A fast-paced sashimi bar specialising in fresh, reasonably-priced seafood has landed on Campbell Parade from the creators of the seafood delivery service GetFish. The home delivery website has been running since 2018, providing Sydneysiders across the city with access to the plentiful offerings available at the Sydney Fish Market with the click of a button. Now, the owners have turned their attention to a bricks-and-mortar offering with the arrival of GetSashimi in Bondi. Open seven days a week, GetSashimi is providing eastern suburbs residents with the chance to grab a sushi- and sashimi-filled lunch, or pick up high-quality fresh seafood to take home and incorporate into their home cooking. As you enter, you'll be greeted with an eight-metre-long sashimi cabinet filled with tuna, scallops, oysters, abalone, salmon and everything in between. While the quality is top-notch, the price tag is reasonable. Highly in-demand fish like yellowfin tuna will only set you back $12.99 per 100 grams. There are plenty of sushi options including nigiri tuna belly, salmon raspberry gunkan maki, tuna rolls and tempura prawn rolls — plus a selection of poke bowls topped with salmon, tuna, kingfish or mixed sashimi. Order a to-go box of everything you want, or nab a spot at the 18-seat sashimi train-style dine-in setup and take your pick of the chef's selections for the day as they travel past you. Both GetFish and GetSashimi are the handiwork of entrepreneur Antonio Muollo, who founded the delivery company when he was just 19 years old. "I am excited to be offering something completely unique to the Sydney market and bringing the best produce from the Sydney Fish Markets straight to Bondi daily," says Muollo. GetSashimi is open 11am–9pm Monday–Sunday at 180 Campbell Parade, Bondi. For more information and to browse the menu, head to the venue's website.
A major architectural installation landed on Sydney's streets last month when local artist and architect Chris Fox unveiled Interchange Pavilion in South Eveleigh's Village Square. The striking 350-square-metre sculptural landmark acts as a focal point and public pavilion for the new dining precinct. In coming months, it'll also function as an amphitheatre for events. An award-winning artist, Fox is most recently known for his 2017 installation Interloop, which transformed the historic 1930s wooden escalators at Wynyard Station into a 50-metre artwork suspended above the York Street escalators. More generally, he's known for creating large-scale public installations that closely intertwine art and architecture. For Interchange Pavilion, Fox was inspired by the precinct's rail history, and the structure's shape mimics the geometry of a railroad switch. As such, the pavilion is meant to embody a meeting place where paths converge. It boasts built-in seating, a wide pathway and a glowing golden hue by night. The complex archway was building using 250 metres of stainless steel ground rails, 15 tonnes of robotically moulded glass, 1400 pieces of hardwood and over 1650 pieces of digitally fabricated aluminium. Yep, it's an impressive piece of work. The installation fits into a much larger public art program that's been curated by Carriageworks and commissioned by Mirvac for its huge new South Eveleigh project. Expect more sculptural and botanical installations to appear, too, with public works already installed by artist Jonathan Jones (in the Axle Building) and visual artist Nell (as part of Yerrabingin House). Also announced as part the new dining precinct is a mega-venue by The Grounds group and a Cantonese restaurant by Kylie Kwong — both slated for sometime in 2020. [caption id="attachment_782685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Raymond[/caption] Images: Josh Raymond
If laughter is the best medicine then you'll never find a better time to fall ill. From Monday, April 18, over 200 local and international comedians will descend upon the harbour city for the 12th annual Sydney Comedy Festival, ready to fill your prescription of chuckles, giggles and guffaws. Stretching across more than four weeks at venues all around Sydney from the Opera House to Parramatta, it's just what the doctor ordered. Of course, comedy is a notoriously hit-and-miss form of entertainment, so picking the right shows is key. Fortunately, the organisers at this year's festival have knocked the program out of the park. International stars including David O'Doherty, Ross Noble, Paul Foot and Sarah Callaghan will join local legends like Anne Edmonds, Demi Lardner, Michael Workman and Lawrence Leung. Alternatively, you could go and watch a bunch of people reading erotic fan fiction. The choice is entirely yours.
We can't think of a much better way to launch into the sunny season than a day spent on an island, gorging on delicious food and wine. With that we say bring on Wine Island 2019, which will take over Sydney's Clark Island for an indulgent weekend of wine tasting from November 1–3. As always, the well-loved food and wine festival promises a packed lineup, starting with the spritz you'll enjoy on the boatride over. The island itself is set up as the ultimate boozy adult playground, you'll be able to choose between the Rosé Imports' selection of pink drops from southern France, Jetty Road Brewery's cold beers, Brix Distillers' rum bar and Manly Spirits' many gin drinks. There'll also be a swag of masterclasses curated by the team at Wine Selectors, covering everything from the blind tastings to tongue twisters, and an espresso martini making session, too. Swing by the Napoleon Perdis Beauty Bar for a massage and a makeover or cruise the various wine stalls sampling a huge array of local and international drops — and enjoy some top-notch vino with even better views. And, to keep you fuelled for that big day of wine appreciation, expect food options galore, from oysters and cheese platters, to buns from your mates at Chur Burger. There are three Wine Island ticket packages available, starting with the $109 'five-star experience', which includes ferry transfers, five tastings, a souvenir tumbler and a spritz. Then there's the $209 'seven-star experience' — with more tastings, more food and a free massage — or, if you're feel extremely opulent, you can pay $299 and experience the whole thing from your own floating island, dubbed The Hamptons. Tickets go on sale at midday on Friday, August 9, with pre-sale from Wednesday, August 7 and group bookings from Thursday, August 1. Image two: Jack Toohey
That feeling when you walk into a florist — and your nose leaves the street and meets the fragrances of flowers — is a special one. And it's one you'll have at Buds & Bowers. You'll probably see it right near the corner of Crown and Foveaux streets as its flowers spill onto the sidewalk; inside, your eyes wander over the colours, shapes and scents of that day's market haul. Just tell the in-house florists how much you want to spend and they'll put together a bunch of natives for your workmate or a special arrangement for your mum — whatever you need. Images: Caitlin Morahan.
Every major exhibition gives art lovers two gifts: the joy of discovering what'll display on its walls and halls when that first announcement hits, and the thrill of actually seeing the end results IRL while wandering, peering and contemplating. With Boston Dynamics robot dogs, work by Yoko Ono, a collaboration with Paris haute couture house Schiaparelli, and Tokyo-based artist Azuma Makoto's room-sized tribute to plants all on the just-revealed NGV Triennial 2023 bill, that initial round of delights starts now. Since 2017, the Melbourne-based National Gallery of Victoria has hosted the art showcase every three years, with this upcoming summer's iteration from Sunday, December 3, 2023–Sunday, April 7, 2024 the third. Designed to provide a portrait of the world each time it is staged — if art trends and breakthroughs; the artists making them; and the themes, ideas and events they're responding to — each NGV Triennial delivers a hefty program. This time, there'll be 75 works from 100-plus artists, complete with more than 25 world-premiere projects, all tying into the themes of magic, matter and memory. [caption id="attachment_896126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Azuma Makoto, Block Flowers 2020 ©️ Azuma Makoto Courtesy the artist.[/caption] A big highlight: those mechanical pooches, who will also show off their very good painting skills. This clearly isn't Black Mirror, with Polish-born Agnieszka Pilat training the robot dogs to make art, which NGV Triennial attendees can then watch happen. They'll create a monolithic durational work, with Pilat exploring technology's power in modern life in the process. While attending NGV Triennial is free, you won't have to go inside the NGV International on St Kilda Road to see Yoko Ono's contribution. Drawing upon six decades making art, including her famed Instruction Pieces and major public art commissions, she's providing a large-scale text-based piece that'll display on the building's façade. [caption id="attachment_896130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Sheila Hicks's Nowhere to go 2022 at Off Grid, The Hepworth Wakefield, United Kingdom. Proposed acquisition, NGVWA.Courtesy the artist and Alison Jacques.[/caption] One of the joys of an exhibition like this is the sheer variety of works — although Schiaparelli's involvement would be a standout anyway. Artistic Director Daniel Roseberry is picking items from recent collections to display, plus a range of gilded surrealist accessories and body adornment. And, as well as showing his penchant for pushing boundaries and pairing art and fashion, there's set to be a celestial theme. Also immersive: Makoto's homage to nature, specifically plants and their magic, beauty and life force. The artist is freezing Australian flowers and botanicals into acrylic blocks, then combining them with a multi-screen film about the life and death of blooms. Yes, you'll be thinking about nature while you take it in. [caption id="attachment_896127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Shrigley, Really Good, 2016, bronze, 680 x 380 x 160 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London © David Shrigley. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2023.[/caption] Tracey Emin is also contributing a series of works, including five-metre-high text-based neon light installation based on the British artist's own handwriting. From Paris-based and American-born sculptor Sheila Hicks, Nowhere to Go will stack her blue-hued bulbous sculptures against a wall. Or, there's David Shrigley's Really Good — a seven-metre-high thumbs-up. Elsewhere, the massive one-hundred-metre-long woven fish fence, Mun-dirra, was made over two years by ten artists and their apprentices from the Burarra language group Maningrida, Arnhem Land — while large-scale commission Megacities is tasking ten street photographers to snap Cairo, Dhaka, Jakarta, Delhi, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Seoul, Lagos, Tokyo and Mexico City in all their urban glory. Don't miss Hugh Hayden's The end installation, which recreates a primary-school classroom but gets apocalyptic with branches and dodo skeletons. The full list of featured artists also spans Petrit Halilaj, Betty Muffler, Hoda Afshar and Fernando Laposse, plus Flora Yukhnovich, Yee I-Lann, Joyce Ho, Shakuntala Kulkarni and SMACK — and more, obviously. [caption id="attachment_896128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of the NGV.[/caption] "In the three years since the last NGV Triennial, the world has experienced a great many structural shifts, including a global pandemic. Through the work of more than 100 artists, designers, architects and collectives from Australia and around the world, the NGV Triennial offers a powerful insight into the ideas and concerns empowering creative practice in 2023," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood, announcing the program. "The artists, designers and architects of our time play an important role in helping us to understand, navigate and relate to the world around us. The 2023 NGV Triennial offers audiences a valuable opportunity to experience new and surprising forms of creative expression from around the globe, which, together, present a compelling snapshot of the world as it is, while also asking how we would like it to be." [caption id="attachment_896129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Hugh Hayden's The End 2022. Courtesy of the artist.[/caption] NGV Triennial 2023 will display from Sunday, December 3, 2023–Sunday, April 7, 2024 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Head to the gallery's website for further details. Top image: Aaron Richter.
If Parasite and Burning introduced you to the spectacular world of Korean cinema, we have great news: there's much, much more where they came from. As well as delivering two of the very best movies of 2019, Korea's film industry is filled with other gems. And, each year, the Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) brings the latest and greatest to local screens. In 2020, KOFFIA in streaming its lineup to everyone's screens, actually. Adapting to the pandemic, the fest has curated a program of 18 features that'll be available to watch digitally nationwide from Thursday, October 29–Thursday, November 5. Plus, if you need some extra motivation to spend more time staring at your TV or phone, the event is entirely free. On the bill: crime caper By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture, sporting comedy My Punch-Drunk Boxer and sibling drama Family Affair, the latter of which stars Parasite's Jang Hye-jin. Or you can check out the multiple stories in Fukuoka, page-to-screen adaptation Kim Ji-young: born 1982 and assassination thriller The Man Standing Next. The list goes on — but you will need to note the exact date and time that each film is available, with every title only on offer to start viewing within 30 minutes of its scheduled timeslot. Also, courtesy of SBS On Demand's free Korean Film Festival Selects, seven more flicks from past KOFFIAs will be available to stream — at your leisure — from Sunday, November 1–Sunday, November 8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT5w9y7OVy8
Located in Paddington, Fleur de Lys Medispa offers an array of luxe packages for singles, couples and even groups, ranging from standard spa treatments to the more indulgent pampering and beauty services. Above all else, Fleur de Lys staff are experts in skin, leading the way in revitalising and rejuvenating one's complexion through the latest skin scanning technology to tailor the experience specifically to your needs.
Pumphouse Sydney has come a long way since its early days. Back in 1891, the only beverage being poured was drinking water for the young colonial city of Sydney. It was the first hydraulic pumping station in NSW until it was decommissioned, and the Heritage Council made it the Pumphouse Tavern. Now it's Pumphouse Bar and Restaurant, and it's opening its latest addition: a garden terrace. On Saturday, November 18, the Terrace is partnering with First Creek Wines and Chandon to welcome guests to a launch party for three hours of libations and celebrations in this leafy new location. There'll be live music, canapés and free-flowing drinks on offer from 1–4pm. The common theme? The Terrace focuses on native plants, flavours and ingredients from its decoration down to the menu. Speaking of the menu, it stars the likes of pecorino croquettes with soubise, onion molasses, and candied macadamia; Greek saganaki with kefalograviera, spiced honey, and lavender; whole spatchcock with miso butter, charred radicchio, candied macadamia, and confit shallots and slow cooked beef cheeks with confit garlic mash, porcini butter, and salsa verde. A quick tip: if you book your tickets online for a reservation at the Terrace between Sunday, November 19 and Christmas Eve (six people max) — quote the code TERRACE to get a complimentary glass of Chandon Garden Spritz on arrival. Thank us later. The Terrace Garden Launch Party will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 1–4pm. Tickets are $99 pp. For information or to book your tickets, visit the website.
At the 2024 British Film Festival, when you're not watching movies starring Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh and Barry Keoghan, you'll be catching the latest performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. There's never any lack of big-name talents gracing the screen at Australia's annual celebration of the UK's latest and greatest contributions to cinema, but this year's is particularly jam-packed — so much so that there's not just one feature boasting Ronan among its cast, but two. Blitz, which sees the Foe, Little Women and Ammonite actor team up with 12 Years a Slave, Widows and Small Axe filmmaker Steve McQueen, is the British Film Festival's 2024 opening-night film. Playing Down Under fresh from also launching the London Film Festival, the period drama heads back to World War II, and starts the fest's month-long run at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema and Palace Central from Thursday, November 7–Sunday, December 8 with one of the year's must-see movies. At the other end of the festival, the also highly anticipated We Live in Time will close out the event. Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven) lead the romance from Brooklyn filmmaker John Crowley, which follows a couple's relationship across a decade. The second Ronan-led flick on the full 2024 British Film Festival comes courtesy of page-to-screen adaptation The Outrun, where the four-time Oscar-nominee plays a recovering addict — and there's plenty more highlights on the program from there. Hard Truths sits in the fest's centrepiece slot, reuniting iconic director Mike Leigh (Peterloo) with his Academy Award-nominated Secrets & Lies star Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Surface). Also boasting the coveted pairing of an impressive helmer and an exceptional on-screen talent: Bird from Andrea Arnold (American Honey), which is where Keoghan (Saltburn) pops up. As for Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), he stars with Juliette Binoche (The New Look) in The Return, a British spin on Homer's Odyssey — and also in papal thriller Conclave with Citadel's Stanley Tucci, Killers of the Flower Moon's John Lithgow and Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini. Law (Peter Pan & Wendy) plays King Henry VIII opposite Alicia Vikander (Irma Vep) as Katherine Parr in Firebrand, while Brosnan (The Last Rifleman) and Bonham Carter (One Life) feature in romance Four Letters of Love. Other standouts include the century-hopping dark comedy Timestalker from Garth Marenghi's Darkplace alum Alice Lowe, the Gillian Anderson (Scoop)- and Jason Isaacs (Archie)-led The Salt Path, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (You Hurt My Feelings) facing death in Tuesday, and Kelly Macdonald (Operation Mincemeat) and Damian Lewis (Billions) in vampire comedy The Radleys. For music fans, there's a dedicated themed sidebar featuring both Blur: To the End and Blur: Live at Wembley Stadium — one about the band's most-recent chapter, the other a two-hour concert film — as well as the Led Zeppelin-focused The Song Remains the Same and The Rolling Stones-centric The Stones and Brian Jones. This year's British Film Festival is also peering backwards via retrospective sessions of Ratcatcher, the debut feature from You Were Never Really Here's Lynne Ramsay; the Bonham Carter- and Dame Maggie Smith (The Miracle Club)-starring A Room with a View; and classic British historical dramas such as A Man for All Seasons, Heat and Dust, The Lion in Winter and Kenneth Branagh's (A Haunting in Venice) Henry V.
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes Pinot Noir as 'sex in a glass', while winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. One of the most challenging grapes in the world of vinification, it's also one of the most surprising and rewarding. No wonder Bottle Shop Concepts — the good folk who bring Game of Rhones our way — are coming back to town with Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things Pinot Noir. For just one day, Sydney wine connoisseurs will have the chance to sample more than 100 drops, direct from the Southern Hemisphere's best producers. Think Ata Rangi, Curly Flat, Marlborough's Greywacke, Yabby Lake, Shaw + Smith, Mount Difficulty — and that's just the first few leaves on the vine. Whether you're a newbie who wants to start with something light and inviting, or a Pinot pro ready for the biggest, most complex mouthful on the menu, there'll be an abundance of selections at either end — and plenty along the spectrum, too. You'll even be able to vote for your favourite. If, at any point, you need to take a pause in your tasting adventures, you'll be catered for. There'll be food from Belles Hot Chicken and Bodega, beer from Young Henrys, and the epic Burgundy Bar – a kind of Pinot Noir mecca where you'll be able to sample some seriously good (and spenny) bottles at cost price. Expert sommeliers will also be on hand to help you make selections. What's more, those keen to fuel their brains (as well as their tastebuds) can spot $95 for a VIP pass. For that you'll get pre-event access (two hours before those pesky crowds), a food voucher, a tasting at the Burg Bar and a one-on-one with one of the event's sommeliers, who will personally curate your Pinot experience for you. Pinot Palooza will hit Carriageworks on Sunday, October 9. Tickets are $60, which includes tastings and a take-home Plumm Vintage glass.
It is usual not to smile when seeing a family torn apart by the death of a child. There are too many reasons to cry or become angry. And yet, even amidst the most shocking of revelations, The Only Child has the power to also draw sympathetic, mirthful laughter from its audience.Developed by Melbourne company The Hayloft Project, The Only Child is a gift especially developed for Belvoir Downstairs. Writer/director Simon Stone and co-writer Thomas Henning (of the Black Lung) have led an exceptionally talented creative team in their reconstruction of Henrik Ibsen's Little Eyolf. The result is a resounding success, an example of theatre that taps into the most ancient qualities of the art: balancing tragedy and comedy and presenting narratives that can drive a stake into anyone's soul, regardless of their place in life. The Hayloft Project is creating theatre in the same spirit as that undertaken by the likes of Shakespeare; by using existing stories to develop new work for a specific ensemble of actors, in a specific space, the company has produced a piece of tremendous poetry, truth and effect for today's audience.Photo by Patrick Boland
The evocative lyrics of Oh Mercy's new album Great Barrier Grief has had listeners hooked from the get-go. The band is currently touring Australia to promote the new release, exciting existing fans and attracting plenty of new ones as they go. The band relates the experience of listening to the album to "sailing on a beautiful boat on a calm blue sea in a cloudless sky." Sounds peaceful right? Except there is a shadow lurking beneath the water, a dark twist to each song that presents a challenge to accept and overcome. This one's an emotional rollercoaster. The acoustic pop sound of the album was inspired by the Australian way of life and makes for an energetic live show. Singles 'Keith St' and 'Stay, Please Stay', already familiar favourites from the album, will be brought to life with a new sound throughout the tour to keep fans guessing. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oYMSJFwtmcM
Sydney's literary scene used to look a little dry. But, while the Sydney Writers' Festival used to be the place to see stars of the written word, nowadays salons without the pomp like Even Books and Penguin Plays Rough are almost commonplace, joined by innumerable other ventures in spoken word like the Campfire Collective and the unexpected, yet appropriate, appearance of Late Night Library in Surry Hills. And now there's Caravan Slam, as well. Caravan is a poetry slam, and their first event was a three-stage progressive party up and down King St in St Peters, leading its guests to heats in one venue and the next, until the evening ended with a dramatic grand finale back where they'd started. For their August engagement, they're taking over a single bar in Surry Hills for a night of rhyme and rhythm. Caravan Slam entrants, experienced and new, compete in three minute pieces to be in the evening's final. Now the Slam has a second stanza to the evening, collaborating with the Academy of Emergency Art Sydney for Emergency Poetry, which tries to bring art about today's events into tonight's gallery, or slam. It's not too late to join the Caravan, or watch it marching by. Image by Jon Mann.
Following an extensive renovation, Manly's Wharf Bar reopened at the end of last year, with a new cocktail bar The Tropic attached. Come the Easter long weekend, The Tropic will be hosting a roaming oyster cart for four days from Sydney rock oyster producer East 33. Northern beaches residents can head down to Wharf Bar for harbourside oysters from Friday through to Monday, with two luxurious options available. Patrons can choose between half a dozen oysters accompanied by two glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label for $65, or go all out with a bottle of champagne and a full dozen oysters for $180. The Tropic's regular Sunday live music session is also returning with the Big Wheels Duo performing live from 3pm at the bar. Wharf Bar is also hosting a special lineup of DJs for Easter Sunday including Australia's beloved Daft Punk tribute act Discovery.
If the start of your long weekend plans include a trip on a train, it may take longer than expected. A police incident at Redfern Station saw the inner-city train station close for over an hour, which has led to major delays across most of Sydney's train network. While the station reopened and services were restored around midday on Thursday, April 18, Transport for NSW is reporting that there are still delays across T1 Northern, Western and North Shore Line; T2 Inner West & Leppington Line; T3 Bankstown Line, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line; T8 Airport & South Line; Blue Mountains Line; Central Coast & Newcastle Line; and South Coast Line. https://twitter.com/T1SydneyTrains/status/1118701361606959105 Those hoping to travel on any of the impacted lines are being told to visit the Transport for NSW website for updates or check indicator screens if they are already at the station. The SMH is reporting that the closure was prompted by an alleged trespasser, with police then shutting off overhead power to the station. To stay up-to-date with delays, check the Transport for NSW website and real-time apps. Image: Wang-Hsin Pei via Wikimedia Commons.
First, To All The Boys I've Loved Before was a book series, initially hitting stores back in 2014. Then, Jenny Han's trio of books — which also spans 2015's P.S. I Still Love You and 2017's Always and Forever, Lara Jean — made the leap to Netflix via a trilogy of movies. By now, though, we all know that the streaming platform doesn't part quickly with anything that gets eyeballs staring its way in a big way, which is where ten-episode spinoff series XO, Kitty will come in from Thursday, May 18. What happens after novels, films and a TV show? To celebrate the latter, Sydney is getting a one-day-only XO, Kitty pop-up cafe. At 30 Kensington Street in Chippendale on the series' launch day, a Korean dessert bar will make itself at home from 11am, handing out free sweet treats to everyone who drops in. Icyland and Siroo Rice Cake Cafe will be providing the bites and sips — including Korean rice cakes in strawberry mochi, chocolate rice muffin, white bean, strawberry and sweet potato flavours; strawberry and peach bingsu; and iced tea. It's a while-stocks-last affair, and there'll also be cherry blossoms decorating the place if you're keen on an Instagram-friendly backdrop for a commemorative snap. Wondering how it all ties into XO, Kitty? The series sees its teen matchmaker namesake (Anna Cathcart, Odd Squad) visit Korea to learn about her heritage and reunite with her long-distance boyfriend. Images: Scott Ehler.
If you thought there was some pretty good drinking to be found here in your own backyard, it turns out you were spot on. Sydney has proven it's delivering some world-class drinks skills, with new entrant Maybe Sammy nabbing a spot in this year's prestigious World's 50 Best Bars awards – the only Australian bar to do so. And as if ranking at number 43 on the list wasn't enough, the cocktail bar also beat out plenty of contenders to be named the awards' Best Bar in Australasia. Not too shabby at all, considering co-owners Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi only opened the bar in The Rocks at the start of this year. Catino said he is "blown away" by the ranking, saying a big thanks to the team for bringing their "clear vision" for the bar to life. Referencing the glam hotel bars of the world, while pulling inspiration from the 50s Rat Pack's era, Maybe Sammy has made quite a splash in its first few months of life. Its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics. [caption id="attachment_744476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino at the awards.[/caption] This isn't Maybe Sammy's first time in the winner's circle, either — it also took out the title of Best New International Cocktail Bar at the revered Spirited Awards in the US earlier this year, and bartender Guali was the Australian bartender of the year in 2017 for his work at sister venue Maybe Frank. And while Sydney might have trailed behind a certain southern city in this year's Global Liveability Index, you could argue it reigns supreme when it comes to drinkability. Melbourne scored just one spot in the World's 50 Best Bars' 51-100 list for 2019, with long-time contender Black Pearl clocking in at number 80. As well as claiming the country's only Top 50 position, Sydney had three other bars in the mix for the Top 100: PS40 ranking at 95th, The Baxter Inn placing 79th and long-running favourite Bulletin Place taking 66th spot. Just saying. The best of them all, though, is New York's all-day restaurant-bar Dante's — it was named the World's Best Bar at the ceremony in London earlier this morning, jumping up from its 2018 position of 9th. The World's 50 Best Bars awards were this year judged by 510 expert voters across 58 countries. If you're in Sydney, you can drop by Maybe Sammy for a celebratory drink — the bar does a $5 happy hour on mini martinis, negronis and irish coffees from 4.30–5.30pm. You can check out the full lineup of the World's 50 Best Bars 2019 here, and see 51-100 here.
After years of hype, Australia's first surf park is finally set to to open this summer — and its bringing some of Sydney's top chefs with it. Urbnsurf Melbourne has teamed up with Darren Robertson, Andy Allen and Mark LaBrooy to bring the fifth instalment of their farm-to-table eatery Three Blue Ducks to our city. "We all love Melbourne and we all surf, so when [the Urbnsurf team] met with us about this space, we felt it was well suited, and was also quite different from our other venues," says Robertson, who co-owns the current Three Blue Ducks in Sydney, Byron Bay and Brisbane. Located around the corner from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, the all-day restaurant will built inside the two-hectare surfing lagoon. The two-level venue will boast high ceilings, a big open bar and an expansive, greenery-filled deck out front — so diners can watch the surfers in action. As with other Three Blue Ducks outposts, the open kitchen will feature a woodfired pizza oven, a rotisserie grill and a charcoal pit, all helping to prepare a signature menu of sustainably and ethically sourced eats. Seasonal ingredients will be sourced from local farms, wineries, craft breweries and other artisans around Victoria. A dedicated kitchen garden will also grow herbs and native Aussie plants, including lemon myrtle and salt bush. [caption id="attachment_591172" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Three Blue Ducks Rosebery[/caption] "We'll move down to Melbourne in the coming weeks and just get to know suppliers through farmers markets and visits to the farm — then write the menu based on what we find," says Roberston. Many of the venue's favourite dishes will make an appearance, though the exact details are still in the works. We're hoping for the the corn fritters with guacamole, fermented cabbage, herb salad, labneh and poached eggs for brekkie; and the coal-roasted lamb with parsnip purée for dinner. Other likely contenders include whole steamed fish and roasted chook served with salads, ferments and pickles. For drinks, Sydney's Single O has again signed on for the coffee side of things. And beer, wine and kombucha will all be served on tap. The tap drinks tie in with the team's ongoing commitment to sustainability, with an onsite composting facility and limited use of plastic also in the plan. Three Blue Ducks and Urbnsurf are due to open in summer 2019 along Airport Drive, Melbourne Tullamarine. Keep an eye on this space for updates closer to. Top Images: Three Blue Ducks and UrbnSurf's founder Andrew Ross; Wavegarden San Sebastian by Ed Sloane (courtesy of Urbnsurf); and Three Blue Ducks Rosebery.
Every two years, the Biennale brightens up Sydney with artworks that become beautiful, quirky parts of the landscape for a few months before disappearing as suddenly as they came. But this year is going to be a little different. The City of Sydney Council has decided for the next three exhibitions, they will commit up to $300,000 to fund a "legacy artwork" — an artwork that stays permanent at the end of the Biennale and becomes part of the City Art collection. This year, the first ever legacy artwork will be City of Forking Paths, a site-specific interactive work in the form of a smartphone app. Users can download the app (or borrow a mobile device) for free and wander around The Rocks at dusk, taking in various fictional scenarios and incidents that tie in with this year's theme, 'You Imagine What You Desire'. Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, the artists behind City of Forking Paths, are no strangers to Sydney audiences. In 2008, they created sound installation The Murder of Crows for Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay. They've also created similar interactive walks in New York, Pittsburgh, Sao Paulo, Rome, London and Berlin. According to artistic director Juliana Engberg, commissioning Cardiff and Miller was a very deliberate choice. "I wanted to acknowledge artists who have already made an impact upon the hearts and minds of the Biennale audience," she said. "This video walk will become, I’m sure, a must-do encounter for the people of, and visitors to, Sydney." The app will be available for download from May 1 as part of the Biennale's Middle Program.
This new work by the internationally revered Back to Back Theatre centres on three warehouse employees struggling with a seemingly meaningless task. As they physically toil, they also grapple with intellectual obstacles — questions of inclusion, identity and cooperation. This intriguing piece of contemporary storytelling reflects on the often-overlooked and vulnerable voices in a world where outrage and righteousness can be deafening. Winner of the 2024 Venice Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, Back to Back Theatre's latest triumph pushes the characters on stage to challenge the limitations of their bodies and their capacity to care. Multiple Bad Things is a dynamic work that explores real-world struggles the way only truly innovative art can. Image: Jeff Busby
Marrickville's Bucket Boys bottle-o doesn't just serve all your takeaway craft beer needs, it also houses its own upstairs bar slinging craft brews, wines and spirits — and one tasty toastie. Across ten rotating taps, you'll find plenty of Australian brews to choose from — including Wayward, Capital Brewing and Wildflower — as well as international drops from the likes of Barcelona's Garage Beer Co and Portland's Cascade Brewing Barrel House. The bar is also pouring an impressive range of independently owned Australian wines (with weekly wine flights available), spirits and craft tinnies — the latter are only five bucks at happy hour, which is Wednesday–Friday from 4–6pm, Saturday from noon–2pm and all day on Sunday. If (somehow) none of this strikes your fancy, punters are also welcomed to peruse the enormous selection in the downstairs bottle shop and take it upstairs — we recommend saving this occasion for Wednesdays, when the bar offers free corkage all night. For nibbles, the bar's signature cuban sandwich is hard to beat. It's filled with marinated pork shoulder, spicy salami, double-smoked ham, pickles and cheese — and toasted to melty perfection — all for $12. A selection of cheese and charcuterie is also on offer. The venue regularly holds beer launch parties, meet-the-makers events, trivia and games nights, too, so keep on eye on Facebook for what's coming up.
Speedsters of Australia, it's time to don your best red cap, slide into a pair of overalls and jump behind the wheel. If you want to take part in Mushroom Racing, the outfit isn't optional — although, if that's not your style, you could pick a green hat or a dinosaur costume instead. Not content with zipping through the streets of Tokyo and causing quite a stir, a real-life version of Mario Kart is headed to Sydney. On five Sundays between September and December, participants will dress up as their favourite character, get cosy in a go-kart, race till their heart's content and collect stars to win prizes. While Tokyo's MariCar lets racers zoom along the city's actual roadways (yes, really) that won't be what will happen here — while the location is still a secret, the organisers stress that it won't be on the street. We're certain that throwing shells or bananas at your opponents won't be happening either. Sure, that's all well and fun when you're mashing buttons and trying not to fall off the Rainbow Road while you're playing one of Nintendo's many console versions (or counting down the days until the first Mario Kart smartphone game is released), but it's definitely not cool in real life. Tickets are $85 and include your zooming, costume hire, a snack and transport to and from the CBD. It's all happening on Sundays in September, October and November, with five sessions running each day. Do note that the drop-off and pick-up times are four hours apart, so it'll be a half-day activity. Organisers are calling it "the rally of a lifetime", and while that's definitely overstating the significance of driving around pretending you're Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Wario or whichever other character you like, you know you're eager to give the novelty a go. And, let's face it, it's not quite as ridiculous as human bowling.
Originally formed in 1985 under the name 'Virulence', Fu Manchu exploded onto the hard rock scene with their 1990 single 'Kept Between the Trees'. Since then, this Californian band has accrued a loyal 'stoner rock' fan base. This May, Fu Manchu will bring its own catchy and unpretentious brand of hard rock to Sydney audiences in celebration of the 15th anniversary of their 1997 hit album The Action Is Go. Get going and go get your tickets before it's too late. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_Zko7pBeHkk
If you've been looking to keep your wardrobe choices as ethical as possible, then shopping local just got a little easier. Long-running fashion not-for-profit Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) has launched a new online map that pinpoints all the Aussie stores featuring ECA-accredited brands on their racks. The new digital tool currently maps out over 300 accredited ethical retail destinations, allowing shoppers to easily hunt down ethically conscious fashion with just a few clicks on their smartphone or other device. In order to nab that all-important ECA accreditation, a business must be able to show that all workers involved in its manufacturing operations are being paid properly, working in safe conditions and receiving all the necessary legal entitlements. ECA conducts these audits looking deep into the whole manufacturing process, from design to dispatch. [caption id="attachment_800970" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clothing the Gap[/caption] Some of the ethical businesses to have earned themselves a spot on the map include 53-year-old brand Cue, popular jeans label Nobody Denim and high-end designer favourite Manning Cartel. And Victoria especially looks to be flying the flag for conscious fashion, with 120 store mapped in that state alone, including The Social Studio, Vege Threads, Remuse Designs and the newly opened Clothing the Gap store. The new map comes as more and more Aussies are choosing to hunt down ethical producers when they shop. A recent ECA survey showed that a huge 70 percent of local textile, clothing, and footwear manufacturers reported their customers were asking more questions about the labour rights of their workers than ever before. On its website, the ECA also has a comprehensive directory listing all of its ethically accredited fashion businesses. To check out the ECA Digital Shopping Map, jump over to the website. Image:
To celebrate the American peanut butter and chocolate brand REESE'S products wide availability across Australia, a specially crafted (and exclusive) menu from famed chef Alex Wong is set to delight Sydneysiders (and chocolate lovers) for one night only at Grana Privato on Tuesday, October 29. What's REESE'S? Known for its unique mix of salty peanut butter and sweet milk chocolate, REESE'S peanut butter cups have long been a favourite in the States. Just in time for Halloween, REESE'S salty-sweet treats now have a wider range available at Woolworths, Coles, 7-Eleven, independent supermarkets, petrol or convenience stores. What better way to enjoy them than at a nutty REESE'S peanut butter and chocolate inspired event? Like the REESE'S-taurant. The festivities will take place at the stylish spot Grana Privato at the historical Hinchcliff House in the CBD. Upon entering, guests will step into an orange, sweet-and-salty-infused fever dream, with orange hues and tempting displays of sweet treats in every direction. After acclimatising to the bright colours, guests can explore the interactive space, including an aromatic chocolate and peanut butter trail. This space is where visitors adjust their tastebuds before indulging in an unforgettable menu. The menu was crafted by innovative and celebrated chef Alex Wong, SMH Good Food Guide 2023 NSW Chef of the Year finalist, who helms the kitchens at hatted Sydney restaurants Lana and Martinez. Here, he is serving his interpretation of the salty-sweet REESE'S peanut butter and chocolate flavours in six savoury and sweet dishes. What's on the Menu? While we can't give everything away, some menu standouts include chicken skewers with peanut chocolate satay, leek and garlic. If you're a fan of pasta, there's a white chocolate peanut, gorgonzola butter and sage sauce pasta dish that is designed to replicate the REESE'S peanut butter cup's ripple pattern. Given REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato is all about celebrating REESE'S chocolate's expanding availability in Australia, some classic Aussie-themed menu items are a fitting addition. Guests can indulge in Australian kangaroo and chocolate 'mole' empanadas. The menu will also feature a wagyu rib cap with oxtail, kohlrabi and REESE'S peanut butter 'rendang'. Naturally, dessert is also a highlight. Wong takes a classic and turns it on its head with his take on the 'PBJ'. "Peanut butter and chocolate is such a mouth-watering combination and a winning inspiration point for this menu that highlights salt and sweetness and is sure to be anything but ordinary," says Wong. Our advice? Make sure you arrive hungry. What Else Can Guests Expect? Beyond the food, guests can also expect a few other treats on the night. As it's highly likely most attendees will be bursting at the seams after dinner, all guests will get to take home a goodie bag. Plus, you can share the love around to friends and family with FOMO. The goodie bag includes all the favourites. Think classic peanut butter and milk chocolate cups, white peanut butter cups, miniature cups and sticks bars. The goodies are the perfect Halloween treat. When you thought it couldn't get any better, House Made Hospitality will also throw in a $50 restaurant voucher for each attendee, which can be used at any one of ten Sydney venues, including Apollonia, Lana, Martinez, Grana and Promenade Bondi Beach. Plus, selected House Made Hospitality venues are offering a limited-edition REESE'S Peanut Butter Cookie ($6.50) and REESE'S Chocolate Croissant ($9.50) ahead of Halloween and throughout the month of November. There are only 90 spots available for the REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato, which means you need to book your spot as soon as you can. If you miss out, keep an eye on social media as REESE'S and Wong will release the recipes from the menu so you can recreate the menu in the comfort of your own home. The REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 6.30-9.30pm. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased via Sevenrooms. Tickets cost $135 per person. Please note unfortunately REESE'S cannot accommodate any attendees with a nut allergy. Images: Supplied
This year, the AICE (Australia Israel Cultural Exchange) Israeli Film Festival, the only country-wide event to focus on Israeli film, celebrates ten years of bringing assumption-shattering documentaries and controversial features to Australian audiences. Opening night will see the national premiere of The Ballad of the Weeping Spring, nominee for nine Israeli Academy Awards and winner of four. Stylistically influenced by both spaghetti Westerns and samurai epics, it explores the often blurred lines between life and art in its portrayal of the emotional reunion of a once legendary band torn apart by tragedy. Other highlights of the fortnight-long festival include The Gatekeepers, an Oscar-nominated documentary in which six ex-leaders of the Shin Bet (Israel's internal secret service) discuss their success and failures in "overseeing Israel's war on terror"; Good Garbage, winner of Best Documentary at Shanghai's Magnolia Film Festival, which depicts the hardships of 200 Palestinian families who depend upon the Hebron Hills garbage dump for survival; and Zaytoun, a drama about the development of an unusual friendship between a Palestinian orphan and an Israeli fighter pilot. "The festival continues to highlight not only the breadth and strength of the Israeli film industry, but also presents the broad spectrum of Israeli society and everyday issues," explains co-curator Keith Lawrence. "A common thread in many of the films this year is that of the concerns of young adults — social, sexual and political — whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim." Thanks to AICE, we have ten double passes to give away to the Israeli Film Festival. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Part of the historical Worimi Conservation Lands, the Stockton Sand Dunes are considered the largest coastal moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. And the best way to explore the 32 kilometres of sand is on four wheels with Sand Dune Adventures. The company, which is owned and operated by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, offers a special experience that combines insights into the rich cultural heritage of the area with adrenaline-pumping quad biking action. On the 1.5-hour Aboriginal Culture Quad Bike Tour, you'll ride from the bush to the beach as your Aboriginal guide explains the traditional uses and care of the land you're on, including pointing out some freshwater lagoons and burial sites. You'll also get information on traditional Aboriginal food, culture and history. The tour is suitable for all experience levels, and the bikes have automatic thumb throttle so, after a quick safety tutorial on riding techniques, you should get the hang of things quickly. Images: Destination NSW
A new player is stepping up to bat in the Australian hospitality scene, and in Melbourne. Introducing The StandardX, scheduled to open in Fitzroy in February 2024. The StandardX is the latest brainchild of Standard International, known for its lifestyle hotels in cosmopolitan hotspots like New York, Miami and London. But The StandardX is set to be a new direction for the brand, with the Fitzroy concept acting as "a rebellious younger sibling" of The Standard Hotels across the globe, distilling The Standard experience to its "x factor", and going for a more minimalist and cool approach. It seems that Fitzroy is the perfect location for the new concept. Melbourne's own Hecker Guthrie has infused the hotel's 125 rooms and public spaces with a contemporary yet unpretentious aesthetic. As for the food, don't expect the standard hotel restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, the rooftop dining area will be exclusive to hotel guests, offering an array of Medellin-inspired dishes, including tacos and ceviche. The rooftop bar will be the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail after dinner, or before a night out, or at 10am — it's a hotel after all. With panoramic city views and the privacy that comes with exclusivity, it's set to be a pretty nice spot to have a sip and take in the majesty of the Melbourne skyline for locals and tourists alike. For those after a more casual bite, the all-day Thai diner and The Box, a retail concept offering on-the-go snacks and drinks, will ensure you're never far from curing a rumbling belly. With room rates expected to hover between $250–350, The StandardX is positioning itself as a premium choice for travellers and Melburnians looking for a unique hotel experience that blends luxury with Fitzroy's artistic and cultural heritage. Nick Cave, Ollie Olsen, Stuart Grant and Rowland S. Howard are even among the hotel's inspirations. The StandardX is set to open in February 2024 at 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy — head to the hotel's website for further details.
There's a festival for almost everything, or so it often seems — and when it comes to crucial and complex topics that demand discussion, that's where the Festival of Dangerous Ideas comes in. The Sydney event has been exploring provocative subjects since 2009, hopping between a number of different venues. And in 2022, that chatter, debate and eagerness to push boundaries will make the move to Carriageworks. FODI heads to the Eveleigh spot across the weekend of Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18, and it has just unveiled exactly what'll have everyone talking. Leading the lineup: Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, tattoo-artist-to-the-stars Scott Campbell, UK historian Adam Tooze, and power and propaganda expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat. [caption id="attachment_862481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frances Haugen[/caption] Gaining global attention for leaking tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents that showed how the company has pursued profit over public safety, data engineer Haugen will obviously chat about social media — including how it has been weaponised, plus Australia's relationship with Facebook. She'll also talk about corporate responsibility, another topic linked to her former employer, in what promises to be a thoroughly fascinating discussion. Campbell appears as part of FODI's arts lineup, putting on a weekend-long installation. Fancy getting inked by him for free? You can, but Whole Glory comes with a twist. He'll give you a tatt without you having to pay a cent — but it'll all happen without him meeting, looking at or talking to you at all. Also, you won't have any input into the art. You'll simply need to trust him, and be willing to take a chance to get quite the permanent souvenir. [caption id="attachment_862485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Campbell[/caption] Back to the more serious side of the program, economic commentator Tooze has the general state of the world in his sights, namely why humanity can't manage to do better in the face of climate change, war and likely recessions. As for Ben-Ghiat, she'll examine the rise of authoritarian strongmen in politics today, surveying Russia, China, America, Turkey and more, and diving into leader cults, disinformation and the other techniques that've been used to put such figures in power. Also on the FODI 2022 lineup: writer, poet and comedian Alok Vaid-Menon, who'll use their own experience as a gender non-conforming artist to encourage the audience to view gender in as expansive a way as possible; psychologist Steven Pinker, giving a defence of the ideals of enlightenment and advocating for the necessity of reason in the Hitch Memorial Keynote; tech columnist and Rabbit Hole podcast host Kevin Roose, who'll focus on the algorithm's control of our lives; and Noongar woman and author Claire G Coleman, who'll probe the usual story that's spun about Australian colonisation. [caption id="attachment_862488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jodie Barker[/caption] Author Sisonke Msimang will tackle the way that Australia's pandemic lockdowns impacted Melbourne and Sydney's multicultural communities, while Peter Greste and Kylie Moore-Gilbert whether the Australian passport is becoming less powerful. Also, Senator Jacqui Lambie will deliver the festival's opening keynote, talking about her career, and the fest will host a special live recording of podcast A Rational Fear. Other sessions will cover everything from censorship and being cancelled through to sexual assault, the increasingly automated future, and America's declining political, social and cultural influence. There'll also be a showcase of emerging thinkers called Fresh Blood, plus a fast-paced lineup of illuminating bite-sized talks on topical subjects called Unthinkable. And, FODI's arts and installation lineup across the Carriageworks precinct will include Wiradjuri artist Brook Andrew's world-premiere piece MURUNY/Breathe, which uses a depiction of the brain to unpack the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples — plus Lucy Peach's multimedia celebration of periods, a game show experience about dark truths called Truthmachine by Counterpilot, and Legs On The Wall doing an improvisational theatre work about trust. [caption id="attachment_862487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jodie Barker[/caption] The 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs from Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18 at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. To peruse the full program, and to buy festival tickets, visit the festival website.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and even pigs surrendered into its care from all over the country, it's lowering the adoption fee to $29 this weekend. The weekend-long initiative is called Clear the Shelters and will run from Friday, February 22 until Sunday, February 24. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring, it's hoped that the low adoption fee will encourage people who have been thinking about adding a pet to their fam (and have considered it thoroughly) to make the commitment this week. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 2792 pets Australia-wide. [caption id="attachment_708671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heidi is available for adoption in Sydney, Animal ID 345082.[/caption] This year, Clear the Shelters will run across Australia in all states and territories except NT and Tasmania. The adoption fees — which usually range from $20–600 — help cover some of the costs of vaccines, training, desexing and microchipping for the animal. Whether you're in NSW, Victoria, WA or Queensland, there are hundreds of animals that need a new home full of love and pats. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, with making the commitment to care for an animal is serious business. Top image: Han is available for adoption in Sydney, Animal ID 441478.
Whenever anyone utters the words "Wakanda forever" in a Black Panther movie, they resonate, rippling with pride and power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's franchise-within-a-franchise about the titular hero and their homeland. Expect those words, every other piece of dialogue and the rousing score behind them to echo with extra force at every Sydney Marvel fan's new must-attend event, however. That's bound to happen at a Black Panther in Concert performance, which'll pair the original film with a live orchestral score. Sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in cinemas right now, but this huge gig will screen the initial 2018 feature. That means getting emotional over the now-late Chadwick Boseman's excellent performance as T'Challa, watching the character cope with the passing of his father, and seeing him face off against old adversary Killmonger (Michael B Jordan, Just Mercy) over the future of Wakanda — and revelling in the rest of triple Oscar-winner's many other delights. One of those shiny Academy Awards went to Ludwig Göransson for the film's score, which will make the most of Sydney Opera House's renovated and relaunched Concert Hall across three performances from Thursday, July 27–Saturday, July 29, 2023. It'll be played by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as conducted by Anthony Parnther and with percussion by tama player Massamba Diop, in what'll be Black Panther in Concert's Australian-premiere performance. SSO loves busting out big-screen classics and pairing them with its instruments of late, with The Princess Bride also getting the same treatment in 2023, and everything from Bond to Harry Potter and Star Wars doing the same in the past. Still, given the potent storyline, Boseman's passing in 2020, Ryan Coogler's (Creed) energetic and expressive direction, and the stacked cast that also includes Angela Bassett (Gunpowder Milkshake), Letitia Wright (Death on the Nile), Winston Duke (Nine Days), Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead), Lupita Nyong'o (The 355) and Martin Freeman (Breeders), this movie-and-music combination promises something extra special.
It's been a hot minute since a new dining precinct launched in Sydney. Darling Square's Exchange Building was the talk of the town in 2019. Barangaroo was the word on everyone's lips in 2017. And you couldn't avoid a trip to Tramsheds the year before that. Food hubs aren't new of course, Chinatown and the inner west's Little Italy have been around for decades, but they've definitely seen a resurgence in the 21st century. Thanks to a certain pandemic, however, 2020 hasn't been heavy on new openings — until now. Western Sydney is now home to Parramatta Square: a $3.2 billion, 3000-square-metre precinct that's attracted some big names in the hospitality industry. When complete, it'll be home to more than ten restaurants — as well as plenty of office and retail space — and a chunk of them have opened their doors today, Wednesday, October 21. [caption id="attachment_787018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maurice Terzini and Lang Walker by Nikki To[/caption] Maurice Terzini — who's behind Bondi favourites Icebergs Bar & Dining and Ciccia Bella — has opened a second outpost of Ciccia Bella in the precinct, which — after a changing of the guard in the OG kitchen — focuses on cucina povera (rustic-style peasant food) and woodfired dishes, rather than just pizza and pasta. Created by Nic Wong (The Apollo and Cho Cho San), the menu stars plenty of cheese and charcuterie (including that mortadella from LP's Quality Meats), chilli-spiked mussels, pork cotoletta and wagyu steak. You will find some pasta here, too, including a spicy broccoli orecchiette, fusilli alla norma and wagyu lasagne. Also opening in the precinct today is a new 160-seat restaurant by the duo behind Henrietta and Nour, Ibby Moubadder and Jorge Farah. While their other restaurants have a definite Lebanese edge, Lilymu is serving up dishes from China and Southeast Asia. For this, the duo has hired ex-Mr Wong chef Brandan Fong who's making tom yum prawn dumplings, pipis with XO, red curry scampi and — for dessert — tres leches cake. Drinks are equally creative, featuring the likes of a dragon fruit and gin sour, and a margarita made with Thai chilli-infused tequila. [caption id="attachment_787017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rivareno Gelato by Nikki To[/caption] You'll also find Noosa-born Shake Shack-style burger favourite Betty's, poke bowl chain Fishbowl, Rivareno Gelato and Sushi Yuzen at the Square, and they're set to be joined by florist Rose & Co, Harvey's Hot Sandwiches, Threefold Pastry and Ruse Bar and Brasserie in the not-too-distant future. We'll be sure to let you know more about those when they open their doors. Find Parramatta Square on the corner of Darcy and Macquarie streets, Parramatta. To check individual restaurant's opening hours, head to their websites. Top image: Nikki To
That feeling you get on the dance floor, not just of ecstasy, excitement and exuberance, but of knowing that such a moment is special because it is fleeting: imagine that turned into a film. That's what writer/director Mia Hansen-Løve and her co-scribe brother, actual former DJ Sven Hansen-Løve, have done as they wander through the Parisian electronic music scene. Calling their movie Eden is apt, because someone in their sights is always in search of perfection. Most often it's Paul (Félix de Givry), a literature student determined to make a living making music and spinning tunes. Sometimes it's one of his friends, such as his club DJ partner Stan (Hugo Conzelmann), or Showgirls fan Arnaud (Vincent Macaigne), or comic book artist Cyril (Roman Kolinka). Every now and then, it's Thomas Bangalter (Vincent Lacoste) and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Arnaud Azoulay) — also known to the world as Daft Punk. Yes, the real-life history of everyone's favourite French electro duo is weaved into the film, and though they're not the stars of the show, their presence — and their catalogue of songs — is more than just a gimmick. It's an indicator of just how great Eden's soundtrack is, of course, if house and garage are your style of music. It's also a yardstick, showing what success in the scene means, and just how far the others have to go to achieve their dreams. Indeed, trying and not quite succeeding is what the feature is all about, capturing the gap between wanting to devote your time to doing what you love and realising that your desires just aren't going to come to fruition. Jumping between points across 21 years from 1992 onwards, that's the path that Paul's life follows. At venue after venue, he chases what he hopes will be a blossoming career. He's up all night to get lucky, and his aims never change, even as he gets older, watches those around him both grow and give up, and cycles through different girlfriends (including the ever-luminous Greta Gerwig and the bewitching Golshifteh Farahani). Exquisite actresses excluded, it all sounds a tad depressing; however, Eden remains playful and hopeful as it charts Paul's journey. Though the Hansen-Løve siblings never shy away from heartbreak and hardship in their narrative, it's hard not to get swept up in a euphoric mood when the sound of pulsating beats and the sight of dancing bodies are so common. There more than anywhere, the movie apes its characters. In the story, the power of music and movement just can't be shaken. Watching the film evokes the same reaction. Making Eden look like hazy memories of late nights, smoky clubs and early mornings only furthers that feeling, with Mia Hansen-Løve proving that the style of her previous two features, Father of My Children and Goodbye, First Love, wasn't a fluke. Nor was the authenticity of the latter, another semi-autobiographical effort. That's what shines here: the lived-in texture and the insider's perspective. Rarely have the ups and downs of life felt so real on screen, whether you've been there and done that, or can just relate to the blissful momentary reprieve from lacklustre normality found in great song and on a darkened dance floor.
The festive season is officially upon us, which means it's time to think about what to gift your loved ones. We know present shopping can be quite the task, and having someone in your life who has practically everything is an even bigger challenge. If you're out of ideas or simply want to shake it up this year, we've got you covered. Together with Archie Rose, we've compiled a far-reaching list of unique experiences that we confidently believe will make the ideal gift for that certain hard-to-buy-for someone. A mate who's passionate about liquor? Parent who loves cooking? Someone that could use a little of salsa's flair in their life? These are the experiences to gift them. [caption id="attachment_878644" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] BOOZY MASTERCLASS AT ARCHIE ROSE See your loved one become a bartender for the day by via one of Archie Rose's creative cocktail masterclasses. They'll learn how to shake, stir and pour the professional away, and end up with a new skill to impress with at the next gathering. The history of cocktail culture will be served alongside a lesson in how to make three timeless cocktails. Alternatively, send them along to the Rosebery distillery to blend their own bottles of whisky or gin. They'll learn the ins and outs of how the liquids come to fruition, before using their nose and palate to blend their own bespoke drop. Now, if you've got a special someone that really loves their booze, this pressie is for them: a bottle from Archie Rose's Tailored Spirits offering. Although less hands-on, it's no less involved. Choose the botanicals for a customised bottle of gin to gift them, or play creative director and design the label for a bottled cocktail (which will be lucky to make it to Boxing Day). And if you're going all out, pick a base malt, spirit style, cask type and strength, then lean back knowing a truly unique cask of whisky is being created by the resident experts. Word of warning: your bottles won't be on their way to you until two or three months down the track, but what a thing to look forward to in the new year. CHEESE-MAKING WITH KRISTEN ALLAN Kristen Allan is no stranger to the cheese business. After starting her own dairy-powered company in 2012, this pioneer has perfected the art of cheese making — and winning multiple awards over the course of her career thus far. So, if you've got a fromage fanatic in your circle, what better gift than getting them in the presence of a master? Even better, in a hands-on class where they'll craft halloumi or feta, ricotta or burrata. Nabbing a gift voucher will see them pick a time that's right for them to come and witness the magic of Allan's techniques. Not only will your gift see them take their relationship with food to new heights, but they'll also be able to add their creations to meals at home (and even gift you a creamy serve of stracciatella in return). There's hands-on Melbourne classes and online courses too, for those you love out of the Harbour City. PICKLING WORKSHOP AT CORNERSMITH On the hunt for an end-of-year festive activity to do with mates? Look to Cornersmith's range of lessons at its cooking school for a fun and fermented way to spend your day. Make chutney on Saturday, November 26, or preserve tomatoes on Saturday, December 3. You'll leave with some jars that could make the perfect preserved pressies, plus new-found knowledge and kitchen skills. Or stick to the classics and get pickling on Saturday, December 10. During your session, you'll be taught how to make a seasonal vegetable pickle, the perfect pickled fruit to accompany a cheese plate, plus a quick and slow pickle. (And, you can use BYEBYE2022 at the checkout to get 25% off the last of this year's classes.) If you're gifting, stick to a voucher. The classes cover fermentation, kombucha, dumplings, pasta, seasonal preserving, waste-free cooking and more. [caption id="attachment_878603" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall Photography[/caption] SAUNA SESSION IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS European sauna culture officially landed in Australia this spring thanks to the passionate team at Blue Mountains Sauna. And a double pass to visit is the ideal present for that certain person who appreciates heat, health and endorphin-inducing activities. Co-founder Inga Sommerfeld grew up in northern Europe, where saunas are the norm. After moving to Australia and meeting her partner Nikita, the two realised that here down under, there was a shortage of establishments delivering an authentic sauna experience — with those delightful hazes of 'löyly'. What awaits your lucky giftee in the mountains? A carefully crafted room that radiates 80–90°C dry heat, ice baths and a recovery session around a fire. For the full experience, if the weather permits, the snow outside is awaiting to deliver a cold shock to warm bodies between sessions. SALSA CLASS AT LATIN JUNCTION Know someone that needs a little extra flair in their life? Or have a rhythmically gifted friend? Hit them with a ten-class pass to Latin Junction. There's everything from salsa to bachata, reggaeton to Latin fusion — and it's accessible for everyone (even those with two lefties). As well as gifting the skills of the New York Walk or the Enchufa, you'll be giving a gift that creates community through music and movement. They'll be burning up the dance floor in no time. [caption id="attachment_878600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Veronica Eastell, Radical Wellbeing Studio[/caption] KNIFE-MAKING WORKSHOP AT NORDIC EDGE Yes, crafting your own knife is certainly a thing — a thing that Bjorn and his team at Nordic Edge know well. Gifting an avid cook? A fond forager? Someone that just loves doing things with their hands? If so, this Brookvale joint has the perfect pressie for them. Picture your pal at a one-day knife-making workshop. Being guided by master craftspeople, they'll set to work making their own hand-forged chef's knife. Over eight hours, they'll shape their own blade, quench it and grind it, then use a high-grit belt for a smooth, sharp finish. As well as taking home an original knife, they'll score knowledge about the forge, anvil, tools and techniques of blacksmithing, too. GIFT VOUCHER FOR THE RITZ Got a movie-lover in your life? Treat them to a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience at Ritz Cinemas. The heritage-listed building has stood in Randwick since 1937, and is one of only two original art deco cinemas left in Sydney. Along with a rich history, the space delivers events aplenty for those who live and breathe film. From screenings of films on 35mm and a constant stream of cult classics, to the latest releases and special events, it's a cinephile's dream. How to let them pick their perfect prize? A gift card that's valid for three years (and valid for use across films, events and food and drink), or a Movie Club membership (which will gift them $15 tickets for themselves and a guest, cheapies on Tuesdays and a $1 ticket on sign up). If you've got a loved one who has everything, look to experiences this holiday season. A top option? A boozy masterclass at Archie Rose in Rosebery. Head to the website for more information. Top images: Nikki To (first, second, fourth); Veronica Eastell, Radical Wellbeing Studio (third)
One of the many 80s comedies on Tom Hanks' resume, Turner & Hooch has already been remade in 2021 as a low-stakes streaming series with nothing worth wagging one's tail about to show for it. Still, it gains a big-screen spiritual successor in Dog, Channing Tatum's return to cinemas after a five-year absence (other than a brief cameo in Free Guy, plus voice-acting work in Smallfoot and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part). Sub out a police investigator saddled with a canine witness for an Army Ranger transporting a dead colleague's ex-working dog; swap Hanks' uptight everyman for Tatum's usual goofy meathead persona, obviously; and shoehorn in a portrait of America today that aims to appeal to absolutely everyone. The result: a good boy of a movie that Tatum co-directs, isn't without its likeable and affecting moments, but is also a dog's breakfast tonally. Like pouring kibble into a bowl for a hungry pooch each morning, Dog is dutiful with the basics: a man, a mutt, an odd-couple arrangement between seeming opposites with more in common than the human among them first thinks, and an emotional journey. Comedic hijinks ensue along the way, naturally, although Turner & Hooch didn't involve anyone getting cock-blocked from having a threesome with two tantric sex gurus by its four-legged scamp. Given that Tatum's Jackson Briggs needs to take Belgian Malinois Lulu 1500 miles from Montana to Arizona by car — she won't fly — Dog is also a road-trip film, complete with episodic antics involving weed farmers and fancy hotels at its pitstops. That's all so standard that it may as well be cinema's best friend, but this flick also reckons with combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder of both the human and animal kind, and ideas of masculinity and strength attached to military service. When Dog introduces Briggs, he's working in fast food by necessity — think Breaking Bad's fate for Saul Goodman, with Tatum even channelling the same stoic demeanour — as he waits to get redeployed. All he wants is to head back on active duty, but his higher-ups need convincing after the brain injury he received on his last tour. But his direct superior (Luke Forbes, SWAT) throws him a bone: if Briggs escorts Lulu to their former squad member's funeral, after he drove himself into a tree at 120 miles per hour, he'll sign off on his re-enlistment. Lulu has also been changed by her service, so much so that this'll be her last hurrah; afterwards, Briggs is to return her to the nearest base where she'll be euthanised. Given that Dog is exactly the movie it seems to be, its ending is never in doubt. Accordingly, fretting about Lulu is pointless. The journey is the story, of course, so Tatum and co-director/screenwriter Reid Carolin — also making his helming debut, and reteaming with the former after penning Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL (and the upcoming Magic Mike's Last Dance) — endeavour to make the small moments matter. That's a line of thinking on par with Briggs' readjustment to civilian life, and similarly howling through his burgeoning bond with Lulu past simply playing chauffeur. Yes, Dog is that obvious. An emotional throughline doesn't need to be novel to strike a chord, though, and this film yaps the message loud and clear. That said, it also trades more in concepts than in fleshed-out characters, making an already-broad story even broader. Some films see the universal in the specific (see: 2008's also pooch-centric masterpiece Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams), but Dog isn't one of them — it's too eager to please, and widely. So, when it attempts to rove beyond a feel-good person-and-pupper road-trip heartwarmer, it still goes broad and blatant. Here, caricatures of Portland women sneer at Briggs for his service, military camaraderie and purpose is his be all and end all, and dialogue riffs about "getting our murder on" on deployment. The armed forces are adamant about checking the boxes required for Briggs' return, but care little about his post-war life otherwise — and see Lulu as expendable. And, this is a feature where a gag involving Briggs pretending to be a person who is blind segues into an attack on a Middle Eastern man, as Lulu was once trained to do, which sparks congrats from a racist cop and Briggs' horror. Dog presents rather than significantly interrogates most of the above, however, proving jumbled in both mood and meaning. Tatum, Carolin and co-screenwriter — and former soldier — Brett Rodriguez are far more careful with depicting the effects of war on Briggs and Lulu. Sharing a 14-year history with the subject dating back to 2008's Stop-Loss, which Tatum acted in, Carolin helped produce and Rodriguez worked on as a military consultant, the trio have been building to Dog; they also collaborated on 2017 documentary War Dog: A Soldier's Best Friend, too. Perhaps that's why, even playing a character with plenty of complications but little texture, Tatum still makes Briggs feel lived-in. He's long been great at unpacking and softening engrained notions of machismo — the Magic Mike films dazzle for exactly that reason — and he's as charismatic and graceful at it here as he's ever been. Tatum also conveys the simmering desperation driving Briggs, who only knows how to fight, and the leap it takes to see open himself up to his new barking bestie. Affable, thoughtful, sometimes muddled, a bit adrift: they all describe Dog, and apply to Briggs and Lulu as well. Indeed, it'd be half the movie it is without Tatum, and benefits from a fine supporting turn by Ethan Suplee (The Hunt) as another veteran and dog handler — plus the always-welcome Jane Adams (She Dies Tomorrow) and ex-wrestler Kevin Nash (a fellow Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL alum) as the aforementioned pot-growing duo — as well as never-overplayed canine acting. A familiar but still poignant score from Thomas Newman (The Little Things) also does its part, and the expectedly scenic yet nonetheless vivid cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel (Da 5 Bloods) with it. Dog mightn't convincingly teach its underlying formula new tricks, doesn't always have much bite and rarely knows what to stop shaking its tail at; however, even just for its 101 minutes, it's an easy-enough movie to sit and stay with.
The MCA's free music series Sounds on the Terrace is back for the seventh year running. And, once again, the gallery is teaming up with Young Henrys. The Newtown brewers will curate the music lineup and, you guessed it, add a healthy dose of craft beer to the drinks list. The next rooftop session on Wednesday, June 5 coincides with Vivid 2019 and will welcome Sunshine Coast due Sametime and a 90s nostalgia-inducing set from Melissah Marie, aka Moody Beach. It's no coincidence that Sounds on the Terrace is concurrent with the MCA's weekly Lights on Later program, either. In between sipping on Young Henrys lageritas — a combination of beer and tequila — and snacking on bites from Cornersmith at the MCA Cafe. You can also take a wander through the gallery's two current exhibitions: Janet Lawrence's blend of art, nature and science, and the MCA's curation for citywide biannual exhibition The National. More dates will no doubt be added soon. Updated: May 15, 2019.
Just like planning overseas getaways for certain parts of the year — now that they're allowed again, that is — Australian cinema lovers can base their annual calendar around which parts of the globe they'd like to peer at. As autumn hits, the French Film Festival kicks into gear around the country. Midyear, when things are frosty, the Scandinavian Film Festival usually arrives. When spring is in full swing, it's Italian Film Festival time. And, from February 2022, summer will now end with a movie-going trip to Europe. Kicking off on Friday, February 4 and running through until Sunday, February 27, Europa! Europa is the new Aussie film fest that'll bring Europe's latest flicks to our screens. Debuting in Sydney and Melbourne, it'll focus on fresh new flicks from the entire continent — and pair them with live music and special events across its three-week run. While it's too early for the festival's program just yet, Europa! Europa will launch its 2022 lineup with a keenly anticipated title that gives a firm idea of how the event means to go on. That'd be the acclaimed, Cannes-premiering French feature Benedetta, which tells the tale of real-life 17th-century Tuscan nun Benedetta Carlini. The reason there's a film about her? She believed she saw visions of Christ, and also had in a sexual relationship with a fellow sister at her abbey. Benedetta also hails from Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, who has quite the attention-grabbing resume — including directing the original RoboCop and Total Recall movies, sticking with sci-fi for Starship Troopers, and spearheading 90s erotic thrillers courtesy of Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He also helmed the Isabelle Huppert-starring revenge thriller Elle in 2016, too. Consider it a vision of things to come at Sydney and Melbourne's newest film fest, which hasn't announced its venues yet, either, but'll host its launch screenings on Sunday, January 16 at Elsternwick's Classic Cinemas in Melbourne and Randwick's Ritz Cinema in Sydney. Check out the trailer for Benedetta below: Europa! Europa will screen in Sydney and Melbourne between Friday, February 4–Sunday, February 27, 2022, following program launch screenings on Sunday, January 16 at Elsternwick's Classic Cinemas in Melbourne and Randwick's Ritz Cinema in Sydney. We'll update you with the full lineup when it is announced.
The past 14 months or so haven't delivered many reasons to laugh. They haven't seen many big-name international comedians hit our stages to try to get us giggling and guffawing, either. But Bill Bailey is about to help end both of those unwanted streaks, with the British favourite bringing his En Route to Normal tour to our shores this October and November. It has been three years since Bailey last had the country chuckling back in 2018 — and then rewatching Black Books yet again and chuckling some more, naturally. This time, he's coming our way following a sold-our tour of New Zealand, where he also been filming a new trans-Tasman comedy panel series called Patriot Brains. So, if you need something to watch while you wait to see him live, consider this a hearty suggestion. Known for everything from Have I Got News for You and QI to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Skins, Bailey will be pondering some of life's big questions during his En Route to Normal sets. And, while the pandemic is certain to get a mention, he actually named the show before lockdowns, social distancing and always knowing how many active cases are in your state became our current definition of normal. Bailey will kick off the tour in Queensland, before making his way — and taking his distinctive locks — to Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Plus, in some states, he won't just be sticking to capital cities. BILL BAILEY EN ROUTE TO NORMAL TOUR 2021: October 23 — Empire Theatre , Toowoomba October 25 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane October 28 — The Events Centre, Caloundra October 29 — Star Theatre, Gold Coast October 31 — Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah November 1 — Riverside Theatre, Perth November 5 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide November 8 — Princess Theatre, Launceston November 8 — Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart November 12 — Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo November 13 — Costa Hall, Geelong November 14 — Civic Hall, Ballarat November 15 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne November 19 — Wollongong Town Hall, Wollongong November 21 — State Theatre, Sydney November 23 — Coliseum Theatre, Sydney November 27 — Royal Theatre, Canberra November 28 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle Bill Bailey's En Route to Normal tour will make its way around the country this October and November. For pre-sale tickets between 12pm Thursday, May 20–5pm, Sunday, May 23, for general ticket sales from 12pm Monday, May 24 and for further information, head to the tour website. Top image: Andy Hollingworth.
Josh Niland has had a busy few years. He opened his new Fish Butchery takeaway eatery in Waterloo, and announced that he will be taking over The Grand National Hotel while moving his signature restaurant Saint Peter into the space. Plus, he was named in the world's top 100 best chefs, won the James Beard Book of the Year Award and was listed among the world's 50 best next-generation hospitality leaders. If all this wasn't enough, he's still got time to do adventurous pop-ups around Sydney. His latest is a collaboration with Scotch whisky brand Talisker. Across two days in October, Niland and Talisker brought a culinary pop-up at a picturesque view-heavy North Head boathouse that was being erected at the Q Station in Manly. Now, it's being brought back for one last pop-up on Monday, December 12. [caption id="attachment_870812" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Talisker and Saint Peter pop-up.[/caption] On this exclusive menu, you'll find four must-try dishes for any seafood enthusiast. Things will kick off with salt and vinegar garfish bathing in its own oil with Kamut sourdough for dipping and yoghurt-cultured butter. From there, you'll be served coal-fried calamari cut into thin pasta-like pieces and paired with yellowfin tuna salami and a chilli oil — all combining to create a seafood dish reminiscent of a next-level spag bol. The headline dish is whole butterflied King George whiting complimented with a finger lime and tapioca sauce that will burst in your mouth. "I wanted to capture the wild spirit of the sea paired with key aromas of Talisker — smoke, spice and a sense of sea salt spray in the morning after a storm," said Niland. "Years of maturation made by the sea has lent a full flavour to this bold dram and this menu celebrates Talisker's rich flavours while honouring the sea in a sustainable and ethical way." Tickets for the dinner will set you back $195 per person and are limited. [caption id="attachment_870810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Talisker and Saint Peter pop-up.[/caption]
UPDATE: October 9, 2020: Just Mercy is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes and Amazon Video. When Walter McMillian was arrested in 1987 for the murder of a white teenager Ronda Morrison, the African American man was immediately sent to Alabama's death row. Before his was convicted and sentenced — before his trial even started — he spent 15 months among men condemned to die for their crimes. This move, orchestrated by the Monroeville sheriff's office, was extraordinary. It also speaks volumes about the way McMillian was treated from the moment he was cuffed. It's a minor detail in Just Mercy, the legal drama that tells his story, and McMillian is by no means the only person the tactic was used on — but if a suspect is saddled with such a fate before their day in court, how can justice ever truly prevail? That's one of the questions that lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) both ponders and seeks to redress in Just Mercy, with the movie exploring his tale as much as McMillian's (Jamie Foxx). Another issue the crusading attorney tackles: why black defendants are instantly assumed guilty, but the same rarely applies to white culprits. This is a film filled with fervour, charting the Stevenson's efforts to save a man facing execution. It's also an indictment of the inequities of America's legal system, and of US society as a whole. Those two aims are intertwined, of course. The minutiae of McMillian's case remains heartbreakingly familiar, as does Stevenson's accompanying battle for fairness — because in situations like this, the names may change but the details usually stay much the same. When the feature introduces Stevenson, he's an idealistic Harvard student meeting his first death row prisoner. Realising how much he has in common with the incarcerated young man — and seeing the difference lending a kindly ear makes — he commits to fighting against unjust death sentences when he graduates from college. After securing federal funding, crossing paths with the similarly passionate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) and starting an organisation called the Equal Justice Initiative, he moves to Alabama in 1989 to do exactly that. McMillian's case is still the talk of Monroeville and, although it takes time to convince the imprisoned man himself, it's soon Stevenson's priority. Even audiences with zero prior knowledge of McMillian's plight can guess what comes next. A plethora of evidence proves his innocence, while just as much illustrates how little the folks that put him behind bars cared about his legal rights — or about true justice. Confronted with these facts, everyone involved in the local legal system sports an uncaring attitude, including the new prosecutor (Rafe Spall) who refuses to reopen the case. Adapted from Stevenson's own memoir by writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton with his The Glass Castle co-scribe Andrew Lanham, each of Just Mercy's revelations, speeches and courtroom showdowns plays out as expected; however, that's actually part of what makes this earnest movie pack a punch. Just Mercy boasts much that other films would envy, such as an emotive true tale, serious subject matter that's sadly still relevant today and a top-notch cast. Eyes blazing, his voice calm yet commanding, and compassion driving his every move, Jordan is especially fantastic as Stevenson — and he's matched by a restrained but no less resonant Foxx as a man resigned to the lie of the land in the deep south. But the feeling that this has all been seen before is used to particularly compelling effect here. It's something that Cretton is clearly cognisant of, as he was when he focused on troubled teens living in a group home in the excellent Short Term 12. Layering in other cases, such as that of fellow death row prisoner Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan), the filmmaker draws attention to the unending spate of real-life stories such as these. That's not a new revelation, but it bears heavily on a movie that's already weighty anyway. Indeed, in the feature's most powerful scenes, Cretton makes viewers face the ultimate consequences of a legal system predicated upon prejudice rather than justice. His is a measured and polished film both visually and tonally, but it purposefully lingers as one character inches towards their state-sanctioned end — lurking over every step and staring at the pain in the condemned man's expression, all to evoke a concerted sense of discomfort. This approach is far from understated, although neither is Just Mercy in general. Sincerity and deliberation don't have to go hand-in-hand with subtlety, after all. These types of tales might've reached pages and screens so often that they've become standard (McMillian's hometown of Monroeville was also the place where To Kill a Mockingbird's Harper Lee grew up, as the feature points out repeatedly), but this one firmly demonstrates why the fact they've become so routine also remains undeniably rousing, moving and devastating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78k9Mhgzy74
No one celebrates their birthday just once in any given year, especially if you're hitting a big milestone. Where's the fun in that? Yes, that proves true of cinemas as well, including the Ritz in Randwick — which is marking 85 years of screening movies, movies and even more movies with not one but two huge retrospective programs. The first, called 85 Films in 85 Days, is showing a different film from each of the venue's 85 years on each and every day until mid-October. That's a hefty effort, but the cinema's Australia on Celluloid program has it beat, at least in terms of duration. Again, that title is descriptive. In this retro showcase — which runs from Saturday, July 30, 2022–Monday, July 24, 2023 — the Randwick picture palace is diving back into Aussie movie history, and also screening each and every flick on its list in glorious 35mm. So, you're getting a blast from the past in two ways: in what you're watching and via how it's being shown. The program is filled with gems, unsurprisingly, kicking off with 1978's Newsfront — which is set in the 1940s, and follows two Cinetone newsreel company employees (Bill Hunter and Chris Haywood) covering news stories in the days before TV. Also on the list: the original Storm Boy, Aussie war dramas such as Gallipoli and Breaker Morant, and everything from They're a Weird Mob and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith through to Love Serenade and The Last Days of Chez Nous, plus Jedda, Shame, Don's Party, The Man From Hong Kong and The Coca-Cola Kid as well. Almost every genre is covered — and if it's an Aussie film released between the 50s and the 90s, odds are it'll flicker across the Ritz's screens at some point during this lineup. Among the many highlights, expect to see plenty of Aussie stars in their early days — including Bryan Brown in 1980's Stir, Noni Hazelhurst and Michael Caton in 1982's Monkey Grip, Colin Friels in 1986's Malcolm, Ben Mendelsohn and Claudia Karvan in 1990's The Big Steal, and Hugo Weaving and Russell Crowe in Proof the same year. Sessions run on Saturday afternoons weekly, with encores on Monday evenings.
What happens when a bunch of Aussie celebs and personalities jump on the cocktail shakers and have a crack at playing bartender? You're about to find out when the Tiny Tails Bar pops up in Campbells Cove from Thursday, May 4–Saturday, May 6. The pint-sized bar and its adjoining cocktail lounge are here to shake up your after-work drinks game, serving sips made by a roster of unlikely guest bartenders. The bar itself has room for just one customer at a time — they'll get to chat one-on-one with whoever's on the tins that night while their free drink is being whipped up, and take a few happy snaps, too. [caption id="attachment_898587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Millie Ford[/caption] The guest lineup includes the always iconic Courtney Act, TikTok star Millie Ford and actor Remy Hii (Wellmania, Spider-Man: Far From Home). And you needn't worry too much about their bar skills, since they'll be working with Tails' line of ready-to-shake batched cocktails, spanning classics like a whisky sour and a gimlet. You can jump online to reserve one of the limited spots at the bar, while the pop-up's Main Lounge will be open for walk-ins across all three nights, serving up plenty more free Tails cocktails to thirsty Sydneysiders.
The shock of unkempt hair, the Irish brogue, the misanthropic attitude: there's no mistaking Dylan Moran for anyone else. It was true in beloved British sitcom Black Books, when his on-screen alter ego abhorred mornings, ate coasters and claimed that his oven could cook anything (even belts). And it's definitely true of the comedian's acerbically hilarious live shows. Moran is no stranger to Australia, but if you haven't guffawed at his bleak wit live, he's coming back to Sydney — to the State Theatre, in fact — in 2023 to give you another chance. As always, expect the kind of deadpan gags, wine-soaked insights and blisteringly sharp one-liners that've kept him in the spotlight since 1996, when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Edinburgh Fringe's Perrier Award. On Thursday, May 11 and Monday, May 15, Moran will roll out his latest show We Got This, bringing his grumpily lyrical musings on love, politics, misery and the everyday absurdities of life to the Harbour City. This marks his first full standup show since 2019's Dr Cosmos, which also came our way — and was available to stream earlier in the pandemic, too. Given this tour's title, it's hardly surprising that Moran will be reflecting upon these chaotic times. That might sound like a standard comedy gig these days, but nothing about Moran's comedy is ever standard.
Got a spare spot in your calendar? Fill it up by heading to one (or more) of the world-class sporting events coming to New South Wales in the second half of 2022. As a number of the world's top athletes touch down in search of glory, don't miss your chance to feel the roar of the crowd from up close as diverse exceptional talent do what they do best. WALLABIES v ENGLAND When: July 16, 2022 Where: Sydney Cricket Ground Get down to the SCG on Saturday, July 16 as the Wallabies take on England in what could potentially be the deciding match of a three-test series. It'll be the first time the old foe has been on our shores since 2016, so you can expect to be part of a heaving local crowd that will undoubtedly give the visitors a warm welcome. With the Bledisloe Cup and the 2023 Rugby World Cup just around the corner, both squads are looking to get off to an ideal start at the first test to be held at the SCG since 1986. To purchase tickets for Wallabies v England, head to the website. [caption id="attachment_855864" align="alignnone" width="1920"] UCI, SWpix[/caption] 2022 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS When: September 18–25, 2022 Where: Wollongong Hot off the heels of Jai Hindley becoming the first Aussie cyclist to claim victory at the Giro d'Italia, one of the races that make up the Triple Crown of Cycling, the cycling world will descend upon Wollongong this September. The coastal city is hosting one of the other meets in that prestigious trifecta: the 2022 UCI Road World Championships. Catch over 1000 of the world's best cyclists from 70-plus countries ripping through the streets of Wollongong and along its lung-busting coastline in the battle for the coveted rainbow jersey. Across the jam-packed eight-day event, 11 world-championship races will be cheered on by an estimated 300,000 spectators keen to see pedal power reach remarkable heights. In this picturesque location, you'll find men's and women's road races, time trials, community activities and more. If you're planning to make a weekend out of it (and why wouldn't you be?), check out our massive guide to the Gong here. For more information about the 2022 UCI Road World Road Championships, head to the website. FIBA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2022 When: September 22–October 1 Where: Sydney Olympic Park Returning to Australia for the first time in 27 years, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup sees 12 of the best national teams go head to head across ten action-packed days. For the 2022 edition, games will take place at Sydney Olympic Park and its two incredible stadiums – the Sydney SuperDome and the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Across 38 matches, some of the most exciting players in the world right now will put it all on the line to take the coveted trophy home. The United States team is travelling to Australia as three-time defending champions. But our hometown heroes, as well as Canada, Belgium, France and China, are all well-placed to spoil the Americans' party. Get down and support the Opals in their hunt for a second FIBA championship title. To purchase tickets to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, head to the website. [caption id="attachment_855867" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Copley - ICC via Getty Images[/caption] ICC MEN'S T20 WORLD CUP 2022 When: October 16–November 13 Where: Sydney Cricket Ground As Australia gets ready for another summer of cricket, the world's best players will be in Sydney from October for one of the biggest events on the global cricket calendar. From October 22, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will take place at venues all around the country. The SCG is set to host seven matches, including Australia's opening match of the tournament against New Zealand on October 16 and a semi-final on November 9. Australia is the defending champion but faces tough competition from 15 international teams, with the likes of India, England, Bangladesh, South Africa and Pakistan also featuring in Sydney. The thrilling pace and dynamic nature of T20 cricket makes it a perfect night out for all ages, so make sure you don't miss your chance to experience this global celebration of cricket in person. To purchase tickets for the ICC Men's T20 Men's World Cup 2022, head to the website. To discover more world-class events taking place in NSW, head to Visit NSW.
Checking into holiday accommodation, scouring every inch of your new home away from home and savouring your temporary scenic sights is part of everyone's vacation ritual — and most of us have the photos to prove it. And, while the jaw-dropping sensation that stems from peering over a beachside balcony is all well and great, it's certain to pale in comparison to the feeling you get when you stay in a volcano. At Wilderness Safari's Bisate Lodge in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, visitors can check into one of six thatched forest villas that are located within a volcano, and near even more towering peaks. Lava won't be flowing in the accommodation, of course, with the cosy dens built within the amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone. For those after some fiery action, the Bisoke volcano lurks close by, with the site featuring views towards the active land rupture, as well as of the inactive Karisimbi and dormant Mikeno mountains. With the individual lodges fitted out with luxurious furnishings, huge fireplaces and private decks, the 42-hectare site doesn't just offer volcanic thrills, but forms part of an eco-minded trip. Bisate acts as a base for tourists keen to enjoy a gorilla conservation experience, which includes morning treks to view the creatures, tree planting in the massive reforestation nursery, nature walks and more. Unsurprisingly, holing up here for a night or several doesn't come cheap, starting at around AU$1400 per night. Images: Wilderness Safaris.
Since Netflix dropped the third season of Stranger Things way back in mid-2019, fans of the 80s-set sci-fi/horror series have been left with plenty of questions. Some were answered relatively quickly, with Jim Hopper's (David Harbour, Black Widow) immediate fate covered in an early teaser back in February 2020. Other queries took a while to answer, with the streamer only revealing an exact release date for the show's fourth season in February this year. But here's one train of thought that's been going through absolutely no one's minds until now: do they play guitar in the Upside Down? Arriving after a heap of shorter sneak peeks over the past year or so — with a couple more teasers released in May 2021, then another one in August, followed by yet another in September and one more last November — the full trailer for Stranger Things season four resolves that axe-shredding question. The answer: a wailing yes. But if you're now wondering the obvious — aka why? — you'll need to wait till the show's first new episodes arrive on Friday, May 27, or maybe even until its second batch of season four instalments hit on Friday, July 1. Also covered in this long-waited return trip to Hawkins: mysterious packages, an angry Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) setting off sparks, a new D&D club and a levitating Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). Oh, and a new monster who looks like it should've crawled out of The X-Files. And yes, the vibe here is all old-school horror — which is hardly surprising given that one of those past teaser trailers had Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max exploring an eerie haunted house. Across the clips so far, viewers have also been taken to California, which is where Eleven, Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) have washed up following season three. Eleven is settling in as well as she can settle in anywhere, as she explains in a letter to Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch) — but she also can't wait until she can see him in person again. And, we've headed back to Hawkins Laboratory and its whole creepy setup, too. So, piece all these trailers together and Netflix has dropped plenty of clues about what's in store — but facing a new supernatural threat and trying to put an end to the Upside Down's horrors is the gang's main aim in season four. If it feels like series' creators Matt and Ross Duffer are working on their endgame, that's unsurprising. The pair announced a few months back that there'll only be one more season to follow after season four. But, this season has "a runtime of nearly twice the length of any previous seasons," the Duffer brothers also advised. It certainly has a whole heap of trailers, and the full sneak-peek clocks in at over three minutes. May 27 can't come soon enough — but until then, you can check out the Stranger Things season four trailer below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix in two parts, with Volume One dropping on Friday, May 27 and Volume Two hitting on Friday, July 1. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
Winter in Sydney means three things: shorter days, longer nights and the return of Butter Ramen Club. Now in its ninth year (and counting), the hotly anticipated noodle-fuelled celebration is on at Butter's Surry Hills home from now until the end of September — and this time, it'll be bringing the heat in a whole new way. Executive Chef Julian Cincotta — Butter's fried chicken mastermind and ramen whisperer — has once again brought back his signature OG Fried Chicken Ramen for winter. This dish has taken on cult-classic status among Sydney foodies, and it's not hard to see why: thick-cut noodles, a marinated soft-boiled egg, enoki mushrooms and one of Butter's signature crispy fried chicken tenders, swimming in a rich, aromatic, tonkotsu-style broth. That flavour bomb of a bowl is only the beginning, with a number of new additions on the menu this time around. You'll be able to try a limited-time ramen topped with Forged by Vow's parfait and foie gras, made with cultured Japanese quail. Then, in good news for spice lovers, Butter has teamed up with local spice peddler The Fermentalist, known for its house-made hot sauces and bold chilli blends, for an all-new ramen that's set to bring some serious heat to the table. The bowls will be dished up daily in limited numbers, and only in store, for $25 a pop. You can also add a crisp $8 Tiger beer on the side for the ultimate winter warmer. Of course, Butter is known for more than just its golden fried chicken, and the brand's streetwear fans also have something to get excited about this winter. The 2025 Butter Ramen Club apparel drop is landing soon, this time in collaboration with one of western Sydney's most hyped fashion brands. You can find it online and in-store — but as always, once it's gone, it's gone. Whether you're a ramen obsessive, fried chicken fiend or just looking for a little extra warmth in your life this winter, Butter's annual ramen run continues to be a must-try for hungry Sydneysiders. Get in early, slurp up and embrace the heat. You can find Butter's limited-run ramen range its site at 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills, from now until the end of September. Butter is open from 11.30am–9.30pm on Tuesday–Wednesday, 11.30am–11pm on Thursday, 11.30am–11.30pm on Friday–Saturday, and 12–9pm on Sunday. For more details, head to the restaurant's website.
Among the highlights on 2023's Sydney Festival lineup sits WORD MADE FLESH, a new exhibition from one of Australia's most accomplished multidisciplinary artists, Paul Yore. If you're keen on colourful, immersive and otherworldly art, this showcase is running for free at Carriageworks from Thursday, January 5–Sunday, February 26. Here, Yore finds joy in the mess of society, and reimagines an alternative queer reality that has been forged out of the wreckage of the current world. Created in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), the mixed-media exhibition combines sculptures, found objects, collages, paintings, video, sound and light to create a fully immersive realm. The exhibition is one of two free artistic activations taking over Carriageworks as part of Sydney Festival and Sydney WorldPride 2023. While you're at the Eveleigh space, make sure to also drop into The Huxleys' new exhibition Bloodlines, honouring those lost to HIV/AIDS including the legacy of the legendary queer artist we lost to the epidemic — and dedicated to legendary artists such as Leigh Bowery, Robert Mapplethorpe, Keith Haring and Sylvester. Images: Paul Yore, WORD MADE FLESH, 2022, Carriageworks. Photo: Zan Wimberley
