Fans of juicy burgers (i.e. everyone with functioning tastebuds), listen up! The team behind those tasty $10 creations at Chur Burger in Surry Hills are opening a brand spanking new pop-up at The London in Paddington. From the eatery's opening on November 8, any Paddo dwellers who can’t be bothered travelling to the Albion Street location will be able to throw a stone and find themselves elbow-deep in sweet potato fries, salted caramel milkshakes and a perfectly constructed pulled pork burger. Since the Albion Street Kitchen reopened its doors as Chur Burger earlier this year, Warren Turnbull and his crew have been smashing out the burgers to seemingly insatiable palates in Surry Hills. We can say from experience that the shakes are sweet, the fries are crispy and the burgers are totally delicious (and at a pretty damn good price). We just hope that those crispy quail eggs are on the pop-up menu.
The year is 2028, and Detroit crime is out of control. At least, that's what we're told. The city, frankly, has never looked better. But trust us: lots of crime. Omnipresent corporation OmniCorp is trying to get its new robot cops approved for use in the US, but Washington won't allow machines to have control over life and death. Enter noted human Alex Murphy, An Honest Detroit Cop who, thanks to a pesky explosion, is now in desperate need of a robotic suit that will keep him alive and also help fight crime. The two were meant to be together! If you haven't seen the original 1987 RoboCop, then fix that right now. It combines the two best things about 1980s cinema: a dystopian science fiction setting and a cop taking out drug dealers and other corrupt cops. But it's remembered as a classic, however, because of how sharply it satirises American culture. It may look like a dumb action film, but it's clever as hell. This 2014 remake is, at least, clever enough to aim for the same target. It opens with a right-wing talk show pundit and a futuristic — but all too familiar — Middle East war on terror. Rather than simply imitating classic scenes from the original, this new film sets out to do its own thing, to update the references, and that attempt is admirable. The problem is that this satire — which we'll come back to — is hung upon a fairly piecemeal story. There's little that propels it forward, and we're never left wondering how things could possibly turn out for our heroes. The mysteries are barely concealed; the nefarious plots, basic; the villains, flagged in the opening scenes. Minutes after the film is over, you'll be left with a few key images, but no idea what actually happened. Joel Kinnaman plays Murphy/RoboCop, and does a decent job with it. Murphy's hardly the most compelling character, but the struggle to maintain his humanity is handled with more care than most films of this ilk would bother with. The rest of the cast is more recognisable, filling out supporting roles with the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K Williams, Jennifer Ehle and Jay Baruchel. The satire, though welcome, ultimately fails. Samuel L Jackson's talk show host gives the feeling that they reverse-engineered a conservative pundit based on Stephen Colbert's famous parody, and his appearances consistently bring the film to a screeching halt. Not only could these scenes be lifted out without any noticeable change to the story, but the film would actually flow better without this particular social commentary. And maybe that's the most trenchant point of all. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xPLSpmAtc1Q
Two decades after Hae Min Lee's murder, the Baltimore high school student's horrific plight continues to dominate the true crime landscape. After featuring on the first season of Sarah Koenig's grimly addictive podcast Serial, it's now the basis for a new documentary series, The Case Against Adnan Syed. The four-part HBO series picks up where everyone's 2014 obsession left off — the trailers below promise to reveal 'a new chapter' — not only exploring 18-year-old Lee's death in 1999 and her ex-boyfriend Syed's conviction in 2000, but the latter's ongoing quest to have the extremely complex legal matter reassessed in the years since he was found guilty. Everything from Lee and Syed's relationship, to the original police investigation and trial, to the developments up until now will feature, with the film gaining exclusive access to Syed, his family and his lawyers. The series couldn't come at a more crucial time for Syed, who was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison, and continues to fight his case through the courts. While he was granted a new trial in 2016, that ruling was subsequently appealed by the State of Maryland — only for the Court of Special Appeals to agree to vacate Syed's conviction and finally give him that retrial last March. A date for the actual retrial hasn't yet been set, however. Splashed across the small screen, it's certain to make for compelling viewing — but if you think you've spent too much time mulling it all over across the past five years, filmmaker Amy Berg has you beat. Unsurprisingly given how complicated the matter is, the director has been working on the project since 2015. And, with her excellent doco background — with Berg helming 2006's Oscar-nominated 2006 Deliver Us from Evil, about molestation in the Catholic Church; examining the West Memphis Three's quest for freedom in 2012's West of Memphis; and tackling the sexual abuse of teenagers in the film industry in 2014's An Open Secret — her new venture is certain to be thorough. Mere weeks out from launching the series, which airs weekly on HBO from Sunday, March 10, US time, the network has dropped a full trailer. It comes hot on the heels on the first sneak peek earlier this month, which mentioned the investigation of other suspects and new evidence — saying, "the closer you look the more you see". Watch them both here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQaTa5eTxnk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1qzo2WEew As they did for West of Memphis, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will provide the score. 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' will air on HBO from Sunday, March 10, US time — and then hit Foxtel for Australian viewers later this year. It's not clear yet if the show will air or stream in New Zealand. We'll update you as soon as further release dates have been announced. Image: Adnan Syed via Syed Family / Courtesy of HBO.
A trip to Canberra — to visit the Heath Ledger exhibition, perhaps — isn't something you'd usually consider doing in a day, but it could be if the NSW Government's proposed Fast Rail Network Strategy goes ahead. Announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the rail network would see a typical four-hour train trip — or three-hour drive — to Canberra cut down to just one hour. The speedy Canberra trip, called the Southern Inland Route, would only be one arm of the network, too, with plans for a total of four potential routes travelling to popular cities within 300 kilometres of Sydney. The Northern Route would travel through the Central Coast to Newcastle (in 45 minutes) and Port Macquarie; the Western Route would take a quick trip out to Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange; and the Southern Coast Route would bolt down to Wollongong (in 30 minutes) and Nowra (in 45 minutes). To reach these destinations at such speed — an estimated 75 percent faster than current NSW trains — new rail networks would allow for speeds of over 250 kilometres per hour. For comparison, Japan's Shinkansen (bullet train) reaches speeds of around 320 kilometres per hour. [caption id="attachment_700519" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The proposed fast rail network.[/caption] While this all sounds great, for the next stage of planning to go ahead Ms Berejiklian needs to be re-elected at the polls on March 23, 2019. If Ms Berejiklian is re-elected, the next stage of the fast rail network would be confirmation of the best routes, train speeds, station locations, cost and timing by a panel of infrastructure experts. After that, the project would kick off with the upgrade of existing rail routes and new trains, before dedicated high-speed lines were erected. Ms Berejiklian has denied that the high-speed rail is an 'election stunt', but it's possible she is looking to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for inspiration. Mr Andrews was re-elected just last month, after promising high-speed trains and a $50 billion underground railway network, amongst many other high-stakes projects. At this stage, it's also possible that the Liberal party — and the newly appointed Opposition Leader Michael Daley — could put forward its own high-speed rail network plan, too. We'll be sure to update you if that ends up being the case. We're hoping, if it does go ahead, that the rail network's build is as speedy as its name suggests — and it's not quite as delayed (and over budget) as the NSW Government's embattled light rail project.
Do you like scary movies? If your answer is yes — and that question has you itching to revisit Scream — then Jakop Ahlbom's Horror is for you. The acclaimed Swedish director and film aficionado has turned his love of all things frightening into an internationally acclaimed physical theatre production, and it's making its first trip to Australia Serving up spine-tingling thrills while nodding to everything from The Shining to Rosemary's Baby to The Exorcist, Horror blends black humour with the genre that gives the show its name, complete with a host of cinematic special effects that aren't usually used in live theatre. That means not just blood-splatter aplenty and slasher flick-style orchestral screeching, but swinging an axe through a wealth of classic movies and tropes in a head-spinning fashion. Expect more than a few chills when it heads to the Sydney Opera House from August 29 to September 2. Still game? The smart, sinister homage sets its creepy fun in a haunted house — where else? — where a young woman and her friends are forced to confront vengeful spirits still smarting from a traumatic family event. Trading dialogue for illusion, mime, movement and music, it'll make you feel like you're a mere few steps away from a real-life horror flick. And, thanks to Ahlbom's stage magic, you will be. Images: Sanne Peper.
Choosing to forge a career as an absurdist comedian isn't the easiest decision to make. It's arguably the toughest type of comedy as you never quite know what to expect from yourself or the audience, and so it requires a big case of cahones. When it does come together though, it's majestic to behold and that is just what happens when Aunty Donna take the stage. You've likely already caught this Aussie trio on your screens without even realising it — they've been all over ABC's iView and their YouTube channel has had a casual 5.5 million views to date. If you've somehow missed them then go ahead and check out a couple of sketches quickly before coming back and reading the rest of this preview. We recommend starting with 'Trendy Cafe' and 'The Man Who Can't Roll Up His Sleeves' for a few giggles. Now that you've got a taste of these self-described "bunch of fucc bois who like to party", you can see why heading down to Giant Dwarf for an hour of their award-winning show is a no brainer. They've previously sold out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival so grab your tickets now.
There's a line of dialogue, right towards the end of Obvious Child, when Donna (Jenny Slate) bemoans the overabundance of romantic comedies on TV. "I just hate that kind of film," she quips. "I just don't connect." In that moment, it's as if writer-director Gillian Robespierre is talking to the camera herself. A smart, candid, foul-mouthed and thoroughly charming subversion of sugary romantic fantasies and stereotypical representations of women on screen, Obvious Child ranks among the very best in the much maligned rom-com genre. It's also the funniest movie about abortion you're ever likely to see. Indeed, Robespierre's script feels largely like a response to the weirdly conservative position espoused — intentionally or not — in pregnancy comedies like Juno and Knocked Up, in which abortion is quickly brushed over for a more conventionally heartwarming alternative. In stark contrast, when Donna finds out she's pregnant a few weeks after a drunken hook-up, the best course of action is clear. An aspiring stand-up comic in her late-twenties with no steady source of income and no real sense of direction, there's just no way on earth Donna's ready to have a child. What's refreshing about Obvious Child isn't just the path that our heroine takes, but how resolutely she sticks to it. There no handwringing or moralising about her decision, because it's obviously the most responsible thing to do. The frank, open-minded approach with which the film treats not just pregnancy, but sex and female sexuality in general, is the sort of thing that mainstream movies could use more of. Which isn't to say that the film is preachy. Save for a frustrated rant from Donna's roommate (Gaby Hoffmann) about the "weird old white men in robes [who] get to legislate our cunts," Obvious Chid avoids the prickly politics of abortion. This movie is primarily a comedy, and a pretty hilarious one at that. Best known for her recurring role on Parks and Recreation and a short-lived stint on SNL, Slate gives what is easily one of the breakout comic performances of the year. It's clear from Donna's stand-up that she's a person who says whatever's on her mind — which tends to mean a lot of talk about sex and bodily functions. And yet, somehow, the film also manages to be sweet. Even as Donna prepares to terminate the pregnancy, she finds herself growing closer to the baby's father, the endearingly white-bread Max (Jake Lacy). They don't make for the most conventional pairing, admittedly. But then again, not being conventional is what makes the movie so great in the first place. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r2GN3wdfqbA
Without props, costumes or inhibition, Charles Ross is returning to Australia to tell J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings like its never been told before. After the success of One Man Star Wars, Ross will now tackle the trilogy its entirety in his new riveting one-man show: One Man Lord of the Rings. Deemed a five-star performance by the British Theatre Guide and the Toronto Star, the show is pure entertainment. In just an hour, you will be taken from the green pastures of the shire to the fire of Mount Doom to experience the struggles of Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Gollum and the entire cast of characters. Ross' many personalities and sound effects will throw you for a loop as he performs the journeys, fights and rescues alone on stage. Hold on tight, because the adventure flashes by at lightening speed. https://youtube.com/watch?v=d98XXlvZalE
For years now, you've probably thought about The Dolphin in Surry Hills in the same way you think about your local Starbucks chain… has various amenities, there when you need an average bev, not explicitly offensive but is taking up some valuable real estate that could be used for something much more creative. Well, that something has officially arrived at The Dolphin thanks to restaurant mover-and-shaker, Icebergs' Maurice Terzini. One of Australia's influential foodie heavyweights, Terzini has reinvigorated the Surry Hills pub with a brand new cake icing look. The Dolphin Hotel now features three distinct spaces: the 'Dining Room', 'Wine Room' and a public bar with an open-air terrace. And while the public bar opened last week, we've been sitting on our hands waiting for the Dining Room to do the same. Today it was announced that the Dining Room will open for dinner for the first time tomorrow, Friday, 17 June. Executive chef Monty Koludrovic leads a team of more than 30 chefs, including Dan Medcalf (Icebergs) as head chef of the Dining Room. They've traded in the old pub staple menu for some modern Australian-Italo fare, including some famous dishes from Terzini's Caffe e Cucina. On the menu there's heaps of seafood, like mussels, grilled octopus and a dreamy-sounding spaghettini with blue swimmer crab. You can pair that with some lamb gnocchi, pappardelle Bolognese and a host of favourites like polenta chips, burrata and a selection of salumi. There's also a pizza list, which should be akin to Terzini's beloved Da Orazio pies. Still to open is the Wine Room, which will be led by chef Sam Cheetham (ex-Becasse and Victoria Room) and 2015 Sommelier of the Year, James Hird. Time to make a dinner date at The Dolphin. Words: Lauren Vadnjal and Imogen Baker.
Some subjects are just perfect for the medium of cinema. A world where dreams bleed into reality, where reality seems like a dream, where a window is cracked open to reveal an alternate existence pushing up against ours — the world of mental illness — is one of them. Jeff Nichols' Take Shelter is set in the American Midwest, in a small town where men sit in bars, women sit in sewing circles, pastures are mottled green and skies are threatening. Lowly sand miner Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon — you know, the awesome, faintly bug-eyed shapeshifter you loved in Boardwalk Empire and Runaway) dreams of a massive storm with motor-oil rain, and he wakes up shaken. As the nightmares return night after night, they get more vivid, more violent and more reluctant to release him from their grasp — they cause him real injury, and their motifs creep into reality as hallucinations. He is gripped by fear on two conflicting fronts: he fears the apocalyptic storm he believes to be coming, from which he begins building an elaborate tornado shelter; and he fears he is mirroring his mother's decent into paranoid schizophrenia, which began when she, too, was in her thirties. Meanwhile, his observant and strong-willed wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain), tries to keep him present in reality. If this sounds intense and slow burning, well, it is. It's also exquisitely, unostentatiously made, getting under your skin to make you feel jumpy, much like Curtis is. You're never really sure which eerie, pastoral scene is dream or reality until it's already gone way off-kilter. Take Shelter is out to make us rethink what we know about mental illness. It poses the question of whether Curtis is a patient or a prophet, and it opens the door to the latter prospect more than you might expect. It also builds to an unforgettable ending that may cause some controversy in the car on the way home. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1dzsmKv1GrA
In Cabinet, the lovely people from Underbelly Arts bring you things to treat your eyes, ears and dancing shoes. A night of music, art and performance from a collection of Sydney's emerging creative folk, Cabinet is incredible value for money at just $7 on the door. The first instalment on Cabinet for 2012, on Saturday, April 14, will be showcasing the band Bark Lanterns, led by Nick Cassey and Eden Ottignon, new on the Sydney music scene and fresh from recording their single 'The Box' in the luxurious surroundings of their lounge room. With catchy riffs and good old-fashioned pop music, their first-ever gig looks very promising indeed. This will be accompanied by an absurd new performance by Matt Prest and James Brown, which looks set to be a bit like the Mighty Boosh with glow sticks. The night will also feature interactive digital fun created by Dan MacKinlay. All of that, and there's a lantern-making workshop for single folk thrown in to boot, as well as a DJ playing tunes all night to get the Red Rattler dance floor shaking.
Sydney Festival Director Olivia Ansell knows what it takes to present a world-class program — even in less-than-ideal conditions. When it was announced in 2020 that she would be taking the reins of New South Wales' flagship arts event from her predecessor Wesley Enoch, the world was gripped by pandemic lockdowns. Unable to travel internationally in search of exciting new works for her debut program in 2022, Ansell did what many resourceful creatives did to meet this unprecedented moment: she pivoted. "That time, in 2020, was an uncertain time to come into any role," she reflects. "But without [international productions] the focus then became: how can we help the creative sector recover here in Australia? How can we work with the sector and restore livelihoods and make sure that artists are getting back to doing what they absolutely should be doing, which is writing new Australian stories, commissioning new work and seeing that work fly around the country. We worked really closely with our city and state stakeholders, our partners, and our supporters to make sure that artists could practise their art, could perform, could write these stories and dream." [caption id="attachment_979110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Olivia Ansell, Wenndle Theodoro[/caption] Even after the end of lockdowns and the eventual reopening of international borders, Ansell has had to contend with torrential drenchings from a persistent La Niña washing-out al fresco performances and, most recently, the economic headwinds of the cost-of-living crisis. But much as she did in 2020, innovating past these problems has helped her shape a festival that fits with the times. As such, affordability has been a chief concern in the development of 2025's program, which will be Ansell's final offering as Sydney Festival Director. To mark the fest's 49th year, some of the very best seats at headline productions are up for grabs for just $49, if purchased before December 2. Alongside these discounted early bird bargains, there are also plenty of free events, so Sydneysiders truly have no excuse to miss out on the creative bonanza that will sweep the city, January 4–26. For Ansell, making the festival financially accessible to all is the best way to celebrate its (almost) half-century milestone. "We've always been a festival deeply rooted in communities, that celebrates Sydney in summer and brings people together to experience compelling, groundbreaking new Australian stories, as well as international artists from all across the globe. It's our job to present work that challenges and inspires, and that invites people who have maybe never been to an arts event or a theatre production before. Making sure anyone who wants to can access a ticket or a free event is essential — whoever you are, wherever you're from, we can absolutely offer you a summer festival experience." Here are just a few of Sydney Festival 2025's best shows with early bird tickets for just $49, discounted until December 2.
Strange as it may seem, the difference between a good action movie and a great one isn't actually the action. It's the story. You can have the greatest action sequences of all time, but without a compelling story to back them up they'll end up falling flat, and viewers will struggle to care about why their hero is enduring it all. This characteristic was key to the success of the first Bourne trilogy, which chronicled the relentless attempts of Matt Damon's protagonist to pierce the veil of his amnesia and discover the truth about his past. Less so the follow up, The Bourne Legacy, which again contained outstanding action, but struggled in the later stages when the hero's sole motivation was tracking down medication to keep him functioning as a super soldier. The stakes were lessened, and – as a consequence – so too the audience's regard. As the name suggests, Jason Bourne returns the focus to the heart of this franchise, picking up the story with Matt Damon's character now limping through life in Athens as a bare-knuckle fighter in an illegal gambling ring. When an old face resurfaces and provides him with hacked CIA documents suggesting his past mightn't be as clear-cut as he previously thought, he's forced to resume a cat-and-mouse game with his former employers as they try to kill him, and he tries to find out what they did to him during his recruitment. In that sense, Jason Bourne is back on familiar ground. But with deception supplanting amnesia as the obstacle to his clarity, it's something of a Jason Bourne movie without quite the same level of Jason Bourne magic. As always, the villains – in the form of the CIA and their ominously named 'assets' – spend the bulk of their time in darkened surveillance rooms, delivering almost comically jargon-heavy dialogue with unblinking, stone-cold faces. This time round the team is led by Tommy Lee-Jones as CIA Director Robert Dewey, and Alicia Vikander as his ruthless senior analyst Heather Lee. If nothing else, Jason Bourne is a terrifying insight into the technological capabilities now available to the world's top spy agencies, able to surveil the faces of thousands of people instantly and simultaneously within a riot, remotely shut down the power of a building in Reykjavik, and delete the files off a computer via a mobile phone in the same apartment. The emphasis on technology, however, pulls focus away from the man at the heart of the story, and the movie feels slightly hollow because of it. Director Paul Greengrass's preference for minimal dialogue and frenetic, shaky cinematography is well known. In this film he constantly pushes the limits of continuity, resulting in the need for clumsily inserted markers just to keep the audience up to speed. Maps are helpfully labelled "SEWER SYSTEM" in giant letters, every text message is sent in all-caps, and when Bourne nabs several items from a tech convention, they're beneath signs saying "Remote Surveillance Camera" and "Wireless Tracking Device". It's an unfortunate dumbing down of a traditionally intelligent franchise, feeling almost as though the script notes for the props department somehow ended up on screen. Even the action, whilst constant and thrilling, lacks some of the Magyver-esque charm of the earlier films, in which Bourne improvised lethal weapons out of everyday items like biro pens and rolled up newspapers. In a word, it's all very conventional, taking the franchise out of its genre-defining position and dropping it squarely back into the middle of the pack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71ce1Dqqns
Do you need a winter hangover cure? You’re in luck, ‘cause the Festival of the Winds is here to nurse the headache at Bondi Beach on Sunday, September 13. Colourful cartoon characters, giant animals and flowers, fighter kites, box kites, delta kites and more will appear at the festival, which kicks off at 11am on what we hope will be a sunny spring day. Internationally renowned kite flyers (yes, they exist) will be showing off some pretty spectacular flying skills with their handmade creations. So dust off that kite you packed away at age ten, or join in on one of the kite-making workshops on offer throughout the day. There'll be activities throughout the day both children and the nostalgic can enjoy. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Gearing up for one last hoorah, celebrated partystarters Yacht Club DJs are hitting the road for their nationwide farewell tour set to be a shindig like no other. Lining up 14 shows in the space of just three months, Ballarat-born pair Gaz Harrison and Guy Chappell will be spinning their way from coast to coast for one final escapade. The past six years have seen these two tackle some seriously epic projects. Regulars in both Sydney and Melbourne, the crew have three stellar appearances at farmland Victoria’s iconic Meredith Music Festival under their belt, after supporting the likes of Haim and Mumford and Sons abroad. From all reports, these guys know how to put on a killer show. Sydneysiders can nab a slice of 'The Hooroo! Tour' in mid-November at the Oxford Art Factory. Faithful fans and newcomers alike, it's a mighty fine excuse to dust off those dancing and/or boat shoes.
Inner west pub goers will no doubt be familiar with The Oxford Tavern — the Petersham pub is known for its barbecue (sweetly dubbed Black Betty) and sunny courtyard. But, since the pub changed hands in January, it's synonymous with something else: craft beer. Brothers James and Josh Thorpe — who currently own Darlinghurst beer pub The Taphouse and, more recently, its sour ale and natural wine bar Odd Culture — cite the pub is one of their favourite inner west venues, and, since getting the keys at the start of the year, they've injected it with their passion for local beer. The Oxford Tavern bar now has 13 beers on tap (with three more coming), all pouring beers from locally owned, independent breweries made within a five-kilometre radius of the pub — at the moment you can get your mitts on brews from The Grifter, Yulli's, Nomad and Wayward. If you don't want a beer, you can opt for an Aussie gin with tonic, a spritz or a cocktail jug made with soda from PS40. Happy hour runs from 5–7pm Monday to Friday with schooners, wines and Aussie spirits all just five bucks. The kitchen's smoked barbecue offering Black Betty won't be going anywhere — it's still been pumping out about 200 kilograms of meat each weekend. It is doing some different offerings, though, including a barbecued version of The Taphouse's signature Sunday roast and an all-vegan offering on Thursdays — along with $7 pints of Yullis and $10 glasses of natural wine. The courtyard has had a green makeover, too, and now looks like it's permanently hosting a plant sale. Excitingly, Friday nights will be dedicated to live music, with No Hot No Play kicking off on March 22. And, in addition to a sprawling craft brew offering, there are plans to eventually install a brewery on-site and launch a beer label. This is not the first time the pub has changed hands in recent years. It was taken over and given a completely new life by the Drink 'n' Dine Group — which, when it was still operational, was run by Jaime Wirth, who just re-did The Duke — back in 2012. It was then sold to (what's now known as) the Australian Venue Co. in 2016, who were reportedly looking for new publicans to run The Oxford Tavern last year. The pub appears to have sold instead. Find The Oxford Tavern is located at 1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham. It's open from midday seven days a week. Images three and four: Katje Ford.
Battle of Waterloo, directed by Sarah Goodes for the Sydney Theatre Company, is the impressive debut of writer Kylie Coolwell. With a great cast and skilfully constructed dialogue, this is a vibrant story of the struggles of an Indigenous family and a celebration of the tight-knit community of Sydney’s Waterloo. When Ray (Luke Carroll) returns home after three years in prison, he is full of promises for his friends and family about turning his life around. But this is just another distraction for Cassie (Shari Sebbens), his partner, who is agonisingly close to finishing a course in fashion design and is already juggling a number of problems at home, not least of which is her sister Sissy (Shareena Clanton), who is addicted to drugs and spinning rapidly out of control. Despite Ray’s determination to "dream up a world [he and Cassie] never had until now", the dream gets harder and further away, and old habits begin to creep in. The play is set in Waterloo’s James Cook and Joseph Banks Towers, and designer Renee Mulder captures both the intimate setting of Auntie Mavis’s flat and a sense of the broader community, with balconies and a grass strip the backdrop to the simply furnished kitchen and bedrooms. Coolwell has a deft and humorous touch with the larger group scenes, choosing just the right moment for each character to chime in. The ensemble is fantastic, particularly in numbers; the house is a hive when the family comes together, discussions becoming arguments before somebody recognises a classic playing on the radio, which sparks off a dance. All of the actors deliver such physically grounded performances that the noise and energy they generate is beautiful and infectious. Apparently one of Coolwell’s major influences while writing the play was Tennessee Williams and it shows. The air is thick with dialogue that is frank, cutting and funny, a cacophony of voices teasing and posturing, denying and verifying certain parts of a story. It is matriarch Auntie Mavis (Roxanne McDonald) who usually has the last word, though, her disapproval cutting through the ruckus as she sits at the table playing cards. The second half isn’t quite the equal of the first. As dreams become, or surrender to, reality, the play begins to tread a much more familiar path. That said, by this stage, the characters have been so solidly established that where they wind up continues to matter a great deal. Battle of Waterloo is full of life and love, both in its performances and its writing, and is well worth a look.
Attention all movie-loving art buffs, feast your eyes on this little cheesy morsel of an exhibition. For one week only from June 10, Surry Hills' Black Penny will stock the walls with B-Grade, an exhibition of '80s-inspired movie posters entirely devised by a whole host of Sydney creative folk. And by entirely devised we mean 100 percent fake. Illustrator Sam Shennan, in conjunction with Black Listed gallery, asked a list of 30+ artists, illustrators and street artists to come up with their own terribly ridiculous, wonderfully camp ideas for films that might have been. Expect to see a whole heap of weird, wonderful and downright tongue in cheek imaginings from some of this city’s most up-and-coming talent — from the blaxploitation revenge flick Black Bonnie ("They killed Black Clyde, now she'll kill them.") to the "unspeakable horror that gave way to natural passion," giant octopus romance The Creature Who Loved Me. Entry is free and the buzz behind this fun little exhibition is high, so we suggest you scuttle down to Bourke Street and raise a glass to the "jaw-dropping 2D" in all its colourful, schlocky glory.
For a building that houses some of the most glorious static images in the country, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has got some cracking moving ones as well. You just have to know where to find them. For a few years now, as part of the Art After Hours programme, the gallery has been screening classic movies in its basement (alright, the Domain Theatre) not once, but three times a week — for free. Building the seasons around a place or period, the films have ranged from Charlie Chaplin's silent masterpiece The Great Dictator to Scorsese's ode to 1970s New York, Mean Streets. And the gallery's at it again. From now until the end of August, AGNSW is celebrating some of China's female screen legends with a series called Starburst: Icons of Chinese Cinema. The chosen titles span various genres — from silent cinema to New Wave to more modern masterpieces — with one common thread: strong female leads. As a collection, the films work to represent the rise of the term mingxing (bright star), coined to describe the 'screen diva' phenomena that continues to shape Chinese cinema today. It is also replete with cinematic delights that may well have been edged out of mainstream screenings by the never-ending parade of Marvel Cinematic Universe releases. Jia Zhangke's The World has echoes of Synecdoche: New York, as workers in a world-themed amusement park start longing for escape. Platform, also by Zhangke, explores China's move from Maoism to market capitalism by tracking a group of young artists for a decade as they transform from the Fenyang Peasant Culture Group into an electronic band. No sequels, no lightsabres, no choc-tops and no tweeting spoilers. On Wednesdays at 2pm and 7.15 pm and Sundays at 2pm, the AGNSW has the perfect antidote to Hollywood's monotonous offering — you'll just have to go down three levels to find it.
It seems like only yesterday that there was a giant yellow duck bobbing around in Sydney Harbour, but already Sydney's other major festival has announced its central act. Vivid Live 2013 will be headlined by German krautrock trailblazers Kraftwerk, who will perform their eight groundbreaking albums across four nights in 3D Kraftwerk – The Catalogue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. The retrospective comes to Sydney following only three other performances in New York, Düsseldorf and London. Each concert night will be dedicated to a different studio album, with plenty of audiovisual treats hidden pulled from the band's back catalogue for the more serious of Kraftwerk connoisseurs. The trip starts in 1974 with Autobahn before moving through Radio-Activity (1975), Trans Europe Express (1977), The Man Machine (1978), Computer World (1981), Techno Pop (1986), The Mix (1991) and Tour de France (2003). Kraftwerk are as much an art collective as they are sonic revolutionaries, and they've taken care to ensure their music comes across just as mindbogglingly avant-garde as when those first songs were released almost 40 years ago, light years ahead of time. The music will be performed with band member/man-machine standing in line behind their individual control desks — the set-up you’ll be familiar with even if you’ve never so much as watched one of their music videos — and artwork by long-time collaborator Emil Schult take things from concert to multimedia spectacle. With everyone in the Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre wearing 3D glasses and trippy GeoCities-era CGI spilling out from a giant screen, it will be most excellently weird. Because of high demand for tickets, Sydney Opera House have put in place an online application process to ensure everyone has an equal chance. To apply for tickets got to sydneyoperahouse.com/kraftwerk any time between Monday 25 February and Friday 1 March. The full program for Vivid Sydney and Vivid LIVE will be announced in March. KRAFTWERK – THE CATALOGUE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Friday, May 24, 7pm – Autobahn (1974) Friday, May 24, 9.30pm – Radio-Activity (1975) Saturday, May 25, 7pm – Trans Europe Express (1977) Saturday, May 25, 9.30pm – The Man Machine (1978) Sunday, May 26, 7pm – Computer World (1981) Sunday, May 26, 9.30pm – Techno Pop (1986) Monday, May 27, 7pm – The Mix (1991) Monday, May 27, 9.30pm – Tour De France (2003)
Sprawling across two levels and multiple outdoor areas on the corner of Frenchmans and Clovelly roads, The Duke of Gloucester has been long been a go-to for sandy-haired Sydneysiders returning from the beach, locals looking to sink a few pints while watching the game and anyone after a decent parmi. Now, the latest in a long line of pubs, it's been acquired by Sydney hospitality giant Merivale. Back in 2017, Merivale went on a bit of a pub-buying spree, snapping up Marrickville's Vic On The Park, The Collaroy on the northern beaches, The Tennyson on Botany Road, Bondi's Royal Hotel and Woollahra's Hotel Centennial in a short six months. But it has been a little quieter of late, with the group's latest acquisition The Allawah Hotel in Sydney's south last October. Exactly what Merivale has planned for The DOG, as it's affectionally known, is still under wraps for now, but the group will pick up the keys to the pub in January 2021. It'll join the group's growing stable of eastern suburbs venues, including Coogee Pavilion (and its new middle-level restaurants and bars) and The Paddington, as well as the aforementioned recent acquisitions. [caption id="attachment_702660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Totti's located in the back of the Royal Hotel by Nikki To[/caption] The DOG last changed hands back in 2015, when it was purchased by the Good Beer Company, which is behind Sydney venues such as Keg & Brew and saved Paddington's Four in Hand Hotel from being turned into residential dwellings in 2018. The Randwick pub then hit the market again back in early 2019 for a cool $30 million, according to Domain. While we hang tight for further announcements on the fate of The DOG, we can only dream of what the makeover may entail. The return of the cook-your-own steak restaurant? We'll have to wait and see. Merivale will receive the keys to The Duke of Gloucester in January 2021. We'll keep you updated with further announcements.
Six decades after West Side Story first hit Broadway, the acclaimed musical returns to the Australian stage, set to play at both Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House next year. Headed up by two-time Tony Award nominated choreographer Joey McKneely, the award-winning production reimagines the famous tale of rival street gangs in 1950's New York City. It's a Romeo and Juliet-style classic, that's enchanted audiences in countless iterations over the years. And now it's set to be retold at two of the country's most iconic venues, the musical featuring all the hit songs — including 'I Feel Pretty', 'A Boy Like That', 'Something's Coming', 'America' and 'Maria' — along with Jerome Robbins' (the Broadway show's original creator) ground-breaking choreography. And, if you've always dreamt of being a West Side Story star, now's the time to start practicing those moves and warming up those vocal chords — audition submissions are now open, in the hunt to find the musical's leading talent. If you'd like to get a double dose of West Side Story, you can also attend an operatic production of the show in March next year, as it heads to Sydney's floating stage, Handa Opera. West Side Story will play at the Arts Centre Melbourne from April 6–28, 2019, and at the Sydney Opera House from August 16 to October 6, 2019. Head over to the website to jump on a waitlist for tickets. Image Credit: Nilz Boehme and Johan Persson
The Winery is known for adding exciting twists to the classic bottomless brunch. Lush greenery set against exposed brick walls, a healthy mix of indoor and outdoor space and no shortage of plush couches, the Surry Hills venue is giving you and your mates another reason to show up (and booze up) on a Saturday afternoon. Starting Saturday, April 27, The Winery is introducing a monthly disco-themed brunch. For $59 per person, you and your crew can enjoy a two-course brunch with two hours of bottomless 70s-themed cocktails and entertainment from Sydney Drag Royalty. While you eat, the divas will perform hits from the likes of Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters and ABBA — and once you're finished, the dance floor will open for those of you who can't resist the urge to join in when 'Dancing Queen' comes on. The six-item menu is a quirky affair with savoury treats like the Groovin' to the Moovin' (french toast with fried chicken and maple hot sauce) and Pimpin' Platforms (Belgian waffle with smoked salmon and hazelnut slaw). Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth can try the Can You Dig It — caramelised banana and crème caramel with marmalade ice cream. After groovin' your way through this brunch, you'll probably be searching for more musically styled meals. If so, check out Untied's Brunch with Soul. Each Saturday, the Barangaroo rooftop spot hosts a hearty brunch complete with a roaming gospel choir. Can we get a 'hell yeah'? The Winery Disco Brunch will run monthly from Saturday, April 27. To make a booking, head this way.
Young love can make a whole lot of life's rotten, unfair burdens bearable, but for teenagers Tamara (Sophie Hensser) and Squid (Meyne Wyatt), it may not be enough. They leave homes of absent parents, incarcerated siblings and cupboards empty of even unwholesome breakfasts to attend a scantly resourced urban Sydney public school from which most students aren't expected to graduate. If someone believes in them, it's usually fleeting. Outside of school, they run amok and make meaning of a familiar topography — the meeting ground of Town Hall, the galleried glamour of CBD shops, the strafing lights and menace of Kings Cross. The world is painted and scenes transitioned through narration, mostly Tamara's. You'll want to listen. Their dramas resonate beyond the usual boundaries of adolescence. Lachlan Philpott's script, in its first performance after winning the 2009 Griffin Award that sent it into production, is bold, poetic, insightful, truly affecting and wonderfully, literally close to home. It's extraordinary the levels to which he's been able to penetrate and embody the teenage mind — Facebook-checking and headphones-dependency unpatronisingly explained — as well as the minutiae of the school world most of us have happily repressed (Philpott couldn't; he's a teacher). Still, it's a hard one to pull off, so it's fortunate this show is so well cast and directed (by Lee Lewis, fresh off the Sydney Theatre Company's ZEBRA!). Wyatt, in particular, puts in a stunning performance as Squid, a boy of comparably few words but plenty of raw charm and an alarming intensity written in his eyes. Hensser, considering she spends two hours parlaying the incessant stream-of-consciousness of a 15-year-old girl, can notch up a success in making Tamara anything other than completely annoying, and ultimately, she makes a lot more of her than that. Her Tamara is inquisitive, bubbling with potential, cute and fragile. The two multi-purposed adults, Camilla Ah Kin and Kirk Page, are wonderful, and Ah Kin's rendering of the outwardly wry, inwardly empathetic and nostalgic teacher Ms Petchall is an undisputed highlight. Their fates play out against a Sydney skyline cuprocked into a chain-link fence. It's effusively teenage, and like so many of Griffin's inventive yet space-constrained sets, when you think you know it, you don't know it at all.
2015 brought you a cornucopia of hideous yet good for you root veggies, international restaurant swaps and bargain basement lobster, among other gustatory revelations. So, what's in store for 2016? Well, the restaurant transplants are set to continue with Copenhagen's Noma popping up later this month, and not-so aesthetically appealing foodstuffs are sticking around (see: algae). But just when you thought chefs and food technologists couldn't invent anything weirder, they come up with the goods. Then again, with the likes of Bompas and Parr setting up food museums, we shouldn't be surprised. This year is set to deliver a slew of culinary adventures, from cocktails you can inhale to niche food festivals, to more dishes featuring native Australian ingredients. Here are ten trends we've got our money on. [caption id="attachment_555266" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Attica[/caption] NATIVE AUSSIE INGREDIENTS Kylie Kwong's been caramelising wallaby tail and stir-frying native greens for a few years now, while Melbourne's Attica offers a dish of salt cured red kangaroo with bunya bunya (pictured). By and large though, Australian chefs have been slow to capitalise on Australia's indigenous produce. That might change when Copenhagen's two Michelin-starred restaurant Noma pops up in Sydney on January 26 for ten weeks. Head chef Rene Redzepi is passionate about expressing an area's unique environment through his cooking, and is sure to use our best native ingredients while he's here. Read more about the incredible potential of native foods over here. [caption id="attachment_555499" align="alignnone" width="1280"] blumblaum via Flickr[/caption] ALGAE Kale's still kicking around, but algae is closing in. In October, an upmarket Californian store put the world's first ever algae cooking oil on its shelves. With scientists warning us off other veggie oils due to their toxicity, this new product promises "goodness to your heart, the kitchen and the planet". Expect it to be added to foods and beverages to reduce fat and cholesterol and add a bit of extra protein and antioxidants. Meanwhile, a design collective has imagined a futuristic opera, in which singers grow algae with their breath during the show and give it to audiences to eat afterwards. But maybe that belongs under theatre trends. [caption id="attachment_555557" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hunter and Barrel[/caption] PLAYING WITH FIRE Lucky we've been giving you inside info on Sydney's best caves, because your troglodyte skills are about to come in handy. When electricity arrived, we cast aside one of humankind's oldest technological developments, but, as any dedicated hiker knows, there ain't no potato like a campfire-cooked potato. So expect to see a lot more cooking with fire this year, whether it's at Hunter & Barrel, Firedoor or Hartsyard. Just don't think you can go wandering into any of these pubs with your marshmallow on a stick. [caption id="attachment_555568" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Stefano via Flickr[/caption] DNA MATCHING Not as in, would you like a chardonnay or a cup of genes with that salad, but choosing foods that best suit your DNA to avoid unpleasant symptoms and improve your health. Yep, it's a thing. It turns out your wheat intolerance mightn't be just about gluten, it might be linked to a plethora of factors, especially your DNA. Old mates Bompas and Parr are already onto this, having worked on a project that created bespoke cocktails based on your DNA last year. And Dr. Fredric Abramson, founder of Digital Nutrition, is already offering a service that helps you match your diet to your genes. So get on it. [caption id="attachment_555298" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fir0002 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] GETTING GOATY With bacon having some copped some bad press for its carcinogenic qualities, goat sales are on the rise. It's profitable news for Aussie farmers, who are the world's biggest exporters of goat meat. Long a staple of Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Indian diets, the horned creature will be making its way onto mainstream menus more and more often . In London, Aussie-born chef Brett Graham is already on the bandwagon at The Ledbury. NICHE FOOD FESTIVALS So, it happened before processed meat was added to WHO's top five most cancerous items, but Sydney hosted its biggest ever bacon party in August 2015. And Pinot Palooza, a touring festival devoted to the mighty pinot noir, is now a mainstay on the annual calendar. Last year also saw Melbourne host its first gin festival, Juniperlooza, and a festival 100 per cent dedicated to Nutella will be hitting Adelaide in April. Food festivals have been around for thousands of years, but we reckon they're going to get more and more specific in 2016. [caption id="attachment_555572" align="alignnone" width="960"] Master's 'Roast Potato' by kseet via Instagram[/caption] SWEET AND SAVOURY DESSERTS Everyone knows what a decent dash of salt can do for a good chocolate. And the ebullient marrying of sweet and savoury flavours is likely to feature in desserts all over the planet in 2016. New Yorkers are already sampling beetroot, carrot and sweet potato yoghurts, courtesy of Blue Hill founder Dan Barber, and here in Sydney Master is pushing the sweet-savoury envelope with their roast potato ice cream dessert. In Melbourne, Lume is going down the same lines with their beetroot cake dessert, and Mammoth is confusing everyone's tastebuds with their sugary doughnut lobster burger. INHALABLE COCKTAILS Many of our favourite bars look to the cocktail's 'golden age' for inspiration. And with good reason — an old-fashioned or a martini is hard to beat. But the inhalable incarnation of the cocktail is bringing the drink into the 21st century. This is thanks to Bompas and Parr, who ran a pop-up bar named Alcohol Architecture in London last August. Visitors were invited to walk into a 'cocktail cloud', created with enormous humidifiers. Inspired by the duo, Brisbane Festival got on this last year, creating a breathable gin and tonic room as part of their 2015 program. We can't wait to see where this goes next. LEAVES OF ALL KINDS Your iceberg lettuce just won't cut it anymore. And neither will your cos, rocket or radicchio, for that matter. Your salads are about to get much, much fancier and more diverse. Heston Blumenthal was onto it at 2015's Fat Duck pop-up in Melbourne — he organised exclusive access to a source of local oyster leaves, which he combined with chicken, grilled onion emulsion and spiced celeriac sauce. [caption id="attachment_555270" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Superfood Sushi[/caption] GOING VEGAN Veganism is nothing new, but this year looks like it might be the one to firmly cement it as a full-blown cuisine. And for a while there, it looked as though the whole of Sydney's King Street might go vegan. It added vegan superfood sushi and Bliss 'n' Chips — where soy-based protein and konjac are transmogrified into incredibly convincing deep fried seafood dishes — to the strip, and and then, in news that shocked many, Gigi announced it was taking animal products out of its pizzas. All three businesses seem to be thriving, so we're banking on more vegan openings and conversions this year. But for now, here are our top ten vegan joints. Top image: Bompas and Parr
Back in the 2000s, if you weren't listing to Interpol and Bloc Party, were you really in the 2000s? No, no you weren't. The former arrived out of Manhattan in the late 90s, then helped define the city's turn-of-the-century indie music scene with The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and The National. Hailing from Britain and also coming together just before Y2K, the latter initially scored some hefty approval in 2003 via Franz Ferdinand's lead singer Alex Kaprano. From those beginnings, both bands became indie rock greats. Next, they're heading to Australia to remind music lovers why. Busting out everything from 'Slow Hands' to 'She's Hearing Voices', the two groups will share the same bill on a co-headlining tour of the country's east coast in November, starting at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, then hitting Sydney's Hordern Pavilion and finally playing the Brisbane Riverstage. For Interpol, it'll be their first visit Down Under since 2019, plus their debut chance to play 2022 album The Other Side of Make-Believe in Australia. Tracks from past records such as Turn on the Bright Lights, Antics and El Pintor will also feature. Bloc Party are making the trip after last rocking Aussie stages in 2018, and will perform songs from Silent Alarm, A Weekend in the City, Intimacy and 2022 LP Alpha Games. "We are so happy to be hitting the road with our friends Bloc Party in Australia. Come on down!" said Interpol, announcing the tour. "The histories of Bloc Party and Interpol are intertwined at various stages of our careers. It made perfect sense to us to solidify that by playing some massive shows together in one of our favourite countries on earth. We can't wait to get back to Australia in November," added Bloc Party's Kele Okereke. INTERPOL AND BLOC PARTY AUSTRALIAN CO-HEADLINE TOUR 2023: Thursday, November 16 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Saturday, November 18 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Wednesday, November 22 — Riverstage, Brisbane Interpol and Bloc Party are touring Australia's east coast in November 2023, with presales from 9am on Wednesday, July 5 and general sales from 9am on Friday, July 7. Hit up the tour website for further details. Bloc Party images: James Kellegher. Interpol image: Ebru Yildiz.
Plotting the traditional structure of a film trilogy results in a sort of 'N' symbol on a graph. Part 1 (the incline) offers the introduction to the characters and concludes with a satisfying, inspirational victory (the first peak). Part 2 then explores the characters in greater depth, exposing their shortcomings and instilling both doubt and conflict until all hope seems lost (the descent and trough). Finally, Part 3 sees the protagonists discover — or at least 'relearn' — the true strength of their convictions, allowing an eventual, all-encompassing victory in the conclusion (the ultimate peak). The Hangover trilogy, however, does not follow this structure. On its graph, 2009's Part I held the line well and provided one of the surprise hits of the year courtesy of some snappy writing, extreme political incorrectness and three terrific characters (the fourth guy really is a spare). Instead of marking the descent, though, Part II just ran with the exact same formula. It was Part 1 all over again, except Bangkok was subbed in for Vegas and the baby was replaced by a monkey. So going into Part III, the big question was always going to be: would this be 'Part I again, again' or something genuinely different? The answer was the latter, which in turn begged a second question... was that a good idea? In this third instalment, our three wolf-packers — Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Stu (Ed Helms) — are one again forced into a nightmarish series of disasters in order to rescue their friend Doug (Justin Bartha...who really is the spare). Regrettably, Hangover Part III centres upon the trilogy's most annoying character, Mr Chow (Ken Jeong), whose whiny, sort-of-Asian, sort-of-gay, sort-of-hip-hop-gangsta ramblings grate the ear like a screaming baby on a packed plane during descent. During one early scene in which Chow's butchering a karaoke cover of 'Hurt', Bradley Cooper winces and asks "what the fuck are we watching!?" He's not the only one to think it. By focussing on Chow and favouring a more conventional plot over the simple yet effective premise of 'rediscovering unremembered anarchy', The Hangover Part III boldly — if also mistakenly — shifts the focus away from the very thing that made the franchise a success: its 'wolf pack'. They still have their moments, especially Galifianakis; however, this is a far more 'normal' movie and as a result, so too become the characters. There are still loads of laughs and it's a definite improvement on the carbon-copy disappointment of Part II, but the tiny coda that pops up part-way through the final credits (certainly worth staying for) shows us what might have been had they just found a way to use the original amnesic plot structure in a new and different way.
Winter has well and truly settled in, and what better way to embrace it than with a trip to the snow? Not only do you get to try out your moves on the slopes, if you're at the winter haven of Thredbo, you can match it with time lounging about the fire or in the hot pools, watching your mate go for glory in a snowboarding comp and savouring a few delectable mulled ciders. Rekorderlig are offering you the chance to win this winter dream vacay — including flights, accommodation and ski hire — for a group of six, just by entering their Facebook comp. Sweetening your weekend away even more, the Swedish giants of cider have a little something extra and exclusive lined up. They're hosting an intimate winter forest picnic, Swedish style, on Thredbo's golf course on Saturday, September 13. What's 'Swedish style' you ask? Well it's not this. Rather, think an al fresco four-course meal of Swedish-inspired recipes (not this) eaten from beneath warm blankets while you overlook a striking skyline of snow stretching as far as the eye can see. Then add in a whole bunch of Rekorderlig to complete your magical Swedish stopover. Will there be reindeer? You'll have to enter via the Rekorderlig Facebook page to find out.
UPDATE, MAY 2, 2020: The Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival has announced its full lineup and its premiere date. This article has been updated to reflect these changes. When COVID-19 started having an impact on Australian events, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival was one of the first to scrap its plans for 2020. The Brisbane Comedy Festival, which was already underway, also cancelled its final week — and in New South Wales, the Sydney Comedy Festival completely shuttered its event for this year, too. That means that the country's funniest folks now have some extra time on their hands — indoors, while social distancing, of course. And, they still have plenty of jokes to tell, which is exactly what Stan's new Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival is aiming to capitalise upon. Heading to the platform weekly from 7pm on Saturday, May 9 — dropping four episodes in total — the streaming-only laughfest will feature lockdown sets from comedians such as Wil Anderson, Cal Wilson, Nazeem Hussain, Dave Hughes and Zoe Coombs Marr, who'll all share material from their planned 2020 gigs. Also on the lineup: Tommy Little, Geraldine Hickey, Dilruk Jayasinha, Steph Tisdell, Aaron Chen, Sam Campbell, Michelle Brasier and Nath Valvo, as well as Tom Ballard, Randy Feltface, Claire Hooper, Becky Lucas, Sam Taunton, Nikki Britton, Demi Lardner and Tom Walker. Yes, it's a hefty list, and also features Lauren Bonner, Oliver Twist, Blake Freeman and Bec Charlwood. Each comedian has recorded their set from their homes, so expect jokes told in their kitchens, bedrooms, lounge rooms and even bathrooms. They've also be handled all the tech requirements themselves, such as setting up and operating their own cameras, in order to abide by social-distancing requirements. That said, they did have access to a director via video conferencing. Every Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival episode will feature at least six different comedians performing short standup comedy spots — including one MCing the episode. And if you're looking for some local laughs before the fest starts streaming, Amazon Prime Video has just dropped ten comedy specials from MICF stars, too. The Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival hits Stan weekly for four weeks from 7pm on Saturday, May 9.
Are you a big shot professional with no time for trams and trains? Do you scoff at the mere mention of Myki or cringe whenever a commoner has the audacity to breathe on your Armani suit? Well, you're in luck. Melbourne's first business-class commuting service is here. No longer will you have to associate with our city's unwashed riff raff. Officially launched yesterday, SuitJet is a startup bus service for white-collar workers to commute to and from the city. Set to start operating next month, SuitJet offers its users a seat on a customised Mercedes-Benz coach and allows them more space and comfort in which to complete their Very Important Work en route to the office. "[It's] a club for people who wish to leverage modern transport and technology to upgrade and simplify their weekday travel," their website reads. Importantly, "Membership is open to all corporate dress city commuters." With a return ticket to the city setting you back $30, riding with SuitJet will cost significantly more than any Myki fare. However, with roughly an hour more time to work on board per day, they claim the long-term benefits will greatly outweigh the initial expense. "That's an hour of work you don't have to do after having dinner with the kids and a cup of tea with your wife," SuitJet co-founder Darren Heiberg told The Age. Many of the finer details are yet to be decided, with the pick up and drop off points to be dictated by consumer demand. However, registrations so far have elucidated something unexpected. Most members seeking entry to this exclusive club are not disgruntled suits seeking respite from the perils of the train lines from Brighton or Toorak, but those who have been overlooked by the public transport system entirely. Most registrations have reportedly come from suburbs without train stations at all. Despite outwardly naming it a 'business class' service, founders of the company reportedly deny the accusation that their service would create a class divide. Though Mr Heiberg is apparently considering changing the name to something that doesn't include the word 'suit'. Good idea. Via The Age.
Sydney's favourite Japanese-themed dive bar is turning three, and as you can imagine, the celebrations are set to be ridiculously over the top. While it's true that pretty much every night is a bit of a party at Goros, from Monday, November 26 to Saturday, December 1, the antics will be kicked up a notch with a week of themed events, from a best-of Goros trivia to a Japanese hip hop gig and wacky game show challenges. That is, of course, in addition to the usual sake bombs, dress-up karaoke and retro arcade games that are always on offer. Throughout the birthday week, drinks will be free-flowing, with Asahi taking over the taps, and special highball cocktails made from premium Nikka whisky. Entry to each event is completely free, however, if you want a table, you better book stat. Anyone who's ever been to a Goros event knows it fills up pretty quickly. Put on your party hats and check out the full lineup of birthday celebrations below. THE BEST OF GOROS TRIVIA The epic birthday week officially kicks off on Tuesday, November 27 with a 'Best of Goros' trivia night, which will feature a round-up all the best questions from past trivia events. Rounds will include questions about The Simpsons, Rick and Morty and The Office (US), as well as Japanese pop culture, hip hop music and video games. If trivia is not your strong suit, there will also be a number of interactive bonus rounds, with a stack of prizes up for grabs including Asahi gift packs, tickets, bar tabs, merchandise and more. BONENKAI PARTY It may officially be hump day, but this Wednesday, November 28, you can party like it's the end of the week (or year — we're almost there) at Goros' first-ever Bonenkai party. The traditional celebration, which means "forget the year" in Japan, is pretty much just an excuse for office workers to get loose and let out all their workplace frustrations. We hear you, Japan. As per the tradition, those dressed in a tie will be expected to wear it on their heads (it's a thing) plus there will be DJs and go-go dancers to help coax the introverts out of their shells. Bring your work colleagues, your best mates, girl gang whoever. Everyone's invited. GOROS' CASTLE Time to reach out to your most athletic friends, this Thursday, November 29 will see Goros host an evening of wacky challenges inspired by Japanese game show Takeshi's Castle. While you may not be dodging boulders or pole vaulting across water, you may be asked by your teammates to enter an all-you-can-eat dumpling contest, to compete in a Mario Kart racing tournament or partake in an Instagram scavenger hunt. Those who have no fear can also sign themselves up for the 'blow the ball' challenge, which will see two participants blow wasabi balls at each other. GOROS' BIG BIRTHDAY BASH So you're probably starting to feel a little tired after a week of shenanigans at Goros, but trust us, you won't want to miss the most epic night of all: Goros' big birthday bash. For the first time in Goros' history, the Surry Hills venue will host a live music performance by an international artist. For this ultra-special occasion, the venue has lined up Japanese rapper and hip hop star, Coma-Chi, who will be recording her latest album down under. And wait, the party doesn't end there. Le Fruits DJs will hit the decks after with a troupe of neon dancers on the dance floor because this is Goros and anything can happen. Goros' birthday week runs till Saturday, December 1. To ensure you experience all the party antics, secure a table by emailing book.goros@solotel.com.au
If you are ordering pizza for home delivery, there is generally one mood you are in: a lazy one. There's nothing like laying on the sofa after a hard day at work, turning on some trashy TV, and sinking your teeth into slice after slice of your favorite pizza. But, folks, pizza delivery just got better. Red Tomato Pizza in Dubai has introduced one-button pizza delivery. Simply press the button on your Red Tomato fridge magnet, and your favorite order will be delivered to your door. Impressed yet? Each magnet can be synced to your smartphone via Bluetooth and set up with your order. Every time you push the button, your phone will notify the pizza company. You do still have get up and answer the door when the delivery guy arrives, unfortunately. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AU0KYo8_9Zs [via Gizmodo]
What can an archive reveal? Certainly something of the past, of course, but what can it say about the present? For Melbourne-based artist Brook Andrew, the ethnographic postcards and novelty items from early to mid twentieth century hold particular interest for the way they represent indigenous people as well as their colonising counterparts. Converting found postcards into colourful and signature-patterned boxes, Andrew will build a wall of these boxes in Artspace, allowing the viewer to look at the images as a kind jumbled puzzle to be deciphered and contemplated. Andrew's artistic territory combines race, history and the baggage that comes with these themes using text, neon and found ephemera. The artist will be talking about his installation, Lives in Paradise, on July 20 @ 5.00pm at Artspace.
A menu of weapons of destruction, to be consumed to fill a hungry stomach, is one way to criticise violent solutions. The latest project from artist Kyle Bean called Soft Guerilla, a series of sculptures depicting weapons made out of harmless materials. Stage a war in the kitchen and attempt to replicate these deliciously evil masterpieces.
UPDATE, September 20, 2021: Come From Away will resume its Sydney season for fully vaccinated audiences from Wednesday, October 20, after closing temporarily during Sydney's lockdown. This story has been updated to reflect that news. Already an enormous success on Broadway, in London's West End and in Melbourne, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away has been touring its remarkable true tale around Australia's east coast. Based on real post-September 11 events, the acclaimed production went back to Melbourne since January 2021 for an encore season of kind-hearted charm, and now returns to Sydney in October — to the Capitol Theatre from Wednesday, October 20 until at least Sunday, November 28, after its original June–August season was postponed due to Sydney's lockdown. If you aren't familiar with the musical's plot or the actual events that inspired it, it's quite the exceptional story. In the week after the September 11 attacks in 2001, 38 planes were unexpectedly ordered to land in the small Canadian town of Gander, in the province of Newfoundland. Part of Operation Yellow Ribbon — which diverted civilian air traffic to Canada en masse following the attacks — the move saw around 7000 air travellers grounded in the tiny spot, almost doubling its population. Usually, the town is home to just under 12,000 residents. To create Come From Away, writers and composers Irene Sankoff and David Hein spent hundreds of hours interviewing thousands of locals and passengers, using their experiences to drive the narrative — and, in many cases, using their real names in the show as well. The result is a musical not just about people coming from away (the term that Newfoundlanders use to refer to folks not born on the island), but coming together, all at a time when tensions were running high worldwide. Since being workshopped in 2012, having a run in Ontario in 2013, then officially premiering in San Diego in 2015, Come From Away has become a global smash hit. After opening on Broadway in 2017, it was still running before the theatre district closed due to COVID-19. The musical wowed crowds in the West End, too — and, when it first opened in Melbourne in July 2019, it became the Comedy Theatre's most successful musical in the venue's 91-year history. Along the way, the show has picked up a Tony Award for best direction of a musical, six other nominations, and four Olivier Awards out of nine nominations. Come From Away is planning to reopen in October in line with the New South Wales Government's roadmap for transitioning out of lockdown, which sees theatre shows start again when 70-percent of eligible NSW residents have had both jabs — which is expected mid-month. And, the production will be able to welcome in a 75-percent capacity audience. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required to attend a Come From Away performance, and the production also has a mandatory vax policy for its cast and crew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zmvy1p2FOE&feature=emb_title Images: Jeff Busby.
When New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the two-way trans-Tasman bubble back in April — allowing Australians to travel to NZ without quarantining upon arrival — she noted that it could and would be paused if and when outbreaks occur. Accordingly, with Sydney identifying two locally acquired COVID-19 cases this week, and implementing restrictions and a mask mandate in response, the NZ Government has advised that it's stopping its arrangement with New South Wales for the time being. Today, Thursday, May 6, the NZ Government advised that the quarantine-free travel between NZ and NSW is being suspended, effective from 11.59pm NZ time. "Officials have assessed that with several outstanding unknowns in the situation in Sydney it is safest to pause the quarantine-free travel," it announced in a statement. The NZ Government hasn't specified a timeframe for the pause, but its statement notes that "this will be under constant review". The aim: to give NSW authorities time to investigate the source of the two cases, which have been linked via genome sequencing to a returned overseas traveller — but no physical connection between the current cases and the recent returnee has been identified as yet. Whether you're a Sydneysider on holiday in NZ or a New Zealander who has recently returned from across the ditch, anyone now in NZ who has been at one of the locations of interest in Sydney is required to isolate, then call NZ's Healthline on 0800 358 5453 to obtain advice about getting tested for COVID-19. And, if you're currently in Australia and you've been to one of the Sydney venues identified, you should not travel to NZ. https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/1390189898209001475 This isn't the first time that the trans-Tasman bubble has been paused, with NZ suspending flights from Western Australia at the beginning of May in response to Perth's recent cases. Flights between NZ and WA were given the all-clear to resume just a day later. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Last year, we scored a musical adaptation of Aussie flick Muriel's Wedding. Now, another classic 90s flick is getting the stage musical treatment and heading on down to Melbourne: Adam Sandler's smash-hit film The Wedding Singer. Hitting the Athenaeum Theatre from Friday, June 19, The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy is an all-singing, all-dancing stage show based on its hilarious namesake 90s flick. And it's from the same crew that propelled it to sell-out success on Broadway and across the UK, including the writer of the original movie, Tim Herlihy. This one promises to yank you right into The Wedding Singer's 1980s world of big hair and classic wedding bangers, thanks to a toe-tapping score that's sure to prompt a few hearty crowd singalongs. It retells the story of party-loving wedding singer and wannabe rock star Robbie Hart, who's left stranded at the altar at his own nuptials. Heartbroken, he sets out to destroy every other wedding he's a part of, until a chance encounter with a waitress: Drew Barrymore's character Julia. Now, he just has to win over the girl... and somehow put a stop to her own upcoming marriage along the way. The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy hasn't announced runs in any other Aussie cities just yet, but we're crossing our fingers and warming up the vocal cords in readiness. We'll keep you posted as soon as any news drops. In the meantime, you can watch the OG nostalgic film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjOXMTa6vA The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy shows from Friday, June 19, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne. Join the ticket wait-list over at the website.
Since mid-October, New Zealanders have been able to visit some Australian states as part of a one-way travel bubble. In just a couple of months, Australians might also be able to hop across the Tasman, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing that the NZ Cabinet had agreed to establishing a two-way bubble from early 2021. At a post-Cabinet press conference today, Monday, December 14, the NZ Prime Minister said the Cabinet had agreed "in principle" to a travel bubble with Australia in the first quarter of 2021, pending confirmation from the Australian Government and "no significant changes in the circumstances of either country". Over the weekend, a quarantine-free travel bubble free between New Zealand and the Cook Islands was announced, which is set to come into place before the bubble with Australia. The NZ Prime Minister revealed a starting date for both would announced in the New Year "once remaining details are locked down". At present, New Zealand travellers are allowed to visit all Australian states and territories, apart from WA, without quarantining on arrival — but, because the bubble is only one way at present, they must enter 14 days of managed isolation on return to NZ and pay for it. While the details are yet to be finalised, it's great news for those who've been dreaming of overseas holidays since the pandemic began. You can start slowing planning your first international jaunt, too — we've rounded up some of our favourite glamping sites, wineries, sights and restaurants in NZ over here. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
The past 14 months or so haven't delivered many reasons to laugh. They haven't seen many big-name international comedians hit our stages to try to get us giggling and guffawing, either. But Bill Bailey is about to help end both of those unwanted streaks, with the British favourite bringing his En Route to Normal tour to our shores this October and November. It has been three years since Bailey last had the country chuckling back in 2018 — and then rewatching Black Books yet again and chuckling some more, naturally. This time, he's coming our way following a sold-our tour of New Zealand, where he also been filming a new trans-Tasman comedy panel series called Patriot Brains. So, if you need something to watch while you wait to see him live, consider this a hearty suggestion. Known for everything from Have I Got News for You and QI to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Skins, Bailey will be pondering some of life's big questions during his En Route to Normal sets. And, while the pandemic is certain to get a mention, he actually named the show before lockdowns, social distancing and always knowing how many active cases are in your state became our current definition of normal. Bailey will kick off the tour in Queensland, before making his way — and taking his distinctive locks — to Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Plus, in some states, he won't just be sticking to capital cities. BILL BAILEY EN ROUTE TO NORMAL TOUR 2021: October 23 — Empire Theatre , Toowoomba October 25 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane October 28 — The Events Centre, Caloundra October 29 — Star Theatre, Gold Coast October 31 — Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah November 1 — Riverside Theatre, Perth November 5 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide November 8 — Princess Theatre, Launceston November 8 — Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart November 12 — Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo November 13 — Costa Hall, Geelong November 14 — Civic Hall, Ballarat November 15 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne November 19 — Wollongong Town Hall, Wollongong November 21 — State Theatre, Sydney November 23 — Coliseum Theatre, Sydney November 27 — Royal Theatre, Canberra November 28 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle Bill Bailey's En Route to Normal tour will make its way around the country this October and November. For pre-sale tickets between 12pm Thursday, May 20–5pm, Sunday, May 23, for general ticket sales from 12pm Monday, May 24 and for further information, head to the tour website. Top image: Andy Hollingworth.
If you're anything like us, you probably use pay day to book yourself a long-overdue dentist appointment, pay your rent and buy groceries that aren't on Manager's Special — y'know, the necessary stuff. But sometimes — especially if you've just got a bonus, pay rise or your tax back — you want to treat yourself to something nice rather than practical. We're talking holidays, massages and even just nights at the cinema with friends. But don't move too fast. You've still got to make your money last until the morning of pay day when you need to scrape together a few coins for a coffee. That's why we've teamed up with Westpac to find five ways to treat yourself when that slice of financial pie comes rollin' in hot to your bank account. Not only are they all awesome experiences — but, if you're a Westpac customer, you can nab them all at sweet discount on the Westpac Rewards Hub. And, best of all, none of them include gloves and drills rummaging around in your mouth. You're worth it. BOOK YOURSELF AN OFF-GRID CABIN RedBalloon has been around for a while, but it's still one of the best go-tos for finding experience-based gifts (a gift to yourself is still a gift) that you probably wouldn't have thought of yourself. If you've been hankering for a mini getaway for a while now and think it's time to fly the coop, tune in: RedBalloon have some whopper deals. Spend a romantic night in a French cottage in the Mornington Peninsula with a partner, or head to Tilba on the south coast of NSW to an eco pod for an experience a little more off the grid. The best bit? If you book through the Westpac Rewards Hub, you get a further discount when you spend $175 or more. BUY THOSE OVERSEAS FLIGHTS It's still a little cold and summer is still a whole month away, so you're more justified than ever for impulse-booking overseas flights. How about escaping to the Philippines or Portugal? They're both on our 2019 travel bucket list. If you're still unsure, take a scroll through Expedia's last-minute options or its destinations of the week. You'll also get 10 percent off if you book through the Westpac Rewards Hub. Then you just need to book in that annual leave. SCHEDULE IN A WEEKEND MASSAGE Is your happy place smack-bang face down on a table being kneaded by someone with strong-yet-soft hands while some sleep-inducing music plays and the smell of rosewater subtly wafts around you? Then you, my friend, need to book in a massage. Think of it as a way of neutralising your body after a long week at work. Try Endota Spa — its massages range from soothing relaxation and remedial through to the two-hour couples experience, while its extensive array of facials cater to all types and include Endota's Dermalogica, Glycolic, HydroPeptide and Hydro-microdermabrasion treatments. It's sure to turn you into a greasy (in a good way) ball of bliss. Top tip: buy a gift card from the Westpac Rewards Hub to save yourself a few dollars. TREAT YOURSELF TO A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Perhaps one of the greatest personal (and relatively affordable) pastimes is heading to the movies for an evening, whether it's seeing the latest blockbuster or checking out something obscure and Latvian. It's also the only place that popcorn for dinner is fine. You can't put a price on treating yourself to a night out but, if you don't want that price to blow out, grab some discounted movie tickets via the Westpac Rewards Hub so you can spring for the extra large popcorn. [caption id="attachment_673026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] BUY THOSE ITEMS IN YOUR ICONIC CART Pay day is treat day, so there's no reason it can't be buy-that-dry-clean-only-suede-onesie-you've-had-in-your-Iconic-cart-for-two-months day, too. Grab yourself some new threads to say well done on making it through another week at work without crying at your desk or spilling soy sauce on your shirt again. Or, buy yourself some new clothes because you've spilt soy sauce on all your shirts — any reason works. With free delivery and returns, and over 20,000 products, we barely even need to mention that you'll also cop ten percent off a full-price purchase through the Westpac Rewards Hub. Enjoy this splurge and plan for the next one. Open your own Westpac Choice account here.
There's a festival for almost everything, or so it often seems — and when it comes to crucial and complex topics that demand discussion, that's where the Festival of Dangerous Ideas comes in. The Sydney event has been exploring provocative subjects since 2009, hopping between a number of different venues. And in 2022, that chatter, debate and eagerness to push boundaries will make the move to Carriageworks. FODI heads to the Eveleigh spot across the weekend of Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18, and it has just unveiled exactly what'll have everyone talking. Leading the lineup: Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, tattoo-artist-to-the-stars Scott Campbell, UK historian Adam Tooze, and power and propaganda expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat. [caption id="attachment_862481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frances Haugen[/caption] Gaining global attention for leaking tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents that showed how the company has pursued profit over public safety, data engineer Haugen will obviously chat about social media — including how it has been weaponised, plus Australia's relationship with Facebook. She'll also talk about corporate responsibility, another topic linked to her former employer, in what promises to be a thoroughly fascinating discussion. Campbell appears as part of FODI's arts lineup, putting on a weekend-long installation. Fancy getting inked by him for free? You can, but Whole Glory comes with a twist. He'll give you a tatt without you having to pay a cent — but it'll all happen without him meeting, looking at or talking to you at all. Also, you won't have any input into the art. You'll simply need to trust him, and be willing to take a chance to get quite the permanent souvenir. [caption id="attachment_862485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Campbell[/caption] Back to the more serious side of the program, economic commentator Tooze has the general state of the world in his sights, namely why humanity can't manage to do better in the face of climate change, war and likely recessions. As for Ben-Ghiat, she'll examine the rise of authoritarian strongmen in politics today, surveying Russia, China, America, Turkey and more, and diving into leader cults, disinformation and the other techniques that've been used to put such figures in power. Also on the FODI 2022 lineup: writer, poet and comedian Alok Vaid-Menon, who'll use their own experience as a gender non-conforming artist to encourage the audience to view gender in as expansive a way as possible; psychologist Steven Pinker, giving a defence of the ideals of enlightenment and advocating for the necessity of reason in the Hitch Memorial Keynote; tech columnist and Rabbit Hole podcast host Kevin Roose, who'll focus on the algorithm's control of our lives; and Noongar woman and author Claire G Coleman, who'll probe the usual story that's spun about Australian colonisation. [caption id="attachment_862488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jodie Barker[/caption] Author Sisonke Msimang will tackle the way that Australia's pandemic lockdowns impacted Melbourne and Sydney's multicultural communities, while Peter Greste and Kylie Moore-Gilbert whether the Australian passport is becoming less powerful. Also, Senator Jacqui Lambie will deliver the festival's opening keynote, talking about her career, and the fest will host a special live recording of podcast A Rational Fear. Other sessions will cover everything from censorship and being cancelled through to sexual assault, the increasingly automated future, and America's declining political, social and cultural influence. There'll also be a showcase of emerging thinkers called Fresh Blood, plus a fast-paced lineup of illuminating bite-sized talks on topical subjects called Unthinkable. And, FODI's arts and installation lineup across the Carriageworks precinct will include Wiradjuri artist Brook Andrew's world-premiere piece MURUNY/Breathe, which uses a depiction of the brain to unpack the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples — plus Lucy Peach's multimedia celebration of periods, a game show experience about dark truths called Truthmachine by Counterpilot, and Legs On The Wall doing an improvisational theatre work about trust. [caption id="attachment_862487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jodie Barker[/caption] The 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs from Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18 at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. To peruse the full program, and to buy festival tickets, visit the festival website.
In New York City the afterparty for the World's 50 Best Restaurants award ceremony is wrapping up. We can only imagine (and dream of) how delicious the canapés would have been, how many recipes were swapped with slurred handwriting, and how cheery (read: boozy) all those chefs are right now. But perhaps one of cheeriest is Ben Shewry — his restaurant Attica was just named a very respectable number 33 in the world. The ranking is pretty consistent with last year's results, with the Melbourne restaurant dropping only one spot from 2015. It's a very good position for an Australian restaurant to be — and perhaps why the awards yesterday announced they'll be holding the 2017 ceremony in its hometown. Brae, which is located in regional Victoria, moved up to number 65, while Sydney's Quay went from 58 to 98. Taking back the number one spot is Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana — and if you've watched Chef's Table, you'll be nothing but stoked for the guy. He's swapped places with last year's victor, Spain's El Celler de Can Roca, which has moved back into second place, while Noma has slipped from third down to number five. Probably because it's been on sabbatical in Sydney for the last few months.
All the way from Japan, this collaboration between noise pop guru Cornelius and enigmatic J-pop vocalist Salyu will make its Australian premiere at Sydney Festival. They're a potent match; while Cornelius has the beats finesse to keep any crowd on its feet until the wee hours, Salyu has the vocal skill and dynamic to keep him on his toes. She is, after all, the artist responsible for the haunting 'Kaifuku Suru Kizu', from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Expect plenty of surprises. Cornelius Presents Salyu x Salyu is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Festival. Check out our other favourite events over here.
Between work and errands, who has time to visit art galleries during the week? Luckily, the Art Gallery of NSW is kind enough to invite us into their galleries every Wednesday until 10pm for their ongoing Art After Hours event. Art After Hours is art like you've never experienced it before and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, as it recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Think of it like an art party to help dispel the hump day blues. With live music, food, drinks, lectures, film screenings and a chance to view the museum's collections, you'll think you're at the most exclusive event in town. Scheduled for April's Art After Hours will be tours of Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul and contemporary art exhibits. Catch some Biennale talks and exhibitions after hours while you still can, including the States of Mind film series, with films that explore the themes of memories and time. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2gyu825_bYw
With the number of new cases of COVID-19 in NSW increasing over recent days — with 21 recorded in the 24 hours leading up up to 8pm on Thursday, July 30 — Woolworths is "strongly encouraging" its customers and staff to wear masks in stores across NSW, the ACT and parts of Queensland. While the wearing of masks is only mandatory in Victoria, Woolworths says it hopes the recommendation will help reduce community transmission of COVID-19 in the other states. "As the largest private sector employer with stores in almost every community, we feel it's important we lead the way in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19," Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said in a statement. "Masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19. By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe." The retail group is encouraging all NSWand ACT residents to wear faces masks or coverings when visiting or working at Woolworths supermarkets, Big Ws, Dan Murphy's and BWS shops from Monday, August 3. It's also encouraging Brisbanites in hotspot areas to wear masks from tomorrow, Saturday, August 1. The decision comes as new COVID-19 clusters are recorded in suburbs across Sydney, with 94 cases linked to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, 57 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel and 19 to Potts Point. Two of Brisbane's recent confirmed cases are also linked to Sydney's Potts Point cluster, but are both people in isolation. Queensland recorded just one new case in the past 24 hours, but Queensland Health sent out a public health alert on Wednesday, July 29 detailing places visited by two Queenslanders who returned from Melbourne via Sydney, failed to self-quarantine and tested positive to the coronavirus. These include restaurants, shops, school and medical centres in Brown Plains, Park Ridge, South Bank, Springfield, Springwood, Sunnybank and Woodridge. Queensland Health is continuing to update the list over here. Face masks will be strongly encouraged when visiting or working at Woolworths Group venues in NSW and ACT from Monday, August 3 and in Queensland hotspots from Saturday, August 1. You can find out more over here.
Tim Ho Wan, the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant, is finally set to open in George Street's HSBC Centre this Thursday, June 23. Delayed since back in October 2015, the new flagship will no doubt see lines for days once this dim sum behemoth opens its doors. While the Chatswood branch has been rockin' it since March 2014 — and venues have since opened in Burwood, Pitt Street and Melbourne — the CBD flagship has taken far longer than expected. But, at long last, it's here — and you can't miss it. The bright sign on George Street is like a beacon beckoning you inside for delicious dim sum. Sydneysiders who have visited a Tim Ho Wan before can expect a familiar vibe at the new location. But unlike the Pitt Street takeaway outpost, this one is a sit-down affair — and as their flagship, it's set to be their biggest yet. There's no doubt their famous fluffy pork buns will make their way onto the menu, as will the highly photogenic spinach and prawn dumplings. They're also looking to add a golden lava dessert bun (that is, one filled with a salted egg custard) to their core menu, likely a competitive nod to the Din Tai Fung signature dish. Tim Ho Wan, led by ex-Four Seasons Hong Kong chef Mak Kwai Pui, opened back in 2009 and received its Michelin star the following year. Sydney was the lucky first city outside Southeast Asia to welcome the acclaimed dim sum house. Of course, a CBD location will mean long queues — but it hasn't stopped us before, and it certainly won't stop us from enjoying these delectable dumps now. Tim Ho Wan Sydney will open at 10am on Thursday, June 23 at the HSBC Centre, 580 George Street, Sydney. For more information, visit their Facebook event.
It isn't often that a snowboarding documentary is described as "a story about the mysteries of the human brain", and so when it is, one cannot help but sit up and take notice. Thankfully, the recognition given to The Crash Reel is much deserved. The film tells the engrossing tale of professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who was well on his way to winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics before a horrifying injury suffered during training left him hospitalised in a deep coma. After fighting his way back, he decides he wants to strap the board back on despite advice from his doctors that one more blow to his head could kill him and the frank admission from his brother David, "I just don't want you to die." Twice Oscar-nominated director Lucy Walker (Waste Land) rides the emotional slopes with filmmaking guile, knowing exactly when not to stop, resulting in a hard-hitting and inspirational tale that snowboarding has never seen the likes of previously. Thanks to Hopscotch Films, we have five double passes to give away to a special screening of The Crash Reel on July 29, which will feature Kevin Pearce in a Q&A after the film. The screening starts at 6.30pm at the Hayden Orpheum Cremorne. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Close that Netflix-riddled laptop, kick back that unwashed doona and bundle up in All The Knits, there's plenty of happenings worth leaving the house for this weekend. From interactive sound sculptures to pop-ups and unmissable NYC rappers, we've given you a little rundown of the five best things to get out and about for. Orange is the New Black's not going anywhere. Sonic Social The Biennale may have wrapped for another two years, but hot on the heels of genre-defying and New York-based art stars is Performance Space's Sonic Social. Hauling in some participatory and experimental ideas, Performance Space is teaming up with the MCA to keep your cultural calendar topped up. The month of June will be studded with sound-based performances scattered throughout the museum. Whether the works be roaming between floors or tucked in discreet nooks, Sonic Social's aim is to respond to the MCA's architecture and activate neglected spaces. When: Thursday, 12 June - Sunday, 29 June Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia , 140 George St, The Rocks, NSW How much: FREE Frank There’s no one quite like Frank, the person, and there’s nothing quite like Frank, the film. The former, as played by Michael Fassbender while wearing a papier mache mask, is a soul seemingly eccentric but really just looking for the essence of creation and contentment. The latter is quirky by design but beautifully bittersweet by execution, revelling in all life’s failures and flaws. Frank leads an experimental rock band with the fittingly unpronounceable name of The Soronprfbs, and that’s exactly where Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) finds him. As the reconfigured group ventures from the Irish wilderness to the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in search of musical fulfilment, the solace they find comes from internal, not external, forces. Read our full Frank review over here. When: Thursday, 19 June - Wednesday, 30 July Where: Various cinemas How much: $15 - $20 West Elm and Etsy Pop-up West Elm are teaming up with Etsy this weekend to bring you an afternoon of crafty goodness from your favourite online designers. From 1pm to 6pm on June 21, you'll be able to track down and purchase unique items made by local artisans. Better yet, there's no need for postage fees or waiting periods. Etsy has curated a stellar line-up of 16 sellers, offering everything from nifty jewellery and funky stationary through to re-purposed timber homewares and hand-poured soy candles. There will be a broad range of handmade products oozing with style and personality. Plus, you'll get to chat to your local innovators over treats and tunes. When: Saturday, 21 June - 1:00pm Where: West Elm Sydney , 472 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction How much: FREE Mykki Blanco Cross-dressing spitfire MC Mykki Blanco is in the country for Dark Mofo, heading north afterward to blow Sydneysider minds at Good God. One seriously multitalented artist, NYC-based Blanco is a rapper, performance artist and poet who grew up listening to riot grrrl music. The significantly internet-hyped New Yorker's setlist will inevitably include writhing party jam 'Wavvy' and heavier tracks like the recently released 'Initiation' — both as likely to intrigue audiences as attract them to the dance floor. Think bass heavy, post-trap anthems with a killer MC at the helm. When: Saturday, 21 June - 1:25am Where: Good God Small Club , 53 - 55 Liverpool St Sydney How much: 30 +BF The Farmed Table Pop-Up The idea of sustainable eating has become a prominent feature on menus around Sydney, with more and more restaurants taking a marked step away from fine dining towards a communal, local approach to food culture. As the world widens, we’re becoming more conscious of our immediate surroundings and how we can benefit from them. Enter The Farmed Table — Brendan Cato's pop-up venture, hosted by Bangbang cafe in Surry Hills, aiming to provide good, sustainable food in a community environment. When: Saturday 6.30pm - 10.30pm Where: 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills How much: $55 for food only and $80 for matching wines. Brothers Wreck — Belvoir Brothers Wreck is a superb piece of theatre. Set in Darwin, Jada Alberts’ contemporary drama follows the life of a tight-knit, if troubled, Indigenous family. Daily life in the top end is interrupted by torrential rain, plenty of expletives and much laughter. The play follows the redemptive journey of Ruben (Hunter Page-Lochard), a 21-year-old masquerading as a tough guy to get through the grief of losing his best friend, Joe, to suicide. Brothers Wreck is powerful storytelling, which deservedly received a standing ovation on opening night. Go and see this play. When: Saturday, 24 May - Sunday, 22 June Where: Belvoir St Theatre Upstairs , 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills How much: $68/48/35 Dune Rats Brisbane’s Dune Rats leave the rules at home, abiding by one big ol’ proviso: "no kooks, no gutties." Whatever the blazes that means, these bloody corker dudes surf self-generated waves of laidback party-fuelled philosophy. Dune Rats' BC Michaels, Danny Beusa and Brett Jansch have been away from home for some time now, heading to the US, staying in a New York AirBnB warehouse, driving along the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver and filming their own (sorta) web series American Death Trip of Dreams. After months on the road, the Dunies will head back home to Australia for a national tour, showcasing their debut album released on June 1. It’ll be the first time the trio have played to home audiences for months and is guaranteed to be one messy affair. Check out our chat with Dune Rats bass player Brett Jansch over here. When: Saturday, 21 June - 8:00pm Where: Oxford Art Factory , 38-46 Oxford Street Darlinghurst How much: $18.50 Patyegarang - Bangarra Dance Theatre Bangarra Dance Theatre is celebrating its 25th anniversary with another masterful fusion of storytelling and contemporary dance. Building on one of the earliest collaborations between Aboriginal people and the new settlers, Patyegarang traces the relationship between a spirited young indigenous woman and an English astronomer. It's a little bit like Australia's own Pocahontas adaptation but with cutting edge choreography. Imbued with a spirit of optimism and collaboration, Patyegarang promises an electric tribute to our first people, excavating an overlooked historical tale and providing an opportunity to reflect on Australia's future as a new nation. When: Friday, 13 June - Saturday, 5 July Where: Sydney Opera House , 2 Macquarie St Sydney How much: $29 - $89 Words by the Concrete Playground team.
For the first time, Chinatown, Thaitown and Koreatown are joining forces for Lunar Streets, and extending an invite to you and your family/friends during this year's Lunar New Year celebrations. Graze like a sheep (it's their year) down Sussex, Campbell and Pitt Streets from dusk till late on Saturday, February 14. There'll be long alfresco tables set up for the occasion, so you can commune with friends new and old while chowing down on your dim sum/noodles/curry/sashimi/some glorious mix of the four. Performances by roving entertainers and a mix of Asian pop hits courtesy of PopAsia top off the night, a new high on Sydney's Chinese New Year calendar.
