This March, Victoria Park will be awash with the sounds of over 20 of the world's biggest names in house, electronica and techno. Days Like This will bring EDM talent from Europe and North America to Sydney Uni's grassy slopes. Of note is Sven Vath, Maceo Plex, Booka Shade, Marcel Dettman, The Black Madonna and Floating Points, as well as a handful of local acts. Aside from having a huge grassy dance floor and views of the city skyline (plus it's within walking distance of numerous bars and pubs), there will be a range of market stalls, bars and food outlets for your festival fuel. And after being called out for the complete lack of female artists on last year's lineup, you can expect an actual female presence this time round, including Cassette, Kali, Gabby (all from Australia), Heidi (Canada) and Sonja Moonear (Switzerland).
Beloved cocktail and whisky bar Eau de Vie has added a new midweek event to their roster. On Wednesday nights, you'll set out on a flight of fancy over a selection of cheeses matched with drams pulled from the bar's 400-strong whisky collection. The evenings kick off from 6pm. For $40, you'll get tot sample five whiskies during the evening, chosen to match closely with the week's selection of cheeses from the Eau de Vie deli. The staff of whisky experts will be on hand to talk whisky fans through the pairings and you'll want to book in advance to ensure you nab a seat.
It can be assumed that whoever started the old wives' tale warning against pairing whisky and oysters just wanted to keep the secret to themselves. The Wild Rover — and those who have ventured through the bar's green door — know better. The Surry Hills bar is so into oysters it's rolling out an entire week of celebrations dedicated to them. Its famous lamb sausage roll will be forgotten for the week with a special menu that gives oysters the limelight — and from Monday, October 30 through to Thursday, November 2, you'll be able to slurp down some freshly shucked oysters for just $1 each. Get adventurous with po' boys and chowder pie alongside a variety of paired drinks. There will be plenty of action throughout the week. Defy the myth in style with a whisky and oyster masterclass ($50) on Wednesday, November 1, hosted by Laphroaig Whisky Ambassador Michael Nouri. If you're up for working that elbow grease, Shane Buckley from oyster farm Wapengo Rocks is running oyster shucking masterclasses ($35) on Thursday, November 2. You will also receive your very own shucker to impress friends with this newfound skill. Concerned about the extensive oyster shell carnage from the week of celebrations? All shells will be donated to Ocean Watch to sustain Sydney Harbour marine life.
What better way to cap off a Monday than with retro arcade games and beer taster paddles? Running from 3pm till late on Monday, October 23, you can while away your afternoon/evening playing air hockey, Time Crisis 2 or one of the two Nintendo 64s while savouring drinks from a few of the best small breweries around. New Zealand brewery Garage Project, Thirsty Crow from Wagga Wagga and South Australia's Pirate Life are supplying the beer, with everything from light pale ales to super-heavy black IPAs. Oh, and it's free entry.
The London masters of gin, Hayman's Gin, is offering gin-paired dinners every night this month, in the incredibly British surrounds of the Lord Dudley Hotel. The Woollahra pub's recent English garden-inspired refurb provides an idyllic setting to indulge in the spirit made by the distiller entrenched in London history. Established during the gin craze in the 19th century, Hayman's Gin has been run by an unbroken five-generation lineage of gin producers. Until October 31, you'll be able to sample a number of classic gin cocktails with Hayman's such as their Sloe and Tonic, best paired with the lamb rump; the French 75 paired with cured salmon or a negroni paired with pork and veal terrine. As you taste your way through the distiller's dry, sloe and 'Old Tom' gins with different tinctures and tonics, you'll also be prompted to make some tasting notes to remember the botanical and food pairings you enjoyed the most. What's more, prices are great value — grab an entrée and a cocktail for $25, a main and cocktail for $40 or opt for the Supper Club Special featuring an entrée, main and two cocktails for $60. Image: Jiwon Kin.
It's in Newtown that you'll find some of Sydney's best locally brewed beer, most epic sweet treats and greatest bowls of ramen. And to celebrate the suburb's delectable contributions to the city's foodie scene, the Newtown Good Food Fair is returning for a fourth year on Sunday, October 8. Organised by the Newtown Precinct Business Association, the event brings together more than 30 of Newtown's brewers, bakers, growers and chefs. These include Young Henrys, Black Star Pastry, Rising Sun Workshop, Acre, Cairo Takeaway, Queen Chow, Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher, The Stinking Bishops, and Gelato Messina. For your gustatory convenience, they'll all be gathering in two easy-to-reach spots: Newtown Square and nearby Eliza Street. It all kicks off from 11am at both locations with the above food and drinks, as well as live music, and continues until 4pm at Newtown Square and 6pm at Eliza Street.
The temperature's rising, the footy's wrapping up and summer feels close enough to touch, which means it's time for Sydney Harbour's luxury floating venue Seadeck to set sail on its second season. After a quick stint in Brisbane, the 42-metre, 450-passenger beauty is returning to Sydney and kicking things off in style, taking advantage of the October long weekend to throw a couple of its signature sunset cruises. On both Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, you're invited to join Seadeck on the launch of its next run of floating adventures, enjoying an afternoon of eats and drinks, topped off with those top-notch, 360-degree harbour views. Setting sail at 3pm, each of the events will find you grazing through a customised menu by executive chef Drew Bolton (of the now-closed Vine and soon-to-open Ete), alongside cocktails designed by bar industry legend Jason Crawley. Tickets to Seadeck's long weekend launch cruises will cost you $45 for September 30 and $60 for October 1 and they're available here.
Girls to the front — and to the stage, to the crowd and to the markets. At Sydney's annual Women in Music Empowerment Day, an all-female lineup will be showcasing rockin', creative and all-round kick-ass ladies across a feast of sounds, art and more. Taking over Newtown's Miss Peaches from 2pm on September 24, the event is the product of Deeper Than House, Stayfly Sydney, Yeah The Girls, Coven Presents and Honey's hard work, with the local crews curating quite the celebratory day for women, non-binary and minority peoples. First, tap your toes to the music of SCABZ, Clueless, Val York, SPORTS, Ines, Jannah Beth and more. Then, wander through stalls selling Mami Watta Collections, Haus of Dizzy, Karameleon and BadGirl Garden's wares. Finally, listen to a panel about gender-related industry challenges, with ALPHAMAMA, FlexMami, Poppy Reid, Rachel Maria Cox and Kailei Ginman among the smart cookies joining in. Live art by Lotte Smith and Sophieaye, and live performances by LUMI SPINNERS, Bella Fuego Entertainment and DES FLEURS are also on the agenda, in what promises to be a jam-packed, empowering Saturday. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with all proceeds raised going to The Girls Refuge, who offer a supportive, home-like environment for young wom*n who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness due to a number of factors.
Warmer weather means sunny afternoons soaking up some rays with a refreshing beverage in hand. Long weekends too. All of the above combines at Opera Bar Sydney's newest event, aka the ideal way to spend three days off — plus the Friday evening before the fun really begins. From September 29 until October 2, the watering hole with a watery view will be thinking and drinking pink thanks to the Rosé All Day Festival. They'll also be encouraging patrons to wear their favourite hue, be it carnation, cerise, fuchsia, magenta or ruby, and handing out floral crowns to the first 50 guests each day. Drinks-wise, expect the wine of the moment, including frosé, rosé cocktails, rosé spritz, still and sparkling, with varieties such as Yangarra Pet Nat Sparkling, Craggy Range Rosé, AIX Rosé and Pink Claw Grenache Rosé on offer. The Opera Bar's Meat & Cheese Room will even become the Rosé Room for the occasion, while live music will provide a cheery, chilled-out soundtrack. Tickets cost $35 + booking fee in advance or $40 on the day, and include three rosé tipples of your choice. Further plonk, plus platters of oysters and cheese, will also be available to purchase.
Even if you're reading this on a device, it's probably about this point in the article (I don't take it personally) that you've started groping around absentmindedly for your secondary gadget – a mobile, tablet, whatever, as your attention span announces that it's finished grazing here and is ready to migrate to the next digital savannah. In part, this behaviour is driven by a glut of choice. But what if you were using it as a way to deal with your child disappearing? Darlinghurst Theatre's latest show tells the story of Theresa, CEO of the company responsible for creating the Drum, a device which is leaving the iPhone in the dust. When her daughter vanishes while they're on holiday, Theresa finds herself bereft of one of the only meaningful human connections she has. Initially, social media is purely a means for Theresa to find her daughter. But gradually she finds it becoming something more. Not a replacement, necessarily. A bridge, perhaps. But why am I telling you this? It seems ironic to not just give you the link.
Women, adventure and filmmaking go hand-in-hand, even if the world doesn't often recognise it. The best surfing and skydiving movie ever made — that is, the original Point Break — was directed by a pre-Oscar-winning Kathryn Bigelow, for example. At the Women's Adventure Film Tour, she has plenty of fantastic female company. Australia's first film festival dedicated to inspiring ladies doing exciting and extraordinary things, the cinema showcase launched in Sydney in May, and now it's doing a national tour. On its trek, attendees can expect a high-octane onslaught of documentary efforts from Telluride's Mountainfilm festival, all highlighting real stories about women. The fest's selection also draws from a variety of cultures, touches upon a range of sports from around the world, and shows ladies either going full daredevil or stepping beyond their comfort zones — because adventure means different things to different people. A collaboration between Mountainfilm and female-fronted collective She Went Wild, it stops by The Orpheum on September 5, with tickets $25 for adults.
It was true 20 years ago and it's still true today: if you're going to take a bright, bold and utterly outlandish trip into a futuristic vision of space, you really want to take it with Luc Besson. Two decades after the French filmmaker rode a multi-pass to sci-fi space opera infamy with The Fifth Element, he's back doing what he does best. And while Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets can't quite match its cult classic predecessor, it has a vivid, energetic and involving time trying to do so. This isn't just a case of same director, same tricks, however. While there's much that looks and feels familiar about this account of intergalactic cops on an interstellar adventure, Besson is adapting one of his strongest sources of inspiration rather than simply reliving past glories. That'd be '60s French-Belgian comic Valérian et Laureline, which the writer-director first discovered as a kid, and which clearly left an imprint on his aesthetic. It also reportedly influenced the original Star Wars, though George Lucas' flicks didn't feature Rihanna as an enslaved blue blob who shape-shifts while singing and pole-dancing. More's the pity. As great as a film about the scene-stealing pop star would be, she's not the main point of focus. Instead, the decidedly human Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and his partner-in-crime Laureline (Cara Delevingne) take centre stage. He's laid-back (but still law-abiding), while she's a feistily determined risk-taker. It's the 28th century, and they're enjoying a simulated stint at the beach while they hurtle towards their next mission. But Valerian's virtual sun and sand is interrupted by a vision of a similarly scenic planet in peril. When the duo is charged with recovering a highly coveted converter that can replicate any substance en masse, they discover the link between Valerian's dream, the task at hand, and the fact that colossal space station Alpha — a meeting place for all of the galaxy's inhabitants — is under threat from unknown enemies. With Clive Owen's megalomaniacal military chief, Ethan Hawke's slimy pimp, and a vast array of extra-terrestrial lifeforms all part of the action — to say nothing of inter-dimensional shopping, psychic jellyfish, genocide, government conspiracies and repeated marriage proposals — any description of Valerian's plot is going to sound over-the-top. And for the most part, that's how it plays out on screen. That said, just as this is a story about breaking the rules in the name of peace, love and understanding, Besson shows that he too is willing to break with convention behind the camera. "Style over substance" is the usual cry when a film pairs eye-popping visuals with a scant or silly plot. But Besson wears the label like a badge of honour, gleefully demonstrating that a barely convincing narrative and nearly two hours of sci-fi spectacle can still entertain. Of course, that's often the space opera's lot. Dune, John Carter, Jupiter Ascending — they've all been there and done that in engaging (albeit divisive) fashion. It's also a genre of film that's often more concerned with appearance and atmosphere than performance, though DeHaan does a great early '90s Keanu impression (whether knowingly or not), and Delevingne proves a beguiling presence, constantly rolling her eyes. Ultimately, they're like the people you meet on holiday. You won't mind spending time with them, but you're more interested in just taking in the sights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wbN9fPU_u0
Adapted from Ken Kesey's beast of a book, Cuckoo's Nest is the tale of Randall McMurphy, a small-time criminal admitted to a mental institution for evaluation. A scoundrel and fierce free thinker, McMurphy befriends the other 'inmates' and begins to school them in the art of revolt. With sedition beginning to waft through the corridors, McMurphy's bid for freedom is opposed by Nurse Ratched, a character who has come to represent the unflinching evil of bureaucracy. Sport for Jove have set themselves a real task with this one. Kesey's book is filled with monstrous shadows, bending time and demons struggling to maintain a human form. But its nightmarish qualities are offset by characters and friendships defined by tenderness and an aching timidity. The film adaptation of Cuckoo's Nest is infamous for being one of only three films to sweep the big five – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Its Broadway run was no less daunting, with Kirk Douglas taking the role of McMurphy and Gene Wilder playing Billy. Uplifting and a kick in the guts at the same time, Cuckoo's Nest is a great reminder that, as McMurphy points out, "You're no crazier than the average asshole walkin' around on the street and that's it!" Image: Marnya Rothe.
Sample Food Festival is once again taking over the Bangalow Showground on September 2 for a day filled with the region's best producers. The festival is all about keeping it local, showcasing the creative cuisines of northern New South Wales. Set just outside of Byron Bay, over 200 stallholders will attract over 17,000 visitors each year. Since its debut in 2011, the festival has been dedicated to bringing together local restaurant owners, farmers and producers. Prior to the main event, there are four days of dinners and special events to get patrons excited. The region's top restaurants will also compete for the 'Gold Fork' awards and collaborate on special events. Expect to meet food lovers from all over the country who've come to share their passion in a meeting of the minds.
Got something on your chest? Feel like having a whinge? Do you have a grievance to air, criticism to offer or an objection to make? We all do, and whether it's as big as reacting to today's current political climate or as trivial as protesting the lack of 24-hour cheese shops (when you want cheese, you want cheese), the Complaint Department wants to hear from you. No, an official body hasn't been created to listen to the world's troubles — though, if you think one should be, you could always complain about that. Instead, the Complaint Department is an artwork being crafted by a six-musician collaboration calling themselves the Complaint Ensemble, who will turn a selection of your gripes into an orchestral performance. The end product will be unveiled at this year's Underbelly Arts Festival in October; however the call for complaints is open now, so prepare to unleash your pet peeves via their online form. Whatever your worries, huge or tiny, your words could become a specially created composition — be it a commentary, a consolation or even an optimistic gesture.
Talented pooches have been barking their way to big screen stardom since the birth of the medium, and Cannes Film Festival even gives out awards for ace pupper performances. Now, Australia has a new dog-themed cinema showcase. At the Top Dog Film Festival, doggos and puppers cement their status as humanity's favourite movie stars in a touring program of eight pooch-centric shorts. For two hours, dogs will leap across screens in a curated selection of heartwarming flicks about dog-powered sports, dogs in space, dogs hiking through the desert, senior dogs and more. The festival hits Sydney on August 15 and 16 as part of its national run, headed for one-night-only showings the Randwick Ritz and Hayden Orpheum respectively. Rushing after tickets the way your best four-legged friend rushes after a frisbee is recommended. Given how much we all love watching dog videos online, not to mention attending pupper-centric shindigs in general, this one-night-only event is certain to be popular.
Taking place as part of The Big Anxiety festival, Eco- Anxiety at The Japan Foundation gallery explores the ideas of ecological empathy and the growing tide of shared human anxiety in the face of a changing environment. Showcasing five Japanese and Australian designers and artists, the show uses the Australian landscape as an inspirational jumping-off point. Hiromi Tango and Ken and Julia Yonetani's works explore the "an empathetic dialogue of breath" between landscape, plants and humans – and if you caught Tango's Healing Chromosomes earlier this year at Sullivan + Strumpf, you'll no doubt be keen as mustard to see her latest work. Performance artist Yumi Umiumare draws on butoh references in AnxieaTEA Pop Up Tearoom, inviting audiences to engage with existential contemplations over a calming cup of tea. Kosuke Tsumura's FINAL HOME, meanwhile, takes a design response to environmental emergency, creating personal survival garments designed to work in tandem with an evacuee's essential "kit" of food, ID documents and personal mementos. Image: Hiromi Tango, Insanity Magnet #4, 2009
Broken Heel Festival is back, taking over the historic mining town of Broken Hill for a weekend full of drag, divas and disco from Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in this annual tribute to the iconic Australian film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, by celebrating the movie's 23rd anniversary with a blowout party that rocks for three days straight. Join festival hosts Philmah Bocks and Art Simone across the city's three most colourful locations — The Palace Hotel, The Silverton Hotel and the Silver City of Broken Hill. Drag queens and kings from around the country will come together for a lineup of entertainers, cabaret performers, comedy, opera and live music. Highlights include an opening night party featuring an ABBA cover band and a Priscilla-themed DJ set, plus a chicken and champagne breakfast to keep you in the party mood. Cast from the the movie will be in tow including actor June Bennett who played Shirl in the famous drinking scene, plus the Priscilla Bus from the million-dollar musical will be on display. On Saturday, join the locals along the main strip in the 'Lap of the Main Drag in Drag' street parade and competition. Everyone is welcome and glitter is encouraged.
If you're into hip hop and rather large outdoor carpark parties, chances are you've been to a One Day event. Haven't? Meet the crew at Max Watt's this September, as they throw a giant carpark carnival as part of this year's city-wide Red Bull Music Academy Weekender. Catch usual One Day suspects including Remi, Jackie Onassis, B Wise, Joyride, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Melbourne-based reggae dancehall artist SK Simeon, all-female crew Haiku Hands, Arnhem Land's Baker Boy and Jayteehazard. The whole thing will be going down in the Entertainment Quarter precinct from 1pm through to 10pm.
In a follow up to last year's meditative Talk to the Sea with Gigi Masin, this year's Talk to the Breeze event — which is part of the Red Bull Music Academy Weekender — is set to challenge the senses through sound and performance against a historic outdoor Sydney backdrop. Japanese composer and percussionist Midori Takada will take you on an ambient journey at the Middle Head fortifications in Sydney Harbour National Park, with her harmonious weaving of east Asian sounds, jazz and minimal percussion. The landmark will also play host to Melbourne's Krakatau, a band which describe themselves as performing "explosive improv jams, haunting drones and climactic conclusions". Image: Alison Klein via Flickr.
In 1997, the biggest selling album in the world was Spice by the Spice Girls. Wherever you went — from to New Zealand to Latvia to Lebanon — you couldn't escape thinking about what you really, really wanted, or about what happens when 2 Become 1. After all, Spice topped the charts in no fewer than 17 nations and sold 19 million copies. Now, it's time for you step into the spotlight. Over two nights, as part of its Sideshow Festival, much-loved live music venue The Newsagency is hosting Spice: A Singalong. You're invited to dig out your coolest crop tops, your most multi-coloured lycra and your sexiest stilettos, and belt out the biggest pop hits of the 90s. Leading proceedings will be a quintet made up of five local vocal talents: Libby Wood, Alison Avron, Steph Kerby, Benjamin Kiehne and Sepora. Spice: A Singalong sold out when held as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival, so get your tix quick. To nab yourself a discount, book in a group of five or grab a ticket for the Britney singalong at the same time.
Whether you've been to Wollongong before, or Wonderwalls' return tempts you there for the first time, you'd best expect the unexpected. That's what happens when a street art festival blows in, takes over the city's outdoor spaces and literally paints the town red — and every other colour imaginable. Going big for its latest outing, this year's fest won't just let local, national and international artists loose on a number of walls around town. As well as doing that, it'll unleash their talents on bigger walls than normal. From November 24 to 26, the likes of New York's Jason Woodside, Queensland's Ian McCallum and Kiama's Claire Foxton will be painting spaces reaching more than 10 metres in height and 20 metres in length, live and in front of your very eyes. To see all of their ace creations, just follow the Wonderwalls map. Other highlights include a virtual reality component, allowing visitors to don headsets and make their own digital murals, plus artist discussions and street parties. On the latter front, One Day Sundays will roll in for an afternoon and evening to remember, sending the fest out in hip hop style. It's free, it takes place from 1pm on November 26 on the Wollongong Central Rooftop, and DJs Raph Lauren, Klasik, Klue and Sir Robbo will be taking care of the tunes while the site gets a new mural.
Take your Christmas shopping to the next level this weekend — that is, level four of the Strand Arcade. That's where a large collection of artisan producers will be selling home products, ceramics, accessories and more. And it's all in the name of supporting independent Australian art, fashion and design. It'll all take place at Courtesy of the Artist's 200-square-metre multi-purpose space at the top of the arcade this Thursday to Saturday. For the market's opening on Thursday night, there'll be DJ Charlie Villas on the decks. Look out for flawless products from a long list of Australian makers including Alison Jackson Tableware, watches from Aãrk Collective, Isobel Sippel Studio, Gewürzhaus Herb and Spice Merchants, Lauren Webster, Loom Towels, Carrol Russell, Fink, Tracy Dickason, Pass A Ball, Avi Amesbury, Ainslie Walker and Pendolino Olive Oils. If you can't make this week's markets — which run from 6pm to 9pm on November 16, 10am to 5.30pm on November 17, and 10am to 4pm on November 18 — then stay tuned for further Christmas markets in December.
If you're a film buff, then you're also a travel buff. Even if you don't venture further than your nearest cinema, you're often journeying to other countries when you sit down to watch a movie. Thanks to the Cine Latino Film Festival, the sights and sounds of Latin America await Australian filmgoers in November, taking them on a trip to Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Australia's second Spanish-language film festival (after the Europe-centric Spanish Film Festival), the Cine Latino Film Festival will bring 26 titles from Central and South America to Aussie screens in November. The fun kicks off with You're Killing Me Susana, a marital comedy featuring Mexican star Gael García Bernal. Other highlights span a variety of genres and nations. Audiences can check out Inseparables, the Argentinian remake of French film The Intouchables, or get an authentic glimpse into prison romance in the Dominican Republic with Woodpeckers – about inmates from neighbouring jails communicating via their own form of sign language. Elsewhere, Cannes Critics' Week hit Gabriel and the Mountain combines documentary and drama to tell the true tale of a Brazilian traveller; Tales of Mexico asks eight filmmakers to spin stories about Mexican history; and Lost North tracks a man trying to find his girlfriend across the 900 miles between Santiago and the Bolivian border. Other notable titles include Peruvian musical-comedy Crazy in Love, Colombian paramilitary thriller Guilty Men, and Ecuador's submission to next year's foreign-language Oscar category Such is Life in the Tropics, about a battle between a land owner and squatters. The festival will also shine a particular spotlight on Argentinian and Mexican filmmaking in two specific program strands. The latter is a collaboration with the Hola Mexico Film Festival, while the former will thrill fans of familiar faces, with The Secret in Their Eyes star Ricardo Darín playing an Argentinian president in The Summit, and Gloria's Paulina García going soul searching in The Desert Bride.
Artist Katerina Teaiwa brings her solo exhibition Project Banaba to Carriageworks from November 17. A Banaban scholar and Associate Professor in Pacific Studies at ANU, Teaiwa's scholarly and artistic work focuses on the history of phosphate mining in the central Pacific and the displacement of indigenous Banabans. Quick history lesson: Banaba Island in the Pacific Ocean was destroyed by phosphate mining and rendered uninhabitable, causing the total relocation of its people to Rabi Island, Fiji in 1945. Project Banaba commemorates the island's history, with the show's run coinciding with the 72nd anniversary of the Banaban people's displacement on December 15. Working closely with curator Yuki Kihara, Teaiwa has combined new work with rare textual, photographic and filmic historical archives in a rich, multimedia exhibition. The show also interweaves personal narratives, says Teaiwa, revealing the political injustice generations of her family experienced, and, in her words, "how the rock of Banaba, te aba, the body of the land, and the body of the people, was viewed and transformed by powerful imperial interests." The show promises to be an unsettling – but important – reminder of the ongoing impact phosphate mining has had on present-day Pacific communities. Image: Tearia in the Teaiwa family Kainga, Tabona, Rabi Island, Fiji. By Katerina Teaiwa, 2014
Cabaret superstar Lady Rizo brings her huge voice and incisive wit to bear on her relationship with America, her "very bad boyfriend". If we are indeed witnessing the slow death of the USA, Red, White & Indigo is a musical eulogy to that big, bizarre, beautiful country. A hippie child turned teenage punk turned trained actor with a big soul voice, this hugely versatile performer has previously collaborated with Moby, Reggie Watts and legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Needless to say, Lady Rizo racks up awards and praise everywhere she tours.
There's been a major trend in the past few years of film screenings with full symphony orchestras playing the score live – the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are doing it for Star Wars in December. But instead of just playing along, New York's Morricone Youth write original 're-scores' for famous films in their own trademark prog/Krautrock/space-age surf style, adding a whole new dimension and context to films you've loved for years. This year's festival sees them take over Carriageworks in their Australian debut, working their magic on George Miller's original Mad Max and George Romero's iconic Night of the Living Dead. Image: Chic Stringer, courtesy of Kennedy Miller Mitchell.
Pizza dough. Even the most accomplished home cooks struggle to get it just right. But the expert pizzaiolos (and pizzaiolas) at Fratelli Fresh on Bridge Street want to change that. On the first Saturday of every month, the restaurant will host a pizza masterclass. The intensive two-hour class will start with the dough — you'll learn to make it, stretch it and toss it. Next, you'll get a rundown on the best toppings to use (just don't ask for pineapple). Finally, you'll cook your pizza in the restaurant's Neapolitan woodfired oven. You'll then be able to eat your masterpiece — with a complimentary glass of wine — at the end of the class. Want to recreate the Napoli-style pizzas for your friends and family? Fratelli will send you home with a ball of dough, so you can impress, without the stress.
Off the back of two super fast-selling seasons in Parramatta, Sydney's most ambitious outdoor cinema is bringing its 150-bed (yes, bed) theatre back for the warmer weather. This time around, it will be held closer to the CBD, at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter. Grab a buddy you're comfortable to share a blankie with (or make a bold first date move) and book a bed between October 27 and December 10. There will be new movies (American Assassin, The Foreigner), horror (It, The Shining), foreign films (Goodbye Lenin, City of God), Disney classics (Cinderella, Peter Pan), Japanese anime (Naruto, My Neighbour Totoro) and some of the best releases of 2017 (Wonder Woman, Dunkirk). Mov'In Bed has planned themed and party nights too, such as the Halloween night with a horror selection, 'Love is Love' with Brokeback Mountain and Moonlight and a Scorcese night with Goodfellas and Wolf of Wall Street. There'll also be Burger Project and Fratelli Fresh bringing food directly to your bed. If you don't want to shell out for a bed, you can bring a picnic blanket and chill out on the grass. Just remember to book your spot before you rock up.
The MCA's summer music series Sounds on the Terrace is back for the fifth year running. And, this time round, the gallery is teaming up with Young Henrys — the Newtown brewers will curate the music lineup and, you guessed it, add a healthy dose of craft beer to the drinks list. The first session kicks off on Wednesday, November 1, with dreamy electronica from Matilda Abraham and ethereal soundscapes from E for Echo. The following three gigs will take place monthly until April 2018. It's no coincidence that Sounds on the Terrace is concurrent with the MCA's Lights on Later program either. In between beers, tunes and bites created by the MCA Cafe, you can take a wander through the gallery, which, from November 1, will house Pipilotti Rist's Sip My Ocean exhibition. This isn't the first time the Young Henrys crew has been called upon for their musical tastes. Over the past few years, they've worked alongside You Am I, DZ Deathrays, Josh Pyke and Sydney Symphony, among others.
Championing emerging and established Australian fashion talent since 2009, Fashion Palette will host a group showcase of ten Aussie designers at the Art Galley of NSW on April 4 — and you don't need to be a fashion editor or buyer to attend. Open to the public, the runway show will feature local favourites including Akira and sass & bide, eveningwear and bridal designers Nicola Finetti, Danielle Aridi, Alin Le' Kal and Lena Kasparian, swimwear labels Wild Pony Swimwear and Heaven Swimwear, and up-and-comers Haus of Song, Zerryn and Eliya The Label. Taking the stage at the AGNSW, each label will present its Spring/Summer 2018 collection, marking the only SS18 showing to hit Sydney in 2017. Fashion Palette is renowned for nurturing Aussie talent the world over, with its annual designer showcase at NYFW in September and this year's showcase launch in Dubai. Tickets are available now for the Fashion Palette SS18 Showcase on April 4, 2017 at AGNSW. Get your front row seat here.
It seems like we've been talking about the live action remake of Ghost in the Shell for a really long time. Now that it's finally here, we're not going to waste time weighing up the quality of the source material. It's proven itself in the manga iteration, as well as the cult anime film that followed. Instead, the question is this: does the remake add anything to the discourse? And as such, should you bother paying to see it or should you give it a miss? Ghost in the Shell, in case you're not familiar, is based on a 1989 manga by Masamune Shirow. Protagonist Major Mira Killian (played here by Scarlett Johansson) is a member of Section 9, a unit of elite officers tasked with fighting cyber criminals. Major has a human brain and consciousness (a 'ghost') inside a fully cybernetic body. Her previous life is a mystery, even to herself. But when a delinquent hacker known only as Kuze (Michael Pitt) starts to infiltrate the network to which all humans are connected, a series of events are set in motion that lead Major on a classic origin chase, punctuated with shadowy memories ('glitches') from her past. Let's start with the good: the visuals in this new version of Shirow's story are stunning. Director Rupert Sanders has crafted a really good looking film, with many rich scenes and compositions. It's literally a smorgasbord of sci-fi aesthetics. But, like the model children of celebrities, it was always going to look great, because the source material is spectacular. Many of the film's most memorable images are taken almost shot for shot from the original. It's great to look at, sure, but no points for originality here. Moreover, this Americanised take on Ghost in the Shell feels decidedly more commercial (read: dumber) than its Japanese counterpart. Many of the same philosophical ideas are present, but you can't help but feel as though they're being fed to you with a spoon. Likewise, the mood here is less melancholy, less isolating. The eerie, disconcerting quality of the anime has been diluted, and the film feels weaker for it. The filmmakers have woven in extra content from the manga, shed a few of the more ambiguous scenes to resolve the narrative, and maximised Johansson's screen time. On the plus side, the score absolutely holds up, with composer Clint Mansell building on what came before while also bringing something fresh to the table. Finally, let's get to the big white elephant in the room: why was Scarlett Johansson, a Caucasian woman, cast in a role that many have said should have gone to an Asian or Asian-American actor? Sadly, whitewashing is a very real problem in the film industry, where cultural whiteness (and often white actors) is inserted into films where it simply doesn't belong. Did Scarjo bring something that a Japanese actor couldn't? Quite simply, the answer is no. Still, the sad truth is that all the controversy and talk of whitewashing in the lead up to the film may well be the most interesting about it. It may look pretty, but look any deeper and Ghost in the Shell is a bit of a fizzer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4VmJcZR0Yg
After shining a spotlight on films that engage with social justice and human rights issues for the past decade, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival is back for another packed lineup of topical titles for 2017. Screening in Melbourne before bringing a selection of highlights to Sydney from May 23–27, HRAFF's tenth anniversary program boasts four features and a selection of shorts. HRAFF 2017 will open with Constance on the Edge, a documentary filmed over ten years following Constance, a South Sudanese refugee who was resettled in Wagga Wagga in 2005. Other films showing include The Freedom to Marry, a doco that follows the landmark US Supreme Court ruling for marriage equality, the story of two Iranian DJs trying to produce techno music where it is forbidden, and Check It, a film about queer black youth fighting back against prejudice and violence in Washington DC.
Like cakes? Don't like animal products? Baked treat-eating vegans of Sydney, rejoice — the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale is upon us. The initiative takes place around the globe over the second half of April, and come the 22nd of the month, it's Brissie's turn. From 10am, Glebe's The Cruelty Free Shop will be selling an array of vegan cakes, cupcakes and just generally tasty baked goodies out the front of their Glebe Point Road store. It'll be run by the Vegan Society NSW, who'll receive all of the profits from your purchases. Yes, indulging your sweet tooth will help the vegan cause in several ways. If you needed any extra motivation, you've got it. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own container with them so that they can take their wares home, and you're encouraged to arrive early too — while the sale is due to run until 5pm, it'll close before then if all of those mouth-watering morsels have sold out.
When Table 19 begins, it would have you believe that there's nothing worse than being stuck at the random table at a wedding. There is. It's watching a film about being stuck at the random table at a wedding. Sure, in both situations you're stranded in a place that you mightn't want to be. But at least one has food, drinks and dancing to help pass the time. For those sitting in the cinema, prepare for an experience that's awkward, tedious, cliched and sappy, as the newly single Eloise (Anna Kendrick) heads to her oldest friend's nuptials. She was once slated to be the maid of honour, but dropped out when she was dumped via text message by the bride's brother (Wyatt Russell). Relegated to the worst berth on the seating chart that she helped plan, she's soon sharing a table with a bunch of guests that "should have known to send regrets, but not before sending something nice off the registry". Eloise's fellow undesirables include an ageing former nanny (June Squibb) thrilled to have even been invited, a hormone-fuelled teen (Tony Revolori) whose mother has told him to look for love, the obligatory weird cousin (Stephen Merchant) who's kindly but has a secret, and a bickering couple (Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson) who don't know why they're there. Obvious revelations and cheesy life lessons follow, flowing as freely as champagne and hors d'oeuvres. We suppose you could commend director Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound) and writers Jay and Mark Duplass (Jeff Who Lives at Home) for their effective recreation of an unpleasant situation, right down to the stylistic and structural choices that give the audience the same limited view of the main celebrations as the characters. No one should be rewarded for laziness, though, and if Table 19 excels at anything, it's that. The fact that everyone spends much of the movie arguing about what their table assignment means isn't the least bit amusing or entertaining, nor does it offer any real commentary about America's obsession with status. Instead, it simply feels like an attempt to pad out a by-the-book script that jumps between misfit comedy and rom-com, but doesn't stray from the familiar path with either. It won't come as a surprise that this slice of supposed hilarity peddles a message about the joy that can arise from unexpected connections and making the most of a bad situation. Alas, as great as Kendrick, Merchant, Squibb and company have proven in the past, here they're average at best, and in some cases downright awful. Without any signs of character development, Kendrick's signature persona wears thin; you really have seen her do this all before. She fares better than some of her co-stars, however, who might find themselves wishing they didn't RSVP for their parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BrKGHl5EXQ
Ever since Sex and the City wormed its way into our collective subconscious, brunch has been synonymous with getting boozy. And Luke Mangan knows it. This year, Brunch of Fun is coming back to his Waterloo restaurant Mojo, and it's sweeter than ever. On Sunday, April 23, Mangan is bringing together some big foodie names for a brunch that would even make Samantha blush, including Insta-famous baker Andres Fatso and the ballers from N2 Extreme Gelato and Black Star Pastry. On the menu you'll find brunch delicacies aplenty to line your stomach such as sweet treats from the above stallholders and burgers from Mangan's own Chicken Confidential. You'll be able to wash it down with coffee, juices, cocktails and a selection of wines. Those of you who really, really love brunch can buy a seat at a five-course bottomless brunch (tickets are $75) to be held at the same time. It will also featuring endless free-flowing sparkling and mimosas. Trade Weet-Bix for champers? Fabulous.
New bars and restaurants are always finding their way onto the ever-changing streets of Surry Hills. From Korean delicatessens, to Melbourne pizza empires, the suburb is always offering up fresh spots to duck in for a meal or martini. The latest venue to pop up in the bustling streets of the inner city suburb is Bar Suze, the brainchild of long-time hospitality mainstays and friends Gregory Bampton, Phil Stenvall and Brenton Hassan. Located on Foveaux Street just down from Excelsior Hotel, Bar Suze offers a cosy, candle-lit wine bar experience with food inspired by Stenvall's Swedish heritage and a wine list handpicked by Bampton. Together, the venue's central trio bring years of experience from Sydney favourites like Pinbone, ACME, Vini and Johnny Fishbone — and they've named the bar after fellow hospitality star and friend of the trio Sarah 'Suze' Simm. Bar Suze is designed to be friendly and welcoming, as inspired by late nights Bampton, Stenvall and Hassan have spent in local wine bars and restaurants across the world. "It's really important to us that Bar Suze feel like a place you can hang out for hours at a time," says Bampton. At the heart of Stenvall's menu is the combination of Australian seafood and Scandinavian flavours. Across the 'smorgasbord' menu you'll find smoked prawns accompanied by saffron aioli, smoked mussels paired with nduja and anchovy rye toast. "Australians are very proud of their prawns, but nobody smokes them," Stenvall says. "It's a very typical thing to do in Sweden, but when done with Aussie prawns it's a dish to get really excited about." Those looking for something more substantial can satisfy their hunger with honey bug and ricotta gnocchi, or wood-smoked eggplant with brown butter, sour currants and sheep's cheese. A small but decedent dessert menu includes bombe alaska, cloudberry sorbet, and a cheese selection. Bampton's wine list showcases a reserved selection of Australian, Italian and French wines, and is accompanied by sour beers, farmhouse ales and organic spirits. Bampton will also be serving his own house-made apple wine. Open until midnight Tuesday–Saturday, the bar promises after-work and late-night snacks and drinks five days a week. And, by late, it means late. Bampton promises "we're not going to be one of those places that says we're open late and then close the kitchen at 9pm. If you walk in at 11.30 at night, we're still serving the whole menu". Find Bar Suze at Shop 1, 54 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills — open 5pm–12am Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Nikki To.
Now is your chance to give your very good dog the attention it deserves and put them centre stage — in front of thousands of adoring onlookers. Opera Australia is calling for well-behaved pups to star in its upcoming opera La Traviata, which takes place on its stunning floating Handa Opera stage on Sydney Harbour. During certain performances, your pooch will make an appearance in a glamorous party scene in the first act of the show. Pooches must well trained and not easily spooked — the show features fireworks, noise, bright lights, lots of cast members and an audience of 3000 — as well as being fit and healthy enough to climb the stage's steps. [caption id="attachment_729348" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera's 2012 'La Traviata' by Lightbox Photography[/caption] You'll need to be available to be a #proudparent from the side stage, with performance dates on weekends throughout April. And you'll get complimentary tickets to the show, either on the night of your dog's stage debut or for another date. There's no word on how many pups will be chosen, but there are 11 show dates to be filled. Find out more about Handa Opera's dog role and fill out an application here. 'La Traviata' takes to Sydney Harbour from March 27–April 26.
Following the welcomed success of Bondi's vegan gnocchi spot Peppe's, owners Joe Pagliaro and Grace Watson made the decision to close down their plant-based fine diner Paperbark and use the space to spread the gnocchi love. While it wasn't an easy decision, Peppe's Osteria gives the team the opportunity to go a little bigger, with a larger laidback dining space welcoming more customers to enjoy fresh pasta and salads and minimal-intervention wine. You'll be eating and drinking these surrounded by white curtains and lots of plants, while sitting on emerald couches and grey banquettes, and wiping the rich tomato sauce from the corners of your mouth with ruby napkins. [caption id="attachment_763606" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] Keeping with a similar format of a small selection of antipasti, a handful of pasta dishes, a few salads and two sweet options, the food here is prepared by the head chef of Bondi's Peppe's, Joel Benetts. Bennetts trained under renowned chef Grant King at Pier Rose Bay, and later helped King open the two-hatted Gastro Park, and his resumé boasts stints at Three Blue Ducks and Japanese boutique hotel AIR Myoko, where he served vegan degustations to the masses. As with the Bondi original, the pasta at Waterloo is all made in-house daily, and the sauces change regularly. Recent varieties include pesto with green pea, pomodoro and the gnocchi al funghi. Keep an eye out for the return of the gnocchi bianchi, which is sauced in cauliflower purée and three-hour porcini stock reduction, then topped with oyster mushrooms, crisped sage and toasted pangrattato-style breadcrumbs made with Iggy's bread. There's also the very popular lasagne. [caption id="attachment_763602" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] Salads and sides are simple but punchy, and currently include a fennel, rocket and rockmelon number, a fresh mix of cos lettuce, cucumber and herbs, and a serving of broccolini with salsa verde. The house tiramisu is, thankfully, a permanent fixture on the menu, and will be joined by regular dessert specials like the coconut and vanilla panna cotta with torched fig, orange and Campari syrup. On the drinks side, the wine list focuses on local and sustainable drops, as well as Italian labels courtesy of Fun Wines — an Aussie wine importer run by Giorgio de Maria (of the now-closed 121BC and Vini). You can get a bottle of SA rosé for a very reasonable $60, go big (literally) with a 1.5 litre bottle of Yetti & the Kokonut or enjoy a zero-sulphur montepulciano from Abruzzo. It all goes well with gnocchi. Find Peppe's Osteria at 8/18 Danks Street, Waterloo. It's open from 6–10pm daily. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Your mates grabbed the snags, sauce, bread and all the extra trimmings for a successful Aussie barbecue. There's just one thing missing and it's up to you to supply it: the beer. There's quite a lot of pressure when you're tasked with bringing the beers. Do you go for the safe mainstream beer at the risk of looking painfully boring? Or do you grab the most expensive European craft beer you can find in the hopes you'll seem interesting (and clear out your bank account in the process)? The answer: find something that sits perfectly in the middle. We've teamed up with BWS to showcase a bunch of Aussie craft beers that will have both your VB-loving mates and your spent-two-years-abroad-in-Berlin buddies nodding along in approval. Cheers to being the favourite person at the party. NEWTOWNER PALE ALE — YOUNG HENRYS Sure, Newtowner may not be the most out-of-the-box suggestion. But chances are even your most mainstream beer-loving mates have heard of it. Named after the suburb in which Young Henrys was born, Newtowner has become somewhat of a Sydney icon. The brewery was founded with a simple idea: to brew beer the community would enjoy and be proud to call their own. And it's safe to say, Newtowner nailed the brief. At 4.8-percent ABV, it's a sessionable beer with light, smooth and malty notes with a slightly dry finish. This Australian pale ale is not too sweet and not too strong — and is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. XPA — PHILTER BREWERY While you impatiently wait for Philter Brewing's new Marrickville brewery to open, use this time to get your mates into its brews so they're as excited as you are. If you're looking for the best tipple to tantalise them with, look no further than the legendary XPA. This easy-drinking pale ale is as refreshing as they come — and it's ideal for a beachside barbie. So, it's no wonder the XPA is the brewery's golden child both literally and figuratively — it scooped up Champion Pale Ale at the 2017 Craft Beer Awards just months after launching. Expect tropical fruit aromas in this sessionable brew, thanks to its mix of mosaic, galaxy, simcoe and citra hops. BIG HEAD NO CARB LAGER — BURLEIGH BREWING CO Craft beer often brings with it high levels of carbs and calories, so it's not a terrible idea to have a lighter option in the esky to help minimise the post-barbecue bloat. Well never fear, 'cause Big Head No Carb is here. This lager may have zero carbs — the first in Australia to do so — but it certainly doesn't lack flavour. This light, clean and dry brew is ideal on a hot day and will go well with any feed — and even your Tooheys-loving dad will like it. PASH THE MAGIC DRAGON — BATCH BREWING CO The legends behind Marrickville's Batch Brewing Co are handcrafting funky, small-batch brews for their uber-creative inner west community — they even have a second space behind Public House Petersham dedicated precisely to this experimental ethos. And, boy, do they know how to have some fun with it. Take Pash the Magic Dragon — this funky brew mashes together passionfruit and dragon fruit flavours to create a tart but fruity combination. You won't find this sweet-but-sour beer at any ol' pub, making it a top-notch choice for when you want to rock up with something a little different. Plus, it's an ideal beer to kick things off on a hot day. ZESTY PALE ALE — ZYTHO BREWING The Zytho Brewing Zesty Pale Ale lives up to its name. With passionfruit and fresh citrus notes, this brew has a real zing to it. It's crisp, easy-drinking but with a hint of bitterness, so it'll pair well with snags and burgers. Brewed out of Tribe Breweries in New South Wales, this newcomer is worth adding to your list of new beers to try. Plus, you won't miss that bright yellow can as you pass it in the bottle-o. SINGLE FIN SUMMER ALE — GAGE ROADS BREWING CO Single Fin Summer Ale celebrates Australian summer in a bottle (or can). The beer is brewed near Gage Roads in Western Australia, the strip of ocean between Rottnest Island and Fremantle. So it makes sense that Gage Roads Brewing Co team makes beers with this beautiful and relaxing location in mind. Blow the froth off with this slightly bitter, clean and light-bodied brew at your next barbecue. Update: Due to the current situation, we understand that throwing or attending parties may not be a possibility right now. But there's a silver lining — you can still order all of these drinks online to enjoy at home. Head to the BWS website to browse the full range.
Sydney Festival 2020 launches this week, and with it comes one massive program of arts and culture. Redfern's multi-arts precinct Carriageworks is once again part of the city-wide festival, and, this year, it's bringing Sydneysiders four immersive and illuminating artworks — all of which are free to the public. Installations by artists Rebecca Baumann, Daniel Boyd and Kate Mitchell all launch on Wednesday January 8, with an additional installation by Reko Rennie opening in late January. While each artist presents a distinctly different work, they all speak to a common theme — the exploration of human interconnectivity using light — and highlight the history and architecture of Carriageworks. [caption id="attachment_756739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rebecca Baumann, Radiant Flux, 2020, Carriageworks. Image: Zan Wimberley.[/caption] Rebecca Baumann's Radiant Flux, running until June 14, sees every glass surface and skylight of the building's exterior covered in dichroic film. The luminous film acts as a sundial and changes colours — from blue to yellow and magenta — when viewed from different angles and at different times of day. Baumann is known for her spellbinding kinetic sculptures and Radiant Flux promises to be one of her most hypnotising. Running alongside Baumann's installation are Daniel Boyd's Video Works and All Auras Touch by Kate Mitchell, both of which will remain on displace until March 1, 2020. Boyd, a Kudjala/Gangalu artist, has brought together three large-scale video installations: A Darker Shade of Dark #1-4 (2012), History is Made at Night (2013) and Yamani (2018). These videos will be projected across the walls of the gallery with the artist's signature circular lens, which Boyd uses to "fragment and disrupt Eurocentric perspectives of history", creating a cosmos of colour and composition — and all set to a score by DJ duo Canyons (Ryan Grieve and Leo Thomson). [caption id="attachment_756741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Mitchell, All Auras Touch, 2020, Carriageworks. Image: Zan Wimberley.[/caption] Mitchell's work uses colour in a slightly different way: to "present a snapshot of contemporary Australia". The artist is photographing one representative for each of the 1023 officially recognised jobs within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations — all in an attempt to capture the occupations' overlapping 'auras'. Colourful photos taken using the Aura Camera 6000, an electromagnetic field imaging camera invented in the 1970s, are blown up on the gallery's walls and will continually be added to throughout the exhibition — so you'll want to plan a return visit. The installation aims to understand the relationship between 'what we do' and 'who are are'. Finally, Reko Rennie's Remember Me will launch at the end of January (with the exact date still TBC) and act as a year-long reminder of the ongoing impact of Australia's invasion. Coinciding with the 250th year since Captain James Cook's arrival at Kamay Botany Bay, the 25-metre-long and five-metre-high installation recognises frontier wars, massacres and the survival of Australia's First Nations peoples. Similarly to Rennie's other works, Remember Me references his identity as a Kamilaroi man, but it's also one of the artist's most minimal works to date. [caption id="attachment_756738" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reko Rennie, Remember Me, 2020, Carriageworks. Image: Zan Wimberley.[/caption] Rebecca Baumann: Radiant Flux runs from January 8–June 14, Daniel Boyd: Video Works runs from January 8–March 1, Kate Mitchell: All Auras Touch runs from January 8–March 1 and Reko Rennie: Remember Me runs from late January 2020–January 2021 at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. Top: Daniel Boyd, Video Works, 2020, Carriageworks. Images by Zan Wimberley.
Sydney's most stunning concert venue Phoenix Central Park is back this month with its fifth season of free gigs. The Chippendale venue is dedicated to giving its audience an entirely unique experience. Whether you're catching a locally-loved act or a dark and mysterious jazz ensemble, performances are always elevated by the venue's stunning design, intimate setting and immersive light displays. And, best of all, everything it hosts is totally free. Season V features some of the biggest names the venue has ever hosted, including London eight-piece Superorganism whose breakout hit 'Something for Your M.I.N.D' has over 60 million streams on Spotify. Others on the lineup include fast-rising local acts like A.Girl and Agung Mango. In terms of other contemporary artists, you'll find the spooky sounds of Marcus Whale, electronic producer Corin and Kenyan-born Adelaide-based singer-songwriter Elsy Wameyo. Also on the lineup: a performance revolving around vibrations and feeling music through your skin composed by Damien Ricketson, experimental ambient sounds from Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 and Tim Shiel, the Ensemble Offspring performing the music of trailblazing avant-garde composer Iannis Xenakis and folk composer Andrew Tuttle performing his new banjo-heavy album Fleeting Adventure. [caption id="attachment_860341" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elsy Wameyo, Alain Pottier[/caption] The only catch is that there are a very limited amount of tickets, so audience members can only attend by winning tickets via Phoenix Central Park's ballots. So hot tip: the best way to approach each season of shows is to apply for anything and everything that you'd love to attend, and then see what tickets you can hopefully nab. If you want to head along, you can browse the full program and place your name on the ballot at the Phoenix Central Park website. Phoenix Central Park is located at 49 O'Connor Street, Chippendale. Season V will be taking over the venue from Wednesday, July 27–Thursday, September 22. Ballots for the free gigs are now open. [caption id="attachment_837012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Top image: Jordan Munns
Applejack Hospitality, the restaurant group behind beloved venues like The Butler and Forrester's is opening an expansive new venue on Mount Street in North Sydney this Thursday, September 29. Boasting a capacity of 300 people, RAFI is set to deliver a new after-work and weekend go-to for the North Sydney business district with multiple weather-proof indoor and al fresco areas. Some of the many different spaces across RAFI will include a semi-al fresco glasshouse coined The Arbor which will be connected to the large indoor dining room with a geometric island bar, stocked up and ready to make a variety of bright cocktails or a cup of coffee. There's also a chef's kitchen which will host a variety of intimate dining experiences led by Head Chef Matias Cilloniz, plus a greenery-filled outdoor terrace placed in the centre of the North Sydney highrises. Highlights of RAFIs fit-out include floor-to-ceiling windows and marble mosaics within the floors. The bar stools are adorned with fabric designed by Walmajarri Aboriginal artist Jimmy Pike who has drawn from outback Australian flora and fauna in their design. "We set out to create a space that was youthful and playful. Drawing inspiration from exuberant colours and patterns, our design reflects Applejack's energy and warmth," lead designer and longtime Applejack collaborator Luchetti Krelle said. Outside, cosy pastel tones are replaced with bright summery designs. The Arbour's terrace features a European-inspired design based around striped fabric banquettes, coloured umbrellas, private outdoor gazebos and plenty of greenery. Food-wise the menu will be driven by local seafood and fresh veggies cooked over the kitchen's charcoal grill. Tuna paired with tahini and chilli oil, grilled lobster, crispy lamb ribs, honey- and chilli-infused eggplant, and scallops accompanied by pickled turnip, wasabi and ponzu are just a few of the inventive dishes slated for the menu. "Our food is meant to surprise and nourish with simple dishes creatively combined to be as tasty, nutritious, and sustainable as possible," said Cilloniz, who has arrived in Sydney from Peru to head up RAFI's kitchen. "Our team is focused on delivering an amazing experience starting at sourcing our produce with care to pouring a glass of wine, honouring the produce, the producers, and our team, while our guests enjoy themselves." Bookings for the multi-faceted venue are now open. Whether you're looking for a North Shore catch-up on the terrace, a chef's table banquet or a private function area, there's a spot for you at RAFI. "With RAFI we want to put North Sydney back on the centre stage, with a world-class restaurant in a setting to match," co-owner Ben Carroll says. "We want to make this venue a place where visitors, corporates and the local community can come together and feel that connection in a warm and welcoming space." RAFI is located at 99 Mount Street, North Sydney. From Thursday, September 29, it'll be open from midday to midnight, Monday–Saturday. Images: Steven Woodburn
Thanks to the soothing tones of waves lapping against the shore, a trip to Burleigh Heads always comes a soundtrack. From May, if you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, it'll also feature slurping noises aplenty. That's when RaRa Ramen is set to open its doors, with the Sydney-based chain making its first trip north — adding a Gold Coast site as a sibling venue to its four NSW stores. On the menu: tonkotsu ramen, which has proven quite the hit at RaRa Redfern, RaRa Randwick and RaRa Chan in Eveleigh. Taking its cues from the chain's vegan offshoot Lonely Mouth, RaRa Burleigh Heads will be doing meat-free bowls as well. Chicken karaage, cauliflower karaage and corn tempura will also be on offer, covering snack options for both carnivorous and plant-focused diners alike. While a great bowl of broth and noodles is always a drawcard, RaRa Burleigh Heads will boast another thanks to its neon-lit cocktail bar. Glowing hues are a feature of the company's other sites, too; however, in this case, the vivid lights will be nodding to the area's history. When on the Gold Coast and all that. Drinks-wise, sours will be a highlight, alongside a lineup of beers that'll include Japanese brews. And, the venue's decor will reflect its beachy setting in other ways, including in the curved lines featured in the fitout. RaRa is expected to open in Burleigh Heads before the middle of May, at the back of an arcade on James Street. If you're wondering why owners Scott Gault and Katie Shortland have decided to make the leap, Gault is originally from Brisbane — and, on a trip this way to see family after navigating border closures and restrictions during the peak of the pandemic, the pair spotted the property. "We let it percolate in our heads, and thought it could be a good opportunity to bring RaRa to the Gold Coast," Gault tells Concrete Playground. "Initially, we didn't have any plans to expand interstate, or to open a new store at the time." Like most Brisbanites, Gault has fond childhood memories of spending ample time on the coast, and identified Burleigh as an exciting food hub. Also a factor in the decision: the Gold Coast's existing culinary range. Gault notes that the city has boasted "great options for Japanese food over the years, which have informed everyone's palate." RaRa Ramen will open before mid-May at 21A/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads. Images: RaRa Ramen Randwick, Kitti Gould.
Vivid Sydney is about to beam into town again. The lights, music and ideas festival takes over Sydney for three transformative weeks from Friday, May 24. Each year there's a veritable buffet of things to see, and while venues like the Sydney Opera House are the flashy golden children of the city, there's also a heckin' lot going on in the quiet achievers around town. Vivid's XǀCelerate program sees to that, presenting the kind of intimate, creative gigs and club nights that small live music venues in Sydney do best. Think David Bowie tributes, birthday parties and local acts just hitting their stride. Best of all, a fair whack of them are budget friendly. Read on for your guide to Vivid's best music events that'll cost you less than a pineapple. PURPLE SNEAKERS' 13TH BIRTHDAY AT THE LANSDOWNE The Lansdowne plays host to Purple Sneakers' 13th birthday festivities, as the cult music blog partners with FBi Radio and UNDR Ctrl to return to their roots of throwing banging parties. The night will feature Purple Sneakers DJs as well as a mix of local acts across two stages. Expect to hear Mickey Kojak, Fishing, Kota Banks, Rebel Yell and Close Counters, among many more. Nab your ticket for $31, and open your ears to some of the best acts Australia has to offer. Purple Sneakers' motto is #TrustedForTaste — count on that as well as having a generally beaut night. Saturday, June 15 — $31 LABYRINTH AT THE SODA FACTORY We all miss David Bowie – may the Starman rest in peace – and this event taking place at Surry Hills' Soda Factory is a way of keeping his star burning. Commencing with a screening of the 1986 film Labyrinth starring Bowie as the goblin king, the night will unfurl into a multifaceted tribute to Bowie, with musicians tackling his classic hits. Since we can't see him perform live, this is a pretty good second best — especially for the reasonable price tag of free. Wear your best Bowie-themed attired and let's dance. Monday, June 3 — free KIM CHURCHILL AT OXFORD ART FACTORY Kim Churchill lives on the road — a road that, happy day, crosses through our town during Vivid, bringing Churchill to the Oxford Art Factory on June 7. He's been letting the processes of travelling and writing seep into each other, and emerged with the Berlin EP — an ode to place that concentrates on the interaction between nature and the man-made. He'll have you yearning to take off to the European summer (once Vivid is over, of course). Tickets are $34. Friday, June 7 — $34 GOLDHEIST AT THE VANGUARD Goldheist is one part Kate Bush, one part Imogen Heap, and all parts delightful. She'll take to the stage at The Vanguard in Newtown on May 30 with her new single, 'Wayfarer'. Inspired by her adventures on the road and sending out dream-pop vibes, Goldheist captures musical portraits of Australia and its people. The granddaughter of late ex-PM Malcolm Fraser, Goldheist (real name Hester Fraser) previously completed a project in tribute to her grandfather, The Camellia Tree, and uses her voice to call for changes to Australia's policies towards asylum seekers. Tickets are only $11, so you'll have enough change from a $20 note to grab a wine, too. Sunday, May 30 — $11 TOO RAD AT POTTS POINT HOTEL The Australian music scene is full of artists with something important to say. Come and see some of the game-changers perform at Too Rad at the Potts Point Hotel. The lineup takes in young and gutsy Fijian-Australian artist Jesswar, huge stage presence Miss Blanks from Queensland, and Gumbaynggirr man Tasman Keith. A snapshot of the new directions in Aus hip hop, the night is rich in female and Indigenous voices. First-release tickets are $18 and second-release $23. Friday, June 14 — $23 To get to these and other gigs, book your tickets here.
With winter in full swing, taking time to smell the (few) flowers is a good way to cure the winter blues. Luckily, there's one flower that livens the streets in winter — cherry blossoms. Only in bloom for two weeks of the year, these pink floral pom poms garner praise around the globe. So, in celebration of the pink Japanese flora, Sydney's Auburn Botanic Gardens is throwing the largest cherry blossom festival in the state. Running from Saturday, August 17 to Sunday, August 25, the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival will honour the flower and celebrate Japanese culture, with food, music, workshops, movies and even an anime-themed laser tag arena. Because these babies only blossom once a year, we're giving you the chance to enjoy the festivities in complete VIP style. If you get your lucky mitts on this prize, you'll be getting the royal treatment for the day. You can tuck into your choice of lunch, desserts and bevs. To sweeten the deal, you'll also skip the queues for any stall, show, activity or attraction, plus get a VIP tour of the gardens. All you have to do is pick the day — we'll sort the rest. If you're keen to get the VIP treatment at this year's Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival, enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]732214[/competition]
Some of the world's best chefs will descend on Sydney for the 21st edition of Good Food Month. Taking over restaurants across the city this October, the annual food festival will see pop-up restaurants and dinners from the likes of Alain Passard, Hiroyuki Sato and Thomas Frebel, as well as pasta parties, vegan feasts and the return of the Night Noodle Markets. For one night, Restaurant Hubert will host the legendary Alain Passard, whose Paris restaurant Arpège has three Michelin stars and is currently ranked the eighth best in the world. In Bondi, Hiroyuki Sato will transform Icebergs into a pop up version of his highly coveted Hakkoku restaurant in Tokyo (which only has six seats). While this seaside version will be a little bigger (20 seats), it won't be any less exclusive, with tickets to the two dinners going for $1000 a pop, which includes over 20 courses, beer, wine and luxury car transfers (of course). The luxury theme continues with a one-off dinner at Quay with Peter Gilmore and Jock Zonfrillo (Adelaide's Orana), and with Thomas Frebel (head chef and co-founder of Tokyo's Inua and former head of recipe development at Copenhagen's Noma) taking over Chippendale's Automata for two nights. Frebel is known for hunting down and experimenting with weird and wonderful local ingredients — so expect some lesser-known items to end up on your plate in Sydney, too. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByRPBdYgKyg/ On the more affordable side of the series, cake queen Katherine Sabbath with be hosting a colourful high tea — paired with wine and Pimm's — at the QT, and Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters) will cook an all-vegan feast at the newly opened Mary's Underground. Some of the city's best young chefs will also team up for a pasta party at Otto. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-TeOFHPZe/ And of course, Good Food Month's ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back for another season, taking over Hyde Park from October 11. Expect a tasty assortment of over 40 street food stalls, along with a program of performers, live acts and DJs. For those not wanting to spend heaps of cash, the affordable Let's Do Lunch returns, allowing punters to dine at Good Food hatted restaurants for cheap. The full lineup of participating restaurants will drop in September. Tickets for Sydney Good Food Month go on sale at 9am on Thursday, July 25. Top image: Night Noodle Markets by Leticia Almeida
You could hear Sydney collectively sigh when Rushcutters Bay's beloved restaurant Acme announced its closure. But fans of chef and owner Mitch Orr's cooking haven't had to wait too long to find out where and when they'll be able to get their next hit of his inauthentic Italian fare. Orr has been welcomed into the fold of Maurice Terzini's ever-growing empire, which currently includes Surry Hills' The Dolphin Hotel, Bondi Beach Public Bar, Icebergs and Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta. While details are slim at the moment, Orr will be jumping in the kitchen of the latter, Da Orazio, which will be relaunching as Ciccia Bella in the coming months. At the moment it's mainly a pizza spot, and its name is a nod to former chef Orazio d'Elia, who has since gone on to open Matteo Double Bay and Downtown. And while the woodfired oven will remain, Orr will also be bringing in some classic pasta dishes. [caption id="attachment_731512" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pizza and pasta from The Dolphin's Italo Disco.[/caption] This isn't the first time Orr has teamed up with Terzini and landed in one of his kitchens, either. You may've seen him in on the pans during one (or two) of The Dolphin's super-popular Delfino Aperitivo sessions, or perhaps for a Pizza Party back in 2016, or last month's Italo Dining & Disco Club. If you were at any of these pop-ups, you may have some idea of what to expect on the menu at Ciccia. Pig's head carbonara pizza (a riff on Acme's signature pig's head macaroni dish), Jatz a la Icebergs (with sea urchin and foie gras), eggplant parmigiana rolls and clam pizza could also possibly make an appearance, as may some of the Acme pasta favourites. Although, it is suggested that this menu will be more classic than Orr's usual offering. As well as the menu and the name, the interiors will also be getting a makeover, with the team working closely with an architect to refresh the space. But before the relaunch, it'll be business as normal at Da Orazio, with the Hall Street restaurant open for pizza seven days a week. We'll let you know when any more details or dates are announced for Ciccia Bella. Cicca Bella is slated to launch 75–79 Hall Street, Bondi in the upcoming months. Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta will continue to run as normal until then.
So you've got your hot little hands on the Sydney Festival 2020 program and you're experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, from do-I-need-sleep-in-January? to #overwhelmed. There's so much good stuff to choose from — including more than 70 new and diverse events — so where do you start? What you need is a friendly hand on your shoulder to point you in the direction of this year's festival highlights. Good news, we've done the hard yards to bring you a list of the 11 events you should circle with a highlighter and spend your hard-earned cash on to ensure you don't experience festival FOMO come January 8–26.
