With Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras now less than a month away, we're all in on preparing — but put down the outfit plans for a moment as we share some news about one of the annual festival's biggest events: Fair Day is back for 2026, and we know exactly who and what is coming to Victoria Park for the all-day festivities on Sunday, February 15. First things first, the headline acts. House icon Janice Robinson of Livin' Joy is at the top of the call sheet, making a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras debut with an exclusive performance for Fair Day, belting out anthems like 'Dreamer', 'Don't Stop Moving', and 'There Must Be Love' for the crowd. [caption id="attachment_1064104" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] "I am super excited to be coming to Australia to perform for Mardi Gras," said Robinson. "I am a dreamer who continues to live her dreams, and Australia is a country I love deeply. This moment means more to me than words can express." Joining her are some local headliners: Blusher, fresh off the support slot for Rebecca Black and a Laneway show the week before, plus the Milkshake Man himself, Go-Jo and drag icon Courtney Act to bring a blend of star power and classic Mardi Gras flair. [caption id="attachment_1064103" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Beyond the headliners, there'll be dance music icon Zoe Badwi and her house vocals, DJ James Alexandr, joined by Nada Leigh to bring club energy to the park, the queer country bangers of Kath Ebbs, and a Mardi Gras debut gig for IVANA on the Main Stage with her euro-dance hits including 'Liar Liar', 'Need Your Love' and 'Burning'. International acts Mila Jam and Arisce will also join local stars Felicia Foxx, Aunty Tamara, Atomic Kiss, Jackel Doll, Tiddalicious, DJ Nate and more throughout the Fair Day grounds, so you won't go without music anywhere in the park. And of course, it's not just music. Starting with a smoking ceremony and performances from the Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers, you'll find fabulous canine pageantry at Doggywood, the return of the Trans Camp community zone, the fast and fabulous Queer Fashion Runway, chaotic sing-alongs at Karaoke Cave: Discos and Divas and similar mayhem plus muscles at Drag King Games. [caption id="attachment_1064102" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ash Penin[/caption] Stay fed and refreshed, or just buy yourself a much-deserved mardi gras treat from one of the 200+ community stalls, food trucks, pop-up bars and picnic spots spread throughout the park. Download the Mardi Gras app ahead of the big day to find maps, set times and on-the-day updates. Fair Day 2026 will take place in Victoria Park on Sunday, February 15, from 10am. For more information, visit the website. Lead image: Ash Penin Images courtesy of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and City of Sydney
Snow season is nearly here and, as usual, Thredbo is planning an avalanche of live music to keep you moving between runs. Hitting the slopes this year are Hot Dub Time Machine, First Base (Flight Facilities' Hugo Gruzman and Client Liaison's Tom Tilley), Violent Soho, Rudimental, The Smith Street Band, CC Disco, Tigerlily, Joy Ride, 19-Twenty and loads more. Here's the lowdown on who's playing where. The major event is, of course, Snow Tunes, the Southern Hemisphere's biggest snow music festival, happening at Lake Jindabyne Friday, August 31 to Saturday, September 1. Violent Soho is in headline spot, followed by Rudimental (UK), 4B (US), Ducky (US), The Smith Street Band and stacks of others. If you're heading to Thredbo to celebrate season launch, then you're in for a massive June long weekend party, complete with Heineken Saturday, a free concert in Thredbo Village starring Hot Dub Time Machine, Young Franco and Souseme DJs. And plan for a return on Saturday, August 25 when Tigerlily will be powering another free show, supported by Kinder Music and Michelle Owen. You'll have three chances to catch First Base, who'll be hosting a trio of Vintage Apres Soirees presented by Canadian Club. CC Disco will join them on June 30, Touch Sensitive on August 4 and Joy Ride on September 8. Meanwhile, at Thredbo Alpine Hotel, Corona Sunsets will get behind a series of (heated) poolside sessions, featuring 19-Twenty (July 14), North East Party House (July 21) and Running Touch (August 18). Don't forget your swimmers. If you're into soul-funk, then step into The Schuss Bar on select Sundays to catch Canberra's H-Cee Family, who'll be appearing on July 1 and 29, August 19 and September 16, while monthly Fireball Full Moon Parties are slated for June 28, July 27, August 26 and September 24. There's also a bunch of one-off events and festivals, including General Pants Sn'O' Week (June 25–29), Thredbo x Tinder Uni Week (July 22–27), RedBull Music Festival (July 28) and Rainbow Mountain Heaps Gay Snow Week (August 29–September 2). THREDBO SNOW SEASON 2018 FULL MUSIC LINE-UP Hot Dub Time Machine Hugo Gruzman (Flight Facilities) Tom Tilley (triple j/Client Liaison) Violent Soho Rudimental (UK) 4B (US) Ducky (US) The Smith Street Band CC Disco 19 Twenty North East Party House Touch Sensitive Running Touch Tigerlily Joy Ride Young Franco Souseme DJs Kinder Music Michelle Owen Magnifik Slippery Trout DJs Yeah Sure DJs Siwa DJ Butcher Lex Deluxe Wolfwolf Nes No Talk Dan De Caires Charlie O'Brien Rich Penny Oh Glam DJ Dick Dollar General Pants DJs Barney Cools DJs Dom Dolla Indian Summer Torren Foot Sweat It Out DJs 4B Amastro Aviva Bec Sandridge Confidence Man Crooked Colours DJ Sabio Hockey Dad Kayex Losty Luude Mallrat Meg Mac Midas Gold Miss Blanks Nyxen One Day Apart Pacific Avenue Set Mo Slumberjack Thandi Phoenix Thundamentals Tired Lion Yahtzel Live H-Cee Family
Surfers may flock to Sydney's sandy suburbs while leaf-lovers stick to the city's best parks, but locals wanting the best of both worlds will head to Randwick. This easy-breezy 'burb is perfectly positioned between Centennial Park and the eastern suburbs' fantastic stretch of coastline for residents and visitors to enjoy the best of the city in one spot. At its heart is the long-standing Ritz Cinema and its impressive art deco facade, and a clutch of well-kept cafes, restaurants, bars and specialised shops. In partnership with American Express, we've found a Randwick spot that'll hit the mark on every occasion, whether you're catching up with a group of old mates or refurbishing your pad.
Watercolours aren’t usually that sexy. Often the domain of octogenarians with a penchant for bridge-peppered landscapes, they don't come to mind when you first think of cutting edge Contemporary art. But still, Paper Works , at Newsagency gallery, is one of the best exhibits I’ve seen in a long while. The show features works on paper by five early career artists: Callum Docherty, Daniel Smith, Jo Ann Cahill, Elisa Malo and Zoe Tubbenhauer. I loved nearly everything on display, but clear standouts were the pieces by Cahill, Tubbenhauer and Docherty. Each artist works with watercolour paints (among other things) and each brings something new and exciting to the medium. Cahill’s use of paint is nothing short of virtuosic. Her works are exquisite, engaging and just plain fun. Adding a fabulously nonsensical, hilarious element to the pieces are their titles. ‘The dog, Max, endowed with intelligence and other special abilities, is at first loveable, but also proves to be a ferocious, unstoppable killer’ was a particular favourite of mine. She trawls the internet for images then appropriates them in her watercolours, turning inconsequential happy snaps –dogs in silly costumes, infant bears trying to break into a car – into jewel-coloured, fairytale-like images. Illustrator and graphic designer Zoe Tubbenhauer creates beautifully delicate, slightly esoteric paintings that sit ‘in limbo between childhood and adulthood’. They reminded me of the lovely pictures that accompanied the Beatrix Potter books many of us read as kids, except Tubbenhauer’s works are a little less optimistic, a little more sinister. I noticed that most of her pieces had sold, and I’m not surprised. Perhaps my favourite pieces in Paper Works were those by Callum Docherty. The artist explains that his images "portray a violently childlike distant world of confusion". I didn’t really see any violence in them, though. They’re childlike, absolutely, but I just saw awesomely surrealist, interesting, beautifully controlled pieces. Each work is made up of these great biomorphic shapes – sometimes executed in monochrome, sometimes in brilliant colours. Newsagency Gallery is a great artist run space in Stanmore. Its sparse furnishings give it a cool, pop-up feel. But it’s based there permanently, so keep tabs on their exhibitions. I definitely will be. Newsagency Gallery is open Saturday and Sunday. You can call for a private viewing on other days 0401 797 746. Image: Bears by Jo Ann Cahill.
Just six months after opening, JŌJI — the sleek Japanese-inspired rooftop bar and diner perched above the Cartier flagship on Pitt and King streets — is entering a new chapter. Its expansive fifth-floor space has launched a sharp new sushi menu, a broader à la carte offering and a stacked calendar of weekly happenings, from DJ-backed bottomless lunches to live music and midweek entertainment. The culinary revamp is headlined by a considered new sushi selection led by Head Chef Kihoon Kim, who has worked at celebrated omakase restaurants across Korea, Japan and Sydney, including Bay Nine, Besuto and Saké. His precise, elegant style is showcased in new signatures, including a delicate king salmon maki with midori salsa, cucumber and avocado. The new sushi selection sits alongside a larger-format à la carte menu by Executive Chef Erik Ortolani (ex-Itō), whose additions include share plates like miso-glazed Murray cod with dashi butter and thick-cut duck katsu sandos. As part of its expanded entertainment offer, JŌJI has launched Social Saturdays. This reimagining of the classic bottomless brunch includes a shared chef's menu and 90 minutes of free-flowing French rosé or beer, soundtracked by a rotating lineup of live DJs and musicians. Tickets are $120, and there's a $30 cocktail upgrade option if that's more your thing. JŌJI won't wait until the weekend to get the party started, though. Live music on Wednesday nights sets the mood for stylish midweek get-togethers. City workers won't be left out, thanks to the new Shibui Lunch: a $65 set menu available Wednesday to Friday, perfect for the power lunch crowd. "Since opening, JŌJI has been filled with an incredible crowd of regulars whose energy gives the space its soul," says Ibrahim Moubadder, co-founder of ESCA Group. "Watching how people moved through the space made me want to build something even more immersive. So six months in, we're evolving the menu, adding elegant, delicious dishes including sushi and more, determined to making JŌJI one of the best Japanese dining experiences in Sydney — a place where you can come for the best drinks, the music, a dance or an unforgettable meal, all in one electric setting." Find JŌJI on Level 5, 388 George Street, Sydney CBD. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Having operated for over 46 years, Eddy Avenue Florist blends into the familiar landscape of Central Station. The boutique is located right at the Eddy Avenue station entrance making it convenient for an impulse self-purchase or last-minute gift. All bases are covered with a vast range of flora on offer — from elegant native arrangements to brightly-coloured bouquets. Owner Emmanuel — a mainstay at the store entrance — will be on-hand to help select the perfect arrangement for any occasion.
When the first John Wick film burst into cinemas with a finessed flurry of fantastic action scenes and all-round Keanu Reeves awesomeness, it let its star utter a particularly memorable and telling line. "Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back," the inimitable actor announced — but while the highly enjoyable movie helped remind audiences of his excellence, Reeves himself hadn't really gone anywhere. A staple on screens for decades, Keanu boasts quite the resume, spanning cult comedies, poignant takes on Shakespeare, ace sci-fi franchises and sappy romances. There's also the time that he tried to save a bus that couldn't slow down, and his stellar stint as a surfing FBI agent. All of the above are on the lineup at the Ritz Cinemas event that every Reeves fan will want to head to: a seven-week Keanu Reeves-A-Thon. Every Friday night at 9pm between November 1 and December 13, the theatre will work through a selection of the star's hit flicks in chronological order. Start with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, take a trip through My Own Private Idaho, hit the waves with Point Break, and get fast and furious with Speed — before entering The Matrix, visiting The Lake House and saying hello to John Wick.
A Smart Dollar shop on Marrickville Road has been reimagined as a retro pub by a team of hospitality veterans. The Marrickville Hotel boasts an old-school Aussie pub vibe, and was created by some of the people behind Arcadia Liquors, Redfern Continental, GDR and Ron's Upstairs — namely Pascale Crouche-McDonald, John Archinal, Kim Fasher and David Jank — all of whom live in Marrickville. It's a pub by locals, for locals. The pub's fit-out is laid-back and a little eclectic — exactly what you'd expect from a classic Aussie pub. There's space for big groups, casual dates or solo drinks at the bar, and the outdoor courtyard is ready to go for the summer. It even features a shiny new disco ball for upcoming party nights. Elsewhere, you'll spot a large photo of a young Anthony Albanese, now Leader of the Opposition, knick-knacks and fairy lights behind the bar, and a painted slogan proclaiming "Marrickville — The Greatest Country on Earth!". The space also has a noticeable industrial feel, which is thanks to its history. "After we started the build, we found out it used to be an industrial paint shop [before it was a Smart Dollar shop]," says Crouche-McDonald. "And we were able to utilise some of the existing elements to revive its industrial feel." Old paint samples adorn the ceiling in the main bar, and the atrium showcases the building's original support beams. [caption id="attachment_742145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] Behind the bar, expect Aussie mainstays VB and Reschs, as well as Marrickville's own Grifter on tap at all times. The remaining taps will rotate regularly and feature local talent — at the moment, that includes Batch's milk stout on nitro and 4 Pines kolsch. For wine lovers, the drops are mostly minimal intervention Australian labels, along with some international numbers. A classic cocktail list is best enjoyed during one of the daily specials, which include $10 margaritas all-night on Monday, $10 spritzes until 6pm on Saturday and $10 bloody marys until 6pm on Sunday. For spring, the bar is serving up a special Poor Toms spritz, too. The simple food offering is reminiscent of Arcadia Liquors and includes antipasto and cheese boards, along with a regularly changing menu of toasties. For more substantial eats, the team has partnered with neighbouring Vietnamese shop Pho Phd to offer the likes of salt and pepper eggplant and a range of vermicelli salads. The Marrickville Hotel is now open at 244 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Opening hours are Monday–Thursday 4pm–midnight, Friday 2pm–1am, Saturday midday–1am and Sunday midday–10pm. Venue images: Kimberley Low. Food images: Kitti Gould.
Sunsets are at their finest in the summertime. They come later in the day, the air is warmer, and the vibes are nothing short of divine. Pair that with a bit of music, and you're set. That's the basis of Sydney Observatory's Sunset Variations — the annual outdoor concert series that sets up local artists for intimate three-hour sets in golden hour. Every Friday evening from January 30 to February 27, 2026, guests are invited to arrive at sunset and settle onto a spot on the Observatory lawn, where you can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired food from Aplenty and drinks by Lo-Fi Wines while that week's performance soundtracks the change from day to night. The music series, organised by Powerhouse Museum, returns for its second year with an opening performance of Afrofuturist jazz and R&B by Ethiopian Australian artist Nū. The following week, visitors can return to the lawn for layered percussive and synth works from e fishpool, then in week three come the cinematic compositions of electronics and vocals from the Aarti Jadu Ensemble. On February 20, Luritja singer-songwriter and artist Keanu Nelson will perform an ode to his home of Papunya – a remote community northwest of Alice Springs. Then, closing the series is underground Sydney DJ Josh Panakera-Molony with Setwun: Celestial Bodies, a soulful showcase that blends jazz, dance and groove with the help of collaborators GLO, POOKIE, INQ., Meklit, Yasmina Sadiki and Hugh B. Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah says "At the highest natural point in the city, Sydney Observatory opens onto an unmatched view of golden hour over Sydney Harbour. The dynamic lineup of bold, experimental artists performing each week will transform the site for a month unmissable sunsets." Sunset Variations will run weekly on Friday's from January 30 to February 27. Tickets are $10. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website.
Watching any film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, it's easy to pick that the Thai director is also a visual artist, even if you didn't already know going in. In every one of his features to play in cinemas, including his Palme d'Or-winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Film recipient Cemetery of Splendour and the Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door)-starring Cannes Jury Prize awardee Memoria, peering deeply is rewarded. So is soaking in imagery that no other filmmaker could conjure up, as well as being immersed in his movies at a patient, reflective pace. The above films, a trio from among Weerasethakul's four most-recent releases, all had dates with the big screen in Australia — but A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage), his next creation, isn't showing at a picture palace. Instead, the acclaimed director has crafted the cinematic installation especially for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_1013105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chayaporn Maneesutham[/caption] 2025 marks a decade and a half since Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives collected one of the world's most-prestigious film prizes thanks to its 2010 Cannes victory. This is also the year that A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage) graces the MCA, displaying from Sunday, September 14, 2025–Sunday, February 15, 2026. Musing on cinema and its emotional impact, fittingly, as well as memory, making images and time's passing, the large-scale work is a collaboration with Rueangrith Suntisuk and Pornpan Arayaveerasid, who hail from Bangkok-based collective DuckUnit. Inspired by pondering the sun while walking in nature, featuring video diaries projected onto floating fabric, and designed to provide a dream-like experience that appears to fade and return thanks to the curtain, it is taking over a five-by-16-metre space in the MCA Macgregor Gallery. Weerasethakul is also part of an Artist in Conversation session at MCA Australia on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and a range of his short films from between 2007–24 are screening at the venue on Saturday, October 25, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1013102" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, How to Hold Your Breath – 2024 Asian Art Biennial, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan, 2024, image courtesy of the artist, photograph: Apichatpong Weerasethakul[/caption] Top images: Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, BANGKOK CITYCITY GALLERY, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022, image courtesy the artist and BANGKOK CITYCITY GALLERY, photograph: Miti Ruangkritya. Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, How to Hold Your Breath – 2024 Asian Art Biennial, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan, 2024, image courtesy of the artist, photograph: Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Monte Pacis in Lithuania, an outrageously grand monastery that's been partly transformed into a luxury hotel. If you're planning a big European getaway this summer, think about spending a few nights here. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? It's a 17th century monastery located on a gorgeous lagoon surrounded by nature — need we say more? THE ROOMS The 13 rooms and apartments at Monte Pacis are decorated in baroque style, each complete with a minibar and private bathroom. Large canopy beds sit in rooms with double-vaulted ceilings and chandeliers dripping from large wooden beams. Ornately decorated and grand in scale, it feels more like a royal castle than the home of monks. And with so few people staying here at one time, you are almost guaranteed peace and quiet. FOOD AND DRINK The restaurant at Monte Pacis is known as one of the very best places to eat in the Baltics. It offers a four- or six-course tasting menu that changes seasonally (notably, much of the produce comes from the monastery grounds). Head chef Raimundas Dambrauskas is known for creating challenging dishes that rival Michelin-starred restaurants. On the booze front? The team has won awards for the extensive wine list, with some wines coming from other monasteries in the region. Be sure to add the (very) reasonably priced wine pairings onto your tasting menu experience. THE LOCAL AREA The hotel sits on the bank of Lithuania's Kaunas Lagoon, where you can swim and sail during summer and take wintery walks in the colder months — you might even be able to walk across some of the frozen parts. If that sounds too risky, you can simply stick to some of the many hiking trails that wind around the protected forests. The local city of Kaunas must be explored too. In 2022, it was named the European Capital of Culture thanks to the abundance of galleries, festivals and dining venues. There's stacks going on in this little known city — both ancient and modern. Next time you go gallivanting around Europe, be sure to add Lithuania to your list of must-visit countries. THE EXTRAS When staying at Monte Pacis, you are surrounded by history and tradition. That's why it's imperative you take a tour of the monastery and its grounds — seeing how monks, both past and present, use the space while marvelling at all the baroque artworks. The hotel's residents even have access to the historical literature library and spiritual literature room. Either attempt to read something from the shelves or bring your own book to enjoy within the staggering space. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Sometimes, we take the little things for granted, and we don’t get a chance to stop and smell the roses. While roses should be around for a little while longer, artist Catherine Young has worked in collaboration with Swiss perfume company Givaudan to create a collection of fragrances that we may lose due to climate change. The Ephemeral Marvels Perfume Store (or TEMPS for short) features eight perfumes in the scent of Coasts, Coffee, Honey, Wine, Eucalyptus, Peanuts, Ice and Hardwood Trees. Young approached Givaudan with the smells that she wanted to capture and the feelings or memories that she wanted to evoke, and the scientists went from there. The perfumes are held in beautiful glass bottles, each with a hummingbird on the label. "Because of its speed, the hummingbird is known as a messenger and stopper of time," writes Young on her website. "It is also a symbol of love, joy and beauty. The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. This could be the saddest perfume collection ever produced. And while it's not likely to flip the Ian Plimers of the world into acting on climate change, there's no denying it is a poetic way to communicate the message. Scent is renowned for its ability to transport us back to a past memory. Think of all the things we stand to forget if we can no longer visit them via olfactory highway. Unfortunately, the scents are not for sale. TEMPS is part of Young’s solo exhibition The Apocalypse Project, held at the Mind Museum in the Philippines. This is also not the first time that Young has used scents as part of her artistic work. In graduate school Young created a book called An Olfactory Memoir of Three Cities: Manila, New York, Barcelona, which featured smells from three cities Young had previously lived in. Via Fast Company.
Soon the Opera House and its surrounds will erupt with Indigenous music, theatre and visual arts, when the 14th Message Sticks Festival launches. As festival director Rhoda Roberts points out, Bennelong Point is charged with its own ancient power as a historical gathering-place for Aboriginal corroboree and storytelling, and this year carries particular significance: it marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of the site's namesake, Woollarawarre Bennelong. The expanded program showcases the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists across many disciplines. Tammy Anderson's chosen medium of expression is theatre, and her one-woman show I Don't Wanna Play House is said to mingle laughter and tears in just the right measure. Music-wise, there's plenty to get you grooving to Indigenous sounds. Dancestry melds traditional song cycles in a modern corroboree, while Late Nights at Bar Badu brings the song cycle under the stars with folk duo Microwave Jenny, Troy Bray, Hui-A, and hip hop outfit Street Warriors. ARIA winner David Bridie directs Wantok: Sing Sing, which combines the force of 20 musicians and dancers as they follow the Songlines to evoke diverse landscapes stretching from West Papua to the deserts of Australia. There are also opportunities for getting educated about the rich heritage of the land and its people. The Yolngu Experience explores the history of north-east Arnhem Land, the region which gave us the legendary Gurrumul and Yothu Yindi. For more hands-on learning, Billinudgel Weavers will teach traditional weaving techniques that hearken back thousands of years. There's also a program of talks with celebrity speakers addressing issues facing the Indigenous community. A complete list of events can be found on the Sydney Opera House website.
Fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? It's just casual summer weekendery when So Frenchy So Chic is in town. The ever-popular one-day French festival is waltzing back to Melbourne in 2021, although this time there'll be a few changes. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, top-notch tipples and a chill French soundtrack. But, this particular event has been badged 'Le Long Lunch', rather than being called a festival. From 11am on Sunday, February 21 at Rippon Lea House and Gardens, you'll listen to tunes from Tame Impala's Julien Barbagallo, ex-Paris street musician Nadéah, Melbourne-based five-piece Bananagun, Melbourne DJ Mike Gurrieri and So Frenchy So Chic founder Jean-François Ponthieux. And, you'll do so in a group with your mates — because, to stick to social distancing requirements, tickets are only being sold in lots of six or ten. This picnic is fully catered and licensed, too, with So Frenchy putting on the works. You can pre-order a picnic box, or grab something from Frederic, Romu, Tarts Anon, Milk The Cow and L'Hôtel Gitan on the day. As for drinks, expect French champagne and beer from Laurent Perrier and Kronenbourg 1664. Images: Max Kruse.
The force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is, with the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled, as well as the biggest touring Lego exhibition, hitting Australia in 2025 (and world-premiering Down Under). Melbourne has locked in the first-ever Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition season. And yes, of course it'll open on Sunday, May 4. Melbourne Museum will be filled with more than eight-million bricks, all making models based on the George Lucas-created space saga. What music goes best with turning all that Lego into a Star Wars fan's dream? 'Luke's Theme', aka the franchise's main tune? 'The Imperial March' when things get tricky? 'Parade of the Ewoks', just because? That's a question for Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has indeed been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of a galaxy far, far away. The exhibition is set to take 25,000-plus hours of building, which is occurring at McNaught's headquarters in Tullamarine. Here's a question for attendees, too: which tunes will pair well with walking through this Lego Star Wars wonderland? The full list of models that'll feature hasn't been unveiled so far, but one will be life-sized — and that'll be a Lego Star Wars first. A huge 64,759 bricks are being used to craft the three-metre-high X-wing Red-5, taking 382 build hours. Attendees can also expect to see battle scenes between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, plus Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul duelling, and also Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards. If you're keen to check it out, you'll need to be in the Victorian capital to wander through Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. As well as the hosting the world-premiere season, which will run until Monday, January 26, 2026, the stint at Melbourne Museum is an Australian exclusive. While you're there, you won't just be looking at all things Star Wars in Lego — you'll be able to get building yourself. Images: Museums Victoria.
They're taking to hobbits to Isengard at the Hayden Orpheum this November, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for one sitting of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations — in their extended forms. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King, this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at 686 minutes plus intermissions, starting the journey at 10.30am and including two 20-minute meal breaks (breakfast and second breakfast, if you will). If you make it to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest Cremorne resident on your way home (note: do not actually screech at the residents). Tickets are the precious and come in at $25 for the whole ordeal.
It's blast from the past time, again — and time to spend a couple of nights journeying back a few decades just by hitting the dance floor. Whether you lived through the 90s rave scene, spent every weekend enjoying club life in the 00s or just wish you were old enough to have ticked both boxes, Ministry of Sound will take you there when its huge Testament parties return for 2024. Ministry of Sound itself was around through both eras, so you couldn't be in better hands to get retro via old-school 90s and 00s bangers. The Testament events last toured Australia in 2023, and will return for this year from the end of August through to early September — for two nights each in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, plus one-day-only stops on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Each evening is devoted to either the 90s or the 00s, so you'll need to attend both if you want to make shapes to tunes from both decades. But it's a choose-your-own-adventure type of affair, so fans of late 20th-century beats can hit up the session dedicated to 90s house, rave, trance and garage tracks if that's all that you're keen on, while lovers of 00s electro and breaks get their own shindig. More than 80 DJs will be on the decks between Saturday, August 31–Sunday, September 8, with Danny Rampling, Judge Jules and Seb Fontaine joined by Mousse T, Laidback Luke and X-Press 2 on headlining duties. The first three, all from the UK, are all about the 90s — and the second three are no strangers to getting dance floors pumping with 00s tunes. Australia's own John Course, Mark Dynamix and Dirty South are also on the lineup, alongside over 70 other names across the tour. And if you went to 2023's events, you'll be making a date with different venues in some cities. In Sydney, the newly reopened White Bay Power Station will host a music party of this type for the first time. In Brisbane, Felons Barrel Hall awaits for letting loose by the river. Ministry of Sound: Testament 2024 Dates: Sydney: Saturday, August 31 — 00s session at White Bay Power Station Saturday, September 7 — 90s session at White Bay Power Station Melbourne: Saturday, August 31 — 90s session at The Timber Yard Saturday, September 7 — 00s session at The Timber Yard Brisbane: Sunday, September 1 — 00s session at Felons Barrel Hall Friday, September 6 — 90s session at Felons Barrel Hall Gold Coast: Sunday, September 1 — 90s session at Miami Marketta Sunshine Coast: Sunday, September 8 — 00s session at The Station Perth: Friday, August 30 — 00s session at Metro City Sunday, September 8 — 90s session at The Court Ministry of Sound: Testament 2024 Lineup: Danny Rampling Judge Jules Laidback Luke Mousse T Seb Fontaine X-Press 2 Dirty South John Course Mark Dynamix Minx Alex Taylor Andy Murphy Ange Annabelle Gasper Barking Boy Ben Korbel B2B Declan Lee Boogs Casey Leaver Cassette Chantal Chiari Chris Wilson Craig Obey Darren Briais Diamond D Ember Franky D Gavin Campbell General Lee Goodwill Greg Sara Hutcho Ian Spicer Illya Jackness Jade James A Jen E JJ John Ferris Jumping Jack Kate Monroe Kevin Matt Kitshon Matt Nugent Menis Micah Miggy Mike Dotch Mind Electric Ming D Miss Doodes Mr Sparkles Pete McNamara pH Pussymittens Rachel Harvey Rob Sharp Robbie Lowe Robin Knight RobKAY Rudy Sam Hill Sardi Sgt Slick Shamus & Gabby Sheen Spacey Space Stephen Ferris Sunshine Sweet Chilli DJ's T-Rek Tim McGee Tonez Trent Anthony Ministry of Sound: Testament 2024 will tour Australia in August and September. For further details, and to buy tickets — with pre-sale registrations until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 21, then pre-sales from 12pm on Wednesday, May 22 and general sales from 12pm on Thursday, May 23 — head to the event's website. Images: Rachel Rachel / Ashlea Caygill.
Despite years of public rallies, crowdfunding efforts and court action, Sydney's brutalist Sirius Building has finally been sold. The 79-unit 70s-era tower, and former public housing, had been on the market for over a year, and was today snapped up for $150 million. It was purchased by Sirius Developments Pty Ltd, which is owned and backed by Australian investment firm JDH Capital. Under the company's proposed refurbishment, the building will be home to 89 apartments, as well as retail and commercial spaces. According to Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, who announced the sale, the refurbishment will "result in renewal and activation of a critical are in The Rocks" while also "remaining sensitive to the heritage of the precinct". At this point, it doesn't sound like the building will be demolished, just "revitalised". [caption id="attachment_653659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] The building, which was designed by architect Tao Gofers, is not only an important part of 70s history and a great example of brutalist architecture, but also public housing. For years and years, it has helped to even the score in this expensive, property-obsessed city of ours, by allowing people on low incomes to live in the centre (with harbour views, no less). All of the building's former residents have since been moved to alternative accommodation, with 91-year-old Myra Demetriou the last to leave in early 2018. The NSW Government has netted the $150 million from the sale, but Mrs Pavey says the money will be used to build new social housing dwellings — she expects to provide homes for 630 people. At the moment, there are currently 55,000 people on the social housing waiting list. In the next steps for the building, Sirius Developments will submit proposed detailed designs and a development application. We'll keep you updated on the plans for the building. Top image: Sirius Building by Kimberley Low.
First, Australian supermarkets introduced restrictions on the amount of toilet paper that customers could purchase. Next, as COVID-19-related panic-buying ramped up, Aussie chains also announced dedicated shopping times for the elderly and people with disability and implemented limits on a wide range of everyday items. Now, in their latest attempt to help combat the spread of the coronavirus, local stores are putting a cap on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time. Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have each announced plans to restrict the number people who can shop for groceries at once, marking the supermarket chains' next tactic to enforce social-distancing measures. The move comes after stores have already implemented a range of other initiatives in recent weeks, including rolling out plexiglass screens to separate checkout clerks from customers, placing stickers on the floor 1.5 metres apart at checkouts and encouraging shoppers to use the length of their trolleys as a distancing guide. Coming into force from this Monday, April 6, the restrictions will vary store by store, depending on each shop's size. Overall, though, each chain is taking a similar approach — enlisting staff and security to enforce limits, decide how many customers are allowed in every store at any one time, and make sure that queues outside each shop also adhere to the 1.5-metre social distancing requirements. Outside Woolies stores, for example, there'll be signage and a coned area, showing customers where to queue. The chain will also employ a one in, one out policy in terms of letting customers inside its stores. Coles advises that shoppers will be assisted at the entrance to each store, and may be asked to queue to get in where necessary. And it's worth remembering that Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA have all also released a collective plea for consideration, stressing the need to stick to new restrictions — and reminding shoppers something that should just be a given, aka that hardworking supermarket staff should be treated with courtesy and respect. For more details on Australian supermarket customer limits, keep an eye on Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA's websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
You don't have to look too hard to glimpse the ways in which our obsession with food transcends reality on a regular basis. The culinary world is forever influencing gaming culture; whether it's a virtual dish depicted on screen, an iconic scene centered around cooking or eating, or an entire storyline inspired by food, glorious food. And this month, you'll get to experience all that from a fresh perspective for PlayStation to Plate — an innovative new dining concept that invites top local chefs to bring to life virtual food from the PlayStation universe. Running from Friday, December 3–Sunday, December 12, it'll see three Aussie eateries each create a limited-edition menu item that reimagines an iconic video game dish IRL. The restaurants are serving up their signature creations across all ten days of the pop-up, but you can also have any of the dishes dropped to your door courtesy of Deliveroo. [caption id="attachment_835422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Italian Bowl's Thief Pasta[/caption] In Sydney's Newtown, pasta restaurant The Italian Bowl took on the task of recreating the Thief's Pasta, from critically acclaimed action-adventure title Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. Owner Alexi Spyridis explains that it was both the treasure-hunting aspect of the game and the virtual dish's heritage that inspired his selection. "[Nathan] Drake (the main character) is searching for treasure and that's what we do in the kitchen: search for those perfect dishes," Spyridis tells Concrete Playground. The Thief's Pasta features near the start of the game when characters Elena and Nathan enjoy a home-cooked feed while sitting on the couch together at the end of a long day. Spyridis has imagined the virtual dinner as a hearty bowl of penne pasta crafted with Italian sausage, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olives and bocconcini, saying: "These flavours are common in Italian cooking so it was a pleasure to help bring this to life." There's also a strong appreciation for the way in which we all bond over the sharing of food. The immersive game-to-reality experience doesn't end there. "We want to bring them into Nate and Elena's world," Spyridis explains. "With every order, customers get a limited-edition Thief's Pasta porcelain bowl wrapped in an old map, a personal note from Elena on the back of a previous travel image, and torn-out diary notes, including sketches and the pasta recipe." Certainly not your standard spag bol, right? The restaurateur sees a raft of similarities between gaming culture and food culture in general, but especially with Uncharted, musing: "Drake travels all over the world for treasure and that's how Aussies feel about food." Of course, with Spyridis' own restaurant sitting in the multicultural culinary melting pot of Newtown, he sees this thirst for adventure and new flavours first-hand. "We've not been able to travel much over the past two years, so finding other ways to experience travel, either through food or gaming, has helped us get by". Ask Spyridis and he'll tell you that Uncharted also has some parallels to operating a family-run eatery like The Italian Bowl. "In this game, you have to work together as friends and that's exactly how we run the business, one big family working together. It's not always easy but you always find a way," he muses. "Just like Drake!" Catch PlayStation to Plate from December 3–12, in Sydney and Melbourne. You'll find each dish featured on the menu at its respective venue, as well as being available for takeaway via Deliveroo.
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image might be all about celebrating screen art — peering at films and TV shows, stepping into virtual reality and showcasing the talents that've made such a huge impact, for instance — but that doesn't mean that the Melbourne-based venue doesn't appreciate nature. The world around us can look stunning projected as large as a cinema can allow. David Attenborough has turned his documentaries about the planet into their own spectacular genre, too. And the natural realm can provide experimental artists with quite the playground to ponder, as Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature is exploring. This world-premiere exhibition sees art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast unveil a showcase of works that muse on trees, black holes, cells, breathing, space, science and more. Hitting ACMI from Thursday November 23, 2023–Sunday, April 14, 2024, Works of Nature spans five major pieces that aim to deeply contemplate and appreciate humanity's role in nature, and just nature overall. And, these aren't tiny pieces — these large digital works aim to inspire awe in both their size and content. This is the London-based MLF's first major showcase in Australia, adding a stint Down Under to appearances at the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals, the Istanbul Design Biennial, Lisbon Triennial and the V&A and Design Museum in their hometown. [caption id="attachment_917014" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Distortions in Spacetime', 2018, courtesy of the artists[/caption] That impressive history is matched by a significant lineup of names involved with MLF's immersive Works of Nature pieces. Cate Blanchett (The New Boy) lends her narration, director Terrence Malick (A Hidden Life) executive produces, while Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood (Licorice Pizza) and fellow acclaimed composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Last and First Men) are among the talents providing music — the latter's work continuing to entrance after his passing in 2018. Daisy Lafarge provides poetry, while Jon Hopkins, Meredith Monk and Howard Skempton also contribute tunes. Whether you're a Melburnian or have a trip to the Victoria capital in your future, you'll be able to see the meditative Evolver, which uses Blanchett's voice to journey through the human body, breath, the origins of cells and the cosmos — and Distortions in Spacetime, which heads to a black hole's edge. Or, there's the large-scale Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest, a video installation about the Amazon's kapok trees. Thanks to The Tides Within Us, oxygen is in focus again via six static pictures. And with We Live in an Ocean of Air, MLF examine how that last word in the piece's moniker connects life on earth. [caption id="attachment_917018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'We Live in an Ocean of Air', courtesy of the artists.[/caption] Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature is running at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image until Sunday, April 14. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website. Top image: Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Distortions in Spacetime', 2018, courtesy of the artists.
While wallet-friendly price points and a penchant for the flat-pack can often see IKEA's designs pitched as short-term furniture, the Swedish retailer is keen to shake off those perceptions. And how better to do so than by teaming up with an acclaimed design company for a clever new collection? The latest move in IKEA's push towards longevity is a statement range called Ypperlig, created in collaboration with Danish designers HAY. Launching this October, it's a collection of basics crafted for contemporary styling, drawing on HAY's flair for functionality and aesthetics. According to Rolf Hay, one half of the husband-and-wife duo behind the design company, the project proved an all-round win. "It's fair to say that HAY and IKEA are two very different companies," he acknowledged. "But when we started talking to IKEA it became very clear that we shared many perspectives on design." Unlike some of IKEA's more ubiquitous designs, this is a range of furniture and accessories you won't want to get rid of in a hurry — each piece clever, yet understated, sleek and undeniably Danish. Expect nifty products like a slimline LED lamp complete with in-built touch dimmer, hand-painted stoneware vases, a contemporary take on the classic Scandinavian plank table and a spring mattress sofa bed that's actually comfy enough to sleep on. HAY has even redesigned the iconic blue Ikea shopping bag, working in a range of new colours and weave patterns. The best part about this HAY x IKEA collaboration is that you can purchase a HAY piece for IKEA prices. While a HAY chair retails for around $200–400, one from their IKEA collaboration will set you back less than $100. The HAY x IKEA Ypperlig collection will go on sale this month. To browse the collection, visit ikea.com.
October isn't the only spooky month in Sydney in 2023. When late November hits, things will be getting eerie at Barangaroo's Harbour Park to end this year and start 2024. Why? How? What? The answer to those questions comes via the masters of immersive thrills behind Darkfield, who are back to give Sydney some more IRL spine tingles. During the pandemic's early days, Realscape Productions had to hit pause on touring its smash-hit series of eerie shipping container installations, including Séance and Flight, pivoting to at-home experiences instead. Darkfield brought those two favourites back to the Harbour City in autumn this year, but it doesn't done with Sydney yet for 2023. So, it's returning for a two-month season with those returning favourites, plus two unnerving new shows. The series will make its comeback from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024, delivering four different unsettling productions — each taking place in blacked-out shipping containers and promising to totally mess with your sense of reality. Making its local debut is the oh-so-creepy-sounding Eulogy. This one sees audience members transported through a dark, labyrinthine hotel under the guidance of a chaperone. From there, 360-degree sound and speech-recognition technology are used to lend a disquieting dreamlike vibe. Also, it's recommended that you stick to the correct path, lest you befall some terrible fate at the end of your journey. Another Darkfield creation hitting Sydney for the very first time is Coma, which unfolds as you lie in a bunk bed and tumble into a dream state along with your fellow supine participants. The total darkness aims to impart a spooky sense of solitude, leaving you to be properly engulfed by the show's multi-sensory elements. Having earned a cult following on previous visits here and overseas, sellout shows Séance and Flight will also be getting a run throughout Darkfield's next visit. The former again plays on the concept of sensory deprivation, thrusting audiences on a journey into the supernatural realm as they join a medium in trying to contact the spirit world. As the name suggests, Flight takes place on board an imagined plane, sending passengers tripping through dual worlds as they're forced to ponder the many possible outcomes if the cabin suddenly happened to lose pressure. This is a nerve-jangler, for sure, even for those who aren't afraid of flying. The four shows will each run multiple sessions throughout Darkfield's latest Sydney stint, with prices for each ranging from $22–30. 'Eulogy', 'Coma', 'Séance' and 'Flight' will appear at Barangaroo's Harbour Park, with various sessions running from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024. Tickets are available now via the website. Images: Mihaela Bodlovic, Katie Edwards and Alex Purcell.
We are all well acquainted with the fascinating leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Shrouded in mystery, marvelously eccentric and either architecturally amazing or atrocious, leaning towers and buildings are simply fascinating structures, which arouse our amazement and curiosity. However, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is far from being the only leaning tower in the world; in fact, it doesn't even top the list for being the oldest, tallest or having the greatest lean. Here are ten of the most stunning, mystifying leaning buildings from around the world that will be sure to make you look at buildings from a new angle. Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi Granted the title of the world's furthest leaning man-made tower, the recently built Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi boasts of a whopping 35 stories, all leaning at an impressive 18-degree slant. This structural wonder is a 520-foot sleek and futuristic design which requires 49 piles drilled 100 feet into the Earth to maintain its integrity. Qianwei Leaning Tower, China In Huludao City in China's Liaoning Province lies the world's first leaning tower. Aside from it's rich historical background, the Qianwei leaning tower is believed by many to also have the largest lean in the world, yet it is not recognized by Guinness World Records. Leaning Tower of Barceloneta, Spain Situated on Barceloneta Beach in Spain, this iconic tower features four cubes stacked precariously on top of each other at varying angles. Scores of tourists and visitors flock to this beautiful part of the country, not only for the sun and sand, but also to take in the view of this unorthodox building. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Malaysia The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, formerly known as just the water tower, is one of the major attractions of this small Malaysian town. Shortly after the construction of the tower the building began to tilt due to the stream of water running through the ground below, which made the foundation soil weak. Neuer Zollhof, Germany Part of the redeveloped port in Dusseldorf, this unconventional building was created by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The three buildings curve and lean in varying directions and are made of different cladding, whether that be white plaster, red brick or reflective stainless steel. Leaning Temple of Huma, India The only leaning temple in the world, the Temple of Huma was built in 1670 on the banks of the Mahanadi at an angle of 17 degrees, and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is said that the construction of the temple came about due to enquiries made because of a milkman's daily ritual of crossing the Mahanadi and offering his milk to the rock which cropped out on the bank, and the rock would miraculously consume the milk each time. Tilting Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank, Italy This eco-friendly building is an architectural feat in its own right as, rather than using shading devices to protect the south-facing walls, the solar passive design instead uses its own floors with the 14 degree tilt. The office also features a myriad of sustainable building strategies to provide comfort and save energy. Leaning Tower of Nevyansk, Russia The mysteries surrounding this Russian tower work to make this ethereal building all the more stunning. No-one knows exactly what the tower/prison/science lab for secret experiments is actually for, when in the 18th century it was constructed, by whom, or the origins of its tilt. Although there are bizarre speculations including crying walls or throwing architects off the balcony, this one is better shrouded in mystery. Gate of Europe, Madrid The twin towers that make up the Gate of Europe are named as such for good reason. These foreboding structures, known as Puerta de Europa, lay at the top of a stone staircase and appear to barricade the city of Madrid. The 114m towers have 26 floors of office space and have fittingly appeared in a number of movies, such as The Day of the Beast. Leaning Tower of Suurhusen, Germany Before the Capital Gate was built in Abu Dhabi, this medieval steeple held the title of the most tilted tower in the world. Located in a village in North Western Germany, the 14th century church was built with oak tree trunk foundations, which rotted in the surrounding marshy land.
While Australian winters can get pretty damn nippy (hello slanket, our old friend), unfortunately we're not often blessed with really fun cold weather. We don't get snow, sleet or iced-over lakes which means we don't get snow days, slush fights, skating, tobogganing or a plucky bobsledding team to represent us in the Olympics (okay, we do have that last one). The Winterlight wonderland in Parramatta's Prince Alfred Square ‚ back for a second year — is aiming to right this grievous wrong. From June 30, you can delve into the kind of winters that the Starks seem to fear so much: a snowy, fun winter. The installation boasts all the icy activities you could ever want. If gliding around a treacherous ice pond with knives attached to your boots is your bag (known as 'ice skating'), you'll be delighted to know there's a large ice rink planned. But if you're more of a demure ice frolicker, the ice toboggan may be more your thing. Or perhaps a trip down a slick ice slide? It's just $10 for three slides. The world is your cold, wet oyster. A turn about the rink will set adults (14 years and older) back $22, but after you ease your tired feet back into normal shoes and try to remember how to walk, the real fun begins. Winterlight is decked out with a delicious, delicious village serving up Turkish gozleme, hot chocolates, bratwurst and burgers. And really, aren't bratwurst and mugs of hot chocolate the real spirit of winter? Winterlight will be open Monday to Thursday from 11am till 10pm and Friday to Sunday 10am till 11pm. Images: Ali Mousawi.
Adults of Sydney: prepare to revert to a childlike state and have your face painted as a tiger because you’re going to the zoo. Announced this week, the new $36 million Sydney Zoo is set to be constructed over 16.5 hectares of the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee and don’t worry, it will be nothing like Bob Fossil’s Zooniverse (we hope). Where The Mighty Boosh's fearless zoo leader Fossil can boast 'the black and white people who eat sticks' (pandas), 'the grey leg-faced man' (elephant) and 'the windy man, the long mover' (python, if you want to get technical about it), the new Sydney Zoo will house more exotic creatures. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8cQulDUzNs[/embed] John Burgess, the founder of the Sydney Aquarium, and his son are behind the project, set to hopefully open by 2017. Burgess told the Sydney Morning Herald that the zoo isn’t looking to steal visitors from other zoos and the exotic offerings such as sharks, rhinos, lions and zebras are likely to appeal to local residents, whereas veteran establishments Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park appeal to a tourist crowd because of their large native animals quota. Zoos tend to get a bad rap for their history of animal cruelty and the very idea of wild animals in captivity, however Sydney Zoo will apparently provide the highest level of care for their animals, including extra-large enclosures and of course, animal experts and zoolologists on site. Plus, some enclosures will be cage-free entirely. Sydney Zoo will also run a breeding program to boost the numbers of endangered species from around the world, including Asian elephants, lowland gorilla and tigers. And you know what this means: more Snapchats from zoo day of you squealing while a baby elephant squirts everyone with water. So let's take a little walk through the future zoo. Here's the proposed entrance: And the boardwalks of wonderment: And this grassy picnic spot where you can all compare your winning Zebragrams: Sydney Zoo is coming to the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee, to possibly open in 2017. More details to come. Via Sydney Morning Herald. Images: Sydney Zoo/Dollar Photo Club.
When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common. A big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, but it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. French Impressionism is an exception, then, returning to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne in 2025 after initially gracing the institution's walls in 2021. When it was first announced for that debut Australian run, French Impressionism was set to be a blockbuster exhibition — and with 100-plus works featuring, including by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, it's easy to understand why. But 2021 wasn't an ordinary year, like 2020 before it. Accordingly, when this showcase of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts opened Down Under, it was forced to close shortly afterwards due to the pandemic. Cue another season in this part of the world four years later, thankfully, with French Impressionism back at NGV International from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. [caption id="attachment_977042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claude Monet, French, 1840–1926, Water lilies, 1905, oil on canvas, 89.5 x 100.3 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series, French Impressionism isn't short on gems, especially given the array of artists with pieces on display, which also includes Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot. But one certain must-see is the presentation of 16 Monet pieces in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing of his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), and that still leaves the US gallery almost as many to display in Boston. Another section digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. As the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors will enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. [caption id="attachment_977038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.
The National Indigenous Art Fair will return to the Sydney Harbour foreshore this July to showcase creations by First Nations artists, designers and makers for its fifth annual art market. As always, it will arrive just in time to open NAIDOC Week 2025. On Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6, the Overseas Passenger Terminal will be filled with art by Indigenous creatives from some of the nation's most remote communities — from Bathurst Island and Yuendumu in the Northern Territory to the Tanami Desert of Western Australia and beyond. Running from 10am–5pm on Saturday and until 4pm on Sunday, you'll be able to meet and see the works of close to 100 Indigenous creatives, including those from 30 remote community art centres. There'll also be live performances, discussions, bush tucker tastings, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, children's performances, an interactive weaving circle, and an Indigenous fashion runway, with the entire offering organised to align with this year's NAIDOC week theme — The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. Throughout the ethical marketplace, there'll be stallholders showcasing and selling art, handmade jewellery, homewares, food and more, all made with ingredients, materials and techniques native to their home communities. Even better, all proceeds go directly back to the artist and their community, while the $3 entry fee will also support the artists attending the event. And you can expect to be in good company, with more than 10,000 people typically attending the fair annually. [caption id="attachment_1001897" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption]
Born out of a desire to bring old-school hospitality back to the eastern suburbs, Café Bellagio is a well-liked local which has recently expanded to offer dinner with a touch of French and Spanish influence. Located in the old Albion Cycles store, it's a neat, laidback space with banquets, cushions and plenty of greenery. You can start with a selection of cheeses or a charcuterie plate ($28), which includes slices of salami, aged wagyu and piquant Cinghiale sausage as well as house-pickled vegetables and a moreish chicken liver pate. The slices of bread are airy (from their sister cafe Nelson Road Tuckshop), and the salty smoked butter is ideal. The menu starts with smaller options, like the trio of flavour-packed salt cod croquettes ($15); the flakes of pickled chilli and shaved mojama, a Spanish salt-cured tuna, really takes the dish up a level. Also good is the charred cumin cauliflower ($18), which comes resting on a thick bed of paprika and tomato puree, with tahini buttermilk crisscrossed over them. The European influence continues into the larger share plates, which include confit duck ($22). The meat is tender and paired with elements of sweetness in the heirloom carrots and poached plum, as well as crunch in the form of black barley. Another, braised oxtail ($24), is rich and hearty and prettily plated, with swirls of crisp parsley, a dollop of parsnip puree and a drizzle of coffee jus. You'll also want to hang around for dessert, which once again adds another unusual ingredient — here, finger lime — to great effect. A sprinkling of the zesty pearls add a taste of native tucker to a deconstructed rhubarb cheesecake ($13) with crunchy notes of ginger and butterscotch. There are also a couple of cocktails on offer, including an old fashioned made with Maker's Mark, raw sugar and orange bitters. The wine list is mostly Australian with the odd Spanish or French glass. You can't go wrong with a light 2015 Foster e Rocco Sangiovese ($11) or a zesty clos Clare Riesling ($13). With a cosy feel and some welcome touches of Mediterranean flair, Café Bellagio has skilfully expanded from friendly local café to superior neighbourhood bistro.
Wes Anderson is partial to a few things. Bill Murray. Primary colours. Owen Wilson. Folk music. Natalie Portman's bottom. And overhead shots, to name but a few. Here, all of the auteur's beautifully crafted bird's eye views have been compiled into one stylish montage, featuring scenes from films including The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. [Via Best Week Ever]
Freak out, losers and cosmic girls — you've got the number-one song in heaven to dance to. Adelaide music festival Harvest Rock has just announced who'll be hitting its stages in 2023, and the jam-packed lineup is overflowing with legends. Jamiroquai's only Australian show, Beck doing the same, the absolute icons that are both Nile Rodgers & Chic and Edgar Wright's favourite band Sparks: they're all headed to the South Australian capital in October. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock debuted in 2022 and instantly proved a success, attracting 15,000 attendees per day. This year, the festival will return for another stint of tunes, bites and beverages at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October. Whether or not you live in the City of Churches, the event has amassed a killer roster of talent worth planning a weekend around. Jamiroquai will play an exclusive Aussie performance filled with classics like 'Canned Heat', 'Virtual Insanity', 'Little L' and, yes, 'Cosmic Girl', in what'll be the Jay Kay-fronted British band's first show on our shores in more than a decade. Will there be hats? Here's hoping, with audiences set to find out when the group headlines the Saturday. Beck was last in Australia earlier in 2023, playing Bluesfest and doing an acoustic tour, but this time the Californian great will return with his full band to headline Harvest Festival's Sunday roster. It's almost been three decades since he came to fame with 90s anthem 'Loser', and he's kept making ace tunes from there — 'Where It's At', 'Devil's Haircut' and 'Sexx Laws' all included, across 14 records since his 1993 debut album Golden Feelings. 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times' will get a whirl when the one and only Rodgers takes to the stage with his band Chic, which was first formed more than 50 years ago. As a guitarist, Rodgers is in a league of his own (see also: his work on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, including single 'Get Lucky'). As a writer and producer, he's had a hand in everything from David Bowie's Let's Dance album to Madonna's 'Like a Virgin'. Sparks will draw upon a whopping 57 years of making ridiculously catchy and smartly funny tunes, including 'The Number One Song in Heaven', 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us' and latest single 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte'. In a glorious move, they've been beginning their recent sets with 'So May We Start' from Annette, too, which won them the Best Composer award at Cannes. The rest of Harvest Rock's lineup is no slouch. Santigold, Chromeo, Bright Eyes and Ladyhawk join the international contingent, while Flight Facilities, Baker Boy, Julia Jacklin, Chet Faker, Ocean Alley, Bad//Dreems, Thelma Plum and Vera Blue are among the Aussie names. And, back on legends, Paul Kelly will also take to the stage, as will The Rolling Stone Revue featuring Adalita of Magic Dirt, Tim Rogers of You Am I and Tex Perkins — yes, all teaming up to play The Rolling Stones' greatest hits. Dubbed Harvest Rock II and hailing from Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour in the Grass, the returning spring fest will feature Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up food at the Feastiville precinct, onsite eatery Wildwood led by arkhé's chef and co-owner Jake Kellie, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings as well. Plus, there's a wellness centre doing tarot readings and massages, and mini festival Little Harvest for kids. If you're keen to make a weekend of it, you can grab a VIP ticket package including accommodation from Concrete Playground Trips. HARVEST ROCK II LINEUP: Bad // Dreems Baker Boy Beck (Australian exclusive) Bright Eyes Built to Spill Chet Faker Chromeo Flight Facilities — Decades DJ set Jamiroquai (Australian exclusive) Julia Jacklin Ladyhawke Nile Rodgers & Chic Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Sam Barber Santigold Sparks The Lemon Twigs The Rolling Stone Revue Thelma Plum Vera Blue Warpaint Harvest Rock 2023 will take at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October 29, 2023 — with tickets on sale from 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 9. Head to Concrete Playground Trips for a VIP package for two, including tickets and accommodation.
Secret Sounds, the organisation behind some of the country's most beloved festivals and memorable tours including Splendour in the Grass, has announced a huge tour of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales to raise money for flood-affected communities. The tour promoter hopes to raise $1 million over a one-month period, with those funds donated to organisations such as Lifeline, GIVIT, Koori Mail Bundjalung Community Flood Relief and Northern Rivers Community Foundation. The Flood Aid tour will take place over three separate gigs, kicking off with a dance-heavy lineup at the Kingscliff Hotel on Saturday, March 19. Heading up the bill is a DJ set from arguably Australia's biggest dance music export, Flume, alongside Sweden's DJ Seinfeld, Pure Space's Andy Gavey, Jono Ma, Rona and Dameeeela — who's fresh off becoming the first Indigenous Australian to perform a Boiler Room set. The other two shows will take place on the next Saturday, on March 26, at Fortitude Valley Music Hall and Byron Beach Hotel. Brisbane will be treated to sets from Bernard Fanning, The Rubens, Cub Sport (doing a DJ set), Last Dinosaurs, Stevan and Hanni, while Byron Bay will play host to Wolfmother, Dune Rats, Tex Perkins, Jez Mead, Waax, Kobie Dee and Mylee Grace. In addition to these gigs, Flight Facilities have also allocated 100 of the tickets to their huge Airfields show at Sydney's Victoria Park this Saturday, March 19 for the flood relief appeal. The hometown show will feature sets from the headlining duo, Grammy-nominated Canadian DJ Jayda G, as well as Cosmo's Midnight, CC:DISCO!, Sycco, Merci, Mercy and Mel Blue. Another way you can get involved is by buying merch from Secret Sounds. A special line of tongue-in-cheek 'Where the Muddy Hell Are You?' t-shirts and hats has been created, and a flood aid auction is also in the works. [caption id="attachment_846570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Green[/caption] SECRET SOUNDS FLOOD AID 2022: Saturday, March 19 at Kingscliff Hotel, Kingscliff — Andy Garvey, Dameeeela, DJ Seinfeld, Flume (DJ set), Jono Ma and Rona Saturday, March 26 at Fortitude Valley Music Hall, Brisbane — Bernard Fanning, The Rubens, Cub Sport (DJ set), Last Dinosaurs, Stevan and Hanni Saturday, March 26 at Byron Bay Hotel, Byron Bay — Wolfmother, Dune Rats, Tex Perkins and Jez Mead, Waax, Kobie Dee and Mylee Grace Tickets for Secret Sounds Flood Aid gigs are on sale from midday Thursday, March 17. Head to the Secret Sounds website for all the information
This lavish Japanese restaurant situated in the Heritage Lounge precinct on Church Street is pushing the envelope of elevated dining in Parramatta. Oribu blends modern techniques with a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine on a sophisticated menu. Head Chef Harry Cho (ex-Nobu) has crafted a menu of precisely constructed and beautifully presented dishes that aim to challenge preconceived notions of Japanese cuisine in the suburb. For starters, opt for the popcorn prawns paired with creamy, spicy sauce and a splash of yuzu juice, the variety of Japanese-style tacos or the deluxe sashimi selection. When deciding on mains, you're spoilt for choice. From nigiri to lamb cutlets with saikyo miso, custard crumbs and grilled cherry tomatoes, and succulent tenderloin brochettes that pair beautifully with pan-fried garlic broccolini or the saiko miso- and onion-topped crispy eggplant. It's all very well-considered from a flavour and texture perspective, and it's all very good. Round out your dining experience with a sweet treat. For a citrus hit, opt for the zingy yuzu sorbet with vanilla fairy floss or basil and lime tart, while the butterscotch bar offers a more indulgent cap to your meal. There's also the chef's tasting menu if you're feeling indecisive or just want to give the best of the menu a spin. Oribu has a moody ambience that sets the stage for an intimate date night or a lavish group celebration. The elegant fit-out features black interiors with flashes of greenery and a growing tree at the centre of its dining area.
"Did you look at the menu on the way over here?". It's a question that's getting more and more common on a night out these days. While it can easily give aspiring diners a taste of what to expect before the waitstaff stands there expectantly, notepad impatiently at the ready, it won't work at Bar Sumi. Why? Well, there's no menu to read at all. Opened by Maybe Sammy alum Wen Wang in a hidden underground space inside the Regent Place complex, Bar Sumi ditches the menu for something more personal. Dining here means sitting down and speaking to your bartender to give them some inspiration. Reservations get priority over walk-ins and the space seats just over 20 people, to keep things intimate. All the classics are on offer, but the bar dabbles in specialties blended with tea. Not happy with the drinks your bartender landed on? You're well within your rights to ask for something else from someone else. Beyond the cocktails, Bar Sumi has done away with a wine list in favour of sake. But with a team this talented, you're bound to find something that agrees with you.
Can you think of a better way to start the new year than sipping cocktails at a seaside tropical oasis? How about following that up by soaring across Sydney Harbour in a seaplane? Luckily, Rose Bay's Empire Lounge will be transforming into a tropical oasis that'll be offering you both of those luxe experiences for the ultimate summer Sunday session. From Sunday, February 6, The Empire Lounge will present Casa Aperol — a summery Sunday series loaded with incredible drinks, delicious food and live tunes. The waterfront venue has teamed up with Aperol and Australia's number one cocktail bar, Maybe Sammy to bring you an exclusive cocktail menu designed to be sipped between tasty eats by chef Faheem Noor. But the fun doesn't stop there. You can finish on a high note — literally — by taking flight in the Casa Aperol x Maybe Sammy seaplane for an incredible tour of Sydney Harbour. Flights will be available for a discounted price at $180, or you can try your luck at winning a sky-high trip with the weekly door prize. Ready to stretch out your weekend at this Sunday session? Casa Aperol will be running from midday until 9pm every Sunday from February 6 till April 24 at Empire Lounge, Rose Bay. No bookings are required. Simply walk in and enjoy the fun. For more information, visit the website.
When Yellowjackets begins, it's with an instantly intriguing mystery, a killer cast — led by the always-watchable Melanie Lynskey (Mrs America), Juliette Lewis (Breaking News in Yuba County) and Christina Ricci (The Matrix Resurrections) — and a deep valley overflowing with trauma. Streaming via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand, it starts with eerie forests, bright-eyed 90s teens with their whole lives ahead of them, devastating plane crashes and what looks like cannibalism, too, plus the unhappy adult lives endured by the tragedy's survivors 25 years later. In their high-school prime, Shauna (Lynskey, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (Lewis, plus The Tomorrow Man's Sophie Thatcher) and Taissa (Billions' Tawny Cypress, and also Scream's Jasmin Savoy Brown) were key players on the titular high-achieving New Jersey soccer team, while Misty (Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty) was the squad's frequently bullied student manager. Then, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane in 1996, they entered Lost territory. That accident saw everyone who walked away from the accident stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. As established in a stellar first episode that's directed with the utmost precision by Destroyer filmmaker Karyn Kusama, Yellowjackets isn't simply interested in inherently disturbing events that'd change anyone forever, however. There's a reason that it flits between two time periods from the outset, rather than laying its dramas out in a linear fashion and teasing out how things end up. From the get-go, creators and showrunners Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Dispatches From Elsewhere) ensure that all that time in the woods, cabin and all, is tough, rough, savage and creepy, and that its complications and swerves into the supernatural only grow. That said, their immediately addictive series is just as obsessed with the transformation that springs after such an experience. As struggles arise in both the 90s and now — including weird symbols in both, and deaths, plus blackmail plots in the present — Yellowjackets examines how, after falling from the sky, learning to cope in such remote surroundings and plummeting into a horror movie, anyone manages to go on. As set to a top-notch 90s soundtrack, it also faces the fact that for some, normality won't just come calling nicely afterwards. Actually, for everyone, each and every second spent back in civilisation will always be coloured by that time in the wild. A series about misfortune weathered, paths taken, necessities accepted, friendships twisted and grief endured, as well as the reverberations that linger from all of the above, Yellowjackets boasts a searingly smart and savvy concept, which lets tragedy echo as all tragedies do — because facing an ordeal isn't just about the terrifying experience right there in the moment. Back in 1996, when an at-any-cost survivalist mindset begins to fester amid an embrace of woodland spirituality, grappling with the crash, teammates who don't make it, being cut off from normal teen life, and finding food and shelter is all immensely difficult. In 2021, the adult Shauna is an unhappy housewife embarking upon an affair, Natalie has just come out of rehab for the umpteenth time to shattering news, Taissa is running for state senate and having problems with her wife and son, and Misty is a nurse but still nobody's favourite, and little feels easier. It's no wonder that the show became a chilling, perceptive, resonant and potent must-see from its very first episode back in November, and that it only grew bolder and stronger as its ten-episode first season kept going. It quickly proved one of 2021's best new series, and is the absolute standout drama of the past few months as well. If you already watched it week-by-week, it was appointment viewing, aka the kind of show you plan your nights around and couldn't stop theorising about in the week afterwards (and the type that gets its pitch-perfect opening-credits track lodged in your head non-stop, too). If you're new to all things Yellowjackets and you're planning to check it out now, it'll make one helluva binge. And, in news just as exceptional as the series itself, it's returning for a second season. Given that Yellowjackets' first run of episodes kept deepening its mysteries moment by moment, persistently embraced every up and down thrown its complex characters' ways, never took the easy or obvious route, and found the ideal balance between survivalist horror, coming-of-age antics and midlife malaise, its new batch really can't come sooner. Check out Yellowjackets' first-season trailer below: The first season of Yellowjackets is available to stream via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Season two doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when it does. Images: Kailey Schwerman/Showtime.
Keli Holiday — the solo project of Peking Duk's Adam Hyde — is set to play two special headline gigs in Melbourne and Sydney this November, giving fans the chance to experience the energy of his latest single 'Dancing2' live on stage. The shows are locked in for Melbourne's Howler on Thursday, November 14, and Sydney's Mary's Underground on Saturday, November 16. Both will see Holiday deliver his signature mix of raw emotion and euphoric sounds, with Hyde describing the sets as a chance to "share some joy together and let's sweat." Born during the creative standstill of the pandemic, Keli Holiday became Hyde's outlet for heartbreak, sonic experimentation and reinvention. Now, with 'Dancing2', he's channelling it all into a slow-burning, string-laced modern love story inspired by meeting his partner Abbie Chatfield. "This song is about meeting a love that seemed a world away," Hyde explained. "There's so much noise and distraction going on constantly … We were both just dancing through the show as we all are. There was a definitive moment when we decided to connect with each other on an unspoken battlefield and we have been dancing together ever since." 'Dancing2' has been climbing the ARIA charts, peaking at number one on the Top 20 Australian Singles list. It's also made its way onto Spotify's Daily Top Songs, cracked the Shazam Top 50, and hit number one on TikTok's Viral Chart. The track marks a bold step toward the next chapter for the 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Readers' Choice Award winner, following 2022's KELI and 2024's JESTERMAN EP. Tickets for Keli Holiday's Sydney and Melbourne shows are on sale now via the official website.
Traditional horizontal gardens are a fantastic aesthetically pleasing addition to any house, park or natural area. Yet by simply rotating these gardens 90° to make them vertical, their purpose, possibilities and magnificence can completely and utterly transform. Vertical gardens are a recent craze, which are taking the world by storm. Gardens on museum walls, on the outside of buildings, in shopping centres or as feature pieces are popping up in almost every major city of the globe. Aside from adding a wonderful visual and organic element to the concrete shackles of urban centres, vertical gardens also offer a host of environmental benefits. Adding a vertical garden to any space can help improve air quality and respiratory functions, keep the air cool and humidity comfortable through the process of transpiration, reduce harmful levels of CO2 and provide natural insulation and acoustic absorption; not to mention the instinctive elated sensation humans feel when in close proximity to plant life, called biophilia. Here are ten of the most beautiful, useful and impressive vertical gardens from around the world that will make even the most elaborate horizontal garden look boring and mundane. Miami Art Museum Patrick Blanc is the world's most renowned vertical garden specialist and his incredible creations have spread like wildfire across the globe. With his designs appearing in every continent, and his recent publication, 'The Vertical Garden: from Nature to the Cities' being widely acknowledged as the expert book on this new trend, you simply can't go past Blanc's inspired works of art. This amazing garden from the Miami Art Museum is one of Blanc's projects, designed together with Herzog & De Meuron. Who needs the Hanging Gardens of Babylon when we have our own hanging gardens of Miami? Alpha Park II Les Clayes sous Bois At 2,000m², the Alpha Park II Les Clayes sous Bois just West of Paris will become the largest vegetal facade in the world. The shopping centre is being reopened sometime this month with its new organic coating of various plants and flowers. Melbourne Greenhouse Restaurant Joost Vertical Gardens are an up-and-coming business in Australia, which specialises in living walls and columns. Their vertical gardens have appeared in art exhibitions, sculptural installations and high-end architectural fitouts, highlighting their aesthetic value and practical purpose. Through popular demand, Joost's unique designs are now available online and by consultation for restaurants and both domestic and commercial spaces. Vertical Garden Institute Philip and Vicki Yates set up the Vertical Garden Institute in 2007 after witnessing the awe of Blanc's huge vertical garden in Spain. They wanted to promote vertical gardens through sales, research, education and the development of vertical garden partnerships throughout the globe. This vertical art garden was released in July 2010. Berlin Another stunning design from Patrick Blanc, this garden wall in Berlin is a beautiful and eco-friendly addition to the city's streets. Increased temperatures in cities can partially be attributed to the absorption of heat by concrete buildings and roads. However, the natural processes of transpiration in plants ensures that they never go 5°C above the atmospheric temperature, thus helping to keep the urban area cooler. Madrid Caixa Forum This feature wall in the capital of Spain is a magnificent piece of natural artistry that provides a perfect place for tourists and locals alike to marvel at. The building was a former power plant built in 1899 and a rare example of industrial architecture in the old part of the city. The vertical garden is another design from Patrick Blanc and reaches four stories high, with over 15,000 plants from over 250 species. Tokyo AKROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall This 15-stepped terrace was shifted from a 10,000m² park in the city centre of Tokyo by US architect, Emilio Ambesz. To stand out from other city park areas, Ambesz opted instead for a garden resembling a mountain, culminating in a belvedere, which offers magnificent views of the harbour. The building is 14 floors above ground and 4 below, making it one of the largest vertical gardens in the group. Bangkok Siam Paragon Shopping Center The vertical garden craze has also reached Thailand, with this example of beautiful plants lining the balconies of the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre in Bangkok. Gardens appear not only in this courtyard of the shopping mall but they also decorate the elevator shaft as well as even some of the shopping booths. Living Walls, Netherlands Rather than being concrete, this colourful wall is made up of a thin layer of felt and rock wool material. To keep the vertical garden alive and vibrant, it also has water pumping through the material. This Dutch house is a perfect example of how easy it is to spice up any building with some floral flair. Bilbao Guggenheim Art Museum Outside the Guggenheim Art Museum in Bilbao, Spain, one would find a giant 43-foot tall 'plant puppy' made out of a steel substructure and an array of colourful vegetation. Jeff Koons created this cute and vibrant vertical garden masterpiece in the mid-1990s and we just couldn't go past this impressive creation. Especially since it made its own notable visit to the lawns of Sydney's MCA in 1995.
Surry Hills' creatively charged culinary hot-spot, the 'unauthentic Indian' restaurant Don't Tell Aunty, is one of the highlights of the Sydney Indian restaurant scene. Inspired by the welcoming homes of traditional (yet, slightly eclectic) Indian aunties — complete with blue velvet banquettes and bright pink walls — the food here does not stick to the rules. Instead, innovation is the hero, as the team sticks to its signature envelope-pushing approach. An oft-changing menu trips all across India, with touches of Aussie and American influence peppered throughout. Street eats might include the likes of Colonel Tso's Indo-Chinese-style cauliflower with tomato and chilli; the 'Yoghurt Kebab', featuring a spiced yoghurt croquette in a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce; and the nachos-like papadi chaat. The tandoor is turning out dishes like charred salmon with spice and curry leaves, and there's a slew of crafty curries, including the short rib korma and a coconut cashew gravy. Head in for lunch, and you can snag a super affordable canteen-style selection of curries and street food. Meanwhile, Rajat Parr — an international winemaker and sommelier — has worked his magic on the drinks offering. Watch retro Bollywood films flicker on the walls, while tucking into drops from the self-serve beer fridge, approachable wines from around the world, and lively cocktails like the namesake Don't Tell Aunty — a concoction of mezcal and beetroot rimmed with black lava salt. There's even a bottomless brunch option available on weekends, serving up a tasting menu with unlimited wines and beers (bottomless margaritas cost an extra $20 per person). Head to Don't Tell Aunty for something different, but altogether fun and delicious.
The island of Lombok is Bali's equally magical (but considerably less crowded) neighbour. Here, you get long white sand beaches, deep forests hiding waterfalls and small villages filled with friendly locals. Yes, Bali has all this too. But Lombok is significantly quieter and cheaper. Experienced travellers come here for all the luxury trimmings at beachside or mountaintop villas but at a fraction of the price. Read on to find our favourite places to stay in Lombok, all of which can be booked through Concrete Playground Trips. HOTEL TUGU LOMBOK This luxury Lombok hotel is full of character. One of the dining rooms sits under an enormous wooden pavilion filled with locally made furniture. The bar is located within a traditional hut decorated with a smattering of artworks and sculptures. And the uniquely designed rooms include features like private rooftops, lotus ponds, outdoor baths, plunge pools and more. Add the private beach and spa facilities and you're left with the total wellness package. Plus, it's only a short boat ride away from the famous Gili Islands — so your day trips are sorted. BOOK IT NOW. KU VILLAS This small resort has a few different accommodation types, ranging from individual rooms and suites (with or without a plunge pool) to larger villas with private gardens and larger pools. Modern simplicity is also key when it comes to design and amenities — expect large open rooms with classic wooden furniture and crisp white linens. The in-house spa and small restaurant both make spending entire days by the pool all too easy. We're so impressed with KU Villas that we've teamed up with them to bring our readers one massive island holiday deal. Guests will get a three-night stay, an hour-long massage, a personal chauffeur, a $200 food and beverage voucher for the nearby SIWA Clubhouse and daily breakfast for only $455 — an absolute bargain by anyone's standards. BOOK IT NOW. SELONG SELO RESORT AND RESIDENCES These villas and studios feel more like luxury homes than travel accommodations. Guests have their own modern kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms as well as private balconies with barbecues and private plunge pools. And the views — well, they are just serene. Whether you're sitting in your room or dining by the main pool and restaurant, you'll have uninterrupted sea views framed by wide-open plains and dramatic mountains. Plus, with the option to book a seven-bedroom villa, Selong Selo Resort and Residence is great for large groups of travellers. BOOK IT NOW. RINJANI BEACH ECO RESORT This rustic eco-resort has all the essentials required for having a super comfortable holiday on a tropical island — but it's the location and long list of adventure experiences that make it one of the best places to stay in Lombok. The resort's team will organise snorkelling and diving trips and hikes up to the Rinjani volcano where you'll see large emerald-green lakes and hidden waterfalls. What else is on the menu? Day trips to the nearby Gili Islands, massages at the spa and the opportunity to watch turtles hatch on the beach. Head here to immerse yourself in nature. BOOK IT NOW. JEEVA BELOLAM BEACH CAMP Now, this is the ultimate glamping destination. The off-the-grid recycled wood and alang alang beachfront lodges combine elements of Robinson Crusoe with East Indonesia aesthetics to create a boutique beach camp experience. When staying here, you'll feel totally removed from the outside world. Jeeva Beloam's 11 rooms lie within a 55-hectare nature forest preserve, facing the Timor Sea from a sand dune above a quiet 250-metre-long white sand beach. This Lombok paradise is made for true escapism. BOOK IT NOW. HARMONY VILLAS LOMBOK Is minimalism your vibe? If so, you've got to check out these beautifully designed villas in Kuta, Lombok. On the property, you'll find just five boutique villas (painted stark white inside and out) set around a luxurious lagoon-style swimming pool. It's gorgeous and calming — especially thanks to its adults-only policy. You won't find little kids running around this joint, disturbing your relaxing holiday. BOOK IT NOW. NOVOTEL LOMBOK RESORT AND VILLAS This is a stellar middle-of-the-budget resort on Lombok. You're not spending a heap of money, but you still get to stay right on the beach — free from crowds — getting all the top luxury resort inclusions. You've got large air-conditioned rooms by the water, free daily activities, three outdoor pools and a great restaurant and bar. Tick, tick, tick. It has it all. BOOK IT NOW. THE OBEROI BEACH RESORT This beachside resort is made for chilling out. Spend your days jumping from the pool to the beach and then to the bar — all before starting the rotation again. Sure, you can go on one of its snorkelling trips or have a private dinner on the shore, but you've got to take your time just hanging at the property too. That's especially true of you book the enormous luxury villa that has its own pool and private courtyard. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Selong Selo Resort and Residence
On March 9, (in)famous American filmmaker John Waters will make the Opera House his stage and allow Sydney audiences a glimpse into his witty, sometimes seedy, frequently outrageous take on popular culture. This Filthy World Vol.2 is a one-man show covering a smorgasbord of topics including childhood memories, fashion lunacy, sexual deviancy, exploitation film and Catholicism. The Sydney date comes on top of his already announced Adelaide Festival appearance on March 6 and his Melbourne stop on March 10. Once christened 'The Pope of Trash' by William S. Burroughs, the Baltimore-native proves quite the raconteur. Reviewing his live show, the LA Times noted he "never seems to tire of wallowing in the dregs of pop culture, but his love of campy sex and tabloid mayhem is married with an intense appreciation for literature, history and high art". Unfamiliar with Waters and his trademark pencil moustache? He became a cult figure in US indie cinema for his notoriously subversive, filth-embracing 1972 film Pink Flamingos. By the late '80s he entered slightly more commercial territory with Hairspray, later remade into the 2007 film starring the somewhat less subversive, filth-embracing Zac Efron (although, you never know). Waters himself says, "It’s hard to offend three generations, but it looks like I’ve succeeded.” Want to join the offended hordes? Tickets go on sale on Monday, November 18, at 9am.
Almost three decades ago, before he had the world saying "thank you, thank you very much" to Elvis, before he explored the birth of American hiphop in Netflix's The Get Down, and before gave The Great Gatsby a spin and made Moulin Rouge! spectacular (spectacular), too, Baz Luhrmann achieved two not-too-insignificant things with his film version of Romeo + Juliet. Not only did the Australian director's vibrant take on the classic tragedy completely change the way everyone thinks about Shakespeare adaptations — it also delivered one of the killer soundtracks of the 90s, and one that many a movie has tried and failed to top since. The track list speaks for itself, really, featuring everything Garbage's '#1 Crush' to The Cardigans' 'Lovefool' to Radiohead's 'Talk Show Host'. Everclear, Butthole Surfers, Des'ree and Quindon Tarver's 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)' also pop up, with Luhrmann turning the greatest love story ever told into the greatest soundtrack ever sold. If you were around and of a certain age back in 1996, you definitely owned a copy. You probably still do. Even if you weren't loving it before the turn of the century, you should now as well. It's no wonder, then, that not just the picture but the tunes keep being celebrated as Romeo + Juliet nears its 30th anniversary in 2026. In London for more than a decade, concert screenings of the movie with a live choir and band have been wowing audiences and selling out. More than half-a-million filmgoers have attended. Now, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet: A Cinematic Experience is finally coming to Australia. Young hearts run free to The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, which is playing host to the Australian debut of this live experience from Tuesday, September 23–Sunday, September 28, 2025. New sessions have already been added due to demand, and there's no word yet if the shows will make their way to other Australian cities. "Audiences really feel like they're stepping into Verona as we don the theatre for a multisensory experience," said Dominic Davies, CEO of the UK's Backyard Cinema, which created the experience. "After sellout performances in London, we are thrilled that Sony Music Australia is bringing this production Down Under for the first time." "The Astor Theatre is such an iconic Melbourne venue and will provide a majestic backdrop for the immersive performance — it will be an experience like no other," added Sony Music Australia and New Zealand Chair and CEO Vanessa Picken. "The show has done incredibly well in London for a long time. We're really looking forward to adding a local slant with a well-known narrator to be announced soon." Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet: A Cinematic Experience runs at The Astor Theatre, 1 Chapel Street, St Kilda, from Tuesday, September 23–Sunday, September 28, 2025 — head to Ticketek for more details and tickets. Images: Andrew Ogilvy Photography.
There's no need to choose between frozen yoghurt or gelato when FREO is within reach. Luckily, this premium purveyor has just launched a new flagship shop in Darling Square, making it even easier to get your hands on a refreshing treat. Now with three stores spread across Sydney, the latest spot makes your in-store visit better than ever, with even more options to craft your dream combination of Asian-inspired flavours, sauces and toppings. Launched by a quartet of industry veterans, including two-hatted chef Federico Zanellato (LuMi Dining, Lode Pies & Pastries), FREO's Darling Square locale features indoor and outdoor seating for up to 30 people. Decked out in the brand's soft purple theme, you'll feel comfortable preparing a sweet treat to-go before catching up with friends and exploring the heart of the city. "Darling Square is the perfect location for FREO – a place we've always dreamed of having the flagship store," says Zanellato. "It's a vibrant, interactive environment where you can create something truly unique and enjoy it with friends and family. We're excited to share this new chapter with our community in such an exciting and dynamic location." With more than enough room to spread out, this larger space has also allowed FREO to expand its range of flavours and toppings. With 10 flavours pouring every day, some of the must-taste creations include Japanese strawberry, mango and passionfruit, and taro. Made fresh daily using 100% pot-set yoghurt, FREO's use of premium ingredients results in a super creamy, tangy base primed for sweet accoutrements. Casting your gaze over the DIY topping bar, it's easy to get lost in the 45 add-ons. Ranging from decadent to healthy, sauces like Callebaut chocolate, melted Lotus Biscoff and Nutella on tap are some of your richer options. Also available is a selection of mochi, fresh fruit, seasonal items and even FREO's exclusive baked goods. Discovering the best combinations is all part of the fun. Yet FREO offers more than just froyo. Guests can opt for silky smooth express gelato, featuring flavours like Sicilian pistachio with sea salt, Rindo matcha, Japanese black sesame with bamboo charcoal, and caffe latte and kuromitsu sugar syrup. For plant-based pals, choice treats like Belgian dark chocolate, watermelon and yuzu, and premium açaí ensure loading up an unforgettable cup is made simple. FREO is open Sunday–Thursday from 11am–10.30pm and Friday–Saturday from 11am–11pm at 5 Little Hay Street, Haymarket. Head to their Instagram for more information. Images: Kera Wong.
ANZAC Day commemorations are set to take shape a little differently this year, thanks to those now very familiar restrictions in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19. With group gatherings off-limits, tradition is taking a bit of a backseat, and the usual parades and dawn services honouring our soldiers have had to be cancelled. But there are still plenty of ways you can show your support for the ANZACs, while sticking to social-distancing directives. From driveway memorials, to ANZAC bickie baking sessions, here are some top ideas for getting involved with ANZAC Day 2020, virtually. [caption id="attachment_665411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance via Flickr[/caption] PAY YOUR RESPECTS WITH A LIVE-STREAMED DAWN SERVICE While ANZAC Day services across the country usually involve hundreds of punters gathered at dawn to pay their respects, social-distancing measures mean things will be drastically downsized this year. But even without the crowds, you'll still be able to tap into that sense of solidarity, as many of Australia's landmark sites take their regular ANZAC commemorative services online. Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance is set to live-stream its Dawn Service for all to watch on Facebook, kicking off at 6am on Saturday, April 25. Meanwhile, the ABC will have all the proceedings from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra streamed live from 5am, across its radio, TV and online channels. Expect to hear The Last Post played at around 6am. If you can't make it to a screen for one of these dawn sessions, RSL NSW is also streaming a closed service at 10am, hosted in Sydney and available to watch live via its Facebook page. And RSL Queensland has created a short ANZAC service of its own — download the audio from the website and tune in whenever suits. The organisers of the annual Coloured Diggers March, Babana Aboriginal Mens Group will also be hosting Zoom gathering at 11am to remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who served. 'LIGHT UP THE DAWN' FROM YOUR DRIVEWAY Social gatherings are currently a no-go, but on April 25, Aussies across the country will be bringing the ANZAC spirit to the end of their driveways — or balconies, front porches or living rooms — instead. RSL clubs nationwide are encouraging locals to mark the occasion with an at-home show of respect, inviting us all to 'light up the dawn' from 6am on ANZAC Day. You can pledge your support to the initiative online, then honour the ANZACs from wherever you call home, taking a moment to remember those who've served our country, perhaps while streaming a live service on your device. Many folks will light candles, others will have shrines and wreaths on display, and there's sure to be plenty of red poppies around, all in tribute to our armed services personnel. Share your personal ANZAC service with the tags #StandTo #ANZACspirit and #lightupthedawn [caption id="attachment_768400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Australian War Memorial via Travis/Flickr[/caption] CREATE YOUR OWN ONLINE TRIBUTE The Australian War Memorial is drumming up some virtual support for our ANZACs by inviting Aussies to create their own online tribute, as part of its new #ForTheFallen initiative. To get involved, simply record a video of yourself reciting the 'Ode if Remembrance', or document your own ANZAC project, then pop it on social media tagged with #ForTheFallen. If you need a little memory boost, the lines to the section of Laurence Binyon's classic poem For the Fallen go like this: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." DONATE TO THE ANZAC APPEAL The RSL's long-running ANZAC Appeal will still go ahead this year, though it's had to face a few logistical changes given the current pandemic situation. There won't be any of the usual streetside collections — instead, most of the fundraising efforts will take place online, inviting financial donations to be used to support veterans and their families. You can help provide servicemen past and present with much-needed things like crisis accommodation, emergency financial help, and physical and mental health support, by donating via the website. This year's appeal is running right through the month, up until April 30. GET INVOLVED IN THE WORLD'S BIGGEST MEAT TRAY RAFFLE This ANZAC Day, you can give back to Aussie veterans, support a bunch of local businesses and be in with a shot at winning the ultimate meat tray prize — all at the same time. Kicking off this week across Australia, the inaugural World's Biggest Meat Raffle is out to beat the Guinness World Record for the greatest amount of meat-trays ever won in a single competition. This meaty movement's being headlined, of course, by legendary 'lambassador' Sam Kekovich, and will raise much-needed funds for Swiss 8: a veteran-founded non-profit focused on mental health support. The charity's work is especially important during these uncertain times we're all facing. Organiser The Village Co has joined forces with local butchers all over the country to create the mega prize haul of 10,000 meat trays, which equates to a whopping 2000 kilograms of snags, steaks, burgers and more. The major winner will score a whole year's worth of weekly meat trays, both for themselves and eight lucky mates. Grab your tickets here. JOIN AN ONLINE ANZAC BISCUIT BAKING SESSION There's no doubt the tastiest part of any ANZAC Day commemoration is the bickies. And those oat biscuits are set to get just as big a workout this year as ever before, thanks to all the new-found kitchen skills that have been honed in isolation. If you're keen to spread the ANZAC message via a few homemade baked goods, you can even join others from across Australia and New Zealand for a huge online ANZAC biscuit bake-off. Hitting Zoom at 2pm AEST on April 23, you'll find the Bake Together: ANZAC Biscuits Live baking session hosted by culinary historian and cookbook author Allison Reynolds. You can follow along with Reynolds as she guides you through her method, or simply tune in while using your own go-to recipe. And you'd better have the kettle on standby as there'll be plenty of time for questions and conversation. [caption id="attachment_683489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cybele Malinowski[/caption] TUNE INTO AN ANZAC DAY CONCERT WITH SOME AUSSIE MUSIC LEGENDS Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem and The Wiggles are just some of the artists coming together (virtually) for this year's ANZAC Day concert Music from the Home Front. Screening on channel Nine from 7.30pm, the concert will see 16 music legends from Australia and New Zealand come together to celebrate the two countries, pay respects to those who've served and also thank front-line workers during COVID-19. Also on the lineup: Courtney Barnett, Marlon Williams, Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, Missy Higgins, The Rubens and Vance Joy. Top image: Dee Why RSL
Is Japan on your destination bucket list now that its borders are finally reopened? Well, if you're waiting until restrictions further ease or you're still saving up for that big overseas trip, a slice of Japan is coming to Sydney with the return of this Japanese festival. Japanaroo ran as a predominantly online festival celebrating Japanese food and culture in 2021, but this year it's back with an IRL lineup of more than 20 Japan-themed events. Running between Saturday, September 3–Sunday, September 11, highlights of the festival include the free Matsuri Japan Festival at Chatswood Mall on Saturday, September 10, Japan Expo 2022 at Sydney University on Saturday, September 3 and a traditional Hokkaido barbecue dinner at Artarmon's Robata Jones Japanese on Monday, September 5. Elsewhere there will be origami and ikebana workshops, live music from Japanese artists, pop-up art exhibitions and intro aikido martial arts classes. "NSW and Japan are long-standing partners with substantial cooperation in many areas and I can think of no better way to celebrate our partnership than with Japanaroo. This terrific festival brings Japan and its rich culture right to our doorstep," NSW Premer Dominic Perrottet said. Tickets range from free to $75. You can check out all the different workshops and events here.
It's 1995. You're sitting down in the local theatre to watch an animated film called Toy Story. You're about to witness Hollywood history. Now, 30 years later, with almost 395 million USD at the box office from its debut film, the studio Pixar is a household name. Toy Story has been cemented as an all-time animated classic, and you've got the opportunity to see it on the big screen again. But this time, it's not your local theatre. It's the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, and if you tilt your head down ever so slightly, you'll see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra sitting on stage, ready to perform the soundtrack as the movie plays behind them. If you've never had the pleasure of attending a symphonic screening before, the talented musicians at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra — conducted by Nicholas Buc — have a way of bringing film soundtracks to life like you've never seen before. And what a film to see live in concert. Toy Story, and its soundtrack by singer-songwriter Randy Newman, made animation history. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as Woody and Buzz, the starring toys of the titular story, are two performances that are in the Pixar hall of fame. No matter if you're set for a long overdue rewatch or if you haven't seen anything of the film beyond online clips, you've got plenty of chances to see it with five epic shows at the Sydney Opera House between Wednesday, July 16 and Saturday, July 19. 'Toy Story' in Concert will be playing at the Sydney Opera House from Wednesday, July 16 to Saturday, July 19. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the website. Presentation Licensed by Disney Concerts © Disney
Update: December 11, 2018 — Summer can get expensive. You're splashing out on presents for friends and fam, and the number of parties going on has increased tenfold. So, we're big fans of happy hours during this season — especially when they go for three hours. Bistro Rex has just launched l'aperitif, which run from 3.30–6.30pm every day at the Potts Point restaurant and features $5 wines (white, red and rosé), $5 Young Henrys natural lagers, $10 cocktails — including negronis and a spritzy chamomile number — and a range of $10 snacks. Bistro Rex, the latest French dining room to hit Potts Point, is hard to fault. More than that, it offers a casual alternative to some of Sydney's more theatrical restaurants: an unpretentious space serving timeless French food on simple white plates. The eatery doesn't feel a need to distract diners with design, but the space is still impressive. You're dining in Macleay Street's former Commonwealth Bank building, so there are large pillars between the tables, marble accents, and wood-framed mirrors high on the walls. It's all pretty luxurious — especially with the Chesterfield booths in the corner — but there's more than enough casual seating to balance it out, with rows of wooden tables and a few spots to dine at the bar. Because you're in a French restaurant, order the chicken liver parfait ($21). It's not particularly rich here; instead it's light, creamy, and served with sweet and sour jelly. The scallops with cashew and curry leaf ($26) are silky and complemented by the sweetness of leek on the plate. Chefs Jo Ward and Michelle Powell obviously know what they're doing with seafood, because the market fish of the day (on our visit, it's snapper) is perfect, flaking easily when the cutlery hits and swimming in just the right amount of sauce. The steak frites with Café de Paris ($39) is served spot-on medium-rare and drenched in butter — it's a classic combination, and why would you alter it? Main meals are on the heavier side, so order the Nashi pear salad with celery, chicory and hazelnuts ($16) to lighten things up a bit, and match your dish to a glass off the predominantly French wine list (the front page can be ordered by the glass, carafe or bottle). On the pass there's a single truffle in a glass dome — ask for it to be shaved over anything and everything. . None of the four options on the dessert menu are particularly eye-catching on paper, but all are delicious once they arrive — and are an unexpected highlight of the meal. Skip the cheese course and order the hazelnut parfait with dacquoise banana cream ($14); it's served with a chocolate biscuit shard and topped with banana cream, which balances the sweet and slightly savoury. The apple tarte Tatin ($14) arrives warm, sweet and sticky – there's a refreshing quenelle of choc-mint ice cream on the side. If you're not a dessert person, try the old-fashioned that's been lightly stirred with cold-brew coffee ($14). You could take your parents, friends, love interest or colleagues to Bistro Rex. Come for lunch on the weekend. Come for dinner on a Tuesday. Bring everyone. Order dessert.
Located along a quiet street in Chippendale, Esstudio Galleria is a hair salon with a difference. The boutique fit-out better resembles an antique shop than a hairdresser, with eclectic furniture and bric-a-brac aplenty — all of which is inspired by French renaissance vibes. Think plush barber chairs set in front of ornate, golden mirrors, old trunks housing hair care accessories and a massive chandelier. Haircuts are tailored to the client and start from $95 for women and $55 for men. Apart from cuts, the salon also offers manicures, makeup application, facials, lash extensions and skin treatments. And it's a Sustainable Salons partner, with 95 percent of its salon waste recycled through the program.
It's not every day that Thom Yorke just happens to turn up at your festival. But that's exactly what happened last year at the inaugural OutsideIn. Taking that as a pretty good sign, as well as the crowd’s intensely positive response, promoters Astral People (Tom Huggett, Lee Danilewitz and Vichara Edirisinghe) are back for another round. The festival aims to capture the energy and scope of an outdoor Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival and reproduce it inside. This year's lineup features Hermitude, Freddie Gibbs, Astral People presents Since I Left You, BadBadNotGood, Jam City, Objekt, Laurel Halo, Mark Pritchard, Cosmo's Midnight, Oisima Andras Fox & Oscar Key Sung, Rainbow Chan, Snakehips, Wave Racer, Willow Beats, Elizabeth Rose, Movement and I'lls. After headliner Zomby's cancellation, there are also two new sideshows scheduled for 21 and 22 September. Sideshow 1 features Objekt, Laurel Halo and Jam City on Saturday, 21 September 21, at the Civic Underground, and sideshow 2 sees Freddie Gibbs, BadBadNotGood and Snakehips take the Oxford Art Factor stage on Sunday, 22 September. Ultimately, Astral People are hoping to take OutsideIn nationwide.
