Up until now, fancy-schmancy apartments have been surprisingly hard to find at Bondi Beach. But, with QT's latest hotel having opened in the former Swiss Grand Hotel site — now known as a Pacific Bondi Beach — that's a first world problem of the past. As promised, QT Bondi delivers the kind of glamour that the Eastern Suburbs prides itself on. There are no fewer than 69 super-sized apartments and studios, all dreamed up by Australian design extraordinaire Nic Graham (celebrated for his work on the QT family and in-house dining spots like Gowings and Parlour Lane Roasters). At the poshest end, there are the Gould Suites, which come with one bedroom, city views, kitchenettes, balconies, specially-designed furniture, complimentary wifi and movies. The starter rooms are also rather lush, featuring king-sized beds, as well as views, kitchenettes and balconies. Meanwhile, the lobby is dotted with commissioned paintings created by Aussie-born, London-based artist Shaun Gladwell. Unfamiliar with the location? Well, we can assure you it's prime real estate, just across the road from the main beach — you can dash to the sand without shoes. And QT Bondi is just one element in the precinct: visitors (whether they're staying at the hotel or not) can also explore a bunch of eating, drinking and shopping adventures, from Anita Gelato to Scoop Wholefoods to Saturdays NYC. This listing was included as part of our partnership with QT and is not a review.
With winter fast approaching, a new wardrobe is surely in order. And a huge warehouse sale is definitely the place to get it. The annual sass & bide Sydney warehouse sale is back this year and will be managed by Designer Sales Australia. Designers Sarah-Jane Clarke (sass) and Heidi Middleton (bide) of the fashion label sass & bide have reduced some of their newest collections and styles by 50-70 percent for just four days from April 18-21. So if you're looking for a whole new wardrobe or just a few essential winter pieces, be sure to make your way to Byron Kennedy Hall. If interested, check out the sass & bide Facebook event for more information and updates.
Sebastian Goldspink was born and raised in Kings Cross, Sydney. In 2011, he opened ALASKA Projects in an abandoned mechanic's office in the basement of a Kings Cross Car Park. In its first year of operations ALASKA Projects has shown the work of over 100 artists, and is committed to showcasing emerging art in disused or under-utilised spaces. In December 2012, ALASKA Projects will tour its first exhibition internationally to artist run space Good Children in New Orleans, USA. In 2011, Sebastian was asked to speak as part of Creative Sydney's lecture series of Australia's most influential image makers. He regularly contributes to panels as a speaker, most recently as part of the SAMAG panel ‘Thinking outside the white cube’. As an administrator, Sebastian has worked for various organisations including the Biennale of Sydney, MCA, MoNA, and now, in his current position, Art Month Sydney. We asked him to tell us about his five favourite spots in Sydney that are a little off the beaten path: the hideaways that have always been just around your corner. 1. Garden Island Board the Watson's Bay ferry from Circular Quay and casually tell one of the ferry guys that you wish to get off at Garden Island. The ferry will make a stop just for you and chances are you'll be the only person getting off. On Garden Island you'll find a cafe and some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, and there is also a strange little naval history museum. Great to take visitors to Sydney. 2. 21 Espresso Double Bay Since 1958 this Double Bay Jewish soul food emporium has been serving up amazing Hungarian food to homesick Eastern Europeans and their children, grand children, great grand children… I like the gypsy platter for two, the lemon pancakes, the mish mash coffee, the sides of creamed spinach and, when I'm sick, the matzo ball soup dusted in paprika. 3. Domain Car Park Travelator The longest moving walkway in the Southern Hemisphere is hidden underground between St Mary's Cathedral and the Domain Car Park. Super scary at night. You can pretend you're in Luc Besson's film Subway. 4. Woollahra Library, Double Bay/Bellevue Hill Amazing library in Bellevue Hill with beautiful gardens and grounds right next to the glamourous Seven Shillings beach and Redleaf pool. Wander around the gardens which are filled with great hidden areas. Fantastic for kids. Take a swim at Seven Shillings beach or year round at Redleaf pool. 5. Alaska Projects Hidden within the Kings Cross car park, Alaska Projects is a contemporary art space built in a disused mechanics workshop. The space has a busy program of exhibitions of Sydney's top emerging artists as well as interstate and international artists. Alaska also holds regular music nights and film screenings and is embarking on a theatrical program. Upcoming at ALASKA: Anything, Everything and One Other Thing (Parts 1-5)Curated by Tom PoloFeaturing Dan Bell, George Egerton-Warburton, Leahlani Johnson, Kenny Pittock and Kate Smith.Exhibition Opening: Wed 25th Jul 6-8PM. Continues from Wednesday 25th July to Sunday 5th August.alaskaprojects.com
If you've ever had the urge to rummage through someone else's suitcase, here's your chance. Suitcase Rummage is coming to Melbourne, and luckily for you it'll be less old socks and more vintage treasures. Happening on Sunday, September 30, the mini-scale market will bring together numerous trunk that aren't just filled with clothing. The suitcases will contain everything from art to records, shoes and jewellery — so, come and bargain, buy or swap to score that old Joni Mitchell vinyl you've been wanting. Those who wanting to sell their wares must register — and it'll cost $25 for a 'stall'. You can bring up to three suitcases, so you can lug in all those shoes you've been promising to wear but certainly will not. Suitcase Rummage will run from 11am–4pm. Image: Yan Chen
While New South Wales started moving out of lockdown a few months back, life definitely hasn't returned to pre-COVID-19 normality just yet. Slowly, however, more and more restrictions are continuing to relax — including, as just announced today, Wednesday, November 25, caps on the number of people you can have over to your house, and also on how many folks can head to small hospitality venues. As revealed by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, from Tuesday, December 1 at-home gathering limits will lift — to 50 if you're using your outdoor space, and to 30 if you'll be indoors without access to a garden or backyard. Obviously, the timing is geared towards the holiday season. The 50-person rule will be mandated by a health order, but the 30-person cap will be a strong recommendation. If you're having an outdoor gathering elsewhere, such as a picnic or park barbecue, those limits are going up to 50 from 30 as well — to match the at-home outdoor cap. Out of the house, venues with up to 200 square metres of space will be able to welcome in more customers, with a one-person-per-two-square-metres limit in place. There won't be a cap on the total number of patrons, either — just the density restriction. Commenting on the announcement, Premier Berejiklian said that more changes are set to come depending on the health advice, including applying consistent density and capacity restrictions across the hospitality sector. "[NSW] Health is looking very closely at being able to apply that two-square-metre rule indoors across all hospitality venues," she advised. It's hoped that that'll be able to happen prior to Christmas but, again, that's dependent upon health advice. As of the past Monday, November 23, all NSW hospitality venues are required to use QR codes for contact-tracing purposes, which will also play a big part when density and capacity restrictions are standardised across the entire industry. [caption id="attachment_786298" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The other big change won't come into effect until Monday, December 14, and it applies to working from home. The NSW Government will remove the public health order that covers the topic, so you can expect more people returning to the office. In line with that shift, NSW residents are also asked to wear masks on public transport as there'll be more people using the network. As always, the usual rules regarding hygiene, social distancing and getting tested if you display any possible COVID-19 symptoms all still apply as restrictions keep easing. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Kitti Gould.
Combining tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, a classic margarita isn't all that complicated. But, this beloved cocktail can also be rather versatile. If you've grabbed a meal and a drink at El Camino Cantina, you've probably tasted one or several non-traditional varieties. And if you head by the lively Tex-Mex chain's Sydney venues in The Rocks, Manly Wharf, Entertainment Quarter and Westfield Miranda before Friday, January 22, you'll be able to sip four new types that are certain to get you feeling nostalgic. When you were a kid and eating Iced VoVos at recess, we're guessing that you didn't ever imagine drinking an Iced VoVo-inspired margarita — but, that's now a reality. It's one of El Camino Cantina's 'retro ritas', alongside a Fruit Tingle-inspired version, one that takes its cues from Cottee's cordial and a guava flavour. All four are available cadillac-style, which means they come with a float of Grand Marnier. You'll pay $20 for a 15-ounce drink, $24 for a 24-ounce serve and $30 for a tasting paddle of any four (in 220-millilitre glasses). At The Rocks only, an extra six flavours are also on offer — so we hope you like Caramello-flavoured margaritas, or versions with jelly, red frogs and lemonade ice blocks, among other options. Images: Michael Gribbin.
Three new exhibitions embracing imaginative new worlds have graced the walls of the Australian Centre for Photography. Tales from Elsewhere, Images from Adland and Creation each take real things and mould them into a new form resembling reality but not quite. Digital artist Catherine Nelson's Creation takes fish-eyed photos of ponds and beaches, its round results hanging on the walls as small places secretly turned into a little world. Images from Adland is a compendium of moments from advertisers' work, including a towering Brueghel-like cigarette heap from Adrian Lander and an Escher-like medieval fable of optics and chess by Ian Tjhan. Occupying the large galleries is a retrospective of the work of photo-artist Polixeni Papapetrou, Tales from Elsewhere. Her work is deeply influenced by children's imaginations and the work and life of Lewis Carroll. The highlight of her exhibiton is Wonderland, where Children inhabit life size drawings of the Alice stories. The images were made in-camera, not digitally manipulated — real life paintings on the floor blend seamlessly with those on the wall, giving a feeling of standing in a painting and in mid air at the same time. Each exhibition is no bigger than a half-world, but if you come in to see them there's room for you to have a look.
Approaching at 128 BPM, Stereosonic will take over the Sydney Olympic Park for two heated, fist-pumping days of electro, techno and house music. Maybe 'getting shredded' isn't an idea you subscribe to, but good techno and house music is. Luckily, aside from the buzz headline acts like Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Steve Aoki and Skrillex, promoters have placed an emphasis on local acts — and there's no shortage of genuine talent. After presiding over the official Grammys afterparty in LA (as you do), Alison Wonderland is coming back to Australia for Stereosonic alongside Sydney project What So Not (Flume and Emoh Instead), triple j presenter and DJ Nina Las Vegas, electronic dance regulars The Aston Shuffle, and UK power duo Disclosure (for a DJ set only). Porter "boy genius" Robinson is adding the Australian sweatfest to his list and punters will get to see NYC's RL Grime, who has worked epic wonders with artists as diverse as Big Sean and How To Dress Well. Let the summer festival season begin. Tickets are still available via ticketmaster.com.au. $149.95 for Saturday/Sunday tickets only or $234.95 for a two-day ticket.
Messina's never-ending love affair with collabs has hit a new high. The Messina Creative Department's head chef Remi Talbot has teamed up with Brix Distillers' head chef Ivan Sanchez (Bodega, Porteño) and head bartender Jai Lyons to create an eight-course gelato degustation menu. It'll all go down on March 8–9, when Messina takes over the Bourke Street distillery — winner of the Best New Bar: People's Choice at Concrete Playground's Best of 2018 Awards. The two chefs have combined their Colombian and Japanese/French influences with this one. Expect smoked crisp-skinned duck breast with dark chocolate mole gelato and fois gras-filled turnips; mud crab and abalone with fermented shiitake mushrooms, white garlic gelato and roti bread; and, for dessert, a spiced and smoked molasses gelato with fermented pineapple reduction in a buckwheat cone. To pair with each course, Lyons has created eight rum cocktails. The duck breast will be paired with a chocolate and coffee negroni using barrel-aged rum; the mud crab served alongside a rosemary-infused white daiquiri with ginger kombucha float; and the molasses gelato cone gets a spiced rum, pineapple vinegar, lime and cinnamon smoke concoction. There will be two sittings on each night at 6pm and 8.30pm, with groups of 2–12 welcome. It's definitely a pricey dinner at at $210 a pop — but, if you have the extra cash to splash, we reckon this one will be well worth it.
Rarely has a film more perfectly encapsulated the notion of so close, yet so far. Directed by Neil Marshall, whose previous credits include the impressive horror flick The Descent and some major episodes of Game Of Thrones, Hellboy is an absolute mess of a thing, despite boasting a terrific cast, memorable set pieces, impressive CGI and one of the more intriguing and inventive protagonists in recent comic book history. Hellboy, of course, already has two films in his honour, both of them written and directed by Mr Monster himself: Guillermo del Toro. The question that loomed large over this 2019 version, then, was whether it sought to be a rebooted origin story or a semi-continuation of the pre-existing franchise. The schizophrenic patchwork of a story we end up with suggests the studio simply couldn't decide. Timelines leap from the Arthurian legend to modern day to WWII to the 80s, usually for the purpose of dumping massive loads of exposition. The entire film feels rushed and discordant; a fever dream of fight scenes and plotlines that neither link to what came prior nor have much relevance to what follows. In the lead, Stranger Things star David Harbour does his darndest to breathe life into what little script there is, imbuing his Hellboy with an admirable level of angst, sarcasm and unwieldy brawn. Credit, too, to the movie's makeup team, who've managed to wholly transform Harbour into a hulking creature from the underworld despite little to no CGI at play. Opposite him, Milla Jovovich puts in the film's most understated yet compelling performance as Nimue the Blood Queen, whose equal rights for monsters mantra offers a tantalisingly defensible motivation for her murderous ways. Sadly, Hellboy gives little time to ideas, opting instead for as many gory deaths, clanger one-liners and f-bombs that it can squeeze in. And on the gore front, Hellboy certainly makes full use of its R-rating, particularly in the film's final stages when Hell's assortment of nightmarish demons begin crushing, skewering and skinning the hapless inhabitants of London. The demons themselves are spectacularly imagined, as is the infamous Baba Yaga, the Slavic witch with an appetite for small children. Her scene with Hellboy is beautifully designed, genuinely well-written, and appropriately grotesque. But even then, there's one major ingredient missing: terror. It's a phenomenon repeated multiple times throughout the film, and one that's not easily diagnosed. Scenes that should be scary simply aren't, just as jokes that should be funny don't even come close. If you imagine the film as a piece of music, the levels are all out — as if the sound mixer dialled everything up that should be down, and vice versa. Which brings us back to so close, yet so far. Whatever forces were at play to screw this up, the fact remains the pieces were there to produce something great. Hellboy could have been any number of films: a comic book horror movie with genuine scares, a comedy action flick or even a compelling Maleficent-esque drama about misunderstood heroes and villains vying for their right to a place on this earth. Instead, it's an embarrassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt5g5_1cKVk
Greater Sydney's lockdown has now entered its seventh week, and isn't set to end until at least Saturday, August 28. But some of the region's stay-at-home requirements are still changing, with restrictions tightening in areas where case numbers are proving particularly high. Already, eight specific Local Government Areas have been put under stricter requirements — and since 5pm on Sunday, August 8, 12 suburbs in the Penrith LGA have joined them. So far, residents of the Parramatta, Georges River, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland have been under tighter rules that only allows them to travel five kilometres from home in general, and only leave their homes for work outside their areas if they're considered authorised workers. Also required: wearing masks whenever they leave the house. At New South Wales' daily COVID-19 press conference on Sunday, August 8, Premier Gladys Berejiklian also added the suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Mary's to the list. "Regrettably, there are 12 suburbs in the Penrith Local Government Area that will now be listed as an area of concern and will be subjected to those harsher restrictions that we've imposed on those eight Local Government Areas," said the Premier. "They are clearly suburbs which are boundaries to those eight Local Government Areas, and we want to make sure that we stem the tide of the virus seeping into those additional communities." The 12 suburbs now under tighter conditions are still bound by the overarching stay-at-home rules that applies to the rest of Greater Sydney, too. So, as has been the case since late June, everyone can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. Also, only businesses deemed "critical retail" are permitted to remain open. Stores that can continue to welcome in customers include supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers; pharmacies and chemists; and shops that primarily sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies. Also allowed to stay open: pet supply shops, post offices, newsagencies, office supply stores, petrol stations, car hire places, banks, hardware shops, nurseries, and places that sell building, agricultural and rural goods. Any retail premises that don't fall into the above categories are closed to physical customers, but they can do takeaways, home deliveries, and click and collect orders. If you need supplies, only one person from each household can go out shopping each day to buy essential items — and browsing is prohibited, too. Carpooling is still off the cards, unless you're in a vehicle with members of your own household. And, you can still only exercise in groups of two outdoors — or as a household. The stricter restrictions came into effect as NSW reported 262 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases identified to 8pm on Saturday, August 7, with only 86 cases in isolation for their entire contagious period. As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in lockdown until at least 12.01am on Saturday, August 28. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
UPDATE: JANUARY 27, 2022 — Twilight at Taronga has been cancelled due to current public health measures in place. You can find a full statement from the event organisers, here. Taronga Zoo's twilight concert series is returning next year with an all-Australian lineup. The after-hours live music series that boasts arguably the best view of Sydney Harbour (as well as lots of adorable animals) has had some incredible acts in the past and next year's lineup shines just a bright. The concert series will kick off on Friday, January 28 and will run until late February. You can catch live shows from Aria award-winning artist Josh Pyke, summery six-piece Winston Surfshirt, harmonic masterminds Vika and Linda, and indie-pop favourites San Cisco. But it doesn't stop there. Two of Australia's finest singer-songwriters, Washington and Odette, will be co-headlining a special evening together on February 10. And, you might even get to belt out Daryl Braithwaite's classic Horses when the man himself takes to the stage on closing night February 19. All proceeds from the gigs contribute to Taronga's conservation work, including its collaborations with the Litter Free Oceans campaign which is pushing for the reduction of single-use plastics. So, you can see a gig and feel good about helping the zoo, too. If you want to up the ante, you can add optional extras to your ticket including gourmet hampers, sundown chairs, picnic blankets and same-day zoo entry. Or, you can go all out with a VIP ticket that gets you one of the best seats in the amphitheatre and a luxury overnight stay at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga. Ready to lock in a spectacular summer music session? For more information and to book, visit the website.
Spring is dating season. Winter's gloom has lifted, the air is noticeably lighter and the glorious sunshine has both flowers and people blooming. In celebration, we're giving away a bunch of $250 Mastercard cards to ensure that you lovebirds have a suitably romantic springtime soirée. It's entirely up to you how you splash the cash, you can splurge on one opulent night out — indulge in dozens of oysters at a top-notch fine diner — or opt for a more conservative approach and spread those five (virtual) pineapples across multiple dates. After all, you don't have to spend big to make a big impression. The late, great Robin Williams once said, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'". Well, enter the competition below and your springtime parties for two are on us. [competition]695105[/competition] If you're looking for inspiration in the meantime, check out our top five dates for less than $50 in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and consider splitting the bill easily in under a minute with PayID (which uses the Osko payment service). Find out more here.
Running from October 16 through January 31, 2021, the annual Tarnanthi program brings together the best of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from around the country and showcases it across multiple Adelaide venues — with the largest exhibition taking centre stage at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The guiding theme for this year's edition is Open Hands, which pays tribute to the role of senior artists who share cultural knowledge with the younger generations; it also calls attention to the unseen cultural work of women in Indigenous communities. Including works from 87 artists, the exhibition features mother-daughter collaborations, grand installations, talks and tours — all of which aim to fully immerse visitors in the rich culture of Australia. Online art sales and other AGSA activations are on the docket, too. [caption id="attachment_792442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saul Steed[/caption] Images: Tarnanthi: Open Hands installation by Saul Steed
Brisbane is a foodie city. It has that perfect mix of vibrant new restaurants (it seems like there's another popping up every weekend) and the tried and true favourites of long-time locals. There's never been a more exciting time to dive headfirst into the Brisbane hospo scene. Not sure where to start? We've got eight must-try dishes that'll change the way you think about Brisbane as a food destination. Here, chefs are slinging some wild flavour combos, pulling no punches and adding signature flourishes that make it utterly Queensland — and delicious. Wear your stretchy pants. We're going on a gourmet adventure.
How does anything compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour, the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge? By placing a 350-square-metre cinema screen at the scenic spot every summer, and filling it with an impressive array of new, recent and classic movies. That's the Westpac Openair Cinema setup, aka a Sydney institution — and it returns from Sunday, January 8—Tuesday, February 21, 2023. This summer's season will open with Steven Spielberg's new flick The Fabelmans, and there's a hefty list of movies to follow. Also on the lineup: the cinema-focused Empire of Light, the Cate Blanchett-starring Tár, #MeToo drama She Said, the Emma Thompson-led Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and The Lost King with Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. And, there's also culinary thriller The Menu, bleak Irish comedy The Banshees of Inisherin, Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody and certain blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as stunning volcanologist documentary Fire of Love, the Emily Brontë-focused Emily, saucy threequel Magic Mike's Last Dance and rom-com What's Love Got to Do With It. Throw in Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling, 2022 Palme d'Or-winner comedy Triangle of Sadness, haute-couture comedy Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, and sessions of classics like Titanic, the OG Top Gun, Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown and Cinema Paradiso as well, and the Westpac Openair Cinema bill is clearly stacked. All of those titles are joined by the Australian premiere of Darren Aronofsky's The Whale, aka the film that's bringing Brendan Fraser back into the spotlight; a preview of Guy Ritchie's Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre; Damien Chazelle's starry and jazzy Babylon; and the Bill Nighy-starring Living. Movie buffs will also score another chance to see Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bullet Train, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Top Gun: Maverick, Ticket to Paradise and Elvis, plus Jodie Comer-starring NT Live production Prima Facie. And, in a special collaboration, viewers will be treated to a session of artist Wu Tsang's Moby Dick; or, The Whale thanks to Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It'll play with a will be live score, levelling up an already special way to see a movie. Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney will be behind the event's food range just like in 2022 — and booking your movie tickets ASAP is recommended. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale. So, put 9am AEDT on Monday, December 12 in your diary ASAP, or Wednesday, December 7–Friday, December 9 for pre-sales if you're a Westpac customer. [caption id="attachment_880098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Maccoll[/caption] Images: Fiora Sacco
One room. One table. Twenty seats. And an ever-evolving set menu of modern Australian dishes. That's what you can expect from The Farmhouse. But there's much more to this beloved Rushcutters Bay restaurant. With a name like The Farmhouse, there's a risk that the restaurant will lean heavily on the kitsch. You know, lame 'Love lives here' signs and faux-distressed furniture and a real meat-and-three-veg approach to the food. This isn't the case here. The rustic farmhouse theme is certainly evident, but it has the refinement of an inner city fine diner. Co-owners Nick Gurney, Aidan Thomas and Brodie Stewart are responsible for the fit-out, which involves a single room with high wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls and a single communal table. Here, 20 guests per sitting (6.00pm and 8.30pm) enjoy their five-course set menu. Said menu changes constantly — the kitchen changes half every fortnight, which means you could dine there once a month and never eat the same thing twice. As with many high end restaurants, it reads as deceptively simple: whole roasted Bannockburn chicken with cauliflower and cheddar; Spencer Gulf calamari and scallop with parnsip; Cowra lamb rump with mozart potatoes and kombu butter. Notice something else? Yep, there is a drive to sustainably source from local producers. The idea of having a meal while sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers may not sound enticing to all (introverts), but the cosy vibes, good food and excellent wine (all Australian and French) will quickly change your mind. It's like having a dinner party with a bunch of strangers — but none of you have to lift a finger.
As so many excellent documentaries have before it, Baby God tells a tale so astonishing it can only be true. It also steps through a story that's harrowing, horrifying and downright nightmarish. For more than three decades, couples eager to start a family went to Dr Quincy Fortier, seeking his help to have children when they couldn't conceive. Alas, the Las Vegas-based fertility specialist assisted them in a thoroughly unwanted way: by secretly inseminating women hoping to become mothers with his own sperm. Directed and produced by documentarian Hannah Olson (whose next project is about the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its COVID-19 outbreak), Baby God really has to be seen to be believed. It dives into shocking circumstances, and isn't always easy to watch as a result, but it's gripping from start to finish. Olson explores her subject's history and the details of his crimes, and also surveys the aftermath through his biological children.
From tomorrow, Monday, August 3, the NSW Government is strongly recommending Sydneysiders wear face masks as the state is at "high risk" with increased community transmission and the high number of cases in bordering Victoria. At a press conference today, Sunday, August 2, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks should be worn in four key situations: if you're in an enclosed space and can't social distance, such as at a supermarket or on public transport; if you're working a customer-facing job, such as hospitality or retail; if you're attending a place of worship; and if you're in an area where there is high levels of community transmission. "I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales," the Premier said. The Premier also said that wearing a mask does not replace other hygiene and social distancing measures, but is a "fourth line of defence". "The first line of defence is that if you even have the slightest symptoms, or you have been asked to get tested, get tested and stay isolated for 14 days," the Premier said. "Secondly, you have to socially distance, whatever you are — 1.5 metres — no exceptions for anybody... [and] you have to keep up your hand hygiene." The announcement comes as NSW records 12 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Saturday, August 1, with one of those a returned traveller in hotel quarantine. A number of COVID-19 clusters have been recorded in suburbs across Sydney, with 98 cases linked to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, 57 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel and 24 to Potts Point, as of Saturday, August 1. NSW Health is continuing to update a list of venues linked to positive cases here and its map of cases by postcode over here. Woolworths and Bunnings have already strongly recommended its NSW customers wear face masks, with Bunnings requiring its staff at stores within the state to wear them from tomorrow. If you don't have a mask, Victoria's Department of Health has put together a handy step-by-step guide for how you can make your own — or you can order custom one with your pet's face on it. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
When Cleveland's opened way back in 2012, the hybrid shop was still a bit of novelty. And, in the case of this teeny space next to the Norfolk Hotel, the hybrid was coffee and a haircut. The joint venture by barista Harry Levy and professional hairdresser Patrick Casey meant you could visit for a Little Marionette coffee and brekkie or a haircut and beard trim — or both. But as more and more 'slash' venues opened across the city (hairdresser/bar, bar/record store, cafe/bike shop), something has become very clear: you have to be committed to doing both things well or it doesn't work. So it's of little surprise that when the original stepped away and hairstylist Kim took control of the scissors, the cafe side of things was wound down. Cleveland's Salon and Cafe is now Cleveland's Hair Atelier, and the focus is 100-percent on hair. Men, women and non-binary folk are all encouraged to pop in for a premium salon experience, be it for a tint, treatment or trim. Refreshments aren't completely off the cards — you'll score a complimentary coffee, tea, beer, wine or whisky on your visit. It's a variety befitting the late operating hours — it's open till 10pm some evenings.
When most people think about Mardi Gras, the parade is the first thing that comes to mind. But there's plenty more on offer and this year's 'fearless' program is chockers with new and returning events. Along with the permanent return of Taylor Square's rainbow crossing, there are over 100 parties, shows, and late-night shindigs happening around Sydney between February 15 and March 3. We've picked just nine that partygoers, art connoisseurs, and music fans can all get excited about.
2021 isn't over just yet, and none of us have worked through all the new shows currently sitting in our streaming queues. Still, 2022 is already shaping up to be a huge year in television. Stranger Things will finally return, for instance, and The Crown will also unleash its new cast. Oh, and HBO will debut a little prequel to one of its biggest hits ever. Given how successful Game of Thrones proved for HBO — even after its eighth and final season caused plenty of uproar — the on-screen world inspired by George RR Martin's books was never going to simply disappear. Indeed, before GoT even finished, there was chatter about what would come next, with the network first announcing that it was considering five different prequel ideas. It then green-lit one to pilot stage, scrapped it and later decided to adapt Martin's House Targaryen-focused Fire & Blood for the small screen as a show called House of the Dragon. Next, it opted to give novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg the TV treatment, too, and to work on an animated GoT show. And, it's been reported that another three prequels are also under consideration. Of course, all of the above announcements have been happening for so long that it's easy to forget that new GoT-related fare will eventually grace the small screen — starting next year. Although an exact premiere date hasn't yet been announced, we won't merely be talking about House of the Dragon in 2022. We'll also be watching its ten-episode first season. And, thanks to the just-dropped teaser trailer for the series, we can get a glimpse of what's in store right now. HBO released a few images from the show earlier this year, but now they've gone one better. Yes, dragons are mentioned. Yes, everyone looks suitably broody. Yes, the Iron Throne shows up, because of course it does. While the trailer really is just a teaser, viewers can expect to spend more time with flame-breathing scaly creatures and the family that adores them when House of the Dragon arrives in 2022. If you thought the Targaryens were chaotic already, delving into their history — and their love of using dragons to wage wars and claim power — is certain to cement that idea. We all know what happened to the last surviving members of the family in GoT, including Daenerys and her boyfriend/nephew Jon Snow; however, House of the Dragon, like Fire & Blood, jumps back 300 years earlier. Cast- and character-wise, House of the Dragon stars Emma D'Arcy (Misbehaviour) as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the first-born child of King Viserys; Matt Smith (His House) as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the King's brother; Rhys Ifans (Official Secrets) as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King; Olivia Cooke (Pixie) as Alicent Hightower, Otto's daughter; and Steve Toussaint (It's a Sin) as Lord Corlys Velaryon, aka 'The Sea Snake', a nautical adventurer from a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. These Westerosi folk will all grace a tale that harks back to Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of the Seven Kingdoms — which is what started the hefty 738-page first volume in Fire & Blood's planned two-book series — and then works through the family's history from there. Aegon I created the Iron Throne, hence the returning favourite's prominence. And you don't have to be the Three-Eyed Raven to know that this tale involves plenty of GoT's staples: fighting, battles for supremacy and bloodshed. Also set to pop up on-camera: Paddy Considine (The Third Day) as King Viserys, Eve Best (Nurse Jackie) as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon and Sonoya Mizuno (Devs) as Mysaria, Prince Daemon's paramour. Behind the scenes, Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal are acting as the series' showrunners. Sapochnik has a hefty GoT history, winning an Emmy and a Directors Guild Award for directing 'Battle of The Bastards', helming season eight's 'The Long Night', and doing the same on four other episodes. As for Condal, he co-created and oversaw recent sci-fi series Colony, and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2018 film Rampage. Check out the first teaser trailer below: House of the Dragon is due to start airing sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Images: Ollie Upton/HBO.
Sydney Festival is heading over the hill this year and what better way to celebrate than with 40 portraits of the event's movers and shakers. Created by London-based Eva Vermandel, this stunning collection of images will hang at UNSW Galleries for the festival. And it's not just the big guns who'll be getting the attention. When we say movers and shakers, we mean all the folk who make things happen — from the likes of Kate Champion and David Byrne to volunteers, staff and audience members. After all, there'd be no places for artists to strut their stuff without those invisible-fairy-people who set up fences, ferry food and drinks about, and sell you those must-have tickets.
Whether you're keen on an after-work drink, a bite to eat, an excuse to catch up with your mates or some live tunes, everything goes better with a view. That's one of the main ideas behind The Garden Social, the new summer event hosted in The Domain by the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney — and popping up every Wednesday–Sunday between January 13–February 7. Taking over The Domain's Tarpeian Precinct, the event features a vantage that'll see you peering out at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Yep, that's a classic Sydney backdrop. You can say cheers to it with drinks from the bar — and from a dedicated Fever-Tree Ultimate Gin and Tonic Bar, too. Obviously, G&Ts are on the menu there. Food-wise, food trucks will be serving up an array of dishes, including from Urban Pasta, Agape, Rolling Schnitzel, Burgers G-Dup, JR Korean Chicken and Birdman. Or, you can opt for gelato and churros if you're after something sweet. Also, to set the mood, you can listen to a jazz, classical and contemporary soundtrack provided by musicians from the Conservatorium of Music. Entry is free, with The Garden Social running from 5–9pm Wednesday–Friday, from 11am–9pm every Saturday and from 11am–3pm each Sunday.
There's a film festival for everything these days, so it seems, but few offer cinematic treats of the truly weird, wonderful and WTF variety. That's where the Sydney Underground Film Festival comes in, serving up a feast of film delicacies unlikely to be seen elsewhere — and not just likely but actively striving to make jaws drop in astonishment. Now in its seventh year, and forging ahead thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier in 2014, SUFF boasts an enticing mix of boundary-pushing genre fare, provocative documentaries, experimental efforts and just general freaked-out film fun. From September 4–7, the festival takes over The Factory Theatre, Marrickville for four days of movie madness and once again adventurous audiences are spoiled for choice. https://youtube.com/watch?v=TJew_11l6n8 OPENING NIGHT FILM + PARTY: HOUSEBOUND Opening night picks aren't always indicative of a film festival's overall vibe, but Housebound promises to set a pleasingly playful tone in one of SUFF's many programming coups. A hit at SXSW and the Melbourne International Film Festival, ranking third in the latter's audience awards, the New Zealand horror-comedy mixes the tried-and-tested genre trope of the haunted house with an offbeat sense of humour and off-kilter mother-daughter hijinks. Think spookiness, silliness and a smile-inducing example of combining laughs and scares. There's more than just a film on offer, too — opening night also features pizza, drinks, and a performance by Renny Kodgers. https://youtube.com/watch?v=B6fyb8vW6Y8 THE GREEN INFERNO Every underground film festival needs a little bit of cannibalism, and at SUFF, that requisite dose of flesh-eating comes from Eli Roth. He had fun with the creepy cabin cliche in Cabin Fever, made audiences think twice about overseas backpacking holidays with Hostel, and ranked amongst Quentin Tarantino's Nazi-hunting brigade in Inglourious Basterds — and now he takes on infamous Italian effort Cannibal Holocaust. Part homage, part comedic spin on the age-old tourists in trouble storyline, The Green Inferno is born of the filmmaker's obvious affection for the history of the genre. The screening at SUFF also marks perhaps the only opportunity in Australia to see the film on the big screen. https://youtube.com/watch?v=9hFg-_SESpo THE DOG Dog Day Afternoon is rightfully considered a cinema classic, the combination of Sidney Lumet's direction and Al Pacino and John Cazale's performances producing one of the best works of their respective careers. The story the film relates, of a bank-robbing crook caught in a standoff with police after attempting to steal cash for his wife's gender reassignment surgery, is memorable — but what about the story behind the story? Focusing on John Wojtowicz's actual escapades, The Dog tells the true tale, as shared with documentarians Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren over several years. There's fact, there's fiction, and then there's an account of events so crazy and chaotic that it can only stem from reality. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RdFu2jd6Y3E WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Sion Sono's anarchic ode to all things film has done the festival rounds for more than a year; indeed, the Japanese director's next feature, Tokyo Tribe, is about to start doing the same thing. Any chance to see his joyful genre mash-up projected large within the darkened confines of a cinema, however, simply must be taken. There has never been a love letter to the mania of the movies quite like Why Don't You Play in Hell?, nor will there be again; the gleefully rebellious effort offers a fun and frenetic feat unlikely to ever be repeated. That the narrative concerns a filmmaking collective called The Fuck Bombers as they become ensconced in a Yakuza war gives just a taste of the mirthful mayhem. https://youtube.com/watch?v=PdfL_MvOT8U WETLANDS A teen sex comedy swimming in bad behaviour and bodily fluids is nothing new, but this is no ordinary excursion through adolescent hormones. Wetlands is based on the cult German-language novel by author Charlotte Roche, a book deemed so disgusting that letters pleaded for it never to be made into a movie — and it is one such protest that introduces David Wnendt's big screen adaptation. The film's focus on a spirited female protagonist — the pithy Helen (Carla Juri) — offers one obvious point of departure from the norm; howeverc it is its valuing of honesty amongst its overt comedy that proves its most refreshing aspect. Closing out SUFF in sticky style, Wetlands will certainly spark many a post-screening conversation. SUFF runs from September 4-7 at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Check out the festival website for the full program.
When it comes to costumes, there are a few simple rules. Have fun. Be creative. Don't act like a twit. Unfortunately, some people still have trouble with that last one, with Native American headdresses and other culturally inappropriate garments still an all too common sight at festivals and dress-up parties alike. Thankfully, the team at Sydney's Secret Garden is here to clear up the confusion. Ahead of next weekend's festivities, they've released a short, helpful video about their costume policy, which you can check out below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ9Bhv1iJAk "Our happy place is in some elaborate costume, with a face full of glitter," festival director Clare Downes told Concrete Playground. "There are a ridiculous amount of costume ideas out there. We just want to make sure everyone feels welcome." Secret Garden takes place February 24-25, but bad luck if you don't have tickets because they're sold out.
If you want to catch a bus in Sydney, the Opal card has been the main way to pay for your trip for a while now. But that's about to change. After rolling out card payments on light rail and ferries back in March last year, and on trains in November, Transport for NSW has announced that contactless card payments — and devices that have the service enabled — will be rolled out across all Sydney buses this August. Yep, you can leave your Opal in your wallet/on your desk/down the side of the couch — with this new technology, you can just tap your card or phone (Visa, Mastercard and American Express are all accepted in credit or debit) right onto the regular Opal scanners. Doing this will charge you for an Adult Opal single trip ticket, and if you use the same card each time you travel, the daily, weekly and Sunday caps will automatically be applied to your fare. It's expected that all buses will be able to accept credit and debit cards by the end of September. In another win for commuters, other fare discounts will now be available on all credit card transport payments for the first time, too. Which means if you transfer between services, travel off-peak, usually qualify for the Weekly Travel Reward (where, after eight trips in a week, you get half-price fares) you'll get those discounts on your credit card across the train, light rail, ferry and bus network (when the latter is rolled out, of course). Moving away from dedicated transport cards — or adding other payment options — will make things easier for tourists and travellers (and people who, god forbid, leave their Opal at home), who shouldn't have to buy a new piece of plastic just to catch a bus or train (or pay extra for a paper ticket if they don't) when they're visiting. However, if we're moving towards a contactless future, ensuring the new system remains accessible for anyone that doesn't have a smartphone, smartwatch or bank card remains a concern. Contactless and credit card payments will be rolled out across Sydney buses from August, and it's expected all buses will accept it by the end of September. Top image: Stephen Rees via Flickr. Updated: August 29, 2019.
Are you the kind of person who starts plotting your next meal before you've even finished the last? Love eating more than anything else? Well, you can get right to the guts of our global food obsession when the Sydney Opera House streams its 2018 chat with culinary legend Nigella Lawson. Streaming at 3pm AEST on Sunday, April 19, the talk has a fitting topic of conversation: home cooking. Lawson's Aussie visit followed the publication of her book At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking, which celebrates the joys of comfort food. The famed cook will be in conversation with SBS Food Safari's Maeve O'Meara and they'll be discussing everything from frozen peas to food trends. One of the most successful food writers of all time, cooking up more than ten million book sales worldwide with her 11 culinary bibles, Lawson started out as a book reviewer and restaurant critic, going on to become the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times. She is responsible for numerous award-winning books, including How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigella Bites and At My Table. The talk is part of the Sydney Opera House's three-month digital program From Our House to Yours, with free content streamed nightly from Wednesday–Sunday. While you wait for the full talk to stream on Sunday, you can watch some highlights below. https://youtu.be/P-Ua3wrT3o8
A bar that celebrates tequila and recycling? Colour us intrigued! The festive season is full of joy but we all know the pang of guilt you experience while jamming a kilogram of paper and plastic waste into the bin after unwrapping the pressies. Australia's waste generation is projected to increase by 50% over the coming weeks so tequila brand 1800 Tequila has teamed up with Aussie artists and Clean Up Australia to raise awareness of that figure with The Recycled Bar, a temporary pop-up bar created entirely from recycled materials saved from landfill. The bar is open now and can be found on the Tarpeian Lawn in Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens in the back of a three-tonne truck. Everything – from the walls, bar, tables and chairs to the coasters and glassware is made by local independent artists using recycled materials. Prolific Sydney artist James Dive (the man behind highly visible works like ANZ's famous Mardi Gras 'GayTMs') designed the bar to highlight Australia's growing waste crisis. So is the menu: it's inspired by preserving fresh produce and offers a range of tasty low-waste cocktails and zero-waste canapés. So why are you still here? Head to the website to book a ticket to experience what a circular waste economy looks like. It's open today and tomorrow from 2-8pm.
Whether you're heading south from Brisbane or north from Sydney, a small patch of northern New South Wales boasts your next boozy road-trip destination: Husk Farm Distillery. Located on the Tweed River at North Tumbulgum, less than half an hour's drive over the Queensland–NSW border and only 45 minutes from Byron Bay, this quiet estate whips up agricole rum at its onsite distillery — and features views across the Tweed Valley over to Mt Warning to soak in as well. Given the leafy surroundings, it won't come as a surprise to hear that Husk Farm is a paddock-to-bottle operation — Australia's first in the agricole rum realm, in fact. Focusing on sustainability, the 60-hectare site grows its own raw materials for its tipples, which includes Ink Gin as well. What isn't used in making booze is then fed to the farm's herd of cattle, and what they don't eat is used as compost on the 12-hectare rainforest. Freshly opened to the public, the distillery also features a cellar door, cocktail bar and cafe, plus an area for lawn games. That means that you can take a 45-minute tour from Wednesday–Sunday — which costs $35 and include a gin and tonic on arrival, as well a rum tasting flight at the end — then sip cocktails, nab a bottle to take home with you, tuck into a snack and relax. Beverage-wise, the cocktail list will change seasonally, not only heroing Husk's spirits but blending them with native bush food as well as locally growth produce. Think roasted wattle seed, flamed lemon myrtle and lilly pilly flavours, in concoctions such as the Husk, Finger Lime and Soda, Flamin' Myrtle, and cane honey and grapefruit-heavy winter Sun. As for the food, three types of grazing boards, marinated olives, dips and breads, a daily selection of baguettes, and a range of cakes and cookies are on offer.
Based on the classic novel by Jack Kerouac, On The Road follows Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), an aspiring New York writer, and Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a young and dangerously seductive ex-con, as they hit the road in pursuit of freedom and life's greatest teacher: experience. Directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) and starring Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Steve Buscemi, the film is in cinemas from September 27. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see On The Road. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Rumbling through the streets of Sydney's city and inner western suburbs, you might have spotted a bright red bus adorned with a pop-culture mural. That'd be Frank's Original Philly Cheesesteak & Dogs, the latest venture from local restaurateur Antonio Tarzia. Back in 2012 while living in Philadelphia, the home of the cheesesteak, Tarzia was struck by the community's love for the cheesy roll that first created by Italian immigrants back in the 1930s. Given Australia's recent obsession with burgers and deep fried chicken, Tarzia wanted to give his hometown another North American late-night food alternative. "Antonio wanted to bring this to Australia as an Italian-American alternative to a kebab," says Frank's co-owner Carmelina Catanzariti. "And the response has been phenomenal." The first Frank's store opened in Wetherill Park in July 2017 – right next door to Tarzia and Catanzariti's restaurant Grano and cafe The Factoria. Just ten months later, Frank's went mobile with the addition of the vintage Mercedes bus. There are also plans in the works to open a second Sydney storefront and expand to Melbourne by year's end. Philly cheesesteaks are serious business in the States, and Tarzia and Catanzariti wanted to make sure that everything was done the right way when bringing the concept to Australia. While they use premium Australian rib eye for the steak, a great cheesesteak also relies on its bread and cheese. Frank's imports the original hoagie rolls direct from Philadelphia, while also flying in the infamous Cheez Whiz straight from the USA. On the menu, the signature sandwich is the mushroom cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and onion. You'll also find hot dogs and trumped up cheesesteaks such as the Pizza Cheesesteak, which adds mushrooms, peppers and bolognese sauce to the mix. Staying true to the American fast food mantra, you'll also find loaded fries and deep fried Oreos on the menu, too. Keep an eye on Frank's Facebook and Instagram to find out where the bus is setting up shop next, or visit the permanent shopfront at 1003 Canley Vale Road, Wetherill Park.
Brain freeze or caffeine hit? Sweet, sweet sugar in ice-cold slushie form, or a soul-warming cup of joe? Sydneysiders, you have an important decision to make on Tuesday, November 7: would you like a free slurpee or a free coffee? Pay particular attention to the date, not just to put in your calendar, but to explain why you're scoring freebies. It couldn't be the more perfect time for 7-Eleven giveaways, on a day that the convenience store chain has dubbed 7-Eleven Day — and the celebrations will be running at the brand's 740 stores Australia-wide. Here's how it works: head to a 7-Eleven store all day — so, from 12.01am–11.59pm —then purchase anything other than tobacco or tobacco-related products to receive your choice of either a free regular coffee or a large slurpee. In more great news for your wallet, you can spend as little as 25 cents on a lollipop or 50 cents on a chocolate to still score a free drink.
Music festivals are back, following a chaotic couple of years for reasons that we all know and lived through. That's great news in general — and particularly ace news if you've been hanging out for the return of Listen Out, which hits Sydney's Centennial Park on Saturday, October 1. Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival will make a huge comeback for its first gigs since 2019, complete with a hefty lineup led by Disclosure and The Jungle Giants. Also on the bill: everyone from BARKAA and Electric Fields to BBNO$ and Tove Lo. [caption id="attachment_626784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] The lineup goes on — however, in just as excellent news, Sydney's leg is also timed across the October long weekend. Spending a day dancing in a crowd, then still having two days off afterwards? That's the perfect way to dive back into festival life. LISTEN OUT 2022 LINEUP: 24kGOLDN AJ Tracey BARKAA BBNO$ Blanke Bru-C Central Cee Chris Lake Culture Shock Dameeeela Disclosure Electric Fields James Hype JID The Jungle Giants Kito Louis The Child LP Giobbi Meduza Memphis LK Miiesha Nia Archives Pirra Pretty Girl Qrion Stace Cadet and KLP Roddy Ricch Tove Lo Trippie Red
Landlocked surfers of Melbourne, rejoice — Australia's first surf park is finally filled with water and almost ready to start makin' waves. And it's a lot closer to the city than Torquay or the Peninsula. Urbnsurf Melbourne will open in Tullamarine, near the airport, just 16-kilometres north of the CBD. Plans for the park first surfaced way back in 2016 and, while the team was initially hoping for a spring opening, Urbnsurf has today revealed that the park is now filled with water, will start pumping out surf in the coming weeks and is set to open its doors to the public by summer this year. At the moment, the site is a very still lagoon — but when it opens, the two-hectare space will power up to 1000 waves per hour, day and night. And you'll get a choice of waves. Want to ride nothing but perfectly-formed right-handers for an hour? Or would you prefer a random selection, like what you'd experience in the ocean? You'll be able to take your pick. According to Urbnsurf founder Andrew Ross, "every wave has six different take-off spots", which equates to 3600 surfable positions every hour. [caption id="attachment_744979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy Urbnsurf and Ed Sloane[/caption] So how does it work? Basically, the waves come from an 85-metre pier that runs down the centre of the lagoon. A series of pistons located on the pier then push the water to the left, then to the right, to create the waves. Ross likens the movement to "moving your hand back and forward like a shark's tail". The ability to create waves means that the park will be built for both pros who are looking for steep, barrelling waves and novices looking for a safe place to get their start in the surf. At Urbnsurf, Ross predicts, most novices will stand on their board within an hour and ride across the green face within two. And not only will you get guaranteed waves — you won't be fighting for them. The park holds 84 riders per hour. And, should you get seriously hooked, you'll be able to enter amateur competitions, maybe with (or against) your mates. If you need a break between sessions on the water, Urbnsurf will also be home to hot tubs, beach cabanas and a new two-storey restaurant by the owners of Sydney's Three Blue Ducks. And it's hoping to host a heap of live gigs, art shows and cultural experiences, too — we'll let you know when any are announced. If you're not in Melbourne, you'll be happy to know that a second Urbnsurf is set to open at Sydney Olympic Park in 2021. Urbnsurf is due to open in this summer near Melbourne Airport. You can sign up to test out the surf park before it opens on the website. Images: Courtesy Urbnsurf and Ed Sloane
Hip hop used to be associated with overt displays of machismo, but there has been a steady evolution since those days. Arguably, this advancement and modernisation is represented nowhere better than with the rise to prominence of Cakes Da Killa. Originating on New York's queer rap scene, Cakes Da Killa has earned plaudits for his fusion of hip hop, house and dance over the last decade, alongside acts such as Mykki Blanco and Le1f. With the beats from his latest album, Killa Essentials (2021), in tow, the game-changing creative's impending trip to Sydney is sure to bring an unforgettable evening to Oxford Art Factory. Images: Ebru Yildiz
A new COVID-19 support package has been announced this afternoon to include more small businesses and sole traders impacted by Sydney's lockdown. On Tuesday, July 13 NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced financial support would be extended to more small businesses, including businesses with an annual turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 a year and sole traders. The announcement follows a petition launched by Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully advocating for further support measures for small businesses. The first phase of government grants were only available to businesses with an annual turnover of more than $75,000. Under the new system, businesses impacted by lockdown with a turnover of over $30,000 and a payroll of under $10 million are eligible for financial support. Microbusinesses with a turnover between $30,000 to $75,000 that have seen a loss of revenue of at least 30 percent are eligible for up to $1500 a fortnight, applicable from the beginning of lockdown. Sole traders will be eligible for up to $1000. Treasurer Perrottet urged businesses to do their best not to lay off staff or reduce hours during Sydney's lockdown. "We will come out the other side with a few scrapes but more determined than ever," said Perrottet. [caption id="attachment_813312" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heather Liddell[/caption] Individuals will also receive greater financial support through lockdown, as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The joint plan between the federal and state governments means individuals who have lost between eight and 20 hours of work due to stay-home orders can access recurring payments of $375 a week. Those who have lost more than 20 hours can access payments of up to $600 through Services Australia. Applications for small business grants will be open via Service NSW from Monday, July 19 and applications for individuals will open via Services Australia from tomorrow, Wednesday July 13. The new co-funded Federal and New South Wales financial support package was announced amidst fears Sydney's lockdown will extend well past this Friday, July 16. It follows this morning's announcement of 89 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales. More information on business support will become available at the Service NSW website and on individual support at the Services Australia website. Top image: Arvin Prem Kumar
For almost two weeks now, Greater Sydney residents have become reacquainted with every nook and cranny in their house — as have folks who live in the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong. And, that isn't set to change any time soon, with New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing today, Wednesday, July 7, that the regions' lockdown will be extended until midnight on Friday, July 16. This is the second time that the stay-at-home conditions have been extended during the current outbreak. On Friday, June 25, four Local Government Areas in Sydney went into lockdown, before the entire Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong region followed the next day. The requirement to remain at home was originally put in place until Friday, July 9; however, the Premier has now advised that the NSW Government has "made the difficult decision to announce the extension of the lockdown and the existing restrictions in the regions for one week further." Announcing the news, Premier Berejiklian said that "this Delta strain is a game changer. It is extremely transmissible and more contagious than any other virus — form of the virus that we've seen." She continued: "the reason why the NSW Government has taken this position is because we don't want to be in a situation where we are constantly having to move between lockdown, no lockdown, lockdown, no lockdown. What we want to do is give us our best chance of making sure this is the only lockdown we have until the vast majority of our citizens are vaccinated. We know the vaccine is the key to our freedom. The vaccine is key to saving lives and keeping the economy open. We appreciate and understand the stress this means for individuals, for families and, of course, for businesses — but what would be far worse is being in a situation where you have to live in and out of lockdown until that period of time when we have the vaccine available to us." New South Wales reported 28 new COVID-19 cases, 27 of them acquired locally, in the 24 hours until 8pm yesterday, Tuesday, July 6. The Premier also noted that a number of cases have been identified overnight as well, and that tomorrow's case number is likely to be higher than today's. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1412577131339468806 So, everyone in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong remains under the same conditions that've been in effect for the past fortnight — and were in effect when the state went into lockdown back in March 2020. That means that you can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors in groups of ten or fewer; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. Otherwise, everyone must stay at home. That said, there are no restrictions on when you can go shopping or go out for exercise, and there's no curfew. The Premier did single out the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool Local Government Areas, which is where the majority of new cases have been concentrated, and advised that folks in these three spots really should not leave the house — or, if case numbers rise, the government will consider taking further actions in these LGAs. Throughout all of the areas remaining in lockdown, retail stores can stay open, but people are only permitted to go out for essential buying — not to browse or loiter. Hospitality businesses can open for takeaway and deliveries only. Weddings are still off the cards, but funerals can go ahead — with a maximum of 100 attendees and density caps of one person per four-square-metres indoors. As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. All of Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong will remain under stay-at-home orders from 11.59pm on Friday, July 16. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Having already wowed the Sydney fine dining scene with the two-hatted Bentley and the one-hatted Monopole, unstoppable duo Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt are about to realise another dream. Today they're opening their new French-style bistro, Yellow, in Potts Point's iconic Yellow House. Driven by a bistronomy approach, the eatery will combine bistro decor with quality cuisine. Fresh, seasonal produce in atmospheric surroundings is the order of the day. There'll be seating for 60, as well as an intimate bar and an outdoor area. “We have been dreaming of opening a French-style bistro for a number of years and we’re thrilled to be bringing the concept to life in Potts Point,” explains Savage. “We feel as though we’ve now encompassed all fields, with Bentley as our restaurant, Monopole as our wine bar and Yellow as our bistro offering. “With Monopole just up the road, we know the locals and visiting diners are food and wine lovers. Yellow is a neighbourhood bistro, easy to drop into any night of the week but with a strong focus on innovative food. Of course, Nick has had fun with the wine list, too.” Entrees include roasted heirloom carrots with spiced crumb and sweet cicely, and slow-cooked ocean trout with young onions, fennel and almonds. Top-tipped mains are lamb belly with broadbean shoots, celery and purslane, and Cape Grim sirloin with mustard leaves and green sauce, while headlining dessert is chocolate parfait with raspberry sorbet. Savage and Hildebrandt have once again called on the talents of Melbourne designer Pascale Gomes-McNabb, who took care of both the Bentley and Monopole. Diners can expect more of her renowned, ultra-atmospheric lighting techniques and idiosyncratic dashes of bright colour. Back in the '70s, when Potts Point was the vibrant centre of the Sydney arts scene, Yellow House was an artists' collective, where the likes of Martin Sharp, Brett Whiteley, Greg Wait, Peter Weir and George Gittoes lived, worked and covered the walls, floors and ceilings in masterpieces. The rumour goes that it was also the likely home of Australia's first ever 24 hour-long 'Happening'. Yellow is at 57-59 Macleay Street, Potts Point. It is open for dinner seven nights and all day on weekends.
Think your old rusty bicycles belong in the dumpster? Think again. Yes, that old bike can indeed be reincarnated if it falls in the right hands. Carolina Fontoura Alzaga's hands to be exact. Alzaga transforms bicycle chains into beautifully rustic looking chandeliers. Her passion is repurposing castoff materials, and she does it well. Since medieval times, chandeliers have been used as elaborate decorations associated with wealth and power. Alzaga shatters this concept with her warm and elegant designs. Using aspects of her cultural past from Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S., she is able to create unique and appealing artwork. She aims to combine the idea of discarded and forgotten items with the power and influence associated with chandeliers. Using her creativity and visions of a healthier planet, she gives 'trash' a second chance. Below is a video that describes Alzaga's mission to preserve our world. You can order your own chandelier here. Alzaga handcrafts each one upon order. Take a look at these pieces from her ongoing series titled CONNECT.
Sydney's lockout laws have kept the city talking since they were first announced — and they'll continue to do so on February 18. After their last rally was stopped at the last minute due to a Supreme Court ruling, Keep Sydney Open's new and third anti-lockouts protest will take place from 12pm. "We are announcing that the rally will go ahead at a later date, and it will be bigger, louder and stronger than the one originally scheduled," said KSO in a statement, which also highlights a second reason for the peaceful gathering. "This time we're not just protesting to draw attention to the lockouts, but we're fighting for our very right as citizens of NSW to gather on the streets and express ourselves politically." Included on the bill for the event, which will take place at Martin Place, are a host of passionate voices. Join GANGgajang, Montaigne, Hugo Gruzman from Flight Facilities, FBi Radio DJs Adi Toohey and Andy Garvey, Isabella Manfredi from The Preatures, Liberal City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster and Alex Greenwich MP — and, because sustenance is important, Gelato Messina and Wholly Schnit as well. Further details, including a venue, have yet to be revealed, but yesterday's cancelled event was due to team up with Sydney's ARIA-winning duo Flight Facilities. As fans would know, Flight Facilities invo Flight Facilities has been continually outspoken in their opposition to the lockouts. After all, the duo played some of its first gigs after 3am at now-closed Kings Cross venues, including Hugo's, Soho, Tank Room and the Piano Room. Flight Facilities were included in a group of artists commemorated recently in a KSO project, which paid tribute to closed Sydney venues and the artists who cut their teeth there. Flight Facilities have long been associated with Kings Cross's now-closed Piano Room, where Jimmy and Hugo met. While the most recent development regarding the lockouts saw three venues receive a 30-minute extension to current cutoff times, Keep Sydney Open does not see that as a viable solution. Instead, the organisation wants to work with the NSW Government to implement a seven-point plan, as follows: Developing best-practice policing strategies; Investing in 24/7 public transport; Implementing integrated urban planning reform; Encouraging diversification of after-dark activities; Establishing anti-violence education and intervention campaigns; Incentivising well-run venues; and Appointing a Night Mayor or office charged with managing Sydneyʼs night-time economy. "A 30-minute extension will not be enough to reverse the damage being done to the cultural areas and small businesses that make Sydney an exciting place to be," said Tyson Koh, director of Keep Sydney Open. "Itʼs barely enough time to line up for the bathroom or get a kebab. "For too long the debate about our city and how we live our lives has been dominated by misinformation and fear-mongering. We call on the lobby groups who support the lockout laws to enter the conversation about smart solutions, instead of clearing people off the streets." By Jasmine Crittenden and Sarah Ward. Image: Kimberley Low.
Unless you somehow haven't looked at a screen, billboard or newspaper in the past few weeks — or listened to the radio, heard any streaming ads or had a TV on in the background, either — you'll know that Black Friday is upon us for another year. Absolutely everything is on sale, or so it seems, including bargain holidays. Whether you're keen to explore Australian destinations or fancy a getaway further afield, Virgin's addition to the 2023 shopping frenzy has you covered. A whopping 500,000 fares are currently up for grabs as part of the airline's Black Friday, Bright Holidays sale, covering a heap of Aussie and international spots. Sticking with home turf, you can head to Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Hamilton Island, Alice Springs, Hobart and more. And, if you're eager to journey overseas, you can hit up Bali, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tokyo and Queenstown. One-way domestic fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. As always, that's cheapest route. Other discounted flights include Melbourne to Launceston from $59, Brisbane to either Cairns for $105 or Hamilton Island for $115, Adelaide to the Gold Coast from $125 and Perth to Hobart from $239. Internationally, the return deals start with Sydney to Queenstown from $435, Brisbane to Fiji from $509, Melbourne to Bali from $629 and Cairns to Tokyo from $679. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, there's a range of dates from Wednesday, January 10–Thursday, June 20, 2024, all varying depending on the flights and prices. As usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's discounted fares are now on offer until midnight on Tuesday, November 28 or sold out, whichever arrives first. Virgin's 2023 Black Friday, Bright Holidays sale runs until midnight AEST on Tuesday, November 28 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you didn't know that The Outsider was based on a book by Stephen King, you'd guess rather quickly during the show's first episode. A child is found dead, a town is understandably shocked and scandalised, and all of the evidence points detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) towards local Little League coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) — except that just as much evidence also shows that Terry was miles away at the time the murder took place. Throw in a strange hooded figure who keeps hanging around the Maitlands' house, plus a private detective (Cynthia Ervio) with preternatural deductive abilities, and The Outsider combines crime and horror in an instantly absorbing fashion. It's a must for King fans, whether you've read his 2018 novel or not. It's also absolutely essential for Mendo lovers, with the Aussie actor breaking away from his recent villainous blockbuster roles and putting in quite the performance.
Vivid Sydney today let loose their second major program announcement with their plans for Vivid Creative Sydney 2011. Creative Sydney will run from 30 May to 12 June, with over 50 global and local creative leaders coming together to explore the power of creative industries to transform society. And like everything else under the Vivid banner, it aims to bring the best of the world's ideas to Sydney and inspire the hell out of you. This year Creative Sydney is expanding to include more free sessions and for the first time a presence at the Opera House. The program includes short and snappy show and tell presentations, in-depth conversation sessions, and creative futures, where artists and entrepreneurs present their vision of the ideas that will shape society in the future. Over the next week the full range of live music showcases, debates, film screenings and parties will be unveiled, but already the lineup of speakers looks pretty awesome. Key speakers include Matthew Stinchcomb, EU director of Etsy, and will mark Etsy's first official engagement with their third largest market, and Fabian Rigall, founder of Future Shorts and Secret Cinema. Also lined up are Murray Bell and Andrew Johnstone, the founders of the internationally successful Semi-Permanent conferences, swimwear brand We Are Handsome and Ben Briand, winner of the Cannes Young Director Award and Best Narrative Video at the 2010 Vimeo Awards. Registration for the events opens 9am on Monday 2 May, and it's recommended you get in quickly with over 15,000 people expected to attend.
This November, you can score a bottle of vino for as little as $8.50 a pop thanks to Vinomofo's epic Black Friday Sale. Running from 10am Thursday, November 26 till 10am Monday, November 30, the sale will see up to 70 percent off a heap of local and international wines — and it'll all get delivered straight to your doorstep for free. If you haven't already heard the word, Vinomofo is an online wine-slinger for those who love wine, but without all the pretension that sometimes comes with viticulture. The Melbourne-based company delivers wine to thousands of people around the world — so it's safe to say it knows what it's doing when it comes to grape juice. The sale will include more than 100 wines, with Vinomofo adding additional daily wine deals over the weekend, too. Think delicate pinot noir, easy-drinking rosé, celebratory bottles of sparkling and full-bodied shiraz for a steal. And, to top it off, shipping for all orders purchased in that time period will be free. Score epic wine deals via Vinomofo's Black Friday Sale — for a limited time only.
Brogan Galceran – who goes by the stage name of Big Dumb Kid – has been pushing the boundaries of Australian hip hop since he first surfaced in 2011. One EP (Vanilla) and a debut album (Chocolate) later, he is hitting the road to launch his single, Somebody Else. The Sydney-based producer/rapper/singer has a penchant for dark, glitch pop rap songs tied together with colourful synth work. This unique brand of electronic/hip hopseparates him from his predecessors and has seen him receive plenty of attention on the airwaves. 2012 also saw the formation of Australian hip hop outfit Dead City Zens, which includes members from Old Men Of Moss Mountain, Deadbeat & Hazy and Subsketch. Supporting duties for the evening go to Rapaport,Subsketch and Future Love Hangover.
Before Cannes Palme d'Or-winning director Apichatpong Weerasethakul won one of cinema's most-coveted prizes for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives — and picked up prestigious awards at the same festival for Tropical Malady and Blissfully Yours before that, then went on to make his English-language debut with the Tilda Swinton (The Killer)-starring Memoria — the acclaimed Thai filmmaker initially hopped behind the camera for 2000's Mysterious Object at Noon. It was his first feature. It heralded the arrival of an exceptional new talent. At First Films, Sydneysiders can catch it on the big screen. When red carpets and whichever stars stroll around glitzy events monopolise the headlines, it can seem as if film festivals are all about the big end of town — aka the movies that'll hit a theatre near us all anyway, and the actors and directors that we all already know. That's one part of the cinema industry staple. Another far-more-crucial component is highlighting new voices and getting their impressive movies before audiences. That's the First Films format. Surry Hills' Golden Age Cinema and Bar launched its own film fest that's solely about debut movies in 2022. In 2024, it's back between Thursday, December 5–Sunday, December 8 to again celebrate new discoveries — and showcase a feature in Weerasethakul's first film that helps illustrate why debut stints behind the camera are worth cherishing. The fest opens with the already-soldout Go Fish, another rightly revered blast from the past, with a 4K restoration of Rose Troche's first film screening to mark the influential queer cinema title's 30th anniversary. Also on the six-movie program, All, Or Nothing at All from Jiajun 'Oscar' Zhang uses Shanghai's Global Harbor mall as its setting; Mountains follows a Haitian man in Miami, and won Monica Sorelle the Independent Spirit Awards' Someone to Watch Award; and Jazmin Renée Jones' documentary Seeking Mavis Beacon steps through the story of the model on the cover of 80s-era typing software. All three are Australian premieres. Making its Sydney debut, The Hidden Spring sees Jason Di Rosso from ABC Radio National's The Screen Show turn writer/director while musing on his father's terminal illness.
What's better than a film festival that brings the best and brightest new Japanese movies to Australian cinemas each year? One that also returns a few months later with a solely digital lineup that you can check out from your couch. Yes, after the IRL Japanese Film Festival last hit locations around the country in late 2021, it's now time for the Japanese Film Festival Online for 2022, aka your next excuse to indulge in your Japan obsession without hopping on a plane. This year's online program spans 17 films over two weeks, screening from Monday, February 14–Sunday, February 27. That gives you plenty of choices, plus ample time to catch comedies, mysteries, dramas, documentaries and more — some from the past year or two, others dating back to 2008. And, in particularly exceptional news, they're all streaming for free. Highlights include the food focused Mio's Cookbook and The God of Ramen, with the former offering up a period drama about a young chef and the latter honing in on famed Tokyo figure Kazuo Yamagishi; mystery Masked Ward, which unleashes its thrills and twists in a hospital; It's A Summer Film, about a high schooler obsessed with old samurai flicks; and comedy Happy Flight, as set during an emergency flight from Tokyo to Honolulu. While you won't pay a thing to watch, you do still need to register via the fest's website.
To celebrate the blockbuster summer exhibition, Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has teamed up with the pastry lords at Bourke Street Bakery to create a delectable homage to the great painter in the only way they know how, by creating a limited edition tart — because what better way to celebrate the Dutch master than with copious amounts of buttery deliciousness. The exhibition, which opens Saturday, November 11, will feature works by the 17th century's very own art MVPs like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Judith Leyster. According to exhibition researcher Josephine Touma this period in Dutch history marked "a complete boom in the art of painting like Europe had never known". The unique style of these artists was characterised by "an obsession with clarity and a kind of illusionism — a sense of bringing the real world to life". The works will celebrate the 'Golden Age' of the Dutch Republic, a particularly progressive period in Dutch history characterised by prosperity, innovation, science and a rising middle class who had stacks on stacks of cash to spend on art and a penchant for sugary, buttery delights. It was this precise combination of cultural confidence and wanton disregard for arterial health that bore some of the greatest artists of our time. These artists were obsessed with capturing the world around them with exquisite accuracy, unleashing their talented little art fingers on subject matter ranging from brooding portraits and sublime seascapes to intimate scenes of domestic life and, of course, vivid renditions of sumptuous feasts — Instagram food porn, eat your heart out. It goes without saying that creating a sugary homage to the masterpieces that have delighted gallery-goers for over 400 years is no easy task, especially when one is not even allowed to touch the paintings, much less taste them. So, when faced with the question of what flavour is Rembrandt, Bourke Street Bakery co-owner David McGuinness said, "at first we were working on something more visual. But food is best when you work with flavours, and at Bourke Street Bakery we never sacrifice flavour to make something pretty." After time spent experimenting with all sorts of visual approaches, David turned his focus to the history of Dutch flavours, particularly the burgeoning spice trade in the East. At the time, the Dutch exhibited their wealth by trading in rare spices, so David proposed reinterpreting the spekkoek, a type of spiced cake, in tart form. He made a custard flavoured with the spice mix of the cake and garnished the custardy delight with three different flavours of amoretti biscuits to add texture and act as a shout out to the OG inspiration. The limited edition tarts will be available in all Bourke Street Bakery stores for the duration of the exhibition, and let's face it, this is probably as close as you're ever going to get to having a Rembrandt in and around your mouth. Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum runs at AGNSW from Saturday, November 11 to Sunday, February 18, 2018. During the exhibition's run, get the Rembrandt tart at any Bourke Street Bakery around the city. And if you're after free tickets to the exhibition, enter the Art Gallery of NSW's Rembrandt tart competition. More info here.
Forget about taco Tuesday or margarita Monday. They're all well and good, but SoCal's annual taco and tequila festival is a huge six-day affair featuring back-to-back celebrations dedicated to Mexico's best-loved exports. And, it's returning for its third iteration, taking over the colourful North Shore spot from Monday, May 3–Saturday, May 8. On the Monday, you can settle into some live comedy and tequila cocktails, while Tuesday is serving up a $35 bottomless taco feast with $12 margaritas to match. Then there's a tequila cocktail masterclass on Wednesday, a chilli-eating competition spicing up the Thursday night, and a Friday fiesta that'll see you wrap up the work week with the help of live tunes, $10 margs, face painting and a few fiery rounds of taco roulette. But you'll want to save at least a little energy for the rollicking taco and tequila feast sending things off on Saturday, May 8. Alongside live entertainment and games, you'll get to experience the greatest hits from SoCal's new menu, with two dinner sittings available on the night. Book the first session (5–6pm) to enjoy a feasting menu and cocktail on arrival for $49, or grab an $89 ticket for the late edition (8.30–9.30pm), which'll also score you two hours of drinks.
