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
Better known as the organisation behind uni-student guzzling grounds Manning Bar and Hermann's Bar, the University of Sydney Union has been quietly adding to their art collection over the years. In Reticulation, the official 2014 Annual USU Art Collection exhibition, the art normally kept behind closed doors comes out to play. The two USU Art Collection officers Esther Rolfe and Julian Woods have curated this year's exhibition and have asked 12 other art-minded USU folk to select some of their favourite works. Celebrating the progress of the art collection and the dedication of the wider USU community, Reticulation will boast works from famed photographers like Bill Henson and Trent Parker, artist and filmmaker George Gittoes and renowned artists such as Vergil Lo Schiavo, Euan Macleod, Terry Ngamandarra, Arthur Streeton, Imants Tillers and Tjapaltjarri Warlimpirrnga. Image: Trent Parke, Untitled (from Dream life Series), 2000.
Perched along the New South Wales coast and boasting 20 kilometres of shoreline, Jervis Bay is known for its spectacular beaches. Because it's around a three-hour drive from Sydney, it's also a popular holiday spot for anyone keen to get out of the city, get splashing and soak in some stunning sights. But, in news that might come as a surprise to Sydneysiders, the area known as Jervis Bay Territory isn't actually part of NSW — which means that, under current COVID-19 restrictions, folks from some parts of the state aren't presently permitted to visit. Jervis Bay Territory, a small peninsula section of Jervis Bay encompassing Booderee National Park, is actually a Commonwealth-administered territory, and has been since 1915. It also falls under the laws of the Australian Capital Territory as a result — and the ACT has restrictions in place people who've been in the Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas. Those border rules apply to Jervis Bay Territory, too, so if you're thinking about heading south for a beach trip, you may need to adjust your plans. For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jervis Bay Territory has had Public Health Emergency Directions in effect, which are designed to "protect residents and minimise risks to visitors". The latest, from December 21, 2020, makes it clear that anyone from a place deemed a hotspot by the ACT is not allowed to enter Jervis Bay Territory. While that list is updated frequently, with the last change coming into effect yesterday, Monday, January 11, the Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas are still considered 'COVID-19 affected areas'. [caption id="attachment_796806" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A map of Jervis Bay Territory[/caption] As detailed in a government update to start the new year, if you try to enter Jervis Bay Territory without an exemption, you'll be turned away. If you're a resident of the area and you're returning home from a hotspot, you'll be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. And, if you're wondering how checking these details works, when you're entering the region, you're required to provide information — including photo ID — if asked by an emergency services officer. The penalty for failing to comply with the border restrictions is hefty, with fines up to $8000. Exemptions to enter the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory "will only be granted in highly exceptional circumstances" according to the ACT's Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Emergency Direction 2021 — and you're considered an 'affected person', and therefore unable to access the region, if you've been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the past 14 days. For more information about Jervis Bay Territory border restrictions, head to the Commonwealth Government website. Top image: Kristina Kl. via Flickr.
Until mid-December, truth, beauty, freedom and love are all shining in Sydney, with Moulin Rouge! The Musical treading the boards at the Capitol Theatre. That's not your only way to feel like you've sashayed into Baz Luhrmann's beloved movie, however — especially if you head harbourside across Saturday, October 15–Sunday, October 16. For two days, and for free, a Moulin Rouge! The Musical pop-up is taking over Circular Quay and turning it into a Paris-style artisan precinct from 11am–5pm daily. Expect splendour and romance aplenty — including a a four-metre-high heart-shaped swing set for you and your special someone to sit on (and take snaps on; that's why you'll have the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop). Also on offer: free (and unlimited) made-to-order barista coffees, as well as raspberry and chocolate croissants, all thanks to the pop-up Cafe L'amour (with Brudos Coffee Bike and Creperie Suzette doing the honours). Or, you can get a ten-minute mini makeover from MAC Cosmetics, complete with mini lipstick giveaways. And, there'll be free one-hour Pinot and Picasso sessions so you can channel your inner bohemian artist. Yes, you'll be painting a Moulin Rouge! The Musical- and Sydney-inspired artwork — although at the time of writing, that part is all sold out. Top image: Michelle Grace Hunder.
The clip for Matt and Kim's single 'It's Alright' begins with some half-naked horizontal dancing and ends with a pillow fight. What happens in the interim might teach you "a few things", according to the New York-based dance punk duo. Quite a few people must've been gaining an education, given that the single's LP, Lightning, debuted at No.1 on the iTunes Alternative Chart. What's more, Matt and Kim's Twitter account has been receiving an abundance of responses to their #itsalrightxxx campaign. According to lead singer/keyboardist Matt, who chatted to Channel V, it's all about "trying to spread the word (of how to spice things up)". Fortunately for Antipodeans looking for some tips, distance won't be a barrier for too much longer, with Matt and Kim coming out to play Groovin' the Moo as well as headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The scary thing is that their live performances are reputed to be even more explosive than their recordings. Look out.
It's never been a better time to go no-alc than right now. Today, it's not odd to be going dry, it's accepted, celebrated and understood. Alcohol isn't for everyone or every occasion, but no one really wants to be excluded from the fun. The underwhelming or straight-up bland alcohol-free options of the past have evolved. Bartenders are getting creative with mocktails, there are numerous no- and low-alcohol brands now on offer, and even traditional alcohol brands are getting involved with alc-free versions to shift with the changing times. If you're booze-free, reducing your boozing or just curious about what's available out there, we've teamed up with Edenvale Wines — a premium alcohol-removed wine range — to create this list of our best takes on the top alternative alcohol-free beverages in the market today. WINE — EDENVALE WINES It's tricky to make non-alcoholic wine that doesn't taste just like grape juice. With lots of research — and some tinkering to the custom spinning cone column technology which removes the alcohol — Edenvale is constantly perfecting its range. The beauty of Edenvale Wines is that the alcohol is removed after the wine is made, meaning it retains all the flavours, tannins, complexity and aromas of traditional wines. The winemakers are slinging both Aussie and international wines to offer a range that is true-to-varietal and expressions of the regions they are grown in. So whether you want a semillon sauv blanc from Frankland River, WA, a GSM from Barossa or even a verdejo from Spain, Edenvale Wines have options for you. If you are a wine drinker looking to make a change or sober curious and wondering if you could dupe your mates with a non-alc version of their favourite varietals, Edenvale is recognised as being one of the best non-alc versions out there. The sparkling shiraz was just awarded a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), London 2023 and is an excellent match for red meats like a juicy steak. BEER — HEAPS NORMAL Many of our favourite beer brands are putting out their own non-alcoholic ranges of beers, but few are primarily dedicated to creating a quality booze-free beer option. Enter Heaps Normal, which has solidified itself as a top beer choice with its considered range that includes an XPA, hazy pale ale, lager and — most recently — a stout. The team behind Heaps Normal are champions of the no-alcohol and low-alc movement and mindful drinking and aim to serve great-tasting beer without the potential downsides. WHISKEY — THE GOSPEL Whisk(e)y is a tricky spirit to create a satisfying non-alc version of, as most bonafide whiskey fiends love to drink it straight. The trademark burn at the back of your throat satisfies those who love a dram. And that burn is alcohol. Australia's first-ever dedicated all-rye distillery, The Gospel, (recently named the maker of Australia's Best Whiskey) is now one of the first to produce non-alcoholic rye whiskey: Responsible Rye. Under the guidance of its Sommelier and R&D distiller Ellie Ash and over a year in development, the rye-lovers at The Gospel have perfected the non-alc alternative to a dram. It is made using de-alcoholised rye whiskey — a similar process to alcohol removal used by Edenvale Wines — to ensure the liquid is full of the classic rye whiskey flavours: underlying smokiness, candied nuts, cardamom and cola. GIN — LYRE'S SPIRIT One of the first non-alc offerings on the market was non-alcoholic gin. Numerous brands duped G&T lovers with bottled non-alc spirits that emulated the alcoholic brethren on the shelves. Craft spirits lovers assumed they were the latest craft gin on the market, only to discover that they were all flavour and no hangover. One such brand is Lyre's Spirit. An innovative brand pumping out non-alc spirits — they even have a bitter orange liqueur so you can enjoy a summer spritz free from booze. The Lyre's London Dry is a take on the traditional gin style. Expect juniper flavours, peppercorn and citrus. Ideal for a dry G&T or not-so-classic classic Tom Collins. And those that like a bitter orange spritz can opt for the Italian Orange and Aperifit Rosso for their day-time summer sipping. TEQUILA — DRUMMERBOY MEXICAN AGAVE SPIRIT Another dedicated spirits brand pushing out award-winning versions of our favourite sips is Drummerboy and its Mexican Agave Spirit, ideal for those that love a margarita but not the alcohol. Like Edenvale Wines, it has also been recognised by the International Wine and Spirits Competition. A bright and zesty alternative to your traditional tequila that is perfect in cocktails or by itself. Edenvale Wines is a premium range of alcohol-removed wines that are available to purchase directly from the website or at most major supermarket retailers. Top image: Moira Vella Photography
Sydney electronic outfit Carmada — one part wave-making Yahtzel, one part ‘trapical’ artist L D R U – have had a good twelve months. The double act of harbour city producers got major triple j airplay last year with their hit 'Maybe' making it to #41 on the Hottest 100, not to mention that whole being signed to Skrillex’s label OWSLA thing (after the man himself called them his favourite sound of summer '14) and following that up with the December release of their debut EP Realise. The two have played together as Carmada for the past couple of years, doing the solid festival circuit of Splendour in the Grass, Stereosonic and Groovin' the Moo. Now, they're hitting up Oxford Art Factory with fellow Sydneysider Kilter, bound to pulse with bass so dirty it'll have even the most knock-kneed, reluctant dancer hitting the d-floor. You’ve been warned.
It started life as a succulent delivery service and online store, offering same-day delivery of its hard-to-kill gifts to suburbs across Sydney. Now, off the back of a two-year Surry Hills pop-up, the folks behind Little Succers have found themselves a new permanent home, opening the doors to a greenery-focused studio in Neutral Bay. And, as well as being the brand's new HQ, the site will play host to a regular series of Little Succers' much-loved build-your-own terrarium workshops. Cheery and colourful, the new digs feature pops of apricot and green, with a hand-painted succulent mural splashed across one wall. Also catching the eye is the front window, thanks to a big neon sign spelling out the Little Succers motto: 'because flowers die'. In line with the newly expanded offering of workshops — which will now be held every two weeks, as well as for privately booked events — the light-filled space boasts a roomy central work table, as well as a fun self-serve station housing all the pebbles, soil, sand and other bits that go into making the DIY terrariums. Another set of shelves is stocked with an array of succulents that you might want to feature as part of your creation. You'll get to choose from a variety of different vases, too. The next run of terrarium workshops are happening daily from Saturday, April 17–Saturday, April 24, with spots now available to book via the Little Succers website. More dates are also open during May and June. A 90-minute session will cost you $20, which is then redeemable on your terrarium creation on the day. Terrarium prices range from $65–150, depending on how OTT you go with your inclusions. Find Little Succers' new Build-Your-Own Terrarium Bar at Shop 5 and 6, 81-91 Military Road, Neutral Bay. Jump over to the website for more info and to book in for a workshop.
Cooking is an act of precision. It's also one of feeling. On the movie that nabbed him the Best Director award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Trần Anh Hùng (Éternité, Norwegian Wood) helms with the same care, spirit and emotion that his characters display in the kitchen. The Taste of Things' audience has a front-row seat to both, as this 1885-set French picture begins with dishes upon dishes being whipped up and the feature's gaze, via cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg (Final Cut), lenses their creation intimately and sumptuously. The film's extraordinary opening 30 minutes-plus, as the camera is trained on the stove and counter with slight detours around the room to collect or wash ingredients, is meticulously crafted and at the same time instinctual. Think: the sensations of observing the finest of fine-dining chefs and being a child watching your grandmother make culinary magic, as nearly every kid has, all rolled into one appetising introductory sequence. In the home of gourmand Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel, The King of Algiers), and in its heart, his personal chef Eugénie (Juliette Binoche, The New Look) is so skilled and fastidious that she'd do small-screen hit The Bear proud; she's clearly a conjurer of the culinary arts, too. Hùng and Ricquebourg — the latter a well-deserving Lumiere Award-winner for his efforts here — are methodical with the choreography of setting the scene, while equally deeply immersed in the flow of the kitchen's tasks. As soundtracked by chirping birds, if this was The Taste of Things for 135 minutes and not just half an hour-ish, it'd remain a mesmerising movie. (A word of warning: eat before viewing, lest hunger pangs not just simmer but boil over.) Adapting 1924 novel The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by epicure Marcel Rouff as he scripts and directs, Hùng does more than fashion among the most-handsomely staged and shot imagery of a meal coming to life, but his approach to this entrée establishes the flavour. For its main course, still never roaming far from the most-important room in the house, The Taste of Things sinks its teeth into a relationship that is first laid bare as the film warms up. Anyone who has ever been employed in a kitchen, or caught a movie or series — fiction and documentary alike — set within one, knows that there's no hiding anything in this always-on-the-go space. How people interact and react can't be seasoned over, either, amid the pots, pans, trays, whisks and spatulas. Accordingly, it's plain to see from the get-go that Dodin and Eugénie are as connected to each other as they are to food, even if Hùng doesn't layer in much in the way of backstory. As well as working together for 20 years, they're occasional lovers, and they'd be married if Dodin had his wish; that they're not isn't due to his lack of asking. Featuring a seafood vol-au-vent, poached chicken, crayfish, a rack of veal, braised lettuce and more — and also a baked alaska that looks as divine as desserts get — that initial meal is a feast for Dodin and his friends at his rural estate. As it is served course by course, praise is showered Eugénie's way, as are pleas for her to join them at the table. She'd rather be behind the scenes; for her, the glory of creation, toiling at something that you're passionate about and dedicating your time to the only work you've ever wanted to do trumps everything. As Eugénie does, much of The Taste of Things shows rather than utters, commencing with the scant amount of dialogue said as lunch is being prepared with assistance from kitchenhand Violette (Galatéa Bellugi, Junkyard Dog), plus Violette's visiting niece Pauline (debutant Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire), who shows a flair for cooking beyond her years. That The Taste of Things is a sensual picture is evident from its debut bite. That it is patient — slow-burning in fact — is just as apparent. Its guiding force has form in 1993's The Scent of Green Papaya, the Vietnamese French director's Oscar-nominated debut; however, when you're making a movie about savouring what's truly valuable in life, from food and fervour to the pleasure of the person that you love's company, matching that notion is essential. Nothing about The Taste of Things is in a rush, or afraid to revel and linger. Drama is sprinkled through the storyline, as is grief, but the pacing and mood is contemplative to the point of being almost meditative. And that air of appreciation, of luxuriating, of enjoying exactly what's in the title when you can, is the vibe and ethos of its central couple. Irrespective of the turned-down proposals, Dodin and Eugénie have made relishing their shared affair with cuisine and their years side by side the core of their romance. Binoche and Magimel, both luminous beneath painterly lighting whether they're standing over a chopping board, in the bedroom —including after an attention-grabbing cut from a pear to the naked form — or strolling through the sunny garden, aren't strangers in either a professional or personal capacity. In 1999, they co-starred as lovers in The Children of the Century. That same year, their daughter was born. Their off-screen relationship ended in 2003, but there's a comfort in their parts as Dodin and Eugénie that feels both raw and rich, not to mention rare. Watching characters who are allowed to delight in each other with decades of respect and affection behind them is indeed infrequent on-screen, and helps make The Taste of Things play like a delicacy. This gorgeously filmed, performed and penned picture has become famous for something other than its contents, though: it's one of the reasons that Anatomy of a Fall doesn't have 2024's Best International Feature Oscar to its name. Each nation can only put one title forward each year, with France's submission committee opting for Hùng's film over Justine Triet's Palme d'Or-winner (at the same Cannes where Hùng took home the Best Director accolade). The choice didn't escape notice, even if it'll never now be known if Anatomy of a Fall would've pipped The Zone of Interest for the Academy's global cinema prize to add to its win for Best Original Screenplay, and also scoring four other nominations. The scrutiny over the pick, especially after The Taste of Things was shortlisted but not nominated — for anything — does this nourishing treat an injustice. As remains true in the culinary and cinematic spheres alike, a sublime meal is a sublime meal regardless of other exquisite dishes existing.
Friendships are complicated, but they're part of what it means to be human. Any young person, but especially someone who knows what it means to have a complicated friendship, should consider getting tickets to Girls in Boys' Cars, the latest production of National Theatre of Parramatta. Opening on Thursday, October 19, Girls in Boys' Cars is an adaptation of the page-turning novel from Australian author Felicity Castagna — which won multiple Australian literary awards in 2022. This theatrical adaptation by Priscilla Jackman centres around two young women, whose suburban lives (and friendship) get much more complicated when a series of events sees them driving across NSW in a stolen car. One ends up in juvenile detention, wondering why her best friend disappeared and where she went. Directed and adapted by award-winning theatre-maker Priscilla Jackman (National Theatre of Parramatta and Sydney Theatre Company's White Pearl), the production also stars Ziggy Resnick (Griffin Theatre Company's A is for Apple), Nikita Waldron (Winner of the Australian Theatre for Young People 2021 Rebel Wilson Comedy Commission), Suz Mawer (bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company's The Laden Table), Ella Prince (Bell Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors) and Alex Stamell (Nine Perfect Strangers). It's a story about friends, mistakes and never holding back. The limited-run show is sure to spark some feelings, maybe even a few tears. Book your tickets quickly, because the short run will be over by Friday, November 3. Girls in Boys' Cars will run at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, with select shows from Thursday, October 19 to Friday, November 3. For more information or to get tickets, visit the website.
When Daimon met Chuck: Charles owns a furniture store. Daimon, a musician-cum-artist, wants to stage an art show. Chuck and Daimon get to talking. The 1500 square metres is calling out for some artistic attention, and when better to do it than when the fashionistas come out to play? Et voila! We have a fashion week art activation (with food by bills) called the MCM House Art Show. The abundant space in Waterloo will be home to 70 of Sydney’s well-known and emerging artists for four full days, running May 6 to 9. See hybrids and monsters run riot in Claude Jones’s delicate prints and works on paper and Fiona White pack a punch with her narrative-rich portraits and scenes. Paul White, known for his delectable delineations that prioritise the subject over the setting, will present highly anticipated new work, and Daimon Downey, one of the brains behind this operation, will also feature, with some sweetly mad acrylic paintings. Photographers Nick Leary and Tom Ramsay show wildly different suites of works: Leary takes us to a capitalist graveyard in Neon Gravesite, documenting where billboard signs go to die in Las Vegas, while Ramsay transports us from rural Victoria and parts of Arnhem Land to his imaginary Shanedale — “a world full of hunters, strippers and fishermen”. It doesn’t stop there; MCM House Art Show will also feature sculptures and installations and promises to break down the art world’s pretence, making art accessible and celebratory. Image: Charles Hinckfuss and Daimon Downey.
Despite three years ago announcing his retirement from making feature films, it seems 75-year-old Hayao Miyazaki still has plenty more artistic fuel left in the tank. Known for his work on iconic films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo, the legendary anime director revealed on last week's TV special, Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao (The Man Who Is Not Done: Hayao Miyazaki), that he'll be having another crack at the medium. If all goes to plan, he hopes to release his next full-length feature within five years. Miyazaki's retirement has seen him swap feature films for CG shorts, and the past few years have kept him busy animating for the Studio Ghibli Museum. But it was dissatisfaction with his current project, Kemushi no Boro (Boro the Caterpillar), as a short that prompted him to propose turning the story into a feature. While this latest passion project hasn't yet been given the official go-ahead, Miyazaki says he's already made a start on the storyboards, suggesting the film would be finished in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Via Anime News Network.
