After launching Merivale at Home last month, offering 'almost-ready' meals from Mr Wong, Fred's and Bert's, Merivale is giving Sydneysiders what they really want: food that is piping hot and ready to eat straight away. So, you can now bite into a expertly folded dim sum, crispy porchetta and giant chicken pie as soon as you walk through the door. The Merivale restaurants offering the meals — wine, beer and cocktails — to-go are Mr Wong, The Paddington and its adjoining The Chicken Shop, and Coogee Pavilion and its in-house pizza joint Vinnie's. They join Bondi's Totti's, which launched its own ready-to-eat takeaway meals back in late March. You can either pick up the meals or have them dropped (gently) on your doorstep, with Merivale offering delivery to homes within a ten-kilometre radius of the restaurants. As the delivery service is operated entirely by Merivale employees, it's a win-win — you don't have to leave the couch and people are getting some work in these tough times. What exactly can you get to eat from these popular spots? Let us tell you. Mr Wong has platters of its famed dumplings, peking duck pancakes and typhoon shelter-style crab fried rice, while The Paddington is packing up containers of giant chicken pies, roast porchetta, rotisserie chickens and family meals. Coogee Pav has its usual selection of pizza, pasta, burgers, polenta chips, Nutella calzone and much more. For both pick up and delivery, preorders are available from 12pm every day. Delivery is from 5–9pm every night, plus from 12–3pm on weekends. The news comes with the NSW Government's relaxing of restrictions, too, so you can now have two people over for a dinner party — and you don't have to cook. Merivale's new takeaway menus are now available for pick up and delivery from Mr Wong, The Paddington, Coogee Pavilion and Totti's. To check out the menus and to preorder, head here. Home delivery will be available from Wednesday, May 6.
With the weather warming up, we've started thinking about long summer days lazing at the beach with mates — with a delicious drink in hand, of course. And this year, selecting your go-to summer seltzer just got a whole lot easier. Meet Sunny Eddy — Australia's first gin seltzer. Hailing from the northern beaches of Sydney, this refreshing new drink comes in three delicious flavours including a cool lime and cucumber; a crisp pink apple; and zesty blood orange and grapefruit. To celebrate a summer of balmy evenings kicking back with friends, we're giving away a summer's supply of this tasty tipple to a lucky CP reader. That means you could be getting three cases of Sunny Eddy (one of each flavour) delivered to your door once a month from November till February. You'll also score a Wandering Sol picnic rug and cooler bag so you can take your Sunny Eddy supplies on outdoor summer adventures with ease. That's a prize pack valued at over $1000 — on us. All you have to do is dob in an Eddy that you know and tell us why they're the epitome of sunshine. A sunny Eddy — get it? Probably a good call to share your summer haul with that little ray of sunshine too, right? Want to have your fridge stocked with Sunny Eddy all summer long? You can. To be in the running, tell us in 25 words or less about an awesome, sunny Eddy you know and what they do that brings sunshine to your life. For more information on Sunny Eddy, or to order your own supply, visit the website. [competition]826265[/competition]
Since launching four years ago, Sydney Contemporary has really made itself a major part of Sydney's arts calendar. After a great event last year, the art fair and exhibition will return to Carriageworks this week with a lineup is so jam-packed that it's bursting at the finely-designed seams. The lineup is chock-full with performances, talks and parties (including one hosted by us) that celebrate both homegrown and international art. But the main drawcard is the exhibition at Carriageworks that this year features major installations by Jean Debuffet, Ash Keating, Ronnie van Hout and none other than Patricia Piccinini. She'll take over the Elston Room with The Field, which has been developed from its time at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Definitely worth a walk-through. Other notable installations include Abdul Abdullah's imposing tapestry portraits, a collection of modern clay figures by the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre and Hossein Ghaemi's exploration of the psyche of cats. There's performance art, too, with Taipei-born Parisian artist River Lin cleansing people of their 'imperfections', vanishing art act Emily Parsons-Lord and sonic impulse explorer Michaela Davis. The whole thing kicks off with an opening bash tomorrow night, but we've got an early look at the exhibition. Take a peek and then head into Carriageworks to see it for yourself — the exhibition will be open from 12–5pm on Thursday, 12–8pm on Friday, and 11am–6pm on Saturday and Sunday. [caption id="attachment_688209" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Patricia Piccinini: The Field[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abdul Abdullah: Call me by my name[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688207" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jean Debuffet: L'Incivil[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688203" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hossein Ghaemi: Jumbuck Pishi[/caption] Sydney Contemporary runs from September 13–16 at Carriageworks. Tickets to the exhibition are $25 — visit the event website to buy them. Images: Jacquie Manning.
Sydney went a little wild late last year when Sydney City Council announced it was seeking tenders for mobile food traders. The tenders were received, the food judged, and the 10 trucks chosen. And then we waited. But wait no more; one of the first trucks off the rank is Eat Art Truck, manned by Stuart McGill and Brenton Balicki from Tetsuya's and Quay respectively. They will be vending their wares for the first time this Wednesday, May 23, at Queen's Square from 6pm (corner of Macquarie St and St James Rd). The truck will be sporting a changeable canvas of street art, with Phibs featuring as the first artist. Grab one of their pulled pork buns or some karaage prawns before heading over to the Art Gallery of NSW for more art at their Wednesday Art After Hours series.
A modern, local riff on the hawker market concept, District 8 is Cabra-Vale Diggers' 600-seat food precinct, promising your tastebuds a trip down the Mekong River, without the flight to Southeast Asia. Here, a diverse lineup of restaurants and food stations delivers authentic flavours from across Vietnam, Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. You can drop in for a classic Malaysian-style seafood laksa, carb-load on some Asian baked goods or dive into a mammoth 2.8-kilogram bowl of pho for $35. Yep, you'll definitely need your stretchy pants for this one. Only available once a year, for the eatery's annual Man vs Pho competition, it's made from 750 grams of noodles, 600 grams of beef, 1050 grams of stock, 360 grams of bean sprouts and 45 grams of Thai basil. You can share it between friends and fam, but if you're well practised in the art of devouring tasty Asian fare, you've also got the chance to win big. Between July 2 and August 28, conquer the super-sized bowl solo in less than 30 minutes and you'll score a $50 District 8 voucher and a t-shirt. If you're one of the ten fastest people to finish it, you'll also qualify for the grand final of the competition, which will be help on September 5. Here the main prize is a huge $3000 travel voucher. Best bring your appetite though — this mega bowl's the equivalent to three regular-sized phos, and last year's winner finished it in 5.35 minutes.
Sydney's two-week celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride is back. Whether you're planning one big blowout at the parade or keen to check out many of the goings about town, one thing's for certain — fun has descended on Sydney. To help you get into gear, we're giving you the chance to wine and dine with two of your mates, plus catch a dazzling night of drag — all on us. Should you be one of the three lucky winners, you'll cop front row seats for you and two friends to one of Broadway Sydney's Mardi Gras shows in the week leading up to the parade (February 24–29). Take your pick from a queer-themed bingo night dubbed Bingay Bingo on Tuesday, February 25; a series of show tunes-inspired skits on Wednesday, February 26; or a drag show of epic proportions on Thursday, February 27, starring Minnie Cooper, Hannah Conda and Decoda Secret and hosted by Tora Hymen. To top things off, we're throwing in a $200 voucher to spend on a pre-show feed and cheeky round of cocktails or bottle of bubbles at one of Broadway's restaurants, including Din Tai Fung, Grill'd, Mamak's Village, Zeus Street Greek, Burger Project and more. Or, you could skip the preamble and head straight to the gig, then splash the cash on a shopping spree later. See details below to enter. [competition]761176[/competition]
It's with a seemingly devil-may-care attitude that A Bigger Splash indulges in the dreams of many, as Tilda Swinton channels her rock star-like essence into actually playing one, and Ralph Fiennes writhes, dances, swims and just generally throws about all of his charms. With Matthias Schoenaerts and Dakota Johnson, they form a smouldering quartet holidaying on an island off of the coast of Italy, eating, drinking, partying and enjoying the kind of sun-drenched, picturesque vacation most can only fantasise about. Of course, situations that appear relaxed and people who come across as carefree rarely remain that way under scrutiny. In loosely remaking the 1969 Italian-French film La Piscine for his English-language debut, director Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) teams with writer David Kajganich (True Story) to present a picture of ostensible bliss, then breaks down its many moving parts. Swinton's singing superstar Marianne Lane is recovering from a vocal injury that has left her speaking only in whispers, with her cameraman boyfriend Paul (Schoenaerts) keeping her company. Enter Fiennes' Harry Hawkes, Marianne's ex-producer, ex-lover and whirlwind of a friend who has shared in many of her personal and professional ups and downs. His arrival is unexpected, as is the fact that he has his newly discovered adult daughter Penelope (Johnson) in tow. The movie flirts with a dark, devious tone, teasing the desire-fuelled tension that simmers between the four characters, particularly in light of Marianne and Harry's shared past, as well as the obvious attraction Penelope quickly harbours towards Paul. Still, there's little that's surprising in A Bigger Splash. The best movies manage to present insights into human behaviour that feel inevitable, relatable and still revelatory, which the movie manages at times. Yet it's equally as fond of simply luxuriating in the company of its characters, and in their lush backdrop, as it is dissecting their relationships. With cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (Clouds of Sils Maria) ensuring every image looks like it could have been lifted from a postcard or glossy magazine spread, and the main cast as ablaze as the visuals, the feature's affection for both is understandable. The combination of Swinton and Fiennes proves mesmerizing — and while the always-enigmatic former is in her element in a largely non-verbal role, it is the latter that steals the show. If ever an actor could capture the all-round force-of-nature that is Harry, it's Fiennes. That Schoenaerts and Johnson seem somewhat subdued in his shadow is more a reflection of his prominence than of their individual performances. Accordingly, A Bigger Splash is a film filled with standout, cast-fuelled moments that dare you to try to peel your eyes away: Harry letting loose to the Rolling Stones' aptly titled 'Emotional Rescue', the glimpses of Marianne's past glories, and the glances shared between Penelope and Paul chief among them. It's also a feature in which the triumphs linger, overpowering the less effective aspects, though never quite erasing them. Given the importance of music to the four main players, the end result comes to resemble an album that can't find the right balance between its smash hits and its non-single tracks, but keeps you listening over and over again regardless.
So, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. They're commonly known as 'Odd Future' or their acronym, which not only looks like some kind of ultra-new internet abbreviation but doubles as an onomatopoeic rendering of many people's reactions to their lyrics. They have a tumblr, where they release music and videos. People are freaking out about them. A loose affiliation of skaters, filmmakers and rappers they say number somewhere in the sixties, Odd Future's break into public consciousness has come about through viral spread of the music and videos they put up for free and a media frenzy that's seen everyone from Pitchfork and NME to The Village Voice and The Poetry Foundation and The New Yorker finding them irresistibly coverable. It's not a simple case of Next Big Thingness, though: odd Future are almost as likely to be called the beginning of the end. Their lyrics (Rap Genius provides a good repository of these with fan interpretations) are, um, not exactly not problematic: the rhymes of group founder Tyler the Creator (19) and the mysteriously absent Earl Sweatshirt (16 and theorised to be at a reform school in Samoa) and the rest of the Gang are remarkable for their disaffectedness. Not a verse goes by without some kind hypersexualised ultraviolence and/or aggression based on race or sexual orientation, but it doesn't seem to mean that much to them. This is cartoon stuff, like they're trying to see what images they can conjure, and they're not paying any attention to whether or not it's okay to say it — it's authenticity above all else. And whether or not it's fair (and it sure has helped them get big) Odd Future are being judged as a new generation, not on whether they're good creatively but if they're okay human beings. Image: Brook Bobbins, Village Voice
Hands up if you've ever stopped dead on a dance floor after one too many Jager bombs, and quietly pondered the hidden meaning in a badly remixed Britney Spears track and how such lyrical genius could be so grossly underrated. Not lately? Then allow yourself to be schooled in the profundity of pop by musical masters Frisky and Mannish. After pouncing onto the world stage from relative obscurity in 2008 with a mission to re-educate the world as to the plethora of possibilities hidden within such seemingly innocuous hits as Come On Eileen and Thriller the pair have performed to packed houses in New York, Berlin and Leicester Square Theatre in London. The comedy duo will be mashing up and re-working 50 years of pop with their twisted brand of contemporary cabaret at Sydney's Opera House from February. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JzLVAbInQjs
Treating yo'self to tastebud-tempting dishes is what winter is all about — and for one entire month, Salt Meats Cheese is serving up a rather appetising menu that'll do the trick. That'd be its Everyday We're Truffling — Truffle Month lineup, with truffles popping up in all kinds of dishes. Yes, that includes truffle cocktails. Before 2022, SMC only celebrated truffles for a week of the year. But, to the delight of your stomach, it expanded the deliciousness across all of July last year — and it's doing the same in 2023. Accordingly, from Saturday, July 1–Monday, July 31, the Italian chain will be adding truffles to crostini, cacio e pepe, lasagne, pizza and porchetta — so that's five Italian staples covered. And, you can add shaved truffles to any a la carte menu item for $12 as well. You'll need something to wash all of the above down with, so truffle margaritas and truffle martinis are also on offer. Or, you could opt for a non-boozy hibiscus cooler. For dessert, there's truffle cheesecake, aka your new favourite type of cheesecake. Everyday We're Truffling is taking place at all SMC venues during its month-long period, which spans Circular Quay, Drummoyne and Cronulla in Sydney, although the menu varies per venue. And if you're wondering why the Italian chain has suddenly gone truffle crazy, it's to celebrate the Australian truffle season — which is as good a reason as any.
A new rooftop bar from a beloved Sydney brewer is set to open on Friday, October 22 in the inner west. Philter Brewing is drawing inspiration from 80s garden bars and Palm Springs with its new sun-soaked rooftop bar on top of its Marrickville brewery and taproom. Since launching a no-fuss XPA four years ago, Philter has become a mainstay in Sydney bottle shops, pubs and bars. Now, the craft beer merchant is trying its hand at facilitating summer beers and cocktails by opening this new rooftop venue, Marrickville Springs. The space is fitted out with pastel-hued tiles, white breeze blocks, a neon bin chicken and a mural from local artist Mielo. "The ibis was a given, nothing says Marrickville like a picnic pirate, but the palm trees shout out to the area, too," Philter Sales and Marketing Director Stef Constantoulas says. "We wanted Marrickville Springs to have a totally different feel to our bar and restaurant downstairs, but it's still very Philter — it's all in the retro touches," Managing Director Mick Niel says. On the rooftop you'll be able to sip Philter's range of beers both on tap and in tins, plus your choice from a reserved wine list and frozen cocktails. Enmore Road joint Jacoby's will be helping out by curating a selection of classic cocktails for the bar. While cracking a beer in the sun is the main attraction at Marrickville Springs, there will also be a selection of typical but tasty bar snacks including dinner party favourite prawn cocktails and tasting boards decked out with locally sourced cheese. The bar will be open to walk-ins, but if you're heading out with a large group you can reserve a spot at the Philter Brewing website. Marrickville Springs is located at 92–98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville. It will open on Friday, October 22.
If anyone knows how to throw a tequila festival, it's the agave experts at Sydney's Méjico — Australia's biggest tequila bar, with over 250 different varieties. And that's exactly what it's doing, throwing a celebration of things agave on Saturday, October 6. The four-hour tasting session will takeover the CBD eatery from midday, showcasing over 20 different tequila creations, many of which aren't usually available on Aussie shores. You'll have the chance to chat with some of the country's top tequila suppliers, sip many different agave spirits and maybe a cocktail or too. Ticket prices — $15 online, $25 on the door — include tequila tastings and Méjico's tasty tacos, and it'll be slinging $5 sol and $10 margaritas all day, too.
Joyful, wise, sad and scary. These are the words a little girl used to describe The Book of Everything to me after the show. She was nine years old, as is Thomas Klopper, the hero of Guus Kuijer's acclaimed story. I asked her what she thought of it because I found it genuinely frightening in parts and deeply distressing in others. I was forgetting that children don't come to a show with the same emotional baggage as adults; they’re less concerned with the shades of grey in characters. The Book of Everything certainly tackles some big issues, like domestic abuse, postwar faith and paternal power, but it's ultimately an uplifting story about a scared boy who learns how to be brave. Even though his father has told him (in his stern pedant's tone) that the only important books are about God, Thomas Klopper is determined to write a book about — you guessed it — everything. Into the book go his wildest hopes, fears and imaginings: tropical fish swimming in the canal, a deluge of divine frogs during summer, the son of God strolling through suburban Amsterdam. Thomas also jots down his greatest wish: to be happy when he grows up. A humungous duplicate of Thomas’s diary dominates Kim Carpenter's set, and in it are Thomas's drawings of the Klopper home, the fishy canal, the forbidding church and Mrs van Amersfoort's witch’s lair. We (literally) get the picture that what Thomas really wants is for the people around him to be happy as he turns its pages with pride and pleasure. The rest of the stage is empty save for a wooden table and some chairs, and members of the cast skilfully manage the sound effects both on and off stage. This works splendidly in scenes where Thomas’s love interest — a beautiful girl with a creaky leather leg — tries to get close to skittish Thomas with varied success. Adapted for the stage by Richard Tulloch, this production is commissioned by Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image and directed by Neil Armfield. Set in postwar Amsterdam in 1951, the play has a certain old-timey, quaint quality that makes Thomas’s childish fantasies all the more enchanting. That said, the sometimes confronting subject matter hints darkly at the depth of understanding that children are capable of, and the violence, though stylised, is unsettling. We see Thomas retreat, again and again, into his imaginary life as all the wrong in the world overwhelms him. Maybe though, that’s the point — and what children know but adults tend to forget is that words, books and whimsy can provide strength and solace in the pursuit of happiness.
We've got your next date night or that gift for the hard-to-buy-for special someone in your life sorted. Shell House's Dining Room is opening up its kitchen so guests can treat themselves to a new culinary experience offering an up-close glimpse at the artistry that goes into creating a top-quality meal. Seated at the kitchen pass, guests will have a front-row seat to the action of a professional kitchen as they are guided through a bespoke five-course dinner. Showcasing extraordinary Australian produce, each special menu is curated by Culinary Director Joel Bickford and Head Chef Brad Guest. To up the ante, food and beverage director Alex Kirkwood has teamed up with Head Sommelier Eduardo Fritis-Lamora to tie together both food and drink elements with a paired beverage list for each course, for only an additional $75 per person. Guests can book from Thursday, September 5 for this unique dining adventure. Priced at $165 per person, each sitting is limited to two lucky guests a night, so a reservation is a must.
Orange's annual culinary fest starts this week with its beloved night market kicking everything off on Friday night. Orange FOOD Week prides itself on being one of the best food festivals in Australia and maintaining strong community support, which is all reflected at this popular market focusing on locally grown and harvested produce. Run by the true blue locals of Orange, the markets exude a cosy vibe and give the area's producers and providores a chance to showcase their fresh fruit and veg, artisanal goods and award-winning wines, beers and ciders. With great eats, drinks and live music, the outdoor autumnal atmosphere in Robertson Park is exactly the setting you'd have in mind for a communal harvest dinner under the stars. Orange FOOD Week Night Market takes place in Robertson Park on Friday, April 6 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
"You're to come away at once, out of danger. I've got a motor-car and a basket of strawberries and a bottle of Château Peyraguey — which isn't a wine you've ever tasted, so don't pretend. It's heaven with strawberries." Lord Sebastian Flyte also has loads of charm and country-house, smart London and Oxford clothes, which he wears lazily, rumpled and unselfconscious in his "epicene beauty". With the sense of both obviousness and frivolity in his dress, he makes a most wonderful subject for dress-ups — something about which bams & ted know no little amount. This peripatetic dress-up party and pop-up vintage store have been running character-themed events at spaces with character over this year, decorating the venue and visitors in period and personal styles. They are now turning their hand to Sebastian (from Evelyn Waugh's classic Brideshead Revisited) — a lovely figure of well-mannered pleasure-seeking and a sad one of escapism from the pressures of 1920s British aristocracy. This figure is draped in bespoke tweeds, "postbox-red pyjamas", pink hunting jackets and white flannels, and is more than lissom enough for these to be laid out for the ladies. The opening night party is from 6 to 9pm on June 3. Consult Locksmith or "Aloysius, that pompous old bear", for subsequent opening hours.
MOP has a lot of possibilities for the thrill-seeking art enthusiast. For one thing, you can walk straight through from the Abercrombie Street entrance to a point where the gallery stops and there's a roughly 4-foot drop into a back-alley, so it's good for getaways. And sure, also, in a less shifty sense, they provide excitement by way of emerging artists and those in mid-career without commercial representation. But say you do actually want to use MOP as part of a getaway plan, the current hang would be pretty much ideal. Walk in, collect a tiny torch and duck through the black curtains into the dark of Gallery 2, where Wayde Owen's The Shape I'm In offers viewers a set of wall-mounted constructions in which heads and faces are surrounded and surmounted by wooden frames and geometric models that make cool and scary shapes when you play with the aforementioned torch. Your pursuer, already baffled, then has to deal with the confusing content and absorbingly lovely colours and compositions of Emily Portmann's Play Terrain, a series in which the artist has photographed herself acting out parts of children's games in ex-industrial spaces on Cockatoo Island. And then there's Bababa International's New Movement — and what an 'and then' it is! A project exploring the interplay between transport and the occupation of space, it's comprised of noticeboards of diagrams and drawings, of models for future constructions, of photographs, and of cakes(!), and there are going to be interactive shoe-making workshops so you can maybe make yourself some more cushioned and aerodynamic kicks for the big jump and final chase down the alley. Image: Bababa International, Problem World Publicity Image 2011
It was inevitable that Vino Paradiso, the sprawling wine and food festival, would be a hit with Sydneysiders — with our insatiable love for great local booze and outstanding food. A couple of years later, and it's still going strong, bringing great vino to The Rocks and offering a great day out for nix. Vino Paradiso's outdoor fun will run from November 18 to 19 and will feature more than 100 stalls with some of the biggest (and smallest) names in the food and beverage game. On the agenda: more than 500 different tipples, plus collaborations between Black Star Pastry and The Rocks Brewing Co, Burgers By Josh and Young Henry', and Simmone Logue and Torbreck Wine. And if you're wanting something truly special, this year's fest includes Dinner in the Sky, which is exactly what it sounds like — a meal served at a dining table suspended over Sydney Harbour. As well as getting as well-fed and boozed as possible (or until your budget runs out, with entry free but eating and drinking requiring the use of the festival's currency cards), attendees will enjoy a plethora of cultural delights with live music, interactive exhibits and installations, ambient music collaborations and visual artistry. What more could you ask for? Oh right, stunning views of the Opera House and harbour, even if you aren't dangling at lofty heights? Done. Cheers. By Imogen Baker and Sarah Ward.
Two romantic comedies are on the program for the fifth incarnation of Sydney Hills Shakespeare in the Park, presented by inventive and critically loved theatre company Sport for Jove and held at Bella Vista Farm. Adam Cook will direct Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, while Damien Ryan (Hamlet) will tackle Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac. Though written 300 years apart — the former in 1598 and the latter in 1897 — the two works have much in common. Both tell the stories of professional soldiers, who have the courage to face the frontline and yet lack the nerve to confess their love. Both explore the use of wit and pretence to conceal vulnerability and fear. Both question the implications of non-conformity. Local secondary students will also be flexing their dramatic muscles via three special performances of brand new play Exit, Pursued by a Bear, delivered through Sport for Jove's education initiative, the Second Age Project. It's a bit out of town, but the quality of Sport for Jove's productions and the lure of a canopy of stars leads to sell-out crowds each year. There's no better way to inject a bit of drama into your weekend excursions.
87. Just hold onto that number for a moment. We’ll come back to it. In the meantime, some science, for it is in the science of Concussion where this movie shines brightest. Science, and specifically statistical analysis, is not a precise art. It recognises that there will always exist the possibility of chance being the driving factor behind any set of results. Accordingly, for a theory to gain credence, it must first secure what is known as statistical significance – a minimum threshold above which results are deemed to be more than coincidence. But what if the only way for you to meet that threshold – the only way to prove to the world that you were right – was for people to die? Such was the fascinating (if also deeply disturbing) dilemma facing Nigerian-born American forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu in 2002. Omalu had been called upon to autopsy a beloved former NFL player named Mike Webster, and concluded that the cause of Webster's death was cognitive disfunction resulting from repeated and severe blows to the head – a condition Omalu ultimately named chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Put another way, Omalu theorised that playing NFL was akin to almost guaranteeing some form of brain damage. Webster’s case alone, however, was not enough to prove CTE’s existence. Omalu needed a minimum of three, and since CTE could only be established post-mortem, he had to wait for more NFL players to die in order to test it. Of the many tragedies outlined in Concussion, perhaps the most confronting is quite simply how little time Omalu had to spend waiting. Concussion, then, is to football what The Insider was to cigarettes, with the National Football League playing the role of Big Tobacco. The Outsider, in fact, would have made an equally appropriate title for this film, because if being Nigerian in America wasn’t already hard enough on Omalu, the NFL’s attempts to brand him 'the man who wants to kill football' rendered him about as un-American as could be imagined. And yet he persisted, and such is the substance of this tale. As already indicated, the science of Concussion is compelling and extraordinary, matched only by the performance of its leading man, Will Smith. Sporting a disarming smile and an impressively consistent accent, Smith puts in his best performance in years – a fine accomplishment made all the more impressive given the less-than-spectacular script he had to work with. Concussion, in its efforts to render this a one man vs the world saga, spends far too much time dealing with Omalu’s home life and not nearly enough grappling with the two biggest questions raised by his research: how much did the NFL know, and how long did they know it? For a film about the extreme, even fatal impacts in NFL, Concussion lands an unreasonably soft blow against the corporation that kept these dangers a secret from its players. Which brings us back to the number 87. That’s where the count now stands in terms of deceased former players who’ve tested positive for CTE. Even more shockingly, that’s 87 out of a total of 91 tested – a statistical return of 96%. Concussion tells merely the opening stages of a story that is still alive and well to this day. Tragically, that's more than can be said of many of the characters who’ve taken part in its telling. As such, while the film is undoubtedly confronting, it's not nearly critical enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6hPdC41RM
It's safe to say Gami Chicken and Beer has secured its status as one of Australia's go-to fried chicken joints, slinging its signature, Korean-style chook from 23 locations across the country. Now, it's set to launch its third Sydney store on Market Street in the CBD. And, to celebrate, Gami is giving Sydneysiders a few very good reasons to jump on board, handing out a whopping 1000 pieces of its boneless fried chicken — for free. These fried chicken morsels — RSPCA-approved and rocking Gami's signature blend of 17 herbs and spices — will be up for grabs at midday and again 5pm, on both Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 at the new location. The chain has yet to mention any restrictions, such as one piece per person, but there will only be 250 pieces available at each session — so you should head in early if you want a freebie. Once you're hooked, you're probably going to want to schedule a return visit pretty quick, to try other Gami favourites like the chicken spare ribs, the vegetarian chicken and the aptly named Potato Heaven, featuring three layers of cheesy potato goodness. Sydney-exclusive dishes will be on the menu, too, like beef bulgogi and a chicken parma. And if you can't make it down for a free piece, the Market Street store is already open for lunch and dinner daily.
The Rocks gets into Art Month with an open studio run by the National Institute for Experimental Arts (NIEA), under the umbrella of its Pop Up program. NEIA's space features the Match Box Projects' Sydney Portraits, which invites fresh contributions to their picture of the city, as well as contributions from David Langley, Grace Kingston and Bernardo Bento. Alongside Factory 49, which takes a brutalist-like approach to the raw materials of art, AMBUSH Gallery's Project Five restages prints from previous Project Five shows, before Auctioning off four new, large-scale works to benefit multicultural arts star ICE. Down and upstairs, 47 George St, the Rocks. Wednesday - Sundays in March. Factory 49's show opens Thursday March 8 at 6pm. Project Five has its launch 6pm on March 9, with painting continuing until March 11. The artists will be in conversation from 11am on March 12, and the auction starts March 22 at 6pm. Image by E.L.K. For more info on Art Month 2012, check out our Ten Best Things to See and at Art Month 2012.
This editorial is sponsored by our partner, King Street Wharf. Here is a nearly impossible thing: to find a lunch under $10 in the middle of the CBD that doesn't make your soul weep a little. Sydney is an expensive place, and a lot of the time lunch ends up being an overpriced sandwich made on stale bread or a sad looking bento box eaten hastily on a park bench. But if you head down to King Street Wharf over the next three months, until June 13, you'll find things are a little different. Home to waterfront restaurants like Kobe Jones, Cargo Bar, The Malaya and Bungalow 8, the stretch of land clutching the eastern shore of Darling Harbour has launched an unprecedented program of lunchtime specials. Designed specifically for time-strapped office workers, the restaurants of King Street Wharf are offering takeaway meals and menus priced between $10 and $20. And there's no stale bread or overpriced sushi in sight. Below, we present you with out pick of the best meals under $10 available at King Street Wharf. 1. 150-day Grain-Fed Rump from Cargo Bar A decent steak at a price that doesn't make your wallet wince is a terribly difficult thing to find in Sydney. Yet Cargo Bar is offering a 150-day grain-fed rump for a mere $10, served with salad, chips and sauce. 2. Japanese Chicken Amiyaki Burger from Wharf Teppanyaki Wharf Teppanyaki have a great selection of Japanese meals under $10, including tofu dengaku and barramundi fillet, but our pick is the chicken amiyaki burger, a Japanese-style burger served with either salad or teriyaki potatoes. 3. Panko-crumbed John Dory from Bungalow 8 Bungalow 8 is one of the few — possibly the only — places in Sydney where you can get a whole suckling pig and eat it in their waterfront beer garden. While they sadly aren't offering a whole pig for $10, you can get a fancy version of fish and chips: panko-crumbed John Dory served with salad and fries. 4. Sliced Ham, Mozzarella and Baby Spinach Sandwich from La Cita La Cita have one of the best lunchtime menus at King Street Wharf, including quesadillas for $20 and pizzas for $15. For a mere $10 you can get a sliced ham, mozzarella and baby spinach sandwich on wholemeal, homemade bread. 5. Wagyu Steak Sandwich from Wharf Teppanyaki Wagyu beef is the Tiffany's of all beef products. The cows it comes from were healthy and happy, and their meat has a delicious flavour due to the fat marbled through it. It can also be terrifically expensive. But at Wharf Teppanyaki, you can buy a wagyu steak sandwich for a mere $10, with salad or teriyaki potatoes thrown into the bargain as well.
New South Wales' stunning natural sights are about to get a hefty upgrade — or the paths, picnic spots and other facilities that help everyone enjoy the state's gorgeous surroundings, to be accurate. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the NSW government will commit $50 million towards revamping the walking tracks scattered throughout the state's national parks, including improvements to public barbecues, picnic areas and more. The full details will be unveiled in the NSW budget on June 19. The Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk and the city's Royal National Park are both set to benefit, which means your weekend wanders will as well. The former will gain a new three-kilometre track that'll connect Georges Heights and Middle Head, while the latter is getting elevated boardwalks along the stretch from Garie Beach to Otford, plus visitor facilities at Wattamolla, among other improvements. Parks in Port Stephens, the Tweed and Byron region, and along both the Macleay Valley Coast and the South Coast will also receive a boost — and you might want to factor the Ben Boyd National Park near Eden into your future travel plans. It's set to score a new 39-kilometre coastal walk that'll take four days to complete, with accommodation huts built along the route. Via Sydney Morning Herald. Image: Wittylama via Wikicommons.
The rapid redevelopment of the Sydney CBD shows no sign of slowing, with Lendlease's $1.6-billion Circular Quay development proposal now including a remodelling of Jacksons on George. As the three-storey venue currently stands — consisting of Magners Rooftop Cider Bar, PJ's Irish Whiskey Bar and Temple Bar — it is essentially your run-of-the-mill pub catering mainly to CBD visitors and commuters. While it has remained an after-work haunt for years, it could definitely do with an upgrade. The venue has already closed its doors in preparation for its demolition next month, which will see it undergo quite the transformation. According to new renders and plans released by Lendlease, the new "social destination" will still span three levels, including a gastropub, restaurant, and an open-air rooftop bar overlooking the planned public plaza and laneways. Designed by award-winning, Sydney-based architecture firm Stewart Hollenstein, the space will feature active edges and open frontages, all of which are designed to enhance social interaction within the venue and with the city below. The renders are certainly a huge, futuristic leap from the existing building, and we must say they do look pretty schmick. The venue's facade will be distinguished by a ceramic tile exterior that wraps around the building, with the curved form meant to resemble a boat, paying homage to the building's past life as a boat yard. The development application for the structure hasn't been approved yet though — it's currently under assessment by the Central Sydney Planning Committee. The new venue will be connected to Lendlease's Circular Quay development, which also includes a 55-storey office tower, a mixed-use podium and ground-floor retail laneways that seek to link the Sydney CBD with Circular Quay. Though other closings and redevelopments have left us feeling blue — including the sale of the iconic Sirius Building — this is a change that could add to Circular Quay.
Whether you think you can dance or know for a fact that you can't, we have got a hell of a midweek for you. Held each and every Tuesday evening at 107 Projects in Redfern, Groove Therapy is a relaxed, hour-long dance class for the aspiring street dancer in all of us. There's no pressure, no recitals and — most importantly — no mirrors. Indeed, the workshops are designed for beginner students who might feel intimidated by a more professional environment. Don't let that fool you though, because the instructors are legit, and will have you popping and locking in no time. It's perfect for those of us who dream of burning up the dance floor, but have never had the moves to back it up. Image: Kurt Davies
For three weeks in February, Sydney's streets will come alive with dance and martial arts performances in a huge cultural celebration. The Lunar Lantern Community Performance Program will see 1000 performers take to the streets from over 40 local Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Thai groups. The performances will happen every Friday and Saturday night beginning on Friday, January 27. They're also being split across two locations: the Westpac Lunar Lantern Hub in Martin Place and outside Customs House in Circular Quay. With so much planned, it's easy to be overwhelmed, but there are a few highlights you definitely shouldn't miss. On Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, Martin Place will let loose for 'Massaoke' — a mass karaoke singalong that will also feature live music and traditional lion dance performances. Make sure you see the CNY Festival Dancers on Saturday, January 28, Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11. Their performance has been choreographed by Performance Director Virginia Ferris with input from Festival Curator Claudia Chan Shaw. At the other end of the city, there will also be more lion dances in Chinatown.
Last week, KFC offered 25 percent off its entire menu for three days. Not one to be outdone, Korean fried chicken joint Gami has just launched its own finger licken' good offering. From now until 11.59pm on Wednesday, May 20, it's offering 20 percent off all orders of $20 or more. To get your hands on its tasty fried chicken morsels — RSPCA-approved and rocking Gami's signature blend of 17 herbs and spices — you'll need to download its app (available for both Android and iOS) and enter GAMIATHOME at checkout. And it's also offering free delivery, too, from participating venues through DoorDash. With 26 stores across Australia — including 17 in Melbourne and four in Sydney — Gami has secured its status as one of Australia's go-to fried chicken joints. As well as its signature Korean-style chook, it's serving spicy seafood soup, chicken katsu burgers, kimchi pancakes, tteok bok ki and cheesy corn. Gami's 20 percent off deal is available until 11.59pm on Wednesday, May 20. Use GAMIATHOME at checkout. You can use the code five times.
If you have ever wondered whether or not you were a 9 to 5 person, if you've ever thought about telling that gorgeous girl to stop flirting with your man, or if you've decided to break up with someone, maybe a bodyguard of some sort, but wanted to say that you will always love them, then you've channeled Dolly Parton. She is the voice of more than a generation, she is the voice of love lost and gained all over the world. She is a voice of female empowerment (yes I said it) and though I hear she has a bit of the rough voice (apparently she swears like a trooper), there is no denying the star power and incredible talent of the queen of country music. For the first time in nearly thirty years, Dolly will be heading to our southern shores, and in Sydney for one night only. Tickets go on sale June 20 — make sure you are ready to get yours because who knows when this opportunity will come up again? You may think you don't know her songs, or you may get her confused with Polly Darton from Sesame Street, but just google 'Joelene' and your world will be changed.
Ex-boxer Henry 'Razor' Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) is reluctantly lured out of retirement to settle old scores with long-time personal and professional rival Billy 'The Kid' McDonnen (Robert De Niro) in an exhibition fight. The pair must resolve a disputed match from 30 years earlier, as well as the fact that they were both in love with the same woman, Sally (Kim Basinger). The inciting concept for this film is right there on the uncanny valley-esque photoshopped poster: it's Rocky vs Raging Bull! (Colleagues assure me that others have beaten me to the Rocky and Raging Bullwinkle gags, so there's really little pleasure to be gained here.) You have to wonder what they would have done if De Niro or Stallone had said no. Although given the last decade or so of their respective careers, perhaps this wasn't a huge concern. But one need only imagine the producers turning to, say, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Pacino to realise that the film's sole purpose for existing is its very specific casting. Perhaps the Alan Arkin mentor role was originally offered to Kirk Douglas, whose boxer Midge Kelly feature in 1949's Champion. But like Stallone's Expendables franchise, the idea of De Niro and Stallone settling old scores in a boxing ring is an idea that would have been far more exciting about 20 years ago. In 2013, it feels like an afterthought. It's an odd compliment to give a comedy, but I'm going to do it anyway: I like that it's not all that funny. Some of the jokes work, but most fall flat. What's heartening about this is that the film is confident to go for long stretches where they don't even try for a laugh. You can easily imagine the alternate version in which it's simply wall-to-wall bad jokes, and you become thankful you're not watching that version. The ratio of drama to comedy is an odd one, as if the movie can't decide which genre it wants to plant its flag in. It shouldn't work, but sort-of does. If this feels like muted praise, it's deliberate. Grudge Match is one of those ideas that works as a passing joke rather than an actual film, and the finished product should be a gigantic car crash. But the film's brazenness is admirable — it knows why it exists, and wastes no time apologising for the fact — and it is possible to have a good time with it. Just make sure your expectations are suitably lowered first. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1bQSOBJCPQE
Nobody can resist a subtle jab at Tom Cruise, but Com Truise is known for more than just the pun. The New Yorker's been generating buzz ever since appearing on the electronic music scene four years ago. Now, Truise, aka Seth Haley, is touring Australia for the first time, taking him across Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney in a series of intimate sets. Like his name, Com Truise's music is fun and energetic, hailing back to an era of luscious '80s synth. Haley's most recent release, Wave 1, from the faultless Ghostly International label, is a trademark to his signature style — slick production which transforms the otherwise monochrome sounds of today's pop with an eclectic mix of sci-fi sounds, funk beats and drenching bass. It's music that everything feel textured, fuzzy, lo-fi and somewhat rainbow-coloured. Just go with it. Supported by Alba, UV Boi, Future Classic DJs and Yung Coconut.
In April, we farewelled Merivale's American-themed Manly eatery Papi Chulo — and now the hospitality group's second Queen Chow has taken its place. Papi Chulo shut up shop back in April, and the East Esplanade space has since undergone a small refurbishment. Group tables are now topped with lazy susans, tanks filled with live seafood greet guests at the door, and deep greens and dark timbers echo the hues of Queen Chow's sister restaurant in Newtown. With the restaurant also bringing over its signature barbecue roast duck and honey-glazed char siu pork platters, what has remained from the site's former guise is the stunning view out across the sparkling Sydney Harbour. In the kitchen, executive chef Patrick Friesen and dumpling master Eric Koh use Australian ingredients to recreate dishes served up at neighbourhood Chinese restaurants. Oysters — served from an impressive zinc-clad oyster bar — come topped with finger lime, Australian pipis are wok-fried with XO, and Moreton Bay bugs are doused in butter and black pepper. You'll also find Chinese-Australian staples such as sticky honey prawns, Mongolian lamb and deep-fried ice cream. Koh's famed dumplings are expectedly a highlight of the menu, with a lineup of steamed or fried scallop and prawn siu mai, pork xiao long bao, prawn har gau and more. Alongside the food menu, Merivale's group sommelier Frank Moreau has pulled together another impressive wine list, with over 200 wines from across Australia and the world. Queen Chow's reopening is part of Manly Wharf's $9 million dollar makeover, and the restaurant will soon by joined by Rockpool Dining Group's Fratelli Fresh and Sake Restaurants — which are set to open later this year on the Wharf's second storey. Find Queen Chow Manly at Manly Wharf, 22-23 East Esplanade, Manly.
If you're in the camp of people who've chosen avocado over a home loan, then you might as well go all out, right? Well, this autumn, there's no better way to do that than at Sydney's new eight-week avocado festival Kiss my Hass. The brainchild of restaurateur Ibby Moubadder (Cuckoo Callay, Nour, Henrietta, Lilymu), this food celebration will see Cuckoo Callay in Surry Hills pay tribute to Australia's favourite smashable green fruit with a limited-edition lineup of special avo dishes. They'll be available in store from Tuesday, April 13–Friday, June 11 — whenever the cafe's kitchen is operating. These are a far cry from your basic guac-on-toast situation, too. Expect inventive plates like the tahini avocado on Lebanese saj bread ($26), a potato and pea burger sandwiched in a vibrant avocado bun ($21), spiced avocado tostadas ($25), and buttermilk togarashi avocado chips teamed with a gochujang aioli ($14). There's even a range of avocado-infused desserts — like the avo, white chocolate and matcha mousse ($12) — plus drinks, including an avo affogato, or avogato ($6) and a punchy jalapeno tequila concoction ($16).
Winter is here and, unlike the disappointing Game of Thrones finale, the change of weather is actually a good thing. The new season brings with it that cosy jeans-and-sweater weather and crisp, invigorating air — all of which means you can spend the majority of your time cosied up next to a fireplace. While Sydney is known for its sunshine and beaches, it doesn't mean the city stops once the temperature drops. In fact, there are many activities worth getting out from under the doona for — some indoorsy, some outdoorsy. So you don't miss out on any of these winter happenings, we've partnered with Tanqueray to bring you some top activities to tackle this season. From getting snug in a cinema for Sydney Film Festival to ice skating at Bondi Beach, there's plenty to keep you entertained with, of course, a gin in hand. CELEBRATE WORLD GIN DAY What better way to kick off winter (aka gin season) than with a whole day dedicated to your favourite spirit? World Gin Day falls on Saturday, June 8 this year — the start to the Queen's birthday long weekend. So, in honour of this spirit and Australia's undying love for it, hit the streets and head to any bar in town. If you're a gin aficionado though, you'll be best perched at one of Sydney's best gin bars. Try a whole range of gins at The Barber Shop with Tanqueray London Dry, Bloomsbury, Lovage, Old Tom, Rangpur, Sevilla and Tanqueray Ten all on offer to create a top-notch G&T or martini. Or at Gin Lane, you can go for one of several Tanqueray cocktails, with old school options like the Aviation, with Tanqueray, maraschino liqueur, creme de violet and fresh-pressed citrus, or something spritzy like the Hibiscus & Rose Fizz, with rose-infused Tanqueray, hibiscus, orange, rose syrup, pressed-organic raspberry and prosecco — all served in a smoking pipe. And if you really want to celebrate, Jacoby's Tiki Bar is the place, with Neptune's Punch, a four-person cocktail containing Tanqueray, rum, cognac, orange liqueur, passionfruit, falernum, orgeat and lemon. And, seeing how it's winter, best pay the extra fiver and it'll come on fire. GO FOR A TWIRL ON BONDI'S ICE SKATING RINK Where else can you watch surfers catch waves, all while gliding across the ice? Water doesn't freeze over in Sydney in winter — except in Bondi. The suburb's beachside ice skating rink will pop up again for three weeks this year. At Bondi Winter Magic, there'll also be a 22-metre ferris wheel alongside the outdoor rink, as well as a program with an avalanche of frosty fun. After all that action on the ice, you'll probably feel like a little post-skate celebratory tipple (particularly if you managed to last the whole time without falling). Keep the water views going, and head to Bondi's famed Icebergs Dining Room and Bar with million-dollar views of the beach. Order the Classic Aperitivo, made with Tanqueray gin, Italian bitters, house-made grapefruit cordial, orange juice, basil and soda; it's a tasty way to unwind. For something more low-key, head to Bondi Beach Public Bar for a classic negroni or the Tanqueray gin 'n' juice with a twist. [caption id="attachment_721080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize Winner: Lindy Lee by Tony Costa.[/caption] HAVE AN ARTY AFTERNOON THEN GO FOR A LATE LAVISH LUNCH With Australia's most prestigious portrait award — The Archibald — plus the Wynne and Sulman Prizes all showing at the Art Gallery of NSW, it would be remiss not to put on your winter woollies and head to the gallery. Need even more of a reason? A huge retrospective of Marcel Duchamp (the man who made art out of a urinal) is also running this winter. After getting your cultural fix, wander down to Woolloomooloo and treat yourself to a late, long lunch at Riley St Garage. The industrial, art deco restaurant has a share plate menu, with everything from oysters and a raw bar offering to heartier dishes like the crispy pork knuckle. And better yet, you'll find $2 oysters available Tuesday to Saturday for 55 minutes starting at 5pm. Make it in time for cheap oysters, and you can spend a bit more on some fine gin cocktails like the Pet Sounds with gin, rosé, plum and pet nat, or a classic G&T with Tanqueray London Dry, Sevilla or Ten complete with Fever Tree tonic. SIP PRE-SHOW COCKTAILS BEFORE SEEING SOME LOCAL EMERGING TALENT This year, Belvoir Theatre is hosting 25A — a series of low-budget (but story-rich) plays supporting emerging theatre talent. Showing in the Downstairs Theatre, the plays running over winter include The Astral Plane, an energetic comedy that's simultaneously enlightening and deeply felt, showing from June 12–29; Skyduck: A Chinese Spy Comedy from July 11–20; and Te Molimau, a futuristic story of a young woman on a sinking island in the Pacific Ocean, running from August 7–24. Tickets are priced at an extremely reasonable $25 (online or at the door), with previews costing only $20, meaning you can splurge a little beforehand. Just a short walk from Belvoir is Redfern small-bar-cum-Italian-eatery, Vasco. The bohemian bar has an extensive cocktail list, with the Heart-Shaped Box, made of Tanqueray gin, house-made kiwi shrub, citrus and orange blossom, a particular crowd favourite. Foodwise, there's some Mediterranean snacks like antipasti, meatballs served with bread and bruschetta as well as lots and lots of homemade gnocchi. [caption id="attachment_618730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] State Theatre by Lottie P via Flickr.[/caption] CATCH A SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERE AT THE STATE THEATRE Sydney Film Festival is back and this year it's got Oscar nominees, Sundance hits and even some titles straight from Cannes. Throw in plenty of famous faces, a few more local flicks and a heap of acclaimed docos, and another busy fest will grace our city till Sunday, June 16. The full program is packed with just about every genre, with many screenings hosted at the decadent State Theatre. Book a film at the State Theatre, and afterwards, pop next door to Gowings Bar & Grill at the QT Hotel. Here you can sip the signature Perfect Bubbles cocktail with Tanqueray Ten, strawberry aperitif, lemon, rhubarb shrub and sparkling wine or order the Clover Club made with Tanqueray gin, raspberry, lemon and egg white. Celebrate the return of winter with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city. Top image: Gin Lane.
UPDATE, November 04, 2020: Good Time is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Robert Pattinson. New York City. One wild night. What could possibly go wrong? In Good Time's account of a petty crook trying to rustle up some cash to get his brother out of jail, the answer is plenty. The title is tongue-in-cheek, for the characters at least. For the audience, it's more of a promise. A good time is all but guaranteed as you watch Benny and Josh Safdie's grubby, energetic heist movie unfold. Gritty but vivid is an unlikely blend, and yet that's Good Time from start to finish. In the siblings' hands, the film is so grimy that you can almost feel the dirt, blood and blonde hair dye getting under your fingernails (full credit to cinematographer Sean Price Williams and his constantly roaming camera). Amplifying the sense of immediacy even further is Oneohtrix Point Never's pulsating electronic soundtrack, which proves so urgent and exhilarating in its mood and rhythm that you'll feel as riled up as the figures on screen. When a bank robbery leaves Connie (Pattinson) and his mentally challenged brother Nick (played by Benny Safdie) covered in telltale red paint from head to toe, the particularly crafty crim is quick to search for a solution. After the cops spot them and detain Nick, he's desperate and determined to rustle up the cash for his bail — sweet-talking his sometimes-girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh), staging a hospital rescue, fooling around with a teenager (Taliah Webster), trying to find some stashed acid, and tussling with an amusement park security guard (Barkhad Abdi) in the process. This eclectic series of events would be played for laughs in any other movie, but that's not Good Time's angle. Likewise, a lesser film might have wallowed in its protagonist's backstory, making him a sympathetic underdog with a thousand reasons for breaking bad. That's not what the talented Safdies are up to either. Like their last picture, the excellent heroin addict drama Heaven Knows What, the duo plunge into marginalised worlds that many of their viewers won't have experienced, and from there let their characters do the talking. The siblings' distinctive on-the-street style never fails to set the tone, or demonstrate their eye for rich texture and grungy detail. That said, the filmmakers are also aided by their high-profile star giving what might just be the finest performance of his career — and with a growing array of great non-Twilight turns on his resume, that's saying something. Armed with peroxide locks, a greasy complexion and a jittery demeanour, in Good Time Pattinson wears his character's confident, quick-thinking guise like a second skin. The charm to always get his way, the resourcefulness to constantly find a path forward, the smarts to get the best of almost everyone he encounters: thanks to this former teen heart-throb, the scheming, scamming, never-stopping Connie is magnetic, dynamic, complicated and compelling. In one of the year's best films, Pattinson is having a very good time indeed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsQBe3BlMMk
Dancing is back! Since NSW hit 80 percent double-dose vaccinations, dancefloors have been permitted to reopen across Sydney for the first time in months. To celebrate, Public House Petersham is throwing a series of car park parties every Saturday between October 30 and December 4. Each week a series of the city's finest live bands and DJs will grace the stage with party-ready tunes. The lineup has been curated with the help of agency UNDR CTRL and features live sets from the likes of Lazywax and Kesmar, FBi Radio regulars Marty Doyle, Eddy Diamond, Honey Point, and Carolina Gasolina, plus Adi Toohey, Tyson Koh and Chase Zera. As you may have clued on from the name, the parties will be hosted out in the venue's carpark. Entry is free and it's first come best dressed to get a spot in the carpark, however bookings for the indoor area and beer garden are available via the pub's website. SATURDAY CARPARK PARTIES Saturday, October 30 — Lazywax (live), Adi Toohey, Trent Rackus Saturday, November 6 — Chase Zera (DJ Set), Discoloro, Eddy Diamond Saturday, November 13 — KESMAR (live), Honey Point, Tyson Koh Saturday, November 20 — Cities of Gold ft. The Original Roman, Santamaria Brothers, Clashé Saturday, November 27 — HAUS OF WANTON ft. Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Carolina Gasolina, Sørensen, Boosie Saturday, December 4 — Marty Doyle (Dusty Fingers), Jimmy Sing, Ariane, Marcus King
If there's one sure-fire way to beat off dating nerves, it's to keep your hands busy. To that end, the Conscious Dating Co., which hosts interesting, down-to-earth events for singles, is running a gnocchi-making workshop. In between learning how to make fresh pasta, you'll be drinking wine and meeting new people. One of the most nerve-wrecking aspects of dating can be thinking of something to say. Fear not. The organisers will provide you with one-on-one introductions, as well as conversation cards and activities, to keep interactions flowing. Last, but certainly not least, your gnocchi will be transformed into a delicious meal, which you'll get to share with your newfound acquaintances. And, if you do happen to meet someone you fancy, you won't have to be the one to let them know. The Conscious Dating crew will do the work for you, by getting you to write down names at the end of the night, then, later on, notifying you of any matches. The gnocchi date night will be held on July 25 and 26, with the former being for heterosexuals and the latter for those looking for a same-sex lover.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions, there are restrictions on where and how far you can travel. When leaving your house, please ensure you wear a mask and social distance. For up-to-date information on Public Health Orders and restrictions in Greater Sydney visit the NSW Health website. Marrickville bagel speciality store Brooklyn Boy Bagels is making sure Sydneysiders aren't missing out on its fresh crispy bagels with a series of pop-ups at different cafes across the city. The inner west favourite has taken a hit due to the lockdown with wholesale sales down by nearly 50 per cent. "We lost thirty-thousand dollars in just two weeks," New York-bred founder Michael Shafran says. So, in order to get more bagels into hands, Brooklyn Boy is collaborating with some Sydney cafes for special one-off pop-ups across various locations. On Friday, July 16, Brooklyn Boy will appear at St Ives' Stanley Street Cafe, the first time the bagels have popped up in a north shore location. Then on Saturday, July 17 the bagels move to Surry Hills eatery Tokyo Bird, where Shafran is concocting once-off product collaborations with Tokyo Bird owners Jason and Tina Ang. "I'm thinking about making a tobiko cream cheese, where the flying fish roe – you know, the kind that you normally use on sushi and sushi dons – brings a kind of smoked salmon quality, but with a texture that's like popping candy," Shafran says. Each pop-up will run with COVID-safe precautions currently in place at all cafes, and bagels will only be available for takeaway. More locations are also set to be announced, plus a new outdoor storefront has been set up in front of Brooklyn Boy's Marrickville bakery. The 'Home Away From Home' store is open at 19 Carrington Road, Marrickville, seven days a week. If you aren't comfortable leaving the home or don't live close to one of the pop-up's, you can also have Brooklyn Boy bagels delivered to your home. Orders over $50 are available for next-day delivery to the inner west, north shore, lower northern beaches, City of Sydney and eastern suburbs for $6.50–9.95 depending on your area. [caption id="attachment_716408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooklyn Boy Bagels[/caption]
There'll be bamboo baskets piled high with steaming dumplings, bowls of soy-covered noodles waiting to be slurped, and Hong Kong/Australian break dance collaborations care of Compartmentalized at the Chinese New Year Markets in Belmore Park. There's live entertainment on the main market stage with a film screenings, martial arts performances and a wee bit of demonstration cooking. Want to belt out a tune? Battle it out at the karaoke competition, and if you're the crowd's favourite, you might end up taking home a swag of prizes. The official festival launch kicks off Friday night with an evening of fireworks to scare last year's baddies away. Want more Chinese New Year events? Check out our top ten picks of the festivities.
For ten weeks Object Gallery is flinging open it's doors and heading into the Surry Hills springtime sunshine with a sequence of 14 collaborative showings with artists, designers, filmmakers and ... cyclists? Not so much exhibitions as events and community interventions, there'll be a ride-on dinner in local, shared and sustainable style, tours of tucked-away studio spaces, a special Kino screening in the gallery, plus Sydney's first PARK(ing) day — a group takeover of concrete spaces with picnicking and inflatable furniture. There are crafting sessions too — which you can help out with a show by donating a pencil — and the specially-designed, cutely-titled Stereotyped, which explores the interaction of sound and typography, for your more take-home urges. The website is very very pretty too, so no excuses for not keeping up with what's going on: take these little windows of opportunity to watch ideas and projects blossom in the balmy months.
We all have a family story to tell, but we can't all tell it like Sarah Polley. The actor known for such films as Dawn of the Dead and Splice and director of quietly acclaimed features Take This Waltz and Away From Her has turned her hand to documentary with Stories We Tell, and it's been demanding attention from festival audiences around the world. Unfortunately, it's one of those films that it's best to know as little of as possible when you go in, so there's going to be little in the way of synopsis here. Suffice to say, Polley's primary interest is her mother, Diane Polley, a casting agent, thwarted actress and extrovert who relished the escape from home life that came with roles on the stage. She died in 1990, when Sarah was 11, leaving behind a web of secrets that lay hidden for many years — until her daughter grew up and started to pull at the threads. How a film with such an ostensibly narrow focus can be so compelling to so many viewers is one of those wonders of cinema. It just is. Polley has a great cast of characters in her life to work with (every member of her family is interviewed, at length), but the magic of this movie is ultimately in her storytelling. The film is wittily edited, warm and sensitive to all parties. It has a lightness of touch as might be expected of a distant observer, but all the unguarded reflection that comes from being intimate with her subject. There's a lot of technique to it. Polley reminds us of her own directorial presence constantly: Her father Michael is also the narrator, and we see her barking commands at him in the audio booth. The grainy '80s Super 8 footage that runs throughout cannot be trusted. The nature of 'truth' is being examined, and not just because it suits postmodern obsessions — in this case, it matters to people's lives. And yet (thankfully) these intellectual enquiries don't crowd out the human drama. The result is simply the most enthralling, idiosyncratic and entertaining family memoir around. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ytq4VZ2Nyxg
How would you like to be in movies? Well, too bad. Chances are you're probably not talented, beautiful or well-connected enough. But you can always pretend. Thanks to Bams and Ted, whose pop-ups specialise in furnishing you with film-inspired fashion, you can pretend in style. They will be taking over World Bar for one night only and setting it up for a party to celebrate the style of indie-filmmaker Wes Anderson. Inspired by the films Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, and The Darjeeling Limited, the bar will be dressed as a Wes Anderson set, with entertainment in the form of Portuguese Bowie covers by Dave Rodriguez, soundtrack-inspired music from FBi's Alex Pye and burlesque performances by Diesel Darling. So get frocked up as your favourite Tenenbaum, Rushmore alumnus, or member of team Zissou and join them on Wes-day night. Goodies are up for grabs for the best-dressed.
Life might be a bittersweet symphony, as The Verve told us all back in 1997, but right now is a pretty great time to be a fan of a hugely influential late-90s teen flick that helped immortalise that very track. The movie in question is Cruel Intentions, of course, and it's about to hit the stage in Sydney. And yes, the musical's soundtrack is filled hits from the era, including 'Bittersweet Symphony', obviously. Indeed, if that song and Placebo's 'Every You Every Me' get you thinking about Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair, then you're clearly a fan of the film. And if you were a 90s or 00s teen who watched and rewatched the 1999 classic over and over again — soaking in all those dangerous liaisons, the scheming that went with them, Joshua Jackson's blonde locks and Gellar in a decidedly non-Buffy role — then you'll probably be first in line to see Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical. The movie-to-theatre production has been unleashing its teen tumult and throwback soundtrack in America since 2015, and now it's finally heading to our shores. Its Sydney leg will kick off on Thursday, June 30 at the State Theatre, and run through till Sunday, July 10. Because it's a jukebox musical, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical is also filled with a heap other tunes from that late 90s, early 00s era; think: *NYSNC's 'Bye Bye Bye', Britney Spears' 'Sometimes', No Doubt's 'Just A Girl', Jewel's 'Foolish Games', Christina Aguilera's 'Genie In A Bottle' and Sixpence None the Richer's 'Kiss Me', for starters. If you've seen the movie — the original, not the direct-to-video 2001 and 2004 sequels, one of which starred a very young Amy Adams (Dear Evan Hansen) taking over Gellar's role — then you'll know the story. Based on 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, which was also been adapted in the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons with Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman, Cruel Intentions follows step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Manipulating each other's love lives is their main hobby, a pastime that levels up a few notches when Kathryn places a bet on whether Sebastian can sleep with Annette Hargrove, the headmaster's daughter at their exclusive prep school.
A love of Woody Allen courses through Fading Gigolo, his influence evident in his inclusion amongst the film's cast but his distinctive footprint also felt in its themes and moods. Though John Turturro is the feature's guiding force as its lead actor, writer and director, the inspiration he has taken from his co-star is obvious. His fifth effort as a filmmaker offers a light homage to the type of easy and breezy New York comedies Allen is synonymous with. To saddle Turturro's protagonist with the waning prostitute descriptor of the film's title is to overstate his enthusiasm for his new-found line of work; for Fioravante — also known by his gigolo pseudonym of Virgil Howard — making money making love is a reluctant sideline to his floristry job. His friend, failed bookseller Murray (Allen), convinces him to test out the world's oldest profession with dermatologist Dr Parker (Sharon Stone). Positive reports from their first satisfied customer motivate Murray to start actively scouring for other clients, including Hasidic widow Avigal (Vanessa Paradis). The relaxed attitude that marks Fioravante's take-it-or-leave-it approach to benefiting from his bedroom skills also flavours the entire film. It's a movie that saunters with fondness rather than marches with purpose. Affection is its primary motivation — for its New York setting, for eclectic characters that careen through eccentric circumstances, for the brand of emotional sweetness and slapstick silliness too rarely offered with any intelligence, and for the continual mysteries of life and love. If it all seems familiar in that warm and witty way of Allen's directorial efforts, that's because it is, especially with the auteur in the thick of the amiable ensemble antics. In his best acting role in many years (and in a part obviously written for him), he relishes the expected affable neuroses of his accepted screen presence. And yet, his biggest feat and the feature's biggest surprise is his double act with Turturro. Where Allen provides the anticipated patter, Turturro is an engaging, alluring enigma. He sells the facade of Fioravante's sexual appeal and sensitive outlook but leaves audiences ever intrigued and always wanting more. The duo fit in perfectly in the caper-like creation that Fading Gigolo becomes, as do their well-cast supporting players; however, the hijinks-laden atmosphere stems as much from a persistent jazz score and a storyline that sees Murray tailed by a jealous neighbourhood watch cop (Liev Schreiber) and Fioravante pursued for a menage a trois with Dr Parker and her friend Selima (Sofia Vergara). Following such comic paths proves purposely frivolous and recognisable but also pointedly earnest. With a slightness of touch, Turturro whips his Allen-esque meanderings into a modest but melodious tapestry of offbeat observations and off-kilter charm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_pdlbI4TuGY
If you're a fan of Smoke and Mirrors and La Clique (and its act of bathtub acrobatics, in particular), then you'll love Soap. Co-directed by Markus Pabst, of La Clique's bathtub, and Maximilian Rambaek, it lets loose a company of acrobats, dancers, jugglers and contortionists from Berlin's Circle of Eleven to transform the generally private and uninspiring bathroom domain into one of wonder, daring, cheekiness and sublimity. On a stage glimmering with droplets and shrouded in steam sit a series of bathtubs at staggered heights. The performers use these solid, utilitarian frames as props every which way as well as calling on a parade of aerial silks, straps, trapeze, hoops, bouncy balls and a requisite rubber ducky. It's all done to the backing of the best mixtape anyone will ever make you, in which languorous French chanteuses abut angsty prog metal and Gnarls Barkley gives way to Sia and the Doors. As the acts roll with the music, the show entirely avoids the expected pitfall of repetition, and when the tubs finally fill with water, it only gets more thrilling. The spectacle in this kind of show is agile, purpose-built bodies absorbed in feats of aesthetic athletics. Soap takes the edge off the sexiness with plenty of humour, and an opera singer surveying the scene from atop the highest tub brings glamour and gravitas. All of the performers show incredible skill, and most have charisma in bucketloads. Performances as varied as a sweet foot-puppet romance and a pensive trapeze dance that sweeps over lightly flooded floors each evoke their own poignancy. It's the best 70 minutes you'll spend on your toilette.
This time last year, the Brisbane Street Art Festival was in full swing, with creative folks brightening up the Queensland capital with their artistic work. While the fest ranks among the many, many events changing their plans in 2020, you can still watch street art come to life before your eyes this weekend — via a two-day live stream. Teaming up with Brisbane art space Superordinary, BSAF is unleashing 19 artists on the building. Naturally, they'll be painting up a storm. Every inch of the space will be transformed, and everyone can see it happen. That doesn't just cover street art-loving Brisbanites, either, because online streams are handy that way. The weekend-long event runs across Saturday, May 16–Sunday, May 17, with the action streamed via Twitch. As well as oh-so-much painting, there's also interviews, Q&As and roving performances — all while social distancing. https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneStreetArt/photos/a.10150176402908346/10158102825878346/?type=3&theater Top image: Gus Eagleton.
We're almost halfway through the 2017 season of Twilight at Taronga, but there's still a chance to grab some tickets and head along. The after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps the best view of Sydney Harbour (as well as lots of adorable animals) has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. There are still tickets available for the Kurt Vile show on Friday March 3, but we've got two double pass to give away. Picnic-bringing is encouraged at Twilight at Taronga. If you don't win, pre-order an incredibly delicious hamper when you buy your ticket online. They're filled with Australian produce, cheese, crackers and other delights. We tasted them, they're extremely generous and genuinely great. There's also a bar on-site and some general nosh available from the canteen. All proceeds from Twilight at Taronga go back into the zoo's ongoing conservation work, including support of the first global community action tool, Wildlife Witness, which helps fight against illegal wildlife trade. PLUS, your ticket includes free entry to the zoo on the same day and return public transport. That's a big deal. View the full Twilight at Taronga line up here and get your tickets to Kurt Vile and other shows here. [competition]610707[/competition]
I'm sorry, Splendour who? In the wake of the whirlwind wow that pervaded this year's uber-festival, Stereosonic is striking and strutting out, as Australia's annual electronic music festival amps up for its fourth summer beatfest. With a solid techno-heavy lineup with more day-glo and Berocca fizz than Gary Numan's walkman, this year's rollcall wowed enough to sell out 1st and 2nd releases on the first day of sales with a generously stretched 3rd cache now available for latecomers. This year's Sydney run has nothing but love for punters, with promoters moving the festivities to Sydney Showground's Main Arena, just for kicks. Onelove and Hardware assure that the shift is sure to minimise sound issues, mobilise transport, schmick up facilities, supply snoozy parkland, give artists some onstage room to move and keep things raging until (just before) midnight. The major drawcard this summer is Dutch headliner and trance bravado Tiësto, sauntering onto an Australian festival stage for the first time since 2005. The coy worldwide uber-clubmaster is joined across 2 main stages by the diamond-studded specs of quirky Scottish nu-disco kingCalvin Harris, cropped blonde electropop beats of Swedish sirenRobyn, deck wizardry of Barbadosian baron Carl Cox and Jamaican-me-crazy reggae fusion from Diplo/Switch project Major Lazer. With the additional likes of Sebastian Ingrosso, Benny Benassi, Infected Mushroom. Wiley and Afrojack amongst a solid local and international mixbag of DJs, electronic artists and progressive collaborators, this festival of sonic wonderment is, to be blunt, gloriously bangin'. Hands up.
Last September, John Malkovich took time off from being John Malkovich to be Everyone Else for a change. Shot by Sandro Miller in Los Angeles, the highly publicised series of photographs dubbed Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich recreated some of the most iconic portraits in recent history — from John and Yoko to Che Guevara, Dorothea Lange's Migrant Woman to Andres Serrano's Piss Christ. And now the series is coming to Sydney as part of this year's Head On Photo Festival (running May 1 - 31), showing at Darlinghurst's Black Eye Gallery from April 28 - May 5. Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich is just the tip of the iceberg for Head On. The photography festival will showcase works from local and international photographers in over 50 featured exhibitions across Sydney, running from May 1–31. There's some pretty diverse exhibitions at the new Head On Festival Hub at Sydney Lower Town Hall. There's Georges Pacheco’s exhibition, Amalthée, which takes cues from Italian and Dutch renaissance painting to look at the universal and timeless act of breastfeeding. There's also Sydney-based photographer Nic Bezzina's show Cam Girls, which consists of screen grabs from 'Cam Girl' websites — where women enact instructed sexual fantasies via webcam. There are retrospectives aplenty this year too. Internationally acclaimed photographer Emmanuel Angelicas has a retrospective detailing his 45 years of documenting Marrickville's often overlooked residents, and portrait photographer to the stars George Fetting will also delve into years of shooting the likes of Buzz Aldrin, Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Spike Milligan, Lee Lin Chin, Marcel Marceau, Barry Humphries, Ralph Fiennes, Billy Idol and many more.
