Margaritas remind us of warm summer breezes, tropical vacays and bevvies in beachside cabanas. While jetting to an overseas island is still off the cards, at least it's summer and the salty-sour cocktail tastes just as good here. And now is the perfect time to head to your favourite tequila watering hole to order a marg in celebration of National Margarita Month, running throughout February. To celebrate, top-notch tequila brand — and one of the last tequila-producing haciendas in the world — El Jimador is getting behind bars across the country by offering a heap of drink deals over the next 28 days. Whether you want to celebrate with a classic margarita, try a spicy watermelon number or stay cool with a Tommy's, all participating bars are slinging them — and some for a steal. And, you can bet your fine tipple will be made with El Jimador's range of 100 percent agave tequilas. This means you can knock off work and make a beeline to the local pub, or head to a beachside bar to catch the sunset — with a cheeky marg in hand, of course. Or, go all-in and head to a neighbourhood Mexican restaurant that's serving up margies galore. Wherever you want to go, just be sure to check out this handy map showing all the participating venues around town. To check out the full list of participating venues, head here.
The Great Sphinx in Egypt faces the Pizza Hut logo. The Queen's holiday house, Windsor Castle, is directly opposite a McDonalds billboard. And KFC, amongst others, have beamed their logo on to the moon. We undoubtedly live in an advertiser's world and if you are an average person living in the city you have probably encountered 5,000 or more advertising messages in the last 24 hours. So where did these these omnipresent eyesores and icons of American cultural imperialism come from, and how much did they cost? While today the design and redesign of logos is often massive business, with the much-derided London Olympics logo setting the organisers back a whopping 400,000 GBP, many of the most recognisable brands in the world cost nothing or next to nothing to create. It is hard to believe, but the Coca-Cola logo, perhaps the most recognisable brand in the world, was made by the company's first bookkeeper in the late 1800s for the very generous price of $0. In this nifty little infographic we can compare and contrast the price tags of some of the world's most iconic logos. Take a look at Trendland if you want to find out more about the stories behind the cost and design of these logos.
Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Don Johnson, Chief Wiggum, Turner, Hooch — roll them all together and you get BINGO Unit, a new work from Team Mess that rewards our greediness for crime dramas by letting us sink further into one. Their interactive theatre/film/game/everything experience is an almost heart-hurtingly good improvement on the classic formula — like a cronut is to a donut, to put it in official police words. In a set-up modelled on studio back-lots, participants get to dust for fingerprints, kick in doors, go on stakeouts, eat donuts (no, really), study lineups, solve mysteries and enter a courtroom standoff. Team Mess are fondly counting off the cliches (bingo!) that we can't help but know from lives lived in proximity to television. The work was a huge success at last year's Next Wave Festival in Melbourne, gaining the group a Green Room Award nomination in the category dedicated to Creative Agency for Audiences (ie audience interaction that is not scary, not forced and not pointless). BINGO Unit is part of Performance Space's Show Off season of experimental works that have made a strong impression at their recent premieres. The River Eats is a costume- and multimedia-based journey with a loveable monster that too was a hit at Next Wave, while I'm Your Man, set entirely in a boxing gym, was one of the unforgettable highlights of 2012 at Sydney's Belvoir. Photo by Lucy Parakhina.
I learnt this week that the Queen Victoria Building has a time capsule. It was installed after the restoration of the building in the mid-1980s and won't be opened for 100 years. Time capsules are an interesting way of giving priority to certain objects and they also enable us to convey what we believe are our strongest values and attributes. If those in a century were to develop an understanding of the aesthetic of our time I would like them to do this with the help of Rene Vaile's photography. Objects in a time capsule exist in a unique temporality. Initially, they exist in the moment before being locked away. Then they remain in stasis; in a sense, they don't belong to a moment in time. Only in the future will they be used again, and the different use values attached to them will recast them as new objects, almost with a new temporal history. Rene's photos seem suitable for such a destiny because they are in a sense already petrified. The absence of any contextual detail lends these images a timelessness of their own. Only when grouped together do patterns emerge; we sense Vaile piecing something together. But what is it? Pink socks (Uniqlo?), crystals; such items are shot by Vaile without a self-reflexive gaze. One is not aware of the constructed nature of these images. Instead, they appear as a new set of symbols, a new language, with which Rene sets about communicating all that he sees around him. It's a world that seems oddly familiar. Death metal album covers, street brawls, constellations of stars — Vaile's taste for content is inspired. The installation of floor-to-ceiling images spoils the viewer with a snapshot of what Vaile is digging right now. The collaged format has long been a vital element of the workspace of many creative folk — here the photographer has transformed this into a conceptual work. None of the works were produced with this show in mind, but their accumulation has created a work in itself. Rene Vaile's exhibition Just Treasure is showing at the Edition store during opening hours until October 7. There is a limited edition print on sale also.
The world is undeniably sick. But why? The Sydney Film Festival introduces Green Screen, a suite of four films tackling today's environmental issues with different and undeniably fresh perspectives. Cool It, follows Bjorn Lomborg, leading but controversial environmentalist, as he explores the world's response to climate change. Windfall analyses the complex issues behind clean energy and it's effect on communities. Letters from the Big Man, by director Christopher Munch, tracks a young woman's infatuation with Big Foot as she searches the great green wild of southwestern Oregon. Finally, If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front chronicles a radical environmental group that has been dubbed by the FBI as 'domestic terrorists'. How To Enter If you wish to learn more about the challenges the environment is facing, looking for fresh perspectives on climate change or just want to watch an interesting film, Concrete Playground has a double pass to each of the 4 films. To go in the running, simply subscribe to our newsletter and tell us which one of the four films you'd like to see by email at hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Entries close on Wednesday, June 1 at 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qRGYc2_4s3U
If you're reading this article, you almost certainly know about food and craft beer matching and you may know about locations and craft beer matching, but have you heard of (or tried) books and craft beer matching? There are a number of elements to this growing trend. In the US, for example, book bars are becoming part of the urban landscape. Operating on the same principle as book cafes, only with craft beer instead of coffee, these establishments have a strong craft element. The books stocked are often non-mainstream, much like the beers served to accompany them. Elsewhere in North America — Canada, to be precise — beer and book clubs are being formed "for those who like to read a good book, drink a good beer, and maybe combine the two once in a while". Meeting at various pubs within a certain area, these gatherings bring a craft beer twist to the traditional book club. And then, of course, there’s the internet — where all manner of unlikely combinations get together. You'll find blogs about the right beer to drink while following the adventures of your favourite comic book hero, or about craft beers to match to certain authors. But in sites like Book and Beer, you'll also find recommendations for a particular beer to enjoy with a particular book. (For the record, the author — Jason Hensel, a writer, musician and comedian living in Dallas — reckons American Gods by Neil Gaiman is best enjoyed with a glass of James Squire Jack of Spades Porter.) So which book (or series of books) is best suited to the various beers in the James Squire craft beer range? Get reading and sipping this summer, there's Kerouac-paired beers afoot. F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby "It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard drinking people." Pair with James Squire The Chancer Golden Ale. Joseph Heller: Catch-22 "He knew everything there was to know about literature, except how to enjoy it." Pair with James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. Ian Fleming: The James Bond series "You only live twice: Once when you're born. And once when you look death in the face." Pair with James Squire Four 'Wives' Pilsener. J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings "Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go, to heal my heart and drown my woe." Pair with James Squire Nine Tales Amber Ale. Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Crime and Punishment "The darker the night, the brighter the stars." Pair with James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo "All human wisdom is contained in these two words: wait and hope." Pair with James Squire Stowaway IPA. Jack Kerouac: On the Road "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars." Pair with James Squire Orchard Crush Cider. Ian Rankin: The Inspector Rebus series "Rebus drank his coffee and felt his head spin. He was feeling like the detective in a cheap thriller, and wished that he could turn to the last page and stop all his confusion, all the death and the madness and the spinning in his ears." Pair with James Squire The Constable Copper Ale. Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves "Open Sesame!" Pair with James Squire Hop Thief American-style Pale Ale. Jon Cleary: The Sundowners "Do me a favour, will you? If you're gonna be a drover, look like a drover. Get rid of that silly flaming hat." Pair with James Squire Sundown Australian Lager (what else?).
Spring may be more than a week old, but that doesn't mean clear skies and light breezes are the norm just yet. Thanks to a clash between two pressure systems — a deep low pressure system, and a high pressure system — the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting blustering winds across Sydney for the next two days, with gusts potentially reaching 90 kilometres per hour. BOM has issued a severe weather warning for the possibly damaging winds, noting that they're expected to be especially heavy on the afternoon and evening of Monday, September 9. The gusts will stick around on Tuesday, but they're expected to ease throughout the day. The Bureau is specifically cautioning about winds of around 55–65 kilometres per hour in Sydney, and advises that stronger gusts are possible. If you're in Hunter district (including the central coast), plus Sydney, Illawarra, the south coast and the mid north coast, take note. Areas along the coast — particularly those with a southerly aspect — at the most risk. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1170891313140641793 As well as weathering more than a stiff breeze, Sydneysiders will experience cooler temperatures, with the mercury only reaching 17 degrees on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. It'll bounce back up to 25 on Thursday, then settle in the low-to-mid 20s for the rest of the week. On Facebook, NSW SES recommends that residents secure loose items, and move vehicles undercover or away from trees — as it does whenever it's windy. If you're not only venturing out of the house today, but to the airport, the conditions have been interfering with planes flying into and out of the city, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting delays on domestic flights due to the blustery weather.
For public playtime festival Art & About, it's nearly time to pack up and put Sydney city back the way they found it. Having already thrown a block party in suit central, allowed kids to guide adults around and put on theatre at your house, they're gearing up for a big final three days of events, ending on Saturday, October 12. Here are five weird, wonderful and day-brightening things to see before then. Bodies in Urban Spaces Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner and his company see an odd little city space and think: human Tetris. The movement artists (whose skills are not solely focused on dance — he also hires climbers, martial artists and circus performers) gracefully shove themselves into any sort of architectural gap they can find, hold their positions for several minutes and then effortlessly wriggle out of the tight spot and move on to the next. What it means for the passer-by is that your eyes fall on brightly colour-blocked human staying perfectly, magically still in an otherwise dead space, including up walls, under walkways and squished into public art works. October 10 and 11 from 12.30pm - 2pm around Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park north. Australian Life Sydneysiders always know when Art & About is on because these large-scale photo reproductions arrive to dominate the stroll along Hyde Park's St James walkway. A regular festival fixture, the exhibition and competition Sydney Lives has this year become the broader Australian Lives, attracting a record number of entries. The resulting shortlist (notably mostly made up of NSW photographers) is a significantly diverse patchwork of Australian daily life in its weirdest, funniest and saddest moments. Riding bulls in Broome, empty pie shops, Western Sydney's total boss suit-wearing sapeur trend straight from the Democratic Republic of Congo — it all gets a showing at Australian Life. Until October 12 at Hyde Park. Numskull: Here Now This time-lapse video's out-of-control (and super fun) tempo is pretty much the opposite of Here Now's message, which is actually a call for stillness. "Modern society is fast paced," Numskull (real name: Elliott Routledge) states on the Art & About site. "Time is precious and often neglected. We need to slow down, take it all in and start living in the moment. This mural will inspire onlookers to challenge their perspective about how precious life's moments are." If you're looking to take a break, while basking in Here Now’s brilliant colours and striking typography, you'll catch the best view from the corner of Park and Pitt Streets. Until October 12 at 307 Pitt Street. Neon Nomads Walking through the park at night has never been so inviting, thanks to this little village of five three-metre-high tepees, each illuminating the works of impressive graphic artists like Wendy Red Star, Phil James, Jonathan Zawada and Brett Chan. It's a little back-to-nature throwback in our otherwise full-steam-ahead urban world. Until October 12 at Hyde Park. Trolleys Turn everything you know about ballet completely on its head. Even then, you probably won't be able to get close to imagining the performance that is Trolleys, a street dance crossed with ballet crossed with public art. Choreographed by Shaun Parker and Company (who at last year's Art & About took us to the playground with the impressive Spill), Trolleys sees various dancers engage with five shopping trolleys in different locations around the Sydney CBD, enacting stories of love, anarchy and friendship. Using the trolley as a prop/stand-in dance partner, the 20-minute performance promises to push the boundaries of our spatial relationships. Until October 12. Noon and 1.30pm at Customs House Square. By the Concrete Playground team. Images courtesy of the City of Sydney.
A few years ago, Sydney was whistling a hesitant tune when it came to the beauty of craft beer, with Sydney Craft Beer Week consisting of only a handful of events. Now in its fourth year, SCBW has grown to be a massive affair, involving over 100 crafty, boozy events from October 18-26. Sydneysiders have begun jumping on the bandwagon of the microbrew. Just as the first sweltering days of the season descend on Sydney, brewers far and wide are becoming our heroes with their individual take on the much-loved frosty beverage. As we start to count down the days, here are the events that we are most looking forward to. Sydney Craft Beer Week Gala Opening If this week has been patiently marked in your calendar for the past 365 days, then you have no excuse to miss SCBW’s opening gala. The scene will be set at Giant Dwarf Theatre, and the event is guaranteed to bring you into SCBW with a bang. Live shows and tastings will take place all evening, and your ticket includes three drink tokens and a fancy commemorative glass to carry around for the rest of the week. Food will be provided by Sydney's food trucks and the perfect companion after a few strong drinks. 17 October from 6-10pm. Giant Dwarf Theatre, 199 Cleveland Street, Redfern. Tickets $37.50. Beer Street Bakery What’s not to love when we bring Sydney’s favourite baked goods and craft beer together in perfect harmony? No longer does the perfect sausage roll need to be a morning-after debacle, for SCBW, the two will unite in perfect harmony. The entire week will see special baked treats creatively fused with The Grifter Brewing Co.’s Inner West brews. And on the first Saturday of SCBW, the brew team will also make a special guest appearance pouring a few of their favourite non-baked treats. So pair your beer with a pastry filled with beer; it’s the perfect carb-to-carb ratio. 18-26 October from noon-5pm. Bourke Street Bakery, 46a Macleay Street, Potts Point. Free entry. Australiana Spice Bonanza Surry Hills' staple restaurant for vegos and a favourite for non-vegos alike has always been known for its extensive brew list. In honour of SCBW, not only are they offering a special beer-inspired dumpling menu but they are also bringing a little extra Australiana to their beer menu. The list will include an exclusive range of beers flavoured with native Australian flavours, including one brewed in-house by their head brewer James Harvey. Free entertainment will also be on offer each of the seven evenings of the week, including 'Get Your Yarn On' (Australian spoken word poetry) and 'A Night of Brown Grass' (Australian styled Bluegrass). 18-25 October from 11am-12am. Yulli’s Screening Room, 417 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Free Entry. Feral Brewing Sunday Sounds Session – Take 2 There are few finer things in life than good beer and good music on a sunny Sunday arvo. Not only will you spend a glorious Sunday soaking up rays at the Collaroy Beach Club but a ticket to this event includes the whole lot; there will be no Sunday worries on your mind. Tickets include transfers from the city to the Collaroy Beach Club, five schooners of Feral brews, a sausage sizzle, a DJ spinning tunes all day long and a 6pm return to The Welcome Hotel for the tap takeover. Sure to be an afternoon for the books. 19 October 12-6pm. The Collaroy Beach Club, 1058 Pittwater Road, Collaroy. Tickets $55. Platinum and HopDog present True Grit Take midweek break with a screening of The Coen Brothers adaptation of True Grit at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. The men behind Platinum Liquor and HopDog bring you ‘La Boeufes Bete Noire’, a special 7 percent American stock ale, aged on oak chips for three months, and in their humble opinion, the perfect companion to a little action with Ol’ Rooster and Le Boeufe. Ticket includes film, a glass of beer, a cocktail shaker of popcorn and live bluegrass music before the film. 22 October from 7:30-11:45pm. Golden Age Cinema and Bar, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Tickets $31.51 (incl. booking fee). Brewers and Chewers Dinner Each year this proves a favourite event at SCBW, selling out on most occasions. Hosted by the craft beer legends at The Local Taphouse, the annual event presents as a sort of speed dating for beer lovers. Great food will be paired with seven specially chosen brews from Two Birds, Young Henrys, Garage Project, Beavertown, Sixpoint and NOMAD. The event will feature a ‘meet the brewers’ style set-up where diners can take the opportunity to chat to the makers of their favourite beverages. 23 October from 6-10pm. The Local Taphouse, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. Tickets $97.75. The Great Swillhouse Collaboration Coup If it comes from Swillhouse, you expect it to be a little out there. The boys behind The Baxter Inn, Shady Pines Saloon and Frankie’s have travelled to the ends of Australia to bring you the best Australian breweries have to offer with a whole host of special collaborations for SCBW. The taps of Frankie’s Pizza will be taken over with the Swillhouse creations, ranging from Beer Monster BBQ II to Gout Stout to Euro Porn Pale, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. Frankie’s famous house band will play both nights, so bring an appetite for great beer and leave your Monday blues at home. 20-21 October from 6pm-3am. Frankie’s Pizza, 50 Hunter Street, Sydney. Free Entry. Batch and KP Baltimore Crab Feast With one of Batch Brewing Co.’s head brewers hailing from Baltimore, expectations are high for some of the best Atlantic-style seafood at this event. Batch Brewing and Kingston Public are partnering for a Friday feast of epic proportions. Maryland-style crab and limited release Old Bay Spice-inspired brews will be served, and this will be a cracker of a long lunch (pun intended). Dig into some choice seafood and beer, bib and all. 24 October from 1-4pm. Batch Brewing Co., 44 Sydenham Road, Marrickville. Tickets $57.50. The Big Pig Out Byron Bay is all about the laidback vibe and the independent lifestyle, and it was just that which inspired the team behind Stone & Wood to start their brewery. Now one of the oldest and a true favourite in the still new craft beer scene, they are a welcome sight at SCBW. This year, they are bringing a whole heap of fun with whole roasted pigs at The Mule at the Newington. Three whole pigs will be spit-roasted on the day and all four of Stone & Wood's beers will be on tap, plus seasonal favourites and special one-offs. This is bound to be a Saturday BBQ of epic proportions. 25 October from 12-5pm. The Mule, 292 Stanmore Road, Petersham. Tickets $28.75. Sip & Savour Rounding out the week, the Australian Beer Ambassadors are hosting their inaugural event, Sip & Savour. Each day will be a celebration of all things craft beer, with over 250 beers and ciders on tap. Most importantly, these two days are an opportunity for the craft brewers of Australia to get on the floor to interact with the drinkers themselves. Saturday will focus more on the cultural aspect, with live music from local acts including Castlecomer and a viewing of Hop Flicks Short Film Festival winning pieces, while Sunday will be a child-friendly Sunday session vibe. Check out the website for more information on each session. 25 October 11:30am-4:30pm and 6pm-11pm; 26 October from 12-6pm. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. Tickets from $44.
Months of lockdown might have spelled the end of productivity for many — but that sure doesn't seem to be the case for Melbourne chef-restaurateur Joe Vargetto (Mister Bianco, Massi) and good mate Maurice Terzini, aka the Sydney-based heavyweight behind Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and CicciaBella. The pair have kept busy working on their new joint venture, Cucina Povera Vino Vero, which is gearing up to launch in Melbourne's CBD in mid-November. The project will see the site of Vargetto's existing venue Massi stripped back and reimagined as a cosy Italo-Aus diner that's a little bit punk and, as the name suggests, built on a simple 'less is more' approach to cooking. The vibe is inspired by the garages of suburban Melbourne and Sydney, with Terzini defining the style brief as: "Rick Owens makes passata". "We want this juxtaposition of these beautiful old traditions that we respect and this really old Italian peasant food, but brought into a really high contemporary punk setting," The restaurateur explained to Concrete Playground. "We always say, traditions are beautiful but it's time we create our own." [caption id="attachment_720794" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Massi[/caption] With front-of-house led by Terzini's son Sylvester and Vargetto heading up the kitchen, Cucina Povera is set to champion simplicity from its food right through to its styling. A minimalist makeover by multi-disciplinary firm Latitude will see the 52-seat space transformed, with various tones of grey and heavy timber swapped out for a cleaner, more contemporary vision. The equally simple menu is set to showcase a modern interpretation of Italian peasant food, while a short, sharp drinks offering will feature around eight wines sourced hyper-locally and served by the carafe. "Stuff that might not make the bottle, but makes the winemaker's table," explains Terzini. Meanwhile, Romeo Lane's Joe Jones is working on developing a short crop of fun, reimagined classic cocktails, all designed to be quaffed alongside good food. And guiding the sonic side of things is long-time Terzini friend and collaborator Mike Simonetti, of techno label Pale Blue, tasked with creating a soundtrack that sums up the restaurant's vibe. "We just want it to be really, really authentic in its approach to dining and to eating," says Terzini. "You don't have to be at the Icebergs all the time to have a great meal ... this one is no budgets, no forecasts — it's just a real gut feeling of this is just going to be really good, you know?" Cucina Povera Vino Vero will open at 445 Little Collins St, Melbourne, from mid-November.
The Harbour City in all its glory — from the lengthy shopping strips of George and Pitt Streets to the scenic walk along Barangaroo — has a variety of sublime ways to spend your hard-earned dough. There's always somewhere excellent to eat (or grab a drink), another delightful store to browse artisanal and eclectic wares and somewhere to visit for after-dark adventures. No two days look the same when you're in Sydney's CBD, which means you need a hit-list to call upon that'll suit whatever situation you find yourself in. That's where we come in. Together with American Express, we've put together a list of businesses useful for any occasion, whether you're after a romantic restaurant for a make-or-break third date or somewhere to grab an impressive gift when you forgot your mum's birthday (don't worry, it happens to the best of us).
The Song Hotel in Sydney's CBD has a brand new kitchen and bar, and they're putting all of their profits towards supporting victims of domestic abuse. Located on Wentworth Avenue in the recently renovated YWCA-owned hotel, The Song Kitchen is helmed by chef Charlotte Gonzales, who has previously worked in the kitchen at Merivale's Felix and was briefly sous chef at Fred's. She's put together an a la carte menu with a subtle French influence and a strong focus on local produce. Entrees, including charred octopus salad and pork terrine with apricot and pistachio, sit alongside mains such as duck breast, lamb shoulder, and house-made gnocchi with pepper, sweet corn, ricotta and pecorino. As for dessert, your options include lavender crème brûlée, crêpe Suzette and a chocolate and coconut tart. Punters will be able to order from a truncated version of the menu at the bar, where you'll also find a healthy selection of spirits, beers and wines. Sommelier Sophie Otton has kept things mostly local, with more than half of the wine list produced by female winemakers or estate owners. Best of all, 100 percent of profits from The Song Kitchen will go towards funding the YWCA's NSW programs and services that support women and children escaping domestic violence. The Song Kitchen is now open at 5-11 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information visit songkitchen.com.au.
Corruption at the highest level is a timely topic. Rock Surfers' upcoming production The Way Things Work takes characters that are all-too-familiar (for all the wrong reasons), pits them in a sordid cover-up against each other, and watches the messy trickle-down from high public office, through the boardroom scuffles of private enterprise and down to the seedy inner workings of the criminal underbelly. The play is the winner of the inaugural Rock Surfers/CJZ Playwriting commission. Written by Aidan Fennessy (Brutopia) and directed by Leland Kean, it's a proudly Australian satirical take on the grubby bedfellows that are politics and big business, following a certain minister through the descent behind all those trashy headlines. Kean describes it as "a wonderfully biting, aggressive, corrupt, contemporary, black comedy." Go along. Laugh, cringe, be horrified. And then leave, trying to ignore the sinking sensation that comes with the realisation that it's all a little bit close to home. The Way Things Work is on from November 5-29, at the Bondi Pavilion, and thanks to the Rock Surfers, we have three double passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Sydney's love affair with all things pop-up continues at Bondi Beach for the tail end of summer at the Dirty Burger Pop Up, with fresh Aussie fashion talents L'America, Amber Sceats Jewellery and Insted We Smile. For those of you in the dark here is a quick rundown of what is filling the racks: L'America looks like Erin Wasson's bedroom floor after a shopping spree through SoHo, Amber Sceats' necklaces could put Debbie Harry to shame, and Insted We Smile is the label of Mr Bondi himself, surfer Luke Stedman i.e. updates for any Sydney guy's T-shirt collection will be aplenty. All three labels are undeniable 'hipster' haunts, but don't let that put you off. Plus, Stedman's logo is a smiling anchor — if that does not warrant a bus ride east what does? The store is trading seven days and is open from now until April 25. Opening hours are Mon-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu-Sat 10am-7pm and Sun 11am-5pm.
Beer lovers, this one's for you. Sydney hospitality giant Merivale is dedicating all of October to frosty cans and perfect pours of everyone's favourite golden ale: beer. The month of brew-centric celebrations will span a heap of Merivale venues, popping up with different events and activations. The flagship event is the Hop & Dreams craft beer festival. This two-day spotlight on independent brewers will take over The Newport's deck on Sunday, October 15 and The Vic on the Park's beer garden on Sunday, October 22. Brewers including Balter, Grifter, Mountain Culture, Young Henrys, Hawke's and 4 Pines will all be in attendance, pouring beers alongside live entertainment and top-notch eats. Before that, a heap of Merivale venues are offering pints for schooner prices between Tuesday, October 3–Saturday, October 8. Three Weeds Rozelle, The Alex, Norton's, Coogee Pavilion's ground floor, The Beresford and The Royal Bondi are among the more than 20 venues taking part in the deal, which applies to all tap beers. The Merivale beer festival continues over at Establishment, where the venue is rolling out The Froth Exchange. Between 3–8pm across Tuesday, October 17–Friday, October 20, beer prices will fluctuate in a stock market fashion. This will culminate on Thursday, October 19, when you can expect a market crash and some truly cheap bevs. Rounding out the festivities is a free gig from laidback indie-rockers Winston Surfshirt. The beloved band will be taking to the Ivy mainstage on Wednesday, October 18. Doors will open at 7pm and entry will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. [caption id="attachment_708571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Beresford[/caption]
Over the past two years, the Odd Culture Group has been busy. To name just a few of its endeavors, the hospitality team has brought back the beloved Duke of Enmore, opened its flagship King Street wine bar, given The Old Fitz's kitchen a huge revamp, and helped redesign the drinks menu at Club 77 as part of the iconic nightclub's resurgence. Most recently, Odd Culture has turned its attention to Petersham stalwart The Oxford Tavern, giving the beloved neighborhood pub its biggest aesthetic and culinary makeover in a decade. If you didn't notice The Tav close down for renovations — that's because it didn't. The pub is being worked on bit by bit while the other areas remain in use, and the first section of the major overhaul has been unveiled — a sleek and spacious front bar paying homage to the venue's history and a new look food and drinks menu. As you enter you'll be greeted by this expansive dining room boasting moody lighting, original Oxford Tavern neon signs and a photo wall dedicated to past iterations and memories of the New Canterbury Road spot. Gone is the stage, providing the bar with more room for dining, while also providing the owners the option to clear the tables and create a flowing open space for events and gigs. With the front-bar stage, the focus on American-style barbecue on the menu has also left. "We felt it was time to move away from the American BBQ focus which really enjoyed a golden era over the last decade," Odd Culture Group's Executive Chef James MacDonald said. "We've moved to an elevated and modern pub menu with classics done well that have more of a world influence rather than just the USA." Fans of The Tav's smoked meats need not worry though, the beer garden's smoker will still be in full use whipping up chicken wings, beef for brisket pies and lamb for the incredibly moreish lamb and feta pappardelle. And, thankfully the pub's beloved Sunday roast also isn't going anywhere. Elsewhere on the menu, there are two styles of dishes essential to a good pub menu — top-notch mains and crowd-pleasing share plates to enjoy over a drink. Snack-wise, you can't go past the taramasalata with bread fresh off the grill. There's also smoked eggplant dip, curry-spiced cauliflower, zesty salt and pepper squid, and chicken liver pate. Turn to the mains and you can go the expected route — chicken schnitzel, steak or fish of the day — or you can head down the path less traveled in the realm of pub feeds. There's half-a-kilo of mussels or the aforementioned pappardelle, and the ricotta ravioli in brown sage butter is reminiscent of the simple but irresistible dishes you'd find at Sydney's top Italian restaurants. Completing the new-look Oxford Tavern is the drinks — a specialty of the Odd Culture Group. The wine list is varied but not intimidating, jumping around from classic drops to funky varieties including pét-nats, chilled reds and orange wines. There's a playful array of house cocktails including frozen margaritas and the must-try puncheon sour made with Jameson Black Barrel. And, the juicer can be fired up to make the Sydney favourite, a fresh apple juice with your choice of whiskey or rum. "There's nothing better than being able to eat and drink seriously well at your local boozer and this is what we do best," Odd Culture Group Beverage Manager Jordan Blackman said. The renovations will continue to unfold over time, with the next stage of renovations will see the wall between the back bar and the beer garden opened up with bifold doors. The Oxford Tavern is located at 1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham. It's open midday–midnight Monday–Thursday, midday–2am Friday, midday–3am Saturday and midday–10pm Sunday. Images: Kitti Gould
Nick Coyle has made a very ridiculous name for himself by writing, directing and performing a whole mess of shows based around the inert silliness we all generally hide. The 2012 FBi SMAC Award winner for Best on Stage has been behind such productions as Me Pregnant!, Double Tribute and Rommy. This time, however, Nick is bringing his antics to The Bondi Pavillion Theatre, and these antics are for kids. Uh Oh Tony! is one man’s quest to find his best friend. Who happens to be a robot. With his somewhat unwanted sidekick. Who is a puppet. Of course. That said, it’s exactly the kind of weirdness that Coyle is known for, so what else could we expect? As much as the interactive, all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza is written for little kids, there’s no reason why big kids (us) shouldn’t love it either. Get out of the way, shorties. Uh Oh Tony is on at 11am and 1pm daily.
After a Kings Cross-wide event back in July, Keep Sydney Open is heading to Darlinghurst for a day-to-night takeover of the area's best venues. Alongside the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, the collective will take over 16 (and counting) Darlo nightlife venues for a precinct festival on Saturday, October 21 from 3pm all the way through to 3.30am. You'll be able to go between venues such as Shady Pines Saloon, Golden Age, The Unicorn, Brighton Up Bar, The Cliff Dive and Stonewall, each of which will be throwing their own parties all through the afternoon and night. Some events will be ticketed while others, like markets and outdoor activations, will be free to attend. Who will you find having a mad boogie within these venues? Well, that's all set to be revealed soon with more and more locations being added. Keep an eye on the Facebook event for full program and ticketing updates. So keep October 21 free and stay tuned. Image: Kimberley Low.
The spectacularly dark and epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman series, which opens in cinemas on July 19, is one of the most anticipated films of the year (and there have been big contenders for that title with super-sized superhero flicks coming out of Hollywood faster than Comic-Con-goers can fasten their utility belts). Eight years since Batman took the flack for crimes he didn't commit, our hero-turned-fugitive is forced to emerge from hiding as the city is thrust into anarchy with the arrival of villain Bane (Tom Hardy). All that, plus Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. What in Gotham are you waiting for? If you haven't already booked your tickets to see a bulked up Christian Bale deliver the superhero's famous words, fear not as Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to give away. See The Dark Knight Rises, which was filmed using IMAX cameras, at the world's largest screen in Sydney's Darling Harbour. To be in for a chance to win two tickets to The Dark Knight Rises at Sydney's IMAX, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au.
UPDATE: Thursday May 6, 2021 — New COVID-19 restrictions have been announced. We'll keep you updated on this event as the situation changes. For the latest information, visit NSW Health. From the shaken to the stirred and everything in-between — this May, the country's world-class mixology scene will be celebrated in a very big way at a brand-new month-long drinks festival. The inaugural Australian Cocktail Month is set to kick off Saturday, May 1, descending on venues across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide with a diverse lineup of crafty collaborations and exclusive concoctions. Here in Sydney, 18 venues will help the event make its grand debut, including local favourites The Lobo, Dead Ringer, PS40, Maybe Sammy and Jangling Jacks. They'll spend the month whipping up creative-charged festival cocktails (and mocktails) using drops from both local brands — think: Brix Distillers, Mr Black, Starward and Regal Rogue — and international labels like 1800 Tequila, Bombay and Glenfiddich. To get among the best of it, grab a $20 Australian Cocktail Month ticket and enjoy full access to all of the participating venues' cocktail creations. Alcoholic drinks will be priced at $14 a pop, with low-alcohol and booze-free options clocking in at $10. [caption id="attachment_556073" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jangling Jacks[/caption] Top image: PS40, Alana Dimou.
It's no obscure fact that Aussies love avocados — we've seen cafes, festivals and pop-up tiny homes dedicated to the fruit, and, on average, we each consume 3.5 kilos of avocado a year. To further celebrate the green goo we're all smashing on toast every day, a whole weekend of free "avocado wellness" is coming to Paramount Recreation Club. What does avocado wellness entail, you ask? Good question. The event — which will be hosted on the Surry Hills rooftop gym and run by Australian Avocados — will see a series of exercise classes, workshops and facials run across the weekend of October 12–13. And they're all free. The half-hour classes will be a mixture of cardio and yoga, and even include a post-workout smoothie. It's a good way to test out one of Paramount's classes for free — a regular casual class costs $35. Then you can treat yourself to an avocado facial or learn some handy hacks for storing and eating them. Activities will run from 9am–4pm each day — while everything is free, you'll need to register for the talks and fitness classes as spaces are limited. If you're keen to hang around, the Paramount kiosk will be selling special avo-laden brunches throughout the day, too.
If it's firework views you’re after with the chance of a good boogie (join the queue, pal), the King St Wharf’s Cargo Bar a better destination at NYE than at any other time of year. Art vs Science, Van She, Gold Fields and DJ sets from Alison Wonderland and Bag Raiders will bring in 2014 with cheer — and with no screaming children in sight. The event sells out year after year, so nab your tickets in order to get down. Image from Cargo Bar's NYE 2011 party. See more events in our guide to NYE and NYD in Sydney.
Sure, it can feel like there's an annual event for almost everything these days. But don't expect to hear many complaints about National Margarita Day, especially when Pumphouse has invented a ginormous drink to celebrate the occasion. Appropriately named the Big Marg – this 3.5-litre behemoth is the ideal cocktail to share with a host of friends. Featuring a powerful concoction of premium tequila, zesty lime juice and a splash of agave syrup, the fine details haven't been overlooked for this giant beverage, with fresh citrus garnish and a salt rim balancing its bold flavours and adding just a hint of texture. To help sip the Big Marg, it comes with extra-long straws so you and your pals can soak up this legendary cocktail. Available for $42 until the end of February, Pumphouse is no stranger to weird and wonderful celebrations. You can also put your tastebuds to the test with Chilli Russian Roulette for National Chilli Day or ring in Mardi Gras with a camp-filled cocktail menu adorned with colourful creations and New Orleans originals. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Nutella has a legion of fans. Peanut butter, too. But for those who are't so fond of nuts, or happen to be allergic to them, Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread has emerged as a very worthy alternative. It's made from the crumbs of Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits, comes in creamy and crunchy varieties and, understandably, has picked up quite a following. Last year, Australians were also able to enjoy Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread in their gelato, thanks to a limited-edition flavour at Gelatissimo. In 2021, another team up is bringing the spread to your tastebuds in a creative fashion — this time thanks to Krispy Kreme's new range of Lotus Biscoff doughnuts. If you've ever had trouble choosing between slathering Belgium's Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread over bread or munching your way through a circular baked good or two, you no longer need to pick — at least while stocks last at Krispy Kreme stores around the country, and at 7-Elevens as well. Two types are available, with the 'Lotus Biscoff Ring' taking an original glazed doughnut, smothering it with Lotus Biscoff spread, and adding a swirl of Lotus Biscoff crème on top. As for the 'Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake' version, it's dipped in the spread, filled with cream cheese frosting, and then topped with Lotus Biscoff crumbs and chocolate ganache. The Lotus Biscoff doughnuts are also available via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo. Krispy Kreme's Biscoff doughnuts are available from all stores nationwide while stocks last (including via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo) and at 7-Eleven stores nationally.
Ever wanted to travel back in time? See the world as it truly was, not as the remnants of artefacts depict? You're in luck, because Garry Starr's award-winning one-man show Greece Lightning promises to throw you from the edge of your seat and into the thick of ancient Greek mythos, drama and hijinks. Having previously captured the hearts and laughs of Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival earlier this year, Starr will now take the stage at Sydney's Fringe Festival in September, followed by Melbourne Fringe Festival in October. So Sydney folk, catch him while you can. The one-hour show follows Starr through an odyssey of time, space, and mythos as he attempts to reenact the entirety of ancient Greek mythology in less than 60 minutes. The aim of the whole thing? Starr wants to boost tourism to current-day Greece in order to "save his homeland from economic ruin". Damien Warren-Smith, the man behind Garry Starr, says "This is Garry at his most outgoing, his most engaging, his most ridiculous — and I can't wait for Sydney audiences to join him on his Herculean quest to bring mirth where there was once only myth." Along with some glowing reviews — "Sidesplittingly funny physical comedy" from the Sydney Morning Herald and "Comic genius" from the Guardian — Smith boasts quite the comic resume. In 2018, he won Best Comedy at Greater Manchester Fringe and Brighton Fringe, as well as copping a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. While just last year he won the Pick of the Fringe Award at Adelaide Fringe. Not too shabby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qXOWpKMXRo Catch Greece Lightning from September 1– 30 at Spiegeltent Festival Garden.
Free music, a free fashion show, free food and free K-Pop. What’s not to love? The inaugural Korea Festival is set to take over Fed Square for the day and drench it in traditional and contemporary Korean culture. Quite frankly, it looks awesome. The day will feature many exciting events including performances from the Busan Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra, Taekwondo and Hapkido demonstrations (and why not get a few self-defense moves down on your lunch break), a colourful Hanbok fashion show, a cooking show and a K-Pop contest. Turns out there’s a whole world beyond Gangnam Style and it’s kind of glorious. Though this is the first Korea Festival to hit Melbourne, we're confident it won't be the last. Between last year’s KWave Festival and the ever-successful Korean Film Festival, it turns out Melbournians can't get enough of Korean culture. And, honestly, this year's program had us at K-Pop. See the Korea Festival website for more details including events and programming.
As anyone with a Facebook account knows, the word 'friend' has a slightly different meaning on the site. Facebook friends can be anyone who's not a total stranger, from actual real-life friends to people you hate but want to stalk/stalk you. FONY 2013 is a play about those people. Written by Courthouse ARTS directors Ross Mueller and Georgina Capper, FONY 2013 explores the way social media has turned schoolyard bullying into something that no longer stops when the bell rings at the end of the day. "If you've ever been to school or if you've ever used the internet, you will relate to this play," Ross said in an interview with Forte Mag. So if you're reading this right now, that definitely includes you. Courthouse ARTS is an arts company for young people, and the FONY 2013 actors are mostly just out of school themselves. After premiering in Geelong, the play will be making its Sydney debut with the Australian Theatre for Young People at Walsh Bay.
Summer is undoubtedly Sydney's best season, and part of the reason for that is the wealth of arts and culture that floods the city when Sydney Festival kicks off from January 6–26. We held our breath for a hot minute, not knowing if it would return in 2021, but it's here and we're ready to get out to see the best of what Australia's performers and creators have in store. Together with Sydney Festival, we've picked out nine shows and experiences you can have at the fest that won't break the bank. You can hurl paint at the cleaners, work together to 'keep the peace' and stride for a mile in another person's shoes — literally. There really is something for everyone.
You know there’s a big difference between drinking vodka because it's Friday and drinking vodka for its silky smooth tang. Ketel One knows it because they’ve spent the last 300 years refining family recipes that make Turducken look about as complex as 2 Minute Noodles, and now they’re on a quest to find one Australian craftsman who’s been equally zealous in turning a traditional craft into a contemporary masterpiece (though probably over a lesser period of time). This quest is called the Ketel One Modern Craft Project and it bears a legacy of $100,000. The winner will be someone who’s making the world a little more exciting to be in by blending a traditional craft with a modern entrepreneurial sprit. Deciding who that person is will be Ketel One’s 11th Generation Distiller, Bob Nolet, plus three experts who have earned complete license to judge you unreservedly: Gelati artisan Nick Palumbo of Gelato Messina, bespoke jeweller Lucy Folk of Lucy Folk Jewellery, and Christian Condo from the Modern Motor Cycle Company. The top 10 finalists will be filmed and showcased via a small bar exhibition in Sydney and Melbourne so that those skilled in the art of drinking can too pass judgement before the experts cast their final vote. Ketel One's Modern Craft Project is open to residents of Australia aged 25 and over, and you have until 1 December to get your entries in via themoderncraftproject.com
UPDATE, June 2, 2023: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. When Anthony Bourdain strode around the world, and across our screens, in food-meets-travel series A Cook's Tour, No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown, he was as animated as he was acerbic and enigmatic. Beneath his shock of greying hair, the lanky New Yorker was relatable, engaging to a seemingly effortless degree and radiated a larger-than-life air, too. The latter didn't just apply because he was a face on TV, where plenty gets that bigger-than-reality sheen, but because he appeared to truly embrace all that life entailed in that hectic whirlwind of travelling, eating and waxing lyrical about both. Arriving three years after his suicide in 2018, documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain captures that. It's so filled with Bourdain thanks to all that time he'd spent in front of the camera, it'd be near-impossible for it not to. But it also lurks under a shadow due to its now-infamous choice to use artificial intelligence to add dialogue that its subject didn't speak. Watching the film, there's no way of knowing which words Bourdain merely penned but didn't utter; the technology truly is that seamless. It still resounds as an unnecessary move, though, especially when such lines might've been incorporated in ways that wouldn't sit at stark odds with his visible liveliness. Roadrunner delves behind the facade that Bourdain presented to the world, of course. It notes his death immediately and goes in search of the sorrow and pain that might've led to it, as mulled over by friends such fellow chefs David Chang and Éric Ripert, and artist David Choe; crew members on his shows; and his second wife Ottavia Busia. Still, once you know about the AI, there's a sense of disconnection that echoes through the doco — because it surveys all that Bourdain was, compiles all of this stellar material and still resorted to digital resurrection. Thankfully, the passion and curiosity that always made Bourdain appear so spirited — yes, so alive, as compared to being vocally recreated by AI after his death — still makes Roadrunner worth watching. That's true for Bourdain fans and newcomers alike, although director Morgan Neville (Oscar-winner 20 Feet From Stardom) doesn't use his two-hour-long film as a birth-to-life primer for the uninitiated. Crucially, as also proved the case with his 2018 Mr Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, Neville jumps through the details of Bourdain's life in a way that also muses on what his success and popularity said about the world. Why he struck such a chord is as essential an ingredient in Roadrunner as how he went from cook to celebrity chef, TV host, best-selling author and travel documentarian. The footage of Bourdain — from his shows, obviously, as well as from a plethora of TV interviews, behind-the-scenes clips and home videos — is edited together with the same restlessness that the man himself always exuded. You don't spend most of your year travelling if you can be easily pinned down, after all. It's a wise choice on Neville and editors Eileen Meyer (Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution) and Aaron Wickenden's (Feels Good Man) parts, but Neville has long had a knack for making his films feel like his subjects. Talking-head chats are spliced throughout, offering further details and grappling with how Bourdain's story ends; however, Roadrunner is repeatedly at its finest when it's peering at him and showing how his work encouraged us all not just to watch, but to eat, travel, think, talk and live. That said, those interviews aren't merely filler. With Chang and Choe in particular, they show Bourdain's friends confronting the type of grief that doesn't ever fade. Biographical documentaries about famous figures who are no longer with us inherently offer the same kind experience to the masses — giving viewers the opportunity to reflect upon their central figures, all while gifting us with more time in their presence — and seeing Chang and Choe struggle so openly cements that parallel. If only Roadrunner was as sensitive when covering Bourdain's relationship with actor Asia Argento, his girlfriend before his death. Argento isn't interviewed but, in the film's second poor choice, its search for a reason behind Bourdain's suicide makes an uncomfortable and overt swerve in her direction. Whether made now or after more time had elapsed since his passing, a film about Bourdain was always going to be complicated. The big, obvious, easy draw — spending longer with him on-screen — is there for all to see, and delightfully so. It's bittersweet, naturally, because there's no divorcing all those images and soundbites from the reason that this movie even exists. It's heartwrenching as well, a sensation heightened every time his upset, angry, frustrated pals make appearances. It's thoughtful in pondering what Bourdain gave the world, and what it took from him in return. It's also messy because there are no answers to much that it contemplates, and also because it sits under a cloud sparked by that superfluous AI. As its title plainly states, Roadrunner is indeed a film about Anthony Bourdain, though — and, even with its missteps, it recognises the complexity of that task. It really didn't need to put his words back into his mouth to make you wish his tale, and his life, was still simmering; that's what it was always going to plate up regardless.
If you're a fan of live music and live in Sydney, chances are you've found yourself at Laneway Festival at some stage over the past decade or so. Since it outgrew its CBD digs in 2010, the fest has taken over the nooks and crannies of Rozelle's Sydney College of the Arts for one (usually scorching) day each summer — filling them with artists and bands as varying as Florence + The Machine, alt-J, St Vincent, Tame Impala and Earl Sweatshirt. But next year things will change, with organisers announcing that the 2020 festival will be held at The Domain. In a statement released today, Laneway Festival's promoters confirmed that they have "decided that it was time to move back into the city" after "ten amazing years". The upshot of the move, according to organisers, is that it will allow the festival to have bigger stages and better sound, and will get rid of the end-of-set bottlenecks that come part and parcel of holding the festival at the College of the Arts and Callan Park. It will also be way more accessible by public transport, being close to trains, buses and ferries, as opposed to the current site, which can only be accessed by bus. We're hoping it will also mean it will be free from strict noise curfews that have seen sets cut short in the past. The news comes after Laneway was named as one of 14 'high risk' festivals by the NSW Government earlier this year, requiring the festival to adhere to strict (and highly criticised) new licensing rules in 2020. These regulation amendments are the subject of a parliamentary inquiry, but it's unclear if this — or the status of the site, which has now been vacated by the University of Sydney — has anything to do with the decision to move. The change in location will no doubt affect the vibe of the festival in some way. While the festival underwent a big shift when it moved from its CBD location to the College of the Arts, it was still able to retain its laneway feel due to the unique layout of the site that saw the main stage supplemented with smaller ones tucked between buildings and in courtyards. It will be interesting to see how (and if) the organisers recreate this intimacy in The Domain. With a heap of festivals being cancelled this year, we're relieved to know Laneway has found a new home. Further details and, most importantly, the lineup for the 2020 festival are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Image: Maclay Heriot.
Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival is back for 2020, and it's bigger and more glamorous than ever — with even more glitter, too. The program is so jam-packed that it's hard to know where to start, especially if you're trying to do it all on a budget. Fear not, there are heaps of free events happening across the city, and that isn't counting the legendary parade on Saturday, February 29. Here are our picks for the top seven free Mardi Gras events to check out this month — think live gigs at dusk, queer-focused art exhibitions and all-night raves. BROADWAY SYDNEY'S MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES This year, Broadway Shopping Centre is putting on heaps of free events, installations and specials to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Throughout the next few weeks, you can expect 'Bingay' bingo nights, with prizes like Sephora beauty hauls and vouchers from Hoyts, Kmart, Broadway Sydney and more, plus iconic 'mega-drag' performances by the likes of Hannah Conda, Minnie Cooper, Decoda Secret and Tora Hymen. There will also be two nights dedicated to Broadway-inspired show tunes on February 19 and 26. It'll all culminate on parade day — Saturday, February 29 — with a big ol' DJ bash and roaming 'queens'. While you're here, check out the rainbow travellator and don't miss the massive 20-metre streamer and disco ball installation hanging from the ceiling. To check out the entire program and events happening, head here. MARDI GRAS COURTYARD SESSIONS A lineup of free gigs is also on offer at The Seymour Centre. Its courtyard sessions are a regular facet of Sydney Mardi Gras and a favourite among inner west locals. The performances will take place at dusk across the weekend of February 21–23 and again on February 28, with a high energy program of LGBTQIA+ artists taking the stage — those include Queer Trailblazers featuring Gussy, Moonsign and MEER; Queer As Fvck featuring Gaia Rising, Lauren Neko and DJ Scruffamudda; and Not Just Grrrls by Sad Grrrls Club. There'll be an outdoor bar with ice-cold drinks and vintage games to enjoy with these performances, too. And it's all dog-friendly. To check out the full schedule and details on each act, head here. [caption id="attachment_761650" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jamie James[/caption] KOORI KICK ON CLUB NIGHT The Seymour Centre is hosting quite a few parties for Mardi Gras, and many of them are free. Celebrating the queer First Nations community is the Koori Kick On Club Night, which is happening on Saturday, February 22. It's kicking off from 10pm and going till the wee hours. It's the official afterparty for the Sissy Ball (at Enmore Theatre) and will see both established and emerging performers take the stage. DJs Wiradjuri Platinum Mixerz, Dyan Tai and curator Felicia Foxx will keep you dancing all night. And it's all absolutely free with no booking necessary. [caption id="attachment_758453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeffrey Feng[/caption] AGNSW: QUEER ART AFTER HOURS Another staple in the Mardi Gras lineup, AGNSW's Queer Art After Hours is an annual celebration of the LGBTQIA+ art community — and is now in its fourth year. The powerful presentation of art and culture follows this year's festival theme, 'What Matters', and includes performances, music, talks and installations. This year, you can delve into 20 years' worth of the gallery's film program with showings of queer shorts, and explore the archives of queer art history. Interactive workshops, tours and pop-up bars are on the docket, too. The full program will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the website. OXTRAVAGANZA Oxtravaganza also returns to Darlinghurst for its fourth installation this Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 22. The massive event brings together over 100 local businesses, which each put on its own curated lineup of cabaret, DJs, outdoor music and exhibitions, plus food and drink deals and retail promotions. Don't miss the Glittering Mile exhibition, which includes historical posters and photos of Oxford Street during Mardi Gras in the 70s and 80s. And, this year, the venues will be collecting for the charity partner, ACON — the state's leading HIV and gender diverse health organisation — so you can have fun and do some good at the same time. MISPLACED AND DANGLING EUPHEMISMS The inner west suburb of Camperdown is getting in on the action this year, too, thanks to Artsite Galleries and its presentation of the exhibition Misplaced and Dangling Euphemisms, which is on show until Sunday, March 1. The display is themed around euphemisms and visual linguistics and the way these inform rhetoric, politics, stigma and change. Artists on display include locals Jamie Cole — his artworks are titled State of Stigma (series 2020) and Men I've undressed (series 2019) — and Murat Urlali, who embraces kitsch and camp and draws on ancient Persian enamel techniques. The exhibition is open every Thursday to Sunday from 11am–5pm and is a must-see this Mardi Gras. [caption id="attachment_698938" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] THE TOXTETH MARDI GRAS TRIVIA Glebe stalwart The Toxteth loves to champion the LGBTQIA+ community, too, and this year that includes a special trivia night on Monday, February 24. It'll be themed around historic queer icons, from Judy Garland to Lady Gaga, and will put your knowledge to the test. It starts at 7pm and will feature heaps of prizes, plus food and drink specials — with $15 steak frites, $5 house drinks (between 4–6pm) and $15 jugs of Young Henrys Newtowner all night long. Make sure to book over here and secure a table for you and your mates now. Round up your mates and head to Broadway Sydney for dinner and a free show. Plus, if you're a student and attend a show, you can nab a $10 voucher to Broadway Sydney. Head here for more details.
Once the full effects of summer take hold it's hard not to feel a little trapped in the big city. Luckily, Sydney is so big that you don't need to try too hard to escape the chaos. Tucked away at the uppermost corner of Sydney, the coastal haven of the northern beaches feels more like a collection of sleepy beach villages than suburbia, and it's well worth the drive for the views alone. If you find yourself with a spare day and wanting to explore a part of Sydney that you don't usually frequent, this guide to the 'insular peninsula' will sort you out. And since the area isn't exactly renowned for its public transport, if you're in need of some wheels, check out Popcar. The car-sharing service has brand-new cars, kept in immaculate condition, stationed in parking bays all over the city — including small city hatches to spacious SUVs if you need extra room. Just make a quick booking via the app, turn up to the vehicle, tap your access card to unlock the doors and start your adventure to one (or all) of these epic northern beaches gems. Update: This year's bushfire season is particularly dangerous. Before you head on an out-of-town adventure, check the RFS NSW and NSW National Parks websites and heed any alerts and warnings. [caption id="attachment_717598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] GRAB A SNACK FOR THE ROAD AT ROLLERS BAKEHOUSE It would be a mortal sin if, fresh off the morning ferry into Manly, you skipped out on a pre-trip power snack from the legendary Rollers Bakehouse. The sheer volume of decadent pastries that this joint churns out every day — from savoury scrolls to sugary sweet croissants — is nuts. And these OTT treats make the perfect snack for your road trip around the northern beaches. Before you pick up your Popcar and set off your adventure, nab a still-warm croissant to enjoy as you wind your way up the peninsula. STOP FOR BRUNCH AT CAFE MONAKA Northern beaches locals take their breakfast food seriously — they definitely don't give just anyone their golden stamp of brunch approval. So when you come across a place that's filled with regulars, it's a good sign. That's exactly why Mona Vale's Cafe Monaka is a non-negotiable for your brunch fix north of the bridge. The asagohan Japanese-style breakfast is a sight to behold — featuring steamed rice with furikake seasoning, grilled salmon, egg omelette, marinated vegetables and miso soup — and the matcha chiffon cake is so light it shouldn't count as dessert. For drinks, you'll find coffee by Single O and a selection of single origin Japanese teas by PNT. HIT THE SHOPS IN AVALON VILLAGE Did you really go to the northern beaches if you didn't buy something a little bougie? To pick up a unique souvenir, take a leisurely stroll through one of the northern beaches most eccentric high streets filled with cosy fashion boutiques and luxe homewares stores. This is the spot for an unusual shopping spree and a nosy around. Special shout out to the longstanding Bookoccino, which combines great coffee with even better book recommendations, and Avalon Art Gallery, which supports both local established and emerging artists. [caption id="attachment_703445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gregory / Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A HIKE THROUGH KU-RING-GAI NATIONAL PARK There are not a lot of major cities with beautiful national parks on their doorstep, so it's a little surprising that there aren't swarms of people in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park every day — but that's a very good thing when you're chasing some solitude. A massive stretch of almost 100 square-kilometres, this park could take weeks to explore in full, but if you just want a little taster of some of the best bits, start with a mid-morning visit to Great Mackerel Beach. Next, try the Red Hands Cave Walk for a look at some of the area's oldest Aboriginal cave art, then finish your adventure off with a stop at West Head Lookout for truly awe-inspiring water views. STOP FOR LUNCH AT BERT'S OR BARREL ONE COFFEE ROASTERS You're spoiled for choice come lunchtime. Whether you're looking to go all out or pig out on a budget, rest easy knowing there are plenty of top-notch options. For a taste of the high life, try Bert's Bar and Brasserie atop The Newport. The lobster pasta will make your eyes pop — first thanks to the price (a cool $129) and then from the taste. Suffice to say, it goes down pretty well when you're propped up with a cocktail on the waterfront patio. For a more low-key approach to lunch, head to Brookvale's Barrel One Roasters. Sweet-toothed visitors will enjoy the Nutella, banana and cinnamon maple syrup bagel paired with a coconut jaffa hot chocolate, while savoury lovers should opt for the Cubano sandwich of roasted pork belly, smoked ham and cheddar or the grilled cheese sando with jalapeño cheddar, roasted red peppers and cornichons. TAKE A STROLL ALONG NARRABEEN LAGOON TRAIL There's something really magical about Narrabeen Lagoon Trail — it's a winding, otherworldly trail that transforms with every step. At one point, you'll be deep in the thick of a forest that is alive with wildlife, then all of a sudden you'll be covered in basking light and admiring a wide-open view of the tranquil lagoon. It's a great walk for everyone — long enough for you to really burn off that long lunch, but flat and forgiving enough for a food coma stroll. If you're not up for a trek, you can always hire a kayak or paddleboat from Pro Kayaks. [caption id="attachment_718035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] STOP FOR DINNER AT CORRETTO DEE WHY Like most good venues in this neck of the woods, Corretto prides itself on understated quality by serving up some lavish eats — seared yellowfin tuna salad is a must-try — at a surfed-up location right on Dee Why Beach. Ransack the sharing menu for a feast of baked parmesan scallops, pulled pork sliders, grilled haloumi and glazed barbecue wings — you've earned it after a long day of adventuring. Thirsty passengers can take their pick from 15 different cocktails, including The Corretto — a super-sweet take on the espresso martini bolstered by aniseed myrtle — or a native old-fashioned, which features beeswax Jim Beam Black, wattleseed, hopped grapefruit bitters and green ants. HEAD BACK TO MANLY FOR A NIGHTCAP AT SUNSET SABI Drop your Popcar back to its dedicated bay in Manly and you'll be within walking distance of one of the suburb's best cocktail spots. At Sunset Sabi, you'll find excellent Japanese-inspired tipples. We think there's no passing up the Dragon Ball Tea, which has tea vodka with rockmelon and yuzu, or the Aloe'ha Big Wave with tequila, aloe and umeshu. If you're still a little hungry, you can order some Japanese bites from the share-style menu, too — think sushi rolls, cold soba and gyoza. A big day needs a big finish, and Sunset Sabi is the perfect goodbye before the ferry ride home. Get out and explore beyond the city this summer with Popcar car share. To sign up for just $1 and get one-day free hire ($80 driving credit), head this way. Top image: NSW Parks.
From Monday, September 13, outdoor gathering restrictions in NSW are easing to allow fully vaccinated Sydneysiders to gather in groups of five outdoors. This means if you've had both jabs, you can meet up with your equally vaccinated friends and family to enjoy a picnic in the park. To help you celebrate this little slice of freedom, we've rounded up five of the finest picnic hampers available for pick-up or delivery around Sydney. And, if you haven't been able to nab a vaccination appointment just yet, we're all about treating yourself to a hamper anyway — and spending a sun-soaked afternoon with your household in your backyard, balcony or living room digging into the goods. [caption id="attachment_626153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stinking Bishops[/caption] THE STINKING BISHOPS Newtown favourite The Stinking Bishops takes selections from its far-reaching cheese range and puts them together with crackers and meats into hampers ideal for sunny days. Choose between the 3 Cheese Hamper ($65), Cheese and Meat Hamper ($95) or Ultimate Hamper ($110), all featuring mixes of different handpicked cheeses ranging from the soft and melty to the blue and stinky variety. Depending on which hamper you choose, you'll also be treated to the likes of quince paste, grapes and smoked wagyu. If you like a bit of mystery and surprise in your life, or you just hate choosing, you can opt for the Stinking Mystery Hampers ($50-200) which can include anything from cheeses and cured meats to bottles of wine. The shop offers delivery throughout Greater Sydney and free delivery for orders within five kilometres. Same-day and next-day delivery are both available depending on how far away you live and how early you order. SHERATON GRAND Throughout lockdown, Sheraton is bringing its indulgent high tea feasts into your home with a series of fancy boxes filled with cakes, meats, cheese and an array of next-level treats. On offer is the High Tea Box ($69), the Cheese and Charcuterie Box ($79), the Feeling Feasty At Home Box ($189) and the Picnic Indulgence Box ($125) — perfect for a stint in the park with friends or a Saturday afternoon at home with a housemate. In the picnic indulgence box you'll find a selection of seasonal fruit pots, locally sourced cheeses, chicken coleslaw sandwiches on house-made focaccia, pastries, roast veggies and charcuterie. To take things up a notch, you can add a bottle of Moet to any of the boxes for $50. Orders can be collected between 11am–3pm Friday–Sunday from Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. Delivery is organised through Uber's Package Delivery via the Uber app. CENTENNIAL HOMESTEAD Located inside Centennial Park, Centennial Homestead offers picnic hampers for you to enjoy in the green surroundings of the inner city parkland. The hampers are $40 per person for a minimum of two people and come with a spread of dry-aged prosciutto, salami, pickles, olives, grapes, triple cream brie, vintage cheddar and sweet potato hummus. Alongside the cheese and meat spread, you'll receive your choice of sandwich from the cafe and a rocket, witlof, red cabbage, beetroot, grapefruit and orange salad, before finishing things off with a belgian chocolate mousse and fruit salad. The picnic hampers are available for pre-order via the Homestead's website and can be picked up from within the park. SYDNEY PICNIC CO Sydney Picnic Co founders Simon and Natalie Thomas pride themselves on filling your picnics with tasty hand-prepared food. Their picnic hampers range from $160–225 and come with everything you need for a memorable meal in the great outdoors. On the more affordable side of things is The Wind and the Willows pack ($160) which comes packed with marinated olives, spiced chickpea puree, buffalo mozzarella seasoned with lemon, chilli and mint, a couple of cheeses, a stack of veggies from charred asparagus to roasted beetroot and decadent chocolate brownies. However, the star of the hampers has to be The Secret Garden ($175), which offers up a spread of burrata with charred zucchini and shallots, vintage manchego, heirloom tomatoes and La Boqueria charcuterie, alongside hot smoked trout and roast chicken with kipfler potatoes and pickled peppers, and miso caramel brownies for dessert. Sydney Picnic Co is currently closed for orders but is reopening on Wednesday, September 15, so be sure to bookmark these hampers for then. You can order delivery to your home or chosen picnic location within the majority of Sydney's CBD, eastern suburbs, inner west and north shore, or you can pick up from its Surry Hills base. [caption id="attachment_696561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Smallbone[/caption] BUILD YOUR OWN There are plenty of Sydney spots that have everything you need to tailor-make your own picnic hamper. Pick and choose from Continental Deli's list of canned goods, cheeses and sandwiches. You can even order yourself some canned cocktails to really complete the experience. Cornersmith has an abundance of pickled goods, relishes and cocktail syrups that will elevate any picnic, and offers at-home pickling classes so you can DIY your own tasty treats for your next park session. Or, Fabbrica has just about everything you could possibly need for a luxe spread. Wagyu bresaola, Ortiz anchovies, Pepus clams, house-made quince jam, blocks of gruyere, goat's and buffalo blue cheese and mortadella sandwiches are all available for delivery via UberEats. Finally, if you're keen to go all out (after all, you deserve it), The Star's at Home menu includes takeaway sushi boxes from Sokyo featuring 16 delicate pieces of fresh seafood from salmon to kingfish; ocean trout and snapper. Go all out and choose a selection from each. The sky's the limit when you're putting the hamper together yourself. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Sydney, as well as current restrictions, at NSW Health. Top image: Anna Kucera
You'll find The Flightpath Theatre at the beloved Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville underneath, yep, you guessed it, Sydney's flightpath. The theatre opened in 2019 and has staged countless independent theatre productions ever since. It's 2022 season has an impressive lineup of traditional texts and new writing programmed. You can catch classics like Shakespeare's Much Ado or see brand new musicals such as Lucy Matthews' Ugly Love. It's the ideal spot to catch emerging acts and rising stars in an intimate venue before they hit the big time, or to witness more experimental work that the larger theatre companies rarely include in their programming.
Looking to redecorate your space? Make it your own personal gallery by filling it with exquisite new homewares crafted by local artists. The Sydney Ceramics Market is set to debut this coming weekend and will gather 36 of the city's artists and makers – both experienced and new – who have been thriving in the city's ceramic scene. Taking place at Sydney's Tramsheds on Sunday, November 6, stallholders will be selling a range of clay-based pieces including homeware, sculptural artworks and jewellery. [caption id="attachment_876164" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Airr Made Ceramics[/caption] Independent brands that have yet to sell their products online will also be present at the market, featuring exciting new offerings — meaning you can perhaps score a piece from a maker destined to be the next big thing. Attendees can expect to see ceramics from Public Holiday, Cobalt & Kin, Voluptuary Ceramics, Elizabeth Lewis, Anthony Brink, Trade the Mark, Albatross Ceramic, H.A.W, Kusu Ceramics, Glost Studio, Mennt, and many more. With the goal to spotlight creatives from around the region, the upcoming event is the brainchild of friends Melody Brunton, the ceramicist behind Emi Ceramics and Samee Lapham, a photographer and content creator. The event is free to the public with two hours of free parking, so you can save your pennies for shopping. Head to the Sydney Ceramics Market website for more information. [caption id="attachment_876167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kusu Cereamics[/caption]
The Ladies Network, a Sydney-based collective for female creatives, has been celebrating and promoting artists, musicians, designers and all-round girl bosses since 2015. Last week, the group launched its latest initiative: an online gallery, where you can buy artworks direct. This move is a logical extension of the Network's bricks-and-mortar exhibition programme. Every two months, the agency gives more than thirty female artists an opportunity to show their latest works in a group exhibition titled The Ladies. Now you can lay your cash down whenever and wherever you fancy, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you got to do is jump on the Net with your credit card in hand. Head there right now and you'll find a stunning abstract series by Carla Uriarte, impressions of the Nevada Desert by Claire Nakazawa, fearless portraits by Jessica Cochrane, organic clay formations by Holly MacDonald and much, much more. You can browse freely or search according to medium. To keep up to date with The Ladies Network's developments, give their Facebook page a visit. The timeline is busy with interviews and features about female creatives from all over the world, including comedians, musicians and artists. Plus, they've got one hectic event calendar, covering exhibitions, panel discussions, gigs and drinks afternoons.
If you're sick of watching fireworks from your sofa and are looking to splurge this New Year's Eve, look no further. Returning to the Sydney Opera House's Western Broadwalk, NYE Party at the House might be the most expensive place to retire on the last night of 2014, but if you are even slightly partial to uninterrupted views of the fireworks, fine food and drink, you'll understand why. Matt Moran, possibly the most recognisable restaurateur in Sydney (hello every prime-time cooking reality TV show ever), has crafted an Asiatic canapé menu for the night. Continuing his waterfront good luck streak, the Aria co-founder will be plating up Peking duck pancakes, seared salmon over rice, Saigon pork baguettes and yet-to-be-named-but-sure-to-be-delish sweet desserts. Bigtime Sydney DJs The Faders return to the party alongside DJ Dan Rowntree and soul singer and The Voice afterlife escapee, Ms Murphy. Champagne, cocktails, beer and Robert Oatley wines will flow freely from 7pm to 1.30am — plenty of time to craft those New Year's resolutions. Second release tickets are on sale now for $550 +bf. 18+
It's 29 years since Queen last had Aussie crowds belting out their favourite lyrics at a live show. In that time, the Brit legends have endured the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury and struggled to find a replacement. In fact, since his death in 1991, no fewer than eleven singers have made appearances with the band, including David Bowie, Annie Lennox and Robbie Williams. However, it's 2009 American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert who's made the grade for this year's world tour. Before heading to Australia, he'll front Queen over the course of nineteen dates throughout the US. "The thought of sharing the stage for a full set in Australia is so beautifully surreal," Lambert said. "I'm honoured to be able to pay my respects to Freddie's memory. He's a personal hero of mine and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band." The tough part, of course, will be getting your hands on a ticket. New shows have been added but the seats have been pretty much snapped up quicker than you can say "Yeah, I'm smelling like a dried fish bone." https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM
I could summarise Paranoia's plot. But to do so would be to compile a stock-standard litany of signposts of the corporate espionage genre: Dastardly capitalists who'll stop at nothing to retain their market share! An ambitious upstart from a working-class family who is recruited to steal secrets and quickly realises he's out of his depth! A hot love interest who our hero must lie to in order to retain his compromised position spying in the belly of the beast! Sinister henchmen who appear in little more than silhouette! Hard-edged, Matrix-style, millennial typefaces for the opening credits! The film equivalent of Getty stock images of New York's time-lapsed skyline at night! And finally, a mediocre title bluntly aimed at edginess: 'Sniper'? 'Hunted'? 'Suspect'? No, it's Paranoia! Here, the wide-eyed protagonist is Our Liam (Hemsworth), direct from Summer Bay via The Hunger Games, and our scheming tech billionaires are autopiloted by Gary Oldman (with an inexplicable Cockney accent) and Harrison Ford, who appears to be possessed by a necromancer. All of these actors are totally interchangeable — Hemsworth could be traded for Chris Pine or Ryan Reynolds, and Oldman or Ford could be any old guy with credibility for hire. Who's swindling who?! Have the tables turned? Fear not, each 'twist' is signalled from a pantomime-long distance. And remember, we're in a pro-Facebook, post-GFC era now, so we'll need just enough references to 'cutbacks' and 'socially networked devices' to make some token social commentary. But beyond the name dropping, terms like 'insider trading' are merely fuel for the generic, white-collar thriller fire. Paranoia really is so cliched and tiresome, it could be a minor work of cinemasochistic genius by Australian, Legally Blonde director Robert Luketic. No, the best thing for this sort of exercise in filmic pollution is to stealthily organise your cinema trip around a genre-based drinking game with a group of friends. Gratuitous Apple Mac product placement? Drink! Garden variety corporate-speak ("Competition breeds innovation!" "We need more R&D!")? Drink! Hey, maybe this movie's not so bad after all. Maybe the filmmakers were playing us for dupes and intend Paranoia to have a long and healthy DVD afterlife in the 'so bad it's good' category of home viewing. The tables have turned! Or have they? https://youtube.com/watch?v=kiwTRLwmm4w
With ever-smarter phones and all-consuming social media at our fingertips at all times, our lives have never been so saturated with images. Cold Intimacy, a new group exhibition at Anna Schwartz Gallery encourages us to reconsider the meaning of this very contemporary phenomenon. Together, four artists will quite rightly call into question the cultural dominance of the digital image. Curated by the newly appointed Melissa Loughnan — who has previously founded the Melbourne art spaces Utopian Slumps and Slopes — the show brings together the innovative works of four Berlin-based artists. Expect sculpture and video from Alicia Frankovich and an installation by Simon Denny, (both New Zealanders), as well as the multi-form works of Netherlands-born Marlie Mul and Denmark's Nina Beier. Despite their differences in artistic media, the pieces all highlight a shared interest in the value of the digital image and its place in today's internet culture. Image: Alicia Frankovich.
As part of NAIDOC Week, a week-long celebration of Indigenous Australians' and Torres Strait Islanders' culture, the Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting two free lunchtime movie screenings. They kick off on Tuesday, July 9, with No Way to Forget a film based on Richard Frankland's time as a field officer during the 1988 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody. The 1996 film takes you on a dark isolated drive while flashbacks tell his haunted recollections. After this, stay to watch Transblack: a 2018 miniseries taking you through the lives of four Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander transgender men and women. The ten-minute episodes show the journey of the individuals who all change the perceptions of themselves and the people closest to them. On Thursday, July 11 you can see the 2016 film Servant or Slave, following the lives of five women who, after being stolen from their families, were forced into lives as domestic slaves. This heartbreaking film represents the stories of thousands of Aboriginal Australian girls who were taken at a young age. The film explores the courageous nature of these women as they grow up searching for justice. Viewings for both films start at 12.30pm in the MCA Lecture Theatre on Level 2 and no bookings are required. The free lunchtime screens are part of the gallery's week-long NAIDOC celebration.
As the brains behind celebrated Paddington restaurant Saint Peter and more recently the new-school fish shop Fish Butchery, Josh Niland has earned himself a reputation as one of Sydney's kings of seafood. Now, the chef is adding another fish-focused offering to his stable, with plans to open a weekly Fish Butchery market stall at the Carriageworks Farmers Market. Launching this Saturday, August 11, the new venture will riff on its Oxford Street sibling, celebrating sustainably caught fresh seafood, expertly butchered and ready to cook. There'll be an oft-changing haul to choose from, as well as dinner packs, with all the trimmings necessary to create the likes of a bouillabaisse, a native curry, or a four-person family fish feast. Those less inclined to hit the kitchen will also find a rotating selection of grab-and-go snack options, like his coveted hot fish pies. Find Niland's Fish Butchery stall at Carriageworks Farmers Market each Saturday.
To celebrate a new addition to its menu, Enmore Road's Arepa eatery is serving up $1 empanadas for one night only on Tuesday, June 11. The street food experts will be selling only 150 of these cheap South American fried pastries, so you'll have to be quick if you want to get one. The empanadas on offer will be Arepa's signature cheese-filled pastries and, as with all of its food, they're gluten free, too. There's a limit of four $1 empanadas per person. If you're running late, you won't miss out completely, as the eatery's full menu will also be available with all of its classic arepas (stuffed corn pockets) — filled with the likes of black beans and pulled pork — and a lineup of local and international beers available. From Wednesday, you'll be able to come back to try the new empanada menu, which includes chicken ($5.50), plantain with cheese ($5) and a vegan option ($4). The $1 empanadas will be available from 5:15pm.
Circular Quay welcomes a new rooftop bar into its ranks as the Salt Meats Cheese team opens Bar Ombré on the top level of the Gateway Dining Precinct. The bar boasts house-made cheese, a dedicated spritz menu, a daily happy hour, free bar snacks and sunset views across the Harbour Bridge. And it has opened just in time for Vivid. Expect a bright fit-out with heaps of greenery and colourful furnishings to greet you as you enter the bar on the third level. Inside, you'll find stretched cheese —made onsite daily — along with antipasto plates of cured meats, burrata and wood-baked focaccia. Share plates include marinated white anchovies with tomato, fried calamari with crumbed zucchini and prosciutto with grilled eggplant, basil and rocket pesto. If these snacks don't quite touch the edges, you can head downstairs for a heartier meal — woodfired pizza or a big bowl of pasta, for example — at the Circular Quay outpost of Salt Meats Cheese, which is located on level two of the dining precinct. To drink, the European-inspired cocktail menu includes the likes of the Forget Me Not (gin, lychee and elderflower liqueurs, egg white and plum bitters) and the Smokin' Nights (amaro, mezcal, Angostura bitters, cream and cinnamon), as well as a pear and maple old fashioned and a vanilla and grapefruit barrel-aged negroni. You can also choose from five different spritzes and a drop off the wine list, which focuses on Italian drops and local biodynamic, vegan and organic labels. [caption id="attachment_723368" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] We recommend stopping by after work to catch the sunset and the daily happy hour, which runs from 4–6pm. Nab $5 beers, $10 spritzes and $20 cocktail carafes (including Aperol spritz, sangria and margarita jugs). Then, from 6–8pm, punters can enjoy free bar snacks — similar to Venetian cicchetti. Expect truffled pecorino, roasted peppers with salsa verde and wood-fired crackers with pesto, plus smoked olives, cured pancetta and truffled popcorn all on offer (for free). This is the 13th venue for Salt Meats Cheese co-founders Edoardo Perlo and Stefano de Blasi, with other recent openings including SMC outposts in Dee Why and Brisbane's South Bank. Bar Ombré is now open at Level 3 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Circular Quay. Opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 11.30am until late. Images: Kitti Gould
International Women's Day (IWD) celebrates the achievements of those who identify as female and how far we have come in the fight for gender equality for everyone. Plus, it's just a great excuse to thank the womxn in your life for being wonderful. Get together with your loved ones and think about what still needs to be done, particularly for those who are less privileged than ourselves. It feels like every year, more and more people get behind IWD, and there's always something new happening around town to get involved in. Together with Cancer Council NSW and its Girls' Night In campaign, we've come up with a few suggestions on how you can mark the day — Sunday, March 8 — in 2020. HAVE ALL YOUR MATES AROUND FOR A NIGHT IN TO CELEBRATE WOMXN Invite your friends and family around (no matter how they identify) for a dinner party, movie night, book swap or whatever takes your fancy — and give what you'd normally spend on a night out to Cancer Council NSW for women's cancer research, prevention and support. The Girls' Night In campaign is running through February — also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month — until IWD at the beginning of March, making it the perfect excuse to gush over films about inspiring women or share your favourite feminist books. Fire up Netflix and queue documentaries Feminists: What Were We Thinking?, Knock Down The House, Period. End of Sentence and Reversing Roe. Docos aren't your thing? Try some films with powerhouse female casts like Someone Great, Nappily Ever After, Lady Bird and, obviously, Legally Blonde. For more house party ideas, head over here. SPEND SOME TIME GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY It's not enough to talk about the good stuff on International Women's Day. It's important to acknowledge the difficulties of women in communities that are disproportionately affected by issues like domestic violence and homelessness. IWD is all about women empowering women, lifting each other up and helping those that are doing it tough. If you've got the time, consider volunteering at a women's shelter — most are run almost exclusively through the generosity of the community. To get you started, Bayside Women's Shelter and Women's Community Shelters are always looking for volunteers or goods donations. [caption id="attachment_753370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] GO TO AN IDEAS FESTIVAL THAT'S ALL ABOUT WOMEN In its eighth year, the Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival will address a broad range of topics about gender, justice and equality. Held on IWD, the jam-packed series of panels, talks and workshops will cover everything from body positivity and gendered violence to women in tech and astrophysics. Highlights include Blak Matriarchies (a cross-generational panel of strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women discussing the survival of matriarchal society) and Know My Name with Chanel Miller, an artist, writer and survivor of sexual assault. Don't miss the rotating three-hour Conversations with Feminists or the interactive audiovisual experience My Mother's Kitchen — both of which are free. SHARE A MEAL WITH YOUR MATES Sometimes you just need to share a good meal, a chat and a cuppa tea — maybe that's why IWD breakfast and lunch events have become so popular. You can always throw your own brunch party as a riff on Girls' Night In, or check out some of the events around town. Many are hosted by local councils, restaurants or organisations, so there's sure to be one that's right for, and near, you. Join Greens Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi for breakfast at The Tea Room in the Queen Victoria Building, or sit down to high tea at the Museum of Contemporary Art with Compassion Australia. Otherwise, business-minded folks might gravitate towards this breakfast hosted by Future of Leadership or this Business Chicks lunch. [caption id="attachment_622123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberly Low[/caption] EMBRACE ART MADE BY WOMEN It's not all political — women contribute hugely to creative industries and that deserves to be celebrated. The Sydney Theatre Company's No Pay? No Way! will be playing at the Sydney Opera House from February 10–March 20, adapted by Marieke Hardy and directed by Sarah Giles. Meanwhile, New Zealand gothic folk artist Aldous Harding is playing at the Enmore Theatre on Wednesday, March 4, and the Ritz Cinema in Randwick is hosting a one-off IWD screening of the Women's Adventure Film Tour, which features award-winning short films about thrill-seeking women. You can also go to a big poetry reading in honour of IWD or take in some jazz music at The Newsagency. Gather your crew together for a Girls' Night In and donate what you would've spent on a night out to Cancer Council to help those affected by cancer. To register as a Girls' Night In party host, visit the website.
Hump day: when your memories of the weekend past have well and truly faded away and you can do nothing but visualise Friday arvo. The solution? Gather your fellow long-suffering colleagues and head out for a mid-week lunch. In fact, getting out of the office for an hour or two can cure chronic workitis. We promise. To help you do just that, we've teamed up with our mates at Heineken to bring you six of the best lunch spots to hit this hump day. And, because you'll be needed back in the office, a Heineken 3 is the ideal accompaniment. From the depths of the CBD to sunny harbourside spots, our picks will give you the bounce you need to make it through to the weekend.
While most of us harbour an artistic talent or two, finding time to develop them isn't easy. That's where Jamboree – a three-day festival dedicated to creativity – steps in. Rather than sitting back and soaking up someone else's brilliance, you'll be exploring your own – be it art, music, textiles, cooking or building. Happening in Wollongong from Friday, October 26 to Sunday, October 28, Jamboree involves a stack of extended workshops. You could learn to life draw with artist Lee Bethel, to sing in harmony with choir leader Rachel Hore or to make your own backyard bee hotel with designer Narelle Happ. Also on the program are masterclasses in fermentation, shibori stitching, coil weaving, movement and much more. Tickets to the creative weekend are not cheap — $595 if you bring your own tent, $845 if you want to use their luxe glamping facilities — but they are all-inclusive. The fee covers two nights' accommodation, four half-day workshops, morning yoga, food, tea, coffee and Champagne on arrival.
Australia's first large scale city winery, Urban Winery Sydney, has brought a whole new level of local to St Peters' Creative Precinct 75. Owner and winemaker Alex Retief's wines have a strong focus on locality, with many grapes sourced from his parent's biodynamic vineyard in the Gundagai wine region just outside of Wagga Wagga. As he promised upon opening, Retief is now expanding his love of all things seasonal by inviting Aussie chefs with similar homegrown attitudes to join him on the last Sunday of each month for a degustation lunch. Joining Retief this month on Sunday, September 25 is the team from Newtown's Alfie's Kitchen The four-course meal will be paired with six A. Retief Wines, as well as discussion on the chef and winemaker's compatible food and wine philosophies. There's no better way to finish off a weekend then with a long, fine lunch — and this is sure to be one of the finest. To book, email enquiries@urbanwinerysydney.com.au.
