Sydney, you're about to discover (and taste) what can happen when an acclaimed Finnish chef and an award-winning Italian sommelier join forces. Giorgio De Maria (formerly of 121BC and Rootstock Sydney food and wine festival), is teaming up with Finnish-born Pasi Petanen (2015's SMH Chef of the Year and the guy behind Café Paci), for That's Amore — a series of wine dinners to be held at Mecca in Alexandria next month. Across 12 nights in March, the pair will combine culinary talents, pulling together innovative foodie flair, some serious wine knowledge, and a couple of lively personalities, for what promises to be one very rare dining experience. This fusion of front and back of house is bound to ensure some well-rounded feasting, starting with the weekly-changing, five-course menu. Here, the duo's hinted at a focus on produce-driven dishes, with an Italian edge. Meanwhile, De Maria's working his own brand of magic, proving the cross-cultural combo isn't the only perfect partnership on the table here. His handpicked selection of wine is available to try matched to each course, or simply quaffed by the bottle. That's Amore dinners will take place on March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at Mecca, 2/26 Bourke Road, Alexandria. The five-course menu is $75 per head, with drinks charged on consumption. Jump on the That's Amore Instagram page for a peek at the menu and nab your spot by emailing thatsamoreinsydney@gmail.com.
Vivid Sydney kicks off this week, and while you're planning which talks to see, figuring out where to catch a glimpse of the lights and checking which gigs still have tickets going, you're probably figuring out a strategic drinking and dining plan too. The bulk of the light installations will again be set up around Circular Quay, which, with the addition of the Gateway dining precinct, has a much richer food situation this year with Chat Thai, Popina, Messina and an actually decent food court. And just to ensure you don't go hungry, a market dedicated entirely to desserts will also run for three nights of the festival. Setting up shop in the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the Milk 'n' Sugar market will be on-hand for revellers craving something sweet for the first weekend of Vivid. Opening up from 6pm on May 26, 27 and 28, the market will be hocking Brooklyn Boy Bagels' cinnamon scrolls, deep-fried Oreo bites from Kayter Co, Nutie's gluten-free doughnuts, Nutella s'mores, kurtosh ice cream cones and more. You should probably skip dinner. As well as coinciding with Vivid, the market will also run alongside the Mr Black Espresso Martini Festival, which is also happening in the Overseas Passenger Terminal this weekend. Plan your movements right and you could fit it all in on one day. The Milk 'n' Sugar market will take place in the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay on May 26–28 from 6–11pm. For more information, visit the Facebook event.
When Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced New South Wales' latest stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions, she gave cinephiles a particularly exciting piece of news. Movie theatres have been closed around the country since mid-March; however, with current caps on indoor venues lifting on Wednesday, July 1, it appears that projectors will be allowed to start whirring again in the state. And, while that doesn't mean that it's popcorn-munching business as usual quite yet, local cinemas will gradually begin to reopen. Randwick Ritz will be one of the initial places to start ushering movie buffs back into darkened rooms, opening its doors on the very first day it can. And it's celebrating with a week of $10 tickets. If you're a Ritz Royalty member (or happy to sign up for $18 a year), you'll get tickets for even cheaper: $8. From Wednesday, July 1 to Tuesday, July 7, you can treat your mum, bestie or date to a flick for just ten dollaroos. Some of the films you'll be able to catch during the week include flicks that hit the big screen just before lockdown — The Invisible Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and The Current War — plus new movies that were originally slated to hit cinemas during their closure, such as Hugo Weaving-starring Hearts and Bones and Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan eating and bantering their way through The Trip to Greece. A couple of previews are on the lineup, too, including the Palme d'Or-nominated It Must be Heaven, NZ comedy Bellbird and travel documentary Romantic Road, as well as retro flicks like 1942 drama Casablanca and Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. [caption id="attachment_755894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Portrait of a Lady on Fire[/caption] Top image: Kimberley Low
Sydney, you just can't get enough chicken. On Monday, we reported on the transformation of lower north shore eatery Johnny Lobster into Johnny Bird. Now, we bring you further poultry-related tidings. At the end of March, Enmore neighbourhood bar The Gretz will be shutting up shop, then reopening in late April as Wish Bone, a casual eatery devoted to fried chicken, under the same owners, U.S.-born chef Gregory Llewellyn and Naomi Hart. It's not any old cooked chook you'll be feasting on, but an old favourite — Llewellyn's mighty version, which attracted hungry hordes to Hartsyard, before it revamped and swapped to a veggie-driven menu in January this year. "Change is in the air," says Llewellyn. "I've wanted to focus on something singular for a while." Expect a tight, short menu, with fried chicken as centrepiece. Llewellyn is still finalising the details, but also mentions po' boys, poutine and, for sides, fermented pickles and stewed beans have been floated as possibilities. Although the feel will be casual, service will be attentive and focused. "There's no bar," says Hart. "So, the guest experience will be overseen entirely by one server, who'll greet you, seat you, water you, take your order." You can count on speed, too. Llewellyn adds, "People are there to eat and they're thirsty, so why make them wait?" The design, which is a work-in-progress, will reflect this ethos. "We used the words elegant and efficient," Naomi says. "We want to maintain the style and service we're known for." When Wish Bone opens in late April, the duo will hit the ground running, offering dinner seven nights a week, before adding lunches down the track. The Gretz is located at 125 Enmore Road, Enmore and will remain open until the end of March. It will then reopen at Wish Bone shortly after. We'll keep you updated on an opening date. In the meantime, you can get more info at thegretz.com.au.
Some days life is pretty shit. You've lost your job, your partner smells like another person's genitalia and your children/pets would rather eat your leg than show you some love. There's also bills to pay, medical problems to sort out/ignore and the whole world is, apparently, drowning or drying up, or something. A lesser person would grab a gun and climb up a clock tower so as to sew lead into innocent bodies. A better person would grab a puppet. Inspired by ye olde anger management Punch and Judy shows of the 19th century, writer/director Brent Thorpe and music director Billy O'Riordan have put together an adult pantomime that'll cure your modern woes. As Australian in taste as Vegemite and yum cha, this show blends burlesque, grotesque, vaudeville and political incorrectness to just the right, gooey consistency.
Step into the strange and seductive world of Greek cinema as it lights up the screen at Palace Norton Street, as well as locations around the country. Now in its 23rd year, the latest edition of the Greek Film Festival boasts an expectedly eclectic program, ranging from fiction features to documentaries and a couple of Australian productions as well. The festival will begin with an opening night screening of Worlds Apart, a romantic anthology film from writer-director-actor Christopher Papakaliatis co-starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons. It's one of a number of critically acclaimed contemporary films on the bill, with skewering social satire Chevalier and darkly comic thriller Suntan both deserving of a look. Other highlights including a pair of local productions by Greek-Australian filmmakers, in bold religious drama Sacred Heart and medicinal marijuana documentary A Life of Its Own.
What helps a formerly active person who has lost both their legs find the will to keep on living? It's rarely a guy like Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts), who fights in illegal bouts, hits his kid, kicks dogs, disrespects women, does dodgy things for cash and is all-round one of the least likeable characters to ever appear on screen. And yet the journey Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) goes on through him makes just enough sense to be believable — powerful, actually — in Jacques Audiard's feature film Rust and Bone. Stephanie is an orca trainer at a Cote d'Azur equivalent of Sea World. One day, to the poetically dissonant backing of Katy Perry's 'Firework', a public performance goes wrong and Stephanie wakes in hospital to find her legs amputated. After weeks of depression, she calls Ali, a nightclub bouncer she met briefly before the accident and thought little of at the time. His company turns out to be relaxed and matter of fact; he does not handle her with kid gloves, and it's just what she needs to begin to figure out her new sense of self. When he starts out on his underground boxing career, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn in. The film is quite a big departure from the source material, Canadian writer Craig Davidson's collection of short stories by the same name. The book is filled with disparate men dealing with masculinity, corporeality and violence (an adaptation at Sydney's Griffin Theatre earlier this year adhered more closely to the original). In condensing the eight short stories to two lives, Audiard's Rust and Bone seems even more brutal, if that's possible, and the drawing of explicit intersections and connections between characters turns out to be satisfyingly meaningful. The most visible and effective change is gender: Cotillard's Stephanie was originally a womanising dude. As such this Rust and Bone is no longer about men and their relationship with their bodies but humans and their relationship with their bodies — relationships that are in some ways different and in others the same. Audiard says something altogether new and intriguing with Stephanie, who previously enjoyed the power she held over men through her sexuality and appearance. She'll eventually find there's a new, untapped power over men she can exert, and it has nothing to do with prettiness. Rust and Bone is an unsentimentally lyrical triumph, unexpected in every way from its narrative to its mise en scene. Cotillard is a sensation. Need it be said? This film about fighters packs a punch. https://youtube.com/watch?v=x3leZNzz6N8
According to Goran Bregovic, what sets Balkan music apart is its propensity for insanity: "In other countries, just plain music is enough. In the Balkans, it's not only about the music – it has to be madness." In his sixty-two years, Bregovic has carried the gypsy craziness of his homeland to all four corners of the globe. After selling fifteen million albums as leader of Yugoslav rock band Bijelo dugme, he took to composing film scores. On this visit to Australia, his first since 2008, he'll be travelling with his Weddings and Funerals Orchestra, which he has described as "an unlikely mix of extremes". Featuring a string quartet, a six-piece male choir, five brass musicians, two Bulgarian vocalists and a drummer, the ensemble will play music from Bregovic's new album, Champagne for Gypsies, as well as some older material. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AKRCo3347fw
Pari is Western Sydney's go-to for bespoke, artist-run exhibitions that you won't find anywhere else. The space brings together members of Parramatta's arts community to share ideas and to present artwork that draws on the local culture — always acknowledging the Burramattagal people of the Darug nation where Pari is located. Outside of Parramatta, Pari is also connected to the arts and culture scene of Greater Sydney, having collaborated with Carriageworks in March 2021.
The best and brightest in new queer cinema is coming to Melbourne cinemas — and to couches around the country as well. When the Melbourne Queer Film Festival returns from Thursday, November 18–Monday, November 29, it's embracing big-screen sessions via a huge 145-film lineup. And, for folks who can't make it along in person, including everyone outside of Melbourne, it's also screening more than 40 flicks online. That's the film festival dream these days, giving movie lovers the flexibility to sit in a darkened theatre or watch along from home. You'll need to attend in person to make the most of MQFF's opening night, however, with the 2021 fest — the event's 31st, in fact — kicking things off with a gala screening of powerful animated documentary Flee at The Jam Factory. Other highlights include moving drama Great Freedom, which hits MQFF after picking up a prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival; closing night's Fanny: The Right to Rock, about female rock band Fanny; the Los Angeles-set Summertime, which focuses on 25 of the city's residents as their lives intersect; French romance Anaïs in Love; and the Udo Kier-starring Swan Song. Or, there's also striking Albanian drama The Hill Where Lionesses Roar; Dramarama, a coming-out comedy about theatre kids; the St Vincent and Carrie Brownstein-starring The Nowhere Inn; and South Korea's A Distance Place.
Michael Mu Sung is taking over lower-Bayswater Road. If the Sydney restaurateur was content with opening two beloved venues on the Potts Point thoroughfare, nobody would blame him. But, instead, he's sprung forth with his third Potts Point opening — Ken's Continental. This cafe and deli is located on a green leafy corner directly next to Mu Sung's Farmhouse and across the road from his second culinary child, Bones Ramen. "When the space next door became available the opportunity was too good to resist, providing what we hope to be the perfect early morning and lunchtime compliment to our other two venues on the same street," Mu Sung says. Ken's Continental operates as a classic inner-city cafe in the morning, with good coffee and a daily delivery of elite pastries from Lou Lou Boulangerie. If you're looking to nab a seat and get stuck into the day with something more substantial, you'll find a menu of brunch and lunch favourites centred around speciality deli meats. The short and sweet menu of all-day breakfast consists of sandwiches and highlights from the deli — such as the breakfast muffin which combines folded eggs, gruyere and chorizo from Whole Beast Butchery. Beyond breakfast, the signature sambo piles mortadella, rocket, pickled Turkish chlilies and plum relish on a Lou Lou baguette. And it is superb. There's also yellow pea pancakes topped with soft-boiled eggs, herb salad, avocado and jamon; black pudding with fried eggs; and a charcuterie plate with the best meat, cheese, pickles and olives from the deli counter. Speaking of, this open glass counter is the first thing you'll notice as you walk into the Parisian-inspired space — accompanied by shelves of other take-home provisions on the walls. Here you can load up your home kitchen with all of the pancetta, sopressa, terrines, Pepe Saya butter and fresh baguettes you could ever wish for. "We wanted to really place an emphasis on seasonality, provenance and reducing the amount of waste we create," says Riwaka. "Weather that be repurposing products from Bones Ramen to make pates, pickling the best of the season's fruit and vegetables for use later on in the year or tracking down great cured meats that make your heart sing." Ken's Continental is open 7am–3pm Monday–Friday and 8am–3pm Saturday–Sunday at Shop 3, 40 Bayswater Road, Potts Point.
Picture this: you've parked your car on a side street really far away, paid for a ticket till 2pm, gotten distracted by an email (or a cute dog) and sprinted back for 2.02pm. Boom, you've copped a parking ticket. It's a scenario a lot of us are way too familiar with. And our bank accounts are, frankly, sick of it — those $112 tickets really add up. Thankfully, you'll soon have a bit longer to get back to your car, with the NSW Government introducing a ten-minute grace period from January 31, 2019. So, in our hypothetical situation, you've got an extra eight minutes to pat that pooch and put more money in the meter. The grace period applies to all ticketed and coupon parking, which the Government says makes up for the "majority of overstay parking offences". If the meter doesn't issue a ticket — it's one of those machines where you input your number plate, for example — the grace period doesn't apply. Nor do private car parks, or parks in clearways, bus lanes, transit lanes, mail zones, no stopping areas, loading zones or special event zones (but you probably shouldn't be parking there anyway). In some more great news for our dire post-holidays bank accounts, from March 1, 2019, some parking fines might actually get cheaper. From this date, councils and universities will be able to reduce level 2 parking fines (which is what you get for overstaying in a park, parking without a ticket, stopping in a mail zone, etc) from $112 to $80. More money for gelato and spritzes, we say. The ten-minute grace period will be introduced on January 31, 2019. For more information, head to the NSW Government website. Image: Kitti Smallbone.
What's better than a freshly brewed cup of coffee? Only having to wait 15 seconds for it. Much-loved Surry Hills cafe Single O (previously Single Origin Roasters) has streamlined the filter coffee process, launching a first-of-its-kind coffee on tap. And it's celebrating with a day of free brews on Wednesday, April 17. As well as being extremely fast, Single O's new filter coffee taps are also self-serve. Just tap your credit card (if you're not heading in on the free day), choose one of the four taps and wait 15 seconds while your reusable cup, or loan-a-mug, fills with freshly brewed batch coffee. You'll be able to choose from uniquely crafted brews such as the Sweet Sixteen Birthday Blend, with notes of peaches and cream; and the mango- and guava-heavy Nicaragua Cup of Excellence. From 7.30am–3pm on the Wednesday, the coffee will be free, but usually it'll set you back between $4–5 a cup. Or, you can order a tasting flight of three for $7. Aside from free on-tap coffee, the day is a good excuse to check out the popular coffee spot's recently renovated and expanded interior, which was designed by Sydney architect Luchetti Krelle, who's also behind Barangaroo restaurant Banskii, lower north shore bar Manly Greenhouse and Marickville cafe Matinee Coffee. Single O will be serving up free batch brews from 7.30am—3pm. UPDATE: APRIL 15, 2019 — Free batch coffee will now be available with BYO cup from 7.30am–3pm. The above coffee has been updated to reflect this.
YCK Laneways, a new cultural precinct that launched in 2021 encompassing the CBD laneways in York Street, Clarence Street and Kent Street, is currently in the swing of six week cultural festival titled YCK Intersections. The festival's lineup of live music, workshops and pop-ups is taking over venues across the three CBD streets, including Since I Left You, Esteban, PS40, The Duke of Clarence, Stitch Bar, Uncle Ming's, Prince of York and many more. Alongside these activations, the YCK team is throwing a three-day party stretching over the ANZAC Day long week at Barrack Street, which features a stacked lineup of live sets and cooking masterclasses. Heading up the music bill over the three days from Friday, April 22–Sunday, April 24 are Wafia, Sneaky Sound System and Day1, with support from the likes of Ula, Kota Banks, A.Girl, B Wise and East Av3, just to name a few. As for the food and drink masterclasses, you'll find Sydney favourites like Maybe Sammy, Cantina OK!, Hickson House and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours running you through skills ranging from crafting the perfect margarita to upping your oyster game. Tickets to each night of the gigs and each masterclass are available for $60 a pop — with masterclasses available in discounted bundles. You can hit up two consecutive classes for $100, or a full day of enhancing your culinary game on the Saturday for $140. Check out the lineup for the Barrack Street party and YCK Intersection's full program at the YCK Laneways website.
Sydney residents are currently in lockdown due to the city's growing wave of COVID-19 cases; however, they now can't head to Victoria even if stay-at-home conditions ended. In response to New South Wales' expanding coronavirus outbreak, its southern neighbour has closed its borders — to the entirety of NSW, and also to the Australian Capital Territory. Coming into effect 1t 11.59pm yesterday, Sunday, July 11, Victoria has declared NSW and the ACT red zones under its traffic light-style system for grading other regions of Australia according to their COVID-19 status. That colour coding means that Victoria will only allow the state's own residents who've been in NSW or the ACT to obtain permits to return home; however, they'll then need to get tested and quarantine for 14 days. If you're not a Victorian resident and you've been in either state or territory, you are no longer be able to enter Victoria without an exception, exemption or other valid permit (and, if you try, you'll be fined up to $4957). For folks who live in the NSW–Victoria border region, you can cross the border without a permit, but you will need to have proof of address with you. That said, you can't enter if you have been to a red zone outside of the cross-border area — or if you have COVID-19, any symptoms, or you're classed as a close contact of a positive case. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1414102690523607043 The closure comes just over a year since the border between New South Wales and Victoria closed for the first time in more than 100 years back in July 2020. Before then, it last shut in 1919 during the Spanish Flu. Victoria had already classed parts of the state, including all of Greater Sydney, as red zones in response to the current outbreak — a move that date backs to last month. The latest change has been put in place as NSW's coronavirus cases continue to spike, with 77 new locally acquired cases reported on Sunday, July 11 — and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian noting that she expected the number for today, Monday, July 12, to be more than 100. In a statement, the Victorian Government said that "with case numbers continuing to increase in New South Wales, Victorian public health authorities are concerned about the risks of transmission beyond current red zones in Greater Sydney and surrounds, and the potential risks this poses to the Victorian community from people entering our state." Residents of the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions have been under lockdown for more than two weeks, with those conditions tightened on Friday, July 9. A July 16 end date for lockdown has been announced previously, although, with case numbers continuing to climb, it now looks extremely unlikely that the stay-at-home period will end then. You can find out more about the status of COVID-19 at the NSW Health and Victorian Department of Health websites. Top image: Mulwala Bridge by Yun Huang Yong via Flickr.
In the decade since her gone-too-soon death in 2012, Whitney Houston has proven one of filmmaking's greatest loves of all. No fewer than five movies have told her tale, including documentaries Whitney: Can I Be Me and Whitney. And, that's without including a feature about her daughter Bobbi Kristina, a miniseries focused on her ex-husband Bobby Brown and dramas clearly based on her story. If she was still alive, a movie like Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody would've still reached screens at some point, though. Hollywood adores music biopics, especially lately, with Houston's latest stint in the celluloid spotlight following Elvis, Respect, The United States vs Billie Holiday, Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody in recent years alone. I Wanna Dance with Somebody even shares screenwriter Anthony McCarten with the latter — formula and inevitability combining, as is this genre's repeated refrain. All of that attention has been echoing around Houston for obvious — and patently well-documented — reasons. Her mezzo-soprano voice, which earned her the nickname "The Voice", soared to stratospheric and literally breathtaking levels. She still holds the record for the most consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, which she took from The Beatles and the Bee Gees, as her career zoomed skyward as well. Houston's list of hits is massive and varied, spanning ballads such as 'Saving All My Love For You', dancefloor-filling pop like 'How Will I Know' and the anthemic 'I'm Every Woman', to name a mere few tracks. That swift rise from New Jersey church choir member to one of the biggest bestselling music artists ever was matched by tabloid-fodder lows, however, and that tragic passing — and I Wanna Dance with Somebody charts it all. Taking its name from one of Houston's most exuberant singles isn't just a music biopic 101 move, although it's definitely that. Director Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) follows the standard Wikipedia entry-like genre template, piecing together all of the requisite details, but she wants those titular words to constantly make a statement. Houston does want to dance — one of the strengths of that 80s tune has always been how genuine it feels — with the phrase used here to reflect how Whitney (Naomi Ackie, Master of None) just wants to be herself, to be loved as such, and openly be with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams, Black Lightning). While still dreaming of success, Whitney and Robyn meet and sparks fly, but the times, attitudes and the demands of fame don't treat their romance kindly. I Wanna Dance with Somebody doesn't shy away from their relationship, or from the disapproval of Whitney's gospel singer mother Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie, Cowboy Bebop) and stern father John (Clarke Peters, The Man Who Fell to Earth). Whitney just wants to keep her hair short and wear jeans, too, but being a young Black woman in the 80s shooting for music stardom comes with demands. I Wanna Dance with Somebody is never so simplistic to equate having to don dresses and wigs with not being able to be true to her sexuality, but it paints a picture of a woman consistently forced to put others' expectations of her first. So, after being signed to Arista Records at 19 by producer and executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci, The King's Man), Whitney becomes America's princess next door. I Wanna Dance with Somebody doesn't ignore her willingness to play the game, either — to perform the part she's told to if it means she'll keep rocketing higher, as a scene recreating the 'How Will I Know' music video shows — but the film's thesis is plain: made to be someone she wasn't, and stripped of the support she always wanted, this tale was unlikely to have a happy ending. Joining the list of Lady Macbeth actors going on to huge things — the other: Florence Pugh — Ackie gives a commanding, multi-layered performance as the conflicted Houston. I Wanna Dance with Somebody is more concerned with attitude and emotion than strict physical resemblance, and it works. That the film is raw, heartfelt and moving in conveying Whitney's plight, including through her criticism for being too white, tumultuous relationship with Brown, moving into cinema with The Bodyguard, battles with her dad over his management and her substance-abuse troubles, all comes down to that pivotal portrayal. Indeed, such is the power in Ackie's efforts, she's still a tour-de-force while she's lip-synching. Smartly, Lemmons uses Houston's own vocals. When you're making a movie about "The Voice", you need to let your audience hear said voice. Visibly, is Ackie singing herself — the feature just dubs in the star she's playing over the top — and, unsurprisingly, the scenes where Whitney is on a stage or behind a microphone are high among I Wanna Dance with Somebody's standouts. In a film that's impassioned, too, serving up electrifying performance recreations is a wise move. Baz Luhrmann's Elvis turned concert scenes into a dizzying, multi-sensory, like-you're-there art, helping demonstrate why its subject had such an impact — an approach Lemmons and her cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Old Guard) apply to expressing Houston's immense vocal talent. Among the key Whitney moments restaged: singing 'Home' during her 1983 stint on The Merv Griffin Show shortly after being signed by Davis, her slowed-down version of the American national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, busting out 'I Will Always Love You' at The Concert for a New South Africa in 1994 and her American Music Awards medley of 'I Loves You Porgy', 'And I Am Telling You' and 'I Have Nothing' that same year. Throughout the script, talk turns to breathing, challenges and the mechanics of crooning — belting out that above trio is dubbed "climbing Mount Everest without oxygen" — but seeing is believing. Spying Ackie's arms outstretched, spreading far and wide as Houston reaches for those high notes, is a potent and understandably repeated sight. Still, unlike the singer at its centre, I Wanna Dance with Somebody is content with staying in expected territory. That makes for a rousing yet routine addition to the music biopic canon — and, because Lemmons and McCarten are committed to covering as much as possible, a rushed one as well despite its 146-minute running time. As proves the case of many famous figures who earn dramatisations of their lives, there's so much to include here that multiple movies could've easily eventuated. Again, plenty of other films about Houston have already. This jam-packed on-screen dance wants to have it all and show where Houston's broken heart went, but it doesn't burn deep enough to last.
Volcanic wines have long been an elusive gem, harnessing the richness of ancient soils to yield distinctive flavours full of character and unique aromas. The ancient practice remains popular with winemakers today, sharing their fan-favourite flavour profiles around the globe. To celebrate this captivating facet of winemaking, ESQ. is throwing a multi-course wine dinner, Fire & Vine: Exploring Volcanic Terroirs, on Wednesday, April 10. Step into Sydney's hidden gem, tucked away in the iconic Queen Victoria Building, and journey back to the clandestine world of prohibition-era speakeasies. Once you've discovered the secret bar, immerse yourself in a sensory dining experience with a curated five-course menu expertly paired with a selection of volcanic wines. Host Luigi Celiento will take you through each distinctive terrier and flavour of the wine with a fascinating history lesson. Enjoy the experience alongside a feast of Sydney rock oysters, kingfish ceviche, linguine alle vongole, and a decadent Valrhona white chocolate mousse. Secure your seat at this exclusive event, with early bird tickets at $195 per person and final release tickets at $220. Explore the full menu and reserve your spot now for an unforgettable evening of discovery.
Over in The Rocks, The Glenmore's rooftop is already impressively high, boasting primo views across to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour. But head on up on the first Thursday of the month and you'll find yourself soaring even higher than normal, getting extra air with Salto Fit's new Rise on the Rooftop series of trampoline workouts. Across two morning classes (7.30am and 8.15am) on April 29, May 27 and June 24, this sky-high session will have you working up a sweat on your own rebound trampoline, moving through a high-intensity, full-body workout packed with dance, body pump and HIIT moves. According to Salto Fit, which hosts the trampoline classes at a bunch of locations across Sydney, the low-impact workouts are an ideal cardio hit for all body types. And while those muscles might start to burn mid-sesh, at least you'll have that glorious rooftop outlook to distract you from the pain. Tickets to the classes are $30 each.
Metal festivals have for decades skirted around the edges of Australia's abundant shores, teasing fans with European promises of demons, angels, witches and vikings. Now, as the year turns to 2010, the familiar melodies of Auld Lang Syme will finally be drowned out by growling poets and guitar shredders at the inaugural Screamfest. This two-day festival straddles NYE and NYD and boasts a gargantuan collection of international and local acts, including Cynic (USA), Dark Funeral (Sweden), Ensiferum (Finland) and Rotting Christ (Greece). It goes without saying that Metal fans will be goring each other for a ticket to this event, but folks sick of the usual hippy camps, nightclubs, beach doofs and firework picnics should get in for a bout of face-painted rage.Image of Dark FuneralVideo of From Afar by Ensiferumhttps://youtube.com/watch?v=ALrjjJdmxgA
Sport has a tendency to produce simpler narratives than life does. And when, early in his career, Muhammad Ali christened himself 'The Greatest', one could be forgiven for suspecting he was a sportsman untroubled by the nuances of reality. But beyond his brash, pugilistic showmanship, Ali's life was an incredibly complex blend of sporting pressure and outspoken protest. He opposed the Vietnam War and embraced Islam. He travelled the country on speaking tours, becoming an important voice in the civil rights movement. Then he'd stop for a while and go pulp another opponent in the ring. To Malaysian-Australian rapper and poet Omar Musa, Ali was an effervescent example of how to toss aside shame and embrace being your true self. Musa's show, Since Ali Died, has already blazed a path through both Griffin's Batch Festival in April and Darwin Festival in August. Now it's on its way back to Sydney — first to the SBW Stables Theatre for Sydney Festival, before heading to Parramatta's Riverside Theatres in late-January. A lyrical lament directed by Anthea Williams, Since Ali Died confronts the realities of suburban violence, cultural heritage and how the two intersected for Musa while growing up in regional NSW. Through song, rap and spoken poetry, he begins to show us the narratives Australians have oversimplified for years. Intensely poetic and searingly critical, Since Ali Died might best be described as floating like a butterfly and stinging…well, you know. Since Ali Died will run from Monday, January 7 to Saturday, January 19 as part of Sydney Festival 2019. Tickets cost $35, plus there'll be $20 Monday rush tickets (available from noon for that evening's performance).
Sydney Opera House's UnWrapped festival is back with a new season full of attention-grabbing works from independent artists. Ranging from First Nations cabaret to Iranian-influenced jazz, the May program features six performances, all taking place in the venue's Studio and Utzon rooms. Black Comedy's Steven Oliver will perform his critically acclaimed cabaret Bigger & Blacker, while dancer and choreographer Angela Goh is presenting Sky Blue Mythic, a solo dance performance accompanied by Corin's experimental electronic music. Runa Cara, the collaboration between singer-songwriter Bonnie Stewart (also known as Bonniesongs) and Danish orchestral musician Freya Schack-Arnott, will perform a set of serene folk songs. And, Iranian Australian composer Hamed Sadeghi is premiering his latest fusion of traditional Iranian music and jazz, Project Masnavi. Outlines, a pair of boundary-pushing pieces with a big emphasis on technology, will round out the festival on its final day. Outlines Part I — R+J RMX recreates Romeo and Juliet using the artificial intelligence technology Omelia, while Outlines II – Apotheosis is a 4D visual art and motion capture dance performance by Serwah Attafuah and Soft Centre, featuring music from Ptwiggs and Lydia Kivela. The six performances will take place between Friday, May 14 and Sunday,May 30, with tickets ranging from $15–45. Tickets are on sale from midday Wednesday, April 7. [caption id="attachment_806502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Outlines Part II – Apotheosis[/caption]
While the country is in lockdown, there are still animals that need caring for. RSPCA NSW currently has more than 2000 dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs and even goats that it's feeding, playing with and providing medical care for. And to help raise funds for these animals in need, it's hosting a trivia night fundraiser — virtually, of course. Running from 7.30–8.30pm on Thursday, May 21, the fundraiser will feature 50 questions covering topics such as creates of the deep blue, animals in the spotlight and insects and reptiles, as well as some general knowledge. It'll set you back just $10 to partake, which all goes straight to looking after the furry (or not-so-furry) boys and girls. If your life is missing a furry friends — and you're ready to make a lifelong commitment, of course — RSPCA centres across the country are still open for adoptions. The process now, though, is mostly online. The charity is also looking for foster parents, if you're able to have a temporary friend in your home.
Start shining your best pair of shape-throwing shoes and get ready to dance, dance, dance because Sydney's most energetic weekend of the year is back for round two. After an impressive Sydney debut last year, MoVement will again take over the city with epic warehouse parties, curated club nights and the best in dance and electronic music from October 19-23. With an extra day up their sleeves this year, the city-wide festival (which is produced by V Energy Australia) will serve up five whole days and nights of sweet tunes and all-round awesomeness that celebrate some of Sydney's best and favourite dance party crews and artists. Like last year, the festival will be held at various locations around the city, meaning you can flit between vinyl swap meets, to secret parties and a whole slew of gigs in-between. Headlining the festival is Mind Gamers — the new project from Sebastien Tellier, Daniel Stricker of the Midnight Juggernauts and John Kirby of Blood Orange — who will be performing for the very first time. Other highlights include a DJ set from Kristian Nairn (aka Hordor from Game of Thrones), and a spesh fifth birthday party for Astral People, which will include sets from Wave Racer, Baro, Polographia and others. Sydney's party crews will be throwing a few big ones as well, with Heaps Gay, FBi and House of Mince all throwing events. Anyway, we know what you're here for. Here's the lineup. MOVEMENT SYDNEY 2016 LINEUP Mind Gamers (Sebastien Tellier | Daniel Stricker | John Kirby) Wave Racer Seven Davis Jr Kristian Nairn aka HODOR Priku Shags Chamberlain (Ariel Pink) Presents: The Crystal Machine Honey Soundsystem (Jason Kendig & Jackie House) EL-B Nicole Millar Indian Summer GL Go Freek Baro w/ Full Live Band Polographia Mall Grab Sleep D (Live) Winston Surfshirt CC:DISCO! Made in Paris Human Movement Moonbase Commander Prequel Zuri Akoko The Possé Purple Sneakers DJs Cliques B2B Preacha Stoney Roads DJs Sydney Pony Club Rimbombo Fergus Sweetland Piecey Siberia DJs Ben Drayton Andy Garvey Lovebombs Kali T-Syd Adrian E Jon Watts Noise in my Head Sea Breeze Lauren Hansom b2b Khan Mira Boru 2016 FBi Dance Class DJs + many more… Image: MoVement Sydney 2015.
Parisian label Kitsune is coming back to hang. As cool and sharp as a post-toothpaste drink of lemonade, the record and fashion label know what's up well before it's up. Specialising in eclectic electronic and minimalist dance music as clean and tailored as a French cuff, the label have been taking their Kitsune Club Nights worldwide to dance lovers in Tokyo, Berlin and London. The crew cranked some serious parties in Australia last year, with the likes of Jerry Bouthier, Clubfeet, RUFUS and Softwar. Returning for the second edition this May, Kitsune are heading back to Australia to throw down a whole lot of excellent beats, fronted by one of their favourite dudes, Pyramid. One heck of a laptop wizard, the French producer won his way into Kitsune hearts and compilations after winning a remix contest. The 22-year-old DJ will be promoting his new EP, The Phoenix, out now through the label itself. He'll be joined by Aussie electronic alt-popster Chela, who linked arms with Melbourne outfit Clubfeet for the Kitsune club series last year. There'll be five stops on the Kitsune Australian tour, creating a ruckus in Fitzroy's Laundry Bar, Fortitude Valley's Chinese Whispers, The Bakery in Northbridge and Sydney's Civic Underground before heading on to Warehouse 82 in Seminyak, Bali. So if you're fan of disjointed nu-disco (which, everybody clearly is), get amongst it in May. Tour dates: Fri 9 May - Laundry Bar, Fitzroy Sat 10 May - Chinese Whispers, Fortitude Valley Fri 16 May - The Bakery, Northbridge Sat 17 May - Civic Underground, Sydney Image by BAM.
When the weekend hits, heading out and enjoying the city usually sits high on most folks' agendas. Today, Saturday, March 20, staying out of the wet conditions is recommended instead. Following on from forecasts earlier in the week, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Sydney for today — with heavy rainfall, damaging winds and surf, and likely flash flooding all expected. The warning spans from the mid-north coast and Hunter regions to metropolitan Sydney, and also to Illawarra and parts of the Central Tablelands. It's expected that over the next 12 hours, the intense rain will be concentrated in the eastern Hunter region, metro Sydney, eastern Central Tablelands and Illawarra. Between 90–150 millimetres of rain is currently predicted in Sydney alone — up from yesterday's forecast of 60–120 millimetres — so yes, there'll be torrents of water falling from above. BOM advises that roads are likely to be cut off by water, there's an increased risk of landslips and river flooding is possible. A warning for possible major flooding of the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers northwest of Sydney has been issued. Winds are also expected to get up to 40 kilometres per hour in Sydney — and to exceed 90 kilometres per hour along the Hunter coast, where waves of up to five metres are predicted. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1373036149674029065 Yesterday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian asked residents across the city and state to stay close to home over the weekend due to the downpour. "Normally we're telling people to travel around New South Wales, but this weekend is an exception," she said. "If you did have plans to travel on the roads, please reconsider. We just want everybody to stay around and close to their home and to be safe." In the past 24 hours, plenty of rain has already fallen across the state, including between 300–400 millimetres around Port Macquarie. A flood evacuation order has been issued for the area — plus Taree, Dungog, Wingham, Cundletown, Lower Macleay, North Haven, Dunbogan and Laurieton — by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES). In an update this morning, NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin said that the service has received almost 3200 requests for assistance, including 800 overnight — and more than 300 flood rescues. "There's some 26 catchments that have some level of flood watch or flood warning over them, ranging right the way from the mid-north coast down into the Illawarra, and the surrounding areas also cop the brunt of that as well," he advised. https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1372991758922088455 If you're wondering what's behind the severe conditions, BOM advises that a low-pressure trough along the NSW coast is causing widespread and persistent rain, plus windy conditions. It's also combining with a strong high-pressure system to the south to bring windy weather to higher parts of the southern ranges. The heaviest rain is expected to fall within the next 24 hours, but may continue in some areas through until Tuesday. In Sydney, 45–60 millimetres is forecast on Sunday, 20–50 millimetres on Monday and 20–35 millimetres on Tuesday, before falling down to under two millimetres on Wednesday. BOM is continuing to issue a heap of warnings, which are worth keeping an eye on — especially if you do need to head out. Don't forget to pack your umbrellas and raincoats, too. And, as usual with potential flooding, the SES recommends you don't walk, drive or ride your bike through flood water. As the weather conditions continue to develop, stay up to date with the latest forecast and weather warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology and the NSW State Emergency Service.
For playing Princess Diana in Spencer, Kristen Stewart earned an Oscar nomination. For doing the same in Diana the Musical, Jeanna de Waal just won a Golden Raspberry Award. Given out the day before the Academy Awards and rewarding the worst in cinema for the past year — rather than the best and brightest like their counterparts — the Razzies have named their picks from 2021's flicks. And yes, singing through the life of Princess Di wasn't considered movie magic. A filmed version of the stage production, Diana the Musical earned five awards in total — after leading the nominations with nine. The Golden Raspberries also considered it the Worst Picture of the year, and gave it the Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screenplay prizes as well. If you haven't seen it yet, you might to stick with The Crown. Also winning big: needless Space Jam sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy, which picked up three awards from four nominations. It received the Worst Actor prize for LeBron James, as well as the Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel award, plus Worst Screen Couple. With those two movies scoring eight awards between them, there wasn't much room for many other winners at the 42nd Razzies (although, are Razzie recipients really considered winners?). But Jared Leto's awful efforts in House of Gucci still scored him the Worst Supporting Actor prize, even over Diana the Musical's Gareth Keegan. One person who was always going to end with a Razzie to his name this year was Bruce Willis. The awards even created their own category for him — because he released eight flicks last year, and all of them were terrible. Wondering which one was deemed the worst of the lot? That'd be Cosmic Sin, which saw Willis pick up the accolade for Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie. Ahead of likely winning an Oscar today, Will Smith also earned some love from the Razzies as well. The former Fresh Prince received the only Golden Raspberry anyone ever wants to get, though: the Razzie Redeemer, for actors who've come back from a spate of Razzie-worthy roles. Smith's win came for King Richard, the part he's expected to get that Academy Award for. Check out the full list of nominees and winners below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2022: WORST PICTURE Diana the Musical — WINNER Infinite Karen Space Jam: A New Legacy The Woman in the Window WORST ACTOR Scott Eastwood, Dangerous Roe Hartrampf (as Prince Charles), Diana the Musical LeBron James, Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen Mark Wahlberg, Infinite WORST ACTRESS Amy Adams, The Woman in the Window Jeanna de Waal, Diana the Musical — WINNER Megan Fox, Midnight in the Switchgrass Taryn Manning, Karen Ruby Rose, Vanquish WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Ben Affleck, The Last Duel Nick Cannon, The Misfits Mel Gibson, Dangerous Gareth Keegan (as James Hewitt, the muscle-bound horse trainer), Diana the Musical Jared Leto, House of Gucci — WINNER WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Amy Adams, Dear Evan Hansen Sophie Cookson, Infinite Erin Davie (as Camilla), Diana the Musical Judy Kaye (as both Queen Elizabeth and Barbara Cartland), Diana the Musical — WINNER Taryn Manning, Every Last One of Them WORST PERFORMANCE BY BRUCE WILLIS IN A 2021 MOVIE Bruce Willis, American Siege Bruce Willis, Apex Bruce Willis, Cosmic Sin — WINNER Bruce Willis, Deadlock Bruce Willis, Fortress Bruce Willis, Midnight in the Switchgrass Bruce Willis, Out of Death Bruce Willis, Survive the Game WORST SCREEN COMBO Any klutzy cast member and any lamely lyricised (or choreographed) musical number, Diana the Musical LeBron James and any Warner cartoon character (or Time-Warner product) he dribbles on, Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Jared Leto and either his 17-pound latex face, his geeky clothes or his ridiculous accent, House of Gucci Ben Platt and any other character who acts like Platt singing 24-7 is normal, Dear Evan Hansen Tom and Jerry (aka Itchy and Scratchy), Tom & Jerry WORST DIRECTOR Christopher Ashley, Diana the Musical — WINNER Stephen Chbosky, Dear Evan Hansen Coke Daniels, Karen Renny Harlin, The Misfits Joe Wright, The Woman in the Window WORST REMAKE, RIPOFF or SEQUEL Karen (inadvertent remake of Cruella deVil) Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Tom and Jerry Twist (rap remake of Oliver Twist) The Woman in the Window (ripoff of Rear Window) WORST SCREENPLAY Diana the Musical, script by Joe DiPietro, music and lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan — WINNER Karen, written by Coke Daniels The Misfits, screenplay by Kurt Wimmer and Robert Henny, screen story by Robert Henny Twist, written by John Wrathall and Sally Collett, additional material by Matthew Parkhill, Michael Lindley, Tom Grass and Kevin Lehane, from an "original idea" by David and Keith Lynch and Simon Thomas The Woman in the Window, screenplay by Tracy Letts, from the novel by AJ Finn RAZZIE REDEEMER Will Smith for King Richard
For the past couple of months, Sydney Fringe Festival has been the event that's kept on giving — and it isn't even here yet. First, it announced that it'd be back in-person in 2022, and bigger than ever. Then, the massive independent arts event revealed its first few highlights, including a comedic recreation of Titanic. And, after that, the Runaway Gardens lineup dropped, featuring everything from boundary-pushing burlesque to a mimosa-fuelled drag brunch club. Accordingly, if you already have a whole heap of plans for Sydney Fringe Festival 2022, that's understandable. But prepare to make more, because the full program has just been unveiled — all 500-plus events over 50 venues, including nine hubs, that'll turn Sydney into quite the entertaining place to be between Tuesday, August 16–Sunday, September 25. Among the highlights, free opening party Fringe Ignite is right up there. It'll take over The Rocks on Friday, September 2 — which is a few weeks after Fringe actually kicks off, but no one is complaining. Twenty acts will perform in pop-up locations, giving you plenty to see and roam between from 6pm till late. [caption id="attachment_863365" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Seiya Taguchi[/caption] Also a standout is Indie Yarns, which heads Fringe's First Nations program highlights, and will gather members of the fest's First Nations Advisory Panel for a Q&A session. There's also Dane Simpson's stand-up comedy show Didgeridoozy, as well as singer-songwriter Paul Ah Chee playing his debut solo EP Nowhere to Hide. The previously announced Limitless micro-festival will focus on artists with disability or who are deaf for two weeks, with must-sees spanning inclusive comedy night Crips and Creeps Comedy, plus Sam Kissajukian's 300 Paintings in Lockdown. And while Fringe Comedy is still set to unleash 135 shows at the Factory Theatre, you'll be able to get giggling at The Barracks Comedy Club as well, which'll host 15 performances in September. Elsewhere, comedy cabaret Cherry will celebrate one woman's love of Katy Perry, interactive theatre experience Gameshow will bring TV game shows to life, and YCK Laneways will host the Front and Centre Festival, which is all about female-identifying artists — including Jaguar Jonze, JOY, Kilimi and Pirra. Or, there's a four-show series of acoustic concerts at Venue 505, featuring Elizabeth Fader, Declan Kelly with Daniel Pliner, Emily Granger with Andrew Blanch, and Emily Stephenson. And, the Smidmore Sessions will take over Marrickville Metro for three days of live comedy, outdoor movies and music. Also getting out and about is Fringeville at Hurstville Plaza, which'll feature roving entertainment, live music and a comedy bus. The list goes on, which means one key thing for six weeks from mid-August: no, you can't say there isn't anything to do around town. [caption id="attachment_863367" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brig Bee[/caption] Sydney Fringe Festival 2022 will take place between Tuesday, August 16–Friday, September 30. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the fest's website.
UPDATE Tuesday, June 22: Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, the Good Food & Wine Show has been postponed and will now run from Friday, Spetember 17–Sunday, September 19. Head to the Good Food & Wine Show's Instagram for more info. A four-day fiesta of local eats and drinks is set to heat up Sydney this winter, thanks to the new-look edition of the Good Food & Wine Show. Taking over ICC Sydney across six sessions from Friday, September 17–Sunday, September 19, the festival will deliver a sumptuous spread of tastings, pop-ups, cooking demos and other delectable happenings, celebrating top Aussie chefs, producers, winemakers and eateries. You can watch your favourite culinary stars in action as they cook up a storm live on stage — including Miguel Maestre, Justine Schofield, Matt Moran and more — then hit the all-new Eat Local Restaurant Pop-Up to sample bites from much-loved eateries like Nour, Ria Pizza + Wine and Yellow. The Good Food Village will feature an array of market stalls where you can browse, try and buy artisan products from across the country, while the experts from The Smelly Cheese Project host a series of masterclasses to delight even the most avid of cheese nerds. Dairy lovers will also want to head to Cheese Lane for samples, too. As always, the drinks will be flowing. There'll be intimate food-matched tastings in the Wine Selectors Tasting Room, a program of fun wine education sessions hosted by the Riedel Drinks Lab and a swag of spirits-focused pop-ups — including Fever Tree's Ultimate Gin & Tonic Bar — offering masterclasses, tastings and more. General admission tickets clock in at $30; however, if wine's your true passion, you can pick up a Wine Lover ticket for $60 and enjoy extras like a Riedel tasting glass and exclusive access to some very special drops. [caption id="attachment_806423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Byford[/caption] Images: Joseph Byford
Given the hefty backlash copped by Lost Picnic's 2017 edition, you'd be forgiven for thinking the boutique Sydney festival might not live to see another day. But organisers have announced the event will return this October, promising to address last year's raft of issues and even throwing a debut Melbourne date into the mix. Taking over The Domain on October 13, Lost Picnic 2018 is out to dish up a family-friendly serve of live entertainment and top local eats. Taking the stage this year will be legendary young-gun Tash Sultana, off the back of releasing her debut album, joined by Meg Mac, New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams, Sydney's Odette and brass ten-piece Hot Potato Band. A finely-tuned food offering will include Milky Lane and The Dolphin. Lost Picnic's last outing suffered more than a few hiccups, with punters complaining of lengthy wait times, food and drink stalls running out of stock early, and a somewhat disastrous forced recycling system. But this time around, Simon Beckingham — co-founder of Finely Tuned, the group that organises both Lost Picnic and NYE bash Lost Paradise — says festival goers can expect a much smoother affair. "Since last year's event wrapped up, we have been working hard to vastly improve the customer experience for 2018," he told Concrete Playground. After taking "all feedback on board", Beckingham had confirmed that there will be double the food stalls and an increased number of toilets, bar staff and tills — and those keen to skip the food queues altogether will be able to bring in their own picnic snacks. It's unclear if the capacity of the festival has been reduced or not. And instead of last year's compulsory recycling system, which forced punters to put down a $1 deposit for cups and then line up again to get a refund, there'll be a more user-friendly $10 cash-back incentive for those recycling their empty wine bottles. Tickets are going for the same price — $89 a pop — so here's hoping all the changes make the ticket price worth it.
How better to experience the fun, food and festivities of Chinese New Year, than on the back of a rickshaw? This year, Sydney's 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art is celebrating the annual cultural extravaganza with Rickshaw Tales, a series of rickshaw food tours, which'll see punters jump aboard their artist-commissioned vehicle for a roving foodie fest through Haymarket. Local multidisciplinary Chinese-Australian artist Louise Zhang is the talent behind the rickshaw's visually-arresting get-up, with her candy-coloured globular painting and sculpture style suggestive of vibrant Asian desserts and sweets. The highly visible rickshaw will be doing tours for two people at a time on weekends and Thursday nights across the CNY festival, from January 28 through to Tuesday, February 14, when they'll do a special Valentine's Day tour. For a very reasonable $33 per person, riders will be pedalled around Chinatown in style with commentary by 4A Director Mikala Tai via video. Participants will gain a swag of insight into the area's culinary offerings, with the ticket price inclusive of snacks at each restaurant, café, and hole-in-the-wall they stop at along the way. Prefer to experience it all on foot? Rickshaw Tales will also host a series of small group walking tours for $22, guided by 4A's team of Chinatown experts. Either way, you better get booking — the rickshaw rides will no doubt be snapped up quicker than a dozen Emperor Puffs.
Japanese cinema's diverse array of wonders can't be confined to one event. Sydneysiders can watch the latest and greatest films the country has to offer at the annual Japanese Film Festival; however, since 2014, cinephiles have also been able to step back into Japanese movie history, too — all thanks to its classics program. Next running from Tuesday, February 2, 2021–Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the latest old-school film program explores plenty of big-screen highlights from the 60s through to the 00s, especially if you're fond of weird, wonderful, surreal and subversive flicks. If you haven't ever watched Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man, take the opportunity to redress that situation — because we all need to see a movie about a man compelled to stuff metal into his body. Or, make a date with 70s standout House from director Nobuhiko Ōbayashi, which is about a creepy abode that eats schoolgirls. Other must-sees include Seijun Suzuki's assassin-fuelled Pistol Opera; Diary of a Shinjuku Thief, Nagisa Ōshima's 60s film about a man who steals from a bookstore in Shinjuku; and Eros + Massacre, a biopic about Sakae Ōsugi, who advocated for sexual freedom in the early 20th century. And, in great news for your wallet, attendance is free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShJvheZHXdI The Japanese Film Festival Classics Program next runs from Tuesday, February 2, 2021–Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
After a successful run in Melbourne last year, crowdfunding platform Pozible is bringing its pop-up love-in to Sydneysiders next month. Dubbed Anything's Pozible, the project will be taking over The Makery in Darlinghurst from March 7-13 to celebrate the already existing work of emerging creatives and develop their skills for the future. In a more straightforward way, that means workshops, film screenings, classes and performances — all at artist-friendly prices and bookable as (what else?) Pozible campaign rewards. To celebrate the great work that Pozible has already done, opening night on Friday, March 7, will feature a bunch of crowdfunding success stories, including the EP release of local dreamboat, Oliver Tank. It will also be a great opportunity to hear about the innovation behind smaller projects. See Sydney printmakers Rizzeria detail how they raised funds for a new stencil press, check out Trent Jansen's sustainable bicycle reflectors made from old road signs, or hear how James McKay raised over $65,000 on the idea of a single coffee cup. Throughout the following days, workshops will include printmaking (courtesy of the folks at Rizzeria); online marketing for design, film and publishing (courtesy of The Loop); and general crowdfunding know-how brought to you by Pozible itself. Even if you don't have a creative project on the horizon, it's probably worth heading along and mooching some creative inspiration off these people. Embrace the love-in. Find some ideas worth investing in. Registration for classes and workshops is open from Wednesday, February 5, via Pozible.
Every Friday lunchtime, CBD bar Since I Left You will transform into a Mexico City-inspired taqueria, with refreshing cocktails, $5 tacos and spicy house-made salsas. From 12pm each week, the bar will host the Tuckshop Taqueria: a celebration of making it to Friday — and an affordable alternative to a soggy sanga or exxy pub lunch. The weekly pop-up will be slinging house-made tortillas with your choice of three different toppings: tinga de pollo (sweet and spicy pulled chicken), al pastor (marinated and grilled pork) and pumpkin and sweet potato jerky. With these tasty (gluten-free) tortillas, you'll get three salsas, which, according to Owner Nick White, range from mild to "face melting". The mild is avocado and coriander with just a touch of green chilli, the medium is charred jalapeño and tomatillo salsa, and the fiery number is pasilla (dried chilaca chilli) and garlic. To help soothe the burn, there'll be hibiscus iced teas for $6 — the "most refreshing drink on earth", according to White — and, for those ready to start celebrating the weekend already, $12 margaritas and $8 Corona beers. For the moment, the taqueria will be walk-in only and just on Fridays, but if Sydney continues to ease out of COVID-19 restrictions, White hopes to expand it to more days.
Sydney, it's time get your glam rock on. We're talking about dusting off your favourite Ziggy Stardust jumpsuit, striking your hottest Debbie Harry pose and practising your disco dance moves. This Friday, February 28, brand new '70s-inspired live music meets live art as Easy Tiger opens its doors underneath The Unicorn Hotel, with a massive launch party titled 'When Bowie Met Blondie'. While you sip on free cocktails (available between 6pm and 8pm), street artist Mike Watt and illustrator Jo Ley will create Bowie- and Blondie-themed murals before your very eyes. Meanwhile, disco experts Midnight Pool Party will deliver a live soundtrack, bringing their funky keyboard sounds, groove-driven guitar licks and infectious choruses to the '70s repertoire and related originals. Tickets are available on the door, but you can RSVP via Easy Tiger's Facebook event page. When Bowie Met Blondie is sponsored by G'Vine Gin.
The 90s are the decade that keeps on giving — to nostalgic Australians, at least. On any given weekend under regular circumstances, you can usually find a party dedicated to kicking it old school-style. And, at the moment, you can still get retro with Isolation Trivia's 90s Music Trivia edition. Know everything there is to know about the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, grunge, 'Gangsta's Paradise' and chasing waterfalls? Then, come 6.25pm on Thursday, June 4, it's time to put your 90s-loving brain to the test. The Isolation Trivia folks will be asking the questions, your lounge room will be doing the hosting and you'll be slinging back your answers — if you wannabe the trivia champ, that is. No bookings or registrations are required — all you need to do it hit up the event Facebook page when it's time to strut your stuff. Our tip: prepare to channel Alanis when your competition gets something wrong — aka to have 'You Oughta Know' stuck in your head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcyTyilmYY
Does a whole room packed full of vintage tees sound like your idea of sartorial heaven? Well, the guys at Frankie's Pizza and Surry Hills' Storeroom Vintage have heard your wish, teaming up to host the Frankie's Vintage Tee Market this Sunday, October 1. Kicking off at 4pm, the bar's main room will be filled to the brim with pre-loved, original tees, courtesy of Storeroom Vintage's latest haul of threads, sourced fresh from the US. There'll be fun casual finds, stacks of affordable retro pieces and even some super rare band tour tees to ensure you're primed for festival season. Of course, shopping can be thirsty work, so the Frankie's crew will be on-hand with all their usual goodies, including happy hour pizza prices and drink deals from 4–6pm. Image: Katje Ford.
Tanks have featured in countless war movies yet rarely been the focus of those films. Slow, hulking and claustrophobic, they lack the 'glamour' of planes, the scale of battleships and the vulnerability of the lone soldier. Two rare exceptions are 1943's Sahara and 1988's The Beast of War, both of which centred on lone tank crews bravely engaging the enemy against seemingly impossible odds. In that vein, Fury is a fitting new addition. In the closing stages of the Second World War, a single US tank (baring the nickname from which the film takes its title), is tasked with holding a vital crossroads deep behind German lines. Its crew (Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal) is a hardened bunch of veterans dutifully falling under the command of 'Wardaddy' (Brad Pitt), and none of them take kindly to their new, fresh-faced draftee Norman (Logan Lerman), whose mobile armoured experience consists of knowing how to operate a typewriter. Norman's initiation is quick and uncompromising. His first job is to wipe down the tank's interior and scrub away the fleshy remains of his predecessor. Then its straight into action, where the true horrors of the conflict are seen, felt and heard all around. One thing Fury does exceptionally well is demonstrating precisely how devastating a tank was to anything less than another one (unless that other one was the German 'Tiger', whose forward-facing armour made it invulnerable to all US counterparts). "Ideals are peaceful", explains Wardaddy, "history is violent", and the sound of enemy shells tearing holes through the sky as they blaze past or into the American units is a terrifyingly violent experience. Indeed, all the combat scenes in Fury are brutally graphic, offering a Saving Private Ryan level of gruesome reality to the war experience. Bodies are burned, shredded and liquified, yet what truly confronts is the matter-of-factness with which the other soldiers regard it all. This is the final stage of the conflict, remember, by which time most troops had experienced years of dehumanising savagery. "It's just war!" one of them explains to Norman, whose revulsion to the death around him is neatly reflective of the audience's. If there's a problem with Fury, it's Pitt's character, Wardaddy. It's not just that he's unlikeable and almost impossibly calm under pressure, he's also a war criminal. The Hague Conventions are blatantly ignored as he periodically executes POWs, including one particularly sadistic sequence used to familiarise Norman with killing. 'Ideals are peaceful', yes, but they're also binding, and in what may well have been the last war fought for noble reasons, robbing your hero of his morality has a flow-on effect to the rest of the film. Corny jingoism has no place in the post-Private Ryan universe, and it's good to see the darker side of the Allied war effort not being overlooked, but as the credits roll it's hard not the feel like director David Ayer ultimately retreated from that position and allowed his star to reclaim a little bit of the Hollywood treatment. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WYm2Jru6Wzc
Fancy a Tassie wine-tasting extravaganza, but can't find the time (or cash) to make the trip? How about a quick hop over to Darlinghurst instead? If you can get there with 50 bucks to spare on Saturday, August 27, you'll be living the Apple Isle dream. That's because one-day wine festival Vin Diemen is coming back to Sydney for a second year. Your ticket will get you a take-home wine glass and access to the creations of a whole slew of Tasmanian winemakers, who are crossing the strait to show us what their island is made of. Expect to sample some of the best Pinot Noir in the nation, alongside top-shelf Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling — cold climate varieties get a better go in Tassie than nearly anywhere else in Oz. And giving the wines the respect they deserve will be a bunch of tasty Tasmanian morsels, including fresh salmon from Huon and cheesy noms from Bruny Island Cheese.
With Biennale 2016 out of the bag, the unofficial fringe exhibition, SafARI, is preparing for take-off. On Saturday, November 7, the organisers will reveal their program with a titanic launch party at Freda's. Leading the festivities will be teaser performances from official 2016 artists Angela Garrick, presenting An invitation to vent your frustrations about the weather, and Grace Blake (with Greg Holden), with Psychedelic visuals meets imperfect hardware clubby techno. Meanwhile, a slew of musical acts will keep your ears happy with original tunes and sound experiments, including Matthew Brown's 'dark megalithic techno', Wet Kiss's bedroom pop, Orion delivering 'Sydney's answer to New Order', Dominic Talarico's Aaliyah and Arthur Russell-influenced songs, and The Mullumbilical Brothers DJs. Young Henrys and Freda's will be providing support in the form of cheap drinks and tasty morsels. Tickets are $10 online before the event, or $15 on the door.
If crossing the Harbour Bridge is part of your daily routine, you might want to look up on Thursday, September 26. To help celebrate 21 years since BridgeClimb Sydney started letting folks scamper up to great heights, Diplo will be scrambling up top, busting out his decks and spinning some tunes — becoming the the first-ever high-profile international artist to perform atop the towering structure. The US DJ, songwriter and producer will be in the country to perform at the Listen Out festival across late September and early October, but has added this sky-high gig to his itinerary. That said, just what time he'll make the climb and how long he'll play for haven't been revealed. And no, sadly you can't buy tickets to attend. Instead, you can keep an eye out for footage afterwards, with the stunt designed to get folks talking about BridgeClimb. The company is certainly keen to mark its 21st birthday in a big way — earlier this month, it announced a sale on climbs, throwing back to 1998 by offering tickets for $98. Unsurprisingly, they've since sold out. While Diplo will become the first super-famous musician to get beats pumping 134 metres above sea level, he will follow in the footsteps of plenty of other famous faces who've previously made the climb, including Ben Stiller, Hugh Jackman and Heidi Klum. Diplo will play on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at an undisclosed time on Thursday, September 26. While tickets aren't available, you can keep an eye on BridgeClimb Sydney's Facebook page for footage.
It's not every restaurant that casually nabs a hat in their first year, but Saké Double Bay have raised many a celebratory sake since opening in December 2014. Now, they're gearing up to ring in their first birthday with a special culinary escapade on Wednesday, January 27 — with seven courses of wildly contemporary Japanese cuisine. The work of Urban Purveyor Group (the team behind Ananas Bar and Brasserie, Bavarian Bier Cafe, The Cut Bar and Grill), Saké has been kicking goals at 33 Cross Street, beneath the InterContinental Hotel for a year now. This stunningly-designed Double Bay establishment has been serving the contemporary Japanese cuisine and cocktails Saké is already celebrated for — joining sister venues in The Rocks (six-times hatted) and Brisbane, alongside its Melbourne counterpart. We're talking 'gramworthy new-style sushi to significantly impress your date. Saké's first birthday celebrations are the perfect chance to meet new executive chef Wayne Brown (formerly of Saké Hamer Hall), who's created a special seven-course dinner shared menu with matched beverages for a cheeky $150pp. Kicking off at 7pm, you'll be treated to the likes of Aylesbury Duck tataki with puffed skin, nashi pear, mustard seed and ume caramel; Petuna ocean trout confit with pakchoy, citrus ponzu gel and nori rice chip and a spectacular dessert from the Sake collection dubbed 'White Nitro', with frosted milk, white chocolate and stone fruit. Each dish will be paired with handpicked wines and sake from Japan, Spain, France, Hungary and the Canberra District.
Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become an end-of-year staple — and the Glenworth Valley event returns from December 28, 2018 to January 1, 2019 for another packed year. The fest's fifth annual lineup will see more than 50 acts take to the stage across a huge five days, with artistic experiences, talks, workshops and classes also part of the camping festival. Of course, it's the music that'll tempt festival-goers to make the journey an hour out of Sydney. With The Kooks, Tash Sultana, Joey Bada$$, Pnau, Dune Rats and M.I.A. leading the charge — the latter in her only New South Wales show — there's plenty to get excited about. Attendees will dance their way between four stages, all returning from 2017. Arcadia is where the main action is, Lost Disco will focus on bass, techno and dance music (and eye-catching visuals by 3D mapping artists), and Paradise Club will party on right into the night with DJs and surprise guests. Then there's My Mum's Disco, which not only features a digital jukebox pumping out 15,000 nostalgic beats and guilty pleasures, but sing-alongs and more to accompany the tunes. Think bingo, karaoke and the general feeling that you're hanging out at a mighty huge Aussie backyard shindig. In-between catching live sets and making shapes, Lost Paradise offers patrons a heap of other activities, including three days of chats and sessions at the fest's Shambhala Fields. Everything from African dance and forest bathing to hula hooping and massage is on the agenda, as well as a dedicated yoga and meditation tent. Or, hang out in Hammock Haven, find something to read at the Lost Library, take a ride on an art car, go shopping at the Lost Bazaar bohemian fashion markets or head to the new Holy Cow Chai Tent. It's a carnival-themed space that's all about chilling out over breakfast bowls and — as the name suggests — brewed chai, plus other beverages. Still on the food and drink front, Lost Village boasts communal tables for dining and an array of cuisines for feasting upon. On-site craft beer container bars will serve up craft booze, while Milky Lane and Cold Rock are on the culinary lineup menu alongside dim sum, pizza, Japanese and Southern-Indian street-food, and more. Camping-wise, there are two options: The Glamping Gypsy Fields or The Eco-Tent Village. The former includes luxury toilets and showers, a breakfast cafe, cocktail bar, furnished hangout spaces and a grooming parlour, while the more budget-friendly latter lets you take your pick from tents made out of recyclable cardboard, basic canvas tents and reusable canvas tents with foam mattresses. LOST PARADISE 2018 LINEUP The Kooks Tash Sultana M.I.A Joey Bada$$ Pnau Bicep (Live) Dune Rats Ball Park Music Vera Blue Kink (Live) Winston Surfshirt Peggy Gou Foals (Dj Set) Willaris. K Young Franco Bob Moses Sg Lewis Lime Cordiale Chaos In The Cbd Furnace & The Fundamentals Anna Yotto Human Movement Dom Dolla Cut Snake Cc:Disco! Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Groove City Flava D Genesis Owusu Klp Bontan Krystal Klear Loods Young Monks Pacific Avenue Wallace Thunderfox Milan Ring Clews Majun Bu The Jim Mitchells Rackett Shantan Wantan Ichiban Clypso Motorik Vibe Council Ebony Boadu Lex Deluxe Sportsuncle Ru Matt Ringrose Dibby Dibby Soundsystem Images: Boaz Nothman, Cai Griffin, Jordan Munns and Nathan Bonnici.
Sydneysiders have a new al fresco food event to add to their calendars this sunny season as some of the city's best-loved chefs come together for the inaugural EatSummer twilight market. Helmed by the team at Cambridge Markets (who also run Watsons Bay Spring Market, Rose Bay Farmers Market) and curated by food journalist Elizabeth Meryment, the event will grace the Entertainment Quarter's Heritage Park on Saturday, November 18. And it's bringing with it a drool-worthy lineup of food, drink and entertainment, headlined by a strong lineup of chefs from restaurants like Lucio's, Ume Burger, Mr Bao, Barzaari, Indu, Lotus and Anason. A dedicated 'dessert alley' will showcase six of Sydney's finest sweet-focused vendors, to be announced next month. Meanwhile, four themed bars will include a cocktail-slinging pop-up run by local craft gin distillery Archie Rose, to be enjoyed alongside EatSummer's program of live tunes, DJ sets and performances. More EatSummer dates are planned for the coming months — we'll keep you posted as they're announced. EatSummer will take place from 3–10pm on November 18, at Heritage Park, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Tickets are $10 and available here. Image: Ume Burger.
A charcoal barbecue, a brand new head chef and a beer garden that's channeling the vibe of a Latin festival are three reasons why you should get yourself to Newtown's The Bank Hotel pronto. Yep, the long-standing inner west hang is finally getting a revamp, and you're invited to celebrate at the launch. Zac Smart, all the way from Neutral Bay's SoCal, has taken over the kitchen. He's brought with him a barbecue, but, unlike so many of Sydney's others, it's not an American affair. Instead, you'll be getting spicy, Latin-influenced flavours. Think chimichurri, romesco sauce, chancaca, chilli and fresh herbs. Star dishes include piquillo peppers with mushrooms and pinto beans, BBQ corn with tomatillo salsa and manchego, and octopus with romesco. The Bank's classic beer garden will kept its relaxed vibe, but the back has gained more of a festival spirit so you can kick back in Latin-inspired style when you arrive. The warm-up party, slated for Wednesday, August 31, will start at 6pm. Get there early, because cocktails and samples from the menu will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis. DJ Gonzo will be on the decks.
Feeling a little chilly, Sydneysiders? There's a reason for that. We're only halfway through autumn, but a significant drop in temperature has been making the city shiver today, Monday, April 12 — with this morning marking not only Sydney's coldest of 2021 so far, but also its frostiest since September 2020. At 6.30am this morning, the mercury sat at 9.7 degrees. The minimum temps so far in April have hovered between 13.5–19.2 degrees, so it's quite a bit colder than usual. And, the Bureau of Meteorology reports that the apparent temperature went down to four degrees at 7am this morning, so it felt even chillier still. While the mercury will hit the 21-degree maximum mark today — and continue to sit between 11–29 degrees right through until Sunday, April 18 — today's frostier sensation comes as a result of a cold front over the weekend. As a result, BOM advises that temperatures across the state are expected to be around five degrees lower than the April average today. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1381352894277033988 To put the colder temperatures in context, Sydney's mean April minimum is 14.8 degrees. Typically, the mercury doesn't start dropping much further until May, which sports a 11.6-degree average minimum temperature — and in June, naturally, where the minimum hovers around 9.3 degrees Obviously, we're at the point of the year when saying "winter is coming" is warranted — but rest assured that it has been genuinely colder than normal to start today. For more information about Sydney's weather forecasts and recent temperatures, head to the Bureau of Meteorology's website.
When The Incredibles first leapt onto cinema screens 14 years ago, it earned its title several times over. Exploring the exploits of a super-enhanced family trying to live a normal life, the movie served up an all-ages superhero story with smarts and heart. Moreover, the savvy Pixar flick successfully predicted two things. Back in 2004, when no one had even heard of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man was played by Tobey Maguire and Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy hadn't yet made its mark, The Incredibles pre-empted society's current love of caped crusaders. Indeed, that film began at a time where spandex-clad folks like Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) and Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) are constantly seen, heard and talked about. But it also foresaw the flipside to this obsession, recognising that the public's love of costumed crime-fighters has its limits. In the world of the movie, everyone listing 'saving the world' as their occupation was banned when the world had had enough. If you've been caught up in superhero fever over the past decade, only to catch a case of superhero fatigue as more and more comic book heroes soar across our screens, you can surely recognise all of the above. In fact, blending fantastical elements with relatable components was one of The Incredibles' greatest super powers. Caped crusaders are just like us, the picture made clear – attempting to juggle their personal and professional lives, battling to achieve their dreams, and fighting for their place. And while long-awaited sequel Incredibles 2 repeats the same basic premise, the franchise's canny ability to combine cartoon antics with cutting societal commentary ensures this is no mere rehash. Picking up where the first film left off, Incredibles 2 sees its central family — Mr. Incredible aka Bob Parr, Elastigirl aka Helen, and kids Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner) and Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) — trying to fend off burrowing, bank-robbing villain The Underminer, then coping with the aftermath. No one is happy about their efforts, and the fact that people with enhanced abilities are still illegal means a life without crime-fighting awaits. Enter telecommunications company head Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener), with a plan to restore the heroes to their former glory. With Elastigirl leading the charge, the siblings have masterminded a rebranding campaign designed to make super folk popular again. And, thanks to body cameras and media appearances, this revolution will be televised. Drama comes in the form of an incredibly apt nemesis: Screenslaver, who interrupts Elastigirl's broadcasts with mind-controlling signals and raves about humanity's reliance on screens. Accordingly, Incredibles 2 slings statements about today's social media saturation, the valuing of appearances, and the fact that we live in a society where someone is always watching — for better or worse. It's a movie about the power of perception, one that rallies against making, filming or viewing something simply because you can. They're all observations that apply to the picture's specific story, to the broader superhero realm, and just to life in general. Plus, thanks to a subplot following Bob's attempts to hold the fort at home while Helen is off championing the caped crusader cause, the film also has plenty to say about gender equality and the role of women. Still, none of this would mean anything if returning writer-director Brad Bird didn't pair his story with engaging action, a playful tone and genuine emotion. Although not for people who are sensitive to flashing lights, an early strobe-lit confrontation ranks among the most inventive scenes in a superhero flick — animated or live-action — while an altercation between Jack-Jack and a racoon is just as memorable. Filled with both zippy battles and quiet character moments, Incredibles 2 mostly gets the balance right, even if it does feel a little padded towards the end. Interestingly, Bird (whose CV also includes The Iron Giant, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol and Tomorrowland) is the only person in Pixar history to assume total control for scripting and helming any of the company's features without any co-writers or co-directors. The result is not only one of Pixar's original standout movies, but its best sequel in nearly a decade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5qOzqD9Rms
It's been, quite literally, a colourful year for Sydney's LGBTI community. There was the rainbow crossing controversy that spawned a million DIY chalk rainbows across Sydney and the world, and Ashfield Council recently created a permanent rainbow in Summer Hill. The Rainbow Crossing ain't coming back anytime soon, but it's gotten people thinking about other permanent symbols made for Oxford Street that might recognise and celebrate queer culture. Now, the City of Sydney Council is holding the Rainbow Rights in the Spotlight forum for the LGBTI community to get their thoughts on what they'd like to see there. The forum will be hosted by Bernie Hobbs, with guest presenter James Brechney (DIY Rainbow Crossings creator), Geoff Thomas (Australian Marriage Equality), Nelson Tang (Wear It Purple), Gina Wilson (OII Australia) and Lainie Arnold (Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby). Although the main focus of the forum will be to discuss a permanent LGBTI symbol on Oxford Street, it will also be a chance to talk about other issues in the area.
When it comes to movies, we sometimes use 'Hollywood' as a pejorative. We might employ it to mean schmaltzy, unrealistic, vapid and other similar unpleasantries. But when I say The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the ultimate Hollywood movie, I mean it's the good side of Hollywood, all packaged and wrapped up in time for Christmas. Funny, optimistic, life-affirming and full of pretty pictures and massive special effects, the film is something of a passion project for Ben Stiller, who directed, produced and stars in it. It's adapted from a 1939 short story by Jamie Thurber that's been reshaped entirely beyond its basic premise. The film follows a quiet Life magazine staffer as he learns to seize the day. As the head of the negative assets department, Walter is responsible for selecting and processing the works of their world-roving star photographers, chief among them the shamanistic Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn). But Walter has never experienced this wide world for himself, after the blows of life turned him timid. Instead, he imagines epic adventures for himself — diving into exploding buildings to save a dog, hiking the Arctic and, in a high point of the film, living a backwards Benjamin Button-like life with the woman he loves. That he 'zones out' while engaged in these daydreams does not help his social standing in cutthroat New York. Life doesn't exist any more, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is set in the dying days of the monthly magazine. Ted Hendricks (a disconcertingly bearded Adam Scott) is brought in to oversee the move from print to online and the accompanying rafts of redundancies, and Walter is firmly in his sights. Unfortunately, Walter can't find Sean's 'negative 25', which the photographer has described as capturing the "quintessence of life" and which is wanted for the final cover. Given new courage by love — in the form of colleague Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) — he sets off to track down Sean and the missing negative, using the few clues he has. Iceland is his starting point for a very big adventure that sees his latent resourcefulness and cool coming to the surface. For a mainstream, very feelgood film, it's the weird quirks that make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty loveable. Aside from the interjecting daydream worlds, Walter is shadowed by an over-caring eHarmony customer service representative, Todd (Patton Oswalt), who's determined to help him succeed in love. Their phone chats, coming at inevitably odd times throughout the film, are always funny and welcome. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is really ideal New Year's rather than Boxing Day fodder, egging you into living fully and booking that adventure holiday you've been putting off. There's so much focus on travel as a means to self-realisation, in fact, that it's ultimately to the film's detriment. It's simplistic; skateboarding down the valley of an active volcano might make you a more open person, or it could make you a twat. All outcomes are possible for the intrepid traveller. But that shouldn't ruin the journey of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's a charmer with a good heart and a healthy dose of unrealism. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ve8mc6UNSk
More than just a culinary fad, the trend towards eating locally grown produce serves a number of important purposes. Fresher ingredients, supporting producers in the region, reducing the work and toll required to transport food, eating seasonal fare — the list goes on. They're some of the motivations behind Grown Local, a dinner shining a spotlight on New South Wales' finest with a food and drink menu completely sourced from within the state. Every dish eaten and beverage consumed at the Newtown dinner, which takes place at Bloodwood Restaurant & Bar at 7pm on October 24, will be made from NSW-grown ingredients. Yes, every single one. Leading the charge is Wildflower Brewing & Blending, who'll be pouring a beer made especially for the event. A collaboration tipple brewed at Batch Brewing in Marrickville, everything in their new beverage comes from the state, including malt from the Voyager Craft Malt in the Riverina, hops from Ryefield Hops in Bemboka and yeast harvested by Wildflower. Unsurprisingly, it's the first beer that's ever been brewed with all NSW ingredients. Food-wise, the NSW brew will help wash down dishes made with seasonal, NSW-grown produce, as well as kangaroo sausages from The Sausage Factory. With Bloodwood's team doing the honours and whipping everything up into a feast, a delicious, locally minded dinner is certain to be the end result. Tickets cost $65 per person. That sense of homegrown pride you'll feel is an added bonus. Image: Sarah-Jane Edis
