Head Chef Ali Snoubar brings his decades of culinary experience and expertise from award-winning restaurants the world over to this Syrian eatery in Merrylands. Those familiar with Middle Eastern cuisine will know it's all about sharing, so the more, the merrier. Here, choose from a selection of hot and cold mezze, such as the fried pumpkin kibbeh, then move on to the likes of a chicken shawarma plate with rice or hot chips. The $115 'family deal' features a combination of dishes and drinks, while three banquet options each offer a selection of skewers, dips, salads and meat, to suit groups of all sizes and appetites. Images: Al Shami
With its aqua waters, vibrant underwater world, remote white sand beaches and wild jungles, the Philippines is a globetrotter's dream. But given its unscathed and rugged terrain — a mix between Jurassic Park and The Beach — this is not a holiday for lounging by the pool. It's a time for exploring the great outdoors. And, since there are more than 7000 islands to choose from, you're truly spoiled for choice on holiday here. To ensure you stretch your legs someplace fantastic, we've teamed up with Cebu Pacific Air to round up the top five outdoor adventures to plan on your next trip to this Southeast Asian wonderland. It's easy as to hop from island-to-island with the airline, which flies to 36 airports around the Philippines, including Cebu, Manila, Coron, Bohol (Tagbilaran) and Siargao. What's more, it offers affordable international flights from Sydney and Melbourne to get you there, so all you really have to think about is what's on the cards when you land. Go canyoning through a waterfall, hike an active volcano, wreck dive into World War II battleships, zipline over ancient karsts and surf a world-famous wave, all on one trip. While many of these activities require a guide, you'll find that Filipinos are some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable locals. So get your hiking boots on, the Philippines is calling. HIKE AN ACTIVE VOLCANO IN THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINES Though Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, many western travellers never make it past Manila. But outside of the country's city, the island is also home to some of the best attractions in the Philippines, including the rare opportunity to hike an active volcano like Bulkang Taal, located around 1.5 hours south of Manila. The second most active volcano in the Philippines, it's an easy day tour from Manila, costs around 1500 pesos ($40) per person and offers one of the most incredible views in the country. As the volcano is surrounded by a lake, you'll first take a 30-minute outrigger ride to the volcano's base. Once on the two-kilometre trek, expect sand-filled trails, volcanic steam vents and views of the nearby lakes and mountains. After reaching the summit, descend into the sulfuric crater lake, where you can swim in its natural hot springs. DIVE THE WRECKAGE OF WWII BATTLESHIPS IN CORON From Manila, hop a flight to Coron to explore some turquoise-tinted history. Coron Bay in Palawan is known for its iridescent blue-green lagoons, lime karsts, pristine islands and — for some brave adventurers — its wreck diving. The bay is considered to be the best wreck diving in Southeast Asia and some of the best in the world. Coron Bay is also the site where a series of Japanese supply fleets were sunk during WWII — namely the Akitsushima, Okikawa Maru, Olympia Maru, Kogyo Maru and The Iraku. The majority of the battleships sunk in close vicinity to Apo Reef and have been well preserved — we're talking 170-metre-long ships with passageways, lower levels and engine rooms to explore. Most of the accommodation options on Coron Island will organise a dive trip for you, and the dive shops also run certification courses for those who are new to the sport. ZIPLINE OVER THE CHOCOLATE HILLS IN BOHOL Jump on a flight to Bohol to catch one of the Philippines most mysterious attractions: the Chocolate Hills, a cluster of over 1000 hills in the centre of the island. Despite the name, this formation is not made of chocolate, but of limestone that holds an array of marine fossils like coral, molluscs and algae — meaning these puppies formed underwater and were pushed above the sea by tectonic activity. Nature, hey. While the hills are impressive on foot, a more extreme option is to view them from above, specifically, while suspended from a 200-metre-high zipline. For just 350 pesos (around $9) per person at The Danao Adventure Park, you'll be strapped into the cable harness horizontally so you're in a flying position and left to glide along the 480-metre long zipline, gazing at the massive gorge below. As you whizz past, take in the vast hills, mountains and jungle all around you. The ticket takes you there and back, so if you're too scared to open your eyes the first time, you'll get a second chance to catch it all. And, if you're adrenaline is still buzzing afterwards, you can also rent ATVs and traverse the hills on four wheels. Oh, and the name? It comes from the grass covering the hills that turns brown during the dry season. GO CANYONING THROUGH A WATERFALL IN CEBU The Philippines is replete with unbelievably picturesque waterfalls, but a straightforward hike isn't the only way to get to them. Instead, head to Cebu via its namesake airline and have a go at canyoning through the Kawasan Falls in Badian. Travellers can reach the falls via the towns of Moalboal or Alegria, where local guides will be waiting for you. A local tour costs around 1500 pesos (around $40) per person and includes lunch. If you prefer a pre-booked tour, Planet Action offers an international alternative at 2190 pesos (around $58) per person. During the four-to-five hour trek to Kawasan, you'll wade through impossibly turquoise waters and a series of crystal-clear pools at the canyon's base. Be prepared for multiple high water jumps (20 metres or more) and natural waterslides along the way, as well as a tree swing that dangles high above the Kawasan falls at the peak of your trek. If you're after a more difficult experience, opt for a tour of nearby Montaneza or Tison Falls, which requires abseiling, rappelling and climbing, too. SURF A WORLD-FAMOUS WAVE IN SIARGAO Siargao Island is the most sought-after surf spot in the Philippines and is famous around the globe, with its 'Cloud 9' wave ranked as one of the top ten in the world. Plus, the Siargao City airport is a cheap and quick 40-minute flight from Cebu on Cebu Pacific. With 27 kilometres of coastline exposed to swell, these islands are considered the 'surfing capital of the Philippines' for good reason. While some waves at Stimpy's and Tuason Point are for experts only, Siargao can also be a place for first-timers. Lanuza in Surigao del Sur is specifically known for its numerous surf camps that cater to beginners, so even newbies can hang ten. International surfing competitions also take place on Siargao Island throughout the year — with the most popular being the Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup that takes place at the end of September each year. Ready for an adventure to the Philippines? Book with Cebu Pacific Air to get you there with affordable international flights from Melbourne and Sydney. Plus, Cebu is the largest airline in the country, offering the best inter-island connectivity in the Philippines, so you can easily fly to more fun.
The Gold Coast, Australia's beach club capital. That isn't how anyone refers to the Glitter Strip to at the moment, but it might soon become a reality. The tourist spot is already home to a rooftop beach club in Surfers Paradise, and will welcome a pop-up beach club on the sand at Broadbeach this month, too. Plus, sometime early in 2022, it'll also boast La Luna, a new floating beach club at the Marina Mirage. The space is the brainchild of the Gennari Group, which is already behind the Gold Coast's Koi Broadbeach, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, The Loose Moose, Maggie Choo and Roosevelt Lounge. This new venue will clearly stand out, though — setting up a beach club on pontoons will do that. La Luna will take inspiration from its European counterparts — and from Mykonos and Saint-Tropez in general — with a few cues gleaned from the setups in Tulum in Mexico as well. Think: daybeds, private cabanas and pools, obviously, as well as a bar, and dining both inside and by the water. Based on concept images, the look is light and airy, with splashes of pink and blue against white and cream-hued furniture — including ever-trusty beach umbrellas. Given the venue's moniker, circles, glowing orbs and lunar shapes aplenty pop up, too. And, as well as making you feel like you're on the other side of the world, La Luna is aiming to radiate big yacht life vibes. Basically, it'll be the beach club you hang out in when you want to pretend you're spending your daily lazing around on a boat's deck. Bring your adult siblings, start bickering and you'll feel like you're in Succession, perhaps? While specifics in terms of menu and entertainment haven't been revealed as yet, La Luna will serve up Mediterranean and Asian fusion bites made with local produce, have DJs set the mood and host parties under the stars. Cocktails will be big on the drinks list, naturally. La Luna's restaurant is currently slated to have a soft launch in January, ahead of the full venue opening sometime early in 2022 — so whether you'll be able to add floating pool club hangs (and living the yacht life without the yacht) to your summer plans hasn't yet been confirmed. La Luna Beach Club will open at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Gold Coast sometime in early 2022 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Images: artists' impressions of La Luna Beach Club.
Last week, Robert Pattinson popped up on our screens in the trailer for upcoming Netflix movie The Devil All the Time. At present, he's also starring in cinemas in Tenet, which is finally earning a release. And, right this instant, he's stepping into a very well-known character's shoes (and cape and mask) — as seen in the just-dropped first trailer for The Batman. Yes, as well as featuring in a Christopher Nolan-helmed movie, Pattinson is playing a character that Nolan helped bring back to cinemas 15 years ago. This time around, Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Matt Reeves is in the director's chair, overseeing a new take on Batman that actually stands completely apart from the most recent Ben Affleck-starring DC Extended Universe version of the character. Basically, what DC Films and Warner Bros. Pictures did with Joker in 2019 — serving up a grimmer, grittier iteration of the infamous figure that has absolutely nothing to do with the rightfully hated Jared Leto version — they're doing for Batman now, too. Also following the same playbook: enlisting a top-notch star in the lead role. Remember, it was only earlier this year that Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for playing the clown prince of crime. The Batman isn't slated to hit cinemas until more than 12 months away — at the end of September 2021 in Australia — however, as this first sneak peek shows, it's shaping up to be a suitably dark and brooding affair. And, as well as Pattison as the titular character and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, it stars Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as the Riddler, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. For those keeping count, Pattinson is the third actor to play the Dark Knight on the big screen in the 21st century, after Christian Bale and Ben Affleck. He also joins a long list of actors who've donned the outfit, including Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney. Check out The Batman trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLOp_6uPccQ The Batman is currently due to release in Australian cinemas on September 30, 2021.
As a child, I equated riding a bike with my younger brother’s cup-cake fuelled birthday parties at the Centennial Park Bike Track. Not so cool. Now as an adult (and after attending the Deus Bike Swap Meet for the Bicycle Film Festival last weekend), bike riding has become something entirely different Now, riding a bike is very cool. Sydney collective GreenUps have decided to pay tribute to all things bike in their September drinks this Tuesday (September 1). The crew are taking over the Alexandria Hotel, Sydney, with bike valet, bike films and photography, tune-ups, giveaways, prizes for ‘best bike’ and (as always) green drinks for green minded Sydneysiders. Couriers, fixed-gear wheelers, BMX Bandits, bush bashers and leisure riders all welcome!
Sydney's much loved LGBTIQ+ party collective and publisher Heaps Gay is celebrating four years of being a major thing with an all-day banger of a party on Saturday, November 18. Presented by FBi Radio, the event — which will be decked out like a big gay wedding party — will kick off at Sydney Portuguese Community Club from 1pm and feature musicians and DJs like GlamouRatz and Haiku Hands. There'll also be art, Portuguese chicken, vegan nosh, and potentially even puppies (well, probably not — but organisers are working on it). Beyond Heaps Gay's stellar rep for throwing rowdy parties, the site has established a formidable online presence spotlighting the brilliant work of Aussie LGBTIQ+ folk, such as playwright Charles O'Grady, sex worker and lyric prose Instagram caption master Tilly Lawless and former pro-surfer turned filmmaker Cloudy Rhodes. The party falls on the weekend after the marriage equality result is announced, so bring your love and celebrate the hell yes outcome or — and we're hoping this isn't the case — come commiserate in a safe, inclusive, glittery space.
Everyone has a preferred temperature. Some folks like rainy days, while others crave sunshine. Tropical weather beckons to some, and snowy climes call others. That remains the case when you go on holidays, but unless you're going skiing, you probably want to head somewhere where it'll be warm but not blistering hot, and where you won't need an umbrella. And, now, regardless of when you're getting away, you can always find the perfect destination. Ryan Whitaker thought that working out the best place to go at any particular time of year would be easy; however when he found otherwise — "searching Google for things like 'best places to visit in January' or 'best time to visit Spain'", and coming across broad recommendations that weren't backed up by data or experience — he decided to create his own. Available on DecisionData.org, the result is a map called The Best Time to Visit Anywhere in the World, and yep, that's exactly what it tells users. [caption id="attachment_618852" align="aligncenter" width="1219"] Image: DecisionData.org[/caption] Just enter your preferred week of travel, the temperature range you're after (including ideal minimum, maximum and average values), and how much rain you'd accept, and Whitaker's map has the answers. Available in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, it's based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data from the past ten years, captured every day at between 10,000 and 12,000 weather stations — or 35 million lines of information. Users can also exclude areas that don't report on precipitation to minimise showery surprises. Whitaker includes a reminder that his map isn't designed to replace local knowledge of events or seasonal attractions, but aims to "supplement it with good data on where temperatures are ideal." Keeping all that in mind, it's certain to prove a handy tool when you're planning your next getaway. Say goodbye to filling your suitcase with everything from an umbrella to swimwear to a warm coat — just in case — and hello to perfect holiday conditions. Via AWOL.
For more than two years, everyone has been asking the same two questions — everyone that's a fan of Stranger Things, that is. They're obvious queries but, if you've been hooked to the 80s-set Netflix sci-fi series since it first debuted in 2016, they're important. Question one: what happens next? Question two: when will we see what happens next? Indeed, when July 2021 came and went, it marked two years since Stranger Things last graced our streaming queues. So, you've been wondering what's become of all the series' characters — especially Hawkins' beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) — for quite some time. You'll be pondering into next year as well, because the streaming platform already announced that the show won't be returning till 2022; however, it does keep dropping sneak peeks. Back in February 2020, Netflix provided an initial clip. Yes, that now seems like a lifetime ago. It also dropped a couple more teasers in May this year, and released another one back in August. Need more? The streamer has just unveiled yet another teaser trailer, this time focusing on a spooky spot called Creel House. First, we see it years ago — and then, we see it being explored in its abandoned, dusty and eerie guise by Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). When you're hanging out for anything and everything related to the show's fourth season, each trailer and teaser drop is exciting — and they all keep threading together pieces that are bound to prove important when new episodes actually hit. Indeed, we already know what happened after season three's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script — when Hopper, the mind flayer, the Russian lab below Starcourt Mall and that pesky gate to the Upside Down all had a run-in. And, we know that Hawkins Laboratory is going to feature again moving forward, thanks to clips focusing on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) and Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal). Now, with this latest teaser, we know a little bit more as well. Of course, it's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". Naturally, we'll have to wait to see what that really means for its full cast of characters — including Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Hubie Halloween), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard). Check out the new Stranger Things season four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Summer is a mere few weeks away and there's no better seasonal combo than a weekend barbecue and icy cold craft beer. We’re on mission to inspire and enhance your barbecue experience this silly season by bringing to you recipes that go beyond the simple sausage sizzle. We've searched Sydney's most talked-about restaurants from the buzzing inner west to the slick CBD, the stylish eastern suburbs and all the way to the chilled-out northern beaches for recipes that will earn you a pat on the back and cheers from your soon-to-be-impressed guests. Ten top-notch chefs from across town with a talent for wielding a set of barbecue tongs have matched one of their favourite grill-friendly recipes with a brew from James Squire's solid craft beer range. Crisp pilsners with zesty Hartsyard octopus for the sun lovers. Strong Porters to wash down Neil Perry ribeyes. Golden ales with Pinbone's barbecued duck hearts for the adventurous. Thank us later; your summer barbecues will be talked about for many moons. BARBECUED DUCK HEARTS WITH CUMQUAT AND MUSTARD — PINBONE INGREDIENTS: Duck hearts Handful of cumquats (or oranges and mandarin) Creme fraiche Hot English mustard Bitter leaves METHOD: Brine duck hearts in a 5 percent salt/water solution for 30 minutes. Remove and dry with paper towel. Grill on the barbecue for 2 minutes on each side and rest. Cut cumquats in half and grill on barbecue until nicely charred (orange and mandarin also work nicely if you can’t find cumquats). Mix equal parts creme fraiche and hot English mustard together and lay the mustard base on one half of the plate. To serve: Season generously and garnish with bitter leaves. Pair with James Squire Stow Away IPA. BBQ FREMANTLE OCTOPUS — GREGORY LLEWELLYN FROM HARTSYARD Serves 4 INGREDIENTS: 1kg Fremantle Octopus separate into individual tentacles only 4L Water 300g salt 100g paprika smoked peel of one lemon 4 cloves of crushed garlic tbsp peppercorn tbsp fennel seed tbsp coriander seed METHOD: Heat half the water with the salt until dissolved. When dissolved pour warm solution into remaining cold water. Toast all spices (minus the paprika) together over a medium/high heat until fragrant. Add to liquid mixture. Add garlic, paprika and lemon peel. When mixture is cool add octopus tentacles and brine for 12 hours. Remove from brine, rinse and dry. Place into a heavy bottomed saucepot and cover with extra virgin olive oil. Cook on stove top at about 75-80°C ensuring the oil does not boil for 2-2.5 hours. Remove the octopus from pot. It should be fork tender with a tiny bit of chew. Refrigerate until cold (this should probably be done the day before). Prepare BBQ to about 200°C. BBQ octopus until suction pads are crispy and the tentacles are evenly cooked but not black. When cooked toss into a bowl with the following dressing: DRESSING: 100ml olive oil 2 tbsp sliced garlic 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves picked 1 tbsp fresh parsley leaves picked 1 tsp crushed red chilli flakes Cook olive oil and garlic until slightly brown. Add the rest of the ingredients until crispy. Remove from heat. Let cool. Season with the juice of two lemons. Pair with James Squire Four 'Wives' Pilsener. STICKY LAMB RIBS WITH POMEGRANATE AND SOY GLAZE — DANIEL SAN INGREDIENTS: 30gm peeled eschallots 0.1gm pomegranate 60gm cos lettuce 5gm flat leaf parsley 5gm mint 2gm extra virgin olive oil 300gm Junee lamb American ribs GLAZE: 50gm peeled garlic 4gm lemons 80gm frozen wasabi tube 150gm castor sugar 15gm sea salt flakes 60gm sesame oil 400gm pomegranate molasses BRAISING STOCK: 2L water 10ml Kikkoman soy 10ml mirin 10ml sake 5gm radish daikon 20gm young ginger METHOD: Place ribs in braising stock and place in oven on 160°C for two hours. Take ribs out and leave to cool in the stock for one hour. Cook ribs on the bbq and glaze with the above. Serve on cos lettuce with pomegranate drizzled on top. Pair with James Squire's The Constable Copper Ale. SMOKED BARBECUE WINGS w/ BULLEIT BOURBON BARBECUE SAUCE — HENRIETTA SUPPER CLUB INGREDIENTS: 2.5L pork (or beef stock in a pinch) stock FOR BARBECUE SAUCE: 250ml Bulleit bourbon 2 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise 2 cloves 1 lime (juice and zest) 2 lemon (juice and zest) 100ml good sherry vinegar 1 x can of coca cola 1 x can ginger ale 25g whole black pepper corn 100ml real Canadian maple syrup 500ml of store bought barbecue sauce METHOD: Place in a large pot on a medium heat-high heat. Reduce until sticky. pass through a chinois or large sieve. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate once cooled. To prepare the wings, poach desired quality of wings in a good-quality wings chicken stock for 25min. Coat with a seasoned flour (we use 'Cajun flour' — corn flour, plain flour, Cajun spices and seasoning). Deep fry for five minutes on 180 degrees or brown on the barbecue hot plate in good quality cooking oil. Place cooked wings in a steel bowl and coat generously with the barbecue sauce. Garnish with chives and serve with chipotle mayo (real mayonnaise with a slug of chipotle hot sauce like El Yucateco or Tabasco). Pair with James Squire Nine Tales Amber Ale. SMOKED PORK RIBS — PATRICK FRIESEN AND CHRISTOPHER HOGARTH FROM PAPI CHULO INGREDIENTS: 4 USA-style cut pork ribs BBQ rub BBQ sauce Apple wood and oak chips METHOD: Try to find pork ribs with the most amount of meat you can. Clean the silver skin off the back of the ribs using a fork to pry it off and a tea towel to hold onto the silver skin when you pull it off. Season both sides lightly with BBQ rub and smoke straight away. Smoke at 120°C over oak and applewood for one hour. Wrap in foil and smoke at 120 degrees for another hour and a half. Brush with BBQ sauce and enjoy. BBQ SAUCE: 50gm Heinz ketchup 16gm Frank's RedHot sauce 20gm Yamasa soy 10gm water 30gm brown sugar 6gm black pepper 3gm smoked paprika 3gm sweet paprika 2.5gm onion powder 2.5gm garlic powder 5gm Korean chilli powder Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let sit for an hour. BBQ RUB: 100gm salt 20gm cracked black pepper 4gm onion powder 2gm garlic powder 20gm paprika 5gm smoked paprika 5gm cayenne Mix in a bowl right before you want to use. Pair with James Squire Sundown Australian Lager. RIB EYE ON THE BONE — NEIL PERRY FROM THE BURGER PROJECT INGREDIENTS: 4 x 360g rib eye on the bone Sea salt Extra virgin olive oil for grilling 4 lemon wedges METHOD: Heat the barbecue or grill — whether using wood, charcoal or gas — until extremely hot. Salt and oil each side of the steaks and allow to come to room temperature. Place steaks on the grill, cook for approximately five minutes, rotate the steak 90 degrees to get the cross pattern on the meat halfway through the cooking. Turn the steak over and cook for another four minutes. Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes off the grill. Place on a cutting board and slice each of the steaks into five or six slices, form the meat back to its original shape and serve on a plate with a sprinkle of salt, drizzle of olive oil and a wedge of lemon. Pair with James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. LAMB BURGER WITH PICKLED EGGPLANT, WATERCRESS AND HARISSA — MICHAEL RANTISSI FROM KEPOS STREET KITCHEN Serves 4 INGREDIENTS: 750gm good-quality coarse lamb mince 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, toasted and crushed 1 bunch coriander, leaves picked and finely chopped 3 - 4 tbsp olive oil 4 tbsp harissa 1 tsp chilli flakes Salt and pepper to season 4 brioche burger buns, toasted ½ cup makdous (pickled eggplant stuffed with walnuts available from Middle Eastern grocers) 1 bunch watercress Harissa aioli METHOD: Combine the lamb mince, coriander seeds, fresh coriander, olive oil, harissa and chilli in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine. Once combined, divide the mixture into four and then gently shape the burger patties with your hand. Don't overwork the patties too much as it makes them tough. These burgers can be cooked in a frypan on the stove top or the grill on your barbeque. Cook to your taste, two to three minutes per side for medium rare or longer for your requirement. To assemble toast the brioche burger buns (inside of bun only). Take the base of the burger bun and add a dollop of the harissa aioli, a spoonful of the pickled eggplant with walnuts, watercress, then the patty, add another handful of watercress and another dollop of aioli and then top with the bun. Pair with James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. BARBECUE CHICKEN WINGS — CHUR BURGER INGREDIENTS: 1kg mid cut chicken wings BARBECUE SAUCE: 1 onion, finely chopped 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 100ml olive oil 150g brown sugar 150ml Worcestershire sauce 500g ketchup Juice of 2 lemons 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme Place chicken wings in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring water to the boil, stir chicken wings gently and then turn heat off. Let wings sit in water for 12 minutes and then pour wings into a colander. Place on trays in a single layer and refrigerate overnight to dry out. Sweat off onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft but with no colour (about 2-3 minutes). Add everything else, bring to a simmer and cook out for about 10 minutes. Cool down and store in refrigerator. Toss in the barbecue sauce mix and then place on hot grill until smokey and charred. Remove from grill and place into a clean bowl and toss with some further barbecue sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve. CHIPOTLE MAYO: 1L plain mayonnaise 150ml Melbourne Hot Sauce Chipotle & Cayenne 10g rosemary, chopped 10g fresh oregano, chopped 10g parsley, chopped Mix all together. Pair with James Squire Hop Thief American Pale Ale.
This fashion destination is home to a plethora of designer clothes that'll take you from workout to work — or from the beach to a night out. Created by Deborah Symond O'Neil, Mode Sportif houses both international designers and Australian favourites. Browse playful prints by Copenhagen designer Ganni, easy separates by Lee Mathews, floral numbers by Rixo, activewear by Varley, easygoing denim by Citizens of Humanity, sneakers by Axel Arigato and heels by Rejina Pyo. Accessories aren't forgotten about either, with an extensive range of sunglasses (from the likes of Chloé, Gucci and Shevoke), handbags (by Staud, Hershan and Kayu) and jewellery (from Meadowlark, Anni Lu and Holly Ryan).
Step into a land where hip hop is always playing and bros just want to be bros. Simple and cosy on Elizabeth Street, Basket Brothers is one CBD spot where you can drop in for a chill brunch or find relief from a furious hangover. Operators Jono Forsythe (Mad Pizza e Bar) and Deepak Singh (formerly of Kantine) are no restaurant rookies, and they aren't looking to be the next trend with their new project. Instead, they have come together to create a safe haven for food that can withstand the test of time. They're a great team; Deepak handles the kitchen and turns out some serious plates, while Jono jovially chats with patrons and newcomers. With its windowed corner location, BB attracts all types — from lonesome writers to daters to groups of brunching bros. The name of the game here is comfort food. The grilled ham and cheese ($9) is one of their nostalgia-driven dishes taken to the next level. A quattro formaggi, the creamy béchamel lovingly oozes from the sandwich while the housemade pickles give the dish a tangy crunch. The ham is thinly sliced and the sourdough perfectly crusted. The bacon and egg roll ($10), an Aussie staple, is made a standout with streaky bacon and a complex homemade barbecue sauce. The same sauce is used on their smoked brisket hash ($18), a CP favourite on the menu. The 12-hour slow cooked brisket melts in your mouth, and the barbecue sauce is smoky and cumin-scented. Served with a wild rocket aioli, the fresh herb balances the heavy dish and we wish there was an entire bucket of it. This is all topped with a jalapeño salsa, which isn't overpowering but adds a gentle kick to get your morning started. And when it comes to lunch, well, who doesn't love a double patty cheeseburger? The Brother Burger ($13-$17) is well cooked and decadent. And while there is great variety in the BB menu, there is still an obvious sense of coherence; the sign of a truly talented chef. The coffee is nothing to snark at either. Using Allpress Espresso, their single origin changes weekly. And if you're taking your finicky, health nut of a friend, there is still the 'light stuff' on the menu, including mango and guava bircher muesli and organic house granola ($10 each). But come on, live a little. Basket Brothers is looking to open for dinner soon, but for now, catch them for lunch, brunch or breakfast seven days a week.
"Friends! Outcasts. Leeches. Undesirables. A blessing on you, and upon this beggars' banquet," announces Johnny 'Rooster' Byron (Nicholas Eadie), Jerusalem's comic, charismatic, trailer-dwelling, tall-tale telling protagonist. "This day we draw a line in the chalk, and push back hard against the bastard pitiless busybody council, and drive them from this place forever." Jez Butterworth's play transforms a contemporary 'citizen against the authorities' conflict into a drama of Shakespearean proportions. Rooster, once the most fearless stuntsman in Wiltshire County, Southwest England, and purported meeter of giants, now inhabits a woodland outlaw's existence. His mobile home embraces all that modern housing development doesn't: eccentricity, spontaneity, nature's vagaries, the possibility of fairies, elves and supernatural forces. However, it's not some kind of pastoral, Sound of Music wonderland. There's drug taking and a dysfunctional relationship with a nine-year-old-son. And, when Jerusalem begins, Rooster has just 24 hours to save his home, and way of life, from the Kennet and Avon Council. The day's action is packed into three acts which are over before you know it. Never laboured, Butterworth's script skips, sings and surprises with an irresistible musicality, and his characters are three-dimensional and unpredictable, commenting on all manner of topics, from the homogenising of local news outlets to how a giant might (realistically) be expected to behave. They're at once quintessentially English and undeniably individual. Under Helen Tonkin's direction, Eadie embraces Rooster's complexity with a convincing dynamism. He's no role model, but he's certainly a last bastion against the dreary homogenisation threatened by endless housing estates, lamented by Philip Larkin in 'Going, Going'. An impressive cast takes on Rooster's band of merry (and not-so-merry followers), who flock in search of pleasure, or refuge, or both, with a standout performance from Jeremy Waters in the role of Ginger, a lost soul who dreams of becoming the local pub's DJ. Tom Bannerman's beaten-up set is very much the world of the eternal morning after, with its empty beer bottles, half-empty spirits bottles (consulted frequently throughout), destroyed television and backdrop built of corrugated plastic. Blake Garner effectively traces the 24-hour arc of action with well-controlled lighting, executed particularly effectively in the closing scene. The New Theatre's production of Jerusalem is the play's Australian premiere. First performed at London's Royal Court Theatre in 2009, it moved to the West End, where audiences queued from 3am to buy tickets and gave standing ovations every night. 2011 saw a shift across the Atlantic to Broadway, with the play receiving a Tony Award nomination and lead actor Mark Rylance winning a Tony Award.
If spending more time indoors this winter has you craving all things sweet and comforting, that's understandable. As the world keeps reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year later, pining for sugar and whatever makes your tastebuds happy is a completely natural response. Enter San Churro's new range of winter snack packs, which are all about pairing its eponymous dish with other dessert favourites. Last year, the nationwide chain has launched a retro-influenced range of churro snack packs. This year, it's adapting the concept to include tried-and-tested sweet treats. So, each kit combines churros — aka long, thin, fried-dough pastries — with something else that'll get your mouth watering. Think: apple pies and s'mores. Each pack comes with mini churros, whichever other dessert is in the spotlight, and your choice of drizzled white, dark or milk chocolate. The apple pie version also includes vanilla ice cream, while the s'mores kit has both cookie butter s'mores and toasted marshmallows. There's a third variety, focusing on jam doughnuts, too — but, given their similarity to churros, they come solo, in balls, then topped with strawberry coulis, vanilla custard and strawberries. The new packs are available in-store now, including for takeaway; however, they're just part of the chain's new winter menu. It's also serving up hot chocolate bombs, but you have to consume them onsite — so, for now, Sydneysiders and Melburnians can't enjoy them during lockdown. What's a hot chocolate bomb? It's a ball of chocolate that comes filled with marshmallows, mini Oreos, or cocoa cereal and Milo. Again, you can choose between white, dark or milk chocolate — and then you pour hot milk over the top and get sipping. San Churro operates 13 stores in New South Wales, nine in Victoria and ten in Queensland, as well as 14 in Western Australia and three in South Australia. San Churro's new winter snack packs are available now. For further information, visit the chain's website.
When 2020 ticked over to 2021, Australians were asked to direct their eyeballs towards a brooding mystery set against our dusty, yellow-hued landscape. We did just that, and in big numbers, too, with The Dry quickly becoming a huge box-office hit. A year later, when 2021 becomes 2022, we'll be tempted to do something similar — but this time it's a six-part Stan series that strands Jamie Dornan in the outback that'll be demanding our attention to start the new year. That show is The Tourist, which sees Dornan add another TV role to his resume alongside The Fall, Death and Nightingales, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time. The Irish actor boasts an eclectic filmography — he's highly likely to get nominated for an Oscar next year for his role in nostalgic drama Belfast, in fact, and he hit Aussie screens big and small in the vastly dissimilar Synchronic, Wild Mountain Thyme and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar this year. For this new part, he plays the titular character, who has no idea why he's in the middle of Australia or even who he is. Written by brothers Harry and Jack Williams (Angela Black), and hailing from the Emmy-winning production company behind The Missing and Fleabag, The Tourist is a mystery-thriller, so its just-dropped first trailer starts out with an uneasy air — as Dornan's character gets pursued by a tank truck trying that's trying to drive him off the road. Things don't get easier after he wakes up in hospital with no memory, unsurprisingly, or when he's chased by plenty of other folks. On-screen, Dornan is joined by a heap of familiar faces, including Aussie actors Danielle Macdonald (French Exit), Alex Dimitriades (Total Control) and Damon Herriman (Mindhunter), English-born Australian talent Shalom Brune-Franklin (Line of Duty) and Icelandic American Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Trapped). You'll be able to binge your way through The Tourist's twists and turns on Sunday, January 2, Check out the trailer below: The Tourist will be available to stream via Stan from Sunday, January 2.
When an actor adds new movies to their resume quickly — popping up in new flicks every couple of months or so, and never proving far from their next film — there's a chance they might run out of worthy on-screen opportunities. The one actor that'll never apply to: Nicolas Cage. He's prolific, he stars in far too many terrible flicks, when he's at his best he's downright brilliant, and he always has something interesting around the corner. In 2021 alone, he's shouted expletives from Netflix, battled demonic animatronics and teamed up with one of Japan's most out-there filmmakers. He also played a truffle hunter on a quest for revenge after his pet pig is stolen, in the aptly named Pig, which is one of the year's definite movie highlights. The latter saw him turn in one of the best performances of his career, in fact, but Cage has been preparing his entire life to play his next part: himself. Yes, we've seen Cage break out of Alcatraz, sing Elvis songs, run around the streets convinced that he's a vampire, let his long hair flap in the wind and swap faces. He's voiced a version of Spider-Man, driven fast cars, fought space ninjas and stolen babies as well. Staying in his own shoes stands out, though, which is exactly what The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will serve up in April next year. Announced earlier in 2021, and just dropping its first trailer now, the movie will follow the on-screen, fictionalised Cage as he accepts an offer to attend a super fan's birthday. Getting paid $1 million is just too much to pass up. He needs the money, but he also has to save both himself and his loved ones along the way. Yep, that sounds about right. As well as Cage playing Cage — not to be confused with his work in Adaptation, where he played two characters — The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent features Pedro Pascal (Wonder Woman 1984) as the aforementioned Cage devotee, and also Tiffany Haddish (The Card Counter), Sharon Horgan (This Way Up) and Neil Patrick Harris (It's a Sin). Are We Officially Dating? filmmaker Tom Gormican sits in the director's chair, because if there's anything this story needs, it's the director of a Zac Efron and Michael B Jordan-starring rom-com pivoting to total Cage worship. And yes, whether this'll be one of Cage's undeniable delights or pure cinematic chaos won't be discovered until the film hits cinemas — but he's clearly having a ball based on this sneak peek, and seeing him play and parody himself really does demand everyone's eyeballs. Check out the trailer for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent below: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will release in Australian cinemas on April 21, 2022.
Arguably the worst part of travel is the bit where you actually have to travel. Sitting in an over-cramped, over-air-conditioned metal tube for 20+ hours almost makes post-pasta swims in the Mediterranean seem too much trouble than it's worth (almost). But until we're at The Fifth Element stage where we can just hop in a capsule and get knocked out cold for the duration of the journey, we'll just have to be content with airlines' attempts at cutting down flight times and transfers. In huge news for Aussie travellers, Qantas last week announced they are really close to locking down a direct flight from Australia to Europe. Thanks to their new Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft — which are set to start flying in October 2017 — the airline hope to run non-stop flights from Perth to London in the near future. Direct, the Perth to London flight time would be 17-18 hours. It would be considerably quicker than their current route, which, with their partnership with Emirates, includes a rather hellish stopover in Dubai (as all stopovers are). It would be the first and only direct flight from Australia to Europe. "This aircraft allows us to fly routes that we could only imagine in the past," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told The Australian. "It allows us to fly from Perth to London, from Sydney to Chicago or Melbourne to Dallas." Qantas are still in negotiations to lock down the new route, but are expected to confirm its actualisation pretty soon. The sort-of news comes as the airline revealed the layout for their new Dreamliner fleet, which will be two-thirds the size of the 747s they will eventually replace and have only 236 seats (as opposed to the 747's 364 seats). Economy will have a 3:3:3 seat situation (as opposed to the 3:4:3), as well as USB ports and an extra inch of leg room. Hurrah for leg room! Plus, they also revealed some new branding, which includes new typography on the side of their planes. Qantas are set to confirm the Perth to London route soon. We'll update you when they do. Via The Australian.
It's time to get excited about dinosaurs again, not that anyone ever stopped being fascinated with the planet's ancient creatures. Come May, one of 2022's best new shows is making a return for 2023 with a brand-new season filled with dino love — yes, David Attenborough's spectacular Prehistoric Planet is returning. Apple TV+ has just announced the roaringly great news, and will again air the show's second season as a five-part nightly event. So, across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26, one instalment will arrive each day, serving up more stunning dinosaurs, more informative insights voiced by the one and only Attenborough, and more of Hans Zimmer's soundtrack. "The award-winning first season of Prehistoric Planet brought dinosaurs back to life in a way global audiences had never seen before," said Jay Hunt, Creative Director, Europe, Apple TV+, announcing the news. "Collaborating with the brilliant Jon Favreau and our fantastic partners at the BBC, we are thrilled that viewers will once again have the opportunity to be immersed in our world as it was 66 million years ago and to experience even more weird and wonderful creatures." This time around, the team at BBC Studios Natural History will be using photorealistic visual effects by MPC — the kind that Favreau used in his versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King — to focus on new dinosaurs, habitats and scientific discoveries. So, you'll spend time with the Tarchia, one of the largest Ankylosauri, for instance. That said, the Tyrannosaurus rex will be back among other dino favourites. Of course it will. What's better than one of the Attenborough siblings marvelling over our planet's ancient creatures? None other than David following in his brother Richard's footsteps, of course, just as it was in 2022. While the latter showed dinos some love back in Jurassic Park — with the now-late actor and filmmaker even uttering the iconic words "welcome to Jurassic Park" — his broadcaster, biologist and natural historian sibling largely surveyed the rest of the earth's living creatures in his iconic documentaries before Prehistoric Planet. With its first season, the show instantly earned its place among David Attenborough other doco highlights — a list that spans The Living Planet, State of the Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Blue Planet II, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet and Green Planet, as well as Planet Earth and Planet Earth II, plus documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet), just to name a few. There's no trailer for Prehistoric Planet's second season yet, but you can revisit the season one trailer below: Prehistoric Planet season two will hit Apple TV+ across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26, with a new episode available to stream each day. Read our full review of Prehistoric Planet season one.
Pocket City Farms have joined forces with Crop Swap Sydney as part of its ever-growing commitment to Sydney's urban farming scene. Patrons are encouraged to bring along their homegrown fruit, veggies and herbs, along with any homemade preserves, honey or other treats to be shared or swapped with other attendees. Eggs, seeds, edible plants and gardening goods are also welcome. If you're unsure of what to bring, check out these past events photos for inspiration. Even those who are not currently farming or gardening are encouraged to come along, learn a little something about urban gardens and see how easy it is to start your own. Crop Swap runs at Pocket City Farms every third Saturday from 9.30am through 11am. Guests can also join the Crop Swap Facebook group to swap anytime.
Much-loved farm-to-table eatery Three Blue Ducks has expanding its ever-growing suite of establishments to regional NSW, with the Sydney restaurant group opening an outpost at Nimbo Fork Lodge, at the bottom of the Snowy Mountains, in late November. Originally opening in Bronte back in 2010, before expanding to Byron Bay, Rosebery, Brisbane (in the W Hotel) and Melbourne (inside a surf park), the restaurant collective is known for its dishes packed with locally and ethically sourced produce. The group's latest iteration is no different. The menu has been designed around the on-site kitchen garden, award-winning sustainably farmed Provenir Beef and trout from local Tumut waterways. If the locally sourced trout isn't fresh enough for you, though, you can head out to the renowned fly-fishing areas nearby and provide your own catch of the day for the chefs to use. You can eat that trout as an entree — smoked atop crisp bread with dill and crème fraîche — or as a main, where it comes whole, butterflied and with lashings of garlic, lemon and dill. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find crumbed pork terrine, roasted beets with almond cream, Nimbo tomahawk lamb chops and harissa-spiced cauliflower with chimichurri and roasted hazelnuts. [caption id="attachment_788800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Three Blue Ducks team by Nikki To[/caption] You can pair this food with cocktails filled with Aussie ingredients and spirits, such as the Native Negroni made with Brookies gin and Poor Toms Imbroglio; all-Aussie brews, including Bright Brewery sour ales and Heaps Normal's Quiet XPA; and local and international wines helpfully listed under headings like 'fruit forward and food friendly red' and 'light and aromatic white'. For a sweet finish, you've got three options: crema catalana (very similar to a crème brûlée), sea salt meringue with lemon curd and, the most decadent option, self-saucing choc pudding. We think the latter will be just what you're after when you head back to the lodge after a chilly day out on the snowfields — or down by the river fishing for trout. Because, of course, it's all about location at this latest Three Blue Ducks. While you could, on some days, convince us to drive four hours for the perfect chocolate pudding, that's not the only drawcard here. Located in the heart of the picturesque Tumut Valley, 30 minutes' drive from Gundagai, Three Blue Ducks is situated inside a boutique hotel with six cottages, five suites and a bar and restaurant. There are a host of activities you can experience nearby, including bike rides, bushwalks, fly-fishing and horse rides — or, if you're an avid skier or snowboarder, you can jump in the car and head to Selwyn Snow Resort, just under two hours away, when it reopens. The snowfield was extensively damaged during the 2019-20 bushfires, but is currently being rebuilt. The new restaurant is open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch available on weekends. For more ideas, check out our guide to activities in the Snowy Mountains region. Find Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork Lodge, 330 Nimbo Road, Killimicat. You can make a booking at the restaurant here and at Nimbo Fork Lodge here.
Woolloomooloo's favourite craft beer basement, The Old Growler, has announced a brand spanking new menu and entertainment lineup launching in February. Newly appointed chef Chris Hulm has joined forces with head chef Alexander Watts to whip up food offerings designed to complement the venue's pared-back vibe. Meat lovers will be pleased by pub food like fried chicken wings with lime and aioli and grass fed beef burgers alongside a few fancier options like hickory smoked pork belly with apple, fennel, dates and candied walnuts. It goes without saying that a craft beer or two is the perfect accompaniment to any dish, with a weekly rotation of beers from local craft breweries on offer. Live music will also be a feature, from blues to funk to gypsy jazz. Venue owner Jack Brown says, "We really feel we've identified what the locals in the area want and need after trading and collating their feedback for over a year." One of the really positive forces in the culture of Kings Cross, Old Growler has an atmosphere that's part Italian trattoria, part industrial saloon, part inviting cave. Its focus on sustainability and local community makes it a place we'll always come back to. Thanks to the Old Growler, we have two $50 food and drink vouchers to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Premier Barry O'Farrell’s new legislation provokes an obvious question. Why should the entire class, including some of its top students, be punished because of the misdemeanours of a few? There's no doubt that action should be taken to avoid turning Kings Cross into a no-go zone akin to parts of Downtown LA. But eating into the vibrant post-midnight culture that Sydneysiders have worked so hard to cultivate, particularly over the past few years, is risky. Not to mention potentially ineffective. So risky, in fact, that one of the Cross's most bustling hotspots is shutting its doors and relocating as a result. Since opening just months ago, Buns & Balls has established itself as the go-to bar for acoustic and electronic music, classic cocktails, burgers and a spot of Buck Hunter. There hasn’t been a single incident of either violence or out-of-control-intoxication. With its chill, beachy-in-the-city atmosphere, it actually seems like an antidote to some of the big 'problem spots' in the area. But O’Farrell's legislation threatens to compromise trade (and vibe) so severely that the owners are pulling up stumps. In their ongoing licensing talks, the venue has been given such instruction as “a burger not being considered a meal” and “patrons being seated at all times/not being allowed to stand on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace”. Hmmm. Not sure about you, but last time I ate a burger I felt pretty full. As for sitting at all times, perhaps just a tad draconian? Not exactly conducive to a great night out? For Buns & Balls, the laws make business practically impossible. So they’re moving. Thankfully, they’ve found a new, as yet unspecified home in the Eastern suburbs, outside of the harsh conditions of the CBD precinct. Media rep Simon Hancock of SIMON SAYS believes that Buns and Balls will not be the only business to suffer unjustly under the legislation. “Action must be taken to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in our city, but these harsh, ‘blanket’ regulations are not the answer,” he said. “Proposed lock outs will simply put more punters on the streets rather than off, while small, safe venues like Buns & Balls in the area are forced to close due to impossible regulations.” Read more about what some of our favourite bars have had to say in response to the State Government proposals in our feature.
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]
UPDATE, SATURDAY, MAY 23: Snowpiercer, the series, will hit Netflix Down Under from Monday, May 25. The below article has been updated to reflect this. On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Humanity's attempts to combat climate change caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — and instead of banding together, the residents of the Snowpiercer have transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and 2019's Cannes Palme d'Or-winning and Oscar-winning Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick was a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens in May 2020 — including Down Under, where it'll drop new episodes weekly from Monday, May 25. While Snowpiercer, the series, doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order. The planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Parasite is being turned into an American TV series, too, by HBO; however, that's a little further off — especially with film and TV production currently out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interim, revisiting the world of one of Bong's other excellent films will help fill the gap. And, if you need to watch or rewatch the original flick itself, Snowpiercer, the movie, is currently streaming on both Netflix and Stan. Watch the Snowpiercer series trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer, the series, will hit Netflix Down Under from Monday, May 25, with new episodes airing weekly. An exact start date hasn't been revealed yet — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand. Images: Netflix.
Apologies to whatever piece of furniture sits in the centre of your lounge room at present. Once you've seen the Living Table, the place you currently put your warm beverages, remote controls and whatever is in your pockets is going to look pretty average. Turning the everyday item into an accessible and eye-catching indoor garden, it doesn't just brighten up any space — it transforms the humble coffee table into a living work of art. Available in two square sizes and ranging from US$850 to $1600 in price, the Living Table ensures that greenery is front and centre. Now that's something sticking a few pot plants in corners and on shelves definitely doesn't do. It's designed for low-growing ground cover plants that can grow and thrive without touching the table's glass surface, with manufacturers Habit Horticulture suggesting a list of ideal varieties. Don't go putting it in a dark corner, though; in fact, finding a spot that gets bright, indirect natural sunlight is recommended. As well as looking great and sparking many a conversation, the table is designed to copy the way that plants absorb water from the ground courtesy of a passive sub irrigation system. In other words, it layers the necessary materials — bio balls, felt, soil, plants and glass — without needing to include drainage outlets. And, even better than that, it means that the plants inside don't need much H20. If you've ever killed a piece of flora with some over-watering kindness, you'll be thrilled. Via inhabitat.
Ask just about any international visitor and they'll tell you how it is: Australia is packed full of creepy crawlies that are all dangerous and mostly deadly. We locals know the situation's not quite as sketchy as all that, but that there are plenty of native snakes, spiders and insects you probably wouldn't want jumping on your face. Well soon, you'll be able to determine the nasty ones from the nice ones with just a quick snap on your smartphone camera, thanks to new app Critterpedia. Currently in the beta testing phase with an artificial intelligence training platform being developed with CSIRO, Critterpedia is the brainchild of a regular Aussie mum and dad, Nic and Murray Scarce. The idea was spawned after fielding continuous questions from visiting British friends and family regarding our scary local wildlife population. So, how does this creature-identification app work? You simply use your device to take a photo of any snake or spider, then Critterpedia will call on its trained algorithm system to classify the beast, also offering details on its family, genus or species. It's designed to educate and raise awareness about our much-maligned Aussie creatures, while removing some of that fear factor. While Australia is home to more than 2000 species of spiders of 170 species, many of them don't pose a serious threat. As you can imagine, there's been a stack of AI work behind Critterpedia's hefty catalogue of info, with hundreds of thousands of images fed to the platform to help train its speedy identification function. CSIRO's digital specialist arm Data61 is collaborating on a special machine-learning engine that can sort through the masses of data to accurately classify species in just moments. While the app is in this development stage, users can do their bit to help train up the algorithm by submitting their own photos of local snakes and spiders. The extra imagery will assist in fine-tuning the platform's recognition systems in the lead-up to its launch. The Critterpedia app is currently in development. You can sign up here to become a tester and contribute photos to help train its algorithm.
A Sydney stalwart has been saved, with longstanding Parramatta Road pub The Lady Hampshire being taken over by Public Hospitality Group (Oxford House, The Strand Hotel, El Primo Sanchez) and returning as a dedicated live music venue. Originally called the Old Hampshire Hotel, the Camperdown venue sat vacant for years before being given a makeover and reopening as The Lady Hampshire in 2016 under the guidance of Sydney publican Paddy Coughlan. This new-look iteration lasted about five years before closing during the pandemic without reopening. Now, The Lady Hampshire has scored another transformation, swinging its doors back open as a neighbourhood pub with a stacked live music program. "Bringing The Lady Hampshire back to life with live music as the focus is exactly what Sydney has been asking for," Public Hospitality Group's Entertainment and Event Manager Elliott Harper said, announcing the news. "When it comes to entertainment venues, we only want to foster growth and success across our city and think The Lady will be the destination for all types of musicians and patrons. The first month alone has some of the most exciting gigs Sydney has seen this year and we can't wait to bring it to locals and gig-goers." View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Lady Hampshire (@theladyhampshire) While the pub is open for a casual beer seven days a week — serving up wood-fired pizzas and tinnies of beer among its food and drink offerings — its biggest focus is live music. To celebrate its return, it's hosting a month-long party kicking off with a massive three-day in-venue music festival. A Month of Madness will kick off with the Lady Launch Weekender across Friday, April 14–Sunday, April 16. On the lineup for the musical celebration: Pacific Avenue, Fangz, Juno and Dedpan, as well as DJ sets from Mac the Knife and Nitecall. There will also be a live tattoo studio pop-up, a nail salon for both people and pooches, and $10 smashed cheesies with chips across the weekend. Across the following month of gigs you can then catch the likes of Bugs, Abby Bella May, Close Counters, Bootleg Rascal, These New South Wales and Good Lekker between Friday, April 21–Saturday, May 20. You can keep up to date with the gig guide at the revamped Lady Hampshire over at the pub's Instagram page. [caption id="attachment_893119" align="alignnone" width="1920"] These New South Wales[/caption] The Lady Hampshire has reopened at 91 Parramatta Road, Camperdown — operating from 10am Monday–Saturday and from 12pm on Sundays.
When the first and second seasons of Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That... started streaming, a famous setting made an appearance Down Under. If you'd always wanted to hang out on Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker, Hocus Pocus 2), stoop, that became a temporary reality in Sydney and Melbourne. For season three, which is currently working through its episodes on HBO Max, a different spot from the show is on its way to Australia. We hope you're hungry, be it for something sweet or savoury, because Hot Fellas Bakery is about to hit Sydney. Yes, this purveyor of baked goods is usually fictional. The brainchild of character Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone, Better Things), it lives up to its name in the series. It'll also exist IRL at Darlinghurst's Taylor Square in the Harbour City, but only for one weekend: from Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29, 2025. Hot Fellas Bakery first made the leap from the screen in New York — where else? — and will do the same in Australia just two weeks after its Big Apple debut. The pastries on offer won't cost you a thing. Neither will the coffee. There'll be limited-edition merchandise up for grabs as well. Equally doing its moniker proud is set to be part of the pop-up, too. On the menu: Vegemite babka, Golden Gaytime cream puffs and AP buttermilk croissants. While Hot Fellas Bakery has locked in a three-day Sydney run, you do only have a brief window of time each day to head by, however. It's operating from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, then from 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 — and will close earlier each day if everything is already sold out. [caption id="attachment_1009739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig Blankenhorn/Max[/caption] And if you haven't kept up with the Sex and the City world, And Just Like That... debuted in 2021 to continue Carrie, Miranda Hobbes' (Cynthia Nixon, The Gilded Age) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt's (Kristin Davis, Deadly Illusions) stories — with Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall, How I Met Your Father) largely sitting it out, except for a brief cameo in season two. Other familiar faces abound, including John Corbett (To All the Boys: Always and Forever) reprising his role as Aidan Shaw from season two onwards, plus David Eigenberg (Chicago Fire) and Evan Handler (Power) also returning. Check out the trailer for Just Like That... season three below: Hot Fellas Bakery is popping up at Taylor Square, 191–195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, plus 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 (or until sold out). And Just Like That... streams in Australia via HBO Max. Head to the platform's website for more details.
With pubs, restaurants and cafes closing around the country forced to close comes the loss of many hospitality jobs — and it's all happened very, very quickly. According to website I Lost My Hospo Shift, at last count, 2294 Aussie hospo workers had lost their jobs and 11,709 shifts had been cut, which equates to around $2 million in lost wages this week alone. To help those impacted by the sudden changes, Pernod Ricard is offering $100,00 worth of free meals via Deliveroo to out-of-work hospo workers, including bar staff, waiters, managers, suppliers, cleaners, owners and chefs. From 12pm today, the new initiative called Meals for Mates will see thousands of free meals delivered across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. There'll be a total of 4000 $25 meal voucher codes available via Deliveroo for hospo workers now out of a job or just getting by on reduced hours. As an added benefit, when the hospo workers use the vouchers, they'll also be helping those venues still open for takeaway and delivery. Basically, it's a small win-win situation in what is an incredibly tough time for the industry. While there's a whole host of eateries where workers can spend their vouchers, some of them include cult-favourite burger joint Mary's (Sydney), Italian restaurant Salt Meats Cheese (Sydney, Brisbane), Sydney's retro-Aussie pub The Unicorn and St Kilda's PB's Bar & Eatery. Out-of-work hospitality workers can snag their voucher by emailing a copy of their RSA and the venue they last worked at to MealsForMates@pernod-ricard.com. Then, you'll receive a Deliveroo code, which can be redeemed anytime over the next three months. [caption id="attachment_766230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's Newtown by Maclay Heriot[/caption]
Australia's hot springs fiends and bathing connoisseurs have a lot to be excited about — if a trip to Victoria is in your future, or will be now. First, we learned the much-loved Peninsula Hot Springs crew was planning a new wellness and bathing precinct for East Gippsland, the Metung Hot Springs. Then, a proposal for a 900-kilometre trail linking the state's hot springs and other bathing spots was unveiled. And now, it's time to actually start planning those Gippsland-based bathing adventures, because the Metung Hot Springs has announced an initial launch date, with bookings to open in a matter of days. The first phase of the $100-million precinct's long-awaited grand opening is slated for Saturday, October 29 — and you can jump online to book a visit from Monday, September 19. Much like its Mornington Peninsula sibling, the Gippsland site is set to be one giant haven of wellness and indulgence, nestled on 25 acres surrounded by coastal bushland and located within strolling distance of the quaint lakeside village of Metung. Guests will be able to soak in cliff-top barrels overlooking Lake King, let off steam in various architecturally designed saunas (including a floating one), pamper themselves at the day spa and rejuvenate while bathing in pools filled with geothermal water. There'll be bush walks to wander, plunge pools to get your blood pumping, and all-day dining options to refuel in between dips, too. Located four hours out of Melbourne, Metung Hot Springs will also feature onsite accommodation, including safari-style glamping tents each decked out with its own private balcony and geothermal bathing barrel. As announced earlier, the bathing precinct is also joining forces with — and renovating — the nearby former Kings Cove Golf Course, soon to relaunch as the Metung Country Club. It'll have its own resort-style accommodation and facilities, and a revamped clubhouse and restaurant, with 'stay, bathe and golf' packages on offer across the two sites. [caption id="attachment_869322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Metung Hot Springs glamping[/caption] Meanwhile, those looking to indulge in some 'me' time can immerse themselves in the offerings of the onsite day spa, centred on authentic Larn'wa Aboriginal Lore wellness rituals incorporating native botanical spa products. The hot springs project is being brought to life with the help of $1.5 million in funding courtesy of the Victorian Government's Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package, as well as an additional $1.5 million from the federal and state governments' Local Economic Recovery Program In other related news, Victoria's proposed bathing and hot springs trail is set to start taking shape over the coming summer months, with the latest map and venue updates available to scope out online. Keen on multiple trips south to hit the hot springs? Back on the Mornington Peninsula, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is on track to open its own doors in a matter of weeks, now taking spa and bathing bookings from September 26 onwards. Metung Hot Springs will open to customers from Saturday, October 29 at 73 Storth Ryes Avenue, Metung, Victoria. Online bookings are open from Thursday, September 19.
The name might not ring a bell, but his creations would certainly be familiar. Yoram Gross is the man behind classic cartoons such as Blinky Bill and Dot and the Kangaroo. Now, rather than telling the tale of a mischievous koala, he is publishing his own memoirs. As is often the case, fact can be more interesting than fiction. As a Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, Gross was forced to move between over 70 hideouts, even passing himself off as a séance host. After the war he settled in Israel, where he became an award-winning film maker, and in 1968 he was on the move again, this time heading to Australia with his family where he would eventually create some of the country’s most iconic cartoon characters. Looking back on the films — if you need a recap Blinky Bill has his peaceful bush home destroyed by invading humans and must rescue his mother from captivity, Dot is lost in the bush and must rely on her new animal friends to find her way home — it is enlightening to see the stories with adult eyes, recognising that the light-hearted adventures that entertained us as children have much more serious layers with their roots in Gross’ own experiences. As his life, and his films show, you can always make the best of a bad situation. And you should enjoy the kangaroo rides while you can! My Animated Life is published by Brandl & Schlesinger.
If you're a devotee of the theatre, then August is definitely your month in Sydney. There are shows galore, from Broadway classics such as Chicago and West Side Story to the musical productions of Bring It On at the State Theatre and Muriel's Wedding at Sydney Lyric Theatre. Feet already tapping to the imaginary music? Well, it might just be time to book yourself in for a theatre-themed staycation. Line up all the shows you want to check out and book into the luxurious West Hotel on Sussex Street, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton to be your home away from home. The new hotel is based on Sussex St in the CBD, conveniently close to the theatres, and a heap of bars, cafes and restaurants that you can visit in between shows. [caption id="attachment_650803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bennelong. Image: Brett Stevens.[/caption] ENJOY A DAZZLING PRE-SHOW DINNER There's nothing worse than sitting through a show you're absolutely loving, except you can't concentrate properly because your tummy is rumbling. Avoid the discomfort by calling into one of these venues before the theatre doors open. The minimalist share plates at Poly in Surry Hills are a failsafe choice if you're heading to the Capitol Theatre. And before any State Theatre show, a sumptuous Italian feast at QT Sydney's low-lit, elegant Parlour Cucina is just the ticket. If you don't feel like dining at the Star Casino eateries before heading to the Lyric Theatre, it's worth trying out the evening tasting menu at the gracefully European-inspired Pyrmont wine bar Bar Clementine. Finally, if you're seeing West Side Story at the Sydney Opera House and want to really make a night of it, there's no better choice than Bennelong's Big Night Out set menu, which features high-end versions of Aussie favourite (yes, including Bennelong's famous lamington dessert) for $170 a head. [caption id="attachment_698588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bancho Bar.[/caption] DEBRIEF POST-SHOW OVER A COCKTAIL Everyone knows that after you leave the theatre, you are feeling alive and filled with melodious energy. So, it's the perfect time to head to a nearby bar with your theatre buddy and discuss all your favourite moments from the stage spectacular you just witnessed. If you're seeing Chicago at Capitol Theatre, then head to Haymarket's Bancho Bar for a Japanese-inspired cocktail and some delicious katsu skewers. After an Opera House show, stop by Kittyhawk, which is just a quick walk up Macquarie Street, to find a Parisian military-themed bar with a seriously interesting cocktail list. Solander Dining and Bar is a top spot to hit for a gab and na Aussie botanical cocktail after seeing Muriel's Wedding at Sydney Lyric Theatre, while mezcal bar Cantina OK! is an ideal place to check out after a visit to the State Theatre. It's only a six-minute walk back home to your lavish room at West Hotel, too. [caption id="attachment_635708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Opera House. Image: Letícia Almeida[/caption] HAVE A TRUE BEHIND-THE-SCENES THEATRE EXPERIENCE If you always dreamt of being a performer (but unfortunately lacked the voice or moves), this is your chance to take a peek behind the stage curtain. On the Sydney Opera House backstage tour, you'll not only be guided around all the backstage nooks and crannies but also regaled with behind-the-scenes stories of performers and shows that have graced the stages. Plus, you'll also get finish your tour with a delicious breakfast in the Green Room (typically the domain of crew and performers). If that's not enough to delight your operatic senses, The Opera Centre in Surry Hills also offers tours. This is where sets, costumes and props are made for some of Sydney's biggest productions, so you'll get to poke around the production workshops and see the huge amount of work, talent and skill that goes into staging the productions you adore. [caption id="attachment_729157" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Old Fitzroy. Image: Tanya Saint James.[/caption] HANG OUT WITH LOCAL THESPIANS Ask any aspiring actor or beloved Aussie thespian — certainly anyone in the Sydney theatre scene — and they'll tell you the same thing: there's nowhere better for a schooner than Woolloomooloo icon The Old Fitzroy Hotel. The Old Fitz, recently taken over by new owners, houses Australia's only 'pub theatre' — the stage of which has welcomed some of Australia's most beloved acting talents. The regulars, many of whom graced the stages of a bygone era or wrote some of Sydney's best local productions, are part of this pub's furniture and their stories will no doubt delight. Enjoy a classic British pub feed on the back patio, then head to the front tables to see if any of the regular famous Aussie faces will be joining you. [caption id="attachment_586723" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Moya's Juniper Lounge. Image: Steven Woodburn.[/caption] HEAD TO A JAZZ BAR IF YOU CAN'T GET 'ALL THAT JAZZ' OUT OF YOUR HEAD If you're one of the many heading to the Capitol Theatre to see the Broadway classic Chicago, then chances are you'll spend the following few days with 'All That Jazz' on unrelenting repeat in your head. The only way to resolve that, in our opinion, is giving your noggin what it's asking for: all the jazz. Hit up Marrickville jazz haunt Lazybones Lounge or, if you need something a little closer to the city, Venue 505 is a quintessential Surry Hills jazz bar that's only a 10-minute drive from West Hotel. And if you're free on a Sunday night, Moya's Juniper Lounge in Redfern has all the live jazz you could ever want — plus $10 negronis. [caption id="attachment_722457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Glenmore.[/caption] GET A DOSE OF SHAKESPEARE AT A PUB Shakespeare shows probably conjure up visions of stuffy playhouses and equally stuffy patrons — but, historically, performances of the Bard's work were much less refined. So bringing Shakespeare shows back to their roots in pubs is exactly what the creators of Bar'd Work, Chris Huntly-Turner and James Haxby, set out to achieve. The Shakesbeer Sessions happen at pubs all around Sydney — the majority of which are a quick 10-minute drive from West Hotel, like the aptly named Shakespeare Hotel or The Glenmore — so check out the calendar here to see what tragicomedy is on the books next. [caption id="attachment_697915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Goros.[/caption] BELT OUT YOUR FAVOURITE TUNES AT A KARAOKE BAR You've just exited the theatre doors with music in your heart and your head is filled with show tunes — maybe the catchy cheerleading chants from Bring It On, the Broadway classics of Chicago or West Side Story or the hits of ABBA beloved by the titular character in Muriel's Wedding. What do you want to do more than anything? Do your own star performance, of course. Luckily, Sydney has plenty of options. You and your show buddies can share the glass karaoke room and giant Japanese katsu at Bang Bang or head to Goros for a private room and plenty of Japanese cocktails and bar snacks. If you want to kick on, Sydney institution Ding Dong Dang has plenty of private karaoke rooms so you can continue to get boozy and belt out 'Mamma Mia' into the wee hours. [caption id="attachment_698575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Employees Only.[/caption] HAVE AN AUTHENTIC NYC DINING EXPERIENCE AFTER SEEING 'WEST SIDE STORY' If you've got your tickets in-hand and are eagerly hanging out to see West Side Story at the Opera House, make the wait little more bearable with a tasty NYC-inspired meal. For a proper NYC bagel that emulates the pastrami monstrosities from Katz's Delicatessan, head to Brooklyn Boy Bagels in the CBD. If you're after a long, boozy lunch, NYC-inspired cafe Bowery Lane is a perfect choice, offering hickory-smoked salmon on rye, juicy pork cutlet and an impressive wine list with plenty of drops from the US. Or for dinner and a drink, head to Employees Only — this delightful underground venue is the Sydney outpost of the award-winning New York speakeasy. It's serving up monterey jack cheeseburgers, marrow poppers, caviar service with blinis and, of course, world-class cocktails. Don't worry if you have one too many — your room at West Hotel is only a few minutes away. [caption id="attachment_731501" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Dance Company.[/caption] PRACTISE YOUR BEST 'CELL BLOCK TANGO' WITH A THEATRE JAZZ DANCE CLASS If you can't stop those feet from tapping and sashay-ing around the streets after seeing Chicago, it might be worth investing an hour in a theatre jazz class at the Sydney Dance Company. This dance school has regular drop-in classes, which is perfect if you get an undeniable urge to cell block tango all of a sudden. And don't fret about your skills — classes range from experienced and beginners, so you don't have to be Bob Fosse to join in. [caption id="attachment_634987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giant Dwarf Theatre.[/caption] GO 'OFF-BROADWAY' AND EXPERIENCE SYDNEY'S SMALL THEATRE SCENE Sydney is obviously known for its gorgeous theatres and established production companies, but it also has an impressive small theatre scene. If you have spare time in between shows, it's worth checking out what's on offer at Giant Dwarf in Redfern — a Sydney favourite for comedy. Meanwhile, Griffin Theatre and Eternity Playhouse, both in Darlinghurst, offer impressive local productions in intimate settings. If you're after something a touch more indie and underground, head to the New Theatre in Newtown, which has been home to the non-conformists who act purely for the love of it since the 1930s. Make your mini musical-themed break easy with a stay at West Hotel and discover more of the city's showbiz-style happenings. Top Image: The Glenmore.
A fish and chipper that nails the brief — fresh, tender fish; hot, golden chips — is something to cherish. Although, they can be difficult to pick out of a lineup. From experience, there are a few tell-tale signs to watch out for: queues (obviously), a family-run vibe and a vibrant lineup of salads on display. Proving this formula correct is Johnston Street's Fat Fish. Keep it simple and lunch on a seafood basket ($14.90) filled with fish cocktails, rings of calamari, chips and more; or, get creative and pick and choose from your standard F&C offering (seafood sticks, Chiko rolls, pineapple fritters) and the more elevated (Greek-style barbecued octopus, garlic prawn skewers, beer-battered New Zealand mussels). Image: Unsplash, Yulia Karnavushanka
Some stories are so wild that they can only be true, and the tale of Australian cult The Family is definitely one of them. That's worth remembering when it finally becomes your next homegrown streaming obsession — in fact, you probably won't be able to forget it — with Disney+ taking inspiration from the sinister Aussie sect for a new eight-part series called The Clearing. If you're new to The Family — and you didn't see the excellent and supremely creepy 2016 documentary that shares the cult's name, or the 2019 series The Cult of the Family, both by filmmaker Rosie Jones — then strap yourself in for quite the story. It was very real, forming in the 1960s around Melbourne, with charismatic yoga teacher Anne Hamilton-Byrne at its head. A cult run by a woman is already extremely rare, but this tale also includes adopting kids who looked identical, dressing them in matching clothing, claiming that Hamilton-Byrne was a living god and, because that's not enough, a lot of LSD. Police raided the sect's Lake Eildon compound back in 1987, all those children were removed from the property, and Hamilton-Byrne and her husband fled Australia, but were arrested in the US in 1993. [caption id="attachment_611844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Family[/caption] There's more to this tale, which inspired JP Pomare's novel In the Clearing — and that's what The Clearing adapts. The show will step into the fictionalised but still chaotic details by following a woman who starts to confront her nightmarish past to stop a secret cult that's gathering up children to serve its master plan. Unsurprisingly, the mood will be tense, with the Disney+ series firmly a psychological thriller. Cast-wise, almost every famous Aussie acting name possible is involved, or so it seems, including Teresa Palmer (Ride Like a Girl), Miranda Otto (True Colours) and Guy Pearce (Mare of Easttown), as well as Claudia Karvan (Bump) and Mark Coles-Smith (Mystery Road: Origin). Also set to appear on-screen: Hazem Shammas (The Twelve), Kate Mulvany (Hunters), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Anna Lise Phillips (Fires), Harry Greenwood (Wakefield) Erroll Shand (The Justice of Bunny King), Doris Younane (Five Bedrooms), Miah Madden (Dive Club), Julia Savage (Mr Inbetween), Gary Sweet (Wentworth), Alicia Gardiner (Offspring), Matt Okine (The Other Guy) and Jeremy Blewitt (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), plus Lily La Torre (Run Rabbit Run) and Ras-Samuel Welda'abzgi (Neighbours). We told you it was a hefty list. [caption id="attachment_862740" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Cult of the Family[/caption] Behind the lens, Jeffrey Walker (Lambs of God) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) are on directing duties, with Elise McCredie (Stateless) and Matt Cameron (Jack Irish) creating and writing The Clearing — with help from co-writer Osamah Sami (Ali's Wedding). The Clearing is one of Disney+'s first three newly commissioned local scripted dramas — its first three ever, in fact — alongside The Artful Dodger and Last Days of the Space Age. There's obviously no trailer for The Clearing yet, but you can check out the trailer for The Family below: The Clearing will stream via Disney+, with a release date yet to be revealed — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Top image: The Cult of the Family.
First, Vivid made its big comeback after a couple of years on hiatus due to the pandemic. Soon, Sydney Film Festival will return to its usual wintry slot following a chaotic period for the same reason, too. Then, come mid-August, Sydney Fringe Festival will also hit the city in-person — and, for its first physical fest since 2019, this celebration of independent arts has huge plans. Get ready for six hefty weeks of performances, exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, film, dance, circus, literature and poetry, with Sydney Fringe beginning two weeks earlier than normal because its 2022 event will be that big. Running from Tuesday, August 16–Friday, September 30, it'll feature more than 500 shows. No, you won't be lacking things to see to wrap up winter and kick off spring. The reason that this year's Sydney Fringe will be so enormous: all those shows that've been gestating while theatres were shut. So, the 2022 lineup will be the fest's longest and biggest ever — with its full lineup set to drop on Monday, August 1. A few highlights have been announced already, though, so you can start getting excited. They include the return of Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett after a run earlier this year — and the return of the Runaway Gardens and Spiegeltent as well. That means more circus, cabaret, aerial feats and fire-breathing, plus food and drink pop-ups. Also on the list: cabaret company YUMMY teaming up with the Darlinghurst Theatre Company on a new show; micro-festival Limitless, which is all about celebrating performance and visual artists with disability; and an inflatable artwork by Goldberg Aberline Studio that'll take over World Square. Or, there's Babylon, which'll take over Chippendale's Kensington Street and Spice Alley with light installations, tunes, dancing, soundscapes, food, booze and performances; three days of eats and live entertainment in Marrickville's Smidmore Street; and plenty of free events, street parties and activations around town. Love hitting up festival hubs? Sydney Fringe loves hosting them, and will also include a bigger touring hub at The Seymour Centre that'll showcase award-winners from Adelaide Fringe, Perth Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, New Zealand Fringe and other fests. And, you'll be able to check out the emerging artists sharehouse at Erskineville Town Hall, too, plus the massive 100-plus comedy lineup at the Factory Theatre — while the musical theatre hub will sit at City Tattersalls and the cabaret hub at The Castlereagh. [caption id="attachment_856313" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Seiya Taguchi[/caption] Announcing Sydney Fringe's 2022 plans, CEO and Festival Director Kerri Glasscock said that the fest has "had an overwhelming response to our artist call out this year and are shaping up to be bigger than ever. This is really an incredible testament to the resilience and passion of the indie arts sector in Sydney, they are chomping at the bit to have their return moment and present all the work that has been bubbling away under the surface during the past two years." "There has never been a better time to get out and explore Sydney Fringe — this is our city's festival and a celebration of all we stand for," Glasscock continued. Sydney Fringe Festival 2022 will take place between Tuesday, August 16–Friday, September 30, with the event's full program set to be announced on Monday, August 1. For further information in the interim, head to the fest's website.
The sugar-white sand and shimmering turquoise waters of Hyams Beach draw south coast seaside explorers in droves. And who could blame them? This pristine stretch of coastline sheltered in the protective curve of Jervis Bay is almost too perfect for postcards. The calm waters are ideal for snorkelling, swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking, and being part of a protected marine park means bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and little penguins are regular visitors. When you're not waving out to sea at humpback and southern right whales on their annual migration, wander along the shaded Hyams Beach trail to spot local birdlife on the two-kilometre track. Image: Destination NSW
When a big musical hits Australia, there are often two reasons to get excited: the fact that a new stage show is heading Down Under, and possibly getting to see it without breaking the bank. That budget-friendly option frequently comes courtesy of TodayTix, which loves slinging cheap seats via a ticket lottery. And, as has happened with Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! and Mary Poppins, it's rolling one out for Tina — The Tina Turner Musical. This is simply your best chance to see the show for less than the price of a dinner, with tickets costing just $35. To take part in the lottery, you will need to download the TodayTix app — which is available for iOS and Android — and submit your entry each week for the next week's performances. The lottery will go live at 12.01am every Friday morning, and is already up and running for its first week. Then, the winners are drawn after 1pm on the following Thursday. If your name is selected, you'll have an hour to claim your tickets from when you receive the good news. If you need a reminder, you can also sign up for lottery alerts via TodayTix, too. After premiering in London back in 2018, this stage ode to the music icon that's had Aussies dancing to 'Nutbush City Limits' for decades is making its way to Sydney from Thursday, May 4. No, it isn't taking to the stage in a church house, gin house, school house or outhouse — or on highway number 19, either. But Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will obviously have Theatre Royal Sydney enjoying Turner's greatest hits in one massive show. The list of musical numbers includes 'Nutbush City Limits', naturally, as well as everything from 'River Deep, Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary' through to 'Private Dancer' and 'What's Love Got to Do with It?'. Tina — The Tina Turner Musical makes its trip Down Under courtesy of TEG DAINTY, Stage Entertainment and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner herself. Announcing the news, the singer said that "Australia has always shared abundant love with me, going back to my early concerts in the late 70s through the uplifting partnership with the National Rugby League. It is very special for me that we will be reunited." "The joy, passion and message of resilience in my musical is so important now as ever. Thank you from the bottom my heart for welcoming me with open arms once again," Turner continued. Penned by Tony Award-nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall, plus Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by fellow Tony-nominee Phyllida Lloyd, Tina — The Tina Turner Musical clearly has quite the story to tell. The show steps through Turner's life and fame, including growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, the hard work that led to her career, all of those aforementioned hits, her 12 Grammy Awards, her volatile time with Ike Turner and her huge solo success. There's no word yet as to whether Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will head to other Australian cities, but cross your fingers while you're doing the Nutbush, obviously. Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will open its Australian-premiere season at Theatre Royal Sydney from Thursday, May 4. To enter the TodayTix $35 lottery, download the company's iOS or Android app, and head to the company's website for more information — and to set up an alert. Images: Manuel Harlan.
It was really only a matter of time before someone went there — and they finally have. Residents that fit into the intersection of the 'Singapore resident' and 'Orange Is the New Black fan' Venn diagram will be stoked to hear Netflix is opening an a pop-up restaurant themed around the show's prison cafeteria. As of yesterday, June 16, Singaporean diner OverEasy has been transformed into Litchfield Penitentiary Cafeteria to bring the TV prison experience to the people (and also to cash in on the hype surrounding the OITNB season four debut, which should be going up on Netflix sometime today). Chef Bjorn Shen has created the menu inspired by the depressing slop served up in the prison cafeteria but, you know, more gourmet. On the menu? An appetiser of corn kernels with spiced butter, cheese and lime, a main designed to replicate Nutraloaf (the US prison punishment food of three meals literally blended into one), and gruel for dessert (which is actually white chocolate and coconut rice pudding, almond crumble and 'fruit' of the day). And to wash it all down? Delicious tap water (moreish, healthy and flavourful!). Unfortunately the restaurant has filled up pretty quickly but if you're in Singapore right now, you can chance your arm for a walk-in. It's worth a shot because the prison-style grub is free — probably because no one would actually pay for prison fare. And for everyone else, well, we can sleep easy knowing that OITNB-branded GruelTM is surely coming soon to a supermarket near us and get stuck into binge watching season four. Via CNET.
Australia keeps going dotty for Yayoi Kusama — and this time, one of the Japanese artist's dot-filled installations is coming to our shores on a permanent basis. Canberra's National Gallery of Australia has acquired Kusama's pumpkin-focused infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which will form part of the NGA's collection and go on display from December this year. The piece was first exhibited in 2015 and last seen in Australia earlier this year, in Brisbane as part of the Gallery of Modern Art's Yayoi Kusama: Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibition between October 2017 and February 2018. Comprised of a mirrored cube filled with yellow, dot-covered pumpkins, it's a quintessential Kusama piece. Whether you're a devoted fan who considers visiting the artist's own Tokyo museum a bucket-list moment, or someone who has simply placed stickers around one of her obliteration rooms, you would've noticed that dots and the concept of infinity are crucial to her work — "our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos", she says. Inside the cube, the bulbous vegetables appear to create an endless field thanks to the shiny surface. On the outside of the cube, the structure's mirrored exterior reflects the yellow-and-black walls in the surrounding installation room — again, making it appear as though the pattern stretches on forever. The acquisition was made possible via a gift to the NGA from Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett. "It has long-been my ambition to see a major contemporary Japanese artwork housed in Australia's national collection," said Andrew in a statement. "Kusama's playful installation is a legacy that will keep giving for generations to come." Find The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra from a yet-to-be-revealed date in December 2018. Images: Yayoi Kusama, THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO HEAVENS 2015. Installation view at The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (Museum MACAN). © Yayoi Kusama. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/ Singapore/ Shanghai.
Since 1983, Lucio's has brought together two of the best things in life — Italian food and art — in a beautiful terrace in Paddington. Owner Lucio Galletto OAM says the combination is like the air he breathes. The fare is of the Northern Italian variety, made with fresh, seasonal produce and pasta whipped up on-the-spot daily. To sample as many dishes as possible, go for the six-course degustation, and between the courses of hearty eats, feast your eyes on the stunning Australian artworks covering the walls. They're part of Lucio's private collection, and among them, you'll spot pieces by John Olsen, John Coburn, Tim Storrier, Charles Blackman and loads of others. Some even speculate that Lucio's could be one of the world's best art restaurants, along with New York City's Four Seasons, London's Sketches and Ivy and Provence's La Colombo d'Or. Image: Jesse Jaco.
Stay tuned. More info on its way. Image: Sardaka via Wikimedia Commons.
Looking for a new burger adventure? Head down to Xi'an Biang Biang in Chinatown for a chance to try the world's oldest hamburger, a 2000-year-old ancient meat sandwich. You'll also discover an entire menu of Chinese dishes you've (probably, maybe) never seen, tried or heard of before. Xi'an Biang Biang is located at the Town Hall-end of Dixon Street, just a few doors down from the well-known compass point of N2 Gelato. It's a cheap and cheerful kind of place, packed out with students and plastic chairs at a ratio of 2:1. While most of us are well-acquainted with Cantonese or Sichuan cuisine, Xi'an Biang Biang specialises in native fare from the Shaanxi province of China. The region is known for its handmade noodles and hot, sour flavours - let me introduce you to a few of the gang. The most famous Shaanxi dish is the biang biang noodles ($9). This simple country bowl is made from hand-pulled noodles, thick as a belt and chewy in texture. At Xi'an Biang Biang, they're served swimming in bright red oil which has been liberally seasoned with cumin and chilli. Here's a suggestion for you, don't wear white. Another popular Shaanxi dish is the cold noodles in garlic sauce ($10). This time around the noodles are thin and coarse, accompanied with torn up pieces of solidified gluten, which, for all intents and purpose, could actually be a kitchen sponge. Both noodles and sponge are coated in a sour garlic sauce with heady notes of black vinegar. Those who like their noodles hot and comforting might find this dish a little confronting. Naturally, we've saved the best for last. The surprise hit of the menu is the rougamo or 'burger' ($8), as they called it on the menu. This Shaanxi street food is made from a disc of pastry stuffed with pulled pork which has been stewed in soup for hours on end. The result is crunchy, crispy goodness paired with meltingly tender meat. Expect warm, fatty juices to drip down your arm. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. And perhaps what makes this experience even more magical is that rougamo back to 221BC making it the first ever hamburger or sandwich, or pie, or whatever else you think this exciting dish resembles. So if you consider yourself a fan of Mary's, Burger Project or Five Points, then take a trip down to Dixon Street to find out where the madness all began. Images: Letícia Almeida.
The Star Casino's food offerings are varied and plentiful. If you've ever wandered through the lower level of the casino you would have stumbled upon restaurants from the likes of Chase Kojima, Luke Nguyen and Martino Pulito, with the casino housing everything from hearty American barbecue to inventive sashimi. In order to keep the ship at these restaurants running and ensure you can eat well at home, The Star's food offerings have been wrapped up into a series of neat takeaway and delivery meals available during Sydney's lockdown. Seven of the restaurants have launched at-home menus, each accompanied by dedicated Spotify playlists to create the same ambiance of the restaurant at home and bottled cocktails available at $15 for 100 millilitres or $60 for 500 millilitres. Sokyo has three options on offer. The $140 set menu serves two and includes a seven-course offering taken from its menu. The seven dishes include kingfish ceviche and salmon with ponzu, lamb chops with fried cauliflower and yuzu vinegar, wagyu steak and the restaurant's signature miso-glazed toothfish. The $200 finish at home kit features an expanded version of the set menu that you partially cook yourself with guidance from Chase Kojima. And, the $65 Sokyo Sushi Box features sixteen pieces of seafood sushi ranging from tuna to kingfish belly. Black Bar and Grill are similarly serving up a $120 set menu for two featuring beef jerky and brioche, burrata with salted baked beetroot, buttery king prawns and a wagyu rump served with a heap of sides, and its cook-it-yourself counterpart with guidance from Executive Chef Dany Karam. Set menus and finish at home meals from Fat Noodle, Bar Tikram, Cucina Porto, Flying Fish, and a burger and salad menu from 24/7 Sports Bar are all on offer, with set menus ranging from $70-140. You can view all the offerings sorted by their restaurants at The Star's website. [caption id="attachment_825287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Bar and Grill's king prawns[/caption]
Sydney is flush with world-class steakhouses. In fact, the Harbour City has a whopping five entries in the top 50 of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for 2023. Liquid & Larder, the team behind two of those five standout meat emporiums, has now brought another beefy brasserie to Sydney's CBD in the form of Alfie's. Alfie's has arrived on Bligh Street from the crew behind Bistecca (number 32 on the best steak restaurants list), The Gidley (number 43) and The Rover. This one-of-a-kind opening boasts a more fast-paced dining experience than its sibling venues — aiming to provide a more approachable and affordable take on the steakhouse with a simplified menu, plus a more casual fitout inspired by graffiti and hip hop culture. "After years of perfecting the slow-dining and elevated experiences at Bistecca, The Gidley and The Rover, we're going off script at Alfie's by offering the same high-quality food and booze but fast-paced and full of action," says Liquor & Larder co-founder and Director James Bradey. There's just one cut of meat on the menu, the 220-gram Riverine sirloin which is available for $38 and is promised to hit your table within 15 minutes of ordering. This means that city workers can treat themselves to a world-class steak on their lunch break. Alfie's is the first Liquor & Larder restaurant to boast its own central butchery and steak-aging facility. This helps ensure the sirloin here — as well as the beef delivered to Bistecca and The Gidley — is all of the highest quality. It also gives diners a chance to peek behind the scenes through the butcher's window before they sit down to eat. Accompanying the steak is a range of sides which can be ordered in half or full portions. Take your pick from fire-roasted baby carrots, roast mushrooms, cucumber salad and Alfie's bubble and squeak slaw. Those looking to just enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with a dose of people-watching can nab a spot in the walk-in bar looking out onto Bligh Street. Former Bartender of the Year and Group Bars Manager Alex Gondzioulis has designed the cocktail menu with classic and seasonal combinations on offer alongside a martini that the team claims is Sydney's coldest — served at a chilly negative-ten degrees. At the bar, there are a few British-inspired snacks to pair with your cocktail of choice, including a hot chip roast beef butty, thyme scones, cornish pasties and chips topped with chip shop-style curry sauce. There's also a daily happy hour adding to the approachability of the venue, featuring $16 martinis, $14 Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin spritzes, $3 Grifter beers, $10 wines and $17 chip and roast beef sandwiches between 4–6pm, Monday–Saturday. You'll find Alfie's at 4–6 Bligh Street, Sydney. The casual steakhouse is open for lunch (11.30am–2.30pm) and dinner (5–9pm) Monday–Saturday. Images: Dexter Kim.
Call it wild, weird and wonderful. Call it surreal and sublime, too. Whichever terms you want to sling Dark Mofo's way, there's no other event quite like it on Tasmania's cultural calendar — or Australia's. 2024 felt the winter arts festival's absence, after it sat out the year to regroup for the future ahead. Get excited about 2025, however, because Dark Mofo has confirmed that it'll be returning in June. "Dark Mofo is back. For our 11th chapter, once more we'll bathe the city in red and deliver two weeks of inspiring art, music and ritual," said Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite, announcing the event's 2025 dates, and advising that limited pre-release tickets for Night Mass, which fills downtown Hobart with art and music, will be on offer from 10am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. "Night Mass is a beast, and this year it will evolve once more — worming its way through the city with new spaces, performances and experiences to dance, explore or crawl your way through," Twite continued. Not only Night Mass is returning, but so is the full Dark Mofo setup, largely taking place across Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025. The one exception: the Nude Solstice Swim, one of the festival events that still went ahead in 2024. Next year, it'll get everyone taking a dip on Saturday, June 21. Winter Feast, which also took place in 2024, will be back in 2025 as well — as will the Ogoh-Ogoh, plus a yet-to-be-announced (but sure to be jam-packed) art and music program that'll be revealed next year. If you spent a few days in 2023 attending a Twin Peaks-inspired ball and seeing a giant teddy bear with laser eyes — watching a stunning new take on Dante's classic examination of hell, purgatory and paradise, too — then you went to Dark Mofo's most-recent full run. Organised by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, the winter arts festival fills Hobart with all manner of surprises every year, other than its gap year in 2024. When the break was announced, it was done to ensure that event could "move forward in a viable manner", said Twite at the time. "The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025" was the promise, and it's being lived up to. The year off came after a hit 2023 run that saw Dark Mofo smash it with attendances and at the box office — notching up record figures, in fact. Despite the event's success, the crew behind it have been working towards "a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next ten years", taking rising costs and other changing elements into consideration. Dark Mofo returns from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025 and for the Nude Solstice Swim on Saturday, June 21. Head to the festival's website for further details. Winter feast images: Jesse Hunniford, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023. Nude Solstice Swim images: Rémi Chauvin, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023.
When Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 roll around, Sydney fans of a certain former boy band star-turned-actor-turned-Coachella headliner will be heading in one direction: to Accor Stadium to see Harry Styles finally bring his latest tour Down Under. Given the fame he's enjoyed in One Direction and now as a solo music superstar, the Grammy Award-winning, Don't Worry Darling and Dunkirk co-starring talent is going big with his postponed Aussie visit — so you'll be singing along to 'Watermelon Sugar', 'As It Was', 'Adore You' and 'Sign of the Times' in a crowd. It's a case of better late than never, of course. Styles was originally headed our way in November 2020; however, we all know how that panned out and why those shows didn't eventuate. That delay means that he doesn't just have two albums to play, but three, with Styles' third solo studio Harry's House releasing last year. And, attendees will also be listening to UK duo Wet Leg, who've scored the supporting slot.
In a year when we're all spending a whole lot more time at home than we ever planned to, you may have become obsessed with upgrading your abode (and we don't blame you). One of the best ways to brighten up your space is with pops of colour, and that goes hand-in-hand with one of the most colourful art movements of the last century — the pop art era. Distinguished by its flashy imagery and bold colours, pop art flourished in the 1950s and 60s across the UK and US, and, to a degree, Australia. Whether you're an art lover or just want to freshen up your space, we've picked out six simple ways you can bring a slice of pop art into your life, with help from our friends at LEGO Art — from kitschy statement jewellery to patterned cushions and build-your-own artwork. We've also made sure you can order these items from the comfort of your home. Each item can be shipped directly to your doorstep. [caption id="attachment_782323" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikita Majajas by Liz Ham[/caption] WEAR POP ART-INSPIRED JEWELLERY FROM DOODAD AND FANDANGO Sydney-based jewellery brand Doodad and Fandango is all about that pop art look, thanks to founder Nikita (Margarita) Majajas' obsession with Japan's Harajuku fashion movement. She creates wearable art that's inspired by the bakelite and celluloid costume jewellery of the 1930s and 50s, and she wants her customers to experience the glamorous look of the era with new, modern designs. These products are anything but fast fashion — every piece is handmade to order using locally sourced, collector's-grade material and the process is sustainable, too. Plus each item is just really fun — think a Stud choker ($140), Act Now earrings ($80) and even a range of bolo ties ($90) to choose from. BUILD ANDY WARHOL'S MARILYN MONROE AND FRAME IT We've been loving the rise of adult colouring books, paint sets and other calming kidult trends. And now a childhood favourite is offering a much more adult version of your favourite coloured bricks. There's a new LEGO Art range which is specifically designed for grown ups. Our pick is the iconic Marilyn Monroe portrait ($199), based on the artwork by Andy Warhol, one of the leading figures of the pop art movement. Each set comes with four different building options, so you can recreate and display the entire portrait series — all with a Warhol signature tile to boot. If puzzling together colourful squares isn't therapeutic enough, the experience also comes with a specially curated soundtrack to listen to as you build. SIP FROM THESE POP ART-INSPIRED MUGS Miss perusing the museum gift shop after seeing an exhibition? Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art has you covered. Whether you live out-of-state or are just being 'rona safe, you don't have to head into the museum to check out its store. The online shop offers a huge range of art-adjacent products that can be delivered direct to your doorstep. Including these Andy Warhol-themed mugs ($24.99), dubbed the 'Andy Tea-Hall'. It's sure to make your daily (or hourly) cuppa a bit more fun. The shop also offers heaps of other ceramics and homewares, as well as jewellery and gift ideas. BRIGHTEN UP THE LOUNGE WITH PATTERNED CUSHIONS World-renowned Finnish brand Marimekko has a penchant for patterns, and it has been brightening up homes and wardrobes around the world for six decades. Expertly crafted to last, the brand's products are the perfect addition to any house. While there are stores all over Australia and New Zealand (and over 100 around the world), you can also simply order online. Marimekko's designs come in all different hues and patterns, with pillows, covers and cushions all on offer — think orange groves, vivid greens, floral patterns and bold black and white shapes. All of the textiles are printed at the company's factory in Helsinki. Cushion covers (50 x 50 centimetres) start from $53, and shipping is free if you spend over $150. STOCK YOUR LIBRARY WITH POP ART BOOKS A coffee table book is a great way to bring pop art into your home without committing to it long-term. There are (not surprisingly) heaps of books on the subject, and Brisbane's Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is a good place to start. Its online shop offers stacks of art books and specialises in Australian and First Nations art and artists. If you're just beginning your pop art collection, our top pick is Flavia Frigeri's Pop Art: Art Essentials ($20). The book follows the movement from its beginnings in post-war consumerism all the way to its global rise in the 1960s. Explore works by well-known artists like Roy Lichtenstein alongside Japan's Ushio Shinohara and Argentina's Marta Minujín. Delivery is a $15 flat rate across Australia, $30 for New Zealand and $10 if you live locally. SPORT YOUR LOVE FOR WARHOL WITH WEARABLE PIECES OF ART If you're looking for other ways to show your love of pop art without decorating the house, there's a huge range of clothing, jewellery and other art-related fashion accessories up for grabs from the Museum of Contemporary Art. This wooden Andy Warhol brooch ($29) is a hand-painted statement piece that closely aligns with Warhol's quote, "Fashion wasn't what you wore someplace anymore; it was the whole reason for going". Created by Milk Thieves' designer Emma Lee, the brooch was handmade on the South Coast using sustainably sourced, laser-cut bamboo. And it'll add a bit of nostalgic pop culture into your accessory roster. Discover more about the new LEGO Art range, here.
Aussies love a good crumble and Newtonians are lucky enough to get a dessert bar dedicated to the stuff. Crumble Top just opened along King Street as the newest concept in the Sydney dessert scene. The cafe runs on the 'create your own' principle and, unlike the Sara Lee version, your crumble is made fresh, right in front of your eyes. Now that's crumble devotion. Owner Luke Stack is the man bringing this glorious treat your way. He has worked in restaurants overseas for years and recently returned to Australia with a passion for crumbles. "I love making crumbles, they're very satisfying and I love the idea that people could design their own creations," he says. It's a simple gig — pick your crumble filling, topping, sauce and ice cream. The seasonal menu is anything but standard with crumble toppings of lemon myrtle and coconut/ginger, sauces of lemon curd and orange/nutmeg and ice creams including lavender and cardamom. They've also got vegan options across the board, making this joint in good company with its Newtown neighbours like Gigi, Bliss and Chips and Blue Gelato. "We didn't want to make a regular menu, we wanted different, spiced choices so each creation has a completely unique flavour," says Stacks. If you're looking for tips on where to start, take one from the pro — Stack's personal favourite is granny smith apples and peanut butter crumble with a vanilla sauce and lemon curd ice cream. This is some mouthwatering goodness we can't wait to get in our bellies. Crumble Top is located at 125 King Street, Newtown. Open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 9pm and Friday through Sunday from noon. Image: Photopin
According to all reports, climactic temperatures are on the up. So, how best to keep ours down? Air conditioning has been the favoured solution for years, but is it really the most satisfactory? It's a drain on the household budget, it'll leave the air drier than the jokes in an Oscar Wilde play, and it'll make you the natural enemy of asthmatics, athletes and singers. What's more, despite keeping things cool at home, air conditioning contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases. Architects, designers, engineers and scientists the world over are busy in their labs and studios developing more sustainable and attractive methods for making homes and workspaces livable. In Italy, recycled plastic is being turned into insulation; in Germany, maximum airtightness is minimising temperature fluctuations; in the United States, one man has combined heating and cooling his place with building gigantic ice sculptures. 40,000 Plastic Bottles Hold onto your soft drink bottles; you'll need 40,000 of the plastic kind to model your home on this zero energy beauty, titled Tvzeb. Designed and developed by Traverso-Vighy Architecture in conjunction with the University of Padua's Department of Technical Physics, it's hiding in the woods in north-eastern Italy, just a few kilometres outside the World Heritage listed city of Vicenza. The bottles were transformed into a 90mm layer of insulating polyester fibre, which combines with a heat minimising structural design and reflective glass to keep the elements at bay. Plants. Hundreds of Them. Inside. This is model and activist Summer Rayne Oakes' Brooklyn apartment. She keeps temperatures at an equilibrium by living in a vertical garden, with 220 plants filling her kitchen, living room and bedroom. Keeping them alive doesn't require any sacrifice of her hectic eco-awareness promoting schedule. An automated subirrigation system does the job. Pump it Up Minnesota artist Roger Hanson builds gigantic ice sculptures and keeps his home comfy using geothermal heat, which takes advantage of the Earth's stable temperatures. For cooling, a pump sends water underground, where warmth is removed; for heating, the opposite occurs — water is pumped up from the hot surface layer of the Earth's crust. Passive House The Passive House, or Passivhaus, as its German and Swiss originators call it, is all about extreme energy efficiency. To qualify, a building must meet some pretty stringent standards, including a maximum hourly air leak of only 0.6 times its entire capacity and an annual energy consumption no higher than 120kWh/m2. This is achieved through a 'passive solar' design and airtightness as close to 100 percent as is manageable. About 30,000 Passive Houses can be found in the world, most of them on the European continent. Follow the Sun Australian couple Luke and Debbie Everingham have designed and built a rotating house. Located on the Nowendoc River in the Manning Valley, it's powered by an engine that's only slightly bigger than one you'd find in a washing machine. Access to both sun and shade is optimised and construction costs are on par with those of building a regular home. Caveman Style The troglodytes had it figured out all those thousands of years ago. American couple Curt and Deborah Sleeper built this house into a sandstone cave in Festus, Missouri. Before their purchase of the space, it functioned as a roller-skating rink and concert venue, where the likes of Tina Turner and Bob Seger made appearances. The need for air conditioning is eliminated via a blend of natural insulation, thoughtful design and geothermal heat. Back to Basics Architect Giles Blunden knows about living in hot climates. He spent his childhood in the Australian outback before moving to the American South. In 2000, Natural Home magazine awarded him Home of the Year for this house, which is situated in North Carolina's first co-housing neighbourhood, Arcadia. A moderate temperature is maintained through old-fashioned methods: cross-ventilation, high ceilings, fans, a tin roof and eaves. According to Blunden, “Many of these features are just common-sense things that people have forgotten.” In the Treetops Artists Beth Kraminstein and Roy Levy wanted to live and work in their place without depending on air conditioning. So the environmentally conscious architects at Jersey Devil conjured this one up for them. Cross-ventilation is achieved through three garage doors and seventy carefully positioned windows. A new wing has been built to sit in the treetops, maximising the cooling effect of ocean breezes, while insulation is achieved through a blend of concrete, corrugated steel and Galvalume steel. Go Underground No, it's not a scene from The Lord of the Rings, it's a real-life, tall person's home, to be found in Vals, Switzerland. Certainly inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginary world, this Hobbit Hole is the product of the combined efforts of Christian Muller Architects and SeARCH. Temperatures are kept at a civilised level by virtue of its being underground, but the oval design allows plenty of sunlight to shine through and affords mountain views. Find Some Fans If an architect-designed house is beyond reach, or you can't see yourself catching up with Gandalf underground, you can always opt for a simpler solution: fans. Think of your home as you would your MySpace page. There are loads of unusual ceiling fans on the market these days, and if you want to get really serious about it, you can always consider a mega whole house cooling package, offered by businesses like Breeze Power.
Mark your calendar: if you like free ice cream, as everyone should, then you have a date with a Ben & Jerry's store in April. Each year, the dessert brand chooses one day per year to give everyone a treat without paying a cent. In 2024, that day is Tuesday, April 16. If there's one thing this chain loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. But, to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, on Free Cone Day it loves giving away free scoops just as much. The occasion is exactly what it sounds like: a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually since 1979 until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons — returning in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and now backing it up in 2024. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store (which is most stores) between 12–8pm. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening in both Australia and New Zealand — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores. Last year, the brand gave away 970,000 scoops around the world, with 180,000 of those Down Under. This year, it wants to top one million free scoops globally, and also beat its Aussie and Aotearoa figure. In Sydney, you'll be hitting up Manly, Bondi Beach and Parramatta, for starters. Melburnians have St Kilda, Flinders Lane and Burwood East stores to choose from, while Brisbanites can head to South Brisbane. In Western Australia, Fremantle, Hillarys and Northbridge Scoop Shops are taking part. Ben & Jerry's also has stores in some Hoyts cinemas — so you might be able to join in when you're seeing a movie, such as at Hoyts Norwood in South Australia. Across Australia, these four spots aren't on the list, sadly: Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Zoo. Over in Aotearoa, options for a free ice cream include Commercial Bay and Ponsonby in Auckland, plus Cuba Street and the airport in Wellington. Free Cone Day runs from 12–8pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Ben & Jerry's Australian and New Zealand stores. Head to the brand's website for further details.
