When the sizeable estate that Elizabeth Bay House formerly sat on was subdivided in the 1920s — with the mansion remaining, but its grounds broken up — the move eventually gave rise to Arthur McElhone Reserve. Named for a Sydney alderman and designed by council employee Ilmar Berzins, it sits on three old lots that remained unsold in the 1940s. Whether you decide to peer back at the house or down at Sydney Harbour, you'll find a peaceful patch of nature. Bringing a picnic and relaxing among the flowers is recommended. So is checking out the ornamental lake and its stone bridge.
The spot that was home to North Bondi Italian has to be one of Australia's most enticing restaurant venues: million-dollar views, proximity to the waves and a ready-made crowd of surfed-out, ravenous diners. Ever since Robert Marchetti and Maurice Terzini handed over the keys to Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan in late September, locals have had to be content with salivating from afar, wondering what culinary adventures the unstoppable team would take on next. Today they can finally find out for themselves. And the name pretty much says it all: North Bondi Fish. From here on in, beach-loving foodies will be able to cruise their last wave and, within minutes, be sitting in front of simple, freshly cooked seafood, accompanied by their choice(s) from a Matt Dunne-curated, 20-strong wine list. The emphasis is on quality produce, transformed into light, accessible, tasty meals and snacks, with fish cooked on an Inka Grill. Several Matt Moran favourites are on the list, including his very own fish fingers; grilled snapper with asparagus, pea shoots and avocado; prawn roll; sweet potato scallops; and yellow-fin tuna ceviche. Dessert? A selection of utterly decadent ice-cream sundaes has that covered. Non-winos can enjoy some tempting and very drinkable alternatives, including North Bondi Fish specials, the North Bondi Crush (Campari and fresh watermelon in a jar) and the North Bondi Colada (Havana Club, pineapple juice, passionfruit pulp, coconut syrup and fresh lime). The classic gin and tonic is given an array of treatments, and there’s also an ultimate summer tipple, in the way of the Aperol Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, soda and fresh orange). To suit the coastal location, and the salty, sandy realities of beachside wining and dining, the restaurant has donned a relaxed, casual interior, evocative of what you might find in Mediterranean climes. Communal wooden benches and tables are lit with playful dashes of colour that travel outwards to the verandahs. In the words of Matt Moran, "North Bondi Fish is for the locals. It's relaxed, it's fun and it's no fuss. It is the kind of place you head to for something good to eat anytime of the day, even while still in your thongs and boardies." North Bondi Fish is at 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, from midday till late, with the full menu available all day. Bookings are available on (02) 9130 2155.
Us Aussies might not get to enjoy a white Christmas here on home turf, but that doesn't mean we can't indulge in all the classic wintery yuletide treats. Think, fruit mince pies, creamy egg nog and spiced gingerbread fresh from the oven. Or hey, how about a festive fusion of gingerbread and gin, like you'll find in the latest drop from The Craft & Co? The Collingwood distillery has just announced the return of its cult favourite Gingerbread Gin, a seasonal creation that's been steadily growing in popularity since debuting in 2019. Having just scooped another medal at last month's Australian Gin Awards, the spiced tipple is once again heading to a bottle shop shelf near you, with this year's edition now available to buy from The Craft & Co's online store and select booze retailers. The spirit is a nod to one of the classic food and drink pairings, inspired by stories from 18th-century England, when Brits would apparently warm the cockles with a combination of hot gin and gingerbread. The Craft & Co's riff on this concept takes the form of a rich, smooth gin, with warming flavours imparted by a mix of cinnamon, macerated ginger root, smashed nutmeg and tonka bean. It's unfiltered and clocks in with an ABV of 40 percent. So, how to put this Gingerbread Gin to good use? Apart from sipping it neat or on ice for a quick hit of Christmas cheer, the distillers recommend matching the drink with some blood orange soda or ginger beer. We're told it also works a treat in milky cocktails, and you can find recipes for a Gingerbread Gin Alexander and a Gingerbread Gin Egg Nog over on The Craft & Co's website. You can grab a Gingerbread Gin for $85 from The Craft & Co's online store or at its cellar door at 390 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's also available from select retailers including Dan Murphy's, BWS and Boozebud.
You've made it through Sydney Beer Week in one piece — congratulations. Your head is still throbbing and all you want to do is drink a gallon of water and sleep in a dark room. You could do that, or you could go for the best cleanse out there: SBW's hair of the dog breakfast. A hangover cure of hangover cures, this feast will match six courses with eight expertly paired beers, all hosted by the Rocks Brewing Co. After this, you'll be right as rain and that hangover will be a thing of memory.
Whether you're in lockdown, working from home, social distancing in general or just in need of a pick-me-up, your day could always do with a few more cute animals. And, if you didn't realise this before the pandemic, you definitely will have over the past 18 months: the internet is always happy to oblige. Over the last year or so, Melbourne's zoos have live-streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, while Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong — and the Wild Life zoo opted for cuddles with quokkas, and Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary went with a non-stop look at one of Australia's cutest native marsupials. The list of animal-focused streams has kept growing, too, including Melbourne Aquarium's own series of meditation and relaxation videos. And now, also from Melbourne, a den of small-clawed otters are getting in on the fun. Melbourne Zoo set up this webcam last year, actually, when it was trained on the venue's four Asian small-clawed otter pups. Now, it's still capturing the little cuties — and their parents — via two cameras. The word you're looking for? "Awwwwwwww," obviously. The pups were born in February last year to otter parents Paula and Odie, who became the first of their species to breed at the Victorian site since back in 2011. And, whether they're sleeping or playfully fighting — a type of behaviour that helps them bond — these little critters are immensely adorable. The otter webcam joins Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal, where you can also peer at the aforementioned penguins, snow leopards and giraffes — and lions, too. As the otter live-stream runs all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your usual plans — and, on weekdays, your productivity — but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal via its website. Images: Zoos Victoria
After more than a year of teasing — including initial hints in 2019, official confirmation in 2020, a first teaser a week ago and a full trailer a couple of days back — Friends: The Reunion will finally hit screens this month. HBO's US streaming platform HBO Max has gotten the gang back together, reuniting Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow to chat about orange couches, smelly cats and whether a couple is on a break. And, in just-announced news, Australian viewers will be able to get their own hefty dose of 90s sitcom nostalgia at the same time as folks in America. Local streaming platform Binge has just announced that Friends: The Reunion will hit the platform at 5.02pm on Thursday, May 27. Aussie fans were always going to be able to watch the special somewhere, and Binge was always the likely destination, but that has only been confirmed less than a week out from the show's airdate. Dubbed 'The One Where They Get Back Together' in the special's teasers, the reunion comes 27 years since the TV sitcom about six New Yorkers made audiences a promise: that it'd be there for us. And, as well as making stars out of Aniston, Cox, Perry, LeBlanc, Schwimmer and Kudrow, Friends has done just that. Sure, the hit series wrapped up its ten-season run in 2004, but the show has lived on — on streaming platforms, by sending an orange couch around Australia, by screening anniversary marathons in cinemas and in boozy brunch parties, for example. Friends: The Reunion promises to take pop culture's lingering affection for the show to another level, though. During the unscripted special, the actors behind Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross and Phoebe will chat about their experiences on and memories of the show — all on the same soundstage where Friends was originally shot, so expect to see some familiar faces and some recognisable decor. Aniston, Cox and the gang also have a few other famous pals for company, with the hefty guest lineup spanning folks with connections to the show and others that must just love it. On the list: David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin and Mindy Kaling, as well as Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai. Check out the Friends: The Reunion trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYB1HvwHnkg Friends: The Reunion will be available to stream in Australia via Binge, hitting the platform at 5.02pm on Thursday, May 27.
When word arrived in 2021 that Australia was getting a new European-focused film festival, it couldn't have been better news for movie lovers. Europa! Europa is all about showcasing flicks from across the whole continent, so you can see the latest and greatest titles from France, Spain, Italy, Romania and more all at the one event — and, ahead of its February debut in Sydney and Melbourne, the fest has just revealed its full inaugural 2022 program. In total, 43 features from 42 countries will grace the festival's screens during its runs in both capitals, which'll kick off on Friday, February 4 and play through until Sunday, February 27 — at Sydney's Ritz Cinemas in Randwick, and Melbourne's Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn. If you can't wait till the nation's country-specific fests arrive later in the year, such as the standalone French and Italian events, or until Sydney Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival roll around for 2022, there's plenty to tempt you into a darkened theatre this summer. Opening the lineup is The Souvenir Part II, sequel to 2019's exceptional The Souvenir — which means that Europa! Europa is launching with the new team-up between rising star Honor Swinton Byrne and her mother Tilda Swinton. The follow-up picks up where the first movie left off, with Swinton Byrne's aspiring filmmaker attempting to cope with the tragic events of the last flick, all while she shoots her next project. Once again directed by British helmer Joanna Hogg, it'll start the festival in sublime form. (And if you're keen to see the original, it's on the bill as well.) Also bookending the fest: closing night's France from inimitable writer/director Bruno Dumont (Joan of Arc, P'tit Quinquin). A satire of the media industry, it stars No Time to Die and The French Dispatch's Léa Seydoux as a journalist forced to navigate the aftermath of injuring a pedestrian in a traffic accident. Other standouts include 13 films that were submitted as their country's entries for this year's Best International Feature Film Oscar, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina's social-realist fairytale The White Fortress and North Macedonia's Sisterhood, which is about toxic friendships — and a number of titles that wowed last year's Cannes Film Festivals, like Norwegian supernatural thriller The Innocents and the Before Sunrise-esque train-set love story Compartment No 6. Or, there's also Andrea Arnold's (American Honey) Cow, aka the most gripping and moving documentary portrait of a dairy cow's life that you're ever likely to see; Earwig, the English-language debut of acclaimed French director Lucile Hadžihalilovic (Innocence, Evolution); Vortex, which sees Climax filmmaker Gaspar Noé swap his usual wild fare for an Amour-style look at ageing; and No Fucks Given, starring Blue Is the Warmest Colour's Adèle Exarchopoulos as a flight attendant for a low-cost airline. And yes, if you've spotted more than a few high-profile European directors mentioned above, that's because highlighting the best filmmakers the continent has is also one of Europa! Europa's big aims. Europa! Europa will screen in Sydney and Melbourne between Friday, February 4–Sunday, February 27. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
Join Seasoned Music for their Autumn 2012 event. Every change in season they create a one-off boutique music event. These high-end parties provide unforgettable experiences for revellers. This season's event is inspired by the concept of a German beer garden. Expect plenty of schnitzels and imported beer, to be enjoyed to the tune of some of the world's most-renowned musical artists. Sip your beer amid twinkling fairy lights and naturally, huge, high-quality speakers. The event is as much about the atmosphere as it is the music. Arrive early and dressed to impress. The enchanted autumn evening ahead of you is sure to make you forget your end-of-summer woes. Tickets to Seasoned Music are available here through Moshtix.
Now this is a playground for the ages. January's Sydney Festival will see the brand new Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve house one of the largest community events in festival's 40 years. Olivier Grossetête’s The Ephemeral City invites Sydneysiders to use boxes and tape to create a temporary city — one which will be excitedly demolished come Australia Day. This unprecedented project also includes a free Flying Fox zipline, a projection of Shaun Gladwell’s Skateboarders vs Minimalism and a full audio-visual experience at Gallery Hour. The best part? The entire Barangaroo program is absolutely free. Check out more of the best Sydney Festival events under $50 here. Image: Vincent Lucas
When Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Captain America and their fellow caped-crusader pals all cross paths on-screen, they do so within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it's Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's turn, they populate the DC Extended Universe. But these kind of big-screen franchises aren't just the domain of superheroes. In the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, for instance, a number of Spider-Man supervillains are getting their own interconnected movies. First came 2018's Venom, starring Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) as a journalist who is forced to share his body with an alien symbiote. Next year — delayed from 2020 — Morbius will see Jared Leto (The Little Things) play a figure also known as the "Living Vampire". In-between the two, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is also hitting screens. The initial flick about Hardy's Eddie Brock and his parasitic pal did ridiculously big business at the box office, so it was always going to get a sequel. Due to hit cinemas Down Under this October — after being delayed from its September release date — Venom: Let There Be Carnage signals its other main point of focus in its title. This time around, Venom isn't the only formidable figure that Brock has to deal with, with Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) joining the cast as Carnage. For those who haven't dived deep into Spider-Man's comic book history, Carnage is another of the web-slinger's adversaries. Inhabiting the body of a serial killer called Cletus Kasady, he's also Venom's nemesis. And while Eddie's life isn't all that straightforward as seen in both the original Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer and the just-dropped new sneak peek — living in harmony with Venom is about as easy as it sounds — things get a whole lot more chaotic when Carnage enters the scene. As these two villains face off, here's hoping that Venom: Let There Be Carnage gives Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) more to do than the first Venom movie did, with the four-time Oscar-nominee returning as Eddie's ex-fiancée. Also seen briefly in the trailers: Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as yet another Spider-Man villain, Shriek, plus Stephen Graham (The Virtues) as Detective Mulligan. And, behind the lens, Lord of the Rings actor-turned-Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle filmmaker Andy Serkis directs. Check out the latest trailer below: Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas sometime in October — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
Polyamory (loving two or more people, sincerely, at the same time) from the outside tends to look a bit like piloting a fighter jet, requiring talent, instinct and a lot of practice. But it looks to me like it can be done, and done well. One half of Serial Space's upcoming debators are happy to agree with me, the other half are happy to see my heart pulled apart in two equally well-loved directions. As part of their series of Great Debates, Serial Space is hosting The Great Love Debate - That Polyamory Doesn't Work, to put the idea to bed once and for all. Debating for the affirmative are Imperial Panda regular Eddie Sharp, Angela Bowne Anderson and ACON icon Siri May. Contradicting are Performance-Spacer Lara Thoms (who is either Spat or Loogie), as well as Nigel Cox and Jess Keen. Recently preggers Nick Coyle is adjudicating, and you can relax after the love-fueled bloodletting to the discs of Tyson Koh alter-ego Baron Mundi. Serial Space is home to deep thinkers and agile speakers. You may or may not find yourself changing your mind, partner or preconceptions, but you're likely to fall in love with all on stage.
Western Sydney is set to score an ambitious new academic precinct, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing plans for a second University of Sydney campus to be built in Westmead. Part of the University's promise to invest a cool $500 million towards the region's future, the new campus is expected to host over 6000 students by 2030, and potentially up to 25,000 by the year 2050. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the campus would be located on the site of Cumberland Hospital, and right near Westmead Hospital. As such, the new campus would have a focus on research and health. The university's Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence AC said in a statement that the Westmead campus will focus on "the opportunities and challenges posed by disruptive changes at the intersection of technology and the human experience", which means things like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and data would be some of the main topics studied. The University of Sydney has the Berejiklian Government's support, so it will now enter into a two-year negotiation period with Health Infrastructure NSW and UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation. A master plan should be released after that. The new campus is part of a huge push to boost Sydney's Western infrastructure and services to allow it to act like Sydney's 'second CBD'. As part of the State Government's $1 billion Westmead Hospital Redevelopment, plans for the site also include a research-led education facility backing the Westmead Health and Education Precinct, affordable housing options and public services including a new school. The new uni will join join Western Sydney University, which had campuses in Bankstown, Parramatta and Campbelltown, among others. Other significant plans for the area include a second Sydney airport to be built at Badgerys Creek by 2026, major improvements to transport infrastructure (like the Parramatta Light Rail and the Sydney Metro West project, which includes a high-speed underground tunnel linking the two CBDs) and the $2 billion mixed-use redevelopment they're calling Parramatta Square.
There's no missing the iconic Sirius building, with its Brutalist, box-like design standing tall by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Alas, despite public rallies and crowdfunding campaigns to save the building, and even court intervention against the New South Wales government's plan to sell it off, it was put up for sale in December. For the city, that means farewelling the distinctive structure as we know it. What Sirius' future holds is uncertain — though, sadly, it's likely to be bought by developers, and then demolished to make room for new apartments — but Sydneysiders can take one last wander through the building as it currently stands. Before it closes in February, The Historic Houses Association of Australia and the Save Our Sirius Foundation have organised a final public walkthrough. Sirius architect Tao Gofers, aka the man behind the design, will lead attendees through the 79-unit tower, up to the top floor still inhabited by the final remaining resident, 91-year-old Myra Demetriou, until next month. It's a historic chance to take a last tour of a historic site, which not only proves an important part of '70s history and a great example of Brutalist architecture, but also provided public housing — allowing people on low incomes to live in the centre of this expensive city and enjoy harbour views. The last hurrah takes place at 10am on January 13, and snapping up a ticket early is recommended, as it's certain to be popular. Images: Barton Taylor, Katherine Lu.
As if Bill Murray's moustache wasn't excitement enough, the entire soundtrack to Wes Anderson's new film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, is currently streaming ahead of its release at Pitchfork. And true to the director's form, the 32 songs have enough whimsy and intrigue in them to knock Jude Law on his pipe-smoking, tweed-wearing back. Unlike Anderson's more gutsy early offerings like Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, the Grand Budapest soundtrack easily favours Russian folk songs over anything like The Ramones or The Velvet Underground. In that way, it's much more akin to the music found in Moonrise Kingdom or Fantastic Mr. Fox — one could easily imagine the characters scurrying around while looking at ornate objects from above. In fact, that's what the film looks like as a whole. From the trailers already released it seems much less like Wes's early, thoughtful character studies, and much more a madcap reunion of his on-screen favourites. Not that we're ones to complain about another opportunity to see Jason Schwartzman with cigarettes morosely hanging out of his mouth, or Bill Murray in high-waisted pants. Like all things Wes, this soundtrack is an acquired taste. If you're already a fan, the music has the ability to transport you — its folksiness is almost otherworldly. If you're not, we recommend you stay clear of it. If Wes couldn't win you over with The Beatles and Elliott Smith, I doubt the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra is going to do the trick. The Grand Budapest Hotel will be released in Australian cinemas on April 10. Stream the soundtrack here.
It's been five weeks since two young people died of suspected drug overdoses at Sydney music festival Defqon 1. A few days later, the NSW Government responded by assembling an expert panel to advise on ways to improve safety at our festivals. Now, those panelists — including Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Philip Crawford — have revealed their recommendations, outlined in the Keeping People Safe At Music Festivals report. The advice is mainly centred around three points: new liquor licences for festivals, improved harm-reduction education and harsher penalties for those caught with drugs. Pill testing, however, has not been considered. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has already responded to the report, confirming the government will introduce a new licensing regime specifically for music festivals, provide more support for health workers at festivals and will trial on-the-spot fines for anyone caught in possession of drugs at music festivals. The SMH has reported this fine to be around $400-500. In a press conference after the report was released, Ms Berejiklian also confirmed that harsher penalties would be introduced for people who supply an illegal drug that causes someone's, and could see them spend 10-25 years in jail. If you've been keeping tabs on the situation, it'll come as little surprise that pill testing wasn't even on the table, given the government's very vocal stance against the concept. In fact, in the press conference, Mr Fuller even labelled the idea of pill testing saving lives as "a myth". Plenty of pill testing advocates have taken to social media to slam his suggestion, and the expert panel report as a whole. Most are citing extensive research that's been undertaken overseas, as well as the pill testing trial that took place at Canberra's Groovin The Moo festival earlier this year, as proof of pill testing's success as a life-saving measure. Dear @nswpolice and Commissioner Mick Fuller, here's a 42 page 'myth' detailing an empirically evaluated pill testing program conducted in Australia. We have the evidence. Disregarding it is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous policy. https://t.co/hKCN1hTpTB — Tim Powell (@TJ_Powell1) October 23, 2018 https://twitter.com/RichardDiNatale/status/1054572370596253696 You can read the full Keeping People Safe At Music Festivals report here.
Sydneysiders, after almost three weeks in lockdown now, you're probably quite sick of the sight of your own four walls. But with high local COVID-19 case numbers continuing to be reported daily — including 97 new cases identified in the 24 hours until 8pm yesterday, Tuesday, July 13 — the lockdown conditions currently in place in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions aren't going to end anytime soon. This time last week, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian extended the lockdown until Friday, July 16. Today, Wednesday, July 14, she has just announced that it will continue for at least another two weeks beyond that. So, 11.59pm on Friday, July 30 is the new possible end time and date — but whether lockdown does finish then will obviously depend upon case numbers in a fortnight. "It always hurts to say this, but we need to extend the lockdown for at least another two weeks," said the Premier. "We will assess the situation at the end of those two weeks and provide information beyond that," she continued. Folks currently in lockdown will remain under the same conditions that are presently in place — with the stay-at-home rules in these areas getting stricter back on Friday, July 9. Since then, rules around face masks have expanded, too, as have testing requirements for some workers. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1415113868183937026 Accordingly, everyone in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. And, you can still only exercise in groups of two outdoors — or as a household. You can also only get sweaty within your local government area, or within ten kilometres of where you live. And, you're still not permitted to carpool with anyone outside of your household when it comes to exercising, or in general. If you need supplies, only one person from each household can go out shopping each day to buy essential items — and browsing is prohibited, too. No one can have anyone over to their house, either — other than for care purposes, which includes intimate partners. Announcing the lockdown extension, the Premier advised that it is "the number of infections in the community we want to get down to zero" before the NSW Government can consider lifting the stay-at-home conditions. "If we have cases in isolation, that is less of a concern to us, and I want to make that clear. The number that would worry us in the last 24 hours is the 24 number. Twenty-four people were infectious in the community. We need to get that down to as close to zero as possible," she said. "The advice on the two weeks is provided through health. We will know at the end of two weeks to what extent we need to extend the lockdown," the Premier continued. "There are a number of issues we won't know until we have further data. Remember, the impact of some of the changes we have put in place will not be found for the next few days." As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. The current lockdown in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will now continue until at least Friday, July 30. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
From slinging back a shot of whisky with a frosty lager to chase, to sampling a flight of single malts with paired craft brews, whisky and beer have walked hand in hand for years. But what is it about these two particular drinks that just works? What other possibilities exist on the horizon of adult beverages, beyond the humble boilermaker? We caught up with Michael Nouri, brand ambassador of single malt whisky, Auchentoshan (pronounced 'ock-un-tosh-un'), to delve deeper into the world of fermented grains. No stranger to the heavenly duo, Auchentoshan are serving up their own take on whisky and beer throughout June in Sydney and Melbourne with the Auchentoshan & Ale, a refreshing cocktail of Auchentoshan American Oak, pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. So strap in, friends, to see why whisky and beer make up a power couple that rivals even the Underwoods. THE IRREFUTABLE FACTS OF CHEMISTRY While the idea of actually mixing whisky and beer together might seem a little counterintuitive, the result exposes a whole new level of flavours. By the very nature of their chemistry, the brew and spirit are simply destined to be partners in crime. "Whisky starts its life as beer," Michael explains, so from the get go, the two share characteristics that complement one another. "You're taking whisky back to its origins. The spirit has a great cereal-like, grain structure to its flavour profile, and so does beer," so putting the two together is a no brainer, like with the Auchentoshan & Ale, where the scotch's distinctive nut and citrus base notes match those of many pale ales. However, even though whisky and beer have so much in common, another important part of the pairing equation is the fact that they're also so different. As their shared characteristics are enhanced by combining the two, the differing aspects of their profiles are also accentuated. Since beer is so refreshing, it adds a nice counterbalance to the warmth and intensity of a straight spirit like whisky, Michael explains. Auchentoshan American Oak, for example, balances the sweetness of the oak with the subtle fruity hops and citrus acidity of pale ale; ice-cold frothiness meets with a slick heat, and that's where the magic happens. "You know what whisky tastes like, and you know what beer tastes like, but when you put them together, it's a completely different beast." AN ENDLESS WORLD OF POSSIBILITY When you've got two ingredients that both complement and contrast each other, you're left with a combination that's too great to fail, and what's even better is how there's an absolutely endless stream of pairing possibilities. From matching a young bourbon to a rich porter, to combining a crisp pale ale with a rounded scotch like in the Auchentoshan & Ale, there are endless whiskies and beers to try together, and the industry is always coming out with new variations. "The beer camp, just by virtue of the industry itself, is quite progressive," Michael says. And while the whisky world can be a little conservative, it is catching up with new trends and ideas. You have distillers like Auchentoshan who are challenging the norms, and triple distilling their whisky to create a delicate flavour that's great on its own, but also makes for an interesting drop to experiment with. "You've got a whole variety of experimentation happening now, with different grains, with rice, with quinoa and a whole variety of other stuff," and these new variations mean boundless products to pair up. BEYOND THE BOILERMAKER With these endless possibilities, comes a lot of experimentation. The boilermaker is almost old hat now that both brewers and distillers are trialling more and more combination styles. "That's the whole beauty of what we do, it's experimental. We're trying new things, we're discovering combinations, and we're finding new ways to bring something interesting to people that they've never thought was interesting before" — like combining scotch, pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup into one refreshing tipple. But when it all comes down to it, it's important to bear in mind that "ultimately, all you want to do is sit there, close your eyes and enjoy that drink." We couldn't agree more. Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy an Auchentoshan & Ale found around Sydney and Melbourne until the end of June.
Russian photographer and world traveller Murad Osmann is asking his Twitter fans to #followmeto all the incredible, exotic places he and his girlfriend have been exploring across the globe. And his followers, plus millions of other people across the internet, are certainly having no trouble doing that: Osmann's photographic journey takes viewers on a trip of their own, which is stunning in more ways than one. Osmann's series depicts backgrounds of beautiful scenery from the most distinct and glorious cities, mountains, buildings, and even shopping centres around the world. The feature that sets his photographs apart from other scenic pictures, however, is the subject within each and every image: Osmann's girlfriend appears with her back to the lens in the centre of each frame, clasping her lover's hand and leading him to these various attractions — however, often due to her limited clothing, she herself may easily become the main attraction of the shot. The idea for the image series first began in Barcelona in 2011 when the photographer's girlfriend got fed up with him snapping every sight they saw and consequently tried to pull him away from the lens. Instead, this gave birth to the vast photo series that the loved-up couple have been working together on practically ever since. From his hometown Moscow to his study-town London, holiday spots such as San Sebastian and Disneyland, and even more mundane scenes such as riding an escalator or being pushed in a shopping trolley, take a look at these original and dazzling images that will be sure to make you want to travel the world with your loved one. Via Daily Mail. Rooftop Pool, Singapore Entering the Gates of Disneyland, California The Meadows of Austria The Rice Fields in Bali The Big Ben and House of Parliament, London The Lovebirds Fly High in a Hot Air Balloon San Sebastian, Spain The Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow The Back Streets of Venice Strolling through the Aisles of Ikea 10,000 Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
From global behemoth Netflix to the arthouse, indie and documentary-focused Kanopy, picking a streaming platform can take as much time as actually picking something to watch on a streaming platform. The latest to enter the market has quite the point of difference, however — and not just because it's free. If viewing the likes of Bronson, Drive, Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon has you on the same wavelength as filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, then you're in luck — the Danish writer/director has started his own streaming service. Called byNWR.com, it's a self-appointed "an unadulterated expressway for the arts", according to the site itself. After opening in beta in July, it's now officially up and running. A venture in conjunction with existing platform Mubi as well as the Harvard Film Archive, byNWR.com highlights a different restored cult classic each month, with the selection picked by a guest editor. Each film is supported by content themed around the chosen flick, such as essays, videos, photos and music. If you're thinking that you've probably seen the movies on offer (and that they're probably available elsewhere), think again. The site launched with three titles chosen by journalist Jimmy McDonough, and it's highly unlikely that you've watched and rewatched 1965 horror effort The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds, 1967's Hot Thrills and Warm Chills and 1967's Shanty Tramp endlessly, or even seen them on a big or small screen recently. The second volume will start rolling out from September, and will include 1961 thriller Night Tide starring Dennis Hopper, 1971's If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?, and 1967's Spring Night, Summer Night — all curated by film publication Little White Lies. "I hope my site will inspire people to see the world a different way," Refn explained The Guardian, while also touching upon something fans of the filmmaker's own work will be more than familiar with: pushing people out of their comfort zones. If Refn's choices sound like the kind of thing you would like to see in a cinema, Little White Lies also reports that the streaming site will be accompanied by special screenings around the globe.
When January 2022 arrives, it won't just mark the welcome start of a brand new year after the past couple have been so chaotic. Also rolling around when 2021 slinks off into the past forever: the return of Sydney's beloved Westpac Openair Cinema. Come Thursday, January 6, Mrs Macquaries Point will once again play host to the most spectacular big screen in the city — and to quite the impressive list of flicks that'll play with panoramic views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge as their stunning backdrop. At the beginning of November, Westpac Openair confirmed its 2022 summer dates — and now the event has locked in all the movies that'll be showing across its 48-night season until Tuesday, February 22. Big names, big potential award-winners and big recent favourites are all set to flicker across the outdoor cinema's 350-square-metre screen, kicking off with a preview screening of the Will Smith-starring biopic King Richard, where he plays the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams. Other brand-new highlights include advanced screenings of Spencer, with Kristen Stewart stepping into Princess Diana's shoes; Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley, his first film after making such an award-winning splash with The Shape of Water; and Pedro Almodovar's Parallel Mothers, aka the movie that won Penelope Cruz the Best Actress prize at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. There's also the Australian premiere of Death on the Nile, which sees Agatha Christie's famed detective Hercule Poirot return to the big screen in the follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express — and, as well as playing the sleuth, Kenneth Branagh also has his latest directorial effort Belfast, as based on his own childhood, hitting Westpac Openair as well. On Valentine's Day, the latest film adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac — this time just called Cyrano, and starring Peter Dinklage — will screen, while other sneak-peek sessions include the Javier Bardem-starring The Good Boss, C'Mon C'Mon with Joaquin Phoenix, and stellar Australian revenge drama The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson. Or, if you haven't yet caught new Bond flick No Time to Die, it's showing multiple times. Plus, other films that'll play Westpac Openair after hitting regular cinemas include Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence-starring comet comedy Don't Look Up, sci-fi spectacle Dune, Jane Campion's exquisite western The Power of the Dog, fashion drama House of Gucci, Steven Spielberg's new version of West Side Story, Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza and the fourth Matrix flick The Matrix Resurrections. Because the films and the location are only part of the fun here, Westpac Openair will also be slinging cocktails, serving up food by Kitchen by Mike and its chef Mike McEnearney — this time with a Mexican barbecue twist — and enlisting FBi radio's DJs to spin pre-film tunes. Tickets always go fast for the outdoor cinema's season, so getting in quick when they go on sale in early December is recommended. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac Openair 2022 runs from Thursday, January 6 –Tuesday, February 22. Tickets go on sale from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, December 8, with pre-sales from 9am AEDT on Monday, December 6–5pm AEDT Tuesday, December 7. For more details, head to the event's website. Images: Fiora Sacco
Celebrating a white Christmas is at the top of many people's bucket lists — and now you can cross it off with the German International School Sydney's annual Christmas Market. Held on August 17–18, the market brings festive cheer to Sydney's northern beaches with a host of open-air market stalls, traditional German food, fairy lights and music. Before you explore, grab a mug of warm and spicy mulled wine from the Glühwein Hut. The market will be overflowing with traditional German cuisine, including favourites such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, pancakes and pretzels. Styled like a classic European Christmas market, the array of stalls will be covered in charming fairy lights with many offering a range of high quality local produce, festive decorations, homewares, jewellery and more. There will also be a giant inflatable 'snow globe' with fake snow that you can step inside, a bonfire that'll keep you thawed and some marshmallows going around that could use some light toasting on the flames. The German Christmas Market will run from 5–9pm on Friday, August 17, and 4–9pm on Saturday, August 18.
Look, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Following on from the success of similar places in New York and Amsterdam, Australia's first avocado pop-up cafe is coming to Sydney. And it'll be avocado everything, seven days a week. Don't act surprised — we created this monster. The pop-up — named Good Fat, because everyone knows that's the best health benefit/justification for eating copious amounts of avo smash — will opens its doors on November 2 in Surry Hills with about 20 items on the menu that incorporate avocado. Sydneysiders will be able to indulge in creations such as the avocado breakfast skin (an avocado smoothie bowl served in its own skin) and a Cornetto-inspired avo ice cream cone. If you haven't already twigged, the whole thing is a promo for Australian Avocados, a non-profit representative body for the Australian avocado industry. But even so, avocados are a brand we're happy to support with our love and money. If you feel the same, the pop-up will be open will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner until November 30 and all dishes will be under $20. Good Fat will be open from November 2–30, from 7am to 9pm on Monday through Saturday and 8pm to 5pm on Sundays, at 355 Crown Street, Surry Hills.
If you're a fan of IKEA, but think those huge, daunting warehouses are the stuff of panic attacks, here's some news to make you very happy indeed — the Swedish furniture giant has just launched a new kind of retail offering, and its size and style is looking a whole lot easier to manage. The brand's Australian arm has unveiled its first Home Planning Studio, a small-format store that's made its home inside Westfield Warringah Mall. And it clocks in at just 98 square metres — a fraction of the size of Sydney's Tempe and Rhode stores. A departure from the standard IKEA caper, the new offering's focused only on kitchen and bedroom planning, with a bevvy of staff on hand to coach you through the experience via one-on-one consultations and nifty tablets. A two-hour planning session will set you back $99, which is refunded on purchase. So, if you're just whipping your loo into shape or sprucing up that kitchen, you can forego the mammoth IKEA warehouse adventure and breeze through here instead. And you can do so using some first-of-its-kind technology, too. An in-house projector will let customers envisage different wardrobe solutions in their homes, while a "digital shopping wall" will let you browse and 'shop' IKEA's full range of products. Once you've finished virtually shopping, the list will be transferred to your phone and you'll be able to finish the transaction online. As an added bonus, the space itself reads like a bubble of serenity (supposedly). The bedroom zone is complete with wafting floral scents and a plethora of wardrobe storage solutions. Meanwhile, the kitchen planning section apparently takes the form of a "wellness sanctuary", offering a raft of storage options aimed at the eco-friendly home chef and entertainer.
It's a special birthday for one of Sydney's favourite art events, as 2016 marks twenty strong years from Sculpture by the Sea. Kicking off on Thursday, October 20, two clicks of Australia's most picturesque coastline in Bondi will be transformed into a living, breathing artscape. It's clear that the field of artists that make it through really are the best at what they do; with nearly 500 submissions coming in from 27 countries around the world, the competition is fierce. There's also the chance for a chin wag with the artists themselves at the Aqualand Artist Talks series, which will run from 11am till 3pm on at Marks Park and Tamarama each weekend. Have a chat with the creators to find out more about their inspiration and vision. Plus, The Grounds of Alexandria have once again erected a pop-up cafe for the event, this year going with an Arizona-style hacienda at Tama. So keep your fingers crossed for good weather — the whole thing runs until November 6. Image: Karen Macher Nesta, Sea Sponges, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2016. By Jessica Wyld.
Three Blue Ducks is expanding its collection of ever-popular farm-to-table eateries with a new road trip-worthy regional restaurant. Following the opening of a Snowy Mountains outpost in 2020 (and closures of its Brisbane restaurant and original Bronte cafe), the hospitality group has now turned its attention to the New South Wales mid-north coast to showcase the area's renowned produce at a venue in Bellingen. Opening on Thursday, July 13, this new addition to the Three Blue Ducks family will be located at scenic Bellingen hotel The Lodge, expanding the group's current slate of locations to five alongside Rosebery, Byron Bay, Melbourne and Nimbo. Located on the hotel's 16-acre gardens, the restaurant will offer all of the hallmarks of Three Blue Ducks with a menu that favours bold, spice-packed dishes. "We've always loved working with spice, lemongrass, ginger, chilli, makrut, et cetera, and after working closely with the local producers and farmers, we've created a menu for the restaurant that showcases these flavours," says Three Blue Ducks' Darren Robertson. "The menu draws from some of the favourite dishes we've cooked during our travels and at our other locations over the years, combined with new dishes to keep it fresh and exciting for us, our staff and people that drop in." The Three Blue Ducks crew has been working with a range of local suppliers including Levenvale Farms, The Patch Organics, Nautical Wholesale Seafood, Coffs Coast Mushrooms and Promised Land Organics to pull together a menu that places the spotlight on the best beef, seafood, chicken and vegetables that the region has to offer. The all-day restaurant will kick things off early on Saturdays and Sundays with Single O coffee and brekky favourites like the restaurant group's beloved granola, bacon and egg rolls, avocado and roasted mushroom toast, and cocktails like Bloody Marys and cherry blossom spritzes. From there, Bellingen locals, hotel guests and tourists alike can settle in for a flavour-packed lunch or dinner, with a hefty a la carte selection available alongside a series of set menus. There's a prominent Asian influence throughout the menu, with dumplings and bao on offer as starters, salt and Szechuan pepper squid and prawn toast available on the smaller plates, cauliflower curry on the mains and a chocolate yuzu eclair ready to round out your meal. Other highlights diners can expect at Three Blue Ducks Bellingen include beef tartare with fragrant chilli oil and togarashi; lemon, lime and south plum duck; fried chicken sandwiches; ponzu-topped oysters; flat-iron steak with citrus butter and curry leaf; and miso caramel cheesecake. There will also be a separate functions menu, with the Three Blue Ducks team working with The Lodge to offer private events and catering for weddings. The Lodge boasts 30 individual rooms, luxury glamping options, a pool with day beds and a bar, and five alpacas that wander the gardens. Reservations for the restaurant are open now. [caption id="attachment_834387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery[/caption] Three Blue Ducks Bellingen will open on Thursday, July 13 at The Lodge, 1381 Waterfall Way, Bellingen. It'll be open for dinner Monday–Sunday, lunch Friday–Sunday and breakfast Saturday–Sunday.
When JK Rowling dropped those last terrible three words on us at the close of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, all was not well. It would never be well without Harry, Ron, Hermione and co. in our lives. But great things are bubbling in the wizarding world, with Supreme Mugwump Rowling announcing the release of an eighth Harry Potter book. If we look Petrified, it's because HOLY SHIT. According to Pottermore, Rowling's own kickass content website, 2016 will see a special rehearsal edition of the script book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II — Rowling's first play on London's West End that picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Print and digital editions of the book will publish right after the play's world premiere in winter 2016. You'll be able to read the version of the script from the Cursed Child's preview performances (a Definitive Collector's Edition will come later). JUST. LOOK. AT. IT. What's in store for Harry and the gang? The Cursed Child is set 19 years after the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry is now a Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on his youngest son Albus Severus Potter — the heart pangs. The official synopsis of the play (and now official eighth book) was released by co-writers J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany on October 23, 2015: "It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places." It's been 20 years since the UK publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Twenty. Re-read it, go see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when the film comes out and sit on your sorting hats until the EIGHTH HARRY POTTER BOOK arrives. Oh god, I need a butterbeer. Via Pottermore.
We love an old-school Sydney pub and the Friend in Hand Hotel, with its affordable fare and charmingly quirky decor — model planes and trains, old photographs, surfboards and other oddities plaster every single bit of wall space — is a great one. This stellar pub is also home to one of the city's longest-running comedy spots, the Mic in Hand. For just a tenner, you can chortle away all the week's stresses courtesy of the city's best up-and-coming comedy talent. If you're lucky, you might even catch one of the more famous comedy stars who drop in from time to time.
It's been one heck of a tough year for the country's bar industry, as venues spent months navigating lockdowns, restrictions and, more recently, capacity limits. But despite all the craziness, Australia has still managed to make a splash at this year's edition of the World's 50 Best Bars Awards. Four local drinking establishments each nabbed themselves a spot among the 51–100 top bars in the world, as announced last week. Those voted in the top 50 will be revealed at a separate virtual awards ceremony held on Thursday, November 5. All four Aussie bars to make the 51–100 list are located in Melbourne, which has just lived through some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions as part of its second-wave lockdown. Fitzroy bar The Everleigh snagged the 73 spot, while newer CBD haunt Byrdi came in at 80. Petite Collingwood bar Above Board followed not too far behind at number 84 and the long-running Black Pearl — which has scooped a spot in the Top 50 list numerous times throughout the award's 12-year history — was voted in at 98. [caption id="attachment_748362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Byrdi by Kate Shanasy[/caption] Elsewhere on the list, London's Scout (by the now Sydney-based bartender Matt Whiley) came in at 51, while the USA had seven bars in the lineup, including The Dead Rabbit in NY and San Francisco's Trick Dog. The annual awards are voted on by over 540 bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. Australia will now wait to see if any more local venues make it into the World's 50 Best Bars list later this week. Last year's one–50 lineup featured just one Aussie bar, with Sydney's Maybe Sammy taking out position 43. Check out the full World's 50 Best Bars Awards 51–100 list at the website. The one–50 list will be revealed at 3pm UK time on Thursday, November 5, via Facebook and YouTube. Top image: The Everleigh by Gareth Sobey
CHiPS is an extraordinarily annoying film. Annoying, because it's 85 per cent predictable, homophobic rubbish, but also 15 per cent genuinely funny. The quality of those few jokes that do land hence raises the question: was the writer, director and star Dax Shepard just lucky on those rare occasions? Or was he simply lazy on all others? Given the movie is merely the latest in a long line of old TV show reboots, laziness seems the more likely contender. This hypothesis gains further credibility when you consider the comedic chops of Shepard's cast, which includes Michael Peña, Kristen Bell and Maya Rudolph, among others. Hell, Shepard himself is no mug when it comes to making us laugh; how he, or anyone else, could possibly think this script was strong enough to move into production may forever remain a mystery. The plot of CHiPS is at once hideously convoluted and entirely predictable. Peña plays Frank "Ponch" Poncherello, an FBI agent going undercover into the California Highway Patrol in order to expose a gang of corrupt officers suspected of carrying out a series of armoured car robberies. He's partnered up with probationary officer Jon Baker (Shepard), a former X-Games motorcyclist whose body is now in a state of such ruin it's comparable to that of Lloyd Bridges' Admiral Benson in Hot Shots. Addicted to pain killers and determined to win back his adulterous trophy-wife Karen (played by Shepard's actual wife Kristen Bell), Baker is an Owen Wilson-esque modern age man forever discussing the closure of issues and expressing concern for Peña's presumed homophobia. Together, Ponch and Baker cycle around California, occasionally doing police work, but mostly just swearing, masturbating and blowing things up until the movie just sort of ends. The funny bits are funny – a moment involving a hit and run with paparazzi, for example, elicited actual applause from our audience. But successful gags are so few and far between that it makes the exercise of discovering them feel like too much for too little. Vincent D'Onofrio does a solid job imbuing his gang leader character with at least some degree of complexity when all other characters around him are merely caricatures. But it's not nearly enough to save this otherwise decidedly dull and frequently downright cringeworthy affair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IfqqUTW-i4
It's just become a whole lot harder for any New South Wales driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving — and it's thanks to a world-first move by the NSW Government, which is adopting speed camera-style technology to detect the illegal behaviour. This past weekend, on December 1, the Government permanently rolled out phone detection cameras across the state. Like speed cameras, these ones will be both fixed and mounted on relocatable trailers. So how will they work? Well, the high-def cameras will take an image of the two front seats of the car, then use an artificially intelligent system to detect folks using their phones while they're behind the wheel. All incriminating images will be verified by a person before any fines are sent out. The cameras can apparently operate in all conditions, day and night, and regardless of the weather. The permanent rollout comes after a six-month trial of the technology — and spying more than 100,000 drivers using their phones illegally. The program will continue to expand until 2023, when the Government hopes it'll be checking 135 million cars annually. [caption id="attachment_742763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A photo taken during the trial[/caption] For the first three months after the cameras are mounted, drivers using phones will receive warning letters. After that, though, you'll cop a $344 fine ($457 in a school zone) and five demerit points if you're caught texting, 'gramming, taking selfies, sending emails or any other illegal phone activity while driving. While some drivers will see this as a cash grab, the government is hoping it'll reduce the number of road fatalities, with Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole saying, "independent modelling has shown that these cameras could prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over five years." The phone detection cameras were rolled out across NSW roads on December 1, 2019. For more information, head to the Transport for NSW website.
Waterfalls run in abundance along the aptly named Waterfall Way, which commences the scenic 185km drive between Coffs Harbour and Armidale. You'll encounter dazzling cascades when passing through the New England and Dorrigo national parks, but the shimmering double drop of Ebor Falls shouldn't be missed. Watch the Guy Fawkes River roar down a 100-meter gorge from three viewing platforms that also provide sweeping views across the valley. Take an easy stroll between each lookout to spy wedge-tailed eagles soaring above golden strawflowers and rare ground orchids that bloom around the upper falls in the warmer months, before settling in for a break at one of the woodland picnic areas. Image: Destination NSW
Just like that, Salty's is ready to celebrate its fifth birthday. And the Bondi-based gang isn't going about things quietly. Instead, they're hosting a three-day bash loaded with free drinks, live saxophone fun and a massive headlining set from disco-funk hitmaker, Touch Sensitive. Best of all, it won't cost you a cent to enter this weekend-long party running from Friday, September 19–Sunday, September 21. Opening with a bang, Salty's is hosting a locals bar shout where you can score a free beer, wine or spirit from 5–6pm. Then, DJs mixed with live sax carry the crowd from sunset onwards. On Saturday, the freebies step up a notch. With your first margaritas on the house when you book a table, make sure the crew clears their calendars for a bottomless package paired with DJ-led tunes from 1pm until late. Of course, the weekend peaks on Sunday, with Touch Sensitive getting behind the decks to guide a crowd-pleasing Bondi Beach party. Having sold out national tours and massive festivals, expect the same sun-soaked energy that has made Salty's a go-to destination.
Under a crisp blue sky, a black Ferrari careens in circles around a dusty track. It circles, and circles, and circles. If you're bored already, then chances are you won't fancy taking a trip to Sofia Coppola's Somewhere. Shot in long takes, this languorous, intimate and shamelessly introspective film is in many ways created as a companion piece to Lost in Translation; another story that could easily be lumped under the title 'first world whinge,' were it not so beautifully crafted. Ensconced in the plush purgatory of the Chateau Marmont, listless and lost celebrity Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) whiles his time away in semi-drunken stupor, his only company being whomever he can lure into his bedroom, and the occasional phone call from his agent. Then one day Johnny wakes up to find his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) sitting on his bed, and in her company Johnny starts to notice, and then to question, the gilded cage he has crafted for himself. Somewhere is time-image cinema in the vein of Michelangelo Antonioni. This essentially means: don't expect much to happen, it's all about sinking into the atmosphere that Coppola quietly, expertly conjures. Coppola, with her remarkable cinematographer Harris Savides (Elephant) and accompanied by original music from her partner Thomas Mars of Phoenix, together have crafted a piece of contemplation as cinema. It won't work for everybody, particularly those who can't quite dig up some empathy for a character tantamount to a poor little rich boy. But here Coppola is both aware and unapologetic — the jets, the glamorous hotel suites, the press junkets — it's her world and she's recreating it intricately and self-reflexively. Dorff benefits from similarly reflexive casting, where his own faded celebrity almost becomes a cautionary tale for Johnny. Drunk, bewildered, and eventually yearning, Dorff brings Johnny to life with compassion and pathos. He is however routinely upstaged by the glorious Elle Fanning, whose fresh-faced performance delights, and who manages to hit her emotional mark with much more conviction than her costar. But their chemistry is wonderfully understated and in a testament to Coppola's assured direction. For all its restraint, slice-of-life naturalism and superb soundtrack, Somewhere is a film and a mood that you can sink into like a deep, comfy sofa. This languid ambiance is threatened by the film's comparatively overstated ending, for in crafting the conclusion to the opening metaphor, Coppola unfortunately goes for the glaringly obvious. It feels like a disappointing misstep, but even this is not quite enough to spoil the reverie. *Advance screenings at select cinemas on Christmas day https://youtube.com/watch?v=uVQtL8GQPFA
Bluesfest has done it again. The annual event up in Byron Bay looks to have another stellar lineup on its hands, featuring artists from around the world across a diverse range of genres. There's truly something for everyone but if you're unable to schlep up the coast for the Easter weekend then there's no need to fret. Some of the biggest names on the bill are making the most of their trip Down Under by putting on gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, too, meaning April promises to be a bumper live music month across the country. With over 19 artists set to do sideshows this year, we've teamed up with Bluesfest Touring to help you decide what not to miss. Read on to discover seven sideshows that you should nab tickets to, then check out the rest of the sideshow lineup — Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — on the Bluesfest website. DWEEZIL ZAPPA Sunday, April 12 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Monday, April 13 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Since 2006, Dweezil Zappa has been the driving force behind the touring band whose main aim is to breathe life into the work of his father — avant-garde virtuoso Frank Zappa. Hot Rats, Frank Zappa's 1969 jazz-progressive rock-fusion album, is arguably his best-known work, and Dweezil Zappa is honouring his legacy by touring the record in its entirety. Hot Rats hit the shelves the same year that Zappa was born, so it holds a special place in his heart, and he's said that this is the best version of his touring band that he's ever had. Given previous iterations of his group are Grammy winners, that's some claim. PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Tuesday, April 21–Thursday, April 23 at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne "I really thought that I wouldn't be able to come back, so I'm delighted that I was wrong," Patti Smith told Bluesfest Touring on her impending return to these shores. Smith — poet, author, singer, icon and 'godmother of punk' — has been an inspiration to millions since the release of her debut classic album Horses in 1975 and, despite now being in her 70s, shows no signs of slowing down. Her touring band includes both Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, who have been with her since day dot, plus her son Jackson on guitar. EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Thursday, April 16 at Metro Theatre, Sydney and Sunday, April 19 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Californian singer-songwriter Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme have been recording as Eagles of Death Metal since 1998. The name comes from a literal imagining of what country-rock stalwarts The Eagles would sound like were they a death metal band. In mid-2019, the band released a record of covers featuring classics from artists as diverse as Guns N' Roses, George Michael and Mary J Blige, all played in EODM's own inimitable style. Their live shows have always been known for their raucous, OTT behaviour, and their Bluesfest sideshow promises to be no different. LARKIN POE Wednesday, April 15 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 16 at Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell celebrate a decade of performing psychedelic blues rock under their Larkin Poe moniker in 2020. Originally hailing from Georgia but now based in Nashville, as any self-respecting Americana outfit would be, Larkin Poe's close harmony take on roots music has earned plaudits from the likes of Elvis Costello and Keith Urban. Oh, and Russell Crowe, apparently. Dragging blues rock into the 21st century, the duo isn't afraid to throw horns and electronics at a genre steeped in tradition and, in doing so, breathe life into it, while simultaneously creating something vibrant and exciting. Be sure to catch them as soon as Bluesfest draws to a close. MORCHEEBA Tuesday, April 7 at 170 Russell, Melbourne and Thursday, April 9 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Next year marks quarter of a century of Morcheeba, the downtempo duo who were instrumental in bringing trip-hop to the masses in the 1990s. Led by the sweet vocals of Skye Edwards, the London-based band have released nine albums in their career, cracking the Top 20 twice at the start of the century. Morcheeba must love playing over here — they played Bluesfest and a bunch of sideshows back in 2018. Clearly, we love them playing here, too, because those sideshows completely sold out. If you want an evening of warm, enveloping sounds to set your mind at ease, nab tickets to the show in your city. BRANDI CARLILE Monday, April 6 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne and Wednesday, April 8 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Alt-country vocalist Brandi Carlile is certainly an artist on the up. She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards taking home three gongs, including Best Americana Album for her latest record, By the Way, I Forgive You. It's been over ten years since she played in Australia, and she's certainly a bigger draw now than she was then. She's also part of The Highwomen, the country supergroup that features Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires, so there's every chance that some tracks from their self-titled debut could also make their way into Carlile's set. [caption id="attachment_753622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Austin Hargrave[/caption] GEORGE BENSON Sunday, April 5 at State Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 9 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne Perhaps best known for the 1980 soft disco hit album, Give Me the Night, soul man George Benson is still going strong after more than 65 years in the business. He can still command a crowd, too — he's had to add a second date to his Sydney and Melbourne sojourns to accommodate public demand. His most recent record, Walking to New Orleans, is a tribute to the music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, but surely Benson has now earned the right to be listed among such greats. After all, it's not just anyone who gets their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To book tickets to these sideshows, and many more — including Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — visit the Bluesfest website.
On Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, Palace Norton Street and the Chauvel Cinema will become the most magical places in Sydney. Split across the two days, all ten Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films will grace the two venues' screens, serving up a whole weekend of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to get through it all otherwise. Ten films, you say? Yep, this really is a celebration of every Potter-related flick there is, which means the eight movie versions of J.K. Rowling's original seven books, plus both Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald as well. Watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and co. spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. And, then jump back several decades earlier to explore the exploits behind one of their textbooks. Potterfest: A Harry Potter Marathon kicks off at 10am on Saturday, runs through until 11.40pm that evening, and then screens again from 10am–10.45pm on Sunday. Dressing up in costume is always highly recommended, as is indulging in the whole two days of Potter nerdery — with tickets costing $50, or $40 for Palace members.
If you're a fan of Gelato Messina and its sweet treats, the past couple of years have just kept on giving. That saying doesn't apply to much at all during the pandemic, but it definitely fits in this situation. The dessert chain has released all manner of one-off specials, launched a new range of chocolate-covered ice cream bars in supermarkets, dropped a merchandise line and brought back its Christmas trifle, for starters — and, as it did in 2021, too, it's also doing Easter cocktails. A collaboration with Cocktail Porter, Messina's DIY drinks kits let you whip up your own boozy beverages — and, because it's that time of year, you'll be doing so inside an Easter egg. Yes, you read that correctly. What's the point of being an adult at Easter if you can't combine sweet treats with alcohol? Basically, these kits answer a familiar dilemma, especially at this time of year. No one likes choosing between tucking into an orb of chocolate and having another beverage, after all. Flavour-wise, get ready to sip and eat a whole heap of salted caramel. These packs come with Messina's popular dulce de leche topping, as well as Baileys, cold-drip coffee and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur. You'll also receive chocolate Easter eggs, obviously, which you'll pour your mixed liquids into — as well as pieces of salted caramel popcorn to pop on top. You can pick between two different-sized packs, with the small kit costing $80 and making five drinks, and the large costing $145 and making 12. Fancy drinking Easter cocktails out of rabbit-shaped mounds of chocolate? That's on the menu as well. This kit doesn't actually feature Messina products, but espresso martinis served out Lindt milk chocolate bunnies should still tempt your boozy tastebuds. This one also comes with vodka, cold-drip coffee, sugar syrup and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, and the prices for both small and large batches are the same as the salted caramel kits. Cocktail Porter delivers Australia-wide, if that's your Easter drinking plans sorted. It's now doing pre-orders for both packs, which'll start shipping from mid-March. To order Cocktail Porter's Easter cocktail kits, head to the Cocktail Porter website.
If you, like us, have been cooking at home much more frequently since the pandemic hit, you've probably also become more aware of your food-related waste. Luckily for us — and the environment — though, more and more companies are focusing on sustainability in the kitchen. Next on that list: Great Wrap, a compostable alternative to cling wrap that's made from 100 percent plant-based material. The Australian-owned, family-run business was co-founded by Julia and Jordy Kay, who spent 18 months developing the Great Wrap formula. While many compostable plastics can take ages to decompose, Great Wrap is made from plants and breaks down into non-toxic molecules in less than 180 days — faster than an orange peel. If you're already a sustainability warrior, you know that's an impressive feat. The cling wrap is (of course) food safe and durable as well. Each roll is 30-metres long and perforated in 30-centimetre intervals for easy tearing. And, most importantly, it's another way for home chefs to enjoy cooking while minimising their environmental impact. Apart from the cling wrap, the company also produces pallet wrap for businesses — something that's especially useful in breweries, bottle shops and other venues. It's currently out of stock, but will be back in September, so keep an eye out. For domestic use, you can buy three rolls for $29.90 or six rolls for $49.90, with free shipping on all orders — and a ten percent discount currently on offer for all new accounts too. Great Wrap has also garnered the support of online natural wine shop Drnks. If you're interested in trying the product out on a smaller scale, you can grab a single-roll order on the Drnks website for a tenner. To find out more about Great Wrap and order a three- or six-pack, head over to greatwrap.co.
Inspired by Eurovision — that all-singing, all-dancing, over-the-top, glittery European extravaganza — is Sydney's version, the Sydneyvision Song Contest. One of the main differences between the two (apart from massive geographical distance), is that Sydney's take is all about the music video rather than live performances like its European older sister. This might explain the venue, which is a cinema. With strict guidelines for contestants to up the cheese factor while singing lyrics that include a Sydney suburb, expect both those who can and can't sing to be in it. Organised by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, (with the support of Dendy Newtown), Sydneyvision suggests that you be prepared for some, quite frankly, bizarre music videos (and some musical satire), such as a Bollywood entry about Harris Park. So, go and cheer on your suburb, and lets hope there are some entries as awesome as Eurovision's. Fingers crossed there's some fine dancing like in Moldova's 2012 entry.
"Get a little closer... Cut open my sternum and pull my little ribs around you", Megan James sings on Purity Ring's "Fineshrine", a song so immaculate and pretty it takes a few listens for the darkness of the lyrics to come into focus. The Canadian duo revel in this kind of contrast: Lush, manicured synth pop with a dark undercurrent that leaves a more unsettling afterglow. Initially formed out of Montral indie band Gobble Gobble, Purity Ring's debut full-length Shrines ranks as one of the year's best, an immersive, swirling collection with pulsing rhythms and pockets of deceptive darkness. Touring for Golden Plains festival, the pair will also bring their live show (which includes a renowned light show courtesy of the other member, Corin Riddick) to Sydney. Their first show at Oxford Art Factory is already sold out, so hurry to catch their recently announced second one.
Not only is Troye Sivan one of Australia's brightest pop stars, he's also a Queer icon with a strong perspective on diversity and inclusion. At Town Hall, he'll be in conversation with Lillian Ahenkan — AKA Flex Mami, the multidisciplinary Sydney-based creative — to discuss "beauty, art and fluidity" as part of Vivid Sydney's Global Storytellers series. Despite being only 26 years old, Sivan has been in the eye of the public since his teens — performing on TV and online from 2006 — and has spoken out about his discomfort around being singled out while also wanting to be a voice for the Queer community. This layered experience forms a unique standpoint, with the creative force sure to have some fascinating insights to share in this intimate event.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, many Australians have turned to home baking for comfort. Scroll through your Instagram feed and you're sure to see an overexcited jar of sourdough starter, a misshapen loaf or a #squishvid. Head on over to your local supermarket, though, and you're likely to find empty shelves where the flour once sat. This isn't just the scenario in Australia, either. According to Miller Magazine, flour demand has doubled in the UK and French supermarket sales have tripled, and in an episode of Samin Nosrat's new podcast Home Cooking a desperate Angelean asks how to make their wife white cake without the hard-to-find white flour (hint: you can't). But, if you're keen to begin your own baking adventures, not all hope is lost. You might actually find the elusive powder hiding at your local restaurant or cafe. As restaurants have been forced to adapt during the closure of non-essential indoor venues, many have pivoted to providing their local communities with grocery essentials and produce boxes. And one of the essential products they're selling is — you guessed it — flour. [caption id="attachment_768410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Joyce[/caption] Many Sydney cafes, including Marrickville's Cherry Moon, Brickfields in Chippendale, St Peters' Sample Coffee and Surry Hills' Reuben Hills and Single O, now have flour on their shelves, available to pick up or (in some cases) deliver. If you're looking for the gluten-free version, Waverley's Wholegreen Bakery has you covered. Two pubs, The Tudor Hotel and The Royal Hotel, are now convenience stores, stocking toilet paper, hand sanitiser and, yes, flour. Some restaurants are also selling produce boxes, including Fratelli Fresh, which are filled with a heap of pantry staples. In Melbourne, non-profit cafe Sibling has its own online store with baking ingredients, including flour and yeast, while St Kilda East's Grosvenor Hotel and Lamaro's Hotel in South Melbourne both have their own a bottle-o and shop. Ted's Grocer — formerly all-day diner Theodore's — also has produce boxes and essentials. If you've already jumped on the baking trend and are looking at other quarantine cooking projects to start, we're rounded up six fun, tasty and time-consuming recipes you can try out here. If and when you do decide to head out to get groceries, remember to follow the Australian Government Department of Health's social distancing guidelines. Top image: Cherry Moon by Kitti Gould
"There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening," reads the opening line of Anthony Burgess's scandalous novel, A Clockwork Orange. How ringleader Alex and his band of teenage delinquents do eventually spend their night — on a rampage of brutal assault and rape which ends in the murder of an elderly lady — propels the audience of Action to the Word theatre's contemporary reimagining of Burgess's seminal text, directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, into an exploration of testosterone-fuelled boredom gone awry. Those who may have attempted the novel but baulked at its unfamiliar, somewhat jarring 'Nadsat' dialect (an English and Russian hybrid language invented entirely by Burgess and later, in a case of life imitating art, employed by real-life gangs following the success of the text) will be grateful for the physicality of the dynamic, all-male cast. Where it may be easy to verbally miss what it means to "tolchock a chelloveck in the kishkas", the actualisation of Alex (Martin McCreadie) senselessly brutalising those unfortunate enough to fall under his malicious gaze when he's looking to break up the monotony of it all cannot be lost in translation. Although a fascination with violence is inherent to the performance, a stylistic emphasis on dynamic dance sequences, accompanied by a modern, high-energy soundtrack, allows some of the more shocking portrayals to remain implied, rather than descend into self-serving vulgarity. This is no coincidence — unlike Stanley Kubrick's highly graphic film adaptation, UK company Action to the Word's stage performance has authorial integrity, having been developed in association with Burgess, who sought to rectify misconceptions of the text as being designed as an invitation to the disillusioned youth of the world to mirror the rage of his fictional droogs. Unlike the originally published and widely circulated American version of the novel, Spencer-Jones’s stage adaptation remains true to Burgess’s original ending. By privileging the author’s intended sequence of closure, a protagonist whose behavior is undeniably animalistic and barbaric throughout the performance is ultimately humanised — it turns out it was all a case of ‘boys will be boys’ and what Alex really wants is the wife, kid and white picket fence, just like the rest of us. Where Burgess may have intended this to suggest an innate potential for goodness in even the most seemingly depraved members of society, it simultaneously highlights the audience's ability to feel empathy for, and identify with, a violent murderer. When played by the achingly charismatic McCreadie, despite his propensity for kicking heads in and pillaging innocent women, Alex is strangely mesmerising and even appealing — what might be most interesting is what that implies about our own attitude towards aggression, manhood and "that old ultra violence". Just what that wider societal attitude might be remains unclear, although just shy of two years on from the London riots, audiences of A Clockwork Orange will feel that its depictions of the human propensity for violence, aggression and brutality remain as scandalously relevant today they were when first published as a text 50 years ago. While it may leave you unsure of whether to take up adult dance classes, attempt (probably feebly) to kick down a street sign or run for cover from the mad, bad world outside, A Clockwork Orange is an immersive triumph of modern theatre that will confront then refuse to neatly provide answers to all of the terror it raises — real horror show, in all senses of the term. This review was written about the Melbourne run of this production, in April 2013.
If you haven't heard of 28 Hongkong Street before now, don't feel too out of the loop. Sure, it's been voted Asia's best bar for three years running and knocks out some seriously amazing cocktails — but it also operates as one of those mysterious, super secretive, word-of-mouth-only venues, hidden away behind an unassuming 1960s shopfront. Plus, it's been hanging out all the way up in Singapore, 6000 kilometres and an eight-hour flight away. Until now. For three nights this month, 28HKS will be hitting our shores as part of Sydney Bar Week. The brief touchdown on Australian turf will see the Singaporean enigma visit Sydney and Melbourne to take over two of our own hidden cocktail bars and give lucky locals a whirlwind taste of all the cocktail magic. They're not cutting any corners, either. The pop-ups — which will grace Darlinghurst's Henrietta Supper Club on September 18, and Fitzroy's The Everleigh from September 21-22 — will offer a bang-on recreation of the 28HKS concept. Expect those award-winning cocktails alongside a selection of the American-leaning share plates, all delivered by five of 28HKS's mixologists, floor staff and chefs. They're even bringing over the soundtrack to round-out the experience. It's not the first time Australia's had a fleeting taste of international cocktail greatness and, given the success of Attaboy's February stints at The Everleigh and Dead Ringer, and last year's Please Don't Tell pop-up at The Black Pearl, it's probably safe to say that this latest cocktail-wielding visitor won't be the last. One thing's for sure, though — at $20, these tickets won't hang around for long. Snap one up here for the Sydney pop-up, or here for the Melbourne one. 28 Hongkong Street will pop up at Henrietta Supper Club, Darlinghurst, on Sunday, September 18, and The Everleigh, Fitzroy, from September 21-22. There will be two sessions available each night, with each session running for 1.5 hours. Tickets are $20, and include a cocktail on arrival.
For more than two years, everyone has been asking the same two questions — everyone that's a fan of Stranger Things, that is. They're obvious queries but, if you've been hooked to the 80s-set Netflix sci-fi series since it first debuted in 2016, they're important. Question one: what happens next? Question two: when will we see what happens next? Indeed, when July 2021 came and went, it marked two years since Stranger Things last graced our streaming queues. So, you've been wondering what's become of all the series' characters — especially Hawkins' beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) — for quite some time. You'll be pondering into next year as well, because the streaming platform already announced that the show won't be returning till 2022; however, it does keep dropping sneak peeks. Back in February 2020, Netflix provided an initial clip. Yes, that now seems like a lifetime ago. It also dropped a couple more teasers in May this year, and released another one back in August. Need more? The streamer has just unveiled yet another teaser trailer, this time focusing on a spooky spot called Creel House. First, we see it years ago — and then, we see it being explored in its abandoned, dusty and eerie guise by Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). When you're hanging out for anything and everything related to the show's fourth season, each trailer and teaser drop is exciting — and they all keep threading together pieces that are bound to prove important when new episodes actually hit. Indeed, we already know what happened after season three's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script — when Hopper, the mind flayer, the Russian lab below Starcourt Mall and that pesky gate to the Upside Down all had a run-in. And, we know that Hawkins Laboratory is going to feature again moving forward, thanks to clips focusing on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) and Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal). Now, with this latest teaser, we know a little bit more as well. Of course, it's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". Naturally, we'll have to wait to see what that really means for its full cast of characters — including Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Hubie Halloween), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard). Check out the new Stranger Things season four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
In the past couple of weeks, Sydney has seen fluctuating restrictions in response to the northern beaches COVID-19 outbreak. While the NSW Government allowed for relaxed gathering limits for three days over Christmas, Premier Gladys Berejiklian reinstated pre-Christmas restrictions across both the northern beaches and Greater Sydney. Then, changes to the city's New Year's Eve celebrations were announced on Monday, December 28. Now, the day before New Year's Eve, Berejiklian has announced even stricter gathering limits in response to increasing concerns about transmission of COVID-19 in other parts of Greater Sydney — with these new limits to be in place on New Year's Eve and "until further notice". Come midnight tonight, Wednesday, December 30, households across the Greater Sydney area — which, currently, includes the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong — will be limited to five visitors (including children). For outdoor gatherings outside of the northern beaches, the new limit is 30 people. Stay-at-home orders remain in place for northern beaches residents until, at the earliest, January 2 for the southern zone and January 9 for the northern zone. For New Year's Eve, residents of the northern zone are still allowed to have indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to five visitors — provided they are also from the northern zone. Meanwhile, for those in the southern zone, the new restrictions will replace the previously announced ten-person gathering limit, with now only five visitors allowed from within their zone. For the rest of Greater Sydney, the new restrictions replace the ten-person indoor gathering limit and the 50-person cap for outdoor public gatherings announced just days ago. Restrictions on gatherings in regional NSW remain unchanged, with 50 allowed at indoor gatherings and 100 at outdoor. For venues in the Greater Sydney area — which include hospitality venues — the one person per four-square-metre rule is still in effect. And, a cap of 300 people remains for big venues, even if a large space can hold more than that and still abide by the density requirement. For venues in regional NSW, the limit is one per two square metres. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1344072885627863040 The announcement comes as NSW records 18 additional cases of locally acquired COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, December 29. Nine of those are directly linked to the Avalon cluster, while six — all from the same family — are linked to a new cluster in the inner west, known as the 'Croydon cluster'. Three further locally acquired cases are under investigation, with two from members of the same household in Wollongong and one from northern Sydney. Yesterday saw around 17,267 tests — a significant drop from the high testing numbers between December 24–27 — with the Premier stating she wants the testing rates to "go higher" and for people "to come forward and get tested if you have the mildest of symptoms". Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week — and, if you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, get tested immediately and self-isolate. You can also have a look at the venue alerts over at this new interactive map. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Whether you're a Queenslander exploring your own backyard, or you're holidaying in the Sunshine State from another part of the country — including New South Wales and Victoria from Tuesday, December 1, once the border reopens to both regions — visiting the beach is probably on your to-do list. The state is known for its sun, surf and sand, after all, but that isn't the only attraction that Queensland holds. In fact, it has just added another big drawcard, which is particularly great news if you're fond of a few vinos. The Vine and Shine Trail is Queensland's first official wine trail, and it's rather hefty — covering more than 70 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. It's a self-guided affair, so you can choose just how much of it you'd like to explore, and in which spots in the southern portion of the state. If you'd like to try to see 'em all, treating wineries like Pokemon, well, that's up to you. Fancy moseying through the Granite Belt or the Scenic Rim? Eager to see what drops the Gold Coast Hinterland has on offer? Prefer something in the Brisbane area? They're all on the trail. So is everywhere from the South Burnett and Wide Bay-Burnett regions, to the Sunshine Coast — and the Darling Downs and western Queensland as well. And they're split into six separate mini-trails, if you only have so much time to spend hopping between wineries. Just how you interact with the trail's many stops is also a choose-your-own-adventure-type experience, with some cellar doors hosting lunches, some vineyards letting you picnic beside the grapes, and plenty of places offering tastings. And, variety-wise, you'll be able to sip an array of types, whether you're fond of popular drops or you're eager to drink something you mightn't have tried before. The idea, like most things in 2020, is to encourage everyone to get out of the house, explore this area of the country and support local businesses. It's specifically part of a dedicated campaign in Queensland to get folks to do more than just hang out on the coast, enticing them inland to roam along the vines and enjoy a heap of wines. For more information about the Vine and Shine Trail, visit its website.
In case you haven't noticed, a small food fad has hit cafes and pubs around town. The Reuben sandwich has arrived and you should be excited. For those of you that enjoy a meat-free, gluten-free, bread-free, fun-free sandwich, this probably isn't the thing for you. The humble Reuben first came into being from one of two stories. It was either invented by a one Reuben Kulakofsky, a Lithuanian-born grocer from Omaha, Nebraska, or Arnold Reuben, the German owner of the once famous, now defunct Reuben's Delicatessen in New York City. Either or, I'm not fussed. I'm just happy it exists. The sandwich itself is a delicious hot pile of corned beef, Swiss cheese with Russian or Thousand Island Dressing and sauerkraut served between grilled or plain slices of rye bread. My first and best Reuben was from one of the best places to get it: Katz's Deli, New York, made famous for this scene in When Harry Met Sally. (Note Billy Crystal is actually eating a Reuben) Delicious, huh? Here's what it should look like and, to me, is a 10/10: We've decided to road test some of the places in Sydney who are peddling their version of this rad sanga. MONTY'S It's funny; looks can be deceiving. I think I sort of experienced the sandwich shop equivalent of She's All That. Monty's is a nondescript cafe situated across the road from Eastgate Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction. They do a nice array of mixed sandwiches. One even has prawns in it. Prawns! What am I, The Queen? Ha! (Wipes a laughter tear from eye.) They're made with thick-cut bread, crusty baguette or toasted panini baked in-house daily. The happily enthusiastic waiter advised I go for white bread. They do no rye (lose points). The bread is buoyant, baby. Biting into it, I close my eyes and see myself using it as a flotation device in a world where the ocean is made of hot, hot gravy. There's a lot of finely sliced corn beef, which would be great if I wanted cold slices to pack my little lunch with. Lose points. Nice slaw and correct cheese. What? Mayo instead of Russian dressing! That's....Lose points. The pickles are nice but they're little baby things that little babies would eat with their little baby gums. Lose points. Look, it's a very nice-looking and great tasting sambo, but it's kinda like buying a Kia instead of a Porsche. It's safe, reliable, has plenty of soft cushions, airbags, meat and slaw; however, it just hasn't got the vroom that a Porsche can give. I want a Porsche and I want it NOW! The coffee's great and the place has that fresh-made bread smell which, speaking of cars, would be an awesome scented car tree smell. Price: $9.50. Rating: 7.5/10. 52 Spring St, Bondi Junction RUBY & RACHEL Set in the Bondi Markets, Ruby & Rachel make two great takes on the Reuben. Firstly, the Reuben with freshly cooked corned wagyu beef, and secondly, the Rachel, using Pastrami instead of the beef. There's also a vego option, but I slapped the owner in the face and ordered my Reuben rather than write down the deets. My first Reuben in NY, which is my benchmark, had both pastrami and corned beef on it, and I will ask for that next time. Their corned beef was great, though maybe a tad too salty — or was that the sauerkraut? Mine needed more dressing. The rye was toasted and a tad too crunchy. First-world problems aside, this is a great sandwich. Price: $10 plus you can go market browsing afterwards and buy macarons. Rating: 8/10. Bondi Markets REUBEN HILLS So this is the 'Reuben' from Reuben Hills in Surry Hills. It's their 'almost a Reuben' Reuben — good disclaimer. Now, as a sandwich this is damn tasty — hell, I'd give it an 8/10 for taste — but it ain't a Reuben yo! (No idea why I've gone all Jesse from Breaking Bad...) It's the Milli Vanilli of Reubens. This showed up, and the real Reuben is somewhere else, sunning itself on a yacht in the Caribbean living off its album royalties. The meat is succulent, warm awesomeness but it's wagyu beef, not corned beef. The pickled vegetable and mayo combo works, but these aren't the droids I am looking for. The bread is topnotch, but the thing is the size of two sliders, and for $16 I left bereft and hungry. Sorry folks, but to rate it as a Reuben, I give it 6/10. By the way, their coffee is great and staff are super cool. 61 Albion St, Surry Hills SLOANE'S Sloane's Cafe apparently used to be an institution on Oxford Street, serving shoppers and locals alike for over 20 years. In hindsight, I shouldn't have ordered. For one good reason: They couldn't spell Reuben correctly on the blackboard. I now have a new rule: If you can't spell it, I won't eat it. They also had us sitting next to the kitchen bin, which was being poorly camouflaged by a framed picture of a giraffe licking its baby giraffe on top of its head. Thick crusty rye cut the roof of my mouth up so much I could've entered it as an extra in a slasher flick. The meat was apparently corned beef, but didn't taste it. The slaw was homemade and sweet, not sour and savoury. Sweet I tells ya. And there was too much cheese and dressing, a molten flow of melted mess dripping down my hands. It was almost a dressing sandwich. I feel confused and dirty like I did at the end of The Crying Game. Service is slow. The coffee is weak. Meh. Price: $12. Rating: 4/10. 312 Oxford St, Paddington REUBEN & MOORE Reuben & Moore is set on the fifth floor of the CBD Westfield. You may look like you're on a shopping montage as you hike up the escalators, but it's worth it. These guys don't mess around. The meat is there hanging on hooks, cooking. The salad and pickles splayed out before you in a long, glass case. You're there for this sandwich. Awesome. The guy cutting the rye is reprimanded on how thick the bread should be cut. Very cool. But wait, no Russian dressing? Only mustard? There's Russian salad on the Rachel? But..... I don't care. I'm drunk on meat with my horns in the air! This beast is long, like a delicious, meaty boat. The rye is superb, so soft and untoasted, like an angel's bosom. (NB: angel's bosom ain't good toasted.) The crunchy pickle is also long and sliced lengthways in the sambo. Although the meat stack pales in comparison to NY, it's still warm, although for some reason (and I don't like to throw this word around very often) not moist enough. That's where the dressing would be much appreciated, my little rock pig. Good use of slaw and cheese. I'm taking half off for no dressing, half off for not enough flesh and half off for price. Best yet! Price: $14.50. Rating: 8.5/10. Rock! Westfield CBD T's Book Cafe Apparently once owned by a contestant on Masterchef, T's is a library cafe combining two of my fave things: eating and walking away from library cafes. It was pre-made and wrapped — alarm bells. Cold meat, no pickle, grated cheese (apparently Swiss), spindly slaw and the Russian dressing was solid like buttery custard. Plus the bread was soy and quinoa. Run for the hills! They must have some pretty good books. Price:$9.5. Rating: 0/10 136-138 Avoca St, Randwick The Forresters I remember, back in the day, when Forresters did $5 steaks at lunch. Way back when things like the wheel were being invented. How things have changed. This Reuben was stingy on the beef (one cold slice that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a packet) but had a nice slaw, sauce and pickle combo going. Boring, grilled bread gone cold and also cold chips. This meal reminded me of an overpriced room service dish you'd order hungover when staying in an interstate hotel. Yes, you stuff those solid, cold fries into your face in an attempt to soak up all the regret from the night before, but invariably you always feel empty and alone afterwards. I ate this at 1pm sans hangover and sans satisfaction. Apparently they do a great burger though. Price: $10. Rating: 5/10 336 Riley St, Surry Hills FELIX Felix is nestled in Ash Street laneway, across from the elevators that lead you up in to Ivy. It has that elegant French bistro style down pat. Somebody told me, so this must be fact, that they modelled it on Balthazar in New York. It certainly does have the same vibe. I had heard some good things about this Reuben and mon dieu it truly is tres bien. Served in between some slightly toasted, thickly cut dark rye are nice hunks of warm corned beef. Mmm boeuf. The sauerkraut and swiss cheese are spot on and the pickle is large, sliced in half and served on the side. Everything is as it should be except for one small, tiny, faible thing. It has slightly seeded mustard which after a few bites cleared my sinuses better than any hard-hitting nasal spray ever could. Personally, I feel you need the Thousand Island dressing to counter the saltiness of the beef and the sourness of the sauerkraut. They all work perfectly together. Yes, the rye was dark, but I was willing to let it slide as it wasn't too overpowering in flavour as some can be. is it wasn't for the mustard, this would've been, 'ow you say, the creme de la creme of Reubens. Bit pricey, too. Price: $18. Rating: 8/10 2 Ash St, Sydney
UPDATE, February 17, 2021: Dark Waters is available to stream via Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Charting a lawyer's quest to expose a chemical company's harmful actions, Dark Waters seems, on paper at least, like a standard crusading legal drama. In Erin Brockovich and The Insider's footsteps (and All the President's Men and The Report's, too), this little guy-versus-the system, truth-versus-cover-up film appears to follow. Based on grim recent history, it also seems worlds away from its director's usual oeuvre. For three decades, Todd Haynes has given cinema many gifts — the anarchic 70s glam of Velvet Goldmine, the sweeping 50s-style melodrama of Far From Heaven, the imaginative Bob Dylan-inspired I'm Not There and the yearning queer romance that is Carol — but never anything as ostensibly straightforward as this anxious, serious-minded procedural. Dark Waters doesn't shy away from or try to reinvent its genre. Any move in that direction wouldn't do its real-life details justice. But this is definitely a Haynes movie in the way that matters most: its emotional impact. Visually, the director doesn't stage the elaborate, eye-catching scenes that his work has become known for. He doesn't load his frames with sentiment-dripping colour, either. His perceptive, detail-oriented approach is still evident, however, in every closed-in, grey-toned peek inside everyday corporate and small-town surroundings. So too is his ability to tell a complex tale with layered minutiae and piercing nuance, all while ensuring that his audience shares every iota of pain and passion felt by his characters. With Haynes' eighth feature taking its specifics from Nathaniel Rich's 2016 New York Times Magazine article 'The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare', there's much for everyone — on-screen and off — to feel. When viewers first meet Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), he's a corporate defence lawyer who has just made partner at an Ohio law firm that works for the big end of town. If West Virginian farmer Wilbur Tennant (Bill Camp) hadn't marched into the office demanding his help, that's the course Bilott's career probably would've stuck to. He's not just reluctant to listen to his unexpected visitor, but initially dismissive. It's only because Tennant knows Bilott's grandmother that he even gives the matter a second thought. Whether exploring a woman's certainty that she's allergic to the world around her in 1995's Safe or chronicling two children's search for their parents across two different timelines in 2017's Wonderstruck, Haynes has always specialised in characters who are committed to following their hearts and senses of self, no matter the cost. When Bilott visits Tennant's property, learns that 190 cattle have died from strange medical conditions — including blackened teeth and tumours — and gleans the possible connection between this heartbreaking carnage and DuPont's use of neighbouring land as a dumping ground, he becomes one of them. Unsurprisingly, his employers aren't overly thrilled about the case, although his boss (Tim Robbins) still lets him pursue it. Of course, to just as little astonishment, the more that Bilott digs, the more he unearths. Ruffalo has stepped into this kind of dogged, determined territory before in Zodiac and Spotlight — and, as both of those excellent films showed, he's exceptional at it. With each, he serves up different shades from a recognisable palette rather than replicating the same role again and again. Indeed, throw in his seven-movie Marvel stint as Bruce Banner/the Hulk, and the three-time Oscar nominee has spent a hefty chunk of his career as smart, resolute, world-weary but still tenacious men hunting insidious killers, organisations and other forces of evil. Make no mistake, that's the story that Dark Waters unfurls, even if it never has a finger-snapping Thanos to chase. It would've been so easy to give DuPont a villainous on-screen figurehead, and to square the blame for the company's literally toxic actions at one person's feet. But Haynes and screenwriters Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan (21 Bridges) know that life is never that simplistic. Obviously, bringing a huge multinational outfit peddling dangerous substances to account requires painstaking devotion, aka the type of unglamorous, highly necessary grunt work that Dark Waters focuses on. Perhaps not so obviously, enabling such a widespread catastrophe to take place — poisoning the environment, animals and people, and getting away with it until Bilott's lawsuit came along — requires just as much manpower, just from a completely different angle, which Dark Waters is equally as fervent about stressing. While tight, taut and involving from start to finish, the end result doesn't hit every note it aims for. Anne Hathaway's role as Bilott's wife is underwritten, and Bill Pullman hams it up in his brief supporting appearance. Still, there's no shaking this solid, compelling film's potency, its scandalous true tale and its takeaway message. As Bilott discovers when he switches sides, many a powerful entity will only do the right thing when they're made to by the masses. With that in mind, Haynes hasn't just brought an essential story to the screen (and inspired his audience to start questioning all the chemicals in their lives), but crafted the ideal movie for a world where the entire planet is increasingly at the mercy of corporate giants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBGi3SzxkKk&feature=share
