If you're in Sydney's CBD and can hear helicopters overhead, that's because Barack Obama is in town. According to 7 News, the former president of the United States touched down at Sydney Airport around 1pm and has since made his way — as part of a motorcade — up Oxford Street and into the CBD. .@barackobama at @SydneyAirport. The former U.S. President will be speaking at the @ArtGalleryofNSW tonight. https://t.co/0rfycPrrqA #7News pic.twitter.com/FJgJVxgpi3 — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 23, 2018 Obama is in Sydney for an exclusive private event hosted by the New Zealand United States Council at the Art Gallery of NSW tonight, Friday, March 23. He comes via Auckland, where he spoke last night. At the moment, it doesn't look like there will be any road closures or changes to traffic. Unfortunately the talk is not open to the public, but if you head to the AGNSW, you might be able to get an IRL sighting of the former president. Although you may not be able to get very close — security will be understandably tight.
Looking for a novel (and free) way to celebrate the end of the working week? Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is turning The Rocks and its laneways into a strange and mysterious playground over eight Friday nights during November and December. Taking Rocks Square as its centre, the Rocks Village Bizarre aims to take its visitors by surprise, changing its theme weekly and placing unexpected experiences around every corner. The event's creative director Michael Cohen says, "It's more than just an event; it's a weekly adventure into weirdly wonderful." Amongst the myriad of things to do will be a sprinkling of intriguing places to drink (including a 1920s speakeasy experience thanks to Gin Mill Social), silent discos, bingo games, open air peddle-powered YouTube battles, a birds-only 'hole-in-the-sky' pop-up bar, night markets, old school barbers offering haircuts, magicians, fortune telling, love potions and a constant stream of roving performers. Sounds pretty wacky, right? Budding filmmakers may be keen to get involved in the festival's Bike Shorts Film Competition. There are two categories depending on your experience level, so you can enter either a five-minute standard short or a 15-second micro short. The prizes are pretty awesome, too. Get all the info here. When the inaugural Village Bizarre event launched last year, we wrote: "The Rocks has proved an unexpectedly difficult area to rejuvenate. Home to winding laneways, heel-cracking cobblestones, quaint colonial haunts, and shady histories, it should be the atmospheric epicentre of cultural life in this city ... Now the most promising sign of change yet has come." The marquees and pop-ups of the Village Bizarre were the wardrobe to Narnia on those nights, and sure enough, we've found more and more reasons to loiter in The Rocks ever since. Here's to a new season of inspired happenings. Get the full events listing at The Rocks Village Bizarre website. To watch the teaser video, click here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nv9-R9V7Uoo
An international supper club series is bringing LP's Quality Meats' beloved restaurant back for one night only. Pizza-oven brand Gozney has just launched a global lineup of secret supper clubs taking over yet-to-be-announced venues in LA, New York, London, Utah and Sydney between May–November, with the Harbour City edition bringing together two powerhouses of the LP's kitchen for a reunion on Thursday, November 16. LP's and Bella Brutta owner Luke Powell will be joined by Swillhouse Head Chef and former LP's superstar Isobel Little in the kitchen for the one-off feast. The menu will throw back to favourites from the Chippendale restaurant that closed last year, all cooked in Gozney's outdoor ovens. "When the restaurant at LP's closed its doors in late 2022, we thought this would be the last time that Isobel and I would cook together professionally," says Powell. "Thankfully, the exciting partnership with the Gozney Secret Supper Club series has enabled us to collaborate again for one night only!" "Guests can expect some familiar flavours from LP's but also something different from what we have been working on, and get immersed in cooking with fire." Powell also describes the setting for the dinner as "an unbelievable secret location", with the night closing out the seven-month world tour that the supper club is embarking on. Elsewhere, stars of the kitchen like Brad Leone and Frank Pinello will be taking part in the series, bringing their signature style to unexpected locations. Tickets for the Sydney night are $95 and include a multi-course dining experience, a welcome beverage and wine pairings. You can register your interest now as tickets don't go on sale until Thursday, October 5. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gozney | Outdoor Pizza Ovens (@gozney) Top image: Luke Powell by Kitti Gould
Every autumn, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the Eta Aquarids are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Eta Aquarids annually. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Tuesday, May 7 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse. WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Tuesday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 30 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. WHERE TO SEE IT Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. So, if you're living in the city, it could be time for a last minute trip to a clear-skied camping spot. The trick is to get as far away from light pollution as possible. For Sydneysiders who don't mind a long drive, this could mean a trip to the far south coast. We reckon Picnic Point campsite in Mimosa Rocks National Park might be a winner. Or, if that sounds too far away, Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay is pretty light-free. Alternatively, head west — after all, you'd be hard pressed to find better views than at The Dish, just outside of Parkes or at Australia's only Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran. Melburnians might consider a journey to Wilsons Promontory or along the Great Ocean Road, as far as Killarney Beach. For somewhere closer, there's Heathcote, which is just a 90-minute drive from the city, but is an excellent vantage point. For a real escape, head to Snake Valley in the central west, where there's hardly a light in sight. For a quick trip out of Brisbane, try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wivenhoe or Lake Somerset, which are all rather dark, considering their proximity to the city. If you have a bit more time, head two-and-a-half hours' west to Leyburn, which has some of the busiest skies in Queensland, or eight hours' west to the tiny town of Charleville in the outback. HOW TO SEE IT The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Eta Aquarii, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. If you struggle to get out of bed, NASA Apart from that, wear warm clothes, take snacks and be patient. Happy stargazing.
Lace up your running shoes and join the Central Coast's biggest running event, the Bay to Bay Running Festival. Now in its 21st year, this charity run raises funds for local community organisations. The one-day event offers something for everyone, from a five and 12-kilometre fun run to a two-kilometre kids run and a 21-kilometre half marathon. Whether you run, jog or simply enjoy the leisurely route at your own pace, this community event is a great way to get active while supporting a good cause. Over two decades, the Bay to Bay Running Festival has become a much-loved Central Coast tradition, and continues to bring the local community together through fitness, philanthropy and the great outdoors. The Bay to Bay Running Festival is taking place on Sunday, June 15 in Gosford and Woy Woy, for more information visit the website.
Message the group chat ASAP: an arvo of cocktails is calling your name. This weekend, YCK Laneways is giving you the chance to dive into Sydney's casual drinking scene with a self-guided tour of its intimate precinct. Wander YCK will see you hitting up four of the precinct's bars back-to-back for a cocktail — think: bar-hopping levelled up. On Saturday, October 7, YCK Laneways' small bars will open their doors to serve up some stellar cocktails — and you'll be able to venture through four of your favourites from 4pm to 6pm, stopping for a drink at each one. Whether you're revelling in all that Sydney's bar scene has to offer or are simply ticking off stops on your pre-built hitlist, this one-off experience gives you the chance to explore some CBD favourites — and you'll be in the driver's seat the entire time. The self-guided tour will span your choice of eleven YCK venues, with the likes of Burrow Bar, Esteban, PS40, The Duke of Clarence and Tiva all on the standout lineup. And the best part? You'll be able to indulge in a cocktail from four of these beloved watering holes — and a quick bite from whichever bar you choose to kick off your journey — for just $69. In order to make the most of the deal, you'll have to be prepared and plan ahead. For the comprehensive planners, the interactive online map provided by YCK Laneways will be your holy grail. It's a fun and accessible way to learn about each venue on offer and pick your favourites. Then, head over to the first venue of your choosing on the day, where you'll receive four tokens. One of these tokens equates to a cocktail and a bite, which you'll collect from the starting venue, and the other three equate to a cocktail from each of the other bars on your itinerary, so be sure to peruse both the cocktails and bites available at each venue before finalising your order of opperations. If you ask us, we'd start at Esteban for a pork belly taco and a Jardin Urbano, before hitting Tiva and Burrow Bar on your way to PS40 — one of our favourite bars in Sydney — to finish things off with a Salted Pina Colada.
There are few things in this life as uniquely satisfying as lounging in a hotel room. The sheets are softer and straighter and somehow cleaner than you can ever achieve at home. That fluffy robe inscribed with the hotel's initials elicits an overwhelming sense of contentment as soon as you throw it on. The kettle always works. And if it doesn't? Call reception and someone will magically spirit one onto your door step. Whether it's on a work trip, a sneaky staycation, or a blowout weekend away with your bestie or beau, if you're in the market for the next hotel to put on your list, we have the stay for you — no matter your budget — with our Hotel Hitlist 2024. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express Southbank If Melbourne is on your travel list in 2024, you can't beat the location of this Holiday Inn Express — or its budget. Located in the Southbank arts hub, where you can count the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art as next-door neighbours. Experience this hotel's smart rooms that include a pillow menu, complimentary grab-and-go express breakfast (as well as a breakfast buffet), and free wifi. Ink Hotel Melbourne Another spot along the Melbourne Southbank is the stylish Ink Hotel. Designed to suit all kinds of travellers, the chic hotel offers guest rooms from pocket-size (just there to sleep) through to spacious suites. You don't have to go far for a good cup of coffee (it's Melbourne, after all) but breakfast and brunch are available from 7.30am until 3pm daily, and the cafe is open from 7am until 11pm. There's also an on-site bar serving drinks and bar snacks every day until late — there's even a daily happy hour from 5–8pm. Holiday Inn Sunshine Coast If the Sunshine Coast is calling, this Holiday Inn Express and Suites is another can't-beat stay when you're travelling on a budget. Located in Maroochydore, it's an ideal spring-off point for exploring one of Queensland's most popular regions. Each morning, sit down to a complimentary breakfast buffet or choose a grab-and-go option. Whether you're here for work or play, the hotel offers all the essentials and some fun extras, like the pillow menu, guest-only rooftop pool and shopping hub at the ground-floor level. Waters Edge Port Macquarie The once-sleepy town of Port Macquarie is now a popular vacation location for hikers, kayakers and beach lovers (there are eighteen beaches in the area to choose from). The picturesque spot is now home to plenty of Gen X and millennials who left city life for more scenic shores. Explore the area for yourself while staying at Waters Edge Port Macquarie. Perched on the banks of the Hastings River and only a short stroll from beaches, retail hubs and all the sites. BOUTIQUE: Kimpton Margot Sydney If a city stay is on your trip list for 2024, head to Sydney's CBD and stay in one of the city's iconic Art Deco buildings, reinvented as a stylish boutique hotel: Kimpton Margot Sydney. This hideaway heritage hotel boasts a great location, a recently opened rooftop bar (the biggest in the city), and restaurants and bars helmed by legendary Australian chef Luke Mangan. It's pet-friendly, too. Hotel Indigo Potts Point If Sydney is calling, you could stay in the cosmopolitan inner east suburb of Potts Point at this just-opened retro hotel tucked behind the iconic Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. Only officially open on January 29, Hotel Indigo Potts Point celebrates the area's famed cabaret scene with homages to the locale's entertainers and musicians. The lobby features artist portraits, lush velvet red curtains, digital NFT artwork projections, and a vintage vinyl collection you can play on the lobby's turntable. In your room, you will find similar artwork, retro phones and an in-room cocktail station to get you in the party mood. VOCO Brisbane If BrisVegas is your destination in 2024, get involved in the hustle and bustle of Queensland's sun-drenched capital city from your comfy stay at voco® Brisbane City Centre. It is located along the city's waterfront, close to many of the city's top sights, including King George Square, the Museum of Brisbane and the South Bank Art Precinct. Enjoy some sips at Kraft & Co. restaurant and bar, take a dip in the rooftop pool or borrow a bike (for free) and explore the city on two wheels. Hotel Indigo Melbourne If you're looking for a creative haunt in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, you can't get better than Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders. You'll be ideally located in the culture hub of Flinders Lane from hole-in-the-wall bars, fresh street art, museums, galleries, and excellent eateries and cafes. Situated close to photographer Helmut Newton's studio (whose artistry inspired the hotel's kit-out), this hotel is a celebration of fashion photography. Explore its large collection of artworks by local artists or take your own Newton-esque selfie at the on-site photo booth. BLOWOUT: Next Hotel Melbourne Located in Melbourne's CBD east end district, Next Hotel Melbourne is a super chic city stay next to hospitality and high-fashion hot spots and footsteps away from the city's theatres. Relax in the hotel's guest-only Club — with an aperitivo hour every evening with local wines by the glass, local spirits and snacks to graze on — or dine at the on-site restaurant La Madonna. It encompasses the entire third floor with a cocktail bar and Italian-Asian-inspired restaurant run by chef Paul Turner. Southern Ocean Lodge This local favourite on Kangaroo Island was damaged during the Black Summer bushfire of 2019, leading to its closure. It has been lovingly restored and reopened in late 2023, making it a must for luxury lovers heading to Kangaroo Island in 2024. Its guest suites now point southeast so guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean. All suites have private decks, an EcoSmart fireplace and a sink-in bathtub. There's even an ultra-premium Ocean Pavilion, where guests can stay in a single four-bedroom owner's residence; or two separate two-bedroom suites, an on-site spa, and a wet-edge pool at The Great Room terrace. Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula Forget heading to Sorrento, Italy, for a luxe summer; instead, head down to Victorian wine country and sip on some local sangiovese at the luxury seaside hotel Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula. It's got a Mediterranean-inspired guest-only pool deck you won't want to miss, Aurora Spa & Bathhouse to relax in, and a suite of food and drink venues from the dapper speakeasy Barlow, the terrazzo-floored public bar and lofty, glass-ceilinged beer garden to the light-filled Atrium with all-day wining and dining. [caption id="attachment_936260" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Diah Lateri[/caption] W Sydney Sydneysiders had long awaited the opening of this luxury hotel in Darling Harbour. The hotel has 588 stylish rooms and a bevy of world-class amenities, including an openair infinity pool, a restaurant and dessert bar, two cocktail bars and a luxe spa. Footsteps away from Friday fireworks, the ICC, Imax cinema, and the waters of the iconic Sydney Harbour, W Sydney is definitely one hotel that should be on your list for 2024 — maybe even more so if you're based in Sydney and are keen on a budget blowout staycation.
Considering the whole "avocado on toast vs saving for a home" millennial conundrum we're currently living in, the thought of affording any property seems pretty far off for our generation at this point. But it doesn't hurt to dream, and if you're going to dream, you might as well go big. These three dream houses are up for sale in Sydney right now, and we have our imaginary sights firmly set on 'em. Think heritage buildings converted into award-winning designer homes with Tuscan marble finishes, Japanese-style gardens and endless bedrooms and balconies. Go on, put yourself in someone else's (extremely expensive) shoes for a minute. 177A ALBION STREET, SURRY HILLS This property is the equivalent of a modern-day castle, and it has somehow been wedged between the standard-sized terraces along Albion Street. Walk through the domed gated entrance and you'll be humbled by all that 1890s Victorian grandeur. Dubbed the 'Italianate House' by designers Renato D'Ettorre Architects, the residence is one of Surry Hills' oldest dwellings, with the land grant dating back to 1794. The design has, not surprisingly, won several awards, including the Sustainability Awards 2018. The restored home combines historic period detailing and natural materials with a contemporary interior. Three ensuite bedrooms feature fully Tuscan marble bathrooms (winner of the Architect Bathroom of the Year 2018), with the master also including a walk-in-robe, large balcony and access to a rooftop terrace with a wrap-around courtyard. Downstairs, there's an award-winning kitchen, multiple marble fireplaces, a mix of exposed brick and glass walls, vaulted ceilings and, last but not least, an salt water pool. If that's not enough, there's also a two-level converted guest house at the rear with a home office, bedroom and sun-filled conservatory to boot. Overall, you're looking at a 520-square metre, four bedroom, four bathroom, four carpark house. It'll cost just $13.5 million–$14.8 million and, if we could, we would. 44 GOODHOPE STREET, PADDINGTON Once owned by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, this extravagantly tranquil 528-square-metre home (10-metres wide and 55-metres deep) is kitted out with all the extras. The four-level terrace includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a two-car garage — and that's just the basics. Take a glance around and you'll find a built-in cinema room and wine cellar on the lower level. Another look reveals an outdoor, 25-metre lap pool that can be viewed from the indoor lounge room — yes, like a fish tank for humans. The entire terrace is set to focus on the expansive, two-storey Japanese gardens out back, which include a meditation pond, outdoor dining terrace with built in barbecue and several al fresco seating areas. The garden is woven into the house with a revolving glass door on the ground floor and massive bay windows in the bedrooms. All this gives an fluid indoor-outdoor feel that results in the ultimate inner-city oasis. And it'll only cost you $15 million. For a virtual tour, check out this video, close your eyes and dream on. 632-634 BOURKE STREET, SURRY HILLS These two-in-one restored heritage buildings have been the home and office of architect William Smart and his firm Smart Design Studio since the early 2000s. Smart bought the property for a mere $1.46 million in 2003, fully gutted and renovated the place into its multi-award-winning status, and is now selling for a cool $8 million. The rustic sandstone exterior at the base meets a modern metal scaffolding design at the upper levels. The main building contains a fully functioning, two-storey office that makes it ideal for another live-in architect or design firm — though it can easily be used by a developer for a mixed-use commercial and residential building, or by one really rich person who wants a seriously massive home. The penthouse above is an open plan, two-bedroom rooftop apartment with double-height ceilings, two bathrooms and a study. Bi-fold glass doors throughout fully retract onto sunlit balconies that overlook the leafy Bourke and Ridge Streets. Plus there's underfloor heating, an integrated Bose entertainment system, travertine floors and terracotta tiling in the bathrooms. A ground floor courtyard connects the main building to a two-level former stables — which has been renovated into a self-contained home with separate entrance, exposed sandstone walls, original ceilings, stone concrete tiling, more underfloor heating and an integrated stainless steel kitchen. All up, it's a three bedroom, four-bathroom masterpiece that spans 640-metres with a land size of 266-metres. If you want to take a glimpse inside, this property will go to auction on November 17 at noon.
The long-standing and much-loved Newtown branch of Berkelouw Books is set to close in the week commencing September 8. Despite being currently advertised as a "relocation" on the Berkelouw website, the branch is closing down permanently with no set relocation destination at this point in time. Berkelouw Newtown has been a familiar face on the inner-west literary block for many years and even though it survived the Great Gentrification of King Street and Surrounds in the late-noughties, the bookstore has failed to make the cut this financial year and will be shut by early September. As hard as this news is to swallow for bibliophiles everywhere, you will have a chance to pay your final respects at the 'relocation sale', beginning on Saturday, August 17, where you can find up to 50 percent off all new and secondhand books, stationery and gifts. As the store boasts a collection of over 50,000 used and rare books, the sale is a delicious invitation to broaden your belletristic horizons. While the vindictive among us may want to draw a correlation between this unfortunate termination and the sudden meiosis of frozen yoghurt franchises in Newtown recently, it may be comforting to take respite in the ongoing resilience of Gould's, Elizabeth's and Better Read Than Dead. Lest we forget.
PAN Magazine. Is that in a goat-legged Greek deity/wow that initial bit of Narnia was creepy/The Secret History kind of a way? Or an out of the frying PAN magazine into the fire deal? PAN, as in 'across the spectrum' is probably a better guess, like how a pandemic is different from an epidemic. But then again, looking at those categories, PAN is pandemic in that it's crowdsourced, takes submissions openly, is definitely hot stuff, and this week its second issue is being launched in a den of satyrs. The World Bar has long and commendably dedicated its Wednesday nights to affairs of The Arts in an atmosphere that is soundtracked and as boozy as you need it to be. The launch of PAN's second edition (after a first that sold out two whole entire print runs) is a stand-up addition to this calendar, with people like Penguin Plays Rough's Pip Smith reading out words and people like Kirin J. Callinan playing musical sounds and live drawings, and tigers, and bears, OH MY!
Before you ever watched your first horror movie, you probably learned one of the genre's undying truths: that, by turning out the lights, things instantly get spookier. That idea also proves accurate at The House After Dark, which sees the Sydney Opera House opening its doors for late-night tours. Returning for a new season between Thursday, May 19–Thursday, June 30 — after a successful couple of runs in 2021 — the tour marks one of the rare occasions that you'll be able to explore the Opera House when all of its performers, patrons and staff have gone home. And, if that isn't eerie enough — because wandering through big public spaces when they're free from crowds is always a little disconcerting, as the pandemic has taught us — you'll also hear ghost stories, learn secrets about the site and discover all the mysterious occurrences that have taken place in the famed venue's halls. And, you'll mosey through hidden tunnels and passageways, too. Tickets cost $55 per person, and you've got six chances to head along: on Thursday, May 19; Friday, May 20; Sunday, May 22; Thursday, June 23; Friday, June 24; and Thursday, June 30. Each session kicks off at 10pm, with arrivals at the State Door at 9.45pm. There's a maximum of ten people per tour, so you won't have much company. And, when tickets go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, April 27, getting in quick is recommended — as the first round of tours sold out quickly. [caption id="attachment_797498" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Trent Parke[/caption] Top image: Hamilton Lund.
There's no better way to get a much-needed change of scenery from your apartment's bland four walls than by heading to one of Sydney's many parks and soaking up some vitamin D. The good news is that, although it may still be winter, we're coming into some warm and sunnier days in Sydney. But, real talk: the weather apps aren't super reliable. So, if an outdoor soiree was planned so spontaneously you forgot to pack snacks, we've got you covered. We've partnered with DoorDash to round up some of the top feasts to get delivered to whatever patch of green you've settled on. Read on to discover the perfect bite to eat for your next impromptu park picnic, whether it be a first date, a group hangout or a solo sunshine dining sesh.
With a wardrobe consisting mainly of cute little dresses, ballet flats and tailored cropped jackets, I always look really out of place at punk and hardcore shows. I love going to them, but often catch people eyeing me off with “what is she doing here†looks. But as unsuited to my surrounds as I may appear, I love watching people thrash, shred, sweat, and scream music that is hard and fast and loud. The Flip Out Festival collects all the best new Australian talent and some gems from overseas and throws them together for a day-long music festival at the Manning Bar in Sydney University, complete with BBQ (vegan-friendly), record fair, and merch market. Get there early and grab one of the free Flip Out 2009 CDs with rare and/or unreleased material from every band playing.Featuring AMP winners EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING, PINK REASON (USA), GOODNIGHT LOVING (USA), JAMES ARTHUR’S MANHUNT (USA), OOGA BOOGAS, NAKED ON THE VAGUE, THE STABS, SUPER WILD HORSES, ROYAL HEADACHE, ZOND and more.
The Apple iPod has been nipped and tucked since its original version to become the compact, nearly paper-thin music-playing masterpiece that it is today. We now have room for thousands of songs and videos on a piece of metal that's smaller than a playing card and lighter than a feather. Just when we thought there was no more improving the little guys, technology went ahead and proved us wrong. Scientists from Georgia University of Technology, lead by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang, are in the experimental stages of developing nanotechnology that will create self-generated energy that could power portable devices like iPods. In presenting their findings to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Wang explained that the devices would have a microchip made of zinc oxide nanowires (500 of them could fit on a human hair) that generate energy at any body movement, even just the beat of a heart. So far the human-powered technology has been used to power LCD screens and store radio signals. These advances may seem small, but Dr. Wang believes that the team's development of the microchip is a significant milestone in the creation of power that isn't battery-operated or plugged into an electrical outlet. "Their potential is only limited by one's imagination," he said. We're certainly looking forward to listening to beats powered by heartbeats. [via The Telegraph]
Dramas and turmoil aside, there are indeed a few good things to have budded out of this year. And that includes Newtown's new haven of green, Plant Daddy. The foliage-filled Lennox Street studio is the latest project from this small local plant business — which began its life last summer slinging indoor plants and upcycled pots at markets across the city, then underwent a change with the pandemic hit. This year's COVID-19 restrictions saw founders Trent and Charlie Wu shift much of their Plant Daddy offering online, with the pair originally snapping up the Newtown site to use as a click-and-collect point. Now, with lockdowns eased and IRL shopping back on the cards, it has evolved into a proper pop-up store dedicated to all things plants. The Plant Daddy space showcases a carefully chosen range of top-quality indoor greenery, including a strong lineup of rare and collector varieties. This is a selection worth losing yourself in, featuring everything from succulents and snake plants through to Boston ferns and dragons tail. Whatever kind of living setup you've got, we bet there's a green thing here that'll suit. To match, Plant Daddy has a growing range of locally made pots and planters, in a variety of hues, finishes and sizes. The team is very keen to spread the love for their community, so expect to keep finding plenty of goodies from fellow small local businesses popping up on the shelves. What's more, you can ensure you keep those plant babies in tip top shape and looking good thanks to the store's curated range accessories — hello, macrame hangers — and plant care products. If you can't get there in person, Plant Daddy's online store remains up and running — offering deliveries across Sydney every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Find Plant Daddy HQ at 90 Lennox Street, Newtown. It's open from 11am–3pm Monday–Tuesday, and 10am–4pm Wednesday–Sunday.
Forget Ferraris and therapy, SPOD has come up with an unbeatable fix for the good ol' mid-life crisis. Take a 2003 classic (i.e. SPOD opusTaste the Radness), update it with a decade's worth of wisdom and release a brand new incarnation (i.e. Taste The Sadness). That's right, SPOD's getting old. And slightly blue on occasion. And he's not afraid to admit it. Back in the early noughties, he thought that happiness was all about aiming champagne corks at innocent bystanders, tossing streamers around and cranking the odd slow-grind. But the combo just isn't cutting the mustard these days. "I thought I'd update the album, make it a bit classier, say sorry for all the naughty things I've done," he explains in the promo video. Taste the Sadness tells the story of rushing headfirst into the autumn of existence as though you were still a spring chicken, only to dislocate your hip and find yourself in an ultra cosy armchair. From that vantage point, you spend your time telling the world how much better everything was when you were able to enjoy it more. Released on August 22, the album will be officially launched in Sydney on September 19 with a free gig at The Lansdowne Hotel — with dinner included. To attend, RSVP to the Facebook event to be on the guestlist for a special SPOD menu. https://youtube.com/watch?v=z11wwNJ2aRM
Following last year's fantastic season, The Silver Rose is a fittingly powerful way for the Australian Ballet to usher in 2010's quartet of performances. Originally commissioned in 2005 by the Bavarian State Ballet, the work was conceptualised and choreographed by Graeme Murphy with Janet Vernon, whose style is evident throughout. Though based on Richard Strauss's 1911 comic opera Der Rosenkavalier, Murphy has, as is his way, reworked every detail, allowing it to sit nicely alongside both recent narrative and abstract choices of the company. The Silver Rose opens in the bedroom of a famous actress canoodling with her younger (secret) lover Octavian. Thankfully, the Marschallin has more of an air of Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes than Courtney Cox in Cougar Town. Their tale unspools over three acts, all in quite finite settings and slight shifts in tone. The arrival of the Marschallin's impresario Baron Ochs signals the unravelling of a romance, and the beginning of two others. Ochs sends Octavian to offer the titular flower to his young fiancee Sophie and in doing so, she and Octavian fall in love. Ochs is angered and at the same time lustful of another character, the Marschallin's maid (Octavian in disguise). The paparazzi are there, following every move. From bedroom to ballroom to a folksy inn, the narrative ranges from languid and romantic to straight slapstick. The production of the ballet is steeped in nouveau details, with an overwhelming Klimt aesthetic: rich and romantic. There is also a dramatic '40s Hollywood feel, and towards the end, the set lends itself to Black Forest fairy tales. The action onstage is bolstered by occasionally kitsch visuals that add to the plot's playfulness, but one of the particularly nice moments is the sudden fall of a silver scrim right at the start. These small moments of simplicity are crucial to this ballet; the constant razzle-dazzle of the set and costuming occasionally threatens to hide the elegance and agility of the dancers. For all its flash and fun, The Silver Rose begins and ends with the Marschallin and her struggle with time, love and loss: the essence of this lovely comic melodrama. Discount tickets available if you're 26 or younger.
Garçon is a cafe from The Little Marionette team. It sits at the entrance of Tramsheds so you can enter either through the food hall or from the car park, and it's your go-to for a takeaway or sit-in coffee — it has some really awesome amphitheatre-like cushioned seating arrangement around the coffee roaster. Best part is, at night the cafe turns into a bar serving espresso martinis.
Inspired by the success of the Sydney Comedy Festival's late-night showcase, The Festival Club, Enmore Comedy Club adopts the same formula: $15 (or $10 if you buy online) for world-class comedy in an intimate venue. Held in the Enmore Theatre's newly refurbished wine bar every Tuesday, this night is run by the same crew behind The Comedy Store, which is widely-regarded as the best comedy room in Australia — if not the southern hemisphere. So expect top-shelf acts at bargain basement prices.
You may have 'going to the snow' on your list of winter things to do (and for obvious reasons why) but despite the name, the Snowy Mountains also has plenty to do outside of the chilly season. There are many adventures to take and some highly picturesque hikes to discover, plus there's a heap of regional epicurean delights to try. A five hours' road trip from Sydney, the Snowy Mountains is home to some of Australia's best snowfields, sure. But there's so much more to discover in the region when the days are warmer and the region flourishes. There are excellent hikes and plenty of itineraries to suit your interests. Here, we've got some top ways to eat and drink your way through the area all year round. [caption id="attachment_659674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WINES IN COOL CLIMES Tumbarumba, located in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, is one of Australia's premium, though lesser-known, cool climate wine regions. It supplies grapes to some of the award-winning and recognisable wine brands in Australia. Want to try the wine that was awarded New South Wales' best sparkling in 2017? Then head to Courabyra Wines cellar door for a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Open Thursday to Monday, the cellar door's restaurant focuses on seasonal, local produce paired with sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir from the vines a few paces away. For those wanting to really immerse themselves in a vinous adventure, private vineyard tours can be organised in advance with owner Cathy who will guide you through the history of the region — with a full glass of wine in your hand. SCHNAPPS FROM THE AUSSIE ALPS To have a real taste of the Australian Alps, head to Wildbrumby on the Alpine Way towards Thredbo to try its range of Snowy Mountains spirits. Australia's only schnapps distillery uses pure mountain water and homegrown organic fruit and botanicals. Combining traditional European methods with its organic Australian produce, the distillery is consistently innovating and pushing the boundaries with its flavours. It's also created a high-proof vodka, the Spirit of Chardonnay varietal and an award-winning gin. But the true heart of the operation lies in the schnapps, where Wildbrumby founders Brad and Monika Spalding use Monika's grandfather's original Austrian distilling recipe. Sourcing organic fruit from their neighbouring farm, they crush apples, pears, berries, stone fruit and the like into a pulp and ferment it in temperature-controlled vats for four weeks. The fermented pulp is then distilled, leaving a spirit roughly 80- to 90-percent in alcohol. This is then blended down with pristine alpine water and bottled onsite. Wildbrumby has daily al fresco tastings of the entire range at their lovely country restaurant in the warmer months, which has outdoor dining as well. There's also an onsite shop where you can buy your favourite flavours of schnapps to bring home. PALE ALE AT HIGH ALTITUDES Visit Australia's first mountain brewpub Kosciuszko Brewery at the Banjo Paterson Inn in Jindabyne. With the 600-litre brewing tanks directly underneath the bar, it's here where you'll get the freshest pour of the pub standard. As an added bonus, there is staff on hand to take you on a tour of the brewery so you can see the whole process of how their iconic brew is made. Made from pale and Munich malts, and brewed with Tassie Galaxy hops, the beer's malty flavours and fruity hop finish make it a good drop for any season. After a long day of exploring, it's an excellent spot to wind up your day with a couple of brews before tucking yourself in for the night down the hallway in the Banjo Paterson Inn. COOKIES 1020 METRES UP If eating at high altitudes is more your thing, grab a snack at 1020 meters above sea level at Snowy Mountains Cookies in Jindabyne. These cookie experts make all kinds of treats, from your favourites like ANZACs and triple chocolate to more unique flavours like spiced caramel and date, coconut and even savoury flavours. If you prefer salty over sweet, opt for their bite-sized rosemary and parmesan, crispy corn and chilli, cheese and native nigella seed cookies. Stock up the car with goodies to take home, but don't be surprised if you eat all your snacks on the trip home. APPLES FRESH FROM THE ORCHARD Every autumn, the annual Batlow Ciderfest fetes the harvest of one of Australia's most celebrated apple-growing towns. At the big street party, you'll be able to try an array of Batlow's boutique ciders alongside other regional ciders, craft beers and wines. You can also visit the various orchards to pick your own produce as well as try apples in every conceivable way — crumble, pie, toffee, chutney. Not visiting during May? That's okay, a lot of the growers and producers hold daily apple hunts for visitors to come and pick their own produce and learn more about the history of Batlow and the apple production in the region. Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from jam-packed adventures to the most picturesque hikes and so much more.
A great cocktail doesn't have to be merely a fun drink — in the right hands, it can also be a form of entertainment. This is a facet of mixology that the multi-award-winning crew at Maybe Group know intimately. At each of their venues in Sydney, including the much-lauded Maybe Sammy, theatrics and cocktails go hand in hand, so it comes as no surprise that the latest drinks selection at Maybe Group's plush penthouse bar, Dean & Nancy on 22, has more than a few surprises in store. Offering a journey beyond reality, this lofty cocktail lounge at the A by Adina Hotel (which Concrete Playground ranked as the 6th best place to drink in Sydney) is inviting Sydneysiders to explore the World of Dreams menu. Featuring 14 deliciously creative cocktails, including Dean & Nancy's first interactive sip, the new menu adds yet more whimsy courtesy of Sydney artist Sue Cadzow, who drew inspiration from her own dreams to create fantastical illustrations for each new signature mingle. Among the weird and wonderful beverages on offer is the Velvet Venom Milk Punch — served in a sea urchin-shaped vessel — which mixes Flor de Caña 12-year-old Rum infused with matcha, toasted rice, coconut, almond and vanilla to deliver an unexpected tropical sweetness from within its spiky exterior. The flavours of this cocktail slowly unfold like a hidden treasure found by those willing to plunge deeper. The Hanami Bellini brings together Roku Gin, Amaretto Disaronno, peach, Sakura Vermouth, orange and sparkling wine, evoking the beauty of cherry blossoms and the fleeting nature of dreams. For something a little more on the nose, the Bubble Dream Spritz takes inspiration from the idea that bubbles are doorways to new and thrilling realities. The star of the show is sure to be the Ayahuasca Daisy, featuring tequila, honeydew and apricot tea, berries and Montenegro amaro. Each order comes with 3D glasses so drinkers can enjoy an innovative, sensory, dreamlike experience. We won't spoil the surprise, but this drink ranks among the most ambitious beverage concepts Maybe Group has ever served. For those hoping to dream a little longer Dean & Nancy on 22 is collaborating with A by Adina Sydney to offer an overnight cocktail lover package. By booking accommodation, visitors will receive a $100 credit to spend at the hotel's penthouse bar, along with a guaranteed table reservation. And to sweeten the deal, guests can enjoy a 1pm late check-out and a box of Maybe Sammy's famous bottled cocktails. "The World of Dreams cocktail experience awakens the dreamer with every sip," says Stefano Filardi, Dean & Nancy on 22's Bar Manager. "Each cocktail is crafted to evoke wonder, mystery, and the desire to explore and enjoy the uncharted territories of your imagination." Find Dean & Nancy on 22 at 2 Hunter Street in the CBD. For reservations, head to the Dean & Nancy on 22 website.
This time last year, Sampa the Great was the first artist named on the Vivid 2021 lineup; however, due to the pandemic, the Sydney festival didn't go ahead. Now, the Zambian-born musician is giving her new stage show An Afro Future another run, including setting up a new Vivid stint — and hitting up Melbourne and Brisbane as well. Sampa will tour the east coast capitals this May and June, starting at The Tivoli in Brisbane. From there, she's headed to Sydney for two Vivid gigs in the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, and then to Melbourne for two concerts at its own citywide arts festival, Rising. Joining her across all five shows will be Zimbabwe-born, London-raised, Australian-based singer KYE and Sampa's younger sister Mwanjé, plus sounds by C.Frim. And, while that's all mightily impressive, the tour will also mark the first time that audiences can see Sampa live with her full band from Zambia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sampa The Great (@sampa_the_great) Sampa's 2022's tour marks her return to Vivid after supporting Hiatus Kaiyote in 2016 and performing as part of The Avalanches' Since I Left You Block Party back in 2017. It'll also finally let her show An Afro Future to fans, after it was originally set to premiere over the summer of 2020–21 as part of Live at the Bowl in Melbourne, Summer in the Domain in Sydney and Womadelaide, but was forced to cancel due to border restrictions. As for what's in store now that An Afro Future is hitting Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, attendees can expect to be treated to songs from Sampa's critically-acclaimed debut album The Return. Released in 2019, the album received universal praise at the time, winning Best Hip Hop Release and Best Independent Release at the 2020 ARIA Awards, and being named the eighth best Australian debut album of all time by Double J. And, Sampa will be playing new tunes, too — because a lot's been going on over the past few years. SAMPA THE GREAT 'AN AFRO FUTURE' TOUR 2022: Wednesday, May 25 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Friday, May 27–Saturday, May 28 — Vivid, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wednesday, June 1–Thursday, June 2 — Rising, The Forum, Melbourne Sampa the Great's An Afro Future tour will head to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in May and June. For more information or to buy tickets, visit Sampa's website. Top image: Sampa the Great, Lucian Coman.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Assistance Dogs Australia need you. They have an abundance of puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy educator, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–16 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as an assistance dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend puppy classes. A fenced-in backyard or outdoor area is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, all food and supplements, training equipment, and flea, tick and worming treatment. Assistance Dogs Australia is looking for people in Sydney's North Shore and Sutherland shire, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains; in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula area; and in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than four hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. Once the pups reach 12-16 months old, they'll move on to their advanced training at Assistance Dogs Australia's national training school in Sydney. And, after they graduate, the four-legged companions will provide support to people with disability. Keen? You can apply online. And send pics please. For more information about Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy educators, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
Attention Paddo locals: The Royal has reopened its doors to the public after undergoing a lavish refurbishment. Revamped from the top down, all four floors of the joint have seen a complete glow up — and there's even been a refresh of its kitchen and bar offering. Situated along the Five Ways junction, this local stalwart has been a trusted go-to watering hole for regulars and passersby alike since 1888. The multi-storey heritage pub began renovations last year under Public House Management Group. While you may not recognise the old gal at first sight, she's been transformed for the better. The stalwart's new look features a chic fitout with an elegant aesthetic connecting all four levels. When dropping by for a bevo or two, you'll find that the familiar sports bar has extended its space, taking over the previous digs of the bottle shop to accommodate a dedicated social space for major sports screenings. The first level is now home to a leafy, pastel-hued Verandah Bar and Balcony where you can enjoy sun-soaked sips. The Elephant Bar pairs luxe marble and brass accents with a selection of seasonally-inspired bites and drinks in an intimate space. This particular level is designed to host the ultimate private event, so you can raise a glass in style at your next big celebration. One that's not to be missed is the famed rooftop, which maintains a coveted spot on our Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney list. The breezy location continues to serve up stellar beverages with panoramic cityscape views to match. For bites, executive chef Scott Greve has led the charge on curating a considered offering that still stars the familiar pub classics alongside new Asian-leaning additions from a prawn toast dish with miso mayo and yuzu gel to a fresh and healthy poke bowl. Opt for a feast and you'll be in need of some top-quality beverages, too. Luckily, The Royal's wine list contains drops from homegrown suppliers like Clarity Cru, Young & Rashleigh and Oatley Wines. If you're more of a cocktail drinker, you'll also spot a sweet and fruity fairy floss-topped mix that you'll want to start sipping ASAP. And that's not all — along with the massive transformation comes a slew of happy hours, as well as a bottomless dinner offering, plus cheap tacos and margaritas. There's plenty to celebrate — and explore — upon your next visit. You'll find the revamped Royal Hotel at 237 Glenmore Road in Paddington, open from 11am–12am daily. Images: Maria Boyadgis
Pari is Western Sydney's go-to for bespoke, artist-run exhibitions that you won't find anywhere else. The space brings together members of Parramatta's arts community to share ideas and to present artwork that draws on the local culture — always acknowledging the Burramattagal people of the Darug nation where Pari is located. Outside of Parramatta, Pari is also connected to the arts and culture scene of Greater Sydney, having collaborated with Carriageworks in March 2021.
Molière might be a 17th century playwright, but don't bother brushing up on your French — or your 17th century comedic lingo, for that matter. For Griffin Theatre Company's latest production, Australian playwright Justin Fleming has taken one of Molière's most acclaimed works by the scruff of the neck and hauled it forward four centuries into the present, rhyme scheme and all. "It's a piss-take on pretentious literary conceit," writes Fleming. "That the learned fool is more of a fool than an ignorant one remains as much a conundrum for us in the 21st century as it did for audiences in the 17th." So what's it about? Juliette wants to marry Clinton. Her father approves, but her mother wants her to marry a poet, Tristan Tosser. Clinton's ex-girlfriend is also Juliette's sister, who's keen to torpedo her sister's chances. Cue farce, of the sprawling and tangled variety which Molière did so well. The Literati, co-produced by Griffin and Bell Shakespeare and directed by Lee Lewis, promises to be a hilarious and anarchic romp that prods at Sydney's culture of faux-intellectualism.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Japan's prison themed restaurants make Draculas look like a scene from The Sound of Music. One of the freakiest is Tokyo's Alcatraz ER. Yes, it's an eatery that, to all appearances, is actually a prison hospital. Dishes include 'penis on lettuce' (a specially modelled sausage) and 'human intestines' (a really, really long sausage served up with kidney). Then, for cocktails, there's the 'brain buster', complete with fake human head, and the 'play by yourself', which, as the name hints at, comes with a vibrator or two. Make a wrong move and one of the 'nurses' will attempt to inject you with an enormous syringe. Then there's The Lockup, which is all prison, no hospital. Diners are handcuffed by a policewoman from outer space and led to a cell, where the eating happens behind bars. The food is less human and more regular than at Alcatraz ER, but the cocktail list includes the 'human experiment', which arrives as a set of test tubes containing coloured liquids, with a beaker for mixing. Once the meal's over, the lights go out and the scary stuff starts. The team behind The Lockup also runs Arabian Rock, a restaurant housed in a glowing pyramid and inspired by Disney's Aladdin.
The folks at the Sydney Fringe Festival have unveiled a fresh swathe of 2017 highlights and you should promptly get around them. Among the standouts is this year's opening weekend extravaganza — an enormous 'masqueerade' that promises to turn the brand new festival hub "into a world of mystery and disguise where reality is suspended and art becomes real life". The bash is the brainchild of the team from Heaps Gay so it's sure to be one hell of a good time, with the warehouse party rocking over two nights on September 2 and 3. This year's mysterious dress theme is transform/disguise and, in the party group's usual fashion, the location will be kept secret. Meanwhile, Kensington Street in Chippendale will be the site of the official launch party, taking over shops, bars, restaurants and footpaths with music acts curated by Sydney-based songstress Ngaiire. Other highlights include a world first GIF-iti exhibition from UK artist INSA, a voyeuristic stage experience dubbed Silent Theatre, and a massive musical collaboration at Sydney Town Hall between Lah Lah's Big Live Band and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. SFF has also announced its 2017 festival ambassadors: The Whitlams' lead singer Tim Freedman, Archibald prize-winning artist Ben Quilty, writer and social commentator Benjamin Law, performance artist Betty Grumble and performer, poet and activist Candy Royalle. We previously had a taste of what this year's Fringe had in store when they dropped their first wave of programming back in May. Standouts in that announcement included Digital Dinner — billed as "an immersive dining experience" featuring food, art, music, installations and digital media — and Cirque Africa, an explosive circus show featuring 38 performers from six African countries, all backed by a live African band. And, somehow, there's still more to come, with the full SFF program unveiled on August 1. Yeah, it's going to be massive. The full Sydney Fringe Festival program will be unveiled on August 1. For more information visit the Sydney Fringe website.
Before 2020 rolled around, the Victoria–New South Wales border hadn't closed for more than 100 years. So when it shut last July, it was a rather big deal. In the months since, however, residents of both states have seen the situation change back and forth multiple times. After a COVID-19 outbreak hit Sydney's northern beaches over the Christmas and NYE period, the border closed again, with Victoria starting 2021 by shutting off to all of NSW. Since then, the latter state reopened to regional NSW, then to all but ten Greater Sydney local government areas and finally to all but one LGA. From 6pm tonight, Friday, January 29, it's reopening to that last LGA, Cumberland — which means that no one in NSW will be forbidden from entering. Victoria implemented a traffic light-style system earlier in January, which colour-codes different regions of the country depending on their COVID-19 cases — so, as part of this new change, Cumberland will move from a red zone to an orange zone. That'll mean that folks who've been in the LGA in the past 14 days can enter Victoria, but they'll need to isolate on arrival and get tested within 72 hours. And, they'll need to receive a negative result before they're free to leave isolation. They also have to apply for a permit before entry, too — like all Australians, because compulsory permits are now part of Victoria's process for anyone who wants to enter the state. If you try and enter Victoria without a valid permit, you risk being fined $4957. You can apply for one online. Cumberland isn't the only part of NSW that has been downgraded, either. Victoria is also moving all parts of the state that were previously classified as orange zones to green zones. On the list: the Greater Sydney LGAs of Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield City, Inner West, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality and Liverpool, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains. Travellers entering Victoria from a green zone still need to apply for a permit, but do not need to get tested or isolate on arrival, unless they develop symptoms. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1354985485140185093 The loosened border restrictions come as Victoria records its 23rd consecutive day of zero new cases of community transmission. Overnight, the state did record one new case in hotel quarantine. Announcing the change in a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said that he is "extremely happy to see the last red zone in New South Wales be downgraded. We're reminding people to get tested if they're returning from an orange zone, so we can continue to enjoy an open and COVID-safe summer." For more information on Victoria's new permit system — or to apply for one — head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
In the realm of franchise filmmaking, "to infinity and beyond" isn't just a catchphrase exclaimed by an animated plaything — it's how far and long Hollywood hopes every hit big-screen saga will extend. With that in mind, has a Pixar movie ever felt as inevitable as Lightyear? Given the main Toy Story plot wrapped up in 2019's Toy Story 4, and did so charmingly, keeping this series going by jumping backwards was always bound to happen. So it is that space ranger figurine Buzz Lightyear gets an origin story. That said, the trinket's history is covered immediately and quickly in this film's opening splash of text on-screen. Back in the OG Toy Story, Andy was excited to receive a new Buzz Lightyear action figure because — as this feature tells us — he'd just seen and loved a sci-fi movie featuring fictional character Buzz Lightyear. In this franchise's world, Lightyear is that picture. It's hard not to see Lightyear as a new cash cow — the Toy Story series' cash calf, perhaps. It's also difficult not to notice that the Disney-owned Pixar has made a movie that renders a famed character a piece of film-promoting merchandise, all while also releasing a new range of Lightyear-promoting merch so that IRL kids can have their own Buzz Lightyear toy again, too. In 2049, will audiences be watching a flick about someone who saw this as a child, nagged their parents for a Buzz and developed their own love of animation, space, franchises or all of the above? It wouldn't be surprising. Of course, there's form for making Buzz a movie tie-in toy; the overarching series' other main figure, pull-string cowboy Woody, stemmed from a fictional western TV show called Woody's Roundup. Maybe that's what Pixar will now make next. Or, perhaps it'll release a film or show based on one of Lightyear's new characters, feline robot companion SOX. Yes, you can now buy toy versions of it in reality as well, because of course you can. Buzz Lightyear and a cute cat that talks? The head of Disney merchandising must've seen potential piles of cash stacked to infinity and beyond purely at the thought of it, and director Angus MacLane (Finding Dory) along with him. Thankfully, as calculated as Lightyear's existence clearly is — and it's as blatantly engineered by bean counters as any movie can be — it's still likeable enough. It only slightly feels like a flick that might've actually come out around 1995, though, even if Apollo 13 sat second at the global box office that year (behind Toy Story, fittingly). And, after sending the wonderful Soul and Turning Red straight to streaming during the pandemic, plus Luca, it's also a standard pick for Pixar's return to the big screen. Buzz the live-action film hero — flesh and blood to in-franchise viewers like Andy, that is, but animated to us — also goes on an all-too-familiar journey in Lightyear. Voiced by Chris Evans (Knives Out) to distinguish the movie Buzz from toy Buzz (where he's voiced by Last Man Standing's Tim Allen), the Star Command space ranger is so convinced that he's the biggest hero there is, and him alone, that teamwork isn't anywhere near his strength. Then, as happens to the figurine version in Toy Story, that illusion gets a reality check. To survive being marooned on T'Kani Prime, a planet 4.2 million light-years from earth filled with attacking vines and giant flying insects, the egotistical and stubborn Buzz needs to learn to play nice with others. For someone who hates rookies, as well as using autopilot, realising he can only succeed with help takes time. Time is a slippery concept for Buzz, however, courtesy of his new predicament. To zoom back home, the Star Command mission team must make the right fuel, and test it — and on each attempt, as Buzz zips into hyper-speed in scenes reminiscent of Top Gun: Maverick, time dilates. His flights pass in minutes, but four years go by for his crew while he's in the air. Still, he keeps soaring and trying, and his best friend Commander Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba, Mrs America) keeps greeting him upon his return. But her life continues, including marrying the girlfriend she falls for among their colleagues, and having a family. She gets older, too. In contrast, Buzz barely ages, or moves on, until he's also trying to fight an alien spaceship piloted by giant robot Zurg (James Brolin, Sisters) with Alisha's granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer, Hustlers), plus her fellow junior rangers Mo (Taika Waititi, Our Flag Means Death) and Darby (Dale Soules, Orange Is the New Black). There's a lot that's average about Lightyear, including the pieces it cobbles together from Top Gun and Star Wars, and everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Starship Troopers, Gravity and Interstellar to Pixar's own Wall-E and Up. There are meta twists that make zero sense in the broader Toy Story narrative, too. There's also a jettisoning of early 2000s TV series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and its take on Buzz's backstory, and a lingering question: what if Andy had just loved a different movie and wanted a different toy for his birthday instead? And, there's a toy chest filled with Pixar's usual go-to themes, including not being afraid to make mistakes. Obviously, in that same vein — and because the animation studio is owned by the same entity behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, two forever-sprawling sagas — there's room left for a sequel. Great voice casting makes an impact, luckily. While it can't push Lightyear past its limits as an inessential Toy Story spinoff that doesn't add anything crucial to the series, there's liveliness, emotion and plenty of heart in the film's engaging vocal work. Evans doesn't try to shake Buzz's rampant sense of self-importance, but to unpack it, and finds tenderness and vulnerability in the process. And, he gives the character texture even amid such slick and gleaming animation. Aduba and Palmer also shine in their supporting parts, while Waititi perfects his comedic sidekick gig. Peter Sohn — director of The Good Dinosaur, and also a regular-enough Pixar voice actor — goes one better with SOX, however. Friendly, funny, adorable, and able solve scientific problems while meowing and cough up handy tools alike, that robo-cat is a scene-stealer. Still, finding him entertaining and thinking he could fuel an entire future film himself aren't the same thing, although, as Lightyear shows, no one learned that lesson about Buzz.
Playground Weekender 2012 has been cancelled. The sixth iteration of the festival, which has become a cult favourite of Sydneysiders, was due to get underway on Friday and run for four days at the Del Rio Riverside Resort on the Hawkesbury River. The Bureau of Meteorology, however, has issued a Flood Watch for the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers, which would put the festival at risk. The Music Network first sparked rumours that the event was cancelled, quoting a representative of the Hawkesbury Council as saying that it has been cancelled as far as they're concerned. Festival promoters were working with the NSW State Emergency Services to make a decision. An SES warning says that "there is a greater than 70% chance of flooding developing in the Upper Nepean River with minor flooding and the Nepean and Hawkesbury River valleys from this Wednesday onwards with minor to moderate flooding possibly resulting in closure of the Richmond and Windsor bridges during Thursday and Friday". Playground Weekender then officially cancelled via the Festival's Facebook page "due to adverse weather conditions", adding that they were "trying to urgently seek a replacement venue for some of the planned festivities to take place". [Via The Music Network]
New Year's Eve might feel like an eternity away, but plans for the 2021–22 celebrations are already being put into place by New South Wales's powers that be. The NSW Government has announced a massive seven-day end-of-year event that will see the Cahill Expressway closed to cars — and open to people. Between Friday, December 31–Thursday, January 6, the busy Sydney road will be transformed into a bustling event space with markets, pop-up food stalls, bars and a performance stage. "An innovative activation on the Cahill Expressway is one of the recommendations from businesses that we heard during the CBD Summits, and it will attract people into the city, during the key summer trading period," said NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet. Given that the Cahill Expressway is located directly above Circular Quay, it'll likely provide the event with panoramic harbour views — and will no-doubt make it a hotspot come time for the New Year's Eve fireworks. [caption id="attachment_750368" align="alignnone" width="1920"] City of Sydney[/caption] The news comes as part of an announcement that the NSW Government will be putting $200 million in funding towards securing global events for Sydney and the rest of the state. The multimillion-dollar State Significant Event Fund will be delivered over four years, and will aim to attract interstate and overseas visitors to NSW. Alongside this $200 million, the Government has also promised to deliver over $300 million in funding to the state's cultural institutions, including $40 million specifically for attracting major exhibitions to NSW. The windfall of arts funding comes after a disastrous year for the arts and major events in the face of the pandemic. With these new investments in the state's arts and events, the NSW Government is hoping to support the struggling industries while reactivating the Sydney CBD and NSW's regional centres. "We know visitors are looking for unforgettable experiences, so we want to secure blockbuster international concerts for Sydney and regional NSW venues, exhibitions direct form the world's top galleries, high-profile international sporting code events, and events celebrating fashion and design, popular culture, and creativity and innovation," said Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres. For more information about NSW's newly announced cultural funding, head to the NSW Treasury website. The NSW State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, June 22. Renders: courtesy of the NSW Government.
With a subject matter perfectly suited to his progressive taste and creative bent, chef Grant King has created the Game Of Thrones-inspired 'King's Landing' feast. Available at Gastro Park between March 7 - April 7, to coincide with the DVD release of this HBO darling on March 7, this menu is not for the faint of heart (vegetarians beware). Fans of the series will expect a fair amount of gore, and this four course dinner won't disappoint. Spoiler alert: expect eyeballs, arrows, ravens' feet, dragons' eggs and liquid gold. The feast is $100 per head, with a table of at least four required to dig in. We expect it shouldn't be too difficult to find fans to participate. Make sure you brush up on the series before you go though - the references are almost as enjoyable as the food.
There's nothing like a big, warm welcome to make you feel instantly at home, whether you're wining and dining out or enjoying a hard-earned weekend escape. At some places, it might be a traditional greeting, called cheerfully when you walk through a restaurant's front door, for others, a thoughtful gesture that's steeped in culture. Then, there are the greeting rituals that'll please your taste buds as well as give you the warm and fuzzies — like DoubleTree by Hilton's signature 'cookie welcome', which sees all of its guests gifted with a freshly baked, warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival. Keen to feel at home away from home? We've scouted out some of Melbourne's best global eateries dishing up warm welcomes of their own. BHANG, BRUNSWICK At contemporary Brunswick spot Bhang, Indian street food gets a freshen-up with classic flavours married to modern techniques and served up in a funky, new-school setting. Here, a lot of thought goes into making visitors feel welcome, with gestures both traditional and not. If you're digging the vibe, it could be because the figure of Hindu deity Ganesha is given fresh flowers at the start of each service, as a way of increasing the positive energies and inviting health and prosperity. You'll also catch welcoming wafts of incense throughout the restaurant and enjoy complimentary house-made pappadums to kick-start your meal. 1/2A Mitchell Street, Brunswick. DOC, CARLTON Enter through the doors of Carlton's legendary DOC and you'll be welcomed with the scent of baking pizza dough, as well as a cheery chorus of ciao, Italy's well-known greeting. Here, crisp-based traditional pizzas are the stars of the show, but to start things off right, let the friendly staff invite you aboard the aperitivo train. An alcoholic sip designed to help fire up the appetite, consider this the proper Italian welcome to any hearty meal. At DOC, fuel up with a glass of prosecco or a spritz, and you'll know you've been invited to enjoy some serious feasting. 295 Drummond Street, Carlton. AKACHOCHIN, SOUTH WHARF For fresh, honest Japanese fare served with a side of warm hospitality, you'll find it hard to beat a visit to South Wharf's Akachochin. Named after the red paper lanterns you'll often spy strung up outside a Japanese izakaya, this waterfront spot plays to tradition — from the serious knife skills on display in the open kitchen to the menu of sushi, sashimi and tried-and-true classics. Of course, you'll find it hard not to get swept up in tradition yourself, when you're greeted with a cheerful staff chorus of irasshaimase — Japan's customary call of 'welcome' or 'come on in'. 33 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf. MOVIDA, CBD Spain's renowned tapas culture is about much more than just chowing down on tasty small food — it's about sharing a meal and wine with friends and celebrating social interactions. And when you partake in the tradition, it's hard not to feel like you're part of some big Spanish eating club. Here in Melbourne, Frank Camorra's famed MoVida is one of the best spots to get your authentic tapas fix — all funky tunes, moody lighting and a menu filled with top-notch small bites, like mini beef tartares and pressed pork tostadas. 1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne. PASTUSO, CBD Dining at ACDC Lane restaurant Pastuso is a bit like embarking on a journey through the many flavours of Peru, from the lively seafood dishes of the dedicated ceviche bar to the charry, meaty offerings coming hot off the traditional grill. And of course, the proper welcome to any authentic Peruvian adventure comes in the form of a fresh, tangy pisco sour — Peru's widely celebrated national cocktail, made from a grape-based spirit. To have you dining like a true Peruvian, the staff here are always eager to steer you towards an expertly crafted concoction from the pisco bar. 19 ACDC Lane, Melbourne. BON AP', FITZROY This cosy Fitzroy gem is like a little slice of provincial France, with fare as charming and authentic as the staff's French accents. The aim here is to replicate the familiarity of a quaint village bistro from back home, so expect a hearty bonjour upon entering, a warm bon appétit and an easygoing energy for as long as you stay. It's an inviting spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner — settle in with some charcuterie, a serve of mussels and a few glasses of great French wine and you'll find it pretty hard to say goodbye. 193 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. LOS HERMANOS, BRUNSWICK At cosy Brunswick haunt Los Hermanos, bank on being greeted by authentic Mexican eats, a festive vibe and a serious collection of Mexico's national drink, tequila. But for all the choice, you won't be left daunted, with staff always keen to help hook you up with your ultimate agave match — their way of welcoming you into the fray. For full effect, pair your chosen drop with a few of the kitchen's drool-worthy tacos, featuring fillings like beer-battered fish, slow-cooked lamb leg and bold chipotle chicken. 339 Victoria Street, Brunswick. SON IN LAW, COLLINGWOOD Rooted in tradition, yet unafraid to unleash its creativity, Collingwood's Son In Law is one of Melbourne's best-loved Thai joints. Named after the dish of deep fried eggs that's said to be served up to misbehaving Thai sons-in-law, it's a colourful spot that's guaranteed to charm. Owner Piyawut Tony Rungpradit says his aim is to welcome diners to an authentically Thai dining experience by offering this namesake dish, as well as traditional share plates like the rich green curry and pad see ew noodles. Expect a sunny Aussie welcome to make you feel at home while you tuck into a proper Thai feast. 56 Johnston Street, Collingwood. DIN TAI FUNG, CBD Famed for its signature dumplings and boasting venues across the globe, Din Tai Fung sure knows how to pull the crowds. But no matter how busy the Melbourne Emporium restaurant might get, you'll always be met with a friendly call of ni hao — a Mandarin version of 'hi' or 'how are you' that's commonly used in China and Taiwan. It's just a kind little reminder of the Taiwanese deliciousness that awaits — drunken chicken, fragrant wonton soup and, of course, a parade of juicy, perfectly-crafted dumplings. Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. HOFBRAUHAUS, CBD In Germany, one of the world's largest consumers of beer, the heartiest welcome you'll find comes in the form of a nice, cold stein. For centuries it's been part of the social fabric, bringing people together and creating homes away from homes. And you'll experience exactly this with a visit to Market Lane's historic German restaurant, Hofbrauhaus. Here, staff sport classic Bavarian outfits, live German tunes set a cheerful tone and generous serves of pork knuckle are primed for feasting sessions. A range of traditionally brewed biers rounds out the whole lively experience. 18–28 Market Lane, Melbourne. Discover the many ways to feel welcome in Melbourne — from an authentic aperitivo hour to a chorus of 'irasshaimase' to the warm, freshly baked cookies waiting to welcome you to your home away from home at DoubleTree by Hilton on Flinders Street.
If you're heading home via Wynyard Station this evening, you might notice something new. In fact, it's pretty hard to miss. Today, sculptor Chris Fox unveiled Interloop, a striking, 50-metre-long installation that's now hovering above Wynyard's escalators, between York Street and the main concourse. Directly referencing its surroundings, the sculpture is made up of 244 wooden treads and four combs, all of which were once part of Wynyard's original escalators, built in 1931. However, they've been rearranged to appear like massive spectacular-looking concertinas — or maybe staircases out of a Salvador Dali painting. "Connecting yesterday and tomorrow, Interloop interrogates the conceptual and material boundaries between art and architecture," said Fox. "It is a physical re-interpretation...that re-purposes the hardwood from the heritage treads of now-retired escalators, into a sculpture weighing over five tonnes." Fox spent six months designing and engineering the installation, then twelve weeks fabricating it. The process involved a kilometre's worth of welding, via which Fox attached the treads to high-strength, marine-grade aluminium, before suspending the whole behemoth from the station ceiling with steel beams. Interloop is now on display at Wynyard Station above the escalators between York Street and the main concourse. Images: Josh Raymond.
Hidden down a Paddington backstreet, Don Pedros is serving up Southern Cali-style Mexican food in some seriously festive surrounds. It's run by Californian Chef Juan Alvarez, who found the space by chance when holidaying in the area. "I loved the neighbourhood," says Alvarez. "But I wanted something bright and vibrant, and a place that would accomodate families and groups, alongside a place that you could have a date... and Victoria Street in the backstreet was the perfect spot." The casual eatery has already garnered a sizeable following since opening a few weeks back. And a few dishes have quickly become crowd favourites, too. Here, tacos take centre stage, and the best versions include the soft shell crab — which comes topped with pineapple salsa and lime mayo — and the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with chimichurri and slaw. You can also opt for the build-your-own taco platter, which comes with all the fixings. [caption id="attachment_762715" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] Alvarez suggests pairing any taco with sides of the house guacamole and the chargrilled corn — the latter is rolled in queso and served with chipotle aoili. Other house specialties include pork ribs, seasonal ceviche and churros for dessert. For drinks, margaritas are (unsurprisingly) the name of the game at Don Pedros. The chilli-infused version is especially well done, as are the coconut, and blood orange and grapefruit varieties. Apart from all the margs, there's a mix of Mexican imports and local craft brews on offer behind the bar, too. [caption id="attachment_762709" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] But you don't even need a drink to get into the festive spirit here. The vibrant 60-seater offers brightly coloured decor alongside floral table clothes, a turquoise tiled bar, hanging greenery and other typical 'fiesta'-style furnishings. Speaking of good times, make sure to mark your calendar for the first Thursday of each month when the restaurant offers all-you-can tacos for $25. More regular specials include $5 tacos and tap beers all night on Tuesdays and 4–6pm happy hour on Fridays — with all tacos and beers will cost just $4–6, depending on what time you arrive. Yep, we can't think of a better way to ring in the weekend, either. Don Pedros is now open at 1 Victoria Street, Paddington. It's open from 4–10pm Tuesday–Wednesday, 4–11pm Thursday and 12pm–midnight Friday–Saturday. Images: Leigh Griffiths
Are you tending to your herb gardens, upcycling or actual cycling? That's some good hood. The Good Hood website, which is part of the the City of Sydney's Green Villages program, is about celebrating the little things Sydneysiders are doing to make the city more green. It's pretty simple: just snap a photo of your 'good' and upload it to the website — or if you're on Instagram, just turn on Photo Map and use the hashtag #goodhood. There's some pretty cool rewards, too, including vouchers for Megan Morton's The School and Clarence Street Cyclery and dinner for eight at Urban Food Market's pop-up restaurant in Chippendale. Kylie Boyd, the sustainability marketing campaign officer for the City, says she's really happy with the way people are engaging with the site. "We've got people making birdhouses and people completely decking out their backyards with boxes that they're planning on growing vegies in," she says. "Someone rescued a chair off the street and upholstered it with some really cute fabric." "We're loving seeing them come in but we're going to reserve judgement until the very end!" The prizes are on offer until September 25 for users who upload pictures of cycling, upcycling and sustainable food, with winners being picked by the City and the prize partners for each category. Tim Elwin, the managing director of Urban Food Market, is helping choose the winners in the food category. Tim says he's looking for entries that make an effort to grow and source local produce as much as possible. "What we’re after is for people to experiment and go out and see how they can eat on a sustainable level, things like, what can people grow at home to add into a meal that they’re doing?" he says. "Even going out and making sure that they source locally and source products that haven’t been treated in a bad way." Urban Food Market are mainly wholesalers of ethical, sustainable produce, but they also run cooking classes and a pop-up restaurant in Cafe Giulia on Friday and Saturday nights. "What we’re trying to teach people is that you might be buying a product that yes, is more expensive, but [you] eat less of it," says Tim. "There’s no need for a big massive steak. Add some vegetables so you get a well-balanced meal. It’s about reducing the demand for growing so much produce when so much gets thrown away. "We’re very excited to be helping promote the Good Hood. It’s a wonderful thing to see [the City] getting behind such a great initiative, to ultimately get people to wake up and review how they’re living their lives, and what effects their eating and living can have on the environment." Want to win one of three $100 vouchers to Urban Food Market's online store? Just share the best picture of a sustainable meal — it can be a meal with organic, homegrown, locally grown or ethically farmed ingredients, served at your own home or at your favourite cafe. Share the image on the Good Hood website or via Instagram by hashtagging #thegoodhood and #concreteplayground. Entries close on September 11. Urban Food Market's online store is a treasure trove of classes, free range meat, sustainable seafood, cooking equipment and dry goods such as Farmer Jo's muesli.
You've finished work. It's not quite time for dinner but a bite of something salty and a sip of something carbonated (and alcoholic) would go down a treat. Luckily, the Italians have a solution for that — the aperitivo hour. And it has made its way to Sydney. Restaurants and bars around the city are offering up Italian-style spritzes and cocktails, with bite-sized snacks to keep you going until dinner (and to reward you for completing another hard day of work). The kicker? They're offering the food and drink at heavily discounted prices — think $10 negronis, $5 wines and complimentary snacks. An Italian happy hour, if you will. And here we've rounded up our favourites, so you can kick back with an Aperol spritz any night of the week.
Pitting Will Smith against himself, Gemini Man is designed to boggle the mind. Viewers are supposed to stare at the big screen in awe as the former Fresh Prince not only plays a supremely skilled 51-year-old assassin, but — through the wonders of seamless de-ageing CGI — also plays his 23-year-old clone. We're also meant to marvel at the 3D visuals that surround the two Smiths as they go head-to-head, with the movie shot on digital in 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. Technical jargon aside, that means Gemini Man is super-crisp thanks to its vastly increased number of pixels, and it boasts five times the usual images each second, with the camera picking up five times the visible detail as a result. Sadly, while Ang Lee loves to keep pushing the filmmaking boundaries, especially in a technical sense, he completely misses his target with Gemini Man. It doesn't come close to eliciting the same wonder that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's astonishing martial arts choreography inspired, or the dropped jaws sparked by his immersive adaptation of Life of Pi either. Instead, in Lee's second successive attempt to make a watchable high frame-rate flick (after 2016's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk), this espionage thriller has the bland appearance of a TV soap opera. At its worst, it resembles absolutely anything screening on television with the motion-smoothing settings left on (aka the default viewing mode on modern screens that Tom Cruise famously asked viewers to switch off when watching Mission: Impossible - Fallout at home). Stacks of cash have been splashed on the most advanced special effects available — techniques that are being hailed as the future of cinema — but the end product really couldn't look cheaper or uglier. In a movie that basically only exists to showcase its apparently cutting-edge hyper-realistic imagery, Gemini Man's visual blah factor has an enormous impact. Lee clearly hopes his high-tech frames will patch over the generic narrative, but they actually emphasise the film's routine flavour. Penned by David Benioff (Game of Thrones), Billy Ray (Overlord) and Darren Lemke (Shazam!), this by-the-numbers affair follows seasoned government-sanctioned sharp-shooter Henry Brogan (Smith) as he packs it all in after a tricky assignment. As soon as he trades in his weapons for retirement, he's tracked down by his youthful doppelgänger (also Smith). A rogue intelligence agency head honcho (Clive Owen) is behind it all; however, as we probably don't need to point out, he isn't the toughest adversary that Brogan must face. Throw in Mary Elizabeth Winstead as another agent caught up in the chaos, plus Benedict Wong as a kindly pilot helping Brogan hop around the globe, and Gemini Man sits somewhere between every Bourne flick and every 90s action movie involving duplicity and double-crossing. Plot-wise, it truly is that standard; no-budget straight-to-VHS stinkers have demonstrated more narrative ingenuity. A boilerplate story told well can still keep viewers engrossed, though, especially in this genre (see: the excellent John Wick films), but that's not the case here. While cheesy, inane dialogue that spells out every twist is unfortunate enough, the fact that Gemini Man looks like someone has simply used their iPhone to film two Will Smiths who happen to be standing in front of them is grating, disconcerting and distracting. That it also looks like it could be a sequel to Tommy Wiseau's The Room — well, that comparison obviously says plenty. It's one thing to feel like you could reach out and touch whichever Smith you prefer (the elder Smith deserves that honour, with the actor more comfortable acting his age than chasing his younger glory days). It's another to get bombarded with so much visual data that nothing stands out, including Smith and his digital recreation. In the pursuit of hyper-clarity, Gemini Man lacks anything that resembles movie magic — and while that means there's no blurring or chaotic editing in the film's chase and fight scenes, which are both staged and shot with fluidity, it's all just dull rather than spectacular. You won't sit there wondering "how did they do that?", but rather "why did they do that?". And if you're not getting jiggy with Gemini Man's imagery, then you're not getting jiggy with this empty experiment in stretching the limits of cinema to a place that no one really wants it to go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykm0wWnzFY8
After a tumultuous start to the year, the Art Gallery of NSW is back. At the moment, you can catch a heap of free exhibitions, including the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Some Mysterious Process: 50 Years of Collecting International Art and Shadow Catchers. Now, the major cultural institution is looking to the future, announcing its huge lineup of spring/summer exhibitions — including the much-anticipated Archibald Prize. It would seem Sydney's arts scene is getting back to normal (with restrictions, of course). The prestigious portrait prize was meant to kick off last month, along with the Wynne and Sulman, which recognise the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture and the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project, respectively. But, due to growing COVID-19 concerns, the exhibitions were postponed by the gallery back in March, with hopes to show later in the year. Yesterday, Tuesday, June 23, AGNSW revealed new dates, which will now run from September 26 right through January 10, 2021. So, you'll have plenty of time to check it out. Also coming to grace the gallery's walls is a landmark retrospective of celebrated impressionist landscape painter Arthur Streeton, which will run from November 7, 2020–February 14, 2021. A member of the Heidelberg School of Australian impressionism, Streeton produced works that were (and still are) quintessentially Aussie — from sun-drenched pastoral landscapes to the waters of Sydney Harbour. He also received the Wynne Prize in 1928. At the AGNSW, Streeton will feature more than 150 works, some of which have not exhibited for over a century, and will include a selection of works from the artist's time in Egypt, England, Italy and WWI France, too. "We're extremely excited to delve into the life and work of one of our most influential Australian painters, Arthur Streeton, who defined a unique image of this country," AGNSW Director Michael Brand said in a statement. "Streeton's brilliant evocations of light, land and sea are among the most enduring paintings for many Australians." [caption id="attachment_773984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'Cremorne Pastoral', 1895, Art Gallery of New South Wales via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] That's not all that you'll be able to catch over the warmer months, either. Kicking off next month is a solo exhibit of major works by Lebanon-born Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi, which will run till sometime next year. Titled A Promise: Khaled Sabsabi, it'll feature the artist's large-scale immersive works and more intimate paintings. From October, there'll be a collection of drawings by eight contemporary Aussie artists, dubbed Real Worlds: Dobell Australian Drawing Biennale 2020, as well as Joy: an Indigenous art exhibition, featuring objects and short films by artists from across the Central Desert, including Judith Inkamala, Marlene Rubuntja and Sally Mulda. Both exhibitions will be free and kick off on Saturday, October 24, with closing dates yet to be announced. Then, from Saturday November 14, the gallery will house a provocative and humorous retrospective of Australian artist Pat Larter's work over the past 30 years, which challenges conventions of the male gaze and stereotypes of female sexuality. Unfortunately, the scheduled 2020 Sydney International Art Series exhibitions, Matisse: Life & Spirit, Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris and Matisse Alive have been postponed indefinitely. As have exhibitions Brack, Margel Hinder, Classicism and The Purple House. For more information on the Art Gallery of NSW's current and upcoming exhibitions, head to the website. Ticket information for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2020 will be available here from Saturday, August 1. Ticket information for Streeton is yet to be announced — we'll be sure to keep you updated. Top image: Art Gallery of NSW
Backyard cricket, barbecues and water sports are all Aussie summer clichés for a reason: they're good, wholesome fun. Another one? Outdoor cinemas. And we're here to tell you the very good news that Canberra's version of this al fresco activity is returning for another season. Sponsored by IMB Bank, Sunset Cinema will take over the Eucalypt Lawn at the Australian National Botanic Gardens from November 28—January 12. Whether you're planning a cosy date night or easy family outing under the stars, this year's extensive program has something for everyone. The nostalgic lineup ranges from cult films like The Big Lebowski and Love Actually to the latest Hollywood blockbusters including A Star is Born and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, plus special advance screenings of Instant Family and Storm Boy. Family-friendly options include Smallfoot, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and even The Lion King. BYO picnics are encouraged, but if you want to enjoy a sparkling or brew throughout the film, the on-site bar will be serving a range of Grant Burge wine and Young Henrys craft beer and cider. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be plenty of the requisite movie treats like popcorn, chips chocolates and lollies, plus an on-site dining menu of bigger bites. Tickets start at $20 for adults, with a premium $40 lawn lounge package on offer, too — it includes entry, a prime-viewing bean bag reserved on the lawn, a beverage of your choice and a box of popcorn. To see the full program and purchase tickets, visit the Sunset Cinema website.
Firstdraft sticks to its principles about the purity of artistic expression. It's a non-profit gallery, meaning that it takes no commission whatsoever on works that are sold, the gallery is subsidised, and it values the fair payment of its artists and curators. It's got history, too, starting out in Chippendale in the mid 80s before working its way to Woolloomooloo via a stint in Surry Hills. Firstdraft has four separate gallery spaces, each of which change their show after less than a month — meaning that you're never far away from a brand new experience. Billed as "Australia's premier space for emerging and experimental arts practice", Firstdraft shows work which is daring, experimental and vital.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said that "a bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking". Gleebooks on Glebe Point Road, the original of a small forty-year franchise with stores also in Dulwich Hill and Blackheath, captures the serious and delightful business of buying a new book in a elegant well-tended store. It's right next door to second-hand book shop Sappho, so visit back-to-back. Apart from selling books, Gleebooks also holds various talks, events and book launches which take place in an upstairs room. Forget "that new car smell", it's the scent of freshly printed pages that truly piques your interest. Images: Kieran Gilfeather
Gelato Messina loves a creative ice cream flavour, and an inventive dessert in general. It also adores something else almost as much: collaborations. Messina lube, sunscreen, festive treats, craft beer spiders, sneakers, body washes and balm all either do exist or have existed, to name just a few of the brand's team ups in the past couple of years. Next on the list: FELLR seltzers that taste like Messina's sorbets. If you like the dessert chain's yuzu, blood orange, and salted coconut and mango sorbets to lick in a cone or from a cup, and you like boozy seltzers, then we're betting you'll be keen on the FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series. Those three flavours will be available to sip from Friday, December 1 thanks to a new range that'll hit bottle-os such as BWS and Dan Murphy's, plus selected venues and festivals. For drinking at home, at parties, on picnics and the like, you'll be getting your sorbet-inspired tipples in a ten pack. Messina and FELLR's advice: get in quick because these are limited-edition beverages. The seltzers are launching with a series of festivities, too, whether you like dessert or drinks. Firstly, three new specials will arrive in Messina's cabinets at all stores for a week, or until stocks last: custard gelato with blood orange gel, baked sponge and whipped cream (from Thursday, November 30); mango and coconut gelato with salted coconut fudge and coconut biscuits (from Friday, December 1); and yuzu cheesecake gelato with baked cheesecake and dulce de leche (from Saturday, December 2). You can also enjoy yuzu sorbet from Friday, December 1–Thursday, December 7. The seltzers are also getting a Bondi launch party from 5pm on Friday, December 15 at Beach Road Hotel, with help from The Lazy Eyes and Gully Days. And, a heap of pop-ups are on their way across Australia's east coast, with FELLR and Messina heading to Manly Beach's New Brighton Hotel, Victoria's Brighton Beach Hotel, Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane and Miami Tavern on the Gold Coast — with dates set to drop via FELLR and Messina's socials. The FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series hits BWS, Dan Murphy's, and selected venues and festivals on Friday, December 1.
It's not every day you get to try a world-famous dish without leaving the country. But that's exactly what Sydneysiders are in for when Joe Beddia brings a taste of his renowned Philadelphia pizzeria to Bondi later this month. Hailed by Bon Appétit as the best pizza in America, Pizzeria Beddia's pies have a seriously good rep, and you don't want to miss their week-long appearance at Bondi Beach Public Bar, running from July 22 to 28. The pop-up will open at 6pm and sling pizzas until sold out. Beddia's original two-employee-only shopfront in Fishtown, Philadelphia, shut its doors in March to make way for a larger operation launching later this year. Sad news for locals, maybe, but as it turns out, a big win for the pizza lovers of Sydney. Having made every single pizza ever served at his cult favourite restaurant, Joe Beddia is now out to win over a new legion of Aussie fans, from a 60-seat Bondi pop-up pizzeria crafted entirely from pizza boxes. He'll be slinging a range of his signature, non-traditional pizzas starring local ingredients and matched with a cracking wine list curated by BBPB sommelier James Hird.
A new French diner that's equal parts luxurious and approachable is opening in Rozelle this week. Joining Fabbrica Bread Shop and Totti's first Inner West location, Chez Blue will be the latest edition to the Sydney suburb, coming to The Sackville Hotel with ex-Bistro Moncur chef Mark Williamson in charge of the kitchen. The casual bistro will swing open its doors on Darling Street from Thursday, November 16 with a menu that spotlights the classics. Steak frites, croque monsieur, chicken leg roulade and snapper fillet with clams all grace the menu, alongside some more adventurous additions like chicken liver pate with a brûléed top to crack, a scallop tartare and a fried tripe dish. The menu also stars a 1kg O'Connor rib eye served with béarnaise sauce to take on in cahoots with your dining companions. "French bistro style is typically individual portions, but there's something lovely about sharing a dish with the table so we've also included two beautiful larger shared dishes," says Williamson. The wine list is almost entirely French, and a refined cocktail menu also features a heavy Parisian streak. Kick your night off with an absinthe frappe, or pair your peach and tomato salad with a Delicious Sour made with Calvados, Pommeau de Normandie, peach wine and a splash of citrus. Another interesting addition to the drinks on offer is a croissant-washed martini. The ultra-French creation is made using Four Pillars gin that is croissant-washed in-house before being combined with vermouth and a vanilla, cinnamon and allspice oil. This exciting food and drinks program will find a home in the welcoming fit-out which features an intimate cocktail bar and the main dining room. The bistro boasts booths and banquette seating ready for a group catch-up, as well as a moody mix of warm down lights and subtle wall art inviting you in for a romantic date night. Chez Blue is one of many Sydney eateries to set up shop with the help of an adjoining pub over the last few years. Totti's Rozelle, La Salut, Chez Crix, Il Baretto and Derrel's are just a few dining spots that have opened in the same building as a beloved beer-pouring stalwart. Chez Blue will open from Thursday, November 16 at 599 Darling Street, Rozelle. Head to the restaurant's website to browse the full menu and make a booking. Images: Steven Woodburn
Maybe Sammy is no stranger to winning an award. It was named in the top 50 bars in the world in 2019, 2020 and 2021 — and named the Best Bar in Australasia at The World's 50 Best Bars in all three years. Back in 2019, it was also named the Best International New Cocktail Bar at the 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans. The Spirited Awards recognises the best cocktail bars from around the world since 2007, and this year Maybe Sammy has one-upped itself taking out two honours at the 2022 ceremony. Firstly, the bar's staff have been crowned Best International Bar Team, while co-founder Martin Hudak has also been awarded Best International Brand Ambassador. Maybe Sammy beat out the Best International Bar Team shortlist which included Columbia's Alquimico, Greece's The Clumsies and Spain's Two Schmucks to be named the cream of the crop in the areas of experience, professionalism, hospitality and consistency of service. While the entire team was recognised, Hudak was singled out and named Best International Brand Ambassador for his work with the beloved local coffee liqueur brand Mr Black. Maybe Sammy was the only Australian bar to be recognised at the ceremony. Elsewhere in the world, London featured heavily in the international categories, with Tayer + Elementary taking out the Best International Cocktail Bar, Sexy Fish being named Best International Restaurant Bar and the confusingly named A Bar with Shapes for a Name winning Best New International Cocktail Bar. Plus, Katana Kitten out of New York was named Best US Cocktail Bar, New Orlean's Jewel of the South took out Best US Restaurant Bar and fresh Albuquerque face Happy Accidents won Best New US Cocktail Bar. [caption id="attachment_794856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DS Oficina[/caption] You can find the list of winners for the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Spirited Awards at the award ceremony's website.
It's a time-travelling romantic dramedy shot in the desert on the cheap, but what The Infinite Man lacks in size it makes up for in brains and heart. In that way, the film is a lot like its protagonist, the jumpy, obsessive, hopelessly romantic Dean (Josh McConville). A scientist of non-specific genius, Dean wants desperately to give his girlfriend, Lana (Hannah Marshall), the perfect anniversary weekend. Instead, his controlling behaviour ends up driving her back to her ex (Alex Dimitriades). Not to worry though. Dean can just casually invent a time machine and give the holiday another go. And another. And another. And another. Supported by the same South Australian funding initiative that helped pay for 52 Tuesdays, The Infinite Man is the rare sort of film that feels invigorated, rather than hamstrung, by its obvious financial constraints. Limited to just three cast members and a single, isolated location — an abandoned desert motel — first-time writer-director Hugh Sullivan has very few crutches to fall back on, and is instead forced to draw on a deep well of creativity to ensure his movie is a success. And what a success it is. Sullivan's script pulls from all manner of time-travel scenarios, including The Terminator, Back to the Future and a healthy dose of Primer. Each time our hero travels back in time, the situation grows steadily worse, as he finds himself interacting, and them competing, with different iterations of himself. It's not always easy to keep track of which Dean is which, but to be honest that's part of the fun. Sci-fi fans will delight in piecing the puzzle together — and after multiple viewings, we can confirm that the layers line up. Similarly sharp are the film's comedic sensibilities, riffing not just on the paradoxes of time travel but also sex, jealousy and love. McConville is brilliant as Dean, a perpetually insecure 'nice guy' who goes from endearing to pathetic to just plain creepy. At the opposite end of the alpha-male spectrum is Dimitriades, hilarious as Dean's dim-witted, javelin-throwing rival, who can't seem to acknowledge his relationship with Lana is over. Marshall is also great as the movies' perpetual straight-woman, although it's shame she's not given a bit more comedic stuff to do. But what really cements The Infinite Man as special is how it captures what it feels like as a relationship falls apart. To Dean in particular, the intricacies of time travel are nothing compared to the mysteries of the heart. His overwhelming need to recreate what has been lost is a compulsion that nearly everyone can understand. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-P7bQ9fUw7A
People of North Sydney now have an extra reason to swing by The Greenwood Plaza — and it's a hefty one. After first popping up in the shopping centre in 2014, Burgers By Josh has returned serve up even more meat between two piece of bread. Fans and locals probably won't have to cast their mind back too far to remember kicking back on the Upper Deck and salivating over chef Josh Arthur's creations three short years ago. Since then, he's expanded his repertoire even further, taking inspiration from Aussie personalities. Try getting your mouth around the Angry Anderson (double wagyu, crispy bacon, cheese and special sauce) or the Fat Tony (double wagyu, rocket-smoked Texan BBQ sauce, crispy bacon and potato buns), then washing it down with one of Josh's spiked milkshakes or a craft beer or two. "My first ever pop-up was at Greenwood Plaza, so it's great to set up our new residence in the same place," Josh said. "We will be introducing weekly and daily specials alongside our regular menu to celebrate the opening. I look forward to meeting lots of new and, hopefully, regular faces!" While BBJs is making a comeback, it'll be joined at Greenwood by a newcomer, with Blue 36 Cafe Restaurant making its debut. Headed by school buddies Jin Ko and Thomas Kang, the eatery is bringing you dishes influenced by both Aussie classics and Asian flavours. For brunch, you might tuck into a Vegemite cheese toastie and, for lunch, a super food salad (with quinoa, seeds, nuts, balsamic vinegar, grilled haloumi, lentils, Spanish onion, parsley, lemon dressing). Find Burgers by Josh and Blue 36 in The Atrium, the Greenwood Plaza's revamped food court that's also home to the Italian Street Kitchen, Thr1ve, Swiss Deli, Bun Me and Fogo Brazilia. For more information, visit the shopping centre's website.
The wonders of the animal kingdom are coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum courtesy of a huge exhibition of nature photography. Headed to the venue this autumn, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase comes direct from London's Natural History Museum — which has run the prestigious competition since 1965. Highlighting the astonishing sights that the natural world has to offer, this year's contest attracted nearly 50,000 entries from 92 countries. That not only shows how much we all love creatures great, small, cute, majestic and everything in-between, but how much we love both taking and looking at snaps of them as well. From that huge number, 100 winning pics were chosen for their creativity, originality and technical excellence, and then tour internationally. You can see the eye-popping, awe- (and 'awwwww') inducing results during its Sydney stop from March 7 through till August 25. Prepare to rove your eyes over everything from up-close-and-personal shots of gorgeous creatures to astonishing visions of sweeping landscapes. It'll be open every day of the week during its five-month season — from 9.30am–5pm daily. Images: Isak Pretorius, Arshdeep Singh and Adrian Bliss, courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Natural History Museum, London.
