The Rocks might be one of Sydney’s most beautifully preserved historic areas, but its dining scene is in no way stuck in time. Among the sandstone buildings and cobbled laneways, you’ll discover sushi revolutions, serious cocktail experiments, ground-breaking fusion menus and some of the city’s finest bistronomy. Here are the restaurants serving up some of The Rocks’ best new flavours. SAKE If you think you know your sushi, get ready to stop at a whole new station. Forget your California rolls and tuna with avocado. At Sake, you’re in for whizz-bang, hatted creations. We’re talking grilled eel with cream cheese, cucumber, tempura crunch, jalapeno mayo and avocado, and Korean-inspired K-Town roll with seared beef, takuan pickle, wrapped in sesame leaf and yang-yang sauce. Plus, there are more than 40 sakes to match them with. Executive chef Shaun Presland learned how to make sushi in Japan for 15 years before working at Nobu’s Bahamas outpost and the Establishment’s Sushi-e and Sake. ANANAS Since opening in 2012, Ananas has been bringing a sizeable dose of Parisian glamour to The Rocks. Under the guidance of chef de cuisine Neil Martin, classic French dishes are served up in their freshest and most indulgent incarnations. Think scallop ceviche with fennel, tangerine and tarragon; dressed blue crab with avocado and horseradish; and oysters. Lots of oysters. To ensure your dishes are appropriately accompanied, there’s a handpicked selection of champagnes and a bunch of signature cocktails. PEI MODERN Mark Best, who heads up fine-dining institution Marque, is one of Australia’s best chefs. And at Pei Modern, his recently opened bistro, you can sample his creations without paying hatted price tags. It’s housed in the spacious ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, where a central open kitchen allows you to watch the cooking in action. Go for John Dory cooked on the bone with cauliflower puree and saltbush; Holmbrae chicken with baby Brussels sprouts and lardo; or ricotta dumplings with zucchini flowers and lazy man’s pesto. The emphasis is on simple yet innovative dishes, with super-fresh, locally sourced ingredients. SAILORS THAI Here’s where you’ll find some of the most exciting Thai in the city. With tantalising street food and ancient recipes as its base, the menu spices matters up with Australian produce and surprise ingredients. There’s no cutting corners: dishes are cooked slowly and pastes are made daily on the premises. Eat at a communal table, beside one of Sydney’s first open kitchens, or retreat to the deck for sparkling views of the harbour. No wonder people say that the best Thai in the world is in Sydney. WILLIAM BLUE DINING If you like getting to know Sydney's next generation of star chefs before they've headed their own kitchens or released a cookbook (and would like to support them along the way), this is the place to be. Now located at Rockpool's former digs, William Blue Dining is the city's oldest hospitality management school, training students in commercial cookery, front of house and events. As part of the training, they keep a restaurant running for lunch and dinner, six days a week. It's $38 for three courses (also available individually) of the likes of oven roasted Milly Hill Lamb rump with saffron fondant potatoes, asparagus, pickled turnips and jus. It's a five-star culinary treat at a fraction of the cost. View all Sydney Restaurants.
After a royally stacked first month in action, The Landsdowne is back with a massive live music push. Following an opening night supergroup appearance by The Jezabels lead singer Hayley Mary, the whole band is taking over the stage for a week-long party. They'll be playing seven shows over seven consecutive nights, from Monday, August 21 to Sunday, August 27. Hit every show and you'll probably hear most of the ARIA Award winners' back catalogue, plus a bunch of new tunes. The Jezabels launched their third album, Synthia, last year to positive reviews, including a five-star write-up from The Guardian. Each night, there'll be a different support act, including Didirri (solo), Sunscreen and Soma. "We had a few reasons for doing seven nights at the Lansdowne," said Mary. "We wanted to play a bunch of small, intimate shows to our Sydney fans where we could change up the set and play some songs we wouldn't normally have time for and the reopened Lansdowne represents such an awesome new era for Sydney that it seemed right it should be there. But mainly, we felt a sadistic kind of pleasure in making the staff listen to us over and over to the point of sheer disdain." The Jezabels will play every night at The Lansdowne from August 21–27. Tickets are $30+BF and you can get them via Oztix. Images: Chris Frape, Cybele Malinowski.
For many Australians, the Wendy's moniker refers to the local ice cream franchise and shopping centre staple born in the 70s. But in the USA, it's the name of a famed hamburger chain that's known for its square-shaped burgers, fries and shakes. And it's the latter's signature fast food goodies that you'll be able to get your mitts on — for free — at a one-day-only pop-up in The Rocks. Today, Thursday, May 13, the USA-born Wendy's is hitting Sydney for a special visit, taking over the site at 22 Playfair Street. From 10.30am, it'll be handing out complimentary serves of the brand's Dave's Single cheeseburger and the Classic Chocolate Wendy's Frosty — a creamy dessert that's somewhere between a thickshake and an ice cream. Of course, there'll be a limited amount of freebies available for each item, so you'll want to get in as early as possible to nab yourself one. [caption id="attachment_811853" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] PRNewsfoto/The Wendy's Company[/caption] The pop-up comes as Wendy's continues its expansion across the globe — so if the temporary visit proves popular, there's a chance that the brand could decide to set up shop permanently in Sydney. Plenty of other iconic US fast food brands have made the foray Down Under in the past few years — Carl's Jnr hit Australian shores in 2014, Taco Bell opened its first Aussie store in Queensland in 2017, Five Guys is set to hit our shores and actor Mark Wahlberg's burger joint Wahlburgers announced its Australian launch earlier this year. Wendy's was first born back in 1969 in Ohio and now boasts over 6800 restaurants around the world. Find the Wendy's pop-up at 22 Playfair Street, The Rocks, Sydney, from 10.30am on Thursday, May 13. Top image: Mike Mozart via Flickr.
If you've been scoping the CBD for a cheap lunch, Bar Mammoni has got you covered. This all-day diner in the heart of Hinchcliff House has just transformed into a pasta bar and deli, and to celebrate, it's slashing 50 percent off five of its made-to-order pasta dishes this week. For five days until Friday, June 7, you'll be able to score affordable bowls of top-quality pasta priced between $9–11. Head in from 11.30am to 3pm and you'll find the likes of gemelli, sugo and pangrattato paired with creamy burrata for $9, spaghetti cacio e pepe for $10, rocket pesto orecchiette with pecorino for $10.50, and beef ragu trottole with stracciatella and parmesan and saucy rigatoni a la vodka both for $11. You'll be able to grab your selection for takeaway dine-in at the CBD spot during lunch – but you'll want to grab a seat early, as the venue caters to a maximum of 30 guests. You can also sort out a quick and delicious dinner when you swing by, too, thanks to the new selection of hand-rolled pasta and top-shelf deli goods and provisions.
We've already given you the lowdown on Moët & Chandon's chic new pop-up drinking destination. And now the champagne experts have upped the ante by adding three exclusive after dark parties to elevate your harbourside experience and help you kick start your summer in style. From Thursday, December 2 till Saturday, December 4, you and your friends can enjoy a luxe evening at Moët & Chandon's Effervescence on Bennelong Lawn. Each evening will feature a different cuvée meaning you could be sipping the delicious Imperial, Rosé Imperial or Grand Vintage champagnes inside a bubbling 500-square-metre sculpture while a custom-built chandelier takes centre stage above. Tickets to these exclusive evenings range from $100–150 per person and include a Moët Mini on arrival, Moët & Chandon champagne throughout the evening, live DJ sets, roving canapés and more. Tickets are strictly limited so be quick to snap up your spot at this snazzy summer soiree. Ready to immerse yourself in the effervescent world of Moët & Chandon on a balmy summer evening? For more information and to book your tickets, visit the website.
After a three-year hiatus, The Big Design Market makes its return to Sydney this September. The three-day independent design extravaganza will hit Barangaroo's expansive event space The Cutaway and feature more than 200 designers from across the country. As always, the market will showcase original and ethically made designs from small to medium makers. Once you've made it to the waterside venue, you'll want plenty of time to explore. The curated lineup includes Au Revoir Les Filles and its sparkling jewels, bush botanical-rich skincare from Bush Medijina and the bright, belly-buttoned ceramic vessels from the delightfully named Voluptuary Ceramics. You can also fill your basket with tasty groceries from Really Good People and the saucy experts at Condimental. Then, there's the cute-as-pie berets from France Island (hello to this berry-inspired baby). Should you grow hungry mid-shop, you can grab a sweet treat from local faves Shortstop and Natas and Co — plus Melbourne's Billy Van Creamy is coming interstate with its winning scoops. Want something more substantial? There's poke bowls and pies, pho and sambos — plus St Ali, Archie Rose and East Forged (among others) to keep you hydrated. The cashless event is set to be a stellar day out, and the ideal opportunity to spruce up your space and chat to the designers behind your favourite pieces. The Big Design Market will hit The Cutaway on Friday, September 9 (10am–9pm); Saturday, September 10 (10am–6pm); and Sunday, September 11 (10am–5pm). To check out the full lineup, head to the website. Images: Amelia Stanwix
With gigs and shows popping back onto calendars again over the last six months, bands and concert promoters have been forced to get creative to abide by COVID-19 restrictions. Local favourites have thrown seated gigs in small regional towns, performed to a sea of cars at drive-in concerts and are even set to take to revolving stages as part of NSW's first major music festival of 2021. Although gathering restrictions have begun to roll back and normalcy is beginning to return to the live music scene across the country, these unique opportunities to catch bands in unexpected locations don't seem to be going anywhere. Take Live At Last, for instance. It's the new live music series that will see fan-favourite Australian musicians perform at intimate venues across the country. In Sydney, it'll feature Hockey Dad, the band behind the aforementioned drive-in gigs, who'll perform in beloved bar Frankie's Pizza on Thursday, April 29. The show will be a unique chance enjoy Frankie's new Dan Pepperell-crafted pizza menu while catching the Wollongong surf-rock duo up close, with the CBD bar having a much smaller capacity than the 3000-person Big Top Luna Park the band recently sold out. A venue the size of Frankie's playing host a band of Hockey Dad's popularity could result in chaos, so you'll have to win tickets in order to get access to the gig. To go into the ballot to head along, you just need to hit up the Secret Sounds website and enter your details. Announced after the Hockey Dad show — but happening the day before — is Live At Last's Brisbane stopover. Last Dinosaurs and Dear Seattle will hit the stage at The Triffid on Wednesday, April 28. To head along, you'll also need to try to win tickets via the Secret Sounds website. Then, the series of gigs is set to move to other parts of the country. If you're wondering where else Live At Last will head, that's yet to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_772790" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hockey Dad by Ian Laidlaw[/caption] Live At Last is set to kick off on Wednesday, April 28 with Last Dinosaurs and Dear Seattle at The Triffid in Brisbane — and then head to Frankie's Pizza on Thursday, April 29 with Hockey Dad. To win tickets and to keep an eye out for future events, head to the event's website. Top image: Frankie's Pizza by Katje Ford Updated April 16.
The second law of thermodynamics, entropy, states that all energy is eventually equalised. Molecules disintegrate as matter is neutralised; like ice cubes melting in a glass of water which in time will be room temperature. It sounds like a pretty self-evident law, but for centuries western culture has aspired to ideals of monumental permanence and art that survives untarnished and unchanged. Rejecting orthodox sculptural materials that are valued for their strength and durability, like stone and bronze, Tim Silver's art is one of transience and eternal incompletion. His cast and carved forms - made of malleable media like crayon, watercolour pigment, chocolate, dirt or sand are forever in a state of transformation, either evolving from of devolving back to nothingness. Marking new experiments with dried herbs and spices, his Coming around again series comprises photographs of small sculptures made from ground nutmeg, ginger, turmeric or cinnamon. They are recognisable forms like light bulbs, cassettes, sunglasses and other cheap, mass-produced goods, and as they sit on a shoreline the tide comes in and gently but relentlessly wears them away. In the main gallery room we meet Rory, a small boy made of powder blue watercolour pigment who is looking up at the ceiling, frozen in a candid moment. But as small drops of water are dispersed from above at random, his matter is disintegrating, his features are wearing away, and a powder blue puddle is slowly forming at his feet. The processes of decay and degeneration are not something to be overcome here, they are foregrounded as the very essence of Silver's art, and of all things.
Waverley residents — here's something to celebrate: an ambitious Italian restaurant spearheaded by Nigel Ward is set to arrive on Bronte Road within the next six months. The accomplished Sydney chef (ex-Uccello, ex-10 William St) and former owner of Darlinghurst favourite, Sagra, has found a home for his new project in Charing Cross, Australia's second-oldest shopping strip. Named after the Italian tradition of passeggiata, the renovated building will boast three distinct culinary spaces. Passeggiata is a type of unhurried, leisurely stroll you take with your family after a hearty meal. "After a big long lunch, everyone puts on their suits and their Sunday best and they all go out to the town square and walk around real slow, go have some gelato, or have a little drink somewhere," Ward explains. "Nobody's in too much of a hurry, the intention is to ... slow down and enjoy the little qualities of life." It's this kind of relaxed energy that he wants to emulate in his new venture. "I hope when people come here [that] they're not coming with an out time. They just want to come and enjoy themselves and take their time, get a nice bottle of wine [and] eat lots of food," he says. Passeggiata will serve hyper-seasonal Italian dishes, local and international wines made from 100 percent Italian varietals and weekly set menus. Downstairs will serve as the main dining room — a 40-seat venue with comfortable chairs, music that isn't too loud and a menu that champions a progressive spin on classic Italian dishes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by wine bar l restaurant l garden (@passeggiata_au) Upstairs will play host to a smaller 30-seat dining room where Ward and his team will host four-course dinners for groups on Friday and Saturday night. The plan spans a continually rotating set menu priced at around $75 per person. "It might change halfway through the night," he says. "You can just go with a big group of people, order some nice wine and leave it over to us." The final element of Passeggiata is a 24-seat outdoor area open for long Tuscan-style Sunday lunches. The sunny courtyard will boast its own herb and veggie garden, and Ward is in the process of building an in-house bakery in the space. Drawing on the history of the building and taking inspiration from 1970s Rome, the interior of Passeggiata will be designed by Tim Leveson. Towering archways complemented by exposed brickwork, clean brass, muted oak and a moody mustard colour palette is expected to feature throughout the venue. An old pressed metal ceiling and fireplace is also promised. The building is still under construction but Ward is aiming to open all three areas simultaneously, depending on Sydney's venue restrictions and the availability of hospitality workers come summer. To keep up with its progress you can follow along at Passeggiata's Instagram account. "I'm building the restaurant I want to go to," Ward says. "This is it for me. I've bought the building, I want to be here for 30 years. I want this to be the Lucio's of the 21st century." View this post on Instagram A post shared by wine bar l restaurant l garden (@passeggiata_au) Nigel Ward's Passeggiata is set to open at 318 Bronte Road, Waverley between late 2021 and early 2022.
It's been nearly four years since Mumford & Sons topped the ARIA charts with its third album, Wilder Mind — and last visited the Antipodes. But, angst-ridden fans, you can now breathe a sigh of relief. The British quartet will release its fourth offering, Delta, on Friday, November 16 and, soon afterwards, will embark on a 60-date worldwide tour. It includes six stops right here in Australia, presented by Secret Sounds. To catch the boys in Sydney, make sure you're around in January. They'll play the Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday, January 18 with the support of English soul singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, whose sophomore album Love & Hate, produced by Danger Mouse, topped the UK charts in 2016. According to Mumford & Sons' lead singer Marcus Mumford, Delta represents a place where "order meets chaos and shelter meets wilderness". Described as the band at its "impassioned and muscular best", the album was two years in the making and recorded at Church Studios in North London with Paul Epworth, whose production credits include Adele, U2 and London Grammar. To get a taste of what to expect, check out the lead single, 'Guiding Light', over here. The Secret Sounds presale, for email subscribers only, will begin at 2pm on Wednesday, October 10 and finish up at 8am on Friday, October 12. General sales are slated to drop an hour later, at 9am on Friday, October 12. For further event details, visit the Secret Sounds website.
Don your best and most vibrant frocks — a powerhouse duo is coming to the Powerhouse Museum with a huge display of Australian fashion. Spanning four decades of fabulous outfits, the immersive exhibition will offer an in-depth showcase of the works of creative partnership Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. Encapsulating their dynamic energy, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson: Step Into Paradise will examine the influences and inspirations, as well as the compelling stories behind their creations. The pair's work is famous for transforming the Australian fashion world, all thanks to their bold designs that blend Australian nature and culture with global influence. For their efforts, they were honoured as Officers in the Order of Australia. Opening on Thursday, October 17, the exhibition will particularly highlight the pair's formative years. That's when Jenny worked in London with Vern Lambert at the Chelsea Antique Market in 1960, while Linda globe trotted through the Pacific, Asia and Europe, studying fashion in cultures from the streets of Papua New Guinea to the runways of Paris. The opening of the Flamingo Park Frock Salon at Sydney's Strand Arcade in the 1970s marked the beginning of their creative partnership, with Powerhouse's showcases named after the sign on their shop door — which welcomed customers to "step into paradise". "It was an invitation to visitors, to step into a fantastical and romantic world, full of beautiful things celebrating our environment. It was something Sydney had never seen before and we want to replicate this feeling with the exhibition," explains Kee. More than 150 garments, textiles, photographs and artworks from the Museum's own extensive collection, many of which haven't been seen before, will be on display — alongside pieces from the designers' personal archives. Iconic pieces in the exhibition include Linda Jackson's Waratah dress and Jenny Kee's black opal Chanel suit from Karl Lagerfeld's initial collection in 1983. Exhibition images: Zan Wimberley. Profile image: Hugh Stewart.
Oxford Street is no stranger to a party, and a new multi-storey venue is bringing more good times to the bustling street. Kissuu is combining two of Sydney's favourite activities — hitting the dance floor and snacking on top-notch Japanese food. Now open in Darlinghurst, the combination bar and restaurant is serving up feeds from former Nobu chef Adam Burke and disco curated by his partner, DJ Richy Penny, five nights a week. "We miss Sydney's glory days and we're so ready to bring the energy back and provide our guests with the complete package under one roof — an exceptional restaurant layered with a late-night bar boasting a rotation of the best DJs on the scene," Penny says. "It's the sort of place you can keep coming back to for a guaranteed quality night out." The two levels of Kissuu each provide distinct energy and utility. Downstairs is the 40-seat restaurant, boasting moody lighting, an eye-catching green marble counter, several banquet tables and a collection of Burke's Japanese dishes that he's perfected across his time in kitchens at Nobu London, Toko Dubai, Gordan Ramsay's restaurants and Sunset Sabi. The menu is calling out to be enjoyed as a banquet-style feast of share plates, however, it can also be attacked solo. There are snacks like stuffed chicken wings with prawn and wasabi kimchi or tempura Balmain bug lettuce cups; prawn and scallop dumplings; crispy tuna, kingfish or eggplant tacos; and a wood-fired robata menu staring the likes of miso-glazed toothfish, lamb ribs and koi-marinated spatchcock. "This menu is all about using fresh ingredients, having fun and making delicious and creative dishes," Burke says. "My unique style draws inspiration from my extensive travels around the world and my Burmese heritage to create Japanese dishes that celebrate local, seasonal and native ingredients." Head upstairs and the attention shifts from the food to the music. According to Penny, "Disco lends itself perfectly to getting a sexy Japanese eatery grooving." Once you're ready to cut shapes, you can head to the luminous dance floor, flooded by red neon lights. Complimenting the Diana Ross and Gibson Brothers remixes emerging from the DJ booth are orange lounges, mirrored walls and Kissuu's vibrant cocktail menu. "We are going to have our guests shifting in their seats, then as the night goes on, the volume will go up and the dance floor will come to life!" continues Penny. "The intimate space makes it feel like you're at the most epic house party with 100 of your closest friends and with our international connections, depending on who is in town, you never know who you could catch playing." Kissuu is located at 245 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. It's open 4pm–late, Tuesday–Saturday.
In How To Be Single, paralegal Alice (Dakota Johnson) complains about all the things she said she'd do but hasn't. Everyone in the audience can surely relate; actually, as they're watching her dating exploits, they're witnessing that very idea in action. At the outset, the screen adaptation of Liz Tuccillo's novel declares that it won't tell the usual relationship-focused story. That statement proves more aspirational than accurate, with the author's background — co-writing self-help book He's Just Not That into You, as well as penning episodes of Sex and the City — giving you a hint of what to expect. While this Christian Ditter-directed effort might not focus on a typical boy-meets-girl narrative, that doesn't keep the feature out of predictable territory. Following in the footsteps of every other film and TV show about being uncoupled, How To Be Single delves into the moments in-between the love, lust and living happily ever after. More than one woman attempts to accept their amorous lot in life, and learns a few lessons in the process. The idea of forging an identity without a partner is championed, all while the movie's characters keep talking about the guys — or lack thereof — that they're chasing. Cue a New York tale about Alice, her doctor sister Meg (Leslie Mann) and new best friend Robin (Rebel Wilson) — as well as the marriage-obsessed Lucy (Alison Brie), who frequents the same bar. Alice is on a break from her long-term boyfriend, though the heavy-partying Robin encourages her to make the most of her unattached time, particularly when that hiatus becomes permanent. After spending years delivering other people’s babies, Meg finally realises that she wants one of her own. Lucy, meanwhile, has dedicated the last six months to devising an algorithm to help her get the most out of online dating, with little success so far. The journey each character goes on — espousing the joys of going solo while traversing casual flings and potential serious connections — is far from surprising. Nor is the long list of men — a commitment-phobic bartender (Anders Holm) and protective single dad (Damon Wayans Jr.) among them — that pop up along the way. Indeed, when it comes to chronicling the trials and tribulations of modern dating, How To Be Single thinks that saying it is different is enough. And yet while it fails to follow through on that promise, it approaches the typical clichés of its genre with the energy needed to make them entertaining. In fact, packaging up been-there, seen-that stories and passing them off as a twist on standard chick flick fare proves less trying than it sounds, largely thanks to the film's cast. As he did with the less successful Love, Rosie, director Ditter not only shows an affinity for romantic comedy conventions, but for getting the most out of his actors. If the film's biggest downfall is its false assertion that it doesn't fit the expected formula, then its biggest asset is how its talent weathers the routine material they're saddled with. Yes, you've seen all this before, and no, none of it is particularly memorable. But at least Johnson, Wilson, Mann, Brie and company use their charms to keep things lively.
More than a few hearts were broken when legendary Oxford Street gay bar The Midnight Shift announced its closure last September. But the long-standing icon could soon be getting a new lease on life, having sold to a Sydney hotel group last week. Universal Hotels released a statement saying it had acquired the sprawling venue for an 'undisclosed amount', with Commercial Real Estate reporting it had been snapped up for a cool $12 million. This latest acquisition marks the group's fourth purchase in the area in the past 12 months. The Universal Hotels' stable also includes the recently acquired fellow Darlinghurst haunts The Brighton Hotel, Kinselas and The Oxford Hotel, suggesting that the whole precinct — one of the hardest hit by NSW's lockout laws — could soon enjoy a resurgence. While the future of The Midnight Shift is still uncertain, Universal Hotels managing director Jim Kospetas released a statement saying the group plans to inject new lift into the area. "Darlinghurst, while hit hard by the introduction of lock-out laws in 2014, is showing signs of recovery," Kospetas said. "We plan to work closely with the community and with our fellow hoteliers to revitalise the area as a whole." Clocking in at 1000 square metres and with capacity for 528 people, The Midnight Shift last sold for $8.25 million back in 2008. The Midnight Shift is located at 85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. We'll keep you posted when we know more about its future.
There are few pleasures more simple or satisfying in this life than a great meal with great company. It's with that fact in mind that we again find comedians Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan bouncing from one tantalising meal to the next in the third installment of Michael Winterbottom's gastro-comedy series The Trip. Beginning in 2010, the original Trip was a 'best of' that drew from Winterbottom's six-part series for the BBC in which Brydon and Coogan travelled the UK's Lake District 'reviewing' restaurants for their respective publishers. It featured a threadbare fictional storyline that served only to place these two astoundingly witty and sardonic impressionists opposite one another – verbal sparring partners forever determined to fell the other with a devastating barb. The result was a delightful laugh-out-loud comedy that never once threatened to veer towards the gross-out or foul-mouthed gags so common in contemporary Hollywood comedies. The first film's success spawned a sequel, The Trip to Italy, four years later. Now we're greeted with the third course in The Trip to Spain. It's all very much business as usual, with close-ups of mouth-watering food porn breaking up the otherwise largely static shots of Coogan and Brydon facing off against one another, backed by breathtaking scenery and captivating architecture. There's a little history thrown in throughout the film, as well as the occasional food review, but at its heart The Trip to Spain knows where the gold lies and it rarely strays far from the path. Some of you may already be familiar with the common personality quiz question that asks what two people you'd most like to have over for a dinner party. If nothing else, you'd be hard pressed to find a better return on investment than Brydon and Coogan, given how effortlessly the two become 20. Many of the same impersonations from the first two movies return here, including Al Pacino, Michael Caine and Roger Moore. But it's the new entries – David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Sir Anthony Hopkins – that earn the biggest laughs. That these impressions are so often inspired by real life encounters or precious personal moments with their subjects gives what might otherwise feel like a tired parlour trick a critical grounding in tenderness – especially in the case of the Bowie exchange. If there's a complaint to be made this time round, it's that the fictional storyline brings the film to a close on a note that's both abrupt and rather bizarre. The likelihood of another follow-up seems assured given the left-field cliffhanger, but it's so at odds with the class and character of the series that one almost wishes the fictional narrative could be dispensed with entirely. Either that, or shift away from the episodic format of television and become an out-and-out film series. We'll just have to wait and see. For now, at least, we've got some more sumptuous comedy to enjoy, along with course after course of delicious food to match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvy8ab1NSo
This fashion destination is home to a plethora of designer clothes that'll take you from workout to work — or from the beach to a night out. Created by Deborah Symond O'Neil, Mode Sportif houses both international designers and Australian favourites. Browse playful prints by Copenhagen designer Ganni, easy separates by Lee Mathews, floral numbers by Rixo, activewear by Varley, easygoing denim by Citizens of Humanity, sneakers by Axel Arigato and heels by Rejina Pyo. Accessories aren't forgotten about either, with an extensive range of sunglasses (from the likes of Chloé, Gucci and Shevoke), handbags (by Staud, Hershan and Kayu) and jewellery (from Meadowlark, Anni Lu and Holly Ryan).
UPDATE, January 12, 2022: Eternals is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. It's the only Marvel movie by an Oscar-winning director. Focusing on a superhero squad isn't new, even if everyone here is a Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer, but it's the lone instalment in the franchise that's about a team led by women of colour. It's home to the MCU's only caped crusader who is deaf, and its first openly gay superhero — and it doesn't just mention his sexuality, but also shows his relationship. It happens to be the first Marvel flick with a sex scene, too. Eternals is also the only film in the hefty saga with a title describing how long the series will probably continue. And, it's the sole MCU entry that features two ex-Game of Thrones stars — Kit Harington and Richard Madden, two of the show's Winterfell-dwelling brothers — and tasks them both with loving a woman called Sersi. (The name isn't spelled the same way, but it'll still recalls Westeros.) When you're 26 movies into a franchise, as the MCU now is, each new film is a case of spotting differences. All the above traits aid Eternals in standing out, especially the empathetic, naturalistic touch that Chloé Zhao brings to her first blockbuster (and first film since Nomadland and its historic Academy Award wins). There's a sense of beauty and weight rippling through almost every frame, as well as an appreciation for life's struggles. Its namesakes are immortal aliens sent to earth 7000 years ago to battle intergalactic beasts, and yet Eternals shows more affinity for everyday folks who don't don spandex or have superpowers than any Marvel flick yet. It's also largely gorgeous, due to its use of location shoots rather than constantly stacking CGI on CGI. But everything that sets the film apart from the rest of Marvel's saga remains perched atop a familiar formula. Perhaps that's fitting; thematically, Eternals spends much of its lengthy 157 minutes contemplating set roles and expectations, and whether anyone can ever truly break free of either. Spying an overt statement in these parallels — between the movie's general adherence to the MCU template and the ideas bubbling within it — might be a little generous, though. Of late, Marvel likes giving its new instalments their own packaging, while keeping many of the same gears whirring inside. That's part of the comic book company-turned-filmmaking behemoth's current pattern, in fact. Still, even after Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals finds its own niche. It both intrigues and entertains, and it's ambitious — and it's often more than the sum of all those MCU firsts and onlys it's claimed. As a necessary slab of opening on-screen text explains, Eternals' sprawling central group were dispatched by a Celestial — a space god, really — called Arishem. With the monstrous Deviants, another animalistic alien race, wreaking havoc across the planet, the Eternals were tasked with fighting the good fight. That was their sole mission; they were forbidden to interfere otherwise, which is why they were absent whenever the world was threatened in the last 25 movies. But now, in the present day, a new Deviant attacks Sersi (Gemma Chan, Raya and the Last Dragon), her human boyfriend Dane Whitman (Harington) and fellow Eternal Sprite (Lia McHugh, The Lodge) in London. That gets the gang back together swiftly, unsurprisingly. In a script by Zhao with Patrick Burleigh (Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway) and feature first-timers Ryan and Kaz Firpo, each Eternal gets more than a few moments to shine — and more than a few defining traits. But Sersi, her love of humanity and her ability to change inanimate materials attracts most of the focus. She's soon grappling with the squad's purpose, after reuniting with the flying, laser-eyed Ikaris (Madden) to reteam their pals. That includes the maternal Ajak (Salma Hayek, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), wisecracking Bollywood star Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani, The Lovebirds), the super-strong Gilgamesh (Don Lee, Ashfall), warrior Thena (Angelia Jolie, Those Who Wish Me Dead), the super-speedy Makkari (Lauren Ridloff, Sound of Metal), tech wiz Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry, Godzilla vs Kong) and the mind-manipulating Druig (Barry Keoghan, The Green Knight). If these character names sound familiar, that's because Eternals plays with the past as it broadens the MCU's on-screen history. This is franchise's ultimate origin story, even with the lack of recognisable Marvel figures. And, toying with myths and legends told for millennia, it sports a firmly classic air. Those picturesque visuals that Zhao and cinematographer Ben Davis (a Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel veteran) splash across the screen help immensely. Absent the usual plasticky gloss that's now as standard as jokey banter in Marvel fare — and dialling down the latter as well — Eternals anchors its looming end-of-the-world setup with sunset-lit landscapes that feel more grounded than everything that's come before. Zhao has named fellow filmmaker Terrence Malick (A Hidden Life, Song to Song, The Tree of Life) as one of her influences before, and even in this $200-million flick, it shows. That said, plenty of words that can be used to describe Eternals cut two ways. It's still a movie about ageless cosmic beings-turned-superheroes with heightened abilities, so its naturalism and grounding only go so far. The film's huge budget still spans the usual special effects and reliance upon pixels, too, and that can be as visually dull as ever when it takes over. But when it's a philosophically minded picture about tussling with responsibility and insignificance on an existential scale (and, notably, not just about having powers while trying to be a normal person, a Marvel go-to), Eternals is earthy and resonant. Being exceptionally cast assists as well, as it did in fellow recent Marvel movies Black Widow and Shang-Chi. When Eternals highlights Chan's sincerity, Hayek's calm command, Keoghan's moody vulnerability, Lee's hulking sensitivity, and Henry's passion and resilience — and lets Nanjiani mix swagger and care, and Jolie play fierce but fraying — it's equally graceful and compelling. Top image: Sophie Mutevelian ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
There's a whole stack of reasons to treat yourself to a stay at The Langham. The indoor pool looks like it's straight out of a Roman cinematic epic and The Day Spa is no less impressive. Embracing the motto of 'detox, renew, relax and rejuvenate', this one offers the full range of luxurious treatments, which, as expected, come at a very luxurious price. Choose from a variety of standalone facials and massages, or really settle in with a multi-treatment package — like the Velvet Experience, an all-inclusive three-hour session that includes a body exfoliation, full-body massage and tailored facial treatment. If you're keen to go all out, it's priced at $480 from Monday–Thursday (or $495 from Friday–Sunday).
Need a way to keep cool over summer? Swap the beach for epic waterslides and huge inflatable pools at Australia's first mobile waterpark, Waterworld Central Sydney. The family-friendly affair will be taking over Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter for two months, so, as the mercury rises, you and your kids can get your thrills — and stay chilled. Race your mates on the multilane Epic Racer slide, go on an 80-metre water tubing ride or test your courage on the brand new Wave Slide. You can also splash about in one of the many enormous inflatable pools and see what it's like to walk on water by taking a spin on the giant zorb cylinder. Open daily from December 28 right through till January 26 (except New Year's Day), Waterworld Central will ensure you have plenty of outdoor aqua adventures this summer — no matter your age. Of course, there's the global pandemic to be mindful of, so pre-booking tickets is encouraged. Waterworld Central will be open daily from 10am–4pm from December 28–January 26, but will be closed New Year's Day. To pre-book your tickets, head here.
The team at Chauvel Cinemas are opening up their vault of classic and cult film favourites. Every Friday night between July and late October, the Paddington theatre will screen double bills of iconic titles from throughout film history, including several on rare 35mm film prints. The season begins on July 8 with a 15th anniversary screening of cult hit Donnie Darko followed by Ben Wheatley's psychedelic head trip A Field in England. Other standouts include Psycho and The Birds on August 8, Alien and Aliens on September 9, Lost Highway and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me on September 16, and Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro on September 30. True film nerds should also jump at the chance to catch the cinema's 35mm offerings, with Solaris on July 22, Goodfellas on August 19 and Blow Up and Zabriskie Point on September 2. For the complete Cine-Vault program, go here.
Since 2014, White Night has brightened up Melbourne with an all-night arts festival each February. When summer comes to an end in 2019, however, the city won't be sparkling with light and culture. Instead, the popular evening is shifting to a new winter berth. While the exact dates and program won't be revealed until closer to the event, White Night will make the move to August as part a huge new winter festival, the Victorian Government has announced. The after-dark spectacle itself will still only run over a single evening, but the broader fest will be a three-day affair, complete with music, design, film, food, performance and street art events. Part of the move is inspired by Melbourne's long mid-year nights, with the lengthier stint of darkness allowing White Night's luminous activities to kick off earlier — meaning that artists have more hours to play with, and families can enjoy an earlier start time. Aiming to become one of Victoria's signature events, the overarching multi-day festival will build upon 2018's bigger White Night program. "This reimagined event will create unique and exciting opportunities for artists, performers, cultural practitioners and institutions with a broader program and more nights to experience it," said White Night artistic director David Atkins.
Firstdraft sticks to its principles about the purity of artistic expression. It's a non-profit gallery, meaning that it takes no commission whatsoever on works that are sold, the gallery is subsidised, and it values the fair payment of its artists and curators. It's got history, too, starting out in Chippendale in the mid 80s before working its way to Woolloomooloo via a stint in Surry Hills. Firstdraft has four separate gallery spaces, each of which change their show after less than a month — meaning that you're never far away from a brand new experience. Billed as "Australia's premier space for emerging and experimental arts practice", Firstdraft shows work which is daring, experimental and vital.
To get musicians back onstage after the pandemic, the New South Wales government and ARIA launched Great Southern Nights. Following two blockbuster years that saw thousands of gigs pop up across the state, the series is returning in 2024 with another 300-plus shows over 17 nights — and the program just got even bigger. Live music will ring out throughout NSW between Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 24, with musicians big and small performing in Sydney live music institutions and regional hubs, including Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and the Northern Rivers. Joining the already massive lineup that was announced in December 2023, another 11 artists will be popping up for gigs around NSW during the two-and-a-half-week festival. Leading the new slate of musicians is superstar G Flip, who will be performing at the Towragi Beach Hotel on Friday, March 8. "I'm so stoked to be playing a show in Wollongong!" said G Flip. "I didn't get to play here on my last tour, so I'm really excited to be participating in Great Southern Nights for an epic show." Other new additions to Great Southern Nights 2024 include The Jungle Giants, who will be performing in Byron Bay; The Tesky Brothers, who will bring their sultry folk tunes to Wollongong; Ninajirachi, who's getting the party started in Newcastle West; and Montaigne, who will be popping up for an intimate show at Newtown's The Vanguard. Methyl Ethel, Kita Alexandra, Mia Wray, Pete Murray, Richard Clapton and The Black Sorrows round out the 11 new artists joining the massive lineup. If you missed the original announcement, there's plenty to dig into. If you love the classics, you'll be able to catch sets from Jimmy Barnes, Peter Garrett & the Alter Egos, The Church, You Am I, Yothu Yindi, The Whitlams Black Stump Band, Hoodoo Gurus and Kate Ceberano. [caption id="attachment_786824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Vanguard[/caption] Local hip hop heads can hit up gigs from Barkaa, 360, JK-47, Bliss n Eso, L-Fresh the Lion, Illy, Drapht, YNG Martyr and Jesswar. If you're an indie-rock aficionado, Ball Park Music, Sarah Blasko, King Stingray, The Buoys, Ruby Fields, Budjerah, Alex Lahey, Gordi, Gretta Ray, The Vanns, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers will be coming to a stage near you. If your prerogative is to dance, The Presets, Havana Brown, Tigerlily, Sneaky Sound System, Hermitude and Anna Lunoe are all part of the Great Southern Nights program. Plus, there will be shows from Becca Hatch, Cub Sport, Dune Rats, Vika and Linda, A.Girl, Xavier Rudd, David Campbell, Fanny Lumsden, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Redhook and Northlane — and also a special tribute to Rowland S Howard. If you want to secure your spot, act quick — Kate-Miller Heidke, Dan Sultan and Hoodoo Gurus' shows have already sold out, with the gigs from The Presets, The Cruel Sea and Kasey Chambers all approaching sold-out status. Check where your faves are playing and what shows are happening near you via the full gig guide. GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS 2024 PROGRAM: Just announced: G Flip Kita Alexandra Methyl Ethel Mia Wray Montaigne Ninajirachi Pete Murray Richard Clapton The Black Sorrows The Jungle Giants The Tesky Brothers Joining: 360 A.Girl Alex Lahey Anna Lunoe Ball Park Music Barkaa Becca Hatch Big Skeez Bliss n Eso Budjerah Cub Sport Dan Sultan David Campbell Drapht Dune Rats Elixir Fanny Lumsden Godlands Gold Fang Gordi Gretta Ray Havana Brown Hermitude Hoodoo Gurus Illy James Blundell James Reyne Jawbreakers Jessica Mauboy Jesswar Jimmy Barnes JK-47 Jon Stevens Kasey Chambers Kate Ceberano Kate Miller-Heidke King Stingray Kye L-Fresh the Lion Lydia Lunch and Joseph Keckler Northlane Pacific Avenue Pania Peter Garrett & the Alter Egos Pop Crimes – The Songs of Rowland S Howard Raechel Whitchurch Redhook Ruby Fields Sarah Blasko Sneaky Sound System Sophiya Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers The Buoys The Church The Cruel Sea The Presets The Primitives The Vanns The Whitlams Black Stump Band Tigerlily Vallis Alps Vika and Linda Xavier Rudd Yng Martyr Yothu Yindi You Am I Great Southern Nights 2024 will run from Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 24 throughout New South Wales. Tickets are on sale now via the festival's website. Images: The Jungle Giants performing at Snow Machine, Daniel Hildebrand.
A four-storey mega-venue has opened in the heart of Sydney's Circular Quay, adding four unique venues to the harbourside CBD suburb. The new four-storey Hinchcliff House has overtaken the heritage Hinchcliff Wool Stores, a huge sandstone structure dating back to the 1860's that has been restored and revived as part of the ever-evolving Quay Quarter. Two of the Hinchcliff House's four venues are now open to the public, with the other two set to follow suit in May. Grana, located on the ground floor of the former wool store, is an all-day Italian restaurant and bakery, while Apollonia is a low-light cocktail bar in the venue's lower-ground. Head to Grana early for a taste of its breakfast treats. Think blue swimmer crab omelette or a classic bacon and egg roll on schiacciata with chilli mayo and a hash brown, alongside a selection of breakfast cocktails. Pastries and coffee from the bakery are also on hand in the morning for a lighter start to the day. Once breakfast is finished you can turn your attention to the standard Grana menu. Start with a salami and cheddar scroll before moving on to the cauliflower cotoletta or market fish tartar with trout roe. Of course, a healthy selection of pasta is available including ricotta and pumpkin occhi, rigati with lamb shoulder ragu or seaweed gigli paired with Moreton Bay bug. [caption id="attachment_810674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grana, Jiwon Kim[/caption] Downstairs at Apollonia, spritzes, negronis and Italian cocktails are served in a space designed for romance. The bar is named after a character from The Godfather and looks to embody the romance of Apollonia and protagonist Michael in the film. Sip the Love at First Sight, a dry gin, amaro and strawberry gum cocktail, or A Letter Never Sent, a wheat vodka and Italian honey liqueur creation. If you stick around until midnight, you'll be treated to The Thunderbolt, a nightly toast to friends, life, love and negronis. [caption id="attachment_810671" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Apollonia, Jiwon Kim[/caption] Lana is set to open later this month on the first floor as a restaurant, while an events space on the top level of the heritage building will complete the impressive hospitality space. All four of the venues are the creation of prolific New Zealand restauranteur Scott Brown (Amano) alongside the team at House Made Hospitality. Brown has been running restaurants across the Tasman for over a decade, founding Auckland's Hipgroup in 2004, responsible for venues like seasonal Spanish restaurant Alma. Hinchcliff House is open now at 5–7 Young Street, Sydney. Grana is open 6.30am–11pm, Monday–Saturday, the Grana Bakery is open 6am–3pm, Monday–Friday and Apollonia is open 5pm–3am, Monday–Thursday, 12pm–3am Friday and 5pm–3am, Saturday.
If you're one of those people who's always meaning to give blood, now might be the perfect time to roll up your sleeve. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service needs 99,000 new donors, so it's hosting Australia's first 24-hour donate-a-thon — with some bloody great incentives to get you through the door. A CBD donor centre in Sydney's Town Hall will be open for 24 hours from 7pm on Thursday, June 13 through to 7pm on Friday, June 14 (aka World Blood Donor Day). To encourage you to donate, there'll be live music, live magic and free food. Oh, and you'll be helping to save up to three lives. We all know it's important to have a bite to eat after giving blood, and for once it'll be more than just a cookie and a party pie. Chef Nelly Robinson (of the CBD's lauded Nel.) will be serving salmon pies, gourmet sausage rolls and an especially fancy spiced carrot cake with mandarin sorbet and yoghurt foam. And Gelato Messina has whipped up a new flavour just for the occasion — blood orange cheesecake gelato with red velvet cake and raspberry puree. How very fitting.
The first half of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is every bit its director, and is to be endured rather than enjoyed. Set during America's economic boom of the 1920s, the action is cartoonish, the dialogue is almost devoid of nuance and the lavish parties appear dull despite all the sparkles in the world — a regrettable triumph of impeccable style over substance. Apologists may argue this merely reflects Gatsby's time and theme: a shallow, superficial facade to reflect its characters and their unapologetic opulance, but that is too convenient. Simple regard to Luhrmann's history reminds us that exaggerated spectacle is every bit his custom, not a carefully chosen device, and his fondness for juxtaposing period drama with modern music (the soundtrack was produced by Jay-Z) proves more distracting than entertaining. Matters improve immeasurably, however, in the second half when Luhrmann begins to explore his favourite theme of forbidden love twixt star-crossed lovers. Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo & Juliet all hit their highest notes when the pagentry gave way to the intimate, and Gatsby is no exception. The stolen moments between its protagonist Jay (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Daisy (Carey Mulligan) are appropriately tender but ominous, presided over with a mix of fascination and regret by the film's narrator Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire). To borrow from Fitzgerald, these few quiet moments are — compared to the 'rotten crowd' of the first hour — worth more than the lot of them put together. From a performance standpoint, the women definitely come out on top. Mulligan is utterly charming as Daisy, consistently allowing her character's fragility to worm its way to the surface before masking it with a disarming smile, and Isla Fisher is unrecognisable as the mistress of Daisy's husband Tom (played by Joel Edgerton in yet another impressive turn). Most captivating of all, however, is the statuesque Elizabeth Debicki, who commands the eye in every frame of film she occupies. In terms of the men, Maguire's doe-eyed exuberance is endearing enough, though at times it strays almost to the point of clowning, and Jason Clarke provides a nice cameo as Fisher's dim-witted husband. In the role of Gatsby, DiCaprio looks every bit the man whose smile "was one of those rare [ones] with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you come across four or five times in life", yet his performance feels largely wooden and unnatural. It's as if the words and accent are not his own, particularly in the first half where they seem so apart from his body as to invoke uncomfortable memories of Tom Hardy's Bane. Ultimately, it's far from the disaster indicated by some of its early reviews, particularly those that labelled it a 'two-hour music video', and there's no denying Luhrmann has a flair for engaging the senses with his extraordinary vision. That said, The Great Gatsby largely departs from the memory almost as quickly as it arrives, an impermanent and largely uncritical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved take on the infirmity of the American Dream. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ozkOhXmijtk
If you’ve got the blues because you’ve missed out on Byron-bound, field-frolicking party times at Splendour this year, we hear you. Thankfully, many of the headliners are kind enough to put on a sideshow or two while they’re visiting — after all, many of them have come a long way for the occasion. While you've had other things like work, life and International Mojito Day on your mind, tickets have gone a-walkin' for these coveted sideshows, only adding insult to injury. Fear not, we've trawled through the best Splendour sideshows to see who’s still got tickets available if you want to join the festival buzz. Without further ado, here's some Splendour sideshows you could be slinging your dollars towards. NOTE: This is all very ‘at the time of writing’ so if something sells out in the meantime, we’re sorry for getting any hopes up.
We've seen a damn lot of cuteness lately. First, Sydney went ahead and landed us our very first cat cafe. Then, Uber decided to deliver kittens to our very offices. But dumpling monarchs Din Tai Fung have gone ahead and created cuteness we can put in our mouths — take that Uberkitty OUT of your gob. To celebrate the 2015 Lunar New Year, Din Tai Fung have created the sweetest buns we've ever been able to sink our teeth into. Offering up Lunar Lamb Sweet Buns every day from February 11 to March 5, DTF have fashioned little lambs out of their bao buns. Just LOOK AT THEM. They're called 'Baa Buns' because sometimes life just gets it right. Good news, you don't have to connect the dots between the lamb inside and out of the bun — they're desserty little blighters. Baa buns come steamed-to-order with a formidable filling of molten dark chocolate and taro, $3.20 each or $6 a pair. The little edible lambies will be available World Square, Central Park, Westfield Chatswood and their new Westfield Miranda outpost. There'll be limited quantities at each venue, available daily. But if you visit on the same day as us, we take no prisoners.
The Big Design Market is back this year — and bigger than ever. More than 200 designers will take over Carriageworks for three days in October, along with over 40 food options and immersive art installations by Elaine Li of XF Illustrations. The event will showcase ethical products by independent designers from across the country, whether you're thinking ahead for the gift-giving season or treating yourself to something new. Discover innovators like FoldUP, which is changing the way you work out with a yoga mat that actually fits into your bag, and Solmates, which won the 2022 Good Design Award for its refillable sunscreen containers. Stand out from the crowd in Vow Studio's vibrant clothing, or look — and feel — good in versatile looks from The Social Outfit, which provides employment opportunities to those from refugee and new migrant backgrounds. Bush Medijina will also be returning for another year from the Northern Territory with its range of botanical-infused body products. For your four-legged bestie, find artisanal dog beds that fit in with your mid-century modern aesthetic from Apupment and treat them to healthy dog food that's also good for the planet at Scratch. As shopping fatigue starts to set in, don't leave without grabbing a bite or some goodies to go. Up from Melbourne, ST. ALi will be slinging its famed coffee blends alongside Billy Van Creamy and Heathcote Gin. Sydney classics Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Bar Pho and Natas & Co will be on hand with more substantial meals, amongst a host of other food and drink stalls. The event is cashless, so make sure your debit card and Apple Pay are ready to play. The Big Design Market will take place on Friday, October 13, Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15. The entry fee is $6 for adults and free for kids. Head to the website for a full list of designers and to book your tickets. Images: Blake Walshe, Amelia Stanwix
Melbourne Cup Day is fast approaching. And while Tuesday, November 5, may not be a state-wide holiday like it is down in Victoria, it's still a traditional 'clock off early' type of day in Sydney. Don't panic if your work is dragging its feet and hasn't booked anything celebratory for the day just yet. Luckily, there are still plenty of spots around town (and close to the CBD offices) you can book into. Our local hospitality legends know what's needed to celebrate the day in style, and there are plenty of venues offering parties with all the bases covered. To help you get things sorted we've put together a list of killer parties going down around town, from a King Street Wharf hot spot to a hidden CBD rooftop bar and a lavish seafood feast in Manly. So get onto your boss, grab your workmates and make something happen already.
Featuring some of the biggest names on the Inner West Ale Trail, Hop Harvest Festival returns for its second year from Friday, April 11–Thursday, April 17. To celebrate the occasion, 11 breweries have been hard at work producing a line-up of stellar new beers exclusive to their tap rooms for your drinking enjoyment. Timed to perfection with the Australian hop harvest season, this year's beers were made with Galaxy hops. Picked fresh from farms in the Victorian high country, the hops were rushed back to Sydney for brewing the very next day. With this sought-after variety renowned around the globe for juicy passionfruit, peach and citrus notes, expect the brews to be even more refreshing than usual. Responsible for these mouthwatering beers is a standout collection of independent breweries, including Young Henrys, Batch Brewing Co., Future Brewing and Kicks Brewing. The Inner West Ale Trail is lined with 15 brewery restaurants and food trucks, so there's plenty of top-notch grub to explore as you roam from one brewhouse to the next. For a little extra motivation, Hop Harvest Festival is giving away a special event souvenir to visitors who sample all 11 festival beers. Complete your Hop Harvest Passport to score yourself a specially designed T-shirt. "The event is all about celebrating beer at its freshest, exploring different styles and learning about the brewing experience along the way. This year's beers all use fresh Galaxy hops, but each one is uniquely different, depending on the brewer and how they utilise the hops and other ingredients," says Richard Adamson, co-founder of Young Henrys and president of Inner West Brewers' Association.
Every Wednesday, Palace Cinemas is giving movie-loving students in Sydney an extra present. It's not just the gift of great flicks — that is, the cinema chain's daily bread and butter — but the gift of cheap great flicks. Head to one of the company's four Sydney locations — Paddington's Palace Verona or Chauvel Cinema, Chippendale's Palace Central and Leichhardt's Palace Norton St — each Wednesday, and any film at any time will only cost you $9. Want to see new blockbusters? Arthouse fare? Everything in-between? It'll cost you $9. Booking in advance is highly recommended, given how much everyone loves going to the flicks for little more than the price of a cup of coffee. If you do nab your tickets online, you will have to add a transaction fee to the cost. You will need to show your student ID to nab the bargain tickets — and in New South Wales, the deal isn't valid at Palace Byron Bay. Also, you can't score the discount on Platinum sessions, or for film festival screenings or special events. Top image: Palace Central.
So long MissChu, hello Saigon Lane. Restaurateur Aki Kotzamichalis has taken over the licenses of the popular Vietnamese eateries in Bondi, Glebe, Darlinghurst and the CBD — which, from December, will be trading with new menus and a new moniker to match. Kotzamichalis is best known as the man behind Bali restaurants Ku De Ta and Saigon Street, with the latter establishment inspiring the Sydney rebrand. "It's a massive undertaking" Kotzamichalis told Concrete Playground. "Rebranding, painting, renovating, new menu, staff training, you name it." The Saigon Lane menu will be inspired by chef Phil Davenport, who previously served as head chef for seven years at Ku De Ta. Think green rice fried tiger prawns, Vietnamese chicken coleslaw with peanuts, and pork belly banh mi. They'll also retain a number of favourites from the old MissChu menu, including the popular Atlantic salmon dish and a selection of dumplings. "We didn't want to alienate anyone," said Kotzamichalis. "Anything that is really popular we'll keep or tweak." The menu will be the same at all four sites, although there'll be a bigger focus on takeaway at the "rush in, rush out" tuck shops in Darlinghurst and the CBD. The restaurants in Glebe and Bondi, on the other hand, will feature a selection of signature cocktails, at least two of which will be available on tap. The new interiors, meanwhile, will come courtesy of Alex Zabotto-Bentley, who'll make use of the same bright colour palette seen over in Seminyak. "Saigon Lane will have a similar look and feel to its big brother, but with a few unique twists that will be revealed when we open our doors in December," promised Kotzamichalis. For more information about Saigon Lane visit www.saigonlane.com.
Heading to the cinema is usually an act of escapism, but the Antenna Documentary Film Festival isn't avoiding life's woes. The Sydney-based event dedicates its 11-day, 50-movie program to true tales from around the world. Running from Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 27 at the Chauvel Cinema, Palace Verona and Parramatta's Riverside Theatre, the fest casts its eyes far and wide to relay stunning stories that couldn't be more real. You won't find CGI fantasies and simple accounts of good versus evil here, but what you will discover is a plethora of thought-provoking efforts. Antenna's 2019 program surveys everything from politics, history, war and fashion to artificial intelligence, citizen journalism, the textile industry and immigration. After kicking off with the latest documentary from inimitable German filmmaker Werner Herzog — Nomad: In The Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin, which is partly set in Australia — the fest's lineup also spends time with two dogs hanging out in a skate park in Santiago in the adorable Los Reyes, and heads to an empowering Aussie rock camp in No Time for Quiet. Also look out for Hi, AI, about the growing use of artificial intelligence in daily life (in both functional and creepy ways); The Rest, Ai Weiwei's latest powerful documentary about the global immigration crisis; and Jawline, about a Tennessee teen who just wants to be an Instagram influencer. Elsewhere, The Hottest August explores the timely topic of climate change; Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project tells the tale of a woman who recorded American TV channels, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for more than 30 years; and the fest also pays tribute to pioneering filmmaker Shirley Clark via a retrospective of three of her films.
On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Instead of banding together — it was humanity's attempts to combat climate change that caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — the residents of the Snowpiercer have instead transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and this year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick proved a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens early in 2020. And while it doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order — the planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer will premiere on US TV network TBS in 2020, with airdates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
The office lunch break is a magical time. You've put in a solid half day's work, and it's finally time to eat again. With the morning sorted, you can treat yourself to a well-deserved break. These days, city workers have a host of options to choose from, but not all lunches are created equal. If you work right in the heart of the city, this list of quick and healthy — or fried and filling — spots to hit up is right nearby. From poké bowls to nasi goreng, standout pizza to schnitzel and gravy (sometimes it's all that'll do), the towering 50-storey Australia Square has it all. So leave your sad ham and cheese sandwich in the office fridge and treat your tastebuds instead. [caption id="attachment_673446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chelsey Rader[/caption] BELLUCCI Australia Square has a new jewel in its crown, the recently opened Bellucci. This Italian beauty sits on the podium level above Ryan's Bar and makes the most of architect Harry Seidler's original design. It comes with a strong pedigree, too, Head Chef Teofilo Nobrega made the leap from Potts Point's much-lauded Fratelli Paradiso to join the team. Nobrega combines contemporary Italian with a New York sensibility to create a tidy menu — covering breakfast through to dinner. Things aren't done by halves here, either — the pasta is handmade and hearty and there's a woodfired pizza deck. Enjoy lunch in, or if the office is calling you back grab a pastry or a sourdough sandwich on the run. CHINA SPICE SYDNEY We've all been there — the day's only halfway over and we're hitting refresh on Instagram and staring at the computer screen pretending to be productive. In these cases, what's needed is a lunchtime hit of BBQ to get your head back in the game. Enter China Spice Sydney, which bills itself as a Chinese-Malaysian eatery. BBQ duck and pork are displayed in all their lacquered glory at the front of the shop. All you need to do is choose your beast and what noodles and sides you'd prefer. In terms of Chinese fare, it also does a decent Hainanese chicken rice, while over the Strait of Malacca you can grab a good nasi goreng. ZEUS Haloumi-spiked mac and cheese balls? Yes, please. Zeus brings Greek street food with a twist to your lunchbox. Choose from pitas stuffed with meat, salad and a zingy sauce — or vego options, if you're that way inclined. If you're feeling Herculean, grab some meat from the spit — chicken, pork or lamb — and jazz it up with a side of slaw or pilaf. For those needing a fix after the night before, Yia Yia's loaded chips will set you right — chips covered in slow-cooked beef brisket, harissa aioli and smoky yoghurt, feta and sliced fresh chilli. ROLL'D Roll'd delivers a delicious slice of Vietnam to your working day. Keep things fresh with its signature rice papers rolls — with more traditional fillings such as beef and lemongrass through to inventive options like barramundi and avocado. Bahn mi has become a lunchtime favourite for Sydneysiders in recent years, and it's easy to see why. At Roll'd the crunchy baguette comes filled with pork, pickled vegetables, a hit of chilli a dash of coriander. For something more comforting — perfect for those chilly days — it also serves a mean pho. The recipe's been handed down through the family for generations so the broth is deep and complex. FIRE & FOOD If lunchtime comes around and you've got a hankering for something heartier (and covered in gravy) make your way over to Fire & Food. As the name suggests, lots of the food here is cooked over fire — roast meats, rotisserie chickens, souvlaki and a long lineup of burgers. It's the kind of place to head when you've had one (or three) too many drinks the night before and you're feeling a li'l dusty. If we're not far off the mark here, we suggest going all out and getting the King Burger with all the Aussie fillings — beetroot, bacon, egg and cheese — or a schnitzel and chips covered in salty gravy. You deserve it. You've been working hard. POKED It's hard to imagine a time when poké was not with us, such is the exploding popularity of this Hawaiian import. And it's not a mystery why — with its clean flavours and seasonal ingredients, the vitamin-filled poké bowl makes a great alternative to stodgier lunchtime options. At Poked there are quite a few variations to choose from. In homage to its motherland, the Hawaiian comes with both tuna and salmon, pineapple salsa, pickled cabbage and edamame, with wonton crisps for crunch. Outside of the sea, there are chicken and beef bowls available and, unlike at many foodcourt outlets, vegans get a look in, too, with the veggie and bean packed bowls. RYAN'S BAR Ryan's Bar has long been the meeting place for city suits to enjoy an after work drink — and it's no slouch at lunchtime either. The outdoor space is one of the few north-facing public spaces in the city, so if there's sunshine to be had you can catch it here on your break while enjoying being free from prison. We mean, work. The menu is heavy on carbs with pizzas, burgers, schnittys and parmas keep you fueled throughout the afternoon. And if you're too overwhelmed (and under-motivated) to go back to the office, maybe a sneaky beverage will give you the encouragement you need. Just don't tell the boss. Australia Square is also giving you the chance to win free lunch for a whole month. Make a purchase at any of the complex's casual dining spots between Monday, June 18 and Friday, July 6, receive your promo card and enter online and you'll go in the running to win $350 to spend on lunch.
Australians love big things. There are more than 150 big things across the country — from the five-metre high can of Tooheys New that crowns a pub in the outback town of Cobar, to the controversial Big Bogan of Nyngan, 190 kilometres northwest of Dubbo. Now, Hawke's Brewing is throwing its hat in the ring with the unveiling of a big gold prawn at the Bob Hawke Brewing and Leisure Centre. Named Shane Prawn, this huge golden structure has been erected to coincide with the restaurant's shift to opening for trade seven days a week. "It's been a fun seven months since we opened the doors of The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre but we all thought it was time to take it up a notch and move from five days of good beer, good leisure and Chinese meals to a glorious, non-stop, seven day," says co-founder of Hawke's Nathan Lennon. [caption id="attachment_854590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jessie Ann[/caption] The prawn weighs a whopping 120-kilograms. Sporting spindly prawn arms and bready eyes, the eerily realistic-looking statue is situated right above The Lucky Prawn counter where you can order the 80s-influenced Australian-Chinese dishes that the Hawke's crew has created with the help of Nic Wong (Cho Cho San, Bodega). "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who's helped make the journey so rewarding, so to give some love (and hopefully luck) back to the community with a large, golden, waving prawn is the least we can do," Lennon continues. The change of hours now means the brewery and restaurant are open from midday on weekdays and 11am on weekends, so you can kick your week off with next-level prawn toast, san choy bao, honey king prawns and the mother of all nostalgic creations — deep-fried Viennetta for lunch or dinner. [caption id="attachment_848328" align="alignnone" width="1829"] The James Adams[/caption] The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre is located at 8–12 Sydney Street Marrickville. It's open midday–10pm Sunday–Tuesday, midday–11pm Wednesday and midday–midnight Thursday–Saturday. Top image: Nikki To
Lovers of ramen, listen up — two of Sydney's best ramen shops are joining forces for one night only. Chaco and Gogyo are teaming up for a limited-time ramen collab at Gogyo's Surry Hills outpost on Monday, June 21. Details are currently limited but we know these two top Sydney ramen forces coming together is bound to deliver something special. Chaco is no stranger to collaborations with fellow Sydney favourites, running a pop-up with Surry Hills shawarma standouts Shwarmama early last year. Tickets for the collaboration will be available from 6pm Thursday, June 17 from Chaco and Gogyo's websites. Keep your eyes on their respective Instagram feeds for more details. [caption id="attachment_772483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chaco ramen, Alana Dimou[/caption]
Bodysnatchers is a young theatre company formed by playwright Mark Rogers and director Sanja Simic. Their latest show, Blood Pressure at the Old Fitz is an excellent domestic drama that incorporates some fascinating bioethical questions, from euthanasia to the legal status of dismembered body parts (it's finders keepers, in case you were wondering). Two adult brothers, Michael (Alexander Millwood) and Adam (Wade Briggs) meet up after a time apart on the evening of Michael's piano recital. Preparing to leave for the big night, younger brother Adam holds things up with his chronic illness. Susan Sontag's famous quote from Illness as Metaphor about our dual citizenship to the kingdom of the sick and the kingdom of the well is included in the program notes, and under Simic's detailed direction, this production articulates beautifully what those two kingdoms look like. Rogers has created a believable relationship between the brothers, who have the ability unique to siblings to adore and despise each other simultaneously. Millwood and Briggs bounce off each other well, particularly in the comic scenes, although Millwood seems to have some trouble executing the choppier parts of the text. The wider arguments that arise about organ donation and whether foreign tissue in a body can really influence personal tastes are interesting. But the debate about the nature of consciousness in which Adam reveals himself to be a materialist and Michael a more metaphysical type is unnecessary and thankfully brief. Their return to the business of being brothers is welcome. Theoretical arguments on stage are always inadequate because an essay could do it better. But where theatre triumphs is its capacity to move us. The emotional insight imparted by this play is that pathos is not a weak thing. Rogers has written a sick man who is good-humoured and practical, and Briggs embodies him with humility and grace. The only drawback of the piece is the ending. Because it is not well rooted in the preceding play, it doesn't resonate with the story thus far and impact as it should. Nevertheless, the spirit of this production is courageous and tender. Go and see this and then go home and write your living will, dictating the treatment you want when you enter the kingdom of the sick.
The realisation that eventually comes to everyone underscores Once My Mother, one that dawned slowly upon filmmaker Sophia Turkiewicz. She grew up listening to stories her mother, Helen, would tell of her life, but could only see as far as the intersection with her involvement. More immediate family history weighed upon Sophia, driving a desire for distance as she grew from a girl into a woman. Unforgiving about time spent in an orphanage, she also demonstrated an unwillingness to look past the emotional scars of her upbringing. It follows that Once My Mother takes a universal process — that of discovering the real personality of our parents, of understanding the true impact of their past not just upon their lives but our own, and of showing compassion for any missteps along the way — and relates it to the audience in the only way possible: as a personal journey. Turkiewicz's documentary is dedicated to dissecting Helen's resilience through decades marked by difficulties of destruction, discrimination and displacement; however, it is also shaped by a daughter's burgeoning awakening to things only age and experience could help her appreciate. Many laudatory words are directed towards Helen in the film's narration, written by and told from Sophia's perspective as a letter from the latter to the former but actually voiced by another. The extolling of virtues is justified by the accounts of Helen's epic ordeals in Poland and Siberia during the Second World War, then in Africa in the aftermath, and finally in Australia in an attempt to establish a new life as a single mother. The language remains lyrical and love-fuelled, sensitive and sentimental, even if the revelation that it is uttered by someone else (Jen Vuletic) somewhat skews the sense of intimacy. Of course, the spoken component is just one part of the documentary, with the visual complement impressive in its detailed assemblage. Starting with Helen in an aged care centre, then going back to the beginning, Sophia combines archival footage and photographs with contemporary-shot interviews and visits. The most fulfilling and fortunate element comes from work filmed many years ago, in the fledgling days of her career and with the flame of inquiry into her maternal genesis just beginning to spark, of earlier chats with Helen. Turkiewicz's career has spanned a significant slice of Australian film and television since the early 1980s, most notably the AFI-winning feature Silver City. It is fitting that it similarly took stock of familiar circumstances, albeit in fictionalised form. Here, she confronts the true tale with obvious emotion, but also insight and information. Once My Mother is a time capsule of a unique bond, and a testament to the impact of tenacity, both resonant and relatable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fos7dm2inE
Cockatoo Island's mysterious and spooky past will be explored this Halloween, when the venue's Ghostyard Tours return to bring a little fright to your weekend. This special version of the island's regular haunted history night tours will investigate Cockatoo's eerie past and paranormal residents, then invite you to spend the night camping out with said ghosts. The overnight experience starts with a two-hour tour of the island, delving into its (creepy) history as a prison, dockyard, reformatory, school and wartime port. The tour will finish at the world heritage-listed Convict Precinct, where a horror film marathon will take your nerves from bad to worse. To distract you, only ever so slightly, you'll be given hot chocolates, biscuits and marshmallows to roast over an open fire pit. Once the films are finished — and you're well and truly terrified — you'll head over to your deluxe tent, where we doubt you'll get a wink of sleep. The full overnight fright experience will cost you $185 all up, or $230 for two — if scare tactics is your idea of a date. If your nerves can't stand the idea of sleeping in a (potentially) haunted place, you can also opt for just the Ghostyard Tour at $45 a pop. Nab your tickets here — but they're in limited quantity, so don't wait. If you miss out on the Halloween version, however, the overnight experience will continue on most Friday nights until the end of February 2020. Updated: January 9, 2020.
Melbourne's Holiday Inn COVID-19 cluster continues to grow, with 13 cases linked to the outbreak as of 11pm on Thursday, February 11 — and it's starting to have an effect beyond Victoria's borders. In a new public alert issued today, Friday, February 12, NSW Health has advised that some folks who've arrived in the state this week will immediately need to go into isolation, get tested, and then remain in self-quarantine for 14 days regardless of the result. Last night, Victorian authorities added Brunetti, at Terminal 4 in Melbourne Airport, to their exposure list. The airport cafe was visited by a positive case on Tuesday, February 9 between 4.45am–1.15pm. Victoria issued an isolation and testing mandate overnight, so NSW is now following suit. It's broadening the requirements, however, both in terms of location and timing. Accordingly, anyone currently in NSW who was at Melbourne Airport's Terminal 4 between 4.45am–2pm on Tuesday, February 9 will need to self-quarantine, get a test, and keep in isolation for a fortnight. It doesn't matter where in the terminal you were, or for how long you were there during that period — the requirement still applies. If someone you live with falls into the above category, you'll also need to go into isolation immediately. You'll only have to stay there, though, until the person in your household who has been at Melbourne Airport receives a negative result. And, NSW Health has also advised that anyone who was at Melbourne Airport at all on Sunday, February 7 and Monday, February 8 must also get tested straight away. That applies to all terminals, and all day on both of those two dates. After your test, you'll need to stay in self-quarantine until a negative result comes back. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1360039480443293700 NSW authorities expect that today's health alert will impact around 7000 people, with NSW Health currently in the process of contacting folks who've entered the state from Victoria from February 7–9. NSW residents are also asked to keep an eye on Victoria's full rundown of exposure sites, which can be found at the Victorian Government Department of Health website. If you've been to one of the venues listed at the dates and times specified, you're asked to get tested, isolate, and obtain further advice by calling your local NSW Public Health Unit. Victoria had previously been 28 days without any new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, before a hotel quarantine worker at the Grand Hyatt Hotel tested positive to the virus on Wednesday, February 3. Just four days later, a second hotel quarantine worker, this time at the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport also tested positive. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For further details on the latest exposure Victorian sites, see the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.
Following three sell-out events in Sydney, which featured MasterChef Australia champ Adam Liaw, Adelaide's Africola chef Duncan Welgemoed and dumpling master from Lotus Dining Group Chris Yan, Red Rock Deli is putting together its first Melbourne secret supper. This time it's bringing one of Melbourne's most renowned chefs to host an exclusive dinner for some very lucky Melburnians. Paul Turner (from Melbourne bar Lover) is behind the next mouth-watering feast, which will is inspired by Red Rock Deli's new Parmesan & Truffle Deluxe Crisp flavour. All the details are very much under-wraps, including what he'll be cooking up. But, despite everything being very hush-hush, here's what we can reveal: Turner will be cooking up a storm on Thursday, September 19 and his dinner will be inspired by foraged foods — so expect a healthy dose of truffle and a menu packed full of flavour. Even better? You'll be treated to matching wines throughout the feast, too. We can also tell you that this experience will involve more than just the dishes — after arriving at the collection point in Melbourne's CBD, you'll be whisked away to a mystery location where you can expect everything from the decor to the food to have a foraged theme — although the menu will remain a secret until you arrive. There are two sessions of this lavish dinner, with room for just 20 guests at each. Tickets to Paul Turner's secret supper cost $110 per person. Enter the ballot below to be given the chance to purchase tickets. The lucky winners will receive a secret link to buy tickets to the evening on Thursday, September 19. Please note, the Secret Supper menu will not cater to ANY dietary requirements or allergies. There are strictly no changes to the menu. [competition]737439[/competition] Image: Parker Blain
Not content with serving up damn fine cups of coffee, Sydney's Paramount Coffee Project has teamed up with clothing label Banks Journal for a fashion pop-up in Taylor Square. Selling clothing — and hot caffeinated beverages, naturally — it's a must-visit if you adore PCP's cuppas so much you want to deck yourself out in its merchandise. Featuring original artwork by WeBuyYourKids' Sonny Day, the range of summery items includes t-shirts, bathrobes, slippers and baseball caps, plus a fetching set of shorts with a matching short-sleeved shirt. The store will also be selling Day's artwork and, between Thursday, December 12–Sunday, December 15, he'll be onsite painting a new piece live. On the food and drink menu: PCP coffee made with a La Marzocco KB90 machine, warm house-baked cookies in a variety of rotating flavours, and pies that range from classic to mac 'n' cheese. Microcosm microbiologist Jana Stewart has also curated a plant installation, with greenery available to purchase in-store — and other gift-style items too. The Paramount Coffee Project x Banks Journal Pop-Up runs from Thursdays–Sundays between Thursday, December 5–Sunday, December 15, opening from 11am–7pm Thursday–Saturday and 11am–5pm on Sundays.
Sydney-based record label Trackwork has been blazing a trail for boundary-pushing hip hop and dance music rising out of this city for the past five years. As part of the 2023 Vivid program, the label is pulling together some of its favourite musicians for a night of heavy bass in Martin Place's CTA Business Building. Arriving at the nostalgic underground venue that most recently hosted The Weary Traveller during Sydney Festival, Trackwork Presents Club Service pulls together a lineup of some of the most interesting beatmakers and songwriters from across Australia and the world. LA-based Dominican producer Kelman Duran heads up the night, fresh from collaborating with Beyoncé on her most recent album Renaissance. Local producer Utility will be popping up for a collaborative set with rapper Vv Pete — who recently supported Denzel Curry and was named FBi Radio's Next Big Thing. Rounding out the lineup is Berlin-based musician Cassius Select, digital artist and black metal enthusiast Serwah Attafuah and Poison, the new team-up from DJ Plead and T. Morimoto. If you get peckish while you're on the dance floor, you're in luck. Eddy Avenue's new pizza joint Pizza Oltra is in charge of the bistro for the night, so you can satisfy your cravings with some cheesy slices between sets. The night kicks off at 5pm and will run until 2am. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TRACKWORK™️ (@trackwork_) Top image: CTA Business Club during The Weary Traveller, Sydney Festival
Newly opened Kensington cafe Bar Lucio is celebrating World Coffee Day on Friday, October 1 by giving away free cups of authentic Italian coffee. Bar Lucio is a sister venue to longstanding Darlinghurst and Zetland restaurant Lucio Pizzeria, with owner Lucio De Falco opening the new coffee bar in mid-September. The coffee bar specialises in Italian coffee made with beans from Caffé DM, Australia's experts in authentic Italian-blend coffee, as well as Caffe del Nonno, a creamy chilled coffee that looks closer to a mouse than your daily flat white. There will be free cups of coffee on offer from 7–11am at Bar Lucio. Each patron can head to Lenthall Street and claim one regular coffee to kick-start their Friday. While you're there, Bar Lucio has a range of fresh-baked bread, made on-site in the cafe's woodfire oven, plus an assortment of Italian treats including Nutella or custard-filled bomboloni, sfogliatella napoletana, and coda d'aragosta.
Heading to the cinema is usually an act of escapism, but the Antenna Documentary Film Festival isn't avoiding life's woes. The Sydney-based event dedicates its six-day, 48-movie program to true tales from around the world. Running from Tuesday, October 9 to Sunday, October 14 at the Chauvel Cinema, Palace Verona, Dendy Newtown and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the fest casts its eyes far and wide to relay stunning stories that couldn't be more real. You won't find CGI fantasies and simple accounts of good versus evil here, but what you will discover is a plethora of thought-provoking efforts — surveying everything from politics, depression, democracy and cannibalism to soccer, consumerism, art scandals and roller-skating. Many of the festival's highlights are also homegrown, from the emotionally and visually striking Island of Hungry Ghosts, about immigration detention on Christmas Island, to The Eviction, about two friends' battle to save Sydney's Sirius building. Also look out for opening night's Putin's Witnesses, which chronicles the current Russian president's rise to power; Yours in Sisterhood, a powerful reading of unpublished letters sent to America's first mainstream feminist publication in the 1970s; and Aquarela, an aesthetically impressive ode to water in all of its guises. Cinephiles will want to stare into The Eyes of Orson Welles, a cinematic essay about the Citizen Kane filmmaker by The Story of Film's Mark Cousins, while everyone can enjoy closing night's The Gospel of Eureka, the SXSW hit that initiates viewers into the world of gospel drag shows.
The bomb has dropped: Gorillaz are packing their virtual suitcases for a first-ever tour of Australia. Mysterious bass player Murdoc Niccals, demonic drummer Russel Hobbs, girly guitarist Noodle (who was rumored to be dead) and lead vocalist 2D (real name Stu-Pot) will be boarding an ex-military chopper to cross the Atlantic for their Escape to Plastic Beach tour in December. The brainchild of cartoonist Jamie Hewlett (best known for the cult comic book series Tank Girl) and king of Brit-Pop Daman Albarn, Gorillaz are the "first virtual hip-hop group" of our time, brought to life by stunning anime style animation and fascinating fictional narratives. Having recently played Glastonbury and Coachella with special guests Lou Reed, Mick Jones & Paul Simonon, Mos Def, and Bobby Womack, it's anyone's guess who the Gorillaz might end up people-smuggling into Oz — Snoop Dogg, perhaps? Performing tracks from all three of their critically acclaimed albums (Gorillaz, Demon Days and Plastic Beach) this tour will include a dynamic production featuring multi-media video animation, artwork and film. As Murdoc says: "A phantasmagoria of sounds, colours and assaults on the senses." Gorillaz play Sydney Entertainment Centre on December 16th,. Tickets go on sale August 6th. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ijHySaJQUEs
