I saw the film that Wolf & Cub are named after once, Lone Wolf and Cub. It was one of those random gems that you sometimes stumble across on SBS. It tells the story of a single father Samurai who trains his infant son to take vengeance on their sworn enemies. It is pretty bad ass. The Adeladians are more known for their two drum kit live show than their sword skills or parenting. But they do it very well - live shows turning into freak outs with drum sticks brandished on their drums like they've been training in their rehearsal room dojo for yonks. Their second album Science and Sorcery, released earlier this year, imbued an electronic element into their rhythm-based psychedelic sound, aided and influenced by Chris Colonna from Bumblebeez on production duties. Hearts is their latest single from the album â€" a downbeat groove that hints at Primal Scream and then doubles back into an organ driven mess of beats and melodies. Wolf & Cub are touting this at OAF next week, with help from The Vasco Era (those Melburnians that put out dirty poppy blues, with a bit of 90's grunge in the mix). Brisbane 2 piece DZ start the party early with their thrash-dance-punk.https://youtube.com/watch?v=UsaOr8J6WDo
Everyone keeps asking me what I am doing for New Years Eve... Last year I was in Egypt with my parents, before that it was at the hotel bar with a few cocktails and some complimentaty nuts. This year, I plan to celebrate with a little more enthusiasm. Always good option for NYE, the three day music and arts driven Peats Ridge Festival has scheduled theatre, cabaret and comedy programs, as well as a children's festival, dozens of free workshops, and a masquerade ball for the night of the 31st! Peats Ridge is also the only Australian festival that runs entirely on renewable energy.This year's line up includes recent ARIA winner Sarah Blasko along with Dappled Cities, Jack Ladder, Telepathe (US), Passenger (UK) and so many more.
Trained by an opera singer and influenced by jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday, Parisian chanteuse Caroline Nin describes her discovery of Edith Piaf as the "ultimate gift". Part tribute, part re-invigoration Nin's show HYMNE A PIAF is a journey through Piaf's "musical life and times", cabaret style. This is a return season - her wildly successful show sold out in July. Don't miss it this time around.A classic femme fatale and a seasoned performer, she has appeared at the Lido and the Sunside in Paris, channeling Marlene Dietrich with cabaret as her "lounge". She'll make you feel right at home in the intimate setting of The Vanguard; re-live Paris of the decadent 30s. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DGSIB-hZAiI
Brian Clough: The greatest manager the England team never had. Being a football fan is by no means a prerequisite to enjoy Peter Morgan’s brilliant biopic The Damned United. Adapting David Pearce’s novel in what looks to be a fairly generous, even romanticised take on the life and career of Brian Clough, Morgan has reteamed with his Frost/Nixon and The Queen star Michel Sheen. Together the pair absolutely relish in the arrogance, the belligerence and the remarkable ambition of their subject. Cutting backwards and forwards between 1968 and 1974, The Damned United traverses Clough’s heady rise at Derby County as well as his spectacular fall from grace at Leeds United. It also tracks Clough’s competitive obsession with beloved Leed’s manager Don Revie (Colm Meaney) alongside the fruitful and fractious partnership Clough shared with his assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall). Morgan seems to flirt with romantic comedy conventions, setting up a quasi-love triangle amidst the politics, money and muddy terrain of premier league football. The result is a provocative, darkly funny and particularly damning character study of hubris couched in idealism. Sheen’s performance is worth the price of admission alone, however Spall, Meaney and even a grouchy Jim Broadbent also impress, as does the production design, wonderfully framed shots and incisive dialogue. For all his superciliousness, Clough expounds the model of a football team as a family, an analogy that is clearly evident in the ongoing success of Morgan and Sheen’s filmmaking partnership. https://youtube.com/watch?v=LYzsswqPk6s https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xp_0ITy8nrk https://youtube.com/watch?v=dYBj_qAJtRA
Why hasn't Australia heard of the Topp Twins? We're famous for nabbing New Zealand talent and claiming them for our own (think Russell Crowe, Crowded House's Neil Finn and Jane Campion), so how these charming sisters, their humour and their musical activism haven't crossed the pond boggles the mind. Fortunately Leanne Pooley's delightful documentary has, bringing the remarkable story of Jools and Lynda Topp to Australia's belated attention.Structured around a self-styled This Is Your Life type evening, Jools and Lynda tell their tales and sing their songs to an audience of friends and family, many of whom are also interviewed. Learning about these lesbian, activist, yodeling farm girls is never dull, as their effusive energy and buoyant spirit captivates. Their music needn't even be to your taste to warm to their simple, funny songs and remark at just how much the pair has achieved. From gay rights, Maori Land Rights and nuclear disarmament, to (bravely!) storming a Springboks vs. All Blacks match to protest apartheid, these indefatigable Topps have managed to get their message heard while simultaneously establishing a place for themselves (and their alter egos) in Kiwi popular culture. However at least a few Aussies are already clued in to the Topps. They toured with Midnight Oil (as well as Billy Brag and Split Enz), John Clarke (another poached Kiwi) affectionately calls them "two very very naughty girls," while there is little doubt Kath & Kim were influenced by the twins' small screen antics.The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls is the essence of a great documentary; an entertaining, rewarding and informative look at the fascinating lives of these two women. And as they were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2008, so too do they deserve success on the silver screen in 2009. It is a true delight to spend 84 minutes in Topp company. https://youtube.com/watch?v=HtSDaOscM_I https://youtube.com/watch?v=sQ6XYYH0E9I
If you are predisposed to crazy dancing, mega pop hits, golden oldies and banging electro remixes, then going to a Girl Talk (producer/DJ Gregg Gillis) show is probably the most fun you will ever have. There will be nudity, there will be classic hits (Elton John) mixed with crazy new jams (Lil Wayne), there will be sweat flying, and there will be girls. Loads of girls. Gillies also understands that music lovers sometimes don't have much cash to spare, and so allows free downloads of all of his records from online record label Illegal Art. Nice guy! It is actually kind of crazy that he is performing at Big Day Out with a solo side show at the Enmore; The first Girl Talk show I went to was in a teeny room with about 50 people. At that show Gillies went absolutely nuts behind (and eventually on top of) his DJ equipment — and with that in mind I expect seeing him at the Enmore, with a lights show and a huge crowd, will totally blow our minds!
OMFG! The line up of the original The Underground Lovers has reunited for Homebake but are playing a special show at the Annandale! Dust off Underground Lovers, Leaves Me Blind, Rushall Station, or whichever of their records you call your favourite and remind yourself of how wonderful this seminal and horribly underrated band is, then go to the show and celebrate with the rest of the Australian underground!
While his name may sound more like a cartoon character thought up to teach you about the birds and the bees, Rupert Bunny was an incredible Australian artist celebrated for his series of Impressionist works created during his many years in France. His portraits portray a romantic vision of glamorous and beautiful women in early twentieth century Paris. Alongside an exhibition of his paintings Rupert Bunny: artist in Paris, the Art Gallery of NSW is also presenting a series of films inspired by Bunny's works, depicting the many bohemian visions of Paris created by directors throughout the last fifty years. See the art and then watch a film — get hopping.All films are free.Casque d’or (Golden Marie) 1952Wednesday 25 November 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 29 November 2pmMadame de… 1953Wednesday 2 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 6 December 2pmPot-bouille (House of lovers) 1957Wednesday 9 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 13 December 2pmLe rideau cramoisi (The crimson curtain) 1952Wednesday 16 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 20 December 2pmCamille Claudel 1988Wednesday 6 January 1.30pm & 6pmSunday 10 January 1.30pmChéri 2009Wednesday 13 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 17 January 2pmCoco avant Chanel 2009Wednesday 20 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 24 January 2pmFrench can-can 1955Wednesday 27 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 31 January 2pmMoulin Rouge 1952Wednesday 3 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 7 February 2pmCamille 1936Wednesday 10 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 14 February 2pmAn American in Paris 1951Wednesday 17 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 21 February 2pm
Finders Keepers is a dangerous place to be. Hell for those unable to exert willpower over their need to possess objects both locally and delightfully made. Hell for those escorting said shoppers who have run out of cash and look to you with puppy dog eyes. Aside from that, it’s absolute heaven.Perfectly timed for holiday season shopping, the Finders Keepers Spring/Summer markets will be held on December 4th and 5th at CarriageWorks. This independent market event showcases some of Australia’s best young art and design in a festival atmosphere with live music, a café and a bar.Some of our favourite picks from this season’s markets include TMOD’s interactive scratchie cards, KeepCup, the world’s first barista standard reusable coffee cup, and up-and-coming fashion labels Secret Squirrel and Limedrop. We’re also a fan of the instant photography fun of Inaninstant Photography.Remember, 'Finders Keepers, Losers… Suck.’ The old primary school rhyme will definitely ring true if you miss out on these Sydney-grown markets.Photo: Prue Upton
Though he both arrived and exited his life in Victoria, it was Paris in which this much beloved Australian artist flourished. Between 1885 and 1933, Bunny lived in France, for the most part with his wife Jeanne Morel who appears regularly in his lovely paintings. Of course, the word 'lovely' often carries connotations of subtle inoffensiveness but that definition doesn't align with the work on display in the AGNSW's new exhibiton, Rupert Bunny: artist in Paris. His work is lovely, jawdroppingly so.Capturing the Belle Epoque in pastel and jewel tones, Rupert Bunny's work focusses largely on women (particularly Jeanne) in their languid, pre-war leisure pursuits, and later evolved into more textural landscapes of the French and Australian countryside. Often considered a second generation Impressionist, Bunny's renderings of women with their relaxed smiles and full lips make it almost impossible to keep a safe distance, you'll want to kiss or befriend them.With a tendency to pull from his childhood love of Greek mythology, his work has a dreamy haze attached to it which will envelope this exhibition of more than 100 works. Watch you don't get lost.
Can a photograph somehow visually capture the essence of an auditory experience? With a lens that has perforated rock concerts, festivals and intimate gigs around the world, photographer Cara Stricker takes us on an inside journey, capturing the global music scene with raw immediacy. In Dancing on my bed, Stricker explores a visual landscape of sound, effortlessly infusing rhythm, melody and movement into a series of images that urge you to "dance with your eyes closed and lose yourself in the shadows." Dancing on my bed will run for six weeks at the Absolute stairwell gallery, and will also showcase two new mural walls from artists Numskull and Roach. Opening night will feature music by Strickmachine, Nicky Night Time and Holiday Sidewinder. Not reason enough to brave Sydneys mentally unstable weather? Free Absolute cocktails for all on arrival.
In an attempt to avoid all manner of flying puns*, the best way to describe Mira Nair’s Amelia is as a mixed bag. This biopic of famed and ill-fated aviatrix Amelia Earhart is bolstered by beautiful production design, gorgeous costumes and a committed performance by Hilary Swank. However the film is oddly inconsistent, with some elements steeped in sentimentality, while others are handled with alluring subtlety. This ultimately makes for a frustrating experience, one that given the fascinating subject matter, feels like a greatly missed opportunity. 
That said, Nair does manage to impart the special significance of her historical figure. For many young Australians, the rapturous celebrity of Ms. Earhart may be largely unknown. It is most intriguing to see how she came about that fame â€" through an entirely manufactured stunt by the wily publishing magnate George P. Putnam (a lacklustre Richard Gere) â€" and discover a burgeoning publicity machine created to keep her aloft. In fact the film is strongest when dealing with Amelia the commodity; the brand power of which reached the White House and indeed sent her around the world. Less successful are the film’s romantic overtures. Gere and Swank don’t generate much chemistry, though both actors bring genuine affection to the relationship. But on the other hand Swank and Ewan McGregor’s Gene Vidal capture the frisson of desire in an adulterous subplot that is quite well handled. And yet the ripple effect of another man in her life â€" Amelia’s alcoholic father â€" is very heavy-handed at times, while poignant at others. Such pitching and yawing strips Amelia of its potency. For all its aesthetic beauty, unfortunately this film is too clunky a portrait of the “goddess of light.â€(*almost!)https://youtube.com/watch?v=ioZCEpRLpxo
Just imagine it: Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, U2’s The Edge and The White Stripes’ Jack White are on a soundstage, their electric guitars within reach. It will get loud, there’s no doubt about it.Academy Award winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim brought producer Thomas Tull’s brainchild to life in this extraordinarily energising love letter to the electric guitar. Guggenheim traces the creative backstories of these three incredible artists and the three distinct generations in which they came of age. This takes the director and his subjects on journeys of self re-discovery, as each return to significant locations from their musical upbringing and ponder the love, tenacity and serendipity that buoyed their voyages into the heady seas of rock ‘n roll. Yet the documentary also unites these very different artists in a common past swimming against the tides of the musical status quo. This lead to the Edge and his ear for effects, Page’s self taught mastery embracing the beginnings of punk and White’s tenacious, almost antagonistic adherence to discovering the laid bare aesthetic of the blues. Respecting the past while carving out your place in the present became a calling card of each musician. It Might Get Loud is not a self-indulgent fan-boy romp, nor is it a warts and all fetishisation of the rock‘n'roll lifestyle. Instead what Guggenheim presents is a revealing investigation into the creative spirit. Through intriguing intertitles, brilliant archive footage and excellent pacing that climaxes in the group jam session, the film ponders what it is to create, and what it means to pursue artistry. Consequently you don’t necessarily need to be a rock aficionado to really enjoy this documentary. Much like his Oscar winning film An Inconvenient Truth, Guggenheim manages to bring wide appeal to a seemingly boutique topic. The result is an insightful, captivating tribute to creativity as experienced by three virtuoso musicians and one wonderfully talented documentarian. https://youtube.com/watch?v=5sBLir8H2zM
Jona Bechtolt must not sleep. He could just be one of the most prolific humans on the planet. Over the last 6 years he has released countless records under the nom de plume YACHT, and recently signed to the DFA label, home to LCD Soundsystem (also its label owners), Hot Chip, The Juan Maclean and a handful of other electronic music visionaries. He has managed to squeeze releases between starting one of the more popular U.S blogs Urban Honking, making music as a member of The Blow, being commisioned to do art projects, and generally being one of those people that you hate because they are over-achievers. His releases plow through genres but take root in an pop/electronic sound with dabblings into Krautrock, punk and more straight up rock â€" often sharing beds with early 80's American New Wave bands like Tom Tom Club or Devo. On YACHT's latest album See Mystery Lights Claire Evans was added as a permanent member, with her dead pan vocals further invigorating Bechtolt's jams. The duo will recruit you into their "belief system and business" on December 15th at Oxford Art Factory with a live show that promises to bring some serious dance floor action and general good times.https://youtube.com/watch?v=_NF2JfHng20
Michael Moore’s latest rant-cum-documentary has Washington squarely in its sights. Surely it was only a matter of time before the agent-provocateur filmmaker produced his missive on America’s sub-prime catastrophe and the compounding global financial crisis. Moore, however, is not content to merely rail against the divide between rich and poor and the injustices levelling the American working class, instead he wants to strike a mortal blow to the capitalist system. As ever, Moore grounds his story in the working class; juxtaposing those American battlers worst hit by the crisis with the big banks coming cup-in-hand to Washington to receive the 700+ billion dollar bail out. It’s a powerful, incensing comparison, one compounded by shocking stories of real-estate 'vultures’, ‘dead peasant’ corporate insurance policies, juvenile ‘delinquents’ feathering the nests of privately run detention centres and the abysmal pay of airline pilots (earning less than a manager at Taco Bell).Shock and disgust are no doubt Moore’s motives here. His methods aren’t always sensitive, but his stunts are certainly sensational. Citizens’ arrests, crime-scene tape and an armoured car all feature to humourous and pointed effect. His religious overtures, however, are rather problematic. As in every battle, it’s best to have God on your side, but Moore’s continuous religious appeals come across as his most manipulative stunt yet.More successful is the inclusion of the striking workers at Republic Windows and Doors. “Republic cares nothing for us,†says one tearful employee; a truth as seemingly evident of the US Government as it is their bankrupted company. Indeed, the Congressional conspiracy theories, back room deals and the history of Roosevelt’s unfulfilled second Bill of Rights are similarly eye opening. So while Moore’s tactics are a bit hit and miss, and may ultimately prove too shrill to be convincing, his treatise does make one point abundantly clear:Capitalism is not the Messiah; he’s a very naughty boy.https://youtube.com/watch?v=-YuxAYnX_jY https://youtube.com/watch?v=af9EHtQMMc4
As the community of Kings Cross tries in vain to hang onto its bohemian legacy with memorial plaques on the foothpaths (often more a walk of shame than a walk of fame), the other side of town will be reveling this weekend in their ongoing state of creativity. Newtown, that beloved (to many) spot on Sydney's map where one can procure an African hair braid, trade zines, eat delicious Vietnamese and get a salty margerita all on the one strip.It's the kind of suburb that fosters a new creative community with each annual influx of students at the local universities, while maintaining its history of artistic freedom and general doggone good vibes. It's exactly this sense of real community that has inspired the 2042: Art on the Street event this weekend. This year, 2042 promises to be a giant colouring-in book, having invited those who dwell in the suburb and its admirers to take part for the first time in its two-decade history. Festival co-curator Edith Moss wanted this year's event to be "art that everyone can be a part of", and the blank canvas that starts off 2042 provides exactly that. Bring along a picture of your favourite spot on Kings Street, a spot personal to you (mine would surely be Gould's Books where I could — and have — spent whole days sifting through piles, of dusty, deranged books). Event assistants will be on hand to arrange your image into a growing collage of the suburb, a mural that everyone can help colour by painting, collaging, drawing, anything that takes your fancy. If you haven't visited since The Hub was well-known for pushing film censorship boundaries with its on-stage debauchery, clearly it's time to revisit postcode 2042 again and experience the community that has built up around it. Art on the Street runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday 24th and 10am-9pm, Sunday 25th October. The meeting point is Newtown Square.Image: Jodie Barker
There are some great bands coming out of Brisbane at the moment. Not sure what it is, perhaps the fact that they have a healthy but small live scene with a few good venues in Fortitude Valley (hello Sydney City Council, can you help us out and match this?), and that fact that the locals attend shows and are very supportive of their local bands. A few of these acts have done well for themselves, such as The Grates, I Heart Hiroshima and Yves Klein Blue, to name a few. John Steel Singers are one of the next wave of Brisvegas rock'n'rollers, amongst the likes of The Rocketsmiths, The Cairos and Last Dinosaurs. JSS have put out a string of singles and EPs, with one such single Rainbow Kraut â€" released by Levi's short lived record label Levity â€" being heavily spun on JJJ and all over national radio. The band are a breath of fresh air in the somewhat 'meat and potatoes' rock environment in Australia, the six-piece add horns and raucous jam sessions to their music, which always has a fun element. They are just about to release their debut album, produced by fellow Brisbanian and Go-Betweens legend Robert Forster. By the way, Brisbane City Council just renamed a bridge The Go-Betweens Bridge (again, looking at you Clover, how about an INXS bridge?).Masochist is the first single and this show will be its first outing in Sydney. The wonderful and whimsical Brisbane band Little Scout support.https://youtube.com/watch?v=MpeqfsfH2b4
As sunny days get longer and more frequent, our minds are turning to refreshing drinks, rooftop bars and watery vistas. Over the past few months, Sydney has scored quite a few new sky-facing spaces, including the foliage-heavy Manly Greenhouse, Erskineville's pink frilly umbrella-dotted Slims Rooftop and Erskineville's art deco Imperial Up. Now, Westfield Sydney is joining the shenanigans, with the announcement of not one, but two new rooftop venues. In 2019, inner-city workers and shoppers will be able to slip upstairs to feast on Middle Eastern and Cantonese fare, while soaking up panoramic views. The first of the two is Babylon, a Middle Eastern-inspired venue with a whopping 800 capacity. Among its spaces are a 200-seater restaurant, two expansive bars and a woodfired kitchen. The second is Duck & Rice, a 400-seater contemporary Cantonese restaurant specialising in dishes from regional China, with an atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s Shanghai. Both restaurants will have big outdoor dining spaces. Behind the multi-faceted design is Brisbane-based architect firm Hogg and Lamb. The Mantle Group Hospitality (MGH), has leased the rooftop and owns both Babylon and Duck & Rice. Having been busy in Brisbane for nearly 40 years, it moved into Sydney in May 2018 with the opening of The Squire's Landing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks. Babylon and Duck & Rice are both slated for completion in early 2019.
The promised 2019 completion for Sydney's new southeast light rail system is now a distant memory, with the consortium behind the project today advising the New South Wales Government that it'll be delayed another two months. May 2020 is now the projected completion date for the project, which will run from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford. In case you haven't been keeping track, that's a 14-month delay. So far. As reported by the SMH, this latest delay is due to an awry overhead wire. But, it's not the first road bump the 12-kilometre light rail has hit during its embattled construction. Back in March 2016 (yes, more than two years ago) construction was (understandably) halted after thousands of Indigenous artefacts were discovered in the area. Then, earlier this year, the NSW Government found itself embroiled in a legal battle with the Spanish subcontractor heading up the build, slowing down progress considerably. At the time, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declined to share details about the delays, though said the state would "not be held to ransom" by builder Acciona, which is taking Transport for NSW to court for the tidy sum of $1.2 billion. Speaking of billions, Acciona has estimated the final cost of construction to be $1.8 billion — that's double the original $870 million estimate. An inquiry into the impact of the construction of the light rail on local residents and businesses was then launched by the state in May. It received 193 submissions from locals and hearings are currently taking place in Sydney's Parliament House. Some of the businesses that say they've been impacted by the construction — or have been forced to close — include The Book Kitchen, Bishop Sessa and Cafe Jacks. Testing on the CBD and South East Light Rail Project began in February.
If views are what you're after when seeing out another year, then The Glenmore is the place to be on New Year's Eve. The Rocks' famed rooftop bar looks over Sydney Harbour, with uninterrupted views of the Opera House and a prime position next to the Harbour Bridge. So, here, you can expect fireworks and good times aplenty when the end of 2019 turns into 2020. What's better than partying on a harbourside rooftop on the night before New Year's Day? Doing it without having to pay a dime, that's what. To help you ring in the new year right, we're giving away four tickets (worth $385 a pop) to The Glenmore's NYE Party. You and three mates will be ushering in 2020 while kicking back on the rooftop and wandering around the cocktail lounge. Your ticket includes a four-hour deluxe beverages package, which includes select wine, beer and spirits. The evening is sponsored by Stella Artois, Cîroc and Mumm, so expect plenty of vodka sodas, top-notch beers and celebratory glasses of Mumm at midnight. In between sipping, you'll be feasting on top-quality canapés, plus there'll be a gourmet buffet on arrival should you need to line the stomach early. And, of course, it's New Year's Eve, so there'll be live tunes playing all night long, with Emily of One Stop DJs kicking things off, followed by the dreamy (and dance-worthy) harmonies of Thousand Rivers. If you're keen to treat your best mates to a decadent New Year's Eve party — which obviously you are — enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]740052[/competition]
Don't get us wrong, we love a relaxed drink at the pub. It's just that sometimes you feel like doing something other than sitting around your local, eating and drinking your regular. While you could wait for the weekend to roll around, you might just miss out on some pretty cool events happening in Sydney right now. To help you come up with the ultimate plan, we've teamed up with the folks from Holey Moley to bring you five ways to kick off the weekend that are better than the usual pub hang. From boozy mini golf to comedy nights, outdoor films and live music sessions, here's where the after work drinks are headed. [caption id="attachment_667548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe.[/caption] PLAY BOOZY MINI GOLF AT HOLEY MOLEY Mini golf with a full-service cocktail bar? Talk about a stroke of genius. Sydney is now home to three Holey Moleys, with the mother-of-all venues located in Darlinghurst beneath the iconic Coca-Cola sign. Swing by for a casual game of putt-putt with friends, which will take you in and around two courses full of novelty pop culture holes. Putt through a game of Pac-Man, past the Simpson's couch, up a yellow brick road and down Elvis' golden throne. If you're looking to sink a few drinks, onsite bar The Caddyshack has more to offer than your average beverage cart. The menu includes a selection of beers and wines, as well as over-the-top cocktails, including the puntastic long island iced tee and espresso partini. If you need a little sustenance before you get your game on, they also serve hot dogs, pizzas, burgers and waffle fries. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida.[/caption] SIP HYPER LOCAL BREWS Rather than settle for what's on tap at your local, cut out the middle man and head straight to the Inner West where you'll find a steady stream of micro-breweries just minutes apart. If you've invited your posse along, Sauce Brewing Co is home to an exceptionally large beer garden that's as big and green as a public park. Grifter Brewing Co is your go-to for watermelon pilsner, coconut milk stout and a slew of sour beers with excellent names. Batch Brewing Co pours US-style brews and limited edition batches (keep an eye out for the Marrickville Pork Roll wheat ale), while its neighbour Stockade Brew Co offers a core range of sessionable ales alongside curious seasonal releases — maple imperial stout or passionfruit session IPA, anyone? For something you're unlikely to find at a pub, drop by Wildflower and try its fabulously funky ales made from wild foraged yeast. Choose a single brewery or string a few together to create your own craft crawl. SEE A LIVE GIG AT THE VANGUARD The velvet curtains have parted once again at iconic live music venue The Vanguard in Newtown. Cruise by after work for a night of booze and tunes, with live gigs running most nights of the week. Just like in the good old days, the program will focus on jazz and blues, however, you can also catch country, rock and indie music, as well as the occasional burlesque show, too. There's no need to head out for dinner (although King Street has some pretty incredible options), with the kitchen serving up pizzas, charcuterie and snack plates designed to share. Downstairs, the bar will be pouring Young Henrys on tap and sultry cocktails like The Vanguard, made from black cherry and tempranillo with a hit of sweet vermouth. LAUGH OUT ANY WORK-WEEK WOES AT DELLA HYDE On the evenings when you're not feeling particularly witty, let a stand-up comic entertain you and your friends. To start the year, Wes Anderson-themed bar Della Hyde in Darlinghurst has launched a regular comedy night, featuring a line-up of five comedians who promise to get you giggling. If you need to give your aching sides a break, Della Hyde also has a pretty tempting food menu, with headliners like the Southern-style fried chicken and Peking duck spring rolls. Wash it down with one of the skin contact wines or try the Sierra Nevada grapefruit and cactus beer for a laugh (it is actually good though). There are also regular cocktail specials. The next event will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 20, with general admission tickets priced at $10. Top image: Mitch Lowe.
The long weekend is here. And, as Monday is a public holiday, some of your regular spots will be shut. So, if you're on the hunt for a caffeine hit, long lunch or a few more beers, we've put together an extensive list of all the bars, cafes and restaurants that'll be open on Monday, January 28. There is something for everybody on this list, too — from Chin Chin's refined Thai fare to A1 Canteen's famed muffuletta and Continental Deli's tinned martinis. And if you're looking for further inspiration on how to spend your days off, head this way for our pick of the best long weekend happenings. [caption id="attachment_700692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Neptunes, Brighton Le Sands[/caption] RESTAURANTS Belles Hot Chicken, Tramsheds, Barangaroo, Steam Mill Lane: 12pm–10pm Chin Chin, Surry Hills: 11.30am–11pm The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria: 7.30am–9pm The Grounds of the City, CBD: 9am–5pm Bennelong, CBD: 5.30pm–late Milky Lane, Bondi, Coogee, Cronulla, Parramatta: 12pm–late Mjølner, Redfern: 5pm–late Caffè Bartolo, Surry Hills: 10am–late El Camino, Manly and The Rocks: 12pm–late The Pacific Club, Bondi: 7am–late Salt Meats Cheese, Circular Quay, Cronulla, Broadway and Drummoyne: 11am–late Yulli's, Surry Hills: 5pm–late Neptunes, Brighton Le Sands: 7am–10pm Vecino, Canterbury: 7am–10pm General Chao, Chatswood: 12pm–10pm Da Orazio, Bondi: 5pm–late Cirrus, Barangaroo: 12–6pm Yellow, Potts Point: 5pm–late Monopole, Potts Point: 5pm–late Mister Percy, The Rocks: 5pm–late North Bondi Fish, Bondi: 12–6pm Chiswick, Woollahra: 12pm–late Chiswick at the Gallery, CBD: 12pm–3pm New Shanghai, Westfield Sydney and Chatswood: 11am–9pm [caption id="attachment_691774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edition Coffee Roasters, Haymarket. Image: Trent van der Jagt.[/caption] CAFES Nutie Donuts, Surry Hills and Balmain: 8am–5pm Matinee Coffee, Marrickville: 7am–4pm Edition Coffee Roasters, Haymarket: 9am–12pm Devon Cafe, Barangaroo and Surry Hills: 8am–3.30pm A1 Canteen, Chippendale: 7am–3pm Three Blue Ducks, Bronte: 7am–2.30pm Paramount Coffee Project, Surry Hills: 7am–3pm Brewtown Newtown, Newtown: 8am–4pm Reuben Hills, Surry Hills: 8am–3.30pm Sando Bar, Surry Hills: 8am–3.30pm Bourke Street Bakery, all stores except North Sydney: 7am–4pm Bills, Bondi, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills: 8am–10pm [caption id="attachment_684208" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's, Newtown[/caption] BARS Mary's, Newtown: 4pm–late Continental Deli, Newtown: 12pm–late The Toxteth, Glebe: 10am–late The Bucket List, Bondi: 11am–12am The Royal Hotel, Paddington: 11am–late Sauce Brewing Co., Marrickville: 12pm-late The Dolphin Hotel, Surry Hills: 11.30am–10pm Bondi Beach Public Bar, Bondi: 11am–late Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi: 12pm–12am Harpoon Harry, Surry Hills: 11am–3am Handpicked Wines Urban Cellar Door: 11am–10pm Barangaroo House: 11am–12am The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks: 11.30am–late Botany View Hotel, Newtown: 12pm–late Top image: Three Blue Ducks Bronte, Nikki To.
The team responsible for revamping The Norfolk, The Flinders, The Carrington and The Oxford Tavern – who went on to sell all four pubs in 2016 – are back in the game. This time, James Wirth and Michael Delany have turned their hand to The Duke of Edinburgh, a much-loved pub next to Enmore Theatre, in Sydney's inner west. Now known as The Duke of Enmore, the pub will reopen on Tuesday, December 11. Rather than overhaul the entire interior, the team has gone for a light-handed reno. Among the new features are tartan carpet, stained glass lighting and, most importantly — with summer coming up — lots of windows. Meanwhile, original timber features have been given a refresh and brick surfaces have been exposed. In the kitchen, you'll find Toby Wilson (Bad Hombres, Ghostboy Cantina), who, in keeping with The Duke's culinary history, is serving up pub classics and snacks — but on another level. Choose from two steaks ("cheap" and "expensive"), porchetta rolls, bologna sandwiches and plates from LP's Quality Meats. There will be plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes — Wilson's known for serving up top-notch vegan fare at Bad Hombres — too, including a whole roasted cauliflower. Meanwhile, Joel Amos (founder of natural wine retailer Drnks) is taking care of the beverages. His selection will cover a heap of funky, skin-contact and natural wines (look out for regular wine tastings), some of which will also be available in the attached bottle shop. The cocktail list will cover classics and new concoctions, such as The Golden Pear Spritz, a summery drink of golden pear, prosecco and soda, and the Robert Mitchum (the pub's house special), a mix of Jack Daniels, whole egg, orange juice and maple syrup. If you're around on weeknights, you'll be getting down to 70s hits, but the weekends will be dedicated to disco DJs, which will play through till the wee hours. The Duke of Enmore will open at 148 Enmore Road on Tuesday, December 11. Opening hours are Monday–Wednesday, 11am-12am; Thursday–Saturday, 11am-2am; and Sunday, 11am-10pm.
We're only four days out from summer (and four weeks from Christmas) but Sydney is preparing itself for another hefty spring downfall. And maybe even some flooding. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the city is expected to be hit with between 60–120mm of rain this Wednesday, November 28, and there's a chance of some thunderstorms hitting as early as this evening, too. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1066905019193151489 That's a lot of rain. For comparison, this September — Australia's driest September on record — Sydney copped less than five millimetres a day. So, we're not complaining, especially since 100 percent of the state has been in drought. While it doesn't look like Sydney CBD's will experience any flooding — like it did in Melbourne last week — the BOM has issued initial flood warnings for rivers between the Central Coast the Illawarra Coast, and severe weather warnings, with damaging winds and heavy rainfall expected, for the metropolitan area, the Hunter and Central and Southern Tablelands. If you were planing to spend the first weekend of summer reclining on a beach or by an ocean pool, fret not — that'll still be possible. The weather is expected to clear up by Saturday, December 1, with Sunday hitting a balmy top of 30. But, in the meantime, don't forget to pack your umbrellas and raincoats — and keep an eye on the flood warnings.
Picture this: you've parked your car on a side street really far away, paid for a ticket till 2pm, gotten distracted by an email (or a cute dog) and sprinted back for 2.02pm. Boom, you've copped a parking ticket. It's a scenario a lot of us are way too familiar with. And our bank accounts are, frankly, sick of it — those $112 tickets really add up. Thankfully, you'll soon have a bit longer to get back to your car, with the NSW Government introducing a ten-minute grace period from January 31, 2019. So, in our hypothetical situation, you've got an extra eight minutes to pat that pooch and put more money in the meter. The grace period applies to all ticketed and coupon parking, which the Government says makes up for the "majority of overstay parking offences". If the meter doesn't issue a ticket — it's one of those machines where you input your number plate, for example — the grace period doesn't apply. Nor do private car parks, or parks in clearways, bus lanes, transit lanes, mail zones, no stopping areas, loading zones or special event zones (but you probably shouldn't be parking there anyway). In some more great news for our dire post-holidays bank accounts, from March 1, 2019, some parking fines might actually get cheaper. From this date, councils and universities will be able to reduce level 2 parking fines (which is what you get for overstaying in a park, parking without a ticket, stopping in a mail zone, etc) from $112 to $80. More money for gelato and spritzes, we say. The ten-minute grace period will be introduced on January 31, 2019. For more information, head to the NSW Government website. Image: Kitti Smallbone.
Serious food lovers are spoiled for choice in Sydney, but sometimes it's hard to see the wood for the trees with so many great options on the table. There's also the problem of everybody else knowing about them, too, which means looking down the barrel of hour-long (or more) waits to get a seat. And then there's the hole in your wallet some of the city's top bites will burn. Don't despair though, as there are plenty of 'secret' eating spots for those in the know. We've tracked down five of our favourites that are guaranteed to impress — especially any new mates visiting the harbour city for the weekend. These eateries still might be busy and buzzing (it's a big city after all) but each has retained an element of the underground and a focus on innovative, creative deliciousness. And the best part is that none will break the bank.
While heading to the beach might be the last thing on your mind in this chilly weather, Port Stephens is giving you a pretty convincing reason to head north this winter. Its annual month-long Love Seafood festival celebrates all things local, fresh and from the ocean — and sees seafood aficionados flock to the coastal town every August. From fish, prawns and oysters to crab and lobster, the seafood from around the region is mighty fine and well worth the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. Running over the month of August, Love Seafood is an indulgent food fair complete with long lunches, degustation dinners, galas, cruises and even town-wide jazz performances. If you make the journey up the coast, you'll be tucking in at top-notch restaurants, sharpening your cooking skills at weekly cooking classes and tasting seafood aplenty from local vendors. Once you've had your fill of local fare, you can head behind the scenes for a tour of fish farming and aquaculture, too. To entice you even more, we've teamed up with The Anchorage Hotel & Spa to give one lucky winner (and their mate or date) a night at its Hamptons-inspired digs. You'll be staying right on the water, with each room decked out with plenty of seaside (but incredibly luxe) charm and ocean views. You can claim your prize at any point until Sunday, September 1 (between Sundays and Thursdays). Plus, we're throwing in breakfast with bottomless bubbles and a two-course lunch at The Anchorage's Galley Kitchen — with seafood galore, of course. Love Seafood will take over Port Stephens from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, September1. If you're keen for a getaway and stuffing yourself silly with seafood — which you obviously are — enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]731887[/competition]
When things go your way at work, there's nothing better than rallying the troops and heading out for a night of well-deserved good food and wine. Whether you've just scored that promotion, landed a huge client or survived the biggest week of work ever, when it's finally time to let loose and celebrate, you may as well do it in style. So, we've rounded up some of the absolute best spots in Sydney for a fancy celebratory meal. These epicurean innovators might be on the pricier side — but you've earned it, you professional big shot. And what's a celebration without a little vino? In yet another win, Citi customers who visit any one of these places (and many more) and pay using their Citi card will score a free bottle of wine. To save you from poring over these eateries' very extensive wine lists, just have a gander at the Citibank Dining Program website to see what vinos are on offer and get ready for the party in your professional honour.
UPDATE, MARCH 13: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that The New Mutants will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, April 9, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. When it comes to superhero cinema, quantity doesn't equal variety. A new caped crusader flick hits screens every month, or so it seems, but many of them follow the same formula. You know the drill, because you've seen it in everything from Captain America to Wonder Woman and several different iterations of Spider-Man: someone with special abilities grapples with their powers, learns how to put them to best use, then faces off against an evil nemesis — saving the world from destruction and devastation in the process. Accordingly, when something dares to break the mould in even the slightest way, it stands out. That's one of the reasons that Marvel's The New Mutants has gathered quite a bit of attention in recent years. Set within the X-Men universe and based on the comics of the same name, it follows a group of young mutants being held against their will in a secret psychiatric hospital, basically plonking them in horror movie territory. There's still plenty that's familiar about the premise, with the titular super-enhanced folks all learning to use their powers while trying to escape captivity — but the tone and approach of the film is definitely a welcome change. The darker, scarier mood is on full display in the just-dropped latest trailer, which also confirms an important piece of information: five years after it was first announced, four years since it was cast and three years after it was shot, The New Mutants finally looks set to hit cinema screens. That hasn't always been a given, with the long-delayed film originally due to release in April 2018, only to be pushed back to February 2019, then August 2019, and now April 2020. Along the way, it has been through cast member changes, script rewrites, reshoots and the Disney acquisition of Fox — aka the company behind the MCU flicks snapping up the company behind the X-Men movies — so if you were skeptical about it actually seeing the light of day, let this new sneak peek allay your fears. As well as its ominous tone and plenty of horror imagery, The New Mutants boasts an impressive cast — including Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams, Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton, and Glass and The Witch's Anya Taylor-Joy. Obviously, given how long ago the film was first shot, they all look quite a bit younger than their most recent screen appearances. And, behind the camera sits director/co-writer Josh Boone, who last helmed teen weepie The Fault in Our Stars. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otomJ2gKHfQ The New Mutants was due to open in Australian cinemas on April 9, 2020; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced.
With delicious food, great drinks and the chance to sit back and soak in some gorgeous scenery, what's not to love about brunch? It's certainly one of our favourite summer activities — and we know that it's one of yours, too. That's why we partnered with Henkell to host our very own luxe brunch and invited a bunch of you to join in on the bubbles and fun. To bring this special occasion to life, we chose one of our favourite hidden gems in Sydney, inner-city bar Since I Left You, and turned its courtyard into a brunching paradise, filled with fairy lights, balloons and greenery. Our guests were treated to a welcome cocktail — Henkell Trocken, vodka, lime juice and orange bitters — before moving on to free-flowing Henkell sparkling wine. Shared Affair supplied all of the food, which included cheese and antipasto, finger sandwiches, savoury waffles, salmon blinis and mini quiches. And let's not forget the sweet treats — a doughnut wall and brunch towers overflowing with choc-raspberry brownies and strawberry and watermelon cakes. DJ Sarah Corry kept the vibe going throughout the morning shindig, and everyone received their very own bottle of Henkell to take home, personalised with a handwritten message from our on-site calligrapher. It was certainly a brunch to remember, so take a look through the best bits in this gallery. And if you need some inspiration for other summery events that pair perfectly with a glass of sparkling, head this way. Images: L&A Social.
Christmas might be over and the arrival of 2019 might feel like yesterday's news now, but that doesn't mean that boring old adult life awaits. If you're still in kidult mode (or still want to be), this time of year is perfect for indulging your inner child. Just head to the movies. With the school holidays in full swing for the summer, the big screen is the place to find a whole heap of family-friendly flicks that are tailor-made for kidults and actual kiddos alike. Animated delights, nostalgic throwbacks, comedies based on true tales — they're all here. Specifically, they're all on the IMB Bank Sunset Cinema program which has taken over North Sydney Oval till Saturday, March 30. Think bean bags, beers and bubbles for adult viewers and a lineup of movies for audiences both young and young at heart. There's your next night out all planned — and to make things even easier, here are five all-ages flicks to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCWHr6AUxwI INSTANT FAMILY With more than a dash of the Daddy's Home and Bad Neighbours films as inspiration — not to mention two of their stars — Instant Family features Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg as a thirty-something couple who decide to become foster parents. They bring three siblings into their home and navigate quite a steep learning curve — hijinks, of course, ensue. But the movie's real basis comes from real life, and from the story of filmmaker Sean Anders. The writer behind Hot Tub Time Machine and We're the Millers, as well as the director of Horrible Bosses 2, he drew upon his own experiences becoming a carer for children in need. Showing: Saturday, February 16 and Thursday, March 14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMe7hUb3TpI MARY POPPINS RETURNS 2018 was a great year for Emily Blunt. She tried not to scream in terror — all while her pregnant character gave birth — in A Quiet Place, and then picked up an umbrella and floated in a completely different direction in Mary Poppins Returns. In both, she's fantastic. In Poppins in particular, she's a treat in the most delightful way. Stepping into Julie Andrews' shoes is no easy feat, but the English actor nails the job, and so does this five-decades-later sequel to everyone's favourite childhood film. Heading back to Cherry Tree Lane to revisit the now-adult Banks siblings (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer), as well as the next generation, the charming affair has future classic written all over it. Showing: Friday, February 15, Saturday, February 23 and Friday, March 22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=a5BhAw-2peo STORM BOY Mr Percival flies again in the latest homegrown film to hit cinema screens. If you went to an Aussie primary school in the past four decades, you'll know what that means. Initially, a short children's novel by Colin Thiele, Storm Boy became a beloved local film back in 1976 — and now it's back in new 2019 packaging. The core tale remains the same, focusing on a pre-teen boy (an astonishingly naturalistic Finn Little) who lives with his reclusive fisherman dad (Jai Courtney) on the South Australian coast and takes in three pelican chicks when their lives are threatened by hunters. The original David Gulpilil-starring flick has remained a classic for a reason, and this version follows in its footsteps. Afterwards, if you'd like a pelican for a best friend, that's understandable. Showing: Friday, February 22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay2fTiEi-RY RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET It's been more than eight decades since Walt Disney Animation Studios made its first full-length movie, saying "hi-ho, hi-ho" to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. All these years later, it's still delivering hits — including Tangled, Frozen, Moana and Wreck-It Ralph in the last nine years alone. Now the latter gets a sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, which jumps from bringing to life retro arcade games to visualising what the online world might look like. Once again, the titular character (voiced by John C. Reilly) is our guide through this bright and lively adventure — though, his small offsider Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) steals the show this time around. Showing: Friday, February 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_tYYwQbzvs HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD Since first premiering back in 2010, the How to Train Your Dragon films have been hugely successful — but now they're coming to an end. The third and final movie sees the plucky Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) now chief of his village and happily overseeing a town where vikings and dragons live in harmony. With the entire series acting as a coming-of-age story, Hiccup's next chapter involves making tough decisions to do what's best for both humans and their fire-breathing companions. The voice cast also includes Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill and Kit Harington, and if you're after a dose of animated spectacle, the film delivers in both soaring flight scenes and a colourful finale. Showing: Friday, March 1 and Friday, March 15. Sunset Cinema will take over North Sydney Oval from Thursday, January 17 to Saturday, March 30. Check out the full film program and book tickets here.
Just because your bank account is looking a little empty, doesn't mean you've got to resort to sad, uninspiring lunchtime fare. At least, not this week, with food app Ritual dishing up tasty meals for just $1 a pop. Having launched in Sydney late last year, the mobile order and pay app is offering a very sweet deal to tempt CBD workers, from now until March 29. It's dropping the price of over 200 of its menu items to just $1 a pop. In this budget-friendly lineup you'll find feeds from some of your favourite CBD vendors, which normally clock in at around $15. We're talking the sesame salmon bowl from Nama Poke, Dutch Smuggler's famed mi goreng toastie, Thai Riffic Noodle Bar's signature pad thai, barbecue chicken banh mi from Bun Me and even a schnitzel plate from Schnitz's MLC Centre store. There's coffee too, from well-known spots like Black Sugar, Regiment and Boss — and bubble teas from Chatime. [caption id="attachment_630917" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Regiment by Kimberley Low.[/caption] Download the app and you'll be able to tap into five of these $1 deals over the two weeks the offer is running. Which means a few mornings of extra shut-eye, thanks to not having to whip up lunch yourself. You'll also get to road test some of Ritual's nifty features, including a 'skip the line' function that allows you to order ahead and avoid queues, and 'skip the trip', where you can group together multiple orders from the one office to save everyone from making the same trek. Ritual is offering five $1 meals or drinks per user through its app until Friday, March 29.
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 SEAN PAUL AND SHAGGY AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2020 DATES Melbourne — Wednesday, January 29, Sidney Myer Music Bowl Sydney — Friday, January 31, Hordern Pavilion Brisbane — One Love Festival, Saturday, February 1 (Sold Out) Perth — Sunday, February 2, Perth Convention Centre Tickets go on sale at 7pm on Wednesday, October 23 via mjrpresents.com. Top image: Jonathan Mannion
Forget the most important meal of the day, the most important meal of any young adult's life is the hangover-busting feed — the one that salves the soul and brings you back to human form. The elixir? It has to be the perfect plate of eggs. They're a staple of any good brunch feast, with benefits including a healthy serving of amino acids, detoxifying minerals and protein. Most importantly, a good helping of eggs can help reduce your post-party blues. We've picked some of our favourite egg-based brunch dishes to keep your first (or second, or third) meal of the day as healthy and restorative as possible, without sacrificing flavour. In fact, there are heaps of nutritional benefits to eating eggs (on any day of the week). And the Heart Foundation recommends healthy Australians can eat eggs without limitation as part of a healthy diet. So go ahead and enjoy refuelling with one (or more) of these favoured brekkie savours.
There are no maybes about the Melbourne International Film Festival's major high-profile guest for 2018 — but, as fans of the Bluth and Fünke families will know, there is one Maeby. Best known for playing Arrested Development's resident teenage film industry executive, ignored daughter, slacker banana stand employee and alluring cousin, Alia Shawkat is headed to Australia as part of this year's fest, where she'll chat about her career and her life in general. Taking place on Saturday, August 18 as part of the 18-day film event, MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will see the actor talk for an hour with writer and presenter Lorin Clarke — it will be her only Australian appearance. Considering she's officially attending the fest in support of her new film Blaze, a biopic about country and western songwriter Blaze Foley which Ethan Hawke directed, we're guessing there won't be any dancing like a chicken. Thanks to TV series Search Party and Transparent — plus movies such as Green Room, 20th Century Women, Nasty Baby, Night Moves and Whip It — Shawkat's resume spans much, much further than television's worst real estate family, and that's just on the screen. She's also a jazz singer, pianist, painter and illustrator, and recently starred in, co-wrote and executive produced the film Duck Butter. Plus, if Broad City has you wondering about Shawkat's doppelganger-like connection with Ilana Glazer, we have to point out that the latter was just in Melbourne this month too. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation joins MIFF's growing 2018 program, which also includes an all-night Nicolas Cage marathon and a screening of Drive with an all-new live score. The fest has also announced its first 32 titles for this year, including Blaze, with the full program set to be revealed on July 10. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will take place at the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 18. Tickets cost $25, and are available online now.
There are so many incredible vistas to enjoy throughout the Northern Rivers region, but you don't have to bust a gut to experience some of the best. The easygoing North Head walking track, located on the edge of town in the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, is a 30-minute trail guiding you through the coastal rainforest. As you break through the canopy and look down upon the Brunswick River, you'll find several spots perfect for unfurling a picnic rug and basket. Once you're back on your feet, the trail leads you through fascinating wildlife habitats and eventually out to the ocean beach. Head to the website for visitor info. Image: Elliot Kramer
If you're looking for some peace and tranquility among the mountains then head straight for the idyllic Buddong Falls campground. This remote patch of land is a great base to explore the surrounding national parks and maybe catch a glimpse of some of the local wildlife that make their homes within the surrounding ribbon gums and along the nearby creek and waterfall. If you're not the most seasoned camper then fear not — picnic tables, barbecues and public toilets are all readily available to make things a little more comfortable.
If you're in the quaint and historic aviation town of Tocumwal, and you prefer trains to planes, the Tocumwal Railway Heritage Museum presents fascinating photos and railway memorabilia dating back to 1908. Open by appointment only, the museum is within the railway station and presents original photos, a working model train and original furnishings. Image: John, Flickr
Visiting the lush Riverina region in southern NSW? Take flight above the countryside with Sport Aviation, one of the top attractions in Tocumwal. Courageous passengers can experience heart-pumping flights in both gliders and light sports aircraft, whether you're just looking for a thrill or keen to learn the basics of piloting. Leaving from the runway located just outside town, you'll soar high above the rolling hills and sprawling river system with an expert guide. Traversing across the landscape, these nimble aircraft provide a striking bird's-eye view, ensuring you have the best possible vantage point to soak up the scenery. Head to the website to book your flight. Image: Rob Blackburn, Visit Victoria
A trip to the local two-dollar shop takes all my restraint. Blinded by colour, kitsch and bargains, I strip my overflowing basket back to what I really need: a wacky shower curtain, a bumper pack of Allen keys and a novelty piggy bank make the cut. I'll start saving tomorrow. Inspired by the technicolour lure of such shopping experiences, Bargain Garden, the latest theatre work at Performance Space, explores our consumerist society, our shopping-mad culture and lifestyle. The work brings together performance troupe Theatre Kantanka (Missing the Bus to David Jones) together with contemporary music collective Ensemble Offspring. The result is a fusion of performance, live sculpture and music, with plenty of trinkets for good measure. The premiere of this new work forms part of Exchange, a collection of works exploring the way we shop, share and trade at CarriageWorks this month. Get down there and join in the frenzy. Image by Heidrun Löhr.
At the Syndicate Gallery at Danks, photographers Digby Duncan and David Smyth use the power of darkness to tell stories, their very different techniques bringing their subjects to life. Digby Duncan’s series of photographs, which were taken during her time as artist-in-residence at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing, chronicle life in a small Chinese village on the outskirts of the city. The area has been marked for demolition to make way for modern development, meaning the community’s residents will soon have to move out. Her images capture moments in the area's lively nightlife, giving us a feel for the people and the spirit of the place For his world, David Smyth has chosen the abandoned tram sheds in Glebe, where the decommissioned trams are also patiently awaiting their own destruction. As their home falls down around them, these much loved and much visited vehicles have been adorned with graffiti over the years, transforming their character. Under his careful eye these relics of a bygone era are brought to life, creating vibrant, yet almost sinister scenes, evoking a ghostly theme park.
So there's a list. Like BRW or Fortune, it lists 100 of the most powerful people, but its subject is art. Put together by Art Review, spot number one is authority-challenging Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Second only to him though is Julia Peyton-Jones. Director of London's Serpentine Gallery (sharing the number two accolade with its curator, Hans Ulrich Obrist), she's helped take the gallery from a small space with a small budget, to a small space with enormous artistic reputation. And she's bringing her perspective to you at the Sydney Architecture Festival in her 2011 Ann Lewis Contemporary Art Address. Established first in honour of, then in memory of, local Sydney art luminary Ann Lewis, the Address brings international art stars here to give us a piece of their minds. Apart from its exhibitions, Peyton-Jones' Serpentine builds from scratch and then demolishes a pavilion outside the main gallery every year, inviting any number of big architectural names like Liebeskind, Gehry or Hadid to design the form. She's been booked to talk in our own international architectural icon, the Opera House, where she'll be offering her thoughts on the 'Next Rennaissance'. Photo by John Swannell.
As the great warrior-poet Margaret Thatcher once said, "being powerful is like being a lady; if you have to say you are, you aren't," and so it goes with Cathy Hunt’s production of Judith: A Parting from the Body. This revisionist take on the biblical story of Judith — courtesy of British playwright Howard Barker — toys with the idea that seduction can play on the vulnerabilities of both parties. Where the Hebrew tale has the Jewish widow calculatingly ingratiate herself with the general of an invading army before ultimately beheading him, Barker's version inserts layers of romantic nuance. It’s no new tack to repaint Judith as a seductress; you could argue the role is implicit in the original story. (Judith murders the general Holofernes in his sleep.) But Barker extrapolates further: What if Judith falls for the man she plans to postcoitally behead? What if the Holofernes sees what is coming but is drawn to Judith regardless? And what is the emotional cost of investing in someone only to destroy them? These are all ripe scenarios, but Barker addresses them here with painfully turgid dialogue, which Hunt's direction and the small cast do little favour with a 'louder equals more dramatic!' reading. Which is a shame, as Judith's is an inherently visceral story, having piqued noted wild man Caravaggio’s interest, among others. But this production stretches too far for emotional heft, undercutting the story's existing impact by reaching too hard for more. All three characters — Holofernes (Benedict Samuel), Judith (Luisa Hastings Edge) and her servant and partner-in-crime (Anna Houston) — wax philosophical (and melodramatic) about sex in the shadow of death. But the three dance around the leads’ will-they-or-won’t-they courtship with all the emotional nuance of virginal teenagers ("I’m a killer, I know not looooove," etc), laying a poor foundation for the emotional notes the play eventually has to hit. To be fair, this doesn't completely sap the production's appeal. In a roundabout way, the characters' initial ineffectualness makes Holofernes' death all the more jarring. When the play leads where it inevitably has to, the sudden absence of one of the previously verbose characters tells. Likewise, the dynamics that follow between a shattered Judith and her more pragmatic servant are genuinely interesting. Judith's movement through shock and loss to something more cold-hearted is powerful stuff (though, again, overplayed). But these moments don't have the heft that a lighter touch would have afforded. When the preceding hour's performance hasn't rung true, it's difficult to muster the necessary shock when Judith cries over a bloody sack containing her would-be paramour's head.
SoundSchool is one of those concepts that seems simple enough but which actually has an incredibly complex and profound effect on the lives of the young people it has touched. In short, Oli Mistry, Jay Hemsworth and Jarrod Paul formed SoundSchool after Oli travelled to India and saw the interest and joy that his guitar, and music in general, sparked in the underprivileged kids he encountered in the streets. SoundSchool, formed in April 2010, aims to raise money to provide children around the world with the otherwise unlikely opportunity to learn and play music, thus bringing the uplifting gift of creative expression into their often challenging existence. Photographer Julian May was so inspired by the SoundSchool mission he jumped onboard as the official photographer to document the musical magic-making as it happened. In his first solo exhibition Julian presents his images spanning the first fundraising event for SoundSchool at the Beach Rd Hotel (rock-star pics all around) through to his beautiful images of the kids under the care of Salaam Baalak Trust in Delhi, India, getting the SoundSchool experience. The final piece in this jigsaw of the community-minded collaboration is the Camera Club — the setting for the Julian's visual representation of the SoundSchool journey so far. Located upstairs at the Beach Rd Hotel, this sweet gallery space (complete with bar and pizzeria) celebrates and promotes creativity and community by exhibiting photographic works around a particular theme each quarter. So at every level of its conception and execution, SoundSchool by Julian May is an exhibition about real people intervening in the lives of those less fortunate by offering creative opportunities to uplift and add richness and depth where they are truly needed. Much respect. Lend your support to the SoundSchool mission and get acquainted with the work of Julian May and the Camera Club concept from this Thursday. The exhibition is open every day and Thursday nights will feature a revolving schedule of music, food and additional photography activations.
While there are many that are bemoaning the loss of print media, there are those who are looking in the other direction, down that interesting little alleyway, where they can find a vast array of engaging, exciting and original magazines. Strangelove will add to that mix. A high grade, high class and most importantly, free print publication, Strangelove will look at books, music and film in a playful and fresh way. With its launch, Strangelove will be the first in a long line of creative collaborations with the Oxford Arts Factory — and what a spectacular launch they have planned. The night promises to combine "music, art, film, performance, design, literature, spoken word, written word, sound, sight, smell, touch, taste and type in a melange of introverted thought in an extroverted fashion," and who can really say no to that? If the venue itself and its history of excellent parties, as well as the exciting reason for this particular bash isn't quite enough to tip you over the edge, the line-up on the night includes: Ghoul, exclusive book reading by Dave Graney, Evil J + Saint Cecilia, Sands Through the Hourglass, the Jingle Jangle DJs, screenings of Seventh Seal and the Jack Shit + Robbie Buck Rare 78s Shellac Set. So adopt some Peter Sellers attitude and get your Strangelove on this Tuesday.
Here’s a secret: I really don’t like Little Red. Their constant allusion to the 1950s, their tight, infectious melodies, their clean, boyish charm — I find it irritating. Of course, the last time Little Red came on the radio, I turned that radio up and, confession of confessions, I tapped on the steering wheel. So what’s the lesson here? Little Red’s music is straightforward, accessible and ridiculously popular, but that’s only partly their fault, so chill out. Put down your boxed set of The Wire, stop lurking on the forums of Australia’s premier indie music site and ROCK IT (ironically, in your living room, if need be) because Little Red is touring in June and it’s going to be fun, fun, fun. For those who’ve not followed Little Red, because, like me, they spend too much time dancing with their intellect, the band has been overseas a lot lately. They have played everywhere from New York City to Papua New Guinea, with a whole bunch of summer festivals in between. Now they are returned, and I’m going to suggest you celebrate by going to see their show.
Entering the Australian Centre for Photography brings you face-to-face with a wall of photographs: Lee Grant’s Belco Pride exhibit set in Belconnen, a suburb on the outskirts of Canberra where Grant grew up. The direct, square-cut prints hold an echo of polaroid snaps taken on a Sunday afternoon, with a darker undertone. A mixture of revealing portraits and urban scenes, the exhibit is an honest, sometimes affectionate essay about place, landscape, pride and suburban Australia. The main show is Melbourne photographer Conor O’Brien’s first major survey exhibition. O’Brien’s aesthetic is intentionally muted and voyeuristic — the experience is like walking through the pages of a stranger’s family album. Meaning is obscured, stories are hidden. What I find most notable are the many photographs of women whose faces are obscured or have their backs are to the camera. In the only photo where a face can be seen, the subject has her eyes shuttered closed. These photos are strangely haunting; is the artist depicting his privilege? Can only he know the secrets of these women hidden from the camera? Why aren’t these women turned outwards? Why are they not a part of the conversation between the photographer and us, the voyeuristic viewer? Around the corner is Rebecca Dagnall’s wonderfully immersive There is unrest in the forest, there is trouble in the trees. Evoking an elemental Australian gothic, Dagnall’s huge photographs are thickly atmospheric creations of trees in a local park set amongst pooling darkness. By mirroring the images, or creating mirroring within the images, Dagnall produces a mystical set of creatures within the forest. Eyes stare. Spiders manifest. There are tigers, bats, horned goats. My companion declares, with a delicious twinkle in his eye, that he fully intends to return with a mate later in the week when they’ve both had a “puff of the trumpet”. Image: Rebecca Dagnall, There is unrest in the forest, there is trouble in the trees, 2011
One wall of the MOP gallery is given over to Alex Wisser’s collection of large-scale photographs, titled Blank Canvas. Both moving and hypnotic, the photographs depict the interiors of homes that have been lived in for more than 30 years, taken on the day of their sale by auction. Corners, doorways, frames, hallways, mirrors — all transform into eyes and mouths, opening and swallowing the viewer into these alternative lives. The viewer cannot help but be seduced into imagining the stories behind these rooms and homes. The photographs, beautifully framed and puckered with light, meditate on the ephemeral nature of the spaces we all choose to exist within and the affection that can be contained in simple objects. The photographs concertina past, present and future. The houses are spaces full of ghosts and longing. In the Brown Council’s Group Work, three names are written in chalk on three chalk boards. The viewer is invited into the memories of the artists who, each morning before the gallery opens, recall momentous events and influential people in their lives in relation to love, sex and death. These names or phrases are then written onto the blackboards and then written over, and over, and over. Dara Gill’s In Action, Inaction really grew on me over the time I spent in the gallery. It draws you in, as if you’re an actor just cast in a Jean Cocteau film. You are drawn into a world with shades of grey, piles of rubble, flashing signs and lists of conditions. The work is made up of three interactive areas that the viewer is invited into. The first holds two screens, which flash ‘NOW’ to indicate the four births that occur every second and the two deaths that occur every second. The main wall hosts an interactive survey on the notions of modern, urban anxiety, where you are asked to move a piece of rubble into a pile marked ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. The third wall is filled with identical, blank, Kafka-esque ‘To Do’ lists. I find it hard to disengage from the work and the ideas Gill creates. It’s simultaneously meditative and disturbing. As I leave a girl walks in and sits in the middle of the concrete floor, ‘NOW’ pulsing silently above her head. Image: Alex Wisser, Blank Canvas, 2011
Fresh from dazzling the crowds at Stereosonic, Pretty Lights bring their spectacular show to the Oxford Art Factory this week, giving you one more chance to see them before they head back to the States. Producer Derek Vincent Smith and drummer Adam Deith promise to deliver a performance that will not only showcase Smith’s mad production skills and Deith’s deft drumming, but will also take electronic performance to the next level, thanks to a fully immersive and spectacular light show. With a background in grunge and hip hop before discovering electronic music, Smith has carved his own niche fusing diverse elements together in a combination of intricately woven samples, digital production and synths. He performs live on stage with a drummer and an increasingly intricate light show. A soulful groove permeates most of his sound, but the mix is wide, ranging from beats and bass, funk and soul, to glitch and grime. The last two years have seen Pretty Lights make waves across the festival circuit in the US, where Smith has continued to push his live performances to the next level. His productions have also been gathering a steadily increasing number of followers, with downloads of his music jumping from just a few hundred a month to over 10,000. Oh, and did I mention he gives his music away for free? Well for a small donation anyway. This unique business model gives him creative freedom when using samples and allows him to maintain his artistic integrity, and to keep pushing the boundaries of electronic music.
