Marc Maron of WTF with Marc Maron, one of the most downloaded podcasts, is coming to Australia in October, and if you're not there then you are a fool, a foolish fool. For you see, while he is best known for his podcast, averaging 4 million downloads each month and interviewing guests including the POTUS himself, he's just as brilliant alone on a stage, mic in hand, practicing his original craft. If you're not much of a podcast listener (why not? Get on that, they're the best), then you may have caught Maron’s critically acclaimed half-hour scripted series Maron, created, written and produced by Maron himself, on ABC2. Or perhaps his latest special, Thinky Pain, on Netflix. The man is a machine of brilliant cultural output. Get stuck in.
Despite the Philippines’ proximity to Australia, we don’t get many opportunities to explore their bold, unusual food. But the Shangri-La Hotel’s Cafe Mix is breaking the mould. Their annual Philippine Food Festival has proved such a cracker that it’s back for it's third consecutive year, bringing you old traditional favourites and brand new creations to savour. For eight delectable days between October 2-10, Cafe Mix will be taken over by a colourful, aromatic buffet of dishes unique to the Philippines. Served up at lunch between midday and 2.30pm, and at dinner between 6pm and 10.30pm, it’ll allow you hours of laidback sampling at your own pace and according to your inclinations. Just quietly though, you don’t want to miss the kare-kare, a classic Philippine stew enriched with oxtail and peanut butter, and coloured with orange-red annatto seeds. Or the sizzling pork sisig, a dramatic, spicy dish, seasoned with chilli and calamansi (a half-kumquat, half-orange fruit native to the Philippines). And then there's the oysters, crabs and prawns — as you can imagine, a nation whose home consists of 7000 islands knows exactly how to get the most out of its seafood. The festival already has a dedicated and ravenous following, so you’d be smart to book yourself a spot by calling (02) 9250 6000 or emailing dine.slsn@shangri-la.com.
A new exhibition is adorning that colourful Redfern haunt The Bearded Tit. Curator Chloe Wolifson has constructed Animal/Mineral/Spiritual/Physical around Joan Armatrading’s iconic 'Drop the Pilot' — making visual sense of this lyrically confusing song. Each discreet section of the art space will be filled with an interpretation of the feel-good pop classic. The participating artists include: Lisa Sammut, Rebecca Gallo, Sarah Goffman and Lotte Schwerdfeger in collaboration with Louise Meuwissen. As well as unearthing the rhythm behind the words, many of these practices play with found objects — fetishising them, recontextualising them and seeking out their active qualities. So pop along to The Tit this month and you’ll find and engaging set of musically inclined experiments with old and new objects.
Cinephiles, fans of on-screen dreams outside the norm and those with all-round offbeat tastes, it's time for your mosey through the movies that exist far beyond the mainstream. You know the ones — they won't be coming soon to a multiplex near you, and you wouldn't want them to. They're strange and sublime, odd and eccentric, and weird and wonderful. They're also the kind of fare that the Sydney Underground Film Festival lives, breathes, champions and screens, and has done for nine years now. And with efforts about a Finnish bunny with a genital fetish and the space where concepts become crimes in their 2015 lineup, there's no doubting that this year's SUFF is overflowing with off-kilter sensibilities. Accordingly, expect brain-exploding big-screen brilliance, raucous parties, a mind-expanding masterclass program and more, jam-packed into four days of film fun from September 17–20 at The Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Here are ten SUFF movies you won't want to miss.
Pixels is a movie that demonstrates how two rights can make a significant wrong. The first ‘right' is a brilliant Futurama vignette named ‘Raiders of the Lost Arcade’ that featured in the 2002 episode ‘Anthology of Interest II’. In it, the protagonist, Fry, queries what life would be like as a video game, whereupon characters based on ‘80s arcade staples like Space Invaders and Donkey Kong invade earth, and Fry proves to be the only one capable of stopping them thanks to his misspent youth as a gamer. The second ‘right' is a 2010 short film by Patrick Jean named ‘Pixles', in which pixelated arcade characters invade earth and reduce everything to, well, pixels. Together, these two sources constitute almost the entirety of the plot, title and visuals of Adam Sandler’s latest outing, where, unfortunately, the whole is very much poorer than its parts. Much of this is because of the missteps made in the means by which those parts were combined. Pixels, to put it simply, is an excellent idea turned into a children’s film where almost every joke is aimed at people over 30. In other words, it seems to have no idea who it’s actually catering to. Consider the final scene: just moments after the adorable merchandise children’s toy character ‘Q-Bert’ says something cute to make kids laugh, there’s an extended threesome joke involving Serena Williams and Martha Stewart. And it’s not the first in the film. Not by a long shot. The action scenes are solid and fast-paced, yet the first one doesn’t arrive for almost an hour, with the preceding 50-odd minutes spent on a semi-romantic subplot that lacks both romance and plot. It all feels very much a victim of studio influence — a failed attempt to hedge box office bets by playing to both children and adults without giving either enough of what they want. On paper, the cast of Pixels is pretty decent. Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and Kevin James play the adult versions of Sander’s childhood arcade gaming buddies, now a convict, conspiracy theorist and President of the United States respectively (no, seriously, James is President). Michelle Monaghan plays the ‘love interest’/senior DARPA scientist (in that order), representing the only real female role of any substance, albeit with most of her character development involving wildly different hairstyles in every scene without any mention made of it. Ashley Benson also makes an appearance as ‘the hot girl’ who literally doesn’t say a single word in the entire film. She just switches back and forth between pouting, kissing and ‘being hot’. Ultimately, director Chris Columbus has actually crafted a half-watchable film here, which — given the script — is something of an achievement. The Harry Potter director brings an energy and light-heartedness to the action sequences, complete with a handful of those trademark uplifting, fist-pumping moments of exuberance that defined his exhilarating Quidditch matches. There are also a couple of solid laugh-out-loud jokes and nifty ‘80s nostalgia references that frustrate more than entertain because of their infrequency. Had Pixels been predominantly an action movie, the plot vacuum might have mattered less, but with so little action to enjoy, at least until the final 15 minutes or so, we’re left with a film that feels like a giant missed opportunity, and that will likely fade fast from the memories of all who see it.
Mad Max: Fury Road for kids. That’s how PAN ought to have been billed, but instead the studios went with “Every legend has a beginning”. Bit of a truism, but whatever. At least it sets us up with the expectation that PAN will give us the gritty, untold Peter Pan backstory, and — true to its word — on that point it does deliver. Curiously, though, it then leaves much of the remaining (and arguably more interesting) information untouched, rendering PAN more like the ‘beginning of the beginning of the legend’. So who is Peter? Well, in this latest version by director Joe Wright (Atonement), he’s an English orphan enduring the worst of the Nazis’ WWII blitz campaign over London. We learn his ninja-like mother lovingly deposited him at the orphanage as a baby, along with a pan flute necklace and a mysterious letter speaking of hopeful reunions in a far away land. Now as a 12-year-old (played by Aussie newcomer and definite star of the future Levi Miller), Peter discovers the letter but has scarcely a moment to process the information before he’s whisked away by pirates in the middle of the night and transported to Neverland, where his true story begins. The thing is, Neverland isn’t as we remember it. Here in Wright’s version, it’s a colossal mining pit populated by hundreds of thousands of orphan workers all searching for a rare mineral called Pixum — essentially the raw form of pixie dust. Their overseer is a deliciously evil and charismatic pirate named Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman), who we first meet amid a bizarre rendition of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. As he addresses his bedraggled slaves and enforcers from up high and promises them untold riches (or at the very least, confectionary), the comparisons to Fury Road’s Immortan Joe are hard to ignore, particularly when PAN then descends into something of an extended chase scene for the remainder of the film. Still, in this pit we meet all but one of the future figures who’ll feature prominently in the Peter Pan legend, most notably Smee (Adeel Akhtar) and Hook (Garrett Hedlund, turning in what represents a solid audition piece for the next Indiana Jones film, albeit with an accent borrowed straight from There Will Be Blood’s Daniel Plainview). Together, the trio escapes the pit into Neverland’s untamed jungle and goes in search of Pan’s mother with Blackbeard giving relentless pursuit. PAN is the very definition of ‘family-friendly movie’, what with its non-stop action pieces, colourful costumes and entirely palatable violence (when the friendly ‘savages’ are killed, they explode into puffs of brilliantly coloured powder, much like the ‘how it works’ section of a detergent commercial). The special effects are extensive but first-rate, remaining impressively clutter free in that you can always identify the focal point of any scene (compared to the epilepsy-inducing offerings of films like Transformers). Performance wise, the leads (including Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily) all do their best with what’s a regrettably threadbare script, and Jackman probably finds the most out of his character, switching back and forth between homicidal and nurturing so effortlessly that it’s unsettling. There are really only two major shortcomings in PAN, but combined they do a lot to detract from what could have been something truly special. Firstly, it’s all very dour for something that’s set in Neverland, a place where fun is not just a pastime but a mantra and an obligation. Secondly, for a backstory on the Pan legend, we not only end up with very little new information, but — if anything — more questions than before. Case in point: the relationship between Peter and Hook. PAN’s prologue explains “sometimes friends begin as enemies, and enemies begin as friends”, but by the film's finale we see the two characters as close as any two friends could be, even going so far as to laugh about anything to the contrary. How and why such allies become mortal enemies would have made for an excellent plot progression, and it’s hard not to think this was excluded for the presumptive 'prequel sequel’. Still, it’s a wonderful visual experience that’s sure to delight young and old alike.
The stars are out for Queer Screen Film Fest 2015, which returns to Event Cinema George Street in September. Kicking off on the evening of Tuesday, September 22, the festival begins with the Australian premiere of Boulevard, featuring the late Robin Williams in his final dramatic role as a depressed man whose life is changed when he befriends a young male sex worker. Other highlights on the six-day program include Cut Snake, a brooding Aussie crime thriller from director Tony Ayres featuring an unforgettable performance from Sullivan Stapleton, A Sinner in Mecca, which follows documentarian Parvez Sharma as he makes his pilgrimage to the holy city while struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his faith, and Guidance, a comedy about a washed-up former child star masquerading as a high school guidance councillor. The festival concludes with another major title straight from its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Based on a true story, Freeheld stars Julianne Moore as a New York Police detective with a terminal illness who is forced to fight for the legal right to pass her pension benefits onto her domestic partner (Ellen Page).
Brothers, we have something special to show you and no, it's not kitty cat man. US comedy duo Tim and Eric are bringing their bizarre sense of humor to Australia and New Zealand for a national tour. The Tim and Eric – 'Stralia – Zealand Experience will be making stops at Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland. Since meeting at uni in 1994, the pair have gone on to create an animated series, a hilarious sketch series for Adult Swim, a feature film and even a book. You might not have heard of them, but you've definitely seen their kooky comedic genius before; how about the Vodka movie with Zach Galifianakis for Absolut or their Old Spice commercials with Terry Crews? Grab yourself a ticket and bear witness to the pair's crazy directing style, unique sketches and DJ Douggpound. Celebrate getting tickets by dancing like celery man (you won't be the only ones). Shiny suit and bolo tie optional. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAFcEU6atk[/embed]
Kick off 2016 like they do in the Hamptons with an epic New Year's Day shindig at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. This beloved harbourside haven is teaming up with the iconic Hamptons venue The Surf Lodge for a summer pop-up by the water — and it all begins on January 1 with a hectic, hedonistic, private beach party. Located in Montauk on Long Island, The Surf Lodge is best known for its outdoor music concerts featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Solange Knowles, Willie Nelson and the Flaming Lips. This time around The Surf Lodge is flying in Michigan-born, LA-based singer songwriter BØRNS to headline the party. Celebrated for his signature blend of psychedelic indie pop, BØRNS will perform an intimate set of tracks taken from his debut album Dopamine. The supporting lineup will include Australian electronic goalkickers like Set Mo, Deutsch Duke, Oli Benz and Dan Single. There are three ticket types, GA, VIP and VIP Lounges. GA tickets get you access into the Beach Club, kicking off at 12pm. You'll have live DJs, henna tattoos, a photobooth, freebies, prizes and roving entertainment all day until 6pm. VIP tickets will get you exclusive bar and balcony access (with pretty views of Sydney Harbour), plus complimentary drinks and nibbles from 12pm to 2pm. You can enjoy the party in the sun on the balcony during the day, and move into the Sunset Room for an afterparty when the sun goes down. And if you really want to go all out, the VIP Lounges are $3000 each and will get you six VIP tickets, one magnum of champagne, four cocktail carafes, 12 beers and an exclusive lounge in Sunset Room from 12pm to 6pm. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel's summer pop-up will run from New Year’s Day (launching with The Surf Lodge) through to Australia Day on January 26, and will feature various live music and lifestyle events to be revealed in the coming month.
They've Already Won could be The. Best. Thing. You. See. This. Year. Or #TheWorstThingEver. Either way, it'll have you wondering what hyperbole is doing to your ability to communicate. And whether or not the Millennial Generation is as bad as writers of think pieces like to think. This clever, hilarious one-hour theatre show is a collaboration between the brilliant Harriet Gillies (co-founder of zin, assistant director of STC's Suddenly Last Summer) and bold Pierce Wilcox (associate artist, Sydney Chamber Opera). Acting as the worst versions of their worst selves, they deteriorate through five acts, exploring the potential (or not) for deep communication through memes and social media, while discussing society's entrenched systems of inequality, oppression and destruction. All the while, they're wearing pantsuits and pom poms. They've Already Won hits The Belvoir's downstairs theatre after a smashing premiere at Newcastle's Crack Theatre Festival during the October long weekend.
Part of the Giant Dwarf festival-within-a-festival at Sydney Fringe, Free to a Good Home sees comedians Michael Hing (Triple J, Good Game) and Ben Jenkins (The Checkout, Story Club) bring their hilarious podcast series to the stage, inviting a host of guests along as they delve into the weird and wonderful world of Australia’s classifieds. Watch them scour Gumtree, Craigslist, Etsy et al as they discover and discuss, in detail, what people are shamelessly selling or giving away for cheap via the convenient anonymity of the internet. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe Festival. See the other nine here.
At a time when journalists in Australia are prohibited from reporting on the goings on at Nauru and the Australian Border Force has threatened to patrol the streets to check Australians' visa paperwork, here is your chance to hear first-hand the stories of five asylum seekers who have reached our shores and made a new life in Western Sydney. If You Come to Australia was created during a residency at Urban Theatre Projects and is performed by a cast of diverse Australians to protect the identities of those whose stories are being told in this verbatim theatre piece over five nights. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe Festival. See the other nine here.
If you’re bad at dinner table conversation, this event is for you. Honi Ryan is an interdisciplinary artist from the Blue Mountains and has been taking the world by (a very quiet) storm with her Silent Dinner Party performance art project. At this Sydney Fringe incarnation, guests will be treated to a three-course meal prepared by Studio NEON at Marrickville Town Hall. The catch is, you can’t utter a word or sound during the event. You also aren’t allowed to read, write or use your mobile phone. Talking around the table is a global human ritual — this is a social experiment that will shake up social norms for the sake of artistic experience (not to mention delicious food). This event is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe Festival. See the other nine here. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Following on from this year’s historical blockbuster, The Photograph and Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW are presenting a comprehensive survey of the work of influential photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. This innovative 19-century photographer has become well known for her emotive sensibility. As an active artist in the 1860s, she attracted controversy for her unconventional techniques. Cameron picked up photography in her late 40s and was among the pioneers of soft-focus portraiture. She developed a unique way of capturing beauty, which resonated beyond her time. Drawn from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, this exhibition will feature over 100 of Cameron’s works, representing her early attempts through to her mastery of the craft. It will also include a series of letters, sourced from a number of Australian museums.
A lineup of talented local emerging artists is taking over 107 Projects on Friday, August 14 for new art event Cold Weather Hunting Lodge. With mulled wine flowing, gourmet toasties toasting, and soundtrack courtesy of Junkyard Beats and Post Paint (for just $15 on the door), this promises to be a cosy grown-up affair. Art-makers such as Isabel R, Yeliz Yorulmaz, Mie Nakazawa and Sydney Collage Society will be in attendance, selling their labours of love. There’ll also be roaming and interactive performances, and plenty of opportunity to play adult and buy some art to pretty up your spaces. Works on sale will range in price from zines that set you back mere coinage, to labour-intensive works of fine art going for no more than $300. The folk behind the Lodge reckon they’re onto something big with all of the artists on the lineup, so who knows? This could be your chance to get your hands on an early work from a future art world heavyweight — or just a nice night out spent amongst pretty things made by clever people.
The best of Korean cinema will once again be on full display when the Korean Film Festival in Australia returns for its sixth straight year. Kicking off in Sydney on Wednesday, August 12, the program is headlined by a number of gripping crime thrillers — the genre having become synonymous with Korean cinema thanks to films like Oldboy and I Saw the Devil. This year, the mantle passes to the likes of A Hard Day, The Target and Gangnam Blues (and no, we're not talking about Psy). Other highlights among the KOFFIA 2015 program include the powerful coming-of-age film Han Gong-ju and the brilliantly titled opening night feature How To Steal A Dog. We're also pretty intrigued by period drama My Dictator, about a man hired as a body double for North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, only for him to become convinced that he is actually the genuine article. For the full KOFFIA program, visit their website.
Sydney's inner west is about to get in on the openair cinema action. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema has just announced they'll be opening their very first inner west cinema this summer, adding another location to their free ice cream-loving lineup of Bondi, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this November. Setting up on the lawns of Cadigal Green at the University of Sydney, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema will debut with new releases and cult classics including Joseph Gordon Levitt's Oscar tip The Walk, Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway teaming up in The Intern, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies, Kate Winslet's The Dressmaker in rural Australia and the Christmas rom-com to rule them all, Love Actually. Plus, there'll be a 25th anniversary screening of Thelma and Louise. The team are keeping their tried and true formula intact — live music and free ice cream nights. Local artists will hit the stage before the film for cruisy sets, including Nic Cassey, Angus Murphy and many more, and local DJs will spin a few for Aperol Sunsets — with free Aperol samples aplenty. There'll also be a fully-licensed bar, gourmet food stands, and lawn games aplenty, with putt putt and something called Giant Cow Jenga. Tickets for the Bondi Openair Cinema tend to sell out, so get in early. Earlybird tickets are just $15 online ($10 concession), until October 21. You can also hire deckchairs, beanbags and blankets, or go all in for a Volkswagen Polo Class ticket with reserved seating, blanket, cushion, beer or wine and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream included. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema will take over Cadigal Green, University of Sydney from November 19 to December 12, 2015. For the full program or to buy tickets, head to the website. Check out CP's roundup of Sydney's best openair cinemas over here. Image: Artof2 Designs.
Stories from one of the most volatile regions on earth will be in the spotlight at Australia's Palestinian Film Festival. Hosted at Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt, this year's program includes seven full length features and five shorts that showcase the experiences of Palestinians, from Gaza to the West Bank and beyond. The festival begins with animated documentary The Wanted 18, a tragicomic true tale about how a herd of Palestinian cows became the centrepiece of a protest against Israeli occupation. Degrade, meanwhile, takes place almost entirely within a Gaza beauty salon, where employees attempt to maintain some semblance of normalcy while violence rages just outside their door. But the most intriguing film in the program would have to be The Idol. Directed by two-time Oscar nominee Hany Abu-Assad, the movie tells the true story of a wedding singer from a Gaza refugee camp who became the second ever winner of Arab Idol. For the full festival program, visit palestinianfilmfestival.com.au
So many beers to sample, so little time. If you don't know too much about craft beers, this is where you'll want to be. Brewers like Doctors Orders and Pirate Life will be in store offering tastings of their best beers and you can have a chat to them about the amber liquid of the gods. This event is one of our top ten picks of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Check out the other nine.
Trust Young Henrys to come up with an afternoon of beer, music and brewery-related sports. Come along and watch some of your favourite brewers try to best each other at the Brewers Olympics. There's a bonus – all the competing breweries will have a tap pouring as well. Clear out your Saturday, grab a pint of your favourite beer and watch the shenanigans. This event is one of our top ten picks of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Check out the other nine. Image: Young Henrys.
We're not saying you should drink in the morning, but doesn't beers with breakfast sound like a fun idea? It's brunch with a twist – eight breweries are bringing their beers to Rocks Brewing for you to sample along with a six-course breakfast. Yes, you heard right. Bring us all the beers, all the bacon and all the eggs. (We hope) our bodies are ready. This event is one of our top ten picks of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Check out the other nine. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
If you think a Craft Beerlympics sounds lame, you're very wrong. Picture events like a tableless ping pong rally, a paper plane distance competition and an egg and spoon and beer race. Now picture it again except all the competitors have to be holding a schooner at all times. It just got a lot funnier, didn't it? If viewing isn't your thing, join in a game of Beer Wheel of Death and reminisce on your uni days. This event is one of our top ten picks of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Check out the other nine.
The strengths and weaknesses of Legend can be summed up via two of its key scenes. The first comes about halfway through the film, when infamous London gangster Reggie Kray (played by Tom Hardy) does a flawless impersonation of his twin brother Ron. The thing is, Ron is also played by Tom Hardy in one of those Social Network Winklevae situations. It's just that Hardy's performance is so strong and each character is so defined, you genuinely think of the Krays as two entirely distinct humans played by two very different actors. It's a powerhouse performance showcasing Hardy's imposing abilities, both physically and dramatically. The second scene comes a little earlier. The Krays are lured to a neutral pub under the auspices of negotiating a truce with their gangland rivals, only to discover themselves surrounded and grossly outnumbered. Where most would cower, the Krays respond with a mix of nonchalance and outrage: Reggie pulls himself a beer while Ron storms out, complaining of a half-arsed gunfight without any guns. Seconds later, of course, he returns unseen and together with his brother lays waste to the entire group of thugs. The problem with this second scene (and, in turn, much of the film), is that it’s terrifically entertaining. The music, dialogue, performance and direction all play it light and whimsical — even flippant — despite its confronting savagery (the Krays employ a brutal combination of hammers and brass knuckles). Under certain circumstances, the juxtaposition of violence and comedy in film is defensible, even appropriate, so long as the genre fits (think Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, or Pulp Fiction). Here, though, it’s wildly misplaced. Yes, it successfully conveys the Krays’ character and composure, but this isn’t fiction. The Krays brutalised and murdered their way to the top in real life, and the duty of a biopic is to tell a story as it was, not to glorify it as some might have wanted it to be. And that, in short, is Legend: a film defined by its spectacular performances and misfiring direction. Alongside Hardy, the supporting cast of Emily Browning, David Thewlis and Christopher Eccleston does a decent job despite the middling script, but the overall feeling is one of dullness and disappointment.
Michael Ware, the lawyer turned Courier-Mail, Time and CNN journalist turned filmmaker, calls Only the Dead a film that wasn't meant to be made. His documentary is cobbled together from hundreds of hours of footage he shot while in Iraq as a reporter, with a movie never part of his plans. Perhaps that's why the trembling handicam images feel immediate and urgent, even in a time where alarming visuals of combat have become commonplace. Only the Dead charts Ware's obsession with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi following the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. Al-Zarqawi wasn't a point of focus for many at the time, but his brutal methods — starting with suicide bombings, then escalating to filmed beheadings of foreign hostages and worse — certainly earned him increasing attention. The faction he founded would become the Islamic State. There's more to Ware and al-Zarqawi's story, just as there's more behind the documentary's existence. Many of the remarkable sights contained within only became possible after Ware forged a connection with the insurgents, who began to feed him discs of their own videos, wanting him to disseminate them to the western media. Becoming an unofficial intermediary, he was placed in a tenuous and tricky position. While Only the Dead doesn't delve into the ethical side of Ware's interactions, it does chart the clear influence the situation had upon his viewpoint. A picture really does speak a thousand words in that regard, although the film isn't short on the latter — filling in the history of the Iraq war, as well as conveying Ware's reflections. Context is helpful, but verbal explanation almost seems unnecessary given how striking the shaky footage proves. And yet, there's something about the combination of distressing visuals and voiceover insights that hits the mark. Ware is the key, starting out "young and dumb enough for war to have its false sense of adventure", but slowly changing as a result of his time chronicling the Iraqi conflict. As his narration makes plain, even as the film depicts violent and bloody events gone by and horrors occurring in a nation far from his own, this strory is overwhelmingly personal. Entertainment, this is not. Cast Homeland, American Sniper or any other screen effort that claim to dissect the war on terror far from your thoughts. Ware's offering — as co-directed with veteran filmmaker Bill Guttentag — walks in the shoes and offers the mindset of someone who's there, and is then lucky enough to be able to look back at what he lived through. It's worth remembering that his account, though released within a world now brimming with YouTube videos and social media posts from those on the ground, predates this now unavoidable phenomenon. You might have seen the likes of Ware's offering before; however prior to this, you've never been brought not just beyond the front lines, but into the complications of his harrowing journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWdi8JJG-7U
Twice a finalist in the Archibald Prize and this year’s winner of the 2015 Sir John Sulman prize, you might forgive Jason Phu for dabbling in a little high art bragging. But, with his latest solo show at the Ray Hughes Gallery titled Everything is Google translated or taken from Chinese newspapers I can’t read, this doesn’t seem likely. Born in Australia to Chinese and Vietnamese parents, Phu’s work cheekily plays with juxtapositions of traditional Chinese art and Australian suburban culture. Delicately scrawled on traditionally mounted rice paper Phu delivers deadpan observations about his encounters with household insects in Chinese script. A characteristically Aussie flare for understatement and self-deprecation comes fairly naturally to Phu and most certainly doesn’t escape his work. It's cheerful and inviting as he pokes fun of himself as much as the cultures that inform him. Phu has recently opened his own studio in Chongqing, China, where he is undertaking formal training in Chinese painting and calligraphy. His current exhibition consist both of works created in China and here in Australia and is made up of four mini series: Really Annoying Animals, Little Fish and Some Crabs, a ceramic bowl series, and six paintings done in his Chongqing studio. While Phu is characteristically offhand when discussing his practice — “My work is about things I see, like a bird pooping on a man’s head,” — the delicate composition of his pieces make for works that mix humour with poignancy. this bee is floating around aimlessly because it's a nice day or maybe it's dying
Slip into a world of gangsters and glamour at a shindig inspired by one of Sydney's most notorious nightclubs. For two nights in October, The Festivalists will transform Sydney's Justice & Police Museum into a hive of shady activity, complete with go-go dancers, paparazzi and a backroom roulette table. Throw on your best '60s garb and leave your inhibitions at the door – they're not calling it Mayhem for nothing. Taking their cues from Chequers circa 1969, when the club famously hosted a party with Chicago mobster Joseph Testa in attendance, The Festivalists have teamed up with Sydney Living Museums on what promises to be the most scandalous ticket in town. On Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9, guests dressed to the nines will breeze past the photographers into a pop-up cabaret and bar, where Memphis Mae will take the stage for a '60s-style burlesque show. Maeve Marsden will emcee regular cabaret performances, while retired showgirl Elizabeth Burton spills her guts about life during Sydney's seedy heyday. Venture a little deeper into the shadows and you'll find plenty more to get up to, including liquid light painting with Zender Bender, immersive theatre by The Jetback Collective, and pole dancing 101 with Cody Cabana. There'll be prizes for best dressed — and if you're really feeling lucky, try your hand at the roulette wheel, or have a go at cracking open the club safe. Image by Brent Lederitz.
Sydney Dance Company’s Triptych is, appropriately, organised into three parts. It involves three dance sequences set to three contrasting works from prolific 20th-century composer Benjamin Britten. Yet the triptychs extend far beyond the obvious. At every turn, a sublime trinity of elements can be seen: costume, orchestra, dancers. Katie Noonan, French poetry, sexual tension. Gutsy double bass, passion, conflict. These trios emerge, surge and intertwine, making an exciting work in which our senses are always engaged and almost always saturated. It's a dance work that’s not afraid to expose all the elements that make dance work. Triptych permits a cross-sectional view of the 17-strong string ensemble ACO2, alongside Katie Noonan's vocals, SDC artistic director Rafael Bonachela's choreography and fashion designer Toni Maticevski's costumes. In Triptych, the dancers are a mere part of the whole. Of course, the dancers performing Bonachela’s choreography are dynamic and enchanting. Part one, Simple Symphony, begins with innocence and play; the dancers absorbing the upward energy from ACO2, which comprises the string section of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It is quirky and quaint like children's play; a homage to fawns and forests and the Provençal. It ends with a hint of the sensuousness to come — extensions, then sculptural stillness, in which the women dancers counterbalance and lift as readily as the men. Here, Fiona Jopp exemplifies the modern female dance body – straddling litheness and strength like an Amazon or demigod. Part two, Les Illuminations, is the cornerstone of the project. Katie Noonan arrives on stage with a voice seeming too pure at times to be human, and the dancers echo this otherworldliness with androgynous, knotted-seaweed costumes and cyborg-esque gestures. Les Illuminations is undoubtedly the highlight of Triptych, the music, voice and bodies moody and sexy. The performers are riffing on the unhuman aspects of dance: too nuanced and perfect to be earthly, with a mastery of anti-gravity. Within this, there is a male-and-male duet. Of romance? Or fraternity? It’s beautifully muscular and sensuous, and with Maticevski’s costumes, it’s a trick for the eyes across assumed gender zones, and so satisfyingly sensuous, I thought I might be pregnant just from watching it. With part three, Variation 10, the whole company converge on stage, and the brilliance of Maticevski's costumes is finally fully evident. Variation 10 is a never-before-seen work of Bonachela's, who describes this theme of Britten's "almost as if it were made to be danced". The dancers move quickly from grounded bodies to precarious suspensions. The repeated motifs performed by small groups are mesmerising. Triptych may seem like three 'old' art forms gathered on stage — dance, opera, orchestra — but it will surprise you with how these elements are reimagined and made sexy.
When you've spent close to a metric fucktonne of time writing, developing and recording the individual songs of an album, sometimes you'd like people to stop and appreciate each morsel. Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated debut album For the Company, Sydney folk trio Little May invited 11 of their favourite local artists to do just that, to create an artwork of any medium, inspired by the 11 tracks of the album. It's a highly unique way to launch an album, culminating in an exhibition dubbed #ArtForTheCompany and set to coincide with the release of the album on October 9. Running Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, the exhibition will take over the newly opened Goodspace, upstairs at the Lord Gladstone Hotel in Chippendale. Music-wise, you'll be able to settle into little listening pods to hear Little May's album in full ahead of its official release date, while checking out each track's inspired artwork. Little May (or Liz Drummond, Hannah Field and Annie Hamilton) have seen visual art as integral to their band — all the artwork for the album and the band's promo material has been designed by Hamilton herself. So with aesthetics aplenty planned for the exhibition, this is a pretty perfect way for the three Sydneysiders to launch their debut effort into public ears, with all senses covered. So who are Little May's chosen artists? The exhibition will feature work from acclaimed photographers Mclean Stephenson and Prue Stent, Sydney-based muralist Mulga, fashion label Serpent & The Swan, illustrator Georgia Hill, Ears, Honey Long, Antwerpen, Emily Ellis, Furry Little Peach and Luschia Porter. Check out Luschia Porter's Little May-inspired creation is this pretty, pretty video: We’re so lucky to have the incredibly talented Luschia Porter - Illustration + Object Design amongst a bunch of our favourite local artists contributing to our #artfothecompany exhibition. Lusch visually interpreted our song ‘Cicadas’ and we can’t wait to see the finished product at Goodspace from next Friday <3 Posted by Little May on Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Lay down your smartphone. Send your laptop to sleep. Shift yourself off the couch. Forget about work. General Assembly, in collaboration with Work-Shop, is throwing an ‘Unplug and Play’ warehouse party. It’s your chance to champion spring’s arrival, make a sweet segue into the long weekend and get back to real-life eye contact. To make the transition as smooth as possible, the organisers are inviting some good friends along. There will be a three-hour DJ set from Seekae, who have just returned home after a monster European tour. And there’ll be boutique drinks aplenty, courtesy of Vale Ale, Sofi Spritz, Poor Toms Gin and Alpha Box & Dice. The action will be happening at Work-Shop’s warehouse (175 Cleveland Street, Redfern) on Thursday, October 1, between 6pm and 9pm. Needless to say, you’re highly likely to want to kick on afterwards, so the Lord Gladstone (115 Regent Street, Chippendale) will be taking care of the afterparty. Tickets are gloriously free. But they’re not unlimited. So make sure you book yourself a spot online asap.
Working out the difference between a good song and a hit single can be a mystery, even for experienced songwriters. A talk series at Giant Dwarf, dubbed Anthem! and hosted by triple j's The Doctor (Lindsay McDougall), is attempting to unravel it. Once a month, he's joining an Australian hit-maker for a 90-minute chat about his/her most enduring songs. Together, they delve into what has made the tunes so powerful — from how and why they were written to what they evoke, in terms of memories, emotions and experiences. The next Anthem! will take place on Wednesday, November 4, with The Doctor hosting Jebediah's frontman, Kevin Mitchell. Since 1995, the alternative rock band has released five studio albums, including four ARIA chart top tenners. Mitchell also writes, records and performs solo under the moniker Bob Evans. He won a 2006 ARIA for his second studio release, Suburban Songbook, and Best Male Artist in Rolling Stone Australia's 2007 annual reader poll.
American comedian Joel McHale is coming to Australia. The star of Community, The Soup and that one recurring daydream we have where he asks us to be his best friend (shut up, it could happen) has announced a one night only standup show in Sydney next fortnight. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Please remain calm. McHale is best known for his role as Jeff Winger in Community, a sitcom that people apparently feel quite strongly about (#sixseasonsandamovie). He's also hosted pop culture current affairs program The Soup on E! since 2004 and last year headlined the White House Correspondents Dinner. Admittedly, he also had a role in Spy Kids 4D — but then again, nobody's perfect. At this stage there's no indication that McHale will perform any additional dates or locations. Image: Frank Ockenfels.
Manchester Warehouse is home to much more than linen — it's more than equipped to give your home a complete makeover. Specialising in soft furnishings, Manchester Warehouse offers a range of textiles influenced by cultures all over the world, so you can liven up your home with a bit of Moroccan red or Irish green. The Warehouse is family-owned and operated, and the friendly staff are more than equipped to help you find what you're looking for — sometimes before you even know what you're actually looking for. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Life gets pretty hectic sometimes. Trying to juggle your job, exercise, housework, your social life and still get at least a few hours sleep in can be an ongoing battle. So unless you're extremely organised or have figured out how to squeeze a few extra hours in the day, something usually falls by the wayside. Sometimes, even if you love cooking, the weekly grocery shop is what gets dropped. Rather than dropping all of your hard earned cash on takeaway dinners, Ooooby may be the answer. Launched in 2013 in Newtown, Ooooby delivers boxes packed with fresh, certified organic produce to Sydney doorsteps every week. You start by selecting one of three fruit and veg boxes, then add in any extras you may want, like eggs or bread. Then, on the same day every week (or fortnight, if you'd prefer), the box will get delivered right to your door. Delivery is free for orders over $44, too. The company works with local farmers and artisanal producers to source goods from across the country, including produce from Pocket City Farms and Kurrawong Organics, bread from The Bread & Butter Project and dairy from Country Valley. You can head here to see what is available in each box this week. Images: Alice Mahran
Spotting top-notch vintage wares takes a particular eye, whether you're interested in retro threads, hats and bags to pair with them, or costume jewellery to layer over the top. And sure, if you regularly deck out your wardrobe with secondhand finds, you're probably quite astute at picking great pieces. But Lou Murray of Lou Murray's Vintage has been in the game for more than 30 years. Inside this Potts Point go-to, you'll find personally selected clothes, linen, collectables and more, all hailing from last century. Murray is particularly interested in 20th-century fashion — so you might as well capitalise upon the store's expertise. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Both a store and a gallery space, Somedays brings together an array of talented designers and artists. With a serious nod to the Nordic, the second storey retail space stocks a wide mix of labels such as Handsom, Dr Denim, The Horse and Carly Hunter. No matter how many times you've been there, we guarantee you will be startled by the entrance frog that croaks on your arrival.
Within an hour of walking around Bondi: you'll notice that residents (and wannabe residents) have a few things in common. First, they're uncannily fit. Second, they're clothed like they just stepped off a catwalk. Third, their hair screams I-just-got-out-of-bed-took-a-quick-dip-in-the-surf-oh-and-what-do-you-know-my-locks-are-now-perfectly-tousled. What you might be missing is that these effortlessly elegant beach-haired peeps probably stopped by Hair Cartel. As one of Bondi's hippest hair salons, this place has the Bondi blow-wave mastered. By that we mean, they know how to make your hair look like you've just stepped out of the surf — even if you arrived on the morning train from Dubbo. Along with this mystical ability, they also take a good deal of care with treating each and every client like an individual. Expect to meet smart, friendly stylists who'll put you at ease while turning you into a model. Brand new clients score a 20% discount and there's a bunch of products in stock from L’Oreal Professionnel and Mr Smith.
Aquabumps is the brick-and-mortar incarnation of cult photographer Eugene Tan. By the late '90s, he had become obsessed with photographing Bondi Beach — as well as any other beach he happened to be near. And he decided it was time to share his shots with the world. So, in 1999 — well before blogs were such a common thing — he started posting his images online. He'd email them to his fans and, when Facebook, came along, he set up a page. Today, Tan has tens of thousands of followers. Every day, they open his emails or jump on his social media accounts and spend a few minutes imagining they're at the beach, rather than at an office or in some inner city traffic jam. Tan's images look incredible online. But they're even more jaw-dropping in his one and only gallery. You can see them in all their giant-sized glory and maybe even take one home. In addition to wall-sized works, there are cards and medium-sized prints, too.
Mother and daughter duo Lindi Katz and Jenna Isaacman have been curating casual yet elegant outfits for Sydney's best dressed at their Bondi store since 2008. While Lindi had spent 15 years running boutiques in South Africa, Jenna had been working as a designer for various fashion companies. One night, the two stayed up late getting excited about the idea of co-owning a business — and six months later, Me and Moo was born. At any one time, you'll find 30+ brands in stock. The work of homegrown designers, like Lee Matthews, Zimmerman, Ace of Something and Me and Moo's eponymous own label, hang alongside international pieces from the likes of Velvet by Graham & Spencer, D-ID and Adriano Goldschmied. In keeping with the store's vision, the fit-out is earthy and welcoming, yet refined. A dark timber island forms the centrepiece, with displays dotted around it. 'Just ins' and sales are advertised via Me and Moo's Facebook page.
Given how difficult it is for independent shops to survive, Dot's Flower Shoppe has been an impressive exception. Locals have been coming here for 30 years — whether looking for the perfect bouquet to cheer up a mate or with plans to organise a Pinterest-worthy party. The bouquets, all created by Dot's devoted team range from brilliant bunches of classic red roses to designer arrangements of Australian natives. And, if you have something in mind that you can't find in the store, all you have to do is ask. You'll find Dot's on busy Church Street, along Parramatta's busiest strip.
After a hectic week at work, we've all contemplated ditching our nine-to-five for something more creative. And for Ally Bell, deciding to leave her corporate gig to follow her floral passions has been one she hasn't looked back on. The store feels more boutique than flower shop, brimming with unexpected blooms and living colour at every turn. Pre-dawn market visits ensure every stem is handpicked to showcase the best seasonal flowers from local growers. Aside from creating bespoke bouquets, Ally also runs floral workshops year-round to share her love for floral design with aspiring florists across Sydney. Image: Arvin Prem Kumar
In a world of giant supermarket chains, Galluzzo's Fruiterers is a long-standing breath of fresh air, and fresh produce. A stalwart of Glebe Point Road since 1934, the business has remained in the hands of the Galluzzo family for three generations and continues to serve the people of Glebe today. Boasting fresh, organic fruit and vegetables in a traditional market-style atmosphere, Galluzzo's is indicative of the simple pleasures in life, with family, community and good food at the forefront. Saturdays can get a little crowded here, but that's just testament to the quality and service that Galluzzo's is known for.
Paddington's El Primo Sanchez is switching things up with its food offering, replacing its sit-down format with a brand-new taqueria-style menu. Guided by newly appointed Head Chef Diego Sotelo (Rico's Tacos), he's bringing his Guadalajaran roots to Primo's Taco Corner — a build-your-own fiesta where guests get to shape their perfect bite. To celebrate the occasion, El Primo Sanchez is slinging $5 tacos all week from Wednesday, May 7, to Saturday, May 10. However, don't stress if you miss out, the place is hosting a weekly Wednesday special from here on out, with $6 tacos served from 5pm. Sounds good, but how does the new direction work? Just choose your favourite style — taco, quesadilla, burrito and more — then add a protein and load it with fresh trimmings. One of your options includes the low and slow-cooked al pastor pork belly, marinated in a spicy citrus blend and flame-finished to pack in even more flavour. There's also beer-battered Baja fish with jalapeño mayo, and beef barbacoa with zesty salsa roja. Primo's Taco Corner hasn't forgotten plant-based amigos, with the vegan barbacoa offering a deep, smokey mix of tomato, spice and dried chillies. Of course, you've also got a stellar drinks lineup, with the ¡No Mames! cocktail menu drawing from Mexico and beyond for cocktails like the Viva la Vida, a mango riff on a Tommy's Margarita, and the Flama Blanca, a refreshing blend of lychee, vanilla and Calpis.
Interpersonal relationships are all about compromise. I'll cook, you clean. I'll be designated driver this weekend, you can do it next weekend. Still, quite possibly the biggest source of compromise – or conflict – is choosing where to go for dinner. Fortunately for residents of and visitors to south Sydney, this could all be about to change. Highfield Caringbah will be the Sutherland Shire's first "vertical pub", offering up a bevy of themes and dining options under one roof. With their newest offering, the Feros Group are quite literally building on the success of Ugly Pizza and Huxley's Sports Bar. Both existing venues will remain on the ground floor at the MacKay street site, with new venues The Public House and The Botanical due to open up top. No-fuss joint Ugly pumps out its New York-style pizzas for dine in or takeaway. Huxley's, meanwhile, serves as a shrine to the USA, offering up diner staples – burgers, hot dogs, mac'n'cheese – to an overlapping soundtrack of American sports playing on dozens of TVs. On the middle floor, The Public House will stick to standard Aussie pub traditions: a TAB, domestic and craft beers on tap, and a menu featuring good old schnitties and steaks. And if you're looking to add a touch of elegance to the evening, rooftop hangout The Botanical will offer a dedicated cocktail bar, a living green wall and food prepared on a Japenese-style Robata grill – not to mention spectacular views of the city skyline. Highfield Caringbah is set to open on December 8 at 22-24 MacKay Street, Caringbah. For more information visit their website.
When you're old, will you look lovingly back on all those post-work evenings you spent downing ciders at your local or laying in bed alone watching Netflix? (If we're honest, probably yes). But why not mix things up a little and give your post work nightlife a hot injection of art and culture over the summer months. Being 'cultured' and visiting art galleries feels like one of those things your fancy adult friends do, but in reality, accessing art doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Make the most of the long warm nights by soaking up all the Sydney art scene has to offer — and this summer that's heaps thanks to the Sydney International Art Series. Grab a chilled glass of prosecco, a cheese plate (or five) and learn a thing or two about some of the incredible artists that are being exhibited this summer, and start creating some cute memories for your future self. GUIDED TOUR: REMBRANDT AND THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE Spend an evening moseying around the gallery and step back to a simpler, more golden time of Dutch history. This era was characterised by prosperity, science and a rising middle class who had stacks on stacks of cash money to spend on art and sumptuous delights, on account of #cleaneating not yet existing. Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age features works by 17th-century art's very own MVPs like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Judith Leyster. These artists were characterised by an obsession with capturing the world around them with exquisite accuracy, unleashing their talented little art fingers on subject matter ranging from brooding portraits and sublime seascapes to intimate scenes of domestic life and, of course, vivid renditions of the foods they dined on, because an artist's gotta eat. The guided tour is free with exhibition entry every Wednesday at 7.15pm for the duration of the exhibition. Daily at 11.30am and 2pm, plus Wednesdays at 7.15pm, until February 14, 2018 at the Art Gallery of NSW. Check the website for date changes over Christmas. SOUNDS ON THE TERRACE Thank you, MCA, for sharing your breathtaking, rooftop views with the people. On Wednesday, December 6, the Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a live music evening with full views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Bridge. It's the second event in their summer series, Sounds on the Terrace, which looks like it'll be the perfect addendum to a day checking out Pipilotti Rist: Sip my Ocean. Kicking off the night's sounds is Romisounds, an indie/folk musician who threw away his career to focus on his acoustic passions. After you'll be entertained by live jazz and hip hop fusion group, Five Coffees, who bring together an ensemble of vocals, horns and a rhythm section that will most probably get you up on your feet. Run in partnership with Young Henry's, the event will leave you well-hydrated thanks to the good beer flowing. Wednesday, December 6 at the MCA. A DUTCH CHRISTMAS Christmas in Europe is something truly special, and with the Art Gallery of NSW channelling the Dutch Golden Age with their current Rembrandt exhibition right now, there isn't a better excuse to visit Sinterklaas (that's Dutch Santa) when he pays a visit to the art gallery. People in The Netherlands have celebrated the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6 for centuries, honouring the patron saint of children. It's a holiday where gifts are given and delicacies are had. Besides meeting the red robe-clad man himself (he'll only be in on December 6), you'll be able to try Dutch treats to a backdrop of angelic voices from the St James' King Street choir, who'll be singing traditional Dutch and Flemish compositions. On both December 6 and 13 there will also be wintery arts and crafts, a Christmas gift store and other festive food and craft delights. Wednesday, December 6 and Wednesday, December 13 from 4.30pm at the Art Gallery of NSW. [caption id="attachment_644168" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pipilotti Rist, Pixelwald Motherboard (Pixelforest Mutterplatte), 2016, installation view, MCA, 2017 © the artist, photo: Ken Leanfore.[/caption] LAUGHTER SESSIONS They say laughter is the best medicine — we're not entirely sure who 'they' are, but there are certainly worse things you could be using to self-medicate. There are some lucky individuals in this world who spend their working week in stitches, whilst the rest of us chumps are just counting down the minutes until we can return to our beds. Why not take a break from the humdrum work week, and drop in at the MCA for a laughter session. Inspired by the Pipilotti Rist exhibition, Sip My Ocean, the workshops endeavour to bring the joy, colour and frivolity of the powerful works to life through the power of laughter. During the sessions, you'll take part in laughter exercises and learn about the benefits of a good chuckle. It's great for the abs, fends off those pesky facial wrinkles and does wonders for mental health — perhaps it really is the best medicine after all. Saturday, December 16 at 2pm at the MCA. LECTURE SERIES: MASTERS OF SIMPLICITY If you've ever walked around a gallery eavesdropping on people discussing art, and felt that pang of intimidation, you'll know that talking about art is actually kind of hard. Rather than awkwardly lurking behind a tour group and trying to figure out what all the art is really about, why not attend a weekly art historian lecture at Art Gallery of NSW on the Dutch Masters? In the series of lectures, three art historians divulge what it was about these artists that has seen them stand the test of time, the characteristics of their style and what was in the water in the Netherlands at that time which saw the birth of so many painting powerhouses. Talks include The Art of Everyday: Introducing the Golden Age with Dr Georgina Cole, Vermeer the God of Small Things with Dr Josephine Touma and Rembrandt: Painter of the Human Spirit with Dr Stephanie Dickey. Single tickets are $35, or you can give your brain a little treat and get all three for $85. Wednesdays at 6pm until December 13 at the Art Gallery of NSW. [caption id="attachment_648219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Hedgecoe[/caption] THE BEAR PACK: DUTCH MASTERS Masters of improv, The Bear Pack, are heading to the Art Gallery of NSW, presumably to spin tales of Rembrandt and the Dutch master painters into their famous yarns. Comedians Steen Raskopoulos and Carlo Ritchie use their powers of quick wit and on-the-spot decision-making to create a 'yarn'. Through suggestions of objects and places from viewers, the duo improvises characters and situations to create a cohesive, laugh-out-loud tale — they've captivated audiences by taking them on spontaneous adventures to the Pyramids, down fire escapes, around Aztec temples, into maternity wards and even to Subway. Here's hoping they land inside a Dutch masterpiece of sumptuous eats this time. And as usual, cellist Ange Lavoipierre will accompany the performance with deep, reverberating strings. Wednesdays from January 10 to January 31 from 6.30pm at the Art Gallery of NSW. SUNDAY SETS BY FUTURE CLASSIC DJs + FRIENDS What better way to celebrate the yes vote and impending legislative change than by sipping a cocktail bathed in rainbow light and looking over the picturesque Sydney Harbour at the MCA pop-up bar, Colour Fields. The temporary summer bar was inspired by the Sydney International Art Series exhibition at the MCA, Sip My Ocean by Pipilotti Rist, and curated by Scoundrel Projects. Every Sunday from 4pm, Future Classic DJs and their pals will be spinning tunes for you to sip your fruity cocktails to. Names include Andy Garvey, Ariane, Jack Shit, Vibe Positive DJs, Boogie Fingers & Bad Ezzy and Le Fruit. Entry is free but get in early because sipping summer drinks against one of the best backdrops Sydney has to offer makes for a pretty unbeatable evening and places are limited. And if getting loose on a Sunday isn't your vibe, the friendly folk at Future Classic have curated mixtapes that will be playing every other night of the week. Every Sunday* from 4pm until February 18 at the MCA. (*Excluding Sunday, December 31, 2017.) Colour Fields is open from 4pm till late, Wednesday through Friday and from noon till late on the weekend. REMBRANDT LIVE There is no doubt that if Rembrandt had the financial means, his time spent painting in the studio would have been accompanied by a full classical orchestra — he was only human after all. So, why not enjoy Rembrandt's works as he would have intended (probably) by visiting the Art Gallery of NSW's Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age exhibition to catch the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra during the Sydney Festival. Their performance will be dramatic, evocative, as well as light-hearted and will serve to enhance the incredible works in a truly unique way — bringing the uncanny still lifes, expansive landscapes and arresting portraits to life through the power of sound. And if your aim is for Rembrandt to fully assail all of your senses (and you're feeling particularly baller), Chiswick will be offering up a baroque banquet menu for two nights only with a menu designed by food lord Matt Moran. Select dates throughout January 2018 from 6–7pm and 7.30–8.30pm at the Art Gallery of NSW. The baroque banquet will be held at Chiswick on Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19 from 6–10pm. WEDNESDAY LATE NIGHTS AT THE MCA Spending a weekend cruising around an art gallery is high on the list of cultural things we wish we were doing with our lives, but once you've had your late breakfast (if you eat it at 1pm, does it still count as breakfast?), done a few loads of washing and cleaned the house, it's easy for those sunny weekend hours to slip away from you. This is why every Wednesday night the MCA keeps its arty lights on until 9pm. This summer, drop in after work for a glass of wine (or two) to enjoy sunset over the harbour on the rooftop terrace or grab a seat at the vibrant pop-up Colour Fields bar downstairs, before spending a cultural evening surrounded by incredible Pipilotti Rist works. If you're feeling particularly energetic, there are a number of workshops on offer, or if you're into sitting back and listening to smart people have it out, there are a number of talks featuring local creatives discussing the curious and controversial. Every Wednesday until 9pm at the MCA. ART AFTER HOURS AT THE ART GALLERY OF NSW If you're like us, finding time to hit the gallery is a struggle. Sure, having a busy day-to-day life probably means you're either very hardworking or very social, but you're also probably missing out on your recommended daily dose of culture. So, here's the remedy: the Art Gallery of New South Wales' Art After Hours nights, where you can visit the gallery until 10pm every Wednesday. This way you can fit some fine art into your busy schedule and continue being the social butterfly that you are (with a bit of added sophistication). After hours nights see all sorts of experiences filling the halls of the gallery, with live performances, film screenings, pop-up bars, food, meet-the-artist events, workshops and guided tours that'll take you through the masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age until February 18. What's more, admission to the gallery is free (however, special exhibitions may charge an entry fee). Every Wednesday until 10pm at the Art Gallery of NSW. Pipilotti Rist: Sip My Ocean will run until February 18, 2018 and Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age will run until February 18, 2018. See the full program of Sydney International Art Series events here.
If, over the weekend, you noticed yellow bikes popping up all over your neighbourhood and happily unchained to poles or bike racks, you weren't hallucinating. Last Thursday, oBike, a dockless bike sharing service started in Singapore, arrived in Sydney. The harbour city is the second in Australia to score oBike — the company hit Melbourne in June. What's more, it's now Sydney's second dockless bike sharing service, following hot on the heels of Reddy Go, which landed in mid-July. To encourage you to get in the saddle, oBike is offering unlimited, free rides throughout August. Get started by downloading the oBike app, signing up and paying a refundable deposit of $49. Use the app to find an oBike near you, scan its QR to unlock it and ride away. Once you're done, park in an appropriate spot (hint: not up a tree or in the water or atop a portaloo or around a lamp post) and lock up manually. Sadly, Melbourne's continued access to oBike was threatened last week, with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle putting the company on notice. Way too many people have been leaving the bikes in all the wrong places, creating clutter and making a general nuisance of themselves. Let's see how Sydney fares.
Merivale is getting into the flower business just in time for spring. The functions and hospitality behemoth behind the likes of The Chicken Shop, Queen Chow, Coogee Pavilion and The Beresford – not to mention the annual madness that is the March Into Merivale food festival – have just announced they will open their first ever flower shop at the ivy in the Sydney CBD. Located next door to Lorraine's Patisserie, Palings Flowers will open its doors on Monday, September 4, and will be curated by florist Hannah Coomber. Previously of Grandiflora, Coomber joined Merivale as their in-house florist back in 2015, and has been creating arrangements for the groups various venues and events ever since. "I'm often stopped in venue and asked about our floral displays," said Coomber in a statement announcing the news. "I thought the Palings Lane boutique was the perfect space to not only display some of the florals we use across the group, but to also allow our guests to purchase the stunning varieties we source from the flower market." Coomber will design each bunch herself, ensuring that no two are exactly alike. The space itself will be designed by Merivale's in-house team, with a vibe described by the group as being akin to a "floral apothecary". Look for Palings Flowers at 3 Palings Lane, Sydney
For fans of beautifully made things, there can never be too many design markets. Now, the women behind Authentic Design Alliance and Factory Design District have just announced another. DESIGN-MADE will span over three days from October 27–29 and focus on genuinely original, accessible and sustainable design pieces. For co-founders Kobe Johns and Anne-Maree Sargeant, the market has been some time in the making. They have each been in the sustainable design scene for years, both in various capacities. Johns is the one-woman show behind Factory Design District, a three-day exhibition of new and established Aussie designers which has formed the basis of DESIGN-MADE. Sargeant, a designer herself, has been attending and curating design markets since 1987. In her position as director of the Authentic Design Alliance, she's a strong advocate for originality in design and the ADA is also attempting to outlaw the grossly prevalent counterfeit trade that is hamstringing the Aussie furniture design scene. The event will be held across two venues — SUNSTUDIOS and the Fisher and Paykel Experience Centre — and is more than just a market. While the phrase 'a celebration of Australian design' is a little cheesy, it's probably more accurate. You can expect educational talks, book signings, workshops, installations and 'meet the maker' forums. Of course, there will also be craft beer, organic wine, yum cha and food trucks to fuel your browsing. Exhibitors include: CULT, Designer Rugs, Dinosaur Designs, Hava Studio, MUD Australia, Spence & Lyda, Archer Objects, Fresh Prince, Ilanel, Jonathan West, Tom Fereday and Tom Skeehan, along with installations from LOCAL DESIGN and Interpretations V, a design collective created by Andrew Simpson featuring eight leading Australian designers. DESIGN-MADE will run between October 27-29 at Sunstudios, 42 Maddox Street, Alexandria. For more info, visit design-made.org. Image: Fiona Susanto.
World-famous vegan chef Matthew Kenney is about to open his very first eatery in Australia. In late March, he'll be popping across the Pacific from California to launch Alibi, which will be taking over the ground floor of Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Given that plant-based offerings are thin on the ground on the Finger Wharf, vegans should be high-fiving. Moreover, Kenney isn't just any old animal-free chef — he's an international legend. His TEDx talks have attracted masses of views and Food and Wine Magazine has listed him as one of America's Best New Chefs. Although the exact menu hasn't been revealed quite yet, we can tell you that it'll be big on creative combinations of fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Kenney has a reputation for experimentation and innovation. He'll be working with Kasper Christensen, who'll also be rejigging the Ovolo's brekkie and room service menus. "I've had a long relationship with Australia and the timing was simply right," Kenney said. "The food scene is so vibrant here – great produce, chefs, sunshine... Ovolo came to me with the opportunity at the right time." To match Alibi's plant-based delights, there'll be a new drinks list, focused on Australian drops – both classic and boutique – as well as signature cocktails. Alibi will open in late March, on the ground floor of Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway.
We all like gelato, but sometimes the occasion calls for something other than everyone's favourite creamy dessert. Maybe it's too cold? Maybe you already have an ice cream headache? Maybe Gelato Messina is closed, or just not in the immediate vicinity? Enter the food mashup that had to happen, really — and a concoction straight out of every gelato and biscuit lover's dreams. In 2017, Gelato Messina Tim Tams became the Aussie sweet treat hybrid everyone wanted to taste. Now, in inevitable news, a second batch is on its way from February. Due in stores around the country from February 5, the new Gelato Messina Tim Tam range will come in three styles: choc cherry coconut, iced coffee and Turkish delight. "We've delved deep into our gelato flavour bank," said Gelato Messina co-founder Declan Lee, with the company coming up with the new selection after the popularity of last year's lineup. Making this tastebud-tempting news even better is the fact that, like all Tim Tams, they'll be sold in supermarkets everywhere. Yes, that means more Messina goodness more often. The biscuits are expected to set hungry shoppers back $3.65 per packet. Come on, you know you're going to buy more than one.
Fancy flinging yourself down a bowling lane? Ever even pondered the concept before now? Whatever your answer to the first question, we're betting your response to the second query was a resounding "no". As it should be, but someone, somewhere dreamed up human bowling and now it's coming to Sydney — because we all love turning something fun into something painful, we guess? Strike King Street Wharf is the place to be on March 15 if you're keen on sliding along the hard floors you normally throw equally hard balls down. After putting the notion into action in Melbourne in 2015, the bowling alley chain is bringing it to The Promenade, with free pizza, free vodka Red Bulls, free bruises (we're predicting) and the chance to win $5000. If you're keen to take part, you'll have to sign up for the chance to win one of ten spots, so don't go hurtling yourself down the nearest flat surface you can find as practice just yet. When human bowling rolled into Melbourne, participants suited up in padded yellow jumpsuits, oiled themselves up, then slid down lanes coated in plastic and doused in more oil. In other words: it's really more like an indoor slip 'n' slide in a bowling alley than really rolling down towards the pins, but it still sounds ridiculous. Strike's Human Bowling Night takes place on March 15 at Strike King Street Wharf. For more information, head to the venue website.
