Bury all your preconceived notions of Australian films being dry, cerebral art-house wankfests. Mystery Road is the real thing. Writer, director, composer, cinematographer and visionary filmmaker Ivan Sen has delivered a new classic, an outback murder mystery with a rich tide of ideas unravelling and washing around the edges. Mystery Road is a masterclass in first-rate Australian acting. Hugo Weaving plays the kind of male role typical of a Lars Von Trier film: not a villain but a seriously messed-up, creepy bastard. Ryan Kwanten is a diabolically suss and casually racist roo-shooter. But it's Aaron Pedersen who carries the film with a devastating performance as Detective Jay Swan. He's a cowboy, a superman, a protector of a marginalised and deeply suspicious community, and an outsider in an uncaring, corrupt police establishment. Investigating the murder of a young Aboriginal woman, he unearths a trail of prostitution, drug rings and deep social dysfunction in his outback, ex-mission town. With each new body that's found, we feel his heart sink with sorrow — he doesn't have the comfort of distance enjoyed by his white copper colleagues. He's between two worlds, as is Mystery Road itself — it's a small movie but a big story to rival any Hollywood Western, with the desire to speak to a mass audience. The unavoidable political themes and Indigenous cultural perspectives are tethered to the recognisable narrative of a police procedural, making this a familiar but strange viewing experience. It works because it springs from Sen's experience growing up and just hanging out in down-and-out regional towns that have fallen off Australia's map: where the forgotten and poor are fatally vulnerable and totally absent from the national conversation. You might not recognise this set of life-experiences, but you'll recognise the Australianisms — the old-school, sweet-and-sour-pork Chinese restaurant; the characters' casually cagey glances; the quietly funny, laconic turns of phrase. These are all the details of a master storyteller. Mystery Road's slow-beating pulse finally riptides to a heart-stoppingly tense shoot-out. As the film's rhythms crested and fell, I found no easy explanations, no Hollywood signposts, just a genre piece of great complexity, subtlety and sophistication, and troubling beauty. This is an important film, a stunningly entertaining one, and a great one. https://youtube.com/watch?v=n7CmxOOr32I
There are many key components to a great Christmas movie and music is often one of them, no matter how you feel about the usual carols. Who hasn't had the Home Alone music stuck in their head since the 90s? No one who's ever watched it. Who doesn't know all the words to Love Actually's 'Christmas Is All Around'? Again, the same category applies. It's that fact that helped make Love Actually in Concert screenings a) a thing and b) a huge hit, but that isn't the only festive favourite that you can see on the big screen with a live score this December. In Sydney, at 4pm on Saturday, December 10 at the Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney, a three-decade-old gem is getting the same treatment: The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's time to play the music, light the lights and see Charles Dickens' classic play out in felt — and with Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge — accompanied by a live score. This is the first time that the film will play in Australia this way, after debuting in the UK last year. Sure, you might've watched it a thousand times when you were a kid, but you obviously haven't seen it like this before. The movie follows Dickens's tale, with the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge given a change of perspective by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Here, however, Jim Henson's beloved creations join in, with Kermit the Frog playing clerk Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Gonzo narrating the story as Dickens (with help from Rizzo the Rat), Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. Other Muppets show up, because of course they do. The live orchestra will perform the feature's original score as composed by Miles Goodman (Little Shop of Horrors), with songs by Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams ('Rainbow Connection').
Harry Potter marathons, concerts, parties, trivia, sleepovers, markets, comedy gigs, Christmas festivities, potions classes and plays: of both the authorised and unauthorised type, Australia has hosted all of the above. If there's a way to work the Wizarding World into something, it has likely popped up somewhere Down Under. Indeed, a Fantastic Beasts-inspired natural history exhibition is on its way in 2023 — and, if you're particularly entranced about dressing up like you're at Hogwarts, so is Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration. Again, Australia is no stranger to Harry Potter shindigs, but this one is both official and completely themed around the franchise's wintertime soirée. Fittingly, it's conjuring up its Aussie debut in the frosty months, locking in a date with Sydney from Friday, July 7. The celebration heads to the Harbour City after past tours to Milan, Montreal, Houston and Mexico City, and hails from Warner Bros Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and events company Fever. Warner Bros in general is going all-in on the magical saga of late, given that it has also just locked in a new Harry Potter TV show, which will turn each of the books that started it all into a season of television. First, the ball. Here, you'll feel like you've stepped straight into the Wizarding World movies, especially if you don appropriate attire. That isn't mandatory, but it is encouraged. And if you need to collect the right items while you're at the event, there'll even be a market selling wands, robes and other merchandise. In Sydney, the Yule Ball will take over the Paddington Town Hall — and while exactly how long it will keep enchanting Sydneysiders hasn't been revealed, it will feature multiple sessions from Wednesday–Sunday. Muggles and wannabe witches and wizards alike will enjoy a two-hour experience, complete with a dance floor, performers, recreated moments from the movies and a whole heap of excuses to take photos. There'll be themed food and both boozy and non-alcoholic drinks, too — cross your fingers for butterbeer — which you'll need to pay extra for on top of the $84 ticket price. Or, there will be premium package, where you'll receive priority entry, a beverage and a gift. So far, there's zero word about further Aussie stops beyond Sydney, but folks in Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond best start crossing their fingers, toes, wands and broomsticks. Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration hits Australia from Friday, July 7, 2023, with tickets on sale from Wednesday, May 3 — head to the event website to join the waitlist.
The human race has been obsessed with epic tales since the beginning of recorded history. From Homer’s Odyssey right up to the Doctor Who box set, not only have we sought to test the limits of our physical and psychological endurance, but we have enjoyed it. Maybe it's the thrill of the extreme that keeps us hanging on, or our addiction to escaping the boredom of our own lives. But at a time when our attention spans are shortening, ADHD is on the rise, and our linkbaited, schizophrenic multiscreen world is perpetually distracting us, it seems somewhat of a miracle that Melbourne Festival can program a 10-hour experimental verbatim theatre show, and that it can (almost) sell out. Life and Times is sixth on our list containing ten of the world’s longest theatre shows — though it has plenty of company in an era where 'binge watching' might not be limited to just TV. 3 hours: Sleep No More by Punchdrunk Whilst sitting towards the bottom of the time-commitment spectrum, Sleep No More is worth mentioning for its epic interactivity-commitment: you physically walk through the play, and it can take you hours. Loosely based on Macbeth, it's currently showing in New York at the McKittrick Hotel, a five-floor theatrical wonderland. There is no speaking, and audience members wear white Venetian masks for anonymity. You can follow the performers around or independently explore the sprawling set. 6 hours: Hotel Medea by Zecora Ura and Urban Dolls From midnight to 6am, this Brazilian-British theatre marathon debuted at London's Arcola Theatre in 2010. Presented in three parts, the play reinterprets the ancient Greek myth Medea, about a woman bent on avenging her husband's betrayal. The audience is confronted by relationships between ancient and modern ritual, including that of sleep, and undergoes a warpy, surreal theatre experience (ending with breakfast). 7 hours: Angels in America by Tony Kushner One of Sydney's theatre highlights in 2013 was Eamon Flack's staging of Angels in America at Belvoir Street Theatre. A seven-hour, Pulitzer Prize-winning saga in two parts, Angels is set in New York in the 1980s at the height of the AIDS epidemic and deals with the fallout of McCarthy era politics, religion, sexuality and personal struggle. A true humanitarian tale with lots of time to get to know the characters. 8 hours: Gatz by Elevator Repair Service "Should I read the book or watch the play?" How about you do both at the same time! When employee James Gatz finds a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby amidst the clutter on his desk one morning, he picks it up in curiosity, and begins to read. Eight hours later, you've made it through the entire book, word-for-precious-word, thanks to Gatz and a 13-strong cast of co-workers in a low-budget rental office. 9 hours: Lipsynch by Robert Lepage Like the opposite of a silent meditation retreat but with the ability to produce a strangely similar effect, Lipsynch takes time to explore speech and the human voice and how they connect us together. The play follows a multicultural spectrum of nine characters, each with speech-related jobs, from opera singer to speech therapist to interpreter to voiceover artist, interweaving them amidst a visually stunning and theatrically inventive set. After not having talked for nine hours, it's hard to know what to say when the curtains close on Lipsynch. 10 hours: Life and Times by Nature Theater of Oklahoma "Can you tell me your life story?" This is the question that the artistic directors of the Nature Theater of Oklahoma asked Kristin Worrall, one of the members of their company. Now her 16-hour collection of responses is a 10-hour, verbatim theatre experience, and the aim is to develop it to 24. Combining traditional theatre, non-traditional theatre, song, dance, film, installation art and who knows what else they can pack into those hours (presumably quite a lot), it’s on show in Melbourne from 22-26 October, 2013, at the Melbourne Arts Centre Playhouse theatre. If you still aren’t sold, just know that the marathon performance includes a BBQ dinner and snacks served by the company. 22 hours: The Warp by Ken Campbell Writer, actor, director and comedian Ken Campbell achieved notoriety in the 1970s for his 22-hour staging of Neil Oram's play cycle The Warp. The play's hero is Phil Masters and it traces his many previous lives over a period of a thousand years. The main actor is required to be on stage for all but 5 minutes of the play (five and a half times longer than Hamlet), and when it was staged in 1997 in East London, the lead actor had a meltdown about two-thirds of the way through, extending the performance to 29 hours. 23 hours: The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco The Warp has been superseded by what's now officially classified in the Guinness World Book of Records as the longest continuous dramatic performance, sitting at a comfy 23 hours 33 minutes and 54 seconds. US-based company the 27 O'Clock Players performed this absurdist comedy in a gazebo in New Jersey in 2010. The Bald Soprano itself is only about an hour long; however, it features a looped ending which requires continuous repetition of the play. On this occasion it was repeated 25 times. 24 hours: Quizoola! by Forced Entertainment So this is getting a bit ridiculous now, but it's best not to ask questions. Or is it? Aptly titled theatre company Forced Entertainment originally staged a six-hour version of this game-show/improvisation/performance bonanza before taking it to new heights (or rather lengths) this year at London's Barbican. What happens is, six performers sit in alternating pairs in a circle of lights, wearing smeared clown make-up, and ask each other questions. Beginning as a banal chat, the performance moves towards pub quiz trivia, beyond philosophical probing and into CIA interrogation. Questions are provided by director Tim Etchells, the company and the audience (who are free to come and go as they please). A long time: Synecdoche, New York by Charlie Kaufman This is technically a movie with a run time of 124 minutes, but it is a movie about the most epic theatre work ever. Theatre director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) tries to replicate life as realistically as possible in theatre and constructs his set in a huge warehouse somewhere in downtown Manhattan. A growing cast is directed to act out the banalities of their lives, and as the years pass, and the actors keep on acting their life-roles, Cotard becomes immersed in the play and his work-life balance is epically disrupted by doppelgangers and ultimate creative confusion, unable to end until Cotard himself does.
It's Groundhog Day The Musical — and it's finally making its way to the Australian stages ten years after it was first announced. Back in 2014, Australian comedian, musician, actor and writer Tim Minchin (Upright) revealed that he was making a song-filled onstage version of the Bill Murray-starring classic comedy. Then, the end result premiered in London in 2016. Next came Broadway in 2017, with 2024 marking Australia's turn. Prepare for plenty of déjà vu in Melbourne from January. Feeling like you've been there and seen this comes with the territory with this production, of course, given that that's what the story is all about. Obviously, you've probably seen the film. In fact, you've likely done so more than once. Still, when Groundhog Day The Musical hits Princess Theatre from Wednesday, January 24, this'll be Aussie theatregoers' first chance to catch the stage show on home soil. The tale remains the same, with Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Connors tasked with travelling to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day event — and none too happy about it, oozing cynicism as everyone else around him embraces the occasion. After a cantankerous day, he wakes up the next morning to find that everything is repeating again. And, that's how every day continues, no matter what he does or how he tries to tinker with the cycling routine. On the big screen (and on VHS and streaming queues since), the result proved hilarious, and also one of Murray's best-ever roles. For the stage iteration, Minchin teamed up with screenwriter Danny Rubin — who originally co-wrote Groundhog Day's movie script and won a BAFTA in the process — plus Minchin's Matilda The Musical director Matthew Warchus. Their theatre efforts earned Groundhog Day The Musical Tony Award nominations, as well Olivier Award wins for Best New Musical and Best Actor. Yes, Groundhog Day The Musical's Australian-premiere season runs across Groundhog Day itself, aka February 2. Yes, you can listen to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' on repeat now to celebrate. And yes, like the musical version of Matilda, this'll likely return to the big screen at some point — but after the Melbourne season. Groundhog Day The Musical comes Down Under exclusive to the Victorian capital — and if you're wondering who'll step into Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) shoes, and Andie MacDowell's (Maid) as Phil's producer Rita Hanson, too, that'd be Andy Karl returning to the former after doing the honours in London, plus Elise McCann (Matilda The Musical) as the latter.
If you're planning to head to the Art Gallery of NSW this month to check out the free major exhibition Quilty before it closes on February 2, you don't want to go in without the background info. Covering 15 years of Australian contemporary artist Ben Quilty's career, the exhibition is made even better if you know the stories behind his works, which include intimate self-portraits and sombre reflections on injustice and displacement. With a storied career, including time spent as a war artist in Afghanistan in 2011, his friendship and advocacy with Bali Nine pair Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, his trips to meet Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Lesbos and Serbia, and his exploration of Australian history, there is much more to Quilty's works than just paint on canvas. [caption id="attachment_757618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Quilty, 'Self-portrait after Afghanistan' (2012), Dr Dick Quan, NSW, © Ben Quilty[/caption] SELF PORTRAIT AFTER AFGHANISTAN (2012) Quilty spent three weeks in Afghanistan in 2011 as an official war artist. His pieces from this time aren't the typical military landscapes one might expect; in the first room, you'll find a series of dark, vulnerable portraits of returned soldiers, which were painted in his Bowral studio. But it's Self portrait after Afghanistan that draws the most attention — a dark and swirling representation of his turmoil after returning from the Middle East. As the artist puts it, "My work is about working out how to live in this world. It's about compassion and empathy but also anger and resistance." [caption id="attachment_757628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Quilty, 'Self Portrait, the executioner' (2015), Gift of the artist 2015. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, © Ben Quilty. Photo: Mim Stirling, AGNSW[/caption] SELF PORTRAIT, THE EXECUTIONER (2015) Continuing his personal responses to harrowing experiences, Quilty painted a series of pieces about his friendship with Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking in 2006. As part of a campaign to save the lives of Chan and Sukumaran, Quilty gave them art classes. Unfortunately, the campaign was unsuccessful and Quilty painted this self portrait the day after their execution in April 2015. Curator Dr Lisa Slade says Quilty, the exhibition, shows how art has the capacity to instigate change. She says, "He wields paint to draw attention to our responsibility as critical citizens in an increasingly fraught world." [caption id="attachment_757624" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Quilty, 'Flowers for Heba' (2016), Private collection, Adelaide, © Ben Quilty[/caption] FLOWERS FOR HEBA (2016) In the same room of the exhibition, you'll find works inspired by Quilty's experiences in Lebanon, Greece and Serbia with acclaimed writer Richard Flanagan. What immediately draws your attention is a series of life jackets named for refugees who died while trying to seek asylum in Australia, but Flowers for Heba tells the story of when the artist was inspired by a little girl he met in a refugee camp. Quilty had shared his art supplies with children at the refugee camp and, when prompted to draw a picture of her home, Heba carefully drew her house with a bomber flying over it and two bloodied bodies on the ground, who she said were her parents. Her heart-wrenching drawing can be seen upstairs at the gallery as part of the exhibition Belonging. [caption id="attachment_757659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Quilty, 'Irin Irinji' (2018), Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Gift of the Art Gallery of South Australia, Contemporary Collectors, Jane and John Ayers, Lipman Karas and Tracey Whiting 2019 © Ben Quilty[/caption] IRIN IRINJI (2018) Quilty's Rorschach series is a play on the inkblot test that was commonly used as a psychology test in the 1960s. The first in the series, Bedford Downs Rorschach, was painted in 2008 and represents a Western Australian cattle station that was the site of an Aboriginal massacre. Ten years later, Quilty was taken by local artists to the site of another massacre, in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia. Though you won't find Irin Irinji on any map, it's captured here by Quilty across 12 panels covered in thick, textured paint and feathery white spaces that represent ghost gum trees or falling spirits. [caption id="attachment_757622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Quilty, 'The Last Supper' (2016), Private collection, © Ben Quilty[/caption] THE LAST SUPPER (2016) The final room of the exhibition sees Quilty attempting to make sense of the world, beginning with a piece painted the day after the US election in November 2016, which saw Donald Trump elected as the 58th president of the United States. The Last Supper (2016) is the first of a few works of the same name and sees Trump acting as the Jesus-like figure. Presiding over the table in all his floppy-haired glory, Trump is surrounded by screaming, disembodied features and piercing eyes. Fun fact: we're told Quilty has a rubber Trump mask lying around his studio. Head curator of International Art, Justin Paton, says Quilty's works find "new ways to grapple in and through the issues that stir him.'' Quilty is showing at the Art Gallery of NSW until February 2. Admission to the exhibition is free. Top image: Ben Quilty by Daniel Boud.
We've all seen skincare products targeted towards men that position themselves as hyper-masculine. Instead of sticking to the stereotypically simple idea of masculinity, a new Melbourne company is trying to do things a little differently. Stuff is a personal care brand that's promising to make you smell and look good, all while promoting healthy masculinity. The company offers a lineup of products covering everything you need to stock up your bathroom from deodorant (appropriately labelled Spicy Pits) to face wash. Each product is available separately or you can stock up in one easy sweep by buying the $30 Face and Body Bundle, the $36 Face and Pit Kit, the $45 Starter Kit or the $65 Squad Kit. While Stuff is proud of its products, it's equally focused on pushing away from toxic masculinity and championing healthier modern blokes. "The only ads for men we could recall featured guys spraying themselves with excessive amounts of chemical-ridden deodorant, causing flocks of gorgeous women to chase after them," Stuff Founder and CEO Hunter Johnson said. "Consumer brands shape culture, and there is a huge opportunity for Stuff to help tackle the escalating crisis around masculinity." "It's a confusing time to be a man and we want STUFF to support men as they navigate a new era of masculinity," Johnson said. Whether you're currently in your third week or first day of lockdown, or you're out exploring the world, it's a good time to treat yourself to some self-care items. Stuff also offers free shipping on orders over $35 and ships Australia-wide. You can browse the range at the Stuff website. 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.
Winter is almost over, so it's time to start planning your next beach trip, lots of picnics in parks and partying outdoors in the sweet summer breeze. What's the best way to ring in the start of summer, you might ask? By celebrating daylight saving time — when days grow warmer and the sun sets later. To help you soak up as much warm weather as possible, The Glenmore Hotel, in The Rocks, is throwing a series of gigs, with the first one for the season falling on Sunday, October 6. Sundown Sessions will be a mammoth daylight saving bash, all going down on the pub's well-loved rooftop. The one-off dance party will see an impressive lineup of music acts as well as jugs of beer and cocktails from 4 Pines and Ketel 1 Botanical, respectively. To top things off, entry is free. Plus, you won't have to go to work the next day, thanks to the long weekend. Doors open at 11am, so you can enjoy the stunning Sydney Harbour views over some food, plus brews from the 4 Pines pop-up bar. Then, get ready to take things up a notch when the music comes on at 1pm. Kicking off the tunes is funk musician Harvey, followed by a slew of DJs before headliner DJ POOLCLVB takes the stage at 6.30pm. After Sundown Sessions, you can pop into The Glenmore on any given Sunday over summer for free (more chill) live acoustic gigs. The Glenmore Hotel's Sundown Sessions kick off with a huge daylight saving party on Sunday, October 6. Then, there will be Acoustic Sundays every week over the warmer months.
The world ‘ma’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘interval’ in a spatial or temporal sense, which is not usually used on its own. When it is, it retains the implication that the space it refers to is between two (or more) things, its existence is dependent on the other objects. Yuria Okamura’s delicate artworks depict the spiritual realm of a physical space, the dimension that we detect with our intuition and imagination rather than our eyes and hands. The works are made with the use of diluted acrylic and ink in washed out, almost shadowy colours. The shapes Okamura draws bear a resemblance to architectural models of buildings made of fine paper, stretched out over the canvas. Upon reflection, one realises that as models, the shapes are geometrically incongruent, an inherently impossible space. The shapes seem to be suspended in mid-air, which creates a quietening effect as the mind traverses the ins and outs of them. Okamura draws inspiration from Japanese Zen gardens, which depict nature in an abstract manner using simple rocks. The gentle staining technique she uses creates a sense of stillness that emanate from these ‘gardens,’ with ghostly animals included to personify the spiritual presence. The interpretation of the work depends on the viewer’s physical proximity to it, their own location in space. Up close, the works are merely two-dimensional, highly detailed patterns and figures; as one moves further away they slowly take shape into something more tangible, the patterns themselves creating illusions. Through the exploration of the perception of space and the combination of naturalistic and abstract elements, Okamura attempts to communicate the oneness of the physical and metaphysical world. She believes we exist in the duality of the worlds, the space in between. Based in Melbourne, Yuria Okamura is a Japanese artist. Her first solo show is ‘Ma: Spaces between here and there,’ which is currently being exhibited at The Japan Foundation as part of the ‘facetnate!’ series, a support program for emerging artists.
Back in December 2017, plans were revealed for The Exchange: a whizzbang, six-storey building slated for Darling Square. At the time, we knew the heart of the construction, which was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, would be a high-tech City of Sydney library. Then, in early September this year, we found out that late-night Chinatown institution Golden Century would be moving in. What we didn't know, till now, was that the building would also house a revolutionary food hall, featuring culinary creations and collaborations by some of Sydney's most popular chefs. Announced just this morning, the epic collection of eateries – called Maker's Dozen – will take over The Exchange's ground floor from mid-2019. One of its major attractions will be Pasta Wafu, a Japanese pasta shop created by Hamish Ingham and Rebecca Lines of Banksii and Kerby Craig of Ume. Look out, too, for Enmore's Saga, loaded with Andy Bowdy's scrumptious pastries, cakes and desserts; craft beer specialists Bucket Boys, who'll be opening a bar and a bottle shop; famed bakery Sonoma; and fusers of Japanese and Vietnamese goodness Mr. Bao Buns. These are just the first part of the lineup — further revelations will be coming soon. Maker's Dozen will open from dawn till late seven days a week, making sure there's always somewhere to go for brekkie, lunch, dinner, dessert or drinks. Anthony Gill Architects is taking care of the design, with a Japanese-inspired mix of natural materials, relaxing colours and tidy lines. There'll be seating for 400, giving you a choice of indoor and outdoor communal tables, as well as eatery-specific tables. Maker's Dozen is slated to open in Darling Square's The Exchange in mid-2019. We'll update you as soon as further announcements are made. Saga image by Nikki To.
You won't regret ordering from Al Barakeh. Firstly, it's run by people who have been spreading the joys of Lebanese food across our state's capital for over a decade. Secondly, it has car-themed burgers called The Cattleac, The Chicken Burgatti and The Lamburghini (so it's a fun time). Thirdly, it has expert proponents of the two great Lebanese salads: tabbouleh and fattoush. You can also order an entire bag of addictive, pillowy soft Lebanese bread for just three bucks. All that and we haven't even mentioned the mouth-watering charcoal chicken that made it famous in the first place, which is definitely what you should order when you're here. A whole charcoal chook with garlic sauce is $17. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
The James Street Reserve Community Garden, established in 2010 to make use of a valuable but erstwhile neglected nook of public land, is a beautiful and productive garden tended to by passionate local community members. You can contribute to the health and maintenance of the garden by joining a working bee on the first Saturday of every month, from 9–11am, or by simply paying the lush patch of flora a visit at any time to scope the latest produce. Despite increasingly living in urban environments, our need for nature remains. Even just marvelling at lavender or freshly grown bok choy can be enough to provide that much needed connection with the great outdoors.
Northern Sydney is set to welcome an impressive new addition, with sprawling, multi-level pub The Governor slated to open its doors in Macquarie Park next month. If plans unveiled today are anything to go by, this one's got all the makings of a quintessential Aussie boozer, boasting a roomy front bar and bistro, a garden terrace for those al fresco sessions, and even its very own rooftop bar, complete with 360-degree views. From the same group behind large-scale watering holes like the Australian Hotel & Brewery and the Bella Vista Hotel, The Governor is angling to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a little something for every mood, occasion and time of the week. The main bar and bistro is decked out in dark timber, royal green and foliage aplenty, with cosy booths that take their design cues from old-school train carriages. Settle in by the open fire, or out under the festoon lighting of the leafy terrace. To match the variety of spaces, Head Chef Luke Lashford has put together a broad food offering — with everything from teriyaki chicken poké and a range of woodfired pizzas, to a slow-cooked Flinders Island lamb shoulder, best shared between two in one of those intimate booths. The drinks list is designed to complement, featuring old favourites alongside crafty seasonal creations. Upstairs, rooftop bar Ess boasts a bar and kitchen of its own, an Asian-inspired menu heroing the Japanese charcoal grill. Venture up for the likes of wagyu beef skewers, glazed yakitori wings or the torched-to-order atlantic salmon, teamed with gin-pickled shimeji mushrooms. The Governor is slated to open at 9-13 Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park in early July. We'll keep you posted when we hear an exact opening date.
Restaurant Hubert is introducing a weekend lunch service from Saturday, February 5. The renowned French restaurant from hospitality group Swillhouse is bringing its beloved Three Martini Lunches to Saturdays, so you can get your days off started with a luxe French banquet. All the trimmings of a Restaurant Hubert feast will be on offer during Saturday sittings including the full a la carte menu, $11 martinis, specialty steaks and, of course, a healthy dose of jazz performed live in the Huberts dining room. After all, what better way to celebrate getting through another week of work than with a prime beef tartare, escargots in XO butter or caviar service. [caption id="attachment_701146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] The announcement comes at the conclusion of last month's Jazz January program which saw live jazz musicians perform in the CBD restaurant for all 31 days of January. And, if all your Saturdays are booked up with post-lockdown catch-ups for the foreseeable future, you can also head along to Hubert's Magnums and Movies which is running all the way until Monday, June 6. The annual celebration of food, wine and cinema will see attendees treated to a set menu dinner, magnums of wine, a showing of a classic film and plenty of popcorn in the restaurant's Theatre Royale. This year you can catch beloved movies from near and afar including Marie Antoinette; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; and Lost in Translation. Bookings for Restaurant Hubert's weekend lunches are available from midday on Saturdays via the Swillhouse website or walk-ins are welcome if the restaurant isn't fully booked up. Restaurant Hubert is located at 15 Bligh Street, Sydney. It is open for lunch from midday Wednesday–Saturday and dinner from 5pm Monday–Saturday.
The year of the rabbit is almost upon us (goodbye year of the tiger, go sleep it off), and the festivities are starting to pick up. And what's the best way to partake in the celebration? We've got it right here — and it'll make you happier than a cute hungry bunny. From Wednesday, January 18–Sunday, February 5, dumpling master Din Tai Fung is offering new limited edition chocolate and Biscoff rabbit buns and, like the chain's usual annual Lunar New Year special, they're ridiculously cute. They're buns with little rabbit faces, and they're even eating carrots — how could they be anything other than adorable? Din Tai Fung is famous for its dumplings, and is known to release eye-catching novelty varieties for special occasions (check out these adorable little monkey buns from 2016, pig bao from 2019, masked ox buns from 2021 and tiger buns from 2022). The new rabbit buns are stuffed with a sweet filling of chocolate and Biscoff crumbs, which oozes out when you squeeze them. The tiger buns are available for $9.80 for two at Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets in Sydney, so you'll want to hit up its World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, Westfield Sydney, Broadway Shopping Centre, Gateway Sydney, The Star, Greenwood Plaza, Martin Place and Marrickville venues. In Melbourne, you have one spot to head to, with the buns on offer at Emporium Melbourne. They're also available frozen for delivery both separately (for $13.50 for three) — also from Wednesday, January 18. The only problem we can foresee with the cute Din Tai Fung dish? Eating those sweet little rabbit faces may be hard… but we're sure you'll manage it. Chocolate and Biscoff rabbit buns are available from Din Tai Fung's stores in Sydney and Melbourne, and also via delivery, from Wednesday, January 18–Sunday, February 5. Head to the chain's website for further details or to order.
When the innovative, colourful, much-lauded Raja announced it was closing in May 2024, it came as a shock to the many who had visited and loved the modern Indian diner (this scribe included). Like far too many Sydney hospitality businesses in recent memory, economic headwinds had laid low an outstanding venue little more than a year after it had opened, despite it earning stacks of glowing reviews and Best New Restaurant gongs. This, however, was not the end. While the decor, the menu and the entire concept of the restaurant have changed, the two visionary restaurateurs at the helm have not. Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden — who have been major players of the Potts Point food scene for several years through their Middle Eastern-Isreali diner Ezra and Bistro Rex, the French brasserie they formerly operated on Macleay Street — have rebooted Raja's Kellett Street digs to launch Teddy, a kitsch, camp and incredibly cool neighbourhood eatery where nostalgia is on the menu. [caption id="attachment_971718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden[/caption] Teddy achieves a rare thing: a concept that meets this moment of tightened belts and restrained spending without scrimping on creativity or the calibre of its cuisine. The economic savvy has even extended to the restaurant's decor. Rather than totally ditching Raja's fitout, a more cosmetic sleight of hand has repositioned the look and feel, using light fixtures and soft furnishings to summon flavours of the 70s, 80s and 90s, with just a dash of derelict chic nixing the need for a bank-breaking refit. When it comes to the food offering, affordability has also been front of mind for the Messers Mathews-Bowden, but so has feel-good factor, delivering a menu — by Head Chef Ben Sears and Group Executive Chef Nicole Coelho — that plays with retro vibes and winks to Nick and Kirk's personal histories. Dinner rolls are served in paper-lined baskets with hot garlic butter, ala the 1990s. There are dinner party staples plucked from the 70s and 80s like king prawn cocktail and grilled lamb chops with green sauce. These aren't merely carbon copies of the dishes of yore but elevated, contemporary riffs. Stuffed potato skins get a glow-up with whipped cod roe and salmon roe; sausage rolls feature a pork and crayfish filling, served in a signature pink tuckshop paper bag with a rich and glossy bois boudran on the side; and cheeseburgers are Franco-fied, reimagined as a beef tartare topped with grated smoked cheddar, ready to be scooped up by cute slices of Melba toast. No dish on the menu tops $39 and there are plenty of snack-sized bites for those who want to enjoy a night out without committing to a hefty dinner bill. Daily specials will be a further enticement to cash-strapped diners, including Wednesday nights' Pasta e Vino offer for $29, Friday lunch Business Women's Special ("a main and a marg for the gal on the go") for $35 and the All Day Happy Hour, every Sunday. And yet, this isn't a restaurant that cuts corners just to cut costs. Quality produce put to best effect in beautifully executed dishes that don't require fancy platings or elaborate cooking methods, is the Teddy way. And this time, we reckon it's here to stay.
This Monday, our good friend the moon will be closer to the Earth than it has been in 68 years. How close? About 30,000 kilometres closer than the average — that's how close. And, as a result of this lunar proximity, the moon will appear much bigger and brighter than it normally does. The phenomenon is called a supermoon, which sounds pretty darn exciting on its own. For science nerds, though, it's called a perigee moon. In this instance, the term describes an event where the moon appears to be nearly 14 percent bigger and almost 25 percent brighter than usual. Now, a full moon is pretty visible from everywhere, but the full effect is apparently much cooler if you look east of the horizon. Lucky for Australians, there's a plethora of beaches on our eastern shore that provide an excellent vantage point, and groups are popping up all over social media to gather fellow lunar lovers to watch the unique event. Although all those photos you're bound to be taking are going to look pretty sweet given the subject matter, Australian Geographic insists that the best snaps are taken the days preceding or proceeding the full supermoon. If you need some more tips, they've even put together a list for getting perfect photographs. Although supermoons are pretty common, the moon won't be this close again until 2034. Also, it hasn't been this close since 1948. That was the year that the US Navy first allowed women to enlist as regular troops, a great step forward for equality in America. The supermoon will reach its absolute pinnacle of awesome at 12.52am on Tuesday, November 15 (Monday night, daylight savings time). So, look to the east to catch a glimpse of the coolest moon of most our lifetimes, #nofilter. Image: Andrew C.
Since opening at the end of 2018, Totti's has become a cult favourite among eastern suburbs locals and Sydneysiders citywide. With chef Mike Eggert at the helm, the Bondi eatery is a go-to for bowls of pasta and its highly popular wood fire oven bread. In the years since, Totti's has been expanding westward, opening its CBD iteration Bar Totti's last year, and now popping up with its third Sydney outpost in Rozelle. This time, the Merivale venue has found a home in the beloved, temporarily closed inner west pub 3 Weeds. At Totti's Rozelle you'll find the expected assortments of favourites from the OG Bondi spot, including spinach pappardelle or chittara and clams pasta. An assortment of charcoal oven treats are also on offer, including whole roasted fish, half-smoked chicken and of course, the wood fire bread. Those looking to come in for a snack can take their pick from the antipasti menu which features kingfish crudo, chicken liver parfait and burrata, or if you've booked in with a group of meat-eaters, split 1.5-kilograms of Brooklyn Valley rib eye steak. The drinks menu doesn't steer far from what you'd expect, but you'll still find an enjoyable array of classy cocktails and some fun natty wines that are sure to pair perfectly with a big bowl of pasta. Setting this inner west iteration apart from its counterparts is a new dessert bar with Italian classics like gelato, tiramisu, coffee granita, pistachio cake and panna cotta, as well as ice cream sundaes to finish off your night on a sweet note. Merivale acquired 3 Weeds back in 2019, teasing at the time that it had big plans for the venue. While Totti's has now opened inside the space, the pub area remains closed two years on. The Sydney hospitality giant maintains that the beloved pub will reopen, with the property's next iteration to be announced soon. Totti's Rozelle is located at 3 Weeds, 197 Evans St, Rozelle. It's open Wednesday–Sunday, 12pm–late. Images: Steven Woodburn
The Old Fitzroy Hotel is unique among Sydney pubs in having a theatre in its bowels. And it's not just any old theatre, but one of the city's best in programming independent productions from up-and-comers and experimenters, through its resident company, the Tamarama Rock Surfers. Now for its many artists, fans, and those who just love any excuse for Sunday beers, the Rock Surfers are extending an invitation to Pub Plays, a fortnightly series of script-in-hand readings of classic Australian plays that have been too long hidden from light. It's a great tack for a scene where new scripts can find roads to their premiere but not often their reprise. The gatherings will be looking for new insights from these older stories, with the insightfulness helped along by a few jugs. The first reading, on September 30, will be of Eunice Hanger's Flood and directed by John Kachoyan.
After headlining the post-parade party at the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and then bringing her Future Nostalgia tour Down Under in 2022, Dua Lipa is coming back to Australia in 2025. The Grammy-winner's massive Radical Optimism tour is rolling into Sydney for its time under lights — and to turn the rhythm up — on Wednesday, March 26, as well as across Friday, March 28–Saturday, March 29, at Qudos Bank Arena. 2024 has been a huge year for the singer, with her third studio album Radical Optimism releasing in May and then the artist headlining Glastonbury. She also popped up in Argylle in cinemas. 2023 was no slouch, either, given that 'Dance the Night' graced the Barbie soundtrack and Dua Lipa featured in the film as a Barbie. But with her new tour, 2025 looks set to be even bigger. As well as Radical Optimism and Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa has tracks from her self-titled 2017 debut record to bust out, including 'Be the One', 'Hotter Than Hell', 'Lost in Your Light', 'New Rules', 'IDGAF' and 'Blow Your Mind'. Initially, there was just one Sydney gig on the agenda — but due to demand, the 'Don't Start Now', 'Physical', 'Break My Heart', 'Cold Heart' and 'Houdini' talent expanded her time in the Harbour City. Images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Berowra Waters Inn holds a semi-mystical position in Australian culinary history. Arriving on a summer's day with remnant bushfire smoke over the sparkly water of the Hawkesbury river, the restaurant is concealed in a fitting magical haze. Dusthole Bay is filled with dinky boats that seem to be straight out of a Dr Seuss storybook — a boy putts past us in a rusted red tinnie with his kelpie sitting at the helm as we take the short ferry trip to the restaurant, which has been operating under Irish-born chef Brian Geraghty for a bit over a year now. Only an hour out of the city, with a feeling of timelessness and food to rival any city establishment, Berowra Waters is just the ticket for city slickers in need of a day's rural rejuvenation. The sandstone icon, originally designed by Glenn Murcutt, hovers on the cliff edge like a genteel houseboat that might sail off at any moment. Inside we're welcomed by modest formality: the famous Fritz Hansen Series 7 chairs at white linen tables, a sage green banquette with black trimming set into the sandstone, a silver vase of proteas. The Australian decor, including expansive watercolours by local artist Chris Kenyon, is elegant and successfully resists Australiana. Geraghty's partner, Victoria, leads a bright, professional team on the floor. Thirty-year-old Geraghty's experience at Quay, Pied a Terre and Bilson's informs a classic approach to the four- or seven-course degustations on offer. Australian poet Martin Langford wrote a poem called Mahler in Midsummer, in which he describes Mahler's heavy European music vanishing in the Australian heat. The same might be said of French food in an Australian summer. White borage, baby coriander and shiso expire before they reach the table, and a creme fraiche boudin amuse-bouche only just holds its form in the heat. However, the trout mousse in a salted caramel tuile withstands it — a little barrel of sophistication. The menu hits its straps at the third course with swordfish, avocado and squid arriving under a layer of cucumber jelly. The al dente cubed squid is a textural bridge between the avocado puree and firm swordfish. Geraghty's umber squid consomme and jelly is deep sea serious, matched well by a 2011 Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer, the lychee and passionfruit notes holding their own against the umami of the squid consomme. Beef short rib in anchovy crust with watercress is a satisfying end to the main course and the 2010 Coto de Hayas Crianza Tempranillo Grenache is a suitably weighty match. Before dessert we're presented with goat's cheese, Corella pear jelly and hazelnut mousse, unhappily accompanied by toasted muesli. Geraghty's defence of the offending muesli is that his Irish childhood was full of oatcakes. We'll forgive him the nostalgia because the Old Rosie Cloudy Cider is such a good match for the cheese itself, the lactic kick from the cheese and grassy funk of the cider a perfect combination for a hot day on the river. To avoid the ignoble task of driving back to Sydney through peak hour, either catch the seaplane home with all your gold bullion or book a couple of days at the Calabash Bay Lodge just up the river. The charm of Geraghty and team's refinement in a bush setting proves that Berowra Waters Inn hasn't finished making history yet.
It's an unlikely combination, but one we can totally get behind. Ken Done, the master of pre-school chic, and Scott Ludlam, the champion of all parliamentary smackdowns, are among the killer names lined up for the next Men of Letters event in Sydney. Writing about the women that changed their lives, these exceptional specimens will be dishing out some serious wisdom at The Basement on Sunday, October 19. An offshoot of Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire's hugely successful Women of Letters, this event will mark the fourth time men have been invited to the stage. Always writing on the same subject, previous readers at these events include Shaun Micallef, Julian Burnside, Hamish Blake, and George Negus. But this lineup may be the most diverse one yet. Alongside Done and Ludlam will be TV personalities Andrew O'Keefe and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. Hip hop artist Buck 65 and Queensland poet and rapper Omar Musa will be keeping things smooth and lyrical. The stage will feel like home to Director of the Sydney Theatre Company, Patrick McIntyre and writer, director and performer Nick Coyle. Even sports stars get a look in, with Brett Kirk of the Sydney Swans also be penning a letter for the event. Though you may not have heard of the final speaker, you would definitely familiar with his work. Neil Lawrence was the brains behind the 'Kevin 07' campaign. Let's hope he brings some of that creative genius to play on the day. For those that haven't yet been to a Women (or Men) of Letters event before, it's a lot more than just storytelling. With a DJ set by Zan Rowe, flowing wine, and letter writing by everyone involved, this could be the perfect time to pen your secret love letter to Scott Ludlam... or Ken Done, if squiggly pictures of the Opera House are more your thing. Tickets to Men of Letters are available now for $25 plus booking fee via Moshtix. All funds raised will go to farm sanctuary and home of adorable teacup pigs, Edgar's Mission.
If you love cheese, but are sick of spending the bulk of your pay cheque on it, here's a solution: take a cheese-making class. Sure, it'll cost you pretty penny, but then you'll have the knowledge to make endless cheese at home, whenever you want. Also, thanks to Omnom Cheese Shop's new virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop, you can learn along at home as well. The Sydney-based cheese outfit is adding a series of online classes to its repertoire, taking place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21. During the 80-minute class, you'll learn to how to make three types of cheese — in real-time, via Zoom, with plenty of live tips as you go. You'll also receive a DIY cheese-making kit delivered to your door as part of your $59 ticket. You will need to have some kitchen equipment on hand, and to pick up some milk and cream — with full details sent out a week before the class. Hot tip: in-person, Omnom's cheese-making sessions regularly sell out, so its online classes are certain to be popular. Another suggestion: if you want to pair your cheese-making with wine, well, that definitely isn't frowned upon. Omnom Cheese Shop's virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21.
Sicario begins with an ordinary-looking slice of Arizona's desert-bordered suburbia, roving over rows of homes as far as the eye can see. As the kidnap extraction operation that will soon storm the doors of one particular house — and find much, much more than they bargained for — swiftly reveals, there’s little that’s normal behind the average facade. In a powerful start to his latest feature after Incendies, Prisoners and Enemy, director Denis Villeneuve ensures the chasm between perception and reality is apparent; indeed, it will echo throughout the feature. It's a fitting kernel of thought to plant in the minds of viewers who will witness 121 minutes of procedural tension seemingly concerned with the titular term — cartel slang for hitman in Mexico — in the context of the drug war, but actually delving into the haziness of trying to do the right thing by any means. It certainly bears remembering that Villeneuve doesn’t make films that could be considered easy viewing. As written by actor-turned-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Sons of Anarchy), Sicario jumps into the United States' furtive attempts to arrest the impact of the narcotics trade, then creeps through shades of grey, shimmers of complex uncertainty and slivers of necessary compromise. Accordingly, three figures earn the grim film's focus: FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), plus government contractors Matt (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro). After leading the charge in the opening events, the former is asked to volunteer to work with the latter two men to bring a drug lord to justice. Their idea of how to do so, abandoning the rules in favour of operating in the shadows, differs to the by-the-book approach Macer prefers. Comparisons to Zero Dark Thirty prove apt and earned for an effort that treats its bristling violence and brutal set pieces as routine, strands its protagonist with reaching for an end result that can't be achieved by above-board means, and navigates the moral quandaries and harsh realities that spring. The striking, sunlit visuals, lensed by 12-time Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Skyfall) and seething with gritty texture, add to the overwhelming feeling of inevitability and despair Macer is saddled with, with as much said by the framing — often preferring to peer on at conversations from a distance, or capture action via aerial shots — as by the dialogue. Such rich imagery is matched not only by an unrelenting, rattling, bass-heavy score, but also by a trio of performances that simmer on screen. Blunt, continuing a spate of great choices of late that has included Looper and Edge of Tomorrow, finds the right mix of resilience and vulnerability as the woman at the centre of a puzzle she's being precluded from piecing together. Del Toro wears the feature's weariness, vagueness and murkiness in his gaze, while Brolin does the same thing with his sly smile and casual attitude — and becomes the film's standout player in the process. Indeed, Brolin acts as a weathervane for Sicario's end result, offering layers of quiet power that build with every exchange and altercation into an ever-troubling picture of ambiguity and unease. You're never quite comfortable with his character, nor should you be with the feature he's in, as compelling, confronting, stunning and downright exceptional as it is.
Brewskies, two-up and commemorating our brave veterans, our fallen and their descendants; it's a day of tradition of celebration, reflection and copious amounts of Tooheys Old. Anzac Day is likely to leave you with a fair hangover and empty pockets, so to make things easier on the wallet and the social planners, let Concrete Playground help you plan it out. Here's our round-up of the ten best things to do in Sydney this April 25, which at both the going down of the sun and in the morning, you will remember. 1. WAKE UP FOR THE ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE An Anzac Day tradition, Australians have been rising early since 1916 to commemorate military servicemen in the Dawn Service. Set your alarm and wake up early to commemorate both fallen and serving military men and women in the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Be at the Cenotaph in Martin Place before the 4:15am ceremony commencement; there's nothing like paying your respects as the bugle brings up the sun. 2. HEAD TO THE ANZAC DAY MARCH(ES) Medals are shined up and proudly donned as veterans, their descendants and serving personnel march through Sydney’s CDB for the annual Anzac Day Parade. Commencing at 9am sharp, the march will begin in Martin Place at Pitt Street, then head down George Street, turn at Bathurst Street toward Elizabeth Street before reaching the War Memorial (here's the map). The Last Post will ring out over Hyde Park at the commemorative services kicking off at 12:30pm beside the Pool of Remembrance. Right after the main Sydney march, Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders are holding the eighth annual Anzac Day March and Commemorative Service in Redfern. With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people having served in the military since the Boer War, the Redfern Anzac Day March honours Australia’s unsung war heroes, beginning right after the Sydney march at 1:45pm. Commencing from Redfern Park, the march will head down Redfern, Lawson and Eveleigh streets to the Redfern Community Centre. 3. PLAY A NATIONAL SPORT: TWO-UP Take advantage of one of only two days a year where this national sport is legal and squeeze into one of many Sydney pubs hosting this beloved Anzac Day tradition. Make sure you convert those notes into gold coins, place your bets and watch those sacred two-up coins fall. We recommend hitting up one of Sydney's best pubs in The Rocks, Surry Hills or the Inner West for a spirited crowd and local craft beers on tap. Here's our picks for two-up hubs: The Rocks: The Morrison, The Glenmore or The Argyle. Surry Hills: The Forresters, The Norfolk or The Beresford. Eastern Suburbs: Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel. Balmain: Dick's, The Exchange or The Balmain. Newtown: Newtown Hotel or The Courthouse. Or save it all up for Sydney's biggest two-up game, further down our list... 4. WATCH A NATIONAL SPORT: NRL After a few Paddington brewskies, head to Allianz Stadium, Moore Park to watch the NRL's traditional Anzac Day clash between St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. Cheering on these sporting warriors as they crash into each other for 80 minutes, channelling the Anzac spirit is a straight-up riveting way to spend the public holiday afternoon. 5. BUSH OLYMPICS AT FREDA'S Australia Day Bush Olympics at Freda’s (107-109 Regent St, Chippendale) proved to be such a hit that it’s happening all over again, in honour of the diggers. From 4pm, there’ll be true blue “Barnsey to Farnsey” ozploitation from live band Bad Jeep (pictured), original tunes from Newcastle underdogs These New South Whales, DJ sets from Smokey La Beef and Wild Sunset, $5 VB tinnies and two-up in the laneway. Turn up with a mullet and you’ll score a beer on the house. Really. Entry is free. 6. HEAD TO THE SUNSET SERVICE If you're not an early riser and want to pay your respects (or you want to add some symmetry to your day by ending it as it began), there's a sunset Anzac service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. Make your way there for the 5pm start and the going down of the sun. Image credit: Greg O'Beirne 7. EAST SIDE MEETS WEST SIDE PARTY AT EASY TIGER If you’re looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous Tooheys and two-up, head along to Easy Tiger (106 Oxford St, Paddington) for an East Side meets West Side party, kicking off at 5pm. Young Henry’s Real Ale on tap will quench all thirsts while a locally-sourced live music programme is sure to instil a touch of national pride in punters. There’ll be sets from The Owls (pictured), Spirit Valley, Civilians and Steve Smyth, as well as vinyl DJ sets. All for free. 8. FOLLOW THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM AT STRICTLY BALLROOM I want to dance with you. I want to dance with you your way at the Pan Pacifics. Is there an Australian alive in the '90s who doesn't know the meaning of those immortal words? That paragon of multiculturalism, suburban sparkle and following your dream, Strictly Ballroom, not only launched the career of writer-director Baz Luhrmann but also implanted itself in our national consciousness as few films have. Now the team behind the movie have brought it to the stage as Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, and the big surprise? It's actually pretty damn good. Celebrate solid Australian talent at Lyric Theatre this Anzac Day. 9. KICK BACK AT THE MOVIES If you woke up early enough to make the Dawn Service, you might well be ready to kick back and spoil yourself at the movies by the afternoon. For those who find themselves thinking about international relations on Anzac Day, there’s Chinese Puzzle. On the other hand, for the more (sort of) patriotically inclined, there’s Captain America. 10. THE INNER WEST'S BIGGEST TWO-UP GAME – THE VIC To be part of the biggest two-up game in the inner west, hit The Vic (2 Addison Rd, Marrickville). Furnace and The Fundamentals, Handsome Young Strangers and Jay Katz will soundtrack your wins and your losses. Plus, if all that tossing works up an appetite, you’ll be more than provided for with a spit roast and Anzac biccies. Entry is free and diggers receive a complimentary drink. ONE MORE THING, TAKE A MINUTE'S SILENCE While you can hold your own moment of reflection to pay respects to the diggers, you could also help the RSL out. In a moment of performance art meets respectful fundraising, the RSL's Anzac Appeal this year are selling minutes of silence. An actual recording of soundless contemplation time, the Minute of Silence is raising funds to help returned service men and women. You can buy the recording by telephone, and even the cost of the call will help toward the RSL. To buy the Minute of Silence, phone 1902 250 414 for Victoria, 1902 250 415 (NSW & Qld), 1902 250 416 (Queensland), 1902 250 417 (South Australia & NT), 1902 250 418 Western Australia or 1902 250 419 (Tasmania). Or alternatively, text the word SILENCE and your home state to 1999 1234. Either way, make sure you take a quiet moment to remember amidst the brewskies and coin tossing. Words by Matthew Watson, Jasmine Crittenden, Rima Sabina Aouf and Shannon Connellan.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon. Images: Destination NSW
Did you know that for the last 12 years, Richard Linklater has been tinkering away on the same project? Oh yes, in between Before Midnight and Before Sunset, A Scanner Darkly and Bernie, there's been Boyhood, an intimate coming-of-age drama utilising the same cast (Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and kids Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater) and interested in the kind of authenticity that can be created when you're not artificially ageing or swapping in older actors. "There has simply never been anything like this film," wrote Rolling Stone, and we're inclined to agree. It's a unique way to experience the growing pains of a child — and that of his young, still-nutting-things-out parents. Boyhood is in cinemas on September 4, and in advanced screenings this weekend. Thanks to Universal Pictures, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-mbHXyWX4
While Haymarket and inner west suburbs such as Burwood and Ashfield populate much of Sydney's dumpling scene, the northern beaches has something that isn't found too widely across the city: momos. The dumpling, which originates from Tibet, is one of the most popular dishes in Nepal — and for good reason. These round- or crescent-shaped parcels are often stuffed with the likes of ground meat (chicken, pork, goat, buffalo, yak or lamb), veggies, tofu, paneer or soft chhupri (a local Himalayan cheese). And, luckily for Sydneysiders, Momo Bar serves up pretty good, hand-rolled iterations of these tasty treats. With two shops, located in Manly and Dee Why, Momo Bar is where you want to head for lamb momos ($12), ones stuffed with lentils ($11), chicken versions ($11) and even mushroom and parmesan dumplings ($11). It also offers some gluten-free alternatives, as well as poké bowls if you're in the mood to circumnavigate the globe in one feast. Image: Leigh Griffiths
Northies has been keeping the party happening in Cronulla since 1888, now belonging to the beach-loving Sydney Collective. Just as with the other venues, the Group has given this one a serious spruce up, without taking away its casual feel. One addition is Old Joe's, a summery, pastel-coloured room that pays homage to Joe's Milk Bar (a longstanding local favourite) styled by design legend Sibella Court. Whether you're hanging out there or in one of Northies' other spaces, the mighty menu will conquer your post-surf starvation, with its burgers, pizza, steaks and seafood hot pots.
Bluesfest has lifted the lid on its first artist announcement for 2015 and heading the stampede is The Black Keys, in league with The Alabama Shakes, the Zac Brown Band and Michael Franti and Spearhead. For now at least, it seems there’s more of an emphasis than usual on young blood and recent charttoppers. That said, the legendary George Clinton with his Parliament/Funkadelic will be delivering an ample dose of '70s psychedelic, roller-skating-worthy funk and Paul Kelly (who seems perpetually both classic and contemporary) will be serving up some Merri Soul Sessions, in the star-studded company of Dan Sultan, Kira Puru and Vika and Linda Bull. Then there’s Train, Xavier Rudd and the United Nations, Trombone Shorty and New Orleans Avenue, Rebelution, Soja, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Beth Hart, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Mariachi El Bronx, G. Love and Special Sauce, Pokey Lafarge, Band of Skulls and Rockwiz Live. The only difficult news in all of this is that ticket prices have crept up (you can’t say you weren’t warned!) and single day open tickets will be a thing of the past within 72 hours from now. Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 (first announcement): The Black Keys Zac Brown Band Alabama Shakes Train Michael Franti & Spearhead George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions feat Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, & Vika And Linda Bull Xavier Rudd and The United Nations Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Rebelution Soja The Chris Robinson Brotherhood Beth Hart Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls Mariachi El Bronx G. Love & Special Sauce Pokey Lafarge Band Of Skulls Rockwiz Live + more to be announced. Bluesfest 2015 will run April 2 – 6 2015 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here.
With its fantastic puppetry, tight choreography and more than a few damp-eye moments, the National Theatre of Great Britain's production of War Horse is taking another canter across Australia's stages. After first touring Down Under in 2012–13, the Tony Award-winning play will return in 2020, with seasons currently planned for Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Based on Michael Morpurgo's 1982 novel of the same name, the boy-meets-horse tale was originally adapted for the stage by British playwright Nick Stafford, and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, way back in 2007. Opening shortly before the start of the First World War, War Horse is the love story of a Devonshire lad, Albert, and a young foal, Joey — who, once it has come of age, is sold into service for the British Army. Seeing the injustice in this, the play's boy hero fights against age restrictions and cartwheels to Calais to save Joey, at which point his youthful bravado is tear-gassed into the harsh reality of early modern warfare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMVKWxZyIZU After its first NT run, the play proved to be such a tremendous success that it relocated to the West End and Broadway, and has galloped across everywhere from Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to South Africa and China. Along the way, it has picked up two Olivier Awards and five Tonys, including for Best Play — and been seen by thousands of audiences. You might also remember the 2011 film adaptation of Morpurgo's novel, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, starred a long list of British talent including Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch, and was nominated for six Oscars. On the stage, War Horse owes its longevity to South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, which has created a stable of horses, some soon-to-die cavalry, crows, swallows and a very animated goose. Though surrounded by puppeteers and, in parts, constructed out of obviously mechanical pieces, these puppets realistically breathe and quickly pop out as the most genuine players in the show. War Horse plays Melbourne's Regent Theatre from January 10, 2020, then heads to the Sydney Lyric from February 15, before moving to Perth's Crown Theatre from March 24. For further details, and to join the ticket waitlist, head to warhorseonstage.com.au.
If you’re a lover of Wensleydale cheese, spontaneous elbow and hands wobbling and bits of plasticine, you might want to check out Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention this summer (along with any children you find handy). It might also be the perfect place to let loose a group of little people you’ve been assigned the task of entertaining over their holiday break. And this is one of those exhibits where they — and you — are allowed to touch almost everything and learn a thing or two about inventing, Wallace & Gromit style, without being thrown out of the museum (not guaranteed). There will be interactive exhibits, film sets and props on display, and a creative station set up, where you can lean about all things copyright (for when you, or they, come up with the next best thing since sliced bread). The Karaoke Disco Shower, The Thinking Cap, Telly-scope II, the Blend-o-matic, Chocolate Teapot, and the Ice Hot Water Bottle will all make an appearance, alongside real inventions by Aussies — like ear implants and a mousetrap making machine.
Best Coast was the band on everyone's lips when they released their first album in 2010, Crazy For You, with Popfrenzy Records. Whack their CD in your player and the speakers will radiate pure, golden sunshine. Their upbeat indie sound is laced with surf rock, with Bethany Cosentino's fantastic voice (she backs herself as well) carrying each song to glorious, summery heights. The lyrics may at times seem simple but they communicate honest sentiments that are often darker than the happy melody indicates. "I Want To" perfectly captures that sexy feeling of summer when you're longing for someone so god damn badly that you can't have. They are currently working on their second album with producer Jon Brion, which according to Cosentino will be slower and a little more emo. This means you will more than likely get a sneaky preview of some of their new tunes. I doubt they'll ever take themselves too seriously if their video to "When I'm With You" is anything to go by, thankfully. After spending the last two years playing gigs around the world and collaborating with Johnny Marr, Weezer, Vampire Weekend and Wavves the duo, Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, will this time be playing as a four piece at Big Day Out 2012 as well as doing two sideshows. Catch them in Sydney at Manning Bar on January 25, otherwise you might miss out seeing them in summer; in July just wouldn't be the same. Win a double pass to see Best Coast, courtesy of Popfrenzy Records.
Phillip Island's ever-popular little penguin residents have scored themselves an upgrade, with the new-look, revamped Penguin Parade visitor centre opening its doors this week. The colony of tiny birds and their waterfront digs have long been one of Victoria's iconic tourist destinations, with the sunset penguin viewings pulling over 700,000 visitors each year. Now, with the help of $48.2 million funding from the Labor Government — along with an extra $10 million from the not-for-profit Phillip Island Nature Parks — the world-leading penguin research precinct has had a long-awaited makeover. In good news for its pint-sized inhabitants, the mammoth infrastructure project has restored over six hectares of penguin habitat, reclaiming the site of the former visitor centre building to create extra homes for up to 1400 breeding penguins. As for the new centre built in its place, it boasts a state-of-the-art theatre, a suite of interactive activities and educational installations, along with a selection of retail and dining options. Here, you'll be able to browse a range of commissioned penguin-themed designs, from bamboo tumblers to tea towels, along with a line of sustainability-focused products including reusable veggie bags and stainless steel straws. An onsite restaurant will be dishing up plates like slow-cooked lamb shanks and a classic chicken parma, while the cafe is your go-to for sandwiches, sushi and pies. On the educational side of things, you'll find a realistic habitat space offering a penguins-eye view of the world, a range of penguin statues for those selfie snaps and a display sharing the story of the Summerland Peninsula's historic buy-back scheme and restoration of the penguin habitat. You'll also score a close-up glimpse of the penguin life cycle, as told through the journeys of resident birds Pudding, Ava, Peter and Flynn. The interactive installation allows you to see what's likely happening in penguin world during various seasons and months. The building's design has also earned some serious street cred, being named as a winner at the recent 2019 International Architecture Awards. And, in a win for those penguins, the building is especially environmentally friendly, featuring 666 rooftop solar panels, low-carbon building materials throughout and a water filtration system that recycles rainwater for non-potable use. While the visitor centre is entirely new, the program of penguin-viewing experiences remains the same — including the popular underground viewing platform and the ranger guided tours. You can find the new Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands.
If you're looking to belt out some tunes, with a microphone in one hand and a beer in the other while your group of giggling friends tumble over themselves around you, this is it. Hidden in Chinatown's Dixon Mall, behind a fairly nondescript door, lies Dynasty Karaoke. Here, you'll find 13 private dens, a lounge bar, a sports bar, restaurant, electronic darts, touchscreen table games and, of course, karaoke all in the one spot. Dynasty is fun, over the top and lit up like a Christmas tree, making it the perfect spot to let your hair down. Tunes-wise, expect plenty of 80s ballads, 90s rock and early noughties hits — think Britney Spears, Kylie and Backstreet Boys. Plus, if you're brave enough, there's a huge public stage. So, you can sing you heart out in front of strangers, if that's what you're into. To keep you suitably soused, the bar stocks everything, from wine and beer, to whisky, champagne, liqueurs and elaborate cocktails. Should you need something to line your stomach, you can grab a pan Asian snack such as Hong Kong-style chicken wings, octopus takoyaki and Korean dumplings. Rooms range from $8 per person per hour to $198 for a party room of 25 people.
The world's first wandering institution dedicated to showcasing the creative efforts of ordinary folks is coming to Australia. That'd be the The Museum of Everything, which will head to Tasmania for a ten-month stint filled with pieces that you won't find in any other gallery. Launching during MONA's Dark Mofo in June, then running through until April 2, 2018, the exhibition will feature over 1500 works in themed spaces, taking visitors on an informal journey through human making. Drawings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, collage, photography, assemblage, found objects and installations will all be on display during its first trip to our shores. Starting in London in 2009, and touring to Paris, Venice, Moscow and Rotterdam since, The Museum of Everything aims to improve the profile of art that falls outside of the usual channels. Forget famous names — you won't find them here. Instead, lining its walls are works crafted by untrained, unintentional, undiscovered and and otherwise unclassifiable artists from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Indeed, the people responsible for the kind of pieces favoured by the travelling display are compelled to channel their creativity into new, different and experimental works, but they don't fit the conventional definition of artists. As founder James Brett explains, "our artists do not create for the markets or museums. They make because they must and— from Henry Darger to Nek Chand Saini — have something vital to say about the essence of their lives". Image: George Widener, c. 2007, courtesy of The Museum of Everything.
Out to shakeup the image of Middle Eastern fare, Glebe's Thievery is transforming itself into a month-long Middle Eastern yum cha pop-up once again. Running until December 22, the limited-edition menu delivers a clever twist on the Chinese dim sum experience — a flavour mash-up that sounds a little left-field, but that Executive Chef Julian Cincotta promises works a treat. Here, you'll find yourself tucking into creations like lamb kofta manti (small Middle Eastern dumplings) with XO sauce, baba ganoush dumplings, Lebanese prawn toast with fermented chilli sauce and Chinese-style fried chicken — and maybe mango pancakes or steamed za'atar cake (a bit like a sticky date pudding) for dessert. And, in homage to yum cha's traditional roots — the word translates to 'drink tea' in Cantonese — the feast comes complete with its own specialty range of tea cocktails, served in share-friendly teapots. Try drinks like the Hennessy green tea mojito, lychee margarita and Hennessy bubble tea. Or you can add on 90 minutes of bottomless green tea sangria to your brunch or lunch for $32. Middle Eastern yum cha will be on offer for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Opt for an a la carte selection, or leave the decisions at the door with the nine-course set menu for $58 at dinner or seven-course set menu for $40 at lunch. A limited selection of dishes will also be available for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Updated: November 6, 2019.
Antidote — the Sydney Opera House's festival of ideas, action and change – will return for its fifth year with an entirely online program of talks and panels. This year's program, curated for the final time by Head of Talks and Ideas Dr Edwina Throsby, will champion inspiring conversations and creative solutions during a continually challenging time. Livestreams will run throughout Sunday, September 5 — featuring talks on solutions to climate change with New Yorker staff writer and Pulitzer prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert; alternatives to capitalism with Greek economist, politician and author Yanis Varoufakis; and the future of Indigenous rights and the Uluru Statement from the Heart with three of its writers: Megan Davis, Pat Anderson AO and Thomas Mayor. Elsewhere on the lineup, you'll find Korean American poet and Pulitzer Prize finalist Cathy Park Hong in conversation with Benjamin Law and Beverly Wang on the #StopAsianHate movement; a discussion of morality in Australian politics between Sydney Morning Herald columnist Jacqueline Maley, fellow Herald columnist and host of ABC TV's The Drum Julia Baird and Schwartz Media's head of audio Osman Faruqi; and an a panel on anti-Arab racism in Australia since 9/11 curated by Western Sydney-based literary movement Sweatshop's director Michael Mohammed Ahmad. Sweatshop is also partnering with Antidote to launch an emerging writers mentorship program for First Nations and culturally diverse writers. Applications for the program are now open, with successful applicants receiving $1000, a pass to Antidote, feedback on their writing and up to 25 hours of mentorship. Antidote tickets are $15 for a single live stream, $60 for a festival pass if bought before Sunday, August 1 and $75 for the festival pass if purchased from Monday, August 2. Passes for the Uluru Statement of the Heart talk are free — and limited in-person ticket may go on sale closer to the event if public health orders allow crowds to attend. [caption id="attachment_819911" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Antidote 2020 by Prudence Upton[/caption] Top image: Daniel Boud
We've all been there — as you're getting ready for bed, you set your phone alarm with grand intentions of getting up and going to pilates, a spin class or a run before work. Then, when that absurd time rolls out, getting out of bed is a near impossible feat. Well, we may have found a cure for that. Undercard Boxing, Darlinghurst's newest concept gym, is hosting an event this Thursday, June 27, that'll put a pep in your sleepy step. The special pre-work session will give you a (free) taster of this new fitness craze developed by co-founders Kesava Commerford and Zach Vickers. It combines boxing, strength and metabolic conditioning training styles for a high-intensity workout to get your blood pumping — you'll forget that the temperature outside is teetering around the single digits in no time. This special session kicks off at 8am and is invite only — but, we've managed to spots for you and a mate. The event is said to be themed on the cult film Fight Club, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Like the film, Undercard involves heading underground and throwing punches in a dimly lit space. But that's pretty much where the comparisons end. The workout area is a super slick room, with orange-tinted lights, high-tech treadmills, free weights and a bunch of water-filled punching bags hanging from the ceiling. The class runs for about an hour and will test both your strength and endurance. The event will be bookended with exciting happenings from some of Undercard's lifestyle and wellness partners. Before the class, Paddington's Valonz hairdressers will be on-site offering hair braiding and there'll be free bottles of water from Just Water. Post-workout, you'll be able to get activewear styling tips from Style Runner and tuck into the delicious breakfast grazing table from Bondi's Porch and Parlour. A free workout, styling tips and a free breakfast — not a bad excuse to get out of bed, after all. To be in the running (pun intended), enter your details below. [competition]728029[/competition]
Few areas of Sydney have gone through as much of a transformation in the past decade as Alexandria and Rosebery. What was once considered a mostly industrial area has seen swaths of commercial and residential development. First, former warehouses were converted into restaurants, creative hubs and entertainment spaces. Then came a futuristic new library and the food-filled laneway at Infinity by Crown Group. There is also an aquatic centre and a huge 6200-square-metre park in the works. It's an area in flux, which means it's a pretty exciting part of Sydney to both live in and visit. But, as there is so much to explore here, we decided to ask you — Concrete Playground readers — what local businesses you love to support. So, follow this guide to find the best places to visit in Alexandria and Rosebery, as chosen by you. Read on to discover some of the most popular picks to visit during the day. Then, flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do in Alexandria and Rosebery once the sun goes down.
One tells of a woman seeking passion instead of a loveless marriage. The other follows star-crossed lovers held back by their respective families' long-simmering feud. Beloved on the page, and rarely far away from a screen or stage, they're two of the most famous stories of the past few centuries. And, both Anna Karenina and Romeo and Juliet are among the big highlights of the Australian Ballet's just-announced 2022 season. Anna Karenina will kick off the Australian Ballet's year with stints in Melbourne (from February 25–March 9) and Sydney (April 5–23). Here, in a co-production with the Joffrey Ballet that had its world premiere in Chicago in 2019 and then debuted locally in Adelaide this year, Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece comes alive with ex-Bolshoi Ballet dancer Yuri Possokhov's choreography. The story remains the same, with its eponymous figure seeking happiness but finding ruin — but you can expect quite the sweeping and sensuous production. Dancing with the Bard, the Australian Ballet's version of Romeo and Juliet will then close out its 2022, with Shakespeare's most famous duo also taking to the stage in Melbourne (October 7–18) and Sydney (December 1–21). Clearly, there's nothing like bookending a year with two stone-cold classics. John Cranko's production has been regular in the company's repertoire ever since it premiered back in 1974, in fact, and will again turn medieval Verona into a sumptuous onstage realm — all set to a score by Sergei Prokofiev that dates back to 1935. [caption id="attachment_830095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pierre Toussaint[/caption] Both Anna Karenina and Romeo and Juliet were originally meant to be highlights of the Australian Ballet's 2021 season, but we all know how this year has turned out. Also in the same camp: Harlequinade, a comedy by Marius Petipa, who choreographed Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. It'll bring its story of young lovers Harlequin and Columbine to Melbourne only (from June 17–25). As well as this rescheduled trio, plenty of other highlights will pirouettes across the stage, including Kunstkamer, which was created at Nederlands Dans Theater and has never before been performed by another company; and triple bill Instruments of Dance, which includes a nine-part ballet designed for 25 dancers and set to a score by Sufjan Stevens. And, there's also Counterpointe, which'll take its focus on ballet's extremes to Adelaide only — plus a regional program that'll tour Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. [caption id="attachment_830092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pierre Toussaint[/caption] THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET 2022 SEASON: Anna Karenina: February 25–March 29 at Arts Centre Melbourne; April 5–23 at the Sydney Opera House. Kunstkamer: April 29–May 15 at the Sydney Opera House; June 3–11 at Arts Centre Melbourne. Harlequinade: June 17–25 at Arts Centre Melbourne. Counterpointe: July 7–13 at Adelaide Festival Centre. Instruments of Dance: September 23–October 1 at Arts Centre Melbourne; November 10–26 at the Sydney Opera House. Romeo and Juliet: October 7–18 at Arts Centre Melbourne; December 1–21 at the Sydney Opera House. Season packages for the Australian Ballet's 2022 Sydney and Melbourne performances go on sale from 12.01am on Wednesday, October 27. For further details, head to the Australian Ballet website. Top image: Simon Eeles.
Ask anyone their least-favourite place to sleep and planes will rank right up there. If you're on a long-haul flight and you're in economy, trying to slumber when you're soaring through the air can be one of the worst things about travelling. Enter New Zealand's new Economy Skynest, aka onboards bunk beds that were first announced back in 2020, locked in for a 2024 launch last year and now have debut routes confirmed: from Aotearoa to New York and Chicago. Lengthy trips from NZ to America are about to get a whole more comfortable, and scoring some shuteye midair is about to become easier, starting in September 2024. "We're delighted to announce that our innovative Economy Skynest will be launching on ultra-long haul flights, starting with the popular Auckland–New York and Auckland–Chicago routes," said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty, announcing the news. "North America is the perfect market for Skynest, as it has a premium segment that values comfort and sleep during long-haul travel." "Skynest provides a unique and innovative way for our passengers to rest and recharge, making their journey with us even more enjoyable. By launching Skynest on these routes, we are bringing to life our commitment to providing choice, alongside the best possible experience for our passengers, and to continue to innovate and lead the way in the aviation industry." If it sounds like a game changer, that's because it is. Back in 2020, Air NZ announced the pods as part of filing patent and trademark applications, and noted that it'd make a final decision on whether they'd come into effect within a year. That go-ahead might've arrived a bit later — aka in 2022, not in 2021 — but that doesn't make it any less exciting. So, how will it work? This first-of-its-kind option will feature six lie-flat pods. Yes, they really do look like bunk beds on a plane, and you'll be able to slumber in them while zooming to your destination. On the planes, the Skynest will sit between premium economy and economy. Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket and ear plugs, as well as lighting designed to optimise rest. There'll be a a separate reading light, too, and a USB outlet so that you can charge your devices — and also a ventilation outlet. Seatbelts will also be a feature in case of turbulence. When it's time to get up after your slumber, the lights will come on (and cabin crew will wake you gently if that isn't enough). After each four-hour slot, there'll be a 30-minute transition time to change the bedding as well. Air New Zealand has also unveiled some details about bookings will work. The key rule: each passenger will only be able to reserve one session per flight. Travelling with your mates, date or the family? If you're on the same ticket, you can book a session for each passenger — as long as there are enough spaces available. Price-wise, however, sleeping comfortably in the sky won't come cheap. The exact cost hasn't been locked in, but a figure of around $400–600 for the four-hour period has been floated. Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest will be available from September 2024 on routes from Auckland to Chicago and New York. For more information in the interim, visit the airline's website.
Sandy beaches in the Blue Mountains? You bet. Jellybean Pool might not have blue sea waters, but it has more than enough wild charm. Take a short walk down from the Glenbrook Information Centre and you'll find this long-beloved swimming hole. Leave your things on the sand or surrounding rocks while you explore the pool, and keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife, including kestrels, lorikeets and kingfishers. The pristine natural surroundings and easy journey make it popular with Sydneysiders, so it's best to go before lunch if you want a less busy swim. If you're feeling intrepid, make a weekend of it by pitching a tent at Euroka Campground. Image: Nina Matthews, Flickr
Pier One's harbourfront igloos are back. And, this year, they're offering a particularly dazzling place to enjoy Sydney's winter. Those hankering for waterside drinks will be able to get sipping in a lit-up space, with one igloo surrounded with cherry blossom trees adorned with light globes. In case you're wondering, the igloos aren't made of snow and ice. They're transparent dome-shaped structures that you can hire for yourself and up to nine mates. You will need to be willing to indulge in a few cocktails, glasses of champagne and snacks — choosing between the snacks and shares menu, or the grazing menu. Highlights of the food menu includes Sydney rock oysters, Pioik sourdough, wagyu skewers and salmon tartar. A range of canned cocktails will also be on hand, including espresso martinis from Archie Rose, negronis from Never Never Distillery and mai tais from Jacoby's Tiki Bar. To hire out the cherry blossom igloo, you have to spend $400–700 on food and drinks for your 2.5-hour session, and pay a $200–300 hire fee. The minimum spend and hire price changes depending on the day and time. You can hire out the igloos daily, from 12–2.30pm, 3.30–6pm or 7–9.30pm, until Sunday, August 17. And if you opt for the latter time slot from Friday–Sunday, you'll need to add on a compulsory night's stay in the suite for an extra $350 — which includes overnight accommodation for two, plus breakfast and parking. Images: Anna Kucera.
Surry Hills trattoria Mille Vini (which means a thousand wines in Italian) emerged from Sydney's lockdown with an updated menu and a knockout refurb that should put it back on your radar when Italian food and wine and a vibe is calling. The restaurant-bar has achieved borderline institution status as a stalwart of refined casual dining along Crown Street and, in its new iteration, will bring back the principles of Italian hospitality and food (genuine, simple and beautiful) with a noticeable facelift. The design overhaul has swapped out the rows of empty wine bottles that once lined the walls (presumably now recycled) for swanky boudoir-meets-Belle Epoque vibes where brass and draped velvet details live comfortably alongside the building's 1840s sandstone walls. But, to the food! With a refreshed menu, Mille Vini Head Chef, Francesco Di Gioia, (Fred's, Charlie Parker's) has maintained the venue's classic Italian roots, emphasising recipes from all Italian regions and the requisite servings of freshly handmade pastas, alongside signature dishes like poached octopus salad, battered zucchini flower, truffle pecorino with blossom honey and a selection of freshly made crostini stracciatella. The wine list is a generous selection of Italian wines and local producers, plus an adventurous offering on the cocktail list. And if you need help getting through the menu, on the mezzanine level, the private dining room can comfortably accommodate eight guests. All images: Kitti Gould
Known as one of the best suburbs in Sydney for culture vultures, Marrickville has plenty to do, see and experience. In partnership with Marrickville Metro's new dining, retail and creative precinct on Smidmore Street — home to its own extensive public art program — we've handpicked the best spots in the hood to get your arts fix all year round. [caption id="attachment_814742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amy Piddington[/caption] JOIN THE DOTS Join the Dots is a haven for artists. Set in a graffiti-clad brick building, it's a creative space where art practitioners can hire studios, workshops, hotdesks, and even the in-house gallery, Swamp, to put on an exhibition for a reasonable fee. Run as a non-profit, Join the Dots is helmed by volunteers and has a strong ethos of allowing artists to experiment, collaborate and hone their craft. In response to the pandemic, Join the Dots turned its front window into a gallery space for its resident artists, giving locals a chance to enjoy the work being created behind the walls even when entry to the building itself wasn't possible. MARRICKVILLE METRO, SMIDMORE STREET The Smidmore Street extension of Marrickville Metro isn't just a dining and retail hub — it's also home to a dedicated public art program that's injected the precinct with colour and vibrancy. Marrickville Metro partnered with the Inner West Council to create a platform for local creatives to showcase work inspired by the area and the community, and the results are definitely worth a look. Over 35 works are now on display across the centre and some of its new stores and restaurants, including a colourful interpretation of Marrickville's history by Liz Shreeve; a type-based piece by Georgia Hill that draws inspiration from signage around the local area; and a social realist piece by Fintan Magee that honours local female artists working within the suburb's industrial warehouse spaces. Keep an eye out for art-focused tours of the centre that take place from time to time, to help guide visitors through the various works on display. [caption id="attachment_814702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clare Hawley (Aspray Photographics)[/caption] FLIGHT PATH THEATRE Founded in 2019 by Siobhan Lawless and Kate Bookallil, Flight Path Theatre, located in the Addison Road Community Centre, is a proud supporter of independent productions. For a snapshot of the diverse range of performances staged by the theatre, you only have to look through the highlights of its upcoming summer program. For example, take Tattletales (until December 19), an immersive and interactive storytelling experience which sees up to ten audience members create an original adventure with The Storyteller as their guide. Or perhaps you'd prefer Puffs (January 7–15), which tells the story of three potential heroes from another house at a certain school of witchcraft and wizardry. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong. [caption id="attachment_814704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carmel Byrne[/caption] SCRATCH ART SPACE Sydney artist Carmel Byrne manages Scratch Art Space, a creative arena that seeks to offer support to early-career artists while cultivating a spirit of community. Studios are available to rent and there are also a range of regular workshops on offer from life drawing to landscapes, open to creatives of all levels. There's also a rich history of exciting exhibitions, with 2021 alone having seen art made from discarded objects (Gillian Wright's All That Glitters); domestic dioramas created and subsequently destroyed (Katie Dunn's Creating with Intent to Destroy); and a performance-based exhibition that addresses the female body as 'a political site, a tool of dissent and of protest' (Emma Varker's Me Too Ceausescu). [caption id="attachment_836358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arvin Prem[/caption] CAMELOT LOUNGE Sydney's self-styled 'favourite boutique music venue' has been a go-to for music and comedy since its inception in the late 2000s. In conjunction with the downstairs Django Bar, Camelot truly has something for everyone this summer, with live entertainment practically every night of the week. Studio 54 and Rolling Stones tribute acts? Check. ARIA-winning rock acts? It's got 'em. Live jazz and Cuban bands? You bet. A retrospective of the history of Greek alternative, rock and pop or Turkish belly dancing? Yuh huh. Flamenco and mariachi bands? Naturally. No other location in Sydney can beat that for variety and intrigue. There are about to be a lot more reasons to go to Marrickville, too, thanks to the opening of the new section of Marrickville Metro. Find out more about the inner west's newest community hub via the official website. Top image: 'Rebellious Conversations' by Phibs & Skulk (Photography Greg Fonne)
There are plenty of ways to pick which music festivals to dance your way through, but one method reigns supreme: the all-powerful lineup. When a fest puts together an A-plus roster of onstage talent — like Charli XCX, Duke Dumont and Sonny Fodera headlining For the Love 2023, for instance — your decision is often made for you. That's one reason to get excited about the event's return next February and March. Here's another: its waterfront locations at its four stops. For the Love pairs its packed bill of dance and pop hitmakers with stunning backdrops, and will hit up the Gold Coast's Doug Jennings Park, Wollongong's Thomas Dalton Park, Melbourne's Catani Gardens and Perth's Taylor Reserve for its 2023 run. Also doing the honours: Cosmo's Midnight, Snakehips, Budjerah and KYE, as well as Sumner and Jade Zoe. And yes, Charli XCX's spot on the lineup means that if you live outside of Sydney and you can't make it to WorldPride next year, you can still catch her onstage. As in previous years, punters will also have the opportunity to kick back in style in one of For The Love's VIP lounges, presented by Aussie streetwear label Nana Judy. Plus, For the Love's Music For Oceans eco-friendly initiative is back, to do once again do the environment a solid. Behind the scenes, the folks at Untitled Group — the same minds behind Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands — are running the show, and splashing around their hefty festival experience. If an evening spent cutting shapes by the water sounds like a much-needed addition to your 2023 calendar, you can now register for presale tickets. Those advance tix go on sale from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 1, with general sales from 4pm AEDT the same day. FOR THE LOVE 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Saturday, February 25 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast Sunday, February 26 — Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong Saturday, March 4 — Catani Gardens, Melbourne Sunday, March 5 — Taylor Reserve, Perth FOR THE LOVE 2023 LINEUP: Charli XCX Duke Dumont Sonny Fodera Cosmo's Midnight Snakehips Budjerah KYE Sumner Jade Zoe For The Love 2023 tours the country in February and March 2023. Head to the festival's website to register for presale, with ticket presales from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 1 — and general sales from 4pm AEDT the same day.
Jane has a message to everyone who thinks print media is dead and buried. Jane who, you ask? jane. by the grey attic, a new high-end, independently produced, bi-annual fashion, photography and fine art publication, the first issue of which is now available for purchase. The brainchild of creative director, writer and stylist Annika Hein, and fashion and fine art photographer Dean Bell, who freelance in the Melbourne fashion scene under the name The Grey Attic, jane. features 320 pages of film-shot photographs, arts, poems and articles from contributors dotted in 21 cities around the world. Highlights from the first issue include a review of Helmut Newton: A Retrospective at the Foam photography museum in Amsterdam that includes original snaps by the famed photographer, and an interview with Marion Hume, international fashion editor at The Australian Financial Review. "Our aim was to revert back to slower processes that nurture and encourage the slow creation and consumption of art, something that celebrates undone beauty, effortlessness, authenticity, timelessness and unconventional thinking," said Hein and Bell in a joint statement. "The element of film photography and our preference to analogue processes also provides something different in today's digital market." You can find issue one of jane. in Melbourne at Fitzroy Newsagency and Readings, or online at www.janebythegreyattic.com where they ship internationally.
If you haven't been over to Cockatoo Island in a while, now might be the time to do it. The historic Sydney Harbour site is preparing for a big Ai Weiwei installation as part of the 21st Biennale of Sydney and is currently playing host to a pop-up shipping container hotel. While a night at the boutique hotel will set you back $305–385 a night, the attached pop-up restaurant and bar Don Tapa is a more affordable way to visit. It's open Wednesday to Sunday each week, but for two nights this March the restaurant will bring in Indigenous chef Zach Green for two very special dinners. On Tuesday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 14 Green and his team from Elijah's Kitchen will take over Don Tapa for A Night on Wareamah (Wareamah being the Indigenous name for Cockatoo Island). The evening will start with a Welcome to Country and a traditional smoking ceremony, before you make your way through a six-course feast. Each dish will hero native ingredients (some of which are found on the island) and be matched with stories about the food and the Indigenous culture it's tied to (as well as A. Retief wines from Urban Winery). Of course, if you fancy making a proper stay of it, you can always book a waterfront shipping container hotel room on-site. A further program of one-off Contained events will also be held over the coming months, including more guest chef dinners. And the 21st Biennale of Sydney will run from March till June. Tickets are $120 but include six courses, matched wines, snacks and petit fours. You'll have to make your own way there and back on the ferry though.
