The members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs really do get around. It appears that every single one of them has a slew of side projects under their belts, throwing your own talentless musical fumbling into stark relief. Now, for this year’s Sydney Festival, one third of the YYYs, guitarist Nick Zinner, bring his latest and most ambitious project, 41 Strings, to the Sydney Opera House for all to envy. In response to the 41st anniversary of Earth Day in 2011, Zinner composed what is one part classical concerto and another part rock and roll, complete with a generous dosage of drums and synths. The piece, which premiered in New York last year, takes inspiration from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, following the flux and change of the year’s seasons in both brooding and ecstatic measures. The Australian premiere sees Zinner joined on stage with co-collaborators, Hisham Akira Bharoocha and Ben Vida, both of whom form the experimental New York-based duo Soft Circle. The string ensemble is rounded out with members of the Australian Youth Orchestra, and will be accompanied by visuals projected onto the roof of the Concert Hall from video artist Daniel Askill. 41 Strings will also be played alongside a companion piece IIII, a drum circle also based on the Four Seasons, lead by Bharoocha who will be the centre of a thunderous twenty drummers.
When clouds start gathering in the sky, rain keeps pouring and storms hit, ever wonder what life would be like if something other than water streamed down from above? Everyone has — and now that idea has become a reality. Meet the world's first tequila-dripping rain cloud. Yes, this visible mass of minute droplets really is made of tequila, unleashing its boozy goodness first as a mist and spray that condenses inside a plastic container, and then as rain that drips down from the whispy structure. All anyone keen for a drink needs to do is stand by with a shot glass in hand. Bring your own lemon and salt. https://www.instagram.com/p/BRa17gCjyiW/?taken-by=visitmexico Unsurprisingly, you won't find the tequila cloud in sky — instead, it's located in a Berlin gallery as part of a promotional campaign devised by creative agency LAPIZ to entice German tourists to Mexico. Sure, it sounds like something out of Parks and Recreation; however it doesn't come with vodka in the form of a flash of light or whisky turned into lotion. Synchronised with the weather outside, the cloud actually starts raining showers of tequila when its natural counterparts in Berlin do the same with good old fashioned H20. The project follows in the footsteps of the agency's melting billboard, which turned ice into snow with the simulated power of the Mexican sun to show Berliners what they were missing (and to try to convince them to book a holiday). Via Food & Wine / The Huffington Post.
Are you searching for somewhere to wine and dine in Sydney over the long weekend? There's no shortage of cafes, restaurants and bars around town that are dishing up the goods in celebration of the king's birthday. Here are a few spots that are open, ready to fill your belly and whet your whistle. Restaurants: The Botanist, Saturday: 12pm–midnight, Sunday: 12–10pm The Butcher's Block Barangaroo, Saturday, Sunday: 8am–late, Monday: 8am–3pm Coogee Pavilion, Saturday, Sunday: 7.30am–late, Monday: 11am–midnight House Bar at Barangaroo House, Saturday: 12pm–midnight, Sunday, Monday: 12–10pm House Canteen, Saturday: 7.30am–11pm, Sunday: 7.30am–12pm, Monday: 7.30am–11pm Little Pearl, Saturday: 7am–late, Sunday, Monday: 7am–10pm Loulou Bistro, Saturday, Sunday: 11.30am–11pm Loulou Boulangerie & Traiteur, Saturday–Monday: 7am–4pm Lotus Barangaroo, Saturday–Monday: 12–3pm, 5.30–9.30pm Opera Bar, Saturday: 11–12.30am, Sunday: 11am–10pm, Monday 11am–11pm Reign, Saturday: 10am–11pm, Sunday: 10am–6pm, Monday: 11am–8pm Untied, Saturday: 11am–late, Sunday: 12–10pm, Monday: 12–10pm [caption id="attachment_848714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Vic on the Park[/caption] Bars and Pubs: Albion Hotel, Saturday: 10–6am, Sunday: 10am–midnight, Monday: 10–4am The Abercrombie, Saturday: 12pm–5am, Sunday: 12pm–6am, Monday: 12pm–2am The Bank, Saturday: 10–4am, Sunday: 12pm–midnight, Monday: 10–2am Cargo Bar, Saturday–Monday: 11.30am–2am The Clock Hotel, Saturday: 11.30am–10pm, Sunday: 10am–midnight, Monday: 11.30am–midnight The Courthouse Hotel, Saturday: 12pm–midnight, Sunday: 12–10pm, Monday: 12pm–midnight Darlo Bar, Saturday–Monday: 12pm–midnight The Dolphin, Saturday, Sunday: 11.30am–midnight, Monday: 12–10pm The Erko, Saturday: 10am–midnight, Sunday: 10am–10pm, Monday: 10am–midnight The Golden Sheaf, Saturday: 10am–2am, Sunday: 10am–midnight, Monday: 10am–1am Kings Cross Hotel, Saturday: 10am–3:30am, Sunday: 12pm–midnight, Monday: 10am–3.30am The Marlborough Hotel, Saturday: 10am–4am, Sunday: 10am–midnight, Monday: 10–4am Paddo Inn, Saturday: 12pm–1am, Sunday–Monday: 12–10pm Public House Petersham, Saturday: 12pm–1am, Sunday–Monday: 12pm–midnight The Royal Paddington, Saturday: 11am—midnight, Sunday: 11am—10pm, Monday: 11am—midnight The Strand, Saturday: 10am–3am, Sunday: 10am–midnight, Monday: 10am–10pm Top image: Grant Angus.
Somehow music artists seem to look even cooler in their music videos than they usually do - which is saying something. Their level of chic can seem daunting to us fans, mere mortals that we are. Regardless, online fashion retailer SSENSE wants you to buck up and give the whole rockstar thing a go. With their new 'shoppable music video', SSENSE makes that unattainable level of swagger...well, attainable. Collaborating with Iggy Azalea, Diplo, and FKi on their latest video 'I Think She Ready', the retailer breaks down the outfits of each artist for potential buyers. When the artist appears on the screen, a small 'S' logo will hover over their outfit. Click on it, and a new page will open, complete with information on each component of the outfit. Each featured piece is from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection of a variety of high-end designers. Whether you are lusting after Iggy's Alexander Wang cat-eye sunglasses, or envying her J Brand snow leopard jeans, simply click and purchase. SSENSE CEO Rami Atallah says, "The integration we are introducing between technology, entertainment and retail with this video not only creates a unique experience for the audience, but also has utility." Watch, sing along, and shop like a rockstar? All from the comfort of our desk? We're in. [via PSFK]
What began as the bustling backdrop to a thriving port has, over the past years, been transformed into a touristy dream - a place to buy commemorative fridge magnets and designer handbags. Despite the rich colonial setting, there’s was something not quite right about The Rocks in days gone by. But initiatives like The Rocks Pop-Up Project are fixing that, and the precinct has once again become a hub of progression and development. Four of Sydney’s most beautiful heritage buildings will, for the next 6 months, become home to Sydney’s most creative, vibrant and innovative businesses. The opportunity will be extended to a selection of artistans - from retailers to musicians, artists to designers - providing a variety of spaces that can be utilised by different businesses including office space as well as event space for small-scale performances and happenings. The hope of the project is to re-energise The Rocks as a business district, attracting a cast of boutique designers who have traditionally found a home in the Eastern Suburbs. The first crop includes fashion designers Mae & Pearl, Magdalena Duma, Son of a Master Tailor, artist Ping Lian Yeak, and collectives The Red Room Company and Gaffa. The space will evolve over the next six months, offering something new every time you visit.
The striking black and white cover image of Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan standing naked with a man dragged over her frame sets the scene for her most personal (and best) record yet, The Haunted Man. Stripping back the lush ornamentation of previous pop fantasias for a more intimate sound, these tunes foreground her beautiful, breathy voice and ability to inject a shivery, otherworldly drama into every song. Apparently the product of a harrowing writing and recording process, The Haunted Man reaches for a stark beauty and retains the enchanting pull of previous work despite its more emotionally direct approach. As well as headlining Laneway Festival, Bat For Lashes will play a more intimate sideshow at the Enmore Theatre. Her last tour was one of the best of the year, with inspired reinventions of Radiohead's 'All I Need' and The Cure's 'A Forest' featuring alongside classics like 'Daniel' and 'Pearl's Dream'. With the promise of stunning new songs like 'Lillies' and stirring single 'Laura', there's no doubt this tour will be every bit as magical. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EXK0Ejzin4c
Giant food art installations and a pair of cooking demonstrations from beloved celebrity chefs are coming to Chatswood as part of a new two-week food event. Between Friday, September 16 and Friday, September 30, the Chatswood Food Trail will take over Westfield Chatswood with a range of activations. Headlining the event will be two free celebrity food demonstrations from Dan Hong and Adam Liaw. Beloved MasterChef alumni and SBS presenter Adam Liaw will be appearing from 6pm on Wednesday, September 28, while Dan Hong of Mr. Wong, Ms G's and MuMu will be running his demonstration from 6pm on Thursday, September 29. Other cooking demonstrations for both adults and kids will be on the program between Monday, September 26–Friday, September 30. Throughout the two weeks, fantastical, larger-than-life art installations resembling bubble tea, noodles, eggs and other food and drink items will also be popping up at the centre. Visitors can collect a Chatswood Food Trail Passport and visit all six of the installations to go into the draw to win a $1000 Westfield gift card. Plus, retailers around the centre will be offering special offers throughout the festivities. Check out the full schedule at the Westfield website.
UPDATE, March 12, 2021: Slender Man is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Forget Slender Man's thin body, faceless head and eerie vibe. Sure, the character's unsettling appearance was designed to frighten people; however the scariest thing about the lingering internet meme is the fact that it still exists. It's been nine years since Something Awful forum user Eric Knudsen came up with the macabre figure as part of a photoshop contest to create paranormal images, and not only is it still doing the digital rounds, it's making the leap onto the big screen as well. Longevity is one thing. Flogging a nearly decade-old creepypasta — the online equivalent of telling ghost stories around a campfire — is something else entirely. In the film that shares its name, Slender Man has a knack for timing, but Slender Man the movie definitely doesn't. In fact, this flimsy horror effort doesn't have a knack for much, other than sticking to the dullest of formulas. A group of teenage girls view an unnerving video, begin to notice weird occurrences and then start disappearing. If you'd like us to wake you up when it stops sounding generic, then you're in for quite a lengthy snooze. When Massachusetts pals Katie (Annalise Basso), Chloe (Jaz Sinclair), Hallie (Julia Goldani Telles) and Wren (Joey King) get bored at a slumber party, they decide to switch from watching porn to discovering what this Slender Man character is all about. A week later, Katie goes missing during a class trip to a cemetery, and her drunken dad blames her newfound obsession with the occult. That sparks the rest of the gang into action, taking advice from a mysterious online source and trying to offer Slender Man an exchange to get their missing friend back. To their surprise (but not to the audience's), that plan doesn't pan out well. Slender Man isn't someone to be bargained with, it seems. Given that Ringu and The Ring already exist (with several sequels to both), you might expect Slender Man to reach beyond an already well-worn premise. Given that The Craft exists as well, you might expect more than just a group of goth-leaning besties trifling with ominous forces, too. Sadly, we can keep playing this game, and the outcome remains the same. The film follows terrorised, victimised girls in the same US state that's infamous for the Salem witch trials, but it draws zero modern-day parallels. And, while it stems from the pen of screenwriter David Birke — the scribe behind the vastly superior Isabelle Huppert-led rape-revenge thriller Elle — Slender Man boasts no signs of complexity either. Along with by-the-numbers performances, bland shots of spooky forests and a paper-thin message about the corruptive power of going viral, among Slender Man's many missteps is the squandering of its eponymous villain. The elongated figure is literally yesterday's news now, but the film does little more than point out that it looks creepy and thrust it at the screen for a few jump-scares. That's the kind of laziness that usually plagues direct-to-video sequels, arrogantly believing that name recognition will do half of the work, and that occasionally pointing the camera at something sinister will do the rest. In that spirit, it should come as no surprise that director Sylvain White also has derivative threequel I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer on his resume. If there's one positive aspect to Slender Man, though, it's this: thankfully, it doesn't try to capitalise upon the real-life stabbing committed in the titular entity's name. Back in 2014, two 12-year-old girls attacked one of their friends in an effort to impress the internet's favourite boogeyman, adding an extra level of discomfort to the Slender Man saga. The case was covered in 2016 documentary Beware the Slenderman, which is straightforward but still vastly more intelligent and engaging than this fictional take on the meme. Still, watching Slender Man, viewers get the feeling that the film might've once cribbed a few cues from reality, then cut them from the final version — the movie is so drab and cobbled-together that it seems like the work of filmmakers trying to salvage a bad situation. Or, that could just be the kindest way to look at this scare-free, intrigue-free mess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jc0ez0IZ4k
Screening at Sydney's Ritz Cinemas in Randwick between Thursday, February 16–Tuesday, March 7, Europa! Europa Film Festival is back for its second year, after debuting in 2022 with an impressive lineup. This time around, there's 29 movies on the bill from 24 different countries, covering everything from awards contenders to beloved masterpieces. Hailing from France, eco-thriller The Blaze will kick things off, while Europa! Europa 2023 will come to a close with the Judi Dench- and Jennifer Saunders-starring British drama Allelujah. In-between, the range of flicks includes fare from Italy, Estonia, Ukraine and Croatia, plus Georgia, Spain, Germany and Romania. The list goes on, with France particularly well-represented. Gallic cinema buffs, consider this your warm up for the upcoming Alliance Française French Film Festival. An absolute must-see, especially if you've never had the pleasure before on a big screen, is Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours Trilogy. With Three Colours: Blue starring Juliette Binoche (The Staircase), Three Colours: Red led by Irène Jacob (The OA) and Three Colours: White focusing on Julie Delpy (the Before trilogy), this trio of masterpieces are among the most influential international films of the past three decades. Each one will show as a 4K restoration, too. Among the new titles, eight movies on Europa! Europa's bill were submitted as their country's entries for this year's Best International Feature Film Oscar. Highlights include Armenian documentary Aurora's Sunrise, which tells a 14-year-old genocide survivor's story; Safe Place from Croatia, which unfurls its story over 24 hours; and Moldova's dark comedy Carbon, about the effects of war. Or, there's Il Boemo from Czech Republic, which steps through opera composer Josef 'Il Boemo' Myslivecek's tale — and road-trip effort Orchestra from Slovenia. Elsewhere, illness drama More Than Ever stars Vicky Krieps (Bergman Island), alongside Gaspard Ulliel (Moon Knight) in his last role; La Vie En Rose director Olivier Dahan is still in biopic mode, with Simone: Woman of the Century telling French feminist icon Simone Veil's tale; Wunderschön, about five women in Germany, was the country's highest-grossing local film of the 2022 box office; and the Charlotte Gainsbourg (Sundown)-starring The Accusation heads Down Under after premiering at the Venice Film Festival.
Want to experience the buzz of live sumo without the hassle of that long flight to Tokyo? You're in luck, because you can experience the thunder of one of Japan's most ancient and traditional sports here in Australia over one action-packed weekend. On Friday, January 19 and Sunday, January 21, Melbourne and Sydney respectively will play host to 'Sumo International Downunder'. Punters will get to experience all the show and panache that comes with live sumo, including a traditional pre-match Taiko drumming show. Hiroki Sumi, a huge figure in the sumo world, will be the star of the show. Known for his appearance in Netflix's 2023 series Sanctuary, he has gained international recognition beyond traditional sumo circles. Although he plays a fictional character in the series, Sumi is a genuine world-class sumo wrestler, and his appearance in Australia is a massive get. Special VIP tickets are available if you fancy donning a mawashi (sumo belt) and trying some sumo wrestling on stage. VIPs will also get an exclusive meet-and-greet with the sumo wrestlers, including Sumi himself. Melbourne's Festival Hall will host two events on the same day, with the first starting at 11am and the second at 6pm, while Sydney's Aware Super Theatre will host the final show at 7pm. [caption id="attachment_878169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessio Roversi (Unsplash)[/caption]
Nothing screams romance like a walk along the water at sunrise or sunset, and Kamay Botany Bay National Park offers some of the best views near our city. Located in Kurnell, close to Cronulla, the park is bordered by Botany Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. The region is steeped in Aboriginal culture and its coastal beauty will impress even the most seasoned trekker. Start by visiting the Kurnell Visitors Centre to learn about the Indigenous inhabitants of the area and how they lived prior to the First Fleet's arrival in 1770. If you're up for an easy walk, the 700m Banks-Solander loop showcases plenty of native plants — and it links to the longer Cape Baily and Yena tracks if you want more of a challenge. If you continue along the Cape Baily trail, you'll reach the lighthouse. From there you can continue to Cape Solander, which offers epic views along the coast and back towards the city and is considered one of the best whale-watching spots in Sydney. This might be a nice spot to pause for a drink and snack while you wait to catch a glimpse of some marine life. Or, you could head back to one of the picnic areas — Yena or Commemoration Flat. [caption id="attachment_761930" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Image: Destination NSW
Sydney's underground is a hotbed of creativity, with events like WINGS Independent Fashion Festival leading the charge. Serving as a distinct alternative to traditional fashion weeks, this eclectic affair sees fashion collide with music, art and digital culture in immersive and unfiltered ways. Taking over the Plaza Hotel from Thursday, May 8–Friday, May 9, festival Co-Founders Alvi Chung and Daniel Neeson have reimagined its grand interior with three levels of haute design. Combining full-scale runway shows with large-scale installations, creative lighting design and immersive performance art, this diverse setting will provide the ideal platform for emerging designers. Featured on the runway will be the chainmail creations of Melbourne's Catholic Guilt, the sustainable tailoring of Speed and the mystic silhouettes of Joteo. Plus, Amiss sees duo Vanessa and Joshua Gray blend tech and textile, while Jody Just presents his modern streetwear, worn by celebs like Post Malone and The Kid Laroi. Besides fashion, expect live music performances from genre-bending electronic acts, Maggz and Solsa, alongside local punk, alt-electronic and noise groups, such as G.U.N, Cold Heat and Agony. If you're lucky enough to get backstage, acclaimed chef Sam Bull (Icebergs, Prince of York) curates the experience, bringing top-notch cuisine to the party.
There are several truths to the Michael Bay Universe: 1. Magic Hour (i.e. the brief period just after sunrise or before sunset) lasts for approximately 22 hours in any given day. 2. Everything is explosive. Even Water. Especially water. 3. All explosions go predominantly 'up' and emit firework-like flares. 4. A shot should never go for more than three seconds, because, what is this, a Steve McQueen film? 5. There's nothing funnier than people who aren't Cool-Arse Playaz from Da Street speaking like they're Cool-Arse Playaz from Da Street (see: grandparents and/or cars). 6. Pretty girls wear heels. Even if they're ice-skating. Even if they're mountaineering. Even if they're spelunking. Even if they're blowing stuff 'up' or being blown up. 7. The higher the heel, the shorter the skirt. 8. The shorter the skirt, the lower the cut of the top. 9. Physics is bullshit, and should apply to neither action sequences nor breasts. 10. Blow something else up. Make sure it goes 'up'. The thing about the Bay Universe, though, is that it's so much fun. Big, dumb and fun. You know what you're going to get when you buy your ticket, and you get total value for money when you do. On that front, Transformers: Age of Extinction doesn't fail to deliver. Just on length alone, you're getting almost three hours of film, which is an hour too long from a critical standpoint, but from a Bay Movie perspective, it's the promise of several hundred more explosions, car chases and outrageous racial stereotypes. As for plot (and yes, there is one…just...), Transformers: Edge of Extinction picks up the story several years down the track from where the initial Shia Labeouf trilogy left off. Our new hero is Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), a Texan inventor whose ranch is in receivership and whose predictably hot teenage daughter (Nicola Peltz) is on the cusp of graduation. Around the world, all the Transformers — Decepticon and Autobot — are being hunted down by the CIA (led by Kelsey Grammer), and a mysterious third-party Transformer/bounty hunter named Lockdown. It's an uncomfortable alliance through which each party furthers its own sinister agenda, and which threatens to end all life on earth. As the inexplicably overweight truck that even more inexplicably smokes cigars would say, "bummer, dude" (refer to Truth No.5). There's nothing especially new here, save for the 3D, which is, admittedly, extensive and impressive, as well as the introduction of Dinobots, which fans of the comics/cartoons will doubtless appreciate. The performances are solid despite a laughably bad script, most notably from Stanley Tucci as the unscrupulous tech billionaire. The film's highlights centre almost exclusively around Lockdown, who makes for an outstanding villain, not in the least because his character actually has one. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to blow something up. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ubGpDoyJvmI
Stellar LGBTQIA+ celebrations, the Sunshine State capital and sparkling spring weather: that's the Melt Festival formula every year, including in 2025. Brisbane's annual ode to "queer joy, protest and pride", as Melt Executive Producer Emmie Paranthoiene dubs it, is taking over the River City between Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. On the lineup: 18 days packing more than 60 venues with hundreds of performances and events. Getting excited about 2025's Melt Festival has been easy for a few months now. First, the Brisbane LGBTQIA+ fest announced that Broadway icon Bernadette Peters was making the River City her only Australian stop just for the event. Then, it also confirmed that the River Pride Parade would float its boats for another year. After that came news of 1000 Voices, uniting singers from queer and pride choirs en masse. Next came its initial big program drop. Now the full bill has been unveiled — one that Paranthoiene describes as "celebrating the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ voices, from bold new talent to iconic artists who continue to break boundaries with this diverse program. Melt is a love letter to our community and everyone's invited to the party." Think: pageants, parades, musical theatre, comedy, choral installation, burlesque, visual arts, theatre, films such as Lesbian Space Princess and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and plenty more. The fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture fills Brisbane Powerhouse, and also spreads further across the city. Sugar by Tomáš Kantor is one new highlight, with the cabaret taking cues from Pretty Woman and boasting tunes from Chappell Roan, who has been on the Melt lineup herself in the past. Or, catch the return of BRIEFS with Jealousss, plus the Briefs Bus doing guided tours that explore Brisbane's queer history. Comedian Urzila Carlson is on the program, too, as is actor and activist Zoe Terakes (Ironheart, The Office, Talk to Me) doing an in-conversation session. 2025 newcomer Melting Pot is giving Brisbane Powerhouse a pop-up venue each week, featuring the likes of QUIVR DJs, Miss First Nation heats and queer line dancing — plus Melt artists putting on showcases and other surprises. Theatrical performance Rhythmology digs into factory resets as a theme, while daytime disco Play Date is designed for families. [caption id="attachment_1017773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] Reuben Kaye, the full Miss First Nation drag contest, a queer wrestle party, Femme Follies Burlesque: they're all on the lineup from past announcements. Kaye is heading to the fest to give his cabaret show enGORGEd, which'll feature Camerata — Queensland's Chamber Orchestra, its Sunshine State premiere. Shining the spotlight on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drag queens, Miss First Nation is also making a date with Brisbane for the first time, bringing the finale to the city after putting on state heats around the nation in the lead-up. The Tivoli is your go-to for Melt's high-energy queer wrestle-party, while Femme Follies Burlesque will bring its sapphic moves to The Wickham. Or, you can catch The Lucky Country, a new musical about what it means to be Australian — and the myths and contradictions that come with it — in 2025. Malacañang Made Us and Whitefella Yella Tree are also treading the boards, the first about the Filipino Australian experience and the second telling a love story. There's also a queer boat party on floating venue Oasis; the return of Queer PowerPoint; and a drag Scream Queen shindig with Naomi Smalls and Yvie Oddly, plus Drag Race UK's Kyran Thrax. Or, check out a heap of instruments and performers suspended by rope to pay tribute to Brisbane's punk history, Gerwyn Davies' series of portraits in collaboration with Open Doors Youth Service's trans and gender-diverse young people, and Instagram imagery given a new life in Micah Rustichelli's Demon Rhythm. [caption id="attachment_1007544" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claudio Raschella[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1007548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Kelly[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1007545" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1007547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gregory Lorenzutti[/caption] Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Head to the festival website for more details. River Pride Parade images: brizzypix.
Right in the middle of Oxford Street, the Paddington Berkelouw bookstore reigns supreme as a drawcard for booklovers of all types. There are three storeys of new, secondhand and rare books ready for you to lose yourself in — and the best part is there's a cafe and wine bar upstairs, so that you can settle in for a hot chocolate and cosy up with a new book for hours on end. Aside from the latest Max Porter or Oyinkan Braithwaite fiction, the store has an extensive kids' book section when you're in need of a smart gift for new parents, plus there's a cabinet of curious face masks, body lotions and candles for last-minute self care or that rushed birthday gift. There's also a wall of locally crafted cards, a counter of indie magazines and every recent hardback you'd expect from a leading bookstore. Images: Destination NSW.
Baffled by bubbly? Us too, so we thought it best to enlist the help of an expert to get the fast facts right. To bring you our Bluffer's Guide to Champagne, Concrete Playground caught up with acclaimed journalist and Champagne educator, Champagne Jayne who taught us just how damn special the bubble drop actually is. Let us share with you why ... Champagne 101 Champagne is exclusive to the Champagne region in northern France. Due to the cumulative effects of soil, climate and the cultivation practises, the three types of grapes used (chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meaner) are married together to produce the world-famous bubbly drop. The Champenois (master Champagne makers) use the lengthy and arduous traditional method that involves the bottle going under a second process of fermentation to create the fizz. Champagne first gained world eminence through its connection with the baptism of French kings, and consequently royalty spread the word throughout Europe about this exotic wine, awarding it status of opulence and nobility. Nowadays, it is the natural partner for any event where celebration, luxury and romance are themes. Popping, Pouring and Drinking Temperature plays an integral part in Champagne appreciation. "Bubbles are part of the pleasure. Serving champagne anywhere between 4.5 degrees celcius to 7 degrees celcius is perfect. If it is too cold it will suppress the aromatics and if it is too warm, the wine will froth up and then go flat," says Jayne. To open the bottle with the proper pomp, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle (preferably aimed away from your compatriots) and keeping the cork still, gently twist the bottle. Pour a little bit into clean glasses to let the foam die down, and then top up leaving adequate space to get a whiff of its excellence. Matching Champagne with Food Champagne is the ideal drink as an aperitif, encouraging conversation that can be somewhat stale at the beginning of the night. However, because it is blended from numerous base wines, Jayne says that it's like an orchestra of flavour in your mouth and matches well with food. "Anything goes, from prawns to pizza!," she says. There are many types of Non-Vintage, but the general rule of thumb is that they're easy on the palate (and pocket), and best to serve with canapés. Vintage Champagnes have a slightly richer and heavier palate weight making them ideal with a more intensely-flavoured dish and are "also an unparalleled match for any cheese and delicate dessert". Is Champagne only for Special Occasions? "Rubbish! It's like a holiday in a glass!" exclaims Jayne. Champagne is most frequently associated with exclusive affairs, but why should we be such scrooges and reserve this esteemed beverage for memorable moments? Jayne believes it is the ultimate icebreaker for any audience and guaranteed to make anyone smile. "It isn't about being snobby, posh or saving up to celebrate a job or a wedding, it's actually the affordable luxury in life! Everyone can afford the small indulgence of enjoying a really decent glass of fizz on a Friday night." Hear, hear. We'll cheers to that. Champagne on the Cheap This is a toughie because unless you're Gina Rinehart, spending your bucks on Vintage champagne might not be so simple. Jayne says that the best value choice on the market at the moment for something exceptional is currently the world's favourite, Moet & Chandon which can be found for around $85. For Champagne at the start of a meal, Jayne recommends Pierre Gimonnet. "The delicious crisp blanc de blanc is approachable in style and accessibly priced," she says. "For everyday bubbles, Lanson or Duperrey are an affordable option at around $40," Jayne adds. For those who want a James Bond themed beverage, don't look past his favourite tipple Champagne Bollinger. The full-bodied classic (much like the man himself) can be spotted for $60. And don't forget to ensure that the label actually says 'Champagne' as well as France. If it doesn't, you've been well bluffed. Famous Champagne Drinkers Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV's favourite mistress, is credited with bringing champagne to the French royal court in the eighteenth century. She is also famously quoted as saying, "Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it." We're certainly willing to road test that. Winston Churchill was also notorious for enjoying the tipple. And Napoleon was known to take large stocks for the army wherever they campaigned. Want to get even more serious? If you've got a spare 308 bottle handy, why not simulate Marilyn Monroe's habit of bathing in the bubbly stuff every night? And left we forget to remind you that it was American author and humorist, Mark Twain, who had it right all along. It was he who said, "too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." Where to Drink Champagne in Sydney Most hotels, restaurants and bars in Sydney are stocked with the big names like Mumm, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Conversely, if you’d like to go all out and grace yourself with boutique grower champagnes, Jayne recommends seeking out obsessive enthusiasts. "Places like Veluto, The Bentley, One Moncur, Monopole and Ananas have the best champagne for a bar situation," she says. After something notably remarkable for that down-on-one-knee occasion, perhaps? Jayne suggests knocking your socks off and booking into Quay, Marque or Est. for the ultimate sensory experience. "These places stock prestige champagne, with perfectly matched food and a refined atmosphere." Champagne Alternatives Crémant: is what you should look out for when after French bubbly on a budget (pronounced ‘cray-mawn’). This sparkling wine is made in France using the same traditional methods, however falls outside the borders of the Champagne region. Cava: this white or pink sparkly number is produced mainly in the Penedés region in northern Spain. Like crémant, Cava is made using the same method, but with different grape varieties. Cava is a part of Spanish tradition and like Champagne is often consumed at special occasions. Prosecco: this is the Italian aperitif of choice. Light and fresh, the aromatic bubbly has an apple-and-pear sweetness. Prosecco is the original base ingredient of the Bellini cocktail.
If you haven't yet made it to the track this spring, here's your chance: the City Tattersalls Club Cup, happening at Randwick Royal Racecourse on Saturday, October 17. One of the biggest events of the season, it's a serious, day-long shindig. Test out your punting instincts with a bet in one of three major races: The Cup, The Nivision and Melbourne's Caulfield Cup, which will be screened live on a trackside super-screen. Kick back to live music, with tunes from legendary Mauritian-Australian DJ Havana Brown. Knock back a champagne or two in the pop-up Chandon bar. And, if you're in need of a dose of glamour, slip into the Clinique Pamper Lounge for a make-up touch-up. The best views will be found all day in the luxurious Grandview Dining Room, where you can indulge in some cracking fine dining. But if that sounds like budget-blowing material, consider checking out The Bucket List Beach Club Marquee. This year, for the first time ever, the Bucket List has been a regular attendee at the races, bringing a piece of Bondi to the turf, with Lifeguard stations, Kombi vans, surfboards, signature cocktails and live entertainment. An $80 ticket includes entry to Royal Randwick, a main and two drinks. The menu, created by The Bucket List's chef, Tom Walton, includes tasty morsels like Queensland fresh prawn and truffle rolls with celery and herbs; fish and chips; and tuna poke tostados with avocado, soy, sesame and shallots.
When Surry Hills mainstay Bodega closed its doors back in July, we were promised a new Japanese restaurant from the Tokyo Bird team would take its place. And now it's made good on that promise, opening Nikkei on Commonwealth Street last week. But it's not a carbon copy of the team's much-loved yakitori and cocktail bar. Instead, this new diner has more of a focus on food, specialising in a particular style of Japanese-Peruvian cuisines called Nikkei. While this combination may be unheard of to some, the style of food actually developed over 100 years ago, when Peru's sizeable Japanese immigrant population began cooking local Peruvian dishes using their native cooking techniques and flavours. The 55-seat venue features a bar, counter seating and a 12-seat communal table. Through the open kitchen, diners can catch Brazilian head chef Lucas Cerullo David (who comes from sister venue Osaka Trading Co.) and sushi chef Justin Kim at work on a seafood-heavy menu. It includes Peru's 'national' dish tiradito, a sliced sashimi-style ceviche. At Nikkei, you can choose between an octopus version — made with nori, pickled daikon and Peruvian chillies — or a mushroom medley with Jersualem artichokes and nori crackers. [caption id="attachment_752482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bruno Stefani[/caption] Many of the dishes are served as either tapas or izakaya-style, so it's easy to share. Other specialties include hokkaido scallops with capsicum salsa and beef short ribs with miso garlic and Peruvian corn puree. Behind the bar, expect a 40-strong wine list that focuses on coastal vineyards and a cocktail list which boasts distinct Peruvian flavours — including pisco, aniseed wine, chicha morada (Andean purple corn drink), oregano tea and quinoa milk. Lots of the hard-to-find ingredients on both the food and drinks menu have been directly sourced from Peru and Japan, too. This is the fifth restaurant venture for owners Jason Ang, Tina Wing Kee and Christopher Ang — as well as Tokyo Bird, the trio's portfolio also includes other popular venues Osaka Trading Co., Bancho and the nearby Sando Bar. Also involved in the venture is the dining group's venue manager Marco Oshiro Giron, whose Japanese-Peruvian heritage helped inspire and develop the Nikkei concept. He is joined by an impressive array of hospitality vets, including group sommelier Phil McElroy (The Source Restaurant at MONA, Firedoor, Sokyo), manager Reuvin Lim (Tayim, Tequila Mockingbird, Sake Double Bay, Cho Cho San) and head bartender Xander Ramirez (Bentley, Tayim). Find Nikkei Bar & Restaurant at 216–224 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 5–10pm as well as lunch from 12–3pm on Fridays from 12–3pm. To book, head here. Images: Bruno Stefani.
For the first time ever, the Art Gallery of New South Wales brings to Sydney masterpieces from the golden age of Dutch painting — a culturally confident, powerful era when the art of painting flourished. It was during this time that artists including Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer produced vivid works depicting the world around them, with subjects ranging from intense portraits and dramatic seascapes to tranquil scenes of domestic life and careful studies of fruit and flowers. Exclusive to Sydney, the exhibition features 76 artworks sourced from Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, including seven pivotal paintings and 16 etchings by Rembrandt presented in a room dedicated solely to the celebrated artist. The exhibition also brings a rare and celebrated piece by Vermeer, Woman reading a letter (1663). Jacob van Ruisdael, recognised as one of the most important landscapists of the era, and Jan Davidsz de Heem, the revered flower painter, also take their place among many other masters of this golden age. Meticulously painted, these artworks remain as vital and fresh as they were 400 years ago. What's more, to celebrate the launch of the exhibition — and help reduce the strain the return of summer puts on your wallet — we're giving away ten double passes to the exhibition so you can enter the world of rich paintings and celebrated works for yourself. To enter, see details below. [competition]641676[/competition]
Slow living and handmade craft has metamorphosed from bewitching alternative trend to a totally plausible way of life. In what seems to be some kind of conscious resistance to the speed and churn of internet culture, mass production and memes, there's an uptake in the kind of hands-on activities all about a quality time investment and a quality result at the end. Think sourdough starter, knitting, home ceramics kits... hell, even elaborate cocktail-making all fall into this category. Nonna's Grocer, an online concept store that popped up this year is the brainchild of Wollongong-based designer, Madeleine Hoy, and it's all about embracing the 'perfectly imperfect' principles of hand made. Right now, the hero produce on Nonna's Grocer's virtual shelves is a range of beautiful candles made the size, shape and appearance of the fruit and vegetables from your local fruit shop. Lemons, oranges and a family of heirloom tomatoes look so realistically juicy you'd be forgiven for being duped into taking a bite (Madeleine told us that no one's admitted doing that yet). For her next addition to the store, she's teamed up with Marrickville-based studio Defy Design on a fresh product line made from recycled plastic. Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Nonna's Grocer and the ethos behind the store. Nonna's Grocer evolved about a year and a half ago, the day I learned that my Great Grandparents ran a grocery store in Daylesford Victoria. My dad was showing me these beautiful images of my Great grandfather Giuseppe in front of his shop and I was so inspired by this moment in time, and couldn't believe I hadn't known about it sooner. I immediately began thinking about a way I could combine my design background (I was a set designer) with this beautiful business that was a part of my family history. Thus Nonna's Grocer was born, a conceptual studio where I develop designs that harness the era of a simpler time with a modern twist. A 'Perfectly imperfect' handmade aesthetic is my focus, as well as creating special pieces for humans to encourage them to slowww it down. Whether that's having a bath, a dinner date with your dog, or stretching a hammy, light a candle and enjoy the moment. Your current range is a selection of incredibly true-to-life fruit shaped candles. How do you make them look so life-like? I found a maker in Sydney who casts objects for sculptures and pitched the idea of getting them to cast fruit. We were a bit unsure at the time how well it would work as fruits decompose quickly when encased, so we had to be smart about which fruits could work well. (Turns out peeled fruits don't work well, just so you know). I then started hitting the supermarkets (back in the day when one could tread slowly) and would study 100 lemons at a time to find the perfect one, and my range grew from there. I've got to ask: have you encountered any instances of people accidentally taking a bite? Oh ha, look no one has informed me they have tried to eat one as of yet, but is that really something you would tell people if you accidentally ate a candle? What kind of shopper do you want Nonna's Grocer to appeal to? I like to think Nonna's Grocer appeals to anyone that is interested in quality produce and a slower paced lifestyle. Particularly people that appreciate craftsmanship, design, and looking for creative ways to make their day more playful. What are the craftspeople, brands or concept retailers that you admire and take inspiration from? Oh dear, I love homeware stores that scream 'good quality'. The Provider Store in Surry Hills is pretty special as it celebrates the history and craftsmanship of Japan. Delicious! The New Zealand store KauKau [based in Wellington] is also beautiful, highly recommend checking them out. I am a big fan of designers like Sabine Marcelis and Gustaf Westman who design various pieces in their own aesthetic, never following a trend. I take inspiration from a million different places, but Stephanie Stamatis the art director began styling food in a way that really resonated, and the interior designers from Paris called Studio Classico have a lovely touch when it comes to materials. Oh, and the cheese shop Formaje in Madrid, their packaging and cheese selection is to die for... Honestly, I could go on and on. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Stamatova (@stephanie_somebody) You've started with fruit but you've hinted at 'more to come'. What else can we expect to see hit the virtual shelves of your store? I am so excited to share with you what is coming next, but they are all at the back end of development so I am not quite ready to spill the cannellini beans just yet. I can give you a sneaky hint though: one of my pieces will be manufactured at Defy Design in Marrickville, who collect local plastic waste, hand separate them by colour, and then melt them down into new objects. I'm very excited! Discover more about Nonna's Grocer and have a browse at the website or follow on Instagram.
Beyond the retail shopfront of the Balmain incarnation of Nature's Energy is a warm world of soaking, steaming and massaging magic. There are treatments to match your rejuvenation requirements, from deep tissue massages to restorative acupuncture and soothing facials. But it's the bathhouse that sets this spa apart. Get out of your comfort zone and get pruny, lounging beside bikini-clad strangers while you sweat it out in steam rooms and simmer in spa baths. Stay hydrated as you follow the wall-mounted instructions on when to jump between hot and cold pools, and you'll be rewarded with an airy feeling of ultimate freshness. You can combine this experience with other treatments, like a Turkish body scrub, or visit for a solo splash 'n' sweat starting at just $34 for 30 minutes.
So, you've successfully smashed all the walks and hikes in town and you're looking for some fresh tracks to conquer? We reckon you'll be kept pretty busy with Sydney's new — and utterly enormous — walking trail, known as the Great West Walk. Clocking in at 65 kilometres, the walk runs all the way from Parramatta to the foot of the Blue Mountains in Penrith. As Western Sydney's longest walk, the trail traverses a lot of residential streets (and even the Great Western Highway at one point), but you'll still have plenty in the way of nature opportunities — no matter how much of it you're tackling at once. Near the start, it runs along the river through Parramatta Park, by the likes of the Old Government House and The Old Dairy, and a new 1.2-kilometre track along Toongabbie Creek. You can take in the Lost Rogans Hill Railway Line at Northmead, Seven Hills' International Peace Park and the scenic surrounds of Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens in Western Sydney Parklands. [caption id="attachment_745897" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Great West Walk map, courtesy of the City of Parramatta.[/caption] As you get further out, The Great West Walk passes through the heritage-listed Rooty Hill Historic Site and the 900-hectare Wianamatta Regional Park. It finishes at the Nepean River, where you can either kick back enjoying views of the Blue Mountains in the background, link up to the existing eight-kilometre Great River Walk or venture a few more metres into the Penrith CBD for a hard-earned coffee and feed. You probably won't be knocking the whole thing out in one go, but it can easily be done in parts over a couple of weekends. The track intersects with the train line at multiple points, too, so you'll be able to get there and back without much hassle. Plus, it might even save you a drive to a national park and help you explore your own backyard a bit more. The whole thing has been brought to life with the help of hiking group the Walking Volunteers (who also helped create the 760-kilometre Sydney Harbour and Coastal Walking Network), along with almost $500,000 from the NSW Government and support from the likes of local councils, NSW Parks and Wildlife Services, and Western Sydney Parkland Trust. The Walking Volunteers are the first to put the Great West Walk through its paces. They set out to tackle the whole 65 kilometre stretch on Friday, and are expected to end in Penrith this evening, Tuesday, October 15. The Great West Walk starts at Parramatta and ends in Penrith. To plan your walk, view the map here. Image: Western Sydney Parklands.
Do you remember the first time that you saw a pastel-hued facade, ornate interior detailing, or something gloriously symmetrical indoors or out, then thought "that looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film"? For almost three decades now, we've all done it. Since his feature debut Bottle Rocket, the Asteroid City and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar director has firmly established his stylistic trademarks, ensuring that a Wes Anderson movie is always immediately recognisable as a Wes Anderson movie no matter which of the filmmaker's regular actors is in front of the camera. Brooklyn-based husband and wife Wally and Amanda Koval shared this line of thinking to the point of creating an Instagram account around it in 2017. Accidentally Wes Anderson now has 1.9-million followers. The social media feed is a curated selection of images from real life that look like Anderson has staged, styled and shot them, but hasn't — and after taking films as inspiration for an online compilation of images, Accidentally Wes Anderson has taken the IRL route itself via an exhibition. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, 200-plus images await — and they're all coming to Australia for the first time. Following past runs in Tokyo and Seoul, and present seasons in London and Los Angeles, the immersive art experience will make its Down Under debut in Melbourne from Wednesday, September 18, 2024, complete with ten rooms. Some of the exhibition's walls feature facades that Anderson must covet, others find landscape that'd make the perfect Anderson backdrop, and plenty highlight either vintage vehicles or enchanting hotels. Yes, pastel tones pop up frequently. So does symmetry, including in the exhibition's presentation. The idea is to make you feel like you're stepping into Anderson's flicks by showing how the world beyond his frames often conjures up that sensation anyway. To borrow from a different filmmaker, is this the Wes Anderson version of Inception? Attendees enter an exhibition of real-life pictures inspired by an Instagram account that's inspired by Anderson's moving pictures, particularly his aesthetic within them that takes cues from real life. Accidentally Wes Anderson has also been turned into a book, too, plus a website with a map spanning almost 2000 spots across the planet that fit the theme. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, patrons arrive via the lobby, then explore a space dedicated to portals, then embrace an array of facades. Checking out sections devoted to coastal scenes, planes and trains (and automobiles, of course), sports, accommodation and nature is also on the agenda. There's a space that'll get you watching big-screen travel adventures, too — and, just for Australia, one about Aussie spots that evoke Anderson. For souvenirs, you'll exit through the Accidentally Wes Anderson shop. The place will clearly look the Wes Anderson part. As for visitors, wearing a blazer and red beret, an Adidas tracksuit, a purple lobby boy uniform or khaki while you're spending an hour wandering around is up to you. There's no word yet if Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition will display elsewhere across Australia, or if folks outside of Melbourne will need to pack their matching Louis Vuitton suitcases for a trip to the Victorian capital to see it. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition displays at 360 Bourke Street, Melbourne from Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Head to the exhibition website to join the waitlist, with tickets on sale from 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
By now, the folks behind Beyond Cinema are real pros at throwing a fine film-themed shindig. They've thrown an extravagant Great Gatsby party at a mansion in northern Sydney, held a Mad Hatter-style tea party in the Royal Botanic Garden and recreated Titanic on Sydney Harbour — and this November, Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! is getting the immersive theatre treatment. This time around, guests will be carried away to a cabaret club in 1899 Paris. At Harold Zidler's world-famous house of risqué entertainment, you can expect dancing, singing and absinthe drinking. These events generally don't focus on the actual film screening, but usually there's the option to purchase a film ticket at an additional cost if you want to relive the whole heartbreaking whirlwind of Satine and Christian. The exact details of the event are still scarce, but if you've seen the film 608 times, you'll know what to expect. Fancy dress is, of course, a must. The exact date and location has not yet been revealed, but you can sign up to be the first to get these details — along with pre-sale tickets — over here. Or, if you're keen to book similar tickets right now, another Beyond Cinema is already set to transport you to 19th century France with an immersive singalong screening of Les Miserables this December. Beyond Cinema's Moulin Rouge! event will be held sometime in November at yet-to-be-revealed Sydney location. You can sign up for more info here.
Break out the waffles: Amy Poehler is coming to Australia. If you're a Parks and Recreation fan, nothing less than eating breakfast foods non-stop between now and the end of May will do to celebrate. The actor behind Leslie Knope — and Saturday Night Live legend, and voice of Joy in both Inside Out and Inside Out 2 — has a date with Vivid Sydney, heading to the Harbour City for a just-announced in-conversation event that'll see her chat through her career. Inside Out 2 releases in cinemas in mid-June, so it'll receive plenty of focus when Poehler gets talking — so much so that the Sydney Opera House evening that'll be moderated by Zan Rowe will include a 30-minute first-look at the film. But her work spans far and wide beyond the animated Pixar franchise, including to films such as Baby Mama and Sisters, writing the hilarious Yes Please and unforgettable Golden Globe hosting gigs with Tina Fey. [caption id="attachment_793108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC[/caption] "I'm really looking forward to taking part in Vivid Sydney this year, a place that welcomes Joy in every way," said Poehler about her impending session in the Harbour City. "I can't wait to share a little of Inside Out 2: a movie that lets Joy and Sadness, Anxiety and Envy all try to work together in hilarious and touching ways." [caption id="attachment_925839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © 2023 Disney/Pixar.[/caption] Poehler's session will take place on Monday, May 27, making it one of the early highlights of the festival. It comes after 2023's Vivid Sydney also featured a massive screen-focused in-conversation session, welcoming The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White. "Amy Poehler is comedy royalty and the perfect person to join us as part of Vivid Ideas for this year's Vivid Sydney. We're so proud to add her to the growing list of guests set to captivate visitors throughout 23 nights of the festival," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. "Amy's new film Inside Out 2 ties in perfectly with the theme of this year's festival, humanity, with an accessible take on how the human mind makes decisions and processes emotions. Allowing audiences to have an insight to how one of the world's great writers and performers operates is sure to be a great thrill." Check out the trailer for Inside Out 2 below: In Conversation with Amy Poehler takes place on Monday, May 27, 2024 at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, with tickets on sale now. Vivid Sydney runs from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15 at various locations around Sydney. Head to the festival website for further details and tickets.
Just when you thought it was safe to watch another film set by the sea, The Shallows takes cinema audiences back into shark-infested waters. More than four decades after Jaws scared viewers away from the shoreline, this Gold Coast-shot American thriller endeavours to do the same. But whereas Steven Spielberg really fleshed out the idea of a menacing creature stalking a small beach town, this new effort, from Non-Stop, Unknown and Run All Night director Jaume Collet-Serra, keeps things much more simple. Blake Lively's holidaying Nancy is first left to fend for herself after a friend opts to skip their planned trip to a secluded spot on the Mexican coast. Giving the jaunt a miss isn't an option for Nancy — not just because the Texan medical student is a keen surfer intent on catching some waves, but because the specific locale has links to her recently deceased mother. When she arrives, two unnamed guys are happily hanging ten. Alas, when they leave, she's joined by a more fearsome, blood-thirsty form of company. If it all sounds like a rather flimsy excuse for another lone survivor film in the same vein as All is Lost and Life of Pi, that's because it is. Collet-Serra simply takes what's fast becoming a familiar genre and adds a shark — and some GoPro-shot footage — to the mix. In a move inspired by Cast Away, Nancy is at one point gifted a seagull named Steven to talk to. But for the bulk of the movie she's just trembling on a rock, narrating events to herself and yelling at the lurking great white beast. Of course, as something as silly as the Sharknado series continues to prove, there are always thrills to be found in the notion of humanity versus nature — and ample cheesiness, too. The Shallows succeeds in ramping up the tension surrounding every urgently paced, frenetically edited attack, particularly given how sparse the storyline is. It doesn't fare as well in other departments though — from the obvious dialogue and thin existential musings cooked up by screenwriter Anthony Jaswinski, to the tendency of the camera to linger leeringly over Lively's bikini-clad body. Thankfully, Lively still ranks among the film's best elements in what is basically a one-woman effort. Whether she's screaming for her life or performing gruesome surgery on herself, there's a primal element to her performance that invests her protagonist with the right balance of vulnerability and determination. Indeed, while Collet-Serra has become best known for showcasing Liam Neeson being Liam Neeson, he also knows how to turn Lively into a formidable but relatable force. If you've seen any of his previous films, you should know what to expect here: a taut, trashy action flick that doesn't stray far from its concept. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgdxIlSuB70
This 3.1km walking loop in Ulladulla winds through windswept bushland that gives way to sweeping coastal vistas as you stride towards the lookout at Warden Head. A wind-blown sculpture of Corroboree man, Bulan Yuin, greets walkers at the start of the track which follows the path of Dreamtime story creator, the Rainbow Serpent. As you move along the Coomee Nulunga Cultural Trail you'll encounter Garawanda Daran or 'dreaming poles' which depict native flora and fauna and their Aboriginal names. You can organise an Indigenous tour guide through the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council to join you along the route, so you can learn more about Dhurga language, edible plants in the area and the rich Indigenous history of the site. Image: Warden Head Lighthouse, darlingtrk via Flickr
For three decades, Hank Azaria's voice has echoed from the TV screen in almost every possible variation imaginable. Being one of The Simpsons' six main cast members will do that. He's gotten gruff as perennially short-tempered bartender Moe Szyslak, especially when answering prank phone calls. He's cheerfully announced "hi, everybody!" as Dr Nick Riviera. He's hardly bothered with police work as Chief Wiggum, oozed beer-loving self-importance as Duffman, been nerdy as Professor Frink and uttered many a stern reprimand as Super Nintendo Superintendent Chalmers. The list goes on, including characters he no longer voices — such as Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon — and everyone from Frank Grimes to Disco Stu. Azaria hasn't just been heard, and often, since The Simpsons' debut episode in 1989. He's virtually synonymous with the long-running animated sitcom, but his resume isn't short on other highlights. His first film role came courtesy of Pretty Woman, and he's featured in fellow flicks such as Heat, the 1998 American version of Godzilla, Mystery Men, Shattered Glass and Lovelace from there. On the small screen, he's stepped in front of the camera in Herman's Head, Mad About You, Friends and Ray Donovan, too — and led excellent two-season drama Huff, plus sportscaster comedy Brockmire. Now, he's stealing scenes in Apple TV+'s Hello Tomorrow!, a retrofuturistic sci-fi dramedy set in an alternative version of the 1950s where The Jetsons-style technological advancements are commonplace. Also an ordinary part of life, amid the hovering cars and robot waiters: everyday folks relocating to the moon. A workplace comedy as well, the series focuses on BrightSide Lunar Residences, specifically regional manager Jack Billings (Billy Crudup, The Morning Show) and his door-to-door salesmen crew. They head from town to town on earth selling timeshares on the planet's only natural satellite. Azaria's Eddie doesn't just sling getaways to whichever customers are willing to pay, either; he's desperate to take the trip north himself. Azaria uses his own vocal tones in Hello Tomorrow!, but his acting is just as elastic as his voice has repeatedly proven in his best-known gig. Eddie makes a living selling the American dream and, despite seeing that his customers' launches keep getting pushed back, he's bought into it himself. He's also as cynical as they come, and has the kind of gambling addiction that has physical consequences, yet remains hopeful of saying hello to his own better tomorrow. It's a powerful performance in a show filled with them, including from Crudup — who Azaria has always wanted to work with. "I chased this job down. I've always wanted to work with Billy. I know Billy, I love him as a performer and a person, and I wanted to be a part of this," Azaria tells Concrete Playground. Also part of our chat: what else appealed to him about Hello Tomorrow!, the show's many layers, the kinds of roles he looks for beyond The Simpsons and busting out his voice work on salesmen himself. ON HIS FIRST REACTION TO HELLO TOMORROW! "I imagined a gritty, realistic, Glengarry Glen Ross take on it. I was very surprised by this retrofuturistic element, that to me almost feels like an episode of The Twilight Zone from the 50s that we've expanded into a series. It's this kind of low-tech but high-tech high-concept idea in a morality play playing out in the context of a futuristic sci-fi premise. It reminds me of a Rod Serling-type idea. And then [there's] the heightened language of the thing, the kind of Damon Runyan sort of 1950s heightened speak that we all engage in. So it was more of a stylised thing than I had imagined." ON HELLO TOMORROW!'S EXPLORATION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM "It's this metaphor of the American dream being out of reach. Is it or isn't it? What's hope? What's delusion? What really struck me about Billy's character Jack is he's this really pretty ruthless conman who is believing, I think — it could be hope, it could be delusion on his part. But the hope he's giving people, even though it's an utter lie, [he believes] is good for them. And in many cases, it is. It's kind of what saved his life, and he wants to pass that along. Billy also refers to the pursuit of money as almost religious zealotry in this world we're in. These folks, there's a religious fervour around their pursuit of the American dream and the capitalist vision that these folks have — like even more than our current society has that we live in. So it's making that extreme version of what these ideals were and holding it up as satire." ON PLAYING THE GAMBLING-ADDICTED, LUNAR-DREAMING EDDIE "That's interesting isn't it? He's the most cynical. I think he believes he's bought into what they're selling, but he doesn't need to do that to sell. He's happy to con people — and knowingly con people, if that's what he's doing. But it speaks to, I think, the potency of that dream that Billy's character is selling — if even a cynic like Eddie, a gambling-addicted, negative, maladaptive, self-destructive person like Eddie, buys into this. He doesn't need it to sell. I don't think it affects his selling style at all. But even Eddie sees his dream of love and happiness, [living] happily ever after with his beloved Shirley [BrightSide's office manger Shirley, played by Truth Be Told's Haneefah Wood], as happening up there. It speaks to the power of that delusion, that dream." ON THE RESEARCH THAT GOES INTO PLAYING A LUNAR TIMESHARE SALESMAN "There aren't too many travelling salesmen around these days to talk to. There's a brilliant movie called Salesman, a documentary — I believe from the 60s — about bible salesmen that we all watched, and that really affected me a lot. Just the lives of these guys and their attitudes going door to door. The movie Tin Man is a great other piece of source material, [about] these conmen salesmen who were just that kind of bottomline, have to sell, really living or dying by whether you sell or not types. And then, as an actor, just wrapping your mouth and mind and heart around the language, the way these guys are talking — which is so much fun, but challenging at times. This is more the mind you apply to [Glengarry Glen Ross writer David] Mamet or [The West Wing creator Aaron] Sorkin or Shakespeare, where that's not how I would express myself, and I have to transpose my truth, what's real to me, to how this guy's expressing it. Which takes like a little bit of practice. It's almost like a skill, like a language you learn — or not as hard as that, but related to that. It is a rhythm thing, though. You find that there's a rhythm and a way of speaking that's sells it, but finding what that is takes a little bit of practice at first." ON THE TYPE OF ROLES HE LOOKS FOR BEYOND THE SIMPSONS "It's always different but always the same. Honestly, it's good writing. If I could write, I would. I can write, but I'm sort of a C+ writer. The stuff I write I guess gets made, but I probably would turn it down if I were offered it, if writer me came to me, with rare exception — Brockmire being one that I helped develop, which I loved, it was an idea I'd had since I was a teenager. But it's really writing, whether it's comedy, drama, this role, that role. Once you weed out what you really respond to in writing for whatever reason, there's not all that much left. And if you're fortunate enough to not have to work, then there's not much — to me anyway, there's not that many things that come along that I go 'oh, I could see doing that'. This was one of them." ON HOW HIS PENCHANT FOR VOICES COMES IN HANDY WITH TELEMARKETERS "It's rare that you run into a travelling salesman anymore, let alone one that's offering you up on the moon — you'd be crazy not to be immediately suspicious. But we're all barraged by telemarketers if you still have a home line, or even if you don't! You just get spam calls, and we're all pretty familiar how we usually react to those. I usually adopt a different voice and try to engage, and turn it around on the folks that call me up at dinnertime. It's one of the fun little perks of being a voice guy." Hello Tomorrow! streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review.
The Dolphin Hotel's Wine Director Shun Eto has just returned from a trip to Sicily, and he's brought back all of his favourite boozy discoveries to share with local wine lovers. To celebrate the return of summer and to provide Eto with a platform to sample these exciting drops, the Surry Hills pub is throwing a massive wine mixer dedicated to southern Italy on Sunday, December 4. There are a few ways you can approach this sunny-season party. The festivities will be kicking off a Lunch with Frank and Friends, an exclusive multi-course meal and accompanying masterclasses through which Eto and fellow sommelier Jack Steer guide you through the wines of Sicilian producer Frank Cornelissen. To pair with the wines, chefs Danny Corbett and Aldo Lara have pulled together a menu based around the communal Sicilian dining table. There are just 20 spots available for this lunch, with each ticket costing $145. [caption id="attachment_696742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elise Hassey[/caption] From 2pm, The Dolphin will be hosting a two-hour wine tasting. For $15, you'll be able to sample up to ten different wines from a range of Sicilian and southern Italian winemakers including Cornelissen, Emilio Sciacca, Girolamo Russo, COS and Occhipinti. There will also be a specially curated bar snack menu available during the tasting, with the likes of fried Naples pizza, bruschetta, anchovies on toast with seaweed butter and rigatoni alla norma all gracing the menu. Tickets for this can be pre-purchased but walk-ins are also welcome. Closing out the day's happenings will be a free party from 4pm, with a range of wines available for purchase by the bottle or glass. It'll feature tunes from Daniel Lupica, who will be exploring house, disco, boogie and a variety of other sounds until late. And, if tasting these Sicilian drops puts you in the mood to head on your own Italian adventure, you can book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals available on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
When former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the state's full roadmap out of lockdown, she gave cinephiles a particularly exciting piece of news. Movie theatres have been closed in Sydney since the end of June, when stay-at-home conditions came into effect — but, on the Monday following NSW reaching the 70-percent fully vaccinated mark, they're permitted to welcome cinephiles back in the doors. The state is expected to hit that 70-percent double-jabbed threshold sometime this week (aka the week commencing Monday, October 4), which makes Monday, October 11 the day that lockdown officially ends. So, that's when projectors will be allowed to start whirring again in Sydney. While that doesn't mean that it's popcorn-munching business as usual quite yet, local cinemas will begin to reopen rather quickly. Randwick Ritz will be one of the initial places to start ushering movie buffs back into darkened rooms, opening its doors on the very first day it can. It'll relaunch with a heap of flicks that've been playing in other states where cinemas have been open over the past few months — some of which have made the leap to streaming already, too — such as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Black Widow, The Suicide Squad and Free Guy. There's also Nitram, Candyman, Respect, Jungle Cruise, Shiva Baby and Pig as well. Yes, that means that you can choose between everything from superheroes, supervillains and video game characters to harrowing true tales, stellar horror sequels, music biopics, movies based on theme park rides, indie comedies and Nicolas Cage doing his thing. On the same date, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace will kick back into gear, continuing to balance fresh flicks and retro hits. That includes many of the new movies mentioned above, the likes of fellow new releases Annette, Rosa's Wedding and The Rose Maker, plus old-school titles such as Dune, Aliens and Stop Making Sense. And, that Monday will also see Palace's Sydney sites will let punters back in, playing a lineup of brand new movies. Again, there's some crossover in titles; however, here you can also see Nine Days, Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), The Killing of Two Lovers, Perfumes, Joe Bell, Ride the Eagle, Reminiscence, The Night House and Don't Breathe 2. Over at Golden Age Cinema and Bar, movies will start playing again from Wednesday, October 13 — and plenty of sessions have already sold out. On the bill: Annette, Pig, Summer of Soul and Shiva Baby, plus retrospective screenings of classics such as Heat, Don't Look Now and Double Indemnity. Dendy Newtown will reopen on Monday, October 11 as well, as will United Opera Quays, while Roseville Cinemas will relaunch on Thursday, October 14. And, if you're wondering about the big end of town — yes, that'd be the multiplexes such as Event, Hoyts and Reading — much of them will open on Monday, October 11, too. As happened in 2020 when picture palaces opened back up after lockdown, you can expect significant changes to the movie-going experience. Well, compared to pre-pandemic life, obviously. So, get ready for online bookings, allocated seating, gaps between patrons, contactless payment, social-distancing requirements and extra cleaning — again. For more information about what's screening in Sydney from October 11, or to book tickets, visit the websites for the Randwick Ritz, Hayden Orpheum, Palace, Golden Age Cinema and Bar, Dendy Newtown, Roseville Cinemas, United Opera Quays, Event, Hoyts and Reading. Top image: Golden Age Cinema and Bar by Cassandra Hannagan.
The Freshwater Butcher's free-range beef and lamb is grass-fed with no grains, hormones or chemicals. Pork comes from an ethical farm located just outside of Ulladulla on the South Coast, while organic chickens are also from free-to-roam farms. In winter, you'll find golden-crusted, house-baked, family-sized pies, and the butchers also stocks essentials like bread and milk. It also does regular specials, be it a French-style pork fillet roast stuffed with cranberries and chestnuts, wrapped in bacon with prunes on top, or a rolled lamb loin packed with a fig and pistachio stuffing. No time to pop into the butcher? Locals can also make use of the free home delivery service. [caption id="attachment_776628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption]
California's endless sunshine and awe-inspiring scenery helped establish it as the home of US filmmaking. Nowadays, just about every nook and cranny in the state has appeared on the silver screen, with Hollywood productions making the most of dynamic landscapes and architectural wonders. Ready to see some of pop culture's most iconic scenes in person? We've teamed up with Visit California to highlight ten of the best attractions to visit when you want to geek out on cinematic history. [caption id="attachment_960577" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Hang Tran via iStock[/caption] Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Perched on the side of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory offers incredible views across Los Angeles stretching from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. After dark, it becomes a buzz of activity as free telescopes give visitors glimpses into deep space. Inside, cosmos-related exhibitions dazzle guests. A go-to spot for directors, Griffith Observatory has been the setting for hundreds of productions. You might recall the opening shot of The Terminator, featuring a stark-naked Arnold Schwarzenegger, or a mesmerising musical number in La La Land. Don't miss the James Dean busk to celebrate the observatory's role in Rebel Without a Cause. [caption id="attachment_960579" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Travelview via iStock[/caption] Union Station, Los Angeles Few train stations have appeared on camera more than Union Station. Although it typically serves as LA's major rail terminal, its fascinating combination of art deco and Spanish colonial revival architecture gives it an undeniable gravitas that makes for a powerful scene. In the original Blade Runner, Union Station stands in for Los Angeles Police Station, while The Dark Knight Rises sees it transformed into a kangaroo court overseen by the Scarecrow. Although surprisingly rare, Union Station was simply a train station in Pearl Harbor. [caption id="attachment_961524" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ross G Perry[/caption] Fox Plaza, Los Angeles You might still debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas flick, but there's no doubting where it all began for Detective John McClane. Better known as Fox Plaza, or 2121 Avenue of the Stars, this LA skyscraper is where villainous mastermind Hans Gruber met his match. Yet McClane isn't the only cop to roam this building. In Brooklyn 99, Jake makes the team detour to the fictional Nakatomi Plaza, quoting McClane every step of the way. You can also catch Fox Plaza's exterior in Lethal Weapon 2, connecting more made-up cops to the building's legacy. [caption id="attachment_960584" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Michael Overstreet via iStock[/caption] Bodega Bay, Sonoma County North of San Francisco, Bodega Bay is one of the top spots on the West Coast for whale-watching, peaceful hiking trails and day spas. It's also a must-visit on a cinema-inspired road trip along the coast. Though you might not get that impression from Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, The Birds. After socialite Melanie Daniels follows lawyer Mitch Brenner to Bodega Bay, mysterious bird attacks terrorise the townspeople. Head along to discover how the reality is far more tranquil. [caption id="attachment_961526" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marie Beschen[/caption] Museum of Western Film History, Lone Pine Western films had a defining role in the development of American cinema, with the desolate surroundings of Lone Pine central from the beginning. Over 400 feature films were shot across the Alabama Hills, the Sierra Nevada and the Owens Valley since 1920, starting with the silent film, The Round Up, starring Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle. Iconic films like Gunga Din, High Sierra and The Lone Ranger have featured the same vast landscape. For a true movie-buff experience, the Museum of Western Film History offers a diverse collection of frontier film memorabilia. [caption id="attachment_960608" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Olga U via iStock[/caption] Alabama Hills, Owens Valley On the outskirts of Lone Pine, the Alabama Hills is where numerous seminal western genre films were captured. Surrounded by towering rock formations and seemingly endless desert, traversing Movie Road with the Sierra Mountains adorning the horizon is a great way to get introduced. Films new and old were shot along this barren stretch, with the likes of The Lone Ranger, Iron Man and Gladiator just some of the best-known. Discover landmark geological wonders rising from the desert like the Mobius Arch, Nightmare Rock and Cyclops Arch. Kansas City Barbecue, San Diego Belt out 'Great Balls of Fire' just like Maverick and Goose in Top Gun at Kansas City Barbecue — the setting for the iconic diner scene. It was discovered by Paramount Studios' location scout ahead of production who liked the atmosphere so much that he returned with director Tony Scott. Situated in the harbour district of San Diego, Kansas City Barbecue serves up jam-packed meat dishes and hearty sides. If the classic diner vibe wasn't enough, the walls are adorned with assorted Top Gun memorabilia and the real piano used in the movie is still there. [caption id="attachment_960613" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Damien Verrier via iStock[/caption] Death Valley National Park, Southwest California Tatooine might seem like a galaxy away in Star Wars Episodes IV and VI, but these otherworldly scenes were shot in the dunes and canyons of Death Valley National Park. Wander into Artist's Palette — a colourful collection of volcanic deposits — just like R2-D2 does in A New Hope. The movie also used one of Death Valley's most impressive vantage points, Dante's View, to capture a panorama of Mos Eisley, a spaceport town filled with scum and villainy. [caption id="attachment_961525" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Courtesy of Flickr[/caption] Hillard House, San Francisco Featuring a masterclass in comedic performance by Robin Williams, Mrs Doubtfire remains an essential childhood film for millions. Many of the jokes might have gone over your head as a youngster, but this 90s classic still has much to say when you watch as an adult. Located in the upmarket Pacific Heights neighbourhood of San Francisco, Hillard House, featured throughout Mrs Doubtfire, still looks much the same. Although the interiors were shot on a soundstage, it's well worth climbing the hills to visit. Plus, the bay views are incredible. [caption id="attachment_960618" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rebecca Todd[/caption] Muir Woods, San Francisco Bay Delve into Muir Woods to discover a fascinating old-growth coastal redwood forest. With some of these towering trees dating to over 1,000 years old, this ancient landscape is bound to leave you feeling in touch with nature. Throughout the Planet of the Apes series, Muir Woods becomes home to a super-intelligent colony of apes. Although these scenes in the films were captured in Vancouver with the help of a little old-fashioned movie magic, the in-universe setting is a stunning location, easily driven to from San Francisco, and it makes for an unforgettable detour. Start planning your tour of California, America's ultimate playground, today. Header images: B Alberts via iStock, Visit California
We've all been debating the pros and cons of the NSW Government's proposed new liquor licensing laws (mostly the cons, around here) on the bars and nightlife we love. But some of the affected parties are less obvious than others, and one of these is alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings, who have launched a petition against what they see as the well-meaning but misguided laws currently being debated by NSW politicians. Governed by the same legislation as regular bricks-and-mortar bottle shops in NSW, Jimmy Brings is a phone and online order company that delivers alcohol to homes between 6pm and midnight. Founders Nathan Besser and David Berger believe businesses such as theirs should be exempt from the statewide proposal to close bottle shops at 10pm, a move that would result in their trading hours being cut and their business revenue halved. In a statement introducing their petition to Premier Barry O'Farrell and Vaucluse state Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton, Besser and Berger state that whilst welcoming efforts to quell Sydney’s alcohol-related violence, "we do not believe that the proposed legislation should unfairly penalise small businesses who are promoting safe and dignified drinking within the family home." As a company whose client-base is largely over 25 years old, they make a strong case, particularly considering that only 3.2 percent of their orders are delivered to the CBD/Kings Cross area and that responsible drinking at home arguably prevents people going out into the streets in search of booze. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Berger denied their business could be used by younger drinkers to "pre-load", explaining that their typical consumers are "people [who] have been out to a restaurant and are then going back to a house with friends or they have got friends over or are with their partner and family and they have run out of wine or beer." Of course, the Jimmy Brings duo aren’t alone in their concerned responses to the controversial legislation. Last week we spoke to several of our favourite small bars to hear how they would be affected (read it here). The Greens will be voting against what they believe is a "knee-jerk" reaction to Sydney's violence problem, with Greens MP John Kaye telling the ABC, "We don't believe there's evidence to justify what they're doing ... We don't believe we can justify imposing on responsible late night venue goers measures that are probably going to fail.” The music industry's also getting involved. Today the Sydney Late Night Culture Alliance launched — a banding together of key stakeholders in Sydney's music world, including MusicNSW, FBi radio, SLAM, Goodgod Small Club, Oxford Art Factory, TheMusic.com.au and inthemix. The group’s first campaign 'Keep Sydney Open', aims to specifically tackle proposed 1.30 am lockouts and 3am service cessations, which they believe will negatively affect the heart and soul of Sydney’s musical nightlife. They’re calling on other venues and organisations to join them. To sign the Jimmy Brings petition or just have a read of it, click here.
MOP has a lot of possibilities for the thrill-seeking art enthusiast. For one thing, you can walk straight through from the Abercrombie Street entrance to a point where the gallery stops and there's a roughly 4-foot drop into a back-alley, so it's good for getaways. And sure, also, in a less shifty sense, they provide excitement by way of emerging artists and those in mid-career without commercial representation. But say you do actually want to use MOP as part of a getaway plan, the current hang would be pretty much ideal. Walk in, collect a tiny torch and duck through the black curtains into the dark of Gallery 2, where Wayde Owen's The Shape I'm In offers viewers a set of wall-mounted constructions in which heads and faces are surrounded and surmounted by wooden frames and geometric models that make cool and scary shapes when you play with the aforementioned torch. Your pursuer, already baffled, then has to deal with the confusing content and absorbingly lovely colours and compositions of Emily Portmann's Play Terrain, a series in which the artist has photographed herself acting out parts of children's games in ex-industrial spaces on Cockatoo Island. And then there's Bababa International's New Movement — and what an 'and then' it is! A project exploring the interplay between transport and the occupation of space, it's comprised of noticeboards of diagrams and drawings, of models for future constructions, of photographs, and of cakes(!), and there are going to be interactive shoe-making workshops so you can maybe make yourself some more cushioned and aerodynamic kicks for the big jump and final chase down the alley. Image: Bababa International, Problem World Publicity Image 2011
Imogen Heap is embarking upon her inaugural Australian tour in promotion of her latest offering, Ellipse. Released last year, four years after the Grammy Award–nominated Speak for Yourself, the new album is a self-produced collection of dreamy and bittersweet odes. Without ever straying too far from the characteristic electronic-minimalist formula she has built her career upon, the synthetic universe of Ellipse inspires comparisons to contemporaries Sarah McLachlan, French chanteuse Camille, and even a more pop-tinged Laurie Anderson. The former voice of Frou Frou, Imogen Heap's public exposure has gone into overdrive in recent years thanks to contributions to the soundtracks of The OC, The Chronicles of Narnia films, Heroes, Six Feet Under, as well as an array of US late night talk show appearances, and Ellipse is proving to be her most successfully charting release to date. Tickets for the second show are on sale now. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yXj0dF7LAyE
Japanese artist Ryosuke Fukusada has created a wooden light bulb using an ancient technique called 'rokuro'. By wrapping an LED light bulb in a thin layer of wood, Fukusada's bulb was launched recently at New York Design Week. The bulb's LED lighting creates only a small amount of heat, meaning it will not catch alight. A recyclable aluminum socket works with the wood to create a sleek, modern and sustainable design, which recently received an award at the Kyoto Design competition. The bulb is currently being developed.
Good energy is meant to be shared — and this month, Teremana Tequila is taking that spirit on the road. Founded by Dwayne Johnson, the premium small-batch tequila, which is built on the belief that true mana comes from showing up with purpose, is bringing its feel-good ethos to two community pop-ups, celebrating the unsung heroes who make a difference every day. Head to Circular Quay's newly revamped Cruise Bar (pictured below) on Thursday, October 9, or Elizabeth Bay fave Gazebo on Friday, October 10, to find the Mana Mobile, a Teremana-branded food truck rolling into town with free tacos, tequila tastings, live music and backyard-style games. It's also where you'll find the Mana Mailbox, inviting you to take a moment to express gratitude to someone who brings positivity into your life. You'll be encouraged to craft a handwritten postcard of thanks to an everyday hero who shows up, lifts others up and quietly keeps things running. Once complete, each message is sealed and placed in the Mana Mailbox before being mailed directly to its recipient. There'll be plenty of good vibes across both stops. You can nominate unsung heroes either on the night or online ahead of time via the Mana on the Road website, with all nominees going in the running to score one of 50 exclusive Teremana Añejo bottles tucked inside special gift bags, plus more surprises revealed throughout the evening. Pop in to either venue between 5–8pm to be part of this moving celebration of gratitude. Good mana starts in the spaces we share — and good energy is best enjoyed together with good people and good tequila. Bring your mates, raise a glass and celebrate the everyday heroes who make a difference with Teremana.
Join Cake Wines and their 'uncomplicated' approach to wine as they launch their second pop-up bar in the disused Cleveland St Theatre. Cake will host a number of events beginning at 6pm on Thursday night with the brand's Archi Bottle Prize awards. A live FBi Radio broadcast will be held on Friday night, and the bar will also be open from midday to midnight on Saturday as a part of the Surry Hills Festival in Prince Albert Park. As you sit and enjoy the Archi-Bottle Prize you can sip on your choice of Shiraz, Rosé, Chardonnay, Lucky Duck cider or Little Creatures Beer and chow down on gourmet food from Jafe Jaffles. For every bottle of Cake Wine purchased, 25 cents of the sale goes back to FBi and 4ZZZ Radio stations. And thanks to Cake, two Concrete Playgrounders will win a bottle of Pinot, redeemable at the bar. To go in the running just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
With over 45 million visitors globally, Body Worlds is one of the world's most visited health and wellness exhibitions. It's also frequently described as a "life changing experience" — visitors can expect to leave with an understanding of the marvel that is the human body. Now, after its popular Australian premiere in Melbourne, the original exhibition of real human bodies is coming to Sydney for the first time. Body Worlds Vital — which is different to the Real Bodies exhibition that, earlier in the year, garnered protesters amid claims the bodies were of executed Chinese political prisoners — will be on display at Sydney Town Hall from December 3 until March 2019, taking attendees on an intricate journey of the workings of the human body, through an authentic, visual display of over 150 donated specimens. The human bodies and body parts, donated for the benefit of public education, have gone through a meticulous process of plastination, and demonstrate the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the human body in distress, disease and optimal health. The exhibitions were founded by anatomist and scientist Dr Gunther von Hagens and physician and conceptual designer Dr Angelina Whalley. And all the specimens displayed at the exhibitions are from an established body donation program with consenting donors — so far 17,000 bodies from around the world have been donated to Dr von Hagens' Institute for Plastination. The Australian tour specifically focuses on contemporary diseases and ailments and how everyday lifestyle choices can improve health and wellness, to live with vitality. The 150 specimens on display stem are preserved through a scientific process that replaces body fluids with polymers. Interactive elements include the Anatomical Mirror, where visitors will see how organs are positioned in their own body, a photo display that showcases longevity and healthy ageing, and healthy organs shown in direct comparison with diseased organs. Body Worlds Vital will be on display from December 3 – March 31 at Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney. Tickets are $32 for adults and are on sale now here.
A new summer exhibition at S.H. Ervin Gallery showcases 30 female Australian artists who travelled to Paris for study, work and inspiration. Featuring works from renowned artists including Dorrit Black, Margaret Preston, Grace Crowley, Stella Bowen and Margaret Olley, Intrepid Women celebrates the creative expansion and freedom from convention gained from time spent in the rich Parisian milieu. Highlighting both the courage and determination required to make such a move during the first half the 20th century (it took South Australian artist Marie Tuck ten solid years of working and saving before she was able to travel) the exhibition explores the impact Paris had on the careers of these women as they studied, exhibited in Paris salons and left bank galleries, and won awards, with some – like Dorrit Black – returning home to Australia to shake up the local scene with their first-hand understanding of the modernist movement. Head along for an inspirational show celebrating 30 truly intrepid women. Image: Dorrit Black, Nude with cigarette [cropped], 1930, oil on canvas on board, Private Collection, Sydney.
While plenty about taking a holiday has changed over the past year or so, flight sales keep coming — and Australians keep snapping up tickets. Unsurprisingly, we're all keen to travel when and where we can in these pandemic-afflicted times. And if you're constantly thinking about your next getaway, Jetstar is dropping yet another batch of cheap fares. The Limited Time Only sale will kick off at 9am on Friday, April 23. As the name suggests, it's only on offer for a brief period. You'll need to nab your discounted tickets before 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, although fares might sell out earlier. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights across a heap routes from destinations right across the country. That's a regular part of these specials, so there are no surprises there. But this time, because the trans-Tasman bubble is open and zooming across to New Zealand is now possible — and allowed — you can also pick up discounted tickets to NZ. Domestically, fares start at $33 for flights from Sydney to Avalon, with Sydneysiders also able to head to Hobart from $69, either Uluru or Hamilton Island from $99, and Perth from $159. Melburnians can book trips to Launceston from $45, Adelaide from $49, and Ballina and Byron Bay from $59, while Brisbanites can zip to Newcastle from $49, and Cairns or Melbourne from $69. Yes, the list goes on. For flights to NZ, tickets kick off at $175, which'll get you from the Gold Coast to either Auckland or Wellington. From Sydney and Melbourne, it'll cost you $195 to Auckland and $225 to Queenstown. [caption id="attachment_808728" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist: David Hilliam[/caption] Tickets in the sale are for trips from May 2021–January 2022, with exact dates varying in each region. And there are a few caveats, as is always the case. The discounted flights are one way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. And, as always, keeping an eye on both interstate and New Zealand border requirements is recommended. To promote the sale, Jetstar has also commissioned three large-scale artworks, all emblazoned with the words "available for a limited time only". One 90-metre-long piece by artist Edward popped up in the sand along the Great Ocean Road, another took over a Sydney rooftop and a third also got sandy at Piha Beach in Auckland. Jetstar's Limited Time Only sale runs from 9am AEST on Friday, April 23 till 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, or until sold out.
Mosman has welcomed Amalfi Coast-inspired gem St Siandra to The Spit's waterfront, bringing with it a touch of coastal luxury and permanent vacation vibes. Tasteful golden-hued interiors, terracotta tiling and white marble bar give way to stunning beachfront views and a tantalising menu that promises a journey through the Mediterranean — all without the airfare. Come in via the sun-soaked wharf entrance and take a seat on the woven loveseats — sourced from Italy — and take in the thoughtful interiors designed by Sally Taylor, who has previously curated venues including Felix and Queen Chow. Up the winding stairs is the dedicated event space Bluebird Room & Deck, awash in calming blue hues and natural light. It can host up to 70 guests and has its own private bar and stunning views of the waters below. Continuing the Euro-summer vibes, the menu features fresh seafood, vibrant seasonal produce and classic Mediterranean flavours with a sprinkling of Middle Eastern spices. The spot is slinging brunch most days with dishes like stracciatella toast with caramelised onion, pistachio and chilli oil, and fried chicken and waffles with sage dukkah and date caramel syrup. Heading over for the lunchtime or dinner menu, instead? Tuna crudo and the Spring Bay mussels are crowd favourites as are the classic tray of Sydney rock oysters with champagne mignonette. For a meat-focused main, opt for the Angus MB4 short rib skewer or the lamb shoulder accompanied by broccoli gremolata, pomegranate and za'atar. Sail your way through cocktails, each with nautical themes or named after local luxury yachts or a bottle of bubbly. Dessert runs to the likes of spiced persimmon pavlova, Sicilian citrus tart with toasted meringue and strawberry; and the classic ricotta fritters with cinnamon sugar and banana caramel. St Siandra was conceived by the hospitality duo, Mitchell Davis and Gavin Gray, the team behind Great Eats. Collaborating with the visionary Head Chef Sam McCallum, formerly of Nomad, and Adam George, the ensemble is a seasoned all-star cast ready to bring maritime allure to Mosman. Images: Steve Woodburn
In 2018, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a controversial change to the Oscars: creating an award for most popular film. The backlash was strong and swift, with the category quickly put on hold — and the fresh slate of Oscar nominees show why the new gong really isn't needed. From the Lady Gaga-starring fourth take on A Star Is Born, to Black Panther's comic book antics, to Bohemian Rhapsody's love letter to Queen, plenty of last year's huge box office hits are now multiple nominees for the 91st annual Academy Awards, which will be held on Monday, February 25 Australian time. They're joined by a heap of critical and audience favourites from 2018, including Alfonso Cuarón's highly personal drama Roma, deliciously dark historical effort The Favourite and Dick Cheney biopic Vice, plus two very different films about race relations: BlacKkKlansman and Green Book. By the numbers, Roma and The Favourite lead the charge with ten nods apiece, while A Star Is Born and Vice each scored eight, Black Panther received seven, BlacKkKlansman nabbed six, and Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book took five each. Of course, the figures only tell part of the story — some of the biggest highlights from the list of nominees are hidden behind the numbers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp_i7cnOgbQ For only the sixth time in 91 years, a black filmmaker has been recognised in the best director category, with Spike Lee picking up his first-ever nomination across his lengthy career. Plus, for the first time since 1977's ceremony, two of the five best director contenders are for flicks in languages other than English — with Cuarón the favourite for Roma and Cold War's Pawel Pawlikowski a deserving but unexpected inclusion. Among the best picture field, Black Panther became the first Marvel movie to ever score a nod for the coveted award. And a movie star was born in Lady Gaga, who made history by becoming the first person to nab noms for best actress and for best original song in the same year (the latter of which, for A Star Is Born's heart-swelling banger 'Shallow', she's a shoo-in to win). On the surprise front, among Roma's huge haul, sit nods for two of its main on-screen talents, with Yalitza Aparicio in the best actress category and Marina de Tavira in the best supporting actress field. The Netflix title wasn't the streaming platform's only big contender, with the Coen Brothers-directed western anthology The Ballad of Buster Scruggs also picking up three nods. Of course, there are always gaps. After Greta Gerwig became just the fifth woman to be nominated for best director last year, the category went with an all-male lineup this time around — and among the exclusions, Can You Ever Forgive Me?'s Marielle Heller directed stars Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant to acting nominations, but didn't make the Oscar cut herself. And the list is light for Australian talents, with The Favourite landing the country's only contenders in the form of screenwriter Tony McNamara and production designer Fiona Crombie. The 91st Academy Awards will take place on Monday, February 25, Australian time. Here's the full list of nominations. OSCAR NOMINEES 2019 BEST MOTION PICTURE Black Panther BlacKkKlansman Bohemian Rhapsody The Favourite Green Book Roma A Star Is Born Vice BEST DIRECTOR Alfonso Cuarón, Roma Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman Adam McKay, Vice Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Yalitza Aparicio, Roma Glenn Close, The Wife Olivia Colman, The Favourite Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Christian Bale, Vice Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born Willem Dafoe, At Eternity's Gate Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody Viggo Mortensen, Green Book PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Amy Adams, Vice Marina de Tavira, Roma Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk Emma Stone, The Favourite Rachel Weisz, The Favourite PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Mahershala Ali, Green Book Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me? Sam Rockwell, Vice BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY The Favourite First Reformed Green Book Roma Vice BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Ballad of Buster Scruggs BlacKkKlansman Can You Ever Forgive Me? If Beale Street Could Talk A Star Is Born BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Black Panther BlacKkKlansman If Beale Street Could Talk Isle of Dogs Mary Poppins Returns BEST ORIGINAL SONG 'All the Stars', Black Panther 'I'll Fight', RBG 'The Place Where Lost Things Go', Mary Poppins Returns 'Shallow', A Star Is Born 'When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings', The Ballad of Buster Scruggs BEST FILM EDITING BlacKkKlansman Bohemian Rhapsody The Favourite Green Book Vice BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM Capernaum (Lebanon) Cold War (Poland) Never Look Away (Germany) Roma (Mexico) Shoplifters (Japan) BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Incredibles 2 Isle of Dogs Mirai Ralph Breaks the Internet Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Free Solo Hale County This Morning, This Evening Minding the Gap Of Fathers and Sons RBG BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Cold War The Favourite Never Look Away Roma A Star Is Born BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN Black Panther The Favourite First Man Mary Poppins Returns Roma BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Avengers: Infinity War Christopher Robin First Man Ready Player One Solo: A Star Wars Story BEST COSTUME DESIGN The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Black Panther The Favourite Mary Poppins Returns Mary Queen of Scots BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Border Mary Queen of Scots Vice BEST SOUND MIXING Black Panther Bohemian Rhapsody First Man Roma A Star Is Born BEST SOUND EDITING Black Panther Bohemian Rhapsody First Man A Quiet Place Roma BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT Black Sheep End Game Lifeboat A Night at the Garden Period. End of Sentence BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM Animal Behavior Bao Late Afternoon One Small Step Weekends BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Detainment Fauve Marguerite Mother Skin
Not content with hosting the Brisbane Comedy Festival, queer culture fest Melt, and a jam-packed calendar of other events all year every year — and just adding a new outdoor venue, too — Brisbane Powerhouse is gifting music and art fans a brand-new boundary-pushing celebration of sound, tunes and performance. Meet ΩHM (pronounced "ohm"), a fresh venture that's all about getting adventurous. The New Farm venue has dubbed the event a "festival of other music", with a growing lineup that includes Peaches, Future Islands and Hear My Eyes doing Pan's Labyrinth to back up that statement. Across February and March 2023, ΩHM will take over the riverside spot with a program curated by Room40's Lawrence English alongside Brisbane Powerhouse Arts Program Director Brad Spolding, serving up a mix of big-name international headliners and emerging local acts — and gigs, cutting-edge shows and immersive installations. Peaches does the honours while she's in the country for Mona Foma, and Future Islands hits the fest as part of their first Aussie tour since 2017. Those two impressive headliners are part of ΩHM's previously announced first lineup drop, which also spans Monolake + Electric Indigo and The Chills, as well as Kae Tempest, Nakhane and black midi. There's more where that list of acts came from, too, with ΩHM turning its second program announcement into its big launch. Just announced today, Tuesday, November 29, ΩHM is screening Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth like viewers have never seen it before — with a brand-new live score by Sleep D. This premiere performance marks Hear My Eyes' return to Brisbane, and continues its spate of stunning film-and-music combos (see: its take on Chopper in 2022 in Sydney and Melbourne, plus past tours of No Country for Old Men with Tropical F*ck Storm and Suspiria with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard). Also joining the bill are audiovisual artist Robin Fox, Los Angeles-based composer Yann Novak and Iranian sound artist mHz, who'll serve up a triple bill of audiovisual performances. ΩHM will host the Australian premiere of Fox's Triptych straight from UNSOUND KRAKOW, featuring three RGB laser projectors working in synchronicity. If you've seen his past works — Night Sky for Brisbane Festival, Aqua Luma for Mona Foma 2021, BEACON for Mona Foma 2022 and MONOCHORD for Rising Festival 2022, for instance — you'll know you're in for something special. As for Novak, he'll be using sound and light to explore how both can focus one's awareness on their experiences, as informed by his partial colour blindness and dyslexia. And, New Zealand-based Iranian sound artist mHz will take inspiration from material and architecture to hone in on sound and light production. [caption id="attachment_880277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robin Fox, Single Origin, Diego Figueroa.[/caption] Also, Swiss artist Zimoun will present two installations, both Australian premieres and exclusive to Brisbane. His ΩHM berth marks his debut exhibiting to Aussie audiences in general, and will showcase his work with everyday and industrial materials to mix sound and architecture. "Works like Zimoun's kinetic sound sculptures, Robin Fox's expansive audiovisual laser environments and Hear My Eyes: Pan's Labyrinth x Sleep D exist at a special nexus of sight, sound and space," said English, announcing ΩHM's new additions. "These dynamic pieces capture intensity and energy matched with a fearless sense of focus. The works are simply mind-blowing." ΩHM runs throughout February and March at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the Powerhouse website. Top image: Hadley Hudson.
"Sometimes I think the only way to be truthful is to say nothing at all," says Thuso Lekwape's Johnny, reflecting on an evening spent with Charlotte's (Contessa Treffone) parents. The sentiment may not completely sum up Darlinghurst Theatre Company's latest production, but there is a sense that the play says an awful lot without conveying much of anything. The Mystery of Love and Sex, written by Bathsheba Doran, centres around Charlotte and Johnny, two American college students who have been friends for an age. Their relationship is easy, comfortable, solid — a bond that romance would only confuse. Charlotte's parents (Deborah Galanos and Nicholas Papademetriou) can't get their heads around this and try to nudge the pair into something more clear-cut. But Charlotte's in love with a girl from college. And Johnny has slept with a number of men he can't stand. Both are confused and as things get more complicated, the friendship starts to fray. The cast, directed by Anthony Skuse, are engaging, but the script seems to have a set-'em-up-knock-'em-down approach to the issues it explores. It tries to juggle questions about how friendship changes as we age, friendship versus marriage and how we come to terms with our sexual identities, but ends up flitting between them without ever stopping to pinpoint exactly what it's getting at. Except for an intimate scene shared by Charlotte and her mother, the second half quickly descends into an unsatisfying fairy tale. That said, Galanos' Lucinda is fantastic, pulling off a transition from quietly crumbling nicotine addict to a revolutionary for the hedonist cause within the space of the intermission. Lekwape's Johnny is understated, but he ages very convincingly over the course of the play. Papademetriou's Howard is amusingly and frustratingly paternal throughout, despite the script affording him very little development and Truffone manages a fine line with Charlotte, whose self-righteous streak might have been grating in other hands. Emma Vine's set runs pleasant interference on the naturalism of the text — a giant upside down tree sits menacingly to the side in the dusky pre-show light, while the majority of the action takes place on a large white wedge, its wonkiness geometrically jazzing up a few of the talkier scenes. "Weird is good," says Lucinda, attempting to comfort her daughter during the play. "Weird is life." The Mystery of Love and Sex, while performed capably, needs a few more doses of weirdness before it can be mistaken for the real thing.
Since Australia's COVID-19 restrictions started coming into place, everyone's weekend brunch plans have changed significantly. If you're still hankering for cafe-style smashed avo on toast, though, Sydney's Sonoma Bakery is here to help — all thanks to its new 'smashed avo at home' brunch packs. Teaming up with Australian Avocados, the bakery and cafe chain's packs come with a half-loaf of Sonoma's signature miche bread, two avocados and one small tub of spicy seed mix. You've had smashed avo enough to know what you need to do next — and you can now do just that in your own kitchen. The packs cost $15, and can be ordered via Bopple, with Sonoma open from 7am–2pm every day over the Easter long weekend. If you spend $20 in total on your order and you live within four kilometres of one of Sonoma's bakeries in Alexandria, Bondi, Leichhardt, Manly, Rose Bay, Waterloo and Woollahra, you can get it delivered for $10, too. Otherwise, you can also head in and pick up your brunch staple. While we all know what you'll be getting out of Sonoma's 'smashed avo at home' brunch packs (it's right there in the name), your purchase will also help support Aussie avocado farmers. Usually, they'd have no trouble supplying their fruit to the restaurant and cafe industry; however with folks now staying home and eateries only open for takeaway and delivery — if at all — that's definitely not the case at present. For further information about Sonoma Bakery's 'smashed avo at home' brunch packs, visit the chain's website. CORRECTION: APRIL 14, 2020 — This article previously stated that delivery of Sonoma's smashed avo at home packs was free, this is incorrect. Delivery is $10 and available within a four-kilometre radius. The above article has been updated to reflect this. If you're choosing to go out and support local businesses, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Ride-sharing isn't just about hopping in someone's car, getting a lift and avoiding a taxi queue. Over the past few years, scooter and electronic bicycle services have been popping up on Australia's streets, with companies such as Lime, oBike, Uber and Neuron Mobility bringing their fleets — usually in bright colours — to the nation's cities. In Sydney, Beam is the latest outfit to join the fold, courtesy of 50 purple-hued Apollo e-bikes that are now available to hire around Bondi. That number will grow in the coming weeks, topping out at 250, with bikes placed at parking around the Waverley area as well. Beam's launch is timed to coincide with Sydney's continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as well as the springtime weather — but if you're wondering what makes it different from the others, that's understandable. While e-bike services are typically dockless, meaning that you can finish your ride wherever you like and just leave your bike there, Beam offers designated parking spots. It calls the scheme 'virtual docking', with customers parking the bikes in predetermined places located by using the company's app. The aim is to solve a familiar problem. As anyone who has stumbled across a scooter or e-bike in an inconvenient location knows, these modes of transport can be left everywhere from roadways to the middle of footpaths. Indeed, back in 2018, the Waverley Council — which covers Bondi, Bronte, Vaucluse, Dover Heights, Bondi Junction, Waverley and parts of Rose Bay — started impounding dockless bikes dumped around the area. In the same year, the City of Sydney created bike sharing bays to help tackle the same issue. Beam users don't have to park the services bikes in its allocated spaces, though. It's encouraged, and parking in a designated spot is free, but you can choose to leave your ride somewhere else and pay a $4 fee. That doesn't seem like the biggest incentive to get people to do the right thing; however, it's better than nothing. When it comes to that other item that's often spotted in weird and awkward places, aka bike helmets, Beam is using bluetooth to lock them down. And, to deal with errant bikes and helmets, it has a team of rangers who are tasked with collecting them. Beam already operates scooters in Adelaide, in Bunbury in Western Australia, and in New Zealand, South Korea and Malaysia as well — but its Apollo e-bikes are making their worldwide debut in Sydney. If you're keen to hit the road, Beam isn't currently charging users to unlock its bikes, but you will pay 29 cents for every minute you're riding. That's part of the company's introductory special, which runs until Sunday, October 18. And for those wondering about the realities of hygiene and e-bike hire in this COVID-19 world, Beam advises that its bikes and helmets are coated with a long-lasting but non-toxic anti-microbial treatment — and regularly sanitised with disinfectant as well. Beam's Apollo e-bikes are now popping up around the Waverley Council area. For more information, head to the company's website.
Perusing the menu at Mentmore & Morley, one thing is very clear: the team behind this Rosebery eatery know its cafe fare. The menu is an expert curation of top morning meals; think ricotta pancakes, dukkha eggs and bacon and egg rolls. It's also punctuated with some left-of-field additions like bolognese mince on toast served with a poached egg and parmesan. What's more, it's gone full-steam on the classic brunch offering with a lengthy list of drinks. There are the obvious teas, coffees and juices, plus a most welcome addition of cocktails, wines and beers if you're so inclined. With a neutral palette, the fit-out is sleek, accented by indoor greenery and bold copper hanging lights. All in all, the cafe offers a fresh take on familiar territory, which is likely to see you want to visit again and again. Images: Kitti Gould.
Keen to get a big ol' dose of culture by the beach? A new arts prize has landed in Sydney's Northern Beaches, so you can check out some epic art right after (or before) a dip in the ocean. Dubbed the Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize, it was open to both established and emerging creative talents, receiving more than 800 entries. And, until Sunday, December 12, you can see the top 226 finalists across three of the beaches' top arts spaces: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Curl Curl Creative Space and Mona Vale Creative Pop-Up. The inaugural multi-venue exhibition displays contemporary works by Australian artists and designers, all offering unique perspectives on the natural world and our current environmental challenges. With eight categories — ceramics and small sculpture; functional design; wearable design; digital work, film and video; interdisciplinary collaboration; painting; works on paper and photography; and young artists and designers — there's a lot to see. So, you may want to set aside a few hours to hop between each venue. After you've seen all the works, you can even vote for you favourite work in the People's Choice Awards. On top of the exhibition, there are events that'll take your art viewing to greater depths. At Curl Curl Creative Space, you can catch a workshop on creating art with nature on Sunday, December 5, at 3pm. Otherwise, head to Mona Vale Creative Pop-Up and hear from the young finalists on their works and their hopes for the future. The inaugural Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize is on display across Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Curl Curl Creative Space and Mona Vale Creative Pop-Up until Sunday, December 12. The exhibition is open from 10am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday. [caption id="attachment_834184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Works L-R: Ivy Whiteman, Why the Sea is Boiling Hot; Gemma + Richard Rasdall, Table Lamp; Karina Teh, Citrus Prism; Susan Milne, Greg Stonehouse and Justin Martin, Gwabba Maia - Place of Joy at the Environmental Art & Design Prize 2021, Curl Curl Creative Space.[/caption]
'Help!' 'Come Together.' 'All You Need Is Love.' Songs and lyrics that have influenced countless people around the world. Young and old. Hip and square. At the height of The Beatles' popularity, John Lennon declared that the band was bigger than Jesus. For the three lost souls at the centre of Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed, his words might as well have been gospel. Taking its title from the opening verse of the Fab Four's psychedelic ballad 'Strawberry Fields Forever', this uplifting Spanish road movie takes place in 1966, at a time when the country was still under the thumb of the fascist General Franco. Javier Camara plays Antonio, a middle-aged English teacher and diehard Beatlemaniac who, after learning that Lennon is in Spain for a film shoot, makes it mission to meet the man himself. Shortly after hitting the road, Antonio picks up a pair of hitchhikers, both of whom want nothing more than to leave their pasts behind. Pretty young Belen (Natalia de Molina) is three months pregnant and has fled the monastery where she was sent to give birth to her fatherless child. Starry-eyed Juanjo (Francesc Colomer) is a teenager with long hair and an artistic streak. He too is running away, from the demands of his domineering father. All three actors do excellent work, their underdog characters all but impossible not to like. Camara, in particular, is perfectly cast as Antonio, an eternal optimist and nice-guy who remains steadfast in his belief he will get the chance to shake his hero's hand. The interplay between the three unlikely travelling companions is funny and disarming — and while the stakes of the film may not be particularly high, you can't help but feel invested in the journey. The politics of the era are confined mostly to the background. Franco and his conservative dictatorship can be felt whenever someone turns on the radio, blaring dour Catholic masses rather than music. The film's overwhelming vibe is one of positivity and acceptance. As such, writer-director David Trueba treats the regime like the bullies that they were, doomed to be defeated by a belief in something more. Maybe that sounds a little twee, but then again, that's what The Beatles were about. Living Is Easy captures the spirit of the band — their energy, their idealism, and the hope that they inspired. It's a shame the film contains next to none of their actual music, presumably because it's so exorbitantly expensive to license. No matter. Life, as they say, goes on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uO1jXG38XbM
