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.
Remember the girl who supposedly left a heartbroken (and potentially drunken — but who's to say when Messina's involved) break-up voicemail on Gelato Messina's answering machine when she found they had closed early on New Year's Eve? Well, you can thank her, because this afternoon Messina is delivering tubs of a gelato created in her honour — for just $1. Yep, $1. In an attempt to win back upset ice cream lover Cecillia, Messina has made a bespoke creation from her favourite flavours. And from salted caramel gelato with baked cheesecake, candied macadamia nuts and hazelnut fudge, the Voicemail was born. Perhaps as an act of good faith, Messina is selling it in 500-gram tubs for just $1. You just have to order it through Deliveroo today — Tuesday, January 24 — between 3pm and 5pm. It's available for delivery in the Sydney CBD and inner east area and around Fitzroy and South Yarra in Melbourne. If you miss out on the delivery window, don't chuck a tantie (or ring Messina) — the Voicemail is going to be available on Deliveroo past 5pm (albeit at a regular price).
The film industry is a long way off achieving gender parity, but female directors have been wowing audiences for decades nonetheless. And in the case of Australian female filmmakers, they've been helming some of the country's most memorable movies — from 89-year-old silent film The Cheaters by the pioneering Paulette McDonagh, to Gillian Armstrong's Judy Davis and Claudia Karvan-starring High Tide, to the chills and thrills of Jennifer Kent's The Babadook. All of the above — fantastic Aussie ladies behind the lens, and the fantastic films they've been making — are in the spotlight at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Each year for the past few years, the fest has tasked David Stratton with taking a look back through cinema's past, and in 2019 he's focusing on trailblazing Australian women filmmakers. Running from Wednesday, June 5 to Monday, June 10 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of SFF's broader program (which keeps going until Sunday, June 17), Essential Australian Women Directors showcases the work of ten top local female talents. Each one is a crucial slice of Aussie movie history, including Jane Campion's Cannes sensation Sweetie, the stunningly original Bedevil by Indigenous artist and photographer Tracey Moffatt, and Cannes Camera d'Or winner Love Serenade from Shirley Barrett. Nadia Tass' Malcolm, Jackie McKimmie's Waiting, Rachel Ward's Beautiful Kate and Ana Kokkinos' Blessed round out the program — and Stratton will be on hand at each screening to introduce the films.
Imagine an Eminem-style rap face-off. Then replace the hip hop MCs with contemporary street artists. Throw in a maniacal live audience. Now you’re on the right track. Secret Walls is a gig disguised as an art event. Two artists have a blank wall, one hour, black paint and a handful of markers. Two artworks are created like magic before our eyes. The crowd votes on the best creation by way of applause. That’s it. It’s a simple and winning formula that really broadcasts the insane creativity and spontaneity of some genius street artists, who go far beyond tagging and old school graffiti. This time it’s Dale Bigeni versus Sindy Sinn. But it almost doesn’t matter who the artists are - these nights are always engaging and inspiring and above all, fun. And that’s what contemporary art should be, right?
Promised to us since March this year, French restaurant Été has opened on the Barangaroo waterfront, with fine dining chef Drew Bolton (Aria, Quay, Vine Double Bay) at the helm. Every second eatery in Sydney is big on seasonality these days, but Été takes the word into new territory. It's not only the dishes that change with the weather, but the interior, too. "Not only does the food menu evolve with the seasons, but we want the aesthetics and general vibe to reflect that as well," said Bolton. "We want guests to feel really engaged with what we're trying to do — like they've stepped into another world and have escaped the city." The feel is somewhere between bistro and fine dining, with Bolton bringing both his classical training and his experimental tendencies to contemporary French-Australian dishes. Results include clay-baked chicken with asparagus and truffled potato puree; pork with fermented apple and hibiscus sauce; and, for dessert, crème brulee with peach and lemon balm. If you want to head down for lunch from Monday to Friday and have a $50 note handy, you can indulge in a plat-du-jour, which changes weekly. "We think the plat-du-jour will be a local favourite, as our guests are able to experience the quality technique that you would normally expect from fine dining," said Bolton. There's an impressive wine list and, even if you don't want to buy a whole bottle, you can sample any drop by the glass — thanks to the Coravin, a nifty device that allows you to pour wine without removing the cork. Été offers 125 seats, both indoors and outdoors, overlooking the water. The French provincial-meets-Australian-contemporary interior was the work of Foolscap Studio (Noma Sydney), plus Chicago-based artist John Zabawa, who added some extraordinary artworks including full-wall murals. Find Été at Tower 1, Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, or head to their website for further information.
Set amongst the rolling hills above Orange, you'll find luxury cabins planted in the heart of a cherry orchard: Basalt. It's named for the volcanic rock of the now-dormant volcano Gaanha-bule (Mount Canobolas) that enriches the soil of said cherry orchard. Basalt has three secluded studios which sleep two people, each with its own unique design and backstory. The Chaser Studio — a homage to those who chase their dreams as the orchard operators did in the 1970s when they turned the neglected piece of land into the fruitful orchard it came to be — is perched atop the hill overlooking the cherry trees, enjoying 180-degree views to the north, east and south. The Drifter Studio is named for fruit pickers from all walks of life who have passed through the orchard over the years. Finally, the Yonder Studio is situated 80 metres from the nearest studio and is the most secluded of the three — it is grafted into the hillside and looks out over the neighbouring eucalypts. Each studio is fitted out with a king-sized bed, kitchenette, bath (with views), internal wood fire and outdoor firepit, telescope for land- and stargazing, aircon and continental breakfast for your first morning. You may feel like you're a world away while staying at Basalt, but it's only a short 11 kilometres from the town of Orange and offers numerous add-ons — including winery tours, stargazing sessions and Indigenous cultural experiences — as well as recommendations for experiences visitors can take while in the Orange region. Be entranced by the seasonality of the natural surroundings, no matter what time of the year you plan to visit — enjoy lush bountiful summer days, auburn autumnal leaves, frosted bare branches in winter or budding blossoms in spring. It's an excellent hub from which to explore the Orange region. Images: Monique Lovick
The Hunter Valley and wine go hand in hand, as any NSW resident with even a passing interest in the latter knows. Any Aussie in general is well aware, too, for that matter. So many vineyards, so many drops to choose from, so many places to start. Our pick: Allandale Winery's verdelho. Named for the Portuguese grape, it's a particularly fruity white. And, as made with Aussie grapes, it's known for an intense but clean taste. If you're interested in the technical side, Allandale's verdelho is cold-fermented in stainless steel, using specially selected yeast, all at its four-decade-old winery in the Lovedale area. Vino lovers who drop by can enjoy a cellar-door tasting for $5 a person, with the fee waved if you end up buying a bottle (or several). You'll also soak in the site's views of the Brokenback Mountain Range — and all those sprawling vines, of course.
One of Surry Hill's favourite coffee spots is about to open an offshoot in the CBD. After operating their coffee cart in the lobby at 5 Martin Place for the past few months, Reuben Hills have officially revealed plans to carve out a space in the building lobby for a cafe in its own right. Plans for the new cafe are still in their early stages, although we do know they'll be calling it Hills Bros, and it's safe to assume their operating hours will encompass the morning work rush. It's the latest in a series of Reuben Hills offshoots by owner Russell Beard, who has also collaborated with Melbourne-based roasters Seven Seeds on the Paramount Coffee Project in Paramount House. No word yet on the Hills Bros menu, although if it's anything like it's Surry Hills sibling you can expect a mix of coffees, teas and shakes, along with food influenced by Central and Southern American flavours — they make some of Sydney's best fried chicken. Likewise, we're still waiting to see whether they'll have a retail arm similar to RH's, where you can buy coffee paraphernalia and blends from around the world. Hills Bros will open in the coming months at 5 Martin Place. Follow them on Instagram to stay in the loop as further details develop. Image: Marissa Ciampi.
Now in its third year, the MCA Social at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art promises another extravagant night in the name of creativity and philanthropy. With the theme 'Art Eclectic', and the encouragement to go all-out in the fashion stakes, the evening offers the opportunity to make the most of that outrageous Gaga-esque outfit you've been waiting to wear. But what's more, this annual fundraiser offers both budding and established art supporters a chance to actively support the country's best emerging artists. All proceeds will fund the museum's Primavera exhibition, an internationally recognised platform for the promotion of these promising young Australians each year. There'll be an auction and a raffle on the night, with prizes including a 12-month rental from ArtBank worth over $5,000. Not only will the work of one of this year's artists, Marian Tubbs, be showcased on the night but you'll also have the chance to mingle with past Primavera creatives between sampling inventive Heston Blumenthal-style canapes and cocktails at the open bar. Expect live DJs, performances and custom-designed projections from La Petite Mort to light up the dance floor. Plus, you'll find a makeup artist in the lift (yes, the lift), on hand to add final flourishes to your look on your way up to the party. The MCA Social is on Saturday, July 26, from 8pm, and tickets are $150 each via the MCA website. Thanks to the MCA, we have one double pass to the event to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it henceforth be known that Sky Ferreira has a voice to be reckoned with. Shuffling awkwardly on stage last Friday at the Metro Theatre for one of only two Splendour in the Grass sideshows, and without even acknowledging the crowd or their rapturous applause, the pint-sized pop powerhouse exploded into an anthemic rendition of '24 Hours'. The impressive intensity of this explosive opener was slightly undermined by Ferreira having to stop almost immediately so the sound engineer could fix the feedback thundering forth from the guitarist's amp. However, nothing if not a consummate professional, Ferreira immediately reset and — without missing a beat — all was forgotten as we were carried away by the Californian's angelic voice. Having flawlessly punched out her opening number, all the lights were then cut and Ferreira left the stage without explanation (presumably to berate the sound engineer) and returned a minute or so later, muttering something inaudible that sounded vaguely apologetic. Now, normally these kinds of antics and a seeming disregard for the people who paid to see you perform would relegate an artist to the ill-fated realm of 'get the fuck over yourself', but it’s not often you see a performer whose flawless delivery is as pitch-perfect as their recordings. Ferreira is one such performer. After completely switching lanes and launching into the toned-down industrial sound of 'Ain't Your Right', to a more than underwhelming response from the crowd, Ferreira admitted to being "very nervous". The earnestness with which she said it helped win back the crowd and gave the impression that of everyone there, Ferreira was being the hardest on herself. From here on in, and with the aid of a truly mental backing band, Ferreira’s performance picked up considerably with crowd favourite 'I Blame Myself', eliciting an enthusiastic, but decidedly out-of-tune, singalong from the crowd. Incidentally, the audience — who appeared to consist exclusively of rabid underage fans intent on moshing despite the distinctly un-mosh-inducing music, and soon-to-be-settling-down thirty-somethings standing in the drinking section resolutely refusing to dance — somehow managed to overcome their antithetical approaches to being an audience and provide Ferreira with more positive feedback than the Metro's malfunctioning sound system. While her near absolute silence throughout the set may have added to her indie-chanteuse allure, Ferreira’s lack of stage presence meant that every technical error was amplified (ba-doom-tish), and despite being out of her control, made her performance seem shambolic. As she seemed to lose interest in the show so did the audience, and not even crowd-surfing while smashing out 'Nobody Asked Me (If I Was Okay)' was enough to eventually win them back. And that's a real shame, because to do that without missing a single note takes genuine talent, if only it had been better showcased. Image: Justin Ma (SITG)
Start your Saturday early for a change and go for delicious breakfast ramen at Rising Sun Workshop (it's made with buttered toast broth, bacon, egg and tomato). While you're at it you can grab a Single Origin coffee, and if need be, get your motorbike adjusted (they offer that service). Once you're fed and your bike is fixed, join Culture Scouts for a street art tour of the Inner West. Pop on your comfy shoes and prepare to see parts of the city you've never seen before. You'll be surprised at how many artists have been busy bee-ing in laneways about the place. There are works by Beastman, JUMBOist, Bafcat, Skulk, Phibs, Numskull, Nico and David Cragg among others. Your journey finishes with local beers, cocktails, wine and nibbles.
Three chefs with serious culinary pedigrees have turned their attention to the mighty burger (as is the current casual trend). And, as of 5pm this afternoon, you'll be able to get your mouth around their creations (just), when Burger Head opens in Penrith. The powerhouse trio is made up of Richard Borg (ex-Momofuku Seiobo), Josh DeLuca (ex-Quay) and Timothy Rosenstrauss. They got to know one another while working at the now-closed Master and decided to team up for a more casual venture. On-the-pulse Penrith foodies had a chance to preview the menu on December 14, thanks to a pop-up at the Aussie Night Markets. Burger Head showcased their dedication to house-made ingredients — from secret sauces and pickles to homemade beef patties. Offerings included a $10 cheeseburger (beef pattie, house-made secret sauce, house-made pickles, American cheese, toasted milk bun), a fried chicken burger, puffed pork ($5) and for vegos, a shroom and kale burger. Drinks-wise, you can expect shakes and soft drinks, with a rather delicious-sounding roasted white chocolate milkshake having appeared at the pop-up. Down the track, the boys are planning on getting a liquor licence, which will bring you cocktails, beers and wines. Find Burgerhead at Shop 17, 98 Henry Street, Penrith. It opens at 5pm on Friday, January 6.
Kick start your day in decadent fashion at Balmain's newest cafe, where booze and ricotta stuffed doughnuts are calling your name. Opening without much fanfare on Darling Street last month, the 40-seat Mr. is open from 7am to 4pm, seven days a week. Caffeine fiends can get their hit courtesy of Will and Co. coffee, before the liquor license kicks in at 10am. Alcoholic affogatos and traditional lemonade with vodka or gin both sound perfect for a boozy weekend brunch… or a boozy Friday arvo… or a boozy Wednesday breakfast. Who are we to judge? Speaking of breakfast, standout dishes on the early morning menu include avocado, cumin salt, lime and radish on activated charcoal quinoa toast, and the aforementioned doughnut sprinkled with cinnamon and served with grilled peach, honey and ginger crumb. Lunch options, meanwhile, include a poached chicken sandwich with lime kewpie mayo, and the requisite Sydney eatery staple: a cheeseburger with house tomato ketchup and pickles. The cafe also boasts a distinctly local flavour, with jams and preserves bought at local markets, and bread baked by the artisan bakers at the Bread and Butter Project, a social enterprise where profits are invested in employment pathways for asylum seekers and refugees. Find Mr. at Shop 11, 418 Darling Street, Balmain. For more information visit them on Facebook and Instagram.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
The team at pop-up restaurant space IconPark have announced their latest temporary tenant: a European-style canteen with a different menu every day. Headed by executive chef Naomi Lowry, formerly of Biota Dining and Pilu, the canteen will occupy IconPark’s Stanley Street location from now until the end of March, when the space’s permanent leaseholders are expected to be revealed. Open 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday, the restaurant will focus on rustic, wholesome foods, with diners picking one of two proteins and selecting veggies or salads to go with it. Dishes announced so far include white wine juniper braised lamb shoulder with cumin yogurt, lemon pepper leaf and thyme roast chicken, and cocoa salt-crusted slow roast beef. Sides? So far we've seen balsamic roast beets and roast carrots with almonds and fetta. The IconPark space has previously been the home to Matt Stone’s Stanley Street Merchants and barbecue joint Rupert & Ruby. Tenants are selected through crowdfunding campaigns; whichever restaurant concept raises the most amount of capital gets the keys to the fully licensed kitchen. In December, IconPark revealed that the winners of their latest contest would be awarded a permanent lease. So if you’re keen on the sound of the European Canteen, head down to Stanley Street ASAP. Icon Park's pop-up canteen is open 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday at 78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. Menus change daily.
Probably one of the most fun, interactive and accessible events on Sydney's cultural calendar, Underbelly Arts Festival will be kicking into gear on the first weekend of August (but they're letting you into The Lab from July 22). Dedicated to providing a platform for early career artists, this biennial showcase is all about amplifying the bold new voices of Australian art. Featuring over 100 artists, the festival will be a colourful patchwork of thought-provoking installations spread across Sydney’s industrial playground, Cockatoo Island. “The island is filled with possibility,” says artistic director Eliza Sarlos. “And I think it will continue to do so because every artist brings their own unique skills and imagination to the spaces.” From investigating artist studios to visiting a bar that serves air, to stuffing your face with Mary's and throwing shapes at an art party after a long day's exhibition exploring, there's plenty of indulgent adventures to be had this year at Underbelly — here's a sneak peek into what you're allowed to get yourself into. STUFF YOUR FACE (AND MIND) SILLY The Underbelly team is acutely aware of the relationship between artist and audience. And this year, they've cooked up an even bigger program to get your mind cogs moving. In addition to art, music and performance, there will be plenty of delicious noms from your favourite food providers — think inner-west all-stars such as Mary's, Rising Sun and Young Henry's — curated by Sydney foodie, FBi Radio presenter and The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry founder Lee Tran Lam. You can also look forward to a kickass art party smack bang in the middle of the weekend. SEE ART BEFORE IT'S READY Prior to the festival on August 1 – 2, the exhibiting artists will finish creating their works in an intensive two-week-long residency or The Lab. “One thing that excites me about Underbelly is what happens before the festival,” says Sarlos. “We have all the artists from different disciplines in the same space together. It’s that exchange that happens when people are creating under the same roof, side by side.” The Underbelly ethos is primarily forward thinking, showcasing art practices that dwell on the consequences of our current moment. “Art has this wonderful capacity to present versions of tomorrow and perspectives on what the future should hold,” says Sarlos. “I think Underbelly is in a great position to facilitate that. It's a precarious time for the arts, so it's important to have those opportunities to pause and reflect.” The festival also provides a laboratory to conceptualise solutions to the big issues. This has spawned a number of socially and politically engaged works. For instance, Emily Parsons-Lord is developing a bar that serves air. Yes, you heard correct. You will literally be served samples of air. Her work, The Arrariam, is concerned with the history of air and the impact of human development. MAKE A BUNCH OF NOISE Alongside the visual art offerings, there is a stellar music and sound program planned. “It’s really exciting to be presenting music in an art context because I don’t think it happens enough,” says Sarlos. “It’s rare that you’re in an environment where you have access to art, music and performance. One thing I love about the festival experience is that there aren’t those arbitrary lines.” From sonic sculptures through to serene acoustics, there will be a whole bunch of technologically innovative sound installations to experience. “We have the amazing Lucy Cliché (Lucy Phelan) recording a piece specifically for one of the bunkers on the island,” says Sarlos. “Getting to hear it in the space it was designed for will be quite special.” Saturday evening will be packed with punchy beats and danceable tunes. The art party lineup will feature Cassius Select, GUERRE, Austin Buckett, Megan Alice Clune and Softwar, to name a few. The Goodgod Karaoke House Band will also make an appearance, inviting festivalgoers to warm up their vocal chords and soak up some good ol' nostalgia. BRAG ABOUT NEW INTERNATIONAL ART YOU JUST LEARNED ABOUT For the first time, this year’s program will include a cohort of international artists. And as the festival spreads its wings, Sarlos believes it’s never too soon to reach overseas. “We’re definitely here for early career artists and I think that’s true for international artists as well. What is interesting for me is building networks with people across the world. I think there’s no reason to wait until you have a blockbuster to create those connections and opportunities.” UK sculptor James Capper is one of the foreign artists climbing aboard. He will be unleashing a number of earth-marking machines to crawl across the island and create their own compositions. “Even though it was developed in the UK, it’s funny how strongly this work resonates with industry driven and mining obsessed Australia,” says Sarlos. ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM With recent government cuts, it's a bleak time for emerging artists attempting to carve out a career or simply pay bills. But simply by attending Underbelly Arts, you'll be supporting said artists and inevitably getting into heated debates over a cider at the end of the day about 'the state of things'. Thinking about this unsteady and uncertain future, Sarlos is a keen campaigner for visibility across every level of art-making. “I certainly don’t advocate against the major art institutions — there’s an important role for them to play,” she says. “Art offers such a beautiful ecology of people creating at different stages — everyone benefits from what everyone else is doing. If you lose the support mechanisms or the access points for audiences to see work from the new generation you miss the opportunity to develop sustainable careers.” Underbelly Arts Festival runs August 1-2 at Cockatoo Island, with The Lab running July 22-26. Check the website for more details or to lock down tickets. Images: Underbelly Arts, Prudence Upton, Lucy Parakhina, Rafaela Pandolfini, James Capper.
Early risers, yoga fiends and peaceful art lovers, this one's for you. Celebrating the MoMA exhibition Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971 and the 50th anniversary of Ono’s 1964 New York performance of Morning Piece, the MCA is presenting an early morning of free, peaceful fun. Kicking off at 9am on June 21 at the MCA, Yoko Ono Morning Peace 2015 is Sydney's instalment of the global event. Reconnect with the early morning with a free mandala workshop on the lawn, outdoor drawing classes on the sculpture terrace, yoga workshops on the rooftop terrace and front lawn with lululemon athletica (June 21 also marks the United Nations’ inaugural World’s Yoga Day). The MCA will be open early from 9am, including the Light Show exhibition, and the MCA Cafe will also be open from 9am, with a special New-York themed breakfast menu (we're talking cronuts, Mimosas, bagels, Belvedere Bloody Marys). So what are we actually celebrating this early in the morning? It's been 50 years since Ono's Morning Piece was first performed in Tokyo in 1964, a work she the presented again on her New York apartment roof in 1965. The work saw audiences gather at sunrise to meet Ono, who sold artworks with attached pieces of paper on glass, picking out a particular period of morning (e.g., “February 3, 1987 after sunrise,”). The Ono would encourage each 'owner' to look through the glass to the sky, with the knowledge they possessed a 'future morning'. Pretty lovely stuff. So now we celebrate the original 'morning giving' ceremony across the globe, with the sun rising in different time zones. It's a peaceful art gathering of global proportions, organised by New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in partnership with Milan's Fondazione La Triennale di Milano, Moscow's Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, LA's J. Paul Getty Museum, Hong Kong's M+, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and the MCA — yep, gang's all here. If you can't make it to the MCA, you're encouraged to host your own Morning Peace event, according to the following instructions “On the solstice at sunrise / celebrate mornings of / past, future, and now./ Listen to the world./ Touch each other / when the sun comes up.” (Yoko Ono, spring 2015). Yoko Ono Morning Peace 2015 at MCA is happening on June 21 from 9am. Entry is free, but bookings for the two 'Morning Interpretations' outdoor drawing classes (11am-11:45am and 12pm-12:45pm) are recommended. Check the website for session times (and BYO mat and wear plenty of layers if you're going to jump into a yoga session). If you're still hung up on the whole Beatles break-up thing, give Yoko a chance with this little gem:
Next time someone complains that you're glued to your phone, tell them that you're earning free food. Yes, that's the dream the burger-slinging legends at Royal Stacks is making come true with their new interactive game. Getting your favourite meat-and-bread combo is about to become as easy as spending hours doing something that, let's face it, we all already do. Available to download from the iTunes store from December 2, Royal Stacks' foray into phone-based entertainment combines fun with freebies, and virtual burgs with the real thing. Created by Melbourne's PlaySide Studios, the Tetris meets Jenga-like game requires players to stack ingredients onto a bun, line everything up to make the ideal tower of pixellated deliciousness, and try to make sure the massive creation doesn't topple over — all while building the biggest burger possible. In the process, as you work your way up from Royal Stacks' Single Stack to The King — and work through different skins and themes — you'll receive points that can be used in store for things like burgers, fries, milkshakes and frozen custard. And, if you visit a Royal Stacks joint on the day the game launches and download it while you're there, you'll also get a free serving of fries. Okay, so we all know that this is a clever piece of marketing — but we all want free burgers. Basically, it's the best of both worlds — and everything a game-playing burger lover (aka everyone) could've hoped for, really. Available to download from iTunes.
Local fashion, handmade wares and community vibes aplenty. It's a formula that sounds familiar, though for Enmore's new quarterly pop-up New Form, it's served up a little differently. Billed as "not just another arts and crafts market," New Form aims to be an inclusive hangout space for Sydney's style-savvy culture-lovers, delivering a tightly curated mix of design, fashion, music, art and food, all with a local focus. Uniquely, each edition will be helmed by a different creative mind, who'll lend their own expertise and style to the concept. They'll choose the live tunes and art installations, select an exciting lineup of designers to show off their wares and handpick all the other vendors. New Form has also teamed up with folks at The Design Residency, who'll showcase two of their exciting mentee designers at each edition. For its debut outing on Sunday, October 8, the pop-up is heading to a space on Gladstone Road, pulling together labels like Zuku Jewellery, Tuesday Vintage, Carly Rose, Serpent and the Swan, and Studio Coy, along with plenty of other fresh local talent. Food offerings will include Turkish Gozleme and Miss Mabel's. Catch the first edition of New Form on Sunday, October 8, at 3 Gladstone St, Enmore. For more information, check out their website.
Still coming to terms with the fact that the Newtown Social Club's gig-hosting days have come to an end? Us too. But — for better or for worse — when one door closes, another one opens. And come July, the same doors will swing into action — but this time they'll reveal a mini-golf bar. Yes, the old NSC bandroom is becoming an indoor 18-hole mini-golf course. The new venue is called Holey Moley Golf Club, and it comes to Sydney after opening in Brisbane last September and Melbourne earlier this year. Set to open in on Thursday, July 6, the bar will pair putt putt and pints across the two-storey King Street space. Just what each stop on each of the two nine-hole courses will entail is yet to be revealed; however Game of Thrones, Super Mario, Alice in Wonderland and clowns all feature up north. Yes, clowns. It's as batshit crazy as it sounds. We hope Holey Moley isn't simply filling one of Sydney's many struggling live venues with a gimmick, and their parent company Funlab have advised that music will remain a feature with regular DJ sets. Drinks-wise, expect cocktails from The Caddyshack Bar and a bao station for bites between holes. Newtown isn't the only spot on Holey Moley's expansion trail either, with an Adelaide venture due to open in May. Holey Moley Golf Club will open at 387 King Street, Newtown on Thursday, July 6. Keep an eye on their website for more information. Image: Holey Moley Melbourne, by Lucas Dawson.
They've been one of Sydney's best Thai eateries for more than two decades, and they're bringing their beloved street food to the Gateway dining precinct at Circular Quay. Rejoice, Chat Thai fans – and then start lining up. Sure, that's good advice whenever you're in the mood for some yen ta or som dtum; however when those delicious dishes are half price, things are going to get busy. If you ever wondered just how Chat Thai could make the news of a new store even better, this is it. To celebrate their opening weekend in the grandest style possible, they're going halvsies on everything on their menu from 10am to 10pm on October 15 and 16. Yep, everything. Because you need something to read while you're standing in the queue, we'll keep telling you about their new digs. Joining the likes of Gelato Messina, Neil Perry's Burger Project, Four Frogs Creperie and The Gozleme Co. in the new eating destination, it's their biggest place yet — with a noodle bar, two kitchens and 145 seats to prove it, as well as more than 100 meals on the menu (including some brand new additions) and a hefty booze list. The Gateway Sydney restaurant joins Chat Thai's other spots in Haymarket, Centre Point, The Galeries, Manly and Randwick, meaning that you're never too far from your favourite food fix. For now, you'd best get standing and waiting — and then eating as much half-price tastiness as possible. Find Chat Thai at Gateway Sydney, Circular Quay. Check out their website and Facebook page for more information. Via Good Food.
Taronga Zoo is turning one hundred this year, and to celebrate they're throwing a party. A big one. With lions. And tigers. And quite possibly bears. But this isn't a party that just anyone can get in to. No, this is a party to which you need to be invited. Luckily for animal lovers, the zoo has just launched its official 'birthday ballot', with 5000 tickets up for grabs. To get your name in the draw, all you need to do is signup via this link. Go ahead. We'll just amuse ourselves with this panda until you get back. "Our birthday party will be a milestone day to celebrate 100 years of bringing people and wildlife together," said Taronga CEO Cameron Kerr. "There will be special experiences with our amazing animals, unique presentations and more to enjoy. It will be an unforgettable day!" The birthday bash will take place on Friday October 7, marking one hundred years to the day since the zoo first opened in Mosman. The winners of the ballot will be announced by mid-August. If you miss out, or just can't wait that long, the zoo is also offering $1 entry to anyone who visits on their birthday. If you need any more convincing, Taronga's brand new baby meerkats will probably be there and look like this: Images: Dollar Photo Club, Taronga Zoo.
March can often arrive with a pang of seasonal realisation — summer's done. But there are some who resist the change, especially those intent on creating an entire beach festival in Coogee. You'll quickly forget any farewells to the sunnier months at the Coogee Foreshore Festival, a seaside celebration transforming Coogee Pavilion into a burgeoning marketplace. It's just one tasty, beachy adventure amongst the annual March into Merivale festival. Head along to the Coogee Pav on March 20 for a day of foreshore frivolity — and you'd be well-advised to leave your self-consciousness behind. Want to get your face painted, tie an animal balloon to your wrist or get your pic taken with a roving entertainer? Do it already. Just in case you're finding it hard to let your hair down, there'll be summery drinks a-plenty, courtesy of Veuve Clicquot, and oodles of food, from not only Coogee Pavilion and Coogee Rooftop, but some of our favourite Merivale restaurants including Papi Chulo, El Loco, Mr. Wong and sushi e. [competition]562012[/competition]
The most powerful companies in the world understand that power exists only insofar as the public continues to allow it, for without their buying power, these companies are nothing. The most famous and certainly most destructive example of this approach took place in the 1950s, when Hollywood’s major motion picture studios agreed to blacklist a group of their most successful screenwriters on account of their affiliation with the communist party. No crimes were committed, no treason alleged, yet these men were suddenly denied any ability to work in the industry to which they’d dedicated their lives and provided so many financial and critical accolades. Families struggled, many crumbled, and some of the blacklisted even died. And all of it because a few powerful conservatives including John Wayne and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (played here by Helen Mirren) deigned to call them ‘un-American’. The best known of the so-called Hollywood Ten was screenwriting legend Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), the highest paid writer in town and the scribe behind such hits as Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and Kitty Foyle. When he refused to comply with the infamous hearings of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Trumbo was immediately blacklisted and imprisoned, and soon realised the only way he’d be able to continue working was to write B-movies for a pittance under an assumed name. So began an extraordinary period in Hollywood’s history that ultimately resulted in not one, but two Academy Awards going to entirely fictitious writers. It's a story so fantastic it would seem to surpass the imagination of even the likes of Trumbo. Trumbo tells a compelling tale. Led by a remarkable performance from Cranston, the extensive cast breathes much life into the story – and while it feels insufficiently told, the portrait of the man at its centre remains a moving one. [competition]562052[/competition] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gryhSJxx7I
When David Bowie passed away on January 10 this year, it felt like the entire world fell into collective mourning. Two months on, and we're still feeling the loss. And the best way to deal with that, of course, is to listen to his music. To that end, the Sydney Opera House has organised a mega David Bowie tribute concert. Happening over two nights, on May 19 and 21, the show will feature a slew of big Australian names, including iOTA, Tim Rogers, Steve Kilbey, Deborah Conway, Adalita and Jack Ladder. They'll perform all the bona-fide Bowie classics alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; expect to see 'Changes', 'China Girl', 'Life on Mars', 'Under Pressure', 'Let’s Dance' and 'Starman' on the setlist, alongside numerous other tunes. You'd best be quick, as we're pretty sure tickets will be snapped up in no time. They range from $69-129, depending on where you're sitting in the Concert Hall, and groups of ten or more score tidy discounts. Sales start at 9am this Saturday, March 5 — set an alarm. David Bowie: Nothing has Changed will take place at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday, May 19 and Saturday, May 21 from 8pm. For more info and to book tickets, go here.
If you’ve feasted on jalapeno kingfish sashimi and paired it with next-level aged sake, then you’re familiar with the culinary creativity of Sake. If you haven’t, we reckon it’s about time you were treated to one heck of a dinner. To that end, we’ve teamed up with Urban Purveyor Group to give one of our clever, hungry readers 200 bucks worth of free nosh. Yep, 200 bucks. That’s enough cash to buy you and your loved one or mate or mum a serious feast. We're talking 'gramworthy new-style sushi to significantly impress your date. To enter, all you have to do is pop over here, fill in a quick form and write something vaguely interesting in ten words or less. That’s it. Then spend up at Sake's Double Bay venue or OG spot in The Rocks. GO. Why not brush up on your sake knowledge in the meantime?
Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks had never met The Dolphin. The decades-only pub received a makeover in 2016 from Icebergs' Maurice Terzini (who has since stepped away from the project), housed a pop-up bar from one of the world's best bartenders in 2019 and is now trying its hand at brunch. Brunch itself is not new, of course, but it's a new concept for the Surry Hills favourite. Back in November, The Dolphin dipped its toes into the brunch game with resounding success, booking out its one-off Long Brunch. As a result, the pub is making it a monthly affair, hosting a brunch feast on the last Sunday of each month. Unlike many other iterations of brunch, this one has natural wine, cheese and bacon rotolo and not a single avo toast in sight. Roll in before 11am and you'll be loaded up with coffee, juice, a four-course meal and a cocktail for $65. The food lineup has been designed by head chef Josh Carrick, while the cocktails come courtesy of bar manager Josh Reynolds. You'll start with the likes of a toasted prawn crumpet, stracciatella with egg and sorrel and the aforementioned rotolo, then continue with a potato waffle with bacon and maple mascarpone, before finishing with prosecco and passionfruit trifle. Bookings are available each month at 10, 10.30 or 11am on the last Sunday of the month.
It's been about an hour since I left the theatre and I still seem to be unable to stop talking in Oscar Wilde. There is something so endearingly intrusive about Oscar Wilde's prose. While the finer points of his comments on society are perhaps lost on those who are not surrounded by turn of the century London society, his barbarous wit is ever amusing. Only Wilde could come up with a story where two women insist on marrying a man called Earnest, and where two men pretend to be Earnest in order to secure the love of said women, and one of the men happens to have once been found in a handbag in Victoria Station. The Importance of Being Earnest is an immensely popular play. There have been at least two film productions boasting names such as Judi Dench and Colin Firth. It does become then, one of those productions that it is hard to tackle without being compared to numerous other incarnations. The Darlinghurst Theatre Company have, however, managed to live up to the challenge. Though faced with a relatively small space and, I assume, a budget much smaller than that of the most recent Hollywood Reese Witherspoon-starring screen version of the play, director Nicholas Papademetriou has done an excellent job with staging, simplifying the stage down to the most important elements. The actors, including Linda Cropper as Lady Bracknell, who is currently featuring on Channel Ten's Offspring, are all well cast and manage the task of the outrageous comedy with considerable outrageousness. While the pomposity of the upper class accent occasionally defeats some, for most it's spectacularly well done. Watch out in particular for Adele Querol's Cecily — a great talent whose aristocratic airs were more than spot on. The most important thing to remember with a Wilde play is that it's meant to be completely ridiculous. Like the Greek playwrights before him, Oscar Wilde takes everything to extremes. While at times it means that each line is far too outrageous to be true, it is always funny. You won't be disappointed by a trip to Darlinghurst Theatre's The Importance of Being Earnest. In fact all I need advise is to stock up on the cucumber sandwiches before you go. After watching the actors consume copious amounts of tea, sandwiches and muffins, by the end I was truly famished. Rather.
Have your weekday lunches and dinners been lacking in lustre a bit recently? Are you ready to retire the soggy sandwich, or underdressed salad, and make your meals a little more exciting? Thanks to the Rockpool Dining Group you can — without breaking the budget. A heap of the group's fancy Sydney restaurants, which are overseen by chef Neil Perry, are serving up tasty dishes — and a glass of wine or cocktail — for a mere $25 at lunch and dinner for ten days this month. Head out for a meal in the CBD between Monday, April 15 and Sunday, April 28 and you can pick from the likes of a David Blackmore wagyu burger at Rockpool Bar & Grill paired with a glass of shiraz, pizza and Chianti at Rosetta, three tacos and a margarita at Bar Patrón or a prime rib sandwich and a glass or red or white at The Cut Bar & Grill. And all of them will set you back just $25. It doesn't stop there, either. Regional Chinese fine-diner Spice Temple will be pairing one of its five bar noodle dishes — pick from spicy pork and fermented chilli belt noodles, Shanghai noodles with braised lamb and crispy chow mein with pork — with its famed Zodiac Cocktails for just $25 a pop, too. Since these 12 cocktails usually set you back at least $20, it's a pretty great deal. You can check them all out here. Not in the city? All all Saké outposts — in Manly, Double Bay and the Rocks — will be offering a $25 deal, too, serving up a selection of sashimi and nigiri with a Sapporo or glass of wine for the discounted price. To snag the deal head in to any of the below restaurants for lunch or dinner — the only catch is you'll have to sit at the bar. Bookings can be made here. ROCKPOOL DINING GROUP'S $25 BAR LUNCH LOCATIONS Rockpool Bar & Grill Spice Temple Rosetta Trattoria The Cut Bar & Grill Bar Patrón Saké The Rocks, Manly, Double Bay UPDATE: APRIL 12, 2019 — Rockpool Dining Group's $25 meals were originally only available at lunch. They're now available at lunch and dinner. The above copy has been updated to reflect this.
In 2001, Rolling Stone writer Guy Lawson published the extraordinary article: 'The Stoner Arms Dealers: How Two American Kids Became Big-Time Weapons Traders', and the response was predictably one of outrage and surprise. The entire story seemed preposterous, impossible, far too crazy to believe. As it turns out, it was precisely that quality that enabled its two subjects to get away with the impossible for so very long. David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, two Miami-based Jewish boys in their mid-twenties, had become high-end international arms dealers, most famously landing what came to be known as The Afghan Deal – an exclusive USD$300 million contract to supply the US-backed Afghan forces with weapons, equipment and one hundred million rounds of soviet-era AK-47 ammunition from Albania. Two guys, mid-twenties, and Packouz's previous job was as a part-time masseuse. Such is the subject matter of War Dogs by director Tod Phillips (The Hangover), chronicling Packouz (Miles Teller) and Diveroli's (Jonah Hill) astounding ascent to the big leagues of international weapons trading, as well as their inevitable fall. The title, War Dogs, refers to the nature of their particular profession: scrambling for small-scale arms contracts posted by the Pentagon to help redress the constantly undersupplied forces in the disastrous Iraq and Afghan theatres. Described as "eBay for weapons dealers", these contracts were sourced off a website containing tens of thousands of Pentagon requests for tenders. By focussing on the jobs too small to interest the major players, Packouz and Diveroli were able to amass a small fortune in a remarkably short space of time. Broken up into chapters with names like "God Bless Dick Cheney's America", War Dogs is at pains to show us the corruption of the American Ideal and the toxicity of unrestrained capitalism – both decades-old points long since made in every form of media, and laboured here with an especially heavy hand. With its Americana rock soundtrack, freeze frames and bro-tasctic dialogue, the film plays like a wannabe Big Short or Wolf of Wall Street, yet lacks the emotional drive or dramatic tension to ever really deliver. Neither funny enough to be a comedy, nor serious enough to land as a drama, it instead ends up somewhere in the middle (a fate similarly suffered by the recent Tina Fey project Whiskey Tango Foxtrot). Overall, far too much time is spent on the overtly amusing and entertaining elements of the boys' earlier days, leaving the heart of this remarkable real-life tale – a deal gone awry, double-crosses and a friendship in free fall – to the final stages only. As an indictment on the arms trade, it likewise barely scratches the surface, opting instead to focus on the absurdity and corruption of the political system that enables it. Admittedly, that narrative is a compelling one, revealing a level of bureaucratic absurdity not known to most members of the public. Still, when compared to 2005's Lord of War, which dealt with similar material, this more recent offering emerges as the undisputed weaker of the two. Bland, unimaginative and ill-befitting the extraordinary story behind it, War Dogs feels like an amazing opportunity gone begging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwh9c_E3dJk
Hold onto your paper plates, Sydney — there's another Night Market coming to Carriageworks. This time it will celebrate both the height of Sydney summer and the art precinct's latest installation Until by Nick Cave, which is the theme of this year's market. A slew of 60-plus stallholders will take over the carriageway from 5pm on Friday, February 15. You can expect to once again sample goods from New South Wales' top tier of restaurants, winemakers, breweries and providores, alongside cooking demos, talks and live music. Highlights include Ben Shewry of Attica, one of Australia's best chefs, teaching you how to cook Aussie seafood over fire, and chats with chefs from the refugee-run Four Brave Women restaurant. The menu has been curated by Kylie Kwong with dishes responding to Nick Cave's colourful, immersive artwork — which addresses topical issues of gun violence, gender politics and race relations, as well as highlighting the importance of community and compassion. While there's no word yet on what exactly you'll be eating, Carriageworks has announced some big names on the lineup. Innovative Indian restaurant Don't Tell Aunty, Josh Niland's Fish Butchery, new vegan eatery Paperbark and Neil Perry's Mexican spot Bar Patron are just some of the restaurants that'll be providing the food, while Dear Sainte Éloise, Monopole, P&V Wine and Liquor and Archie Rose and Young Henrys will be on drinks duty (among many others). Tickets are $10 — head to the Carriageworks website to book ahead. Image: Jacquie Manning.
Theatres in Sydney over the last 12 months have been brimming with anti-epic domestic snapshots of fraught intimate relationships, and the latest from UK physical theatre company Frantic Assembly continues the trend. Todd and Kali are despicable human beings. They never leave each other’s side, love IKEA, brag about their beautifully equipped kitchen and say things like "fuck off Ingmar Bergman you are so fucking talented" after watching The Seventh Seal. They will disgust you on multiple levels. The play on ‘Stockholm’ — being both the yuppie couple’s syndrome and dream getaway destination — is excessively literal, and the script is ultimately unambitious in its breadth and depth. The performances are strong, with Leeanna Walsman coming off brilliantly as the obsessive, vulnerable and sensual jealous lover. However, she and her co-performer Socratis Otto are clearly not dancers, and the movement sequences work with mixed success. The climactic fight scene is both highly charged and graceful while the bedroom make-up sequence is almost unbearably clumsy. This is a contained and consistently tense production, a highlight being the live aroma of chopped onion cooking in butter on stage — here’s to theatre exploiting its olfactory capacities more often. Image by Brett Boardman.
From the wild, WTF and wonderful finalists, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has announced their 204 Archibald Prize winner. Fiona Lowry has won the prestigious prize for her portrait of Penelope Seidler. Runner up was Mitch Cairns with his portrait of Red Richardson AM. The Wynne and Sulman Prizes have also been announced. Taking the Wynne for landscape or sculpture was Michael Johnson with his abstract Oceania High Low: And the Sulman (best subject painting, genre painting or mural project) landed on Andrew Sullivan's T-Rex: Check out our picks for weirdest and most wonderful Archibald finalist tales over here.
Love celebrating holidays — even if they hail from the other side of the world? Maybe you're a homesick North American looking for something that reminds you of home? Then no doubt you're looking forward to US holiday Thanksgiving, which falls on November 25. Lucky for you, Cheers! Spirits From the USA is partnering with leading venues across the nation, helping us Aussies celebrate the day. This week until Sunday, 28 November, select bars in Sydney will be turning happy hour into 'thanksgiving hour' by offering a range of thanksgiving-themed cocktails for you to cheers over. The brand has collaborated with innovative Australian bartenders to create an exciting cocktail list that showcases classic American spirits such as Angel's Envy Bourbon, Westward Whiskey and Woodford Reserve. There are eight participating Sydney venues: Maybe Sammy, Kittyhawk, Burdekin Rooftop, Burrow Bar, Gin Lane, Grain Bar, NOLA Smokehouse and The Swinging Cat. So, head on down, grab yourself a festive cocktail and cheers to being able to celebrate IRL with mates again. [caption id="attachment_833763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Swinging Cat[/caption] For more information on Thanksgiving Hour, head to the Cheers! From the USA website. And you can even follow the events on Instagram. Top image: The Burdekin, Billy Zammit
Moseying along George Street can involve many things. Rushing to get the train at Town Hall, weaving in and out of QVB or The Galeries, trying to avoid throngs of people doing the same thing — they're all on the list. But on Friday, December 3, the stretch between Market and Park streets will host a huge three-course lunch, serving 600 people right there on the pavement. The sprawling al fresco midday meal is fittingly called George Street Long Lunch, with Chat Thai's Palisa Anderson, Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney, Glass Brasserie's Luke Mangan and Continental Delicatessen's Michael Nicolian all whipping up dishes. It'll also come with a soundtrack, thanks to George Ellis Orchestra featuring Josh Pyke, as well as the Hot Potato Band. If you're wondering why Sydneysiders are being asked to sit down for lunch in the middle of the city street, it's part of a day-long series of dining pop-ups around town that's been dubbed Sydney's Open for Lunch. Aiming to give the city's hospitality sector a boost, the overarching event is all about long-table lunches, other dining and drinking activations, and just spending a day out of the house as Sydney recovers from this year's lengthy lockdown. While the George Street lunch is one of the event's big drawcards, Sydney's Open for Lunch will span across the city — through the CBD, Chinatown, Barangaroo and Parramatta.
Online natural wine marketplace Notwasted has teamed up with Potts Point sandwich eatery Small's Deli for the picnic pack of your dreams. Throughout spring, Sydneysiders can order the packs through Notwasted's website, then pick them up via click-and-collect (no delivery) from Small's Deli from Wednesday–Saturday — just order before 11.30am and they'll be ready from 12.30pm that day. If you fancy yourself a sommelier, you can choose your own drinks from the Notwasted range, and add them to your cart featuring whatever picnic pack you desire. Or, perhaps you're picnicking for your October birthday — and in true indecisive libra fashion, you can't decide on what wines to pair with your sambo. If that's the case, there's a pre-paired option. And yes, the wines also come chilled. The meat charcuterie box includes garlic and fennel salami, triple-cream brie, Maffra waxed cheddar, house pickles, fruit pate or chilli honey, plus a third of a baguette. Or, there's the vego charcuterie box, featuring triple-cream brie, cheddar, house pickles, fruit paste, apple and baguette. Both cost $29 for two people and $58 for boxes that feed four. There's also a sandwich pack for $30 (plus whatever booze you add on top), which includes a panini filled with salami, grilled eggplant, walnut paste, creamed pecorino and rocket, plus a baguette stuffed with triple-cream brie, Serrano ham and cultured butter. So, dust off your picnic blanket from last weekend, text your mates, and let Notwasted and Small's do the rest.
The Rocks is celebrating Halloween this year with a series of events across the weekend. Head around the inner-city area to discover haunted houses, catch spooky flicks at an open air cinema or hit the dancefloor at The Argyle during this multi-day celebration of the October holiday. If you're looking for an authentic ghost experience, you can head to a series of five haunted heritage buildings between Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31, each with a secret letter hidden in the form of a QR code. If you find all five letters, it will spell a codeword which will allow you to claim a prize at The Rocks Square. Similarly, a ghost tour will be taking patrons around spooky spots in the Rocks on the same Sunday from 8pm. If you're looking for more of a party-heavy Halloween experience, neighbouring venues The Argyle and El Camino Cantina are both throwing huge dress-up parties across the weekend. Head to El Camino for ghost and ghoul-themed versions of their famed giant frozen margaritas as well as a dress-up party, or pop next door for DJs and fancy dress at The Argyle Asylum. Those looking to participate in the time-honoured tradition of watching a scary movie on Halloween can head to The Rocks' Laneway Cinema to watch family-friendly flicks like Scooby Doo and Hotel Transylvania, as well as the ghostly comedy classic Ghostbusters and acclaimed horror film A Quiet Place.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. In past years, more than 400,000 Aussies have taken part, and held more than 18,000 sales. While life is a little different in 2021, a huge array of events are still expected to open their doors to bargain hunters, selling more millions items. And, when the event returns across three weekends between Saturday, November 6–Sunday, November 21, online garage sales will also be part of the trail. According, whether you're buying or selling, you have two options: do so in person, or take the virtual route. It's only the second time ever that the Garage Sale Trail is going digital, too. And, digital tutorials are also on the bill, so you can learn everything from DIY wardrobe tips to hosting the best sale. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood. [caption id="attachment_783811" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jo Lowrey[/caption] Images: Garage Sale Trail.
White Rabbit Gallery is unique among Sydney galleries in that it focuses on 21st century works and specifically showcases Chinese art. Following a lengthy closure, its next exhibition promises to be a real treat. Big in China is a collection of works from a dozen different artists that seeks to answer the question of how you can represent and capture the spirit of a nation of over a billion people. See how the nation's rich history, cultural practices and incredible creativity all play parts in creating inspiring artworks that resonate on a personal level with such a large proportion of the world's population. The artworks here take just about every shape and form. There's a Corinthian column twisting like a snake and following attendees around the room, large-scale colourful pieces, video game installations and towering rock-like sculptures. The Chippendale gallery is open 10am–5pm Wednesdays–Sundays and entry is free.
Carriageworks has been the home of Liveworks since 2015 however this year's instalment is going to be available to experience online. The Festival of Experimental Art is known for its groundbreaking works and there's yet another lineup of fascinating pieces to discover at this year's event. From a collaborative plant lovers' nursery to a curated collection exploring liminal spaces and a thought-provoking piece on intimacy and sexuality in a post-pandemic world, there's something for everyone at this year's Liveworks. And that only begins to scratch the surface of this multi-genre, multi-disciplinary, multitudinous feast of ideas. The festival is split into three unique streams of programming, with 31 events all up featuring more than 72 incredible artists. The three streams are LIVE NOW, which presents bold and experimental art from the Asia-Pacific region; LIVE DREAMS, a look into works of art still being created as a way of examining pieces of the future; and LIVE FUTURES, a series of conversations with artists looking forwards. For the full program, head to the Liveworks website. [caption id="attachment_829710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liz Ham[/caption]
There's something special about visiting a vineyard. Seeing the grapes up close and meeting the people who create big kids' juice makes you appreciate every drop of vino that little bit more. But going to a winery has been a little trickier this year. So, to makes things easier, we're bringing the high country to your house with Delatite Wine's DIY Wine Blending class. On Friday, September 17 and Friday, September 24, you can take part in an online wine blending workshop with Delatite Winery's David Ritchie and Andy Browning. Throughout the session, you'll sample the leafy aromatics and blueberry characters of the 2019 cabernet. Then, you'll get to enjoy the rounded, juicy goodness of the merlot from the same year. You'll also learn about Delatite's own wine blending process and discover why it chose to make wine naturally and without filtering. Plus, you'll be encouraged to make your very own blend to go in the running to win a $150 voucher to spend at the winery's restaurant (when you're finally able to visit). To ensure you've got the right goods, you'll be sent a sampling kit filled with all the essentials. The pack will include four different bottles of Delatite wine, an empty bottle for you to build your own blend in, a measuring cylinder, wine pourer, tasting mat and more. Just make sure you register a week before kick-off to ensure it arrives in time for the class. Sound like a superior way to kick off your weekend? Delatite Winery's DIY Wine Blending will take place at 5pm on September 17 and September 24. For more information and to book yourself a spot, visit the website.
Did you miss out on your annual regional getaway this winter? Do you feel like you need a little bit of the nourishing country life to get you through the next few weeks of lockdown? If that's you, and you're a gin lover to boot, we've got a lil' something that'll fill up your empty mini break cup — in more ways than one. You can experience the high country at home thanks to our pals at Glenbosch Wine Estate. Across two weeks starting September 17, you and your mates can attend an online rooibos gin tasting session with Dirk Bester from the Beechworth-based estate. The 90-minute session will include a guided tasting of four delicious gins. Plus, you'll learn how to make your own bathtub gin just like it was done in the prohibition era. To make sure you've got the right tools for the job, Glenbosch Wine Estate will send you a supply pack boasting 500ml of Glenbosch Craft Original Gin, a botanical wheel and tasting quadrant, a botanical box featuring eight botanicals, citrus and more. All you need to round up are a few household items including a cutting board, knife, glasses, tonic water, ice and tea strainer. Gin Appreciation with Glenbosch will take place at 7pm September 17, September 24 and October 1. Sound like a genius way to level up your next after-work drinks? For more information and to book, visit the website.
Break out the martinis and prepare for a shaken but not stirred few months — because Bond, James Bond, is coming to the Ritz Cinemas. At 7pm every Wednesday and Sunday evening between August 19–November 8, the Randwick venue will screen all 24 official films in the espionage franchise, all as part of an event it's calling Bondathon. Sean Connery smouldering his way through everything from Dr. No to Diamonds Are Forever, Roger Moore stepping into 007's shoes between Live and Let Die and A View to A Kill, Timothy Dalton's two-film run in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill — they're all included. So is Pierce Brosnan's stint as the secret agent between GoldenEye and Die Another Day, and Daniel Craig's four contributions to-date since Casino Royale. Aussie actor George Lazenby's one-movie appearance as Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also on the bill. The action franchise's 25th movie, No Time to Die, is currently slated to hit the big screen in November — after being delayed from April due to COVID-19. So, as tends to be the case when it comes to James Bond, Bondathon's timing is perfect. If you're particularly keen to not only rove your eyes over every single detail — and every villain, Bond girl, gadget and opening credits sequence too — but to do so while sipping a martini, they'll be on offer from the Ritz bar. As for donning a tuxedo, well, that's up to you. Need some more motivation? Let the trailer for Spectre get you in a 007 mood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4UDNzXD3qA Bondathon runs every Wednesday and Sunday evening between August 19–November 8 at the Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, with tickets on sale now.
Burger lovers of Sydney, rejoice. Cocktail lovers, too. Harpoon Harry has been back in business for a month or so now, after temporarily closing due to COVID-19 lockdowns. And, after celebrating June with cheap burgs, the Surry Hills spot is doing the same in July — and adding a range of boozy tipples to the deal. On the burger front, it's serving them up at $10 a pop all day every day in July. Usually, the special only applies on Wednesdays; however, as we all know, there's absolutely nothing usual about 2020 so far. That price applies to all three burgers on the regular menu, so you can take your pick — between the fried chicken burger with hot sauce, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato and pickles; the wagyu with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and Harry's sauce; and the crumbed eggplant 'schnitty' with grilled haloumi, lettuce, tomato, pickles, charred onions and aioli. It also applies to the weekly special burg, too. And, your tenner will also score you some fries — with the burger and chips combo on offer daily from 11.30am. Drinks-wise, five different cocktails are available, also for just $10 each. Choose from a classic margarita, espresso martini, negroni, spritz and whatever the weekly 'secret cocktail' happens to be. Bookings are recommended, but you can also just walk on in. Harpoon Harry's $10 burgers (with fries) and $10 cocktails are available for the entire month of July.
We've all been spending more time inside than usual this year. In the process, we've all been looking at our furniture far more often than we usually would. So, if you've suddenly been rocked by the urge to redecorate, rearrange and reorganise, that's hardly surprising — those well-loved cushions, that old couch or your overflowing shelves could probably do with sprucing up. If IKEA is your furniture go-to, then its mid-year clearance sale is here to help, too — offering discounts of up to 50 percent off on some items. Whether you're in need of something big like a bed, chair or desk, or you're eager to fill your walls and surfaces with frames and vases, you'll find slashed prices on a heap of products. The sale runs until Monday, August 10 — and, for Sydneysiders, you have multiple options if you're eager to start buying. Head into the Tempe, Rhodes or Marsden Park stores; browse online, then opt for click-and-collect; or do all your perusing and purchasing on the company's website, before waiting for delivery. IKEA's mid-year clearance sale runs until Monday, August 10 — in-store and online.
Keen to inject a bit more fun into your life this spring? Then head on down to Moore Park for this year's Spring Family Fair, which is taking over Entertainment Quarter for two weeks. Whether you're wanting to channel your inner kidult or you're looking for a way to entertain your actual kids over the school holidays, this epic fair is a surefire (and super-fun) way to kill time. Running from Saturday, September 26 till Sunday, October 11, the Spring Family Fair will have everything from carnival games to thrilling rides, such as dodgem cars, spinning teacups, a giant slide and one called the Super Sizzler. You'll also be able to cool off with a handful of water activities, including the massive Wave Slide and a paddle boat pool. Then, check out the dog talent shows, or pick up gourmet goodies and seasonal fruit and veg at the biweekly Cambridge Market, which runs from 8am–2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Of course, there's a global pandemic to be mindful of, so expect social distancing measures to be in place, plus numerous hand washing facilities and sanitising stations around the fair. Spring Family Fair is taking over the Entertainment Quarter from September 26–October 11. Open 10am–4pm, Monday–Wednesday, and 10am–5pm, Thursday–Sunday. Pre-book your tickets here.
