Everyone loves a good ol' fashioned housewarming. And after two wildly successful Melbourne events in 2011 and 2012, The Design Files has again opened its ridiculously well-designed doors to the general public — this time in Sydney. To be held in a beautiful residential property, The Design Files Open House will be an interactive and engaging retail experience — a stylised Australian home where everything is for sale. On offer is a massive range of linen, artwork, books, lighting, furniture and kitchenware. Just see it in the home environment, then buy it for your own. The pop-up event will be active for four days only in Sydney's Surry Hills. The initiative — led by The Design Files Blog creator, Lucy Feagins — is a unique concept, which encapsulates the imagination and style of thousands of design enthusiasts, supported by the immense readership of the popular website. The Design Files Open House will be open from 10am to 5pm daily.
Beer and cider lovers, rejoice. As part of Sydney Craft Beer Week, festival-within-a-festival Sip & Savour is promising two full days of tastings, dining and entertainment, featuring over 250 beers and ciders. Some of our most loved Australian microbreweries — including Young Henrys, Six String and Hawthorn Brewing Company — will be pouring throughout the weekend. For those looking for a bit of Beer 101, there's also going to be seminars and workshops teaching you how to start your own brewery and how to successfully match beer with food. Most importantly, these two days are an opportunity for the craft brewers of Australia to get on the floor to interact with the drinkers themselves. Saturday will focus more on the cultural aspect, with live music from local acts including Castlecomer and Husky and a viewing of Hop Flicks Short Film Festival winning pieces, while Sunday will be a child-friendly Sunday session vibe. Sip & Savour is one of our top ten picks of Good Food Month. Check out the rest of our recommendations.
Do the drab walls of your over-priced office space make you cry a little inside every weekday? Does working from home make you realise that there is such a thing as a too comfortable workspace? Meet the co-working space: fashionable cousin to working from home and a place that has seen a slew of small businesses and organisations sharing spaces and experiences, all while saving some dosh. Hub Australia is one such space that is opening its Sydney doors for free and, to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, they're allowing you to experience what it's like to have a pretty-looking space to while away the working day. Suss out the Hub kitchen on an office tour, get a taste of the shared office life with networking sessions and workshops, and listen to talks from guest presenters and experts on all things innovation. Participants will even be invited to the Hub's weekly, sufficiently self-explanatory 'Wine Down' from 5pm onwards. Fuel your office envy and register for free here. Image: The HUB Melbourne
There’s a film festival for everything these days, so it seems, but few offer cinematic treats of the truly weird, wonderful and WTF variety. That’s where the Sydney Underground Film Festival comes in, serving up a feast of film delicacies unlikely to be seen elsewhere — and not just likely but actively striving to make jaws drop in astonishment. Now in its seventh year, and forging ahead thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier in 2014, SUFF boasts an enticing mix of boundary-pushing genre fare, provocative documentaries, experimental efforts and just general freaked-out film fun. From September 4–7, the festival takes over The Factory Theatre, Marrickville for four days of movie madness and once again adventurous audiences are spoiled for choice. Check out our list of the five best things to see at the Sydney Underground Film Festival.
We hate to jump on the bandwagon of retailers telling you to get onto your Christmas shopping early this year, but sometimes we all need a little push and one retailer knows just the thing. Gift problem solvers since 2005, Etsy are stepping into the real world to host a weekly Christmas market. Thankfully, you (and that impossible-to-buy-for family member/partner/friend) are invited. If you're a regular Etsy trawler, you'll know that the rapidly growing host of online boutiques is home to many a talented designer and craft maker. Now, 53 of those excellent jewellers, artists, artisans, fashion and homewares designers are setting up shop Friday night at The Rocks Village Bizarre for seven weeks right up until Christmas. In fact, The Rocks will be jam packed with goodies this month. Drop in for a cheeky performance or party while you're there. The Etsy Christmas Pop-up Market will be up and running every Friday night from November 7-December 19 from 6.30-10pm.
Leave your Hunters and your oversized sunhat behind to spontaneously frolic and make out with strangers. Pepa Knight, Jinja Safari's co-frontman, is launching his solo career with the announcement of a 2015 album release. But fans won't have to wait until next year to take off their shoes and enjoy that unmistakably JS-popularised brand of atmospheric, drum-thumping pop. On Friday, November 28, the first collection of Knight's solo recordings, Hypnotized Vol. 1, will be released — following on from his two critically-acclaimed singles 'Rahh!' and 'Clams'. Throughout November, Knight will be performing a series of headline shows to celebrate this first half of his highly-anticipated double album. Presented by Artists Voice and Rare Finds, the confirmed dates include appearances in Melbourne, Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Brisbane. In the coming weeks, Knight will also be releasing another single in support of the tour, giving fans a further insight into the infectious, whimsical sounds of his debut solo effort. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ysx8lssBeIE
Ten years after the conclusion of the Irish Civil War, a local folk hero returns to his small country village, much to the chagrin of the conservative priests and landowners. Sounds like a typical set-up for a Ken Loach movie; the 78-year-old English director has made a career out of grim, socially conscious dramas about the injustices perpetrated against the working class. But while Jimmy's Hall certainly contains many characteristics typical of the veteran filmmaker, the film ultimately stands out as one of his lightest and most hopeful works. Not that that's saying a great deal. Indeed, while Jimmy's Hall is buoyed by its faith in the power of the people, the Loach film it most immediately recalls is actually one of his bleakest. 2006's Palme d'Or winner The Wind That Shakes the Barley chronicled the bloody Irish conflict of the early 1920s, and in some ways could be seen as a spiritual prequel to Jimmy's Hall — a film in which the personal and social fallout of the war is still being felt a decade latter. Dublin-born actor Barry Ward plays Jimmy Gralton, a real-world political activist and the hero of Loach's tale. After spending the '20s living in America, Jimmy returns to Ireland largely to care for his elderly mother but soon draws the ire of the community's ruling elite — led by the overzealous Father Sheridan (Jim Norton) — when he decides to reopen the dilapidated village dance hall. To the priest, it's only logical that where American jazz and pelvic thrusts holds sway, communist schemes soon follow. If it all sounds similar to the plot of Footloose, that's because it is. It's obvious why Loach, an ardent leftist, was attracted to Gralton's story. Jimmy is an easy hero to root for; a man of the people, fighting tooth and nail for the little guy against a stuffy, unfeeling villain. It's an appealing underdog story, rousing if rather simplistic. Screenwriter Paul Laverty's dialogue can be pretty on the nose in regards to the politics of the era, and let's face it, Loach has never been one to keep his ideological sympathies hidden. Thankfully, the film is rather more subtle when it comes to the dynamic between Jimmy and Oonagh (Simone Kirby), his onetime sweetheart who has since married somebody else. A scene in which the two of them dance silently in the moonlit hall is one of the most beautiful moments that Loach has ever put to film. Likewise, his portrayal of the villages' young people — determined not to make the same mistake as their parents — shows a more optimistic side of the filmmaker than audiences may have come to expect.
The Koreans do violent. The Italians do romantic. The French do flowery and pretentious. But when it comes strange, no one make movies like the Greeks. Characterised by a deadpan, absurdist sense of humour often punctuated by moments of unsettling violence, the so-called Weird Wave has led to a renewed interest in Greek cinema in recent times — and what better place to get acquainted than at Australia's very own Greek Film Festival. Standout wave films on the program include Luton and the aptly named Miss Violence. The latter title caused quite a stir at the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals earlier this year for its extremely graphic content, which caused a number of audience members to walk out. It's a remarkably well-made film for anyone who can stomach it. Just don't say we didn't warn you. Thankfully, there's more to the Greek industry than brutality and existential angst. Opening night film Little England is a lavish period romance set during the Second World War, while Block 12 mixes Bollywood dance numbers into a comedy about the country's economic crisis — because really, they just seem like a natural fit. For the full Greek Film Festival program, visit their website.
Annabelle opens with unnecessary intertitles, advising that dolls are liked by children and collectors, and used in occult rituals. Next, the spin-off from The Conjuring links to its predecessor, revisiting that feature's introductory snippet of three housemates quivering in fear over a frightening figurine. So far, so standard — and so it continues in the same obvious, uninteresting vein. The scene is set for haunted horror cliches centred on a possessed porcelain plaything, sans punch or personality. A year prior, doctor-in-training John (Ward Horton) bought it to complete the antique collection of his pregnant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis). When murderous satanic cultists break into their Santa Monica home, it is the doll they covet, leaving it splattered in blood. Strange things soon start happening around the house, but moving to a Pasadena apartment doesn't solve their problems. Even throwing Annabelle away proves pointless, while seeking the assistance of a friendly bookstore owner (Alfre Woodard) and local priest (Tony Amendola) just immerses others in their supernatural troubles. As things go bump in the night, lights flicker and doors slam, Annabelle doesn't deviate from run-of-the-mill scares, employing the same techniques as its predecessor. What's missing is subtlety and suspense, with everything telegraphed so far in advance that eliciting genuine jumps becomes impossible. The usual inexplicably moving items are handled well enough, though the same can't be said for cheap-looking CGI as demonic forces manifest. Lingering shots of the titular toy benefit from slow panning and zooming; however, simply staring at something isn't particularly terrifying. The Conjuring isn't the only film cinematographer-turned-director John R. Leonetti unsuccessfully attempts to imitate — and sadly, it isn't Child's Play's off-kilter chaos he evokes, either. Though the movie's central mother gives birth early, the idea of her home alone, afraid and exercising her maternal protective instincts recalls Rosemary's Baby, albeit dulled and dumbed down, not to mention plagued by highly questionable character decisions. When Annabelle resurfaces from the trash, wouldn't disposing of her again be the clear option? Sure, the feature would be over, but so would its patchy pastiche of poorly rendered tropes. Leads Horton and Wallis do little to lift B-movie writer Gary Dauberman's script, their wooden reading of equally stilted dialogue giving the film a TV movie-of-the-week flavour. As they talk about ignoring the bizarre occurrences because they've moved their clothes, furniture and good memories to their new apartment and should keep playing happy families, it's hard not to laugh, particularly with nothing remotely spooky offered as distraction. Making a bad horror film is forgivable; making a bland one, less so. Where Annabelle best succeeds is in enthusing audiences for next year's The Conjuring sequel, hopefully a blatant departure from this and the proper follow-up the series deserves. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZlCkrl7ZRjU
Expect to see the human body pushed to its absolute limits, choreography that seems almost miraculous and a potent blending of music, poetry, costuming and design. In this exclusive Sydney season, Louder Than Words is bringing two of the most awe-inspiring dance works (ever!) to the Sydney Dance Company stage. And they're both world premieres. From SDC artistic director, Rafael Bonachela, there's Scattered Rhymes, which is a collaboration with Australian composer Nick Wales and Grammy-nominated British composer Tarik O'Regan. It's an exploration of love in all its incarnations — from the unrequited to the sensual to the divine. Then, from Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, there's Parenthesis, which features an original score written by French composer Julien Tarride and costumes created by fashion designer-photographer Tassos Sofroniou. It's an intense, athletic journey into the duality contained within an intimate relationship. With only 11 shows in the season, you'll want to lock down your tickets early; this is one impressive double-bill. Image: Justin Ridler.
Sometimes you've just got to be in the right place, at the right time. Singer/songwriter Timothy Carroll first struck up a musical friendship with guitarist and composer Oscar Dawson in South East Asia and again, a few years later, in Stockholm where a stint of recording culminated in a demo for what would be a future Holy Holy song. Since then, the inter-city-loving duo have returned to Australia and, working with Hungry Kids of Hungary drummer Ryan Strathie, have produced insanely infectious singles like 'Impossible Like You' and 'House of Cards'. Support performances for Emma Louise and The Trouble With Templeton last year have impressed Australian audiences while their debut album, The Pacific EP, released earlier this year and recorded with local superstar producer Matt Redlich, has attracted Midlake comparisons. Now with a third single, 'History', up their sleeves, Holy Holy are embarking on a national headline tour. Expect gripping chorus builds and impassioned vocals as the band transports their rich production sounds from the studio onto the stage. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oLu-DNXrs04
Self-proclaimed 'Southern American music preservationist' Justin Townes Earle is returning to our shores for Melbourne's Out On The Weekend Americana-lovin' festival. Luckily, he's also trekking across the country for a number of sideshows, set to play new tunes such as 'Time Shows Fools' from his fifth studio album Single Mothers. The album reflects a new direction for the recently married Earle, the first of two releases from a recent recording session. The second, Absent Fathers, will be released next year. Old and new fans alike can expect a new Earle experience at the show, with JTE playing with a full live band for the very first time. These shows will promise a different approach for the blues aficionado, one that finds him fitting in with his fellow jammers instead of dominating the stage solo. A true talent — and one who's truly stepped out of his famous father's shadow — Earle is a musician whose live shows guarantee a good ol' night on the town(es). https://youtube.com/watch?v=VWoJYmDg0WQ
Unlike the movie, we'll keep this short and to the point. A Million Ways To Die In The West is not a good film. Not unless, that is, you're a 15-year-old boy, in which case, it's the best goddam movie you've ever goddam seen! Consider the ingredients. This is 116 minutes of hot girls talking about sex and their 'great tits', fart sound effects aplenty, semen finding its way onto faces, characters swearing like it's going out of style and Neil Patrick Harris's character emptying his gastro-afflicted bowels into a stranger's hat for a full 45 seconds, before then farting some more and repeating the deed into another man's hat. Soiler Alert: he then kicks it over so that you get to see the liquid faeces in all its comedic glory. The man behind it all is Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, whose voice is the median strip between Brian and Peter Griffin, and whose last (and first) film Ted was a surprise hit. Here, he's upped his involvement. A lot. MacFarlane wrote, directed, produced and starred in A Million Ways To Die in the West, and to say he's overreaching is beyond generous. This is pure self-indulgence, particularly given the extraordinary amount of screen time he occupies despite having a top-shelf cast around him (Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Amanda Seyfried and, of course, Doogie). The most frustrating thing is that scattered throughout the film are pockets of oustanding comedy. Early on, MacFarlane and Ribisi 'assume the position' and pretend to fight during a bar brawl so as to discourage anyone else from coming their way in what is a terrific moment, and a recurring gag about nobody smiling in the newly invented 'photo' experience is as amusing as it is astute. The problem is, these moments are so scarce than can be counted on one hand. Like, a leprous hand...with two fingers, and maybe a thumb stub. There's no denying MacFarlane's talents, but here they were stretched beyond their means. The supporting cast does its best to do exactly that, but can do only so much with so little screen time and a script that requires more cursing than acting. Again, this is not a good film. Save your money — even if you're a 15-year-old boy. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2sOa-2EhbTU
The new Sydney label/collective/party No Good have been killing it so far this year. Off the back of their monthly sessions comes the boutique festival No Good: Winter, the first in a series of quarterly events from the people who promise to bring you sounds you’ve never heard before — and all of them local. The label prides itself on uncovering the most inventive and influential new music from this city, so fittingly the lineup is a super diverse mix of emerging Sydney talent. Bands, DJs, rappers and producers will come together for the full-day affair, headed up by Rainbow Chan and Maatzi. Think new music that’s variously haunting, synthy, playful, psychedelic, dreamy and plain weird. It's all happening this Queen's Birthday long weekend at the Petersham Bowling Club, and, contrary to the name, it’s a pretty good excuse to get down on a Sunday.
UK aerial theatre company Ockham's Razor will be strutting their heart-stopping stuff at this year’s Sydney Festival. Described as “daring yet refined acrobatics”, they present a triple bill of three distinct theatrical pieces exploring themes of reliance, isolation and interconnectivity. The first piece, Arc, fuses circus and storytelling to investigate the complexities of human relationships, with performers interacting on a life raft structure suspended in mid-air. In Memento Mori, audiences are treated to a staggeringly agile pas de deux (mid-air, naturally) and in Every Action, four strangers affect each other on an elevated set of scales. Ockham's Razor formed in 2004 as the brainchild of Alex Harvey, Charlotte Mooney and Tina Koch — three friends who met whilst training at Bristol's Circomedia. They've gained a reputation for being a young, risk-taking, highly expressive company. This is bound to be an exciting show for anyone interested in the future of physical theatre and circus.
Guardian Australia art critic Andrew Frost picked out two highlights from last year's International Symposium of Electronic Art (ISEA). One was Ryoji Ikeda's Test Pattern, a rolling strobe light of sound and thunder that invited the public into a vertiginous bay of the Carriageworks. The other was Alex Davies' the Very Near Future, an experiential installation that notionally takes you onto a trip 30 seconds into the future. This month, Sydney Festival restages the Very Near Future out of conference, in the much more public surrounds of Woolloomooloo's Artspace. Davies says one of his ambitions with the installation was “trying to represent time travel”. That is, let you feel like you're peering through a cut in time and space. He crafts his illusion by sending you trailing around a large-scale film set. As you explore, the film crew try to produce a little film noir, but accidentally explore a repeating multiverse of events, Groundhog Day-style. It's no trillion-year hop into the future, but rather an appealing chance to find out if this small-scale future will play out as planned. Image: Alex Davies, The Very Near Future, 2013, installation view, Carriageworks, courtesy of the artist.
If paying $500 to live like a sardine just ain't your thang (we feel you), try out The Vanguard this New Year's. Because the resident movie buffs are chucking an Animal House-themed do, togas and all. To keep us and our garlands entertained, The Vanguard have curated an all-star soul band that includes Mojo Juju, Jeremy Davidson of The Snowdroppers and three of the guys from Gay Paris. Image via University of Wisconsin Archives. See more events in our guide to NYE and NYD in Sydney.
When it comes to movies, we sometimes use 'Hollywood' as a pejorative. We might employ it to mean schmaltzy, unrealistic, vapid and other similar unpleasantries. But when I say The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the ultimate Hollywood movie, I mean it's the good side of Hollywood, all packaged and wrapped up in time for Christmas. Funny, optimistic, life-affirming and full of pretty pictures and massive special effects, the film is something of a passion project for Ben Stiller, who directed, produced and stars in it. It's adapted from a 1939 short story by Jamie Thurber that's been reshaped entirely beyond its basic premise. The film follows a quiet Life magazine staffer as he learns to seize the day. As the head of the negative assets department, Walter is responsible for selecting and processing the works of their world-roving star photographers, chief among them the shamanistic Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn). But Walter has never experienced this wide world for himself, after the blows of life turned him timid. Instead, he imagines epic adventures for himself — diving into exploding buildings to save a dog, hiking the Arctic and, in a high point of the film, living a backwards Benjamin Button-like life with the woman he loves. That he 'zones out' while engaged in these daydreams does not help his social standing in cutthroat New York. Life doesn't exist any more, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is set in the dying days of the monthly magazine. Ted Hendricks (a disconcertingly bearded Adam Scott) is brought in to oversee the move from print to online and the accompanying rafts of redundancies, and Walter is firmly in his sights. Unfortunately, Walter can't find Sean's 'negative 25', which the photographer has described as capturing the "quintessence of life" and which is wanted for the final cover. Given new courage by love — in the form of colleague Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) — he sets off to track down Sean and the missing negative, using the few clues he has. Iceland is his starting point for a very big adventure that sees his latent resourcefulness and cool coming to the surface. For a mainstream, very feelgood film, it's the weird quirks that make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty loveable. Aside from the interjecting daydream worlds, Walter is shadowed by an over-caring eHarmony customer service representative, Todd (Patton Oswalt), who's determined to help him succeed in love. Their phone chats, coming at inevitably odd times throughout the film, are always funny and welcome. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is really ideal New Year's rather than Boxing Day fodder, egging you into living fully and booking that adventure holiday you've been putting off. There's so much focus on travel as a means to self-realisation, in fact, that it's ultimately to the film's detriment. It's simplistic; skateboarding down the valley of an active volcano might make you a more open person, or it could make you a twat. All outcomes are possible for the intrepid traveller. But that shouldn't ruin the journey of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's a charmer with a good heart and a healthy dose of unrealism. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ve8mc6UNSk
The chance to watch a comedian do stand-up in front of a dimly lit brick wall in Brooklyn is a dream out of reach for most of us. But which American is about to make that all change? It's Rick James, bitch. No wait, It's Dave Chappelle. Most known for his television series Chapelle's Show, the comedian, screenwriter, actor and television and film producer will be hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for his very first tour outside of North America. Now 40 years old, Chappelle's been performing since he was 14 and was tossed under the spotlight for his parodies of American culture, racial stereotyping and politics. Chappelle's most recent tour sold out venues all over the U.S. and Canada. So don't leave tickets to the last minute; shows like these don't often come knocking on Australian doors. Chappelle is playing the Sydney Opera House on March 4 and the State Theatre on March 5 and 6. Tickets for all shows go on sale 9am this Tuesday, January 28, with presale options released on Friday 24 via Live Nation.
Much like its seemingly ageless leading man Keanu Reeves, the tale of The 47 Ronin is both several centuries old and beloved in Japan. Combining some of the most startling exemplars of courage, loyalty and honour, it's a sort of Kelly Gang meets Custer story in which a group of disavowed and banished Samurai (known as Ronin) stoically vow to avenge their master despite its absolute promise of death. From a production standpoint, 47 Ronin unexpectedly delights, with the costumes in particular showcasing the very best union of imagination and authenticity. Alongside some extraordinary set design, the extravagant armour of the Samurai, ornate dresses of the concubines and opulence of the Shogun all inject dazzling colour into an otherwise entirely dark affair. Even the cinematography feels more dramatic and dour than might be assumed for an action movie, which largely represents both 47 Ronin's strength and failing. That's because this is an entirely joyless film, and while no one should expect a story about retribution and mass suicide to be a laugh riot, there's almost always a little wriggle room for fun in an epic tale of witchcraft and warriors such as this. Truly, there is perhaps only one moment of levity in the entire movie and it comes at the expense of a fat man's 'moobs'. As a result, there's a certain lifelessness to 47 Ronin which saps it of the potential to be a tremendously enjoyable movie. It is, instead, a bleak and brooding affair that plods from scene to scene instead of gallopping. Much is made up for in the final battle which, to be fair, is excellent and one of the better set pieces seen in recent times; however, it leaves you wishing the rest of the film had been delivered in a similarly spectacular manner. https://youtube.com/watch?v=47_-pqoPDVQ
This article is sponsored by our partners, Flickerfest. If there’s one Australian short film festival that has aspiring filmmakers waiting by the letterbox, biting their nails in anticipation of a ‘YES!’, it’s got to be FLiCKERFEST. Having started life as a small-time shindig at Balmain High 23 years ago, the annual event is now an audiovisual extravaganza with tons of prestige. 2014, the organisers tell us, is set to be bigger, better and brighter than ever. Entries poured in by the bucketload, meaning that the selection committee cried, laughed and screamed through an excess of 2,200 hopeful shorts before settling on a final 107, to be screened at Bondi Pavilion between January 10 and 19. Audiences will be treated to 59 homegrown shorts, 32 of the international variety, ten documentaries and six Greenflicks. No fewer than 19 of these will be world premieres and 65 of them have never before screened in front of Australian eyes. January 17 will see the return of FLiCKERLAB — a day-long opportunity to get acquainted with industry leaders. This year, attendees will be able to hear director and writer David Michod (Animal Kingdom, The Rover) in conversation with Garry Maddox (SMH film writer), as well as chat to screenwriters Michael Lucas (Not Suitable for Children, Offspring) and Louise Fox (Love My Way, Dead Europe). The division of the booty will be announced on January 20, with some seriously handsome prizes up for grabs, including $2,500 cash awards for Best International Short Film and Best Australian Short Film. This year’s jury is made up of some of the national film industry’s most respected figures, including Rachel Ward (director, Beautiful Kate), James Mullighan (creative director, Cork Film Festival), Darren Dale (director, Blackfella Films) and Maeve Dermody (actor, Griff and Beautiful Kate). During the past ten years, FLiCKERFEST Awards have gained increasing doses of international prestige, with the Academy® recognising three of the categories (Best Short Film, Best Australian Short and Best Animation) as qualifiers for the Oscars. Plus, in 2010, the Brits were so suitably impressed that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts agreed that any victorious UK films should find themselves eligible for a BAFTA nomination. On top of all that, catching up with 107 of the year’s funniest, whackiest, most moving, most inspiring, most imaginative and best-executed short films is one fine way to finish up a day at the beach — or an excuse (if you need one) to head out there for the evening.
After the success of last year's foray, the East Village Gourmet Food Festival is set to become an annual event, with Joynton Park being taken over again by every foodie’s dream. Double the size of last year, the festival will have stalls from a host of Sydney vendors, including Darlinghurst’s darlings Foley Lane and the Chinese stylings of East Ocean Restaurant. Allpress Espresso will be serving up the coffees and Italian deli Salt Meats Cheese will don the barkeep’s garb, dishing out cocktails, craft beers and vino. At 7pm, things are taken up a notch with everybody’s favourite Thai joint, Longrain, hosting the Long Dinner — a banquet set up under the starry cosmos with all the guests at one, big table. With live music for adults and a petting zoo and face painting for the kids, the festival caters to the most diverse demographic of gastro-gurus. There’s even a makeshift dog park for the furry connoisseur.
To not enjoy the whistful sounds of Emma Louise may as well be cardinal sin. Her ranging tempos matched with an eerily sweet voice, make for a sound that's encapsulated an audience far beyond the Triple J circuit she's been most frequented on. Now, fresh from firing her music at the flower folk in Toowoomba, Emma Louise is conquering the other side of the Great Dividing Range at Brisbane Festival. On the tail of her latest album release Emma Louise vs. Head vs. Heart this 21-year-old artist has played to sold out audiences across Australia. Her listeners have remained addicted to the pure and pared backed tunes that fuse the sounds of Sarah Blasko and the Jezabels to produce something that is uniquely Emma Louise. From her breakthrough single 'Jungle' to her latest stunners indluding 'Mirrors' and 'Boy' she's captured the hearts of everyone from angsty teens to a more mature fan base. Join a crowd of loyal fans as she treats Brisbane to two intimate shows at The Spiegeltent. Check out Emma Louise's 'Boy'
Translated from Italian, Primavera means 'spring'. It makes sense then, that the opening of the MCA's Primavera 2013: Young Australian Artists exhibition traditionally coincides with the commencement of spring: the season of regeneration, growth and beer in the afternoon. It also makes sense that this is an exhibition featuring artists in the 'spring' of their careers — eight Australian artists under 35, on the cusp of becoming majorly recognised. Now in its 22nd year, Primavera 2013 is curated by Robert Cook (Curator of Modern and Contemporary Photography and Design at the Art Gallery of Western Australia) and presents a mixed bag. Cook approached his task fluidly, choosing artists he admires and works that specifically respond to the MCA's Level 1 North Gallery space. The works are diverse, ranging from photography to video, sculpture, painting and performance. Some, such as Thomas Jeppe’s Vista Verticals (2013) are intended as "purpose-built gallery interventions", others are more traditional bodies of work. But questions you might expect to find answers to in such a setting, like 'What are young Australian artists doing, and doing well?' 'What are they affected and influenced by on a broader socio-cultural level?' 'What new mediums and visual languages are being explored, challenged and invigorated?' 'What are their politics?' are left largely unarticulated. Despite initial misgivings at the lack of curatorial cohesion, there's a lot of punch packed into this show. Standout works include Melbourne-based artist Jess Johnson's trippy geometric posters, reminiscent of science-fiction comic book iconography. The exhibited body of work, titled Of course, things go bad (2013), is technically proficient and visually mesmerising, presenting a portal into a disquieting Gregorian-period inspired world. She presents what can be interpreted as visions of an outdated future imagined from a distant past; flat, symmetrical shrines that make you feel like you’re standing on a threshold between reality and fantasy. There's also Jackson Eaton’s beautifully reflective photographic series Better Half (2007-13), both conceptually and visually affecting. By taking duplicate photos of himself and his partner and then his father and his step-mother in near-identical scenes, Easton tells a unique personal story through a lens that lends itself to a broader questioning of identity and the uniqueness of one’s experiences. And Heath Franco. WTF. This guy is a 'crazed fucker'! Or at least he is in this trilogy of high-impact video works. TELEVISIONS (2013), YOUR DOOR (2011) and DREAM HOME (2012) feel on the surface like a mishmash of mumbo-jumbo psycho-babble. But on closer inspection, the explicitly kitsch visual language, with Franco at the centre, reveals itself as a powerful portrait of repressed identity. Putting his subconscious and everything that goes with it — the confronting, the bizarre, the nonsensical — out into the open, not only does Franco present a subversive comment on his own somewhat twisted insides but it feels intrinsically Australian on a disturbingly resonant level. Kusum Normoyle, meanwhile, presents a series of video performance interventions, mounted to the walls and scattered throughout the gallery. What she is doing, is screaming in public. Her opening night performance, screaming through a horrifically loud, distorted PA in the foyer of the MCA in front of a crowd of well-dressed elderly art appreciators was priceless. The videos are also great. Image: Jackson Eaton, Untitled (Public Art A) from the series Better Half (2008). Image courtesy and © the artist.
Ahh, The Rocks, Sydney’s keystone of heritage, history and architecture. A bustling hub of seaside restaurants, charming sandstone pubs and colourful tourist markets. However, prior to this glossy gentrification, it was the city's seedy underbelly, rife with crime, debauchery and disease. During the 1970s, it was the heart of the Green Bans movement, a revolutionary thrust towards heritage protection and environmental activism. Curated by Janice Muller, Quay to the City is a walking tour studded with theatrical performances by The Australian Theatre for Young People engaging with the richly layered history of The Rocks. Under the direction of six acclaimed professional artists and produced together with Sydney Living Museums, it is a fun feat of site-specific theatre. From the brutal colonial origins of nationhood, this tour will resurrect the gritty working-class characters that once traversed these narrow, cobblestoned streets. Grab your ticket and a map from the starting point at the MCA and delve deeper into Sydney’s oldest and most fascinating suburb.
Typically the thought of contemporary outdoor sculpture conjures up images of sleek, ambiguous metal objects. However, Hidden at Rookwood's historic cemetery features a diverse and exciting range of media from innovative local artists. Established in 2009, the exhibition is one of the foremost initiatives in supporting emerging and established artists from Western Sydney and regional areas. This dramatic site is fertile soil for exploring themes such as death, love, loss and memory. Wander through the tranquil grounds amid craggy headstones and absorb the creative ways in which the artists grapple with these ideas. Highlights from last year include David McGuiness’s Ancient Gods, termed ‘the teletubby totem pole’, and Jane Theau’s homage to eccentric Sydneysider Bea Miles. Also popular was Thomas C. Chung’s poignant I Just Wanted To Say…I Still Remember You, featuring kitschy knitted flowers sprouting out of the ground. Kicking off the exhibition will be a launch party on 21 September at Reflections at Rookwood cafe, featuring wine, canapes, glistening ice sculptures and live music from folk-pop duo The Sweet Little Army. This public art exhibition is a gem in Sydney’s cultural landscape, the perfect way to spend a sunny springtime afternoon.
British singer/producer Ghostpoet, aka Obaro Ejimiwe, is coming Down Under to tour his latest record Some Say I So I Say Light. A record that mystifies listeners with its post-genre electronic production featuring loose and stretched out raps (in his sunken British accent). He captures a dark moodiness that brews amongst contagious hip hop beats. It's a treat to listen to, and hard to compare to anything else, really. Ejimiwe has a way of creating forward-thinking music. His distinct and uncategorised style puts him on his own pedestal. The unique artistry present in his latest record follows on from his debut Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, which received a Mercury Music Prize nomination in 2011. He'll be bringing all these sounds and more as he takes a spin around Australia in September. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ABkQ96dh0eQ
What has eight wheels, big hair and some pretty smooth moves? A Glam Rock Roller Disco, of course. A fusion of rock 'n' roll, roller skates and really high hairstyles, this turbo-charged skate bash is guaranteed good times on the rollerfloor. Whether you want to relive fond childhood memories or perhaps fancy yourself a second coming of Olivia Newton-John circa 'Xanadu', this is your time, as The Roundhouse plays host to Sydney’s first Glam Rock Roller Disco. Tunes will be set by the likes of Alejandro II, DJ Andrew P Street and MR DOBALINA and dressing up is encouraged, with prizes awarded for the most impressive get-up. Feel like you might not have what it takes? You don’t have to miss out. Those of us with bad knees and coordination issues can spend the night rocking it out on the dance floor, drink in hand. With so few roller-skating venues left in Sydney, this is the perfect opportunity to strap on a pair of eight-wheelers. BYO Air Guitar.
Singled Out is a multicoloured series of portraits offering a glimpse of what it's like to fly solo. It's predicted that, by 2020, one in three living arrangements in the city will be that of one-person households, and this show is a unique and contemporary exploration of single life in Sydney. In collaboration with some of Australia's most well-respected playwrights, creative producer and new work director Augusta Supple (The Mayday Playwrights Festival, A View From Moving Windows) has created a rollicking, illuminating adventure into the private lives of people we just may recognise. As these lives unfold, collide and intersect, we begin to understand the joys and complexities of solitary living in a vibrant city. Playing as part of the 2013 Reginald Season, Singled Out is more than a sketch of individual lives — it's a unique celebration about life in the big smoke, minus a plus one.
This Is Not Art is Newcastle's premier independent arts and media festival, where the emphasis is on collaboration and experimentation. It is a testing ground for new ideas, an opportunity to mingle with industry professionals and fellow artists in order to re-invigorate your artistic passion and develop new skills. An umbrella sheltering a number of festivals, this year TINA is home to the Crack Theatre Festival, National Young Writers' Festival, Critical Animals and Electrofringe. Between them, the festivals boast workshops, performances, round table discussions, interactive events and a sleepover. A forum for showcasing, networking and inventing, TINA is a festival targeted at launching a generation of aspiring artists and fostering the creativity of local communities. Capping off a weekend of bold and dynamic events, don't miss the epic closing party hosted by Electrofringe and featuring a swag of emerging electro artists from Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle spinning danceable tunes and experimental beats.
Celebrations are in order for ALASKA Projects. The Sydney-based, artist-run initiative dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art in unused spaces is celebrating its second birthday. To make the occasion extra festive, they've teamed up with World's Only, a biannual, limited-edition magazine celebrating the launch of its third issue. The magazine, founded by classical musician Megan Clune, is concerned with that interesting interstice between art and music. To mark the occasion, the crew will stage MUSICAL ALASKA #12. The event will see the ALASKA Orchestra and Golden Blonde perform American minimalist composer Philip Glass' masterwork Music in Fifths. You are cordially invited to join them for a birthday whiskey and, fittingly, a Bombe Alaska donated by the folks at Gelato Messina, from 5pm onwards.
This October long weekend, spend a sunny afternoon at the The Vic Enmore's dog show "for the inner west's mutts and mongrels", hosted by charismatic comedian and dog-lover David Williams. Enjoy a day of snags, schooners and riotous laughter as Sydney's crafty canines face challenging obstacle courses, whilst primped pups compete for the title of cutest dog. There'll be a variety of other categories — including 'most disobedient dog', 'biggest dog' and 'lookalike - dog and owner' — and plenty of prizes up for grabs. Fun extras include a polaroid photo booth and a kid's jumping castle. Also, DJ Jack Shit, DJ Meem and Propaganda DJs will be spinning tunes from 11am until late. It's free to attend, though there's a $5 registration fee for the comp, which goes directly to Pet Rescue, a charity close to Vic co-owner Paddy Coughlan’s heart. His loveable pooch Max was adopted from the charity and subsequently inspired the pub's new logo. Come along for a barking good time. Photo credit: Jelly Dude via photopin cc
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.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
When you're after a truly special keepsake, this fine jeweller is the prime place to hit. Founded in 2015 by Russian-born, Sydney-based Alina Barlow, Alinka's pieces incorporate timeless diamonds with minimalistic-yet-playful designs, all made with 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold. Necklaces range from diamond-encrusted stars to simple diamond chains, while bracelets are embellished with evil eye motifs. You'll also find a classic tennis bracelets here, plus elegant rings, earrings and ear cuffs.
Located along a quiet street in Chippendale, Esstudio Galleria is a hair salon with a difference. The boutique fit-out better resembles an antique shop than a hairdresser, with eclectic furniture and bric-a-brac aplenty — all of which is inspired by French renaissance vibes. Think plush barber chairs set in front of ornate, golden mirrors, old trunks housing hair care accessories and a massive chandelier. Haircuts are tailored to the client and start from $95 for women and $55 for men. Apart from cuts, the salon also offers manicures, makeup application, facials, lash extensions and skin treatments. And it's a Sustainable Salons partner, with 95 percent of its salon waste recycled through the program.
Stay tuned. More info on its way. Images: Kitti Gould.
Poppies and Amber is a bespoke florist hidden just off The Corso on the newish Market Lane. The staff here put together beautiful bouquets daily — all you have to do choose if you want a 'bold', 'pastel', 'earthy' or 'sculptural' arrangement. The florist also doubles as a homeware store, selling cushions, throws, and ceramics that will bring a blossoming aesthetic to your own home. As well as picking up Moroccan pillows, weaved baskets and Indian blankets, you can treat yourself to Soul & Ark bath salts.
A barbershop with a hell of a lot of personality, Old Sport Barber opened in 2014 and hasn't looked back. Operating to serve the stylish Darlo crowd from its Victoria Street salon, Old Sport's stylists offer classic styles and fades, beard trims and art, plus steam facials with relaxing essential oils, all topped off with the world's friendliest service. And yes, in case you were wondering, the shop is named after The Great Gatsby. Image: Trent Van der jagt.
Potager is a kitchen garden on a 10-acre farm located at Carool in the Tweed Valley that celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You'll often find the kitchen staff picking lettuce, herbs and veggies from the garden while eager patrons take their seats in the cosy dining room. Potager's long lunches and degustation dinners are only held every few months which makes them very sought after — so much so they're usually fully booked within 48 hours. As part of the North Coast Festival of Flavour, Potager will be welcoming guests for another one of its renowned 'Meet the Locals' lunches. Local producers alongside Potager's gardener and head chef will welcome you with refreshing cocktails and delicious canapes in the garden followed a three-course lunch.
Long Point Vineyard and Art Gallery combines arguably two of the most important things in life —wine and art — in an exciting re-imagining of a traditional vineyard. The venue is set amongst 12 acres in the Hastings region near Port Macquarie and boasts outdoor artworks from Bondi's Sculptures by the Sea to explore in between wine tastings. And, while it doesn't have a kitchen, Long Point offers cheese boards which pair perfectly with your drop of choice. The vineyard frequently features pop-up events like long lunches and live music, giving you the opportunity to assemble the crew to take in some live music, lawn games, and enjoy grazing platters and wine in the sun.
If you lived in Sydney throughout your 20s, you've no doubt been to Ivy at least once. Located in Merivale's massive George Street precinct, the bar is renowned for its nightlife, hosting everything from deep house DJs to drag queen performances. Basically, this multi-level bar knows how to throw one helluva party. If you'd prefer to soak in the sun over getting down on a dimly lit dance floor, you'll want to head up to Ivy Pool Club. The space is inspired by Italian Riveria, making it the perfect spot to kick back in summer. Here, you can lounge poolside, splash some serious cash and indulge in a whole bunch of Italian-themed festivities. Appears in: The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
There is a yin-and-yang equilibrium to food trends — as our penchant for green smoothies and raw vegan treats grows, a corresponding demand for finger-lickin' fried chicken emerges. It's all about balance. And providing the wings-and-drumsticks side to that balance are places like Belle's Hot Chicken. Belle's set up its first-ever home in Melbourne back in 2014, and has since taken poultry fans by storm, including nestling into Tramsheds. Get stuck into chicken drumsticks ($14–21), tenders ($14–21) and wings ($12–19) — and relinquish yourself to the chickeny goodness. Or, if you're feeling particularly extra, max out with the Classic Hits Menu, which offers up bits and pieces from across the Belles menu as well as a schooner of the chicken shop's own draught beer and a boozy nightcap for $45 per person. Spicy chicken sandwiches — as well as a mushroom version for any vegetarians you bring along — are on offer for $14.50, topped with lettuce, onion, cheese and special sauce. Plus, there's a whole heap of delectable sides ranging from crinkle-cut potatoes ($8), sour pickles with ranch ($9) and a basket of chicken-salted fries topped with gravy ($11) Belles also has a killer lineup of funky natural wines and ice-cold beers — both of which do a great job of cutting through the rich chicken and refreshing your palate. And, home delivery is available via all the usual online services — remember that next time you're hungover. You'll find Belle's Hot Chicken Tramsheds in our list of the best fried chicken in Sydney. Check out the full list here. Updated March 31, 2023. Appears in: The Best Fried Chicken in Sydney for 2023
Vibey Potts Point izakaya Cho Cho San has brought back its annual Ramen Month for 2025. The kitchen will be serving steaming bowls of yuzu shio ramen every Monday–Thursday evening and Friday lunch until Friday, June 27, making it a perfect option for those looking for a weeknight warmer. This year's hero ramen is a bright, umami-laden, Tokyo-style chicken and bonito broth elevated with yuzu tare and finished with saffron ajitsuke tamago, green mizuna and negi. Toppings-wise, you can choose between king prawn and clam (which will set you back an extra $10), butter-poached chicken or hearty fried mushroom. [caption id="attachment_640610" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] You can grab a solo bowl for $25, but if you're keen to linger a little longer, you can level up with The Cho Ramen Set for $45. This option adds a drink on arrival (your pick of yuzu soda, sake or Sapporo beer), three pieces of tuna sashimi and a pork katsu bun. Limited portions of ramen are available each day, so you'll need to make a booking to guarantee yourself a spot. It's also long been one of Sydney's more popular winter dining deals, so if you like your comfort food with a bit of edge, this is one not to miss.
Every Saturday night, just as the sun sets and the Vivid lights turn on, Bungalow 8 is getting into the festival spirit with a neon party. The whole venue will turn into a glowing wonderland. Enter after 9pm and you'll be handed a glowing wristband, putting you straight on theme. Then, at 9.30pm, the face painters will arrive, offering free neon makeovers. Once you're done, head over to the bar for a glow-in-the-dark cocktail, before hitting the light tunnel for a photo shoot. Soundtracking all the action will be DJs. To guarantee entry, make a booking or sign up to the guest list online. Can't see yourself raging away a Saturday in the dark? Bungalow 8 is also setting up another Vivid pop-up, dubbed McBungalow. Drop by on Thursday–Sunday evenings for takeaway cheeseburgers and frozen Coke and Fanta from the barbecue station. It's a fun way to refuel in between light-seeing.
No longer must you choose between cocktails and dessert. You can now do both in one fell swoop at Pumphouse. To celebrate the imminent coming of the Easter bunny, the Darling Harbour bar has come up with a new cocktail menu. And every sip is deeply, irresistibly infused with chocolate. Hop straight into the party with a Drunk Bunny — a rich concoction of vodka, Irish cream, chocolate liqueurs and actual cream, topped with a choccy bunny. Need a bit of a kick? Go for the Eggslide, which brings together dark chocolate and coffee. If you're a martini aficionado, you'll be able to knock back the Chocolate Martini or Cottontail Martini, which comes with delicious dashes of coconut rum and coconut cream, plus pineapple juice. All these egg-stra special cocktails are $23 a pop. The only catch is you don't have forever to try them out, as they're only on the menu till the end of April. Bookings can be made here.
Featuring some of the biggest names on the Inner West Ale Trail, Hop Harvest Festival returns for its second year from Friday, April 11–Thursday, April 17. To celebrate the occasion, 11 breweries have been hard at work producing a line-up of stellar new beers exclusive to their tap rooms for your drinking enjoyment. Timed to perfection with the Australian hop harvest season, this year's beers were made with Galaxy hops. Picked fresh from farms in the Victorian high country, the hops were rushed back to Sydney for brewing the very next day. With this sought-after variety renowned around the globe for juicy passionfruit, peach and citrus notes, expect the brews to be even more refreshing than usual. Responsible for these mouthwatering beers is a standout collection of independent breweries, including Young Henrys, Batch Brewing Co., Future Brewing and Kicks Brewing. The Inner West Ale Trail is lined with 15 brewery restaurants and food trucks, so there's plenty of top-notch grub to explore as you roam from one brewhouse to the next. For a little extra motivation, Hop Harvest Festival is giving away a special event souvenir to visitors who sample all 11 festival beers. Complete your Hop Harvest Passport to score yourself a specially designed T-shirt. "The event is all about celebrating beer at its freshest, exploring different styles and learning about the brewing experience along the way. This year's beers all use fresh Galaxy hops, but each one is uniquely different, depending on the brewer and how they utilise the hops and other ingredients," says Richard Adamson, co-founder of Young Henrys and president of Inner West Brewers' Association.
Relish an effervescent drop in the sun at the Sparkling Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival. Held on Sunday, March 2 in Wahroonga Park amid boundless shady trees on the Upper North Shore, this inviting community event unites dozens of NSW wineries, small-batch distillers, craft brewers, and artisan makers and producers for a feast set to engage every sense imaginable. On the agenda are 30 renowned wineries, with the likes of De Beaurepaire Wines, Hungerford Hill and Peterson House offering a tantalising selection of sparkling, red, white and rosé varieties. There's also the chance to indulge in creative spirits, as top-tier distillers like Remnant Whisky Co and Bondi Liquor Co showcase their wares to thirsty visitors. Alongside craft brewers Six String Brewing Company and Norths Collective, you'll have an incredible array of gourmet cuisine to explore. Get a tasty slice from Lucio Pizzeria, bold American-style meats from Smokey Sue's BBQ or Spanish-inspired grazing treats from Tapasman. To accompany this abundant feast, all-day entertainment will take over the park, with community bands gracing the rotunda stage with jazz, acoustic and contemporary tunes. If you'd like to get a head start on proceedings, a tasting package for $38.50 includes a wine tumbler and five tasting tickets. Get along with the family for epicurean cuisine and sunshine.
Plumb in the centre of campus, the University of Wollongong's Uni Bar draws in the crowds with ease. Some come to fortify themselves on cheap and generously portioned eats. Others come to get a little bit buzzed and to have a punt at bingo, watch live comedy, get involved in drag queen trivia or simply watch the sun go down with a cold one in hand. On top of all that there's also live music, with sets throughout the week featuring a stellar lineup of Australian and international acts (pre-pandemic, at least) for which the bar has earned its respected reputation. It's for more than just students at this uni bar.
Friday lunchtimes just got a whole lot tasiter thanks to the noodle whisperers at Cho Cho San in Potts Point. Until the end of November, you can slurp-down a bowl of delicious pork gyoza and prawn katsu ramen for just $30, between midday and 3pm. Each serve comes with four pork gyoza, fried into a crispy net atop a bowl of clear chicken shoyu ramen broth, garnished with spring onion oil and shiitake tare. Resting on top of this dumpling lid are two panko-covered fried prawn katsu pieces, bean sprouts tossed in ponzu and thinly sliced nori sheets. The result is a delectable mix of textures, as the crisp bellies of the fried gyoza and the crunch of the prawn katsu counterpoint the silken strands of noodles beneath. Lunches don't get much better than this.
