Sydney's new hyped-up venue, The Old Clare Hotel is holding its very Australia Day, and with a rooftop pool like that, we're pretty sure this'll be packed. Head up to the rooftop pool for live DJs and streaming of the triple j Hottest 100. Local artist Cuzn will be performing in The Clare Bar from 3-5pm, and the Old Clare's bartenders will be slinging Vegemite Martinis and Redskin Sour cocktails (along with their usual offering) all day.
The beloved Irish comedian and his Casio keyboard are back. The new show from David O'Doherty at the Sydney Comedy Festival is a bit of a mouthful, but then what else would you expect? Jumping back and forth between standup and original songs, the award winning comic's dorky, self-deprecating humour never ceases to entertain, whether he's coming up with app ideas or singing about Grand Designs. It's basically impossible to leave one of O'Doherty's shows without a giant grin plastered across your face.
It outraged tyrants, terrified theatre chains and knocked one of Hollywood's most powerful executives
When this year's Sydney Film Festival rolls around, it'll do so with Oscar nominees, festival award winners and Sundance hits, plus the world premiere of an important Australian documentary. Throw in plenty of famous faces, a few more local flicks and a heap of acclaimed docos, and another busy fest is in store — and that's just from the event's first 23 titles. While the annual festival won't reveal its full 2019 lineup until May, it has unveiled a sneak peek of what's in store between Wednesday, June 5 and Sunday, June 16. As always, Sydney cinephiles should start getting excited. Also recommended: getting ready to spend 12 days in packed cinemas around the city. After staying local with its 2019 retrospective — a showcase of ten films by trailblazing female Aussie directors, as unveiled last week — SFF is also keeping close to home with some of its early standouts. Fittingly, Sydney audiences will be the first in the world to see The Final Quarter, a documentary about the horrific racism faced by former Sydney Swans AFL player Adam Goodes, as well as his determination to call it out and the response he received. The festival will also screen Animals, the Alia Shawkat-starring new film from 52 Tuesdays director Sophie Hyde, as well as She Who Must Be Loved, an insightful doco about Indigenous filmmaking pioneer Freda Glynn. On the star-studded front, Sydneysiders will finally get to see Claire Denis' High Life, the stellar sci-fi flick that sends Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche into space in a bleak but enthralling way, and screened around the rest of the country at the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Also headed towards SFF-goers' eyeballs is the Aussie premiere of Dev Patel-starring thriller The Wedding Guest, Matt Bomer as a weatherman in Papa Chulo and Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie dallying with a haunted dress flick in In Fabric. The latter, which marks the latest film from Berberian Sound Studio and The Duke of Burgundy's Peter Strickland, is definitely worth your attention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0LUasriQ2o Other highlights include Aretha Franklin concert film Amazing Grace, which has taken decades to reach cinema screens; more music with A Dog Called Money, a doco about PJ Harvey; and this year's two-time Academy Award nominee Never Look Away, which is inspired by the life of German artist Gerhard Richter. The Kleptocrats explores the funnelling of dirty money into The Wolf of Wall Street — yes, the Leonardo DiCaprio film — by members of the Malaysian government, Midnight Family delves into Mexico's healthcare system, and Thai drama Manta Ray follows a fisherman who rescues a refugee. And then there's Italian crime flick Piranhas, the Berlinale screenwriting winner about teen gangs on the streets of Naples, as well as offbeat Japanese comedy Jesus, which stars Tokyo-based Aussie comedian Chad Mullane as a hyperactive doll possessed by the spirit of Jesus Christ. The 2019 Sydney Film Festival will run from June 5 to 16. Check out their currently announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on May 8.
You may have heard it whispered amongst art openings or at 3am when the last dregs refuse to leave your house party, intent on discussing the merits of various art theories and philosophies (well, it beats politics) but currently in the art world we have a little thing we like to bandy about in oh-so-upper-tones — relational aesthetics. Friendly name, huh? Contemporary art can do that. If it is good at one thing, it is good at excluding most of the non-art educated audience. Relational aesthetics though, put simply, is the attempt to make contemporary art friendly; to include and to explore who we are as people and how we relate to each other — community, audience engagement, participatory — it's all about getting us together to experience something. This is generally a rather fun and enlightening experience for those participating but can sometimes run into trouble once the artist attempts to translate it for the gallery space. Enter Angelica Mesiti, a truly wonderful image maker and member of the gender-bending, Sydney performance group The Kingpins. Mesiti has initiated a project with The Hurstville Council and C3West (the community engagement arm of the Museum of Contemporary Art) whereby she has sought out a large cross section of the Hurstville community to tell the story of their streets. Friday and Saturday night will see south west Sydney transform into a video landscape as performed by local residents and including hourly live performances of a Chinese New Year Dragon amongst a procession of customised cars (sex-specs for those in the know). Guaranteed to be visually sublime — Angelica knows how to frame a shot — and yet also tell you a little something special about your southern cousins. The Begin-Again is available for viewing both Friday and Saturday night from 7.30pm-12am. This self-directed walking tour includes five key destinations within Hurstville taking in numerous video installations and culminating in the live performances on the rooftop of the Westfield carpark. A map is available here. Image: Angelica Mesiti, The Begin-Again (still) 2011 single-screen video installation
First, the great news: in a year that has seen many events have had to cancel or postpone their plans — spanning gigs, festivals and even outdoor art exhibitions — Sydney's beloved Westpac Openair Cinema is definitely returning to take care of your summer viewing plans. Now, the even better news: it'll be doing so with a jam-packed, just-announced lineup of new, recent and classic movies, so get ready to stare at a 350-square-metre screen rising from the harbour. Thanks to its spot at Mrs Macquaries Point, Westpac Openair has spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, which is one big part of the attraction, of course. But so is feasting your eyes on the event's hefty program, which'll kick off this year on Tuesday, December 15 — earlier than usual, because capacity restrictions required to remain COVID-safe mean that it will only seat 900 movie-goers per night — with a big pre-release screening of Australian crime drama The Dry. From there, running through until Wednesday, February 24, Westpac Openair has plenty of films in store. In the brand new camp, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan-starring period romance Ammonite is an absolute must-see, as is Australian frontier western High Ground. You can also head to space with George Clooney in Midnight Sky, check out women's surfing documentary Girls Can't Surf, see Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman in The Prom, and witness the cathartic power of befriending a magpie in Penguin Bloom. And, there's also the Gemma Arterton-starring Summerland, plus Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan in Wild Mountain Thyme. Fancy combining movies and music? American Utopia, David Byrne's latest — and magnificent — concert film, will give Westpac Openair quite the soundtrack. So will new documentary The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, which steps through the eponymous band's full career and roster of hits. Other recent titles hitting the very, very big screen include rom-com Baby Done, horror-comedy Freaky, Liam Neeson's latest action flick Honest Thief and Aussie sheep farmer dramedy Rams. Kajillionaire, starring Evan Rachel Wood as the daughter of two lifelong con artists, is also on the bill — and so are a heap of retro titles such as Love Actually, Almost Famous, Thelma & Louise, The Devil Wears Prada, Grease and Pulp Fiction. Unsurprisingly, as well as the event's reduced capacity and its earlier start date, Westpac Openair will be implementing other COVID-safe measures — including physically distanced director and deck chair seating, rather than a grandstand. You'll also spot hand sanitiser stations around the place, and only online bookings will be taken. Food-wise, you'll be tucking into ready-to-collect gourmet picnic hampers by Kitchen by Mike and its chef Mike McEnearney. Especially given these adjustments, tickets are likely to go quick when they go on sale from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 10. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac Openair 2020 runs from Tuesday, December 15–Wednesday, February 24. Tickets go on sale from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 10 — for more details, head to the event's website. Image: Fiora Sacco
The 2014 season at Carriageworks will include the Sydney debut of Back to Back Theatre's Ganesh Versus the Third Reich, an internationally acclaimed production that won, amongst others prizes, the 2012 Helpmann Award for Best Play. Audiences are taken on a journey with Ganesh, the Hindu god, travelling through Nazi Germany to try to reclaim the swastika, an ancient Hindu symbol. Alongside this primary narrative swims a second — that of the actors themselves feeling the responsibility of tackling so weighty a subject, whilst struggling under the demands of an unreasonable director. As a show that the Age called "courageous, confronting, intelligent and magisterially considered theatre", Ganesh Versus the Third Reich will get you thinking about history, theatre and the connection between the two. What right does art have to draw on the darkest chapters of history? And when it does, in exactly whose creative hands should it be placed? Back to Back Theatre is a Geelong-based company founded in 1987, made up of a unique ensemble of five actors with perceived intellectual disabilities. Together they devise and create award-winning contemporary theatre that explores powerful social and political issues, including this year's much-acclaimed Sydney Theatre Company show, Super Discount.
If your natural response to cold weather is to stay indoors, rug up, make friends with your couch and activate hibernation mode, you might want to slip into your usual frosty routine over the weekend of Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. Yes, it's spring — but thanks to a strong cold front that's currently moving through New South Wales, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting chilly and windy conditions across Sydney for the next few days. In fact, while tops of 19 and 18 degrees are forecast for the Saturday and Sunday, you can prepare to feel much, much frostier, with the wind chill factor making it feel colder than expected. Explaining that the cold front is bringing cool and wintry conditions — "quite classic spring conditions" with "a bit of winter reminding us that we're not that far away from those wintry conditions" — BOM's acting NSW/ACT manager Agata Imielska advises that temperatures will feel ten degrees cooler than they actually are. Tonight, for example, it's expected to feel like it is only between two and five degrees. And although tomorrow will look sunny, it'll also also be dry, windy and feel rather frosty — with a top of 18 degrees, but feeling more like eight or nine degrees. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1309325700030230529 The cold front, and these conditions, are expected to remain into next week — which is when they'll then start to settle down. Elsewhere in the state over the weekend, damaging winds are forecast today and tonight in eastern areas such as the Hunter, while thunderstorms are possible around the state's south as well. In the alpine region, around 40 centimetres of snow could fall — and there's a risk of blizzards, too. To keep an eye on temperatures over the weekend, head to the Bureau of Meteorology website. Image: Jason Tong via Flickr.
Freda's, Chippo's idiosyncratic neighbourhood bar, has added yet another happening to its program. From October through until February, the crew is hosting weekly film nights every Tuesday — and they won't cost you a cent. Presented by Afterhours, the films are screening in Down/Under Space, Freda's underground gallery. The selection spans four decades of ace flicks, including 20,000 Days On Earth, Jane Pollard and Iain Forsyth's part-drama, part-doco feature depicting 24 fictitious hours in the life of Nick Cave; Jean-Luc Godard's Masculin Feminin, which captures the story of Paul, a young, disillusioned man whose girlfriend pursues a career as a pop singer; and Jonathan Auf Dur Heide's Van Diemen's Land, which tells the true tales of Alexander Pearce, a convict who escaped Macquarie Harbour with seven others, only to spend years in the Tasmanian wilderness. Other highlights include some Aussie horror on Halloween thanks to Body Melt, ever-rewatchable high school satire Heathers and the original animated Ghost in the Shell. All films start at 7pm, but bookings aren't possible, so if you're hearts set on your flick pick, arrive early. There's room for 50 people, comfortably, and 80, if they're incredibly friendly.
We all lived through the sourdough frenzy when everyone and their dog became bread-making masters seemingly overnight. We get the appeal, we do — it's a fun challenge, it ate up plenty of hours during lockdown, and it yields something versatile and delicious. But there are scores of other options for you to have fun and experiment in the kitchen with all that extra time you might now have on your hands — yes, once again — is you're living the iso life. Staying at home doesn't mean you have to settle for repetitive meals or boring recipes, and the best part is that you don't need to be a sous chef to make any of these recipes. So step away from the sourdough starter, and check out these weekend cooking ideas. [caption id="attachment_819800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthieu Joannon via Unsplash[/caption] DUMPLINGS, PLEASE Making dumplings in your own kitchen will teach you why they always say 'practice makes perfect'. We can't promise the first few will look amazing; in fact, you'll probably end up with a bunch of slightly sad, deformed dumplings at the start. But with a little bit of patience and practice, you'll be achieving the symmetrical folds and adorable little parcels of your dumpling dreams. Stock up on wrappers from your local Asian grocer (these can stay in the freezer until you're ready to start cooking) and make a bunch of whichever filling you're feeling. Follow Dan Hong's (Mr Wong, Ms G's) advice to help get the process down as you knock together some gyoza or siu mai, or have a go at these ones from Alice Zaslavsky. You can cook a few to have immediately, and freeze the rest for future meals or late-night cravings. So why not make a day of it and whip up as many dumplings as you can fit in your freezer? You'll have fun, master a new craft and have an amazing dinner option ready to go. GET PICKLIN' We know on paper that pickling does not scream sexy. But these mini flavour bombs are the perfect accompaniment to almost anything, with the ability to take a sandwich from mundane to extra special. Plus, the technique works as the base of some pretty nifty homemade condiments, like Bondi Harvest's classic kimchi. Pickling is a simple and versatile kitchen skill to master, since time does most of the work — and we all know you've got plenty of that. Just add your favourite veggies to spiced vinegar and see them bloom into a new, different ingredient that can brighten up any dish. Thinking of making a leftover steak sandwich? Add this easy-to-make giardiniera (an Italian-style veggie pickle) and it'll seem like a brand new meal. Pimp a salad with some of the Three Blue Ducks' pickled grapes. Or, try this antipasto-style roast veg pickle from the pickle masters at Cornersmith to serve as a lively snack beside your next home tipple. STOCK UP ON STOCK Since you can't just pop out for your standard supermarket shop while in iso, you can make things easier on yourself by having some kitchen essentials on hand. Enter: homemade stock. There aren't that many rules to it, so you can really add whatever you fancy for a rich, cosy broth. It's also easy to freeze and enjoy late, plus it's a great way of using up those veggie scraps and meat leftovers. In order to really get all the collagen from the meat you choose for your stock base, you'll want to cook it for as long as possible. For inspiration, check out this chicken stock from Kylie Kwong (Billy Kwong, Lucky Kwong). You could opt for pork, seafood or any other base that will make you happy. And for a great vegetable broth, simply start saving your vegetable scraps in the freezer. Once you become a stock maestro and have loads of stock on hand, you can put it to good use in some soups, like this hearty pumpkin number. [caption id="attachment_814516" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hyosun Rosy Ko via Unsplash[/caption] BAGELS FOR DAYS Why settle for sourdough when you can make your very own New York bagel brunch at home? Plan it in advance, so you'll have time to make the dough and let it rest — then you can bake and boil these bad boys come Saturday, Sunday (or Monday) morning. You can use seeds you have at home for toppings, but poppy seeds, sesame and caraway seeds all work particularly well. If you're feeling creative, make a mix of seeds with some garlic and onion flakes for a homemade 'everything' bagel topping. If you're an overachiever, have a crack at making gravlax by curing your own salmon with dill, and a good amount of salt and sugar. The star at any bagel brunch, gravlax can be stored for a week, and this Matt Moran recipe only needs to cure in your fridge for 48 hours. Have some cream cheese on hand, and bring your bagels to the next level with capers, red onion and a squeeze of lemon. SOME VERY SPECIAL NOODS With all this excess time spent at home over the last couple of years, we've all had more than our share of packet pasta and instant noodles. Instead, level-up and have a crack at making your own fresh noodles, using just a few basic ingredients: flour, water, salt, and (sometimes) eggs. You don't need a fancy pasta machine to make delicious pasta at home — you just need a rolling pin, some pantry staples and lots of patience. You could also try a few of these easy-to-master semolina varieties courtesy of the Ragazzi crew. We also recommend trying to make these hand-smashed noodles, pimped out with your choice of sauce or toppings. They're called biang biang noodles because of the sound they make when you bang the dough against the kitchen counter to stretch it out, so be ready to get your hands — and probably your kitchen — a little messy in the process. These are always good to keep frozen for whenever you're ready to boil and enjoy them, plus they're incredibly fun to make. For some other creative uses for that freshly-made pasta, jump over to Mitch Orr's (Pilu, ACME) Instagram to find a wealth of inspiration and clever recipes. [caption id="attachment_814510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mahyar Motebassem via Unsplash[/caption] THE PERFECT PUFF What's flaky, golden and delicious, and works an absolute treat atop a rich pie? If you guessed puff pastry, you'd be spot on. Sure, this particular cooking project can prove a little fiddly and time-consuming — but that makes it the ideal thing to tackle over a quiet weekend. To make it, you'll need butter, salt, flour and a decent sprinkling of patience, as you master the art of lamination — the key technique on which puff pastry is made. It involves loads of folding and rolling, as you incorporate a brick of butter into your dough, with the whole thing allowed to rest properly between each step. You'll find an in-depth step-by-step guide to creating puff pastry online, courtesy of Melbourne's Tivoli Road Bakery. And if it all seems daunting, just think how good those crispy-topped homemade pies are going to taste. You can also try this quicker, less finessed (but still very tasty) version from The Village Cooks. [caption id="attachment_729638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] REPURPOSE YOUR SOURDOUGH STARTER If you're one of the many homebound amateur chefs who joined the trend and made sourdough already, that's OK. Even after you're long bored of bread, you can use your sourdough starter to make something different and fresh. Have a go at unleashing your inner Neapolitan and whip up some pizza dough, adding whatever toppings make your heart sing. It might take a little effort and a fair bit of time, but you'll end up with crisp, chewy pizza bases that are sure to win you plenty of praise. Here's another good step-by-step guide from Calabrian chef Mauro Gulli. Our hot tip? To really embrace your pizzaiolo adventures, make up a bunch of tomato sauce you can use for topping pizzas or stirring through pasta — it can be kept frozen, ready to heat whenever the craving strikes. Top image: 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar
Love a sip of sake? Fans of Japanese rice wine should add Sakeshop to their must-visit list. Now open in Stanmore and trading in everything sake (as you may have guessed from the name, which pulls very few punches), Sakeshop specialises in nihonshu, shochu, umeshu (all variations of sake) and Japanese beer. The team behind Sakeshop have run this gamble before. A sake store was introduced to Chef's Armoury in Richmond four years ago and enthusiastically received by Melbourne's sake fiends. Owner Leigh Hudson, a form chef, sommelier and accredited sake educator, has expanded to Sydney — but Sakeshop is more than just a shop. In addition to serving different types of sakes, the store hosts events and classes spanning everything from discovering and pairing various tipples to learning everything there is to know about the beverage in question. They're also putting on pop-up izakaya nights, the first of which is going down on August 9, with another slated September 16. And they'll also be offering sake education courses through WSET Sake School, the only certified sake-based course in Australia. There are intensive classes for hardcore enthusiasts and also one-day courses for those of you who just want to be impressive on a date. Check out the website for dates. Kanpai! Find Sakeshop at 105-107 Percival Road, Stanmore. Head to their website and Facebook page for further information. By Imogen Baker and Sarah Ward.
Photobombing is an art attempted by many, yet perfected by few. Ruining somebody's photo in the most humorous way possible takes impeccable timing and swift movement. Now, photobombing experts will have their work cut out for them as software company Scalado look set to release their new Remove technology. As the name suggests, Remove allows you to erase unwanted objects from those precious picture moments. When a photo is taken, Remove actually takes a lightning-quick succession of snaps, and detects moving objects within the lens. It then gives you the option to simply remove any moving objects, leaving the regular background unscathed. If you're a little vain and a strict perfectionist, Remove will be right up your alley. Not only will you be able to erase immature friends who sneak into your photos, but you also won't have to worry about flying birds, speeding cars or annoying pedestrians. Taking the perfect picture for your bedside table has never been so easy. No word on when it will be available to the public, but we're guessing that plenty of teenage girls will be eager for this one. Check out the video below and see how this technology works. https://youtube.com/watch?v=flNomXIIWr4 [Via Mashable]
There are blockbusters like Yoko, established pros like Erwin Wurm and the yet-to-be-famous talents at play in our ARIs. But before our artists are even up and comers, many of Sydney’s best make their first public splash by pinning something to the walls at annual best-of, HSC exhibition ARTEXPRESS. This year’s collection includes the usual: ceramic cloud atlas, winged books, tower of architecture and a bit of a religious tribute to Gorillaz' Jamie Hewlett. Which is to say: art that’s unusual, challenging, magnificent and probably among the best you’ll see all year. Some of these artists will go on to greater art world success. Others will disappear from view. But, for now, it’s just an show full of first-of-a-kind ideas, stunning aesthetics and a lot of great art. ARTEXPRESS’ young artists will also be popping up at the gallery for three weeks of Art After Hours March 12, 19 and 26. Details on the Art After Hours site. Image: Losing our religion by Romy Lester.
How many times have you thought about learning how to defend yourself, but never gotten around to doing it? Here is your reminder — and a chance to learn some kick-ass skills for free. The Sydney Jiu Jitsu Academy Ku Ring Gai is calling all women to bring their friends, mums, sisters, aunts and daughters to a free self defence workshop on International Women's Day. The one-hour class will run from 10–11am on Sunday, March 8. No-gi world champion Charles Negromonte will be taking attendees through all the techniques you need to fight like a girl. If you find yourself wanting more and sign up for future classes, you'll get free training for the rest of the month and won't pay for your uniform either. Spaces in the class are limited, so head to the Facebook event to secure your spot.
A lot of things are difficult in No Man's Land: working out who's who and what's true and what time it is and just how many drinks you've had. This applies both to the audience and to those onstage, in whose strange world an hour and a half of our time and at least a day and a half of theirs is more than enough. This is not to say this production isn't very good, because it is: it's good enough to be a difficult experience, one in which the audience is bounced between laughing and looking full-face into the void. "[It] IS funny, up to a point. Beyond that point, it ceases to be funny, and it is because of that point that I wrote it." Pinter made this statement about one of his early plays, but it seems applicable to them all. The setting of a Pinter play is strikingly real, its dialogue is believably conversational, and it tends to be hilarious — up to that point where things tip absurdly over into some of the bleakest moments possible onstage. As the main characters Hirst and Spooner, veterans John Gaden and Peter Carroll live up to their showcase casting by giving clever and affecting performances. If there are occasions where No Man's Land feels a bit like an exercise in 'Ladies and gentlemen, Gaden and Carroll, at their best!', well, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Audiences having developed admiration and affection for an actor doesn't mean that their work is no longer good, and the play itself is one that benefits from the comfort of familiar faces. Andrew Buchanan and Steven Rooke are also good in the supporting roles of Briggs and Foster, giving performances that are broadly comedic over suggestions of real threat and spite. This is a solid production, committed to getting across a difficult play in a way that does service to it and addresses the audience on through its innate merits rather than some kind of transformative reworking. The set itself looks like somewhere you'd want to live, and the costumes have some pretty nice one-liners all on their own. Productions like this sometimes suffer by virtue of their very seamlessness, ending up lacking in impact, but in this case the possibility of immersion in the fictional world the play puts forward and the realisation of the very nasty things indeed abounding within it makes No Man's Land sneakily devastating.
Rewind five years and imagine Sydney’s gallery scene without White Rabbit. It’s tough. This tenth exhibition of the contemporary Chinese art gallery revolves around the idea of reformation — the succession of a new wave, the establishment of fresh ideas, a complete overhaul of the old ways of doing and thinking. White Rabbit’s shows rotate different parts of the Neilson family’s private collection, which includes Ai Weiwei’s huge mound of tiny ceramic sunflower seeds, and Shi Zhiying’s oil painting of an all-consuming, horizonless, grey-scale ocean, High Seas. The gallery consistently minimises the ‘shrug factor’ — that moment upon entering a gallery, glazed-eyed, when you have no idea how to engage with the work. White Rabbit doesn’t replace the shrug factor with shock factor, it just curates some of the most adventurous contemporary artists working in China and smashing together the political and the personal, history and present, today. White Rabbit's biannual opening parties are famous and a famously good time (as long as you don't mind a crush of people). Be prepared to queue, preferably well before 6pm. Reformation is one of the five blockbuster art shows we're most looking forward to this year. Check out the rest here.
To call Enough Said a romantic comedy seems wrongly restrictive. Essentially, it's just that, but really, it's much more. A quirky divorcee starts falling for a slobby, overweight but very loveable dude, then realises it's her friend's despised ex-husband. Antics ensue. The title and the poster are something of an undersell — 'Enough Said' sounds like any other moronically make-believe candyfloss crap in which an unlikely yet star-crossed couple with Hollywood cheekbones and poreless skin battle for 90 minutes and get together — forever, of course — in the final scene. The title is oddly generic; try slipping 'About Time', 'Here's the Thing' or 'Wouldn't You Know?' in its place. Here's the difference: Nicole Holofcener is one of the smartest, wryest female American directors around. Friends with Money established her as a someone who makes real films with real characters for real grown-ups. She then joined the television glory days, directing episodes of HBO's Enlightened — two short seasons of confronting and hilarious viewing. Laura Dern and Mike White's amazing creation, the deluded yet totally empathisable Amy Jellicoe, could make you question if your own deepest-held longings are just impossible and impossibly vivid self-deceptions. With Enough Said, Holofcener makes a pitch for the mainstream, moving in on the edge of the territory staked out by James L. Brooks: rom-coms that are actually, miraculously both romantic and comedic. I can't help but wonder if it's because her last film, Please Give, was a well-intentioned but dour project that somehow missed its mark, as well as the wide audience that this super cluey director deserves. In Enough Said, she's cast Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the usual Catherine Keener role. Where on earth has Louis-Dreyfus been for the last decade and a half? She is a flat-out great leading actress. Here, she perfects what she revealed on Seinfeld in the 1990s: a character's failed attempts at carefree casualness. With wide-eyed, sideways glances and upturned intonation, she relays cluelessness and hopefulness, her yearning earnestness betraying her surface breeziness. (A side note: Claudia Karvan does this best in Australia.) The whole cast is spot-on, and James Gandolfini is especially endearing in his last, quite slight role — though I couldn't help wonder what complexity Louis CK could have brought to the character. There's something extraordinary about seeing quite ordinary women on film. In Gravity, Sandra Bullock's astronaut-taut face barely moved from the effects of what one hoped was zero gravity but was more likely astronomical proportions of filler and muscle relaxant. By contrast, Keener and Louis-Dreyfus aren't great beauties, but they are uncommonly lovely and a delight to watch — animated, bright, baffled and trying and trying and trying their fallible human best to succeed in love. Despite the unambitious nature of this easy Friday night film, Holofcener is a freakishly perceptive observer of our time's obsessions and longings. There aren't nearly enough films about the relationship between your different relationships and love after love. I laughed at the film's sticky, recognisable truths for the whole hour and a half. She's succeeded in making something for the masses without resorting to lowest-common-denominator bullshit. And that's really something. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nEEJaIjF_Lo
With all this time spent at home, you might as well make it interesting. Maybe throw in some problem-solving, clue-cracking and a spot of mystery? If any of the above takes your fancy, strap yourself in for the latest at-home escape room experience from the masters of intrigue at Ukiyo. The Brunswick-based escape room studio has been delivering locals their lockdown puzzle fix via a series of interactive online experiences. And the next one unfolds over four brain-teasing days, kicking off next Wednesday, September 16. Dubbed Bird Cage, this new virtual game takes its cues from the likes of Stranger Things, The Ring and Slender Man, serving up an Aussie twist on the retro sci-fi thriller. The story's set deep in the outback, pulling players into a paranormal mystery involving a creepy scientific institute, its prized specimen and a very unwanted escape. Delve into this immersive head-scratcher solo, or with your housemates, cracking clues and solving puzzles as the game unfolds. All you'll need to play is a computer with internet access, though there's also a Stranger Things-inspired pillow fortress competition to enter if you fancy a shot at winning a $200 Ukiyo voucher. Tickets for Bird Cage are just $5 per person, or you can nab a household ticket for $15 (for three or more players).
From Thursday, August 29, to Sunday, September 8, you can support our green and gold legends and watch the nation's top Paralympians fight for their spot on the podium. Palm Grove in the Darling Harbour Precinct is offering complimentary viewings of the games with a party atmosphere. You can take a photo by the grid-worthy photo wall and enjoy special pop-ups and Darling Harbour's best eats. Running from 12pm–11pm daily, spectators can watch the latest triumphs from Paralympic Games on Palm Grove's huge screens, entirely for free. Neighbouring Darling Harbour venues will keep you fed while cheering on Team Aus. You could opt for Indonesian bites at Bintang Bro, boost yourself with coffee and a sweet treat from Cafe Alma, or if you're craving authentic Japanese street food, Dopa Darling Quarter has you sorted. Venture further afield and you'll find even more options scattered around the local area, from Barangaroo to Haymarket. The Paralympics Live screenings take place 5–11pm, Monday–Friday and midday–11pm, Saturday–Sunday.
Picnic season is finally upon us. Come the weekend, the eskies are pulled out, the dogs are let off the leash and picnic rugs are laid out early as the best spots are snatched up across the city. But if you want to impress your friends (and all of Instagram), you'll need more than a wheel of brie and some seed crackers. Luckily, Sydney's top suppliers and producers make it pretty easy for you to put on an elaborate picnic spread that includes everything from the must-haves (stinky cheese, fruit and fresh bread) to important add-ons (pickles, pastries and pet-nat). So, heres our round up of the tastiest snacks in Sydney that will guarantee looks of envy from your fellow picnickers. [caption id="attachment_711917" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] CHEESE FROM PENNY'S CHEESE SHOP, POTTS POINT Cheese is the oozy, creamy glue that holds a picnic together. And whatever your cheesy preferences, Penny's Cheese Shop in Potts Point is sure to have what you need, from local cheeses to hard-to-find favourite international varieties. Most of them are cut to order so you can get as much (or as little) as your picnic team requires. Penny herself, a self-professed 'curd nerd', will help you pick the best selection of cheeses for your picnic, matching the weather and your wine. While you're there, you may as well grab one of her toasties — they're golden and crisp with fillings featuring jalapeño, kimchi and smoked wagyu. Alternatives? Fomaggi Ocello, Surry Hills; The Artisan Cheese Room, Manly; Field Blend, Balmain. [caption id="attachment_739719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harriet Davidson[/caption] BAGUETTES FROM IGGY'S BREAD, BRONTE The foundation of any great picnic starts with the simple combo of flour and water — and no one else in Sydney does this better than Iggy's. There's always a line, but it's most definitely worth waking up early on your day off nab a loaf. The crisp crust and sticky sourdough centre is the perfect device for transporting oozy slabs of the aforementioned cheese or mopping up any saucy remains on your plate. For a big crowd you can't go past the super long baguettes. If you're feeling a little extra, pop into the neighbouring croissant store and pick up a mixed selection of chocolate, plain and feta croissants coming out of the oven. Alternatives? Bourke Street Bakery, various locations; Infinity Bakery, Paddington, Manly, Darlinghurst; Wholegreen Bakery, Waverley (for gluten-free bread). [caption id="attachment_739710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harriet Davidson[/caption] FRESH FRUIT FROM KINGS CROSS ORGANIC MARKET, POTTS POINT A picnic isn't complete without a splash of seasonal produce — fresh cherry tomatoes and ripe strawberries won't just look good, but they'll add freshness to your spread, too. The Saturday morning Kings Cross Organic Markets are consistently impressive, with producers coming from Sydneys outer edges and the Blue Mountains. As you never know what will be there week to week, you're better going with no plan and making your snack decisions based on what's available. For a picnic spread we'd go for some easy dippers like tomatoes and carrots, and for something sweet grab yourself a bag of strawberries, lychees or a citrus mix. In addition to the mega selection of fresh produce, organic honey, fresh flowers and loads of nuts and seeds are for sale, too. Alternatives? Carriageworks Farmers Market, Darlington (Saturdays); Ramsgate Foodies and Farmers Market, Ramsgate (Saturdays); Parramatta Farmers Market, Parramatta (Fridays). [caption id="attachment_696538" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] CHARCUTERIE FROM CONTINENTAL DELI, NEWTOWN Any picnic worth its weight in truffle-infused salt requires an array of cold cuts spread out on a roughly hewn wooden board. Continental Deli in Nwetown is a one-stop shop for all your cured meat and tinned seafood needs. The curated selection of local and internationally sourced cold cuts are some of the best you'll find in the city — and don't forget to peruse the long list of canned fish, including nardin smoked anchovies and the cambados octopus while you're at it. We'd recommend getting yourself some sliced jamón ibérico, wagyu bresaola and definitely some mortadella — add some cheese and bread to create possibly one of the best picnic sandwiches you've ever had. Alternatives? Victor Churchill, Woollahra; Pino's Dolce Vita, Kogarah; Fomaggi Ocello, Surry Hills. NATURAL WINE FROM DRNKS, WATERLOO If you're a lover of natural wine — or you're just curious about the stuff — then go checkout Drnks for all your sunny day picnic juice. The online purveyor of natural wines opened its first brick and mortar store within the George Hotel in Waterloo earlier this year. It's one of Sydneys go-to destinations for all your funky beverage needs including a healthy range of wine, beer and cider. You won't find much of this stock in in your conventional bottle-o — so this isn't the place to get your $12 bottle of chardonnay. Most bottles sit between $25–40, though, so get your mates to chip in and you'll be cracking them open in the sun in no time. Alternatives? P&V Wine & Liquor, Newtown; Winona Wine, Manly; The Oak Barrel, Surry Hills. [caption id="attachment_733295" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] PASTRIES AND CAKES FROM CHERRY MOON, ANNANDALE Cherry Moon is the inner wests new woodfired bakery, cafe and general store which will very easily whisk you away to a sweet sugar-coated heaven. The bakery selection is much more elaborate and refined than your regular bake sale, with you favourite classics tweaked with native Australian ingredients such as wattleseed and finger lime. From the crisp outer shell of their lemon myrtle buerre noisette croissant scrolls to the creamy filling of their signature wood fired Portuguese tarts this is the place to satisfy those sugary cravings. Go in the morning to get your pick of the full range — your your biggest problem will be deciding what to not get. Alternatives? Rollers Bakehouse, Manly; Flour and Stone, Wooloomooloo; Nutie, Surry Hills (for gluten-free cakes). CONDIMENTS AND PICKLES FROM CONDIMENTAL If you're one to dip, slather and pour — meet Condimental, which bundles a heap of pickles, preserves, sauces, seasonings and relishes into a box and brings it to your door. On the menu is a changing range of limited-release and seasonal items from Australian suppliers, aka the types of condiments that you won't find in any old supermarket. With a spread of fermented spicy sauce on some fresh bread, or topping a cheesy cracker with some tangy pickles this box of treats will forever be the solution to boring snacks. Seasonal boxes can be ordered on their website and delivered straight to your door — a minimal effort item thats guaranteed to bring maximum tastiness. Alternatives? Go straight to the source to get watermelon pickles from Fleetwood Macchiato, Erskineville; or Westmont Pickles from Carriageworks Farmers Markets on Saturdays. [caption id="attachment_722768" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] FALAFEL AND DIP FROM THE SULTAN'S TABLE, ENMORE The individual who rocks up to a picnic sporting a giant takeaway container of fresh dips, falafels and a slab of still-warm Turkish bread is a goddamn hero. At Sultan's Table, the dip selection situation operates in a choose-your-own-adventure fashion where you can pick up to four dips depending on the girth of your container. Flavours include parsley, jajik (garlic yogurt), carrot, chilli, beetroot, spinach, hummus and smoky baba ganoush. Alternatives? Cairo Takeaway, Enmore; Simply Hummus Bar, Darlinghurst; Erciyes, Surry Hills.
Beyond the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the attacks of September 11 set in motion a third, different kind of battle. One fought on the home front; a quiet, uncomfortable and unspoken war of words and sidelong glances directed towards anyone who suddenly came to look 'different', 'foreign', 'un-American'. The inadequacies of American security were undeniable; however, the indignity of the racial profiling that became rampant in their wake remains — to this day — an irredeemable blight on the United States' history. It's within this framework that author Mohsin Hamid set his bestselling 2007 novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, now a film by director Mira Nair. It tells the story of Changez (Riz Ahmed), a prodigious Pakistani-born Princeton graduate who's headhunted by Jim (Kiefer Sutherland) to work in New York's top consultancy firm. With the company placing him on the fast-track to partnership and the chairman's daughter (Kate Hudson) quickly besotted, Changez's pursuit of the American dream seems assured. But then the Twin Towers come crashing down, and so too his perceived security. Colleagues view him differently, arrests and random searches become commonplace and despicable bigotry bubbles to the surface. At first Changez ignores, then endures, the prejudice, but eventually the feeling of victimisation and the loss of his identity become untenable and he returns to Pakistan. The film flicks back and forth between Changez's time in America and his present-day life as a 'radical academic' suspected of kidnapping an American colleague, and it's those latter scenes that engage most directly. Played out as an interview with US journalist Bobby (Liev Schreiber), they've a distinctly Cold War-era feel to them in the vein of the recent Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Schreiber puts in a great performance as the journo with his own secrets, and Sutherland shines as a Gordon Gecko-esque corporate cutthroat; however, it's Ahmed who steals the show. At times the rhetoric is handled a touch clumsily and the 'fundamentals of business'/'fundamentals of Islam' motif is, like the book, not especially subtle, but The Reluctant Fundamentalist remains a compelling and confronting examination of one of the war on terror's less publicised dimensions.
NAIDOC Week, the annual celebration of the achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is set to return this month from July 7–14, and Klub Koori is always a highlight of the week. The mini-festival, which will take place on Saturday, July 13, promotes the talents of established and young Indigenous Australians artists to a large and diverse audience while also advocating for a broader appreciation of Indigenous arts and culture. For $15, you can expect a great mix of hard-hitting beats and sultry tones across the night, with things kicking off at 7:30pm. This year's lineup is coming from the artists of Bad Apples Music, created by one half of the A.B Original duo, Adam Briggs. As far as we know for now Briggs himself isn't on the list, but a whole heap of upcoming Indigenous Australian talent is. NT rapper BIRDZ, Nowra-born Yuin man Nooky and award-winning MC Philly are all set to take the stage. Locals, Gamilaroi artist Koibe Dee and R&B singer Rebecca Hatch, will also join the party. Organiser Koori Radio 97.3FM has been on-air since 1993, offering listeners a 'live and deadly' cultural mix of Australian and International Indigenous music interspersed with discussions on news, current affairs and community information. Image: Klub Koori by Daniel Boud.
While there's no shortage of markets running in Sydney this month, one to add to your list is the South Eveleigh Openair Artist Markets — open on Thursday, December 1 and Friday, December 2, from midday-8pm each day. While we would never go all Grinch on you and suggest you skip Sydney's Christmas-themed bazaars, feel free to shake things up with this end-of-year affair where the stalls aren't strictly focused on all things Santa. Instead, you'll find a plethora of pop-ups offering unique present ideas. Specifically, there's contemporary art by the likes of Catherine McGuiness, Lional Bawden and Kieran Butler which ranges from acrylic drawings, printed textiles and posters. Plus, you'll enjoy live music by DJ Kombi & Co and snacks from the eateries on Locomotive Street including Eat Fuh, Fishbowl, Lucky Kwong and Pepper Seeds Boutique Thai Bites. Thirsty Thursday happy hour by Whitton will run from 4-6pm on December 1, while BrewDog South Eveleigh will celebrate the opening of its new location within the iconic and historic Locomotive Workshop by giving the first 200 customers through the door the chance to win free beer for a year. Add in the fact that the event is a showcase by Studio A — a social enterprise that tackles the barriers faced by artists with intellectual disabilities — and we don't think you'll mind the missing mistletoe decor much at all. For more information on the full program visit South Eveleigh Open Air Artist Market's website.
Young Henrys, Newtown's craft beer brewery, is encouraging everyone to rip in this month with an exciting three-day mini-festival from Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13. Dubbed the Rip In Weekender, the event will take place at the Hotel Steyne and features a well-curated lineup of DJs including familiar names like DMA'S, Pacific Avenue and Ruby Fields, as well as other local artists. Described as an "all hell breaks loose" party, the spring event is also promised to feature a pop-up tattoo parlour, with ink provided by Thanks Tattoos and Whistler Street Tattoo. Volcom Stone have been charged with dropping a half-pipe for skaters, or you can get your nails done by Volcom's resident nail artist. Elsewhere, film enthusiasts can screen the premiere of the Nao Deane movie. For those who love their surf, podcast favourite Ain't That Swell will be live streaming an episode at the venue, too. [caption id="attachment_876463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DMA'S - Supplied[/caption] And of course, there will be plenty of beer to quench your thirst provided by Young Henrys. Head over to Young Henrys' event page to save your spot for the highly anticipated weekender. Top images: Ruby Boland, Pacific Avenue — supplied, DMA'S — supplied, The Regime — supplied. [caption id="attachment_876468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ruby Fields — supplied.[/caption]
Would you call yourself a hepcat, doll, groover, or lover of rockabilly? Do you love playing dress-ups, recalling the poise and etiquette of a '50s 'lady' by wearing a waist cincher and poodle skirt (as you bake a cake, of course)? Or, if you're a fella, do you practice your "oh golly, oh gosh, oh gees" while wearing some incredibly high-waisted pants that your grandpa would be proud of? If you lean toward yes, it might be time to check out the annual Fifties Fare. Rose Seidler House plays host (as only the perfect open-plan party house can), and all things that involve quiffed hair, '50s-style cars to cruise in, and retro Americana food will make an appearance. The ReChords and Scotty Baker & the Pat Capocci Combo will provide the vintage tunes to make you get your swing on, and specialist market stalls will stock authentic kit that you an carry on home.
Sydney Good Food Month presented by Citi is gearing up to turn the big 2-0 this October. To mark the occasion and honour the chefs, restaurants and dishes that have shaped the country's food scene over the past two decades, the food fiesta is hosting a series of throwback-themed lunches. And, because you've been on this journey too, we want you to join the celebration. We're giving away double passes to the two Long Lunch events which will take place in the festival's hub, the Hyde Park Palms, a retro homage to Palm Springs, California (think shaggy carpets, Parker furniture and geometric prints). The first lunch will take place on Sunday, October 7, and will focus on that bygone era that popular culture just can't seem to let go of: the 90s. This is your chance to literally feed your nostalgia as chefs Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) and Andy Bowdy (Saga, ex-Hartsyard) create a menu of quintessential 90s flavours. The exact menu remains a secret, but we know Bowdy is partial to the classic 90s desserts (including vanilla slice and apple turnovers), so expect some recognisable flavours from your childhood. Meanwhile, on Sunday, October 14, Melbourne pastry queen Kate Reid (Lune Croissanterie) and young gun chef Mitch Orr (Acme) will take over the Hyde Park Palms kitchen to pay tribute to the noughties. What they're whipping up remains under wraps for now, but both chefs are well-versed in these throwback flavours. Reid's world-famous croissants in classic flavours like finger bun and pecan pie create hour-long lines at her Fitzroy bakehouse, and Orr's baloney sandwich and use of Jatz in a fine-dining setting have made waves in the local culinary scene. Time travel unfortunately doesn't exist (yet) but these long lunches are the next best thing if you're craving a dose of childhood nostalgia. The events sold out quick smart so, if you're keen, decide which lunch most takes your fancy and enter below. [competition]681064[/competition]
From Friday, May 1, 2020 a maximum of two adult Sydneysiders can visit a second household, so you can start planning small dinner parties. Remember, though, that you need to continue to follow the rest of the social distancing and public gathering restrictions. If, like us, you've suddenly realised that you go to bed before 10pm, enjoy a fair slosh of milk in your tea and your ankles crack inexplicably when you stand up or sit down, you might be feeling like you're getting too old for places like 'the club'. Well, we say embrace it; start doing grown-up things like having dinner parties instead. Trust us, you're probably not the only one in your crew who'd much rather be at home on the couch, sipping G&Ts with mates and in bed by a wholesome hour. The days of nice cheese, top-shelf (or close to) alcohol, decent home cooking and adult conversations about the state of the world (you'll need the drinks for this) have arrived. So your dinner party is as successful as it can be, here are some tips. Start by buying some matching crockery, teach yourself to make a good roast and move on down this list. [caption id="attachment_731075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] THE APERITIF Luckily this one is easy. Well, it can be. You can throw together a refreshing G&T — this timeless combination of gin and tonic water isn't to be sneered at — whip up a spritz or get fancy with something slightly more complicated, like a negroni (which is just equal parts Campari, gin and sweet vermouth). If you want go even fancier, we've wrapped up some recipes for run tipples, such as sangria, a basil collins and le grand fizz — over here. [caption id="attachment_689382" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould.[/caption] THE NIBBLES Proven over the centuries, the Italians know what to do with their savoury pre-dinner snacks. So, get your head, heart and stomach around the bellissimo antipasti game. Head to a proper Italian food store to stock up on the goods, because if there's something worth spending most of your week's pay on it's a really, really good pecorino and some deluxe salumi. Try the truly hallowed halls of Mediterranean Wholesalers in Melbourne's Brunswick, the storied Paesanella Food Emporium in Sydney's Marrickville or New Farm Deli in Brisbane's New Farm, which has been operating since 1975. You can also check out our Gin List for some recipe ideas for your pre-dinner eats — and what's more, each one comes with a gin cocktail pairing to try. You're welcome. THE TABLE SETTING Being an adult is all about putting in the effort — think making bread from scratch, remembering to send birthday cards or, you know, finally graduating from the sharehouse vibes and hanging art on the walls. The same thing goes for when you're hosting a dinner party: why not put in just a smidge more effort? Look up how to properly set a table, invest in some cloth serviettes (it's an eco-friendly decision, too) and make place cards for your guests. (Pinterest has approximately 200 million ideas to inspire you.) For the final touch, find every candle and candleholder you may own and scatter them across the table. Just no scented candles, please. You don't want those Glasshouse fragrances clashing with the meal you've thoughtfully prepared. THE LIGHTING Nothing can make a dinner party more uncomfortable than glaring fluorescent lights or the sun setting mid-meal making it almost impossible to see the food on your plate. Ease your way into the darkening evening with soft, warm lighting a la the candle collection above— or just throw a scarf over a lamp and call it décor. Whatever floats your lantern. If you're sitting outside for the evening, set up some candles early on to light once the sun dips beneath the horizon. Oh, and a string or two of fairy lights never goes amiss. THE MEAL It's the pièce de résistance of the evening, the opportunity to impress your friends with your cooking prowess (be it newly learned or well-honed). What you'll serve to eat should come with careful decision. Do any of your guests have dietary requirements? How much time do you have to prep and cook? Does your current salary afford a full roast to feed ten guests? When you've considered all these factors, then it's time to scour Google for the best-rated recipes. We've also delved into our archives to find you some past recipes we've scored from the likes of Sydney's Thievery, Porteño, Big Poppa's and Three Blue Ducks. THE PLAYLIST The first knock or ring of your doorbell may alert you of the fact that you have no music playing yet. Your mind has been kept busy prepping and cooking and primping that the evening's soundtrack hasn't even yet registered. Don't panic — we're here to help. Grab your phone and just chuck this smooth dinner party playlist on for the evening. Erykah Badu and Toto will help you chase away the nerves and comfortably settle into the evening (G&T in hand — you deserve it). https://open.spotify.com/user/concreteplayground/playlist/6SBK5b5pwaqhyGo8scJnQl
Feral Brewing Co is back in town with a 22-tap takeover at the Union Hotel. Don't pretend you're not excited. If you think it's almost impossible to get a hold of some of their beers, this is the event you want to be at. Every Feral beer brewed in the last 12 months is making an appearance. Bring your friends, share some cheap jugs, line your stomachs with plenty of pork and enjoy a great start to the weekend. This event is one of our top ten picks of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Check out the other nine.
"Whenever I go into great vintage stores," says British actor Thandie Newton, "I wonder why we ever buy new things ... Vintage clothing is not only glorious and stylish, it's also the way forward, in terms of recycling." Whether you're seeking gloriousness or sustainability, the Round She Goes Pre-loved Designer and Vintage Fashion Market is the place to find the best in second-hand clothes, accessories and jewellery. Run by Emma Morris, it travels around Australia, setting up in various cities for just one day before moving on. Morris says that Round She Goes brings together her passions for "vintage clothes, designer bargains, op shop treasures and getting crafty." At Sydney's next event, look out for preloved pieces from Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, YSL, Bally, Gucci, Lanvin, Dior, Coach, Kate Spade, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Karen Millen, sass & bide. Chloe, Alannah Hill, Pierre Cardin, Alice McCall, Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Camilla, Michael Kors, Gorman and more.
Out with the old, in with the new: that's a running theme at 2023's Sydney Underground Film Festival. The Harbour City's now 17-year-old celebration of weird, wild and wonderful cinema is saying hello to a fresh venue, moving from 2022's Event Cinemas George Street and its past home at Marrickville's Factory Theatre to Dendy Newtown. And, in one of its big program highlights, it's also farewelling Arnie as Conan the Barbarian, embracing an all-female cast instead. First, the change of location: Festival Director Katherine Berger and her team will be back in the Inner West from Thursday, September 7–Sunday, September 10, this time in King Street's resident picture palace. Now, the just-announced lineup: as well as Conann from French filmmaker Bertrand Mandico's (After Blue), which follows its eponymous warrior through six female guises and hits Sydney straight from Cannes, SUFF's 2023 bill overflows with past, present and future cult flicks. Fans of Mandico can get their fest started early, thanks to a screening of The Wild Boys at Pink Flamingo Cinema on Wednesday, August 23; however, the rest of the standouts come during SUFF's usual four-day run. Kicking things off properly is opening night's Ukraine Guernica — Art Not War, George Gittoes' latest, about frontline artists challenging Russia's invasions of both Ukraine and Afghanistan. At the other end of the fest, comedy-horror Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls will close out 2023's event with a bit of satanic worship and black magic from The Weird Satanist Guy Andrew Bowser. Other must-sees include Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer, an ode to the iconic and inimitable German director (and one-time Parks and Recreation star); Bob Byington's (Frances Ferguson) Lousy Carter, featuring David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) as the down-on-his-luck titular character; Holy Mother, with Tokyo Gore Police's Yoshhiro Nishimura again splashing around gore, plus neon and laughs; and Poundcake, a slasher-comedy about a New York serial killer that's also a societal satire. Or, there's modern Frankenstein reimagining Birth/Rebirth; the delightfully named Hundreds of Beavers, about a cider salesman faced with plenty of hungry animals; and the post-apocalyptic vision of Welcome to Kittytown. Among SUFF's full documentary slate, viewers can check out the true crime-focused Citizen Sleuth as it dives into the ethics of the popular genre, enjoy Satan Wants You's look back at 80s-era satanic panic, and revel in Enter the Clones of Bruce's survey of the talents that endeavoured to replicate Bruce Lee after his death. And, as always, SUFF continues to showcase the most out-there shorts that the fest can find across four separate strands. Here, you might just see tomorrow's Aussie genre filmmakers getting their start — plus tales about possessed sex toys, Udo Kier's (Hunters) many on-screen deaths and curing zombie bites. Sydney Underground Film Festival will screen at Dendy Newtown, King Street, Newtown, from Thursday, September 7–Sunday, September 10. For further information, or to buy tickets, head to SUFF's website.
Since 1989, Sweden's Icehotel has given travellers a decidedly cool place to stay each winter. December hits, and the site reveals its new frosty rooms — the kind that are carved out of ice and only around for a short time, as they'll melt once the weather gets warmer. They're not just any old slabs of ice and snow in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, however. As part of their annual tradition, the accommodation provider calls for designers and artists to unleash their chilly ideas — then unveils their wondrous creations to travellers. In this year's crop? A snail world made out of cold, cold substances, a hanging installation that you can sleep in, a bed you can only reach by navigating a 34-meter ice labyrinth and another than requires walking over a bridge — and some thin ice — before you can bunk down for the night. Other highlights include a frozen jungle of Monstera-plants, an icy Fabergé egg, a space-inspired space, and a dream-like, cloud-esque piece that UK artist Lisa Lindqvist has dubbed "an art installation who also happens to be a bedroom." Now open until April 15, 2018, the fresh blend of ice and creativity features 35 one-of-a-kind rooms in total, as crafted by 36 artists from 17 countries. They're made from more than 30,000 cubic metres of snice — that's a mix of snow and ice — from the local Torne River. As well as places to sleep, the new iteration also includes an ice bar, ice ceremony hall and ice gallery. If you're a fan of the kind of coldness the southern hemisphere doesn't see at this time of the year, but you can't make it to Icehotel's cold climes during the northern winter, don't worry — in addition to their annual slate of artistic suites, Icehotel has been open all year round for the past year. It inclludes 20 permanent suites, an ice bar, plus private saunas and spas for an added touch of warmth in such cold surroundings. For more information about Icehotel, visit www.icehotel.com. Images: Asaf Kliger.
Sydney is taking a major page out of the globally progressive book with this week's announcement that the state government is creating an 'entrepreneur school' to advance the startup potential in NSW. The Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) will welcome students as early as 2017 from multiple partner universities, most notably Ultimo TAFE, where the new school is likely to be based. The school is very smartly modelled on Sweden's renowned Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship, which is run by Australian Nick Kaye. More than one in three graduates of the Stockholm school have successfully launched startups, including two 'unicorns' – a startup valued at more than one-billion USD. If this is any indication of what can be accomplished in Sydney, we're in for a large influx of Mark Zuckerbergs over the coming years. Sydney's the right city for what could become Australia's premier dedicated entrepreneur school. Industry minister Anthony Roberts reported that 46 percent of all Australian startups are based in Sydney and NSW accounts for 64 percent of the total in Australia. So who's funding this? Iconic businessman Tony Shepherd is among backers, with the state budget set at a massive $25 million. But hey, you can't put a price tag on becoming the 'epicentre of entrepreneurship' in the entire Australasia region, now can you? The government has estimated that the tech startup sector could be worth $109 billion to the national economy and create 540,000 jobs by 2033. So we're not enthused with the NSW Government's antiquated, catch-all lockout laws and general nanny state shenanigans, but we're pretty impressed with this new venture. The SSE is expecting 1000 students from partner universities and TAFE to join the school in its inaugural year. You go, Sydney. Via SMH.
Fear, dread, tension, apprehension, just being creeped out — they're all strong emotions. They're also exactly the types of reactions that Darkfield and Realscape Productions trade in. The two companies have been teaming up for a couple of years now, with UK creators Darkfield first collaborating with the Melbourne-based Realscape Productions on Seance, Coma and Flight, those eerie shipping container installations that have popped up around the country. Then, when the pandemic hit, the pair pivoted to at-home audio experiences. If you've listed along to Double, Visitors and Eternal as part of the Darkfield Radio series — all of which are back streaming again now — you'll know that putting people on edge is firmly on the agenda here. Announcing their latest Darkfield Radio project, Darkfield and Realscape aren't messing with their successful formula — so audiences can expect another unsettling experience designed to be listened to at home. But this duo never serve up the same thing twice, even if their current works all spin nerve-jangling tales and unfurl creepy audio experiences. With Knot, which'll make its Australian premiere on Friday, June 25, you won't just sit in one place, don your headphones and listen attentively, for instance. You'll initially head to a park bench to listen in — still wearing those headphones, of course — and then you'll need to sit in a car. For the last section of this three-part experience, you'll then get comfy in a room in your house. To get the full experience, you need to work through all three of Knot's sections in one evening — untangling them in your head, naturally. Darkfield and Realscape always keep the minutiae of their shows close to their chests, so that audiences experience them for themselves while listening, but they have released one clue for Knot: "Here I am, I have come from nothing, created in this moment, as your brain improvises me into existence, improvised into existence... but with no hidden depths." "Season one exposed audiences to the mysterious and supernatural inside their homes, magnified by Darkfield's signature 360 degree binaural sound,", said Realscape Productions Amy Johnson. "We're looking forward to getting audiences outside of their homes for Season two — in COVID-safe settings of course — and pushing them out of their comfort zones even more." Leading Darkfield Radio's second season, Knot will arrive in Australia fresh from playing as part of the Tribeca Film Festival's 2021 immersive lineup. The company's shows have been earning that kind of attention over the past year, with season one becoming the first audio-only experience to ever be a part of Venice International Film Festival last year. Knot will be available to listen to every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Friday, June 25–Sunday, September 30. For further details or to buy tickets, head to the Darkfield website. Images: Empty Bottles Media.
It was only a matter of time before Australia's penchant for themed brunches spawned an all-out, fairytale-inspired breakfast feast. And you'll have the chance to partake — and channel your inner Ariel, Mulan or, even, Simba — when another huge (unofficial) Disney-themed bottomless brunch and sing-along party rocks into town. The Magical Brunch will go down at a secret location in the CBD sometime in September, and princes, princesses and singing candelabras should expect to sit down to an afternoon high tea feast served "fairytale-style" — along with two hours of unlimited Champagne, beer or mimosas. We're hoping for something similar to Belle's 'Be Our Guest' feast in Beauty and the Beast. Word is there'll be themed entertainment and a Cinderella-worthy dance floor for post-brunch twirling, too. Best dust off the DVD collection and start practising — costumes are definitely encouraged, so you'd best start hunting for your best Elsa gown or Cruella de Vil two-tone wig. The Magical Brunch tickets will start from $77.50. To sign-up for pre-sale, head to the website.
Having hosted numerous sold out pop-ups in Adelaide and Melbourne since 2013, the Urban Winery Project is now on its way to Sydney. The crew will be teaming up with Three Blue Ducks to host a four-course dinner and grape stomping session (yep, involving your bare feet) at the Ducks' Rosebery warehouse. "After three years in Adelaide and two in Melbourne, we couldn't ignore that a huge number of our followers were calling for us to come to Sydney," says David Bowley, founder and winemaker at Vinteloper, the Adelaide Hills-based winery behind the Urban Winery Project. "The distance means it's the hardest UWP we've attempted, but at Vinteloper we're never afraid to put it all on the line." UWP decided to team up with Three Blue Ducks for their "amazing chefs", as well as their "values and philosophies". Bowley says, "They sit by side with our own. Plus, they have the amazing Rosebery venue, perfect for a winery pop-up. How could we choose anywhere else?" There'll be two events, held on Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9. Each will be a free-flowing type of evening, combining drinking, eating and wine-making. On arrival, you'll be sipping on wine and sampling from roaming plates. When you're ready, you'll be invited to partake in various stages of wine making. "Our team are on hand to explain people through each activity, starting with some plucking of grapes off the stems. Then, we remind everyone that fortune favours the brave," says Bowley. "After a nibble on an entree and some more wine, we invite people to roll up those cuffs and jump in, to immerse themselves in the world of winemaking ... It's that Lucille Ball moment that we've all been waiting for." The point is to show you that winemaking is a whole lot of fun. So, you'll be spared too many rules and long, monotonous speeches, in favour of good, old-fashioned, hands-on experience. "As the hours roll on, it's a full sensory overload, with the wafts of our accompanying feast filling the air, sounds of glasses clinking and grapes popping, as you see, first-hand, the basket pressing creating the juice that will be turned into next year's wine to accompany next year's feast." The four-course dinner is a slightly more formal, sit-down affair. That said, food will be served on share plates around a long table, so it's still an inclusive experience. You're encouraged to "talk, share and ask questions". Bowley set up the Urban Wine Project in 2012 to give city-dwelling people the chance to experience wine making. "Loads of people drink wine, but a tiny percentage know anything about how the beverage they love ends up in their glass," Bowley says. "We rip back that curtain and expose the craft in its raw state, in the hope that, by seeing inside and participating in making wine, every glass of wine they drink for the rest of their lives will taste a little bit better." Urban Winery Project and Three Blue Ducks' pop-up is happening March 8 and 9 at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets are $135pp for four course with wines and an interactive winemaking experience. Bookings (02) 93 890 010 or via UWP's website.
Sick of waiting in line to pick up a coffee? Have a drone fly one to you instead. Costa Coffee in the UAE has trialled "coffee-copter" delivery, ferrying caffeinated beverages to Dubai beachgoers. If there's an occasion that calls for aerial beverage service, it's lazing on the sand getting some sun. Coffee-loving customers had iced versions of their drink of choice in their hands within 15 minutes of ordering, with Costa's Jumeirah Beach Drive-Thru store stepping into the future to test out the concept. The move came after a survey of their patrons revealed 82 percent were open to getting their brews via drone. Really, the most surprising part is that 18 percent said no. Delivering food, drinks and more by drone is a concept that isn't going away, so prepare for more such instances in the future. Sushi, burgers, slurpees and pizza have all received the same treatment in the past, while Amazon wants drones to bring its packages to your door, and Aussie beaches will deploy the technology to patrol the beaches for sharks over summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S3OiTOemxY Via The National.
It is wonderful being able to watch two artists collaborate over a period of years and through various projects, developing both as individuals and equally creating their own shared practice. Helen Herbertson and Ben Cobham’s creative partnership is a perfect example, and they are bringing two of their new works to CarriageWorks this month.Running as twin shows, Morphia Series and Sunstruck – a premonition of events offer Herbertson and Cobham’s exploration of dream and memory. Morpheus, Greek god of dreams, entices us with his undulating distortion of the waking mind, while solarised visions of worlds been and becoming crackle between performer and audience.Poetry – linguistic, physical, aural and visual – guides Herbertson and Cobham’s joint practice, and theirs is a relationship that has sold out shows across the country. Be quick to grab your place for these performances, as audience numbers are strictly limited.Photo by Jeff Busby
The City of Sydney is expanding its outdoor dining program by closing down a set of inner-city streets to make room for al fresco dining throughout summer. Several streets in suburbs such as Redfern, Glebe and Darlinghurst will be shut across a number of summer weekends, all to encourage people to visit local restaurants and bars. The Summer Streets program will make its way around the city throughout January and February, popping up in different spots from 11am until late. The first weekend of the program will kick off on Darlinghurst Road and Macleay Street on Saturday, January 22, before moving over to Redfern Street on Sunday, January 23. Following this, Crown Street in Surry Hills, Glebe Point Road and Pyrmont's Harris Street will all host their own Summer Streets events. "Being able to shop, dine or drink on our footpaths and roadways make it easier for us to enjoy those things and support local businesses in a COVID-safe way," City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. "Expanding outdoor dining remains an essential part of what we're doing to support business through these challenging times. People want to get out of the house and enjoy what Sydney has to offer, safely. We're now closing off entire streets and hope the extra space will give people a safe way to support local businesses and re-engage with their community." Green Square Plaza will also be getting in on the fun, hosting a nighttime-only extension of Summer Streets from 6pm on Saturday, February 19. Venues on the participating streets are being encouraged to spice things up during their suburbs' applicable day by adding special deals to the menu or holding one-off events. You can view a program of pop-ups and events happening on each street's specific day at the City of Sydney website. [caption id="attachment_784797" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunshine Inn, Redfern Street, Casandra Hannagan[/caption] SUMMER STREETS DATES Saturday, January 22 — Darlinghurst Road and Macleay Street, Darlinghurst Sunday, January 23 — Redfern Street, Redfern Sunday, February 6 — Crown Street, Surry Hills Saturday, February 12 — Glebe Point Road, Glebe Saturday, February 19 — Harris Street, Pyrmont and Green Square Plaza, Green Square
The Roxbury Hotel has been synonymous with Sydney comedy for decades. So when the pub was taken over by new management a few years back, news that comedy would no longer have its ancestral home in Glebe was met with dismay and despondence. But, luckily, the dark days are over, with the launch of Rox Comedy every Wednesday night. Run by Sydney comedy veteran Ray Badran and emerging talent Gerard McGeowan, each week this room boasts some of the best comedians in Australia. Having only launched a few months ago, this room is still hitting its stride — but expect big things.
Vanfest is a solid reason to road trip into the outback for the first weekend of summer. The outback festival is only in its fourth year, but it's quickly become one of NSW's best regional music events. Set against a backdrop of cows and countryside, the lineup will rival that of a city festival; Amy Shark, Tash Sultana, Dune Rats, Thundamentals, San Cisco and Cosmo's Midnight are just several of the 13 huge names performing this year. There will also be rides, pop-up bars, market stalls and VIP areas. There will also be a Van City at the festival offering a good variety of accommodation, ranging from the affordable, six-man, 'lights off'-style tent to a luxurious, double-bed-and-doona glamping option — and pretty much everything in between. There's 'freestyle camping' where you bring your own tent, or you can save yourself the potential embarrassment of looking like a tent-pitching fool and book pre-pitched tents for a little extra.
Inner west pub goers will no doubt be familiar with The Oxford Tavern — the Petersham pub is known for its barbecue (sweetly dubbed Black Betty) and sunny courtyard. But, since the pub changed hands in January, it's synonymous with something else: craft beer. Brothers James and Josh Thorpe — who currently own Darlinghurst beer pub The Taphouse and, more recently, its sour ale and natural wine bar Odd Culture — cite the pub is one of their favourite inner west venues, and, since getting the keys at the start of the year, they've injected it with their passion for local beer. The Oxford Tavern bar now has 13 beers on tap (with three more coming), all pouring beers from locally owned, independent breweries made within a five-kilometre radius of the pub — at the moment you can get your mitts on brews from The Grifter, Yulli's, Nomad and Wayward. If you don't want a beer, you can opt for an Aussie gin with tonic, a spritz or a cocktail jug made with soda from PS40. Happy hour runs from 5–7pm Monday to Friday with schooners, wines and Aussie spirits all just five bucks. The kitchen's smoked barbecue offering Black Betty won't be going anywhere — it's still been pumping out about 200 kilograms of meat each weekend. It is doing some different offerings, though, including a barbecued version of The Taphouse's signature Sunday roast and an all-vegan offering on Thursdays — along with $7 pints of Yullis and $10 glasses of natural wine. The courtyard has had a green makeover, too, and now looks like it's permanently hosting a plant sale. Excitingly, Friday nights will be dedicated to live music, with No Hot No Play kicking off on March 22. And, in addition to a sprawling craft brew offering, there are plans to eventually install a brewery on-site and launch a beer label. This is not the first time the pub has changed hands in recent years. It was taken over and given a completely new life by the Drink 'n' Dine Group — which, when it was still operational, was run by Jaime Wirth, who just re-did The Duke — back in 2012. It was then sold to (what's now known as) the Australian Venue Co. in 2016, who were reportedly looking for new publicans to run The Oxford Tavern last year. The pub appears to have sold instead. Find The Oxford Tavern is located at 1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham. It's open from midday seven days a week. Images three and four: Katje Ford.
Vivid might have started as a light festival, but it's become so much more. These days, the program ranges from talks to live performances and immersive experiences. And, beyond the official program, venues all over the city are getting on board with Vivid-inspired eats and drinks. One of them is Untied, Barangaroo's original rooftop bar. Throughout the festival, it's serving fairy floss fizz: a glass of sparkling wine topped with a cloud of fairy floss. You have four flavours to choose from: blue raspberry, green sour apple, pink watermelon and purple berry crunch. As soon as the glass lands, you'll want to get your phone out. The floss creates a shimmering, swirling effect that's very much Instagram friendly. Plus, it gives your wine a sweet kick. Glasses of fairy floss fizz are going for $14 each. They're only available from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14. Top and bottom images: Onecut Studios.
Gone are the days when travel restrictions, including on travel through both domestic and international borders, meant that making the most of your own backyard was the only way to get out of the house. If you're a Brisbanite, playing tourist in your own town shouldn't just be something you're doing because you have to, though — and if you need an extra incentive in August, a heap of $20 tourism deals are coming to help. When we say a heap, we mean it. More than 5000 deals will be on offer from Monday, August 1–Wednesday, August 31, covering the kinds of experiences that every Brissie resident should've had but mightn't have gotten around to yet. Always wanted to take a cocktail cruise along the river? Head to Moreton Island for a stint of quad biking? Climb and abseil your way around the city? They're some of the tourism activities covered. You don't need to be a local to take advantage of the deals, either, if you have a trip to the Sunshine State in your future — you just need to have Brisbane City Council's free Brisbane app. That's where the deals will be available, and you can download the app from Apple's app store and Google Play. Different $20 specials will drop every single day across August's 31-day span, giving you motivation to check in with what's up for grabs daily. The reason behind the deals? Like plenty of other efforts to get locals exploring their home turf during the pandemic — such as travel vouchers and staycation giveaways — the aim is to get Brisbane residents and visitors out and about to support local businesses. "Brisbane businesses and tourism operators have faced unprecedented times over the past two years with COVID and devastating floods having huge impacts on their livelihood," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing the deal scheme, which has been badged 'Rediscover Brisbane'. "Rediscover Brisbane will give residents and visitors access to great deals to get out and about in our great city, while also injecting $370,000 into some our top tourism attractions," continued the Lord Mayor. "From Moreton Island adventure and river cruises to mini golf and food and wine tours, these $20 deals will be up for grabs at the click of a button." Rediscover Brisbane will feature more than 5000 $20 deals from Monday, August 1–Wednesday, August 31 on tourism experiences around Brisbane. To access the deals via the Brisbane app, head to the app's website.
Feeling more than a little stir-crazy is entirely possible considering how 2020 has turned out so far. But rather than turning to the pub to get your weekend kicks, why not try something a little more extreme that's really going to get your blood pumping? Adrenaline and its unbeatable range of adventure activity providers are ready and waiting to reboot your year. Whether that means getting in touch with nature through a whale watching cruise or kayaking through Mosman's twisting mangroves, these first-rate experiences are bound to liven up your mood a whole lot more than your average local boozer. [caption id="attachment_777571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adrenaline[/caption] ABSEIL DOWN WATERFALLS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains is one of Australia's top canyoning destinations, featuring approximately 900 unique sections sculpted over millions of years. This thrill-seeking excursion sees beginners and experienced canyoners alike travel to Empress Falls, renowned for its towering sandstone cliffs. Across three invigorating hours, you'll traverse through the lush forested landscape and take a quick dip in several pristine river crossings before the journey culminates in a 30-metre abseil down the fast-flowing falls. Located 90 minutes' drive from Sydney CBD, Empress Falls is the ideal spot to descend some of the country's most striking ravines. LEVEL UP YOUR BARBECUE HOSTING GAME Australians love a backyard barbie. But if you want some of the tricks of the trade that'll take your tong game up a level, check out this Beer and BBQ Cooking Class. It sees two expert chefs provide the lowdown, with attendees guided through a series of essential grilling techniques and given the inside word on how to pair craft beer with your meat of choice. Don't fret — this isn't some kind of theory session. You'll be replicating the chefs' instructions on the barbecue before sitting down to dine with your fellow classmates. Following starters of turkish bread and half-shell scallops, this informative feast rounds out with Cape Grim scotch fillet and chocolate lava pudding. STRETCH YOUR MENTAL MUSCLES AT AN ESCAPE ROOM It's no secret we love the pub, but it's not always the best place to give your brain a workout. Instead, grab up to three of your sharpest mates for an hour-long session at one of Sydney's top escape room joints. Test your brainpower through a variety of themed puzzles, ranging from a 19th-century bank heist to the mystery of a missing prime minister. There are also innovative outdoor escape rooms featuring augmented reality and geolocation tools, making for an even more immersive experience. Once you've cracked the case, chill out in the lounge bar with a celebratory drink. KAYAK THROUGH MANGROVES The bougie waterfront community of Mosman is renowned for its moneyed lifestyle. But this sea kayaking adventure leaves behind the glitz and glamour in search of nature. After a 20-minute safety session on manoeuvring your double sea kayak, a knowledgeable guide will lead you from Middle Harbour through the mazy waterways and into the tranquil Garigal National Park. Here, you'll get an up-close look at the region's lush mangroves and native flora while learning about the area's fascinating natural history. Then it's time to put away the paddles and enjoy morning tea in a peaceful tucked-away spot. SOAR OVER THE HUNTER VALLEY IN A HOT AIR BALLOON At just two hours' drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley has long been a top weekend destination for those who fancy plenty of world-class vino and fresh country air. This one-hour sunrise hot air ballooning experience offers a unique perspective on the acclaimed winemaking region as you soar above the valley's picturesque vineyards and rolling hills. Once you've had time to soak up the panoramic views and the sun cresting over the distant horizon, you'll touch down and be whisked away to Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley for a lavish champagne buffet breakfast. SPOT MAJESTIC SEA CREATURES ON A CATAMARAN From May to November each year, Sydney's rugged coastline comes alive with an extraordinary whale migration. Adrenaline offers nature lovers the chance to climb aboard a 16-metre catamaran and experience these majestic creatures as they go in search of warmer waters. From the vessel's 360-degree viewing platforms, you'll be ideally positioned to get a glimpse of numerous whale species including humpbacks, Bryde's blues, southern rights, orcas and minkes. Other marine life, such as dolphins and sea turtles, often make an appearance too. Bypass the pub this weekend for something a little more exciting. Head to the Adrenaline website and make some unforgettable memories. Images: Adrenaline.
Sydney's love affair with natural wines shows no sign of slowing and we couldn't be happier about it. The latest venue to showcase the funky wines is newcomer Ode Bar; it's offering an Australian twist on European-style dining with minimal intervention wines, Italian-inspired share plates and an upcycled fit-out. At the helm is head chef Ben Abiad, who most recently led the kitchen at Potts Point's 350-label strong Dear Sainte Éloise (Concrete Playground's Best New Bar 2017 Winner). His impressive resume also includes Love, Tilly Devine, Sean's Panaroma and Mecca, plus co-founding Brickfields Bakery. Joining Abiad as co-owners are managers Jeremy Moyle and Jerome Wallcroft and designer Benedict Maurice — who are all Sydney hospo vets and have overlapped across many of the same venues. With this venture, they're "blurring the boundaries between wine bar and restaurant", starting with an extensive wine list from all-natural winemakers — using minimal intervention with no additives, fining, filtration or added yeasts. "The big difference we've found through seeking out these producers is it's not a story about one amazing wine maker using technical methods in the cellar; rather, it's a story about an amazing group of farmers that are growing the best fruit they can, to express the earth where it was grown, and what happened during that season," says Moyle. Ode aims to put the farmers on display and focuses on producers who are reviving native grape varieties. All four owners have spent time harvesting on vineyards, too, so their appreciation of good wine goes deeper than just time spent in hospitality. This produce-driven mentality extends to the kitchen, where Abiad's seasonal menu draws from his roots in Italian cooking. Like at Dear Sainte Eloise, it's a concise menu that's meant to be shared over a few glasses of wine. There's a clear focus on chargrilled cooking, with dishes like grilled scallops with a rosemary and anchovy sauce; grilled octopus with 'nduja and lardo; and smoked mussels on toast, topped with aioli and pickled celery (a dish reminiscent of the Dear Sainte Éloise menu, too). Mains centre on house-made pastas, which, at the moment, are used in heartier winter dishes like beef cheek ragu cavatelli, or gnocchi in a creamy gorgonzola and walnut sauce. On weekends, Ode is also slinging simple European-style brekkie from 9am — think sweet and savoury croissants, pastries and danishes by Clovelly's Tuga Pastry, plus soft-boiled eggs on toast and coffees by Mecca, of course. The fit-out follows a commitment to the au naturel, too, with the team building everything from scratch using mostly recycled materials. These include 200-year-old Blue Gum timber — salvaged from Botany Bay's La Perouse wharf — which became the bar top, tables and chairs, plus the majority of the back bar. Ode Bar is now open at 251 Bondi Road, Bondi. Opening hours are Tuesday through Thursdays from 3pm to 11pm; Friday from noon to 11pm; and Saturday through Sunday from 9am to 11pm.
Just like a picture is worth a thousand words, a good gift can speak volumes. And when it comes to your nearest and dearest, it's worth forking out the big bucks to make them feel suitably special. Socks and undies simply will not do, you need to up the ante and pick out a present that is nuanced, thoughtful and unequivocally them. We know it can be tough; you may feel as though you've exhausted all your options. There's only so many times you can buy their favourite necklace, after all. To give you some fresh gift ideas, we've partnered with Australia Post and pulled together some real humdingers for the super important people in your life. From retro turntables to limited edition RMs, these pressies keep your key peeps smiling. Moreover, they can all be ordered online and conveniently delivered to your nearby Parcel Locker so you don't even have to go to the shops. Let your fingers do the walking, forgo the crazy Christmas crowds and rest easy knowing your parcel is stored securely till you're ready to collect. Happy shopping, Santas. PORD WINE BARREL If you've got a legit wine lover on your list, go beyond a bottle of primo vino or even a stylish decanter, and blow their socks off with one of these mini wine barrel masterpieces. The three-litre barrels are covered in art by three eclectic artists — Filippa Edghill, Hannah Nowlan and Evi O. — and filled with top-notch Mitchelton drops from the 2017 and 2018 vintages. Choose the design and the wine — pinot grigio, shiraz or rose — and get ready to be praised for your awesome gift. Each barrel holds a neat four bottles' worth of wine and will keep it fresh for up to six weeks. They can also be repurposed once empty. Cheers to that. How much? $160 CUSTOM HABBOT SHOES There's nothing better than a pair of comfy shoes. Wait, we take that back, there's nothing better than a pair of comfy and stylish shoes. Treat your special someone to a pair of custom Habbot shoes — they're super chic but have Hush Puppies-level comfort. The Aussie-designed and Italian-made footwear company has a great online customisation tool that lets you pick and choose everything, from the shoe type — classic derby, micro-sole derby, point pump or mid-heel sandal — to the material, colour and laces. So, you can design one-of-a-kind kicks for your numero uno that'll stand out from the crowd. How much? From $405 EVERY EDITION OF TRUTH, LOVE & CLEAN CUTLERY If your nearest and dearest is both an eco-warrior and a food lover — congrats, they sound awesome — surprise them with every edition of Truth, Love & Clean Cutlery. Basically the A to Z of sustainable eating, these guidebooks feature more than 1300 organic, ethical and sustainable restaurants from around the world. To take the gift up a notch, let your loved one pick out a few of their favourite restaurants and treat them to a night of ethical fare. Hey, it's a present for you, too. How much? $145 for all four books RM WILLIAMS EXCLUSIVE BOOTS These boots were made for walking and showing off, the limited edition metallic RMs are the shoe of the season and the perfect gift for any Carrie Bradshaw-status shoe fiends. At $545 a pop, they're not cheap — but the RM brand is renowned for its rock-solid craftsmanship and the kicks will last a lifetime. Luckily, silver is seldom out of style and goes perfectly with tinsel. But if silver is a bit too flash for your giftee, there's also the more subdued limited edition high-shine black boot. No matter your choice, each pair is crafted out of a single piece of leather and is made to order, so expect a two-week delivery timeframe. They're worth the wait, trust us. How much? $545 GOOGLE HOME HUB Hey, Google. Tell us how many hugs we're going to get for this kick-ass gift? Forget it, we already know it's going to be a heap. Yep, anyone who receives a Google Home Hub for Christmas is going to be over the moon. They're basically getting their very own assistant to set alarms, turn off lights, read out cooking instructions, organise daily routines, play music, take photos... the list goes on. They might even get a new lover if they're anything like Joaquin Phoenix's character in Her. Now that's a gift. How much? $219 FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 INSTANT CAMERA Remember when Polaroid cameras were so big and bulky they basically required their own carry bag? While the promise of pretty photos (in an instant) was enticing, nobody wanted to lug around a brick. Thankfully, those days are long gone and you can now gift a nice, compact FujiFilm Instant Camera to your number one. The clever square format means your pal won't waste time choosing between portrait or landscape, they can just pick up the camera and take the snap. It's kind of like Instagram in real life. Plus, its small size means it can be carried around with ease. How much? $199 RETRO-LOOKING TURNTABLE If you've got a bigtime muso in your inner circle, there's a good chance you've heard them rabbiting on about the beauty of vinyl before — how records sound so much better than CDs or MP3. Something about audio data and lossy formats? Anyway, treat them to this Thomson 3 Speed Retro Look Turntable with built-in speakers and get them spinning their favourite tracks. The turntable's sleek, vintage design makes it a nice addition to any home — even a muso's dark and dingy lair. If you want to add a personalised touch, pick out a vinyl to gift with the turntable — it's a combo that's guaranteed to make their head spin like, well, a record. How much? $99 NOKIA STEEL HR WATCH This one's for the fitness fanatics in your life who also appreciate a bit of style. The Nokia Steel HR Watch is a watch-activity tracker hybrid that's both aesthetically pleasing and hella practical. The watch monitors your heart rate during workouts and can assess your overall performance, then deliver a personalised in-app report directly to your smartphone. The intuitive gadget makes your fitness goals that little bit easier to achieve, which means it's also a thoughtful gift for somebody you know is keen to get fit in the new year. How much? From $299 MODERNIST BREAD BOOK SET Bread, glorious bread. You'd be hard pressed to find a person who doesn't love it. But if you've got a special person who's particularly fond of baked goods, this is the book set for them. Modernist Bread: The Art and Science is a deep-dive into one of the most important staples of the human diet; it's the most in-depth look at bread to date. The five-volume set, housed in a sleek stainless steel case, contains more than 1500 recipes and breadmaking techniques. The best part? You can sample all their tasty dough-based creations. Forget cake, let them eat bread. How much? $700 HP SPROCKET PHOTO PRINTER A gift for the selfie enthusiasts, the HP Sprocket Photo Printer allows you to instantly print photos straight from your smartphone quicker than you can say 'duck face'. The printer has an ultracompact design — it's small enough to carry on the go — so it's also a great gift for budding photographers or designers as they can quickly print their snaps. The printer uses Bluetooth technology, which means there are no annoying cords and each photograph can be edited (hello, filters) before printing via the HP Sprocket app. Also, the special adhesive photo paper means you can easily stick your photos into albums or journals. How much? $159 Christmas shopping has never been so simple — order online, ship to a Parcel Locker and avoid the hectic shops with Australia Post.
Redfern Surf Club's weekly trivia is getting the heat turned up with a special r-rated edition to mark the most loved-up day in the calendar. With the weekly test of knowledge falling on Valentine's Day, the Botany Road bar is spicing things up with an evening that's promised to turn a little NSFW. The trivia is open to all — not just couples, so whether you're looking for something fun to do with your long-term partner, venturing out on a V-Day first date or just getting your best buds together for a Tuesday-night bev, it's a must-attend if you're keen to flex your horny energy and competitive spirit. On top of saucy questions flying at you as part of this special Valentine's Day trivia, there will also be cocktail specials and the regular cheap Tuesday meal deal which includes a classic burger from the bar's menu plus a side for $15. The trivia is free to play and there will be prizes for the winners, just make sure you book a table to ensure you nab a spot. Plus, the neighbourhood bar is dog-friendly so you can bring your four-legged pals in case there's any questions about boning. [caption id="attachment_684554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Patrick Stevenson[/caption]
