Concrete Playground is taking the edge off the death of daylight saving by giving you the chance to experience Sydney's best cultural events for an entire month. One lucky person will win $1500 worth of fun, including: Dinner for two at Grasshopper to the value of $150 Double passes to two Vivid LIVE 2011 shows at Sydney Opera House Double passes to Baal and Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness at Sydney Theatre Company Double movie passes to Incendies and Source Code (plus a pack of 10 Hopscotch DVDs) A double pass to see Guineafowl play live A pass to all events and talks at the Creative Sydney 2011 festival Two cocktail jugs and entry for two to the gig of your choice at Goodgod To enter, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name to hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Entries close Friday, April 9 2011 at 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=14e1507YOLs
Sydneysiders, are you ready to sit in the room where it happens? Lin-Manuel Miranda's game-changing, award-winning, rightly raved-about international sensation Hamilton is back in town. The global phenomenon has returned to the Sydney Lyric Theatre and is the absolute last Australian season of the acclaimed production, so do not throw away your shot to see the biggest thing in musical theatre this century. Who knew musicals about history could be cool? Turns out Lin-Manuel Miranda did. The globally and critically acclaimed hip hop musical, for which Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and book, is about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, a story that reflects inclusion, ambition and politics in current-day America. In addition to its swag of Tony® Awards — 11 including Best Musical — it has nabbed a Grammy® Award, Olivier Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize for drama. In addition to the award clout and rave reviews, the musical made cultural waves throughout theatregoers and beyond, sparking a newfound surge to the theatre box offices across the globe. The blockbuster musical first graced the stage in Australia in 2021, opening at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. If you haven't become a Hamilton obsessive yet? We'll give you a few of the highlights of the show. If you missed the debut Australian run, or even if your Hamilton experience has been confined to Disney+, there's nothing like experiencing this in person, feeling the emotion of these world-class performances, stunning sets and costumes and being blown away by these landmark lyrics. Hamilton is truly a bucket list experience. Don't miss your last chance to tick it off in Australia. Hamilton's final Sydney season kicks off on Tuesday, July 30 at Sydney Lyric Theatre and is booking through to January 25, 2025. Visit the musical's website for further details. Images: Daniel Boud.
Ever find a cafe that is so nice you don't want to leave? You've finished your brekky, read the paper back-to-front and you're even contemplating a third latte just so you can stay a little longer. Well, at Wild Sage's new Barangaroo cafe, you won't be rushed out the door. Open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner — with a new dinner menu coming soon — it's set to be a space for lingering over lunch or turning an afternoon coffee into after-work drinks. The new eatery is a sibling to the Cammeray cafe of the same name. Moving across the bridge to take up residence in The Streets of Barangaroo, Wild Sage number two shares the original's all-day dining ethos, with a focus on after-work drinks for professionals in the area. The menu stretches from crunchy corn flake-covered brioche French toast for breakfast, through to lunch, which includes favourites such as the braised beef sandwich and the glazed pork belly lollypop with zucchini ribbon and sesame seeds. But it's the evening where things get interesting, with a menu of share plates, ideal for after-work groups. A real focus has been put on the drinks menu too, with an extensive beverage menu now boasting over 60 wines, 20-plus traditional cocktails, as well as a big selection of beers and spirits. It's another offering to add to the slew of after-work venues down by the water at Barangaroo, like Banksii, Belles Hot Chicken and 12-Micron. Wild Sage is located at Exchange Place, 3 Sussex Street, Barangaroo, and is open from 7am till 11pm seven days a week. For more information, visit wildsage.com.au/barangaroo.
Like Eminem, we're all big fans of mum's spaghetti. But, sometimes the situation requires something a little… fancier. Heading on a date? Celebrating a win at work? Or, just acknowledging making it through to Friday? We think that calls for a four-cheese maccheroncini, truffle tortelli or vodka rigatoni. Sydney has a multitude of Italian restaurants, and, as a result, a multitude of pasta — but not all pasta is created equally. So, together with American Express, we've rounded up the ten pasta dishes that'll put mum's spag bol to shame (no offence, mum). Put on your fanciest stretchy pants and prepare for linguine with clams by the beach and the silkiest ribbons of pappardelle at a Sydney institution.
Tucked away behind Merivale's ivy is Ash St Cellar. A mixture of Italian tapas, self-proclaimed 'famous' charcuterie, fine wine and an intimate atmosphere, this is a CBD cellar bustling with European charm. Charm you can indulge without debilitating jetlag, that is. A favourite among the after-work crowd, this chandelier-clad eatery certainly looks impressive. If you can, arrive early and grab a table outside, otherwise, true to its cross-continental allure, inside's a tad cosy. If you're anything like us and have turned up a little too late, however, fear not because this will give you ample time to spy on your neighbours' dishes from Sicilian-born head chef, Alfie Spina's menu before making your choice. Wine-wise, there's an impressive selection of vino with plenty available by the glass and plenty more available via a small bank loan. We opted for a glass of the Portuguese 2009 Quinta de la Rosa 'Tonnix' Douro Duriense ($11) and an Italian Mauro Molino Barbera d'Alba Piedmont ($13). Both were fruity, full-bodied and more than acceptable to sip before our food arrived. Warmed Ligurian black olives ($8) were swiftly followed by the selection of four cured meats from the aforementioned charcuterie ($23). Accompanied by bread, sea salt and olive oil, Salchichon Spanish salami, pork lonza (cured pork loin), jamon Serrano and wagyu beef bresaola made up the quartet. The Serrano was the lead by far. After a brief interval, prawns cooked in chilli and garlic ($19) sounded out the end of the savoury courses with grilled lamb loin chops, sweet potato, young peas and mint ($24). The prawns were delicious but the lamb was almost perfect with just the right amount of mint. For dessert, we couldn't go past the tart of the day ($14). That day it was blueberry and pine nut and it was bang on. Ash St Cellar is a fine venue for a glass of the good stuff, a nibble or even a five course feast. It's also a venue proving that when you know how to do it right, you can do it right again and again.
Update, August 29: Franca's $5 happy hour proved so wildly popular during its limited four-week run that the Potts Point bistro has decided to keep the good (cheap) times rolling — indefinitely. To keep things interesting, Franca will be offering a different $5 cocktail special every week. The Franca cheeseburger will also be on offer, from 5–6pm, for $12. Potts Point's fancy French brasserie Franca is celebrating its fifth birthday with one of the best happy hour deals in the city this month. Until August 25, between 5–6pm, you can treat yourself to Franca's legendary cheeseburger or a serving of rich, decadent chicken liver parfait for just $5 each. Yes, you read that correctly. Are you in need of something to wash that bargain down? Martinis, negronis and schooners of Young Henrys tap beer are also available for only $5 each, which has to be one of the cheapest cocktail offers in the city right now. Joyeux anniversaire mon amis! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Franca Potts Point (@francapottspoint)
It's 27 years since The Cult's first album went platinum. Electric's impossibly high energy saw the Bedford-born rock band's career explode overnight. Perhaps it was something to do with the crazy circumstances in which it was recorded. "[Electric's] definitely a Polaroid of a certain period in my life," frontman Ian Astbury told Max TV recently. "New York City, 1986, when New York was kind of lawless ... We barely slept making that record ... We'd pretty much get up, go to the studio, work till midnight, maybe 1am, go out, come in at seven in the morning, and go do it again, every day." Now, as part of their Electric 13 World Tour, The Cult are going to play the entire album live for Australian audiences for the first time. It's a kind of sequel to their 2009 Love Live Tour, which Astbury described as "such an incredible experience". The show will include a second set, featuring tracks from the band's eight other studio albums. https://youtube.com/watch?v=k6PgftKbQnQ
Think there's just one Hottest 100 in January? Think again. Indeed, the second important countdown of the month goes rather well with the music poll that just proclaimed Flume's 'Never Be Like You' the nation's best track of 2016. In the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers list, great brews are in the spotlight — and once again, Stone & Wood's Pacific Ale has come out on top. It's the second year that the Byron Bay brewery has been dubbed the country's best yeasty tipple, and their third win overall. With 1600 different beers in the running, winning is no easy feat. Run by GABS — or the annual brew fest also known as the 'Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular', the 'people's choice' poll is decided by booze-lovers around the country, and received its most amount of votes ever in 2016. In massive news for new bevs, 21 brews that first wet lips in the past year were included in the GABS Hottest 100, including the American Pale Ale made by Gold Coast-based, Mick Fanning-co-owned Balter Brewing. And recognising the strength of Australia's indie beer scene, a whopping 80% of drinks hailed from independent brewers. If you're thinking, "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Working your way through them isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews — consider it research for the 2017 countdown. GABS HOTTEST 100 AUSSIE CRAFT BEERS OF 2016 1. Pacific Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 2. IIPA - Double IPA - Pirate Life Brewing 3. Hop Hog - American Pale Ale - Feral Brewing Company 4. XPA - American Pale Ale - Balter - NEW 5. IPA - American IPA - Pirate Life Brewing 6. Little Dove - American Pale Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co - NEW 7. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Pirate Life Brewing 8. Crankshaft - American IPA - BentSpoke Brewery 9. Former Tenant - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 10. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 11. IPA - American IPA - Fixation Brewing Co. 12. War Hog - American IPA - Feral Brewing Company 13. Beechworth Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Bridge Road Brewers 14. 150 Lashes - Australian Pale Ale - James Squire 15. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Little Creatures 16. Newtowner - Australian Pale Ale - Young Henrys Brewing Company 17. Indian Summer Ale - Australian Pale Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 18. Kolsch - Kölsch - 4 Pines Brewing Co 19. Barley Griffin - Australian Pale Ale - BentSpoke Brewery 20. Throwback IPA - IPA (Specialty) - Pirate Life Brewing 21. Sonic Prayer - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 22. Taco - Specialty Beer - Two Birds Brewing 23. India Red Ale - American IPA - Prancing Pony Brewery 24. Golden Stout Time - Sweet Stout - Big Shed Brewing 25. Korben D. - Double IPA - Akasha Brewing Co 26. Single Fin - British Golden Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co 27. Three Sheets - Australian Pale Ale - Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 28. Cloud Catcher - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 29. Karma Citra - IPA (Specialty) - Feral Brewing Company 30. Atomic - American Pale Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co 31. Coffee Ramjet 2016 - Wood-Aged Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co - NEW 32. Tusk – Nov 2016 - IPA (Specialty) - Feral Brewing Company - NEW 33. Nail Red - American Amber Ale - Nail Brewing 34. Ramjet 2016 - Wood-Aged Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co - NEW 35. Dark - Dark Mild - White Rabbit Brewery 36. Summer Ale - Blonde Ale - Mountain Goat Beer 37. Wild Yak - Australian Pale Ale - Yak Ales - NEW 38. Steam Ale - California Common - Mountain Goat Beer 39. Kosciuszko Pale Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Kosciuszko Brewing Company 40. Grizz - American Amber Ale - 2 Brothers Brewery 41. Small Ale - IPA (Specialty) - Colonial Brewing Company 42. Dog Days - American Wheat - Little Creatures 43. Footscray Ale - American Pale Ale - West City Brewing 44. Spearhead - Australian Pale Ale - Cricketers Arms 45. Vanilla Milk Stout - Sweet Stout - Thirsty Crow 46. Modus Pale - American Pale Ale - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 47. Furphy Refreshing Ale - Kölsch - Little Creatures 48. American Amber Ale - American Amber Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 49. Nail VPA - American Pale Ale - Nail Brewing 50. Californicator - American IPA - Big Shed Brewing 51. Freshie Salt & Pepper - Gose - Nomad Brewing Co 52. Mt Tennent Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Pact Beer Co 53. Fat Yak - American Pale Ale - Yak Ales 54. Kung Foo - Pale Lager - 2 Brothers Brewery 55. KRUSH! - American Pale Ale - KAIJU! Beer - NEW 56. Windjammer - American IPA - Green Beacon Brewing Co 57. Reginald - American IPA - Blackman's Brewery 58. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Hawkers Beer 59. Session Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Mismatch Brewing Company 60. Calypso - Pale Ale (American-style) - Odyssey Craft Brewing Co. 61. 8BiT - American IPA - Stockade Brew Co - NEW 62. Hop Thief 8 - American Pale Ale - James Squire - NEW 63. The Chop - American IPA - Hop Nation Brewing Co - NEW 64. Sunset Ale - American Amber Ale - Two Birds Brewing 65. IPA - American IPA - Little Creatures 66. Rogers' Beer - American Amber Ale - Little Creatures 67. Watermelon Warhead - Berliner Weisse - Feral Brewing Company 68. Hop Culture - American IPA - Mornington Peninsula Brewery - NEW 69. Miss Pinky - Soured Fruit Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co 70. Bright Ale - Blonde Ale - Little Creatures 71. Sly Fox - American Pale Ale - Feral Brewing Company 72. Hop Thief 7 - American Pale Ale - James Squire 73. Praline - Belgian Specialty Ale - La Sirène Brewing 74. Copy Cat - American IPA - Mash Brewing 75. Elsie The Milk Stout - Sweet Stout - Batch Brewing Co 76. Fancy Pants - American Amber Ale - Mountain Goat Beer 77. The Fox - Vienna-style Lager - Rabbit & Spaghetti Brewing Co. 78. Growler - American Brown Ale - 2 Brothers Brewery 79. IPA - American IPA - Hawkers Beer 80. Peanut Brittle Gose - Gose - Bacchus Brewing Co 81. Rare Breed: Pulped Fiction Blood Orange IPA - Double IPA - Mountain Goat Beer - NEW 82. Yenda Pale Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Australian Beer Co 83. Garden Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 84. Hazelnut Brown - Brown Ale (UK-style) - Bad Shepherd 85. Bling Bling - Double IPA - Bridge Road Brewers 86. Beach Ale - Blonde Ale - Odyssey Craft Brewing Co. - NEW 87. Mornington Pale - American Pale Ale - Mornington Peninsula Brewery 88. Fred - IPA (American-style) - Murray's Craft Brewing Co 89. Imperial IPA - IPA (Specialty) - 4 Pines Brewing Co - NEW 90. F-Yeah - American Pale Ale - Big Shed Brewing 91. Session IPA - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co - NEW 92. Bling - American IPA - Bridge Road Brewers 93. Project #22: Bert (The Royal Albert Collab) - Australian Pale Ale - Colonial Brewing Company - NEW 94. Sourpuss - Berliner Weisse - Wayward Brewing Company 95. B.F.H. (Barrel Fermented Hog) - American IPA - Feral Brewing Company 96. 28 - American Pale Ale - Burleigh Brewing Company 97. Thanks Captain Obvious - American IPA - BrewCult 98. ALT Brown - American Brown Ale - Balter - NEW 99. The Chancer - Blonde Ale - James Squire 100. Hopsmith - American IPA - Akasha Brewing Co NEW — First brewed in 2016.
Early collage works from Shen Shaomin in which he weaves a tapestry from carpet and does works in singed Chinese and Australian newspapers, are particularly resonant, not only because of their delicacy and the accidental meanings that are brought together. Created shortly after the artist moved to Sydney in 1989, these works are evidence of how long the issues they encompass have been a part of our contemporary consciousness and how little has been resolved in the past 20 years. Archie Moore's Mulgoa addresses the history of these problems as present in Australia for more than 200 years, by linking up text from The Book of Revelation (plagues, wars, famine, loss of languages etc. denoting the end of the world) to the 'Greatest Hits of 1788' convict anthem 'Bound for Botany Bay.' A little further from home, Eric Bridgeman stages The Fight, a documentary-seeming but staged conflict in the hills of Papua New Guinea. The artist's heritage in the region and sense of partial identity with it but also with 'whiteness' further complicates the relation between staging culture for the tourist gaze and the impossibility of impartial ethnography. Considerations of cultural practices and authenticity also inform Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan's In God We Trust, which uses a jeep left behind by Americans after World War Two and the decorative talents of Manilan craftspeople, to create an example of a 'folk' cultural practice that activates the industrialised and appropriative moves of postmodernism. Hikaru Fuji's Nike Politics also represents the incorporation of American culture into the vocabularies and economies of other nations in a more satirical and threatening way, by creating a series of 'swoosh' branded police equipment, beginning with batons and handcuffs and ending with a prison uniform and a film of two people in riot gear going at one another. There's a fight in Zhang Ding's work too, in the silent loops of the artist boxing cacti. Moving between full body shots and closeups of the artist's hands and the spikes on the plants, it's an uncomfortable demonstration of endurance and, against a black background, a portrayal of decontextualised pain that acts as a reminder of the numbing effects of a lot of the media and culture we consume. He also does a charming Fellini-style self portrait against a backdrop of historical change in The Great Era. Image: Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan 'In God We Trust'
If you're of an age when you can remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats, because you will seriously enjoy this So Fresh shindig. The old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming to Giant Dwarf on Thursday, April 25, and it'll be belting out bangers strictly of the 1990s vintage. In fact, it won't just be playing retro tunes, or letting cabaret act Lady Sings it Better croon them — it'll also be asking you to sing along with them. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Spice Girls, No Doubt, TLC, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Salt-N-Pepa and double denim-wearing boy bands. Love the latter? There'll be an eight-minute boy band medley, complete with dance moves. Entry will set you back $34.10, two 60-minute shows are being held — at 7pm and 8.30pm — and dressing up like it's two decades ago is heartily encouraged.
Sometimes, we're all looking onwards, upwards and forwards because we're thinking about the future. Given how normality as everyone knows it has changed and evolved rapidly over the past couple of years, that's hardly surprising. But don't forget to look up literally, too — especially when must-see sights keep gracing the night sky. When it comes to vibrant astronomical visions, this is the latest in the space of a few short weeks, after the Lyrids meteor shower lit up the night back in April. Every autumn, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower sets the sky ablaze, too — and it's that time now. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early on Saturday, May 7 — very early, in fact. If you're eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony, here's how. WHAT IS IT The Eta Aquarids might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the shower is actually a distant relation — because the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 76 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), the Eta Aquarids come around every year, usually between April 19–May 28 every year. The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. Luckily, being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. On average, you can see up to 20–40 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_769233" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Saturday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a few days on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am — but between 2am–6am is also recommended. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 50 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT Usually, when a meteor shower lights up the sky, we'd tell city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. If you can't venture out of town at the moment, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the shower, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. It has been updating this daily. The weather might get in the way of your viewing, though, depending on where you live. Melbourne is set for showers until next Monday, and Adelaide is as well until Saturday — fingers crossed that the wet weather takes a break during the early hours. It's also forecast to be wet in Brisbane until Friday, so here's hoping that any rain doesn't hang around till Saturday. In Sydney and Perth, however, sunny conditions await.
Nestled between a petrol station and the cluster of hair salons at the bottom of Enmore Road, the Midnight Special is just what a Newtown small bar should be. It's cool but unpretentiously so, and its unassuming facade has stood the test of time for locals since opening back in 2012. For those living outside the 2042 postcode, the Midnight Special is worth commuting to Newtown for. Inside it's all Americana, soul and rock 'n' roll, from the traditional folk song the place takes its name from to the checkerboard floors. Music comes courtesy of '50s, '60s and '70s vinyl, but on any given night expect local DJs to spin anything from Hawaiian war chants to Cleveland protopunk. Venture beyond the front room and you'll find a couple of spacious booths. For those traveling in packs smaller than four, though, the best option is to plonk yourself right at the bar where a specialty cocktail list awaits. Among our favourites at the moment are the Tennessee Rose (vermouth infused with T2 tea, rose vanilla syrup and topped with prosecco) and the Smoke on the Water (smoked jalapeno tequila, cointreau and agave). Most of their cocktails are vegan-friendly, too, with the usual egg white foam replaced by aquafaba. For food, the bar has been rotating regular pop-ups in its kitchen, with the likes of Alfie's Kitchen, Daisy's Milkbar and Bovine & Swine all taking up month-long residencies last year. Another of these is Lu Lu's, who hooked you up with their specialty tamales in October 2017 and March 2018. Their tasty West Coast Mexican fare must have won the hearts of locals, because Lu Lu's will take over full time as of October 15. Expect their signature 12-hour chipotle pork shoulder or slow-roasted sweet potato with Oaxaca cheese tamales, served with pico de gallo, charred corn salsa and cumin lime sour cream (available in vegan form). While you're at it, try the fried mac and cheese with Old Bay and Cheezel dust and the New Orleans-style muffaletta sandwiches. Interior Images: Tamara Dean Food Images: Nash Ferguson
He was one of the youngest cast members in Saturday Night Live's history. During his eight-season run on the iconic US sketch-comedy series, he riffed on his own life aplenty, then did the same in The King of Staten Island on the big screen, plus in streaming series Bupkis. If you've caught Pete Davidson's comedy specials, you'll know that the same applies when he's onstage, too — which Sydney audiences can witness live in October 2025. Davidson has locked in an Aussie leg on his latest stand-up tour, playing three cities: Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The whirlwind trip will see him perform three gigs three nights in a row, ending with a date with Enmore Theatre in the Harbour City on Wednesday, October 1. Beyond SNL and otherwise fictionalising his own experiences in cinemas and on TV — and beyond his Pete Davidson: SMD, Pete Davidson: Alive From New York and Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli specials as well — Davidson has rarely been far from screens over the past decade. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Trainwreck, Big Time Adolescence, The Suicide Squad, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fast X, Dumb Money: they're all on his resume. Davidson's 2025 Aussie dates come just after his latest film, heist comedy The Pickup co-starring Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), drops on Prime Video in early August.
Southern Sydney's artistic haven, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, presents their groundbreaking exhibition, In the Arms of Unconsciousness: Women, Feminism and the Surreal, which will run until Sunday, September 3. This free event showcases the impressive talent of 22 leading Australian female artists, offering a cross-generational experience for art enthusiasts and culture connoisseurs alike. Explore an enchanting realm where feminism and the surreal collide through a diverse array of mediums, including painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, video, and collage. The artists will delve into complex notions of womanhood and the female body – expect evocative and thought-provoking pieces that disrupt cultural norms and challenge our perceptions. Located in Gymea, Hazelhurst is approximately a 40-minute drive from the Sydney CBD, making it the perfect destination for a picturesque day trip. Head south to discover recent, newly commissioned and unseen works by the likes of Del Kathryn Barton, Honey Long & Prue Stent, Patricia Piccinini and more. Images: Honey Long & Prue Stent, Venus Milk (2015). Courtesy of the artists and Arc One Gallery, Del Kathryn Barton, love wants to give (2022).
The rides at Jamberoo Action Park take you from a gentle wave pool to the stomach-churning thrills of The Perfect Storm. On this ride, you and three mates must cling to a floaty as you plunge into gravity-stripping vortexes and whip through rotating tunnels as a storm seemingly rages around you. Classic Jamberoo fixtures like the bobsled are still going strong if you want to relive thrills from decades past. On this mainstay ride, you jump aboard a sled to snake down the park's mountainside, taking in the stunning valley views while you control the throttle to dictate how fast you race to the finish line. This beloved childhood destination isn't just for kids, so don't feel intimidated by the hordes of children. Just hold your nerve and get back on the slide.
You know all about Thredbo's cracking ski runs, spectacular scenery and magical snow gum forests. These are ace reasons for visiting the pretty mountain town in winter. But, there are just as many reasons to head there at this time of year — including some you might not have imagined. How about a hike involving incredible views of a meteor shower, or a yoga retreat that includes sessions at the highest point in Australia? Or perhaps an entire festival devoted to craft beer? We've tracked down seven surprising reasons to consider hitting Thredbo this summer — whether you swing by for a night on your way somewhere else or spend a week or two soaking up its wonders. [caption id="attachment_735258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied by Kosciuszko Brewing Company[/caption] DRINK BREWS AT A CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL When you go to Thredbo during winter, there's only one thing you probably do as much of as skiing — and that's drinking. And just because the snow has disappeared, doesn't mean the beer has. Quite the opposite actually, particularly if you visit across Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8. The Kosciuszko Craft Beer Festival will take over the Alpine Bar at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel with a bunch of beer-themed events including the Beers, Ales and Tales Degustation Dinner, a one-day tasting shindig beside the Thredbo Alpine Hotel bar, where you'll be able to sample drops from all over Australia, and the Homebrew Competition. Keep an eye on the program over here. WATCH A METEOR SHOWER ON AN OVERNIGHT HIKE Every December, the Geminids Meteor Shower lights up Australian skies with as many as 120 meteors every 60 minutes — each moving at about 125,500 kilometres per hour. It's not easy to see from the city, but the views are epic from the top of Mount Kosciuszko. To experience this for yourself, join a guided overnight hike. And we really mean overnight — you'll leave Thredbo village on foot at 11.30pm on Saturday, December 14, and return at 9.30am the next morning, so you'll be walking through the darkness. Brekkie is included and will take place on the way home at Eagles Nest, the highest restaurant in Australia. Tickets are 200 bucks and booking fast, so jump on this quickly if you're keen. [caption id="attachment_753178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo Resort[/caption] PRACTISE YOUR DANCER POSE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP Want to make sure you have a good and proper break this summer? Book yourself into Thredbo Yoga and Wellness Mountain Retreat. Thredbo has joined forces with Jane Corben, founder and principal yoga teacher at Jindabyne Yoga Shala, to bring you this rather extraordinary experience. During your three-day stay, you'll take part in a range of serene sessions, including sunrise yoga on a mountain top, meditation in a snow gum forest and relaxation on the banks of Thredbo River. Plus, healthy meals and snacks are included. [caption id="attachment_753181" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo Resort[/caption] SEE ALL THE WILDFLOWERS One of the most beautiful consequences of the snow melting away every year is Thredbo's gigantic wildflower meadows. The official season runs from mid-December until mid-February, so anytime you drop in during the summer, you're likely to see blooms. Get started on the banks of the Thredbo River, where you'll come across brilliant white snow daisies, bright yellow billy buttons and anemone buttercups, which are one of 21 species that don't grow anywhere else besides the Snowy Mountains. Other good walks for wildflowers include the Main Range and Dead Horse Gap. [caption id="attachment_752851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo Resort[/caption] RACE YOUR MATES DOWN A MOUNTAIN ON A BIKE Whether you're a newbie or a pro that's ready for the next black run, there are trails galore to explore in Thredbo. What's more, it's the only mountain biking spot in Australia that is accessible all season by chairlift. This year, two brand new trails have opened, and both are for intermediates. There's Woody's, a 900-metre diversion from the Kosciuszko Flow Trail dotted with fun obstacles. The other is Ricochet, a 3.2-kilometre route designed to introduce you to 'gravity flow' riding — that means riding downhill with very little need for pedalling because gravity does the job for you. Check out these and other possibilities on the Thredbo Trail Map. [caption id="attachment_752847" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo Resort[/caption] CONQUER AUSTRALIA'S SECOND-HIGHEST MOUNTAIN Already conquered Mount Kosciuszko and looking for an alternative? Consider Mount Townsend, the second-highest mountain in Australia. This 22-kilometre journey begins on the main trail to Kosci before diverting into lesser-known terrain, including the shores of Lake Cootapatamba, which is the highest lake in Australia at an altitude of 2048 metres. Mount Townsend is easy to spy thanks to its dramatic craggy peaks — it's a striking contrast to Kosciuszko's curvy summit. If you're not an experienced hiker, then it'd be a good idea to join a guided tour as the path isn't easy to navigate. BOOGIE INTO THE NIGHT AT A BLUES FESTIVAL Summer isn't summer without live music. Every year, stacks of blues musicians from Australia and around the world converge for the annual Thredbo Blues Festival. In 2020, the event will take place from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19, at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. Acts on the program include Shauna Jensen singing The Aretha Franklin Songbook, legendary Texan singer and guitarist Tyrone Vaughan, UK-born country singer Chris Raggatt and Blue Mountains artist Claude Hay, among stacks of others. Tickets are available for the day or the whole weekend. Shake things up this summer and book a getaway to Thredbo. Start planning your trip by visiting the Thredbo website. Top Image: Thredbo Media.
The launch into 2012 for BREENSPACE starts with a cracker of a little group show, The Drawing Room. It is by no means a new idea to explore this medium — there are whole galleries devoted to it — but this particular exhibition successfully opens up the dialogue surrounding what it is to sketch. Highlights include Agatha Gothe-Snape’s Sketch for Chance Dance (2012), a wonderful extension of her practice over the last couple years. Sketch for Chance Dance is a digital moving image presented in a minimalist box frame. A bold yellow line snakes across a white background continuously tracing the line of a performance and yet equally the work exists as a dynamic sketch for a rehearsal, an instruction for the future or an archive of some past movement. Equally, Mitch Cairns’ installation of 12 unique works on paper, ZZZZZZ (2011) lovingly utilises old-school letraset layered atop printed lines of staff which perfectly marries his long use of musical reference with the vernacular in language. The result? A serene and eccentric score which like Gothe-Snape beautifully expands upon one’s understanding of Cairns’ work to date. And lastly, Hossein Valamanesh’s series of miniature paintings on newspaper, Swiss Landscape (2002). Here Valamanesh has utlitised the peaks and troughs of the Swissmarket financial index to create majestic alps in oh-so-tiny delightful detail. If you haven’t been to BREENSPACE since their big move six months ago they are now located in Alberta St in the city, just a back laneway skip away from the Chinatown side of Hyde Park. On the third floor of a commercial building reaching BREENSPACE requires a lift ride which could be seen as ultra-intimidating (and obviously results in a definite lack of tyre kickers) but get your guts up — this little gem is well worth a lunch-time pop in.
The monopoly supermarkets once held over us food eaters has waned in recent years. Market halls are becoming the logical response to people's renewed interest in small batch, bespoke, local, sustainable, organic produce, because who wants to spend hours traipsing all over the city looking for the good stuff? Not us. Luckily, Sydneysiders will soon have a brand new providore marketplace which will bring all the aforementioned things together in one location for you to pack into your roll-along nanna trolley. Saporium will be the latest addition to The Cannery, a huge 4500-square-metre retrofitted warehouse in Rosebery, which already houses Archie Rose Distillery, Black Star Pastry, Koskela and Italian restaurant Da Mario. Designed to bring everything you need to live a wholesome, healthy life together in one place, the marketplace will have a greengrocer, a butcher, a baker, a coffee roaster, restaurants and a cooking school. It's been in development for some time. The first stage saw Grain Organic Bakery, Zeus Street Greek, 5th Earl and The Choc Pot open their doors, and last week the latest batch of tenants opened for business. Rosebery and Green Square locals now have Vive Cooking School, organic grocer Wholefoods House, Kingsmore Meats and Welcome Dose Specialty Coffee on their doorstep. The details of stage three have yet to be announced but will build on the theme of 'local as hell'. And with the news that Three Blue Ducks will be joining The Cannery gang later this year, moving to Rosebery seems like a very wise choice. Saporium is located in The Cannery at 85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery. For more info, visit saporium.com.au.
When you're picking out a park that needs to tick lots of boxes — harbour views, places for the kids to play, off-leash areas and toilets close by — Birchgrove Park is an excellent choice. The inner west park surrounds Birchgrove Oval and its backdrop is the Sydney Harbour, complete with uninterrupted views of the Bridge and all the waterside activity around it. Unsurprisingly, it's a popular spot for watching the New Year's Eve fireworks. What you might not know is that you can BYO bottle of wine or four-pack down to the park for a sunset picnic, so long as you're packed up by 9pm. Birchgrove Park also has tennis courts, a jetty for getting that ultimate Harbour Bridge shot, and it's only a ten-minute walk from Birchgrove ferry wharf. Image: Flickr; Creative Commons
Take one glance at the chic, Paris-coded dining room of Capella Hotel's fine diner, Brasserie 1930, and you might reasonably assume that a meal here could break the bank. And ordinarily, there'd be some truth in that assumption — but not on Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes. Operated by Nick Hilderbrandt and Brent Savage's Bentley Group — the same legendary restaurateurs behind top city diners Monopole and King Clarence — Brasserie 1930 is offering a steal of a deal on these two weekday lunch services, offering half a barbecued Bannockburn chicken, cooked to charred perfection over a woodfired grilled, plus a side — either mixed-leaf salad, crushed cucumber salad, green beans or fries — for the very affordable price of $35. Discounted dining never tasted so good.
Star Wars Christmas is here for 2024, and may the force be with you on May the fourth. If you're looking for a way to celebrate beyond viewing the many, many movies and TV shows in the space saga, and you're also fond of dancing like no one in the galaxy is watching, May the 4th — Star Wars Rave is your port of call. The cantina to head to in Sydney: Oxford Art Factory, with the party kicking off at 9pm. On the right date to commemorate the huge sci-fi franchise on the dance floor, you'll get free glow sticks and lollipops as part of your entry fee — and you'll be able to drink Skywalker Spritzes, Jedi Juice and Darth Drank. This Saturday-night shindig follows in the stormtrooper boot-wearing footsteps of Shrek and Hello Kitty raves, because every pop culture favourite can be an excuse to make shapes in an adoring crowd if you want it to be. Dressing up is encouraged, obviously. Are jedi robes comfortable to dance in? Here's your chance to find out. The best outfit on the night will win a $100 voucher.
Darlinghurst's Almond Bar is inviting Sydneysiders 'round again this Sunday, April 10 for their Big Syrian BBQ — a traditional homage to the Middle Eastern barbecues celebrated by the culture of sister-owners Sharon and Carol Salloum. It's guaranteed to be a family affair, showcasing traditional recipes cooked from their father's three homemade barbecues — think lamb skewers rubbed in Arabic 'seven spices' and sides including baba ghanoush and tabouli. This delicious feast isn't limited to meat-lovers; the vegetarian option is a caring and thoughtful nod to any non-carnivorous patrons, of which Darlinghurst has many. Plates are twenty dollars a pop and the event will be held, rain or shine, in the laneway behind the restaurant. If you don't come from a big family, this is your chance to adopt one for a day, with all patrons guaranteed to be treated like "cousins". It's a chow-down you won't want to miss.
With every day that goes by, we get another day closer to Sydney WorldPride, and we discover more and more about the events we can look forward to. It's not just putting Sydney at the centre of the queer universe — it's also proving to be an excuse for some of the biggest parties this city has seen in years. We owe that to festival partners like Archie Rose Distilling Co. – they're partnering with venues across town to bring an extra kick to your Sydney WorldPride itinerary. First up is Hotel Ravesis. The Bondi mainstay is going all out with the first-floor Lounge Bar set to transform into a dedicated Pride bar – and they'll be slinging special cocktails seven days a week throughout the festival. Plus, there'll be plenty of glitter and gags at not one but two ticketed events: Drag superstar Philmah Bocks joins beloved Drag Race alum Jojo Zaho for weekly drag events at the Ravesis on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout Pride. Head over on Saturdays at 11am for Drag Brunch, where you can enjoy live entertainment from your fabulous hosts over Mediterranean-style share plates and signature Archie Rose cocktails. Plus you can enjoy a post-brunch dip if the weather calls for it. If you reserve that sort of energy for the evening, don't worry. Every Thursday from 6.30 to 9.30pm (February 16 to March 2) they'll also be hosting Drag Bingo, serving all the glitter, gags, entertainment and savage crowd work of the brunch, but this time you've also got to keep an ear out for your winning numbers. This is all complimented with Archie Rose cocktails — including a complimentary one on entry. [caption id="attachment_888351" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] Meanwhile, across town, Archie Rose is also teaming up with Bar 83 for what could be the highest-altitude WorldPride celebrations of them all. If you're unfamiliar with Bar 83, it's the only bar in Sydney that sits 245 metres and 83 floors above street level in the Sydney Tower Eye. Throughout Pride you can enjoy signature Archie Rose cocktails and DJ performances from an international roster curated by Sydney rave royalty House of Mince every night of the week from Saturday, February 18 until Sunday, March 5. For more information on Sydney WorldPride, Drag Bingo, Drag Brunch or Bar 83 x Archie Rose, visit their respective websites.
Almost four years after officially launching its streaming platform in Australia, Amazon Prime Video has expanded its range of viewing options — by bringing the company's online video store Down Under, too. Now, cinephiles can rent or buy a movie via the service's video-on-demand shop. And, you can access its lineup without signing up for a subscription membership. If you're eager to rent the likes of A Quiet Place, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Lion King, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, you'll find them all available — with a focus on recent release and blockbuster titles. That means that next time you're looking to check out a new-ish flick, you can add Amazon to the list of places to watch it digitally on a pay-per-title basis, alongside Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Amazon's VOD selection spans films from big studios such as Disney, Warner Bros, NBCUniversal, Sony, Paramount and Lionsgate, as well as Australian distributors Transmission and Madman. Accordingly, if you're not in the mood for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, you can go local and check out Mystify: Michael Hutchence instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRIFR3hkIpo Rentals start from $3.99, and remain valid for 30 days — although you'll only have 48 hours to watch once you press play. As for purchases, they start from $12.99. Australia joins France, Italy, Spain and Canada in receiving the VOD service, with Amazon's online video store already up and running in US, UK, Germany and Japan. Viewers can access the Prime Video Store via the service's website, or through the Prime Video app on televisions, Android mobile devices and game consoles. If you're eager to check out Amazon's original movies and TV series, though — such as Hunters, The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Tales from the Loop — you'll still need to subscribe to the streaming platform. To rent or buy a film via Amazon Prime Video, visit the Prime Video Store website.
The year that was 2012 will be remembered in popular music circles as the year in which The Stones Roses reformed their trippy, stadium-shaking odyssey, Pussy Riot turned political songwriting into actual political action and a quirky little Korean man conquered the world with his taste for tuxedos and obscene dance moves. Yet beyond the headline-grabbing stories, 2012 also saw the release of some truly awesome and at times groundbreaking new music. 20-year-old Flume became an icon for every pill-popping teenager with his slick beats and razor sharp production, Tame Impala broke the second-album curse in emphatic fashion with their fresh set of psychedelic riffs and Frank Ocean proved that kick-ass hip-hop does not necessarily have to come with a Kanye-West-sized ego. Independent music website, Pitchfork have their own take on 2012, with a "Best Of" list that includes some chart-topping juggernauts along with a bunch of unsung success stories. Here is Concrete Playground's take on Pitchfork's top five albums of 2012. 1. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city Californian local, Kendrick Lamar is a far-cry from the sort of arrogant, chest-beating and studio-polished rappers that we have come accustomed to hearing come out of the US of A. On his second solo album, "good kid, m.A.A.d city", Lamar rejects the misogynist rhymes of his West Coast peers in favour of a deeply personal and at times painfully raw exploration of his childhood growing up on the fringes of gang life in Compton, California. The album however is never overwhelmed by its emotional intensity, as Lamar's lyrical virtuosity is equalled by the album's sumptuous, beat-laden soundtrack, making "good kid, m.A.A.d city" not only one of the most personal but also most accessible records of 2012. 2. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange Having lent his considerable songwriting and vocal talents to the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, John Legend and even Justin Bieber, Frank Ocean was not exactly an unfamiliar voice even if he may have been an unfamiliar name prior to the release of his highly acclaimed debut album "Channel Orange". The mass of industry and social media hype that preceded its release turned out to be entirely justified with Ocean delivering an album full of silky vocals, Prince-flavoured melodies and touching word paintings that has had critics everywhere drooling and all other R&B artist clutching at his heels. 3. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! Fusing anarchist politics with metal-like riffing an unreal string section and spine-tingling vocals, "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" have carved themselves a cult-like following a million miles away from the mainstream. "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!" as such is part political manifesto and part soundtrack to the apocalypse, with beautiful guitar riffs building and crescendoing into euphoric explosions of raw power and noise. "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" is the sort of once-in-a-generation band that is able to effortlessly straddle the seemingly irreconcilable boundaries of brooding yet joyous, bombastic yet simple, epic and yet distinctly personal all at the same time sounding like they are having themselves a pretty unreal fucking party. 4. Grizzly Bear - Shields Shields is the fourth and most critically acclaimed album from the Brooklyn's indie darlings, Grizzly Bear. In this intricately layered album, the quartet have moved away from the dreaminess of their previous work in favour of a fuller sounding collection of songs which take the listener on a melancholic journey of loneliness tampered by moments of profound human connections. Grizzly Bear's melodies are self-consciously ''in your face'' demanding the listener to stop, listen closely and notice the beauty that exists in our otherwise fast-paced world. A woody concoction of lulling vocals, nimble guitar riffs and consistently evocative lyrics, Shields will resonate with you long after the final notes are heard. 5. Beach House - Bloom The Baltimore-duo's fourth offering is an enticing cocktail of dreamy vocals, tender guitar lines and breathy male-female harmonies that hits the listener in waves of sonic and ethereal bliss. For Beach House's devoted collection of fans this is everything they have come to expect of these dream-pop pin-ups, yet "Bloom" has the band taking their distinctive and deceptively complex sound to new levels of summery warmth, carving a near-perfect album of lush, bittersweet soundscapes. "Bloom" is perhaps the most beautiful album of 2012 and should be the soundtrack to anyone whose idea of the perfect Summer involves curling up with a bottle of white wine and a view of the sunset.
Whether you're somewhere near or somewhere far, there are scores of ways to acknowledge just how incredible your mother (or grandmother or aunt) is with some good old-fashioned spoiling. But, fellow mama-lovers, if you've let the annual celebration of maternity known as Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9 btw) slip your mind this year, we're here to help out. We've picked out our favourite mum-worthy gift ideas—from the reliable candles and cocktails, to personalised luggage and DIY pottery classes—so you can just stick to worrying about what you're going to write in the card. After all, this is your once-a-year opportunity to show your ma how much she means to you, so the pressure is absolutely on. [caption id="attachment_785836" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NRMA Glamtainer by Shan Rose Photography.[/caption] FOR THE TRAVELLING MUM After last year's lockdowns, we've all got some missed travel opportunities to make up for, mum included. So what better time to treat her to a little getaway? If she's a snow bunny or beach-lover, NRMA's new luxury 'glamtainers' should do the trick — there are now four of the beautifully repurposed shipping container stays operating, with the original two located at Ocean Beach Holiday Resort and the other pair landing at Jindabyne in time for the winter season. Or perhaps she'd fancy a trip to the Gold Coast for a couple of nights in this gin-themed caravan, from Camplify and The Botanist Gin. Weekend stays include a bottle of gin and all the trimmings for whipping up some dreamy cocktails. If wine's more her thing and a jaunt to the Mornington Peninsula is on the cards, you could treat her to this memorable Red Balloon experience, involving a vineyard tour, wine tasting and five-course lunch at the renowned Montalto Estate. And no matter where she's headed, you can ensure your mum's holiday-ready with a piece of personalised luggage from July. Right now, the brand's including a complimentary Mother's Day card with each order and offering free personalisation, too, so you can get mum gifted all at once. FOR THE FOOD (AND BOOZE) LOVING MUM She's cooked countless dinners and birthday cakes for you and the rest of the fam—now, it's mum's turn to be treated to a little culinary indulgence. The minds behind the annual Mould Cheese Festival are slinging a range of home-delivered offerings that'd have any dairy fiend salivating—from curated cheese boxes filled with top Aussie picks, to a DIY cheesemaking kit. If mum's a fan of variety, swing past Good Day People's online store and order one of their non-boring hampers to be dropped to her door. There are lots of fun curations for food-loving folks here, catering to palates both sweet and savoury with treats from the likes of chocolate brand Hey Tiger, Wondaree nuts and Drunken Sailor condiments. Meanwhile, for those who can't take mum out for a drink IRL, the cocktail experts at the Everleigh Bottling Co have a range of classy pre-batched libations available for delivery. Choose from sips like the classic martini, a chic Manhattan, or maybe one of the new spritzed French 75 cocktails. [caption id="attachment_810524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Active Truth's new Brolga range.[/caption] FOR THE OUTDOORSY MUM If some great outdoors action is on the cards, have mum looking her best, with one of the new activewear pieces from Active Truth. The Aussie label has teamed up with Indigenous artist Bobbi Lockyer for this limited-edition Brolga collection, featuring high-waisted leggings and crop tops in a gorgeous hand-painted print. For more rugged outdoors adventures, take a peek at these latest offerings from Kathmandu—the nature-loving mum always has room in their collection for a new rain jacket, cosy down vest or pair of hiking boots. Once you've sorted her wardrobe, she can check out our pick of must-try Aussie mountain hikes—perhaps with her favourite child (aka you) along for company. And for the adrenaline junkie, there's plenty of high-flying fun to be had on a skydiving adventure; like this heart-pumping Red Balloon experience that'll have mum enjoying a tandem freefall over stunning coastline off Wollongong, 90 minutes south of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_810528" align="alignnone" width="1920"] tbh. skincare products.[/caption] FOR THE SELF-CARE MUM A spot of self-care and mindful pampering never goes astray, and we're sure mum would agree. You can help brighten up her skin and her bathroom cabinet with a few of the latest colourful goodies from cult skincare brand tbh. The sustainability-focused company is only young, but it's already causing a big splash with its innovative, science-driven products. If you want her to think of you when she's curled up with a good book and a cuppa, try one of these very cuddly customisable cushions from Hommey. There are over 160 colours, fabrics and shapes to choose from, plus you can score an extra 20 percent off for Mother's Day (use MOTHERSDAY20). And that relaxing bath is sorted thanks to a new limited-edition collaboration from booze-free winemaker Non and luxe candle label Maison Balzac. The gift pack features a bottle of exclusive Non wine, a specially matched scented candle and a QR code linking to a curated playlist—all designed to be enjoyed simultaneously for an immersive sensory experience. Find it at Blackhearts & Sparrows stores nationwide, as well as Winona Wine in NSW and Wine Republic in Melbourne. Or for a twist on the classic Mother's Day bouquet, check out this clever match from LVLY—a locally-grown flower arrangement paired with a pack of Rise and Shine yoga cards illustrated by Georgia Perry. FOR THE CREATIVE MUM Say thanks for all the decades of motherly support by helping her indulge her own creative side. For a bit of at-home fun, you can treat her to one of Crockd's DIY pottery kits, available for delivery Australia-wide. The classic box comes with enough clay and equipment for two (so you can join her), and whatever pieces you make can be air-dried at home, without the need for any fancy kiln. Otherwise, sign her up for one of Class Bento's sprawling list of creative workshops and classes, running both online and at various locations across Australia. You'll find everything from perfume-making and mosaic workshops, to a class that teaches you how to create your own botanical-infused phone case. And if mum's got a creative eye, we're betting she'll also appreciate these sweet new designs from Aussie jewellery label Elle Haitch. Expect hoops, necklaces and chic rings for all tastes. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Top image: The Everleigh Bottling Co by Gareth Sobey.
After 21 years of trade, de Vine has a new look and feel. The wine bar and Italian restaurant that's long sat, unassuming, on a busy Market Street stretch has undergone a million-dollar renovation to reveal a swanky new interior with exposed brick, a curving granite bar, champagne-tinted mirrors and green velvet banquette seating. The design is the kind of classic big city style you'd encounter in the osterias of New York or Chicago. The hospitality, however, has the warmth and personality of a small neighbourhood restaurant. If it feels like a family affair, that's because it is. Restaurateur brother duo Anthony and Julian Izzillo (formerly of Wildfire Circular Quay) are behind the transformation of de Vine — but they're also front and centre of the service experience. Anthony is often front of house, greeting guests and and talking them through the menu, while Julian is in charge of the drinks program which includes a showstopping selection of Amaro, all on show a brass wall display in the front bar seating section. The wine offering is equally impressive with some 500 bottles available from the cellar. It is, after all, a wine bar first and foremost, and you can duck in for an elegant post-work or pre-theatre drink. [caption id="attachment_949201" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Izzillo (left) and Anthony Izzillo in front of their huge Amaro selection.[/caption] Don't sleep on the food, though. The kitchen is now helmed by Head Chef Timothy Fisher, previously of Michelin-starred Osteria Lucio in Dublin. The menu stars classical Italian dishes executed without fault like vitello tonnato and polpette meatballs, a lineup of excellent house made pastas, and mains like the pork cotoletta (which Anthony tells us is "life changing" although he may be biased). Then, once the plates have been cleared, if amaro is your pleasure, just sit back and let Julian pick a match for your palate or treat yourself to a tasting flight. Whether you're in the market for an intimate date venue or a power broker's lunch spot, the reimagined de Vine is worth rediscovering. You'll find de Vine Wine Bar and Restaurant at 32 Market Street in the city — open 11.45am-10.30pm on Monday to Wednesday, 11.45am-11pm on Thursday and Friday, and 4.30pm-11pm on Saturdays. Head to the website to book.
For more than a decade, Roomies Arts has supported artists with disability and mental health concerns — helping these artists to overcome the barriers presented by society and the arts world, and to achieve their goals and develop their creative skills. During the pandemic and Australia's transitions in and out of lockdown, the organisation decided to expand its workshops, creating sessions that would help reach more of the general public while people were experiencing increased mental health challenges. One way that the organisation is doing exactly that is through a series of online creative workshops. There are currently four workshops up on the Roomies Arts website — so, you can participate in a still-life drawing session with artist Anne Kwasner, make paper sculptures with visual and performing artist Jeff McCann, upcycle clothing with designer Holly-Jane Cohle, and create air-dry clay figures with mixed-media painter and sculptor Michelle Connolly. The sessions are designed to help you slow down and focus on something relaxing and mediative for a short period, which is something we could all benefit from this year. Each workshop is free to participate in, and comes with a list of materials and items needed to take part. Generally, those lists include household arts and craft items, so they can be easily purchased if you don't have them. To stay up to date with everything Roomies Arts does, follow along at the organisation's Facebook page. That's where you'll also find a live-streamed art class on Saturday, October 16.
Start the car, we know a whoopee spot, where the gin is cold but the piano is certainly hot, and that place is the Roaring 20s and All That Jazz Festival. The festivities will take place throughout venues across the Katoomba area in the Blue Mountains, and will include 1920s-style balls in historic grand ballrooms, high teas and, of course, plenty of jazz and blues performances. Head to the famed Hydro Majestic Hotel to participate in the Charleston Challenge, where ladies and gents of all ages slip into their best flapper dresses and fedoras in a huge group performance of the Charleston. There will also be historical walks, a long lunch, dinner shows and more. Don your best Greta Garbo threads and grab yourself a Gatsby — this is certainly a weekend of feathers and frivolity.
Every family has its own stories, but how many can you remember? Every Thursday for over 50 years, Ab Solomons drew a picture on his weekly wage packet for his wife to keep, creating a series of more than 3000 drawings that chronicled their daily life in London's East End. It wasn't until Danny Braverman discovered his great-uncle's doodlings, stored in an old shoebox, that these forgotten memories found a new life on stage. In his disarmingly simple, one-man production, Braverman projects a series of selected drawings and relates the stories behind them. After success at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe and winning the British Way Award for best new play that same year, Wot? No Fish!! has come to Sydney Festival for its Australian premiere. Don't miss this honest portrait of the ups and downs of family life – a production that reveals both the comic and affecting moments of the everyday, while exploring ideas of storytelling, forgotten memories and family secrets.
If you have lived in Sydney for frankly any time at all, you should be familiar with King Street Wharf mainstay Cargo. Its fairly central location means that on any given night you're likely to find an eclectic mix of groups on the after-work wind-down (or wind-up), hen parties, travellers and general party-starters. It's the place that you inevitably end up when, already a few drinks down, someone in the group (occasionally you) suggests finding a dance floor to tear up. But the appeal of Cargo stretches beyond after-dark dancing. A recent overhaul has brought a funky metropolitan buzz to the venue with a new palette of concrete, glass blocks and pops of royal blue. Combined with its prime real estate overlooking Darling Harbour and this pretty appealing package, Cargo is also a good spot to get your day drink on. On the subject of drinks, Cargo has a handful of appealing offers including $6 happy hour every weekday between 4-7pm on all drinks and then $12 cocktails from 7-9pm in the upstairs bar from Wednesday through Sunday. A perusal of the food menu reveals a selection of communal eats from pizzas to seafood platters, but if you're not the sharing type, there's also burgers, pasta and schnitzels to feast on. Images: Anna Kucera and Trent van der Jagt.
Hanami and Japan go hand in hand, but what if you could indulge in the art of flower viewing (yes, that's what the term translates to in English) a bit closer to home? Well, that's where the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival comes in. It's a celebration of everyone's favourite pink flora in Sydney's west. Between Saturday, August 21–Sunday, August 29, the Auburn Botanic Gardens will transform its Japanese Gardens into a beautiful, blooming wonderland — in a COVID-19 safe way this year, and as long as Sydney is out of lockdown. You'll be able to ramp up your appreciation of the fleeting natural phenomena that is cherry blossom season by attending viewing the eye-catching blooms in the lead up to spring. Tis the season, after all. And taking in the spectacular scenery isn't the only thing you'll be doing. There'll also be an array of Japanese food trucks, a pop-up izakaya serving up sake and Japanese craft beer, and a lineup of talks, live music and performances. Or, try to find your bliss at a meditation session, or get nostalgic in the presence of Hello Kitty. Tickets cost $11.75 for general admission and are free for Cumberland residents — and the event will run from 9am–5pm daily. Images: Destination NSW.
For the past few years, the Sydney Film Festival hasn't just served up a feast of new and awesome cinema. Collaborating with David Stratton, it has also shone a spotlight on a great auteur — you know, the kind of filmmaker responsible for movies that no one else could make. Martin Scorsese and Akira Kurosawa have previously been in the spotlight, and now it's Aki Kaurismäki's turn, with the fest showcasing the work of the great Finnish director. While the cinema of Finland isn't a common presence on Australian screens, Kaurismäki's work is, whether he's telling a tale of an amnesiac in The Man Without a Past, exploring life in a French port city in Le Havre or contemplating the refugee crisis in The Other Side of Hope. With the latter only getting a general release on our shores this year, the first two aforementioned flicks lead the charge in this 10-title retrospective. Throughout the festival's run from June 6 to 17, other highlights include Kaurismäki's debut Crime and Punishment, an updating of Dostoevsky's novel; Leningrad Cowboys Go America, which follows a fictional band on the road; and Drifting Clouds, a movie widely considered to be the one Kaurismäki flick to see if you're only going to see one of his flicks. Sessions will screen at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Dendy Opera Quays, showering films buffs with Finnish deadpan with an empathetic heart — plus plenty of dogs, one of the filmmaker's trademarks.
Sometimes you just want an ice-cold schooner of Reschs and a good old-fashioned pub feed. In Paddington these days, though, such can be hard to come by. Thankfully, Oxford Street's Paddo RSL provides all the the no-frills atmosphere you're after. Here, the the beer is flowing and you can get a steak for a reasonable $13. Plus, it claims itself to be the 'home of live music in Paddington', which isn't too far off. You'll often find Tom Waits tribute nights and emerging local artists cutting their teeth here, as well as the RSL's regular cabaret night Show Queen Sessions.
If you've been searching for new ways to explore Sydney but have come up short, the launch of UpTown is here to help. Thanks to the New South Wales Government's plan to encourage locals to uncover the best of the CBD's north, this new precinct is being positioned as the city's latest hotspot for nightlife, dining, celebrating the city's history and everything in-between. Located behind Circular Quay — spanning from Bridge Street to the harbourfront and Macquarie Street to George Street — this newly named district is an initiative supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's Uptown Program. The scheme aims to breathe new life into the northern district of the CBD, making it a must-visit spot for Sydneysiders and tourists alike. "UpTown Sydney CBD comprises some of Australia's oldest streets and buildings, as well as incredible new developments like Sydney Place and the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower," said Laura Southcombe, UpTown Sydney's District Coordinator. The project also wants to redefine the northern area of the CBD as a cultural hub and bring visibility to its diversity, rather than retaining its current reputation as Sydney's go-to for corporate life. Wondering what's on offer? UpTown Sydney CBD's website serves as a reference point for the district's venues and upcoming events. Currently, the outlined district comprises an array of varying venues, from the lavish likes Besuto, Lana and Intercontinental Sydney's luxe rooftop bar Aster, plus casual diners in Quay Quarter such as Belles Hot Chicken, to art-centred institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art — and also local watering holes like Jacksons on George, Double Deuce Lounge and Maybe Sammy. "This juxtaposition of old and new is only one element why this energetic district should be front and centre in locals' minds when deciding not just where to eat and drink, but where to visit museums and catch live music," continued Southcombe. To launch UpTown Sydney, the NSW Government contributed a $200,000 grant back via the Uptown Program, which was established in 2022, to assist with getting the initiative off the ground. Not only is the program set to encourage local businesses to promote the best the area has to offer, but it also hopes to help transform Sydney's nightlife. "With both our website, which is a great resource for those looking for a night out or planning how to spend a few hours in the city, and our local community of businesses and cultural institutions coming together as one recognisable district, we're hoping to reinvigorate this part of the CBD, and help Sydneysiders reimagine it beyond its corporate and 'touristy' reputation," said Justin Newton, President of UpTown Sydney CBD and Director of House Made Hospitality. For more information about UpTown, head to the precinct's website. Images: Steve Woodburn, Tom Ferguson, Leigh Griffith and James Horan.
Your worst technological nightmares are returning to your streaming queue. No, we don't just mean forgetting your password, having trouble logging in, getting an error message that your account doesn't exist after you just used it yesterday or being stuck watching buffering instead of the program you're trying to see. First, Black Mirror's Twitter account broke a four-year silence. Next, Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi hit has dropped a sneak peek at its next batch of technological nightmares — aka the first trailer for the show's long-awaited sixth season. This season is being teased as "the most unpredictable, unclassifiable and unexpected season yet", which is saying something given everything that Black Mirror has thrown at the screen in past seasons (and in choose-your-own-adventure-style movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch). "I've always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people — and myself — or else what's the point? It should be a series that can't be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself," Brooker told Netflix about season six. "Partly as a challenge, and partly to keep things fresh for both me and the viewer, I began this season by deliberately upending some of my own core assumptions about what to expect. Consequently, this time, alongside some of the more familiar Black Mirror tropes we've also got a few new elements, including some I've previously sworn blind the show would never do, to stretch the parameters of what 'a Black Mirror episode' even is. The stories are all still tonally Black Mirror through-and-through — but with some crazy swings and more variety than ever before." Wondering when you might be staring at your own black mirror again to watch Black Mirror? The show will return to Netflix in June, ready to add some extra chill to winter Down Under — with an exact date yet to be announced. Cast-wise, the series makes a comeback with another stacked roster of familiar faces, including Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself), Paapa Essiedu (Men), Josh Hartnett (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Himesh Patel (Station Eleven), Rob Delaney (The Power), Rory Culkin (Swarm), Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance), Aaron Paul (Westworld), Kate Mara (Call Jane), Michael Cera (Life & Beth), Danny Ramirez (Stars at Noon), Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother), Auden Thornton (This Is Us) and Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve). How exactly will the series manage to be even more dispiriting than reality over the past few years? That's increasingly been one of its dilemmas — and noting that something IRL feels just like Black Mirror has become one of the cliches of our times — but this'll be the mind-bending effort's first round of episodes following the pandemic. No one has ever watched the Brooker-created series for a pick-me-up, though. Since first hitting the small screen in 2011, Black Mirror has spun warped visions of where technology may lead us — and, no matter what tale the show has told so far across its 22 instalments (including that interactive movie), the picture has usually been unnerving. So, imagine what the program will cook up after what we've all been living through since it last aired. Brooker has already riffed on COVID-19 in two Netflix specials, actually: Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, which offer satirical and star-studded wraps of both years with mixed success. For something completely different, he also jumped back into choose-your-own-adventure content with animated short Cat Burglar, which hit Netflix back in 2022, has viewers play through it as a thieving feline called Rowdy and gets you to answer trivia questions to advance the story. Check out the first trailer for Black Mirror's sixth season below: Black Mirror season six will stream via Netflix some time in June. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Images: Netflix.
Got a ticket to the game? What you need now is a trusty pub for a pre- or post-game bevvie, or two. No ticket? What you need is a pub with a big screen — chances are, you'll have a better view than half the people in the stadium. The trick is finding the right spot. For a venue to be game friendly, several elements need to be on point: well-positioned screens, a decent sound system, a friendly — albeit feverishly competitive — atmosphere, and quality food and beer. After all, watching a match can feel as taxing as playing one, so fuelling up and cooling down correctly is essential. We've joined forces with Heineken to round up four pubs that won't let you down. They're scattered across the eastern suburbs, the inner west and the lower north shore. So, wherever you are, both the game and a refreshing Heineken will be within reach.
Planning a get-together? Work drinks? A birthday? Why not ditch dishes duty and head to a restaurant instead? These days, sharing and banquet menus are all the rage, providing a great opportunity to catch up with mates and try some new, interesting food (or a few old favourites) without the hassle of playing host yourself. In partnership with Stockland, we've compiled a list of restaurants in greater western Sydney that are perfect for group feasts. So, pop on your snazziest pair of stretchy pants, let someone else pour the wine and enjoy all the culinary delights this part of the city has to offer.
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum invites visitors into the world of First Nations fashion and textile design. Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion runs until January 19, 2025 and reveals the depth and diversity of cultures across Australia. The title of the exhibition, Piinpi, is an expression from the Kanichi Thampanyu people (East Coast Cape York Peninsula) that reflects 'seasonal changes' and regeneration of Country. The gallery's curator, Kaantju woman Shonae Hobson, has commissioned works from some of the country's top designers. Those include hand-printed designs (using ancient techniques) by Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta woman Lyn-Al Young, Teagan Cowlishaw's sparkly Deadly Kween jumpsuit (made from upcycled materials) and sculptural wearable art pieces by Grace Lillian Lee. [caption id="attachment_792476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Grace Lillian Lee 'Body Armour'[/caption] Top image: Elisa Jan Carmichael, CIAF 2017 Saltwater Footprints Collection; Photo: Tim Ashton
What matters most: good food, good drinks, good vibes or good prices? Well, the team behind Don Casamigos says: why not all of them? This classy, curtain-draped Mexican hotspot is from the same team behind Fortuna Drink and Eat, a colourful and energetic Italian eatery in Darlinghurst. They're on a hot streak and have taken one of Fortuna's most popular experiences – the bottomless Italian brunch – to the next level at Don Casamigos with an after-dark equivalent, the Bottomless Mexican Fiesta. The interior of this Victoria street spot screams tequila bar, with crimson drapes, gleaming tabletops and bright splashes of colour thanks to plants and a humming neon sign – but this bottomless menu is about more than just the drinks. It's the complete Don Casamigos experience. For $99 per person, you get delicious modern Mexican share plates and margaritas to pair. To get specific, those share plates are pan con tomate, chorizo peppers, patatas bravas, pork neck tacos, mushroom quesadillas and sweet churros to finish. Wash down those hot and hearty flavours with four different kinds of margaritas: spicy, classic, Tommy's or sweet – or bottomless house wines and rosé if you're feeling extra fancy. It's an experience your tastebuds will never forget – and perfect for sharing with amigos. The Bottomless Mexican Fiesta is available Wednesday to Friday from 5 til late, Saturday to Sunday from 12 - 6pm. For more information and to make a booking, visit the website.
"Male chauvinist pig versus hairy-legged feminist" was the proposal. In a late-night phone call, Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) quickly tells Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) that her pins are smooth, but the sentiment — sexism vs. feminism — still stuck. She's the number one women's tennis player, riding high from a string of grand slam titles. He's a former champion well past his prime, with a fondness for gambling, talking and self-promotion. It should come as no surprise that King initially turned Riggs down. Why she changed her mind, what she was fighting for, and how their exhibition game made history informs Battle of the Sexes, a recreation of the match of the same name. Reuniting Stone and Carell after Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Carell with Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, King and Riggs' famous tussle inspires an engaging, entertaining effort — one that's as much about the showdown at its centre as it is the struggles it stood for. Pitting a boorish headline grabber against a woman striving for equality, and throwing in Australian tennis player Margaret Court (Jessica McNamee) as one of the villains, its contents are also incredibly relevant today. Battle of the Sexes introduces King doing the two things she'll become best known for: smashing it on the court and thrashing it out over prize money. Fresh from victory at Wimbledon, she demands the same amount of cash for women as is given to men. When US tennis association head Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman) declines, she starts her own competition with World Tennis magazine founder Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman). Enter Riggs, a locker room bet that he could beat any female player, and a public promise to put ladies back in the kitchen and the bedroom. At first King refuses to become part of the spectacle, but when Riggs plays Court and wins, the standing of women's sport is on the line. It's estimated that 90 million people watched the match worldwide. With its '70s-style visuals and upbeat attitude, a perfectly fine sports biopic could've easily resulted from simply pitting King's sympathetic protagonist against Riggs' over-the-top foil. But that's not quite what Battle of the Sexes sets out to do. With King also the first prominent female athlete to come out as a lesbian, her relationship with hairdresser Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) forms part of the story, as scripted by Slumdog Millionaire Oscar-winner Simon Beaufoy. It's sensitively explored, evoking the excitement of falling for someone new as well as the confusion plaguing the married King. It also makes the parallels between her professional and personal troubles clear — and there's a reason that the prickly, naysaying Court makes such an apt inclusion. Fresh from her La La Land glory, Stone arrives ready to serve up a powerhouse performance. Swinging a racket rather than singing up a storm, she paints a compelling portrait of a woman driven by what's right and fair, even as she's wrestling with her own turmoil. Carell, meanwhile, has fun putting "the show back in chauvinist", although you'll never forget that you're watching Carell. Then again, perhaps that's fitting. King fought for all women to be treated equally, and later for LGBTIQ rights. Riggs, on the other hand, just wanted to get back to the spotlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwiDnmJC7w
Omega Ensemble is widely recognised as one of Australia's most dynamic and forward-thinking classical music groups. Their next tour, Distant World, brings together a lineup of four emotionally charged works that explore humanity's relationship with nature, and what happens when that relationship breaks down. The program opens with Arvo Pärt's cult-favourite Spiegel im Spiegel – a deceptively simple duet written for piano and cello that you may have heard in shows like 'Ted Lasso' and Guy Ritchie's 'Swept Away'. "It doesn't tell you how to feel," says Omega's Artistic Director David Rowden of the piece. "But it somehow allows you to feel more deeply." From there, the mood shifts. Jabra Latham's Fire Music, composed after the Tasmanian bushfires, captures both devastation and renewal. "You can hear the full range of the fire's impact," says Rowden. "From brutal ferocity to gentle smouldering and the quiet resilience of a landscape beginning to heal." [caption id="attachment_1002879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura Manariti[/caption] There's also the world premiere of DuskLit by Melbourne composer Miriama Young, which is a new work built from voice memos and soundscapes submitted by young people across regional Victoria. Haunting, hopeful, and rooted in real stories of place and change, "It's like being transported to a private, sacred memory," says Rowden. "Audiences will be taken on a journey of reflection, from the stillness of Arvo Pärt to the profound resonance of local voices like Jabra Latham and Miriama Young. It's music that invites you to pause, feel and consider our world as well as our place within it." Distant World is far from background music. It's a live experience that invites you to feel, and be completely present in a room full of people, for 90 unforgettable minutes. Sydney: 'Distant World' is playing at ACO On The Pier in Sydney on Saturday, May 17 at 2pm and 7pm. Secure your tickets now at Omega Ensemble.
Years of labour are plastered across the face of Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan). She hasn't just toiled away in a sweatshop-like laundry since she was a child — she was born there, and had no choice but to follow her mother into the gruelling line of work. At the age of 24, and as a wife to Sonny (Ben Whishaw) and mother to George (Adam Michael Dodd), she thinks she knows what her future holds. Her story isn't unique. That's why it's important. That's why Suffragette is important too. There's no mistaking the spirit that seethes through both the character and the feature. Both endeavour to subvert the status quo, give a voice to the masses and plead for gender equality. It’s a vital cause, embodied in an everywoman-type protagonist and an impassioned — albeit blunt and traditional — period drama. Accordingly, Suffragette charts the horrors of Maud's reality while agitating for an alternative. And it does so via a simple but effective story. After seeing a brick thrown through a shop window as part of the crusading campaign, Maud is convinced by a colleague (Anne-Marie Duff) to find out more. She soon realises that she has to fight not only for the right to vote, but for a world in which she doesn't receive less pay for more work, watch her lecherous boss take advantage of the ladies under his supervision, or be expected to do what her husband tells her without question. The members of her group, the Women's Social and Political Union, are ignored, attacked, arrested and treated like criminals, forcing them to increasingly adopt more drastic measures. Helena Bonham-Carter appears in a supporting role as an ailing chemist and activist, while Meryl Streep pops up in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance, giving a speech as real-life movement leader Emmeline Pankhurst. Providing an example of the male power refusing to concede ground, Brendan Gleeson plays a police inspector determined to put the feisty femmes in their place. More than anything, however, Suffragette belongs to the woman behind its heroine. Once again, Mulligan is subtle but stirring, expressing more in her face and physicality than the dialogue can say, while also offering a convincing transformation from onlooker to instigator. Plus, she adds a second powerful feminist role to her 2015 resume after a similarly outstanding turn in literary adaptation Far From the Madding Crowd. Mulligan is the standout player, but she's not the only highlight. Though the script by writer Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady) is earnest, obvious and rather conventional, director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane) doesn't waste a frame — or a handsomely lensed image — in conveying its point. And while the end result may be heavy-handed, that doesn't lessen the film's message or its impact. Tellingly, its strongest statement remains long after the credits roll. Suffragette may take viewers back more than a century, and much may have changed since then. But the battle for parity among the sexes is far from over.
It would be pretty excellent if there was some kind of magical way to view the entirety of Vivid Sydney over the city from one vantage point. It'd be even better if there was some way you could do it with a group of friends, while busting out slick dance moves on an illuminated dance floor suspended from the lofty heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. BridgeClimb has created exactly the circumstances described above. During the annual festival of lights in Sydney, you can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and proceed to a dance floor, which will be welcoming groups of up to 14. Spend three and a half hours climbing one of our most recognisable symbols, only to throw a wicked, incandescent dance party at the summit. This rave that's literally on another level is happening exclusively during Vivid Sydney — from Friday, May 26 to Saturday, June 17. Head here to grab a ticket and get your glow sticks ready, because all of these climbs are happening at night.
One of Sydney's best fresh food markets, Paddy's Markets in Flemington, is taking its show into the night, bringing together some of the city's best food trucks for a new weekly night food market. Starting July 1, the massive car park venue will be transformed into a bustling eatery for street food lovers every Saturday night from 6.30–10.30pm. Over 25 of Sydney's veteran and up-and-comers in the food truck scene will converge on the car park, including Chur Burger, Kayter Co., Maverick Wings and Dirty Bird. Sit at one of the converted crate tables and tuck into delights such as gelato brioche, chocolate gözleme and soda served out of lightbulbs. Menus will change regularly to match a monthly theme, so you can constantly change it up — even if you visit the same food vendor. Entry is free — as are the retro arcade games, including Daytona and Pac-Man — and there will be regular live music by resident DJ Mike Hyper and special guests. Free parking is also available on-site.
Since first unleashing its festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become an end-of-year staple. But, just two weeks out from its 2019 event, the Glenworth Valley festival has had to cancel because of NSW's catastrophic bushfires. So far this fire season, bushfires have destroyed 724 homes and burnt 2.7 million hectares across the state. One of the most destructive blazes is the "mega-fire" in the Wollemi National Park — currently more than 344,000 hectares in size, but being controlled — which is right next to Lost Paradise's home. With hot and dry conditions predicted for the rest of summer, and some saying the worst is yet to come, the festival has made the decision to cancel the festival. A Lost Paradise spokesperson said the decision had been made after "extensive consultation with the Rural Fire Service, emergency personnel and other key stakeholders". "Our beautiful home in Sydney's Central Coast is facing intense and unpredictable fire conditions that are sadly expected to deteriorate," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We simply cannot put anyone's life at risk." While the festival considered possible options to relocate the festival, none of them had been possible within the short timeframe. https://www.facebook.com/LostParadiseAU/posts/2894075944005965?__xts__[0]=68.ARDWIgXxyu_kO0u_3EPyZmOec25Z9zu-r4p0qY89Ey2UdSMK5CcAsK2hWr91fGeoaxhRNYCHzrZ6tJ0kXk1CLIGCg9PdcPGoHlAFzMwsMPADX_1mVDn9WQure7jlgKxJcH65_XRotMUw3NaNg7wkclTDYbBNHt8QA7BWDCS6gw3M9-QBfuZNnfT0Fhzt4zB-lL2NYpzgCMhNyIr4DnzSULYDnvLP1CL6USP7aycyibx3_LvBTzfJm2j53mtMQ5kVGf37hgbajjOLWo4y86YShm3hM6EWFTzkIJthe3uZviBBQPSixeKzk8WFwX_ydy-kyZ9JhbGqKED4yrp4e4CYEA&__tn__=-R Lost Paradise was set to run from December 28–January 1, with Rüfüs Du Sol, Hilltop Hoods, Honey Dijon, The Jungle Giants and The Veronicas some of the artists scheduled to perform across the four stages. Talks, workshops and multiple types of yoga had all been locked in as part of the fest's Shambhala Fields program, too. Everyone with a ticket will be eligible for a refund, with individual ticketing providers set to provide details surrounding the refund process in the coming details. Top image: Boaz Nothham
