The Succulent Corner is Dulwich Hill's much loved nursery that is about to become even more beloved. It's throwing a massive plant sale this weekend, during which the shop's already reasonably priced greenery is being discounted to bargain basement prices. The three-day event will take place from January 11–13, starting at 9.30am each day. The sale will show off the shop's rare and unusual offerings at seriously low prices — succulents will start at just one buck and larger indoor plants at $8. There will be rare succulents and cacti up for grabs, along with fiddle leaf, rubber plants, zanzibar, calathea white fusion and monstera. A range of ferns, palms and ivys will be there, too. Brand new arrivals include the satin pothos, philodendron pink princess and variegated sedum sieboldii. Now, unless you're a horticulturist, these scientific names probably don't mean much. But Google can tell you that they are one good looking bunch that you'll want to get your hands on. Entry is free, just make sure to RSVP on the Facebook page here.
Sydneysiders have always liked cheese, but in recent years things have gotten serious. Dedicated fromageries have popped up across our fair city and recently we've enjoyed festivals dedicated to cheese, cheese wheels filled with pasta and bottomless raclette. Our stomachs are working overtime to digest all the lactose — and, honestly, we've never been happier. And the love affair continues with this latest cheesy announcement. France (or more specifically, a Parisian centre for cheese, which is a real thing) is bringing Bon Fromage, a free three-day festival celebrating European cheese, back to Sydney — with double the cheese. The whole thing will be taking over Carriageworks from October 18–20. First and foremost is cheese — the venue will be transformed into a cheese marketplace and wine bar from 10.30am till 6.30pm each day (and 5–7.30pm on Friday night). Organisers will be bringing in over a tonne (that's 1000 kilograms) of cheese for the festival, and it will all be free of charge. Just to recap: free entry and free cheese. But the cheese festival isn't just about eating so much cheese you puke. Masterclasses will be held on how to match cheese with wine, how to tell the difference between varieties and, we assume, the correct way to draw a cheese fondue bath for yourself. There will also be a collection of stalls selling cheese for you to take home and eat later. If you would like to drop some cash on more cheese, you can do that, too. There'll heaps of cheeses available to buy and take home and one-off cheesy desserts from the likes of Koi Dessert Bar, BL Burgers and LoLuk Bistro. While entry is free, you will need to register for a session (5.30–7pm on Friday, or 10.30am–2pm and 2.30-6.30pm on Saturday and Sunday) via the website.
She's back. Sydney summer in all her glory has returned, and this year there's a thirst to soak up every drop of daylight and make the most of the long, languid days with that special someone. With the help of Captain Cook Cruises, we've put together the perfect summer date night itinerary so you can take advantage of the extra sunshine hours and stretch out the fun for as long as possible. [caption id="attachment_787118" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy Lee, 'Listening to the Moon' (2018), installation view, 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020. Image courtesy the artist and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photo: Anna Kucera[/caption] 2PM — GO SEE LINDY LEE'S EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART We think every date should start with a thought-starter; something to talk about as you continue on with your day. Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop is the MCA's blockbuster exhibition right now, which has the largest collection of works ever shown by the Australian Chinese artist and showcases the breadth of her long and brilliant career. The show is a meditation on what it means to belong and draws on the philosophies of Daoism and Buddhism — the name of the exhibition is a nod to the writings of the Zen philosopher Dogen. The striking stainless steel sculpture at the bottom of the MCA steps on the Circular Quay forecourt is a fitting taste of what's to come once you step inside. 3.30PM — VISIT HARBOUR BAR & RESTAURANT FOR PRE-DINNER DRINKS From the MCA, mosey on over to Circular Quay where you can board Captain Cook Cruises' new hop-on, hop-off Harbour Bar & Restaurant. There's live music and plenty of top-notch cocktails to choose from — the most difficult thing to decide on is which direction to cast your eye. Unlike most bars, the view here changes as the boat moves around the harbour, so you can tick off the hit list of attractions together as you go: Opera House? Check. Harbour Bridge? Check. Luna Park? Check, check, check. [caption id="attachment_793003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] 7PM — DINE AT SMOKE, BARANGAROO HOUSE You can choose to dine aboard the Harbour Bar & Restaurant, however if you choose to disembark with your beau at Darling Harbour, head to Smoke at Barangaroo House for dinner in the clouds. Smoke sits atop the spaceship-shaped, three-tiered building. The wrap-around balcony offers panoramic views of the harbour, with the city sitting pretty as a backdrop. The menu is designed to share so it's a good thing you've got company. Think smoky chicken skewers with lemon and a kick of cayenne or puffed beef crackers with spiced tomato salt. Better yet, get the cheese plate for two to fill up on fromage with the one you love. [caption id="attachment_714472" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] 8.30PM — HEAD TO CANTINA OK! FOR A SPICY MARGARITA After you tear yourself away from the view at Smoke, make your way up the hill to Cantina OK! for a cocktail that will put a fire in your belly. This diminutive laneway mezcal bar in the CBD more than makes up for its size with the skill of its cocktail makers. Put yourselves in the very capable hands of the bartenders, who'll delight you both with their latest concoction. Or, if you're feeling traditional (which, here, is no bad thing), stick to a margarita made the OK way with half tequila and half mezcal. They're so good you'll want to stay for one more last one. Whether you're keen for a cocktail cruise or dinner date, you can find out more about the Harbour Bar and Restaurant, here. Top image: Captain Cook Cruises
Is the type of film festival that dedicates an afternoon and evening to a killer clown your type of film festival? If so, you should be excited about Monster Fest's return. In just a few short years, the Terrifier movies have become horror must-sees if you can't get enough of slashers splashing about gore aplenty. With the latest flick in the franchise on the way, Monster Fest is screening all three Terrifier titles, old and new — so, giving audiences an extended date with Art the Clown — as a key part of its 2024 program. The Australian premiere of Terrifier 3 will follow the OG Terrifier and first sequel Terrifier 2 on Saturday, October 5 in Sydney. The festival kicks off on Friday, October 4, running until Sunday, October 6 at Event Cinemas Burwood. While getting creeped out by cinema's most-sadistic clown is a big Monster Fest 2024 drawcard, it's The Rule of Jenny Pen from Coming Home in the Dark filmmaker James Ashcroft that's the event's opening-night pick. At the other end of the festival, horror-comedy Frankie Freako by Psycho Goreman's Steven Kostanski is in the closing slot. Both pictures embrace puppets, the first with help from John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon) and the second featuring a dancing goblin. Other highlights include the latest Hellboy movie, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which heads back to the 1950s; Azrael, as led by Australian actor Samara Weaving (Scream VI), and telling of a woman's attempt to escape from mute zealots; New Zealand body-horror film Grafted; and documentary Generation Terror, which focuses on the horror genre from the late-90s to mid-00s.
Among the English language's best phrases, 'all you can eat' ranks up there with the best of them. It'd sound great in any language, of course, and you might hear it in German over the weekend of Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 — aka 'so viel du essen kannst'. Specifically, you might hear either version at Munich Brauhaus, The Bavarian and the Bavarian Beerhaus, which are all offering an appropriate stuff-your-face deal. For a two-hour sitting, you can tuck into as many schnitzels as you can stomach. Served on a platter, there are three varieties on offer: the uber schnitzel, which is decked out with rocket, semi-dried tomato and parmesan; the jager schnitzel, topped with wild mushroom ragu; and the good ol' parmigiana, which obviously comes with melted mozzarella, tomato sauce and ham. Talk about good schnit. The special costs $35 per person, also includes unlimited mashed potato and potato salad — yep, both hot and cold spuds — and is available for bookings of at least two people. You do need to book, however, so gather the gang, get planning, and make a date with the Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks, Beerhaus on York Street or one of NSW's 13 Bavarians.
What would a uniquely Sydney version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet look like? Would Romeo be from the inner west, Juliet from the eastern suburbs? Would she go by 'Jules'? Would he shout 'where for art thou' via Snapchat? We're expecting the Sydney Theatre Company's new production of Romeo and Juliet to be a touch more classy than so pedestrianised (just look at that swish promo shot), but you can expect to see many aspects of our present time flickering within it. The star-crossed couple's simple wish to escape their set social milieus and live authentic lives is, after all, not unfamiliar in 2013. Director Kip Williams proved with his STC debut last year, Under Milk Wood, that he has the power to craft imagery as memorable as Baz Luhrmann's fish tank, so this production is in good hands. Rising theatre stars Eryn Jean Norvill and Dylan Young in the lead roles and Josh McConville (so sinister in The Boys) as antagonist Tybalt lead the very promising cast. Romeo and Juliet is on 17 September to 2 November at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, and thanks to the STC, we have five double passes to give away to the first preview on 17 September. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
While we are still unable to travel to our favourite overseas destinations, venues around Australia are bringing the destinations a little closer to home. A Melbourne pop-up has promised to take you to New York, London and Paris, and Bondi Beach Public Bar is following suit, transporting you to Bali by transforming into the famed Motel Mexicola. From midday on Saturday, November 14 and again on Saturday, December 5, Bondi Beach Public Bar's regular menu, interior and playlist will be replaced by those of Motel Mexicola's, so expect tacos, tequila and colourful tiles aplenty. You can get a taste of the music here, too. The pop-up is offering two-hour sessions of Mexican eats and free-flowing margaritas, which is destined to kick you into summer mode. Slow-cooked lamb and roasted barramundi tacos will be on offer together with guacamole, pico de gallo and corn on the cob with smoked chilli mayo. To drink, there'll be lots of classic margaritas, but if you want to spice things up a touch, chilli and frozen margs will also be available alongside micheladas and sangrita. The taco and margarita feasts are available for $85 per person with sessions available at midday or 2.30pm. To make a booking, head over to the Bondi Beach Public Bar website. The pop-up was only set to take place on one day in November, but later announced a second day in December due to its popularity.
UPDATE, December 9, 2020: Pixar Putt has extended its stay at Bankwest Stadium until Sunday, January 31, 2021. The below details have been updated to reflect that change. Summer holidays are in the distance and a long weekend is around the corner, which means the part-tee is just beginning. To help us start getting into the holiday groove, our favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Parramatta at a new mini golf course inspired by some of our favourite Disney films. After setting up its (temporary) home in Darling Harbour last year, the kidult-friendly course is now heading to Bankwest Stadium (with five new holes) from Saturday, September 26 until Sunday, January 31. Designed to challenge both eight-year-olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Hit a few balls with Darla and Marlin from Finding Nemo, and flick one past Princess Atta from A Bug's Life. No need for a trip to Disneyland. Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night — because the post-work putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Until Thursday, December 17, you can head by from 3–10pm Thursday–Friday, 10am–10pm Saturday and 10am–8pm Sunday. Between Friday, December 18–Sunday, January 31, those hours change to 10am–8pm Sunday–Wednesday and 10am–10pm Thursday–Saturday. As COVID-19 restrictions are still a fact of life, the mini golf course will have physical distancing measures, plenty of hand sani and restricted capacity — which means tickets will sell fast. You can snag yours from pixarputt.com.au. Updated December 9.
Marrickville's Bucket Boys is not your average craft brew bottle shop, more closely resembling a sort of art gallery for beer — think minimalist, modern artwork, a four-tap tasting/refill bar and single bottles only on display, giving each beer its place to shine. Add BB's own brews into the mix, and you've got yourself one hell of a commitment to craft. This valiant endeavour is no surprise from co-owner Johnathan Hepner, who, apart from being the biggest beer geek we know, is also quite possibly the only Cicerone bottle shop owner in Australia. Hepner is joined by co-owner Clint Elvin (Gasoline Pony) and local legends Jay Cook and Ben Miller, who head up the in-house brewing team. The Bucket Boys concept is based on the history of growler-style takeaway, which originated in the early 1800s. Their own brews pay homage to ye olden days of beer as well — their Straw Dog, a 14th century-style Polish beer, is made from oak-smoked wheat. With only single bottles on offer, the name of the game here is the mixed six-pack. The stocklist currently sits at 400 brews, with over 60 sours, including many international brewers that have hardly made it to the Aussie market — like Italian craft Lover Beer and Belgium's Brouwerij Alvinne. Of course, Aussie and Kiwi craft is extensively represented as well. "I've ensured that at least one of every beer style is currently in stock," says Hepner. With his extensive beer knowledge, we're going to take this as gospel. But it's not all beer on the shelves. Apart from the impressive, ever changing beer stock, specialty wines and spirits are also well-represented — this includes Bucket Boys own house wines, made in collaboration with Alex Retief of Urban Winery Sydney, as well as a sheep whey vodka from Tasmania's Hartshorn Distillery. Bucket Boys is a spot for true beer lovers and a place for even the biggest beer geeks to discover something new in craft. Locals around here are lucky, with BB the perfect cherry atop the craft beer mecca that is Marrickville. [caption id="attachment_597742" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marissa Ciampi[/caption] Images: Marissa Ciampi.
Let them eat cake. Unless, of course, they don't like the spongy, decadent dessert fit for a royal. Yep, we've all got a mate who doesn't fancy cake. Yes, it's weird, but we love them anyway. However, every year when it rolls around to their birthday, we're left scratching our heads. Well, not this time. We've teamed up with American Express to let you know that, yes, there are plenty of other tasty treats to track down in Sydney to mark your mate's next lap around the sun. From giant eclairs and Italian doughnuts to choc chip cookies and the best tiramisu in town, these six Sydney spots will put you in the good books for years to come.
Sacrifice, of the kind where ideals clash with safety and responsibility, is at the heart of A Thousand Times Good Night. The film starts with a potent example, as photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) snaps away in Afghanistan. Secreted to a secluded spot, she starts capturing a funeral; however, it is soon revealed that her subject isn’t dead. Instead, the prone pose is part of a ritual preparing a suicide-bomber for a mission that goes awry, injuring Rebecca in the process. Juxtaposing the struggle of a woman driven to chronicle the horrors of humanity with the plights of those whose daily lives exist on the precipice between life and death, this introduction makes a strong statement. The former clearly seems trivial in comparison to the latter, but both have costs and consequences. Rebecca has a husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and two daughters (Lauryn Canny and Adrianna Cramer Curtis) restless with worry when she is out in the field. Giving up her passion for her loved ones’ peace of mind doesn’t come easily, as she is troubled in her attempts to reconcile the need to make a difference with the comforts of home and the calling of family. Alas, following on from such a striking and tense opening was always going to be difficult. The focus swiftly shifts to an account of disturbed domesticity, and so does the A Thousand Times Good Night’s effectiveness and interest. Contemplating the professional versus personal divide is admirable, and touching upon the ethics of observing versus intervening sparks questions, although both areas have been traversed more thoughtfully in other films. Here, they’re just mechanisms to incite conflict in a marriage melodrama. In such rendering of the circumstances, much is left to rest on Binoche’s talented shoulders. Thankfully, it is never tiresome to see the actress on screen, even when a furrowed brow seems her standard expression. Coster-Waldau is sadly given little to do, other than rally against the protagonist’s choices. Instead, it is young newcomer Canny that offers the best depiction of the traumatic repercussions of living with and loving someone constantly drawn to perilous situations. A Thousand Times Good Night is inspired by the early photographer years of director Erik Poppe’s own career, as conveyed in a script co-written with his long-term collaborator Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, but it is easy to dismiss its content as fiction. Only the war-torn visuals seem taken from Poppe’s experiences; indeed, some of his own stills are used, and the handsome imagery certainly eclipses the strived-for emotion. That’s the issue: the story and performances are just too concerned with heavy-handed sentiments to ring true. It seems that the key sacrifice the film makes is in its approach, preferring the appearance of resonance to taking any thematic risks.
When it comes to summer, Australia hits it out of the park. Proof? Just look at how many high-quality festivals are held in the sunny months. From camping festivals with a secret lineup in a dairy farm, to a one-day inner city dance parties, there's pretty much something for every inclination (and intensity) this summer. And with all the frivolity and letting loose that happens on festival grounds, it's forgivable to forget who'll be gracing the stages. The 2018–19 season shows off an incredible crowd of Aussie musicians, with names almost eclipsing the international talent they'll be playing alongside. Courtney Barnett, Gang of Youths, Flight Facilities and Stella Donnelly are a representation of the hundreds of Aussies doing the rounds, joined by international artists such as Cardi B, Anderson .Paak and Nicki Minaj headlining. But it's not just about the music. There'll be no shortage of visual art and the food offerings, like every year, are more and more gourmet and accommodating to dietaries (even at some of the more remote locations).
If you thought the shining star of Tamworth was the golden guitar statue, well look, you probably wouldn't be wrong. But the country music-loving town can also hold its own when it comes to delicious food. The Taste Tamworth Festival is the annual premier food event for the region, so take off your bootleg jeans and get on your elasticised pants — it's time to eat. The event kicks off with the ever-popular Pop-Up Bar, where you'll spend a glorious evening with delicious canapes, local beers and wines and serenades by local crooners. Next is Taste in the Park, where you can join the 10,000-strong crowd in sampling the best regional food in beautiful Bicentennial Park. Finally, slow it down a bit with the Farm Gate Trail, and take yourself on a self-guided tour of farms in the region to meet the farmers and sample their delicious fresh produce.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 — Black Widow has moved its release date again, and will now hit cinemas on Thursday, April 29, 2021. This article has been updated to reflect that change. UPDATE, APRIL 4: Disney has announced a new release date for Black Widow, with the film now hitting cinemas on November 5, 2020. UPDATE, MARCH 18: Due to concerns around COVID-19, Disney has announced that Black Widow will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, April 30, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Over the course of 23 films in 12 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown into a big-screen behemoth. Just this year, Avengers: Endgame became the biggest worldwide box office hit of all time — and all three other Avengers films also sit in the global top ten, with Black Panther coming in at number 11. Basically, the MCU has become the Thanos of the cinema world, decimating its competition with ease. But, over all that time, all those movies and all that success, it has taken nearly a decade to give Black Widow her own standalone film. When it comes to pushing women to the front, the MCU's track record isn't great. As everyone knows, Captain Marvel, the Disney-owned company's first movie solely focused on a female character, only came out this year. Now Marvel is following that up with a film that really should've eventuated years ago — Natasha Romanoff, the highly trained ex-KGB assassin known as Black Widow and played in the MCU by Scarlett Johansson, first debuted on-screen in 2010's Iron Man 2 after all. Perhaps it's a case of better late than never. Perhaps, if Black Widow had been made earlier, it mightn't have attracted the extra scrutiny that's certain to follow given Johansson's track record when it comes to misguided public comments of late. Either way, thanks to Endgame, the film is obviously a prequel — as the just-dropped first teaser trailer makes plain. Also starring Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Fighting with My Family), Rachel Weisz and Stranger Things' favourite David Harbour, Black Widow jumps back a few years, setting the bulk of its story just after the events of 2016's Captain America: Civil War. On the run, Romanoff is forced to face her complicated (and violent) past, as well as a new masked opponent. We're sure a few familiar MCU faces will also show up. When it hits cinemas Down Under at the end of April 2021 — after a year delay due to COVID-19 — Black Widow will close a considerable gap for the MCU in more ways than one — not only will it finally give one the Avengers figure a solo moment to shine, but it'll mark the first Marvel film since mid-2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Behind the scenes, the movie boasts another reason to get excited, with Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome, Lore, Somersault) in the director's chair. And, she's actually the first female filmmaker to helm a Marvel flick solo (after Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck co-helmed Captain Marvel). Check out the Black Widow trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxAtuMu_ph4 After being delayed from its original release date of April 30, 2020, Black Widow will now open in Australian cinemas on April 29, 2021.
Summer is on the way. Christmas, too. And in Sydney, it's part-tee time as well. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up at Entertainment Quarter at a mini golf course inspired by a heap of beloved Disney films. After hitting up the city in previous years, the kidult-friendly course will now return from Friday, November 26–Sunday, February 6. Designed to challenge both eight-year-olds and adults alike, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. New this year: holes inspired by Onward, Soul and Luca, covering Pixar's three most recent release. So, if you don't think you can beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here instead. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Running from 7–10pm, the post-work putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. If you're keen to get tap, tap, tapping during daylight hours — and likely with littlies for company — Pixar Putt opens at 3pm daily until December 17, before moving it start time to 10am.
Vivid Fire Kitchen has returned to The Goods Line for 23 nights of smoky, fire-fuelled feasting. Running until Saturday, June 14 as part of Vivid Sydney, the nightly event will welcome a stellar lineup of local and international pitmasters, barbecue experts and chefs, from Firedoor's Lennox Hastie and Viand's Annita Potter to US-based, Australian live-fire chef and TV host Jess Pryles and American chef and TV personality Nyesha Arrington. On the menu, you'll find fire-flecked fare from celebrated Sydney kitchens like Aalia and Bar Copains alongside food trucks slinging a veritable world of flavours, including Filipino skewers by Hoy Pinoy, South American-style barbecue by Burn City Smokers, and creative plant-based Indian bites by Pocket Rocketz. There's also a dedicated seafood barbecue stand showcasing the best of Australia's fruits of the sea — plus, Mapo Gelato and Korean donuts from Miss Sina sweetening the deal. There'll be heaps of masterclasses and demonstrations, too, including wine sessions led by Mike Bennie at a bar pouring drops exclusively from NSW. First Nations Nights will spotlight Indigenous chefs and traditional fire cooking, highlighting native ingredients and cultural connections to fire. The National Indigenous Culinary Institute and chef Mindy Woods — recent winner of the Champions of Change award as part of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 — will also be appearing to share their knowledge. Entry is free — you'll have to pay for what you eat and drink, though — and with so many demos, masterclasses and chefs, no two nights are the same. And if you're still hungry, there's plenty more on the menu at this year's Vivid, from a plant-based 1950s-style American diner — complete with roller rink — to openair street eats on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
Believe it or not, Fabbrica Pasta Bar has been winning over Darlinghurst diners with its knockout cacio e pepe and hot honey and ricotta zucchini flowers — among numerous other delights — for a year. And, this week, the Victoria Street pasta purveyor is inviting you to celebrate its first anniversary with free drinks and the return of some of its most popular dishes. To be more precise, if you stop into Fabbrica Darlinghurst between 9–13 April (that's this Wednesday to Sunday), you'll be treated to a complimentary limoncello. On top of that, head chef Damiano Balducci is bringing back two original (and once widely devoured) creations. The first is the slightly sweet, slightly spicy and velvety smooth tonnarelli with blue swimmer crab and chilli. The second is cotoletta, consisting of Tathra Place pork cutlets, which are brined, crumbed and fried, before being served with crispy sage and creamy aioli. You can think of it as Balducci's signature take on a schnitty. We reckon this is going to attract fans in their legions. Don't want to miss out? Then be sure to book online as soon as you can.
UPDATE, January 28, 2021: Westpac Openair has revealed the rest of its program, covering February 8–23. You'll be able to go retro with Breakfast at Tiffany's, Bridesmaids, Dirty Dancing, Love Actually and Raiders of the Lost Ark; catch a preview of the Denzel Washington-starring thriller The Little Things; or check out current releases such as The Dry, Promising Young Woman and Wonder Woman 1984. Tickets for the new sessions go on sale at 10am AEDT on Thursday, January 28. Get ready to stare at a 350-square-metre screen rising from the harbour as the Westpac Openair Cinema returns to take care of your summer viewing plans with a jam-packed lineup of new, recent and classic movies. Thanks to its spot at Mrs Macquaries Point, Westpac Openair has spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, which is one big part of the attraction, of course. But so is feasting your eyes on the event's hefty program. The cinema kicked off this year on Tuesday, December 15 before taking a two-week break due to Sydney's recent COVID-19 outbreak. With the northern beaches lockdown ending, the openair cinema is now recommencing on Wednesday, January 13 and will run through until Tuesday, February 23 with plenty of films still in store. In the brand new camp, Australian frontier western High Ground and the Eric Bana-starring The Dry are must-sees. You can also check out women's surfing documentary Girls Can't Surf and witness the cathartic power of befriending a magpie in Penguin Bloom. Fancy combining movies and music? New documentary The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart will fill your night with classic disco tunes as it steps through the eponymous band's full career and roster of hits. Retro hits like The Devil Wears Prada, Pulp Fiction and Grease are all copping screenings if you want to relive your favourite flicks on the big screen. Food-wise, you'll be tucking into ready-to-collect gourmet picnic hampers by Kitchen by Mike and its chef Mike McEnearney. Plus, there's a bar serving up wine, beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Tickets are on sale now. Head to the pop-up cinema's website to browse the full program and plan your summer night viewing.
After five wildly successful summers of cocktail jugs, house music and deckchair lounging, The Island Bar is packing up shop on Cockatoo Island. Set to serve its last drink on February 29, Marco Faraone and Mike Edkins's award-winning bar will be relocating to a new Sydney venue with all the trimmings — astroturf, shipping containers, pizza ovens and all. Faraone and Edkins have not renewed their lease with Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, after "difficulties coming to an agreement" according to the pair. Instead, they're calling it quits on the iconic Sydney Harbour location. "When we opened The Island Bar, we were the first to bring the shipping container pop up concept to Sydney and make it a reality," says Edkins. "Now, after five years of establishing the bar as one of the must-go destinations in Sydney for great drinks, food and good times right on the harbour, it’s time for something new." Accessible only by boat on Cockatoo Island, The Island Bar has seen a whopping 350,000 visitors since launching in December 2010 — making it the longest-running Sydney pop-up of its kind to date. The Island Bar team will be announcing the venue's new location in the coming weeks, and it'll be installed and up and running by next summer. Head out to Cockatoo Island before the end of February to drink in one of Sydney's most picturesque pop-ups while you can. Images: The Island Bar.
STC's musical adaptation of Muriel's Wedding is like a perfect high school reunion – maximum '80s nostalgia without having to tell any of your old friends you're in HR now. When Muriel Heslop realises that the small town of Porpoise Spit has nothing in store but grim futures, she decides to take off, with only her parents' chequebook, a couple of ABBA albums memorised note for note and a vague sense that the wider world has something that she is hungry for. PJ Hogan, who wrote and directed Muriel's cinematic adventure, has adapted and updated the script for the stage, while Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall have built the music around ABBA's towering back catalogue. There's a real buzz around Muriel. Sure, it's a chance to re-immerse yourself in the unadulterated joy of Muriel's hijinks, but it's also because Muriel hasn't stopped holding the mirror up to our desperate, fame-hungry society since she first hit the screen. As director Simon Phillips points out: "Muriel's governing delusion is becoming a celebrity and becoming famously married. The world has caught up with Muriel." Image: Christine Messinesi.
If Vincent van Gogh can do it, and Claude Monet and his contemporaries like Renoir, Cézanne and Manet as well, then Frida Kahlo can also. We're talking about being the subject of huge, multi-sensory art exhibitions — the kind that takes an artist's work and projects it all around you so you feel like you're walking into their paintings. First came Van Gogh Alive, which has been touring the country for the last few years. On its way next is Monet & Friends Alive, launching at Melbourne's digital-only gallery The Lume at the end of October. And, after that, Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon is heading to Sydney as part of the hefty and just-announced Sydney Festival program for 2023. Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon will make its Australian premiere in the Harbour City — and display only in the Harbour — from Wednesday, January 4, 2023. For two months, it will celebrate the Mexican painter's life and work, taking over the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve with holography and 360-degree projections. The aim: turning a biographical exhibition about Kahlo into an immersive showcase, and getting attendees to truly understand her art, persistence, rebellion and skills — and why she's an icon. Visitors will wander through seven spaces, and get transported into the artist's work — including via virtual reality. That VR setup will indeed let you step inside Kahlo's pieces as much as VR can, although the entire exhibition is designed to cultivate that sensation anyway, with digital versions of Kahlo's paintings expanding across every surface. The showcase hails from Spanish digital arts company Layers of Reality, alongside the Frida Kahlo Corporation, and will feature historical photographs and original films as well — and live performances of traditional Mexican music. As part of the interactive component, attendees will also be able to make their own flower crowns, and turn their own drawings into Kahlo-style artworks. And, you'll be able to immortalise the experience in souvenir photos, too. For Sydneysiders, Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon is one of the most exciting announcements in Sydney Festival's massive 2023 lineup. For folks residing elsewhere, it's a mighty good reason to make a date with Sydney this summer. The exhibition comes to Australia after touring Europe and the US, and also displaying in Canada, Puerto Rico, Israel and Brazil. Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon will run from Wednesday, January 4–Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at The Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve, 1 Merriman Street, Barangaroo. For more information, or to book tickets, head to the Sydney Festival website.
If your usual night-out routine has been suffering from same-same syndrome of late, left-of-field events company Curious Cartel has just the thing to help you lift your game. The experts of immersive theatre and masters of intrigue — the same ones that brought us Prom Night and Popcorn Therapy — will again lead punters blindly into an unknown world of wonders, this time with their interactive cocktail pop-up and game room, The Lock In. Guests are in for a truly immersive experience here, mixing booze, nostalgia, sci-fi and theatre, as they're led back in time (and over some oceans) to 1980s small-town Indiana, USA. In classic Curious Cartel form, the event is pretty much shrouded in mystery until the moment you walk through the door, entering the pop-up's temporary world above Surry Hills bar The Wanderer. All we know is you'll have 90 minutes to investigate an eerie mystery surrounding a fictional, top-secret government facility, while enjoying cocktails, games, food and a soundtrack of banging 80s jams. UPDATE: MARCH 18, 2019 — Due to overwhelming success, The Lock In has been extended until further notice. To purchase tickets, head this way.
Tired of table manners? Fed up with forks? You're going to love Drink N Dine's newest project. They're inviting diners to put on a bib, get their hands dirty and tuck into a seafood experience, American crab joint style. Opening on November 1 above The Norfolk, Cleveland Street, the House of Crabs will offer a boil menu. In other words, you choose your seafood (crab, prawn or clam) and your preferred sauce (Cajun, oriental, Mexican or lemon pepper). Both are cooked and served in a bag. You and your friends gather around a communal table and use your fingers to extract whatever fleshy goodness you can. If boiled isn't your style, then you can opt for the snack menu. Smoked ocki tacos, crabs on acid, buffalo cucumber, lobster fries, creole corn and lobster rolls are all on the list. More substantial non-boiled meals include blackened snapper, fried chicken, steak and salsa creola. As far as beverages go, New Orleans is the theme, with hurricanes, peach cobblers and blackberry mint juleps on offer, as well as a handpicked selection of beers and wines. You'll be able to get your finger licking fix Tuesday through to Saturday, from 6pm until late, and Friday between midday and 3pm. Both bookings and walk-ins will be made welcome. The House of Crabs opens on November 1 at Level 1, 305 Cleveland Street, Redfern (above The Norfolk).
Concrete Playground recently caught up with Mexican-Canadian tech artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Lozano-Hemmer is famous for art that lurks in public spaces, galleries and even beaches, amplifying passers-by into new creatures with a city-sized will. He's taking over a slice of the as-yet unfinished Museum of Contemporary Art over summer, with his hands-on exhibition Recorders. Lozano-Hemmer mashes-up tech, art and his audience, with an effortlessness that would leave the mechanism invisible — if he didn't then go on to scrupulously explain, in-situ, how his works work. How would you describe what do you do? I work primarily with the intersection of architecture and performance art. Most of my installations are in the form of either displays or lights, or sounds that react to the presence of the public. And to do that there are things like sensors and tracking systems, and biometric scanners which allow the artworks to detect the presence of people. I like always to reveal the mechanisms by which these works function. So oftentimes in my work you get to see the tracking systems, or you get explanations about what equations are at work to make a project happen. I pretentiously call it a 'Brechtian moment'. You remember how in Brecht, all of a sudden all the actors stop and just look at the public and say "Well, you know, this situation is just make believe. This is just a simulation of reality. We are actors. You're the public." So there's this moment where you all get back, anchored in reality. You've said one of the things you liked about an outdoor work of yours was that you had people outside in public, just hanging around and not shopping. It must be very interesting for you, watching the Occupy movements around the world. When it first started in Spain in May it was just so exciting. I'm from Latin America, so oftentimes protests and so on turn out to be these ideology-based, adversarial kinds of movements. And that's not what I saw with the Occupy movement, when it started in Spain. With the indignados ('indignant ones') it was mostly professionals, architects, dentists, students, professors, whatever. And they were just taking over public space. And that was just such a beautiful statement, and they did so in such a sophisticated way. The indignados started in Madrid, where there's a tradition of young people going out and drinking in the streets. There's a sense of ownership of the street. Real estate was so expensive that everybody lives with their parents. And so you needed to go out in order to see your friends. And that produced very lively street life. But it's also just a sense of being seen. It's almost as if the actual protest is the message all by itself. Just a we're here. Yeah. Just this idea of just occupying space is radical. You know, you're there. You're existing. Just spending time, and connecting, and being present, is in my opinion extremely radical. Especially in Latin countries where people used to just disappear under the dictators, the idea of just being there.. That's a really good way to understand the sense of presence and absence, in terms of the political dialogue. It's like "Yeah, what are you going to do? You cannot wipe us out. We think these things, and therefore we are taking space. These ideas take space." I just came back from Art Basel Miami Beach. Which is this art fair. I mean, I'm not a moralist. And I love money. And I love champagne as much as the next guy, but there is something really absurd about a system that only reserves this sort of superior cultural production to this tiny fraction of the population. And I'm telling you this because there was an Occupy Art Basel Miami. There were all these artists. You know, local artists and so on, and educators, camping out of Art Basel Miami saying "We can't afford the 50 bucks it costs to go in. And, even if we could, we would never be able to afford any of the art that is on display here." Something else you try to bring to people's awareness is the surveillance around them all the time. These technologies come mostly from a desire to control the public, a desire to seek out, search and detect suspicious activity. The surveillance aspect of my work is more about acknowledging this kind of darker, predetorial side of where these things come from. But then creating critical or poetic experiences with these very same technologies. I would love people to come out of Recorders with a sense of inclusion, a sense that these technologies are neither this Orwellian, ominous threat — it's already happened — and also not like an infantile, fun, hands on science experiment thing. In between those two extremes, there's a whole range of different poetry that is possible. Image courtesy and © Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Photo: Ana Cristina Enriquez
Bluesfest has done it again. The annual event up in Byron Bay looks to have another stellar lineup on its hands, featuring artists from around the world across a diverse range of genres. There's truly something for everyone but if you're unable to schlep up the coast for the Easter weekend then there's no need to fret. Some of the biggest names on the bill are making the most of their trip Down Under by putting on gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, too, meaning April promises to be a bumper live music month across the country. With over 19 artists set to do sideshows this year, we've teamed up with Bluesfest Touring to help you decide what not to miss. Read on to discover seven sideshows that you should nab tickets to, then check out the rest of the sideshow lineup — Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — on the Bluesfest website. DWEEZIL ZAPPA Sunday, April 12 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Monday, April 13 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Since 2006, Dweezil Zappa has been the driving force behind the touring band whose main aim is to breathe life into the work of his father — avant-garde virtuoso Frank Zappa. Hot Rats, Frank Zappa's 1969 jazz-progressive rock-fusion album, is arguably his best-known work, and Dweezil Zappa is honouring his legacy by touring the record in its entirety. Hot Rats hit the shelves the same year that Zappa was born, so it holds a special place in his heart, and he's said that this is the best version of his touring band that he's ever had. Given previous iterations of his group are Grammy winners, that's some claim. PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Tuesday, April 21–Thursday, April 23 at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne "I really thought that I wouldn't be able to come back, so I'm delighted that I was wrong," Patti Smith told Bluesfest Touring on her impending return to these shores. Smith — poet, author, singer, icon and 'godmother of punk' — has been an inspiration to millions since the release of her debut classic album Horses in 1975 and, despite now being in her 70s, shows no signs of slowing down. Her touring band includes both Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, who have been with her since day dot, plus her son Jackson on guitar. EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Thursday, April 16 at Metro Theatre, Sydney and Sunday, April 19 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Californian singer-songwriter Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme have been recording as Eagles of Death Metal since 1998. The name comes from a literal imagining of what country-rock stalwarts The Eagles would sound like were they a death metal band. In mid-2019, the band released a record of covers featuring classics from artists as diverse as Guns N' Roses, George Michael and Mary J Blige, all played in EODM's own inimitable style. Their live shows have always been known for their raucous, OTT behaviour, and their Bluesfest sideshow promises to be no different. LARKIN POE Wednesday, April 15 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 16 at Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell celebrate a decade of performing psychedelic blues rock under their Larkin Poe moniker in 2020. Originally hailing from Georgia but now based in Nashville, as any self-respecting Americana outfit would be, Larkin Poe's close harmony take on roots music has earned plaudits from the likes of Elvis Costello and Keith Urban. Oh, and Russell Crowe, apparently. Dragging blues rock into the 21st century, the duo isn't afraid to throw horns and electronics at a genre steeped in tradition and, in doing so, breathe life into it, while simultaneously creating something vibrant and exciting. Be sure to catch them as soon as Bluesfest draws to a close. MORCHEEBA Tuesday, April 7 at 170 Russell, Melbourne and Thursday, April 9 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Next year marks quarter of a century of Morcheeba, the downtempo duo who were instrumental in bringing trip-hop to the masses in the 1990s. Led by the sweet vocals of Skye Edwards, the London-based band have released nine albums in their career, cracking the Top 20 twice at the start of the century. Morcheeba must love playing over here — they played Bluesfest and a bunch of sideshows back in 2018. Clearly, we love them playing here, too, because those sideshows completely sold out. If you want an evening of warm, enveloping sounds to set your mind at ease, nab tickets to the show in your city. BRANDI CARLILE Monday, April 6 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne and Wednesday, April 8 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Alt-country vocalist Brandi Carlile is certainly an artist on the up. She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards taking home three gongs, including Best Americana Album for her latest record, By the Way, I Forgive You. It's been over ten years since she played in Australia, and she's certainly a bigger draw now than she was then. She's also part of The Highwomen, the country supergroup that features Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires, so there's every chance that some tracks from their self-titled debut could also make their way into Carlile's set. [caption id="attachment_753622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Austin Hargrave[/caption] GEORGE BENSON Sunday, April 5 at State Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 9 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne Perhaps best known for the 1980 soft disco hit album, Give Me the Night, soul man George Benson is still going strong after more than 65 years in the business. He can still command a crowd, too — he's had to add a second date to his Sydney and Melbourne sojourns to accommodate public demand. His most recent record, Walking to New Orleans, is a tribute to the music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, but surely Benson has now earned the right to be listed among such greats. After all, it's not just anyone who gets their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To book tickets to these sideshows, and many more — including Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — visit the Bluesfest website.
The Campbelltown region is a patchwork of people and localities. While a lot of the local culture goes on in the surprisingly swish Campbelltown Arts Centre — and sometimes at the Campbelltown Mall as well — the surrounding suburbs have secrets of their own. If multi-storied Minto, for example, seems a bit distant from the inner-city — the sort of place you'd need a guide to get around — the Sydney Festival has you covered. Festival outlier Minto: Live takes you on a artistic tour of this often overlooked south-western Sydney suburb. Imported artists will work with locals for a production that spans the Minto streets. UK theatre duo Lone Twin will stage their Street Dance with eight local households telling their stories on their doorstep, while fellow Brit Hetain Patel stages his TEN with local Pacific Island drummers. Sydney artist Nicole Bakarat will deliver fabric art, while Freddie Hill leads a trumpet chorus of locals in the streets. For the finale, Belgian performance artist Gwendoline Robin promises us fireworks. If you're interested in what happens in that part of the world while no one is looking, Minto: Live promises to pull away the curtain — if only for an hour or two. Tours meet in the carpark of Minto Mall at 6pm. Buses will take you back to the carpark or station at the end of the tour.
If you've ever played along with McDonald's regular Monopoly promotion, then you'll want to watch McMillion$. The marketing campaign itself is rather simple — handing out Monopoly tokens with burger purchases, which corresponds to the game's squares and lets customers win big. But in the 90s in America, someone worked out how to rig it and handpick the lucky folks taking home $1 million cheques, as well as other prizes. Smartly, McMillion$ plays this 100-percent true tale as a whodunnit. If you don't already know the details, we'd advise you to keep it that way until you watch the docuseries' six very compelling and very bingeable episodes. You might not think that a show that spends so much time talking to FBI agents in nondescript offices would prove quite so gripping, but the case they uncovered is both complex and jaw-dropping. The interviews with the promotion's controversial winners, and with other figures involved with the scam, also have to be seen to be believed.
Ever wondered what goes on deep under the ocean, after dark? This month, you'll get a taste of exactly that, when Sea Life Sydney Aquarium keeps its doors open late for an after-dark session, uncovering all the murkiest of deep-sea secrets. Running on Wednesday, June 26, from 6–8pm, the event will show off the aquarium's Jellyfish Garden in a whole new light (or lack thereof). While you'll have access to the full aquarium — so you can get up close and personal with all the turtles, sharks, dugongs, fish and penguins — there'll be a special focus on its luminous, venomous and gelatinous residents. Marine experts will chat about the many facts (and myths) circulating around jellyfish, discussing mortality, painful stings, antidotes and urine. You'll also get to meet everything from blubber jellies to moon jellies and even upside jellyfish. The talk will run from 6.45–7.45pm, with the doors opening at 6pm for aquarium exploring. The $40 ticket includes aquarium entry, an alcoholic beverage and snacks. You'll be able to purchase more drinks (and more snacks) on the night, too, if you please.
Best Coast was the band on everyone's lips when they released their first album in 2010, Crazy For You, with Popfrenzy Records. Whack their CD in your player and the speakers will radiate pure, golden sunshine. Their upbeat indie sound is laced with surf rock, with lead singer Bethany Cosentino's fantastic voice (she backs herself as well) carrying each song to glorious, summery heights. After spending the last two years playing gigs around the world and collaborating with Johnny Marr, Weezer, Vampire Weekend and Wavves, the duo, Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, will this time be playing at Big Day Out 2012 as well as two sideshows. Catch them in Sydney at Manning Bar on January 25, a perfectly intimate venue so you can get right up close. Courtesy of Popfrenzy Records, Concrete Playground has two double passes to giveaway. To win tickets to see Best Coast, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm on Tuesday, January 24.
Manly's reputation as a tourist destination is firmly established - but what about us locals? The next generation of Manly born-and-bred restaurateurs and bar owners are staying at home to offer us a whole new breed of places to drink and feed. Steering away from the cookie cutter tendencies of their forefathers, this lot are carving their own paths. Here's Concrete Playground's pick of the bunch, giving you a new set of reasons to take a ferry for a day trip (or three) across the harbour. We strongly recommend you tick all of these boxes. Hemingway's The atmosphere of a writer's den, insanely long opening hours, fun and flavorsome food, a drinks menu that will keep even the most inspired drinker guessing, and not even the slightest degree of pretension. In short, Hemingway's must be one of the best spots in town right now. For a start, the prices. The house cocktails are $15 and the suggested mixers, almost good enough to be cocktails themselves, are a mere $10. Hemingway's Cup is the ten to one favourite cocktail, spotted in the hands of almost every lady in the place. It's gentle mix of Hendrick's gin, rose and apple tea, sugar, and spice, served in a tea cup and saucer with slices of cucumber alongside. While it's very good, my pick would be the Miffy: house-infused vanilla rum, Falernum, orange, lemon and egg white whisked into a cloud-like dream. On a summer's day, the Creaming Soda might be more your style, with vodka, crème de cassis, home-made lemonade, wild berry foam and a paper cocktail umbrella. As far as mixer ideas go, Aperol and Fanta isn't a bad choice, and neither is Rum, Spicy Bitters and Ginger Beer. Both pack a flavoursome punch. For full review and details, click here. Miss Marley's Its location is discreet. Retro furniture sits scattered outside the doors of a shopfront on Manly's Belgrave Street. Step inside, and you'll find yourself surrounded by silver patterned wallpaper, amber lampshades and a cosy atmosphere. People lounge around on low couches as waiters weave between, delivering the plates of share food that visitors pick at casually between sips and conversation. At the far end of the room sits the bar, with a glowing wall of tequila bottles set behind it. This is Miss Marley's, where the cocktail options are dizzying, the Central and South American food is worth fighting for, and the tequila list would satisfy even the fussiest aficionado. The interior channels that particular style of retro-kitsch 50s glamour that makes places like Porteño such a hit. And while the atmosphere is good, it's the menus that are worth the ferry trip. My first pick from the cocktail menu, the House Margarita ($18), is snappily served up on a black leather coaster. It's a shaken blend of Herradura Blanco, pressed lime, Grand Marnier and agave water, served straight up with a salt dipped rim. No wonder they call this place a 'tequila bar' - there's no turning back from here. For full review and details, click here. Jah Bar Take a typical tapas bar in Barcelona then polish slightly, adding cut crystal glasses and a pinch of Almodóvar references. Add one chef with a talent for experimentation, a selection of well-sourced, top notch ingredients and a crowd willing to stay all night, then mix well. Serve up atop a plate in the shape of a leaf, and you have Jah Bar: one of the best of Manly's new breed. Turn up just after 5pm and you can expect a peaceful dining experience. While the interior is tempting, in summer we recommend the courtyard to make the most of the fading sun and the cool evening breeze. Spanish tapas is the speciality, though there's a few sections of the menu to choose from. The tapas dishes are supplemented by options from the boqueria and the oven, as well as the chef's specials, so it's worth taking your time to choose. While you're browsing, try one of the signature cocktails ($15). There's more than enough on offer to sustain you throughout the night, from Mint Juleps to rum and sherry-based concoctions. For full review and details, click here. Belgrave Cartel The Cartel is bringing a slice of Melbourne and more than a hint of Italy to Manly's streets. This shopfront-turned-cafe is the passion project of two Italian brothers, Nick and Jo, who were born and raised in Manly. You'll find them here every morning, serving up home-style favourites alongside Jo's own coffee blend, Escobar, or at the local pub later in the afternoon. Taking the opportunity of a downtrodden strip, these lads have moved in and set up a hipster haven with odds and ends of retro furniture, display shelves filled with stuffed toys and figurines, bright, bold artworks and a fixie, which hangs along one wall. But there's more to this place than just the two of them. Their mum, Rita, is cooking out back and her Baked Bacon and Egg ($12) comes highly recommended. In fact, there's few dishes that don't have a name to them: Drew's Mushies ($12) is a plate of pan-roasted mushrooms with herbs and marinated feta, served up on toast, while Scott's 'Pesto In It' Jaffle ($6) is described as 'like Joe's Goey Egg but with pesto in it'. For full review and details, click here. Cantinero Something about Cantinero feels a little bit... illegal. It could be the fact that this is a coffee house by day, occupied by this underground crowd only in the late hours. Or it might be the makeshift film projector, which shows Mexican gangsters flickering across the back wall. Either way, we like it. The bunker atmosphere and a relaxed courtyard combine into something that feels like an Alice in Wonderland-style rabbit hole in the Manly landscape. That said, there's no chance of wandering in by accident. While Cantinero lies on the main strip, you need to know what you're looking for to find this dimly lit restaurant slash bar. And once you do, there's no going back. For full review and details, click here.
Let's all be honest with ourselves for a minute. New Year's Eve can traditionally be a bit of a disappointment. There's always plenty of commotion surrounding grand plans to be with all of your friends and share the magical moment when we are welcomed by a new year and a fresh start. You make a few resolutions about how you're going to finally sort your life out, and promise yourself that the coming year will be nothing like the last. However, New Year's Eve plans have a tendency to dissolve at the last minute, and before midnight strikes you're starting to wish you spent the evening drinking alone on your dilapidated couch, watching the fireworks on television. Here we have compiled a handful of events that will help you escape your yearly routine of New Year's Eve letdowns. Kickstart 2012 with a bang and head to one of these venues for a momentous start to the new year. Peats Ridge Festival Just a short drive from Sydney City, Peats Ridge Festival is located in the harmonious wilderness of the Glenworth Valley. Escape the urban rush with a four-day eco-friendly festival featuring the world's leading indie artists. These include the socially-aware singer Xavier Rudd, ambient electronic sounds from rising Sydney sensation Oliver Tank, and the acoustic stylings of Jim Ward, former guitarist of the legendary post-hardcore outfit At The Drive-In. Aside from the music there are organic food stalls, an Indigenous festival and a Masquerade ball on New Year's Eve. Unlike many festivals, Peats Ridge Festival is all ages, so feel free to bring your little siblings along. Read more 11.12 You Only Live Once is a premium collective bringing together some of the main figures and minds behind electro group Sneaky Sound System, fashion icons Ksubi and world-renowned restaurant Icebergs. To welcome in 2012 they have presented 11.12 — a New Year's Eve event with the goal of bringing "the best house party at the best house in the world." They've done this by choosing a location which can't be beaten: the Sydney Opera House. They've also enlisted help from the godfathers of house music, Frankie Knuckles and Jamie Principle. In support will be Riton, Beni and Dangerous Dan. Read more GoodGod NYE: The Last Resort The fact that GoodGod is located in Chinatown only adds to the wonderful irony of their "trailer trash" themed New Year's Eve party. They promise to transform the club into a "pig huntin', tobacco chewin', knee slappin' resort." Tunes will be provided by garage-punk outfit Royal headache, as well as DJ King Opp. Tickets to this event are only $18, which means you can spend more money on rounds of straight Kentucky bourbon. Grab your oldest flannelette shirt and start styling that mullet for what is set to be a rowdy and rambunctious night. Read more Camping on Cockatoo Island Grab your own 4x4 metre slice of paradise with the opportunity to camp on Cockatoo Island. This family-friendly event gives you the best possible view of the world-famous fireworks, and all without the hassle of the intense crowds that horde the CBD. Catch an early ferry to grab yourself a good spot, and perfect your own tent to make yourself feel right at home. This camping experience gives you an escape without the need to travel outside the city. Babies under 1 year of age score with free entry, so they're the real winners here. Read more Summer Opener NYE: Sun Studios This year's Summer Opener takes place at Sun Studios, a recently renovated warehouse in Alexandria. With walls stretching up to 25 feet high and equipped with superb sound and lighting features, this is the perfect venue to host one huge New Year's Eve party. The line-up is fronted by Emerson Todd, a Berlin-based DJ who has also found considerable success in Australia. His popularity has been reflected in his work with the likes of Pnau and The Sleepy Jackson, as well as appearances on the festival circuit at We Love Sounds and Future Music Festival. He will be supported by Ft Mode, Eoin Brosnan and The Amateur DJs. Read more Rhythm and Vines Festival, New Zealand If you're feeling a little more adventurous this New Year's Eve, hop over the Tasman to our close neighbours in New Zealand for the Rhythm and Vines festival. Stretching over the last three days of December, Rhythm and Vines helps you welcome the new year with one of the biggest line-ups to grace the festival circuit in 2011. This installment is headlined by Australia's biggest drum and bass export, Pendulum, whilst Calvin Harris brings his incredibly infectious sound to eager audiences. Others acts include Grandmaster Flash, Skream and Benga, and Erick Morillo. And courtesy of our friends at Stolen Rum, Concrete Playground has a double-pass three-day Club Stolen VIP Package up for grabs. Read more Guillaume at Bennelong If you're feeling especially expensive and swanky this New Year's Eve, then Guillaume may have a suitable option for you and that special someone. This restaurant is run by the esteemed Guillaume Brahimi, who offers Australian cuisine with a twist from our friends in France. On New Year's Eve, canapes and drinks are only the beginning, as guests will then be treated to a seven course degustation menu with wines. Furthermore, located at the Opera House, this restaurant experience will be coupled with an equally memorable view of the fireworks. Read more Field Day 2012 From hosting the massive Shore Thing on New Year's Eve, festival promoters Fuzzy get straight back to business on New Year's Day with Field Day. Fuzzy will bring Sydney the biggest and best party to kickstart the mainstream festival circuit in 2012. This line-up sees the return of French electro giants Justice, who will bring a live show on the back of their new album, Audio Video, Disco. Other acts include quirky indie-pop singer Gotye, experimental electronic act Crystal Castles and rising star Example. Also performing is Young MC. Remember that guy? Throw on a retro neon windbreaker and a chunky gold chain for his set. Read more
For those, like us, who like their festivals a little more niche and boutique, you can't go past St. Jerome's Laneway Festival. From its modest debut in a Melbourne back alley, the festival has grown to tour nationally and has consistently provided audiences with the newest and most innovative independent artists. After last year's successful international launch in Singapore, St. Jerome's Laneway Festival returns in 2012 with another instalment that is sure to please. French electronic project M83 is the festival's greatest drawcard, fresh off the release of his widely-praised album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Combining a beautifully mellow sound with pop appeal, M83 will close the festival in spectacular fashion. A refreshing break from the brash sounds associated with the dubstep genre, British producer SBTRKT will perform his brand of deep bass music behind his trademark mask in February. SBTRKT has recently remixed the likes of Basement Jaxx and Franz Ferdinand, and labelmates Young Turks Sound System will also be in attendance. After a four-year hiatus, Feist returns to treat audiences at St. Jerome's Laneway Festival once again. With the recent release of her album Metals, audiences can expect a powerful performance from this Canadian songstress. Jonti will grace audiences with his diverse instrumentation and distinct arrangements, while he has collaborated with the likes of Santigold and Mark Ronson prior to even releasing an album. The renowned musician, deisgner and photographer Toro Y Moi will bring his live show to Australia, which has been described as "a flashy, sex-fueled 80s rooftop fiesta." Need I say more? Pitchfork and NME heroes Girls will also make an appearance. Begin ironing your vintage-print shirts in excitement, because St. Jerome's Laneway Festival is not to be missed. Want to win a double pass to St. Jerome's Laneway Festival in Sydney? To go in the running , just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm on Wednesday, February 1.
It just got real dark in Sydney. And in Sydney during the warmer months, that only means one thing: a storm is coming. So if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of the afternoon. And not just any old wet weather, either. The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that severe storms, damaging winds, flash flooding and large hail is on its way, which is looking to affect Sydney, Hunter, Central Tablelands and parts of the Mid North Coast, North West Slopes, Central West Slopes and Northern Tablelands. Taking a peek at its nifty colour-coded map, below, it looks like the northern beaches is going to be worst hit, too. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1198825623004815360 With storms come falling trees (and sometimes falling powerlines) and the State Emergency Service is advising locals to move cars away from trees, secure loose items and keep clear of fallen power lines. As always, it's suggested you don't walk, ride or drive through flood waters, either. https://twitter.com/Ausgrid/status/1198826958869561344 The wild weather looks to continue into tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26, with the BOM forecasting an 80 percent chance of showers in the afternoon and a possibly severe thunderstorm in the evening. The rest of the week is expected to be sunny and in the high-20s, before more wet weather and possible storms return on the weekend. As Sydney prepares for level two water restrictions — and dam levels dip below 50 percent — the rain is very much needed, but the storms could be problematic for firefighters who continue to fight blazes across the state. RFS spokesman James Morris told the SMH that the rain was "hampering containment efforts" and the lightning strikes could prove "a ticking time bomb". Stay dry out there. And remember to check Live Traffic, Transport Info and BOM for warnings and updates.
The Eddy Avenue Plaza at the northern exit of Central Station is set to be transformed into Sydney's latest food and entertainment precinct featuring a slew of new art, restaurants, bars and shops. Named EDDY, the initiative to revitalise this section of the train station was announced by Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes as an additional element to Central Station's huge renovation and refurbishment which will include a massive tech hub and the southern hemisphere's longest escalators. The Eddy Avenue Plaza currently plays home to a few cafes and takeaway restaurants but has remained largely under-utilised. The EDDY precinct will bring an array of new openings to the busy inner-city thoroughfare, which will add to the trend of new dining precincts emerging across Sydney. Stokes compared the Central Station innovation to the nearby Spice Alley in Chippendale and the new western Sydney precinct Parramatta Square. "Central Station will no longer be just a thoroughfare," said Stokes. "The rebranded EDDY marks a new era for the Tech Central Precinct as it becomes a world-class interchange with innovative and diverse businesses that attracts thousands of new jobs to the CBD." [caption id="attachment_652632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spice Alley via Destination NSW.[/caption] Over the past two years, the city has welcomed new food, drink, art and entertainment precincts in South Eveleigh, the York, Clarence and Kent Street laneways, Circular Quay, Parramatta and Mascot. Neither the vendors nor an opening date has been announced yet, however NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres promises that more information is on the horizon. "We expect to be able to announce an opening date within the coming weeks as we forge ahead with this project which will bring new life to the area surrounding Central Station," said Ayres. Head to the NSW Government website to stay up-to-date with the Central Station renovations. Top image: Simon_sees
2024 is already set to be a huge year for Australia's most-inclusive music festival, after the Dylan Alcott-founded Ability Fest announced that it would not only play Melbourne but also hit up Brisbane as well. Mere days after revealing its expansion, the event has now dropped its lineup — and, with Ocean Alley, King Stingray, Cub Sport and Bag Raiders leading the bill, it too is massive. Ability Fest will first head to Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr in Melbourne on Saturday, October 19, then to Victoria Park/Barrambin in Brisbane on Saturday, October 26. The roster of talent varies slightly per state, but the aforementioned four acts will take to the stage in both cities. So will Asha Jefferies, Boone, Brenn!, Dewbs, Eliza Hull and jamesjamesjames, alongside Jordan Brando, Jordz, Kita Alexander and a triple j Unearthed winner. From there, Melburnians will can catch ONEFOUR, Crybaby, DAWS, Floodlights, Kuzco, NayNay and Wax'o Paradiso. In Brisbane only, punters will see Middle Kids, Cheq, Eves Karydas, Mikalah Watego, Moss, Neesha Alexander and Xeimma. Across both locations, Ability Fest is splitting its musicians across two stages, one for bands and one for DJs. The fully accessible event, which launched in 2018, has been carefully designed from the get-go. It features ramps and pathways for easy access, Auslan interpreters working alongside the artists, and elevated platforms to give everyone a shot at seeing the stage. Plus, there's also quiet zones, dedicated sensory areas and accessible toilets. The Brisbane festival will cater to around 5000 people, and Ability Fest is committed to being financially accessible during the current cost-of-living crisis in both of its stops. Accordingly, tickets will only cost $60 plus booking fee, and carers will receive complimentary entry. The fest is also lowering the age of admission to 16 so more folks can head along. While dishing up primo live tunes and music experiences to Aussies of all abilities, the not-for-profit fest also raises money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation, with 100-percent of its ticket proceeds going to the organisation. [caption id="attachment_963990" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] "Ability Fest is all about bringing people together through music — a celebration where everyone, regardless of ability, can have an extraordinary time," said Alcott. "I'm particularly excited about the diverse and talented artists we have lined up this year. Their performances will undoubtedly bring such a unique energy to Ability Fest, uniting our community and creating unforgettable moments." [caption id="attachment_963997" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Glenn Hunt[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Lineup: Brisbane and Melbourne: Asha Jefferies Bag Raiders Boone Brenn! Cub Sport Dewbs Eliza Hull jamesjamesjames Jordan Brando Jordz King Stingray Kita Alexander Ocean Alley triple j Unearthed winner Melbourne only: Crybaby DAWS Floodlights Kuzco NayNay ONEFOUR Wax'o Paradiso Brisbane only: Cheq Eves Karydas Middle Kids Mikalah Watego Moss Neesha Alexander Xeimma [caption id="attachment_963996" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Dates and Venues: Saturday, October 19 — Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr, Melbourne Saturday, October 26 — Victoria Park/Barrambin, Brisbane [caption id="attachment_963995" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 will hit Melbourne and Brisbane in October 2024. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 12pm AEST on Wednesday, July 10 (register online), with general tickets selling online from 12pm on Thursday, July 11. Head to the festival website for more details. Top image: Chloe Hall.
The Sydney Seafood School is running its inaugural First Nations seafood demonstrations led by Luke Bourke alongside the National Indigenous Culinary Institute (NICI). Bourke is a sous chef at Rockpool Bar & Grill, alumni of the NICI, and with his brother Samuel works with the organisation to promote the use of native Australian ingredients in cooking. Joining Bourke at the demonstration will be NICI CEO Nathan Lovett and South Coast Seaweed's Sarah Thomas. South Coast Seaweed is an Indigenous-run company that harvests golden kelp and educates people on seaweed's longstanding role in First Nations dishes. The demonstration will be taking place on Monday, October 10 from 6pm until 8pm at the Sydney Seafood School inside the Sydney Fish Markets. The dishes being cooked as part of the demonstration will be kept a secret but native ingredients including seaweed, lemon myrtle and Davidson plum will be used with local seafood. Included in the $160 ticket will also be free parking at the fish markets, canapes, tastings and a welcome drink. All profits from the tickets will also be donated to the NICI. Top image: Sydney Seafood School, Franz Scheurer
There's plenty of people who go around collecting art and putting it in their house. But how about turning your home itself into an artwork? That's exactly what Aussie-born, New York-based artist Ian Strange will be doing this weekend in Richmond. For this Saturday and Sunday only, he's projecting a site-specific illumination onto a family home on Clifton Street. Passersby will see a huge red dot covering the doorway, framed by concentric circles: a bit like an interpretation of the eye of a dartboard. Titled OPEN HOME, the work aims to explore ideas of suburban isolation. On one hand, the home appears as a shelter — on the other, it is vulnerable and at risk of demolition. The piece is one of many by Strange investigating the meaning and architecture of the buildings in which we live. While creating the illumination on Monday, October 2, Strange documented the process in detail. The result is a collection of photographs titled Twenty-Five, which will be on display in the home's front bedroom, next to another series called Forty-Eight. Meanwhile, spread across the other bedrooms, bathroom and living room, you'll find Shadows, a group of photographs and videos that Strange created in Western Australia during 2015 and 2016. The former explore changes to post-war red-brick dwellings, while the latter document Strange at work in the light of dawn. Rounding out the exhibition are two sculptures. Elliot Terrace (2013) features a cut from a New Jersey home that's since been demolished, while Framework (Kenyon 3) (2017) is from a series of site-specific installations that explore the role of frameworks and architectural drawings in the creation and imagining of homes. OPEN HOME is located at 25 Clifton Street, Richmond and will be open from 10am – 6pm on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. For more info on the series, visit ianstrange.com.
Gather an eclectic group of people in an intriguing place, spill a few secrets, commit a few crimes and watch sparks fly. It's an approach that's worked for Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight and even the board game Cluedo, and it works a treat for Bad Times at the El Royale. Contrary to the film's moniker, you can expect a rollicking good time with this mystery-thriller, which has devilish fun taking both its sharp narrative and its motley crew of characters on a twist-filled ride — and taking the audience along too, for that matter. On a sunny 1969 day that's soon to turn stormy, Lake Tahoe's El Royale Hotel welcomes four guests to its distinctive surroundings. Checking into the spot smack-bang on the border of California and Nevada are smooth-talking vacuum salesman Laramie Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), jobbing singer Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), man of the cloth Father Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and a woman who writes "fuck you" in the ledger instead of her name (Dakota Johnson). Strangers crossing paths for the first time, each has their own reasons for being there, not that anyone is forthcoming. As they assemble in the lobby beneath photos of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and other bigwigs who've stayed on the premises, the young, distracted manager Miles (Lewis Pullman) gives them the spiel: they can slumber in either U.S. state, but rooms in California cost $1 extra and you can't drink in the Nevada lounge, or gamble either since it lost its gaming license. The hotel's divided layout aside (and yes, a line literally runs right through the middle), much about Bad Times at the El Royale initially feels familiar. The basic setup, the use of title cards, the shifting perspectives and fractured timelines, and the air of foreboding in a fading abode all could've stepped out of countless other movies. Thankfully, derivation isn't the name of the game here, although there's one particular film that writer-director Drew Goddard owes a debt to. It's his own last big-screen release, The Cabin in the Woods — and while the filmmaker isn't trying to make the same flick twice by any means, he approaches this slightly over-long 90s-style crime throwback in the same way as his hit horror movie. Both share a sense of playfulness that's highly engaged with their chosen genres, neither follows the routine path, and each comes packed with an energy that's thoroughly infectious. Chris Hemsworth plays a part in both films, although just how the star and his frequently bare chest fit into Bad Times at the El Royale's narrative is best discovered by watching. But, by re-teaming with Goddard, he's once again immersed in an engrossing story that's spun around a fantastic setting — complete with shooting, spying, scandals, bank robbers and cults. While treating a movie's location like one of its characters might be commonplace to the point of cliche, this lively, pulpy and often amusing noir-esque picture wouldn't be anything without its central lodge. From the diorama-like opening scene that buries a secret beneath the floorboards, to roving camerawork that stalks every hidden nook and cranny of the place in a striking fashion, the El Royale proves a slick visual playground for blood-splattered revelations and reversals. Along with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (The Greatest Showman), roaming the hotel's halls is a well-chosen group of actors, helping to overcome what could've been the film's greatest flaw. Casting can often be a movie's biggest spoiler, instantly signalling that a high-profile name is destined for a more sizeable role than their seemingly small part first indicates — but even when that remains true here, talent such as Bridges and Johnson craft fascinating characters who are more than the sum of their flaws, failings and deceptions. Firmly and delightfully in Kurt Russell-meets-Patrick Swayze mode, Hemsworth is charming to watch in a more straightforward part, however it's Erivo who's having the best time of all. Turning in a performance as powerful as the soulful tracks she's often singing, the Tony and Grammy winner only made her cinematic debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. With Bad Times at the El Royale, Erivo checks in to a darkly entertaining affair, and certain big-screen stardom as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7wzBVARwaU
It happens every year, but 2023 is certainly going by in a flash — it's hard to believe that we've already farewelled summer. With the end of the warmer weather, it's easy to let the weekend roll around with no plans besides a couple of drinks at the pub and then a finale of cosy TV-watching and ordering in. But, we think it should be different. Let's think bigger, and ensure we milk every second from our precious days off. Spectacular stretches of sand and fresh autumn oceans, bushwalks and scenic vistas, sitting around a campfire sharing a bev or two — it's the nature life for us. Along with The Bottle-O, the store slinging your favourite boozy sips all over Australia, we've rounded up some amazing road trip options so you can make the most of your sweet freedom. Get ready to dust off your tent and hit the road. TO BE OCEANSIDE: ROAD TRIP TO SEAL ROCKS, CAMP AT YAGON Head a bit over three hours north of Sydney to an oceanside oasis. Seal Rocks is an idyllic locale to escape to, with remote beaches and lakes situated along the Barrington Coast. Famous for its iconic lighthouse, it's the perfect spot to watch the sunset with a delicious craft beer in hand. Drive through the small oceanside town and turn down Yagon Road. After a short stretch of dirt road, you'll find yourself at Yagon campground, a bushy spot that'll have you set up just a quick walk from the beach. With all the facilities for a barbecue, you can spend the day exploring beautiful walking tracks and surfing, fishing, paddling or swimming in the wild and remote beaches. Don't forget to pack an esky for your brews from The Bottle-O en route (The Bottle-O at Wickham is on your way, Sydneysiders) — it'll be needed to enjoy your sipping on the sand with your mates. [caption id="attachment_891378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Love Leah[/caption] TO GET INTO THE BUSH: ROAD TRIP TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, CAMP AT DUNPHY'S If you're more inclined to hit quaint countryside villages then head into bushland, the Blue Mountains is the obvious choice — it's the ideal combination of sweeping scenery and small-town charm. Plus, there's a plethora of activities for any adrenaline junkies. Plan your trip around a rock climbing adventure from Katoomba or get your thrills on a two-stop canyoning adventures. After your escapades, pick up some good-value drinks — like a spicy shiraz to sip in the crisp mountain air — at The Bottle-O Hazelbrook, as you make your way to Dunphy's campground. After your stop for provisions, you've got just over an hour's drive — that'll have you snaking through Leura, Blackheath and Megalong Valley — to this perfectly remote spot, where you can wind down and sleep under the stars with your nearest and dearest. You will enjoy mountain views and be around plenty of nature walks — just make sure you keep a look out for kangaroos and wombats. [caption id="attachment_891379" align="alignnone" width="1920"] In Syde Media[/caption] FOR EPIC HIKES: ROAD TRIP TO THE CENTRAL COAST, CAMP AT TALLOW BEACH If going on more hikes was one of your New Year's resolutions, then head up to the Central Coast's Bouddi National Park, which is teeming with scenic trails to explore. Grab some friends and set up camp at Tallow Beach campground — it's a goodie. The campsite is a bit of a hike to reach from the carpark, so make sure you come prepared. But, we promise it'll be all worth it for that secluded, seaside feel. Camping here is free but only accommodates six tents so make sure you book in advance to secure a spot. From the beach you can enjoy a swim and a surf and even try out some rock fishing. Then, enjoy a 3.1 kilometre walk along the Box Head Track leading to a lookout with beautiful views across the Hawkesbury River. You can also check out the Flannel Flower Track, which takes you through the angophora forest to the picturesque Lobster Beach (which you could very well enjoy to yourselves). After your day of exploring, share a bottle of crisp rosé (which you'll need to nab from The Bottle-O at Point Clare before you arrive) with your gang, perfect to enjoy with some freshly caught fish (if you packed your rod). FOR CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CREATURE COMFORTS: ROAD TRIP TO WOLLONDILLY, CAMP AT THE RIVER STATION About an hour-and-a-half from Sydney you'll find the charming Wollondilly Shire. Affectionately known as The Dilly, this picturesque riverside spot is an easy getaway that feels worlds away from the city life — but still provides all the comfortable extras you could want. After you've brunched at Picton Social or had a pub feed at George VI Inn, pick up your drinks from the The Bottle-O at The Oaks to sip happily at your campsite at the Wollondilly River Station. There's kayaking opportunities aplenty, or if you're simply looking to kick back and spend the long weekend riverside with your friends, soaking in the scenic wonders, there's that too. Lock in the good times with an ice-cold Aussie beer once you get back to camp. [caption id="attachment_891377" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bay of Fires - Tasmania[/caption] IF YOU'RE GOING FOR LONGER THAN THE WEEKEND: FLY TO HOBART, CAMP AT BAY OF FIRES Not technically a road trip per se, but if you have managed to score a few extra days off, why not take a flight to Hobart and see what Tasmania has to offer? You could head to Bruny Island, where you can take an expertly-curated tour through a pristine natural wonderland. Or, take a trip to visit Mount Wellington, discovering its views and vibrant vegetation, before experiencing MONA, a true must-see for any Tassie tourist. But, if you're set on a camping adventure, the Bay of Fires is for you. Just under four hours from Hobart, you'll be settled in this idyllic paradise — where white beaches and crystal clear waters backdrop staggering boulders set alight with naturally occurring orange lichen. Before you go, stop in at The Bottle-O Bevvies Howrah and grab a pack of fruity seltzers — once you're in the uniquely breathtaking landscape you won't want to leave. Wherever the road leads you this weekend, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website.
When news arrived that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is coming to an end after its upcoming eighth season, did it hit you a little harder because you've spent the past year binging and re-binging its latest batch of episodes? According to a rundown of Australia's most-rented and -bought video-on-demand titles from 2020, plenty of TV lovers spent the last chaotic year watching comedic cop antics. The show ranks second on the television list — and, across both film and TV, it has a heap of company. The Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA) has released four top ten lists, all detailing exactly what Aussies were hiring and buying to watch online in 2020. Netflix did something similar late last year, when it reminded us all that we'd feasted our eyeballs on Cobra Kai, The Haunting of Bly Manor to Enola Holmes and Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness; however, this new rundown focuses on things you would've headed to digital purchase and rental stores to see (so, to services such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video, Apple TV, the Foxtel Store, Telstra Box Office and Fetch). With cinemas closed for months, a number of recent flicks then fast-tracked online, it's hardly surprising that movies that quickly jumped to digital proved popular. Jumanji: The Next Level topped the best-selling list, followed by Sonic the Hedgehog. Also now sitting in virtual movie collections around the country: Frozen 2, Joker, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise Of Skywalker, Bad Boys For Life, The Gentlemen, Bloodshot, Scoob! and Ford v Ferrari. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyYgDtY2AMY Some of the above films also feature on the most-rented list, which Joker topped. Sonic the Hedgehog came in second again, with The Gentlemen, Jumanji: The Next Level and Gemini Man rounding out the top five. They were followed by 1917, Knives Out, Ford v Ferrari, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Hustlers. And, if you made an effort to support local fare while Australia's creative sector was affected by the pandemic, AHEDA has detailed which ten Aussie-produced movies received the most love. Ride Like a Girl came out on top, The Invisible Man took second spot and Miss Fisher and The Crypt of Tears nabbed third. Then came Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, 100% Wolf, Go!, Peter Rabbit, Black Water: Abyss, Carl Barron — Drinking with a Fork and The Nightingale. On the TV front, Brooklyn Nine-Nine's seventh season was only pipped by Outlander's fifth season. On the rest of the televisio list: The 100's seventh season, Vikings' sixth season, The Undoing, Supernatural's 15th season, Big Little Lies' second season, Game of Thrones' eighth season, Chernobyl and the first season of Succession. AHEDA also noted that the Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter franchises were popular (unsurprisingly), and that digital purchases and rentals soared in April and May (again, to the surprise of of no one) by between 29–55 percent. To rent or buy any of of the above titles online, head to services such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video, Apple TV, the Foxtel Store, Telstra Box Office and Fetch.
Just a few days after announcing some of its 2020 summer program, Westpac Openair has come out with some more big news — it's food offering. Here, instead of popcorn and choc tops, you'll be feasting on the likes of oysters, lamb shoulder and chicken liver pâté. And it'll all be cooked by two of NSW's best chefs, James Viles (Biota, Bertha's Meats) and Clayton Wells (Automata, A1 Canteen). Those panoramic harbour views will be rivalled by the duo's menus of produce-driven eats that are a lot fancier than your standard movie snacks. At The Lounge by James Viles, an outdoor diner, you'll find locally foraged ingredients and some of Biota's best dishes. There'll be oysters with finger lime dressing, fried bread topped with cured pork jowl and pickles, and taramasalata served alongside grilled potato bread. Larger dishes, which can be enjoyed as part of a two- or three-course menu, include smoked beef tartare, sashimi kingfish belly paired drizzled with nori oil, stracciatella with burnt summer peaches and river trout served with smoked roe and lemon aspen butter. Other quality meats on the lineup include wild-caught barramundi, Tasmanian octopus and Maremma duck. You'll be eating it all in the lounge overlooking Sydney Harbour, of course. Wells, on the other hand, will be serving up a takeaway menu of gourmet sambos to enjoy from your seat. Expect one filled with chicken caesar, bacon and egg; fried fish on brioche with caper relish; and bagels schmeared with spiced cream cheese and veg. If you've ever eaten at A1 Canteen, you'll know these aren't your run-of-the-mill sandwiches. Alongside things in bread, there'll also be slow-roasted lamb shoulder with tahini yoghurt and chermoula-spiced chicken, plus fries with Old Bay salt, salads and fresh pastries. Needless to say, this will not be your average dinner and a movie night. Westpac Openair 2020 runs from January 9 to February 21, 2020. Tickets are on sale from 9am on Tuesday, December 10, with pre-sale tickets available for Westpac and St George customers from 9am on Friday, December 6. We'll update you when the full lineup drops on November 29.
Keen to escape the house after spending the past few months in lockdown? Eager to watch a movie on a screen that's larger than your television? Want to do all of the above and go easy on your wallet? A visit to one of Event Cinemas' Sydney sites has you covered — now that they're reopening across the city. For a limited time — with no end date announced for the special as yet — the chain's venues are offering up half-price tickets to celebrate their relaunch. That means that you'll generally pay less than a tenner to see your movie of choice in a standard theatre, and also score discounted Gold Class, V-Max and Boutique tickets as well. To nab the deal, you will need to be a member of Event Cinemas' Cinebuzz Rewards program. If you're not already, you can sign up for free online. And if you're wondering what to watch, there's plenty on the bill if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. That includes new releases such as The Personal History of David Copperfield and Love Sarah, as well as older 2020 titles like Dark Waters, Emma, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Invisible Man, The Gentlemen, Bloodshot, 1917 and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Parasite is still screening at some sites, too, because of course the best movie of 2019 is still on screens more than a year after it first released, and even after pandemic closures. Event Cinemas' half-price deal is available for a limited time — head to the chain's website for further details.
If you're anything like us, you buy a lot of coffee, and odds are that means you burn through a lot of takeaway cups. But what you might not realise is that those cups contain a plastic liner that means they cannot be recycled. It's for this reason that the City of Sydney is throwing its weight behind a BYO coffee cup campaign – and a ton of local cafes are already on board. The aim of Responsible Cafes is to get cafes and customers to ditch takeaway coffee for good. "There are now over 2,500 cafes across Australia offering a discount to people with a BYO coffee cup," said founder Justin Bonsey. "It's great for our pocketbooks, great for cafes to bring in new customers and great for the planet." Cafes keen to get on board can sign up via the Responsible Cafes website. In return, they'll be added to a searchable map that, according to Bonesey, is visited by over 1 million people every year. Among the cafes that have already signed up include About Life Bondi Junction and Surry Hills, Darlinghurst's Infinity Bakery and The Royal, Surry Hill's BangBang Espresso and Soul Origin locations across the CBD and suburbs. The campaign will receive an injection of government funding via the City of Sydney's latest round of knowledge exchange sponsorships. "In our area alone, 100 million takeaway coffee cups end up in landfill every year – and each one takes around 50 years to decompose," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "Responsible Cafes connects and promotes cafes that encourage customers to refuse takeaway cups for good, and they're aiming to recruit another 100 new city cafes." It's not the first step that the City of Sydney has taken to address the issue. Last year they gave a $17,500 grant to Closed Loop, who installed standalone bins for coffee cups in office buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. And it's also not the only bit of good environmental news we've gotten recently. Just last week, supermarket chains Coles, Woolworths and Harris Farms all pledged to stop using single use plastic bags as of 2018. Keep it up, Australia.
Elizabeth Bay House is reviving the excitement and 1940s glamour of World War II's Victory in Europe (VE) Day with the Historic Houses Trust's GI Dance. On May 8, 1945 WWII finally came to an end; 67 years later, that victorious moment comes alive again at the harbourside estate of Elizabeth Bay House. Join the party dressed in your best retro attire, and ladies, stop by the in-house salon for festive 'victory curls' and pin-up-perfect makeup. Then hit the dance-floor to the tunes of the era, all while sipping vintage cocktails and mingling with dashing American GIs. Stop by the kitchen for a 1940s cooking tutorial with colonial gastronomer Jacqui Newling or sneak a peek at burlesque pin-up Foxtrot India, posing for a bedroom portrait. Tickets tend to sell out well before the night itself, so if you're thinking of going, book soon.
Experimental art curator Jack Jeweller (director of the formerly glorious Black and Blue gallery) and Daniel Stricker of Siberia Records (nee Midnight Juggernauts beat-keeper) have joined forces, with support from City of Sydney, to present MUSECOLOGY: a series of four unique musical and visual performances, each of which makes use of an unlikely and historically significant site within Sydney. Not simply a chance to see a conventional performance in a new (old?) space, however, and not to be thought of as conceptually underdeveloped, each MUSECOLOGY event will draw upon the very history and character of its respective venue, such that the aura of each site might be re-enlivened and reproduced by the performances each hosts. In the first instalment of MUSECOLOGY, at the end of last year (thematically tagged 'Machismo'), performers including Kirin J. Callinan and Justice Yeldham repurposed the Woolloomooloo PCYC—and made special use of its boxing ring—to compose visceral odes to the club's unambiguously machismo milieu. Now, for this second instalment, themed 'Mnemonic Museum', four acts, including void-noise merchants Naked On The Vague, newly-formed duo DCM (Daniel Stricker and ex-Wolfmother synth-player Chris Ross), Not Applicable (Jaimie Leonarder/Jay Katz of Mu-Mesons and Mu-Meson archive), and one more yet-to-be-announced 'very special guest', will each compose a soundtrack to accompany a specific sequence from the 1961 cult film The Eyes of Hell, a.k.a The Mask, released in analglyphic 3d. And if a museum were not already itself an appropriate enough venue for a curated event that so mines film history, this instalment of MUSECOLOGY will take place at the University of Sydney's Macleay Museum, itself home to a collection of rare historical photographs.
Steel yourself for some seriously heavy drinking, Sydney. You're about to get your first new commercial distillery in more than 160 years. Set to open their doors on Wednesday, March 18, the Archie Rose Distilling Company will bottle and sell a selection of home-brewed sprits, while doubling as an eat-in bar. The distillery will operate out of a refurbished warehouse in Rosebery, just down the block from the likes of Da Mario, Black Star Pastry and Kitchen by Mike. While their food menu is yet to be released, their drink options will include gin, vodka and rye whisky — all of which will be made on site. According to Archie Rose's website, the last distillery serving Sydney closed in 1853, which sort of begs the question: why hasn't anyone thought to resurrect this clearly awesome practice sooner? Archie Rose co-owner Will Edwards told Good Food it has to do with stringent government legislation – presumably intended to keep unsavoury characters from cooking up moonshine in their bathtubs. Keep in mind that Australia has a long, proud history of illicit hoochery, dating all the way back to the first settlement. In 1796, NSW Governor John Hunter expressed concern over the increasing number of "illicit distilleries of spirituous liquors" that he feared would shortly "ruin the good health of the settlement." Booze was so rampant at one stage that we were actually using rum as a form of currency. Although in retrospect, that actually doesn't sound too bad. In any case, boutique breweries (legal ones) have enjoyed a resurgence in recent times, with operators in Tasmania leading the way. Four Pillars have been distilling gin in their Yarra Valley home for years. Combination distillery restaurants have also proven popular in the United States. Here's hoping Archie Rose enjoys similar good fortune. Find Archie Rose at 61 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery. For access to the bar, enter via 85 Dunning Avenue (around the block). Distillery hours and tours are by appointment only, but the bar is open seven days a week, midday - 10pm. Via Good Food. Image: Nikki To.
Call it the circle of cinema. Call it the movie that was always bound to happen once technology was rolled out to bring The Lion King franchise back to the screen with photorealistic visuals, too. After remaking its 90s animated hit with imagery that helps its animals to appear as if they've walked out of a documentary — well, almost — with 2019's The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King is hitting cinemas in 2024 to tell the story before the saga's beloved story. If you just can't wait to spend more time in the lifelike iteration of The Lion King's world, here comes a film about the lion that's king of the Pride Lands before Simba gets the job. As both the initial teaser trailer and just-dropped full sneak peek show, Mufasa: The Lion King is again styled to look like reality, not animation. It also shares Donald Glover (Mr & Mrs Smith), Beyoncé, Seth Rogen (Dumb Money), Billy Eichner (Bros) and John Kani (Murder Mystery 2) with its predecessor, reprising their roles as Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, Timon and Rafiki. As the feature's moniker makes plain, however, Mufasa: The Lion King isn't focusing on any of those characters' tales. Mufasa, aka Simba's father, sits at the centre of a picture directed by Moonlight Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins. The movie is presented as a story told by Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa to Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who is voiced by Blue Ivy Carter. So goes a narrative about an orphaned cub who is taken in by a lion with royal blood, then set on a path that leads to the events of The Lion King. Among the voice cast, Aaron Pierre (Foe) does the honours as Mufasa. Kelvin Harrison Jr is Taka (Chevalier), the lion prince who takes Mufasa in like a brother. Tiffany Boone (Hunters), Mads Mikkelsen (The Promised Land), Thandiwe Newton (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget), Lennie James (Genius), Anika Noni Rose (Pantheon), Keith David (Rick and Morty), Kagiso Lediga (The Umbrella Men) and Preston Nyman (A Small Light) also lend their vocals to the flick. As well as Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King boasts another huge off-screen name, with Hamilton great Lin-Manuel Miranda writing the movie's tunes. "Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on The Lion Guard, and so many musical contributors over the years. The Lion King has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I'm humbled and proud to be a part of it," said Miranda. "It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theatres." Check out the full trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King below: Mufasa: The Lion King releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Images: courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Huge music festivals are back, and Australia has the ever-growing gig calendar to prove it — and it just got even bigger. Get ready to hop into the mosh pit like its the 90s and early 00s at massive alternative, metal and punk music fest Good Things, which is living up to its name with its just-dropped 2022 lineup. Headlining the tour are Bring Me The Horizon and Deftones, plus NOFX — who'll be playing 1994's iconic album Punk In Drublic in full. They'll also be joined by The Amity Affliction, Gojira and Millencolin, spanning everything from Queensland favourites to infectious Swedish punk. Oh, and just none other than Australia's own TISM playing their first live shows in 19 years. Will TISM take to the stage naked? That's now the question of the summer. 'Tis the season — and the times in general — for Ron Hitler-Barassi and company to drop their clothes but keep their masks, after all. Whatever they're decked out in, or not, expect plenty of legendary Aussie songs. Expect to have 'Greg! The Stop Sign!', 'Whatareya' and 'Ol' Man River' stuck in your head right now as well, obviously. Good Things' impressive bill also features Kisschasy playing 2005's United Paper People in full, fellow Aussie faves Regurgitator — because, just like the 90s and 00s, it wouldn't be a festival without them — and Lacuna Coil, Soulfly, ONE OK ROCK, 3OH!3, Cosmic Psychos and more. The fest is headed to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane across three massive early December days, from Friday, December 2–Sunday, December 4. And whether you're a yob or a wanker, you'll want to be there. GOOD THINGS 2022 LINEUP: Bring Me The Horizon Deftones NOFX (performing Punk In Drublic in full) TISM The Amity Affliction Gojira ONE OK ROCK 3OH!3 Blood Command Chasing Ghosts Cosmic Psychos Electric Callboy Fever 333 Jinjer JXDN Kisschasy (performing United Paper People in full) Lacuna Coil Millencolin Nova Twins Polaris RedHook Regurgitator Sabaton Sleeping With Sirens Soulfly The Story So Far Thornhill GOOD THINGS 2022 DATES: Friday, December 2 — Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Saturday, December 3 — Centennial Park, Sydney Sunday, December 4 – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Good Things will hit the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in December 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale from 10am, Tuesday, June 21, and general sales from 10am on Thursday, June 23. Head to the festival website for more info and to register for pre-sales.
Moving from sandwiches, dessert and flowers to smoked meats, the team behind Woolloomooloo sandwich joint John Montagu and Sydney chocolatier, patissier and florist Petal Met Sugar have rolled the dice on a completely new venture — Chinese cuisine. Yan, their new Chinese smokehouse restaurant, opened up in the often gastronomically neglected suburb of Wolli Creek a couple of weeks ago, and has been quietly dishing up incredible smoked Chinese food (yan is a Chinese word for smoke). Although Chinese food usually champions barbecued meats more ferociously than smoked, the trend that's swept meat vendors Australia-wide has sunk its delicious claws into Yan. Although the owners are more familiar with the sweet side of the palate, they've taken a deft hand to Chinese food, creating a simplistic menu that's designed for sharing and maintains strong elements of traditional cooking, despite the intriguing addition of house-smoked meats. Think smoked lamb rib with a cumin dry rub and Asian chimichurri, or smoked mussels with house-made chilli sauce and bao. And olive rice. Wolli Creek isn't often considered a culinary cornerstone, but the southern suburb is picking up some of that gentrified urban sprawl — the recently launched Discovery Markets are testament to the area's growing foodie focus. To be sure, there's nosh here that's worth changing trains for. Yan is situated at 19 Arncliffe Street, Wolli Creek, and is open 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
Adults of Sydney: prepare to revert to a childlike state and have your face painted as a tiger because you’re going to the zoo. Announced this week, the new $36 million Sydney Zoo is set to be constructed over 16.5 hectares of the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee and don’t worry, it will be nothing like Bob Fossil’s Zooniverse (we hope). Where The Mighty Boosh's fearless zoo leader Fossil can boast 'the black and white people who eat sticks' (pandas), 'the grey leg-faced man' (elephant) and 'the windy man, the long mover' (python, if you want to get technical about it), the new Sydney Zoo will house more exotic creatures. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8cQulDUzNs[/embed] John Burgess, the founder of the Sydney Aquarium, and his son are behind the project, set to hopefully open by 2017. Burgess told the Sydney Morning Herald that the zoo isn’t looking to steal visitors from other zoos and the exotic offerings such as sharks, rhinos, lions and zebras are likely to appeal to local residents, whereas veteran establishments Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park appeal to a tourist crowd because of their large native animals quota. Zoos tend to get a bad rap for their history of animal cruelty and the very idea of wild animals in captivity, however Sydney Zoo will apparently provide the highest level of care for their animals, including extra-large enclosures and of course, animal experts and zoolologists on site. Plus, some enclosures will be cage-free entirely. Sydney Zoo will also run a breeding program to boost the numbers of endangered species from around the world, including Asian elephants, lowland gorilla and tigers. And you know what this means: more Snapchats from zoo day of you squealing while a baby elephant squirts everyone with water. So let's take a little walk through the future zoo. Here's the proposed entrance: And the boardwalks of wonderment: And this grassy picnic spot where you can all compare your winning Zebragrams: Sydney Zoo is coming to the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee, to possibly open in 2017. More details to come. Via Sydney Morning Herald. Images: Sydney Zoo/Dollar Photo Club.
