Hugo Muecke and Holly Greenwood are Sydney-based artists who visualise the Australian landscape in creative ways — from beaches to bushland, McDonald's drive-thrus to marsupials. Their upcoming week-long exhibition Bush Towns at Darlington's Sheffer Gallery will showcase a variety of their recent work that attempts to piece together a rather odd but all-too-familiar national identity. From linear drawings to earthy painterly hues, their contrasting yet complimentary practices aim to capture the beauty, irony and imperfections of the little things that make Australia one of a kind.
If you've been kicking yourself because you can't make Billy Bragg's rare solo showcase in Sydney this weekend, you can now give your legs a rest. The maverick song writer has just announced that he'll be back in March 2014. For a national tour. With his entire band. That's right, every State and one of the Territories (sorry, NT) will be treated to a show, and he'll also be popping over to New Zealand for a couple of appearances. In Sydney, he'll be playing the Opera House for the first time ever. The tour is largely about bringing Bragg's new LP, Tooth and Nail, to Antipodean audiences. Bragg's first album since 2008, it was recorded in California last year. He was invited to the basement studio of Grammy-winning producer Joe Henry, where he holed up with some of the world's most in-demand session musicians — Greg Leisz (Bon Iver), Patrick Warren (Lana Del Rey), Jay Bellrose (Regina Spektor) and David Piltch (Ramblin' Jack Eliott) — and was urged to sing live. Bragg has described the album as "the follow-up to Mermaid Avenue I never made". Influenced by soul, folk and country, Tooth and Nail is more personal than some of his previous offerings. "Most people, when they hear my name, think of polemical anthems born in struggle," Bragg says. "I often find myself having to remind people that I am also the Sherpa of Heartbreak, writing songs about the struggle to maintain our relationships with those we love the most." Tickets are on sale on Tuesday, 16 September, at 9am. The full tour dates are: Sunday 8 March – Perth Concert Hall – Perth www.ticketek.com.au Monday 10 March – Womad Festival – Adelaide www.womadelaide.com.au Wednesday 12 March – Federation Hall – Hobart www.tso.com.au Tuesday 13 March – Palais Theatre – Melbourne www.ticketmaster.com.au Sunday 16 March – Sydney Opera House – Sydney www.sydneyoperahouse.com Wednesday 19 October – Canberra Theatre – Canberra www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au Thursday 20 March – Tivoli – Brisbane www.ticketmaster.com.au
The beaches at Broken Head Nature Reserve are uncharacteristically bordered by rainforest, and this unusual Australian terrain allows for views of both sea and forest-dwelling birdlife on the reserve. The Three Sisters walking track is the best for whale watching, where the rainforest slopes into secluded beaches. The headland tends to burst with wildflowers at this time of year as well, so natural beauty will be all around you. The history of the trail is worth a read along the way, starting with the Aboriginal story behind the three sisters' namesake. Image: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Thought bingo was for your nan? Think again. It's also for you — or perhaps, if she's a groovy gran, for the both of you. Hijacking the traditional format of bingo with raves, conga lines and lip sync battles, Bingo Loco is 50 percent one of those strange dreams you get after eating too much cheese and 50 percent just a walloping good time. Comedian Andrew Stanley plays MC, while confetti showers and smoke cannons go off throughout the night (perhaps wear your glasses). Bingo ravers will compete for ultimate glory (and prizes) over the course of three rounds. In between the traditional bingo games, you'll be expected to groove to classic 90s rave bangers, partake in dance-offs, battle others for lip sync queen titles. Basically, be prepared for many high-octane, energetic activities — gone are the days of simply raising your hand when you've got a full sheet of numbers. Doing your stretches and vocal warm-ups first are advised. You'll vie for prizes, which in the past have included Coachella tickets, mobility scooters (nan, listen up), boats and lawnmowers (maybe for your dad), among other goldmines. Bingo Loco has been running across the globe for a few years and now will trumpet its way around Australia once more, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. Bingo Loco will hit Metro Theatre on Thursday, May 30. Tickets cost $45.20 per person and can be purchased here.
This promotion of Faber Castell is amazing. Watch an entire portrait being drawn in one single, circling stroke right before your eyes. It's incredible, isn't it, the things an ordinary person can do if they just have the appropriate felt-tip pen [tongue planted firmly in cheek].
Purrfect news, feline fans: everything a dapper doggo can do, a cute cat can as well. While that's an accurate statement in general, as anyone who has ever shared their life with both a pooch and a kitty will know, it's also the thinking behind Sydney's returning animal event. From the folks behind the Dog Lovers Festival comes the mouser equivalent: the Cat Lovers Festival. If you wear the 'crazy cat person' label as a badge of honour, stop to pat every moggie you meet while you're walking down the street or spend your all of your spare time watching cat videos (or all of the above), then you'll want to block out Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27 in your calendar. Expect Sydney Showground to come alive with the sounds of meows, and expect pussy lovers to come out in force. On the agenda: feline-focused education and celebration. Before you go thinking about adorable kitties wearing glasses and sitting at desks, or popping streamers and wearing party hats (awwwwwwwww), humans will be doing the learning and rejoicing. Really, what's more informative and exuberant than entering the Pat-A-Cat zone and getting cosy with cats of all shapes and sizes — and possibly taking one home with you? If that doesn't tickle your whiskers, expect to meet more than 200 kitties, hit up a cat supermarket, listen to talks about felines, watch cat shows, see a Hello Kitty! performance and grab a bite to eat. Just remember: there'll be plenty of mousers in the Cat Lovers Show house, so you'll need to leave your own moggie at home.
There's a little bit of Surry Hills making itself at home in the inner city; Sydney's coffee aficionados Single Origin Roasters have opened their own takeaway coffee joint in the CBD. It's good news for jaded CBD workers wanting a change from their ground floor go-to; the Surry Hills cafe crew have brought their signature roasted beans, mad barista skills, eco-friendly packaging and a solid brekkie menu to York Street — right beside The Barber Shop. Replicating the Single O's Sideshow takeaway bar, the new CBD spot is serving up the team's Reservoir house blend, alongside select single origins and the 'filter of the week' to change up your daily cup. This week, you'll be sippin' on La Roda Colombia,Mimba AA Tanzania and Seka Forest, Ethiopia. Channelling an Italian cafe feature, Single O boasts a 'standing bar' where you can take a damn second to enjoy your cup and admire a ceiling installation by artist Renuka Fernando, painted with coffee and cascara (coffee fruit tea, which you can also try here, alongside kombucha on tap from Wild Kombucha). The whole thing's designed by big gun design firm Luchetti Krelle, best known for Momofuku Seiobo, Adriano Zumbo, The Butler, ACME and the upcoming Hello Kitty Diner. But you can't start the day with only a coffee in your paws (no, no you can't). Single O's CBD venture sees a menu created by head chef Troy Cotton, with plenty of solid morning breakfast options; we like the sound of waking up with a cappuccino rice pudding ($8). You'll can pick up Single O's signature banana bread with espresso butter ($6), or something more substantial like the bacon roll with red eye mayo, fried eggs and tomato apple ketchup ($12) or Cotton’s interpretation of a Croque-Monsieur with smoked leg ham, cheddar béchamel and pickled vegetables ($11). There are lunch offerings too, from salads to coffee braised beef brioche with pickles and slaw ($15). And because they're total legends, all their takeaway food and coffee packaging is recyclable and/or compostable. Top marks. So why the venture into the CBD? Single O's Lirie Chen says they're keen to bring a little life into the daytime city slog. "York Street has had a string of bar openings and has some great nightlife. We’re excited to join the York Street party, to be the ‘daylife’ and service the CBD crowd” says Chen. "We’re most look forward to bringing damn fine coffee and food to people who are on the go, and if they want to hang out and explore the world of specialty coffee, it’s all there for the taking." Find Single O CBD at 89 York Street, Sydney. Open Monday to Friday from 6.30am – 4pm.
After sold out shows in Berlin and Edinburgh, Australia's very own boylesque troupe is administering a hot injection of sass to Sydney Festival with Briefs: The Second Coming. Part cabaret, part variety show, Briefs is like an up-late version of Cirque de Soleil but the performers wear far fewer clothes and have much tighter rigs. Sip a glass of bubbly, while beautifully bearded ringmastress Shivannah presents a glitter-fuelled mixed bag of acts including incredible acrobatics, bedazzled barely-there costumes, and a whole lot of sequin-clad genitalia. The show is laugh out loud funny with a sharp political edge as Shivannah quips, "This isn't a show about being gay, it's a show about human beings." Briefs: The Second Coming is the perfect show for a boozy night out with friends — there's a sexy birdbath, there's a glitter cannon and after that second aerial act… there's not a dry seat in the house. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list. Images: Prudence Upton.
While you might feel decades too old to be partying along with the current cast of The Wiggles, those that grew up in the 90s will be well familiar with the kids band's OG gang: Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page and the ever-sleepy Jeff Fatt. And now, you can get ready for a serious dose of nostalgia, when the four entertainers return to the stage for a one-off time-tripping reunion show. Best of all, the adults-only gig is helping to raise crucial funds for those affected by the Aussie bushfires. The bushfire relief concert will see The Original Wiggles hit Castle Hill RSL on Saturday, January 18, inviting you to relive some big childhood memories as you dance up a storm to some favourite old-school tunes. Get grooving to classics like 'Wake Up Jeff!', 'Fruit Salad' and 'Hot Potato', all without a single toddler in sight. The reunion show tickets clock in at $35, with 100 percent of profits going to WIRES and the Australian Red Cross. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRqLtxqxmKI Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, January 7. Image: WikiCommons
Kicking off with a light-hearted caper, ending with happy tears — that's what we look for in an Italian jaunt. And even if you're not heading over to Europe anytime soon, sitting in a cinema this September might be the next best thing, in the form of the 2017 Italian Film Festival. Marking its 18th year, Australia's annual celebration of Italy's filmmaking finest will kick off with screwball effort Let Yourself Go!, which won the 2017 Italian Golden Globe for best comedy, stars The Great Beauty's Toni Servillo, and follows a tightly wound psychoanalyst's dalliance with an upbeat personal trainer. Bookending the festival is a 20th anniversary screening of Roberto Benigni's bittersweet Life Is Beautiful, an Academy Award winner for best foreign language film. One of the more popular film events in Australia, IFF's 28-film, six-week national tour features brand new highlights, excursions off the beaten track, jaunts all over the country and an ode to coffee. Yes, there really is a film called Coffee in the program, which intertwines three tales about everyone's favourite caffeinated brew, and was inspired by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's 2006 Oscar-winner Babel. As for the rest of the fest, highlights include the tender portrait of conjoined twin sisters that is Indivisible (the festival's centrepiece), to Sea Girls Dreaming, a documentary about carefree grandmothers living in the tiny Italian mountain village of Daone. Plus, Italian movie buffs can also enjoy romantic comedy Emma, which comes to Australia straight from the Venice Film Festival, and the based-on-a-true-tale Sicilian Ghost Story, about the disappeared teenage son of a Mafia informant. There's more where they came from, including Roman ex-cons attempting to start a new life, broad Christmas comedies and topical accounts of ex-terrorists fleeing extradition — and a special guest and a new initiative. This year's festival will welcome Australian-Italian actor Greta Scacchi, who'll attend screenings of her latest effort Tenderness, and sit on IFF's first jury. The Looking for Alibrandi star will help pick the festival's best from a six-film competition, with help from The Space Between's Ruth Borgobello, actor Daniela Farinacci, actor Damian Walshe-Howling and Radio National's Jason di Rosso.
An exploration of an exiled poet. The Australian premiere of legendary filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's latest feature. An effort that's being called Peru's first bona fide horror movie. They're just three of the films showing at the first-ever Cine Latino Film Festival lineup, as Australia's first national fest dedicated to showcasing the best in Latin American cinema prepares to tour the country this month. While the complete program features more than 30 movies from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Guatemala and Puerto Rico, there's a reason that the first of the flicks mentioned above — the Pablo Larraín-directed, Gael García Bernal-starring Neruda — has been plucked straight from Cannes to open the festival. The last time the filmmaker and actor worked together, the excellent No was the end result, so expect another insightful look at Chilean politics from their second collaboration. Jodorowsky's Endless Poetry should rank among the festival's just-as-eagerly-anticipated titles, especially by fans of the director's '70s cult classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain and his most recent effort The Dance of Reality — or anyone who marvelled at what could've been when they watched the entertaining documentary Jodorowsky's Dune. And whileThe Womb doesn't come with quite the same pedigree, it does boast a chilling storyline involving one of the horror genre's favourite topics: motherhood. Elsewhere, a chronicle of the pop star known as the 'Mexican Madonna', an insight into current state of a formerly luxurious Havana hotel, and more than a couple of soccer-themed efforts all feature among the feast of Spanish and Portuguese-language fare, as do Peruvian road movie Solos and Venezuelan beauty queen black comedy 3 Beauties. Just perusing the program is enough to make you want to jump on a plane for Latin America, however for those who can't enjoy an overseas holiday at the moment, immersing yourself in the films of the region really is the next best thing.
Shouts out to Picnic Touring and Events for putting on one of the most exciting shows of the year. Picnic presents the Australian debut of TIMELINE, the Underground Resistance all star crew live and direct from Detroit. Brrraaapp. The Underground Resistance collective began in 1990 and has become a living representation of the original spirit of techno — music that looks to the future, that's underground, experimental and radical in its aesthetic and technological vision. Born in a city with a rich musical history and known for its industrialisation of the automotive industry, the UR developed their unique live show with influences from jazz instrumentation and the regimented sounds of techno kicks and snares. They'll deliver 25 years of dance music history to the stage at the Imperial Hotel, with support from some of Sydney's own legend status DJs Simon Caldwell, Ben Fester and Kali. Music starts at 10pm and finishes up with at sunrise.
After enormous success with recent productions of Carrie the Musical and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Squabbalogic are establishing themselves as the company for indie musical theatre. Aiming to provide a stage for Australia's finest emerging artists, the company presents exciting and dynamic works while nurturing a completely professional, creative environment. The concept is simple in their latest project, The Drowsy Chaperone. A musical theatre buff (Jay James-Moody's 'Man in Chair') plays a record of his favourite 1920s musical, the fictitious Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, and subsequently, within the four walls of his rundown New York apartment, the show comes to life. We watch him watch the show, occasionally narrating and constantly observing, in between cups of tea and protein bars. Doubling as the production's director, it seems almost unfair how good James-Moody is, not once switching off from what is an understated but completely compelling performance. In a role previously played by the likes of Geoffrey Rush (Melbourne Theatre Company 2010), James-Moody certainly holds his own and is the show's standout. The only issue is how hard it is to tear your eyes away from him to watch the rest of the action. But boy, are you in for a treat once you do. The entire cast is excellent, boasting brilliantly comedic performances, and with not a bad note to be heard. Following rave reviews for Carrie, Hilary Cole again shines in the lead — her voice outstanding as a bold showgirl trying to find and hold on to her true love. And Tom Sharah's Spanish sex god Aldolpho is ludicrously funny. Although set design is, in parts, a little naff (cut-outs in the window panes to depict a cityscape), the company generally does an impressive job, given the restricted budget. Creative touches see actors emerging from the refrigerator and ironing boards used as aeroplane wings. Costume design is bright and vivacious and live music from backstage is a highlight. This is the musical poking fun at musicals: heartfelt, hilarious and a guaranteed good time, whatever your feelings towards musical theatre. With subtle yet affecting comments on society, race, marriage and gender stereotypes, this fresh and highly topical show boldly addresses the great desire in all of our hearts to be entertained. "Let this be a good show. A short show, one that's free of audience participation. And let it have a story and a few good songs that will take me away," they say. And that it certainly does.
Twenty years after releasing their ninth and most celebrated record, The Soft Bulletin, Oklahoma rock legends The Flaming Lips are heading back Down Under. They're coming to Sydney to play the highly acclaimed album in full, as well as some of their greatest hits. Taking over the Sydney Opera House, The Flaming Lips will bring their signature technicolour shows to life across two nights. Expect elaborate costumes, confetti cannons and even neon unicorns to fill the stages as the seven-piece band performs hits such as 'Waitin' for a Superman', 'Race for the Prize' and 'A Spoonful Weighs a Ton'. Released in 1999, The Soft Bulletin is widely accepted as the band's greatest album, named by NME as the Album of the Year and by Pitchfork as a 'masterpiece' and the third best album of the 90s. As well as playing this seminal album in full, The Flaming Lips will also perform some of their other greatest hits, including 'Do You Realize??' and 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1'.
Even if you know Bendigo inside out, you'll experience it in a whole new light during Bendigo Uncorked Week. For ten delicious days, the town's historical buildings will host an array of creative events dedicated to foodies and winos looking to try something new. Bendigo is known for its robust shiraz and cabernet sauvignon drops thanks to deep soil and high sun exposure. But the festival seeks to highlight the region's full and distinct offering which also includes chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc and sangiovese. Get started at Bendigo Heritage After Dark on Friday, October 12. This intimate experience will see you head into the Fortuna Villa's Gold Crushing Room to try 40 wines from the Bendigo region to the sweet sounds of live music. The following day, you can spend a few hours wandering through seven heritage buildings in central Bendigo, where several local vineyards will be serving boutique drops alongside a selection of tasty bites. After dark, settle in at Burnt Acre Vineyard for a six-course banquet with matching wines, including the sold-out 2015 Burnt Acre shiraz. Once you sip it, you'll know why it sold out (and won best shiraz at last year's Bendigo Uncorked Week). Other escapades planned across the festival include an evening of traditional north Italian fare and a night at the movies hosted by Sandhurst Ridge Wines. Check out the rest of the program here. To discover more events and spring experiences in regional Victoria visit: Your Happy Space.
Travelling Jerusalem street food container Knafeh — which has popped up on piers and festivals across the city — is turning five, and is about to embark on an international tour. But, before it goes, Sydneysiders will have one last chance to enjoy the pop-up's Middle Eastern fare. The Bearded Bakers (as Knafeh's owners are known) are hosting The Old City, a one-off immersive dinner that'll transport guests from North Strathfield to the streets of Jerusalem on Saturday, May 18. The Bearded Bakers will take over the former Arnott's biscuit factory for just one night and transform it into a Middle Eastern-style souk (openair marketplace) and communal dining experience. The three-course menu will include the authentic eats that the gents grew up eating — as well as plenty of their famed knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with syrup-soaked cheese and fine string pastry). As the venue is not licensed, it'll be a booze-free event. Instead of cocktails, expect the drink pairings to include Middle Eastern coffee, tea and soft drinks. What will remain is the group's high energy-style of food service — namely a whole heap of singing and dancing that accompanies all Bearded Bakers meals. It'll cost you $100 all up and reservations are essential.
If you were planning to commute by train this Monday morning, it may take you a bit longer than expected. At 2am on Monday, February 11, a car crashed into train signalling equipment in Riverwood, in the city's south, which has resulted in delays across the network. While the T8 Airport & South Line has predominantly been affected, with commuters reporting delays of up to 30 minutes, Sydney Trains has announced that Inner West and Leppington Lines are also impacted. https://twitter.com/T8SydneyTrains/status/1094671623121031168 Repairs are underway and extra customer service staff are available to help commuters, with some services likely to be replaced by buses. According to commuters on Twitter, some Macarthur services are running more than 30 minutes late. Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins has also taken to Twitter, telling Sydneysiders that the signalling equipment has been "badly damaged" and to "expect major delays". https://twitter.com/HowieCollins/status/1094667824683900928 To stay up-to-date with delays and replacement buses, check the Transport for NSW website and real-time apps.
Because we can't all go to Fashion Week, and because we wouldn't all be comfortable if we were to go, there's Fashion Weekend Sydney, now in it's seventh season. Australia’s biggest shopping, catwalk and beauty event that's open to all, it's running from Thursday, May 16, to Sunday, May 19. The event is perfect if you're in the mood to shop for a new wardrobe, watch a runway show featuring premiere and up-and-coming designers or learn some new beauty tips. The weekend features some of Australia’s leading designers including Natasha, Rodeo Show, Bec & Bridge, Christensen Copenhagen and more. Guests can buy over 100 designer brands for ridiculously reduced prices of up to 70 percent off. A highlight of the event is the glam catwalk show, including over 100 looks from various designers. This shopping and catwalk extravaganza will be accompanied by The Beauty Hub, which boasts a TONI&GUY Style Bar, Sally Hansen Nail Salon and NP Set Makeup & Lash Bar, all offering special offers and promos. After being pampered and emptying your wallet, guests will have the opportunity to have photographs taken at the Photo Studio. There are a number of different ticket options that you can choose from, and they can be purchased on the Ticketek website.
As a child, ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books allowed us to dip into lands and opportunities foreign and wild — digging for gold on Treasure Island, hunting for ghosts in a haunted mansion, or leaping around in the Amazon wrestling crocodiles. The best part however was that if we were sneaky, we could ‘test’ out an option and if we found it too perilous, hit rewind and go back and tread safer waters. FBi's Choose Your Own Adventure is bringing that magic back with a tantalizing mix of musical options for you to wade in and explore. Fancy a nostalgia hit? Try the main stage, with Faker's first show since 2009, plus Parades, Deep Sea Arcade, WIM and more. Or take a heady musical stroll through the likes of Collarbones, Kirin J. Callinan, Step Panther, Domeyko/Gonzalez and Holy Balm. Rather dance it out? Let Alison Wonderland, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. DJs and Splash Mountain get the limbs moving. And when you need a break from the tunes, check out live art by the Secret Wars crew, or grab yourself a snag at the BBQ. Whatever your persuasion, Let FBi grab your hand and lead the way.
HTRK (Hate Rock Trio to the knowing) occupies a space in the mind not immediately apparent. Muted vocals mist through cold steel beats and oscillating synths in a slow seduction, swaying its hips in silhouette. Their sound slinks its way around the back of your neck and forces you to stare into its hardened darkness. Visceral, intoxicating and ultimately moving, Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang create a stark, billowing world blinking with tragic romance. Now the Melbourne-via-London duo makes their sojourn back to Australia in celebration of their latest album, Work (Work, Work) Expect their sombre tones to envelop you as sly glances are exchanged across the room - a night of opening itself to chance meetings, spontaneous moves and endless possibilities. They’ll be joined by the soulful glitch of Lost Animal, and guttural roving troubadour Kirin J. Callinan.
Today's smart cars didn't arrive out of the blue. Microcars became the hottest vehicle to own across Germany and Italy in the 1950s — popularised by brands like Messerschmitt, BMW, Heinkel and Lambretta. Soon afterwards, the trend towards more compact, lighter and more environmentally friendly cars spread to the UK, Japan and Australia. Here, the most notable contributions to the microcar revolution were the Goggomobil Dart and the Zeta Runabout, the latter of the two was designed by South Australian entrepreneur Harold Lightburn. From June, you can celebrate the development of these tiny vehicles — and their lasting impact — in an intriguing exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum. You'll get to see microcars from the Museum's collection as well as loans from local collectors. In addition to appreciating the past, you'll also be able to look to the future with information about electric and hybrid smart cars around today. Image: Zeta Runabout, 1964, Powerhouse Collection. Image: Sotha Bourn
If you're looking to host a house party soon, you might want to enlist the help of Behringer. The German electronics company has just revealed the iNuke Boom - a 700 pound, four-foot tall, eight-foot long dock and speakers for the iPod. While these speakers are wildly disproportionate to the device, they'll have a sound to match their size, with the capability of cranking out 10,000 watts. They are being released in January and will set you back a cool $30,000. The iNuke Boom is unusual given that electronic companies are constantly trying to make everything more minuscule and compact. Behringer are reminding everybody that size does matter. Dust off your old Snoop Dogg and NWA records, upload them onto your iPod and see how the old classics sound coming out of this absolute beast. Just keep your fingers crossed that the bass power doesn't cause the iNuke Boom to collapse and crush somebody. [via Gizmodo]
So you walk out of Central Station along Elizabeth St, get your phone out and in a couple taps you're looking through the camera across the streets. Where you see stuff. 'Augmented reality' is a few years old now, essentially laying the locations of local interesting things over a live video feed as you move your phone's camera around. Creative space benefactors Queen Street Studios have just put together their own AR camera-fed tour of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, launching this weekend as Peep Show. In the (iPhone) app, moments from the suburb's history, history in the making and local hotspots get marked out for you virtually, as the tour takes in spaces as diverse as Brisbane Street's Paramount Pictures building, the now relocated statue of Joy, the sex worker, and the homes and haunts of late lamented 'razorhurst' personalities. And while the app is easy to find, the party is more of a challenge. Officially the launch takes place Saturday and Sunday on the hour, every hour, 11-5 outside Heffron Hall. But for those willing to search for clues around some 'hotspots' highlighted over the weekend, there's also a secret launch party waiting there for the intrepid and the lucky.
Parlour X is housed in an old sandstone building on Oxford Street — known as 'The Church' — and is difficult to miss. It was founded in 2001 by owner Eva Galambos, after a career spanning 12 years as a commercial fashion agent for Giorgio Armani and Nicole Farhi in London and Sydney. With this in mind, it's little surprise that Parlour X has carved out a name for itself as the leading one-stop shop for luxury designer wear and accessories. Inside the grandiose building, you'll find premiere collections from high-end international and Australian labels including Fendi, Paco Rabanne, Comme Des Garçons and Christopher Esber. Galambos also uses her exposure to Europe's high-end fashion world to promote and showcase emerging Australian designers.
Drawing in nine million viewers in the US for the final episode of season two, The Walking Dead is breaking ratings records all over the world. Fast-tracked to Australian fans, The Walking Dead season three is already available to download from iTunes for $49.99. As the fight for survival continues, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and friends attempt to take refuge from the 'walkers' in an abandoned prison and in a (possibly too good to be true) town of survivors run by The Governor (David Morrissey). To mark the launch of season three, Concrete Playground has the ultimate catch-up giveaway: seasons one and two on DVD. Get up to speed with the action or simply indulge in a thrilling undead bloodbath marathon! Concrete Playground has five sets of DVDs to giveaway. To be in for a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground, then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Craft brew lovers in Sydney's southwest rejoice. The Ambarvale Hotel is bringing a whole heap of exciting beers to your neck of the woods for a one-day craft beer festival coined the South West Beer West. Running from midday on Saturday, February 26, the festival will boast samples from 13 different local breweries for you to try. You're certain to find your new favourite brew with beers on offer courtesy of Capital Brewing Co, White Bay Brewing, Akasha Brewing Co, Holgate Brewery, Willie the Boatman and locals Ambarvale Brewing Company among the 13 different beer-makers on show. The Ambarvale Hotel has recently undergone a bit of an upgrade, with the pub's new outdoor In The Gardens oasis set to play home to the beer festival. Entry is free and $35 token booklets will be available to purchase on the day granting you access to a heap of beer samples. If you're the type to be on the lookout for a good deal, you can nab your token booklet online before the event and save $5.
Yulli's Brews finally opened its own (100-percent vegan) Alexandria taproom back in July, and now it's giving Sydney's inner west another reason to celebrate with the launch of Yulli's Brewery Markets. On the third Sunday of each month, the brewery will invite local merchants, artisans and independent makers to display an array of homewares, smallgoods and other handmade items. The market will begin this Sunday, November 18. Among the products for sale will be indoor plants, bespoke ceramics, vintage clothing and heaps of preserves, condiments and jarred goodies. Yulli's own eats will be up for grabs too, including ready-made dumplings, kimchi and other pickled veg (all vegan, of course). The market opens at 9am, with a barbecue of vegan hot dogs welcoming guests alongside the stallholders. But the day really kicks into gear at 11am when live acts take the stage and the bar starts slinging its namesake brews. The full brewery menu is available from noon, too.
As it turns out, there's now an upside to forking out heaps of money on road tolls, thanks to a new initiative by the NSW Government. It's expected almost 100,000 of the state's drivers will benefit from the new Toll Relief program, which offers reduced rego costs for those spending big on toll fares. If you're handing over $25 or more for tolls each week, or $1,300 over the financial year, you'll now save up to $729 when renewing your vehicle registration. To access the reduced rego, and find out how much you're eligible for, next time you're doing your rego renewal just add in your licence plate number and toll account. The rego discounts depend on the size of your car — which coincides with rego fees costing more, the heavier the car — with a full list of savings and sizes listed on the NSW Government website. As an added bonus, the government's backdating the toll spend from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, which means you can still reap the benefits of all that money you spent last year. "So far 938 free regos have been claimed and $397,000 has been given back to drivers, with the average driver saving $423," said Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello in statement. To find out more about the Toll Relief program and see if you're eligible, head to nsw.gov.au. Image: Flickr
Woolloomooloo's Manta Restaurant offers reasons aplenty to make a booking. Iconic waterfront location: tick. Incredible wine list: tick. And an impressive menu with a focus on sustainability, seasonality and Sydney's freshest seafood dishes: tick, tick and tick. But, just in case you're a tough cookie to impress and need a little more incentive to check it out, the waterfront venue is offering it by way of two exclusive degustation dinners. First up is the Manta x Veuve Clicquot Degustation Dinner on Wednesday, October 26. Break up your work week and give yourself something to look forward to on humpday by making a reservation to enjoy this truly indulgent dining experience. For $295, you'll be treated to four delicious courses featuring oysters, scallops and lobster — designed to pair perfectly with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. Have a weakness for wine from New Zealand? Secure your spot at the Manta x Cloudy Bay Degustation Dinner on Wednesday, November 4 for $159. Offering a similar four-course and wine pairing concept — the evening will see drops of Cloudy Bay's new 2022 Sauvignon Blanc complemented by a selection of signature flavours. Expect kingfish ceviche, New Zealand rack of lamb with saltbush, macadamia and Davidson plum, and a delicious dessert of coconut, mango and passionfruit pavlova (that we'll give the Kiwis credit for this time). To reserve your seat at either (or both!) of these degustation dinners, visit the Manta Restaurant website.
With Campari as your host, this year's Negroni Week launch party is set to be a big one. In 2022, the yearly event — which sees the best bars and restaurants around the world put an imaginative twist on the iconic drink while giving back to charity — is holding a glass to 10 big, aperitivo-loving years. On Sunday, September 11, Campari — that essential ingredient of a classic negroni — is inviting fans to explore the bitter orange cocktail and its history. A bespoke negroni menu will be accompanied by free canapés and giveaways at swishy King Street cocktail bar Earl's Juke Joint. And that's just the beginning. After you've found your way into the bar (cleverly concealed behind the Betta Meats shopfront for the uninitiated), you'll be able to sip your way around four imaginative iterations of negroni. And $1 from each sale of the $15 serves is going to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. DJ Levins will be spinning tunes and dishing out good vibes, setting the tone for the week of nationwide festivities that will follow. Accompanying the delicious bevs? Canapés by the masters at Continental Deli and pizza by the slice from Bella Brutta circulating the room from 5–9pm. What's more, Campari will be giving punters the chance to win merch and more during the evening. The party will be running on a first come, first serve basis, so mark your diary now. Campari's Negroni Week launch party will hit Earl's Juke Joint on Sunday, September 11. Head to the website for more details and to register your attendance. Images: Daniele Massacci
It seems strange that street art comes with a press release these days. Its creation was once banished to the darkest hours of the night to be carried out by wanted dudes in hoodies and runners; now it gets its own fanfare. Is it even still a crime? Regardless, it makes sense that this one was delivered to our inbox today. After being the star of zillions of Instagram posts in downtown LA, Colette Miller's Wings installation is coming to the streets of Melbourne and Sydney. Brace yourselves, this is sure to trend in no time. Originally created in 2012, the now-famous installation was imagined as a way for people to start interacting with art in urban spaces. As it encouraged people to take photos with it, this multi-colour paste-up was a hit — an instant classic to the growing list of must-see artworks around the streets of LA. Since then, it's been brought to Washington, Nairobi and now Australia. It appears that the desire to be a giant neon angel is universal. Melbournians and Sydneysiders can experience this strange privilege for a limited time this month. Flying over to Sydney first as part of Arts Brookfield, the wings will be plastered at World Square and King Street Wharf from September 5 'til October 9. At two metres high and three metres wide, they'll be hard to miss — not to mention the crowd of happy snappers that will invariably surround them. The wings will be appearing in Melbourne from September 15 to October 15 at Southern Cross Lane near the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets. And, with such a central CBD location, the artist's point is pretty clear. "Cities bring humans together and Wings is accessible art that aims to capture the imagination of workers as they transverse the city," said Miller. "My Wings are a universal archetypal symbol of humanity and its divine self." While we think the latter point is reaching a little far, we wholeheartedly agree with the former. Everyone deserves some sprawling, neon art to admire on their lunch break and it's well worth taking the time for a selfie.
Wander into the National Art School between November 3 – 12 and you'll be treated to an exhibition showcasing a diverse range of works from this year's Masters of Fine Art graduates. Featuring a range of mediums including sculpture, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, photomedia and painting, the postgraduate show is always a great opportunity to get familiar with new artists and catch emerging talent while they're still just that. Budding investors take note: artworks will be available for sale so have your chequebooks at the ready. Artists on show include figurative painter and 2016 Archibald Prize finalist India Mark, Turkish-born postmodern portraitist Murat Urlali, visceral sculptor Samantha Stephenson, and Aly Indermühle, whose large scale and intimate light works were featured in this year's VIVID Sydney. The school is also holding a special evening on Thursday November 2 to mark the opening, with music from FBi DJS, food, pop-up bars and an open invitation to have a nose around the artist studios. Image: Samantha Stephenson Communion of Space 2016 painted steel, 2017
If you are ordering pizza for home delivery, there is generally one mood you are in: a lazy one. There's nothing like laying on the sofa after a hard day at work, turning on some trashy TV, and sinking your teeth into slice after slice of your favorite pizza. But, folks, pizza delivery just got better. Red Tomato Pizza in Dubai has introduced one-button pizza delivery. Simply press the button on your Red Tomato fridge magnet, and your favorite order will be delivered to your door. Impressed yet? Each magnet can be synced to your smartphone via Bluetooth and set up with your order. Every time you push the button, your phone will notify the pizza company. You do still have get up and answer the door when the delivery guy arrives, unfortunately. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AU0KYo8_9Zs [via Gizmodo]
Tired of dating apps? There's little chance of getting ghosted by a rescue pup this Valentine's, as Petbarn Foundation and Maggie's Rescue make it easy to find your soulmate by hosting a unique Rescue Restaurant. This special event is an IRL chance to meet a dog in need of a forever home, plus there's even time for Sydney singles to mingle with other adopters. Taking over Forrester's in Surry Hills on February 13, this dog-friendly pub is the ideal setting for Rescue Restaurant. Here, the experts from Maggie's Rescue will facilitate meeting the pups and make sure the match is compatible. Then, it's over to you to spark up a conversation over snacks and drinks if any fellow adoptees catch your eye. Rescue Restaurant is hosted as part of Rescue Month, where Petbarn Foundation and SavourLife come together to save as many pets as possible. Aiming to rescue 400 pups from pounds while re-homing 500 cats from in-store adoption centres, you can do your bit by applying for this invite-only event. It's a great way to discover true love, human or otherwise.
It's October and you know what that means: it's time to get spooky. One of the first Sydney venues to get into the Halloween spirit is Kickstarter-funded Darling Square IIKO Mazesoba. IIKO Mazesoba specialises in its namesake Japanese-style 'brothless' ramen dishes that are tossed in savoury sauces instead of soup. The noodle specialist has designed a Halloween-themed menu featuring some of its fan-favourite dishes alongside some new creations done up to look a little more frightening. The centrepiece of the menu is soft shell crab mazesoba, naturally blackened with activated coconut charcoal powder to give it that Halloween feel. Also on the menu, you'll find pumpkin croquettes and black sesame tiramisu for dessert, providing a strong black and orange colour palette throughout. You can order these festive dishes alongside all of the classic IIKO Mazesoba selections like karaage fried chicken, potato salad and gyoza from Friday, October 15 through until Sunday, November 7.
Nell: GRAVEST HITS is an anthology of sorts. The artist has pulled together all of the main themes that she has explored in her works thus far. It would be quite easy for an exhibition like this to feel bitsy and cobbled together, but this "best of Nell" idea works well and gives coherent insights into her diverse practice. The name of the show itself references the 70s garage punk band The Cramps’ first EP (The Cramps: Gravest Hits). One of the album’s songs, Human Fly, resonates particularly strongly with Nell’s works, many of which incorporate the insect. Where there are humans, you’ll find flies, features an open book with a picture of Rodin’s The Thinker covered in plastic flies. The title borrows from a quote by Japanese poet and lay Buddhist priest Kobyashi Issa. It’s a whimsical meditation on spirituality and decay. There is something deliciously simple and refined about Nell’s practice. Characterised by an ‘elegant conjunction of two ideas’, she expresses herself clearly and without excessive ornamentation. Buddhist philosophy is a great influence and can be seen in many of her pieces, most overtly in Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked. The work features an androgynous figure seated in the lotus position, covered in iridescent flies. A glowing neon rod protrudes from her core. For all that a figure covered in insects should be repulsive, the work is incredibly tranquil and meditative. Musical themes underpin many of the works. A Short History of Rock ‘n’ Roll - Suicide/O.D.is a morbid list of two categories: one side lists nameless people who have suicided ("the drummer suicided, the sound mixer suicided…"), the other, nameless people who have overdosed on drugs. Several mosaics adorn the walls, made exclusively of record covers. Each cover bears the marks of having been well loved: watermarks, creases, and annotations. It’s a collector’s dream. If the show leaves you hungry for more Nell, you can head over to Alaska Projects. The artist is also showing work at that artist run space in conjunction with her exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9. Image: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked, 2013
Having a crack at their very own theme-ception, Earl's Juke Joint are hosting an '80s Halloween themed shindig this Saturday, October 29. What's not to love about big hair, brightly coloured leather, over-the-top gory horror flicks, and delicious Earl's bevvies? And as if that wasn't enough, be sure to get jazzed up in your spookiest finery and bring a date, because it's prom night — the fantastic folk at Earl's will decide on the night who takes home to the soon-to-be coveted Best Dressed prize. Doors are open 4pm until midnight.
When winter hits — and you know when it really hits — pressing command+A and delete on all your iCal entries seems like a rational thing to do. But hold your horses, cold one — there are a few festivals happening that you won't want to miss out on. In recent years, Australia has developed quite the winter events calendar. With Vivid's lights hitting every visible surface in Sydney, Melbourne's White Night moving to August for the first time, and hedonistic shenanigans happening down in Hobart for Dark Mofo, there is plenty to inspire a break from hibernation. So pull your calendar back up and block out a weekend to have a winter adventure out of town or interstate.
The returning Fantastic Film Festival Australia isn't just about celebrating cult-classic movies. This cinema showcase is one of several in Australia that wears its love for the weird, wild and wonderful — the strange and surreal, too — on its screens, and that means going heavy on the latest flicks that fit that description. But when the Sydney event includes beloved retro titles on its lineup, it usually does something special with them. So, in 2023, as part of its just-announced program, it has particularly attention-grabbing plans for Zoolander and the OG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movie. Ben Stiller's comedy about the world of modelling might be all about donning clothes, but FFFA's session of the film is going in the opposite direction, joining the fest's growing spate of nude screenings. The event debuted the concept in 2021, then brought it back in 2022 for the 25th anniversary of The Full Monty. Now, patrons are asked to wear nothing but their best blue steel look — or magnum if they prefer — while watching a really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking movie. Clothes are required at FFFA's showing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but don't worry about eating pizza beforehand — you'll be able to smell it during the session. The fest is going with a scratch-and-sniff experience, in what it's calling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Stink-O-Vision and will be a world-premiere. As you watch Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael (and Sam Rockwell in a blink-or-you'll-miss-it part), you'll be told to scratch a card at certain moments to get smelling. Some scents will be tasty. Some definitely won't. Running from Friday, April 14–Sunday, April 30 at Ritz Cinema in Randwick, FFFA's 2023 bill also features a 2K restoration of Takashi Miike's Audition, but mostly it's serving today's fresh flicks that'll be tomorrow's cult favourites. Opening the fest is Polite Society, about a martial artist-in-training endeavouring to save her sister from an arranged marriage — and a hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Closing it: LION-GIRL, a futuristic, post-apocalyptic sci-fi film about saving humanity (aren't they all?) that boasts character design by manga artist Go Nagai. Elsewhere on its 2023 program, Fantastic Film Festival Australia will screen the 1997-set Zillion, the highest-grossing film in Belgium in 2022, which tells of a computer whiz who creates the biggest discotheque in the world; Evil Dead Rise, the latest title in the ongoing zombie franchise, and prime fodder for a midnight slot; and Holy Shit!, which is completely set in a portaloo rigged with explosives. Or, there's a movie that FFFA is calling An Untitled and Perfectly-Legal Coming-Of-Age Parody Film — it isn't naming it because it was surrounded by controversy at its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, but you can easily work out by a quick online search, especially if you're fond of comic-book characters. It'll screen with the director in attendance, in what'll be one of its rare public showings so far. A number of Australian efforts are also on the lineup, starting with Rolf de Heer's The Survival of Kindness, which recently proved a hit at the Berlin International Film Festival. There's also Beaten to Death, a new-wave Ozploitation thriller set in remote Tasmania; the giallo-style Blur, about an investigation into a strange entity; and The End of History, about Australian techno producers Darcy and Pat as they chase their creative dreams in Berlin.
Two twisted minds, a block of yellow foam and a pair of disembodied hands comprise the Weeping Productions show that is Bruce. It helps that those minds belong to two of puppetry's cleverest recent additions — Tim Watts (creator of Alvin Sputnik and Pollyanna) and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd. And that Bruce is no run-of-the-mill foam cube but one with an insatiable thirst for adventure and a knack for melting the crowd's heart. Having sold out an entire season at Perth FringeWorld, the maverick trio is bringing its lo-fi, time-bending, action show of love and revenge to the Giant Dwarf for one night only. The West Australian review went, "its dizzling audacity is a marvel throughout ... glorious stuff", while Crikey described it as "playful, virtuosic, hilarious and touching".
Boaz Yakin's 'Safe' follows the two-headed mission of former special forces operative Luke Wright (Jason Stratham) as he sets out to outwit Chinese Triads and the Russian Mafia. 12-year old Mei (Catherine Chan) is Wright's unlikely sidekick: a girl who holds potentially deadly knowledge. Mei has been gifted with mathematical genius, a skill which enables her to memorise the code to a coveted safe containing $30 million. Her secret cannot remain under wraps for long, however. Once word gets out that Mei is the only person who knows the safe's code, the underbelly of the crime world comes clamouring. Wright must protect Mei as together they attempt to outwit the Triads, corrupt NYC officials, and Russian Mafia. From the producer of 'Kill Bill' and 'Inglourious Bastards', this breakneck-speed crime thriller will keep you on-edge, hoping that Wright can successfully complete his trickiest and most important mission yet: to keep Mei safe. To win one of ten double passes to see Safe, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=Mv2VZi5RD6c
Just when you thought Laneway couldn't add much more to its already-heaving lineup, the festival addition has added a brand new 'street party' into the mix that'll recreate the energy of Laneway's early days. Presented in conjunction with I OH YOU and Red Bull Music, Block Party is set to feature at the Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle editions of the festival, showcasing a banging new lineup in each city. The exact locations of the stages are yet to be announced, though we're told the parties will channel the vibe of the very first Laneway outing that took over Melbourne's Caledonian Lane back in 2004. Which means it'll probably be super crammed. And the lineup's an absolute ripper, pulling together local acts like Sydney-based producer Basenji, hip hop star Jesswar, legendary DJ Andy Garvey, the genre-bending Haiku Hands and dance floor favourite CC:DISCO. Laneway co-founder Danny Rogers says it'll take the festival's offering to a whole new level. "There was such a creative, magic feeling at the original Laneway Festivals. I think it was because of the spontaneity they had," he explained. "I wanted to recreate that same feeling at the 2018 event and this idea just made total sense." Laneway Festival 2018 hits Melbourne on February 3, Sydney on February 4, Brisbane on February 10 and Fremantle on February 11. To buy tickets or to get more information, visit lanewayfestival.com.
When I was 16 my dad forced me to learn to drve in a 1986 Pajero. It was a boxy seven-seater that I actually thought was hot as shit for seven years, until it conked out two days before the epic road trip I’d promised to my friends. Comedian Zoe Combes Marr brought her own 1986 Pajero — which, as she points out, literally means ‘Wanker’ in Spanish — as an attempt to validate her own existence through travel. The thing exploded about two hours down the open road. This is the great thing about the autobiographical performances at The Horse’s Mouth festival. They’re like fantastic extremes of situations that most people can relate to. You may not be a Sydney sex worker but you’ve probably seen one out in The Cross, you’ve probably had a special relationship with an elderly person even if they weren’t into Mexican wrestling and, though preventing your children from going outside is pretty extreme, you probably know what it’s like to have at least one overprotective parent. The festival presents nine autobiographical performances spread over three different programmes — Bolted, Hell for Leather and One Trick Pony — and also includes night sessions by the famous Sydney Story Club. Entwined with the humour of wanker cars and wrestling masks are serious issues about family relationships, and difficult questions such as ‘if home is where the heart is, does a broken heart lead to a broken home?’
The latest venture from subtlenuance theatre company (Blind Tasting, Rocket Man), High Windows Low Doorways is a multi-playwright project exploring spiritual belief. Opening mid-March, the show is a collaborative piece that originated when seven writers and seven actors worked together to tell a story from the actor’s personal experiences with religion. The result is seven separate pieces of theatre telling tales of, in their words, “fear, hope and love; of life, death and beyond.” The small, family-like company is gaining a following for their deep, thought-provoking pieces ideally suited to the intimate space at the TAP Gallery. Writers in this piece include Melita Rowston (Crushed, SPEW), and fans of the company will also recognise actors Helen Tonkin, Peter McAllum and Alice Keohavong from the company’s most recent show, Cristina in the Cupboard. For bookings call 0481 514 945
If you like your art edgy, then Kaleidoscope gallery's new show Young Blood is a must-see. A collaboration between well-known street art fixtures The Dirt (Jamie Preisz) and Bafcat (Mitchell Guerin), the exhibition will run over the Labour Day long weekend (4 - 6 October). New works by both artists will be on show in the gallery and will also spill out into the adjoining laneway. The exhibition will be accompanied by a workshop where you'll get to hear The Dirt and Bafcat speak about their experiences as street artists and discuss technique, inspiration and how to develop a style that's distinctive and recognisable. Following the workshop, there will be live music while the pair create a mural on a nearby laneway wall. Workshop attendees can roll up their sleeves and join in. While the exhibition is free, the workshop is a ticketed event. Concrete Playground readers get a hefty discount and can purchase tickets for $30 instead of the usual $50. Just enter the promo code 'youngblood' when you buy your tickets. Image: The Dirt, work in progress.
Get ready this WorldPride for The Pleasure Arc, a 24-hour party packed with some incredible talent set to immerse you in an extravagant queer utopia. Enjoy the likes of some of Australasia's best queer artists including House of Sle, House of Silky, Marcus Whale, Basjia Almaan and imbi during the opening weekend of Sydney WorldPride across February 18 and 19, at Carriageworks. In charge of keeping the tunes rolling during the overnight extravaganza will be the Your Pleasure DJs, featuring the likes of Boris, Stev Zar, Stereogamous, Rebel Yell and Kilimi popping up behind the decks throughout. [caption id="attachment_887918" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Davies[/caption] Performance artist Betty Grumble will also be hosting her unique dance journey event, 24 Hour Grumble Boogie, in Bay 20. So you can bundle your tickets for a full weekend across the whole venue, or dip in and out of the partnered events as you please. The weekend will host a myriad of queer ceremonies and bring together artists, performers and musicians to take you on a journey from day to night (and day again). Celebrate queerness and pleasure while dancing the night away. Tickets are on sale now and will set you back $65 for a single event ticket or $76 to bundle Day for Night x 24 hour Grumble Boogie. Top Image: Alex Davies
There are markets, and then there are markets. And The Market Tales, a brand new two-day event at Precinct 75 in St Peters, is taking the word market to a whole new galaxy of potential. Hitting the precinct — which houses various food outlets, design showrooms and even its own micro-brewery — on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, the new market is set to bring you a cornucopia of deliciousness and design for your mouth, eyes and ears. The food offering is particularly impressive. Taking care of the food will be some of the inner west's finest eateries: Continental Deli, Cornersmith, Black Star Pastry, and Cairo Takeaway. Meanwhile, in an alleyway dedicated to alcohol, you'll find new Darlinghurst bar Johnny Fishbone, Young Henry's, Archie Rose and Precinct 75's own Urban Winery. In between sipping and sampling, check out an array of creations from over 60 makers and merchants, including Atolyia, the Design Twins and Society Inc. Expect homewares, furniture, fashion, jewellery, art and more. All these pleasures will be soundtracked with live music, provided by acoustic acts. And, if you want to get in on the action, you can take part in a workshop or two, from candle making to bread baking. The market will run from 10.30am till 4.30pm each day, it's cash-only and entry is $2.
Nine young people, high on life — maybe some drugs, definitely some alcohol — spill out on to the warm Sydney streets one summer night. They dance, they kiss, they party and then they suddenly stop. Someone commits a crime, and no one is sure of anything. Something just happened. Something just happened is the Sydney University Dramatic Society’s major production for 2011. Ambitious young theatre-maker Harriet Gillies is leading a fresh cast of undergraduates/party animals to reach out and take audience members by the hand. This piece of devised multi-media theatre is designed to bend and twist the performer-audience relationship and bring them closer than ever before. “Too often I see a piece of theatre and I feel like the show would be exactly the same whether the audience was there or not,” Gillies explains. “The point of this play is not the crime or the criminal. We want to remind the audience that we know they are there, we like them, and we want to play.” This production began with a boozy night out. After developing their characters and relationships, the cast set out at dusk to put the party in to action. Now, they will recreate that blurry evening with an emphasis on immediacy and story-telling. Staged in Erskineville’s open-plan PACT Centre for Emerging Art (site of the recent Tiny Stadiums Festival), something just happened will unfold in a reconstructed student share house. The audience will move freely around the space as each actor delivers their version of recent wild events; performers and audience all share the same space and interact freely.
In celebration of the Mardi Gras season, Object Gallery are gearing up to run a series of Make Play workshops, aimed at unveiling creative potential in unknowing Sydneysiders. Unleash your very own out-of-this-world being with Justin Shoulder's Fantastic Creatures Workshop; let Sydney glamourpuss Matt Format help you create your own faaaaabulous lashes in the Bespoke Eyelashes Workshop; put that frustrated costume designer to work in Angela Sinnett's Costume Design 101 or get yo' Mardi Gras bling on with the Bling Your Runners Workshop (again with Sinnett). Then learn how to shoot, cut and upload the entire festival experience, with Gareth Tillson's indispensible iPhone/iFilm Workshop. Want more Mardi Gras events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
