on the menu. Obviously, it still does — letting everyone nationwide do what Tassie residents have always done and show their love for the Apple Isle's top drops. Whether you prefer a refreshing cider, a hearty vodka or gin, or a nice vino, that's great news. Tasmania has all of the above covered. Indeed, when BWS asked the state's drinkers to name their favourite local picks as part of the bottle retailer's Local Luvvas initiative, those aforementioned beverages from Plenty Cider, Hellfire Bluff Distillery and Pepik Wines topped the poll. All three brands will now receive an extra helping hand with getting their products stocked in more BWS stores — and we spoke with the teams at each about loving their jobs, showcasing homegrown produce, garnering local support and making it through 2020. APPLE CIDER FROM THE APPLE ISLE Of course Tasmania makes great apple cider. When tasked with picking their favourite brewed beverage, including beer, of course Tassie residents went with apple cider, too. That kind of local support no longer comes as a surprise to Plenty Cider co-owner Grace D'Arcy, but it is always heartily and eagerly appreciated. "People really resonate with where we are from, and love the fact they know where it is — and they understand the quality of the produce that comes from the area," she says. "Without local support, Plenty wouldn't exist, so we can't thank Tasmanians enough for what they have done for us and for many small businesses across the state throughout COVID-19". Plenty Cider is not only a celebrated homegrown brand, but is also beloved for its use of 100-percent southern Tasmanian-grown apples. And yet, the company's journey actually started with a different kind of alcohol and type of fruit. It wasn't hard to make the switch, though, D'Arcy explains. "The transition from wine to cider ten years ago was an easy choice to make, as cider was an emerging sector with so much hope and potential." Cider is also an easy field to be passionate about. That might sound self-evident — who wouldn't want to spend their days turning fruit into a sweet and delicious drink? — but D'Arcy's enthusiasm shines through. "There is also plenty of room for innovation and creativity. This is what keeps me passionate, along with striving to continuously improve and craft delicious ciders," she says. "When a cider is fruit-driven and you get that fresh full flavour on the palate, nothing is better." GIN AND VODKA MADE ABOVE A ROCKY COASTAL OUTCROP Potatoes might not be as synonymous with Tasmania as apples, but they're the reason that one of the state's other much-loved drinks producers exists. The site that Hellfire Bluff Distillery calls home is actually a potato farm on a cliff above Marion Bay that dates back more than 30 years. "We were looking for a way to value-add to the potatoes we grow," advises marketing coordinator Kyla Flanagan. "We wanted to bring something unique to the well-respected Tasmanian spirits market and, after investing a significant amount of time and research, in 2017 we launched Hellfire Bluff Distillery with our premium potato vodka." Clearly, local fresh produce is crucial here. "The distillery was built out of our love for premium Tasmanian ingredients, driven by our passion for farming sustainably, and influenced by our beautiful wild and remote region," Flanagan says. Hellfire now not only makes vodka, but also three styles of gin, a selection of small-batch liqueurs, and other limited-edition releases — using rainwater sourced from the farm, locally sourced lemons in its limoncello, and other "quintessentially Tasmanian ingredients," she explains. "When we say our products are handcrafted, we really mean it." Given how pivotal all things local are to Hellfire, it's hardly surprising that the distillery has proven a big hit in the community. "Product provenance has always been important to our customers, and local support has been integral to our brand from the very beginning," says Flanagan. And that homegrown love is a source of inspiration, too. "It's important to us that people feel connected to where their purchase comes from, and gain an understanding and insight into the business they are supporting," she notes. TURNING 61-HECTARES OF LAUNCESTON-GROWN GRAPES INTO VINO It was back in 2004 that Josef Chromy launched the wine brand that bears his name, setting up shop just south of Launceston on a scenic and sprawling 61-hectare vineyard. Pepik is one of its labels, and its moniker also has a close connection to its founder — because 'Pepik' is Josef's nickname, as given to him by his mother. Chromy handpicked Tasmanian winemaker Jeremy Dineen to lead the business, a role that the latter still holds today. As Pepik sales and export manager David Milne explains, making wine isn't just a job here — it's a passion, an obsession and a puzzle all in one. "It's the challenge of crafting the best wines from whatever the vintage throws at you that keeps things interesting," he says, with Pepik favouring "a minimal intervention style of winemaking to allow beautiful, aromatic Tasmanian fruit to achieve full expression in the glass". The resulting tipples, especially Pepik's pinot noir, have proven popular locally. But in 2020, the true level of community support has actually surprised Milne. "As a small wine producer in Tasmania, we probably didn't realise just how strong our following was until this year," he says. "People have made a concerted effort to support the local brands that they love and want to see come out the other side of this pandemic… In a year like no other, we've never been so honoured to be carried on the shoulders of our tribe." To find these or other Tasmanian drinks as part of the BWS Local Luvva initiative, head to your nearest BWS store.
Love the beach but hate the crowds? Resolute Beach is your new sneaky fave. A drive through Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park and a short bushwalk rewards you with a mostly tourist-free taste of beach paradise. Park at the picnic ground and take the Resolute Loop Trail. You'll walk an easy two kilometres through bushland before the path descends, the trees break and there you see it: golden sands and emerald-sapphire waters stretching out to Barrenjoey Headland and the ocean beyond. Calm swells make for a perfect relaxed beach swim. As the only other way to reach this cove is by boat, it's a rare piece of unspoiled beauty. You can head straight back afterward, or carry on the loop track to West Head Lookout for more epic scenery. Image: Andrew Gregory, Destination NSW
Skip the gym tonight and get your endorphin rush with a RollerFit class instead. These innovative workout sessions will see you increasing your endurance, strength and flexibility with a series of activities all done on rollerskates. It doesn't matter if you've never skated in your life, or if you're a roller derby champ. RollerFit has a class for every level teaching the basics up to the trickiest of moves. Non-member classes are $25 and you can rent skates for $5. For those with their own skates and some basic skills, the RollerFit crew also holds special RollerFit dance classes in Alexandria on Wednesdays, where you'll be able to dance-skate it out like you're at a roller disco circa 1975. By Yelena Bidé and Quinn Connors.
It's a problem that everyone can relate to: your thirst needs quenching, but your tastebuds are craving two completely different things. You could make the hard choice and pick between them — or, if you happen to be hankering for dessert and beer (and getting your fill of dumplings, too), you could make a beeline to Harajuku Gyoza. From Thursday, December 10, the Australian gyoza chain is serving up a two new tap beers that taste like Japanese desserts. Obviously, they don't literally combine desserts with beer, but they're meant to taste that way. Come for the black sesame ice cream variety, which has been sweetened with lactose, takes its nutty flavour from black sesame seeds and features chocolate as well — and stay for the matcha ice cream version, which also uses lactose, plus matcha powder for a herbal green tea taste. Given that Harajuku Gyoza has already turned dumplings into dessert — via its salted caramel and Nutella varieties — pouring dessert-flavoured beers seems the logical next step. The brews come courtesy of Yoyogi Brewing Co, and use Japanese brewing techniques as well as Japanese-inspired ingredients. If you fancy pairing the new beers with two of Harajuku Gyoza's old favourites — cheeseburger gyoza, which is stuffed with burger pieces, aged cheddar, onion, pickles, mustard and tomato sauce; and mozzarella gyoza, which is filled with the obvious, then deep-fried and sprinkled with Twisties salt — that's up to you. Usually the chain's special additions to its menu are only available for a limited time, so you might want to get in quickly. Harajuku Gyoza's Japanese dessert-inspired beers will be available at all Australian stores — at Darling Harbour in Sydney; at South Bank and the CBD in Brisbane; and in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast — from Thursday, December 10.
In these strange times, spending a few hours pretending to be a kid again — when your biggest care in the world was that someone else is playing with the game you want to play with — is quite appealing. Enter Timezone, the mega games arcade that welcomes big and little kids alike for hours of unbridled fun. We're talking old-school games like Street Fighter, Big Buck, pinball and ice hockey. There are even bumper cars and electronic dance games if you're up for a little physical action. This place is open from 10am till 11pm every day, which means the fun only really stops when you run out of steam.
Come 2022, Green Square is going to look a little different. Not only will it have a new aquatic centre and a futuristic residential development with its own food-filled laneway, the inner-city precinct will have much more green open space, in the form of a huge 6200-square-metre park. Called The Drying Green, a nod to the history of wool making in the area, the park has just been given the green light by the City of Sydney, who has accepted a tender offer from Regal Innovations for its construction. The new park will be bound by Geddes Avenue, Paul Street, Portman Street and Zetland Avenue and decked out with a whole host of fancy features. Expect a water feature — that uses stormwater — a solar-powered public artwork, and, maybe most importantly, picnic and barbecue areas. If you're one of the many residents living in a tiny apartment nearby, you're probably excited at the thought of hosting a shindig that's not restricted to three people on your mini-balcony. [caption id="attachment_772558" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of McGregor Coxall[/caption] The Drying Green is one of 40 parks the City of Sydney has promised for Green Square, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore saying the green open spaces are important with more and more people living in the aforementioned tiny apartments. "With more than three quarters of our residents across the city living in apartments, our parks, playgrounds and open spaces are essentially 'the backyard' for many," the Lord Mayor said in a statement. Just be prepared to share — with a huge 61,000 residents expected to call the surrounding 278-hectare Green Square area home by the year 2030, the parks aren't likely to be quiet. The Drying Green is expected to be completed by early 2022. For more information, head to the City of Sydney website. Images: Courtesy of McGregor Coxall
If you're after a wintry escape from the city, Victoria's High Country should be high on your hit list of destinations. When winter starts, the snow-cloaked mountains become a wonderland of cold weather experiences. From dogsledding to wintery cheese adventures to world-class alpine resorts, the snow-based activities are virtually limitless. Since 1973, Macpac has been kitting out adventurers with the latest technical clothing to protect you from whatever harsh conditions you encounter. So, together, we've picked out five of the best experiences you can organise right now for a winter getaway in Victoria this year. We've also included some packing tips — because when sweeping backcountry trails, you need to make sure you have the right gear. [caption id="attachment_669834" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SNOWSHOE YOUR WAY TO CHEESE FONDUE This isn't quite your average wine and cheese night. The Snowshoe to Cheese Fondue adventure leads you through the snow gums, concluding with some high-quality French cheese and a delightful three-course dinner. After departing at sunset, you'll follow your dedicated guide through a 30-minute snowshoe tour before arriving at a remote eco-village. Find a warm spot inside the central tipi and indulge in a spectacular meal. Up in the ice peaks, you'll also learn the culinary secrets behind making traditional fondue while sipping a glass of Scandinavian-style spiced wine by the outdoor fire. For adventurers who want to take their wintertime journey to the next level, you can also opt to spend the night in a plush alpine dome. Pack this: Macpac Men's & Women's Quest Hoody, $199.99 [caption id="attachment_669851" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] LET HUSKIES GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ALPS Among the unique activities on offer in Australia's winter wonderland, one of the best ways to experience the alpine region is going dogsledding with a pack of huskies. The Howling Huskies is one of Australia's most prominent dogsledding services. Take your pick from seven incredible tours, ranging from rapid 30-minute trips to epic four-hour ventures that include traipsing through the snowy countryside along the nation's longest commercial dogsled trail. This great alpine adventure is possible at both Mount Baw Baw (two and a half hours from Melbourne) and Mount Hotham (four and a half hours from Melbourne), and each offers its own maze of backcountry trails and special panoramic views. The husky squad is made up of 58 dogs altogether, with 47 of those rescued over the last few years. The temperature may be icy, but these doggos will give you all the warm and fuzzy feels. Pack this: Macpac Piste Gloves Unisex, $59.99 SNOWBOARD WITH AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION Falls Creek is quite possibly Victoria's most picturesque snowcapped location, featuring striking rolling hills, towering snow gums and a variety of charming stays. This section of the Alpine National Park boasts 450 hectares of skiable terrain and 90 awesome runs for snowboarders to test out. The Backcountry Tours with Steve Lee will whisk you away with the three-time Winter Olympian and legendary free-rider to visit the mountain's remote open bowls and vertigo-inducing steeps and chutes for an action-packed day. You don't have to be a pro — Falls Creek has some great runs for beginners such as the Wombat's Ramble, which is Australia's longest at just over two kilometres. Pack this: Macpac Powder Ski Jacket Men's & Women's, $349.99 [caption id="attachment_717523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] CROSS-COUNTRY SKI THROUGH SNOWY MEADOWS When it comes to cross-country skiing, Lake Mountain is the third most visited destination in the world for this gut-busting activity. The rugged landscape hosts a sprawling network of ski trails spread across the mountain, which both beginners and expert skiers are more than welcome to come and explore. As the closest snow resort to Melbourne, Lake Mountain is home to 30 kilometres of groomed trails. Meanwhile, a further 7 kilometres of ungroomed tracks present more of a challenge for the well-versed skier. After a morning of activity, warm up and share a relaxing glass of wine at Lake Mountain Resort cafe. Pack this: Macpac Tech Ski Socks, $34.99 [caption id="attachment_628046" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Andrew Railton[/caption] SKI AND SPA AT MOUNT BULLER Mount Buller is undoubtedly one of Victoria's (and Australia's, for that matter) most popular winter destinations. It presents snow lovers with a variety of slopes and terrains that stretch across the enormous mountainside. Whether you're just starting out or have grown up attached to a pair of skis, Mount Buller is bound to have a run that suits your skill level. Particularly popular amongst skiers, Mount Buller features 300 hectares of snowy scenery for you to explore. Once you've had enough action for the day, warm yourself up with dinner and drinks at one of 30 bars or restaurants situated nearby. More than just a snow sports destination, Mount Buller also offers a luxe spa resort, a cinema, a museum and even a sculpture park for when your body needs a break from the slopes. Pack this: Macpac Merino 220 Merino Baselayers, $109.99
Mike Meyer has long been a legendary name in the sign business. But it was after his appearance on internationally acclaimed film Sign Painters that he started to receive stacks of calls asking for lessons, tips and advice. Given that there's only a few schools in the whole world teaching the traditional art of hand-painted lettering, he decided to set up a travelling workshop. After a round of successful workshops last year, Meyer is once again set to leave his home in Mazeppa, Minnesota to visit us here down under. He'll be hosting workshops in Melbourne and Sydney, an intensive day of paint, brushes and lettering with the legendary sign-painter. Engage in a night of discussion, see a Mike Meyer demonstration IRL and have a drink with him afterwards. Tickets are $30.
From barley to rye and juniper to the meek potato, our favourite spirits start from humble beginnings. From there, these ingredients embark on fascinating journeys to bring us some of our most cherished pleasures – crisp vodka, smooth whiskey and piney gin. From complex flavours to masterly craft, there's a lot to celebrate. That's why the experts have come together for the inaugural Sydney Spirits Festival, running from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12. The festival will be held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, 130 Argyle St, The Rocks, with close to 150 spirit brands on display, promising something for novices and enthusiasts alike. Highlights include two exclusive masterclasses: a special Espresso Martini masterclass to celebrate Mother's Day and a Planteray Sealander Rum masterclass hosted by Grazia di Franco, exploring all you need to know about rum. There are also general tasting sessions with some of the nation's most esteemed spirit experts. Plus, there is a selection of premium international food to enjoy, including some indulgent Caviar Bumps from Hugo Vodka. So, if you want to discover more about the wonderful world of spirits, join the celebration this May. General Tasting Sessions cost $80, and Premium Session Tickets are available for $120. See the full program and get your tickets here.
Sydney is filled with must-try places for a bite, but there's still nothing like a home-cooked meal. Alison Roman understands this. The Brooklyn-based food writer and chef may live in New York and have access to its thriving dining scene, but she's a big fan of eating in — and she has viral recipes such as #TheCookies, #ThePasta, #TheStew and #TheDip to prove it. Roman also has two cookbooks currently in bookshops, and possibly on your own shelves: Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes and Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over. Come April in Australia, Sweet Enough: Desserts for People Who Don't Do Dessert will join them. To launch the latter, and to make her first trip ever Down Under, Roman is hitting our shores to get chatting about home cooking, those internet-famous dishes and why she adores her own kitchen. [caption id="attachment_752523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott, courtesy of Hardie Grant Books.[/caption] The viral recipe queen and New York Times-bestselling scribe will head to Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, May 9. In the Harbour City, she'll be talking with Melissa Leong, and expect her food newsletter A Newsletter and YouTube series Home Movies to get a mention. She'll also discuss her career and her journey to the dessert-focused Sweet Enough, plus everything from having her own CNN cooking show to releasing her first baking book.
Following the announcement of Nils Frahm's return to Sydney, electronic classical music fans have plenty to salivate over this week. Minimalist, ambient electro-acoustics will bring in 'The Four Seasons' this Spring, the legendary Max Richter is set to make play his first ever Australian show. One of the most influential composers in recent times, the German born, British neoclassical mastermind is set to present the Australian premiere of his celebrated reworking of Vivaldi's masterpiece, 'The Four Seasons', with New York City's 22-piece Wordless Music Orchestra. Following a sold-out Royal Albert Hall show showcasing his seminal 2002 album Memoryhouse, the 48-year-old composer is heading to Sydney on Sunday, November 23 to present both his recomposition of Vivaldi's masterwork and his own sparse 2010 album, Infra — an expansion of his poignant, ambient score composed for a Wayne McGregor ballet once staged at the Royal Opera House. Following piano and synthesiser studies under the great Luciano Berio and ten years with the neo-classical quintet the Piano Circus, Richter has been long-celebrated for countless projects including 2004's Tilda Swinton collaboration, the spoken word full-length album The Blue Notebooks, alongside reams of cinematic scoring to films like Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Clint Eastwood's I. Edgar. "Max is someone we've wanted to have perform here for a very long time and to be able to present this vivid, fresh, mesmerising and precise composer performing his Vivaldi The Four Seasons Recomposed with the vibrant restlessness of the Wordless Orchestra from NYC is something of a dream come true for us," said Ben Marshall, Head of Contemporary Music at Sydney Opera House. The pairing is a solid catch for the Opera House, with the Wordless Music Orchestra set to perform Jonny Greenwood's world premiere performance of his There Will Be Blood score in New York City in September. Originally premiered at London's Barbican Centre in 2012, Richter's Vivaldi, The Four Seasons Recomposed apparently discarded 75% of Vivaldi's original material, with Richter using the remainder to loop, phase and rework into a postmodern, minimalist triumph — one that topped the iTunes classic chart in the UK, US and Germany. The announcement comes at a time of exciting news for contemporary classical fans with a love for electronic innovation. "Every now and then when programming music it becomes clear that something new and significant is emerging. There is currently a strand of rigorous, talented and acclaimed contemporary classical composers who are as comfortable with electronics as they are with formal composition," said Ben Marshall, Head of Contemporary Music at Sydney Opera House. "The Opera House has been proud to present the Australian debuts of Nils Frahm and Ludovico Einaudi in this area and we are absolutely thrilled to now welcome Max Richter's first ever performance in this country." Max Richter plays The Four Seasons Recomposed and Infra with Wordless Music Orchestra in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Sunday, November 23 at 8pm. Tickets start at $79 +BF and are on sale to the general public 9am, Friday 15 August via sydneyoperahouse.com or 9250 7777. Image credit: Yulia Mahr. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qTapNp-31rU
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. More than 10,000 garages are expected to open their doors to bargain hunters, selling two million items, when the event returns for its eight time — and it's first two-day, weekend-long stint — on October 21 and 22. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Like a stack of Melbourne's large cultural institutions, the National Gallery of Victoria has temporarily shut its doors to the public in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But, you can now feast on some of the NGV's art offerings from afar, thanks to its newly-launched virtual programming. A series of online galleries, virtual exhibition tours and eBooks are now free to access via the NGV's website and social media channels. And if you're having a crack at the whole social distancing thing, or stuck in self-isolation, that's a serious boredom-busting win. Over on the new NGV Channel, punters will find a growing haul of virtual content to explore. Right now, you can join a free, curator-led tour of Collecting Comme and the NGV's Indigenous art collection Marking Time. From Saturday, March 21, you'll be able to digitally explore around KAWS: Companionship In The Age Of Loneliness and then, from Saturday, March 28, Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines. [caption id="attachment_742493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaws, What Party (2019) photo by Tom Ross[/caption] On the NGV app, there are also guided tours of NGV International and NGV Australia artworks, narrated by curators, artists and special guests. Thanks to a lengthy digitisation project, much of the 75,000-strong NGV Collection is also online for your viewing pleasure, so you can take a peek at the likes of the Spirit of Herbarium couture dress by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Christian Dior, or Katsushika Hokusai's 1830 piece The great wave off Kanagawa. It's easy to search by artist or artwork name, and even boasts a few pieces that aren't usually accessible. Those craving some new reading material can dig even deeper with a bunch of new eBooks and curatorial essays available free online, exploring exhibitions like Collecting Comme and Japanese Modernism. In a first, the almost 60-year-long back catalogue of Art Journal of the National Gallery of Victoria is also yours to browse at your own pace online. And don't forget, there's a whole lot more going on over on the NGV's socials and under the hashtag #NGVEveryDay, with regular insight videos and mini talks from the curators. Get your remote art fix over at the NGV website or via Facebook and Instagram. Top image: Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines, NGV. Photo by Tom Ross.
It's hard to get enough of soft and fluffy bao buns. That's why TIVA, the underground lounge in Sydney's CBD, is hosting a weekly night of bottomless bao and prawn crackers every Wednesday from 5–7pm. It's a perfect way to spice up your week. Indulge in two hours of unlimited fluffy goodness for $40 per person. Choose from tempura chicken or crispy pork belly topped with pickled carrot, turnip and greens. For vegetarians, a veggie option is available on request. Pair your bao with $12 Tommy's margaritas to fully indulge in the ultimate hump day highlight. Walk-ins are welcome but you can book your table to ensure that you don't miss out.
No one ever needs an excuse to escape their daily routines with a stint of mini golf, ten-pin bowling or sleuthing through a challenge room, but on Tuesday, October 22, Funlab's venues are giving you a mighty great reason to anyway. That's when the company's Day of Fun rolls around for 2024, and lets you get putting, rolling and puzzle-solving for $8 a pop — all to help Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation. All day at 45-plus venues Australia-wide, including in Sydney, Funlab will donate all of its proceeds to the charity, which provides early-intervention mental health services to 12–25 year olds across Australia. So, you'll be aiding your own headspace — tap, tap, tapping your way around an indoor mini golf course will do that, for instance — and also showing some love to a great cause. Funlab's Sydney sites include multiple Holey Moley and Strike Bowling joints, Hijinx Hotel in Alexandria, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in the same suburb and Penrith, La Di Darts in Darlinghurst and B. Lucky and Sons at Entertainment Quarter — and the $8 deal covers bowling, darts, laser tag, an hour of games, one set of challenge rooms and nine holes of golf (all at $8 per activity). Booking in advance is recommended, but Archie Brothers and B. Lucky are doing walk-ins only. Obviously, if you'd like to add a few drinks — these venues serve plenty — that'll cost you extra. [caption id="attachment_681171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] Top image: Markus Ravik.
Of Monsters And Men are an Icelandic six-piece who play pretty music inspired by wacky stories. Tales of frontiersmen, whale riders, loneliness and insanity incite their ethereal brand of folky pop, but even the not-so-uplifting adventures are still fun to sing along to. The band’s latest escapade will bring them to Australia for their first ever tour on our shores. It comes ahead of their Into the Woods EP launch at the end of this year, and subsequent to the rapid rise that transpired in just one year — after winning Iceland’s battle of the bands, Músiktilraunir, in 2010, they earned a slot on Iceland Airwaves festival, and followed that up with the No. 1 hit 'Little Talks' in 2011. Of Monsters And Men are also good at hosting fun gatherings. Their Músiktilraunir win was celebrated with beer-swilling friends spilling out of their little flat, and in September a quieter gathering to mark their full-length debut My Head Is An Animal required attendees to transform into makeshift monster-humans. Ergo, you don’t want to be missing this show. Sponsored post
The award-winning team at Royal Hair Salon (winners of the AHIA Australian Salon of the Year 2018) boasts some of our city's best stylists, colourists and hair extension technicians. Highly lauded co-founder Mary Alamine and partner Adam Alamine started the salon in Castle Hill, and now have three additional outposts under the Royal brand — including in Cherrybrook, Hornsby and Brookvale. But we suggest heading to the Castle Hill location if you can. Here, you'll be treated as part of the family — it feels more like a local hangout than a hair salon. The hairdressers are a creative bunch, with extensions and colour a specific focus here. Cuts start from a reasonable $80, and you can even add on a caviar hair treatment while you're at it.
Looking for a(nother) reason to hit the south coast this spring? As if uncrowded beaches and fresh air weren't enough, the spring series by the Institute of Interesting Ideas is also on. This bunch of live conversations featuring healthy-living celebrities is promising to delve into food, wellbeing, sex and death. And every one of them will take place by the sea at The Pavilion Kiama. If you're a fan of My Kitchen Rules, you'll know the host, Pete Evans, who'll speak on Thursday, October 24, on the Joy of Food. Has your love of a good meal lately been corrupted by confusion around what's healthy and what's not? This is your chance to rediscover it — and eat happily again. On Friday, November 1, meet Victoria Spence, holistic funeral director and celebrant. Expect to encounter everything you've ever wondered about death, from facing mortality without panicking to managing funeral costs. Following her on Friday, November 1, will be sex therapist Jacqueline Hellyer, who'll tackle another taboo in her chat Sex: the Naked Truth. And, as summer draws near, it'll be time for Matt Preston, food writer and TV personality. He'll discuss food, food and glorious food – while launching his new book, More — on Thursday, November 21. The Institute of Interesting Ideas will run from October 24–November 21. To purchase tickets, and for information places to stay and eat in Kiama, head this way.
When the Mardi Gras Film Festival returns each, it's wonderful news for Sydney's cinephiles. For folks located outside of the Harbour City, it's been fantastic news, too, for the past few years. Catering to movie lovers Australia-wide is fast, and welcomely, becoming a pandemic-era film fest staple — and MGFF has been jumping on the trend heartily. That includes in 2023, thanks to a 21-title online lineup. Not in Sydney but still want to watch along between Wednesday, February 15–Thursday, March 2? If you're in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or elsewhere across the country, you still have a feast of queer cinema coming your way. More flicks are available at the fest's in-person event compared to its digital lineup, but a nice selection will be screening online for those playing along at home and interstate. LGBTQIA+ movie lovers watching on from the couch can check out 21 features. Highlights span Black as U R, a doco about the lack of attention paid to the black queer community; Icelandic spoof Cop Secret; Blitzed!, about the eponymous London nightclub, with Boy George, Princess Julia and Spandau Ballet sharing their memories; and Youtopia, which explores the inadvertent formation of a hipster cult. And, there's also In Her Words, an ode to 20th-century lesbian fiction; A Place of Our Own, an Indian drama about two trans friends; and All Man: The International Male Story, exploring how a menswear catalogue became a homoerotic handbook — as well as the COVID-era set sci-fi road-trip flick Unidentified Objects, a winner at Outfest LA.
Just as the winter lull is about to take hold, Vivid comes to light up Sydney and draw us out from under the covers. This year, the festival is bigger and brighter than ever with a jam-packed lineup of installations, performances and talks. With its growing popularity comes growing crowds to navigate. Never fear though, with the help of our friends at Samsung, we've put together a cheat sheet on how to see the best works without battling the hoards. We also sent photographer Cole Bennetts out with Samsung's new Galaxy S9 in hand to capture these popular lights and share some of his low light photography advice. To get the most out of the below big installations — and the best snap on your phone — here are a few crowd-beating tricks and low light tips you should have up your sleeve. And just remember, the festival runs for over a fortnight so you don't need to squeeze everything in at once. METAMATHEMAGICAL — SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SAILS The light projection onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House is the jewel in the crown of the Vivid festival. This year they're lit by North Coast artist Jonathan Zawada, whose series draws on images of the Australian environment. Metamathemagical celebrates the beautiful and the strange in nature, morphed into vivid neon. In the series of 23 overlapping, almost sculptural works, the natural becomes hyperreal, juxtaposed against everyday objects and recognisable Australian motifs from science, nature and culture. Zawada has also included representations of works by famous and lesser-known Australian artists. With the Opera House as the crown jewel, it's sure to get a lot of attention. Avoid the harbourside scramble for the perfect shot, and instead, check out one of these bars to enjoy the show and get a snap from a unique vantage — just make sure to go early to snag a prime seat. Cole's tip: If you don't have something to help steady your phone during long-exposure shots, the S9 has a great inbuilt stabilisation function. Hold your breath when you take the picture, this will make you consciously be still and help stop handshake through breathing. THE NIGHT. REIMAGINED. — LUNA PARK BY WAY OF THE OPERA HOUSE If you've always found the Luna Park face just a tad bit off-putting, you can now replace it with your own. To celebrate Vivid's ten years and the release of the new Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones, Samsung has created a pretty unique experience. At the Opera House forecourt, walk through Samsung's nine-shaped installation (get it?) to play with photographic elements of light and shadow. As you make your way through, you'll be met with slow-mo experiences and the chance to create your own AR Emoji. Once you reach the centre, your face will be projected across the water where it will then become the new face of Luna Park. With a lot of faces expected to shine across Luna Park, this is one we suggest hitting just as the lights turn on for the night — there are limited spots for the AR projection and, naturally, high demand is expected. So, get in first, create your own AR Emoji then make your way to see some hidden Vivid gems. VIRTUAL VIBRATION — MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Another Vivid icon, the heritage listed façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art will go psychedelic this year. The Virtual Vibration installation combines morphing imagery and music to create an immersive sensory experience. Designed by the Spinifex Group and MCA Collection artist Jonny Niesche, the work also features a score by British electro producer, Mark Pritchard. Stand on the foreshore of Circular Quay and look up to the MCA bathed in colour, backed by an epic soundtrack. Smart money says come during the week rather than on the weekends to see this one. Treat yourself to a Wednesday night out mid-festival, and you'll avoid the weekend hoards. Plus, after viewing the outside of the MCA, you can head inside for its Lights on Later Vivid program, which includes a glowing gin-serving pop-up bar. SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE — CUSTOMS HOUSE Childhood favourites and original bush babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will take over Customs House this year to celebrate their 100th birthday. Animators Ample Projects have lent their skills to bring author May Gibb's creations from page to façade. Watch as Gibb's iconic characters appear larger than life and journey through the Australian bush projected across the historic sandstone building. Just as in the books, the Gumnut Babies make their way through the sometimes strange and unexpected world around them, encountering friend and foe along the way. This is one for kids and big kids alike. Try to at least avoid the (young) kid crowd, and hit this one post-bedtime, just before the lights go out for the night at 11pm. Cole's tip: At the very base level, photography is about capturing light. When taking pictures at night, look for a street light, neon sign or another interesting light source, experiment a bit and have fun. You will be surprised by the results. AQUEOUS — ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN Wind your way through the botanic gardens on an interactive pathway, captivating both during the day and at night. While the sun's still up, Aqueous mirrors its surrounds — the sky above, the neighbouring trees, those on its path — and by night the cells of the walkway glow as you make your way along. The snaking trail illuminates with different lights and colours depending on whether you walk, run, jump or play. Created by US artist Jen Lewin, the installation has just finished a successful turn at Burning Man and is sure to be a big hit here, too. Hot tip: the Vivid app keeps you up-to-date with how busy particular venues are. Since this installation is a surefire people-pleaser, screen the crowds via the app before you make tracks to the garden. Beat the crowds and get the best snap of the Vivid lights on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light. Images: Cole Bennetts.
Dazzling lights brightening up the Harbour City. Must-see gigs filling venues big and intimate around town. Fascinating talks musing on ideas, innovation and technology. That's the standard Vivid Sydney format, not that there's ever anything standard about the creativity-fuelled annual festival's yearly program. In 2023, however, it'll have a brand-new addition to that trusty template: Vivid's first-ever food fest, Vivid Food. Prepare your stomachs for a delicious time spanning both bites to eat and drinks to sip, all in an array of venues across the Sydney CBD. Today, Wednesday, February 15, marks 100 days until Vivid kicks off in 2023 — running from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17 — and fest organisers have started releasing a few details. If you're fond of Sydney's dining scene, Vivid Food is clearly now at the top of your must-attend list. [caption id="attachment_889194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivid Sydney 2022[/caption] Vivid Food will have two main aims. Firstly, it'll activate the Sydney CBD's venues after a tough few pandemic-afflicted years — a period that saw Vivid cancelled in 2020 and 2021, in fact, before returning in 2022. And, it'll go all in on Sydney's culinary creativity and innovation, aka two of Vivid's main fascinations. The details are still scarce, but the event will span everything from pop-up restaurants to haute cuisine, involving chefs, producers, restaurateurs and more, and including one-of-a-kind menus from renowned figures heading to Sydney for the fest. And, there'll be multi-sensory degustations, food along the returning Vivid Sydney Light Walk, and mixologists and bartenders literally getting things shaking. [caption id="attachment_797353" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Sammy, DS Oficina[/caption] "We are proud to have curated an impressive collection of local and international artists and food creatives to provide Vivid Sydney audiences with new and exciting experiences," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini, announcing 2023's first highlights. "We have expanded and evolved the festival further this year and have curated an amazing lineup for 2023. The festival offering includes some significant new and Vivid-first experiences, as well as Vivid Food to deliver world-class culinary talent, events and activations as part of the program." [caption id="attachment_889195" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] The theme for Vivid overall in 2023: Vivid Sydney, Naturally. Also on the bill so far: the return of that aforementioned (and understandably super-popular) Vivid Sydney Light Walk, this time with 49-plus light installations and 3D projections along its illuminated eight-kilometre stretch; Barerarerungar from First Nations artist Maree Clarke, which will be projected across the Museum of Contemporary Art; and Jen Lewin's The Last Ocean, which hits Sydney after premiering at Burning Man in 2022. There's also light festival Lightscape — yes, a light fest within a light fest — which has proven a huge hit internationally and in Melbourne. It'll take over The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for its Sydney debut. The full Vivid 2023 lineup will be announced mid-March, but you can also look forward to spending time elsewhere in the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, Central Station, Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Museum of Contemporary Art and more — as is always the case when Vivid unfurls its wonders. "Vivid Sydney is NSW's biggest annual event and makes a vital social and economic contribution to our state. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports and creates jobs across the NSW economy," said NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin. "Last year Vivid Sydney was attended by over 2.5-million people and injected $119 million into the NSW economy. With internationals borders fully reopening, we're anticipating this year's festival to be our biggest and best yet. Vivid Sydney 2023 promises to be a significant driver for domestic and international visitors to travel to NSW and attend Australia's brightest event and immerse themselves in our city," Franklin continued. [caption id="attachment_889193" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glenn Turner[/caption] Vivid Sydney 2023 will run from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. We'll update you with the full lineup when it's announced in mid-March — and for further information in the interim, visit the event's website. Top images: Destination NSW.
This month, Gallery 9 is welcoming back Israel-born artist Tonee Messiah for A New Famine, her ninth solo exhibition with the Darlinghurst gallery. A painter uniquely skilled in gentle observation, Messiah is known for her intuitive ability to aesthetically represent emotion, to mysteriously capture the fleeting, poetic and interior moments in life that are often challenging to pin down. Likening painting for her to another form of thinking, she describes her latest series in A New Famine as "landscapes of the mind". Building surfaces with both soft and hard forms that merge and overlap in an "archaeological drift", the paintings offer up soft, unfurling shapes and blooms alongside denser areas of pastel and crayon. Placing agitation alongside a floating weightlessness, the series conveys both a sense of movement and mystery. It's the type of show where you'll stare deeper and deeper into a painting until you feel at risk of falling in. Fun fact: Messiah has been described as one of the most collectible young artists in Sydney by industry folks. Why not go along and fantasise about where you'd hang your very own? Image: Tonee Messiah, Terrarium Ecology [cropped], 2017.
ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, Red, White & Royal Blue…spicy audiobooks have staying power these days. From the soundbites on your audiobook to the edits on your TikTok FYP, and now to the table at your nearest Wingboy. You read it right. The best place to go for a spicy taste of your favourite audiobooks is popping up in Sydney this weekend. This weekend only — Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 — Audible and Wingboy are teaming up for a limited edition Spicy Romance menu available in-store at Wingboy stores in Darling Square, Randwick, Newtown, Parramatta and Penrith or via UberEats delivery. Served in a heart-shaped box, you'll find three chicken tenders paired with three sauces of your choice (depending on your preferred level of audiobook spice). There's mild, spicy, extra spicy and want it all levels of heat. Oh, and three months of Audible for free* and a special message from romance audiobook royalty Teddy Hamilton (the voice of Xaden in Fourth Wing). One last reason to visit, if you share your meal on socials and tag @audible_au @wingboy_sydney with #AudibleSpicyPrize, you'll go into the running to win a year's worth of both Wingboy and Audible*. The Audible x Wingboy Spicy Romance Box is available this weekend only. Find your nearest Wingboy here. *T&Cs apply
Sydney's sustainable seafood duo Josh and Julie Niland are back with their latest butchery and takeaway shop, with the second iteration of their popular Paddington Fish Butchery arriving in Waterloo. First announced in late 2021 and now open on Bourke Street, the new store sees the duo utilising a larger space than their previous ventures, and also expands their reach by selling both sustainable and unique cuts of seafood, plus elevated fish and chip-style takeaway using these cuts of fish. There's even a plan to introduce dine-in in the coming months. Step inside and you'll be greeted by a 13-metre-long marble counter displaying all of the exciting selections of seafood you can choose from to take home and cook with or enjoy raw. The raw and dry-aged seafood is all sourced from a network of local fisherman the Nilands have amassed, including Bruce Collis, Walkers Seafood and Luke Buchholz. "Our mission at Fish Butchery is to work with remarkable fish caught and handled by extraordinary fishers that care about the details as much as we do," said Josh Niland. "By being scrupulous in the variables of fish processing, storage and cooking, a more responsible collective approach is achieved, resulting in a higher standard of fish on our plate." When it comes to the takeaway options, Niland's popular yellowfin tuna cheeseburger makes an appearance alongside some new inventive creations. There's a tuna belly pastrami sandwich, a smoked scallop mortadella banh mi, Murray cod souvlaki, and a pie box featuring a tuna pie, sausage roll and quiche lorraine made with smoked Murray cod streaky bacon and gruyere. If you're more in the mood for some classic fish and chip shop-style snacks, you can order a 150-gram barbecue fish fillet with all the sides from chips and salad through to onion rings and potato scallops. At the heart of all this is providing seafood that is not only sustainably sourced, but also sustainably consumed. "If we insist on continuing to consume only half the fish, there will be no fish left in years to come, regardless of how 'sustainable' they are," Niland says. "The issue of fish wastage should not be in the hands of the consumer; it is in the hands of those who catch, prepare and sell. Our priority at Fish Butchery is to bring tangibly delicious outcomes to the otherwise perceived 'waste' of a fish." Fish Butchery is open at 965 Bourke Street, Waterloo — from 10am–7pm Wednesday–Saturday and 10am–6pm on Sundays.
Enjoy your very own luxury country escape in the heart of downtown Orange at The Art Studio. A stylish and newly renovated property is within walking distance of the city's bars, cafes, and restaurants. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the local cafe culture or take a short drive out to the renowned wine region for a fun afternoon, The Art Studio is the perfect base for your country getaway. Once you've had your fill of Orange's delights, come home to The Art Studio's luxury country retreat, where you'll enjoy all the amenities of home. Step inside and be greeted with a well-equipped kitchen, a lounge room featuring a cosy gas fireplace and comfortable sectional sofa, a flat-screen TV for those lazy days, and a spacious bedroom with a plush king-size bed and an adjacent ensuite bathroom. You can also take advantage of the free on-street parking and the short stroll (just two blocks) to the Orange CBD. Guests at The Art Studio have exclusive private access via a walkway to the entire studio, including the private patio with outdoor furniture where you can sit and take in the tranquillity of your surroundings.
Fancy brightening up your life with a mini road trip and some beautiful, bold blooms? If the answer is yes, you'll find a sunny autumn paradise awaits at Wyong Creek's Yarramalong Turf Supplies on Saturday, April 27. Just under two hours' north of Sydney, the Central Coast farm is hosting another one of its popular communal sunflower harvests. From 7am, you're invited for a close-up look at the grounds, and are free to roam the fields and pick bundles of your own fresh flowers for only $1 a stem. Just remember to bring along those plant clippers and cash. There'll be one part of the farm sectioned off for photography, encouraging happy snaps in front of the sunny yellow masses, or you can simply opt for a stroll and a picnic among the flowers. Meanwhile, onsite coffee stop Turf Hut Espresso will be fuelling the morning's adventures with brews, homemade sausage rolls and pies. Dogs are also welcome to join in the flower power fun, as long as they're kept on-leash. Doors open at 7am and we suggest you head up early before all the sunflowers are picked.
The gifting season has kicked off with a bang, which means it's time to get your pressies sorted. For any readers in your life, you needn't look any further than Kinokuniya—one of the biggest bookstores in town. This paradise of paperbacks and heaven of hardcovers carries more books than an aimless Christmas shopper can know what to do with. That's where we come in. We've teamed up with Kinokuniya to curate the top titles of the year, and who'd love to unwrap them this Christmas. For the Human Encyclopedia — Why Are We Like This? by Zoe Kean Many of life's biggest and smallest questions can be answered by a good non-fiction book. Why Are We Like This? by science journalist Zoe Kean aims to answer some burning questions: what can snorkelling at Shark Bay teach us about humanity? Will the secrets of our sex lives be uncovered by stick insects? What do whale societies reveal about kindness? And why did we evolve to spend a third of our life asleep? If the answer is found in evolution, Kean and the experts she's met along the way will find it. Why Are We Like This? is available online and in-store for $32.99. For the Daydreamers — The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami Nothing can make a quiet summer day breeze by like a good fiction book with a rich world to get immersed in. This acclaimed book from cult novelist Haruki Murakami is just that—a love story, a quest, and an ode to books and the libraries that house them. When a young man's girlfriend goes missing, he sets his heart on finding the imaginary city her true self calls home. But when he finally reaches the strange walled city, her new life in a dream library includes no memories of their life together. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, he must decide what he's willing to lose. The City and Its Uncertain Walls is available online and in-store for $49.99. For the Inspiration Seekers — The Art of Memory Collecting by Martina Calvi As far as book-adjacent hobbies go, one of the great classics is the art of scrapbooking. Like any creative expression, there's no wrong or right way to do it, but it's hard to know where to start. The Art of Memory Collecting sees memory collecting expert Martina Calvi offer 15 projects to make use of pictures, keepsakes and memories in a meaningful way. These projects include scrapbooking journals, framed memory wall art, memory boxes, holiday journals, tiny trinket tins, pressed floral bookmarks, memory magnets and much more. The Art of Memory Collecting is available online and in-store for $24.99. For Little Legends — Off to the Nursery: A Celebration of Gardening, Plants and Seasons by Alice Oehr For anyone with kiddos in their life, it's worth remembering that those little ones will be at home over the summer break and in need of entertainment. This book ticks off gifting and activities in one go. Off to the Nursery: A Celebration of Gardening, Plants and Seasons is the perfect starter guide for any little legends keen to lend a hand in the garden. Be it growing greens, encouraging helpful garden guests like worms and bees, how to tend to plants and more, there are practical tips and vivid illustrations to bring the ideas to life throughout this book by award-winning artist Alice Oehr. Off to the Nursery: A Celebration of Gardening, Plants and Seasons is available online and in-store for $24.99. For the Amateur Chefs — Tony Tan's Asian Cooking Class by Tony Tan If you know a kitchen whiz, or even someone looking to level up their home entertaining skills this summer, this is the literary gift for them. Tony Tan's Asian Cooking Class combines 150 recipes from renowned chef Tony Tan, who has been cooking, eating, writing about and teaching Asian cuisine for decades. This book, which looks as good as the food (if prepared correctly) tastes, shares Tan's contemporary and adventurous takes on evergreen dishes from Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and beyond. Not only is this Kinokuniya's Cookbook of the Year for 2024, it's currently 20% off. Tony Tan's Asian Cooking Class is available online and in-store for $59.99. For the Horizon Chasers — Swimming Sydney: A Tale of 52 Swims by Chris Baker The simple act of going for a swim is relaxing, healthy and just flat-out Australian. This book is the result of Chris Baker taking weekly swims across Sydney over the course of a year and reflecting on friendship, history, family and how swimming can help us better understand ourselves. From Palm Beach to Mount Druitt and ocean swell to bushland lakes, it's a love letter to swimming throughout Sydney. It's a perfect gift for any water baby, avid explorer and lover of storytelling. Swimming Sydney: A Tale of 52 Swims is available online and in-store for $32.99. For Comic Book Lovers — Fool Night Vol. 1 by Kasumi Yasada When words on a page just don't cut it for your friends and family anymore, comic books might fill the void. They're one of the most dynamic storytelling formats and there are plenty of great picks to choose from. One such title is the first volume of Fool Night by Kasumi Yasada. In this dystopian distant future, Earth is dying and oxygen is a precious resource. For the desperate and noble, the experimental procedure of 'transfloration' transforms the human body into flora—and comes with a hefty paycheque. For the financially desperate, this dangerous procedure is the only option left to provide for their loved ones. Fool Night Vol. 1 is available online and in-store for $22.99. For the Trinket Collector — Seishin Self-Watering Cultivation Kits Any bookstore is only as good as its trinket collection because you need to pick up a few things on your way out. One of the top options available at Kinokuniya is the adorable Seishin self-watering cultivation kit. The animal-shaped planter is designed for the animal to 'drink' the water placed in front of it and automatically redirect it to the plant on its back, making it perfect for any low-maintenance herbs and small greens to bring some life to an indoor space. Head in-store to see the full range, available from $15.95. For more gifts you can find at Kinokuniya, look no further than the 2024 gift guide.
Wayside Chapel's community service centres have been offering vital support for Sydneysiders in need since 1964. Its mission is to provide unconditional help to locals experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health issues and social isolation. This work has become more important than ever during the COVID pandemic, with even more people looking to the charity for assistance. But, with both Wayside Chapel Op Shops (in Kings Cross and Bondi) currently closed to the public, getting funding for the community organisation has been especially difficult. So, Wayside launched its Online Op Shop this month. Expect to find pre-loved designer and vintage fashion items at bargain prices here. At the moment, the shop includes finds (for both women and men) from designers like I Am Gia, Assembly, Manning Cartel, Michael Kors, Marimekko, Antipodium London and Religion, all for just $30–4o. https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5htRXDiqL/ Plus entire vintage and accessory sections too. And every single dollar spent goes straight to Wayside's programs and services. Shopping here has a big, big impact. Thanks to community funding, Wayside has provided over 15,000 hot meals and groceries, over 3000 pieces of clothing and blankets and over 1000 warm showers and care packs — and that's just from March to June this year. If you are looking to downsize your wardrobe, Wayside Chapel also accepts quality donations to their Op Shop, and offers other ways to donate too. To shop or donate to Wayside Chapel Online Op Shop, head to thewaysidechapelopshop.com.
Who knows how many brilliant backup singers have never become household names. But Lisa Fischer is an exception to the rule. She's powered through duets with Mick Jagger, held her own alongside Tina Turner, added a whole new dimension to Nine Inch Nails, starred in Oscar-winning doco Twenty Feet From Stardom and measured up to the one-and-only Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan. And they're just a few of the big names to have enlisted her talent. Now, the mighty Ms Fischer is seizing her rightful place on centre stage. And you can get in on the soulful, soulful action when she hits the City Recital Hall on Wednesday, June 15. She'll be smashing out all the classics, from The Stones' 'Gimme Shelter' and 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)', to legendary tunes by Led Zeppelin and Little Willie John. She'll also perform her very own, Grammy-winning original, 'How Can I Ease The Pain'. Taking care of the backing will be Grand Baton. The powerhouse trio consists of drummer Thierry Arpino, bassist Aidan Carroll and director by Jean-Christophe Maillard, who also plays guitar and SazBass, all while singing backing vocals. Image: Djeneba Aduayom.
Australia's just scored what looks set to be its most inclusive music festival yet, with sports and radio legend Dylan Alcott announcing a strong lineup for the debut of his event Ability Fest. Helping to launch the Paralympian's charity, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, next month, the festival's being co-helmed by Untitled (the entertainment group behind Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts) and it's one that caters to everyone, regardless of gender, disability, age or race. With Ability Fest, Alcott's set out to both normalise disability and help boost inclusivity across all areas of the music industry. With 20 percent of Aussies living with a physical or intellectual disability, it's high time an event like this was added to the festival calendar. A massive lineup — including Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter Tkay Maidza, disco guy Harvey Sutherland and a back-to-back DJ set with Flight Facilities and Client Liaison — has dropped today, with all artists donating their time. Melbourne's Coburg Velodrome is being transformed into a fully accessible live music venue for the event, complete with a bunch of viewing platforms for those in wheelchairs and AUSLAN translators for all acts on the main stage. Ability Fest is hoping to raise $300,000 through ticket sales and donations, with all of it headed directly to the Dylan Alcott Foundation. This will then be used to offer mentoring, scholarships and grants to marginalised young Australians with disabilities. Ability Fest will take over Melbourne's Coburg Velodrome at 30 Charles Street, Coburg North, on Saturday, April 7. You can register here for discounted pre-sale tickets before 4pm on March 15 — otherwise general release tickets are on sale from 10am on March 16. Image: Freedom Time at Coburg Velodrome.
