Despite what's being said about social media right now, it's still difficult to find a better constructed echo-chamber than a talkback studio. Talk is an attempt by Jonathan Biggins, one third of The Wharf Revue gang, to make sense of an ever-quickening news cycle and to find where shock jocks, the founding fathers of the age of alternative facts, will fit in their new utopia. John Behan (John Waters) is nothing out of the box when it comes to talkback hosts. As happy chatting about neighbours who have let their plum trees get out of control as why climate change doesn't exist on cold mornings, Behan is incendiary and loves it. The play begins as he falls afoul of the law for revealing the criminal record of a man being tried for sexual assault. "I think there's a little right-wing person hiding inside all of us," John Waters told ABC Radio. If that's true and yours is due for an outing, get yourself to Talk. There'll be more than enough vitriol to go round. Image: James Green.
UPDATE, September 11, 2020: Colossal is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play and YouTube Movies. It may feature a giant creature lumbering around Seoul, but Colossal isn't your typical big predictable monster movie. In fact, there are plenty of refreshing ideas scurrying around within the latest film from writer-director Nacho Vigalondo, who previously taunted Elijah Wood through a computer in Open Windows, and now saddles Anne Hathaway with a lizard the size of a building. Come for the Godzilla-scale antics; stay for an insightful exploration of the destructive tendencies that lurk within us all, as well as an unexpected celebration of female empowerment. When we first meet Hathaway's aimless, out-of-work writer Gloria, she's a partying mess. Tired of her drinking-all-night ways, her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens) kicks her out, sending her fleeing from New York City to her empty childhood home. Though it has been decades since she lived in the small town she grew up in, it doesn't take long for her to catch up with former school pal Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), become boozing buddies with him and his friends (Tim Blake Nelson and Austin Stowell), and take a job at his bar. Binging and benders come next, as does the news that a monster has been wreaking havoc on the other side of the world. How Colossal expands its concept from there is one of the many joys best discovered by watching, but it's hardly a spoiler to say that battling demons, both internal and external, sits at the heart of the film. Connecting a trainwreck of a character with a gargantuan reptilian critter doing more damage than a railroad disaster mightn't be the subtlest metaphor, and yet Vigalondo ensures that the link between the two does more than just hammer home an obvious point. Indeed, examining just how one influences the other inspires narrative twists and emotional revelations, giving the movie the heart and smarts to match the size of its towering central figure. Just as it does with its creature feature premise, though, Colossal takes its underlying ideas a step further. Noting that humanity – collectively and individually – can be as ruinous as a hulking kaiju is really just the beginning. It doesn't escape attention that Gloria is surrounded by a bunch of ostensibly well-meaning men who all think that they're helping; realising just how large a shadow they're casting upon her life is crucial to the story. Indeed, this movie doesn't just tear down a city. It attempts to topple gender politics as well. Monsters, male domination and manoeuvring around both provide meaty food for thought, as well as a whole heap of meaningful material for Hathaway and Sudeikis to play with. Actually, their casting is a stroke of genius. Clearly given the lead role with a knowing awareness of how polarising she can be with general audiences, Hathaway fleshes out a protagonist who initially seems a stock-standard flurry of flaws, bad decisions and grating traits. Sudeikis also gets to toy with his usual persona, dissecting a character that seems on the surface like the kind of likeable nice guy he's played many times before. Just like the creature they're dallying with, however, there's more to each of them than it first appears. It takes a particularly inventive way of thinking to weave all of the above together, and to deliver a mighty fine monster flick at the same time. Vigalondo's brain is clearly wired in just the right way. His love for all things kaiju shines through every time his creature makes an appearance, visually boasting more in common with the genre's B-movie roots than its slick Hollywood incarnations. Still, his affection for his intelligent concept and empowering message stomps harder. Talk about a colossal effort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMp9sscNVc
The Blacktown Markets are a second-hand shoppers haven, running every Sunday from 7am out of the Skyline Drive-In — the last surviving drive-in in the Greater Sydney Area. You'll be waking up at dawn to get the best picks at this market, which focuses on vintage and collectibles and acts as the largest continuous garage sale in Sydney. Apart from your usual market bric-a-brac, the Blacktown Markets include specialty items such as model cars, Greek Orthodox gifts, boutique key cutters and fishing gear. It's a truly eclectic mix of items that you almost have to see the expanse of to believe. We could easily spend hours wandering around and still not have seen all of the unusual items for sale. On the food side, think homemade dim sum, Dutch poffertjes (mini pancakes), souvlaki and authentic Maori delicacies, along with your usual fresh produce and baked goods. Though the market is difficult to get to without a car, it is worth hiring a GoGet for.
Following a string of innovative and dynamic annual seminars at the Opera House, 2017's TEDXSydney event is moving house. Brand-new venue, ICC, at Darling Harbour is set to accommodate a record number of attendees for a vibrant day of talks, films, music and debate on June 16. The eclectic first round of speakers includes comedian, musician and digital content creator Jordan Raskopoulos, circus performer and former Paralympic swimmer Sarah Houboult, self-made billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Bronwyn King, a radiation oncologist battling the global tobacco industry. Stolen generation member, esteemed actor and ex-heroin addict Uncle Jack Charles will also speak, alongside body-image expert Scott Griffiths. With 'unconventional' as this year's theme, and commanding performances from Sarah Blasko, Yolngu performer Gawurra, and genre-spanning Papua New-Guinea-born artist Ngaiire, this engaging and imaginative event is HIIT for your brain. Application to attend is through online registration only and a limited number of concession tickets are available. Alternatively, you can stream the event live from your couch with a bowl of microwave popcorn on the TEDXSydneySalon website.
When life gives you an Italian husband, an intriguing tale about more than meeting-cute, and a scenic backdrop, what do you do? If you're first-time Australian filmmaker Ruth Borgobello, you don't just enjoy your good fortune — you make a movie out of it. The first ever Italian-Australian co-production, The Space Between proves every bit as personal and picturesque as turning your overseas love story into a motion picture should. And while the premise might seem tried and tested, don't discount the way that sincere emotions ripped from reality can cast fresh light on even the most familiar-sounding story. Indeed, if there's one thing that Borgobello understands in drawing upon her own experiences, it's that similar events can and do happen to plenty of people. It's not the boy-meets-girl narrative that stands out here, or the globe-trotting soul searching, or the idea of two lost folks finding something they're missing. Instead, it's the honesty that The Space Between thrusts to the fore — including about the fact that life isn't always clear-cut. Avoiding the urge to sugar-coat or throw in a Hollywood ending, Borgobello embraces the messiness of heading abroad and connecting with someone new. When Italian chef Marco (Flavio Parenti) and wannabe Australian designer Olivia (Maeve Dermody) first cross paths in Udine in Northern Italy, he's working in a factory and overseeing a bookstore, and she's searching for her Italian heritage as well as her true sense of self. Sparks fly, though theirs is more a gentle journey than a whirlwind romance. He has an ailing father to worry about, as well as his own squandered culinary career. She has taken a break from her routine existence back home, but doesn't know if she has the courage to follow her heart. Thanks to first-rate casting, as well as astute writing by Borgobello and co-scribe Mario Mucciarelli, The Space Between paints Marco and Olivia as the uncertain figures they should be — and what a difference authentic characters can make. Clunky dialogue can't dampen Parenti and Dermody's ability to convey the lived-in woes and worries felt by their protagonists. Nor can a few obvious plot developments erase the central duo's chemistry. If Parenti and Dermody help ensure that The Space Between doesn't simply feel like another lovey-dovey finding-yourself travelogue, then Aussie cinematographer Katie Milwright guarantees that it doesn't look like one either. Whether it's strolling down tree-lined paths or spying gorgeous vistas, this is an eye-catching film to be sure, although there's a certain moodiness to its visuals that you wouldn't find on a postcard. Clear yet soft, the movie seems as if it is caught between a memory and real life. In fact, that's probably an appropriate description of just what Borgobello is bringing to the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sYLibWZrRs
Attention all modern-day Don Burkes — this one's for you. Get ready to build the garden of your dreams, all for just a few shiny dollars. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney's stunning All About Flowers display is wrapping up, and they're putting all the plants from it on sale to the public. All it will cost you is a gold coin donation (or $10 if you're after the orchids). Curated by the Garden's award-winning design team, All About Flowers is a colourful selection of more than 18,000 plants housed in the Garden's new horticultural display centre, The Calyx. Think striking arrangements of hydrangeas, garvineas and begonias, as well as a 50-metre-long green wall (the largest in Australia). You'll get your chance to take home the floral stars of the show and kick-start your backyard homage to Monet from 8am on Saturday, August 5 at The Calyx. Get ready to empty your piggy bank.
If you can't get enough of The Grounds of Alexandria, you can now grab a 6.15am workout along with your morning coffee. The Grounds are teaming up with Sweat for the Good Stuff to bring you Yoga at The Grounds. This 45-minute Vinyasa class kicks off on Wednesday, July 19, with five additional dates throughout August. Flow through your sun salutations surrounded by lush greenery in an indoor garden. The classes are held in their light-filled, heated atrium — so you don't have to worry about the winter chill —and all levels are welcome, from experienced yogis to wannabes. Plus, the $15 spent will not only better only your own mind, body and soul, but also go toward helping others do the same. Sweat for the Good Stuff will donate a portion of the proceeds to charity causes including mental health surf therapy, support for the homeless and suicide prevention. It's a workout worth waking up early for.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of brand new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Sydney for four days this July. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big. You'll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from 20 cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Pageant, Karla Špetić, Studio Elke, Lanvin, Christopher Kane, Benah, Marni and Macgraw. With discounts of up to 80 percent off, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that'll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale will be open 8am till 8pm Thursday, 8am till 7pm Friday, 9am till 6pm Saturday and 10am till 5pm Sunday.
The parents are away, which means everyone's invited to a house party. This Saturday, the absolute legends at Darlo Bar are kicking it old-school and throwing their very first house party, on from 7pm until late. Local DJs will rock the party into the wee hours of the morning, while the bar slings drinks and patrons dance like it's the year 2000 again. Throwing it back to Sydney's Olympic-hosting glory days, you can expect to dance to the likes of Madison Avenue, Killing Heidi and Kylie Minogue. You can't have a good house party without red Solo cups, so the bar will be putting on "red-cup specials" and local Darlinghurst eateries will deliver food to the venue, directly onto your lap. Apparently there will be a few celebrity appearances, which would just be the cherry on top of this pretty banging party. Darlo Bar loves the weird, wacky and random, and that's exactly what the house party will be about. Get into the spirit and go back in time to the year 2000 this weekend.
Along with offering excellent food and drink at its cafe, Cornersmith is also an advocate for and teacher of a more sustainable, more delicious way of living. From teaching the fundamentals of preserves, to explaining the basics of pickling, Cornersmith is dedicated to sharing ways of making your food last longer, taste better and do more for you nutritionally. Next up on the list of classes is how to smoke stuff. Smoking meats has become massive around Sydney in the last few years, so why not try your hand at it? The crew shows you not only how to smoke traditional meats and fish, but also, for less carnivorous, how to smoke cheeses and tofu.
In case you hadn't noticed, a new wave of creatives are coming to the fore of Sydney's cultural scene. Amid the clash between asphyxiating arts legislation and cultural venues across the city, the fiercely defiant independent creative community has stepped up to help keep the arts industry humming along. One such homegrown event is independent short film festival Freshflix. Born in warehouses, cafes, breweries and backyards around Sydney, Freshflix is now launching their first Emerging Filmmakers' Conferences as part of Vivid Sydney. With filmmaker talks, Q&A panels and industry speed dating, the two-day conference has basically everything a local filmmaker could want. Running over the weekend of June 3 and 4 at Redfern's Giant Dwarf, live music, local art and Japanese nosh from Shiso Fine will accompany a selection of killer short films, the best of which will win cute handmade awards. With something for the film buff, creative, infrequent cinema-goer and your mate who just likes Japanese food and good electronic beats, this is the underground culture party you want to get involved with. Single session tickets start at an affordable $12 and a whole weekend pass is $85 ($65 if you've got concession). Plus, there'll be giveaways including Rode microphones, camera hire and Final Draft editing software. Speaking about the inspiration behind Freshflix, founders Jess Hamilton and Claudia Pickering (who we spoke to here) said: "we did it because it was something we wished that other people were doing for us: putting on a great party. So, instead, we just did it ourselves."
Like dumplings? Like disco? Keen to experience them together? Of course, anyone can enjoy a meal at their favourite Asian eatery, then slide into the club — but only folks headed to Cha Li Boi can truly savour the ultimate dumpling and dancing combination. From 7pm on June 1, the new venture from Nahji Chu is welcoming winter with a Dumpling Disco. If that isn't the best kind of food-and-fun shindig around, then we don't know what is. Cha Li Boi is calling it Australia's first event of its kind, and they just might be right. Tunes-wise, her Bondi Junction joint will welcome DJ Boogie Monster, aka actor Alex Dimitriades, on the decks from 9pm. And when it comes to those warm parcels of deliciousness, there'll be free dumplings on offer from 10pm.
There are few things in life that can't be improved with a nice single malt or two, including your own talents. Unleash your inner artist with a drink in your hand at Whisky & Watercolour, the new boozy creative collaboration between The Whisky List and Billy & Scarlet. The former, with help from whisky connoisseur Dan Hutchins-Read of The Glenrothes, brings scotchy scotch scotch to the easel. Yes, Ron Burgundy would approve. The latter, aka illustrator Jill Tasker, brings mini-lessons in watercolour techniques. Combine the two together, and you'll learn and taste something new — and paint your own watercolour whisky bottle (what else?) too. The first in what will hopefully be a series of Whisky & Watercolour workshops takes place at WeWork Pyrmont from 7pm on June 2, with tickets costing $75. For that price, you'll get to sip, eat your way through some nibbles, pick up a new skill and make a whisky-themed masterpiece.
Grab your leg warmers, throw on some lycra and get your skates on, literally, at the frostiest, quietest event in the Vivid lineup. Yes, the Silent Disco Ice Skating Festival is back for another round of peaceful gliding fun. If you've always wanted to relive Blades of Glory, here's your chance. From May 26 to June 9, a purpose-built ice rink will transform Chippendale's Central Park Mall. Take to the floor, put on your headphones and skate along to live DJ sets, with Bobby Gray/BBG — aka one half of dance music duo SVSSY — and DJ Urby among those spinning tracks. The silent disco fun kicks off at 4pm daily; however anyone just keen for some ice time, sans tunes, can head along from 10am. Regardless of the time of day, capacity is limited to 45 people at a time, with sessions running for 30 minutes starting on the hour, every hour. Sounds cool as ice, doesn't it? Or even better, really, given that Cool As Ice is actually the name of a Vanilla Ice-starring '90s rom-com that somehow doesn't involve ice skating. Throw in the fact that it's all free, and it's a winter wonderland indeed.
Sporting horn-rimmed glasses and a cranky hankering for complaining, Woody Harrelson is clearly having fun in Craig Johnson's Wilson. Channelling his inner Larry David, he plays the cantankerous title character with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, delivering his misanthropic lines with glee. His grouchy protagonist drips with the same attitude he displayed in The Edge of Seventeen, Now You See Me and the Hunger Games movies – and yet not once does it feel like he's following a playbook. But while you could never accuse Harrelson of going through the motions, the same cannot be said about his latest film Here, a world-weary middle-aged grump is content with spitting acid at everything around him, until a series of life-changing events threatens to interrupt his sour status quo. Alas, though it is based on Daniel Clowes' graphic novel of the same name — and as such possesses the same spirit as the cartoonist's Ghost World and Art School Confidential — this big screen adaptation could hardly be more formulaic. That the film can't quite fashion its episodic antics into anything more than obvious observations — about the state of modern society, family and the notion of making a mark — certainly doesn't help. Nor does the unconvincing seesawing between comedy and something more serious. When we first meet Wilson, he's a lanky, bearded package of conflicting impulses and disdain. When he's not admonishing people on the street for taking a shine to his cute pooch, he's annoying strangers by sidling up close and starting intrusive conversations. For a while, he's happy in his unhappiness — but after his only friends move away and his ill dad takes a turn for the worse, he finds himself yearning for a connection. Looking up childhood pals and hooking up with women in the supermarket doesn't work, so he tracks down his ex-wife Pippi (Laura Dern), only to learn that he has a 17-year-old daughter (Isabella Amara). Clowes wrote the screenplay himself, while Johnson previously — and effectively — delved into dysfunction in The Skeleton Twins. Despite this, Wilson simply isn't the winning collaboration it could've been. Instead of providing any real insights into its motley crew of miserable souls, or fleshing them out beyond easy caricatures, the film instead uses its array of characters for eccentric amusement and overt sentiment. An old man doesn't literally yell at a cloud, but it wouldn't feel out of place. The same is true of a big schmaltzy family hug. Of course, if there had been a huge hearty embrace, there's no prizes for guessing who would've been in the middle — and who would've been forced to the edges. Films about curmudgeonly men too often run loving eyes over their protagonists while pushing women to the side. Here, Dern shines brighter than the material asks, while the always-great Judy Greer is squandered in yet another thankless girlfriend role. Ultimately, their treatment is emblematic of a feature that only knows how to do one thing well. Wilson, the man, may serve up great work from Harrelson, but Wilson, the movie, soon proves that 94 minutes in the character's company are far too many. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kudZx_f7-mk
As we're technically adults and can't spend all day in bed watching Nickelodeon's The Wild Thornberrys, sometimes we have to find other ways to live vicariously alongside the natural world. And the new exhibition opening at Black Eye Gallery is just the ticket. Amelia and the Animals is open from May 2-14 and features photos taken by Robin Schwartz of her daughter (pretty much the IRL version of The Wild Thornberrys) as they travel around the world. And 13 years of adventures yielded a certifiable truckload of amazing imagery. The exhibition covers the life of Amelia, Schwartz's daughter and muse, and her adventures with animals. But not garden variety pets — she's run with monkeys, tigers, llamas, and elephants. Schwartz is a US-based photographer and the 2016 Guggenheim Fellow in Photography. Her work is displayed in galleries around the world.
Outdoor escape artists We Are Explorers are leading 20 adventurers on a two-day Wilderness Survival Course for the weekend of May 20 through 21. The excursion will take participants through rainforest and caves in a remote valley along the NSW Central Coast, where they will be led by Australian survival experts on a hike to a secluded campsite. Upon arrival, the group will be taught to build their own shelter and campfire using ancient techniques. Apart from natural campsite building, ticket holders will learn how to catch, cook and eat their own dinner, bush forage, make weapons and learn traditional Aboriginal celestial navigation skills. This course will basically turn the novice into a bad ass, whether you just want to show off on your next camping trip or prepare for the apocalypse. All tickets will also include a weekend photography package, so you can remember yourself in all of your "into the wild" glory.
At a train station in India, a young girl begins to sing while a man watches, rapt. He is a tea seller, but no one seems to notice the small stall where he brews chai. He begins to tell a story — an Indian fairy tale. The station is crowded, but the stage contains only one performer. Guru of Chai is the latest work by New Zealand theatre company Indian Inks. Jacob Rajan performs the show solo, adopting seventeen different characters and a good deal of shadow puppetry to tell the tale of seven daughters plotted against by their stepmother. This one's been doing the rounds for a few years now and picking up glowing reviews all along the way. Diving through layers of truth narrative and style, Guru of Chai is pure storytelling and by all accounts a completely transporting experience. Image: Robert Catto.
The Shangri-La is spoiling us this winter. First there was an all-you-can-eat Malaysian banquet curated by international guest chefs, and now Altitude, the 36th floor, harbourside dining spot, is hosting boozy Saturday brunches with panoramic views to boot. Buckle up, breakfast lovers. There are waffles, syrupy pancakes, eggs, fresh seafood, salads, desserts and even fine cheeses to accompany free-flowing bellinis and mimosas. Go the whole hog and treat yourself even more with an upgrade to unlimited Chandon or Veuve Cliquot. When your biggest problem is juggling sinking premium bubbles, fighting the urge to inhale your meal, and taking in the resplendent sea view at the risk of letting your delectable Arabian-buttered eggs go cold, you know you're at the right event. This royal brunch kicks off on Saturdays at 11:30am, and runs until 2:30pm. Seatings start at $75pp and bookings are recommended. Check out the menu here — we'll see you there.
Parklands Food Fest is returning to western Sydney with a lineup of some of the city's best chefs and food trucks. The festival, which is now in its sixth year, will feature Dan Hong (of Sydney's Mr Wong and Ms.G's) and his mum, Angie. Angie, who is also a restaurateur, is known for her weekly Monday Hong family dinners. While it's hard to snag yourself an invite to one (it's close friends and family only), you will be able to see her on stage recreating Vietnamese classics at the festival on Saturday, September 9. As well as the mother-son act, there will be over 50 food stalls, serving up everything from Egyptian meat pies from El Qahirah to seafood paellas and Salvadorian tortillas. Food rescue charity OzHarvest will also be parking its truck at the Abbotsbury site to serve up zero-waste meals. (Don't be put off though — OzHarvest employs award-winning chefs to help create their dishes.) Little Veggie Patch Co.'s Mat Pember will hold workshops teaching you how to grow produce anywhere. Pember promises the workshops won't just be for the lucky few Sydneysiders who have a garden, but will also be appropriate for those in apartments. Image: El Qahirah.
PS40 is throwing its own hottest 100 party this public holiday Friday. Hops & Pop will pair the CBD laneway bar's picks for best songs of the year with local booze and food. Along with their usual native-inspired cocktails, the bartenders will be slingin' their new collaboration with Young Henrys — an easy-drinking Smoked Shandy which combines YH's Newtowner and PS40's smoked lemonade. For food, patrons can expect a PS40-style sausage sizzle, topped with native botanical relishes. All proceeds from the snags will go toward developing indigenous communities in Australia. The party will be rocking until 2am so you can get your long weekend started off with a bang.
White Rabbit Gallery's spring/summer exhibitionRitual Spirit promises to transport you to a world that's half-godly and half-human — that in-between place where the afterlife and the spiritual meet the earthly. The works of more than 20 artists from China and Taiwan, both young and old, will feature. Among them is Geng Xue, who was shortlisted for Young Artist of the Year 2017 in China. She sculpts in bronze and ceramics, among other materials, and her recent solo show explored Mount Sumeru, which, for Buddhists, is the centre of the universe: physically and spiritually. In addition, there's Yu Hong, who's known for her powerful, intimate figurative paintings; Tianzhuo Chen, whose multimedia works combine colour and kitsch to comment on celebrity, fashion, drugs, hip hop, New York vogue, Japanese Butoh and London raves; Cheng Ran, who explores philosophical issues, such as identity and dying, through video; and Xu Bing, whose installations and print mix images with text.
Andrew Upton's been at the Russians again and this time it's Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters that has fallen prey to his adaptation laser. Not known for his trick titles, Chekhov's work revolves around three sisters getting to grips with life in 1850s Russia: Olga (Alison Bell), a schoolteacher, Masha (Eryn Jean Norvill) an artist of sorts, and Irina (Miranda Daughtry) an idealist who is being flattened by reality. Oh, and their brother, Andrei (but he made the title much less snappy). Opening on the first anniversary of their father's death, Three Sisters documents the efforts of this foursome to experience joy and fulfilment as the bland reality of adult responsibility slips a noose round their necks. This may sound like a broad synopsis, but it's a pretty broad play. Even with Upton's modifications, this thing runs at three hours. It's said that tragedy plus time equals comedy. Not always. It also equals the Russian classics.
It has been a whole year since The Dolphin Hotel threw open its revamped doors, which can only mean one thing. Yes, a first birthday calls for a first birthday party — and, given the Surry Hills pub is quite the stylish joint inside, it's marking the occasion in a fittingly ace manner. First up, the music. Get 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight' with '80s rockers The Models, who'll be strutting their stuff live. They'll have support from a back-to-back DJ lineup, including The Original Roman, Ben Fester, Kali, Adi Toohey, Andy Webb, Ariane, Mike Sydney, Dj Salami, Dreamcatcher, Jimmy Sing, Michelle Owen, Parihaka, Physique and Keep Sydney Open's Tyson Koh. So, you know why you're celebrating on August 3, and what you're partying to — but does this shindig have food and drinks to match? If you've been to The Dolphin before, then you already know the answer, with Maurice Terzini and Monty Koludrovic taking care of the nosh and James Hird on beverage duty. As far as eating up a storm is concerned, expect to munch through a few greatest hits menus of the venue's faves, such as sandwiches, pies, and freshly roasted and carved porchetta panini in the public bar; pizza slices, burrata and Afghan bread in the dining room; and a separate mortadella and natural wine party in the wine room. Drinks will range from Negronis to gin and tonics to champers, draft beer and tinnies, plus the usual menu. And, if all that doesn't sound like enough fun, tickets only cost $20. That includes food, plus a cash entry donation to Crown St Public School.
After the success of their production Bennelong earlier this year, Indigenous Australian dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre is back with three homegrown dance stories performed as ONES COUNTRY — the spine of our stories. Commissioned by Bangarra's long-time artistic director, Stephen Page, the program presents three dance works, each taking viewers on a journey across Australia — from the desert and rough terrain of Arnhem Land to the waters of the Torres Strait Island to the urban life of Indigenous Australians. To bring you his first choreographic work, Place, Bangarra choreographer Kaine Sultan-Babij draws on his own experiences as a young, queer Aboriginal man living in a global society. Fellow Bangarra dancers and Torres Strait Islander women Elma Kris and Nicola Sabatino join forces in Whistler, an authentic story from their land, inspired by the call of the dugong. And finally, Elder, Yolgnu songman and Bangarra foundation member Djakapurra Munyarryun returns with his first choreographic work for Bangarra, Yalu. ONES COUNTRY — the spine of our stories opens Friday, November 24 at Carriageworks and runs until Saturday, December 2. Image: Edward Mulvihill.
Combining archival footage, animation, music and text, the bomb is a full-scale immersive experience that drop the audience right in the heart of the history of nuclear weapons. A 61-minute film draws you in to this gruesome, apocalyptic world while electronica rock trio The Acid provide the tense, pulsating soundtrack live in the room. the bomb explores the immense power of nuclear weapons, the perverse appeal they have, and the profound death wish at the very heart of them – a subject that is, depressingly, more relevant today than at any time in the past 30 years.
If you're a North Shore resident and you can't find something to do in September, you're not trying hard enough. That's when the region's annual Emerge Festival takes over Sydney's northern suburbs for a month-long celebration of community and culture. More than 30 events comprise the 2017 program, ranging from Chatswood's annual street fair to a short film festival dedicated to joy and diversity, and from Willoughby's craft beer affair and its Visual Arts Biennial as well. An afternoon of jazz, a chance to learn how to play croquet (attn: Heathers fans), bushwalking to find beetles and bugs, a pop-up repair cafe for broken household items and a three-day oasis hangout are all also on the agenda. Theatre, ballet, the Sydney Taiwan Festival, deckchair chill sessions, arts and writing workshop: they're all on the stacked lineup too, and the list keeps going on. It all promises to be a busy few weeks — and if you don't live in the area, you might want to cross the bridge to get in on the fun.
Think Sunday brunch can't get any better? Think again. The concept of indulging away the morning after a big night out is tried and tested, but Moya's Juniper Lounge have managed to improve perfection with their gin-soaked liquid brunch. From August 20 until the end of the year, the third Sunday of each month is now a Vietnamese soup and Red Snapper cocktail wonderland — and if you're wondering what the latter is, it's a Bloody Mary with gin. Yum. Banh Xeo Bar will be on food duties, while Melbourne Gin have the tipples taken care of. All you have to do is crawl your way out of bed, shuffle along to the fine Redfern establishment and prepare for some curative eats and hair-of-the-dog drinks. Of course, if you're feeling fresh and zesty instead, it'll make the perfect start to your Sunday session as well. The festivities start from midday, with Moya's opening up a few hours early before rolling into their regular jazzy evenings. And yes, there'll be $10 Negronis on offer all day as well.
John Bell returns to STC in Florian Zeller's tense, fractured thriller that places the audience inside the mind of a man afflicted with dementia. Andre has always kept two watches — the one on his wrist and the one in his head. But with Alzheimer's his new self-appointed timekeeper, Andre's clocks have begun to run amuck. People walk in and out of his house at odd hours, some familiar and some not, despite many of them wearing the same face. Andre gets the sense that someone wants to throw him out of his house, but he can't remember who. He is a man besieged by his own limitations, bitter and suspicious of all who cross his path, lest they prove to be an enemy he cannot recall. Disorienting and terrifying, The Father is a Lear-inflected spiral into oblivion. Be sure to bring a torch — the darkness is unrelenting.
Of all the Sydney lookouts, rooftop bars and dizzying nth floor venues, the summit of the Harbour Bridge remains the most iconic way to take in the city from above. This winter you can make it even more memorable by joining a Sunset Sessions Climb, and be treated to performances by local acoustic artists at the very top, against the stunning twilight sky. Every weekend throughout July and August, weekend climbs will include a rotating schedule of shows from flamenco guitarists, cajon players and acoustic vocalists to Sydney Acoustic Duo, When Elishia Met Tommy, Taryn La Fauci and Son of Ra. There's probably only a few spots around the globe where you can admire one of the most spectacular cities in the world, drenched in a rosy sunset, from 134 metres above the water, to an acoustic soundtrack, with your mates or that special someone right beside you. But luckily for us, one of those spots is right here in our city.
To celebrate Ramadan, the good folk at the Commune are hosting a series of Iftar feasts. The series of feasts is being called Middle Eats (hat tip to the delicious pun) and indeed traverses the Middle East, with feasts from Syria, Iraq, Iran (Persia) and Egypt all featured in the lineup. The events are open to all, whether you observe Ramadan or not, and are a great way to show support by feasting heartily. The menu is shaping up to be decadent. For the Syrian feast, think Mukloubi with lamb, fried cauliflower, and pistachio ice cream, thanks to Almond Bar. The Iraqi feast by Parliament on King will feature eggplant and pomegranate molasses salad, Iraqi yellow spice-rubbed chicken and a sweet cheese roll. The Persian feast (also by Parliament on King) consists of lamb stew with vegetables, chicken in pomegranate and walnut sauce, and Sholeh zard (a Saffron rice pudding). On Friday, Koshariisrner is cooking up an Egyptian feast of okra stew with lamb, fava bean dip, and semolina cake. And if that doesn't make your stomach grumble, we don't know what will. MIDDLE EATS DATES: June 19 — Syrian Feast with Almond Bar June 20 — Iraqi Feast with Parliament on King June 21 — Persian Feast with Parliament on King June 22 — Egyptian Feast with Koshari Korner
French, Spanish, German, American, Japanese: Australia has no shortage of film festivals categorised by country. But what about the stories of those with no nation at all? Lighting up screens for the first time as part of this year's Refugee Week, the films in the Refugee Film Festival will explore the trials and tribulations of people fleeing persecution and war. The festival will be held at the State Library of NSW from June 17-18. Standout titles include The Staging Post, which chronicles the lives of two asylum seekers stuck in Indonesia as a result of Australia's policy of turning back boats; The Land Between, about sub-Saharan African migrants living in the mountains of northern Morocco; and Constance on Edge, a ten year project that tells the story of a Sudanese refugee family making a new life in Australia. Cinephiles outside of Sydney and Melbourne can also put their hand up to host a screening themselves. For more information on how to make that happen, as well as the full festival program, go here.
On June 11, things are getting hot at The Bank Hotel. Tongue-tinglingly hot. Face-meltingly hot. Homer Simpson running, screaming and waving his hands around hot. That's what happens when you spice up your Sunday with a chilli festival, after all. Adding some zest to the long weekend and to Sydney in general, the King Street pub is hosting the inaugural Newtown Chilli Festival from midday. There'll be a chilli brew off, chilli-inspired cocktails and chilli barbecue specials — aka chilli galore. And yes, there'll definitely be enough hot hot heat to help you turn several different shades. Of course, it wouldn't be a chilli festival without the spiciest event of them all: a chilli-eating competition. If you're currently thinking "I can consume anything!", there's vouchers, hot sauce and beer on offer in your tastebuds emerge victorious. Our tip, and we think you'll need it: remember that milk is a chilli-lover's best friend.
Red Bull's artist development program Sound Select is about uncovering and supporting the very best of local talent by pairing them up with established acts. The result is a monthly gig that's both emblematic of the sonic culture of our cities and pushes the boundaries of the music we know and love. This month's incarnation of the sonic celebration is curated by Laneway Festival's Travis Banko and is themed around 'kaleidoscopic soul', choosing artists who fuse the genre with R&B, hip hop, pop and electronica. Taking over the newly resurrected Lansdowne Hotel on Friday, July 28, the gig will bring together three Sydney acts: Stones Throw signee Jonti, jazz hop duo Slum Sociable and Future Classic's Bus Vipers. As usual, entry is $3 with RSVP, or $10 on the door without. Since launching in the States in 2012, Red Bull Sound Select spread to Canada and New Zealand before launching in Sydney in April last year. They hold monthly live gigs around the city to support upcoming artists and allow us to discover them. Tickets are now on sale over here.
In his second solo exhibition at Galerie pompom, multidisciplinary artist Todd Robinson continues his penchant for exploring audience reception and how we as viewers encounter art. Featuring photographic, sculptural and video works, The Wringing Core is comprised of two seemingly separate, but in fact, connected, collections. Firstly, a series of sartorial studies exploring the interaction between garments Robinson has created and tactile materials (think water and sand), and the second, a series of sculptures — strikingly simple vertical wooden forms that are crumpling and bending in places, as if being bent by an invisible force. They make gentle reference to bodily articulations, subtly recalling flexed elbows, bending knee joints and responsive spines. The exhibition also references figurative sculpture, along with therapeutic practices like meditation and relaxation exercises. If this all sounds a little vague, that's probably because Robinson's work avoids absolutes and defies closed construction — typically embracing a sense of flow, openness and what the exhibition describes as "the multiple intelligences of bodily knowledge." Bring an open mind, and while you're there, why not check out James Lieutenant's Supergods exhibition. Image: Todd Robinson, from the series The Wringing Core (detail), 2017.
The MCA's Anna Davis has curated this survey exhibition of leading Australian artist Jenny Watson, which features works from the 1970s up to the present day ranging from her early realist drawings and paintings to several series of works on fabric. Evidencing Watson's naive, unaffected style, The Fabric of Fantasy showcases her special ability to blend autobiography and psychology with imagination, wit and deadpan delivery to explore her dreams and desires. Based in Brisbane but an avid traveller, Watson often incorporates textiles purloined during her adventures into the surface for several of her paintings — which could be anything from sequins to horsehair to magazines. Influenced by punk and the feminist movement, a significant part of Watson's work involves self-portraits or alter egos — think longhaired Alice in Wonderland-like figures in dresses, ballerinas, rock guitarists, plus the odd horse or cat — and often uses hand painted text alongside distilled imagery to bring to life an unusual interior world. Whether you're a fan or not, don't miss this chance to see over four decades of work from a truly fascinating conceptual painter. Image: Jenny Watson, 'The Pretty Face of Domesticity' (2014).
Fuzzy is bringing the party to the people with Listen Out, which will be coming to Sydney's Centennial Park on Saturday, September 30 for its fifth year after dates in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Some highlights on this year's lineup include US rappers Mac Miller and Future, New York-based electronic producer Jai Wolf and UK artists Duke Dumont and Little Simz. Aussie acts get a look-in via Safia, Perth avant-electronic bedroom producer KUCKA and dance duo Pnau. Kicking off at 1pm and running through till 10pm, Centennial Park's open greenery layout and pond views offer the perfect backdrop for the Sydney part of the tour. Tickets are now on sale — so be sure to grab them while you still can. See the full lineup below. LISTEN OUT 2017 LINEUP Bryson Tiller Duke Dumont Future Getter Green Velvet Jai Wolf Kucka Little Simz Mac Miller Malaa Mallrat Pnau Safia Touch Sensitive Vallis Alps What So Not Alice Ivy Annie Bass (in Sydney only) Cc Disco (in Melbourne only) Muto (in Melbourne only) Ninajirachi Nyxen + more Images: Mitch Lowe.
Think watching a movie under the stars is a summer activity? Think again. Braving the elements to catch a film in winter comes with its own rewards: snuggling up next to your nearest and dearest, enjoying the brisk night air, and sipping hot mulled wine, for example. After luring cinephiles out of the cinema and into bed, the folks behind Mov'In Bed Cinema have something else up their sleeves now that the weather is cooler. As part of the broader Bastille - The Food Wine Art Revolution festival, they're turning the Tallowoladah Lawn outside of the MCA into a pop-up openair movie theatre — complete with views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. Screening six sessions over four days between July 13 to 17, Le Cinema lets attendees get cosy in 50 deck chairs (with blankets, of course), and offers up a glass of mulled wine and popcorn to complete the outdoor film-watching experience. Movies include Life Is Beautiful, Moulin Rouge! and The Boat That Rocked — and it wouldn't be a French cinema outing without Amelie on the program.
As part of the 40th Mardi Gras Festival, soon-to-be-knighted British artist Isaac Julien will be visiting Paddington's Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, armed with his stunning, 29-year-old film Looking for Langston (1989/2017) and a solo exhibition filled with new large-scale and silver gelatin photographic works. The film, which visited MoMA, New York City, and Tate Britain in 2017, is an exploration of African–American poet Langston Hughes, particularly his relationship with other artists of the Harlem Renaissance, an explosion of culture and art that took over Harlem, New York City, in the 1920s. As part of the adventure, Julien makes references to works by 1980s artists, including James Van der Zee, George Platt Lynes and Robert Mapplethorpe. In addition, Julien's film Young Soul Rebels (1991) will show at Golden Age Cinema on February 18, as part of the Queer Film Festival. He'll also make an appearance at the AGNSW on Wednesday, February 14, in conversation with Maud Page, the gallery's deputy director, following a screening of Looking for Langston in its original 16mm format.
Astral People's Summer Dance series is taking place once again within the sandstone walls of the National Art School. Like previous years, big names in EDM will descend upon the Darlinghurst courtyard over several weekends. Expect international and local record spinners providing the perfect backdrop to your summer Sunday. For the first one, Astral People has secured British-born Detroit-signed producer Dan Shake to headline, along with Project Pablo from Canada and two Sydney natives: FBi Radio's Saturday evening host Adi Toohey and Fortune Taylor, who specialises in deep dance and 'obscure boogie'. All this in the historic location, surrounded by lush gardens, electronic beats and plenty of people on the same mission: to spend a Sunday letting loose on the dance floor.
Film fans — pack your picnics, pillows and insect repellent, and prepare to spend your summer evenings watching the big screen under the stars. From December 1, Moonlight Cinema returns to Sydney for another season of great viewing, great weather (hopefully) and great food. Yep — here, all three go hand-in-hand. The first part of this year's program — covering December and January — features advanced screenings of movies yet to hit cinemas, new releases and a heap of old favourites. The February and March lineup will be revealed early next year, but rest assured, there's something for all tastes on the current bill. If you're after an early glimpse at an exciting upcoming flick, then Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous monster romance The Shape of Water, the Greta Gerwig-directed Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the latest movie by In Bruges filmmaker Martin McDonagh, should all do nicely. Those who'd like to catch an openair session of efforts already screening in cinemas can pick from the likes of Justice League, Murder on the Orient Express, Detroit, Thor: Ragnarok, The Mountain Between Us and Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (once it's released on December 14). And, if you've got the urge for something retro, make a date with Love Actually, Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club or Back to the Future. Also featured are sneak peeks of everything from Pitch Perfect 3, to new Pixar animation Coco, to Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's The Post. Or, if you're a fan of Australian cinema, check out Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce reuniting post-Neighbours for Swinging Safari; the absolutely stunning new outback western Sweet Country; and what sounds like an Aussie-as comedy, The BBQ. Pairing your movie choice with something to eat and drink is all part of the fun, so BYO supplies or grab something tasty on-site.
Dial your Christmas spirit up a notch at this year's Sydney Living Museums Christmas Fare. With over 40 of Sydney's best artisan food producers, this annual Christmas Fare will host some of the state's finest edible creations and provide plenty of inspiration for the looming Christmas lunch. There'll be more than 40 artisan stallholders including Cornersmith (pickles), Pecora Dairy (cheese), Los Lacayos (Spanish-style nougat), Chunky Dave's (peanut butter), The Jam Bandits (preserves), and more. Pick up some edibles for Christmas Day or put together a hamper for a special human. Plus, Chur Burger, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Baxter & Bird and Young Henrys will be providing the food and drinks for you to consume on the evening. Entry is by gold coin, which will also allow access inside the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Eat, drink and be merry — the Christmas season has spoken. Images: James Horan.
Were you one of those kids who you watched Lords of Dogtown and swore to yourself you were going to become a skateboarding superstar, the next Jay Adams? If you're one of the committed ones who actually bought yourself a board and taught yourself to skate, now's your time to show off your skills — and if you never made it past a poorly executed kickflip, you're of course still invited to come along and take it all in. The annual Australian Bowl-Riding Championships are back and set to take place at Empire Park on Newcastle's famous Bar Beach. The first true national competition for any skateboarding discipline, the championships showcase the best riders of all ages from around the country. You can catch skating's best women battle it out in the ladies comp, best dudes in the pros and masters comps and best juniors in the under 16s comp. It's a spectacular weekend for competitors and spectators alike, so get on down and watch the battle of the boards to see who will be crowned the kings and queens of the bowl. Image: Dean Tirkot
Newly incorporated Artist-Run-Initiative AIRspace Projects INC will be holding a fundraiser-meets-exhibition this month, starting with a celebratory opening night on December 1. For the past four years Sally Clarke and Brenda Factor have been running the formerly independent space and pulling together some killer exhibitions. Now the team are excited to be rolling out a bunch of new projects including video weekends and AIRseum — an unconventional museum dreamt up by artist, scientist and museologist Catherine Polcz. The exhibition spreads across four galleries and features both established and emerging artists including Liz Day, Yiorgos Zafiriou, Katy Plummer, Ali Noble, Stella Chen and Susan Andrews. You'll be able to snap up multiples, series, publications and even originals, all to support what the gallery calls "a struggling species" (i.e., artists). It's a good opportunity for would-be-investors, and a chance to buy a truly awesome Christmas present for someone. AIRfair will be open from 11am Thursdays-Saturdays from December 1 to 16. Image: Yvette Hamilton, A Loved One Sleeping #3 [detail], photographic print, Edition of 5. Image courtesy of the artist.
How'd you like to populate your Christmas feast with local, artisanal goods to make your relatives impressed and your in-laws floored? Carriageworks is bringing back their Christmas Market, where you can buy fresh seasonal produce just a couple of days before Christmas. Importantly, you can also buy gifts just days before the big day — because we know what you're like. Taking over Carriageworks' regular Saturday morning meet on December 23, the market will go all Christmas with a cornucopia of the spoils of 115 of Australia's best producers, restaurants and designers — think homemade plum puddings, succulent hams, fresh cherries, smelly cheeses and more. Expect the best from the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market and more, including Christmas hams from Linga Longa Farm, cherries from Kurrawong Organics and gluten-free mince tarts from Kitchen Green. Plus, there'll be plenty more joining the party — expect to see Cornersmith, Flour and Stone, Pasta Emilia, Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher and Pepe Saya there too. Of course, you can grab a snack as well, with Billy Kwong, Bar Pho, Agape Organic and Bibim Bowl setting up stalls for the morning. Look at that, Carriageworks just saved Christmas. Images: Jacquie Manning.
Performances are often called 'unique', but there is no other word to describe Aquasonic. Avant-garde ensemble Between Music have spent years researching the possibilities of performing music underwater. AquaSonic is the result of numerous experiments with scientists, deep-sea divers and craftspeople to develop a style of singing and create instruments capable of being played underwater – such as the hydraulophone and the electromagnetic harp. Featuring five musicians submerged in individual glass aquariums, singing and playing custom-made instruments, the result is a haunting, disquieting performance that wouldn't be out of place in American Horror Story. Image: Charlotta de Miranda
This Sydney Festival classic returns for yet another evening of gorgeous music by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the open night skies. Grab your friends, family, or current flame, pack a picnic basket and a blanket, and relax into the summery dusk for a night of music that will make you feel a bit like you're living in a film. No picnic? No problem: there will be food stalls aplenty on site. It's BYO so, if you're feelin' thirsty, remember to pack a bottle of something chilled. The Crescent, Parramatta Park, 20 Jan. Image: Jamie Williams
An engaging commentary on our hyper-consumerist society, this witty installation by Japanese artist Hiroshi Fuji examines the trend of mass consumption and its environmental impacts. Appropriate for both children and adults, the exhibition turns unwanted plastic toys into colourful landscapes and dinosaur sculptures that are both visually appealing and thought-provoking. Evoking nostalgia for childhood, this reflection on capitalism, mass production, and the environment is a feast for the senses. Can't get enough? You can buy tickets for children's workshops with the artist. Image: Keizo Kioku.
Imagine starting the day with a spot of yoga above the city. That's the new weekly promise at Level Seven, the Primus Hotel's newish rooftop pool bar. In collaboration with lululemon, the Pitt Street venue adding six-week season of sky-high sunrise yoga sessions to its lofty repertoire. And each class is free. From 7am every Wednesday between November 8 and December 13, instructors Brooke Elliston and Ciara Fanning will lead 50-minute flow on the rooftop. Early risers can stretch their limbs, salute to the rising sun and sink into savasana before trundling off to work. The classes are free, but you'll have to register beforehand.
The man behind the book that inspired the movie about the man behind the movie affectionately known as the best worst movie of all time is on his way to Australia. If you found that sentence a little bit on the baffling side, just know that it's got nothing on the mind-bending saga behind the creation of Tommy Wiseau's The Room, aka a flick that really has to be seen to be believed. The Citizen Kane of Bad Movies, The Room is a bonafide cult classic. In fact, it's so beloved that Wiseau's co-star Greg Sestero wrote a book, The Disaster Artist, about how the whole thing came together. His text, in turn, has been turned into a film directed by and starring none other than James Franco. And to celebrate the film's Australian premiere, Sestero is heading down under. Sestero will take part in Q&A screenings in Sydney and Melbourne, at the Hayden Orpheum on November 17 and 18 and Cinema Nova on November 21 and 22. Make sure you come armed with a question… a maybe a couple of plastic spoons.
