A performance that would make Michael Scott quake in his parkour-specific boots, Frameshift uses urban infrastructure and scaffolding as a stage and playground. Co-produced by Korean and Australian performers, Frameshift combines aerial and physical theatre, light and b-boy dancing. From Korea comes both Creative Dandi — who combines urban architecture with vertical dance — and the internationally acclaimed b-boy group and hip-hop experts, Drifterz Crew. They'll both work in collaboration with the Australian Stalker Theatre to fuse technology with acrobatics and explore the concepts of community and infrastructure in this visually stunning experience. Through dance, you'll be taken on a journey of self-discovery, travelling through time and space from Korea in 1926 to 2016 to 2106. And that's not all, you'll also be immersed in iridescence as interactive technology turns body movement into light projections. Frameshift is an awe-inspiring Australian-first performance — and it's all for the sweet price of $0. Presented by Art & About Sydney, a series of pop-up performances produced by City of Sydney, the show will take place at Customs House running from 8.30–9.30pm daily on Friday, February 16, Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18. So mark your calendars and get in quick, this is a free production you don't want to miss.
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in Australia — but, although The Phantom of the Opera was set to head to Sydney from September this year, and then to Melbourne from November, the famed musical's upcoming dates have been postponed. Accordingly, the music of the night will still be crooning its way into both cities via to a new season of the acclaimed Tony-winner; however, it'll now happen sometime in 2022 instead. New dates haven't been announced as yet, but Opera Australia, who is staging the production, advised that it had decided to push its shows to next year due to "the uncertainty created by the ongoing restrictions imposed by both the New South Wales and Victorian Governments because of the indefinite COVID-19 lockdowns." "This has been a really difficult decision for OA and our partners to make and has certainly not been made lightly when so many people will be affected," said Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. "After making box office history at the Opera House, it was clear that Australians were very excited about this new production of the world's most successful musical, and we'd brought together a fantastic cast of Australian performers, it's heartbreaking to have to postpone." When it does eventually hit the stage, the current production of The Phantom of the Opera will arrive in Down Under after breaking records in the UK and touring the US for seven years. Australia will become just the third country to witness this take on the tale, in fact. Obviously, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number. You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different. Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman is set to play the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by a cast and orchestra of 65 people, which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia. If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpaw9dft2Y The Phantom of the Opera will tour Australia in 2022. Tickets for current shows will remain valid for the production's new dates, when they're announced. For further information, head to the musical's website. Top image: Michael Le Poer Trench.
The inaugural Taste of Sydney Collective is set to descend on Barangaroo for a four-day extravaganza of food, drink and general revelry. From Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, November 11, The Cutaway will be buzzing with chef demonstrations, masterclasses, pop-up bars and a mini gourmet food market. To help you make the most of this exciting event, we've joined forces with Tanqueray to give you and a friend an exciting VIP experience. Your immersive experience will begin at The Taste Residence. You will be greeted with a welcome cocktail, and then go on to snack on two taster-sized dishes prepared and hand-delivered by renowned Aussie chef Mark Best (ex-Marque and Pei Modern), paired with a glass of wine. Post-meal, you'll receive a digestif before moving on to the Tanqueray pop-up bar. This elegant terrace bar will be a great place to unwind throughout the festival — but before you do, you'll undertake a gin masterclass with Tanqueray ambassador Krystal Hart. Hart will demonstrate how to make world-class cocktails at home, like the Tanqueray No. Ten elderflower collins and Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla spritz. Finish by relaxing on the terrace and savouring your botanical cocktail. To enter, see below. [competition]695701[/competition]
Cooking kick-ass vegan food with Smith & Daughters' Shannon Martinez, a behind-the-scenes tour of Lune Croissanterie and verbally deconstructing lasagne with Massimo Bottura. It sounds like regular programming for Melbourne's annual celebration of food — but it's not quite. Forced to postpone its physical March festival because of COVID-19, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has just launched The Online Edition, allowing avid home bakers and food fanatics around the country to dial into chats, masterclasses and trivia sessions with some of the world's best chefs from the comfort of their kitchens. And for lucky Melburnians, there are some IRL food specials available to order every day, too. Running from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30, MFWF: The Online Edition is taking place entirely on Zoom and Instagram Live. Those who've spent lockdown with a Sméagol-like obsession for sourdough can get their fix with Baker Bleu's Mike Russell, while those who prefer their carbs flaky and filled with butter will want to log on for chats with Helen Goh — who's worked alongside Yotam Ottolenghi for over a decade and co-authored Sweet — and Australia's Queen of Tarts Philippa Sibley, as well as the aforementioned tour of Lune with the inimitable Kate Reid. On the topic of Lune — look away now, if you're not in Melbourne — the croissanterie is recreating some of its biggest hits for the festival, including the Lune Reuben croissant, which you can pre-order for pick-up or delivery via the Lune website. Elsewhere on the IRL menu: foie gras ice cream from Leonardo's Pizza Palace and Black Axe Mangal's Lee Tiernan, a one-off six-dish menu from Bar Saracen, an oyster and champagne pairing, and a menu of Torino-style dishes from Mister Bianco designed to eat while watching the classic 60s flick The Italian Job. [caption id="attachment_697090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lune by Marcie Raw[/caption] Back on the virtual program, expect a lineup of talks with international talent, including René Redzepi — who's just (temporarily) transformed his world-renowned Copenhagen fine-diner into a burger and wine bar — former co-editor of famed food magazine Lucky Peach Chris Ying and Lee Tiernan of London's Black Axe Mangal. More locally, The Everleigh's Michael Madrusan will teach us how to drink better, culinary idol Tony Tan will take us on a tour of his new cooking school and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura will show us the art of the one-pan dish. While The Online Edition has less hot chip parties and Queen Victoria Market takeovers than its scheduled predecessor, it's certainly not short on talent. The program has been pulled together by MFWF CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha and Creative Director Pat Nourse, who both have decades of experience in the food industry and will be hosting many of the virtual talks. Of the new program, Loucas Bosha said in a statement: "Our aim with this virtual festival is to highlight the capacity that hospitality has in Victoria and around the world to bring us closer, even when we can't get together in the same room. It's about sharing ideas, about sharing experiences and above all about supporting our community so that we can all come back swinging." Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: The Online Edition runs from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30 on Instagram Live and Zoom. To check out the full program, head to the website. Top image: Daniel Mahon
By now, if you don't do F45 yourself, you most certainly know someone who does. Since its first studio opened in 2012, the 45-minute fitness franchise has grown insanely quickly, with over 500 studios in Australia and hundreds overseas. And while lots of gym-goers obviously thrive in this type of group environment, for others it can seem like an intimidating scenario. If that sounds like you, Potts Point's new gym could be your high-intensity alternative. One of the original founders of F45, Luke Istomin has opened a new kind of gym this month called Reunion. Reunion runs functional 50-minute fitness classes throughout the week, each of which are aimed at building core strength, body conditioning, mobility and recovery. While the classes are similar to what you'd find people sweating over in an F45 studio, Reunion's approach differs from those of other group training programs. When you sign up, you'll be matched with two other members who, ideally, have similar physical abilities and fitness goals. Then, you'll start to train as a trio. The idea is that you'll motivate and support each other and work together to hit the fitness milestones you're all looking for. The gym is trying to combat how intimidating it can be to roll up to a group class not knowing anyone and feeling completely out of your depth as you try and figure out what to do with your arms. The new spot is the result of a collaboration with the Australian-based creative consultancy Frost Collective, and the culmination of Istomin's many years in the fitness industry. As well as being an original co-founder of F45 (he is no longer involved with the company), Itsomin is one of the most qualified PTs in Sydney — he's worked with Nicole Kidman and Leonardo DiCaprio, and was responsible for Hugh Jackman's transformation into Wolverine. With this new venture it seems that Istomin wants to make some changes to the often monotonous world of group training by making it accessible to everyone, without the hefty price tag that comes with working one-on-one with a personal trainer. He is one of four regular trainers at the Macleay Street gym. If you're keen to give it a go, Reunion is currently offering two weeks of classes for $59. Otherwise, drop-in classes are $39 and memberships start at $59 a week. Find Reunion at 46a Macleay Street Potts Point, Sydney.
You total burger fiends. You spoon-wielding dessert hunters. You wonderfully dedicated American diner lovers. Here's what you clicked, perused and ate with your eyes on Concrete Playground this year, the most popular articles of 2014. Needless to say, you're a hungry bunch with good taste. 10. The Ten Best Dessert Spots in Sydney 9. The Ten Best Chinese Restaurants in Sydney 8. The Ten Best Cooking Schools in Sydney 7. The Ten Best American Diners in Sydney 6. The Ten Best Vintage Homewares Stores In Sydney 5. The Ten Best CBD Lunches in Sydney 4. The Ten Best Camping Getaways from Sydney 3. The Ten Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney 2. The Ten Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney 1. The Ten Best Burgers in Sydney Image credit: chefranden via photopin cc, Prudence Styles via photopin cc, roboppy via photopin cc.
Mike Baird just gave you the afternoon off, UberX is having a field day and Bondi's skatepark is a desert, after one of the heaviest storms Sydney's seen raged on today. And it looks things aren't getting any lighter anytime soon. It's been an apocalyptic day for New South Wales weather, with 'cyclonic' conditions sweeping through the state including heavy, unrelenting rain and wind gusts in excess of 135 kilometres per hour, according to the ABC. Three people have been killed and four houses have been washed away in Dungog, according to The Dungog Chronicle. And UberX had a field day this morning (and likely this afternoon too), as Tuesday morning's public transport delays and cancellations saw the app's pricing surge before 9am — up to 50 percent more than the usual rates, according to the SMH. Getting home won't be any easier, as Transport NSW has warned of more delays and limited services this afternoon. Check over here for updates, and expect Uber prices to surge again. Circular Quay to Manly ferries are not operating, mainly because the water looks like this: And if the footage taken from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship in Sydney Harbour is anything to go by, we're pretty happy to stay on dry(ish) land. A limited replacement bus service is running along with regular Northern Beaches bus services from Wynyard. Buses are delayed and diverted in many suburbs including Frenchs Forest, Seaforth, Hornsby Heights, Mount Colah, East Lindfield, West Pymble, Sydenham, Bexley, Eastlakes, Hurstville, Roselands, Rose Bay, Rouse Hill, Kings Langley, Auburn. Trains are more likely to be running, but with limited service. Check over here to see if yours is A-OK. Top image: James Dalton.
Ahh karaoke: the best fun you can have with a microphone in one hand, a beer in the other and a group of giggling friends tumbling over themselves around you. And let's be honest, karaoke establishments are not thin on the ground in Sydney - head down to Chinatown and there's a plethora of skeezy joints with dim lighting, squashy booths and '80s ballads coupled with K-pop videos and mis-translated lyrics. While these places have their charms, the best karaoke experiences are to be had in a select few of the city's sing-along establishments. So we've taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a list of the places we reckon are best for belting out renditions of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'I Will Survive' in the wee hours of the morning to your nearest and dearest. 1. Ding Dong DangDing Dong Dang is something of a Sydney institution for karaoke fans. Down the Central Station end of Surry Hills, it's much like the karaoke equivalent of the suburb itself: understated, intimate, offbeat and quirky. There's a fully stocked bar to choose from and an easy-to-browse song directory with all the classics lined up, accompanied by K-pop videos which are nothing short of endearing. The rooms are reasonably priced, but better yet they're themed - the space odyssey room is a particular favourite. There's a decent selection of beer and wine to be had, mirror balls and couches sturdy enough to jump around on. Overall, you couldn't ask much more of a karaoke joint. Address: 7 Randle St, Surry Hills 2. MizuyaUnlike many of the more dodgy karaoke establishments in this area of town, Mizuya inexplicably closes at midnight as opposed to three or four or even six in the morning. With over 100,000 songs which are constantly being updated, Mizuya is clean and well-designed and a good choice for a birthday party or awkward after-work bonding session. Mizuya a full bar with over 200 drinks - significantly more than you'll find at most karaoke joints - and there's also a Japanese restaurant attached, from which you can order tasty things on sticks through the touch screen in the room. Genius. Address: 614 George St, Sydney 3. Ju JuKaraoke is served alongside dinner on most nights at this underground Japanese restaurant in the Cross. The best dinner and karaoke combination night to be had in Sydney, it's not for the shy or belligerent. There are no private booths, just a microphone that circles the room, so everybody gets to hear you sing. Generally you'll have to wait until a reasonable post-10pm time to begin belting out tunes, but being part of a restaurant there's a pretty good range of tasty Japanese comfort food to be had, and beers like Asahi and Sapporo are readily available. And remember, it's bad manners to wear your shoes here, so put on your best socks. Address: 82-94 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross 4. Strike Bowling BarThis is karaoke attached to ten-pin bowling, and possibly a spot of laser skirmish if you're keen. Strike charges per room, as opposed to per person, so it works out well if you're in a big group. All the rooms are immaculately themed and clean - there's the polka dot room, the Victorian boudoir, the executive party room, and there's a pretty flash touch screen to order your songs, but sadly no soft-filter video clips to accompany your choices. Moreover, there's a prop box with wigs and over-sized glasses to enhance your performance, and a couple of tambourines and maracas to add a bit of pizzazz to your performance. They've also got an excellent menu of snacks and a decent bar serving cocktails for your tipsy lady-friends. Address: 22 The Promenade, King Street Wharf and 207/122 Lang Rd, Moore Park 5. The Pickled PossumA room filled with middle-aged karaoke enthusiasts belting out '70s and '80s classics has never been as fun as this; just make sure to show up in a big group later at night and with a couple of stiff drinks in you. Widely renowned as one of the more bizarre establishments in Sydney, the person with the microphone is king at the Pickled Possum, and drinks are frequently made by seniors wearing rubber gloves. There are no booths, so you have to be prepared to sing to a crowded room, but the eccentric collection of inebriated 'characters' are having so much fun and taking the karaoke enterprise so seriously you wouldn't want to be in a booth. Address: 254 Military Rd, Neutral Bay
What exactly is tapas? I hear that word thrown around so much, it seems to be quickly becoming completely devoid of meaning. Thankfully, then, tapas is only one small part of what the newly renovated Carrington has to offer. Instead, the Pintxos and Xampanyerias on this menu are opening up a whole new world to patrons. It's no surprise to those in the know that some of the same lads responsible for the Flinders and the Norfolk's reinvention are also behind this venture. Like its predecessors, the Carrington remains fundamentally an old Australian pub: the framework is almost unchanged from the pub of the same name that stood here before. The revised interior, however, is a whole new world, channeling the vibe of the same bars that inspired the food and drinks menus. It's the same mix of faithfulness and irreverence that is quickly becoming a signature: think fish and whales hanging from the ceiling, beautiful patterned wall tiles and paraphernalia everywhere. As soon as you can get a seat inside (and this place looks set to be busy), make sure you do. The Carrington is most certainly a new kid on the block worth trying. To find out more, read the full review here.
There's nothing like a pop up, and one featuring luxurious French champagne and macarons from Becasse is something we want to be a part of. To celebrate the opening of the luxury dimension in the otherworldly new Westfield, French champagne house Pommery (also celebrating their 175th birthday this year) are hosting a intimate bar. Swing by for a flute (or two) at $15 a pop, with complimentary macaron, and take a tour of the new precinct. We imagine that browsing Miu Miu, Mulberry and Christian Louboutin can only get more fun once tipsy. But be quick: it begins this Wednesday 15th and lasts for five days only.
Mucho Hospitality Group, the team behind some Sydney's most beloved bars (Cantina OK!, Tio's and The Cliff Dive) has added another notch to their belt with the opening of an exciting new cocktail bar on Enmore Road. Located on the Newtown end of Enmore Road, Bar Planet swaps margaritas for martinis. The signature Bar Planet Martini is made with a seasonal gin the team has created with Poor Toms distillery named the Infinite spirit, served with an olive and citrus from a lemon rind. Always accompanied by a bag of seasoned popcorn, the drinks menu is short but self-assured. You can also make a martini your way with a range of gin and vodka options, or opt for something fruitier. The Scorpino is a mix of P&V prosecco, vodka and an in-house gelato made with different market fruit each week (this week's flavour is a muscat grape). Bar Planet marks the first foray into the inner west for Mucho, an exciting venture for a group of inner west locals. "I've spent my life on Enmore Road," explains Marking Director Daisy Tulley. "I went to school at Newtown Performing Arts, I was lucky enough to play some shows at the Enmore, I live five minutes down the road. We've wanted to add to this amazing strip for years. Really, we just opened the bar we wanted to see in the area." The small bar lies next to a street art-adorned alleyway leading down to another recent Newtown addition Uncanny. Leading patrons in with the glow of its neon blue sign, the bar throws together hallmarks of bistros and diners with psychedelic patterns, enlisting the team that created Restaurant Hubert and Alberto Lounge's interiors to bring it to life. And, adding to the psychedelic feel, the bar-top has been designed by accomplished local artist David Humphries, mixing surfboard resin, marble, jade and French glass to create a delight for the eyes. Bar Planet is located at 16 Enmore Road, Newtown. It's open 4pm–midnight Monday–Sunday. Images: Nikki To
I don't care if the number 12 has a perfect number of divisors and if the sum of its divisors is also a perfect number. To me it is not a sublime number, just awkward and misleading. It's the number that made primary school times tables actually difficult, it's the length of a full-sized Subway sandwich that's too big and double the length of a Subway sandwich that's too small, and it tricks you into thinking that you're going to get 12 days of presents come Christmas time. The only time when 12 is a good number is when it refers to the number of artists showing at WATIM's 12x12 exhibition. This is because they consist of Daek, Drewfunk, Ears, Edward Woodley, Gary Seaman, Gimiks Born, Mark Alsweiler, Rone, Sean Morris, Shannon Crees, Shida and Troy Archer — some of the country's most sought after urban artists. On Friday 22 July they will be exhibiting 12 artworks at Sydney’s aMBUSH gallery, and each artwork will be 12x12 inches. If you have dodecaphobia (a fear of the number 12) it’s probably best to stay at home on opening night, but you can still purchase the works through an online catalogue on the 23rd. Image: Shannon Crees, 2011
Thanks to a public call-out by Sydney Living Museums, an incredibly rare compilation of our city's photographic history will soon be on display. Street Photography will exhibit at the Museum of Sydney from Saturday, December 8 through Sunday, July 21 presenting black and white, postcard-sized candid photos of everyday Sydneysiders from the mid-20th century. This form of street photography gained popularity in Sydney in the mid-1930s and continued until the late 1950s, so many of the images that'll be on display depict the everyday life of locals living through the Depression, World War II and postwar periods. This exhibition has been wholly dependent on public assistance and interaction. Of the 1500 images drawn from private family albums, 250 were chosen to be digitised and enlarged for display — many of which have never been publicly exhibited before. Running alongside the exhibition is a concurrent showcase by nationally renowned photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. She has restaged nine of the original images using each photo's subject or their descendants, placing them in similar locations from the image. Zahalka's collection also includes new present-day images taken around Sydney, which act as a modern homage to the art. Access to the Street Photography exhibition is included in museum entry ($15). For more information, visit the website. Image: Unidentified couple, 1950, Martin Place, Sydney, Ikon Studio. Courtesy of Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Sydney Living Museums.
Sydney is blessed with more than its fair share of sandy shores — more than 100 in fact. But as the temperature climbs and the sunny season reaches its peak, South Eveleigh is bringing some much-needed beach vibes to inner Sydney. The Saturday Summer Club offers warm-weather fun minus the hassle of salt and sand, every week from December 7–14. This urban beach oasis offers weekend activities perfect for family and friends, with kiosks for summer merch giveaways and rotating sweet treat pop-ups. Make a stop at the Summer Club Kiosk where spending $10 at any retailer lets you redeem special giveaways. While you're at it, satisfy your sweet tooth with classic Aussie lollies free of charge (while supplies last). Face painting for the kids, balloon artists and beach volleyball are also on the menu. Channel your inner surfer on the mechanical wave rider or take a dip in the Sponge Pool. Filled with squishy blocks, this foam zone is the perfect place to set the little ones loose. And be sure to snap a festive family photo at the Sandy Claus photo booth. Keep an eye out for a certain holly, jolly soul in a red suit who will be roaming the area ready to spread Christmas cheer.
Sydney's intimate, boutique Golden Age Cinema is teaming up with Four Pillars Gin for a mini booze and film festival (aka one of the best kinds of fests there is). Each Wednesday night from February 2–23, the 56-seat Surry Hills spot is hosting double bills paired with gin cocktails. It's quite the lineup, too, with a little something for everyone on the bill. The festival is called Summer in Cinema, so that's the kind of tone it's going for — so expect pools, beaches, summer holidays, gushing fire hydrants and all-round steamy days to be a big feature. First up on February 2 is a teen dream-themed double of Dazed and Confused and Almost Famous, with 70s coming-of-age tales clearly getting a whirl. Then, come February 9, it's time for the pool-centric The Graduate and Boogie Nights — well, the both do feature memorable moments with, in or by pools — which'll also mark the former's 55th anniversary and the latter's 25th. Next, on February 16, Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window will heat up the screen, accompanied by Spike Lee's iconic Do the Right Thing. And finally, February 23 brings the Miami-set pair that is the Neve Campbell-starring Wild Things and mob standout Scarface. These flicks will all get a beverage to match, made with Four Pillar's juniper spirits. The first screenings each evening kick off at 6pm, then the second starts between 8.10–8.20pm — but we suggest you get there a little earlier for the drinks. Tickets cost $22.50 for each film. Top image: Cassandra Hannagan.
All things good about the country will converge on Dungog for the tiny town's second annual festival, happening 22–25 October. It's a four-day extravaganza where food, drink, flicks, music, dance, theatre and art combine. If feasting is on the agenda, reserve a seat at the Long Table Dinner, which will set up smack-bang in the middle of Dungog's main street for an evening of boutique wines, local produce and live music under the stars. Leading the film element of the program is Projector Bike, which sees a handmade, two-wheeled contraption travel around town, screening films in unexpected places followed by a mobile audience on bikes. Alternatively, in the more conventional setting of James Theatre, catch a range of films and documentaries, including The Cambodian Space Project, Best of Enemies and a horror compilation showing at midnight. Headlining the music segment will be Paul Mac, starring at Saturday's Starry Night Concert, accompanied by special guest Ngaiire. Meanwhile, on the Night Market Stage, there'll be performances from singer-songwriter Steve Smyth and bush band Swamp Dawkins. Or, for a rowdier experience, head to the Settlers Arms to see The Pigs turning pop and rock songs into bluegrass masterpieces. Image courtesy of Destination NSW.
One of Sydney's best coast walks is this 6km trail, which gives tourists and locals alike a true sense of Sydney's coastal beauty. The trek's steep gradients are well spaced between the city's most loved beaches, making this trip part workout, part beach bum afternoon. While the walk could be completed in as little as a two hours, it is best enjoyed with long breaks by the ocean — or you can bail as early as Tamarama or Bronte. From late October, parts of the trail become extra majestic (and extra crowded) for iconic art event Sculpture by the Sea. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Maybe your suitcase is still looking a tad dusty, following a few years that saw travel plans put on hold. Perhaps you've given it the best workout you possibly could ever since local, interstate and international trips became a thing we could all do again. Whichever fits, scoring flights as cheap as $55 should tempt you to give that trusty bag another spin. Your destinations? Everywhere from The Whitsundays to Japan, all as part of Virgin's latest flight sale. If you're after discounted fares to a heap of places — including around Australia and the globe — Virgin is slashing prices again. This batch of special flights has been badged the Bring on 2023 sale, and can be booked now. You've got until midnight on Monday, February 6 to lock in your plans, unless the cheap fares sell out earlier. As usual, there's a sizeable number of discounted flights on offer: more than 500,000 in this run. They cover local spots such Byron Bay, Cairns, the Gold Coast and Hobart, plus overseas destinations including Bali, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji. Offering up to 30-percent off, one-way domestic fares start at $55, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. As proves the case in every sale like this, that's cheapest route. Other discounted flights include Sydney to the Sunshine Coast from $75, Adelaide to Launceston from $85, Brisbane to Proserpine for the same price, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $99 and Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $119. Internationally, return deals include Sydney to Fiji from $459, the Gold Coast to Bali from $489, Melbourne to Vanuatu from $539 and Cairns to Tokyo from $699. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover between Wednesday, March 1–Thursday, December 7, all varying per route. As usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Sure, the chaos of Black Friday and Boxing Day is behind us for another year, but everyone loves a holiday — and, even better, a bargain holiday. Virgin's Bring on 2023 sale runs until midnight on Monday, February 6 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If Brisbane has a centrepiece other than the river snaking through the city, it's the most-famous bridge that sits atop the waterway. The Story Bridge is one of the Queensland capital's best-known landmarks. Its steel expanse is frequently the image used to depict Brissie. Now, whether you're a local or a tourist, it's also the perfect place to explore the city from a great height and from a First Nations viewpoint in tandem. Scaling the Story Bridge thanks to Story Bridge Adventure Climb has been a quintessential Brisbane activity since 2005. Taking in the stunning vista is only part of the new Indigenous Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience, however. You'll still reach the structure's heights, but you'll do so led by either Birrunga Wiradyuri and Jessica Skeen, with the two artists sharing stories about history, Country and culture in Meanjin along the way. Set to open in August 2024 — and already taking bookings from Tuesday, August 6 onwards — this is a two-hour, first-of-its-kind climb that's all about sharing the First Nations perspective on the city and honouring the storytelling that goes with it. Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Howard Smith Wharves and Birrunga Gallery, Wiradyuri's gallery, are behind the new experience. And while the new climb itself promises a must-do addition to Brissie, you can also expand it with native herb- and spice-seasoned crocodile and kangaroo as part of an Indigenous food platter, plus Skeen's boomerang-painting workshop. Via the Birrunga Gallery Cultural Creative Development Program, artist talks will also be on offer, and so will workshops about the importance of place. "Storytelling is an important part of Indigenous culture across Australia. Creating this experience with my friends and colleagues has been an incredibly rewarding and exciting process," said Wiradyuri. "Our goal is simple: it's to provide a safe, inclusive and creative space to immerse yourself in the history, tradition and practices of First Nations Australians. The bridge climb represents the upward journey we are on together and like all journeys, it starts with one foot in front of the other." "We hope that visitors take away a fresh perspective on Brisbane, art and their life. It's more than just a bucket-list experience, it's an opportunity to see life from another point of view." Brisbane's Indigenous Story Bridge Adventure Climb starts operating from Tuesday, August 6, 2024 — head to the Story Bridge Adventure Climb website for further details and bookings.
Let's not start off on the wrong foot here. It's not that I want to label any food as 'bad' ... just different. But 'cuisine' is generally not the first word that comes to mind when I think 'American diner'. Levdawg is changing all that, and turning bad food good. Real good. What's more, the newly added daily specials create excellent excuses to visit every night of the week. On Wing Wednesday, swing by for Red Hot Buffalo Wings with Celery Sticks and Ranch sauce. Thursdays host the Hot Dog Happy Hour, with half priced Lev's Dawgs between 5 and 7 - a bargain at $6. Be tempted out of GoodGod's Small Club on Fridays, and snap up a box of Fried Chicken, Chips and Chipotle Mayo for a mere $15 after 10. Saturdays are the highlight of the week, with new Hot Dog experiments every week a la Pub Life. Click here for full review and details. Image: courtesy of The Dip
Italian director Nanni Moretti's We Have a Pope takes its name from a latin declaration on the balcony of St Peter's, telling the expectant world that a new pope is elected. Here, that moment stretches into infinity, as pope-elect Melville (Michel Piccoli) decides whether this holy office is really what he wants with the remainder of his days. The world outside, and the Vatican within, wait. Moretti drops himself into this expectant limbo, playing a psychologist who tries to draw out this reluctant pontiff. As the pope-to-be explores his regrets at the acting life he never led, Moretti's atheist psychologist finds his own dogmas rubbing up against catholic dogma, its ritual and grace. To kill time, he organises a volleyball tournament among the cardinals, drawing on a level of organisational complexity that rivals the papal election which begins the film. Despite Moretti's light touch, this film takes its papacy seriously. Even as Meville watches his own bingo-like election at the hands of his elderly peers, once elected he feels the weight of god descend. And it's this weight that he negotiates across the course of the movie. Will this aspiring actor find it within himself to give his one, crucial speech? The tone of the film is gentle, full of sympathy for its characters and rife with absurdities, as atheism and the modern world mix in the Vatican. Cardinals sway without irony to the music of Argentian activist Mercedes Sosa during a moment that is nothing but irony, Moretti's psychologist schools the waiting cardinals on the bible and the oceania volleyball team plays out a deep, deep understanding of Australian soccer. We Have a Pope draws on the idea that melodrama is essential to political movements, painting the pope-to-be as an actor with his cardinals as (in the end, literally) his audience, waiting for that one decisive moment where he finds those unexpected words within. The ending is abrupt, but the words come.
As always, Falls Festival has gifted us with one helluva lineup. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 27th year is a pretty exciting gang of musical mates headlined by America pop singer and star Halsey, who'll be performing songs off her Platinum albums Badlands and Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. She's joined by Ezra Koenig-fronted rock band Vampire Weekend, who've just dropped their latest album Father of the Bride, British electro duo Disclosure and Icelandic indie pop band Of Monsters and Men. True to form, the Falls 2019 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include The Voice himself John Farnham, who'll be belting out hits from some of his nineteen albums, including, we're sure, 'You're the Voice'. Aussie dance trio Pnau, dance floor regulars Peking Duk, folk singer Vera Blue and rapper Baker Boy will all be making appearances, too. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, the North Byron Parklands and the Fremantle Oval Precinct, WA. But, the Lorne festival in Victoria, as of Sunday, December 29, has had to cancel one day into the event because of extreme and hazardous weather. You can read more about the cancellation here. FALLS FESTIVAL 2019 LINEUP Halsey (no sideshows) Vampire Weekend Disclosure Peking Duk Of Monsters and Men Pnau Lewis Capaldi Milky Chance John Farnham Banks (no sideshows) Dope Lemon Vera Blue Yungblud G Flip Crooked Colours Parcels Thelma Plum #1 Dads Waax Baker Boy Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Amyl & The Sniffers The Japanese House Pink Sweat$ Good Doogs Cxloe Totty Tash Sultana (Byron Bay only) What So Not (Lorne only) Wolfmother (Marion Bay only) Matt Corby (Fremantle only) Updated December 29
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. But seeing as you can't go out and party at a club or even a vineyard at the moment due to the Government's ban on mass gatherings, Hot Dub is bringing the good times to your living room instead. Expect everything from 50s rock 'n' roll tunes to disco hits like ABBA's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and Donna Summer's sultry 'I Feel Love'; ballads and some glam rock from the 80s; Alex Dyson cutting aerobics-style moves to 90s hit 'Steal My Sunshine'; Darude's epic 'Sandstorm'; and Britney's 'Toxic' — you get the idea. Sure enough, this online dance party will have you pushing your furniture aside and heating up a makeshift at-home dance floor in no time. To add to the vibe, there'll be disco lights and a live chat going so you can socialise with other partygoers, plus Loud's family dancing in the background, keeping things wholesome. Hot Dub at Home occurs every second Saturday, kicking off a 6pm, and can be viewed on Twitch. Hot Dub has also launched podcast Decades by Hot Dub Time Machine which will keep you grooving till the next online boogie fest rolls around. Top image: Pat Stevenson
While the Mardi Gras Film Festival is returning with 166 LGBTQIA+-focused flicks for its blockbuster 30th edition, there's another film fest coming to Sydney as part of WorldPride. SWARM is a one-day fest showcasing queer filmmakers inspired by radical Black cinema. Pulling together a lineup of independent films to be shown under the stars, SWARM is taking over the Skyline Drive-In in Blacktown on Thursday, February 23. Head to Cricketers Arms Road from 7pm to catch what the festival describes as "a once-in-a-lifetime-immaculate-corpse-of-throat-grabbing-films". Among the filmmakers featured at the festival are trailblazing American director Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), the Karrabing Film Collective, Tracey Moffatt (BeDevil) and local electronic musician e fishpool. The night at the drive-in will be accompanied by a screening and panel discussion at the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW). The free follow-up event will be popping up at the gallery on Sunday, February 26 and will feature three screenings as well as a discussion moderated by Jen and André of FBi Radio's Movies, Movies, Movies. You can book free tickets to the AGNSW event via the gallery's website. As for SWARM, tickets are $35 per car, $20 per car for anyone part of the queer community, free admission for First Nations attendees and $15 per person if you want to head along without a car and pull up a seat outside.
If being lifted to a height 10m higher than the sails of the Sydney Opera House and plummeting to earth face-first at 120km/h sounds like your thing, you should both be seeing a psychiatrist and excited for the Sydney Wet'n'Wild opening. The Parramatta theme park opens on December 12 and will boast more than 40 attractions, including some of the tallest and fastest water rides in the world. You'll also be able to skip the rips of Aussie beaches at the park, which boasts the country's largest man-made beach. Basically, there are a whole lot of rides and such that are the biggest ever. Including prices, according to some pissed-off people. A one-day entry into the park will set you back $69.99 or $54.99 for those under 110cm. Gold season passes are also available for $124.99 that last until April. Unlimited access to the Gold Coast's Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild, however, is priced at only $100. But with the new venue to stay open until 11pm and include nightly light shows from renowned light designer Bruce Ramus, it may just be worth it. And with free shuttle buses operating between Parramatta train station and the water park, surely it's worth a couple sun-soaked visits.
You may think you've had enough politics after just following the state elections, let alone the last federal one, but for the political cartoonists with work in Behind the Lines at Parramatta's Riverside Theatre, the work is just getting started. Cartoonists were doomed to follow the last terrible government in intricate detail, and are fated to follow the terrible successor day by dusty day as well. Although in some respects today's caricatures are actually much more tame than their historical predecessors, political cartoons have come a long way since the days of Hogarth. There are other programs that promise to take you behind the scenes in the cartoonist's studio, but none of them bring together the pure breadth, diversity and quality in the collection at Behind the Lines. And while good political cartoons aren't always funny, Behind the Lines' collection of contemporary satire keeps up a pretty good standard of chuckles if not as many out-and-out LOLs. Pyramid-nosed Gillards, long-suffering Abbotts and dour-faced — and faceless — numbers operators plaster the Parramatta walls. This suburb was the heart of last weekend's political victory, and no doubt tomorrow's political scandal. So get in its local spirit, and don't be the last in the conga-line of suckholes to check it out. Behind the Lines is open 9-5 Monday to Friday, 9.30 - 1 on Saturdays and before performances at the Riverside.
52 Artists 52 Actions is the culmination of a year-long series commissioned by Artspace. Over 52 weeks from January 2018 to January 2019, the gallery engaged 52 artists and collectives to pose political, cultural and social actions and share them through Instagram and digital platforms. Bringing together all these works in one space, through themes of censorship, activism, migration, labour, gender and economies of power, the exhibition forces us to consider our role within the systems that surround us — if we have one at all. Expect to see pieces by Aussie artists like Richard Bell, Vernon Ah Kee, and Mike Parr. The exhibition will be on display at Artspace in Woolloomooloo until August 4, and a symposium will be hosted at the gallery on the weekend of July 20–21 to discuss the far-reaching span of the art and artists who connect with the immediate world around them. Within this, the audience will be invited to consider Australia's position within the broader region of the Asia-Pacific.
Bored within the confines of your 4-wall bedroom? Embrace your bohemian desires by trading in your modern accommodations for a whimsical gypsy wagon. England's Gypsy Caravan Company creates wagons fit with a double bed, seating, a pull-out table, storage lockers, wardrobe, a secret den, and bookshelves. These miniature homes are also furnished with all the romantic decor appropriate for such a home design: birdcages, crocheted curtains and wood stoves. The company asserts a myriad of uses for such a structure, ranging from a child's playhouse to and artist's studio. These caravans are the perfect hideaway for those who want to unleash their inner romantic or who lead a gypsy-esque nomadic lifestyle--each wagon is equipped with a set of wheels. [via Flavorwire]
It's time to start building your Sydney WorldPride 2023 itinerary — and here's the perfect way to break up back-to-back nights of partying. Co-presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, this huge exhibition is taking over the Art Gallery of NSW and its new extension with a jam-packed lineup of art, performances, film, and more. Queer Art After Hours will take place on Wednesday, February 22 from 5pm-10pm, with a focus on celebrating the queer artistic practice in all forms. Wander through the gallery and experience gorgeous creations from the likes of Bhenji Ra, Dennis Golding, Sione Tuivailaia Monū and Sidney McMahon. The stellar program also features live performances from artists-in-residence Blu Jay, Brian Fuata and Leo Teao. Tunes will be pumping with DJ sets from Baschoe, DJ Gemma and VJ Vaxxx — to name a few — alongside pop-up bars and a considerable amount of dining options. Some of the artists, performers and creatives taking part in the programming for Sydney WorldPride 2023 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. From left to right: Garden Reflexxx (Jennie Atherton and Andj Shannon), Al Joel, Leo Tsao, Sidney McMahon, Brian Fuata, Blu Jay, Sione Tuívailala Monū, Xuela, Kilimi Aketi Foketi, Joy Ng, Dennis Golding / © Art Gallery of NSW/ Photograph: Lexi Laphor. Looking for a touch of mystique? You're in the correct place. Mini tarot readings from Imbi will also be on the cards (no pun intended). Or you can pick between a Venus or Persephone reading by Angela Dix. Alternatively, if you're after an experience more physical than metaphysical, indulge your creative streak with a DIY nail salon, then make friendship bracelets in the jewellery workshop and have your portrait taken by Dorcas Tang 邓佳颖. You can also do a gallery tour led by a curator and immerse yourself fully within highlights of the exhibition and opt to check out the LGBTQIA+ Youth Space, which returns in full swing thanks to the Art Gallery's Youth Collective. And to top it all off, this event is free and requires no bookings. It'll be a night you won't want to miss.
From dazzling water-and-light performances to internationally renowned portraiture, this winter, Sydney has it all. As the weather gets colder, those looking to spend the season exploring Sydney's expansive art scene have a wide variety of exhibitions to choose from. Kicking off the season with a bang, Vivid's larger-than-life outdoor light shows and live performances come to town. On chillier winter days, you can head indoors to check out the winners of the international Wildlife Photographer of the Year photo contest at the Australian National Maritime Museum or head to the Art Gallery of NSW for an exhibit of this year's Archibald Prize finalists. No matter what you're looking for, this winter, you can find it. These are our picks for this season's must-see art exhibitions in Sydney.
Rapid Prototype 3 plans to bring to Legs on the Wall's Lilyfield headquarters some of three-dimensional printing's make-sure-things-get-made-right attitude of print out, check out and recycle. Each instalment is a 'scratch' night with benefits all round: fun for you, feedback for the artist. They're each working at the junction of live art, interaction and tech, so testing is necessary to get all the kinks ironed out and all the robots suitably compliant. The night is part of Legs on the Wall's Open Source program. The follow-up to last year's ventures at 107 Projects and Alaska Projects, this one will feature Michaela Davies, who uses fine electric muscle stimulation to cause fine movements — such as those required to play an instrument. The Macquarie University Performance Innovation Team reveal a technology that might make you forget what a bad dancer you really are, while Applespiel and zin collective test out some of the interactive features of their upcoming Underbelly Arts projects.
Alejandro G. Inarritu follows his Oscar-winning Birdman with a down-and-dirty western inspired by true events. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the role that many believe will finally win him his Oscar, The Revenant is a violent, unrelenting slog through the mud and snow of the untamed American frontier. It's raw and elemental and masterfully shot, capturing bloody, frenzied action with astounding fluidity and grace. Sounds incredible, right? Actually, that's where you'd be wrong. For all its viscera, and despite its technical merits, this over-hyped backwoods adventure left us feeling bored. Now admittedly, that boredom took a while to set in. For much of the first hour of the film's two and a half hour running time, it's hard not to be floored by what Inarritu and his long-time cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki have achieved. When a hunting party comes under attack by a Native American tribe, the camera weaves and pivots in and out of the action, dodging extras and arrows in a series of long, unbroken takes. Later, DiCaprio's character Hugh Glass is almost mauled to death by a grizzly bear, in another bravura one-shot sequence that will leave audiences wondering how Innaritu pulled it off. Like Birdman, this is bold, ambitious filmmaking, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't initially impressed. But the comparison to Inarritu's previous film is an importance one to make, for the reason that Birdman feels like more than just a technical exercise. Strip away the showy camerawork, and you still have characters and ideas that are actually worth caring about. The Revenant, on the other hand, has neither. With Glass on the edge of death, Captain Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) has the villainous Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) stay behind so that the dying man might receive a proper burial. Fitzgerald promptly buries Glass alive, and murders his teenage son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) for good measure. But of course Glass doesn't die, and instead hauls his wounded backside through the unforgiving wilderness so he might get his chance at revenge. As you might have gathered, the narrative is pretty thin – but that wouldn't be an issue if we could get behind the characters. DiCaprio, to his credit, gives it everything he's got, wheezing, snarling, screaming and putting his body through the ringer. It's exactly the kind of performance that Academy voters love, and to a certain extent it's easy to see why. But again, there's a difference between what's bold and what's actually interesting. As hard as DiCaprio tries, he never succeeds in making Glass anything other than a one-dimensional protagonist, who we're meant to root for simply because the screenwriters put him through hell. The borderline insane Fitzgerald proves a little more interesting – and like DiCaprio, Hardy commits fully to the role, reaching yet again into his seemingly bottomless bag of absolutely baffling accents. In the end though, Glass and Fitzgerald are just archetypes – a goody and a baddy destined to hack one another to pieces. Because the duality of man. Or something. There are times when style alone is enough to carry a movie. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. Without characters to latch on to, or much in the way of deeper thematic content, the novelty of Inarritu's formal work eventually begins to wear off. Strange as it may seem given their disparate settings, but the recent film to which The Revenant suffers most by comparison is Mad Max: Fury Road. Both movies deliver immersive action and stylish cinematography, but only one manages to couple it with awesome characters and a modicum of brains. Plus, y'know, Mad Max had female characters with actual lines of dialogue. So there's that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRfj1VCg16Y
Chinese New Year is coming up on February 8 and in 2016 we’ll be ringing in the year of the monkey (goodbye year of the sheep, go sleep it off). And what’s the best way to partake of the celebration? We’ve got it right here and it’s more fun than a barrelful of monkeys. Well, actually it is a barrelful of monkeys. Dumpling masters Din Tai Fung are offering new limited edition ‘Monkey Buns’ for the month of February and they are literally the cutest food we’ve ever seen. Just look at them. Din Tai Fung are famous for their dumplings and are known to release beautiful and novelty dumplings for special occasions (check out these adorable little lamb buns from last year). The monkey bao buns are steamed-to-order and stuffed with a sweet filling of chocolate and banana. They’re part of a series of new dishes being added to the menu from February 1 including crispy golden seafood roll, braised Szechuan sliced beef noodle and vegetarian egg fried rice with mushroom and truffle oil. Unfortunately the monkey buns are only available in the Din Tai Fung restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne (not the food court outlets) so you’ll have to make an proper sit-down event of it. The only problem we can foresee is that eating those sweet little monkey faces may be hard… but we’ll probably manage it. Monkey Buns are available for $4.80 per piece from Din Tai Fung restaurants from February 1 – February 29.
For the better part of four decades, the Griffin Theatre Company has been dedicated to telling Australian stories, right from its home in the cosy, intimate and historic SBW Stables Theatre. The storied stage has seen the likes of Cate Blanchett, David Wenham, Michael Gow, Louis Nowra, and countless other homegrown creative talents, stretching their acting chops in productions written by Australians, about Australians and for Australians. The 2019 season is no exception: Meyne Wyatt takes the stage in his own attack on injustice, inequality and Australian identity City of Gold; Australian playwright and actor Rita Kalnejais returns from London with First Love is the Revolution, a gory romantic comedy about a 14-year-old boy and a young fox; and Lucy Bell and Simon Gleeson star in Hilary Bell's chilling thriller Splinter. If the household names and impactful productions aren't enough for you, Griffin Theatre Company also hosts a number of creative programs each year, including playwriting awards for emerging and established theatre makers, a studio residency program for directors, writers and dramaturgs, and the annual Batch Festival — that's dedication to the future of Australian theatre. Image: 'Happy Prince' by Pia Johnson.
Thursday, March 13, will see the sixth annual, four-day Taste of Sydney festival set up shop in Centennial Park to deliver a foodie feast suited to our city’s more discerning palates. This year’s a biggun, primed to serve up a whole heap of delicious treats. There'll be more than 60 selected food, wine and cocktail items, including recipes designed especially for you; 100+ bespoke artisan producers and providers; a plethora of demos and masterclasses for budding cooks, chefs, bloggers and beyond; plus music and entertainment throughout for those simply after a bite and a bevvy. But before you get lost in a huge list of must-trys, it’s always important to remember that you don’t need a gastronomical portfolio rivalling Matt Preston’s cravat to know what’s good. All you need is these six tips for the ultimate foodie's day out at Taste of Sydney, an empty stomach and an open mind.
Just a few weeks after Sydney copped that 'vote no' skywriting, it appears the campaign against marriage equality has again taken to the skies, with at least three potential anti-same-sex marriage messages scrawled above Melbourne this afternoon. This time around, whoever's in charge has opted simply for the word 'NO', written in huge block letters. While it was confirmed that the Sydney Skywriting Company — the only one of its kind in city — is owned by active members of the Australian Christian Lobby, it's unclear whether yes campaigners are up against a similar situation in Melbourne. And, admittedly, the 'no' could be directed towards homophobic protestors or people who don't like puppies. Well, we can hope. Whatever its intentions, 'no' seems like a bad vibe to place in the sky. In a counter move to Sydney's 'Vote No' skywriting, marriage equality supporters banded together to raise funds for a huge rainbow flag to be pulled by helicopter above Bondi Beach on October 1. Melbourne, take note.
If you're lucky enough to score tickets to Meredith Music Festival in any year via the event's ballot, one of Australia's best fests awaits no matter the lineup. 2025's roster of acts is characteristically impressive, however. On the bill: TV on the Radio, Atarashii Gakko! and Perfume Genius, for starters, as well as Thee Sacred Souls, Pa Salieu, HAAi, Bar Italia, Colin Hay and Mildlife. And, there's still more where the came from. Folk Bitch Trio, Saya Gray, RONA. and Omar Souleyman are on the lineup, too. So are Dames Brown, Radio Free Alice, Sam Austins RP Boo, Wax'o Paradiso, Florist and Jack J. Add in Drifting Clouds, Dr Sure's Unusual Practice, Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, Mouseatouille, Brown Spirits and Lazy Susan on MC duties, and expect a jam-packed three days across Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1017125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chip Mooney[/caption] How is the fest crew describing this year's event? "One of the best places on earth to spend a weekend, the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre has been natured and nurtured and then natured again, for the singular purpose of hosting the time of your life," organisers advise. So, expect "a permanent and purpose-built underground wunderland that provides optimal conditions for rarefied reverie", as well as to get "lost in music, lost in one another, for three days and two nights of Sup'ed up saucery". [caption id="attachment_1017126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sumner Dilworth[/caption] Meredith Music Festival 2025 Lineup TV on the Radio Atarashii Gakko! Perfume Genius Thee Sacred Souls Pa Salieu HAAi Bar Italia Colin Hay Mildlife Folk Bitch Trio Saya Gray RONA. Omar Souleyman Dames Brown Radio Free Alice Sam Austins RP Boo Wax'o Paradiso Florist Jack J Drifting Clouds Dr Sure's Unusual Practice Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir Mouseatouille Brown Spirits Lazy Susan Top images: Leah Hulst, Cody Critcheloe.
UPDATE: THURSDAY, JULY 16: The Parking Lot Social has been postponed. No official tickets have been sold for the event. Drive-in cinemas have long been a part of the movie-going landscape, but they've been experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to COVID-19. In fact, the whole drive-in concept is proving a go-to way to keep folks entertained in this time of social distancing, with the idea expanded to live gigs as well. That's just the beginning, it seems. Thanks to The Parking Lot Social, the drive-in premise now encompasses huge parties too. When the new Australian event rolls around the country between July and September, attendees will sit in their cars, sing karaoke (well, 'car-a-oke', as it's being called), dance at a silent disco, play trivia and bingo, and laugh at standup comedy — and watch flicks, see live bands and grab a bite to eat from food trucks as well. Basically, the event mashes up of a whole heap of entertaining pastimes, combining them in one place while complying with physical-distancing measures. Weekend evenings will have an in-car party vibe, while movies will screen late to folks kicking back in their vehicles. Plus, there'll be separate dedicated midweek nights for films and comedy. The brainchild of the folks behind Big Bounce Australia, aka the world's largest inflatable theme park, The Parking Lot Social will also feature two 12-metre-tall big-screens, a huge stage, a 16-metre-tall fire hydrant that shoots rainbows and inflatable gorillas. Exactly where in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra all of the above will be popping up hasn't yet been disclosed; however it'll do so in venues in that can accommodate 250 cars each evening. Ticket costs haven't been announced yet either, nor has the music, movie and comedy lineup. That said, The Parking Lot Social has revealed that it will settle in for multiple nights at every stop, and that it'll also feature an all-ages 'Social Kids' event for families as well. THE PARKING LOT SOCIAL 2020 DATES Sydney — July 9–19 Melbourne — July 23–August 2 Brisbane — August 6–16 Canberra — August 20–30 Adelaide — September 3–13 The Parking Lot Social tours Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra between July 9–September 13. For further information, or to register for early-bird tickets, visit the event's website.
Online shopping go-to The Iconic has no shortage of sales, but now it has launched a permanent sale in the form of an outlet site. The best part? Discounts start at a whopping 50 percent off. Called The Iconic Outlet and live to shop right now — say goodbye to your plans of a productive Monday at work — the site features heaps of women's, men's and kids' clothes, as well as accessories and shoes, for pocket change. You'll find heels and sandals for under $15, sneakers under $50, tops under $10, dresses under $20, shirts as little as $14 and a whole heap more. All the usual brands are on offer, too, including Nike, Speedo, Tigerlily, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Camilla and Adidas. As well as discounted clothes, The Iconic Outlet is offering a flat-rate delivery fee of $7.95 across Australia and $9.95 across NZ. The site's launch has come at a great time, too, with spring in full swing from tomorrow. So, if you need new bathers, beach shoes, dresses or hats, The Iconic Outlet has got your back. Alternatively, if you're still working from home and those trackies you've been thrashing are looking a little threadbare, you'll find some cheap new ones on the site. The Iconic Outlet website is now live in Australia and NZ. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Queenslanders The Cairos are sitting pretty in the vanguard of a resurgent Brisbane music scene, one populated by bands like Violent Soho, Millions, Ball Park Music and Dune Rats, and revitalised by new music venues like The Triffid, run by Powderfinger’s John Collins. The Cairos might sit at the more conventional, indie pop-rock end of Brisbane’s musical spectrum, but their recent recordings yield deceptively complex pop songwriting, recalling the sophistication that underpins the music of legendary bands like The Cure. Although they’ve previously released two EPs, it took The Cairos six years to release their first full-length album in May this year, Dream of Reason. It's an increasing trend for emerging artists who sign with major labels — in this case mega-brand Universal’s Island Records — but the strategy seems to have paid off for the band, who are treating their Sydney fans to an early Christmas show at the Newtown Social Club. Supported by March of the Real Fly + Smaal Cats.
It just got a whole lot harder to pick your weekend yum cha spot, with the newly opened Duck & Rice announcing its own regular breakfast dumpling session. This one, however, is bottomless. The 500-seat Cantonese restaurant sits high on the top of Westfield Sydney in Pitt Street Mall. Opening its doors in June this year, it boasts an expansive outdoor terrace, Asian-inspired cocktails and, now, a very tempting weekend yum cha deal. Running every Saturday and Sunday from September 7, the bottomless yum cha menu will constantly change, but you can expect to catch loads of delicious treats to the tune of roast duck, Szechuan-style cuttlefish, Yangzhou fried rice, garlicky kai lan (chinese broccoli) and a selection of dim sum and desserts. The all-you-can-eat sitting is restricted to one hour, between 11am–3pm each day, and will set you back $50 a pop. To make a booking, head to the Duck & Rice website. Images: Steven Woodburn
Making music can be just as political as personal for some, especially if you're Melbourne trio The Basics. Their 12-year career has seen the band go through its fair share of ups and downs, with 1000 shows locally and abroad and even a three year hiatus from the music scene (seeing frontman Wally De Backer embark on a little ol' solo venture as Goyte). Then, 2014 casually saw The Basics' Tim Heath and Kris Schroeder enter the Victorian political sphere as the Basics Rock'n'Roll Party (BRRP), to many a divided opinion. But stronger than ever with brand new material, The Basics are headed back to the stage, hitting Sydney with two back-to-back shows to launch their brand new EP 'The Lucky Country'. Using music to spread their messages of innovation and education, these boys are going from strength to strength (tackling an election while recording a bunch of stellar tracks at Abbey Road). Supported by fellow Melburnians The Gun Barrel Straights, these gigs promise a high-energy set from the reunited De Backer, Heath and Schroeder.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia in 2017. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for yet another round in 2019. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2019's events are scheduled for February 23 at Crooked River Wines in Wollongong, March 30 at Long Point Vineyard and Art Gallery in Port Macquarie and April 13 at Bunnamagoo Estate Wines in Mudgee — and registrations open on September 30.
March kicks off with the return of the annual music festival, the Girrakool Blues Festival. For the seventh year running, this celebration of a genre loved worldwide will bring global big names of blues to The Entrance for a whole weekend. Running from Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, this year's lineup is set to rock as hard as ever. Expect tunes from the likes of Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks, Bondi Cigars, Jesse Redwing, Pete Cornelius, Steve 'West' Western and many more. And although the music ought to be top-notch, you'll also find market stalls, First Nations cultural activities and a family carnival day on Sunday, all in Memorial Park on The Entrance's main road. The best news? Unlike certain other big-name festivals, entry here is free of charge.
Those looking for something meaningful to do on January 26 can head to the Powerhouse Museum, where Indigenous-run social advocacy group We Are Warriors is bringing together a lineup of First Nations musicians, dancers, filmmakers and artists from across the country for a day dubbed Blak Powerhouse. The goal? To share their art and push for action. The free event will feature performances from a stacked lineup of artists ranging from hip hop to dance music. We Are Warrior's founder Nooky will be headlining the night with his new supergroup 3%. The trio sees Nooky link up with Dallas Woods and Angus Field, with the group releasing their debut single 'Our People' (a flip of the Presets classic 'My People') last year. You can also expect sets from other big names including JK-47 and Becca Hatch, alongside Miss Kaninna, RONA, Mi-kaisha and Maanyung. [caption id="attachment_811877" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Powerhouse Up Late, Jordan Munns[/caption] Kicking off the Blak Powerhouse program will be a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at 5pm, followed by a performance from Muggera Dance. Then at 6pm, there will be a panel on Blak power and excellence. Between sets, you can wander around the museum and discover artworks from Michael Cook and Tjukurpamaru, and the documentary film Through the First from We Are Warriors. We Are Warriors was launched on January 26 in 2022 as an organisation dedicated to celebrating Blak excellence and fostering the next generation of First Nations creatives. In its first year, it delivered a feature presentation at Semi Permanent and launched WAW Fest as part of Vivid Sydney, before hosting the first Blak Powerhouse in 2023. "Last year, we put on Blak Powerhouse, and the sense of Blak joy we created was so overwhelming for me, and I know all the mob who attended felt the same," says Nooky. "There was so much power and resilience in the day, for me, it changed how I felt about January 26. If we can capture that same feeling this time around, in my eyes it's a win." If you can't make it in person, this year's Blak Powerhouse is also being streamed on NITV. Top image: Nikhil Ninan
Rumour has it that Valentine was an alcoholic soldier who spent his nights whoring around in bars, wooing a stream of women over the course of his life that would put an aqueduct to shame. However, by the light of day old Valentine needed to be looking his finest in polished military brass, so it was not often that a lady ever awoke to the sight of her nocturnal paramour. Instead she'd spy a single piece of paper, covered in his sugared script; a promise of a future visit and of his undying love. These became known as Valentine's Day Cards. Whether you're tired of recycled lines from drunken lotharios, or indeed you're a Don Juan waiting to get pissed and pick-up, there's no better way to spend St Valentine's Day than to crash the Vanguard in your finest bowties and dresses. Spurred on by the Delta blues rhythms of The Snowdroppers, along with their special guests The Frowning Clouds and Lanie Lane, you'll be in for a real humdinger of a Monday morning. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_m384fQ4yjQ
Sydney musicians go head-to-head with Sydney community radio and media personalities in one of Sydney's most offensively friendly matches. This Sunday, August 17, the third annual charity AFL match known as the Reclink Community Cup kicks off in the hallowed turf of Marrickville's Henson Park (home ground of the Newtown Jets). As always, the Western Walers (the musos) take on the Sydney Sailors (the media) — and the Sailors have taken out the title two years in a row, so there's Waler hell to pay. Based around a Melbourne event of the same ilk (the Rockdogs play the Megahertz), the Community Cup was originally started in 1993 by Jason Evans when two pubs challenged each other to an AFL match to raise funds for charity. With the Sydney instalment raising funds for Reclink — a kickass charity dedicated to helping people who are experiencing mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance abuse and social and economic hardship — Community Cup isn't merely a weekend muso runaround. Reclink does some pretty top notch work with Australia's most vulnerable and isolated people, introducing sporting and arts programs to those in need through 580 national agencies. Legends. Counting the likes of Brett Kirk, Adam Spencer, Damien Lovelock and Dan Sultan as coaches and players over the years, the annually-held Reclink Community Cup is a surefire Good Time date on the calendar for audiences and players alike. This year's official ambassador is Sydney Swans' Jude Bolton. This year’s team captains are ex-AC/DC legend Mark Evans for the Walers and Adam spencer for the Sailors. Having officially launched a few weeks ago at The Vic on the Park, the whole shebang's run by Reclink, Australia Post, 2ser FM - Real RadioER , FBi Radio, theMusic.com.au, Young Henry's, The Vic, Newtown Social Club and Troy Horse, alongside Marrickville Council and AFL NSW/ACT. Gates open at midday at Henson Park, entry's by gold coin donation and you can bring your pooches — the venue's totally dog-friendly (but smoke free y'all). There's plenty of pre-match day happenings foot as well; head over to Young Henry's Brewery for a pre-game fundraiser on Sunday with every dollar spent on middies and tasting paddles going to Reclink from 5pm to close. Drinking and watching the Sydney music industry play AFL for a bloody good cause? Sounds like a right royal Sunday. Check out the official Community Cup Facebook page for official event news and more pre-match day events.
After years of anticipation, from the first whispers to watching the plans unfold and the drip-feed of food and drink openings in the precinct, Darling Square's fancy public library is here. It's replaced the old Haymarket Library and is four times its size — meaning there are plenty of nooks for you to relax, study and work in. It takes up two floors of Haymarket's slinky-like inner-city building, made using 20 kilometres of timber. Just looking at the schmick building is a pretty good way to kill time. Head inside though, and you'll see the library has moved well beyond the standard collection of pageturners. Here you'll find more than 30,000 books that are free to borrow, plus millions more digital items, including ebooks, movies, magazines, a large Asian literature collection, retro gaming consoles (including Nintendo, Atari and Sega), and robotic and electronic kits. There are also lounges and desks scattered inside and out, meeting and seminar rooms, a dedicated kids area, workshop spaces and an ideas lab where you can attend free workshops to help you use the 3D printers, laser and dye cutter, soldering irons and more. [caption id="attachment_748258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of City of Sydney[/caption] If it's been a while since you stepped foot inside a public library, all you need to know is that it's free to sign up and borrow if you're a NSW resident — and you can wander the aisles and enjoy the space even if you're not a member. Plus, should you grow hungry on your next trip there, you'll find plenty of top-notch eateries right below. Darling Square Library is open 10am–7pm, Monday to Friday, and 11am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday. Top Image: Parker Blain
Rosebery's food precinct, The Cannery, has just added a Parisian offering to its ever-expanding repertoire. Frenchies Bistro and Brewery comes from craft-obsessed, French-born duo Vincent de Soyres and Thomas Cauquil (head brewer and head chef, respectively), who join a roster of heavyweight neighbours, including Saporium wholefoods market, Archie Rose Distillery, Black Star Pastry and Kingsmore artisan butcher. Inspiration for the space came from the team's time spent trekking Eastern Siberia, of all things. "We spent two months hungry, talking about food and beer," says de Soyres. The 'French-industrial' fit-out has warm bistro lighting that complements the dark beams of the Rosebery warehouse, along with lots of personal touches — including the venue's hand-crafted wooden tables, made by de Soyres' dad at his farm in France. The brewery, kitchen and bar sit on the ground floor, while the upstairs mezzanine houses the bistro where Cauquil will show off his world-class repertoire — he's cooked in Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe, including Paris restaurants Le Miroir and Le Violon d'Ingres, Madrid's El Chaflan and Sydney's Moxhe. "It's food that is affordable, with a lot of work behind it," says de Soyres. The menu will adapt on a daily basis, depending on the seasonal and regional produce available. "We will not be serving asparagus in winter." Despite being local as, the bistro menu features dishes not commonly found in Sydney, much less at a brewery — think veal tongue carpaccio, Balmain bug in puff pastry and beef and bone marrow stew. But the menu doesn't only appeal to more adventurous types, either, with a North African-style confit lamb and traditional Toulouse sausage with rosemary jus also present on the menu. For takeaway and the bar downstairs, Frenchies will sell Cauquil's specialty terrines, pâtés and meat parfaits, recipes he learnt while training under world renowned charcutier Arnaud Nicholas. The brewery side of the operation also focuses on seasonality, with the beer produced on-site and meant to pair with the menu. De Soyres flexes his international brewer's muscles with the Biere de Garde range, which he describes as "a bit like white wine, refreshing while complex and interesting". He takes a very organic approach to brewing, and finds it important to convey each beer's terroir, a sense of place ordinarily only used to refer to wines. The Frenchies core range also includes their Comet Pale Ale, made with wild American Comet hops, along with a German Kölsch, French IPA and an Aussie Red Rye. In the coming weeks Frenchies will also open for Sunday brunch, which will be complete with pastries, charcuterie, cheese and breakfast beer. Whether you're a Francophile, craft beer lover or both, you'll want to check out this space. Frenchies Bistro and Brewery is now open at The Cannery, 61-71 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery. It will be open seven days for lunch and dinner (except for Sunday, which is only open for lunch), with Sunday brunch to start in the coming weeks. For more info, visit frenchiesbistroandbrewery.com.au. Images: Alana Dimou.
