Why just eat one regular old sweet treat when you can feast your way through a glorious hybrid of two beloved desserts? That's long been Gelato Messina's unspoken motto. So, last year, the chain delivered a tastebud-tempting creation that took its delicious take on the trusty Viennetta and mixed it with its version of Golden Gaytimes. The result: the Have a Gay Old Messinetta tub, or the Gayinnetta as Messina has also dubbed it. And, in great news for your tastebuds this winter — because yes, you can still eat gelato when it's frosty outside — this limited-edition treat is making a comeback. If you've tried a scoop of the brand's popular Have a Gay Old Time flavour already but didn't tuck into any Gayinnetta last time around, just imagine that flavour turned into Viennetta. This dessert combines layers of caramel and milk gelato, then covers it with chocolate-covered biscuit crumbs, and finally tops it all with ripples of vanilla and caramel chantilly cream. And yes, the end result looks like the dessert you know and love, but in a caramel colour for a change. If you're keen to get yourself a Gayinnetta — which'll cost you $40 — they're available to preorder online on Monday, May 30, for pick up between Friday, June 3–Sunday, August 5 from all stores. And, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is now staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). Gelato Messina's Have a Gay Old Messinetta tubs will be available to order on Monday, May 30, for pick up between Friday, June 3–Sunday, August 5 from all stores. Head to the Messina website for further details.
If you consider yourself a little bit food obsessed, then Crave Sydney International Food Festival is most likely already in your iCal. Complete with reminders going off every week. For everyone else, it’s a food festival that runs in October with almost 500 events going on. There are tours, talks, tastings, cooking classes, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (some with secret locations) and more foodies than you can poke a stick at. Not to be missed is Breakfast at Bondi on Sunday, October 14, from the nippy, seize-the-day hour of 5.30am. Imagine watching the sunrise over Bondi beach in time to a full symphony orchestra with soprano Lorina Gore, from Opera Australia, joining in. Now picture this scene with your own BYO breakfast (or having grabbed something from one of the surfside food stalls), alongside a few of your closest thousand friends. You could bring some fruit salad, sip coffee in a thermos, or plate up a full English breakfast with all the trimmings from tupperware to give food envy to all around you. Or you could just pay to get into the VIP area to have Bill Granger make you brekkie. In one of the year's most popular events, Hyde Park gets its Asian hawker-style market on (complete with authentic massive crowds) during 13 nights in spring. Get to the Night Noodle Markets as early as you possibly can (even with extended hours) after work and grab some noodles, dumplings, and Asian desserts. There are three bars to quench your thirst and entertainment including something to do with a lucky Chinese lion. And if lines aren't your thing, you can book the Noodle Box, a rustic pop-up Malay village cafe, created by Chinta Ria (which luckily has its own bar). Other highlights of the festival include the World Chef Showcase, where you can have Terry Durack tell you what's what when it comes to food, Matt Moran will add fun to your fine dining, and Giovanni Pilu will cook up a storm of Sardinian dishes for you. There will be stacks of barbecue events (hopefully some that will teach certain people how to not turn sausages into charcoal), including one at Sydney Grower’s Market where chefs like Kylie Kwong will be holding the tongs. The pop-ups and parties also aren't to be missed, including a Mad Hatter's Tea Party from the Studio Neon team, involving a three-course themed dinner in a secret warehouse location. Paris's Diner en Blanc will allow you to get your best whites on with a glamorous public picnic. This is no ordinary picnic, as they insist that you bring a feast, to be eaten off white linen, with silverware, napery, glassware, and proper chairs. White bow tie anyone?
As one half of creative duo Frank & Mimi, Emily Devers has spent years exploring the artistic nooks and crannies of Brisbane — and left her mark on several of them as well. The artist, who trained at QUT, has been making large-scale murals with signwriter Rick Hayward since 2011, and their works can now be seen splashed across the bridge of the Pillars Project gallery as well as Doomben Station, Newstead Brewing Co and the Golden Pig. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Brisbane, we've called in Emily, whose favourite spots range from a gallery that's helped uncover the the state's best street artists to the second-hand bookstore that's a joy to explore. A stay at Pullman's King George Square hotel in Brisbane — located in the centre of the city and just a stroll over the Victoria Bridge from South Bank — will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you contemplate all you've seen in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Emily's top Brisbane art and design hot spots in her own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. WANDERING COOKS What feels like a secret warehouse tucked away down Fish Lane, Wandering Cooks houses some of Brisbane's most exciting food ventures. They're a beaut community of like-minded entrepreneurs, celebrating locally sourced produce, local kitchen legends and an impressive low-intervention drinks menu. It's my pick for a low-key Friday night, followed by a wander to the river under the lights down Fish Lane. THE PILLARS PROJECT The Pillars Project is Brisbane's largest outdoor gallery, curated by Dan Brock. It's a great collection of large-scale artworks covering the pillars of Merivale Bridge in South Brisbane, showing visitors to Brisbane what our local artists are made of. It started in 2014 with nine artists painting under eight rail pillars, and the project has now grown to include a few more, including a Frank & Mimi piece. You can give it a wave coming along Montague Road! JUGGLERS ART SPACE A handful of prominent global street artists were born out of little ol' Brisbane, some of who (including Anthony Lister, Fintan Magee, Guido and Shida) spent their formative years exhibiting at Jugglers. We grew Frank & Mimi out of a small corner room in this iconic building. Brisbane's longest-running artist-run initiative (15 years now!), Jugglers addressed a serious shortage of exhibition, performance and studio spaces in Brisbane when it opened in 2002, and continues to provide an inclusive community space for cultural enquiry through art. QAGOMA The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is located across two adjacent buildings in Brisbane's South Bank. Celebrating the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific, it is a must-see for anyone visiting Brisbane. Sydney-based architects Architectus are responsible for the incredible building design, a huge part of the reason why you should visit. If it's your first time, try and get to a GoMA Up Late evening, so you can view the art with a drink in your hand and some local music in your ears. Also be sure to check out the gallery stores — they feature a lot of Brisbane makers. ARTISAN Artisan is a gallery space and design store on Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley. They support design creatives from emerging talent to established Australian legends, and they also run regular workshops in everything from spoon carving to textile design and life drawing. Drop by to see the latest exhibition, but make enough time to do a full lap around the store — it shows off our city's best designers and makers. THE BRISBANE FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS Currently on twice a year, Finders Keepers is a design market featuring the work of independent makers and designers from across Australia. We love keeping up with who's making what by visiting the Brisbane chapter. Walking through the stunning Old Museum rooms overflowing with beautiful hand made things has always been a weekend treat, though the market it soon to move to a new, bigger location at the Brisbane Showgrounds, The Marquee. ANALOGUE GALLERY Analogue Gallery is a creative-led exhibition space in Fortitude Valley.Run by a powerhouse crew including Brisbane Curator Holly Riding, Grace Dewar of First Coat Festival and Matt Haynes of The Design Conference, this unassuming little space is tucked under dive bar Greaser in the heart of the Valley. It has a regular pop-up exhibition program and provides a professional platform for local, regional and interstate artists to show their work to a dedicated crowd — rent and commission free. This one's a really easy way to support Brisbane' creative community on the first Thursday of every month. BENT BOOKS Bent Books on Boundary Street in West End is probably the most adorable second-hand bookshop in Brisbane. They've been around for over 20 years and some of our favourite art and design books (including a rare, early edition sho' card painting book) have come from there. The staff are always friendly and will take down your name and notes if you're seeking something specific. BRISBANE POWERHOUSE The Brisbane Powerhouse is a contemporary, multi-arts centre reborn out of an old power station from the 1920s. It's a one-stop shop for high-quality theatre, performance, visual art and music, and you'll always be able to find something to suit your creative mood. I recommend starting with an afternoon picnic at New Farm Park, taking a walk along the river and entering the building from there — that way you can see our addition to the permanent art collection on the way in! PADDINGTON ANTIQUE CENTRE The Antique Centre in Paddington is perhaps the most overstimulating place you could visit in Brisbane. Housed inside the heritage-listed Plaza Theatre on the main strip of Paddington, it was originally open for business in 1930. Since then, it's collected a whole bunch of Brisbane-based antique and retro stores and sells everything from flamingo light fittings to top hats and ball gowns. I recommend coffee and breakfast at Naïm around the corner before a wander through on a lazy Sunday morning. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
ICYMI: July is officially Rum Month. To celebrate, world-class rum purveyor Bacardí has teamed up with a collection of Sydney venues to offer special pours that'll transport you from the cold to the Caribbean in one sip. Sydney Harbour Marriott's Three Bottle Man is celebrating with three classic rum cocktails made with Bacardí's range. Choose between the mojito, daiquiri and a Mang-Colada a spin on the tropical tipple made with Queensland mangoes. [caption id="attachment_966026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Bottle Man, credit Yusuke Oba[/caption] Hilton Sydney and West Curio are also getting involved in the celebrations, serving a twist on the tropical classic piña colada. Fun fact: the tropical coconut and pineapple cocktail is claimed to have been invented by Caribe Hilton Hotel's bartender Ramón "Monchito" Marrero in San Juan, Peurto Rico, in 1954, making this year the 70th anniversary of the popular drink. To celebrate, there will be exclusive offers and events at more than thirteen Hilton Hotels across the country. Everyone's favourite rum bar in the Inner West, Jacoby's Tiki Bar, doesn't shy away from getting creative. This Rum Month it's focusing on the classics with a mojito, daiquiri and piña colada joining the menu. Head down for a night of drinks, adventures and kooky interiors. [caption id="attachment_637543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacoby's, Katje Ford[/caption] Paddington's mainstay, the Paddo Inn, has transformed its back bar into a 'nautical paradise'. Expect numerous rum cocktails, including mojitos, daiquiris, piña coladas and more. It's an ideal spot to escape the winter chill. Low and Lofty's in Cronulla is saluting the month with a selection of classic rum cocktails, including the Ocho Old Fashioned, made with Bacardí Reserva Ocho rum, simple syrup and a couple of dashes of bitters. It goes down well with the refined pub grub on the menu. Founded over 160 years ago in 1862, Bacardí is the world's number-one selling rum. The brand has been family-owned and operated for seven generations in the Caribbean, and its rum master blenders still employ the same time-honoured distilling processes using only the best sugarcane and pure, pristine water. It's aged in American oak barrels, imparting a vanilla taste to the spirit and a tinge of colour to the rested varieties. Top Image: Three Bottle Man, credit Yusuke Oba
The Museum of Contemporary Art's annual Conversation Starters program is all about getting us talking about the issues that really matter. And in 2019 Conversation Starters 2019: Temperature Rising, will feature another groundbreaking lineup of events as part of Vivid Ideas. The program will run across Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 — and, this time, it's focusing on climate change, in response to the MCA's current exhibiton Janet Laurence: After Nature. From talks and performances to film screenings and workshops, we've picked out just a few spectacular highlights that will have you chin-wagging about the environment for hours.
What microwaves did for heating, UK company Enviro-Cool is promising to do for cooling. They've created a drink cooler that takes bottles and cans from room temperature to 5 degrees celsius in just 45 seconds. There's every possibility that the invention, which uses 80 percent less energy than commercial refrigeration, could soon become commonplace in homes, shops and eateries all over the world. Envriro-Cool created the technology, which they've patented 'V-Tex', back in 2007. It's based on a sophisticated application of the 'Rankine Vortex'. A European Commission grant of 930,000 Euros enabled its development into a commercial product. According to the promo video, the EC "recognised that the energy used to constantly chill pre-packed beverages was enormous and an unsustainable strain on our depleting energy resources." Three types of coolers have been developed. There's one suitable to commercial use, powerful enough to replace high-energy use equipment, such as multi-deck open refrigerator, and two domestic-friendly units — one stand-alone and one that can be added to existing refrigerators. It's estimated that, for every fridge replaced, over $1000 in electricity will be saved annually. Trials begin in Holland next month. Via PSFK.
Australia's first dedicated gnoccheria has just opened its first store outside of Queensland. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers' chain of potato-loving eateries has popped up in Newtown following the success of the gnoccheria's six Queensland outposts. Unlike other Italian restaurants, you won't find doughy pasta thin or thick here. It's all about one thing and one thing only: gnocchi. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers started as a food stall in Brisbane. In 2017, co-founders Ben Cleary-Corradini and Theo Roduner opened the first brick-and-mortar store in Brisbane's Paddington, and built a following across the state over the next four years. Now, the dedicated gnocchi spot has found a new home in the form of a 60-seat venue by Mapo and Nara's Thai on north King Street. While the restaurant's dining room is yet to open due to lockdown, it's already begun offering its full range of saucy dishes for pickup and takeaway if you're in need of some carby comfort. Cleary-Corradini and Roduner both have an innate fondness for rich Italian dishes. Roduner's Swiss-Italian father Alfredo Roduner is an accomplished Italian chef and owner of Brisbane mainstay Grappino, while Cleary-Corradini talks of fond memories of watching his nonna handroll gnocchi as a child. [caption id="attachment_759221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Paddington[/caption] What sets Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers apart from other pasta joints is its impressive array of gnocchi in varieties such as pumpkin and ricotta, and sauces including slow-cooked bolognese, wild mushroom and truffle, spicy tomato and black olive, and creamy lobster and barramundi. Everything is made from organic ingredients and they all come with ciabatta and parmesan. Of course, if you want something other than the Brothers' dish of choice, there are starters and desserts. Grab marinated olives, salt and pepper calamari or thick cut potato chips with truffle salt to start — or turn to the dessert menu for ricotta cannoli, house-made tiramisu and vanilla bean panna cotta. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers Newtown is open for takeaway and delivery 4–10pm Wednesday and Thursday, and midday–10pm Friday–Sunday at 119 King Street, Newtown. It will open for dine in from Friday, July 9.
If you're looking for ways to cut back on your coffee and want to give back to a good cause — well then, Sorry Thanks I Love You's inner-city store is the place for you every Friday until the end of the year. Originally launched online in 2015 before setting up a brick-and-mortar store and then moving to Westfield Sydney, Sorry Thanks I Love You is all about gifting differently, offering a range of items that are unique and thoughtfully-designed to give to your best friend, a family member, your partner or even yourself. The emphasis here is on handmade, expertly-designed products that tell a story. All of the creations in the space are unique, so you're in very little danger of doubling up on gifts for your mate. Among the clothes, accessories and homewares, the retailer also runs a cafe within the store, and, while the focus of the store is on helping you find the perfect gift, it also gives back, donating to cancer hospital the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. In order to encourage donations, Sorry Thanks I Love You is offering up their baristas and Single O coffee for a gold coin each week. Each Friday morning until the end of 2022, anyone who comes in-store to get their morning coffee can pay with a gold coin donation to the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. That's right, you can pick up your daily cup of joe for as little as $1 and know the money is helping out. STILY is aiming to raise enough money for 500 patients to visit the Lifehouse's psychology and counselling services through this program.
Fining guests for posting bad reviews of your Vanderbilt-built hotel? Might want to think twice on that poorly-formed brainwave and avoid giving internet reviewers a reason to unite. Union Street Guest House in Hudson, New York is doing exactly that. The Rockefeller/Vanderbilt estate hastily took down a controversial rule from its own website yesterday, according to Huffington Post. The super dumb, money-grabbing rule charged wedding guests (primarily the newlyweds themselves) for any bad reviews posted on review websites like Yelp and Trip Advisor. Yep. Apparently, as pointed out by the initial New York Post story on Monday, couples holding their wedding at the USGH would see a sneaky $500 deducted from their security deposit for each thumbs down posted online by their guests. After a few WTF inquiries, the hotel took to Facebook and pulled the ol' 'it was all a joke' card to quash the backlash, but then mysteriously that post went missing too. "The policy regarding wedding fines was put on our site as a tongue-in-cheek response to a wedding many years ago," read the Facebook post. "It was meant to be taken down and certainly was never enforced." Although it's no longer (obviously) up on the hotel's website, Business Insider snapped it up before it was lost to the ages. Here's what the rule read, seriously: If you have booked the Inn for a wedding or other type of event anywhere in the region and given us a deposit of any kind for guests to stay at USGH there will be a $500 fine that will be deducted from your deposit for every negative review of USGH placed on any internet site by anyone in your party and/or attending your wedding or event. Although the team attempted to put out the fire, the sparks had already flown. Over 500 angry reviewers threw the hotel major shade with the lowest possible rating, again and again and again. Although sites like Yelp delete reviews who haven't actually stayed in the venue up for review, the slams are still coming for USGH: Now Union Street Guest House's rating looks like this: Yikes. Think before you joke-fine. Via Business Insider, Huffington Post and New York Post.
If you're looking for a stay in the heart of Western Sydney, consider SKYE Suites Parramatta. A splash of luxury means you'll be sitting pretty during your stay, but the real charm of this bustling accommodation is its proximity to the city-best dining, drinking and culture on offer in Parramatta. The rooms have the feeling of a new apartment with stylish but understated furniture, and walls dividing the bedroom from the kitchen rather than your classic open-plan hotel suite. On arrival, you'll be greeted by all of the luxuries you can expect from any up-market stay: free wifi, espresso machine, a smart TV and a mini-bar packed with quality snacks and bevs. The hotel's picturesque outdoor deck boasts a 25-metre swimming pool and adjoining spa — an idyllic spot for summer dips. And inside there's a modest gym and a series of conference rooms, positioning SKYE as a one-stop spot for everything from family vacays to business retreats. As with any good hotel, you'll be tempted to spend your stay soaking in all of the in-house luxuries, but if you can tear yourself away from the pool deck there's plenty to discover within walking distance. Head up the elevator to the top level of the building for your first stop of the night — a drink at Parra's beloved rooftop cocktail and champagne bar Nick and Nora's. After you enjoy burnt butter old fashioned with panoramic views of Sydney, our recommendation for dinner is Lilymu in Parramatta Square — one of our picks for the 20 best restaurants in Sydney. Other standout spots on your doorstep include the library and community space PHIVE; one of the best cafes in Sydney in Circa Espresso; and, of course, the towering Westfield Parramatta for your shopping and cinema needs. If you're staying at SKYE Suites Parramatta, make sure to check out our Parramatta guides on where to eat and drink, the best cafes, outdoor activities and how to get your cultural fix. [caption id="attachment_691230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick and Nora's, Jiwon Kim[/caption]
Benny Sweeten is a man with many hats — a hospitality master if you will. His resume includes Rose Bay Diner, Surry Hills' Joe Black Cafe and, more recently, Kansas City Shuffle in The Rocks. His latest venture Tuxedo is an extension of the Kansas City Shuffle space, which occupies the old Cadbury Chocolate Factory on Gloucester Street. Half cafe, half bar, Sweeten saw an opportunity to expand the space and combine two of his passions: coffee and alcohol. Thus creating Sydney's first specialised espresso martini bar. Opening Thursday, August 18, the bar will open from midday, with an evening session running from 5-7pm. Capacity for the evening sesh will be limited to 50 punters. It will launch with seven different martinis, including the Cadbury Chocolate Martini (an ode to the original owners of the venue) as well as a traditional take on the drink, which will be on tap. Some wilder versions with extravagant garnishes include The Candy Man — a blend of amaretto, vodka, Kahlúa and espresso served in a glass rimmed with sprinkles — and the a cold drip martini, which comes topped with a mini cinnamon doughnut. Freakshake or cocktail? You decide. For those who can't handle caffeine post 5pm, don't fret — a decaf version of the martini will be available too. And if you don't like something, you can just let the team know. Sweeten is keen to get customer feedback to help finalise the cocktail menu. The food menu at Tuxedo takes cues from adjoining sister venue Kansas City Shuffle, offering bites of their superfood snack menu. Think house-smoked salmon and quinoa with asparagus, smoked beef brisket fortune tacos, a shrimp cocktail and — this is what we're most excited for — a tiramisu made with Mr Black coffee liqueur. The vibe of the place is yet to be determined — its inner city location means the establishment has a strong business crowd, however the table tennis and pool tables give it a more relaxed feel amongst elements of the old chocolate factory. Word on the street is that Young Henrys will be pairing up with the venue in the near future to collaborate on a beer-based espresso martini, for those who need their beer injected with coffee too. Tuxedo is located at 195 Gloucester Street, The Rocks. The bar will open on Thursday, August 18 at 5pm. For launch, the bar will be open noon till 7pm, but they're looking to extend operating hours as the weather warms up. For more info, visit their Instagram.
The Australian bottleshop deserves a do-over. For too long we've purchased our grog at generic liquor stores that only really highlight the big, familiar names. Enter Native Drops. Bondi Beach's drinks retailer is putting a refreshing spin on the way we buy alcohol, turning the quick dash up to the bottle-o into an experience that features not only wine tasting, but also meet the maker sessions and workshops for customers. Ferster and his business partner Daniel Berman are the wine-obsessed brains behind the space, which sells solely Australian wine, beer and spirits. It's a boutique business that emphasises the importance of buying local and provides a glimpse into just how vast, delicious and amazing the nation's industry is. Regions from Tasmania to the Margaret River are represented, with the selection hand-chosen and centred around small batch and often biodynamic producers. Featured wine producers include The Other Right, Arfion, Swinging Bridge, CRFT and Charlotte Dalton. The interior design is earthy and rustic. Designer and architect Andy McDonnell has repurposed the site into a truly intimate space. It's low-lit and clean, with splashes of timber, copper and stone. Australian flora and fauna are celebrated with wildflower arrangements by local floral designer Selena Murray. The space includes a big tasting room, where the crew hosts regular wine tasting events.
Apple's plan to build its first Australian flagship store at Federation Square has been one of Melbourne's most controversial new building projects in recent times. And now, after almost 18 months of back and forth, it looks like the plans will be scrapped after Heritage Victoria today refused the huge tech company's application to knock down one of the existing buildings. Heritage Victoria has this afternoon officially refused Apple's application for a permit to 'dismantle and demolish' the Yarra Building and build a new two-level store on the site. In its refusal, the body noted that the proposed building would have an "unacceptable and irreversible detrimental impact on the cultural heritage status" of Fed Square as it would 'encroach' on public space and detract from the cohesive design of the current square format. It says that the negative impacts of the proposal "are not outweighed by the benefits". The Andrews Government has confirmed that, without the ability to build a new structure, Apple will not go ahead with the project. Instead, the government will launch a review (with public consultation) into the future of Federation to ensure it grows as "an innovative and exciting place for our community". https://twitter.com/NTAV/status/1114007888458948608 This will make opponents to Apple's plans very happy. After being announced in late 2017, Apple's proposed Fed Square store has received considerable community backlash, both around the designs and the fact that it would tear down and replace the existing Yarra Building — and displace the Koorie Heritage Trust in the process. The government has confirmed that the trust will be able to remain in its current home while the review is being completed. It's gone through a lot since. The Victorian landmark was granted temporary heritage protection in August, and then in October it was recommended for permanent inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register by Heritage Victoria, which prevented any work on the new Apple store from commencing. This refusal doesn't mean Fed Square has heritage status — and it doesn't mean another retail offering could take its place. Heritage Victoria has stated that a "more conventional" commercial business could be viable for the Yarra Building if its requirements could result in a smaller impact on the square. Image: Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria.
"When you've got it, flaunt it," the song goes — and when it comes to Australian movies, filmmakers have taken that advice. What they've got is a stunning outback setting, and they certainly know how to show it off. The latest example: Strangerland. A tale about missing children, arguing parents and the many factors that have caused both states of affairs, Strangerland has plenty of other things going for it. There's the high-profile cast of Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving, for one. There's the simmering mood of melodrama, for another. There's never any doubt, however, that this is a movie defined by its location. The Parker family — pharmacist Matthew (Fiennes), his wife Catherine (Kidman), teenager daughter Lily (Maddison Brown) and younger son Tom (Nicholas Hamilton) — has moved to the country town of Nathgari, laying low and hiding from past troubles. It's the kind of place where the locals know each other by name, and where there's little to do but complain about the heat, which the newcomers do plenty. It's also the kind of place where kids wander and adults wonder, as happens when Lily and Tom disappear into the night, leaving Matthew and Catherine looking for answers. A determined cop (Weaving) investigates the case, his detective work uncovering family surprises, marital tensions and deep-seeded disharmony, while a dust storm complicates his search. A remote town turned ugly and a scenic setting brimming with complexity fuel Strangerland, recalling the likes of Wake in Fright, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Mystery Road. They're comparisons first-time feature director Kim Farrant seems happy to conjure, leaning heavily on the oppressive nature of the landscape as she does. Her film lingers, both lovingly and a little too long, on aerial shots of the rock, dirt and scrub, making the harshness of the Australian desert evident. In fact, postcard-worthy pictures of the nation's interior receive almost as much screen time as the actors. That's not to say that the cast doesn't have much to do, just that they're often dwarfed by their background — and that rings true not just visually but in the story. Kidman carries the weight of past tensions in her performance, one of her best of late, as a woman trapped on several levels. In contrast, Fiennes doesn't fare as well at expressing his character's inner turmoil, leaving his on-screen wife the star of the show. The third point in their tussle, the ever-welcome Weaving, makes the best of a stock-standard part. Indeed, stock-standard describes the majority of Strangerland as it sticks to the 'atmospheric Australian drama' playbook. What sets the movie apart from other efforts, however, is its refreshing consideration of female sexuality — a rarity in films of this and other ilk. It seems that the women at the feature's core have also heeded guidance about flaunting what they've got, their desire and desperation proving gripping viewing. Strangerland is at its most powerful when contrasting Lily's blossoming youth with Catherine's need to connect, and coping with the crises that spring from both. The space between the two is the real mystery unfolding in the outback.
"For us, it's about trying to take risks," says director Amiel Courtin-Wilson. "Further the process, and see how far you can push things before they break." Certainly, the Melbourne-born filmmaker is not afraid of pushing the envelope. After beginning his career in documentary with films like Chasing Buddha and Bastardy, Courtin-Wilson's first fiction feature was 2012's Hail, a dark, critically divisive love story that blended naturalistic cinematography and dialogue with striking moments of visual experimentation. A similar methodology is at work in his follow-up, Ruin, which he co-directed with Hail producer Michael Cody. Inspired by Cody's time living and working in South-East Asia, the film is a romantic drama about the relationship between a runaway prostitute and a factory worker in Phnom Penh and the desperate lengths they must go to in order to survive. "On average I don't think we did a day shorter than 15 or 16 hours," says Courtin-Wilson of the gruelling, unconventional shoot, which was broken into two separate three-week blocks with a yearlong gap in between. "The last week we were shooting 20, 21 hour days." Now it seems that the hard work has paid off. Since its completion, Ruin has won numerous festival awards, including the Special Jury Prize at Venice, and had its Australian debut in competition at the Sydney Film Festival. In the lead-up to their local premiere, Courtin-Wilson and Cody took the time to talk with Concrete Playground about the experience of putting the film together. https://youtube.com/watch?v=5VEQ2Hvq_Cs No Script, no problem When asked about the project's origins, both directors grin. "We landed in Cambodia without a script, without any finance and without any sense of a story," remembers Courtin-Wilson. "Within about a month we had some finance, we had a cast, we had a crew from Australia, and we had a 15-page outline. So in many ways it was just an experiment in sheer momentum." The Australian crew came together under the banner of Courtin-Wilson's film collective, Flood Projects. Many of them worked for free, even paying for their own plane tickets to Cambodia. "If someone's prepared to do that, they're obviously there for the right reason," says Cody, "and that's very humbling. It means that the process is genuinely very collaborative; everyone's invested in it, and we're super grateful to them for being there." Courtin-Wilson agrees. "I think what happens when you give over to that process without the usual hierarchies, when someone can literally have four or five roles, is that everyone is so invested and so excited," he says. "Someone can be down the street for lunch and find some amazing potential cast member, or find an amazing cafe for a scene … it was the most exhilarating filmmaking experience I've ever had." A road movie with no road map Part of Ruin's naturalistic feel comes from the filmmakers being willing to draw from their environment. "Structurally, working with a road movie paradigm meant that you could expand or contract the film according to who you met along the way," says Courtin-Wilson. "It's episodic in nature … we'd meet an amazing fisherman in a province halfway through shooting and then we'd sit down and write a scene for him, and integrate that into the story. "The idea that filmmaking has to be a one-way street in which you can't fundamentally reinvent the film in the edit..." Courtin-Wilson trails off, shaking his head. "If anything, we were trying to inject more chaos into the process, because that's where the discoveries lie." "I'm pretty sure [the cast] thought we were just mental cases for a lot of the time shooting the film," says Cody, laughing. The guidance of trauma "We had a really fundamental idea of what the theme of the film was, which came from Cody's initial idea of trauma, and how trauma sits in the body," says Courtin-Wilson. "This is a whole country that's been traumatised," adds Cody. "One thing I'm really pleased with is the way the history of the place comes through, but in an oblique way. It's subtle, as it is in everyday life there. You can feel it everywhere, all around you, but it's not discussed. These people have to deal with the reality of that history, in their lives and their relationships. You know, like living down the road from the guy that executed your father, that sort of stuff." "In early screenings of the film we had in Cambodia," says Courtin-Wilson, "the greatest compliment [came from] showing it to a group of Cambodian artists, musicians and filmmakers, and for them to say 'this feels like Cambodia today'. If we even came close to capturing that, that's all I would ever want." Ruin is on at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Wednesday, August 13, and Saturday, August 17. For tickets, see the MIFF website.
"Hear that? That's nothing. Which is what I, as a speaker at today's conference, have for you all." Ah, if only all presenters could be as honest as Will Stephen, CollegeHumor.com staff writer and editor, who presented a pretty spot-on parody of his fellow speakers at a recent TEDxNewYork event. The content is one thing, but it's Stephen's manner — the intonation, the weighty pauses, the glasses adjustment, the 'revealing' question thrown out to the audience — that makes this so great. If you weren't paying attention, you'd swear he'd just imparted a deep and essential truth vital to the global progress of humanity. Via Mashable
A conglomerate of sights, sounds and savouries, the Auckland cityscape of things to do is vast. From Waitemata Harbour in the north, to Manukau Harbour in the south, there's a bounty of things to eat, drink and discover, not to mention see, with stellar views in pretty much any direction you look. But forgoing the tour guide route, how does one navigate their way through the City of Sails? We all know access to a local's knowledge is the best way, so we've partnered with Adina Apartment Hotels to locate some must-dos from Parnell to Britomart, Devonport to Waiheke Island. What's more, Adina Auckland has a new penthouse to book into, so you can up your city exploration with a stay in this three-bedroom apartment featuring Auckland's crème de la crème at its doorstep. So, break out of the tourist bubble, and venture out to take in the city like a local, order that top-notch coffee, soak up the key vistas of our fine city, and indulge in first class dining experiences. Herein lies our local's guide to some of the best hot spots to add to your itinerary. FOR INNOVATIVE, HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS: MEA CULPA Cocktails aren't just a drink at Mea Culpa in Ponsonby, they're an art form. A New York-style hole in the wall, the intimate narrow bar is a local favourite thanks to their innovative, ever-changing cocktail list, rustic interior and an eclectic music selection to boot. It's the kind of place where barman and owner Tim knows most by name and will happily stop for a chat while whipping up some spectacular creations. Here, cocktails are king and creativity, presentation and quality produce reign supreme. Everything is made from scratch and everything is organic, plus the team is passionate about supporting local suppliers and buy small batch made product — nothing is mass produced. This is a true neighbourhood gem you'd be crazy to miss. FOR WEEKEND BREAKFAST: WINONA FOREVER When you're feeling a bit dusty on the weekend, you want a big breakfast, you want it central, you want it tasty, and a bit of atmosphere doesn't hurt either. Introducing Winona Forever, a little Auckland eatery making big waves on the food scene. Competing for your attention, sugar-dusted pastries and flaky filo treats sit pretty in the front cabinet, but the real drawcard, however, is on the main menu. Expect beetroot salmon on kumara sourdough, pistachio almond ricotta doughnuts and breakfast bowls brimming with broccolini, kale, avo and lime. The beauty and flavours of each plate will render you speechless, but don't worry the restaurant comes strapped with an alcohol license to get the conversation flowing again over a sneaky breakfast tipple. FOR COFFEE WITH CHARM: ODETTES If you want to be charmed while you have your morning coffee, look no further than Odettes. Boasting the prettiest botanicals and Scandinavian fit-out in the city, there's no argument that this is an Auckland gem. You'll go for the textures, timelessness and luxury of the venue, but rest assured, you'll stay for their eclectic and extensive coffee and tea offerings. Caffeine and fare alike, everything is sourced from local and artisanal producers. A true pleasure to behold, Odettes should be on everyone's coffee itinerary. Image: Anna Kidman. FOR EXPERIMENTAL ICE CREAM: GIAPO Sweet, salty, spicy, sour — whatever ice cream your heart desires will be found within the emporium that is Giapo. Treating every customer like their first —even though they've been open for nine years — the team goes above and beyond to make your visit memorable no matter how short. With feijoa and chamomile, black Perigord truffle, peach and bush honey yogurt, you'll want to taste the lot before making that important final decision. And with their relocation to Gore Street earlier this year, there are even more unexpected food and ice cream pairings to discover, like ice cream with fries, jacket potatoes, gyoza dumplings or arancini balls. These cone connoisseurs have fine tuned the talent of combining technology, art and science into innovative batches of creamy cold goodness, bringing Auckland the tastiest cones in town. FOR DRINKS WITH A VIEW: DEVON ON THE WHARF The City of Sails offers high-ranking bars aplenty, serving up some killer drinks, but if you really want to impress and be impressed, there's one spot you should set your sights on. Make your way to the little bubble of Devonport, the fairy tale town perched on one of the city's most prized peninsulas, adorned with historical villas. Stepping off the ferry, you need not stray far before meeting your destination, Devon on the Wharf. Along with seaside inspired delicacies, crowd pleasing platters and a full gin and tonic menu, DOTW offers double views, either overlooking the city or the wide ocean expanse. Settle in with your drop of choice, and ready yourself for a lengthy afternoon session you won't want to leave. Image: @nattti / Instagram. FOR A WINE-FILLED DAY TRIP: WAIHEKE ISLAND Touring wineries surrounded by lush rolling hills, wandering from one vineyard to the next via pathways through the vines, indulging in several delicious, local drops — not much else compares to a day spent on Waiheke Island. Is there anything better than an entire island dedicated to wine? Rent a bike and wind your way through the hills dotted with vineyards, or jump on the bus that takes you from the ferry, all the way to Onetangi Beach. Stop off at Stonyridge for a glass of their award-winning Larose (best enjoyed on the deck among the olive grove), then wind your way through the vines to Casita Miro to sample their tapas and Spanish sherries, like their famed Madame Rouge. And if you opt for the car ferry from Auckland's CBD, and have a designated driver, the stunning, coastal Man O' War at the end of the island is certainly worth a trip. FOR VOLCANO VIEWS: MOUNT VICTORIA Marked by rolling hills and surrounded by ocean, Auckland holds some extraordinary views from One Tree Hill to Waiheke, but Devonport's Mount Victoria on the North Shore offers some pretty special sights. Challenge yourself, and take the steep 15-minute walk up to the volcano's summit for sweeping ocean views with the dramatic CBD skyline to contrast. Spanning the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island, the city and the rest of the shore, this picture-perfect panorama is well worth that post-climb burn. Image: russellstreet / Flickr. FOR WEEKEND MARKET EATS: LA CIGALE FRENCH MARKET There's no mystery as to why La Cigale French Market has been voted Auckland's best market for eight years running. Held Saturday from 8am to 1.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 1.30pm, the Parnell market has become so popular it's expanded to a new location in Britomart. Here you can expect produce in abundance, fresh breads and pastries hot from the oven, cheeses, cured meats smoked salmon, giant pans of paella, organic salads and French delicacies galore. Teeming with live music, crepes sizzling, coffees brewing and the scent of fresh baked pastries wafting through the air, La Cigale is a sensory explosion just waiting to be explored. FOR A HIDDEN, SUNNY PICNIC SPOT: CORNWALL PARK Undoubtedly, the city's best place to park up and picnic is at Cornwall Park. Escape to the beautiful expanse of rolling green hills, just a 15-minute drive from the city. The parklands feature wildlife, stunning scenery, walks both on and off the beaten track, and to sweeten the deal, an ice creamery. No matter the season, locals flock here to spend their afternoons sharing the park with herds of friendly cows, roaming sheep and, in parts, free-range chickens clucking about. Lay out your rug in your own hidden valley, and embrace the feeling of leaving the city long behind you — despite being right on its doorstep. FOR NEW ZEALAND'S FRESHEST PASTA: AMANO Housed in a building more than a century old, Amano is one of the most beautiful eateries you will lay eyes on in Auckland. Picture bunches of dried wheat and Nelson hydrangeas hanging gracefully from the ceiling, and Mother of Pearl countertops emerging from Terraza marble flooring reminiscent of Saint Peter's Basilica. Amano means both 'made by hand' and 'with love' in Italian, which suits the fare perfectly. Claiming to have the freshest pasta experience in New Zealand, the restaurant dishes out pastas made with flour straight from their on-site mill and free-range eggs from Whangarei. Pair that with only seasonal and local ingredients — see Wairarapa Coast crayfish and Auckland Island scampi — plus big windows overlooking the port, and you're set for a decadent dining experience by the sea. Book yourself in at the Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland and tick all of these hot spots off your list. Words: Izzie Aldridge, Kristy Mayo and Quinn Connors.
What happens when you combine two of the city's hottest chefs, an award-winning young-gun sommelier and a suburb on the brink of a revival? Bistrot 916. Run by Restaurant Hubert colleagues chef Dan Pepperell (Alberto Lounge, 10 William Street and Frankie's) and sommelier Andy Tyson (Alberto Lounge), together with long-time Rockpool Dining Group chef Michael Clift, the Potts Point restaurant has just opened its folding glass doors much to the excitement of every Sydney Francophile. Pepperell and Tyson didn't set out to reproduce Restaurant Hubert, but the pair's decision to leave the Swillhouse group's OTT French restaurant and open a bistro of their own warrants a comparison. The Bistrot 916 space may not have the same labyrinthine, escapist quality as Restaurant Hubert, but it doesn't need to: the food and wine contain enough creativity and chutzpah to take you on a journey on their own. In place of Hubert's well-lit red velvet-heavy interior, Bistrot 916 is dark and restrained. Pink paper tablecloths cover dark wood tables, wines line the walls and the space is lit by soft pendant lights and candles. Waitstaff and sommeliers in white chef jackets walk you through the restaurant's single-page food menu, which starts with a so-good-you-must-order-two scallop ceviche with tiger milk and a tuna tartare with beef fat-fried potato. [caption id="attachment_801364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] For entrees, you can keep it simple and go for French classics — such as chicken liver parfait and pork rillette — or follow Pepperell down the path towards the more unusual. Boudin noir spring rolls, fried lamb's brains with smoked eel mayonnaise, snail pasta and grilled tongue await you here, before a quick veer left leads you back to French bistro staples for the Plats Principaux: duck, steak or lobster served, of course, with frites. If you're after a cocktail, a Death in the Afternoon (champagne and absinthe) is our pick, but you can also go for a well-made negroni, sazerac or mojito, too. For wine, Tyson has selected a suitably lengthy collection of predominantly French drops that trundles through Beaujolais, Jura, Languedoc and Rhône for all less than $20 a glass. Taking over the space next to Fratelli Paradiso, formerly home to Merivale's Lotus, Bistrot 916 is the latest exciting addition to a suburb quite clearly on its way up (again). While Potts Point has been plagued by lockout laws and some big-name closures over the past couple of years, a spate of openings have occurred in the last few months, including a new pizza joint by the Monopole, a charcoal chicken by Morgan McGlone and chef Ben Sears' Tel Aviv haunt. Find Bistrot 916 at 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point from 5–9.30pm daily and 12–2pm Friday–Sunday. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Since '50s-inspired bar Hinky Dinks closed late last year, there's been a gaping, cocktail-sized hole at 185 Darlinghurst Road. But, the good news is, it's soon to be filled. The now-sleeping Darlinghurst space has just unveiled a shimmering gold sign announcing the words "Johnny Fishbone". Inside, a dark wooden bar lies fully stocked with wine bottles. We followed our noses to this mysterious website, revealing very little detail outside of a 'wine parlour coming soon'. There's also some rather relaxing imagery of running water and a link to a currently empty Twitter account. We've reason to believe some of Sydney's high-level hospitality personnel are behind this new venture, but we'll keep you updated. Watch this space. Johnny Fishbone sits at 185 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst. Opening date TBC.
Flowers, stars and mulled wine will collide when astronomy comes to The Calyx in the Royal Botanic Garden. The event — which is running over single nights in May, June, July and August — invites you to kick back, relax and learn about the night skies. Dr Angel Lopez-Sanchez will chat to the group — he's an astronomy research fellow and a science communicator at the Australian Astronomical Observatory and Macquarie University. Surrounded by the garden's botanic surrounds, he'll bring you a whole new perspective on familiar constellations and show you how to find those that are not-so-familiar. Then you'll sit with an Indigenous community member who will tell stories and chat about Aboriginal interpretations of the night sky. Learn to locate the Jewel Box within the Southern Cross, bright nebulae within Sagittarius and Omega Centauri, a globular cluster. Tickets are a reasonable $25 and include a drink upon.
When Sir Allen Lane stood daydreaming on an Exeter station in 1935, letting the seeds for Penguin Books take hold, he probably didn't imagine that his range of, intelligent books at a low prices would one day be roughed up, played with, and soaked in semillon at a ramshackle flat above a convenience store on King St, Newtown. But he'd probably approve, as both Penguin Books and Penguin Plays Rough, a monthly night for writers, share an abiding love for literature and low prices. We caught up with the co-creator, Elly King, to find out more Why did you start Penguin Plays Rough? We wanted Sydney's emerging writers to have a place to tell their stories. A place for fans of the written word to get cosy, drink wine and soak up something new. Who runs it? It's run by myself and Pip Smith but it's kind of a family affair. Our flatmate Tarik is our poster design genius and you can probably catch the fourth and fifth members of the household, Monika and Vincent the cat, manning the door at some stage. If you could bully one book in an alley, what would it be? A Tale of Two Cities. That book gave me ample grief in high school to justify being bullied. Every time I hear the opening line, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, I want to cry. Hang on, I am bullying it, or is it bullying me? Word of advice to young Sydney writers? Carry a notebook. People watch. Find the fascinating. Come to Penguin Plays Rough every third Monday on the month. Bag a wildcard spot and read us a story! This month PENGUIN plays ROUGH is teaming up with Monthly Friend to bring you Working Title, with five writer/performers unlocking the stories behind seven slides from one motel room...
Trumpets blared and picklebacks were downed when The Flinders Hotel reopened its doors under new management in December last year — the much loved Darlinghurst pub ceased operations back in January 2015, with management laying the blame squarely on the NSW lockout laws. And now it's officially relaunching to the public, with a new look and one hour of free booze, no less. The official relaunch party will kick off from 8pm this Saturday, May 13 with one hour of drinks on the house. But don't expect to see the old Flinders of yore — there's been a few changes. The new fit-out includes a swanky marble bar imported from Italy, a custom DJ booth and a pool table. The walls have also been repainted with a real jumble of graffiti — it's meant to mirror the aesthetic of the laneway — and Keep Sydney Open paraphernalia is a main feature. "Flinders was amazing, but we've given the space a few new tweaks to give it a point of difference from what it was before — but without changing the feel of it too much," says co-owner and Sydney nightlife consultant Jordy Mitchell. "This relaunch is a way for us to re-introduce the venue to the public and let people know that nightlife is still well and alive in Surry Hills." Along with the upgraded decor comes a new cocktail list with seven classics — from whiskey sours and Negronis to espresso martinis and margaritas — as well as the hotel's one specialty cocktail, the Flinders Fling, which is a concoction of white rum, cognac liqueur, lime juice, mint leaves and soda water. "I want to keep the drinks in the spirit of the venue and not have anything that is wildly over -the-top," says Mitchell. "We really wanted to nail the core classics without having a cocktail list a mile long." The kitchen is also revamped, turning out a new pizza menu and the usual pub classics until 10pm. Future plans for an upstairs lounge with an open woodfire is in the works for the next few months. The venue boasts a 3am licence, and they plan to put that to good use for this weekend's launch party, with some of the Flinders' original DJs manning the turn tables. "Our relaunch is definitely a 'fingers up' to the lock out laws," says Mitchell. "We're still here and Sydney is still alive." The Flinders Hotel is located at 63 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. The relaunch party will take place this Saturday, May 13 from 8pm-3am, with free drinks from 8pm-9pm.
If you've ever enjoyed a few drinks and wondered just what impact they've had on your blood alcohol limit, prepare to wonder no longer. Meet Proof, the wearable alcohol sensor that not only tells you how drunk you are — it (somewhat frighteningly) predicts how drunk you'll be later, and when you'll be sober if you stop drinking. Plus, it can also remind you when you're back in the safe realm. This is how it works: the slim band, which looks just like a fitness tracker, reads alcohol molecules through your skin. It then sends those readings to an app on your phone, where you can check whether you're okay to drive, and when you will be. You can also set it up to send vibrations through your wrist and flash an LED light when you reach pre-set blood alcohol levels. The band itself relies upon on disposable cartridges that last for 12 hours, and is powered by a rechargeable battery with a four-day continuous-use lifespan. Proof, which was among the technological advancements featured at CES 2017, has been in development by Milo Sensors for two years, with a crowdfunding campaign planned for 2017 to help it come to fruition. Once it reaches the market, it is expected to sell for US$100 to $150. Milo Sensors CEO and founder Evan Strenk told Mashable that the product aims to "empower people to make educated decision about alcohol," and is on par with consumer breathalysers. The last part is key, and not just in terms of effectiveness. Sure, plenty of blood alcohol testing products already exist; however who wants to blow into a tube when knowing just how those after-work drinks are hitting the spot is as easy as wearing a wristband and checking your phone? Via Mashable.
Are you ready, Surry Hills? Madame Truffles is opening her pop-up shop for the third truffle season running, bringing city folk black truffles sourced from Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Western Australia. These 'gourmet mushrooms' will be available from June 15 until September 3 at the Madame's pop-up shop on Riley Street. As well as straight-up truffles, the shop has an array of truffle-infused goods for you to fill your pantry with. This year, they're stocking truffle and potato ravioli — the ultimate comfort food — along with truffle salt, truffle ice cream and truffle honey. This is made with extra grade black truffle and pure Australian honey from Victoria that's good enough to eat straight out of the jar. If you live in a sharehouse, you might want to hide this from your housemates. Truffles sold in-store are harvested fresh each week, so you know you'll get that fresh truffle smell when you pull them out at dinner (or breakfast, for that matter). The Madame Truffles pop-up shop is open 9am till 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Old Town Hong Kong brings the island's late night culture to Sydney. This casual, two floor spot is a step-up from most Chinatown restaurants, with a fitout boasting recycled timber, exposed brick and hanging globes that give off a golden light. The Peking duck in steamed buns are particularly tasty, but the menu doesn't only offer the classics — apart from dumplings and stir fried noodles you also get the more exotic duck tongue, chicken feet and durian desserts. The entire menu is on offer late, with the venue is open until 2am seven nights a week. Though a second location has just opened up in Barangaroo, it's not taking the late-night route of its older brother.
Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) Fairfield once again heads out into the local community to do what they do best — that is, highlighting and celebrating cultural pockets of Sydney that are vibrant but often little-known. This time the focus is on the thriving Iraqi culture in Sydney's western suburbs. Little Baghdad is a culinary theatre experience, but it's also an effort to gain public recognition and support for one of the most successful refugee services in the world. Audiences are invited to attend a traditional dinner party in the Parents' Garden Café in Fairfield High School, a commercial kitchen-cum-refugee support centre that has been praised by the UN as a model for welcoming and integrating refugees into a community. The night will consist of food, drink, dance and song as newly arrived Australians share dishes and memories from the country of their birth. Artists and musicians will be showcasing their works, with performances and live music throughout the night. After dinner, though, everyone dances. It's tradition. This is an excellent opportunity to support one of the few positive measures Australians have implemented when it comes to refugees. It's also a great chance to immerse yourself in the culture of a country that's been a tad difficult to explore as a tourist of late. If you need extra incentive, supporting this event is an incredibly creative way of telling Peter Dutton where he can shove it. Although, if you'd rather not spoil your dinner with politics, the first two reasons are perfectly adequate.
One of the world's most acclaimed galleries is coming to Australia, and it's bringing more than 70 works that chronicle the past 200 years in art history with it. For a five-month season from mid-June, the UK's Tate will take over Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image with a hefty exhibition that'll span everything from painting, photography and sculpture through to drawing, kinetic art and installations — and, of course, the moving image. Given the time period covered by Light: Works from Tate's Collection, the list of artists that'll be on display is a varied one — as drawn from pieces in the Tate's four separate sites in Britain. Art lovers will be able to see works by famed English romantic painter and watercolourist Joseph Mallord William Turner alongside the light- and space-focused efforts of American artist James Turrell, plus pieces by impressionist Claude Monet and Japanese favourite Yayoi Kusama. Running from Thursday, June 16–Sunday, November 13, the unifying theme is light, as the exhibition's name makes plain — and if you're wondering how this connects to ACMI's remit as a museum for the moving image, light is obviously crucial to all recorded vision. While Light: Works from Tate's Collection will step through art history, ACMI will further put its pieces into broader artistic context by presenting it alongside its permanent The Story of the Moving Image exhibition, which examines the origins and genesis of film and television. From the impressive roster of art and artists, Turner's 1805 painting The Deluge will make its Australian debut, while Kusama's characteristically kaleidoscopic 2005 sculpture The Passing Winter gets viewers peering into a mirrored cube. Turrell's Raemar, Blue, from 1969, is an immersive spatial environment that surrounds visitors in infinite and immersive light. And among the other highlights sits paintings by John Constable, Wassily Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Joseph Albers; more impressionist pieces from Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley; and rotating crystalline sculpture Stardust Particle by Olafur Eliasson. The ticketed exhibition will be accompanied by talks, performances, workshops and late-night events, as well as film screenings. Although the events lineup hasn't yet been revealed, masterclasses with cinematographers, artist discussions, and magic lantern and 16mm presentations will all be on the bill, as will two free exhibits — from Australian artist Mikala Dwyer in ACMI's lightwell and by Lis Rhodes in Gallery 3, with the latter's Light Music also coming from the Tate Collection. [caption id="attachment_858887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raemar, Blue, 1969, James Turrell. Tate: Presented by the Tate Americas Foundation, partial purchase and partial gift of Doris J. Lockhart 2013. © James Turrell. Photo: Phoebe Powell[/caption] [caption id="attachment_858889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Passing Winter, 2005, Yayoi Kusama. Tate: Purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2008. ©Yayoi Kusama. Tate. Photo: Phoebe Powell.[/caption] Top images: Installation view, 'Light: Works from Tate's Collection', showing at ACMI, 2022. Photos by Phoebe Powell.
Sydney Common is anything but. The newly launched restaurant is located an easy stroll up the curving lobby stairs on the second level of the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park where tall windows welcome in a unique leafy aspect of the park without the inconvenience of Elizabeth Street's pedestrian and vehicular traffic obscuring the view. A pleasant start. The restaurant space is sleek, spacious and elegant, perhaps unremarkably so. But it's when the food hits the table that things start getting exciting. The menu has been created by Head Chef Jamie Robertson under the mentorship of culinary legend Martin Benn (formerly of Tetsuya's and Sepia), and that pedigree comes through at every stage of the dining experience. The hero ingredients of each dish are neither overworked nor underplayed. A side dish of charred monterosa tomatoes served with goats curd, smoked oil and togarashi is eyebrow-raisingly delicious, for example. Also excellent is the impressive opener of tuna crudo, precisely cubed and accompanied with tomato jelly and buffalo yoghurt — a technical marvel and highly photogenic dish that doesn't underdeliver in the flavour department. Woodfired cooking is the centrepiece of the kitchen and menu, where the grill is applied to everything from a dry aged Hereford grass fed rib eye cut, vegetables (including the aforementioned tomatoes), and a seasonal seafood lineup that could include Aquna Murray cod, John Dory, Yamba prawns and grilled scallops with nduja. Sydney Common's core team comprises Director of Food & Beverage Adam Leonardi, Restaurant General Manager James Curtis (ex-Aria), and Head Sommelier Sebastian Brogren (ex-Bentley Restaurant and Bar) curating the drinks program with a 260-bin wine list that celebrates classic Australian producers and showcases both new and old world wine. The offering of hotel dining in Sydney is no longer catering purely for in-house guests in need of convenience. Restaurants like the Capella's fabulous Brasserie 1930, Mitch Orr's dynamo menu at Kiln on top of The Ace, the near-impossible-to-get-a-table-at Encore by Clare Smyth at The Crown Barangaroo, and now Sydney Common are making hotels a legitimate destination for locals seeking out great food and service - no staycation necessary. Sydney Common is now open for lunch Fridays and Saturdays and dinner seven days at the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, Level 1, 161 Elizabeth Street. Bookings are available now via Seven Rooms. Image credit: Steven Woodburn
Summer is on the way. Christmas, too. And in Sydney, it's part-tee time as well. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up at Entertainment Quarter at a mini golf course inspired by a heap of beloved Disney films. After hitting up the city in previous years, the kidult-friendly course will now return from Friday, November 26–Sunday, February 6. Designed to challenge both eight-year-olds and adults alike, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. New this year: holes inspired by Onward, Soul and Luca, covering Pixar's three most recent release. So, if you don't think you can beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here instead. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Running from 7–10pm, the post-work putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. If you're keen to get tap, tap, tapping during daylight hours — and likely with littlies for company — Pixar Putt opens at 3pm daily until December 17, before moving it start time to 10am.
Designer Kit Willow is leading the way in terms of ethical and sustainable fashion, striving to make women look and feel great without endangering the planet. Focused on creating unique designs and luxe outfits at competitive prices, KitX is the perfect shop to check out when you're after a new frock that'll make you stand out for all the right reasons. Willow's extensive research into all aspects of each garment's journey, from agriculture to textile development and manufacturing, ensures a range of elegant pieces that are truly unique and free from many of the harmful byproducts that come with much of the high fashion world.
Don't let the sporadic showers fool you — summer is most definitely on its way. It's time to pull your beachwear out from the depths of your cupboard, dust off your tatty straw hat and prepare for three months of good food, good music and stunning sunshine. Heineken are celebrating the launch of the new low-carb Heineken 3 and hosting a series of Sunday sessions at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel from December 4 until January 28. Look forward to great music, cold beer and beautiful views of the sun setting over Sydney's stunning harbour. On January 29 model, TV presenter and Channel V star Demi Bryant will be guest DJ-ing as DJ Demi, and she will bring the vibes to your favourite beachside bar. Gather your crew and head down to Watsons Bay for some post-swim snacks and a cold drink. Heineken 3 buckets are available, on special, and served from a Heineken bike.
If you've wanted to pair Salumerie's stellar sambos with standout sips, this is your chance. The recently opened Potts Point sandwich shop has been dishing up epic sandwiches, quickly solidifying itself as one of Sydney's top sandwich spots. Now, the outpost is teaming up with King Street favourite — and one of the CBD's best bars — Sammy Junior, to sling a month-long special in the CBD. For the entire month of May, you'll be able to grab five of the joint's top deli-style focaccia sangas from Sammy Junior's CBD locale for a hefty lunchtime treat. Salumerie's flagship spot will operate as normal, but its pop-up will allow CBD-goers to enjoy the joint's creations without trekking to Potts Point. So, which sandwiches are on offer? Leading the five sandwich selection is the mortadella, pistachio pesto and crispy chilli stracciatella sambo, which is exclusive to the Sammy Junior site. The other bestsellers available are the Classica with prosciutto di parma and stracciatella; the Caprese with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil pesto; the Porchetta with smoked mozzarella; and the eggplant parmigiana. And to top things off, all of these stacked sandwiches are priced at under $20. You can get your hands on these coveted sandwiches from 11am each day, but be sure to get there early — they're likely to sell out before the lunchtime rush is over. Image credit: Anna Postnikova.
One of 2013's best album covers, Pennsylvanian Kurt Vile's LP Waking On a Pretty Daze featured a specially commissioned mural by Steve "ESPO" Powers in Philadelphia. Now the bright, purely inoffensive mural — which controversially features a rampaging dancing snowflake, threateningly adorable postbox and a terribly welcoming couch surround by a love heart and the words "There's a place for all my friends." — has been painted over by local man DJ Lee Mayjahs, according to Philadelphian radio station WXPN. Why? Apparently the mural was "attracting graffiti to the neighbourhood." WARNING: Vile fans, this photo hurts a little. Philadelphia journalist Leah Kaufmann spoke to Mayjahs, turns out he really didn't know what he was doing when he took to the mural with white paint. Mayjahs is apparently horrified by his actions and has offered every sincere apology. "I got home and started doing research on my computer. I can't believe what I had done ad I wrote a letter to Kurt Vile apologising," he said. "I wrote a letter to the artist Espo apologising, telling them that I would pay Espo to come down and repaint it. I also wrote a letter to the mural arts apologising. Apparently it wasn't official. Even though it wasn't official I'm sorry for everything I did. I would do whatever I could do to make it right. I really am sorry. I don't know what I was doing. I literally lost my mind and took it out which was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my entire life." "I live in that neighbourhood. I've lived there for 15 years. I'm always cleaning up the streets and alleyways. I don't know… for some reason I feel like ever since that piece has been there it's attracted more and more graffiti to that neighbourhood, he said. "Every time I paint over illegal graffiti I was blaming it on it (the mural) and I didn't realise the people in the neighbourhood love it, I've never really sat and looked at it. I never did any research on it and then I just snapped." "I didn't think anything through and acted false pretence. I didn't think about the consequences of my actions. I'm sorry about that, I love Philadelphia, I love my neighbourhood and I love the arts. I'm a big supporter of the arts and so for me to do something that offends all of these people is completely out of character for me. Anybody who knows me will tell you the exact same thing. I'm sorry about it." Vile's rep has confirmed to that ESPO will head back to the mural and repaint it. The building's owner and the attached restaurant are apparently fans, seeing no reason to fear a graffiti influx to their Philadelphian streets because of it. Check out the mini-doco about the creation of the mural and just stare forlornly at the Waking On a Pretty Daze album cover for consolation: https://youtube.com/watch?v=I4RlljcBKg0 Via Pitchfork, Metro and WXPN.
Being seen is no longer fashion's biggest priority. Taking you right off the radar, Aussie label The Affair has created a line of 'post-Snowden' threads inspired by George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984 — a crowdfunded capsule collection that makes you invisible to Big Brother and lets you reclaim some ownlife using stealth technology. Taking cues right from the pages of Orwell's schoolroom required reading, the 'stealth fashion' capsule collection helps you reclaim privacy. Accordingly, the new line is dedicated to Edward Snowden, your modern Orwellian poster boy. "Edward Snowden proved that Big Brother is no longer fiction," says the team on their Kickstarter page. "The government is watching everyone via our smart phones: telescreens beyond Orwell’s wildest dreams. It's time to fight back and reclaim privacy with clothing that takes you off the surveillance grid and makes you invisible to Big Brother." Combining the colours and workwear styles described by Orwell himself, the garments all come embedded with UnPocket stealth technology. The 11 x 16 cm UnPockets are made from layers of stealth fabric that fit your phone, passport, bank cards — anything you'd like protected against wireless identity theft. Making sure the Thought Police can't get you down at a glance, The Affair's UnPockets are slipped into specially created sections of each garment: The Affair have created four different 'Party' garments (all embedded with the UnPocket) that are 'unhackable' and 'untraceable': Party Workshirt "Inspired by 6079 Smith W himself... Whether you’re rewriting history or creating smut for the proles, the relaxed workwear styling of the Party Workshirt makes this your new wardrobe essential." Party Chinos "Whether you are making love surreptitiously in the forest or being tortured in Room 101, you can be certain these Party Chinos will see you through the day in style." Outer Party Jacket "Created for the workers of Airstrip One, the Outer Party Jacket captures the eternal drive of IngSoc." Inner Party Blazer "O’Brien befriended Winston only to stab him in the back, take everything he loved and reduce him to a broken mess. So if you identity with the iron fist of the 1% then this fully-lined Inner Party Blazer is for you!" Boasting the tagline 'Make Literature Fashionable', The Affair have been using your favourite classic stories as inspiration for seven years, using the last 12 months to perfect the 1984 line. It's not the first time the label has used the celebrated novel for a design; their very very t-shirt was a shoutout to Miniluv. Giving a nod to the Orwellian spirit, the team are jumping on the Damn the Man distribution bandwagon and selling their wares through Kickstarter. Using the classic funded wares as perks set-up, the team have already raised over £2,813 of their £25,000 goal. Check out the entire 1984 collection at The Affair's Kickstarter page and check out the look book below.
Sydney's favourite dingy venue The Annandale is being revived by new owners, with a focus on food and hopefully no apparent intention to alleviate any of the venue's beloved stickiness. Under new ownership with Oscars Hotels (Camperdown Hotel, Hotel Sweeneys and the ever-adominable Bar Century), the Annandale will continue its live music tradition, telling The Music it will "continue to pay homage" to its band-ridden roots. Cynical fist-shakers, the stage ain't going anywhere — the Annandale's new owners are keeping that hallowed ground intact for more legends and up-and-comers on the calendar ahead. "[The] majority of acts in August will be local Sydney talent, varying from hip hop to old timey and Americano," an Oscars Hotels spokesperson told Fairfax, confirming live music would be scheduled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The venue capacity will also be slightly reduced from 400 to 350. Architect Elaine Richardson (of Bat and Ball, Trinity and Henson Park hotel revivals) has been focused on making the pub's food and beverage element that little bit less sticky pub-like, with a courtyard beer garden, coffee bar and all-day bistro joining the Annandale's usual bar bits. The fundraising efforts of the venue's Buy a Brick and Save the Annandale campaigns will be commemorated with mounted plaques, so punters remember their roots and keep coming back for local pride reppin'. But you heard a little something something about food? Executive chef John Rankin (ex-Waitan) has crafted a brand new Annandale menu to take the pub grub next level. Rankin's breakfast menu includes hearty daystarters and drinkable hair-of-the-dog options, while lunch and dinner sound pretty fried-friendly — southern fried chicken burgers, grilled cheese sangers, nachos — alongside a somewhat random roast duck Yorkshire pudding. Signature cocktails will attempt to keep up with Sydney's bursting shaker scene, while more boutique and craft beers will join the Australian-heavy wine list. Whether the facelift convinces hardcore Annandale locals remains to be seen, perhaps the team should try something completely new rather than polish the wartorn limbs of the old, beloved inner-west haunt. But until we've tried those fried chicken burgers, we'll leave off judgement. Find the Annandale Hotel on the corner of Nelson Street and Parramatta Road, Annandale. Keep up to date with their sweet, sweet reno on their Facebook page. Via The Music and SMH.
That time of year has rolled around again and we're all looking forward to many catch-ups with mates and family over glasses (or bottles) of vino. Not to mention there's the office Secret Santa gifts to be bought and the inevitable conversation with the siblings around who's picking the wine to impress the folks. And what you'll be drinking at Christmas lunch, no less. Thanks to Vivino and its hardworking community of wine lovers who voted in the inaugural Aussie Vivino Community Awards, we've handpicked the best of the best from the winning wines, so you can stock up on these top drops for all the silly season shenanigans you have planned, from a reasonably priced riesling to crack open with the crew to a $141 biodynamic cabernet blend that'll impress even the stubbornest of sippers. 2019 GRANT BURGE BAROSSA INK SHIRAZ, BAROSSA VALLEY SA ($17) With almost 1500 ratings, the Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz was rated as the top vino in the Vivino Community Awards' wines under $25 category. Aussie wine lovers must know what they're talking about as this wine is quintessential Barossa — think Christmas cake spices with notes of plum and luscious blueberry. This wine is perfect for those who are always stuck on how to impress dad at family dinner. A crowdsourced success. Purchase Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz via Vivino. 2020 TIM ADAMS RIESLING, CLARE VALLEY SA ($21.99) In the early 2000s, a group of forward-thinking winemakers in South Australia's Clare Valley were frustrated with cork-related faults ruining the vibrancy of their rieslings, so they banded together, bucked conventional norms and bottled their wines under Stelvin closure (screw caps). Twenty years later, screw caps are the norm and the future of Australian rieslings has never looked so bright. To experience the freshness and vibrancy of Clare Valley riesling, look no further than this archetypal example from Tim Adams. Bursting with flavours of freshly cut citrus and hints of white florals, this drop is the perfect accompaniment to a serve of Sydney rock oysters. Hot tip: you can even drizzle a bit of the wine on top of the oyster instead of lemon. Purchase Tim Adams riesling via Vivino. 2019 UNICO ZELO ESOTERICO, RIVERLAND SA ($24.99) Unico Zelo's Esoterico really lives up to its name, having developed a cult-like following over the years. At first you'd be excused for not knowing what to make of it on account of its slightly hazy colour and the kind of pronounced texture you only see in red wines, but then you're hit with pretty and delicate florals from the zibibbo and gewurztraminer grapes. If you've never understood what all the fuss is about with skin-contact wine this is a fantastic entry point, and a perfect one to crack open with a charcuterie board on a sunny afternoon with mates. Purchase Unico Zelo Esoterico via Vivino. 2018 LANGMEIL VALLEY FLOOR SHIRAZ, BAROSSA VALLEY SA ($30) Langmeil boasts a 125-year winemaking history with their dry-grown vineyards believed to be the world's oldest surviving shiraz vines. While the wine from that particular vineyard from this prestigious winery will set you back $145, they have released a wine that is a little more approachable for everyday drinking. The Valley Floor shiraz is crafted from fruit grown by over 20 families from across the Barossa's 30 original villages, still being made in the historic Langmeil winery. A piece of South Australian wine history at a fraction of the price, the perfect gift for the old school wine lover in your life. Purchase Langmeil Valley Floor shiraz via Vivino. 2018 SAILOR SEEKS HORSE PINOT NOIR, HUON VALLEY TAS ($67.10) From small vineyard plantings in Tasmania's Huon Valley comes a pinot noir by husband-and-wife winemaking duo Paul and Gilli Lipscombe. Fruit for this exceptionally well-crafted wine comes from the estate vineyard, planted by the duo's own hands in 2005. It's not hard to see why this wine clocked in at 14th place in Aussie wines priced between $25–80. It has blackberry and raspberry notes intermixed with a tension that causes you to reach for the bottle before you've even finished the glass in front of you. This small-batch premium pinot noir has become one of the most sought-after wines on the mainland, fought over by sommeliers and wine lovers alike. Purchase Sailor Seeks Horse pinot noir via Vivino. 2018 CURLY FLAT PINOT NOIR, MACEDON RANGES VIC ($72.60) There's pinot noir, and then there's Macedon Ranges pinot noir, and no one sets the gold standard of this wine varietal from this region better than Curly Flat. This light red is a medley of aromas and flavours, from violets and black cherries on the nose (with just the tiniest hint of dried rose petals) to balsamic strawberries and slight savoury notes of forest floor and slate. Meet duck pancakes' newest accompaniment. Purchase Curly Flat pinot noir via Vivino. 2019 TOLPUDDLE CHARDONNAY, COAL RIVER VALLEY TAS ($95.33) This wine is touted as the benchmark for cool-climate Aussie chardonnay. Using grapes from vineyards planted in Tasmania in 1988, this exceptional chardy is made by celebrated South Australian winemaker Adam Wadewitz (of Shaw and Smith fame). This drop is rarely available for long after its release. But you don't have to take our word for it — it's currently rates 4.4 out of five on Vivino, and it came in second in the Vivino Community Awards' top ten Aussie whites category. If you find some, buy it ASAP and impress the family with it on Christmas Day — and convert the anything-but-chardonnay drinkers in your household. Purchase Tolpuddle chardonnay via Vivino. 2018 CULLEN 'DIANA MADELEINE' CABERNET BLEND, MARGARET RIVER WA ($141) Vanya Cullen, the current winemaker of Cullen Wines in Western Australia (and often dubbed as Australia's High Priestess of Biodynamics) has named her flagship cabernet blend after her mother, Diana. What makes this wine so unique — and absolutely worth the price? The fruit comes off vines dating back to 1971, and the care and great attention it takes to produce this wine are unparalleled. The fruit was picked according to the biodynamic calendar dates, with one of the harvests occurring on a full moon. Due to this vino's structured nature, it'll cellar for up to 50 years (if you have that kind of patience). Purchase Cullen 'Diana Madeleine' cabernet blend via Vivino. Download the Vivino app and start discovering more ideal summer sips to stock up on — then buy them straight from the app. For more wine inspo, check out this year's Vivino Community Awards.
Call it wild, weird and wonderful. Call it surreal and sublime, too. Whichever terms you want to sling Dark Mofo's way, there's no other event quite like it on Tasmania's cultural calendar — or Australia's. 2024 felt the winter arts festival's absence, after it sat out the year to regroup for the future ahead. Get excited about 2025, however, because Dark Mofo has confirmed that it'll be returning in June. "Dark Mofo is back. For our 11th chapter, once more we'll bathe the city in red and deliver two weeks of inspiring art, music and ritual," said Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite, announcing the event's 2025 dates, and advising that limited pre-release tickets for Night Mass, which fills downtown Hobart with art and music, will be on offer from 10am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. "Night Mass is a beast, and this year it will evolve once more — worming its way through the city with new spaces, performances and experiences to dance, explore or crawl your way through," Twite continued. Not only Night Mass is returning, but so is the full Dark Mofo setup, largely taking place across Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025. The one exception: the Nude Solstice Swim, one of the festival events that still went ahead in 2024. Next year, it'll get everyone taking a dip on Saturday, June 21. Winter Feast, which also took place in 2024, will be back in 2025 as well — as will the Ogoh-Ogoh, plus a yet-to-be-announced (but sure to be jam-packed) art and music program that'll be revealed next year. If you spent a few days in 2023 attending a Twin Peaks-inspired ball and seeing a giant teddy bear with laser eyes — watching a stunning new take on Dante's classic examination of hell, purgatory and paradise, too — then you went to Dark Mofo's most-recent full run. Organised by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, the winter arts festival fills Hobart with all manner of surprises every year, other than its gap year in 2024. When the break was announced, it was done to ensure that event could "move forward in a viable manner", said Twite at the time. "The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025" was the promise, and it's being lived up to. The year off came after a hit 2023 run that saw Dark Mofo smash it with attendances and at the box office — notching up record figures, in fact. Despite the event's success, the crew behind it have been working towards "a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next ten years", taking rising costs and other changing elements into consideration. Dark Mofo returns from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025 and for the Nude Solstice Swim on Saturday, June 21. Head to the festival's website for further details. Winter feast images: Jesse Hunniford, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023. Nude Solstice Swim images: Rémi Chauvin, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023.
Sydney has no shortage of comedy clubs, but let's be honest, most of them don't come with ocean views. Until now. This May, the beloved Sydney Comedy Festival is switching things up by turning Bondi Pavilion into the ultimate pop-up comedy venue. From May 14 to 18, some of the sharpest, funniest, and most unfiltered minds in stand-up will be delivering their best punchlines in The Pav's iconic beachside Theatre, Seagull Room, Bar and Balcony. Forget dingy bars and sticky carpets. This is comedy, Bondi-style. Five nights, back-to-back sets, and a lineup stacked with international names and local rising stars. Whether you're into dark satire, chaotic crowd work, or big jokes that make your cheeks hurt for days after, there's a show (or five) with your name on it. Here are our top picks. [caption id="attachment_995562" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bondi Visuals[/caption] He Huang He Huang burst onto the comedy scene with a viral audition on Australia's Got Talent that had the world talking, and she's been making waves ever since. Her stand-up is deadpan, dry wit and deeply insightful, tackling everything from culture clashes to identity with a delivery so effortless that you almost miss how clever it is. Ivan Aristeguieta A Venezuelan with an Aussie passport and jokes aplenty for poking fun at both cultures, Ivan Aristeguieta is a master of observational comedy. His performances are high-energy and packed with hilarious insights into language, food, and the quirks of Australian life. Expect storytelling at its best: quick-witted, animated, and impossible not to love. Ian Bagg Brace yourself. Ian Bagg isn't here to just perform stand-up, he'll throw you right into the chaos. His razor-sharp crowd work and rapid-fire delivery make every show feel like a one-off experience. If you sit up front, be warned: no one is safe, and that's half the fun. Luke Heggie Dry, biting, and with no patience for nonsense, Luke Heggie is as Aussie as they come. His humour is observational and delivered with a deadpan drawl that makes every joke land harder. There's no fluff or gimmicks, just brutally funny stand-up that'll have you laughing and questioning your life choices all at once. Jess Fuchs Fast-rising and fearless, Jess Fuchs doesn't hold back. She's got sharp punchlines, chatty crowdwork and a talent for turning the everyday into something uncomfortably hilarious. If you like your comedy bold, unfiltered, and full of unexpected left turns, she's one to watch. Nick White Quirky, clever, and endearingly relatable, Nick White is the kind of comedian who makes you laugh at things you never thought were funny. Known most widely as his TikTok alter ego, Carli Furplam (AKA The Dull Coworker), Nick's live sets are packed with impersonations, wit, and comedic timing that's impossible to ignore. If you love a mix of smart and silly, he's your guy. Sophie Duker If you haven't seen Sophie Duker perform yet, now's your chance. The British stand-up powerhouse is as likely to drop an academic reference as she is to hit you with a perfectly timed pop culture dig. Either way, you're in for a ride. A regular on UK panel shows and festival lineups, Duker's comedy is bold, fearless, and refreshingly unpredictable. [caption id="attachment_995560" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bondi Visuals[/caption] Showcases and Best of the Fest Can't decide who to see? The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase has you covered. It's a handpicked selection of festival favourites, bringing together the best of the best for a single, jam-packed night of stand-up on Wednesday, May 14. Think of it as a comedy tasting platter, except every act is a killer. Want to see how they do it overseas? The Best of the Fest International lineup is stacked with amazing acts from around the world, offering a fresh mix of comedic styles, experiences and perspectives across the entire week. If you're after something a bit more unexpected, this showcase delivers a global comedy experience, all without leaving Bondi. Sydney has its fair share of comedy gigs, but very few are at this level. The Sydney Comedy Festival at Bondi Pavilion has everything you could want from a night out. Ocean views, top-tier talent, and a drink in hand? Hard to top. Whether you're a die-hard comedy fan or just looking for a guaranteed good time, this five-night festival is your best bet at this time of year. So, drop a link in your group chat and plan your week of shows with ticket prices ranging from $24 to $49.90. Sydney Comedy Festival at Bondi Pavilion runs from Wednesday, May 14 to Sunday, May 18. For more information or to book your tickets, visit the website. By Jacque Kennedy
Bars where you can do more than just sit around and drink are really having a moment in Sydney. And, in no small part, it's thanks to the ever-expanding empire of Funlab — the company in charge of the ever-popular Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Now, Funlab is about to launch its latest brainchild: B. Lucky & Sons. It's a kidult-friendly bar-meets-arcade with some actually good pawn-shop prizes, instead of the usual plastic crap you get. Think vintage Chanel bags, classic cameras and rare vinyls, plus a Nintendo 64 in its original box and Tune Squad swag from the 1996 cult classic, Space Jam. Yup, they're going real old school with this one. The bar — which already has outposts in Melbourne and Brisbane — is coming to Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter from May 17. It'll be hidden behind the façade of an old pawn shop, and decked out with eclectic furnishings, from old-world casino chandeliers to neon-lit red octagonal booths. This East-meets-West fit-out will extend to the food, too, where pizzas will be topped with the likes of crispy wonton wrappers and bonito flakes or sausage, gravy and potato crisps. There'll also be bags of prawn crackers and pork bao buns. [caption id="attachment_694672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] B Lucky & Sons, Brisbane[/caption] For drinks, the bar will be slinging creative cocktails and alcoholic bubble teas — while no exact drinks have been announced yet, the Brissie bar has the Taro Bang (Frangelico, rum and taro with blueberry pearls and jellies) and the Passion Crackle (vodka, passion fruit and peach teas with apple flavoured pearls and jellies), so expect similar concoctions. If you prefer your cocktails shareable, you'll also be able to order punch bowls served with floral tea cups, too. While Sydney games haven't been confirmed, expect throwbacks for the millennial generation — featuring everything from Mario Kart and Space Invaders to NBA Hoops and a Dance Dance Revolution knock-off. And although the venue will be open to littl'uns during the day, it'll be strictly adults-only at night, so you don't have to worry about being laughed at by a ten-year-old when you fall off Rainbow Road for the fourteenth time. Find B Lucky & Sons at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park from Friday, May 17. It'll be open from 11am–11pm Monday–Thursday, 11am–midnight Friday, 10am–midnight Saturday and 10am–11pm Sunday. Images: B Lucky & Sons, Brisbane by Zennieshia Photography.
Located in Greenwich on Sydney's north shore, The Hairdresser has been operating since 1982 with an ethos as straightforward as its name — sustainability with superior performance. The Hairdresser is a chemical-free salon that specialises in curly and fine hair, offering elevated styles and innovative techniques to their clients. You can get a basic blow-dry starting from $62, while more complex dos are $105 (45 minutes) or $125 (60 minutes) — just talk to the team about what you're hoping to achieve and they will let you know how much time is needed. Plus, The Hairdresser offers hair extensions, if long, voluminous locks are what you desire.
A new art gallery has launched in Darlinghurst with the goal of fostering a space for emerging artists in Sydney. Creative studio Babekühl has opened the site on Oxford Street, taking over the former building that fetish store Sax Fetish called home. Babekühl (pronounced babe-cool) has previously been at the helm of a range of multi-disciplinary art projects, including creating music videos for Justin Bieber and Free Nationals, art installations in The Clock Hotel and animating electronic duo Bag Raiders' national tour. The creative collective is now sharing the love, opening a space for young, talented artists to exhibit their work in the heart of Sydney. "I grew up at a time where Darlinghurst, and especially Oxford Street, was the cultural centre of Sydney, but we've been watching it lose some of its energy in recent year," said Bebkühl co-founder Billy Ryan. "We're not interested in gentrifying the area; we're here from a cultural stewardship point of view." The gallery is hidden below a street-level retail space run in collaboration with Sydney record label Motorik. The store features designer vintage clothes, accessories, art, and a collection of local and niche electronic vinyl records. Motorik and Babekühl worked on the shop, gallery and event space throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming it from the basement of the fetish shop. [caption id="attachment_790663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Billy Ryan[/caption] Since opening on Saturday, November 14, the gallery has been exhibiting Ryan's series Bloomscapes. The series, shot in Shanghai in 2019, captures an expansive cityscape through infrared photography that turns natural trees and shrubs into a wondrous mass of pink reminiscent of an alien algae bloom. A short film and an ambient soundtrack accompany the photography in the humble exhibition space. Bloomscapes will run until Wednesday, November 25, when it will make way for Gnurra Gooah Yewi (South East Wind), a collaborative exhibition between Dale Collier, Tim Buchanan and Wanjun Carpenter. The gallery is also currently running a callout for artists and professionals that want to use the space. If you're looking for a space to exhibit your art or want to check out what Babekühl has done, you can head to the collective's website. Bebekühl Gallery operates out of 110a Oxford St, Darlinghurst. It is open Tuesday–Friday, 12pm–6pm and Saturday–Sunday 10am–6pm. Images: Billy Ryan
13 Rooms may just be the blockbuster that mainstreams performance art in Australia. Where 'performance art' is often a phrase that angers, confuses and alienates, uber-rich art philanthropist John Kaldor has opened what could be called 'Anish Kapoor: The Sequel', a show that arrests, engages, baffles and confronts and is, above all, fun. With the help of an architecture firm, 13 spaces have been built from the ground up. Inside each is a living artwork. Traditional art objects, like canvases and sculptures, are replaced by moving, performing, talking bodies. Each room is its own universe of private moments, held by the threshold of a swinging door. Approaching and opening these doors invites suspense and surprise. (And to get the horde of usually cerebral, sedate art critics at the preview I attended to play, frolic, laugh and, frankly, gambol like little lambs is an artistic achievement indeed in itself.) Some rooms are more involving than others, but this show's beserking variety is its strength. Damien Hirst's work features chatty identical twins who are more than willing to divulge the instructions they've received from the artist to inquiring audience members. Xu Zhen's room holds a floating, breathing body — I have no idea how this works, but it is more transfixing than any Hollywood trickery I've seen in a while. There's nudity, esoteric oddity and near-invisibility. There are works that only materialise when a viewer appears and is forcibly engaged. The audience member is a participant, not a witness; the room is a stage, not a gallery; and the work is not seen but experienced. The people inside the rooms are live sculptures, and the works break the sound barrier between the performer and audience by putting the viewer on stage. You will be confused. You will be weirded out. You will dislike some of the works. You will wonder why some artists enjoy making their audiences uncomfortable. But you will not be empty-eyed and slack-jawed. You will be engaged and you will be opinionated. That is what great art — yes, you cynics, even performance art — does.
The Rizzeria is an artists' cooperative and loves all things just a little bit old school. In their next workshop series you’ll be able to get your hands on the Riso RP3700 stencil press to create your own multicolour zines, posters, cards, or anything else you fancy getting your creative on with. What’s a Riso? It’s a printer that uses just one or two colours (from a choice of 9) at a time, giving it a bit of a unique, rough, DIY aethetic – almost like a comic book. It’s stencil printing, but using paints (not screen printing or offset printing). If you want a bit of a different finish to the usual digital print, and want to get a bit more hands on with your printing, Rizzeria might be your new hang out. Email workshop@rizzeria.com to book.
In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was built for the 1874 transit of Venus. And for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, without getting completely blinded, there's a telescope that lets you look at the sun. The Observatory runs night and day tours, workshops exploring early Indigenous astronomy and a range of short courses. Plus on those special days when there are eclipses, the Observatory hosts dedicated events. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo.
Marrickville's gin distillery Poor Toms has been turning out some of the best locally-made drops since 2015 — it's so good, in fact, that they crowdfunded over $25,000 of the stuff in one day. Now, owners Griffin Blumer and Jesse Kennedy are finally ready to share their gin hall with the inner west masses. The mates have just opened the doors to their Chalder Avenue digs and there's some serious excitement in the air. Located just around the corner from Sauce Brewing and the soon-to-be-open Stockade, as well as a quick walk from Batch, Grifter and Wildflower, the gin hall is nicely situated within the suburb's craft booze haven. All this beer in one vicinity warrants another alcoholic option, and Poor Toms is ready to oblige. To celebrate the opening, the team is throwing an extra special launch party that will (hopefully) one-up their garbage bin gin raves of old. Head on in on Saturday, April 28 from noon, and they'll be slinging six buck gin and tonics and $12 martinis, along with a sausage sizzle and tunes by local DJs.
One pair of Aussie pastry chefs are on a mission to make the humble lamington famous. Well, famous outside of Australian borders — just how Iranian-born jalebi and Italian cannoli are now found the world over. To do this, Min Chai and Eddie Stewart, founders of Australia's N2 Extreme Gelato, have launched Tokyo Lamington. While the duo initially focused on piquing the interest of overseas tastebuds — selling the lamingtons in Singapore and Tokyo — the chefs have now brought the international brand Down Under. After popping-up in Koko Black stores in Sydney and Melbourne for one day in June, Toyko Lamington opened its flagship Australian store in Market City today, Tuesday, September 22. The dessert brand doesn't just make traditional takes on the quintessentially Aussie chocolate- and coconut-covered cake. Instead, the sponge gets an international makeover with iterations in pandan, ube, lemon myrtle, black sesame, matcha and milk tea. [caption id="attachment_774463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] The Sydney outpost of Toyko Lamington will serve some Aussie-as flavours, too, such as fairy bread with popcorn butter and Ferrero Rocher — plus the OG chocolate and coconut version, of course. Each lamington costs $7 a pop and can also be ordered online (for pickup only). The shop's fit-out is loud with black walls and brightly coloured geometrical shapes, timber furniture and hanging greenery. The open space has a few booths and table seating, but will function mainly as a takeaway joint — selling nothing but lamingtons and a few canned drinks. Tokyo Lamington is now open at Level 3 Market City, 9 Hay Street, Haymarket. Opening hours are 11am–11pm daily.
Saint Peter has always been a Paddington restaurant. Josh and Julie Niland's seafood restaurant is on the move, but that fact won't change. Come winter, you'll just be heading to Underwood Street's Grand National Hotel instead as part of the pair's takeover of the venue. It was back in 2022 that the Nilands announced that they were adding a bar to their nose-to-tail seafood favourite, and also a boutique hotel. Now, you can mark your diary: you'll be checking out Saint Peter's new digs from July 2024. There's no exact opening date so far, but reservations are open for August and September bookings in the spot that dates back to 1896 — and we're betting that they won't remain available for long. The shift comes eight years after Saint Peter launched at 362 Oxford Street, and will see it sit on the ground floor of The Grand National. When it starts letting patrons into its spaces — it'll be able to seat 40 in its main area, 30 in the bar and 15 in its private dining room — the restaurant's opening will herald the launch of the first phase of the refurbished site's new lease on life. Eventually, you'll be able to stay on the premises thanks to 14 hotel rooms, although when that'll be on the agenda also hasn't yet been revealed. There's plenty to get excited about just with Saint Peter 2.0, though. Expect a light-filled experience thanks to the skylight above the main dining room and open kitchen, and to get cosy in either booth and banquette seats while you're tucking in. The best spot in the house just might be the chef's table, which is custom-made, can seat six and gives you a front-row view of the kitchen action. If you're celebrating an occasion in the private room, it'll sport a restored heritage fireplace, plus its own entrance via Elizabeth Street. Before settling in for a meal, the bar will await — still at the front of the venue, and with a menu that heroes Australian rock oysters as curated by Josh and the Fish Butchery team. Once you've had pre-drinks and cocktails, you'll be greeted at the kitchen counter, then escorted to your table. Or, if you head by during the day, à la carte lunches will be on offer, serving up a menu that'll change daily. Obviously, no matter what time you make a visit, you'll be eating in a restaurant that's as committed to whole-fish cooking as any restaurant can be — and, using a charcoal grill and rotisserie, to cooking fish in the same way as meat. Saint Peter's seafood will still be processed at Waterloo's Fish Butchery. The new restaurant will also include a pastry kitchen, which'll come in particularly handy for breakfasts for guests staying onsite. Drinks-wise, sommelier Houston Barakat is overseeing the beverage options, which includes an international wine list that goes big on drops from vineyards located by the ocean — and on premium Australian spirits as well. "I don't want to lose what makes Saint Peter a special place, not only to eat and enjoy as a guest but also for me and our team to work," said Josh about the move. "We are excited about the challenge ahead of not just moving into a beautiful home for Saint Peter but also expanding our expression of hospitality to a wonderful bar and boutique hotel," added Julie. "We are working with some incredibly talented people to develop a world-class wine and cocktail offering. The luxury accommodation has been so beautifully designed that you will think you are in Paris — until you see the quintessentially Paddington rooftops and beautiful gum trees out your window," Julie continued. With Studio Aquilo on design duties, the new Saint Peter is taking its look from juxtapositions, as inspired by the restaurant's culinary combinations. Think: stone and timber, brass hoods in the kitchen and a hanging gantry filled with season produce, and the skylight's natural light featuring the silhouette of greenery from the rooftop garden, for instance. Art from Aussie talents will fill the walls, and an aged-brass pendant light that'll have pride of place should remind you of a fish's backbone — fittingly. [caption id="attachment_855329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Newtown Grafitti via Flickr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_811440" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The interior of Saint Peter, by Nikki To.[/caption] Saint Peter will move from 362 Oxford Street, Paddington to The Grand National Hotel, 161 Underwood Street, Paddington, in July 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Images: Christopher Pearce.
This family-run nursery has been in operation for over 30 years and is a go-to for Annandale locals. As well as plenty of natives, the Booth Street shop also stocks exotic shrubs, trees and tropical plants from around the country. Plus, the shop has lots of indoor plants, cacti and succulents — and a massive selection of bonsai, too — so you'll be catered for whether you have a rolling lawn or a small balcony. [caption id="attachment_779260" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The staff are locals and are happy to offer gardening advice if you need it. And if you're keen to look after some dying species, ask them about their endangered plants and how to look after them. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Artereal Gallery are hosting a new series designed to fill in the gaps in your contemporary art knowledge. You can now head along to the Rozelle gallery every Saturday at 11am for their free event, Contemporary Art 101: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Contemporary Art. Basically it's a chance to get a guided tour through the current exhibition (in September you'll see Points of Interception, the latest show from Sydney-based artist Yioryios) followed by a Q&A where you can pick the brains of a resident art aficionado. The aim is to remove "the intimidation factor" and cover everything you need to know about new and experimental mediums like video art, installation and new media art. The curators will also discuss online sales, art fairs and – for the aspiring collectors in the crowd - how to best navigate them to acquire contemporary art. So mosey over and learn some stuff. Then you can head to lunch feeling smug with all your new art knowledge. Maybe buy a beret. Image: Sam Holt, Suspension of Hope, 2017, oil and acrylic on Belgian linen, photo by Zan Wimberley
Most filmmakers are considered prolific if they make a movie every two years. Since leaping onto the scene in 2005, Joe Swanberg has made 18. One of the leading figures of the mumblecore movement (an American indie film subgenre characterised by microscopic budgets and heavily improvised dialogue), Swanberg most recently earned plaudits for his charming romantic dramedy Drinking Buddies, starring Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick. We now know Drinking Buddies was scarcely in theatres before Swanberg began work on his next project, one that sees him re-team with Kendrick, along with New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey and Girls creator Lena Dunham. Shot in Swanberg's cosy Chicago home, Happy Christmas chronicles the rocky yuletide holidays of new parents Jeff and Kelly (Swanberg and Lynskey) after Jeff's irresponsible sister Jenny (Kendrick) comes to stay. As with most of Swanberg's movies, the film had almost no scripted dialogue, and relied instead on the improvisational talents of the cast. We chat to Swanberg about the origins of the story, as well as his decidedly laidback approach to feature filmmaking. Is it true that the original script for Happy Christmas was only 15 pages long? Yeah that's right. It was in paragraph form, sort of a breakdown of what I thought would happen in each scene. What is it about that approach to storytelling that you like? Well there's a couple of things. I really love the fact that as a writer, I'm not putting dialogue into character's mouths, and that I'm having the actors own their characters and bring all these different viewpoints to them. I also like showing up to work each day not sure what's going to happen, and having those scenes be a true collaboration between myself and the actors and my cinematographer and my producers ... having ten smart people solving a problem rather than me sitting at a laptop trying to write a screenplay. So where do your films tend to start, if not a full script? Sometimes it's a theme that I'm interested in, and other times it's a character, but either way I tend to cast pretty early in the process. I want to know who I'm going to be working with, and then that collaboration with the actor is there at the beginning of the process, and I can work with them to flesh out that character. By the time we get there to shoot the movie, I have a pretty good sense of the arc of it, but it's really all the nuances and all the personality that we find on set. If you were ever to look at one of my outlines, it would read like the finished movie, but missing everything that makes the movie good (laughs). https://youtube.com/watch?v=A3OhjYvyC0c And in the case of Happy Christmas, what was your creative inspiration? It was two things, actually, both of them autobiographical. It was my younger brother coming to live with my wife and I soon after my son was born, and the experience of starting my own family and having a sibling in the house, which was wonderful and terrible, depending on the day. So I kind of took that feeling and tried to put it in there. And then there were conversations I was having with my wife about motherhood and about her kind of identity crisis she was having as an artist and an independent person, wrapping her head around the idea of being a stay-at-home mum. Just circumstantially we found ourselves in these very conservative, classic gender roles of the bread winner and the stay-at-home mum, which is not something that we really identified with. So it was a weird period of time for us. And I didn't feel like I had seen that in a movie before. So I took these two life events that in reality happened a year apart from each other, and then just crashed them together into a movie. One of the things I really appreciated about the film, and about a lot of your films, is the attention given to female characters. Is that something you're particularly conscious of? Yeah, it's important for me. Just as a person, I feel like I know what it's like to be a man, whereas I have no idea what it's like to be a woman, so it's subject matter that I'm just drawn to through my own curiosity. And also it's just so underrepresented in the movies. It's sadly pretty rare to have interesting, strong female characters. I've always wanted to make movies in territory that's underexplored, and where there's still room for discovering. So I feel like again and again I keep getting drawn back there because there's so much undiscovered country. And it's a chance to work with great actresses who don't get offered leading roles all that often. Given how much improvisation happens in the your films, how much footage do you usually end up with? There have been movies where I've ended up with mountains of footage, and others where we shot almost everything in the movie. It really depends. With Happy Christmas we shot on 16 millimetre [film], so I budgeted a 4:1 shooting ratio, and I think we stuck pretty close to that. Certain scenes we only shot once or twice, other scenes we shot ten times. It ended up being not that much footage. I think when you shoot film you have to be smart about preplanning in a different kind of way. When I shoot video I'm a little more apt to just shoot a lot on set. On my previous film Drinking Buddies, I probably shot about thirty hours of stuff, and with Happy Christmas I probably shot five or six. It really just depends. And why did you shoot on film? I went to film school and my whole education was on 16mm, so I was excited to try that again in a professional context. And also I'll admit I was a little bit worried that film was going to disappear and that I was never going to shoot a full feature on film. So there was a bit of fear and nostalgia going into that decision. But it felt right for the project, and I think I was just waiting for the kind of movie that felt like it wanted that texture and that kind of visual look, so it all lined up. The Christmas season, and the fact that it focused on a family; I think I wanted that warm, grainy, old home movie look that only film can provide. Are you often surprised by what your cast improvises on set? Definitely. It's one of the fun things about working this way. In almost every scene there's some moment that I feel like I never could have written. It's too human and too spontaneous to have been generated in the screenplay process. That's kind of what keeps me going every day. I show up to set each morning hoping that we get something like that and that I'm surprised by what happens. I want to make sure that the movies are flexible enough that if something really exciting happens that wasn't in the outline, there's room to incorporate that, and that the movie can follow what's actually happening, rather than following some predetermined game plan. And in the case of Happy Christmas, what's one example of that kind of moment, something that got you excited to be there? I had this idea that I wanted the women to write this 50 Shades of Grey-style erotic novel, and so those are scenes in the outline where I didn't write anything other than 'the three women sit in the office and write the book', because I really wanted Anna and Melanie and Lena to improvise that stuff. I wanted to be surprised by the story they came up with, and how crude they got with it. So that stuff was really fun; it was all just totally playing around and letting them run wild. I was also really proud of and excited by this central conversation in the middle of the movie where again the three women are sitting down in the basement drinking beers together and talking about motherhood and responsibility. That was a really important scene for me because thematically it's a big shift moment in terms of the story we're telling, and also it was a big impetus for wanting to make the movie in the first place. I think they did such a great job, and I think those three actresses are so smart, and such great writers. You hope it's going to go that well, but it still feels really good when you finish at the end of the day and you feel like you actually got the thing that you were hoping to get. Happy Christmas is available now on DVD and digital download.
