They've been getting everyone pumped about the mix of activewear, sportswear and streetwear for the past year, and they're about to do something they've never done before. Athleisure fans, we're talking about P.E. Nation — and they're hosting their first ever sample sale. Whether you're packing your own gym-going wardrobe or doing a solid for sporty loved ones, you'll find an extensive array of swim, activewear, accessories, sweaters and jackets at 37 Doody Street, Alexandria, between June 1 and 3. One-off samples plus past season styles in all sizes will be available, with the sale running from 10am to 7pm on Thursday, and 9am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday. Remember the age-old advice when it comes to sample sales: get in quick, because P.E. Nation's wares are only on offer while stock lasts. Given the following the label has amassed since General Pants Co. design director Pip Edwards and former senior Sass & Bide designer at Claire Tregoning joined forces, their functional, fashionable bits and pieces are bound to be popular. Throw on your favourite pieces for an energy boost, and hop along.
Sydney's longest-running live performance institution Enmore Theatre is set to reopen to the public on Monday, February 22, marking the first time the theatre has seen music on stage and patrons in seats in nearly a year. Before COVID-19 restrictions forced it to (temporarily) shutter in March last year, the beloved concert venue had been a home to music, comedy and cultural events for decades. Following the theatre's closure in early 2020, venue owners Century Venues decided to make the most of its time off and bring forward a planned restoration. The building, which was extensively renovated in the 20s and 30s, is one of the only Sydney theatres from the art deco movement in its original condition — and the restoration has respected this, while introducing some new-age additions. While honouring the century-old theatre's design, the restoration has included the reinstatement of side wing balconies and an original 24-metre art deco bomber light, a full restoration of the theatre's ceiling and the addition of two-and-a-half kilometres of LED strip lighting, which is designed to enhance live music experiences and can be synchronised with performances. To celebrate the reopening, Enmore Theatre is hosting the Sounds of Sydney Re-opening Night Gala. The gala will feature national favourites like Ian Moss and Murray Cook of The Wiggles, Sydney mainstays such as Red Riders and Alex the Astronaut, as well as exciting rising local acts Milan Ring, Andy Golledge and Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys. The lineup of musicians will be performing a mix of original tracks and covers of songs about Sydney. [caption id="attachment_800186" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Caitlin Harnett & the Pony Boys[/caption]
Slow motion drips, close-up pourovers, helicoptered overheads of sprawling plantations — Brandon Loper knows how to write a love letter to his favourite bean-shaped subject. Premiering his straight-up stunning A Film About Coffee in Seattle in April, Loper's celebrated project has been subject to pretty limited screenings worldwide. Lucky for coffee fiends and doco lovers, the film is now available to stream online (for a teeny fee, just over the price of a cappuccino). Created with adorably-named production company Avocados and Coconuts, A Film About Coffee is an indulgence for the eyes and a bit of a wake-up call (fittingly), meandering through the story of specialty coffee from its organic beginnings to your morning cup. Loper's jaw-dropping cinematography makes for some serious foodporn — any hardcore baristas or coffee tragics need to get over here — but also captures some intimate interviews with the world's top coffee aficionados (featuring Kent Bakke, Devin Chapman, James Freeman, Katie Carguilo, Chris Owens, Darrin Daniel, Peter Giuliano, Eileen Hassi Rinaldi, Kyle Glanville, George Howell, Michael Phillips, Ben Kaminsky and Kevin Bohlin). While the film is scheduled to screen throughout Europe, the UK, US and Canada, plans haven't yet been announced for an Australian screening. For now, you can rent the film at home and stream until your caffeine addiction's content. Just throw the team a measly $4.99 for a 72-hour streaming rental (or $12.99 to own it, if that's a Thing any more) and hold your own screening with all the cheaper-than-Event-Cinemas popcorn you bloody well want. Here's the trailer, so, so pretty. Via Daily Coffee News.
There's something oh-so-relaxing about staring at the sea, even if you're feasting your eyes on the water via the big screen. That's the concept behind the Ocean Film Festival Australia. You can't always spend all your time at the beach, by the river or in a pool — but you can spend an evening peering at the next best thing in a cinema. On select dates in February March, screening at either 6.30pm or 7pm depending on the venue, the festival will unleash a cinematic feast of water-focused wonders onto the silver screen at various venues around Sydney. Head to the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne on Friday, February 24 and again from Wednesday, March 1–Thursday, March 2 — or to the Randwick Ritz Cinemas on Wednesday, March 8, and Event Cinemas George Street on Wednesday, March 15. [caption id="attachment_840734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Kowitz[/caption] Film-wise, viewers will spend time both above and below the ocean's surface thanks to a compilation of shorts from around the world. Expect to chase big waves, explore a range of sea life and get a hefty ocean rush, plus a heap of other sea adventures. The program is united by a love of the ocean, an appreciation of the creatures who dwell in its waters and a curiosity to explore the substance that comprises more than two-thirds of the earth. It's the next best thing to diving in, all without getting wet.
Exhibition crossed with pop-up store, this art and retail initiative is refreshingly (cold beer is delicious) literal. Those colours (colour me delighted to have the chance to drink delicious Asahi), silver and black, are the ones that the things on display actually have. Sculpture, cutlery, a lovely, meditative 3-D film of a skateboard ride, high-waisted knit underpants and origami blueprints are there to be looked at and maybe bought. It's hard to draw a line between the visually merchandised wares and the installed works, and that's part of the fun (fun like drinking Asahi) and the point. Wabi-sabi is the other theme, and true to that, there's a Zen quality to what's on display that you'd have to share to not find terming it such a little embarrassingly cheesy. There's a consciousness of surface and an investigation of durability, functionality and the fitness of objects with the world. Also, there are vintage Asahi(!) promos and packaging, which are a retrospective on their own and directly addressed by some of the works. NB: The show is curated by Asahi, not sponsored by them. I think this actually makes the promo aspect of it kinda cool? But maybe that's the Asahi talking.
Accustomed to digital deception across all types of visual media, it often takes us more than one look to realise that an effect has been achieved solely by the human hand. The new food-art stylings of Hong Yi, or 'Red' as she is nicknamed, almost look too perfect to be real. An artist/architect, Red set herself the task of creating a new artwork using only comestibles, every day for a month. From a serene cucumber landscape to a dragonfruit dragon in battle rapture, the resulting scenes are highly detailed, innovative and beautiful. Hong Yi loves painting "but not with a paintbrush"; her other works have included a painting made using a basketball, a portrait of Ai Weiwei in sunflower seeds, and another of Adele using melted candles. Check out her Facebook page to see deluxe Louis Vuitton mushrooms and more. Via Colossal.
I remember seeing one of Liam Finn's first solo Australian gigs at the Crown Hotel a few years back. He was then fresh from his main songwriting duties in his band Betchadupa and was showcasing new pop tunes experimental but intensely personal. A performance on David Letterman would follow and elevate his popularity, leading to support slots with Eddie Vedder and a hectic overseas touring schedule to promote his debut album I'll Be Lightning. Finn uses different effect pedals to sample and loop bass, guitar and drums, layering these with live elements. Eliza-Jane Barnes also performs with him, offering an amazing voice and sweet Autoharp flourishes. "I think that doing this looping, one-man-band sort of thing really keeps you on your toes and keeps it fresh," says Finn. "The more you mess up, the more you’re forced to turn it into a good mess and people seem to respond more. I find it really stimulating, I just love the danger of it."Finn and Barnes have teamed up to write and record Champagne in Seashells, a five-track collection that dabbles in '80s power pop, softer ballads and Finn’s inspired brand of songwriting, and the pair will launch it at the Gaelic Club in September.https://youtube.com/watch?v=oGZ-1d2rH_w
The Pyrmont Festival has been a highlight on Sydney's culinary calendar for over a decade, showcasing the best of New South Wales produce, talent, and culinary expertise. As the festival prepares to celebrate its 12th year, it promises another weekend of gastronomic delights, wine, and local art at Pirrama Park on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. This community-run event bridges the gap between city and country, with an impressive lineup of winemakers, brewers, and distillers from across the state. With more than 20 vendors participating, attendees can expect to sample the latest offerings from renowned producers such as Elbourne Wines and McKellar Ridge. [caption id="attachment_949752" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Pascoe[/caption] Beyond premium beer and wine, you'll find a diverse selection of food trucks, including Asian street food from The Star's Fat Noodle (home to the legendary 20-hour fat pho noodles), Sudanese fast food from Pharaoh BBQ, and fresh Sydney Rock Oysters straight from the Fish Market. Expect live music and art exhibitions from local talent, food and wine courses, art classes, and more when you head to Pirrama Park, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont. The locally adored festival has free entry — check out the full program here. [caption id="attachment_949754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo Tim Pascoe[/caption]
The 2013 smart ARTS mini-fest is back for the month of April with great art exhibitions, an awesome launch party and free workshops. smart ARTS aims to expand the creative minds of young people by "providing a forum for young people to express themselves and inspire each other through creative mediums". The festival also hopes to connect young people with networks and industry contacts in the arts, entertainment, and events. It's on until April 24 as part of National Youth Week. And the best part? All events at the festival are free. Check out the festival website and the Facebook event for a full program.
Protection from slavery is a fundamental human right; yet what constitutes contemporary forms of slavery is often controversial and unclear. We can comfortably shake our heads over situations akin to chattel slavery and collectively agree that to be the owner of another person is wrong, but circumstances of debt bondage, serfdom, forced marriage and forced sexual servitude do not fit neatly into the traditional concept of slavery. Project Futures aims to increase awareness of human trafficking as the second largest organised crime in the world. Inspired by Somaly Mam, a former Cambodian victim of sexual slavery, Project Futures is a voluntary network of socially engaged individuals who organise fundraisers, parties, concerts, public presentations and media campaigns to fund programs dedicated to combating sex trafficking globally. Their objective is to give slavery a meaning that extends beyond the limits set by the text, context and purpose of the 1926 Slavery Convention. This Thursday, celebrate Project Futures' new partnership with the Somaly Mam Foundation as they expand to New York. In addition to enjoying canapes and cocktails, you will acknowledge the loss of free will and human dignity that victims of the 'modern day slave trade' suffer, and have the unique opportunity to meet Somaly Mam herself.
Baron Wolman was the first official photographer of Rolling Stone magazine, and shot roll after roll of rock 'n' roll legends during the late sixties and early seventies. He’s just launched a book called Every Picture Tells A Story: The Rolling Stone Years in conjunction with an exhibition of iconic shots at the Blender Gallery in Paddington. This means that until October 15, you can get close-up and intimate with Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, the Who, and even AC/DC. Blender’s the perfect space for Baron’s photographic record of rock’s golden age — the gallery prides itself on working with both local and international music photographers. Baron’s shots are not just of musos on stage, but also in repose or on the road at a time when stars were more accessible and less manufactured. The scores of photos are accompanied by candid commentary and first-hand reminiscences, providing an authentic account of the halcyon days of rock ‘n’ roll. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Baron’s images of legends from Miles Davis to Muddy Waters capture an energy that Rolling Stone magazine made accessible to music lovers everywhere. Go see this exhibition of inspiring and iconic photos taken at a time when pictures of musicians could be impromptu, not media-managed.
French storytellers seem to have a peculiar gift for producing deceptively simple little fables which nevertheless resonate at the deepest level. Jean Giono's The Man Who Planted Trees was first published in 1953, the same year as Antoine Saint Exupery's beloved fable The Little Prince. It has the same guileless, perennial appeal. It's the story of a young man who wanders into a desolate valley where nothing grows but wild lavender. He meets a shepherd who has decided to rejuvenate the valley by single-handedly cultivating a forest, acorn by individual acorn. Observing the shepherd's selfless dedication, the young man learns something about the human heart. Transformed from prescient tale into madcap puppeteering masterpiece by the most excellent Puppet State Theatre Company, The Man Who Planted Trees has sold out and won awards all over the world for the last two years. Now performing at Sydney Opera House, the show combines superb comic sketches involving a stage-stealing sheepdog with an evocative soundscape and scented breezes that transport the audience to the French countryside. The simple set, consisting of canvas tree shapes and scruffy hessian sheep, becomes a metaphor for the simple message of the story. The Man Who Planted Trees is wonderfully moving, utterly unpretentious and unobtrusively didactic. Come with your day's baggage, leave with a pack of invisible acorns.
The late BBC DJ legend John Peel famously summed up The Fall in this succinct remark: "They are always different, they are always the same." Seminal post-punk trailblazers who carved a niche out of surreality, lo-fi guitars and copious speed use, The Fall have a dedicated cult following of disgruntled blighters, punks and would-be writers. Their 28 studio albums are truly wonderful and frightening releases with their ragged guitar riffs, slangy slapback lyrics and impenitent use of hooky repetition. Mark E. Smith formed The Fall with friends after reading too much Albert Camus and dropping out of university. It's quite possible the 'E' in Mark's name stands for "eliminate" as he kicks people out of his band constantly for spurious reasons. Even during a show, he berates both band members and audience. Mark's cited The Velvet Underground, Raymond Chandler, unemployment, football, time travel and the supernatural as musical influences, and his rampant, unrepentant cynicism carries The Fall's uncompromising, raw sound. This event is surefire guaranteed to be a jauntily bilious, unforgettable experience.
Sure, we might be begrudgingly closing in on the final days of summer, but at new pop-up, The Shuckery Oyster Bar, indulgent holiday vibes are fervently persevering. Taking over the plush surrounds of the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay's Stillery bar, The Shuckery will be open for oyster devouring every Thursday and Friday night. Bivalve buffs can indulge in oysters from the likes of Port Macquarie, Clyde River, Hastings River, and Nambucca, freshly shucked before their eyes. The best part? This chic little feast needn't break the bank — three oysters teamed with a flute of Perrier-Jouët Champagne will set you back a neat $20, while a share-friendly arrangement of 12 oysters and a bottle of the bubbly is just $95. Keep this one in mind for Valentine's Day, we reckon. The Shuckery is open from 5-7pm, every Thursday and Friday night at Stillery, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay.
Australia's blistering temperatures have made it pretty darn clear — summer is far from over. But while pretty-in-pink frosé has played superficially sophisticated thirst-quencher of choice these past few months, it's now time for the garden party favourite to hand over the 'cool girl' reins to someone new. Behold, frozen Riesling, or 'freezling'. That's right, the wine slushie concept has been blasted into a whole new realm in Sydney, with Christian Blair (ex-Eau De Vie) and his Annata crew launching a collection of frozen, Reisling-based cocktails they've naturally christened The Freezling Project. Just look: Head into the Crows Nest bar and be among the first to sample this lineup of frosty, boozy treats, featuring the likes of a skin-contact Riesling blended with Nashi pear and ginger, and a Clare Valley variety dressed up with dragonfruit and elderflower. There are five of these Riesling creations to cool down with, each one priced at $12. Find Annata at 69 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest.
Fast and furious, wet and wild. No, it's not an ad for a summer roller-coaster ride; it's the frantic dash in a 12-metre-long painted boat known as the Dragon Boat Races. Dating back 2000 years, the race was traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar to encourage rains for prosperity — the dragon, the symbol of water, was the object of worship for the ancient Chinese. Today, it's a heart-thumping sport boasting crews of roughly 20 rowers. Grab a waterside seat and watch some of Sydney's best dragon boat teams battle it out in this highly competitive, thrilling sport.
What's more surprising about Bondi than its reputation as a seaside utopia is its lack of reputation as a topographical anomaly. It's basically a beach built into a cliffside. Makes it a pretty interesting place to do a walking tour, in other words. Enter Guru Dudu, a laid-back gent with loud overalls and a pair of headphones that, judging by their size, may well have been nicked from a construction site. This is your tour guide – but he's not working alone. As you stroll around, filling up on Bondi's sights, he'll tag-team with some of the greatest bands of the last half-century. With your own set of headphones (supplied) you and your compatriots will have the chance to groove down Campbell Parade, belt out the lyrics you can remember and flashmob unsuspecting picnickers. Before you know it, you will have topped a few of Bondi's most picturesque rises, borne aloft by bangers and the Guru's electrifying moves. Guru Dudu's Silent Disco Walking Tours will take place between Friday, July 12–Sunday, July 14 and Friday, July 20–Sunday, July 22 as part of Bondi Feast 2019. For more information and to purchase tickets, head this way.
Storyteller, photographer and Sydney arts scene mainstay William Yang remembers that, at the age of six, he was made to feel that "being Chinese was a terrible curse". Many times over he's turned these painful memories — as well as joyful and often tantalisingly debauched ones — into "warm, humorous and very honest" performances. Now he directs a group of six Asian Australians to tell their own stories, which they have developed together with writer and media personality Annette Shun Wah and composer Nicholas Ng. Using words and images from personal collections, Stories Then and Now drifts from a fishing boat journey to a decadent cruise and from labour farm to Shanghai burlesque club. The past and present overlap in the intoxicating stories, woven on stage by Ien Ang, Jenevieve Chang, Michael CS Park, Sheila Pham, Paul van Reyk and Willa Zheng. How does an individual reconcile a traumatic past to inhabit the present? How do we, as a nation, come to terms with the collective memory of our history of institutionalised racism? What is life really like for immigrants and refugees attempting to establish themselves in Australian society? It all starts to come out as these individuals navigate memories of heartbreak, cultural displacement and the destruction of war. Stories Then and Now plays from May 22-25 under the umbrella of the Sydney Writers' Festival. Thanks to Carriageworks, we have two double passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and postal address at hello@concreteplayground.com.au.
Everybody wins — you, me, our fair nation — when six experienced winemakers join forces to create unique vintages out of the Hunter Valley and then take their finest drop on the road. Caravan of Courage, the ingenious pop-up wine bar creation of Next Generation Hunter Valley, enjoys its third incarnation this year with the apt title One More for the Road, boasting a selection of 24 wines to titillate the palette. Formerly setting out northwards from Melbourne in a big green bus to secret locations all over Australia, this time around Next Generation have taken to the skies. Having left Brisbane on May 3 and visited Newcastle on May 4, they're setting up camp in Sydney on Friday, May 10, before heading south to Canberra (Thursday, May 16) and Melbourne (Friday, May 17). What makes Next Generation Hunter Valley special? It's a collective of six prized stables (David Hook Wines, Thomas Wines, Meerea Park Wines, Mistletoe Wines, De Iuliis Wines and Margan Wines) that share a commitment to the future of the Hunter Valley, melding old, well-established vineyards with contemporary winemaking practices. In true Aussie style, Caravan of Courage embodies the larrikin spirit, and you can get to know the wines better by meeting the personalities behind them — David Hook, Andrew Thomas, Rhys Eather, Nick Paterson, Mike De Iuliis and Andrew Margan will be in attendance. Ever broadening the scope of their imperialist tipple agenda, they're rumoured to have their sights set on Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania for upcoming pop-ups. Tickets to One More for the Road are $35 (available here). The Sydney event takes place on May 10, 6-9pm at the S.H. Ervin Gallery (Watson Road, Observatory Hill, Millers Point. Access via Agar Steps on Kent Street). Updates are available by following @nextgenhv #COC2013 on Twitter and becoming a fan on Facebook.
Crowd-favourite Tokyo Lamington has expanded its dessert empire with a concept bakery in Marrickville. The mission of this new branch is more than just dishing out the cubed desserts the brand is known and loved for; it is to expand its offering into all sorts of new savoury ground with a full roster of artisanal baked goods, all paying homage to the local melting pots of Asian and Australian culture. But don't panic, lamingtons are still on the menu. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tokyo Lamington (@tokyolamington) The dessert slingers have introduced new additions, like a Vietnamese coffee lamington. This cubed delight is a tribute to Marrickville's migrant communities, featuring a gluten-free sponge soaked in Vietnamese coffee and filled with a coffee cream made from rich Vietnamese coffee beans and condensed milk, finished with a coating of white chocolate. But there are plenty of its classics on the menu, including its iconic raspberry jam and vanilla cream, the yuzu curd and blow-torched meringue, and the colourful fairy bread and popcorn. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Tokyo Lamington & the Bakery expands the offering beyond delicious sponge cubes to include a wide spectrum of baked delights, including pastries, cakes, breads, savoury pies, quiches and even sausage rolls. The cultural fusion is plain to see when looking at the ingredients — quiches made with savoury custard, miso and mushroom, pies with Japanese chicken curry and sausage rolls with pork, ginger and katsu curry sauce. It's all in the spirit of fusion, a direction that the Tokyo Lamington team takes to the tastiest levels.
Why is it the most controversial topics that make us laugh the hardest? Perhaps it's catharsis. Perhaps it's because we dare not make the jokes ourselves. In either case, Sacha Baron Cohen's latest film The Dictator requires no introduction. But let's just say, Baron Cohen's newest creation - supreme leader General Aladeen - is on a mission to safeguard his beloved (oppressed) nation from the clutches of democracy. That's right. The man behind Borat and Bruno is no stranger to controversy; to promote his upcoming release he famously turned up to the 2012 Academy Awards (despite being initially banned from attending) bringing with him "the ashes of Kim Jong-il". Later spilling those "ashes" (reportedly pancake mixture) over well-known American TV host, Ryan Seacrest. Don't call that funny? Then it's likely that The Dictator may offend. Starring Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley and John C. Reilly alongside Baron Cohen, and loosely based on Saddam Hussein's novel Zabibah and the King, the film is hitting cinemas on May 16. Concrete Playground has 20 double passes to give away. To get your hands on a pair of tickets, make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground, then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Art exhibitions always point to ideas larger than themselves, and the discussion series MCA on the Rocks operates on the brilliant notion of exploring these ideas in a format inspired by the talk-show. A panel of thinkers from diverse backgrounds will weigh in on topics chosen by the host, teasing out the themes of exhibitions at the MCA as the catalyst to a wider conversation that promises to be both enlightening and raucous. This summer the show everyone's been talking about is Anish Kapoor's (who could miss the gargantuan Sky Mirror standing outside the museum?), and it'll be the focal point when MCA on the Rocks' inaugural season debuts on March 21, with a panel aptly titled "Bigger is Better." This first session is hosted by the fabulously-named Fenella Kernebone, homegrown journalist, radio and television presenter, who poses the questions: Why do we love to hate the suburbs? Is bigger always better? And is it okay not to like contemporary art? Her selection of panelists will approach the topic with a broad range of perspectives, coming as they do from the disparate spheres of architecture, art and comedy: Jeff Khan (co-director of Performance Space), Tarsha Finney (senior lecturer at UTS School of Architecture), and Brendan Maclean (actor, musician, and radio host). Other exhibitions to be discussed in relation to this issue are the group show South of No North and Canadian artist Jeff Wall's photographs.
It's not every artist who'd revisit their Year Two saxophone skills on their debut album. But Melbourne's Chet Faker (aka Nick Murphy) isn't afraid of giving anything a whirl for the sake of sound. Following the release of his debut EP Thinking In Textures via Downtown Records in 2012, Murphy gained international high-fives and 'Breakthrough Artist of the Year' at the Australian Independent Records Awards, made an EP with Flume, toured with Bonobo, played at South by South West and scored a Super Bowl ad with his breakthrough cover of Blackstreet's 'No Diggity'. After settling into his own snuggly studio space in North Melbourne, Murphy painstakingly tweaked, experimented and self-produced his debut album Built On Glass. An eclectic and unpredictable mix of electronic soul ballads, deep house journeys and hip hop beats, Murphy's love of experimentation and letting sound breathe makes Built On Glass one of the year's most overwhelmingly confident debut releases. Heartbreakingly honest lyrics, minimalist electronic groovery and Murphy's unmistakably soulful vocals make for serious repeat button action. Kicking off a huge worldwide tour in April, Chet Faker will hit venues in UK, US and Canada for a gargantuan string of dates before heading home for his national Australian headliner tour; stopping at the Enmore Theatre on June 26, 27 and 29. Supporting is New Zealand dream pop trio Yumi Zouma, whose four-track EP The Brae saw the Christchurch locals gain quite the following on Soundcloud. Head here for our chats with Chet Faker about his upcoming worldwide debut album tour, jogging on the road and his genuine disdain for pigeonholes. https://youtube.com/watch?v=aP_-P_BS6KY
Sydney Harbour cruises ain’t just for the wealthily betrothed and corporate schmoozers among us. Brand spanking new events crew and electronic music love-team UNDR ctrl have a big, loud boat party in store to rival those glass-walled floating function rooms and make the most of the Sydney Harbour sunset. Teaming up with local all-round legends FBi Radio and Vice’s “newest authority on electronic everything” Thump, the aquatic adventure has been dubbed Not Another Boat Party, to kick off the 'We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat' series of probably equally lengthily named forthcoming boat parties. Casting off from Aquarium Pier, Darling Harbour on Saturday March 22, this shipshape adventure will drag stacks of electronic equipment onto a floating party ranch for local bosses Basenji, wordlife, Kilter, softwar and Parkside DJs to crank it until they drop the anchor. See more of our ideas for squeezing the last few drops of summer fun out of March.
The Australian Centre for Photography’s Winter Season brings together three artists who paint, perform and sculpt, but emphasises the photographic element in their work. Terry Burrows presents Banaras Backs, an exhibition of enormous photographic prints handpicked from his 1008-strong collection, The Banaras Back Book. Over the course of a five-month residency in India, Burrows created a visual essay capturing individuals staring out at the River Ganges in Varanasi (Baranas). The photos were all taken from behind, and cut across time, religion, class and caste. Rodney Pople’s exhibition, Lie of the Land, places the viewer face to face with species on the verge of extinction. Pople spent time in Kenya capturing close-up portraits of animals, and has built on his photographs with multiple layers of paint and spontaneous brushstrokes. He explores our fascination with the wild along with our desire to domesticate and control. Hiromi Tango’s Dust Storm blends photography, video, performance and sculpture to explore personal despondency. Viewers are immersed in colour and light, becoming part of Tango’s interest in art’s potential for therapy. The experience is at once disturbing and uplifting.
Purveyors of good tunes and fine themes Slow Blow are putting on a Halloween bash at Goodgod this year, so you can tell your other friends not to bother getting their own dwellings trashed. Decking out the groove den in all thinks dark and twisted and over-ordering on the simmering sounds, this horror fest will be headed up by interminable dance duo Softwar and harmonised with a select few of Goodgod’s besties. These include Roman Wafers from monthly Melbourne party night Bamboo Musik, DJs of Halloween-apropros monikers Dreamcatcher and Junglesnake and the exquisitely ghoulish Valerie Yum. Everyone’s invited as long they’re dressed to kill (or like their already dead), so be heavyhanded with the faux blood and consider starting Movember early: The theme is horror, but with a tasty Italian twist.
Every phrase has to start somewhere, and "you had me at hello" started with Jerry Maguire. When it's uttered by Renée Zellweger to Tom Cruise, it's one of those big on-screen moments that lovers of romantic comedy-dramas will still be talking about decades from now — as they have been for the nearly quarter-century since the Cameron Crowe-directed movie first arrived on screens. Everyone knows that aforementioned piece of dialogue, and the film's other catchy line: "show me the money". You might recall that Cuba Gooding Jr won an Oscar for his supporting performance, too. But you may not always remember how astutely the feature steps through its narrative, spinning a story about a sports agent who has an epiphany about the ruthless business he's in, decides that both him and the entire industry should do better, subsequently gets fired from his high-paying job and then goes out on his own.
He Made She Made, apart from being an awesome name, is also a spot for up-and-coming designers and artists (and all things in between) to show off their skills. It's fitting, then, that they want to help you get some random cool stuff for your loved ones in time for the baby Jesus's birthday. Their Random Xmas Markets might provide you with a prezzie for that extra difficult creative cousin. Or you might decide that she just isn't getting a present this year, because you're keeping it. What kinda stuff will be there? Included in the mix of small emerging studios are The Fortynine, a multi-disciplinary collaborative design studio who know how to make funky stools, Qwux and the Rah Collective (again, not just a rad name), Marcue for lovers of fancy shoes, Agogwe + Ötso and the creative workshop on wheels of Kit Palaskas.
In Her's almost certainly near future, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly — a gentle, retiring man who works at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com penning heartfelt correspondence between people he's never met. In his personal life, his wife (Rooney Mara) has left him and now communicates exclusively via their lawyers. In short, nobody really talks anymore. Then one day he buys and installs a new operating system called 'OS1' — an artificially intelligent construct that names herself, or rather itself, 'Samantha' (voiced to perfection by Scarlett Johansson). At first Samantha simply streamlines Theodore's life, triaging his emails and encouraging him to get out more, but gradually, as she evolves and learns more from their interactions, they begin to fall in love. It seems ridiculous, yes, but thanks to Spike Jonze's masterful script and direction, it never really feels it, and that's what makes HER the first must-see film of 2014. it is a beautiful, imaginative and provocative offering by Jonze that asks some fascinating questions about the direction love is taking in the technological age. Read our full review here. Her is out on DVD, Blu- ray and digital download on May 22, and thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, we have 15 DVDs to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=1awGTPsEmiU
Nadine Labaki directs and stars in this amusing modern fable about a group of women in a remote Lebanese village who try to defuse mounting inter-religious tensions by finding obscure ways to distract their menfolk. Lead by the beautiful Amale (Labaki), the women of the village, both Muslim and Christian, band together to find various ways to stop the men from following in the civil strife that has engulfed their country. In an attempt to keep the peace, the women conspire to hire exotic dancers, lovingly drug sweet pastries and remove weapons from the village. However, not all of their extraordinary ideas go to plan, resulting in a serious of comic, and chaotic, incidents. Following on from Caramel, Labaki's second feature film in the director's chair made official selection at Cannes in 2011 and this year at Sundance, as well as making its debut on Australian screens at the recent Sydney Film Festival. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to give away to see Where Do We Go Now? To be in the running to win a pair of tickets, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Obviously, here at Concrete Playground, we're big advocates of getting out and making the city your own personal, well, playground. But sometimes a night with your best pals away from the hustle and bustle is called for, and there aren't many more altruistic reasons to stay home than raising some dosh for cancer research, prevention and support. So, we've teamed up with Cancer Council NSW to spread the word on its Girls' Night In campaign, which is running across February and March this year in line with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and International Women's Day (Sunday, March 8). Sign up to host a Girls' Night In, round up all your mates (regardless of their gender), and give what you would have spent on a big night out to a worthy cause. Here are a few ideas for taking it a step above Netflix-and-spill. SHOP YOUR MATE'S STASH There's never a bad time for a good wardrobe clean out, so turn your lounge room into a marketplace for an epic clothes swap. And you don't even need to limit it to clothes — get everyone to bring all their unwanted shoes, accessories, books, kitchenware and weird knick-knacks, too. One (wo)man's crap is another (wo)man's treasure. If everyone pops price tags on the goods, with proceeds going to Cancer Council, you could walk away from it all with the shoes you've been coveting for months and the warm and fuzzy feeling of giving to a good cause. HOST AN OSCARS VIEWING PARTY Cinema's night of nights is almost upon us, with the 92nd Academy Awards airing on Monday, February 10. The theme of the evening lends itself to some easy and delicious snack options, so fire up the popcorn maker and roll out the red carpet. There's a way to turn anything into an opportunity to raise more cash, so pop a big bowl on the coffee table and make sure everyone brings their coin jars. Get everyone to choose a celebrity and chip in a dollar when they're on screen — or a fiver if they win a gold statue. And whenever someone gets political during a speech, that's another dollar. The possibilities are endless. THROW A GOOD OL' FASHIONED POTLUCK PARTY The 'bring a plate' tradition is pretty well known in Aussie party etiquette. But the parameters are usually pretty loose — it could range from a salad to a box of chocolates. But to really get into a party spirit, try setting a theme to your next potluck party. With Lunar New Year festivities continuing into February, you could host a festive celebration featuring fortune cookies, red and gold decorations (symbolising power, happiness and prosperity) and traditional red money envelopes for Cancer Council donations. Other themes could be getting everyone to bringing a traditional dish from their family's culture, their favourite meal from when they were a kid or a dish they've been wanting to attempt for ages (inspired by watching endless hours of Bon Appetit tutorials on Youtube). GET COMPETITIVE WITH A GAMES NIGHT Movies have made us believe that games nights are for nerds and out-of-touch parents trying to bond with their teenagers over Monopoly. Dare to play a rousing game of Exploding Kittens, battle it out at Trivial Pursuit, stretch your mind over Scattergories or Bananagrams, and practice your blank stare with a passionate round of poker or two. Better yet, take a leaf out of the Friends script and make your own trivia game about your friends and family. You can even partake in the healthiest form of gambling there is — the charity kind. THROW AN ALL-OUT MARDI GRAS PARTY Mardi Gras is, without a doubt, the most fabulous time of the year. With the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival set to kick off on February 14, and the parade rolling through Darlinghurst on Saturday, February 29, there's no better time to cover your house in glitter, crank this Pride Classics playlist and have a boogie with your chosen family — even if it's just as a pre-party before heading to the parade. Or, if crowds aren't your thing, invite everyone over for a screening party, and queue up films like The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (obviously), Pride (starring everyone's favourite 'hot priest' Andrew Scott), The Birdcage and Paris Is Burning. Gather your crew together for a Girls' Night In and donate what you would've spent on a night out to Cancer Council to help those affected by cancer. To register as a Girls' Night In party host, visit the website.
With a weekly listenership of 1.7 million and a strong following since 1995, the popular weekly hour-long radio program This American Life is due to make its debut in Australian cinemas. Filmed on a stage in New York City, This American Life — Live! is a packed show featuring stories by host Ira Glass, writers David Sedaris and David Rakoff, comic Tig Notaro and Snap Judgment host Glynn Washington, plus live music by OK Go. This live experience will encompass things you could never do on the radio, such as a new short film by Mike Birbiglia, dance by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, original animation, projected illustration and more. Glass is excited to see how it turns out: “We've built this line-up of stories mixed with super visual things," he says. "It's going to feel like the radio show but also totally unlike anything we've done before." A must-see event to be permanent-markered in, This American Life — Live! will screen in select cinemas around Australia.
Gone are the days when a handful of 20 cent coins was like a wad of fifties, when you would buy finger buns — with their iconic pink icing and coconut shavings — with the silver scraped from the bottom of your bag. The tuck shop might've deserved a visit from the Health Inspector, but the buns were pink, they were sugary, they were cheap; they were everything we once wanted in food. But apparently those days aren't totally gone — just the price point and dubious hygiene. Adriano Zumbo is transforming his Rozelle and Waverley patisseries into 'Fluffy's Aussie Bakery' as a creative homage to Australia Day. For ten days Zumbo's will be the classic Aussie bakery with kitsch decor, vintage chalkboard art and baked goods. Among the treats on offer from tomorrow until January 26 are finger buns, neenish tarts, cream buns and lamingtons. All that's missing is a milkshake and sausage roll. The pop-up bakeries can be found at 114 Terry Street, Rozelle and 24 Arden Street, Waverley, somewhere round Memory Lane.
We bet you've at least got one Jamie Oliver cookbook in your cupboard — and, with all this home time lately, you've probably nailed most of the recipes. So, you'll need some new material. Thankfully, the affable UK chef is using his time at home to bring you a new cooking series: Keep Cooking and Carry On. How very British. The series covers everything from eggless chocolate cake to homemade bread, cauliflower mac 'n' cheese, dumplings and carbonara. Each is relatively quick and super-simple to make. It's heartwarming cooking, which is perfect as the weather's getting colder — plus aren't all need a little comfort right now? Keep Cooking and Carry On features the cooking whiz whipping up dishes in his home kitchen, offering up a bunch of handy tips and tricks along the way. While it airs on UK television, clips are also posted on the culinary legend's Facebook page. And, if you'd rather skip the preamble, you can access all the recipes in the series here. https://www.facebook.com/jamieoliver/videos/2623850727724925/
It's a blight on the history of our nation that it took 66 years after federation to allow the first inhabitants of this land the right to be part of it. In 1967, over 90 percent of Australians voted to amend Sections 51 and 127 of the constitution, which allowed Aboriginal Australians to be legislated for by the government, and to be part of the census. In celebration of the people that made this essential change a reality, a collection of Australian musicians — including Dan Sultan, Thelma Plum, Radical Son, Leah Flanagan, Stephen Pigram, Yirrmal and Adalita — have collaborated to create a multimedia homage to the citizens that fought for civil rights and brought us closer to unity. Employing footage from the time and a soundtrack that harks back to our collective past, this one-night-only Sydney Festival show in the Opera House's Concert Hall is remembrance of what was achieved, and an exploration of what is still left to be done. Image: Cole Bennetts.
Excellent music should be accessible to everybody, and it's with this theory that OutsideIn makes a welcome entrance into Sydney's festival calendar. Saturday, November 10, will mark the debut of this boutique music event, taking place over three stages at the Factory Theatre. The bespoke lineup is a selection of some of the freshest electronic acts hailing from both Australia and overseas. Smoke DZA (USA), Oliver Tank, Shigeto (USA) and Melbourne's own euphoric chillwave producer Thrupence were just some of the exciting acts named in the first lineup, with further announcements giving us license to get all psyched up about LV (UK), Evenings (USA), Holy Balm, Cliques and thousands (well, almost) of other boogie-advocating acts. If you're not presently sweating all over your keyboard in excitement, here is a mix that Astral People bro Preacha put together to make that happen. Outsidein is the joint effort of Astral People and Yes Please, who are certified wizards at peddling the musical goods. More happy vibes will come courtesy of tasty food, refreshing drinks and a Goodgod-curated tropically luxurious outdoor stage. OutsideIn 2012 first announcement: Smoke DZA (USA) Oliver Tank HTRK (AUS/UK) Flume Shigeto (USA) Africa Hi-tech (AUS/UK) Jesse Boykins III (USA) Melo-X (USA) Collarbones Thrupence Polographia Dro Carey Second announcement: LV (UK) Evenings (USA) Holy Balm Fishing Bon Chat, Bon Rat Guerre Albatross Cliques Mike Who Lewi McKirdy Kato Preacha Astral DJs Tyson Koh Charlie Chux LA Fresh Pipemix Third annoucement: Michael Ozone Pelvis Levins Jimmy Sing Judgement Ariane Mary's Basement DJ Shags Future Classic DJs https://youtube.com/watch?v=yJvjVIVRRdw
Some stores don't care for their customers. And some stores don't care to be creative. But for Some stores those things are imperative. The faces behind Fitzroy Street's Somedays store fit into the latter category. They sell us beautiful clothes, shoes and accessories from local and international designers. But what's more, they've spent the last year working their fingers to the bone to bring us issue three of their annual Sometimes magazine. This Wednesday, April 9, you’re invited to their Surry Hills store to launch Sometimes' release. Made with help from partners The National Grid, The Thousands, The Embassy of Sweden, Finsbury Green and Corona, Sailor Jerry and Kirin Cider, Sometimes showcases Some store's current inspiration and the creative types they've been working with. Happening from 6-8pm, the launch celebrates something they've made for you to love and keep. And let's face it; many stores wouldn't care to do the same.
The 'F' word isn't Amanda Fucking Palmer's legit middle name, but the maverick muso has come to be known that way regardless. And with an aesthetic and persona that outsasses everyone, you can see why. Palmer — known as one half of punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, for her solo work and for the cleverly named Grand Theft Orchestra — will be performing a raft of solo shows exclusively for the Sydney Festival. Running each night from January 9-19 (bar the 13th), her shows will enliven the Sydney Festival's intimate and atmospheric Spiegeltent. With enough tickets for everyone to enjoy, the NY icon's performances are sure to be ten nights of mayhem. Want more Sydney Festival events? Check out out top ten picks of the festival. Image by Shervin Lainez. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_J07cuUW2qI
The films of one of the most influential directors in motion picture history will be the subject of a special retrospective coming to Sydney this year. Curated by beloved film critic and former Sydney Film Festival director David Stratton, the Essential Kurosawa lineup will showcase ten iconic films from Japan's legendary Akira Kurosawa at the Art Gallery of NSW and Dendy Opera Quays, including several efforts that could contest the title of greatest film of all time. The retrospective — which is a collaboration between Sydney Film Festival, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne, and the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra — will span almost the full length of Kurosawa's incredible career, from his groundbreaking Rashomon (1950) to his sweeping feudal war epic Ran (1985). Further highlights include Seven Samurai (1954), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961) and Kagemusha (1980). A number of titles will screen on specially imported 35mm film prints courtesy of The Japan Foundation and Toho Co. "The best of Kurosawa's films possess a grandeur combined with a common touch," said Stratton in a statement accompanying the announcement. "No-one filmed action scenes like he did – his use of multiple cameras, long lenses and intricate editing combined to make these sequences unforgettable."
Need a bit of extra motivation to exercise? Would the chance to dress up and step back in time make you more eager to burn some calories? If so, jog along to Retrosweat — a series of themed workouts inspired by '80s and led by Shannon Dooley of Physique Aerobics, who says she's aiming to inject a lot more fun (and eye shadow) into exercising. Her classes celebrate the glorious music and dance moves of the '80s. Think Prince, Michael Jackson and Madonna. Sessions are a non-intimidating 50 minutes long and all experience levels are welcome, so don't rule yourself out if you think you have two left feet. And as to the dress code "G string leotards are encouraged, scrunchies and sweatbands compulsory". Due to growing popularity, Retrosweat now takes place twice weekly — Tuesdays and Thursdays — at Redfern PCYC.
Tim Minchin's theatrical hit Matilda the Musical is finally heading our way, and will make its Australian premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August 2015. Having earned critical acclaim and popular adoration on the West End and Broadway, the show looks set to do the same here, with NSW Tourism already rubbing their hands together in gleeful anticipation of all the dollars to be gained from out-of-towner tickets. But Matilda comes with more cred than your usual musical extravaganza. The staggeringly successful show (just seven Olivier Awards and five Tonys, whatevs) was adapted from the original Roald Dahl novel by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Australia's own Minchin wrote the music and lyrics, bringing the requisite level of devilishly dark humour. As the Guardian put it, "You'd be a nitwit to miss [it]". Cast is yet to be announced, but no doubt a team will soon be scouring the country for some preciously talented youngsters to play Matilda, if they haven't started already. Those in the loop will probably already know that Minchin has now moved on to an adaptation of the 1993 classic Groundhog Day. The film's original writer Daniel Rubin is writing the "book" and Matthew Warchus, who directed Matilda's London and Broadway runs, will be working his magic again. If only Bill Murray could star. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2ZsmXBBKvTk
If you've ever felt that anticipation of waiting for a beat to drop, you know the indescribable power that music has over us. The right song at the right time can lift moods, send tingles down our spines and trample us with memories. But are these effects in any way quantifiable? How does music change us neurologically or psychologically? Dr Sandra Garrido and Professor Katherine Boydell are researchers who have been attempting to answer these questions for a large chunk of their careers. As part of a free lunchtime lecture series, Sounds Like Science, the duo will delve into the link between music and mental health. The discussion will take place at City Recital Hall on Wednesday, July 18 at 12.30pm, so don't forget to BYO pack-lunch to this interactive seminar. Over the course of an hour, Garrido (a musician herself) and Boydell will discuss a few of the scientific studies in which music has proven an unlikely ally in wellbeing. They'll also break down how different types of music can affect mood, memory, anxiety and depression. So whether you're a music maker, a passionate listener or someone who assigns a song to every memory (from first kisses to epic holidays), Sounds Like Science is a great opportunity to better understand how music moves us. It can't explain why you dance like a weirdo, though. That's just something you do. This Sounds Like Science: Music and Mental Health will take place on Wednesday, July 18 at 12.30pm. To reserve tickets, visit the City Recital Hall website.
Anyone who jumped for bacon-loving joy at the announcement of Cuckoo Callay's inaugural Bacon Festival last year will surely be stoked with the news that the Newtown cafe is once again celebrating the noble pig in 2016. But this time, there's an extra addition: beer. Yes, Newtown's biggest champions of bacon have seen your rashers and raised them, taking it up a whole other notch for the 2016 festival, set to be held on Saturday, February 27. It's called Bacon Brewfest, and it will showcase everything beer 'n' bacon, including lots of craft brews and what they name "Australia's best bacon" from Pialligo Estate. It's set to be a bigger production than last year, with the festival moving to Chippendale's Central Park complex. And this time round, it won't just be Cuckoo Callay doing the food — they're getting in some of Sydney's best restaurants, cafes and producers to serve up their bacon dishes on the day. Plus, there'll be workshops and even a bacon eating competition. Come filthy hungry. If you want in on this action (and we think you probably do), you can get an early bird ticket for $25. It's one of the first niche food festivals in what we predict to be a year full of 'em. Bacon Brewfest will take place on Saturday, February 27 from 12-9pm at Central Park, Chippendale. You can buy tickets here, or go to their website for more details.
A hub of homemade Italian street food is coming to Neutral Bay, bringing with it all the crispy arancini, homemade meatballs and cannelloni you could fit in your face. Italian Street Kitchen is the lower north shore's new feasting haven, inspired by the street food fairs of Rome with its communal, tasting-focused dining. Steered by Sydney restaurateur Mauro Marcucci, owner of Baccomatto Osteria, and owned by the Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group (The Meat & Wine Co., Ribs and Burgers, the upcoming Hunter & Barrel), Italian Street Kitchen will feature interactive food stations where you can feast on antipasto (arancini, fried & baked cheese, salumi & formaggio, meatballs et al) or nibble on a morsel of their lamb or chicken open flame spit roast, or dive into freshly-made pasta and woodfire pizza. Designed by Otto Design Interiors (Kurtosh, Ribs & Burgers), the Italian Street Kitchen space will apparently channel a stripped-back Italian street vibe — natural timbers, polished concrete and plaster, refined black steel, open kitchen and an area to display fresh produce and home-cured meats. Italian Street Kitchen opens 5/19-21 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay this October.
Bondi's beloved Neapolitan pizza, 100 percent handmade and traditionally woodfired, is coming to the CBD. Not content with the chilled out, communal dining vibes of Bondi, Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta's Maurice Terzini has plans to extend his particular brand of stripped-back Italian to the city. Confirming plans with Good Food, Terzini is looking at possibly opening a new chapter of the super popular pizza institution in the CBD — perhaps on Sussex or Bridge Street. "It won't be exactly the same. It'll be an extension of what we're doing at Bondi. It might be Da Orazio Pizza and an enoteca, or a trattoria," he told GF. It remains to be seen whether head chef Orazio d'Elia (ex-Popolo) will move into the big city lights, or whether Melbourne architect Matthew Herbert will be on board — the man responsible for that slick, white communal dining vibe at the Bondi eatery. Then we're wondering whether this will be a six-hour, slow roasted pig sitch (the + Porchetta side of things) or whether Terzini will be content to have another woodfire pizza stove flown in from Napoli and transported to the site via crane, like the Bondi chapter. Terzini has a significant amount on his proverbial plate, having just today announced the annual, exclusive New Year's Day party at Bondi Icebergs and just a few weeks ago launching Sunday brunch there. You need something done, give it to a busy person. Via Good Food.
Tim Minchin's theatrical hit Matilda the Musical is finally heading our way, and will make its Australian premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August 2015. Having earned critical acclaim and popular adoration on the West End and Broadway, the show looks set to do the same here, with NSW Tourism already rubbing their hands together in gleeful anticipation of all the dollars to be gained from out-of-towner tickets. But Matilda comes with more cred than your usual musical extravaganza. The staggeringly successful show (just seven Olivier Awards and five Tonys, whatevs) was adapted from the original Roald Dahl novel by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Australia's own Minchin wrote the music and lyrics, bringing the requisite level of devilishly dark humour. As the Guardian put it, "You'd be a nitwit to miss [it]". Cast is yet to be announced, but no doubt a team will soon be scouring the country for some preciously talented youngsters to play Matilda, if they haven't started already. Those in the loop will probably already know that Minchin has now moved on to an adaptation of the 1993 classic Groundhog Day. The film's original writer Daniel Rubin is writing the "book" and Matthew Warchus, who directed Matilda's London and Broadway runs, will be working his magic again. If only Bill Murray could star. Via Sydney Morning Herald.. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2ZsmXBBKvTk
The digital age means even our eating habits are revolutionised. Soon we'll be getting our dinners from 3D printers. But in the meantime, the creatives behind IconPark have cooked up a far more tasteful way to shake up the hospo world. Found on Darlinghurst's Stanley Street, IconPark is a shopfront like no other, as the foodies who'll be working there are all crowd-selected on a season by season basis. After hosting a crowdfunding comp to elect their first tenants, Stanley Street Merchants topped the food chain above the 117 other entrants and six finalists. The Merchants, whose cuisine reigned supreme, will begin their inaugural residency next week. For the first season — lasting 12 weeks — you'll be dining from a sustainable, locally foraged menu by award-winning chef Matt Stone. Melbourne's St Ali will bring artisan spirits and coffee to the venue, while Bobby Carey (Shady Pines, Riley St Garage) and Jeremy Spencer (West Winds Gin) will host the "MASH-meets-Motley Crue" styled cocktail bar. For those of you without a gift certificate, you needn't be left wanting. Bookings are available to the general public 9am on Friday, April 25. Exclusive booking access goes to Concrete Playground readers (woo!), who can make a reservation here.
The Australian film world has a striking new talent. Scooping up a best director gong at the Sundance Film Festival in January and winning the prestigious Crystal Bear in Berlin the following month, Adelaide's Sophie Hyde has with her debut feature, 52 Tuesdays, produced a powerful and progressive piece of cinema that defies formal, social and narrative expectations. With memorable characters and exceptional performances helping to shore up an intriguing structural gimmick, it's a bold and original coming-of-age drama that discerning local audiences should hurry to the cinema to see. Newcomer Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Billie, a 16-year-old high-school girl struggling to find her footing after her lesbian mother Jane (Del Herbert-Jane) announces her intention to become a man. The transition, which involves a regimen of testosterone along with surgery, will take a year, during which time Jane — now going by James — requests that Billie go and live with her father (Beau Travis Williams). Billie agrees, on the condition that she can still visit every Tuesday after school. Honest, insightful and bravely against the grain, 52 Tuesdays is a magnificent debut for cast and filmmaker alike. Expect big things going forward. Read our full review of 52 Tuesdays here. 52 Tuesdays is in cinemas on Thursday, May 1, and thanks to Vendetta Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y5WcMzEYRGU
When Erskineville asks for playful Mediterranean-inspired food served in an art space, it gets playful Mediterranean-inspired food served in an art space. Erskineville’s new pop-up eatery A Taste of Things to Come is a preview of future community-oriented restaurant Erskine Villa. Doubling (tripling?) as an art space and music venue, the pop-up is open now, serving dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, and weekend brunches to loll over. After putting it to the local community, the team came up with the Erskine Villa concept — a space built on bringing people together over good food made with seasonal produce, and a mutual love for the inner west. It sits on land once owned by a dude called George Erskine, after whom the suburb (itself originally called Erskine Villa) was named, FYI. The menu is actually-exciting modern Australian — take the Bangalow dry-cured bacon and egg roll for example, or their twist on the classic meat pie, with braised lamb neck and mushroom, and a side of coriander-packed mojo verde. Less familiar and much more formidable sounding is the poutine with cheese curds, curry gravy, slow-cooked egg and house-made morcilla (Spanish blood sausage). The Mediterranean influence is strong with this one — unsurprising, considering head chef is Brian Villahermosa, of Kingston Public Bar and Kitchen and MoVida lineage. It’s all a bit of a fun, flavoursome experiment for now, as Villahermosa and the team suss out how Erskine Villa will come together in the rooftop space upstairs. Keep an eye out for the upcoming program of 'concept dinners', featuring crushworthy creative and culinary talents. And just between us, the other reason to check the joint out sooner rather than later is that A Taste of Things to Come is temporarily BYO while they await their liquor licence — from a very generous 11am onwards. Preview Erskine Villa at A Taste of Things to Come pop-up at 63 Erskineville Road, Erskineville.
