For one very special night the renowned Yangjiang art collective, currently exhibiting at 4a Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, will be taking over the Chinese Garden of Friendship. With DJs throughout the evening and food and drinks by the Grasshopper Eating House, the Yangjiang group will be putting you at the centre of their art with calligraphy, face-painting and intimate performance pieces. In their trademark After Dinner Calligraphy, they will use food scraps from the event to create a large-scale work, and the night will finish with the artists feeding guests an array of tea designed to spark a shift in your physical and spiritual perceptions.
To the north of Bongil Bongil National Park is Sawtell Beach and headlands, where the coastal views are worth a visit any time of the year but are most popular during whale watching season. You can view the humpback migration from a grassy picnic spot as the headlands allow both northern and southern views. Just ten kilometres from Coffs Harbour, the beachside town is also a popular spot for a swim or surf. While you're here, check out Sailors Bay at low tide, when you'll be able to reach the tidal rock pools. Image: Destination NSW
Fans of boozy brekkies should hop along to Manly's Rialto Lane this weekend where Rollers Bakehouse and Archie Rose are teamed up to bring you a gin and pastry fiesta. From 10am on Saturday, July 20, hungry punters can lounge in the Rollers courtyard with an inventive croissant in one hand and a gin cocktail in the other. For eats, there's a charcoal-infused pain au chocolat ($6), one stuffed with ham, cheddar, gruyere, pickles and whole grain mustard ($8.50) and a lemon myrtle number made with lemon myrtle custard and curd and topped with white chocolate. The cocktails are priced at $12 each and can be matched with any of the specialty croissants on offer, though the team recommends you pair them as follows: the vodka- and honey-spiked Banana Roller with the pain au chocolat; the N' Mary (a gin bloody mary) with the ham and cheese option; and the Lemon Myrtle Collins with, yes, the lemon myrtle croissant. If you miss out on this weekend's festivities, Archie Rose and Rollers will be hosting the same event again out at the Rosebery distillery on Saturday, July 27 from noon. No tickets or bookings are necessary for either — just rock up with at least a $20 in your pocket. Images 1-2: Rollers by Kitti Gould.
Everyone has a favourite kind of chocolate. Everyone also has a favourite kind of chocolate that doesn't actually exist. You know what we're talking about — you've fantasised about a bar of cocoa goodness that includes all your wildest, weirdest additions, and you've been cripplingly saddened every time you've looked for your crazy concoction in the supermarket. Keep dreaming deliciously big, because new Australian online retailer Chocolab is in the business of granting chocolate wishes. Whether milk, white or dark is your jam, and whether you like to find confectionery, spices, fruit, nuts, biscuits, cereal, coffee, popcorn or pretzels hidden within, your dream choccy could be an actual, eatable thing. In the company's online creation lab, you can add up to five possible bits and pieces to your 100-gram block of Belgium's finest. The lengthy list of ingredients currently includes sour gummy worms, Ovalteenies, Nerds, caramel fudge, Nutella, Fruit Tingles, sherbet, acai berries, Tiny Teddies, brownie bites, Cornflakes and more, with new options added regularly. If you don't see an add-in you like, you can even suggest your own. A block starts at $6.50, with add-ins ranging from 70c to $2. Once you've settled on your picks, your concoction is handcrafted by Chocolab's professional chocolatiers, then shipped to you as soon as possible — and yes, there's an express delivery option, because no one likes waiting for the food of the gods. Postage starts at $4 per block, so while it's not the cheapest block of chocolate in town, it's certainly the most happily indulgent. Chocolab recommends eating the finished product with a month or two, and we celebrate their optimism and judgement-free attitude. We all know your dream bar won't last that long. To find out more about Chocolab, or to design your own block of chocolate, visit their website.
Two Queers Walk Into a Bar, the project of Brendan Hancock and Jenna Suffern, is back with its biggest edition yet, rolling out the Two Queers Comedy Festival across two weeks for 2024's Mardi Gras. The packed program of laughs and performances is throwing up a little bit of everything, including an opening-night gala, exciting new shows from some of the country's best comedians and an anti-Valentine's Day singles night. The festival kicks things off with a huge opening night of stand-up on Friday, February 16, at Paddington Town Hall. Nina Oyama (Deadloch, Taskmaster Australia) and Etcetera Etcetera (Drag Race Down Under) lead the lineup alongside Annaliese Constable, Jacinta Gregory, Lou Wall and more. From there on out, there are plenty of exciting shows to catch. Zoe Coombs Marr is bringing her new set, A Perpetual Work in Progress, to Kinselas Hotel on Saturday, February 24, as part of the festival. Also on the program are Frankie Fearce, Annaliese Constable, Jordan Barr, Ruby Teys, Gaffy, Aaron Manhattan, Foxy Moron and Aurelia St Clair. Plus, Ange Lavoipierre and Jane Watt's Jazz or a Bucket of Blood (one of Suffern's top picks for last year's Sydney Fringe Festival) will be returning to the Harbour City to appear at the festival on Tuesday, February 20. Tickets range from $20–50. You can check out the full schedule via Humanitix. Top image: Andy Mullins
They say the world is your oyster, and the folk on the New South Wales South Coast take it very seriously. So much so that they're putting on a festival to celebrate and showcase that salty, slippery, seafood delicacy. The Narooma Oyster Festival, set in the heart of Australia's 'Oyster Coast' will take place on a glorious Saturday on the 5th of May. Head to the Big Oyster Bar where you will be able to feast on delicious oysters from eight south coast estuaries on the banks of the stunning Wagonga Inlet. If you're after a cool $500 in pocket money, the oyster shucking competition could be up your alley, but if you're new to the whole game, there are shucking demonstrations as well. For the most committed of oyster lovers out there, there is The Ultimate Oyster Experience, where you'll enjoy an exclusive master class guide by a local grower and sample Angasi, Pacific and Sydney Rock Oysters with complementing wines.
Missed out on a Euro summer trip this year? Don't drown your sorrows in sangria just yet — Spanish car brand CUPRA is bringing Barcelona to Sydney with the fiery Obsession event series. Inspired by the brand's ethos of style, performance and passion — which will see creative collaborators take over the CUPRA Sydney City Garage in the CBD to showcase their "obsessions." In the second event of this obsessive series, Brisbane-born musician, beatboxer and human lyrebird Tom Thum is taking to CUPRA's Sydney City Garage on Thursday, November 28 for an evening of musical obsession. Since the early 2000s, Thum has been making a name for himself with the power of his voice — rising to internet stardom with a viral 15-minute performance at TEDx Sydney in 2013. He's sold out shows with Gordon Hamilton and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and worked with Disney and Audi, but he's bringing his talents to this far more personal experience here. As well as a performance on the night, Thum will talk about obsession in his obscure medium and encourage some audience interaction if anyone is brave enough to beatbox with the master. Want to win a double pass to attend? You can head to the CUPRA website and share your obsession in 25 words or less to claim a ticket. The CUPRA Sydney City Garage is located at 68 Pitt Street, Sydney. For more information about CUPRA or to get behind the wheel on a test drive, visit the website.
Openair shopping sprees are an inevitable spring/summer plan for Sydneysiders; a monthly outdoor market is soon to be a permanent thing at the Central Park development off Broadway. Kicking off October 12, The Brewery Yard Markets will be set on sunny Chippendale Green on the second Sunday of every month, with stalls selling artisanal foodie-heaven fare beside stands of vintage and locally-produced wares. Though the markets are a radically different retail approach to the franchises currently populating Central Park's vertical 'living-mall', they're sure to be a boom for the soon to be densely-populated inner city complex. And why not make the most of the development's specially-landscaped outdoor areas as summer rolls in? The markets will launch mid-way through the development's Summer Playground festival, with highlights including Long Lunch Sundays — where $15 will buy you a lunch special, to be eaten while lazing back in complimentary deck chairs and listening to live acoustic tunes. As for weekday entertainment, Central Park's got you covered with Thursdays Games Day — head to the Green in your break to see the space transformed into a pop-up fun fair with giant Jenga, table tennis and treasure hunts. Then there's the one-off openair Twillight Summer Cinema, screening everyone's favourite Dirty Dancing on September 25 — with dinner thrown in with your ticket price. Winter, consider yourself well shunned. Central Park's Summer Playground program runs September 8 until October 5. Check out the whole program here.
The last time that Joaquin Phoenix appeared in cinemas, he played an overlooked and unheard man. "You don't listen, do you?" Arthur Fleck asked his social worker, and the entirety of Joker — and of Phoenix's magnetic Oscar-winning performance as the Batman foe in the 2019 film, too — provided the obvious answer. Returning to the big screen in a feature that couldn't be more different to his last, Phoenix now plays a professional listener. A radio journalist and podcaster who'd slide in seamlessly alongside Ira Glass on America's NPR, Johnny's niche is chatting with children. Travelling around the country from his New York base, C'mon C'mon's protagonist seeks thoughts about life, hopes, dreams, the future and the world in general, but never in a Kids Say the Darndest Things-type fashion. As Phoenix's sensitive, pensive gaze conveys under the tender guidance of Beginners and 20th Century Women filmmaker Mike Mills, Johnny truly and gratefully hears what his young interviewees utter. Phoenix is all gentle care, quiet understanding and rippling melancholy as Johnny. All naturalism and attentiveness as well, he's also firmly at his best, no matter what's inscribed on his Academy Award. Here, Phoenix is as phenomenal as he was in his career highlight to-date, aka the exceptional You Were Never Really Here, in a part that again has his character pushed out of his comfort zone by a child. C'mon C'mon's Johnny spends his days talking with kids, but that doesn't mean he's equipped to look after his nine-year-old nephew Jesse (Woody Norman, The War of the Worlds) in Los Angeles when his sister Viv (Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent) needs to assist her husband Paul (Scoot McNairy, A Quiet Place Part II) with his mental health. Johnny and Viv haven't spoken since their mother died a year earlier, and Johnny has previously overstepped when it comes to Paul — with the siblings' relationship so precarious that he barely knows Jesse — but volunteering to help is his immediate reflex. As captured in soft, luxe, nostalgic shades of greyscale by always-remarkable cinematographer Robbie Ryan (see also: I, Daniel Blake, American Honey, The Favourite and Marriage Story), Johnny takes to his time with Jesse as any uncle suddenly thrust into a 24/7 caregiving role that doesn't exactly come naturally would. Jesse also reacts as expected, handling the situation as any bright and curious kid whose world swiftly changes, and who finds himself with a new and different role model, is going to. But C'mon C'mon is extraordinary not because its instantly familiar narrative sees Johnny and Jesse learn life lessons from each other, and their bond grow stronger the longer they spend in each other's company — but because this tremendously moving movie repeatedly surprises with its depth, insights, and lively sparks of both adult and childhood life. It's styled to look like a memory, and appreciates how desperately parents and guardians want to create such happy recollections for kids, but C'mon C'mon feels unshakeably lived-in rather than wistful. It doesn't pine for times gone by; instead, the film recognises the moments that linger in the now. It spies how the collection of ordinary, everyday experiences that Johnny and Jesse cycle through all add up to something that's equally commonplace, universally relatable and special, too. Conveying that sentiment, but never by being sentimental, has long been one of Mills' great powers as a filmmaker. He makes pictures so alive with real emotion that they clearly belong to someone, and yet also resonate with everyone all at once. With C'mon C'mon, the writer/director draws upon his own time as a parent, after taking inspiration from his relationship with his father in Beginners, and from his connection to his mother and his own upbringing in 20th Century Women. The conversations that the rumpled Johnny and precocious Jesse exchange might be exactly the kind that adults and children always have — the earnest talks that Johnny has with his interview subjects as well, which help place the movie's musings in a broader context — but that doesn't make them any less perceptive and memorable. The key to the film is the key to its central duo's blossoming bond, to Johnny's rapport with the kids on his podcast, and to everything that Phoenix as Arthur Fleck wanted and demanded: genuinely listening. C'mon C'mon builds wonderfully detailed and intricate character studies by doing just that with Johnny and Jesse — and, albeit in less screentime, with Viv. Trips around the US play like big adventures, including when Jesse keeps wanting to explore NY and laps up a New Orleans street parade, but the contents of late-night phone calls, the newly single Johnny's diary-like recorded dispatches about his days, Viv's maternal routine and Jesse's favourite play-acting game — where he pretends he's an orphan — frequently feel just as immense. As C'mon C'mon observes and unfurls these textured slices of life, it also takes the act of listening as seriously as Johnny does. Mills has directed a gorgeous-looking film, any frame of which would make a postcard-perfect memory — its closeups are revelatory, its wide shots that place its characters in their surroundings while surveying the minutiae around them are transcendent — but his soundscape does just as much essential work. Viewers hear the hustle and bustle, the noise of the street, the silence that lingers indoors and the clattering chaos one small boy can incite. Jesse hears it, too, and soon becomes enamoured with listening through his uncle's headphones as Johnny records on-the-ground material for his podcast. The National's Bryce and Aaron Dessner also layer in a melodic and dreamy score that both sets and suits the reflective and warm-hearted mood, while the soundtrack's jumps between genres — opera, Lou Reed and Lee Scratch Perry included — are dynamic. For all of Mills' outstanding choices with C'mon C'mon, a feature filled with them, the care and love he gives his characters and ushers out of his actors is his biggest feat. Phoenix's endlessly impressive work as a man both exhausted and rewarded by pseudo-parenthood is matched by Norman, who turns in a spontaneous and instinctive performance, and by the ever-reliable Hoffman as a woman constantly striving for her own space beyond her roles as a mother, partner and sister. Indeed, watching them together, and seeing their reactions and responses while talking to each other via phone, is as crucial as hearing every word spoken. Yes, C'mon C'mon listens devotedly, but it's just as committed to simply being in these characters' presence, soaking in all that comes with it, and finding the aching and affecting truth in every second.
Yesterday saw the first announcement of plans for the 2012 installment of Vivid Live. Vivid Live is the ten day musical extravaganza held under the Vivid Sydney banner, the annual mid-winter festival of lights, music and ideas, which this year will run from May 25 to June 11. Beginning in 2009, each successive installment of Vivid has seen the sails of the Opera House lit up like a psychadelic rainbow and one super-special person or two curating the festival's musical component. Past curators have included Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, and Stephen Pavlovic. This year, however, the idea of musical curator has been done away with, and in 2012 Vivid Live will be overseen by Festival Director, Fergus Linehan. Linehan, who was Director of the Sydney Festival during its boom years of 2006-2009, has been Head of Contemporary Music at the Opera House for the past two years. In collaboration with the programming team at Sydney Opera House, Linehan is this year charged with "cultivating artist-driven projects including unique collaborations, one-off projects and special events." While the full festival line-up won't be announced until March 15, the first Vivid Live announcement has revealed that this year's Vivid Live will showcase specially commissioned new works from Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Denner of The National and Nico Muhly, a composer who's worked with the likes of Bjork, Grizzly Bear and Anthony & The Johnsons. Stay tuned for more announcements from Vivid over the coming weeks.
Sydney's only theatre in a pub basement, the Old Fitzroy Theatre has been a beloved stalwart of the independent scene in this city — and that's a position its new artistic management, Red Line Productions, are determined to return it to. They've announced the first six months of their 2015 season, with plans involving a roster of established indie talent, revisits of plays that had their premieres at the Old Fitz, and a late-night slot that will be made available to artists for the rarely seen price of free. "Sydney needs a well-run, intimate small theatre venue. The Fitz is so damn special,” said Andrew Henry, one third of Red Line Productions, who took over the venue from Sydney Independent Theatre Company and were involved with this year's popular Howie the Rookie. First on their slate is the return of Charlie Garber and Gareth Davies' absurd Masterclass, about the greatest actor of all time, Gareth Davies. In February, Workhorse Theatre Company will be presenting Cock, a much-acclaimed relationship drama by UK playwright Mike Bartlett, and in March, a revival of 1999 Old Fitz hit Freak Winds, written by and starring Marshall Napier. Best known for his acting, Anthony Gooley will be directing Orphans in April, while Anthony Skuse visits Latin America with The House of Ramon Iglesia and Kate Gaul returns to Ireland with Enda Walsh's Misterman. In the late slot you'll find more experimental, improvisational or DIY-spirited works, making do on the sets of the regular 7.30pm shows. It's free to use the space, which is great news for artists, and cheaper to buy tickets to, which is great news for us. Already programmed are Kate Walder and Penny Greenhalgh's Bad (which has either not been written yet or just has an admirably vague blurb), Cameron Lukey's Playing Rock Hudson, improv show Holly and Ado Get It On! and Kate Box in Dolores, a play about domestic violence and sisterhood from New York writer Edward Allen Baker. Running since 1997, the Old Fitz is a sweetly dingy favourite among Sydney's theatre crowd, with superfan Toby Schmitz recently telling the Sydney Morning Herald, "The Old Fitz is one of my great loves. When I did Brendan [Cowell's] Men there [in 2000], my life changed." Audiences at the Old Fitz over the last couple of years were less often privy to life-changing theatre, however, as the programming fell below expectations. It's early days yet, but we're optimistic about the new Old Fitz, which seems to wrap its arms around both indie royalty and riff-raff (often the more fun to watch). With the recent closure of the theatre upstairs at the Tap Gallery, and the general dearth of independent theatre venues in Sydney, it's a bit of good news putting a spring in the step of board-treaders. For more information on the Old Fitzroy season, see the Red Line Productions website.
The King has risen. Head out to Parkes in January and you would be forgiven for thinking you're in Graceland — if there's anything this town is known for (apart from the iconic Dish, of course) it's the Parkes Elvis Festival. Pull on your blue suede shoes and get ready to find yourself a hunk, a hunk of burning love. The festival takes place over five days during the second week of January to coincide with the King's birthday (January 8, as if you didn't already know). Over 25,000 visitors flock to the town to see international and national Elvis tribute artists battle it out to be named the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. There's also a Miss Priscilla competition, rock 'n' roll dancing, busking, a midnight show and a finale concert. The Parkes Elvis Festival is officially endorsed by the King's estate, Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., so you know it's legit. Stop talking about it, and just do it this year. A little less conversation, a little more action.
Freya and Elias Berkhout’s relatively new sibling collaboration is off to a good start. They won the recent Sydney Festival Soundtrack Competition, which saw their tune 'Picnic!' played as the 2013 Festival’s theme song, and they’re now about to release their debut EP, See In Walk. Freya might be known to some indie music lovers for her work as one-half of experimental pop duo kyü, which appeared at Homebake 2009 and won the Hopetoun Incentive. However, Gnome’s sound takes on a new dimension altogether. She and her brother combine a range of influences and interests, and their work fuses classical and world music with electronica. Live, they float deftly executed harmonies over loops, creating dynamics through percussion breaks and rhythmic changes. Freya has described it as “loosely a combination of Brian Eno, The Knife and Sufjan Stevens”.
If you've ever wanted to enjoy your nosh with casual waterfalls cascading over your feet (haven't we all?), all you need is a cheeky airfare. Nestled right at the foot of a spring waterfall in a coconut plantation and resort in Laguna, Phillipines, Villa Escudero takes novelty dining next level. A self-contained working coconut plantation, Villa Escudero was founded in the 1880s and still sports that colonial-style so prevalent in resorts in the Philippines. Featuring long bamboo dining tables set right over the water, Villa Escudero's restaurant must have some pretty pruny-footed waiters after a long shift. Sure, you could get the hose out at home and attempt to create the same effect, but Villa Escudero might have a natural one-up on your bond-losing acts. Via Lost at E Minor.
Which cravings will Wonka inspire? Chocolate, of course, and also an appetite for more of filmmaker Paul King's blend of the inventive, warm-hearted and surreal. The British writer/director's chocolatier origin story is a sweet treat from its first taste, and firmly popped from the same box as his last two movie delights: Paddington and Paddington 2. Has the helmer used a similar recipe to his talking-bear pictures? Yes. Was it divine with that double dip in marmalade, and now equally so with creative confectionery and the man behind it? Yes again. While it'd be nice to see King and his regular writing partner Simon Farnaby (also an actor, complete with an appearance here) make an original tale again, as they last did with 2009's superb and sublime Bunny and the Bull, watching them cast their spell on childhood favourites dishes up as effervescent an experience as sipping fizzy lifting drinks. It's as uplifting as munching on hover chocs, too, aka the debut creation that Wonka's namesake unveils in his attempt to unleash his chocolates upon the world. Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet, Bones and All) has everlasting gobstobbers, golden tickets and a whole factory pumping out a sugary rush in his future, as Roald Dahl first shared in 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then cinemagoers initially saw in 1971's Gene Wilder-starring all-timer Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Wonka churns up the story before that story, and technically before 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Tim Burton (Wednesday) as led by Johnny Depp (Minamata) — but the less remembered about that most-recent adaptation, the better. There's no on-the-page precedent for this flick, then. Rather, King and Farnaby use pure imagination, plus what they know works for them, to delectable results. What they welcomely avoid is endeavouring to melt down Dahl's bag of tricks and remould it, and also eschew packing in references to past Chocolate Factory flicks like a cookie that's more chocolate chips than biscuit. Wonka is a prequel devoted to telling its own tale — and deliciously — instead of stretching itself like over-chewed bubblegum to stick again and again to all that precedes it. The nods are there, including in the type of villains that Dahl could've penned, and the turns of phrase. Visual minutiae harks backwards, top hat and all, while 'Pure Imagination' and the Ooompa-Loompa flute whistle get more than a single spin. In the worst of the throwbacks, obesity is used as a gag once more like over half a century hasn't passed since Willy Wonka was conjured up. But they're all the feature's sprinkles, not its main ingredients. Come to Wonka and you'll be viewing a film that values its own narrative, magic, whimsy and wonders by the bucketful. Swimming in its river of hopes, aspirations, enchantment and earnestness brings Barbie to mind, in fact, in how to bake something new and flavoursome from pre-existing intellectual property. The trailers largely hide it; however, Wonka is as much of a musical as pop culture's greatest sweet tooth's prior dances across the screen, opening with him singing as he sails to the unnamed European locale that's home to the Galeries Gourmet. Once back on land, he's soon spent his 12 silver sovereigns before a day has passed and his introductory number is over, but the eccentric's hat full of dreams — a Mary Poppins-esque item that contains all manner of physical marvels, too — hasn't come close to running out. Mere minutes in, Chalamet shows how magnificently he's been cast as the wide-eyed, eternally optimistic, crooning-with-cheer young Wonka, wearing sincerity as closely and comfortably as his character's go-to purple suits. He's a daydream made tangible, whether beaming with enthusiasm about every chance that comes Willy's way, speaking in sing-song rhymes or frolicking with a waved-around cane. Never trying to be previous versions of Wonka (no one can replicate Wilder, and no one should want to ape Depp), he's a pleasure at getting goofy as well, sans even a dash of the exquisitely played moodiness, vulnerability and cool that's served him so well in Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird, Little Women and Dune. At Willy's new home, three shops run by Slugworth (Paterson Joseph, Boat Story), Prodnose (Matt Lucas, DC's Legends of Tomorrow) and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton, Ghosts) monopolise the sweets trade, but he wants to be the mall's next candyman. The chocolate cartel doesn't take kindly to newcomers, though, or making treats affordable to the masses. With assistance from a corrupt cleric (Rowan Atkinson, Man vs Bee) and chocoholic chief of police (Keegan-Michael Key, The Super Mario Bros Movie), the core trio has the power and influence to send their unwanted competitor's life's wish down the drain before it even gets a chance to set. Finding a place to stay at a washhouse run by Mrs Scrubbit (Olivia Colman, Heartstopper) and her offsider Bleacher (Tom Davis, Romantic Getaway), then getting landed with a debt that'll take 27 years of labour to pay off for just a night's slumber, also threatens to give his quest a sour taste. Then there's the orange-skinned, green-haired Oompa-Loompa (Hugh Grant, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) stealing Wonka's cocoa morsels out of revenge. All innocence, charm, buoyancy and tenderness just like a certain Peruvian mammal, Chalamet's star turn is the acting equivalent of having dessert for dinner and relishing every second. That said, there's nothing insubstantial about the fellow talents that surround him, with King's knack for filling parts big and small getting another scrumptious whirl. If the filmmaker wants to continue providing Grant with the scene-stealing comedic supporting roles of his life, audiences will devour his presence. Bringing Sally Hawkins over from the Paddington films to play Wonka's mother in flashbacks is a joyously touching move. Joseph, Lucas and Bayton make entertainingly haughty villains, while Key, Colman and Davis (also a Paddington 2 alum) are all having a ball. Farnaby turns a silhouetted moment as a security guard feasting on Willy's big night out truffle into a gem. And among Scrubbit and Bleacher's other indentured workers, Calah Lane (This Is Us) invests feeling and pluck in the orphaned Noodle, with Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: A New Era), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education), Natasha Rothwell (Sonic the Hedgehog 2) and Rich Fulcher (Black Mirror) engagingly rounding out the rag-tag laundry crew. Fulcher's involvement, like Farnaby's, nods to another jewel that King helped gift the world: The Mighty Boosh. The director helmed all 20 episodes, plus the comedy troupe's live Future Sailors Tour special — and its phantasmagorical and heightened vibe, as well as its winning wit, offbeat humour, fondness for silliness and textured details, live on in the filmmaker's big-screen efforts so far. Much is made in Wonka of Willy's compendium of components for his ingenious chocolate, such as giraffe's milk, salty tears from a Russian clown and liquid sunshine. King crafts his own irresistible confection in the same way, with heapings of gorgeous spectacle via its lavish cinematography (by the OG Oldboy's Chung-hoon Chung), production design (Nathan Crowley, Tenet) and costuming (Paddington franchise returnee Lindy Hemming); everything that his actors splash in; and also the memorable score (Joby Talbot, Sing 2) and tunes (Talbot and Neil Hannon, who were both in Northern Ireland-born band The Divine Comedy). And the banding together to bring down capitalist bigwigs dotted in the plot? What a cherry on top it proves.
Too lazy to walk? Want to get to a faraway part of town? Add a bus tour to your Art Month itinerary. Whether you live in Sydney's north, south, east or west, you can rest assured that artists on the other side of the city have something to show you that you've never seen before. 2016's bus tours will be travelling all over the place. And each will be led by an expert. Heading to Penrith is Gary Carsley, while Consuelo Cavaniglia will be helping you to Go East, with a trip through Paddington and Woollahra. Meanwhile, in Parramatta, Jon Kirkman, director of the International Culture Exchange, will be showing you private collections, studios and favourite eateries, and in Campbelltown, you'll meet with artist Rosie Deacon. Finally, Barry Keldoulis will be bravely taking on the Go North tour, covering exhibitions and ending with a live performance. Image: Rosie Deacon.
For five years between 2005–2010, David Tennant played one of the most iconic roles there is; however, he'll never just be known for his work on Doctor Who. Since stepping out of the TARDIS, the British actor has been filling his resume with supremely interesting parts. Miniseries Deadwater Fell is the latest — and yes, if you've spotted that Tennant has become very comfortable in crime thrillers, drama and mysteries, you're completely right. Here, he plays Tom Kendrick, a doctor in a Scottish village who is also the only survivor when his home catches ablaze. Over four tense episodes, the twisty series explores the events and aftermath, including its impact upon the local community. It's not all what it seems, of course, which goes with the territory. In terms of actual terrain, the show is set in a fictional town, but expect to feast your eyes on plenty of scenic Scottish sights.
If laughter is the best medicine then you'll never find a better time to fall ill. From Monday, April 18, over 200 local and international comedians will descend upon the harbour city for the 12th annual Sydney Comedy Festival, ready to fill your prescription of chuckles, giggles and guffaws. Stretching across more than four weeks at venues all around Sydney from the Opera House to Parramatta, it's just what the doctor ordered. Of course, comedy is a notoriously hit-and-miss form of entertainment, so picking the right shows is key. Fortunately, the organisers at this year's festival have knocked the program out of the park. International stars including David O'Doherty, Ross Noble, Paul Foot and Sarah Callaghan will join local legends like Anne Edmonds, Demi Lardner, Michael Workman and Lawrence Leung. Alternatively, you could go and watch a bunch of people reading erotic fan fiction. The choice is entirely yours.
Longrain and Spice I Am, you'd better look out. Chef and Thai food expert David Thompson is making a return to Sydney, opening a new branch of his Long Chim restaurant (which already operates in Perth and Singapore) in the CBD. After announcing that the restaurant would be opening in Angel Place back in May (and since announcing he'll be taking Long Chim to Melbourne too), we now have an official opening date: Monday, August 29. And boy are we excited. First of all, the restaurant's going to be pretty huge. Spread across two levels in old storerooms underneath Martin Place, it will have a large open-plan kitchen, a cocktail bar and room for 190 diners. Developed in collaboration with FJM Property and designer Kelly Ross from The Gentry, you'll have a choice of seating, from communal tables to counter stools to out-of-the-way alcoves, and there'll be original artworks from both Thai and Australian artists. Its atmosphere is set to be a bit of recreation of Bangkok's streets, with all manner of delicious smells, sounds of crashing woks and clattering utensils, and service at lightning speed. The menu will focus on street food (ah, that old chestnut), including crunchy prawn cakes, beef skewers, massaman curry and deep-fried squid. We're also happy to hear that cocktails will be a focus and banana roti will make it onto the dessert menu. "At Long Chim we want to capture all the excitement and tastes of the streets of Bangkok," said Thompson, who returns to the Sydney hospo scene after 15 years. "Long Chim is intended to be fun — 'sanuk', as the Thais say — with food and drinks that everyone loves. Our menu will have the dishes that many Thais miss the most when away from home." Long Chim Sydney will open for dinner on Monday, August 29. It will be located in a basement beneath 14 Martin Place, accessible through Angel Place. For more info, visit longchimsydney.com. By Jasmine Crittenden and Lauren Vadnjal.
Once, dance and classical weren't music genres that you'd usually find swirling around in the same basket, unless you have a particular bent for the orchestral 'Sandstorm' covers found in the depths of YouTube. Since 2019 in Australia, however, Synthony has been here to prove that the disciplines go hand in hand — and it's returning for another tour in 2024. Initially founded in New Zealand, and now an annual highlight on Australia's gig calendar, the event gets a live orchestra joining forces with a selection of DJs and onstage performers to play the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years. Think: tunes by Swedish House Mafia, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Avicii, Fisher, Faithless, Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Flume, Calvin Harris, Wilkinson and the like, and as you've never heard them before. Wherever Synthony pops up, the venues that it temporarily call home take a few cues from the nightclub scene, with lights, lasers and mapped video all featured in the experience. And, as the orchestra busts out a selection of dance floor bangers note for note, vocalists also do their part — because this isn't just about instrumental versions of your favourite club tunes. The 2024 run first has two dates with Sydney, playing Carriageworks during Vivid across Friday, June 7–Saturday, June 8. On the lineup: the Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams, as joined by Ilan Kidron from The Potbelleez, Emily Williams, Cassie McIvor, Greg Gould, Matty O and Mobin Master.
Self-sufficiency is not simply an environmental goal but an all-consuming way of life for Spanish design company, Elii Studio. With their brilliant new invention — the Jane Fonda Kit House — these Mediterranean innovators have created an experimental home powered almost entirely through that most futuristic of technologies: human movement. The concept itself is startlingly simple. The house, which resembles something between a DIY greenhouse and an M.C. Escher design, is fitted with a number of low-tech exercise devices hooked up to some pretty high-tech generators. Every time you punch out some sit-ups, jump on the exercise bike or even water the plants, these generators convert your kinetic energy into energy that can be used to power your household appliances. Thus, the fitter you get get yourself, the more episodes of Game of Thrones you can watch. While JF-Kit may certainly isn't for everyone, if you're the kind of person who likes to put their fitness first and likes to keep energy expenses to a minimum, then this might just be future-you's perfect home. Via Inhabitat
It's in Newtown that you'll find some of Sydney's best locally brewed beer, most irresistible bakery treats and most flavoursome vegetarian sausages. To celebrate the suburb's delectable contributions to the city's foodie scene, the Newtown Good Food Fair is returning for a second year this Sunday, October 11. And this time, it's expanding. Held as part of Good Food Month 2015 and organised by the Newtown Precinct Business Association, the event brings together more than 25 of Newtown's brewers, bakers, growers and chefs. These include Young Henrys, Black Star, Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher, Bloodwood, Mary's, Osteria de Russo & Russo, Miss Peaches Soul Food Kitchen and The Animal at the Newtown Hotel. For your gustatory convenience, they'll all be gathering in three easy-to-reach spots: the Newtown Square, where the focus will be on food; the Whateley Street Car Park, where it'll be all about bars and food; and The Green Living Centre at Telstra Plaza, which will be dedicated to local produce, sustainability and the launch of the new Newtown Local Food Guide.
In 2018's Skate Kitchen, filmmaker Crystal Moselle let audiences air and ollie through New York, with the entrancing and often dreamlike teenage drama stepping inside an all-female skateboarding crew. Even better: it was based on a real-life group of the same name, and starred its members. Now, because this story just keeps getting better, the director has brought all of the above back for TV spinoff Betty. You don't need to have seen the film to enjoy this slice-of-life look at these girl skaters' lives, however. All you need is a couple of hours to watch these young women hit their boards, navigate the normal adolescent experiences, and cope with all the ups and downs of trying to literally glide through a male-heavy realm. And, to simply enjoy spending time with these friends — because Moselle is particularly skilled at making her viewers feel like they're part of the gang.
Aimee Mann’s sweetly critical tones are on their way to the Enmore Theatre in September, with a very chuffed Ben Lee in tow as a special guest to the show. This tour will see Aimee bringing her new album (the beautiful Smilers, out last year), and most importantly her lovely self, to Australia for the first time, to share with us her back catalogue of toe tapping, touching and titillating tunes. Mann might be best known for her Oscar nominated ‘Save Me' from the film Magnolia, or writing the best break up lyrics ("Now that I’ve met you would you object to never seeing each other again" from ‘Deathly’) but she should be known for her lyrical genius across six or so albums and her guest appearance in Buffy. This tour is a first-time-once in-a lifetime-type opportunity, so don’t miss it.https://youtube.com/watch?v=3S7HAvibdvc
Beautiful One Day shows that devised theatre still has a unique power to bring people together for true sharing, collaboration, and storytelling. With the support of Belvoir, leading Indigenous theatre company Ilbijerri and documentary performance maestros Version 1.0 went and tested the waters at the Aboriginal community of Palm Island. When their suggestions for a project weren't rebuffed, they developed the work with the residents, three of whom join the seasoned performers on stage. Palm Island is a place we've mainly seen in snippets on the news — not anybody's best angle. It captured headlines in 2004, after the death in custody there of Mulrunji Doomadgee, whom the coroner found to have massive internal injuries. After the autopsy report was made public, there were demonstrations that turned to rioting. This event, still a trauma and a focus for the people of Palms, is at the chronological centre of the play, although in this version of the story, it is part of a continuum of acts of violence committed by white Australia for which there has never been justice. At the same time, the island has a continuous history of asserting its rights, including through large strikes in 1957 against the Aboriginals Protection Act, which had Aboriginal people under state control since 1897. As mentioned, this is devised theatre without writer or director, so linear story is not its strength — though nor its intention. Instead, the Beautiful One Day team — performers Magdalena Blackley, Kylie Doomadgee, Paul Dwyer, Rachael Maza, Jane Phegan, and Harry Reuben, plus additional devisors Sean Bacon, Eamon Flack, and David Williams — build layer upon overlapping layer of story, context, and meaning. A big success is that they set up an atmosphere of chattiness with the audience from the get-go, creating a feeling of lightness and inclusion. They use a Version 1.0-influenced toolkit of multimedia (presented, not excessively, across three screens), interviews, transcripts of historical and legal documents, and fictionalised scenes to build a picture of Palms. A nod to the 'telling their own stories' trope has the performers actually reading and acting out memoirs from books literally printed and bound, a nice little kick in the pants for anyone who thinks Aboriginal history is sidelined mostly because it's oral in form. The scenes about Mulrunji's death can't match the breadth and discovery of Chloe Hooper's award-winning book on the subject, The Tall Man, which is among the great works of creative non-fiction produced in this country. If the story of what happened to Mulrunji and in the subsequent trials and inquests appears more damning in this viewing, it is because the facts are condensed into a smaller space, in which it is impossible for the officers of law and justice involved to hide. It seems a pity, though, that in some moments, the police are portrayed cartoonishly, as a means to a joke. Even if it doesn't bring new facts to the conversation, Beautiful One Day certainly brings a new feeling. In trying to get a view of Palm Island from Palm Island, rather than of Palm Island from the mainland, the picture they conjure is one of hope. The island has seen conflict and absurdity, but looked at up close, there's at least an equal share of normalcy and paradise. There'll be more once its people can truly say they're no longer "living under the act".
Maybe you're a fan of puzzles, or of horror movies. Perhaps you've always considered yourself a bit of an escape artist. Or, you might've spent so much time at home over the past year that the idea of trying to sleuth your way out of another space — any other space — sounds ideal right about now. Whichever category you fall into, Sydney isn't short on escape rooms, including The Cipher Room in Newtown. Soon, however, you'll be able to experience its games at a second site in St Peters. Come Tuesday, March 23, you'll be able to head to a warehouse on May Street, put your noggin to good use and try to figure your way out. The Cipher Room's owners — and self-confessed puzzle fanatics — David Vella and Marise Watson have also come up with a brand new scenario for their new space. If you find dolls particularly unsettling, consider yourself warned. The new site will play host to Mr Pepper's Toy Shop. No, guessing where it's set isn't part of the puzzle. Here, you'll step inside an abandoned and haunted toy store, because inspecting properties with ghostly visitors is your job. Once inside, you'll need to work out why people have noticed strange lights and noises coming from the place more than 70 years after it closed. Mr Pepper's Toy Shop comes with a warning about creepy imagery — again, there's dolls — and potential jump scares. So, if you're easily spooked, it mightn't be for you. Vella and Watson plan to keep creating new games for their new site, and doing it all themselves. The pair designs the concepts and narratives, all the puzzles, and the sounds and lighting. Supporting fellow local businesses, they also source props from nearby second-hand and vintage shops — and use reclaimed and recycled materials where they can. Over at the original Newtown venue, which is a six-minute walk from the new St Peters spot, you can still opt for 1940s spy thriller Espionage if that's more your style. There's also Cabin, where you'll play a detective hunting a serial killer, and The Marlowe, a film noir-style experience where you'll track a gangster in 1950s New York. Find The Cipher Room's second venue at 31–35 May Street, St Peters, from Tuesday, March 23.
Darwin Deez are cliquey, culty, cooler-than-thou dorks of the curly-haired variety. They play folk-tinged rock wearing trademark headbands and naff overshirts. Their songs are lo-fi and low-rent wonders with lyrics that are vaguely literary. Think Ben Lee vs The Flaming Lips, or Vampire Weekend Vs. Two Door Cinema Club, and you've got a synopsis of their sound. Darwin Deez call what they do "a little bit Thriller, a little bit Dismemberment Plan”, and experiment indiscriminately with ironic Michael Jackson moves and petulant nu-hippy love. They have the threads, but not the attention span of Weezer, Nirvana and Adam Green. The more you try and work out why Deez's onstage calisthenics are so cartoonishly appealing, the more confused you will become. It's difficult enough determining whether Darwin Deez is the guy with the crazy perm who sings their songs and dances, or whether the name pertains to the entire band. The four of them present shows that are shambling extravaganzas of unbridled energy, unfettered shame and infectious enthusiasm. They are known to break into spontaneous bouts of synchronised yet completely deranged dancing on stage, and evoke everything from island beach parties to French soccer stars. Supported by Owl Eyes, Darwin Deez will help you burn a hole in your dancing boots with their songs about twinkly stars and wrinkly scars at The Metro.
Celebrated Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens is bringing her powerful Embracing Shadows exhibition to Gosford Regional Gallery this winter. This survey exhibition takes in Dickens' distinguished 30-year career and explores themes of female identity and racial injustice. Over her career, Dickens' work has been featured in major exhibitions across Australia and internationally, including at the Adelaide Biennial and the Biennale of Sydney, and her artwork is held in numerous public and private collections worldwide. She was also selected to create a new commission for the Art Gallery of New South Wales' Sydney Modern project. [caption id="attachment_960790" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] 'For Sale' by Karla Dickens — Embracing Shadows[/caption] The profound body of work on display at this new exhibition draws from Dickens' reflections on Australian culture as both a woman and a First Nations person in the post-colonial era. Through diverse mediums, she offers a highly personal and politically charged interrogation of Australian history and culture. Embracing Shadows is coming to Gosford Regional Gallery from Saturday, June 22 to Sunday, August 11. For more information, visit the website. Top image: 'Cuddling Bones' by Karla Dickens — Embracing Shadows
Sonder might look teeny-tiny from the street, but you'll be shocked at its large interior. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this former terrace house has at least six indoor-outdoor dining spaces, which have been transformed into something reminiscent of a friendly, artsy sharehouse. There's stimulating floor-to-ceiling art murals, mismatched furniture and a surprise courtyard. Styled with succulents, flowers and hanging wall planters, it's a massive contrast to inside — you'll think you've accidentally stumbled into the neighbour's yard. A small menu kicks off the dinner service from an even smaller kitchen. A few grazing dishes are perfect for sharing, like the pickled zucchini bruschetta with goats' curd ($11) and the grilled rosemary king prawns with barbecued corn, green chilli and coriander ($20). The dish's charred smoky flavour combined with the fresh tomatoes, lime and a punchy dressing makes for a tasty meal. Add a coconut margarita ($19) to the mix and you'll want to whip out the maracas. But that's as adventurous as the entrees get. The remaining options are simple, like the burrata with fresh figs and olives ($17). If you're after something more substantial then you can't go wrong with a few old favourites. A 300-gram wagyu scotch fillet with rocket salad, shoestring fries and horseradish butter will set you back $32 and is best washed down with a chilled bottle of beer — after all, there's nine on offer. A big fan of fungi? Then the mushroom and asparagus risotto with crisp enoki and truffle oil ($26) is a vegetarian delight. Sweet tooths, beware: the dessert offerings are not for the faint-hearted. You'll either love or loathe the Sonder Sundae with salted pretzels, berries, Oreos and chocolate fairy floss. It's a total blowout, but not one that's particularly worth it — nothing in it is house-made. And if you're a nighttime coffee drinker, we suggest sticking with a latte or flat white, as less common orders — like a long macchiato — don't come out quite right. Sonder feels like it's still finding its dinner feet, but it's nothing a little fine-tuning can't fix. Located in prime Paddington real estate at Five Ways, it's a much needed casual dining spot, and perfect for a relaxed mid-week catch up with family and friends.
If there's a live gig-shaped hole in your life right now, Indigenous Australian hip hop artist Ziggy Ramo is here to fill that void with a night of hard-hitting tunes. This Saturday, August 29, he'll take to the hallowed stage of the Sydney Opera House for an exclusive live-streamed performance, complete with striking visuals and a ten-piece band in tow. Beaming live and loud to a device near you, Ramo is set to play his debut full-length album Black Thoughts. The much-lauded work was completed in 2015 before being shelved for a few years, and has now been reborn in light of current conversations around race and colonial history. Expect a powerful performance incorporating strings and brass, brought to life alongside newly commissioned artworks by 2018 WA Young Person of the Year, Indigenous Australian illustrator Kamsani 'Kambarni' Bin-Salleh. Spiritually charged rap meets traditional Songlines to deliver a captivating musical journey, touching on collective trauma, racial discrimination, vulnerability and spiritual renewal. Got plans Saturday night? All good — the full performance will also be available on-demand after the initial live stream. While the Sydney Opera House is still closed to the public, it's running a Digital Season with full-length archival performances and live recordings. You can can check out the final lineup over here. [caption id="attachment_720224" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A gig at Sydney Opera House during Vivid by Daniel Boud[/caption] Top image: Emma Pegrum
After the last two years, you're probably in need of a holiday. But if border passes aren't your bag, consider treating yourself to staycation instead. Thankfully, there are heaps of exciting events happening in the Sydney CBD to give you that much-needed holiday feeling. From the Doug Aitken exhibition at the MCA to the annual Sydney Festival and the brand new six-day Elevate Sydney event happening atop the Cahill Expressway that kicks off on New Year's Day, there's no shortage of ways to escape the daily grind by hanging out in the city centre this summer. To help you find your sleepover digs, we've uncovered our favourite places to snooze in the CBD. Whether you want a classic hotel on the edge of Hyde Park or boutique accommodation on the city fringe, we've found the plushest pillows and the comfiest beds for you and your mate (or date) to have an A-plus summer staycation. QT SYDNEY, CBD Every one of QT Sydney's guest suites has been carefully crafted to reflect and honour the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings in which it resides. QT's exterior boasts a blend of gothic, art deco, and Italianate-influenced architecture — and inside, the luxurious rooms carry through that art deco-meets-gothic aesthetic to quite the striking degree. Plus, its central CBD location makes it a breeze to get your culture fix during your stay. Nearby, you'll also find Sammy Junior, Glass Brasserie and The Grounds of the City. However, if you don't feel like leaving your hotel, you're in luck — the QT hosts the renowned Gowings Bar & Grill, too. [caption id="attachment_660514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paramount House Hotel by Tom Ross.[/caption] PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL, SURRY HILLS When Paramount House Hotel was first announced back in August 2017, the hotel promised it wouldn't be your standard luxury hotel, but rather an experience that would embed patrons into the culture of Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills. All we can say is that, when it opened in 2018, it delivered on that guarantee. You'll never have a dull moment at Paramount, as the building offers up a rooftop gym, independent cinema and one of Sydney's best cafes. Set in an old 40s warehouse, the 29-room hotel features soaring ceilings with exposed brickwork, and while there's also luxury copper finishes, Jardan sofas, premium kilim rugs from Pakistan and a one-of-a-kind vending machine, the appeal of the place is less tangible in its nature. It's both the vibe and history of the surrounding community that make Paramount House Hotel a special stay. SHERATON GRAND SYDNEY HYDE PARK, CBD Back in 2018, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park underwent a mammoth $50 million refurbishment and catapulted this luxury hotel to five-star status. Guests can book into the on-site health club for a massage, body or skincare treatment, escape to the rooftop pool or jacuzzi or enjoy one of the hotel's incredible dining options. Choose from a seafood buffet at the hotel's restaurant Feast, high tea at the Gallery, or light eats and a cocktail from the Conservatory Bar. Or, go all out and order yourself room service — you deserve it. [caption id="attachment_640064" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sofitel Darling Harbour - Interior Photographs[/caption] SOFITEL SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR, CBD This lush 590-room hotel was designed by award-winning Sydney architect Richard Francis-Jones. Costing a cool $500 million, the 35-storey building features floor-to-ceiling views of the city and Darling Harbour, a French-inspired rotisserie and grill, a dedicated champagne bar and a decadent pool drinking and hangout space. Those staying the night at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour means you'll have your pick between a standard room or one of the 35 suites, with the latter coming complete with in-bathroom TVs, soaking tubs, private check-in and your own sky-high guest lounge. Grab a beverage or meal can from the hotel's signature restaurant and three bars or hang out by the 20-metre infinity pool — with a cocktail in hand, of course. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY, CBD This George Street stay is ideal if you want front row seats to the Elevate Sydney sky show this summer. Plus, with Sydney Harbour, The Rocks and Circular Quay right around the corner, you'll be spoilt for cultural and culinary choice during your stay. If shopping is more your bag, there's plenty of that nearby, too. The hotel features an Endota Spa for all your pampering needs as well a luxurious 12pm check-out time so you can relax all morning long during your stay. The best part? There are deluxe accessible rooms available complete with wheelchair-friendly showers. PIER ONE SYDNEY HARBOUR, CBD Pier One Sydney Harbour is perched right underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is one of the city's most historic stays. The five-star hotel boasts spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and if you stay there more than once, you'll likely have a completely different experience as no two rooms are the same. Got a pooch who you simply can't spend a night away from? This stunning harbourside hotel even has dog-friendly rooms so you and your four-legged friend can lap up the luxury together. Plus, there are plenty of dining options at your fingertips in Walsh Bay including Bar One and The Gantry Restaurant. [caption id="attachment_652632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spice Alley via Destination NSW.[/caption] FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, CHIPPENDALE The buses, train and light rail make getting around the CBD is pretty breezy — especially if your starting point is near Central Station. If access to public transport is high on your hotel hit-list, book into Four Points by Sheraton. It's not just its prime position near Central Station that makes this place a great place to stay. It's also close to the bustling streets of Chippendale, Ultimo and Haymarket which are filled with top-notch eats, art galleries and theatres. Plus, there's a 24-hour fitness centre and an on-site restaurant and bar for when you don't want to leave the hotel. Elevate Sydney is happening from New Year's Day until January 6. For more information on the event, visit the website.
Fanfare has followed S'WICH wherever it has put down roots in Sydney, with both the 2019 Bellevue Hill pop-up and 2022 Bondi permanent digs seeing lines out the door; with hungry diners hankering for sandwiches, salads and snacks. Now the latest S'WICH venture is set to launch to a similar kind of fervour in the rapidly growing Wunderlich Lane precinct. Surrounded by an emerging dining and cultural scene, it's the ideal spot to call home for the foreseeable future. With an autumn opening on the cards, S'WICH will remain focused on the formula that has helped make its other venues such a success, while exploring ways to elevate its offering amidst a buzzy location. Fans and newcomers alike will find the made-to-order menu perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, the concept puts on a strong emphasis on sips, with craft beers, natural wines, artisanal sodas and colourful cocktails just some of the refreshments on hand ready to round out your meal. Part of what has made S'WICH a go-to spot is how it effortlessly shifts from day to night. When the sun is up, it's a bright and bubbly space primed for grab-and-go lunches or a salad on your way home from the gym. Yet as the evening approaches, the lights go down and the volume from vinyl tunes gradually rises, as the team digs into crates of LPs searching for just the right house or disco tune to suit the mood. "S'WICH will bring a dynamic, upbeat vibe to Wunderlich Lane, perfectly complementing the other operators in the precinct," said co-owner, Jay Fink. "Our 1980s hi-fi sound system will fill the space with genre-defying music that doesn't just sound great, but feels great too." Just like the Bondi location, S'WICH's menu is designed for flexibility and customisation. The S'WICH Schnit is the go-to option for good reason, featuring pickled red onion, peanut chilli crack and sticky sweet chilli layered on crispy crumbed chicken. The Our Caesar is another stellar choice, as Bannockburn free-range chicken, baby cos, cucumber and avocado are taken to greater heights with parmigiano, jammy egg and garlic bread crumb. With the expansion to Wunderlich Lane, S'WICH will have excellent culinary pals for company. As the likes of Olympus, Island Radio, Saardé, and Regina La Pizzeria have already moved into the precinct, this all-star assortment of foodie destinations means the Redfern dining scene has never been better. To make your visit to S'WICH extra special, keep an eye out for a selection of menu items exclusive to the new location. S'WICH is expected to open at Wunderlich Lane in Redfern this autumn – check back soon for extra details. In the meantime, head to the website to learn more.
Taking up residence at the North Sydney Oval, the 2010 Starlight Cinema kicks off with a preview screening of the hilarious British political satire In the Loop. Then for the next two months the varied program promises something for every cinematic palate with titles including (500) Days of Summer, An Education, the challenging Precious, James Cameron’s epic Avatar and the Pixar perfection that is UP.There’s fun to be had watching Matt Damon lie his way through The Informant! or Meryl Streep cooking up a storm in both Julie & Julia and It’s Complicated. You can walk the hallowed halls of Vogue in The September Issue, the winding streets of Genova or venture into the afterlife with Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones. This season the Starlight Cinema will also host special Bollywood night, a Brazilian Festa, the short film festival FLiCKERFEST as well as a free screening of environmental documentary The Age of Stupid. Cinemagoers can pack a picnic, enjoy a drink in the Chillout Zone, or splurge on Star Class with a VIP area, deck chair and an antipasto snack box. The program is brimming with 45 films, so take your pick and see the stars from the northside. https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQrqMkCuHqA https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q-woBHhOjjo https://youtube.com/watch?v=3qQ1ihiS_-4
Online fashion and lifestyle store Public Figure has taken its collection of effortlessly stylish and consciously made clothes and lifestyle essentials from its online store into the real world with a breezy European-inspired pop-up in Paddington. The pop-up has taken over a former cake store on Oxford Street, refurbishing it with recycled material and furnished with pieces from sustainable furniture-makers Totem Road. Public Figure strives to work with brands and designers making their clothes in both an environmentally and socially ethical way. The majority of designers the store works with are also locally owned and made. Inside you'll find pieces from designers like Anna Quan, Peony Swim, Wynn Hamlyn alongside new additions to the Public Figure collection including Auor, Hyde & Stone and Zulu & Zephyr. Alongside the clothes, shoppers will find accessories like St. Rosé fragrances, Flash Jewellery and Public Figures always popular zodiac towels and sarongs. The pop-up is located at 96 Oxford Street, Paddington and is open as of Thursday, October 14.
There's nothing as heartwarming as a community coming together to support each other — and that's exactly what the trendy inner suburb of Paddington has decided to do. On Thursday, November 21, businesses throughout Paddington will be offering a night of specials, deals, activations, dinners, events and more for Paddo Night Out. It has been increasingly difficult for independent businesses to stay open in the face of rising costs and corporate competition, with 2024 witnessing the closure of many beloved venues across the city. Grabbing the issue by the horns, The Paddo Collective — a clutch of local businesses collaborating for their collective benefit, supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's Uptown Program — has decided to step in with this new event in hopes of revitalising the local scene. [caption id="attachment_814270" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Paddington[/caption] Revellers can join Tequila Mockingbird for an outdoor barbecue and $15 margs and other classic cocktails, or stop by The Wine Library street cart, where French-style crepes and glasses of natural wine for $12 will be on offer. The Paddo Inn will be serving $15 margaritas during their 'Playlist Thursdays' DJ set, while The Paddington will run a two-for-one bottle of rosé event along with other cocktail discounts. Fred's will be extending its Aperitif Hour to include more drinks and complimentary snacks, and certainly don't miss free wine tasting at Five Ways Cellar. At a time when the vibrancy of Sydney's hospitality scene is under threat, Paddo Night Out is a chance to support local businesses without breaking the bank. A cheap drink that supports your favourite local hospos? We'll drink to that.
Apologies to backyard cricket, barbecues and water sports. Sure, they're ace things to do in summer in Australia, but movie buffs only have eyes for one outside activity. That'd be outdoor cinemas — and if you're keen on North Sydney's version of this under-the-stars stint of cinematic fun, Sunset Cinema is once again taking over North Sydney Oval from Friday, December 8—Saturday, March. North Sydney will enjoy a three-month stint packed with viewing options. In addition to Christmas movies such as Elf, Love Actually, Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas, the lineup covers standouts such as Past Lives, The Boy and the Heron, Ferrari, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 and perennial favourite 10 Things I Hate About You. With Saltburn, The Marvels, Barbie, an advance screening of the Mean Girls musical, Wonka, Priscilla and Poor Things also on offer, the list clearly goes on. BYO picnics are encouraged, but if you want to enjoy a sparkling, cocktail or brew throughout the film, the onsite bar will be serving a range of drinks. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be hot food options, which you can order online and then pickup, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn.
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.
