Though the sun is still shining high, we're sorry to say that cooler nights are just around the corner. But now is not the time to wallow. Instead, you've got to give these last licks of summer all you've got. This is especially true on the date front. We've put together a list of outdoor adventures for you and your date to enjoy before the hot days and balmy nights disappear. Go for a picnic by the water, a sunset cliff walk or a film under the stars. These aren't your usual go-to date destinations, and each and every single one is primed for BYO. Just don't wait on it — the autumn chill will be here before you know it.
Now settled into Wunderlich Lane, Island Radio has gone about impressing those from Surry Hills and beyond with its hawker-inspired cuisine paired with a dazzling tropical fit-out. Yet this vibey spot is turning up the volume dial even further, hosting the Unico Zelo Wine Rave from 5pm on Thursday, October 23. Bringing together natty wine, bold flavours and high-energy chaos, this one-night-only experience features an eight-dish set menu riffing on Southeast Asian–inspired cuisine, with dishes including raw salmon with red curry dressing, and charred turmeric-brined chicken with coconut sambal. Meanwhile, a suitably tasty Unico Zelo wine pairs with each dish. Born in the Adelaide Hills back in 2012, Unico Zelo is renowned for its playful, sustainable wines crafted from drought-resistant grapes. On the night, diehard wine-nerd and brand ambassador Noah Ward will be in the house, leading this multi-course dinner and playing a pivotal role in the chaotic accoutrements on the agenda. That includes DJs spinning tunes from behind the decks, wine-fuelled jelly shots on arrival and even spin the bottle. Don't worry, there's only prizes up for grabs, like bottles of Unico Zelo, exclusive merch and food and drink vouches. Conceived as a dinner party meets dance floor fun, this rave-like wine night is set to defy all expectations.
UPDATE: JULY 31, 2018 — You can stop bulk-buying chocolate bars, 50,000 more golden tickets to Charlie And the Chocolate Factory have just been released. And you can buy them right here. Two show dates have been added in January and the season has been extended to May 31, 2019. If you'd like to catch Willy Wonka and his orange-hued friends on the stage, we suggest moving quickly. Everyone's favourite 'candy man' is hitting Aussie shores next January, with the announcement that Sydney's Capitol Theatre will play host to the smash-hit musical production of Charlie And the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl's classic sugar-dusted tale is being brought to life in its Australian debut by a collaboration between theatre producers John Frost, Craig Donnell, Langley Park Productions, Neal Street Productions and Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. Following the worldwide popularity of both the original book and the 1971 Gene Wilder film of the same name, the musical has been confirmed a sweet success internationally, scoring rave reviews during its stint on Broadway last year. With original songs like The Candy Man and I've Got a Golden Ticket featured alongside new tunes from the songwriters of Hairspray, this confection of a show promises to lure audiences of all ages into, shall we say, a land of pure imagination. It's directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, with music by Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics courtesy of Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Sydney season will kick off on January 8, 2019, with performances running on Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets for the first month of shows are now on sale at charliethemusical.com.au. Top image: Joan Marcus, the original Broadway cast 2017.
What happens when you take a huge name in Australia's music scene, add 40 more musical talents, then combine them all for two big gigs? In 2023, you get Red Bull Symphonic with Genesis Owusu and the Sydney and Brisbane Symphony Orchestras. The popular series pairs impressive local talents with an orchestral backing, after first debuting in 2022 in the Sunshine State with Goodna rapper Lisi and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, it's expanding its shows to New South Wales, too — and making Ghanaian Australian artist Owusu the star. "If you've seen me perform live, you know I love the drama. Bringing out the grandeur in every element," said Owusu, announcing the gigs. "What's grander and more theatrical than a punk-funk-rap enigma backed by a 40-piece orchestra? We getting real thespian out here." The 2023 Red Bull Symphonic tour will kick off in Brisbane, at the River City's Fortitude Music Hall on Friday, March 3, with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra in support. Sydneysiders get their turn on Thursday, March 23 at the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall, with — naturally — the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on hand to assist. Owusu will also be collaborating with Australian composer and arranger Alex Turley (Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Omega Ensemble, Electric Fields, NGAIIRE), in two shows that promise to combine two different arts worlds — and give his own punk-electronic tracks a new interpretation that even his most ardent fans haven't experienced. The multi award-winning performer gets orchestral after a massive couple of years that've seen him win triple j's Album of the Year in 2021 for his debut record Smiling with No Teeth; nab four ARIAs including Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art for the same release; and score 2022 ARIA noms for Best Music Video and Best Independent Release for single 'GTFO'. And yes, it's an excellent time to enjoy classical orchestras in new ways, courtesy of other events like Ministry of Sound Classical and Synthony, plus film-and-music screenings for flicks as diverse as Black Panther, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, Frozen, The Princess Bride, Home Alone, Toy Story and more. Wondering what's in store at Red Bull Symphonic? Check out footage from 2022's event below: RED BULL SYMPHONIC WITH GENESIS OWUSU: Friday, March 3: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra Thursday, March 23: Sydney Opera House, Sydney, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Red Bull Symphonic with Genesis Owusu takes place in March 2023, with tickets onsale now via the Sydney Opera House for Sydney and Ticketmaster for Brisbane. Top image: Bart Celestino.
The third of a series of civil disobedience projects aimed at changing the perception of expected public behavior has landed in Madrid in the form of a takeover of street ads throughout populated areas of the city. The Madrid Street Advertising Takeover (MaSAT) was launched by the Public Ad Campaign, an organisation that strives to change how humans interact with their environment. At 5:30 am on March 30, four teams of 16 volunteers traversed the city of Madrid to the Cemusa bus shelters to replace over 106 advertisements with posters of sentimental messages, sent in from individuals from all over the world, in order to protest the rise of the advertising monopoly that has consumed city life. Each text-based ad cover-up was meant to show city-dwellers what positive things could be done with public space. Inspirational messages like "In love we trust" and "Cash has ruined everything around me" were plastered on bus stops over street ads. It took about an hour for the project to be completed, but only around five hours for the posters to be taken down. This rebellious act, however short-lived, showed the world the possibilities for a better public environment. Our world doesn't have to be cluttered with billboards for BMWs or flyers for fancy restaurants, the advertising world has only become a monopoly because we've let it. [via Wooster Collective]
Next time you're looking for a healthy lunchtime meal near Circular Quay, you'll be able to head to the MCA. Its in-house cafe, which has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the harbour, has just launched a new vegetarian menu in collaboration with Sydney cafe and picklery Cornersmith. In great news for CBD pickle lovers, it means that you'll be able to get your daily dose of the cafe's salty and briny vegetables (in toasties, salads and bibimbaps) without heading out to Annandale or Marrickville. The Cornersmith menu, which launched on Friday, March 1, is available from 10am–4pm every day — and till 9pm on Wednesdays (when the gallery stays open late). Its launch corresponds with the gallery's new exhibition, Janet Laurence: After Nature, which explores the environmental challenges facing the world today — from coral bleaching to deforestation — through living sculpture, photography and video. It's only fitting, then, that Cornersmith's ethos is also focused on the environment. The cafe and cooking school advocates low-waste and uses minimal meat and produce that is sourced locally and sustainably. And it's making damn tasty fare — and it's super affordable, too. Everything on the new MCA Cafe is under $20 — from the kimchi and cheddar toastie with coriander slaw ($12) to the a brown rice bibimbap with kimchi ($16) and poached egg roll with red cabbage, chilli and pickles ($10). Meat-eaters will be happy to know that they can add leg ham ($2) to the latter if they please, while vegans will find solace in the Vegan Surprise Plate ($16), which comes complete with vegan cheese. Like the MCA's new exhibition, the Cornersmith menu is around for a good time, not a long time. So if you'd like to get your city dose of Cornersmith eats, you'll need to head along before Monday, June 10, 2019. The regular MCA Cafe menu will also be available during this time.
This is the start of White Rabbit gallery's fourth year. Its directive is Chinese art produced since 2000. It's a private collection — stuff that Kerr and Judith Neilson literally can't fit in their house. The tectonic cultural, political, and economic shifts in China have prompted a new renaissance of contemporary art. Hundreds of new museums open there every year, and cash-rich Beijing and Hong Kong dominate the global art market in volume of sales. White Rabbit's latest show is called Double Take. A double take is a second glance, a delayed response to something that initially seems within easy comprehension. The works start with simple, singular premises that turn an assumed convention on its head. The show partly consists of a re-hang of previously exhibited works, taking the Double Take theme to another level. Despite the limited opening up, China remains repressive, and a gulf of inequality between the new generation of capitalists and the masses of poor is widening. As such, the themes of brutality and quiet violence hidden within many of the Double Take's works provide a counter-melody to their surface beauty. To walk into Tu Wei-Cheng's room-sized installation Happy Valentine's Day (2011) — a replica chocolate shop — is to be greeted with the overwhelming aroma of cocoa butter and strawberry liquor. To look deeper is to realise that you are in a kind of saccharine war room: the confections are actually miniature tanks and militia men, posed to attack each other. The work is a comment on the increasingly militarised relations between China and Taiwan, and the artist installed it with a team of 14 assistants, something that gives you a sense of the scale that many Chinese artists are working on. Shen Liang's This is a Book (2007) hijacks Cultural Revolution-era propaganda comics aimed at illiterate and semiliterate peasants, by reinterpreting them in a rough, painterly style, with almost imperceptible graffiti and visual subversions. It's accompanied by the original comics, so you can spot the difference between the vandalised and the authentic images. Dai Hua's I Love Beijing's Tiananmen (2006) is an alternative history of the city, a pixel-art digital print in the style of ancient scroll. It contains an incredibly detailed, self-made language of rebellious symbols, the kind of language the Chinese government would otherwise censor. Look closely and you'll see a Microsoft pop-up dialogue box that asks, "Would you like to delete this file? Yes/No." White Rabbit is the art world's equivalent of wide-eyed, out-and-out pop music. The kind of grown-up pop that Prince makes, that Madonna used to make. Their latest show has that holy grail of synchronous clarity and complexity that all contemporary artists search for — it's broad and accessible without ever sacrificing intelligence and depth. Double Take is smart and political, inspiring and unsettling, all at once. We recommend taking a guided tour — they're educational but not in a high school-ish way, because the White Rabbit staff are engaging, informed professionals who really know their stuff. And our last tip: There's a tiny library on the top floor where art geeks can spend a few hours pouring over beautiful, shiny art books, or join in on their Sunday book club. Image: Artist Tu Wei-Cheng as proprietor of his chocolate shop in Happy Valentine's Day, 2011, mixed media.
Now you're spending a little more time in your home, you may as well pick up a new skill. Always wanted to know how to shake a martini that would impress James Bond? What about learning some handy tricks in the kitchen for the dinner party you're planning when this is all over? Well, Sydney bar and vegetarian diner Golden Gully is letting you level-up from the comfort of your living room. If you're keen to take your boozy drinks from the humble G&T to a whiskey sour or manhattan, join bartenders Rachael and Danny over video chat for a one-hour class, which will show you how to mix up whatever you've got lying in your liquor cabinet. So, you can put that shot of Midori down now. Prefer to learn how to be a whiz in the kitchen? Golden Gully's chef Emma Evans (ex-Alibi) will help you turn water into wine — well more like mi goreng into pad see ew, which is still a mean feat. You'll join her for an hour via video chat to go through a recipe and cook up something tasty, even using the most mundane ingredients in your panty. Each class costs $60 and will not only see you through self-isolation, but also are life skills you should probably have under your belt anyway. To purchase a class, head here. And once that's done, message Golden Gully on Instagram to arrange a time and date. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Stay tuned. More info coming soon. Image: Mitch Fong / Lift Performance.
When the Sydney Fringe Festival rolls around, you know you're in for experiences that are both weird and wonderful, with an abundance of extravagance found all across town. A wonderful experience is exactly what you can expect from History of House, an electrifying event that will be held inside Sydney Spiegeltent in the Entertainment Quarter from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 29 as part of Sydney Fringe Festival's Spiegeltent Festival Garden program. History of House is a collaborative exploration of the history of dance music led by ARIA-nominated DJ Groove Terminator and the three-time Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, a world-famous South African choir that has performed with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Throughout the course of the evening, they'll take you on a trip through the best tunes of the 70s right up to the 00s, from CHIC's 'Le Freak' to Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' and Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)'. Staying still in your seat will be a challenge. Shows will run every Thursday through to Sunday. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Soweto Gospel Choir will perform Hope, an all-new concert featuring music penned during Nelson Mandela's South African freedom movement and Martin Luther King's 1950s American Civil Rights Movement. It includes the works of James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. History of House will run Thursday through Sunday at Sydney Spiegeltent from August 30–September 29. Visit the website for more information or to book tickets.
Adult life involves too much responsibility — groceries, rent, inter-personal relationships, democracy. I often wish I could return to those carefree primary school days of Zooper Dooper ice blocks (I preferred bubble gum flavour), canteen lunch orders in brown paper bags, and poring over Hanson interviews in Smash Hits (yeah, I know, piss off). The days when my greatest anxieties were whether or not the librarian's son wanted to marry me, and, of course, whether I'd retain my handball crown next lunchtime. The folks behind Ghetto Handball understand this. The "rising star of the outdoor scum scene in Sydney", Ghetto Handball will be hosting a special Election Day Edition this Saturday at 12pm. Vote, buy yourself some beers, and get on into a chalk square to play some ball. Remember guys — a flicked wrist and a strong arm will never fail you, and get down low before you slog. The official after party will take place at The Shannon Hotel, 87 Abercrombie St, Chippendale, where you can either celebrate or commiserate the election with the likes of Kitty Munroe, Nickels & Dimes, and Gadgets on the decks. The official Ghetto Handball rules are as follows: The Hierarchy: King, Queen, Jack, Dunce. If it is a four-square game, all players apart from King are immediately out if they mess up. If it goes to six-squares, King and Queen stay in and go to Dunce if they get out. New King must serve it to Old King. If you forget to follow this rule as New King you are immediately out. Not to Dunce — GONE. Back of the line, fool. If you would like the ball first at a point of service, you are encouraged to call "Service". If at that point you would also like to state you want the ball played to you in a favourable manner, you are encouraged to further call “Service Decent”. Please note King then decides if you are to receive the "Service", and if it will indeed be "Decent". Lines is a replay. Rolls is a replay. Deal with it. If the players on court can’t decide on a decision, it goes to the bench. The bench's decision is final. You must be physically lining up next to the court to be included on the bench. If there is interference to play (e.g. a car, dog, streaker) "INNO'S" must be called. As soon as "INNO'S" is called, any further shots are not counted. Alliances, teams, dress-ups, heckling are all welcomed.
Lynne Ramsay's We Need To Talk About Kevin is a stunning and unnerving adaptation of Lionel Shriver's acclaimed 2003 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Eva (Tilda Swinton), a free-spirited travel writer whose life undergoes a radical (and, in her mind, unfavourable) disruption following the birth of her son Kevin. Tormented by his incessant screaming and frustrated by the unfamiliar role of 'stay-at-home mum', Eva quickly develops an extreme case of post-natal depression typified by unqualified resentment of her child. Tragically as Kevin matures their relationship simply grows colder, with Eva's indifference matched only by Kevin's calculated disobedience. He is as defiant with her as he is affectionate towards his father, which in turn merely exacerbates Eva's already bitter jealousy. Later, when Kevin suddenly embarks upon a devastating high school killing spree reminiscent of the Columbine massacre, Eva becomes both the focus of an outraged community's scorn and victim of her own conscience as she grapples with the possibility that her parenting (or lack thereof) was ultimately to blame. Swinton is simply mesmerising in the role of Eva, with her transformation from carefree Bohemian to haunted loner incredibly confronting both physically and psychologically. John C. Reilly is also excellent as her earnest but sceptical husband, though he's unfairly burdened by the 'comedian-turned-serious-actor' problem that curiously fails to operate inversely when serious actors pop up in comedies. Lastly there's Ezra Miller in the role of Kevin, whose eerie calm and recalcitrant manipulation affords the audience a small level of sympathy towards Eva as she tries and fails to love him like a parent should. Visually, We Need To Talk About Kevin is a joy to watch thanks to the sublime cinematography of Seamus McGarvey and polished direction by Ramsay. Psychologically, it is perhaps the most unsettling film of 2011, filled with moments of such suspense and disquiet that you'll emerge from the cinema utterly rattled by the experience and suddenly terrified of parenthood. To win a double pass to see the film, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=YVvRHzTEzeQ
Following a stellar debut edition in 2022 headlined by the likes of The Dandy Warhols, DMA's and The Tesky Brothers, Wanderer Festival is returning to the picturesque Sapphire Coast between Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1 — and it has just dropped its jam-packed lineup. The indie-rock-heavy program of acts pulls together beloved locals with a sprinkle of international acts and a hefty dose of young fast-rising musicians. Headlining the lineup is a quartet of festival faves in Ocean Alley, The Jungle Giants, Spiderbait and Thelma Plum, alongside the UK's oddball rock group Django Django, American folk songwriter Kevin Morby and contemporary blues singer-songwriter Son Little. Deeper into the lineup you'll find the recent subject of the 2023 Archibald Pize-winning painting, Montaigne, plus Art vs Science, Lisa Mitchell, Urthboy, Alice Skye, Babe Rainbow, C.W. Stoneking, Kim Churchill, Haiku Hands, Dice, Annie Hamilton and Rum Jungle. Just like last year, the festival will also host a heap of local south coast NSW musicians including the Bega Sound Collective, Whiskey Dram, Flavuh and the Big Lost Band — a huge rock and roll orchestra made up of musicians from local high schools and arts communities. The full program will also feature art, comedy, theatre, circus performers, artisan workshops and live screenings of both footy grand finals. [caption id="attachment_788985" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ocean Alley[/caption] "Wanderer is beyond anything I could have hoped for in a festival and for this region. It delivers an authentic and exceptional festival experience no matter who you are or where you come from and it was amazing to see it so wholly owned, embraced and deeply loved by the local community as well as travellers from as far as Western Australia and the Nothern Territory," said festival's founder Simon Daly. The festival is all-ages and family-friendly. One-, two- and three-day passes are all available, as well as camping tickets and even glamping packages available for $1045 for two people or $1155 for groups of five. Wanderer Festival will return to Pambula Beach, Saphire Coast between Friday, September 29–Sunday, October 1. Tickets are on sale now. Festival images: Ruby Boland
Is there anything more intimate than wandering around someone's home when they're not there, gently rifling through their things, and — literally or not, your choice — spending a few minutes standing in their shoes? Yes, but there's still an intoxicating sense of closeness that comes with the territory; moseying curiously in another's house without their company, after they've entrusted their most personal space to you alone, will understandably do that. In Mothering Sunday, Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young, The Staircase) finds herself in this very situation. She's naked, and as comfortable as she's ever been anywhere. After her lover Paul Sheringham (Josh O'Connor, Emma) leaves her in a state of postcoital bliss, she makes the most of his family's large abode in the English countryside, the paintings and books that fill its walls and shelves, and the pie and beer tempting her tastebuds in the kitchen. The result: some of this 1920s-set British drama's most evocative and remarkable moments. Jane is used to such lofty spaces, but rarely as a carefree resident. She's an aspiring writer, an orphan and the help; he's firmly from money. She works as a maid for the Sheringhams' neighbours, the also-wealthy Godfrey (Colin Firth, Operation Mincemeat) and Clarrie Niven (Olivia Colman, Heartstopper), and she's ventured next door while everyone except Paul is out. This rare day off is the occasion that gives the stately but still highly moving film its name as well — Mother's Day, but initially designed to honour mother churches, aka where one was baptised — and the well-to-do crowd are all lunching to celebrate Paul's impending nuptials to fiancée Emma Hobday (Emma D'Arcy, Misbehaviour). He made excuses to arrive late, though, in order to steal some time with Jane, as they've both been doing for years. Of course, he can't completely shirk his own party. Mothering Sunday does more than luxuriate in Jane's languid stroll around a sprawling manor, or the happiness that precedes it — much, much more — but these scenes stand out for a reason. They're a showcase for Australian actor Young, who has graduated from playing troubled daughters (see: 2015's The Daughter and the unrelated Looking for Grace) to searching young women cementing their place in the world (see also: 2020's Shirley). With her quietly potent and radiant help, they say oh-so-much about Jane that wouldn't have sported the same power if conveyed via dialogue. They're also exactly the kind of sequences that screenwriter Alice Birch (Lady Macbeth) knows well, although she isn't merely repeating herself. Helping pen the page-to-screen adaptations of Sally Rooney's Normal People and Conversations with Friends, she's inherently at home revealing everything she can about her characters just by observing what they do when no one's watching. The broader story in Mothering Sunday also springs from a book, this time from Graham Swift's 2016 novel, with French filmmaker Eva Husson (Girls of the Sun) making her English-language debut in the director's chair. Swift didn't choose an annual occasion at random, with the day cloaked in sadness in the Sheringham and Niven households — and across Britain — in the shadow of the First World War and all the young men lost to the conflict. Indeed, marking Paul's engagement is the best way to spend the date because his brothers, and the Nivens' boys too, will never have the same chance. The need to don a stiff upper lip, to keep calm and carry on, and to embody every other grin-and-bear-it cliche about English stoicism is deeply rooted in grief here, and more will come in this touching feature before the sunny March day that sits at its centre is over. In lesser hands than Swift's, Husson's and Birch's, Jane might've been a peripheral player — or one part in a straightforward upstairs-downstairs setup that could've stepped directly out of Downton Abbey. Thankfully, that isn't Mothering Sunday either as a book or a movie. While class clashes are inescapable within the film's frames, it's how the eponymous date shapes Jane, and how moments both big and small change anyone, that dwells at its core. The picture also flits forward to its protagonist as a writer, where she's drawn back to that past idyll and heartbreak while navigating a relationship with Oxford philosopher Donald (Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Gangs of London). And, it jumps further into the future still, where the even-older Jane (Glenda Jackson, making her first movie since 1990's King of the Wind) has spent decades reflecting on that one Mothering Sunday, plus the other joys and losses life has brought her way, in her head, heart and through her work. It's easy to think you know what to expect with Mothering Sunday. Within its 104-minute running time, its pace is as leisurely as British dramas come. Whether roving around the Sheringhams' mansion, the garden party or less lavish places, Jamie Ramsay's (Moffie) cinematography is the epitome of handsome. Also, reteaming The Crown's O'Connor and Colman signals its emphasis on performances (Young and Firth pair up again, too, but the film actually pre-dates their work on HBO miniseries The Staircase). And yet, Mothering Sunday is also never that formulaic, and it isn't merely the movie that could've been constructed simply by connecting the obvious dots. Husson's and Birch's touches give it a gloriously sensual feel, and not only in the lingering sex scenes, their thrusting bodies and even the stains that a tumble in the sheets can cause. Clearly, the two women who've turned Mothering Sunday into a yearning, sultry and textured splash of celluloid have taken the narrative's message to heart: that leaping in, lapping up whatever delights come your way, and also facing the pain if and when it comes, is always better than holding back to avoid the scantest trace of woe. There's nothing overtly forceful about Young and O'Connor's performances, but the same can be said of the wonderful duo, who could fuel several movies with their chemistry alone. That Firth and Colman don't have quite the same presence fits with their characters, though, who nonetheless prove an affecting portrait of post-war mourning. And while there's little that's left unsaid in Morgan Kibby's emotive score, her third for Husson — or in three-time Oscar-winner Sandy Powell's (The Young Victoria, The Aviator, Shakespeare in Love) eye-catching, period-appropriate costuming, either — that too couldn't be more apt, with the film revelling in what it can when it can.
Picture this: you're on a weekend escape in the Central Coast and you've just spent your day at the beach, swimming and baking in the sun, or going on an invigorating walk along the Bouddi Coastal Trail. As the sun starts to dip, you (like us) might start contemplating a refreshing cocktail or two. Which is fair, you're on holidays after all. For this, there are many options, but if you're near Terrigal, you'll want to head to Pocket Bar. Sister to Sydney's Stitch Bar and Button Bar, Pocket Bar is situated opposite the beach and pairs modern twists on classic cocktails with fun bar snacks. For drinks, you'll be sipping on the likes of a watermelon martini ($19), a raspberry lolly-inspired daiquiri ($18), the Gold Digger ($18) — the bar's version of a whisky sour with honey, chocolate liqueur, amaretto and burned coconut — and a maple-infused highball ($18). If you're hungry, there are plenty of dishes with which to line your stomach. Think wild mushroom arancini ($10), cheeseburger spring rolls ($18), beer-soaked corn ($9), chilli salt squid ($12) and jerk chicken wings ($12).
Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us — and Coogee Bay Hotel is celebrating in a big way. Mexican Madness will take over the venue's seaside garden across Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. Expect Mexican-inspired everything — from the vibe and entertainment to the food and drinks. The space will transport punters from the Coogee coastline to the beaches of Mexico with a fully immersive fit-out, a three-piece mariachi band and a full menu of Mexican eats and drinks from the kitchen — think tacos and nachos paired with Lexington Hill margaritas, ice-cold Coronas and other themed cocktails. A full lineup of live entertainment will be on throughout the weekend, too. But it's not always enough just to feel like you've been to Mexico for the day. That's why the hotel is also running a competition for an all-inclusive, seven day trip to Mexico for two. Simply purchase one bucket of Corona or two Lexington Hill margaritas at Coogee Bay Hotel to be in the running. The deal will also be running at the adjoining Liquor Barn until May 31. You'll score one entry if you purchase two Lexington Hill cocktails or a Corona six-pack to take away — or three entries with a case. Mexican Madness will take place across May 4–5, from noon until sundown each day. For more information, head to the website. Images: Kai Leishman and Karina Lee.
Edition Book Bar is the luxe cafe-bookstore experience for when a simple espresso with your Penguin classic isn't bougie enough. Located on Harris Street, Pyrmont, the interior has a slick, industrial feel with a range of brown leather couches, stools and large tables to plonk yourself down on. Leaf through upscale hardcover lifestyle books on a range of topics whilst sipping champagne, or order a cheese plate to accompany your latest fiction obsession. Happy Hour is every day from 4-7pm, with $6 house wines, beers and spirits and a rotating $10 cocktails special. Embrace that life of leisure.
Brisbanites, prepare for your next hotel getaway — but don't expect to travel very far. Come March 2018, the CBD will welcome its first new luxury hotel in decades, W Brisbane. A five-star establishment on the northern side of the river, it's the type of place that screams 'staycation'. Views beyond South Bank and Mt Coot-tha from each of its rooms, three dining and drinking venues, a lounge-style lobby that boasts a DJ booth by night: they're all part of the W Brisbane experience. In-room cocktail bars, free Netflix, a barbecue-lined poolside area and 1,100 square meters of function space are as well. Taking over the spot at 300 George Street that previously housed the city's supreme courts, and forming part of the new Brisbane Quarter development, the hotel won't be lacking in lush facilities, amenities or reasons to drop by. Those staying the night can pick from 280 standard rooms, 28 suites, two extra-luxe spaces they've dubbed "wow" suites and one "extreme wow" offering — all decked out with custom-designed furniture inspired by the state's history. If that's not blissful enough, guests can also head downstairs to the spa, which features a hair and nail salon, vitality pools, relaxation pods and rejuvenating salt inhalation chambers. W Hotels is owned by Marriott International. New hotels are also planned for Sydney in 2019 and Melbourne in 2020. As for the rest of Brisbane Quarter, it's slated to include an office tower, apartments and two levels of retail too. Find W Brisbane at 300 George Street, Brisbane from March 2018. For more information, or to make a reservation from November 2017, visit the hotel website.
Contemporary artist Julie Mehretu is renowned throughout the world for her large-scale, abstract paintings which erupt with colour, energy and movement and have been said to redefine contemporary art. [caption id="attachment_978358" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Julie Mehretu, image courtesy and © Julie Mehretu, photograph: Josefina Santos[/caption] Exclusive to Sydney, Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory runs from Friday, November 29, 2024, to Sunday, April 27 2025, as part of the Sydney International Art Series. The exhibition will feature over 80 of Mehretu's works, including large scale paintings, prints and drawings. The New York-based artist is widely regarded as one of the most exciting, original and thought-provoking painters of her generation, reflected in the recent 83-foot-high glass mural commission for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago. Mehretu is renowned for her monumental works, which are informed by histories of art, architecture and our contemporary world, from revolution and migration to climate change. [caption id="attachment_980179" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Julie Mehretu, Hineni II (E.3:4), 2019-2020, ink and acrylic on canvas, Kravis Collection, image courtesy and © Julie Mehretu, photograph: Tom Powell Imaging[/caption] Head over to MCA Australia to experience big, bold and dynamic multilayered paintings. While you're there, you could even check out programs responding to the exhibition, including talks, tours, a Family Space and special events. A highlight is Julie Mehretu; Up Late part of Sydney Festival's Art Up Late (Wednesdays 8, 15 and 22 January until 9pm.) Or, On Friday, February 14, MCA Australia and Heaps Gay are teaming up for a date night at the Museum. This will mark the first day of Sydney Mardi Gras and of course Valentine's Day. The event is free, with entry to the Julie Mehretu exhibition ticketed. Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory is taking place from Friday, November 29, 2024 to Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 10am–5pm (closed Tuesdays and 25 December) as part of the Sydney International Art Series. Tickets are available online and at MCA, and the exhibition is free for MCA Members and children ages 17 and under. Art Passes are also available, covering single entry to all three exhibitions in the Sydney International Art Series including Magritte and Cao Fei at the Art Gallery of NSW. Find more information and book tickets at mca.com.au. Header image: Julie Mehretu, 'Sumo', 2024, ink and acrylic on canvas, image courtesy and © Julie Mehretu, photograph: Tom Powel Imaging.
For some, it's hard to remember a time when having a tattoo wasn't the norm. While originally a sign of rebellious counterculture, now you'd be hard-pressed to go a day without spotting at least one out in the wild — after all, 30 percent of Australians* now sport some kind of ink. The prevalence of tattoos may have changed, but certain requirements around donning new ink remain the same. Namely, the need for aftercare products. It's always been essential to take care of your tattoo in order to preserve the vibrancy of the ink and keep your skin healthy. But when your options were limited to greasy balms and clinical ointments, it was easy to let this fall by the wayside. For Another Self is changing all that by turning the tables on tattoo aftercare. Offering products that are lightweight, natural and nourishing, its range of skincare could be just the solution you — and your tattoos — are looking for. For Another Self is built around a trio of signature products, which are formulated with 100 percent organic ingredients. Every item is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, sulfates, and silicones, enabling you to keep your tattoos looking vibrant and your skin nourished, without relying on harsh chemicals. It's a more conscious approach to tattoo aftercare, embracing not only the experience of being inked, but how this reflects your very personality and individuality. "Tattoos are a form of self-expression, and we wanted to create products that celebrate that, not minimise it," For Another Self founder Luke explains. "Tattoo aftercare has been dominated by a clinical approach that doesn't resonate with the values of the new generation of tattoo lovers. Our products are made to match their mindset, authentic, organic, and designed to nurture tattoos as personal works of art." So how can For Another Self's treatments help you avoid the more irritating parts of tattoo care? First up, there's the Tattoo Oil ($29), which should be applied daily to keep your tattoo looking fresh. This treatment is packed with antioxidant-rich sunflower oil, along with moisture-locking jojoba oil and omega-packed avocado and argan oils. This combination of oils will help to keep your skin soft, while preserving your ink and enhancing its vibrancy. To help maintain that vibrancy, you'll also want to apply the Tattoo Balm ($29) regularly. This treatment uses shea and mango butter to deeply hydrate your skin, along with coconut and castor oil to lock in moisture. To help your ink stay bold and defined, its formula also includes hemp seed and avocado oil, along with lime and mandarin essential oils that help soothe your skin and prevent irritation. If this isn't your first time under the gun, this balm is also a great option when it comes to caring for older ink. Then there's the Tattoo Exfoliator ($29), which should be applied roughly two to three times a week. This exfoliator helps buff away dead skin cells without stripping away moisture, ensuring your ink remains bright and defined. This treatment is a blend of ultra-hydrating shea and mango butter, along with a combo of avocado, castor and hemp seed oils to moisturise your skin. To top things off, this exfoliator has a pleasant, earthy scent, thanks to cedarwood and bergamot essential oils — because why not feel and smell good? When used separately, these treatments will do a good job of keeping your tattoos looking fresh and your skin nourished — but combining them will go a long way to keeping your ink looking as good as new. For Another Self also offers the Ritual Kit ($69), which bundles all three products into a convenient package. After all, you're it for the long run with a tattoo, so you may as well ensure it continues to look as good as the day you got it. For Another Self is available to purchase online, and you can save 10 percent off your next order with the promo code 'FAS10'. You can learn more here. 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. Images: For Another Self
Finishing work on a Thursday afternoon, you can feel the weekend coming. You might want to hit the town but you're just looking for the right excuse. Powerhouse Museum has been offering up that excuse with a run of free late-night events happening every Thursday since January — and it's now it has extended its run with a fresh lineup for the cooler months. Part of the Culture Up Late initiative funded by the NSW government, the after-dark affair is running till the end of June. The festivities are on till 9pm each week, and you can expect talks on music, art and design, alongside musical performances and exhibitions. Highlights from the new program include a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community from Queerscreen, with film screenings and live performances on the bill; a night of electro tunes, performances and visual feasts courtesy of Electronic Music Conference (EMC); and the Museum's new exhibition all about the iconic Aussie gum, Eucalyptusdom, which you can be one of the first to check out — and after hours, no less. A pop-up outdoor bar is set up on the Harris Street terrace, featuring a special Campari cocktail menu for Thursday night refreshments. [caption id="attachment_811875" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] All exhibitions and events are free but bookings are recommended. Head to the Powerhouse Museum's website to browse the free program — and to book tickets. Images: Jordan Munns
Newtown lamington revolutionary Tokyo Lamington is collaborating with Sydney coffee roaster Stitch Coffee to celebrate International Coffee day on Friday, October 1. The two beloved locals are coming together to offer International Coffee Day goodie bags that feature two new flavours of lamingtons and a sneak peek at Stitch's new drip coffee bags. The limited-time lamington flavours are a cinnamon coffee cake with cafe latte cream, cinnamon coffee jelly, vanilla sponge, white chocolate and cinnamon dip and gingerbread cookie crumbs; and a mandarin coffee lamington made with natsu-milkan curd, whipped caramel coffee, a mandarin coffee-soaked sponge, meringue and mandarin zest. Both flavours use Stitch's brand new Colombian cinnamon and mandarin coffee. Inside the $20 packs, you'll find one of each of these special-edition lamingtons and two drip coffee bags, one of each of the new flavours. Head to either Tokyo Lamington on Australia Street or Stitch Coffee's Broadway store from Friday until Sunday to try the new lamingtons and coffee.
In as much as anyone can be one, Janette Sadik-Khan is an urban development rockstar. Spearheading the re-design of both New York City's transport system and the world-renowned Times Square public space, she is a global leader in her field. And, in speaking at this year's Velo-City conference in Adelaide, Sadik-Khan has offered some advice for Australian cities. Namely, our streets should be more like "living rooms" and — surprise, surprise — we definitely need better bike lanes. With six years under her belt as the Transportation Commissioner of New York City, this lady knows exactly what she's talking about. "Our streets are where we play and meet, kind of like the living rooms of New York," she told the crowd at Velo-City this week. Fighting a war against congestion, Sadik-Khan endeavoured to make New York's public spaces accessible for all — walkers, cyclists, drivers and those relying on public transport. In one of her biggest projects, last year she transformed Times Square into a communal pedestrian space with hundreds of fold-out chairs. It proved to be a huge win for businesses as well as the local community, and in fact shot the area into the top ten retail spaces in the world for the first time ever. In her trip down under, Sadik-Khan has praised cities such as Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland, stating that they seem to have a great deal of leadership at the local level. In fact in just this last week, Sydney has announced a new speed limit for their CBD in order to limit pedestrian accidents, and Melbourne City Council is considering the closure of many main streets in favour of an innovative new walking plan. However, the area all cities are lacking in is undoubtedly their facilities for cyclists. Sadik-Khan claims we must invest in better bike lanes and sustainable bike-share programs. Though many of our major cities have such programs in place, they're understandably not functioning as well as they could. With car doorings a regular occurrence, and animosity towards cyclists at an all-time high, it's clear more can be done. Of course, New York is far from the perfect example. I personally would be terrified to ride my bike through the main city streets and I don't think the local cabbies would be happy to share the road with me either. But it's undoubtedly a beacon of hope. With your feet up on a deck chair in the middle of an NYC icon, you can't help but think something's gone right. Via ABC. Photo credit: hadsie via photopin cc and cuellar via photopin cc.
A new Parisian hotel designed by French artist Matali Crasset is offering travellers a completely new hotel experience. Recently opened in the trendy Rue Chardonne area, Hi-Matic Hotel is entirely internet-based and has no traditional staff. Guests are given a unique code when they make an online reservation and that code gives them access to the building. Once inside, guests are able to check in and pay for their stay on computers (that then dispense their room keys). If they become hungry or bored, guests are able to purchase organic foods, books, music and playful objects from vending machines located in the hotel. The aim of the Hi-Matic is to create a new type of hotel - something unique and luxurious but also practical and accessible. The spaces within the hotel are bright and futuristic, with eco-friendly materials such as organic paint being used throughout. The design is simple but striking and effective. All this does not come without a price, however, with rooms starting at AUD$180 a night. [Via Design Boom]
From humble food truck beginnings, Melbourne Greek doughnut-slinger Lukumades opened its first bricks-and-mortar spot in West Melbourne in 2017. Now, it's about to bring its deliciously chewy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside dessert to Sydney. Slated to open on Thursday, May 2, the Lukumades Sydney outpost will be located in DUO Central Park — the plant-covered skyscraper opposite the eyesore that is UTS Tower —dishing up a modern spin on traditional Greek loukoumades. Cult favourites such as the Oreo Balls smothered in white chocolate and served with a scoop of cookies and cream gelato — and the White Nutella Balls topped with salted caramel sauce and crushed biscuits — will be on the menu, as well as more traditional doughnuts dusted with icing sugar or dipped in honey and cinnamon. To drink, Lukumades specially roasted blend of coffee by Sydney-based William De Nass roasters will be available, as well as milkshakes, traditional Greek soft drinks and tsikoudia — a Greek grape-based spirit. Lukumades is not just expanding to Sydney, either. As well as Perth and a second store in Melbourne, the brand has its sights set globally — thanks to its recent franchising — with stores in the United States and Cyprus anticipated to open by the end of the year. Lukumades is slated to open on Thursday, May 2 at Shop 2, DUO Central Park, 38 Broadway Chippendale. It will be open from 10am–11pm daily.
If all goes to plan, this could be one of our last Friday nights in lockdown. And how better to send it off than with a big ol' living room boogie? Fittingly enough, this Friday, October 23, also marks the final event in Melbourne Fringe Festival's lockdown program, starring a celebratory edition of fan-favourite, Mr McClelland's Finishing School. Broadcasting to a screen and speaker system near you from 9pm, the virtual dance party will see DJ Andrew McClelland working his usual magic, guiding you all through a foot-stomping, groove-inducing mix of indie, pop, soul and rock tunes. Live and loud from his own lounge room, mind you. Clear out the coffee table, put the breakables somewhere safe and get ready to sweat out your lockdown frustrations to hard-hitting songs from across the decades. Best of all, it's an affordable night spent cutting shapes. You'll pay $5 if you're flying solo, $10 for a household ticket, or $15 if you're joining in from some other magical place where IRL partying is still allowed.
Ditch the generic candle and comfy socks this year and give your loved ones a gift they'll remember next Christmas. Show your partner that you've been paying attention to their love language with a surprise picnic, road-trip adventure or cosy date night. Take the little ones on a rural family escapade, or liven up your next group hang with a murder mystery game. For all the do-ers out there, AmazingCo has you covered with a broad range of unforgettable experiences that you can enjoy at home or across your city. We've pulled together five one-of-a-kind adventures for everyone on your nice list, so you can enjoy a hassle-free giving season. MYSTERY PICNIC Turn up the romance with a picture-perfect picnic for your partner. Or, you can choose to treat your friends and family with a group picnic instead. Explore a new pocket of your city with a morning of activities that ends with a picnic in a surprise location. Choose an area — either close by or even a day-trip drive away — and you'll receive a full itinerary of places to explore at your own pace. Follow a series of clues to pick up gourmet snacks from local producers and eateries, all pre-paid for as part of the package, while bonding with your partner over conversation starters and games. Then, you can enjoy your nibbles and drinks with a picnic at a chosen location. The Mystery Picnic starts at $150, but you can upgrade to a premium package or add extra goodies, such as dessert or a bottle of wine. It can also be adapted to suit most dietary requirements. MYSTERY REGION ADVENTURE Discover even more local gems in a half-day voyage with the Mystery Region Adventure. Enjoy an easy cruise to destinations such as the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley or Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Once you've arrived, solve puzzles to uncover each stop along the way, where you'll be treated to wine, produce and chocolate tastings, as well as exclusive discounts and offers. This charming experience will only set you back $80–100, depending on which regional location you choose. AT-HOME DATE NIGHT If your partner prefers quality time at home, spice up your next night in with an At-Home Date Night experience. For only $30, you'll get two hours of puzzles, challenges and games designed to bring you closer together. The activity pack is delivered digitally, so you can enjoy it wherever you are. Take your pick of themes, from the tasty Foodie Date Night or action-packed Activity Date Night to the indulgent Chocolate and Games Hamper and limited-edition New Year's Eve Date Night. Who knows? After this, your relationship might even be strong enough to tackle building that IKEA dresser together. FARM TO TABLE Suited to couples, families and friends, the Farm to Table experience will take you on a food-fuelled day through regions such as the Hawkesbury, Mornington Peninsula or Scenic Rim. Work through clues and riddles to source produce from regional farms and businesses, where you'll learn about sustainable farming techniques, meet some of the animals and connect with the community over snacks and sips. Your efforts will be rewarded with a barbecue back at home, using the ingredients collected throughout the day and the digital recipe book included in the package. Level up your experience with a tasting paddle (or non-alcoholic cider for kids). Most dietary modifications can be accomodated. MURDER MYSTERY PARTY Live out your Knives Out dream and trade the usual dinner and drinks catch-up for a themed Murder Mystery Party. Take your pick from the spooky mayor's mansion, 80s high school reunion or doomed wedding. The experience includes everything you need to host the event, from character bios and invitations to decor tips and printable evidence, so all your friends have to do is show up with outrageous hairstyles in unflattering fluro. Pricing ranges from $40–55 based on the event format (virtual or in-person). It's designed for groups of 8-12, so the more the merrier! If you want more memorable gift ideas, check out the full guide or purchase a gift card on the AmazingCo website.
Just ten months ago, it was announced that Kensington Street Social — the Chippendale restaurant by celebrity chef Jason Atherton — was closing its doors and being replaced by Barzaari. Now, its eastern Mediterranean successor is following suit and shutting up shop for good on Saturday, August 31. The short-lived Chippendale restaurant is Sydney's second outpost of Barzaari, with the still-open original launching in Marrickville back in 2016. Its closure was announced today in a statement from the company, saying "owners Andrew Jordanou and Darryl Martin will place their full focus on their original Barzaari Restaurant in Marrickville". The inner city restaurant is known for its charred vegetables and slow-cooked meats (coming out of the woodfired oven), pillowy breads (perfect for wiping through dips) and all-you-can-eat falafel feasts (for just $20) — all of which you can still enjoy for another 18 days, mind you. [caption id="attachment_729972" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Barzaari also currently looks after the food menus at The Clare and The Old Clare Rooftop bars, but when it closes A1 Canteen will take over. No new plans have been announced for the space just yet, but we'll let you know when they are. Find Barzaari Chippendale at 3 Kensington Street, Chippendale until Saturday, August 31.
Midweek dinners couldn't get any cheesier. After a successful run last year, Handpicked Cellar Door is bring back its raclette dinners, devoting Tuesday and Thursday nights every week to piping hot, melted cheese. From 5.30pm–10pm, the team will warm a mammoth wheel of raclette before your eyes, then slice it straight onto your plate. For $24, you'll be eating the raclette alongside premium pancetta, pickles and potatoes, with a vegetarian option also available ($20). And, before you ask, there's of course the option of matching wines as well. Just 25 bucks will buy you a 'swipe right' four-wine flight, made up of Mornington Peninsula chardonnay, two types of shiraz (one from Heathcote and one from the Barossa Valley) and Margaret River cab merlot. Their Tinder joke, not ours. If this doesn't get you off your couch on a chilly winter night then nothing will.
Their name may be more likely to evoke tacky action cinema than melodious pop-punk, but New Zealand trio Die! Die! Die! would like to invite you to The Standard for just one leg of their Harmony In Australia album tour. Produced by Chris Townend (Portishead, D12, Violent Femmes) the band’s fourth offering Harmony is set to be the record of the year. Encapsulating savant pop elements with the raw energy and emotion of their live performance, Harmony is yet further proof that the band continue to evolve. With Opossum bassist Michael Logie in the ranks, Die! Die! Die! Can be expected to deliver an intense and euphoric show even more blistering than before, full of quietly menacing basslines and bursting with melody.
Now this one is intriguing. If an out-of-the-box gin-heavy event is calling your name, the return of this crime themed gin sesh is the right fit for you. Head over to Frank Mac's at The Rocks for a night filled with treacherous tales of vice, murder and mayhem — plus, a side of crafted cocktails — for you to devour. In your 90-minute session, Sydney crime historian Max Burns-McRuvie will host a deep dive into Sydney's gin-adjacent crimes. You'll delve into the city's dark criminal history while enjoying Frank Mac's antipasto board and two expertly-made seasonal cocktails showcasing one of the stars of the night: gin. [caption id="attachment_900048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (Pictured: Sydney crime historian Max Burns-McRuvie)[/caption] This undeniably niche event runs on three Wednesday nights — May 24, July 26 and September 27 — throughout the year and the price of admission is just $55 per person. It would be a crime to miss it. Check out Frank Mac's official invitation for more information, or head straight to the bookings page to lock in your spooky session. Image credit: Steve Woodburn.
Whether you're keen on a harbourside drink, a stunning view, an excuse to wander and enjoy the Royal Botanic Garden or you're simply a die-hard 'Sunshine on a Rainy Day' fan, next week's wintery edition of The Garden Social has you covered. This time round, the alfresco event is celebrating First Nations artists and cultures. Taking over The Domain's Tarpeian Lawn, the event features a sweeping vantage of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. But, the real draw card is the lineup of First Nations musicians there to serenade you. Headlining? National treasure Christine Anu. Joining the stand-out talent is Ngiyampaa singer-songwriter Pirritu, Yorta Yorta musician Madi, Adelaide-based multi-instrumentalist Rob Edwards (pictured below) and many more. For the full lineup and list of set times, check out the website. You'll also have the opportunity to join in on First Nation cultural practices. There's traditional grass-weaving, sand painting and woodcarving workshops, plus the unique opportunity to contribute to the creation of a Warrane Community Connection Map hosted by Yibaay Wagaan Wiradjuri artists. The cashless event is your chance to warmly farewell winter. With a fantastic spread of food options to choose from and an onsite bar to keep you watered, the lush green grounds are ready and waiting to host you this August. The Garden Social hits Tarpeian Lawn from 5–10pm, Friday, August 12; 11am–10pm, Saturday, August 13; and 11am–8pm, Sunday, August 14. For set time details and more information, head to the website. This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government.
The epic, Western-tinged two-plus hours of John Carter flew by. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film, which makes it odd that I'm about to spend most of this review digging into it. It's because I love you, John Carter people, and you were less than the sum of your parts. Edgar Rice Burroughs' series of books about the exploits of teleported US Confederate soldier John Carter on the planet of Mars are legendary among fantasy fans. Like, Tolkien legendary. It paints a picture of Mars — Barsoom in the local language — as ridden with civil war that is killing the planet. The enlightened city of Helium is on the defence against the creeping, consumptive city Zodanga, but it will take the involvement of Carter and the hitherto neutral tribe of Tharks to tip things in their favour. What happens on Barsoom is complicated, which is part of what makes it an absorbing, convincing, full world. Suffice it to say, there are good guys — Carter (Taylor Kitsch), Princess Dejah (Lynn Collins) of Helium, self-sacrificing Thark Sola (voiced by Samantha Morton) — and bad guys: Prince Sab Than (Dominic West) of Zadonga, the god-like Therns (led by Mark Strong), the tyrannical Thark Tal Hajus (voiced by Thomas Haden Church). The bad guys have all the tech, but the good guys have all the righteousness. Studios have been trying to make John Carter into a movie for decades, and ultimately, that might be the problem. Even when it's fantastic, it feels old. It's not the fault of the visual effects, which, although they might not have the majesty of Avatar, are still rich, seamless and alive (oddly, only the make-up required to turn the humanoid Barsoomians red looks fake). There's just a different sensibility to the action/adventure/fantasy genre these days, and dream team director Andrew Stanton (WALL-E, Finding Nemo) and cowriters Michael Chabon (author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, The Yiddish Policemen's Union) and Mark Andrews (another Pixar luminary) chose not to invoke it. This is most apparent in characterisation. Despite the occasional charms both actors bring to the roles, crusaders and lovebirds Carter and Dejah are a little too perfect, a little too staid, a little too archetypal. They speak in grandiose non-communications. They are never tongue-in-cheek or self-referential. Perhaps that means John Carter will age handsomely, but in the present, it doesn't fit. And that brings us to another gaping anachronism: No-one left on Earth thinks there may be life on Mars, now or anytime in the last 100 years. Space probes since the 1960s have told us so. When Burroughs wrote the series (1912-43), Mars hung heavy with possibility, but it no longer captures our imaginations in the same way. In fact, popular theories going around the internet suggest movies made about Mars are doomed to commercial failure, and Disney clocked on too late. Audiences are keen to suspend reality, but only when led into a compact by a tenable proposition. In this case, John Carter is saddled with a ridiculousness it doesn't deserve. For those who prefer their adventure stories set in space, there's much to enjoy in John Carter, and you might even get original-trilogy-Star Wars-level tingles. But with a few key tweaks, it could have carried so much more critical and box-office weight, and that's the disappointment.
Sydney's Wild Life Zoo may be temporarily closed to the public, but its keepers are continuing to feed and care for its many animals, big, small, scaly and slimy. And it's inviting you to get in on the action this week when it live streams the feeding of one of its biggest residents. At 2.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 25, you can watch Rocky the mammoth 365-kilogram saltwater crocodile splash around in his large pool, clamp his jaws around snacks and maybe even show off a death roll or two. Before the feeding kicks off, there'll be a Q&A with Rocky's keepers Caroline, Ashley and Sofia, who'll be answering all of your questions about the world's largest reptile. Thankfully, this isn't the only live-stream the zoo is planning. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for future cute and slightly scary content, including possible koala cuddles, snake feeding and after-dark hangs with the nocturnal animals. Live-Stream: Feeding Time with Rocky the Crocodile is happening at 2.30pm AEDT via Wild Life Zoo's Facebook page.
Over on Crown Street, Night Parrot leans into top-notch wines from the likes of Lo-Fi Wines' Das Juice, Adelaide Hills' Vinteloper and Yarra Valley's Punt Road Winery. The bar recently changed hands but things remained unchanged for now, so you can sip funky natural drops alongside a selection of Asian-style snacks, including handmade dumplings, bao and Korean popcorn chicken. Images: Stefan Posthuma
Off the back of two super fast-selling seasons in Parramatta, Sydney's most ambitious outdoor cinema is bringing its 150-bed (yes, bed) theatre back for the warmer weather. And this time around, it will be held closer to the CBD, at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter. Grab a buddy you're comfortable to share a blankie with (or make a bold first date move) and book a bed between October 27 and December 10. The cinema will screen a range of films, including new movies (American Assassin, The Foreigner), horror (It, The Shining), subtitled foreign films (Goodbye Lenin, City of God), Disney classics (Cinderella, Peter Pan), Japanese anime (Naruto, My Neighbour Totoro) and some of the best releases of 2017 (Wonder Woman, Dunkirk). Mov'In Bed has planned themed and party nights too. Scorcese gets his own night with screenings of Goodfellas and Wolf of Wall Street and there's a Love is Love night — featuring Brokeback Mountain and Moonlight – and, of course, Halloween night with a horror selection. There'll be the normal cinema food bar selling beer, lollies and popcorn etc. — but we think this will probably be overshadowed by Burger Project and Fratelli Fresh bringing food directly to your bed. If you don't want to shell out for a bed, you can bring a picnic blanket and chill out on the grass. Just remember to book your spot before you rock up. Mov'In Bed runs from October 27 to December 10 at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. For ticketing and event information, visit movinbed.com.au.
Following a sell-out launch event in May, Red Rock Deli is putting together its second secret supper — and this time it's bringing one of Adelaide's most renowned chefs to host an exclusive dinner for some very lucky Sydneysiders. Duncan Welgemoed (Africola) is behind the next mouth-watering feast which will be inspired by Red Rock Deli's new limited-edition flavours. All the details are very much under-wraps, including what he'll be cooking up, but given Africola is famed for its North African-inspired woodfired meats and veggies, you can expect this three-course meal to be filled with flame-grilled delights. Despite everything being very hush-hush, here's what we can reveal: Welgemoed will be flying up for the supper on Thursday, June 20, and his dinner will be inspired by Red Rock Deli's flame-grilled steak and chimichurri flavour. We can also tell you that this experience will involve more than just the dishes — after arriving at the collection point in Sydney's CBD, you'll be whisked away to a mystery location where you can expect everything from the decor to the food to have a fiery theme — although the menu will remain a secret until you arrive. There are two sessions of this lavish dinner, with room for just 20 guests at each. Tickets to Duncan Welgemoed's secret supper cost $110 per person. Enter the ballot below to be given the chance to purchase tickets. The lucky winners will receive a secret link to buy tickets to the evening on Tuesday, June 11th. Please note, the Secret Supper menu will not cater to ANY dietary requirements or allergies. There are strictly no changes to the menu. [competition]717901[/competition] Image: Simon Bajada
"If you don't see it, you're mainstream." Blerg. Don't let the tagline from this cringe-inducing local promo campaign divert you from seeing the wondrously singular Holy Motors, which has been gathering such rapturous/bemused word-of-mouth as to render even good advertising redundant. After its premiere in competition at Cannes, June's Sydney Film Festival rushed to add Holy Motors to its scheduled programme. August's Melbourne International Film Festival ran a retrospective of the works of its director, Leos Carax, a slim oeuvre comprising five feature films over 28 years, the high point of which was 1991's Lovers on the Bridge, starring a young Juliette Binoche. In Holy Motors Monsieur Oscar (Denis Lavant) is driven around Paris to a series of appointments, each its own separate setpiece. Applying elaborate costume before stepping out of his limousine-cum-dressing room, he becomes a dowager's-humped old woman begging in the street, a thuggish hit man sent after his own doppelganger, and an odd little troll who emerges from the underground to crash a fashion shoot, among other transformations. Why is he employed to do any of these things? Who could possibly be a client or beneficiary of this bizarre service? Some hints of the superstructure that explains his existence appear, but they're just that: hints. What matters to Holy Motors is the condition of human beings within the world it has invented, and the loose poetry it spins on the performative aspects of our contemporary lives. Weirdness affected for weirdness's sake can get tired fast. But Holy Motors' kooky anti-narrative isn't for the hell of it, and it definitely isn't boring. There's a two-step test it passed to justify its rampant weirdness to me: First, it threw up utter beauty, often. I can't let go of the image of two improbably agile motion-capture-suited artists meeting for an erotic dance in the dark, of a naked and aroused imp posing for a Rococo tableau with a chartreuse-silk-wrapped Eva Mendes. Second, you might not know exactly what's going on, but you have the sense that Carax does (although he and his stars are being notoriously tight-lipped). That feeling of a fantasy world following its internal logic keeps incredulity at bay. It means when Kylie Minogue appears to sing a melancholy ballad, you go with it. See Holy Motors. See it see it see it see it. Relent and go down the rabbit hole. Holy Motors won't save you from the mainstream, but it will remind you of the sheer possibilities of cinema and the pulchritude we've yet to dream up. And if you're thinking that all sounds like Holy Motors is too hepped up on its own self-importance, rest assured, there are talking cars that will dispel any chance of that. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WTNUPcb9YuQ
Recently under new owners, the Alfred Hotel is a charming old art deco pub, just off Parramatta Road in Camperdown. With Jamie Dyball in the kitchen, the pub serves up a Sunday roast that never disappoints. The $20 roast special changes weekly but always features a beautiful gravy and of course a yorkshire pudding. Keep an eye on the rotating craft beer taps which offer new selections pretty much every week, alongside classic offerings from larger multinationals to keep all thirsty punters happy. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Liberating creativity from rational thought just as the colour field painters sought to destroy illusion, Matthew Allen’s forthcoming exhibition Where You Go I Go Too, offers a place of refuge at Sullivan+Strumpf Gallery. It is a painterly antidote to an increasingly detached and complex world. In this exhibition, Allen celebrates the beauty of raw materiality and its formal qualities, stating: “I deem a work valid when there is an interplay between the tactility of surface and the depth of light, colour and space.” In this way, he is engaging with the gravitational flow of paint and the immersive experience generated by the aesthetic flatness of the canvas. Allen's practice draws largely from the history of 20th century abstract expressionism and the theoretical domain of colour psychology. He aims to spark an epiphanic experience in the viewer, akin to the intentions of the melancholic colour-field pioneer Mark Rothko. He also seek to imbue his painting with a sense of mystic elusiveness, mediating between things verifiable and things unreachable. Where You Go I Go Too invites the viewer to partake in an unearthing of truth, igniting the spirituality of painting as a physical action and paint as material substance.
With the middle of the year fast approaching and too many months gone since Christmas, you're probably thinking about when you can next take a break and get away from it all. So, you could be planning a trip to New Zealand; the trans-Tasman bubble is now open, finally. Or, if you'd like to head to — or make the most of — South Australia, its government wants to give you an extra incentive. As it has done twice already, the SA Government is handing out another round of vouchers in its Great State Vouchers scheme. This time, $50, $100 and $200 vouchers are up for grabs, but only for residents of SA, New South Wales and Victoria. You can put them towards tours and experiences throughout the state, and you can choose which type of single-day, overnight or multi-day experience you're keen on, too, with different activities on offer at different voucher amounts. Because previous iterations of the scheme have proven mighty popular — to the surprise of absolutely no one — you'll also need to enter a ballot this time around. It's open right now, and closes at 10pm ACST / 10.30pm AEST on Friday, April 23. If you're successful, you'll be allocated your preferred voucher at random, which you can then use to book between Tuesday, April 27–Sunday, May 23 for visits from Tuesday, April 27–Saturday, July 31. https://twitter.com/marshall_steven/status/1384651436697407489 If you're wondering what's on offer, activities include gin-blending masterclasses, whale watching, ghost tours, kayak tours of the Adelaide CBD, and food and wine tours of the Clare Valley — plus tours of Adelaide Central Market, a trip to the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve, spending two days on Kangaroo Island, and venturing into the Flinders Rangers for three days. There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly. You can only enter the ballot for one voucher, whether you opt for the $50, $100 or $200 amont, and you'll have to also spend some of your own money to use it — to make up the shortfall in price for your chosen tour or experience — as well. But, if you received a voucher in prior rounds, you can definitely still enter. Accommodation isn't covered this time, either. The idea is that folks heading to SA from interstate will then pump some cash into the economy by paying for hotels — and flights, food and drinks — while they're there. A whopping 50,000 vouchers are on offer, with 45,000 allocated for SA residents and 5000 for folks from NSW and Victoria. And if you're successful, you'll get word on Saturday, April 24. For further details about South Australia's Great State Vouchers scheme — or to enter the ballot for one before 10pm ACST / 10.30pm AEST Friday, April 23 — head to the voucher scheme website.
Spring has finally sprung. What better way to enjoy the warmer and brighter evenings than by toasting the change of seasons at Darlinghurst stalwart East Village Hotel? In collaboration with Roku Gin, East Village is hosting 'Spring Nights' on its rooftop terrace. From Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm onwards, guests can enjoy bespoke Roku Gin cocktails — only available on the rooftop bar — and a special bar snack menu. For the event, the three-tiered pub has transformed its rooftop terrace into a sakura springtime wonderland, with fairy lights and cherry blossoms adorning trellises and the bar. There are three cocktails to choose from: Some Other Spring (with Roku Gin, dry vermouth, yuzu, peychauds and orgeat, garnished with cucumber ribbons), Kitsuka (Roku Gin, elderflower, orange blossom, citrus and soda, garnished with a fresh orange slice and flowers) and the aptly named The Golden Hour (Roku Gin, umeshu and orange bitters in a Nick and Nora glass). East Village is also slinging three bar snack plates to enjoy with the cocktails: citrus-cured salmon on crispy rice cake, chicken tsukune skewers and housemade vegetarian gyoza with ponzu dipping sauce. There's even an offer for two plates and two cocktails for a special price. In Japanese, Roku means "six". As part of Roku's commitment to shun — a Japanese practice of enjoying food and drink in its proper season — each of its six botanicals (sakura leaf, sakura flower, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, sansho pepper and yuzu) is harvested at the peak of its maturity. The cocktails crafted by East Village attempt to showcase the botanicals while also being an ideal choice for sunset drinks after work on the terrace. Roku Gin Spring Nights at East Village Hotel is on from Tuesday, September 19 until Tuesday, October 31, from 4–10pm. Walk-ins are accepted, but bookings can be made on the East Village website. Images: Brooke Zotti
Director Godfrey Reggio and composer Philip Glass have joined forces with filmmaker Jon Kane to create a "cinematic time capsule for the 21st century". Visitors is a haunting black-and-white film that explores humanity's relationship with technology, and the potential dangers such a relationship could bring. The wordless film will be shown in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing Glass's musical score live. The film comes to Sydney after its premiere at this year's Toronto Film Festival. Its release coincides with the 30th anniversary of Glass and Reggio's first collaboration — the phenomenal Koyaanisqatsi, the first of the Qatsi Trilogy. Visitors is a rare and wonderful opportunity to see this special mode of filmmaking at its best, with the score performed live in an unbeatable venue. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-DieLfWWf0w
Get your Hunter Valley gourmet experiences and fine wines with Sydney Harbour views this autumn. Hunter by the Harbour is on its way to Cockle Bay. So, between Monday, October 12, and Sunday, November 8, you're invited to a stack of scrumptious dinners, special wine menus, beer invasions and masterclasses. If you're a newbie to the often intimidating world of wine tasting, book a spot at Blackbird Cafe's Wine 101 with Tulloch Wines, scheduled every Thursday throughout the month. If you want to know more about how and why wine creation happens (and have a feast while you're at it), head to one of the wine maker's dinners, like this four-course degustation with McWilliams at Baia the Italian, this repast with Michael Partridge of Petersons Champagne House at Cafe Del Mar or this shiraz-powered seafood and meat extravaganza with Di Iuliis at I'm Angus Steakhouse. Meanwhile, numerous Cockle Bay bars and restaurants, including Adria and Nick's Cafe & Bar, will be adding Hunter Valley wines to their menus. And, at Pontoon, Murray's Craft Brewing Co. is planning on taking over the taps all month.
You may recognise Nongshim ramyun's iconic packaging from various trips to your local grocery store or as your go-to budget meal when you're strapped for cash but in need of a flavour-filled feed. Well, the Korean Ramyun brand is teaming up with Morgan McGlone (founder of Belles Hot Chicken and one of the brains behind one of our favourite Sudney bars, Bar Copains) for a delicious pop-up. Aptly named Shin's Table, the temporary eating spot will celebrate the launch of Nongshim's latest product range and eco-friendly change to paper packaging. Shin's Table, kicking off on Friday, November 24 and remaining open until Sunday, December 3, will be dishing up a menu of Asian-inspired dishes, specially curated by chef McGlone. Head over to 137 Oxford Street on Friday from 5pm and you'll be met with a tight selection of noodle dishes for $16. Heat things up with the chilli chicken ramyun paired with napa cabbage, tofu and chicken thigh pieces, or opt for the vego-friendly cheesy stir fry ramyun — starring the Shin Stir Fry with cheese — topped with kimchi, spam and nori. For smaller dishes — or sides, depending on your stomach's capacity — take your pick from kimchi-, pickled chilli- and cheese-loaded tater tots for $10, Korean fried chicken (KFC) wings for $15 and chips with a cheesy pork bolognese and tomato sauce at $9. Plus, each week offers up an additional elevated ramen dish available for $24. For the first week, you'll be able to grab a seafood-centric ramen containing the familiar OG Shin Red noodles, squid, crab and fish cakes. For week two, the limited-edition ramen will feature tender wagyu beef, a cured egg yolk and shiitake mushroom with Shin Black noodles. And to top things off, there are limited-time cocktails from an old fashioned with a Korean twist to bubbly mimosa seltzers and a ginger lima soda highball. Once you've eaten to your heart's content, swing by the prize wheel on your way out and you'll score some free merch ranging from chopsticks and noodle packets to beach towels and bottles. Each day's opening hours will vary, with some days opening from lunchtime to dinner and others opening for a special dinner service. For its opening day, Friday, November 24, Shin's Table will be open from 5pm to 9pm. The weekend following the launch will open for a lunch and dinner service from 12pm to 10pm on Saturday, November 25, and from 12pm to 7pm on Sunday, November 26. The pop-up's second week will run from Thursday, November 30, to Sunday, December 3. Thursday's pop-up will run from 5:30pm to 9pm, Friday will be open from 5pm to 10pm and the Saturday and Sunday hours will remain the same as the previous weekend — so there will be plenty of time to swing by and secure an enticing meal. Head over to Nongshim Australia's Instagram page for upcoming event updates.
In a time of great upheaval for Australian music festivals, it's rare to get a bit of good news. Which is why we're super-excited to hear that the Secret Garden festival completely sold out in just a few hours, despite having no advertising budget and the lineup not having been released yet. It's testament to the amazing work that the organisers have done over the first five years of this fledgling festival: they have created an event with a great vibe, full of good times and dress-ups (and yes, the occasional paint fight) and they work really hard to make sure everyone has an amazing time. This year's lineup — pulled together by FBi Radio host, GoodGod programmer and all-around great dude Adam Lewis — is full of really excellent Australian bands, all of which have been making serious waves in 2013. There's lots more to come; these are just the first handful of around 40 acts to be announced, not to mention the guerrilla arts performances that pop up all weekend and a huge Farmers vs Zombies battle planned for the first day. But without further ado, here is the first lineup. Bloods Client Liaison D.D Dumbo Donny Benet Elizabeth Rose Goldroom (DJ Set) Lancelot (Live) Little May Nantes Olympia Palms Papa Vs. Pretty Richard In Your Mind The Rubens Ryan Hemsworth Shining Bird Straight Arrows Sures The Trouble with Templeton World's End Press
The beloved schnitty might not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word "degustation", but that's all about to change. Inner west pub The Toxteth is celebrating Sydney's favourite crumbed chicken dish with a one-off, eight-course schnitzel degustation on Saturday, September 14. For a tidy $50 a head, guests will find themselves tucking into eight crafty schnitzel dishes, featuring a whole swag of different proteins. There'll be a kangaroo schnitzel teamed with bush tomato and lemon myrtle, a fish number with baby capers and cheesy potato, and even a dessert schnitzel matched with chocolate mousse, Anzac biscuit crumbs and berries. As for the standard chicken version, it'll be elevated with a gutsy wasabi and sesame crumb. Of course, a schnitty just isn't a schnitty without a cold beer to match, so Pirate Life has jumped on board to offer a special degustation beer pairing menu. You'll be able to team your dishes with matched beers from the South Aussie brewery for an extra $25 a head. To book, head to The Toxteth Hotel website. Images: Kitti Gould
The Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival is celebrating twenty two years this Queen's Birthday weekend. Set across four stages, including the world famous floating Harbourside stage, the program looks set to excite. To celebrate this anniversary the festival is pulling out all stops, bringing together the best of the local and international jazz scene, including headliners Dr Lonnie Smith, Trevor Watts, Veryan Weston and former Cat Empire member Harry james Angus, to name just a few. For the first time ever visitors can experience Moonlight Jazz In The Chinese Garden, a unique music event in a beautifully tranquil location, as well as a Festival Bar at Tumbalong Park. Plus, young jazz fans can get up close and personal with one of Australia’s best jazz artists, John Morrison, who will be running free big band workshops on Sunday and Monday at 11am in Tumbalong Park.
The world's best water polo players are converging on Bondi to compete in this year's Water Polo by the Sea. Taking over Icebergs on Thursday, March 9, the event will see the Aussie Sharks go head-to-head against the International All Stars, whose members hail from Europe and the US. Given that stacks of people want to be in the front row for this mighty match, the organisers are offering a few VIP options. To match your viewing with an Aperol Spritz and Maurice Terzini-designed canapés, grab a spot on the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar's top-floor balcony. Or, to get poolside, go for the Aspen Snowmass Birdcage experience, which involves Nexba-infused cocktails, Peroni and Latin street food, including tapas and tacos, from Contrabando. Either way, you'll be invited to join the players at the official after party, to be held at Hotel Ravesis from 8pm. And, if all that sounds like it's going to blow your budget to smithereens, the General Admission tickets are much more wallet-friendly at $63 each.
UPDATE, Thursday, February 27, 2025: Drake was also scheduled to play Sydney on Friday, March 7, but that gig has been postponed to a yet-to-be-confirmed future date. Here's the headlines: Drake is coming to Australia in 2025; it's his first trip this way since 2017; and you're now going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head again. The Canadian artist is bringing his Anita Max Win tour Down Under, including to Sydney in February and March. The five-time Grammy-winner is hitting the Harbour City for four shows. Drake will play Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17, then on Wednesday, February 19–Thursday, February 20. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star last took to the stage in this neck of the woods on his Boy Meets World tour, which means that eight years have passed between those gigs and his 2025 visit. The platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. On that prior trip, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
