Join a host of hilarious women in this comedy event all about bicycles. Now in its fourth year, Pushy Women is an afternoon of laughs organised by writer, comedian and cycling evangelist Catherine Deveny. This edition features Wendy Harmer, Tracey Spicer, Zoe Norton-Lodge, Mariam Veiszadeh, Dee Madigan, Nakkiah Lui and Lady Sings it Better, who will regale with stories of life on (and off) two wheels. And if you weren’t pumped up enough already, you can also participate in a women’s cycle through Marrickville before the show kicks off. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe Festival. See the other nine here.
Jono Ma is world famous amongst Sydney electronic circles. He took over main man duties from Kirin J Callinan in the inventive Los Valentinos, met his musical equal in Callinan and went on to form tribal-theatre indie super-group Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, and mixed the highly-anticipated upcoming debut from Brisbane's Mitzi. Some even say the illustrious Foals have Ma to thank for introducing them to the wonderful world of synths. "Some" being Foals themselves. And as of last week his new outfit Jagwar Ma sits alongside Flume's and Mitzi's as the latest signing to Future Classic. Jagwar Ma is probably one of those mash-up names like KimYe and TomKat except way better because it makes you think of jungly house music and powerful oversized felines. Ma's collaborator is Gabriel Winterfield, who's earned his own laurels as vocalist and guitarist for alternative-indie band Ghostwood. Tonight marks Jagwar Ma's first-ever Australian show, where they'll be joined by Albatross, Splash (UK) and Angelo Cruzman, the last two in DJ mode. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EyFHZaqyZgU
Just because the films are short, doesn't mean the festivities have to be, or at least not when you're talking about this here Hawaiian-themed opening night party for 2013's Flickerfest. The event is a chance to see some of the best shorts to come out of this year's festival. Alexandra Schepisi's Jacki Weaver film Lois is the briefest of the bunch, clocking in at only eight minutes. Nash Egerton and Spencer Susser's The Captain (starring Boy director Taika Waititi) and actor-turned-director Damien Walsh-Howling's Suspended provide some bite-sized cinematic role reversal. After the screening it's your chance to schmooze with film industry insiders, which is another way of saying that world-renowned Elvis Presley tribute artist Jacqueline Feilich won’t be the only person to gawk at as you scarf down exquisite handmade rice paper rolls. Catering comes courtesy of Misschu, with Rosnay Organic Wines, Little Creatures, Crystal Head Vodka and Phoenix Organic Juices on drinks duty. DJ Stephen Ferris will be in charge of keeping you on your feet until the early hours.
UPDATE, October 7, 2020: The Death of Stalin is available to stream via Stan, Google Play and YouTube Movies. "I can't remember who's dead and who isn't," remarks a Soviet minister in The Death of Stalin, in what's actually one of the movie's tamer jokes. Guards tell each other to ignore a noise from the leader's office, because even acknowledging it would likely get them killed. Lackeys remark that all the best doctors are either in the gulag or dead. Generals enter the room asking "what's a war hero got to do to get some lubrication around here?" The list goes on. If you're going to make fun of the titular event and its aftermath, then there's no point being coy about it. And given that Veep, In the Loop and The Thick of It satirist Armando Iannucci is behind this fiercely, blackly funny film, viewers can be assured that it doesn't hold back. It's Moscow, circa 1953. Joseph Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) falls to the floor, and Russia's Politburo don't quite know what to do. Not that deputy Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor), party head Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi), foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov (Michael Palin) or secret police chief Lavrentiy Beria (Simon Russell Beale) can admit it, either publicly or privately. After three decades of Stalinist rule by fear, intimidation and executing anyone who expresses even the slightest opposition, the country's top brass are only certain of two things. Firstly, they can't trust anyone at all, not even each other. And secondly, if they show any sign of weakness or disloyalty, they'll end up stabbed in the back and six feet under themselves. Hell, the latter will probably happen anyway. So begins The Death of Stalin, a movie that takes inspiration from history, is filmed with the fitting slickness of propaganda, and really couldn't be more timely. It's a political farce about tyrannical leaders, slippery cronies and a nation in turmoil. It's also a portrait of a government wedded to its own version of the truth at any cost, and acting absolutely mercilessly in dispensing with anyone who disagrees. Finally, it's a flick about blustering men pretending they're stronger and bolder than they are, while whipping up paranoid hysteria to hide their failings. This should all sound familiar, and there's plenty more modern-day parallels where they came from. Yes, Iannucci is at it again in his usual uproarious fashion, slinging gags like weapons and flinging devastating one-liners like Molotov cocktails. (If you're wondering, the bomb did indeed get its name from Palin's character). Tackling Stalin's murderous regime, corrupt wheeling and dealing, and crafty offsiders, the filmmaker keeps one eye on the past and the other on contemporary times. Whether he's sticking with fiction or twisting days of old, the British writer-director has always had a knack for mirroring reality. That mightn't appear particularly hard given that Iannucci routinely turns the halls of power into caustic comedies, but no one manages the feat quite like him. He says "fuckety bye" to good taste and a rousing hello to savage parodies that simply wouldn't be as funny if they didn't seem both outlandish and accurate. Provocative, perceptive writing may be a sizeable part of The Death of Stalin's charm, but the film's cast do just as much heavy lifting. In particular, Buscemi's Khrushchev ranks among Iannucci's best characters — think The Thick of It's Malcolm Tucker in a literal life-or-death scenario, with equally oily schemes and rapid-fire insults. That said, the movie is an ensemble affair, including a hilarious Rupert Friend and a stern Andrea Riseborough as Stalin's children, plus Jason Isaacs as a gloriously puffed-up military head. As characters bicker over Stalin's body and banter about allegiance to the state, the corresponding performances prove a masterclass in devilishly, hysterically bleak comedy. If it all seems as brilliant as it does absurd, then this is your kind of film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KWg2nTYmk8
Drawing a picture is one of the first ways we learn to communicate what's in our minds to those around us. And, whether or not it was created with a pencil and paper or chalk on a pavement, we used the medium to share a vision — to share our way of seeing the world. Using the theme of Real Worlds, the Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial 2020 showcases the diverse ways in which eight artists make sense of the world, from intricate fantasy scenes to dark, abstract depictions of dreams. Curator Anne Ryan has selected works by contemporary Australian artists that use various tools to create these complex scenes — from those made with wax crayons, oil pigments and metallic paints to only graphite. It includes South Australian artist Peter Mungkuri's place-honouring 'Punu Ngura (Country with trees)', New South Wales artist Danie Mellor's fern-filled 'A time of the world's making' and Victorian artist Becc Ország's meticulously rendered 'Fantasy of virtue / All things and nothing'. The free exhibition also features drawings from Matt Coyle and Helen Wright (Tas), Nathan Hawkes and Jack Stahel (NSW) and Martin Bell (Vic). [caption id="attachment_787603" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Bell, 'Martin Son of the Universe, what me worry' 2018–19 (detail), copyright the artist[/caption] Images: 1. Matt Coyle 'Night pass' 2020, copyright the artist. 2. Installation view of 'Real Worlds: Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial 2020' exhibition, photo: AGNSW/Christopher Snee. 3 Peter Mungkuri 'Punu Ngura (Country with trees) 2' 2018 (detail), copyright the artist, photo: AGNSW, Christopher Snee. 4. Nathan Hawkes 'Cicadas exist, chicory, the cerebellum, cicadas, cobalt bombs exist' 2020, copyright the artist.
UPDATE, December 24, 2020: The Lodge is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. When a horror movie takes its title from a house, home, cabin or other structure, nothing good will happen within those walls. Indeed, when a film boasts a name like The Cabin in the Woods, The Last House on the Left or The Orphanage, it starts creeping people out — or at least evoking a considerable sense of foreboding — long before the first frames even roll. Unsurprisingly, The Lodge fits the mould perfectly. There's a lodge, naturally. It's in the middle of nowhere, of course, and it's further isolated by the expanse of ice and snow that surrounds it for miles. Inside, strange things happen, too. But don't go thinking that Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala's (Goodnight Mommy) slow-burning psychological thriller just sticks to an easy formula. Before taking viewers to the feature's eponymous abode, the writer/director team visit two other houses: the home of journalist Richard (Richard Armitage), where kids Aidan (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh) are being dropped off for the weekend; and that of his estranged wife Laura (Alicia Silverstone), who he's just told that he wants a divorce. Neither place particularly sparkles with joy, especially after Laura reacts to her marital breakdown — and the fact that Richard is planning to wed his younger girlfriend Grace (Riley Keough) within months — in a far more drastic fashion than just exclaiming "as if!". Afterwards, Aidan and Mia aren't thrilled about their new stepmother-to-be either, or the fact that she'll be joining them and their dad at the family lodge over Christmas. They're especially suspicious given that Grace isn't just the new woman in their father's life but, as a child, was the only survivor of a doomsday cult's suicide pact — which Richard literally wrote the book on. It's not hard to guess what happens next: they all go to the lodge, unease spreads and, after Richard heads back to the city to work for a few days, the situation explodes between Aidan, Mia and Grace. And while that may seem like as stock-standard a horror storyline (or family drama plot) as holidaying in a remote cabin, Franz and Fiala know how to mould even the most straightforward setup into something distinctive, chilling and disturbing. Their secret weapon: ambiguity. It's what made the aunt-and-nephew team's first feature, unsettling Austrian creepfest Goodnight Mommy, work such a charm as well. When The Lodge's central trio all awake to find a blizzard settling in, the power and water cut off, and all their food and warm clothes gone, there are a couple of perfectly reasonable explanations — but the possibility that something more sinister could be afoot also feels just as plausible. Cue a perturbing film that doesn't just ooze uncertainty, but embraces it, dwells in it and splashes it across the screen at every turn. That applies to the characters as well as to the audience, with mistrust and paranoia sparking plenty of questions on-screen and off. Grace wonders if Aidan and Mia are messing with her, the kids ponder whether their future stepmum's horrific past might be seeping into their present, and they all eventually suspect bigger, stranger causes. And, intimating that more than one answer might apply, Franz, Fiala and their co-writer Sergio Casci keep absolutely everyone guessing. Also adding another layer of queries: the movie's frequent, lingering glimpses at Mia's astonishingly detailed doll's house, which is filled with miniature versions of the exact same sights and scenes playing out in the lodge. If said doll's house reminds you of Hereditary and its disquieting diorama, that's understandable. They're made by different filmmakers, and The Lodge was in the works long before Hereditary premiered and became an instant cult horror hit, but the two films are kindred spirits. There's no limit on tragedy-fuelled explorations of family tensions, grief and distressing occurrences, after all — and no limit on atmospheric explorations of all of the above, either. Indeed, seeing how Franz and Fiala twist these familiar elements into something unique ranks among The Lodge's highlights. Mood-driven filmmakers, they ratchet up the eeriness with skill and style, firmly taking the film in its own direction. That said, for all its pinpoint-effective ambiguity, needling sights and sounds, and agitating ambience, The Lodge might've still proven generic. It could've just come across as a routine mashup of Goodnight Mommy and Hereditary, too, albeit an assured and eye-catching one. That's if it didn't have Keough at its core — and her impact in this supremely well-crafted film cannot be underestimated. As a horror device, uncertainty only works if audiences genuinely believe that multiple outcomes could be possible, which is the case here thanks to Keough's rattling performance. In her bone-chilling stare and gut-wrenching screams, Grace is a clear trauma victim. In her jittery behaviour, she's also a source of immense stress and apprehension for Aidan and Mia. Viewers never quite know whether to be frightened of Grace or to be frightened with Grace, with the Mad Max: Fury Road, American Honey and Logan Lucky actor selling both options. Serving up a nerve-shattering onslaught of psychological thrills, The Lodge leans into that anxiety-sparking uncertainty as far as it can go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4E-NV2bpo
Meal subscription service MealPal launched in Sydney last year with the goal of ending boring — and expensive — lunches for time-starved office workers. It offers weekday lunches for just $8 a day from more than 100 of Sydney lunchtime go-tos, such as Fratelli Famous, Sumo Salad, Down N' Out, and Zeus Street Greek. The brainchild of ClassPass co-founder, Mary Biggins, and Katie Ghelli (formerly of ZocDoc), the meal subscription service proved a hit across the USA and UK since first launching in Miami, in January 2016. Since then, it has served over 8 million meals to workers across 16 cities around the world. Now, to celebrate its first year down under, the app is offering five days of lunches for just $1. That's 20 cents a day. You could find more than that in the bottom of an old bag, behind a couch cushion or under a car seat. To access the deal, sign up through the website or app and you'll be able to order a daily lunch meal from the huge selection of great local restaurants, schedule a convenient time to skip the queues and pick it up, and enjoy a tasty feed for blissfully minimal effort — for 20 cents a day. The deal is only valid for new MealPal members and expires at midnight on Friday, June 15, so get in quick. Image: Sake Jr.
Sydney favourite Queen Chow is opening a temporary third venue, gifting New South Wales' south coast residents with a taste of its modern Cantonese flavours. The Merivale venue, which first brought Chinese food to the pub with its Enmore outpost, will pop up in Narooma's The Whale Inn from Saturday, December 11, replacing previous pop-up bistro Chez Dominique. Narooma locals and those passing through for a beachside holiday can expect all the Queen Chow favourites with a big onus on local seafood served on swirling lazy Susans. The menu has been crafted by former Mr. Wong chef Tal Buchnik and Queen Chow Manly's Toby Worthington. Highlights of the menu are rock oysters, abalone, XO sauce crayfish and grilled scallops with kombu butter, all sourced from local waterways. Queen Chow's excellent dumplings will also be making an appearance courtesy of Merivale's dumpling master Eric Koh. The Whale Inn is one of three south coast venues Merivale owns, along with The Inlet and recently reopened Quarterdeck. "Narooma has become my second home and the backdrop to many of my happiest memories with my family," Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes says. "It has been an absolute privilege to spend so much time here over the past six years, and becoming part of the local business community is enormously exciting." Queen Chow's take-over of The Whale Inn will run throughout summer and indefinitely into 2022. Merivale has also teased a refresh or transformation of the accomodation options at the inn, however is yet to reveal any concrete plans for this aspect of the building. [caption id="attachment_834457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Queen Chow Narooma will open on Saturday, December 11 at The Whale Inn, 102 Wagonga Street, Narooma. It will be open for dinner Tuesday–Saturday.
After just over one year in operation, the Lotus Dining Group's Fujisaki in Barangaroo shut up shop back in February. But, opening in its place is the group's brand new concept, Bund: a Chinese eatery and bar serving up Shanghai-style street food. And it's slated to open in early-July. Hong Kong-born head chef Kennedy Wong and sous chef Chris Chen have created a menu of chargrilled barbecue dishes, share plates and bar snacks, which they're serving up from an open kitchen. Chinese staples will be given a modern spin, like in the kung pao chicken schnitzel topped with peanuts, shallots and chopped chilli; tofu, mustard green and sweetcorn arancini served with chilli dipping sauce; and pork belly bao with slaw and coriander, drizzled with honey mustard sauce. [caption id="attachment_725675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kung pao chicken schnitzel[/caption] As is the group's signature, there will also be plenty of dumplings on the menu, including the (especially tasty sounding) xiao long bao stuffed with Singaporean chilli crab. To match the eats, the group's bar manager Charles Cheng has created an Asian-inspired cocktail menu, which will be accompanied by a varied wine list by Annette Lacey (director of wine and beverage). The revamped fit-out is courtesy of Sydney's Studio Hiyaku and will feature neon lighting and street art-style murals by local artist Alex Lehours — along with lots of deep blue, red and golden hues. It's all meant to emulate the waterfront Bund area of Shanghai, a popular tourist destination jam-packed with historical buildings of various architectural styles. The 100-seat restaurant will also boast a central bar and bench seating, both meant to entice after-work drinkers. Fujisaki's swift closure was a bit of an anomaly for the Lotus Dining Group, which is responsible for plenty of successful venues — including the longstanding Walsh Bay favourite Lotus Dumpling Bar, along with newer iterations in The Gardens by Lotus and Madame Shanghai. So, we're hoping its newest spot sticks around for a bit longer. Bund will open early July at Shop 2, 100 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo. Opening hours will be Monday through Friday 11:30am–late and Saturday 5:50pm–late. First image: Fujisaki by Brett Stevens.
When it comes to eating out, the elements of surprise and mystery are very rare these days. In the time it takes you to say "Hey Siri", you'll have the restaurant menu, images of the dishes and reviews from countless strangers all at your fingertips. So much so, you probably have your order ready to go before you set foot in the joint. And where's the fun in that? To combat this age of omniscient dining, and bring a little mystery back into the dining scene, chip brand Red Rock Deli has teamed up with the chef from popular Windsor bar Lover for a very special Secret Supper series. On Thursday, September 19, chef Paul Turner will be dishing up three-course feasts in a secret Melbourne location for a limited number of guests. As you may have already guessed, the menu will stay true to the event's name and will remain under wraps until the night. What we do know is that it'll be feast inspired by foraging and the new Red Rock Deli Deluxe Crisps flavour, Parmesan & Truffle Oil. It immediately screams decadence to us. And given Turner's tradition of taking unassuming native and seasonal ingredients — think saltbush, wood sorrel and stinging nettle — and turning them into refined modern takes on old classics, we think it's safe to prepare for some bold flavours. So, in trying to crack the menu code, we thought we'd find out a little about the Melbourne spots that Turner likes to visit on the regular — and the dishes he orders— for inspiration. He name-dropped a few of his favourites, which may give us an idea of what to expect. "A common theme that I think that all of these places share, and something that I really try to focus on, is working closely with the seasons, respecting the produce at hand, and inventive, technically driven plating styles," Turner says. [caption id="attachment_552288" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Attica[/caption] Given this focus on respecting produce, it should come as no surprise that he mentions Attica first, which has "been at the forefront for a long time and helped inspire a generation of chefs". He also calls out Brae, Armadale's Zia Rina's Cucina and Doot Doot Doot on the Mornington Peninsula as fine examples of this approach — and recommends getting the five-course tasting menu with matched wines at the latter to sample the "best from the kitchen garden". In fact, this is a big theme for Paul Turner. "Most of the time, I'll jump on a tasting menu and let the chefs showcase the flavours and dishes they're feeling at the time... Some things have a really short season so trusting the chef is always a good bet," he tells us. Is that a not-so-subtle hidden message to the Secret Supper diners? [caption id="attachment_682589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Following this tasting menu trend, Turner also name-checks Yarraville's Navi as his favourite restaurant at the moment. Meanwhile, he mentions Lesa as a great option in Melbourne CBD, and specifically the pork jowl with white onion, radicchio and blood orange as a prime example of showcasing produce and technique. And of the aforementioned Zia Rina's Cucina, Turner says "the wattleseed cannoli with whipped ricotta and pistachio are alone worth a visit". So, what might we deduce about Turner's Red Rock Deli Secret Supper menu from his favourite Victorian gems? Expect lots of seasonal produce used in refreshing ways — and plenty of flavour. To register for tickets to Paul Turner's Secret Supper, head over here. And, while you wait for the big night to roll around, you can get cracking on this Turner-certified recommendation circuit. Top Image: Parker Blain.
There's no swapping faces in John Woo's latest English-language action-thriller. Instead, the iconic Hong Kong filmmaker brings guns, chases and a quest for revenge to the festive genre. As anyone who rightly considers Die Hard among the pinnacle of Christmas movies already knows, seasonal cinema offerings don't need to drip in schmaltz, holiday humour, or Santas and reindeers to be an end-of-year present. Still, in making his first Hollywood effort since 2003's Paycheck, the director behind Hard Target, Broken Arrow and Face/Off in the 90s — plus Mission: Impossible II in 2000 — keeps the ties of family gleaming in Silent Night. That said, from the moment that the picture opens with a man in a Rudolph-adorned jumper, fuzzy red pom-pom and all, in a battle on Texan back streets with gang members who've just torn his brood apart on Christmas Eve, Woo also goes the brutal route. Silent Night's name echoes in several ways. Recalling a tune that's all about the jolliest time of the year is just one. Setting scenes in a period when halls are decked with boughs of holly is merely another. If protagonist Brian Godlock (Joel Kinnaman, The Suicide Squad) gets his wish, there'll be no more noise — let alone violence and bloodshed — from the criminals responsible for killing his young son (Alex Briseño, A Million Miles Away) with a stray bullet from drive-by crossfire as the boy rode his new bike in the front yard. Woo's main stylistic conceit comes to fruition instantly, however, because Silent Night largely avoids dialogue. Aided by meticulous sound design, that choice isn't a gimmick purely for the sake of it. Rather, Robert Archer Lynn's (Already Dead) script has Brian lose the ability to speak in the introductory sequence's fallout. The film's propulsive arrival is all frenzy, mayhem and intensity as Brian runs, cars packed with armed men blasting with abandon can't fell him, but being shot in the throat by villainous head thug Playa (Harold Torres, Memory) heralds blackness. If there's any doubt that Woo is enjoying staging the chaos, his use of slow motion says plenty. So does spotting a red balloon drifting away. Elsewhere, while the filmmaker mightn't work in his trademark doves, a bird does flutter. With cinematographer Sharone Meir (Echo 3) doing the lensing, Silent Night realises that stripping out chatter means heightening the visual experience, whether the picture is in frenetic or plotting mode. But there's also an earnestness to the movie and its aesthetics; this is a grim and bloody Christmas flick, and it's well-aware in every inch. As Brian prepares for his vengeance mission in training montages, then endeavours to execute his plan, an emotional underpinning anchors Silent Night's almost total lack of words (text on-screen features via SMS messages, and the radio still blares), too. He's a man robbed of the ability to verbally process his trauma. He can't shout, swear, scream or cry out. There'll never be any catharsis from just uttering his feelings aloud to a kindly listener. So, he's driven to act. As played with expressive physicality by Kinnaman, he's obsessively haunted into doing the only thing that he thinks he can — even if it means that his marriage to the also-mourning Saya (Catalina Sandino Moreno, From) suffers, and regardless of police detective Dennis Vassell's (Scott Mescudi, Crater) request for his assistance to lawfully bring the culprits to justice. There's a full-circle touch to Silent Night's disdain for talking as well, given how stellar the clearly Woo-influenced John Wick films have proven by also letting actions say far more than words, albeit never to this degree. Before that, it was the similarly Keanu Reeves-led The Matrix movies that help cement Woo's brand of stylised imagery as a Tinseltown standard, as far too many imitators have continued to ape ever since. Although Woo has kept adding to his resume over the past two decades, thanks to two-part war epic Red Cliff, wuxia effort Reign of Assassins, the also-split The Crossing and action-thriller Manhunt, he makes his Hollywood comeback with passion. In its look and feel, Silent Night is a work of relish — and, in its staircase sequence alone, a reminder of what American cinema has missed while it has been content taking Woo's cues over boasting him behind the camera. The filmmaker, his flair and his knack for eschewing words have it, then — plus the committed Kinnaman and Moreno — more than the plot, no matter how well-grounded in Brian's situation it proves. Death Wish, Taken and their own mimics have mined dads dishing out retaliation before, after all. Indeed, as fellow 2023 release Retribution demonstrates, Liam Neeson has resided comfortably in the "father in a fray for his family" niche ever since busting out his particular set of skills 15 years back. Silent Night isn't here to hold up Brian as a hero gleaming as brightly as a star on a Christmas tree, though. In other hands, that might've been the vibe, but there's no doubting that he's unravelling in desperate pain as he fixates upon his vigilante rampage. Marco Beltrami's (Renfield) score has it, too: this is an action-melodrama as much as an action-thriller. Woo hasn't just switched conversation for an onslaught of operatic sights and grunting, crunching sound effects — amid the kinetic altercations, of which there's many, he also lingers on his cast to see what's getting his characters ticking, pondering, yearning, hurting and swirling. This film spies in silence what wouldn't be done justice in dialogue, with feelings simmering and steaming in looks and gestures. Silent Night's action choreography impresses, unsurprisingly, but so does its emotional dance. Pass the Parcel might be a birthday-party game rather than a Christmas one, but it sums up this movie: each layer offers a gift, some expected, some exquisite.
UPDATE: Friday, July 16 2021 — In light of Greater Sydney's current COVID-19 situation, Love Song Dedications (without Richard Mercer) has been cancelled. For more information, visit the event's website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. There have been many theories over the years regarding not only when, but how the world managed to find its way to this hellscape we blithely call reality. Allow me to posit another. December 12, 2013. Richard 'The Love God' Mercer records his last ever episode as host of the universally beloved radio show Love Song Dedications. Eight years later and look where we are. But, hark! A beacon! This July, performance artists Tom Hogan and Bonnie Leigh-Dodds are bringing Love Song Dedications (Without Richard Mercer) to Parramatta's Riverside Theatres to share the twice Green Room Award-nominated good news — the Love Song Dedications might be gone, but that doesn't mean the love is. Love Song Dedications (Without Richard Mercer) is part performance lecture and part search for the perfect soppy ballad of yesteryear. But it is also a quest, to recapture that part of ourselves that secretly hoped the interstate truckers, night shift security guards and estranged fiancés would hear those serenades from the 70s, 80s, 90s and now and come home. A comedy that will melt the most irony-poisoned among us. God knows, Richard – we need you now.
Down the quiet lanes of unassuming Alberta Street in Surry Hills, the exceptional Alberto's Lounge welcomes diners in via a narrow door beneath a neon glow. The intimate venue is staffed by warm knowledgeable staff who'll take you to Italian streets with plates of house-made ricotta, seasonal pastas and perfected mains. On Sundays the vibes are taken higher with Tempo della Musica, where guests are accompanied by a talented muso to serenade you as you dine. And in celebration of Vivid Sydney, the team is taking it up a notch with Gusta della Musica. For three Sundays of Vivid, the Alberto's team has designed a special food and drink menu to pair with the evening's tunes, supplied by vinyl-only DJs. On Sunday, June 4, it'll be Dan Lupica's Afro Groove and on Sunday, June 11, Italo-disco will fill the seductive space courtesy of Marco Vella. These Sundays in the Lounge are a fan fave, so the special editions are sure to sell out. Bookings are essential, so grab a table quick if you're considering it. Hollywood Quarter's Alberto's Lounge will be hosting Gusta della Musica on Sundays throughout Vivid Sydney 2023. To secure your spot, head to the website. Images: Kitti Gould.
Single O is turning 20, and to celebrate two decades of caffeinating Sydneysiders, it's hosting a birthday party at its Surry Hills cafe. As part of the celebrations, the Single O team has put together a special coffee menu featuring standout beans and blends, and it's created a special one-off birthday blend. Anyone who purchases the limited-time blend will go into the draw to win one of 20 trips to stay in an Unyoked cabin. On top of all of this, the team will also run a free coffee giveaway for just 20 minutes. Mark Thursday, March 16 in your calendar, as that's when the inner-city cafe will be marking cups of joe all the down to $0. You'll have to get down between 9–9.20am if you want to take advantage of the deal. For 20 minutes, Single O will have its self-serve on-tap batch brew and iced oat latte on offer, so you can swing in and serve yourself a complimentary coffee. All of the espresso-based menu will also be on the house for these 20 minutes, with extra baristas being brought in on the day in order to get through as many cappuccinos and almond flat whites as possible before the clock strikes 9.20am. There's no booking or registration required, just head down to Reservoir Street and hop in line for a dose of free Single O.
Some of the world's best chefs will descend on Sydney for the 21st edition of Good Food Month. Taking over restaurants across the city this October, the annual food festival will see pop-up restaurants and dinners from the likes of Alain Passard, Hiroyuki Sato and Thomas Frebel, as well as pasta parties, vegan feasts and the return of the Night Noodle Markets. For one night, Restaurant Hubert will host the legendary Alain Passard, whose Paris restaurant Arpège has three Michelin stars and is currently ranked the eighth best in the world. In Bondi, Hiroyuki Sato will transform Icebergs into a pop up version of his highly coveted Hakkoku restaurant in Tokyo (which only has six seats). While this seaside version will be a little bigger (20 seats), it won't be any less exclusive, with tickets to the two dinners going for $1000 a pop, which includes over 20 courses, beer, wine and luxury car transfers (of course). The luxury theme continues with a one-off dinner at Quay with Peter Gilmore and Jock Zonfrillo (Adelaide's Orana), and with Thomas Frebel (head chef and co-founder of Tokyo's Inua and former head of recipe development at Copenhagen's Noma) taking over Chippendale's Automata for two nights. Frebel is known for hunting down and experimenting with weird and wonderful local ingredients — so expect some lesser-known items to end up on your plate in Sydney, too. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByRPBdYgKyg/ On the more affordable side of the series, cake queen Katherine Sabbath with be hosting a colourful high tea — paired with wine and Pimm's — at the QT, and Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters) will cook an all-vegan feast at the newly opened Mary's Underground. Some of the city's best young chefs will also team up for a pasta party at Otto. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-TeOFHPZe/ And of course, Good Food Month's ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back for another season, taking over Hyde Park from October 11. Expect a tasty assortment of over 40 street food stalls, along with a program of performers, live acts and DJs. For those not wanting to spend heaps of cash, the affordable Let's Do Lunch returns, allowing punters to dine at Good Food hatted restaurants for cheap. The full lineup of participating restaurants will drop in September. Tickets for Sydney Good Food Month go on sale at 9am on Thursday, July 25. Top image: Night Noodle Markets by Leticia Almeida
Hankering for one of Son of a Baker's pastries, but spend your weekends in Sydney's west, rather than the city's south? Over the weekend of Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, that won't be a problem. For the two days, the patisserie and cafe is taking over Shepherd's Lane Bakery at The Paper Mill in Liverpool. Arrive hungry, naturally. Son of a Baker will be slinging some serious treats, too, including its popular burek — a baked and stuffed Balkan pastry, if you're not already acquainted. You can also munch your way through a ruby chocolate red velvet croissant, which comes garnished with a mini raspberry macaroon (because that's a thing that really does exist beyond your tastebuds' dreams). Or, opt for a 'cookies and cream' -style Oreo biscuit croissant. Co-owner Roman Urosevski, aka the son of a baker (and, naturally, a baker himself), will be there as well if you'd like to meet the man behind the pastries.
Just when you thought summer had packed it in all these glorious hot weekends keep springing up out of the depths of March, and then there's this. Over in Marrickville Tone Deaf, Corona Extra and Sailor Jerry are roping in some of the land’s best party people to put the ‘sun’ in your Sunday, the char-grilled foodstuffs in your hot little hands and some of the best local music in your ears. Leading this year’s musical lineup are Ballarat mash-up duo Yacht Club DJs, who have just dropped a highly caffeinated 54-minute teaser that you can find here. The deservedly hyped Step-Panther, Sures, Bloods, Driffs and The Walking Who will all be in tow with heaps of new tracks alongside some beer and BBQ-friendly oldies. And, since it’s a bowling club, there’s barefoot bowls. It’s the most fun Sunday you’ll have for at least seven days.
Avi's Kantini is the latest venture by the Solotel Group (Smoke at Barangaroo House, Opera Bar) which prides itself on being "loud, loose and fun". "Newtown has always been a popular spot for Middle Eastern and Turkish food," CEO of Solotel Group Elliot Solomon said in a statement. "With Avi's Kantini, we wanted to build on that legacy and love with a contemporary, psychedelic twist." Nestled inside The Bank alongside craft beer bar Uncle Hops, the Middle Eastern-inspired menu can be ordered anywhere in the three-storey venue. Highlights include an oozy baked saganaki with honey, pistachio and rose, as well as housemade dips, stuffed pides served with pickles and onion salads, and meze plates. [caption id="attachment_810486" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baked saganaki at Avi's Kantini[/caption] Cocktails are curated by Ed Loveday (ex-Bar Brosé and ex-ACME), featuring ingredients like arak (a unsweetened distilled spirit), sumac, pomegranate, saffron and bergamot (a type of citrus). Taste through a refreshing Karpuz (meaning 'melon' in Turkish) with Espolon Blanco tequila, watermelon, rosewater and lime or try Avi's take on an espresso martini with spiced rum, coffee, date and black walnut. If you want to spend less time ordering, and more time dancing, we wouldn't blame you. The $45 banquet menu is a steal with plant-based and carnivorous options including chickpea falafels, lamb shish and chicken wings in a sticky fig glaze. [caption id="attachment_810488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lamb flatbread at Avi's Kantini[/caption] The revamped courtyard champions custom art murals by Wollongong-based artist El Oso Negro. 12-seater cushioned booths, seating nooks and plenty of greenery gives guests heaps of options when it comes to space. Avi's Kantini will open this Thursday, May 6 at The Bank, 324 King St, Newtown.
Brain freeze or caffeine hit? Sweet, sweet sugar in ice-cold slushie form, or a soul-warming cup of joe? Sydneysiders, you have an important decision to make on Tuesday, November 7: would you like a free slurpee or a free coffee? Pay particular attention to the date, not just to put in your calendar, but to explain why you're scoring freebies. It couldn't be the more perfect time for 7-Eleven giveaways, on a day that the convenience store chain has dubbed 7-Eleven Day — and the celebrations will be running at the brand's 740 stores Australia-wide. Here's how it works: head to a 7-Eleven store all day — so, from 12.01am–11.59pm —then purchase anything other than tobacco or tobacco-related products to receive your choice of either a free regular coffee or a large slurpee. In more great news for your wallet, you can spend as little as 25 cents on a lollipop or 50 cents on a chocolate to still score a free drink.
This time back in 2020, no one even dreamed of the possibility of a new Borat movie. No one expected that they'd be watching it before the year was out, either. Also among the things that not a single soul could've guessed: that it'd be one of the most unflinching political movies of the year, that it'd win two Golden Globes (including Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy), and that it would score actor Maria Bakalova an Oscar nomination. Clearly, a lot has happened over the past year that zero folks among us anticipated. Here's something new for this year, too: a Borat special. Due to hit Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday, May 25, Borat Supplemental Reportings Retrieved From Floor of Stable Containing Editing Machine basically takes a heap of unused footage from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and turns it into a couple of a couple of different parts. It's the type of thing that might've once been relegated to DVD extras, and it's another chance to dive into Borat Sagdiyev's latest escapades. Once again, you'll find out what Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional Kazakh journalist makes of both COVID-19 and the 2020 US election, as last year's 14-years-later sequel to 2006 mockumentary Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan also covered. One part of the special, called Borat: VHS Cassette of Material Deemed "Sub-acceptable" By Kazakhstan Ministry of Censorship and Circumcision, will include unseen footage from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, while the 40-minute Borat's American Lockdown will chart the character's five days spent living with conspiracy theorists. And then there's six Debunking Borat shorts, which get experts to dive into — and debunk, obviously — the ideas spouted by Borat's new roommates. If you haven't yet watched Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, it follows Borat as he travels to America again. Once more, he traverses the country, interviewing everyday people and exposing the abhorrent views that have become engrained in US society. Where its 2006 predecessor had everyone laughing along with it, though, there's also an uneasy and even angry undercurrent to this sequel that's reflective of these especially polarised times. Also a big part of the story: Borat's attempt to gift his 15-year-old daughter (instant scene-stealer Bakalova) to then-Vice President Mike Pence and ex-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani to help get Kazakhstan's own leader into then-President Donald Trump's good graces. Check out the trailer for Borat Supplemental Reportings below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctHMZ-MC4y4&feature=youtu.be Borat Supplemental Reportings Retrieved From Floor of Stable Containing Editing Machine will be available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Tuesday, May 25.
Looking to start your summer as soon as humanly possible? We have the perfect excuse. Bannisters Pavilion, which you'll find in the stunning South Coastal settlement of Mollymook, is inviting two Sydney stalwarts down for a day — Young Henrys and Mary's. And you're invited to get in on the action. Kicking off at midday on Saturday, September 17, this ten-hour extravaganza will combine three of life's finest things: craft beer, tasty burgers and rooftop views. It'll take place in Bannisters Pavilion's Rooftop Bar and Grill, where the chef is planning on lighting up the brand new Yoder BBQ, bringing you piled plates of smoky deliciousness. Claim yourself a cosy couch and while away the afternoon with barbecue and booze. Or, make up your mind to get active, by taking swims between swigs or conquering your mates in the games provided. Should you be tempted by one too many Young Henrys brews, there's no shortage of lush hotel rooms.
When a venue is called Winghaus, it's obvious what's on the menu. This chain doesn't just love chicken pieces, however; it also adores sport. So, with for the 2023 Women's World Cup, of course it's celebrating. On offer: games on the big screens, plus slivers of chook with inventive flavours based on the competing soccer squads. Head to the brand's sites — including its Circular Quay and Barangaroo joints — until Sunday, August 20 for the Winghaus Women's World Cup. Here, you'll feast your way through the football frenzy with chicken salt, maple bacon, salsa brava and curry ketchup wings, plus chimichurri, Korean barbecue, and Manuka honey and lemon. Can you pick which variety goes with which team? The chicken salt is in honour of the Matildas, of course. Ten countries are represented, also spanning the US, Germany, England, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, New Zealand, China and Spain. Prefer a vegetarian version? Cauliflower wings are on the menu as well — and, either way, you'll pay $16–19 for ten pieces, $29–32 for 20, $59–62 for 50 and $109–112 for 100.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and even pigs surrendered into its care from all over the country, it's lowering the adoption fee to $29 this weekend. The weekend-long initiative is called Clear the Shelters and will run from Friday, February 22 until Sunday, February 24. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring, it's hoped that the low adoption fee will encourage people who have been thinking about adding a pet to their fam (and have considered it thoroughly) to make the commitment this week. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 2792 pets Australia-wide. [caption id="attachment_708671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heidi is available for adoption in Sydney, Animal ID 345082.[/caption] This year, Clear the Shelters will run across Australia in all states and territories except NT and Tasmania. The adoption fees — which usually range from $20–600 — help cover some of the costs of vaccines, training, desexing and microchipping for the animal. Whether you're in NSW, Victoria, WA or Queensland, there are hundreds of animals that need a new home full of love and pats. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, with making the commitment to care for an animal is serious business. Top image: Han is available for adoption in Sydney, Animal ID 441478.
Tina Fey hasn't starred in, created or executive produced a bad sitcom yet — and when the first season of Girls5eva dropped back in May, it continued that trend. In its own way, it's another workplace comedy like 30 Rock and Great News. And, albeit in a completely different manner to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, it also follows a group of women trying to navigate new lives years after they were thrust together under extreme circumstances. The setup: more than two decades after they split up, the four remaining members of a late 90s girl group decide that it's time to get the bad back together. Now in their forties, they're all at different points in their lives, but rekindling their dreams is too enticing to ignore. Sara Bareilles (Broadway's Waitress), Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and the great Paula Pell (AP Bio) play Girls5eva's reunited members, Fey pops up as a fantasy version of Dolly Parton, and the comedic takes on 90s pop tunes are all both 100-percent spot on and so ridiculously catchy that they'll get lodged in your head for weeks. Also pitch-perfect: everything about this immensely funny take on stardom, fame and the way that women beyond their twenties are treated. In great news for everyone who has already streamed their way through the show's eight-episode first season and instantly found themselves wanting more — and for anyone who is yet to go through that process, too — Girls5eva has just been renewed for a second season. So, expect more earworm songs and jokes about the entertainment industry, although exactly when the next season will drop hasn't yet been revealed. Like its first season, Girls5eva's next batch of episodes will stream in Australia via Stan whenever they do release. For now, you can check out the trailer for the show's first season below: Exactly when the second season of Girls5eva will drop hasn't been announced, but the show's first season is available to stream now via Stan.
If your idea of trifle is Aeroplane Jelly, Madeira cake from the nearest supermarket, tinned peaches and cheap rum, think again. Pastry chef and owner of Alexandria's Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie John Ralley — whose extravagant stuffed croissants have been creating waves on social media since the patisserie opened in 2015 — has reinvented the dessert, especially for Christmas. In Ralley's words: "We wanted to try something new in addition to our usual Christmas range of cakes and baked treats, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a flamboyant fruity and boozy trifle. These trifles combine the best of the Christmas traditions and our signature Textbook flair of putting a modern twist on traditional flavours." If you've ever sampled his pastries, you'll take that as good tidings. Exceptionally good tidings. These trifles are not just cakes, but OTT masterpieces, loaded with all kinds of goodies, like Jack Daniel's, champagne, peach custard, whipped chocolate ganache and mirror glaze. On Textbook's inaugural Christmas trifle menu this year are two options. First up, there's the champagne and strawberry trifle with champagne-soaked sponge, panna cotta and strawberry custard and jelly, topped with berries and intricate white chocolate decorations. It's a mouthful. The second option is slightly less traditional, with chocolate sponges soaked in smoky Jack Daniel's syrup, smoked peach custard and chocolate mousse. Feast your eyes on both of them right 'ere: Each cake is $190, feeds 18–22 people, and comes in a lovely four-litre glass trifle bowl that is yours to keep, so you can endeavour to recreate the magic throughout the year. Textbook's Christmas trifles can be ordered online now and collected from 274 Botany Road, Alexandria, from December 12–24.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Paddington Town Hall for four days this December. And this time round, it's not just selling discounted fashion — it's also donating 100 percent of profits to help those affected by bushfires and raise awareness about the current climate crisis. Which means you can shop big name Australian and international brands — including Kenzo, Alexander McQueen, Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang, Marni, Dries Van Noten, Nike, Romance Was Born, Studio Elke and Acler — and do it all for a good cause, with all your well-spent money going to Red Cross Australia and The Climate Council. You won't be short on things to buy, either. You'll find thousands of lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from over 50 designers, including the aforementioned and more. With discounts of up to 80 percent off, this is one way to up your count of designer threads while leaving your bank balance sitting pretty, too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every shopper for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale will be open 9am–8pm Thursday, 9am–6pm Friday–Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday.
If you've graduated from mi goreng noodles, grown tired of meat and three veg and are looking for something new to add to your culinary repertoire, there's no time like the present to get onto that. On any day of the week in Sydney you'll find a class to sharpen your culinary skills. Whether it's learning to make pasta from scratch the way real nonnas do or chef-grade knife and butchery skills, over the course of a single week you could easily graduate from beginner to MasterChef status. To help you do just that, we've hand-picked a week's worth of activities to take you from a packet mix dependant to a soufflé master. TUESDAY: TAKE A WHOLE BUTCHERY CLASS AT FEATHER AND BONE If you're a vegetarian or a vegan, this class is not for you. But if you place importance on knowing where the meat you eat comes from, how it was raised and how that impacts its taste, this whole butchery class at Marrickville's Feather and Bone will give you a whole new appreciation for the meat you eat. The class begins in the cool room where you'll learn how the animals were grown, what they ate, the importance of soil health, the principles of regenerative farming and how all of that influences the carcass. After learning about the individual cuts of either a whole lamb, pig or goat, it's time to get hands on boning, trimming and finessing your own section of the animal. Throughout the class the butcher will give guidance on knife skills and suggestions for how best to cook the meat. Finish up with a barbecue and a beer, and take home all the meat you've prepared ($220). Private classes can be organised for up to 20 people. Feather and Bone can run a whole butchery class for you on request — enquire here. WEDNESDAY: MAKE TRADITIONAL PASTA SAUCES AT CUCINA ITALIANA When it comes to Italian cooking, Luciana Sampogna is a staunch defender of the traditional way of doing things. Fiercely protective of her country's culinary heritage, Jamie Oliver's take on bolognese sends Luciana into a lengthy tirade about the sanctity of the recipe. So if you're going to learn to cook a killer traditional bolognese, this is the place to do it. The four-hour class, dubbed "the long lunch in the evening" starts as a night of cooking should: with a glass of wine. Keeping the focus on the classics, you'll learn to make bolognese served with fresh tagliatelle, as well as penne alla vodka and a surprise seasonal sauce. When it comes to dessert, you'll be treated to something Luciana has prepared earlier: decadent slabs of her tiramisu cake. Classes cost $125 per person. Luciana's pasta sauces classes runs on Wednesdays from 6pm — book here. THURSDAY: COOK FOR A CAUSE AT OZHARVEST The sheer amount of food wasted on a day to day basis is absurd, which is why OzHarvest has made it its mission to rescue and redistribute surplus food around the country. At this team cooking day, you'll help turn discarded food into delicious meals for disadvantaged communities — with some quality control taste testing along the way. You'll learn how to swap items out of a recipe to make the most of what you have in the fridge, making sure nothing goes to waste. This is a great one to organise with your colleagues — the class requires eight people minimum and costs $175 per person. A chance for you to learn new skills in the kitchen as well as give something back to the community, you'll walk away with heart and stomach full. OzHarvest's Cooking for a Cause classes run on weekdays — make a booking here. FRIDAY: LEARN HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE PASTA AT PASTA EMILIA Having people over for pasta is great — until one of your guests tells you they're gluten free. Unless, of course, you know how to make a top-notch GF spaghetti. Pasta Emilia only uses local organic ingredients, so as well as learning to make not one, but two types of gluten-free pasta from scratch, you'll also discover new producers to keep you well-fed into the future. After getting your hands dirty, enjoy the fruits of your labour and sit down to a home-style meals of pasta, salad and a glass of organic wine. Then you can create it at home with your GF mates. Pasta Emilia runs gluten-free pasta classes by appointment — make one here. SATURDAY: BECOME A SEAFOOD PRO AT SYDNEY SEAFOOD SCHOOL Want to cook more seafood but honestly don't know how to handle a whole fish? By the end of this three-hour basics course at Sydney Seafood School you'll not only be able to debone a fish, but you'll be able to prepare and cook fish, squid, oysters and scallops without overcooking them to oblivion. Working in groups, you'll leave feeling confident you can recreate the dishes at home — especially as you'll score a copy of the school's cookbook to take with you. And because it's a Saturday, you'll get to enjoy the food you've just cooked in a sit-down meal at the end of class. Sydney Seafood School's basics class runs on various dates, with the next one being held on Saturday, August 4. Book here. SUNDAY: LEARN HOW TO COOK LIKE A MASTERCHEF With another season of MasterChef almost over (the finale's on Tuesday), it's now time to put all those skills you've learned into practice. We hope you've been taking notes because Jacob's Creek has set up a temporary MasterChef-inspired kitchen in Surry Hills where you can both refine your chef and wine-pairing skills and battle it out for culinary glory. Award-winning chef Daniel Wilson, who has been a MasterChef guest several times, will guide you through a two-course cooking demonstration of one entree and one dessert — naturally, there will be a little friendly competition (but no tears, only prizes). Of course, you'll get to sit down and eat your creations. To take some pressure off, Studio Neon will take care of your main course and Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature wines will be matched to each course. Tickets are $95, but here's the kicker: 100 percent of profits are being donated to SecondBite, a charity that provides food and support for those in need. The Kitchen Collective will run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 12 — book a spot here. MONDAY: DO A THAI COOKING CLASSES WITH AMPHA Ampha Prombunchoo's Thai cooking classes are a choose-your-own culinary adventure. You'll pick three recipes to cook from a list of entrees, soups, salads, curries and noodle dishes — all of which are traditional northern Thai recipes passed down to Ampha from her mother and her grandmother. Having refined these recipes over generations you'll learn methods and spice combinations for sukhothai noodle soup with pork mince, green papaya salad and red curry that you won't find in your average Thai cookbook. Again, giving you the freedom to decide, Ampha's intimate classes in her home in Collaroy can be booked any time for groups as small as one (from $175). Ampha runs her Thai cooking classes throughout the week — contact her to book one in. Jacob's Creek Kitchen Collective will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 12. Only 16 seats are available for each session, so move quickly and nab your spot here. 100 percent of your ticket will go straight to SecondBite.
It's about to be a whole lot easier to get your hands on Berkelo's crowd-pleasing breads and baked goods, with the bakery adding two new retail sites to its stable. Having clocked up two years in its original Brookvale space, owners Tom Eadie and Matt Durrant are gearing up to take a even bigger bite out of Sydney's Northern Beaches. The pair has opened the doors to a second cafe, on Mosman's Military Road, with a Mona Vale location soon to follow. Open daily, the new Mosman space is built around that same passion for simple, healthy fare that's made its sibling such a hit. It's slinging a range of revamped breakfast classics and seasonal lunch dishes, most of them starring Berkelo's legendary, long-fermented sourdough breads. Think, smashed avo with fermented vegetables, and duck served with mushrooms, onion jam and potato focaccia. You'll also find freshly baked croissants, a daily-changing lineup of generous sandwiches, and coffee made using Single Origin beans. And of course, there's plenty of that beloved Berkelo bread available to go, all naturally leavened and crafted with all-Aussie, unbleached stone-ground flours. Find Berkelo at 8 William Street, Brookvale, and 2/557 Military Road, Mosman. A third venue will open soon at 1/7 Bungan Street, Mona Vale.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and whether you're single, going steady or somewhere in between, it's a good excuse to have a bit of fun. And, if the same ol' set-menu dinner isn't really your thing, Coogee Bay Hotel's cheeky Valentine's Day party is here to give February 14 a bit of a refresh. The festivities will kick off in the courtyard at 6pm. Get there early enough and you'll get a free pink-hued bevvy to keep the butterflies at bay, too. Then, discover your romantic future with drag clairvoyant Schisandra or get a love prescription from a roaming Love Doctor. You can also join in on a round of speed dating, where you'll meet — and be quizzed on — a complete stranger. Answer the question about your new potential love interest (or friend) correctly and you'll score a free G&T. There'll be a DJ spinning tunes in the courtyard from 7pm till midnight and, if you're keen to keep the good times flowing, head into the Beach Bar where more music will be playing until the early hours of the morning. Plus, the hotel will be slinging some food and drink specials, as well as a bunch of giveaways. While entry is free, you'll still need to RSVP here.
Prepare yourself, folks — this year, Australia's launching into summer with the help of a huge new music festival. The brainchild of industry big guns Onelove (Stereosonic), Live Nation (Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival) and Hardware (Piknic Electronik, Babylon), Festival X will hit Sydney on Saturday, November 30. The large-scale music party is pulling no punches when it comes to its debut lineup, headlined by international heavyweights including Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, the Grammy-nominated Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki and our own Alison Wonderland. Spanning multiple stages, it's set to deliver a world-class serve of hip hop, pop and electronica.US rapper Lil Pump will make his own Aussie debut, joined on the all-star bill by the likes of British DJ duo CamelPhat, Ohio-based rapper Trippie Redd, Denmark's Kölsch and German techno king Paul Kalkbrenner. Meanwhile, there'll be plenty flying the flag for the local scene, with sets from favourites including bass and dubstep star Godlands, Australian-raised trance DJ MaRLo, Sydney act Sunset Bros and singer-songwriter Thandi Phoenix.
While it's hard to stay motivated in lockdown, now is a great time to learn something new. If you've baked your sourdough, worked your way through that puzzle and used up the home ceramics kit you bought in July — maybe its time to relive your best memories in the club and get your dancing shoes on. The Sydney Dance Company is here to help with a series of on-demand and live online dance classes to get you moving at home. Sign up to the dance company's On Demand membership program and you'll receive access to a host of classes covering contemporary, ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz. There are classes available for a range of skill levels from beginner to more experienced dancers, and new classes are available each week. If you're looking for more at-home workouts to mix things up during lockdown, dancing is a great way to stay fit and the library of classes includes videos focusing on pilates, yoga and body conditioning. During lockdown, On Demand members will also have access to live-streamed classes from the Sydney Dance Company. Each day of the week, seven days a week, a different genre of dance class is live-streamed. Monday–Friday the live-streamed classes start at 6pm, allowing you to join after a day at work, while the Saturday's jazz live stream and Sunday's beginner's contemporary live stream begin earlier in the morning so you can start your day right. Membership starts at $29.95 a month, or if you're looking to commit you can sign up for three months for $79.95 or a year for $199. Find out more details and view the full live stream schedule at the Sydney Dance Company website.
After rolling out pop-up igloos each winter for the last six years, Pier One is back for the chilly season, this time with a tweak on its time-tested hangout spots. The igloos will not be returning after more than half a decade, but in their place is The Glass Room, a new harbourside haunt with cocktails grazing boards and a personal hot tub. The luxurious private glass hut has been designed by Alyce Tran the co-founder of the stylish tableware company In the Roundhouse with vibrant pink, white and red furniture and finishes transporting you to summer in the middle of a chilly winter's night. The Glass Room is available for groups of up to 12 people to book for periods of two and a half hours. The room comes with a $300 hire fee and a $400–700 minimum spend depending on when you reserve it. On offer inside is a lavish food and drink menu featuring Sydney rock oysters, duck liver and cognac pate, Sonoma sourdough, crisps and dips, quesadillas, wagyu beef sliders and lemon pepper calamari. All of this is available for $60 per person, which can then be paired with drinks like limoncello spritzes, champagne margaritas, a selection of Australian and French wines, and beer coolers filled with Sone & Wood Pacific Ales or Coronas. While you're basquing your own private party at The Glass Room, you can also enjoy the waterside hot tub which can warm five partygoers at a time — whether they're enjoying a relaxing bath during the day or a soak under the stars. You can hire out the space daily, from 12–2.30pm, 3.30–6pm or 7–9.30pm, until Sunday, October 1. And if you opt for the latter time slot from Friday–Sunday, you can add on a night's stay for two guests for an extra $450. If you do opt to stay overnight you'll see the room transform into The Glass Suite — which breakfast the next morning and parking. Images: Anna Kucera.
Yet another ridesharing service threw its hat into the ring in Sydney when China's DiDi platform launched across the city in February. Now, as many Sydneysiders are beginning to swap WFH to working in the office, the company is offering half-price rides every weekday – for the rest of July. With reduced capacity on the city's public transport network (to allow for social distancing), the NSW Government is encouraging commuters to walk, bike (on one of the new pop-up bike lanes, if you want) or drive if they can. But, if you don't have a car — and you don't fancy riding your bike in the wintry cold — another option is ridesharing. You can, of course, choose from Ola, Uber or DiDi. If you go with the latter, though, you'll get a much cheaper trip. The newer of the three, DiDi is offering every Sydneysider five half-price trips (up to $20 a trip) every week in July. You just need to jump onto the app at the start of the week and use the code DIDIWORK, which will give you five discounted trips (you can then do this each week). Trips must be used between 6–9am Monday–Friday, so, you will need to find another way — or pay full price — to get home. According to DiDi, lots of Sydneysiders have already been using the app as part of their commute, with the ten most popular destinations in June being nine Sydney train stations, as well as Broadway Shopping Centre. DiDi Chuxing launched in China in 2012 and has quickly become a huge player in the global ridesharing game — it has since bought out Uber's Chinese operations and has stakes in numerous companies, including Ola, Taxify, Lyft and Grab. To get your half-price weekday DiDi trips, download the app (for iOS or Android) and use the code DIDIWORK.
Mother once said: "If you've nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." On that basis, it's likely The Counselor will receive little to no press coverage whatsoever. To begin with, then, something nice. When production first began, this movie was promise itself. Potential made manifest. One of those films where every ingredient seemed perfect: directed by Ridley Scott, written by Cormac McCarthy and starring everyone you've ever heard of. Then something went wrong. Badly. In fact, in that respect the film closely reflects the story of the film, where a well-conceived drug deal completely falls apart to the ruin of many. To suggest, however, that this was Scott's masterful meta-direction would be far too generous. No, in more realistic terms, The Counselor is simply an incoherent piece of crap. It opens with a sex scene, and a none-too-subtle one at that. But just as it is in real life, sex in film requires at least a modicum of foreplay. With the darkness of the cinema only seconds old and the choc-tops largely intact, the audience was still drier than the days-old popcorn kneaded into the lining of its seats. Why this scene was in there, let alone as the movie's opener, remains entirely unclear. If its goal was to establish Penelope Cruz as a sexy woman, then Scott should probably have taken that 'as read'. If it was to set Michael Fassbender up as someone who likes to talk dirty, please break the emergency glass and retrieve your copy of Shame. Then comes the second scene (don't worry, this won't be a scene by scene account — nobody's that cruel), during which yet another crazy-haired Javier Bardem character sits alongside a cheetah-tattooed, gold-toothed, hombre-haired Cameron Diaz as they watch an actual cheetah hunt its prey. In case you missed it: yes, that's a metaphor. Then Bardem says, "Don't you think that's a bit cold?" to which Diaz replies, "The truth has no temperature." Together they stare off into the distance, as if silently aware that way off in that distance, the audience is already laughing at them. Finally, the third scene. Fassbender now discusses the purity and majesty of diamonds with a diamond expert in Amsterdam. Their attention turns to a particularly beautiful specimen which the expert calls his "cautionary diamond", saying "The flaws are there, but they are not visible." So, as the saying never goes: just like a diamond, getting involved with Mexican drug cartels might seem like perfection, but in the end one should exercise caution, because Mexican drug cartels are actually terrifically hard and can cut things. Ridiculous as it sounds, that is honestly the closest The Counselor gets to having a point: don't get involved with Mexican drug cartels, because it will probably end badly. There really isn't a whole lot more to say about this movie. Almost tragically, Cruz's performance is magnificent, representing one of The Counselor's few redeemable features. Bardem is similarly impressive, but everyone else either phones it in (Brad Pitt) or gets buried under impossibly dense dialogue (Diaz's script is, almost without exception, stupefying). With Scott at its helm, of course it looks fantastic and the action sequences are suitably menacing, but as the credits roll you find yourself shaking your head and wondering: what the hell was that actually about? https://youtube.com/watch?v=6ML50I0mVHY
This tour will get you smiling like you mean it: The Killers are returning Down Under in 2024, playing Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Friday, December 6–Saturday, December 7. The Las Vegas-born rockers were last here in Australia in November and December 2022, and are coming back two years later to get crowds singing 'Mr Brightside' and 'Somebody Told Me' again. Hot Fuss, the album that gave the world those two beloved tracks — and 'Smile Like You Mean It', 'Jenny Was a Friend of Mine', 'All These Things That I've Done' and more — is the reason for the visit. 2024 marks 20 years since it first released, so Brandon Flowers and company are celebrating in the best possible way. [caption id="attachment_972409" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr.[/caption] Open up your eager eyes, Sydney: destiny is calling you two different types of gigs. One is a Rebel Diamonds show, pumping through the group's hits across their entire career, while the other will see the band work through Hot Fuss in its entirety. That said, given the group's lengthy back catalogue, The Killers won't just be focusing on Hot Fuss tunes at the latter concert, but have plenty more songs to bust out. Also likely to get a whirl as well: 'When You Were Young', 'Bones', 'Human', 'The Man' and latest single 'Bright Lights', just to name a few. Sadly, this Aussie tour's November/December timing means that The Killers won't be repeating their AFL Grand Final berth after stealing the show back in 2017. They will be in the country for the AFLW Grand Final, however, if you want to start crossing your fingers. [caption id="attachment_972411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps.[/caption] Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Hakawati is an Arabic/Lebanese word meaning storyteller. This event at Sydney Festival takes us into the Middle Eastern tradition of sharing a meal and a story over a meal. The National Theatre of Parramatta is teaming up with the institution that is the El Phoenician dining room to lay on dinner and a show that transports you deep into a world of mythical tales with a distinctively Sydney flavour. Hakawati was the major form of entertainment in many Arabic communities before television arrived, so ditch your TV for the night and get old-school with some storytelling. This program is one of ten Sydney Festival events happening in unexpected places. Check out the whole list.
Arming oneself against a global pandemic and helping to protect your community are already pretty strong incentives to get a COVID-19 vaccination. But thanks to a new initiative by legendary Aussie label Nobody Denim, that jab could also now score you some free threads. The fashion brand has announced the launch of its Nobody Gives A Jab campaign, which will see a free personalised pair of jeans sent out to the first 100 people who share proof of their initial COVID-19 vaccination on Instagram. As the country struggles to contain the spread of the Delta variant — with Melbourne currently in the midst of its sixth lockdown and Sydney now almost two months into its latest outbreak — the campaign is just one of many encouraging locals to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated as soon as possible. To be in with a shot at nabbing some free denim, you'll need to get your first dose of the vaccination, then post a photo of your freshly-jabbed arm, tagging both @nobodydenim and #NobodyGivesAJab on socials. If you're one of the first 100 people to do so, Nobody will be sliding into your DM's with details on how to collect your prize. Just note that you'll also need to be able to supply proof of your jab. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nobody Denim (@nobodydenim) As a family-owned business, Nobody says it wants to see the community come together and do their bit to help make Australia's vaccine rollout a success and limit future lockdowns. "We would like to continue to contribute to our Australian family and community far and wide in any way we can," explained the label's co-founder and chairman John Condilis. "We want to keep the fashion and retail industry alive, we want to keep our wholesalers stocked, we want to see them thrive. We want to see our neighbouring brands' doors open and trading." Last month, Melbourne's Prince Alfred Hotel put out a similar call-to-arms, offering free pints to punters who'd been vaccinated. And more recently, Sydney craft brewery Hawke's Brewing Co announced its new Jab & Slab program will offer free slabs of beer in return for proof of a jab. Follow Nobody Denim on Instagram for more details on the Nobody Gives A Jab program.
Every year since 2007, millions of people throughout the world collectively shut off the lights for one hour to support environmental sustainability. Known as Earth Hour, this 60 minutes of darkness has reached over 125 countries and major landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Rome's Colosseum and Toronto's CN Tower. This year, Earth Hour will take place on March 26 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, creating an hourly wave of support as the blackout hits each time zone. But how much change can a single hour make? Although Earth Hour serves its purpose by creating a universal initiative to save the planet, for the past four years the effort never seemed go beyond that one hour. 2011 has the potential to be different. In 2011, we hope to extend environment-friendly living beyond a single hour of darkness. Beyond the Hour is a platform that encourages individuals, governments and organisations to post pledges using various social networks about how they will decrease their carbon footprint in their everyday lives. Pledges can be as simple as recycling, carpooling, using reusable bags or shutting off the water when brushing your teeth.The Beyond the Hour platform has already been released as an iPhone application called 60+, where users can click "do this" next to others' pledges that they like and agree to do the same. It's hard to believe that cutting a few showers shorter will make a big difference in sustaining a positive future for Earth. But when small changes are made by a large group of people, that little bit of effort can go a long way. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MyTe66KY7SY
Ever tried to have a conversation about the NSW lockout laws but found yourself wanting for hard, easy facts on hand to explain it? The crew at Keep Sydney Open have created a video that spells it all out for you. Released today, the new ad features Sydney legends Joyride, Touch Sensitive and the mad skills from Entropico to lay down the lockout law for you. Highlighting some of the more dramatic stats — night time foot traffic in Kings Cross is down 84 percent, almost 50 bars, clubs and venues have shut down since the lockouts were introduced, our cultural life is being eroded, and our international reputation is on the slide — the video is aimed at explaining the impact the NSW Goverment's lockout laws have had on Sydney with the obvious intent of going viral. "If you wanted to reduce shoplifting, would you lock up the doors of your shop and hide all the stock in the cellar?" says Joyride in the video. "The overwhelming majority of Sydneysiders can have a good time without anyone getting hurt. Going out to see a band, dance in a club, or just have a few drinks amongst friends shouldn't be a crime, in fact, that's what's made Sydney such a great place to live. Other cities around the world have found solutions that tackle the actual problem." Watch the video here, it's already up to 16K views: Keep Sydney OpenIt's simple really: let's tackle the real problems and build a great city at the same time.Thanks to Entropico for coming up with this, Joyride for lending his pipes and Touch Sensitive for being a synth-lord. Posted by Keep Sydney Open on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Keep Sydney Open are having fundraisers tonight at three Sydney venues. Info over here. Image: Kimberley Low.
Summer might be over, but Astral People's Summer Dance series is finishing its 2018 season in typical high-energy style. After selling out its first two events, the packed program offers up another crowd-screaming lineup to close out the fun. Taking place on March 25 at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, Mike Huckaby will serve up a feast of disco, jazz and techno beats to groove to, while Yorkshire producer Youandewan aka Ewan Smith will be bringing the explosive house beats that've given him a title at UK record label Aus Music. Also on the bill: Sydney's own Luen Jacobs and Rhys and Ruby (Is That Fair?). Astral People and National Art School's collaboration continues to bring high-demand music to Sydney's summer celebrations. Enjoying the historic and lush surroundings of Darlinghurst, it's the the ultimate spot to relinquish the week's stress and dance the day away.
2012 was a killer year for Hermitude. On 3 February they released their new album Hyperparadise, featuring hit single "Speak of the Devil", which won a 2011 J Award for 'Music Video of the Year'. 16 October saw the duo receive an AIR Award for 2012 'Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album'. They also played spots at Homebake, Groovin' the Moo and Parklife. It's not only the general public that's after them, either. Urthboy welcomed Hermitude's production skills on his LP, Smokey's Haunt, and they've been putting together remixes for the likes of Missy Higgins and The Presets. Hermitude's contagious, irrepressibly danceable, hip-hop influenced sound has just resulted in a sell-out show at the Oxford Art Factory. Tickets for a second appearance are currently up for grabs. Supporting Hermitude will be the outrageously talented Jonti, who opened for Gotye throughout his recent tours of Europe and North America. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tb_Ogb0zzhA
Historically, there are many different yogic paths that emerged and influenced each other. ‘Yoga’ has changed over the centuries, and has many different techniques ascribed to it. While in Western interpretations yoga has become an increasingly mainstream and consumerist form of exercise, the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga are just as, if not more significant, than the physical. A combination of asanas (physical poses) and pranayama (breath control), the actual word ‘yoga’ comes from the root yuj, which translates as “to yoke, to unite” with the divine. Uniting with the divine is all well and good, but, let’s be honest, there’s probably some small part of you that secretly relishes the idea of having Jennifer Aniston arms or smugly crossing off the last session on your 30-day yoga challenge. I’m not judging you. Whatever your reason for pursuing yoga, we’re here to help you navigate the way between sun salutations and savasanas. FIND YOUR FLOW There are endless varieties of yoga to suit any number of different needs and intentions. MEDIUM Vinyasa yoga is a term that can cover a wide range of different yoga classes and is characterised by its dynamic flow transitions. Popular worldwide, it is relatively fast paced. Poses and sequences are connected by said vinyasa, which refers to a series of three poses — plank, chaturunga and upward facing dog. While it may seem intimidating to be in a room full of people who don’t skip a beat when a teacher instructs them to be various types of animals (pigeon? cat? cow? lizard? dolphin?!?), there are generally newbies in every class with whom you can make frenzied eye contact while trying to figure out how one is supposed to get their legs to go that way. Typically, these classes have a standing sequence and a floor sequence, followed by an inversion (varying degrees of upside down-ness) and finishing up with ‘savasana’ (if you are good at sleeping you will be wonderful at this). My personal recommendation to bring along to a vinyasa class is a small towel for hand grippy purposes (clammy palms people, you get me), a water bottle and potentially a light drapey scarf with an exotic foreign pattern on it for savasana, when the body temperature drops and you may need a little cover-up. photo credit: elidr via photopin cc INTENSE Adapted from traditional Hatha yoga in the early 1970s by Bikram Choudhury, Bikram yoga follows the same 26 poses and two breathing exercises for 90 minutes, in a room heated to approximately 40 degrees Celsius. It’s specifically designed for its detoxifying and rejuvenating purposes, while increasing flexibility and total body strength. While initially I thought my yoga teacher was some sort of sociopath for kindly (but firmly) encouraging me to stay in the class for the full 90 minutes, adjusting to the heat is an important part of your beautiful Bikram journey*. There’s some sort of sick, addictive pleasure in making it through a full class, and it only gets easier every time you go. For your first Bikram yoga class, bring a towel or two — one to absorb the ocean of sweat that your body will expel, and the other to shower with at the end of class (highly recommended). Also bring a giant bottle of water. Take small sips during the class and drink the hell out of it afterwards. *That being said, listen to your body. If something is just not okay, you didn’t lose at yoga! Stand your ground and get the hell outta there. Image: chantel beam photography via photopin cc MODERN I’m a pretty big fan of the incense, shrines and chanting music variety of yoga, so I was a little cautious about the new phenomenon to hit our fair shores, Hip Hop Yoga. However, the combination of my great loves for both downward dog and Snoop Dogg resulted in a wonderfully unique flow that was uplifting in a totally different way. Hip Hop Yoga is exactly what it sounds like — a vinyasa flow style of yoga set to hip hop music in various degrees of intensity. While it bears similarity to more traditional styles in terms of poses and breath control, Hip Hop Yoga stands as its own kind of practice, more like a choreographed combination of dance and yoga. You’re not quite pop, lock and dropping that booty, but there’s no group chanting or gentle gong beating either. photo credit: TinyTall via photopin cc WHAT TO EXPECT Expect to feel welcome. Despite the notion of an exclusive yoga culture that both intimidates and entices newbies, you should feel comfortable at any yoga studio. Sharing the practice and community with everyone is what yoga is all about! Bow down to the joys of yoga! Expect not to be able to do everything. If you haven’t practiced before, expect poses to feel unfamiliar and potentially uncomfortable. While you are probably very good at sitting on chairs, walking up stairs and going to get coffee, our Western bodies are not accustomed to things like balancing on one leg, being upside down or standing on our heads. Be mindful of this and know that you did not lose at yoga just because you face planted while attempting crow pose. Expect to be jealous of the girl who drifts into class with an exotic scarf from a small village in India and can hold a five-minute headstand with ease. There will be one in every class and it will not be you. Be okay with that. Expect to say 'namaste'. It might feel a little cheesy and unnatural at first, but it’s how you will end every single yoga class you ever take. Don’t be alarmed if at some point in the class people start chanting OM. Despite what it may sound like at first, you are not being indoctrinated and this is not a cult. Just go with it. FROM DRISHTIS TO DOWNWARD DOG(G)S Drishti The eyes' focus point during poses, intended to keep the mind from drifting and keep you awareness inward. Downward Dog Perhaps the most frequently visited yoga pose, Downward-Facing Dog is achieved by placing the hands and feet on the floor and lifting the hips upwards to form an upside down V with the body. A traditional pose in sun salutation sequences, this pose in often used to warm up initially and reset in between sequences. Vinyasa Poses linked with breath and connected together to form a ‘flow’. Chakra The seven centres of energy or spiritual power within the bodies. These can relate to different emotional issues. Namaste This has a variety of different specific translations, but ultimately is an expression of gratitude acknowledgement to a divine power or presence, something greater than ourselves. Can loosely be interpreted as, “The spirit in me acknowledges the spirit in you”. Savasana A pose of total relaxation taken at the end of practice, or sometimes at intervals during. Chaturanga Going through a sequence of plank, chaturanga (which is kind of like the downwards part of a push up) and upward dog or cobra. This is taken in between vinyasa flow sequences. Asana The various physical postures and poses in yoga. Pranayama The flow of breath or breath control in yoga. Ujjayi breath A type of yogic breathing that is made by gently constricting the base of the throat, filling the belly first, then upper rib cage and throat, making an oceanic sound. WHERE TO PRACTICE Yoga Village in Potts Point offers 25 classes a week with a range of practices from low intensity to more advanced. Focusing on teaching students the philosophy of yoga, Jivamukti Yoga in Newtown is as much about education as it is about meditation. If the price of yoga classes is keeping you away, BodyMindLife located in Surry Hills and Bondi offers a $48 30-day beginners pass. Barefoot Yoga in Paddington is completely donation based, meaning you pay what you can for each class. Bikram Yoga focuses on Vinyasa practices at 40 degrees while Hom Yoga specialises in a variety of hot yoga classes, from Ashtanga to Vinyasa. Both are located in Darlinghurst. Hip Hop yogis can practice at Yoga 213 in Bondi, whose owner Sammy Veall brought the practice to Australia. photo credit: TinyTall via photopin cc Top image: Kris Krug via photopin cc
Newtown mainstay Hartsyard has brought a much-loved dose of the American south to Enmore Road for nearly seven years now — mostly thanks the owners, New York-born head chef Gregory Llewellyn and his Aussie wife Naomi Hart. From its famed fried chicken and Sunday brunches to its recent revamp and menu overall, Hartsyard has kept Sydneysiders coming back for more throughout its tenure, as anyone who has tried (and failed) to get a last-minute reservation can tell you. Now, it's time for a new chapter in the Hartsyard saga as the owners sell the business. But, before you panic, the news isn't all that bad — the buyer is the restaurant's existing head chef and Automata alumnus Jarrod Walsh. Walsh took over in the kitchen back in January when Hartsyard reopened with a refreshed look and menu. He will resume full ownership of the business as of 2019, along with his partner Dorothy Lee. A new menu will follow suit, though it won't deviate far from the existing one. And most of the kitchen crew and staff will stay on as well. Basically, patrons of the original are still in very good hands. As for Llewellyn and Hart, they'll move full focus onto Wish Bone (previously The Gretz). The couple's fried chicken joint reopened early this year and acts as a haven for many Hartsyard original menu items — so don't worry, your go-to fried chicken fix isn't going anywhere. Image: Alex Mayes.
Halloween is ghost season, so what better way to celebrate (or is that commiserate?) these lost souls than trying to find them. Once a quarantine facility for newly arrived migrants, Q Station in Manly has been consistently voted one of the most haunted locations in Australia, so you know it's going to be really, really creepy. North Head is dotted with gravestones and is the burial place of over 572 bodies. Many of the spirits that roam the area are the memories of British convicts and settlers who suffered horrifically from infectious diseases en route Down Under. While ghost tours run throughout the year, the special Halloween Ghostly Encounters tours are a cut above the rest. Each tour kicks off after the sun goes down and run for two-and-a-half hours across five nights, from Friday, October 26 through to the big spooky day itself. If you're thinking that won't stop you from sleeping soundly, sign up for the Paranormal Investigation Experience on Halloween night. Rather than just looking for ghosts, you'll try to communicate with them and record their activity. This one costs $99 and is strictly for adults only. The team encourages you to dress up Halloween-style to really get in to the spirit (or to raise them from the dead), so come in costume. If you've got it, haunt it.
STC is kicking off the year with Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, a critique of feminism written while Margaret Thatcher was at the height of her powers. Still blistering with relevance three and a half decades later, this surreal dinner party and its aftermath documents the price paid by women looking to build successful careers. After earning a promotion at work, Marlene takes the unprecedented step of inviting several prominent women from history and myth to celebrate. Among her guests are Pope Joan, who supposedly presided over the Catholic Church in disguise during the ninth century, famous explorer Isabella Bird, and Patient Griselda, a character from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. As they share their stories, they also discuss society's (largely negative) approach to ambitious women. The cost is continuing, they say, and Marlene does not have to long to wait before the skewed system begins to extract its toll on her. Directed by Imara Savage, the all-female cast includes Paula Arundell, Kate Box, Heather Mitchell, and Helen Thomson as Marlene. Top Girls is a timely reminder of how seldom opportunities for true social change come along and the importance of pushing hard for it when they do.
The footwear fantasies of sneaker heads and Back to the Future aficionados are closer to being realised with the release of Nike's limited edition 2011 Mag Shoe — an exact replica of the pair of sneakers famously worn by Michael J. Fox, aka Marty Mcfly, in the second film in the trilogy. Designed by acclaimed sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, the Back to The Future shoes are both a playful look at the past and a serious glimpse into the future of sneaker design. And as all proceeds from the sale of the shoes go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson's Disease Research, there really is no excuse for fans not to get their wallets out. Nike has only released 1,500 pairs of the shoes, which are currently being auctioned at NikeMag Ebay. However, one pair has recently been sold at an auction to British rapper (and not so closeted Back to The Future fan), Tinie Tempah, for a reported US$37,000. To further entice bidders, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki have also sweetened the deal by promising to match all donations to the foundation until the end of 2012. And for the unsuccessful bidders, there is some comfort in this 'lost scene' — reworked as a Nike commercial — featuring Bill Hader, Tinker Hatfield, Kevin Durrant, Donald Fullilove and Christopher Lloyd. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3yiSdjwi_bg
Christmas movies and daytime television may suggest pulling off the perfect (or near to perfect as humanly possible) Christmas dinner is one of the seemingly simplest tasks of the season. That, friends, is bullshit. But, on the flip side, these days you don’t need a managerially trained brain, a through-the-generations-tried-and-tested menu and days upon days of free time to ensure your St. Nick celebrations are just that: a celebration. If you’re leaving your plan of attack to the last minute, here’s how to hit the mark, in style. THE MENU We’re hoping you have at least 24 hours of preparation time with this one, as you probably shouldn’t be hosting a dinner if you think Christmas day is a suitable time to go shopping. But, saying that, it’s definitely a case of earlier the better when it comes to getting the good quality meat in. Hudson Meats (available in both NSW and Vic), have a super simple online ordering form that takes a few minutes to fill in and offers a whole range of their genuinely delicious produce. Christmas cut-off will be dependant on individual butchers (the Sydney Surry Hills store, for example, tells us they’ll take orders up until Monday 22nd), but definitely call ahead as they will be totes biz. Queenslanders out there will do well to get in touch with Jack Purcell Meats: these guys have special maple-infused hams and turduckens available too. If, however, you’re opting for the supermarket frozen bird or pig, then all you need is a decent recipe. Google comes up with some brilliantly simple ones, but in the name of tradition, sometimes it pays to get a little help from our neighbours. British culinary icon, Delia Smith, or Saint Delia to many, offers a fail-safe turkey recipe that not only addresses the potential trauma of cooking with an audience but also guides you step-by-step until serve-up. Her five-ingredient chocolate torte is also mind-blowingly rich and just as simple. For veg, this recipe from another Brit, Jamie Oliver, has a built-in Woolies app so you can shop for the goods at the same time. Too easy. THE DRINKS Of course no Christmas is complete without breakfast Champers and (responsible) drinking. Anyone stockless out there needs to turn their attention to WineMarket. This national wine producer specialises in all kinds of alcohol from top-of-the-range Penfolds to pale ales and mixed cases in the single-digit price range per bottle. Plus, these guys have just launched their FastCase shipping, which on certain selections means delivery in as little as one day or less for Sydney metro and two days for Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Christmas Stock-Up packages are unsurprisingly your best bet, as not only are there gold medal winners in there to tipple on but you can also get a free bottle of Mumm Champagne or Johnnie Walker Blue Label all for less that $100. But don’t let us take all the fun out of booze shopping; there are heaps of decent offers available as well as individually presented gift sets so any unexpected visitors or forgotten recipients (hey, it happens to us all), can get something nice, already packaged (for delivery cut-off times, see their website). THE TABLE Now all that’s really left is the table, and mark our words, this is just as important as the food and drink. But you don’t have to have a passion for interior design or flair for festive macramé to ensure your guests feel at home and happy. All it takes is a little creative thinking. If you’re entertaining in the double figures and have to push tables together, think about a T shape instead of one long table, as this allows conversation to flow better. We also suggest keeping all the food in the kitchen and serving up buffet style (leaving more room for glassware on the tables). For décor, simple is the best, especially for the time poor, so try to keep the theme easy. Avoid Christmas-themed crap at all costs, saving both money and time, opting instead for an ironed tablecloth and a beautiful bunch of flowers in the centre of the table. If you have nice napkins, pour yourself a glass of bubbly and iron them too (from damp). This speeds up the pressing process and honestly, ironed Manchester speaks volumes about your hosting skills. Personalisation also rules so write down everyone’s name on those extra gift tags lying around. Then simply tie them to something delightfully Christmassy, like a tree decoration (warning, baubles will roll), and hey presto: cute little place tags. And finally, Christmas crackers are undeniably fun, but they’re always full of something cheap and nasty. Why not do something a little more meaningful this year, and before dinner, take it in turns to say something you love about each other? It might seem a little corny, but hey, is there really a better time to share the love than old Noel? Now all that’s left is to turn the Sufjan Stevens Christmas playlist on loop, throw some tea lights around and wait for the guests to turn up. Christmas dinner done, without the fuss.
The growing obsession with games on Facebook is no secret. Whether it's Jetman, Family Feud or Bejeweled, more and more people are losing hours of time racking up points in a desperate attempt to get the highest score of the week. All of this effort just to be awarded Facebook credits, the magical online currency whose power only extends as far as allowing us to 'buy' entry to new levels of our favourite games or silly virtual prizes. But do these invisible dollars have the potential to be more? PSFK thought so, so they went to their experts to find if the possibility was realistic. Giuseppe Riva explains that for digital currency, the factors of exclusivity and exchange apply. In order for Facebook credits to become a real-world currency, we would have to be unable to use our current money to purchase features of a digital experience. The credits would also have to have an exchange value with other currencies throughout the world with a verified transfer system outside of Facebook. Expert Jason Madhosingh had doubts about using Facebook credits as real currency as well, since virtual goods do not have as much real-world value as tangible ones. He said consumers are less likely to be reeled in to use credits as cash unless the revenue share is favourable. So for now, it doesn't seem like Facebook credits are the currency of the future. I guess we will just have to continue using our precious prizes to unlock episodes of Family Feud and buy virtual cows for Farmville.
When a hit show comes to an end, the network behind it often tries to fill the gap with something similar. It's the situation that HBO found itself in last year when Game of Thrones wrapped up, with the US cable channel quickly launching new fantasy series His Dark Materials and committing to making a GoT spinoff called House of the Dragon. And, with Big Little Lies looking like it's also all done and dusted, the station seems to be in the same predicament in the star-studded murder mystery genre as well. Enter The Undoing. Starring Nicole Kidman, and written and produced by Big Little Lies' David E. Kelley, it's a case of HBO sticking with what they know. Kidman plays a successful therapist who appears to have the perfect life, with a loving husband (Hugh Grant), a son (A Quiet Place's Noah Jupe) attending an elite school and her first book about to be published. Then a violent death sparks a chain of revelations that shatters her life as she knows it. Also part of the plot, as seen in the show's first teaser: a missing spouse, plenty of public attention, a heap of interrogations and a plethora of tough choices for Kidman's Grace Fraser. It'll all play out as a once-off limited series — although that was originally the case with Big Little Lies before it came back for a second season. Based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz, The Undoing also features Donald Sutherland and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace's Edgar Ramirez — with Bird Box director Susanne Bier behind the camera on every episode, just as she was on excellent Emmy-winning mini-series The Night Manager. The Undoing is set to screen on HBO sometime in May, with an air date Down Under yet to be revealed. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG1ZQERAlGQ The Undoing is set to screen on HBO in the US from May, with air dates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you when further details come to hand.
