Every year since 1987, when March rolls around, the Texan city of Austin becomes a hive of activity for fans of film, music, creativity, culture, technology and everything in-between. That's no longer the case in 2020, however, with this year's South By Southwest now cancelled for the first time in the event's 34-year history. In the same week that new Bond movie No Time to Die had its release date pushed back from April to November, the reason for SXSW's cancellation is obvious, with concerns mounting about the effect of the coronavirus COVID-19 — especially in such a busy, public, highly populated space as a large-scale, highly attended music and film fest. SXSW organisers scrapped the 2020 event after the City of Austin basically made the decision for them. "The City of Austin has cancelled the March dates for SXSW and SXSW EDU. SXSW will faithfully follow the City's directions," the festival announced in a statement. With SXSW 2020 due to take place next week from Friday, March 13–Sunday, March 22, speculation that the event wouldn't go ahead had been mounting over the past few days. In fact, a Change.org petition calling for the fest's cancellation due to the coronavirus outbreak received more than 55,000 signatures. Before the event was officially canned, plenty of high-profile parties had already dropped out of attending the festival — including Amazon, Netflix and Apple, all of whom had scrapped screenings of upcoming films and TV shows; music groups like Sony, Universal and Warner Music; and speakers and guests such as Trent Reznor, the Beastie Boys and Ozzy Osbourne. [caption id="attachment_764009" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Shelley Hiam[/caption] SXSW's powers that be are currently exploring their options — to either reschedule this year's event, or provide a "virtual SXSW online experience". It's highly unlikely that this is the last time that COVID-19 will have this effect on the entertainment industry. Large swathes of cinemas have been temporarily shuttered in China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Italy and France; theme parks have been closed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo; and the latest Mission: Impossible movie shut down its production in Venice. Music tours have been cancelled throughout Asia, too, and plenty of questions hang over forthcoming events elsewhere in the world — such as Coachella in April and the Cannes Film Festival in May. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: David Brendan Hall.
Imagine a space bustling with bartenders creating new drinks and learning innovative techniques. Then, imagine a space where you can pull up a stool to be whisked away on a tasting journey. This is the scene Orion Leppan Taylor and Mitch Bloomfield are envisioning with their new Cocktail Lab in Wollongong. The 26-year-old south coast locals pitched the concept to Idea Lab — an initiative run by Beam Suntory, which awards grants to change-making hospitality ventures. The pair won $20,000 to help turn their plans into reality. The pair currently work at Wollongong's Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms, which is where they're planning to build the new Cocktail Lab. "It'll be a space where we can educate the bar scene of Wollongong from an industry perspective," says Leppan Taylor. "But also, where we can run classes, educate and broaden [the public's] palates." While Leppan Taylor is now the bar manager at Breakout, he was brand new to hospo when he joined the venue three years ago. "As a bartender, I've had to self direct. But a big part of that has been [being connected to] the great community we have here," he says. "There are people I can reach out to if I'm hitting a wall, or running into problems, who are very open with volunteering their time and expertise." Bloomfield was also a fresh face behind the bar when he first came to Breakout. With a background in entertainment, he was more familiar with the escape room side of the business. "I got thrown straight into a Christmas hospitality period, which I had never experienced before. So it was very much the deep end," he says. A previously under-utilised space at Breakout will become the new Cocktail Lab, which will be fitted out with sleek prep benches and storage cages filled with bar equipment like centrifuges. With a little luck, Bloomfield says the Cocktail Lab should be open by March 2021. "We're familiar with the idea of Heston Blumenthal going very technical and science-y to try and do interesting things with ingredients," says Leppan Taylor. "At the end of the day, flavours, aromas and everything that goes into a drink is just a different series of chemical compounds," he says. When the lab opens, the pièce de résistance will be a rotary vacuum — a tool for redistilling liquids, which can infuse drinks with exciting new flavours. During the week, bartenders will be able to come in and use the space and equipment for research and development. "Or, to create ingredients they can take back to their own bars," says Leppan Taylor. However, for those who don't work in the industry and just want a fun, new place to go come Friday night, the public will be able to come to the Cocktail Lab for spirit tastings, cocktail classes and well-made tipples. "The goal is also to broaden the customers' vocabulary a little bit. So when they see something on a menu that has 'centrifuged' it doesn't look intimidating. It'll be something they're excited to try." The team hopes the venue will attract interest from bartenders further afield, too, as the local bar scene evolves. "There's a bit of an underdog mentality in the community," says Leppan Taylor. "Part of the reason we all like to support and help each other is because we have this feeling we're all in it together. We want to show we have the knowledge, expertise and experiences comparable to anywhere else in Australia." Top image: Mitch Bloomfield (left), Orion Leppan Taylor (right) in the new Cocktail Lab space in Wollongong.
We've seen some cool ideas for putting solar cells in novel places, and everyone agrees that being able to better harness the sun's energy would go a long way to solving our energy problems. But perhaps it's time we thought a bit bigger than solar-charging furniture... a lot bigger. Like, evil-scientist scheme big. It just so happens that scientists at Japan's Shimizu construction corporation (who aren't evil — probably) have been thinking big for us. They are proposing that we use the moon as a giant solar farm, laying the surface with a ring of photo-voltaic cells to capture some of the 13,000 terawatts of solar energy that hits the moon each day, then beaming it back to earth via laser or microwave. Although LUNA RING sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, the technology required for such a project already exists. What keeps the project from becoming a reality immediately is the, pardon the pun, astronomical cost. Such a massive venture would have an incalculable benefit for the entire world, and would probably require the co-operation and support of the entire world. Given that the world can't organise a football tournament without a few problems, this might be one world-saving project that never gets off the ground. Which would be a great shame. [via geeksaresexy]
A huge celebration of food, music and culture is coming to Liverpool in the form of Eat Your Heart Out — a collaboration between local creatives and Liverpool City Council. The one-day festival will feature a stellar line-up of musicians, artists, artisans and chefs to open the newly revamped Macquarie Mall. The team at FBi Radio has curated a music program that lauds local artists who will showcase their talent on Macquarie Mall's stage. Some of the emerging artists to be showcased are hip-hop crew Soul Benefits, indie-electronic trio Okenyo and Triple J's 2017 Unearthed winner Rebecca Hatch. To complement the energy on stage there will be an altering, sensory light installation presented by Soft Centre and an array of art and design stalls by Sydney-based artisans. There will also be a collection of food trucks forming a mobile food court for the day, with old hands and newbies alike settling in to share their fodder. Miss Mabel's combines seasonal, organic and free-range produce with Asian, Mexican and Deep South cooking styles, while Sakura on Wheelz will offer an extensive, traditional Japanese menu. Fried chicken specialists at Dirty Bird Food Truck will dish up Dirty Wings, Crack Burgers and shoestring fries, and The Donut Dealer will be true to their name and offer an array of extravagant, rotund doughy treats. Along with the festivities at Macquarie Mall, just over the way in Bigge Park, there'll be a host of family-friendly activities: jumping castles, circus skills and a touch-to-play water park to occupy the oldies — um, we mean littlies. Activities at Bigge Park will kick off at noon until 6pm, and the opening act at Macquarie Mall will start at 3pm and go till late.
Multiple media collide in SCREAM, the latest high-octane offering from European hyper-creative collective Chicks on Speed. Fresh from their residency at ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany, for this exhibition the Chicks have hatched an interactive app that lets spectators participate in the artwork. A combo of live performance and technological mayhem, SCREAM centres on a huge sculpture that plays canvas to the iPad-controlled whims of the viewer, who can pick and mix the audiovisual elements that are projected into the space. The work is a logical progression from the Chicks' Objekt Instruments, which landed here during Mardi Gras. Colliding art, fashion and music, you can see them firsthand at the Red Rattler on March 8. SCREAM is part of Art Month 2013. Check out our guide to the festival's ten best events here.
Netflix's algorithm has clearly figured out one of the most obvious facts about humankind: we all really love dogs. That was obviously the idea behind the streaming platform's 2018 canine-centric documentary series — and the show sent viewers so barking mad that it's coming back for another season. Called Dogs, the thoroughly feel-good series follows different puppers in different places around the world, as well as the two-legged folks who care for, groom, dress and even fish with them. Of course, the adorable balls of fluff are the real drawcards. The six-episode first season dedicated its frames to canines in Syria, Japan, Costa Rica, Italy and the US, each with their own stories to tell. One episode explores life in a dog sanctuary in the Costa Rican rainforest, and another relays the tale of a Siberian Husky trapped in Syria after his owner was able to flee to German. Yet another jumps into Japan's love of cute pooches — dog strollers are a common sight on the streets of Tokyo, after all. In a statement provided to Variety about the show's renewal, executive producers Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil) and Glen Zipper (The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man) championed Dogs' human impact — especially "the ability to explore some of the most important human stories through relationships with our best friends". They continued: "it's been amazing to see how much these episodes have touched audiences and critics across the globe. Most importantly, our fans have become part of our extended family and we are honoured to bring them a fresh set of stories that will allow us to connect with them yet again." Check out the first season trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLCmLgjiJ8 If you can't get enough when it comes to cute canines, you won't be complaining about the show's impending return — although when it'll drop, and how many episodes the second season will span, hasn't yet been revealed. And if you have your own pooch who deserves some Netflix attention, the series is also on the lookout for canine talent. Just hit up the show via Twitter or Instagram. Australia and New Zealand didn't feature the first time around, after all. Dogs' first season is now available on Netflix. Via Variety. Images: Netflix.
Death is everywhere in The Book Thief: sometimes shown, usually implied and — every so often — speaking as its narrator. There is death in the film's opening scene, and there is death again at its end, yet early denunciations have labelled it 'Holocaust lite' or 'Holocaust kitsch', with one critic going so far as to call it "a preposterously sanitised portrait of hardship and war". If these criticisms (of which there have been many) were to be distilled into one pure, refined quibble, it would be that The Book Thief is simply too nice for a story that, at least in part, touches upon the Holocaust. Is it Schindler's List? No, but let's be clear: it's not even remotely trying to be. Directed by Brian Percival (Downton Abbey), this is a PG film, based on a young adult novel and told from the perspective of a 13-year-old German girl. Neither the bestselling book by Markus Zusak nor the film adaptation ever set out to tell the same old conventionally harrowing and affecting war narrative, because — presumably — that story has already been told so many times before. Instead, it presents the moving, imaginative and even charming tale of a child's profound love of literature and its ability to transport, enlighten, incriminate, incite and inspire its reader. That child is Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nelisse), who's put up for adoption after her communist mother is forced to flee the Nazi purge. Liesel's brother dies en route to their new home with the elderly Hubermanns (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson), and from the outset it's clear she has an ally in the playful Hans and a challenge in his irascible wife Rosa. She also quickly befriends her snowy-haired neighbour and champion runner Rudy (Nico Liersch), whose idolisation of African-American sprinter Jesse Owens places him at odds with local the Nazi Party officials. Most importantly, though, Liesel begins to learn how to read, and together with Hans she quickly discovers the infinite joys and rewards to be found in books. Her first is picked up on the day of her brother's funeral, the next, rescued from the ashes of a book burning event. Each book tells a story, yet also has a story of its own, and none more so than the copy of Mein Kampf possessed by Max (Ben Schnetzer), a Jewish man kept safe and hidden by the Hubermanns. Which brings us again to the accusation of 'Holocaust kitsch'. Max's torment is prolonged and palpable, drifting close to death on multiple occasions through exhaustion, malnourishment, exposure and the unremitting threat of discovery. Worst of all, he spends — quite literally — years living in the Hubermanns' basement without even a single opportunity to breathe fresh air or once see the sky. Had The Book Thief been told from his perspective, it would have been every bit the despairing and wretched tale so many apparently seek, yet it would not have been the tale told to Zusak by his grandparents and which he, in turn, wished to tell the world. If many of these critics are to be believed, the only way you're permitted to tell a Holocaust story is through bleak imagery, solemn dialogue and a complete lack of tenderness. The Book Thief, much like 1997's Life Is Beautiful, offers a different perspective. Through the extraordinarily talented Nelisse, we see a scared, confused and compassionate girl attempting to make sense of the senseless. The horrors befalling so many around her aren't explicitly shown, but our knowledge of them, matched with the meticulously recreated settings, contributes to a beautiful and largely original tale of one family's bravery, decency and humanity. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hEnLF-pCybw
The Film Festival has always been an important part of Mardi Gras, providing a platform for films that might otherwise fly under the radar. This year is no different, and the festival will show off Marta Cunningham’s directorial debut, Valentine Road, about the tragic murder of gay 15-yea- old Larry King, and Free Fall, the story of two German cops who take the term ‘partners’ to a whole new level. Also included are celebratory screenings of Australian classics The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Muriel’s Wedding. Want more Mardi Gras events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
We all like to feel like a rockstar every once in a while. It's why we suit up to head to the theatre, to that new restaurant, or for a night out with your favourites. But true rockstars also live the lifestyle at home, not just in the VIP room of a nightclub. With help from our partner Moët & Chandon, we've come up with seven creative ways to lift your hosting game at your next dinner party or take your chilled out night on the couch to absolute baller status. Just think of us as your personal assistant, which is very Mick Jagger of you. [caption id="attachment_657569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jadt[/caption] ORDER IN, BUT MAKE IT GOURMET A low-key night at home bingeing the latest season of Peaky Blinders or Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (no judgement here) doesn't have to mean a microwaved dinner and a $7 bottle of wine. When you're living it up, the world is your oyster — or your perfectly cut rectangle of raw tuna. Order a sushi or sashimi platter, edamame and all, from your favourite Japanese joint (check out our picks of the best ones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne), and instead of pairing it with a beer, pop open a bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne. The minerality and acidity of the wine pairs well with the freshness of the fish. To make the night extra special, hook up one of those little projectors to your laptop and, voila, you have your own in-house cinema. [caption id="attachment_758794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daria Shevtsova[/caption] DIY YOUR NEXT BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH Bottomless brunches are all the rage right now. It seems like every bar or cafe offers a similar deal, but instead of arranging to meet your mates in the city we're betting you can do it one better at home. Invite your crew around for a feast with stacks of fluffy pancakes, bowls of fresh fruit, sticky maple syrup and bottles of rosé champagne. Keep the pancakes warm and fresh by covering them with a clean tea towel and popping them in a 90-degree oven until you're ready to eat. Keep the bubbles on ice and don't forget the strawberries for your pancakes. [embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX1tyCD9QhIWF[/embed] GET SOME SWAG TUNES GOING Whether you're having people round for brekkie, lunch, dinner or wine and cheese, it's crucial to pick the right tracks to create the right mood. Put together your own list of tunes, or have a scroll through Spotify. There really is something for every occasion — like this selection of bossa nova covers for your next dinner soiree, or these summer jazz jams ideal for when you're sipping bubbles on your balcony on a warm afternoon. For something a little louder, there's a poolside party mix, all of rock's biggest legends in one playlist, and these bangers (above) that'll make you feel like a boss. Don't be shy with the soundsystem and crank up the music. [caption id="attachment_758750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Dungan[/caption] TAKE YOUR CHARCUTERIE PLATTER TO THE NEXT LEVEL The high life is about having the best of the best, so head to your local deli for some proper charcuterie — try La Parisienne Pates in Melbourne, Omeio Artisanal Deli in Sydney and Brisbane's Rosalie Gourmet Market. Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne pairs remarkably well with cheese and red meat, as it's made by mixing pinot noir and meunier grapes the flavour combinations work with mortadella, jamon and prosciutto, as much as they would with strawberries, olives and a fragrant goat's cheese. [caption id="attachment_758779" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rene Asmussen[/caption] HIRE A PRIVATE CHEF Save yourself from a cooking disaster and hire a professional to get the job done. Do you think Post Malone, Lizzo or the guys from Metallica do their own cooking when hosting a dinner party? Definitely not. There are plenty of services around Australia that will help you find a personal chef for your occasion, and the prices often match what you'd spend on a meal at restaurant — except this time there's no reason to rush you through your courses. Plus, you have the benefit of looking like a rockstar to all your guests. Check out At Your Table or Take A Chef, who operate around the country, or Intertain, which is available in Sydney and Melbourne only. [caption id="attachment_734878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mud Australia[/caption] GO OTT WITH YOUR TABLE SETTING It's not enough to hire a private chef and pick the perfect playlist if you're going to serve food on a mismatched selection of op-shop plates. Start with a dark linen tablecloth, cloth napkins and personalised place cards, so your guests feel like rockstars too. Make sure you have matching crockery — you can get some gorgeous sets to suit all budgets from places like Kmart and Ikea, but when you want to invest in quality tableware we suggest shopping at Made In Japan or Mud Australia. Finish it off with candles, metallic cutlery, fresh-cut blooms and, if you're dining al fresco, Moët & Chandon rosé goblets. [caption id="attachment_758791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bruce Mars[/caption] TURN LEFTOVERS INTO A MIDNIGHT SNACK FIT FOR A KING Nothing makes you feel like a grub quite like snacking straight from the fridge in the middle of the night. It's time to give midnight snacking the respect it deserves. It doesn't have to be a three-course meal, but you can easily revamp your leftovers by reheating them in the oven (never the microwave), throwing together an omelette, casserole or salad — or just sticking with cold pizza. Whatever you come up with, do yourself a favour — set the table, pop on some tunes, use a plate and pour yourself a glass of rosé champagne (if you didn't already polish off the bottle). Moët & Chandon's Rosé Impérial is a fruity and elegant champagne with gooseberry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes. Find out more here.
Sunny summer days and the new year are (unfortunately) still a fair while away, but you don't need the clichéd calendar date to set some new goals. In fact, if the global pandemic has thrown a bit of a spanner in your routine, now may be just time to get back into gear. As they say, there's no time like the present — there you go, another cliché to follow instead. But rather than focusing on a singular aspect like diet or exercise, why not look at your health holistically? Yep, we're talking 'healthy living' and, no, it's not just for Byron Bay dwellers and yoga lovers (not that we're jealous or anything). Simply put, it's about balance — from what you eat right down to getting enough sleep. To help you kick-start — or restart — your health resolutions, we've teamed up with the folks at nutritious ready-made meal delivery service Macros to bring you six simple lifestyle changes. Because we all know healthy habits don't happen overnight. SIGN UP TO A SUBSCRIPTION-STYLE MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE First things first: food. No one's saying all those takeaway dishes and baked treats over lockdown weren't delicious, but, by now, you may be craving something more nourishing. Food is what fuels us, so changing your diet is one of the biggest hacks to the so-called healthy life. It may be obvious, but there's a reason it can be tricky. Not all of us have MasterChef-like skills and meal prepping takes time. Not to mention how pricey clean eating can be if you don't know where to begin. One way to cut out the guesswork and set yourself up with a fridge full of dietitian-designed and super-tasty dishes is by signing up to a meal delivery service. Macros, for example, ensures every meal is prepared by chefs and delivered fresh, not frozen, so you can simply pop it in the microwave when you're ready to eat. Think the likes of massaman beef curry, cottage pie, spaghetti bolognese and herb-crusted salmon, ready in a matter of minutes. Macros has seven different plans to cater to your goals, too. If you don't live at the gym, then Macros' 'Weight Loss' plan, with low-carb meals that have less than 350 calories (if you're counting), is a solid option. Otherwise, the 'Balanced' plan is great for those looking to switch to a cleaner diet, without shedding kilos. You can also tailor your plan to suit your dietary needs, be it plant-based, dairy-free, low-carb or paleo. And, to top it off, it's a pretty affordable option, with meals starting from $8.70. Right now, you can also nab $50 off your first order, too — just sign up here. GIVE MINDFULNESS A GO If you consider mindfulness a bogus pastime, think again. From simply soaking in the tub to daily meditation, taking time to clear your head and reduce stress is a solid base for a healthier lifestyle. Think of it like this: if food is your body's fuel, then mindfulness is your mind's tonic. And, to really achieve a healthy lifestyle, you need both, on top of physical exercise, of course. Plus, amid COVID-19, we're increasingly realising what it means to keep calm during a crisis. So, where to start? Mindfulness and meditation apps are both beginner-friendly and convenient — and these days there are plenty to pick from. Headspace is one of the better-known ones and for good reason; it makes mediation accessible, even if you're a bit of a novice. Or, you can be guided by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris with his app Waking Up. If getting enough shut-eye is an issue, try Calm, which includes meditation sessions, audio snippets of Bob Ross's The Joy of Painting and stories narrated by none other than Matthew McConaughey. Practices such as tai chi and yoga can help improve mental clarity, too, by combining meditation with movement — so, if you find sitting still hard, maybe give these a try. You can even add adorable animals into the equation and get bendy with baby goats, or your pooch as you downward dog in your living room, both of which are a surefire way to get a quick serotonin hit. GET PICKLING Feel bloated or sluggish? It could be your gut telling you something — literally. While everyone's body is different, fermented foods can be great for most people's gut health and keeping everything regular. The age-old preserving technique naturally ferments food, creating healthy probiotics that help strengthen your gut microbiome. It's a good way of extending food's shelf life, too. Instead of raiding the health food store and splashing some serious cash, you can make your own with everyday fridge and pantry items. Beets, beans, cucumbers, onion, fennel, cabbage, zucchini, carrots... you get the idea. Most pickling involves vinegar (white or apple cider), salt, a bit of sugar, spices and the veg of your choosing. Alternatively, get yourself a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) and some black tea and try making your own kombucha. If you'd rather learn from the pickling pros, Sydney-based cafe and picklery Cornersmith runs a bunch of hands-on and, at the moment, live Zoom classes, where you can pick up tips on how to ferment, pickle and preserve pretty much anything. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE No one said exercise had to be boring. You may have your go-to activity, but, sometimes, getting out of the bed in the morning or hitting up the gym after work can be a struggle. We get it, life gets in the way. However, to avoid fitness fatigue, why not inject some fun into your routine? Feel like a big kid again and bounce non-stop at an indoor trampoline park, or scale to new heights at a rock climbing gym. For the latter, you'll need a partner in crime, so you can socialise while you sweat, otherwise, for a more solitary climb, try bouldering. Martial arts is another great way to train, from karate to jiu-jitsu, taekwondo and krav maga, all of which have become increasingly popular over recent years. Keen to improve your rhythm? Dancing is a great way to get your heart pumping, as well as tone muscle, whether it's ballet, salsa, ballroom or hip-hop dancing. You can even get your groove on in your living room with 80s-style aerobics by way of Retrosweat or Aerobics Oz Style. And, if you're lucky enough to live near the ocean, stand-up paddle boarding is great for your core, or you could give surfing lessons a crack. Basically, there's no end to the fun you can have while also training and conditioning your body. GET OUTDOORS AND HIT THE TRAILS It's hard to beat a vigorous bushwalk or long-distance run along the coastline, with the sun shining, the wind in your hair and stunning surrounds to distract from your own panting. Plus, it leaves you feeling pretty rejuvenated. While, yes, the physical exercise plays a massive part, being outdoors is undeniably good for the soul. And, after spending more time indoors this year, many of us have a new appreciation for being surrounded by nature. So, next time you're thinking of jumping on the treadmill, why not run in your local park? Or, if you can, take a hike in a national park, do laps in an ocean pool, kayak down a river or head out on a scenic bike ride. If you're after something a bit more restorative, forest bathing or shinrin-yoku (nature therapy) is another way to get a dose of vitamin D, just with less cardio. You simply spend time in nature, whether it's taking a stroll in any natural environment or finding a lush and peaceful spot in which to meditate. The physiological and psychological activity has benefits such as improving your immune and nervous systems, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, and improving mental health, energy levels and sleep patterns. Combining mindfulness with nature, the Japanese practice is the perfect antidote to our tech-filled and often sedentary lifestyles. TREAT YOURSELF While pampering may seem a tad extra, giving your body a little TLC is also called self care. So, treat your body like the temple it is and give it a rest every now and again. From beauty therapies to relaxing remedies, there are plenty of ways you can look after your body — outside and in. Feeling a bit lacklustre? Mani-pedis, haircuts and facials are sure to give you a boost. Then there are massages, of course, with benefits including reduced blood pressure, easing migraines and headaches, aiding pain relief and stiffness, and lowering stress levels. But, different styles address different issues, so it's important to listen to your body. Swedish and aromatherapy massages, for example, are great if you're stressed out; whereas lymphatic ones help rid your body of toxins by draining your lymphs. If you've been upping your exercise or have muscular pain, then consider deep tissue, sports, reflexology or Thai-style massages, which will help alleviate aches, increase flexibility and reduce recovery time. A healthy lifestyle starts with the food that fuels you. To help make that part easy and fuss-free, Macros delivers nutrition-packed meals straight to your door. And, if you need to, you can also pause or skip a week of your subscription at no extra cost. Better yet, Macros is currently offering $50 off your first four deliveries. So, start your health kick ASAP and sign up here.
Celebrities use Twitter to rave about who they're sitting next to at the Oscars, teens use Twitter to 'follow' the celebrities, and the remaining account-holders use Twitter to let everyone else know exactly what they're doing at any given moment of the day. However this January and February Twitter became much more than a social network to let your friends know what you had for breakfast — just ask the thousands of young activists in Egypt whose tweets resulted in an unprecedented method of recording history as it happened right before their eyes. Tweets from Tahrir documents each day of the violent revolution in Egypt that ended hundreds of lives, focusing on the uprisings in Cairo's Tahrir Square. The twist: every word and picture of the book is taken from tweets posted by Egyptians either in the heat of conflict or prior to staging a revolution, capturing instant reactions to the demonstrations like no other form of journalism has been able to. Quite the change from updates about Lady Gaga's outfit. Activists Alex Nunns and Nadia Idle edited the 160 pages full of uncensored fear, distress and eventually the excitement of victory, and have organized the 140-character tweets into chronological order, allowing readers to fully grasp the ups and downs of the historic events as they happened. This groundbreaking compilation of 'citizen journalism' will be published on April 21, and readers will be able to experience the drama and ecstasy of the story as it unfolded.
The wildest and most remote places in New South Wales are now in the palm of your hand. On Tuesday, August 28, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service announced the launch of its new, free mobile app, which provides guides to more than 225 national parks. It includes maps, things to do and places to stay in and around all of the national parks. And most information is downloadable, so, if you're heading beyond reception, you'll be able to save all the details you need to your mobile. Say goodbye to paper maps. But do remember that your device's battery might not last the distance of the multi-day hike you're planning. Whatever outdoorsy escapade you're hoping to conquer, you'll find it: from picnic areas and swimming spots to walks and cycle paths to places of cultural and historical significance. Covered, too, are the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's numerous accommodation options, including campgrounds, 19th century cottages and lighthouses. Last, but not least, is a bunch of less fun but nonetheless necessary information, such as the whereabouts of toilet blocks and sources of drinking water. Whenever you find an adventure, sleepover or toilet block that appeals to you, save it among your favourites, for easy access at a later date. The app, available now, is free to download to iOS (via the App Store) and Android devices (via Google Play). Ready to get going? Use the geolocation services help you to find a national park nearby. Images: D Parsons
In 2006’s Night at the Museum, the exhibits and dioramas of New York City's Museum of Natural History sprang to life, surprising freshly hired evening security guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller). In 2009’s Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Larry returned to save enlivened treasures being shipped off to storage in Washington, D.C., stumbling upon a power battle between magically resurrected pharaohs in the process. The films, mixing an everyman protagonist with an exaggerated situation, established an easy formula of heroics and humour, history and fantasy, and quests and chaos, as suitable for all ages. Now, once more adhering to the blueprint but transporting the action to London, the trilogy crawls towards its conclusion with Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Here, the perpetually bumbling Larry is thrust into trouble once more when an important event goes awry as a result of his animated mannequin friends. The tablet that endows the appearance of life into the museum’s trinkets is starting to corrode, courtesy of an Egyptian curse. Only specimens housed in Britain hold the answers to stopping the rot, reinstating the spell and rescuing the likenesses of famous figures from reverting to a permanent state of wax. Adding to the antics are Larry’s English counterpart, nightwatchwoman Tilly (Rebel Wilson), and an arrogant Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens), both endeavouring to thwart the visitors’ efforts for their own reasons. Returning director Shawn Levy (This Is Where I Leave You) and new scribes David Guion and Michael Handelman (Dinner for Schmucks) aren’t concerned with offering any unexpected detours in the events that follow, repeating the beats of the earlier films with a heightened emphasis on outdated pop culture jokes. Indeed, that the feature’s biggest source of laughs — and its best surprise cameo – stems from an internet meme gives an indication of the level of comedy cultivated, as does the prominence of online cat videos to the plot. Even the usual reliance upon slapstick wavers, for worse, not for better. The odd-couple banter of Owen Wilson as an old west cowboy and Steve Coogan as a Roman soldier is similarly toned down. Elaborate staging aside (best manifested in Secret of the Tomb in an uncharacteristically excellent M.C. Escher-inspired sequence), the biggest lure of the Night of the Museum series has always been its extensive cast. Performers express enough energy to keep the movie bubbling along; however, for reasons inconsequential to the content itself, it is Robin Williams’ return as Teddy Roosevelt that stands out. His last on-screen appearance evokes both sweetness and sorrow that far exceeds the average franchise swansong he is saddled with.
Okay, it hasn't exactly turned out to be the hot vax summer we deserve, but one thing we can be thankful for is the return of live music. And after a tough couple of years for the Australian music industry, there's probably never been a better time to celebrate homegrown talent. For all of January, The Rocks will be celebrating summer — and our incredible live music scene — with a month-long series of events. Rounding things out will be Sweet Summer Sounds, a two-week mini festival of live gigs featuring over 50 local music acts. The best part? It's absolutely free. The jam-packed bill bound for First Fleet Park includes the eclectic sounds of three-piece collective Haiku Hands who have garnered a global fanbase thanks to genre-bending tunes and big-energy live shows; and electrifying Western Sydney rapper, producer and engineer Kwame, Triple J's Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2018 who has shared a stage with heavyweights including Skepta and Migos. [caption id="attachment_839264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mia Wray by Lisa Businovski[/caption] Also taking to the Sweet Summer Sounds stage is the excellent Melbourne singer-songwriter Mia Wray, whose 2020 debut single 'Work for Me' was plugged by Elton John on his Beats 1 radio show; Northern Beaches indie-folk band Sons of the East (who are set to embark on a headline tour of Europe and North America later this year); and the alluring, cinematic sounds of Melbourne three-piece Telenova. To complete the festival experience, you can stay fuelled thanks to a pop-up prosecco bar, Bubble Bambino, as well as stalls slinging burgers, falafels and loaded hot dogs — each perfect for an afternoon session in the sunshine soundtracked by some of Australia's most exciting musical acts of the moment. For the full lineup and gig times, head the The Rocks website.
You might think you know Richard Ayoade from his time as Maurice Moss in the British comedy The IT Crowd. But did you know he's also an acclaimed director of quirky indie films full of deadpan humour? After smashing it with his debut feature, Submarine, Ayoade's now back with The Double. Based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Double follows Simon James, the timid and nerdy office clerk whose life is completely unenviable. Played by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Simon reaches breaking point when new co-worker James Simon appears on the scene. Also played by Eisenberg, James excels in all the ways that Simon cannot, being a daring extrovert with confidence and charm. Simon is both James's double, and as it turns out, his polar opposite. Also starring Aussie actor Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Stoker, The Kids are Alright) and Wallace Shawn (Clueless), The Double premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and went on to Sundance. It's been praised in early reviews, including by the Playlist, who wrote: "Totally bonkers, hilarious and wickedly clever, The Double is special and singular filmmaking at its best." The Double is in cinemas on Thursday, May 8, and thanks to Madman Films, we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=_klCoDTHKGg ',width:'1150',height:'700'" width="1150" height="700" align="" />
While snow might not be falling all around like in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s Christmas here in Sydney and something’s stirring over at FBi Social. Radiant is bringing its yearly festive special, A Very Radiant Christmas, to FBi Social, escaping the radio waves to take to the stage for the first ever time this December 15th. Like previous years, Radiant are presenting a massive lineup of artists like Black Vanilla, Sarah Kelly, Glenn and Winter Thompson, Matt Banham and Joesph Leonard. Those artists will be backed up on stage by Sydney rock and roll legends The Holy Soul, who’ll be providing the big band for some of the other names on stage. Image by Mat Hurst.
Keen for an overseas holiday as soon as you can possibly take one? Aren't we all — and Australians can now add Singapore to their list of international destinations. A quarantine-free travel arrangement between the two countries was first floated back in March, and it'll finally kick in on Monday, November 8. At present, this'll be a one-way setup, allowing double-vaccinated Australians to enter Singapore without quarantining. Dubbed a 'vaccinated travel lane (VTL)' by Singaporean authorities, it'll commence just a week after Australia's international border restrictions ease to once again permit Aussies to leave the country for holidays. Here's how the VTL will work: if you've had two jabs, you can enter Singapore without quarantining, although you will need to undergo COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. If you're travelling with kids aged 12 years and under who aren't vaxxed, they'll be allowed to enter Singapore, too — as long as you're double-vaccinated. Obviously, double-vaxxed Aussies will be allowed to return back to Australia after their Singapore trips; however, Australia isn't opening up to overseas holidaymakers as yet — which is why it's a one-way arrangement Singapore has already established VTLs with a range of countries, including Germany, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the US. Switzerland will also join the arrangement on November 8, with South Korea following on November 15. When it was first suggested at the beginning of 2021, the Australia–Singapore arrangement was expected to start in July, but that clearly didn't happen. Then, in June, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, with the pair releasing a joint statement affirming that they were working towards the travel arrangement. Singapore follows countries such as Fiji and Thailand in revealing when they're reopening to holidaying Australians. If you're currently thinking about booking flights, Qantas has already announced fares from Sydney from Tuesday, November 23. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Roman-style pizza plays a hefty part on Maybe Frank's menu every day of the week. Come Wednesdays, however, pizza is the main attraction — as you'd expect at the Surry Hills and Randwick eateries' all-you-can-eat pizza evening, which has returned after the pandemic. For $20, you can indeed feast on all the slices that your stomach can handle. You can choose from 11 different flavours (and potentially even try them all if your stomach is roomy enough). Start with a simple margherita and classic capricciosa, perhaps, and move on to the decadent four-cheese number and a tartufo, which comes with porcini and truffle oil. You'll get salad and a Nutella slider as part of the deal, too. The only requirement for the all-you-can-eat pizza night is that you purchase a drink. And you'll want to try the cocktails, which are as good as any bar in the city. As an added bonus, $10 negronis and spritzes are available all night. If you don't want a drink, you can also get the bottomless deal for $25 a head. [caption id="attachment_645487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Frank Randwick[/caption] All-you-can-eat pizza is available at both Maybe Frank Surry Hills and Randwick. Top image: DS Oficina
If you know anything about the Hotel Rose Bay, it's probably the pub's obsession with miniature trains — up until recently, it sported a model that would skirt around the venue every hour. But an extensive renovation and a few million dollars later, and the 90-year-old pub will choo-choo no more. It will reopen on Friday, March 1 as a sleek new eastern suburbs venue. The heritage facade had been kept, but inside the space has undergone some serious work by Richards Stanisich Interiors, who raised ceilings, added more windows and doubled the interior space. It's now brighter and more airy and befits the venue's harbourside location. Rose gold finishes, terrazzo tiling and Australian spotted gum furnishings, along with an emerald granite bar, have replaced the pub's train track. [caption id="attachment_709922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The kitchen's split king prawns with burnt butter and coastal greens.[/caption] As a result, there are now three distinct spaces on offer: the main bar and lounge with a cocktail list and share plates, the sports bar, and the 70-seat restaurant. The latter is helmed by ex-Flying Fish and Catalina executive chef Ian Royle, who's bringing his fine-dining background to pub grub. Sure, you'll find the usual fish and chips, cheeseburgers and steaks, but also a barramundi fillet with cauliflower and tamarind butter ($29.50) and soy spare ribs served with sriracha mayo ($29). Other menu specialties include the king prawns with burnt butter and native greens ($28), the free-range chicken with chilli coconut and peanut sauce ($28), and the salmon tartare with avocado, tomato ponzu and wonton crisps ($18.5). Having first opened its doors back in 1929, Hotel Rose Bay is also one of the few independent pubs around town — it's been owned and operated by the Auswild family from Bellevue Hill for over 20 years now. Hotel Rose Bay opens Friday, March 1 at 807 New South Head Road, Rose Bay. Opening hours are Monday through Saturday 10am–1am and Sunday 10am–10.30pm. Food images: Oliver Minnett.
Steam Mill Lane is already well-known for its lineup of impressive eateries, which include everything from famed Melbourne burger joint 8bit to Japanese-Scandi cafe Edition, and now it's throwing another element into the mix — helping to make some lives a little easier this festive season by hosting a charity sneaker drive. Coinciding with the lead-up to Christmas, from December 12–14, the drive will see Steam Mill Lane collecting a heap of shoe donations for Shoes for Planet Earth — a non-profit organisation that provides recycled running shoes for those in need. Head in to the inner-city precinct between 12pm–3pm on any of the days to drop off a pair of pre-loved, hole-free sneaks, and you'll score some free food for your efforts. On Tuesday, December 12, you'll snag a miso dark choc cookie from Edition, on Wednesday a hot cinnamon doughnut from Butter and on Thursday a bubble tea from Gong Cha. The collection station will be located right outside 8bit, so if you're heading over on your lunch break, you could pick up a standout burger, too. The Steam Mill Lane Charity Sneaker Drive will run from 12–3pm.
Figuring out what to cook or contribute to a Christmas Day feast isn't always easy. Fortunately, The Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Market is here to offer plenty of inspiration, taking over the ICC Sydney with a food-filled wonderland from Friday, November 21–Sunday, November 23. Bringing together over 150 different exhibitors from across Australia, this is your chance to sample all the festive bites and sips needed to make your holiday season a delicious success. Meanwhile, the market is stacked with festive gifts and knick-knacks, so you can get your Christmas shopping sorted long before chaotic queues put a dampener on your merry spirit. "The Christmas Market is all about helping people discover unique gifts, get inspired into the kitchen and kick off the season surrounded by the best food, drinks and festive cheer," says Mike Bray, Managing Director at SpecTAPular. For those heading along, The Festive Kitchen returns by popular demand, featuring top-notch culinary stars like Miguel Maestre, Kirsten Tibballs and Valérie Henbest. Spanning fascinating live demos, each will showcase their best tips and tricks to make this year's Christmas feast your best one yet. Plus, Secret Sips sessions invite guests to free 30-minute tastings where they'll put their palate to the test through a blind experience. Alongside dedicated wrapping stations, the chance to win awesome prizes from spin-the-wheel games and a who's who of makers and producers, guests will also get to taste two exclusive treats. Munch on Miguel's Crispy Christmas Pork, the ideal centrepiece for your dining table, and an inventive chocolate made by Kirsten Tibballs, combining the festive flavours of Christmas cake crumbs with orange and almond.
Getting your art fix can be difficult in the hustle and bustle of daily life — and so, when the opportunity arises to soak in some creativity at a convenient time, you've got to jump at the chance. Southwest Sydney residents and art lovers from across the city: mark Saturday, January 20 in your diaries. That's when Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is hosting Exhibitions After Dark as part of Sydney Festival 2024. The beloved Western Sydney cultural space will be opening from 6pm until late for a midweek dose of after-hours art. Check out Eddie Abd, Katy B Plummer and Leanne Tobin's new exhibitions, all of which are part of the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre's summer program. Rounding out the night's entertainment will be a series of performances and workshops based around the trio of exhibitions and the creative minds behind them. There's also a yet-to-be-announced food and drink lineup that will keep the art lovers in attendance well fed. Entry is free and no registration is required.
Did you know Australia is the world's seventh-largest market for champagne? And, because we never do anything by halves, we're also the largest consumers of champagne per person outside Europe. We also seek quality over quantity, with drinkers choosing sparkling and champagne from vineyards with high quality vines. Avid champagne drinkers may have noticed an increasing number of rosé champagnes in their favourite bars and bottle shops, too. This is thanks to a rosé revolution — a surge in popularity for not only still pink wines but also for sparkling and champagne rosé — which is why we've partnered with Moët & Chandon to bring you a quick guide to the complex drink that can range from amber to hibiscus pink in colour, and from red currant to strawberry in flavour, and pair surprisingly well with sashimi and roast chicken. Read on to find out why your next glass of champagne should be pink. [caption id="attachment_760242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinot meunier grapes; Fred Laures[/caption] PINK CHAMPAGNE IS MORE COMPLEX THAN YOU THINK It's also drier and has layers of flavour. Winemakers use red wine grapes pinot noir and pinot meunier as the basis for rosé champagne; they take the intensity and structure of the pinot noir and combine it with the opulent flavours of meunier — think wild strawberry and cranberry characters — which creates a champagne that has freshness as well as layers of flavour. [caption id="attachment_758615" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lasseter Winery[/caption] IT'S THE ONLY TIME WINEMAKERS ARE PERMITTED TO BLEND RED AND WHITE WINES No, really. Making rosé champagne is the only time when it is permitted to blend still red wine and still white wine together to make rosé. The process is called rosé d'assemblage and winemakers combine a percentage of red wine (usually pinot noir or meunier) with the cuvée. Taking it a step further, Moët & Chandon trains its winemakers to master the specific techniques necessary to make red wines, giving them a devoted space, amenities and resources to allow them to focus on the nuances of crafting red wine. No other rosé champagne producer in the Champagne region has taken comparable steps. ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE DATES BACK TO THE 1700s The first documentation of rosé champagne was on March 14, 1764. It was discovered in entries from historic champagne house Ruinart's accounts book, which detailed a shipment of "a basket of 120 bottles", 60 bottles of which were Oeil de Perdrix ("Eye of the Partridge"), refers to "a delicate pink coppery colour." Some champagne houses like Moët & Chandon are celebrating their 43rd vintage of rosé champagne. IT PAIRS WITH MORE THAN JUST OYSTERS Rosé champagne comes alive with food. There's a common misconception that both champagne and rosé champagne should only be drunk at the beginning of a meal (with oysters or as an aperitif), but ask any sommelier or champagne lover and they will tell you that the vibrancy and delicate lines of acid are perfect for freshening the palate after foods like roasted pork, cured meats, or even after devouring a delicious burger. It makes the ideal brunch wine alongside fruit platters, which highlight the wine's natural fruit characters, and its minerality and acidity pairs well with a smoked salmon blini. Get creative and come up with a few unusual pairings at home. [caption id="attachment_762305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] THE POP PRESSURE IS INTENSE The pressure in a bottle of rosé champagne (or any champagne for that matter) is equivalent to three times the pressure in your average car tyre (around 96psi) — which is why you should never take your hand off the cork when opening a bottle. This pressure is created through the process of fermentation within the bottle; when the yeast eats all the natural sugar in the grapes to produce alcohol, carbon dioxide is the by-product of this process and it gets trapped within the bottles of champagne. In rosé champagne the result is delicate pink bubbles that dance on your tongue. TWENTY PERCENT OF MOËT & CHANDON CHAMPAGNES ARE PINK One in five bottles (or around 20 percent of champagne production) from Moët & Chandon House is rosé. It takes the crafting and production of the blend very seriously. Its focus on higher quality champagnes shines through in the wine, which shows various vinous characters in different vintages with each new release. The non-vintage (NV) styles are made to a 'house style' and are consistent from year to year. [caption id="attachment_760219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moet and Chandon Vineyards at the Loge Mont Aigu[/caption] IT'S (SURPRISINGLY) EXCEPTIONAL VALUE FOR MONEY Truly. Hear us out. Only the most outstanding pinot noir grapes, harvested from the House's own highly rated premier crus and grands crus vineyards (read: highly rated in French classification terms), are made into the red wines to be blended into Moët & Chandon's Grand Vintage Rosé Champagne. So you're always guaranteed incomparable quality every time you pop a bottle open. Moët & Chandon's Rosé Impérial is a fruity and elegant champagne with gooseberry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes. Find out more here. Top image: Boudewijn Boer.
Warm summer days, kicking back with friends, gin and tonics on the go — it doesn't get much better than that. While you don't need to go out to enjoy the classic drink, you'll definitely need all the best ingredients. Enter Ginny Brings: the brainchild of Tanqueray and Jimmy Brings that's now delivering flawless G&Ts to your door. Order a Ginny Brings Bundle from the site between midday and 11pm and you'll get Tanqueray, Fever-Tree and garnishes delivered to straight to you within half an hour. What's more, if you order between 5.30pm and 10pm from December 28–31, you'll go in the running to win a Ginny Brings experience. The experience includes Ginny (Tanqueray ambassador Krystal Hart) coming to your house for a personalised gin session, where she'll make you and all your guests some flawless G&Ts — all while showing you how to expertly make the drink yourself later on. Plus on her departure, she'll gift you with a bottled Tanqueray and Tonic cocktail. Think of her as Santa's little gin helper. [caption id="attachment_700864" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Ginny' AKA Krystal Hart, Tanqueray Brand Ambassador.[/caption] But hold on, your gin mastery doesn't stop there. You may now have quality ingredients at your fingertips — and if you're lucky, your own bartender for a night — but you should still be prepped with some G&T know-how. It's all too easy to end up with an unbalanced drink — even if it seems like one of the easiest drink recipes out there. To help you out, we've had a chat with Hart to uncover a few key tricks of the trade so you can concoct flawless G&Ts at home like a pro. So gather the troops, order your G&T and start mixing. Just make sure to brush up on the below tips first for maximum G&T prowess. And if you win an experience with Ginny, know you'll be a total G&T master come 2019. [caption id="attachment_689394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Smallbone.[/caption] CHOOSE THE RIGHT GIN With so many gins on the market at the moment, choosing the right one can make your head spin. But really it comes down to personal preference. If you love that big hit of juniper, Tanqueray London Dry could be the winner. After a burst of citrus? Tanqueray No. Ten delivers refined, zesty notes. And if you're looking to shake things up a bit, set your sights on Tanqueray's new Rangpur gin, distilled with Rangpur limes and mandarin, or the sweeter Flor de Sevilla, made with Seville oranges. FIND THE PERFECT TONIC Tonic can affect taste just as much as your choice of gin. Skip the home brand option and opt for something a little more distinctive in terms of purity and flavour. Fever-Tree has a range a tonics, from elderflower to lemon to Mediterranean, that help to highlight the varying botanicals in your gin. Hot tip: pair Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla gin and Fever-Tree aromatic tonic, then add a wedge of orange and sprig of thyme for an afternoon spritz-inspired G&T. [caption id="attachment_689430" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Smallbone.[/caption] CONSIDER YOUR GLASSWARE They say it's what's on the inside that counts, but that rule doesn't apply to your G&T vessel of choice. You wouldn't drink coffee from a wine glass, so don't go pouring quality gin into some second-rate sippy cup. For an aromatic gin like Tanqueray Sevilla, try a stemless wine glass or Bordeaux glass to help accentuate the taste. A good glass is ergonomic, it's classy — it's fashion. KEEP THINGS CHILL No one likes a flat, warm G&T. The best way to avoid this dire outcome is by loading up on the ice. Depending on personal preference, you can roll with one giant cube (classy and restrained) or fill your glass to the brim with standard cubes. The more chilled, the more balanced, the better. [caption id="attachment_700029" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud.[/caption] MAKE IT VISUAL Always garnish. We're not saying it's hard science, but pretty looking drinks just seem to taste better. A classic staple is a piece of citrus and, to up the ante slightly, some fresh herbs to complement the gin's botanicals. But feel free to experiment with the unknown: add a fresh bay leaf, get around blackberries and cucumber or garnish with chilli, lime and coriander for a spicy, savoury alternative. You'll not only end up with some attractive drinks but also some new flavours to tickle your tastebuds. Over the next two weeks, look to Ginny Brings to get your flawless G&Ts sorted this silly season, and go in the running to win a Ginny Brings experience. Ginny will deliver an experience every 30 minutes from December 28–31 from 5.30–10pm. Looking for more ways to enjoy gin? Check out The Gin List for more ideas.
There's something secretive and special about slipping into an art gallery after hours. Add a few laughs and a glass of wine, and it's pretty difficult to imagine a more seductive reason to get out of your house for the night. Kicking off on 7 September is the latest of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' late night events, Late Night Laughs. Some of Australia's best comedians will put their spin on one of Australia's most-loved art honours, the Archibald Prize. There are four nights of Late Night Laughs: catch Becky Lucas, who recently debuted on ABC's Comedy Up Late, on 7 September; triple j breakfast co-host Matt Okine on the 14th; Andy Saunders, who killed Youtube in 2012 with Coz I'm Aboriginal on the 28th; and 2016 Barry Award winner Zoe Coombs Marr on October 5. Drop in after the comedy – or on Sundays – for film series Me, Myself and I. If you've been wondering who you are, where you came from, what you stand for and what your life means of late, the films on show will either help you clarify or make matters more delightfully confusing. Expect tales of crime, espionage and love, filled with mistaken, false and imagined identity, along with forgetfulness and gender-bending. Live music from Arabesk and Microwave Jenny will play after the comedy on selected nights. Late Night Laughs runs on Wednesday, September 7, 14 and 28, and October 5.
Put down the books. Step away from the screen. For your next history lesson, you're busting out your best fancy footwork. History of House commemorates dance music through the decades, covering tunes and beats from half a century. 70s disco? Check. Pop from the 80s? Tick there, too. All things house ever since? That's the star of the show. History of House boasts two big-name talents as well: Groove Terminator and the Soweto Gospel Choir. The Australia DJ and the Grammy-winning, world-famous choral group have been joining forces to break house music's origins and evolution down — and, yes, bring the house down — since the 2020 Adelaide Fringe, where it won the Best Music Show award. House music with the choir that've played with Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Queen — plus Bono and Celine Dion — isn't the type of gig that you get to see every day. Now, it's Sydney's time to make shapes, with the concert hitting up the Harbour City on Friday, October 6. Your dance floor for the evening: The Barracks Precinct in Manly. Images: Helen Page / Brisbane Festival.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is bringing its renowned work Sandsong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert back to the stage this winter. The production premiered last year at the Sydney Opera House and marked the company's first new production at the venue since COVID-19 closures. If you didn't get a chance to see the enthralling show in 2021, here's the gist. Set in Walmajarri Country, which spans the Great Sandy Desert and Kimberley regions of Western Australia, this powerful performance explores the displacement and survival of First Nations people in this part of Australia, particularly between the 1920–1960s. Artistic Director Stephen Page and Associate Artistic Director Frances Rings have choreographed this breathtaking work in consultation with Wangkatjungka and Walmajarri Elders, reaffirming Bangarra's place as the leading performing arts company for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For performance times and to grab tickets to this must-see new work, head here. Images: Daniel Boud
Dear Sainte Eloise wants you to end your year with good omens for 2023 by filling the last night of the year with great food and wine. The Potts Point restaurant is hosting a huge New Year's party — with two different ways to experience the night's festivities. The first is a seafood-heavy ten-dish set menu that will set you back $165 per person. Included in what will be your final feast for 2022 will be Sydney rock oysters, sea urchin crostinis, caviar tarts with tuna crudo, burrata with brunch peach and raw lamb with anchovy cream. This selection of inventive starters will all build up to a Jack's Creek sirloin which will act as the main centrepiece of the menu, served with horseradish butter and crispy potatoes. For dessert, diners will be treated to a dark chocolate and raspberry tart. [caption id="attachment_882872" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dexter Kim[/caption] While drinks aren't included, you can pre-order a glass of champagne on arrival and there will be ten different varieties of wine available by the magnum on the night. Bookings for the dinner service are available from 3–8.30pm, before this portion of the evening will wrap up at 11pm. From there, the restaurant's doors will open to walk-ins. Anyone looking to toast to the new year with top-notch wine can arrive between 11pm and midnight. The bar staff will be marking the occasion with more magnums and some special rare wines including a skinsy Gruner Veltliner from local producer Gut Oggau, and golden Nosiola and 'L'Anodine' Grenache wines from Italy's Elisabetta Foradori. The party will kick on for both diners and walk-ins until 2am. [caption id="attachment_882873" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dexter Kim[/caption] Top images: Nikki To
Step inside BLAK BOX, a new architect-designed sound pavilion at Barangaroo, and you'll be carried into a world of First Peoples' stories. Spoken word, music and field recordings combine to create a stream of consciousness that expresses experiences of Barangaroo – from the past, the present and the future. The installation is the creation of Urban Theatre Projects, who commissioned architect Kevin O'Brien to design the immersive pavilion. Lighting is kept to a minimum, encouraging "deep listening", a concept that invites you to pay attention, not only to the stories, but also to the silences and spaces between them. Radio National presenter Daniel Browning curated the audio. His selections include 15 commissioned sound pieces, oral histories of Barangaroo before 1788, informal interviews and spoken word performances. "BLAK BOX is one of our most ambitious projects to date – bringing together design, installation and sound for a unique contemporary storytelling experience," said Rosie Dennis, artistic director at Urban Theatre Projects. "Daniel has curated an intelligent, layered and thought-provoking program which grapples with the complexity of urban development, place and history." BLAK BOX will make its world premiere at Barangaroo Reserve from 2–24 June, it's launch coinciding with Reconciliation Week, before touring Australia. The work is the first to emerge from a three-year partnership between Urban Theatre Projects and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, which will see new sound and art installation in the same Barangaroo site every June until 2020. Blak Box is located at Barangaroo Reserve and is open Tuesday–Saturday, 5.30–9pm; Sunday, 2.30–6pm. Entry is free, but reservations are recommended and can be made here.
UPDATE, September 1, 2020: Fighting with My Family is available to stream via Stan, Foxtel Now, Google Play and iTunes. A word to the wise: should you find yourself watching wrestling with the Bevis family, don't go claiming that their favourite sport isn't real. While the in-ring entertainment is staged, its narratives are scripted and its rivalries areas fabricated as any soap opera, the difference between fixing matches and faking them is as hefty as The Rock's hulking biceps. The same sentiment rings true in Fighting with My Family, in a fashion. Playing producer as well as appearing as himself, Dwayne Johnson ushers this British tale onto the screen with a clear awareness of its tropes and cliches, which anyone who's ever seen a rousing sports drama or underdog movie will spot. But the former WWE pro also knows that a fantastic story can make a mark even when it's swinging every expected blow — and in terms of emotional impact, Fighting with My Family packs a mighty punch. The driving force behind Norwich's World Association of Wrestling, the Bevis crew first came to broader attention in the 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family. It's easy to see why they've now inspired not just a TV doco, but a dramatised film that shares most of its predecessor's moniker. Patriarch Patrick Bevis (Nick Frost) turned to the spandex as a respite from a life of crime, then founded his own wrestling organisation with his wife Julia (Lena Headey). Better known as Rowdy Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya in the ring, the two were soon bringing their kids in on the action, including a daughter named after Julia's stage persona. When the big leagues came calling for the younger generation in 2011, Saraya (Florence Pugh) and her brother Zak (Jack Lowden) couldn't get to their audition fast enough. While the above details could've filled a movie by themselves, here they're just the starting point. The jump from scrapping around England's east to earning fame and fortune doesn't come without ample hard work — and many doubts. Training montages rumble across the screen, but so does plenty of contemplation, with Fighting with My Family never shying away from the difficulties of trying to make it in wrestling. Some members of the Bevis clan are forced to realise that dreams don't always come true. Some learn to stop living vicariously through others. Thrust out of her comfort zone and struggling with her sense of identity, Saraya discovers the challenges and costs of even trying to take the next step. Indeed, Fighting with My Family might champion a broader focus in its title, but this is Saraya's show. Or Paige's, as she's been known to her adoring WWE fans since 2012. The film correctly notes that she took her new name from her favourite childhood TV show, Charmed, and it's that kind of earnestness that helps transform a straightforward tale into a resounding crowd-pleaser. Devotees and newcomers alike will know where the movie is going, however this feel-good comedy charts its path with genuine affection for its characters, their chosen pastime and the quirks of each. It immerses viewers in the wild, weird and wonderful world of wrestling, embraces the sport's theatricality and pageantry, and never serves up an ounce of judgement. As a result, the film deserves every laugh and fist pump that it inspires. Of course, it's easy to go along with the movie's flow when there are such engaging figures at its centre. The picture's pitch-perfect tone feels like an extension of its central motley crew, who love everything about wrestling even when the sport is kicking their arses. Segueing from an initially reluctant fighter to one of the field's female superstars, Pugh puts in a powerhouse performance as Paige, switching the scheming steeliness of 2016's Lady MacBeth for a completely different type of fierceness and fortitude. Credit should also go Lowden, Frost and Headey's way, all playing multifaceted characters who could've devolved into caricatures in other hands. As the no-nonsense WWE scout with dominion over the family's hopes and dreams, Vince Vaughn similarly leaves an imprint among Fighting with My Family's impressive cast. As for The Rock, he cameos as his usual likeable self — the kind of tough but tender guy viewers have basically welcomed into their families for decades now, and that the Bevis' mob incredulously yet excitedly welcomes into theirs. Like his former profession, his well-cultivated persona shares much in common with this flick: big-hearted, sturdy, sincere, relatable and relentlessly charming. Stylistically, the film earns comparable terms, with writer-director Stephen Merchant rarely dazzling with his visuals, but crafting a delight of a movie nevertheless. And yes, it's the same Merchant who's best known for palling around on-screen and off with Ricky Gervais. Devoid of snark or awkwardness, the sweat, stress, tears and cheers of this wrestling comedy suit him nicely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFew9cpWijc
Gelatissimo brought us ice cream for dogs, a Weet-Bix flavour and a 100-percent vegan range and, now, for Easter it's getting suitably paschal. It's not only releasing a new flavour, but it's giving it away for free. The gelato chain has just launched a new Choc Cross Bun flavour, which, like its name suggests, combines traditional hot cross bun spices, chocolate gelato and chunks of actual chocolate hot cross buns. You can pick this up from one the gelato chain's 37 Aussie stores nationwide, or get it delivered to your door via UberEats, Deliveroo or DoorDash (yes, it's almost as omnipresent as God himself). It's giving away free tubs of this new flavour, too. In a new initiative called Scoop It Forward, Gelatissimo is inviting you to nominate someone who deserves some free dessert. So, if you've got a friend or family member who is working as a health professional, had to cancel their holidays or has just had a tough week, now may be the time to brighten up their month with a little bit of sweetness. You just need to head on over to the Gelatissimo website between now and midnight on Monday, April 13, add in some details about the person you think deserves free Choc Cross Bun gelato and the company will deliver as many boxes as they can to deserving folk across the country. It'll also be kicking off its Easter giving by donating some tubs to the nurses at the Prince of Wales Hospital. To nominate someone for free Choc Cross Bun gelato, head over to the Gelatissimo website before midnight on Monday, April 13. You can buy some for yourself over here.
Matthew Whittet’s new play, Seventeen, is a story of teenage boozing, dreaming and bickering on the night after finishing the HSC. A group of 17-year-olds celebrate the end of childhood in the tried and true manner of downing cans of VB in a playground. The recognisable, if clichéd, story of confused crushes, nostalgia and dreams for the future could be banal if it weren’t for Whittet’s approach of casting actors over the age of 70. Director Anne-Louise Sarks elicits the vitality of youth from the cast of Sydney theatre greats (Peter Carroll, Maggie Dence, John Gaden, Barry Otto and Anna Volska), but her direction is otherwise staid. For example, there was much fanfare when Taylor Swift announced via Twitter that Belvoir Theatre was permitted to play 'Shake It Off' in full, so it was a bit disappointing to discover that the song was used for much of the play. The cast have a bit of a jive and the audience laughs at old people dancing to pop music. The entertainment provided by a 70-year-old person saying ‘totes’, pole dancing or binge drinking is uncomfortable and interesting — in a culture that values youth so highly we’re confronted with quite a few moments of ‘laughing at’ the cast. The age of the cast draws out an acute contrast between the characters’ aspirations and a future self; the actors are almost like premonitory ghosts hovering over the 17-year-old characters, which is very moving at times. When cool kid Mike (John Gaden) taunts Tom (Peter Carroll) by reading out a letter he had written to his future self at age 12, we’re immediately struck by how quickly life flies by, not only from 12 to 17, but from 17 to 70. The only cast member under 70 is the inimitable Genevieve Lemon playing Mike’s younger sister Lizzy, a loud, annoying, intelligent brat. Lemon pulls off the balance between immaturity and concern for her older brother beautifully, even if she does show up the rest of the cast with her ability to wholly embody a 14-year-old. The narrative of Seventeen is nothing special, with some especially clunky final plot twists that throw in homosexuality and homelessness from left field for some added 'spice', but the production is undeniably enjoyable and moving. Whittet has hit on a poignant contrast between the dreams of youth and the fragility of old age.
The National Gallery of Australia is no stranger to big names. Last year saw a short-term showcase of pre-Raphaelite masterpieces from London's Tate Britain and Yayoi Kusama's infinity room become a permanent fixture. Earlier this year, it played host to Monet: Impression Sunrise. Now, perhaps some of the most celebrated artists in history — Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso — are coming to the nation's capital. Kicking off on Friday, December 13 and running till Monday, April 13, 2020, Matisse & Picasso will give art fans the chance to see iconic works by two major artists in the same space. Drawing pieces from more than 40 collections around the world, the exhibition will feature more than 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, illustrated books and costumes by the 20th century artists. Plus, it'll highlight the artistic rivalry and the famously turbulent friendship between the two figures, as well as their influence on 20th century Western European art, both individually and collectively. The NGA's fondness for Picasso shouldn't come as a surprise — the gallery is already home to a rare set of 100 of the artist's works on paper, called The Vollard Suite, which has been touring the country with stops in both Brisbane and Victoria. Matisse & Picasso will be on display between December 13, 2019 and April 13, 2020. For further details and to book tickets, visit the NGA website. Images: Installation view of Matisse & Picasso, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, © Succession Picasso/Copyright Agency 2019, © Succession H. Matisse/Copyright Agency 2019.
Andy Bull is on one big ol' ride. The Sydney-based singer/songwriter has been unfathomably busy over the past year, juggling tour dates and life commitments while penning and producing his second album, Sea Of Approval. Released in July, the 29-year-old's newest record is a brilliant blend of insightful lyricism and exquisite electro pop. Bull's unique vocals and his knack for catchy hooks have caught the ears of listeners Australia-wide. Bull's latest three singles have notched up hours of radio play; you've definitely heard his voice on the airwaves. 'Talk Too Much', 'Keep On Running' and 'Baby I Am Nobody Now' have helped build anticipation for his second LP, which was almost entirely written and self-produced by Bull. We spoke to the Sydneysider not long after the announcement of his national tour in support of Sea Of Approval, hitting the Metro this Saturday. An insightful young pop virtuoso with a unique take on the creative process, Bull took us through his penchant for DIY, staying sane in the business and dealing with second album demands. Check out the interview here. Supported by New Navy + Vigilantes. All ages. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7sqR15lBVkE
Despite it not being an ideal time to open a brand spanking new gin distillery and tasting bar, Finders Distillery has just launched. But, instead of opening the doors to its St Leonards space, the lower north shore's first distillery is starting out online — so you can get your gin fix regardless. Its first release is an Australian dry gin, made with orange peel, chamomile, native gun and wattle seed, which you'll be able to buy online from Wednesday, April 22 for $79. Also on the lineup are an Australian vodka ($69) and, yes, a hand sanitiser. Like many Australian distilleries and breweries, Finders has created its own finger-cleaner following World Heath Organisation guidelines. It's currently sold out, but 1000 500-millilitre bottles will be landing on the website on April 22, too. To launch its first batch of Australian dry gin, Finders founders Kyle Ford and Georgia Conn started a Pozible campaign in March, which received $22,506. In the future, you can expect more Aussie spirits from Finders, too. The distillery's ethos moving forward is to celebrate a region of Australia by sourcing botanicals unique to that specific area for each gin it makes. You can get these gins and sanis delivered to your door or you can pick them up — and get a quick socially-distant peek at the new digs. The distillery and tasting bar is then hoping to officially open to the public once restaurants, bars and cafes across the country can reopen. Finders Distillery is slated to open at Unit 12, 6 Herbert Street, St Leonards later this year. In the meantime, you can order its Australian dry gin and hand sanitiser from Wednesday, April 22.
Later this year, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will turn into an otherworldly space, all thanks to large-scale sculptures and architectural installations made out of brightly coloured fabric by South Korean artist Do Ho Suh. But that description also applies to its current exhibition Ultra Unreal, which is taking over the cultural institution from Friday, July 22–Sunday, October 2 — complete with hyper-real artworks that blend myth and reality into visions of the possible future. The free showcase has taken up residence on The Rocks venue's first level, heroing work by six artists and collectives: Club Ate from Sydney; Korakrit Arunanondchai and Alex Gvojic, who work across Bangkok and New York; London-based Lawrence Lek; Shanghai's Lu Yang; and Saeborg from Tokyo. And while using the traditional tales that humanity has long told itself as a way to explore what might come is an approach obviously loaded with potential both visually and thematically, Ultra Unreal's roster of talent are all concerned with worldbuilding and nightlife ecosystems. [caption id="attachment_862175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lu Yang, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] Accordingly, when you walk through the exhibition, you'll be peering at multi-sensory works that reflect upon the kinds of worlds we have, do and want to inhabit — and what goes into them, and the tales that spring up around them. That examination covers everything from religion, neuroscience and ecology through to artificial intelligence, gaming and queer club cultures, too, as created by artists who are drawing upon their own experiences and politics. In pieces by Club Ate and Saeborg, for instance, the politics of the dance floor are pushed to the fore. Club Ate has crafted a video, sound and textile installation called Ang Idol Ko / You are My Idol, which finds inspiration in Filipinx mythologies and club cultures — while Saeborg's installation Slaughterhouse unsurprisingly gets dark, using a brightly coloured rural world filled with livestock that first began as a series of costumes and performances for Tokyo nightclub Department H, all to explore gender-based power and control. [caption id="attachment_862174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saeborg, Slaughterhouse, 2020–22, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, latex, wallpaper, synthetic polymer paint, sound, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] Also featuring: Saeborg's Pootopia, which has been dubbed a "dung beetle paradise"; Yang's new series of works, which are set in digital worlds filled with genderless avatars and include his latest avatar DOKU; Arunanondchai and Gvojic's immersive installation No history in a room filled with people with funny names 5, which comes to Australia for the first time; and Lek's Nepenthe series, including an augmented reality project that lets visitors enter new worlds on each of the MCA's levels. Ultra Unreal is kicking off with a weekend of artists events, too, including a night of club-inspired performances, music and screenings on Friday, July 22. [caption id="attachment_862178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Club Ate (Justin Shoulder, Bhenji Ra, and collaborators), ANG IDOL KO / YOU ARE MY IDOL (detail), 2022, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, 2-channel video, HD, colour, sound, fabric, image courtesy and © the artists, photograph: Anna Kučera[/caption] Ultra Unreal is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney, from Friday, July 22–Sunday, October 2. Top images: Saeborg, Pootopia (detail), 2020–22, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, latex, wallpaper, synthetic polymer paint, sound, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Anna Kučera. Korakrit Arunanondchai and Alex Gvojic (with Tosh Basco), No history in a room filled with people with funny names 5 (detail), 2018, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, 3-channel video, HD, colour, sound, resin casts of Basco's head and Arunanondchai's grandfather's hands, seashells, plants, soil, mirror, laser, LED, haze, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Anna Kučera. Lawrence Lek, Geomancer, 2017, installation view, Ultra Unreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022, single-channel video, HD, colour, sound, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Anna Kučera.
2021 has been a year for seconds. It's the second year in a row that Sydneysiders have spent months under lockdown. It's the second year of the pandemic, obviously. It's also the second year that Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass were forced to completely skip their festivals. And, it's now the second year that Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks will only brighten up the sky once on December 31, with the City of Sydney announcing that they'll only be set off at midnight. So, just like when 2020 turned to 2021, this year's NYE fireworks won't be bursting with colour at 9pm. While that time slot is understandably popular with families, the City of Sydney has advised that the 9pm fireworks have been cancelled "to ensure the safety of residents, businesses, visitors and staff." "The fireworks always generate very large crowds and the two separate displays result in the crossover of large numbers of people leaving for one show and arriving for the next," the City of Sydney's statement continued. "In the current climate, limiting this mixing of crowds will ensure the event can be managed in the most COVID-safe way for all attendees and staff." When last year's 9pm fireworks were scrapped, it was in line with the Public Health Orders in place at the time, with restrictions in effect regarding travel and crowds. At present, it's unknown what rules Sydney will be under come NYE; however, with the city only set to come out of its nearly four-month lockdown in mid-October — when New South Wales hits the 70-percent fully vaccinated thresholds — it's safe to assume there'll still be restrictions in effect come Friday, December 31. (At this stage, the NSW Government has only outlined the first stage of post-lockdown conditions.) And if you're wondering why the announcement has been made now, the City of Sydney noted that "for an event the scale of Sydney New Year's Eve, contracts are signed and money spent months in advance. The difficult decision had to be made to follow the State Government's 2020 event for a limited, Covid-safe New Year's Eve." "We are advised that it is likely the delta virus will still be circulating in the community to some extent come the end of the year, so our plans will allow the event to remain resilient in the face of the changing health situation and Public Health Orders." Sydney's 2021 New Year's Eve fireworks won't light up the sky at 9pm on Friday, December 31; however, they'll still take place at midnight that evening. For further information, head to the City of Sydney website. Top image: City of Sydney
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. This year, more than 300,000 Aussies are expected to take part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, and hold more than 11,000 sales. A huge array of events will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions items. And, when the Garage Sale Trail sprawls across two big spring weekends — between Saturday, November 12–Sunday, November 13, and then again from Friday, November 18–Sunday, November 20 — online garage sales will once again be part of the fun. According, whether you're buying or selling, you have two options: do so in person, or take the virtual route. It's only the third time ever that the Garage Sale Trail is going digital, too. And, digital workshops are still also on the bill, so you can learn everything from DIY wardrobe tips to hosting the best sale. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood. [caption id="attachment_783811" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jo Lowrey[/caption] Images: Garage Sale Trail.
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is reaching the pointy end of its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but now it's being made here as well. The eight-part RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand. That was announced back in January, with the show's debut set for Saturday, May 1. If you've been wondering exactly what's in store, though, you've probably hanging out for a trailer. And, just a couple of weeks out from the show's arrival, a proper sneak peek is finally here — complete with drama and eye-catching outfits, naturally. While not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely is. RuPaul is also taking on judging duties, alongside show veteran Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson. Ten contenders will strut their stuff for drag supremacy, spanning seven Australians and three New Zealanders. So, prepare to see plenty of Art Simone from Geelong, Melbourne's Karen from Finance, and Sydney's Coco Jumbo, Etecetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield. Newcastle's Jojo Zaho and Perth's Scarlet Adams round out the Aussie queens, while Auckland's Kita Mean, Anita Wigl'it and Elektra Shock comprise the NZ contingent. Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch these Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Check out the RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdcgf5I6Qb8&feature=youtu.be RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will start streaming via Stan and TVNZ from Saturday, May 1, with new episodes airing weekly. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
After expanding south to Melbourne late last year, Camperdown's Acre Eatery is heading north and opening a sprawling openair restaurant on the lower north shore. Like its siblings, Acre Artarmon will be designed to educate and inspire its visitors, while putting them back in touch with the terroir of their food. That said, it won't just be a restaurant, either. It'll also be a bakery, cafe, bar and functions space, surrounding by sprawling indoor and outdoor gardens. So, expect to eat the likes of strawberry danishes, potato-topped pizzas and mojitos made with produce that has been grown just metres away from where you're sitting. And it will be metres, too, with a function space located inside a large greenhouse and picnic-style eating areas. [caption id="attachment_754662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Acre Eatery Melbourne[/caption] Elsewhere in Acre Artarmon, a chicken coop will provide both eggs for the kitchen and fertiliser for the gardens and a sustainable composting system will help the plants thrive. And stay tuned for a program of masterclasses, markets, twilight gardening and other hands-on green-thumb experiences. If you want to know just exactly what to expect from the Artarmon opening, look to Camperdown and Melbourne. The former is a farm-to-table restaurant with a 350-seater dining room and a sunny terrace, while the latter is a 2000-square-metre urban farm on a shopping centre rooftop. With an opening slated for September, Acre Artarmon is set to be suitably verdant when it opens its doors to the public, too. Acre Artarmon is slated to open in September 2020 at 1 Frederick Street, Artarmon. Top image: Acre Eatery Camperdown by Trent van der Jagt
The list of luxurious stays near Sydney just keeps on growing. There's a new nature retreat and sculpture park, this fancy tiny-house in Kangaroo Valley, a secluded harbourside cottage in Vaucluse and six cottages you can reach by train. Now, joining the ranks is Jamberoo Valley Farm, which has just opened its first farm-stay set within its 65-acre property. Among its many features, it has a fireplace and outdoor hot tub — which means it's perfect for a wintry weekend escape. The six-person, two-bedroom cottage is located along the South Coast, just a two-hour drive south of Sydney. The Scandinavian-style fit-out is thanks to Evette Moran Interiors, a design firm that is also responsible for Sydney's ultra-luxe Sol Spa and The Botanica Vaucluse — a farm-to-table eatery which sources its produce from Jamberoo Valley Farm. The cottage's bi-fold glass doors open onto a wrap-around timber deck, which is covered in plush couches and a barbecue area. Adjacent to the deck is a Swedish hot tub (also a plunge pool during the warmer months) that offers sweeping views of the valley beyond — all the way to the ocean. Indoors, there's a fireplace, a standalone bathtub for luxurious soaking and a separate teal-tiled rainfall shower. Plus the telly comes complete with Foxtel, Netflix and a DVD player, so you don't need to forego your daily creature comforts, either. Beyond the cottage, guests are encouraged to interact with the surrounding organic farm — you can pick produce and herbs from your private kitchen garden, collect freshly laid eggs from the chook pen for morning brekkie and even help the staff feed the pastured-raised and grass-fed animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens). Apart from the immediate surrounds, plenty of other local attractions are within driving distance, too — including the Minnamurra rainforest, the Jamberoo Action Park, the Kiama Blowhole and heaps of local beaches. Jamberoo Valley Farm is located at 185 Wallaby Hill Road, Jamberoo and is now open for bookings. Prices start at $420 per night with a two night minimum stay.
Nothing gets the party started quite like tequila. And, if anyone knows how to throw a fiesta, it's the agave experts at Sydney's Méjico — Australia's biggest tequila bar, with over 250 different varieties. With World Tequila Day (July 24) just around the corner, you can expect the Sydney bar to be extra festive this July. Partnering up with tequila maker Olmeca Altos Tequila, Mejico will be celebrating the day by giving away 50 of its signature margaritas mixed with Altos Tequila on Wednesday, July 24. In a month-long extravaganza throughout July, there'll also be weekly Altos tequila cocktail specials and a set menu of Yucatán fare, which can be matched with flights of tequila. To celebrate, we're giving you the chance to win an exclusive masterclass for you and nine mates with Altos ambassador Alice Newport. Giving you the lowdown on all things agave, Newport will teach you about tequila's origins, guide you through an Altos tequila tasting and help you make your own tequila-based concoctions. You'll also receive a cocktail on arrival, plus some Méjico canapes to keep you fuelled. [competition]727141[/competition]
If you're a seasoned traveller (of the armchair variety or otherwise) who wants to bring a touch of here, there and everywhere to your home, then look no further than ici et la, literally meaning ‘here and there’ in French. This Surry Hills homewares and furniture store plays host to an astounding array of antiques and found objects, many of which were sourced directly from private European collections. In true French style, ici et la is famous for the brightly striped deckhairs which herald its entrance. You can also expect to find vintage bikes suspended from the ceiling, mountains of dusty encyclopaedias and rare treasures from the time of Napoleon III’s reign. To make way for the arrival of new stock, ici et la is holding an onsite auction on September 1, where a selection of 19th-century garden furniture, industrial design and original decorative pieces will be up for grabs. If you'd like to have a sneak peak at the pieces prior to auction day, or just want to see how the other half lives, you can head to the three remaining viewing dates at the showroom on August 30, 31 and September 1 or simply open a new browser tab and head to their online catalogue.
Among the highlights on 2023's Sydney Festival lineup sits WORD MADE FLESH, a new exhibition from one of Australia's most accomplished multidisciplinary artists, Paul Yore. If you're keen on colourful, immersive and otherworldly art, this showcase is running for free at Carriageworks from Thursday, January 5–Sunday, February 26. Here, Yore finds joy in the mess of society, and reimagines an alternative queer reality that has been forged out of the wreckage of the current world. Created in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), the mixed-media exhibition combines sculptures, found objects, collages, paintings, video, sound and light to create a fully immersive realm. The exhibition is one of two free artistic activations taking over Carriageworks as part of Sydney Festival and Sydney WorldPride 2023. While you're at the Eveleigh space, make sure to also drop into The Huxleys' new exhibition Bloodlines, honouring those lost to HIV/AIDS including the legacy of the legendary queer artist we lost to the epidemic — and dedicated to legendary artists such as Leigh Bowery, Robert Mapplethorpe, Keith Haring and Sylvester. Images: Paul Yore, WORD MADE FLESH, 2022, Carriageworks. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Local distilleries have become a regular facet of the Sydney hospo scene, and the latest of these will launch in Potts Point this spring. Kings Cross Distillery is set to swing open its doors in just a few months' time, headed by distiller Odelia Potts. Situated on Macleay Street near the corner of Darlinghurst Road, the new cocktail den will feature house-made gins, whiskies and vodkas — plus personality aplenty. As with many old buildings in the area, the venue's past lives are varied and salacious. These include a 1960s speakeasy, an illegal gambling den and an adult bookstore with a hidden vault. That vault is no longer home to questionable activities, but the distillery's precious bottles of gin. The fit-out will pay homage to the building's history, too — think pin-ups and plenty of tucked away nooks to sip cocktails in. The distillery's 200-litre pot still will also sit front-and-centre. Expect seats for 120 all up and a dedicated kitchen serving mezze-style bites like baked kibbeh, vine-wrapped sardines and harissa carrots. Apart from the gin, the distillery will also make its own vodka and whisky, and pour other artisanal brands from around Australia and the globe. Guests can even keep specially selected drops in personalised spirit lockers, where bottles can be stored between visits and then used in any concoction on the menu, including the bar's signature cocktail: the Aalto Martini, which features a dry vermouth rinse, a double pour of dry gin and a slice of preserved lemon peel. Eager punters can pre-purchase those spirit lockers (for a cool $400–1,350) and have one all ready to go for opening night. In the meantime, you can grab a bottle of the KXG classic dry gin ($115), which launched on the website today. It's been adapted from a 1930s recipe and is made using your typical London Dry-style botanicals, including juniper, coriander seed and cardamom pods, plus locally sourced organic lemons and native myrtles. Kings Cross Distillery is slated to open this spring at Shop 8, 127 Macleay Street, Potts Point. Keep an eye on this space for exact opening details.
Life drawing and classes all typically unfold in the same manner: a model disrobes, budding artists commit their likeness to paper, and a wealth of potential masterpieces all focus on the naked human form. But at Magnolia's Art Class, that's just part of the equation. The other part? The folks behind the easel are also encouraged to drop their clothes. Open to women and female-identifying participants, next taking place on Wednesday, May 15 at Dulcie's Kings Cross, this art session is also a bonding session. It asks artists to embrace their own bodies while they're sketching someone else's, and celebrates confidence, diversity and empowerment in the process. And, it also lets attendees strike a pose as well — while there'll be an art model leading the charge, everyone can trying their hand at standing in their place. Tickets cost $20, and the 30-person class kicks off at 6.30pm. Given the venue, there'll also be wine, cocktails and cheese available to purchase, which might help spark some inspiration. How naked you get is up to you, based your own comfort levels — and the section of the bar where the class takes place will be closed off, and solely served by female staff. All drawing skill levels are welcome, too, with the session's teacher taking you through the basics. Just BYO dressing gown, sketch book, and drawing or painting tools.
Harmony Week is almost here for 2022 — and, come Sunday, March 20, Welcome Merchant is celebrating. From 10am–3pm, the not-for-profit organisation is bringing together refugee entrepreneurs and Sydney shoppers for its first-ever pop-up market. Taking place at Tortuga Studios in St Peters, the market will feature a wide variety of goods made by Welcome Merchants' network of refugees and asylum-seekers. Vendors will be selling African-origin art, Malaysian and Palestinian food, and other wares — so you could leave with a full stomach, something for your wall and something to wear. In addition to Harmony Week, the event is also celebrating Welcome Merchant's second birthday. The organisation's goal is to promote refugee and asylum-seeking entrepreneurs, as well as facilitate their connections within the broader Australian community. Tickets are $5, and $2 from each ticket sold will be donated to Newtown's Asylum Seekers Centre, which provides aid to people seeking asylum. Attendees can buy tickets online beforehand, or at the door.
UPDATE, August 24, 2022: In the Wake of Progress will now open on Friday, August 26, rather than Thursday, August 25. This article has been updated to reflect that change. When January rolls around, Sydney Festival fills the city with a massive array of arts and culture events, and kickstarts each new year in style in the process. But sometimes there's something on the fest's bill that's just too exciting to hold back until its next season — and filling the Oxford Street Precinct with nine-metre screens showcasing stunning aerial industrial landscape images from a renowned photographer is one such event. Those photos hail from acclaimed Canadian Edward Burtynsky and, from Friday, August 26–Sunday, September 18, they'll be on display in Sydney's Taylor Square. Sydney Festival is setting up three screens as part of an installation called In the Wake of Progress, a free immersive multimedia piece which'll span 40 years of Burtynsky's work. [caption id="attachment_865568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Dyralaekir River on Myrdalssandur, Iceland, 2012.[/caption] Whether you're now keen to stop by specifically to see In the Wake of Progress, or you know you'll be walking past daily anyway, Sydneysiders are in for a huge and spectacular art treat — which comes to Australia after premiering at Luminato Festival Toronto in June this year. Burtynsky's snaps focus on a topic that should be near and dear to everyone's hearts: humanity's impact upon the planet, the legacy we're leaving and the chance to create a more sustainable future. Accordingly, expect to peer at everything from scenes of shipbreaking in Bangladesh through to hazardous nickel tailings in Ontario. [caption id="attachment_865566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Shipbreaking 23, Chittagong, Bangladesh, 2000.[/caption] As well as the photographer's imagery, In the Wake of Progress includes an original score by composer Phil Strong, and is co-produced by Bob Ezrin (who has worked with Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed and more). That means that making a date to take in the full 22-minute sensory experience is highly recommended. "It's incredibly exciting to have In the Wake of Progress travel across the world to be presented by the illustrious Sydney Festival right after its world premiere in Toronto," Burtynsky said. "I'm so grateful to know that we are officially at the beginning of having this work seen by as many people around the world as possible at a time when awareness of and the need for action on the climate crisis has never been more urgent." [caption id="attachment_865565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Aqueduct 1, Los-Angeles, California, USA, 2009.[/caption] If you saw 2018 documentary Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, which Burtynsky co-directed, you'll know exactly what kinds of mesmerising and moving sights are in store. The artist is also coming to Sydney for a series of talks co-presented by the Australian Museum and Sydney Festival between Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3, for Sydneysiders keen to hear more about his work and the impact that photography can have in exploring nature and the earth. [caption id="attachment_865567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Stikine River, Northern British Columbia, 2012.[/caption] Sydney Festival's In the Wake of Progress will display at Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, from Friday, August 26–Sunday, September 18. Top image: In the Wake of Progress at COCT. © Jim Pano.
Trivia comps mean gathering your mates around, enjoying a few beverages and trying to convert your respective stores of knowledge into glory. At this particular trivia afternoon, you'll do all that, but there'll be a particular emphasis on your pals. Given that the topic of the session is a certain sitcom about a band of best buddies, celebrating your chums is the thing to do. Yes, Friends is in the spotlight at The Lansdowne's next battle of pop culture tidbits. If you think you know everything there is to know about the show that caused viewers to agonise over whether Ross and Rachel would get together, wish that Joey and Chandler lived next door and get their hair cut like Jennifer Aniston, here's your chance to prove it. Prizes are on offer, and if you wanted an excuse to break out those 90s and early 00s fashions, this is it. Remember, though, it has been 15 years since Friends was on TV, making the contest not just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories. No one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way. The next session of Friends Trivia takes place from 3pm on Sunday, July 21, with tickets on sale now. Updated: June 20, 2019.
No doubt you've heard about western Sydney's multibillion-dollar development Parramatta Square, which is transforming the CBD into a thriving retail and dining hub. While there's some way before the project is completed, you can now dine at several new restaurants and takeaway spots, including new outposts from already popular burger and salad bowl chains to newbies from restaurateurs Maurice Terzini and Ibby Moubadder. In partnership with Parramatta Square, we've picked out seven dishes you should order when you're there — whether you're booking in for a feast or in need of a fast feed. [caption id="attachment_788544" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] CLAM FREGOLA AT CICCIA BELLA One of the most exciting additions to Parramatta Square is Maurice Terzini's second Ciccia Bella. Chef Nic Wong (The Apollo and Cho Cho San) oversees the menu at both the Bondi and western Sydney restaurants, which takes inspiration from southern Italian cooking. We suggest starting with a serve of the woodfired house bread and LP's Quality Meats mortadella, before opting for the Sardinian fregola with prawns, calamari and clams ($28). Make sure you leave room for a slice of the banoffee pie ($15), too. CHARCOAL WAGYU BEEF SKEWER AT LILYMU We could just as easily picked the tom yum prawn dumplings or the egg-topped mi goreng with black garlic at Lilymu, but our favourite dish at the new half-indoor, half-outdoor diner from Ibby Moubadder (Nour and Henrietta) has to be the charcoal wagyu beef tongue ($11). It's beautifully soft, has a delicate texture and works surprisingly well with one of Lilymu's spicy margaritas. And, as the menu here is designed to share, you can easily order all three dishes between two and still have room for a slice of tres leches cake to finish. [caption id="attachment_790073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] A BENTO BOX AT SUSHI YUZEN This is the first Sydney outlet from head chef Hiroshi Shimizu, who has two Melbourne-based Sushi Yuzens and nearly four decades of experience under his belt. Sushi Yuzen does exactly what you'd expect: fresh, precisely prepared nigiri, plus bento boxes with options including chilli chicken and teriyaki salmon, all served with house-made sauces. As Parramatta Square is smack-bang in the middle of its financial district, with a university on its doorstep, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a quick feed al fresco. Sushi Yuzen makes a speedy lunch even easier with its online ordering system, too, so you can place your order at your desk and pop down when it's ready to takeaway. [caption id="attachment_790077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] BEEF DIP SUB AT HARVEY'S HOT SANDWICHES Fluffy white bread, grilled beef fillet, horseradish mayo and grilled onions, with provolone cheese and gravy dipping — the beef dip sub ($16) is our top pick at newbie Harvey's Hot Sandwiches. The American-style diner makes its sambos thick, meaty and saucy, and any one of the subs, including the philly cheesesteak, buttermilk fried chicken, mortadella, slow roasted brisket and pastrami sandwiches are day makers. And, as it's open daily, you'll have every reason to sample them all. [caption id="attachment_788514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] CRISPY CHICKEN CAESAR AT BETTY'S BURGERS Brisbane-born burger shack Betty's has been serving up handheld feasts in Sydney since it first opened up in Darling Harbour in 2017. There are now ten locations across the city, including a new diner at Parramatta Square. You'll find Betty's Burgers in the walkway from Parramatta train station, and you can grab a burger to eat in or take away to the ample outdoor dining areas nearby. Our pick is the new crispy chicken caesar ($15): panko-crumbed chicken topped with a parmesan wafer, bacon, egg, fresh lettuce and dijonnaise sauce. Add one of Betty's famed frozen custard thick shakes and you'll be fuelled for the rest of the day. [caption id="attachment_790074" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] ANY TWO SCOOPS AT RIVARENO GELATO Whether you're craving sweet mango and strawberry, tart Sicilian lemon, dairy-free pistachio sorbet or piña colada granita, you know the intense flavours at Rivareno Gelato are thanks to the gelateria's commitment to making its icy treats in-house, every day. Owner Kieran Tosolini opened his third outlet of the Italian-style gelato shop in Parramatta Square knowing he'd be bringing scoops of joy to new and returning customers throughout the year. As all 26 flavours are seasonal, made using only natural ingredients, our tip is to seek out the specials board and start working your way from top to bottom. [caption id="attachment_788651" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] PUMP-IT-UP AT FISHBOWL You know the format by now. Select your base (rice, noodles or cabbage — or a combination of two), then select your toppings, from salmon and tuna sashimi to free range chicken, tofu and braised brisket. The beauty of Fishbowl, whether you're in Bondi, Chatswood or Parramatta, is that each Japanese-style salad bowl is freshly prepared using the same quality, minimal intervention ingredients you've come to expect from the fresh fast-food chain. When ordering at the Parramatta Square's outpost, we suggest ordering the roasted pumpkin as your protein, or the Pump-It-Up bowl. It comes with tofu, cabbage, beetroot, radish, chilli and coriander, lemon oil and almonds ($14.90). It's earthy, textural, and best enjoyed while sitting in the sunshine. Find out more about Parramatta Square's new dining options, here. Top image: Lilymu
