Back in 2015, Rosebery's was still on the cusp of being considered a foodie hub. Arguably, it was two venues that really cemented it. And the first of those was the sweet, sweet addition of the ever newsworthy, unfailingly novelty and perpetually popular Gelato Messina. The latter was Three Blue Ducks, in case you were wondering. Sitting on Mentmore Avenue, Messina's Rosebery venture is the HQ for the ever-popular gelateria brand and it makes good use of the huge space. Of course, it pumps out the gelato and cakes Sydney knows, loves and Instagrams well. You can it all happening with your own eyes here, too, thanks to the glass walls that show the sweet masters at work. But you can also step behind the curtain by signing up for one of the Gelato Appreciation Classes — you'll get to meet the chefs, get some industry secrets and participate in making some of the delicious stuff. Meanwhile, Messina makes use of the car park, too, hosting food trucks and collaboration events most months.
Sydney hospitality mainstay Swillhouse has just announced its latest venture: taking over 101 George Street's Phillip's Foote and transforming it into a sleek wine bar inspired by bars in Europe. But, there is a catch — the grand opening of the newly dubbed venue, Le Foote, is still a while off. "We've got a bit of work in front of us, council submissions and heritage approvals, then a few months of building before the place is ready to open. We think that this whole process will take a little over six months to complete," Swillhouse Owner and CEO Anton Forte said in a media release. While the collective has big plans for the historic building, in the meantime, Phillip's Foote will be treated to a proper send-off with a temporary pop-up bar set to celebrate the historic pub this summer. The summer bar will serve cured meats, hand selected cheeses, pickles jarred in house and olives alongside an exciting drinks list. The collective responsible for beloved Sydney venues including Restaurant Hubert, Shady Pines, Frankie's and Alberto's Lounge promise a short but eclectic mix of popular and more obscure wines sourced from Europe and Australia. Swillhouse also has an affinity for beer, collaborating with breweries in the past to create their own unique brews, that will also be on show. Creative Director Jordan McDonald says the beers on offer at the temporary reinvention of Phillip's Foote will be "a selection of specialty summer beers" with Swillhouse's Stone Brewing collaboration "pulling into port from San Diego just in time for opening". If you keep your eyes on Swillhouse's social media, you might also be able to catch some spontaneous live entertainment at Phillip's Foote, with Creative Director Jordan McDonald promising "special appearances and last-minute announcements". The Phillip's Foote site is one of the oldest commercial buildings in Australia, housing historic commercial residents including a sailor's bar and a custom's agent. Phillip's Foote has occupied the space since the 1970s when the Dredge family took over. Swillhouse will open its pop-up bar at the site from Monday, November 1, before closing the venue down after summer for renovations. Phillip's Foote is located at 101 George Street, Sydney. The venue will reopen from Monday, November 1 and run until Swillhouse close it for renovations after summer.
Tackling the subject of mental illness on screen is tough, especially if your chosen genre is romantic comedy. Tread too carefully and you risk trivialising the subject, lay it on too thick and you might end up with an over-drawn caricature â€" either way potentially offensive and inaccurate.Fortunately writer/director Max Mayer negotiates this fine line with some finesse. Adam is an atypical rom-com whose leading lad (Hugh Dancy) suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, impairing his ability to empathise and understand human relations. Adam’s insular existence is dismantled when sweet-natured Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into his building, and after a few awkward exchanges their undeniable chemistry presents the pair with the challenge of navigating a relationship.What is ultimately endearing about this film is that it refuses the fairy-floss predictability of its genre in favor of a more grounded approach. This is due in part to Dancy’s layered portrayal of Adam as a complex blend of infant, genius and troubled young man. Peddling neither high drama nor cheap laughs, Adam is an understated and simply told tale plumped by solid performances.https://youtube.com/watch?v=wnoNQa_qUm4
In celebration of International Women's Day, the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is hosting some of Western Sydney's leading female industry figures for Girls Talk Women's Work. The empowering conference will run on Thursday, March 8 and consist of three panel sessions on the topics of music, arts, business and politics. Discussing how to navigate the male-dominated political and business worlds is Liverpool mayor Wendy Waller, business advisor Inu Ran (Western Sydney University Launch Pad), Liverpool Councillor Charisma Kaliyanda and director Dolla Merrilles (Museum of Applied Arts and Science). The music panel will explore stereotypes that exist within the music industry and boasts executive director Yarmila Alfonzetti (State Opera of South Australia), music director Amelia Jenner (FBi Radio), hip hop artist Kween G and founder/director Carly Roberts (Picnic). The art panelists will discuss the importance of collective experience and the idea of performance as resistance. Artists Claudia Nicholson and Caroline Garcia, theatre maker Emele Ugaluva, writer/activist Bee Cruse, Treehouse Theatre co-founder Catherine McGuire-Donvito and Western-Sydney based curator Lizzy Marshall will join forces for this one. Each session includes a Q&A and the provided lunch will be accompanied by surprise performances. It's free to attend, though RSVP is essential and the event is specifically geared for those between the ages of 12 through 25.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in July, but KFC wants you to celebrate the festive season midyear not once but twice. First, it's dropping a heap of deals for the next month. Then, it's sending three groups to the Colonel's Lodge in August, where getting into the yuletide spirit with plenty of chicken while holidaying for two nights in the Blue Mountains is on the menu. The fast-food chain has previously slipped into the Christmas in July mood with ugly sweaters for humans and pets alike, which are back for another year alongside seasonal socks, hoodies, bucket hats and more. If you have some of those in your wardrobe or you buy them now, you know what to wear if you score one of the trips to the brand's latest pop-up. Whatever you don, the three winners will be heading to a wood-panelled mansion filled with red-and-white theming aplenty, a whole lot of KFC merchandise and also Christmas wares, with up to three mates. While you're there, you'll enjoy full KFC catering up to $2000 per day. Not in New South Wales but love the Colonel's finest? The prize also spans economy flights from your nearest capital city to Sydney. For people already in NSW, you might receive transport from your home to the Blue Mountains, but that's up to KFC's discretion. Three draws are taking place, each for those who hit up the KFC app to spend $30 or more on the chain's Christmas in July deals, which run from Monday, July 1–Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The first period covers purchases from Monday, July 1–Sunday, July 14, and will be drawn on Monday, July 15 for a stay between Thursday, August 1–Saturday, August 3. The second period covers eating KFC between Monday, July 15–Sunday, July 21, for a draw on Monday, July 22 and a stay between Saturday, August 3–Monday, August 5. And the third will reward those getting some finger-lickin'-good chicken between Monday, July 22–Wednesday, July 31, as then drawn on Thursday, August 1 for a stay from Monday, August 5–Wednesday, August 7. The deals that'll help you become eligible for winning a Colonel's Lodge getaway include half-price zingers on Monday, July 1, then the likes of nine pieces of original recipe for $9.95, $1 regular chips and $10 tenders. A different special will land each day. KFC fans will know that this kind of pop-up isn't a surprise for a brand that's also done 11-course fine-dining degustations, Peking Duk-led festivals, a nightclub, weddings, cocktails, a crispery that double-breaded and fried everything, and a soothing playlist of chicken frying and gravy simmering — which is genuinely relaxing — in the past. KFC's Christmas July deals run from Monday, July 1–Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with spending $30 or more via the KFC app getting you an entry to stay at the Colonel's Lodge. Winners will need to take their trips in August. Head to the brand's website for more details.
Right now, Sydney's Western Harbour is hosting Waterfront Whale Tales — a new outdoor exhibition that aims to strengthen our connection to Gadigal Country, its people and culture. The free exhibition sees 30 whale tail sculptures scattered along a six-kilometre trail along the harbour, with each two-metre-high tail replica painted by a different local artist. Each tail tells a unique story inspired by its location and the land, and allows the audience to step into a different story and gain a new perspective on Indigenous culture and history. Uncle Graham Toomey, one of the exhibition's two Indigenous Curatorial Advisors, says Waterfront Whale Tales allows artists to engage with the public through open dialogue and storytelling — a crucial part of preserving history. "This project is a doorway that invites the public to step through to learn and connect to the spirit of Gadigal Country, its people and its culture. Gadigal Country is an old Country with an enduring spirit that is strong and beautiful. This spirit holds old stories, old beliefs, values, lore and practices. It's also a powerful tool that brings us all together as allies in trying to make the world a better place through sharing, understanding and creativity." Uncle Toomey says the aim of this project is for the public to understand what the Country means to First Nations people and how important this knowledge is for the health and wellbeing of future generations. "Aboriginal people are not only connected to Country and its water, but we are literally the Country and the water. We are the ground and what lies beneath it. We are its dust, the flora, the fauna and the environment. In sharing our responsibilities as custodians of Country, we aim to educate those on the project, to understand that we have obligations to care for Country and to preserve culture." Aunty Joanne Selfe, the exhibition's other Indigenous Curatorial Advisor, says that passing knowledge and stories in an oral form is an important tradition passed from generation to generation — and this tradition is one that's reflected in the exhibition experience via audio narratives that can be accessed via the Waterfront Whale Tales website. "Visitors will hear directly from the artists, their thoughts and the messaging behind their work. Accompanying this, there is a First Nations audio narrative. In this narrative, First Nations perspectives and understandings of Country, of people and place are shared with visitors, demonstrating the enduring connection and knowledge held within these oral traditions." A diverse range of artists was selected by curators Art Pharmacy to participate in this project, to produce artwork that represents the Sydney art world's extensive range of voices. Art Pharmacy collaborated with Toomey and Selfe to identify both emerging and established artists who came from different backgrounds — including school groups, artists working with a disability, CALD artists and even eco-warrior artists — each with their own stories to tell. The lineup includes Indigenous artists, street artists, illustrators and muralists, making for a richly diverse body of works. "We selected an exciting program of artists — all local to Sydney and all with a unique story to share," says Zeta Xu from Art Pharmacy. "The result was a whole range of stories of Sydney, water and whales told through magnificent life-sized tails. These vary from stories of childhood nostalgia and memories of the ocean, to environmental concerns and Dreamtime storytelling. The range of styles, stories and designs means there is something for everyone who visits the trail." Geoff Parmenter, Chair of the New Sydney Waterfront Company, emphasises the importance of having community events such as Waterfront Whale Tales. "In times of global pandemics and unseasonal weather events, these sorts of active, outdoor community events have never been more important." So what would he like visitors to take away from the exhibition? "I would like audiences to take a little piece of the waterfront away with them! Whether that is in the form of knowledge or just the feel-good factor that comes with experiencing beautiful art." Waterfront Whale Tales is on exhibit at Western Harbour until Saturday, September 24. For more information, head to the website.
Florist Sarah Cowley of Haven and Sarah loves putting together beautiful bouquets of seasonal flowers. And with a selection of homewares and related products for sale in her shop as well, all your Mother's Day, engagement, and birthday gift needs are well looked after under Cowley's artistic eye. Since opening in 2014, Haven and Sarah's bright, cheerful displays have been decorating the street and calling in passersby. Whether you are lucky enough to live locally or are just passing through, it's worth picking up a bunch and taking a moment to browse the shelves stocked with gorgeous ceramics, candles and cushions.
Autumn is truly a season of celebration in Sydney, with Easter, Ramadan and other calendar events giving locals time off work and extra time to enjoy the festivities. Returning from its 2023 debut on that ever-expanding list is the Strathfield Festival, a celebration of the diverse community of Strathfield taking place nightly from Thursday, May 2 to Saturday, May 4. In true Inner West fashion, there'll be excellent food on offer. Several popular restaurants and cafes are serving delicious culinary treats from different cuisines. Fancy some Malaysian street food? Make a beeline for Ho Jiak. For authentic and refreshing Vietnamese food, look to Lush Bowl 'n' Roll. Fight off the winter chill with a hearty bowl of pasta from Barone, or dare to snack on something equally chilly with a jug of bingsu from Cafe Crop. The festivities are just as plentiful, with a block party led by Soul of Sydney on Friday, May 3 and an all-day program the day after. That all-day celebration includes the likes of a long lunch, henna painting, a silent disco and live music. Keep an eye out for kids' fringe band The Vegetable Plot, cross-genre performers Baker Boys Band and rowdy performing group Bermuda Social. That's just the tip of the iceberg. The Strathfield Festival will run in Strathfield Square from 6-9pm on Thursday, May 2, from 6-10pm on Friday, May 3, and from 12-10pm on Saturday, May 4. Funding for this project was provided by the NSW government. For more information, visit the website.
A major hotel rebrand and redesign has completed its first stage, as Courtyard by Marriott Sydney-North Ryde officially relaunches as Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park. Featuring a new guest experience, expect a host of modern updates – with more planned for the near future. More of a refresh than a revolution, this initial phase has seen rooms, various public spaces and the culinary offering given a thoughtful uplift. From the restaurant and bar to conference and event spaces, a light restoration has given these amenities a little more polish than before. Whether you're staying for work or leisure, a more refined experience awaits. The rooms have also received early enhancements like 55-inch Smart TVs, while organic and vegan skincare by Antipodes will soon be added to guest bathrooms. What comes next is more significant, with a second phase seeing guest rooms and public spaces transformed to reflect Crowne Plaza's upscale reputation. In the works is a complete makeover of the lobby and welcome area, with design changes bringing chic furnishings and a contemporary ambience. All 196 rooms will also undergo an update to create more comfortable and flexible accommodations, with both corporate types and holidaymakers in mind. Bistro, the on-site restaurant, hasn't been overlooked either. In the coming months, executive chef Sahil Sabhlok will unveil a gourmet dining experience, building upon the venue's modern-Australian cuisine. As a sneak peek, one dish on the menu is Sabhlok's signature slow-cooked beef short ribs with celeriac, pickled white onions and mustard. Now with sleeker decor and an al fresco dining area, Bistro will make for a refined feast. "This is an exciting time for the Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park as we start to welcome our first guests. Our vision for the hotel is to create a place that appeals not just to hotel guests, but also to the local community and business hubs in Sydney," says Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park hotel manager, Toby Paul. Making this aspiration a reality is undoubtedly possible considering the hotel's central location. Offering easy access to Sydney CBD, Sydney Olympic Park and Lane Cove National Park, the property is also easily within reach of several key business hubs, shopping destinations and outdoor attractions. In fact, Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park is just around the corner from the new Metro line, making a trip to the city a breeze. Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park is located at 7/11 Talavera Rd, North Ryde. Head to the website to find out more.
This multi-storey pub is an important puzzle piece to Oxford Street's iconic LGBTQIA+ scene. Across its four storeys, The Oxford Hotel hosts many the late-night happening, from drag nights and comedy shows to live music. On the ground level is Oxford Bar, which is where you'll find the bistro and terrace. Downstairs is The Oxford Underground, which hosts private and public events on the reg. Level one is home to a retro New York-style cocktail bar with leather booths, red curtains and a stage, and on the top level is the elegant Polo Lounge, which has a private bar, balcony and fireplace. Images: Kitti Gould
Pho Pasteur in Parramatta isn't just a Vietnamese restaurant. It's the realisation of a dream. Owners Mr and Mrs Pham fled their native Tay Ninh province to Australia in the 1970s, as refugees of the Vietnam War, and after working tirelessly to save up some money, they opened this old-school eatery in 1992. Their hope? To share the recipes of their home province with their newfound neighbourhood. They chose Parramatta for its central location and multicultural population, and they haven't looked back since. And foodies throughout Sydney are grateful for their hard work and determination. First off, we recommend you arrive at Pho Pasteur hungry for the dishes are mighty generous. And fair warning, you'll struggle to go past the beef pho, a heartwarming noodle soup containing the works — rare beef, brisket, meatballs, tendon and tripe. There are options to add carrots, potatoes or seafood as well. Other soups include a wonton short soup and a spicy laksa with chicken, beef or seafood. Noodle dishes include grilled pork chops with dry noodles in a sweet and savoury sauce or crispy chicken with egg noodles. There are vermicelli salad bowls too, include wok tossed beef with lemongrass or grilled pork with spring rolls. For vegetarians there are a whole two pages of menu to pick from, but the vegetarian hot pot with tofu and steamed rice or the mock duck salad are especially delicious. Options abound here. If you're up for sharing, order a bunch of dishes and feast on some of the best Vietnamese food in the city. But it's not just about the food. Pho Pasteur's drinks list is fun and traditional, with highlights including the extra sweet Vietnamese style coffee with condescend milk as well as a homemade lemonade. For dessert, try the deep-fried banana fritters with berry vanilla ice cream. We highly recommend saving room for this bad boy. Images: Kitti Gould.
The words bubble and Bondi partnered up years ago and now enjoy word association royalty status, a factor that the local haunt (and aptly named) Neighbourhood is taking full advantage of with its lounge room feel. A few blocks back from the beach and almost worth its own Bondi Hipsters meme, this place was packed last Sunday. Ah, well it was — until you hit the back. Think cafe-esque frontage, a cocktail bar that looks decked out with pieces from a shipwreck, and that garage your dad turned into a den. As much I honestly enjoyed being away from the hordes in the front section, you do feel a little forgotten by the waitstaff (I overheard one customer ask the owner if there was table service), and the sparse decor reads: we spent the budget on the front. The menu is a marriage of Sydney's two favourites fusions — Americano and Asian — so it kind of ticks all boxes. Or it comes off as confused. It's a little hard to orientate a meal with words like ponzu and tempeh flying around alongside mac and cheese ($12), a whole load of jaffles and no staff guidance. Maybe we aren't ready for fusion fusion dinners? So we opted for a few snacks and saved all our attention for the cocktail list. Scofflaw ($17) has a way of catching my eye during a menu skim, so the barman poured some Bulleit Rye, bianco vermouth, lemon juice and real pomegranate grenadine into his tins and we were away. Generally this list is geared towards simple twists — often involving something sweet and American— on lesser-known classics, such as the cutely named Poste-Haste ($17): a riff on the Airmail using smoked honey or an old-fashioned pimped out with buttered popcorn and salted caramel ($17). The smokey wallop of spice in the Neighbourhood Bloody Mary impressed across the board, but next time I will definitely be taking the suggested mescal option (as a substitute to vodka) just to stand up to that flavour hit. Next up: snacks. Okay, I will admit it: The BBQ wings were delicious, with a sticky sauce of beef stock, Coca-Cola, maple syrup and secret herb selection — this is the kind of dude food I can get behind. It's a shame the Big Momma's Southern Style Coleslaw ($8) didn't come out at the same time, though. We ended up with a generous serving of slaw and not a whole lot to do with it. Alternatively, the Eddie's BBQ Margarita ($17) practically drunk itself; shaken with fresh lime agave syrup and grilled pineapple and well balanced with a habanero salt rim over ice. But if you're not a fan of hot, you should probably heed their disclaimer: "That means spicy!" We wrapped up the night with an old rye classic, the Rattlesnake ($18) and kicked off to sample more of Bondi. This is definitely not a bad spot. Sure, the service is casual and almost naive, but that ultimately makes sense within the space and there is little doubt that Neighbourhood will be absolutely pumping this summer. So next time your throat is dry and sunstroke has you seeking shelter, grab a Neighbourhood Bloody Mary on Curlewis Street.
As Sydney gears up for summer, we have more to look forward to this year than you might think. Thanks to the a plan to turn Sydney into a '24-hour city', we have a new-look CBD on the horizon — and it's focusing on outdoor dining, starting with The Rocks. The City of Sydney and NSW Government community recovery plan aims to reactivate the CBD and other local precincts by making it easier than ever for venues to offer outdoor dining, late-night trading and live music. "We will set up outdoor performance stages in key city locations, fund live music and performance in venues, bars and restaurants, and deliver a summer of outdoor dining," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a statement. As of last week, The Rocks became the first CBD precinct to pilot this al fresco dining scheme, which was rolled out on Friday, October 16. To start, 19 of The Rocks pubs, restaurants and cafes now have expanded outdoor dining. [caption id="attachment_786807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] The overall licensed area has been increased to over 1800 square metres, which will serve a whopping 1000 additional patrons. And, thanks to that extra space, it's all within the NSW Government's COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor capacities, which have recently increased to one person per two square metres. As part of the plan, Tayim has opened a gin garden along the cobblestoned Nurses Walk laneway and The Doss House has added a cocktail bar its its upstairs courtyard. Other local favourites Maybe Sammy, Endeavour Tap Rooms and the Orient Hotel have all extended their outdoor dining offering, too. To celebrate, The Rocks has just launched an outdoor music lineup that'll run every Thursday through Sunday (11am–9pm) across a heap of the precinct's streets and laneways, including George Street, Jack Mundey Place, Nurses Walk and First Fleet Park, the latter of which is also covered in social-distancing circles that will remain in place throughout the summer. [caption id="attachment_786809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] To achieve this al fresco goal CBD-wide, the government bodies are working together to cut red tape for businesses to easily reclaim outdoor space. Soon enough, you'll begin to see many more parking spots, traffic lanes and footpaths turned into outdoor dining — with activations across Pitt, Barrack and Crown streets, and Tankstream Way and Wilmot Lane all currently in the works. The 12-month outdoor dining plan is set to officially begin in November, with a whole heap of associated fees waived until March 30, 2021. Approvals for outdoor dining licences and extending liquor licence boundaries are already coming through much more quickly, too — with the expected turnaround time now three days instead of 51 days. For more information about the al fresco dining plan, head to the City of Sydney and NSW Government websites. Images: Anna Kucera
Some farewell tours seem to last forever — and, thanks to the pandemic, Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is one of them. Since September 2018, the music star has been saying goodbye all around the globe, including making the trip Down Under already. But what was meant to be his final trip our way resulted in some rescheduled gigs, so he's back again, playing two last-ever Sydney shows. It's been a big few years for the singer, not only with the huge tour — which spans more than 300 concerts across five continents — but with his life story hitting the big screen in biopic Rocketman. He had a massive first round of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australasia, too, with over 705,000 tickets sold to gigs a three-month period that spanned 34 Australian and six New Zealand dates from November 2019. Missed out then? Keen to go again? In Sydney, he'll light up Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, January 17 and Wednesday, January 18. Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting'. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career — well, never seen before the tour — which'll be displayed throughout the show. When the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes to an end, John will retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Image: Ben Gibson.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a cocktail connoisseur, Lûmé is about to jump to the top of your must-visit list. Last night, bartender Orlando Marzo, from the South Melbourne restaurant, was crowned the world's best bartender. Which means Melbourne is now officially home to some of the tastiest cocktails in the world. Marzo took out the gong at the World Class Bartender of the Year competition in Berlin, where he beat more than 10,000 other bartenders from around the world for the prize. World Class, which is in its tenth year, is the biggest bartending competition in the world and culminates in four days of finals, during which Marzo impressed judges with a particularly notable Zapaca rum aperitif in a challenge called 'Before and After'. You might see this pre-dinner tipple pop-up on Lûmé's menu one day very soon. Before Marzo heads back Down Under to join the ranks of Australia's bartending elite — which includes Maybe Frank's Andrea Gauldi, who took out best bartender in Australia at last year's competition — he'll be travelling the world, making cocktails and judging competitions. When he's back, we'll let you know what drinks has plans to serve up at the South Melbourne restaurant and what pop-ups he plans to host. Who knows, he may even follow in Gauldi's steps and open a bar. You can check out the full list of past and present winners at the World Class website. Image of Lûmé: Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
Takeaway and delivery food are true luxuries of modern living. Unfortunately, for all that time you get back on avoiding cooking or simply enjoying the privilege of watching ten consecutive episodes of Below Deck without interruption, the consequence is an impact on the environment that is less than positive. Excess packaging and un-recyclable waste are both the unavoidable byproducts of the takeaway food system, and have been since the days of styrofoam and plastic straws. Hopefully, that's about to change in Australia. Uber Eats — the service responsible for more food delivery than any other in the country — has just launched a partnership with leading environmental change organisation, Planet Ark, to make a shift toward more sustainable packaging across the industry, from the time it exits the kitchen of restaurants and vendors, to the disposal of waste at the homes of all us Below Deck freaks. So, how will it be done? One of the goals of the program is to get Uber Eats' restaurant partners moving to reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging options by 2030. The roll out will include education of restaurant partners around these options, supported by a $13m investment from Uber Eats to subsidise the uptake of new environmentally friendly packaging types into venues so that positive changes can be made without throwing a spanner into your favourite Thai joint's ability to run a roaring trade. If you're an Uber Eats user, keep an eye out for tips on the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of your takeaway packaging at home — for example, rip off the non-grease-stained top of the pizza box to go in the paper/cardboard recycling bin and throw the greasy box base in the normal bin. Even seemingly small changes can make significant impacts. According to Bec Nyst, General Manager of Uber Eats ANZ: "since making cutlery opt-in, rather than being included by default, we estimate eaters have helped reduce the equivalent weight of four jumbo jets worth of plastic forks, spoons and the like ending up in Australian landfill." [caption id="attachment_937881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling and Uber Eats General Manager Bec Nyst.[/caption] Images: Caleb Oquendo (top) and Caroline McCredie
For over four decades, local institution Macleay St Bistro has been dishing out French cuisine. Now, after a great run in its original home, the team has moved into a bigger and better space — and the new location is only a few strides away from its OG spot. Following its 44th anniversary back in February, the beloved locale announced its plans to relocate to a brand-new site, taking over the previous spot of Monopole and Enoteca Ponti. Now residing at 71A Macleay Street, the new Potts Point digs are double the size of Macleay St Bistro's prior location, with the 123-square-metre space taking cues from European wine bars in the 50s. "This new space is lighter, brighter and more welcoming," said owner Phillip Fikkers. "We have the experience to deliver impeccable service, a decadent menu and an evening to remember." Construction professionals Ar Huis handled the fitout of Macleay Street Bistro's new venue. Opt to dine in and you'll be met with memorable red leather seating and copper trims, as paired with pale green walls adorned with moody art and lavish arched mirrors. Remnants from the old bistro complement the new additions, creating a revitalised casual diner that remains chic and aims to appeal to all crowds. As for the menu, it's consistent with the restaurant's offerings prior to relocating. Chef Callum Brewin is at the helm, leading his team to curate the authentic French cuisine that Macleay St Bistro is known for. Accordingly, you'll find that all of the crowd favourites have returned, from the classic steak tartare and twice-baked French onion cheese souffle to the steak frites accompanied by a pear salad and the silky crème brulee. There are also some newcomers, including the chateaubriand — a hearty weekend roast available from Saturday–Sunday — and top-of-the-range caviar, which can be added as a side or consumed as a bump. "They're dishes people know and love," says Fikkar. "Our customers come here for comforting French classic dishes. Diners know what they are going to get, and we find many of them book the restaurant because they want a certain dish." For sips, a seasonal cellar collection is also among the new additions, offering up premium wines including a 2017 Château D'Issan and bubbles like the 2015 Pierre Gimonnet Cramant Grand Cru. You can also enjoy in-house cocktails starring Chambord and crème de cassis, plus a French martini. To top things off, the bistro does still accept BYO wine with a $14 corkage fee every day except Sunday, when there's no charge. You'll now find Macleay St Bistro at 71A Macleay Street, Potts Point — open from 12.30pm Thursday–Tuesday for lunch and from 5.30–10.30pm daily for dinner.
At the end of a long, arduous day, is there any meal more satisfying than a big hunk of steak, charred on the outside, rosy in the middle, swimming in a pool of its own delicious juices? For those nights when you can't be bothered shopping, cooking, cleaning or fiddling around with a meat thermometer, it's good to know that somewhere in Sydney a steak night is happening. Whether it's Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Sunday, someone, somewhere, is tucking into a rump, downing a craft ale and getting change from a twenty. If this sounds like where you'd like to be in life, we've teamed up with the folks from American Express to round up seven top steak nights happening in the city. What's more, you can even tap your American Express® Card to cover the bill so you can up that point balance while you slowly descend into a beef coma. So, tuck in your napkin and sharpen the serrated knives, here's where to find A-grade steaks every day of the week. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
We don't know what you have to do to be considered a 'beach expert', but after Australia's best beaches were revealed over the weekend, we're sure we need to become one. The 2017 list details 101 of the country's most stunning beaches, but the beach that's come out as number one isn't Bondi or Jervis Bay — it's Cossies Beach. Where the bloody hell is Cossies Beach, you say? It's located on Direction Island, which is part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands about a four and a half hour flight from Perth. It's closer to Jakarta than Perth, which makes the logistics of your escape to the exquisite blue water paradise extremely difficult — but perhaps that's why it's so coveted. Now, the 'best' beach is obviously a hard one to quantify, but Brad Farmer has done a pretty thorough research job. He's the aforementioned beach expert, and for the release of the first edition of 101 Best Beaches he visited, documented and rated a whole heap of beaches alongside coastal geomorphologist Professor Andy Short, who has personally visited every single beach in Oz (there's 11,761 of them, by the way). Eventually the pair landed on the remote Cossies Beach as number one. It's so remote in fact that it didn't even have a name — while conducting his research, Farmer named it after after Australia's 26th Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, after seeking permission from locals. It's obviously insanely beautiful, and the pair have noted it as the best beach of them all due to its shallow water creating a brilliant blue colour, its 300-metre white sand strip, great snorkelling and shade from coconut palms. Other top beaches are ones you probably haven't heard too much about either — Moonee Beach on the Coffs Coast, Turquoise Bay in WA and Dolly Beach on Christmas Island all make the list. Tourist spots Burleigh Heads and Apollo Bay get a look in as well. Have a look at the top ten below. BRAD FARMER'S BEST BEACHES IN AUSTRALIA 2017 1. Cossies Beach, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean 2. Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Far North Queensland 3. Moonee Beach, Coffs Coast, NSW 4. Turquoise Bay, Coral Coast, WA 5. Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland 6. Maslin Beach, Adelaide, SA 7. Dolly Beach, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 8. Shelly Beach, Nambucca Coast, NSW 9. Boat Harbour Beach, North West Coast, Tasmania 10. Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria Images: Rik Soderlund via 101 Best Beaches.
Seeing the restored print of the 1948 Powell & Pressburger classic The Red Shoes is like seeing it for the first time. And, if it really is your first time taking it in, how I envy you! Following two and a half years of restoration work propelled by Martin Scorcese, editor Thelma Schoonmaker and the team at the UCLA Film & Television Archive, The Red Shoes absolutely sings on screen. The colours dazzle as much as the actual story, which remains elegantly suspenseful and haunting. Based loosely on a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, this is the story of the intersection of three very driven personalities: a dancer, a composer and a ballet director. It is not the happy tale of collaborative fulfilment however; it is the story of the passionate obsession behind creative ambitions and the ruthless choices demanded between art and life. It is also a glimpse into the netherworld of a ballet company at work, so realistic due in part to the casting of both actors and real dancers. The titular ballet — choreographed and performed by Robert Helpmann and Leonide Massine — is shown in one of the most stunning scenes ever marked upon film, each frame dripping into the next. At its center, naturally, are the red shoes that contain more magic and horror than Dorothy's. If you are the kind of film lover who is glancing longingly at your flat screen television as you read this review, thinking "I'll just wait for the blu-ray", I advise you to start this article over, up there at the first paragraph, and to pay attention this time. Of course a film as stunning as this will be wonderful any way you watch it but please, pirouette to the popcorn counter and see this masterpiece on the big screen while you can. * To begin this repertory run at the Chauvel with appropriate fanfare, Kevin Powell, son of co-director Michael Powell will introduce the film on opening night, Thursday March 18th at 6:30pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tSgar55BfPw
Calling all whiskey connoisseurs: the whiskey brand of American country music singer-songwriter, musician and 11-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton, Traveller Whiskey, is finally making its way out of the States and all the way down to Australia. For one month only from the end of February, the only place to taste it (for free) is at the Sydney CBD's own slice of the American South: Jolene's Sydney. This is no one night only tipple, Jolene's will transform into what may well be one of the biggest shouts of whiskey Sydney has ever seen — with one free tasting of Traveller for every patron nightly at 8pm between Tuesdays and Sundays. In addition to the whiskey round, Jolene's will be dishing out Traveller-inspired cocktails and food. Try the East Kentucky Sweet Tea made with Traveller Whiskey and blackberry (Kentucky's state fruit) liqueur, which is an ode to Stapleton's Kentucky roots as you snack on an all-American menu which features the likes of loaded tater tots topped with smoked brisket, liquid cheese and Traveller Whiskey-infused barbecue sauce. Whether you're a Stapleton fan or whiskey lover, you'll find something worth sipping or snacking on at Jolene's. One of Sydney's most popular country and Western music bars, there are even more Traveller-inspired events to enjoy alongside each free round. Don't miss live country music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as surprise offers and experiences for anyone who stops by. Australia's biggest round is taking place exclusively at Jolene's between Thursday, February 27 until Thursday, March 27. Visit Jolene's Sydney to get a taste of Traveller Whiskey.
If you're the kind of traveller who plans entire holidays around your hotels of choice, then you'll want to add Newcastle to your must-visit list. Come early June, the New South Wales city will become home to the latest QT site — a 104-room spot in Newcastle's revitalised East End precinct, housed inside a 113-year-old building, and boasting everything from harbour views to quite the impressive clock tower suite. First, that must-stay room. Yes, when QT Newcastle opens its doors on Thursday, June 9, you really will be able to slumber inside the clock tower atop the heritage-listed structure — and watch the clock mechanism whirring around when you're taking a bath, too. That specific room has been fit out by interior designer Nic Graham to nod to the building's history as well, so expect heritage touches alongside all the usual modern QT amenities. Graham's work on the hotel doesn't stop there. Here, every room is different — in configuration, design or architecture — but the entire site takes inspiration from the city, and from the elements. That means references to the Newcastle coastline, views through floor-to-ceiling heritage windows across eye-catching landmarks, and just big nods to earth, water and light in general. "We have reinvigorated an iconic heritage building, respecting and maintaining the raw shell and layering contemporary life within," explains Graham. "It's a nice reminder of the human spirit, that we all come from something. We have created a cocooning interior through colour blocking and juxtaposing textures, which evoke the history of Newcastle." Equally impressive: spying those views from the rooftop bar, Rooftop at QT, which'll launch on June 9 as well. It'll be Newcastle's highest openair rooftop spot, in fact, and pairs its uninterrupted vistas with a bit of an izakaya feel. While cocktails and local wines will be on the menu, the bar will also boast Newcastle's largest library of Japanese whisky — so you'll be sipping Harajuku Highballs and Tomasu Margaritas while you eat salmon sashimi, yakitori chicken and miso eggplant robata skewers. That food lineup is the product of chef Massimo Speroni, who is also overseeing Jana, QT Newcastle's signature restaurant. It too will open on June 9. A bar and grill, it hews local with its ingredients, heroes steak — with the premium range sourced entirely from New South Wales — and features an an open kitchen and dry-aged meat cabinet. On the drinks list: oh-so-much wine, with Tyrell's the hotel's wine partner. QT Newcastle joins the chain's growing lineup of hotels, which currently includes sites in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Bondi, Falls Creek and on the Gold Coast in Australia — and in Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington in New Zealand. Also in the works, set for a 2023 launch: QT Parramatta and QT Adelaide. Find QT Newcastle at 185 Hunter Street, Newcastle, from Thursday, June 9. For more information or to make a booking, head to the hotel's website.
Few suburbs have undergone as much of transformation in the past decade as Chippendale. With neighbouring Darlington and Eveleigh, the area has been restyled as one of Sydney's most creative districts. After a place to splash out on a fancy meal? Or, perhaps just a cheap and cheerful feast? What about seeing mind-blowing works by emerging artists or catching a gig? Chippendale has all this to offer and more. To help you explore the area and uncover some of its hidden gems, we teamed up with City of Sydney to ask Concrete Playground readers what businesses they love to support in Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh. Here are some of your top picks. Read on to discover some of the most popular picks to visit during the day. Then, flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do once the sun goes down.
A day after extending Greater Sydney's lockdown until at least Saturday, August 28, and also naming three more parts of the city as areas of concern under stricter stay-at-home conditions, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced further restrictions for people living in eight specific Local Government Areas. Residents of the Parramatta, Georges River, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland LGAs are already only permitted to leave their homes for work outside their areas if they're considered authorised workers. Now, they won't be able to travel more than five kilometres from home in general — and they'll need to wear masks whenever they leave the house. Premier Berejiklian announced the new rules today, Thursday, July 29, advising that the changes are "also based on the health advice in relation to compliance, in relation to making sure that everybody across the state, particularly those areas of concern, are doing the right thing." The stricter restrictions come as NSW reported 239 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases identified to 8pm last night, Wednesday, July 28, with at least 66 cases infectious in the community during their contagious period. "We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better, given the quantum of people infectious in the community. Can we stress again, as we have in the last weeks: most of these transmissions are occurring amongst households and in workplaces, but also in health settings," said the Premier. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1420589168648880128 Regarding masks, the Premier said that "if you're in a Local Government Area of concern, you need to make sure you wear a mask now at all times. If you step foot outside of your household, you need to wear a mask at all times. It doesn't matter where it is." The five-kilometre rule will come into effect from midnight tomorrow, Friday, July 30, and will limit people who live in the eight LGAs to moving with a five-kilometre radius of their homes. "Unless there are exceptional circumstances, you have to make sure you do not move within a five-kilometre radius of your home. It doesn't matter whether it's for shopping. It doesn't matter whether it's for other exercising that you're allowed to leave the house from. You can't move beyond a five-kilometre radius, and that includes singles bubbles. If you want to have a singles bubble in a local government area of concern, you cannot have anybody move or you can't move within five-kilometre of where you live," the Premier advised. The remainder of Greater Sydney's current stay-at-home rules still apply in the Parramatta, Georges River, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland LGAs, too. As has been the case since late June, everyone can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. Also, only businesses deemed "critical retail" are permitted to remain open. Stores that can continue to welcome in customers include supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers; pharmacies and chemists; and shops that primarily sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies. Also allowed to stay open: pet supply shops, post offices, newsagencies, office supply stores, petrol stations, car hire places, banks, hardware shops, nurseries, and places that sell building, agricultural and rural goods. Any retail premises that don't fall into the above categories are closed to physical customers, but they can do takeaways, home deliveries, and click and collect orders. If you need supplies, only one person from each household can go out shopping each day to buy essential items — and browsing is prohibited, too. Carpooling is still off the cards, unless you're in a vehicle with members of your own household. And, you can still only exercise in groups of two outdoors — or as a household. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1420549755751395333 The Premier noted that, while stricter rules will come into effect for the eight LGAs considered areas of concern right now, that list of regions could expand. "Depending on the health advice, there could be more local government areas that come into those areas of concern or come out depending on case numbers," she said. As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in lockdown until at least 12.01am on Saturday, August 28. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Destination NSW.
Community radio is a lovely thing. Run by passionate volunteers who hold a genuine love of local music and the arts, and embraced by supportive listeners who appreciate the alternative to commercial radio, community radio is the backbone of our local communities and the culture we seek to find. One of Sydney's leading community radio stations, FBi Radio, has just turned ten. To celebrate, they have curated and organised the biggest event in the station's history. Join FBi as they celebrate double digits in style. They’ve lined up 35 acts across four stages for the day-long festivities on Sunday, September 8, at Carriageworks. The line-up includes ARIA Award-winning dance music legends The Presets, FBi SMAC Award winners Hermitude and Seekae, alongside an array of the best Australian live acts and DJs. The second line-up announcement has seen the addition of Sarah Blasko, Kirin J Callinan, Bleeding Knees Club, Deep Sea Arcade, Oliver Tank, Big Village Allstars, Katalyst, Fishing and Naughty Rappers Collective. They join previously confirmed acts Urthboy, Decoder Ring, Spit Syndicate, The Laurels, Thundamentals, The Preatures, Sampology (AV Show), World’s End Press, Straight Arrows, Collarbones, Naysayer & Gilsun (AV Show), Zeahorse, Movement, Citizen Kay, HOOPS, Ro Sham Bo, Joyride, Simon Caldwell, Kato, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Mike Who, Mealo & Space Junk, FBi DJs, secret guests and more to be announced. FBi first hit the airwaves on August 29, 2003, and since then have stayed true to their word, playing 50 percent Australian music, half of those from Sydney. FBi Turns 10! is an 18+ event and tickets are $49 or $39 for FBi supporters. Doubling up as a fundraiser, proceeds will go towards the station for 10 more years of unique content, music and arts.
Next time you're in Bondi, don't miss the chance to mosey up Campbell Parade to Ben Buckler Cellars. Locals know this spot as a wall-to-wall wine haven, with a wide range of both Australian and imported wines on offer. Plenty of family-owned labels are on display here from little known wine regions, and the staff is very knowledgeable, offering wine-drinking tips and direct access to winemakers. Expect regular specials and rare wine styles to grace the shelves — like durif, nebbiolo and viognier — so if you're on the hunt for something super specific, this may be where you'll strike gold. You'll also find a selection of locally made spirits here, too, including Manly Spirits' gins and botanical vodkas. Images: Yaya Stempler
So by now it's pretty well-predicted that La La Land is going to dominate this year's Oscars, which, depending on who you ask, is either The Greatest Thing and totally deserved or The Worst Thing and proof of the Academy's irredeemable age/taste/whiteness. But there is one award it shouldn't win, and that's Best Original Score — if you ask us, it shouldn't even be nominated for it. That's because La La Land is a musical, and doesn't have a score in the usual cinematic definition of the word. Generally, a score is the music underpinning the action, not occurring within the scene as it does in La La Land. Ryan Gosling might look adorable while he's noodling on a piano for 'City of Stars', but the fact that he's most certainly in the scene means that the song is not part of the score in the usual sense. This distinction has been emphasised by the Academy itself in the past — from 1949 to 1969, Best Original Score was split into two separate categories: one for Original Score, and one for Musical Score. The score of a film is as important as any other aspect of it; it occupies more of a film's screentime than any actor, conveys more emotion than any speech, sets the mood more evocatively than any costume or lighting or scenery. The great film critic Roger Ebert liked to say that "movies are like a machine that generates empathy". If he's correct, the score is the engine driving that machine. Film is an inherently visual medium, yet a great score is as memorable as any image. Two drags of a cello's bow and you're going to need a bigger boat; I only have to hint at the famous 'dum dum dum dum DAdum dum DAdum' and you're reaching for your inhaler. Show me one big-budget action film since Inception that hasn't used Hans Zimmer's patented PWAAAAAAAARP at some moment of high drama. Think of The Pink Panther, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Psycho, Chariots of Fire or basically any Spielberg film, and it's the score that leaps into your mind instantly. You only have to look at the list of winners of Best Score to see how seriously film scores are taken. Significant classical composers like Erich Korngold (The Adventures of Robin Hood), Aaron Copland (Of Mice and Men, The Heiress), Leonard Bernstein (On the Waterfront), André Previn (Gigi), Miklós Rózsa (Ben-Hur), Ennio Morricone (The Mission, The Hateful Eight) and Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and even Shostakovich and Prokofiev have all written scores. Other composers like Elmer Bernstein, Malcolm Arnold, Bernard Herrmann and Nino Rota — whose careers were mostly spent writing for films — are now spoken of in the same breath as other more traditionally classical composers, while today the music of James Horner, John Williams, Howard Shore and Hans Zimmer is often performed by symphony orchestras in the world's most prestigious concert halls. Even Trent Reznor has an Oscar for The Social Network. With all this blurring of boundaries and genres, the sound palette of films is broader and more experimental than it has ever been. Philip Glass, a modern classical composer long derided as difficult and unlistenable, has achieved popular recognition thanks to his score for The Hours; similarly, Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson's work has spanned film, theatre and contemporary classical throughout his career (and would have been nominated for an Oscar for his score for Arrival but for a technicality). This year's nominees for Best Original Score cover a number of styles, from musical (La La Land) to minimalist (Lion), from shimmery strings and piano chords (Passengers) to tense, darting violins (Moonlight) and unsettling, lush-yet-uneasy chamber pieces (Jackie) – proving that the emotion you make an audience feel is far more important than the method by which you make them feel. Film scores, in all their diverse sounds and styles, are inseparable from the cinema experience. They can complement characterisation, drive plot, confirm suspicions for an audience or confound their expectations. One thing they absolutely should not do is break into song on a highway off-ramp.
The Alliance Francais French Film Festival is back for another year, ready to celebrate the best in French cinema. Returning to select Palace locations around the country, this year’s program is packed with exciting goodies, including dramas, comedies, docos, kids' films and an entire stream dedicated to movies about the First World War. With almost 50 movies on offer — most of them Australian premieres — it’s shaping up to be one of the festival’s most exciting years ever. Of all those titles, we’ve selected five that you absolutely owe it to yourself to see. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Lea Seydoux (Blue Is the Warmest Colour) and Vincent Cassel (Black Swan) star in this sumptuous adaptation of the classic French fairy tale. An enormous French-German co-production, the film’s trailer is absolutely packed with gorgeous visuals, and appears to have a darker edge than the animated Disney version we all know and love. The last couple of years have seen a bunch of big budget Hollywood “reboots” of fairy tale stories, most of them not very good. Here’s hoping the French (and the Germans) can get it right. GIRLHOOD Aged just 36, writer-director Celine Sciamma first caught our attention with Tomboy, a tender coming-of-age story about a 10-year-old girl pretending to be a boy. Her follow-up, Girlhood, belongs to a similar genre, although this time her protagonists are a little older. The film explores the dynamic between four reckless teenage girls as they struggle to pave a future for themselves in one of the poorer parts of Paris. The film has received a ton of buzz on the international festival circuit, and we can’t wait to check it out. THE NEW GIRLFRIEND When it comes to sexually provocative cinema, no one does it better than director Francois Ozon. The man behind such films as In the House and Swimming Pool, Ozon has made a career out of titillating pulp, and his latest film looks to be absolutely no exception. A story of death and deception with some cross-dressing thrown in, The New Girlfriend has been described as a mix of Hitchcockian thriller and Almodóvar-style sexual comedy. It should probably go without saying, but this one’s for adults only. SAINT LAURENT Last year saw the release of Yves Saint Laurent, the first in a pair of competing biographical dramas about the legendary French fashion designer. Unfortunately, that film was pretty bloody awful. But we’re holding out hope for this alternate version, which competed for the Palme d’Or at last year’s Festival de Cannes and got much kinder notices from critics. TOKYO FIANCEE Finishing off our list with something a little lighter, romantic comedy Tokyo Fiancee has drawn comparisons to Amelie — and presumably not just because their protagonists have the same name. The film concerns a young French woman obsessed with all things Japanese, who decides to book herself a one-way ticket to Tokyo. Once there she finds work as a French tutor, only to begin a relationship with one of her students. The film is one of the favourites of festival patrons David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz. And really, who are we to argue with them? The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is on around Australia in March. Catch it in Sydney from March 3-22, Melbourne from March 4-22 and Brisbane from March 13 - April 1. Check the festival website for the full program.
In a sea of three-piece bands taking dingy stages right now, I'm glad that Fabulous Diamonds remain a suitably polished duo. Sure, their songs are a trial to back-announce on radio (they’re all untitled), but what's a small moment of on-air discomfort when the song is so sublime? Alongside building a following from live shows that swung between buzzing to bickering and back to mellow, Nisa Venerosa and Jarrod Zlatic have just released their second album together, Fabulous Diamonds II. In their hynoptic little world, they keep fine company. The new record is out in Australia through Chapter Music and available on vinyl through the likewise iconic American label Siltbreeze. They've toured the States with kindred upstarts, Times New Viking and Pyschedelic Horseshit and dragged their heavy keys and kit all across Europe and the UK to the delight of broody-mooders coast to coast. On record, they're spacey and sensuous with a slight air of upset. Live, it all makes a kind of intense sense; Venerosa and Zlatic playing off each other's vibes in a troubled, telepathic way. Can't recommend more highly.
Beloved Woolloomooloo cafe John Montagu is celebrating ten whole years on Cathedral Street with a series of discounts and parties. Between Monday, November 13–Monday, November 27, the friendly neighbourhood coffee spot is serving up a heap of deals to welcome in anyone who's visited over the past decade. You can catch the full schedule over at the cafe's Instagram, but two dates you want to mark in your diary are Thursday, November 23 and Sunday, November 26. On November 23, you can score your daily coffee for just $2. With the cost of living as high as ever, a gold coin for your morning caffeine hit is a mighty fine deal — especially as John Montagu uses Gabriel Coffee and serves up killer cappuccinos, long blacks and batch brews. If you're an oat or almond milk drinker, you'll just have to add 50 cents for the alternate milk. Come the following Sunday, the cafe is hosting an afternoon party. There will be food from the team's Wolli Creek diner Yan Restaurant — and the party is BYO, so feel free to bring a bottle of your favourite wine. On Saturday, November 25, John Montagu is giving away a $100 voucher and a tenth birthday merch pack to one lucky customer. And, to round out the festivities on Monday, November 27, everyone can come in and pair their morning cup of joe with a slice of birthday cake.
The Beach Road Hotel's annual celebration of guitar licks and skateboard tricks is back in Bondi for a third year. Punters will let loose over the king's birthday long weekend as The Beachy plays host to a stacked lineup of free live music performances, street-style skating comps and punk-powered parties. A mix of top breakout acts and emerging talent will be revving up the crowd over the fest, including indie five-piece The Terrys, on Thursday, June 6, and triple j Unearthed artists Crocodylus alongside punk-rock outfit Total Tommy on Friday, June 7. There will also be sets by local artists including psych-rockers Lahgo, Dead Routes, Tallulah and Chambers. Throughout the weekend, skaters will be showing off their skills on The Beachy's custom-built skate ramp. Bondi's own Concrete Skate Supply will helm the activities on Saturday, June 8, hosting board-decorating and learn-to-skate sessions for curious newcomers in the morning. Later in the day, seasoned skaters will test their mettle on the halfpipe during the over-18s street skate trick comp and ramp jam. With $2500 worth of prize money up for grabs, as well as a heap of giveaways, the competition will rage into the evening as skate talent from across the country battle it out to be crowned the Concrete Beach Champion for 2024. On Sunday, June 9, the festival closes out with an homage to two of the OGs of the skate-punk genre: Green Day and blink-182. Expect local tribute bands performing covers of the 90s anthems that inspired a generation of skaters — and some seriously gnarly mosh pits.
Australia's love of culinary mashups isn't new, given we're the home of everything from lamington cruffins to Iced Vovo bavarians, but our sweet treat brands sure do like teaming up with beloved beverage brands at the moment. First came Allen's new range of Pasito, creaming soda and lemonade lollies, all based on the Kirks soft drinks. Next on your shopping list: Oak's collaboration with Streets on a new type of Golden Gaytime. Once again, as these hybrids always are, the end result is as simple as it sounds: a Golden Gaytime, but flavoured like Oak chocolate milk. Two local favourites, one new must-try dessert — that's it, that's this new ice cream. Specifically, the new flavour features an Oak-inspired ice cream in the centre, surrounded by a layer of chocolate, and then the usual Golden Gaytime biscuit pieces on top. That said, the latter have had a chocolate makeover as well. Chocaholics, this is obviously for you. This isn't the first time that Streets has mixed up its Golden Gaytime range, or taken cues from other food favourites. Last year, Fruit Loops and Crunchy Nut Golden Gaytimes hit shelves for all cereal-loving ice cream fans, and a Coco Pops versions arrived before that as well. You'll find the new Oak ice creams in some stores now — at IGA, Ritchie's, Drakes and Romeo's — retailing at $9.50 for a box of four. Come September, they'll also hit Coles, convenience stores and petrol stations, ready for frosty spring and summer sweet treats. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Streets Ice Cream (@streetsicecreamau) Streets' new Oak chocolate milk-flavoured Golden Gaytimes are now available at IGA, Ritchie's, Drakes and Romeo's, and will hit Coles, convenience stores and petrol stations from September — retailing at $9.50 for a box of four.
The famed Sydney Opera House sails are set for a refresh, as Badu Gili's nightly sound and light show introduces its next series of artworks. Badu Gili, which translates to 'water light' in the language of the site's traditional owners, the Gadigal people, is a celebration of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists. It was first launched last June, projecting a vibrant seven-minute animation onto the iconic sails each night when the sun goes down and again at 7pm. Basically, it's like what the Opera House does for Vivid, but very single night. It has been experienced in real life by more than 160,000 people, and online by a further 620,000. Now, the Sydney Opera House has announced the six new artists whose work will grace the sails for the next edition of Badu Gili. From July 24, the installation will light up with large-scale designs from acclaimed artist and community leader Djambawa Marawili AM, ceramicist Penny Evans, watercolour painter Mervyn Rubuntja, Telstra NATSIAA awards finalist Mabel Juli, painter and traditional healer Patricia Ansell Dodds, and up-and-coming printmaker Aiona Tala Gaidan. The visual story is backed by an original soundscape by Wicked Beat Sound System's Damian Robinson. You can catch Badu Gili's striking display every night at sunset, and again at 7pm (9pm during daylight saving time). It's best enjoyed from the top of the Opera House's Monumental Steps.
Last month the National Gallery of Victoria launched the first ever major survey of Australian fashion. Featuring over 120 works from more than 90 designers, 200 Years of Australian Fashion not only had us wowed with the scale, diversity and sheer beauty of the threads on display, but also contemplating the thread that runs through each product born of the Australian fashion industry. It's quite a unique industry to be in — isolated, out of season and catering to a completely different market to the global fashion players. But out of this, a new innovative and creative approach to fashion has been born. It's certainly seen successes, from Collette Dinnigan being the first Australian invited to show at Paris Fashion Week in 1995 to Dion Lee, who last year showed his fifth season at New York Fashion Week. Is it our position in the global market that defines our aesthetic? We asked local designers Perks and Mini and Pageant as well as the NGV's Curator of Fashion and Textiles Paola De Trocchio to define how they see Australian fashion. [caption id="attachment_566323" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Tom Ross[/caption] AMANDA CUMMING AND KATE REYNOLDS, PAGEANT Do you think there is an Australian aesthetic in fashion? There is a casualness and subtle eclecticism about the way Australian's dress. It's offbeat and relaxed! Do you think Australia's distance from the rest of the world has influenced our fashion? As designers, this distance can be challenging but it also gives us the freedom to create our own rules. The fashion industry in Australia is still young and not set in tradition, which we feel creates more flexibility and creativity through design. Is there a designer or particular time period that defines Australian fashion for you? We really admire Dion Lee and feel that he has helped to shape the global image of Australian fashion. His designs always push the boundaries and his textile development is impressive! What would you like to see local designers doing? As designers we feel it's important to be aware of your surroundings and reflect on current culture. It's really important to be authentic, as originality is key to a strong vision. [caption id="attachment_566350" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Perks and Mini[/caption] SHAUNA TOOHEY, PERKS AND MINI Do you think there is an Australian aesthetic in fashion? No. But I do think there is a uniquely Australian attitude to fashion. I think it tends to be more relaxed, it doesn't follow rules and is more forgiving. Do you think Australia's distance from the rest of the world has influenced our fashion? Yes, distance and also seasonal difference has had a big effect on Australian fashion. However, as the world be comes more global, seasons drop earlier and climate change affects weather, I think this will have less influence. Is there a designer or particular time period that defines Australian fashion for you? Growing up with rave and street culture, the stand outs for me are Galaxy Abyss and Funk Essentials both by Sara Thorn and Bruce Slorach. What would you like to see local designers doing? My favourite designers are ones where you can see their unique signature in there clothes. Too often you see garments where the neck label could be lots of different brands/designers and it would be believable. I would love to see designers finding their own unique vision and expressing that in their clothing so well that each piece is recognisably theirs. [caption id="attachment_566322" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Wayne Taylor[/caption] PAOLA DI TROCCHIO, CURATOR, FASHION AND TEXTILES AT THE NGV Do you think there is an Australian aesthetic in fashion? What Australian designers have in common is a sense of adventure, resilience, and courage. This can translate to bold, sophisticated and innovative design with a streak of rebellion. Do you think Australia's distance from the rest of the world has influenced our fashion? I think it has caused our designers to be incredibly innovative with their business systems and structures. For example, recognising that they could not compete with and did not even desire to fit into established fashion conventions from the context of Australia, DI$COUNT UNIVER$E launched their brand online through their blog, redefining the rules of what a fashion label could be. MaterialByProduct's engagement with the concept of luxury and artisanal hand production can be seen as suited to systems of production in Australia, where the majority of the businesses are small-scale enterprises with low-production capacity. Is there a designer or particular time period that defines Australian fashion for you? Australian fashion is evolving as we are as a nation. The earliest dress in the exhibition is from c.1805. Its raised waist and slim skirt are known as the empire line. Its Indian muslin fabric acknowledges the immediate network of trade between India, Australia and Britain. It situates the origins of Australian fashion within the broad context of Britain's aspirations towards the Empire and within a network of international trade. Since then Australian designers have continued a dialogue with the wider world that has echoed politics, trends, social movements, trade and identity. I think what is fascinating about Australian fashion is how Australian designers look inwards to find within them their unique voice, whilst looking out and engaging with the wider world. What would you like to see local designers doing? Thriving. I think they are doing incredibly well and I look forward to seeing them reach greater heights. 200 Years of Australian Fashion is now showing at NGV Australia until July 31. For more information, visit ngv.vic.gov.au. Top image: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee wearing Linda Jackson's Tutti Frutti dress, 1975. Photograph by Ann Noon.
Somehow music artists seem to look even cooler in their music videos than they usually do - which is saying something. Their level of chic can seem daunting to us fans, mere mortals that we are. Regardless, online fashion retailer SSENSE wants you to buck up and give the whole rockstar thing a go. With their new 'shoppable music video', SSENSE makes that unattainable level of swagger...well, attainable. Collaborating with Iggy Azalea, Diplo, and FKi on their latest video 'I Think She Ready', the retailer breaks down the outfits of each artist for potential buyers. When the artist appears on the screen, a small 'S' logo will hover over their outfit. Click on it, and a new page will open, complete with information on each component of the outfit. Each featured piece is from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection of a variety of high-end designers. Whether you are lusting after Iggy's Alexander Wang cat-eye sunglasses, or envying her J Brand snow leopard jeans, simply click and purchase. SSENSE CEO Rami Atallah says, "The integration we are introducing between technology, entertainment and retail with this video not only creates a unique experience for the audience, but also has utility." Watch, sing along, and shop like a rockstar? All from the comfort of our desk? We're in. [via PSFK]
On a stage or screen somewhere, the Jets and the Sharks are usually facing off — or, given how popular that West Side Story has proven for almost seven decades now, that's how it feels at least. The famous musical last popped up in cinemas in Australia thanks to Steven Spielberg. Next, it'll tread the boards again courtesy of Opera Australia. And, when it returns in 2024, it'll do so in spectacular surroundings. Sydney Harbour is set to experience a taste of Broadway magic circa 1957, with Handa Opera's famed floating stage playing host to legendary show — again. West Side Story returns to the yearly event after doing the honours in 2019 and proving a smash, unsurprisingly. Over 65,000 tickets were snapped up, making it the most-popular of Handa Opera's productions to-date. In 2024, the musical will light up the unique waterfront opera venue from Friday, March 22–Sunday, April 21, again reimagining the classic tale of star-crossed lovers in 50s-era New York City. If you've missed past versions — film, opera or otherwise — West Side Story tells the tale of two rival West Side gangs, plus the drama that ensues when people from each side fall in love. Acclaimed director Francesca Zambello, along with Brian Thomson and Jennifer Irwin, created this new take on the original Broadway favourite — following on from famed musical figures Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents, who originally did the honours in the 50s. And yes, the story is basically William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but revamped and transferred to the Big Apple. Sydneysiders and visitors alike will get to see the captivating production brought to life under the stars, from harbourside seats at Mrs Macquaries Point, while bopping along to all of the musical's iconic hit songs — 'I Feel Pretty', 'Maria', 'Somewhere', 'America', 'Cool' and, of course, 'Tonight'. Also included in this West Side Story experience: not just the show on the overwater stage, but also fireworks each evening, dazzling Sydney skyline views and hitting up pop-up dining spots that are constructed onsite each year. "West Side Story is a theatrical phenomenon, as is Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. This combination has proved winning before and we highly anticipate that it will again," said Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan, announcing the 2024 season. West Side Story at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will run from Friday, March 22–Sunday, April 21, 2024 — with tickets via Opera Australia subscription packages available from Thursday, September 28 and general tickets from Thursday, October 5. Images: Opera Australia's 2019 cast of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour.
Back in 2019, Sydney fine-dining institution NEL introduced tastebuds to a whole new culinary world: a decadent Once Upon a Time degustation inspired by all things Disney. Unsurprisingly, it provided a magical meal and proved a massive hit, returning in 2020 and 2022 with themed dishes created by the Surry Hills' restaurant's created by Executive Chef and namesake Nelly Robinson. Come winter 2023, it'll be back again for a fourth chapter. Amid NEL's creative spreads, this one now feels like a tasty tale as old as time — repeatedly popping up amid KFC-inspired dinners, Moulin Rouge!-themed and Christmas degustations, and one heroing native Australian ingredients as well. But whenever it unleashes its 11 courses upon plates, the Once Upon a Time serves up new and fresh dishes riffing on the Mouse House's favourites. Accordingly, even if you've been before, you haven't feasted your way through the latest menu. An alfredo linguini that nods to Ratatouille? Yes, that twist on the classic dish — and flick — featuring a lasagne-style structure layered with confit vegetables, pasta sheets, béchamel, mozzarella cheese foam and basil dust is on the lineup. So is The Tugley Wood, which combines mushrooms and fresh Australian truffle to nod to Alice in Wonderland. And when things get sweet, there's a honey-soaked sponge with a nest of honey curd topped with bee pollen, then served in a honey pot, that Winnie-the-Pooh would clearly covet. As for what else will be bothering your appetite in the best possible way, discovering the full range is part of the fun of heading along — no matter whether you're a Sydneysider with more than a few nights' experience tucking into Robinson's creations or a Disney fan keen to make a date on a future interstate trip. NEL doesn't need a reason to bring back the Once Upon a Time menu again and again — it was always going to be popular — but Robinson still keeps finding plenty of inspiration in the Disney theme. "The team and I had a blast creating and curating this one. It was so much fun to create a whole new menu around some of my favourite films and we have carefully crafted dishes to bring out each diners' inner child. Indeed, we paired it with fun cocktails and some sensational wines, too," he explains. The Once Upon a Time menu's fourth chapter will start serving on Tuesday, May 30 and run for eight weeks only, with bookings available now. Price-wise, this childhood-inspired feast will require an adult salary, costing $185 per person, with beverages matched for an extra $165. Reserving a spot ASAP for dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 5.15pm is recommended — this unsurprisingly always books out. NEL's Once Upon A Time (Chapter Four) degustation is on offer for eight weeks from Tuesday, May 30 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
Alpha is a buzzing institution located in the heart of the CBD, next door to The Hellenic Club, slinging some of the best Greek food in Sydney. And now, it's home to one of our city's newest and smallest bars: Baraki. Baraki is colloquial Greek for 'small bar' and CEO Arthur Balayannis and Executive Chef Peter Conistis aren't kidding. Seating just eight people at the bar (with additional seating technically outside of the bar), the venue adjoining Alpha is heavily inspired by the famed Brettos bar in Plaka — one of the most historic neighbourhood in Athens. Inside, you'll find European liqueur, whiskey, Australian gins and, of course, ouzo as well as lesser-known (but very Mediterranean) raki, mastiha and rakomelo. A concise cocktail menu by Baraki bar manager Irek Luty has a evidently Greek focus, with drinks like the Cretan Warrior made with Toplou tsikoudia, cardamom, lime and cucumber and the Purple Poseidon, which includes Hendricks gin, Skinos mastiha, lavender and wild mountain tea. [caption id="attachment_717388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Cheng[/caption] For something to eat, Conistis is creating an ever-changing meze menu, with small plates such as dolmades stuffed with sour cherry and lemon; pastourmas, spiced cured beef with pears and lentil salad; karpouzi, watermelon and raki served with sheep's feta; and toursi, a dish with grilled marinated eggplant, black garlic and dill alongside dips and olives. Located on the ground floor of a historic Victorian building on Castlereagh Street, Alpha's weekday cafe transforms into Baraki after lunch and is the perfect spot for a post-work or pre-dinner tipple. Find Baraki on the ground floor at 240 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. It's open from 12pm till late Monday—Friday, and from 5pm on Saturday. Images: Joe Cheng.
For diehard fans of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, one type of movie magic stands out above the rest. That'd be the kind that's had viewers flocking to Wizarding World flicks for over two decades now, and also inspired plenty of "accio April 2022!" chants over the past few months — if only in your head — as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore gets closer to reaching cinemas. The third film in the Fantastic Beasts series and 11th in the broader Wizarding World franchise — aka the full on-screen world that's sprung up around The Boy Who Lived — The Secrets of Dumbledore arrives four years after 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. That's a hefty wait, and while the movie's release is still over a month away, a new trailer has just dropped to help fill the gap. Following on from The Secrets of Dumbledore's first sneak peek back in December 2021, the latest trailer gives viewers what they want: Jude Law's (The Third Day) young Albus Dumbledore facing off against Mads Mikkelsen's (Riders of Justice) evil Gellert Grindelwald, as the franchise has been working towards since 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Of course, it wasn't always Mikkelsen playing the sinister dark wizard who just keeps trying to control all things magical, and wreak havoc on everything in general, with both Colin Farrell (Voyagers) and Johnny Depp (Minamata) previously doing the honours in past instalments. Regardless of who's playing him, Grindelwald still wants to start a war. Yes, he's solemnly up to no good, and his devoted following is only growing. So, as both trailers for The Secrets of Dumbledore have shown, it's up to future Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne, The Trial of the Chicago 7), and his pals Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston, The Third Day), Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol, Between Us) and Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler, The Walking Dead) to try to save the day. Ezra Miller (Zack Snyder's Justice League) also returns as Credence/Aurelius Dumbledore, while Jessica Williams (Love Life) follows up her brief appearance in The Crimes of Grindelwald by return as Ilvermorny professor Eulalie 'Lally' Hicks. And making the magic happen behind the lens is David Yates, who has directed every Wizarding World film — Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts alike — since 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Obviously, when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 reached cinemas 11 years back, it was never going to be the end of the on-screen story, which is why the Fantastic Beasts series — which took an illustrated guide book about magical creatures, spun a story about its author Scamander and turned it into a Harry Potter prequel saga — exists. Still, conjuring up more enchantment hasn't been quite so straightforward this time around, and how you feel about the two Fantastic Beasts flicks so far might just depend on how spellbound you are with everything HP. But this franchise-within-a-franchise was always going to go on, with The Secrets of Dumbledore the third entry in the planned five-film series. Check out the trailer for The Secrets of Dumbledore below: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore opens in cinemas Down Under on April 7, 2022.
Pumphouse Sydney has come a long way since its early days. Back in 1891, the only beverage being poured was drinking water for the young colonial city of Sydney. It was the first hydraulic pumping station in NSW until it was decommissioned, and the Heritage Council made it the Pumphouse Tavern. Now it's Pumphouse Bar and Restaurant, and it's opening its latest addition: a garden terrace. On Saturday, November 18, the Terrace is partnering with First Creek Wines and Chandon to welcome guests to a launch party for three hours of libations and celebrations in this leafy new location. There'll be live music, canapés and free-flowing drinks on offer from 1–4pm. The common theme? The Terrace focuses on native plants, flavours and ingredients from its decoration down to the menu. Speaking of the menu, it stars the likes of pecorino croquettes with soubise, onion molasses, and candied macadamia; Greek saganaki with kefalograviera, spiced honey, and lavender; whole spatchcock with miso butter, charred radicchio, candied macadamia, and confit shallots and slow cooked beef cheeks with confit garlic mash, porcini butter, and salsa verde. A quick tip: if you book your tickets online for a reservation at the Terrace between Sunday, November 19 and Christmas Eve (six people max) — quote the code TERRACE to get a complimentary glass of Chandon Garden Spritz on arrival. Thank us later. The Terrace Garden Launch Party will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 1–4pm. Tickets are $99 pp. For information or to book your tickets, visit the website.
Each month, Netflix adds a whole heap of new movies, shows and specials to its lineup. It's impossible to watch all of them, and if you tend to gravitate towards its big series and films — Stranger Things and The Witcher, plus features such as Marriage Story and The Trial of the Chicago 7 , for instance — that's understandable. But don't scroll your way past the service's comedy offerings. As with everything on every streaming platform, the selection can be a bit hit and miss; however, Netflix was responsible for the best sketch comedy of 2019,I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. It has also now claimed that title again in 2020 with the just-released Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun. If you're familiar with Australian comedy troupe Aunty Donna, then you'll know what to expect. Writers and performers Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, director and writer Sam Lingham, filmmaker Max Miller and composer Tom Armstrong have been treating audiences to absurdist gags, satire, wordplay and songs since forming in 2011. Over that time, Aunty Donna has played gigs everywhere from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, toured the country several times, made a number of web series and released an ARIA-nominated album — but now the group has channelled all of its silliness and surreal gags, and its astute ability to make fun of daily life in a smart yet ridiculous way, into a six-part Netflix series that's the funniest thing you'll watch in 2020. Now available to stream, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun stars Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane as themselves — and housemates. Each episode revolves around a theme, starting with the search for a fourth member of their household when they decide to turf their annoying talking dishwasher (voiced by Flight of the Conchords' Kristen Schaal). The second episode, focused around treasure, also features an out-there recreation of Ellen DeGeneres' talk show, while other instalments serve up everything from a pitch-perfect takedown of trendy barber shops to a parody of male posturing when the guys turn their house into a bar. 'Weird Al' Yankovich also pops up, as does executive producer and The Office star Ed Helms (claiming that his name is actually Egg), and a tea party with the Queen of England features as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1gwkJP64xU While it's showing on Netflix worldwide, there's no doubting that this is an Aussie sketch comedy. Viewers will spot the references to Crazy John's, Four'n Twenty pies, Eagle Boys Pizza, the Hoodoo Gurus and Grant Denyer — and there's an instance of name-dropping about a well-known TV and AFL figure that's brief but sublime. Skewing more broadly, the series' parody of Family Feud is both clever and bonkers, and the show manages to touch upon the 2000 Sydney Olympics, silly wi-fi names, table manners, sports injuries, pirates and today's dating scene, too. There's nothing too over-the-top for Aunty Donna, or too trivial. The series opens with the group's existing song 'Everything a Drum' — which really is self-explanatory — after all. And, it nears its end with a tense trip to see a stylist that's a descent into chaos and madness, and yet also 100-percent relatable. Understandably, binging the 20-minute episodes in one go is very easy to do. So is starting the whole show over again once you've already watched it through. At the beginning of 2020, no one could've picked how this year would turn out. And while longtime Aunty Donna fans already knew what the group is capable of, few folks would've tipped that Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun would be just the dose of side-splitting absurdity this hectic year needs. Or, that it'd get the most preposterous and catchy song about caffeine there is well and truly lodged in everyone's heads until 2021 hits. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun is available to stream via Netflix.
It's no secret that Kings Cross has grown quiet in recent years. Walk around its laneways now and you're more likely to see people in lycra sipping macchiatos and eating breakfast bowls than you are people in high heels spilling out of nightclubs. But, after years of lockout laws, there are plans for a new — or returning — Kings Cross on the horizon. In a push to bolster the city's nighttime economy, the City of Sydney has backed independent think tank Committee for Sydney's ideas on how to reinvent Sydney's former red light district. In a recent City of Sydney report, the council acknowledged that what was once the centre of Sydney nightlife has "lost its identity, with remaining businesses struggling to attract new audiences, a situation compounded by the current pandemic." So, it's throwing it a lifeline. On Monday, May 11, the council approved a $40,000 grant for Committee for Sydney to work with local businesses and other stakeholders in developing a report, with recommendations on how to enhance the attraction and safety of the Cross at night. "We believe there is an opportunity to develop a new vision for the area that builds upon its historic reputation as a centre for diverse and lively urban living, culture, arts and entertainment," the Committee of Sydney told Concrete Playground. "Kings Cross has a rich heritage as Sydney's heartland for theatre and other live performance, has good public transport links into the CBD and attractive public spaces." According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the aptly named Night-Time Precinct Vision for Kings Cross proposes three key changes: reopening the old Minerva Theatre on Orwell Street as a new theatre and arts precinct; revamping the train station out of the 80s, making it more suitable and safer for late-night transport; and making the laneways more pedestrian-friendly. https://twitter.com/Committee4Syd/status/1260349782821941252 In January, lockout laws were finally lifted across Sydney's CBD, but remained in place in Kings Cross. A NSW Government parliamentary inquiry into the state of Sydney's nighttime economy — which was released in September last year – recommended the lockout laws remain in the high-density area as there was a "high risk" of violence increasing if they were lifted. The area currently has a freeze on new liquor licences, too, but that's set to be reviewed on June 1, 2020. The new lockout laws are due for review in less than 12 months, but with the additional impacts caused by COVID-19, the City of Sydney says "it is critical the City supports the nightlife industry to position itself well for recovery, particularly in areas like Kings Cross." Top image: Andy Vermeulen for Destination NSW
The Slew is a project started by the quirky turntablist Kid Koala and Dynomite D. It started as a collaboration to make music for an upcoming film; the film went bust but the two producers had become attached and loved the music they had made — psychedelic rock mixed with turntable cuts and bits of hip hop. Dynomite D has remixed the Beasties, among others, but Kid Koala's the one who's always got my attention; he makes consistently interesting music, musical and experimental, and existing way outside the spectrum of traditional hip hop (check out his tune 'Drunk Trumpet' for an example). When American Dynomite D and Quebecer Kid Koala decided to take the Slew on the road, they enlisted none other than the former Wolfmother rhythm section of Chris Ross and Myles Heskett, who obviously knew a thing or two about psychedelic rock. You've probably heard It's All Over on the radio, with it's scratched up distorted blues guitars and heavy beat, narrated over by some guy talking about evolution and democracy. After peeping some YouTube footage, I think this will be a fun show, with the ex-Wolfmother boys bringing some serious muscle to the sound and enjoying emancipation from the big-haired shackles while the two DJs shred it out on the six turntables. https://youtube.com/watch?v=a_RFtRmRP7E
Shows at Sydney Festival's Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent are always special. But they almost always cost money. So you should stop counting your pennies and make a beeline to the festival village venue when it opens its doors for a series of Friday and Saturday night parties. After the last show wraps up (around 10.30pm), the doors to the Spiegeltent will open for an end-of-night party for all. Sydney DJs The Dollar Bin Darlings will be filling the tent up with spicy disco, the bar will be in full swing and you will be expected to dance. Image: Jaime Williams.
If Victoria has its way, it'll become home to a 900-kilometre hot springs trail, attracting travellers from near and far to hit up its bathing spots. But the state isn't the only place for a soak around Australia, including if you're keen to get off the beaten path. Indeed, come winter 2023, outback Queensland's Cunnamulla is set to join everyone's must-visit list if you're keen to take a dip in its new artesian hot springs. Set to open in June, and in the works since 2018, this new spot for a blissful bathing session will feature seven pools on the banks of the Warrego River. Each will sport different temperatures, so you can get steamy, opt for a stint in the chilled plunge pool or both. As part of a state-of-the-art complex, there'll also be therapeutic activities on offer — and river views and ample natural surroundings. [caption id="attachment_892757" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image is an artist render only.[/caption] Cunnamulla Hot Springs' pools will be filled with mineral and vitamin-rich artesian water, which means that the hot spots for a dip will feature H20 naturally warmed from the Artesian Basin. Learning about the latter around your soak is also set to be part of the experience — relaxing your body and feeding your mind at the same time. When it starts welcoming in patrons — with an exact date yet to be announced — Cunnamulla Hot Springs will be a highlight on the just-unveiled Outback Queensland Traveller's Guide, which is filled with things to do inland in the Sunshine State. Queensland isn't just about beaches, rainforests and the tropics, even if that's what it's best known for. So, Cunnamulla Hot Springs joins everything from starlight river cruises in Longreach and Winton's Australia Age of Dinosaurs Museum through to the Southwest Queensland Indigenous Cultural Trail and a heap of national parks. [caption id="attachment_844043" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Gillow (Flickr)[/caption] The Outback Queensland Traveller's Guide also features other outback spas and baths, including in Julia Creek, Bedourie, Quilpie, Mitchell and Yowah. If you're now planning a trip to Cunnamulla, it's around a nine-hour drive west from Brisbane, with flights via Rex, and also boasts an outback river lights festival; the Artesian Time Tunnel, which explores the Artesian Basin's history; and safari-style glamping — among other attractions. [caption id="attachment_841311" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cunnamulla Cultural Walk, Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Cunnamulla Hot Springs will open in Cunnamulla in June 2023. For further information about outback Queensland getaways and attractions, head to the Outback Queensland website. Top image: image is an artist render only. 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.
In 2009 London’s National Theatre launched National Theatre Live — live broadcasts of National Theatre productions, captured in high definition and screened via satellite all over the world. Phèdre was the first and returns this year for international encore screenings. In the absence of her husband — Theseus King of Athens — Phèdre is consumed with an uncontrollable passion for her stepson Hippolyte. Believing her husband dead, Phèdre confesses her desire to an unmoved Hippolyte. Upon the return of her husband, Phèdre accuses her stepson of rape — ensue inevitable carnage. Helen Mirren plays the title role in a Ted Hughes free-verse translation of Racine's text, seen on screen by over 50,000 people. Reviews of the live performance were mixed — generally positive, if not particularly enthusiastic — but National Theatre Live is being widely embraced, even hailed as groundbreaking, for opening up the hallowed halls of the theatre to a much larger audience.
If Health Care is the third-rail of US politics, then the education system must be a train, packed with school kids, hurtling out of control. No, this isn't a review of Unstoppable, but the analogy is ruthlessly apt when you consider Academy Award winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim's (An Inconvenient Truth) bone-chilling portrait of public schools in Waiting for “Superman”. Guggenheim is no stranger to the US school system, having followed five teachers for 180 days in the 2001 TV documentary The First Year. In his impassioned and unapologetically personal opening narration, Guggenheim cites these credentials, perhaps in an effort to counterbalance the shellacking he’s about to serve up to the Teachers' Union. Indeed in this damning chronicle of a system so broken it doesn’t even warrant the name anymore, the protectionist practices of the Teachers' Union provide a handy punching bag to vent the waves of incredulous rage that build up over the course of the documentary. But wait, this is about the kids. For all Guggenheim’s infuriating tales of ‘lemon’ teachers and the ‘terror of tenure’, his main aim is to give this reality some human faces. Following five kids rather than teachers this time, he sets their sunny hopes for the future against the woeful statistics that look set to steal their dreams. When the kids apply for the Holy Grail of public education: a chance to attend a successful, independent Charter School, which is decided via a lottery. This certainly provides the documentary a terrifying, heart-in-your-mouth climax, and one that is sure to raise some bile if the proceeding facts have failed to do so. If Superman provides the film’s overarching metaphor, then Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools Michelle Rhee and education reformer Geoffrey Canada come as close to real life, butt-kicking heroes as possible. Both straight-talking, committed and downright ballsy individuals provide glimmers of hope amongst the darkness that surround them. However their insights, plus the five kids, various animations and other talking heads spread Guggenheim much too thinly across this important ground. While he and his team of editors piece these strands together in undeniably compelling fashion, less might have ultimately proven to be more. Waiting for "Superman" is essential viewing. It's as simple as that. Though jam-packed and shamelessly earnest, it is a well-crafted and crucially effective call to arms against the reign of these 'failure factories.' Most importantly, it is impossible not to be touched, nay, radicalised by this devastatingly inconvenient truth.
Art enthusiasts, collectors and creators, we have news for you. The Other Art Fair is returning to Sydney this December, closing out its 2022 world tour. From Thursday the 1st to Sunday the 4th, you'll find the fair in The Cutaway, Barangaroo. This super-sized concrete void of a venue boasts immense ceiling height, acoustics and ample natural light – perfect for an event that historically pulls in thousands of visitors daily. If you aren't already in the know, The Other Art Fair is a roaming international art show that allows you to view, discuss and even purchase art directly from an emerging artist, rather than deal with the red tape and hurdles of buying through a gallery. It's an extensive roster of 135 talents, each selected by a committee of experts, so you'll be purchasing quality work and supporting the local creative scene. And there's more than just their work to expect – there'll be immersive installations, performances, live music, and a fully stocked bar. Need any more convincing? It should be a great night out for art-and-experience lovers alike, and you could walk away with a picture-perfect piece to hang up at home. Tickets are on sale now with a variety of options, including a 35% discount if you book before November 16. For more information on tickets or the artists, visit the website.
Inspiration to Ghandi, and art scholar, John Ruskin was famously said to have been shocked on his wedding night by how his different his wife's real body was from those of the marble statues he studied. While this story may exaggerate its detail, it's true that the divide between artistic ideal and real bodies is often a big one. For critic Kenneth Clarke, the idealisation of nudity was what made it art. But in the words of Greg Wise: "Real life is wrinkles and smells." If you get to Sydney University early for A Night in the Quad, you'll be able to make up your own mind. Down one side of the picturesque main quadrangle is the Nicholson Museum, which for the duration of the Sydney Festival is running Exposed: Photography & the Classical Nude. Exposed fuses together one hundred images of ancient and modern views of nudes, statues and classical methods of filthy art — exploring the connections and differences of images of the body in classical sculpture, to the work of less ancient photographers like Max Dupain and Henry Fox Talbot. And while the exhibition is neither puritan nor prurient, there should be enough in it to give you ideas of your own. Note: pages linked to in this piece contain artistic nudity and may be slightly NSFW. Image of Marc Quinn's Alison Lapper statue by dorothya.
