Lights-out, judgement-free dance party No Lights No Lycra is turning ten this month and celebrating with its biggest bash yet. What started out as a low key Melbourne dance sesh has become a worldwide phenomenon — and, a decade on, its still as popular as ever. The birthday festivities will span eight cities across Australia, including right here in Sydney. And it's absolutely free. The party will take over the St Stephen's Main Hall in Newtown on Saturday, July 27 from 7–8pm. Expect one full hour of eat-your-heart out dancing to go down. And, when all that grooving in the dark makes you hungry, there will be plenty of free eats to snack on. Birthday giveaways are on the docket, too. All fitness levels are welcome, whether you move like a pro or like you have two left feet. So go on, get loose and really dance like no one is watching. While tickets are free, you will need to register.
To celebrate National Lamington Day — a very important date to diarise on Saturday, July 21 — Peter Gilmore's stunning fine diner Bennelong will hold a lamington drive for a good cause. Taking inspiration from the school canteen drives of your childhood, Gilmore will show off his take on the humble Australian sweet by serving them up in droves — with all proceeds from lamingtons sold on the day going to suicide prevention charity, R U OK?. And this take on the lammy is anything but humble. It's a proud square of cherry jam, coconut ice-cream and sponge encased in chocolate ganache and sitting in a bed of coconut milk parfait shavings. The dessert is also well-known to Sydneysiders and MasterChef fans alike, as it appeared on the television show and we learnt that it takes 49 steps to make. Available to diners in the main restaurant and at the Cured & Cultured and Bennelong bars, the lammy will be available at lunch from midday and throughout the afternoon (until sold out). Last year, the drive raised over $6000. If you've been wanting an excuse to try the famed lamington — or just dine inside the stunning Opera House restaurant — this is a great one. Bennelong's lamington drive runs from midday until sold out. Image: Nikki To
In summer, a refreshing gin and tonic on a rooftop bar is often a weekend go-to. But bringing the heat to the classic drink this chilly season is The Rook Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, with its bottomless G&Tea parties. Located in the CBD, The Rook is helping you warm up this July and August by inviting you to perhaps the most fun tea party you'll ever attend. The shindig involves endless rounds of warm cocktails served in teapots and all fired by London's Sipsmith gin. Sip your way from the Berry Fruitea, a concoction of Sipsmith London dry gin, hibiscus berry tea, mint, grapefruit and ginger, to the Tea Time, a steamy mix of Sipsmith London dry gin, Sipsmith London cup punch, french earl grey, star anise, cinnamon and orange. A few chilled tea-inspired gin cocktails are also available. Matching your piping hot brews will be a selection of tasty plates — think chicken katsu finger sandwiches with wasabi mayonnaise and wagyu beef sliders. There'll also be wild berry cheesecake, flourless chocolate brownies and mini sweet potato pies topped with coffee cream for dessert. After a recent revamp, The Rook is looking mighty slick now too. You can expect plush new furnishings and blankets to rug up under to complement your G&Tea drinking. Kicking off on Saturday, July 13, The Rook's bottomless G&Tea parties are taking place at midday and 3pm every Saturday this winter. For just $69 a pop, you'll enjoy two hours of snacks and bottomless booziness. Bookings for The Rook's bottomless G&Tea parties are recommended and can be made here.
Just because winter is (almost) over, doesn't mean the hearty cook-ups and slow-cooked stews have to end. And some fresh kitchen gear to motivate you to cook a little more wouldn't go astray, right? Well, local cooking whizzes are in luck, because famed French cookware label Le Creuset is hosting a huge Sydney warehouse sale this September. Taking over a warehouse at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, September 7, it'll feature a whole heap of bargains, with up to 70 percent off across a sprawling range of high-quality stoneware, stainless steel pots, toughened non-stick pans, cast iron cookware and wine accessories. Le Creuset's colourful pieces don't usually come cheap — but they do last a lifetime — so this is an opportunity not to miss. The sale only lasts for one day, and you must book into one of the 45 minute sessions to head along. It's also a cash-free event, so be sure to bring your plastic. While the first round of tickets has sold out, another round will be released at 10am on Monday, August 19. We suggest you get in quick. Le Creuset Sydney Warehouse Sale runs from 9am–5.45pm. More tickets will be available from 10am on Monday, August 19.
Is your dad all stocked up on socks and silly gadgets? That'll make figuring out a gift for Father's Day a challenge. Luckily, Ardbeg Whisky is here to your rescue. On the Father's Day Weekend (Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1), you can get the premium scotch distillery to deliver a bottle of its smoky, peaty, complex whisky directly to your dad. And it'll arrive wrapped up in a gift pack and in the company of Shortie, the Ardbeg dog. He's travelling all the way from Scotland especially to celebrate Father's Day Down Under. For $99, this (adorable) gift includes a ten-year-old bottle of Ardbeg, packaged in a collectable tin, with a personalised card from you. Shortie will be making the rounds over the weekend. Your dad will also get some play time with Shortie to see his tricks in action and take a few pics. Yep, this is for real. The only problem is Shortie can't deliver to everyone. The service will be available on a first come, first serve basis via Dan Murphy's. So, when the offer opens on Monday, August 12, you'd better be quick. Before then, you can register your interest over here.
All hail the Keanaissance — for bringing him back to our screens, and for making it acceptable to love his past hits as well. Before he was Neo and John Wick, he wasn't just one half of Bill and Ted and surfing FBI agent Johnny Utah but also a guy trying to stop the bus that couldn't slow down. We know you're a fan, and we know you've always wanted to relive the action movie magic that was Speed — so here's your chance. Step on board a vintage bus and prepare for the ride of your life. After thrilling fans and making plenty of new ones during several Brisbane Comedy Festival runs, Speed: The Movie, The Play finally brings its high-octane thrills to Sydney. It's hitting town as part of this year's Sydney Fringe Festival, and taking on passengers between Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 29 — and this is one stint of public transport chaos you should willingly sign up for.
Our weekends never feel quite long enough. Between lazy mornings, brunch dates and endless hours binging Netflix, getting our life admin done can seem an insurmountable challenge. Who wants to spend their Sunday afternoon wandering the aisles of a grocery store? For Western Suburbs locals, Parramatta Farmers Market is here to help. Every Friday, between 7.30 am and 2.30 pm, stallholders peddling fresh produce and artisanal wares descend on Centenary Square. Stop by on your way into the office to pick up all your fresh fruit and veggies, baked goods, cheeses and spices. There are also plenty of food trucks slinging gozleme, dumplings and bratwurst if you visit during your lunch break.
The best aperitivo hour in the country is taking on a distinctly French look (and taste) for Bastille Day. On Sunday, July 14, Surry Hills' Dolphin Hotel is teaming up with super-popular CBD spot Restaurant Hubert for an afternoon of French snacks and wines — all for just $5–7 a pop. While there's no word yet on exactly what you'll be eating, Chef James MacDonald will be whipping up some opulent Hubert-esque snacks — so, expect lots of butter, some caviar or escargots, and possibly even the famed Malakoff (fried cheese) to make an appearance. If you keep an eye on The Dolphin's Instagram on Sunday, you might catch a glimpse of the final menu before it goes live. For drinks, Hubert's acclaimed sommelier Andy Tyson will be teaming up with The Dolphin's Wine Director James Hird to create a list of impressive (and very reasonably priced) French drops. To up the French vibes even further, 'The Huberts' big brass band will be in the house playing appropriately patriotic party tunes throughout the afternoon. The $5–7 snacks and glasses of wine will only be available from 5–7pm in The Dolphin's Wine Room so get there early — it will fill up. If you miss the happy hour(s), fear not — the whole venue will be getting into the spirit across the whole weekend (July 12–14) with a one-off French cocktail menu (heavy on chartreuse, calvados and pastis) upstairs at Scout and a slew of French drops available at all the bars. Prepare to be a bit dusty on Monday, folks, it's going to be a big one. Images: Elise Hassey
As far as winter comfort food goes, a big serve of rustic-style gnocchi has to be up there with the best. But, even better? A bottomless, never-ending serve of gnocchi, like the kind being served up for two Wednesdays at The Stables Restaurant. The Paddington eatery is getting right into the spirit of the chilly season, with its new Winter Wednesdays gnocchi deal, on offer from 4pm on Wednesday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 17. On these two nights, the kitchen is whipping up three styles of gnocchi and you can devour as much as your belly can handle for just $20 a head. And we think that's a pretty standout bargain. Choose from a classic pesto version, an 'nduja number and a creamy gorgonzola gnocchi, all of which probably work a treat alongside a couple of glasses of red from The Stables' impressive cellar selection. We think these two nights will fill up (like your stomach) pretty quickly, so if you're keen to head along we suggest you get there early. Images: Kimberley Low
If you want to add some social justice to your Tuesday night pub feed, head in to Paddo Inn next month. The Oxford Street venue is presenting Inn Talks, a series of expert-led panel discussions that are accompanied by wine, snacks and networking. Coming up on August 13 is a discussion on fashion sustainability and why it is so important, as well as how to be more ethically minded with your fashion choices. On the panel is fashion journalist Rosie Dalton, Vogue's sustainability editor-at-large Clare Press (and presenter of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast), award-winning sustainability fashion designer Jade Sarita Arnott (Arnsdorf) and responsible fashion strategist Melinda Tually (director of NDLESS: The New Normal). The series is being held to support Dress for Success Sydney, a not-for-profit organisation that benefits unemployed women — through donating work clothing, mentoring, job-search skills, career coaching and networking to those who need it. The event will run from 6–8.30pm and cost $55, with each ticket including canapés and a flute of Veuve Clicquot. If you miss on this round, the final discussion in the series will take place in September. Details on that one haven't been released yet, so keep an eye on this space.
The tequila is always flowing at El Camino Cantina, with the Rocks and Manly Mexican joints well-known for their margaritas. But, as anyone who loves the agave spirit knows, there's never a bad reason to keep pouring more — and International Tequila Day couldn't be a more perfect excuse. Happening on Wednesday, July 24, the celebratory date will see everyone's favourite tequila cocktail flying off the bar. When $7.50 margaritas are on the menu, that's bound to happen. Choose from the slushie or liquid form depending on your preference, and from five flavours: mango, strawberry, tropical (with Red Bull), apple and cinnamon and the regular ol' variety. Because the occasion falls on a Wednesday, you'll also be able to tuck into ten-cent wings. Even better — this is an all-day affair, so if you have time for a few drinks over lunch, or can get away from work for a chilled afternoon, then you won't go thirsty.
Everyone has had the James Bond fantasy. No, not that fantasy. We're talking about imagining you're a secret agent who thwarts global plots and has a pen that doubles as a parachute (or something). It's a job we've all wished we had — but our intelligence services never seem to be advertising vacancies. Fortunately, cabaret matriarch Anya Anastasia is launching a public campaign for the position in Cabaret Star for Hire. In her new show, Anastasia announces she is calling time on her wildly successful career as a performer, setting out her prospects for the future and cataloguing in detail the abject failures in her past. Billed as 'part performance art, part Aussie opera, part physical and musical comedy extravaganza', Anastasia's swansong takes a hammer to the façade she created on social media before stepping us through her plans to take the espionage world by storm. Cynics might consider a public cabaret extravaganza an ill-judged medium for announcing one's entry into the spy game. But Anastasia's too damn good — this was never going to stay secret for long. Anya Anastasia: Cabaret Star for Hire is showing on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 as part of Bondi Feast 2019. For more information and to purchase tickets, head this way.
Ragu Pasta & Wine Bar has officially been serving Sydneysiders top-notch Italian fare for a whole nine years. And it's celebrating that milestone by dishing up an entire month of food and drink specials. Yep, it might be the pasta and wine bar's birthday, but the diners are the ones scoring the presents. The weekday dine-in specials will be flying hard and fast all through November, with a different wallet-friendly deal each week. It all kicks off on Monday, November 4, with Ragu offering a cheeky complimentary glass of prosecco with any purchase of a main meal until November 8. From November 11 to 15, it's all about the $9 pastas, while the following week, from November 18 to 22, you'll pay just $9 for any Aperol spritz or espresso martini. The birthday bonanza wraps up from November 25 to 29, when any main dish can come teamed with a glass of wine for just an extra $1. If ever there was a time to rekindle your love for Italian eats, it's now. RAGU NINTH BIRTHDAY SPECIALS November 4–8: Free glass of prosecco with any main November 11–15: $9 pasta November 18–22: $9 Aperol spritz and espresso martini November 25–29: $1 glass of wine with any main
You'd never guess from the popularity of its fried chicken that Johnny Bird was once a lobster roll joint. Luckily, it ditched the crustacean earlier this year in favour of free-range fried chicken, and it has been serving it up in droves every since. And, on the last Saturday of every month, its fryers are extra busy, when it hosts an all-you-can-eat fried chicken party. For $30, you'll get unlimited brined and fried chook with one of nine different sauces — Nashville hot, sticky Szechuan, chipotle mayo, blue cheese, Johnny sauce, gravy, house-made tomato sauce, Detroit smoky barbecue or ranch — and a side of fries, mash and gravy. Downing all that fried fare is thirsty work, so the lower north shore eatery is also cracking open tins of beer for just $6. To make a booking, head to the Johnny Bird website. Johnny Bird's all-you-can-eat fried chicken fest runs from 5pm.
Even with a slew of fundraising shows, feasts and classes, Australia's bushfire relief effort is set to score plenty more live, loud support, when an impressive group of big name Aussie and international artists come together for a huge fundraising gig at ANZ Stadium next month. And when we say big name, we mean it. The show — which will kick off at 1pm on Sunday, February 18 — is headline by a little band called Queen. Queen! The legendary band is in town for a national tour with Adam Lambert, who'll also be taking the stage. There are only a few seats left to their Sydney show on the Saturday night, so if you've been keen to see them in the flesh and chuck some money to some worthy charities, this might be your best option. Especially as Queen is just one of the artists on the bill for the nine-hour show. If you grab a ticket, you'll also get to see sets by local festival favourites Amy Shark, Baker Boy and Peking Duk, and long-serving Aussie artists Delta Goodrem and Jessica Mauboy, and even Alice Cooper and K.D Lang. Your need for nostalgia will be looked after, too, as John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite and Tina Arena are also set to play. Plus, fundraising queen Celeste Barber will be the event's host. Tickets cost $100 (or $70–85 if you want a seat), and will go on sale at midday today, Monday, January 13. All profits from ticket sales will be donated to a group of charities, namely the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery, the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal, and rural and regional fire services in each affected state. You can also donate extra to these charities on the event website. FIRE FIGHT AUSTRALIA LINEUP Alice Cooper Amy Shark Baker Boy Conrad Sewell Daryl Braithwaite Delta Goodrem Grinspoon Guy Sebastian Hilltop Hoods Icehouse Illy Jessica Mauboy John Farnham K.D Lang Lee Kernaghan Olivia Newtown-John Peking Duk Queen + Adam Lambert Tina Arena William Barton
Don't let Sydney Fringe pass by without terrifying yourself at Hillbilly Thriller. This scary event is taking over Legs Hub's Lilyfield car park with an interactive theatre show that combines Picnic at Hanging Rock with Wolf Creek. Your adventure will begin innocently enough where so many adventures do – at the bar. But, before you know it, your fellow drinkers will be disappearing before your eyes. And, at any point, you could become one of them. All the while, you'll be trying to work out where on Earth you are, be it a campground, a dumping ground or some remote swathe of forest. Created by Legs on the Wall, Hillybilly Thriller merges live performance with film, sound and art. It'll run for a week from Sunday, September 1, with six 15-minute shows taking place every evening. Just ten tickets are available to each, so, if you're keen, dive in quick.
Imagine every single one of your dream dance parties rolled into one. We're talking representation of every decade — from the mighty 80s prom to a Cuban club straight out of the 40s to a soul train disco from the 70s. Now, turn your vision into a reality by getting your ticket to Dance All Night, Sydney Fringe Festival's closing party. Descending on the City Tatts Hub on Saturday, September 28, this truly epic shindig will have you dancing, as the name suggests: all night long. Prepare to be making shapes for six hours, from 7pm until 3am. Yep, you're going to have to recall your pre-lockout self to make the most of this one. Tix, available online, are likely to sell out pretty fast. After all, we've got to wait a whole 'other year for our next injection of Fringe fest glory and madness.
When the first John Wick film burst into cinemas with a finessed flurry of fantastic action scenes and all-round Keanu Reeves awesomeness, it let its star utter a particularly memorable and telling line. "Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back," the inimitable actor announced — but while the highly enjoyable movie helped remind audiences of his excellence, Reeves himself hadn't really gone anywhere. A staple on screens for decades, Keanu boasts quite the resume, spanning cult comedies, poignant takes on Shakespeare, ace sci-fi franchises and sappy romances. There's also the time that he tried to save a bus that couldn't slow down, and his stellar stint as a surfing FBI agent. All of the above are on the lineup at the Ritz Cinemas event that every Reeves fan will want to head to: a seven-week Keanu Reeves-A-Thon. Every Friday night at 9pm between November 1 and December 13, the theatre will work through a selection of the star's hit flicks in chronological order. Start with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, take a trip through My Own Private Idaho, hit the waves with Point Break, and get fast and furious with Speed — before entering The Matrix, visiting The Lake House and saying hello to John Wick.
So, your home's in need of a sprucing up but you're dreading the thought of trawling through endless shelves or pages of products to get the bits and pieces you need. Thankfully, Top3 has your back this weekend, hosting a hefty warehouse sale in Crows Nest, from Friday, September 13, until Monday, September 16. For this sale, the team's pulled together a sprawling array of discontinued lines, floor stock and sample pieces, all going cheap at up to 80 percent off. Score one-off bargains on goodies for your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and bar, across top brands like Marimekko, In Bed, Normann Copenhagen, Mister Wolf, Missoni, Braun and more. If you can't make it into the physical sale, Top3 is making life a little easier by hosting an online sale, too. The stock is a little different, but you'll still find a heap of discounted goodies, with everything from linen to kitchenware and chairs. Top3 Warehouse Sale is opening on Friday 10am–6pm, Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 10am–4pm, and Monday 10am–4pm.
Clear your weekend schedules, Sydneysiders — there's a bottomless margaritas and tacos brunch here to fill your weekends. Bondi's buzzing Mexican restaurant Taqiza is throwing an indulgent brunch party that'll bring all the good vibes of a summery vacation in Tulum to Sydney's most famous beach suburb. It's inspired by the success of its sister restaurant Carbòn's similar all-you-can-eat offer. But, Taqiza has taken things up a notch by also getting inspo from the recent Netflix series Taco Chronicles, which starts with a deep dive into the savoury, pork-based al pastor tacos that are a street-food staple of Mexico City. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12–5pm, Taqiza is offering all the al pastor tacos your belly can handle, plus bottomless margaritas for $75 per person. Prefer plant-based? There'll be vegan tacos on offer, too. You'll be sipping on some top-quality cocktails, with Taqiza using some of the best quality tequilas to make its margaritas. So, you won't need to worry about a banging hangover from cheap booze — all your margs will be made with the good stuff. For a non-stop flavour feast, book your spot now, put on your snazziest pair of stretchy pants and head on down to Bondi for all the zesty margaritas and pork tacos you can handle.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Paddington Town Hall for four days this September. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big. You'll find thousands of lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from over 50 cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Romance Was Born, Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen, Phillip Lim, Stella McCartney, Dries Van Noten and more. With discounts of up to 80 percent off, this is one way to up your count of designer while leaving your bank balance sitting pretty, too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every shopper for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale will be open Thursday 9am–7pm, Friday–Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday 10am–5pm.
Heading to the cinema is usually an act of escapism, but the Antenna Documentary Film Festival isn't avoiding life's woes. The Sydney-based event dedicates its 11-day, 50-movie program to true tales from around the world. Running from Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 27 at the Chauvel Cinema, Palace Verona and Parramatta's Riverside Theatre, the fest casts its eyes far and wide to relay stunning stories that couldn't be more real. You won't find CGI fantasies and simple accounts of good versus evil here, but what you will discover is a plethora of thought-provoking efforts. Antenna's 2019 program surveys everything from politics, history, war and fashion to artificial intelligence, citizen journalism, the textile industry and immigration. After kicking off with the latest documentary from inimitable German filmmaker Werner Herzog — Nomad: In The Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin, which is partly set in Australia — the fest's lineup also spends time with two dogs hanging out in a skate park in Santiago in the adorable Los Reyes, and heads to an empowering Aussie rock camp in No Time for Quiet. Also look out for Hi, AI, about the growing use of artificial intelligence in daily life (in both functional and creepy ways); The Rest, Ai Weiwei's latest powerful documentary about the global immigration crisis; and Jawline, about a Tennessee teen who just wants to be an Instagram influencer. Elsewhere, The Hottest August explores the timely topic of climate change; Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project tells the tale of a woman who recorded American TV channels, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for more than 30 years; and the fest also pays tribute to pioneering filmmaker Shirley Clark via a retrospective of three of her films.
When The Proposition unleashed its outback western onto cinema screens, it did so with a distinctive sound, all thanks to Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. When The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford explored the death of an American outlaw, The Road took viewers into a post-apocalyptic wasteland and West of Memphis pondered a potential miscarriage of justice, the Australian musicians again provided the soundtrack — as they did with Hell or High Water and Wind River's crime thrills, too. Bandmates across several projects since the 90s — including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Grinderman — Cave and Ellis are Aussie icons, with careers spanning back decades before they started composing music for movies. But even if you've seen the duo play live countless times over the years, you haven't seen anything like the pair's latest show. Following its world premiere in Melbourne this August, the show is heading to the Sydney Opera House, taking over the Concert Hall for three performances across two nights this December. Cave and Ellis will take to the stage with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to perform pieces from all of the above film scores. Watch the talented musos work through their movie output, as paired with symphonic sound and conducted by Nicholas Buc — and prepare to witness something special. Tickets for Film Music: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis go on sale at 9am on Friday, October 18 with pre-sale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday, October 16. Image: Jayden Ostwald
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the Vegan Day Out. Come Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together another walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. Across the two days, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Glebe Point Road, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or weekend) of it. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool vegan or just curious to give it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on some of its 3000+ products. The Vegan Day Out runs from 10am–5pm on Saturday and 11am–5pm on Sunday.
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.
2019 is shaping up to be a mighty big year for Elton John. Biopic Rocketman launches into cinemas in May, starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton as the singer and covering his wild 70s antics. The live-action version of The Lion King hits screens come July, featuring the musician's iconic tunes from the original, as well as new songs. And to cap it all off, the star himself is headed our way for a huge farewell tour. Bringing his 300-stop Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows to Australia and New Zealand between November 2019 and February 2020, John will be doing over 40 concerts across more than two months — including gigs in capital cities, a number of regional dates, and shows at A Day on the Green. Two December shows at Sydney's ICC have completely sold out. However, there are a limited number of $149 tickets available for his additional shows at Qudos Bank Arena on January 7, 9 and 14. He kicked off the extensive tour last September, embarking on a three-year global goodbye trip. When it comes to an end, he'll retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his six Saturday shows. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career, which'll be displayed throughout the show, as well as a new tour wardrobe designed by Gucci. Image: Ben Gibson.
Sydney's egalitarian, not-for-profit organisation Kaldor Public Art Projects is currently celebrating 50 years of bringing groundbreaking, immersive artworks to the Aussie public. To mark this half century of shaping Australia's art space, Kaldor is hosting a free retrospective — Making Art Public — at the Art Gallery of NSW. Each of Kaldor's 34 previous projects has been reimagined and created by noted British artist Michael Landy. One showstopper is Allora & Calzadilla's Stop, Repair, Prepare: Variations on 'Ode to Joy' for a Prepared Piano, which is making its Sydney debut this month. If you're a fan of both art and piano concerto, you can catch this artwork every day until Wednesday, October 30. You'll see the pianists attempt Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' on an adjusted piano that can be played from within, and walked across the gallery floor, in AGNSW's Entrance Court. Part music, part performance and part sculpture, Stop, Repair, Prepare was first performed in Melbourne back in 2012 as part of Kaldor Public Art Project #26, with the aim to create an experience through dance and music where the audience plays just as important a part as the choreographed performers. Allora & Calzadilla's Stop, Repair, Prepare: Variations on 'Ode to Joy' for a Prepared Piano runs from Thursday, October 17 through to Wednesday, October 30. It will be performed every hour on the hour from 11am–4pm every day, with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays, October 23 and 30. On Wednesday evenings you can also hear the pianists speak about the work in an intimate Q&A from 6.30pm.
If a fresh bun, an expertly grilled patty and a slice of melted cheese is your idea of a perfect meal, then you might just have to permanent marker October 29 in your diary. Why? There are going to be a whole heap of cheap burgers to snatch up. Sydney chain Burger Project is turning five and celebrating by grilling $5 cheeseburgers at all six of its Sydney stores all day on Tuesday, October 29. Head to World Square, Gateway Circular Quay, Bondi Junction, Broadway, MLC Centre or Grosvenor Place, and grab a bargain (or, depending on how hungry you are, several). For those new to Burger Project's take on an old fave, Neil Perry's eatery whips up a hand-pressed slab of Cape Grim beef, layers it with pickles, onion, mustard and cheese, then squirts on some secret sauce. Next, it's all placed between a soft milk bun. And it tastes even better when it's less than half the regular price.
Every summer since 1977, Sydney Festival transforms the city into a celebration of arts and culture for one month, bringing new creative experiences to our theatres, parks, historical buildings and streets. And in 2020, Sydney Festival returns from January 8–26 with a program of world premieres and more than 70 new and diverse works created by established and emerging artists from all over the globe. Highlights from this year's program include Joan Didion's The White Album — the seminal essay will be brought to life on stage at Roslyn Packer Theatre from January 8–12, investigating the American counterculture of the 1960s. There's also a reboot of a 70s cabaret that changed Australian theatre, Betty Blokk-Buster Reimagined, which is considered a must-see for fans of drag and cabaret (January 7–26). If comedy's your thing, First Nations theatre companies Ilbijerri and Te Rēhia have joined forces to put on a riotous production, BLACK TIES, at Sydney Town Hall from January 10–18. The play shows what can happen when families from either side of the ditch come face to face at a wedding reception — with hilarious results. Seekers of the avant-garde will want to check out Tennessee's Holly Herndon, who has received universal plaudits over the last decade for her forward-thinking, boundary-pushing take on sound creation. The musician uses code to create unique, custom-made digital instruments, and she'll be in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent (January 16) off the back of her latest full-length, Proto. On the operatic dance front, Carriageworks has you covered with Nino Laisné and François Chaignaud presenting Romances Inciertos, Un Autre Orlando, a journey through the history of Spain featuring Baroque music, flamenco and cabaret (January 21–26). And award-winning Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake will create a symmetrically satisfying work featuring 50 bodies moving as one in Colossus (January 16–19). As always, one of the big crowd-pleasers at Sydney Festival will be a free art installation at Darling Harbour. Dodecalis Luminarium will be a large-scale, neon-lit maze by the UK's Architects of Air (whose works are also appearing at Mona Foma next year). Though the installation will be free to enter every day of the festival (January 8–26), you can also purchase tickets to skip the inevitably long queue. Of course, this barely scratches the surface of what's on offer — including hip-hop dance acts from western Sydney, a food-focused storytelling feast at Carriageworks and a 30-year revival of Aboriginal stage musical Bran Nue Dae at Riverside Theatre — so be ready to clear your schedule for January and start planning your tickets in advance as many of these events will sell out before the new year. Images: Alan Parkinson, Mark Pokorny, Timothee Lejolivet, Courtney Stewart, Garth Oriander & Mark Gambino.
UPDATE: JANUARY 7, 20202 — Due to air quality in Sydney following the bushfire crisis, Opening Night has cancelled all its Sydney Festival shows. John Cassavetes' 1977 film about an actress battling through an existential crisis after witnessing the death of a young fan was savaged by critics upon release. However, since Cassavetes' untimely death in 1989, Opening Night has been reappraised and is now seen as one of the highlights of his career. French director Cyril Teste, who specialises in adapting films for the stage, brings his radical staging of the cult movie to Sydney Opera House in an Australian exclusive, following glowing reviews of its New York run. Two-time Oscar nominee Isabelle Adjani plays the protagonist; her portrayal of a woman haunted was dubbed "tantalising" by The New York Times. The production is in French language with English surtitles, and it runs in the final week of Sydney Festival. Image: Simon Gosselin.
After a debut event in March this year, Liverpool on a Roll will return for a second 2019 event on Saturday, November 9. The one-night-only event showcases the community's multicultural vibes with a night of tunes, entertainment and a whole lot of food in West Hoxton's Greenway Park. The food truck lineup features heaps of international cuisines, with all dishes capped at $12. Expect burgs from Penrith's Superior Burger, shrimp po'boys from Get Shrimped, haloumi fries from Halloumilicious, Bolivian-style pork sandwiches from La Kantuta and Mr Bao's much-loved bao. For dessert there will be Thai-style ice cream rolls, Indian banana coconut wraps, apple pie jaffles, loukoumades, crème brûlée and glow-in-the-dark bubble tea. For drinks, head to the pop-up beer garden, which will be slinging cocktails and local beverages aplenty. Grab a seat by the pond as live entertainers serenade you throughout the evening, or join in on the garden games and giveaways. Liverpool on a Roll runs from 4–10pm.
Jamie's Italian Australia has had a rocky few years — with ownership changing hands and the closure of a few local stores. Luckily, the Brisbane-based Hallmark Group took over the management of the Australian restaurants and, now, perhaps in an attempt to help us put our faith back in the brand, Jamie's Italian on Pitt Street is bringing back its super-popular $50 bottomless prosecco lunches. The one-month deal will run every Saturday and Sunday (from 12–4pm) in October — and it includes a lot more than just two hours of endless sparkling wine. Each table will be served small bites to share (including those crispy polenta chips), and everyone will get a big bowl of pasta. You'll be be able to choose which one you want, too — think classics like prawn linguine and carbonara, and signatures including the truffle tagliatelle and fresh crab spaghetti. Plus, you can top it off with a dessert or an espresso martini for just $10. If we know anything, it's that people really love Jamie's Italian. As such, these lunches are sure book out fast, so front a pineapple and book it already.
They're taking to hobbits to Isengard at the Hayden Orpheum this November, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for one sitting of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations — in their extended forms. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King, this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at 686 minutes plus intermissions, starting the journey at 10.30am and including two 20-minute meal breaks (breakfast and second breakfast, if you will). If you make it to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest Cremorne resident on your way home (note: do not actually screech at the residents). Tickets are the precious and come in at $25 for the whole ordeal.
If you've kicked off the new year with grand plans of health kicks and leafy green salads, you might want to put them on hold for just a few more weeks. Especially if you're a lower north shore local. That's because The Fernery's lush rooftop terrace is about to kick off a month-long festival of melted cheese. Launching Saturday, February 1 and running daily through the month, the Mosman Melted Cheese Festival is set to deliver a dairy-fuelled menu to tempt even the most hardcore cheese fiends. The limited-edition lineup covers the stretchy, the oozy and the decadently gooey, with dishes like an extra cheesy New York-style cheeseburger ($24), salty haloumi sticks ($17) and a four-cheese revamp of the classic mac and cheese ($19). There's also a honey-drizzled baked camembert served with house-baked flat bread for dipping ($17) and you'll even find a dessert cheese fix in the smooth and fluffy cheesecake teamed with fresh fruit ($16). [caption id="attachment_648349" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Fernery[/caption] The Fernery's got your drinks match sorted, too. Round out your cheesy rendezvous with a drops like Lanson Champagne ($20 glass, $99 bottle) and the Margan rosé ($12 glass, $50 bottle) out of the Hunter Valley. Images: Madeleine Ryan @ Papaya.
We've gone from grand slams and tennis whites to glitter and drag queens within a matter of weeks. Kings Cross Theatre's latest production is mashing together these two rather polarising events into one colourful, titillating explosion — and it's a must-see this Mardi Gras season. Angus Cameron's Australian Open brings courtship to Rod Laver Arena, with a focus on tennis and open relationships. Felix is contemplating proposing to his partner, Aussie tennis star Lucas (Patrick Jhanur). On Felix's birthday — and after Lucas's loss to Federer — they discuss their polyamory with Felix's parents Belinda (Di Adams) and Peter (Gerard Carroll), as well as later with his sister Annabelle (Miranda Daughtry). Some agree that non-monogamy in marriage is unconventional, sure, but not a bad idea — other's don't. What ensues is a debauched game of doubles. This grand slam of a rom-com keeps things light — expect big gay rainbows (figuratively) and a confetti gun (literally) — and breaks the stereotypical idea that queer stories are tragic. Yes, it raises a few uncomfortable truths, but this energetic show is more fun than it is reflective. Directed by Riley Spadaro, Australian Open is a collaboration between bub and bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company and is taking over KXT from Friday, February 14 to Saturday, February 29. [caption id="attachment_762206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clare Hawley[/caption] Images: Hannah-Rae Meegan and Clare Hawley.
Get your dancing shoes on Sydney, because one big ol' glittery party series is headed our way. The ivy's new LGBTQI+ club night, POOF DOOF, has partnered up with Absolut Vodka to turn it all the way up for Mardi Gras this year. Expect to get down to anthems by the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Madonna, Pet Shop Boys and Cher, 'cos this party is here, loud and (very) queer with pre-Mardi Gras raves, from February 15–29. Having taken up residency at the Merivale precinct back in November 2019, the legendary Melbourne-bred party has since thrown some of the best blowouts citywide — and it's primed to get even better now that the CBD lockout laws have been lifted. The parties will take over the courtyard, terrace and den with an all-out rave each Saturday from 10.30pm. Dance well into the night with house and techno pumping on the main dance floor. Or, you can vogue in the side room — dubbed Snap Crackle Pop — which will be blasting queer pop anthems all night. The Mardi Gras series will kick off with We Are Stardust on Saturday, February 15, with DJs Unknown Associates headlining, plus a lineup of more DJs and drag queens. On February 22, you can enter into the queer stratosphere at Planet POOF DOOF — an intergalactic Mardi Gras welcome party. Come Friday, February 28, there'll be the Big Gay Pool Party taking over the ivy's Pool Club. And, for its final stint on Saturday, February 29, POOF DOOF's Mardi Gras series will close out with a massive Mardi Gras Parade After Party. Tickets for each night start from $25 and are on sale now. Pre-purchase online and you'll receive a 'rainbow hour' wristband upon arrival, which will get you a one-hour drinks package from 10.20–11.30pm — so get on it.
UPDATE: April 27, 2020: The Biggest Little Farm is available to stream via Google Play and YouTube. Say goodbye to your inner-city digs, pack up your belongings and head to the country — it's time to swap your concrete playground for a grassy, tree-lined, animal-filled one. That's how you might be feeling after watching The Biggest Little Farm, the warm and informative documentary that charts a just-married Californian couple's quest to follow all of the above steps in the name of a better life. John and Molly Chester's dream is simple, at least on paper. They want to run their own farm, relying on traditional methods and doing so in harmony with nature. One-crop spreads, soulless egg factories and the general type of commerce-driven farming that has become common today aren't for them. Instead, their rural utopia boasts a broad array of creatures and hundreds of different types of edible plants, creating a mini-ecosystem that supplies everything the pair eats — and everything that Molly, a private chef and food blogger, could ever need to cook with. The fact that a film exists about their efforts, and that it's helmed by John himself — a cinematographer and Emmy award-winning director when he's not working the land — signals the obvious: that the Chesters turned their vision into a reality. Spanning most of the past decade, The Biggest Little Farm chronicles the ups and downs of attempting to transform an unwelcoming 200-acre patch of soil into a thriving natural farming haven, all by following the advice of biodynamic farming guru Alan York. Taking over an abandoned farm, they strip away most of the existing crops, replacing them with new ones. They wait as the greenery grows, and as their newly acquired menagerie of chickens, pigs, ducks, sheep, dogs and other diverse critters all play their part. (Of paramount importance: the animals' poop, of which there's plenty.) First laughed at by their friends and family, the Chesters' support system expands, as does the farm they call home and the business side of the equation. Bookended by wildfires, with flames threatening to encroach upon the property an hour outside of Los Angeles, The Biggest Little Farm bubbles with timeliness — and not just because of Australia's current catastrophic blazes. The documentary actually first started screening at international film festivals back in 2018, coming in third in the audience choice award in Toronto that year, but the attitude it celebrates is a clear reflection of the growing recognition that much about humanity's current existence is harming the planet. Accordingly, as proved the case with Aussie doco 2040, watching the Chesters' plight proves educational, inspirational and aspirational. Their passion is infectious, whether they're helping birth calves, tending to an ailing pig or endeavouring to save their chickens from coyotes. The movie doesn't aim to take viewers through their feats step-by-step or teach audiences exactly how to follow the same path, but it does show what's possible for anyone willing to try. When the film leans into the adorable, heartwarming side of such an idealistic venture, cuteness abounds. An outcast rooster befriends a sow, oinking piglets run riot, and dogs lick lambs as if they were cleaning their own offspring. John doesn't shy away from the tougher realities of farm life, though — including wildlife predators, birds pecking through most of their fruit, a tricky snail infestation and serious animal health issues. First and foremost, however, he's viewing his experiences through a firmly upbeat, affectionate, resilient and persistent lens. This is a true tale that starts with a promise to a just-adopted dog, which John saves from an animal hoarder with more 200 critters and pledges to give a loving home, after all. When that pup barked so much that the couple got evicted, that's when John and Molly decided to chase their farming dreams. The movie's positive spin lends itself to lively animated sequences, bringing Molly's fantasies to the screen a suitably colourful, affable way. Still, as engaging as this rich, gentle documentary is — and as likely as it is to make you wish you could take the Chesters' lead — that jovial mood also results in a few overtly cliched touches. The film's music drips with sentiment, as if it doesn't quite trust that the on-screen critters are enough by themselves. The brightly coloured hues do more than just capture the farm's sights, literally painting a vibrant, sun-dappled picture. And, when it comes to the difficult reality of actually funding this sizeable venture (and making an independent doco about it at the same time), concrete details are glaringly absent. Plus, the personal voiceover sometimes verges on cloying. Worse: the reaction to someone's ill health and its impact on the farm plays as selfish, as if this parcel of land is more important than another person. These are all minor issues, but they do stop a valuable movie about eco-conscious living from being truly great rather than just very good. You'll still want to pack your bags and leave the rat race far behind, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcQKWkpPB3U
Fancy reliving your childhood film favourites on the stage? That seems to be the current trend. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is doing big business in Melbourne, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical has been taking its golden tickets around the country, and now Shrek the Musical is bringing its all-singing, all-dancing version of the animated movie franchise to Sydney's Lyric Theatre from January 1, 2020. Expect plenty of green when this Tony and Grammy award-nominated stage show finally makes its way to our shores, after first premiering on Broadway back in 2008. Since then, everyone's favourite ogre — originally voiced by Mike Myers — has sung his way through theatres in the UK, Asia Europe, Canada, Latin and South America, Israel and Scandinavia. You know the story, of course — unless you somehow managed to miss the original 2001 Oscar-winning film, its sequels in 2004, 2007 and 2010, and the heap of spin-offs, shorts, TV specials and series that all followed. Based on the 1990 picture book Shrek!, the tale follows the reclusive but kindly titular figure who endeavours to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona from the the fairy tale-hating Lord Farquaad, all while trekking along with a talking Donkey sidekick. Shrek lovers can expect a whopping 19 songs, an obvious colour scheme and plenty of other fairy tale references. After its Sydney run, it will head to Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne and the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane. Check out the trailer for the production's UK run below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESm1JoEIXAY Image: Helen Maybanks.
Clear your diary, grab your sneakers and prepare to get busy, boombastic and nostalgic — Shaggy and Sean Paul are heading on a tour of Australia this summer. It was revealed earlier this year that the two reggae stars would be headlining Southeast Queensland's inaugural One Love Festival, and, now, it has just been announced that they'll also be hitting up Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in January and February. Yes, the shows will be taking place in the summertime, but if there is a storm, we're sure Sean Paul will be able to shelter you. Enough of the song puns, though, you know the hits and you probably already have them stuck in your head. If not, we suggest you listen to (and get ready to relive), Shaggy's 'Luv Me, Luv Me' and 'It Wasn't Me', and Sean Paul's 'Get Busy' and 'No Lie'. The two 90s and 00s stars will be supported by US reggae-pop singer Josh Wawa White, too. So get ready for a full evening of reggae come summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W5pq4bIzIw Top image: Jonathan Mannion
Life drawing and classes all typically unfold in the same manner: a model disrobes, budding artists commit their likeness to paper, and a wealth of potential masterpieces all focus on the naked human form. But at Magnolia's Art Class, that's just part of the equation. The other part? The folks behind the easel are also encouraged to drop their clothes. Open to women and female-identifying participants, next taking place on Wednesday, January 22 at Dulcie's Kings Cross, this art session is also a bonding session. It asks artists to embrace their own bodies while they're sketching someone else's, and celebrates confidence, diversity and empowerment in the process. And, it also lets attendees strike a pose as well — while there'll be an art model leading the charge, everyone can trying their hand at standing in their place. This time around, tickets cost $27 and, given that Australia is still burning, proceeds will go towards helping communities and animals affected by the current bushfire crisis. All 100 percent of the ticket price will be split and donated to the NSW Rural Fire Service, the RSPCA and WIRES's Emergency Wildlife Fund. You can also tack on an extra donation when buying a ticket through the Eventbrite page. Given the venue, there'll also be wine, cocktails and cheese available to purchase. How naked you get is up to you, based your own comfort levels — and the section of the bar where the class takes place will be closed off, and solely served by female staff. All drawing skill levels are welcome, too, with the teacher Kate taking you through the basics. Just BYO dressing gown, sketch book, and drawing or painting tools.
What do you get when you mix disco, a circus, and cabaret? Our best guess is Club Briefs, an adults-only variety show of disco, circus and burlesque that is making its return for Mardi Gras. Get ready to dance to your fave dance floor bangers and watch the crazy antics of the Briefs cast, which is made up of cabaret and circus artists from across the queer cabaret world. The show, running nightly from 8.30pm, mixes genres and ideas as they challenge stereotypes, celebrate inclusion and diversity, and explores gender, race, politics, and sexuality.
Regular yoga is one thing, but you can't beat getting bendy by the water. Especially when it's part of a complimentary, expert-led zen-filled class, like the ones you'll enjoy as part of Pier One Sydney Harbour's Yoga On The Pier series. The boutique hotel is running these free weekly sessions for all skill levels, every week through until March 27, in conjunction with its new jam-packed wellness program The Retreat. Every Wednesday evening, you'll be guided through a 50-minute yoga class, with the harbour making for a pretty stunning backdrop and Lululemon Sydney ambassadors like Brooke Elliston and Sam Belyea as your teachers. What's more, you can fuel up post-workout in style at the hotel's restaurant The Gantry — pre-order a salad ($20), passionfruit kombucha cocktail ($21), or six-course vegan or vegetarian tasting menu ($110) when you book your spot and it'll be ready to devour after the class. The Retreat program also features free meditation sessions every Tuesday morning at 7.30am. Check out the full program here. Classes are free but you need to register. Images: Caroline McCredie.
Once again, German DJ legend Claptone is preparing to hit Aussie shores, returning to deliver the latest edition of his international smash-hit soirée, The Masquerade. Popping up in Sydney for the second time, the mysterious, multi-sensory event is being presented in collaboration with Untitled Group — the creative minds behind the likes of Ability Fest, Pitch Music & Arts and Beyond the Valley. Having toured a selection of cities worldwide over the past few years, The Masquerade's next stop is the Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh on Saturday, April 6. It's set to transform the space into a den of revelry for one afternoon, featuring a heady mix of performances, acrobats, sounds and quirky characters you won't forget in a hurry. Promising to ramp up the intensity levels, all guests will be given masquerade face wear as they enter the event — a reference to Claptone's own signature golden mask.
Climb aboard the Bushranger's Bullet train this June long weekend and you'll be whisked away on a mighty adventure involving food, wine, art deco cinema, live music and country pubs. Hosted by Silver Compass Tours, The Roaring Days Food and Wine Trail carries you deep into NSW's wild Central West. The shenanigans begin in a private train carriage, which leaves Central Station on the morning of Friday, June 7. It'll be loaded with wine and delicious snacks, including Dreamtime Tuka treats featuring native ingredients, to enjoy on your journey to Orange. Over the next three days, you'll watch The Legend of Ben Hall in a 1930s picture theatre, visit numerous cellar doors and explore tiny country villages in the heartland of bushranger region. Oh, and you'll eat a lot — from dinner in an old-fashioned woolshed to a gin-fuelled Devonshire tea. On Saturday evening, your tour group will get locked inside a country pub by 'bushranger Ben Hall and his gang' in an epic re-creation of an 1863 siege, which turned into a wild three-day party. Like the real event, the reimagining will feature live music, a barbecue and beers (but this time it'll only last a few hours). Your ticket includes almost everything – most meals, snacks and wine tastings, three nights in a boutique hotel in Orange and transfers. If you're not keen to catch the train, you're welcome to self-drive. There'll be day passes available if you're only interested in Saturday's festivities, too. Tickets for The Roaring Days Food and Wine Travel Experience start from $897 per person and are available here.
Backhands, beats and artisan eats will converge on Rose Bay's Lyne Park Tennis Centre on Saturday, March 16. That's when social tennis event Social Serve returns to raise money for The Primary Club, an Aussie charity that helps people with disabilities to play sport. If your activewear hasn't had more of a workout than a stroll to the cafe at the end of your street, then here's your chance to put it to work. The good news is you'll only have to work as hard as you like. The sporty part of proceedings will take the form of friendly mixed doubles match from 4.30pm, with champs who kill it on the court heading into the finals. The whole thing will be capped off with a preso and drink from 7.30–9.30pm. Not so keen on joining the game? That's more than fine. Instead, relax on the sidelines, listen to local DJs, eat some snacks and drink some cocktails by Poor Toms. Spectator tix are just $19 and include a cocktail.
Dumplings, those slippery little parcels of pastry-wrapped meat and vegetables, have long been a friend to the budget-conscious. Running low on cash before pay day? Have dumplings for dinner. Saving your pennies for your next big getaway? Dumplings for dinner. Fancy eating a sizeable meal at a small price? You guessed it — and you can always change things up by having dumplings not just for dinner, but for lunch. If there's one dish that's better that an affordable plate of freshly steamed or fried dumplings, however, it's tucking into those bite-sized pieces for free. And that's what Pitt Street's New Shanghai is serving up across the weekend of Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. Expect the joint to be busy, unsurprisingly. Just drop by the Westfield spot at three set times: between 11am–12pm, 2–3pm and 4–5pm. Three types will be on offer, two, so we hope you like mini pork and prawn wontons, chicken and celery dumplings, and pork and Chinese cabbage dumplings. And you might want to get in early, with the freebies being cooked up while stocks last.
A session at Cargo Bar is all about cold drinks by the harbour — and it isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, the Darling Harbour venue has installed a temporary pour-your-own prosecco fountain. Instead of the bottomless tap that took up residence at The Winery throughout summer, this one will be a by-the-glass deal. For $9 a pop, you'll be able to pour your own flute of bubbly straight from the source — in this case, a shell-clad tap by the bar. The tap will be up and running every afternoon (except Mondays) until the end of March, from 4–8pm on weekdays and 12–7pm on weekends. Get your mates together, stat.
Dev Patel means business in Monkey Man, both on- and off-screen. Starring in the ferocious vengeance-dripping action-thriller, he plays Kid, a man on a mission to punish the powers that be in Yatana (a fictional Indian city inspired by Mumbai) for their injustices, and specifically for the death of his mother Neela (Adithi Kalkunte, who Patel worked with on Hotel Mumbai) when he was a boy. As the film's director, producer and co-writer, he isn't holding back either, especially in adding something to his resume that no other project has offered in his almost two decades as an actor since Skins marked his on-camera debut. Dev Patel: action star has an excellent ring to it. So does Dev Patel: action filmmaker. Both labels don't merely sound great with Monkey Man; this is a frenetic and thrilling flick, and also a layered one that marries its expertly choreographed carnage with a statement. In the post-John Wick action-movie realm, it might seem as if every actor is doing features about formidable lone forces taking on their enemies. Patel initially began working on Monkey Man over ten years ago, which is when Keanu Reeves (The Matrix Resurrections) first went avenging, but his film still acknowledges what its viewers will almost-inevitably ponder by giving John Wick a shoutout. Thinking about the Charlize Theron (Fast X)-led Atomic Blonde and Bob Odenkirk (The Bear)-starring Nobody is understandable while watching, too — but it's The Raid and Oldboy, plus the decades of Asian action onslaughts and revenge-filled Korean efforts around them, that should stick firmest in everyone's mind. All directors are product of their influences; however, Patel achieves the rare feat of openly adoring his inspirations while filtering them through his exact vision to fashion a picture that's always 100-percent his own (and 100-percent excellent). In a city that has a Gotham-New York relationship with its real-life counterpart, Kid isn't a feared assassin who other hitman consider the boogeyman. While Batman nods come through, too, he's definitely not a wealthy man about town with a secret alter ego as a saviour cleaning up the corruption that's darkening the streets. The second part is his aim, just without the cash to fund it — but before that fantasy can fall into place, he's donning a monkey mask and playing the pawn to brawnier wrestling opponents, as the sunglasses-wearing Tiger (Sharlto Copley, Patel's Chappie co-star) emcees. Losing earns him a living. It also lets him hone his fighting skills. And, it's a time-biding tactic, as Kid works his way closer to Yatana's most powerful, such as Chief of Police Rana (Sikandar Kher, Aarya), plus Sovereign Party leader and guru Baba Shakti (Makarand Deshpande, RRR). (Parallels with reality that punch through Kid's quest aren't by accident, with IRL news footage weaved in to stress the point). His stepping stone to his targets: getting a job with Queenie Kapoor (Ashwini Kalsekar, Merry Christmas), who runs restaurant-slash-brothel King's Club, which services the well-to-do. In a gig that nabs him a friend in fellow employee Alphonso (Pitobash, Prachand), Kid says that he'll do anything. He isn't lying when it comes to using his position as a means to play out the vendetta against the man who made him an orphan, as well as the Hindu nationalist organisation leader that the latter is tied to. Patel and co-writers John Collee (Boy Swallows Universe, and another Hotel Mumbai alum) and Paul Angunawela (Keith Lemon: The Film) entwine flashbacks to Kid's childhood, heartbreak and getting comeuppance for it furnishing his backstory. They also knit in Hanuman, the Hindu deity that their protagonist was told stories about when he was young — as was Patel himself — and now draws upon, as assisted by India's third-gender hijras population, as if he's becoming the monkey god himself. Originally, Monkey Man wasn't set to bounce its kinetic brutality through cinemas, nor Patel's gravitas-laced action-star performance or Sharone Meir's high-octane, often neon-lit cinematography (which follows his lensing of Silent Night, another flick about one man seeking retribution against the unscrupulous for a shattering loss). Netflix was due to be its home, then Jordan Peele's (Nope) Monkeypaw Productions stepped in to help lock in a big-screen date. (Peele, who made his own blistering filmmaking debut with Get Out, knows the route that Patel is walking intimately). The vision for Monkey Man was clearly bigger from the outset, though, and not just via frays that dance with raw energy and prove a dazzling spectacle worthy of a movie theatre's giant canvas. It's impossible not to notice that this, like much in film of late, is an origin story. Monkey Man is a calling card several times over, then: for Patel kicking ass and killing it, for the actor-turned-director behind the camera and for more to hopefully follow. To describe the aesthetic Monkey Man experience, paraphrasing The Nanny's theme tune (as thoroughly unrelated as it is) works: this has style, it has flair, and Patel is well and truly there. It has an infectious immediacy and intensity as well, aided by dizzying fist-to-fist bash, crash and smash clashes — melees that injure eyes, heads, throats, limbs and testicles alike — plus propulsive editing (by Joe Galdo, an additional editor on Ferrari; The Crowded Room's Dávid Jancsó; and Black Mirror alum Tim Murrell) and a mood-setting urgency in its score (by Australian composer Jed Kurzel, who was responsible for the sounds of Snowtown, The Babadook and Nitram). There's also meaning in the franticness as blood and sweat fly feverishly, with each face-off increasing in polish. Again, Kid as an unstoppable force isn't a given going into his first bout out of the ring. Patel hasn't become a hulking figure to look at. His character grows into the physicality of his mission, on a journey that apes his coming-of-age path — because crunching bones and smartly telling this tale aren't mutually exclusive. Paying tribute to genres and movies that Patel loves, including taking cues from the liveliness and enthusiasm of both Hong Kong actioners and Bollywood musicals, and even nodding to Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Only God Forgives; making a deep-feeling ode to Indian culture and myths; baking in a heated takedown of oppression, inequality and societal power used only for self-interest; exploring the impact faith has for better and for worse; honouring family: Monkey Man does it all. Patel also gives himself the kind of fierce showcase that's worlds away from the likes of Skins, Slumdog Millionaire, his Oscar-nominated Lion performance and The Personal History of David Copperfield. If his portrayal has predecessors on his filmography, it's via The Wedding Guest and The Green Knight, both vastly different flicks that delivered glimpses of where Monkey Man now takes him. That destination: a passion project that's an arrival several times over for a talent crafting his dream flick with confidence and commitment, matching mayhem with a message, and knocking it out of Monkey Man's underground fight clubs, elevators, bathrooms, hallways and everywhere else where Patel wreaks intoxicating havoc.
Sydneysiders, prepare to get hopelessly devoted — again — to Rydell High, summer lovers reuniting at school, leather jackets and Pink Ladies. Because giving Grease a prequel streaming series wasn't enough, the 50s-set musical is returning to its original home, with Australia's brand-new multimillion-dollar theatre production of the five-decade-old show set to be the one that local audiences want from Sunday, March 24–Sunday, May 26, 2024. Grease is shaping up to be Sydney's big autumn hit, zipping into the New South Wales capital's Capitol Theatre like lightening in January. Everyone knows the plot by now, given how popular the 1978 movie adaptation of the musical rom-com still is, especially Down Under. It is about an Aussie transfer student, after all, who falls in love with an American high schooler in California. After Grease sped from the stage to become a silver-screen classic, it spawned a 1982 Michelle Pfeiffer-starring sequel, too, then streaming's Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Cast-wise, Joseph Spanti (Friends! The Musical Parody, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) and Annelise Hall (The Marvellous Elephant Man, Aspects of Love) are slipping into John Travolta (Paradise City) and the late, great Olivia Newton-John's (The Very Excellent Mr Crocodile Dundee) leathers as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. Also featuring: Jay Laga'aia as Vince Fontaine and Marcia Hines as Teen Angel. The above stars, plus their fellow T-Birds and Pink Ladies, will obviously be belting out all the famous tunes — including the titular 'Grease' and fellow earworms 'Summer Nights', 'Sandy', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'You're The One That I Want', 'Greased Lightnin' and 'Beauty School Dropout'.
Volcanic wines have long been an elusive gem, harnessing the richness of ancient soils to yield distinctive flavours full of character and unique aromas. The ancient practice remains popular with winemakers today, sharing their fan-favourite flavour profiles around the globe. To celebrate this captivating facet of winemaking, ESQ. is throwing a multi-course wine dinner, Fire & Vine: Exploring Volcanic Terroirs, on Wednesday, April 10. Step into Sydney's hidden gem, tucked away in the iconic Queen Victoria Building, and journey back to the clandestine world of prohibition-era speakeasies. Once you've discovered the secret bar, immerse yourself in a sensory dining experience with a curated five-course menu expertly paired with a selection of volcanic wines. Host Luigi Celiento will take you through each distinctive terrier and flavour of the wine with a fascinating history lesson. Enjoy the experience alongside a feast of Sydney rock oysters, kingfish ceviche, linguine alle vongole, and a decadent Valrhona white chocolate mousse. Secure your seat at this exclusive event, with early bird tickets at $195 per person and final release tickets at $220. Explore the full menu and reserve your spot now for an unforgettable evening of discovery.
