Cafe Freda's is bringing back the dancefloor this spooky season, combining Italian dance music, spritzes and Halloween for a huge free Sunday party fittingly titled Italoween. Jumping on the decks at the Taylor Square venue is ambient electronic producer Body Corp (renamed Body Corpse for the night), alongside the equally spookily-named Impale Jextra (Paul Jextra) and DJ Hot as Hell Salami all spinning exclusively Italo house, disco and pop. A special themed menu will be on offer to keep you energised between stints on the dancefloor, and $10 Aperol Spritzes will be available from 3–5pm. It also wouldn't be a Halloween party without fancy dress, so in order to ensure everyone comes in their best costume, Cafe Freda's is hosting a best-dressed comp with prizes for the winners. Entry is free but you can ensure you nab a table by making a reservation at Cafe Freda's website.
In great news for cat-loving cinephiles, 2019 is shaping up to be a huge year for felines on film. Photorealistic big cats prowled around the remake of The Lion King, and they'll soon be joined by a bunch of singing, scurrying street mousers in the silver-screen adaptation of stage musical Cats. For nearly four decades, Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed production has pranced across stages everywhere, turning a tale inspired by poems from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats into an award-winning theatre hit. But, while plenty of other popular musicals have made the leap to cinemas, this one hasn't until now. The trailers for the new flick might just explain why. The first trailer dropped back in July and inspired much talk about its strange CGI decision to combine cats with human faces. Terrifying? Maybe. Entertaining? Definitely. If you've recovered from the first 2.23 mins of Cats madness, you'll be happy to know a second, equally bizarre, trailer has just dropped. [caption id="attachment_751620" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Judi Dench as a cat[/caption] Ever wanted to see Taylor Swift pouring cat nip on a crowd of cats from a suspended gold moon? Keen to soothe your disappointment over the fact that Idris Elba isn't James Bond by spotting him with whiskers, fur and a tail? Perhaps you've always dreamed of watching accomplished actors such as Judi Dench and Ian McKellen channel their inner feline? Have you ever hoped for all of the above, and for the actors to all play cat-sized cats? That's what's on offer in the just-dropped second trailer, as well as a heap of dancing and singing. In terms of story, Cats zaps Swift, Elba and company down to feline height to spin a narrative about the Jellicle cat tribe, who spend a night deciding just which four-legged moggy will get to leave their group, ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. The movie comes with a significant pedigree, with Les Miserables' Tom Hooper in the director's chair, Webber on music duties, Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler doing the choreography, and the cast also spanning James Cordon, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, Ray Winstone and Rebel Wilson. And yet, it all looks a little odd. But we'll let you decide for yourself. You check out the second Cats trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNTDoOmc1OQ Cats opens in Australian cinemas on December 26.
It's harvest time at Urban Winery Sydney, and owner Alex Retief is inviting locals to get in on the wine-making action. Every Saturday and Sunday, from March 9–31, you'll be able to help the newly picked grapes begin their transformation into wine by joining on the grape stomping. Jump right in to big tubs of the stuff and get your hands (and feet) dirty — the way European winemakers have been doing it for centuries. Apart from the main stomping event, the day will also include a tour of the facility, accompanied by a guided wine tasting of drops served directly from tanks and barrels, showcasing different stages of maturation. There will also be a charcuterie and cheese grazing platter to share, and each guest will take home a bottle of wine by Retief, too. We reckon the complete package makes the $100 ticket price worth it. The 90-minute sessions will take place at 11am and 1pm every Saturday and Sunday during the four-week harvest season. To book, head to the Urban Winery website.
Bondi's Tulum-inspired restaurant Carbòn may be known for its woodfired Mexican dishes (and loved for its outstanding bottomless margaritas and tacos brunch). But, this season, it's shifting gears a little to warm your cockles on a cold winter's night with giant steaming bowls of mussels for dinner. Every Wednesday and Sunday, you can score one kilo of mussels, served in a warming broth of white wine, tomatillo and chorizo — with a basket of floury, charcoal-grilled tortillas to mop up every last drop, of course. Alongside this magnificently messy feast, you'll also receive a jug of spiced sangria. And this limited-edition special will only set you back a pineapple. Yep, for just $50, your next date night is sorted. This special menu item is only available for a limited time, so throw on a pair of your snazziest stretchy pants and get ready for a feast. Carbòn's Mussels and Sangria special is available every Wednesday and Sunday night until Wednesday, August 28. To book a table, head this way.
The team behind Surry Hills Mediterranean eatery Nomad is opening its second Sydney venue, with Beau on its way to Surry Hills next year. The new wine bar and deli will open just down the road from the original Nomad, hidden away on Reservoir Street, at the bottom of Foster Street. Beau will operate as both a takeaway deli, open for breakfast and lunch, and a wine bar with a reserved but flavoursome menu and an expansive drinks list. At the deli, Nomad's Mediterranean menu has been reimagined as a classic array of charcuterie and takeaway eats. Here you'll find dips, pickles and marinated vegetables primarily produced in-house, but the hero is the manoush, a traditional Levantine flatbread topped with Nomad's homemade za'atar, spiced Margra lamb shoulder or green chilli zhoug. The 50-seat wine bar and restaurant, open for both lunch and dinner, will offer a constantly changing selection of wines accompanied by a bar snack version of the Nomad menu. Expect meats and cheeses, plus a cold seafood bar showcasing fresh Australian produce pulled from the sea. While the focus of the drinks menu at Beau will be on local wines, interesting drops from across the globe will also be on hand and a rotating selection of experimental and independent wines will be available on-tap. [caption id="attachment_829999" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The team[/caption] The bar will sit alongside a private laneway and will be set around a long central bar with banquet seating around its perimeter. Those looking for a unique spot for a private event will also be able to book out Beau's rooftop event space. "The Nomad Group mission is to consistently create experiences that bring together great food, local produce, great wine and service," says co-owner Rebecca Yazbek. "Beau and Beau Deli is about serving the local community with everything they've asked for and loved over the last few years." Beau is the second new venue the hospitality group has announced this year, with Nomad set to expand into Melbourne. Nomad Melbourne is preparing to open next week. The restaurant is opening from Monday, November 15 in the former CBD digs of longstanding institution Ezard. [caption id="attachment_829997" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nomad Melbourne[/caption] Beau will be located at 52 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills and will open early 2022. Top image: Nomad Sydney, Nikki To
Film buffs and budding Tarantinos, ho! The 10th annual Bondi Short Film Festival is shaping up to be one helluva celebration to mark a decade of eclectic and wondrously first-rate local filmmaking. With last year’s winners including Cannes Jury Prize-winning film Jerrycan by Julius Avery and Best Script going to Tropfest winner Genevieve Clay’s Frances and Annie, this brilliant celebration of independent Sydney film making blends high caliber filmmaking with an undeniably delicious indie aesthetic, screened metres away from the seaside. The 10th anniversary of this striking little festival is sure to prove a tasty menu, abound with local delicacies. "The Bondi Short Film Festival is 100% Australian content," says Founder and Festival Director, Francis Coady. "We are also completely independent. And so 10 years on, having attracted over 3,000 quality entries and counting — 2010 is not only a great milestone for the Festival, but it also clearly shows the growing public support, for local films and the short film medium." This year's showcase will find itself blissfully lapping up late-Spring ambience with the addition of Bondi Pavilion’s outdoor Amphitheatre, as the sell-out event aims to embrace the inexplicable sensation of balmy evening picture viewing.
The Pope of Trash is back, he's here to have a lively chat and you won't see anything quite like it this year. We're talking about John Waters, of course, with the cult filmmaker, queer icon and all-round pop culture legend heading to Sydney for a divine evening of revelatory reflections, eye-opening anecdotes and shameless secrets from a life spent making cinematic trouble. In fact, Make Trouble is the incredibly apt name of his live show. Waters is the rare auteur who doesn't just craft vivid, transgressive, larger-than-life movies such as the notorious Pink Flamingos, big-budget hit Hairspray and black comedy Serial Mom — he's also as lively and fascinating as you'd expect based on his incredibly distinctive filmography. (And, he has a killer pencil-thin moustache.) Expect to dive into his 50-plus years in the business, hear about his time spent working with everyone from Mink Stole and Divine to Kathleen Turner and Patricia Hearst, and get an earful of insights into his opinions about today's chaotic existence. There'll be more topics of conversation, too; if there's one thing that Waters knows about, it's everything. You'll laugh at his gleefully filthy tidbits (in fact, you might even cry from giggling so hard), and you'll also soak up the best kind of devilish yet worldly wisdom, all while spending an evening in the company of a talent like no other. Timed just after the release of his latest (and ninth) book, The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder, John Waters hits the Sydney Opera House stage on Tuesday, October 15. Pre-sales start from 9am on Tuesday, June 11 and general tickets available from 9am on Friday, June 14. Image: Prudence Upton.
The World's 50 Best has just unveiled its long list, ranking the best restaurants in the world from 51 to 120 (expanding, for the first time, beyond 100). And there are quite a few dramatic changes. Melbourne's Attica — which was last year's top ranking Aussie restaurant at number 20 — has dropped 64 places, coming in at 84. Fellow Victorian Brae, which last year ranked 58, has this year missed out on the top 100, coming in at 101. The surprising changes don't seem to have just affected Australia's entries, either, with Eater noting that Thomas Keller's famed NY restaurant Per Se had dropped 35 places, down to 115 from last year's 81. This could mean, in seemingly sad news for Australia, that no national restaurants will feature in the top 50. But, hope is not completely lost. Seeing as it hasn't made an appearance in the long list, the 50 could, possibly, feature Sydney fine-diner Quay. This year will be the first time the restaurant, which has previously featured in the top 100 list nine years in a row between 2009 and 2017, has been reviewed by the World's 50 Best since its extensive renovations in 2018. [caption id="attachment_677791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Quay by Nikki To[/caption] While the World's 50 Best is exceedingly popular, it's not without controversy. The awards have copped much criticism for prioritising "expensive European-esque tasting-menu restaurants run by men", as stated by Eater, and for its separate 'Best Female Chef' award. Famed chef Dominique Crenn, of the acclaimed Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, won the award in 2016 and has long been critical of the list's lack of diversity. Crenn slammed the female-specific award in an interview with the Washington Post, saying, "It's stupid. A chef is a chef." The late and great Anthony Bourdain also questioned the award's modern-day relevance — way back in 2013. https://twitter.com/Bourdain/status/319441022688051200 The World's 50 Best will be announced at a ceremony in Singapore next Tuesday, June 25. Get ready for some big changes here, too — this year, there will be an equal gender balance across the award's 1000-plus global voting panel for the first time. Plus, the awards have this year barred any former winners from being on the list, so there'll be no Eleven Madison Park nor Osteria Francescana. You can check out the full list of the World's 50 Best top 50–120 restaurants here. The top 50 will be announced on Tuesday, June 25. Top image: Attica
Grab your beach chair and binoculars — it's time for Australia's biggest surfing festival. This year marks Surfest's 33rd birthday and will see 11 different surfing events take place across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens. While the events are spectator-only (unless you're lucky enough to have already qualified for the comp) you'll definitely be inspired to get your board out of storage and catch some early-morning waves. If you fancy yourself as the next Steph Gilmore, there's the Grandstand Women's Pro, and for the budding Mick Fannings out there, it's the Burton Automotive Pro. Let's not forget the little grommets, either — watch the under-18s take part in the nib Pro Junior where there's a cool $10,000 on the line for the winner. If you love to catch waves and enjoy the atmosphere of a team sport, get around the ORICA Team Challenge or the High School Team Challenge if your time in the green room still revolves around the school bell. And if you'd rather haggle than hang ten, check out the 3 Peas Markets which will take place at Stockton Beach and Merewether Beach. And of course, there's the option of pulling up some sand, getting your shakas out and watching it all go down.
Coachella FOMO is no longer a thing. With its biggest livestream yet, YouTube is solving it in 2023. Sure, you can still wish that you were heading to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California across April 14–16 and April 21–23. Yes, there's nothing quite like being there in person. But if you're all about seeing the fest's impressive lineup — seeing as much of it as possible, too — this year's Coachella and YouTube collaboration is beaming the entire event around the world. One of the globe's biggest music festivals has been teaming up with the video site for 11 years now. Earlier in 2023, they announced that they've locked in their arrangement till 2026, in fact. So expanding exactly what the Coachella livestream shows, and when, is the next logical step — with 2023's fest covering all six stages across both weekends. This is the first time ever that YouTube's Coachella footage has played the whole fest as it's happening, upping its feeds from three to six. Whoever you want to see — and if you want to catch their sets twice — you now can. 2023's bill is worth getting excited about, with Bad Bunny headlining the Friday nights, BLACKPINK doing the Saturday nights and Frank Ocean on Sunday nights. Down Under, you'll be tuning in on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to catch each, so mark your diaries now. Also on the lineup: a stacked array of acts that also spans everyone from Calvin Harris, Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, ROSALÍA and Blondie through to The Kid LAROI, Björk, Fisher, Charlie XCX, Porter Robinson and Idris Elba. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) In-between sets, YouTube will fill its feeds with more on-the-ground coverage, so you'll be able to scope out the art and installations around the fest, head behind the scenes, see how the acts get partying before the hit the stage and more. 2023's set times haven't yet been announced, but keep an eye on Coachella's Instagram feed in the lead up to the festival — and, obviously, bookmark its YouTube channel ASAP. Coachella runs from April 14–16 and April 21–23 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. To watch the livestream, head to YouTube from 9am AEST on Saturday, April 15 Down Under.
Ukiyo — most often translated as ‘the floating world’ — refers to hedonistic Edo Japan, in particular the ‘pleasure quarters’ of Yoshiwara where brothels, chashitsu tea houses, sumo wrestling rings, geisha houses and kabuki theatres were frequented by the growing middle classes. Kitagawa Utamaro was a master ukiyo-e (woodblock prints, literally ‘pictures of the floating world’) artist in the second half of the eighteenth century, best known for his bijinga (‘images of beautiful women’). Under his prolific chisel, fashionable Edo women were depicted as sensual, self-restrained and pensive, usually in private interior settings. At the AGNSW until May, 80 original Utamaro prints are on show, including some gorgeous bijinga, as well as a selection of his animal and insect studies and a clandestine cabinet of explicit erotica prints. Coinciding with the exhibition is a symposium on Edo Japan, a lecture series, traditional printmaking demonstrations and a free ‘floating world’ film program. Get floaty. Image: Utamaro and his five women (dir: Kenji Mizoguchi 1946), screening at the AGNSW March 31 and April 4. Courtesy Shochiku and Janus Films.
Roll that rusty penny farthing out of your garage, don your leather goggles, brave the elements, and peddle your way down to Taylor Square and Forbes Street for ye olde Sydney Rides Festival, opening on Saturday, October 13, with a street fair. Not only is there a chance to spin alongside fashion stalls, snack stops, riding games, and live entertainment, but there is a little somethin' for everybody: for the novices, riding demos; the cheapskates, free tune-ups; the ladies, an exclusive course in inner-city cycling confidence; the kids, a school fete with farm animals (on bikes?!); and the lazy, bike valet parking. The two-week festival will be all over the city, so you can spend your weekends and lunch breaks cycling around on yer Mongoose, BMX, Giant, Norco, Bianci, the kiddie wheels you stole from your neighbour's yard, or what have you. Come on, join the joyride.
Since opening in 2005, The Artery has been focused on giving contemporary Indigenous artists a platform to display and sell their work. Artworks are sourced from across the country — the gallery maintains long-term relationships with a number of remote art centres such as Warlukurlangu. Head along to browse the extensive range of works from local artists and those in remote Aboriginal communities. The artworks range in price but you will occasionally find smaller original works for less than $100 — yep, really. Plus, the Artery is a registered signatory of the Indigenous Art Code, so almost every piece that is purchased will come with a certificate of authenticity. You'll also get a profile on the artist so you can learn a little about where your new purchase has come from.
In 1954, Rear Window was the highest-grossing film in American cinemas, the first Godzilla movie rampaged across the big screen, and On the Waterfront won best picture at both the Oscars and the Golden Globes. And, in our neck of the woods, the first Sydney Film Festival was held. 65 fests and more than 9000 flicks later, and SFF is still going strong as it celebrates its latest milestone — with its usual excellent array of international cinema, of course. While the full 2018 SFF program won't be released until May 9, the festival's powers-that-be have revealed the first 26 films that you should start pencilling into your diary. Come June 6 to 17, you'll be watching everything from this year's top Sundance winner, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, to the absolutely exceptional festival circuit hit Foxtrot, from Israeli director Samuel Maoz. And, you'll be clamouring to see Oscar-nominated animated effort The Breadwinner, from the same Irish studio behind gorgeous SFF 2014 favourite Song of the Sea; the Martin Freeman-starring Ghost Stories, which features the star as a professor investigating paranormal activity; and Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, a documentary profile of the British fashion designer and activist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTHQhMW5iIE Other early standouts include the Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz-starring Disobedience, the newest film from A Fantastic Woman director Sebastián Lelio; American Animals, which is based on the true tale of four friends trying to steal the world's most expensive book; and psychosexual S&M thriller Piercing, featuring Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska and Girls' Christopher Abbott. In addition, the acclaimed Leave No Trace marks the latest feature from Winter's Bone helmer Debra Granik, while this year's best foreign-language Academy Award nominee The Insult relates a fiery court battle between a Lebanese Christian man and a Palestinian refugee. There's also Berlinale Silver Bear winner Mug, a touching Polish satire about a man who has a face transplant (and a flick that has nothing to do with Nicolas Cage, John Travolta and Face/Off). Among the documentaries, Cold Blooded: The Clutter Family Murders delves into the horrific small-town killings that formed the basis of Truman Capote's iconic true-crime novel In Cold Blood (as well as the film of the same name), with the Paradise Lost trilogy's Joe Berlinger in the director's chair. For something completely different — and completely adorable, no doubt — Pick of the Litter charts the lives of five puppies training to become guide dogs. Also on the bill: Genesis 2.0, about hunters in the New Siberian Islands in the Arctic Ocean searching for tusks of extinct mammoths; Chef Flynn, which focuses on 19-year-old culinary whiz kid Flynn McGarry; and RocKabul, with Aussie journalist Travis Beard meeting Afghanistan's first and only metal band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emta2b1N6m8 On the local front, West of Sunshine leads the charge, with the Melbourne-shot debut of Aussie filmmaker Jason Raftopoulos making its Australian debut after premiering at the Venice Film Festival last year. Then there's Jessica Leski's Kickstarter-funded I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story, which interviews fans of One Direction, The Beatles, Take That and the Backstreet Boys. Plus, SFF will also screen a brand-new digital restoration of Gillian Armstrong's 1979 classic My Brilliant Career. The just-announced titles join the previously revealed SFF 2018 retrospective, which will once again be curated by David Stratton, and will focus on ten films from Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. Plus, as well as offering a sneak peek of the full lineup, SFF have also advised just where you'll be seeing this year's movies. For the second year running, the fest has added a new location, with Hoyts Entertainment Quarter joining returning venues The State Theatre, Dendy Opera Quays, Dendy Newtown, Event Cinemas George Street, Art Gallery of NSW, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Randwick Ritz and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. The EQ site will screen a specially selected family lineup, plus SFF's Screenability strand, which highlights the works of screen practitioners with disability. The 2018 Sydney Film Festival will run from June 6 to 17. Check out their currently announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on May 9.
My early memories of Sydney revolve around a couple of otherworldly images. When I was a young child, my family and I immigrated to Australia as Eastern Bloc refugees. Our Villawood stay took place before the centre had a substantial role detaining anyone. But still: my father had been jailed in the old country for political agitation. In the context of my father’s post-imprisonment paranoia, I was convinced that a blimp that would sometimes float above the city was a giant bomb — a pacifying threat — and I was similarly wary of the plum trees within the hostel grounds. A couple of older migrant children had told me that these were where redback spiders came from. Artspace's new multidisciplinary group show, the Others’ Other, treads similar ground, dealing with familiar migrant issues of “territorial borders” and “cultural identification”. One of the issues with video art, I believe, is that it invites a kind of passivity in its audience. There’s a shift in power towards the artist in work that, realistically, has to be viewed on the artist’s terms and for a set duration. I think the same can sometimes be said of migrant stories, that the travails of the displaced are seen as a special, unimpeachable form of hardship that has to be treated with reverence. So, I find it deeply heartening that video art highlights of the Others’ Other are substantially more nuanced, inviting emotional responses outside the topic’s usual range. Jun Yang’s Paris Syndrome (2008) constitutes a series of scenes of a blank-faced couple walking through various appropriations of Viennese landmarks in Guangzhou, China. The work plays on the disappointment tourists can feel upon finally seeing real, flawed places previously imagined as more glamorous, beautiful or meaningful than they are. But seeing Yang’s piece in Sydney, the sense of otherness is compounded further. It’s something utterly alien, an impression deepened by piece’s stunningly good cinematography. Only the central couple’s vacant faces undercut how otherworldly and beautiful their setting is. The couple’s boredom in the face of the staggeringly new brought me back to my own first experiences of Australia. Dinh Q. Le’s From Father to Son: A Rite of Passage (2007) provides a similarly loaded yet blank slate for personal interpretation. The work plays scenes of Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now side-by-side with strikingly similar moments in his son Charlie’s ten-year subsequent role in Platoon. Neither Sheen is a commanding presence, but the same gestures are seen a generation apart. I brought my own experiences to this exhibit, but I think that such personal reactions to a form so frequently aloof do say something about the strength of Yung and Le’s work. Suffice to say, if you’re even remotely interested in ideas of emotional distance, you should sidle up to Artspace and check this exhibit out.
Calling all companions, Whovians and Time Lords: the TARDIS has materialised in Whotown. I mean Newtown. Thats right, a Totally Awesome Radical Doctorwho Impromptu Shop has opened up at 7 Wilson Street, allowing you to purchase all of your favourite Doctor Who memorabilia and necessities to fight Daleks. The pop-up shop, the first of its kind, is part of the upcoming November 23 50th anniversary celebrations and will allow Australians to purchase exclusive merchandise never before made available to them. This includes replica props and coats from the UK and Canada, as well as the Doctor Who Home range, allowing you to pour your tea from a TARDIS themed pot and pour your emotions over the deaths of past and present companions into a Dalek-themed diary. Traditional merch items will also be on sale, including DVDs, books and toys. Oh, by the way, you can get your photo taken in-store with a Dalek or even a replica TARDIS (the real one this time). The store is open 10am-6pm daily, but be quick; it is only here until June 20 before it departs for more time-travelling escapades through the universe.
UPDATE, August 24, 2022: In the Wake of Progress will now open on Friday, August 26, rather than Thursday, August 25. This article has been updated to reflect that change. When January rolls around, Sydney Festival fills the city with a massive array of arts and culture events, and kickstarts each new year in style in the process. But sometimes there's something on the fest's bill that's just too exciting to hold back until its next season — and filling the Oxford Street Precinct with nine-metre screens showcasing stunning aerial industrial landscape images from a renowned photographer is one such event. Those photos hail from acclaimed Canadian Edward Burtynsky and, from Friday, August 26–Sunday, September 18, they'll be on display in Sydney's Taylor Square. Sydney Festival is setting up three screens as part of an installation called In the Wake of Progress, a free immersive multimedia piece which'll span 40 years of Burtynsky's work. [caption id="attachment_865568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Dyralaekir River on Myrdalssandur, Iceland, 2012.[/caption] Whether you're now keen to stop by specifically to see In the Wake of Progress, or you know you'll be walking past daily anyway, Sydneysiders are in for a huge and spectacular art treat — which comes to Australia after premiering at Luminato Festival Toronto in June this year. Burtynsky's snaps focus on a topic that should be near and dear to everyone's hearts: humanity's impact upon the planet, the legacy we're leaving and the chance to create a more sustainable future. Accordingly, expect to peer at everything from scenes of shipbreaking in Bangladesh through to hazardous nickel tailings in Ontario. [caption id="attachment_865566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Shipbreaking 23, Chittagong, Bangladesh, 2000.[/caption] As well as the photographer's imagery, In the Wake of Progress includes an original score by composer Phil Strong, and is co-produced by Bob Ezrin (who has worked with Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed and more). That means that making a date to take in the full 22-minute sensory experience is highly recommended. "It's incredibly exciting to have In the Wake of Progress travel across the world to be presented by the illustrious Sydney Festival right after its world premiere in Toronto," Burtynsky said. "I'm so grateful to know that we are officially at the beginning of having this work seen by as many people around the world as possible at a time when awareness of and the need for action on the climate crisis has never been more urgent." [caption id="attachment_865565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Aqueduct 1, Los-Angeles, California, USA, 2009.[/caption] If you saw 2018 documentary Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, which Burtynsky co-directed, you'll know exactly what kinds of mesmerising and moving sights are in store. The artist is also coming to Sydney for a series of talks co-presented by the Australian Museum and Sydney Festival between Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3, for Sydneysiders keen to hear more about his work and the impact that photography can have in exploring nature and the earth. [caption id="attachment_865567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edward Burtynsky, Stikine River, Northern British Columbia, 2012.[/caption] Sydney Festival's In the Wake of Progress will display at Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, from Friday, August 26–Sunday, September 18. Top image: In the Wake of Progress at COCT. © Jim Pano.
Daniel Askill mixes time the way The Chemical Brothers mix sound. His videos pull out ordinary moments until they've stretched into the raw stuff of movement. Arms lift, bodies turn, glass breaks and clocks roll back. You've seen his work already in video clips for Sia, Placebo, Groove Terminator and These New Puritans. Video art is Askill's thing; often in collaboration with his brothers Jordan and Lorin. In the award-winning short We Have Decided Not to Die, his brother Jordan flies out of a shattering window near the top of Australia Square — he'd only just gotten out of hospital before shooting. It's hard to push a video onto the page, but in Askill's work the world is already standing still. He's launching a book and poster of stills from his video works over the last few years this Thursday at Edition. The book, Slow Work On A Bright Screen, will be accompanied by small screenings of his works across the gallery space. If you can't make the launch, his work stays on the walls until August 30.
The King of Blues is making his long-awaited return to Australia, with his beloved guitar Lucille in hand, for what are bound to be epic performances in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay. B.B. King has defined true blues for the past 60 years, and there seems to be no end in sight to his reign. King bought his first guitar for $15 at age 12, and has since recorded over 75 albums, played over 10,000 concerts and won 15 Grammy Awards. In addition to being ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time', King was been inducted into some of the most prestigious collections of musical talents, including the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. These and the long list of other achievements he's piled up throughout his career make him nothing short of a living legend. Although he's been recording since the 1940s, B.B. King is now more relevant and adored than ever. The release of his album 'One Kind Favor' in 2008 broke blues boundaries, including covers of songs that influenced King's own blues career and defined the genre as a whole. Lucky for us, the superstar will tear up the stage in Sydney for not one, but two nights to prove why he still reigns as the King of Blues. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4Ny5ajCn0xw
And so it goes. Two names in the Sydney comedy scene — Kyran Wheatley (triple j) and Rhys Nicholson (Dirty Laundry) — have invariably run out of stuff to say to each other and turned to the trusty internet for entertainment, landing on the holy grail of endless diversion, IMDB. After a few rounds of trying to outdo each other with obscure movie trivia, they reached the conclusion that these antics were pretty amusing and could be done in front of people for a small fee. Introducing Spoiler Alert, a monthly film-themed quiz show event at Redfern’s centre of miscellaneous creative arts, Giant Dwarf. Each Spoiler Alert a panel of funny people will compete to prove who has accumulated more random knowledge over the years, through such vaguely familiar but puntastically named games like Charaders of the Lost Arc and The Talented Mr Scribbly. The first event will be on October 22, featuring guests Claire Hooper, Matt O’Kine and Rob Carlton. Image: Erotic Fan Fiction at Giant Dwarf.
In the months since hell decided to casually freeze over and see Donald J. Trump installed on the Iron Throne, things have seemed bleak for the future of American tourism. And they probably are! Now to add insult to injury: Canada has been voted as this year's best travel destination by not only Lonely Planet, but NY Times and Conde Nast too. America's northern neighbour is finally getting the recognition it deserves for being, well, mostly stable while Canada's Pants goes off the rails. No seriously. Canada's comparable safety and stability have been cited as big contributing factors to why the maple syrup capital of the world has won the prestigious title. The Great White North really does have all the tasty stuff you may once have sought out in the US: vast, punishing wilderness, vibrant capital cities (from big ol' Toronto and Ottawa to film-loving Vancouver and French havens Montréal and Québec City), Grammy-winning artists and ridiculously decadent national cuisines (wassup, poutine) — with a relatively much less controversial leader. Colombia, Chile and Croatia all feature in the top lists too, as well as oft overlooked but bountiful Scandinavian countries Finland, Sweden and Norway. Look, if the US election outcome has given us anything (other than a golden era of SNL) it's the chance to temporarily give up on the American road trip dream for four years and set our holiday sights on neighbouring, Drake-raising destinations. Via AFR.
Surry Hills is getting a ramen pop-up with limited-edition streetwear on the side. Each Saturday in November between 11am and 4pm, Toko will embrace an izakaya-style menu featuring two types of ramen: one truffle-based and one for vegetarians. It won't just be noodles either — there will be braised wagyu cheek tacos, poke bowls and the obligatory fried chicken with caviar and sour cream. Drinks-wise, Asahi and Belvedere Vodka are bringing the goods, including a collaboration with Toko bartenders to prepare specially mixed Ramen Club cocktails for the pop-up. N2 Extreme Gelato is joining in too, unveiling their vanilla, yuzu and orange blossom dessert, garnished with freeze-dried pineapple. In the midst of all this, labels Song For The Mute and Nothing will re-release products from their recent streetwear crossover, which was first released back in August and quickly sold out worldwide.
The Streets of Barangaroo is flexing its culinary muscles with a huge new two-day food festival that's bringing a tasting trail, a First Nations native food market and a thoughtful series of talks to this waterfront suburb. The Great Graze will pop up across Barangaroo between Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30, showcasing all of the best eateries the suburb has to offer and the skills of some of Australia's favourite chefs. Kicking things off will be the Food for Thought speaker series in the lobby of One International Towers. A series of sessions will be hosted by Myffy Rigby, each of which will treat audiences to insights and home cooking tips from the likes of Matt Moran (Aria, Chiswick, Barangaroo House), Brent Savage (Monopole, Yellow, Cirrus) and the authors of Furst Nations Food Companion, Rebecca Sullivan and Damien Coulthard. Savage will also be hosting a four-course lunch at his hatted restaurant Cirrus with the help of Australian seafood expert John Susman. The $140 feast will be centred around sustainable seafood and will feature coral troat, charcoal bread with whipped ricotta, whole john dory, jacket potatoes, grilled asparagus, pavlova and a sustainable platter featuring Cloudy Bay clams, Kinkawooka mussels, Sydney rock oysters, yellowtail trevally and blue swimmer crab. Restaurants and cases throughout The Streets of Barangaroo will be setting up market-style stalls out the front of their venues, offering tasting plates for between $6-16. Hop between restaurants and discover leek and truffle spring rolls at Lotus, mango pancakes at CHI by Lotus, honey prawns at Zushi, kingfish tostadas at Tequila Daisy, umami potato gems at Ume Burger, a Booze & Bump champagne and caviar combo at Devon Cafe and tossed wings with house peach tea at Belle's Hot Chicken. These are just a few of the dishes that will be on offer to try your way through across the food-filled weekend. The First Nations food market will also pop up at the Barangaroo food festival, featuring stallholders like Warndu, Blak Cede, Bush to Bowl, Chocolate on Purpose, IndigiEarth, The Unexpected Guest, Meat Brothers and Native Foodways. The final piece of The Great Graze's puzzle will be a hefty entertainment roster including roving performers and live musicians throughout the precinct and DJ sets out of Barangaroo House's new tune-heavy Japanese restaurant and bar Rekodo. [caption id="attachment_871572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rekodo, Steven Woodburn[/caption] The Great Graze is taking over The Streets of Barangaroo from 11am–5pm Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30.
If you're looking for a more low-key option for your group games, head to Balmoral. This relatively isolated lower north shore beach usually has calm waters and rarely sees people packed on the sand like sardines. You'll find swimmers doing laps, people tanning and families sitting in the shade of umbrellas — it's a laidback spot, so come here for more relaxed games rather than rowdy ones. Try your hand at a few rounds of cornhole or Bulzibucket (you don't even need all the gear, you can simply dig holes in the sand). A lightweight spikeball set is another good option here. Plus, Balmoral has the added benefit of being close to Taronga Zoo, in case hanging out with some adorable animals is also on your group's bucket list. Image: Anton Leddin
Well that's a title, isn't it? Pay your money for an hour of songs and stories that will be wonderfully weird with a hint of delicious darkness. Gen Fricker's fresh off supporting superstar Reggie Watts on his recent national tour, so get in now so you can say you knew her way back when. This is one of our top picks of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Check out our full top ten.
The festive season is in full swing, which probably means there are more than a few long, lazy weekday lunches in your very near future. Handy then, that modern Chinese spot Holy Duck is rounding out 2018 with a series of cheap bottomless dim sum feasts, happening six days a week at its Castlecrag restaurant. Any lunchtime, from Tuesdays through Sundays until the end of the year, you can swing by here and eat your fill of dumplings and other dim sum classics for a bargain $25. The menu boasts ten different styles, from steamed scallop and prawn dumplings and soup-filled xiao long bao, to crispy duck spring rolls and wontons with a Shanghainese spicy sauce. And there is no time limit on your booking. Perfect if your office is located around St Leonards or Chatswood. You'll probably want to book in advance to secure a table — just be sure you don't have too much work waiting for you back at the office after lunch.
It's an unlikely combination, but one we can totally get behind. Ken Done, the master of pre-school chic, and Scott Ludlam, the champion of all parliamentary smackdowns, are among the killer names lined up for the next Men of Letters event in Sydney. Writing about the women that changed their lives, these exceptional specimens will be dishing out some serious wisdom at The Basement on Sunday, October 19. An offshoot of Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire's hugely successful Women of Letters, this event will mark the fourth time men have been invited to the stage. Alongside Done and Ludlam will be TV personalities Andrew O'Keefe and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. Hip hop artist Buck 65 and Queensland poet and rapper Omar Musa will be keeping things smooth and lyrical. The stage will feel like home to director of the Sydney Theatre Company Patrick McIntyre and writer, director and performer Nick Coyle. Even sports stars get a look in, with Brett Kirk of the Sydney Swans also penning a letter for the event. Though you may not have heard of the final speaker, you would definitely familiar with his work. Neil Lawrence was the brains behind the 'Kevin 07' campaign. Let's hope he brings some of that creative genius to play on the day. For those that haven't yet been to a Women (or Men) of Letters event before, it's a lot more than just storytelling. With a DJ set by Zan Rowe, flowing wine and letter writing by everyone involved, this could be the perfect time to pen your secret love letter to Scott Ludlam. Or Ken Done, if squiggly pictures of the Opera House are more your thing.
You'll be the talk of the town – or at least the group chat – if you're the lucky winner of Tio's latest giveaway. With this raucous cocktail bar renowned for its ice-cold margaritas, they're making sure you can enjoy your fair share's worth this Margarita Month by giving away $1000 of signature drinks to one blessed person. Just know your friends and probably a few friends of friends will be hitting you up for the foreseeable future. Presented in partnership with El Jimador Tequila, Tio's Cerveceria invites the winner of this massive giveaway to sample the entire menu. With this in mind, you and your pals will undoubtedly work your way through plenty of classic, spicy and Tommy's margaritas. However, a big night out might call for something special – like the fishbowl-style mega marg or the ever-changing list of weekly specials. Not one to be satisfied with the tried-and-true, the Tio's team whips up a new margarita flavour every week, ensuring there's always something exciting to sip on. In the past, you might have encountered creative concoctions featuring everything from Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp and Pocari Sweat to Biscoff and pickles. For the most love-struck time of the year, this week's Valentine's celebrations have called for a Frozen Cherry Marg topped with love heart candles. Ready to enter? All you have to do is sign up for the MUCHO Group mailing list, follow Tio's Cerveceria on Instagram and leave a comment on this post describing your most creative – or even slightly insane – cocktail idea. Entries for the giveaway close on Friday, February 21, with the winner announced on Monday, February 24. If you're the chosen one, it won't be long until your friends are hassling you to organise the night of nights at this Surry Hills mainstay. Tio's Cerveceria is located at 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills. Head to their Instagram page for more information. Images: Dexter Kim
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, took to the small screen on Tuesday with his new talk show, The World Tomorrow. Assange and his first interviewee, the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, chatted companionably (with the aid of of translators) via video chat. Nasrallah spoke from an undisclosed location in Lebabnon, and Assange from the UK, where he is under house arrest. The interview marked Nasrallah's first Western interview since 2006. The World Tomorrow is carried by Russia Today (RT), a Kremlin-backed English-language news network and website with an anti-American undertone. Created by Vladimir Putin in 2005, RT aims to promote the Kremlin line abroad; it is also broadcast in Spanish and Arabic. Assange is noted for his involvement in a 2010 mass release of secret government documents. Though he was supported by the cooperation of several news organisations (including the New York Times), Assange was the only one involved to fully disclose the documents' details, names and all. He published the documents on his website, and has since become a target of controversy. Though no TV host natural, Assange covered a wide range of interesting topics, including issues in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, with Nasrallah on Tuesday night. The interview was thought-provoking and fresh, leaving audiences guessing what could be coming up in future episodes. https://youtube.com/watch?v=GDLXPpooA18 [via Pedestrian]
Sacrilege is a life-size inflatable recreation of Stonehenge. That’s right. The enigmatic monument that’s perplexed historians for years has been "reimagined" as a bouncy castle that all and sundry can hop around on. Commissioned in 2012 by the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art and the Mayor of London for the Cultural Olympiad, this work by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller has proven to be a smash hit. Deller’s work frequently deals with British history and he is known for engaging the public in innovative and quirky ways. Both adults and children are allowed to engage with this fun installation that's 34 metres long and 5 metres tall. Take your shoes off and head to the Festival Village in Hyde Park any time from 9am to 9pm, Tuesday to Sunday. As the artist himself says, “You haven’t lived until you’ve bounced on Stonehenge.” Image courtesy of Mayor of London/ICON.
Nestled into the bend of Paddington's iconic strip along Oxford Street, UNSW Galleries is a key supporter of multi-discipline art and artists in Sydney — and Australia, too. Nurturing a focus on learning through exhibition-making, the venue offers a space to champion integrated projects, and to encourage an ongoing conversation between its practitioners and audiences as well. All of the above aims can be seen in its recent lineup — including the LGBTQI+-driven exhibition Friendship as a Way Of Life, which explores queer kinship. Other previous standouts span everything Indigenous photography to art from across the Pacific region, plus the interactive installation Snoösphere.
Ah, the memories of small legs caught in trampoline springs and small bodies rocketing off onto the lawn. Skyzone takes the simple joy of jumping really high and adds a touch of crazy, with a trampoline dodge ball league. The addition of a new indoor climbing centre with mad obstacles and freefall jumps just adds to the hyperactive fun. We would also recommend their trampoline fitness courses purely on the company's guarantee that "something to do with NASA has proved that SkyFit is 68 percent more efficient than jogging." And then just when we thought Sky Zone couldn't clock up any more awesome points, they went and launched an indoor climbing wall. Well, about 30 new climbing walls. With disco lights. Sky Climb is the first indoor climbing course of its kind in Sydney. Think LEDs, Tetris-themed walls, adrenaline drops and jumps. Now, you can get the experience of outdoor rock climbing, without the whole plunge-to-your-doom possibility of real abseiling.
UPDATE, June 22, 2021: The National Indigenous Art Fair has been postponed until next year notice due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Sydney. For further information, head to the event's website. The National Indigenous Art Fair will return to the Sydney Harbour foreshore this July to showcase creations from First Nations artists, designers and makers for its third annual art market. And it's arriving just in time for NAIDOC Week 2021. From 10am–4pm Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4, the Overseas Passenger Terminal will be bursting with art, performances, panel discussions, food, interactive ghost net weaving circles and sculptural installations aligned with this year's NAIDOC Week theme — Heal Country. At the ethical marketplace, there'll be more than 50 stallholders from remote Art Centres and Sydney's Blak Market where you can purchase art, handmade jewellery, homewares, food and more. All proceeds go directly back to the artist and First Nations communities. You can also check out cooking demonstrations, participate in workshops and enjoy the live music and dance performances. The National Indigenous Art Fair will take place from 10am–4pm on Saturday, July 3–Sunday, July 4. For more information, visit the website.
Returning to Sydney Festival following a sold-out performance in 2020, leading didgeridoo player and composer William Barton and acclaimed violinist Véronique Serret are performing meditative music together in two shows at the Seymour Centre. At the time of writing, both performances are already operating a waitlist for tickets — and understandably so. The collaboration of two powerhouse performers results in soaring vocals and distinctly Australian sounds that are reminiscent of our country's vast and diverse landscape. Heartland brings in traditional songlines and modern storytelling via Barton's mother, Aunty Delmae Barton, who wrote the show's poetry especially for these performances.
The New Theatre’s Sweeney Todd gives Stephen Sondheim's dark musical a uniquely Australian focus. There’s a lot to discover within Giles Gartrell-Mills’ staging, if you’re a theatregoer with an open mind. Yet it goes without saying if you’re in any way averse to musicals, and their associated style of acting, even the discordant score and narrative gore of this will be too much for you. With that, I’ll make like Sweeney’s razor and plunge in. Though you'll probably know the story from Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s film version, the relationships and motivations are clearer on stage. For example, I was completely ignorant that barber Benjamin Barker had been deported to Australia before returning to London as the throat-slitting Sweeney Todd (played by Justin Cotta), but Gartrell-Mills chooses to highlight this oft-overlooked fact. He explores how the ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ was borne from the horrors of convict Australia; a man hardened by the severe and unapologetic landscape of “a living hell”. Gartrell-Mills’ rejuvenates a story that in other aspects (like the lack of agency of the daughter/damsel character, Johanna) may seem tired. The show demands much of its actors and even more from the only three musicians who underpin the 2+ hour performance. The adept ensemble make the sound in the cavernous New Theatre ring out like in a cathedral. Yet it's clearly a place of dark worship, with unsettling organ music, screeches and clangs that perfectly conjure the squalor of low-class Victorian London. As Sweeney Todd, Cotta is most frightening in stillness, while the world around him goes berserk. He adequately conveys Sweeney's complex personal tragedy, which begins when the evil Judge Turpin (Byron Watson) banishes him in order to steal his wife. When this plan fails, Turpin takes custody of Sweeney's daughter, Johanna. Lucy Miller as Sweeney’s accomplice/lover Mrs Lovett is this production’s absolute gem. Her comedic timing is perfect, as are her slightly crazed facial expressions. Her singing voice accesses the brashness needed for the pragmatic, matronly character, as well as gentle womanly textures to indicate her romantic weakness for the story’s hero. It's hard to take your eyes off her. Sweeney Todd is at its best when it’s turning an eye onto us, the audience — referring to us as “meat”, or exploring base human nature. Although the explicit imagery of the poster had me wanting more gore than the piece delivers, perhaps reflecting on the continued public spectacle of executions and beheadings, this darkly cynical musical about the inescapable spiral of revenge has a lot of life in it yet.
Have you ever wondered how some lucky punters nab a designer’s wares before they become the next big thing? They could have supernatural powers enabling them to spot vanguards-in-the-making or they may just make the most of opportunities to buy things directly from new designers.The Young Blood Designers Market falls into the latter category, allowing you to meet and purchase items directly from fresh, up-and-coming creative talent. The curated market will be held in the Powerhouse Museum’s main gallery on August 14 and 15. Items for sale include fashion, furniture, jewellery, graphics, landscape, lighting design and more.Also on offer will be limited edition pieces created for Eat Green Design, the Museum’s temporary sustainable restaurant.
2020 might've temporarily taken away our ability to head overseas, hit up big events and, for portions of the year, leave our houses; however, it hasn't robbed us of our collective fascination with Christmas lights. Luminous festive decorations really shouldn't cause such a fuss. They pop up everywhere every year, after all, and we're all well and truly aware of how electricity works. But those twinkling bulbs are just so hard to resist when it's the merriest portion of the calendar — especially after a 12-month period with a noticeable downturn in joy otherwise. Perhaps you're a casual Christmas lights fan, and you're completely fine just checking out whichever blazing displays you happen to pass in your travels? Maybe you have a few tried-and-tested favourite spots, and you return to them every year? Or, you could want to scope out the best and brightest seasonal-themed houses and yards? Whichever category you fall into, an Australian website called Christmas Lights Search is likely to pique your interest. It's as nifty and handy as its name suggests, and it covers festive displays all around the country. To locate all the spots that you should head to, it's as easy as popping in your postcode or suburb — or those of places nearby — and letting the site deliver the relevant options. Christmas Lights Search also rates the lights displays, if you want to either go big or stay home. And it's constantly being updated, so, like the best combos of glowing trees, sparkling bulbs and oversized Santas, you might want to check it out more than once. When you pick an individual address listed on the site, you'll be greeted with some key information, too. The level of detail varies per listing, but expect to peruse photos, the ideal hours to swing by, a date range, a description of what's on offer and even COVID-19-safe info. All that's left is to get searching, plot out where you'll be heading every night between now and Christmas Eve, and get ready to see oh-so-many reindeer, candy canes and snowmen. Check out the Christmas Lights Search online now.
Over the past week, we've been hurtled into the throes of winter. While Australia sweltered through a warmer-than-average autumn, it's now appropriately windy and rainy. The gloves and beanies are out of storage and it's time to start loading up on sweets and carbs. To help us do this, Krispy Kreme has announced it's giving away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. How many? 100,000, to be exact. The giveaway is running in conjunction with 'World Doughnut Day', and while we're not a big fan of food 'days' we are big fans of free food. Especially free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie (Original Glazed doughnuts are being given out) head to your closest store in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Sydneysiders have ten stores — stretching from Penrith to the CBD — to choose from, while Victorians have eight, including a Collins Street store. Queenslanders can pick from five different doughnut shops, with the most central in the CBD Myer Centre, and Perthians can head to one of three Krispy Kreme stores or some Jesters. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across all Aussies stores, which means there'll be about 3000 free 'uns available at each. So, you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Most stores open around 7am and there's a limit of one glazed doughnut per person. The free doughnuts are not available at BPs or 7-Elevens. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening nationwide on Friday, June 7. To find your closest store and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
Here's your chance to thank a major enabler of your binge TV habit. The man responsible for bringing you 3720 hours of glee, revulsion, frustration and satisfaction, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, is coming to Australia. He'll be making one exclusive appearance at the Sydney Town Hall as part of the Sydney Writers' Festival (an early part; he's here May 1 while the rest of the festival kicks off May 19). The discussion will zero in on Gilligan's creative process and presumably provide a platform for all your Better Call Saul-related questions. Even though Gilligan might be the most 'read' writer at the festival, there's plenty else in the program announcement to warrant attention and ticket-getting. Big international names include that other confounding New Zealand prodigy, 2013 Booker Prize winner for The Luminaries Eleanor Catton (who is, we're constantly being reminded, 28). There's also right-of-passage author Irvine Welsh, journalist/press freedoms fighter Jeremy Scahill, Super Sad True Love Story writer/famous blurbist Gary Shteyngart, and Eimear McBride, who in 2013 threw out the laws of grammar and emerged with the bizarrely comprehensible A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing. Artistic director Jemma Birrell doesn't appear to be trying to reinvent the wheel or tweet the wheel or performance art the wheel; the 2014 Sydney Writers' Festival is geared towards solid programming that mixes interesting minds. "Over 400 writers will bring their insight and knowledge, their creativity and contemplation, to help us see life from a different perspective," she says of the festival. Bondi Beach and Bowral are new venues, and there's a fun-looking series putting the spotlight on Literary Friendships (it generously counts siblings as friends, so writers Benjamin and Michelle Law are included). Now a fixture of the festival, the Chaser-run Festival Club is where things will get relaxed and sweary at the end of the day. The Sydney Writers' Festival is on May 19-25 (apart from lone wolf Vince). Tickets are on sale from 9am on Friday, April 4, via the festival website.
We normally associate Boxing Day releases with feelgoodery, dogoodery, comedy and special effects. Which is why it seems sort of hilarious when a film like Short Term 12 pops up at that time of the holiday season, determined to make its quiet realism heard. The SXSW Film Festival winner was number one on Buzzfeed's list of 'movies you probably missed in 2013 but definitely need to see', so if you get in quick, you can make it the no.1 movie you outsmarted Buzzfeed on instead. Short Term 12 is the kind of film that feels like a well-edited version of real life — though probably not a life that is familiar to you, if you grew up in safe, loving circumstances. Compulsively watchable and super emotional, it revolves around the kids and their barely adult supervisors at a temporary foster care facility. The plot is nebulous, but the anchor is social worker Grace, played by Brie Larson, who you probably remember from United States of Tara and who puts in an incredible, name-making performance here. Short Term 12 is funny, heartbreaking and brave filmmaking. Writer and director Destin Cretton is able to leap tall towers of everyday humour and humanity and then drop you into a pit of total, gut-wrenching sadness in a single bound. A definite must-see — so you may as well see it on us. Short Term 12 is in cinemas on December 26, and thanks to Madman Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=rETaWDZ57v0
As NSW's COVID-19 restrictions start to ease and more Sydneysiders are heading back to work, the Government is discouraging commuters from travelling during peak hours as the public transport system nears its new socially distant capacity. At a press conference this morning, Monday, May 18, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, "We recommend people who aren't already on the system in the peak, especially on buses and trains, to travel in the off-peak, so after 10am or before 2pm." NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance reiterated this sentiment, saying "please don't travel in the peak — walk, ride your bike or drive instead". Constance also outlined the new safe capacities for the city's public transport vehicles, with two-door buses able to carry just 12 commuters (14 percent of normal capacity), Waratah trains 35 per carriage (24 percent) and Freshwater ferries 245 (22 percent). With these new capacities, Constance said the city's public transport is only able to carry 550,000-600,000 commuters compared to its usual 2.2 million. Last Friday, Constance said already 570,000 commuters travelled on public transport. While the Government says buses and trains are nearing capacity during peak hours, light rail and ferries do still have some room, so commuters should look at catching those instead if possible. To help ease some of the congestion, the Government is launching a pop-up car park in Moore Park from next Monday, where commuters will be able to catch a shuttle light rail service to the city, and six pop-up bike lanes heading into the city. The real-time public transport apps — including TripView, TripGo, Google Maps and the Opal App — now also show the safe capacity for each service and you can look at the capacity of trips from the day before to help plan your trip. 400,000 green dot decals will also be rolled out across the public transport system this week, showing commuters where safe, socially distant spots to sit are. To plan your journey and for more information about Sydney transport options, head to the Transport for NSW website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Vivid is back in town for 2023 and the lineup couldn't get much bigger. From the festival's first dedicated program of food events to a massive live music contingent across venues the Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks and The Abercrombie, the 23-day festival is filling Sydney with a massive array of events from Friday, May 26–Sunday, June 17. The headline happenings include a two-week residency from New York chef Daniel Humm at Matt Moran's Aria, a live chat between The White Lotus' Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge and Devonté Hynes (also known as Blood Orange) performing selected classical works with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra — but these will set you back a pretty penny. While everyone's feeling the pinch of inflation, we've compiled a list of the best free and affordable things you can catch at this year's festival. Here are our picks for the 14 best things to do at Vivid 2023 for under $50. Top image: Daniel Boud.
Roll up, roll up, to Sydney's stupendous new funhouse/cocktail joint: Archie Brothers Electric Circus. Libations, laser tag, burgers and bowling, the Archie Bros have it all. Not that we're surprised. What else would you expect from the team behind Holey Moley? Set to open in early December on Doody Street in Alexandria, this circus-themed venue has got everything your inner child could possibly desire. Old school dodgem cars? Check! Arcade games? Check! A 3D interactive theatre ride? We don't even know what that is, but check! The space is anchored around a tricked-out cocktail bar with a carnival-ride aesthetic. That's where punters will find a selection of boozy beverages including an array of extravagant spiked shakes. Seriously, these drinks look insane. They'll also be serving food with American Diner-style vibes. The intriguing sounding Lion Tamer Burger comes with Saucy Fries, while the Fire Breather Hotdog should appeal to those who like it hot. Archie Brothers Electric Circus opens for business on Thursday, December 7. Find it at 55 Doody Street, Alexandria. For more information, visit their website.
Head west to Penrith to catch the first ever touring exhibition from the Maruku Arts archive, which is based at Mutitjulu, near Uluru. The carvings and artefacts communicate the stories and law of Anangu culture. "Punu (carved objects made of wood) is a significant and prolific artform in Central Australia and its production and display are integral to the maintenance of culture and to the sharing of knowledge,” says Louise Partos, executive officer of Artback NT. There are 88 punu objects, as well as sculptures, audio and video, representing three generations of artists. Explore at your own leisure with the bespoke mobile app.
Spring 2022 wasn't a happy time for This That, or for Newcastle and Brisbane folks planning to dance their way through the music festival. After hosting fests in both spots earlier that year, the event had to pull the plug on its October and November dates "due to a combination of issues", organisers advised. This That had always promised that it'd be back in spring 2023, however, and now it's locked in its new dates. Queenslanders, you're heading to Sandstone Point Hotel on Saturday, November 4. Music lovers of New South Wales, make a date with Wickham Park in Newcastle on Saturday, November 11. So far, there's no word on a lineup, after 2022's fests featured Hayden James, WHATSONOT, The Rubens, Spacey Jane, Dune Rats, WAAX, Client Liaison, Meg Mac and more. The cancelled events the same year were due to host Earl Sweatshirt and Flight Facilities, plus The Presets, Vera Blue, Winston Surfshirt, DMA's, Chillinit, Skeggs, Hockey Dad and Jesswar, although whether any will pop up in 2023 is yet to be revealed. For now, organisers are teasing This That's biggest festival to date, as well as its largest roster of international acts. Expect more details soon, with the event's website already taking pre-sale registrations. THIS THAT NOVEMBER 2023 DATES: Saturday, November 4 Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point, Queensland Saturday, November 11: Wickham Park, Newcastle, New South Wales This That will return in November 2023, playing Sandstone Point in Queensland and Newcastle in New South Wales. For more information and to sign up for pre-sale tickets, head to the festival's website. Images: Mitch Lowe / Jordan Munns.
For a while there, it seemed like every hip hop tour to Australia was doomed to fail. Poor ticket sales, high-profile artists that don't show up, lazy and greedy managers and a general lack of any business savvy whatsoever have conspired to kill off a handful of festivals and some major tours in just the last year or two. But in the midst of all that, Rap City has not only gone ahead, it has thrived. Since its inception in 2010 the single-stage mini-festival has brought out some of the all-time greats of the game, from Ghostface Killah and DOOM to The Beatnuts and Masta Ace. This time around, Rap City will be headlined by none other than Talib Kweli, one of the most thoughtful, socially aware and lyrically gifted MCs around. His 1998 collaboration album with Mos Def — Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star — remains a masterpiece of politically and socially conscious hip hop, but over 15 years and half-a-dozen albums Kweli has proved time and again that he is one of the most gifted lyricists of his generation. With a new album, Prisoner of Conscious, recently released featuring Miguel, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius and Busta Rhymes, Kweli is sure to be at his energetic, eloquent best. Joining Kweli will be Homeboy Sandman, the rapidly rising star signed to Stones Throw Records (home to the likes of DOOM, Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, Australia's own Jonti and the late, great J Dilla). His praises as a lyricist and intellect have been sung by XXL, The Source, NPR, Rolling Stone and everyone in between, but his beats have a groove so good you almost don't notice that Homeboy's lyrics challenge almost every thought you have ever had. And if that weren't enough, these twin lyrical titans are being joined by Trademark 'Da Skydiver', the next big thing from the Jet Life Crew label — home to the likes of Curren$y, Smoke DZA and Sir Michael Rocks (formerly of The Cool Kids). With a handful of rapturously received mixtapes under his belt, Trademark is currently putting his finishing touches on his highly anticipated album Flamingo Barnes 2, which is due on the eve of his Australian Rap City tour. If anyone ever told you hip hop was dead, make sure you drag them along to Rap City and shut them up. MELBOURNE – Thursday October 3 @ The Hi-Fi PERTH – Friday October 4 @ Villa BRISBANE – Saturday October 5th @ The Hi-Fi SYDNEY – Sunday (Long Weekend) October 6 @ The Hi-Fi Tickets go on sale on Monday, 12 August, via Moshtix and OZTIX.
Spring is well and truly here, and with longer days and warm (but not too hot) nights, now is the perfect time for head outside and enjoy the sunshine and flowers. For the month of October, Hendrick's Gin has teamed up with Paddo Inn to celebrate its small-batch Midsummer Solstice gin. The venue — renamed Paddo Ginn throughout October — will be transformed into a floral paradise, courtesy of local florist Dr Lisa Cooper. With a host of magical spring-themed events happening both at the eastern suburbs pub and across Sydney, there's plenty to look forward to — and lots of opportunities to score a free drink. This Saturday, October 5 is one of them, when Hendrick's hosts Stem for a Spritz. Head to one of three flower-filled spots across Sydney and you can enjoy your very own Midsummer Soltice spritz, featuring the limited-edition spirit, tonic water and sparkling wine, and garnished with orange and cucumber, for zero dollars. Yep, free. All you need to do is look out for one of the Victoriana-style characters that'll be roaming around Paddo Ginn, The Winery, or Bucket List on foot or atop a penny-farthing. They'll be handing out rose stems which you can exchange for a free spritz at the bar If you can't make it, never fear. You can still head down to Paddo, relax with some gin, and enjoy the floral installations all through October. Image: Paddington Inn by Nikki To.
If there's been a big, White Night-shaped hole in your social calendar since the famed Melbourne after-hours fiesta wrapped up its last edition in February 2018, you'll be happy to know it's making a return this August. Just be prepared for a very different experience, as the immersive festival makes some serious changes to its programming and farewells part of the late-night fun. As well as making the move from summer to the deep of winter, organisers have revealed that White Night Reimagined will swap its previous one-night format for an expanded three-night affair. Interestingly, it's also scrapping the all-nighter aspect in the process. Instead of the usual 7pm–7am program, which has been in place since the festival's inaugural 2013 edition, White Night will this year run from 7pm until midnight on Thursday, August 22, and again on Friday, August 23, followed by a 7pm until 2am session on Saturday, August 24. The new curfew means punters will no longer get to experience what some might argue is one of White Night's biggest pulls — the adventure of roaming around town soaking up art and installations, right through until the wee hours. Although, frosty August probably isn't the best time of year for pre-sunrise wanderings, anyway. [caption id="attachment_728542" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pollution Pods by Michael Pinsky[/caption] The new-format event will also expand in scope, held across three key precincts with each boasting its own distinct theme. Treasury Gardens will take the form of the 'Sensory Realm', showcasing dazzling projections, lighting and audio installations, and interactive artworks inspired by the five senses. Here, you'll find British artist Michael Pinsky's immersive Pollution Pods, which represented the different environments of global cities; a musical and calming SongCloud; a colourful light and audiovisual installation called Cluster; as well as a giant floating Cocoon made from 1000 lights tied together by ropes. Carlton Gardens will be transformed into the mystical 'Spiritual Realm', featuring a huge ten-metre lion puppet by Melbourne artist Joe Blanck, along with illuminations sharing the stories of Indigenous Australia. And the 'Physical Realm' descends on Birrarung Marr, showcasing the Aussie debut of internationally acclaimed street theatre performance Globe, from a troupe of 41 acrobats, aerialists, singers and actors. [caption id="attachment_728540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Globe by Gerard Dubois[/caption] Other famed Melbourne spots coming to the party include the Melbourne Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Library Victoria, all hosting their own programs of art, food and music. The rest of White Night Reimagined's extended program, including the music component, is set to be revealed in the coming weeks. Starting from 2020, White Night will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with the Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF). White Night Reimagined runs from Thursday, August 22 to Saturday, August 24. Top images: White Night 2018, SongCloud by Amigo & Amigo and Cluster by Playmodes Studio.
Dangerous thinkers, Damn the Man activists and controversial intellectuals will bring their rebellious tales to Sydney Opera House for the sixth year running, with Salman Rushie, Steven Pinkler and Pussy Riot at the fore of this year's Festival of Dangerous Ideas lineup. The annual hootenanny for controversial, groundbreaking and system-shaking thinkers, FODI annually fronts up a killer lineup of the names we consistently include in our opinionated tweets. "This year, we are looking at some of the major threats to life as we know it — mass extinction and existential risk — as well as politics, families and global issues,"says head of talks and ideas at Sydney Opera House and co-curator of Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Ann Mossop. "Our guests are both intellects and activists and this will definitely prove a lively mixture. The Festival gives audiences an opportunity to listen to some of the most important thinkers of our time. Ultimately it is the audiences who have the most interesting part to play at the Festival — the tough and absorbing task of deciding what to do with the dangerous ideas of our era." This year's lineup has drawn out some serious intellectual squeals Sydney-wide. Controversial, Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children writer, Salman Rushdie, will speak about freedom, sticking to your guns and defiantly standing for untamed expression in his talk Freedom to Write. In one of FODI's most buzzworthy talks, dubbed Russia is a Penal Colony, former members of activist legends Pussy Riot, Nadya Tolonnikova and Masha Alekhina, will tell tales of activism, being jailed for 'hooliganism' and setting up their new not-for-profit charity, Zona Prava, while fighting for their own dangerous ideas. Russian journalist, author, and member of the democratic opposition to the regime of Vladimir Putin, Masha Gessen will delve further into Pussy Riot's activism in a predicted-to-sell-out conversation with the pair. Experimental linguist, psychologist and eternal nature-versus-nurture writer Steven Pinker will unravel the popular notion that violence is an inevitable consequence of human nature in his talk Stop Trying to Fix Human Nature — also arguing we're enjoying the most significant period of peace in our history. Challengers to underlying systems and Damn the Man enthusiasts like fearless journalist, feminist and human rights activist Lydia Cacho uncover some horrible truths in our messed up world. Cacho investigates the alive-and-well slave trade — something we see as a Civil War era past wrongdoing, but is a still a globalised, multi-billion dollar industry by way of the sex trade and international trafficking — in Slavery is Big Buisness. Writer and researcher, Kay Hymowitz will delve into women as breadwinners and the supposed decline of male culture in The Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys; and surrogacy as a global industry is put under the microscope in journalist, writer and activist Kajsa Ekis Ekman's talk Surrogacy is Child Trafficking. The full program is available on the website. Multipack tickets go on sale on Monday 30 June at 9am before single tickets on Wednesday 2 July at 9am. Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2014 Lineup: Salman Rushdie Pussy Riot Masha Gessen Steven Pinker Malcolm Fraser Lydia Cacho Bradley Garrett Alissa Nutting John Hewson Bettina Arndt Glenn Robbins John Pilger Jane Caro Elizabeth Kolbert Noelle Janaczewska Anne Manne Elizabeth Pisani Jaan Tallinn Ragip Zarakolu Kajsa Ekis Ekiman Dan Ilic Tim Flannery Kay Hymowitz Francesca Minerva Mark Latham David Baker Rebecca Newberger Goldstein Emily Nussbaum Huw Price A Rational Fear Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs 30 - 31 August at Sydney Opera House. Tickets available here. UPDATED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25: Sydney Opera House have decided to remove Uthman Badar's talk 'Honour Killings Are Morally Justified' after a huge collective WTF from the public.
