It's official: the Philter Public Bar will finally swing open its doors from midday today, Friday, August 21. After announcing its pending launch in November of last year and opening its bottle shop as a teaser in early June, the newest addition to the Marrickville brewery scene is finally here. Set in an old yoghurt factory opposite Wicks Park, the location is very well placed — it's just down the block from Batch and close walking distance to Sauce, Wildflower, Grifter and Willie The Boatman. Yeah, it has turned into one massive brewery crawl indeed. The brewpub pays homage to the building's 1960s heritage, as well as the 1980s Australiana vibe of Philter's can design. Expect "suburban pub nostalgia" aplenty, like hanging Tiffany lamps, hand-painted signage and a handmade tile bar with a bar top that's been rescued from a local pub. Plus a black chesterfield sofa and simple round tables and chairs. The somewhat kitschy, old school fit-out certainly suits the brand well. The public bar overlooks a brand new brewery and boasts a viewing deck with bar stools, so punters can watch the brewers in action while they sip fresh-as drops. It'll produce over one-million litres of beer per year, heaps of which will end up on the bar's taps. This includes Philter's first limited-edition brew — a hoppy dark ale dubbed Marrickville Nights — which will be available at the bar over the following days. First launched back in 2017, the gypsy brewery has become well-recognised for its retro tinnie branding and sessionable styles. It's led by one of Australia's first female brewers (and former Young Henrys head brewer) Samara Füss — who is, fittingly, a bit of a legend in the local beer scene — and Marrickville neighbours and beer lovers Stefan Constantoulas and Michael Neil. The public bar will be open five days per week, but it's run by reservations only on weekends — so you better get booking. Philter Public Bar is now open at 92–98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville. Opening hours are 5–9pm Wednesday–Thursday, 12–10pm Friday–Saturday and 12–6pm Sunday. Bookings are a must from Friday through Sunday, so be sure to nab a table here. Images: Liz Ham
As well as warm colours and a slight chill, autumn brings spectacular flavours to the hospitality scene. This is especially true in Japan, where the culinary practice of 'shun' teaches that food and drinks should be enjoyed only when ingredients are at the peak of their seasonal freshness. For artisanal distillers like Roku Gin – a Japanese craft gin in the House of Suntory family – botanicals are only ever harvested at the peak of their quality. In the case of autumn, sansho peppers are at their best — and they're one of six botanicals enlivening this delicious drop. Deliciously, Roku is teaming up with Surry Hills bar Tokyo Bird to celebrate that commitment to freshness with a limited-time Autumn High Tea. Saturdays May 6, May 13, May 27 and June 3 will each bring two sittings at which to enjoy a themed menu — think sweet and savoury plates alongside seasonally driven Roku gin cocktails. On arrival, you'll be greeted with a Roku Gin & Tonic, take in the decorations and fall for the season's vibes (get it?). To share at the table is the Momiji, a cocktail mixing Roku with the sweet notes of pomegranate, rose and apple (and delightfully served in a teapot). You'll snack happy with delights like tuna tartare with nashi pear and nori crackers and karaage chicken bao. In terms of sweet treats, you can expect the likes of Japanese chestnut mont blanc with cream and cocoa sponge or apple pie bites with a umami bite of miso caramel. There are also add-ons: tea or more Roku cocktails, like a Japanese Negroni or Matcha Hard Shake. Roku Autumn High Tea runs from Saturday, May 6 until Saturday, June 3, with sittings at 2pm and 4pm. Bookings are essential. For more details, visit the website. Images: Declan Blackall
Crown Street's premiere salon offers high fashion cuts in a relaxed environment. The salon's Creative Director Mel Martin puts the customer experience above all else, making it a place you can pop into without feeling intimidated. You'll still leave feeling ready for the cover of a magazine. Women's shampoo, cut and dry starts at $90 (or $60 from an emerging stylist), with men's starting at $50. Aside from cuts, the Surry Hills favourite also specialises in extensions and balayage, along with other beauty services like eyebrow shaping and professional makeup application. [caption id="attachment_779941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Since the first Iron Man film in 2008, Marvel has trained superhero fans well. Notching up 33 movies in its enormous cinematic universe with 2023's The Marvels and showing zero signs of stopping, the comic book company has basically taken over the big screen, with this year delivering Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, too — and, as always, there's plenty more flicks on the way. Marvel hasn't just taken over picture palaces. Via Disney+, the small screen is also home to many a MCU story, including Secret Invasion and season two of Loki in 2023. Keen to see your favourite spandex-clad crime-fighters try to save the world in person as well? Along with splashing Marvel's heroes and villains across every screen it can find, that's also coming — and soon. Marvel Universe LIVE! is exactly what it seems — and if it sounds familiar, that's because it was meant to head Down Under in 2020, but then the pandemic hit. So, when it makes the trip to Australia in April 2024, it'll be unveiling its show to Aussie audiences for the first time. The production takes more than 20 characters such as Spider-Man, The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, teaming them up on stage and letting audiences marvel (pun intended) at their exploits. Featuring everyone from Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther and the Hulk to Captain America, Doctor Strange and Black Widow, it tasks the beloved superheroes with facing off against some of Marvel's infamous villains, including Nebula, Loki and Green Goblin. And, it packages their antics with video projections, special effects, pyrotechnics, martial arts, and both aerial and motorcycle stunts. The performance is aimed at all ages and, in news that's about as unsurprising as most wisecracks that Tony Stark ever uttered, the show has proven a massive success in the United States, Latin America and Europe. As a result, it was only a matter of time until it hit Australia after its pandemic delay. Obviously, attendees won't be watching Robert Downey Jr (Oppenheimer), Chris Hemsworth (Extraction II), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), Scarlett Johansson (Asteroid City) and Tom Hiddleston (The Essex Serpent) — or any of the many, many other high-profile stars who feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because that list truly seems endless. But, if you're happy to get your Marvel fix however you can, then you can do just that in arenas and stadiums around the country in 2024. Marvel Universe LIVE! will premiere its Aussie run in Brisbane, before heading to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. "Our tremendously talented creative team and a nearly superhuman cast have created a show that brings the grandeur of Marvel to life," said Marvel Universe LIVE! producer Juliette Feld Grossman. "This production creates an experience that immerses families in non-stop action, creating movie-style thrills and jaw-dropping stunts that showcase the powers of your favourite superheroes right before your eyes." MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! 2024 DATES: Thursday, April 4–Sunday, April 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, April 12–Monday, April 15 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, April 19–Monday, April 22 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Friday, April 26–Sunday, April 28 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Marvel Universe LIVE! is touring Australia in April 2024 — head to the event's website for more information, and pre-sale tickets, with general tickets available from 10am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Every teenager has spent hours chatting with their mates, pondering their futures and coming up with wild plans. Not everyone starts a distillery, though; however that's exactly how Headlands Distilling Co came about. Up and running in Wollongong since 2015, the distillery is the product of four friends from high school following through on their lofty dreams. Using native botanicals and barley from the Riverina region, Headlands Distilling has a 'grain to glass' philosophy, with the distillery overseeing every stage from milling and fermenting to distilling and bottling its spirits — including its first product, Seacliff vodka. The small company also donates 20 percent of its profits to charity SpinalCure, which is working towards curing spinal cord injuries, so adding them to your home bar will also help a great cause. Spirits fans can head by Headlands Distilling's North Wollongong base to take a free tour and enjoy free tastings on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Need to find your way from The House That Jack Built to Hotel California? Or maybe you got lost on the Highway to Hell trying to find Penny Lane? This is what the world would look like if you could build a city from your iTunes library. A map of song titles, made by the creative collective Dorothy, is more than worthy of hanging on your wall. Song Map
The wickedly weird and wild Dark Mofo lineup has been announced for 2023, and culture lovers all over Australia are poised to fight over tickets on Wednesday, April 5. But the most popular events and accommodations in Hobart are expected to book out ASAP — most local hotels tend to be fully booked even before tickets are released. That's why we've gone ahead and reserved a stack of rooms for those who book our totally unique Dark Mofo travel package, only available through Concrete Playground Trips. We'll put guests up in Hobart for two nights — with brekkie included — while throwing in a bunch of tickets to events. [caption id="attachment_895365" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo/Rosie Hastie, 2021. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] First off, you'll get access to the Winter Feast — a food-, art- and music-filled winter solstice celebration. Gather around the fire pits and long communal tables, grabbing drinks and food from local vendors while checking out live music, art installations and roaming theatrical performances. We've also organised your tickets to one of Dark Mofo's late-night parties, better known as Night Mass. While just about anything can happen here, you can expect debaucherous art experiences and an epic lineup of musical performances and DJ sets that'll keep you dancing into the wee hours. These infamous parties sell out really quickly, so thank us later for your entry being sorted already. [caption id="attachment_854707" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo's In the Hanging Garden[/caption] And to keep you busy during one of the afternoons, we have organised your entry to Mona itself. Arrive in style, via the ferry's Posh Pit and explore the gallery's eccentric exhibitions. This package hits most of the best bits of Dark Mofo, giving you the ultimate Hobart getaway without the need to do heaps of planning and separate bookings. It's also a bargain, coming in at just under $600 per person. [caption id="attachment_895370" align="alignnone" width="1921"] Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2022. Photo credit: Rémi Chauvin, 2022[/caption] Head to Concrete Playground Trips to book one of the exclusive (and strictly limited) Dark Mofo travel packages. Top image: Jesse Hunniford (Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2021)
One of the most popular events in Sydney for both the Islamic community and the city at large, Ramadan Nights is making its return to Haldon Street in Lakemba. Running from Thursdays to Sundays between Saturday, March 9–Monday, April 8, the food and cultural festival will bring together more than 75 local businesses for a nightly feast between dusk and 3am, celebrating the most sacred month on the Islamic calendar. More than a million people are expected to visit the month-long festival, with many attendees travelling to southwest Sydney from interstate and even overseas each year. Visitors can expect food stalls serving up traditional dishes from Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and many more international communities. Walk through and you'll find everything from shawarma and kaak to Syrian ice cream, knafeh and Lebanese coffee. The event is free, and there will be free shuttle buses running from 6.30pm–12.30am between Lakemba and both Campsie and Roselands to help accommodate the limited parking available. You can also catch the train via the T3 Bankstown Line to Lakemba Station if you're travelling from outside of southwest Sydney. If you're trying to beat the crowds, it's recommended that you arrive earlier around dusk.
Triple J's Hottest 100 is back, counting down the nation's favourite songs of 2022 on Saturday, January 28. While a backyard barbecue is a traditional way to do the countdown, there are several parties popping up across Sydney as well. One of our picks of the bunch is the Marrickville Block Party taking place at The Great Club on Livingston Road where they'll be blasting the tunes and taking over the neighbourhood bar and concert venue's carpark from 11.30am. Bringing the true spirit of an awesome backyard gathering, The Great Club has invited some friends over for a best-of-Marrickville potluck of sorts, enlisting help from Baba's Place, Pepito's and Grumpy Donuts to be in charge of the eats. So you can expect cans of rakija and tonic, ceviche sandwiches, pisco snow cones and specially concocted mojitos. There will also be a kiddie pool, a handball tournament and live art from Sindy Sinn. And once the countdown has wrapped up, fast-rising producer Tasker will be jumping on the DJ decks to soundtrack the rest of the night. If you're looking for a free Hottest 100 party with a killer culinary lineup, you can RSVP here. [caption id="attachment_886010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Georgia Griffiths[/caption] Top image: Dexter Kim
A drama released in 1989 that saw its premiere cut short because of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A tale of corruption in the sporting arena. A documentary about perhaps the greatest German director that ever lived. A lengthy father-daughter comedy that no one can stop talking about (us included). Yes, they're all part of the 2016 German Film Fest's 36-title lineup, which roams around Australia this month. In a nutshell, it's a great year to get your fix of the country's cinematic offerings. In fact, there's so much packed into the festival's heaving program that the aforementioned movies aren't even the only titles on our must-see list — though they provide a great indication of the wealth of choices available. Check some of them out when the festival comes to Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Chauvel Cinema between November 15 and 29.
When Indigenous Australian artist Archie Moore made history at the 2024 La Biennale de Venezia, aka the Venice Biennale, in April by winning the event's coveted Golden Lion for Best National Participation, he also did Brisbane's major art galleries proud. When the First Nations talent earned Australia the top gong at the Olympics of the art world for the first time ever, he did so with an exhibition curated by Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's Ellie Buttrose, and with a date with the Brisbane sites as part of their 2025–26 program. kith and kin will open in South Brisbane in August 2025 — and it's also being gifted to QAGOMA permanently. The Australian Government has just announced that it has acquired the work to give it to the Brisbane art institution, as well as the UK's Tate, its acquisition partner. Accordingly, gallery visitors both in Australian and the United Kingdom will be able to explore kith and kin after its current Venice run. In Italy, the work is on display until Sunday, November 24, 2024. "I am so grateful for this generous donation that enables kith and kin to be seen both here in Australia and overseas, in the near and distant future," said Moore of the news. "Encountering Archie Moore's kith and kin at the Venice Biennale was a spectacular and moving experience that resonated with the weight of history and ancestry. In its unimaginable endeavour to map a personal genealogy through more than 2000 generations, Moore has summoned up an extraordinary image of human connection through deep time," added Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines. "kith and kin has that rare power to still you into silence and reflection. We are profoundly grateful to be the joint custodians of this historic work and we look forward to showing the project, curated by QAGOMA's Curator of Contemporary Australian Art Ellie Buttrose, in Brisbane from August 2025." kith and kin didn't just make history with its Venice Biennale accolade. A hand-drawn genealogical chart that spans back 65,000 years, the piece also chronicles it. Both a personal and a political work, kith and kin steps through Moore's Kamilaroi, Bigambul, British and Scottish heritage across the installation's five-metre-high, 60-metre-long black walls. More than 2400 generations are covered. The exhibition uses chalk on blackboard, with a reflective pool sitting in the middle of the room and 500-plus document stacks suspended above it. Every aspect of kith and kin makes a statement. With its size and scale, it speaks to Australia's Indigenous peoples being among the world's longest-continuous living cultures. The use of black is also designed to look like a celestial map, and therefore nod to the resting place of First Nations ancestors. Highlighting the decrease in Indigenous Australian languages and dialects since colonisation, the fragility that stems from not being able to pass down knowledge and injustices such as deaths in custody are all also part of the work — with the aforementioned piles of paper primarily from coronial inquests. "The phrase 'kith and kin' now simply means 'friends and family'. However, an earlier Old English definition that dates from the 1300s shows kith originally had the added meanings of 'countrymen' and also 'one's native land', with kin meaning 'family members'," notes Moore's explanation of the work. "Many Indigenous Australians, especially those who grew up on Country, know the land and other living things as part of their kinship systems — the land itself can be a mentor, teacher, parent to a child. The sense of belonging involves everyone and everything, and for First Nations peoples of Australia, like most Indigenous cultures, is deeply rooted in our sacred landscapes from birth until death." "I was interested in the phrase as it aptly describes the artwork in the pavilion, but I was also interested in the Old English meaning of the words, as it feels more like a First Nations understanding of attachment to place, people and time." kith and kin will display at Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, from August 2025. We'll update you with more details when they're announced. kith and kin is on display at the Australia Pavilion, Giardini di Castello, 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, until Sunday, November 24, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details. Images: Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024 / Photographer Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Images courtesy of the artist and The Commercial.
You've already heard us extol the virtues of the Sailors Club. And if you've been waiting for the opportune moment to act upon our giddy praises, this long weekend could be your time to dine. Introducing the Sunday Club (yes, a club within a club; the Russian Doll of clubs), Rose Bay's answer to your typical Sunday roast. It also answers all those classic Sunday afternoon questions you did not even realise you possessed. For example, 'Do I enjoy absolute views of the Rose Bay Marina after a big weekend?' You do. 'Do I wish to sacrifice a large percentage of my income to enjoy said views?' You don't. 'Is there a way to satisfy both desires simultaneously?' Most definitely. From 3pm each Sunday, enjoy pulled pork sandwiches accompanied by a glass of Hills Cider for an economical $15. Want your meal to reflect your aquatic surroundings? Then slurp down half a dozen oysters and a glass of Laurent-Perrier for $25. Whether you're looking to sunbake on the Sailors Club deck or recline in the lounge bar, the Sunday Club is the ultimate way to farewell the long weekend.
North and west of Byron Bay is the Tweed hinterland, a land of ancient rainforest, wild rivers and rugged mountain peaks. Twenty-three million years ago, a volcano erupted here, creating a caldera 40 kilometres wide and 1000 metres deep. To see it in all its lush beauty, wake up before sunrise and ride a hot air balloon with Byron Bay Ballooning. This dreamy escapade takes you way up into the air for an hour or so and, on landing, treats you to a champagne breakfast. Image: Destination NSW
Sculpture in the Vineyards brings an artistic bend to the Hunter Valley with its annual arts and cultural festival, held throughout four independent vineyards in the Wollombi Valley from October 28 through December 3. This free public exhibition features site-specific, large scale sculptures which transform the boutique vineyards into exhibition parks. The celebration combines art, food and, of course, wine throughout the month, with tastings happening at each of the vineyard cellar doors. Visitors can also take guided tours, attend artist talks and workshops, learn about local Aboriginal history and feast at a wine and food degustation. Events will also take place at the nearby historic Wollombi Village. Entry into the exhibitions along the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail is free and open daily from 10am–6pm, with additional special events happening across the month.
Mitzi began as an alias for two guys from Brisbane to make some music under so that nobody knew they were two guys from Brisbane. Now there are four guys, one EP and one era-defying single, and anonymity is pretty much a thing of the past. Mitzi are at the forefront of an Australian electro-dance tidal wave propelled by acts like Cut Copy and Midnight Juggernauts, except they're doing it with disco. Mitzi will support Foals at their sold-out Oxford Art Factory shows before joining Lindstrøm and Classixx at Future Classic's Sydney Festival bash. Future Classic will also release their debut album Truly Alive on February 15 (you can pre-order it here). In the interim we pulled drummer Cale Suesskow aside to talk about what it's like to be one of the most exciting things happening in Australian music right now. You had a well-received eight-date single tour at the end of last year to promote single 'Who Will Love You Now'. How did you spend Christmas and New Years? Did you manage to get some time off? Yes, time off was welcomed with a few celebratory drinks. We spend Christmas and New Years with friends and family, did some writing (without any pressure) and have also been DJing quite a bit. Now that were all refreshed, we're pretty keen to get out there and play some more shows. You've performed sets at Parklife, Splendour and Stereosonic, and supported acts including Neon Indian, Little Dragon and Whitest Boy Alive. What have been some of the highlights? Neon Indian support was our third ever show and the first time we played to a packed room, there was such an energy that night and I think it really helped cement the thought that we might be onto something good. The Whitest Boy Alive tour was incredible, we are all massive fans of their music and it was great to see how they work close-up. The best thing about being given the opportunity to support great acts is learning things from people that are more experienced than we are. Sydney's electronic/dance scene has been swelling lately. Have you seen similar things happening in Brisbane or do people still associate it with Brisvegassy clubs? There isn't really much of a scene for good house music in Brisbane and people don't go crazy for it, but there are a few places where tasteful bangers like Disclosure go down a treat. We went and saw Todd Terje before Christmas, playing a small club to a half full dance floor, which pretty accurately portrays dance music in Brisbane. How did you come to work with Jono Ma on 2011's EP All I Heard? His new project Jagwar Ma just signed to Future Classic too, which is pretty cool. We had all known Jono before Mitzi started, he's a talented guy and we wanted him to mix our EP so we asked him, not much of a story, sorry. But yeah, it's great they're releasing through Future Classic, more good music to welcome to the family. What local artists/tracks have you been vibing to lately? Jagwar Ma, hahah. Oh, and new Seekae with vocals. Your music draws from a wide range of influences. What acts were you listening to while you were making the new album? Nothing out of the ordinary really, stuff like Fleetwood, Chic, Fela Kuti, lots of house music and electronica, a little bit of Hip Hop and RnB. The Kindness album dropped last year and we were pretty blown away by the production. The Blood Orange album also came out while we were in the studio and it showcased, in our opinion, some pretty awesome songwriting. How do you achieve that familiar retro sound while also creating something new and something that has longevity? I guess that comes from the way we record, which stems from our musical influences. We like to record the core elements of the band in a way that is true to the 70's style, that is, with vintage pre-amps and mics, lots of compression and lots of muffling things up. But then we add lots of synths and effects that stems from our house and electronic influences. Sometimes these sounds can be quite spatial and reverberated, which is a nice contrast to the retro sounding drums and bass. How did you come to work with Ash Workman on the upcoming album? How has that, and signing with Future Classic, influenced your sound? Another boring story here, basically we loved Metronomy's The English Riviera and emailed Ash's manager to ask if he'd be up for working with us. We had already finished the songs, so I don't think these factors influenced the sound, rather the sound influenced who we wanted to mix and release the album. We've been with Future Classic since the E.P and we haven't made any acute changes in direction so its only fitting that we would wish to continue the relationship. You're also known for putting on great DJ sets and doing cool mix tapes. What are some of your favourite venues to DJ at? For us, Djing can be great fun, especially places where we can play the club music we love and the audience vibes just as hard. Spice Cellar is always a good time, and we played a place called Moloko Night in Townsville just before Christmas that went pretty crazy, contrary to what we had assumed it would be like. We've also had some good nights at Bowler Bar in our hometown too.
Think about the satisfaction of an epic growing out of the tiniest, most humble of origins. Whether it's the highbrow whiff of Proust's madeleine or the spunk'n'egg cocktail of human history, the romantic notion of 'from little things great things grow' is an appealing motif. In the case of Life and Times, the current mega work by New York-based theatre company Nature Theater of Oklahoma, the starting point was a phone conversation between co-artistic director Pavol Liska and company member Kristin Worrall. Worrall's brief was simple — tell her life story — and yet in the years since that first request in 2007, the verbatim results of her conversations with Liska have expanded into 15 hours worth of theatrical performance out of an anticipated 24. The art of conversation The casual language of phone conversations has formed the basis of two previous NTOK productions, No Dice (2008) and Romeo and Juliet (2009), and Liska and his partner, co-artistic director Kelly Copper, regularly chat with an impressive cohort of international artists in their podcast, OK Radio. The art of conversation it seems is, for now at least, a recurring principle of the company's process. "My education comes from my encounters with all different types of people," says Liska. "As a child you grow up and you meet this person and this person and this person, and I don't want to shut that process down. I know that I can't talk to everybody, so the people I do choose to talk to, I try to talk with them as deeply as possible. I use conversation as a springboard to unbalance myself, to derail myself. Ultimately, I could just lock myself in the closet and talk to myself, but there would be no resistance. So I use the other person to question my own ideas, to unbalance me and derail my own train of thought, and I do that to them as well." It is this deep process of conversation that provides the wealth of material for NTOK's Life and Times, of which Episodes 1–4 (out of an eventual ten) will be performed at this year's Melbourne Festival. Worrall's life story is not a chronologically linear autobiography, but rather a stream of recollection that fabricates a self-aware state of cause-and-effect as she links events through talking with Liska. The result is, for Liska, a kind of language that "does not belong in the theatre", and one that requires transformation before it is fit for an audience. Bringing theatre to the everyday "The more loose the text is, if it's a meandering conversation about something, the harder we have to work in the opposite direction [to formalise it], otherwise it's invisible," says Liska. A clear example of NTOK's approach to adapting conversational brain-dumping for the stage can be found in the earlier work Romeo and Juliet, which emerged from Liska and Copper calling friends and recording their attempts to recount the plot of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. "In order to make [these recordings] pop and to open them up, we felt like we needed to use a really formal mode of presentation, that over-the-top, cliched Shakespearean performance style," recounts Liska. As a contrast, after the show's curtain call the company then performed Shakespeare's original version of the balcony scene — in the dark, and understated, as the language was already so theatrical. “It just wouldn't be enough to present a phone conversation,” says Liska, “maybe some people who work with documentary theatre are okay with that, but ultimately I sit in rehearsal and I go to every performance and I have to find that it's opening something up for myself. It's not a purely humanistic effort — we're not just presenting the conversation and saying, hey, look at how wonderful people are — it's an aesthetic manifesto and an exploration.” Audiences and the clap Liska is genuine when he talks about the company exploring language through experimentation with aesthetics, and Life and Times already features a manic diversity in its presentation styles from episode to episode, including a couple that depart from traditional audience-actor theatre experiences altogether. "Obviously the audience doesn't talk back," says Liska, "but I want the exchange in the room to be a conversation, and my goal is never to allow the audience to forget that they are playing a role in the event. That's why it's so long — so that all these preconceived notions fall away. Something else happens." While Melbourne audiences will be able to see individual episodes separately, the ideal experience is to front up for the ten-hour marathon and in some way merge meaningfully with Liska, Copper and the gang. “If I have a conversation with you, I don't want you to clap for me at the end,” says Liska. Although there will be a curtain call at the end of the Melbourne marathon session, it's more because the actors end the fourth episode onstage and to not have applause would just feel weird. However, in between each episode, the cast can be found serving food in the foyer. “People can actually talk to them,” says Liska, “rather than do this — CLAP.” The Great Nature Theater of Oklahoma is calling you! There is poetic resonance in this idea of Liska's, given that the Nature Theater of Oklahoma first appeared in Franz Kafka's unfinished novel Amerika as a theatre company that had a place for absolutely anyone who came along. It also rings true with Liska's experience of Eastern European theatre-makers taking action for their community — not simply making art to be consumed. For Liska the important thing is to "stay open and playful and flexible. I wouldn't say that I'd never do a Chekhov play again, or a Greek tragedy — there just has to be a really strong reason to do something, I think that's what the audience finds inspiring.” For now such inspiration may dwell in a humble, late-night phone conversation, but it's anyone's guess under which pebble NTOK's next epic may be found. Life and Times is on at the Arts Centre Melbourne from October 22-26. Tickets are available from the Melbourne Festival website.
Although they’re well-known internationally, Yangjiang Group is a step back from the hype of the art world. Instead of jumping on global trends and mulling over heavyweight and hot-right-now theorists, they draw inspiration from daily activities. Last year, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring the collective to Australia. The subsequent exhibition, Actions for Tomorrow, spans both floors of the gallery. Uprooting calligraphy from class and tradition has long been one of the group’s key preoccupations. For example, the upstairs mural GOD IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE RMB! (2015) merges the neat artistry of calligraphy with the spontaneity of graffiti. Splashed out and space consuming, the work heralds the supremacy of finance over religion. By transforming decoration into politics, the group aims to extract calligraphy from an analysis of form and instead look at its energy. Calligraphy is a similar departure point for Das Kapital Football (2009), a more complex installation which is made up of hundreds of metres of scrunched paper, printed with handwritten passages from Karl Marx’s canonical Das Kapital. The mess of ripped and flattened rice paper is actually the remains of a chaotic soccer match, which is played out in an accompanying video work. With six teams running among mounds of drifting paper, it is near impossible to follow what is happening. It’s also quite difficult to pinpoint where the Marxist themes emerge. Downstairs is Final Days (2015), an installation with an apocalyptic ring to it. Set up like a boutique retail store, racks of clothes are coated in thick layers of white wax. Instead of loose individual objects, the clothes are locked into hard blocks — expanding their dimensions. Across the wall, there are slogans that act as a bleak commentary on capitalism, such as “the worker don’t get paid” and “suicide after sale”. By arresting the perpetual cycle of consumerism, it is as if this mock shop has been frozen into a specific time and space. Of course, it’s interesting to see how this kind of “preservation” stands in opposition to the group’s disavowal of the calligraphic rulebook — where they refuse preservation. Perhaps the convoluted soccer game is an appropriate metaphor for the confusions and contradictions of contemporary life. Generally speaking, the works of Yangjiang Group don’t have the contrived glossy finish that is sometimes seen in contemporary Chinese art — they are more potent and authentic. It is also important to note how ritual and routine feeds into Yangjiang Group’s practice. On a daily basis, the group prepares tea for the gallery staff, chosen according to certain therapeutic properties. It’s the all-encompassing nature of their practice that makes them unique. To cap off the exhibition, Yangjiang Group are hosting a Twilight Garden Party at the Chinese Garden of Friendship, including performance pieces, to celebrate Chinese New Year. Falling on February 14, Valentine's Day, it's also perfect for a date who enjoys food, drink and After Dinner Calligraphy, where the artists transform food scraps from the event into a large-scale piece of calligraphy. Image: Vitamin Creative Space
We think, as humans, that our past is behind us, our future is in front of us and our present is with us, when in fact it is all in flux and with us at the same time. This realisation is one of the first to occur to Melita Rowston's characters in Crushed, currently on at New Theatre's Spare Room in association with Chester Productions. Kelly (Lucy Miller) — known as Jelly Kelly in her youth due to her, uh, weight issues — has returned to her home town to reignite the campaign to find her best friend, Susie, who went missing 22 years ago. She meets with two former high school lovers and friends, Jason (Jeremy Waters) and Dazza (Sean Barker), to form the worst kind of high school reunion. The interesting part of this play is how it explores the functioning of memory. Malleable white matter changes the past in our minds — and for these three, it changes their plea. Kelly remembers her best friend Susie differently from how the boys do. Arguing over Susie's favourite flowers and her favourite band and discovering that she set up her first sexual encounter, Kelly sees things come to light that she had never imagined. There is a lot to be said in this play and it doesn't fully deliver, from the inquest to the unrequited love and, of course, the running-away-from-the-past motif. I found it hard to empathise with the characters and their hardships. Whether it was to do with perhaps forced or rushed development or the fact that the characters were themselves confused, I didn't truly feel for them. That said, the actors were focused the whole time and entertained the audience (especially the front row). There's also a beguiling set that morphs between a memory landscape, a bus stop and a police interrogation room, and makes interesting use of screens. I did find myself wanting to know what happened to young Susie, merely a sweet 16-year-old offering her cherry on a late night. Running for 90 minutes without an interval, Crushed is short, sweet and does the independent theatre scene proud.
Bondi and brunching go together like Hall and Oates — two classy things, both appreciative of a top notch, classy time. Lucky for beachbound brunchers, the ever-epic and exclusive Icebergs has opened their Dining Room and Bar for Sunday brunch from October 26. Looks like brunch king Bill Granger freaked out the neighbours. Every Sunday between 10am and 12pm — that tiny, tiny window is sure to drum up some hectic queues — you can brunch at Bondi’s postcard-perfect spot. There’ll be a selection of breads and pastries with Pepe Saya butter and marscapone, followed by two courses — frutti (organic blood orange, aromatic rhubarb, strawberries with whipped ricotta and fresh local honeycomb) and your selection of secondi (hot smoked Petuna ocean trout with beets, roe and crème fraiche; frittata with porcini, goats curd and crispy organic kale; or grilled piadina, prosciutto, organic hen egg, asparagus, mint and lemon). The whole fancy, fancy thing will set you back $55 with coffee and tea, or the more decadent can shell out $75 for bottomless Prosecco (worth it). If you did an especially big work week, $90 will top you up with Osetra caviar and champagne. Now that's brunching. Icebergs Sunday Brunch will be served between 10am and 12pm on Sundays from October 26. Top image: Gary Hayes.
If you like your live tunes just as much as you enjoy sipping vino and tucking into top-notch eats, then here's one for the calendar: a brand-new festival combining food, drink and entertainment set against the picturesque backdrop of Albury. From the minds that gave us BeerFest Australia, Sip & Savour Albury is set to make its debut from Saturday, February 4–Sunday, February 5. Headlining the musical side of things, you've got renowned acts like Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke, Lisa Mitchell and Telenova, treating audiences to tunes both new and classic. Enjoy the sounds from the comfort of your picnic rug or while kicking back in one of the al fresco lounge zones. [caption id="attachment_884250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Pyke[/caption] There's a whole lotta sipping to be done, too, with producers like Bridge Road Brewers, Michelini Wines, Bright Brewery and Brown Brothers showcasing their finest, and even pouring complimentary tastings. Adult tickets to the QEII Square fest start from $55.35, including three hours of tastings — and you'll savour the region's diverse food scene, too, as you graze your way through an array of local produce and restaurant fare. There'll also be plenty of take-home goodies for those keen to stock their pantries. MasterChef Australia alum Hayden Quinn will be making a special guest appearance, hosting a series of demos and masterclasses heroing some of those top local ingredients. And if you want to get even more hands on, check out the program of workshops and classes led by local experts. Top Image: Jo Duck
The artistic side of the Festival is in the mix from the beginning, with the Art Gallery of NSW staying open late to play with the Festival First Night crowd offering Picasso-friendly Spanish goodness in the form of film, performance and live music. Photographer William Yang returns to the stage, bringing his own life into focus with I Am a Camera. Crafting a story with his images, accompanied by the deep tones of Elana Kats-Chernin on cello and offering of Hasan Elahi levels of voyeurism focused on Yang's everyday life. Edge of Elsewhere returns from last year's festival for its final engagement, connecting Chinatown to Campbelltown with a Thai mural painted in clothing, livestock-within-a-house-within-a-gallery and new animation from Brook Andrew. Brook Andrew also brings his black and white aesthetic to the Carriageworks, peppering its foyer with full-size caravans containing stories within for attendees to investigate in Travelling Colony. Andrew's foyer is part of the Black Capital season, along with 181 Regent Street's collection of memorabilia and images from the stellar history of indigenous performance. The University of Sydney will have Sydney ex-pat Narelle Jubelin cover its campus with art for Vision in Motion, painting windows with video, draping art all over some of the Uni's less Potteresque modernist architecture and adding petit-point with abandon. Architectural talks will accompany her exhibition, as well a showcasing of young designers' transformations of Cockatoo Island, Hyde Park and the University of Sydney into weirder spaces in youtopia. The Scope brings ideas back to the festival, featuring interviews with festival artists at Microscope, Ira Glass's radio revelations at the Opera House and three nights of Bright Club — which will bring a TED-like vibe to the Spiegeltent, forcing scores of University types to compete for belly-laughs live on stage, with only eight minutes allowed for their profundity. Back to Main Page
UPDATE, December 24, 2020: The Night Before is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Seth Rogen on drugs. It's as predictable a filmic theme these days as lens flares from J.J. or bleeding penises from Lars Von Trier. Good news is, if you're into that sort of thing (Rogen, not the…blood), then his latest flick The Night Before should keep you sufficiently chuckling from go to woe. Rogen's in wildly familiar territory here, spending almost the entirety of the movie completely off his nut. Joined by his 50/50 co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and The Avengers' Anthony Mackie, The Night Before is like a prequel to The Hangover; a tale of three friends embarking upon the final run of their decade-long Christmas Eve partying tradition. Heavy drinking, karaoke, Chinese food and a search for the infamous yet illusive 'Nutcracker Ball' form the chapters of this quirky, crass film by director Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies), and while there's very little new material here, those 'under the influence' staples are handled with an assured touch. The Night Before also boasts an extensive supporting cast, with amusing appearances from Mindy Kaling, Lizzy Caplan, Tracey Morgan, Jillian Bell, James Franco, Iliana Glazer, Miley Cyrus and – best of all – Michael Shannon as the philosophical drug dealer Mr Green. Shannon's character is as trippy as the visions he facilitates for his customers, but it's a fine performance that lends the film a touch of otherwise absent class. Predictably, there's not much of a plot to speak of, and what little there is suffers from more than a few glaring inconsistencies – most notably Rogen's heavily pregnant wife (Bell) playing both facilitator and chief critic of his yuletide drug binge. Still, story is rarely what beckons audiences to this genre, and the over-the-top set pieces do deliver a solid stream of pop culture nostalgia, stoner gags and crude one-liners to keep you chuckling throughout. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1zja2shsA
Incongruous fact: Massive Attack were once heavily supported by Neneh Cherry. But that Robert Del Naja and Andrew Vowles returned the favour and worked on Raw Like Sushi is not too surprising. After all, the Bristol-based pair started out as producers and went on to influence artists from Mos Def to Madlib to Madonna (?), not to mention defining an entire genre. Now, the legendary trip hop duo is coming to Australia for the first time since 2003. Their fifth official album has generated muddled reviews, and the Guardian noted that they still sound as "listless" as ever, but fans of anything they made pre-2000 will know that this is, in fact, a great thing. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y5I7apl4s-0
Sydney, we know you love a food pop-up. Right now you're gearing up for Carriageworks' first spring night market and getting ready to cast your foodie eye over Wolli Creek's brand new makers and growers market. And we've got another one for you to add to your list. After two supremely successful June and July events, Gelato Messina is bringing their own mini food festival, Messina Eats, back for a third instalment. And this time they're going Filipino. Messina has teamed up with Melbourne Filipino BBQ masters Hoy Pinoy to create a meaty, smoky menu. They're known for their skewers which are always a big hit at the Night Noodle Markets and Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market, so naturally they'll be grilling some of those (both chicken and pork belly), along with Sisig na Baboy (chopped pork over flatbread) and chicken adobo fries. And for dessert? Purple yam soft serve with jackfruit puree, coconut jellies and puffed rice crunch served on a caramel custard base. Yurm. The whole thing will go down over two days on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 in the carpark at Messina's Rosebery HQ. They'll be open from noon for lunch and dinner until sold out. Messina Eats will run from noon until sold out on September 3 and 4. Find more information here. UPDATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Due to heavy rain, Messina Eats have pushed the event back one day to run September 3-4. The above copy has been amended to reflect this.
Serving up loaded vegan sandwiches on Iggy's bread since 2018, Joe's Sandwich Bar is Sydney CBD haven for a hearty veg-heavy lunch that will cost what a sandwich should. Using the loaves of one of Sydney's best bakeries as a base for the piled-high sambos, Joe's really shines through its inventive meat-free fillings. Take the miso eggplant for example, which pairs sticky sweet slices of eggplant with furikake, avocado, Japanese slaw and pickled ginger. It's magnificent. Other options on the menu include a classic reuben created with tempeh instead of corned beef, a chipotle pumpkin number, the Joe's take on a BLAT, a smokey potato sambo and a chilli broccolini option. Located on Kent Street in the heart of the CBD, the sandwich shop is a great value option, offering its sangas for just $13.90 among streets filled with quick lunch options that tip well past $20. Just make sure to take your lunch break on time as the shop is only open 11.30am–2pm, Monday–Friday.
Sydney's autumn weather is looking to be mighty fine and while you can't picnic in a park or put back a pint in a pub, you can still enjoy the sunshine if you're exercising — while social distancing and in groups no larger than two, of course. And yes, swimming and surfing are exercise, meaning you might be able to hit up your local beach. In March, some of Sydney's most popular beaches were closed after crowds packed out Bondi Beach despite mass-gathering rules being in place and the government encouraging social distancing. Earlier this week saw some beaches reopen for exercise only, but there are still quite a few that are off-limits. Plus, not all open beaches have the same rules — some are opening for all exercise, some are only open for surfing and swimming, some are only open at certain times of the day. And of course, you must follow two-person gathering restrictions and maintain 1.5 metres between each other. If you disobey the restrictions, you'll risk an on-the-spot fine — in fact, Sydneysiders have already been slapped with infringements. Although many Sydney beaches are currently open for exercise, the federal and state government's restrictions on all non-essential travel still apply, so travelling to a beach outside your local area is not advised. This includes heading to an out-of-town coastal spot. In essence, don't do a Don. So where exactly can you exercise by or in the ocean? We've broken it down. The below information is correct as of Friday, May 8. We'll update as any new announcements are made. EASTERN SUBURBS On Monday, April 20, Randwick City Council reopened Maroubra, Clovelly and Coogee beaches for exercise, but on Friday, April 24, they were closed again temporarily due to non-compliance. On Tuesday, April 28 the council reopened all of its beaches for surfing, swimming and jogging, including Gordon's Bay, Congwong, Little Congwong, Frenchmans Bay, Malabar and Yarra Bay beaches. https://twitter.com/RandwickCouncil/status/1254659709707055104 As of Wednesday, May 6, Woollahra Municipal Council has reopened its beaches and harbourside pools with 'Swim & Go' measures, including Camp Cove, Double Bay Beach, Kutti Beach, Lady Martin's, Parsley Bay, Seven Shillings Beach, Rose Bay, Murray Rose Pool (Redleaf) and Watson Bay Baths. Some Sydney Harbour National Park beaches are open, including Shark Beach, Milk Beach and Lady Bay Beach. Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama are open from 7am to 5pm on weekdays only, with all "land-based activities" off-limits. While Bondi and Bronte is open for surfing and swimming, Tamarama and Mackenzies Bay will be surfing only. On May 1, Waverley Council announced that it "is likely" the beaches will be opened for periods of time on weekends, but has not made an official announcement yet. We'll let you know when it does. NORTHERN BEACHES AND NORTH SYDNEY On the northern beaches, select beaches are open for exercise only — that means surfing, swimming, running and walking — and two-person gathering restrictions still apply. Anyone sunbaking or gathering will be asked to move on. Dee Why, Freshwater, Manly, Shelly, North Steyne, Queenscliff, Paradise are all closed. Whereas Avalon, Great Mackerel, Claireville, North and South Curl Curl, Long Reef, Fairlight, Mona Vale, Newport, Palm Beach, Collaroy, Bilgola, Bungan, Clontarf, Fishermans Bay, Narrabeen, Turimetta, Warriewood and Whale Beach are open, some with lifeguard patrolling — check here for the most recent updates. Mosman Municipal Council beaches are open for exercise. A reminder here, though, that Sydneysiders are encouraged to stay local — and travelling across the city to exercise may not fly with police. https://www.facebook.com/beachescouncil/photos/a.200882286613294/3229617213739771/?type=3&theater SOUTH SYDNEY Sutherland Shire beaches are open for exercise, with restrictions on social distancing and maximum number of people in place. Bayside Council beaches have reopened for any form of exercise that "involves continuous movement". Meanwhile, much of the Royal National Park is currently closed, including access to beaches, but walking tracks are open for local residents. https://www.facebook.com/SutherlandShireCouncil/photos/a.406301249397011/3516012168425888/?type=3&theater To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Maroubra Beach.
On-screen chemistry is just one of those things that either happens or it doesn't. Directors and producers crave it and pray for it, just as they know they can neither control it nor create it. It's not a question of acting ability or great writing or even casting; it's just luck. Plain old luck. Will your actors get along well in real life, and will that chemistry translate onto the screen? Thankfully for director David Ayer (Training Day) and his new film, End of Watch, the rapport between Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña is so remarkable, it takes a good movie and turns it into something great. The two play a pair of brash young LA cops whose daily routine is rocked by the discovery of a major Mexican drug cartel operating right within their own neighbourhood. For the two actors, playing police officers made the task of achieving a believable relationship even more important, since it's successful partnerships that can often prove the difference between life and death out on patrol. Before filming began, Gyllenhaal and Peña actually spent five months driving around with and observing the LAPD in order to supplement their own natural chemistry with every tiny mannerism, expression and act of non-verbal communication they could capture. The results speak for themselves. Their chemistry makes this movie, serving up equal doses of laughter, tenderness, and unbearable tension. Presented through the entirely unnecessary device of 'found footage', it's a consistently violent story; however, the action is never without merit. Much like Training Day, the stakes are higher because the film and characters feel real, which ultimately makes End of Watch something of an exhausting experience to sit through. That's no criticism, however, and Ayer's smart script and direction deserve credit for deftly drawing you into the gritty and unpredictable world of law enforcement, right alongside those who occupy it, suffer by it, and sometimes even die for it.
If you needed a new reason to make the journey to Palm Beach, we have it here. After six months of renovations from new owners The Boathouse Group, longstanding Palm Beach venue Barrenjoey House reopened in mid-December — just in time for the summer holidays. The heritage-listed restaurant and guesthouse is the eighth venture by the Sydney hospitality group, which, headed up by husband and wife team Pip and Andrew Goldsmith, runs various Boathouse venues around Sydney. Most recently, the group opened the Boathouse Hotel just across the way in Patonga. Barrenjoey House has retained its original name, but follow a similar blueprint to the new Patonga venue. The restaurant offers table service for lunch and dinner, and seven small guest rooms will be available to book from early 2019. That said, the group has paid homage to the old building and its waterside location by refreshing the interiors with its signature coastal feel — think shell mirrors, wooden furnishings, banquette seating and local art. The menu has a focus on fresh local produce and seafood takes centre stage. The casual nature of the restaurant means that you can pop in for a snack — maybe kingfish ceviche or fried calamari — after a swim at the beach or you can book in for lunch or dinner. Main dishes include rare yellowfin tuna spaghetti, a Murray Cod with fennel, orange and cucumber, and an Eye Fillet with good old-fashioned mashed potato and green beans. Sweet tooths will be pleased with the dessert options that include a strawberry sundae and a peanut butter parfait. The drinks list continues with the seaside atmosphere, with cocktails like a coconut mojito and a cucumber cooler on the menu. Beer, cider and non-alcoholic beverage options are available, too, and the extensive wine list could easily see you lose a lazy summer's afternoon. And seeing as you've ventured this far north, make a day of it and walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for panoramic ocean views, or take the 15-minute ferry ride across to Patonga for more coastal vibes.
Just when you thought the celebrations were over, the Festivus pole keeps on giving with this beauty: a George Costanza-themed bar. Yep, the Seinfeld character and undisputed Lord of the Idiots himself has provided the inspiration for a whole damn bar, which officially opened in Melbourne last night. George's Bar reads exactly like those mates who have watched every episode of the NBC comedy six times, quote it constantly and emulate a Jerry Seinfeld-esque vibe. Unsurprisingly, co-owner Dave Barrett is one of those people, and told The Age that the idea to theme the bar arose because they just "really like Seinfeld". The bar, which is located in the city's inner north, is filled with signed Seinfeld memorabilia, paste-ups, and will serve well-named toasties and cocktails such as The Hand Model and The Art Vandalay. Expect many a Costanza quote. As far as themed bars go, this is definitely one of the most interesting — and pop culturally significant — to open for a while. Novelty factor is at an all-time high. Book a trip to Melbourne and let the Summer of George commence. George's Bar is located in Melbourne at 120 Johnston Street, Fitzroy and is open 6pm - late daily. For more info, visit their Facebook page. Via The Age.
Fancy hitting the road for a camping adventure, but don't have quite the right wheels for it? Before you fork out the big bucks to hire from a rental company, meet Camplify — a new Aussie sharing platform for campervans and RVs that works a bit like Airbnb. Using the peer-to-peer rental platform, owners can rent out their vehicles when they're not in use (read: gathering dust in the garage). As for hirers, they can get a taste of caravanning life whenever they like, without actually having to own one themselves. Each party has a Camplify profile, owners approve each hire and reviews are exchanged via the platform. The prices are reasonable too, starting at around $30 per night for a standard camper trailer. A caravan will cost you about $80, while that top-of-the-line luxury motorhome you hire for a romantic weekend getaway might see you stretching to $500. For minimal effort, you can even have the vehicle and gear set up for you at a campsite or holiday park, so it's holiday-ready as soon as you rock up. Insurance is covered in the cost, as well as Australia-wide roadside assistance from Camplify's mates at NRMA. Share your own caravan, or start planning that camping trip, over at Camplify.
Who inspires iconic directors? Other great filmmakers. So when Martin Scorsese names the talents that've helped blaze a trail for him and his work, everyone should pay attention. Ousmane Sembène, the Senegalese filmmaker who has been called "the father of African cinema", isn't just worth celebrating because he has Scorsese's admiration — but it's a helluva tick of approval. The late, great Sembène, who passed away at the age of 84 in 2007, is earning Sydney Film Festival's love in 2024. Each year, the fest includes a retrospective showcase honing in on one filmmaker's work — and Sembène's pictures will be in the spotlight from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16. Starting with 1966's Prix Jean Vigo-winning Black Girl, nine features are on the lineup. While retrospectives can sometimes function as a way to compile the output of a filmmaker that's already widely available anyway, just akk in one spot, the Ousmane Sembène — A Revolutionary with a Camera program is filled with flicks that you won't just find at the press of a button on streaming or at your local cinema's flashback sessions. Also on the bill from the director's big-screen looks at African life: Mandabi, Emitaï, Xala and Ceddo through till the end of the 70s, then 1988's Camp de Thiaroye, 1992's Guelwaar and Sembène's final feature Moolaadé. Three of his shorts round out the program, which comes a year after the centenary of the director's birth, with Borom Sarret, Niaye and Tauw playing in front of select full-length films.
Inner City Cycles has been a Glebe local for four decades. Its selection of bicycles includes a range of road and mountain bikes, as well as hybrid and electric models, and cycles for kids who are just getting started. The store stocks Giant and XDS e-bikes, as well as Liv road bikes and hybrids, and Southern Cross mountain bikes to name a few — which makes it a good place to start if you're open to the style and type of bike. [caption id="attachment_777017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] As well as its impressive bike catalogue, Inner City Cycles also has your bicycle repair needs covered. You can opt for a service and degrease, tube change or tyre change in the workshop. The mechanic is in store from Monday to Friday. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
2020 didn't bring much that sparked joy, but it did let Sydneysiders wander through a large-scale, multi-sensory Vincent van Gogh exhibition that projected Dutch master's works onto walls, columns and floors. In 2021, art lovers will be able to repeat the feat, this time with a heap of French Impressionist masterpieces — because Monet & Friends — Life, Light & Colour is heading to town from March. The idea behind Monet & Friends is the same as its predecessor. It stems from the same team as well. As you wander around the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park from Friday, March 12, you'll feast more than just your eyes on huge projections of Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas' work. Light, colour, sound and fragrance are also all part of the exhibition, which is designed to make you feel as if you're walking right into the hefty array of paintings. The list of 19th- and early 20th-century artists showcased goes on, too, including Édouard Manet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Berthe Morisot, Alfred Sisley and Mary Cassatt. Also featured are Gustave Caillebotte, Armand Guillaumin and Henri-Edmond Cross, plus Paul Signac and Georges Seurat. Once more, the project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 16 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 145 cities around the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. For Monet & Friends, it's once again using state-of-the-art technology that combines 40 high-definition projectors to create multi-channel visuals, all while a classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours in cinema-quality surround sound. When you're peering at pieces by the 15 featured artists, you'll be doing so in a socially distanced setting — with visitor numbers restricted to maintain enough space (which will exceed the one person per four-square-metres required by New South Wales' COVID-19 rules). So, that means that you'll have less company than you'd usually expect at a big exhibition of French Impressionist art. It also means that sessions are probably likely to get booked out quicker than normal, though.
In the darkness of space in Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity, no one could hear a stranded astronaut scream. In the writer-director's follow-up, Roma, no one would hear a maid's cries even if they shared the same room. Domestic worker Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) attends to the everyday needs of her middle-class employers and their four loving but unruly children, treating them like family. But she's the first to rise in their well-appointed household in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighbourhood, and the last to sleep. She's the person who both tucks the kids into their beds and scrapes dog excrement from the driveway each day. Cleo is part of the fabric of their lives, but the minutiae of her life is never part of theirs. That's a domestic servant's plight — indispensable but always an outsider — which Cuarón details with both a loving gaze and a clear-eyed stare. Inspired by his own upbringing in the early 1970s when the film is set, Roma is a tribute to women who often go unseen, as well as an acknowledgement of the realities of their existence. The contrasts keep coming, juxtaposing the privilege of Cleo's employers with her own modest reality, while recognising the comfort of Cleo's position compared to the puddles and shacks of village life. With the era's student protests also weaved into the movie, Roma similarly sees the chasm between widespread societal unrest and those clinging to their own patch of calm. Most of all, the movie sees Cleo. It spies the Mixtec housekeeper while doctor Antonio (Fernando Grediaga) complains to his wife Sofia (Marina de Tavira) about the state of the house, spotless except for the dog droppings that keep on coming. It observes when the kids call for Cleo's cuddles and snuggle up to her every chance they get. It spots the quick jokes she shares with her best friend Adela (Nancy Garcia), the family's cook, as well as the tiny apartment they share above their employer's sprawling home. And it watches on as she shares a date with Fermín (Jorge Antonio Guerrero), the cousin of Adela's boyfriend — then shares more, and then faces the aftermath. There's an episodic feel to Roma, which pieces together slices of Cleo's life more than it charts a clear dramatic arc — although the consequences of her tryst with Fermin provide a strong narrative thread. The increasing absence of Antonio, the impact upon Sofia and the ripples that flow through the house all provide another. Cuarón isn't simply paying attention to whatever takes his fancy, of course, but building a portrait: of the city at the time, of complicated lives, and of a woman that, to many eyes, would simply blend in. He's done so before in various fashions, championing the overlooked in Children of Men's dystopian future, in Y Tu Mamá También's coming-of-age road trip, and in his Harry Potter gig, The Prisoner of Azkaban. In focusing on a female medical engineer sent into space, he did the same with Gravity as well. For all of the highlights on Cuarón's resume, however, Roma sees the director enter another realm. Acting as his own cinematographer, he peers so attentively at his hometown, the era of his upbringing, and at Cleo, that he could be conjuring memories onto the screen. He's not, completely, but his visuals have that feel — and, in each crisp black-and-white frame, they have that look as well. In alternating between luxurious panoramic shots and intimate close-ups, and between slow pans and excited movement, he switches between the broad and the deep, mimicking the way that we think back about our lives. Both types of image overflow with detail, whether showing violence on the streets, wandering through a chaotic but merry party, venturing to the seaside for a holiday, or offering a window into Cleo's soul one tender glance at a time. Enter Aparicio, a first-time actor who is everywhere in Roma. She's firmly at the story's centre, in a role that recognises an important truth: Cleo, and Indigenous house staff like her, are rarely the centre of anyone's story, a fact that the untrained talent's naturalistic performance only underscores. Indeed, hers is a performance about quiet presence more than overt effort — or, more accurately, about the impact that someone has even when they're usually on the periphery. In the graceful way that Cleo soldiers on through her own crisis, as well as the family's and Mexico's circa 1971, it's a performance that makes you wish that she was always in the spotlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp_i7cnOgbQ
If you're guilty of assuming the so-called 'rock star lifestyle' is one of grandeur, dolla dolla bills and Nyan Cat-emblazoned Purraris, or have ever accused a band of 'selling out' for working alongside a commercial brand, you might want to see this. The Truth About Money in Music is a brand new mini-doco featuring the likes of Remi, James from Violent Soho, Hey Geronimo, Millions, KLP, The Cairos and many other Australian artists who are doing tremendous work on minimal budgets. Brisbane-based film director, Dan Graetz, is at the helm of this operation. The idea came to life after Graetz pitched the idea to Jack Daniels, who were looking to support creative music projects. "I pitched this documentary around musicians, brands and honesty," says Graetz. "It was great they liked it and even better that they gave me the freedom to stay true to the concept. This is the result." https://youtube.com/watch?v=XR-RA-vpm8s Graetz knows the musician's financial struggle all too well, not only through working closely with artists on music videos but also through his own creative pursuits. "In creating music videos over the past four years, my team and I have made fireworks, gutted cars, cloned humans and more — usually on a shoestring — to help new talent stand out against cute kittens, dancing babies and big budgets," Graetz says. The film interestingly sees artists like Kate Miller-Heidke talk about her move from a major label and the restrictions that came from it, in comparison to working with brands who facilitate collaboration and creative possibilities. The overarching message seems to be that if a company wants to back you because they like what you're about as you are, then why the hell not let them give you a hand. Obviously, no one was born yesterday and a JD-shaped product is being plugged here, but it's hardly 'selling out' when the bigwigs don't want you to change a thing. This is just the first chapter for the Jack Daniels Future Legends project. Expect to see the likes of Bloc Party's Kele Okereke, Sable, Motorik, The Griswolds, and The Cairos feature in instalments further down the track. JD is encouraging trailblazers and creative to get in touch if they have a bold and independent music idea that needs support. Pitch your project in 300 words or less to jackdaniels.au@gmail.com. For now, watch The Truth About Money in Music right here and hold off on those rants: https://youtube.com/watch?v=MgZJFu3SHVs
If you're an architecture enthusiast or get your kicks from discovering new and interesting spaces, get ready. Sydney Open 2018 is almost upon us — the weekend-long architecture extravaganza kicks off on Saturday, November 3. More than 60 of the city's most mysterious locations, normally privy to a select few, will be open to the general public and ripe for exploration. Thanks to Sydney Living Museums, some of Sydney's most treasured and architecturally significant buildings will open their doors to the general public, and you can be one of the first to traverse this highly coveted terrain. This year, you can step inside The Beehive, an award-winning architecture studio celebrated for its incredible use of found materials; go behind the scenes at Wynyard Station to see the motor room, wooden escalators and stunning Interloop installation by Chris Fox; or peek inside the usually off-limits Sydney Masonic Centre to see the building's intriguing brutalist features firsthand. With the Sydney Open Pass, you can plan your own adventure and explore more than 40 buildings at your own pace. Stroll through the newly built Arup offices at Barrack Place, or visit one of the most technologically advanced buildings in Australia at One International Towers Sydney. If you'd prefer a more in-depth experience, book a Focus Tour. These expert-led guided tours will take you through historic harbourside sites, acclaimed private residences and other rarely seen secret spaces. Talks will be held across the weekend (free with the Sydney Open Pass), and architects will be on hand to discuss the history, design and function of select locations. Check out the full list of buildings on show, pick your favourites, book a pass and get ready to bask in the beauty of our stunning city. All Sydney Open Passes purchased by Sunday, October 14 have the chance to win a Golden Ticket to the Tank Stream Tour. Images: Grosvenor Place, Brett Boardman; Chief Secretary's Building, Brett Boardman; Grosvenor Place, Brett Boardman; Sydney Masonic Centre, James Horan; The Beehive, Rafaella Rosselli.
What Maisie Knew is an adaptation of the classic Henry James novella of the same name. Set in modern-day New York, it tells the story of Maisie (Onata Aprile), a seven-year old girl caught in the middle of a game of custody one-upmanship between her divorced parents, rock star Susanna (Julianne Moore) and art dealer Beale (Steve Coogan). Through Maisie's point of view, we see her parents resort to increasingly immature measures for full custody, as Maisie somehow manages to stay calm amongst all the chaos going on around her. Some more positive parental influence comes via Susanna and Beale's new partners, Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard) and Margo (Joanna Vanderham). (In fact, the True Blood hottie and child star Onata have such a genuine bond it will hit your ovaries hard.) Brought to you by the producers of The Kids Are All Right, What Maisie Knew is touted as "an enchanting drama that explores the tangled complexity and often humorous aspects of contemporary relationships and family life." To celebrate the release of What Maisie Knew on August 22, Madman Entertainment and Papillionaire are giving one lucky reader the chance to get in touch with their inner seven-year-old, on The Sommer, a stylish, fully custom, Boston red, single-speed bicycle with basket, valued at $553, as well as a double in-season pass to see What Maisie Knew. Ten runners up will also receive double passes to the film. To be in the running, all you need to do is email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter when the Sydney Dog Lovers Show comes around. And in 2022, it's returning for another year of pats, licks and parades on the weekend of Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7. Once again, it'll take place at the Sydney Showgrounds — and yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. The Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from dozens rescue groups across NSW in the adoption zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with the process. Plus, DockDogs will be back, featuring a competitive long jump and high jump for talented dogs who want to flop into a pool of water. Dogs, amiright? But hold up — you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-a-Pooch zone to cuddle up to a wide range of Australia's most loveable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity dachshunds to fluffball samoyeds. This has undeniably been the main attraction of previous year's events, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun with appearances from celebrity vets Dr Chris Brown and Dr Katrina Warren. Not sure which type of pooch is perfect for you? Sign up to find your pawfect match, at sessions where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets.
It is no surprise that flamenco dancing has a bit of a following. The stomping feet and intense stares that epitomise the style are a great channel to release those daily frustrations. Of course, it is equally enjoyable if you're just up for a good time or wanting to relive the memories of your Spanish holiday. Diana Reyes, who studied flamenco in Madrid and danced her way across Europe, set up her Newtown studio in 1992. The studio provides flamenco classes for amateurs and aspiring professionals alike. The classes are offered on a term-by-term package basis, although private tuition and intensive two-day workshops are also regularly on offer.
An actual trip to Japan might not be on the cards this winter, but you'll find a pretty solid alternative in Ramen Alley, which is popping up at Tramsheds for a cosy culinary series next month. From July 3 to 20, local Japanese eatery Osaka Trading Co is taking over Tramsheds' Artisan Lane for a three-week celebration of Japan's classic noodle soup. From Wednesdays through Saturdays, the space itself will be transformed into a Tokyo-style laneway, dishing up ramen menu favourites alongside a weekly changing ramen special. Current hits from the Osaka Trading Co repertoire include a miso chashu roast pork number with wood ear mushroom and black garlic oil, and a roasted sesame version loaded with baby bok choi and spiced pork mince. The crew from Suntory is also joining in the fun, so you'll be able to match your soup feast with $10 whisky highballs all throughout the pop-up. And if you fancy diving in a little deeper, catch the Suntory whisky tasting on Thursday, July 4, or a Saturday evening highball and cocktail-making workshop on July 6 or 13. Tickets to the tastings are $64 and $70 for workshops, and booking are essential for both. You can book your regular ramen session in advance, too, by nabbing a $27 pre-purchase ticket, which includes a regular shoyu ramen and a classic Toki whisky highball. Extra food and drinks can be bought once you're there. Ramen Alley is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30pm–9pm.
"It's a city vibe, full of grounded and hard-working people, full of diversity and incredibly artsy. The buzz you get in this part of Sydney is the closest buzz we get in the streets of Mexico. Opening up a street-food concept could only make sense in this environment." That's what Maiz Owner Juan Carlos Negrete told Concrete Playground when the restaurant opened in 2021. After two years in its historic Newtown digs, the beloved venue has moved one street over, looking to broaden the ambitions that the team laid the foundation for on King Street. Under a neon-pink sign, you'll find the sparkling new outpost for beloved Inner West Mexican diner. Taking over the former home of Hartsyard terrace on Enmore Road, the Sydney favourite has brought a sprinkling of fine-dining and a heap more fun to the sophomore edition of the restaurant. With pristine white walls and a sizeable bar, the atmosphere is a little different at the new outpost — designed with the help of GURU Projects, who have worked on other local stunner after Longshore, Londres 126, Maydanoz, Shaffa and Ezra. But, the same city-best Mexican food is still here in spades, with an affordable set menu, playful drinks list, and enticing brunch (including the return of a former Maiz favourite) all adding a little something to the offerings. The dinner menu features some returning faves and some new additions. There's a greater focus on share plates this time around, meaning you can drop in for a drink from the expanded beverage menu and a snack before heading to a show at Enmore Theatre. Maiz has even teamed up with Yulli's to celebrate the opening with a special corn cerveza, available on tap. Kick off your night with slow-cooked beef tongue, a cheesy quesadilla frita, hibiscus flower al pastor, and totopos paired with guacamole and topped with grilled onions, charred jalapeños, chilli oil and optional crispy tripe crackling. Confit duck with your choice of mole and beef cheek barbacoa lead the mains, alongside a adobo-, Oaxaca cheese- and pineapple salsa-topped octopus tostada. Or, you can opt for the very reasonable $65 set menu, which will run you through a welcome shot of mezcal, flavour-packed sweet corn soup, totopos, market fish ceviche tostadas, your choice of main and a seasonal Mexican ice block for dessert. On Tuesdays, the regular menu is done away with, with a Tostada Tuesday menu taking its place. Each tostada will set you back $7–9, with five flavours on offer: pollo tinga, barbacoa, carnitas, ceviche and Jamaica al pastor. And, Mexican brunch is back and better than ever. Beloved during the first lockdown, Maiz's tortas have returned to the Saturday menu. The hefty Mexican sandwiches are packed onto a fresh bolillo roll, with fermented cabbage, chilli mayo and charred salsa, plus your choice of beef brisket barbacoa, veggie chorizo or marinated grilled skirt. [caption id="attachment_817101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maiz by Debbie Gallulo[/caption] Also on the brunch menu: a few faves from dinner and central Mexican brekkie treats like the tlacoyo divorciado — corn flatbread with black beans, eggs, salsa, cream, onion, queso fresco and chilli oil. And, if you want to make it boozy, there's a bottomless set menu available for $89 per person, which includes 90 minutes of free-flowing wine, beer and margaritas, plus a spritz on arrival and a brunch spread. It's the Maiz that you know and love — the one that landed on our best restaurants in Sydney list — in a space that has room for more creativity from Negrete and the team. "As a chef and as a creative, I'm definitely one to shake up things a little bit and play with new things," says Negrete. "We're really looking forward to staying here for five-plus years." Maiz is now located at 33 Enmore Road, Newtown. Head to the restaurant's website for more information and to make a booking. Images: Debbie Gallulo
For even the hardest to please family member of friend, a piece of individualised contemporary jewellery is the key to a perfect Christmas present. Don't believe me? Just take a stroll through the Studio 20/17 Jewellery Showcase and see how many Christmas possibles can be found glistening amounts the rows of stalls. New to the annual market? A great first-timers incentive is that this year's Christmas showcase features the work of gallery directors Melanie Ihnen and Bridget Kennedy as well as that of resident artists Victoria Cleland, Jennifer Fahey and Clare Hooper who were invited to share a workspace in the gallery this year. All pieces are handmade by these emerging jewellery artisans, and are fairly good bang for your buck. You can find the jewellery market at 6B/2 Danks Street, Waterloo. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am to 6pm. Image: Jennifer Fahey.
A good night's sleep is one of life's pure joys — and what better way is there to enhance your year than with a new set of bed sheets or a new mattress. Melbourne-designed Eva Mattress is here to help up your comfort level with its Easter sale. It's doing $50 off sheets and more than $100 off mattresses — and that's just the start. Up until 10am on Tuesday, April 6, the local Aussie retailer is offering big discounts so you can ensure you're nice and cosy each night before winter rolls around. Expect $125 off its Eva mattress, $50 off the Eva pillow, $50 off Eva hemp linen and $50 off timber bed frames. The brand's award-winning mattress-in-a-box has been engineered as a hybrid, which means it combines the comfort of memory foam with the support of pocket springs. The memory foam pillow uses activated charcoal to keep you cool and dry throughout the night. The timber bed frame, winner of a 2020 Good Design Award, has been certified by the Forrest Stewardship Council, meaning it's made from sustainably sourced timber. If you do spring for the mattress, sheets, pillow or bed frame, they come with a 120-night free trial, so you can be sure they'll help you get a good night sleep before you commit. Also, all mattress orders come with a 12-year warranty, ensuring you'll be sleeping pretty for years to come. Browse the store and pick up a discount. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
R.M.s are arguably Australia's most iconic shoe. From a modest start in the Adelaide outback servicing the stockmen and women of the heartland, 85 years later, a diverse range of people still wear the boots — from farmers in the outback, to corporate businessmen, to the style set at fashion week. Australian designer Dion Lee has used R.M.s regularly in campaign shoots and runway shows, and last week the brand released a second run of its limited edition gold boots. Of course, at $545 a pair, they're not exactly cheap — unless you can snag a pair at a discount. This weekend might be your chance to do just that the annual R.M. Williams Warehouse Sale rolls into Paddington Town Hall. Boots will be at least 25 percent cheaper, and clothing and accessories will be marked at half price. The sale will be open 8am–6pm on Friday, 9am–5pm on Saturday and 10am–5pm on Sunday. Expect a line.
These days, a simple flash of your smartphone can let you pay for stuff without tapping your debit card, see a gig without a hard-copy ticket and even split dinner bills without carrying around a heap of cash. For NSW residents, it can now also double as your driver licence. After a successful trials in Dubbo and the eastern suburbs, the digital version of licences have now been made available to the whole state, which means any NSW driver can now access a digital version of their licence via the Service NSW app on their smartphone. The digital licences will be accepted as proof of identity at police roadside checks; proof of age to get into bars, pubs and nightclubs; and can be used at petrol stations, supermarkets, convenience stores and tobacco retailers. There are a couple of rules, though: you can't access your digital licence when driving (even when stationary) unless asked to do so by a police officer, and your digital licence may be refused if your screen is cracked or dim. You don't have to hand over your smartphone to the person checking your licence, either, and the licences work even when you have no data coverage. https://www.facebook.com/ServiceNSW/photos/a.584446361616956/1634718353256413/?type=3&theater Service NSW has also suggested that you continue to carry your plastic card "while venues get used to seeing and accepting the digital driver licence as identification" and when travelling interstate and overseas. Plans for to make the switch to digital were first announced back in 2016, but South Australia has since beaten NSW to the punch, introducing digital licences in 2017. To activate your digital driver licence, you'll need to download the Service NSW app, login using your MyServiceNSW Account details and follow the prompts. You can also use the app to check your rego details, view fines and check on your demerit points, as well as download digital versions of your boat driver licence, RSA/RCG competency card and Working with Children check clearance. To download the Service NSW app, head to the Google Play or App Store. To read more about NSW Digital Driver Licence, head to the Service NSW website.
This year the CBD isn’t the only place where you can indulge in seasonal shenanigans. On December 13 and 14, twelve of the city’s villages will get their Christmas spirit on, with free drinks, free food, roving performers, in-store events, seriously discounted gifts and visits from Santa. More than 200 retail outlets are getting on the sleigh. If you’re in Surry Hills, Redfern or Newtown, you’d best prepare yourself for free beverages, sweet treats and some epic bargains. Those who venture into fun wallpaper shop Wall Candy or unique collective space O’Connell St Merchants will be treated to complimentary sparkling wine, while Special Lights will be handing out Christmas goodie bags to the first ten visitors each day. If that’s not refreshment enough, try two-for-one fish and chips at the Crown Street Fish Shop, free coffee and $4.99 French cider tastings at A Touch of France, and Flour and Stone goodies at Yoshi Jones’ Storio. In addition, loads of stores are selling stock at reduced prices and/or handing out presents with a minimum spend. Old-fashioned bicycle restorers Stallion Bikes will reward every $100 with a gift, quirky curators Starnam are taking 30 percent off everything, Artsite Gallery is running a prize draw, Cream on King and Cream on Crown will give you a free pair of new sunnies for every $50 you spend on upcycled and vintage clothing, and Stacks of Wax is inviting you to make your own candle. There’s also a villages-wide Instagram comp going on, which might see you jetting off to some long dreamt-of destination. Simply take a shot of your favourite shop window and tag it #sydxmas #bestwindow, for a chance to win a $2,000 QANTAS travel voucher. The business responsible for the most-tagged window will score $5,000 worth of adventures with Red Balloon. Both prizes are courtesy of American Express. And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Find out more about the City of Sydney’s Christmas in the Villages at their website.
If you live on the fringes of Sydney it can sometimes feel like all the fun stuff is just out of reach — programmed for a weeknight after the last train home has left the station. That sense of isolation can mean that young music fans can miss out on seeing their favourite acts live on stage, even the ones that grew up around the corner who've gone on to bigger (not better) crowds in the big smoke. Here to bridge that gap is record label founder Johann Ponniah (pictured above), who set up I OH YOU. He grew up in Campbelltown and decided to create a music festival at Campbelltown Athletics Centre (a running track that locals would know from their school athletics carnivals) to bring some of those local acts back to a big stage in the Macarthur region. Local boys The Rubens, who grew up down the road in Menangle, are headlining the festival alongside Melbourne rapper Illy. There'll be two stages with genres that span hip hop to dance-punk. From 1–10pm you can hear from Alex the Astronaut, Mallrat, Trophy Eyes, WAAX, GRAACE, Clypso, Lex Deluxe and DJ sets from DZ Deathrays and Northeast Party House. The event is open to ages 15+, and as it's the first of its kind there's the hope that it'll attract more and more big-named artists in years to come. The Rubens image: Ali Lander-Shindler.
Stay tuned. More info on its way.
