Sydney's Northern Beaches are something special. Even if you've got to cross every bridge in town to get there or enjoy the rollercoaster B Line bus route, residents and visitors alike sing its praises. The beautiful beaches and the communities that call them home are a big attraction to the area. Hardcore ocean swimmers might brave the waters on a rainy winter day, but we're not all made for those conditions. Rest assured, the residents of the beaches are happy to welcome you rain or shine, and there are plenty of draw cards to visit on any day. MEET AND BUY FROM LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND MAKERS The Northern Beaches are famous for their bustling hospitality scene, so it should be no surprise that locals congregate over hot and fresh food. Plus, there are makers by the dozen across the area, with creatives and artisans designing all sorts of homewares and products to delight and inspire. All those lovely people are gathering on Sunday, June 4th (from 10am to 3pm) for the Pittwater Autumn Market, a huge celebration of the best food and makers around. This beloved local event was cancelled last year, so it's bringing out all the stops for its grand return to Winnererremy Bay Park in Mona Vale. There'll be 150 stalls, selling everything edible and giftable, plus live music and activities for any kiddos in tow. It's part of the Cambridge Markets family, which also runs regular markets in Ryde, Circular Quay, The Entertainment Quarter and Wentworth Point. [caption id="attachment_894954" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Khai Chu via iStock[/caption] SURROUND YOURSELF IN THE PEACE OF KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK Covering the northwestern border of the Beaches district is the huge Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, which stretches from Hornsby northeast over to Bayview, then along the western coast of the Pittwater inlet to Broken Bay. Not only is the park stunning, it's packed with secrets. Over 800 First Nations sites lie within its borders. As well as the local history, you can find some stunning views and walks. Highlights include the West Head Lookout, the America Bay track and the Jerusalem Bay walk. You can also camp at The Basin and swim at Resolute Beach or Flint and Steel Beach. [caption id="attachment_878600" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Veronica Eastell[/caption] PLAY WITH — OR MAKE — SOMETHING SHARP Further south, the rolling bushland gives way to suburbia and the bustling industrial hub of Brookvale. Look past the shopfronts, and you'll find an axe to grind or throw at Lumber Punks. There, you and your mates can compete to bury hatches at high speed into wooden targets. With 90 minutes to your session, there's plenty of time to hit some bullseyes. Find them at 509 Pittwater Road, above Total Tools. If axes are a little dramatic, why not take a more artistic approach? Just down the road is Nordic Edge, a workshop in both senses, where you can buy a handmade knife or forge your own. It hosts an all-day (8am to 4pm) workshop that takes you through the entire forging process, starting with a wedge of steel and leaving with a handmade chef's knife. Find it at 4/13 Mitchell Road. [caption id="attachment_895669" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jayne Papalia[/caption] CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL WITH YOUR FRIENDS If weapons aren't your thing, there are other ways to get a creative fix on the beaches. Enter Batch Workshops, an independent jewellery studio in Freshwater that hosts regular classes in ring-making with sterling silver. If you want to take those skills to the next level, you can also use the open studio time to work on ongoing projects. Find it at 87 Harbord Road. Alternatively, you could take on a pottery class with your friends at The Sunshine Collective. This Balgowlah studio runs several workshops to help visitors create their pottery pieces. Hand workshops run weekly and require multiple sessions to complete your piece, or wheel workshops take place over six weeks for you to choose a glaze and prepare them for firing. It's also preparing to open a larger creative space in April, so now is the time to visit. Find it at 1/294 Sydney Road. DO SOMETHING THAT'LL RAISE YOUR HEART RATE Once your creative needs are met, let's get physical. With two studios on the beaches, one just north of the Narrabeen Bridge and the other by Avalon beach, Feels Pilates is a local hit for exercise and wellness. Its talented team welcomes anyone who's on the hunt for a workout. Six different classes are offered for all fitness levels, each focusing on particular tenets like cardio, stretching or circuit training. Find the studios at 46 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, or 1473 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen. Further south in Manly is a place that's been raising heart rates for years, but not with exercise. The Quarantine Station on North Head can make for a thrilling night out, as it's one of the most haunted locations in Australia. Over 150 years of tragedy and death have packed the site with paranormal residents, and you can join in on nightly ghost tours, hunts and in-depth paranormal investigations to get you creeped out and up close with the former residents of the station. You can find the station at 1 N Head Scenic Drive. For more information on the Pittwater Autumn Market, or any other Cambridge Market across Sydney, visit the website. And for more things to do in Sydney, keep it right here on Concrete Playground. Top image: Rweisswald via iStock
On the 5 December 2006, the administration building of the Wollongong City Council was raided, one floor of the building sealed, and boxes of evidence were removed. This was the first clear sign of the existence of 'Operation Atlas', an investigation by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into allegations of corruption involving councillors, council staff and local developers. The ensuing scandal shook the local community to its core. The Table of Knowledge marks a significant attempt by Wollongong locals to make sense of and come to terms with these dramatic events. The performance is a rare peek into a world which often remains hidden from those not 'at the table'. With a script largely assembled from the relevant ICAC transcripts, Merrigong Theatre Company and Version 1.0 have collaborated on a production that strikes at the heart of power and corruption in local and familiar terms. Perhaps the best feature of the Table of Knowledge is its ability to translate complicated (and often boring) technical or council speak into something comprehensible, fascinating and, at times, quite funny. Additional shows have just been added due to popular demand, but we imagine these will be booked up in no time at all. Make sure you don't miss out on this exceptional and intriguing work.
Sydney's longest-running live performance institution Enmore Theatre is set to reopen to the public on Monday, February 22, marking the first time the theatre has seen music on stage and patrons in seats in nearly a year. Before COVID-19 restrictions forced it to (temporarily) shutter in March last year, the beloved concert venue had been a home to music, comedy and cultural events for decades. Opening as a photoplay cinema in 1908, the theatre evolved into a thriving live music hub for the area. Its moderate capacity drew future superstars like Bob Dylan, Coldplay and Kendrick Lamar, before they went go on to fill stadiums. Following the theatre's closure in early 2020, venue owners Century Venues decided to make the most of its time off and bring forward a planned restoration. The building, which was extensively renovated in the 20s and 30s, is one of the only Sydney theatres from the art deco movement in its original condition — and the restoration has respected this, while introducing some new-age additions. While honouring the century-old theatre's design, the restoration has included the reinstatement of side wing balconies and an original 24-metre art deco bomber light, a full restoration of the theatre's ceiling and the addition of two-and-a-half kilometres of LED strip lighting, which is designed to enhance live music experiences and can be synchronised with performances. To celebrate the reopening, Enmore Theatre is hosting the Sounds of Sydney Re-opening Night Gala. The gala will feature national favourites like Ian Moss and Murray Cook of The Wiggles, Sydney mainstays such as Red Riders and Alex the Astronaut, as well as exciting rising local acts Milan Ring, Andy Golledge and Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys. The lineup of musicians will be performing a mix of original tracks and covers of songs about Sydney. Later in the week, on Thursday, February 25, Australian music icons Midnight Oil, who were one of the first rock bands to play at Enmore Theatre during its transition towards rock music in the late 80s, will perform an intimate one-off show at the theatre. The show is being billed as a warm-up for the band's Makarrata Live tour and will see Midnight Oil joined on stage by a slew of First Nations performers, including Dan Sultan, Alice Skye, Troy Cassar-Daley and Tasman Keith. Enmore Theatre is reopening at 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown on Monday, February 22 with the Sounds of Sydney Re-opening Gala. Tickets are on sale now for $55.
Hinchcliff House is a four-storey mega venue that's overtaken the heritage Hinchcliff Wool Stores, a huge sandstone structure dating back to the 1860's that has been restored and revived as part of the ever-evolving Quay Quarter. Five venues sit inside: Two Italian eateries, an underground cocktail bar, a private hospitality space and an attached bakery. While each venue brings something interesting to the table, the real marvel of the venue is the huge wool store it sits within. At Grana, bare sandstone walls are accompanied by wooden beams and large grain and wheat bundles that are placed around the restaurant. The space ties your dining experience to the history of the building, while the food is made using pasta and bread made in the building's combi mill. Then you have Lana, the degustation dining hero at Hinchcliff House that serves up a few kinds of long Italian feasting experiences — focussing on all things seafood. Set within the heritage building's loft, you can either grab a table beneath the open wooden rafters or pull up a pew at the spectacular pink marble bar while sipping on Italian tipples. Downstairs at Apollonia, the lights are dimmed and soft beige tones are traded for dark reds and leather seating. Here the cocktails are king, with the negronis holding a special place in the bar staff's hearts. Each Friday at midnight the staff hold a toast to what's important in life: love, life and negronis. All four of the venues are the creation of prolific New Zealand restauranteur Scott Brown (Amano) alongside the team at House Made Hospitality. Brown has been running restaurants across the Tasman for over a decade, founding Auckland's Hipgroup in 2004. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
It's cold in Norway during winter. That shouldn't come as a surprise — and, given that it's both set and shot in the Scandinavian nation, neither should the thoroughly frosty look of The Snowman. From the film's opening image, nearly every frame is dusted with the kind of iciness that only comes from particularly chilly climes. And yet, when a cop connects a series of seemingly random murders, her big discovery stems from the fact that it's snowing when each death occurred. Viewers can be forgiven for groaning loudly when this revelation is made. Faced with a screen full of white flakes for two long hours, if you find yourself thinking "isn't it snowing almost constantly?" then you certainly won't be alone. If you also start to wonder how observing the weather passes for smart police work in the world of the movie, or who thought that'd make an interesting plot point, that's understandable too. Then again, the hero of The Snowman goes by the name of Harry Hole, so perhaps it's best not to expect too much of the movie around him. Spied sleeping in the snow more than once, Harry (Michael Fassbender) is the type of grizzled drunk of a detective that gets away with being intoxicated and unreliable because he's supposedly brilliant — not that The Snowman dedicates any time to explaining why that is. After his latest bender, he partners up with aforementioned snow-spotter Katrine (Rebecca Ferguson) to investigate the slayings of a spate of Oslo women. When the duo aren't piecing together obvious clues, Harry is wading through his snowstorm of a personal life, involving his kindly ex (Charlotte Gainsbourg), her teenage son (Michael Yates) and her new plastic surgeon boyfriend (Jonas Karlsson). Bad storytelling, bad monikers, bland characterisation, by-the-numbers backstory, barely interesting procedural drama: there's an avalanche brewing in The Snowman, and it's of the generic and cliched kind. Indeed, the Nordic noir does come with its own intriguing case to solve, though it has nothing to do with the on-screen narrative. Rather, the mystery surrounds how such a dull flick sprang from such promising pedigree. Directed by Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), scripted by Peter Straughan (Frank), Hossein Amini (Drive) and Søren Sveistrup (The Killing), and based on a best-selling book by Jo Nesbø (Headhunters), it's not as though the production is short on talent. A whole series of Nesbø's novels actually revolve around the unfortunately named Harry, although don't expect a whole series of films to follow suit. With Scandinavian crime a hit on the page, on TV and in cinemas, The Snowman is clearly designed to start a new detective franchise, but the final product will surely cause those hopes to melt. At least Fassbender proves suitably frosty, playing his part with a solemn demeanour and never threatening to thaw out. Alas, it's still not nearly enough to make audiences actually care about his character or anything that he does against the icy Norwegian scenery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jBaPtX6NYY
UPDATE: MAY 13, 2020 — Shuk is reopening for dine-in service from Friday, May 15, for up to ten people at any given time. Walk-ins only at this stage. A visit to the local shuk (Hebrew for marketplace) in the Middle East is a sensory overload of the best variety. Mountains of fragrant spices waft exotic scents from hessian bags; plump fruits and vegetables in the most vibrant of colours are piled sky-high in handwoven baskets; and hawkers exchange animated greetings and negotiations with regulars and encourage newcomers to sample salty cheeses, fleshy green olives or soft chunks of nougat before continuing on their travels. This bustling sense of marketplace adventure has been bottled and brought to Bondi, enlivened with a compelling authenticity at new cafe/restaurant Shuk. Rows of shelves display all manner of market wares: massive tins of whole tomatoes, jars of house-cured olives, bottles of pomegranate molasses and vegetables pickling away until they're just right for adding punch to a Mediterranean feast. Along one wall is a deli section that offers fresh produce and interesting dairy products like buffalo milk butter and Israeli-style cheeses, while the nearby bakery area is stacked with bagels, flaky pastries and loaves of crusty sourdough all baked daily on-site. The menu is jam-packed with exciting Mediterranean options that capture the imagination and deliver on the plate. The shakshuka ($16), a traditional tomato-based dish whose hero is its sauce-poached eggs, is devilishly piquant and comes with plenty of house-baked bread with which to wipe the plate clean. The salads are at once fresh and hearty. Our favourite is the fattoush ($17), a summery mix of tomato, cucumber, radish, spanish onion, mint, parsley and pita crisps, dotted with cranberries that provide tangy bursts of sweetness and topped unexpectedly but brilliantly with crispy chicken schnitzel. If you're really hungry, go for the Lamburger ($18): two giant slabs of grilled eggplant and a flavoursome kofta patty are drizzled with harissa aioli, wedged between the halves of a sesame-topped knot roll and served with sage chips that are soft and crunchy in all the right places. To wash down all that deliciousness, opt for a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade, a giant freshly squeezed juice or a Zohan-inspired "fizzy bubbalach". It would be easy to while away the afternoon here, enjoying the pretty decor, taking in the buzz and noshing on a hazelnut scroll and a punchy coffee. Soon, you won't even have to leave when the sun goes down: plans are for Shuk to transform into a Mediterranean haven of cocktails and fine dining at dusk. Joining the Shenkin and Kepos Street Kitchens that have turned Israeli fare into a food trend to watch, Shuk is shaping up to be a fixture of the Sydney dining scene. And, much like the Middle Eastern marketplaces for which it is named, it promises a new adventure with every visit. Images: Natalie Carroll Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney
We're going to hazard a guess, you've almost definitely heard of ButterBoy by now. Australia's cookie king, perhaps nearing Messina levels of iconic, has its smiling logo as a standard fixture on any sweet treat lover's social media feed. Whenever ButterBoy speaks, the city — actually, the entire state now, since the brand opened its first-ever non-Sydney store last year — listens intently. And the latest news is very interesting indeed. It's not another pop-up or a new permanent store, but something that can be enjoyed by customers at all five of ButterBoy's NSW stores (Manly, Brookvale, Broadway, Chatswood and Byron Bay) for a limited time. From Thursday, February 19 to Wednesday, February 25, ButterBoy will be serving up a mystery: a brand new flavour that's called…well, it's top secret. So we don't actually know. It's a closely guarded secret, kept under lock and key, we just know what it looks like — see above. Got any suspicions as to what it is? Following the launch, you can submit a guess online, whether or not you've tasted it, but you're obviously going to have more luck if you've sampled it. If you manage to guess correctly — you'll win a year's supply of cookies and the chance to create your own flavour for the stores, so guess away. Importantly, it's not allergen-free, so if you have dietary requirements, you're just going to have to get very creative with your guesses. It's the latest chapter in a long story for ButterBoy, founded by owner James Sideris started who was selling muffins and cookies to nearby cafes out of his home kitchen while at uni, before jumping on the chunky cookie trend with a bakery in the Manly arcade, just next door to two other Manly icons: Rollers Bakery and Norma's Deli, before expanding into a flagship store on the Corso in 2022. Now, ButterBoy produces thousands of kilograms of cookie dough to be sold both in its stores and distributed to wholesale partners across the country. Including this time-limited mystery flavour, which you'd better go try asap. For more information, visit the ButterBoy website or Instagram.
If you've got a thing for libraries (and physical books), prepare to be very impressed by the inner west's newest public space. Meet the new state-of-the-art Marrickville Library and adjoining Pavilion. The community hub has made its home on the site of the former Marrickville Hospital, an area now going by the name Patyegarang Place. The new library houses a huge 85,000 books — 20,000 more than its predecessor. It's also three times the size. Aside from being a bookworm's oasis, the three-storey centre boasts a suite of high-tech extras and modern community facilities. There's be a cafe by Marrickville's own Double Roasters with indoor and outdoor seating, a collection of meeting spaces and private study rooms, and more than 1200 square metres of lush gardens. Inside, you'll find 26 computers and a dedicated technology teaching area, as well as a series of specially commissioned public artworks. The new-look build is the work of acclaimed architectural firm BVN and cleverly incorporates modern elements onto the heritage remains of the existing hospital building. It's sporting a sustainable design, with features like environmentally friendly warming and cooling, rainwater tanks, natural light and ventilation systems, and plenty of recycled brick and timber throughout. All these eco-friendly touches have added up to an impressive 25 percent reduction in energy use compared to the old Marrickville Library. It joins Sydney's growing list of shiny new libraries, with the six-story, glass-walled Green Square one opening late last year and the two-storey Darling Square one set to open next month. Find the new Marrickville Library and Pavilion at 313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. For more information, head to the Inner West Council or BVN website. Updated: August 27, 2019.
Since the original Danks Street store opened in 2004, Fratelli Fresh's family of high-quality providores have become a benchmark for those keen to spend more on their weekly groceries. While some Sydneysiders' will tell you about the delicious meals served in the attached Cafe Sopra, locals frequently return for what's stocked on the shelves. The newest Fratelli Fresh instalment opened in Alexandria last year and, as always, its restaurant/supermarket combo just works. Stop by for imported Italian smallgoods, seasonal produce and the cheese selection emitting wafts of pungent goodness from the walk-in cool room.
Now that World Martini Day is on the horizon, luxury Darling Harbour hotel W Sydney is getting in the mood with the launch of Martini Month from Monday, June 1–Monday, June 30. Produced in collaboration with Belvedere vodka, the hotel's in-house restaurant, BTWN, will serve a trio of limited-edition martinis. Best of all, guests checking in on the big day — Saturday, June 21 — will score a complimentary mini martini to mark the occasion. Yet these cocktails made with Belvedere Organic Vodka get even more special, as they're each paired with a gourmet bite. Your options include the oyster martini with an Appellation oyster; the saltbush martini with a saltbush and lamb shoulder scrumpet and pickles; and the salt and vinegar martini with a fish and chips-inspired coating, cod roe and potato chip. That's all suitably luxurious. However, this martini-led experience goes so much further, as guests staying in the hotel's luxury suites throughout June will receive the lavish Turn Up Service, where an in-house bartender will arrive at your room to serve a dream mini martini. Made to your specific tastes, whether you prefer your drink dry, dirty or shaken, the service also includes moreish snacks, like martini-infused sour cream, gourmet crisps, and stuffed Manzanilla olives. Book a stay in W Sydney's Fantastic Suite, the Marvelous Suite, the five Wow Suites or the Extreme Wow Suite to make the most of this cocktail-forward celebration.
If eating your way through plenty of creative and tasty desserts is your current pandemic coping strategy, Gelato Messina has been more than willing to help over the past few months. This year alone, it has released cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties; 40 of its best flavours; and full tubs of Iced VoVo gelato, Messina's own take on the classic Viennetta ice cream cake and a gelato based on Italy's famed cremino dessert. Oh, and it even whipped up a batch of sticky lamington-scroll hybrids as well. For Messina's next tastebud-tempter, it's answering a question you've probably never, ever thought of asking yourself: what would gelato inspired by fashion labels Rag & Bone, Café Kitsuné, State of Escape, Paloma Wool and Patagonia taste like? Well, although this query has likely never popped into your brain before, now you can find out. Dropping across five days from Tuesday, October 20–Saturday, October 24, the new flavours are part of a collaboration with lifestyle and streetwear hub Incu, to help it celebrate its 18th birthday. A different variety will become available each day, so if you want to try the full set, you'll either need to plan multiple desserts or head by — or order delivery via Deliveroo — at the end of the week. Arriving first is the Paloma Wool-inspired 'Island Souvenir', which is based on ensaïmadas from Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, uses brioche-like pastry as the gelato's base and then layers in chocolate custard. Next, you can lick your way through Café Kitsuné's 'Tea-ramisu', a take on tiramisu with Japanese matcha gelato and coffee-soaked biscuits. Also on offer: the State of Escape-influenced 'Wanderlust', combining mango, sherbet, coconut and lime; Patagonia's dark chocolate and honey sorbet 'Save takayna', which is named to raise awareness about Tasmania's takayna/Tarkine; and the Rag & Bone-inspired 'A Piece of Cake', as made with clotted cream gelato, layers of sponge cake and swirls of strawberry jam. If you're in Melbourne, remember that you can only venture to shops within five kilometres of your house — to get essentials, including food. The Incu x Messina range of flavours will be available for a week from Tuesday, October 20, in-store and via Deliveroo, with a new flavour dropping each day. Keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
What's better than one new episode of Black Mirror in a six-month period? A whole new season. After Black Mirror: Bandersnatch dropped in the last few days of 2018, unleashing its movie-length choose-your-own-adventure mysteries upon the world, just when the show's fifth series would hit was anyone's guess. Now, all has been revealed. Mark Wednesday, June 5 in your diary and prepare for quite the unsettling night. Yes, if you're super keen on bleak technological tales that explore just how dystopian our world could become, you'll be able to knock the new season out in a single evening. While more Black Mirror is always a good thing — especially more Black Mirror arriving so soon — this run will only include three episodes, just like the show's first two seasons. Although specific storylines haven't been completely revealed, the series' first trailers do give away a few hints. Unsurprisingly, the pesky buzzing of mobile phones features prominently, as does the growing prominence of social media, artificial intelligence, smart technology and virtual reality. A police standoff, a lonely teen getting empowering feedback from a desktop robot and the troubles of stardom all earn a mention in the teaser's montage of clips, too. As always, that's certain to be just the beginning. Also familiar: a hefty lineup of familiar faces, with the Charlie Brooker-created series continually going above and beyond on the casting front. This time around, Miley Cyrus, Anthony Mackie, Topher Grace, Andrew Scott and Aussie actress Angourie Rice lead the way, alongside Nicole Beharie, Pom Klementieff, Madison Davenport, Ludi Lin, Damson Idris and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Check out the trailers below — including the overall series trailer, plus individual episode trailers for the three instalments, which are called Striking Vipers, Smithereens and Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVik34nWws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssr40U3-do0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SybklT8k1k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qIlCo9yqpY Black Mirror's fifth season drops on Netflix on Wednesday, June 5. Updated May 23. Images: Netflix / Pedro Saad.
Mucho Hospitality Group, the team behind some Sydney's most beloved bars (Cantina OK!, Tio's and The Cliff Dive) has added another notch to their belt with the opening of an exciting new cocktail bar on Enmore Road. Located on the Newtown end of Enmore Road, Bar Planet swaps margaritas for martinis. The signature Bar Planet Martini is made with a seasonal gin the team has created with Poor Toms distillery named the Infinite spirit, served with an olive and citrus from a lemon rind. Always accompanied by a bag of seasoned popcorn, the drinks menu is short but self-assured. You can also make a martini your way with a range of gin and vodka options, or opt for something fruitier. The Scorpino is a mix of P&V prosecco, vodka and an in-house gelato made with different market fruit each week (this week's flavour is a muscat grape). Bar Planet marks the first foray into the inner west for Mucho, an exciting venture for a group of inner west locals. "I've spent my life on Enmore Road," explains Marking Director Daisy Tulley. "I went to school at Newtown Performing Arts, I was lucky enough to play some shows at the Enmore, I live five minutes down the road. We've wanted to add to this amazing strip for years. Really, we just opened the bar we wanted to see in the area." The small bar lies next to a street art-adorned alleyway leading down to another recent Newtown addition Uncanny. Leading patrons in with the glow of its neon blue sign, the bar throws together hallmarks of bistros and diners with psychedelic patterns, enlisting the team that created Restaurant Hubert and Alberto Lounge's interiors to bring it to life. And, adding to the psychedelic feel, the bar-top has been designed by accomplished local artist David Humphries, mixing surfboard resin, marble, jade and French glass to create a delight for the eyes. Bar Planet is located at 16 Enmore Road, Newtown. It's open 4pm–midnight Monday–Sunday. Images: Nikki To
Two years on from shutting its doors, Balmain's oldest licensed pub The Dry Dock will reopen under new owners and with an ambitious full-venue transformation. A haven for great pubs, Balmain has lost some real gems over the last few years, but with the return of mainstays like The Exchange Hotel (in the form of Fabbrica Pasta Bar) and now The Dry Dock, things are looking good for a Balmain renaissance. The heritage-listed Dry Dock was established all the way back in 1857 and has long been a community cornerstone. After it closed, industry veteran James Ingram snatched up the historic venue under the guise of his company Peninsula Hospitality in collaboration with investor Mike Everett. Everett, a Balamian resident of nearly three decades, introduced Ingram to the pub with the intention of returning it to its former glory and reinventing its offerings. "When Mike told me about The Dry Dock and I first looked at it, I was impressed with the layout and size of the pub, and I could immediately see the potential to combine a great dining concept with a classic pub experience — and this sparked the momentum which founded Peninsula Hospitality," says Ingram. The pair have grand plans for the building, including a classic 90-person ground-floor pub, a 120-seat lounge bar and a detached 100-seat dining room. Leading the charge in the kitchen will be Head Chef Ben Sitton who brings with him experience at some of Sydney's top venues including Felix, Uccello and Rockpool Bar & Grill. While the pub is set to offering on-fuss feeds paired with top-notch drinks on the ground floor, Pensinuslar Hospitality and Sitton are creating a luxurious French-influenced menu for the dining room. While we don't have a confirmed open date just yet, the hospitality group has promised the stalwart will be back up and running seven days a week by the end of the year. The Dry Dock is located at 22 Cameron Street, Balmain. It will reopen under the guidance of Public Hospiality by the end of 2023.
This review was written about the Sydney 2012 run of this show at Belvoir St Theatre Downstairs. Before heading along to Belvoir St Theatre, I usually say to people, "Oh, I'm going to see one of those edgy plays downstairs at Belvoir, you know, the kind with some nebulous storyline, butt cheeks right up in your face and someone smoking weed on stage." But Food is different. Writer and co-director Steve Rodgers has still included all that wonderful Belvoir-esque wackiness, swearing and gritty arthouse Australiana, but there was a depth and meaning in this work that I had never experienced in this theatre before. At the crack of dawn, Elma (Kate Box) is kneading and slamming dough on the counter in a takeaway joint somewhere in the backwaters of middle Australia while her sister, Nancy (Emma Jackson) pulses and jerks the night away in a South-East Asian nightclub. For two years, Nancy went missing, but unlike in a 'normal' family, her absence was never reported. Time skips forward and now that Nancy has returned, the sisters are left to their own devices in a family of two where they work hard to supply the local town with a staple supply of spring rolls, dim sims and Chiko Rolls. Between the shouting and banter of kitchen orders, sisterly squabbles and head-gripping wrestling, their teen-hood pains and complications begin to rise up like leavened bread. To add a little spice to the mix, a foreigner arrives in response to their kitchen-hand job advertisement. Hakan Leventelou (Fayssal Bazzi), from Olympus, Georgia explains nervously that his first name means 'Emperor' or 'King' and his family name means 'Son of Handsome'. With natural exuberance, he seasons their day-to-day grind with delectable anecdotes, incessant singing and adorable jokes about mice and dogs. He is also a man who loves "to watch and admire the women all the day", he explains in his thick, rhythmic accent. Tension builds between Hakan's overarching romantic universal perspective versus the sisters' static obsession with "who once stole whose Uggies". Wary as ever, Elma warns Hakan, "Mind your manners and don't fuck us around or I'll cut off your button." "Button?" he asks. Co-director Kate Champion, with her strong dance theatre background, has cleverly planned the choreography to the point of seamlessness. Although the stage barely changed, scene changes took place through movement and short interludes of carefully thought-out lapses, thus entering new situations or moments through the make-believe of your mind. Hakan may have been baffled by Elma’s button reference, but his intuition told him to tread carefully with these women.
While some people say eating something fresh and healthy will help fix a hangover, in our opinion, there's nothing better than a big piece of crispy fried chicken sandwiched between a couple of pieces of bread to fix a lingering headache. The humble fried chicken sandwich comes in many forms, popping up in different versions all over the world — and all over Sydney. Whether you like it southern-style with a spicy kick, as a classic schnitty on sourdough, or stuffed in pita bread with garlic sauce, this city has you covered. For when you're looking for something to soak up those 'few too many' schooners, or next time you're looking for somewhere new to grab Friday lunch, here are our picks for Sydney's best fried chicken sangas.
When Scrubs first aired across 2001–2010, the prognosis for a patient would sometimes look bleak, only for their fortunes to thankfully change for the better. Now that it's officially returning for a new batch of episodes, the same is true of the show itself. In America's 2025–26 TV season, Sacred Heart Hospital will be back on our screens — complete with a few very familiar faces. Word of Scrubs being revived has been floating around for a few years, with another run for the hit sitcom locked in late in 2024. A full new season has just been ordered, however, and Zach Braff (Bad Monkey), Donald Faison (Home Delivery) and Sarah Chalke (Rick and Morty) are all confirmed to be making comebacks, Variety reports. There's no exact date for the series' 2025–26 return as yet, or word of where you'll be able to watch it Down Under. Still, who has two thumbs and is excited about one of the most-entertaining network comedies of the 00s hitting screens again — and about JD, Elliot and Turk all being a part of it? Anyone who has ever watched Scrubs' initial nine seasons. Braff, Faison and Chalke aren't just returning on-screen, but will each be executive producers on the new series. In front of the camera, it's also expected that more OG cast members will join them. Getting the gang back together shouldn't come as a surprise if you've also caught other shows created by Bill Lawrence, including Ted Lasso and Shrinking in recent years. Found families are a regular part of his work. They're also something that he cherishes off-screen, he shared with Concrete Playground in a 2024 interview about season two of Shrinking. "I still spend time with the cast and crew of Scrubs, not because we're working together, but because I sincerely love them," Lawrence told us at the time. It seems that JD and Turk will be at the centre of the plot when Scrubs pops up on-screen again, as will Sacred Heart. The two long-time pals are set to be back working together for the first time in some time, bromance still intact, while the hospital will also welcome new characters. There's obviously no trailer for the new Scrubs yet, but you can check out clips from past seasons above and below: Scrubs is set to return in America's 2025–2026 TV season — we'll update you with further information, including where to watch it Down Under, when more details are announced. Via Variety. Top image: NBC/Getty Images.
In one of the biggest Australian art exhibitions of the year, Patricia Piccinini's weird and wonderful creations took over an entire floor of Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Among its many eye-catching delights, a massive room packed with more than 3000 flower sculptures proved the undoubted centrepiece — and, come September, it's coming to Sydney. Called The Field, Piccinini's immense installation turns the gallery space into a flora-filled landscape, both immersing viewers in its sheer size and asking them to peer deeper at each of the individual sculptures that comprise the artwork. From September 13–16, Sydneysiders will get the chance to walk through and stand inside its wonders at Carriageworks as part of this year's Sydney Contemporary Art Fair. Given that The Field has never been seen outside of Brisbane, it's a rather big deal — and the version coming to Sydney will be re-imagined to specifically adapt to its new location, Carriageworks' Elston Room. As well as The Field, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair will present works from more than 70 Australian and international galleries, spanning six continents and including artists from 32 countries. If you're keen to get a look at Piccinini's piece, prepare to have company — over the past three years of SCAF, more than 60,000 visitors have attended. Image: Installation view 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, 2018, featuring The Field 2018. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA
Imagine that you're 22, you're settling into your chosen career and you're suddenly the name on everyone's lips. Imagine you've gone from never seeing an episode of the past decade's biggest TV sensation to starring in its prequel, in fact. In other words, imagine that you're Australian actor Milly Alcock, who has had a better, brighter and more chaotic 2022 than the rest of us. Before August, the Sydney-born talent was best known for an impressive resume of homegrown parts. Now, she's forever the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. Ask Alcock what the year has been like and she's candid. "It's all weird. One day you're you, and then suddenly someone places value on you," she advises. "And you're like 'why me? Why me? Okay, I guess I'll take it. I guess I'll run with it'. So life's been weird, wacky and wonderful, basically, but yeah, it's been such a big year. This year feels like the longest year of my life but in the best possible way." Alcock is chatting with Concrete Playground on the phone from the UK, where she shot House of the Dragon in 2021, and where she's now based as her international career takes off. But after working her way through roles on Australian shows such as Wonderland, Janet King, A Place to Call Home, Pine Gap, Fighting Season and Les Norton, she knows the part that made 2022's dreams happen: her AACTA-nominated role on Upright. Created by Chris Taylor from The Chaser, the show's' first season cast her as Meg, a 13-year-old pretending to 16 who literally collides with Tim Minchin's Lucky while she's running away across the country. An odd-couple dynamic ensues, and so did one of 2019's Aussie TV standouts. Three years later, a second season is here. This time, the headstrong, whip-smart Meg is 17 and no longer speeding across the desert. But Upright wouldn't be Upright if it didn't send Meg and Lucky on another soul-searching, life-defining road trip, this time to Far North Queensland to find Meg's mum. The old adage proves true once again: it isn't just about the destination but the journey. At the heart of the show is a sense of connection and solace, as two lost souls forge a bond that helps them process their individual struggles. That means that Upright's lead performances couldn't be more pivotal; indeed, without Alcock and Minchin as Meg and Lucky, it wouldn't be the success it is, let alone have returned for season two. With Upright's second season now airing on Foxtel and streaming via Binge, Alcock fills us in on the series that helped bring her to attention, making the leap to 2022's biggest TV blockbuster, playing determined young women and handling everything that House of the Dragon's fame has brought her. ON INITIALLY GETTING CAST IN UPRIGHT "You just read the audition scene for Meg and you're like: 'I want to play this character'. You don't even usually see those types of characters on Australian telly at all, and I felt such a kinship with her as soon as I read her on the page. Then when I met Tim, I was like 'please hire, please hire me, this is incredible!'. I owe my Upright my career, because it gave me such a beautiful body of work at such a young age." ON MAKING UPRIGHT'S FIRST SEASON "It was incredibly exciting. I was 18, I just dropped out of school, and I went and travelled around Australia for three months shooting a TV show. I'd never worked like that in my life — I'd never gotten a part like that ever, and I just wanted to do it so well. I just remember being like 'I can't fuck this up, I have to do it right, I have to do it right, I have to nail it, I have to make sure I'm making all the right choices and looking after myself and everything'. I was travelling around and I was without my family, and it got a bit difficult, but it was a massive learning experience." ON RETURNING FOR UPRIGHT'S SECOND SEASON "I didn't think that a second season was going to happen because of the way the story wrapped up — and the time passes. I was like, 'oh it's been three years, we're not going to do another one'. But we did. Meg is such a beautiful person and I'm always excited to talk about Meg, and play Meg." ON CO-LEADING UPRIGHT WITH TIM MINCHIN "We're friends; we just get on and act. And we just go 'these people have chemistry, let's give them the kind of chemistry that this scene warrants because of where they're at in their heads'. I think that Lucky is a bit of a mentor to Meg without her wanting to admit it. He's the only parental figure in her life that kind of guides her in any way. I think Tim and I's relationship reflects that narrative a bit, and we pull from that." ON JUMPING FROM AUSTRALIAN TV TO A HUGE HBO PRODUCTION "It was incredibly daunting. It was the most amount of fear I've felt in my entire life because I was like 'if you fuck this up, you're not going get to another chance'. It really felt like I had to prove myself very quickly, and I wanted to. I was Australian. Everyone was British. It was the pandemic. I didn't get to see my family while we were shooting. I didn't know anyone in London. So I really focused on my work because it was why I was there. I was there to do a job. But quickly, you realise that it's all the same, people are lovely and they're the same — and just the way that it functions is different and bigger because there's more cogs in the machine than there is in a smaller production like Upright, and like other jobs I've done before. I met a lot of amazing people and a lot of beautiful people, and they saw me and were like 'okay, we've got to look out for this one because she's a long way from home'. I was mortified for the first three months, basically. Yeah, absolutely mortified." ON NOT WATCHING GAME OF THRONES UNTIL BOOKING HOUSE OF THE DRAGON "When Game of Thrones is like 'we're doing prequel auditions', and you haven't really done a lot of acting before like I had, you're like 'oh yeah, of course I'm going to audition for this'. It's a massive show — not only a big show, but a very well-written show. It had great characters, and a great story, too. I was like 'yeah, of course'. But I hadn't seen the show before. I knew of it. I knew the accolades, I knew the reputation it had, I knew the status of it, but I hadn't seen it until I booked the job. It was incredibly exciting but also incredibly daunting, because I was like 'oh fuck, I have to do this. I have to live up to that. I don't know if I can do that'. It was exciting and scary. It was a rollercoaster, but you just keep going up. I haven't gone down yet. Then I read a bit of Fire & Blood. I wanted to really get an understanding of what was at stake in this world and be able to contextualise it into the world that we live in on earth. I would go to the library and just kind of study, basically. I would make graphs on what the houses are, what that means, what their titles were, what their status was like in our kind of world — all to understand it." ON PLAYING STRONG, DETERMINED YOUNG WOMEN "That's the way the jobs have landed because until House of the Dragon, I haven't been able to pick and choose — I still can't really pick and choose. I'm so young, I'm still starting out. With House of the Dragon, I was working against amazing actors — Paddy Considine and Rhys Ifans and Matt Smith — who have had a very big and beautiful and broad careers that I admire. I think that it's difficult because on one side, I want to play everyone. But then on the other hand, I know I'll read a script and be like 'this is a great part but I know I'm not that girl'. You just read a part and you're like 'I just can't play her, I'm just not her. In my heart and in my soul, I know I'm not her'. Unless you're a phenomenal character actor like Paddy, like Meryl Streep, like all those kind of legends, you kind of have to lean into parts of who you are. I think that I've been so lucky that there's parts of me that people have picked out and been like 'you can play that role'." ON THE CHANGE THAT HOUSE OF THE DRAGON HAS BROUGHT "I didn't expect anything. I didn't go in expecting anything with this. I think I was protecting myself, because everyone was like 'it could be a flop because it's a prequel'. But I think very early on, we realised that it had a lot of potential just from reading the script alone — but no, I didn't prepare myself at all. I just thought that if nothing comes of this, my life stays exactly the same. If something comes of it, everything changes. I think that for me to be able to do the work while we were shooting, I needed to not get swept up in what could happen because I needed to really focus. The opportunities have changed massively. People around me have changed. A Pandora's box has been opened, and I got to have a little peek inside. I think that just the way that people treat me is a bit different, which is the hardest thing to grapple with. It's weird. One day you're just you and then you're not. And you're like 'why am I chosen, what made me so special?'. I don't see it because I see me every day, I can feel the good bits and the ugly bits — especially the ugly bits, because you're stuck with yourself. It's just tricky. I mean, I'm 22 — I still can barely use a washing machine, let alone [process] what all of this is. But the most important thing is just keeping the right people around me and keeping my head on my shoulders, having that screwed on right — which I think I'm doing." Upright screens on Foxtel and streams via Binge, with both seasons available to watch in full. House of the Dragon's first season is available via Foxtel and Binge. Read our full review.
Combining the hypnotic works of M.C. Escher, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists, with the design aesthetics of acclaimed present-day Japanese design studio Nendo, the National Gallery of Victoria's newest blockbuster exhibition Between Two Worlds discovers a stunning and unexpected middle ground. The first ever merging of these acclaimed creators, the exhibition features more than 150 of Escher's woodcuts, lithographs and sketches. Described as the NGV's most ambitious exhibition design to date, Nendo — led by renowned designer Oki Sato — was invited to produce the spectacular space that features several large-scale rooms and installations, and reflects upon the complex themes found within the surrounding Escher works. Running until April 7 2019, Between Two Worlds covers the full spectrum of Escher's artistic vision, which was largely ignored during his lifetime. Showcasing everything from Escher's early works as a student, his newfound inspiration while travelling across Italy, and his final creations in the lead up to his death in 1972, the exhibition showcases virtually all of his most famous works, including Drawing Hands, Relativity and Day and Night. Mirroring the optical illusions and mathematically inspired works of Escher, Nendo has contributed a variety of immersive spaces that will warp your perspective and bring a new light to the works displayed throughout the exhibition. Conveying Escher's theories through the studio's own motif, the rudimentary outline of a house, it appears in various shapes and forms throughout the exhibition and references Escher's unique perspective on space and patterns. With not one, but two creative geniuses on display at the NGV's newest exhibition, we've selected six works (three Escher, three Nendo) that you can't miss out on seeing at Between Two Worlds. [caption id="attachment_700134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] DAY AND NIGHT (ESCHER) Perhaps the Dutch artist's most celebrated work, Day and Night perfectly illustrates Escher's uncanny ability to combine art and science with resounding impact. Uniting a complex understanding of mathematics and perspective with his undeniable creative talent, here, Escher depicts two Dutch towns attached by a series of rolling hills that melt away into a soaring flock of birds. At once day and night, real and unreal, this woodcut offers two simultaneous perspectives that remove the distinction between foreground and background. [caption id="attachment_700137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] DRAWING HANDS (ESCHER) Another widely known artwork of Escher's that has been reproduced in various pop culture mediums since its creation in 1947, Drawing Hands is a clear example of Escher's obsession with paradoxes. Produced in a more photorealistic style than many of Escher's other works, this lithograph displays two hands conceiving each other into existence. While conveying Escher's interest in the concept of infinity, it also demonstrates his desire to produce two-dimensional drawings that leap off the page. [caption id="attachment_700274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] SNAKES (ESCHER) Finished in 1969, Snakes was the last work that M.C. Escher would ever produce. But while he might have passed away just a few short years later, this piece demonstrates just how highly advanced his work became. Showcasing Escher's legendary understanding of symmetry and interlocking arrangements, the work features a rotational symmetry as snakes weave their way between an ever-shrinking pattern. Recognising the significance of this artwork, Nendo has produced a specially designed space, Snake House, where a brightly lit pathway serpentines through an otherwise dark room and ends with the work. [caption id="attachment_700126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] ZOOMING HOUSE (NENDO) Serving as a connecting corridor between two of the exhibition's distinct rooms, Zooming House is a vast architectural structure that once again recalls Escher's obsession with perspective and illusion. Following the same house motif seen throughout the exhibition, here the pathway starts as a wide four-metre chasm before gradually shrinking into a tight 55 centimetres. The contrasting black and white pattern amplifies this effect before you turn off into another hypnotic space. [caption id="attachment_700282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] HOUSE IN PERSPECTIVE (NENDO) Both luminous and reflective, while the floor-to-ceiling rods in this room first appear to be simply an interesting way to display Escher's works, on closer inspection — when viewed from a specific spot in the room — the rods merge together and the form of Nendo's house motif appears. Here, you'll find a selection of Escher's most mind-bending drawings and prints. [caption id="attachment_700133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] GATHERED HOUSE (NENDO) While this grand circular space is dedicated to Escher's many works fixated on the concept of infinity, it's hard to ignore the massive Nendo installation featured in the centre of the room. Constructed from thousands of miniature house motifs, the dazzling installation echoes Escher's artworks presented throughout the space, which explore eclectic geometric loops and images of limitless tessellation. Escher x Nendo: Between Two Worlds is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until April 7, 2019. You can grab tickets here.
Just like wine and cheese go together, there are so many bar snacks that are born to be paired with an expertly made cocktail. Sydney is home to a clutch of great cocktail bars where the food offering is on par with the drinks, so it's worth ordering a little bite to eat alongside your next tipple. With some help from American Express, we've curated this guide to drinks and small bites that you should check out. From stopping by a CBD bar after work for Sydney's best steak tartare to downing tacos at a beachside diner, these are the cocktail and snack combos you should make a beeline for.
Who inspires iconic directors? Other great filmmakers. So when Martin Scorsese names the talents that've helped blaze a trail for him and his work, everyone should pay attention. Ousmane Sembène, the Senegalese filmmaker who has been called "the father of African cinema", isn't just worth celebrating because he has Scorsese's admiration — but it's a helluva tick of approval. The late, great Sembène, who passed away at the age of 84 in 2007, is earning Sydney Film Festival's love in 2024. Each year, the fest includes a retrospective showcase honing in on one filmmaker's work — and Sembène's pictures will be in the spotlight from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16. Starting with 1966's Prix Jean Vigo-winning Black Girl, nine features are on the lineup. While retrospectives can sometimes function as a way to compile the output of a filmmaker that's already widely available anyway, just akk in one spot, the Ousmane Sembène — A Revolutionary with a Camera program is filled with flicks that you won't just find at the press of a button on streaming or at your local cinema's flashback sessions. Also on the bill from the director's big-screen looks at African life: Mandabi, Emitaï, Xala and Ceddo through till the end of the 70s, then 1988's Camp de Thiaroye, 1992's Guelwaar and Sembène's final feature Moolaadé. Three of his shorts round out the program, which comes a year after the centenary of the director's birth, with Borom Sarret, Niaye and Tauw playing in front of select full-length films.
El Camino Cantina is known for its colourful interiors, cheap Tuesday tacos and giant margaritas, including at its venue in The Rocks. Those oversized drinks are a huge drawcard, and they're on offer every day — but every now and then, the lively Tex Mex chain throws a huge Ritapalooza festival. Sydneysiders, it's that time again. From Monday, October 24–Sunday, November 27, El Camino's The Rocks outpost is celebrating those easy-to-down slushie margs with a five-week-long festival dedicated to the frozen cocktail. Head by from to sip 24 limited-edition flavours — there'll be varieties like Skittle, Hubba Bubba and marshmallow available. Also on the menu: classics like mango, strawberry and passionfruit — and other more creative varieties like Wizz Fizz, Jelly Belly, Lifesaver, fairy floss, salted caramel, popcorn, grape Nerd and fairy bread as well. Even better: you can nab them as part of four-flavour and metre-long 12-flavour tasting paddles. El Camino's ten-cent Wing Wednesday tradition will be on offer throughout Ritapalooza as well, plus $2 tacos on Tuesdays. Really love your 'ritas? Opt for the Palooza party package for $99 per person, which covers a three-course menu — including a range of limited-edition fajita flavours — and a two-hour beverage package.
Saint Peter, Paddington's much-adored seafood restaurant, has expanded. But instead of opening a second eatery, owners Josh and Julie Niland have founded Fish Butchery, a swish retail space devoted to premium-quality Australian fish. Forget all about your stock-standard seafood shops — with their mountains of ice, predictable species and tiny selection of cuts, Fish Butchery is a beautifully-designed adventure, without an ice cube in sight. And, rather than merely choosing from the fillets on display, you can ask the butcher to prepare the exact cut you need, just as you would at a traditional meat butchery. "Fish retail hasn't been reimagined for decades," says Josh, who's also head chef at Saint Peter. "It has long existed as a wet bar — an ice counter — with fish piled on top. But water tends to shorten a fish's shelf life, change its taste and promote odours." Consequently, at both Saint Peter and Fish Butchery, all seafood is dry-handled from whoa to go. Every fish is dry-scaled, filleted, pin-boned and presented in a fan-free cool room, kept at 0-2 degrees celsius. There's also a waste-free policy and a focus on under-represented species, which, Josh says, "is part of our ongoing dream to encourage people to eat a wider variety of fish. We want to make those lesser-known varieties not just a restaurant experience but commonplace at home. They taste great, so our aim is customer enjoyment but also to support sustainable fishing." Keep a look out for species you mightn't have tried cooking before, such as leatherjacket, tommy ruff and mahi mahi. The Nilands source these and others from a variety of suppliers, including the Sydney Fish Market, Nicholas Seafoods and independent fisherpeople, such as Bruce Collis, Neil Perry's go-to. And, should you not feel like cooking, you can grab takeaway fish and chips. It'll be one of Fish Butchery's only cooked offering (including some weekend specials, like a pink ling pie). "It was a logical step for the restaurant to add a butchery to its armory," says Josh. "It'll make the restaurant more efficient by centralising all cutting to one area, while enabling us to offer a product unrivalled in Sydney." First two images: Cody Duncan.
One of the best interactive museums in Sydney, Powerhouse is frequently filled with colourful, immersive and mind-boggling exhibitions. It also hosts educational courses and workshops on topics such as astronomy, writing and computer coding. Until April 2018 it is hosting the vivid Future Park. Stretching across eight different interactive installations, Future Park is fuelled by human interaction, evolving in real time as visitors engage and leave their own mark on the artworks.
It happened. Change has swept into the highest office in the United States. With it, crowds both in America and around the globe have come out in force — against newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and his highly publicised comments against women, and for equality in general. There's no shortage of reasons driving the protests, thanks to the new POTUS and his administration's stance on race, class, gender, healthcare, civil rights, queer rights, reproductive rights, immigration, education, conflicts of interest... the list goes on. There's also no shortage of folks heading out to voice their concern. The Women's March started as an event planned for January 21 in Washington, D.C. the day after Trump's swearing-in ceremony in the US capital, then quickly swelled to become a massive movement drawing hundreds thousands of people worldwide. Marches have taken place everywhere from London to Nairobi, Toronto to Tel Aviv, and Oslo to Antarctica, plus Park City, Utah, where the Sundance Film Festival is currently underway. In Sydney, a crowd of approximately 5000 people took to the streets to march in solidarity, continuing unfazed when skywriting emblazoned the US President's name above them. With such a massive outcry comes a massive onslaught of passion and creativity, including a sea of placards getting the point across in an engaging fashion. Don't just take our word for it — the array of pictures snapped around the world do all of the talking. https://twitter.com/callirachel/status/822694126588047360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/mradamscott/status/822969795985416192 https://www.instagram.com/p/BPh6cP5DEuu/?taken-by=womensmarch https://twitter.com/corinnepurtill/status/822923128221249536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/myquirky_corner/status/822931521241640960 https://twitter.com/jgitchell/status/822846113246048256 https://twitter.com/HamillHimself/status/822938477989769217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/lindazunas/status/822877872587231232 For more information about the Women's March, visit their website.
It has been ten years of Young Henrys, the Sydney brewery responsible for changing Australia's relationship with craft beer. That's no overstatement. Young Henrys was the first of the small-batch and independent brewers to genuinely crossover into the mainstream and started a movement. And despite ten years of expansion, high-profile collaborations and regular new product development (including the launch of a RTD gin and tonic), the business has remained steadfastly independent. Like all great ideas, Young Henrys was first conceived in a pub after an undisclosed number of schooners. The difference is that unlike most ideas that start out as excitable pub chat, this one actually panned out. THE ORIGIN STORY Founders Richard Adamson and Oscar McMahon were running a beer club at a pub in Glebe where punters could sample and discuss craft beers from far and wide. Their enthusiasm and well-trained palate for beer naturally evolved into a plan to give brewing a whirl themselves. According to the story as McMahon tells it, one thing just kind of led to another. "One night after beer club Richard said to me: 'How cool would it be to make a beer company that was in touch with the people drinking the beer, like the feeling of beer club.' We'd obviously had quite a few," he notes. "And then the next morning we actually followed up with a phone call and said 'hey... are you kind of serious about that?' And that began the journey of getting together some like-minded people and it took us about two years to find this site in Newtown and ten years ago this week we sold our first keg." That keg contained the now-ubiquitous Young Henrys Natural Lager. Ten years later, this loose and instinctive approach to developing the brand is warmly described by Dan Hampton, Young Henrys' Head of Sales, as 'the Young Henrys way'. Hampton explains: "The YH way or Young Henrys way is our way of saying that we don't always need to reinvent the wheel — and you can spin your wheels a lot trying to reinvent the wheel. But we go: how can we take good ideas, proven concepts and do them in our own unique way, and put our unique lens on it? Or take something that already exists and completely spin it on its head." A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION The Young Henrys way has resulted in projects, events and creative collaborations that cross cultural intersections. They did a project with You Am I to create a collaborative beer 'Brew Am I' for the band's 20th anniversary tour — a partnership the founders cite as one of their favourite ever. They have since followed that up with partnerships with bands like DZ Deathrays and Foo Fighters, multi Grand Slam-winning tennis champ Dylan Alcott and the Rabbitohs, to name a few. Collaboration has been an important part of the business from the beginning. "We assume that people who are into craft beer will seek out and find and educate themselves on craft beer and craft breweries. We always thought it was a really interesting concept to take a craft beer company and find collaborators in other creative, interesting industries and work on a project," Oscar McMahon explains. "It not only brings new audiences into Young Henrys but into craft beer. It actually spreads that conversation. Also, we're a creative company. We're always coming up with new products and designs and themes and events, so pushing yourself to collaborate with someone means you're not only pushing yourself to be creative to your own standards, but to someone else's as well. And that can create some really great internal pressure." [caption id="attachment_610876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Young Henry's collaboration with Dune Rats in 2017[/caption] THE TEN YEAR BEER No big name collaborations or great internal pressure went into the beer brewed specially to commemorate the 10th anniversary. The limited edition creation '10 Years Strong' is a red ale that was aged in rum and port casks, balancing bitterness and body, and has a hefty ABV of 8%. The beer will be given away to customers whenever they buy any two six-packs or four-packs of any Young Henrys product as a way of saying thanks to the people who have supported them for the past decade. 10 Years Strong is a birthday gift available with any Young Henrys purchase from bottle shops nationally.
If Leslie Knope has taught us anything — and, the former Deputy Director of Pawnee, Indiana's Parks and Recreation Department turned City Councillor has taught us many, many, things — it's that Galentine's Day is the best day of the year. That'd be February 13, an occasion dedicated to celebrating female friendships. Yes, it's a date worth firing up a few waffle irons for and kicking it breakfast-style. This year, Made by the Hill is doing just that at their Parks and Recreation trivia night. It's bound to be just as great as every affectionate name Leslie has ever called Ann Perkins ("beautiful tropical fish" and "poetic noble land mermaid" are just two of them). And, just as exciting as the time Leslie met Joe Biden, or when Ben Wyatt invented The Cones of Dunshire, or any occasion where Ron Swanson drank Lagavulin whisky. April Ludgate would either stand in the corner and glare, or try to convince you that she's a witch, while Donna Meagle would probably be too busy live-tweeting the Death Canoe film series. If you know all of the above like you know that breakfast food is the best kind of food, then you'd better show your love for one of the best sitcoms ever made — while eating waffles, of course. Taking place from 6.30pm, "In Full Bloom" waffles will be on the menu, topped with fresh banana, raspberry, blueberries, maple syrup and Persian fairy floss. Entry is free, but devouring Leslie's favourite food will cost you $10.90. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgAOcNNMPKI
Yet another piece of the New South Wales Government's continual expansion of Sydney's public transport infrastructure has been announced this week, with two new inner city train stations set to be constructed as part of the new Metro West train line. Pyrmont and the CBD's Hunter Street will both receive new train stations under the expanded rail plans. Pyrmont's station will be located between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street, near the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel and just down the road from the current Pyrmont Bay Light Rail Station. The Hunter Street station will have entrances between Hunter and George Street as well as Bligh and O'Connell Street. Designed to connect greater Parramatta to the Sydney CBD, the Metro West project will run through Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park and the inner west through to the new Pyrmont and Hunter Street Stations. The Metro project is expected to reduce travel time along the train line by up to 43 minutes. Public transport travel time between Parramatta Station and Pyrmont currently sits at around 50 minutes each way, with no direct public transport routes between the two locations. This travel time could be reduced to 18 minutes thanks to the new metro line, with travel between Sydney Olympic Park and Pyrmont being cut from 56 minutes down to just 13. "There will be massive and game-changing travel time savings across Sydney. For example, sports fans will be able to get from Bondi Junction to the new metro station at Sydney Olympic Park in just 27 minutes (interchanging at Martin Place) compared to 56 minutes now," Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said. [caption id="attachment_811845" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artist's render of the new Pyrmont train station.[/caption] 13 commercial buildings will be acquired by the government in the process of building the two stations. 11 CBD commercial residencies will make room for the Hunter Street station, while two Pyrmont locations will be acquired for its Metro station. The heritage-listed Skinner Family Hotel which resides atop the proposed Hunter Street Station site will be protected within the construction site. The Hunter Street station will become the fourth train station to operate in the city's CBD. When asked why one of the current CBD stations couldn't have been connected to the Metro West line instead of building a new station, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance responded: "There is so much infrastructure underground in Sydney, because of this government, we had to find a site which worked". Mr Constance also confirmed the NSW Government is expecting a financial contribution from the Star Casino due to the proximity of the new Pyrmont Station to the casino. "One of the things we are flagging, of course, for the peninsular at Pyrmont is a contribution, given the fact that it is going to massively increase the value of properties in those areas." The Metro West project is expected to be completed by 2030.
Right now, Adore Beauty is a huge Aussie-owned retailer known for offering up deals on thousands of beauty products exclusively to online customers. It's also much-loved for its generous free samples and for giving away Tim Tams with every single purchase. But come Saturday, February 1, Adore Beauty will officially have a permanent bricks-and-mortar shop in Melbourne's Westfield Southland. The new store will house skincare, haircare, fragrances, makeup and a heap of other wellness items from over 300 beauty brands — both Australian and international. But team is seeking to make the most of the in-person shopping experience by not merely setting up a bunch of aisles full of products and leaving it there. At the centre of the flagship Adore Beauty store, visitors will find a large curved table that will host regular masterclasses, activations and even the odd live podcast recording. There'll even be a leading-edge digital skin analysis system, which will help punters gain a deeper understanding of their personal skin type and needs. You'll also still get a free Tim Tam with every purchase — thank the chocolate gods. And to entice folks in on the opening day, the Adore Beauty crew is giving the first 250 visitors a free goodie bag chock-full of 20 samples. This is the first retail store out of many more to come for Adore Beauty, with plans for a national store network set to roll out over the next few years. Adore Beauty's CEO Sacha Laing shared, "The Southland store is the first step in a new and exciting chapter for Adore Beauty that will see us bring our online experience that our customers know and love into physical settings where they can explore, learn and play with beauty with the guidance of our in-store experts." Adore Beauty's first-ever retail store opens on Saturday, February 1, and can be found at Level 2 of Westfield Southland, Cheltenham. For more details, you can check out the company's website.
Only watching a single scene, merely a few minutes or just a sole episode of Such Brave Girls is impossible. With its blisteringly frank and hilarious first season in 2023, and now with its equally raw, authentic and side-splitting second run in 2025 — both streaming in Australia via Stan — letting instalment after instalment roll while binge-viewing is the natural response to pressing play on this British sitcom about three adult women in a dysfunctional family. That said, there's a line in the show's second season that couldn't sum it up better, even if you were to only ever hear one piece of dialogue from the Kat Sadler-created series. "Your mouth's doing the right thing, but your eyes are trying to call the Samaritans," Josie, her on-screen alter ego, is told when she cracks a smile. Sadler also writes Such Brave Girls, with its first season winning Best Scripted Comedy and earning her the Best Emerging Talent: Fiction award at the 2024 BAFTAs. She's drawn much within its frames from her own experiences, as well as those of her sister Lizzie Davidson, who plays Josie's sibling Billie. Across its 12 episodes to date, there isn't a second of the end result that isn't deeply perceptive, including about depression, trauma, love, financial stress and the unshakeably intertwined relationship between the latter two, to name just some of its focuses. But that Samaritans line is such an astute statement about trying and pretending — however wholeheartedly or convincingly, or willingly or not — to put on a content and settled face to the world, an idea that's at the core of Such Brave Girls again and again. As she keeps exploring the lives of not just chalk-and-cheese sisters Josie and Billie, but also of their mother Deb (Louise Brealey, Lockwood & Co) — and of Dev, (Paul Bazely, Miss Scarlet and the Duke), a quiet widower with a big house, who the family matriarch is keen on marrying; Seb (Freddie Meredith, Andor), the keen-to-wed boyfriend that the queer Josie wishes that she didn't have; and Nicky (Sam Buchanan, Just Act Normal), the womaniser that Billie refuses to see anything but good in — how does Sadler find new ways to dig into the ever-relatable concept of constantly putting on brave faces? "It is capturing the MO of the show, and that's a really interesting way to look at it," Sadler tells Concrete Playground, "because I think every character is an emblem of this fine line of dancing through this desperation going on in the family home, and capturing that through keeping up appearances." "You've got Deb, who deals with it more superficially. Similarly with Billie, who's looking for someone to love her. And then it's Josie sort of constantly weaponising her mental health as a way of trying to experience love. Every character is on the quest for it. So I think when I go about writing, I often just have my characters on the wall, and I have this theme of love that I'm always trying to dig into, and then it's about finding different ways to have that come out." When season one introduced its main figures, it plunged into Josie's mental-health struggles, the mountain of debt that Deb can't escape, and the impact of her ex-husband going out for teabags ten years earlier and never returning home — as well as Josie's sexual identity, and the need for the series' three women to discover ways to try to keep fiscally afloat. Sadler's own attempts on her life and the £20,000 that Davidson owed at the same time were firm inspirations. Another motivation for the show: making the type of no-holds-barred sitcom about these situations and themes that didn't already exist but Sadler wanted to see. "That's exactly what I wanted to do," she explains. "I wanted to capture the uniqueness in the way that we talk, and the way that I talk to my friends, and show that, because I hadn't seen that before. And I wanted to lift up a rock into our world and try to capture as much of that in as much detail with as much authenticity as possible, to open people's eyes to the way that we see the world. And show that perspective, because there wasn't a lot of that that I was seeing on-screen — and it made me sad that we didn't have a lot of that. It made me lonely." "So I was trying to capture that — and help other people feel more normal by saying that the way that they talk is the maybe the way that they talk in their family." Life brightening up isn't Such Brave Girls' journey, though. That wouldn't fit its tone, or its aim to both subvert and satirise. Most sitcoms don't have the origin story that this one does, clearly — and also don't sport the commitment not to shy away from complicated characters, from daily woes, from mental illness, and from a range of topics that many dramas don't even dig into, let alone comedies. The again-exceptional season two begins with Josie chasing a crush, then swiftly being trapped in her worst nightmare: marrying Seb. Deb is endeavouring to use the nuptials to show to Dev that the family's women are worth getting hitched to, while Billie is intent on locking in a sugar-daddy relationship with the much-older — and already-wed — Graham (Daniel Ryan, The Bay). Most sitcoms also don't ensure, no matter what else Josie, Billie and Deb are navigating — be it weddings, infatuations, affairs, boat trips, potential pregnancies, rivals and so much more — that worrying about money isn't something that dissipates. That's another of Such Brave Girls' profoundly relatable touches. Interrogating the connection between love and finances is not the status quo for the bulk of television comedies, either. The feeling of catharsis for its creator, whether in processing her own experiences into something where Josie can make different choices, turning pain into laughs or seeing a show built with such a commitment to authenticity in such a range of ways resonating with audiences, stands out for Such Brave Girls, too. Alongside those themes of romance and money, as well as her own emotional journey with the show, we also spoke with Sadler about discovering the tone and feel for the series, and how season one's BAFTA success empowered her for season two. Among our topics as well: finding new scenarios to put Josie, Bille and Deb in the second time around, plus standing in Josie's shoes for 12 episodes now. On Financial Stress as a Daily Reality Always Sitting at the Heart of the Series — and How Love and Money Intersect "I love having a theme. And I think when you keep it on theme, the whole series will feel unified and keep the characters together — and that's the rubber dinghy that these characters are all stranded in and the ocean: financial stress. And if anything grows or moves or changes the way they're dealing with it, then the whole boat goes over. So it's all about keeping the characters on track and having that be the theme that we're constantly exploring. Like, when I start writing, I have love and money, that's my really strong theme of this year — and last year, too. I think that's what makes the characters feel relatable, and what is exciting to me as a writer is that it is fundamentally about love at its core. Even though the characters are horrible to each other and narcissists and all these things, their quest is fundamentally to be loved — but it's just these toxic ways they go about it. That was what was interesting to me as a writer in series two, was the kind of way that money relates to that. And Deb's quest for that, quest for money, is really about showing her love to the girls by keeping the house there, and keeping everyone safe and surviving. But we deal with it in these kind of toxic ways. So I do want to show that love and money really intersect in lots of ways that you might not be expecting." On Finding the Tone and Feel of the Show From Its Personal Origins for Both Sadler and Her Sister, and with Its Range of Topics That Not Even Dramas Always Cover "I think it went through lots of different versions. There was a while in which I suddenly thought 'oh gosh, am I writing a comedy-drama? Am I writing a drama?' in some of the stuff I dealt with. And then I think I had to stop and reassess and decide what I wanted to make — and fundamentally all I ever wanted to make is a sitcom that shows that you can deal with these issues, and not shy away from it and be hamstrung by the format of a sitcom. You can put anything in there, as long as you understand why characters are the way they are and act the way they do. So I think that was what I really decided on, and then I think once I decided that, it was all systems ago. I remember it went through lots of different drafts. That whole series went through loads of different drafts of versions, and then when I stripped all that back and showed it to my sister, it was then like 'this is what it is'. I think when it became like it was just jokes, that was then, I think, this is what makes me feel excited. Like, this is what gets me feeling a bit nervous, which is the best feeling — when you get a bit of fear." On If the Success of Season One, Including Its BAFTA Wins, Set Sadler a Challenge to Push Even Further in Season Two "Exactly. And it was an incredible vote of confidence in the show, and just gave us the feeling of 'people are behind us on this' — like they get it. Because it is a big ask, because it is challenging in different ways. So the fact that we had that mark of kudos of 'we back you' was huge, and so rewarding. And has been amazing, and totally made me feel like I can be more brave and confident, and like people give me the benefit of the doubt now. But it also comes with 'oh my god, how do you follow that up?'. We won the most-incredible prize — the list of shows on that list of BAFTA-winners for Best Scripted Comedy is unparalleled. It's incredible. So to try to compete with that or to be like 'okay, what's series two?' was terrifying. So we're working out 'how do you follow it up and not just try to be outrageous for outrageous' sake'. But it was a huge mark of confidence that has made me feel much more confident as a writer, which I struggle with." On Finding New Scenarios to Push the Characters Into in a Series About a World Where Nobody Is Right "My favourite thing is the twisted logic of the characters. That's what I love to write. I love twisted logic, like something that makes complete sense to the character, but as the viewer, you're like 'why on earth have you done that?'. So that's always my challenge. So I love to get a situation up on the board and be like 'what is the funny way that my characters would be front-footed and decide how to' — because we're all spin doctors, that comes from my family experience, like how we always just turn everything into something positive. You rewrite it. You work out how you win. And so it was about being like 'okay, how do I spin these situations so that the characters leave it feeling powerful, or leave it feeling like this is actually what they wanted?'. So that is the fun bit of the job, is working out 'what would be the most cathartic way to deal with this?' and 'how do these characters manipulate the situation?'. That's the bit which comes from just sitting and writing it, rather than reality, because a lot of reality didn't happen like that." On Whether There's a Feeling of Catharsis That Comes with Processing Sadler's Own Experiences Via the Series and Seeing Audiences Relate "Yeah, that has been an incredible experience. Having people relate or connect or say 'oh my god, I did that' or 'oh my god, that happened to me', that is actually, it's the best feeling. It's such a mark of confidence in the writing that it is truly the most rewarding bit. It truly is. Getting messages on Instagram being like 'oh my god, I can't believe you talked about that' or 'I thought only we did that' or something — those are the best messages." On How Sadler Feels About Josie After 12 Episodes of Standing in Her Shoes "I find her the hardest one to write for, because she's me. So I do find her difficult, because I haven't got that level of separation like I do with the other characters. So it's sort of about working out how to keep her — because Josie is also quite a passive character. She lets things happen to her. She's obsessed with her own trauma. She's lives in her head. And so it's hard to — thinking of plots for her to do where she is active is hard. Because I'm someone that usually just like — I think there's a line series one that's 'you're a deer in headlights, you just wait for the car to hit you' and that's me. So how on earth do you explore that in writing a series? She is the most fun, though, when she is front-footed about something. So it's just working out how to make her go for that. So that has been my challenge, just to make sure there's a degree of separation there between the two." Such Brave Girls streams via Stan. Read our review of season one.
You know how in sit-coms people will walk into coffee shops and the barista will go: "Hey Tommy — the usual?" And you know how you always sort of hope that will happen to you? Well, going to Double Cross Espresso Bar is exactly like that — the staff welcome every customer who pops in, and know several by name. The Crows Nest cafe specialises in quality coffee and a unique Japanese spin on Australian cafe food. The shop opened in 2016 after co-owners Quinton Ng and Samuel Lee — who had had both been working in the hospitality industry for years — decided that it was time to run their own place. The cafe's name is representative of the owner's identities; Ng's family hails from both Hong Kong and Australia, while Lee is Korean–New Zealander. Designed with minimalism in mind, customers can order at the white marbled counter where there are maybe 100 stamped loyalty cards — a testament to the quality of the coffee on offer, and the number of return customers. Seating is available both inside and out, which is a perfect perch from which to people-watch during the lunch hours, which are less hectic than the mornings. At the very back of the cafe, two chefs work in a tiny kitchen. Some popular dishes include, the mentaiko pasta laden with fish roe and a 63-degree egg ($17), and the tonkatsu tamago sando: two small pork katsu rectangles wedged on a stick with kewpie mayo and katsu sauce ($13). Lastly, for a sweet treat, the creme brûlée french toast, a brioche bun topped with mascarpone custard, a mixed berry compote, and fresh fruit piled on top ($15). So if you're on the lower north shore and looking for a new place to try, Double Cross will not let you down. Images: Natalie Carroll.
When Victoria's March long weekend arrives each year, festivalgoers have two reasons to head out of town — or head to the state from interstate — for a few days of tunes. Both are beloved parts of the cultural calendar. Both are such a hit that you need to enter a ballot to get tickets. And just as Golden Plains has already done, Pitch Music & Arts is announcing it 2025 details. Everyone should make the trip to the Grampians at least once, and here's as ace an excuse to do so as any: the return of the much-loved camping festival, which will host its eighth edition, taking over Moyston again. There's no lineup just yet — it drops on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 — but the 2025 dates have been locked in. The long-running celebration unleashes its fun across the Grampian Plains, with next years' festivities happening from Friday, March 7–Tuesday, March 11. Not only will its three stages play host to a sparkling lineup of local and international musical talent, as always, but the tunes will be backed by a hefty program of interactive art and installations. Basically, no matter who makes it onto the bill, attendees are in for a very big, very busy four days. Joy Orbison's 'flight fm' and 'better' have been used in teaser videos for 2025's fest so far, so that could be a lineup hint. 2024's roster featured Gerd Janson, I Hate Models, Job Jobse, Spray, XCLUB, Bambonou, Chippy Nonstop, Narciss, Mac Declos, Sedef Adasï and Hasvat Informant, among others, if you're wondering which type of electronic acts that Pitch usually welcomes. The ticket ballot is currently open — and is a necessity after the last three festivals all sold out — ahead of the program reveal; however, you can get excited now about a bigger Pitch One stage, Pitch Black getting a revamp and the Resident Advisor stage's red orb being part of the fun again. In between all the dance-floor sessions and arty things, festivalgoers will again be able to make themselves at home in the Pitch Pavilion, which is where yoga classes, meditation and sound baths usually help patrons unwind. The local-focused Club Serra will be new in 2025, championing homegrown talent. Pitch Music & Arts will return to Moyston from Friday, March 7–Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, or to enter the ballot. The lineup will drop on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, with tickets sale details announced then as well. Top Images: Duncographic, William Hamilton Coates, Max Roux and Ashlea Caygill.
Summer in Sydney is always welcome, this year more so than ever. Back are the long days, the beach escapes and the long-awaited gatherings with friends. With so much to enjoy, you may not always have time to plan ahead but, with help from our friends at Jacob's Creek, we've put together the definitive list of restaurants and bars to head to for last-minute catch-ups. Think of it as the plan for when you don't have a plan. [caption id="attachment_671515" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida[/caption] THE WINERY, SURRY HILLS Gather your posse for a get-together at The Winery, the always buzzing bar in Surry Hills. The verdant outdoor garden space is the perfect place to be on a summer's afternoon, with the light filtering through the trees making your beautiful people even more so and the days seem endless. All the catching up and people watching is tough work, so you'll soon need to venture to the bar (or send an obliging pal for you). Light and fresh, Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé is the ideal accompaniment for such a gathering. [caption id="attachment_717351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Karina Lee[/caption] COOGEE BAY HOTEL, COOGEE Like gin and tonic, Sydney summers and beach days are made to be together. After a day in the surf at Coogee Beach, head over the road to Coogee Bay Hotel for an impromptu session with your pals and the taste of salt still on your lips. In keeping with its beachside location, the atmosphere is languid here; the most important decision you'll need to make is what drink to start with. One that's done, settle into the garden for the best view of the beach as the sun goes down. [caption id="attachment_688657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Enzo Amato[/caption] SEAN'S PANAROMA, NORTH BONDI Chances are you and your friends will find yourselves at Sydney's most iconic beach this summer. Why not take advantage of the location and head to Sean's Panaroma? While many other restaurants have come and gone, Sean's has remained steadfast, welcoming diners through its doors since 1993. There's a clear recipe for success here: chef Sean Moran's passion for produce teamed with an unpretentious neighbourhood charm. The roast chicken is the stuff of legend. Adding to the appeal, Sean's is also BYO so bring along a chilled bottle (or two) of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Pinot Gris to share with the table. [caption id="attachment_780365" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] SLIMS ROOFTOP, DARLINGHURST Where do you head with your mates when you want a drink with a view but don't have a plan? Slims Rooftop, with its mix of enviable city views and greenery is the perfect choice. The bar sits atop Darlinghurst's Hyde Park House and it makes the most of its aerial location with an eye over Hyde Park and the high rises beyond. Gather under one of the bright umbrellas splashed across the verandah and order a round as you drink in the westerly sun. SOCAL, NEUTRAL BAY An unexpected touch of California in the lower north shore, SoCal is an ideal spot to drop into for a last-minute summer soiree. With its beachside vibes, marked by a coastal colour palette, lush greenery and washed timber, this rooftop bar is not the kind of place you expect to find in suburban Neutral Bay. Like the venue, the food is relaxed. It's also designed to be shared — think tacos, quesadillas and slow-barbecued meats, made in the on-site smokehouse. Find yourself there for weekday happy hour and you'll be seriously tempted by the frozen slushy cocktails ($12). BERT'S, NEWPORT If you and your crew are in the mood for some off-the-cuff fanciness, then Bert's is the place to be. It takes minimal planning to have a great time here because most of the details have already been taken care of. Set inside Merivale's Newport behemoth, the brasserie is all class, with its panoramic windows, sun-drenched central bar and impeccable detailing all working together to create a palatial hotel feel. It would be almost criminal not to order from the oyster bar to start, with a glass of bubbles to match. After that, let the unhurried atmosphere wash over you as you settle in for the afternoon. THREE BLUE DUCKS, ROSEBERY You'll smell it before you see it: the spit roast cooking in the garden of Three Blue Ducks' Rosebery outpost. It's all the excuse you need to get some friends together and join the crowds for a long lunch. Beyond the barbecue, vegetables are celebrated in all their glory. Roasted until charred, piled into vibrant salads or whipped into dips, they're the perfect accompaniment or main event. Among all the eating, your group is sure to work up a thirst. SCOTCH AND CO, BARANGAROO It's a familiar scenario: you get together with friends for a catch-up and realise you're all so hungry you could eat a doorframe. Scotch and Co is on hand to help. This classy steakhouse, located at the bottom of the International Towers in Barangaroo, has extensive views over the harbour. Seafood makes a strong play on the menu, including fresh rock lobster, which will pair excellently with Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay. But don't skip the steak. While some of the wagyu prices may make your eyes water, the result is mouth-watering enough to help you forget. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: The Winery by Letícia Almeida Please drink responsibly.
Glass, by director M. Night Shyamalan, concludes a trilogy nobody knew was a trilogy until the final moments of his previous film, Split. What at first seemed a fun and, at times, disturbing thriller about a split-personality kidnapper (played by a terrific James McAvoy) suddenly presaged an entirely new world of superheroes in the vein of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Harking all the way back to Shyamalan's 2000 film Unbreakable, Glass is the film designed to bring together the stories of McAvoy's unhinged killer, Bruce Willis's reluctant hero and Samuel L Jackson's evil genius. It's a two decade project and a gutsy effort to try something new. Unfortunately, the finished product fails to live up to the alluring concept. A quick refresher. Unbreakable brought together two fascinating characters in the form of comic book expert Elijah Price (Jackson) and sports stadium security guard David Dunn (Willis). Dunn is the sole and miraculous survivor of a horrific train crash from which he emerged entirely unscathed. He's a soulful and introverted family man, and it's not until Price contacts him that he realises he's never been sick or injured his entire life. Price, by contrast, is wheelchair bound, a sufferer of a brittle bone disease that makes him, effectively, as fragile as glass. Price's theory is that if he's as weak as humanity permits, it stands to reason someone must be his direct opposite; a man who is, essentially, unbreakable. Then in 2016 came Split and the introduction of The Horde (McAvoy), a collective name for the many personalities embodying the hapless Kevin Wendell Crumb. Chief amongst them is The Beast, an abnormally strong and animalistic entity capable of scaling sheer walls and even ceilings. If Dunn is the superhero, then The Beast is the super villain. Glass ties these characters together by locking all three up in a mental institute under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson). Her speciality is illusions of grandeur manifesting in the belief that its sufferers are superheroes, and the film does an impressive job of sewing doubt in both the characters' and audience's mind that everything we've seen to date might be explained away by simple science. It's an enticing counterpoint to the conventional superhero narrative, which tells us they simply exist and that's that. Here, Shyamalan continues his preoccupation with how one might become a superhero. It's a trilogy-long origin story, grounded in the lore and mythology of comic books. Fascinating as that idea is, however, the movie spends far too long footnoting itself, going to pains to explain again and again how its events track the narrative arc of any comic. It's as if Shyamalan is desperate to ensure you know how clever his idea is, and all you want to do is yell back at the screen: IT'S OKAY! WE GET IT! MOVE ON! Admittedly, it is clever. The idea that superheroes do exist, but are also very human and only marginally more enhanced and capable than everyone else represents an appealing and refreshing take on the genre. And yet the film's theoretical strength is also its practical weakness. The climactic clash between Dunn and The Beast feels entirely lacklustre and unimpressive in a world now accustomed to such scenes frequently involving the levelling of entire cities. Mass destruction can be tiresome as well, of course, but surely there's room for something in between? In Glass, the characters are a far cry from Superman, Thor or The Hulk. Consequently most of their fighting consists of the pair locked arm-in-arm like a dull MMA bout. There are flourishes of brilliance – Beast's inhuman gallop across a field being amongst the best – but they're far too infrequent. Ultimately though, the biggest problem with Glass is that it's far too preoccupied with explaining itself as it goes. And so while the journey is enjoyable enough, the final feeling is that a great opportunity has been missed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ghQs5AmNk
These days, a simple flash of your smartphone can let you pay for stuff without tapping your debit card, see a gig without a hard-copy ticket and even split dinner bills without carrying around a heap of cash. For residents in the eastern Sydney suburbs of Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee, Randwick and Waverley, it can now also double as your drivers licence. Announced early in 2018 after legislation supporting the move passed through State Parliament, a Sydney trial of digital licences is currently underway. A voluntary scheme involving drivers in postcodes 2022, 2024, 2026, 2031 and 2034, it's the first step towards allowing all NSW residents to leave the old drivers licence card at home — if the trial is successful, that is. According to a statement released by the NSW Government, those willing to participate will have to register for a MyServiceNSW account and install the Service NSW mobile app. They'll then need to opt-in for the trial, which will allow them to manage and renew their licence via the app, and show it as proof of identity and age at police roadside checks, bars and clubs. The digital licence can only be used in the suburbs listed above during the trial period, and those taking part will still need to carry their plastic card. If the trial is successful, the digital system will roll out across the state sometime in 2019. This means that any NSW driver would be able to access a digital version of their licence via the Service NSW app on their phone, and it would be accepted everywhere in the state, completely eliminating the need to carry the original card. It will be an opt-in service, and all drivers will still be issued with a card regardless. To curb the circulation of fake IDs and identify fraud, the government's statement says it is using "comprehensive security measures to protect your information and identity at all times, similar to those used for internet banking" on its digital driver licence website. The details are vague, but users will need to set up a Service NSW app PIN to access their digital licence — and to access it offline as well. Plans for the switch to digital were first announced back in 2016, which was followed by a successful trial of the digital licences in Dubbo and subsequent legislation being entered into Parliament earlier this year. A similar system was rolled out in South Australia in late 2017. Updated: May 28, 2019.
Melbourne's annual arts festival RISING might not return until winter (running from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16), but tickets are already selling out to some of the most-popular events. If you've been thinking about heading to Victoria's capital to catch hidden laneway gigs, free exhibitions and international performances, then you best start making some serious plans. To help you get the most out of this year's festival, we've teamed up with the crew at RISING to bring you three exclusive travel packages that can be booked until Tuesday, April 30. [caption id="attachment_950619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Damien Raggatt[/caption] First off, we've got our hands on a select number of Day Tripper tickets, which give punters access to a huge day party on Saturday, June 8. For just one arvo, the arcades and laneways surrounding Melbourne Town Hall will be taken over by post-punk, acid house, hip hop and disco tunes, as well as video works and contemporary dance performances. It will be huge. This package gets you access to the block party and afterparty, and includes a two-night stay at The Howey (with a full mini-bar worth $100), which is just a short walk from all the fun. The second RISING travel package will get you VIP access to see Dirty Three's performance at Hamer Hall, which has already sold out to the general public. We're the only ones still offering access if you want to see the trio perform live on Friday, June 14 or Saturday, June 15. This deal also includes a two-night stay at The Howey (again with a full mini-bar worth $100), a couple of drinks vouchers and priority entry to the festival club. Seats are highly limited for this one, so don't wait long to nab them. Lastly, we've secured a few tickets to Sydney drill legends ONEFOUR on Saturday, June 8. The lads' raw stories of crime, poverty and social dislocation have clocked over 500-million streams, with rap stars like A$AP Ferg and The Kid LAROI also fans. Book this RISING travel package for $549 and you'll receive two tickets to the show, plus a two-night stay at Causeway 353 (with $50 of mini-bar credit). Head to Concrete Playground Trips to book these exclusive RISING packages, which are only available up until Tuesday, April 30. Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
More than a year ago, the New South Wales Government finally announced that it will ban lightweight single-use plastic bags, becoming the last Australian state or territory to do so. By 2022, that plan is set to come into effect — and, as part of a newly revealed strategy to combat both waste and plastic, it's set to be followed by a range of other just-announced initiatives. Get ready to farewell single-use plastics in plenty of forms — such as straws, cutlery, stirrers and polystyrene containers, too — because they've all just been given an expiry date. A six-month timeline has been put on phasing out lightweight single-use plastic bags, which means that they'll be out of action when 2022 hits. Meanwhile, straws, stirrers, cutlery, polystyrene containers, cotton buds with plastic sticks and microbeads in toiletries are all set to be scrapped within 12 months. The bans form part of the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy and NSW Plastics Action Plan, both of which were announced on Sunday, June 13. Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed that the NSW Government will spend more than $356 million over the next five years to implement the new plans, with consultations now set to take place, and legislation and regulations expected to be submitted to parliament in the next few months. The Plastics Action Plan also targets plastic bowls, plates, cups and their lids; non-compostable fruit stickers; and heavyweight plastic shopping bans, all of which are set to be banned within three years — so, by 2025. In fact, getting rid of all problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025 is the key aim. "The single-use items we are phasing-out will stop an estimated 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from ending up in our environment and waterways over the next 20 years," said Environment Minister Matt Kean. Crucial to the plan is the existence of already-available alternatives — whether they're reusable, in the case of cutlery and plates, or 100-percent compostable, as seen with paper straws and stirrers. That said, exemptions will be available for sections of the community that aren't able to use alternative products to plastic, such as the aged care sector and people with disability. Also part of the ban: helping small businesses transition to new non-plastic products, as well as education campaigns to get everyone onboard. Plus, single-use plastics aren't the only items being targeted in NSW's war on waste. By 2030, the state's residents will also get new green bins for food scraps and organic materials — and by 2025, large supermarkets and hospitality businesses that produce significant amounts of food waste will need to have their organic scraps collected separately from their other garbage. Overall, NSW is aiming to reduce the total amount of waste generated per person by 10 percent by 2030, reduce litter by 60 percent by the same time, and triple the rate of plastic recycling by then, too. Similar laws regarding single-use plastics have already come into effect in South Australia, while Queensland's ban will kick in on September 1, 2021 — and Victoria has set a 2023 target date. As a nation, Australia is set to phase out a heap of single-use plastic items by 2025 as well. And, that's on top of smaller-scale initiatives, not only including bag bans and container schemes, but the phasing out of single-use plastics in various guises at the company level, with Coles, McDonald's, IKEA, Coca-Cola Amatil and Qantas among those making steps in the plastic-free direction. You can read more about the New South Wales' proposed single-use plastics ban via the NSW Environmental Protection Authority's website.
Losing yourself in a giant Pac-Man-inspired maze may or may not be your idea of the ultimate reality break, but it is something you'll actually be able to pencil into the diary when The Pac-Maze hits Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next year. Yep, someone has created a human-size version of the classic 80s arcade game that had you losing hours navigating tiny yellow Pac-Dots and avoiding ghosts. As with most immersive, themed experiences happening across Australia these days, this one's popping up in secret locations on unknown dates. At this stage, all we know is that it's only popping up for one day in each city — and that you can sign up for notifications and first dibs on pre-release tickets via the website. The Pac-Maze comes courtesy of the same masters of nostalgia that brought you the adults-only Lego bar, The Brick Bar, which means you can expect a bunch of interactive fun that'll delight both your adult self and your inner kid. Organisers are promising an immersive escape room-style experience, held within a 1.5-kilometre, LED-lit maze, with the chance to score prizes if you're quick enough to elude those multi-coloured ghosts (aka Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde). You can play solo or in teams of up to ten, though there are only 500 tickets in total up for grabs in each city. To stay in the loop and snag pre-release tickets, visit The Pac-Maze website.
Being able to call Sydney home certainly has its perks — particularly our proximity to some pretty epic cultural happenings. But the reality of inner-city living can look a little different. Whether your accommodation situation is solo or shared, there's no denying that it can be costly and, at times, kind of lonely. A new-age alternative to traditional renting is aiming to combat all of that. You may think co-living, or community living, is the latest craze to hit the real estate market but the concept has been around for ages in medieval villages, hippies of the 70s and monasteries. Then, last year, a modernised version of co-living hit our shores. UKO — owned by the same team behind hotel group Veriu and co-working space +U — opened its first co-living space in Stanmore in September 2018. Recently, it jumped on the opportunity to expand its offering into the eastern suburbs by converting a couple of beautiful Victorian terraces in Paddington. It may be a more radical way of living than you're used to, but don't be fooled — this isn't some kind of hippie commune. The new Paddington digs boast 26 studio apartments — all with that clean, fresh and minimalist aesthetic interior design nerds will go giddy over — plus, a sunny courtyard and spacious common areas. Here, you can take a look inside and discover whether this is the living arrangement you've been looking for. MINIMISE THE CLUTTER (AND MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE) You may be a wanderlust freelancer, a newcomer to Sydney or a local looking for a change of scenery. Whatever has led you on a solo search for a home, living alone in a big city isn't always an option — or an appealing one, at least. On the other hand, sharehouses aren't for everyone. For starters, it can be damn pricey — and what's the point of having the city's best restaurants, art galleries and cultural events on your doorstep, if you can't enjoy them all? UKO cuts out many of the upfront expenses by offering fully kitted-out apartments — each studio features a kitchenette, ensuite, bed and desk. They are pretty cosy, but a lot of the features, including the couch, bench space and wardrobe space, can be rolled or folded away to maximise space. It's sort of like living in your own Jetsons-style futuristic apartment — and it means you won't end up buying loads of stuff to fill empty space. Plus, co-living means reduced land use, shared facilities and efficient use of space, so you're doing your part for sustainability, too. COMBAT URBAN LONELINESS Aside from the cost factors of living by yourself, it can also get super lonely. The reality of modern life means that we've now got a generation of renters who are digitally connected but socially isolated. A study by Swinburne University recently found that over 50 percent of Australians feel lonely at least one day a week. Co-living fights loneliness by designing spaces for those looking to immerse themselves in an inclusive community. UKO Community Hosts play a big role in fostering an inclusive culture by organising free activities on-site to bring everyone together — think Saturday morning yoga, weekly dinner and movie nights and wine tasting sessions. So, rather than laying in bed and living your life vicariously through social media, you'll actually be creating memories of your own. EMBRACE THE PERKS A sad reality of growing up is realising how much time (and money) you spend on boring-but-necessary stuff just to, well, exist. And not just going to work — we're talking buying homewares, paying bills and doing the cleaning and laundry. Oh, and the discomfort of those things increases tenfold if you're living with others. But UKO sorts all that out for you. Residents won't find themselves stressing about splitting utility bills, dodgy wifi connections or arguing over whose turn it is to clean the apartment — it's all handled by UKO. Knowing that the tedious life admin is taken care of, guests are free to enjoy each other's company with falling victim to housemate bickering. On top of that, rent at UKO Paddington (which starts at $495 per week), also includes all furnishings in your studio apartment, free linen changing and a complimentary membership to car-sharing service GoGet. So, you won't need to cut back on your nights out or smashed avo, after all. KEEP IT NIMBLE Anyone who has tried to break a lease early can tell you what a nightmare it can be. UKO offers leases as short as three months and, just in case things don't go to plan and you need to say goodbye sooner than expected, you can leave after a month without penalty. And, since your studio apartment was fully furnished, you won't have the full stress of mountains of boxes and removalists — big win. To find out more about UKO Paddington, visit the website.
Plenty can happen in six years. Since the last time that Hans Zimmer performed in Australia, his score for Dune won him his second Academy Award and his work on Dune: Part Two earned him his fifth Grammy, for instance. Over that period, the iconic composer has also given everything from No Time to Die, Wonder Woman 1984, Top Gun: Maverick and The Creator to Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III their tunes. One of the biggest names in big-screen music, he's clearly been busy — but he's not too busy to add a three-city Aussie tour to his 2025 calendar. Zimmer will head Down Under for the first time since 2019, again taking to the stage in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. If you've seen him live before, you'll know that this is quite the sonic experience, especially for movie lovers. And if you haven't caught him yet, you'll want to fix that at his April gigs at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. [caption id="attachment_990222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lee Kirby[/caption] For more than four decades now, Zimmer has given screens big and small a distinctive sound. The German composer helped put the bounce in The Lion King's score and the droning in Inception's memorable tunes, and has loaned his talents to everything from Thelma & Louise to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy to Blade Runner 2049. It's an impressive list that just keeps going and growing — see: above — and it sounds even more impressive when played live and accompanied by an orchestra. The latest trip Down Under for the man who has worked his music magic on a wealth of titles — Hidden Figures, The Boss Baby, Dunkirk, Widows, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Lion King remake and The Crown are just a few more of his recent-ish credits — comes not only after his 2019 visit, but after he toured his Hans Zimmer Revealed concert series in 2017, including to Australia. His 2025 shows see the return of his Hans Zimmer Live gigs, complete with a 19-piece live band and full orchestra, as well as a huge stage production that features a luminous light show and other eye-catching visuals. [caption id="attachment_990219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzanne Teresa[/caption] While the Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony-winner obviously isn't going to perform every single one of his iconic film scores, expect to hear plenty of your favourites from a newly arranged lineup of tunes that includes Dune, Gladiator, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, The Lion King, The Last Samurai and Pirates of the Caribbean. Onstage, Zimmer will have Australian singer Lisa Gerrard for company, with some of the songs that she co-penned with him featuring in the set — so, tracks from Mission: Impossible, King Arthur, Black Hawk Down, Tears of the Sun and more. "I'm thrilled to return to Australia with my wonderful band and excited to share this phenomenal show. I love this feeling of uniting my family of extraordinary musicians with you, the audience. Just an unbelievable family of talents that — to me — makes them the best supergroup of musicians in the world," said Zimmer, announcing his new Aussie tour. "But nothing would have meaning without the good grace and support of you, the other part of the family — the audience. Ultimately, the music connects us all, and I promise you this: we will always play our best, straight from the heart." [caption id="attachment_990220" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzanne Teresa[/caption] Hans Zimmer Live Australian 2025 Dates Thursday, April 24 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre Saturday, April 26 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Tuesday, April 29 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_724856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frank Embacher Photography[/caption] Hans Zimmer Live is touring Australia's east coast in April 2025. For more information, and for tickets — with presales from 11am local time on Tuesday, February 11 and general sales from 12pm local time on Wednesday, February 12 — head to the event's website. Top image: Suzanne Teresa.
It's not often I finish work, throw down my tools, loosen my tie and think to myself, "god I'd really kill for some lobster". We're not a lobster-obsessed nation like the States, so it's a bit of a strange choice for an inner-city rooftop bar, particularly at $50 per half with a side of truffle fries. It feels a bit extravagant and incongruous to the casual bar vibe. The lobster itself, however, is super-fresh and handled beautifully, the firm flesh still moist and cut nicely by a clean citrus vinaigrette. With only lobster or burgers for food, the Rook is going for a an American diner kind of experience, though you wonder if they're cornering themselves out of the market in doing so. The Rook is working in threes. There are three burgers, three lobsters and three desserts including a sundae, alcohol-spiked fruit and a deep-fried Mars Bar. And we're talking about deep-fried Mars Bars of the 'for real' variety. I had to order it. A big part of me wishes I hadn't. Not the part that I would like to not get any bigger, but the part of me that likes things that are really, really tasty. This had a weird, gluggy texture and an overpowering alcoholic taste courtesy of the rum and raisin ice-cream. The burgers, however, are pretty ace. The saltiness of haloumi ($23) is balanced by spinach and soft, sweet peppers. Meanwhile, the sundae with Special K ice-cream, cherries, banana, peanut butter crunch and cream ($23) fills you with a bit of child-like enthusiasm and subsequent nostalgic buzz from a sugar high. Half of this eclectic, recycled and colourful space is seating for eating and half is a bar for cocktail sipping, with drinks being mixed by Cristiano Beretta from the highly regarded Black Pearl in Melbourne. The cocktails are a mix of classics and regularly changing signatures. The Fire in the Pisco ($19) with elderflower and violet liqueur gives a summery, floral twist to a traditional pisco sour. Being a sibling to the Keystone Group's The Winery and Gazebo, the wine list here is above cocktail bar standards, pulling some more interesting internationals from France, Spain, Italy and New Zealand with a nice clutch of them by the glass, like the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja from Spain ($13). It's a fun spot, with a retractable roof in progress which will be a major win. Young professionals and casual drinkers mix it up at the Rook with some sweet tunes to boot. Perched up so high, it's a slightly smug experience peering eye-level into office workers' windows as they hunch over computers. Sitting here with a cocktail in hand, lobster tail in the other, you know they might just be staring back thinking, "man I'd really kill for that". Photos by Madeline Milani.
Tokyo might be filled with dotty creations thanks to its Yayoi Kusama museum, not to mention gorgeous animation at its Studio Ghibli museum; however that's just the beginning of the Japanese capital's immersive creativity. From June 21, it'll become home to a new digital art museum — the city's first, and one that'll dedicate its more than 10,000-square-metre space to interactive, kaleidoscopic artistry. While one-off Tokyo events have combined multi-course dinners with multi-sensory projections and turned a greenhouse into a light and music-filled garden patch, Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless will offer up those kind of attractions all year round. In fact, it's a collaboration between interdisciplinary art collective teamLab, aka the folks responsible for the aforementioned animated meal, and urban developer Mori Building, whose sky-high gallery in the city's Roppongi district hosted a giant game of Space Invaders 52 storeys above the ground last year. Set to feature more than 50 works, the museum will be split into five different areas — but, as the site's name indicates, there won't be any walls or borders between each space. Instead, visitors will roam from through a gallery where art works blend into each other, communicate with each other, move across installation rooms and even fuse with other pieces. Highlights include installations that'll make you feel like you're wandering through lily pads, sliding through fruit and sitting in an aquarium; a tea party that pairs real-life cuppas with virtually blooming flowers; and a forest of lamps that respond to human interaction, spreading their light as people approach each bulb. Still on the garden theme, the museum will also feature an 'athletics forest' complete with spaces for jumping, hanging on swinging bars, navigating a weightless space and climbing on gradients of different elevations, bridging the gap between the artistic and the physical. Plus, the site is located in Odaiba — which means travelling over the city's famous Rainbow Bridge to get there, and adding some extra brightness to your visit. Due to open on June 21, the museum will operate seven days a week, all year round. For more information, visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless website.
Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa is hosting a free day of wellness activities on Saturday, June 8, in celebration of Global Wellness Day. This international movement aims to promote mental, physical and spiritual health, and has spread across 170 countries. Treat yourself to a winter reset at the luxe bathhouse, which dates back to 1895. The spa boasts underwater couches, hydrotherapy pods, a mineral hammam, an aroma steam room and several kinds of pools, including one for salt therapy and another for outdoor bathing. On a first-come, first-served basis, guests can participate in various free sessions from 10am. These include a range of yoga classes, including Mental Wellness Yoga led by Julie from Feel Good Psychology; Meditation and Breathing Work taught by Swami Atmamuktananda of Rocklyn Yoga Ashram; and Yoga for All Levels guided by Travis from Yoga Yew. In addition, you can also unlock your creativity with Tia Alyssa Art in a Creative Art Class. These sessions will be held at the historic Hepburn Pavilion, which also houses a cafe, so guests can enjoy tea while waiting. Early arrival is recommended due to limited spaces.
It's been 18 months since Stranger Things last unravelled the mysteries of the Upside Down — or some of them, at least. Come July, the beloved Netflix show will finally unveil its latest 80s-set supernatural chapter, much to the delight of fans everywhere. And while that's still far too many sleeps away, the streaming platform has gifted fans with something to tide us all over: a first proper look at the series' new eight episodes. Stranger Things season three might hit screens come winter Down Under, but it'll be the sunny summer of 1985 in Hawkins. Yes, its ragtag group of residents are making the most of the warm weather, lack of school and abundance of free time that comes with it. The season's first trailer opens with Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) returning home and reuniting with the gang, before offering a glimpse of the weird adventures to come. That includes toys, trips to the mall, trippy lighting and another monster (that doesn't appear to be just a regular ol' Demogorgon). Everyone is back, although the main crew is a little older, so expect teenage versions of Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max (Sadie Sink) this time around. "We're not kids anymore," says Mike, in case this wasn't clear. "I mean what did you think, we'd just sit in my basement and play games for the rest of our lives?" Elsewhere, Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) still looks shaken, Hawkins police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is still a man on a mission, and everyone's favourite walking hairstyle — aka Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) — is now working in an ice cream parlour. Of course he is. Arriving more than two months after the season's initial cryptic teaser, the trailer also serves up plenty of new bits and pieces, but we'll let you discover the rest by watching. Check out the full trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEG3bmU_WaI Stranger Things season three arrives on Netflix on Thursday, July 4. Images: Netflix.
From dazzling water-and-light performances to internationally renowned portraiture, this winter, Sydney has it all. As the weather gets colder, those looking to spend the season exploring Sydney's expansive art scene have a wide variety of exhibitions to choose from. Kicking off the season with a bang, Vivid's larger-than-life outdoor light shows and live performances come to town. On chillier winter days, you can head indoors to check out the winners of the international Wildlife Photographer of the Year photo contest at the Australian National Maritime Museum or head to the Art Gallery of NSW for an exhibit of this year's Archibald Prize finalists. No matter what you're looking for, this winter, you can find it. These are our picks for this season's must-see art exhibitions in Sydney.
The diverse and highly acclaimed British troubadour Elvis Costello, whose career spans three decades, is back in Australia this year to perform from his back catalogue, which plays like a one-man pop encyclopedia. Costello last graced Australia's shores in 2009 when he was here performing solo shows, and is now here as part of the headlining bill for Byron Bay's Bluesfest this coming Easter. In 2010 Costello released, National Ransom, with The Imposters, who join him on tour for what is anticipated to be a spectacular concert experience, in what is surely the prettiest of Sydney's theatres. Almost completely impossible to classify into a musical genre, Costello might have been relegated completely to the underground if his tunes weren't so damn catchy. And in this sense, he's actually a bit of a punk. Not the stereotypical 'ripped jeans down with Thatcher' kind of punk, but in the attitude of not caring what anybody else thinks. Elvis Costello has always been unique and demonstrated that he's never cared what's playing on the radio. He just wants to make whatever music he wants to make. A punk in thick-rimmed glasses and a dapper suit. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tpprOGsLWUo
If Wes Anderson was to rove his hyper-stylised gaze over everyday British life, the result might look like Sometimes Always Never. If he transplanted his fondness for melancholy family dysfunction to Merseyside, it could resemble this grief-fuelled drama, too. And if the acclaimed auteur ever decided to set his sights on the game of Scrabble, the end product might also share much in common with Carl Hunter's debut stint as a feature filmmaker. To the director's immense credit, this elegant and tender movie always feels like a relative of Anderson's work instead of an imitation — a kindred spirit with evident similarities, but bearing its own sensibilities. Sometimes working with noticeably exaggerated backgrounds, always demonstrating a flair for quirkiness and precision in tandem, and never overplaying his aesthetic approach, Hunter turns Sometimes Always Never into a visual playground. Every stylistic choice reflects the inner states of the film's characters, with the first-timer's images doubling as an imaginative escape. Even when the movie merely watches the fashionable but forlorn Alan (Bill Nighy) wandering along a beachfront, takes him on a country road trip with his silently resentful son Peter (Sam Riley), or spies more than a few folks slinging Scrabble tiles, it does so with a curious and perceptive eye. Hunter understands the creative truth that sits at the heart of whimsy, surrealism and flights of fantasy, and at the heart of this picture as well: that finding a little magic in ordinary surroundings is a simple but effective coping mechanism. A retired tailor who hasn't lost his sense of style, Alan has plenty of worries that he'd happily avoid. His relationship with Peter is cordial but strained, his other son disappeared without a trace years earlier and, thanks to his preferred pastime, he'd rather work his charms on words than people. When a development in the missing person case doesn't turn out as hoped, Alan is caught at a crossroads. He can unofficially move into Peter's house, play nice with his daughter-in-law (Alice Lowe) and teenage grandson (Louis Healy), and keep deploying Scrabble as a distraction, or he can face his woes, stop wallowing on what he's lost and appreciate what he has left. Whether it's played casually between friends and family or competitively with money at stake, Scrabble requires a combination of inventiveness and rigour. A willingness to take risks is just as important as an extensive vocabulary — and although Alan knows this all too well, he's slow to apply the same thinking to his world in general. While Frank Cottrell Boyce's screenplay embraces life's troubles as much as its joys, it's never less than a pleasure to watch Something Always Never run its course. Indeed, there's an entrancing power to the movie's story and mood, with both acknowledging the many ways that grief can leave an imprint. Sometimes the film's sentiments prove a little too neat, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Intricate and vivid even when painted in subdued colours, Hunter's eye-catching imagery helps considerably, immersing viewers in the movie's distinctive tone and narrative realm. But pretty pictures can't pierce the heart quite like a slate of excellent performances, which Something Always Never boasts in spades. It's a testament to Nighy's talents that the veteran actor retains his familiar vibe, yet completely inhabits his character. It's a testament to Riley, Lowe and virtual newcomer Healy that they more than hold their own against their experienced co-star, as do fellow supports Jenny Agutter and Tim McInnerny. Among all of the film's astute elements, the great work of its cast ranks among the most crucial. You can't win at Scrabble without playing multiple hands, and you can't make an eccentric, insightful treatise on mourning and moving on without the handiwork of multiple players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22R-JQRov_U
If you live in Manly, your ferry commute home just got a little bit more bearable (a whole lot tastier). Harbour City Ferries has just opened bars on the four vessels that service the northern beaches suburb, and they're being helmed by local craft brewers 4 Pines. The on-board bars are a first for a Sydney public ferry — until now, you could only buy a bev on privately owned services, like the Manly Fast Ferry. The 4 Pines Ferry Bars can be found on the four Manly ferries: Collaroy, Narrabeen, Freshwater and Queenscliff. The brewery's core range will be kept on-board, including sips like the Indian Summer Ale, the In Season IPA and the Brookvale Union Ginger Beer. While booze will only be available from 4–8pm each day, non-alcoholic drinks and a food menu available at other times. Those that rush to work will especially find a lot to love — think, smoothies, frittatas, granola yoghurt pots and the Le Pig toastie, made with leg ham, gruyere, cheddar and Dijon mustard. All the food will be whipped up by the 4 Pines kitchen. According to Sydney Harbour Ferries Managing Director Martin Kearney, the move is about improving the onboard experience. "We have listened to what our customers want and believe the bar service on Manly ferries adds an enjoyable dimension to the journey of regular commuters and visitors to our city," Kearney said. The 4 Pine Ferry Bars are now open on the four Harbour City Ferries Manly services, with alcohol served between 4 and 8pm.
Most pet owners could look at their gorgeous ball of fluff all day, every day. Most animal lovers could do the same thing with any type of creature. If you're especially fond of gazing at cute puppies and delightful dogs, you'll soon have a new place to go — no, not your local dog park or pooch-friendly drinking session, but New York's Museum of the Dog. While a museum dedicated to dachshunds opened in Passau in Germany last year, NYC's newcomer will showcase all types of canines. Run by the American Kennel Club, it'll be specifically filled with doggo-centric art. Basically, if you think that paintings of pups are the ultimate creative ideal, then prepare to feast your eyes on more than just dogs playing poker. Statues of dogs, odes to famous movie pooches, a 'find your match' feature that uses facial recognition to pair you with the best breed for you, a 'meet the breeds' touchscreen exhibit that'll tell you everything you need to know about every kind of pupper — they're all part of the museum as well. It'll also include a community wall, where locals can show off their favourite four-legged friends. And, as it'll be located at the same site as the AKC's headquarters, the Museum of the Dog will also have access to the organisation's library, archives and collection. [caption id="attachment_704503" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Museum of the Dog[/caption] When the Museum of the Dog opens on February 8, it'll actually mark a homecoming, with the facility starting in New York in the 80s before moving to St Louis for the past three decades. The celebration of man's best friend will also offer rotating exhibitions exploring the art of making art about canines across the ages, plus 'guest dog of the week' sessions where visitors can meet, greet and learn about different varieties of pooch. If you're headed to New York next month, the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog will open its doors on February 8. Visit the museum website and Facebook page for further details.
