When clouds start gathering in the sky, rain keeps pouring and storms hit, ever wonder what life would be like if something other than water streamed down from above? Everyone has — and now that idea has become a reality. Meet the world's first tequila-dripping rain cloud. Yes, this visible mass of minute droplets really is made of tequila, unleashing its boozy goodness first as a mist and spray that condenses inside a plastic container, and then as rain that drips down from the whispy structure. All anyone keen for a drink needs to do is stand by with a shot glass in hand. Bring your own lemon and salt. https://www.instagram.com/p/BRa17gCjyiW/?taken-by=visitmexico Unsurprisingly, you won't find the tequila cloud in sky — instead, it's located in a Berlin gallery as part of a promotional campaign devised by creative agency LAPIZ to entice German tourists to Mexico. Sure, it sounds like something out of Parks and Recreation; however it doesn't come with vodka in the form of a flash of light or whisky turned into lotion. Synchronised with the weather outside, the cloud actually starts raining showers of tequila when its natural counterparts in Berlin do the same with good old fashioned H20. The project follows in the footsteps of the agency's melting billboard, which turned ice into snow with the simulated power of the Mexican sun to show Berliners what they were missing (and to try to convince them to book a holiday). Via Food & Wine / The Huffington Post.
Carriageworks is a hotbed for a diverse cultural program, and the latest event to transform the former Eveleigh Rail Yards is At First Sight, a brand-new music event curated by FBi Radio's Marty Doyle that provides a utopia for music-lovers. At First Sight is part record fair, part live gig, and all entertainment. The all-ages event offers a chance to flip through records from a variety of the city's best independent record stores, labels and private dealers, entirely for free. Maybe you will find a hidden treasure or something completely new and unexpected — just let the magic of the crates consume you. Then you can head inside for a live gig from noon and catch a collection of Australia’s most captivating independent musicians including HTRK, who will be playing material fresh from the studio; psychedelic Sydneysiders The Laurels; Melbourne quintet Beaches; and garage pairing Super Wild Horses amongst many more, all for just $35. Independent record stores and live music venues have seen better days in Sydney, so At First Sight provides a perfect opportunity to get out and celebrate music. Whether you are want to find an old classic or fall in love with a band at first sight, or both, you can do it here. So why not enjoy some of the most exciting contemporary Australian bands and DJs before picking up a record or two to spin until the early hours of the morning. Why do we have such an enduring love of vinyl? Read more.
Apologies to backyard cricket, barbecues and water sports. Sure, they're ace things to do in summer in Australia, but movie buffs only have eyes for one outside activity. That'd be outdoor cinemas — and if you're keen on North Sydney's version of this under-the-stars stint of cinematic fun, Sunset Cinema is once again taking over North Sydney Oval from Wednesday, January 11—Saturday, April 1. Whether you're eager for a moonlit date night or gathering the gang in the open air, this season's program has something on the bill. That includes opening with Top Gun: Maverick, then featuring the likes of fellow 2022 hits The Menu and Everything Everywhere All At Once, Steven Spielberg's latest The Fabelmans, Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody, throwbacks such as There's Something About Mary and Crazy Stupid Love, and more. BYO picnics are encouraged, but if you want to enjoy a sparkling, cocktail or brew throughout the film, the onsite bar will be serving a range of drinks. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be hot food options, which you can order online and then pickup, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn.
Whether you're wanting to stock up on ahctivewear that's not completely boring, or you're getting early for Christmas presents for your sporty loved ones, P.E Nation's new Bondi pop-up store is a timely offering from the gym-going gods. Opening last week in Bondi Junction, this pop-up marks the label's first bricks-and-mortar store, set to turn out those new season styles and exclusive in-store offers until the end of January. The brainchild of Pip Edwards (General Pants Co. design director) and Claire Tregoning (former senior designer at Sass & Bide), P.E Nation has taken the athleisure concept to a luxe new place, the label proving a hit with fitness fiends and stylish multi-taskers alike. With its retro-luxe detailing and focus on functionality, this is gear that works hard, and looks darn good doing so. Find the P.E Nation pop-up on Level 4 of Westfield Bondi Junction, until the end of January. Edwards and Tregoning will be in-store from 6-8pm on December 8 and 15, for anyone wanting help styling those newly purchased co-ordinates into their current wardrobe.
Sydneysiders are used to Tumbalong Park being overtaken by festivals, but coming up in February 2025 is one unlike the rest: The Artistry 2025. This is a festival all about international culture, art, music and food, bringing the tastes of the world to Tumbalong Park for the first weekend of February. One of the biggest offerings for the festival (Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9) will be the Thai Select Food Village. Found adjacent to the Tumbalong Park stage, this miniaturised precinct will host 15 food stalls run by local Thai restaurants serving Thai street food in its most authentic forms. The lineup of stalls is organised by Thai Select, an extension of the Thai Ministry of Commerce that reviews Thai restaurants overseas and awards them certification for authentic taste, quality and services, meaning each stallholder is a best-in-class example of Sydney's Thai food scene. Close your eyes, and you'll feel like you've been transported to the markets of Thailand. Here, you can get a plate of pad thai, som tum, khao soi, tom yum noodles, Thai-style fried pork and chicken, mango sticky rice, coconut pancakes and more. Beyond the food, The Artistry will also offer live performances, pop-up workshops, a beer garden, muay thai and more. And unlike other festivals, it's free entry. The Thai Select Food Village will run as a part of The Artistry 2025 from Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9. For more information, visit the Thai Trade Sydney page.
It's that time of year again — the sun is shining, work is slowing down (hopefully) and every single person in your life (and their next-door neighbour's cousin) wants to catch up. And when you're this busy, you'll exhaust all of your tried-and-true favourite spots for dinner and drinks in no time. But all is not lost. We've teamed up with Australian Venue Co to share some happenings around Sydney that are anything but boring. Whether it's celebrating the end of the work year with your colleagues, reuniting with an old mate who's visiting from interstate or just planning another night out with your usual crew, you can do much better than heading to your local for the fourth (or fifth) time this week.
When the warm weather starts seeping in across Sydney, Sunset Cinema hits up multiple spots around town. For 2021, that time is fast approaching — and, post-lockdown, the annual outdoor movie setup will kick off its Ku-ring-gai season from Thursday, October 28. Screening right through November and up until Saturday, December 4, Sunset Cinema Ku-ring-gai will once again showcase new flicks and old classics at St Ives Showground. So, whether you're planning a cosy date night or easy family outing under the stars, there'll be something on the bill for you. The full lineup hasn't been revealed as yet, and tickets aren't currently on sale, but movie highlights include Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, new animated release Ron's Gone Wrong and the Ryan Reynolds-starring Free Guy, as well as retro showings of Grease and The Greatest Showman. For Halloween, expect suitably spooky flicks — naturally. BYO picnics are encouraged here, but the site isn't licensed, so this is a booze-free affair. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be hot food options, including from food trucks, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn.
For the past two decades, flying between Sydney and Melbourne — or any major Australian cities — has meant picking between Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and, for a period, Tiger Airways. After a particularly rough year for the airline industry, however, 2021 will see Aussies get another flight option. Regional carrier Rex is expanding its routes, and will start covering the country's capitals from March. First up, it'll travel between Sydney and Melbourne, kicking off on March 1, 2021. Three of the airline's Boeing 737-800s will fly back and forth from the two cities, doing nine services a day. And, while Rex's expansion was actually already flagged earlier this year, the airline has just launched tickets between the New South Wales and Victorian capitals today, Wednesday, December 2. Those keen to book a trip with the airline can now nab tickets for $79 each way as part of Rex's launch sale. There are 100,000 tickets currently available — although, given how popular flight sales have proven in 2020, getting in quickly is recommended. Rex, which has been hitting the skies for almost seven decades, is selling fares that include checked baggage, food, pre-assigned seating and online check-in. Economy passengers can also pay extra to access onboard wi-fi — or, if you opt for one of each plane's eight business class seats, you'll get internet access thrown in for free. The Sydney–Melbourne route is just the beginning, too. Flights to and from Brisbane are due to start taking off by Easter 2021 — and to other capitals as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rex Airlines (@rex.airlines) Rex will start flying between Sydney and Melbourne from March 1, 2021. For further information, or to book a flight as part of its $79 sale, head to the airline's website. Top image: Rex.
It takes a truly talented band to reach the heights of international stardom without a drummer, but New Zealand eight-piece Fat Freddy’s Drop make it look a synch. They’ve been touring for well over 15 years now, their inimitable horn-based sound, bringing together a soul, dub, reggae fusion that sends audiences loco. Now, they’re bringing their brass, bass and organic melody and lyricism to Australia for a nationwide tour. Testament to Fat Freddy’s Drop success is their ability to remain independent and reassured that the crazy little thing they’ve got going on is worth it. They were first band to hit number one in New Zealand with an independently produced record, and said album, Based on a True Story, is still the highest selling album by a national artist in the country’s history. They’ve released three studio albums, two live albums and several singles, and even built a studio. As for their live performances, they’re infamous for their energy. From the music to the atmosphere, the reggae sounds hit hard, and the techno spin Fat Freddy’s Drop has taken lately keeps the rhythm dynamic.
As the cluster of positive COVID-19 cases associated with a pub in Sydney's southwest grows to 37 and two venues are fined for not adhering to public health orders, the NSW Government has announced it will tighten some restrictions for pubs and hotels in a bid to contain the virus. In an announcement made on Tuesday, July 14, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that group bookings will now be reduced from 20 to ten and large venues will be capped at 300 people (compared to the previous one person per four-square-metre rule). There will also be stricter rules around the collection of patron's contact details and COVIDSafe Plans will now be mandatory. "We know from the health advice we've received from the beginning of the pandemic that indoor activity, where people aren't seated, is a huge health risk," the Premier said. "It increases the chance of transmission." By 12.01am on Friday, July 17, every pub and hotel in NSW must have a registered COVIDSafe Plan. Venues larger than 250 must have a full-time COVIDSafe Hygiene Marshall on duty at all times to ensure the plans are being implemented, while smaller venues must have a COVIDSafe person during peak times (12–3pm and 5–9pm). It'll now be compulsory for pubs and hotels to collect every patron's details (instead of just one person per group) and, where possible, record them electronically. If recording them on paper, venues must then create a digital copy. https://www.facebook.com/NewSouthWalesHealth/posts/1346342735565064 The tightened restrictions comes as 37 positive cases have been linked to Casula's Crossroads Hotel, as of Thursday, July 16, and The Star Casino was fined $5000 by Liquor & Gaming NSW for allowing groups of adults consuming alcohol to mingle. Double Bay's Golden Sheaf was also fined $5500 late last week after a photo of a long queue of patrons — said to be about 250 people — not social distancing circulated via Reddit. The NSW Government is urging anyone who visited the Crossroads Hotel between Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 10 to get tested and immediately self-isolate. "Whether we like it or not, the reality is that life is not normal and it will not be normal until we have a vaccine or a cure. Life will not be normal during the pandemic and so the question we ask in New South Wales is what can we do to reduce the risk, to reduce the spread so we continue to have a good level of activity in our community, a good level of people staying in their jobs and going about their business." The new restrictions for NSW pubs and hotels come into place 12.01am on Friday, July 17. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and to download a COVIDSafe Plan, head to the NSW Government website. Top image: Kimberley Low Update: July 17, 2020
Six albums into their career, Ball park Music have cemented themselves as one of most consistent and beloved Australian bands of the past two decades. Pulling from the infectious and heartfelt ballads of bands like Powderfinger and Crowded House, the Brisbane five-piece never fail to produce catchy blends of pop and rock with a hint of self-aware humour. After treating Sydneysiders to one of their first post-COVID sets during Summer in the Domain, the band is returning to NSW on Friday, March 25, as part of Great Southern Nights. This time, they're popping up in regional hub Bathurst for a one-off set at Charles Sturt University. In support will be upcoming pop singer Yorke, who recently sold out The Lansdowne and is now heading around the country to support the likes of Amy Shark, San Cisco and The Veronicas. Great Southern Nights is facilitating a heap of gigs across Sydney and regional NSW, ranging from icons like Jimmy Barnes popping up in western Sydney or Archie Roach performing in Wagga Wagga, through to smaller acts like hyped young R&B singer Liyah Knight headlining a night of local music and DJs at Zetland's 107 Projects. You can find the full program at the Great Southern Nights website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ydbGRaoXI
Don a fancy dress or suit and head to Randwick. Spring has officially arrived in Sydney, so that means racing season has too. Returning for another carnival of fashion, food and action, Colgate Optic White Stakes Day is the first group race of the 2018 Everest Carnival offering racegoers to shake off the winter chill. Held Saturday, September 15 at Royal Randwick, there'll be a variety of food and drinks to enjoy while The Mews will provide a spot to hang out with friends and soak in the entertainment. Kick back at the Colgate Optic White Lounge marquee and stop by the bandstand where artists including Hype Duo and Georgia White are set to perform. As always, looking the part is one of those iconic aspects of going to the races. Want a hot tip? Incorporate a splash of red into your getup, and you'll have a chance of winning the fashion-spotting competition. And, if you're feeling extra lucky, you can enter the On Top of the World competition, which will get you a money-can't-buy experience on Everest Day: two night's accommodation at The Star, a buffet breakfast at Sokyo, a helicopter transfer to Randwick and a dining package while you're there. Plus, when you return to The Star that night (via limousine), you'll enjoy dinner at BLACK Bar & Grill. Stakes Day is one of the Everest Carnival's headline events. Everest Carnival runs across six weeks and culminates in the world's richest horse race on turf, The $13 Million TAB Everest, on Saturday, October 13.
Riveting dissections of realistic situations: that's where siblings Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have made their careers. Continuing in the same finessed, naturalistic vein, Two Days, One Night compels by rendering relatable circumstances without sentiment but with surprises. It follows the attempts of Sandra (Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard) to convince her co-workers to save her job. To do so, they would need to forgo a cash bonus they've been offered and in many cases need. The precision with which the filmmakers present a feature almost solely comprised of conversations cannot be underestimated, nor can Cotillard's expert efforts in illustrating the fragility of her striving but uncertain protagonist. Small in stature yet striking in its statement, Two Days, One Night took out the Sydney Film Prize at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Two Days, One Night is in cinemas on November 6. Thanks to Madman Entertainment, we have two Dardenne Brothers DVD prize packs to give away, each including a double in-season pass to see the new film. Eight runners up will also get double in-season passes. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=qxLqaEGZiDY
Now is your chance to give your very good dog the attention it deserves and put them centre stage — in front of thousands of adoring onlookers. Opera Australia is calling for well-behaved pups to star in its upcoming opera La Traviata, which takes place on its stunning floating Handa Opera stage on Sydney Harbour. During certain performances, your pooch will make an appearance in a glamorous party scene in the first act of the show. Pooches must well trained and not easily spooked — the show features fireworks, noise, bright lights, lots of cast members and an audience of 3000 — as well as being fit and healthy enough to climb the stage's steps. [caption id="attachment_729348" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera's 2012 'La Traviata' by Lightbox Photography[/caption] You'll need to be available to be a #proudparent from the side stage, with performance dates on weekends throughout April. And you'll get complimentary tickets to the show, either on the night of your dog's stage debut or for another date. There's no word on how many pups will be chosen, but there are 11 show dates to be filled. Find out more about Handa Opera's dog role and fill out an application here. 'La Traviata' takes to Sydney Harbour from March 27–April 26.
This winter, you won't be chasing the sun and soaking in a European summer. That was off the cards last year, too. But, thanks to eased domestic border restrictions and the trans-Tasman bubble, you can spend the chilliest part of the year surrounded by snow. Of course, whether you're planning to ski, snowboard or just build a snowman, you'll need to rug up — and whatever is currently in your wardrobe mightn't do. Each year — except 2020, for obvious reasons — Aldi hosts a big sale on snow gear. Every time it happens, it draws quite a crowd. It's back for 2021, so mark Saturday, May 22 in your diary. That's when you can head to your nearest Aldi supermarket to pick up everything from snow jackets and boots to face masks and beanies. Available at stores across the nation, and made to withstand extreme weather conditions, 2021's range of gear includes six different varieties of snow jackets, which start at $39.99 for something light and go up to $119.99 for windproof and waterproof numbers; four types of snow pants, including one style with adjustable leg and waist cuffs for $99.99; and ski fleece sets, featuring a hoodie and a pair of pants, for $19.99. Boots for both kids and adults start at $19.99, helmets will cost you between $19.99–24.99, and you'll be spending between $4.99–34.99 for masks, beanies, neck warmers, cabin socks, gloves and balaclavas. Kids clothing is part of the deal, too, if you'll be travelling with younger skiers — ranging from $19.99–34.99. Once you're all kitted out, you're certain to stay toasty if you're making the trip to Perisher Valley, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Hotham or anywhere else local where snowy peaks are a feature. If you're hopping across the ditch instead, you'll find plenty of items to stop you getting frosty up at New Zealand's ski fields. The Aldi Snow Gear Special Buys range is available from Aldi stores nationally from Saturday, May 22.
Since mid-May, Sydney's hospitality businesses have been allowed to reopen for dine-in customers. First, just ten customers were allowed in the door, with that cap moving to 50 from June 1. Now, the New South Wales Government has revealed the next phase for the industry — with number-specific limits being scrapped completely from July 1. As reported by the ABC, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian, the state will instead move to the four-square-metre rule — which is already in place, but is currently accompanied by other exact caps on how many folks can be inside a certain spot at any one time. The change means that as long as NSW restaurants, cafes and pubs have at least four square metres of space for each customer, they don't need to work to a fixed limit when it comes to patrons. Also changing in NSW: restrictions on outdoor venues. Sites with a capacity of up to 40,000 will be allowed to fill up to a quarter of their seating — but patrons must be ticketed and seated, and the new rule doesn't apply to larger venues. The move will allow sporting events to proceed with fans in the stadium, and for seated outdoor music and cultural performances to do the same as well. The news follows the Australian Government's similar announcement on Friday, June 12, after the latest national cabinet meeting. Originally as part of the country's three-step road map to a COVIDSafe Australia, which was released in May, a 100-person cap on gatherings was recommended for mid-July. Now, however, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has lifted this cap countrywide and replaced it with the blanket four-square-metre rule. This has to be implemented on a state-by-state basis, though, which is what NSW is now doing. As also flagged by the Prime Minister on Friday, music festivals and nightclubs will still remain off the cards in NSW come July 1. That said, the Sydney Morning Herald notes that the state government is considering easing those restrictions — and on bars as well — in August as long as NSW's COVID-19 community transmission levels stay low. 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. Via ABC / Sydney Morning Herald / The Guardian. Top image: Kitti Gould.
Hoping The Ditch from New Zealand, this absurdist three-woman show by Scungebags Theatre stars unsuccessful 90s pop act The Baby Girls and their many friends, who include mischievous elves, friendly cowboys and hungry rabbits. Maggot lands in Sydney after selling out seasons in Auckland and Adelaide, as well as nabbing a bunch of awards, including the Adelaide Tour Ready Award 2017 for Outstanding Ensemble and the New Zealand Fringe 2018's Sydney Tour Ready Award. Expect clowning, masks and impressive circus tricks from Freya Boyle, Elle Wootten and Angela Fouhy, who've all trained with French master clown Philippe Gaulier and Melbourne's world-famous John Bolton. Maggot runs from Thursday, September 27 to Saturday, September 29 with showings at 8.30pm every night.
Sporting giant Adidas has outdone itself with the adiZero f50 miCoach, a new soccer boot that boasts state-of-the-art technology. According to the manufacturer, the boot will be able to measure 'key performance metrics including speed, average speed (recorded every second), maximum speed (recorded every five seconds), number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels, steps and stride rates.' Judging by this description, these super-intelligent boots are a serious athlete's dream. The information on the boot can then be stored for up to seven hours, and subsequently uploaded via WiFi or USB to other devices. The thoughtful guys at Adidas have then tapped into the social media aspect of the shoe, as your stats can then be shared with your friends on Facebook, or kept as a record for your own training regimes. You can even compare your own stats with professional (Adidas-sponsored, of course) athletes such as Lionel Messi as they upload their figures. With more features than necessary and more intelligence than you ever thought a shoe could possess, you're probably wondering how much it will cost to get your hands on a pair of these bad boys. They're set to drop in November at a price of $330, which isn't too bad considering that you're pretty much lacing up a computer on your feet. However, keep in mind that the $330 price point is in American dollars and you're probably going to have to fork out a lot more when they eventually land Down Under. https://youtube.com/watch?v=LK_paShxGM8 [Via PSFK]
If you're flying into or out of Sydney Airport this holiday season, that transit is set to be a whole lot more bearable than usual, thanks to a brand new addition from Archie Rose. The Rosebery distillery has just gifted the Airport's T1 International terminal with a 16-seat pop-up cocktail bar, primed for those pre-flight libations. Aiming to celebrate top Aussie booze, the Archie Rose Cocktail Bar started pouring drinks on Thursday, November 28 — and it's sticking around until February 2020. The custom-designed watering hole serves up a lineup of martinis, manhattans and other signature bottled cocktail creations, crafted on Archie Rose's acclaimed range of gin, whisky and vodka varieties (all of which are made just a stone's throw away, at its Rosebery headquarters). Passengers can also get their hands on the just-dropped Archie Rose x Sydney Opera House Outside and Inside Gins – a twin release celebrating Sydney Harbour's famed architectural icon. As for the space itself, the bar is open yet cosy, with a swag of native plants offering that last little taste of home before you jump on your long-haul flight. Archie Rose is known for its growing range of craft spirits, including the famed Signature Dry Gin, which continues to scoop a stack of international awards. The label is also behind the experimental 'buttered toast spirit', ArchieMite, which Aussies went nuts for when it launched earlier this year. Find the Archie Rose Cocktail Bar at B1045, T1 International Sydney Airport. Images: Kai Leishman
From tomorrow, Monday, August 3, the NSW Government is strongly recommending Sydneysiders wear face masks as the state is at "high risk" with increased community transmission and the high number of cases in bordering Victoria. At a press conference today, Sunday, August 2, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks should be worn in four key situations: if you're in an enclosed space and can't social distance, such as at a supermarket or on public transport; if you're working a customer-facing job, such as hospitality or retail; if you're attending a place of worship; and if you're in an area where there is high levels of community transmission. "I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales," the Premier said. The Premier also said that wearing a mask does not replace other hygiene and social distancing measures, but is a "fourth line of defence". "The first line of defence is that if you even have the slightest symptoms, or you have been asked to get tested, get tested and stay isolated for 14 days," the Premier said. "Secondly, you have to socially distance, whatever you are — 1.5 metres — no exceptions for anybody... [and] you have to keep up your hand hygiene." The announcement comes as NSW records 12 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Saturday, August 1, with one of those a returned traveller in hotel quarantine. A number of COVID-19 clusters have been recorded in suburbs across Sydney, with 98 cases linked to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, 57 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel and 24 to Potts Point, as of Saturday, August 1. NSW Health is continuing to update a list of venues linked to positive cases here and its map of cases by postcode over here. Woolworths and Bunnings have already strongly recommended its NSW customers wear face masks, with Bunnings requiring its staff at stores within the state to wear them from tomorrow. If you don't have a mask, Victoria's Department of Health has put together a handy step-by-step guide for how you can make your own — or you can order custom one with your pet's face on it. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Both in Australia's nationwide lockdown between March and June and since New South Wales slowly started returning to normality, the state's hospitality businesses have been doing it tough. Temporary closures, pivoting to takeaway and delivery, stocking sought-after grocery items, enforcing social distancing, operating at limited capacity, using QR codes — these have all been on the cards to help stem the spread of COVID-19, and they've all had a sizeable impact on restaurants and cafes. The situation is the similar in NSW's entertainment industry, too — so, as part of the just-announced State Budget for 2020–21, the government is starting a new scheme to help both sectors. Called 'Out & About', the program is designed to encourage folks to head out of the house, have a meal, and see a movie or show. And, to do so on multiple occasions. When Out & About comes into effect from late January 2021 — with the exact date yet to be revealed — every NSW resident over the age of 18 will be eligible to receive $100 in vouchers. You'll score four $25 vouchers, in fact, with two available to use at restaurants, cafes, clubs and other food venues, and the other two specifically for cultural institutions, performing arts, cinemas and amusement parks. There are a few caveats, understandably. You won't be able to use your vouchers on tobacco, alcohol or gambling, for starters. And, you can only use each voucher once, including if your transaction totals less than $25. You'll also need to use your vouchers separately, because the idea is to get NSW folks heading out several times to several different places. [caption id="attachment_786742" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] To access the vouchers, you'll also need a MyServiceNSW account — and the corresponding app, so you can use the vouchers digitally. You'll only be able to redeem them at participating and COVID-safe registered businesses, however, with further details about where you can use them set to be revealed in the coming weeks. In total, the program will cost the NSW Government $500 million. A pilot scheme will be run first, before launching Out & About statewide. Obviously, NSW's social distancing requirements and other COVID-19 hygiene practises still apply to anyone venturing out of their house for something to eat, a night at the flicks or some time mashing buttons. And if it all sounds a bit familiar, that's because the UK implemented something similar earlier in 2020, offering up half-price meals to encourage folks to eat out — although it has been suggested that the British scheme might've contributed to a rise in coronavirus cases. For information about the 'Out & About' scheme, visit the NSW Government's website. Top image: Cassandra Hannagan
The debate around pill testing has stirred months of back and forth between advocates and those — including the NSW Government — who remain firmly opposed to the idea of introducing the harm reduction tactic at music festivals. In a push to get the State Government to reconsider, four Sydney advocacy groups have teamed up to host another big protest, set to take to the streets of Sydney on Saturday, November 23, ahead of Australia's festival-packed summer season. Kicking off at 2pm from Sydney Town Hall, the Dance In Defiance protest is being hosted by Reclaim The Streets, Keep Sydney Open, Unharm and Students For Sensible Drug Policy — the same alliance that organised a similar 2000-person rally back in January. Once again, the groups will be showing their support for pill testing, but, this time, they're also calling for the Government to significantly cut back its use of sniffer dogs and strip-searches, both which have been copping growing amounts of criticism. As reported by The Guardian, the NSW Police watchdog has investigated multiple allegations of police misusing their strip-search powers. The protest also comes after Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame delivered her findings from a coronial inquest investigating 2018's spate of drug-related festival deaths. In a report released earlier this month, Grahame recommended implementing pill testing, scrapping the use of sniffer dogs at festivals and even decriminalising personal drug use. Despite the findings, the NSW Government has reiterated its anti-pill testing stance, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian telling the ABC that pill testing gave festivalgoers a "false sense of security". [caption id="attachment_560794" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Keep Sydney Open rally 2016 by Kimberley Low[/caption] The State Government's response doesn't come as too much of a surprise, given its unwavering stance against pill testing, even in the face of strong supporting evidence from an array of international and local trials and studies. After two young people died of suspected drug overdoses at Defqon 1 in 2018, the Premier assembled an expert panel to offer advice on music festival safety. Since then, another three festivalgoers have died. The panel's recommendations ignored pill testing and instead inspired harsh new festival licensing, which was introduced earlier this year. The legislation required 14 'high risk' festivals to apply for new liquor licences, and follow strict and expensive safety management plans, and has been slammed by many in the music and festival industries for its shortsightedness. At least two NSW festivals were forced to cancel as a result of costs associated with the new legislation. The State Government has, thankfully, agreed to establish a music industry roundtable, with members from both the festival sector and relevant government departments, to consult on festival safety and legislation. The first roundtable will meet on December 4, but, at this stage, it seems unlikely that it'll change the State Government's strong anti-pill testing stance. "With the evidence piling up, the Liberals' refusal to introduce pill testing reveals the disturbing truth: They'd rather see more kids die than admit their war on drugs is a disaster," said Reclaim the Streets spokesperson Kieran Adair in a statement. "That's why we're taking to the streets again to dance in defiance." The multi-stage mobile protest will include a heap of local musicians, including Dunk, Breakneck, Church of Screamin' Electro and 1800Bike Rave, with more to be announced in the lead up. Dance In Defiance will kick off at 2pm at Sydney Town Hall on Saturday, November 23. Top image: Kimberley Low.
A new COVID-19 support package has been announced this afternoon to include more small businesses and sole traders impacted by Sydney's lockdown. On Tuesday, July 13 NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced financial support would be extended to more small businesses, including businesses with an annual turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 a year and sole traders. The announcement follows a petition launched by Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully advocating for further support measures for small businesses. The first phase of government grants were only available to businesses with an annual turnover of more than $75,000. Under the new system, businesses impacted by lockdown with a turnover of over $30,000 and a payroll of under $10 million are eligible for financial support. Microbusinesses with a turnover between $30,000 to $75,000 that have seen a loss of revenue of at least 30 percent are eligible for up to $1500 a fortnight, applicable from the beginning of lockdown. Sole traders will be eligible for up to $1000. Treasurer Perrottet urged businesses to do their best not to lay off staff or reduce hours during Sydney's lockdown. "We will come out the other side with a few scrapes but more determined than ever," said Perrottet. [caption id="attachment_813312" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heather Liddell[/caption] Individuals will also receive greater financial support through lockdown, as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The joint plan between the federal and state governments means individuals who have lost between eight and 20 hours of work due to stay-home orders can access recurring payments of $375 a week. Those who have lost more than 20 hours can access payments of up to $600 through Services Australia. Applications for small business grants will be open via Service NSW from Monday, July 19 and applications for individuals will open via Services Australia from tomorrow, Wednesday July 13. The new co-funded Federal and New South Wales financial support package was announced amidst fears Sydney's lockdown will extend well past this Friday, July 16. It follows this morning's announcement of 89 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales. More information on business support will become available at the Service NSW website and on individual support at the Services Australia website. Top image: Arvin Prem Kumar
Spring is dating season. Winter's gloom has lifted, the air is noticeably lighter and the glorious sunshine has both flowers and people blooming. In celebration, we're giving away a bunch of $250 Mastercard cards to ensure that you lovebirds have a suitably romantic springtime soirée. It's entirely up to you how you splash the cash, you can splurge on one opulent night out — indulge in dozens of oysters at a top-notch fine diner — or opt for a more conservative approach and spread those five (virtual) pineapples across multiple dates. After all, you don't have to spend big to make a big impression. The late, great Robin Williams once said, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'". Well, enter the competition below and your springtime parties for two are on us. [competition]695105[/competition] If you're looking for inspiration in the meantime, check out our top five dates for less than $50 in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and consider splitting the bill easily in under a minute with PayID (which uses the Osko payment service). Find out more here.
Feeling thrifty? Head along to Hornsby Second Hand Market when it returns on Sunday, April 13. This is your chance to help boost the local reuse economy while nabbing a pre-loved bargain (or three). As you'd expect, stallholders have jumped at the opportunity – and all 30 stalls are already booked out. For you, dear shopper, that means a cornucopia of unique objects, from jewellery and fashion to books and homewares. The market is just one part of Hornsby Shire Council's Waste Matters Strategy, which includes Bicycle Repair and Clothes Swap events. Mayor Warren Waddell is all about getting locals and visitors together to keep quality, second-hand things out of the trash and in the community's hands, thereby minimising the garbage that is taking up too much of our planet already. "Events like this inspire a shift in how we approach consumption," said Mayor Waddell. "The markets are a fantastic opportunity for the community to support sustainable living and take home some bargains." Hornsby Second Hand Market will take place on the second Sunday of April, September, and November, from 9am to 1pm in the Coronation StrEat precinct.
It must be an exciting time to run an Arab film festival this year, while the Arab Spring cascades across the region. But nail-biting too, not knowing if this year's selection of films will still be relevant two months from now. The 2011 Arab Film Festival got lucky: opening the Festival this year is The Cry of an Ant. It's the first film to cover the Egyptian popular revolution, which culminated in dictator Hosni Mubarak's resignation in February. Cairo Exit touches on Egypt's broad social mix, drawing a romance across religious boundaries between Coptic Christian Amal and her Muslim boyfriend. In sheer scale, cultural mix, riches and poverty, Cairo so big as to be almost unimaginable from here. But it's just one city in the festival's huge world. Stray Bullet takes in a story of a young woman's future during the Lebanese Civil War of the 1970s, In the Belly of the Whale shows the claustrophobic world of the Palestinian-made tunnels under the border to Gaza's south, while Colourfest-winner Show & Tell brings an Australian perspective. It's wide terrain for one Festival to cover, but for four days it'll take you into a larger world. Image from the short Once by Nayla Al Khaja.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and in 2018 we scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. After returning this year, it's back for its third round of autumnal beachside festivals. Returning from February–April 2020, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it once again follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour — and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave are dance music legends The Presets, Aussie indie-rock chart-toppers Boy & Bear and Brisbane's Ball Park Music, along with other local acts Allday, DZ Deathrays, Kita Alexander and Graace. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop is set to grace some of the Australia's most iconic surf spots, each outing featuring a locally focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. As well as heading to the official WSL events in Torquay, Margaret River and Coolangatta as it has since 2018 — and forming part of WSL Qualifying Series events Surfest Newcastle and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro in Manly, as it did in 2019 — the fest will also hit Noosa as part of the WSL Noosa Longboard Open. [caption id="attachment_753214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 LINEUP The Presets Boy & Bear Ball Park Music Allday DZ Deathrays Kita Alexander Graace THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 DATES Noosa, Qld — Dolphins Rugby Club, Sunshine Beach, Saturday, February 29 Newcastle, NSW — Empire Park, Saturday, March 7 Manly, NSW — Keirle Park, Saturday, March 14 Coolangatta, Qld — Queen Elizabeth Park, Saturday, March 28 Torquay, Vic — Torquay Common, Saturday, April 11 Margaret River, WA — Barnard Park, Busselton, Saturday, April 25 The Drop tickets go on sale from 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, December 4, with pre-sales available from 6pm, Tuesday, December 3 for folks who register in advance (prior to 6pm, Monday, December 2). For more info, visit thedropfestival.com.au. Images: Walk Wild Studio/ Miranda Stokkel / Ian Laidlaw.
Where do all those guns seized from Mexican drug cartels go to, anyway? Sometimes, they go to an astounding mechanised orchestra, constructed fully of decommissioned weapons by artist Pedro Reyes. Working out of media studio Cocolab in Mexico City, Reyes created the work, Disarm, as the latest in a series of weapon-come-musical-instrument transformations. Transformation is the key word: the artist's work takes tools of violence and transmutes them into objects of beauty and music, vaguely reminiscent of how hippies made National Guardsmen's rifles into flower vases during the iconic anti-Vietnam War Flower Power protest. It's an effective sociopolitical critique. An earlier incarnation of the project, Imagine (2012), similarly used remnants of weapons confiscated by the Mexican army. Reyes calls his instruments "the redemption of this metal that could have taken your life or mine". Some of the upcycled, sculptural instruments look like alien robots with a touch of menace about them, while others have elegant lines and an almost organic shape. How do they work as real instruments? Their development was overseen by professional musicians as well as Cocolab's resident tech geniuses, so artistry is just as much a component as machinery. Computerised, they are able to play preprogrammed compositions. Check out the video — the resulting music is not only very cool to listen to, but amazing to watch being produced as the instruments play themselves. The mechanised aspect makes visual patterns that are related to acoustic patterns. Adds Reyes, "It also becomes a visual show because you give plasticity to the musical universe that is hidden inside the computer." Voila: a perfect marriage of art, technology and social comment. Having already been exhibited in London, Disarm is on its way to the Melbourne Festival, where it will be displayed in NGV's Federation Court. Its instruments will be played by an assortment of skilled local musicians, so you'll get to hear all kinds of unexpected improvisations. Who would have guessed a gun could sound so disarming?
Remember how awesome Spongebob was? And Jimmy Neutron? And CatDog? Well turns out they were all written by the same guy, Steven Banks. What a legend. And now he has gone and out-awesomed himself again, this time by writing for dance. Reserve judgement until you watch this. Turns out, the guy is potentially even better at writing dance productions than scripting shows about sponges and starfish and genius kids and conjoined twin domesticated animals. Shadowland is a collaboration between Banks and Pilobolus. The American modern dance company started up in 1971, and has performed over 100 choreographed works in over 64 countries. Their trademark is their strong element of physical interaction between numerous dancers, and the exaggerated contortions of human form. Shadowland proves to be no exception. Dancers seemingly morph into animals, giants and even objects as obscure as motorcycles. The illusion of transformation into these impossible forms is made possible through the use of shadow. Audiences watch the silhouettes of dancers, who use trick lighting and complex movements to deceive audiences' eyes and create unbelievable images. Shadowland tells the story of a young girl who dreams of independence. Through a luminous playground of dance, gymnastics and optical illusion we follow her as she discovers her shadow and journeys into the Shadowland, where she meets numerous interesting creatures. The entire story is danced to the beats of successful American composer David Poe. Poe has toured the world with countless musicians, including Bob Dylan, so you know he must be good. When you combine the guy who made Spongebob, the guy who played for Dylan and the group who broke the world record for fitting the most humans into a Mini Cooper, something amazing has got to happen. Shadowland is that something.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020 — Organisers have announced that So Pop 2020 will no longer go ahead "due to policies and measures put in place by the Australian and New Zealand Government regarding COVID-19 and the inability for large gathering events to proceed". Ticket holders will receive a full refund. 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. Pull out that old Discman, break out the cargo pants and start practising your smoothest early noughties dance moves — the pop tour of your wildest teenage dreams is hitting our shores this summer and it's got more stars than a TV Hits sticker collection. Next April and May, the second So Pop festival is set to deliver a huge serve of nostalgia to stadiums across Australia and New Zealand, pulling together an extra juicy lineup of old-school icons, headlined by some of the biggest teenage obsessions from the late 90s and early 2000s. Stages in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland and Christchurch will be transported back to the 90s and 00s for one glorious night each, playing host to the pop-drenched soundtrack of your youth. Heading up the show are female five-piece The Pussycat Dolls, who will come out of a hiatus to take you right back to dancing in your living room in front of the TV on a Saturday morning with pop hits 'Don't Cha', 'Buttons' and 'What I Grow Up'. It'll be the group's first visit Down Under since touring with Lady Gaga back in 2009. Joining them is British band Steps — so you'll need to start re-learning the line dancing moves to '5, 6, 7, 8' again — and the object of many a teenage girl's crush back in the day: Jesse McCartney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq_E17pTHY Relive more So Fresh-era bangers with Smash Mouth — who gifted us with 1999 hit 'All Star' — and the lady that gave us 'Murder on the Dancefloor', Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Irish pop star Samantha Mumba ('Baby Come on Over'), Dutch dance group Alice DJ 'Better Off Alone') and Reel 2 Reel ('I Like to Move It') round out the throwback showdown. SO POP 2020 DATES Perth — RAC Arena on Wednesday, April 22 Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday, April 24 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday, April 25 Adelaide — Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, April 28 Melbourne — Melbourne Arena on Thursday, April 30 Auckland — Spark Arena on Saturday, May 2 Christchurch — Horncastle Arena on Sunday, May 3 So Pop pre-sale tickets are up for grabs or 24 hours this Wednesday, December 4 on the Frontier Touring website. The rest will go on sale on Monday, December 9.
When good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye, George Washington was distilling his own at Mount Vernon, and Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men fuelled our unquenchable single malt hankerings; The Glenmore was gearing up for their latest winter venture. Sipping the American Classic atop The Rocks' Argyle Cut, The Glenmore is offering exclusive masterclasses in the art of rye, whisky, whiskey and scotch appreciation. The furthest thing from a soapbox-inducing dry month, The Glenmore are set to host their very first Rye July. "We have seen a huge increase in the popularity of whiskey lately as people are re-discovering the ‘water of life’. So much so that experts are warning that there’s a potential world shortage on the way," gushes Glenmore general manager Nick Beath. "So we’ve teamed up with the team at Bulleit to celebrate the golden drop and offer all whiskey lovers the chance to learn from the best at a range of exclusive masterclasses that will leave everyone thirsty for more." A one-off series of appreciation classes on wintry Thursday evenings, Rye July will take over the snuggly lounge level of The Glenmore with whiskey tasting sessions, tips on food pairing (with canapes to nibble) and how to make actually decent DIY pre-batched cocktails. Sounds like a much better whisky-fuelled idea than the time Jim Beam thought Mila Kunis was the perfect brand face. Most importantly, on 10 July, the crew will lay it down — once and for all — the difference between a whiskey, a whisky and a rye; so you can jaw-drop your mates at Baxter's Inn or The Wild Rover next time you're ordering a snifter. Limited tickets for each event are available at $30 per person. For more information or to just jump in and book, email info@theglenmore.com.au or call (02) 9247 4794. For now, this supercut should keep your malty cravings in order (or aggravate them, we make no apologies).
Back in 1976, author Anne Rice asked a simple question: if a vampire agreed to an interview about their bloodsucking life, what would they share? The answer to that query sparked a bestselling novel — the late writer's debut tome, in fact — and helped thrust her to fame. It also started a literary franchise, The Vampire Chronicles; was turned into a comic; hit the big screen in the 90s; and, soon, will play out as a streaming series as well. That book/comic/film/upcoming show: Interview with the Vampire. And yes, in its current leap from cinemas to the small screen, it follows in the footsteps of fellow undead fare Buffy the Vampire Slayer and What We Do in the Shadows. It also hops on a second trend that shows no signs of dying: reviving 90s movies as a series, as the new TV version of A League of Their Own also has recently (without the vampires, of course). Even if you haven't enjoyed Interview with the Vampire on the page or seen the 1994 flick, the concept is right there in the name — as both the initial teaser trailer back in July and the just-dropped full sneak peek make plain. "So, how long have you been dead?" probing interviewer Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian, Succession) asks Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson, aka Game of Thrones' Grey Worm), the New Orleans resident who can't resist the offer to live forever. Then, quite the tale unfurls. Naturally, if you're a vampire being interviewed, that's the kind of opening enquiry that's bound to come your way. More follow, but it's a helluva ice-breaker. Louis' story includes fellow vamp Lestat de Lioncourt (Australian actor Sam Reid, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), who he describes as "my murderer, my mentor, my lover and my maker" — and child vamp Claudia (Bailey Bass, Psycho Sweet 16), who joins their bloodthirsty family. How this new take on Interview with the Vampire will turn out will be revealed in October — in Australia via AMC+ from Sunday, October 2, with New Zealand details still to be announced. If you remember the movie — the film that helped push Dunst to fame as a child, well before she was an Oscar-nominee for The Power of the Dog — you'll know that it steps through its key undead trio's not-quite-lives (being eternally undead might be the better way to describe it), with tension oozing after Louis decides he doesn't want to kill. Check out the full Interview with the Vampire trailer below: Interview with the Vampire will start streaming in Australia via AMC+ from Sunday, October 2. We'll update you with New Zealand details when they become available. Images: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC.
Step into ancient Rome with this new blockbuster exhibition at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, on loan from the British Museum. Running till February 3 and showing for only the second time internationally (and exclusively in Canberra), Rome: City and Empire presents a rare opportunity to view sculptures, jewellery, wall paintings, mosaics, ceramics and other precious objects from one of the most innovative and creative civilisations in history. Displaying more than 260 of the British Museum's most-admired Roman objects, the exhibition narrates the story of how the empire grew from an informal collection of villages to a great civilisation that once covered present-day Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Obviously, the sheer scale of the exhibition can be overwhelming — so many artefacts, so little time. So to help you out, we've curated a list of our top five must-see objects from the vast array of ancient artefacts on display. Grab your ticket, plan a trip to Canberra and dive headfirst into ancient Rome. COLOSSAL STATUE HEAD OF EMPRESS FAUSTINA I Empress Faustina I was a Princess Diana of ancient Rome, known for her charitable work. This colossal marble sculpture of Faustina the Elder has been one of the British Museum's most prominent pieces since its acquisition in 1936. Uncovered at the Temple of Artemis in Turkey, only a fragment of what must have been a monumental statue (potentially four metres high) remains — it's just the head, and it's a whopping 176 centimetres tall. A well-respected public figure throughout her lifetime, Faustina was the wife of Antoninus Pius, the Roman emperor from 138–161CE. Known for her charity work, she was particularly interested in assisting with the education of Roman orphans, specifically young girls. We know, what a woman. Following Faustina's unexpected death just two years into his reign, her devastated husband never remarried. Instead, the emperor turned her into a goddess and cast her portrait on thousands of gold coins — which are some of the most common coins from ancient Rome still in existence today. [caption id="attachment_690063" align="alignnone" width="1920"] National Museum of Australia.[/caption] MOSAIC PANEL Look for the face of Phobos, god of fear, who may have warned revellers against drinking too much. The affluent Romans took the well-established practice of mosaic making and turned it into an art form as seen in this mosaic panel. Once adorning the floor of an opulent Roman dining room in Turkey, this intricate 4th-century stone mosaic features coloured rosette petals surrounding a medallion depicting Phobos, the god of fear — potentially included as a way to deter over-imbibing. As a status symbol of sorts, the wealthy would decorate the floors of their villas with mosaics to add an ornamental element to their homes, a topic of conversation during dining and a way of keeping homes (and bare feet) cool during the hot summers. PORTRAIT BUST OF HADRIAN Hadrian was the first Roman emperor to sport a beard, and potentially, history's original hipster. Described as one of the 'five good emperors', Hadrian was somewhat of an outsider compared to many of his peers. He liked to travel and spent about half of his reign outside of Rome. He also had a particular interest in Greece, which was considered to be the centre of arts and culture. It was rumoured that he even sported a beard to look like Greek philosophers — or perhaps to cover acne scars. This particular bust of the emperor was found at Hadrian's picturesque villa in Tivoli, which today remains one of the finest ancient Roman sites to visit. Carved from marble, Hadrian appears here as a strong commander-in-chief of the military, but for the most part, Hadrian's reign as emperor of Rome was a peaceful one. BRACELET FROM THE HOXNE TREASURE This intricate bracelet (along with a whole chest of treasures) was discovered by a humble metal detectorist in 1992. Next time you see someone searching for hidden goods with a metal detector, don't judge; you never know what you might find. In 1992, farmer Eric Lawes went in search of a lost hammer but, instead, uncovered something much more valuable — the Hoxne Treasure. Yep, this literal treasure chest buried in Suffolk, England, held thousands of precious objects, including gold and silver coins, jewellery and dining materials. The find has been traced back to the early 5th century, a time when the Roman Empire's rule over current day Britain was beginning to collapse. During excavation, archaeologists discovered that the precious items were still carefully wrapped in their original fabric. Alongside its sizeable wealth, the Hoxne Treasure was also an important discovery because it reflected the universal concern of keeping our material possessions safe during times of uncertainty. FUNERARY RELIEF OF A WOMAN Funerary monuments were commonplace among the wealthy and often told the life stories of the entombed. Taking the shape of Herta, a woman from Palmyra, this limestone funerary relief juxtaposes Palmyrene and Roman cultures. Dressed in fine Syrian garments but shown in a Roman-style sculpture, Herta is prepared for the afterlife, decked out in ornate clothing and jewellery. In Palmyra, the aristocrats had their burial compartments sealed with portrait monuments, such as this, often accompanied with inscriptions about their lives. These tombs — including single-storey house tombs, extravagant multi-storey towers and those buried deep into the underground rock — were commonplace until about 270CE. Rome: City and Empire will run until Sunday, February 3, 2019. Tickets can be purchased via the NMA's website.
Are you the kind of person who starts plotting your next meal before you've even finished the last? Love eating more than anything else? Well, you can get right to the guts of our global food obsession when the Sydney Opera House streams its 2018 chat with culinary legend Nigella Lawson. Streaming at 3pm AEST on Sunday, April 19, the talk has a fitting topic of conversation: home cooking. Lawson's Aussie visit followed the publication of her book At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking, which celebrates the joys of comfort food. The famed cook will be in conversation with SBS Food Safari's Maeve O'Meara and they'll be discussing everything from frozen peas to food trends. One of the most successful food writers of all time, cooking up more than ten million book sales worldwide with her 11 culinary bibles, Lawson started out as a book reviewer and restaurant critic, going on to become the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times. She is responsible for numerous award-winning books, including How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigella Bites and At My Table. The talk is part of the Sydney Opera House's three-month digital program From Our House to Yours, with free content streamed nightly from Wednesday–Sunday. While you wait for the full talk to stream on Sunday, you can watch some highlights below. https://youtu.be/P-Ua3wrT3o8
Everyone has an opinion on what makes a true Aussie burger. Beetroot? Yes, please. Fried egg? Sure. Pineapple? Stay away. But what about throwing on some of that iconic spread that lives in every household cupboard, regardless of whether you're a lover or a hater? Well, chef Neil Perry is putting it to the test with the release of a limited edition Vegemite burger. From today, Wednesday, January 17, this questionable concoction will be available at Burger Project stores across Australia (including the one that opened last week in Melbourne), as well as the current Australian Open pop-up in Melbourne. "Vegemite is synonymous with our Australian way of life," said Perry. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to collaborate with such an iconic Australian brand." The spread will be paired with Burger Project's staple soft milk bun, grass-fed Tasmanian beef patty, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion. That distinctive salty tang of Vegemite is sure to add a salty flavour hit to the burger. It certainly appeals more than the creamy Vegemite icy poles which got a hard pass from us. The Vegemite Burger is available between January 17–28, 2018 at all Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane stores. For more info, visit burgerproject.com.au.
What's better than knowing that one of the biggest Australian movies of the past couple of years is getting a sequel? Adding that second effort to your must-watch pile for 2023. It's been four months since it was revealed that The Dry was scoring a big-screen follow-up, and it's now been confirmed that it'll start flickering across the big screen sometime next year. Exactly when in 2023 that Force of Nature will surface is yet to be revealed — but add it to your future cinema-going list anyway. And yes, to answer the crucial question, Eric Bana is returning as Detective Aaron Falk. [caption id="attachment_787502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] When it reached Aussie cinemas at the beginning of 2021 — making the leap from bookshelves to theatres, adapting the debut novel from author Jane Harper — The Dry became an enormous success. If you went to the movies at the start of last year, you likely saw it. It currently sits sixth at the box office among local titles over the past ten years, notching up more than $20 million in ticket sales. It also came in sixth in 2021 overall, after Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time to Die, Godzilla vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2 and Fast and Furious 9. That kind of response was always likely to spark a sequel (and it shouldn't escape attention that the five movies that made more cash in Australia last year were all either sequels themselves, or part of long-running franchises). Cue this new adaptation of Harper's second novel Force of Nature. This time, the focus is on a corporate hiking retreat attended by five women, after which only four return. So, alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing hiker — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] As The Dry was, Force of Nature is being written and directed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes). Again, it'll boast quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which'll have a powerhouse Aussie cast like its predecessor: Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Elvis), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog), too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Sequin in a Blue Room) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Although the first image from the film has been released — see the header picture at the very top of this article — it's still too early for even a teaser clip. Until one arrives, check out the trailer for The Dry below: Force of Nature will release in Australian cinemas in 2023 — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Read our full review of The Dry.
Here's your chance to thank a major enabler of your binge TV habit. The man responsible for bringing you 3720 hours of glee, revulsion, frustration and satisfaction, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, is coming to Australia. He'll be making one exclusive appearance at the Sydney Town Hall as part of the Sydney Writers' Festival (an early part; he's here May 1 while the rest of the festival kicks off May 19). The discussion will zero in on Gilligan's creative process and presumably provide a platform for all your Better Call Saul-related questions. Even though Gilligan might be the most 'read' writer at the festival, there's plenty else in the program announcement to warrant attention and ticket-getting. Big international names include that other confounding New Zealand prodigy, 2013 Booker Prize winner for The Luminaries Eleanor Catton (who is, we're constantly being reminded, 28). There's also right-of-passage author Irvine Welsh, journalist/press freedoms fighter Jeremy Scahill, Super Sad True Love Story writer/famous blurbist Gary Shteyngart, and Eimear McBride, who in 2013 threw out the laws of grammar and emerged with the bizarrely comprehensible A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing. Artistic director Jemma Birrell doesn't appear to be trying to reinvent the wheel or tweet the wheel or performance art the wheel; the 2014 Sydney Writers' Festival is geared towards solid programming that mixes interesting minds. "Over 400 writers will bring their insight and knowledge, their creativity and contemplation, to help us see life from a different perspective," she says of the festival. Bondi Beach and Bowral are new venues, and there's a fun-looking series putting the spotlight on Literary Friendships (it generously counts siblings as friends, so writers Benjamin and Michelle Law are included). Now a fixture of the festival, the Chaser-run Festival Club is where things will get relaxed and sweary at the end of the day. The Sydney Writers' Festival is on May 19-25 (apart from lone wolf Vince). Tickets are on sale from 9am on Friday, April 4, via the festival website. Check out our picks of the top ten events at the Writers' Festival,
Following the success of their previous hotel takeover in Byron Bay, the grand Clicquot Hotel is now heading to Queensland's Sunshine Beach — a hop, skip and jump from Noosa — for 10 days only. The French champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, has made the most extra luxury accommodation focused around premium experiences. Expect exclusive food and Champagne experiences, spa treatments, sunrise surfing lessons and yoga overlooking the coastline. And, of course, everything is adorned with the famous Veuve Yellow. But those offerings are just the cherries on top of the hyper lavish experience. Over two nights, you'll also have private access to Sunshine Beach and Noosa National Park, complimentary Veuve Clicquot champagne whenever the whim takes you (of course), a private sommelier and 24-hour concierge service, as well as chauffeured airport and local transfers. And, for a little extra cost, you can cruise on a chic mahogany speedboat – the Clicquot Dreamboat – along the Noosa River before having a curated picnic on the riverbank, served with chilled Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, the champagne house's refined, full-bodied take on pink bubbles. These guys have gone all out — and then some. It's a stupid-cool pop-up hotel. Clicquot Hotel bookings are available from November 4-13 and you can book your stay here.
Drinking a few brews and accidentally getting beer splashed on your shoes is a problem we've all experienced, particularly if you've indulged in a few steins at Oktoberfest. When people amass for a big, boozy shindig, steins start dripping and so does your footwear — and, as often happens when folks enjoy a few too many cold beverages, a stray drop of beer or several isn't the only unpleasantness threatening your kicks. Enter Adidas' new Originals München 'Oktoberfest' sneakers, aka the brand's solution to errant alcohol, its after-effects and its potential for stained shoes during the annual celebration. Made in Germany and available for a limited time from retailer 43einhalb, they're designed to withstand brews and vomit thanks to "durable puke and beer repellent" coating over their leather surface. Just how that works hasn't been revealed, but we're guessing you still shouldn't try pouring a whole pint over them. Selling for almost AU$300 (€199.95), the shoes also cater for the less messy parts of Oktoberfest, because the yearly booze fest is all in the name of fun. Accordingly, they're decked out with embroidery designed to match your lederhosen, have "prost" (aka cheers in German) stitched into the side, and come with a custom beer mug. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkMQyAEpyuk Via Munchies. Images:43einhalb/Adidas.
If The BFG had been written in the 21st century, Swedish fashion retailer Brothers’ vintage trunk is the suitcase he’d likely have carried. Not only is it enormous, it is filled with Brothers’ newest line of clothing. Titled ‘Travel’, the line boasts a combination of modern comfort and old-fashioned elegance hitherto outside of the jet setter’s experience. The suitcase is actually a pop-up shop. Built by expert prop-maker, Jean-Louis von Dardel, it opens to look like a closet, with compartments and drawers for every type of garment imaginable. Brothers has been moving the trunk all over Sweden, from airport to airport and station to station, displaying their wares for just a few days in each place. The clothing line features suits and business shirts that are not only well cut and stylish, but also soft and stretchable – gentle enough that wearers can relax during their flight, yet formal enough that they can head to a business meeting directly after landing, without the hassle of changing mid-journey. Brothers asked filmmaker Emil Klang to document the suitcase’s creation. Given the freedom to choose his team, Klang opted for composer Ola Tappert from Underton and animator Oskar Gullstrand from Naïve. The resulting film features on the landing page of the Brothers’ site.
There's little that's normal about 2020 so far, and that includes film festivals. Many of the biggest cinema showcases on the annual international calendar have been forced to cancel, postpone or rethink their plans for this year — spanning heavy hitters such as Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival, and even Australia's very own Sydney Film Festival. At present, we can't all gather in a darkened room and watch movie magic light up the silver screen. That doesn't mean that there isn't anything to watch, though. In fact, thanks to We Are One: A Global Film Festival, you can still enjoy a festival experience — one curated by some of the best big-screen events in the world, too — all while sitting on your couch. For ten days between Thursday, May 29–Sunday, June 7, 20 of the globe's standout film fests are joining forces to program a free online festival, which'll show features, shorts, documentaries and more via YouTube. More than 100 films will screen at set times, including 13 world premieres. That means that you can look forward to films such as Ricky Powell: The Individualist, about the eponymous street photographer; Eeb Allay Ooo!, a satire about monkey repellers in India; and Crazy World, an OTT action flick out of Uganda's Wakaliwood. There's also Australia's own Mystery Road and Mabo, Japanese rom-com Tremble All You Want and documentary The Iron Hammer, the latter of which follows Chinese volleyball star "Jenny" Lang Ping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stttLXh7yu4 If you're after something more than just watching a movie, a range of archived talks will also screen, alongside new, festival-exclusive content. Listen to chats by Jackie Chan, The Shape of Water filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Rogue One: A Star War Story's Diego Luna, or watch Tessa Thompson talk with director Jane Campion, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh discuss Apocalypse Now, Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg explore Crash, and Ang Lee and Kore-eda Hirokazu delve into their thoughts on filmmaking today. Selecting the program is a who's who of the film festival game, with Tribeca, Cannes and Sydney joined by the Berlinale, Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, New York Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival and Annecy International Animation Film Festival — and fests in Guadalajara, Macao, Jerusalem, Mumbai, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Marrakech, San Sebastian, Sarajevo and Tokyo, too. [caption id="attachment_768770" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Berlinale, Jan Windszus[/caption] While cinephiles don't have to spend a cent to watch along, We Are One: A Global Film Festival is encouraging donations to the World Health Organisation, as well its partners in each region. Top image: Sydney Film Festival, Luke Latty. Updated May 27.
When David Fincher does crime, glorious things happen. From Se7en to Zodiac, plus The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and Mindhunter as well, the filmmaker loves the genre — and audiences have rightly adored and downright obsessed over the end results. So, making an assassin thriller sounds like Fincher 101. Of course, as the just-dropped first trailer for his new movie The Killer demonstrates, there's no such thing as a standard project from the Fight Club, The Social Network and Mank director. Back in January when Netflix unveiled its new slate of films for 2023, The Killer was the number-one most-anticipated title on the list — and the sneak-peek footage that was revealed then now has company in this newly released glimpse. Michael Fassbender stars in the titular role, marking his first movie since 2019's X-Men: Dark Phoenix. And the murderer-for-hire he's playing has a ruthless approach to his work, and also a new battle. Story-wise, the film tells of its namesake facing off against his employers after a near-miss, sparking an international manhunt. The Killer hails from the French graphic novel series of the same name by Alexis Nolent and Luc Jacamon, and comes to the screen with Fincher's Se7ven screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker scripting — and the pair collaborating for the first time since that serial-killer masterpiece. Doing the score, as viewers can instantly guess from the very moment that it kicks in during the trailer: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, of course, as they also did on Fincher's The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and Mank. Will this team up earn them another Oscar, like The Social Network did? Or even a nomination, as Mank delivered? The Killer does have a perfect awards-season release date, hitting cinemas in October, then streaming via Netflix from Friday, November 10. The film will premiere at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival in September first, before arriving on the big screen elsewhere and streaming queues everywhere. As well as Fassbender, The Killer stars Tilda Swinton (Asteroid City), Charles Parnell (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One), Arliss Howard (a Mank alumni) and Sophie Charlotte (All the Flowers). Check out the first teaser trailer for The Killer below: The Killer will release in select cinemas in October, then stream via Netflix from Friday, November 10. Images: Netflix © 2023.
Working from home may have its perks, like having more snacks on-hand and wearing your comfiest clothes, but it also has a couple of downsides — one of which is all the video calls. While chatting to your family and mates on your laptop is a good way to socialise in these current times, many of us are doing multiple calls a day for work, too. So, the endless streams of virtual faces can get a bit repetitive. To break it up, Silicon Valley non-profit animal sanctuary Sweet Farm has launched Goat 2 Meeting, which lets you bring a furry friend to the call. Whether you need to bring some joy to your work meetings or just show your mum a llama's fresh haircut, you now can via video conference platform Zoom. While you have to pay to get a four-legged team member on the line, the money will go towards the farm, which in normal circumstances is partly funded by in-person tours. As Sweet Farm aims to take in animals — and has saved over 125 so far — and educate people on the the global impacts of factory farming across animals, the plants and the planet, your money will be supporting a good cause. No matter where you are in the world, Sweet Farm is putting its animals on video so get your daily dose of serotonin. For $65 USD ($98 AUD) you can get a 20-minute private virtual tour with up to six people, where you'll meet a few of the farm's animals — such as Paco the llama and Juno the goat. For a donation of $100 USD ($161 AUD) you can get a 10-minute corporate meeting cameo, with no limit on persons on the call. Or, if you want more face-to-face time with your new bud, you opt for a 25-minute call for $250 USD ($405 AUD). For virtual school trips, Sweet Farm is offering animal airtime for free. To organise a session, head to the Goat 2 Meeting site and fill out the form, including your details, a requested call date and your time zone. Keep in mind that time differences will effect availability. At the moment, California is 17 hours behind Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and 19 hours behind Auckland and Wellington. So, it's most likely an early morning meeting will be your best bet. Sweet Farm's Goat 2 Meeting initiative is available across the world. To request a time for your next video call with an animal in tow, head here.
Sydney's Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Australia's leading physical theatre troupe, Legs On The Wall, are combining forces to fuse aerial stunts with orchestral music for the daring new concert, Next Chapters. Running for two shows only, it's taking place at The Concourse in Chatswood on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23. The experimental show features gravity-defying aerial stunts set to new works by the orchestra's composer-in-residence Alice Chance — be sure to throw anything you know about orchestral concerts out the window. Plus, the audience will be treated to a saxophone quartet, a Russian number and a score by Elena Kats-Chernin's performed under the baton of Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith. Tickets are $59 for adults, $54 for concessions (including seniors and students) and $29 for under 18s. There are also family and group tickets available so get the whole team together for a night of surprises at a discounted rate. Catch this experimental new show during its limited season in May by booking your tickets here. Images: Robert Catto.
Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs. It can take you a while to get your head around it. But although it seemed unlikely, there's actually a decent physical resemblance, and word is Kutcher pulls it off. Although it opens with Jobs showing off the iPod to his staff, the film Jobs soon reverts back to the early days of Apple, pre-black skivvies, though with Steve firmly in the lead. It documents the ups and downs of the '70s, '80s and '90s. Though his inventions are obsessively loved, Jobs is a character not without controversy, and the film will have you feeling sorry for him, then hating him, then loving him again and rooting for him, while at the same time shaking your head and saying to yourself 'Oh Steve'. Jobs is worth a watch if you are a fan of Apple products, his company and what he created, or a fan of biography that isn't about putting its subject on a pedestal. Jobs is in cinemas on August 29, and to celebrate we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3rOiXeKaUUM
It's a brand new year, filled with the promise of new albums, new restaurant openings, new regrettable fashion trends. We're only a few days into 2015, so we thought it was high time you delved into some unchartered territory; harbour pools you may have never visited (or since you had water wings), shops you've never perused, films you've never been moved by, meals you've never demolished. Let's swim, play and eat our way through, with a little retail therapy at the close. Just remember to be a total legend and whack on some sunscreen and a hat before you head out; check out Pretty Shady for their (free) go-to skin savers. SWIM: WYLIE'S You mightn't have visited Wylie's since you thought Sea Shirts were cool, but this little gem is worth a nostalgic revisit to kick off the new year. Just south of Coogee Beach along the coastal walk, Wylie's Baths boasts a straight-up picturesque canopy and solid kiosk elevated above the pool — one of Sydney's most beautiful spots to obliterate a Golden Gaytime. While it's pretty packed on weekends with families, the crowd gets a lot more diverse mid-week, and Sydney's senior sunbathing ladies might be happy to assist you with your knitting pattern. Just be sure to bring along your ol' friend SPF30+ and your best Schoolboy Q-style bucket hat; that Australian sun can be fierce on the coast. Check out Pretty Shady for their (free) go-to skin savers. Neptune St, Coogee PLAY: ST GEORGE OPENAIR CINEMA Seven premieres, thirteen previews and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’s 21st birthday are all part of the 2015 St. George OpenAir Cinema programme. Australia’s most legendary tour bus will celebrate her coming-of-age with a special Australia Day screening. And you’re invited to kit-up for the occasion, with the most outrageous tiaras, wigs, feather boas and heels you can lay your hands on. All in all, 42 films will screen between January 7 and February 21. Tickets are currently on sale and tend to go pretty quickly, so get on it. For a full rundown of the program, head over here. Janurary 7 - February 21, Mrs Macquarie's Point, Sydney. EAT/DRINK: FINO PAR Located on the ground floor of TFE’s Vibe Hotel in that Surry Hills-slash-CBD area south of Hyde Park, Fino Par already wins on decor. What used to be a garish lime-green and bright orange concoction called Curve Cafe is now a wide-opened, street-fronting, dark and semi-industrial diner designed by The Gentry. Hiding inside tan leather, the tapas-focused menu, according to Chilean-born, executive chef Nelson Burgos (Foley Lane, Mamasita), is a combination of Spanish, Chilean and locally sourced produce. The man behind the booze is ex-Hello Sailor Brett Harris, who’s created a 100 percent Spanish wine list plus cocktails to boot, regularly centring around Spanish sherry and house, barrel-aged sangria. Read our full review here. Cnr Elizabeth & Goulburn St, Sydney. SHOP: THE SOCIAL OUTFIT Where else can you get recycled vintage Ken Done fabrics and help out Australia's new migrants? Philanthropist and CEO of The Social Outfit Jackie Ruddock is giving you a very good reason to bust out those credit cards: her social enterprise employs and trains migrants in producing fashion with a contemporary Australian aesthetic. Nothing is by accident, down to the Newtown shop fit-out, designed entirely by Nina Maya, a Sydney designer who also contributed to Colour Chameleon, The Social Outfit’s first line, made up of donated digital prints from the likes of Dragstar and Ken Done. Read more here. 353 King Street, Newtown. Check out Pretty Shady for more summer tips and ideas on how to beat that dastardly sun at its own game. By the Concrete Playground team. Top image: Gemma Stiles via photopin cc.
Feel like going out to eat tonight but don't have much cash left post-weekend debauchery? Well, we've got a solution to that conundrum — as long as you can scrounge up a gold coin. For the next three nights — that is, June 25–27 — Spice Alley's new Shanghai Dumpling Bar is serving up four dumplings for just $1 between 6pm and 7pm. That's a plate of four for $1, which might include pork and chive, chicken and mushroom, or beef and Chinese greens. There is a limit of one plate per customer, so if you're hungry you might have to purchase something else from the menu (which, to be fair, is kind of the point). Nonetheless, there's no obligation to stick around — you could pop in for a quick four, then head home to eat your ration of dinner toast.
Hidden is definitely not your average sculpture walk. Why? It's set in Rookwood Cemetery. A lot of us may think that cemeteries are spooky, but the whole point of Hidden is to prove us wrong. You're invited to explore the cemetery, and with over 40 artworks scattered among the gardens and graves, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. Each artist has interpreted the concept of history, culture, remembrance and love differently, and it shows in the wide range of pieces on display. From a caravan Museum of Childhood Memory to a wooden mountain sculpture, there's something to captivate everyone. There's also a Hidden tour that is led by a curator who will give you interesting facts about some of the works on display. This sculpture walk turns the country's largest and diverse cemetery into an art gallery that doesn't fit into the box. Hidden is open from sunrise to sunset.
Had enough of public transport? Too tired to cycle? How about cruising from A to B by waterslide? Last Sunday May 4, UK artist Luke Jerram turned every kid’s dream into an adult reality when he set up a 90-metre water slide on Park Street, Bristol. Titled Park and Slide, the project playfully suggested new ways of navigating our clogged up city streets — part of the Bristol Art Weekender and Make Sundays Special programmes. A whopping 96, 573 individuals registered for a ‘ticket to slide’, but only 360 got lucky. Showing good sportsmanship and a furious need to Instagram, a crowd of over 65,000 locals turned out to watch the fortunate make their soapy descents. Based on video footage, average speed was calculated at 18km/hr and the age of sliders varied from 5 to 73. “This massive urban slide transforms the street and asks people to take a fresh look at the potential of their city and the possibilities for transformation,” reads Jerram’s site. “Imagine if there were permanent slides right across cities.” Jerram was offered significant corporate sponsorship for Park and Slide, but rejected it, deciding instead to stick with local support networks. "[It] was not an opportunity to advertise fizzy drinks, swimming trunks or holidays to anyone," the artist pointed out on his site. Unfortunately, there are no plans for an international tour of Park and Slide. But Jerram will soon be publicly posting instructions, enabling communities around the world to DIY 'urban slide'. For updates, you can follow him on Twitter. Via Inhabitat. Images by Colin Rayner and Luke Jerram.
Gallery A.S. is a moveable feast and its new exhibition is setting up shop in what was once the Sydney headquarters of Paramount Pictures in Surry Hills. Motion / Pictures explores the junction of art and the moving image, highlighting the common roots of cinema in art. The slow, show-all charm of early art on film never really went away; matte-painting masters and their digital successors kept you looking at the painted image on the screen, even if their art was hidden in the illusion. Motion / Pictures is taking filmic inspiration from its art-deco Paramount surrounds to present work from artists that sits with the building that it stands in. The exhibition promises to cover, allude to and explore all the facets of movie culture, be it sci-fi, art-deco or video tape. Curated by Joseph Allen Shea, the show will feature the time-shaping Daniel Askill, along with Andrew Long and Mel O'Callaghan. Jacob Ciocci will present the low-key video Dark Green, while Anthony Lister's rough-edged super heroes will make a showing. Also contributing are slick embroiderer Tim Moore, immersive environmentalist Dan Moynihan and the graphite-loving Sam Smith. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, August 25 from 6pm.
