What begins in Milan, then heads to Puglia and the Italian Alps, plus Naples, Sicily, Tuscany and Rome, too? An impressive getaway, and also the 2023 Italian Film Festival. What dives into history, includes love and treasures, and also soul-searching journeys, stunning threads, labyrinths and great art? Again, a dream holiday, and also Australia's annual celebration of Italy's best and brightest on the big screen. This year, the latest of the nation's Europe-set film fests — see also: this event's French, Spanish, German and Scandinavian counterparts — will arrive from Tuesday, September 19, running until Wednesday, October 25 on its seven-stop tour of the country. Yes, the festival goes on a trip itself, hitting up Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Byron Bay. 2023's IFF will open with The Last Night of Amore, which is where the fest's jaunt to Milan comes in, and one of its thrillers as well. Making its Australian premiere after a successful stint at the Italian box office, writer/director Andrea Di Stefano's (The Informer) police flick stars Pierfrancesco Favino (The Hummingbird) as it tells of an about-to-retire honest cop facing a chaotic, crime-riddled, corruption-fuelled situation. Also among the event's spotlight flicks, Kidnapped sits in the centrepiece slot, recreating the tale of the Vatican's abduction of a young Jewish boy in the 19th century, plus as the scandal that unsurprisingly followed. As part of a focus on actor, filmmaker and screenwriter Massimo Troisi, 1994's The Postman, the talent's two-time Oscar-nominated final film, will close out the fest with a 50s-set whirlwind of love and friendship. There's more where they both came from — more special-presentation and special-event movies, and more of Troisi's work. First, the features getting some extra IFF love. Starring Josh O'Connor (Mothering Sunday) and directed by Alice Rohrwacher (Futura), La Chimera heads to 80s-era Tuscany as a British archaeologist gets caught up in ring selling stolen Italian wares — while Beautiful Boy's Felix van Groeningen shares directing duties with his The Broken Circle Breakdown co-screenwriter Charlotte Vandermeersch on The Eight Mountains, which stars Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden) and Alessandro Borghi (Devils), and won 2022's Cannes Jury Prize. Also, Burning Hearts dives into crime and revenge in black and white, Carravagio's Shadow features Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick: Chapter 2) as the eponymous painter, and documentary The Genius of Gianni Versace Alive unravels its namesake fashion designer's career. With IFF's Troisi retrospective, viewers can see three more of his films: 1981 comedy I'm Starting From Three, his debut as both a big-screen actor and director; Nothing Left to Do But Cry, where he acts opposite and travels back in time with Roberto Benigni (Pinocchio); and the cinema-adoring Splendour, also featuring the late, great Marcello Mastroianni. And, there's also Mario Martone's (Nostalgia) doco Somebody Down There Likes Me, about his exploration of Troisi's movies. Elsewhere on the bill, Nanni Moretti (Three Floors) directs himself playing a director grappling with today's streaming reality in A Brighter Tomorrow; Strangeness enlists Toni Servillo (The Hand of God) as Literature Nobel Prize-winning playwright Luigi Pirandello; The First Day of My Life also features the prolific actor, this time in the latest effort from Perfect Strangers' helmer Paolo Genovese; and both Like Sheep Among Wolves and Prophets sit among the fest's thrillers. The list goes on, including the family-friendly Supernova and The Properties of Metals, plus comedies Orlando and My Shadow Is Your Shadow. And, there's the music-focused My Soul Summer featuring Italian X Factor-winner Casadilego. ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2023 DATES: Tuesday, September 19–Wednesday, October 18 — Palace Central, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, September 20–Wednesday, October 18 — Palace Electric Cinema, Canberra Wednesday, September 20–Sunday, October 15 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Thursday, September 21–Wednesday, October 18 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre and Cinema Nova, Melbourne Wednesday, September 27–Wednesday, October 25 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Thursday, September 28–Wednesday, October 25 — Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Thursday, September 28–Wednesday, October 18 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The 2023 Italian Film Festival tours Australia in September and October. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
The annual Sydney Film Festival carves a cinema-going strip out of the city and makes us excited about seeing more than just the latest blockbusters. Under new festival director Nashen Moodley, the event looks bigger than ever, with an exciting array of boundary-pushing competition contenders, illuminating documentaries, a strand focusing on India and a chance to get thoroughly acquainted with the oeuvre of Bernardo Bertolucci. This year also introduces the Sydney Film Festival Hub, curated by the Festivalists (Jurassic Lounge), which hosts talks, performances, music, screenings and a discount ticket booth, and gives everyone a place to hang out that's cosier and more happening than a foyer. The downside of such a massive program is that you might still find yourself picking your way through it while the festival is already hurrying to an end. To avoid such a disaster, we recommend you hightail it to these 10 fabulous, unusual, controversial or unanimously revered films and events. 1. Beasts of the Southern Wild Friday, June 8, 6.30pm at the State Theatre or Saturday, June 9, noon at Event Cinemas George St. Everyone's buzzing about this wondrous film that took out the top prize at Sundance. The debut feature from director Benh Zeitlin follows six-year-old Hushpuppy, a child of the isolated Bayou community known as 'the Bathtub'. Recent history, climate change concerns and magic realism combine when a storm comes and destructive prehistoric beasts emerge from melted ice caps. 2. Coming Sooner: The Art of the Movie Trailer Thursday, June 14, 7.30pm at SFF Hub at Lower Town Hall Feel like you've seen so much of Prometheus there's little more thrills a feature-length movie could bring? Yet you're busting to see it anyway? That's the art of the movie trailer, a big deal in a viral economy. Trailerphiles Marc Fennell, Nicholas Hayden, and Nicholas McDougall discuss what goes into these modern marketing marvels. 3. Dead Europe (in competition) Thursday, June 14, 6.30pm at the State Theatre or Friday, June 15 at noon at Even Cinemas George St We all loved The Slap, but fans say if you want to see writer Christos Tsiolkas at his best, Dead Europe is the book to read. The new film adaptation will make it even easier to soak up this story of a Sydney photographer (played by Ewen Leslie) whose journey to his European homeland unearths family secrets and some hard truths about the history of the 'civilised' continent. You can also catch the filmmakers in discussion at the Apple Store. 4. Moonrise Kingdom Friday, June 8, 8.30pm at the State Theatre or Saturday, June 9 at 9pm at Event Cinemas George St The latest film from Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited) will obviously be getting a general release later in the year, but this is your chance to see it in surrounds to match the cult director's prettily composed, pastel visuals, at the State Theatre. 5. Shut Up and Play the Hits June 3, 8pm at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Presented together with the Vivid Festival, this film chronicles LCD Soundsystem's last-ever show, as well as the days on either side. The Sundance-selected documentary has been acclaimed for its energy and immediacy, which should play extra well in the Opera House setting. 6. Expert Talks: Fabrizio Maltese — Confessions of a Festival Photographer Thursday, June 7, 6pm at the SFF Hub at Lower Town Hall Paris-based photographer Fabrizio Maltese travels the world snapping intimate, telling portraits of iconic film stars and filmmakers. An exhibition of his work will be on display throughout the festival, and the best day to see it is at launch, when the man himself will talk about his work. 7. The Comedy Thursday, June 14, 9pm and Saturday, June 16, 2pm, at the Dendy Opera Quays. Looking for something that will divide opinion? The Comedy, probably better described as an anti-comedy, has a precedent of doing so at Sundance. It stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (of Tim and Eric), plus some prominent musicians, as Williamsburg hipsters whose recklessness and apathy becomes confronting to watch. 8. The Law in These Parts Sunday, June 10, 11.30am and Wednesday, June 13, 6.30pm at the Dendy Opera Quays This documentary sets a new standard in hard-hitting. It sits down with the architects of Israel's 45-year military 'rule of law' in the Occupied Territories and pushes the interviews into uncomfortable terrain as it gets them to examine the unforeseen consequences of their actions. 9. Mabo Thursday, June 7, 8.35pm at the State Theatre Before his High Court challenge, there was no such thing as Aboriginal land rights in Australian law. Twenty years later, relive this important moment in the country's history and get to know the man behind it in the new biopic by Rachel Perkins (Bran Nue Dae). 10. The Warped Forest Monday, June 11, 9pm and Sunday, June 17, 9.30pm at Event Cinemas George St Want to see the weirdest thing in the festival that is guaranteed to never get a mainstream release in this country? That's this surreal sci-fi feature from Japanese cult figure Shunichiro Miki. The festival is on from June 6-17, 2012. See the festival website for the full program.
Bookshops are known for their variety. Everyone should be able to step into any store celebrating the printed word and find something they want to read ASAP. Writers festivals operate under the same principle, bringing together a wide array of authors covering a broad range of subjects and styles — so of course the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival jumps from viral recipes to beloved movie stars, and also from award-winners to Australian music icons. One huge highlight of this year's MWF program: Alison Roman, whose home-cooking tips you might've followed more than once. Making her first trip to Australia, the Brooklyn-based food writer and chef will chat about her dessert-focused cookbook Sweet Enough, and also all those recipes that've had the internet salivating, plus her general approach to the kitchen. [caption id="attachment_894138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alison Roman by Chris Bernabeo[/caption] Roman leads a lineup with its commitment to surveying writing in a wealth of forms, and from a swag of scribes, firmly intact — and a festival that hits Melbourne a little earlier in 2023, too. If it feels like the last MWF was just upon us, that's because it happened in September last year. From now on, however, the fest is settling into May dates instead, running from Thursday, May 4—Sunday, May 7 in 2023 at a variety of venues around the city. One such location is Melbourne Town Hall, which'll play host to four blockbuster sessions over two evenings to get MWF 2023 started. That includes an opening night event that asks a cast of writers to reflect upon the fest's theme 'I've Been Away for a While', with Penguin Random House copy chief and author Benjamin Dreyer doing the honours alongside nonfiction writer Bill Hayes, Sweet Country filmmaker and Kaytetye man Warwick Thornton, writer and critic Sarah Krasnostein, and Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money. Also at the same venue that evening: Paul Kelly celebrating words penned by others — and likely not about making gravy — which'll see him perform Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, Les Murray and more. Jurassic Park favourite Sam Neill is set to do the writers festival rounds, coming to Melbourne to chat about his career and new memoir with comedy star Jane Kennedy before doing something similar in Sydney — and two Booker Prize-winners are hitting both fests as well. So, the Victorian capital can also look forward to the most-recent recipient, with Shehan Karunatilaka emerging victorious in 2022 for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida; plus Girl Woman Other's Bernardine Evaristo, the first Black woman to ever win the award. Other 2023 highlights include Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow's Gabrielle Zevin exploring the New York Times bestseller; Emma Straub, writer of This Time Tomorrow and owner of Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic, getting talking; and Grace Tame chatting about The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner: A Memoir. Or, there's Dreyer doing his 'Guardian of Grammar' thing in-conversation with Richard Fidler — and Fidler himself focusing on his new historical nonfiction publication The Book of Roads and Kingdoms. Stan Grant will discuss his latest The Queen is Dead — on the weekend of King Charles' coronation, no less — and Ellen van Neerven will unpack Personal Score, their examination of sport from a First Nations and queer perspective. Also, aforementioned author and photographer Hayes dives into Sweat, which is about exercise and its history; and actor Heather Mitchell (whose recent credits include Love Me, Blaze and The Great Gatsby) joins the guests with memoirs to unfurl. The festival's events lineup also features the return of the MWF Big Debate, asking 'do books matter more than sport?'; Queering the Canon, which'll see its speakers plunge into the texts that influenced how they think and write about sexuality and gender; and a discussion of the past year in politics. Spanning talks, panels, workshops and other activities, the program keeps turning pages from there — so if you're keen on hearing from Shirley Hazzard's biographer Professor Brigitta Olubas, learning about art and writing from a First Nations viewpoint, exploring where memoirs stand in the search for meaning, pondering how difficult it is to write about your heroes and celebrating the return to travel, that's all on the bill. So is the In the Suburbs series, which takes authors beyond the Melbourne CBD. This year, that includes The Dry writer Jane Harper chatting about Exiles, her final instalment in the Aaron Falk series, in Narre Warren — a handy session to go to ahead of Force of Nature hitting the big screen in August. Melbourne Writers Festival 2023 runs from Thursday, May 4—Sunday, May 7 at a variety of venues around Melbourne. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the festival's website. Top image: Alison Roman by Chris Bernabeo.
UPDATE: MAY 13, 2020 — DOC Sydney is reopening for dine-in service from Friday, May 15, with a limit of ten customers per sitting.To book, call (02) 9211 1507. Reservations are essential. The name might not mean much to a lot of Sydney folk, but we promise it's one you'll soon come to love. For our neighbours to the south, DOC is known for its crisp pizzas, commitment to timeless Italian simplicity and collection of delicatessens, espresso bars and pizza and mozzarella bars spread across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Now, the group has expanded to Sydney, opening the doors to a DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar on Campbell Street in Surry Hills. Long-standing DOC Restaurant Manager Andrea Colosimo has made the move from Melbourne, too, to ensure the eatery retains the same fun vibes and quality food as its siblings. On the menu, you'll spy plenty of top-notch imported Italian ingredients, which are all displayed on a map — so you know exactly where each tasty morsel has come from. Many of these you'll find atop crisp and springy bases in the 14-strong pizza offering. Chianti truffle oil is splashed on the pizza ai porcini — with wild mushrooms, mozzarella and pecorino — san daniele prosciutto from Friuli-Venezia Giulia is paired with buffalo mozzarella on the pizza san daniele and the napoletana stars San Marzano tomatoes from Campania, Ligurian olives and anchovies. Once you've eaten your way through all of these, you still won't get bored — two new specials are set to grace the menu each week. DOC's Italian-made buffalo mozzarella is the star of its extensive antipasto offering, though pasta fiends will likely be tempted by the group's much-loved lasagne, available here in both classic and gluten-free vegetarian format. The menu also features a few salads and sides for breaking up the meat, cheese and dough feast. There's a rocket, pear, honey and pecorino number that you can add buffalo mozzarella to, and the riso nero: golden beetroot, Italian kale, pomegranate, shaved almonds and dill, drizzled with a maple syrup citronette. It's all backed by a considered mix of local and Italian vino, including some natural wines and a prosecco made by third-generation winery Cester Camillo in Treviso, Italy. Or you can BYO wine for $10 per bottle. Like its siblings, you'll also enjoy an abundance of spritz, aperitivi and hearty 'ciao' greetings, followed by a classic Italian dessert of sweet goat's cheese tiramisu and a shot of grappa. The Campbell Street outpost reflects a similar aesthetic to its Melbourne counterparts, with the group using the same architect, Studio Ström Design, to create a space designed to welcome hungry diners and make them feel right at home. There are plenty of natural stones, warm-toned timber, steel and brass, as well as commissioned artworks by Kate Florence, which have become a bit of a signature for DOC. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pizza in Sydney for 2023
The pandemic has given us all new pastimes, from baking sourdough and piecing together all the puzzles to watching every Nicolas Cage movie ever made and mixing up top-notch cocktails at home. For the past few months, we've all added something else to our list, too: keeping an eye on Australia's COVID-19 vaccination rates. We all know why we're all currently fascinated with jab percentages. Back in July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia will tie its efforts to manage COVID-19 to vax rates moving forward. So, as the country reaches certain vaccination milestones — 70 percent of Aussies over the age of 16 receiving two doses, and then 80 percent — the way that Australia handles the pandemic will evolve. Restrictions will start to ease, lockdowns will be less likely, international travel will open back up and people who've been fully vaxxed will live life under loosened rules. As both New South Wales and Victoria have dealt with COVID-19 outbreaks this year, vax rates have continued to be thrust into the spotlight. Both NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews have highlighted specific jab thresholds, and announced that lockdown rules will begin to change when they're met. Accordingly, that means that we're all now paying extra attention to those vaccination figures and noting every milestone — with Australia just hitting a big one. Today, Friday, September 24, Australia has officially hit the 50-percent fully vaxxed mark, based on all eligible Australians over the age of 16. That's nationwide, and it's big push towards hitting those 70-percent and 80-percent marks. Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt revealed that 50.1 percent of eligible Aussies are now double jabbed, and 74.8 percent have had their first dose. In total, more than 26 million jab have been given so far, including two million this week. We have also passed the 50% double dosed mark (50.1%) for the eligible population (74.8% for first dose). And a record primary care day of 211,335. Please keep coming forward to be vaccinated. — Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) September 24, 2021 Wondering why you might be interested in the Aussie rate, and not just vax numbers in your own state or territory? As part of that plan announced by the PM — the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response — vaccination rates have to reach the 70-percent and 80-percent fully jabbed marks across the entire country before an individual state or territory can start easing the rules. That state or territory also has to reach those thresholds itself before it can do anything, of course, but that isn't the only important figure. So, this news inches us all closer to those target vax thresholds — and that's obviously the kind of news we could all use. You can keep an eye on the jab rates at a number of different websites and, if you still need to get vaccinated, these helpful maps show you where in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Ice cream maker-turned-activist Ben & Jerry's is once again taking its frozen treats into the political realm. In the past, the much-loved ice cream (or lack thereof) was used to support marriage equality. Now, it'll become a platform for taking action on climate change with the new limited-edition flavour, Gimme S'More Renewables. The flavour's launch corresponds with the global Rise For Climate Day on Saturday, September 8, and will be available in Ben & Jerry's stores for just one day, and while supplies last. All proceeds will be donated to the company's long-term climate activism partners, 350.org Australia. On the day, fifty marches and picnics are scheduled to take place across Australia — you can find the closest event to you here. Ben & Jerry's has also sent personalised pints of Gimme S'More Renewables to federal and state politicians, acting as a direct call on Australian leaders to accelerate renewable energy and commit to a fossil-fuel-free world. In a show of good faith, the company has committed to being carbon positive and using only renewable resources by 2030. Plus, its 2020 deadline for using renewable electricity sources and eliminating coal from its energy mix is just around the corner. All Ben & Jerry's shops are currently powered by Powershop, an electricity provider that is 100 percent carbon neutral. If you need more than the drought and the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef to convince you to get involved, the Gimme S'More Renewables sounds pretty damn tasty, too — a combination of marshmallow ice cream, chocolate cookies, Graham cracker swirls and fudge flakes. Ben & Jerry's limited-edition Gimme S'More Renewables will be available at all Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops on Saturday, September 8. Find your closest one here.
It's blast from the past time, again — and time to spend a couple of nights journeying back a few decades just by hitting the dance floor. Whether you lived through the 90s rave scene, spent every weekend enjoying club life in the 00s or just wish you were old enough to have ticked both boxes, Ministry of Sound will take you there when its huge Testament parties return for 2025. Ministry of Sound itself was around through both eras, so you couldn't be in better hands to get retro via old-school 90s and 00s bangers. The Testament events also toured Australia in 2023 and 2024, and will return for another year — including for three nights in Sydney on Friday, April 4–Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12. Each evening is devoted to either the 90s or the 00s, so you'll need to attend two of them if you want to make shapes to tunes from both decades. But it's a choose-your-own-adventure type of affair, which means that fans of late 20th-century beats can hit up the session dedicated to 90s house, rave, trance and garage tracks if that's all that you're keen on, while lovers of 00s electro and breaks get their own shindig. The DJ lineup is headlined by international acts such as Paul Oakenfold, Roger Sanchez, Felix Da Housecat, Graeme Park, Krafty Kuts, Plump DJs, Smokin Jo and Utah Saints. Australia's own John Course, Sgt Slick, Minx and Mark Dynamix are also on the bill, alongside over 60 other names across the tour. Your destination: White Bay Power Station, with the 90s night taking over on April 4 and 12,and the 00s evening on the April 5. Updated Friday, December 13, 2024.
It seems strange that street art comes with a press release these days. Its creation was once banished to the darkest hours of the night to be carried out by wanted dudes in hoodies and runners; now it gets its own fanfare. Is it even still a crime? Regardless, it makes sense that this one was delivered to our inbox today. After being the star of zillions of Instagram posts in downtown LA, Colette Miller's Wings installation is coming to the streets of Melbourne and Sydney. Brace yourselves, this is sure to trend in no time. Originally created in 2012, the now-famous installation was imagined as a way for people to start interacting with art in urban spaces. As it encouraged people to take photos with it, this multi-colour paste-up was a hit — an instant classic to the growing list of must-see artworks around the streets of LA. Since then, it's been brought to Washington, Nairobi and now Australia. It appears that the desire to be a giant neon angel is universal. Melbournians and Sydneysiders can experience this strange privilege for a limited time this month. Flying over to Sydney first as part of Arts Brookfield, the wings will be plastered at World Square and King Street Wharf from September 5 'til October 9. At two metres high and three metres wide, they'll be hard to miss — not to mention the crowd of happy snappers that will invariably surround them. The wings will be appearing in Melbourne from September 15 to October 15 at Southern Cross Lane near the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets. And, with such a central CBD location, the artist's point is pretty clear. "Cities bring humans together and Wings is accessible art that aims to capture the imagination of workers as they transverse the city," said Miller. "My Wings are a universal archetypal symbol of humanity and its divine self." While we think the latter point is reaching a little far, we wholeheartedly agree with the former. Everyone deserves some sprawling, neon art to admire on their lunch break and it's well worth taking the time for a selfie.
Whether you're a happy-go-lucky type or you've just experienced a day that you'd rather forget, everyone needs a break from their own reality sometimes. The easiest way? A big dose of on-screen escapism. Maybe you'd like to creep your way through a haunted house? Perhaps you're keen to see what it's like in a witches' coven? If you'd prefer to explore a variety of different futuristic scenarios, head to space or navigate a zombie-riddled wasteland (all from the comfort of your couch, of course), there's a TV show that'll take you there. If all of the above scenarios sound familiar, there's a few reasons for that. Firstly, a number of TV programs have tried their hand at these ideas, both recently and over the years. Secondly, some of the best are currently available to watch via streaming platform Binge, including shows still releasing new seasons and cult favourites that have already wrapped up. We've teamed up with the service to recommend five must-sees — which you can stream right now, including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Our own Sydney Opera House has been given a makeover in a thought-provoking new work by Ukranian Australian artist Stanislava Pinchuk, aka Miso. Specially commissioned for the venue's upcoming All About Women festival (March 7 and 8), The Red Carpet stars a large-scale photography piece showing the Opera House's famed Monumental Steps digitally overlaid with an intricately detailed Ukrainian Bessarabian rug. In hues of red and gold, the 'rug' contains a data map of Kiev's post-revolution Maidan square's ruined topography. Part architectural intervention, part performance work, the piece pays homage to the many women of past who would document their personal experiences of conflict through textiles. It also references the two cities Pinchuk embraces as home. It was no mean feat to create, either, the final piece the result of two whole years of set-building, mapping, camera work and post-production. The Maidan's topography was data-mapped right down to the very millimetre, before being woven together into its rug design. The impressive artwork was co-produced and co-curated by Grace Partridge, founder of Antidote Projects. The Red Carpet photography work will be on show in the Sydney Opera House Lounge — alongside paintings, architectural drawing studies and screen prints — for All About Women, from Saturday, March 7, to Sunday, March 8. Pinchuk will also lead accompanying talk The Thread of War in the Utzon Room at 6pm, March 8. Grab your $33 ticket here. Image: 'The Red Carpet' by Stanislava Pinchuk
Taco Bell, Wahlburgers, Five Guys and Wendy's all did it. Now, Chuck E Cheese is as well. Big-name American food chains keep making the leap to Australia, with this US restaurant-slash-entertainment centre brand first announcing its Down Under plans in 2024, and now backing it up by confirming that it'll launch in 2025. Yes, Charles Entertainment Cheese is heading this way, ready to delight kids, families and Australian adults who've always wanted the Chuck E Cheese experience. The children's birthday-party go-to is set to open its first Aussie venue in the coming months, in Perth. Exactly where in the Western Australian capital will be revealed in April. Chuck E Cheese's jump Down Under is a result of the WA-based Royale Hospitality Group signing a master franchise partnership for the country, adding to a stable that also includes Outback Jack's and Milky Lane. It's helping extend the chain as it closes in on five decades of existence — launching in 1977 — and as Asia and Europe also become a global focus. On offer: the place to eat slices, play games and watch animatronics that's been parodied in the likes of Five Nights at Freddy's and Willy's Wonderland, but obviously without the horror. And yes, that spans the company's characters. Yes, Charles Entertainment Cheese is Chuck E Cheese's mouse mascot's full name. Patrons can look forward to pizza, arcade games, climbing walls, an interactive dance floor and other play areas, plus VIP birthday party rooms and a space for parents to kick back sans kids. On the menu, smoothies and milkshakes will also be a feature, as will healthy options. "Perth has a strong culture for family entertainment, so bringing Chuck E Cheese to Australia is incredibly exciting — we can't wait for families to experience the fun, games and great food that have made it famous around the world," said Royale Hospitality Group General Manager Christian Beaden, announcing that Perth will play host to the chain's first Aussie store. If you live elsewhere around the nation, you'll need to keep waiting to find out when you'll be able to take your nieces and nephews to Chuck E Cheese in other Australian cities. Chuck E Cheese will start opening in Australia in 2025, starting in Perth, but exactly when and where hasn't yet been revealed — keep an eye on the chain's website, and we'll update you with more details when they're announced.
The Case Against Adnan Syed did it. Across both its first and second seasons, Dirty John did too. We're talking about TV shows that leapt to the screen from podcasts, because this genre isn't going anywhere soon. The latest example: Dr Death. Obviously, that moniker doesn't bode well from the outset — for the patients treated by Christopher Duntsch, that is. If you've heard the Wondery podcast that shares the series' name, you'll know how this true tale turns out. And if you haven't, prepared to watch a horrific real-life situation unfold in this new eight-episode drama. Working in Dallas during the past decade, Duntsch was originally a rising neurosurgery star. Then, as the series charts, his patients started leaving the operating theatre either permanently maimed or dead. If you've ever faced going under the knife, this is pure, unfettered and deeply disturbing nightmare fuel — and it all really happened. Joshua Jackson plays Duntsch, and is bound to shed any lingering Dawson's Creek-era affection audiences might have for him in the process (and fondness from The Mighty Ducks and Fringe, too). He's joined by Alec Baldwin (Pixie) and Christian Slater (Dirty John) as fellow surgeons who raise the alarm, and also by AnnaSophia Robb (Words on Bathroom Walls) as the Dallas prosecutor who takes the case. As both the initial trailer and just-dropped new clip for the series show, this is quite the bleak story. Whether you already know how it all turns out or you'll be discovering the details fresh, you'll be able to watch Dr Death on Stan from Friday, July 16. It's dropping all of its episodes at once, too, if you're in need of some grim mid-winter binge-viewing material. Check out the trailer below: Dr Death will be available to stream via Stan on Friday, July 16. Top image: Barbara Nitke/Peacock.
Darlinghurst has just scored its own little slice of New Orleans as the doors open to new cocktail bar The Big Easy. Kitted out in deep greens, pastel pinks and lush foliage aplenty, the two-level space will have you feeling as though you've been whisked away to the French Quarter or even the raucous surrounds of Bourbon Street. This ode to colourful New Orleans comes courtesy of owner Doug Laming (The Smoking Panda, Brix Distillery and Rabbit Hole Bar), who set out to create a fitting homage to the city's famed music, food and bar scenes. A couple of lively murals help set the tone — one by Sydney artist Kentaro Yoshida gracing the outdoor courtyard, the other a Voodoo-inspired piece by Brisbane's Natty B, jazzing up the upstairs space. Each drink from the expansive cocktail lineup nods to one of the Louisiana city's classics, including the signature Big Easy Fizz – a fusion of rye, Southern Comfort Black, burnt orange, Peychaud's bitters and ginger ale, finished with a sprig of rosemary. There's also a mostly-Aussie wine selection, a strong contingent of bourbon and rye on the back bar, and a beer list ruled by American drops — think, Pabst Blue Ribbon or perhaps Deschutes' Mirror Pond pale ale. The food sticks to the same theme, with a lineup of Creole- and Cajun-inspired fare. For snackier sessions, there are bites like homemade beef jerky, charred giant shrimp and sweet potato fries doused in rosemary and paprika. Up the bigger end, you'll spy jambalaya with andouille sausage and shrimp, and a blackened Atlantic cod sided with corn cream and toasted buckwheat. A Wednesday to Friday happy hour (4.30–6.30pm) offers a little midweek fun with $5 PBRs, $5 glasses of wine and $10 cocktails. And each Sunday, you can kick back with live tunes courtesy of The Big Easy's weekly Sessions in the Sun rotation. Find The Big Easy at 77 Stanley St, Darlinghurst. It's open from 4pm Wednesday to Friday and 12pm Saturday and Sunday.
Cronulla's proximity to the beach makes this swimwear haven a necessity. Stocking Australia's favourite brands — including Sunburn, Tigerlily and Seafolly — Hazards Swimwear has something for anyone who has accidentally left their togs at home. While much-loved Australian swimwear brands often come with a hefty price tag, this isn't the case for everything in store at Hazards; no matter your purse size, you'll be beach-ready in minutes. Images: supplied.
There's an undeniable MC Escher-esque quality to Christopher Nolan's films: a recurring preoccupation with infinity, architectural impossibilities and mathematical paradoxes that explodes (if also confounds) on the screen. For the director and his brother, time and space are not constrictions but ideas to be played with, and engaging with them unconventionally is a device that often underscores their scripts, or — as was the case with Memento — forms their entire plot. Interstellar, Nolan's ninth and newest film, once again places time as the driving force behind the story. A lack of time, to be precise, because earth's days are numbered. In the near future, climate change has finally, fundamentally and — as we soon learn — irrevocably imperilled the planet and its remaining citizens. Farming is now the industry, and almost everyone does it. If you've ever had a taxi driver tell you he was formerly a surgeon in his own country, imagine that, but that on a global scale. Even former NASA pilots like Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) find themselves toiling the fields and ducking the sandstorms. But the crops are dying, and pretty soon there'll be nothing left to produce the oxygen required to sustain life. Earth's last hope, it turns out, is a secret NASA plan to seek out appropriate new planets for humans to live on in the far reaches of the galaxy. "Ahh," you might say, "that's all good and well, but the nearest ones are lightyears away." True, but hope springs forth courtesy of a wormhole that one day simply appeared in our solar system: a secret backdoor to viable new planets that the NASA team can only presume was 'sent' to us by a higher intelligence. So, Cooper makes the heart-wrenching decision to leave his kids behind and give both them and the planet one last chance at salvation. The crux, of course, is time. The distances and physics involved with interstellar travel — especially when relativity comes into play — mean time is measured in almost impossible scales. An hour on Planet X equates to seven years on the spaceship orbiting just above it, just as a day to Cooper represents a lifetime to the family he left behind. It's a device reminiscent of the 'dream within a dream' world of Inception, only here the stakes are so much higher. Naturally for a film of this scale, Nolan elected to shoot more than 100 of its 180 minutes in 70mm IMAX, and the result is breathtaking. Matched with a Hans Zimmer soundtrack that's so epic it sounds like the composer simply threw himself on a giant organ and writhed around for a few hours, Interstellar is a film that's experienced as much as it's watched. With clear allusions to its predecessors, including 2001, Contact and even Event Horizon, Interstellar still manages to forge its own unique style and story, albeit with 'revelations' that most will predict a long way off. Performance wise, McConaughey is solid in the lead and finds ample support from a packed ensemble featuring Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Topher Grace, John Lithgow, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck and Ellen Burstyn. The standouts, however, are Mackenzie Foy as Cooper's rambunctious daughter Murph (named after Murphy's Law), and a faceless, wise-cracking robot named TARS. The conceit sounds cringeworthy, but the result is amazing, boasting some of the funniest, smartest lines in any film this year. In all, this will surely prove a divisive picture, with debates certain to arise over its science, storyline and ultimate resolution. Time-travel films inevitably involve paradoxes that, in turn, must (by tradition if not by law) spark heated arguments over causality and order and the misconception of time being linear and… well, you get the idea. It's not Nolan's best film, but it's perhaps his most ambitious, and it's to be applauded for its determination as well as its technical achievements. https://youtube.com/watch?v=0vxOhd4qlnA
It's hard to say which has gained greater mythical status: Blade Runner the film or Vangelis's enigmatic score. After a release process that consumed a dozen years, the soundtrack soared to the top of the charts quicker than a spinner could lift off. Rumours abounded that at least 20 different versions were in existence. Part of the mystery may be a reflection of the composer. We know that Vangelis's real name is Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (the adoption of a pseudonym was clearly a smart career move), and we know of his extensive musical contributions, but he's protective of his work and rather shy when it comes to media interviews. A 2005 chat with the Telegraph was a rare exception. Twenty-six years after releasing the Blade Runner soundtrack, Vangelis granted the UK's Heritage Orchestra permission to perform it live. Southbank Centre's 2008 Meltdown Festival saw the global debut, and this month's appearance at Vivid LIVE is the Australian premiere. Note that a Blade Runner-inspired backdrop will accompany the music, but the event does not include a screening of the film. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RScZrvTebeA
You know those wildly decadent Tella Ball milkshakes from Foodcraft Espresso and Bakery everyone lost their minds about last year? The ones with the spherical doughnut oozing with Nutella, sat proudly atop a Nutella milkshake? These ones. Well, if you'll recall the hoo-ha that happened last year, and the fact that Sydney now has it's own Tella Ball Nutella dessert bar, you'd better clear your schedule. Because no one can get enough of the hazelnut and chocolate combo we all know and love — particularly when combined with doughnuts — there's now another eatery dedicated to this heavenly pairing. Yep, the Tella Balls Dessert Bar has expanded, setting up a second shop in Entertainment Quarter. And, to celebrate, they're giving everyone exactly what they want: free Tella Balls for everyone who visits the store between 11am and 2pm on October 15. Be warned, there is a limit of one per person. As always, the general aim is to direct every scrap of Nutella in the known universe into our bodies, via all manner of indulgent treats. The Nutella-fuelled menu structures meals just the way we like it. Mains: coffee. Desserts: Nutella cruffin, Nutella cheesecake, Nutella crepes, Nutella waffles, Nutella pancakes, Nutella pizza, Nutella ice cream, Tella Ball Milkshakes (of course) and no doubt many more Nutella creations as yet unimagined by mankind. Tella Balls Dessert Bar is now open at Shop 210-G4, Entertainment Quarter, Fox Studio, 210 Lang Rd, Moore Park. Check their Facebook page for more information. Text: Imogen Baker and Sarah Ward.
With the arrival of autumn, you might have been planning on spending less time outdoors. The produce of regional Victoria, however, has the exact opposite idea. This is its time to sprout, thrive, ripen and drop. This is its time in the sun — the gentle autumn sun, to be precise. So if you're a person who enjoys eating fresh food, you're missing out if you don't pull on your Blundstones and get out there. One of the best spots for produce in the autumn months is the Murray River region. Not only do the colours of autumn look twice as good reflected in the water, the area is home to a trail of farm gates where you can shop for produce that's seen zero food miles, roadside honesty boxes offering fresh fruit, and restaurants that turn their neighbours' harvests into high-quality dishes. A stream of events — like the Sun Country Food and Wine Festival and the Flavours of Echuca Moama — celebrate the bounty at this time of year, while workshops in pickling and preserving help get you prepped for the colder, leaner months ahead. To experience it for yourself, head two-to-three hours' north of Melbourne to the Sun Country on the Murray or Backroads trails, or make a beeline for the farm gates we've picked out below. And for more autumn highlights, check out the Wander Victoria website. PICK AND PRESERVE FRUIT AT THE STRAWBERRY PICK 359 Lady Augusta Road, Echuca Village Live your most bucolic life by heading to The Strawberry Pick, a farm where you can pick your own strawbs (and sometimes flowers too). If you've only ever had strawberries from the supermarket, this is a must — commercial fruit is picked early in its cycle so it transports well, but actually it develops more depth of flavour when left on the vine for longer. Most of The Strawberry Pick's crop are the sweet Albion variety, and although they produce fruit for almost three-quarters of the year, grower Wayne Mattschoss says they're particularly good in autumn. "The size of our strawberries will increase in autumn as well as the complexity of flavour because of the cooler nights, which extend the time required for the ripening process," he says. In particular, there is a "flush" in early to mid-autumn where the fruit is at its most abundant and easy to find in the field. If you don't want to spend hours foraging, that's your sweet spot. An added attraction: this season, the farm is for the first time teaming up with Tim Harley of Quincey Jones Jelly to run weekly strawberry jam-making workshops on site. STOCK UP AT MANTO PRODUCE 293 Campbells Road, Cobram Manto Produce is your number-one Murray destination for fresh fruit. The 200-acre farm has been run by the Mantovani family for more than 25 years, and when they started, it was entirely without machinery. They grow stone and pome fruit here, which in the autumn means lush new-season Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples, as well as sweet, blushing apricots. You can pick them up in the farm gate shop, which also sells produce from the neighbours, so you can count on the likes of fresh leeks, parsnips, broccoli, mandarins, lemons, oranges, persimmons, pomegranates, chestnuts and walnuts at this time of year. For more on the fruit and veg front, stop at Eden Farm in Numurkah as well. EAT AND LEARN TO GROW GARLIC AT KATAMATITE GARLIC 1307 Chapel Road, Katamatite Garlic might not be the first vegetable to come to mind when you think of tantalising fresh produce. But odds are its one of your favourite flavour enhancers, and it will be extra good if you get it at Katamatite Garlic, where the summer garlic crop is usually available until around May. Autumn is the time to stock up on the fresh stuff before it sells out, while also exploring other forms of the bulb. "We grow 30 varieties of garlic with ones that can store up to 10-12 months," says Lisa Eddy of Katamatite Garlic. "We also make lots of other garlic products such as garlic jellies — they're great on meat or cheese or as something different on a cheese platter — a range of pickled garlic, garlic salts, dried garlic flakes and three different flavoured garlic pastes." The farm also runs workshops — check out autumn's lessons in garlic planting and how to prepare your garden for winter — and will hold an open day on Sunday, May 6, 2018, which is International Permaculture Day. GET LOST IN CACTUS COUNTRY 4986 Murray Valley Highway, Strathmerton Based on the varied cacti collection that farm founder Jim Halls bought from his father in 1979, Cactus Country is home to eight acres of the desert plants in every conceivable colour and shape. And while cacti are in season year-round, there's a distinct advantage to coming to this spot in autumn: that more mild weather means you'll have more stamina to survive hours in the exotic gardens, which are frequently used for film and photo shoots and are a guaranteed heavy-lifter in your Instagram feed. Re-energise with the farm's trademark cactus cake (made with opuntia leaves), cactus jam (in Peruvian apple, orange or purple cactus pear varieties) or a tequila cocktail splashed with cactus syrup. Easter weekend is one of the busiest times here, as the gardens host an Easter egg hunt for kids. Enjoy or avoid accordingly. DINE AT CAFE3641 54 Main Street, Strathmerton You've eaten well on the Farm Gate Trail. But several separate tastings don't add up to a proper sit-down meal, and for that there's no better spot than Cafe3641 in Strathmerton. Newly harvested produce from the local farms is funnelled into the kitchen here and turned into seasonal dishes. What's on the menu in autumn? It's impossible to say until the day, but the lemon meringue cheesecake and the high tea that happens on the last Sunday of each month are two guaranteed winners. PAUSE FOR CIDER AT BYRAMINE HOMESTEAD BREWERY AND CIDER HOUSE 1436 Murray Valley Highway, Burramine Autumn is the season for apples. Apples go in cider. Your visit to the cider-producing Byramine Homestead & Brewery is written in the stars. One of Victoria's oldest homesteads, Byramine was originally built by explorer Hamilton Hume for his sister-in-law Elizabeth and her nine children after her husband was murdered by bushrangers. These days, it's a working vegetable farm, brewery and cider house. Try the sparkling Remi's Remedy apple cider, or for something a little left of centre, Quinn's Poison, which holds a twist of lemon and lime. MAKE A SIP STOP AT PFEIFFER WINES Distillery Road, Wahgunyah The Murray region is one of Australia's biggest wine-growing regions, so take advantage of it. Pfeiffer Wines is a great stop as not only do they grow some premium wines that you can taste at their cellar door, they host an autumn farmers' market on Saturday, April 7, that is a favourite of the local producers. Consider getting a chardonnay from here — the Murray region is renowned for them and a more full-bodied white will pair well with autumnal dishes. Lighter reds like pinot noir or merlot are also perfect for the season. For more ideas on how to spend your autumn getaway to the Murray region, check out the Wander Victoria website.
This natural skyscraper towers over 460 meters above sea level and is the perfect vantage point for a bird's eye view of the city of Wollongong and the waters beyond. Mount Keira is a significant cultural heritage site and is part of the Dreamtime story of the Wadi Wadi people — the traditional custodians of the land where Mount Keira sits. The story tells the creation of the five islands off Port Kembla, including Mount Keira, or Geera as it was known by the Wadi Wadi. The 'Six Daughters of the West Wind' sculpture on the south-facing lookout commemorates its creation story. There are moves afoot to rename the summit park to Djeera or Geera to reflect this heritage. And a short walk from the lookout will bring you to the edge of the stunning Illawarra escarpment, more than 200 million years in the making. Image: Andrew Harvey, Flickr
Darlinghurst's The Strand Hotel reopened last year after a full-venue transformation. The ground floor had become a luxe French bistro, the accommodation had been given a boutique makeover and the rooftop is now a sunlit cocktail oasis. Not content with this swathe of exciting additions to William Street, the venue has now added one of Sydney's best happy hours to its menu. The Strand is offering $1 oysters for 90 minutes every single day. The deal is available each afternoon Monday–Friday, 4–5.30pm, so swing by for a post-work or weekend afternoon dose of oysters. There are a couple of caveats to consider. In order to claim the deal, you have to also order a full-priced drink. Plus, you have to order a minimum of six oysters — but who's complaining about a half-dozen oysters for just $6? There are plenty of drinks to satisfy any oyster occasion. You can keep it simple with a beer on tap, or throw caution to the wind with one of the signature cocktails like the French Tart (which combines vodka, elderflower liqueur and rosemary syrup) or The Camus ( a peated whiskey, dark rum and chocolate bitters combo). There are also mocktails and non-alcoholic beers on offer for non-drinkers. Head to The Strand's website if you want to make a booking during the happy hour times.
After the great Marvel drought of 2020, when the blockbuster franchise pushed back all of its cinema releases due to the pandemic, 2021 hasn't been short on superheroes. So far, WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Loki have all hit streaming, Black Widow debuted in cinemas and online at the same time, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings unleashed its Sydney-shot action on the big screen — and Eternals, Spider-Man: Now Way Home and Hawkeye are all still to come. Indeed, by the time the year is out, no fewer than eight new movies and TV shows will have brought the Marvel Cinematic Universe's crime-fighting, world-saving figures back to our screens in 2021. And, one of them is getting festive, because obviously Disney+ thinks that we could all use some streaming superhero antics combined with holiday hijinks (or that Marvel's sprawling film and TV realm could take some cues from Home Alone and Die Hard). That show: Hawkeye. Like the rest of Marvel's Disney+ shows, it has gone with the obvious, title-wise. And, when it hits Disney+ in late November, it'll start streaming just as everyone's starting to feel merry. So, the eight-part mini-series is leaning into that idea — twinkling lights, appropriate tunes and all — as the just-dropped first trailer for Marvel's fourth TV series of the year demonstrates. Yes, viewers will see how Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner, Avengers: Endgame) is doing in his post-blip life. They'll also watch him team up with hotshot archer and aspiring hero Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld, Bumblebee), who slings arrows just as well as the Avenger she admires. And, they'll see the pair try to get Barton back to his family for Christmas — and try to escape a presence from Barton's past. As well as Renner and Steinfeld, Hawkeye stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), Fra Fee (Pixie), Tony Dalton (Better Call Saul), Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs), Brian d'Arcy James (Devs) and debutant Alaqua Cox. Obviously, exactly who else from the MCU will turn up is the kind of detail that'll be best discovered by watching. Check out the Hawkeye trailer below: Hawkeye will start streaming via Disney+ on Wednesday, November 24. Images: Chuck Zlotnick/Mary Cybulski. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Byron Bay Council. To book your Byron Bay festival holiday, visit legendarybyron.com.au. Historically, Bluesfest might be the most famous shindig on the Byron Bay calendar. But if you've a tendency to limit your North Coast escapades to an annual Easter visit, you're truly missing out. Byron's got a pretty full organiser with plenty of festivities bubbling all year around — from the glorious aural Meccas of Splendour in the Grass and Falls Music and Arts Festival, to the erudite musings of the Writers Festival and the locally-sourced smorgasbord on offer at Sample. Here are the five best reasons to get behind a kombi wheel and find the '60s still swinging up the Pacific Highway. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS What started back in 2001 as a relatively modest one-day festival has transmogrified into one of Australia's biggest national events. From July 25 – 27 over 90 artists — Outkast, Interpol, Lily Allen, Foals and London Grammar among them — will converge on North Byron Parklands for three days of must-see sets. But it's not all about the ears, with installations, panels, comedy, food and pop-up bars aplenty onsite. "Now there’s an expectation that festivals do a lot more than music, and art is one of the essential elements," explains Splendour Arts curator Craig Walsh. "I try to create a program which can integrate across the site itself and create different kinds of experiences for audiences... We try to support new and experimental work and we see that as adding to the identity of the festival." Splendour in the Grass runs July 25 – 27 at North Byron Parklands. BYRON BAY WRITERS FESTIVAL Just days after Splendour comes to an end, poets and playwrights will pour into Byron for the Writers Festival. Held August 1 on Belongil Beach at the North Byron Beach Resort, the festival attracts some serious names up north. This year, the BBWF lineup's big tickets include Richard Clapton in conversation with David Leser, John Safran discussing true crime novel Murder in Mississippi and a John Weiley retrospective presented by Kerry O'Brien. "It’s a very relaxed format," says founding chair Chris Hanley. "It’s tents by the sea, so it’s very interactive... You can glide from session to session and taste what is going on. You can wander and sit on the beach. There is no other literary festival I know of with such a beautiful site." Byron Bay Writers Festival runs August 1 – 3 at Belongil Beach, North Byron Beach Resort. SAMPLE FOOD FESTIVAL A true foodie pilgrimage, Sample celebrates the distinctive flavours of North Coast fare. For one day of feasting on September 13, the Bangalow Showground will flood with local producers, farmers, celebrity chefs and exhibitors for this colossal food festival. Indulge in $5 and $10 tasting plates, get busy with classes covering everything from raw foods to cheesemaking, watch cooking demos and kick back to live music. With over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend, Sample is one of Byron's premier food events. Sample runs 8am – 4pm on September 13 at Bangalow Showground. BYRON BAY SURF FESTIVAL Unlike many other surf fests — centred around checking out who's mastering the biggest, most untameable waves right now — Byron Bay Surf Festival is a truly all-encompassing event for surfers and punters alike. Last year's festival involved ancient Hawaiian Olo demos featuring Dave Rastovich and Tom Wegener, surf yoga sessions, wooden surfcraft workshops, a money-free surf swap meet and a rule-free surf comp open to beginner, expert and in-betweener surfers. So far, 2014 is promising a Surf Shorts Film Comp (get your entries in asap), with the remainder of the program soon to be announced. Byron Bay Surf Festival runs October 24 – 26 at Byron Bay and at various spots throughout Byron's town centre. FALLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Every year, thousands of live music aficionados flock to the three-day Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania, to usher in the new year. Last year, Byron nabbed its own piece of Falls action, holding the very first edition at North Byron Parklands. With the artists hopping across the three festivals in an applause-worthy feat of logistics, Falls fuses exceptionally high-quality lineups (with a noted emphasis on blues and roots) with stunning natural landscapes and all the chai you could possibly drink. This year's program is yet to be announced, but if you're after a guaranteed thumbs up of a New Year's Eve you should lock this one in already. Falls Festival runs December 30 – January 15 at North Byron Parklands. Image by Paul Smith. Feeling festive? Head to legendarybyron.com.au and get planning your Byron Bay holiday.
Cooking kick-ass vegan food with Smith & Daughters' Shannon Martinez, a behind-the-scenes tour of Lune Croissanterie and verbally deconstructing lasagne with Massimo Bottura. It sounds like regular programming for Melbourne's annual celebration of food — but it's not quite. Forced to postpone its physical March festival because of COVID-19, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has just launched The Online Edition, allowing avid home bakers and food fanatics around the country to dial into chats, masterclasses and trivia sessions with some of the world's best chefs from the comfort of their kitchens. And for lucky Melburnians, there are some IRL food specials available to order every day, too. Running from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30, MFWF: The Online Edition is taking place entirely on Zoom and Instagram Live. Those who've spent lockdown with a Sméagol-like obsession for sourdough can get their fix with Baker Bleu's Mike Russell, while those who prefer their carbs flaky and filled with butter will want to log on for chats with Helen Goh — who's worked alongside Yotam Ottolenghi for over a decade and co-authored Sweet — and Australia's Queen of Tarts Philippa Sibley, as well as the aforementioned tour of Lune with the inimitable Kate Reid. On the topic of Lune — look away now, if you're not in Melbourne — the croissanterie is recreating some of its biggest hits for the festival, including the Lune Reuben croissant, which you can pre-order for pick-up or delivery via the Lune website. Elsewhere on the IRL menu: foie gras ice cream from Leonardo's Pizza Palace and Black Axe Mangal's Lee Tiernan, a one-off six-dish menu from Bar Saracen, an oyster and champagne pairing, and a menu of Torino-style dishes from Mister Bianco designed to eat while watching the classic 60s flick The Italian Job. [caption id="attachment_697090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lune by Marcie Raw[/caption] Back on the virtual program, expect a lineup of talks with international talent, including René Redzepi — who's just (temporarily) transformed his world-renowned Copenhagen fine-diner into a burger and wine bar — former co-editor of famed food magazine Lucky Peach Chris Ying and Lee Tiernan of London's Black Axe Mangal. More locally, The Everleigh's Michael Madrusan will teach us how to drink better, culinary idol Tony Tan will take us on a tour of his new cooking school and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura will show us the art of the one-pan dish. While The Online Edition has less hot chip parties and Queen Victoria Market takeovers than its scheduled predecessor, it's certainly not short on talent. The program has been pulled together by MFWF CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha and Creative Director Pat Nourse, who both have decades of experience in the food industry and will be hosting many of the virtual talks. Of the new program, Loucas Bosha said in a statement: "Our aim with this virtual festival is to highlight the capacity that hospitality has in Victoria and around the world to bring us closer, even when we can't get together in the same room. It's about sharing ideas, about sharing experiences and above all about supporting our community so that we can all come back swinging." Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: The Online Edition runs from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30 on Instagram Live and Zoom. To check out the full program, head to the website. Top image: Daniel Mahon
By now, if you don't do F45 yourself, you most certainly know someone who does. Since its first studio opened in 2012, the 45-minute fitness franchise has grown insanely quickly, with over 500 studios in Australia and hundreds overseas. And while lots of gym-goers obviously thrive in this type of group environment, for others it can seem like an intimidating scenario. If that sounds like you, Potts Point's new gym could be your high-intensity alternative. One of the original founders of F45, Luke Istomin has opened a new kind of gym this month called Reunion. Reunion runs functional 50-minute fitness classes throughout the week, each of which are aimed at building core strength, body conditioning, mobility and recovery. While the classes are similar to what you'd find people sweating over in an F45 studio, Reunion's approach differs from those of other group training programs. When you sign up, you'll be matched with two other members who, ideally, have similar physical abilities and fitness goals. Then, you'll start to train as a trio. The idea is that you'll motivate and support each other and work together to hit the fitness milestones you're all looking for. The gym is trying to combat how intimidating it can be to roll up to a group class not knowing anyone and feeling completely out of your depth as you try and figure out what to do with your arms. The new spot is the result of a collaboration with the Australian-based creative consultancy Frost Collective, and the culmination of Istomin's many years in the fitness industry. As well as being an original co-founder of F45 (he is no longer involved with the company), Itsomin is one of the most qualified PTs in Sydney — he's worked with Nicole Kidman and Leonardo DiCaprio, and was responsible for Hugh Jackman's transformation into Wolverine. With this new venture it seems that Istomin wants to make some changes to the often monotonous world of group training by making it accessible to everyone, without the hefty price tag that comes with working one-on-one with a personal trainer. He is one of four regular trainers at the Macleay Street gym. If you're keen to give it a go, Reunion is currently offering two weeks of classes for $59. Otherwise, drop-in classes are $39 and memberships start at $59 a week. Find Reunion at 46a Macleay Street Potts Point, Sydney.
You total burger fiends. You spoon-wielding dessert hunters. You wonderfully dedicated American diner lovers. Here's what you clicked, perused and ate with your eyes on Concrete Playground this year, the most popular articles of 2014. Needless to say, you're a hungry bunch with good taste. 10. The Ten Best Dessert Spots in Sydney 9. The Ten Best Chinese Restaurants in Sydney 8. The Ten Best Cooking Schools in Sydney 7. The Ten Best American Diners in Sydney 6. The Ten Best Vintage Homewares Stores In Sydney 5. The Ten Best CBD Lunches in Sydney 4. The Ten Best Camping Getaways from Sydney 3. The Ten Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney 2. The Ten Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney 1. The Ten Best Burgers in Sydney Image credit: chefranden via photopin cc, Prudence Styles via photopin cc, roboppy via photopin cc.
Mike Baird just gave you the afternoon off, UberX is having a field day and Bondi's skatepark is a desert, after one of the heaviest storms Sydney's seen raged on today. And it looks things aren't getting any lighter anytime soon. It's been an apocalyptic day for New South Wales weather, with 'cyclonic' conditions sweeping through the state including heavy, unrelenting rain and wind gusts in excess of 135 kilometres per hour, according to the ABC. Three people have been killed and four houses have been washed away in Dungog, according to The Dungog Chronicle. And UberX had a field day this morning (and likely this afternoon too), as Tuesday morning's public transport delays and cancellations saw the app's pricing surge before 9am — up to 50 percent more than the usual rates, according to the SMH. Getting home won't be any easier, as Transport NSW has warned of more delays and limited services this afternoon. Check over here for updates, and expect Uber prices to surge again. Circular Quay to Manly ferries are not operating, mainly because the water looks like this: And if the footage taken from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship in Sydney Harbour is anything to go by, we're pretty happy to stay on dry(ish) land. A limited replacement bus service is running along with regular Northern Beaches bus services from Wynyard. Buses are delayed and diverted in many suburbs including Frenchs Forest, Seaforth, Hornsby Heights, Mount Colah, East Lindfield, West Pymble, Sydenham, Bexley, Eastlakes, Hurstville, Roselands, Rose Bay, Rouse Hill, Kings Langley, Auburn. Trains are more likely to be running, but with limited service. Check over here to see if yours is A-OK. Top image: James Dalton.
Welcome to Vinabar, an intimate new bar tucked away in the laneways of Kent Street in Sydney's CBD. Seating just 32 imbibers, the small-format drinking establishment has taken inspiration from the nightlife and bar culture of Vietnam. Co-owners Reymark Tesalona and Ashwin Arumugam conceived the micro bar as a tribute to their shared experiences travelling together throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Both owners are of Southeast Asian background — and the influence comes through at every element, from the bespoke interior to the cocktail ingredients. The bar is hidden behind a facade designed to resemble a banh mi street cart. Make your way through the steel door and you'll find a cluster of luminous silk lanterns (imported especially from Hoi An) descending from the ceiling, sleek black marble table tops, and bar shelving made from a replica design of the Golden Hand Bridge from central Vietnam coastal city Da Nang. [caption id="attachment_934459" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Vinabar owners Reymark Tesalona and Ashwin Arumugam[/caption] Clever interior detail aside, at Vinabar the cocktail list is the real star. The signature 'Vinagroni' is the bar's unique take on the classic negroni, topped with a dehydrated starfruit as the garnish so the drink resembles the Vietnamese flag. Another stand out is a cocktail featuring cognac, pineapple, coconut and a mint and pandan foam created with a whipped cream charger, aptly titled 'Da Nang'. As you might have gathered, the entire concept is very much rooted in storytelling. Tesalona explains, "Being able to cater to such a diverse audience in a confined space allows us to translate our lived experiences into something tangible and memorable. Our cocktails transcend all barriers, be it cultural, age, ethnicity, gender – giving us a medium to tell a story by using all our human senses, not just taste." Oh and Vinabar is open seven days a week until 2am so add it to your list of bars for late night capers. Vinabar is now open at Shop 1, 332 Kent Street, Sydney. Visit the venue's website to stay up to date.
Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Tasman is Copacabana Beach House. Spread across three storeys, the restored 70s house is the perfect spot to stay if you're heading away with a crew — it has three bedrooms and sleeps up to eight people — or if you're looking for a very spacious (yet affordable) property for two. It's even equipped for winter visits, fitted out with a crackling indoor fireplace, a decked-out kitchen and outdoor fire pit. During the cooler months, you might even be able to spot humpback whales migrating right past your window. But the Beach House is ideal in warmer months, too, when you can wander down Del Monte Place to Copacabana Beach for a morning dip, and eat fresh seafood on the house's sprawling balconies.
With Monster Fest showering Melbourne with an annual showcase of horror, thrills and just a bloody good time at the cinema since 2011, non-Victorian genre buffs can be forgiven for experiencing a severe case of film festival envy. Don't worry, the Monster Fest Travelling Sideshow is the cure for that green shade you've been sporting. It's taking the best of the festival around the country; first stop: Sydney. From March 9 to 12, Event Cinemas George Street will become Monster Fest's temporary home away from home with a lineup that should excite and unnerve cinephiles in equal measure. Topping the bill is the faint-inducing Raw — and it really has made people weak at the knees, so don't say we didn't warn you. The cannibal-focused effort certainly made an impact when it opened the 2016 Melbourne festival, taking out the fest's Golden Monster award. Attendees can also catch the all-female horror anthology XX, which premieres at this year's Sundance Film Festival, delivering scares, frights, gore and more from filmmakers of the fairer sex. About time. Or, see the monochrome delights of the maternally minded The Eyes of My Mother splashed across the screen, as well as the old-school slicing and dicing of Toronto International Film Festival hit The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Rounding out the program is classic Italian horror Suspiria, plus the locally linked Skinford (which was made in Sydney) and doco Dead Hands Dig Deep (which was made by a Sydney director).
"What do we want?" "Time travel!" "When do we want it?" "It's irrelevant!” And so it is that the Terminator franchise rediscovers its sense of humour. As for everything else, well, the ground’s a little less resolute. Somewhat appropriately, Terminator: Genisys is either the fifth film in the franchise, or the third, depending on your perspective. James Cameron, who wrote and directed the first (and best) two, openly declared both Rise of the Machines and Salvation to be blips on the radar that are best ignored, meaning — at least in his view — Genisys now rounds out the unofficial trilogy (cue joke about a director from the future going back in time to terminate inferior sequels). Certainly, Genisys goes out of its way to fit solidly within the original movie's timeline, at least to begin with. In fact, it’s worth re-watching Terminator beforehand, if only to appreciate the lengths to which director Alan Taylor and his production team have gone in painstakingly recreating some of the film's signature moments (right down to casting a Bill Paxton lookalike for the then-unknown actor’s punk cameo). The reason for the cinematic fidelity quickly becomes apparent, too, when those well-known moments from the original are hugely turned on their head. It’s difficult to explain without revealing giant spoilers, but suffice it to say Sarah Connor (played with remarkable likeness to Linda Hamilton by Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke) no longer needs rescuing back in 1984 by Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), and Arnie isn’t the first Terminator to be sent back there. Everything’s changed, and therein lies both the film’s strength and weakness. As a positive, switching everything up was a sensible and necessary move to breathe new life into a franchise already guilty of retelling the same story with merely cosmetic differences. John Connor (Jason Clarke) undergoes a dramatic amendment in Genisys, and Schwarzenegger’s T-800 (easily the film’s shining light) has noticeably aged, explaining “I’m old, not obsolete”. Going back to 1984, too, is a clever device because — at least for fans of the original — as soon as the first difference becomes apparent, it raises a lot of questions that help drive the story forward. The downside, however, is that making those changes requires some serious amendments to one of the more established and analysed lores in film history, and unless you’ve got rock solid explanations to back them up, gaping potholes quickly reveal themselves. In Genisys, some are answered via hastily mumbled lines about 'nexus points’ and parallel timelines, but the more critical ones — like how terminators ended up in the timeline long before 1984, who sent them there and why — remain unanswered. It’s a clear setup for a sequel, but mostly just lazy film-making, failing to tell the story it promises. When the credits roll on Genisys, you soon realise you’ve no idea what it was actually about. 2015 is proving itself the king of the reboot, with Jurassic World already destroying box office records, and new entries for Mission Impossible, James Bond and Star Wars all to follow. Terminator: Genisys will likely find itself somewhere towards the bottom of that list, mostly because — while it’s a lot of fun — it fails to ‘wow’ us like its predecessors. The terminators’ technology is largely the same, the action sequences are again mostly variations on a theme, and somehow the phenomenal special effects of 1991’s Judgment Day still remain more jaw-dropping than most things that have come since.
Ahh karaoke: the best fun you can have with a microphone in one hand, a beer in the other and a group of giggling friends tumbling over themselves around you. And let's be honest, karaoke establishments are not thin on the ground in Sydney - head down to Chinatown and there's a plethora of skeezy joints with dim lighting, squashy booths and '80s ballads coupled with K-pop videos and mis-translated lyrics. While these places have their charms, the best karaoke experiences are to be had in a select few of the city's sing-along establishments. So we've taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a list of the places we reckon are best for belting out renditions of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'I Will Survive' in the wee hours of the morning to your nearest and dearest. 1. Ding Dong DangDing Dong Dang is something of a Sydney institution for karaoke fans. Down the Central Station end of Surry Hills, it's much like the karaoke equivalent of the suburb itself: understated, intimate, offbeat and quirky. There's a fully stocked bar to choose from and an easy-to-browse song directory with all the classics lined up, accompanied by K-pop videos which are nothing short of endearing. The rooms are reasonably priced, but better yet they're themed - the space odyssey room is a particular favourite. There's a decent selection of beer and wine to be had, mirror balls and couches sturdy enough to jump around on. Overall, you couldn't ask much more of a karaoke joint. Address: 7 Randle St, Surry Hills 2. MizuyaUnlike many of the more dodgy karaoke establishments in this area of town, Mizuya inexplicably closes at midnight as opposed to three or four or even six in the morning. With over 100,000 songs which are constantly being updated, Mizuya is clean and well-designed and a good choice for a birthday party or awkward after-work bonding session. Mizuya a full bar with over 200 drinks - significantly more than you'll find at most karaoke joints - and there's also a Japanese restaurant attached, from which you can order tasty things on sticks through the touch screen in the room. Genius. Address: 614 George St, Sydney 3. Ju JuKaraoke is served alongside dinner on most nights at this underground Japanese restaurant in the Cross. The best dinner and karaoke combination night to be had in Sydney, it's not for the shy or belligerent. There are no private booths, just a microphone that circles the room, so everybody gets to hear you sing. Generally you'll have to wait until a reasonable post-10pm time to begin belting out tunes, but being part of a restaurant there's a pretty good range of tasty Japanese comfort food to be had, and beers like Asahi and Sapporo are readily available. And remember, it's bad manners to wear your shoes here, so put on your best socks. Address: 82-94 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross 4. Strike Bowling BarThis is karaoke attached to ten-pin bowling, and possibly a spot of laser skirmish if you're keen. Strike charges per room, as opposed to per person, so it works out well if you're in a big group. All the rooms are immaculately themed and clean - there's the polka dot room, the Victorian boudoir, the executive party room, and there's a pretty flash touch screen to order your songs, but sadly no soft-filter video clips to accompany your choices. Moreover, there's a prop box with wigs and over-sized glasses to enhance your performance, and a couple of tambourines and maracas to add a bit of pizzazz to your performance. They've also got an excellent menu of snacks and a decent bar serving cocktails for your tipsy lady-friends. Address: 22 The Promenade, King Street Wharf and 207/122 Lang Rd, Moore Park 5. The Pickled PossumA room filled with middle-aged karaoke enthusiasts belting out '70s and '80s classics has never been as fun as this; just make sure to show up in a big group later at night and with a couple of stiff drinks in you. Widely renowned as one of the more bizarre establishments in Sydney, the person with the microphone is king at the Pickled Possum, and drinks are frequently made by seniors wearing rubber gloves. There are no booths, so you have to be prepared to sing to a crowded room, but the eccentric collection of inebriated 'characters' are having so much fun and taking the karaoke enterprise so seriously you wouldn't want to be in a booth. Address: 254 Military Rd, Neutral Bay
What exactly is tapas? I hear that word thrown around so much, it seems to be quickly becoming completely devoid of meaning. Thankfully, then, tapas is only one small part of what the newly renovated Carrington has to offer. Instead, the Pintxos and Xampanyerias on this menu are opening up a whole new world to patrons. It's no surprise to those in the know that some of the same lads responsible for the Flinders and the Norfolk's reinvention are also behind this venture. Like its predecessors, the Carrington remains fundamentally an old Australian pub: the framework is almost unchanged from the pub of the same name that stood here before. The revised interior, however, is a whole new world, channeling the vibe of the same bars that inspired the food and drinks menus. It's the same mix of faithfulness and irreverence that is quickly becoming a signature: think fish and whales hanging from the ceiling, beautiful patterned wall tiles and paraphernalia everywhere. As soon as you can get a seat inside (and this place looks set to be busy), make sure you do. The Carrington is most certainly a new kid on the block worth trying. To find out more, read the full review here.
There's nothing like a pop up, and one featuring luxurious French champagne and macarons from Becasse is something we want to be a part of. To celebrate the opening of the luxury dimension in the otherworldly new Westfield, French champagne house Pommery (also celebrating their 175th birthday this year) are hosting a intimate bar. Swing by for a flute (or two) at $15 a pop, with complimentary macaron, and take a tour of the new precinct. We imagine that browsing Miu Miu, Mulberry and Christian Louboutin can only get more fun once tipsy. But be quick: it begins this Wednesday 15th and lasts for five days only.
It was a sad, sad day when The Vanguard closed its doors and left a collective hole in the hearts of music-loving Sydneysiders. Luckily, we don't have to wait long until the space is revamped as Leadbelly, a new bar and restaurant that will offer live gigs Thursday through Sunday — for free. Live music junkies Luke O'Donohoe and Zac Davis — who are also the co-owners of Tipple Bar & Bistro in Surry Hills — are the new owners of the Newtown venue, and jumped at the chance to open their second venue in the iconic King Street space. "We want to keep the legacy of Vanguard alive," says O'Donohoe. "They've done so much with the local music scene over the years." Their love of music runs deep, which is obvious from the venue's nomenclature. Named after the notorious musician Lead Belly who, as well as being the grandfather of blues guitar in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, was also a convicted murderer. Go figure. "The actual venue will pay homage to music itself," says O'Donohoe. "We don't think there's enough free live music in the city and it will be a point of difference for us." The venue hopes to pull in enough on the bar and restaurant side of things to keep the free acts coming. On the libations note, we've been assured that the cocktails and food will be top notch. Bar manager and 'Olympic' bartender Ben McFarlane (who's worked in various venues for both Merivale and the Urban Purveyor Group) will head up the seasonal cocktail list, while the food will have a bit of Southern U.S. flare. Think Louisiana-style po' boys and in-house smoked brisket. They'll also be slinging pizzas from their very own oven. While the official opening date is still up in the air, you can definitely expect Leadbelly to be up and running for September's King Street Crawl, which will act as perfect welcome to the Newtown neighbourhood. Their local ties will also extend to the prevalent craft beer scene — but not just with the usual suspects Young Henrys and Wayward. The bar will have its very own Leadbelly Lager, specially made for the venue. Yup, this place will fit right in. Leadbelly is set to open in August at 42 King Street, Newtown. Image: Google Maps.
With its idyllic beaches and verdant national parks, the Central Coast might not be the first place that springs to mind when you're dreaming of a winter escape. However, the picturesque region boasts an array of intriguing experiences sure to spark your creativity and taste buds. The Central Coast Makers Trail allows you to meet local producers through tours, workshops and tastings around the area. Whether you're only up from Sydney for a few hours or have the whole weekend to spare, you can choose which activities and venues take your fancy to create your own itinerary. In partnership with Destination Central Coast, we've highlighted a few standout adventures on the trail, so you can hit the road and discover something new on your next getaway up the coast. [caption id="attachment_965929" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Broken Bay Pearl Farm[/caption] Culinary Curiosity Sampling oysters, cheese and chocolate while enjoying views of the coast sounds like an ideal time but you can go a step further by venturing behind the scenes to learn how your favourite foods land on your plate. Dial up the romance at Broken Bay Pearl Farm, where you'll learn about pearl and oyster farming at the only pearl farm in NSW. Broken Bay offers a range of experiences from an oyster shucking demonstration and tasting to pearl grading, a cruise through the Hawkesbury River and a grazing lunch with fresh oysters. [caption id="attachment_965928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Creek Cheese, credit Destination NSW[/caption] Visit the family-owned Little Creek Cheese Factory in Wyong to try some of its award-winning cheese, including a gin cheddar, haloumi and sundried tomato fromage. As part of the 2.5-hour Cheese Experience, you'll get a tour of the factory and a tasting of 10 cheeses before learning to make your own ricotta and paneer. The Chocolate Factory in Gosford caters to the whole family, with high tea for kids and adults, factory tours and a Junior Chocolatier Workshop for kids between the ages of five and 14. Little ones can also create their very own chocolate bar, choosing from milk, dark or caramel chocolate and selecting their own toppings. [caption id="attachment_965926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Firescreek Botanical Wines[/caption] Tipple Tours Whether you're a fan of whisky, beer, wine or coffee, the Makers Trail has an experience to suit all types of libation lovers. You'll find more than wine at Firescreek Botanical Winery in Holgate. Winemaker Nadia O'Connell uses organic native botanicals, fruits and plants to create seasonal, vegan-friendly wines on-site. Drop by to sip on some of her wines and participate in experiences like a wine and chocolate pairing, foraging and mixology workshop, or Aboriginal storytelling and wine-tasting tour. Beer buffs should head to Block 'N Tackle Brewery in Kincumber for unconventional brews and food trucks. After tagging along for a 30-minute brewery tour, which includes a paddle of four beers, spend some time in the taproom for snacks and live music on Sundays. [caption id="attachment_965922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amber Lane Distillery[/caption] Award-winning whisky producer Amber Lane Distillery invites visitors to step inside its facilities at Wyong for an open day once a month. Book in for a 30-minute session between 12–4pm on a Saturday to meet the team, sample some whisky and explore the distillery. If beer isn't quite your type of brew, West Gosford's Legend Coffee and Culture has you covered with public cupping classes at 10am on every second Friday. Taste some of its signature blends and chat with the team about any of your burning coffee queries. [caption id="attachment_965925" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Centred Ceramics[/caption] Ceramic Creations With such stunning scenery on display, it's no wonder that the Central Coast's creative scene is flourishing. Bring some of the region home with you by picking up a piece by Snowflake Ceramics. Artist Mads Smith sells delightfully sweet and practical works at the monthly Avoca Beachside Markets, including colourful trinket dishes, incense holders, plant pots, bells and ring holders. If you'd like to try your own hand at creating, Centered Ceramics at Umina Beach hosts several classes, from wheel throwing for beginners and mug-making to Wine and Clay nights and Sip and Spin. There are also longer eight-week courses available if you'd like to continue developing your skills, including a hand-building course for kids. Discover more about the Central Coast Makers Trail and start planning your trip at the website. Top Image: Broken Bay Pearl Farm
There's nothing quite like it sometimes, a good old-fashioned Aussie pie. The smell of hot pies straight out of the oven when you walk into a bakery is enough to send some of us into nostalgic meltdown. Whether it's a traditional meat pie or a chunky apple pie that tickles your fancy (no American Pie reference intended), we've got the pick of the pies this winter for when that yearning sets in. Complete with generous fillings, golden, puffy pastry on top and bottoms that remain miraculously un-soggy, come in from the cold this winter and warm up your belly with our favourites. 1. Bourke Street Bakery CP pick: Chicken, sweet potato, pea and lime pickle $5 You can't really go wrong with any of the pies on the menu here. In fact, you can't really go wrong with anything here, fullstop. This place is an institution: sandwiches, sourdough loaves, sweet pastries, cakes, coffee and sausage rolls all walk out the door quicker than you can get in. But you really can't go past a pie on a chilly winter's day and we reckon that the chicken, sweet potato, pea and lime pickle is a winning combination. Be adventurous, get over you pickle fear and trust the experts: this amalgamation of ingredients is meant to be together. All open 7 days: Surry Hills, Marrickville, Alexandria, Potts Point, Neutral Bay; (02) 9569 3225; www.bourkestreetbakery.com.au 2. Black Star Pastry CP pick: Lamb shank and red wine pie $7.80 There's no doubting that pastry chef Christopher Thé is some kind of culinary-wizard. With consistent award winning left, right and centre, you'd have to be a fool to think otherwise when considering a pastry treat. Make it snappy though: the notorious menu item is a sell-out for a reason. Tender bits of shredded lamb are smothered in red wine gravy; miraculously, the surrounding pastry does not get soggy at all. Certainly worthy of all the attention it gets. If, however, for some catastrophic reason, there is a sell-out prior to your consumption, the back-up won't let you down either — trust us. Open 7 days 7am-5pm; 277 Australia Street, Newtown; (02) 9557 8656; www.blackstarpastry.com.au 3. The Pie Tin CP pick: The Pie That Ate Newtown - XL Apple Pie $10.50 This place just needs a flaky pastry for a roof and they can take their name to full literal meaning: warm and cosy inside and full of yummy goodness, it's nothing but pies here. Vegetarians are well catered for and carnivores can be seen eyeballing the Sunday lamb roast. Sweet tooths will be sent into dessert delirium when they see the options available, but The Pie That Ate Newtown will stop any apple pie fan dead in their tracks. This pie is extra large. No wait, it's enormous. Utterly bursting with layers of cinnamon-spiced apple, the pastry on top is crisp and liberally sprinkled with sugar. The depth of this pie is incredible and you could easily share a portion between three, or take the rest home for later. Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun: 10am-6pm; 1a Brown Street, Newtown; (02) 9519 7880; www.thepietin.com.au 4. La Banette CP pick: Ratatouille pie $6.50 It may be hard to bypass the front counter that is replete with pastries and cakes, but the pies that sit in the heating cabinet at the back must not be overlooked. Winter calls for something warming and wholesome and what better way to get your vege dose than a ratatouille pie? La Banette have made it lid-less for a reason: chock-a-block full of chunky vegetables, it might be a tad messy, but it's worth every napkin. Grab a coffee and dessert on your way out, and it's quite the steal. Tues-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat & Sun 7am-5.30pm; 18 Glebe Point Road, Glebe; (02) 8095 9688 5. The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay CP pick: Snapper Pie $48 The Boathouse has a reputation for luring people to dine on Australia’s finest seafood. Yet it's the signature dish — the snapper pie — that gets people talking the most. And yes, it's one of those pies: not only does it meet all the benchmarks of the perfect pie, but also it goes way beyond that. Ceremoniously served up on the plate in front of you by the waiter, the aromas are enough to send you into a gastronomic meltdown. It might set you back $48, but the succulent chunks of snapper engulfed in a light creamy sauce and topped with golden flaky pastry are worth every penny. Just ask for more bread so you can mop up the delicious juices. The Boathouse have nailed it: hook, line and sinker. Lunch Thus-Sun 12pm-3pm, Dinner Tues-Sun from 6pm; End of Ferry Road, Glebe; (02) 9518 9011; www.boathouse.net.au 6. Harry’s Cafe de Wheels CP pick: Harry’s Tiger $6.90 This place is over 70 years old — so clearly they're doing something remarkable. We reckon it's because they've maintained all their traditions and kept it simple since 1938: a refreshing change to the elaborate gastronomical contrivances that can be seen around Sydney. The signature dish is named after the founder Harry 'Tiger' Edwards and is a chunky lean beef pie served with mushy peas, potato and gravy. The generous portions on top are the ideal carrier for the peppery filling beneath, and it certainly calls for cutlery — unless you want to be wearing the Harry, it's not one for eating on the go. Open 7 days: Woolloomooloo, Haymarket, Liverpool, Ultimo, Parramatta, Tempe, Burwood, Penrith; (02) 9211 2506; www.harryscafedewheels.com.au
From the remnants of war and conflict, Saught aids the creation of wearable pieces of art. Aiming to support sustainability in post-conflict countries worldwide, with a current focus on Cambodia, the organisation strives to make the entire jewellery-making process a collective effort on the part of people recovering from a period of war, from metal scrap collecting through to design and sale. For the 'Freedom From Fear' collection, pieces of discarded metal from landmines and unexploded ordnance were collected by the Cambodia Mine Action Centre. Then, artisans from Cambodia NGO partner workshops, with input from designers, handcrafted individual jewellery pieces. On sale for AU$160, the necklace pictured above, called the 'Bricks of Hope Statement Necklace', is made with brass pieces plated in rhodium to symbolise three decades of bombing in Cambodia; the orange silk is incorporated to represent hope for reconstruction. These workshops allow local Cambodian artisans to both collect income and to improve their craft and business skills. The result is a simple yet striking piece of jewellery. [Via Lost At E Minor]
Mucho Hospitality Group, the team behind some Sydney's most beloved bars (Cantina OK!, Tio's and The Cliff Dive) has added another notch to their belt with the opening of an exciting new cocktail bar on Enmore Road. Located on the Newtown end of Enmore Road, Bar Planet swaps margaritas for martinis. The signature Bar Planet Martini is made with a seasonal gin the team has created with Poor Toms distillery named the Infinite spirit, served with an olive and citrus from a lemon rind. Always accompanied by a bag of seasoned popcorn, the drinks menu is short but self-assured. You can also make a martini your way with a range of gin and vodka options, or opt for something fruitier. The Scorpino is a mix of P&V prosecco, vodka and an in-house gelato made with different market fruit each week (this week's flavour is a muscat grape). Bar Planet marks the first foray into the inner west for Mucho, an exciting venture for a group of inner west locals. "I've spent my life on Enmore Road," explains Marking Director Daisy Tulley. "I went to school at Newtown Performing Arts, I was lucky enough to play some shows at the Enmore, I live five minutes down the road. We've wanted to add to this amazing strip for years. Really, we just opened the bar we wanted to see in the area." The small bar lies next to a street art-adorned alleyway leading down to another recent Newtown addition Uncanny. Leading patrons in with the glow of its neon blue sign, the bar throws together hallmarks of bistros and diners with psychedelic patterns, enlisting the team that created Restaurant Hubert and Alberto Lounge's interiors to bring it to life. And, adding to the psychedelic feel, the bar-top has been designed by accomplished local artist David Humphries, mixing surfboard resin, marble, jade and French glass to create a delight for the eyes. Bar Planet is located at 16 Enmore Road, Newtown. It's open 4pm–midnight Monday–Sunday. Images: Nikki To
It's a big call to claim that something is the best of its kind. Yet it doesn't feel like a stretch to hand Menya the title of Best Ramen Bar in Sydney. The noodles are fresh and chewy, the broth is incredibly rich, and the atmosphere is just the right kind of casual. For the beginner, we suggest the Menya ramen. Pick the Tonkotsu, beef, or Tori-gara, chicken, broth base then opt for either Shoyu ($9.30/$9), a salty soy sauce flavour, or Miso ($10.30/$10), a richer choice. Our favourite is the Menya Tonkotsu Miso ramen ($10.30). If you'd prefer a ramen with extra toppings, try the Tori Kara-age Ramen (from $10.90), with deep fried kara-age chicken, or add extras like Kakiage Tempura ($2.50) or Sweet Corn ($1.50). There are plenty of other great choices on offer. The Menya Value Box ($14.90) includes your pick of a main meal and ramen, along with rice and salad. Another rare treat is the Menya Curry (from $7.90), which we recommend with Tori Kara-age. For the super hungry (and the serves are generous), take your pick from entrees like Tako Yaki ($6.50), or octopus balls, and Gyoza ($6.90) dumplings. The only drawback of Menya is it's size: this tiny restaurant centres around one long table, and you'll find yourself directed to whatever seat is free. For this reason, visiting Menya with a group is almost impossible. This spot is best to visit with only a friend or two, and be careful of waiting times during busier hours.
Throughout the pandemic, treating ourselves to Gelato Messina's desserts has become a tasty self-care go-to, and the chain has been releasing quite the lineup of special sweet treats — its own takes on Viennettas and Iced Vovos included — to help. Now, after a chaotic few weeks weather-wise across Queensland and New South Wales, the gelato brand is putting its OTT dishes to great use in another way, raffling them off to raise cash for flood relief. Buy a $10 ticket, go in the draw to win Messina treats, gelato tubs, chocolates, vouchers and merchandise: that's what's on offer until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. The gelato chain is hosting its own raffle, with $5000 in desserts and prizes up for grabs — in 150 packs filled with more than 60 of the brand's limited-edition wares. Those aforementioned Messinettas and Iced Vovo bavarians are included, with 2o of each on offer — and 20 of Messina's Basque cheesecake hot tubs as well. There's also 20 1.5-litre gelato tubs, 30 sets of its pick 'n' mix choccies, and five $150 Messina vouchers. Messina socks, caps, hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts and balm — they're all on the list as well. Tickets can be bought online, with 100 percent of the profits to be split between Australian Red Cross and Vinnies flood appeals across NSW and Qld. Winners will then be notified on Monday, March 21. Eating gelato, assisting folks in need: that's the best and most helpful way to enjoy dessert. Gelato Messina's flood appeal raffle is selling tickets until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. Head to the Messina website for further information.
How do you get plane passengers excited about sitting sandwiched between two strangers? To turn middle seat-dwelling frowns upside down, Virgin Australia launched the Middle Seat Lottery in 2022. It's exactly what it sounds like, giving prizes to people who find themselves perched in everyone's least favourite spot in the air — and, while it was originally set to only span six months, the scheme has just been extended until mid-2023. No one likes the middle seat on a plane. Does anyone book flights, select where to sit and genuinely (and willingly) pick being stuck between two other people, with no window to look out and no easy access to the aisle, if there's another option? No, no they don't. But resisting that urge until Friday, July 9 could score goodies for your troubles, with an extra $45,000 in prizes added to the pool. The 11-week extension means 11 more weekly prizes, with holidays the big focus. Fancy return flights to Tokyo? To Europe, plus a luxe experience in Doha? To North Queensland, including swimming with saltwater crocodiles? To Townsville, where a waterfall and tropical island tour via helicopter and sailboat cruise await? They're some of the giveaways — and there's a stint on North Stradbroke Island that starts with a beer-tasting experience onboard a private jet, then spans a brewery tour with Straddie Brewing Co, too. The freebies change each week, and are only available to passengers to meet one big condition: sitting in the middle seat because you've either selected it or you've been assigned it. An hour or so in a seat you wouldn't normally pick for the chance to win your next getaway? Worth it, probably. Plenty of folks agree, with more than 240,000 Virgin Australia guests entering the competition since it launched last October. To go in the running to win any of the above prizes, you do need to be a Velocity Frequent Flyer member over the age of 18. And, you'll have to fly somewhere within Australia, on a Virgin Australia-operated domestic flight, during the competition period — in a middle seat, obviously. Also, to enter, you then need to use the Virgin Australia app within 48 hours of your flight's scheduled departure time, tapping on the Middle Seat Lottery tile, finding your flight and entering your details. From there, winners are drawn each week and contacted if they're successful. Virgin Australia's Middle Seat Lottery runs until Sunday, July 9, 2023. For more information, head to the Virgin website. Images: Carly Ravenhall. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
The Ken doll, Barbie's hunky other half, is flying solo for his 50th birthday in Mattel's new advertising campaign to keep the Barbie brand relevant. The company decided to give Ken a makeover in the only way anyone in the 21st century knows how: creating a reality show. 'Dreamer Ken' Kurtis Taylor was selected as the fresh face of the Ken doll in the web-series Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend, in which he wiped the floor with the seven other 'ken-testants' in a variety of cooking, decorating, entertaining and surfing challenges. The Hills star Whitney Port hosted the Bachelorette-style show and believed that Taylor, the 25-year-old Pro Football player from Iowa, was exactly what Mattel was looking for. Taylor described that his perfect date would entail: "A helicopter ride over Los Angeles. Then, we would land on a rooftop where dinner is prepared and Frank Sinatra is playing in the background. After a great conversation over dinner, we'd fly to the beach and walk under the moon." He certainly seems to be the perfect new arm candy for our favourite plastic blonde.
I don't care if the number 12 has a perfect number of divisors and if the sum of its divisors is also a perfect number. To me it is not a sublime number, just awkward and misleading. It's the number that made primary school times tables actually difficult, it's the length of a full-sized Subway sandwich that's too big and double the length of a Subway sandwich that's too small, and it tricks you into thinking that you're going to get 12 days of presents come Christmas time. The only time when 12 is a good number is when it refers to the number of artists showing at WATIM's 12x12 exhibition. This is because they consist of Daek, Drewfunk, Ears, Edward Woodley, Gary Seaman, Gimiks Born, Mark Alsweiler, Rone, Sean Morris, Shannon Crees, Shida and Troy Archer — some of the country's most sought after urban artists. On Friday 22 July they will be exhibiting 12 artworks at Sydney’s aMBUSH gallery, and each artwork will be 12x12 inches. If you have dodecaphobia (a fear of the number 12) it’s probably best to stay at home on opening night, but you can still purchase the works through an online catalogue on the 23rd. Image: Shannon Crees, 2011
Yes, that’s right: we said coffice. And by coffice we mean 'coffee shop office'. Long gone are the days when all you required from your favourite café was a skilled barista and a selection of tabloids. Nowadays we expect a whole lot more — Wi-Fi, powerpoints, and ample table surface area, for starters. We want to help you meet that deadline, avoid that frustrating colleague, or master the art of procrastination. So, for those of you seeking out attractive alternatives to working at home, uni or your partitioned space, let us present to you the cafés that best accommodate working folk in Sydney. 1. Berkelouw Café Bookstore, Newtown Just off King Street is Berkelouw Café Bookstore, Newtown’s converted warehouse favourite. We’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy the workspace – sprawl your stuff out over one of the chesterfields or set up shop at one of the large communal tables perched on the second floor. You’ll find organic fair trade coffee and freshly baked goods; a winning recipe for an enchanting meeting between boho locals and coffice fanatics. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm; 6-8 O’Connell Street, Newtown; 02 9557 1777; www.berkelouw.com.au 2. Café Otto, Glebe Otto’s back! After burning down in 2010, Glebe’s institutional Cafe Otto has returned in good form. Owner Neil Mirani is offering up a hearty café tucker menu and extensive beverage list in a relaxed coffice setting. With padded bench seating, joinable tables, open fire, Wi-Fi, and $12 specials for everyday of the week, Otto’s a Sydney uni kid’s escapist haven and our pick for coffice comfort. Mon–Sun 10am–Late; 79 Glebe Point Road, Glebe; 02 9556 1519. 3. The Fern, Redfern Residing in an old terrace house, The Fern could almost be code for, “working from home”. The three things that make this place a real gem? The Melburnian blend Gravity, the good form retro interior, and the fact that you can get a seven course degustation for $49 (save this for the ‘rewarding of self’ once coffice duties are complete). Bunk down in one of the slouchy armchairs and enjoy the café’s Wi-Fi. Redfern’s cosiest coffice. Tue–Sun 8am–3pm, Thu–Sat 6–10pm; 4 Pitt Street, Redfern; 02 8399 0070; www.thefern.com.au 4. Gertrude and Alice, Bondi Beach Guzzle down on a honey infused chair and sink into one of the snug sofas. With over 25,000 books at your disposal Gertrude and Alice is the unchallenged coffice for workers with research heavy projects, people addicted to the smell of ancient books or those seeking solace from the cold pinch of traditional libraries. A coffice for readers. Mon–Fri 9.30am–11pm, Sat–Sun 8.30am–Late; 46 Hall Street, Bondi Beach; 02 9130 5155; www.gertrudeandalice.com.au 5. MCA Café, The Rocks Located on level four of the new Mordant Wing, this place boasts the view across the quay, free Wi-Fi and is top of our list for the coffice shmooze. Get in early to knock over some work in the indoor ‘canteen’ then liaise with clients or coffice mates over a glass or two on the terrace. They’re open 24 hours on Thursdays (kitchen open until 9pm), too. Score! Mon–Sun 10am–5pm, Thu 24 hrs; Level 4, 180 George Street, The Rocks; 02 9250 8443; www.mca.com.au 6. The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria New kid on the block, the Grounds of Alexandria, is for coffice goers who enjoy the outdoors and have a tolerance for the little humans. Yes, there will be both queues and prams, but don’t let this put you off – order from the takeaway counter then kick back in the garden. Enjoyment of the chicken run, pebbled paths, and rustic shared tables is best left to cofficers looking for creative inspiration and/or those on a quest to nail the whole kitchen garden thing. Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm; Building 7A/2 Huntley Street, Alexandria; 02 9699 2225; www.groundsroasters.com 7. Gallery Café, Annandale The pioneer of Booth Street café culture. With a wide selection of hearty breakfasts, lunches, and snacks served amongst canvas-covered walls, this coffice is best for ample desk space. Seating over 100, the open space willingly hosts large groups but also welcomes lingerers in its quiet corners. Mon–Sat 7am–5pm, Sun 8am–5pm; 43 Booth Street, Annandale; 02 9692 8449; www.gallerycafe.com.au 8. BangBang Espresso Bar and Cafe, Surry Hills So what do ex-Ministry of Sound DJs do when they call it quits? Apparently they run hipster cafes in the tree-lined streets of Surry Hills. BangBang Espresso Bar and Café is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle – the laidback coffice for those needing to catch up on a few things. Casual and accommodating for quiet coffice folk. Mon–Fri 8am–4pm, Sat–Sun 8am–3pm; 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; 02 9281 0018. 9. Broadway Lounge, Chippendale Students rejoice, because Broadway Lounge was made for you. With free Wi-Fi, 10% student discounts and space aplenty, Broadway Lounge is a welcome relief to on-campus cram sessions. And don’t forget the karaoke night on Wednesdays – the best form of stress-relief out there if you ask us. Mon–Sat 8am–Late, Sun 8am–10pm; 166-170 Broadway, Chippendale; 02 9212 2007; www.broadwaylounge.com.au 10. Café Hernandez, Potts Point Say goodbye to those grease-ball kebabs and hello to tasty churros. Café Hernandez is Kings X’s 24 hour haunt – the perfect late night coffice (of a weeknight, that is). Hernandez is an excellent solution for tight deadlines and middle of the night internet-gone-down fiascos. With an enviable selection of roasts and a famous hot chocolate, this place is fully equipped to give you that kick into action no matter what time of day or night. The coffice most suited to coffee fiends and night owls. Mon–Sun 24 hours; 60 Kings Cross Road, Potts Point; 02 9331 2343; www.cafehernandez.com.au Main image via mrlancerichardson on Flickr
"Spectacles, not survivors". If you've ever wondered what the creator of The Hunger Games wants from its participants, they're his exact words. Meet Casca Highbottom, Dean of the Academy, and the reason that children from 12 of Panem's districts fight to the death every year for the entertainment of the masses — as well as a looming force of evil in prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Yes, every movie franchise ever has to keep returning to screens, as Harry Potter and Twilight are as well. Unlike those two page-to-screen hits — two other favourites straight out of YA literature, too — The Hunger Games is making a cinematic comeback. And, it's gracing theatres again this November because author Suzanne Collins followed up her original trilogy of novels from 2008–10 with a step backwards in 2020. While Casca Highbottom is a pivotal figure in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, complete with Peter Dinklage (Cyrano) playing the part, another usually- nefarious presence is the movie's protagonist. If you've ever wondered about Coriolanus Snow's life before he became President of Panem and kept having encounters with Katniss Everdeen, here's your answer. This prequel is set 64 years prior to the dystopian tales told in the saga's initial four films between 2012–15, with Tom Blyth (Billy the Kid) doing his best to become a young Donald Sutherland. If the Wizarding World can have young Dumbledore, The Hunger Games can have young Snow, clearly. As the just-dropped first trailer for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes starts to cover, his backstory includes hailing from a family that's hit hard times in the postwar Capitol. That's how he becomes a mentor to District 12's Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler, Shazam! Fury of the Gods). And that "spectacles, not survivors" comment is spoken his way, in fact, as a word of warning about what's expected in his new role. Of course, this wouldn't be a Hunger Games story if one of its tributes didn't earn plenty of attention — and hearts. When his protege proves a hit, Snow starts to think about turning the odds in their favour. That said, viewers already know that any good he achieves here won't change the fate that's already been seen in the novels and past movies. As well as Blyth, Zegler and Dinklage, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes features a stacked cast spanning Jason Schwartzman (I Love That for You), Viola Davis (Air), Hunter Schafer (Euphoria) and Josh Andrés Rivera (Zegler's West Side Story co-star). Francis Lawrence jumps behind the lens again, as he did with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part II. Check out the trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes below: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes releases in cinemas Down Under on November 16, 2023. Images: Murray Close.
Thanks to a public call-out by Sydney Living Museums, an incredibly rare compilation of our city's photographic history will soon be on display. Street Photography will exhibit at the Museum of Sydney from Saturday, December 8 through Sunday, July 21 presenting black and white, postcard-sized candid photos of everyday Sydneysiders from the mid-20th century. This form of street photography gained popularity in Sydney in the mid-1930s and continued until the late 1950s, so many of the images that'll be on display depict the everyday life of locals living through the Depression, World War II and postwar periods. This exhibition has been wholly dependent on public assistance and interaction. Of the 1500 images drawn from private family albums, 250 were chosen to be digitised and enlarged for display — many of which have never been publicly exhibited before. Running alongside the exhibition is a concurrent showcase by nationally renowned photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. She has restaged nine of the original images using each photo's subject or their descendants, placing them in similar locations from the image. Zahalka's collection also includes new present-day images taken around Sydney, which act as a modern homage to the art. Access to the Street Photography exhibition is included in museum entry ($15). For more information, visit the website. Image: Unidentified couple, 1950, Martin Place, Sydney, Ikon Studio. Courtesy of Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Sydney Living Museums.
