Get your fill of art and culture for the week at the Thursday Lates series so you can free up your weekend to nurse that hangover guilt-free! After a series of record-breaking attendances at the MCA, the gallery has decided to swing its doors open late on Thursday evenings until the smack bang middle of the year, June 14. Each week, enjoy the current exhibitions, hear informal talks by curators and other creative penseurs on the curious, the controversial and the deeply personal. Soon enough you’ll be walking around talking like Craig Schuftan from Triple J’s much-missed Culture Club. Here are a few tasters to get you riled up and ready. If you’re keen to get a little challenged, attend a free speech session - for free! Snap. Get up on your soapbox and address audiences at the MCA at Soap Box. You know, get something off your chest. Everyone, including your boss, in-laws and ex-lovers (who might be there perhaps out of view behind a column or something) actually do want to hear your ranting and raving. How liberating! Lectures, freestyles, sermons and other spoken-word art forms are welcome. If you’re not so assertive, rally and jeer as an onlooker. It’s tempting to go just in case a fight breaks out. Perhaps that’s all a little nuanced, and you would rather get universal. Australian Aboriginal Astronomy Project talk on April 26 is what it’s all about. Hear astronomer Duane Hamacher from the Macquarie University Research Centre for Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrophotonics speak about a collaboration of researchers studying the astronomical knowledge and traditions of Indigenous Australians. Coolness. For the souls of quills and ink, Poet’s Corner (no, not the wine) features Eileen Chong, contributor to the publication for Volume One: MCA Collection. Aside, the ritzy new MCA cafe is open day and night, too, so you can come for dinner and then catch up with the artwork. What a dreamy way to end the night. Also running overnight on Thursday nights is Christian Marclay's the Clock.
Babe. I have something to tell you. These words strike the fear of God in your heart. It's a phrase that leads to downing a bottle (or two) of wine, running red lights, calling friends to babble, faking a sickie so you can curl up under the doona and cry all day. But you wouldn't expect it to put lives at risk, to end up in hospital, to involve the federal police and the government or other such escalations. In Wish You Were Here, expectant couple Dave (Joel Edgerton) and Alice (Felicity Price) decide to go on holiday to a remote coastal village in southern Cambodia. They intend to suck the last remaining marrow of their youth while they still can, along with another couple, Alice's younger sister Steph (Teresa Palmer) and her new boyfriend, Jeremy (Antony Starr). This quartet of sun-kissed, lithe-limbed and wealthy Sydneysiders spend their first blissful days in a heady exotic montage: racing scooters along the highway, gormandising snakes on skewers, handling harmless tarantulas and lying on the beach musing on life's possibilities before embarking on a drug-fuelled hedonistic frenzy. In the course of this crazy night, one of them goes missing for reasons that will shake their lives to the core. The performances were so real that I was filled with anxiety for the characters and I missed them once the film concluded. This is no surprise since the director, Kieran Darcy-Smith, and his lead actress, co-writer and wife Felicity Price lived and breathed the film for several years — even discussing it in the shower together. Of the film concept, born from a true events within her social circle, Felicity says, "We did this so people walk out thinking, 'My god, this could be you or I.'" So next time you hear that phrase, brace yourself harder than before. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WVw1f43xF2M
Have something to say? Make your word heard during this two-day zine-making masterclass. Under the guidance of experienced zine-maker Vanessa Berry, you can cut, paste, and scribble your way to your own, unique, handmade zine. Whether you are simply intrigued by the underground world of zines or seeking to satisfy your creative itch, this intensive tutorial may just be the perfect opportunity for you. Materials are included in the workshop fee, but feel free to come armed with your own things and inspiration from home as well.
Last year, Concrete Playground was psyched to hear about "the rising star of the outdoor scum scene in Sydney": Ghetto Handball. Now, back for a three-hour Anzac Day special of handball and two-up, the Ghetto guys will be chalking out a court at the Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, in Chippendale, from midday on Wednesday 25 April. Lace up your whitest sneakers, stock up at the bottle-o, and bring along gold coins for two-up. Of course, in case you’re not au fait with rules and whatnot, we’ve got them here. Check out this sweet video of the Ghetto Handball event on Queen's birthday last year.
Pyrmont has developed a reputation as one of Sydney's fastest growing dining areas, and the Pyrmont Festival has teamed up with Mudgee Wines for the ultimate taste sensation for lovers of wine, food and art. Pyrmont's top chefs will work with Mudgee's best wine producers for 'Meet the Winemakers', creating lunch and dinner that will be matched with wine. The festival also includes cooking classes, wine appreciation and cheese masterclasses and will allow you to try some of the 120 wines from 30 of the Mudgee region's top winemakers. The high point of the Pyrmont Festival takes place in Pirrama Park on Sunday, May 20. Relax in the park with a variety of cuisines for lunch and listen to live acts and music from local musicians. Artists can also get involved in the 6th Annual Pyrmont Art Prize, which will feature over 300 new artworks with a range of prizes to be won. The theme of the art show is Small Is Beautiful and artworks must be 12" x 12" in size on canvas. You can check out the full event program on the Pyrmont Festival website.
Darlinghurst's vegan Middle Eastern bar Simply Hummus is putting on a spooky $60 set menu filled with spiced vegan goodies that are sure to leave you satisfied this Halloween. At the Hummus Horror Night, guests will be treated to a multi-course meal that Simply Hummus has created in collaboration with local baker My Neighbour Bakes. The meal kicks off with a garlic-heavy spread titled the Vampire Protection Plan. This selection of starters includes roasted garlic hummus, babaganoush, plus sumac and za'atar pita. Accompanying this spread is the Zucchini Coffin, stuffing fire-roasted zucchini with plant-based protein. For mains, patrons will be served a portabello mushroom pita slider with a side of za'atar chips, before not one but two sweet treats finish off the meal. The Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice is a pumpkin hummus served with chocolate pits, while the Eat Dirt and Die is a chocolate avocado mousse placed at the base of a shortbread headstone. Simply Hummus also recommends you add on a Witches Brew to accompany your main. The Halloween-themed drink is a blend of orange, carrot and ginger, spiked with vodka or gin. To help the restaurant comply with COVID-safe protocols, there will be three seatings on the Thursday: 5.30–6.50pm, 7–8.20pm and 8.30-9.50pm. Book online to secure your spot.
Australia's theatre scene didn't have much to smile about in 2020; however, now that 2021 has rolled around, some venues around the country are kicking back into gear with a little help from their friends. Well, with Friends! The Musical Parody to be specific — with the comedic, song-filled satire of everyone's favourite 90s sitcom touring the country. Initially, the show was due to hit local theatres in August and September last year. Then, when the pandemic struck, the musical rescheduled to November and December instead. But it seems that 2020 wasn't anyone's year — and it didn't include anyone's favourite day, week or month, for that matter — so the production has now shifted its entire run to 2021. Scheduled to be there for audiences in Sydney from Thursday, September 2–Saturday, September 4, Friends! The Musical Parody will spend time with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe, of course. Here, they're hanging out at their beloved Central Perk — and sitting on an orange couch, no doubt — when a runaway bride shakes up their day. Call it 'The One with the Loving, Laugh-Filled Lampoon', or 'The One That Both Makes Good-Natured Fun of and Celebrates an Iconic Sitcom'. Yes, no one told you that being obsessed with the Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer-starring show about six New Yorkers would turn out this way — with on-stage skits and gags, recreations of some of the series' best-known moments, and songs with titles such as 'How you Doin?' and 'We'll Always Be There For You'. That said, no one told us that being a Friends aficionado would continue to serve up so many chances to indulge our fandom 16 years after it finished airing, including via the upcoming reunion special that's gathering the TV series' main cast back together.
If you're missing the bustling atmosphere, guitar-heavy tunes and saucy slices of pizza you'd find on a night out at Frankie's, the CBD favourite is looking to give you a taste of the Frankie's experience at home. The hallowed ovens of the Hunter Street venue have fired up for lockdown, with its full range of pizzas on offer for pickup or delivery via Deliveroo. The CBD institution's menu underwent a revamp earlier this year, enlisting the help of Dan Pepperell (Restaurant Hubert, Alberto Lounge, Bistrot 916) to shake up its food offering. Grab yourself a slice of zucchini pizza with lemon, chilli, garlic, stracciatella and mint; or the Texas, which combines two different cheeses, roasted corn, red onion, jalapeños. Combine your pie with a red hot ranch or Restaurant Hubert dipping sauce for the full experience. A whole heap of drinks are also on hand. You can find Frankie's endless variety of lagers, ales and ciders from local and independent brewers available for pickup or delivery. Swing by the inner city digs and you can also pick up a bottle of red or a frozen margarita. With Frankie's set to close next year, we'd recommend taking any extra opportunities to sample the menu until we can return to the underground bar for a gig and a round of pinball.
With so much relying on the vaccine rollout, many Sydney businesses are offering incentives for locals to get vaccinated. Last week, Hawke's gave away slabs of beer to 250 Sydneysiders who went out and got their first jab, and now Rozelle pub the Bald Rock Hotel is offering free takeaway pints. All you have to do is head along to the pub and show the bartenders that you've had both of your shots of either vaccination and they'll shout you a frothy on the house. Any White Bay fans looking to stock up can also top up their growlers at Bald Rock. The inner city hotel will be pouring discounted top-ups with growler fills going for just $15 and squealer fill-ups available for $10. If you're looking to book your first vaccine appointment, you can use this helpful map to find your nearest vaccination clinic or head to the NSW Health website for more information. Top image: Andy Mitchell
Many Sydney bars and restaurants are doing their best to brighten up lockdown a little — whether they're offering free meals to hospo workers or new takeaway options. The New Britannia is doing its part too, by offering locals tap beer at the wildly low price of $1 per 100 millilitres. The promotion is simple: bring any clear plastic or glass container, no matter what the size (within reason), to the inner city venue and you can fill it up with the bar's range of tap beers for $1 per 100 millilitres. The vessels must be able to be sealed once they're filled, but other than that — the sky is the limit. Round up your milk cartons or mason jars and swing by. The promotion will run until New Britannia's kegs run dry and on tap you'll find your pub standards and a selection of craft beers including Young Henry's, VB, Philter, Stockade Brew Co, Carlton Draught and vaccination kings Hawke's. The pub is also offering 20 percent off its natural and organic wines if you're not a beer drinker and is home to Angry Tony's Pizza which boasts a 25-strong list of pizzas available for pickup or delivery.
Sydney's newest food and drink precinct, South Eveleigh, will showcase its impressive slate of restaurants, bars and community activities as part of the city's new winter arts and food festival, Sydney Solstice. The historic inner-city site has been transformed with a slate of exciting new hospitality gems, shops and a community garden. To celebrate, the South Eveleigh team are inviting you to experience everything as part of a two-day pop-up street party. Located just around the corner from Redfern Station, the South Eveleigh precinct will come to life with performances, art installations and music while the array of high-profile openings and local eateries sling delectable culinary options. Pop-up food stalls and bars will fill Locamotive Street from 5pm until close on Friday, June 18, and 11am until close on Saturday, June 19. On hand across the precinct will be Kylie Kwong's brand new lunch spot, Lucky Kwong, and Matt Whiley (Scout) and Maurice Terzini's (Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, Ciccia Bella) groundbreaking new sustainability-focused bar, Re, as well as RaRa Chan, Eat Fuh, Whitton, Steve Costi's Famous Fish, Fishbowl, Bekya, Pepper Seed Thai, Sushi Hon, North Sandwiches and Yoho Loco. While you're venturing around looking at the new eateries, you can head up to the South Eveleigh Community Rooftop Garden where Indigenous Australian cultural and landscape design firm, Jiwah, will be running workshops educating the public on native flora integral to the land's Indigenous heritage. Plus, a bunch of beloved Sydney musicians will be in attendance over the two days to perform as part of a pop-up street party. At the Locomotive Stage, you can see the likes of PNAU, Jono Ma of Jagwar Ma, Kota Banks and exciting young Korean rap crew 1300 take to the stage on Friday, alongside Genesis Owusu, Budjerah, Pricie and Royal Otis on the Saturday. The eclectic range of musicians will be performing inside a 139-year-old locomotive workshop that will be transformed into a live music venue. Over at the FBi Stage, a slew of local musicians, DJs and performers will all take to the stage. The lineup, curated by the Sydney community radio station, will include the likes of B Wise, Stevan, Andy Garvey, Madem3Empress and Maina Doe. [caption id="attachment_813577" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Re[/caption] Top image: Kitti Gould
The temperature has been dropping. The days are getting shorter. Leaving the house without a jumper is completely off the menu. Yes, comfort food season is upon us, so Salt Meats Cheese is celebrating with one of the most stomach-warming dishes there is — gnocchi, and lots of it. From 5pm on Tuesday, May 25, the Italian eatery chain is hosting Gnocchi Night at every one of its venues. So, you can choose which site suits you best, then pick whichever of the six special pillowy potato dishes takes your fancy. Prices start at $19, and if you'd like to opt for more than one, that's more than understandable. On the menu: creamy salmon gnocchi, complete with broccolini and sugar snap peas; gnocchi alla romana, which is made with semolina and served with a heap of cheese; and deep-fried gnocchi, as paired with prosciutto, plus almond and capsicum pesto. The Tuscan gnocchi includes Italian sausage and sundried tomatoes, while the gnocchi burrata fountain is clearly a must-try. With the latter, your plate will be stacked with gnocchi — obviously — and you'll then lift the cover to let the cheese do its gooey thing. Ever had dessert gnocchi? That's on offer as well, all thanks to SMC's gnocchi churro bites — which come with cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips, cream and custard sauce. Bookings are recommended, as this is a one-night-only affair.
This winter, you won't be chasing the sun and soaking in a European summer. But, thanks to eased domestic border restrictions and the trans-Tasman bubble, you can spend the chilliest part of the year surrounded by snow. Of course, whether you're planning to ski, snowboard or just build a snowman, you'll need to rug up — and whatever is currently in your wardrobe mightn't do. Each year — except 2020, for obvious reasons — Aldi hosts a big sale on snow gear, offering good quality gear at almost ridiculously low price points. It's back in 2021, so mark Saturday, May 22 in your diary. That's when you can head to your nearest Aldi supermarket to pick up everything from snow jackets and boots to face masks and beanies. Available at stores across the nation, and made to withstand extreme weather conditions, 2021's range of gear includes six different varieties of snow jackets, which start at $39.99 for something light and go up to $119.99 for windproof and waterproof numbers; four types of snow pants, including one style with adjustable leg and waist cuffs for $99.99; and ski fleece sets, featuring a hoodie and a pair of pants, for $19.99. Boots for both kids and adults start at $19.99, helmets will cost you between $19.99–$24.99, and you'll be spending between $4.99–$34.99 for masks, beanies, neck warmers, cabin socks, gloves and balaclavas. Kids clothing is part of the deal, too, if you'll be travelling with younger skiers — ranging from $19.99–$34.99. Once you're all kitted out, you're certain to stay toasty if you're making the trip to Perisher Valley, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Hotham or anywhere else local where snowy peaks are a feature. If you're hopping across the ditch instead, you'll find plenty of items to stop you getting frosty up at New Zealand's ski fields.
You've probably sat at the bar at Bitter Phew and learned a lot about beer while making your way through lagers, ales and stouts, and chatting to the friendly staff. But this winter, you can sip schooeys and learn about native Aussie ingredients thanks to this series of workshops. Gabriel Gutnik (Ziggy's Wildfoods), a local champion of ingredients that are foraged or sourced from Indigenous-owned and -operated companies, will chat about Australia's plethora of local flora and their potential. He'll also serve up a native ingredient-heavy cocktail and grazing board pairing. The Oxford Street bar will also host lunches and dinners by Caitlin Koether of Wild Provisions, who's known for highlighting old-world preservation techniques, like fermenting, salting and sugaring.
Supper Club is the new series of one-off dining experiences popping up over the June long weekend. Sydneysiders will be treated to dinner and a show featuring the likes of Archie Roach, Mark Olive and the former team behind Goodgod Small Club's The Dip. For those looking for a more sultry night of crooned ballads and and heart pasta dishes, head to Mary's Underground on Saturday, June 12. 'Dinner at Nonna's' will transform the Circular Quay bar with the help of eccentric singer-songwriter Donny Benet. Benet will bring his nostalgic 80s-style pop in collaboration with Toby Stansfield, Head Chef of Fabbrica Pasta Shop, who will be in charge of the nights carb-heavy menu. Guest can expect to be serenaded by Benet while tucking into homemade pasta and sauces with Italian wines.
With the Greater Sydney area now in lockdown until Friday, July 9, home cooking and takeaway is back on the menu. Fancy the latter more than the former? Spent too much time baking during last year's similar stint at home? Eager to order in for any reason possible? If you fall into any of the above categories, and you're keen to both support local eateries and keep an eye on your bank balance, Deliveroo is ditching its delivery fees for orders from most restaurants for this week. The delivery service's deal was announced last Friday, June 25, before lockdown was expanded in terms of the areas affected and the duration of the stay-at-home period — so you'l be able to get your meals brought to your door without paying delivery fees until 11.59pm on Friday, July 2. That covers food from thousands of eateries, including the likes of Mary's, Chargrill Charlie's and Gelato Messina. The aim: to encourage Greater Sydney residents to help local restaurants during this stay-at-home period and, because that's the world we live in, to help stop panic buying at supermarkets as well. To ensure that all of the eateries involved aren't missing out on revenue or left out of pocket, Deliveroo is footing the bill for the discounted amount, too. If you're suddenly hungry, you'll need to place an order via the Deliveroo app. There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly, with the free delivery deal not extending to bottle shops, KFC or to places listed in the app as 'delivered by restaurant'. You'll also need to spend at least $10 at most eateries, $12 at McDonald's, Subway and Baskin-Robbins, and $15 if you're purchasing from Red Rooster. Top image: Mary's, Nikki To
You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Sydney, as well as current restrictions, at NSW Health. Taste of Shanghai are adhering to social distancing measures and providing masks throughout this event. Taste of Shanghai's franchise Lilong will be opening up two new locations this year at Wetherill Park and Mount Druitt. To celebrate, Taste of Shanghai have decided to spread the love by offering $1 dumplings at their flagship Burwood location this Thursday, June 24. That's right, one of the ultimate comfort foods for only a dollar apiece, for one day only. The dumplings on offer come in two varieties — the crispy pan-fried dumplings and the steamed soup-filled xiao long bao. So if you're someone who's madly in love with dumplings or after a cheap meal, head down to the Burwood branch from 5pm tonight.
In one of cinema's great sci-fi thrillers, an unhappy middle-aged man is offered a new life. It means forgoing everything he currently knows and, naturally, that bargain comes with consequences. At its most basic, that's the premise of John Frankenheimer's 1966 masterpiece Seconds, a Cannes-premiering, Oscar-nominated Rock Hudson-starring classic that serves up a paranoia-dripping nightmare. Unsurprisingly, the hallucinatory film has much to say about both the dream of starting all over again and the follies of unthinking conformity — and it still feels oh-so relevant and chilling more than five decades after it first hit screens. Also unsurprisingly, Seconds is a great pick for the Art Gallery of New South Wales' current film season — a series of free movie screenings that's all about fakes, scams, fabricated realities, doppelgangers, false identities and body swaps. It's just one of the titles on offer at Flim-Flam Redux, with the program screening twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2pm, until Sunday, September 27. Movie buffs can also catch Mohsen Makhmalbaf's Salaam Cinema, which blends documentary and fiction in depicting a casting call for a new film; Mikey and Nicky, Elaine May's gangster flick about a bookie on the run; and Despair, the first English-language feature by the great German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Some titles screen with a thematically linked short, too. While entry is free, you do need to register in advance to attend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K1Mpo8O4rQ Flim-Flam Redux screens on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2pm until Sunday, September 27 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Spring means different things to different people. Flowers, cleaning, spending more time outdoors, being pleased that winter is over for another year — they're all on the list. At The Bavarian for three months from Wednesday, September 2, however, the season also means tucking into a German-style meal and washing it all down with bottomless beverages. That's what's on offer at the The Bavarian Spring Fest, which is available every day throughout the aforementioned period. It'll cost you $69 per person, which includes a range of dishes — think pretzels, chicken schnitzel with mushroom sauce and fries, and apple strudel — plus two hours of beer, cider and cocktails. You'll be able to choose what you'd like to sip, including from an Aussie range of brews, plus cocktails such as The Bavarian's new strawberry margarita, apple-tini and lychee paradise. Bookings are recommended — and Spring Fest is happening at The Bavarian venues in Charlestown, Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Shellharbour, Tuggerah, Manly, Miranda and Penrith. The Bavarian Spring Fest runs from September 2–November 30 at the chain's venues in Charlestown, Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Shellharbour, Tuggerah, Manly, Miranda and Penrith.
Redfern's much-loved neighbourhood bar is turning three, and to celebrate it's throwing a month-long party. Swing by Misfits any evening in September and you'll find food, booze and good times aplenty. Naturally, the bar is celebrating all the good things that come in threes, so expect a trio of mini cocktails, cheekily dubbed The Bee Gees ($25), three oyster shooters for an affordable $18 and other food specials such as prawn dumplings ($9), ceviche tacos ($12) and barbecue brisket sliders ($18), all served as 'triplets'. On top of that, there'll be cocktail specials — the Paper Plane, Last Palabra and Corpse Reviver No 2 — at $16 a pop. Celebrating your birthday in September, too? Show your ID and Misfits will treat you to a shot on the house. In addition to all this merriment, there'll be live tunes playing every Thursday. Kicking things off will be DJs playing dance-inducing tunes (even if it is in your chair) on September 3. Then, you can catch a live soul performance on September 10, followed by a jazz and blues band on September 17 — our money is on a trio. On September 24, a live hip hop and R&B set will round things up. To make sure you don't miss out on the birthday action, book yourself a table now. Lead image: Steven Woodburn
A new festival? In Sydney? Finally, yes. Thanks to you-know-what, it hasn't been a year of coming together in groups for drinking and dancing, but as restrictions continue to ease, events are starting to fill the spring and summer cultural calendars once again — including new ones. Ten of the city's best bars are coming together for three days of creative libations and sparkling harbour views at the inaugural Sydney Cocktail Festival. Running from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, it'll be hosted at Opera Bar and split into five ticketed sessions. Each session will see bartenders from four Sydney bars whipping up two cocktails each. So, depending what session you attend, you'll be able to try a Mango Weis Bar daiquiri from Jacoby's Tiki Bar, Burrow Bar's Rock 'n' Pop, Rosenbaum & Fuller Leafy Greens or creative concoctions from the likes of Natalie Ng at Door Knock, Old Mate's Place's Daniel Noble and Dre Walters, Michael Chiem from PS40, and Double Deuce Lounge's Cosmo Soto and Olly Churcher. Tickets for one of the three-hour sessions will set you back $49 and include six mini or three full-sized cocktails or your choice. Sydney Cocktail Festival has sessions running from 6–9pm on Friday, and 1–4pm and 5–8pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Of all the country-specific film festivals that reach Sydney's big screens each year, the British Film Festival might have the weakest reason to exist. Rather than showcasing flicks from a particular part of the world that viewers probably won't get the chance to see in cinemas otherwise, it screens a number of movies that are destined for a bigger release — and a heap of films with very well-known stars, too. But if you want to spend a few weeks immersed in the latest and greatest that UK cinema has to offer, all at once, it's definitely the event for you. And, in 2020 as it does every year, it features a jam-packed lineup. Hitting Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas and Palace Central from Tuesday, November 10–Sunday, November 29, this year's BFF boasts one of the most anticipated movies of 2020: Ammonite, the Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan-starring romance set in 1840s England, as directed by God's Own Country's Frances Lee. The tender tale only premiered overseas in September, so it's coming to Australia rather quickly — and yes, it's already garnering awards buzz. From the 22-film lineup, other highlights include Misbehaviour, in which Keira Knightley helps recreate the true story of feminist protesters at the 1970 Miss World competition in London; thriller The Nest, with Jude Law playing a British entrepreneur who moves his American family to an English country manor; and Summerland, a World War II-set romantic drama led by Gemma Arterton. There's also opening night's Blithe Spirit, based on the Noël Coward's comedy and starring Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Judi Dench and Leslie Mann — plus folk-horror thriller Fanny Lye Deliver'd, about a woman in 17th-century Shropshire whose unhappy marriage gets a shake up by a younger couple on the run. The British Film Festival also looks back at British greats gone by, so expect to check out 80s sci-fi flick Flash Gordon, and watch Sir Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers in The Ladykillers for its 65th anniversary. Something extra special: a 40th anniversary screening of David Lynch's The Elephant Man, which earned him the first of his three Oscar nominations for Best Director, and is a movie that everyone genuinely needs to see at least once. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp3WjuJJYB8
When it comes to watching some of the most entertaining movies ever committed to celluloid, Dendy Newtown is taking Grease's advice — by giving viewers more. From Thursday, October 29–Wednesday, December 2, the venue is dedicating a heap of sessions to big-screen musicals. Yes, we expect that you'll hear some singing from the audience while you're watching. Called The Show Must Go On, this retrospective season will work its way through a huge 23 films, all screening multiple times on different dates. Basically, it's serving up a mini-history of the genre — including classics such as Singin' in the Rain and The Sound of Music, cult favourites like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and more recent fare such as Mamma Mia! and Rocketman. While the Moulin Rouge! stage show is hopefully still coming to Australia in the near future, if COVID-19 doesn't get in the way of its plans, you can catch the Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman-starring movie on the big screen first. Also on the lineup: Grease (obviously), Little Shop of Horrors, My Fair Lady, Annie, New York, New York, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly!, Calamity Jane, Meet Me in St Louis and Oliver! (if you haven't noticed, musicals like exclamation marks), plus 42nd Street, West Side Story, All That Jazz, A Chorus Line, Chicago, La Vie En Rose and Once). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTm5DWgL-MU
Perhaps you'd like to celebrate simply getting to this point in this hectic year. Maybe you're pleased that restrictions keep easing and life slowly seems to be inching towards normality. Or, you could just really like frozen margaritas — especially when they'll only set you back $10 a pop. Whichever category you fall into, Surry Hills' vegan Mexican joint Bad Hombres has you covered with its Not Sober October special. Teaming up with Altos tequila, it's pouring the cheap beverages all day every day this month. In your marg, you'll be sipping Altos Blanco, triple sec, lime juice and agave syrup. If you'd like a spicy version, you can ask for some jalapeños or red chilli added to your drink, too. Bad Hombres is also serving up a new spring menu, because no one should be downing margaritas on an empty stomach. Dishes include jackfruit tacos, plus charred kale quesadillas — or there's always the the joint's trusty nachos with house 'cheddar cheese', black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and cashew cream. Images: Jude Cohen.
Every October for the past 23 years, artworks have lined the Bondi–Tamarama coastal walk as part of the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. This year's event has been postponed until 2021 — but a new slightly similar event is going ahead on the other side of Sydney Harbour. Modelled on the Salon des Refusés, which exhibits artworks that were not selected for the Archibald, Les Sculptures Refusées is an outdoor exhibition of Sculpture by the Sea rejects. The inaugural exhibition is running from Friday, October 16 to Thursday, November 19 at Manly's Q Station — originally a quarantine station for diseased immigrants back in the 1800s — which, despite its morbid history, has stunning views across Sydney and the harbour. The openair exhibition is free to visit and no timed tickets are required. If you time your visit right, it can coincide with a Saturday afternoon Sunset Session or a High Tea at the G&Tea house, which is open from Friday to Sunday. You can check out the full list of sculptures appearing as part of Les Sculptures Refusées over here. [caption id="attachment_786432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Orest Keywan[/caption] Top image: Tania McMurty.
Japanese cinema's diverse array of wonders can't be confined to one event. Sydneysiders can watch the latest and greatest films the country has to offer at the annual Japanese Film Festival; however, since 2014, cinephiles have also been able to step back into Japanese movie history, too — all thanks to its classics program. Next running from Tuesday, February 2, 2021–Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the latest old-school film program explores plenty of big-screen highlights from the 60s through to the 00s, especially if you're fond of weird, wonderful, surreal and subversive flicks. If you haven't ever watched Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man, take the opportunity to redress that situation — because we all need to see a movie about a man compelled to stuff metal into his body. Or, make a date with 70s standout House from director Nobuhiko Ōbayashi, which is about a creepy abode that eats schoolgirls. Other must-sees include Seijun Suzuki's assassin-fuelled Pistol Opera; Diary of a Shinjuku Thief, Nagisa Ōshima's 60s film about a man who steals from a bookstore in Shinjuku; and Eros + Massacre, a biopic about Sakae Ōsugi, who advocated for sexual freedom in the early 20th century. And, in great news for your wallet, attendance is free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShJvheZHXdI The Japanese Film Festival Classics Program next runs from Tuesday, February 2, 2021–Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Until 2020 hit, heading to a trivia night usually involved sitting in your favourite watering hole, sipping a few drinks and answering questions while a pub rock soundtrack played in the background. This year, however, that ritual has had a makeover — but in Isolation Trivia's latest online quiz night, those pub rock tunes remain. If you have a head full of otherwise pointless tidbits about the kinds of tunes usually blasted in pubs and bars around town, then this is a live-streamed trivia evening for you. Pub Rock Virtual Trivia is being held in collaboration with the current Pub Rock exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, so get ready to show just how much you know about everyone from AC/DC and Jimmy Barnes to Midnight Oil and Paul Kelly. If you're wondering how it works, you'll join the event from your couch, jot down your answers at home and everyone can compare scores virtually — and battle for trivia supremacy. Pub Rock Virtual Trivia takes place on from 7pm ADST Thursday, October 8. To play along, head to the event's Facebook page. And if you need some inspiration, this video just might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLBfdyJ3cpw Pub Rock Virtual Trivia takes place online from 7pm ADST on Thursday, October 8. Top image: Not On Your Rider.
Germany has a museum dedicated to dachshunds. New York has a similar kind of site, but celebrating all kinds of canines. And, in Sydney, we have the Woof Art Prize — the annual award for paintings, drawings and sculptures of those barking four-legged cuties that have long been considered humanity's best friend. Firstly, art- and pooch-loving folks submit their pieces, which, in 2020, were judged by artist Harrie Fasher. Next comes the free exhibition of said pupper-centric works — aka the fun part for everyone else — which is currently on display at Art Est in Leichhardt until Monday, October 12. More than 80 works are presently available to view, so get ready to peer art doggo-focused masterpieces of all shapes and sizes. We're assuming that none of them feature dogs playing poker, but you will see portraits of rescue dogs, pictures of dogs watching TV, contemplative pupper paintings and just a whole heap of adorable canine faces covering the venue's walls. And, yes, you can take your dog along to take a look. The Woof Art Prize 2020 is on display until Monday, October 12 at Art Est, 4/67-69 Lords Road, Leichhardt.
It's safe to say Aussies love Nutella. They have days, high teas and food trucks dedicated to the chocolate-hazelnut spread — and no shortage of frankencreations inspired by it. While a gelateria in Melbourne is serving up Nutella ravioli, a Sydney chain has decided to launch Nutella spring rolls. Available at P'Nut Street Noodles stores across the city, the spring rolls are filled with lots of the sweet spread and covered in a golden, crisp exterior. And they're going for just $3.95 a pop. As they are just pastry and Nutella, you could argue that they are fried Nutella-filled pancakes or Nutella cigars, but spring rolls certainly fits with the Thai flavours of P'Nut. The noodle chain has seven stores across the city — including in The Rocks, Baulkam Hills, Balmain, Rouse Hill, Sydney Olympic Park, Zetland and Dee Why — and is serving the dessert spring rolls as part of its new Nuts About Taste menu, which also features popcorn chicken and roti bread with peanut sauce. To find your closest store, head over to the website.
Talented pooches have been barking their way to big screen stardom since the birth of the medium, and Cannes Film Festival even gives out awards for ace pupper performances. Now, Australia has a dog-themed cinema showcase. At the Top Dog Film Festival, doggos and puppers cement their status as humanity's favourite movie stars in a touring program of pooch-centric shorts. For more than two hours, dogs will leap across screens in a curated selection of heartwarming flicks about humanity's best friend. Over the last few years, the lineup has included films about dog-powered sports, dogs in space, dogs hiking through the desert, senior dogs and more. The festival hits Sydney's Ritz Cinemas in Randwick on Sunday, October 18 and the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on Sunday, November 1 as part of its 2020 run, and rushing after tickets the way your best four-legged friend rushes after a frisbee is recommended. Given how much we all love watching dog videos online, not to mention attending pupper-centric shindigs in general, this one-night-only event is certain to be popular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wkw03cngo4&feature=emb_logo Top Dog Film Festival takes place at the Ritz Cinemas in Randwick on Sunday, October 18 and the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on Sunday, November 1.
Staying motivated to keep crushing your exercise goals can be a challenge at the best of times, let alone in the middle of a pandemic. To provide a little incentive for all those runners out there, Lululemon is hosting a virtual version of its annual Seawheeze run. With both a half marathon (21.1 kilometres) and ten kilometre available, the digital races can be completed anywhere you like. On a treadmill? Yep. By doing ten laps of your one-kilometre block? Sure can. How about 500 laps of your 20-metre balcony? Whatever floats your boat. The races just need to be recorded in a single activity on the Strava app (which you can download for free) between Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 23. It costs $28USD to sign up (about $36AUD and $43NZD), which includes a training plan by Lululemon Global Ambassador Rob Watson, a digital badge for your Strava trophy case, an IRL finisher medal and a $2USD donation to Vinyasa Yoga for Youth and Red Clay Yoga. Of course, depending on where you are in the world, there may be some other restrictions you need to abide by while completing the challenge. If you're in metropolitan Melbourne, you can only leave your house for exercise once a day for up to an hour — and you can only venture up to five kilometres from your house. When choosing your distance, keep in mind that the world record for the half, set by Geoffrey Kamworor late last year, is 58.01.
This year hasn't involved wearing as much smart casual and business attire as we imagined — come on, we all wore PJs out of frame in at least one Zoom meeting. Right? But with society starting to open back up at different rates across the country, our neglected wardrobes are going to be back in rotation very soon. And, if you've realised that you didn't really miss your 'nice' clothes during lockdown, it may be a sign you need to do a little outfit rejig. Big fan of signs? Here's another one: menswear label M.J. Bale is hosting a huge two-week sale. The Australian fashion house focuses on producing timeless pieces that'll last beyond the seasonal trends, and this month you can get your hands on some high-quality, suave styles for an absolute steal. We're talking suits for just $399 (for one week only, between September 14–20), plus casual attire like jackets for under $199, trousers for under $99 and shirts for under $69 — it's all up to a whopping 50 percent off. The sale is running from Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 27. You can jump online here to check out what's on offer. If you live in NSW or Queensland, you can also go to your closest M.J. Bale store. The M.J. Bale Spring Bale Sale is running between September 14–27, both online and at its stores (besides Victoria).
The spookiest time of the year is here, which means different things to different people. Perhaps you think you're never too old to don a costume and go trick-or-treating. Maybe you just like the excuse to eat plenty of lollies. Or, you could enjoy diving headfirst into as much horror viewing as you can manage. For folks in the latter category — and those who like dressing up, too — the Georges River Council is hosting the type of event you'll want to add to your calendar. Across the evenings of Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, it's celebrating Halloween by setting up its own Frightful 80s Drive-In Cinema, which'll be free to attend at Donnelly Park in Connells Point. Even better — rather than just screening horror flicks, which pretty much every cinema around town will be doing, this pop-up drive-in is showing the entire first season of Stranger Things. Prepare to revisit the Upside Down and learn all about demogorgons. If you want to bring some waffles with you to eat, well, Eleven would clearly approve. Entry opens at 5pm each night, with screenings running from 7–10pm. There are no bookings or tickets, so arriving early to nab a spot is recommended. Also, if you deck out your car in a costume — yes, you read that correctly — and you can win a prize for the best-dressed vehicle. Clearly, given what's showing, someone is going to cover their ride with Christmas lights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9EkMc79ZSU Top image: Elder.
First, he made standout music videos, including for Madonna, George Michael and Aerosmith. Lately, he was one of the driving forces behind Netflix's Mindhunter and its creepy true-crime thrills. We're talking, of course, about filmmaker David Fincher. And while the above achievements are considerable, he also has ten top-notch movies to his name to-date. He's about to release an eleventh called Mank, but if you'd like to revisit his past tension-dripping hits, you'll be able to at Fincher Fest. On select days from Sunday, November 1–Wednesday, November 18, Randwick's Ritz Cinema will be working its way through Fincher's filmography — and it's quite the collection of movies. Find out what's in the box in Seven, get claustrophobic with Panic Room and spend some time with Tyler Durden thanks to Fight Club. Then, you can also jump into a distinctive sci-fi franchise effort via Alien3, play along with The Game, chase a killer with Zodiac and witness ageing in reverse in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Fincher's most recent three films — The Social Network, with its insights into Facebook's origins; the US remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, starring an unforgettable Rooney Mara; and Gone Girl, with its pulpy twists — are all on the bill as well. Screenings kick off between 6.45–7.10pm on various nights, with single tickets and full-season passes available. And, after Fincher Fest is all done and dusted, the Ritz will also be screening Mank as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3UZ-axauU
It's true of every movie: how much you know going in can and does influence the viewing experience. Great films are still great films no matter your prior awareness of their twists, or even just the main premise, but how the audience takes that ride will morph and shift depending on what they're expecting will eventuate. Abigail is a case in point. Why that's so was revealed in its trailer, leaving almost no one sitting down to it in the dark about what's to come. But when the reveal arrives in Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett's fifth full-length directorial effort — and their first after bringing back Ghostface in 2022's Scream and 2023's Scream VI — it's a glorious moment. It's also treated in the flick as a big unveiling, and not just for the picture's characters, in what serves as an overt reminder of how divorced that marketing a movie is to making it. Abigail, aka the tween vampire ballerina film, is still an entertaining time irrespective of your starting knowledge, thankfully. It begins as a blend of a heist affair, horror mansion movie and whodunnit, with a kidnapping skilfully pulled off by a motley crew (is there any other type?), then with holing up in the mastermind's sprawling and eerie safe house with their 12-year-old captive, then with fingers being pointed and their charge toying with them. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are slick with their opening, from breaking into a well-secured estate to avoiding surveillance cameras while speeding through the streets afterwards. They're playful, too, when corralling everyone in their next location — a setup that they've turned into an ace horror watch before in 2019's Ready or Not — and letting suspicions run wild. The six abductors here, as given nicknames Reservoir Dogs-style but with a Rat Pack spin, and told not to divulge their true identities or histories to each other: Joey (Melissa Barrera, Carmen), a recovering addict with medical skills; Frank (Dan Stevens, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire), who has a background in law enforcement; Rickles (William Catlett, Constellation), an ex-marine; Sammy (Kathryn Newton, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), the resident hacker; Peter (Kevin Durand, Pantheon), the dim-witted muscle; and Dean (Angus Cloud, Euphoria), the stoner wheelman. The middleman for their employer: the no-nonsense Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito, The Gentlemen). And the girl: Abigail (Alisha Weir, Wicked Little Letters), of course, who is the daughter of someone obscenely rich and powerful. She's just finished dance rehearsals, is still in her tutu, and proves the picture of scared and unsettled when she's snatched from her bedroom, drugged and blindfolded — until she isn't. Anyone that's seen Ready or Not will spot the commonalities with Abigail, even amid such hefty differences as well. Although this definitely isn't about a newlywed bride being hunted by her wealthy in-laws on her wedding night, it does trap its characters and the bulk of its action in a stately but isolated residence filled with secret hallways and rooms, and in a fight-to-the-death battle where it's evident from the outset that folks are going to get picked off one by one. There's also a strict timeline, and a red-splattered white dress. Abigail heroes a working-class female protagonist who's forced to grow into her role taking on the privileged, sports buckets full of affection for horror old and new, and winks to the past vigorously among its thoroughly modern irreverence. And, in inventive and eye-catching manners — captured this time by cinematographer Aaron Morton, who is having a great 2024 with this and The First Omen — it loves, loves, loves splashing around OTT violence. Radio Silence, the production company that doubles as a brand for Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, clearly know this terrain. Working with a script by Stephen Shields (The Hole in the Ground) and Guy Busick (back from Ready or Not, Scream and Scream VI), Abigail's helmers also know how to make the key storytelling move in frightening flicks, and all other types of tales, of ensuring that familiar elements feel fresh when viewers can spy oh-so-much that's recognisable. That's part of the fun of Abigail, including as it becomes a gleefully gory rendering of a Home Alone-esque caper with its namesake stalking the people holding her for a $50-million ransom: seeing how its pieces, drained from elsewhere as they may be, mix and pirouette anew. It's also why the feature's chief reveal should've stayed that way going in, because there's so much else that drinks from overflowing genre cups anyway, while dropping clues from the use of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake onwards about what's in store. A tense crime-film atmosphere to kick off, Agatha Christie nods, quite the child adversary, deranged dances, getting drenched in blood again and again, a The Cabin in the Woods vibe: they're all in a day's work for the film's well-deployed cast, even if not every character runs deep. The screenplay gives its flesh to Joey and Abigail above everyone else, and Barrera — also reuniting with Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett after their Scream flicks — and Matilda the Musical breakout Weir benefit. Stevens, Catlett, Newton, Durand, Cloud and Esposito might only be asked to hit one real note each in this predator-and-prey monster mash, but they commit to the task. It's a talent-trumps-material scenario, where this group were always going to give their figures more life on the screen than on the page — with Stevens especially having a ball, and Cloud's involvement dishing up a reminder of what the world lost when he passed away in 2023. Abigail isn't just any addition to the vampire fold (on-screen, it also knows what else slumbers in this jam-packed coffin). In 2023, Universal Pictures was similarly behind Renfield and Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter. Before 2024 is out, The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman's Robert Eggers will have his own Nosferatu flickering. Finding new ways to rework its Universal Classic Monsters characters and titles — plus the pictures that inspired them, such as unauthorised adaptations of Bram Stoker's Dracula — is one of the studio's current niches, which also applies to The Invisible Man, the upcoming Wolf Man and this. Abigail does it with flair, enthusiasm, humour and literal guts aplenty, and while biting heartily into maximalist flourishes. It might've tasted sweeter if its promotional campaign had been slyer and shyer, but sinking your teeth in remains bloody delicious.
When the ABC announced that Spicks and Specks would return in 2024 after sitting 2023 out, it was big news, as anything to do with the hit Australian take on the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks always is. IRL, here's something just as exciting: the Brisbane-born and -based Not On Your Rider is also back for this year, although it didn't take a year off. On the agenda: playing a music quiz show filled with well-known faces live — and yes, the audience gets to play, too, including in Sydney in May. You'll be peering at a stage, rather than a screen. You'll be answering questions, of course. And if it has you thinking about pub trivia nights, they don't include The Creases' Aimon Clark — who is also behind Isolation Trivia — hosting, or Patience Hodgson from The Grates and Jeremy Neale from Velociraptor captaining the two teams, let alone a heap of entertainment-industry guests. At past events, guests have included Murray Cook from The Wiggles, Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno from Aunty Donna, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, Agro, Cal Wilson, Ben Lee, Steven Bradbury, Kate Miller-Heidke, Robert Irwin, Ranger Stacey, Craig Lowndes and Tim Rogers. Among the other musicians who've featured, Powderfinger, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Ruby Fields, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants and The Go-Betweens have all had members take to the stage. Sydneysiders can join in on one 2024 date: Sunday, May 5 at Factory Theatre. The event is coming to town for the Sydney Comedy Festival. Here's how it works: Not On Your Rider takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. While the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. The quiz element is accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees. Images: Dave Kan / Bianca Holderness.
Queer Screen doesn't just host two LGBTQIA+ film festivals in Sydney each year, with Mardi Gras Film Festival arriving in the first half and Queer Screen Film Fest in the second. It also takes those fests to the rest of Australia via online versions. So, to start September, you can get cosy on the couch while streaming your way through a number of movies from the QSFF lineup without leaving home. While the fest runs from Wednesday, August 28–Sunday, September 1, it goes virtual from Monday, September 2–Sunday, September 8. Closing night's Gondola, about female cable-car conductors expressing their emotions in the sky, is among the titles you'll be able to catch on your own screen. So are the gay, sapphic and trans and gender-diverse shorts strands, with Lukas Gage (Road House) and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street) making appearances via the bite-sized Stay Lost. Plus, at-home viewers have American Parent, about a lesbian couple raising a toddler during the pandemic; Big Boys, focusing on a teen with a crush; All Shall Be Well director Ray Yeung's 2019 film Twilight's Kiss; and The Judgment, about US-based Egyptian boyfriends returning home and dealing with the supernatural, among their other choices.
ICYMI: July is officially Rum Month. To celebrate, world-class rum purveyor Bacardí has teamed up with a collection of Sydney venues to offer special pours that'll transport you from the cold to the Caribbean in one sip. Sydney Harbour Marriott's Three Bottle Man is celebrating with three classic rum cocktails made with Bacardí's range. Choose between the mojito, daiquiri and a Mang-Colada a spin on the tropical tipple made with Queensland mangoes. [caption id="attachment_966026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Bottle Man, credit Yusuke Oba[/caption] Hilton Sydney and West Curio are also getting involved in the celebrations, serving a twist on the tropical classic piña colada. Fun fact: the tropical coconut and pineapple cocktail is claimed to have been invented by Caribe Hilton Hotel's bartender Ramón "Monchito" Marrero in San Juan, Peurto Rico, in 1954, making this year the 70th anniversary of the popular drink. To celebrate, there will be exclusive offers and events at more than thirteen Hilton Hotels across the country. Everyone's favourite rum bar in the Inner West, Jacoby's Tiki Bar, doesn't shy away from getting creative. This Rum Month it's focusing on the classics with a mojito, daiquiri and piña colada joining the menu. Head down for a night of drinks, adventures and kooky interiors. [caption id="attachment_637543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacoby's, Katje Ford[/caption] Paddington's mainstay, the Paddo Inn, has transformed its back bar into a 'nautical paradise'. Expect numerous rum cocktails, including mojitos, daiquiris, piña coladas and more. It's an ideal spot to escape the winter chill. Low and Lofty's in Cronulla is saluting the month with a selection of classic rum cocktails, including the Ocho Old Fashioned, made with Bacardí Reserva Ocho rum, simple syrup and a couple of dashes of bitters. It goes down well with the refined pub grub on the menu. Founded over 160 years ago in 1862, Bacardí is the world's number-one selling rum. The brand has been family-owned and operated for seven generations in the Caribbean, and its rum master blenders still employ the same time-honoured distilling processes using only the best sugarcane and pure, pristine water. It's aged in American oak barrels, imparting a vanilla taste to the spirit and a tinge of colour to the rested varieties. Top Image: Three Bottle Man, credit Yusuke Oba
This year's stacked Vivid food program boasts some incredible talent from across Sydney — and South Eveleigh's very own Coyoacán Social has joined the ranks for 2024. For the first time, the local favourite will be popping up for a Vivid residency inside the bustling Carriageworks precinct, slinging an array of Mexican street eats that give back to the community. The Mexican fare will not only make a fine addition to your foodie hit list, but will also contribute donations to community kitchens. Coyoacán Social's Vivid pop-up will continue to follow the ethos of its founding social enterprise, Plate It Forward, while offering a fresh addition to the annual festival's food selection. Think: creating unity and shared dignity through the provision of top-quality meals. You can expect its flavour-packed birria tacos to make a special appearance as part of the vibrant fare. And, with each taco purchase, you'll be helping to provide a nutritious meal to families in need. Head to Carriageworks from Friday, May 31 until Saturday, June 15 to sink your teeth into the South Eveleigh joint's famed street food.
Whether it's via a post or tweet or message, in a comment or status update, thanks to a Notes app screenshot or in an email, mean words aren't hard to share two decades into the 21st century. Click a few buttons, slide your finger across a touchscreen, then vitriol can be directed virtually instantaneously worldwide. Countless people — too many, all sticklers for unpleasantness — do just that. Such behaviour has almost become a reflex. A century ago, however, spewing nastiness by text required far more effort. Someone had to put ink to paper, commit their hatred to physical form in their own handwriting, tuck it into an envelope, pay for postage, then await the mail service to deliver their malice. Wicked Little Letters isn't an ode to that dedication, but there's no avoiding that sending offensive missives in its 1920s setting was a concerted, determined act — and also that no one could claim just seconds later that they were hacked. Times change, and technology with it, but people don't: that's another way of looking at this British dramedy, which is indeed based on a true tale. Director Thea Sharrock (The One and Only Ivan) and screenwriter Jonny Sweet (Gap Year) know that there's a quaintness about the chapter of history that they're bringing to the screen, but not to the attitudes behind the incident. In Sussex by the sea on the English Channel, spiteful dispatches scandalised a town, with the situation dubbed "the Littlehampton libels". Today, much worse than the swearing and insults initially sent to Edith Swan, then to other villagers as well, can be seen on social media constantly. Someone can fire off unhinged pettiness in seconds. No one in another 100 years will be making a movie about wicked little letters of the 2020s, then — where would they start, or end? Right now, in this flick about disagreeable and distressing communications, contrasting the reality of the human penchant for mud-slinging across a century springs from a well-told story. In Wicked Little Letters' account of the Littlehampton events, Edith (Olivia Colman, Wonka) keeps receiving notes that overuse vulgar terms, and the God-fearing, prim-and-proper spinster, who lives with her strict father (Timothy Spall, The Heist Before Christmas) and dutiful mother (Gemma Jones, Emily), is certain that she knows the source of her unwanted mail. Living next door, Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley, Fingernails) is an Irish single mother to Nancy (Alisha Weir, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical), has Bill (Malachi Kirby, My Name Is Leon) as her live-in boyfriend, and is fond of a drink at the pub and of sharing her opinion. The two neighbours are as chalk and cheese as women of the time could get, but were once friendly. When Edith blames Rose, the latter's pleas that she's innocent — and that she'd just tell the former her grievances to her face, not send them anonymously — fall on deaf ears among most of the resident police. The reaction from the constabulary isn't astonishing. Papperwick (Hugh Skinner, The Witcher) and his chief Spedding (Paul Chahidi, Chad) think that it's an open-and-shut case, arrogantly and pompously so. Initially, "woman police officer" (as her colleagues insist on calling her) Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan, Black Mirror) shares the same conclusion. But when your very presence as the first female cop is treated as a novelty day in and day out at work, it isn't a leap to spot how preconceived prejudice dictates the use of the law — sparking Gladys into investigating whether there's more afoot, going against Spedding's orders, but with a trio of local women (Saltburn's Lolly Adefope, Boat Story's Joanna Scanlan and Doc Martin's Eileen Atkins) assisting. As Wicked Little Letters spins a whodunnit around its expletive-filled correspondence and lapses in accepted propriety — albeit one with low stakes, given that the culprit is largely obvious regardless of whether you know the real-life details going in — it does so with top-notch casting. Watching any Colman-starring film means seeing one of Britain's best actors put on a show, as everything from The Favourite to The Father attests. Here, it also involves witnessing a layered portrayal, not that that's unusual for the Oscar-winner. Edith is the picture of Catholic piety, but yearns for constant approval (being called a "pretty young Christian woman" gets her beaming with pride) after spending her entire existence under her abusive father's thumb. Envy also clearly courses through her veins towards the former acquaintance that she's sending to jail. Enjoying Colman's turn also means revelling in her ability to sling profanities when the narrative calls for it ("piss" and "foxy-arsed" are high among the scribe's terms of choice). Buckley, also as always, is as spirited as she is earthy — and expertly balances Rose's bold forthrightness with her inner vulnerability as the village witch-hunt keeps pointing its pitchforks Rose's way (primarily for daring to be unmarried, a mother, cohabiting with a man, known to curse and nothing but her irrepressible self). She's having as much of a ball as Colman with her part, in just-as-stellar a performance. The dynamic between Edith and Rose spells out the narrow-minded societal mindset about women at the time, including how such judgements and expectations were internalised, but neither Buckley nor Colman are stuck playing mere symbols or subversions of regressive attitudes. Also excellent is Vasan, in a role that's no less crucial, conveying a process that is never as easy to experience as it is to witness: realising how flawed the status quo is, how your existence has been shaped by it (female police officers weren't even permitted to marry or have children), then challenging it no matter the consequences. As shot with the warm hues typical of period-set English fare by cinematographer Ben Davis (The Banshees of Inisherin), this poison-pen story doesn't send much that's surprising to the screen — as a mystery, a satire, a bundle of character studies, a cop and courtroom drama, or a portrait of the era that it depicts. It also leans heavily on its strong language being entertaining. But Sharrock, comedian Sweet and their cast have such a handle on the scenario, its amusing potential, and everything that this true-crime tale says about the 1920s, 2020s and humanity's worst impulses regardless of the year, that it always works. When Colman and Buckley last appeared in the same movie, The Lost Daughter had them playing the same person; getting them sharing a frame, and swearing in it, is also worth watching.
Yeah, we're thinking he's back. John Wick, that is. In 2014, Keanu Reeves introduced everyone's favourite assassin (and dog owner) to the world, with the film quickly sparking an action-packed franchise. The first sequel followed two years later, and the third effort did the same in 2019. Next, a fourth movie drops in March — but before you check it out, you can revisit the first three John Wick flicks on the big screen at Event Cinemas' John Wick marathon. At this point you should know exactly what this excellent series offers up: John Wick first seeking revenge against those who've wronged him, then being hunted down by his fellow killers. And all of this has sprang because, in the first movie, he became the proud owner of an adorable pooch. As Wick notes, of course, "it wasn't just a puppy". On-screen, everyone from Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Common and Ruby Rose to Halle Berry, Jason Mantzoukas and Anjelica Huston also pop up. So too does Laurence Fishburne, so prepare for a Neo and Morpheus reunion. And behind the lens, former Keanu stunt double-turned-filmmaker Chad Stahelski directs. Revisit the exquisitely choreographed action trilogy at select Event Cinemas' locations around Sydney on Saturday, March 4 — kicking off at 4.30pm, with tickets for $30.
Ever since Freddie Mercury teamed up with Brian May and company back in the 70s, Queen has never been out of fashion. And, thanks to Bohemian Rhapsody and the band's current members touring Down Under, the UK group has been grabbing plenty of attention again in recent years. You could call it a kind of magic. You could say that their songs must go on. Either way, if you're happy to let the British band keep rocking you, then you'll want to catch London's Queen by Candlelight when it debuts in Australia. While Queen tribute nights aren't rare — and neither are ones lit by flickering flames — this is the OG West End production, which features a live rock band and a cast of singers from London busting out the group's famous tracks. Been feeling a crazy little thing called love for Freddie and his bandmates? Then you'll clearly be in the right spot, with Queen by Candlelight playing the ICC Sydney at 7.30pm on Sunday, February 5. If your approach to the group's music is "I want it all!", that's what you'll hear. For one night, the event will break free so that Queen lovers can celebrate with their fellow champions. The aim: to make you feel like you're hearing the real thing, in a venue glowing with candles. In the UK, the gigs — which feature more than 20 Queen tracks — have proven sellouts.
They don't call it movie magic for nothing, as plenty of Hollywood's leading lights have made it their mission to stress. A filmmaker's work should ideally make that statement anyway — seeing any picture and taking any trip to the pictures should, not that either always occurs — but overt odes to cinema still flicker with frequency. Across little more than 12 months, Kenneth Branagh's Belfast has featured a scene where his on-screen childhood alter ego basks in the silver screen's glow, and Damien Chazelle's Babylon made celebrating Hollywood and everything behind it one of its main functions. With The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg revisited his formative years, following the makings of a movie-obsessed kid who'd become a movie-making titan. Now 1917, Skyfall, Spectre and American Beauty director Sam Mendes adds his own take with Empire of Light, as also steeped in his own youth. A teenager in the 70s and 80s, Mendes now jumps back to 1980 and 1981. His physical destination: the coastal town of Margate in Kent, where the Dreamland Cinema has stood for exactly 100 years in 2023. In Empire of Light, the gorgeous art deco structure has been rechristened The Empire. It's a place where celluloid dreams such as The Blues Brothers, Stir Crazy, Raging Bull and Being There entertain the masses, and where a small staff under the overbearing Donald Ellis (Colin Firth, Operation Mincemeat) all have different relationships with their own hopes and wishes. As projectionist Norman, Toby Jones (The Wonder) is Mendes' mouthpiece, waxing lyrical about the transporting effect of images running at 24 frames per second and treasuring his work sharing that experience. Empire of Light is that heavy handed, and in a multitude of ways. But duty manager Hilary (Olivia Colman, Heartstopper) and new employee Stephen's (Micheal Ward, Small Axe) stories are thankfully far more complicated than simply adoring cinema. Actually, despite spending her days slinging £1.50 tickets and popcorn, Hilary has never seen a movie at The Empire. That might seem unlikely, but it's a crucial and thoughtful character detail. Navigating a journey with her mental health, her conscientiousness at work helps her to keep busy away from her lonely apartment. Having spent a lifetime thinking little of herself, she doesn't for a moment contemplate enjoying what her workplace sells (the fact that it's where she's being taken advantage of sexually by Donald also leeches joy from her view of the place). Accordingly, she has a stronger affinity for the venue's empty third and fourth screens, both of which have been shuttered — plus the upstairs bar that services them — and allowed to fall into pigeon-filled disrepair. When Empire of Light begins, Hilary has recently returned from a hospital stint, too, and the lithium her doctor has prescribed since is stifling. Watching someone go through the motions in a place that's all about motion, possibility, and shiny visions of other lives and realms paints a powerful portrait, with Mendes — who writes his first-ever solo feature script in addition to directing — crafting a keen character study layered with symbolism. Welcomely, when Stephen arrives to break up The Empire's routine, he's never merely a catalyst in another's tale or an emblem of Britain's struggles with race. Empire of Light takes the time to chart his path as well, including the discrimination he faces walking down the street; his devotion to his single mum, Trinidadian nurse Delia (Tanya Moodie, The Man Who Fell to Earth); and his growing romance with Hilary. Stephen's story is a coming-of-age story, all about finding himself in and through a space where audiences flock to find everything imaginable. So too is Hilary's, of course. That said, it's easy to see how Stephen could've just been a device, helping to keep the plot turning and Hilary's tale progressing, if someone other than Ward had taken on the part. His is a rich, sincere and soulful performance, playing a young Black man with the clearest of eyes as he surveys a hostile Thatcher-era England, yet remaining kind and caring — to people and injured birds alike — and perennially optimistic. Holding one's own against Colman is no mean feat; this film's own light largely beams from the pair. Whether they're sharing a frame or taking centre stage alone, they're always a key force drawing viewers in, no matter how forceful Mendes is with his cinema-conquers-all message (and how adamantly the score by Bones and All's Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is telling the audience what to feel). What a stunning portrayal Colman delivers beside Ward; Hilary was written specifically for her, unsurprisingly, and plays that way at all times. Saying that the Oscar- and Emmy-winner — for The Favourite and The Crown, respectively — is phenomenal in any role is like saying that popcorn is salty, but it doesn't make it any less true (as her recent work in Landscapers, The Lost Daughter and The Father also demonstrates). Deep-seated sorrow and heartbreak lingers in Hilary in Empire of Light, and not just because the screenplay says it must. The talented actor is a marvel at not only opening up a character's inner tussles and emotions in her gaze and stance, but making them feel hauntingly real, which Mendes makes exceptional use of. It's no wonder that the movie peers at her face often — a face that makes its own case for movie magic whether it's staring intently at Hilary's latest cinema task, revelling in Stephen's company or breaking down at The Empire's big moment: the glitzy regional premiere of Chariots of Fire. Alongside Colman and Ward, the man responsible for Empire of Light's gaze — and lighting it — is the feature's other immense and essential asset. Just like the film's two key actors, Roger Deakins' impact is so pivotal that this'd be a completely different movie sans his input. Earning the picture's only Academy Award nomination — his 16th, fresh from consecutive wins for Blade Runner 2049 and 1917 — he ensures that every shot speaks volumes about The Empire and the people who consider it a type of home. Sometimes, he achieves that by mirroring the big screen's frame, finding other frames to place around the picture's characters where possible, and stressing that everyone's tale is worth telling. Sometimes, too, he actively seeks out reflections, nodding to how cinema interacts with the world around it while also literally showing multiple sides of a character at once. That's movie magic alright, and Empire of Light is at its best when it lets its craft demonstrate cinema's glory itself.
Punching has never been what matters most in the Creed movies, no matter how fast and furiously fists frequently fly. One of the key things that's always set this boxing franchise apart — with its first instalment landing in 2015 and sequel Creed II hitting in 2018 — is its focus on character and emotion first and foremost, including favouring both above going round for round in the ring. Blows are traded, obviously. Bouts are fought, bruises inflicted, bones broken and titles won. But the Creed saga has kept swinging again and again, leading to latest instalment Creed III, because it's still about its namesake, who he is as a person, and his feelings, demons and conflicts. When you have Michael B Jordan (Just Mercy) leading a series — even when it's a part of the broader Rocky series, or perhaps especially when that's the case — you give him the room to dig deep. You also give him weighty material to bear, as well as the space to bare Adonis 'Donnie' Creed's soul. Jordan gives himself that room, weight and space in Creed III, in the actor's first stint as a director. Notching up a ninth chapter for the overall saga that dates back to 1976's three-time Oscar-winner Rocky, this is also the first film to sport either that character or Creed's moniker but not feature Sylvester Stallone on-camera — or his involvement beyond a producer credit. Creed III is all the better for Rocky Balboa's absence, despite Stallone turning in his best performance yet in the initial Creed film. Understanding what it means to move on and openly unpacking what that truly entails is something else this franchise-within-a-franchise has long gotten right. So, Donnie has moved on from struggling with his father's legacy, and from his need to live in the past. He has another date with history, but Jordan and screenwriters Keenan Coogler (Space Jam: A New Legacy) and Zach Baylin (King Richard) — with a story also credited to the original Creed's director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) — aren't just mindlessly repeating the series' pattern. Creed III begins by going back to where Donnie's story started on-screen — actually, by venturing even further back, meeting him as an idolising teen (Thaddeus J Mixson, The Wonder Years). It's 2002, he lives in a group home, and the slightly older Damian 'Dame' Anderson (Spence Moore II, AP Bio) is a best friend as close as a brother, his mentor, and also a boxing prodigy. But a night showered in glory turns traumatic and violent, ending with Dame being incarcerated for the best part of two decades. Jump to the film's present, where Donnie has thrown in the gloves but remains tied to his chosen sport thanks to his Los Angeles boxing gym, plus managing a stable of champions and hopefuls. Jump, too, to Dame (Jonathan Majors, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) resurfacing fresh out of prison, wanting not just to reconnect but a title shot. The Rocky and Creed world sure does love an underdog. That's Dame, with only adolescent boxing achievements on his resume, but a certainty that he should challenge Donnie-managed reigning victor Felix Chavez (IRL pro boxer Jose Benavidez) for the belt. Even with plenty of its attention floating like a butterfly to the past, and stinging like a bee in what it sees, the movie wouldn't progress from there, of course, if its titular figure could himself resist the little guy — in the sport's hierarchy, not in stature. A hallmark of all things Rocky and Creed has always been giving the up-and-comer a go, as happened with Balboa and as he provided Donnie. So, true to the template but never only making itself about that tried-and-tested template, Creed III follows suit. This threequel-slash-ninequel isn't handing over the spotlight to its latest contender, though, no matter how magnetic and compelling Majors reliably proves (see also: The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Da 5 Bloods, Lovecraft Country and The Harder They Fall). He's Hollywood's current go-to for new villains in third efforts, and impressively so — particularly against the fellow heavyweight acting talent Jordan — but it's a touch unfortunate that Creed III drops in such short succession after the third Ant-Man rather than giving his efforts in both time to breathe. Inevitably, getting Jordan and Majors facing off in the ring, and getting Donnie back in the ring to do so, is a matter of when not if. The script obliges after Dame plays nice with Donnie's musician spouse Bianca (Tessa Thompson, Thor: Love and Thunder) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent, The Resident), who is deaf, but turns on his childhood pal on dime when he gets a taste of success and years of festering resentment bleeds out. Jordan directs with tension, intensity, energy, heft and a welcome willingness to get trippy with fight scenes, as aided by cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau (The Many Saints of Newark) — and with pace to the requisite training and match montages, with help from editors Tyler Nelson (The Batman) and Jessica Baclesse (Breakwater). Creed III is visually and viscerally immersive and engaging; in the process, Jordan also crafts a movie that plots a showdown between hard work and entitlement. In one corner sits someone committed to the toil, and to earning his rewards. In the other lurks a force driven by believing he's owed, that his wins must be someone else's losses, that his enemies must suffer for him to be happy, and by spite and revenge. The Cooglers and Baylin layer in genuine and complicated reasons for Dame's bitterness towards Donnie, but never justify his unhealthy way of handling his emotions — something that the Creed films have spent two prior instalments working through with his target. If a long-held grudge linked to childhood events sounds familiar, especially with Jordan involved, that's unsurprising. So should a suddenly arriving antagonist desperate to settle a score with someone enjoying power and prominence, plus duels over a throne of sorts. Jordan sparred through them all in Black Panther, which Ryan Coogler helmed after the first Creed (the pair's third collaboration, after 2013's exceptional Fruitvale Station before both). That leaves Creed III moving on from the Italian Stallion by following in footsteps other than its own franchise's — but still following in footsteps. It asks similar questions about masculinity, strength and heroism as Black Panther. It thrives on the dynamic between its two warring men, and on the performances the actors behind them give, too. It nods towards a different future for the saga as Wakanda Forever does as well. Also, it doesn't pack as hard a punch lingering beneath that shadow; Creed III is no knockout it's still a worthy bout.
Girls to the front — Bikini Kill are coming to Australia. The iconic Kathleen Hanna-fronted, Washington-formed band instigated the riot grrrl movement, and will perform their first Aussie shows in more than 25 years on a seven-date 2023 tour. On top of appearances at Mona Foma, Golden Plains and Perth Festival, the trailblazing trio of Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail are doing a series of headline shows, including appearing in Sydney in March. In the Harbour City, Bikini Kill are headed to the Sydney Opera House on Monday, March 13 — and in good news for the next generation of rebel grrrls and underage rockers, it's an all-ages affair. [caption id="attachment_875442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Debi Del Grande[/caption] In preparation, either watching or rewatching the exceptional documentary The Punk Singer, about Hanna, should be on your must-do list right now. Fun fact: when Hanna spray-painted "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit" across her pal Mr Cobain's wall, the name of a certain grunge anthem was born. In Sydney, Bikini Kill are also appearing at the Sydney Opera House's All About Women conference on Sunday, March 12 — which you can either head to in-person or livestream from home. Top image: Debi Del Grande.
Lovers of ramen, listen up — two of Sydney's best ramen shops are joining forces for one night only. Chaco and Gogyo are teaming up for a limited-time ramen collab at Gogyo's Surry Hills outpost on Monday, June 21. Details are currently limited but we know these two top Sydney ramen forces coming together is bound to deliver something special. Chaco is no stranger to collaborations with fellow Sydney favourites, running a pop-up with Surry Hills shawarma standouts Shwarmama early last year. Tickets for the collaboration will be available from 6pm Thursday, June 17 from Chaco and Gogyo's websites. Keep your eyes on their respective Instagram feeds for more details. [caption id="attachment_772483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chaco ramen, Alana Dimou[/caption]
Now that 2021's cooler months are here, locations around Australia have been transforming into winter wonderlands, celebrating the chilly season in all of its frosty glory. Starting back in May and running through until September, The Winter Village has returned after its debut run in Melbourne two years back — and this time it's dropping by several other cities, including Parramatta. Modelled on your typically picturesque European winter market — and giving Aussies a taste of a winter experience that we don't really have otherwise — The Winter Village comes complete with an ice rink, an igloo village, daily snow showers, and a food and drink lineup. Think of it as your quaint wintery escape, just in urban surroundings. The Parramatta stopover was always mooted, but it now has a start date: Saturday, June 19. It'll take over Prince Alfred Square as part of a partnership with the City of Parramatta's Winterlight, and will stay in place until Sunday, September 12. Attendees will be able to dust off their skates and hit the ice, and hire a private igloo where you can wine and dine with up to eight people in cosy solace. Folks spending their time in The Winter Village's igloos will feast on grazing plates of chips, dips, mini pretzels, cured meats, fried chicken bites, mac 'n' cheese croquettes and more, drink their choice of wine or beer, and tuck into a chocolate ice cream sandwich for dessert. That's the $49 package, with the $69 option including espresso martini-flavoured chocolate fudge dipping sauce, berries, brownies, marshmallows, cookies and your choice of a Bloody Shiraz Gin spritz, espresso martini, wine or beer. Or, get festive over brunch instead — which includes a 45-minute skate session and a meal afterwards for $35. There'll also be pop-up bars and outdoor seating throughout the village, should you be keen on heading along without spending time in an igloo. Top images: Mazloum J.
As the latest venture from hospitality heavyweight Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, Supernormal, Marion), elegant bar and bistro Gimlet has been causing quite the splash down in its hometown of Melbourne. And come Sunday, April 18, Sydneysiders are being invited in on some of that magic, as the venue's cocktail bar heads north for a one-night appearance at Icebergs Bar. Across two 90-minute sittings (6–7.30pm and 8–9.30pm), guests will score an all-encompassing taste of Gimlet via a menu of snacks and signature sips — all courtesy of McConnell, Head Chef Allan Doert Eccles and Bar Manager Cameron Parish. You'll find yourself tucking into sophisticated bites like the rock oysters done with seaweed butter and rye, fried cheese morsels, and dainty yellowfin tuna sandwiches with pickled rock samphire and salted onion. Meanwhile, in the drinks corner, expect the likes of a mai tai reworked with green almond and macadamia, and a riff on the gimlet (of course) featuring moscato and Geraldton wax. To nab a spot on the night, you'll need to book one of the limited tickets for $60. It's a pay-as-you-go affair, so that $60 will be taken off your evening's final bill. [caption id="attachment_806769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gimlet's signature Gimlet by Jo McGann[/caption]
Sydney is scoring a brand new block party in celebration of YCK Laneways, the CBD's newest dining and cultural precinct. To help launch YCK, which encompasses York Street, Clarence Street and Kent Street — and to remind Sydneysiders about all the beloved venues that span these three streets — ten of the precinct's most popular bars are throwing a massive six-week party. Running between Wednesday, April 7–Sunday, May 22, the YCK Laneways Block Party will feature 75 cultural events including dance, theatre, live music and interactive art across the ten beloved spots. The ten venues involved: Since I Left You, Papa Gede's, The Lobo, Spawn Point, The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence, Stitch Bar, Uncle Ming's, Prince of York and Grandma's Bar. With both free and ticket events taking place, the cultural offerings stretch from antipasto burlesque at the Prince of York and poetry readings in the Since I Left You courtyard to wheelie bin art at The Barber Shop and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Spawn Point. Regular CBD favourite events like Brunch With... will also be wrapped up in the festivities, while a whole heap of live music and dance parties will take place across the three streets following the recent rolling back of restrictions to allow dance floors in New South Wales. More events are set to be announced, including a standalone outdoor live music event. You can browse the full program and stay up to date on everything happening in the YCK precinct via the YCK Laneways website.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this shindig at the Oxford Art Factory will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion — expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 9pm on Thursday, April 1. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Entry costs $20, with the fun running through until 3am. And yes, because dancing will be allowed again in Sydney from Monday, March 29, you'll be cutting a rug while getting nostalgic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WEtxJ4-sh4 Image: Destination NSW.
