Sydney WorldPride is making LGBTQIA+ history in 2023 as the first-ever WorldPride held in the southern hemisphere. It can't last forever, sadly, running from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5 — and, ending as it'll spending that whole time, it'll wrap up with one helluva party. That gig is closing night's Rainbow Republic, which features German pop star Kim Petras alongside MUNA, G Flip and more. Fresh from nabbing a Grammy nomination for 'Unholy' with Sam Smith, the 'If Jesus Was a Rockstar', 'Heart to Break', 'Future Starts Now', 'Coconut' and 'Malibu' singer will take to the stage as part of a a seven-hour show filled with live music, DJs and dancing — a queer megamix, if you like. On hosting duties: Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon, The Flash, Eden), who'll also perform. Peach PRC, Alter Boy, BVT and Vetta Borne are also on the bill. Indie popsters MUNA will be making their Australian debut when they do the honours at Rainbow Republic, G Flip's pivotal slot comes after they played the AFL Grand Final, following one iconic event with another. RAINBOW REPUBLIC SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE CLOSING CONCERT LINEUP: Kim Petras MUNA G Flip Keiynan Lonsdale Peach PRC Alter Boy BVT Vetta Borne
We've scored giant slip 'n' slides, trampoline gyms and bouncing castle obstacle courses. Now, it's time to get on board the latest kidult craze to hit our shores, as Australia's biggest game of hide and seek takes over a cruise ship on Sydney Harbour next month. That's right: hiding and seeking is no longer just child's play. In fact, Australia's even got its own national hide and seek adults team, the Nascondingos, who took out eighth place at the most recent world championships, which are a thing. And on Sunday, February 18, these guys will be honing their finding skills, playing a team of 'seekers' as locals of all ages hide onboard one of the world's biggest cruise ships, Ovation of The Seas. It's thought to be the largest official game of hide and seek ever played at sea — and, yeah, it probably is. Applications to compete in the game are open to just about everyone, with one game for kids aged 8–14 and another for adults aged over 15. There's a solid prize pool, too, with the last person to be found in the adult's game taking home a cool $10,000 and a cruise. Of course, it's all part of a huge promo for Royal Caribbean, but that shouldn't stop it being a bit of fun. If you fancy yourself a hide and seek pro, don't be shy about it — enter here by February 5.
Following this morning's shock announcement from Premier Mike Baird that he will be resigning as of next week, Sydney nightlife guardians and vocal Baird opponents Keep Sydney Open have issued a public statement giving their take on the Premier's sudden departure from politics. The Premier stated during this morning's press conference that "there is a strong personal cost" that led to his decision, namely a number of serious illnesses in his immediate family. Tyson Koh, director of the guerilla movement, was quick to state that, "We never hoped for Premier Baird's resignation, instead we hoped he would be a constructive partner who'd pursue smart policy that could make Sydney both vibrant and safe." Koh offered respectful words for Baird, who has served at the helm of the New South Wales government since 2014. "We wish the Premier well," he said. "His commitment to the job during health crises in the Baird family is admirable and we wish only the best for them." However, Koh criticised the current Liberal government, saying they are "out of touch" and "not listening". He continued to reinforce the idea that Mike Baird's resignation does not end the fight against the lockout laws, saying, "Keep Sydney Open's role in NSW will not be ending with the political career of Mike Baird." Koh made the point that the government is now faced with an opportunity to embrace and support Sydney's dying nightlife, saying, "We are ready to work with the new leader of the government to achieve all of these results." In the statement he released via Twitter this morning, Premier Baird said that a leadership spill that will decide the next Premier would occur next week. Speculation is rife that Gladys Berejiklian, Baird's deputy and NSW Treasurer, is most likely to take the reins as a result of that spill. Berejiklian is the leader of the more moderate section of the state Liberal Party, so it isn't too far-fetched to think that there is potential she will come to the table to debate overturning what Koh has called "the blunt instrument of a curfew". Despite the fact that their most staunch rival has stepped down as the head of the state government, Keep Sydney Open will go ahead with their protest this weekend, with Koh stating that they are "ready to defend the vibrancy, colour and small businesses of our community against any lawmakers who unfairly target them." Image: Kimberley Low.
We love an old-school Sydney pub and the Friend in Hand Hotel, with its affordable fare and charmingly quirky decor — model planes and trains, old photographs, surfboards and other oddities plaster every single bit of wall space — is a great one. This stellar pub is also home to one of the city's longest-running comedy spots, the Mic in Hand. For just a tenner, you can chortle away all the week's stresses courtesy of the city's best up-and-coming comedy talent. If you're lucky, you might even catch one of the more famous comedy stars who drop in from time to time.
Looking for a new burger adventure? Head down to Xi'an Biang Biang in Chinatown for a chance to try the world's oldest hamburger, a 2000-year-old ancient meat sandwich. You'll also discover an entire menu of Chinese dishes you've (probably, maybe) never seen, tried or heard of before. Xi'an Biang Biang is located at the Town Hall-end of Dixon Street, just a few doors down from the well-known compass point of N2 Gelato. It's a cheap and cheerful kind of place, packed out with students and plastic chairs at a ratio of 2:1. While most of us are well-acquainted with Cantonese or Sichuan cuisine, Xi'an Biang Biang specialises in native fare from the Shaanxi province of China. The region is known for its handmade noodles and hot, sour flavours - let me introduce you to a few of the gang. The most famous Shaanxi dish is the biang biang noodles ($9). This simple country bowl is made from hand-pulled noodles, thick as a belt and chewy in texture. At Xi'an Biang Biang, they're served swimming in bright red oil which has been liberally seasoned with cumin and chilli. Here's a suggestion for you, don't wear white. Another popular Shaanxi dish is the cold noodles in garlic sauce ($10). This time around the noodles are thin and coarse, accompanied with torn up pieces of solidified gluten, which, for all intents and purpose, could actually be a kitchen sponge. Both noodles and sponge are coated in a sour garlic sauce with heady notes of black vinegar. Those who like their noodles hot and comforting might find this dish a little confronting. Naturally, we've saved the best for last. The surprise hit of the menu is the rougamo or 'burger' ($8), as they called it on the menu. This Shaanxi street food is made from a disc of pastry stuffed with pulled pork which has been stewed in soup for hours on end. The result is crunchy, crispy goodness paired with meltingly tender meat. Expect warm, fatty juices to drip down your arm. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. And perhaps what makes this experience even more magical is that rougamo back to 221BC making it the first ever hamburger or sandwich, or pie, or whatever else you think this exciting dish resembles. So if you consider yourself a fan of Mary's, Burger Project or Five Points, then take a trip down to Dixon Street to find out where the madness all began. Images: Letícia Almeida.
Public art is an intrinsic part of a vibrant and engaged modern society, but by its very nature, it can't last forever. It's a constantly moving and changing force but lives on in the memories of the members of society that it seeks to bring together. Kaldor Public Art Projects has been dedicated to creating these memories for Australians for nearly 50 years, and it'll soon be celebrating this milestone of all the indelible, groundbreaking public art that it's brought to Australian shores. As a part of the Making Art Public anniversary exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW in September, Kaldor Public Art Projects wants to hear your stories about how you connected with its exhibitions — because you are part of the story of public art, after all. Whether you lunched under Jeff Koons' Puppy, counted rice with Marina Abramović or your parents told you about their memories of Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapping a Sydney coastline, your memories, stories and photos help public art live forever. Here are just some of the incredible public artworks New South Wales has seen over the last half-decade, thanks to Kaldor Public Art Projects. [caption id="attachment_726660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 1, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Wrapped Coast — One Million Square Feet. Taken by art education lecturer Ellen Waugh in 1969.[/caption] CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE: WRAPPED COAST, 1969 Back in '69, the controversial Wrapped Coast project from Christo and Jeanne-Claude was the single largest artwork ever made. It saw two-and-a-half kilometres of coast and rocky cliffs of Little Bay, Sydney wrapped in fabric and orange rope which billowed and rippled in the wind. It was so enormous — larger than Mount Rushmore in the US — that you could not see it all from one vantage point, so visitors walked for an hour to see the work in its entirety. Christo and Jeanne-Claude became famous for their large-scale environmental artworks, or 'temporary monuments', with Wrapped Coast being their first. The people who were lucky enough to see the work in 1969 say it was incredible that artists of this calibre chose Australia for the project: "We were so keen to leave Australia behind, go to Europe and see the world and yet here was a world famous artist doing something extraordinary on our doorstep," said Rhiannon Bowman, in her submission to the Living Archive. [caption id="attachment_726662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 5, Charlotte Moorman and Nam June Paik. Charlotte Moorman performs Sky Kiss, a composition by Jim McWilliams, above the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, April 11, 1976. Photo: Kerry Dundas.[/caption] CHARLOTTE MOORMAN AND NAM JUNE PAIK, 1976 Avant-garde video and performance art pioneers Nam June Paik and cellist Charlotte Moorman very much shocked Australia in 1976 with over 40 provocative performances taking place across Sydney and Adelaide. The 'father of video art' and 'Jeanne d'Arc of new music', the artists fused music, sculpture, performance and video into one-of-a-kind amalgamations, which were likely emblazoned in the minds of anyone who witnessed them. One performance saw a naked Moorman playing a cello made of ice till it was completely melted by the surrounding radiators and spotlights. Another saw her perform on Easter smothered in 13 kilograms of chocolate, while another saw her playing Up, Up and Away by Jimmy Webb while suspended by helium balloons drifting above the Sydney Opera House forecourt. How could one forget a sight like that? [caption id="attachment_699271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 10, Jeff Koons: Puppy. Museum of Contemporary Art forecourt, December 12, 1995 to March 17, 1996. Photo: Eric Sierins.[/caption] JEFF KOONS: PUPPY, 1995 Chances are you've seen photos of Jeff Koons' Puppy artwork which now sits outside the Guggenheim in Bilbao — but did you know it was created outside of Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art in '95? Kaldor Public Art Projects was the group to make that happen. Standing 12.4 metres high facing the picturesque harbour, Puppy was created as a symbol of love and happiness, based on a wooden sculpture of a west highland white terrier from Koons' 1991 Made in Heaven series. Puppy was far bigger than the original, however, containing 55 tonnes of soil and covered in 60,000 blooming flowers. People from all over Australia have fond memories of visiting Circular Quay to see Sydney's very own Koons, with one Sydneysider submitting to the Living Archive saying they "ate lunch under Puppy every day". [caption id="attachment_726658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 30, Marina Abramović: In Residence. Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, June 24–July 5, 2015. Photo: Pedro Greig.[/caption] MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ: IN RESIDENCE, 2015 Many speak of the transformative experience that was being a part of Marina Abramović's In Residence. The celebrated performance artist referred to her 2015 installation as a 'brain spa', in which members of the public were conducted through the 'Abramović Method', like Lady Gaga famously experienced at the Marina Abramović Institute in New York. Visitors would be tucked into camp beds by strangers after staring deeply into the eyes of other attendees for an undefined amount of time. You could finish your immersion in the artist's method by slowly walking 'a millimetre a minute' back to the exit, or by counting single grains of rice for as long as you chose. Those who stayed for hours had successfully experienced the Abramović Method, but in a world filled with time limits and a constant to-do list of tasks that need completing, the undefined parameters of time and movement in In Residence challenged many who participated. [caption id="attachment_719762" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 34, Asad Raza: Absorption. The Clothing Store, Carriageworks; 2019. Photo: Pedro Greig.[/caption] ASAD RAZA: ABSORPTION, 2019 The most recent work brought to Australia by Kaldor Public Art Projects was a pretty dirty one — literally. Absorption by New York-based artist Asad Raza was all about breaking and making new ground. If you visited the exhibition at Carriageworks, your initial response might have been "… hang on, this is just a room filled with dirt". And in a way, that is exactly what the project was. 300 tonnes of soil and other organic materials were gathered from all over New South Wales and carefully tended to by a team of cultivators to create a new hyper-rich type of soil: a 'neosoil' entirely from New South Wales. Aside from the soil itself, Absorption provided a spotlight on how fundamental soil is in all of our lives. It also encouraged visitors to take some of the soil home, so the project could forever live on across the state. Kaldor Public Art Projects is celebrating 50 years of bringing beautiful, groundbreaking and important public art to Australian shores with a commemorative exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. Making Art Public will run from Saturday, September 7, 2019 to Sunday, February 16, 2020. Submit your memories of public art from over the years to Kaldor Public Art Projects' Living Archive here.
For some, the best thing about winter is the cosy indoor opportunities to escape the cold. Who can deny the almost spiritual joy of snuggling down next to a wood fire or cuddling up inside thick sandstone walls while the weather outside seems a world away? And if there's a glass or two of vino going, so much the better. If this sounds like a heavenly way to spend a winter's day — and you're ready for a seasonal switch from tannin' to tannins — put these five exquisite Tasmanian wineries at the top of your winter to-do list. We've tracked down a winery from nearly every corner of Tassie that'll warm the cockles of your heart — whether you're after biodynamic and sustainable practices, premium tastes in heritage buildings or a glass of red with the comfort eats of an Italian osteria. You are about to fall in love with a whole cool-climate wine culture — you'll never sip a pinot noir the same way again. [caption id="attachment_719342" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Crerar.[/caption] MOORE'S HILL — TAMAR VALLEY How many wineries come with their very own dog? Well, Moore's Hill does; the loveable Otto is a regular fixture by the fireplace in winter. Located in the lush Tamar Valley, a 40-minute drive from Launceston, you'll come upon this boutique vino-producing estate that happens to be Tasmania's first 100-percent solar-powered winery. The fireplace at the cellar door is always lit for the chilly season, so you can drop by any day from 10am–5pm for a cosy guided tasting of current release wines (which are free for groups smaller than ten, too). Moore's Hill also offers a wine and chocolate tasting, as well as a whisky tasting, should you need a little something extra to really warm the soul. [caption id="attachment_719279" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and Nick Osborne.[/caption] POOLEY WINES — COAL RIVER VALLEY Make sure to add Pooley Wines to your winter getaway. It's a vineyard with pedigree — three generations of winemakers have brought forth this nectar, producing some of the finest pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling on the island. Located in the Coal River Valley, it's proudly the first fully accredited environmentally sustainable vineyard in Tasmania. The cellar door (open 10am–5pm daily) is snuggled within the thick sandstone walls of the stately 19th-century Belmont House on the Butcher's Hill estate. With a swag of awards to its name, particularly for its pinot noir and riesling, Pooley will ensure you're sipping premium drop after premium drop. STEFANO LUBIANA — DERWENT VALLEY Stefano Lubiana Wines is an exceptional winery, being Tasmania's first and only biodynamic vineyard. This family-run winery opens its cellar door to wine-lovers from 11am–4pm Wednesday to Sunday. Sample the six-taste offering — including the bright and delightful Primavera pinot noir or a biodynamic reserve merlot — at $5 per person, or sit down for a structured tasting of exclusive museum and flagship wines for $35. The vineyard also distils its own grappa brandy, which is the perfect nip for a nippy Tassie winter. And then there's Stefano Lubiana's on-site Italian eatery, Osteria, that blends rustic food tradition with fine dining. The menu is fresh and seasonal, with locally sourced ingredients. Stay for an expertly paired meal and wine to taste the terroir and the country produce all in one go. [caption id="attachment_719278" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Harmsen.[/caption] DEVIL'S CORNER — EAST COAST For some seriously cool architecture to match your cool-climate wines and the surrounding cool temps, you'll have to hit the east coast and check out Devil's Corner. En route to Freycinet National Park, Devil's Corner is a winery with a wild edge. Looking down to Moulting Lagoon and the Hazards mountain range, the vines are exposed to the elements, which creates a unique, intense flavour. In the winter, the cellar door opens daily from 10am–4pm from June to September and tastings are free for groups of up to seven (larger groups pay $5 per person). With regular music sessions and both a seafood restaurant and pizza cafe, this is a winery that can keep you toasty warm as you enjoy views over the wintry landscape. And in even more reasons to visit, Tassie's Festival of Voices will host a gig at the winery on Sunday, June 30. FROGMORE CREEK — COAL RIVER VALLEY If you don't want to stray far from Hobart but yearn for that country vineyard experience, Frogmore Creek offers the best of both worlds. After just a 20-minute drive from the CBD, you'll reach a vineyard prestigious enough to draw celebrity visitors such as Margot Robbie. Within the expansive homestead of blue-grey timber, you'll find an award-winning cellar door experience. What's more, from July 1, the barrel room here features an open fire on weekends (and the occasional weekday) all throughout winter. Open from 10am–5pm daily, the cellar door offers samples from the different wine series for you to sip around the fire. The featured offering focuses on boutique harvests, reserve wines or minimal intervention drops. Away from the roaring fire, Frogmore Creek has spectacular grounds. But if it's too chilly for exploring, you can appreciate the sweeping valley vistas from the cellar door and restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows. Top image: Moore's Hill by Chris Crerar.
When Spilt Milk announced that it wasn't taking place in 2024, instead delaying its next festivals until 2025, it looked like fans of the event were in for a hefty wait till they could next hear live tunes echo from its stages. But if you're in Newcastle, the Gold Coast or Perth — or can get there — that's no longer the case. Spilt Milk's regular fests remain postponed until next year; however, it's hitting up those three cities this November for a new gig series. Meet Spilt Milk House Party, aka the shindigs you throw when you're not throwing your regular shindig. If the tactic sounds familiar, that's because Yours and Owls is deploying it in 2024, too, calling it a pre-party instead. The idea is the same, though: get a bunch of acts to play at a smaller event, rather than the usual big festival rollout. For its version, Spilt Milk hasn't skimped on talent. In addition to his already-announced Australian tour, Troye Sivan leads the Spilt Milk House Party lineup. For company, he'll have Glass Animals, G Flip, Artemas and Sycco. The quintet have a date with usual Spilt Milk stops Perth and the Gold Coast, before also taking the event to Newcastle. While the fest proper normally takes place in Canberra — where it first started — and Ballarat as well, they're not getting their own House Party shows. [caption id="attachment_655626" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Smith[/caption] Given the smaller size, there's limited tickets available for the trio of parties, which will pop up at Kings Park Botanic Garden in Perth on Sunday, November 17; head to Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast on Saturday, November 23; and call Newcastle Entertainment Centre home on Sunday, November 24. When Spilt Milk cancelled its full fest experience for 2024, it did so because it "couldn't get you the Spilt Milk you deserve this year," it announced via social media. "Sooo imma dip for a bit and come back when I can make all ur dreams come true. i miss u xx," the statement continued. [caption id="attachment_967435" align="alignnone" width="1917"] F Fawkes via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Spilt Milk House Party Lineup: Troye Sivan Glass Animals G Flip Artemas Sycco Spilt Milk House Party Dates: Sunday, November 17, 2024 — Kings Park Botanic Garden, Perth Saturday, November 23, 2024 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Sunday, November 24, 2024 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Spilt Milk House Party will hit Perth, the Gold Coast and Newcastle in November 2024, with presale tickets available from 10am local time on Wednesday, September 11 and general sales from 10am local time on Friday, September 13. Head to the festival website for more details.
Letting the likes of Little May, Aldous Harding and Boy and Bear take the backyard folk reins for a while, Australia's ARIA-dominating folksters Angus and Julia Stone are heading back to the stage to take back the wooden throne. Four years after their huge runaway hit 'Big Jet Plane' and their Everyone Should Just Stay at Home ARIA-blitzer Down the Way, the Sydney Stone siblings have announced a colossal Australian tour to mark their triumphant return. Teaming up with pop production legend Rick Rubin (Jay Z, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele), the duo have recorded their third studio album at Malibu's Shangri La studios. The pair's self-titled effort is set for release on August 1, timed perfectly for triple j Hottest 100 dominance. Having spent the last couple of years touring internationally and dropping solo material here and there, it seems high time for the Stones to head home for some epic shows — we're talking Sydney Opera House, Brisbane's Tivoli and Melbourne's Palais Theatre. For their first national tour since 2011, Angus and Julia Stone will be joined by 18-year-old Brisbanite Tim Bettinson, aka super-internet-hyped falsetto wonder Vancouver Sleep Clinic. Fusing synthetic instrumentation with vocals sure to generate All the Feels, VSC will hop on tour with the Stones for all national shows except Canberra. Tickets on Sale 9am July 10. Secret Sounds pre-sale: Tuesday 8 July, from 9:00am. General on sale: Thursday 10 July, from 9:00am. Angus and Julia Stone Aus/NZ Tour Dates: Fri 12 Sep — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide. Tickets via Venuetix or venue. Sat 13 Sep — Llewellyn Hall, Canberra (Support TBC). Tickets via Ticketek. Sun 14 Sep — Sydney Opera House, Sydney. Tickets via SOH. Wed 17 Sep — Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tickets via Ticketek Thu 18 Sep — The Tivoli, Brisbane. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Sun 21 Sep — Arts Centre, Gold Coast. Tickets via Arts Centre. Tue 23 Sep — Perth Concert Hall, Perth. Tickets via venue or Ticketek. Fri 26 Sep — Palais Theatre, Melbourne. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Sun 28 Sep — Powerstation, Auckland. Tickets via Ticketmaster. https://youtube.com/watch?v=N6TNrXRUo4Q
It's time to mark your calendars for the National Cherry Festival, the ultimate celebration of all things cherry. This annual event is set to take place in Young, NSW (the cherry capital of Australia!) from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3. In case you've never been, the National Cherry Festival is a three-day extravaganza that brings together cherry growers and enthusiasts from all over Australia. Get ready to indulge in delicious cherry treats, including fresh cherries, cherry pies, cherry ice cream and more. You can also enjoy cooking demonstrations, cherry-picking competitions, live music performances, and even a seed-spitting competition. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, there will be a Cherry Blossom Walk, showcasing the stunning cherry blossoms that bloom during summer in Young. It's also a chance to meet and learn from local artisans showcasing their products and crafts, the history of the region, the cherry-growing process, and the impact of cherries on the local economy. Since Young is a four-hour drive out of Sydney, be sure to book local accommodation in advance and get the full weekender experience to celebrate of the sweetest summer fruits. For more information on the festival and how to enjoy it, visit the website. We advise against wearing white clothing.
If you fall into one (or all) of the following categories — cinephile, culture vulture or need-something-to-do-on-Wednesday-night — we have something that'll pique your interest. The Art Gallery of NSW is gearing up for a two-month-long showcase of Chinese cinema. Neon Gods will run alongside the upcoming Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei exhibition. The series is a celebratory showcase of works from the most remarkable directors of Chinese language cinema in the 20th century — think Ang Lee, Edward Yang, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Tsai Ming-liang. Presented on rare 35mm film print sourced from both national and international archives (film stock nerds rejoice), this series features everything from action classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to revenge odyssey Rebels of the Neon God to the once-forgotten landmark of queer cinema The End of the Track. Boasting a cast of what the gallery's curator of film, Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd, describes as "rebels, action heroines and queer outsiders", the retrospective promises to reacquaint you with, or introduce you to, some of the most innovative, bold and significant films in sinophone cinema history. Neon Gods is running from Wednesday, February 20 to Sunday, May 5. Screenings will take place at 2pm and 7.15pm on Wednesdays and 2pm on Sundays. For the full program and to reserve tickets, vist the website.
The silver-screen experience is always worth celebrating. A darkened haven dedicated to watching movie magic? Films projected big enough to span entire walls? Ideally no phones or other distractions? No matter how many times you've seen a flick in a picture palace, it's pure bliss. And, like everything, there's a day to mark it: National Cinema Day. In 2024, make that two days at Reading Cinemas, with the chain expanding the celebrations across an entire weekend. Of course, every single day is a great day to hit up your favourite theatre, but Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 come with a bonus at Reading sites across Australia: $5 tickets. That's all you'll pay for a standard session all day for two days only. Fancy a premium, Titan Luxe or Titan XC movie instead? That'll only set you back $10. Keen for the chain's Gold Lounge theatres instead? That's $15. Reading operates six cinemas across New South Wales, including Rhodes, Auburn and Rouse Hill, if you're wondering where to go to see a cheap flick. And your viewing options? They vary per cinema, but include Deadpool & Wolverine, It Ends with Us, Alien: Romulus and Blink Twice. Two caveats: the deals aren't available for event screenings, and there's still a booking fee if you're getting your tickets online. f
If you've ever visited Japan, you've likely made your way to the top of one of Tokyo's tall towers — Tokyo Tower, even — and tried to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji. You might've even made the trip to the active volcano yourself, and you probably saw its shape splashed across plenty of souvenirs. And you likely spotted variations of Katsushika Hokusai's art work featuring it, too. His Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series, which includes The Great Wave off Kanagawa, is one of the things he's best known for. Actually seeing Mount Fuji for yourself might be off the cards at the moment, but you can learn more about Hokusai and his work at Australia's annual Japanese Film Festival. It's back for its 25th year in 2021, screening at Palace Cinemas across Sydney from Thursday, November 25–Sunday, December 5, with biopic Hokusai kicking off the festival on opening night. Also on the 21-movie program: Oscar submission True Mothers, which sees acclaimed filmmaker Naomi Kawase spin a story about adoption; Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, a Berlinale 2021 Silver Bear for director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi; and The Deer King, an animated film that steps into a world plagued by disease — and follows two survivors who might have the cure. Or, you can check out Under the Open Sky, about an ex-yakuza starting again after 13 years in prison; hostage thriller Masked Ward, which comes to the screen from the pages of a medical mystery novel; and comedy Not Quite Dead Yet, about a singer who wishes for her dad's demise. A number of movies by avant-garde directors Shūji Terayama also grace the lineup and, from Monday, November 15–Sunday, November 21, JFF is screening a range of titles free online — so you can keep watching even when you're not in a cinema. Want to transport yourself to Japan? Let the Japanese Film Festival whisk you away from November 25–Sunday, December 5 at Palace Cinemas throughout Sydney. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the website. Images: © 2021 NEOPA / Fictive and Copyright © 2020 HOKUSAI MOVIE.
You'll find handcrafted Australian made furniture alongside a range of contemporary pieces from international brands at The Wood Room, a bespoke store located in North Narrabeen. The beautifully designed furniture includes dining tables, chairs, coffee tables, sofas and outdoor pieces, as well as lighting, rugs, mirrors, art and other homewares. Owners Kate and Simon, who founded The Wood Room in 2012, say they are inspired by simplicity and minimalism in design and love embracing the natural beauty of timber. All of The Wood Room's furniture is made to order, and each item can be custom designed to specific requirements such as dimensions, materials and finish — making it possible to create the pieces that you've been searching for. Images: Marie Homer
Stanmore's Brighter Coffee may lay claim to the best toastie in Sydney. The menu at this quaint but beloved corner cafe is kept simple with just a few items that change between months and seasons — but one item always stays consistent, and that's the Kimcheezey toastie. The sandwich has built quite a cult following in the Inner West, pressing a healthy serving of kimchi with tomato passata and a blend of gruyere and gouda cheese between two slices of sourdough before it's toasted until perfectly golden and crunchy. It's a true delight. Depending on when you head in, you might also find a truffle and mushroom toastie, slow-roasted pumpkin or cold soba noodles joining the Kimcheezey on the menu. Plus, there will always be a selection of pretzels and pastries out the front for anyone looking for something a little lighter. The cafe was opened by the team behind the coffee roaster Made of Many, so all the beans are made in-house. No matter the variety that the baristas are working with that day, you can expect rich, drinkable coffee in the form of your classic cappuccino or latte, as well as batch and cold brew options. If you're after takeaway, you can nab a sunny patch of concrete on the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Salisbury Road to wait for your order surrounded by many of the neighbourhood dogs. Or, if you're eating in, you'll find a casual dining room filled with couches and houseplants that feels more akin to a welcoming friend's living room than your usual cafe seating area. Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney
Some people get over hump day by going to the gym. Others are more partial to a touch of yoga. We, however, love nothing more than an eighties dance aerobics class — complete with extremely colourful, costume-worthy aerobics gear and eighties-inspired leg warmers. And Shannon Dooley's Retrosweat classes fit that exact niche. The party goes down every Wednesday night at 7.15pm at The Yoga Bar in Bondi Beach with a whole hour of sweating to moves inspired by the eighties workout videos from your early memories (and from a thousand memes). The playlist features nothing but the best bangers of the day, and you're encouraged to dig through your mum's old Spandex and costume up.
The Biennale of Sydney is known for its expansive displays of public art, from Ai Weiwei's 60-metre inflatable boat to last year's huge mirrored pavilion. When it returns in 2024 it will reach new heights, allowing art lovers to wander through one historic Sydney building for the first time in a century. The Inner West's White Bay Power Station will swing open its doors to Biennale-goers, granting the public its first chance to explore the heritage-listed building in more than 100 years. The power station has been in the lengthy process of being revitalised and transformed into an arts, culture and community hub as part of the Bay West precinct — and the contemporary art showcase will be the first event to utilise the huge Rozelle space. Artists breathing life into the space will be working within the 2024 theme Ten Thousand Suns. Heat, power, light, summer, joy, strength, the changing climate — all notions that spring to mind. This is what artists will be asked to ponder when creating their pieces for the citywide event. "We are thrilled to be hosting the first major event at White Bay Power Station," says Biennale of Sydney CEO Barbara Moore. "Admission is free. We are presenting some of the best contemporary art from around the world and across Australia, with a robust program of music and food, too, and we can't wait for you to experience it... In March, we swing the doors to White Bay Power Station wide open, and we can't wait for you to be part of it." Alongside the changes to the White Bay Power Station, the long-term plan for the Bay West precinct includes new employment spaces, 250 new homes with provisions for affordable housing and a new Metro station. Overall, the planned changes to the area are expected to create over four hectares of new public and open space. [caption id="attachment_804466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bays West precinct render[/caption] Running from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024 across Sydney, and free to attend as always — with the full list of venues yet to be revealed — the Biennale will feature works by artists such as William Yang, Tracey Moffatt, Serwah Attafuah, Kirtika Kain and Kaylene Whiskey among the homegrown contingent, as well as Sachiko Kazama from Japan, Francisco Toledo from Mexico and Malaysia's Anne Samat. In addition to ample art for attendees to experience, the 24th Biennale of Sydney will also feature a contemporary music lineup in partnership with Phoenix Central Park. The venue's curatorial skills will be taken to new locations beyond its stunning Chippendale site, responding to both Ten Thousand Suns as a theme and the works on display. [caption id="attachment_910497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creation of My Metaverse (Between this World and the Next) (2021). Serwah Attafuah. Digital 3D render, 3600 x 6000 px. Support: Sotheby's. Courtesy the artist © Serwah Attafuah.[/caption] The 24th Biennale of Sydney will run from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024 and will include exhibitions at the revitalised White Bay Power Station. Entry will be free, as always. We'll keep you posted on the whole artist lineup and exhibition program when they're announced. Top image: Adam .J.W.C.
Dream musical double alert: this winter in Australia, you can make a theatre date to see both Hamilton and In the Heights. Sydney is hosting the only Aussie return season for Lin-Manuel Miranda's second big Tony Award-winning show from late July — and now it's also welcoming his debut smash, too. Sydney Opera House will turn into New York City's Washington Heights for a six-week season of In the Heights, also kicking off the same month. Initially staged in 2005, then leaping to off-Broadway in 2007, then playing Broadway from 2008–11 (which is where it nabbed those 13 Tony nominations and four wins), Miranda's first stage sensation spends its time with Usnavi, a bodega owner from the Dominican Republic who dreams of going back — and who also sports a crush on Vanessa, who aspires to move out of the neighbourhood. Miranda himself originated the role of Usnavi, scoring a Tony nomination for his efforts. In Australia this winter, Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) will step into the part. When the show's Sydney Opera House run spans Saturday, July 20–Sunday, August 25, fellow Moulin Rouge! The Musical alum Olivia Vásquez will play Vanessa. Alongside Gonzalez, she'll be joined by Richard Valdez (All Together Now — The 100) as the Piragua Guy — another character that Miranda has brought to life personally, this time in the 2021 film version of In the Heights. On the stage and on-screen, the production not only follows Usnavi and Vanessa's connection, and their respective hopes for the future, but also the residents of Washington Heights, their family ties across multiple generations and their friendships. And the soundtrack — which helped In the Heights win Best Musical and Best Original Score Tonys — as well as the vibe and mood bring together salsa, soul, rap, hip hip, merengue and street dance. "In the Heights is an uplifting musical that celebrates collective joy in a truly genuine and spirited way. Community, culture, connection and colour explode on-stage in a vibrant setting, as we are enveloped into the lives of characters holding fast to their history and creating new traditions," said Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance Ebony Bott, announcing the season. If you're keen to watch the movie — or rewatch — in the interim, it stars Anthony Ramos (Dumb Money) as Usnavi and Melissa Barrera (Abigail) as Vanessa, as well as Leslie Grace (In the Summers), Corey Hawkins (The Color Purple), Jimmy Smits (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Stephanie Beatriz (Twisted Metal) and Olga Merediz (Somebody I Used to Know). Check out the trailer for the film below: In the Heights will play Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre from Saturday, July 20–Sunday, August 25, 2024, with ticket presales from 9am on Tuesday, May 7 and general sales from 9am on Friday, May 10 — head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Daniel Boud.
Picking your favourite Coen brothers-directed movie is like choosing which of your pets you love most. It's tricky, bordering on impossible, and it's a task that no one should willingly take up. Also difficult: selecting which of the filmmaking siblings' flicks to go see on the big screen at Sydney's aptly titled Dude, It's a Coen Brothers Retrospective screening series. All cinephiles should abide with this lengthy season, which is taking place at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick from Thursday, January 14–Friday, June 4. After kicking off with Fargo across January 14–17, a different movie will play each week from Friday, February 5 — and, as far as picking what to watch goes, you're spoiled for choice. On the bill is everything from Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski to No Country for Old Men and Inside Llewyn Davis. That means you can laugh at Nicolas Cage, crave white russians, watch multiple Oscar-winning flicks, and listen to Oscar Isaac croon folk tunes while taking care of a cat — and work your way through the likes of Blood Simple, Barton Fink, Burn After Reading and Hail, Caesar!, too. And if you haven't ever seen the glorious O Brother, Where Art Thou? on a big screen, that's something we definitely recommend fixing during the 18-title retro season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuQ8pz-5WLY
If you're a well-off manchild who's ever defiantly moved out of home all grown up-like, stole all your mum's tupperware and turned your old room into a storage space because you're great and responsible and have your own Medicare card, Bondi Hipsters' new Old Spice ad will strike a few chords. The Australian follow-up to the bang-up hilarious viral 'Mom Song' brought out by the deodorant branding geniuses in January this year, 'Old Spice Man Song' (or Mahn Song) has been crafted by Bondi Hipsters for our own market. Both focused on the fact that Old Spice apparently makes you an immediate Man, the 333-riders have put less focus on freaky couch-dwelling, son-clingy mums and more on dudes who move out of home and think they're big ol' grown ups. Bondi Hipsters Dom and Adrian play two dudes breaking the news to Dom's possibly North Shore-looking mum that he's moving because he's a mahn with a cool leather wallet and a Swiss-made watch, whose beard grows quicker and chest hair grows thicker because of Old Spice. Of course it does, you've seen what happened to this guy. Watch the Bondi Hipsters' Old Spice ad here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TuiKdWz6IKo Then revisit the US-version 'Mom Song', just for kicks. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JEbpbNTkIdk Via Junkee.
It's no secret that everyone loves a Chin Chin feast. Now, you can bring the exotic fusion of Asian and Australian flavours the eatery is known for to your own kitchen. Returning to the foodie scene this winter, Cooking With Cooper at Chin Chin Sydney will present a range of cooking classes, including the popular 'Throw a Dinner Party the Chin Chin Way'. At the class, you'll level up your culinary skills and learn from Chin Chin Executive Chef Benjamin Cooper. On Sunday, July 27, the acclaimed chef will host a hands-on cooking class where punters will learn how to cook dumplings, relishes and other Chin Chin favourites. Think pulled pork pancakes with slaw and plum sauce, and yellowfin tuna with pomelo, chilli, coconut and lime. [caption id="attachment_1010989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] After all the hard work, enjoy the fruits of your labour with a post-class feast. Sit back in the bustling eatery while enjoying all the dishes you just cooked up, plus more. The classes run monthly, each with a different theme. Tickets are $145 per person and include the interactive class as well as a full sit-down meal. Spots are limited, so early booking is essential for this culinary extravaganza.
Most folks haven't spent time in a prison for the criminally insane. If you live in Australia, odds are that you haven't navigated the American welfare system, either. And, you likely didn't go to a New York City high school — and you probably haven't walked into a Florida domestic violence shelter as well. But watch the documentaries of Frederick Wiseman and you'll feel otherwise. His observational films peer deeply at the institutions they're surveying, and offer viewers the next best thing to being there. It was true of In Jackson Heights, which is set in the culturally diverse NYC neighbourhood. It's the same of Ex Libris: The New York Public Library, which is clearly about the obvious. And it's accurate of Central Park, gloriously so. For the past 55 years, Wiseman has amassed quite the filmography — and a selection of his movies will be flickering across Sydney cinemas thanks to this year's Sydney Film Festival retrospective program. At It Takes Time: Ten Films by Frederick Wiseman at SFF, the documentarian's first-ever directorial effort, Titicut Follies, will get a showing. So too will 2020's City Hall. Pretend to spend a whole lot of time staring at the screen, being transported to the US and savouring every second of it. Also on the lineup: 2009's La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet, spreading the Wiseman love beyond American institutions. This ode to the now 92-year-old filmmaker will kick off during SFF and then keep running afterwards — showing at the Art Gallery of NSW from Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19, then at Dendy Cinemas Newtown from Sunday, July 3–Sunday, July 31.
Aimee Mann’s sweetly critical tones are on their way to the Enmore Theatre in September, with a very chuffed Ben Lee in tow as a special guest to the show. This tour will see Aimee bringing her new album (the beautiful Smilers, out last year), and most importantly her lovely self, to Australia for the first time, to share with us her back catalogue of toe tapping, touching and titillating tunes. Mann might be best known for her Oscar nominated ‘Save Me' from the film Magnolia, or writing the best break up lyrics ("Now that I’ve met you would you object to never seeing each other again" from ‘Deathly’) but she should be known for her lyrical genius across six or so albums and her guest appearance in Buffy. This tour is a first-time-once in-a lifetime-type opportunity, so don’t miss it.https://youtube.com/watch?v=3S7HAvibdvc
Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have pulled out of Byron Bay Bluesfest, the annual festival that's scheduled for the Easter long weekend. The band's decision to withdraw from the festival has been kept reasonably vague but, in a statement, the Melbourne sextet have cited the festival's decision to book content that conflicts with their values as the reason they won't be appearing. "As a band and as human beings, we stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia and violence," the statement reads. "Surprised and saddened to see Bluesfest commit to presenting content that is in complete opposition to these values." "Given this decision by the festival, we have decided to cancel our appearance at Bluesfest," continues the statement. "We are deeply disappointed to be in this position but sometimes you need to be willing to make sacrifices to stand up for your values. This is, unfortunately, one of those moments." The band's decision comes five days after Bluesfest unveiled its sixth artist announcement which featured controversial band Sticky Fingers. The booking of Sticky Fingers received online backlash from others in the music industry including Jaguar Jonze and Camp Cope's Sarah Thompson. Dylan Frost, Sticky Fingers frontman, has been the subject of serious allegations which include physically threatening First Nations singer Thelma Plum and harassing a transgender women at a Sydney pub. Frost and bassist Paddy Cornwall were also caught in an alleged brawl with each other in 2019 which saw Cornwall charged with affray. The festival has responded to the backlash on Facebook and in now-deleted Instagram comments. Bluesfest previously faced controversy after festival director Peter Noble compared a Jewish woman to a Nazi for commenting on the gender imbalance present on the first announcement of the festival's 2018 lineup. The festival will continue without King Giz from Thursday, April 6 until Monday, April 10 with headliners including Gang of Youths, Paolo Nutini, Tash Sultana, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers and Sampa the Great. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kinggizzard (@kinggizzard) You can read King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard's full statement here. Top image: Jason Galea
In the latest example of movie land crossing over into reality, a Japanese team has created a four-metre-tall Transformers-style robot that can switch between walking mode and vehicle mode in about a minute. The work of robot software company Asratec, a prototype of the J-deite RIDE robot was unveiled last week, and will be on show at the GoldenWeek DOKIDOKI Festa All Working Cars Assemble in Tokyo on May 5. The design is operated both by wireless network remote control and by a steering wheel in the cockpit, with two people able to ride inside at once. Asratec's unique V-Sido robot control systems allow the robot to transform from a driveable car to a walking humanoid giant, though clocking in at around 60 seconds, it's fair to say the process isn't quite as speedy as in the movies. A group called Sansei Technologies is now looking to develop the technology for 'robot-type amusement rides' — it sounds like transforming go-karts could be just around the corner.
In The Guest Edit we hand the reins over to some of the most interesting, tasteful and (or) entertaining people in Australia and New Zealand. For this instalment, we've enlisted the elegant taste of Aotearoa-based fashion designer Juliette Hogan amid the launch of her super soft — and super kind to the planet — JHL loungewear range. Hogan has handpicked her five favourite sustainable brands that show caring for the planet does not mean compromising on style or quality. After all, who knows style better than one of the country's most celebrated designers? JULIETTE HOGAN: Sustainability is no longer a 'nice-to-have' when making purchasing decisions — it is an absolute essential. As a whole, the fashion industry has a long way to come, but it's encouraging to see change. I'm excited by the continued evolution to a more transparent sharing of knowledge within our industry — both from our suppliers and to our consumers. At JHL, we believe we owe it to our customers to be constantly improving and evolving in the sustainability space in order to create genuine, honest and enduring connections with them. At the end of the day, the power is in the consumer's hands. When you make a more sustainable choice, you are sending a message about what is valuable to you. Every decision adds up, and collectively that begins to have real impact. SANS CEUTICALS Founded by Kiwi Lucy Vincent and made with the intention of taking chemicals and preservatives out of our most soothing daily rituals, Sans Ceuticals is one of my favourite skincare companies. I particularly love the Activator 7 Body, Hair and Face Oil. Find it now: On Sans Ceuticals' website or at Mecca, with shipping available around both Australia and NZ. AMISFIELD WINE I really enjoy Amisfield wine and love everything they do, including the restaurant and cellar door. I was pleased to see that they recently received recognition of Riedel Organic Winery of the year in 2020. My favourites would have to be the Pinot Noir and the Pinot Noir Rose. Find it now: At Amisfield Winery in Queenstown or on the Amisfield website, with shipping available around both Australia and NZ. JH LOUNGE For obvious reasons, JHL is of course on my go-to list of sustainable labels. There was a gap in my wardrobe, so we looked to fill it with JHL, which are considered basics designed to elevate the everyday. Everything in the collection is developed from sustainable and responsible materials, which we love and are really proud of. Find it now: The JHL website or through The Iconic, with shipping available around both Australia and NZ. GOODFOR I love GoodFor's refinery. I've recently started making homemade crackers for cheeseboards and get all of the ingredients here, as I know they're the best out there. Find it now: The GoodFor website with shipping available around NZ only. HABITUAL GOODS This brand was founded in Christchurch and has been built from the ground up, by the best local crafts people, from the best possible materials. The brassware range is incredible. Find it now: The Habitual Goods website, with shipping available around both Australia and NZ.
Not much else compares to the sounds, smells and tastes barbecuing evokes. That sizzle, the smokey aroma wafting from the barbie, that burst of juicy, meaty flavour from the initial bite — good barbecue is something pretty glorious. And luckily, we have plenty of barbecue joints at our disposal. There's Japanese yakitori, Brazilian churrasco, Korean barbecue and, of course, down-home American B-B-Q hailing from the US's southern states. Down past the Mason-Dixon Line (the obsolete boundary that 'divides' the USA's northern states from the south), barbecue is king, and we've tracked down some grade-A American barbecue joints in Sydney where you can head for some brisket, ribs, wings and more. Get your appetites ready — you're gonna need 'em.
Winding pathways through ancient rainforest, lush valleys shrouded in mist and decadent high teas accompanied by sparkling wine — you'd have to be Patrick Bateman to visit the Blue Mountains without hearing the call of your inner romantic. What's more, the area is only 90 minutes' drive from Sydney's frantic streets. So, anytime you want to escape the daily grind and get back to feeling loved up, all you have to do is jump in the car — or on the train. If you're in need of some fresh ideas, here are five that'll bring out the softie in even the most cynical of dates. SIGHTSEE FROM 270 METRES UP According to science, experiencing an adrenaline rush in good company can inspire a sudden shot of sexual attraction. If you'd like to test out the theory, then you're in luck — the Blue Mountains offers loads of opportunities for thrill-seeking, and the Scenic Skyway is one of them. Suspended 270 metres above the Jamison Valley, this glass-bottomed cable car travels 720 metres, surrounding you with 360-degree views of dramatic rock formations and ancient forests. Look out for Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters. You can return the way you came or disembark at the Skyway's eastern end and walk to Echo Point. ENJOY HIGH TEA WITH EXPANSIVE VIEWS Few high teas in Australia come with views like this one. The historical Hydro Majestic's Wintergarden Restaurant is famous for its expansive windows, affording panoramas of idyllic Megalong Valley. Sink into a plush high-backed chair, and sip sparkling wine in between bites of perfectly composed sandwiches, fine pastries and just-baked scones, all served on a triple-tiered silver stand. In autumn and winter, a crackling fireplace adds to the romance and, if you want to take things up a notch, sleepover in an art deco-inspired room. CRUISE AROUND IN 1920s STYLE Here's one for lovers who like to take cues from the 1920s for their adventures including gin drinking, doing the Charleston and riding around in swish Cadillacs. Jump in the back of an open-topped LaSalle Cadillac from 1929 and be whisked away to a destination of your choice — be that a hotel, restaurant or spectacular picnic spot. On request, Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs will provide a gourmet hamper. Alternatively, opt to see as much scenery as possible with a tour from Wentworth Falls to Mount Victoria, stopping by loads of pretty spots on the way, including Scenic World, Leura, Echo Point, the Hydro Majestic and Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens. WANDER THROUGH ANCIENT RAINFOREST ON THE SCENIC WALKWAY Sometimes, the most romantic things in life are the simplest. If you need a recharge but don't fancy getting too fancy, take a stroll along the Scenic Walkway. This 2.4-kilometre boardwalk travels through jurassic rainforest, transporting you millions of years back in time. Visit in sunshine for brilliant greens and golds or on a rainy day for enchanting mists and birdsong. The most important thing is not to rush; there are plenty of lovely places to rest, lyrebirds to watch and a pristine spring where you can drink pure mountain water. [caption id="attachment_660011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Facebook / Everglades.[/caption] PICNIC IN EVERGLADES GARDENS Another spot where you can slow down is Everglades House and Gardens. Created in the 1930s by Danish-born landscaper Paul Sorensen, this National Trust-owned property is a 5.2-hectare wonderland of meandering pathways, tranquil pools, towering trees and colourful flower beds. Moreover, it's right on the edge of the Jamison Valley escarpment, overlooking epic views of Mount Solitary. Pack a picnic basket and find a cosy place to while the afternoon away with your loved one or pop into the gorgeous tearooms. Housed in a 1920s home, the tearooms holds an open indoor fireplace and a Jane Austen-worthy courtyard outdoors. Plan a trip to the Blue Mountains on your next romantic getaway and ensure you make your way through Scenic World to enjoy stunning views as you cuddle close to your special person.
Fans of Tom Cruise, actors doing their own stunts and impressive action setpieces, prepare to take a trip to the cinema. If you've seen a Mission: Impossible film over the past two decades (or the television series before that), you know what to expect. In fact, if you've watched any of the previous installments, you've essentially already seen this one as well. A different writer/director takes the helm this time around, and a fresh foe threatens the Impossible Mission Force. Yet it still feels like a case of new movie, same ol' stuff. Cruise's super spy Ethan Hunt is hot on the trail of a shadowy, multinational organisation called the Syndicate, chasing a cluster of seemingly unrelated disasters, and hopping from London to Vienna to Casablanca and back again trying to track them down. There's more to Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, of course — including an unhappy CIA boss (Alec Baldwin) intent on closing the IMF; the Syndicate's ever-crafty, always-one-step-ahead head honcho (Sean Harris); and the intriguing Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), who could be either friend or foe. Hunt's trusty colleagues Benji (Simon Pegg), Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and Luther (Ving Rhames) help out, particularly after he goes rogue. But the details don't really matter. They're simply the filler that joins the film's standoffs, heists and fist fights together. That's not to say that filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, reteaming with Cruise after directing Jack Reacher and writing the scripts for both Valkyrie and Edge of Tomorrow, doesn't craft an engaging-enough and unexpectedly lighthearted feature. It's just all too obvious that he's adhering to a tried-and-tested formula, leaving everything else — the characters, especially, as well as the dialogue — feeling a little too thin. That Baldwin both seems like he's reprising 30 Rock's Jack Donaghy and is forced to claim that "Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny" with a straight face provides the perfect example. Thankfully, what the Mission: Impossible franchise does often (and over and over again), it does well. Zipping through the slick mechanics of a never-really-impossible mission proves as well-handled as ever, notably in opera-set and underwater sequences that are sure to become the film's calling cards. Exuding an energy and urgency that the rest of the movie is lacking, the choreography of the action and the camerawork that captures it is in top form. The same can also be said for the returning cast, including the almost instantly shirtless Cruise, all playing to their strengths even if they are saddled with one-note roles. When Ghost Protocol arrived in cinemas in 2011 after a five-year gap in the series, its pace, smarts and thrills both surprised and impressed — and while none of those stand out in Rogue Nation, the feature does have one trick up its sleeve other than its spectacle. That would be Swedish actress Ferguson, last seen in Hercules, and the welcome addition that the film sorely needs. In an effort that's largely going through the motions, she is certainly not. Enjoying her time on screen is easy; finding anything more than been-there, done-that antics otherwise — now, that's your mission, should you choose to accept it.
Following successful stores in Dulwich Hill and Roselands, Greek bakery Alevri has arrived in Sydney's east — and it has brought its unbeatable selection of Greek treats. The Alevri menu is known for fusing Greek classics with cafe favourites. Take, for example, the bakery's latest hybrid food creation: the baklava croissant. The ingenious combo consists of a buttery croissant with layers of pistachios, almonds and walnuts, topped with a drizzle of honey lemon syrup. Other tasty selections from the menu include the signature moussaka pie, filled with Greek-style mince, eggplant, potato and topped with bechamel sauce, plus more traditional Greek eats including Tsoureki, tarts, loaf cake and loukoumades. Those looking for something heartier can turn to the lunch menu where you'll find Alevri's take on a club sandwich, burgers, salads and a lunch platter for two complete with souvlaki, chips, dip, chorizo and pita bread. Alevri was started by Aki and Kathy Daikos who were looking to bring a little Greek hospitality to Sydney. The bakery's aim is to encompass the Greek saying, 'San to spiti sou' which means to 'feel at home' and to make the trip to the bakery a daily tradition for Sydneysiders.
Sports movies tend to follow a fairly formulaic structure. We meet the competitors; we begin to see their strengths, weaknesses and that potential Achilles heel; we are introduced to their primary competitors; and then, after a couple of well-timed training montages, we watch, bated breath, as our hero manages to defy the odds and win miraculously/lose heroically. If you've seen Rocky, The Fighter, Remember the Titans or a hundred other sports films, then you already know the narrative arc of Ping Pong. Yet despite its predictability, this heartwarming documentary from little-known British director Hugh Hartford manages to sidestep the usual pitfalls of the genre, basically through the sheer strength of the characters. Ping Pong tells the story of the World Over 80s Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia almost entirely through the perspective of the players themselves. There is 81-year-old Terry, who, prior to the tournament, was given a week to live; former bodybuilder Les, who, at 89, still uses weightlifting to prepare for the tournament; the trash-talkin', gun-toting Texan Lisa, whose 85 years have done nothing to diminish her wily competitive streak; and the championship's elder stateswoman, the 100-year-old Aussie Dot. Hartford does what many great documentarians have done before him, retreating from the role of writer. He is happy to simply leave the camera rolling and have the characters tell their own stories — their history, their motivations and what it means to be an athlete in the final chapters of their lives. Yet this picture is far more than simply a series of talking heads. Hartford takes great pains to capture the richness of these characters and their lives. The film takes us into their homes and training venues and watches as they cook strudel, show off old photo collections and, in one of the film's most touching scenes, guide us around the dementia ward that ping pong became a respite from. This level of detail gives the film an immersive quality. Even in a screening filled with cynical critics and hardened media-folk, a championship win from one of the octogenarians had the cinema quietly cheering. Despite the film's fixation on death and mortality, Ping Pong is a surprisingly hopeful and uplifting film. In one scene, Terry boasts that while bowel cancer could take away his penis, it couldn't take away his sex life. We come to see that while these characters may have accepted their impending death, that doesn't mean they're willing to go quietly into that cold night. Add to all this the fact that this may be the first film to show an 89-year-old doing a peck dance. That one was worth the price of admission on its own. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nwFVc2NAt94
Australian label Nique has a pretty simple ethos: statement through simplicity. The brand has been delivering luxury basics in the Australian fashion space for more than 20 years. Combining clean lines with premium fabrics and minimal shapes and silhouettes, Nique bucks the traditional notions of gender and age and hopes to inspire people to play with fashion to find their signature style. The goal is simply to help people find the right clothing that helps them feel confident and comfortable, so you can expect monochromatic designs and well-fitting wardrobe staples that simply make you feel good.
Sydneysiders with a sweet tooth should make tracks to Clovelly, where renowned pastry chef Yves Scherrer is now pumping out his goods at new patisserie and bakery Madame & Yves. Scherrer — who's opened the venue with partner Jennifer — has worked across several of Sydney's fine dining institutions, creating stunning desserts at the likes of Sokyo and now-closed restaurants Est and Ananas Brasserie. He also recently coached the Australian World Pastry Cup team — which went on to win sixth place worldwide — and is the man responsible for Sake's much Instagrammed dragon egg dessert. While the dragon egg will not make an appearance at Madame & Yves, a few of Scherrer's other famed creations will grace the menu — including the salted caramel eclairs from Ananas and the white sesame gelato from Sake. The leaves room on the menu for a whole heap of new creations, like the matcha yuzu roll (matcha sponge, mascarpone yuzu cream, yuzu whipped ganache, shiso leaf gel and choux pastry) and the piña colada tart (coconut mousse, lime curd, rum-flambéed pineapple and sweet pastry). Expect cakes, tarts, fresh bread and pastries aplenty. There is a whole host of croissants, from the classic ham and cheese, to a Ferrero version filled with hazelnut and dipped in chocolate. There's also a sizeable list of handmade gelato and sorbet on offer, including vanilla bourbon, pineapple yoghurt and lemongrass varieties. You'll also notice a focus on native and seasonal Aussie ingredients here, with no artificial colours or additives to speak of. Patrons can see an environmental focus elsewhere in the shop, too — notably in the biodegradable plant-based packaging and the Green Caffeen swap-and-go cup cups. For those coffees, the patisserie has teamed up with social enterprise Madding Crowd Coffee, a small-batch Sydney roaster which donates a portion of profits back to charity (and whose beans come in reusable tins). The Clovelly Road shop is small, which means you can watch the team of pastry chefs in action from the open kitchen as you order at the counter. There are a few outdoor tables, too, made for morning coffees and croissants.
Since opening in 2016, Restaurant Hubert has been a citywide favourite for Sydneysiders looking for a high-quality French meal or a fine dining experience in the CBD. But with everyone stuck in their homes, for the time being, fine dining is often traded for trackies and a Big Mac. Hubert is looking to change that, bringing the Restaurant Hubert experience into your home with its new takeaway menu Hubert À La Maison. Available for delivery across NSW and ACT Thursday–Sunday, the takeaway menu features selections from the Restaurant Hubert menu a la carte and accompanying French wines and beers. There are also two banquet menus. The first Le Petit Banquet for two includes pork terrine wrapped in pastry, roasted snails with XO butter, chicken fricassée, confit mushroom with peppercorn sauce, sautéed greens and creme caramel for dessert. The second vegetarian option swaps out the pork, chicken and snails for gnocchi and shitake in parmesan cream, Gruyere souffle and kimchi gratin. Both banquets require some work to heat them so you can enjoy them warm and fresh, but come with detailed instructions on everything you need to do to recreate the Restaurant Hubert experience. Browse the menu here.
For two years now, Palazzo Salato has been bringing pasta, wine and good times to its high-ceilinged, heritage-listed home in the CBD. And, to mark the anniversary, it's putting on a set menu featuring the dishes you love the most. Executive Chef Alex Major has pored over the restaurant's greatest hits to settle on seven courses. Kicking off the feast is stracciatella with Cantabrian anchovies, followed by a five-strong series of pastas. Try Palazzo Sabato's original scarpinocc with potato, Reggiano and balsamic, before sampling mandilli di seta with caviar, then fagottini of scallop with foie gras. From there, you'll move onto mafaldine with spanner crab and urchin butter, hot on the heels of rigatoni with kid ragu and marjoram. Come dessert, it'll be Pastry Chef Alberto Comai's time to take over, with his pistachio torta della nonna, made according to his grandmother's recipe and served alongside a scoop of vanilla gelato. Also on the cards is a rare chance to try one of Palazzo Salato's magnums, to be served by the glass – be it the Vigneti Vallorani 'Avora' Falerio 2022, Les Ardoisières Vin des Allobroges 'Silice' 2022, or the Arianna Occhipinti 'Il Frappato' 2021. The party is happening for just four days, so book soon if you don't want to miss it.
You might picture gold when the prospect of exploring the Bendigo region comes up, but you'll quickly discover that the city and its surrounding townships are full of contemporary cultural landmarks and unique places to visit. Whether you plan on taking a stroll along the Bendigo Artists Walk or want to pay a visit to the Buda Historic Home and Garden, you'll be happy to know that a host of incredible stays are waiting for you to rest your weary head at the end of the day. From the cutest country cottages to converted halls and glamping homesteads, we've teamed up with Bendigo Regional Tourism to bring you a list of the most distinctive places to stay and use as a launchpad to explore the best cultural hotspots of Bendigo, Castlemaine and beyond. [caption id="attachment_746467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Quarters.[/caption] VISIT BENDIGO ART GALLERY AND STAY IN A 140-YEAR-OLD BENDIGO ICON Since undergoing a stellar facelift in 2014, the Bendigo Art Gallery has emerged as one of Australia's top regional art institutions. Having hosted some world-class contemporary art exhibitions throughout its esteemed history, the gallery's modern design draws in visitors from across Australia. In recent months, they've been coming in droves to gaze upon the showcase of influential fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. After the exhibition closes on November 10, the gallery will welcome works from Gunditjmara/Yorta Yorta artist Joshua Muir — What's on your mind? will run from November 31–March 1, 2020. You can't stay much closer to the Bendigo Gallery than The Residence at Mackenzie Quarters. Mackenzie Quarters was built in 1877 as the deanery for the neighbouring school hall and was referred to as 'The Master's Residence'. It's located in the heart of the arts precinct, and cuts a striking figure, right across the road from the gallery. The residence has been lovingly restored to offer guests modern conveniences across five bedrooms, two bathrooms and multiple entertaining spaces. Come February 2020, there'll also be a sophisticated wine bar in the premise's basement. [caption id="attachment_746487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandhurst Ridge Winery Bed & Breakfast.[/caption] EXPLORE THE GREAT STUPA AND FINISH THE DAY WITH WINE STRAIGHT FROM THE VINEYARD An absolute must-visit when in the region is the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, an enormous Buddhist pagoda. Symbolising the path to enlightenment and providing a calm place to meditate, this (almost) 50-metre tall structure is the largest example of a stupa in the Western world. To continue the calming vibes, head to Sandhurst Ridge Vineyard for a relaxing bed and breakfast experience amid the greenery, or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Balgownie Estate Winery Retreat. Choose from a self-contained cottage with views of Sandhurst's tranquil pond, vineyard and bushland, or one of 15 glamping tents dotted across the Balgownie Estate grounds. There's even a personal outdoor soaker tub on the deck of the safari-style tents on offer. [caption id="attachment_746947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Scout Hall, Harcourt.[/caption] WANDER AROUND CASTLEMAINE ART MUSEUM AND SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE OLD SCOUT HALL Founded in 1913, the Castlemaine Art Museum is one of regional Victoria's most striking cultural landmarks. The museum boasts a delightful art deco design with purpose-built galleries showing everything from historical artefacts to contemporary art, including the 2019 Experimental Print Prize exhibition, which opens December 7 and runs until May 2020. The leafy township of Castlemaine is located within the heart of the Victorian goldfields. It's little wonder this area is a hub for creative types — it's surrounded by quaint little towns and stunning bushland waiting to be explored for inspiration. Earn your explorers badge with a stay in nearby Harcourt at the old Scout Hall, which is complete with a stage for forcing your friends and family to watch you perform. The luxury self-contained apartment retains plenty of its original charm — including soaring ceilings, exposed arch beams and shiny wood floorboards — but has been upgraded so you get all the modern things you need like a nice kitchen and wifi. [caption id="attachment_746297" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.[/caption] CHECK OUT THE BUDA HISTORIC HOME AND SLEEP IN A LUXURY BELL TENT Once the legendary property of prominent Hungarian silversmith Ernest Leviny, today the Buda Historic Home and Garden provides a fully intact glimpse into the past with furniture, artwork and personal belongings remaining much the same as the home's heyday back in the 19th century. A visit to the property is a day well spent, with three acres of heritage garden to explore as well as a gift shop and plant nursery so you can take home a piece of the history. Continue the garden vibes of your getaway at the nearby Big 4 Holiday Park. Stay with us — this isn't your typical caravan park. Set on the edge of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, you can get yourself a luxury bell tent complete with a queen-size bed and exceptionally comfortable linen. You'll be glamping in style on a timber deck, perfect for kicking back with a bottle of vino, looking out to the greenery. [caption id="attachment_746549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fairbank House.[/caption] SPEND THE NIGHT IN A COTTAGE SURROUNDED BY GREENERY AND STOP BY CASCADE ART Set inside a former Gothic Revival church, Cascade Art is a stunning regional cultural landmark that any big city would be grateful to have. Led by long-term Maldon residents Kareen Anchen and Jeff Gardner, the place is more than just an art gallery — it also hosts regular creative launches, artist talks, workshops and pop-up events. It also supports emerging printmakers from across the region. Just across town, you'll find a cute Victorian cottage that's perfect for a weekend getaway. The stylish Fairbank House has plenty of entertaining spaces and lovely country garden vibes but is also conveniently located to explore the rest of Maldon, a picturesque town that has maintained much of its 19th-century architecture in tribute to rich gold rush-era history. [caption id="attachment_746305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pretty Cottage.[/caption] EXPLORE THE CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS FROM HISTORICAL TALBOT Presenting artwork inspired by the wonders of the Central Goldfields, Maryborough's Central Goldfields Art Gallery offers visitors a frequently changing lineup of exhibitions that draw from its vast permanent collection and a range of local creative talent. Home to works by seminal Australian artists such as Dean Bowen, Arthur Boyd and Ray Crooke, the space has everything from landscapes to textile art on display. While in the area, you can also visit Possum Gully Fine Arts Gallery. This bush gallery exhibits a unique collection of works from established Australian artists, covering disciplines including printmaking, painting, drawing, art glass and ceramics. If it's local history and creativity that interests you, the neighbouring town of Talbot is the perfect spot to make your home for the weekend. We found a particularly Pretty Cottage, which was built way back in the 1880s. The fully restored home and its quaint country garden will be all yours during your stay. [caption id="attachment_747414" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Learmonths Place[/caption] STEP INTO HISTORY AT WEDDERBURN'S COACH HOUSE GALLERY THEN ESCAPE TO A FARM For a brief moment in the 1850s, Wedderburn had a significant role in the Victorian gold rush. It only lasted a few years, but the tight-knit community continues to present travellers with a glimpse into the past. The Coach House Gallery and Museum is where to head to see the best work from local artists, while there's also a replica general store that harks back to a time more than a hundred years ago. If you're after a real getaway from city life, there's a 22-acre property on the Loddon River ready to act as your home away from home after a day of exploring Wedderburn and surrounds. Learmonths Place is a fully renovated family farmhouse, where you can breathe fresh country air and enjoy taking in the river views and starry nights. [caption id="attachment_747412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rostrata Country House[/caption] ANTIQUE SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP AND THEN RELAX IN NATURE If you're a lover of knick-knacks and collectables, you may have already known that Inglewood is a must-visit when it comes to searching for antique goods. Wander down Brooke Street and you'll soon discover everything from art, books and French furniture being sold in stores such as Fusspots at Inglewood, Sharps Bazaar and Inglewood Emporium. After all that shopping, you'll need somewhere to rest and rejuvenate, so why not escape to Rostrata Country House. Just a short drive from Inglewood through Tarnagulla (the town of churches), the farm stay lets you enjoy the quiet country life for as long as you like. The fully contained home has space for six, plenty of seating in the gardens, and bikes you can use to explore. To start planning your trip to Bendigo and to discover more cultural happenings in the region (and beyond), head to the Bendigo Regional Tourism website. Top image: Rostrata Country House.
Ever since opening its Marrickville HQ, Messina has been on a tear of culinary collabs with fellow icons in Sydney's food and drink scenes — as well as expanding its menu from dessert all the way through the day back to breakfast. The latest in that lineup is a one-weekend-only pairing with fellow Marrickville local Olympic Meats, with a two-night takeover of the Messina HQ car park this Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6. If a mix of Messina-made dessert and chargrilled Aussie-Greek delights is exactly the kind of feast that gets your tummy rumbling, you'll want to make a stop for the best car park food that money can buy. What sorts of food you ask? Picture a flaky golden spanikopita (just like it's served at Olympic) packed with wild greens and feta, a lamb shoulder and belly gyro meat 'yeeros' with tsatsoupeli, Messina garlic yogurt, tomato, onion and whey-dressed lettuce and marinated chicken pitogyros with potato, onion, saltsa and pink sauce. Stomach growling yet? What about smoked lamb, pork and kasseri cheese loukanika with Greek Big Mac sauce on a soft roll, or a light watermelon and Colin Woods haloumi salad? We also mentioned dessert: warm loukomades soaked in honey atop a scoop of honey gelato, sprinkled with candied walnuts. You'll be rolling home. Messina Eats: Olympic Meats will run from 12pm until sold out on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, walk-ins only.
Glenhaven florist Wild Bunch is another must when shopping in greater western Sydney. The lovely staff specialises in wedding arrangements, so you know you're getting an impressive bunch — even when you're just picking up a bouquet for your loved one. Apart from cut flowers, Wild Bunch also offers green and flowering plants, dish gardens and gift baskets with fruit and other goodies. The shop offers daily delivery, so you can surprise your family, partner or friend any day of the week.
A little further north in Narrabeen, Mexicano head chef Sean Prenter and his team showcase their fresh take on modern and street-style Mexican. Sean takes pride in sourcing fresh, quality and local produce so you can take comfort in your food being some of the tastiest and most authentic around. All the tortillas are traditionally hand rolled and pressed daily using wheat and corn masa flours. Must-try tacos are the Mexican fish taco, with battered local fish of the day and a spicy chipotle mayo ($16 for three) and the chipotle beef brisket ($16 for three) or for a hearty vegetarian option, go the roasted winter taco (pumpkin, eggplant, zucchini and local cheese, $13 for three). We also hear a little whisper that the owners are opening up a new taqueria-style venue, MX, in Mona Vale soon.
Every neighbourhood needs a great local bookstore — one where browsing is encouraged, where staff members are generous with their personal recommendations, and it's almost impossible to leave empty-handed. Hill of Content is one of those places. From award-winning literary fiction to children's books and gorgeous new hardcover additions to your finest coffee table tomes, somewhere among the rows of merchandise you'll find a winning pick. It's also a gift shopper's sanctuary with jigsaw puzzles, games, and literary-themed knick-knacks to choose from. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
UPDATE, September 17, 2021: Another Round is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Even the most joyous days and nights spent sipping your favourite drink can have their memory tainted by a hangover. Imbibe too much, and there's a kicker just waiting to pulsate through your brain and punish your body when all that alcohol inevitably starts to wear off. For much of Another Round, four Copenhagen school teachers try to avoid this feeling. The film they're in doesn't, though. It lays bare the ups and downs of knocking back boozy beverages, and it also serves up a finale that's a sight to behold. Without sashaying into spoiler territory, the feature's last moments are a thing of sublime beauty. Some movies end in a WTF, "what were they thinking?" kind of way — for a recent example, see Wild Mountain Thyme — but this Oscar-shortlisted Danish film comes to a conclusion with a big and bold showstopper that's also a piece of bittersweet perfection. The picture's highest-profile star, Mads Mikkelsen (Arctic), is involved. His pre-acting background as an acrobat and dancer comes in handy, too. Unsurprisingly, the substances that flow freely throughout the feature remain prominent. And, so does the canny and candid awareness that life's highs and lows just keep spilling, plus the just-as-shrewd understanding that the line between self-sabotage and self-release is as thin as a slice of lemon garnishing a cocktail. That's how Another Round wraps up, in one the many masterstrokes splashed onto the screen by writer/director Thomas Vinterberg (Kursk)) and his co-scribe Tobias Lindholm (A War). The film's unforgettable finale also expertly capitalises upon a minor plot detail that viewers haven't realised had such significance until then, and that couldn't typify this excellent effort's layered approach any better. But, ending with a bang isn't the movie's only achievement. In fact, it's full of them. The picture's savvy choices start with its premise, which sees the quiet and reserved Martin (Mikkelsen) and his fellow educators Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen, Veni Vidi Vici), Peter (Lars Ranthe, Warrior) and Nikolaj (Magnus Millang, The Commune) all decide to put an out-there theory to the test. Motivated by real-life Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud, they conduct an experiment that involves being permanently sauced. Skårderud has hypothesised that humans are born with a blood alcohol deficit of 0.05 percent, so, with some cajoling needed on Martin's part, the quartet work that idea into their daily lives. Ground rules are established, and the shots, sneaky sips and all-hours drinking swiftly begins. Another Round's concept might initially seem like a gimmick. Contending that constantly being under the influence of alcohol is better for humans than sobriety sounds like something that an 18-year-old might mix up, after all. And yet, that premise is never treated as a goofy stunt by Vinterberg, Lindholm and their cast (even if it's easy to imagine how the sure-to-happen US remake will handle the situation). Instead, Another Round uses its underlying idea to uncork a wealth of sharp and raw insights into men, midlife malaise and group behaviour. It pours out more than a few observations on the weight of societal expectations, and the male tendency to internalise rather than express one's feelings as well. These notions are evident when Martin and his pals start drinking to commence their days and to get through them, but they only get more potent as the film goes on. As the four teachers commit to doing whatever they need to maintain their sloshed state, it doesn't take long for them to veer away from their own guidelines. Also quick and easy: straying away from the high-minded notion that they're getting drunk in the name of science and not just because they're each unhappy with their lives in their own ways. Whether you're a keen social drinker or you stay away from the hard stuff completely, Another Round doesn't trade in unrealistic revelations — because we all know that no amount of alcohol, or lack of it, can ever solve all of life's problems. But the film approaches its subject with equally clear, playful and melancholy eyes, especially where Martin is concerned. Before his friends suggest non-stop day-drinking, he's in a rut. When he asks his wife Anika (Maria Bonnevie, Becoming Astrid) if he's boring, it's obvious that she wants to say yes. At school, his students are so worried about his absence of enthusiasm that they tell him they think his bland teaching could cost them marks in their exams. Then, one drop at a time, he starts proving Skårderud's theory. He's creative, confident and courageous, and feels more like himself. It takes an immense amount of skill on Vinterberg's part to convey that change, ground it in reality and never lose sight of the grim repercussions of overindulging. As aided by the movie's naturalistic colour scheme and graceful framing, it takes just as much to ensure the entire film remains frank, unflinching and yet also warm and sometimes humorous. One of Denmark's best directors, Vinterberg was always going to rise to the challenge. Earning the same description in his own field, the always-excellent Mikkelsen was always going to do the same. They make an exceptional pair; when they last teamed up for 2012's The Hunt, the difficult drama about a teacher accused of acting inappropriately with one of his kindergarten students was one of the cinematic highlights of that year. As everything from Festen to Far From the Madding Crowd have also shown, Vinterberg consistently casts his films well, and Mikkelsen is in top-notch company here. Still, Another Round needs its leading man's versatility, and his ability to flit between stoicism, desperation, quiet despondency and charming swagger in particular. There's a reason that, thanks to the likes of Casino Royale, A Royal Affair, Hannibal, Doctor Strange and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Mikkelsen has become one of film and television's most engaging performers — and Another Round will have you saying cheers to that, and to its astute tragicomic look at coping with mundane lives and the realities of getting older in an extreme fashion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5R46NgopPw
Manly's very secretive new bar is opening its doors today, Tuesday, September 17. Head through a 1920s-style fridge door and wind down a spiral staircase into the underground drinking den that is The Cumberland. It's set beneath Cove Deli, a very real, very functional bodega-style delicatessen that serves up meats and cheese until 1am — all while hiding a stylish bar below. The new northern beaches spot comes from owner Matt Clifton, who is the manager director of MJC Group of Companies, which is also responsible for Manly's Donny's Bar and In Situ. He's signed on GM Pete Ehemann, too, who has worked at the likes of The Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. Ehemann designed the elaborate, botanical-focused cocktail menu together with creative consultant, bartender and fellow former Merivale employee Petr Dvoracek. The list is split into themes such as Foraged and Found, Pre-Temperance Movement Favourites and 19th-Century County Tipples. Under these headings, expect to find classics like the sazerac and French 75, alongside specialties like the dandelion espresso martini, a cocktails that uses locally foraged fennel and a smoking whisky number. There's also the Camden — a vodka martini made with sheep's whey vodka that comes wrapped in real sheep's wool from Clifton's family farm. [caption id="attachment_741940" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Gosse[/caption] Behind the bar, you'll also find over 250 whiskies from around the world lining the shelves. This serious spirit collection is accompanied by Australian natural wines and craft beers from both local and European makers. For eats, Cove Deli offers antipasto boards packed with cheeses and cured meats, delivered downstairs via a vintage dumbwaiter. A second kitchen within the Cumberland serves up snacks such as melted raclette, Spanish meatballs, duck terrine and empanadas. Surry Hills' AZB Creative is responsible for the fit-out of both upstairs and downstairs. In the 75-seat bar, expect ornate and vintage furnishings, upcycled timber and marble bench tops. A leather banquette also wraps around the space. Upstairs, Cove Deli features a white-washed teal facade, penny tiles and a 1920s meat slicer. And both venues are open until midnight on weekends and 1am on weekends, so now you can get your deli and cocktail fix until late. The Cumberland and Cove Deli are now open at 17-19 Central Avenue, Manly. Opening hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm–midnight and Friday–Saturday 5pm–1am. Images: Dan Gosse
Summer and Christmas are behind us, but that doesn't mean the part-tee is quite over. To keep the holiday feeling going, our favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Darling Harbour at a new mini golf course inspired by some of our favourite Disney films. After setting up its (temporary) home in Melbourne earlier this year, the kidult-friendly course is now heading to the ICC Forecourt from April 6 until May 12. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Hit a few balls with Darla and Marlin from Finding Nemo, and flick one past Princess Atta from A Bug's Life. No need for a trip to Disneyland. So, if you didn't beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the holidays, challenge them to a rematch in Darling Harbour. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Friday and Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Running from 7–10pm, the post-work putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Pixar Putt is open between 10am–8pm, Sunday–Thursday; and 10am–10pm, Friday–Saturday. From 7–10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, sessions are for adults only. Updated: May 2, 2019.
With over six decades under its belt, Surry Hills' The Forresters has quite the watering hole history. While the Foveaux Street site has housed a pub since the 1950s, in recent years you'd be more familiar with its $10 steak nights, value-packed happy hour deals and laidback hangs in those plaid-upholstered booths. Following an extensive $1.5-million renovation, this Surry Hills stalwart — now officially called Forrester's — has entered a whole new phase of its life under new owners. You'll probably recognise Applejack Hospitality as the group behind CBD newcomer Hester's, though Applejack is also responsible for popular venues including Neutral Bay's SoCal, bar and restaurant Bopp & Tone and Endeavour Tap Rooms in The Rocks. The latest Surry Hills takeover will mark the group's eighth venue. Forrester's now houses three distinct dining spaces: Phylli's restaurant, a public bar and an upstairs entertainment venue. Unlike the kitschy fit-out of old, Phylli's gives off luxe vibes aplenty. Think heaps of greenery and natural light paired with fresh timber finishes and a botanical mural by Sydney artist Mielo. [caption id="attachment_788392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yasmin Mund[/caption] The public bar, on the other hand, maintains a bit of that old-time pub feel, with the exposed beams, hardwood floors and tri-folding timber sash windows all kept in tact. Head upstairs and you'll find a third bar and dining space sitting alongside separate booth seating. This area is primed for the venue's weekly trivia and comedy nights. For eats, patrons can enjoy a menu of snacks and share plates across all three venues. But it's not the classic Aussie pub fare you're used to — apart from that $10 steak special, which will return every Monday night. Instead, Head Chef Jon Barrios and Executive Chef Jason Roberson have created a menu that focuses on flavours from North, Central and South America. Think beef cheek empanadas, fried crab cakes with Creole-style tartare, crispy chicken wings doused in Louisiana hot sauce and pork belly cubano sandwiches. In Phylli's, a succinct menu of larger plates is also on offer, and those include the grilled barramundi topped with a pumpkin mole and the slow-cooked lamb barbacoa served with freshly made corn tortillas. A few fancy steaks make the menu too, including a $39 wagyu rump and a $34 chargrilled sirloin. [caption id="attachment_788402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yasmin Mund[/caption] Phylli's also boasts its own dedicated spritz menu that will change seasonally. At the moment, varieties include ginger, mandarin, blood orange and mixed berry. Otherwise, the three venues share a menu of classic cocktails with a twist, like the spiced grapefruit margaritas, coconut espresso martinis and cold brew manhattans. The public bar will specifically focus on Aussie craft beer, with local legends Grifter, Sauce Brewing Co and Willie The Boatman all up for grabs. Starting from Saturday, November 14, Phylli's will host $79 bottomless rosé lunches every Saturday and Sunday from 12–3pm. Keen brunch-goers can head online to book a session now. Find Forrester's at 336 Riley Street, Surry Hills from 11.30am–11pm Monday–Wednesday, 11.30am–midnight Thursday, 11.30am–1am Friday–Saturday and 11.30am–10pm Sunday.
It has extremely rare Japanese whisky, a $30 wagyu katsu sando and gold-flecked cocktails. We think Gorgeous George, the platinum-haired, flamboyant 1950s wrestler, would approve of his new namesake bar in Sydney. Run by the team behind fellow Darlinghurst bar The Long Goodbye — Flynn McLennan, Kirsten Snitzer and Dennis Jen — Gorgeous George is a far cry from its speakeasy-style sister. McLennan says the bar, like them (and like George), is "not very serious". Instead, it's "a little bit flamboyant, a little cheeky and a bit fancy". [caption id="attachment_733471" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] The space, formerly home to Mister Pocket, is certainly fancy, decked out with gold, burgundy and lush leather banquettes, and with antique bottles lining the exposed brick walls. It's a bit cheeky, too — you'll find a drawing poking fun at the US president on the back wall. The flamboyant third of the equation is reflected in the drinks. As well as the aforementioned gold-flecked Tiger Mask (made with green tea gin, champagne and yuzu), there's a red velvet twist on a rob roy with cacao vermouth, beetroot and peated scotch; a hot poached pear drink made with glühwein reduction and armagnac; and the Fight Milk, which blends smoked porter, vanilla-bean infused rum and brandy custard. Then, there's the drink we think George would most certainly choose: the Chanel No 10. As well as draping himself in furs and lace, one of George's more extravagant habits was to spray down the wrestling ring with 'Chanel No 10' perfume before each match. This drinkable ode to the perfume is made with saffron and rose-infused lillet blanc, vodka, gin and is served with a spray of osmanthus fragrans (sweet olive) mist. According to McLennan, it's like a "really intense, very dry martini". [caption id="attachment_733469" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] As well as all the cocktails, the bar is pouring some very rare whiskies, koji spirit and gins that the team picked up on a recent trip to Japan. You can try drops from now-closed distilleries, including the final vintage of Hanyu, a special bottle of Gingko and a 21-year-old Hibiki. Despite some of these bottles costing as much as $4000, McLennan is selling everything for under $100 a shot (a relative bargain). Like the spirits, the ten-item food menu (with one rotating sweet option) has a distinct Japanese lean. It's overseen by chef Jack New (Icebergs, Sokyo) and features gochujang chicken wings (which you may've tried during his stint at Darlinghurst's now-closed Edition), crispy salt and sancho pepper enoki and sweet and salty kombu almonds. [caption id="attachment_733465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] Bigger items include the 'sushi tacos' — where tortillas are replaced by sticky rice and served with nori sheets and salmon — and one very luxe wagyu katsu sando. Coming in at $30 ($4 more expensive than this $26 french dip we wrote extensively about), it's made from Cornflake-crusted highly marbled wagyu, crustless white bread and shiitake mustard. In the near future, Gorgeous George is looking to start up weekend brunches and invite-only omakase dinners for regulars. We'll let you know when any of those launch. Gorgeous George is now open at 13 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. It's open from Sunday–Wednesday 4pm–midnight and Thursday–Saturday 4pm–1am. Images: Kimberley Low.
Attention Paddo locals: The Royal has reopened its doors to the public after undergoing a lavish refurbishment. Revamped from the top down, all four floors of the joint have seen a complete glow up — and there's even been a refresh of its kitchen and bar offering. Situated along the Five Ways junction, this local stalwart has been a trusted go-to watering hole for regulars and passersby alike since 1888. The multi-storey heritage pub began renovations last year under Public House Management Group. While you may not recognise the old gal at first sight, she's been transformed for the better. The stalwart's new look features a chic fitout with an elegant aesthetic connecting all four levels. When dropping by for a bevo or two, you'll find that the familiar sports bar has extended its space, taking over the previous digs of the bottle shop to accommodate a dedicated social space for major sports screenings. The first level is now home to a leafy, pastel-hued Verandah Bar and Balcony where you can enjoy sun-soaked sips. The Elephant Bar pairs luxe marble and brass accents with a selection of seasonally-inspired bites and drinks in an intimate space. This particular level is designed to host the ultimate private event, so you can raise a glass in style at your next big celebration. One that's not to be missed is the famed rooftop, which maintains a coveted spot on our Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney list. The breezy location continues to serve up stellar beverages with panoramic cityscape views to match. For bites, executive chef Scott Greve has led the charge on curating a considered offering that still stars the familiar pub classics alongside new Asian-leaning additions from a prawn toast dish with miso mayo and yuzu gel to a fresh and healthy poke bowl. Opt for a feast and you'll be in need of some top-quality beverages, too. Luckily, The Royal's wine list contains drops from homegrown suppliers like Clarity Cru, Young & Rashleigh and Oatley Wines. If you're more of a cocktail drinker, you'll also spot a sweet and fruity fairy floss-topped mix that you'll want to start sipping ASAP. And that's not all — along with the massive transformation comes a slew of happy hours, as well as a bottomless dinner offering, plus cheap tacos and margaritas. There's plenty to celebrate — and explore — upon your next visit. You'll find the revamped Royal Hotel at 237 Glenmore Road in Paddington, open from 11am–12am daily. Images: Maria Boyadgis
The spot that was home to North Bondi Italian has to be one of Australia's most enticing restaurant venues: million-dollar views, proximity to the waves and a ready-made crowd of surfed-out, ravenous diners. Ever since Robert Marchetti and Maurice Terzini handed over the keys to Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan in late September, locals have had to be content with salivating from afar, wondering what culinary adventures the unstoppable team would take on next. Today they can finally find out for themselves. And the name pretty much says it all: North Bondi Fish. From here on in, beach-loving foodies will be able to cruise their last wave and, within minutes, be sitting in front of simple, freshly cooked seafood, accompanied by their choice(s) from a Matt Dunne-curated, 20-strong wine list. The emphasis is on quality produce, transformed into light, accessible, tasty meals and snacks, with fish cooked on an Inka Grill. Several Matt Moran favourites are on the list, including his very own fish fingers; grilled snapper with asparagus, pea shoots and avocado; prawn roll; sweet potato scallops; and yellow-fin tuna ceviche. Dessert? A selection of utterly decadent ice-cream sundaes has that covered. Non-winos can enjoy some tempting and very drinkable alternatives, including North Bondi Fish specials, the North Bondi Crush (Campari and fresh watermelon in a jar) and the North Bondi Colada (Havana Club, pineapple juice, passionfruit pulp, coconut syrup and fresh lime). The classic gin and tonic is given an array of treatments, and there’s also an ultimate summer tipple, in the way of the Aperol Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, soda and fresh orange). To suit the coastal location, and the salty, sandy realities of beachside wining and dining, the restaurant has donned a relaxed, casual interior, evocative of what you might find in Mediterranean climes. Communal wooden benches and tables are lit with playful dashes of colour that travel outwards to the verandahs. In the words of Matt Moran, "North Bondi Fish is for the locals. It's relaxed, it's fun and it's no fuss. It is the kind of place you head to for something good to eat anytime of the day, even while still in your thongs and boardies." North Bondi Fish is at 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, from midday till late, with the full menu available all day. Bookings are available on (02) 9130 2155.
Since Sally Rooney's Normal People first hit bookshelves in 2018, big things have followed. As well as becoming a bestseller, the Irish author's second novel was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won 2019's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. The next step: bringing this tale of two teens and their complicated romance to the small screen, all courtesy of a new 12-part drama of the same name. In particularly excellent news for fans of the book, Normal People's TV adaptation is penned by Rooney herself — alongside fellow screenwriters Alice Birch (Succession) and Mark O'Rowe (Boy A). And, it boasts some other significant talent in the director's chair, too, with helming duties shared by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson (Room) and BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald (White Girl, Howard's End). Of course, it's the tale playing out on-screen that's the main attraction, as readers will already be aware — and as the just-dropped first teaser shows. Cold Feet's Daisy Edgar-Jones and newcomer Paul Mescal step into the shoes of the novel's Marianne and Connell, high school classmates in their west Ireland small town who weather all manner of ups and downs as they attend Dublin's Trinity College. At school, she was lonely and aloof, while he was outgoing and popular. At college a year later, their roles have reversed. That sets the scene for an intimate, complex love story — which will unravel in full when Normal People drops on Stan on Monday, April 27. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDpWEA2rMB4&feature=youtu.be All 12 episodes of Normal People will be available to stream on Stan on Monday, April 27.
