You can't go wrong with a pretzel. Cover it in salt, stuff it with butter, flavour it with cheese — whichever you choose, it's always delicious. There's a reason that there's a day dedicated to the German snack, after all (and no, it's not just because there's a day for everything these days, or so it seems). Friday, April 26 is National Pretzel Day, which is just the excuse you need to eat more pretzels, more often. Of course Munich Brauhaus, The Bavarian and the Bavarian Beerhaus locations across the country are all getting in on the occasion. In fact, they're celebrating the date in the tastiest possible fashion. If you're a dessert pretzel kind of person — specifically, a soft, chewy, fresh-from-the-oven doughnut pretzel type — you can stop by anytime on the Friday and nab one for $1, which also includes a dulce de leche dipping sauce. And if you're an original pretzel fiend, you'll score a free one with any 500ml or one-litre stein of beer you buy. The $1 doughnut pretzels are available at Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks, Beerhaus on York Street and all of NSW's 13 Bavarians.
It's possible to believe that a film needn't necessarily exist, and still be thrilled that it does. That's the case with Gloria Bell, Sebastián Lelio's English-language remake of his 2013 Chilean drama Gloria — which keeps the same plot, brings in Julianne Moore and transfers the action to Los Angeles. The first time around, Lelio's tale of a 50-something divorcee trying to reclaim her life proved a potent character study, made blisteringly real not only thanks to an empathetic, keenly observed script, but via an exceptional lead performance. That rings true here as well, yet this narrative, its honest exploration of womanhood at a mature age and its rich texture doesn't get old. If we can have oh-so-many cookie-cutter movies about slacker man-children just trying to find a girl to love them despite their obvious flaws, we can have two versions of this story. Played with a luminous air, a sense of vulnerability and a determined spirit by the always-stellar Moore, Gloria Bell has long become accustomed to her unattached existence. Her days are spent working in insurance, singing 80s hits in her car and snatching whatever time she can with her grown-up kids (Caren Pistorius and Michael Cera), while her nights usually end beneath the disco ball at a singles bar. "When the world blows up, I hope I go down dancing," she proclaims happily, and it's fancy footwork that brings her to recently divorced theme-park owner Arnold (John Turturro). Sparks fly, but life and love haven't been easy for Gloria thus far, and they won't be from this point onwards. Reworking his initial script with actor and writer Alice Johnson Boher, Lelio fills Gloria Bell with detail. That applies equally to the film and to the figure that gives the movie its name. While the plot is straightforward — a woman and a man meet, connect and try to work out if their messy lives fit together — every character, scene and moment is gloriously layered, ensuring that nothing about the picture is simplistic. It's true when Gloria commiserates with a colleague (Barbara Sukowa) about their respective retirement savings, a conversation that speaks to the uncertainty that often greets women who've spent time out of the workforce to raise a family. It's true when the film spies its protagonist attending a laughing group, allowing herself to giggle away her troubles while participating in a pastime with a very specific audience. And it's true when Lelio pushes his heroine to finally complain about her unstable upstairs neighbour, with Gloria wavering between caring for a troubled soul and looking out for herself. From wondering how a hairless cat keeps finding its way into her apartment, to lighting up on the paintball range with Arnold, to running free on a trip to Las Vegas, Gloria Bell keeps showing what makes the open-hearted Gloria tick — and why. This isn't just a slice-of-life journey of discovery for those watching, however, but for the restless yet quietly relentless woman herself. It's this, in particular, that makes the film so evocative and meaningful. On multiple occasions, Gloria is given a choice to either go with the flow or to shape her own path and, even when her actions end in chaos, she grabs hold of her future with both hands. Gloria doesn't merely navigate ups and downs, but uncovers her strengths and limits. She doesn't just tackle dramas, but learns how to cope with whatever comes her way. She's never ashamed of being a lonely divorcee, but she also won't let it define her. Unsurprisingly, Moore couldn't be more pivotal; if Lelio remade his own movie solely to work with her, it'd be justification enough for Gloria Bell. Behind large glasses, with more blonde than red in her hair, and reuniting with her Big Lebowski co-star Turturro, Moore's radiant to the point of transcendence — middle-aged malaise rarely looked so stripped-bare and so simultaneously vivid. It helps, of course, that the acclaimed Chilean filmmaker matches his visual style and overarching tone to his leading lady, as he also did so winningly in queer dramas A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience. It worked a charm for Paulina García in the original Gloria, and it works captivatingly with Moore in Gloria Bell. One happily stands beside the other, and viewers will want to lose themselves on the dance floor with both. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k38zjD2QVSg
Sydneysiders, get ready for mud crab mayhem at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. The waterside restaurant is celebrating mud crab season with $69 Queensland muddies for the whole month of April. Mud crabs are usually sold at market price — which can push $100 a kilogram — so this deal is one not to be missed. The hefty crustaceans come served one of three ways: piled high with Singapore chilli; steamed with salt and szechuan pepper; or chilled with cocktail sauce. If you want to go really crab crazy, Kingsleys is also offering a special crab-themed set menu for $120 per person. The six-course meal begins with crab croquettes, Alaskan king crab rolls and pickled Queensland mud crab crostini with truffle oil, avocado and orange cream topped with black caviar. Next up, there's gnocchi with mud crab, sage butter and porcini before you move on to the main event — digging into half a mud crab with your choice of sauce. This decadent feast finishes with a dark chocolate mousse and, to really sweeten the deal, it also includes two hours of bottomless Cape Mentelle wines Between bites and shell-cracking, you can sip the sauvignon blanc semillon or the Trinders cabernet merlot — or opt for the chardonnay or the Wallcliffe cabernet sauvignon cabernet franc for an additional $10. With plenty of (sea)foodies expected to take advantage of this crab extravaganza, booking is highly recommended. Muddy Mania will run from Monday, April 1 to Sunday, April 31. Head to the Kingsleys website to book a table.
Get your dancing shoes and party outfits ready — Taqiza is throwing a massive two-day fiesta to celebrate its second anniversary. Make tracks to the vibrant Mexican restaurant at Bondi Beach across Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 and tacos, tequila and all the live music your hips can boogie to will be waiting. Line your stomach and spoil your taste buds with special Al Pastor birthday tacos made with pulled pork and pineapple — you can nab three for a cheeky tenner. Then, jump on board the free Mezcal tasting train, conducted by Vanguard's agave expert Kass Hill. From 3–6pm each day, Hill will guide you through tastings of rare varieties of Del Maguey Mezcal and Derrumbes Mezcal. If those leave you wanting more agave goodness, Taqiza will also be serving mezcal flights for $20 between 12–9pm on both days, featuring tasting shots of wild agave, tobala, arroqueño and madrecuixe. Plus, Taqiza will be slinging half-priced margaritas made with the boutique tequila Ocho over the entire fiesta. Round it all off with a good ol' jive as Colombian-born, Sydney-based DJ Señor Bolivar hits the decks on Saturday from 6.30–9.30pm, while Andro Martinez and Buddy Siolo from Gang of Brothers take the music reins on Sunday evening. Taqiza's Second Anniversary Fiesta is free to attend, but bookings are strongly recommended. To nab a spot, visit the website.
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's' 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and in 2019, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Sydney on Saturday, July 13. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon the park and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are usually flooded with orders for the day, check it out here) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Sydney Park. If you need an incentive — other than the event itself, of course — it's now 41 years since the song was first released.
If a day spent hanging out with furry friends sounds like your ultimate Saturday session, you're going to love Chippendale's newest weekend festival, Dog Day Out. Taking over Chippendale Green on April 6, this pup-filled fiesta promises a big day of fun for furbabies and humans alike. On the day, you'll catch over a dozen market stalls, slinging products and information to help your pet live their best life. Sign them up for a massage or free vet check, stock up on healthy dog treats, or maybe even make a new forever friend at one of the animal adoption stalls. There'll also be stacks of great human fare, from the likes of Gami Chicken and Beer, Ribs n Burgers and Coco Cubano. But the day's main event is the Fancy Dress Dog Show. With entry by $5 donation, this parade is set to deliver some extra adorable moments and a swag of great costumes, as contestants vie for prestigious titles and prizes. Held in conjunction with Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, the event will help raise much-needed funds for the charity's new, bigger facility, to be built in Kurnell.
If you're going to start a brunch club, you may as well do it in style — and with an event that's basically the real-life equivalent of a Venn diagram mapping everyone's favourite things. Where springtime hangouts, cruising the scenic seas, sipping free-flowing Champagne and eating brunch all combine, that's where you'll find this aptly named Bottomless Brunch on Sydney Harbour. On Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, attendees will be picked up from Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf at 10am, then board a vessel for a meal by The Blonde Butler, tunes by Dan Rowntree and — of course — two-and-a-half hours of unlimited Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne. You'll get a glass to enjoy upon arrival, too, before hopping on the boat from 10.30am–1pm. When you return to the dock, you'll then be headed for a party on a yet-to-be-disclosed Woolloomooloo rooftop. Tickets will set you back $150 per person, so consider this your indulgent way to welcome the sunny season. Those keen to attend can book their spots online from 5pm on Sunday, August 26.
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, on Sunday, November 18, Astral People has secured dance party-legend, DJ and producer Gilles Peterson to headline, along with South London jazz and garage artist Henry Wu and Sydney native Maia Bilyk, an FBi Radio regular known for her funk, soul and house tunes. On Sunday, January 20, the second iteration will take place, featuring Melbourne club scene staple CC:Disco!, Chicago DJ Jamie 3:26 and local radio host and dance floor music maker Tom Studdy. Three weeks later, the art school courtyard will once again transform for a seven-hour party when UK DJ Floating Points, who's known for his dance-meets-jazz tunes, Sydney electronic legend Adi Toohey and local duo Andy & Oscar takeover the decks. Irish electro duo Brame & Hamo, NZ dance guru Frank Booker and genre-bending DJ Lex Deluxe will round out the series, leading the final party on Sunday, March 24. These parties will all take place in a 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. The shows have sold out for the past two years, so don't delay snagging your ticket. Updated March 6, 2019.
Earlier this year, Cake Wines' Redfern cellar door underwent a bit of a makeover. The space had a rejig, it received a fresh lick of paint and it reopened with a sparkly new full-functioning kitchen. Now, that it has settled into its new groove, it's making the most of its expanded kitchen and hosting a series of degustation lunches every Saturday throughout November. Wine is still front and centre at this inner-city cellar door, and it's front and centre at the lunches, too. Here, the price of you lunch — a very reasonable $55 — includes bottomless Cake Wines pinot noir. Yep, you have two hours to drink your way through as much Adelaide Hills plonk as you wish. To pair with all that vino, you'll also be served up five tasty courses — starting with a slab of Brickfields sourdough and ending with your choice of pizza: margarita, tartufo, diavola or carciofi. In between, you'll come across roasted carrots with whipped goat's curd, beef tartare on tahini and snapper ceviche with kiwi fruit. Stick around after lunch to listen to live jazz as part of the cellar door's weekly End Notes gig. Images: Jiwon Kim. Updated: November 10, 2018.
It's been 16 years since The The last toured and three decades since they last graced an Aussie stage, but the UK post-punk legends are returning in a big way this October, with a two-night Sydney Opera House debut. The October 2 and 3 shows are part of a whirlwind tour attached to an appearance at Melbourne Festival, the band's only other Australian show. Led by Matt Johnson, The The is considered one of the most acclaimed, politically engaged bands of the 1980s, pitched among the ranks of fellow musical royalty, The Smiths, The Cure, New Order and Morrissey. Hit albums like Soul Mining (1983), Infected (1986), Mind Bomb (1989) and Dusk (1992) were staples of an entire era's angsty soundtrack. The band's just as famed for its ever-changing lineup and for this year's comeback shows, Johnson's called in one band member from each of his three previous tours to help reimagine that critically acclaimed back catalogue. He'll be joined on the iconic Concert Hall stage by bassist James Eller, lead guitarist Barrie Cadogan, Earl Harvin on drums and DC Collard on keyboards. The The's Australian dates come off the back of a sold-out series of London concerts, a fast-selling tour of Europe and the USA, and the release of new single 'We Can't Stop What's Coming'. Image: Thomas Feiner.
The annual Parramatta Lanes festival will return for its seventh year this October, bringing the finest eats to the streets of the west. Following last year's record-breaking attendance, the Paramatta-based palooza has expanded even further and will include 14 themed laneways, more than 45 food stalls and six bars. The food lineup will feature renowned Sydney venues and lashings of sweet and savoury treats. It's far too extensive to list in its entirety but highlights include Frencheese's decadent raclette and Duo Duo Ice Cream's deep-fried desserts. Inner West hotspot Daisy's Milkbar will take over Parramatta Mission cafe to serve up its renowned retro toasties, sundaes and milkshakes. Meanwhile, crowd favourites Gelato Messina and Butter will dish out their respective signature dishes from the rooftop of the Eat Street Car Park, which will be transformed into a roller skating rink. When it comes time for a drink, choose between a throng of bars and breweries — including gin masters Archie Rose and local bar Uncle Kurt's. Beyond eating and drinking, festival-goers can enjoy live music, dance workshops and performances, art installations with a focus on sustainability, and roving theatrical performances. This year, Parramatta Lanes is partnering with Two Good Co — an organisation which provides meals for victims of domestic violence, refugees and people sleeping rough. Parramatta Lanes ambassador Mitch Orr (ACME) has designed an exclusive menu for Two Good Co. For every meal sold at the stall, it will provide a meal to someone in need — food for thought while you're perusing the streets and tucking into that tasty fare. Parramatta Lanes will run from Tuesday, October 9 to Friday, October 12, 5pm to late every day. For more information, visit the website.
Each year sees William Street close to cars, with the usual traffic replaced with fun and frivolity spilling out onto the road for the annual William Street Festival. This Saturday, October 20 will be the community festival's tenth year — and it will be celebrating with a full day of laneway festivities. What happens? Well, all of the boutiques along this well-known shopping strip swap their usual trading for parties, with drinks, food and deals galore to lure you away from the Westfields of the world and back to the simple joy of wandering around the poky streets of Paddo. As well as live music, street art and swing dancing, you'll be lining your stomach with some of the best food and wine the area has to offer. Duck in and out of 10 William Street, the Paddo Inn, Cipri and The London.
Bounding into October, the six-week Everest Carnival continues with one of its premier events. Head to Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 6 for the Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day. The outfits are always an important part of going to the races but, on this day, the passion for fashion is at fever pitch. Those looking to make a statement can enter the Harrolds Fashion Chute competition and have a mini photo shoot on the Octagonal Lawn. Then Australian fashion personalities will announce the winner for best-dressed later in the day. There are some great prizes up for grabs, including return flights to Europe and styling sessions with Harrolds. Or, perhaps, you would rather save your luck for the On Top of the World competition, a money-can't-buy experience on Everest Day. Over at The Mews precinct, food trucks will keep the crowds well-fed. There'll also be pop-up bars from the likes of Pimm's, Gordon's Pink Gin and Chandon S ready for you to visit and, over at the Heineken 3 Container, DJ Brooke Evers will play a set to keep the good vibes going after the last race. Don't forget that taking public transport to Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day is complimentary — the cost of trains, buses, ferries and light rail included with your ticket.
The Hayden Orpheum is about to become the most magical place in Sydney, as all eight movies in the Harry Potter franchise light up the screen over two spectacular days. Split into two parts — so you won't need a time turner to stay awake — the marathon kicks off at 11am on Saturday, November 3 with Harry's first four years at Hogwarts. It'll pick back up again at the same time the next day, when the battle against You Know Who begins in earnest. Coincidentally or not, this marathon falls on the same weekend as the Chauvel's Harry Potter marathon. That one runs for 20 consecutive hours, so the Orpheum's version might be a better bet if you're keen to spread it out over a weekend. This should help quell your Potter anxiety until the Fantastic Beasts sequel comes out on November 15, this should help you get your big screen spellbinding fix. Best part is that tickets are $25 per day — that will leave you with enough money for popcorn and chocolate frogs.
Unlike most other Asian eats, Filipino cuisine in Sydney is fairly limited. And the folks at some of the city's favourite Filipino joints think the region deserves more love, so they've teamed up to throw a big Filipino pop-up for the masses. Heading the food lineup on Sunday, September 16, is the super popular Donut Papi. Known for its quirky doughnut flavours — that include everything from durian to mi goreng — the Redfern bakery will be slinging some limited-edition varieties on the day. While there's no word on what they'll be just yet, expect them to be weird (and tasty). Also heading to the one-day food fest is Blacktown's Sydney Cebu Lechon, who has been around since the early 90s and brings an authentic taste of Cebu-style lechon (whole-roasted suckling pig) to Sydney. The dish is a go-to for holidays and parties in the Philippines and now Sydneysiders can nab a plate-full at the pop-up. The eatery's version is free-range, charcoal-roasted and chopped pork belly with crackling skin to boot. You'll find Filipino and American-style fusion burgers from food truck Mate Burger, too, and Hanmade Desserts, who is known for its silvanas (a Filipino dessert that's a riff on an ice cream sandwich), ube cakes and leche flan. The pop-up will run until sold out and seating is limited, so get there early or you might miss out.
Every February, the team at Queer Screen fill Sydney's cinemas, all as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival. But why host one celebration of LGBTIQ movies just once a year when you can host two? With that idea in mind, the Queer Screen Film Fest was born. Each September for the past six years, this second festival rolls around to fill bring an extra dose of queer cinema-going to the later part of the calendar. In 2018, that means 29 titles from 12 countries over six days, with the event running from Tuesday, September 18 to Sunday, September 23 at Event Cinemas George Street. Highlights include And Breathe Normally, which follows the intertwined paths of an Icelandic mother and a refugee from Guinea-Bissau, plus the Claire Danes and Jim Parsons-starring A Kid Like Jake, about a five-year-old exploring gender — and they're the fest's opening and closing night picks, respectively. QSFF's documentary game is also especially strong this year, whether you want to sing your love for boy bands with I Used to Be Normal: A Boy Band Fangirl Story, pay tribute to one particular pop icon thanks to George Michael Freedom: The Director's Cut (which the singer himself co-directed before his death), or step into the home of a gay couple and more than 70 rescued canines in Life in the Doghouse.
If you love animals — and animals love you — this is where your spring festival adventures should begin. Every year, vegetarians, vegans and their friends (both furry and not) gather at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion to feast on vegetarian dishes at Vegecareian. Sip and sample your way through a throng of eclectic stalls peddling all kinds of meat-free delights. When you're not nibbling, you can sharpen up your culinary skills at a cooking demo or share your love of furred, feathered and finned creatures at an animal blessing. Vegecareian isn't just about kindness to animals — it's also about promoting good health, so you'll be invited to relax and rebalance at yoga sessions, too. Once you're sufficiently zen, check out the informative guest speakers. If you're a meat eater, no judgement, head along anyway to find out more about the lifestyle. Vegecareian is a free and inclusive event that embraces all. The best part, pets are 100 percent welcome — get ready for lots of puppy pats.
Clear your Tuesday afternoon for cocktails and massages — all thanks to CBD favourite PS40. The King Street bar is serving up palette cleansing-style beverages and bringing in a few masseuses in what promises to be a rather relaxing bar hangout, all from 3.30pm on Tuesday, September 18. Whether you duck out of work early or head along once quittin' time hits, you'll find an Amuse Boosh party waiting. While bite-sized snacks won't be on the menu, you will be among the first to taste PS40's new Australian Aquavit. Called Stockholm Syndrome, it's a collaboration with Never Never Distilling Co, and it's all about making a distinctively local version of the typically Scandinavian spirit. Think caraway, fennel and dill flavours, plus cinnamon myrtle, riberry, macadamia and strawberry gum. It apparently goes down well with tonics and carbonated sodas, if you're wondering exactly what you'll be drinking.
Spring is finally here, and warmer weather means sunny afternoons soaking up some rays with a refreshing beverage in hand. Long weekends, too. All of the above combines at the second iteration of Opera Bar's Rose All Day Festival on this year's October long weekend From Friday, September 28 until Monday, October 1, the watering hole with a watery view will be thinking and drinking pink. Expect frosé, spritzes, cocktails and rosé still and sparkling, with varieties from McLaren Vale's Yangarra, Provence's AIX and and Black Cottage in Marlborough on offer. Oysters and cheese will be accompanied by rosé condiments, while live music will provide a soundtrack to the weekend. Tickets cost $35, and include three drinks: a glass of rosé (still or sparkling), a glass of frosé and a spritz.
If you haven't taken a gander down the artisanal gem that is Darlinghurst's Foley Street yet, this intimate dinner series is a tempting excuse to do so. Curated by Studio Enti's Naomi Taplin, these themed evenings combine her bespoke porcelain ceramics with live music and an experimental feast by local chefs. The Monday, September 10 installation is inspired by electronic group Thievery Corporation and will host DJ Adi B — expect each course to showcase a different range of musical genre, from Brazilian bossa nova, dub and reggae to acid jazz, middle eastern and hip hop. Alongside the tunes, Howard's Cantina chefs Chris Bell and James Latham will create a six course menu of 'stolen' (aka foraged or borrowed) foods that can be catered to vegetarian or vegan palates, too. The exact menu is wholly dependent on seasonal availability — think white wine-pickled octopus with fried plantains and a rum reduction; chicken, quail and duck liver parfait with corn mousse and rye crackers; and torched lamb tongue with mint tea jelly and warrigal greens. Each dish will be paired with non-alcoholic drinks, but BYO booze is encouraged. The dishes will be presented with a flare for the theatrics, expressing an intricately woven story throughout the night. Of course, the dinner will be served on Studio Enti ceramics, which have been specially crafted for the night and will available for purchase. Plus, a suspended floral installation by artist Nastia Gladushenko will take over the communal dining space and include many of the same foraged ingredients used in the meal. If you miss out on tickets this round, there are four more upcoming events in this dinner series — which is sponsored by City of Sydney as part of the night time diversification grant. The October version will be a reinterpretation of classic country dishes and you can keep eye on the Enti Studio Facebook for future dates, too.
Every corner of every city comes with its own history, including ordinary stories and tales that are more than a little spooky. That's especially true on Cockatoo Island, of course. The tiny patch of land has played host to a prison, ship-building facilities, a reform school and a wartime boat repair port over the years, all in the middle of Sydney Harbour. And yes, it's also apparently home to a few ghosts too. Plenty of mysteries surround the island, and while it runs regular Haunted History Night Tours, the site's latest event is particularly unsettling. It's called Cockatoo Island Ghostyard— A Paranormal Tour for very good reason. The guide will even have a paranormal detection device as they share the island's most unnerving yarns across a 90-minute walk, taking attendees through sites and buildings that have achieved notoriety. Many of the spots visited are rarely opened to the public, so you'll be seeing some new sites as you listen to gruesome true tales. Kicking off with a sold-out session on Halloween, the tours will run each Saturday night from 9.30–11pm from November 17. Bookings are required, with $45 gets you a scary adventure — and if you're feeling brave, you can also glamp overnight from $200.
Whether you're a cheese-enthusiast, aspiring pasta maker or wannabe dumpling master, the Tramsheds has you sorted this spring. Over the coming months, the food and wine mecca will play host to a throng cooking workshops and events, which gives you the chance to mix up your midweek routine and brush up on your culinary skills. Pop-up events include Fish & Co. Dumpling Workshops, pasta making tutorials hosted by Flour Eggs Water, Bubbles, Burrata & Bocconcini cheesemaking classes — yep, you get a glass of bubbles or beer — and Mediterranean cheesemaking classes (don't worry you get bubbles there, too). The classes range between $75–125, which is not too bad considering the knowledge and skills you acquire, the recipe cards that you get to take home and the tasty fare you get to sample along the way. Check out the full list of events here and get cooking.
When you're craving inspiration, double bills are a gift, and throughout late October, Sydney Dance Company is giving you just that. As a lead into its fiftieth year of operation in 2019, the Company will run a double bill performance, with both featuring scores by popular modern musicians. First up is Frame of Mind, directed by Rafael Bonachela. The production explores the human psyche through synchronised contemporary dance and has been one of Sydney Dance Company's most successful recent works, winning all four categories (best choreography, best dance work, plus best male and female dancer) at the Helpmann Awards in 2015. Why it took out the titles will be very clear, with a classical soundtrack by Bryce Dessner of The National that will be performed live for the occasion by the Australian String Quartet. The performance will then be followed up by the Company's newest work, Forever & Ever, described as an exploration of the human soul in the form of contemporary dance. The choreography, lead by Antony Hamilton, takes inspiration form machines and technology and is coupled with a hypnotic soundtrack from Julian Hamilton of The Presets. To purchase tickets for this exciting double bill performance, visit the website. We also have five double passes to the opening night performance to give away. Enter with your details below. [competition]691001[/competition]
Last time Ben Caplan was here in 2014, he was accompanied by a band called the Casual Smokers — a motley crew who helped their frontman spark a gnarly jamboree of pluck-and-twang folk ballads. For Sydney Festival 2019, he and his beard are back. It looks like he's fired the band, kept their instruments and taken up acting. Old Stock is being billed as a refugee love story and, with a multitude of instruments strewn about the stage, there's no chance this is going to be a spoken word gig. Seizing upon the Jewish musical tradition of the klezmer folk tale, Caplan will set about rattling off the tale of two Romanian Jews looking to make a new home in Canada in the early 20th century. If you're desperate for a seat in the front row, some sort of face-protector wouldn't go astray — Old Stock's won a bunch of plaudits and when Caplan dances, Edinburgh Fringe Awards tend to fall out of his trousers. Old Stock is part of Sydney Festival's dramatic and diverse 2019 program. Check out the full lineup here. Image: Stoo Metz Photography.
Since opening its first Sydney restaurant in Darling Harbour one year ago, Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co. has swiftly expanded around town. The team launched in Castle Hill in July and a brand-spankin' new restaurant has just opened in Manly Wharf. In celebration of the Manly Wharf grand opening, the Queensland-born cult burger brand is throwing the Northern Beaches a big ol' bash. The all-ages party will start at noon on Saturday, November 10, with DJs spinning throwback tracks well into the night. A massive fireworks show will kick off at 8.45pm, sparking those fun and infectious celebration vibes. There'll also be beachside games (including free beach balls for children) and a free photo booth inside a Kombi van, so you can take plenty of happy snaps. Of course, Betty's will be slinging its signature burgers and concretes (frozen custard shakes) throughout the festivities — snack on the Angus beef patty paired with a chocolate hazelnut doughnut concrete, the southern-fried chicken burger with a peanut butter thick shake or the crispy fried mushroom variety with a lemon raspberry cheesecake concrete. These combinations may sound crazy, but somehow Betty's makes it work. See you there, burger lovers. The Betty's Burgers Manly Wharf Grand Opening will kick off from midday on Saturday, November 10.
An epic new Australian story, complete with live music, dance and an authentic Sri Lankan meal. 16 people. Five languages. Two continents. If you think this sounds a tad larger than Belvoir's usual fare, you'd be right. They think so, too. Counting and Cracking, a new work by Homebush-based writer S. Shakthidharan is the first show in Belvoir's history that's demanded a separate venue. It revolves around a single family, but it also has some serious sprawl. Crossing continents, languages and generations with a cast of almost 20 actors, the Belvoir's Upstairs Theatre was never going to cut it. Director Eamon Flack and the gang have upped stumps to Sydney Town Hall for an ambitious theatre experience. The work is an epic that follows Radha and her son Siddartha and how they find themselves torn by life in Australia and the demands of a family back in Sri Lanka. New strings and old are pulled taut as family and circumstance begin dredging up the past. Through music, dance and a story of action and romance, the play explores broader and more complex issues — particularly the political and social challenges of migration. It's a clever piece of storytelling that shares what life in Australia is like for many and what 'home' means. Ensuring the show (and by extension, its message) won't be easily forgotten, Belvoir is making the experience truly immersive. The Sydney Town Hall you know will be replaced by a Sri Lankan equivalent, complete with sarongs on seats, wrought iron gates and, of course, a cricket scoreboard on the wall. Before the performance commences, you'll be treated to an authentic Sri Lankan meal. Bookings are limited so we recommend moving quickly if you want to witness this spectacular show. Image: Brett Boardman.
Style and sustainability go hand-in-hand at Sydney-based label Chief Studio, which has just launched its first summer collection. Created by New Zealand native Zoe Ellis, the fashion outfit takes its name from her grandmother, the chief of her Pacific Island community. The label is all about clothing that looks great but doesn't literally cost the earth — think timeless womenswear that's designed to stand the test of time, and is designed in an ethical manner using 100 percent organic cottons and waterless digital printing. To help Sydneysiders get their hands on Chief Studio's first summery wares, Chief Studio is popping up in Surry Hills until Tuesday, November 27. From 11.30am–6pm on weekdays and 10am–5pm on weekends, you can drop by the Crown Street spot to peruse its playful, hand-painted, mix-and-match pieces. With silk shirt dresses, heart-covered ensembles and pinstripe halters part of the range, your warm weather wardrobe will thank you.
You know it's almost that time of year again when advent calendars, tinsel and Santa stockings start to line the supermarket shelves. Before you freak out, head to the shops in a flurry and try to knock out all of your Christmas shopping in one fell swoop (while still getting each person something unique and special), we've found a solution that'll make things a little less painful. Coming to Sydney for the third time this December, The Big Design Market is a three-day independent designer extravaganza featuring more than 200 stallholders. They'll be selling everything from homewares and ceramics to clothing, jewellery and stationery. With such an eclectic mix of exhibitors, you're sure to find a stall to suit your needs and procure presents for even the pickiest people on your list. Should you grow hungry or thirsty mid-shop, there's a smorgasbord of tasty fare on offer from local Sydney favourites like Shortstop, Smoking Gun Bagels, Gelato Messina, Welcome Dose Specialty Coffee, Archie Rose, Mary's and Young Henrys. You'll also have the chance to peruse a specially commissioned large-scale installation by author and illustrator Marc Martin — expect to be wowed. If you want to grab a gift for numero uno — hey, you've worked hard — treat yourself to a showbag. The exclusive goodie bags are filled with amazing pieces from Melbourne and Sydney's best designers, including Dana Kinter, Erika Harder, Leif, Karmme and Red Parka, to name a few. A limited number will be available to purchase for $20 ($100 value), with a different selection available each day. Another hot tip: if you're visiting on the Friday, try to track down one of the free 'gold books' which hold secret, special deals for over 90 of the stalls. So, prepare your list and bank account and get ready to shop till you drop. The market will be open from 10am till 8pm on Friday, 10am till 7pm on Saturday and 10am till 5pm on Sunday. Entry is $2 per person.
Sydney's Cambridge Markets are coming to the Shire for the first this holiday season when the Kurnell Christmas Market takes over the Bonna Point Reserve on Sunday, November 25 from 10am–4pm. The gift bazaar will feature 120 stalls offering everything from artisan clothing, accessories, sustainable homewares and pet goods to Christmas trees, puddings, organic hams and turkeys. Apart from packaged smallgoods, an array of hot food stalls — ranging from vegan hamburgers to Vietnamese food — will help you fuel up for the shopping frenzy. Live music is on the docket too, along with rides, henna and face painting booths for little ones. For commuters, there will be a special market bus running from Cronulla station to Bonna Point Reserve from 9.30am–4.10pm that day. As in previous years, The Cambridge Markets will also host the Watson's Bay Twilight Market on December 7 from 3pm and the Entertainment Quarter Christmas Market on December 15 from 8am (at the market's headquarters in Moore Park). Keep an eye on the Cambridge Markets Facebook page for further Christmas market details and updates.
On Wednesdays in January, Art Gallery of NSW is inviting you to kick off your work boots and slip into your dancing shoes, with a series of free dance workshops taking place as part of Art After Hours. Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of the Masters of Modern Art exhibition, the movement sessions will help you start your year on the right foot (or two left feet, depending on your dance skills). Led by Danielle Micich, artistic director of dance theatre company Force Majeure, each of the four mass movement workshops embody the spirit of a different art period. You can throw down your most jagged, geometric shapes for the cubism-inspired workshop or channel the vibrant energy of renegade Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky in the abstract-themed class (we assume the more eccentric the moves, the better). Art, dance, music, fun, you get the picture. Heck, you'll dance the picture. The workshops run from 6.30–7pm, so you'll still have time to treat your newly limber self to a drink, visit the Masters of Modern Art exhibition and check out the rest of that evening's Art After Hours program. It's a great first date — nothing breaks the ice like watching someone try to dance 'Picasso' — or bring a few colleagues and take after-work drinks to a whole new level. Dance Workshops: Modern Art Movements will take place January 9, 16, 23 and 30, 6.30–7pm.
Whether sweet, dry or draught tickles your tastebuds, there's nothing quite like a glass of ice cold cider on a nice spring day. Come Saturday, October 20, that's exactly The Tudor is serving up, with the Redfern pub bringing its cider fest back for another spin. Aiming to showcase cidery goodness in as many forms as possible, there's no prizes for guessing what's on offer. Think apple and pear tipples from the likes of Young Henrys, Batlow Cider Co, Black Brewing Co, Bilpin and Yullis. Tasting as many as possible is what the afternoon shindig is all about, with five available for $15. If all that sipping works up an appetite, pairing your beverages with pork — on sliders, or of the sausage hot dog variety — is also on the menu. And if you're need of some entertainment, the venue is also putting on comedy upstairs. Entry is free, although you'll need your wallet for food and drinks.
What haven't you done at Since I Left You? You've eaten there, downed some drinks, enjoyed a Sunday session, listened to tunes, showed off your trivia prowess and even wandered around a market — but you mightn't have caught a film. Until now, that is. Introducing SILY Screenings, which will help you add seeing a movie to your list reasons to drop on by. Occurring fortnightly on Wednesdays at 7pm until March 28, SILY Screenings showcases a curated lineup of features, docos, shorts and more, all in a boutique outdoor cinema in the venue's heritage-listed courtyard. Settle in for a flick, munch on fresh popcorn — or SILY Crack Corn, as they're calling it — and pick a bev from the Four Pillars G&T menu. You can even SMS your order so you won't have to get up while you're watching. As for what'll be dancing in front of your eyeballs, it's a varied selection with plenty of highlights. Valentine's Day will see a session of ace Aussie effort Holding the Man, Vanessa Gray's hitchhiker flick Highway will screen on February 28, while March 28 will boast local doco The Last Goldfish. Plus, tickets only cost $5, with all proceeds being donated to a charity of the filmmakers choice.
Little has changed since the 2016 leak of the Nauru Files, which detail 2116 incident reports of assault, sexual and child abuse, self-harm and horrible living conditions suffered by asylum seekers on Nauru, one of Australia's offshore refugee detention centres. With the centre continuing to operate regardless, 33 award-winning artists have teamed up to create All We Can't See: Illustrating the Nauru Files, which will show at Yellow House gallery from Friday, February 2 through Saturday, February 10. The exhibition illustrates the suffering of detainees through creative expression, with each artist having chosen a specific Nauru file to interpret. The exhibition's renowned Australian artists include painter Ben Quilty, 2017 Bvlgari Art Award recipient Tomislav Nikolic, Tim Maguire, Sulman Prize winner Aida Tomescu, and multi-discipline artist Belinda Fox. Two free panel discussions will be held alongside the exhibition on February 3 and February 10. The first will be moderated by Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch Australia and include discussions with Mohammad Ali Baqiri, an advocate, refugee and former detainee on Nauru. Award-winning journalist Paul Farrell — a lead member of The Guardian's reporting team on the Nauru Files — will also be in attendance, as will participating artist Angus McDonald. With a complete lack of media access to the island, the artists hopes to raise greater awareness through their art in this sure to be powerful exhibition. Image: Work by Pia Johnson.
Every city has one: an area littered with the usual eateries, convenience stores and variety shops, with a slightly grimy, ripped-from-the-'70s pawnbrokers nestled smack bang in the middle. In Melbourne, the suburb of Footscray offers up just that — and provides Pawno with its setting. Indeed, actor-turned-filmmaker Paul Ireland doesn't just stroll the streets to make his directorial debut, but endeavours to bring the thriving locale to the big screen. A diverse Aussie drama is the end result, offering a lived-in slice of neighbourhood life, its ups and downs, and its multicultural populace. Unsurprisingly, the titular cash-for-goods establishment sits at the centre of the action. Run by the gruff but kindly Les Underwood (John Brumpton) and his lovesick offsider Danny (Damian Hill), it's the kind of place that all of the locals drop by during the course of the day. Over a 24-hour period, a number of shoppers, pals and others stop in or loiter around outside. Some, like transgender woman Paige (Daniel Frederiksen), are after quick cash. Others, such as visibly upset mother Jennifer (Kerry Armstrong), are trying to track down both goods and people. And then there's Kate (Maeve Dermody), who works in the nearby bookshop, needs help fixing her glasses, and happens to be the secret object of Danny's affection. In addition to playing Danny, Hill also provides the low-budget indie with its screenplay. Despite this, his character is just one of many. Pawno proves less concerned with charting one person's journey, and more interested in weaving snippets of stories into a textured tapestry of the community. Alas, that choice proves both a strength and a weakness. While the unassuming feature boasts variety and vibrancy, its episodic narrative lacks a sense of cohesion. Fortunately, the talented ensemble of performers — which includes Malcolm Kennard and Mark Coles Smith as a duo of homeless hangabouts, as well as Holding the Man's Tony Rickards as one of Les' pals — keep things intriguing, especially when the script goes down many an expected path. They might all be playing thinly written characters, but they each make their respective roles feel real. Thanks to their combined efforts, the ample amounts of Aussie slang and swearing aren't the only aspects of Pawno that come across as genuine. As clichéd as it sounds, the suburb of Footscray also helps ramp up Pawno's atmosphere of authenticity. The graffiti-strewn streets are as significant a presence as Les, Danny and company, with cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe finding the right balance between gloss and grit. Of course, that's the combination the feature aims for overall: candid but caring. It's an ambitious mix for an ambitious feature, even if the patchwork package doesn't always convincingly come together.
Best known as the voice of US cable network Comedy Central and one of the best ever episodes of Drunk History, American comedian Kyle Kinane is hitting the harbour city with a show called Terrestrial Woes. It's a fitting title for a comic whose humour tends to stem from observations about everyday misfortunes. He's a gruff but immensely likeable storyteller with a talent for making the mundane seem funny and occasionally profound. A definite standout on this year's program.
Winner of the Comic's Choice Award at last year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and one of the founding members of the True Australian Patriots, Anne Edmonds is fast becoming one of our favourite Australian stand-ups. Ribald and energetic with a healthy-dose of sarcasm and self-deprecation thrown in, her latest show, That's Eddotainment, focuses on two key themes: despair and humiliation. Not the easiest subjects for an hour-long comedy show, but Eddo well and truly delivers.
Make your end-of-week bevs count by heading to the Kings Cross Hotel on Thursday, May 12 for a night of beers, bikes and loud beats — for the legends at Sea Shepherd. Taking over multiple floors of the hotel, the Culture Collective Party sees Young Henrys, Sailor Jerry and Gasoline Motor Co. teaming up for one night only, raising much-needed dosh for the crew behind Sea Shepherd (the no-holds-barred conservation charity responsible for protecting the ecosystems of oceans worldwide). There'll be live art and music provided by the impossibly fun, rockabilly Western Swing fivesome Cruisin' Deuces. Head to the rooftop to hear the hotel's resident DJs, take a peak at the Gasoline Custom Motorcycles display or donate to get your hair or beard styled at a pop-up barber shop downstairs. With tickets just $10 (including a free drink on arrival), there's plenty of reason to get behind this cause.
Early in Good Will Hunting, a maths professor (Stellan Skarsgård) tries to convince his therapist friend (Robin Williams) that a troubled janitor (Matt Damon) is actually a genius. To make his case, he mentions Srinivasa Ramanujan, a self-taught Indian prodigy who compiled thousands of theories at the beginning of the twentieth century. For many viewers, that's probably the only time they've heard his name — and they may not even remember it. Stepping through Ramanujan's story, The Man Who Knew Infinity endeavours to explain why he's held in such high esteem, and to bring the mathematical pioneer to wider attention. Given that Ramanujan taught himself complex equations, earned the intrigue of academics on another continent and then proved his prowess to even the most skeptical of onlookers, he's certainly worthy of acclaim and recognition. As played by Dev Patel, his tale is filled with extraordinary achievements, spanning his childhood in Madras, his acceptance into Cambridge and his bond with his mentor, G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons). Sadly, it's also blighted by the prejudice of his peers, as well as numerous physical, emotional and spiritual struggles along the way. There are only so many ways that a film can cycle through the life and times of people of note, with biopics often judged on three factors: how closely they stick to the usual formula, whether they're based around a convincing central portrayal, and if they manage to shine a spotlight on little-known facts or under-appreciated figures. While The Man Who Knew Infinity is guilty of the former in the most dutiful and conventional of ways, it's also boosted by Patel's measured yet moving performance, as well as the feature's earnest and noble attempt to pay tribute to Ramanujan. Just as the groundbreaking maths wiz benefited from his working relationship with Hardy, however, Patel is at his best when Irons is by his side. The Slumdog Millionaire star might be working with his most significant role since his breakthrough appearance, but it's his veteran co-star who threatens to steal the show. As Irons exudes a mix of world-weariness, tenacity and elegance in every scene, Patel rises to match him. Of course, they're not merely playing their tweed-suited, teacher and student parts. Here, art is clearly imitating multiple layers of life. Accordingly, as a showcase for its two key talents and as a celebration of its subject, The Man Who Knew Infinity never proves less than interesting — although writer-director Matt Brown doesn't always seem to realise that. In fact, in adapting the biographical book of the same name, the second-time filmmaker could've used a little of Ramanujan's dedication and enthusiasm, not to mention Patel's passion and Irons' charm. Preferring the slow, steady and sentimental approach, he makes all the obvious storytelling and stylistic choices, including keeping everything as polished as possible. Thankfully, the broader details win out over the overall method of delivery.
Florence Foster Jenkins is a tale of talent and tenderness. The real-life American socialite might've infamously lacked the former, but the movie that shares her name overflows with the latter. Just as her ghastly attempts at singing sprang from her devotion to music, a "profound communion" as she called it, filmmaker Stephen Frears (The Program) is driven by affection and empathy for his eccentric subject. There's a reason that she packed out Carnegie Hall, earned a dedicated following, and inspired four plays, a documentary and now two feature films: Jenkins' passion is just that contagious. Her enthusiasm also explains why people clamoured to her shows, starting with private recitals for pals and graduating to the prestigious gala concert she was determined to stage. When the film first spies Jenkins (Meryl Streep), she's in her element, with an adoring crowd watching on and loving husband St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) waiting in the wings. It's only when she hires pianist Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) to accompany her operatic warbling that the extent of her inability to carry a tune becomes apparent McMoon can barely hide his dismay, let alone keep tickling the ivories as she croons, and viewers are expected to share his reaction. And yet Florence Foster Jenkins isn't actually about the fact that its namesake can't sing. It's about what drives this fascinating woman, and how those who love her help her chase her dreams. Unlike the cruel streak that troubled recent French film Marguerite, which told a fictionalised version of the same scenario, Frears' take on the story couldn't be warmer. Even Jenkins' many eccentricities, as illustrated via the extravagant outfits she wears, her distinctive taste in decor, and her obsession with eating bathtubs full of potato salad, are met with kind-hearted humour. Here, tone is key. There's a difference between laughing with someone as opposed to at them, which Frears understands even when he's highlighting the more farcical aspects of the story. With a critic (Christian McKay) determined to expose Jenkins' flaws, and Bayfield's mistress (Rebecca Ferguson) lurking around, there's certainly ample absurdity and drama on show. In one of his best performances in years, Grant proves the best indicator of how the movie chooses to treat each development, be it silly, serious or sweet. With the ideal balance of gracefulness and glossiness, nothing escapes his gaze — and whether he's being comforting or charming, he hits all the right notes. Of course, Frears' loving approach couldn't have proven as sincere as it does without the committed work of his leading lady, who's in screwball comedy rather than awards-chasing mode. Streep may have demonstrated her vocal talents in Mamma Mia and Ricki and the Flash, but now the applauded actress appears to be enjoying herself doing exactly the opposite. Indeed, while it might threaten to overstay its welcome slightly, and clearly favours broad appeal over intimate details, Florence Foster Jenkins achieves the synergy between its central figure, lead performance and guiding force that all biopics seek. And unlike it's protagonist, it barely misses a beat.
Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti is no stranger to death, or to examining the subject on film. It might be something most of us don't like to think about, however the writer-director understands the shadow mortality can cast, as well as the way that the act of mourning can overtake a person's life. After exploring the impact of losing a child in 2001's Palme d'Or winner The Son's Room, and then writing and starring in 2008's Quiet Chaos, he returns to the topic with Mia Madre. That the film's name means "my mother" in his native tongue is telling. Taking a decidedly meta approach. the film follows a filmmaker in the midst of production while at the same time coping with the hospitalisation of her mother. It's not quite as autobiographical as it sounds: the director is a woman, Margherita (Margherita Buy), while Moretti plays her brother Giovanni, and veteran Italian actress Giulia Lazzarini plays their mother. And yet, in the way that Mia Madre hones in on the stress of simultaneous professional and personal crises, there's no doubting that the tale evolves from experience. As her mother's health begins to decline, Margherita struggles to make her movie – about factory employees fighting for better working conditions – while also using it as a distraction from her troubles. Alas, her freshly arrived American lead (John Turturro) refuses to learn his lines or follow her directions, constantly derailing and delaying production. With her live-in lover in the process of moving out and her teenage daughter struggling at school, Margherita's home life offers little solace either. Depicting many a balancing act, Mia Madre swiftly proves one itself. Moretti keeps searching for the right mix between quiet and anxious, dramatic and comedic, and contemplative and freewheeling. In fact, his film is more convincing in demonstrating how frustrating that can be than it is in finding any harmony between its competing elements. Of course, that's partially the point, with grief clearly painted as a disruptive and destabilising force. And yet, as accurate and authentic as the movie's messiness feels in an emotional sense, it also makes other contrasting factors — such as the patient camerawork and energetic performances — seem slight, a little convenient and sometimes out of place. Indeed, it's always distracting when a specific actor appears as though they're in the wrong film, even when they're one of the best things about it. Turturro lights up the screen and brings a few well-timed comic moments, yet never completely fits in with his surroundings. That's not a criticism of his performance, or of the more restrained but similarly excellent efforts of Buy and Moretti. Instead, it's an acknowledgement that even in thoughtful, intimate accounts of something as complex and challenging as death, mimicking chaos and actually embodying it aren't quite the same thing.
Polica's ethereal melodies, dark lyrics, escapist dancing and double drummers inspired Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to describe them as "the best band in the world". Having won buckets of Sydney love on their first visit, this Minneapolis-based group is returning to play the Opera House for Vivid, with third album United Crushers in hand. Expect more of their unique blend of drum and bass, hip hop and synth-pop, plus a bigger emphasis on Channy Leaneagh's extraordinary voice. After Vivid, Polica will be heading to Europe to play a stack of festivals, including Germany's Hurricane and Southside, Ireland's Castlepalooza and London's Hyde Park.
If you can find a better date than hearing talks and seeing live music over cheeky vinos in an art gallery, we'd love to hear about it. For one lunar month, the Art Gallery of New South Wales's Art After Hours program is bringing their mega exhibition Tang: Treasures from the Silk Road Capital to life with a series of talks and live performances. Each Wednesday night, the Gallery will be brimming with free after-hours shenanigans that celebrate and explore Chinese history and culture. During June, a different lineup of Chinese art-inspired happenings will take place in the Gallery, from comedy to talks and music. Want to learn up on your Chinese art history? Be sure to get there from 5.30pm for a series of exhibition talks from the curator and other experts. For something more 'Tang in cheek', you don't want to miss Benjamin Law's segment from 6.30pm. He'll be chatting with other prominent Chinese Australians — including SBS's Lee Lin Chin and chef Adam Liaw — about what it's like to move to and live in Australian as someone with Chinese heritage. Then, from 7.30pm, Sydney producer and musician Rainbow Chan will be belting out tracks in the Gallery's entrance court. As the winner of FBi's 2011 Northern Lights Competition, she's the perfect artist to complete your sensory experience as you explore the exhibition. Art After Hours runs until 10pm every Wednesday night. By Shannon Connellan, Tom Clift and Lauren Vadnjal.
Amnesty International may have been around for over 50 years, but that certainly doesn't mean they've lost touch with how to move people to action. Run by this renowned world leader in social justice and human rights issues, Amnesty International Australia is running a two-hour seminar to reveal the potential of art in public action. Indigenous rights campaigner Roxanne Moore will lead discussion about creating innovative ways to tackle one of Australia's toughest social concerns: the treatment of our Indigenous peoples. In line with Amnesty's current campaign 'Community Is Everything', this talk unpacks the power and creativity of Indigenous people, showcasing the various ways art serves to voice their rights, passions and abilities. Expect to leave this one pretty inspired. There's also an exhibition to run to with this event, showing at Work-Shop in Redfern. This is one of our top picks for Vivid Ideas events. Read the whole list and reboot your brain.
A film festival dedicated to American films? Bear with us here. Sure, Hollywood pumps out most of the movies that reach our screens, but don't expect to see superheroes battling for supremacy, transforming robotic cars saving the world or an endless parade of sequels at Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now. Instead, the brand new event is dedicated to the types of US flicks that don't usually make it to our shores. Here, smaller titles and character-driven fare share the spotlight with experimental efforts, intriguing docos and the kind of classics that you won't find on every retro lineup. Think revisionist westerns featuring gun-slinging gals and explorations of important American artists, plus the chance to see early work by the Coen brothers, Kathryn Bigelow, Richard Linklater and Sofia Coppola in a cinema. The festival will run from May 17 until June 8 at Palace Verona on Oxford Street and Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt. You can find Sydney session times here. Need help deciding what to see? Take a look at our top five films to see at the festival.
There's nothing particularly noteworthy about British actors playing Americans, since by now they've pretty much all done it. But it is a little weird when (a) every single one of a film's American characters are played by Brits, and (b) none of them actually need to be American for the story to make sense. In fact, in Bastille Day, the fact that all but one of the Americans also work for the CIA only adds to the mystery, given the film is set entirely in Paris, has nothing to do with America and any other spy agency would have made as much sense, if not more. Still, Americans they all play and – to be fair – they do a fine job playing them. Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) plays Michael Mason, a gifted American pickpocket who steals and then discards a bag from an anarchist bomber's naive girlfriend Zoe (the delightful Charlotte Le Bon), unaware that it contains a powerful explosive. When the bomb goes off killing several French citizens, Mason is presumed to be a terrorist, and – for no particular reason – the CIA decides they want to nab him before the French do. Sent in to retrieve him is the gruff, burly and comically maverick agent Sean Briar (Idris Elba), whose 'to hell with protocol' attitude is so inexplicably extreme it borders on parody. When Briar realises Mason is innocent, the pair teams up to track down the real bombers before they can carry out their final objective: setting Paris ablaze with race riots to provide cover for a daring robbery. Filmed on what appears to be a shoestring budget, director James Watkins (also British) manages to keep the pace snappy and the action altogether interesting, enough to gloss over most of the threadbare plot. The film's rooftop chase sequence would feel comfortably at home in any Bourne movie, while a close-quarters fist-fight inside a minivan provides Bastille Day's most inventive and engaging scene. Everything has a real Luc Besson feel about it, but not always in the good way. Secondary characters are just caricatures, the violence is hyper-stylised and rarely believable, and what little dialogue there is tends towards corny cliches. Bastille Day also contains perhaps the greatest line of instantly-dated dioalogue ever recorded, with one of the villains saying (without a single shred of irony) "the hashtags will tip them over. Release the final hashtag." Much has been made recently of Elba's potential selection as the next Bond, and this film certainly does nothing to harm his action man credentials. Elba is a giant, unstoppable juggernaut whose impressive physicality imposes itself in every scene. When asked early on why he ran from Briar, Mason's reply of "because you were chasing me. Have you seen yourself!?" is as amusing as it is fair. Still, it seems a waste to squander all this acting talent on a film that asks so little of its players and gives so little in return. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5R0bI8EJCQ
December's arrival means the silly season is here. And because Christmas time is the best excuse for party time (and drinking wine at lunch on a work day), the folks of Rosebery's finest businesses have decided to throw a big one. After a stellar debut in 2015, the Rosebery Block Party will make a return this Sunday, December 11. It's a free collaboration and celebration of local business and the locals who support them. First things first, nosh. Messina will be holding a one-day blowout instalment of their Messina Eats event, titled Merry Mary's Xmas. They'll be bring their mates Mary's over from Newtown to sling their cult favourite burgers, loaded fries and some very epic Messina thickshakes — we hear there'll be both salted bourbon caramel and Coco Pops cereal milk varieties available to slurp. They've also teamed up with Archie Rose, who'll be mixing up Messina spiders at their gin distillery just around the corner. Black Star Pastry is taking care of all your sugary needs, offering up the usual favourites. Pick up one of their Christmas puddings while you're there. Koskela will also be hosting two Aboriginal weaving workshops on the day — where you can learn how to make cute Christmas decorations from natural grasses — and a heap of businesses from The Cannery complex are getting involved. Expect to get into goodies from Three Blue Ducks, The Drink Hive and Welcome Dose, and take a look around Saporium's Christmas markets too. By Lauren Vadnjal and Kimberley Mai. Image: Mary's/Gelato Messina.
You might've heard of Taryn Brumfitt, a photographer and Adelaide-based mother-of-three, and one of Australia's leading voices on the topic of healthy body image. In fact, you've probably seen her before-and-after photos, which defy the all-too-common belief that thin equals happy. Her 2013 Facebook post went viral, seen by more than 100 million people around the world. Ashton Kutcher shared it, international talk shows came calling, and her inbox was flooded with emails from women with stories about their own struggle with body image and shame. Motivated by these experiences, Brumfitt has now turned to filmmaking, crafting a documentary about the onslaught of issues and opinions women face when it comes to the concept of beauty, and the compulsive need people feel to conform to society's arbitrary physical standards. The epitome of an activist picture crusading for a cause, the impassioned Embrace presents a wealth of information about a topic that's clearly near and dear to its maker's heart: encouraging everyone to love their bodies, just the way they are. Indeed, in a world where airbrushed models can be seen on every screen, and the beauty and diet industry rely on insecurity to turn a profit, Brumfitt's film could hardly feel more crucial. Embrace reveals an engrained self-loathing many women feel when asked about their appearance, and emphasises the need for a broader conversation on the subject. That the film was largely funded by Kickstarter contributions shows that she's not the only person eager to talk about the topic, either. Accordingly, in addition to recounting Brumfitt's personal experience, Embrace touches on everything from eating disorders and plastic surgery to recovering from physical harm and finding a space for varied representation in the media. She chats with a model considered plus-sized, and gets a consultation from someone eager to use a scalpel to improve her body. Famous faces such as British TV personality Amanda De Cadenet and American television host Ricki Lake give insights into their ups and downs. Burn victim Turia Pitt also relates her journey, as does German actress Nora Tschirner, with the two offering varied examples of the eternal attempt to be comfortable in one's own skin. It's an inspiring compilation — albeit one that can seem a tad repetitious. Of course, it could be argued that the film's message needs to be stressed again and again, until the battle for a more inclusive and positive approach to body image has been won. On the technical side of things, there's little about Embrace that hasn't been seen before, though again, its just-polished-enough sheen suits its content. Ultimately, when it comes to championing the importance of looking beyond the surface, this documentary does everything it can to make its statement heard.
Rub elbows with world class journalists at Storyology 2016. Presented by The Walkley Foundation, Australia's premier journalism and storytelling festival returns to Sydney from August 10-13, and will be hosted this year at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. Whether you're a career journalist, aspiring writer or just like hearing interesting people talk, there's sure to be something on the program for you. Indeed, festival organisers have put together an extraordinarily lineup of speakers, including International Consortium of Investigative Journalists director Gerard Ryle, Storyful global news editor David Clinch, and Egyptian digital journalist Lina Attalah. Panel topics, meanwhile, will range from freedom of the press in the Arab world to the coalescence of news and comedy on programs like The Weekly and The Feed. You can also get a double dose of political podcasting with live recordings of Two Grumpy Hacks and The Party Room. For the full Storyology Program visit www.walkleys.com/storyology16/ Check out our interview with The Feed's Jeannette Francis and The Weekly's James Colley over here.
We're happy to announce that, in the name of gender equality, chef Teague Ezard is finally opening the female equivalent to his popular Melbourne Asian fusion eatery Gingerboy in Sydney: Gingergirl. Okay, so it's not really in the name of gender equality, it's more in the name of excellent Thai food — but for whatever reason, the acclaimed restaurant is popping up at The Star until the end of March 2017. Ezard is behind the food at the complex's BLACK Bar and Grill, and Gingergirl will be making her appearance right around the corner. You can expect an earthier twist on Gingerboy's menu, at far earthier prices. Think cold noodle salad with all the trimmings — squid, drunken chicken, sesame, paw paw and bandit dressing — for $16, a yellow curry of blue eye and wagyu brisket with peanut tamarind caramel and hot and sour coconut salad for $22 a piece. They're also doing Vietnamese coffees and bubble tea, and a thom kha creme brûlée for dessert. The dining atmosphere will also err on the side of casual, so it's a good way to taste some damn fine food without the fine dining vibes (or price tag).
Sydney's Shangri-La Hotel is doing something a little different to the usual super swish accommodation thing – they're hosting the annual Philippines Food Festival at Café Mix, with buffet lunch and dinner events happening in September. The hotel is bringing in guest chefs to expand your palates (and bellies). On the foodie line-up is Rico Celdo Venzon, Athena Blanche Tan Oropesa and Erma Balaquiao Palanca from the Shangri-La Hotel in Manila. The food featured will showcase a cuisine that draws inspiration from its tropical setting, and will definitely include some classic national dishes. Head over for tasty treats like Adobong Manok (chicken cooked in soy, vinegar and garlic), Lechon Kawali Sisig (stir-fried crispy pork) and Kare-Kareng Buntot ng Baka (stewed oxtail in peanut sauce). Keen for dessert? Try Halo-Halo (fruits with shaved ice and toppings) or Turon – a banana and jackfruit springroll. You'll be saying "napakasaráp nitó" (it is delicious) in no time. The festival will run from September 16th-23rd and the buffet lunch will be available between noon and 2:30pm at $57 pp, or dinner from 6-10pm at $82 pp. To book yourself in for the buffet, call (03) 9250 6000 or go to the Shangri-La website.
