From reclining nudes of the Renaissance era to 20th-century punk feminism, the female body has had a long and turbulent history in art. In 1975, Carolee Schneemann reclaimed the body by pulling a scroll from her vagina and reciting a feminist speech. It’s rare to see something this radical nowadays. However, there’s no single story that binds women together. Dear Sylvia at the Australian Centre for Photography is a collection of works questioning the contemporary role of the female body. From documentary to conceptual photography, nine photomedia artists approach their subjects in different ways. Full of emotional and literal tangles, these distorted and displaced bodies resonate with the poetry of Sylvia Plath. It’s a sometimes bleak but important point of reference. Some of the most striking portraits come from British artist Alma Haser’s Cosmic Surgery, a series of Cubist-inspired photographs. She folds faces into delicate origami and repositions them onto her female subjects. Their fractured features become a strange combination of alien and beautiful. There’s a similar kind of manipulation at play in Julie Rrap’s video work, Castaway. Blending Marilyn Monroe and Gericault’s Raft of Medusa, it has an underlying sense of fatal femininity. As the figure lies tangled in a timber frame, still images slowly fade in and out like a watery cross-fade. There is a real sensitivity to Jessica Tremp’s work. Her soft photographs appear inspired by a more romantic affinity with nature. In each work, the surrounding environment seems to creep onto raw skin, whether it be glistening green wilderness, the grainy tone of rock or the hungry darkness of night. As is expected, the documentary photographs don’t have the same precise composition, but they contain more energy — the occasional blurriness captures a greater sense of urgency. A dynamic series from Flore-Ael Surun rallies together a group of activist women campaigning for peace in different corners of the globe. Entering the troubled world of Eastern Europe, Dana Popa presents Not Natasha, chronicling the sex trade in Romania. Many of these works have a coldness and a loneliness — a floral bedspread framed by pornography, a shelf full of religiously iconography, innocent teenagers and dejected women. Evoking familiar themes such as nature, sacrifice, objectification and self-identity, this exhibition is a physical and emotional examination of what it means to be a woman. And as tragic a tale as Plath’s is, it is that of the modern woman: to be awake to the spectrum of opportunities and potential failures. In The Bell Jar, Plath writes about the multiple branches of a fig tree and the inability to choose which one: “I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing the rest." Image: Marlous van der Sloot.
If you missed out on The Jungle Collective's previous two warehouse plant sales, be sure to clear this Saturday and Sunday immediately. Because there's another one on its way. The Jungle Collective is a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. After holding its first wildly successful Sydney market in February and another this month, it's gathering the leftover plants, tracking down new ones and throwing a two-day indoor plant party. While we don't know what plants will be available this time, previous sales have had everything from hanging pot plants to palms for the garden to a giant Bird of Paradise. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. This one will be held in a St Peters warehouse, and will run from 10am till 4pm on Saturday with ticketed sessions. Sunday won't have scheduled slots though — you can just rock up between 10am and 2pm. We'd still suggest getting there early though. Images: Mooikin.
After over a year out west, Superior Burger's Jovan Curic is heading back east to take up a weekly residency at Camperdown's Deus Cafe. Starting on April 6, Curic will be in the kitchen for Superior Fridays from 6pm — and he's bringing his much loved Wakeley burgers with him. The menu has all of the Superior classics, including the namesake burger with salt aged beef, special sauce and McClures pickles, the Dooce Dooce with double beef, cheese and bacon, plus the Magic Shroom burger with confit field mushroom, slaw and smoked barbecue sauce. Sides include dirty fries and Curic's famed hot 'n' sticky chicken wings that hail from his Pub Life Kitchen days. Part of why Curic's burgers are so damn good is that he's committed to using local suppliers. The meat is all pasture-fed, processed organically, hormone and antibiotic free, and he's using organic produce and bread to boot. The Superior menu will be paired with Deus' local beer and cocktail specials, so you can have an indulgent and eco-conscious Friday night — an all too rare combo.
We love our friends. Really, we do. But sometimes we just need a little me time. And when the urge for a few solitary hours strikes, one of our favourite things to do is take ourselves out on a little solo lunch or dinner date. But, with many restaurants and bars set up for dates or groups, finding a place to go solito can often be a bit of a challenge, tempting you to get that alone time by skipping lunch with the colleagues to eat a wilted salad at your desk or holing up at home with takeout and a series. To make sure that doesn't happen, American Express has helped us find nine spots, all Amex-accepting, where eating by yourself is both totally acceptable and incredibly fun. Equipped with single tables or bar seating, and with food so good you wouldn't want to share it anyways, these places make solo dining perfectly, deliciously comfortable. Whether you want a quiet break from the office during a particularly hectic day or are on the hunt for a bar you can go to when you don't feel like being with the mates, we've found the perfect place. Bring a book and you'll be well-prepared to linger over dessert and a few glasses of vino. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
You've watched your way through every episode of Stranger Things to date, including the just-dropped first part of the show's fourth season. Thanks to your latest binge, you've now got Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' stuck in your brain permanently, too. You've eaten a demogorgon burger, seen an Upside Down rift open up in Bondi and played Netflix's Stranger Things mobile game as well. Yes, there's no shortage of ways to indulge your love for the 80's-set streaming hit — but only one involves both singing and laughing. Stranger Things is heading to the stage — well, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical is, to be exact. Because every popular TV show and movie seems to tread the boards eventually, whether in a serious (Back to the Future, Moulin Rouge!, Amelie) or satirical (Friends, Shrek, The Simpsons) guise, everyone's favourite tale about kids fighting monsters in Hawkins, Indiana has also made that leap. Even better: it is now venturing Down Under for the first time. Already an award-winner in the US, where it picked up seven 2021 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards — including Best New Musical (Off-Broadway) — Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical retells the tale we all already know, but on-stage, with amusing songs and while making fun of the whole thing. So, you'll be watching Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas and the rest of the Hawkins gang navigate the wild antics that've made their town the worst place to grow up in since Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sunnydale, and both tapping your toes to tunes and giggling along. Obviously, creepy creatures are a feature — singing and dancing ones, in fact. And, so are pop-culture references aplenty, big hair, throwback fashions, a synth-heavy soundtrack and possibly justice for Barb. Penned by Jonathan Hogue — book, music, lyrics and all — Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical will make its Australian debut thanks to Melbourne's Salty Theatre, with co-founders Ashley Taylor Tickell directing and Sarahlouise Younger assisting. So far, only dates for the Victorian capital have been announced — so lock November 3–19 in your diary, and get ready to hear a song-filled account of Hawkins' weirdness at Meat Market Melbourne. Tickets aren't yet on sale, but you can sign up to be notified when they do at the production's Australian website Fingers crossed that Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical eventually brings the Upside Down to other Aussie cities, obviously. Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical will play Meat Market Melbourne from November 3–19, 2022. For more information, or to sign up to be notified about tickets, head to the production's Australian website. Images: Bruce Glikas / Danny Hildago.
The promised 2019 completion for Sydney's new southeast light rail system is now a distant memory, with the consortium behind the project today advising the New South Wales Government that it'll be delayed another two months. May 2020 is now the projected completion date for the project, which will run from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford. In case you haven't been keeping track, that's a 14-month delay. So far. As reported by the SMH, this latest delay is due to an awry overhead wire. But, it's not the first road bump the 12-kilometre light rail has hit during its embattled construction. Back in March 2016 (yes, more than two years ago) construction was (understandably) halted after thousands of Indigenous artefacts were discovered in the area. Then, earlier this year, the NSW Government found itself embroiled in a legal battle with the Spanish subcontractor heading up the build, slowing down progress considerably. At the time, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declined to share details about the delays, though said the state would "not be held to ransom" by builder Acciona, which is taking Transport for NSW to court for the tidy sum of $1.2 billion. Speaking of billions, Acciona has estimated the final cost of construction to be $1.8 billion — that's double the original $870 million estimate. An inquiry into the impact of the construction of the light rail on local residents and businesses was then launched by the state in May. It received 193 submissions from locals and hearings are currently taking place in Sydney's Parliament House. Some of the businesses that say they've been impacted by the construction — or have been forced to close — include The Book Kitchen, Bishop Sessa and Cafe Jacks. Testing on the CBD and South East Light Rail Project began in February.
When it comes to street art exhibitions, it really doesn't get any bigger than this. A retrospective of Banksy's is making its way back to Australia, featuring 80 of the artist's off-street masterpieces. Opening on Friday, September 13 at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter, The Art of Banksy is a massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon. Endeavouring to take audiences on a journey through Banksy's output and mindset, the exhibition includes the well-known Flower Thrower, Rude Copper and Girl with Balloon (a version of which was shredded after sale in a highly publicised prank late last year). [caption id="attachment_592447" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Olga Rozenbajgier[/caption] If it sounds epic, that's because it is. The art featured has been sourced from over 40 different private collectors around the world, and comprises the world's largest showcase of Banksy pieces. As curated by the artist's former manager Steve Lazarides, the exhibition is also a little controversial. While every piece is original, unique and authentic, The Art of Banksy proudly boasts that the entire show is 100 percent unauthorised. No, Banksy hasn't signed off on the event. This isn't the first time the huge exhibition has head Down Under, either. It was on show in Melbourne back in 2016, too — and you can check out our full gallery from that exhibition here. The Art of Banksy will run from Friday, September 13 at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney. Tickets go on sale from 4pm on Friday, August 2. Images: The Art of Banksy, Melbourne, 2016 by Olga Rozenbajgier
Downtown Drive-In has released tickets to two extra screenings today, adding cult films Raising Arizona and Stand By Me to its popular program. And lucky for you, we have five double passes to giveaway so you can experience it first hand. Boasting an outrageously talented cast of young actors, including River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack, few films have captured the magic or intransigence of youth better than Rob Reiner's nostalgic coming-of-age drama Stand By Me. Adapted from Stephen King's autobiographical novella The Body, Stand By Me takes place in the summer of 1959 in a small, out of the way town in Oregon. With a full weekend at their disposal, four young boys embark on an adventure through the back roads of their community in search of a dead body rumoured to be hidden in the nearby swamp. It's a sort of 'road movie on foot', complete with significant rites of passage, ridiculous childhood hijinks and, occasionally, some deeply tender moments. Richard Dreyfuss features as the film's narrator, reminiscing from the perspective of one of the boys now in his middle age. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12," he observes at one point. "Jesus, does anyone?" – and therein lies the heart of Stand By Me. Each of the four boys carries with him the shame of some social stigma, be it abusive parents, physical deformity or simple obesity, yet as a group they're confident and unassailable, loved unconditionally by each other in a way not found back home or by the township. Filmed almost thirty years ago, Stand By Me remains a poignant, moving and uplifting testimony to the capacity for friendship and the joy of childhood adventure. Concrete Playground has five double passes to giveaway to see Stand By Me at Downtown Drive-In on December 1 at 9.30pm. To enter, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Oblivion is like a 'Best of' album for sci-fi movies. It's got the isolation and planetary caretaking of Moon or WALL-E, the post-alien-invasion devastation of Independence Day, the memory wipes and insurgency of Total Recall, the sentient and menacingly red-eyed robots of 2001: A Space Odyssey and the 'You maniacs!...You BLEW IT UP-edness' of Planet of the Apes. In fact, with so many classic hits, it's like the I Am Sam soundtrack, but where one of the tracks is I Am Legend. So if it's not terrifically original — if what we're talking about here is essentially a 'covers' film — is it worth seeing? Well, yes, thankfully, because like any good covers album, the tributes are done lovingly, respectfully and with a just enough reinterpretation to keep you interested. Oblivion is directed by Tron: Legacy's Joseph Kosinski, whose touch is immediately obvious both cinematically and aurally (although this time the pulsing soundtrack is provided by M83 rather than Daft Punk). Set in a fantastically bleak 2077, humanity has abandoned Earth save for two individuals, Jack (Tom Cruise) and Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), whose job is to monitor and repair a small fleet of aggressive security drones that hunt down any remaining alien invaders. Like every old cop in an action movie, Jack and Victoria are just two weeks away from retirement when the unexpected crash landing of another human, Julia (Olga Kurylenko), throws a spanner into the works. Jack wants to know who she is, whilst Victoria doesn't want anything to threaten their plans to rejoin the rest of Earth's survivors on an off-planet sanctuary. Performance wise, Cruise is dependably solid, though its Riseborough who steals every one of their scenes. Her Stepford Wife-esque emotional repression more than makes up for their lacklustre sexual chemistry and becomes especially compelling once Kurylenko is introduced into the mix. Morgan Freeman also makes a cameo in a Morpheus-type role; however, his performance is both fleeting and unremarkable. The true star of Oblivion is in fact the production design, brought to life in astounding detail via Claudio Miranda's (Life of Pi) engaging cinematography. Jack and Victoria's exquisite airborne apartment sits atop Earth's expansive wastelands, and the scenes in both are equally sumptuous. Coupled with Oblivion's many sci-fi tributes, Kosinski and Miranda's vision offers an enjoyable and fast-paced film that should appeal to a broad audience.
The ABC’s upcoming series Redfern Now looks like a pretty sweet deal. Its cast includes heavy-hitting actors like Deborah Mailman and Leah Purcell, the Sapphires’ Wayne Blair on direction and story production from the British writer of Cracker and the Street, Jimmy McGovern. Redfern Now, like the Street, tells the story of six people across six episodes, each neighbours in the same small neighbourhood — in this case, Redfern. McGovern says “there are certain stories that belong only to Aboriginal Australia.” These are some of those stories. In recognition of Redfern's central role in the series, and in the urban life of Aboriginal Sydney, the ABC is premiering Redfern Now on the Block a day before it hits Australian TV screens, with Casey Donovan and Marcus Corowa taking to the stage an hour before the 7.30 screening. So take a rug, grab a (non-alcoholic) drink and prepare to be proud of something fundamentally home grown. Refreshments will be provided, but this is a booze-free event.
First came the return of the Kirra Beach Hotel, pouring drinks again after three years out of action while the surfside pub was rebuilt as an all-new 1300-square-metre watering hole with a sunny beer garden. Then arrived Kirra Beach House, with multiple spaces to eat and drink — and cabanas for both — on the beachfront. Now, for everyone heading to the Gold Coast to take advantage of the two venues, or just in general, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments is up and running. Out-of-town visitors and staycationers alike have a new spot to stay at Kirra Point, the precinct that's reshaping this part of southeast Queensland's coast. If you're keen to slumber for at least two nights — with longer trips welcome, too — this sleek new accommodation boasts one-, two- and three-bedroom options, all in a prime location. Killer views from each apartment overlooking the beach are a huge highlight. So are expansive balconies that are designed for hanging out outside as much as in, whether you're going solo, or you're with your partner, mates or travelling as a family. No one usually books a holiday apartment with more room than they need — and with prices starting at $395 per night, that'll prove the case here — but whichever size abode you pick, you'll still be peering at the water. Beach vistas are part of every apartment, so you won't miss out on making the most of the scenic surroundings. Fancy taking a splash, too? That's where the block's elevated pool deck comes in, also with stunning views. As you swim in the 25-metre heated pool or kick back on the poolside lounges, you'll have an uninterrupted vantage of the beach. The communal al fresco area also includes barbecue facilities and an outdoor shower. Back inside, expect a contemporary aesthetic; sizeable bedrooms, with the main featuring a king-sized bed; a full kitchen with European appliances and a Nespresso coffee machine; a 65-inch television with a Chromecast; internet access; and a full laundry. Plus, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments has its own air-conditioned gym, and hires out beach carts, umbrellas and bikes for exploring the area. Need a charcuterie platter or picnic hamper to make your stay even better? They can be delivered. If you're new to Kirra, you'll be venturing 70 minutes from Brisbane, 30 minutes from Broadbeach and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. And if this is the first that you're hearing about the Kirra Point precinct, it's all about giving folks the beach life whether they're dropping by for a sip and a meal, residing onsite or temporarily calling it their home away from home. Find Kirra Point Holiday Apartments at 4 Miles Street, Kirra, Queensland — head to the apartments' website for bookings and further details. Images: Elise Hassey.
Here's Underworld: Blood Wars in brief: in the millennia-old conflict between werewolves and vampires, the werewolves (or Lycans) are regrouping while the vampires are down to their last two covens. The good news, however, is that the Paris coven is impregnable. Never been breached in 15 centuries. Not once. Give up now, Lycans. It cannot. Be. Pregged. Well…unless you have a small, mid-priced sedan driven by animatronic Gucci model Theo James, which ploughs through the coven's single-frame, wrought-iron gate like a knife through butter that isn't even butter because it's actually nothing. Not to be deterred, however, the vampires quickly re-attach the gate with a solding iron, rendering the coven once again...impregnable. To quote The Princess Bride, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means". So here's what we need to do. First, we go buy some red baseball caps – bright red ones – then embroider them with the following message: MAKE UNDERWORLD OKAY-ISH AGAIN. The people will follow us. Landslide, guaranteed. The original Underworld, released in 2003, was not without its merit. It didn't have much merit, mind you, but some is still better than none. Kate Beckinsale proved a fantastic choice for the death-dealing werewolf hunter Selene, whose talents and temerity outstripped compatriot and opponent alike. Alongside her, Bill Nighy, Scott Speedman and Michael Sheen rounded out a not-unimpressive supporting cast capable of making even the most laughably bad line somehow resonate with a sense of class and purpose. Yes, it was fetishist-heavy and contained a whole lot of gun porn, but it was a film of its time and found a willing fan base to propel it into a franchise. Underworld: Blood Wars, however, is now the fifth film in said franchise, one that definitely ought to have stopped at two – and my, how the largely-passable have fallen. Honestly, people have written more compelling stories on toilet paper, and they didn't need a pen. This latest instalment takes every one of the already scant, okay-to-decent aspects of the original film and dispenses with them wholesale aside from Beckinsale herself. What little story there is comes across in heavy-handed dialogue which mostly exists to bridge one dull fight scene to the next. The characters, meanwhile, continue to clad themselves in comically revealing black lace or leather like extras from a Judas Priest video. Except for the ones in all white, because they're pacifist vampires, don't ya know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSlaWHDu5WU
A quarter of a century is a long time to spend with Larry David, even with gaps along the way. Friends and acquaintances of the fictionalised and heightened version in Curb Your Enthusiasm might have some not-so-positive things to say about investing that chunk with one of TV's great curmudgeons. If you're a fan of the satirical series that premiered in 2000, however, 12 seasons isn't enough. But David has called time on his second small-screen smash. While CYE hasn't beaten Seinfeld's episode count, going out with 120 instalments versus 180, it stayed on-screen on and off for far longer than the ultimate show about nothing — and, right up until its final moments, it didn't avoid for a second the fact that Seinfeld was always going to cast a shadow. Streaming in Australia via Binge and New Zealand on Neon, Curb Your Enthusiasm isn't Seinfeld 2.0 for a lengthy number of reasons that'd get anyone saying "yada, yada, yada". But in riffing on David and his life, playing with his fame for co-creating one of the all-time sitcom hits has been baked into the premise from day one. Cue appearances from Seinfeld cast members, also as themselves. Cue dedicating a season focusing on making a Seinfeld reunion special as well. Accordingly, when CYE's ending first came into sight, of course the inimitable force behind both shows began the last season with the series' iteration of Larry going where Seinfeld's characters closed out their tale: jail. In season 12's debut episode of ten, he isn't incarcerated due to criminal indifference. Rather, Larry's stint behind bars comes about thanks to the opposite. In Atlanta to attend a rich fan's (Sharlto Copley, Beast) birthday party, on a paid gig courtesy of the success of Young Larry — CYE's in-show show about David's childhood, in the style of Young Rock and Everybody Hates Chris — he gives a bottle of water to Leon's (JB Smoove, Música) Auntie Rae (Ellia English, Blood Pageant) while she's in line to vote. That's illegal in the state of Georgia. The cops pounce immediately. So, with the nudging and winking — and reshaping and tinkering — that Curb Your Enthusiasm does exquisitely well, one of the season's key threads is born. Larry being Larry, he wasn't really trying to make a stand against ridiculous voter-suppression laws. Larry still being Larry, he's also content to capitalise upon being regarded as a hero, complete with droves of media attention. And, Larry never able to be someone other than Larry, he's his petty normal self regardless of how much praise flows from Bruce Springsteen — or ire, because getting to know Larry even when he's being commended and congratulated doesn't always mean actually liking him, as the plot strand involving The Boss, his final Los Angeles gig, COVID-19 and whose drinking cup is whose screams. Before Beef was winning Golden Globes, Emmys and other awards for trivial squabbles, David got there first. Before The Rehearsal and The Curse's Nathan Fielder was inspiring cringing so vigorous that you can feel it in your stomach, David was as well. Almost anything can happen and has happened to Larry, and being argumentative and awkward, holding grudges and rarely having his foot out of his mouth in response is a constant. Since season one, whatever has come his way has usually involved his manager and best friend Jeff Greene (Jeff Garlin, Never Have I Ever), alongside the latter's perennially suspicious wife Susie (Susie Essman, Hacks). Initially as his spouse and then as his ex, Cheryl David (Cheryl Hines, The Flight Attendant) has frequently weathered the fallout in his vicinity. So have his friends, such as Ted Danson (Mr Mayor) and the late, great Richard Lewis (Sandy Wexler) as themselves from the get-go, plus the aforementioned Leon Black, who moved in with Larry when the Davids took in his sister Loretta (Vivica A Fox, Bosco) after Hurricane Katrina. The show's swansong season is vintage Curb Your Enthusiasm, including when a lawyer who looks like one of David's many enemies, overhearing golfing lessons, throwing things at CODA Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur, getting disgruntled over breakfast menus cutting off at 11am and shirking reading scripts for old colleagues are involved. Season 12 also sees Larry try to date Sienna Miller (Extrapolations), sponsor Lori Loughlin (Blessings of Christmas) to join his country club and attempt to befriend Conan O'Brien (Conan Without Borders) when he moves into the same neighbourhood. He learns the Gettysburg Address while urinating, conditioning himself to feel the urge when he hears it afterwards. He's suspected of drawing penises on billboards. Also on his list: conjuring up schemes to ditch his girlfriend Irma (Tracey Ullman, Death to 2021) that he despises and get out of looking after an acquaintance's daughter if he passes away. From its premiere at the turn of the century to its farewell now, Curb Your Enthusiasm has been fascinated with whether someone as set in his ways as David — who was the inspiration for George Constanza — can and will ever change. He doesn't, and watching why that's the case only stopped being comedy gold when the credits rolled on the very last episode. That goodbye is named 'No Lessons Learned'. David gives voice to the idea, too: speaking to a young boy being told how to behave by his mother, he's unrepentantly Larry, telling the child "I am 76 years old and I have never learned a lesson in my entire life". As he bickers with a flight attendant about turning off his phone on the plane to Atlanta, gets crude hand signals from a driver who won't let merge on the highway and questions something about an ex-girlfriend of Richard's that's never normally spoken about (because when would that stop Larry?), his own words keep ringing true. When season 12 sent Larry to jail early, echoing how Seinfeld ended, it was always working towards more overt nods in its predecessor's direction. Cycling through legal representation (Will & Grace's Sean Hayes plays one attorney), Larry has been bound for court ever since. Airing grievances, all coming from folks who believe that they've been wronged by him over the years, was the natural — and gloriously, gleefully intertextual — path for Curb Your Enthusiasm's climax, then. David has learned lessons, though, since penning the end of Seinfeld. How that pans out, and CYE's conclusion overall, is pretty, pretty, pretty perfect. Check out the trailer for Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12 below: Curb Your Enthusiasm streams via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Images: HBO.
A glass of bubbly is always a pleasure, but the return of World Champagne Day provides ample excuse to add a little more sparkle to your upcoming weekend. Taking over QT Hotels & Resorts across Australia from Friday, October 24–Sunday, October 26, the brand's lineup of luxe off-beat stays have teamed up with true-brut style Perrier-Jouët for a cork-popping experience. To mark the occasion, guests are invited to double-down on their love of champagne, as your first flute purchase scores a second pour of top-quality champers on the house. Just swing through any of QT's signature restaurants — like Gowings & Parlour at QT Sydney, Pascale Bar & Grill at QT Melbourne and Yamagen at QT Gold Coast — to toast yourself with a fizzy encore to match.
It sounds like an obvious premise, and one that countless films and TV shows have already mined in the name of laughs. In Hacks, two vastly dissimilar people are pushed together, with the resulting conflict guiding the series. Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, North Hollywood) and her new boss Deborah Vance (Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown) couldn't be more different in age, experience, tastes and opinions. The former is a 25-year-old who made the move to Hollywood, has been living out her dream as a comedy writer, but found her career plummeting after a tweet crashed and burned. The latter is a legendary stand-up who hasn't stopped hitting the stage for decades, is approaching the 2500th show of her long-running Las Vegas residency and is very set in her ways. They appear to share exactly one thing in common: a love for comedy. They're an odd couple thrust together by their mutual manager Jimmy (Paul W Downs, Broad City), neither wants to be working with the other, and — to the surprise of no one, including each other — they clash again and again. There's no laugh track adding obvious chuckles to this HBO sitcom, though. In other hands, guffaws would've come on cue, only the most blatant beats would've been hit, and the performances would've been big and broad. It would've been a series that tried to fill every space in the room, as Deborah has spent years doing in her gigs, and it would've been happy to give its easiest viewers what it already knows they want. But that isn't Hacks' approach. Just like its title, its basic concept isn't indicative of the series that results. Created by three of the talents behind Broad City — writer Jen Statsky; writer/director Lucia Aniello; and Downs, who does double duty in front of and behind the lens — Hacks isn't solely interested in setting two seemingly mismatched characters against each other. This is a smart and insightful series about what genuinely happens when this duo spends more and more time together, what's sparked their generational conflict and what, despite their evident differences, they actually share beyond that love of making people laugh. The straightforward clashes still bubble up, as Ava and Deborah's entire world views constantly niggle and jostle. Ava doesn't think twice about discussing everything from her sex life to her menstrual cycle with anyone she meets, and deems nothing too personal to bring up in conversation or make jokes out of — and she's certain that comedy is all the better for it, even if that perspective has cost her her dream job, made it impossible to get another gig in Los Angeles and brought her to Deborah's doorstep as a last resort. She's also sure that her new boss could improve her crowd-pleasing sets by taking her advice, but that isn't an idea that Deborah initially warms to. An ex-sitcom star who made the leap to stand-up back when the industry was even more unwelcoming to women than it is now, Deborah has worked tirelessly for her success, wealth and lavish mansion, and knows that Home Shopping Network appearances and attending the opening of fast food chains are as important as the residency she's being pushed out of. As a result, she's also fiercely protective of her current fame and status quo, and everything that goes with it. Other characters bob in and out of the pair's daily lives — Jimmy and his clueless assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter, The Megan Stalter Show), Deborah's daughter DJ (Kaitlin Olson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), her Chief Operating Officer Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins, The Chi) and casino owner Marty (Christopher McDonald, Ballers), mainly — but it's the push and pull between Ava and Deborah that's at Hacks' core. Through that dynamic, the show keeps probing what makes these women who they are, what they've faced and who they want to be moving forward, all while interrogating the reality of showbusiness without a trace of sugarcoating. Making a life out of being funny isn't easy for this pair, or for any woman in comedy, and nor is navigating everything that the entertainment industry constantly throws their way. Some of the sharpest observations about today's Hollywood landscape come in tiny but knowing moments, too; "what if first girl band during Salem witch trials but prestige drama?" an intoxicated Ava pitches, and that series definitely wouldn't look out of place on most streaming platforms' catalogues. Hacks wouldn't be the show it is without two key inclusions: Smart and Einbinder. Deborah feels like a part that Smart could play in her sleep, but that isn't how the exceptional Fargo, Legion and Watchmen actor handles the character. Deborah has fought for everything in her life, and that determination comes through amid the Joan Rivers-style brassiness and flashiness of her favoured lifestyle. Smart's is a textured performance that's keeps diving deeper and, although almost everyone watching has never been a famous comic, it's a relatable portrayal as well. She ensures that all those desires and yearnings we all have — to succeed, be respected, be valued for our talents and truly be ourselves — sit at the heart of Deborah's every move, even when she's hardly sympathetic. The same proves true of Einbinder's work as Ava, too, as relevant to the character. Ava projects an over-chatty air of confidence and wades her way through the world unfiltered, but she's also awkward, prone to failing as much as succeeding, and is really just trying to weather life's chaos like the rest of us. When the 2021 Emmy nominations were announced, Hacks collected 15 nods — including for Smart, Einbinder and Clemons-Hopkins for their on-screen work, and for Statsky, Aniello and Downs for their off-screen efforts. Plenty of great shows don't ever win shiny trophies or even get nominated, but every accolade thrown this series' way is thoroughly well-deserved. It's been picked up for a second season by HBO Max, just like the platform's other standout 2021 sitcom Starstruck. Australians had to bide their time for a local streaming platform to air both programs' first seasons but, when they've each arrived in easy-to-binge blocks, both have proven worth the wait. Watching Hacks is the best way to spend five hours on the couch right now, in fact, and its frank, funny and biting assessment of being a woman in entertainment is as always as canny as it is hilarious Check out the trailer below: Season one of Hacks is available to stream via Stan.
If your idea of a relaxing pastime involves moseying through Australia's picturesque landscape by foot, bike or horse, then add the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to your must-visit list. Spanning 161 kilometres, it runs through southeast Queensland from Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich to Yarraman in the Great Dividing Range. And, with its final stage completed and opened this month, it's now Australia's longest continuous hiking, cycling and horse riding trail — exceeding the Great Victorian Rail Trail's 134 kilometres in length. Inaccessible to cars, the track follows the now-defunct Brisbane Valley railway line, which dates back to the 1880s. Upon closing to trains in 1991, it was converted to a recreational trail; however the final link between Toogoolawah and Moore has only just come to fruition through $3.354 million in funding from the federal, Queensland and local governments. Visitors can now make their way through an array of scenery — including farms, country towns and bushland — across the trail's entire expanse, with the track winding through the likes of Fernvale, Lowood, Esk, Toogoolawah, Moore, Linville, Blackbutt and Yarraman, and including both coffee stops and campsites along the way. Further work is planned along the trail, including a $4.5 million upgrade to the heritage-listed Lockyer Creek Railway Bridge. Image: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association Inc.
The zero-waste movement is on the rise in Australia. People are using fewer single-use plastics, recycling more and thinking differently about what and how they cook. But creating a fully zero-waste kitchen at home can be a super daunting task. That's why we've spoken to Matt Stone, one of Australia's leading sustainable chefs. Stone (pictured above) has been interested in zero-waste practices ever since he started cooking at Margaret River's Leeuwin Estate back in 2003, and has continued to be a leading advocate for sustainable philosophies and ethical food concepts. Zero waste is clearly important to Stone. "Eating food in the current industrial food system is probably one of the most destructive things humans can do. Monocropping, the transportation of food and food wastage are the main problems within this system," he shares. But there are many ways to embrace zero waste — and we all have a role to play. While it can seem overwhelming, Stone urges us to take it all one step at a time: "Nothing is too small. Even if you just start with buying a tote bag and taking it with you everywhere. It can become overwhelming to think about moving to a complete zero-waste lifestyle — there are a lot of stepping stones to that, so just start somewhere." To help break things down, Stone has given us some tips on how to create your own zero-waste kitchen at home, in partnership with the NSW Government's Return and Earn scheme. [caption id="attachment_777555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unsplash[/caption] SOURCE LOCAL PRODUCE "For me, the first thing to look at is getting as close to your food source as you possibly can. The less distance the food travels and the less the food needs to be packaged, the better. It also means it's going to be more delicious." "And it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can go to a farmers market once a week, or simply ask your butcher where the products are from, and get something that's local over something that's come from afar." [caption id="attachment_770182" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Briscoe (Unsplash)[/caption] FIND MORE TIME TO COOK "Making time to cook is really important. When you have more time, you can do more with your ingredients. For example, it's best when you have time to make a delicious broth from leftover bones after roasting a chicken. Instead of just throwing out the carcass and leftover vegetables, you can turn it into a whole new meal." "I think taking time to nourish yourself and your family is a really important thing. People have had time in the last couple of years, and I hope that people continue to take time to cook." [caption id="attachment_807358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pexels[/caption] ALWAYS BE PREPARED "Make a habit of always having a few items with you. I think you should always have tote bags, a coffee cup and a water bottle when you go out. Tote bags because you never know when you might go past a fruit stall or need to stop by the market or grocery shop and grab something. It's really basic stuff, but if it becomes a habit then it really sets in. And that's a stepping stone to embracing more and more zero-waste strategies." [caption id="attachment_766152" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Fotios (Pexels)[/caption] START COMPOSTING "When creating a zero-waste kitchen, one great thing is to do some composting at home. And there are many methods of composting, from traditional open composting to electrically run machines that run off a small amount of power." "The more food waste we can save from going into landfill, the better. We need to stop looking at food waste as waste and start seeing it as fuel for future crops. And that can be done on a small scale from home with a little benchtop bin that you have for your organic waste, then taking it out to your composting system. It's a brilliant way to get closer to having a zero-waste kitchen." EAT LESS MEAT "Eating more of a vegetable-based diet is a huge way to minimise waste. Because when you buy proteins from butchers, they often come in polystyrene trays, plastic film and so on. Alternatively, vegetables are often bought in their raw form." "Having a few meat-free days is a really great way to minimise waste and live sustainably. Think of using vegetables a bit more deeply — grains, legumes, pulses, mushrooms and seaweed are great meat substitutes that can bring a lot of substance to a meal." "It's still okay to eat meat and fish. But spending more and eating less of those products is the way forward — getting better quality meat that's ethically sourced." [caption id="attachment_857454" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Spiske (Unsplash)[/caption] GROW YOUR OWN PRODUCE "Another great little tip is to grow a pot of parsley or basil. For one, herbs will never taste better than when they are freshly cut. But it's also a really easy way to reduce waste. It's best to avoid buying a packet of herbs in a plastic bag being shipped from farm to supermarket. And people often throw half of their herbs out because they don't use them all. There is a huge amount of waste in that." "Keep an eye on your surroundings. Rosemary is a great example — there aren't many neighbourhoods in Australia where you can't find a rosemary bush. When you spot one, keep it in the memory bank for the next time you're cooking a roast lamb and you can just go for a walk and snip yourself a bit. You'll be surprised how much food you can find on the streets." [caption id="attachment_791852" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Polina Tankilevitch (Pexels)[/caption] RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY "Think about what you're bringing [into your kitchen] and what can be done with it [afterwards]," Stone emphasises. "Also, when recycling, make sure you are rinsing things and not contaminating your recycling with dirty food containers that might leak onto other stuff, stopping it from finding its future potential. Being conscious about how you're recycling is a big thing." A great way to start is by recycling your plastic, glass and aluminium drink containers — which have the '10c refund' printed on them — through Return and Earn. The NSW Government scheme is readily accessible (with over 600 return spots throughout the state) and gives you the choice between a refund and a charitable donation. So you're being green and giving back to your community. Ready to put your recyclables to work? Look no further than Return and Earn. Crunch your numbers at the impact calculator and see the real-world benefits your recycling will have.
Sydney's CBD has landed a major dose of the Tokyo-esque practical and compact, with the former Bar Century space reopening in May as The Capsule Hotel, a three-storey, luxury boutique stay. The George Street cheap drinks den, which closed in 2016, was taken over by developer Walter Guo, who invested a massive $5 million on a full interior refurb, carried out by interior design consultants Giant Design. The heritage building has somewhat retained its vintage fit-out but with more of a nod to the futuristic space-like capsules of The Fifth Element. The bar and hotel are running as separate entities, with the first two levels acting as The Century Bar, while the top three floors of the building are dedicated to the capsules. Each of the 70 capsules contains a large flatscreen TV and entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and a climate control panel. Guests can choose from single or deluxe beds with entry from either the side or the end of the capsule. The communal facilities include a kitchen space, breakfast bar, lounge area, rooftop terrace and individual bathrooms. If you're worried about security, don't be — each capsule is fitted with a secure lock and the security desk runs 24-hours. But let's set the record straight — The Century is not a hostel, and it's not aimed at overindulgent locals that can't seem to make it back home. "The accommodation, which is not quite hotel nor hostel, is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpackers and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget," says Christopher Wilks, an associate at Giant Design. It's set to sit well within your budget, with prices ranging from $50-90 a night. Which, depending on how far from the CBD you live, could be a lot cheaper than a cab home at 1am.
Sydney is set for a new dose of traditional Cantonese cooking next month when Canton! Canton! opens in the CBD. The restaurant is by the Jewel Pantry Group, a dining group focusing on cuisines from the Asia-Pacific, which launched just last October. And it has taken over the old Tim Ho Wan Sydney outposts (and nabbed its chef) on George Street and Pitt Street Mall. Tim Ho Wan — the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant — launched in Sydney in late-2015, before suddenly closing last year. While the Jewel Pantry Group has taken over the chain's former CBD outposts, there's no word yet on what will happen to Tim Ho Wan's Chatswood's store, which is also closed. The first of the dining group's venues to launch will be Canton! Canton!, which will take over the George Street site in mid-February. The 68-seater will have Executive Chef Jacky Chan at the helm, who used to run the kitchen at Sydney's Tim Ho Wans. He boasts 28 years' experience cooking Chinese fare, with a special career focus on dim sum — he's trained with top Hong Kong chefs and held the title of head dim sum chef at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, too. Patrons can expect yum cha, barbecue pork buns and Chinese teas from 11am, followed by barbecued duck, pork and chicken, roasted in-house daily. For dinner, there'll be mains like braised pork belly with preserved veggies, alongside an extensive wine list and a signature Hong Kong-style caramelised Malay cake for dessert. Three banquet menus will also be on offer. [caption id="attachment_518017" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Shumai at Tim Ho Wan.[/caption] The fit-out is courtesy of interior designer Dorian McCartney (Hydra Design) and architect Raymond Teo. The design is inspired by the street markets of Canton, with 'opium bed' booths and antique tea crates previously used by Chinese shipping merchants. The hospitality group's second venue, Mr. Fatt, will open in the Pitt Street Mall site later this year as a 12-seat takeaway joint. While Canton! Canton! leans towards tradition, Mr. Fatt will instead offer a modern fusion of Singaporean and Malaysian fare. And you can expect more restaurants to join The Jewel Pantry Group's portfolio in coming months, with a Hainan rice specialty on the menu. Canton! Canton! will open mid-February at Shop GD004, 580 George Street, Sydney, with Pitt Street Mall's Mr. Fatt to follow later this year. Keep an eye on this space for opening date and hours. Image: Executive Chef Jacky Chan.
This is opera, but not as you know it. For a start, it's The Nose, the first opera written by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who, at the time — 1928 — was just 20. Its basis is a surreal, satirical short story by fellow Russian Nikolai Gogol about Platon Kovalev, a civil servant who wakes up one morning in his St Petersburg home without his nose. He sets off to find it, only to discover it's become a character in its own right: a mischief-maker of superior social status. Along the way, Kovalev begs for help in a cathedral, police station and newspaper office, but encounters only callousness. Shostakovich fuels the protagonist's pursuit with a wild, chaotic score of changing time signatures, clashing harmonies and destabilising shifts in direction, influenced by folk, jazz and Gregorian chants. He co-wrote the libretto with Georgy Ionin, Alexander Preis and Yevgeny Zamyatin. Secondly, it's in the hands of Aussie expat Barrie Kosky, current director of Komische Oper Berlin. Now, there are many ways to interpret the satire: is it a comment on society's obsession with appearances? A critique of classism and snobbery? Does Kovalev suffer a castration complex? However, rather than choosing a single perspective, Kosky plunges Kovalev (Martin Winkler) into a dystopian world, in which the loss of his nose turns all order upside down. As he lurches from one institution to another, repeatedly met by indifference or outright scorn, his nose appears in various manifestations — here as a menacing shadow, there as a line of cheeky tap dancers. The singing, dancing, jeering crowd is a nightmarish maelstrom of corrupt police officers, worn-out journos and bearded cabaret dancers. Fart jokes, slapstick and disruptions of the fourth wall (at one point, an actor planted in the crowd calls out, "This isn't the Rooty Hill RSL, it's the Sydney Opera House!") interweave with rare moments of pathos, including a moving scene in which the clownish Kovalev sobs alone in bed, hidden beneath the sheets. It's fun and irreverent, but loud, brash, shocking, confronting and, at times, overwhelming. The production, which features a new English translation of the libretto by David Pountney, is a collaboration between Sydney Opera House and the Royal Opera House, London. Image: Prudence Upton.
When Studio Ghibli was first formed back in 1985, the Japanese animation house came about thanks to three parties: filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki. While Miyazaki has become synonymous with the company in the three decades since and Suzuki is now one of Japan's most successful producers, Takahata deserves just as much acclaim and attention. Indeed, it was his first stint behind the camera that helped establish Ghibli on the international stage. Further, his most recent movie earned him an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature. Before his passing this week at the age of 82, Takahata's career also spanned a busy stint in television during the '60s and '70s, as well as producing roles on three important animated titles — Miyazaki's pre-Ghibli flick Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, his first studio effort Castle in the Sky, and the company's gorgeous collaboration with Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit, The Red Turtle. As a filmmaker himself, he may have only helmed five features, but they're all Ghibli classics. In fact, if you're a fan of the beloved outfit, they're definite must-sees that demonstrate the studio's visual, emotional, thematic and narrative range. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPeTSRd580 GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES The most heartbreaking animated film ever made — and one the most heartbreaking films ever made in any format, too — Grave of the Fireflies proved Studio Ghibli's first masterpiece. In fact, it's a movie the studio has never come close to matching since, even though the company's stellar flicks continually enchant and delight. Given the war drama is a rare Ghibli effort that plunges into dark territory, telling the tale of two siblings desperately struggling to survive in the last days of the Second World War, that's completely understandable. Takahata's handling of the film's moving and sorrowful story couldn't be more astonishing, from the fleshed-out characters tussling with life and death, to the striking visuals, including the titular glowing bugs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfkQlZArxw0 ONLY YESTERDAY Like his filmmaking debut, Takahata's second directorial effort doesn't resemble much of Studio Ghibli's output. Based on the 1982 manga of the same name, Only Yesterday eschews child-focused fantasies for the incredibly relatable inner turmoil of 27-year-old Tokyo worker Taeko. Rather than entering fanciful worlds, the film follows its protagonist's attempt to reconcile her childhood dreams with the life she's now living. It's a mature, thoughtful effort — and one that was only re-released two years ago, with an English-language voice cast of Daisy Ridley and Dev Patel. Upon its initial stint in cinemas in Japan in 1991, it became the highest-grossing Japanese film of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7cowIHjCD4 POM POKO Another box office hit — in fact, Pom Poko was the highest-grossing Japanese film in Japan in 1994 — Takahata's next flick introduced the world to mischievous racoon-like critters. Called tanuki and finding their basis in folklore, the creatures can transform into almost anything; however their habitat outside of Tokyo is under threat from developers. With ecological matters a common thread in Ghibli movies, this touching delight proves a quintessential addition to the fold, combining magical wonder with a message. It's an endearing fable, and one that matches its narrative with memorable imagery, as always. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C9ujuCPlnY MY NEIGHBOURS THE YAMADAS My Neighbours the Yamadas is the studio's most visually distinctive effort. Based on the manga Nono-chan, it's the company's first fully digital film, but it favours the look of a hand-drawn, watercolour-painted comic strip over the usual Ghibli aesthetic. The stylistic choice suits the content perfectly, not only immersing audiences into the series of vignettes about the Yamada family, but offering a visible reminder that nothing is ever as simple as it appears. That's a statement that keeps bubbling to the fore as the quirky flick delves into recognisable situations with humour and heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9QnebAVHVk THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA In The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, the eponymous girl blossoms within a bamboo shoot. She's not the only thing that blooms in this hand-drawn beauty, which marked Takahata's first film as a director in 15 years. Rumoured at the time to be his last feature and sadly proving to be case now, it's a gentle, elegant and entrancing story that charts the princess' growth, depicts her turmoil as her own desires clash with everyone else's expectations, and evolves from a seemingly standard setup into something subversive and meaningful. And, like almost everything throughout the filmmaker's career, it's a movie that no one else could've made in the same way.
At Bayswater Fine Wines, the staff's legit knowledge and true passion for wine makes it an eastern suburbs winner. Its split level bottle shop is also a sight to behold in its own right — think floor-to-ceiling windows, library-style wine cabinets, a Victorian ash counter and a chandelier made of 750 champagne flutes. And we have to mention the mezzanine fine wine room, which houses the shop's range of aged and rare wines and hosts exclusive members-only tasting events. You can become a member over here, with benefits including access to that wine room, plus regular discounts, monthly specials and exclusive wine education experiences. Specials change regularly, but you can expect to see the likes of Yulli's Brews cider, Espolon Blanco tequila and minimal intervention drops from Tread Softly. The Rushcutters Bay location also has sister venues in Darlinghurst and Paddington.
When Heston Blumenthal announced that Fat Duck was coming to Melbourne for six months in 2015, he was overwhelmed with interest at the rate of 40,000 requests within the first few days. So, to make matters manageable and, he hoped, fair, he set up a ballot. Of the 89,000 entries received, only 14,000 were lucky enough to win a spot. But, as it turns out, luck wasn’t the only factor in determining success. In an exclusive published today, Fairfax Media's Good Food has revealed that the Fat Duck ballot was hijacked by fat cat corporate scalpers. According to the report, three groups are involved. The first is a trio of financial professionals, based in Collins Street, Melbourne. Apparently they employed an IT expert to cook up a computer programme that enabled them to apply as many times as they liked. "We looked at the source code for the booking site and noted that it didn’t record IP address, just email address and phone details," Fairfax was told. "From that moment we realised it was going to be pretty easy to book multiple tables." After putting in 800 applications, they managed to score more than fifty tables, which they’re planning on giving away and selling. The report states that a second group used a similar strategy to bag just over forty tables. They're intending to sell places at $500 a head (that’s on top of the Fat Duck’s $525). And Fairfax Media also believes that 'a third party, which brings in gambling tourists from Asia' has also failed to play fair. Crown Resorts certainly aren't happy about the whole affair. They've got their legal team on the job, trying to overturn some of the counterfeit bookings. Executive general manager of hotels, food and beverage, Peter Crinis, told Fairfax, "Crown Melbourne is committed to upholding the integrity of the ballot process and has flagged a small number of reservations for further investigation. The on-selling of reservations is prohibited by the ballot terms and conditions and internal measures have been put in place to ensure this process remains fair and equitable for all Fat Duck diners." The restaurant does have the power to cancel reservations but, at the end of the day, the scalpers don’t seem to have broken any particular laws. MEANWHILE, AT GORDON RAMSAY'S NEW DIGS... In other bad news for the high-end dining scene, Gordon Ramsay's brand new restaurant, Heddon Street Kitchen, had its opening night undermined by an unknown prankster, who made 100 or so fake reservations. Even though the 140-strong establishment was 'booked out', two-thirds of tables remained empty. "I think there’s all that level of envy," Ramsay said on the Jonathan Ross Show. "Saturday was our first big day; we had 140 on the books and we had a 100 no show. So someone would have been on a computer... It's bad spirit. You see the staff and they are down and frustrated. I was there to pick them up and make sure we stay focused... Now we’re going to reconfirm every table." Via Good Food.
It may well be time for chauffeurs around the world to come up with a backup plan. With every new insight, it seems that Google's self-driving car could have the potential to put them out of business. The above photo illustrates exactly what the Knight Rider-esque invention can see. As deducible from the orange concentric circles, it's capable of 360 degree vision, which is kind of like having someone with four heads in the driver's seat. Moreover, according to Bill Gross, who first Tweeted the image in late April, the car processes a whole gigabyte of information every second. So far, Google's prototypes have successfully covered 400,000 miles of road. Even though it has long been thought that self-driving vehicles wouldn't go public for another twenty years, it's now looking as though they'll be widely available within five. The law has yet to catch up, however - driverless cars are illegal in every state in the U.S., with the exception of Nevada, California and Florida. Of course, the enforcement of road rules becomes a tricky issue when there's no one behind the wheel. According to Google, the future promises less traffic and fuel consumption, as well as increased mobility and safety. Those incapable of driving can start looking forward to some new-found freedom. [VIA boing boing]
This year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will, as always, culminate in the Parade on Saturday night with enduring favourites like the 78ers, Dykes on Bikes, and First Nations queers parading around the SCG's substantial oval, as well as performances (or at least appearances) from Savage Garden alum and gay-Twitter icon Darren Hayes, the incredible genderqueer musician Mo'Ju, and Vanessa Amorosi who must perform 'Absolutely Everybody' or risk being glitter-cannoned into space. Stadium regulars, The Wiggles, will also be making an appearance — details TBC. But it's not all about the Parade, of course. If you can't make it or simply aren't into the idea of celebrating Mardi Gras in allocated seating, no problem. There are events and happenings around Sydney covering all your Mardi Gras-adjacent interests: food, dancing, performance and drag (of both the king and queen varieties). Here are a few of our picks, for your queerspiration and consideration. [caption id="attachment_844618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dollar Bin Darlings[/caption] 'BREAK OUT' AT THE NATIONAL ART SCHOOL Sydney's National Art School is throwing a series of LTBTQI parties, performance art and moving images to coincide with Mardi Gras as part of the ongoing Thursday night event series NAS NEO. This week, the featured event is titled 'Break Out' and includes live tunes from rapper/artist Jamaica Moana and DJ sets from Ayebatonye and The Dollar Bin Darlings, as well as performance art from Gareth Ernst, Lou Harris and Solar Gold Dancers (among others). There will be pop-up bars and food by Franchi Brothers Pizza Lab to keep you refreshed while you get neck-deep in contemporary queer creativity. When: Thursday, March 3, 2022 Where: National Art School, Cnr of Forbes & Burton Street, Darlinghurst Recommended for: Those who like to put the A-R-T in party. [caption id="attachment_844384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hot Mess Party (image supplied by Oxford Tavern)[/caption] HOT MESS HOUSE PARTY AT THE OXFORD TAVERN For those who want to dance, The Dollar Bin Darlings are taking over the Oxford Tav for a huge, free six-hour dance party. The aptly named Hot Mess House Party will see the DBDs accompanied by their team of Bottom Dollar Buddies and go-go dancers. Expect things to get trashy — in a good way! When: Saturday, March 5, 2022 Where: The Oxford Tavern, 1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham Recommended for: Dance floor aficionados who are keen to unleash their inner and outer hot mess. [caption id="attachment_830187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 9 to 5 The Musical, image by Pamela Raith[/caption] 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL Look, it's not technically part of Mardi Gras but the fact remains that 9 To 5 (and virtually everything Dolly Parton has ever done) is queer canon. So if you haven't already procured your tickets to the musical stage version of the iconic revenge-fantasy comedy, what the devil are you waiting for?! When: Running now until Sunday, April 17, 2022. Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket Recommended for: Anyone with a fierce inner queen (who is also a fan of show tunes). DRAG KING BOOZY BRUNCH AND ALL-DAY PARTY AT ELM The Taphouse's rooftop venue recently launched "the nation's first-and-only" drag king bottomless brunch, where guests enjoy brunch-appropriate bites and get a buzz on while being entertained by superb resident drag king, Axl Rod. For Mardi Gras, the party is extending through till the wee small hours, kicking off with brunch, followed by a parade viewing party, and plenty of dance floor debauchery accompanied by DJs and circus performers. Book brunch here. When: Saturday, March 5, 2022 Where: Elm Rooftop Bar, Level 2, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst Recommended for: A pre-parade brunch date fit for a (glam-metal) king and then some. THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA DRAG 'N DINE AT THE IMPERIAL It's giving frill neck lizard couture and Gloria Gaynor disco realness. The Imperial is serving up an all-star cast of drag dynamos for an entire week of Drag 'N Dine shows to celebrate Mardi Gras. And on Friday and Saturday is a special show that pays homage to Priscilla Queen of the Desert with a cast that includes Jojo Zaho, Vonni, Polly Filla, and Art Simone. I will survive (but only if I can see this show). Buy your tickets here. When: March 1 to March 6 Where: The Imperial, 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville Recommended for: Anthems, iconic lewks and spectacular reads. 'CAMP' RECOVERY LUNCH AT IL PONTILE The Sunday after Parade night can be a bit like the day after Christmas. The trick, therefore, is to have something terrific planned to extend the good times and stave off any glum post-Mardi Gras feelings. Woolloomooloo's impressive Italian newcomer, Il Pontile, is hosting CAMP! — a long lunch with waterfront vistas, signature Italian flavours, bespoke cocktails, surprise guests, some major giveaways and prizes, and more. Tickets are essential and you can purchase them here. When: Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 12pm midday Where: Il Pontile, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo Recommended for: Chronic FOMO sufferers and post-party gourmands (sunglasses recommended). [caption id="attachment_844521" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image supplied by Heaps Gay[/caption] ABSOLUT X HEAPS GAY PRESENTS THE ROAST Another banger Sunday event that has a focus on food and feelgood vibes. The Roast, curated by queer party pioneers Heaps Gay, features an all-star lineup of queer food, drink, comedy and theatre folk including superstar chef Anna Polyviou in charge of the menu, Mangarai First Nations queen Tyra Bankstown and the Blaq Moles serving face and lewks, and Paul Mac and Johnny Seymour of Stereogamous on the ones and twos. All ticket sales go to supporting ACON, Australia's largest HIV and sexuality and gender diverse health organisation, so you'll be doing good while you have a very good time. When: Sunday, March 6, 2022 Where: The Refectory, University of Sydney (Camperdown campus) Recommended for: Those who want to party hard with heart. [caption id="attachment_844636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DJ Charlie Villas & Nikita Majajas for The Sunglass Hut[/caption] FREE MAKEUP TOUCH UPS WITH SHADES IN THE CBD Terrible at makeup but want to achieve your favourite Euphoria face for parade day and the myriad parties you've already forgotten you RSVP'd for? The Sunglass Hut flagship store on George Street is providing free makeup touch ups from 11am till 2pm. Glitter, colour, gems — it's all on the menu. To celebrate the unveiling of a limited-edition 'Love is Love' sunglass chain in partnership with Nikita Majajas (of excellently flamboyant jewellery brand Doodad + Fandango), the store is also handing out free scoops of Messina's gayest gelato flavour 'Unicorn' on Friday from 12.30pm-3pm. When: Gelato Messina pop-up on Friday, March 4. Makeup touch ups on Saturday, March 5. Where: The Sunglass Hut, Shop 4-5, Ground Floor, 413 - 421 George Street, Sydney Recommended for: The cosmetically challenged. [caption id="attachment_708098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image by Ken Leanfore from the 2018 Sissy Ball[/caption] THE SISSY BALL Ok, so we're cheating a bit here. This year's Sissy Ball was postponed to the dismay of many due to the threat of Covid restrictions. But dust off your death drop because Australia's most fabulous celebration of queer ball culture has announced it has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2022. Mark your diary and buy your tickets before it inevitably sells out. When: Sunday, April 3, 2022 Where: Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney Recommended for: Devotees of the throwdown.
Walking around Tokyo at night should rank high on everyone's travel bucket list. The glittering lights, the towering buildings, the hustle and bustle in busy streets and tiny alleyways, the sprawling city that seems to go on forever: they're all at their best when the sun goes down. And, that's when the Japanese capital's futuristic aesthetic shines brightest too — as Australian photographer Tom Blachford has captured in his new series, Nihon Noir. Across his array of images, Tokyo gleams with a sci-fi-like sheen, cloaked in shades of blue and red. It's part of a project with Asahi, with the Melbourne-based photographer aiming "to communicate the feeling that struck me the first time I visited Tokyo, that somehow you have been transported to this advanced and amazing parallel universe," as he explained to Wallpaper. Blachford cites Blade Runner as inspiration, which is gorgeously apparent in every image, as well as the distinctive visuals of Drive, Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn. The photos are the result of six nights straight spent scouring the city and showcase the striking architecture on offer, as seen both from afar and up close. And, they'll make you want to book a Japan trip asap, of course. Via Wallpaper. Images: Tom Blachford.
Inspiration strikes in plenty of places, including while watching movies — and if you've ever sat down in a cinema or on your own couch, directed your eyes towards a film and seen your style dreams flicker across the screen, then you might be interested in Melbourne's latest pop culture-themed pop-up. You'll need to make a choice, though: do you want to look like Ryan Gosling or Chris Evans? To be specific, would you prefer a goatee like Gosling wears in Netflix flick The Gray Man, or a moustache — a "trash 'stache", as Gosling's character calls it — that's donned by Evans as the film's villain? That's what's on offer for three days only in Melbourne, from Friday, July 29–Sunday, July 31, as part of the streaming platform's Good Guy Goatee/Bad Bro Mo Barber Shop in Fitzroy. No, you can't go rogue and ask for Gosling's Barbie look or Evans' Captain America aesthetic — this is all about The Gray Man, so looking like you've stepped out of the spy thriller is the only thing on the menu. This movie-inspired makeover is free, too, and open to everyone. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve a spot online in advance. If you don't have facial hair of your own, but you'd like some, there are even stunt goatees and 'staches on offer. Otherwise, you'll slide into the barber's chair to get Gosling's rugged stubble or ape Evan's top lip. [caption id="attachment_855170" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stanislav Honzik/Netflix © 2022[/caption] The barbershop setup has also been decked out to suit the film, so patrons will find other bits and pieces in store, including posters and pictures. If you want to spend time arguing with your mates while you're there about that Evans-style mo — to really mirror the on-screen Gosling and Evans banter — that's obviously up to you. For those who haven't seen the movie, The Gray Man stars Gosling as off-the-books CIA assassin Sierra Six, who finds himself being hunted by another killer who fits that description — Evans' gleefully unhinged Lloyd Hansen. Cue a globe-hopping espionage-fuelled affair that's brings together familiar pieces, but also isn't without its charms, in no small part thanks to its impressive cast. And yes, these kinds of pop culture experiences are popping up frequently in Australia lately. Just a few months back, an Everything Everywhere All At Once-inspired multidimensional laundromat did the honours in Melbourne, too — and Cinema Nova also decked itself out The French Dispatch-style over summer. Up in Sydney, the giant 'Red Light, Green Light' doll from Squid Game made an appearance by the harbour, and a Stranger Things rift opened up on Bondi Beach. Now, are you a Gosling or an Evans? Find the Good Guy Goatee/Bad Bro Mo Barber Shop at 306–308 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy — open from 12–7pm on Friday, July 29–Saturday, July 30, and from 10am–5.30pm on Sunday, July 31. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve a spot online in advance. The Gray Man is currently playing in Australian cinemas, and is available to stream via Netflix — read our full review. Top image: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.
If the waning summer temperatures have got you feeling frosty about the cooler months to come, here's something that'll warm up your outlook again. Melbourne's major citywide arts festival RISING is back and it promises to be the bright spark in Victoria's winter, unveiling the blockbuster 185-event program it's bringing to town from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, June 18. RISING's 2023 instalment is set to be a monumental affair, assembling more than 400 artists for almost two jam-packed weeks of art, culture, music, performance and culinary goodness. There are 35 works commissioned exclusively for the festival and an impressive 12 world premieres set to hit. Alongside the already-announced Euphoria, which will take over Melbourne Town Hall with an immersive multi-screen film installation starring Cate Blanchett, the program is filled with a hefty and diverse array of happenings. [caption id="attachment_888892" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Euphoria by Katja Illner.[/caption] Large-scale events abound, not least of which is Shadow Spirit — a showcase of First Peoples-led projects across the realms of art, performance, music, food and more. Put together by renowned Yorta Yorta writer and curator Kimberley Moulton, it'll grace the legendary space above Flinders Street Station for eight weeks, displaying major works from artists like Brian Robertson (Maluyligal/Wuthathi), Karla Dickens (Wiradjuri), Vicki Couzens (Keerray Wooroong/Gunditjmara), Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba/Gunditjmara) and more. At Federation Square, a mass participatory work by composer Ciaran Frame will feature 10,000 biodegradable kazoos played simultaneously by eager locals, while Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde's SPARK takes the form of a wondrous floating light show, animating thousands of 'fireflies' crafted from biodegradable materials. Festival hub Night Trade takes over the grounds of St Paul's Cathedral for the duration, coming to life with super-sized surrealist art from Poncili Creción, performances from the likes of Debby Friday and London DJ ESA, hawker-style dining by Free to Feed and even a smattering of drag karaoke. [caption id="attachment_892640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paola Balla[/caption] Head inside the cathedral to experience Anthem — an equally majestic installation of sound and video courtesy of singer Beverly Glenn-Copeland and artist Wu-Tsang, which comes to Melbourne fresh from the Guggenheim. RISING's ice-skating rink will be reborn bigger than ever, this time perched at Birrarung Marr, set beneath an installation of luminous orbs, and complemented by a wintery offering of mulled wine, hot chocolates and popcorn. Music lovers of all persuasions will be kept busy with RISING's sonic lineup, spanning everyone from bass legend Thundercat and Afrofuturist pioneer Flying Lotus to UK punk icons The Damned and hit US singer-songwriter Weyes Blood — and Ruth Radelet from Chromatics, too, performing her first-ever solo show. [caption id="attachment_892641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Rink by Shannyn Higgins.[/caption] Uncle Kutcha Edwards is assembling an all-star lineup of First Nations talent for Waripa, Paul Kelly will take his mix-tape album Drinking live to the stage for two shows at Melbourne Recital Centre, and Japanese composer Cornelius joins Shintaro Sakamoto for a double bill at The Forum. The program is brimming with theatre and dance, too, including two Australian Ballet commissions by Daniel Riley and Alice Topp, Florentina Holzinger's famously unsettling body-horror ballet Tanz — while she's in Australia for Dark Mofo as well — and a deep-dive into the history of alternative Aussie tunes with Robyn Archer: an Australian Songbook. And, it features sound work Consort of the Moon, a communal listening experience by twilight at Fitzroy Gardens — plus Buŋgul, with live Yolŋu dancers and songmen celebrating the inspiration behind Dr G Yunupiŋu's album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow). Meanwhile, catch Hear My Eyes give the Robert Pattinson-starring Good Time the live score treatment, then check out a 20-strong flock of three-metre-tall wallabies in a technicolour work by Archibald Prize finalist Matthew Clarke. You can also see Chapter House transformed into an ever-evolving living museum celebrating Haitian street culture, and take to the high seas with all-ages First Nations comedy Hide the Dog. Plus, you'll soon spot six striking new First Peoples artworks rolling through the city for the latest instalment of Melbourne Art Trams. [caption id="attachment_892650" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hide the Dog by Pat Stevenson.[/caption] RISING will descend on venues and spaces across Melbourne from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, June 18. For the full program and to sign up for pre-sale, see the website.
You can't go wrong with chocolate. You just can't. Kakawa, the gluten-free chocolatiers, make chocolate masterpieces with only natural ingredients and have a whole heap of goodies just for Christmas. Get your hands on a Christmas tree decoration, a chocolate Bambi along with a forest of chocolate Christmas trees for him to frolic in, or go all out and splurge on a 'ginger breadless house' made entirely out of chocolate (hold the gingerbread). And for the especially cool character in your family, a chocolate cigar is all they'll need at the end of a big Christmas lunch. Image: Trent Van der Jagt.
For one electric week this October, SXSW Sydney transforms the city into a live, living festival of creativity. With more than 1600 sessions and events taking place between October 13–19, including over 400 conference talks, 300-plus gigs, 100 film screenings and hundreds of brand activations, it's the ultimate playground for the culturally curious. Whether you're looking to catch the next breakout artist or want a front-row seat at Australian film premieres, a SXSW Sydney Wristband ($140) is your all-access pass. The Music Wristband unlocks entry to every gig across the week, while the Screen Wristband gets you into all festival screenings — from exclusive previews to star-studded conversations. And for the Screen Festival, you can also grab a $25 rush ticket to guarantee your seat at some of this year's hottest screenings — and if you can't grab a wristband, you can still check out a heap of free gigs at Tumbalong Park as part of SXSW Sydney Unlocked. Here's your cheat sheet to all the moments that'll make your pass pay for itself. Celebrate ten years of Hoops with The Rubens To mark the tenth anniversary of their breakthrough album Hoops, Aussie alt-rockers The Rubens headline a free all-ages mini-festival at Tumbalong Park on Saturday, October 18. Hoops & Everything, co-curated by The Rubens and the SXSW Sydney crew, is an all-day event that will spotlight emerging talents like Chicago indie duo Whitney, Folk Bitch Trio, Mariae Cassandra and Velvet Trip, serving up a huge day of genre-blurring sounds shaping the future of live music right in the heart of the city. No wristband? No worries — Hoops & Everything is part of SXSW Sydney Unlocked, meaning you can head in for free. See Ninajirachi ride her ARIA-nominated momentum From the Central Coast to opening for the likes of Charli XCX and Cashmere Cat, Ninajirachi is a star on the rise — and her eight ARIA Award nominations, the most of any artist, are testament to that. Don't miss one of Australia's most exciting electronic producers as she takes to the stage at American Apparel House at The Chippo on Wednesday, October 15, for a high-energy set that'll show you why the NSW artist is next-gen dance royalty. Get bootscootin', baby, at the Tumbalong Honky Tonk Dust off your boots for the Tumbalong Honky Tonk on Friday, October 17, and get ready to two-step under the Sydney skyline. Take a line dancing lesson from the Saddle Club before high-energy sets from chart-topping Max Jackson, Canadian country trio The Washboard Union, viral teen sensation Lewis Love and golden-rock duo Big Wheels. Discover the next global star at the International Stage From Indonesian hip hoppers Tenxi, Jemsii and Naykilla to the soulful stylings of Chinese singer-songwriter Tia Ray and Japanese boy band PSYCHIC FEVER, the International Stage is a world tour without leaving Sydney. Catch some of the best next-gen talent from around the world on the International Stage at Tumbalong Park on Wednesday, October 15, part of the free SXSW Sydney Unlocked program. Feel the power of First Nations creativity at Blak to the Future Headlined by rapper Tasman Keith, Blak to the Future is a free outdoor showcase that celebrates the future of First Nations music and screen culture, as part of the SXSW Sydney Unlocked program. Head to Tumbalong Park on Thursday, October 16, for an evening of short films from emerging filmmakers and live performances from Akala Newman, Mr Rhodes and RIAH, all coming together to shine a light on the future of First Nations storytelling. See the stars at exclusive screenings A SXSW Sydney Screen Wristband gets you closer to the action with access to in-person appearances and live conversations. Catch Noah Centineo introducing his new film, Our Hero, Balthazar, live, and don't miss an exclusive first-look preview of the upcoming Glen Powell-starring action thriller The Running Man. The debut footage will be followed by a live chat moderated by Nash Edgerton, featuring director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) joining remotely. Celebrate a comedy legend with Paul Feig in conversation and on screen Celebrated filmmaker Paul Feig is heading to SXSW Sydney as the event's inaugural Screen Pioneer Award recipient. Catch his must-see keynote conversation on Wednesday, October 15, where he'll share career stories and creative insights with his trademark wit. Screenings of his greatest hits will also take place across the week, including Bridesmaids (plus a live Q&A with Feig himself), The Heat, and a 14-hour Freaks & Geeks marathon at The Ritz. These sessions are selling fast, so grab a rush ticket to guarantee your seat. Walk the red carpet for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere The Australian premiere of this absorbing biopic opens the SXSW Sydney Screen program. Starring Jeremy Allen White as the Boss himself, the film tells the story of the legendary American rocker creating his 1982 acoustic album Nebraska. Catch Australian premieres and cult gems before they break out Your SXSW Sydney Screen Wristband is your ticket to a stack of Australian and NSW premieres, including a first-look at upcoming horror flick Black Phone 2, time-travel mockumentary Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie, Yorgos Lanthimos' absurdist sci-fi caper Bugonia, the haunting Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson-starring Die My Love and offbeat comedy-drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. You'll also find buzzed-about features like Japanese viral thriller Exit 8, By Design starring Juliette Lewis, and Psycho Therapy, a dark comedy led by Steve Buscemi. For the full SXSW Sydney 2025 lineup, head to the SXSW Sydney website — and get your all-access wristband at the ticketing website.
Pubs, clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos and places of worship will be forced to close from midday today, Monday, March 23, with the Australian Government introducing a stricter crackdown on mass gatherings in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement last night, after the national cabinet meeting, saying "social distancing is our biggest weapon in fighting this virus". The Prime Minister also slammed those who disregarded social distancing practices over the weekend — including those who crowded Sydney's Bondi Beach — telling Australians to "do better". [caption id="attachment_640478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bondi Beach is now closed. Maxim 75 via Wikimedia[/caption] The stage one closures, as the above have been called, will be reviewed after one month and will likely remain in place for six months. In Victoria, Premier Dan Andrews has announced the closures will remain in place to at least midnight on April 13. At the moment, schools are not impacted by the closures — except for in Victoria, where school holidays have been brought forward to Tuesday, March 24 — and bottle shops, attached to pubs and clubs, will be allowed to stay open. Restaurants and cafes will also be allowed to continue running as takeaway and delivery only. Even more local closures are likely to be announced this morning in NSW, Victoria and ACT, where statewide shutdowns of non-essential services are being rolled out over 48 hours. While restaurants, cafes and bottle shops are allowed to continue offering takeaway and delivery, you can continue supporting them. We've rounded up some of the spots offering at-home eats in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Julia Sansone
The folks behind Wolfe & Co., Dural's home of Five Senses Coffee and seasonal cafe fare, are on the trail again. Their new venture is a restaurant and bar by the name of Cod's Gift, where the focus is sustainably-caught seafood and high-quality beverages, including natural and biodynamic wines, as well as top-shelf cocktails. You'll find it just around the corner from Wolfe & Co., at 6/53 Ward Place. Cod's Gift will open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Soundtracking your oceanic feasts will be a steady stream of live acts and DJs, and, if you're not inclined to eat in, you can grab fish and chips and a variety of seafood-based dishes from a separate takeaway section. The only catch? You'll have to wait until August to check the place out. Renovations are in action, but they're at least a couple of months away from completion. Cod's Gift will open at Shop 4,5,6/3 Ward Place, Dural. Keep an eye on the the website and Facebook page for developments.
A world-first exhibition dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela has opened in Australia, in what would've been the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's 100th year. Travelling exhibition MANDELA My Life runs from September 22, 2018 to March 3, 2019, with Melbourne Museum hosting the most comprehensive collection of the human rights icon's memorabilia ever to be shown outside South Africa. Alongside a huge assortment of artefacts, including the warrants of committal for Mandela's 27-year stint in prison, the exhibition explores his life through a series of film and audio archives. In total, more than 200 pieces from The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nelson Mandela's private collection are on display, taking up ten galleries. Highlights include an immersive film piece that places attendees in the courtroom as he delivers his 1964 Rivonia Trial speech against apartheid, a seven-metre-long projection wall that charts his journey through childhood, and a gallery filled with small cell-like rooms based on his time in prison. Visitors can also relive the events of Mandela's first day of freedom in 1990, view a selection of the colourful patterned 'Madiba shirts' he was known for wearing, and see the signed boxing glove gifted to Mandela by Muhammad Ali. In addition, MANDELA My Life includes 16 original artworks by South African artist John Meyer, each of which depicts an event from or theme of Mandela's life. An exhibition within the exhibition, it features renderings of Mandela's childhood in Qunu, his years as a dedicated lawyer in 1950s Johannesburg, his time in jail and and his post-release achievements. Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said that Melbourne's hosting of the centenary exhibition was a huge win for the city. "Nelson Mandela fought every day for freedom, love and human rights — changing the world and making it a better place," Eren said. "We're proud this exhibition is making its world debut in Victoria, continuing Mandela's incredible legacy and reminding us all that it's in our hands to make a difference." MANDELA My Life is supported by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which is the custodian of most of the revolutionary's personal photographs, documents and memorabilia. After premiering in Melbourne, the exhibition will embark on a world tour of up to 20 cities, expected to be seen by as many as 2.7 million visitors globally. MANDELA My Life is on display from September 22, 2018 to March 3, 2019 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. For tickets and more information, visit the exhibition's website. Images: 'Father of the Innocents' from the series 'Mandela, A Life's Journey' by John Meyer / Keith Bernstein / Jon Augier, Museums Victoria/
At this year's Vivid Sydney you can celebrate women in music in the most unlikeliest of places: a barber shop. Ziggy's Barber Salon in Darlinghurst (serving ladies and gents, by the way) is known for its fashion-forward haircuts and now, apparently, cutting edge gigs. Featuring established and emerging talent, artists including Abby Dobson, Lupa J, Jade MacRae and Sayah & Xira will be taking to the, erm, floor as part of an awesome lineup of women in the Aussie music scene. Kick back and enjoy the tunes in a traditional barber chair or dance your heart out on the salon floor. These barber shop beats will be spread across a weekend, with different acts playing on three different nights running from Thursday, May 30 until Saturday, June 1. The party is all ages and it's a BYO drinks policy. Tickets are $25–35 for each gig, or you can get a pass to all three for $60. Do Vivid a little differently this year and add this pop-up live music party to your itinerary.
You know that feeling where you're begrudgingly up before dawn only to have your heart warmed by a surprise sighting of a hot air balloon set against the sunrise? Well this one's for you — and if you haven't ever experienced such a dawn, this one is really for you. In April, the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge sees the skies above the historic central-west town come alive with the roar of burners and the kaleidoscope of colourful hot air balloons in the atmosphere. The full event takes place over a whole week in April, with official balloon competitions happening throughout the week. The comp involves a number of difficult tasks, the most entertaining of which is the key grab — the aim is to fly your balloon in to try and pluck a large novelty key from the top of a flagpole, with the winner receiving some major dollar bills. There'll also be a campfire cookout and concert on Anzac Day evening (April 25). The final Saturday night sees the Balloon Glow and Night Market, where balloon operators light up their burners in the dark and in time to music.
A whole meal, made up of desserts. Best Monday news ever. A whole meal, made up of desserts, absolutely sold out. Worst. Monday. News. Ever. The purveyors of iced confection artistry, Gelato Messina, are running a degustation of just desserts, an entire menu with 20% savoury, 80% sugary goodness (with matching cocktails). Scheduled for Thursday, August 21 at The Stables Sydney, Royal Randwick, the whole 'Mega Dega' ticket thing was over in about 45 minutes after Messina posted their long-teased link this afternoon around 4pm. Entirely sold out by 5pm, many sweet tooths will now have to make their own Messina degustation imitations at home. Perfecting the balance of savoury to sweet with a 20:80 split, Messina have quite the feast in store for lucky ticket buyers. Messina's ratio will be "just enough 'sensible' to clear your conscience and enough dessert to sufficiently whet the palate," according to the team. With two savoury dishes balancing out the stream of Donato Toce's sweet, gastronomic feats, each dish will be paired with a cocktail by Jason Williams and non-alcoholic palette cleansers. While the actual menu is still clouded in mystery, the night is scheduled to run for two and a half hours of sweet feasting (for a cheeky $199 per person). Messina have run a degustation like this before, teaming up with the Shangri-La in June for an eight-course evening run by ex-Bathers Pavilion pastry mastermind Anna Polyviou (who helped Serge Dansereau with those super popular cookbooks The French Kitchen, Summer Cooking and Seasons cookbooks). Adriano Zumbo 'grammed the whole thing, a DJ played tunes paired to each course, while Messina owner and chef Donato Toce teamed up with Polyviou and their combined nine chefs to create eight killer courses. This was the menu last time 'round: Now you're adequately and irreversibly saddened, there's never been a better excuse to drown your missed-out sorrows in Messina scoops. DIY degustation y'all. Image credit: Not Quite Nigella.
Your next road trip through southern New South Wales has gained seven additional stops, all filled with eye-catching pieces of art. Spanning 100 kilometres, and created in response to 2019–20's Black Summer fires, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail now sprawls across the region. It showcases more than 25 giant works by Australian and international artists, all thanks to the team behind Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea. One celebration of sculptures has never been enough for this crew, which also runs another Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe in Western Australia each year. Now, instead of heading west or making a date with Bondi's pop-up pieces of art — with both events only running for a short period each year — art lovers can explore a super-scenic part of the country whenever they like. Officially launched on Thursday, May 5, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a permanent attraction — all dotted along a backroad from Sydney and Canberra to Melbourne. Your specific destinations: the towns of Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba; the hamlet of Tooma; and the Tumbarumba wine region cellar doors at Courabyra Wines, Johansen Wines and Obsession Wines. That's where the 25-plus sculptures now sit in seven specific locations, including a one-kilometre trail-within-the-trail at the Adelong Creek Walk, more along Pioneer Street in Batlow, three stops in Tumbarumba, one at Tooma and some between the latter two spots. You'll also find more at the northern entrances to Batlow and Tumbarumba, welcoming you into both towns. Exactly what you'll spy where is best discovered by driving along the trail yourself — but human-shaped figures, abstract shapes, chimneys, hanging teardrops and more all make appearances along the route. That lineup of pieces hails from impressive art names, too. New South Wales' own Michael Le Grand, Philip Spelman, Harrie Fasher, Stephen King and Elyssa Sykes-Smith are featured, alongside Japanese artists Haruyuki Uchida, Keizo Ushio and Takeshi Tanabe — and Keld Moseholm from Denmark, Milan Kuzica from Czech Republic, and Jennifer Cochrane, Norton Flavel and Ron Gomboc from Western Australia. The list goes on, also spanning eye-catching works by artists from New Zealand, Slovakia and South Africa. The aim, as well as giving tourists plenty to see: helping the communities featured recover after the bushfires, attracting visitors from across Australia and showcasing the region. And it's a fitting year for the Sculpture by the Sea to launch something new, too, given that 2022 marks 25 years since the event first launched at Bondi in 1997. Find the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail along the Snowy Valleys Way in southern New South Wales. For more information, head to the trail's website.
Ten years ago director Mike Figgis made Timecode. This experimental film was shot on four digital cameras simultaneously in a series of single ninety-three minute takes. It took him fifteen attempts to get it right. He even experimented with mixing the soundtrack live in front of an audience, drawing attention with sound from one image in the corner to the next, to the next. In Super Night Shot, Anglo-German company Gob Squad have taken this technique to the stage. Super Night Shot's publicity looks like a music-video for the Flaming Lips. Animal costumes and their inhabitants bother the population of ordinary city streets. Over the course of the show the actors film an hour-long story about showbiz types types on four digital cameras, starting an hour before the curtain goes up. The shots are unedited, except for a few brief moments where they are put into sync to be screened on in front of you. They have to get it right every night. Or so they hope. Get a ticket, but if you can't — and you're around the Opera House forecourt around a quarter-to-nine one night of their week-long season — look out for four stray actors desperate for a kiss. Image by Gob Squad.
"It's vaudeville" said Groucho Marx when he saw Alice Cooper live on stage. Old-style stage variety — a bit like cabaret in a theatre — vaudeville began to wane as big acts like Marx made their transition from the music hall to the screen. This year's Sydney Festival offers the return of one of last years' stars. A show which pulls together stage variety like vaudeville of old — Smoke and Mirrors. Lacking the pure sex and swearing of understated previous festival acts like Spankrock, Smoke and Mirrors matches the lithe singing style of iOTA together with buff acrobatics, rough voices and a tough house band. Tiny though the Spiegeltent is, you'll be amazed how much Smoke and Mirrors can wedge of itself into its confined circular spaces. Queenie van de Zandt, magician Timothy Woon and former Flying Fruit Fly Kali Retallack are the other main players. The This Side Up acrobats also appear, distancing their acrobatics from the serious circus, bringing it instead back to original vaudevillian irreverent sideshow, back to the Spiegeltent, and back to free Festival First Night extravaganza. Smoke & Mirrors runs Tuesday — Sunday until February 11.
A breezy new Sri Lankan restaurant has arrived in Surry Hills, taking over a two-storey space to bring a fun and fresh dining experience to the area. Kurumba comes from the crew behind The Fold in Dulwich Hill, which closed down earlier in 2023. The end of that chapter led to the being of this one, with the team moving to Surry Hills to open an ambitious new multi-space venue. "As much as we loved the community of Dulwich Hill, our dream was always to open up a restaurant and wine bar, and we felt that Surry Hills would help us achieve our dream," says Kurumba General Manager Travin De Hoedt. Upstairs, you'll find the dining room that spotlights traditional Sri Lankan eats while mixing things up with the addition of Sydney menu staples like Sydney rock oysters, Western Australian lobster and smoked brisket. Downstairs, there's a casual bar where you can snack on hoppers over a glass of top-notch wine. "We really loved the concept of blending a wine bar with our cuisine. It felt like something no other Sri Lankan restaurant was doing," continues De Hoedt. "We're very fortunate to have some amazing suppliers that give us the ability to have fun with the drinks list, going for wines that people wouldn't expect to go with Sri Lankan food, and craft cocktails using Sri Lankan spirits like Ceylon Arrack and Colombo 7 Gin that surprise and delight." Highlights from the main dining room include smoked brisket pan rolls, kajugama tiger prawns in a chilli cashew butter and crispy pork belly curry. If you're okay with splurging a little, Kurumba's signature dish is the lobster kottu — a chopped roti, vegetable and lobster-head curry. The set menu is a great way to attack the meal, especially if you're in a group. The $85 per person option runs through the pan rolls, hot butter soft-shell crab, three different curries and tempered cauliflower, all paired with hoppers and rice. Or you can go big with the $125 premium menu, adding the signature lobster kottu and oysters topped with calamansi, coconut water and coriander root to the fold. If you've got the space, there's only one way to round out your meal at Kurumba. While there are a few desserts on offer, the falluda soft serve is a must-try, adding rose syrup, crystallised pistachio and crispy vermicelli to the nostalgic sweet treat. You'll find Kurumba at 555 Crown Street, Surry Hills — open 5.30–11pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12–11pm Friday–Saturday and 12–4pm Sunday. Head to the restaurant's website to browse the full menu and make a reservation.
As the country that gave the world Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie, to name just a few world-famous Aussie actresses owning the silver screen in recent years, Australia is no stranger to celebrating formidable women in cinema. It tracks, then, that the country's national centre devoted to moving pictures — aka the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne — has curated a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to femininity across film history. Girls to the front at this six-month-long showcase, with Goddess declaring its affection for ladies of the screen right there in its name. Displaying from Wednesday, April 5–Sunday, October 1, it's both a massive and a landmark exhibition. More than 150 original objects, artworks, props and sketches will grace the Federation Square venue's walls and halls, all championing oh-so-many talented women and their impact upon cinema. [caption id="attachment_882188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Britt Romstad, 2022, photo by Phoebe Powell. Costume: Kitty (Elaine Crombie) costume, Kiki and Kitty, Australia, 2017, designed by Amelia Gebler, courtesy of Jetty Distribution Pty Limited. Backdrop: Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot, photo by Don Ornitz, © Globe Photos / ZUMAPRESS.com. Image courtesy of ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] That lineup includes costumes that've never been displayed before, various cinematic treasures, large-scale projections and other interactive experiences. While exploring the female footprint upon film is an immensely worthy subject, Goddess will also chart how representations of femininity have changed over the years — not just in different eras, but in different places, too — and inspire a rethink of plenty of cinema's memorable female characters. Silent-era sirens, classic Hollywood heroines, unforgettable femme fatales and villains, Bollywood stars, women in China and Japan's cinematic histories: they're all being given the spotlight. Goddess will also dive into provocative on-screen moments from Hollywood's silent days through to today that've not only left an imprint, but also played a part in defining (and altering) what's considered the feminine ideal. Expect an interrogation of how women on-screen have helped to redefine fashion expectations, sparked a boundary-breaking genre and spearheaded the #MeToo movement — and to spend time thinking about how screen culture has shaped societal views of gender. [caption id="attachment_882194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blonde Venus, 1932, Marlene Dietrich. Image courtesy of PARAMOUNT PICTURES / Ronald Grant Archive / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] ACMI hasn't revealed the full slate of women highlighted, or films, or items that'll be on display, but the details revealed so far are impressive. Think: Marlene Dietrich in 1930's Morocco, Pam Grier's spectacular Blaxploitation career, Tilda Swinton in 1992's Orlando and the aforementioned Robbie via 2020's Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Plus, Mae West's sky-high heels from 1934's Belle of the Nineties, costumes worn by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in 1991's Thelma & Louise (1991) and Michelle Yeoh's fight-ready silks from 2000's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will also feature. The list goes on, clearly, spanning Anna May Wong, Marilyn Monroe, Laverne Cox and Zendaya as well. And, expect everything from Glenn Close's Cruella de Vil in 102 Dalmatians to the Carey Mulligan-starring Promising Young Woman to get time to shine. [caption id="attachment_882191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000, Yu Xiulian costume.[/caption] "The women of Goddess are bold, rebellious and defiant. Their power is expressed in numerous ways — in what they wear, how they move and the stories they tell," said ACMI Director of Experience and Engagement Dr Britt Romstad, announcing the exhibition. "ACMI's exhibition honours their influence and daring, and explores how they have transformed the face and expectations of on-screen femininity for audiences, time and time again," Romstad continued. [caption id="attachment_882195" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thelma and Louise, 1991, L-R Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, © MGM. Image courtesy of Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] Goddess will pair its wide-ranging display with soundscapes by Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum, and also feature a sprawling events program complete with late-night parties, performances and talks — and film screenings, of course. The full program, including guests, will be announced in February 2023, which is when tickets go on sale. Unsurprisingly, the exhibition is ACMI's big midyear blockbuster — and its 2023 contribution to the Victorian Government's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, as Light: Works from Tate's Collection was in 2022. After showing in Melbourne for its premiere season, Goddess will then tour internationally, taking ACMI's celebration of women on-screen to the world. [caption id="attachment_882197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Limehouse Blues (AKA. East End Chant), 1934, L-R Anna May Wong, George Raft. Image courtesy of Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] Goddess will display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Wednesday, April 5–Sunday, October 1, 2023. For more information, and to join the ticket waitlist, head to the ACMI website. Top image: Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, 2020, Margot Robbie, © Warner Bros. Image courtesy of LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo.
The Harbour City's waterside splendour is set to get even more beautiful this month thanks to a heap of impressive creative pieces. Slated to run between Thursday, August 11–Saturday, September 24, Waterfront Whale Tales is a new addition to the New South Wales capital's arts calendar. Yes, that name is a big clue — the free outdoor exhibition will feature 30 two-metre-tall painted whale tail sculptures. Each piece is inspired by its location and the land, uniquely painted by an Australian artist, including Indigenous artists, street artists, illustrators and muralists. The full range of sculptures will span a six-kilometre trail along Sydney's Western Harbour waterfront, reaching from Sydney Fish Market past The Star, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, ICC Sydney, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Quarter, Cockle Bay, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, King Street Wharf and past Crown Sydney to Barangaroo. While visitors will be able to walk the full trail in a single stroll, there'll also be mini trails for shorter walks. And, there'll be an app that'll provide details of each, plus stories about the waterfront's past, present and future. Also available via your phone: freebies, discounts and prizes from local businesses along the trail, as well as a major prize for checking out all 30 tails. After the event's six-week run, the sculptures will be auctioned, with net proceeds donated to The Kids' Cancer Project. Sydney's Waterfront Whale Tales will run between Thursday, August 11–Saturday, September 24 along the city's Western Harbour waterfront from Barangaroo to Sydney Fish Market. For more information, head to the exhibition's website.
Every October, Sydney's world-class food scene is front and centre for Good Food Month. Taking over restaurants across the city, the annual food festival sees pop-up restaurants and dinners from some of the world's best chefs, as well as pasta parties, oysters aplenty and the return of the Night Noodle Markets. Despite the global pandemic, the 22nd edition of the celebration is going ahead in 2020, too, but, this time, the focus is a little more local, with some of the best Australian chefs in the spotlight. For one night, Elizabeth Hewson, of the soon-to-be released cookbook Saturday Night Pasta, will host a multi-course pasta feast in the grand surrounds of Eleven Bridge on Saturday, October 24. While you down bowls of carbs — paired with matched wine and beer — your ears will be treated to a playlist of soothing jazz featuring the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. [caption id="attachment_783505" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Icebergs Dining Room[/caption] The Italian theme continues with a one-off dinner at Icebergs Dining Room, which will see you (or at least your tastebuds) transported to the southern Italian coastal city of Naples. Expect lots of seafood, too, at a Hook, Wine & Drinker dinner, promising premium oysters, chardonnay aplenty and laughs courtesy of the three hosts: chef Neil Perry and seafood experts Stephen Hodges and John Susman. Loyal fans of The Good Weekend Quiz should prepare for the first-ever live rendition of the weekend ritual, which will, of course, be food and drink-themed. Round up your smartest mates for this, folks. And of course, Good Food Month's ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back for another season. But, as announced last year, they will no longer be held at Hyde Park. Details are scarce for now, but we've been told they'll be "as you've never seen them before". We'll keep you updated on what exactly that means. An extended program of events in regional NSW and at smaller venues, dubbed Friends of Good Food Month, is set to be announced in the upcoming weeks, too. Tickets for Sydney Good Food Month go on sale at 9am on Thursday, September 17. Top image: Night Noodle Markets by Leticia Almeida
Blessed be the TV screens — because on April 26, The Handmaid's Tale is back. After becoming 2017's number one must-watch show with its compelling first season, everyone's favourite dystopian drama returns for a new 13-episode round of bleakness. Yes, that means more time trawling through the oppressive society of Gilead and watching women forced into child-bearing servitude, thanks to this grim but gripping adaptation of Margaret Atwood's iconic 1985 novel. It also means once again trying to shake the feeling that this fictional future really isn't all that hard to imagine. Elisabeth Moss putting in another fierce performance, Alexis Bledel stealing every scene she's in, the all-round stacked cast showing why the series won eight Emmys and two Golden Globes: yep, that's all on the agenda as well. It's enough to make you cancel your plans every Thursday night for the next 12 weeks, with this season airing weekly on SBS and SBS On Demand after the two-part premiere. Sure, that means that you can't binge it all in one sitting — but, it also means that your time with Offred and company will last even longer. If you're eager to extend the experience further still, then get a jump start by working through our five pieces of Handmaid's homework. Praise be, obviously. RE-BINGE THE FIRST SEASON It's an easy starting point, we know, but the best way to prepare for the new season is by rewatching the first. Also, it's something else for you to watch if you've already replayed the season two trailer over and over and over again. Scour for clues about what might come next, and come up with theories about Offred's fate; given that the show left audiences with a cliffhanger, there's plenty of questions to ponder. Or, see if there's anything you missed the first time around (like Atwood's early cameo), or introduce all things Handmaid's to your friends that were clearly hiding under a rock last year and somehow haven't seen the show. They're all great reasons to dive back in again, not that you need them when a program is as engrossing as this. As it was last year, the full first season is currently available on SBS On Demand. READ (OR RE-READ) THE NOVEL Maybe you were already a fan of Atwood's 33-year-old book long before the TV version was announced. Maybe you segued from watching the first season of The Handmaid's Tale to devouring the novel. Maybe you meant to get around to pouring over the text (you really, truly did mean to), but life just got in the way. Whichever category you fall into, now is the perfect time to read or re-read the piece of fiction that started it all — and, to set the scene for what might happen in the television program's second outing. As thorough as the first series was, it doesn't include everything that Atwood initially dreamed up. We won't spoil the details, but if you don't have time to stick your nose in the printed tome, here's a rundown. There's also an audiobook version too, if you'd rather listen, as read by Claire Danes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTnhx_N7nro WATCH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE TALE The Handmaid's Tale that we know and love isn't the only screen version of the story. In fact, if the timeliness, insightfulness and hugely enthralling nature of the show got you thinking "why hasn't the book been adapted before?", well, the short answer is: it has. Back in 1990, German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff joined forces with poet and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter on an American film based on the novel, starring Natasha Richardson at Offred, Faye Dunaway as Serena Joy and Robert Duvall as Fred. Saying that it's completely different to the current take is quite the understatement, right up there with saying that Gilead isn't the best place to live if you're female. If you're keen to seek it out, it's available to watch on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-fofQ9VpPQ SEEK OUT LAST YEAR'S OTHER GREAT ATWOOD ADAPTATION 2017 didn't just deliver one adaptation of Atwood's work, but two. Yep, when it rains, it pours, as the saying goes. While Alias Grace didn't attract anywhere near as much attention as The Handmaid's Tale, the Netflix miniseries is definitely well worth your time. Directed by American Psycho's Mary Harron and starring Sarah Gadon (11.22.63), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Anna Paquin (True Blood) and legendary The Fly filmmaker David Cronenberg, the six-part show takes inspiration from famous 19th-century murders. Gadon plays the real-life figure of Grace Marks in this somewhat fictionalised version of true events, with the series exploring a question that has been pondered for nearly two centuries: what was Marks' actual involvement in the crime? GET COOKING Food has special significance in The Handmaid's Tale. No, we're not talking about the "blessed be the fruit" greetings exchanged by handmaids — it refers to the children they're supposed to be bearing, rather than the goods they're often seen shopping for — but, rather, the way it's used to denote status. Handmaids buy it for the household, Marthas prepare meals and the Gilead elite eat fancy spreads while everyone else tucks into something much less appetising. In one first-season episode, for example, a macaron is used to signify the divisive role that food plays, with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) offering Offred a rare treat. There are plenty more instances where that came from, and it's enough to make you both horrified and hungry. Unsurprisingly, there's no shortage of Handmaid's-themed party menus floating around, but if you whip up something crimson red (cupcakes with red icing are a favourite), then you're on the right track. Or, you could turn your hand to something particularly elaborate. When season two started filming, Elisabeth Moss received a cookie shaped like a music box — something else of significance within the series.
Araby Steen is the first to admit that her work is a little difficult to describe.In her first show since finishing at the National Art School – who failed to give her a certificate of graduation, although they did remember to award her a prize – Steen will exhibit fifteen oil-on-canvas works as part of her artist residency at the Trophy Room gallery.While the delicately rendered paintings seem straightforward at first, a closer look will show that the boy in a set of three small canvasses is actually pissing, and that the ibis filling a larger canvas is actually dead. At the same time, the paintings, all of which were photographs in their first incarnation, sustain softness in their sense of time and place. This contradiction is the closest Steen’s show gets to a theme – unsurprising for a show simply entitled New Work, but a lovely un-surprise all the same.
Two Queers Walk Into a Bar, the project of Brendan Hancock and Jenna Suffern, is back with its biggest edition yet, rolling out the Two Queers Comedy Festival across two weeks for 2024's Mardi Gras. The packed program of laughs and performances is throwing up a little bit of everything, including an opening-night gala, exciting new shows from some of the country's best comedians and an anti-Valentine's Day singles night. The festival kicks things off with a huge opening night of stand-up on Friday, February 16, at Paddington Town Hall. Nina Oyama (Deadloch, Taskmaster Australia) and Etcetera Etcetera (Drag Race Down Under) lead the lineup alongside Annaliese Constable, Jacinta Gregory, Lou Wall and more. From there on out, there are plenty of exciting shows to catch. Zoe Coombs Marr is bringing her new set, A Perpetual Work in Progress, to Kinselas Hotel on Saturday, February 24, as part of the festival. Also on the program are Frankie Fearce, Annaliese Constable, Jordan Barr, Ruby Teys, Gaffy, Aaron Manhattan, Foxy Moron and Aurelia St Clair. Plus, Ange Lavoipierre and Jane Watt's Jazz or a Bucket of Blood (one of Suffern's top picks for last year's Sydney Fringe Festival) will be returning to the Harbour City to appear at the festival on Tuesday, February 20. Tickets range from $20–50. You can check out the full schedule via Humanitix. Top image: Andy Mullins
The historic Q Station site that sits above Quarantine Beach in Manly's North Head has been sold to northern beaches hotelier Glenn Piper. Piper, the owner of Harbord Hotel, acquired the site from longstanding owners Mawland, subject to approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Q Station boasts a 105-room boutique hotel with panoramic views of the ocean, plus five different bars and eateries, and expansive open areas. Currently, the lush grounds of the site are adorned with sculptures as part of the Les Sculptures Refusées exhibition — which features large outdoor artworks that have been rejected from other exhibitions, including Sculpture by the Sea. "This is an incredibly special asset and I am absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to operate Q Station," Piper said. "Q Station is ready for a new layer of history and we are excited to see value added to the property and operation under the care of its new leaseholder," added current owners Suzanne Stanton and Max Player. [caption id="attachment_833298" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Les Sculptures Refusées[/caption] The northern beaches property received over 250 enquires and 13 formal bids from local and international bidders, with Piper winning out. Piper recently transformed Harbord Hotel, a longstanding Freshwater venue. Under his guidance with co-owner Lachlan Cottee, the historic hotel was renovated and refurbished with a new sunny terrance and a fresh interior. The venue has since turned itself into a hotspot for live music and events, including running an 11-day surfing and music festival in April, alongside weekly gigs and DJ sets. Piper is yet to announce his plans for Q Station; however, he promising an enhanced public offering is in the works. Q Station is located at 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly. Top image: Andrew Gregory, Destination NSW
Australia's biggest fitness festival is returning to Sydney, and it's bringing an Olympic-sized obstacle course with it. From Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, the AusFitness Expo is a mammoth weekend dedicated to strength, movement and wellness. Located at the International Convention Centre, lovers of strength and fitness can experience eight live competitions ranging from the World Powerlifting Championships, ICN Oceania Muscle & Model Comp, CrossFit Expo Games and Strongman events. Plus, you'll also get a chance to watch the live filming of Search4Hurt, a TV series pushing everyday athletes to physical and mental extremes. Those keen to get involved can tackle the YOHKA Sprint Serious obstacle course, designed to test speed, agility and endurance in equal measure. Meanwhile, fans of bodybuilding and strength sports can look forward to exclusive workouts and athlete appearances, with star names soon to be announced. Beyond the arena, the expo floor will host over 120 leading brands across nutrition, supplementation, apparel and training gear, including expo-only deals and product samples. With class fitness demonstrations, live competitions and expert-led wellness experiences under one roof, it's well worth the ticket for fitness fanatics. Tickets start at $20 via the website, with free AusFitness Expo tickets available for professionals working in the fitness industry and fitness students studying at an accredited institution. The weekend will be the busiest days, so if you want to beat the crowds, we recommend grabbing a Friday ticket.
The everyday scenes in the statement accompanying Lance Richardson's de MéXICO are almost as good a snapshot of Mexico as the exhibition itself. His photos come from right across the country — from Mexico City to Spanish colonial towns like Taxco and Guanajuato, from the ghostly and peyote-soaked Real de Catorce in the Mexican Desert, and along the US border in Tijuana and San Diego. Mausoleums lean. Kids play in an outdoor boxing ring. A rude pig's head hangs in front of a butcher's stand in a market: behind it, the butcher smirks. A boy lazes on the bright yellow, green and red scoop at the front of a barge in the Aztec canals of Xochimilco. In the next photo a Mariachi in another barge scowls — he looks up from the bridge of his little guitar and out across the water. Finally, a shelf of bright US sweets sit in a border store, one of many tacit foreign influences. Most striking is the photo of a hillside in Taxco. Small things leap out: ripples of white arches and prim pink facades cascading down the hill. Little bell towers poke out. There's washing on the rooves, and green patches of tufty scrub in the few green spaces. The long zoom in this photo flattens out the houses, so only the vaguest depth remains — stepping down the hill like stacks of shallow louvers. A long zoom is a metaphor for the distance in these photos. People are usually far off, and the camera looks more at the landscape than at the faces. These scenes are ordinary things. Things an average Mexican wouldn't notice any more than I can remember the asphalt on the way to work. But if the photos themselves don't have much to teach a Mexican, there’s plenty there for the average Sydneysider.
It's a hundred years since the Mexican Revolution. Moustaches, cries of "land and freedom!" and 'sombrero' as a synonym for 'big hat' all flow from that revolutionary era. The Mexico it created is complex, layered and huge. Just like Mexico's movies, which — thanks to this year's Hola Mexico Film Festival — are again being brought to Sydney. Star of the festival this year is director Carlos Carrera, whose horrific and powerful Backyard highlights the almost daily murders of women in the border city Juarez. He is touring his new film On Childhood, but will also be doing a Q&A after his blockbuster Catholic expose The Crime of Father Amaro, starring Y Tu Mama Tambien's Gael Garcia Bernal. Bernal also features as one of the ten directors of the centennial Revolucion, while documentary A Day Less is a startlingly frank, sad and funny portrait of an aging couple in Acapulco and their bleak year between annual family visits. Presumed Guilty follows corruption in the Mexican justice system — a film that unwittingly helped to remedy the injustices it covered. And if you want a fiesta to boot, the opening night will accompany Diego Luna's Abel with flamenco from Los Tres Monos and yummy botanas by Guzman y Gomez. Hola Mexico will run until November 14 at the Dendy Opera Quays and Dendy Newtown. Image from Revolucion
