People are always finding new and exciting ways to advance technology — and when their aim isn’t creating phone apps or more realistic pornography, it’s often about helping others. The Chilean team behind the SULI project fall into the second category of helpers. Their solar-powered SULI lamp is designed to bring a quick, easy, renewable light source to people without access to electricity. SULI estimates 1.5 billion people worldwide are without access to lighting, and use alternatives (such as kerosene lamps, candles, etc.) that are expensive and dangerous. And while solar-powered lights aren’t exactly new technology, an easy, cheap and versatile application for solar lighting is. With 3D-printed accessories, the SULI lamp has applications in both the developed and developing word. It can be used as a flashlight, a bicycle light, a garden light, a reading lamp or (this is the best one) screwed onto a water bottle and transformed into a device that throws light up to five metres. The light takes up to 12 hours to charge and the charge lasts for around 50 hours. For those of you trying to cut down your electricity bills, this may be the gadget for you. With two years of development and several grants behind them, the SULI team has finally brought the project to us via Indiegogo. For US$52 plus shipping you can send yourself one lamp, but for $85 you can add a second that gets sent to Haiti, where 3500 people are still living without electricity or access to water since the devastating 2010 earthquake. SULI have already raised US$22,000 but they still need to sell a few hundred more lamps in order to keep production costs low and their altruism train rolling. So get on board with this clever idea, fill your house with SULIs and know that while your household enjoys light after dark, so does a household in Haiti. Via PSFK. Image via Suli Lab.
In words attributed to everyone from Mark Twain to Alexisonfire, we should dance like no one is watching, and Sydney artist duo Harriet Gillies and Roslyn Helper (aka zin)'s Glitterbox gives you the chance to do pretty much just that. Stuck inside a giant colourful cube that's pulsating with glitter, sitting atop The Star's Sky Terrace, get your groove on to some killer tunes in an entirely unique situation that's will make you okay with the fact that glitter doesn't wash out for weeks. Glitterbox runs from 5pm - 11pm on January 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. This program is one of ten Sydney Festival events happening in unexpected places. Check out the whole list.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 — As MoMA at NGV gets closer to wrapping up, the NGV has announced that it will extend opening hours so you have a few more chances to see the exhibition (if not for the first, for the second or third time). The gallery will move its regular 10am opening time up to 8.30am from September 22 until October 7, and, in the final week, it will stay open until 10pm from Thursday, October 4 until Sunday, October 7. The exhibition will also be extended for an extra day, and will now close on Monday, October 8. Not going overseas this winter? Luckily, you'll still have the chance to take a bite out of some Big Apple arts and culture, as the National Gallery of Victoria plays host to an exclusive exhibition showcasing works from New York's prestigious Museum of Modern Art. Set to run until October 7, MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art will feature over 200 modern and contemporary masterpieces, many on their first ever visit to Australia. Taking over the entire ground floor of NGV International, it's certifiably huge. The exhibition will present pieces from all six of MoMA's curatorial departments, meaning the works will span Photography, Film, Architecture and Design, Painting and Sculpture, Drawings and Prints, and Media and Performance Art. You'll catch works from all of the big names of the 19th and 20th century art world, including Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe, Diane Arbus and Andy Warhol. Capturing the spirit of more recent times, will be pieces from the likes of Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, Olafur Eliasson, Rineke Dijkstra and Camille Henrot. Examining over 130 years of innovation, MoMA at NGV sets out to explore all the major art movements, with the exhibition spread across eight themed sections. Here are a few of the big-name works on display. Needless to say, the partnership with MoMa is a pretty huge coup for both the NGV and Australian art lovers. "The collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria provides a unique opportunity to see extremely important works from nearly every area of our collection in an exhibition that simultaneously explores The Museum of Modern Art's history as well as the history of modern and contemporary art in general," said MoMA Director Glenn D. Lowry. As an added bonus, NGV members who are hitting New York while the exhibition is running will score free admission to MoMA, and vice versa.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, or quit your desk job and start that business you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of some of the country's boldest characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Having dabbled in his fair share of pulse-quickening activities as a youngster, Sydney street artist and skateboarder Sid Tapia is no stranger to the concept of overcoming big fears. In a career that started at age ten, he's hung out of train doors to tag them, skateboarded at a pro level and even founded his own label, Crown St. rediscover a passion he thought he'd lost forever. FUEL THAT FIRE IN YOUR BELLY Sid got cracking on his creative pursuits pretty early on, recalling being captivated by his mother's old handwriting textbooks at the age of four. Soon after that, Sid began recreating the characters in his life: the faces of friends and family. "I'd spend ages trying to do what I saw," he says. "I would see someone or something that I thought was beautiful and be like, 'I want to do that on paper'." It's an interest that would eventually lead him into the graff scene, swapping out paper and pens for trains, walls and spray paint. Meanwhile, Sid's older brother Walker was offering his own brand of influence, introducing him to alternative music genres, hip-hop culture and, ultimately, the street art movement. "He was like my mentor-slash-father figure growing up," Sid explains. "He really taught me a massive step in being able to overcome not just challenges, but confrontations as well." NEVER STOP LEARNIN' At around age ten, Sid discovered the world of graffiti, and he was instantly hooked on this risky, yet exhilarating form of creative expression — especially the risky sport of train tagging. The fact that he could lean out of a train, paint his name up and others would see it was both scary and adrenaline-pumping (not to mention highly illegal). But just a few years later, Sid's flirtation with locomotive art was rattled, after his friend was injured in a serious train accident, reminding him (very bluntly) of the elephant in the room: mortality. "Graffiti was never the same after that," Sid says. "It was nerve-wracking — it was scary." And so he gave up graff. Having come so close to paying the ultimate price for his passion, Sid diverted his attentions to skateboarding — and despite being discouraged from the sport by his family, it was clear he had some serious skills. "My grades were really bad, but I knew that my skating was really good," he says. "And I was like, 'I'm gonna do this thing.'" Skating was a passion that continued well into his twenties, landing him sponsorship deals and a heap of recognition on the Sydney scene. He was even profiled in the awesome 1997 short film by Warrick Thornton for SBS's Eat Carpet. Like many twenty-somethings, at the time it looked as though Sid had, in his own words, "everything sorted" — but he was really "a wreck". So he turned to an old friend to navigate through it: books. "To understand what it is to overcome, what it is to get through a challenge, what's needed — and a lot of the time what's needed is knowledge." TACKLE THE CHALLENGES AND GET BACK IN THE DAMN GAME 23 years later, Sid was still shaken by that train accident — and his own decision to run away. "I had to live with that for a long time," he admits. "I knew I ran away from something massive that could have helped her out. I was just too scared. But about a year ago, I thought: 'I have to face up to this'." So he located his former friend and reached out to her on social media, laying down the emotional apology that had been such a long time coming. "I was in tears…it was heavy," Sid says. "That was a fear I had to overcome by literally confronting it…having to just man-up and be emotional and apologise." Like the big cats he spray paints on his walls, Sid was finally fierce in approaching the situation, and moved forward regardless of harboured fears. And in doing so, he not only opened up a positive new relationship with his old friend, but a newfound positive relationship with his art. Sid's back doing the graffiti thing again — only this time around, it's in a much more holistic (and completely legal) capacity. Working on both commissions and his own pieces, his striking large-scale murals grace walls across Sydney, from the skate park at Bondi Beach to countless buildings in Stanmore, Camperdown, Newtown and the inner west. His lettering and illustration work is equal parts mind-blowing and mindful. He's a highly sought-after, full-time working artist now, running the odd class with Work-Shop and the Museum of Contemporary Art, and working with Marrickville Council's 'Perfect Match' program pairing residents with street artists. All those setbacks? Turns out he didn't let them set him back at all. "I love that I'm able to get what I do and bless people with it. I want to put something out that's going to inspire, or encourage… spark a little bit of wow in someone's life." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website. Images: Sid Tapia.
While Sydney's inner city isn't blessed with snow each winter, you can pretend you're in some village in the European alps at the Darling Harbour Winter Festival. Don your mittens — and that beanie you knitted during lockdown — and zoom down a giant arctic slide, spin around an ice rink, watch fireworks glittering over the harbour and snack and sip on warming winter treats at the sprawling food market at Tumbalong Park. There'll be live performances, DJs and bands, too, for when you just want to soak up the atmosphere. And, if you haven't yet put those Dine & Discover vouchers to good use, you can redeem them for a session on the rink or something to eat from the market after.
Wondering what to say when you step inside Brisbane's new mini-golf bar? At Holey Moley Gold Club, it really is all there in the name. And, as awesome as the concept of having some drinks, donning a visor, hitting the indoor greens and taking a few swings on pop culture-themed holes sounds, the reality is even better (and weirder). Entering Holey Moley is like entering an alcohol-fuelled indoor amusement park for adults, even if the building it's in — a former church — makes that quite the surreal experience. So does the angel statue decked out with golf clubs, the pink-lit neon sign declaring "I like big putts and I cannot lie", and the twirling giant disco ball hanging in the centre of the venue, which visitors familiar to the site's many previous watering holes and live music spaces will recognise. Of course, with the right wall taken up by a stocked bar, it's obvious that this is a drink-focused spot with two nine-hole mini-golf courses inside, rather than a putting facility that happens to serve booze. Each hole has a six stroke maximum, however whether you decide to keep score is completely up to you — it's fun, rather than sports, that the venue wants to promote. Even taking a quick glance at the eighteen different holes on offer demonstrates that having a good time is the main aim here, unless you're scared of clowns and puppets, that is. Suspended from a frame and lurking on the ground, these vaudevillian creeps adorn the seventh stop on the ground level, which means anyone suffering from coulrophobia has plenty of time to work up the courage to play there. Beforehand, you'll hit your way through a beachy (fri)endless summer, enter a glow-in-the-dark space for three holes of luminous action, and play pinball and pool with a golf ball and club. Yes, really. Keeping with the arcade theme, a putting version of skeeball marks the end of the lower course — but don't worry, more holes await upstairs. That's where you'll show off your short game on a turntable, in a bathroom and a gym, and on a Twister board, to highlight just a selection of the standouts on the upper level. You'll also tap, tap, tap the ball into a Nintendo-focused hole that pays tribute to Super Mario and Donkey Kong, brave the Mad Putter's Tee Party, prove that you're obviously not a golfer at a bowling alley, and marvel at the glory of the nine-iron throne. You just know the latter is going to be mighty popular, particularly for selfies that'll clog up your Instagram feed. For something different between rounds, ping pong tables provide a break from the main action, as do a selection of old-school video games. Or, chew a couple of gum balls, grab a drink, and sit down and watch everyone else. In fact, the cocktail list is worth the trip alone, thanks to beverages like the Tee-quila Mocking Birdie (with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Blue Curacao, sour mix and sugar syrup), Teeyonce Knowles (Pampero white rum, soda, fresh mint, limes and syrup) and Happy Gilmoreo (Chambord raspberry liqueur, Smirnoff Red vodka, Baileys, milk, chocolate sauce, crushed Oreos and whipped cream). Yep, we're calling it: Holey Moley is about to become everyone's favourite new hangout. Holey Moley Golf Club opens on September 29 at 25 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
A drama released in 1989 that saw its premiere cut short because of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A tale of corruption in the sporting arena. A documentary about perhaps the greatest German director that ever lived. A lengthy father-daughter comedy that no one can stop talking about (us included). Yes, they're all part of the 2016 German Film Fest's 36-title lineup, which roams around Australia from November 15 to 30. In a nutshell, it's a great year to get your fix of the country's cinematic offerings. In fact, there's so much packed into the festival's heaving program that the aforementioned movies haven't even made our must-see list, which is a great indication of the wealth of choices available. So, just what should you ensure you get in front of your eyeballs? Here's our top tips, spanning everything from beloved filmmakers to movies made by ordinary people. EVERY THING WILL BE FINE We've said it before, and we'll say it again: James Franco really will pop up everywhere he can, even when you least expect it. Like in a German film. This time, he's starring in the latest one from iconic director Wim Wenders, alongside Rachel McAdams and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Every Thing Will Be Fine tells the tale of a writer faced with a life-changing experience; transformation is a common theme in the filmmaker's works. And don't go thinking Wenders' trademark fondness for breathtaking visuals will be sidelined in his first dramatic film in seven years; here, the Buena Vista Social Club, Pina and The Salt of the Earth helmer explores both the heartbreaking tragedy at the centre of the story and the aftermath via 3D visuals. DER NACHTMAHR It takes confidence to call your film Der Nachtmahr, or The Nightmare in English. Other horror movies have boasted about their terrifying dream-like status in their names to mixed results, aka the entire Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Director and visual artist Achim Bornhak aims for a more consistent scare rate in an effort ten years in the making. Given that the feature explores a teenager blighted with visions of a grotesque creature, here's hoping it hits the mark. GERMANY IN A DAY Back in 2011, Touching the Void and The Last King of Scotland filmmaker Kevin Macdonald took on another ambitious project. Life in a Day endeavoured to capture just what everyday existence is like by crowdsourcing its footage, accruing more than 80,000 clips submitted via YouTube. Five years later, Germany in a Day is the Deutschland-focused equivalent, as overseen by director Sönke Wortmann. If you've ever wondered what life was like for residents of the European nation on June 20, 2015, as captured by ordinary folks, this is your chance to find out. GOODBYE BERLIN In Goodbye Berlin, Turkish-German filmmaker Fatih Akin says hello to the road. Adapting Wolfgang Herrndorf's coming-of-age story Tschick (or Why We Took the Car in Australia), it's a feature filled with friendship, discovery, scenic sights and striking revelations after two unlikely pals steal a car one summer. And if it sounds like you've seen this before, Akin's previous filmography should convince you otherwise. Head On twisted the usual mid-life malaise drama, Soul Kitchen did more than cook up delicious-looking food and The Cut found insights in a portrait of resilience and endurance. VARIETÉ Step back in time thanks to 1925 film Varieté. Not only is it a circus fairytale of the kind that isn't often made these days, but it reportedly features the first documentation of unicycle hockey. Other claims to fame come thick and fast for the '20s film, partly due to its enchanting tale of a trapeze artist, the dancer he leaves his wife for, and the artist his lover then has an affair with — and partly due to the fact that the silent feature's score was lost long ago. In its place, The Tiger Lillies have a new soundtrack in their very own style to accompany the new digitised restoration. The German Film Fest Australia tours the country from November 15, screening at Sydney's Chauvel Cinema and Palace Norton Street from November 15 to 29, Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Kino Cinemas and Palace Westgarth from November 17 to 30, and Brisbane's Palace Barracks from November 25 to 30. For more information, visit the festival website.
Hey kids, seems pizza does grow on trees, according to mightily-moustachioed, all-American comedian Nick Offerman. In a brand new Funny or Die video, the Parks and Recreation star takes you on a rip-roaring tour through his fictional Pizza Farm — where the team are hard at work "growing the ripe, juicy pizzas your kids love.” We wish. "What could be healthier than this? Acres of pizza, kissed by the sun, stretching as far as the eye can see." Offerman, or ‘food expert’ Daniel Francis, unearths Sloppy Joes from moist fields irrigated by cola, picks taquitos from the tree, wanders past fish finger vineyards, and eats a fresh slice of pepperoni pizza straight from the tree. “If it’s on a plant, it’s good for you, who cares how it got there.” According to TIME, Offerman’s genius Pizza Farm is apparently a big ol’ flip of the bird to idiotic protests against First Lady Michelle Obama’s huge campaign to change US school lunch regulations and get Congress to reauthorise the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 — which regulates the amount of unhealthy, high fat, high sugar, high salt food you can serve to school kidlets at lunch. Until then, most US school lunches will remain as cheaply-made and unhealthy as they can possibly can be. But as Offerman says, "French fries are practically salads, which is why I like mine with ranch." Pizza Farm with Nick Offerman - watch more funny videos Via TIME.
It's time to dig the gumboots out of the back of your closet — Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year. In 2023, Splendour celebrates its 21st year. Maybe your 21st birthday was the best night of your life. Or, perhaps you're still planning for the 21st to end all 21sts. Either way, Splendour's big two-one is serving up a massive lineup to celebrate. Lizzo, Flume, Mumford & Sons and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead the 2023 edition — the latter of which were slated to headline 2022's Splendour in the Grass lineup, but cancelled in the leadup. Flume's set is an Australian exclusive, celebrating ten years since his self-titled album and coming after his recent Australian tour in late 2022. Mumford & Sons are also doing an Aussie-exclusive gig, after last heading our way in 2019. Music lovers hitting Byron Bay can look forward to Hilltop Hoods, Sam Fender, J Balvin, Slowthai, Little Simz, Idles and Tove Lo as well, plus Arlo Parks, Ball Park Music, 100 Gecs doing another Aussie exclusive, Pnau and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard — and more. Plus, there's been some late additions to the lineup. Powerhouse Russian punk group Pussy Riot recently joined both the music and Forum programs. Danny Brown, Ocean Alley and Thelma Plum were all added, too, to replace Lewis Capaldi, Slowthai and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Single-day, multi-day and camping tickets are all still available if you want to plan a last-minute trip up to Byron Bay. [caption id="attachment_891057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claudia Ciapocha[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 LINEUP Lizzo Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume) Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive) Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hilltop Hoods J Balvin Danny Brown (Australian Exclusive) Sam Fender Idles Little Simz Tove Lo 100 Gecs (Australian exclusive) Arlo Parks Ocean Alley Ball Park Music Iann Dior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 070 Shake Thelma Plum Pussy Riot Pnau Ruel Loyle Carner Benee Marlon Williams Hooligan Hefs Peach PRC Palace Dune Rats Tkay Maidza Noah Cyrus Skegss Sudan Archives Cub Sport Meg Mac X Club. Claire Rosinkranz Jack River The Smith Street Band Lastlings Jeremy Zucker Young Franco Sly Withers MAY-A The Vanns Telenova Vallis Alps Jamesjamesjames Kaycyy RVG Teenage Dads Balming Tiger Automatic Harvey Sutherland Gali Del Water Gap Royel Otis Shag Rock Big Wett Mia Wray Memphis LK Gold Fang Milku Sumner Forest Claudette Full Flower Moon Band William Crighton Hellcat Speedracer Triple J Unearthed Winners Mix Up DJs: Tseba Crybaby Latifa Tee Foura Caucasianopportunities Luen Mowgli DJ Macaroni Crescendoll Top image: Stephen Booth.
Bloody Marys have the honour of being one of two cocktails that you can drink before midday without being judged (the other is the mimosa, obviously). They're that friend you have that slaps you in the face when you're hungover and yells at you to get up and stop feeling sorry for yourself, in cocktail form. But there's something about the tomato juice/celery/vodka combo that feels almost medicinal — maybe it's the fact that it contains vegetables and therefore you can kid yourself it's healthy, even when accompanied by miscellaneous fried things. Not to mention there's something distinctly Mad Men about them. Healthy or not, they're a classic, and we've got some excellent ones right here in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_546290" align="aligncenter" width="1170"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] MARY'S, NEWTOWN When you think about it, celery is a pretty weird garnish. Who has ever woken up after a big night and thought "Man, I could really go for a loud, crunchy vegetable right now"? It makes sense that Mary's, makers of some of the best hangover food in Sydney, a place whose motto is "Get fat", would be the ones to dispense with this tradition. At Mary's, if you order a Bloody Mary, you get a drink with a slice of plastic cheese blowtorched over the top, garnished with an onion and a slice of their famous trashcan bacon (named for the vessel they cure it in; don't worry, it's clean). THE NORFOLK, SURRY HILLS The Drink 'n' Dine team make consistently amazing Bloody Marys across all their venues. They're exactly as they should be — dense, pulpy and spicy enough to cure the fiercest of hangovers. The Norfolk is no exception. Here, they come come in a few different incarnations, all served in recycled tomato sauce cans, but our pick is the Bloody Asado ($16) with gin and chimichurri. EAU DE VIE, DARLINGHURST This one actually won the Best Bloody Mary title in a competition held by Ketel One vodka last year, and it's not hard to see why. On the menu it goes by the name Ernest's New Tomato Cocktail ($19), named for 1930s hotelier Ernest Byfield, whose venue The Pump Room is credited with making the cocktail famous. It's a pretty straightforward recipe: salt-cured tomato juice, pickled onion puree, house spice mix and sherry (which means it's one of the few that actually make you feel a little buzzed afterwards).The tabasco sauce comes on the side in an adorable mini bottle so you can make it as hot as you want. BLOODY MARY'S, DARLINGHURST These guys have the honour of being Sydney's only bar dedicated entirely to Bloody Marys. You've probably already seen photos of their crazy concoctions going viral on social media. And we really do mean that in the plural — as well as the Classic, they also make Bloody-pretty-much-anything-else-you-can-think-of, each with a different quirky garnish like bacon or prawn. And if you want to invent your own Bloody cocktail, you can just order a shot of your choice and come up to the bar to have them mix it for you. But you cannot visit this place without trying the Bloody Hell ($25) at least once — most likely named for the first words out of your mouth when you see it. As well as the obligatory celery, it comes garnished with a buffalo wing, a prawn and a slider on skewers poking out of the top. The drink itself substitutes Tabasco sauce with chilli-infused vodka. [caption id="attachment_546302" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] NEIGHBOURHOOD, BONDI The Neighbourhood Mary ($17) is made with beef master-stock infused Mary mix, 'secret sauce' and garlic salt, with the stock giving it a soupy, vaguely meaty flavour. Team it with the Royale with Cheese ($21) for the breakfast of champions. [caption id="attachment_546304" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] BILLS, SURRY HILLS It's no exaggeration to say that Bill Granger is the man who invented brunch as we know it. His ricotta hotcakes, scrambled eggs and corn fritters may be what made him famous, but he doesn't disappoint on the cocktail front either. Bills' Spiced Bloody Mary ($18.50) puts an Asian twist on the classic recipe, using Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice — technically making it a Bloody Caesar), Korean chilli, coriander, lime and a cucumber. CRANE BAR, POTTS POINT Most Bloody Marys are on the thicker side, similar in texture to gazpacho. But the Umami Mary is at the other end of the spectrum. It's more like a delicately flavoured Asian broth — light, tangy and easy to drink, with a pleasant, mushroomy aftertaste. EATHOUSE DINER, REDFERN The Bloody Hell, as the name would suggest, is not for the faint-hearted. Although they do make a traditional version with vodka, we recommend the chilli-infused tequila if you want to kick it up a notch from 'spicy' to 'burny'. It makes your eyes water and your nose run, but in the best possible way. PORCH, NORTH BONDI The first thing you notice about the Porch Bloody Mary ($16) is that it's an amazing colour — deep ruby red as opposed to the orangey-pinky-red colour that you usually see. Like the rest of the menu, it's refreshing and not too heavy, less spicy and more citrusy. Have it with the Green Breaky Bowl if you want to attempt being healthy, or the Devil's Breakfast if you just don't care any more. Be warned though, this place is extremely popular and there's usually a waiting list on weekends.
Calling all creative ladies, this 'un-conference' is for you. A three-day "event for creative women, to learn from creative women", Make Nice is a brand new part of Vivid Ideas, featuring a super successful lineup of pioneering international and homegrown talent. Limited to 150 female attendees, Make Nice is a three-day creative event that isn't your regular conference format. Each presenter will offer practical advice for working in the creative industries, unpack the value of idea exchange and dialogue, and focus on the importance of genuine professional support. But they'll also be sitting next to you for the conference, learning from your ideas and having mad chats. Your ticket includes brekkie from Love Soup, opening eats and dinner by Flour and Stone, wine by Cake Wines, beer by Two Birds Brewing, the finest coffee and tea (and non-alcoholic cocktails) by Sensory Lab and T Totaler, and a goodie bag. Each attendee will be invited to a private online forum (along with the speakers) that will be active year round, connecting you to each other after the event and inviting you to future Make Nice events. MAKE NICE SCHEDULE Thursday, June 2 — Cake Wines Cellar Door 6-8pm: Opening night drinks and welcome Friday, June 3 — aMBUSH Project Space 9am - 4pm: Keynote presentations, panel discussions, round-table talks 6.30pm - 11pm: Dinner, drinks and dance party Saturday, June 4 — aMBUSH Project Space 9am - 4pm: Keynote presentations, panel discussions, round-table talks This is one of our top picks for Vivid Ideas events. Read the whole list and reboot your brain.
Before she'd even learnt to cook, O Tama Carey knew she wanted to open a Sri Lankan diner in Sydney. But much like the fiery afterglow of a black curry or the satisfying fermented tang of a hopper lingering on the tongue, this passion for the flavours and culture of her mother's homeland took time to bloom. Born to a Burgher family that emigrated to Australia in the 70s, Sri Lankan food was a rarity in Carey's Adelaide home growing up, reserved for special occasions or dinner parties. It wasn't until she made her first journey to Sri Lanka when she was 19 that Carey began to hear her future as a chef calling. "I had six weeks there and it was just incredible — everything I tasted just blew my mind. I remember my mum being really shocked by how much I ate because I was never much of an eater at home. We had really good cooks in my family, but I was totally uninterested in food as a kid," Carey admits as she takes a short break from the kitchen during a busy evening service. [caption id="attachment_987167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] O Tama Carey, image: Nikki To[/caption] This formative holiday was followed by a stint in London where Carey began working in hospitality in earnest, but it would take years of dabbling with recipes passed on to her from her grandmother in Perth and multiple research trips to the South Asian island before her dream of championing Sri Lankan food in Sydney could finally take shape. By the time Carey began testing, via a series of pop-ups and markets, the viability of opening a bricks-and-mortar Sri Lankan restaurant, she had already cemented an impressive reputation within Sydney's dining scene, thanks to five years working under Kylie Kwong at Billy Kwong, followed by her first head chef position at the once-legendary Italian eatery Berta, which closed its doors in 2018. Later that same year, Lankan Filling Station welcomed its first guests to a sleek and slender premises on Darlinghurst's Riley Street. With its polished concrete floors, unconventional layout and industrial-chic, minimalist aesthetic, the restaurant's look and feel already stood it apart from the small clutch of Sri Lankan eateries in Sydney at the time. As did the menu, which married an elevated bar offering (think playful signature cocktails and an impressive wine list including low-intervention bottles) with classic Sri Lankan fare showcasing punchy flavours, vibrant colours and polished executions. [caption id="attachment_683860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Parker Blain[/caption] For seven years, hoppers – the traditional bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of coconut and rice flour with a crisp yet lacy edge and a dense, spongy bottom — were the headliners at Lankan Filling Station, served alongside a kaleidoscopic array of colourful sambols — spicy Sri Lankan chutneys. You'll still find hoppers on offer today, but only on Fridays and Saturdays. The rest of the week, Carey is exploring new culinary territory, serving up riffs on Sri Lankan classics featuring native Australian ingredients. "When we first opened, the most important thing for me was to showcase classic Sri Lankan cuisine. I feel that we've achieved that — and now we get to play," Carey says of this change in direction. "We're still doing Sri Lankan flavours, but in terms of technique and the way we're cooking things, we're leaning into more modern platings. You know, my training has been all over the place, so I feel like I have the freedom now to draw on that, bring in new ideas and new elements, and see where it takes us." The curated banquet—reasonably priced at $85 per head—is the best way to experience the restaurant's latest era. It starts with an acharu plate of pickled carrot, fennel and fermented snake beans, a scene-setting appetiser that blasts the palate awake with an air horn of sweet, spicy, puckeringly sharp flavour. Next a varai (a traditional Sri Lankan prawn sambol) is reimagined as a carefully balanced canape of delicate, creamy roasted crab meat spiked with turmeric and a thrill of dry chilli, scooped up in a betel leaf. As well as the introduction of native ingredients, Carey's new menu also reaches beyond Sir Lanka's borders by drawing inspiration from a broader, pan-Asian spectrum of textures and techniques. For example, there's a morish plate of crisp, golden jackfruit cutlets served san choy bow-style in a refreshing lettuce leaf with fresh herbs and a sweet chilli dipping sauce similar to a Vietnamese nuoc cham. [caption id="attachment_850941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Some of Lankan Filling Station's greatest hits remain on the menu, notably the hot butter cuttlefish, and it's easy to see why this dish has been such a firm favourite for so many years. A tried and true crowd pleaser, it marries a wallop of heat with a more nuanced interplay of textures, as the satisfying salty crunch of a flash-fried in a rice flour batter shell gives way to the perfectly pliant, slightly sweet cuttlefish flesh beneath. Spice is a thread that ties together all the savoury dishes at Lankan Filling Station, but even the hottest plates on the menu avoid overwhelming their nuance with tortuous levels of chilli. Carey's control of heat is masterful, taking diners on a magic carpet ride as the levels of spiciness climb and dip, swooping from firey heights to mellowed-out lows with each passing dish. [caption id="attachment_987169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Take the kangaroo tail black curry for example, which perks up the senses with the sour zing of tamarind and a sweet palm-sugar edge before a big kick of intense pepperiness comes to the fore. Crowned with a garland of curry leaves, the bone-in 'roo — a criminally underrated cut — melts with a surprising richness that you simply don't find in the more ubiquitous fillets and steaks. Pro tip: also order the house-baked kade paan, served toasted and spread with an extraordinary curry leaf butter — it's perfect for sopping up the remaining dark umber slick of black curry sauce left in the bowl. Perhaps the most remarkable quality of Carey's food is the way she deftly plays with flavour — no dish is ever just sweet, just salty, just bitter. Even the desserts — a trio of delightful bites including Carey's grandmother's recipe for milk toffee and a crumbly yet moist love cake — playfully hopscotch between flavour profiles, lighting up the tongue as each chew releases another wave of complexity. This is a menu you could eat a hundred times and still find new depths and intricacies to each mouthful. [caption id="attachment_683865" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Top image: Nikki To
If you've been hitting up Sydney Festival this month, you've probably been spending your pre- and post-show slots at the festival village in Hyde Park. But when that wraps up this week, where will you go? Straight to the Sydney Opera House, we say, as its just launched a pop-up bar in line with its summer program. The bar, which has taken over its Portside venue off the Western Foyers, is themed around the very extra decadence of the Tudor period — namely the time of King Henry VIII. It ties in with the Opera House's current musical Six, which tells the story of the monarch from the perspective of his six (yes, six) wives. What does this mean? Champagne — and lots of it. G.H. Mumm is sponsoring the bar, so you can expect to see if flowing in flutes and giant cocktail glasses. There will also be some fancy snacks, like chicken liver pâté and Welsh rarebit. The bar will be open daily, but if you've got tickets for a Friday or Saturday show, you're in luck — you'll be able to play a game of quoits to a soundtrack supplied by an all-female lineup of DJs.
We've already given you scores of reasons to head up to the Blue Mountains for a weekender. Just when you thought the Scenic Skyway and the Hydromajestic's spiffing new bar couldn't be topped, we bring you an epic pop-up, outdoor sculpture gallery — in bona fide Jurassic rainforest. Heading into its fifth year, the annual Sculpture at Scenic World will run from April 8 till May 8. As you wander along the 2.4 km boardwalk, you'll pass 29 works created by 33 artists from all over the world, as far afield as Iran, Japan, Finland and Slovenia. They've been handpicked by an independent panel, made up of Michael Snelling, Felicity Fenner and Claire Healy, and one of them will win the whopping $20,000 Scenic World Major Award, to be announced at the opening. This year's artists include Braidwood's Suzie Bleach and Andy Townsend, known for their fabulous, animal-inspired sculptures; Lucy Barker, whose works explore time, light, glass and perceptions; and Fleur Brett, who creates woven sculptural forms. If you're travelling all the way to the mountains for these glorious artworks, you may as well make a sleepover of it. The good news is that, to encourage peeps like you to drop by, six of the Blueys' most excellent accommodation options are offering art-inspired packages. All include Ultimate Sculptures Passes, which mean you can spend as much time at Scenic World as you like, wandering among the sculptures at your leisure, whizzing up and down the Scenic Railway and freaking out while soaking in extraordinary views through the glass bottom of the Scenic Skyway, which hangs 270 metres above a gorge, affording panoramas of Katoomba Falls, The Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Depending on where you're staying, stacks of other extras are thrown in, from buffet brekkies with lake views to high teas in lush gardens to spas. Your options are the Hydro Majestic, Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges, Echoes Boutique Hotel, Lilianfels Resort and Spa, The Carrington Hotel and Fairmont Resort. “The promise of a break that mixes a choice of tailored accommodation packages with Sculpture at Scenic World, amazing Blue Mountains views and a Public Program that offers something for everyone is enticing for art lovers, enthusiasts and families alike,” said Justin Morrissey, Sculpture at Scenic World exhibition manager. “Of course, location is key when it comes to a mini art escape and being familiar with the area is what gives us the edge in helping recommend accommodation packages for Sculpture at Scenic World guests.” Sculpture at Scenic World will run from April 8 till May 8. Top image: Artwork — Elyssa Sykes-Smith, A Canopy of Thoughts (2015), Image — Keith Maxwell. Body Image: Artwork — Nathan Keogh, Compression (2014).
Less than two weeks after a fundraiser that mobilised an Uber army to deliver ice cream around the country, OzHarvest is out to educate Australians about food wastage in the best possible way – by putting a meal in front of them. Every year, Australia produces enough food to feed roughly three times its population. Despite this, two million people nationwide still rely on some form of food relief. So where's it all going? This is the conversation that OzHarvest is teaming with the UN to try and start. On July 25, in its fourth Think.Eat.Save since 2012, hundreds of OzHarvest volunteers will serve thousands of city-dwellers something they have long been told does not exist – a free lunch. All meals will be made from rescued foodstuffs in an effort to start Australians rethinking not only the way they consume, but also the way they discard. Sydney's Think.Eat.Save is happening in Martin Place between 11.30am and 2.30pm
A number of prominent Australian musicians, including Little May, Montaigne, Ngaiire and Abbe May, are uniting through social media in order to throw their support behind International Breast Cancer Awareness month. The I Touch Myself Project was inspired by the 1990 hit song by Australian rock band Divinyls, whose lead singer Chrissy Amphlett died from breast cancer in 2013. The campaign was originally launched by the Cancer Council in 2014, with the likes of Megan Washington, Sarah Blasko and Olivia Newton John collaborating on a music video to encourage women to check themselves for the disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeaO2BrrIf8 Now the campaign has been resurrected by a new group of female artists, who have taken to Instagram to share photos of themselves holding their breasts in their hands and encouraging other women to do the same, using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject. "Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late," posted the members of Little May. "In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked." Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @becsandridge @catalish @ella_hooper @lexi_b__ @jessicahamiltn #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject @itouchmyselfproject A photo posted by Little May (@littlemaymusic) on Oct 3, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. @actualmontaigne @abbemayzing @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. Will you touch yourself @beemcsee @haileycramer @julianedisisto @summerpagaspas @mamikoyo @vassi_lena ? #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject #ngaiire A photo posted by N G A I I R E (@ngaiire) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT Chrissy Amphlett did a wonderful thing before the world lost her to breast cancer, and that was to make sure she was doing the most she could to avail women of a similar fate. I am proud to be a part of the #itouchmyselfproject and to raise awareness of breast cancer alongside a plethora of other excellent women and @berleiaus. I touch myself for breast cancer awareness. Will you? Photographed by the amazing Tony Mott! A photo posted by Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:08am PDT Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, I am humbled to join friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @littlemaymusic @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @tanzertanzertanzer @leelulahula @sezzyfilmy @wheelsanddollbaby @jaala_bandthing Photo by #tonymott @itouchmyselfproject #itouchmyself #myhandbra A photo posted by Kａt y S t e e l e (@katysteele) on Oct 4, 2016 at 3:02am PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. The great @ngaiire, @actualmontaigne, @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. #itouchmyselfproject #myhandbra Photo taken by the radical Tony Mott. A photo posted by Abbe May (@abbemayzing) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT
Each January, as the temperature rises and languid afternoons stretch into sparkling nights, the city comes alive with the three-week carnival that is the Sydney Festival. Now in its 41st year, Australia's biggest annual arts fest transforms our city into a creative playground, filling our summer with a generous helping of culture. With hundreds of performances ranging from thought-provoking theatre to innovative dance and awe-inspiring circus, the Festival's program is always packed with choices for a night out — and 2017 is no exception. To help you make the most of next year's panoply of offerings, we've highlighted eight stand-out shows. All world premiere performances that can be seen for the first time in Sydney, these performances and installations — including dance, opera, and visual arts — promise to be a feast for the senses. Sydney Festival is iconic for bringing together somewhat unusual collaborations, such as the Sydney Dance Company and the AGNSW for Nude:Live. All up there are 16 world premieres at Sydney Festival 2017. We've picked out our favourites. If you can only fit in a few shows this summer, make sure at least one of these is on your list. Top Image: Nude Live.
The phone hacking scandal that blew up in the UK about a decade ago doesn't immediately strike one as brimming with feel-good stories. The demise of a smutty tabloid was about as close to a silver lining as it got. Nevertheless, after digging around in the News of the World's ashes, playwright Tommy Murphy has come up with an unexpected prize: redemption. Mary Peirse plays Mary-Ellen Field, a business adviser who was wrongfully fired for sharing private information about her client in the early 2000s. When news broke that a number of celebrities' phones had been tapped by Rupert Murdoch's News International, Field realised what had happened and began sharing her story. When she shared it with ABC journalist Mark Colvin, it started a friendship which ended up with Field... but we're getting ahead of ourselves. Belvoir's artistic director Eamon Flack has described the company's 2017 lineup as an attempt to "defy the cynicism and shittiness of the world". Mark Colvin's Kidney could well prove a much-needed antidote to the chaos. Or, at the very least, a comfortable place to sit while civilisation shreds itself. Image: Daniel Boud.
We don't know how things go down in your household, but the only food we generally pair a cider with is a packet of salt and vinegar chips on a balmy afternoon. But while this is undoubtedly a terrific use of an ice-cold bottle of the alcoholic apple beverage, it turns out that cider is great when used as an ingredient in your food as well. It's not just us saying that, by the way. Melbourne's Scott Pickett, chef and restaurateur at Saint Crispin and Estelle Bistro, agrees. "It adds an interesting element to a sauce or dish or puree, as opposed to using your standard red or white wine," says Pickett, who after reopening his Northcote restaurant The Estelle as Estelle Bistro earlier this year, has just opened the second phase of the space: Estelle by Scott Pickett. And what does cider complement best? According to Scott, it goes best with cured salmon and fish, charcuterie and — of course — pork. Pork jowl — which, for the record, is the cheek of the pig — is somewhat of a signature for Scott, who has continually used the jowl on the menu at his evolving High Street restaurant. With Estelle Bistro opening in February, the lineup changed, but jowl still stands as a stalwart. Only now it benefits from the addition of an ingenious cider gel. Adding the blobs of cider to the plate adds a whole other taste to the pork, says Scott. '"The sweet, yet dry flavour profiles of the cider and the fragrant apple add an extra element to the dish." So if you want to get a bit fancy with your cider and experience the true culinary chemical reaction that occurs when pork and apple are combined in the same mouthful, try making Scott Pickett's signature pork jowl with cider gel and boudin noir (that's a French blood sausage) this weekend. Fancy, fancy recipe below: Ingredients 3 pork jowls, skin on 500ml apple juice 375ml James Squire cider 200g boudin noir (blood sausage) 4 pickling onions 5g agar agar 1tsp seeded mustard Red mustard leaves 500g rock salt 1 bunch of thyme 1 bunch of sage 4 cloves of garlic For the pork jowl Place the rock salt, thyme, sage and garlic in a food processor and process all ingredients until well combined. Trim any excess fat and skin from the pork jowls, cover them in the salt mix and leave to sit in the fridge overnight. The next day, rinse off the salt and place jowls on a roasting rack lined with baking paper and roast at 230 degrees for 80 minutes. For the cider gel Pour the cider into a saucepan and, on the stove, reduce it until there's only half the liquid left. Add the apple juice and agar agar. Bring the liquid back to the boil, and when it's boiling, pour into a bowl and place it in the fridge to set. Once it has set, place the liquid into a blender and puree until a smooth gel forms. For the Boudin Noir crumb Roughly break up the boudin noir and place it on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven at 150 degrees until the sausage has dried out and resembles large breadcrumbs. To serve Cut the pickling onions in half and roast with the layers facing down in a very hot pan. Continue to roast until slightly charred and tender, and when you remove them from the oven, separate the layers to get a shell-like shape. Take out the pork and cut it into 2cm slices. Place one slice of the pork jowl in the centre of the plate, and surround it with three dabs of the cider gel and three of the onion shells. Top with the boudin noir crumbs, dribble the grain mustard over the plate and garnish with the mustard leaves.
Humans have made a pastime of staring up at the night sky for as long as history can tell us. Unfortunately, the amount of excess light that our city leaks into the sky makes for pretty poor stargazing conditions on an average night in the inner city. With that in mind, we've scoped out the top spots in and around Sydney where you can take part in this time-honoured tradition. At these locations, all it takes is a telescope — and, in some cases, just looking up — to feel engulfed by the vast night sky above. Whether you're headed to Australia's only accredited Dark Sky Park or to one of our many impressive observatories, this list has you covered. OBSERVATORIES SYDNEY OBSERVATORY, CBD In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was built for the 1874 transit of Venus. The other two are a 40-centimetre computer-controlled lens and, for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, a telescope that lets you look at the sun. The Observatory runs night and day tours, workshops exploring early Indigenous astronomy and a range of short courses. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo. LINDEN OBSERVATORY, BLUE MOUNTAINS Situated in the Blue Mountains, Linden Observatory was the work of a single brilliant amateur astronomer, Ken Beames. He finished the site's 61-centimetre telescope during World War II, while also building the dome that houses it and the direction control system himself. Access to Linden's heritage-listed building is by appointment only, but you can easily fill out the form here to get in touch. If you're happy enough to check out Beames' handiwork from the outside, Reverend Bob Evans runs monthly beginners astronomy courses on Saturdays in the nearby viewing field — and you can join in with a small donation. PENRITH OBSERVATORY, PENRITH Penrith Observatory is part of Western Sydney University, run by a team of maths and engineering boffins dedicated to cracking the universe open to see what makes it tick. They pause occasionally in this quest to host programs for the public, ranging from paper rocket construction to exploring the life cycles of stars. Volunteers from the Western Sydney Cosmic Data Lab also hold astronomy nights on most Saturdays of the year, regardless of the weather. For the less nocturnal, there are various day programs that give visitors the chance to safely observe the flaming gas giant that supports life on this planet. And it's less than an hour from the CBD. MUDGEE OBSERVATORY, MUDGEE Located just a 15-minute drive from the town centre, Mudgee Observatory is located within some seriously dark skies — so there's zero chance of confusing Jupiter with your neighbour's bug zapper. It's also where, in 1999, Steve Lee discovered Comet Lee. In the past, the facilities have been used by staff of the Sydney Observatory, members of the Sutherland Astronomical Society and by UNSW. This prestigious space is also open to the public, with regular daytime sun tours and night sky tours on offer — and heaps of telescopes and binoculars available to guests. The theatre and flat screen planetarium features a space mission program too. But be sure to booking ahead and expect a $15 entry fee. CRAGO OBSERVATORY, BOWEN MOUNTAIN Just out past Richmond, the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has established one of their "dark sky" observing sites in the middle of the Blue Mountains National Park. The observatory is old-school, comprised of an olive brick building with a basic kitchen on the ground floor and a camping area nearby. The dome itself is made from corrugated iron. Beginners will need to be accompanied by an accredited ASNSW member, but there's also a viewing space that has been cleared so amateurs can wander along and watch galaxies collide and stars implode at a time that suits them. TEBBUTT'S OBSERVATORY, WINDSOR This observatory was hand-built by 19th century astronomy nut John Tebbutt. If the name sounds familiar, it could be because you were flush in the '80s and '90s — his face graced the $100 note until '96. Tebbutt's Observatory in Windsor was rebuilt a number of times as he updated his telescopes, but the building that remains dates to 1879. Tebbutt, it was said, couldn't look up without discovering a comet. So make no mistake — if astronomical greatness is going to find you, it will find you here. DARK SKY SITES If you're feeling more intrepid and would prefer an astronomical experience that doesn't take place through the roof of a building, try a dark sky site instead. Observatories aren't the only place to look up, with these secluded fields and lookouts also offering a great vantage point to take in heavenly bodies. [caption id="attachment_730730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK, COONABARABRAN Located a six-hour drive from Sydney, Warrumbungle National Park is one of the top three places on the planet to revel in galactic goings-on. That's thanks to the State Government, which has dedicated funds to limit light pollution in and around the park, making it Australia's only official Dark Sky Park — it's just one-of-three in the world, sitting alongside Death Valley National Park in the US and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland. Warrumbungle does have its own observatory, but scientists and astronomers have the run of the place after sundown. Amateur astronomy in Warrumbungle is best performed the old-fashioned way, with the humble eyeball. At the moment, all campsites in the area require booking, so make sure to organise it ahead of time here. [caption id="attachment_730726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Great Orion Nebula as viewed from Wiruna; Photographer: Marc Aragnou; supplied by ASNSW[/caption] WIRUNA, BLUE MOUNTAINS Wiruna is the Astronomical Society of NSW's best kept secret. Located on the outskirts of Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains, Wiruna is 107 acres of astronomy lovers' bliss. But there is one catch — this top-notch dark sky facility is for ASNSW members and their guests only. If you don't happen to have any ASNSW mates on hand, you can get in touch and organise a visit that way. Otherwise, simply book into an overnight campsite at Wollemi and enjoy your stargazing the old fashion way — equipment isn't necessary here, it'll be a breathtaking view either way. TERREY HILLS, NORTHERN BEACHES Another patch of unadulterated sky can be found in Sydney's Terrey Hills, near the northern beaches. This is one of the Northern Sydney Astronomical Society's new haunts, where observing nights are run on weekends for novices and experienced sky captains alike. As with most of these astro society hangouts, they've got telescopes to share and keen eyes with which to point out the myriad phenomena taking place in the universal void. If you're a lonely wanderer through the vast wash of space, this may well be the place to enter the orbit of some like-minds.
We know you guys are probably tiring of the food truck trend, but hear us out on this one. Now, we're not entirely sure how to feel, so we're just gonna lay out the facts. There's a new food truck doing the rounds that specialises in… gourmet dog food. The Canine Wellness Kitchen (heh) is Australia's first food truck for dogs — which, honestly, is a sentence we never thought we'd write. Founders and 'canine chefs' Katie Crandon and Laura Yeomans aren't new to this game — they founded 'dog superfood' (apparently a thing) label Because I Luv My Dog, specialising in healthy pooch snacks for on-the-go doggos. It'll be the first food truck of its kind in Australia, offering a range of dog-friendly goods including dehydrated snacks, raw food, chicken necks and organic bone broth. And… again, not sure how to take this… a beer for dogs. It's named Freddie's Froth and it's not actual beer guys, it's bone broth, geez. The whole venture is a little tongue in cheek and pokes fun at the food truck revolution. This is a little snippet from the menu: "Forget the super smoothies, our bone broth is the ultimate detoxifier. Get your active wear on, this is all the warm up you need for a workout." Look, in your heart of hearts, you know this is one business that'll go incredibly well. We're on board. Canine Wellness Kitchen will be making their first appearance on September 24 at the Hank Marvin Markets in St Kilda.
It's no secret that few things get us excited as food and booze. But one place in particular is getting us really, really excited. When it opens later this year, Brix will not only serve booze — it will make it on-site. It's set to be the first craft distillery to make rum in Sydney in over 200 years. Rum? Yes, rum. We're all pretty up to speed and pumped about locally distilled gin, thanks to the likes of (the game-changing and continually impressive) Archie Rose Distillery, but rum, generally speaking, is yet to infiltrate our collective craft spirit radar. Brix will be a working distillery, shop, barrelling room and bar. It won't open for another few months, but we got a sneak peek into the construction site on Bourke Street in Surry Hills. The three passionate guys behind the whole thing are James Christopher, Damien Barrow and Siddarth Soin, and they're justifiably enthused about seeing their vision — which has been over three years in the making — come to life. The co-founders are old friends (and are also partners in Cammeray's popular local restaurant Public) and together they want to change the people's attitude to rum. Like a lot of spirits that we potentially had a bad experience with and wrote off for eternity, rum could do with a bit of a lift in reputation — and these might be the guys to do it. "People can come in and learn about the versatility of the product of rum, how it's made and the nuances of the different styles and flavour profiles," Barrow says. Part of their job will be to educate the public about the diversity of the spirit, which runs from a clear rum in a mojito to a syrupy spiced rum. "Or an aged rum, similar to whiskey — you can have it on the rocks and it has all the complexity to match — but it's not really widely appreciated in that way," adds Soin. Grounded in transparency, the Brix experience is about changing the perception of rum in our culture and, according to Barrow, "celebrating its rich history via re-education, all the way through to appreciation". The venue will feature a fully working distillery with a 1200-litre still and will be overseen by a master distiller. They will start by distilling a white rum, turn one into a spiced rum and one into an aged. All will be available to buy as they will be bottling their own new-to-market craft rum product. It'll also be put into drinks as well as learning about the process in tours, tastings and private barrelling sessions with the head distiller, where guests can even buy their own 20-litre barrel of rum to take home. Words like "craft" and "local" are bandied about, but the team behind Brix are doing things authentically, from the copper of the still being Australian-sourced, to the menu that features predominately local and craft spirits, beer and wine. The barrels used in ageing are sourced from the Hunter Valley and the base product of sugar cane or molasses is sourced nationally. The spiced rum will also use native Australian spices and botanicals. As well as its own haul, Brix will have a 'rum wall' with over 100 varieties from around the world. The grand space, which has been designed by interior design firm Amber Road, will integrate the open production of the distillery into the aesthetic, as well as showcasing the raw ingredients as they arrive. There'll be a more intimate mezzanine barrelling room overlooking the still upstairs, and an open kitchen with counter dining, banquette seating and bar tops fitting around 80 people on the ground level. Brix won't be a restaurant, but "food will still be important" — the team is still nutting out the menu. It'll open from midday to midnight six days a week, and are hoping to swing the doors open in the middle of the year. As for the name, 'brix' is a measurement of sugar in a liquid and is actually part of the rum making process. "At some point the distiller has to measure the brix of the liquid he's about to throw yeast into," Christopher explains. So what is the rum making process, in short? "Rum is made from sugar cane juice or molasses that is fermented, then yeast is added to produce alcohol. "It's then boiled at a temperature below boiling water, which makes the alcohol evaporate, leaving water behind, the alcohol goes into the column of the still as a gas, which is re-condensed, turning back into the clear liquid," he says. It can then be aged, spiced, mixed and blended at the hand of a distiller, and as Barrow says, "it's science up to a certain point, when it comes out of the still, and then it's an art — that's when the craft element comes in". And if you skimmed over all the sciencey part of that explanation, fear not — things will make a lot more sense at the distillery. Perhaps one of the most promising aspects of this pending opening is the fact that this is the first producer wholesale license to be granted in Sydney since the relaxation of the free zone laws. The approval of this venue shows real hope for the reinvigoration of our beloved and embattled hospitality scene. Damien says, the City of Sydney was "incredibly responsive and cooperative, in fact we'd like to tip our hat to them and say thanks". As we said, a fair bit to be excited about. Brix Distillers will open around mid-year at 352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. We'll keep you updated on an opening date and you can check brixdistillers.com. Images: Ming D.
Summer is officially over. We know that not just because it's colder, but because Vivid Sydney is gearing up for 2018. Get ready to be ensconced in projections once again — the festival of light, music and ideas is returning for 23 days from May 25 to June 16. The first tidbit from this year's program was the announcement that Solange will do four shows at the Sydney Opera House from June 1–4 — her only Australian shows this time round. Tickets have already been allocated via ballot, so we hope you jumped on that already. The most overt (and unavoidable) aspect of the program is the lights, and this year their glow will extend across the bridge to light up Luna Park for the first time. A new precinct for 2018, it will extend the reach of the CBD's Light Walk from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo with a collection of large-scale projections and a new light fit-out for the Ferris wheel. Should make good viewing from the ferry. The Sydney Opera House's sails will this year be lit up with hyperreal images of Australian flora, fauna and natural elements from artist (and former Flume collaborator) Jonathan Zawada, and Customs House will be home to an adorable projection of May Gibbs' Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Fans of Sir David Attenborough will be able to head down to the Maritime Museum to watch scenes from Blue Planet II projected onto the building's roof, and interactive light installation Aqueous will head to the Royal Botanic Garden via Burning Man. Vivid light hotspots, Circular Quay, the MCA, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo and Martin Place will all be lit up as well. Vivid Music is once again in fine form. Joining Solange for the Vivid Live component of the program at the Opera House will be hip hop legend Ice Cube, 90s favourite Cat Power and Mazzy Star, who will come to Australia for the very first time since forming in 1989 (if you don't know the band by name, you probably know the song 'Fade Into You'). Dreams — a new project from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Empire of the Sun's Luke Steele — and performances from Iron and Wine, Neil Finn and Middle Kids around also on the Opera House's 20-night Vivid lineup. Another big one is a one-off performance from St Vincent at Carriageworks, and the City Recital Hall has a solid program this year, including a musical comedy show from Orange Is the New Black's Lea Delaria. Vivid Ideas is, of course, back for those keen to delve into creativity, science and technology — and this year it's scored James Cameron as its big-ticket speaker. Cameron will be in town to open his new exhibition at the Maritime Museum and do an in conversation with comedian Adam Spencer. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details.
Ronny Chieng’s a correspondent for The Daily Show, Josh Thomas's Please Like Me got nominated for an International Emmy, and Sam Simmons won the most prestigious accolade in live comedy, the Edinburgh Comedy Award. So it’s safe to say Australian comedy is gaining a formidable international reputation. Before hitting the big time though, each of these acts honed their skills live in bars, pubs, and comedy clubs across our wide brown land. And closer to home, local comedians are also experimenting, pushing boundaries, and putting on innovative work that might one day see them stepping out on to the world stage. Concrete Playground went to the coalface of comedy to bring you the ten best comedy rooms in Sydney you haven’t heard of yet. THE COMEDY LOUNGE Arguably the best weekly comedy room in Sydney, The Comedy Lounge at Surry Hills' Cafe Lounge is fast becoming a comedy institution. Having recently rung in their fourth birthday, Monday nights at The Comedy Lounge are always enjoyable, and for just $10 – or $8 if you're a penny-pinching student – we can see why. However, despite the consistent funnies being served up every Monday, it's Sunday nights that have recently been making a splash. On the Sabbath, Barry Award-nominated (that is, nominated for the best show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival) comedian John Conway hosts John Conway Tonight, an absurd deconstruction of a late-night TV show done live. Joined by regular collaborators and comedy young guns, Sam Campbell, Aaron Chen and Will Erimya, and boasting guests like The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, there truly is no other show like it in Sydney. Oh, and best of all — it's free. If eccentric live pseudo-chat shows aren't your thing, stick to Mondays and you never know who might 'drop in'. Recent surprise appearances by Wil Anderson and Stephen K. Amos show that The Comedy Lounge is always worth checking out. WOLF COMEDY Wolf Comedy is a monthly room held on the last Thursday of every month at Chippendale's best-kept secret, Knox Street Bar. Run by up-and-coming comedians Shubha Sivasubramanian, Kara Schlegl and Bish Marzook, as well as Gruen writer and creator of SBS Comedy's Backburner, James Colley, the motto of this room is, simply, 'be excellent to each other'. What that means in practice is a fun, accepting room, committed to diversifying comedy (read: comedians who are not solely twenty-something white dudes), and encouraging new people to perform. If you're a comedy fan but think insult comedy is tedious machismo or you simply don't want to be picked on as an audience member, this is the room for you. However, before the neckbeards rise up and start chanting Political correctness has ruined comedy! Seth MacFarlane is a god!, don’t mistake pleasantness for dullness. This room is all killer, no filler, and tickets routinely sell out. COMEDY(ISH) The brainchild of comedian Rhys Nicholson and triple j host Kyran Wheatley, Comedy(ish) is a night for new comedy from experienced comedians. Every iconic joke you can think of started off as a lump of coal, only to be relentlessly polished and refined into the comedic diamond that gets the laughs. And this is the place to see it happen, and watch today's headliners writing tomorrow's punchlines. Also a decent bet for big name drop-ins; Reggie Watts stopped off unannounced at last month's show. FIRST TUESDAY COMEDY CLUB The second offering from the Rhys Nicholson, Kyran Wheatley team at Giant Dwarf, this is classic New York-style stand-up comedy: an opener, feature set, and world-class headliner, emceed each month by one of the nation's finest talents. You'll be hard pressed to find a higher quality selection of comedy anywhere in Australia — let alone Sydney. So get along on the first Tuesday of the month now, because this is going to be the next big thing. ROX COMEDY The Roxbury Hotel has been synonymous with Sydney comedy for decades. So when the pub was taken over by new management a few years back, news that comedy would no longer have its ancestral home in Glebe was met with dismay and despondence. But, luckily, the dark days are over, with the launch of Rox Comedy every Wednesday night. Run by Sydney comedy veteran Ray Badran and emerging talent Gerard McGeowan, each week this room boasts some of the best comedians in Australia. Having only launched a few months ago, this room is still hitting its stride — but expect big things. TENNIS IMPROV Improvised comedy is going through something of a renaissance in Sydney at the moment, with The Bear Pack regularly selling out 300+ seat venues and Tennis Improv still serving up some of the best long-form improvisational comedy this city has to offer. Formerly known as Full Body Contact No Love Tennis, the rebranded Tennis is back with a vengeance every second Tuesday at Glebe's Roxbury Hotel. It operates under the tutelage of the talented Kate Coates, Hayley Dinnison, and Fran Middleton. ENMORE COMEDY CLUB Inspired by the success of the Sydney Comedy Festival's late-night showcase, The Festival Club, Enmore Comedy Club adopts the same formula: $15 (or $10 if you buy online) for world-class comedy in an intimate venue. Held in the Enmore Theatre's newly refurbished wine bar every Tuesday, this night is run by the same crew behind The Comedy Store, which is widely-regarded as the best comedy room in Australia — if not the southern hemisphere. So expect top-shelf acts at bargain basement prices. EVELEIGH COMEDY Previously one of the best free weekly rooms in town, hotel management issues recently forced Eveleigh Comedy to scale back to a monthly show. However, what may have been lost in regularity will be more than made up for in quality. Hosted and produced by the prolific Daniel Muggleton on one Sunday night a month, this is always a laidback, super fun night. And if the gratis ticket price wasn't enough of an incentive, The Eveleigh Hotel is one of the inner west's hidden pub gems. GREEN LIGHTS COMEDY Never been game enough to set foot inside The Gaelic Club, the Surry Hills drinking hole of questionable repute opposite Central? Neither had we — that is, until Green Lights Comedy set up shop on the top-floor of the Irish pub on the last Friday of every month. Run by long-time friends and self-proclaimed 'adorable as ever MCs' Alexei Toliopoulos and Nikko Malyon, Green Lights has one of the best set-ups of any room in Sydney. To the right of the pokie-strewn façade, up some anonymous-looking stairs decorated with rugby league paraphernalia from a bygone era, past a table of possibly the last remaining (or certainly the oldest) card-carrying communists in Sydney, and through the green door, you'll find yourself in the little-known top bar of The Gaelic Club. Green Lights feels like stepping into someone's living room, and the hosts emulate this warmth perfectly. If you feel like seeing decent comedy in a friendly, homey setting over a dirt-cheap pint of Kilkenny, look no further. DRAGON FRIENDS As that sweaty, gamer dude with greasepaint dripping from his nose that you bumped into on the bus who was cosplaying Emperor Palpatine en route to Oz Comic-Con said: Let the nerd flow through you. Despite sounding like one of the most horrendous pick-up lines of all time, he had a point. Nerd culture is inescapable, and unless you want to look back on a life haunted by the zeitgeist, it's time to get on board. Dragon Friends is a Dungeons and Dragons game played live on stage by some of Sydney's best comedians. While that may sound niche, the kicker is that none of the comedians have played D&D — the cult tabletop fantasy role playing game — before. DM'd by Dave Harmon, the creator of Australia's largest real world zombie survival game, Zedtown, together with Story Club co-creator and regular Chaser collaborator, Ben Jenkins, are Dragon Friends. And it's silly, unashamedly nerdy, and utterly delightful. The core cast of comedians/D&D newbies is compromised of triple j presenter and Good Game Well Played host, Michael Hing, BuzzFeed Australia's Alex Lee, national Theatresports champion Simon Greiner, and one third of the Axis of Awesome, Benny Davis. Having just performed at PAX Australia in Melbourne — where they were joined on stage by Lawrence Leung and none other than Senator Scott Ludlam — Dragon Friends won't be little known for long. If this piques your interest, you can catch up on the adventure so far via their podcast. Finally, if all of those suggestions left you unphased, and you’re looking for raw, experimental, genre-bending (and occasionally shambolic) comedy, check out Idiot Box on campus at the University of Sydney's Hermman’s Bar. Images: From each venue, top image Giant Dwarf.
This winter, Falls Creek welcomes a slick, well-panelled new(ish) resident, as the just-renovated Astra Lodge opens its doors to the public. Having taken out the title of Australia's Best Boutique Ski Lodge at the 2016 World Ski Awards in Austria, the ski-in ski-out lodge is now ready to impress the locals with a new fitout, kicking off the season on June 10. Sporting downright dapper interiors by Grant Amon Architects, the Astra Lodge's aesthetic resembles a 1970s European alpine hideaway. Owned by locals Rosy and Seumas Seaton and run by general managers Tom and Sally Simpson, the lodge contains every last wintry comfort — starting with its own integrated day spa, where guests can unwind with a whisky and a moustache grooming session after a long day on the slopes. There's a heated magnesium mineral pool for soothing those muscles, a state-of-the-art ski drying room, a panoramic library, a Chesterfield-filled lounge bar, a generous wine cellar and a seasonally-focused Italian fine diner, headed up by hatted chef, Emma Handley (Villa Gusto). After dinner, roasting of marshmallows in the common fireplace is highly encouraged. Perhaps the biggest drawcard for serious ski bunnies is that Astra Lodge will host Skimetrics founder Adalbert Leibetseder, who'll be offering his tailored ski program and boot fittings, helping to ensure you've got all the right gear for a top-notch ski trip experience. Rooms come in five styles, from deluxe to two-bedroom apartment. Suffice to say, rates aren't cheap, with the lowest off-peak nightly rate at the deluxe room at $346 per night (sleeps two, minimum two-night stay) — the highest being the apartment at $1630 per night (sleeps four, minimum two-night stay). Astra Lodge is currently taking bookings for the 2017 ski season and is set to open on June 10. Find it at 5 Sitzmark Street, Falls Creek.
Ivanov is a gem. It’s as if Eamon Flack (the production's adaptor/director as well as Belvoir’s new artistic director) has picked up the encyclopaedia of Australian adaptations of European classics and is waving it above his head, proclaiming, “this is how you do an adaptation!” He’s struck gold with this attempt to cut and stitch a Chekhovian original and create an astute social criticism for our country, in our time. He even divulges his secret: “Comedy is tragedy sped up.” The rolling pace of Ivanov is one of its greatest achievements — astoundingly so, when you consider the play revolves around a 35-year-old male's existential crisis. If the purpose of adapting a classic is indeed to resuscitate it — ensure it’s fit for consumption for a new generation of viewers (who have a lot more tugging at their consciousness than the associated woes of the end of Russian imperialism, believe it or not) — then Ivanov is beautifully executed. To be honest, I didn’t know much at all about the play from the outset, except that it was Chekhov’s first completed script and audiences did not quite know what to make of it at its 1887 premiere. An accomplished and playful cast deliver Flack’s writing, which is piercing and clever. Shabelsky (John Bell), Lebedev (John Howard) and Borkin (Fayssal Bazzi) appropriate the ‘money talk’ of Chekhov’s original into discussions about Germany and Greece in the EU bailout saga, and Zinaida (Helen Thomson) and Babakina (Blazey Best) speculate about Chinese investment. Babakina is cast as a Rinehart-esque character, a desperately lonely widow who has learned the hard way money doesn’t keep you warm at night. Ivanov (Ewen Leslie), Sasha (Airlie Dodds), Anna (Zahra Newman), Lvov (Yalin Ozucelik) and Gabriella (Mel Dyer, who ‘acts’ her stage manager job with great understatement and irreverence) complete the ensemble. Thomson, in her nouveau-riche-bogan white jumpsuit is simply joyous to watch. Bell seems completely comfortable as the misbehaving uncle, chuckling at his own jokes and making you fall in love with him despite yourself. Ivanov shouts a stark wake-up call for Australian society, in a very hilarious way. Chekhov/Flack address issues ranging from xenophobia to sustainability, from mental illness to the follies of love. It's all fused in the titular character, performed masterfully by Leslie, who elicits your strong reaction (annoyance?) at his self-obsessed ways. However, the complexity and honesty of Leslie’s portrayal makes it impossible to judge this 'Nick Johnson' – isn’t he just the human mirror for our own crises, as benefactors of first-world prosperity? Ivanov chronicles the complaints of the inheritance class, bemoaning country life and the changes to society (migrant doctors, religious diversity, etc). The set for the first act is lovely, as is the unceremonious way it’s disassembled — the lone spindly tree trying to hang on to life, while its peers have all been removed for the spacious wooden decking. The sky has been painted onto the walls — the expanse of existentialist musings. Running at 2 hours 40 minutes, Ivanov is a full-night venture, but there's pleasure with every minute that passes. A great adaptation — bravo! And if you buy the program, you'll be traveling home with some lovely new writing. Images: Brett Boardman.
In 1963, Ersnt Fischer wrote that art isn't a luxury or a privilege, it's an essential part of human life, and Artbank reckons he was right. Run by the federal government, Artbank supports local Australian artists by buying their works and leasing them out to companies, individuals and public spaces all around Australia, and in 72 countries across the globe. Currently, they hold about 10,000 works. That's a whole lot of art, and they need somewhere they can show it off. On November 19, Artbank is hosting their annual Artbank Social Club, giving the general public a chance to check out the works that have been so lovingly and carefully curated. Held at Artbank HQ in Waterloo, the event will be a smorgasbord of local artists, food, drink, and entertainment, and will also see the launch of the inaugural Artbank Flea Market, where punters can buy works, watch live performances and mingle with the creators while getting amongst the 5000 original works in the Artbank collection store. Rather than your typical garage sale vibe, think the Grand Bazaar. If that wasn't enough, you can soothe your intellectual exertion with a drink at the gold coin donation bar in the pumping, pop-up garden party. Here are our six picks of things to look out for. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ART AT THE COLLECTION STORE The highlight of the Artbank Open Day is the collection store, where you can get up close and personal with over 5000 artworks by some of Australia's biggest names and possibly grab yourself a new piece to go above the dining room table for a few months. As seen in the above, there will be 120 floor-to-ceiling racks jam-packed with artworks from Australian artists. That's quite a collection. Old favourites, hidden gems, new pieces — it's all there among the racks and available to lease out. OK YEAH COOL GREAT This collective is comprised of artists Kate Beckingham and Anna McMahon, with the view of changing the perception on the delivery of art. Rather than slinging some oil onto canvas (not to disparage the medium), these two have crafted artworks from the seemingly innocuous in order to challenge what we consider art to be. They'll be set up in the Flea Market, vending wares such as shirts, tote bags and USB sticks from their most recent exhibition The Delivery, that emphasise the congruence of form and function. There's the chance to meet the artists, and get their take on their unique media. ROLLING RECORDS TRUCK SHOP George from Rolling Records has been banging about for a while, quietly getting around the country, shifting vinyl to his widely scattered disciples from his truck. His unique business venture achieves a higher goal that everyone can appreciate — getting good tunes into the hands of those that want them. Whether you're reminiscing on the times when vinyl was the dominant form, or you love its grainier sound, or even if you just like the aesthetics of having some vinyl hanging around the living room, Rolling Records has you covered. The truck comes to the Social Club to both buy and sell its pressed and sleeved wares, and will also be providing the beats throughout the day. CANTINA MOVIL No day of consuming All The Art that one person can handle would be complete without a decent offering of food and beverage. In this instance, legends of Sydney street food, Cantina Movil, will be on site to deliver. Cantina Movil have been truckin' around NSW since 2011, delivering a bespoke Mexican menu from the back of their vehicle. They've catered for weddings, corporate events, and festivals, and now they'll be plying their wares at Artbank. So see some art, grab a 'rito, and get some more art in you. MAKE OR BREAK Within the walls of the Artbank Social Club, absolutely everything is art. This even extends to an element of the currency of the Flea Market, with artists Connie Anthes and Rebecca Gallo creating their own alternative system that questions the role of artists, their labour, their audience, and how they all fit together. On the day, the artists behind Make or Break will pick one punter to wear the 'golden t-shirt', which grants them full access to selected elements of the event, and it is up to this punter to either share, hoard or sell their prize. Anthes and Gallo have been creating live exhibitions like this one since last year, aiming to contribute to the conversation surrounding the value of art in our society. SO MANY WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES AND ARTISTS TO SEE Artist Leecee Carmichael will weave a live artwork and sell her jewellery and textiles — her work pays homage to her hometown of Moreton Bay, Queensland and the Quandamooka people. She works in an array of colours and materials, exploring the beauty of nature and nurturing her strong connection to the sand and the sea. Drink tea with strangers and James Nguyen — he'll be serving fresh green tea and honey made from tea leaves he smuggled into Australia in 1999. They were from his grandmother's tea plantation in Dacat, and he sneakily hid them in his shorts pocket. After that, check out James Tylor — he'll be running a drawing workshop to go alongside his project Unwritten Race, which re-writes Charles Darwin's misleading theory on multi-racial identity. These guys are just three of our favourites — the full program includes many, many more artists to see and things to do. The Artbank Social Club will run on November 19. Entry is free, but registration for tickets is recommended.
With the Blacktown store having been around since 2017, Black Bear BBQ is the go to for beef brisket, pork belly and southern fried chicken in Sydney's west. With other locations in Wetherill Park and The Fitzroy Hotel, Black Bear has become something of a temple for barbecue lovers, with pilgrimages being made from all the far flung parts of Australia. The menu at BlackBear is all mouth watering, wood smoked and locally sourced delights, cooked low and slow in the ironbark bbq for up to 15 hours. The Hungry Bear Box is the main attraction here, featuring brisket, pork belly, jalapeños and cheese and served up on slaw, potato crisps, housemate pickles and bbq sauce. We added some hot chips and a dose of chilli sauce for good measure and it didn't disappoint. Black Bear's rolls are essentially glorified hot dogs which at certain times of the day is exactly what you need. The classic hot dog with jalapeños, cheese and house-made pickles was a winner, while the chilli dog was loaded with the nacho mix and a whole meal in itself. Speaking of nachos, it's not just wood-smoked brisket here — with the pulled brisket nachos, chicken wings, and range of burgers rounding out the menu. The O.G Burger stars a beef brisket patty with American cheddar, tomato, onion, beetroot, lettuce and housemate pickles. If you swing by with a group of mates, then opt in for the Tradie Box, with two cheeseburgers, two fried chicken burgers, large chips and eight wings. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney for 2023
Five years after debuting its legendary menu of 'BRGRS' at the Macquarie Hotel, Sydney favourite Pub Life Kitchen closed down, taking some of the city's best burgers with it. Four long years later and the beloved venue returned to the bottom level of the Lord Wolseley Hotel in Ultimo. Pull up to the Bulwara Street window and you can pick yourself up a selection from the new-look pub-style menu. Of course, the burgers are back. Choose between The OG, stacked with dry-aged grass-fed beef, cheese, pickles, tomato, lettuce, roasted garlic and lime mayo, or the TLC, a fried chicken burger topped with cheese, pickles and green Sriracha mayo. Also returning, are PLK's hot and sticky chicken wings alongside a far-reaching menu of snacks and mains. If you're looking for something on the lighter side, you can head for the chickpea fritters, marinated octopus salad or roasted peppers with buffalo mozzarella and capers. Further down the menu in the 'bigger' section, you can find classic pub feeds like the rump stake with burnt onion butter and chicken schnitzel, side-by-side with some more unique items like LP's smoked pecorino, parsley sausage mash and gravy, dry-aged cevapi and braised eggplant with XO sauce. Images: Nikki To Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney for 2023
David Capra really loves his dachshund. Earlier this year, the Sydney-based artist was commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to create an art project for the Jackson Bella Room – an interactive art space for students with special learning requirements. The result was Teena's Bathtime, a video installation piece in which members of the public were invited to give Capra's pet pooch Teena a wash. Now Capra, Teena and the team at Gallery 9 in Darlinghurst are launching a spinoff that may well turn up a few people's noses. Developed by Capra along with Jonathon Midgley at Damask Perfumery, Eau de Wet Dogge is a fragrance which combines the aromas of "moist fur, soap suds and soil" for a "uniquely musky charm," while "sour top notes of slobber and dog breath add alluring nuance." Riiiiiiight. The perfume can be sampled at Gallery 9 starting November 11. If for some inexplicable reason you like what you smell, you can pick up a 100mL bottle for $89.99, or an embossed cardboard car refresher for $15. Searching for that perfect Christmas gift? Because you should probably keep on looking. This year isn't the first time that Capra has incorporated Teena into his artwork. In 2013 he hosted a public dance inspired by the Wizard of Oz in which his sausage dog featured heavily. Man's best friend indeed. Image by Anna Kucera.
Two Birds Brewing is celebrating five years of making stellar, award-winning beers. Australia's first female owned and operated brewery is celebrating in fashion with an Australia-wide, week long birthday bash. As a big thank you to patrons around the country, co-owners Danielle Allen and Jayne Lewis are offering up their Golden Ale and Sunset Ale flagship brews for just five bucks a schooner — in a whopping 25 venues across Queensland, Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania. Lewis and Allen have also each brewed a birthday beer — the Two Birds G&T IPA and Two Birds PX Belgian Dubbel — which will be tapped at each venue on Thursday, June 16. This is one killer way to celebrate and we'll be raising a glass to these two badass birds throughout the week. The Two Birds $5 birthday schooners will be available from Monday, June 13 – Sunday, June 19, with the Birthday beer tapped on Thursday, June 16. Their beers will be tapped at the following bars and pubs. VICTORIA The Nest - Two Birds Brewery and Tasting Room, Spotswood The Valley Cellar Door - Wine Bar, Moonee Ponds Stray Neighbour, Preston Junction Beer Hall & Wine Room, Newport Freddie Wimpoles, St Kilda The Park, Werribee Beer Deluxe, Hawthorn Cookie, Melbourne CBD Terminus Hotel, Fitzroy North Cambrian Hotel, Bendigo NEW SOUTH WALES Hotel Sweeney's, Sydney CBD Royal Albert Hotel, Surry Hills The Welcome Hotel - Ajò Restaurant, Rozelle The Public, Cammeray Grain Store, Newcastle East QUEENSLAND The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba Flux Restaurant & Lounge, Noosaville Lester and Earl, Palm Beach Death Valley Bar & Records, Morningside Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
First performed at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists in 2013, Nick Coyle’s Blue Wizard has been restaged at Belvoir with dramaturgy from Adena Jacobs especially for this year’s Mardi Gras. Coyle graces the downstairs stage at Belvoir like a gay, wizard version of Lally Katz in Stories I Want to Tell You in Person, dressed ready to party and full of the truth and grit of human (or wizardly) experience. Coyle’s premise is thrilling and absurd. A blue wizard from another planet "where everyone’s gay" wins a competition to travel to earth. Upon arrival he offers a spectacular, sparkly song and dance inviting us to celebrate his arrival with an orgy. Belvoir’s Sunday audience responded on this occasion with friendly reticence. On Coyle’s planet, each wizard is gifted with superpowers according to their colour. He is a blue wizard, which basically signifies that he is a benign floozy, ill equipped to survive the dull scene on earth lacking the three things he needs in life to survive: “diamonds, cocaine and jizz”. For all its adult content, this one-man extravaganza is like watching a child at play in the backyard. Coyle flits from one flight of fancy to the next and seems genuinely surprised that we’re not joining him on stage. This isn’t just Coyle shooting the breeze in sequined hot pants though; it’s an intergalactic epic that addresses one of the great questions of our age — time travel. Call it plagiarism, call it the zeitgeist, but Blue Wizard showed that love is the answer to time travel before Interstellar did. And for the record, Coyle is every bit as dashing as McConaughey, and the special effects are just as good. Lighting designer Damien Cooper’s exuberant use of strobes and lasers elevates the show from stand-up comedy to a full-blown theatrical experience. All the show needs now is a guest appearance from Lally Katz’s perfectly gay Hope Dolphin.
Eating actual food from the World's 50 Best Chefs can come with a pretty hefty price tag, but this April, you'll have the opportunity to feast on their words of wisdom for a whole lot less. This year, the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants awards are set to take place on Aussie shores and, while most of the associated culinary fun will be reserved for industry folk, absolutely everyone's invited to catch the globe's top chefs take the stage for #50BestTalks. Hosted by commentator and ABC presenter Annabel Crabb, there are just two of these foodie events planned, happening at the Sydney Opera House on April 1 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on April 3. Sydney's lineup includes appearances from Dominique Crenn (2016's World's Best Female Chef and mastermind of San Francisco's Atelier Crenn), Massimo Bottura (of 2016's World #1 Restaurant, Osteria Francescana), and our own Peter Gilmore, whose restaurant Quay ranked #98 in last year's awards. On sale from tomorrow, February 15, tickets for both events start at a tidy $30. That said, if you fancy splashing out, $119 VIP tickets will also nab you entry to a post-event canapé function and the opportunity for a meet and greet with some of the chefs.
Like mole people and the residents of Coober Pedy before them, New Yorkers are heading underground. Although New York City is traditionally famous for raised Chelsea-dwelling walkway The High Line, a space-hungry and innovative team headed by James Ramsay of Raad Studio have put together a Kickstarter campaign to fund a brand new underground park. Far more ambitious than anything imagined by Parks and Rec legend Leslie Knope (albeit with less miniature horses), the goal is set at $200,000. The money, earmarked to develop and test the solar, landscape and social components of such an ambitious scheme, is just halfway there. With the team's July 8 campaign deadline looming, there's never been a better time to throw some dosh at genuinely inspired urban development. While the team are still working towards New York City council approval, the project has been in development for five years, aiming to convert the unused Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal into a fully functional, naturally-lit park. Natural light will be channeled into the subterranean space using some sort of bizarre, above-ground flower system (we clearly don’t understand the science but the Kickstarter video will explain it better). The park itself looks like a combination of the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the citadel from Mass Effect; in essence it looks amazing and we want to stroll through it immediately. In the modern context of urban density and population crises erupting across the globe, alongside the generally fast-paced craziness of street-level New York, it’s no surprise that the city is leading the way in environmentally and socially friendly solutions to complex space problems. You go, NYC. Watch Lena Dunham in the Lowline promo video here, because of course Lena Dunham's in it: You can contribute to The Lowline Kickstarter here. Via dezeen. Images: The Lowline.
Keep it on the down low, but Sydney's got a brand new bar (well, technically new). Located in the basement beneath Riley St Garage in Woolloomooloo, in a subterranean space previously occupied by a mechanics workshop, Busby Under the Garage opened with little fanfare earlier this month. With champagne, cocktails and sophisticated bar food to accompany the classy surroundings, it seems like the perfect spot to wind up your evening after a big jaunt out on the town. That being said, you'll have to pick your nights carefully. While Busby will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings, from Monday to Thursday it'll operate as a private functions space. According to Good Food, Riley St Garage co-owner Liesel Peterson initially planned to keep the new venue a secret from the public, utilising it as a hidden hangout for regulars and celebrities. Thankfully, he opted against that idea, and now it can be enjoyed by one and all. The drinks list at Busby promises wine, champagne and cocktails, while the food menu includes fish and chips as well as plates of cured meats and cheeses. The space itself, replete with luxe leather and industrial-style lighting, was designed by Alexander & Co, the same team behind the fit outs at Surly's, The Morrison, Daniel San and The Print Room. Busby Under the Garage can be found beneath Riley St Garage at 55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo. For more information, check them out on Facebook. Via Good Food. Image: Riley St Garage.
In 1980s Berlin, a boundary-breaking group of amateurs, known as the Geniale Dilletanten — or Brilliant Dilletantes — plunged into art-making, without much concern for rules, tradition or The Establishment. Whether painting, sculpting, designing, filmmaking or playing music, the members fearlessly developed their own voices, expressing unique interpretations of the world. For one month, from March 10 till April 13, their creations are making Sydney's aMBUSH Gallery, Central Park. Expect films, photographs, magazines, posters, audio and video. Pop along on opening night — Thursday, March 10 from 6-9pm — to catch an exclusive performance by Gudrun Gut, a Berlin-based electronic music artist and original Geniale Dilletante. Check out the other scheduled events on aMBUSH's website.
In the early 90s, British artist Cornelia Parker decided to blow up a garden shed. She approached the British Army (who were more than happy to oblige), and together they detonated an explosion that saw 2000 household items fly across several fields in the countryside. Fragments of wood, broken bicycle wheels and a shattered violin — along with thousands of other objects — were collected by the officers, and Parker reconfigured the shed, suspending objects from the ceiling around one central lightbulb. That artwork, Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991), is now considered Parker's most famous work, and it's currently casting haunting shadows across the gallery walls at the MCA this summer. The major exhibition, which spans three decades of the artist's career, has four large-scale artworks that transform the gallery's rooms. War Room (2015) is like walking into the Twin Peaks red room, except the blood-red walls are crafted from discarded strips of paper sourced from a Remembrance Poppy factory in London. Parker has created a tent-like structure with 'absent poppies' that's as much about honouring those who've died in conflict, as it is about the duality of war and peace. Showing both sides of the story is something Parker plays with a lot in her work. Another large-scale piece, Magna Carta (An Embroidery) (2015), is a 12-metre-long hand-stitched version of the Magna Carta Wikipedia page. Parker created the work to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Britain's earliest democratic document, and she invited 200 people from both sides of the law to embroider a panel — including notable whistleblowers Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker (why not?) and current prison inmates. When you look closely you'll see coffee stains from those who worked from prison — and underneath you'll see a mirrored reflection of the back of the work. There's also a satisfying violence to Cornelia Parker's practice. She's shot dice through a dictionary, precipitated a handgun and chopped a toy Oliver Twist in half using the guillotine that beheaded Marie Antoinette. She also steamrolled a collection of silver (sourced from car boot sales) to create another full-room installation, Thirty Pieces of Silver (1988–89). The 30 suspended circles of silverware represent a Bible story of betrayal — and there's a palpable sense of dread when the pools of brass and silver glisten and move with passing air. Though the larger works in this exhibition, part of the tenth Sydney International Art Series, are the ones you'll Instagram, there's a lot of joy — and foreboding — to be found in Cornelia Parker's smaller artworks. One of our favourites is News at Five (Terror-ble Joke), News at Seven (Chilling), and News at Ten (Bathtub Terror) (all 2017) — three blackboards covered with chalk writing from a five-year-old, a seven-year-old and a ten-year-old. Each child has captured the essence of televised news reports and you can make out words like 'monster', 'nukes' and 'Trump in a grump'. All terrifying and amusing at the same time. Cornelia Parker is the first major presentation of the her works in Australia, and the exhibition runs until February 16. But don't leave it until 2020 before you visit, as you'll want to return to delve deeper into the playful violence behind one of Britain's most important female artists working today. Images: Installation views of Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991); War Room (2015); Subconscious of a Monument (2001-05); Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991); and Thirty Pieces of Silver (1988–89). All images courtesy of the artist, the MCA and Frith Street Gallery, London. Photos by Anna Kucera.
Whether you're lining up to become the next David Attenborough or you're a mad Instagrammer, there's stacks of scope for improving your photography skills in the Blue Mountains. But with dozens of lookouts, scores of waterfalls and hundreds of walking trails to visit, how do you figure out where's best? Well, you could ask a pro. Expert photographer Gary P. Hayes, who's been snapping away since he was 12, spills the beans on several of his secret spots for us. Master the shots here and you'll be well on your way to snap-happiness. MIDDLE PLATFORM, KATOOMBA FALLS For the dream photo, you should get here for sunset. As the sun disappears, the cliffs glow an incredible, fiery red for just a few minutes each day, giving the location's extraordinary perspective its most magical feel. On your left, you have the Katoomba Falls seriously close, while on your right, Jamison Valley stretches out for what looks like forever, made even more dramatic by Mount Solitary. Photographers have been hanging around here angling for the perfect shot since the 1900s. SUBLIME POINT, LEURA Early risers, Leura's Sublime Point is for you. Sleeper-innerers, it's worth struggling out of bed for. Arrive at sunrise and you'll get to see Mount Solitary and the Three Sisters (from the back) in a whole new light. Fortunately, getting there is a cinch – there's no call for any strenuous walking first thing in the morning. GOVETT'S LEAP LOOKOUT, BLACKHEATH Like Sublime Point, Govett's Leap Lookout also puts on its best face at first light. The good news is, that, of all the spots listed here, this one gives away the most impressive shots most easily. Even absolute amateurs are highly likely to produce photos to make their folks proud. Govett's Leap is also one of the all-round most popular lookouts in the Blue Mountains – probably because it comes with 180-metre high waterfalls, ridiculously beautiful views of the Grose Wilderness and, if you keep your eyes out, king parrots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. VALLEY OF THE WATERS, WENTWORTH FALLS Pack your bags for this one – it's an all-day walk. But you and your Instagram account definitely won't be sorry you made the effort. Expect one stunning waterfall after the other and many an awe-inspiring vista. It's ideal for practising all your photographic techniques – from tiny details to mesmerising natural patterns and mind-blowing views. Images by Gary P. Hayes
Sydney, we have the beaches. And we have excellent things to eat. Beach days are what we do best: refreshing the body, restarting the soul. So where to go when you flick your bathers out of your bum and go to grab some lunch? You want fresh, uncomplicated food. You want big flavours that sing with sea salt. Here, in celebration of the Good, the Bold and the Sandy, is a guide to your best beach eats around town. PALM BEACH + CRANKY FINS Nearly not Sydney and bustling with Home and Away fans and Sydney's weekending wealthy, a visit to Palm Beach takes a little dedication through traffic. But this is a beach worth getting up early for. The peninsula feels almost end-of-the-worldly, so cares wash away with the first dip. To avoid crowds, throw your towel down at the Pittwater side. Alongside Barrenjoey Road the strip hosts calm water, extraordinary views and Cranky Fins Holidae Inn (1 Beach Road). From the boys serving up The Bucket List at another beach yonder, this splendidly bright beach shack is styled like a Byron backpackers. Fish and chips; soft, spiced tacos; and well-priced margaritas — it's a yummy, noisy, friendly place. MONA VALE + THE ARMCHAIR COLLECTIVE Mona Vale and its surrounds are notably surfers' beaches, not gluttons' ones. But make the tricky trek to this beach and kick back in front of the sparkling sea. For lunch, you can't beat The Armchair Collective (9A Darley Street East). The Collective Beef burger is all manner of good things (caramelised onion, beetroot, aioli) after a day in the sun. If you can bear to accompany it with a hit of dairy, get the ultimate fat/sugar/salt coma — the holy trinity of beach days past — with the salted caramel and peanut butter smoothie. Yes, it is exactly what you're imagining, and then some. Wander on back to the beach, fingers licked and belly bursting, to collectively kick back and do nothing else besides. LITTLE MANLY BEACH + PAPI CHULO "Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care." So said the 1940s ferry slogan, and really, arrive in Manly and you could almost be in south California. The peninsula offers gorgeous beach — both surfing strips and quiet coves — and great food, from healthy to decadent. For lapping (not slapping) waves, head to the small, secluded patch at Little Manly Beach. With its clear water and wreath of waterfront homes, it's an oh so Med riviera just 15 minutes walk from the ferry wharf. Still, it's tempting to walk straight off the F1 and into Papi Chulo (22-23 E Esplanade), forgoing whatever you'd originally planned. If you, like us, could eat a whole smoked rack of pork after a day in the surf, Papi's is a good choice before taking the ferry, bursting and blissed-out, back to the city. Frankly, we'd go even having done nothing more than read a book on a towel. (Actually, we'd make the trip to Manly especially.) BALMORAL BEACH + SABBIA DE BERTONI This posh harbourside beach, poshly named after the royals' holiday home, teems with locals and visitors alike, but with good reason: the sheltered bay is good swimming and the 1930s esplanade exudes seaside charm. Military Road is not known for its charms, but plug through knowing that this mini mecca in Mosman awaits. Gentle water means surfers need not apply, but few could resist lunch at Sabbia da Bertoni (11 The Esplanade), opposite the bay. Local lovers of Balmain's Bertoni institution will appreciate the familiar southern Italian sweets, giving the cafe that little bit of Mediterranean atmosfera. Good pizza, fish and chips that isn't flashy, just lovely. Take a pistachio gelato to go as you stroll the promenade, Sicilian-style. Image: Anton Leddin. BRONTE BEACH + IGGY'S BREAD + FAVOLOSO'S DELI The occasionally overlooked little sister of more famous strips, Bronte Beach is kind of like the Emily Bronte to Bondi's Charlotte. A trip to Bronte's ocean pool is a must for lap-swimmers and shallow splashers alike, but we know the real reason for the visit is Iggy's Bread (145d Macpherson Street and 49 Belgrave Street), and the bagels, the best this side of lower Manhattan. On your way to the shore, put together a picnic that would make those Bronte girls beam. Grab a ficelle stick, a couple of ciabatti, some patisserie, whatever — you'll find it hard to not tear bits of bread off with your teeth before you leave the store. Next, pop past Favoloso deli (Shops 1 & 2, 43-45 Belgrave Street). Some prosciutto, smoked salmon or a tub of Nonna's meatballs with a chunk of cheese, happy memories make. The moody cliffs and the clumps of seaweed make this beach particularly whimsical. Image: Journey Jot. BONDI BEACH + NORTH BONDI FISH Yes, she's gorgeous, and don't she know it. Overcrowded with tourists, surfers, families and bared breasts, old blue eyes is popular for a reason: glorious swimming, good breaks and the added adventure of the occasional shark sighting. There is a plentitude of dining places in Bondi and you can't go wrong with most of them. But it somehow seems right, in this enclave of sculpted bodies and burnished skin, to perch on the deck of North Bondi Fish (120 Ramsgate Avenue) with a stemless glass of wine in hand and some seriously good seafood to graze on. It's a good walk up the northern hill, so enjoy the pretty view and people-watching. And if you're going to get wet, you might as well go swimming: feast on the pot of pipis, wood-roasted prawns or the Moreton Bay bugs. J'adore. COOGEE BEACH + COOGEE PAVILION A day at pretty Coogee is best begun via the coastal walk from Bondi. The 6 kilometre walk takes in the extraordinary cliffs and the awesomely positioned Waverley cemetery. And with that appetite you've worked up, there's another good reason to visit Coogee. Say what you want about the Merivaling of our metropolis, the Coogee Pavilion (169 Dolphin Street) is a fine, fitting addition to a glorious beach. The various food stations, the enormous toys, the great coffee and even better gelato all make for a perfect day on the sand. It's playful, social and satiating, just like a day on the beach should be. Grab a smoothie en route to Wylies Baths for some post-run laps. If you bask and bathe here long enough, you'll be ready for a post-sun drink on the Pavilion's rooftop bar by late afternoon. NARRABEEN + TERRAZZA BEACH KIOSK If you know your cutties from your carves, you don't need us to encourage a visit to Narrabeen. This glittering ribbon of coast, immortalised in the Beach Boys' song, is one of Sydney's top spots for surfing. But the question of setting up camp at north Narra or south Narra is the 2.5 kilometre question. For gluttonous purposes, consider the south, if only for the Terrazza Beach Kiosk (1200 Pittwater Road). It sits right on the beach and has that million-dollar view, a laidback local vibe and nosh worth undertaking Pittwater Road for. Luscious burgers and smoky barbecue set the scene at this South Narrabeen institution; the aroma of which lures surfers and splash-abouters from the water. There is usually happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays, so consider that $5 beer your reward after your Sydney North Surf School lesson. Top image: Coogee Pavilion Rooftop.
One of Australia's biggest beats-loving festivals has been canned. Mushroom Group have announced the discontinuation of Future Music Festival today, after reporting low ticket sales for the last two years. Despite attracted huge crowds to this year's March festival nationwide, Future apparently underperformed with ticket sales. This means Future isn't returning for 2016, with Mushroom looking to steer away from large-scale travelling festivals and put more focus on its touring adventures with Frontier Touring, A Day On the Green, Melbourne's Sugar Mountain and under-18s event Good Life. "The decision to discontinue Future Music Festival was not made lightly," says Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski. "A point came though where it simply no longer made sense to continue. We believe in the festival industry in Australia and plan to announce an exciting new festival concept in the coming months." Mushroom Group are developing a new festival concept, planned for the same time period previously held by Future and set to be announced later this year. Image: Future Music Festival.
Less than two months into 2017, and the best film to reach Australian cinemas so far is a queer tale of identity, masculinity and longing. Don't just take our word for it — take the Oscars', too, where Moonlight will hopefully pick up many of the eight awards its nominated for. That's just the beginning of what's shaping up to be a fantastic year in LGBTIQ film, and if there's ever an event that makes that clear for Sydney residents, it's the annual Mardi Gras Film Festival. The cinema-focused offshoot of Sydney's inclusive celebration is back from February 15 to March 2, and positively bursting with must-see, must-talk-about flicks, including Moonlight, plus our picks of the program. TOMCAT The 2017 Berlin Film Festival is currently brightening up Germany with the latest and greatest in cinema — and, while it might take a few months or more for the hits of this year's fest to make it to Australian shores, one of 2016's standouts is flying the flag at the Mardi Gras film festival. Winning the Teddy Award for its tale of Vienna love disrupted unexpectedly, Tomcat explores just how a seemingly idyllic life can suddenly unravel. And, while the movie is about many things — the psychology of relationships, most prominently — a cat certainly does feature. WOMEN WHO KILL If you hosted a podcast about murders, it probably wouldn't be long until you started experience a rather predictable side effect: seeing evidence of homicidal tendencies in the people you meet in everyday life. If it sounds like the premise to a paranoia-laced horror-comedy, well, that's because it is. From writer/director and star Ingrid Jungermann, and also featuring A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night's Sheila Vand, Women Who Kill finds mystery, thrills and amusement in romantic suspicions of the both heightened and relatable kind. OUT OF IRAQ Just last year, Australian filmmaker Eva Orner endeavoured to expose the reality of Australia's offshore treatment of refugees to the world with Chasing Asylum, a documentary big on both detail and revelations. Now, she's ready to unleash her follow-up. Out of Iraq is something completely different, telling a love story between two Iraqi soldiers — however, this 13-years-in-the-making effort shares one thing with its predecessor. No, it's not the act of hopping between countries, although the film's four-nation tour definitely does that. Instead, prepare for a doco that might seem small in scope, but proves huge in its impact. BAD GIRL New town, new home, new mates — none of the above screams moody thriller, but audiences shouldn't let this Australian newcomer lull them into a false sense of security. Sure, Bad Girl seems as though it is charting familiar territory — and as its troubled teen protagonist Amy (Sara West) moves to the rural house her adoptive parents want her to call home, and makes a local pal in Chloe (Samara Weaving), it does so often. Still, even though charting the darker side of friendship is similarly commonplace on screen, this Aussie effort boasts more than enough twists and insights to retain attention. KING COBRA We've mentioned many, many times that no film festival program seems to be complete without an appearance by James Franco, but it just keeps proving true. In King Cobra, the never-far-from-a-camera actor jumps into a gay porn biopic about a gay porn scandal. If that's not enough to inspire intrigue, then the rest of the cast should help, with Franco joined by Christian Slater, Alicia Silverstone and Molly Ringwald — aka quite a few '80s and '90s icons all in one movie. Mardi Gras Film Festival runs February 15 to March 2 in various Sydney cinemas. More info here.
Calling all late-night Tour watchers, cycling enthusiasts and anyone who wants to know what a 'peloton' is. The NSW Government has today announced the first ever Tour de France event to be held in Australia, locked in for 2016. Dubbed L’Etape Australia and locked in for the next three years, the upcoming race is an official offshoot of the Tour de France — the oldest and most prestigious road cycling event to rival all road cycling events. It's not the first Tour side quest, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile and Argentina have all seen their own stages. Destination NSW and the NSW Government have recruited SBS to broadcast the race, who've been your late night Tour broadcaster pal for 25 years. So where's the race going to be held? (Read: where can we place a huge CP logo on someone's rural property for sick helicopter coverage?) Designed to replicate the infamous Tour mountain stages, L’Etape Australia will weave through Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo. Rather than Alps and Pyrenees, riders will pump those legs through the beautifully formidable Snowy Mountains, where the Ultimate Snowy Challenge breaks people. These pretty, pretty NSW locations will inevitably boost the tourist dollar for the state; Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said he anticipated the race to deliver in excess of $4 million in visitor expenditure across the three years. So you're a bit of a mad cyclist? Get up every morning at sparrow's fart just to beat the tradies to the tar? Want to see how you'd fare in the Tour? An expected 10,000 riders of varying levels are up to compete for the legendary Tour de France yellow, green, polka dot and white jerseys, and the waitlist is now open at the official L’Etape Australia website. Riders can register for updates, pick their level of difficulty (The Race is the big one, The Ride is slightly shorter for seasoned riders, and The Ramble is the fun, easier course) and reserve their place on the start line. L’Etape Australia by Tour de France is happening in December 2016. To register or for more info, visit the website. Images: Dollar Photo Club and NSW National Parks.
Hidden down a laneway in the CBD's vibrant YCK Laneways precinct is a cosy wine and cocktail basement bar from Natalie Ng, the mind behind intimate inner-city fave Door Knock, alongside co-owner Locky Peach. Now and Then — located a stone's throw from the QVB, Town Hall Station and Darling Harbour — serves up new-age drinks and tried-and-true throwbacks in equal proportions. On the drinks front, the venue boasts a solid cocktail and wine offering across its two drinks lists dubbed — yep, you guessed it — 'Now' and 'Then'. On the modern side of the menu, you'll find funkier wines, whether that be a skin contact or a chilled red, as well as more boundary-pushing cocktails, craft beers and Mango White Claws for all of the seltzer fans. Over on the more traditional section, you'll discover seasonal sherry cobblers, caipiroskas, Coopers Sparkling Red Ale and a selection of more traditional vinos including sav blanc, pinot noir, rosé and Perrier-Jouët Brut by the glass. On the short and snappy snacks menu are dishes like the panko-crumbed ham hock croquette with mustard aioli and pickled cauliflower; lobster and prawn vol-au-vents; devilled eggs with black bean salsa; and pomme dauphine with smoked trout. There are also daily specials for only $12. The venue is majestically decked out with plush floral seating and wallpaper adorned with ferns, so whimsical you'll soon forget you're underground in the busiest part of Sydney. Live music sessions and DJs are on rotation each Friday and Saturday night. Check the venue's Instagram for lineup announcements as well as themed nights and special events. Images: Natalie Ng
After collaborating with The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, nabbing a Coachella spot and spinning her way to international success over the past year, Sydney's Alison Wonderland is embarking on her second tour of industrial warehouse parties. Wonderland Warehouse Project 2.0 is set to hit the road nationwide from late May, the highly anticipated sequel to her wildly successful 2014 tour of the same name. Armed with a fresh set of tracks from debut album RUN, Wonderland will be popping up in secret locations across the country for what's pinned to be some seriously huge shows. Bringing electronica out of the clubs and into a string of mystery warehouses, this powerhouse Sydney DJ is going to run some rather unconventional, mega-scale dancefloors. Set to make her first appearance at Coachella in the States in April, off the back of casually working with Wayne Coyne for her latest record, Wonderland appears to have quite the 2015 in store. After last year's sell-out tour, get in quick to secure your spot at these epic warehouse shindigs. Last release ickets are now $55, but will sell quicker than you can fall down a rabbit hole.
Australia's love affair with the meat pie has reached extravagantly unfathomable new heights, with today's unveiling of a pie worth a whopping $12,000. Billed as the world's most expensive pie, the gold-encrusted pastry is the result of a partnership between the Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington and Groupon Australia; celebrating the sale of the website's two-millionth food and drink voucher. Baked by Lord Dudley's executive chef Paul Medcalf, the so-called posh pie is made with David Blackmore's Wagyu beef eye fillet, rock lobster from Western Australia, Italian porcini mushrooms, 500g of black truffles and a selection of organically-grown vegetables, as well as two bottles of Penfolds Grange Reserve. The top of the pie consists of puff pastry covered in shaved truffles and — wait for it — 23 carat gold leaf from Germany. Yes, it sounds delicious and opulent and outrageous. But $12,000? To put that price into perspective, this pie costs roughly the same amount as 2500 Four 'N' Twenty Pies from 7-Eleven, or fifty-two thousand frozen party pies from Coles. But their gravy ain't made of the Grange. Groupon have released a video of the baking process, complete with inspiring MasterChef-style music, viewable below. Drooling is permitted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjpc_9auDA Anyone with a casual 12K lying around can make a purchase offer here. The rest of us plebs can also win a free taste, through a competition on the Groupon website.
Sydney, get ready for winter — and to be ensconced in projections once again. Vivid, Sydney's annual festival of light, music and ideas, is returning for 23 days and nights from May 24 to June 15. The most overt (and unavoidable) aspect of the program is the lights, and for the second year running their glow will head across the bridge to light up Luna Park. It will extend the reach of the CBD's Light Walk from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo with a collection of 50 large-scale projections stretching along the walk's three kilometres. Should make good viewing from the ferry. Some of the immersive light installations you'll encounter throughout the precincts include a pop-up 'winter camp' in Barangaroo, a 'robot spaceland' in Darling Harbour, 300 large-scale animal sculptures in Taronga Zoo, a playable cascading harp in Chatswood and an immersive field of 500 fireflies in the Royal Botanic Garden. Pixar is also jumping on board this year, and will be projecting characters from its classic animated flicks onto the façade of the Argyle Cut in the Rocks. The Sydney Opera House's sails will this year be lit up with hypnotic images of Australian flora from LA artist and video maker Andrew Thomas Huang (who has previously created music videos for Björk), and Customs House will be transformed into an underwater wonderland — covered in neon projections of creatures found under the Harbour it overlooks. Vivid Music is once again in fine form. As was previously announced, The Cure will do four shows at the Sydney Opera House from May 24–28 — their only Australian shows this time round. Tickets have already been allocated via ballot, so we hope you jumped on that already. Joining them for the Vivid Live component of the program at the Opera House will be folk rock singer Sharon Van Etten, performing hits of her poignant new album Remind Me Tomorrow, American singer Maggie Rogers and Perth up-and-comer Stella Donnelly, who's heading to the harbour city fresh off the back of the release of her new album Beware of the Dogs. Jónsi, from Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, and Alex Summers (known as Jónsi & Alex) will be performing an ethereal show complete with a 21-piece orchestra and 12-member choir in the Concert Hall. The Opera House's super popular Studio Parties will also make their return. Last year's music lineup throwback came in the form of 90s hits Ice Cube and Cat Power. This year, British electronic group Underworld, best known for the house and techno hits they released in the 90s, will be flying the nostalgia flag. If the name is a little unfamiliar to you, you'll definitely recognise their single 'Born Slippy (Nuxx)'. Famed jazz musician Herbie Hancock, who started his career in the Miles David Quintet back in the 60s, will also be taking to the stage, performing hits from across his five-decade career. Another big one is a performance from FKA Twigs who's bringing her experimental dream pop to Carriageworks, and Rüfüs Du Soul will take over the arts precinct for three nights of electro bangers on June 13, 14 and 15. The City Recital Hall has a solid program this year, including a performance by Paul Kelly and James Ledger. Live music gigs will also be held across the city as part of the program, including at the Lansdowne, Ziggy's hairdresser and 107 Redfern. Vivid Ideas is, of course, back for those keen to delve into creativity, science and technology — and this year it's scored Spike Lee as its big-ticket speaker. Lee will be in town to chat about his personal political views as well as his award-winning 2018 flick BlackKklansman. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details. Images: DNSW and Hamilton Lund.
One of Sydney's prime pieces of culinary real estate has found new life. Three years after being placed into liquidation, the legendary Manly Pavilion is making a comeback, reopening today with a slick new fitout both inside and out — even though it's the middle of bloody winter. Sitting on its well-known overwater site on the Manly Cove Esplanade, Manly Pavilion now boasts breezy open spaces, a slick new dining space (somewhat straightforwardly) called Bistro at Manly Pavilion, repurposed Chesterfield lounges and parquet flooring. With a brand new crew on board, the Pav has multiple spaces to lounge around in, from a casual openair balcony deck to a lounge bar area, a ballroom opening in November 2016 and the fancier aforementioned Bistro dining room. Sydneysiders have been watching this one with interest over the last few months, after it was revealed to be on the market back in February 2015. The Roads and Maritime Services announced that receiver Grant Thorton had "identified a preferred replacement tenant for the remaining term of the 25-year lease." Early frontrunners for the site Cafe Sydney apparently pulled out of the race before tenders were lodged. With his highly successful Coogee Pavilion a waterfront pav success, Merivale's Justin Hemmes himself had reportedly shown interest in the Manly Pavilion — before he quashed those rumours with the opening of The Newport this year. In its heyday, Manly Pavilion was considered one of Sydney's finest restaurants, winning a Michelin Star as well as the 2011 Best Restaurant Award from the SMH Good Food Guide. Its demise was one of several in the city's high-end restaurant world, with closures attributed to changing tastes and tighter economic conditions. At the time it shut down, Manly Pavilion's owners were more than $590,000 in debt. While winter might not be the most predictable time to open a waterfront pavilion, it could work in Manly Pavilion's favour. Manly Pavilion is now open at West Esplanade, Manly Cove. Open Tuesday to Thursday 12-10pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-12am and Sunday 12-10pm. For bookings, call (02) 9450 2000. By Tom Clift and Shannon Connellan. Images: Manly Pavilion.
Remember how excited we all got when we found out Vin Diesel and The Rock were going to be teaming up in the Fast and Furious movies? Well this story is exactly like that, only for ice-cream. Two of Sydney's dessert heavyweights, pastry chef Andy Bowdy and ice-cream kings Gelato Messina, are joining forces on a limited edition range of soft-serve sundaes. And guess what? They go on sale today. Assuming you're still reading this rather than sprinting out the door (congratulations on your restraint, by the way), here's the nitty gritty on this sugar-coma-inducing collaboration. Bowdy, the former dessert chef at Hartsyard and the creator of some of the most ludicrous, mouth-watering cakes this side of a French royal wedding, has designed two flavours of soft serve that will be 'on tap' at the Messina Dessert Bar in Darlinghurst. He's also created a pair of cone and cup varieties, ensuring you'll have plenty of tooth-decaying goodness to choose from. No word yet on what exactly the flavours will be; the last time Bowdy operated a soft serve machine he ended up combining cheesecake soft serve, apple pie filling, donut and peanut crumble, and salted bourbon caramel, so it's safe to assume that whatever he creates for Messina, it'll probably be insane. Swirls and swirls of interpretive softserve dispensing happening today at the @underbellyarts festival on Cockatoo Island. Cheesecake softserve, warm apple pie filling, donut and peanut crumble and a deceivingly good serving of salted bourbon caramel... Come and see me #andybowdy #andybowdypastry #softserve #softie #icecream #icecreamofinsta #ua15 A photo posted by Andrew Bowden (@andybowdy) on Jul 31, 2015 at 6:43pm PDT A team-up between these two has been on the cards for a while now it would seem, with Bowdy currently operating his online cake business out of a Gelato Messina production space. Honestly though, who cares how or why it's happening? The point is, it is, and it's amazing. Now get going. That soft serve isn't going to scoff itself. Via Good Food.
Residents of Marrickville are in for a treat. In a move that gives local street artists a legal blank canvas, and property owners a say in what ends up on their walls, 22 new artworks are popping up over the inner west as we speak. It’s all part of a council initiative called Perfect Match that pairs artists with residents and business owners to transform once-boring walls (the kind that tend to lure in spray can-toting taggers) into works of art. Owners were matched with artists and collaborated to commission the works. “With Perfect Match we’re tackling unwanted graffiti by fostering collaboration and creative expression in our public places,” says Marrickville mayor Mark Gardiner. Now in its second year, Perfect Match has attracted internationally renowned artists including Sid Tapia, Fintan Magee, Ears and Capiche. If you’ve been wandering the streets of the inner west in the past week, you might have stumbled upon them at work. If not, the council has organised a series of tours (by bike, bus or foot) this Saturday, August 1, showcasing the work alongside a retrospective of the best existing street art in the area. Alternatively, just download the Perfect Match program and map and take to the pavement. Highlights to check out include the illuminated installation celebrating the 50th birthday of the Petersham Water Tower by the team of multimedia geniuses at Esem Projects, the enormous pastel mural by Birdhat at new Lewisham cafe Victoria and Hobbs, and the sky-high tropical-hued masterpiece by Jumboist at the Asylum Seekers’ Centre in Newtown. It’s all a proudly local, site-specific way to pretty up our streets. What a way to play Cupid. Perfect Match runs July 31 - August 1. Tours run by bike, bus or foot this Saturday, August 1 in Marrickville. Head to the website for more info. Image: Ears.
