Sydneysiders, your love of day parties is about to get massively rewarded. Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter, the DJ duo behind New York's Mister Saturday Night parties and record label, is bringing its famed daytime dance party to our city. Mister Sunday is all about good vibes, cool people and, most importantly, solid tunes. It will all go down starting at 1pm on Sunday, February 25, when they'll set up a four-point sound system at a secret outdoor location in the inner city. This is only the second time the party has left New York City in ten years — with the last time being London back in 2015 — so we can count ourselves very, very lucky. They'll be rocking the day just like they do back in Brooklyn, with a little help from local partners Astral People and beloved winemakers Cake Wines, along with eats by Eat Art Truck — so you can expect the bar to be well stocked and the food to be top-notch. Apart from the dance floor, where Eamon and Justin will run the DJ booth, there will be plenty of space to relax with drink in hand. Tickets are on sale now and go for $45 a pop. Before you rock up, make sure you go through the 12 house rules — which include no cameras, phones or smoking on the dance floor and no song requests/distracting the DJs at work. Basically, they're in place to make sure everyone has a good time, respects one another and is really there to dance, not just to Instagram other people dancing.
At Cake Wines' latest excuse for a cheeky vino or several, three misconceptions are in the spotlight. The first two relate to their tipple of choice for the evening, dispelling the ideas that all Rieslings taste the same and that all Rieslings are sweet. The third? It's one we've all become accustomed to, even if we haven't thought about it in-depth: that jazz is the only appropriate wine-drinking soundtrack. Calling their February 24 shindig Riesling & RnB, that's just what they'll be serving up. Attendees can expect a particular white varietal in all of its guises, and rhythm and blues tunes spun by DJs Shantan and Phat Controlla. And, while you're sipping and listening to RnB beats, sommelier Samantha Payne and Cakes Wines' Glen Cassidy will talk through the ins and outs of Riesling — including sparkling versions. Taking place at Cake Wines Cellar Door, the fun kicks off at 6pm, with tickets costing $30. Wine is included in the price, with additional drinks available to purchase. And, with demonstrating the natural relationship between wine, food and music also on the agenda, you'll be able to buy bites to eat as well.
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the Vegan Day Out. Come March 10 and 11, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. For Saturday and Sunday, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Glebe Point Road, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or two) of it. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool vegan or just curious to give it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on some of its 3000+ products.
One moment Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) is the pride of Russia. The next, she's being bundled off to "whore school". They're her words, all but spat at the shady uncle (Matthias Schoenaerts) responsible, and they say plenty about Red Sparrow. She's a Bolshoi prima ballerina cut down in her prime by envious colleagues, he's a high-ranking honcho with one of the country's intelligence agencies, and their entire relationship consists of him exerting power over her with a lecherous glint in his eye and no qualms about resorting to violence. Unfortunately, this muddled and murky film is all too happy to follow his lead. With her dancing dreams dashed and the her mother's (Joely Richardson) health insurance under threat, Dominika has little choice but to take her uncle's career advice. After agreeing to meet a suspected traitor and bearing witness to his assassination, her only option is to become a 'Sparrow' — a highly trained spy enlisted to seduce and manipulate using everything at her disposal. When she's subsequently put into the field to procure the name of a Russian mole from an American CIA agent (Joel Edgerton), our heroine is quickly forced to give her new skills a workout. Thanks to Lawrence's typically committed and uncompromising performance, Dominika possesses an indefatigable air and quite the formidable stare. But Red Sparrow isn't an ass-kicking female-driven flick in the vein of Atomic Blonde, Haywire or La Femme Nikita, or even the action spin on Black Swan that it nods to in its name. Nor is it a pulpy revenge story, an icy espionage thriller or a rousing tale of a victimised woman using her feminine wiles not only to survive, but to bring down the system that's stacked against her. Based on a novel by retired CIA operative Jason Matthews and directed by three-time Hunger Games helmer Francis Lawrence (no relation), the film is simply a routine array of predictable twists packaged with a particularly problematic approach. Specifically, there's nothing empowering or entertaining about a movie that constantly wears its heroine down just because it can. Red Sparrow tries to frame its treatment of its protagonist as an example of an entire country's corruption ("your body belongs to the State!" Dominika is told in one of the film's more blatant moments), but that rationalisation fails to convince. At the same time, the screenplay touches briefly on themes ranging from toxic sexual politics to the treatment of women in the workplace, but that social commentary falls flat as well. It's hard to take seriously any statement on the objectification and exploitation of women when your female protagonist spends most of the movie being raped, beaten, pushed around and bled dry, often while naked or close to it. Frequently, it feels like Red Sparrow is putting Lawrence in the same situation as Dominika, using her for the audience's gratification. Still, Red Sparrow does have some saving graces — all of which come courtesy of the film's stacked supporting cast. There's Charlotte Rampling as Dominika's no-nonsense trainer, Jeremy Irons as a slippery Russian general and Mary-Louise Parker doing some excellent drunk acting. A better movie could be made about any of their characters, and mightn't need to include cringeworthy dialogue like "the West has gone weak, drunk on shopping and social media!" As we see demonstrated again and again, that kind of overcooked writing really does speak volumes about this troublesome film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFpJAIy-cow
Fried chicken in one hand and a beer in the other. This weekend, Potts Points' Paper Bird and Marrickville's Wildflower Brewing are inviting you to do just that. They're joining forces for an east-meets-west pop-up on Saturday, March 10, with beers flowing from 1pm and East Asian fare on offer from 2pm. The famed fried chicken has been making waves in Sydney's food scene since the now-closed Moon Park introduced it to the city back in 2014 (and more waves when Paperbird brought it back last year). The shrimp-brined fried chicken will be the star of the show on Saturday, served with biscuits and gravy, perhaps, or soy and syrup. While the full pop-up menu has not yet been revealed, expect the restaurant's usual East Asian flavours and — hopefully — some other menu favourites (hi, hash browns). Unlike other inner west breweries, Wildflower doesn't have its own rotation of food trucks, so this is a rare chance to get some eats while tasting head brewer Topher Boehm's wild ale blends. He's offering up a huge range of his beers on the day, with 15 different blends available by the glass. The list includes a very limited test batch of an amber re-fermented on sweet cherries, along with a range of golds, lagers and the brewery's signature table beer on draught.
The inaugural Cronulla Life Markets were held last January, and, in 2018, they'll be back. This time, they're happening over three consecutive nights from January 4 to 6, bringing artworks, crafty bits and bobs, homewares, jewellery, candles, essential oils, live music and a herd of food trucks to Sydney's southernmost beach. Kicking off at 7pm and winding up around 10pm, each evening will be dedicated to a particular theme. Foodies should head along on Thursday, when all things edible and drinkable will be centre stage — including burgers and brisket by Earlwood's Barlow and Co, pizza and porchetta by Wollongong's Arlecchino and Asian-influenced animal-free eats by Vege 4 Love. Meanwhile, Friday will be for families and, if live music is what gets you going, swing by on Saturday to hear Dan and Emma May perform a swag of jazzy classics and related tunes.
This, quite possibly, could be the cheapest, cutest event happening in Sydney this New Year's Eve. Introducing Hudson Ballroom's Pink Party. Absolutely everything about this shindig will be pink. We're talking sangria, rose, blushing cocktails and pastel-shaded vodka concoctions. And, yes, you're included. Pull out your rose-coloured glasses, lay your hands on some zinc, tie cherry blossoms in your hair and don your '80s leg warmers. Your efforts could prove lucrative: the best dressed and, we're assuming, pinkest, guest will score a bar tab worth 50 bucks. As far as sound track goes, the front room will be dedicated to RnB classics, while the back room will be all about non-stop 2000s jams. Gear up for loads of Nicki Minaj hits. It's not only the tix that, which start at $10, are unusually affordable for an NYE event, it's also the drinks, with cocktail and sangria jugs priced at $35 until 11.30pm.
It's December 16, you need to get a Secret Santa gift for your Aunt Cheryl, but you a) don't know what just likes, and b) really don't want to brave a Westfield. What do you do? Well, if you find yourself in this exact predicament, Centennial Park's end-of-year plant sale might just be your Christmas miracle. Centennial Parklands is getting rid of its excess plants for as little as $2. From 9am on Saturday, December 16, the inner city park will put a range of succulents, bird-attracting natives and indoor babies up for sale. Just head to the nursery next to the new Wild Play Discovery Centre. Pick up something for Aunty Cheryl, and something for yourself while you're at it. Because everyone likes plants and, this way, you can bypass Bondi Junction altogether.
Tis' the season for overcrowded shopping centres and gift shopping. But swallow any impending dread because, this year, you don't have to go to Westfield. Be it food, homewares, fashion or art you're after, Watsons Bay's Cambridge Markets have you covered. On Wednesday, December 20, head to Robertson Park and peruse more than 120 stalls. And what could be more magical than getting your Christmas gift and food shopping done in one fell swoop? Getting your Christmas gift and food shopping done at twilight. The markets will run from 3–9pm. The markets will have a particular focus on Christmas food, meaning you can get everything you need to have a feast for the ages. Meats will be supplied by gourmet butcher Kingsmore Meats and organic produce will be provided courtesy of The Regional Store. While you're there, why not treat yourself too? Swing by stalls like Hooked on Poke and Sol Botanica for a bite, or pop over to Nutie for gluten-free doughnuts.
It's true that Christmas shopping can be nothing but a nightmarish tussle of overcrowded shopping centres and overblown credit cards. But it can also be a lot of fun. The trick is doing it right. And key to that is having a cocktail in your hand — which is exactly what'll be on offer at Since I Left You's Xmas market on Saturday, December 16. More specifically, the CBD bar's cocktail menu will feature Christmas-inspired specials, such as a summer mulled wine, boozy eggnog and Mum's Chrissy punch. And you'll be matching them with toasties, packed with ham, caramelised onion and Gruyere cheese, or turkey, brie and cranberry. But don't forget, in your boozy, toastie haze, that you're there to get your shopping done. Between 3pm and 9pm, a bunch of Sydney's hardest-working, most talented makers will be peddling their wares in SILY's carriageways and courtyard. Adding to the festive spirit will be live music by Jerome Fandor, playing souled-out versions of Christmas classics, followed by the Post Pluto Intergalactic Groove Committee with a mix of hip hop, funk, soul and disco.
It's mid-August, so you should probably start getting your New Year's Eve plans in order. Victorian NYE festival Beyond the Valley has just announced the lineup for their celebrated four-day festival in Lardner, Victoria and it's pretty bloody good, so could be a solid option. Just four festivals old, the Victorian festival is still pretty fresh on the New Year's circuit, starting out in 2014. Despite this, they've managed to secure a rather colossal lineup, featuring charismatic rap headliner Schoolboy Q, Sydney electro legends The Presets, falsetto-flaunting folk favourite Matt Corby, UK grime gem Stormzy, East London 'wonky funk' singer Nao and 21-year-old Channel Islands-born producer Mura Masa. Beyond the Valley takes over Lardner Park, Warragul, Victoria from December 28 to January 1. Anyway, here's what you came for. BEYOND THE VALLEY 2017 LINEUP: Schoolboy Q The Presets Matt Corby Stormzy Mura Masa Stephan Bodzin (live) Little Dragon 2MNANY DJs (DJ Set) Adana Twins Âme (live) Amy Shark Andhim The Belligerents B.Traits Crooked Colours Cub Sport Cut Copy Dean Lewis DMAs Dom Dolla FKJ GL George Maple Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda Hayden James Hot Dub Time Machine Ivan Ooze Jack River Lastlings Late Nite Tuff Guy Marek Hemmann Meg Mac NAO Patrick Topping Pleasurekraft The Preatures Princess Nokia Ruby Fields Sampa The Great San Cisco Skegss
Sleeping on the job is a big no-no in Western culture — despite the fact that it's been proven to increase concentration, improve alertness and be a great help in dealing with accidental work hangovers. Surry Hills mindfulness studio The Indigo Project knows that napping is the key to being generally better at everything, so it started lunchtime nap classes. And now the studio is gifting Sydneysiders with free classes for five days in the week leading up to Christmas. The free half-hour classes will run at 1pm from December 18-22 — they've been built around research that shows a 20–24 minute nap is the optimum length for a siesta. If you're feeling a little off at work, stressed about the Christmas craziness or like you just can't get your brain to kick into gear, head down to Surry Hills for a boost of energy to help get you through the day. Sessions are free, but you should book your place in advance. Image: Kimberley Low.
Grab your white suit and your polaroid, we're travelling back to 1980s Miami at The World Bar's newest disco party. Hosted three nights a week, Disco Fuego features funky disco, house music and colourful characters (most likely dressed in pastel). It's good to keep in mind that this is classy Florida, so instead of mullets you'll find florals, table service, fancy cocktails and, of course, disco balls. And it's being hosted in a special (slightly hard-to-find) room. To get there, you'll need to climb the stairs all the way to the top floor of the bar and, just when you think you've reached the end of the line, take a peek behind the bookcase. Here lies the boogie wonderland — where the dance floor is hot and the drinks are ice cold (filled with Bacardi rum and under $20). It's going to be muy caliente. Disco Fuego will be open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9pm til late. To book a table or function click here.
Forget crappy plastic skeletons and fairground employees in masks: the team at the Sydney Festival are bringing the classic ghost train hurtling into the 21st century. Created by filmmaker Jasmin Tarasin and musician Jonnine Standish, this high-tech take on the classic carnival ride incorporates virtual reality with a choose your own adventure-style narrative. Riders will don a Samsung Gear VR Headset and be immersed in a world of ethereal imagery and bone-chilling music. As the train trundles down the rickety (virtual) tracks, they'll be asked to make choices that will lead them to salvation… or doom. "On this ghost train, you take a trip through the rooms of your mind on a journey full of beauty, tension, humour and, of course, fun," says Standish. Photo credit: Sarah Walker
Budding photographer? Then you should definitely check out Photostart – the Australian Centre for Photography's annual show celebrating the brightest talents within their student community. Curated from works produced throughout this year's program of photography courses, the diverse exhibition will appeal to both those who like getting behind a camera lens and those who just like looking at a great picture. This year's show introduces the inaugural 7 Wentworth Selborne Award, a $2000 cash prize that recognises the photograph that best displays both technical ability and originality. You'll also be able to attend talks, workshops and portfolio reviews on Saturday, December 16. Photostart's opening night is on December 15 (you're invited, by the way), after which it runs until February 3, 2018, with a short break from December 23 – January 8. Image credit: Alexis Roitman,Camera Craft 1 student, 2017. Courtesy and © the artist.
Venture around the back of Surry Hills' Porteño and you'll find WyNo — aka, a wine lover's haven. Taking over the space formerly inhabited by 121BC, you can eat, drink or take a bottle home with you. Or, do all three. There's another option. Every second Monday of the month from January 8, you can head in at 6pm, settle in for a wine dinner and get acquainted with the best the venue has to offer. Yes, WyNo is launching a monthly series, with chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz cooking up a storm to match the chosen vino. First cab off the rank is Bobar from the Yarra Valley. Launching the event, winemaker Tom Belford will be on hand for the intimate affair, telling you all about his tipples. Tickets cost $80 per head, and are certain to get snapped up quickly — so call or email WyNo to reserve your place.
Surf's up this summer with the NSW Pro Surf Series. The circuit — which will stop off at four beautiful beaches along NSW's coastline — adds an additional four events to the World Surf League Qualifying Series. Seriously promising professional surfers will be taking to the green room to show off their style and skills in an aqua acrobatic show you won't want to miss. The Tweed Coast Pro — the second stop of the NSW Pro Surf Series — will take place at picturesque Cabarita Beach. The quaint coastal town is known for its excellent surfing conditions, so set up shop underneath a pandanus palm on the beach and get ready to watch surfers carve it up. Grab a post-show beer with a view at the Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club, or treat yourself to a cocktail in the breeze at the gorgeous Halcyon House. If you're keen to follow the series along NSW's stunning coastline, other events will be taking place at Sydney's Maroubra Beach, Boomerang Beach and Avoca Beach across January, February and March. A summer road trip is good, but a summer road trip where you get to watch the next Mick Fannings and Layne Beachleys? Gnarly.
Puppers. Woofers. Doggos. Pooch. It doesn't matter what you call your four-legged friend, dress them up and bring them down to the Easter Party hosted by Super Furry Festival on Saturday, March 24. This isn't just a celebration of canines, however. Taking place at Shannon Reserve between 9am to 2pm, the shindig's activities and stalls will be open for all pets. There'll be an eggcellent photobooth for you and your pupper to dress up, get snapped and take two polaroids home with you afterwards afterwards, plus an Easter egg hunt for humans and animals. And of course, even if you don't bring your pup down (or you don't have one), you can indulge in some pup-watching and patting, then make a beeline to both the kitty cuddle tent and the bunny snuggle tent. Entry is free, but registration is required. If you'd like to take part in the Easter egg hunt or snap a pic at the photobooth, they'll set you back $10 a pop.
While Shangri-La Hotel is known mostly for its luxe rooms, cloud-like beds and panoramic views across the harbour, it also has an exciting lineup of in-house restaurants and bars. And for Easter, it's getting creative — playing host to two gastronomical events. The first, held in Shangri-La's all-day buffet restaurant Cafe Mix, will be an interactive Easter banquet. As well an extravagant seafood buffet — with lobster, Balmain bugs and fresh oysters — there'll also be a live carving station with pork belly and lamb shoulder and a dessert bar, created by pastry chef Anna Polyviou, with all the trimmings. Stop by the chocolate fountain (dip in doughnuts, marshmallows or honeycomb) or pile a waffle high with chocolate eggs and fresh strawberries. This is how you really splash out post-Lent. If you're looking to indulge in more sweets — make a beeline for the dessert-heavy high tea in the Lobby Lounge. Expect desserts shaped like eggs filled with mango gel, a salted caramel and hot cross bun slice, more hot cross buns, luxe carrot tarts and a decadent white chocolate mousse served with marshmallow and Champagne jelly. There'll also be delights to take home, including hot cross buns and large Aero-Plane Easter eggs filled with lollies ($35 each), available to purchase from a pop-up store in the Lobby Lounge. And, on Easter Sunday from 1–3pm, bring your little'uns (or just your inner child) to the miniature petting zoo or partake in the hotel-wide Easter egg hunt. The Easter buffet costs $85 and will be held on Friday, March 30 6–9.30pm; Saturday, March 31 6–9.30pm; Sunday, April 1 12–2.30pm & 6–9.30pm. Bookings are recommended and can be made here. The high tea costs $55 per person and will run daily from Monday, March 12 to Monday, April 2 at 11.30am, 3pm and 5pm. Book a table here. Images: Nikki To
If you missed out on The Jungle Collective's previous warehouse plant sales, be sure to clear the weekend of July 7 and 8. Because there's another one on its way. The Jungle Collective is a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. After holding many wildly successful Sydney markets last year, it's tracking down new plants and throwing another two-day indoor plant party. This time, it's Christmas in July–themed, so wear ugly sweaters, Santa suits and elf ears. If you do, you'll get a $5 discount off of your purchase. While plenty of rare plants and indoor favourites will be on offer, with everything from hanging pot plants to palms to a giant Bird of Paradise, so prepare to welcome a few into your home. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. This time round, the plant sale is being hold in a new location — and as part of Precinct 75's Winter Design Market. The good stuff tends to go first, so we recommend booking a morning session on the Saturday. Winter Wonderland Plant Sale will run from 10am–2pm on Saturday, July 7, and Sunday July 8. Tickets will be available from midday, Monday, July 2, via the Facebook page. Images: Alexandra Cohen
Every autumn, the farmers, winemakers and chefs of the Murray River get together to celebrate their creations at the Sun Country Food and Wine Festival. On the calendar this year are brewery tours, picnics by pedal, decadent degustations, tastings soundtracked by live music and loads more. All in all, 14 events will take place across the region between March 16 and 25. If you're into Mexican, book a seat at Cactus Country's three-course feast in Strathmerton on Saturday, March 17. The event includes a twilight tapas tour of a stunning ten-acre cactus garden, which features cacti from all over the world. Or add a dash of adrenaline to your culinary adventure by grabbing a ticket to Picnic and Pedal in the Grove. On your arrival at Rich Glen Olive Estate, Yarrawonga, you'll be handed a bicycle and a picnic basket packed with local produce then let loose to find an idyllic spot where you can while the afternoon away at your leisure. Meanwhile, a 14-course high tea whipped up by a pastry chef will be on offer at Cafe3641 in Strathmerton. In between sipping Monichino Brut Cuvee and bottomless tea, you'll be treated to a string of dainty delights, made with local produce and served on fine china. Cafe3641 is in a gorgeous, restored homestead surrounded by rose gardens. If you're keen to sample some Indigenous foods, then get along to Ku De Ta in Cobram to spend an evening on the Murray's banks, eating sliders made with kangaroo, emu and barramundi, matched with native berry sangria. There'll be live didgeridoo, too. Another option is The Butlers Pantry Unique Culinary Experience. Taking over Dubuque Homestead for an afternoon, this event is centred on an Indigenous grazing table and gives you the chance to try delicacies both traditional and contemporary. To plan your visit to the Sun Country Food and Wine Festival and explore all the autumnal delights the region has to offer, check out the Visit Victoria website.
No one quite knows the exact origins of sake, but everyone who has been to Japan knows one thing: the fermented rice wine is everywhere, and it's delicious. Haven't made the trip? Can't wait to go back? Fall somewhere in-between? That's where The Oak Barrel's first-ever Festival of Sake comes in. Come 1pm on April 14, the Sydney CBD bottle-o is dedicating the afternoon to the clear liquor — and to other Japanese beverages and foods. Discover the many different varieties of the tipple in question, then go for a journey through the likes of Japanese wine and other spirits such as awamori, shochu, yuzushu and umeshu. To line your stomach, sushi will be on the menu, alongside other appropriate finger foods. Tickets cost $50, which is much, much more affordable than plane tickets. And even if you consider yourself a sake connoisseur, here's your chance to dive deep into the best that Japan's small-batch and craft producers have to offer.
It's Cinco de Mayo time again, and with the holiday always comes a slew of Mexican food offerings. For the occasion, Neutral Bay's SoCal is bringing back its all-you-can-eat taco night on Tuesday, May 8 — so best start making room in your stomach now. For $30, you can tuck into as many tacos as your tum can handle. Think varieties like fish with pineapple and coriander salsa, steak with sriracha mayo and fried haloumi with slaw and jerk dressing. For drinks, the bar will be slinging margaritas for a tenner and inviting a mariachi band and dancer for some authentic entertainment. You'll need to book a table between 5–9pm for the deal, so make one soon or miss out. It's all part of the venue's inaugural Taco and Tequila Fiesta, which celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a week of festivities.
If you'd like to respectfully (and deliciously) celebrate Cinco de Mayo, head down to Tequila Mockingbird on Saturday, May 5. The Paddington eatery will be slinging $5 tacos and $10 margaritas right up until 5pm. Pretty good considering they usually come in at $14 and $19, respectively. The place specialises in Latin American nosh, and if you haven't eaten there already, the Mexican day of celebration is a good reason try it out. It's got a nice little terrace that's been converted into a dining area, and a long bar leading into a warm space with wooden floors, hanging plants and gorgeous black and white line drawings of tropical fish and cacti. And if those tacos and margaritas don't fill you up, you can also order snacks like eggplant nachos or a couple of chicken and mushroom empanadas off the menu. And get stuck into the tequila-heavy cocktail list — the bar stocks 27 types, as well as a couple of top-notch mezcals.
Whoever realised that May the 4th sounds awfully like "may the force" must've been rather excited — more excited than Han Solo walking into almost any cantina in the galaxy, we're guessing. The saying's origins are about as certain as Jar Jar Binks' purpose, but unlike that incredibly annoying Gungan, everyone can enjoy the early May Star Wars celebrations when they roll around. This year, the Powerhouse Museum is getting in on the action with a weekend of themed activities that'd make George Lucas proud. While it's all actually taking place on May 5 and 6, attendees can still expect everything from Star Wars collector's items from the Museum of Applied Arts & Science's collection, to jedi training sessions and augmented reality lightsaber duels, to a Millennium Falcon-load of talks, screenings and panels. You can even try to patch up BB-8 in the VR repair bay. Other highlights include a life-sized x-wing resistance fighter that you can hop into, character appearances and statues, plus costume competitions — so break out your best Poe Dameron swagger, Obi-Wan Kenobi robes or Princess Leia-style hair. Plus, with Solo: A Star Wars Story due in cinemas just a couple of weeks later, it's a great way to help fill your month with as much intergalactic revelry as possible.
The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge aren't the only iconic structures getting the Vivid Sydney bedazzling treatment when the festival returns this May. Also set for a makeover is the legendary Luna Park face, as Samsung joins in the fun with an epic light and sound experience dubbed The Night. Reimagined. Running throughout Vivid Sydney, from Friday, May 25, until June 16, the immersive installation will pop-up on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. The impressive two-storey, 90-metre labyrinth, with two kilometres of LED lighting, will be split into two pathways — and two very different journeys. Take the first path and you'll become the new face of Luna Park. You'll be able to create an augmented reality selfie using the AR Emoji function on Samsung's new Galaxy S9 and S9+ phone, which will then be projected via live feed onto the Luna Park entrance. There'll also be a viewing platform, where you can watch your animated face from across the Harbour. You'll need to get in early, though, as there are limited spots for the AR projection and, naturally, high demand is expected. On the first path, you'll also experience slow motion at its best in the Super Slow-Mo booth. Here, you can capture mesmerising shots of yourself frolicking among a bunch of chrome-plated balls. Or, you can take the second path, and you'll be taken on an immersive audio light and soundscape experience, transporting you through the night and beyond. Samsung's The Night. Reimagined. will pop-up on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt from May 25–June 16. To learn more, head to the website.
Wollongong will be rocking its smaller-than-Sydney vibes in a big way when the Yours & Owls music festival takes over Stuart Park on September 29 and 30. This intimate two-day festival is known for its impressively curated lineup combining local Aussie talent and handpicked international bands in a weekend that rivals any capital city shindig. Though the festival is still in its infancy, Yours & Owls continues to pull some big names — the 2018 festival will be headlined by Angus & Julia Stone, Peking Duck and Alison Wonderland. The rest of the lineup reads like a roll-call of Triple J up-and-comers, with Middle Kids, Jungle Giants, D.D Dumbo, Alex the Astronaut and Didirri all on there. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, June 5 — and while we don't know how much they'll be yet, last year the price was quite reasonable for a two-day ticket. Camping is available too, so make a weekend out of it with our weekender's guide to Wollongong. YOURS & OWLS 2018 LINEUP Angus & Julia Stone Peking Duk Alison Wonderland Jungle Giants Methyl Ethel Ocean Alley Hockey Dad D.D Dumbo Middle Kids Cub Sport Alex the Astronaut Alice Ivy Big White Boy Toy Clews Dear Seattle Destroyer Didirri E^st Fritz Hellions Jack River Jess Locke Johnny Hunter Liars Listener Luca Brasi Maddy Jane Mallrat Mere Women Mezko Moaning Lisa Nyxen Obscura Hail Pist Idiots Polaris Press Club Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Rolling Blackouts Coast Fever Step-Panther Stonefield The Vanns Tiny Little Houses Touch Sensitive Tropical Fuck Storm Tumbleweed Yahtzel (Live) You Beauty
If you're feeling a bit blue about the cooler days ahead, don't worry — we're already busy searching for any good excuse to get you off the couch. So is Neutral Bay's Firefly, who is ushering in the start of winter with (you guessed it) a whole lot of candles. For their inaugural Festival of 1000 Candles, the small bar is lighting the place up with the warm, moody lighting of a whopping one thousand candles from Friday, June 1 through Saturday, June 2, beginning at 5pm each night. "One of life's great pleasures is snuggling up to a warming boozy beverage by candlelight," says owner Daniel Sofo. "We want to entice people out and bring that pleasure to life for them." Guests are invited to lounge in the bar's dark timber and leather banquettes while tucking into the weekend's specialty menu. Think flaming hot buttered rum cocktails and spiced wine paired with a flambé meringue dessert. To heighten the cosy candlelit theme, they've even hired a magician to surprise diners with tableside tricks and add some wintery wonderment to the evening. While walk-ins are welcome, bookings are highly recommended to ensure a table on the night. Image: Kai Leishman
"Part safari party. Part murder mystery. All denim." That's the tagline for Double Denim Adventure Show, a gut-busting, rapid-fire and very skill sketch comedy show from Michelle Brasier and Laura Frew. Whereas the last Double Denim had the pair embrace their inner pre-teens, the sequel sees them journey "from teenage years to avocado days". The affable and hilarious Brasier and Frew were nominated for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's prestigious Golden Gibbo Award in 2017, and their new show — in which you will be required to dance and drink from a kings cup — is raucous, hilarious and an all-round good time. Try not to leave with a smile on your face and at least a few early 2000s bangers stuck in your head.
If you haven't yet had a chance to check out Gelato Messina's Creative Department — its Darlinghurst restaurant serving up gelato-led degustations — then this July is the perfect time to do so. The gelato fiends are adding truffles to all their dishes for a series of special, seasonal dinners. In conjunction with Parksbourne Produce and Oakfield Truffles, Messina's Creative Department is crafting a special seven-course gelato-meets-gourmet mushrooms degustation running for just ten days. So what kind of truffle-gelato goodness have the masterminds come up with this time around? Expect truffle oil with grapefruit and ginger granita; truffles with Kiwi kosho sorbet and oyster snow; truffle mousse with eucalyptus jelly and berry pepper sorbet; and cured duck egg yolk gelato with shiitake, celeriac and truffle foam. You'll also be trying the black truffle gelato with potato and parmesan risotto, which comes with truffle oil-infused oolong tea — plus the caramelised oak gelato with truffle and passionfruit soufflé. Tickets are $160 per person and, based off how quick these things sell out around the country, you'll want to grab your tickets ASAP.
Heated outdoor spaces are a hot commodity during winter. They offer a rare occasion to enjoy some fresh air without freezing your butt off. Luckily, The Grounds of Alexandria has you sorted. Sounds from The Grounds — a series of after-dark music events held in their fairy light-lit Alexandria garden — returns this winter to tempt Sydneysiders outdoors, and the next instalment is Latin-themed. If you missed tickets to previous sold-out events, the salsa night will return each month. Bundle up and arrive from 6pm to enjoy a glass (or two) of sangria in the heated garden. Latin band Los Papis will play at 6.30pm, 8pm and 8.50pm with a salsa performance at 7.30pm — dancing is encouraged. The $30 ticket price includes entry, music and the performance, with food and drinks available to purchase from the kitchen's South American-inspired menu. Think comfort-food favourites like arepas, quesadillas and tacos, plus the aforementioned sangria by-the-glass. If you want to bring your furry friend along, dogs (and kids under 12) are welcome and get in for free, too.
For a few weeks, it seemed like summer was never going to end. But, alas, it did, and just because the temperature has dropped below twenty doesn't mean your social life has to disappear in a wintry breeze. Nobody knows this better than Manly's Hotel Steyne. Sure, the air may be fresher than a dip in the water, but there's still fun to be had — and the seaside pub is serving it up in droves this May. On the eve of winter — Thursday, May 31 — the seven-bar venue is hosting Welcome to Winter, a winter-themed night full of giveaways, winter-themed activities, plenty of drink specials and some actual snow. Global snowboard brand Burton Snowboards is coming to the party, too, and it's bringing with it a host of live performances. Kicking off the evening are the boys from psych-indie-rock Rufflefeather, who'll pass the mic to the night's headline act: Byron Bay's much-loved psycho trio The Babe Rainbow. The three will woo the crowd with their jungle sounds and oh-so-fun-to-dance-to groovy tunes. And, last not but not least, local northern beaches lads Thunder Fox will keep the music going at an after party at Moonshine Bar. The giveaways will involve a heap of stellar snow gear — including a custom Burton Snowboard from Corona — so we recommend grabbing your crew and heading to Manly to welcome winter in style. Welcome to Winter will run from 6–10pm on Thursday, May 31.
UPDATE, November 20, 2020: Cargo is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. The ravenous undead have been chomping their way across screens for decades. Still, if it seems like their appetite has kicked into higher gear in recent years, that's because it has. Or, perhaps more accurately, the viewing public's hunger for zombie fare has ramped up considerably. Undead thrillers, zombie comedies, long-running TV shows about the brain-eating hordes — we just can't get enough. It's a zombie feast, not a zombie famine, although don't go thinking that you've seen it all before. Australian film Cargo sinks its teeth into the undead basics, and yet still manages to carve out its own territory rather than mindlessly following the masses. With people scarce and zombies shuffling, the movie begins in a standard-enough fashion, plunging into an outbreak that transforms the living into the living dead in 48 hours. Andy (Martin Freeman) and Kay's (Susie Porter) solution is to stick to their houseboat and float down an outback river, which is the best thing they can do to keep their infant Rosie safe. Unfortunately, their sense of security is short-lived, leaving Andy scrambling across the dusty landscape to protect his baby. Also trying to cope with the new dystopian status quo is young Indigenous girl Thoomi (Simone Landers), with Cargo examining more than one fraught father-daughter relationship. Updating their 2013 Tropfest short of the same name to feature length, co-directors Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke know that less is more. A good zombie film doesn't need complicated scenarios or elaborate explanations, so the duo keep things simple. A great example of the genre puts more focus on the humans than the undead, so that's how the filmmakers approach their movie. You won't find heaving throngs of walking corpses here — but you will find a variety of folks handling the life-or-death crisis in different ways. Andy desperately searches for someone to look after Rosie. Ex-fracking worker Vic (Anthony Hayes) plans for the future in a far more insidious manner. And while Thoomi has managed to keep her zombified dad (Bruce R. Carter) around, her elders, lead by their cleverman Daku (David Gulpilil), have their own methods — and their own ideas about the source of the pandemic. If it's rare for a zombie flick to dive so deeply and thoughtfully into its characters, then it is rarer still for such a film to also ponder various kinds of death and destruction. Writing as well as co-helming, Ramke weaves both humanity's impact upon the environment and white settlers' treatment of Australia's aboriginal people into the narrative — and Cargo is all the better for it. While there's plenty that's familiar, especially if you're an undead connoisseur, the movie smartly and astutely plays up the many real-life parallels that come with its premise. These days, contemplating the end of existence as we know it goes hand-in-hand with contemplating our ecological footprint. Similarly, exploring a world where one part of the population terrorises another provides a timely exploration of race relations. Previous zombie stories have also drawn comparable conclusions, but where George A. Romero highlighted racism in Night of the Living Dead half a century ago, Cargo reclaims a space for Indigenous culture in the fight for survival. Amongst all of the above, and amidst the gorgeously shot South Australian backdrop, Freeman and Landers stand front and centre. The former might be a veteran and the latter a newcomer, but the movie wouldn't work quite as well without either. Freeman's recognisable everyman persona comes in handy, even if it makes you remember his trek across greener terrain in The Hobbit trilogy. Landers' naturalism couldn't be more buoyant, even in such a bleak film. One gets more screen time than the other, but together they embody Cargo's distinctive take on its well-worn genre. This involving, moving zombie drama initially ambles along a reliable path, yet isn't afraid to find its own direction — and isn't shy about blending the expected and the fresh in the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_SiHPtwQ7s
The tropical vibes are always strong at King Street Wharf's Bungalow 8, but its latest offering has taken things up another notch. The part bar, par nightclub is now serving up bottomless sorbet cocktails. Held upstairs in The Loft every Saturday and Sunday lunchtime, the 2.5-hour sessions of unlimited cocktails — served with matching grazing plates — will help you forget that summer is over for another year. For $79 per person, you get endless access to three lush cocktails: the Italian-inspired Sgroppino with vodka, prosecco and lime sorbet; the pink-tinged Istanbul Rose, which is the same as the latter but with rose syrup; and the Coconut Kiss — a strong blend of Tanqueray gin, white crème de cacao, lemon juice, coconut sorbet and tart lemon curd. To help line your stomach throughout this rousing session, the bar will ply you with a heap of tasty morsels (and by heap, we mean a serious amount of food). There's an antipasto board — piled high with cured meats, cheese, figs and bread — vegetarian rice paper rolls, a honey-spiked mountain of fried prawns and a moreish dip platter. Head to The Loft website to reserve your spot at a Sorbet Sessions and to make those tropical island (and bottomless cocktail) daydreams a reality. Images: Jacquie Manning
The 21st Biennale of Sydney has been taking place across seven galleries, museums and unconventional spaces since March 16. Immersive and thought-provoking exhibitions have popped up from the MCA to Cockatoo Island, the Opera House to Woolloomooloo and Haymarket's 4A Gallery to Carriageworks. As part of this massive exhibition — which runs until June 11 — Cockatoo Island is hosting the Biennale Community Day on May 20 from 11am–5pm. A day of free talks, workshops, activities and performances, it's a chance for Sydneysiders of all ages to experience the festival without spending a cent. Talks will be held in the Superposition Studio and include a discussion about the Indigenous history of Sydney Harbour by specialist librarian Melissa Jackson, an exploration of the Chinese philosophical concept of wuxing (the five elements and their energies) by scholar Shirley Chan and the environmental significance of mangroves with wetland specialist Jeffrey Kelleway. Another highlight of the day is the collaborative sculpture making workshop with Marrickville's Reverse Garbage reuse centre. The workshop, which will be held in Building 137 fro 11am–3pm, invites participants to contribute to a giant community sculpture — or make a small sculpture to take home — using materials that have been recovered from landfill. Cap the day off with a performance by the Sydney Sufi Ensemble at 4pm, who will perform ritual music from the Persian 'Sama' tradition that originated in Iran. While the performance is free, any donations given on the day will go to the Matthew Talbot Hostel and towards meals for the homeless in Woolloomooloo. Images: Zan Wimberley
Making its return after a year hiatus, the German Film Festival is set to shower Sydney's screens with the latest and greatest in Deutsch cinema. And we really do mean latest and greatest — opening night's true tale The Silent Revolution premiered at the Berlin Film Festival mere months ago, while closing night will celebrate Wim Wenders' newly restored Wings of Desire, the exceptional 1987 effort about angels in Berlin. Screening at Palace Norton Street and the Chauvel Cinema from May 22 to June 5, the rest of the lineup spans from stars to snow to psychological thrills, plus everything from biopics to road trips to a beloved German comedy trilogy. Explore the tension of a new couple taking to the mountains in Three Peaks, laugh at the Fack Ju Göthe franchise — about an ex-con trying to get his loot back and unwittingly becoming a teacher in the process — or catch Gutland's account of an outsider just showing up in a small town, featuring Phantom Thread's breakout talent Vicky Krieps. Other highlights include's Mademoiselle Paradis, which delves into the story of blind piano player Maria Theresia von Paradis; 303, a flick that follows a pregnant student driving to reunite with her boyfriend; and 2017 German box office hit Paula, a biopic about artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. Or, step into a dark fairy tale with Heart of Stone, or test your nerves with crime thriller Four Hands. Plus, if you have any young movie buffs in tow, the festival is also screening a children's program called Kino for Kids.
With the spectacle of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, it can be easy to forget that Vivid's delights extend further than the CBD. But there's plenty to see and do up north, too. As part of the festival's tenth anniversary, the Chatswood precinct will present Lightscape, a free outdoor installation that combines art and light exhibitions with fashion and food — the latter of which includes the Light Market. The market will pop up each night of the festival (May 25 through June 16) from 5.30pm. The central square will host 20 food stalls that have been built from recycled materials and arranged to resemble a makeshift town. Built by event producer Victoria Harbutt and Sydney-based scaffold sculpture artist Alejandro Rolandi, with the help of Randwick's Bluebottle art studio, the scaffold structure of opposing lines and shapes is complete with a dynamic light design. The stalls will feature some Sydney food favourites, including Mary's burgers, cakes from Black Star Pastry, Agape Organic's hearty dishes, and some scoops of gelato from Enmore's Cow & the Moon.
When a couple of food and drink legends join forces, very good things can happen. This is confirmed by the latest boozy collaboration between burger maestros 8bit and beloved brewery Young Henrys. These mates have dreamed up a next-level creation celebrating that perfect partnership of beer and burger, dubbed the Malted Beast. It's a no-holds-barred assembly of a signature 8bit meat patty, beer onions made with Young Henrys' Newtowner pale ale, cheese, local pastrami and bacon glazed in porter, with a good helping of both Handsome Devil Co. barbecue sauce and rich Young Henrys' Cloudy Cider cheese sauce. And it'll set you back just $16. This all-local monster is set to make its debut at 8bit's Darling Square digs on July 19, kicking off with a launch party from 6pm. There'll be DJ tunes, games and prizes aplenty, and if you're one of the first 100 to RSVP to the Facebook event, you'll score discount burgers and free beer. If you fancy a taste of the Malted Beast, you'd best be quick — it's here for a good time, not a long time.
Purple Sneakers – a Sydney-based collective dedicated to emerging club music – turns 12 this year and, to celebrate, the team is taking over every nook and cranny of the Landsdowne Hotel. Happening as part of Vivid, this epic, one-night shindig will host a stack of artists, who'll be keeping the party going until 3am. Among the line-up are Rainbow Chan, Alta, Thandi Phoenix, Annie Bass, Clypso and Slim. There'll also be DJ sets from Dro Carey and Love Deluxe, plus appearances by local favourites Sandro Dallarmi, Sports, Lex Deluxe and Isa, as well as Swytch DJs, All My Friends DJs and the next generation of Purple Sneakers DJs. Since kicking off in 2006, Purple Sneakers has given career-launching gigs to the likes of Flume, RUFUS, Alison Wonderland, Cloud Control and Nina Las Vegas, as well as hosting Melbourne premieres for both Disclosure and Flosstradamus. These days, the team runs a website, radio show and regular parties around Australia.
Every corner of every city comes with its own history — and on Cockatoo Island, that's especially true. The tiny patch of land has been home to a prison, ship-building facilities, a reform school and a wartime boat repair port over the years, all in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Depending on what you believe, it's also apparently home to a few ghosts too. Indeed, plenty of mysteries and stories surround the island, which the returning Haunted History Night Tours will help you uncover. Running each Saturday from June 9 to August 25, the popular sessions will take you on a 90-minute stroll through the atmospheric site, visiting the convict workshops and gaol, the grain silos, dry docks and more. Tours kick off at 6.30pm in June and at 6pm as well during July and August, with bookings required. $25 gets you a spooky guided walk and a trip into the city's past, and wearing comfy shoes is recommended — as is bringing a torch.
Much-loved Kings Cross venue Barrio Chino is making a comeback. The Mexican restaurant and bar, which closed its doors in April 2016, is popping up inside the Darlo Country Club from Friday, June 8. Run by Peter Lew, co-owner of the newly opened Chula and the original Barrio Chino, the pop-up will have Tulum beach vibes — with a palm-thatched roof, booths and fairy lights — a changing menu of modern Mexican eats and a slew of Mexican and Tiki-inspired cocktails. The food menu will feature tacos, burritos, enchiladas and nachos, that can be stuffed (or piled high) with fried chicken, slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork. There'll also be guacamole, of course, and dishes are expected to change throughout the duration of the pop-up, too. Drinks, prepared by Michael Hwang from Lobo Plantation and Kittyhawk, will be big and colourful — expect lots of rum, tequila, glowing cocktail jugs (yes, really) and skull-shaped mugs. If you'd prefer your cocktails without the glow, there'll also be a few standout margaritas on the list. There's no word yet on how long the pop-up will be sticking around for, but it will be staying up late — it's running a 2am licence on Friday and Saturday nights. We suggest heading in for a taco and a tiki cocktail, tout de suite. Barrio Chino is now open inside the Darlo Country Club. Opening hours are Thursday, 5pm–midnight; Friday, 5pm–2am; and Saturday, 11.30am–2am.
The crew at P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants knows we like to pair wine and cheese, but they're gently trying to tell us that sometimes the two aren't the perfect match we've grown up thinking they are. Instead, they wants us to expand our cheese-pairing horizons — by matching the dairy goodness with spirits and beers. This August, the specialty bottle shop and education space in Newtown is popping a wide range of libations to match Continental Deli's fine cheeses. What exactly you'll be drinking — or eating — is still on lockdown, but you will be pairing eight cheeses, selected by Continental's resident cheese queen Alice, and eight boozy 'not wines' from P&V for $58. If you prefer spending your nights sippin' wine, check out P&V's lineup of regular events. On July 28, you can join a night of natural wine or taste Radikon's legendary grapes on August 3. You can see all upcoming events on the Facebook page.
Finding the perfect old-fashioned is no easy task. Made up of just three elements — whisky, bitters and sugar syrup — this classic cocktail calls for premium ingredients and the skills of an expert bartender. We've long considered CBD haunt Palmer & Co. a spot that nails this stellar combo. And, lucky for you, its specialist bartenders have partnered with Maker's Mark to create a spot-on old-fashioned, which has been bottled and shipped to a selection of Merivale venues around Sydney. While you won't find it at Palmer & Co., you can try this exclusive mix at Angel Hotel, Hotel CBD, The Royal George, Tank Stream Bar, The Grand and Wynyard Hotel. Plus, if you happen to find yourself staying over at Establishment Hotel, you'll score one free with your room. The hand-crafted concoction involves two dashes of bitters, five millilitres of sugar syrup and 60 millilitres of Maker's Mark bourbon. These are muddled together, then poured into a bottle. You can order the perfectly balanced result neat or over a large chunk of ice, and the bartender will top it off with a garnish of fresh orange peel. The Maker's Mark old-fashioned is available for $15 until Wednesday, August 15. Image: Dimitri Tricolas.
For keen racegoers, the arrival of the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Day means one thing: Everest Carnival is well underway. And for those looking for a lively day out in the sun, there's a wealth of food, drinks and entertainment on offer. Rosehill Gardens will host this major event, now in its third year, on Saturday, September 22. And there's plenty going on to fill your day with. Wander through the grounds and discover a host of pop-up bars from Pimm's and Canadian Club, then retreat to The Deck by De Bortoli Wines to sip bubbly in the sun on the tiered lawn and listen to DJ Helena Ellis' tunes from the nearby Main Stage. When you're feeling peckish, make a beeline for Rosehill's newest food precinct, Eats at the Gardens. There you'll find a selection of food trucks ready to curb your hunger including Vietnamese specialists Trinhy's, American barbecue from Hardstyle Kitchen, plus Chur Burger and many others. Following the festivities at Rosehill Gardens, make tracks to Rosehill Bowling Club where the official after-party will be keeping things going late into the night with a host of live music and DJ karaoke. And, if you're keen to do it all again soon, make sure you enter the On Top of the World competition. The prize is a money-can't-buy experience for Everest Day (October 13): two night's accommodation at The Star, a buffet breakfast at Sokyo, a helicopter transfer to Randwick and a dining package while you're there. Plus, when you return to The Star that night (via limousine), you'll enjoy dinner at BLACK Bar & Grill.
Fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? It's just casual summer weekendery when So Frenchy So Chic is in town. The ever-popular one-day French festival is waltzing back to Bicentennial Park in Glebe for its sixth year running on Saturday, January 19. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, tartlets and terrines, offensively good wine and croquet all to a chill French soundtrack. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists you may be yet to meet — and this year, they're all female. Parisian solo artist — and former Nouvelle Vague frontwoman — Camille will top the lineup, returning to Australia for her first shows since 2011. Her most recent album was recorded in a 14th century monastery, which might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect from her otherworldly live set. Don't miss electronic pop trio Yelle, either — the group has performed at Coachella three times and its music is played in venues across France. Other on the lineup is up-and-comer Clara Luciani and jazz pop artist Cleéa Vincent. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with fancy picnic boxes and cheese plates. Filled with stuffed baguettes, niçoise salads, mini créme brûlées and goose egg meringues, the picnic boxes are one to preorder if you don't want to miss out. But So Frenchy won't let you go hungry; there'll be a huge banquet of seafood, charcuterie, crepes and more available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, and rosé, red and whites whines as well. Early bird tickets are now on sale for $82 a pop. If you've got kids, you'll be happy to know that the whole thing is very family friendly, and children under 12 can get in for free.
A black comedy about neighbours fighting over a tree. A harrowing recreation of the worst incident on Norwegian soil since World War II. A gothic interpretation of a well-known folk tale. A film about an infatuated college student who discovers she has unusual abilities. These are just some of the Nordic films headed to Australia as part of the 2018 Scandinavian Film Festival — and yes, it's shaping up to be a great year for movies hailing from the colder parts of Europe. All of the above titles — the opening night's Under the Tree, Berlinale hit U – July 22, the gorgeously shot Valley of Shadows and the empathetic thriller Thelma — head to the festival after amassing quite the buzz at overseas events, and they have plenty of company. Across the Scandinavian Film Festival's almost month-long tour of the country, between July 10 and August 5, 21 features will grace Australian screens, showcasing everything from the latest award-winners to the career output of one of the region's late master filmmakers. In the first camp falls Border, which is based on a short story by author John Ajvide Lindqvist and just won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes; high-school comedy Amateurs, the recipient of the best Nordic film award at this year's Goteburg Film Festival; and Winter Brothers, a flick about siblings living in a remote region that nabbed nine Danish Academy Awards. In the latter category, viewers can celebrate the life and career of renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in the 100th anniversary of his birth, with six Swedish figures — including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's Tomas Alfredson — making shorts inspired by the influential filmmaker for compilation effort Bergman Revisited. Other highlights include a semi-scripted cross-cultural comedy about two Danish men trying to set up a dog breeding business in China, aka The Saint Bernard Syndicate, SXSW-standout Heavy Trip, a film about a heavy metal muso spearheading a music festival in a small Finnish town, and The Real Estate, which attacks the chasm between the rich and the not-so in an unflinching fashion. In short: if it hails from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and it popped up over the past year, it's probably on the lineup.
Three First Nations artists share their personal processes of decolonising mind and body, at The Bearded Tit's powerful exhibition Green On Red. Running until August 18, the multidisciplinary show coincides with NAIDOC Week celebrations, embracing its 2018 theme 'Because of her, we can!' as it pulls together the work of three uncompromising females. Amala Groom's video piece The Invisibility of Blackness explores the disappearance of cultural identity, while her Totes Appropes bags are a not-so-subtle dig at Chanel's $1930 limited edition luxury boomerang, highlighting the issue of cultural appropriation. You'll also catch a thought-provoking work by Southern Arrernte, Kaytetye and Anmatyerre artist Carmen Glynn-Braun, featuring variously coloured paint 'skins' hung in rows — a reference to the lengths fair-skinned First Nations people are forced to go to prove their 'Aboriginality'. Yamatji Wajarri woman Nicole Monks offers visitors a peek through her Invisible mirror, while a collaboration between Nicole Monks & Amala Groom, titled FAIRER 2018, pays homage to the 'Boycott '88' bicentennial protests 30 years on. Image: Carmen Glynn-Braun, Untitled, 2018
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 3, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its seventh year running. This year over 700 cafes will aim to raise as much as they can, with totals reaching more than of $160,000 in previous years. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 3 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. There are a heap of cafes participating across the city, but some include: The Grounds of Alexandria The Boathouse Coffee Tea and Me Single O Three Blue Ducks Campos Harry's Bondi Veneziano Coffee Roasters Top image: Veneziano
To celebrate National Lamington Day — a very important date to diarise on Saturday, July 21 — Peter Gilmore's stunning fine diner Bennelong will hold a lamington drive for a good cause. Taking inspiration from the school canteen drives of your childhood, Gilmore will show off his take on the humble Australian sweet by serving them up in droves — with all proceeds from lamingtons sold on the day going to suicide prevention charity, R U OK?. And this take on the lammy is anything but humble. It's a proud square of cherry jam, coconut ice-cream and sponge encased in chocolate ganache and sitting in a bed of coconut milk parfait shavings. The dessert is also well-known to Sydneysiders and MasterChef fans alike, as it appeared on the television show and we learnt that it takes 49 steps to make. Available to diners in the main restaurant and at the Cured & Cultured and Bennelong bars, the lammy will be available at lunch from midday and at dinner from 5.30pm on Saturday. If you've been wanting an excuse to try the famed lamington — or just dine inside the stunning Opera House restaurant — this is a great one. Image: Nikki To
Swap your swimmers for a scarf, and head down to Bondi this month. From Tuesday, July 17, Bondi Pavilion will be transformed into a carnival playground for the sixth annual Bondi Feast festival. Across ten nights, a lineup of over 160 artists, comedians, actors and foodies will grace Bondi's shores, with over 40 shows set to be performed across six spaces, accompanied by a pop-up bar and restaurant. Enjoy a glass of hot mulled cider, and catch a show in Bondi Feast's brand new Festival Garden and decadent Parlour Tent. There'll be impromptu musical performances, interactive Jenga, and private storytellings in the lifts of Bondi Pavillion. Bondi Feast will feature comedic appearances and cabaret shows from the likes of cabaret queen Trevor Ashley, Damien Callinan who will publicly explore his obsession with swing dancing in his show Swing Men, and an appearance from the celebrated Double Denim female duo for everything 90s, high energy and, of course, denim. MasterChef's Callan Smith will be taking the theatre into his own hands with a pop-up restaurant featuring a menu of the delicious and unexpected. Tickets for each show range from free to $30, with a few freebies ensuring your venture into the brisk winter air will not see you leave disappointed.
