Any frequent travellers will tell you that the friendships you develop on the road can be some of the most life altering. So imagine, as a budding painter venturing out into the world, you encountered and befriended some of the artists who were to become the most famous of their generation. That's the exact scenario Australian painter John Russell found himself in while living and studying in London and Paris in the 1880s and 90s. As well as developing a close friendship with Vincent van Gogh, Russell also taught Henri Matisse colour theory, dined with Claude Monet and — amazingly — was even temporarily stranded at sea with Auguste Rodin. It's quite the crew — and one in which Russell found his place as a French Impressionist. Now, the first major survey of Russell's work in 40 years is at the Art Gallery of NSW. Open now and on view until Sunday, November 11, John Russell: Australia's French Impressionist showcases more than 100 of the 'lost' impressionist's paintings, drawings and watercolours drawn from major international and Australian art institutions and private collections. Fittingly, these are accompanied by works of his contemporaries: Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. It was within this creative circle that exhibition curator Wayne Tunnicliffe says Russell "found his artistic voice". Russell was one of our first truly international artists, but — compared to his contemporaries — largely flew under the art radar. So don't worry if you hadn't yet heard of him. This exhibition offers Sydneysiders an opportunity to engage directly with his time spent abroad, and his subsequent evolution as an artist, and they follow Russell's journey through impressionism and experimentation with pure colour, right through to his later vibrant watercolours. Highlights include Russell's 1886 portrait of Vincent van Gogh, as well as six of his blossom paintings from 1887, which are said to have inspired the famous Dutch painter. To accompany the exhibition, AGNSW will also host a number of guided tours and talks to further delve into Russell's works and the themes explored in them. John Russell: Australia's French Impressionist will be held at the AGNSW from July 21 to November 11, 2018. Tickets are $20 per person ($16 for members) and can be purchased via the AGNSW website. We're also giving away ten double passes to the exhibition. To enter, see details below. [competition]679817[/competition] Images: John Russell, Mrs Russell Among the Flowers in the Garden of Goulphar, Belle-Île, 1907; John Russell, Rough Sea, Morestil, c1900; John Russell, The Garden, Longpré-les-Corps-Saints, 1887.
Yulli's, Surry Hills' purveyor of standout vegetarian fare and great brews since 2008, is expanding — imminently. On Friday, July 20, the team will throw open the doors to its brand new taproom and restaurant in Alexandria, Yulli's Brews. While the space itself isn't new, owner Karl Cooney and head brewer James Harvey have been in there for a while brewing award-winning ales such as Norman, it's the first time the space will be open to the public. And it'll be 100 percent vegan. From the beer through to the wine to the neat lineup of bush tucker-meets-Southeast Asian eats, not a fish scale, cheese crumb or bacon rind will appear. But it won't skimp on flavours — or personality, which carries through from the eclectic design to the anthropomorphic beers. The space, which can hold 150 people, is split into two areas — a ground floor for big tables and standup beers, and a large mezzanine for sit-down eats — and is filled with tables made from repurposed boat decking and vintage finds from nearby Lunatiques. Designed by Surry Hills' Snell Architects, it has an industrial edge (fitting, for a warehouse) with plenty of nods to Yulli's past. Take a seat on the mezzanine floor and you'll be able to look straight into the production area and watch Harvey and Cooney brewing. You'll also be able to taste three brand new Yulli's brews, including its first cider, Margo. Like all its brews, the dry and fruity apple cider is named after an employee — who still works at the Yulli's restaurant in Surry Hills. If you're not a beer — or cider — fan, fear not: Yulli's Brews has a full bar. And it's all local. And all vegan. Cooney admits that sourcing completely vegan wines — which are all from NSW — was tough, but well worth the effort. On the lineup of local spirits, expect to see plenty of nearby gin distiller Archie Rose. Food is a mishmash of cuisines. You'll find yiros made with Vietnamese ingredients — and served on house-made flat bread — and dumplings stuffed with bunya nuts, which Cooney recommends you pair with Chuck Black, Yulli's bunya nut porter on tap. The kitchen, which will also act as a production site for Yulli's restaurant, will be overseen by Kenny Kim, who did a big stint back at the Surry Hills restaurant. It'll also be churning out vegan fare for nearby pubs, who have been hitting up Cooney for years to look after the vegan part of their menus. While there's no word yet on what pubs they'll be supplying, if you're a vegan in the inner west, expect dining out at pubs to get a lot more exciting in the upcoming months. Find Yulli's Brews from 4pm, Friday, July 20, at 75A Burrows Road, Alexandria.
With the weather warming up, we've started thinking about long summer days lazing at the beach with mates — with a delicious drink in hand, of course. And this year, selecting your go-to summer seltzer just got a whole lot easier. Meet Sunny Eddy — Australia's first gin seltzer. Hailing from the northern beaches of Sydney, this refreshing new drink comes in three delicious flavours including a cool lime and cucumber; a crisp pink apple; and zesty blood orange and grapefruit. To celebrate a summer of balmy evenings kicking back with friends, we're giving away a summer's supply of this tasty tipple to a lucky CP reader. That means you could be getting three cases of Sunny Eddy (one of each flavour) delivered to your door once a month from November till February. You'll also score a Wandering Sol picnic rug and cooler bag so you can take your Sunny Eddy supplies on outdoor summer adventures with ease. That's a prize pack valued at over $1000 — on us. All you have to do is dob in an Eddy that you know and tell us why they're the epitome of sunshine. A sunny Eddy — get it? Probably a good call to share your summer haul with that little ray of sunshine too, right? Want to have your fridge stocked with Sunny Eddy all summer long? You can. To be in the running, tell us in 25 words or less about an awesome, sunny Eddy you know and what they do that brings sunshine to your life. For more information on Sunny Eddy, or to order your own supply, visit the website. [competition]826265[/competition]
It's time to get your freak on because the spooky season is officially in full swing. To celebrate, Hordern Pavilion is hosting a massive inclusive horror party, with multiple beloved Sydney venues transforming over the weekend as part of the festivities. Whether you're after a scare, a thrill or to hit the dance floor, this two-day bash is returning to cater to everything you'd imagine for a party-filled fright night. If you want to get the party started early, Oxford House will don a new look on Friday, October 27. The venue will be rebranded as HORRORHOUSE and will be pumping tunes and festive frights all night as an immersive "concept hotel" experience. Then, on Saturday, October 28, Halloween fiends can hit up Hordern Pavilion from 6pm for the main event. The stacked lineup features performances from famed drag stars including Brooke Lynn Hytes (Canada's Drag Race), plus Kween Kong and Hannah Conda (runner-ups on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under). There will also be makeup stations where professional artists will transform patrons with creepy makeovers — and for those who want to be fully immersed in the spirit of Halloween, there's a nightmare-fuelled Scare Zone. What exactly awaits you in the zone is a mystery, but Horrorween promises you'll come away spooked. Those in attendance will also find spaces to dance the night away with a lineup of queer international DJ talent spinning tracks — including Ben Bakson, GSP and Caca Werneck, alongside a bunch of local DJs. Finally, an Oxford Street favourite and a popular Darling Habour spot are throwing a pair of after-parties. Starting at 11pm on Saturday, October 28, Universal is giving you the opportunity to party from the pitch-black night through to the witching hour and beyond with its club night Déjàvu, rebranded as Déjàboo. Or, you can opt to hit up waterfront favourite HOME, for its Morning Gory (a spin on its Morning Glory events). Head to the Horrorween Festival website to grab your tickets for this ghoulish celebration and for further details on the citywide festivities.
Since launching four years ago, Sydney Contemporary has really made itself a major part of Sydney's arts calendar. After a great event last year, the art fair and exhibition will return to Carriageworks this week with a lineup is so jam-packed that it's bursting at the finely-designed seams. The lineup is chock-full with performances, talks and parties (including one hosted by us) that celebrate both homegrown and international art. But the main drawcard is the exhibition at Carriageworks that this year features major installations by Jean Debuffet, Ash Keating, Ronnie van Hout and none other than Patricia Piccinini. She'll take over the Elston Room with The Field, which has been developed from its time at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Definitely worth a walk-through. Other notable installations include Abdul Abdullah's imposing tapestry portraits, a collection of modern clay figures by the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre and Hossein Ghaemi's exploration of the psyche of cats. There's performance art, too, with Taipei-born Parisian artist River Lin cleansing people of their 'imperfections', vanishing art act Emily Parsons-Lord and sonic impulse explorer Michaela Davis. The whole thing kicks off with an opening bash tomorrow night, but we've got an early look at the exhibition. Take a peek and then head into Carriageworks to see it for yourself — the exhibition will be open from 12–5pm on Thursday, 12–8pm on Friday, and 11am–6pm on Saturday and Sunday. [caption id="attachment_688209" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Patricia Piccinini: The Field[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abdul Abdullah: Call me by my name[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688207" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jean Debuffet: L'Incivil[/caption] [caption id="attachment_688203" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hossein Ghaemi: Jumbuck Pishi[/caption] Sydney Contemporary runs from September 13–16 at Carriageworks. Tickets to the exhibition are $25 — visit the event website to buy them. Images: Jacquie Manning.
This post is sponsored by our partners, Sydney Festival. Whether you want to throw shapes to beats more therapeutic than a life coach, hear operatic songs about death influenced by Jefferson Airplane, or celebrate the fact that triple j is ageing like a fine wine, Sydney Festival has the goods. Between January 8 and 26, you’ll be able to find music in places only SydFest time would allow: prison exercise yards, Hyde Park-turned-fairyland, the grounds of St Johns College and, of course, the Famous Spiegeltent. We're aware that being overwhelmed with choice can make decision-making tough. Even James Baldwin wrote, "Too much freedom is unbearable." Extreme. But we also know that quite a few of Sydney Festival's gigs are likely to sell out well before Santa's planned his final route. So, we've done you a favour and picked out the ten shows that you should nab a ticket to, pronto. ATOMIC BOMB! THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM ONYEABOR William Onyeabor is perhaps the most mysterious man ever to have fused Afro-funk with space-age jams. After powering through the creation of eight albums over just as many years, he suddenly decided to stop talking — about himself or his music. However, it's a well-known fact that it takes an awful lot to 'stop the funk'. So, in what's certain to be one of the hands-down most epic musical events of Sydney Festival, an 18-strong band made up of artists from all over the world are getting together to jam through Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyeabor at the Enmore Theatre. Led by Sinkane, Money Mark, Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), the performance will feature special guests in the form of Gotye and the legendary Mahotella Queens. 16 and 17 January, 8pm at Enmore Theatre. Tickets $85/77. CORNELIUS PRESENTS SALYU X SALYU All the way from Japan, this collaboration between noise pop guru Cornelius and enigmatic J-pop vocalist Salyu will make its Australian premiere at Sydney Festival. They're a potent match; while Cornelius has the beats finesse to keep any crowd on its feet until the wee hours, Salyu has the vocal skill and dynamic to keep him on his toes. She is, after all, the artist responsible for the haunting 'Kaifuku Suru Kizu', from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Expect plenty of surprises. 23 January, 5.15pm at The Aurora, Hyde Park. Tickets $49. SEU JORGE There's not many a cover artist can teach David Bowie about music. But when the art-glam-rock king heard Seu Jorge perform his hits acoustically, in Portuguese, for The Life Aquatic, he said he heard a whole "new level of beauty". That's certainly no easily-earned praise. Jorge, who cut his deep yet irresistibly tender voice in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will make his debut Australian performance at Sydney Festival. He’ll be playing an array of his famous, unique interpretations, as well as a bunch of originals, accompanied by a delicious mix of Latin and Caribbean beats, in both live and electronic form. 10 January, 8pm in The Domain (free) and 11 January, 8pm at The Star Event Centre. Tickets $45-89. ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF There are two reasons why this concert has made our list. First up, it involves the Town Hall's grand organ. That thing, which was the biggest organ on the planet when it was installed in 1890, can make 'Chopsticks' sound like Beethoven. Secondly, Anna von Hausswolff won’t be performing 'Chopsticks'; she’ll be playing and singing her dark, dramatic meditations on life and death. Genre-wise, they're tough to categorise, combining the influences of opera, film scores, black metal, the Cocteau Twins, Jefferson Airplane and her famous, avant-garde composing dad, Carl Michael Von Hausswolff. Plus she'll be supported by New Zealand's Aldous Harding, a 60s-influenced folk artist who dazzled Australian audiences earlier this year. 11 January, 8pm at Town Hall. Tickets $44-49. BEN FROST AND TIM HECKER For Australian and Canadian artists, it's difficult to escape the influence of isolation — along with the sense of natural abundance that comes from being part of a tiny population inhabiting a massive land area. Both Ben Frost, who was born here but now lives in Reykjavík, and Canadian Tim Hecker, whose calls Montreal home, create electronic music of epic proportions and striking contrasts. Where Frost combines classical minimalism with punk and metal, Hecker explores the crossroads of dissonance, melody and noise. Their getting together may well produce earthquakes. 11 January, 9.30pm at Joan Sutherland Theatre, Opera House. Tickets $49-$69. KAROL CONKA If there's one show at Sydney Festival that's going to boost your positive vibes and make dancing down the street irresistible for weeks afterward, it's Karol Conka's. In a recent Rolling Stone interview, she explained, "I situate myself in a position where I sing about joy; my protest is against sadness." Born in Brazil, Conka is one of the country's few female rappers to have risen out the underground, and her mixing of hip hop with Afro grooves promises to do more for your positive thinking than a sesh with Tony Robbins. 9 January, 11.45pm at The Aurora, Hyde Park. Tickets $30. DAN DEACON If you’re heading to Dan Deacon’s show, don’t forget your smartphone, whatever you do. Because it's your key to becoming an actual, live part of his gig. Before rocking up, audience members are asked to download an app, which will enable them to play an active role in his spectacular, synchronised sound and light extravaganza. Deacon, who hails from Baltimore, will be in rare solo form and is set to deliver one of his wildest, most chaotic and most fun performances yet. Last time Deacon visited our fair city for SydFest, there were dance races through the Hyde Park Barracks and the entire audience had to run through each other's raised-arm tunnels, one pair after the other. Expect everything. 22 January, 11.45pm at The Aurora, Hyde Park. Tickets $39. BEAT THE DRUM: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF TRIPLE J It’s hard to believe that triple j was born in the same year that Gough Whitlam copped the old heave-ho as PM. The beloved radio station began its life as 2JJ back in 1975, with a broadcast that served the Sydney metropolitan area only. Four decades on, it's become the nation's chief music tastemaker, and (thankfully) hasn't wavered from its commitment to homegrown tunes. At Sydney Festival, triple j will celebrate its 40th birthday with a gargantuan, seven-hour long shindig, featuring performances from friends new and old, including Vance Joy, The Presets, Ball Park Music, The Preatures, Hilltop Hoods, Tkay Maidza, You Am I, The Cat Empire, Courtney Barnett, Remi, Nina Las Vegas, KLP, Adalita and more. If you're a never-fail triple j listener, you won't want to hear about this one from Matt and Alex the next day — get there. 16 January, 4pm at The Domain. Tickets $86. BODY/HEAD Drummers, who needs 'em? Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon and genre-obliterating guitarist Bill Nace get together for an avant-noise session — that's absolutely percussion free. And mostly improvised. By confining themselves to two guitars and Gordon's vocals, the pair push themselves to the outer limits of minimalism. Pitchfork reviewer Marc Masters described their "dedication to a specific point of view" as "intoxicating". To add to this addictive effect, the live show is backdropped with mesmerising visuals. 22 January, 5.15pm at The Aurora, Hyde Park North. Tickets $49. SO FRENCHY SO CHIC IN THE PARK Prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Casual Saturdaying during SydFest time. So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is waltzing back to St John's College, an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties — think gourmet picnic hampers, tortes and terrines, offensively good wine, quaint puppet shows, furious outdoor chess, casual bongo drum lessons — So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of some of France's best: Emile Simon, The Dø, La Femme and Francois and Atlas Mountains will crank out live sets on the lawn this year. Formidable. Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi. January 17, 2.30pm at St John's College, University of Sydney. Tickets $89. By the Concrete Playground team.
A team of three ex-Merivale chefs have joined forces to open a new family-friendly and 100-percent halal Italian restaurant in the new Marina Square development at Wentworth Point. The restaurant comes from hospitality veteran Jimmy Vilaysack (Franky & Co, Fork & Spoon) who wanted to bring his love for pasta to Wentworth Point. He's enlisted the help of Michelin-star chef Danny Russo (L'Unico) to create a menu that's both crowd-pleasing and adventurous. Russo, who has consulted for the likes of Merivale and The Old Library, has reworked Italian classics and created a concise menu of nostalgic dishes. There's truffle mac and cheese, fettuccine chicken, spaghetti and mozzarella-stuffed meatballs and squid in tagliolini with tuna. The show-stealer is the pappardelle lamb shank. This signature dish places a 450-gram lamb shank on top of a bed of rich tomato pappardelle with thyme and parmesan cream. Accompanying the pasta are breads and salads, including ciabatta with truffle butter and melted mozzarella; and a fresh peach and tomato salad. Papa Pasta joins a host of dining options at Marina Square. You'll find kushiyaki restaurant Kyo-Ya, Korean fried chicken outpost Chicken V, Bulpan serving up Korean barbecue and a Wentworth Point location of cheesey burger chain Burger Point. You'll find Papa Pasta at Shop 301/ 22 Footbridge Boulevard, Wentworth Point. It's open 5pm–10pm Wednesday–Sunday.
Sydney's city skyline is set to welcome three towering new additions, as the designs are finalised for Sydney CBD's new tech hub. Dubbed the Tech Central Precinct, it will span from Central to Eveleigh and has been pitted as the "Silicon Valley of Australia" by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. First announced back in 2018, the precinct will be home a $2.5 billion commercial development with two sky-high towers — clocking in at 37 and 39 floors, respectively. Architecture firms Fender Katsalidis and Skidmore and Owings & Merrill have just been announced as the winning designers of the development, called Central Place, which will be overseen by Dexus and Frasers Property Australia and will also include a sandstone building with shops, eateries and working spaces. The precinct is set to be built with 100 percent renewable energy as well as a "double skin façade" to help control heat gain and minimise the need for air-conditioning. [caption id="attachment_779987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render courtesy of Fender Katsalidis[/caption] Adjacent to the two towers will be a third imposing building: the world's tallest 'hybrid timber', in fact, built by tech giant Atlassian. Clocking in at 40 storeys and announced in late June, it's set to take over the existing YHA site on Pitt Street, with a mix of indoor and openair areas, including elevated green spaces and a plant-filled terraced rooftop. The National Trust has, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, raised concerns about the new towers, saying they are "out of context with the surrounding area" and could "overwhelm" existing buildings. Atlassian will submit a development application for the tower in the coming months and, if approved, hopes to start construction in 2021. Renders courtesy of Fender Katsalidis.
Sydney went a little wild late last year when Sydney City Council announced it was seeking tenders for mobile food traders. The tenders were received, the food judged, and the 10 trucks chosen. And then we waited. But wait no more; one of the first trucks off the rank is Eat Art Truck, manned by Stuart McGill and Brenton Balicki from Tetsuya's and Quay respectively. They will be vending their wares for the first time this Wednesday, May 23, at Queen's Square from 6pm (corner of Macquarie St and St James Rd). The truck will be sporting a changeable canvas of street art, with Phibs featuring as the first artist. Grab one of their pulled pork buns or some karaage prawns before heading over to the Art Gallery of NSW for more art at their Wednesday Art After Hours series.
Some films were always going to grace screens, and The Dry was one of them, all thanks to the huge on-the-page success of Jane Harper's beloved novel of the same name. That 2021 big-screen release's sequel, which is now called Force of Nature: The Dry 2, is another. The first movie was such a hit — notching up more than $20 million in Australian ticket sales, and coming in sixth at the Aussie box office two years back after Hollywood franchise titles Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time to Die, Godzilla vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2 and Fast and Furious 9 — that greenlighting this sequel must've been the easiest decision ever. In 2022, news arrived that The Dry would indeed score a big-screen follow-up, as based on Harper's second novel Force of Nature. Then it was revealed that the film would release in 2023, instantly becoming one of this year's most-anticipated flicks. Now, Roadshow Films — which is behind the movie, and will distribute it in Australia and New Zealand — has unveiled an exact release date. Mark August 24 in your diary: that's when you have a return movie date with Eric Bana (Dirty John) as Detective Aaron Falk. Actually, given that timing, you might just be able to see the film at the 2023 Sydney Film Festival or Melbourne International Film Festival. This chapter is set in Victoria, so it'd make a nice opening- or closing-night pick at MIFF in particular. In Force of Nature: The Dry 2, the focus is on a corporate hiking retreat attended by five women, after which only four return. So, alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing hiker — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. [caption id="attachment_787502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] As The Dry was, Force of Nature is written and directed by Robert Connolly (Blueback). Again, it boasts quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. "Adapting Jane Harper's remarkable Force of Nature for the cinema has been an exciting adventure, a rare privilege to be able to revisit the world of detective Aaron Falk and to work again with Eric, an extraordinary supporting cast and a wonderful team of creatives and crew," said Connolly. "Jane's novels evoke the often-terrifying beauty of the natural world, and in this sequel to The Dry we take audiences into a new landscape to solve entwining crimes in the remote Australian wilderness." [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse Aussie cast like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Elvis), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Although there are now two images from the film to check out — see the header picture at the very top of this article, then the first among the text — it's still too early for even a teaser clip. Until one arrives, revisit the trailer for The Dry below: Force of Nature will release in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on August 24, 2023. Read our full review of The Dry. Force of Nature images: Narelle Portanier.
Alright, alright, alright. NSW has a new tiny cabin — but this one is a little different. Aussie startup Unyoked, which currently has 12 tiny cabins around NSW and Victoria, has teamed up with the one-and-only Matthew McConaughey to launch the new extra-special off-grid getaway. As part of his role as Wild Turkey's creative director, the Dazed and Confused, Dallas Buyers Club and The Beach Bum actor helped design the cabin, which is popping up on the NSW Central Coast from December. It's launched as part of Wild Turkey's With Thanks campaign — a global initiative supporting people and organisations committed to preserving wildlife. [caption id="attachment_751856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Inside the The Reserve by Wild Turkey X Unyoked cabin. Getty Images for Wild Turkey.[/caption] Previously, the campaign has helped firefighters battling blazes across California. Now, it's doing its bit in Australia, with both proceeds from stays at the new cabin and $1 from every bottle of Wild Turkey Longbranch sold in November and December going to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, which is helping with the recovery and rehabilitation of native flora and fauna caused by the ongoing NSW bushfires. While this is a great excuse to book a getaway on its own, there's an added bonus for McConaughey fans inside the cabin, too. The actor himself won't be there, but he has filled it with his favourite music, vintage literature and booze (no prizes for guessing what that is). As well as a bar stocked with Wild Turkey Longbranch — McConaughey's own blend, which he says it best drunk with "a couple of rocks at sundown and neat at 8.30pm" — you'll find Og Mandino's The Greatest Salesman in the World, Origins: African Wisdom for Everyday by Olivier Follmi and a collection of essays by 19th century American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. [caption id="attachment_751855" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Getty Images for Wild Turkey.[/caption] You'll be able to listen to McConaughey's favourites tunes on tapes, too, including Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré and Ry Cooder, Sturgill Simpson's Metamodern Sounds of Country Music and Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan. If American country and folk music isn't your schtick, make sure you download some alternative playlists before you head off — there won't be any wifi at this off-grid cabin. As well as the above, the solar-powered cabin is equipped with basically everything else you'll need for your off-grid adventure — bedding, towels, plates, a gas stove and even toilet paper is provided. Plus, you can add on extra luxuries like negronis, s'mores kits and pancake mix at the time of booking. Reservations for the one-of-a-kind cabin have just opened. A night in it will set you back $293 on a weeknight and $353 on a weekend (when you'll have to stay for at least two nights). Most of December is already booked up but there are plenty of free nights in January and beyond — for now. We're sure they'll get snapped up fast. The Reserve by Wild Turkey X Unyoked cabin will pop up on NSW's Central Coast in early December. You can book here. Images: Getty Images for Wild Turkey at the launch of the cabin at Bennelong Lawn. Updated: November 28, 2019.
Comfortably settled into its home overlooking URBNSURF, RAFI Sydney Olympic Park is ready to celebrate its first birthday. Serving as a stellar outpost to the North Sydney original, this surprising location pairs elevated dining with panoramic views over the park's undulating lagoon. Plus, guests can expect a slightly more surf-focused and, seafood-first concept. Inviting visitors to ring in the milestone throughout June, the team has put together a special deal featuring its beloved banquet menu. Just book with six or more of your friends to receive a complimentary banquet on the house. With distinct menus available for $85 or $105 per person, bringing a big crew makes for a significant saving. Smaller groups are also welcome to get involved. Featuring a special dish and beverage pairing curated for this birthday bash, the entrée option ($40) sees scallops with horseradish, crème fraîche, white soy, green apple and cucumber served with a glass of MV Clover Hill Blanc de Blancs. For something sweet, there's also a dessert pairing for $35, as a double chocolate mousse with macadamia crumb, cacao crisp and Tasman salt is presented alongside a decadent Choc Mac Old Fashioned. Featuring Four Roses Bourbon, Brookie's Mac, chocolate salted macadamia and wattleseed, this luxe combo is definitely worth celebrating.
If anything is going to get us over our cultural cringe, it must be this serious, big-budget-ish adaptation of the Tomorrow series, a collection of YA novels that's as dear to generations of young Aussie hearts as almost any imported phenomena. And it's a whole lot bloodier than Twilight. The adventures, penned by John Marsden, filled seven instalments between 1993 and 1999 and later a spin-off, The Ellie Chronicles. In case you missed it, Tomorrow, When the War Began follows Ellie Linton (Caitlin Stasey, far away from Neighbours) and her motley band of teenage friends, all residents of the fictional country town of Wirrawee, who venture out on a camping trip to a very remote location. There, they swim, flirt, billy-cook two-minute noodles and observe a fleet of small planes passing overhead in the dead of night. Returning to a deserted, damaged town, they discover that the planes were part of an invading force that has chosen coastal Wirrawee as a strategic base from which to wage war on Australia. With their families imprisoned at the town showgrounds, scant access to information and their lives in peril, the group become guerrilla resistance fighters. If the premise asks you to suspend belief, it rewards you for your effort. Although it's bookended by some stilted dialogue and inappropriately upbeat end credits, the film gets the important things right: explosions and emotional resonance. Tomorrow, When the War Began remains a universalising rather than a narrowing experience, which asks its audience to confront the violence of war and relate to young people living under occupation. Writer/director Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean, Australia) makes not-heavy-handed moves to make sure this comes across; Ellie's silent reflection over a mural of Australia's colonial settlement is one particularly poignant moment in a narrative where the invaders' nationalities are deliberately obscured (although, in a movie, they do have to have faces, and, yes, they're Asian). It's amazing that this film balances the genres of rollicking buddy adventure and war drama while hurtling along at quickening speed and without needing to cling to nationalism or blokiness to find its course. And the explosions: well, they're great. Save your cynicism; this is one to get excited about. https://youtube.com/watch?v=f_KhErNyiq8
For some of the best Shanghai-style food in Sydney, set your sights on Lilong by Taste of Shanghai. This Hurstville eatery is one of six other branches across Sydney, and there's certainly a reason why this chain restaurant is so popular. Not only is it diverse in its offering but it's also packed to the brim with authentic street flavours. Feel like salt and pepper pork ribs? Done. Maybe you're more into kung pao chicken with Singaporean noodles? Easy. Whatever your cravings are, be sure to also get a serving of its xiao long bao. These delicately crafted soup dumplings are handmade in-house and are a definite must-try. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
A modern, local riff on the hawker market concept, District 8 is Cabra-Vale Diggers' 600-seat food precinct, promising your tastebuds a trip down the Mekong River, without the flight to Southeast Asia. Here, a diverse lineup of restaurants and food stations delivers authentic flavours from across Vietnam, Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. You can drop in for a classic Malaysian-style seafood laksa, carb-load on some Asian baked goods or dive into a mammoth 2.8-kilogram bowl of pho for $35. Yep, you'll definitely need your stretchy pants for this one. Only available once a year, for the eatery's annual Man vs Pho competition, it's made from 750 grams of noodles, 600 grams of beef, 1050 grams of stock, 360 grams of bean sprouts and 45 grams of Thai basil. You can share it between friends and fam, but if you're well practised in the art of devouring tasty Asian fare, you've also got the chance to win big. Between July 2 and August 28, conquer the super-sized bowl solo in less than 30 minutes and you'll score a $50 District 8 voucher and a t-shirt. If you're one of the ten fastest people to finish it, you'll also qualify for the grand final of the competition, which will be help on September 5. Here the main prize is a huge $3000 travel voucher. Best bring your appetite though — this mega bowl's the equivalent to three regular-sized phos, and last year's winner finished it in 5.35 minutes.
A great movie soundtrack has the power to lift you out of your seat and take you on a journey to a world beyond the everyday and normal – whether it's to Middle-earth, Gotham City or a galaxy far, far away. If you've ever wondered what makes a soundtrack really soar, podcasters Art of the Score and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra can tell you as they take a deep dive into the magical music of cinema's most recognisable composers, this time the legendary Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, live at the Sydney Opera House. Hisaishi is the maestro best known for his decades of collaboration with director Hayao Miyazaki, aka the creative behind Studio Ghibli and films like Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro and many more. With catalogued works dating back to 1984, Hisaishi has quite the portfolio. At this immersive event, Art of the Score podcasters Dan Golding and Andrew Pogson, alongside conductor Nicholas Buc, will unpack, demystify and celebrate Hisaishi's body of work, exploring its unique motifs and more. [caption id="attachment_986871" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tim O'Connor[/caption] And making this event unforgettable, Hisaishi's magical music will be performed live by one of Australia's leading orchestras inside the stunning Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. 'The Music of Joe Hisaishi' will run performances from Thursday, September 25 to Saturday, September 27 at either 7pm or 2pm, produced in Association with Concert Lab. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website. Header image by Craig Abercrombie
Sydney's two-week celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride is back. Whether you're planning one big blowout at the parade or keen to check out many of the goings about town, one thing's for certain — fun has descended on Sydney. To help you get into gear, we're giving you the chance to wine and dine with two of your mates, plus catch a dazzling night of drag — all on us. Should you be one of the three lucky winners, you'll cop front row seats for you and two friends to one of Broadway Sydney's Mardi Gras shows in the week leading up to the parade (February 24–29). Take your pick from a queer-themed bingo night dubbed Bingay Bingo on Tuesday, February 25; a series of show tunes-inspired skits on Wednesday, February 26; or a drag show of epic proportions on Thursday, February 27, starring Minnie Cooper, Hannah Conda and Decoda Secret and hosted by Tora Hymen. To top things off, we're throwing in a $200 voucher to spend on a pre-show feed and cheeky round of cocktails or bottle of bubbles at one of Broadway's restaurants, including Din Tai Fung, Grill'd, Mamak's Village, Zeus Street Greek, Burger Project and more. Or, you could skip the preamble and head straight to the gig, then splash the cash on a shopping spree later. See details below to enter. [competition]761176[/competition]
Because my father cannot tell me this story himself, my mother often tells me about my father’s journey to Australia as a Vietnamese boat person. She talks about this era in fragments: some are told in vivid detail, so much so that I suspect that she is exaggerating. Some are both inspiring and terrifying and help me appreciate my life in Australia. Some are left unsaid because she does not know. It’s this missing link that I look for in stories about boat people from Vietnam — stories that only my father could have told me. Escape From Vietnam is a collection of thirteen photographs from the Archive of Vietnamese Boat People that do exactly this. While seemingly few in number, the collection covers much of the lives of Vietnamese boat people in their journey to freedom. From floating in rickety, overcrowded fishing boats to building shanty towns out of wood and plastic salvaged from the ocean; from constructing primary schools to receiving vocational training; from performing wedding rites to marching in funeral processions. While each photograph differs in time and place to the next, all point toward a brighter future. Here, boat people gamble away all they know, hoping for a glimpse of a brighter future. People who once lived in mansions huddle under huts made out of coconut palm fronds on the Philippines’s Luband Island; huge families for whom space was once no issue cram their lives into five cardboard boxes. Yet, even without this material wealth, the most striking thing about ‘Escape From Vietnam’ is the dignity that its subjects retain. Even when 40,000 people are crammed into a square kilometre on Bidong Island in Malaysia, even in conditions where 200,000 or more perished to drowning, hunger, thirst, malaria, and cholera, chins are held high and eye still bring smiles from the homeland. Every person brings a story, and all of these stories form a culture. And, when a boat of Vietnamese people brandish the flag of South Vietnam upon rescue by the relief organisation Cap Anamur, it’s clear that they have embedded their journey into their culture – one defined by hope, sacrifice, endurance, and new beginnings. Escape From Vietnam is a powerful collection whose opening marks Refugee Week. It celebrates the triumph of the human spirit against all adversity by focusing on the plight of just one culture of the people who sought a better life here. It is a reminder of the rich histories and unfathomable struggles that each person carries every day. Image 3 Refugee camp on Bidong Island Malaysia 1981 provided by the Australian National Maritime Museum.
If you live in Australia and you love French cinema, then you already have a hefty chunk of autumn blocked out in your 2023 diary. To help cap off 2022, the annual Alliance Française French Film Festival locked in its dates for the year ahead, when it'll take its movie-adoring show on the road throughout March and April. What's even better? Unveiling the initial 15 titles that'll be gracing its big screens in Aussie capitals, and also a heap of regional locations. Among the first titles revealed, both variety and high-profile names feature heavily. Among the latter, there's a big focus on France's leading ladies, such as Juliette Binoche (The Staircase), Marion Cotillard (Annette), Virginie Efira (Benedetta), Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future), Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!), Noémie Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire), Bérénice Bejo (The Artist) and Isabelle Adjani (The World Is Yours). And, AFFFF already boasts its usual smattering of homegrown box-office sensations and up-and-comers, aka already-proven hits and the talents who'll be making them in years to come. Get ready for zombies, comedies, Cannes titles, acclaimed filmmakers, Oscar contenders and more. One big highlight: Final Cut, a French remake of Japanese cult hit One Cut of the Dead from The Artist director Michel Hazanavicius, starring Bejo and Romain Duris (Eiffel), and a movie that is playful with that whole setup. If you missed the original, it follows a film crew making a zombie special that's being broadcast live — but then things get real. Selected as France's submission to this year's Oscars, in the Best International Feature category — and already named on the Academy's shortlist — Alice Diop's Saint Omer is another absolute must-see. The documentarian draws from true events to craft a drama about a young Parisian journalist and novelist attending murder trial, then wading through the complexities it surfaces within her own family history. Acting icon Adjani is part of the cast for Masquerade, which has the honour of opening this year's AFFFF. Directed by La Belle Époque's Nicolas Bedos, and playing at last year's Cannes Film Festival, it tells of glitz, glamour and a far-less-glossy underbelly in the Côte d'Azur, as led by Pierre Niney (Yves Saint Laurent). Or, film fans can also look forward to One Fine Morning, the latest film by Bergman Island's Mia Hansen-Løve, this time a family drama starring Seydoux; The Innocent, as written and directed by, and starring, Louis Garrel (A Faithful Man), based on his own experiences and featuring Merlant; and Other People's Children, an Efira-led effort about being a stepmother that's also inspired by director Rebecca Zlotowski's (Planetarium) own life. And, Efira pops up again in Paris Memories, which is set in the aftermath of Paris' November 2015 terrorist attacks, and is helmed by Proxima director and Mustang screenwriter Alice Winocour. Binoche features in Winter Boy, the new film from Sorry Angel's Christophe Honoré, an autobiographical drama focusing on 17-year-old Lucas (newcomer Paul Kircher). As for Cotillard, she's part of the cast of Brother and Sister, playing a stage actor and sibling to Melvil Poupaud (Summer of 85). And, after proving so astounding in 2022's Full Time, Calamy appears in two of AFFFF's 2023 titles: Two Tickets to Greece, a comedy about estranged childhood friends heading off the eponymous country, as hailing from fellow Call My Agent! alum Marc Fitoussi and also starring Kristin Scott Thomas (Slow Horses); and the 1974-set Annie's Fire, which follows a working-class mother of two who unexpectedly falls pregnant at a time when abortion isn't legally accessible. Rounding out this first drop of titles: November, one of the biggest French box-office hits of 2022, with Jean Dujardin (Deerskin) playing the lead anti-terrorist squad investigator into the Paris 2015 attacks; Notre-Dame on Fire, about the 2019 blaze; Everybody Loves Jeanne, a comedy about self-doubt; and Lie with Me, as based on Philippe Besson's award-winning autobiographical novel. Notching up its whopping 34th year, AFFFF will play Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart — plus Byron Bay, Parramatta, Victor Harbour, Bendigo, the Gold Coast and Margaret River. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2023 DATES: March 7–April 5: Sydney, NSW March 8–April 5: Melbourne, VIC March 8–April 5: Perth, WA March 9–19: Hobart, TAS March 9–April 5: Canberra, ACT March 15–April 12: Brisbane, QLD March 16–April 5: Byron Bay, NSW March 23–April 19: Adelaide, SA March 29–April 2: Parramatta, NSW March 29–April 16: Gold Coast, QLD March 31–April 2: Margaret River, WA April 3 and 10: Victor Harbour, SA April 21–23: Bendigo, VIC + encore dates in some cities The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, March 7–Tuesday, April 25, 2023. For more information, visit the AFFFF website. Check back here on Wednesday, February 1 for the full program.
Love, Tilly Devine is no stranger to takeovers — the venue previously featured Western Australian winemakers Yoko Luscher-Mostert and Andries Mostert of Brave New Wine back in late 2022. Now, the wine bar is set to shine a spotlight on some local Greek hospitality veterans. This time around, NSW winery Aristotelis Ke Anthoula and chef Tim Cassimatis will be heading up a Greek takeover of the venue. With top-notch eats, traditional Greek-inspired drinks, and a public holiday on the following day, you have every reason to spend your Monday night having your fill of Greek treats. The winery on show is run by South Pambula duo, Tony Zafirakos and Maddie Park-Neilson and receives its name from its founders — Zafirakos' parents — Aristotelis and Anthoula. From starting the business out of a Sydney garage in the 80s to owning and operating a winery on NSW's south coast, the pair continue his parent's legacy by honouring their heritage and producing pure, handcrafted and minimal-intervention wines. Both Zafirakos and Park-Neilson will be pouring their latest range of hand-made wines, including their Retsini, inspired by the traditional Greek wine Retsina. The drink is fermented with Aleppo pine tree resin that is flown in from a small mountaintop village in Greece and is 100-percent Riverland Zibibbo. A variety of other sips from the producer will also be on offer, including the duo's effervescent take on rosé and their skin-contact white-ish Fiano. Covering the eats portion of the takeover is Cassimatis. Known for his Greek pop-ups at both Kosta's Takeaway and Whole Beast Butchery, and having also taken up space in restaurants such as Rockpool Bar & Grill and Barzaari, the renowned chef will bring his wealth of experience to Love, Tilly Devine to provide a hefty menu of Greek classics. The menu will feature an elegant take on traditional Greek dishes to lead you on a journey across the regions of the Mediterranean nation. You'll find chicken pita souvlaki with smoked chilli and a snake bean salad, barbecued Port Lincoln octopus, kalitsounia — cheese-and saltbush-filled pastries, and Cassimatis's take on a hotdog — loukanika sausage paired with koji mustard and leek sauce. Head over to the Darlinghurst bar at 5pm on Monday, April 24, for this wine- and souvla-filled night. Book your spot here, or feel free to drop by on the day — walk-ins are also welcome. Photo credits: Bruno Sefani and Dexter Kim.
Missing the vibrant flavours of the Med? Mezepotamia is a new spot in Redfern, bound to satisfy your cravings. Founded by hospitality veterans Enes Yakan and Jessica Paatiño, this upbeat restaurant is bringing a contemporary blend of Turkish and Middle Eastern flavours that not only showcase centuries of culinary heritage, but invite guests to become immersed in the region's enriching spirit. While the restaurant launched in Leichhardt during the tumultuous times of 2021, it forged a dedicated customer base thanks to its signature share plates and welcoming atmosphere. Having made the move from the inner west to the inner south, the restaurant's new home presents an equally alluring space brimming with heartwarming food, wine and communal good vibes. Drawing inspiration from Turkey and throughout the Middle East, Mezepotamia's menu is primed to feed a crowd. Featuring mezze and grilled specialties prepared using traditional charcoal grilling and slow-cooking techniques, the restaurant's respect for culinary heritage translates to vivid dishes where the pleasure of getting together with loved ones is just as important as what's served on the plate. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates the warmth and generosity of Middle Eastern dining," says co-owner Enes Yakan. "Mezepotamia isn't just about food, it's about the experience of coming together, sharing, and enjoying the moment." Leading the kitchen is Mezepotamia's Head Chef Burak Yildirim, who has 30 years of experience serving authentic Turkish, Greek and Italian cuisine, with a few modern additions. Shaping the menu is a range of bright and zesty highlights, from smoky eggplant dip to onion dolma, featuring seasoned beef, currants, pine nuts and aromatic spices. There's also Ali Nazik, where grass-fed aged steak is served over a velvety eggplant purée and finished with chilli butter. Meanwhile, signature cocktails like the Anatolian Highball offer a refreshing mix of raki, pear liqueur, mastic, lemon and soda. Mezepotamia's design is as thoughtful as the cuisine, with a sophisticated blend of traditional and contemporary touches evoking the warm hues of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Expect earthy tones, soft lighting and details that speak to ancient architecture. Perfect for intimate one-on-one dinners or bubbly affairs with friends, the restaurant's bold flavours and lively mood will make this Redfern arrival a bustling spot for an easygoing feast. Mezepotamia is open Wednesday–Thursday from 5pm–10pm, Friday from 4pm–11pm and Saturday–Sunday from 12pm–10pm at 99 Redfern Street, Redfern. Head to the website for more information.
Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become an end-of-year staple — and the Glenworth Valley event returns from December 28, 2018 to January 1, 2019 for another packed year. The fest's fifth annual lineup will see more than 50 acts take to the stage across a huge five days, with artistic experiences, talks, workshops and classes also part of the camping festival. Of course, it's the music that'll tempt festival-goers to make the journey an hour out of Sydney. With The Kooks, Tash Sultana, Joey Bada$$, Pnau, Dune Rats and M.I.A. leading the charge — the latter in her only New South Wales show — there's plenty to get excited about. Attendees will dance their way between four stages, all returning from 2017. Arcadia is where the main action is, Lost Disco will focus on bass, techno and dance music (and eye-catching visuals by 3D mapping artists), and Paradise Club will party on right into the night with DJs and surprise guests. Then there's My Mum's Disco, which not only features a digital jukebox pumping out 15,000 nostalgic beats and guilty pleasures, but sing-alongs and more to accompany the tunes. Think bingo, karaoke and the general feeling that you're hanging out at a mighty huge Aussie backyard shindig. In-between catching live sets and making shapes, Lost Paradise offers patrons a heap of other activities, including three days of chats and sessions at the fest's Shambhala Fields. Everything from African dance and forest bathing to hula hooping and massage is on the agenda, as well as a dedicated yoga and meditation tent. Or, hang out in Hammock Haven, find something to read at the Lost Library, take a ride on an art car, go shopping at the Lost Bazaar bohemian fashion markets or head to the new Holy Cow Chai Tent. It's a carnival-themed space that's all about chilling out over breakfast bowls and — as the name suggests — brewed chai, plus other beverages. Still on the food and drink front, Lost Village boasts communal tables for dining and an array of cuisines for feasting upon. On-site craft beer container bars will serve up craft booze, while Milky Lane and Cold Rock are on the culinary lineup menu alongside dim sum, pizza, Japanese and Southern-Indian street-food, and more. Camping-wise, there's two options: The Glamping Gypsy Fields or The Eco-Tent Village. The former includes luxury toilets and showers, a breakfast cafe, cocktail bar, furnished hangout spaces and a grooming parlour, while the more budget-friendly latter lets you take your pick from tents made out of recyclable cardboard, basic canvas tents and reusable canvas tents with foam mattresses. Here's what you're in for this year: LOST PARADISE 2018 LINEUP: The Kooks Tash Sultana M.I.A Joey Bada$$ Pnau Bicep (Live) Dune Rats Ball Park Music Vera Blue Kink (Live) Winston Surfshirt Peggy Gou Foals (Dj Set) Willaris. K Young Franco Bob Moses Sg Lewis Lime Cordiale Chaos In The Cbd Furnace & The Fundamentals Anna Yotto Human Movement Dom Dolla Cut Snake Cc:Disco! Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Groove City Flava D Genesis Owusu Klp Bontan Krystal Klear Loods Young Monks Pacific Avenue Wallace Thunderfox Milan Ring Clews Majun Bu The Jim Mitchells Rackett Shantan Wantan Ichiban Clypso Motorik Vibe Council Ebony Boadu Lex Deluxe Sportsuncle Ru Matt Ringrose Dibby Dibby Soundsystem Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley from December 28 to January 1. Tickets are on sale now from the festival website. Images: Boaz Nothman, Cai Griffin, Jordan Munns and Nathan Bonnici.
CLICK HERE FOR SET TIMES You know that feeling after you see one of your favourite bands. You clap for an encore and the band obliges but then after that it's over. You muddle about with your friends trying to "keep the vibe," trying to push through that initial moment of realising it's over before going home and falling into that trap of reminisce led by internet searches for instant keep-the-vibe gratification. Well, no fear with Playground Weekender as it goes for FOUR DAYS, and let's face it, after that last encore is done, you will be happy just to head home and wash the dirt from your feet with a smile. Let's start with the line-up. There's the cultish garage-rockers Brian Jonestown Massacre and the cultish gospel-rockers Polyphonic Spree. There's the new/old/infinity ravers Oribital, and the treadmill treaders OK GO, and Lupe Fiasco too. There's Jamie Lidell and James Lavelle, Bjorn Again and The Cribs. Also in there, local heroes Washington, Bluejuice and Pivot. See what I mean? I'm tired and not even through half the list yet. If the idea of just seeing bands for four days sounds exhausting, there's a cinema, bars, markets, food stalls and a 24 hour cafe. Saturday is for Fancy Dress which includes a catwalk show for you to show off whatever it is you decide to show off. If your chakras are a bit out of whack from all that hoofing around you can attend a yoga class or enter the Riverside Healing Zone. If you don't particularly fancy roughing it in a tent you can book in for a cabin, a nearby hotel or a caravan/campervan. If you are reading this thinking "yes, I will go to the Riverside Healing Zone," there are traditional tipis too. We have 2 x four-day (including camping) Playground Weekender festival passes to giveaway to a Concrete Playgrounder. For your chance to win, sign up for our weekly newsletter (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with 'Playground' in the heading along with a haiku on why you should win. We'll notify the winner by 6pm, Tuesday 16th February. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZhqDoWR9Jok
Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is just your typical 15 year-old girl. She Lives in a remote hut in Finland with her ex-CIA father (Eric Bana), speaks half a dozen languages, is proficient in martial arts and can shoot the wings off a fly from fifty yards. So she's typical in the way any girl might be — assuming that girl has been raised from birth to be an assassin. It seems a questionable approach to home schooling until you learn that both Hanna and her father have been marked for death by corrupt CIA agent and oral-hygiene-fetishist Marissa Wiegler (played by Cate Blanchett), resulting in a nasty case of kill or be killed. Directed by Joe Wright, Hanna is a tense and often violent thriller that marks a solid departure from his last three films (The Soloist, Atonement and Pride and Prejudice). It's a dark, gritty and largely soulless picture that closely mirrors both the characters and the bleak European locations within it. Ronan absolutely shines in the lead, with the juxtaposition of her ethereal beauty and remorseless killing resulting in some moments of exhilarating action and unexpected comedy. Much like Chloë Moretz’s character Hit Girl from Kick Ass, Hanna kills quickly and she kills often, but she does so without the same sense of joy. Killing is instead pure necessity, with her father constantly reminding her to “adapt or die”. It's a film where you see a young girl cornered in a dark alley by a group of heavily armed men, and you feel genuinely nervous for the men. All the music for Hanna was provided by dance duo The Chemical Brothers, doubtless inspired by the success of Daft Punk’s brilliant original score from last year’s Tron, and at times it gives the movie an almost music video feel — especially during one of the key chase sequences. While the film ultimately lags towards the end due to an unnecessary plot twist, its sleek action scenes and solid performances make it definitely one worth catching if you can.
UPDATE, June 10, 2022: Hustlers is available to stream via Stan, Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Prime Video and iTunes. Kudos to the bright minds behind Hustlers' many needle drops. When the film's trailer hit, it used Cardi B's 'Money' as its soundtrack — not only nodding to the rapper's co-starring status, but capturing the movie's materialistic vibe with its sultry lyrics about diamonds, jets and oh-so-much cash. In the picture itself, Janet Jackson's 'Control' initially does a similar job, opening the feature with a statement that really couldn't sum up its characters better. While they're literally rolling around in moolah until the global financial crisis hits, Hustlers' resourceful strippers are always at the mercy of their banker clientele. Forced to get creative when times get tough, they turn the tables on the guys usually throwing notes their way, hatching quite the entrepreneurial scheme to reclaim their bodies, lives and independence. The pesky little fact that, by drugging well-off men, running up huge charges on their credit cards and pocketing the profits, these gals are as shady as their Wall Street marks — well, Hustlers has a music cue for that also. It might seem obvious to introduce Jennifer Lopez's Ramona, the mastermind of the group, to the sounds of Fiona Apple's 'Criminal'; however, her eye-catching entrance shows that her allure is as seductive as the song's beat. Elsewhere, the film lets its characters scream in delight to Britney's 'Gimme More' and serenade Usher (as himself) to his own 'Love in the Club'. It uses Lorde's 'Royals' to telling effect, too. These are knowing, savvy music choices in a picture that's always coolly calculating. To truly unpack this real-life tale of bling-coveting erotic dancers scamming the financiers who just fleeced a nation, it needs to be. Experienced at disrobing on the job, but nervous when she moves to a new New York strip joint in 2007, Dorothy (Crazy Rich Asians' Constance Wu) hardly follows the film's lead — at first. Known as Destiny on stage, she's barely getting by until she becomes as bewitched by Ramona as all the guys around her. Standing out among the other dancers (including not just Cardi B, but Lizzo), their double-act lights plenty of clients' fires and keeps the duo flush with cash. Then, post-GFC, the dollar bills stop raining from the sky. Fast forward to 2014, and Dorothy is relaying the details to Elizabeth (Julia Stiles), who's writing about the strippers' escapades. More than just a framing device, the pair's chats have a basis in actual events, with writer/director Lorene Scafaria (The Meddler) adapting Hustlers from a 2015 New York magazine article. It's not the heady, dancing heyday that Elizabeth is most interested in, however, and nor is the piece that Hustlers is inspired by. Rather, it's the hijinks that follow when Ramona concocts her pilfering plan. Aided by two other pals (Keke Palmer and Lili Reinhart), Dorothy and Ramona start living their wildest dreams — enjoying a level of wealth, excess, comfort, security and, yes, control that they've never experienced before. "I kept thinking there was some magic number," Dorothy notes as she tries to explain what the women got up to, how and why, although the film does a perceptive job of making that plain beyond her words. Playing out like a gender-flipped Magic Mike meets The Wolf of Wall Street, the movie doesn't turn its characters into heroes by any means. But, it saves its deepest savagery for another target: the money-hungry American dream that today's brand of corporation-favouring capitalism gleefully encourages and endorses. It's a delicate balancing act, thoughtfully interrogating Dorothy and company's story without glorifying their actions — and it's one that Hustlers nails. Like many a great heist and gangster flick before it, this upbeat crime drama eschews the simplicity of black-and-white morality. Aptly, given that it's constantly bathed in neon-lit hues, it avoids mere shades of grey, too. Here, all that glitters seems gold and silver, but it's really laden with chrome and encrusted with diamantes. Scafaria styles her whole picture in the same fashion, with its shining frames welcoming viewers in, then exposing the stark, seedy reality. The twist that makes Hustlers exceptionally astute as well as engaging and entertaining? While Dorothy and Ramona desperately want to gain control, they're still firmly steeped in a flimsy, male-defined world. Accordingly, their rise to the top was always going to prove fleeting and superficial — so the bonds they make and break along the way shape their story more than the cash, jewels and designer clothes. Hustlers never shies away from this fundamental truth, or from a warts-and-all depiction of its wily protagonists as well. It can't, and it's all the better for it. Of course, if Wu and the especially fantastic Lopez didn't ground this larger-than-life true story in fleshed-out characters, it'd all mean next to nothing. Thankfully, from its spicy narrative to its potent themes to its stellar performances, Hustlers both works the pole and packs an almighty punch.
The term 'Christmas rush' didn't become a part of our vocabulary by accident. As much as we'd all like to get our present shopping done early (and usually intend to), life often has other plans. It's the end of the year, after all, so there are parties to attend and holidays to plan, not to mention work to finish, food to eat, drinks to sip and loved ones to spend time with. If you haven't managed to get to the shops in between all of the above, you're only human. With the big day almost here, we've teamed up with the MCA Store at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to help out everyone that's left things to the last minute — because if there's one spot you're guaranteed to find a creative gift for the art lover in your life, it's there. Perhaps your mum would love a new scarf? Maybe your bestie is really into puzzles? Whoever you're buying for, you'll find everything from homewares, games and toys to Indigenous art, creative tea towels and cute totes in our top picks from the shop's range. TITJIKALA SILK SCARF, DORIS THOMAS ($250) No one is travelling too far this Christmas; however, this silk scarf by Indigenous artist Doris Thomas will transport whoever receives it to the community of Titjikala. It's located 130 kilometres south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, and it's where the artist grew up — and she has captured it on a stunning piece of fabric that wouldn't look out of place on someone's wall. Textile art is just one of Thomas' skills, alongside carving, pottery and painting. Since 2010, though, she has been working with Tangentyere Artists to capture the landscapes of Country, as this brightly coloured scarf demonstrates. [caption id="attachment_794263" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, insulated 475ml water bottles with artwork by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] KEITH HARING/JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT WATER BOTTLE ($84.95) Just because a gift is practical doesn't mean it can't be stylish as well. That includes reusable insulated water bottles, which everyone needs, particularly over summer. They help reduce plastic waste, so they're doing the environment a solid. They're free of chemicals that could leach into your drinks otherwise. And they keep your water cool — or hot, if you'd prefer. The MCA Store has a couple of particularly eye-catching options, featuring artwork by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. They each come in a stylish gift box, too, which also features its own piece of Haring or Basquiat art. [caption id="attachment_794261" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, puzzles, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] PUZZLES ($7.95–54.95) It's the year of the puzzle, because everyone has given at least one a go over the past 12 months. Life might be returning to normal, but puzzles are always a great gift, as well as fun to do. It's not just the challenge of piecing them together that appeals. It's the fact that they come in so many shapes, styles and sizes, so there's at least one that's perfect for everyone. Indeed, if you wanted to only give puzzles to your friends and family this year, you'll have plenty to choose from — including ones adorned with classic VHS tapes, abstract designs, and a vintage cacti and succulent chart. Or, if one of your mates is obsessed with The Queen's Gambit (like everyone), you can opt for a chess set instead. TEA TOWEL, LINDY LEE ($29.95) Since the beginning of October, the MCA has been singing the praises of Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee, with more than 70 of Lee's works currently on display at the Museum. The Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop exhibition will end in February, sadly, but you can give someone a piece of Lee's work that they can keep forever. From the merchandise range, may we suggest a tea towel? Everyone uses them, and this isn't any old piece of fabric. Made from black linen, it features a screen print of Lee's 'Small Hearts Find Each Other #1', which is part of the 2018 artwork 'True Ch'ien'. Drying the dishes won't be quite so boring when your housemate, mum or dad have this in their hands. [caption id="attachment_794268" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, various soft sculptures by the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] 'ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE SCULPTURE', RHONDA SHARPE ($1400) Give someone a piece of art and you're really gifting them something that keeps on giving. It'll always be there to brighten their days and their home — and, whenever they look at it, they'll instantly remember exactly who brought it into their life. It's important to note this, because buying someone a painting or sculpture isn't usually a cheap endeavour. Picking up Indigenous artist Rhonda Sharpe's 'Always Was, Always Will Be' sculpture certainly isn't for the friend you made last week. Made from recycled blankets, bush dyes and wool, Sharpe's colourful creation is particularly lively and eye-catching. There's a reason that she is one of the famous artists at Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, after all. THE ART OF DINOSAUR DESIGNS BOOK ($79.99) What do you give the person who already has a heap of Dinosaur Designs homewares and jewellery, as you've thoughtfully noticed over the years? A book about the much-loved Australian brand, of course. Authored by Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy, it celebrates 30-plus years of the company's work, charting its journey from the Paddington Markets (where it started out as a stall) to becoming a household name. With a name like The Art of Dinosaur Designs, there's no doubting what it focuses on — or, that it's filled with stylish images. As a result, the hardcover coffee table tome is also a great gift for design fans in general. AFTERNOON DELIGHT TOTE BAG, JON CAMPBELL ($24.95) They're small, handy and practical. You can use one as your go-to handbag, or you can collect them and rotate your way through a few. They come in different sizes and images, and you can never have too many. Yes, we're talking about tote bags. They're another of those items that everyone needs — and, if you find the right one, that everyone also likes receiving as a gift. The MCA Store's latest addition to the tote bag ranks is a nifty little canvas number created by MCA Collection artist Jon Campbell, which is exclusive to the Sydney spot, so you won't find it anywhere else. A top tip: you can always use a tote bag as wrapping and fill it with other gifts as well. [caption id="attachment_787817" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lindy Lee, 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember' (2020), installation view, 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020, stainless steel, image courtesy of the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia, Sydney. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] MCA MEMBERSHIP ($50–160) So, you've found the perfect pressie for everyone on your list — except one person. We've all got a friend or family member who has absolutely everything and who proves impossible to buy for as a result. That's when getting a membership to the MCA works a treat. Don't just give your pals, partner or parents a mere object; instead, give them an experience. Actually, you'll be giving them a whole year's worth of arty fun, as they'll be able to drop by whenever they like (within opening hours) and gain free unlimited entry to all of the museum's exhibitions. They'll also score tickets to exclusive events, an Art Matters magazine subscription and discounts, including at the MCA Store. To give your loved ones any of the above items for Christmas, either visit the MCA Store in-person or online at store.mca.com.au (just be sure sure to check out shipping dates). Top image: MCA Store, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.
Get down to the waterfront this Anzac Day, as Felons Manly presents an Aussie-inspired showcase designed to commemorate the day. Sprawling out onto the brewery's jetty, punters can enjoy a rare (legal) game of two-up. Then, the pub will come to life with live music throughout the day and a selection of limited-run beers poured from the tap. Head over to the bar to sip down a Grapefruit Radler, Felon's patented thirst-crusher that bursts bright with grapefruit aromas and tart citrus notes. For something a little different, there's also the Dulce De Leche Porter. This English-style porter hits with cocoa and caramel aromas, blended with a smooth profile rich in creamy milk chocolate, toasted malts and dulce de leche. The relaxed, community-focused event has free entry from 9am until late. Throughout the day, the venue will be fundraising for RSL LifeCare ANZAC Village, which offers retirement living, residential care, home care and support for veterans. Get down for good food and drink with a worthy cause to match.
2024 marks two decades since one of the best blends of romance, comedy, drama and sci-fi of the 21st century reached screens in the form of Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. How should you celebrate that fact? Rewatching the movie always, and also checking out the French filmmaker's latest feature at Australia's annual Alliance Française French Film Festival. In his first movie since 2015, the director draws from his own experience in semi-autobiographical comedy The Book of Solutions — one of the just-announced full AFFFF program's clear must-sees. French film fans, rejoice — the lineup goes on from there, with 41 titles on offer overall. The festival will run across March and April in its 35th year, giving most of its stops a month of Gallic movies. So, in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, get ready to see plenty of France from your cinema seat. Byron Bay's season is shorter, but still lasts for three weeks. At the end of 2023, AFFFF unveiled its first eight flicks for 2024, so audiences already had opening night's The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan to look forward to, alongside its second part The Three Musketeers: Milady. And, the Catherine Deneuve (The Truth)-led The President's Wife, Juliette Binoche (The Staircase)-starring The Taste of Things, futuristic The Animal Kingdom, regal scandal-focused Jeanne Du Barry, legal drama All Your Faces and Laure Calamy (The Origin of Evil) in Iris and the Men as well. Joining them are plenty of new highlights, such as Last Summer, the latest from iconic director Catherine Breillat (Abuse of Weakness), about a woman and her teenage stepson. Not one but two movies starring the great Isabelle Huppert (The Crime Is Mine) are on the roster, with The Sitting Duck casting her as IRL whistleblower Maureen Kearney and Sidonie in Japan about a love triangle that includes a ghost. And Second Round gets the closing-night spot, hailing from Albert Duponte (Bye Bye Morons), and taking aim at politics and the media. Attendees can also check out A Difficult Year, from The Intouchables' Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, and with Noémie Merlant (The Innocent) and Mathieu Amalric (The French Dispatch) among the cast — plus rom-com Mr Blake at Your Service!, with author Gilles Legardinier turning director to adapt his own book, and John Malkovich (Billions) and Fanny Ardant (Well Done!) starring. Historical drama Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is about the painter (Vincent Macaigne, Irma Vep) and his wife (Cécile de France, The Swarm), while Out of Season has Guillaume Canet (Breaking Point) and Alba Rohrwacher (La Chimera) play ex-lovers. Like The Book of Solutions, The Taste of Things, The Animal Kingdom and romantic drama Along Came Love, both Àma Gloria and Rosalie grace the program after debuting at Cannes 2023. The first focuses on a girl and her nanny, while the second tells of a real historical figure who was born with hair covering her face and body. Other options include Take a Chance on Me, as starring French pop singer Louane Emera; fellow comedy A Chance to Win, where two rival villages face off in rugby; the swashbuckling The Edge of the Blade; the world premiere of King of My Castle, from the writers of Welcome to the Sticks; and the animated Nina and the Secret of the Hedgehog, with Audrey Tautou (The Jesus Rolls) among the voices. The fest is also giving classic Children of Paradise from 1945 a new big-screen celebration, taking viewers back to the 1800s with its storyline, as well as into Paris' theatre scene — because looking at France's great films from year gone by is another way to showcase the country's cinema industry and its impact. Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024 Dates: Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 9 — Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, The Chauvel, Roseville Cinema and Cinema Orpheum Cremorne, Sydney Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Como, Kino Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville and Windsor Cinema, Perth Thursday, March 7–Wednesday, March 27 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Thursday, March 7–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, March 21–Tuesday, April 16 — Nova Prospect and Palace Nova Eastend, Adelaide The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia in March and April 2024. For more information and tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
This month, a lucky bunch of Sydneysiders were treated to the second event in a series of secret suppers hosted by Red Rock Deli. The exclusive supper series — running until September at secret locations across Sydney and Melbourne — sees some of Australia's most talented chefs whipping up mouth-watering, three-course feasts inspired by Red Rock Deli's new limited-edition range. And when we say exclusive, we mean it — only 20 lucky guests get to tuck into each lavish dinner. On Thursday, June 20, Duncan Welgemoed put up a firey three-course feast reminiscent of the smoky bites his popular Adelaide restaurant, Africola, is known for. After guests were picked up from North Sydney Station and whisked away to the Coal Loader. This space formerly functioned as an industrial coal bunkering site, and guests were given the rare opportunity to dine in one of the historic underground tunnels. There, Welgemoed dished up plates inspired by Red Rock Deli's flame-grilled steak and chimichurri flavour. In the first course, Welgemoed served slow-roasted and smoked peppers, thoum (garlic dip) and cucumbers with charred flatbreads, while his dessert was a delightful comination of tahini ice cream, baklava and mandarin oil. But it was the slow-roasted beef ribs with chimichurri, slow roasted cauliflower and tahini that was the real winner — to recreate it at home, check out the recipe here. Chris Yan, of Sydney's lauded dumpling den Lotus, is up next. The dinner will take place on Thursday, August 8 and will be inspired by Red Rock Deli's red chilli and creamy coconut chips. To nab tickets for Sydney's upcoming Red Rock Deli supper, enter the ballot here to be given the chance to purchase tickets. Images: Kitti Gould
The chef behind two top Sydney restaurants is changing tact. He's swapping fine dining and natural wine in sleek surrounds for something cheap, cheerful and ready to cure your hangover: shawarmas. Mat Lindsay, of Chippendale's Ester and Surry Hills' Poly, is teaming up with Russell Beard, Mark Dundon and Jin Ng of Paramount Coffee Project and Paramount House Hotel (in which Poly is located) to open a tiny ten-seat shawarma shop, which is set to launch on Commonwealth Street in early September. As well as opening its doors for those necessary late-night, drunken snacks, the new takeaway spot — dubbed Shwarmama — will also be open for breakfast and lunch. In fact, it'll be open all day. On the menu, it'll have just four options: an Israeli-style breakfast kebab called sabich, with fried eggplant and boiled eggs; a spicy lamb shawarma in laffa flatbread; fried-to-order falafel stuffed in fresh pita with garlic sauce and mango pickle; and a NHSP (not halal snack pack). It'll also be fully licensed, with a red and white wine on tap, as well as beer and a craft soda. https://www.instagram.com/p/BRUwrAAjq2p/ The focus will, of course, be the lamb, which Lindsay will prepare using local NSW meat covered in a spice-heavy marinade, which will then be sliced and slow-cooked on the signature rotisserie. The team will also make all its own sauces, pickles and condiments and there'll be a focus on sustainable packaging. Those whose hangovers often render them bedridden will be happy to know the shop will also offer delivery. So, how did the fine dining chef and three hotel owners decide to open shawarma shop? "We were going through a phase at Ester of making shawarma-style things for Sunday lunches, and got really excited about it," says Lindsay in a statement. "I half-jokingly threw the idea out there to Russell, and here we are." While it does seem like a bit of a curveball move, Lindsay is not the first fine dining chef to throw his hat in the shawarma ring. Late last year, famed chef, cookbook author and owner of the global Momofuku chain David Chang opened Bang Bar, a takeaway spot in New York serving up a Korean take on shawarmas. Shwarmama is slated to open at Shop 2, 106–112 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills in early September. Top image: Ester.
To those whose days don't truly start until there is caffeine in their system, take note. Kickaboom, a cheery cafe in Glenbrook, lives up to its quirky name putting a pep in your step with premium brews and tasty bites. On appearance alone Kickaboom is a far cry from the 'greasy spoon' eateries that populate the lower Blue Mountains area. The venue is sleek and modern, with polished concrete floors, white tiles and indoor greenery. It would not look out of place in a trendy inner west suburb. The similarities don't end there, either. The drinks menu is a lengthy affair featuring Mörk hot chocolate; a turmeric, ginger and honey latte; and a Speculatte (a hot milk beverage made with a Dutch spiced biscuit). But coffee is the main game here. For milk-based coffees, expect the OG blend by Reuben Hills. Meanwhile, black, filter and single origin offerings change regularly, often featuring roasts from Seven Seeds, Wood and Co and Sample. The cafe also hosts regular events for coffee fiends including Aeropress tutorials, latte art competitions and talks on coffee sourcing and farming. And with an award-winning barista at the helm, you'd expect nothing less. Kickaboom owner Dylan Johnson has been in the coffee game for 15 years. Most recently, he was head barista at Paramount Coffee Project during which he nabbed the Australian Aeropress Champion in 2014. A lifelong Blue Mountains resident, Johnson chose to stay local for his own venture but he brought with him the boundary-pushing energy from the city. And, in fact, even further afield, with inspiration from his travels dotted throughout the menu. Herein lies another element that sets Kickaboom aside — the food is not your run-of-the-mill cafe fare. Southeast Asian influences are evident in the black sticky rice bircher and sticky pork bibimbap. The fried chicken waffle brings the American vibes (via Paramount Coffee Project). There's plenty of choice for vegan and gluten-free diners, too, with the miso eggplant toastie with vegan béchamel and house-made harissa proving to be one of the most popular menu items. The quality is there too — the kitchen staff have lengthy stints at fine-dining establishments, such as Darlinghurst's now-closed Onde and Ester, on their resumes. Produce is locally sourced from the Hawkesbury region and many ingredients are made from scratch, including soft serve, syrups, butter, almond and macadamia milks and baked treats. Whether you're a local or day-tripper, Kickaboom will certainly set your day on the right track.
It's fair to say we all like giving a polemic, but rarely do we like to receive one. Yet when that polemic comes via the wit and deadpan metre of stage star Toby Schmitz, whose new play about plays is brazenly titled I Want to Sleep with Tom Stoppard, we’re inclined to listen with ease. The show takes place within the confines of a family dinner to which fledgling actor Luke (Tom Stokes) has unexpectedly brought his rather more mature, capricious, and uncompromisingly sardonic girlfriend, Sarah (Caroline Brazier), to meet his bourgie parents, Tom (Andrew MacFarlane) and Jackie (Wendy Strehlow). They want to redirect him into a more income-generating, useful, or at least existent job; she's weathered a couple of decades' worth of such masked contempt and proudly claims to write 'theatre' in the religion box of the census. The four's bickering and underhanded games soon overwhelm the pasta and salad, though pair exceedingly well with some 12 bottles of wine. With Tom Stoppard, Schmitz wanted to put aside theatrical metaphor and resurrect the straight-out 'issues play', a genre that's frequently derided, largely due to the habit of its entrants to become one-dimensional or didactic. He certainly succeeds in making the issues play fashionable again. But does he succeed in making it good? That's up for debate. The jokes are great, and performances, particularly Braziers', transcendent, but the play is missing something. It has a little to say about theatre in contemporary society, and connects with few things broader, but what a show like this is crying out for above all is a powerful grounding in humanity. If the characters are having realistic arguments on stage, those arguments have to reverberate in their realistic behaviour and story. And I too frequently didn't believe these characters. That's the best way I can account for the alienation I felt at some points I was meant to be laughing. Who are these people who are so extreme, mean, hyper-combative, and baffling in their actions as to make them inhuman? I still don't know. The riff on female versus male power that eventually emerges is similarly jarring. It may be that in weaving all its self-referentiality, Tom Stoppard couldn't avoid getting tangled. However, I'm clearly in the minority, particularly on opening night, when the crowd is 100 percent theatre people, who are the best possible audience for this play. We could all write 'theatre' in the religion box. The repartee, one-liners, and particularly the stage-culture references have seemingly everyone in stitches; the silence when Tom offhandedly dismisses Sarah's life's work is thick with recognition. It's something that does strike a chord with any theatre disciple, even if we ultimately worship at different altars.
Visit Balmoral Beach in 2023 and you'll be splashing around in one of the nation's top beaches for this year, no matter when you head by. Make a date with the Sydney patch of sand this winter, however — and with Balmoral Beach's Bathers' Pavilion, to be specific — and you'll also be able to enjoy a meal from a three Michelin-starred English restaurant, with Simon Rogan's L'Enclume making the trip Down Under for the first time ever. For five weeks between Wednesday, July 19–Sunday, August 20, in what marks L'Enclume's debut venture away from its Northern England home, it'll set up shop at Bathers' Pavilion for a residency. British chef and restaurateur Rogan, who is known for his farm-to-table focus, will bring a number of the restaurant's famed dishes our way. In fact, he'll transport a version of the L'Enclume experience beachside from its base in the village of Cartmel in The Lake District in Cumbria, where it resides in a former 13th-century blacksmith workshop. L'Enclume will still operate as usual in the UK during its Sydney residency, too, giving the world two L'Enclumes running at the same time. If you're new to L'Enclume, and to Rogan, both favour the idea of the perfect ingredient. So, in each small and meticulously constructed bite served up, that concept comes to the fore. Across an eight-course menu, plus snacks and petit fours, patrons can expect L'Enclume's favourites — but adapted to use ingredients from New South Wales and Australian producers. The residency is committed to having a traceable menu, and Rogan is already contacting locals, seeking folks who can grow supplies specifically for his time at Balmoral Beach. And yes, Rogan himself will overseeing the Bathers' Pavilion stay, leading the kitchen for every single service. Oli Marlow, Executive Chef of Roganic and Aulis London and Hong Kong, and Sam Ward, Managing Director of Simon Rogan restaurants around the globe, will join him, plus a team from the UK that'll feature up to eight chefs, four front of house staff and a sommelier. Only welcoming in a maximum of 80 attendees per sitting, the intimate residency will also bring over L'Enclume style of service, and have diners eating off of a version of its preferred crockery that'll be handmade in Australia. To help wash down Rogan's precisely fashioned dishes, Rogan's sommeliers are crafting a sizeable wine list, complete with wine pairings to match the food. And, there'll also be a cellar list, with folks with cash to splash on budget-breaking vino able to pre-arrange rare vintages and bottles before their bookings. Setting guests back $420 each for eight courses plus snacks and petit fours, and either $190, $290 or $750 per person for wine pairings on top (or $70 for non-alcoholic sips), this clearly isn't the kind of culinary experience that Aussies get every day — and it's also one that's worth travelling for. If you don't normally call Sydney home, you'll only need to book a jaunt to the Harbour City, rather than the other side of the world. Announcing the residency, Rogan said that "winning three Michelin stars at L'Enclume is a culmination of 20 years of work and evolution by a group of dedicated chefs and front of house specialists". L'Enclume notched up that feat in 2022, when it also hit that 20th anniversary. "The Sydney residency marks a big milestone for us as we enter our third decade and our boundary-pushing team could not be more excited to share our strong sustainability ethos and serve up some of our favourite L'Enclume dishes using the outstanding local ingredients unique to New South Wales and Australia," Rogan continued. "For me, it's all about layers and complexity of flavour, creative produce sourced with a sustainable ethos, and warm and knowledgeable service. It's not just the restaurant which makes the L'Enclume experience, it's the surroundings too, and even though the setting at Bathers' Pavilion on Balmoral Beach couldn't be more different to Cartmel, it feels so similar in its sense of beauty and uniqueness." Find L'Enclume at Bathers' Pavilion, 4 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, Mosman from Wednesday, July 19–Sunday, August 20 — open for lunch Tuesday–Sunday and dinner Tuesday–Saturday. Head to the Bathers' Pavilion website for bookings from Tuesday, February 14, or sign up to the Bathers' Pavilion newsletter for updates.
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a rite of passage that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime (or multiple times — who's stopping you?). BridgeClimb Sydney will take you safely — big emphasis on 'safely' for all you worrywarts out there — up and down the iconic landmark in a small group. You'll receive a bunch of stories and stats along the way. But, let's be real, you're here for the view. And what a view it is — you'll be 134 metres above sea level, affording you panoramic views of Sydney in all its glory. You can choose from day, night, twilight or dawn climbs. All BridgeClimbers receive a group photo, cap, free pass to the Pylon lookout — a lookout atop the big stone tower at the south end of the bridge — and, best of all, a certificate of authenticity. Stick that one in your wallet for the next time you're out and someone doubts your bravery. And for those of you who want a taste of the experience but are not entirely sure that going all the way to the top is for you, you can try the BridgeClimb Sampler. This means a leisurely one-and-a-half hour stroll to halfway up the bridge to a unique vantage point (minus the vertigo).
Groceries in a hurry: that's Milkrun's whole gambit, helping Sydneysiders to get thousands of essential items brought to their doors within ten minutes of ordering (and freeing you from a supermarket trip, too). It might've saved your bacon once or twice, including by actually bringing you bacon — and now it can literally save your butt as well. If you've ever found yourself in a situation where going commando is the only option, but not by choice — because you've forgotten to pop clean underwear in your gym bag, for instance — then Milkrun's decision to add dacks to its range will be welcome news. The delivery app has teamed up with sustainable lifestyle brand Boody to offer undies in a hurry, sticking to its ten-minute timeframe and helping you out in a big way when your current skivvies just won't cut it. We can all think of plenty of situations where this'll come in supremely handy: after big nights out, when you're going straight from work to a party and don't have the right underclothes, and if you're staycationing and didn't pack enough, for example. Maybe you wore an uncomfy pair, perhaps you're keen on an impromptu dip but don't have swimmers, or you could feel like pretending you're a superhero. Whatever the situation, now there's a solution. A number of different styles are available, starting with Boody's classic bikini ($14.95) and everyday boxers ($24.95) — and also including bras, trunks, briefs and socks. Stepped in a puddle on a rainy day? The new range solves that problem, too. If you're new to Boody, it launched back in 2011, and heroes sustainable fabrics and manufacturing — making its wares with fabrics such as bamboo and lyocell. And if you're new to Milkrun, it makes its deliveries via electric bicycles across Sydney's CBD and surrounding suburbs — and now stops you getting your knickers in a twist in multiple ways. To order Boody's undies delivered to you within ten minutes, head to the Milkrun website.
Summer has just begun, and with it comes plenty of lazy days spent at the beach and park — and plenty of sunshine that warrants having drink in hand. With months worth of outdoor occasions to come, the usual cider, beer and chilled rosé might not cut it. That's where batched cocktails come in. The trend has only continued this year and makes classy sipping all too easy. At your next picnic, pick up one of these batched cocktails and make all of your mates jealous. [caption id="attachment_700587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @bittersandtwists[/caption] THE BROADSIDE SALT AND PEPPERBERRY NEGRONI BY WEST WINDS If you've had enough of the classic negroni and want to bring something a little different to the picnic, grab a can of West Winds' salt and pepperberry negroni. The Margaret River distillery takes the classic Campari and sweet vermouth and combines it with West Winds 'Broadside Navy Strength' salted gin, then adds two Tasmanian pepperberries before canning. All you need is ice, and an orange for zesting if you're feeling especially fancy. Plus, the antique-looking can adds a bit of old world class to the occasion. Available exclusively online, with each can priced at $10 a pop — and, if you order six, you get a complimentary vintage can opener to bring along to the party. How much? $10 for a 110ml can. Available online. [caption id="attachment_701670" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey Photography[/caption] MARTINI BY THE EVERLEIGH BOTTLING CO. The Everleigh is a Melbourne institution, and, lucky for us, the bar brings a bit of its sophisticated speakeasy vibes up to Sydney — and into your glass. The Everleigh Bottling Co is dedicated to batched cocktails, all of which come in sleek glass bottles. The core range includes a martini, negroni, old fashioned and Manhattan, while the Bartender's Choice collections change regularly. At the moment, we're most keen on the martini ($17 per bottle) — a 'wet' take on a martini, with a gin to vermouth ratio of 2:1. It's best served chilled, poured it into a frozen cocktail glass and garnished with a lemon twist or an olive. Apart from online, The Everleigh range is available in some Sydney bottle shops, including Kent Street Cellars, The Henson, The Australian Wine Centre, David Jones Bondi Junction and Le Pont Wine Store in Milsons Point and Clareville. Gift sets and mix-and-match packages are also available, so you can get plenty. How much? $17 for a 90ml bottle. Available online and at select bottle shops. (NEW) OLD FASHIONED BY STARWARD WHISKY Melbourne's Starward makes tonnes of ace whiskies, but they're also slinging a classic batched cocktail with a twist. The (New) Old Fashioned is a collab between the bartenders and distilling teams and starts with Starward's signature craft whisky, which is then combined with bitters and wattleseed demerara syrup — both made in house. To top it all off, the cocktail is then matured in Australian red wine barrels before being bottled and sent off to you. It's designed as a barbecue favourite and just needs ice to complete. Get it online here, with free shipping on all orders, or in Dan Murphy's around Sydney. It's $49 per 500ml bottle, so is ideal for sharing, too. How much? $49 for a 500ml bottle. Available online and at select Dan Murphy's. AUSTRALIAN NEGRONI BY P&V WINE AND LIQUOR MERCHANTS The negroni's revived popularity shows no sign of slowing, and we think it's a must-have at pretty much every summer gathering. Newtown's boutique bottle-o P&V Wine and Liquor agrees, and it offers a batched take on the negroni all year long. The P&V Australian Negroni combines Poor Toms gin, Italian bitter orange aperitif by Adelaide Hills Distillery and sweet vermouth by Maidenii. The batch sits on the check out bar in large glass demijohns, which gets bottled per order into 375ml or 750ml wine bottles ($30 and $60 respectively) — with BYO glass bottle for filling encouraged. Ice, orange wedge, and the drink is complete. How much? $30 for a 375ml bottle. Available at P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants, Newtown. ANTICA FASHIONISTA X TEN PIECES BY MAURICE TERZINI AND BAR AMERICANO Restaurant entrepreneur and fashion designer Maurice Terzini is skilled at bringing Sydneysiders venues that fulfil our batched cocktail needs — whether it be at the bar at Bondi Beach Public Bar and or in The Dolphin's bottle shop. The latter is about to launch a whole new menu of batched cocktails for takeaway, and these include the Antica Fashionista, a designer's take on the old fashioned. It's a one-off collaboration between Terzini's fashion label Ten Pieces and world-class bartender Matt Bax of Melbourne's Bar Americano. It's available in 200ml ($35) and 500ml ($69) sizes at both The Dolphin and online. Add ice and an orange twist and you're good to drink. How much? $35 for a 200ml bottle. Available online and at The Dolphin, Surry Hills. Top Image: The Everleigh Bottling Co's core range by Gareth Sobey Photography.
Sent to gay conversion camp after being caught with another girl on prom night, Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz) lies on the ground with one of her fellow campers. They're taking part in a class exercise, but when Cameron doesn't express herself in the way that's expected, she's accused of being hostile. More than that, she's told that by remaining more reserved than her classmates — by simply being who she is — that she's attacking everyone around her. While hardly one of The Miseducation of Cameron Post's most dramatic moments, the scene perfectly encapsulates the antagonism that is often directed towards the queer community just for existing. Adapting the applauded novel of the same name and earning the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival for its efforts, The Miseducation of Cameron Post deploys the tactics mentioned above on several occasions. The film includes scenes that appear ordinary within the narrative, and don't always stand out when the end credits roll, yet still speak to something broader. In another example, Cameron peels potatoes in the camp kitchen. The 4 Non Blondes hit 'What's Up?' starts playing on the radio, and Cameron begins to sing along. She's timid at first, but as the song continues — complete with a chorus that screams "what's going on?", as well as lines about praying for a revolution — her enthusiasm grows. In specific scenes and in its overall mood, The Miseducation of Cameron Post is compassionate and sensitive — not to the concept of gay conversion therapy, but to teens who are chastised for deviating from society's narrow idea of normality. Focusing on 16-year-old Cameron, the film explores the struggles faced by those packed off to the strict God's Promise facility as they're lectured about gender confusion and instructed to bury their urges. Under the watchful eyes of Dr. Lydia Marsh (Jennifer Ehle) and her supposedly saved brother (John Gallagher Jr.), attendees are taught how to be more stereotypically feminine or masculine. Girls are pushed away from sports, and guys with long locks are given haircuts. Unsurprisingly, Cameron is far from happy to be there, although she has like-minded company in the world-weary Jane (Sasha Lane) and the thoughtful Adam (Forrest Goodluck). While her film is set in the 90s, writer-director Desiree Akhavan wades into topical territory with her follow-up to 2014 comedy Appropriate Behaviour. It's timely, too, with The Miseducation of Cameron Post the first of two high-profile titles about gay conversion heading to screens before the year is out. (The second, Boy Erased, stars Lady Bird's Lucas Hedges, with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as his parents.) That said, it's not the movie's subject matter that makes it revolutionary, but its approach. Although it details a horrendous practice, this is a quiet film. It's not sharply subversive like the similarly themed But I'm a Cheerleader from 1999, and it doesn't need to be. Rather, with a big heart and some well-deployed low-key humour, The Miseducation of Cameron Post demonstrates unshakeable strength and defiance — just as its eponymous figure does when she's torn in multiple directions by her feelings, yet refuses to submit to anyone else's ideas about her sexuality or identity. It's little wonder, then, that Akhavan rarely takes the camera away from Moretz's face. When you're making a movie that's so steeped in the emotions of its protagonist, that's an understandable choice. Given that Moretz turns in a performance that's more nuanced and textured than anything else across her career, it's doubly so. The Miseducation of Cameron Post also finds ample time for the excellent Lane and Goodluck, who ensure that their supporting players feel exceptionally well-rounded. It gives other figures their small but important moments too, fleshing out the myriad of ways that places such as God's Promise can do damage. But whether Akhavan is rendering the picture's frames in muted tones that match Cameron's reserved personality, or simply capturing the pain flickering across Moretz's brow, she always adopts her lead character's perspective. This is a movie that gazes with the young woman at its centre, and strives to convey her experience in difficult circumstances, instead of merely looking at her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6yPs5Nayog
Din Tai Fung is known for their general dumpling prowess, creating cute, Chinese New Year themed animal dumplings and bringing those utterly ridiculous super-sized xiao long bao to Australia. If you didn't get a chance to sit down with a straw and slurp the XL XLB last year, you'll be happy to know they're coming back to Din Tai Fung's World Square venue — as part of an 18-course degustation, no less. The dinner on Monday, August 14 is the second to be announced after the first one booked out quicker than a plate of pork buns could be demolished. The 18-course menu will put twists on Din Tai Fung dishes past and present, and feature a few new wacky creations for good measure. Along with the giant soupy xiao long bao, you can expect Peking duck spring rolls, black truffle pork dumplings (which will use squid ink for a black and white yin-yang look) and three new dessert dumps: green tea, sesame mochi and chocolate banana. Also on the menu will be Hawaiian pizza dumplings, which sound like an abomination — but, hey, we'll give it a go. The full 18 courses is surely akin to a dumpling marathon — but be sure to save room for the pièce de résistance: the giant xiao long bao. For the uninitiated, the xiao long bao is a steamed, soupy dumpling filled with a flavoursome broth and a pork and prawn filling. They usually come in mouth-sized portions but Din Tai Fung will be serving them up at seven times their usual size (hence the need for a straw). Tickets to the degustation are a very reasonable $48, with $10 from each one going to children's mental health charity Be Centre. The first one sold out in less than two hours, so, if you're at all interested, you should nab some as soon as possible.
Work-Shop's latest series of classes don't just impart new skills upon eager participants, but also share the traditions and insights of a specific group of teachers. Called Art from the World, the sessions stem from a collaboration with art-based social enterprise Welcome Studio, with each workshop taught by artists from refugee backgrounds or who are currently seeking asylum. Running throughout September and October, the classes will combine creativity, connection and culture, covering a broad range of topics. Discover the art of coffee painting with Alwy Fadhel, who learned the skill while in Australian immigration detention; drink Persian tea and fashion up some felt animals with Iranian teacher Hilin Kazemi, and make micro-macramé jewellery with the Tehran-born Azadeh Zolfigol. Other sessions will cover political cartooning with roots in Syria and Jordan, and storytelling traditions from Sierra Leone. "Through partnering with these artists, we hope the workshops will continue the spread a positive messages of welcome to all new Australians," says Welcome Studio co-founder Joel Steller. The sessions will be held at Work-Shop's Redfern HQ, with tickets starting from $45.
p>Cake was founded in 2011 with the goal of cultivating those things that make the world a more interesting place. One of those things is wine, which is too frequently overcomplicated and marketed toward owners of sports utility vehicles, and one of those things is art. Cake gives 25 cents from each bottle to FBi Radio in Sydney and 4ZZZ in Brisbane, commissions artists to make the labels all pretty, and devised Australia's second most prestigious art prize — the Archi-bottle. One time they even made you a mix tape. Their latest partnership, a pop-up bar run together with Tropfest, is a natural extension of Cake's ethos (Tropfest is a grassroots cultural event) and the brand's rapidly escalating rep (Tropfest is also the largest short film festival in the world). As another testament to the latter, Cake managed to secure some prime real estate in the form of a historic underground sandstone bunker in The Rocks. This they filled with seven varietals of South Australian deliciousness and 15 days of cultural goodness in the form of presentations, art, film, food, and music events in February. The pop-up is ending on Saturday, March 3, but not before throwing a big closing night party and putting on a $150 bar tab for one lucky winner. To be in the running, visit them on Facebook and follow the prompts.
Death and the Maiden is a psychological thriller focusing on the aftermath of the Pinochet regime in Chile. Written in 1992, but still frighteningly relevant, Ariel Dorfman's script sheds light on the cultural and political suffocation of Chile that lasted nearly two decades. We're given insight into this historic event through his traumatised heroine, Paulina (Susie Porter). This production, which opens at Melbourne Theatre Company before travelling to Sydney, is generating excitement because of the cultural insight provided by its Argentinian-Australian director, Leticia Cáceres. Cáceres has climbed the theatre hierarchy quickly in recent years, earning much critical praise as well as the MTC associate directorship. But even with all her successes, she maintains that this project holds particular importance. "I regard Death and the Maiden as part of my heritage", Cáceres says. "I am honoured to be able to share it with a new audience and demonstrate why this play is so tremendously important."
Rice paper rolls, pho and bánh mì on the run? Misschu is about to go drive-through. According to Good Food, the next chapter for the Vietnamese Sydney favourite — following the recently opened Bettychu in Elizabeth Bay — the proposed drive-through eatery will apparently launch in November at the $100 million Double Bay Kiaora Lands development carpark. ''I'm going to call it Misschu Drive Through," owner Nahji Chu told GF. "The service window is on the street where there is a driveway and it's easy for cars to pull over and grab and go." Further details are yet to surface on the date and set-up of the project within the Kiaora Lands development, so watch this space for more Chu drive-through deets, Sadly, GF has reported that a few eateries have already pulled out of the development; Bondi Road's The Char Rotisserie, Bondi Pizza and L'il Darlin' teams won't be carpark neighbours. With the drive-through awaiting an opening date, Misschu's gradual expansion is still set to continue across Australia and internationally. The team are hoping to open on Beattie St, Balmain in late 2014 if council delays let up, and Facebook comments have also hinted at a possible Brisbane opening. Joining the Darlinghurst, Bondi, Martin Place, Sydney CBD and Elizabeth Bay tuckshops in Sydney, Exhibition Street and South Yarra joints in Melbourne and the infamous Sydney Harbour boat delivery service, the Australian expansion follows Misschu's first international opening in London last year. Chu has spoken of potential future openings in New York City, Los Angeles, Dubai, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and back in Vietnam. Epic. Via Good Food.
It's with a seemingly devil-may-care attitude that A Bigger Splash indulges in the dreams of many, as Tilda Swinton channels her rock star-like essence into actually playing one, and Ralph Fiennes writhes, dances, swims and just generally throws about all of his charms. With Matthias Schoenaerts and Dakota Johnson, they form a smouldering quartet holidaying on an island off of the coast of Italy, eating, drinking, partying and enjoying the kind of sun-drenched, picturesque vacation most can only fantasise about. Of course, situations that appear relaxed and people who come across as carefree rarely remain that way under scrutiny. In loosely remaking the 1969 Italian-French film La Piscine for his English-language debut, director Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) teams with writer David Kajganich (True Story) to present a picture of ostensible bliss, then breaks down its many moving parts. Swinton's singing superstar Marianne Lane is recovering from a vocal injury that has left her speaking only in whispers, with her cameraman boyfriend Paul (Schoenaerts) keeping her company. Enter Fiennes' Harry Hawkes, Marianne's ex-producer, ex-lover and whirlwind of a friend who has shared in many of her personal and professional ups and downs. His arrival is unexpected, as is the fact that he has his newly discovered adult daughter Penelope (Johnson) in tow. The movie flirts with a dark, devious tone, teasing the desire-fuelled tension that simmers between the four characters, particularly in light of Marianne and Harry's shared past, as well as the obvious attraction Penelope quickly harbours towards Paul. Still, there's little that's surprising in A Bigger Splash. The best movies manage to present insights into human behaviour that feel inevitable, relatable and still revelatory, which the movie manages at times. Yet it's equally as fond of simply luxuriating in the company of its characters, and in their lush backdrop, as it is dissecting their relationships. With cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (Clouds of Sils Maria) ensuring every image looks like it could have been lifted from a postcard or glossy magazine spread, and the main cast as ablaze as the visuals, the feature's affection for both is understandable. The combination of Swinton and Fiennes proves mesmerizing — and while the always-enigmatic former is in her element in a largely non-verbal role, it is the latter that steals the show. If ever an actor could capture the all-round force-of-nature that is Harry, it's Fiennes. That Schoenaerts and Johnson seem somewhat subdued in his shadow is more a reflection of his prominence than of their individual performances. Accordingly, A Bigger Splash is a film filled with standout, cast-fuelled moments that dare you to try to peel your eyes away: Harry letting loose to the Rolling Stones' aptly titled 'Emotional Rescue', the glimpses of Marianne's past glories, and the glances shared between Penelope and Paul chief among them. It's also a feature in which the triumphs linger, overpowering the less effective aspects, though never quite erasing them. Given the importance of music to the four main players, the end result comes to resemble an album that can't find the right balance between its smash hits and its non-single tracks, but keeps you listening over and over again regardless.
Contemporary artist Justene Williams is known for her ambitious pieces — her 2014 work, Santa Was a Psychopomp, involved constructing a giant snow dome from a range of materials — but the new work, She Conjured the Clouds, might be her most daring project yet. The world premiere work, taking place at Campbelltown Art Centre, is part of Sydney Festival and each 40-minute session is part live-performance, part installation. As you watch, you'll follow two children on an adventure to meet swamp creatures and ghost bats in a tactile world where you can eat parts of the scenery. Williams brings to life a series of characters that communicate through sonic costumes, from a gang of native motorbike frogs to a ball of fairy floss. She's not the only person to perform. Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins, who has extraordinary skills in AUSLAN, is the work's choreographer and one of the team of performers, which includes Deaf dancer Elvin Lam. She Conjured the Clouds has been designed for audiences of all ages and abilities, including those in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. The work also features video animation, recorded and live music, costumes, dance, aerial performance, sculptural objects and the smell and taste of popcorn. Plus, there will be an audio description performance, a tactile tour and a relaxed performance, all on Friday, January 17. Images: Rafaela Pandolfini; Justene Williams, She Conjured the Clouds, 2020.
A string of long weekends is a joy while it's happening, such as the current Easter and ANZAC Day run (plus Labour Day, too, if you're in Queensland). When it's over and five-day work weeks become a reality week after week again, however, holiday dreams start calling. Clearly Jetstar wants you to get a jump on planning your next vacation, given that the Australian airline has just kicked off its latest big flight sale. Both domestic and international fares are on offer at discounted prices, with 40,000-plus seats available between now and 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, April 27, 2025. You'll want to get in quick, though, given that sale tickets mightn't last that long — and these deals run until sold out if that happens before the scheduled end date. One-way prices start at $49 for Club Jetstar members and $54 for everyone else this time, which covers routes from Brisbane and Melbourne to and from Newcastle. Next up, $97/102 will get you between Adelaide and Sydney, $99/104 from Melbourne to Cairns, and $114/119 between either Sydney or Melbourne and Uluru — and flights to and from the Gold Coast, Whitsunday Coast and Margaret River are also among the discounts. With the overseas options, one-way fares kick off at $159/165 from Cairns or Darwin to Bali, while Melbourne–Singapore ($179/189) and Brisbane ($279/289) or Sydney ($299/319) to Seoul are some of the other choices. Expect to primarily take winter getaways no matter where you're heading, although the international routes cover dates from mid mid-May to late-August 2025 and the domestic fares are for mid-July to late-September 2025 travel. The usual caveats apply: all prices apply to one-way fares; checked baggage is not included, so you'll want to travel super light or pay extra to bring a suitcase; and, as per above, dates vary according to the route. [caption id="attachment_938861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Jetstar's Just Plane Good Sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, April 27, 2025 — or until sold out if prior. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
The Danish Christmas Market is returning for another year of authentic eats, tunes and gifts. Each year as the festive season kicks off, the Danish Church in Australia brings a big dose of Scandinavian cheer and culture to north-west Sydney. The market hosts a range of stores selling wares and knick-knacks destined to be wrapped and placed under the tree, as well as Danish Christmas tunes bringing a heap of festive spirit. The highlight of the market, however, has to be the food. Alongside an array of take-home eats like Danish lollies, chocolates, bread and condiments, there will be stalls on-site serving up northern European favourites for you to devour on the day. Take your pick from the smørebrød (open sandwiches topped with the likes of smoked salmon, eggs and deli meats), æbleskiver (round Danish pancakes paired with jam and icing sugar), and a staple of the Danish culinary world — hotdogs with crispy onions, pickles and remoulade. This is the first time since 2019 that the market has been able to take place IRL due to the pandemic, so expect extra cheer from the organisers and volunteers. The market will kick off at 9am, running until 3pm, and entry is free.
Sydney Fringe Festival's tenth anniversary program promises over 342 shows (including 120 world premieres) across 21 postcodes. Running from September 1–30, the festival includes a few major firsts, too, such as a precinct in The Rocks, five immersive hubs spread across the city, a comedy on a vintage bus and an Archie Rose Cabaret Club. There are also a whole heap of immersive and interactive events going down this year, including an eerie theatre show inspired by Wolf Creek, intimate long-table dinners and talks, a Kevin Bacon-themed flashmob and a night of eats, drinks and music that'll transport you to Babylon There's a lot of ground to cover, but these events should help get you started.
The Snowy Mountains has long attracted snow bunnies from across the state, nation and even oceans to play. Though these days the area is buzzing with much more than skiing fresh powder to entertain you. Whether you've never so much as seen snow before, or are a seasoned pro, there's plenty to taste, see and do when you're not flying down the slopes. A big draw card during the winter season is the Snowtunes music festival, returning to Jindabyne this year to host an epic snowy weekend. The breathtaking lakeside town of less than 3000 people is set to explode with music from a swag of Australian and international artists. Unzip your puffer jacket and warm up to some fiery sets from Gang of Youths, Safia, Tigerlily, Mashd N Kutcher, Klingande, Royal and Skeggs — just to name a few. This is not a drill; if you're looking to see this winter out dancing it up to some electro tunes, surrounded by some pretty stunning snowy vistas, you'll want to mark this one in your diary for the first weekend of September. The two-day music festival is just the tip of the 'snowberg', if you will. We've partnered with Destination NSW to bring you a Snowy Mountains getaway cheat sheet, so before, after and between sets, you can pack in as many snowbound activities as possible. [caption id="attachment_632818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK From your road trip to the snow and into the wee hours of après ski, the Snowy Mountains region has a bustling food scene that'll keep you going. Make your first stop Ingelara Farm Truck. This bright blue food truck sits just outside of Bredbo and caters to all your stop, revive, survive needs from coffee to homemade sourdough. And once you've settled in The Snowies, there's plenty more tasty goodies to discover for all budgets. Take a culinary journey down the Alpine Way running between Jindabyne and Thredbo. Stop by award-winning Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery Door and Café for a free tasting of their wide array of schnapps — our picks are the butterscotch and spicy devil's tongue — and stay for the hearty Euro-inspired meals like German smoked sausages, the schnitzel burger and Austrian beef gulasch. Next stop along the way is Crackenback Farm Restaurant. If you splurge anywhere, make it here. The French farmhouse-style cuisine is best enjoyed leisurely by the fireside. And make sure to save room for dessert, because the hot chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream and marinated mandarins will crack even the most seasoned dessert connoisseur. [caption id="attachment_633133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Crackenback Farm.[/caption] If you're based Thredbo village way, take a tour through the brimming offering of eateries, bars, pubs and even a nightclub. Stop by Central 2526 for their dumplings of the day, or wander up to The Denman Hotel for the fanciest cocktails in town. Looking for a mid-ski refuel? The classic drive-thru's got nothing on Eagles Nest. Ski in and out of Australia's highest restaurant perched 1937 metres above Thredbo at the top of Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. The show-stopping 270-degree view pairs nicely with some hearty classics such as a rather generous parmigiana schnitzel, loaded waffles and a cold German beer. DO Of course, a trip to NSW's snow capital wouldn't be complete without a bit of shredding — they don't call it 'Shredbo' for nothing. Whether you prefer one plank or two, investing in lessons for those just starting out or even those in need of a refresher will definitely pay dividends. Thredbo runs two-hour group lessons three times a day at Friday Flat. You'll find solidarity in your fellow students as five-year-olds fly past you down the mountain. Many locals and visitors alike have not ventured beyond the resorts into the surreal wilderness, but K7 Adventures opens this world up with their snowshoeing tours leaving from Thredbo resort. On a clear day, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views across the valley. On a snowy day, the hike across fresh snow is well worth the unexpected beauty of snowy gums and staggering rock formations that emerge from the white silence. You'll feel like you've just discovered frozen Atlantis. K7 also hosts cross-country skiing, photography and ice climbing tours. After carving up the slopes, or just making some casual snow angels, slip on your après-ski boots and get ready for the evening's entertainment at Snowtunes. If you're feeling extra celebratory, opt for one of their sweet package deals like the Snow Worries. As the name suggestions, the festival legends organise it all for you, including a two-day admission ticket, express entry, return bus from Central Station in Sydney to Jindabye, accommodation and brekkie at the Snowy Valley River Inn. You'll be sorted for a full weekend in the snow, without a care to dampen those spirits. And finally, a tough day playing in the snow or burning up the dance floor is sure to take it out of you, so the Lake Crackenback Spa & Wellness Centre is the chilled-out cherry on top of an action packed weekend. Book into a facial, massage or go all in with a spa special like their Winter Day package that sees you massaged, exfoliated and completely relaxed. Go on, you've earned it. STAY To fully immerse yourself in alpine luxury, check in to Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa nestled at the foot of the mountains on the edge of Kosciusko National Park. The striking lake view apartments and mountain view chalets cater up to seven mates, while the expansive grounds are a playground for wildlife and visitors alike. Greet the day with the local kangaroos, try your hand at archery in the afternoon, take a dip in the indoor heated pool pre-dinner, then grab a pizza to-go for some in-room dining with a view from Alpine Larder or dine at onsite Cuisine Restaurant & Bar right on the edge of the lake. The resort also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the Skitube that connects you via rail to Perisher and Blue Cow. It's also only a 20-minute drive along the picturesque road to Thredbo village. Alternatively, you have the option of staying in one of the several ski-in, ski-out chalets on the fields. The big four resorts – Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort – all offer a huge array of accommodation for all budgets. Though, many of the best value spots can be found in Jindabyne. Round up your nearest and dearest to rent one of the many large guesthouses there. For a splashy stay, split the bill with sixteen mates and enjoy large, private entertainment areas, fancy tubs and open fireplaces. And for a no frills kind of stay, try The Banjo Patterson Inn and take advantage of their pool table, the onsite Kosciusko Brewery and an energetic Tuesday night trivia. Head to the snow to eat, drink and play, then hit the dance floor at Snowtunes, taking place September 1 and 2.
Students from the University of Adelaide have created an odd new two-wheeled vehicle that seeks to solve inner city transport problems. The 'Edward', or Electric Diwheel With Active Rotation Dampening, looks like something out of an eco-friendly sci-movie. It also happens to share a resemblance with South Park's It, which Mr. Garrison created as an alternative mode of transport to airplanes for those willing to try anything but. The Edward can reach 40 kilometres per hour and at a mere incline of 12 degrees, and is the first diwheel vehicle (a vehicle with two wheels on the same axle with a cabin mounted between them) that uses stabilising technology that stops the driver from being rocked back and fourth as the vehicle moves. The vehicle is battery powered, meaning that it is incredibly environmentally friendly and also almost silent. Not to mention that its size would make it ideal for parking and driving down crowded and busy city streets. And while it may not be roadworthy just yet - the South Australian Transport Department recently rejected an application for the Edward to be driven on the streets - this contraption provides an interesting solution to the problems associated with traveling by car in inner city areas. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Uf6Gh-hPDeo Via [Fast Company]
Discerning Sydney snackers have scored a new best friend in White Label Supper Club — a delivery service that lets you indulge in restaurant-quality cheese and charcuterie boards all without leaving the comfort of your couch. From the savvy minds behind hit venues Dead Ringer and Bulletin Place, the service launched last week, offering to hook you up with upscale nibbles delivered right to your door. There's been no skimping on quality here, with the menu stocked with the same goodies you'll spy in the country's three hat restaurants. There's a global array of cheese in generous 75g serves, plus a swag of charcuterie options, house-made condiments and artisan desserts. You can pick and mix your favourite products, or opt for one of the expertly curated selection boxes. It's all sliced and packed to order, ready to impress at that picnic date, office snack session or living room supper club. As an added bonus, the delivery time means any cheese feast will arrive in your hands pre-rested and at the perfect eating temperature. Right now, White Label Supper Club is being delivered through UberEats, Wednesdays to Saturdays from 4pm. Alternatively, you can pick up your order from the Bulletin Place headquarters at Level 1, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay.
