There's an astonishing story at the heart of I, Daniel Blake, the latest film from veteran director Ken Loach, and the winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. After suffering a heart attack while standing on scaffolding on a building site, the titular character (Dave Johns) seeks government assistance. Alas, despite his doctor's advice that he needs rest to recover, a series of bureaucrats deem him fit to work, and refuse to listen to his pleas about his health. His situation isn't unique; at the local benefits office, he meets a single mother, Katie (Hayley Squires), similarly battling an uncaring system. Exposing the punitive barriers those in need are forced to face when they're looking for help, the movie has been garnering a strong reaction as it travels around the world. However, there's another incredible tale driving I, Daniel Blake. Lead actor Johns is a stand-up comedian who has appeared on British panel TV shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of Ten Cats, and now makes the leap to film to star in his first feature at the age of 59. His is a devastatingly naturalistic performance in a heartbreaking piece of social realist cinema, and one that lingers long after viewing. With I, Daniel Blake releasing in Australian cinemas after playing at the British Film Festival, we chatted with Johns about making his first movie, receiving the script page-by-page as shooting progressed, and the responsibility of making a film that hits so close to home for so many people. ON MAKING THE JUMP FROM STAND-UP TO STARRING IN A KEN LOACH FILM "I was aware of Ken's work — and just to meet Ken, I said to people, friends of mine, 'If I could just get in and do the improv with him, that'd just be a great experience'. So I never dreamt that I would be offered the part. We shot it for ten weeks up in the northeast of England, around the area where I was brought up as a kid. And I remember the first day, I mean, I'd done plays and stuff like that, but I hadn't walked on set and seen the enormity of what I'd taken on. 'Oh my god, I'm the lead of this film,' I remember thinking. 'Oh, have I bitten off too much?' And now people say to me, 'You know, what's it like, your first film?' — and I go 'Well, if it's my first film and it's won the Palme d'Or, I think I've set my bar a little too high'. Now I'm up for best actor at the European Film Awards this year in Poland. I'm up for best actor and best newcomer and the British Independent Film Awards. Variety magazine in America have tipped me as number 20 to win an Oscar behind Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell, so it is pretty surreal. I think your career should be a bit of an adventure. And if you do one thing in your life that you can be proud of, to be in a Ken Loach film that has made such an impact and won the Palme d'Or, I'm very proud and very honoured to be in this position." ON DISCOVERING THE STORYLINE AS HE WENT "The thing with the way Ken works is he doesn't tell you much about the film. You don't get the full script, you only get a couple of pages each day — and he shoots chronologically, so basically you are thrown into this life where you're just living this life everyday. And you don't really know what's coming until you get the two or three pages of script in the evening that you go away and learn and bring in the next day. I think that's so you don't have that sort of [situation] where you and the other person you're doing the scene with, you can't look at page 26 of the script, and go, 'Oh look, this is our big scene'. Ken doesn't want you to pre-empt what's going to happen. He wants it all to be in the moment. A lot of people think there's a lot of improvisation in Ken's films — I mean all that script is all scripted, it's just that Paul Laverty [Loach's long-time screenwriter] and Ken, they give you the chance to own the words. That's how it comes across. And because he shoots chronologically, and because he has no closed sets — he puts you in real situations — it has that gritty, real feel about it." ON REACTING TRUTHFULLY RATHER THAN ACTING "I think you rely on truth. You rely on your true emotions, and you actually respond truthfully. You don't have any chance to pre-empt how you're going to feel. The first day, Ken said to me on set, 'When you're in scenes with Hayley, when you're in the scene together, if you just listen to each other and you find the truth, it will look like that on the screen'. So that's the notes I got, so I just took that on board. Just basically, like, he would say to me, 'You're getting a phone call today on set'. And I'd go, 'All right, who's it from?' And he'd go, 'You'll find out when you get the phone call'. It's a very fascinating process. It makes you rely more on your gut reaction rather than any technique you might have as an actor, I would imagine. In any of the scenes I had with the kids or the neighbours or with Hayley, I think I was reacting to and responding to how she was playing it to me, you know. I think it was just being honest if something touched you, and then you brought the honest emotion to it. I think that's the only way you can do it when it's like that." ON FORGETTING THAT HE'S MAKING A MOVIE "The way Ken shoots, he doesn't have loads of people on set. There's no makeup touching you up before the scene, there's no checking your costume before every take, it's basically, you leave the unit and that's it. And basically, if we were in my flat, it'd just be the camera in the corner of the room — he never tells you what lens he's got on the camera, so you don't know how close the shot is. And there were times when in scenes I forgot I was in a film, really. I was just reacting to what Katie, the character, was telling us. And that was a pretty amazing feeling, when there were times when you forgot you were making a film and you were just talking with this person." ON THE REALITY BEHIND THE FILM "The first thing Ken said to me when we did preparations — I had to learn how to carve the wooden fish, did a little woodwork course, just a couple of days — and then he said to me, 'Fill that 52 page assessment form in.' And I was like, 'What?' And I came back and went, 'I can't do this, this is insane'. And then it got me thinking, imagine if you were sick, and you had to fill that in, and if you filled it in wrong. And so it was revealed to me how unjust the system is. And I think it is because it is a system that is spread by this austerity which has been played around the world. I mean, every film festival — I took the summer off to go to film festivals with this — and at every film festival I went, at Locarno in Switzerland, in Spain, in Italy, in Slovakia, everywhere we went with this film, people came up afterwards and said 'This is happening in our country as well'. Because of the big banking crash and because of the finances, the way globalisation is going, you see the poorest and the less able are taking the biggest burden. And that's what's happening with the welfare system. I think they've lost sight of the person and they are just trying to save money, and it is bureaucracy, and it is outsourced to a company, and these questions are insane." ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PLAYING A PART THAT HITS SO CLOSE TO HOME FOR SO MANY PEOPLE "You can't just do this film and go, 'Well, that's it, I'm done.' You go on and you do other work, but you still come back to it because you do feel a responsibility to it. I mean, I spoke at the Labor party conference this year — I've never done that in my life before, you know. So I do feel a bit that we have to see this film through, you know, and I don't think it is the sort of film that is going to go away. I think it's going to change things, because people here are angry, and people in America. People have said it will speak to the working poor who're in America. And it has already been mentioned in the House of Commons here by the opposition to Theresa May, so it is having an effect. I'm very pleased for Ken and for Paul, who, you know, thank the heavens that we have people like Paul Laverty and Ken Loach who are still making films that give a voice to people who don't have one." I, Daniel Blake is now screening in Australian cinemas. You can read our review here.
If your ideal night out involves mates, harbour views and maybe a cheeky game of darts between rounds of drinks, King Street Wharf has just welcomed back an old favourite — and it's bigger and brighter than ever. The Sporting Globe has officially reopened its doors following a slick new renovation, bringing even more screens, games and good times to the waterfront precinct. Now open seven days a week, the revamped venue now boasts more than 50 high-definition screens, two massive jumbotrons and two augmented reality Game On dart lanes with multiple game modes. It's all part of a full-venue refresh that blends classic pub energy with thoroughly modern amenities, including touchscreen TVs in the booths that ensure you don't miss a second of the action. Plus, the venue now boasts a late-night licence that'll see the action roll on until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. While you can head to The Sporting Globe to catch every second of the NRL, AFL, EPL and NBA (among other codes) throughout the week, the venue isn't exclusively geared towards sports fans. It's part of a growing number of after-dark venues popping up throughout Sydney that give you a space to do more than just sink beers — whether you're ducking in for post-work happy hour, settling in for a long Saturday session, or even looking for a buzzing spot to soak up those impressive harbour views. With capacity for 700 punters and three separate bars across its two expansive levels, the space is primed for both big group hangs and casual drop-ins. So whether you're there to catch your team in action or just want to kick back with a beer in hand and a round of wings, you'll have plenty of room to spread out. The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf is part of a growing national stable of venues that go big on sports and community, with the brand supporting more than 250 grassroots sports clubs Australia-wide. With this polished new fit-out, the venue is looking to claim the title of one of Sydney's top spots for laidback hangs, big game nights and everything in between. "The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf has always been a fan favourite," says CEO of Signature Hospitality Group, James Sinclair. "We're thrilled to welcome Sydneysiders and visitors back to enjoy world-class sport in a world-class location." The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf is now open at King Street Wharf, 22 The Promenade, Sydney. It's open 11am–10pm Sunday–Wednesday, 11–12am Thursday and 11–3am Friday–Saturday. For more info, head to the venue's website.
If you're one of the first 50 people to walk through the door of Henry Deane on any Sunday in April after 2pm, you'll be greeted with a free G&T. And it's not any old concoction – it's made by The Rocks' very own distillery, Hickson House. The freebies are a celebration of Henry Deane's new party, Sips and Sounds. Every Sunday (except Easter Sunday), the bar will host six hours of special cocktails, delicious snacks and live music. On Sunday, April 13, catch multi-instrumentalist Dom Diaz, who layers singing, rapping and beatbox with guitar, piano and trumpet on reggae, soul and R&B tunes. Then, on Sunday, April 27, Brazilian-born Tiago de Lucca will be in the house with his soulful vocals, jazzy harmonies, funky guitar riffs and groovy beats. All of this comes, of course, with Henry Deane's spectacular views. It's perched atop the Hotel Palisade in The Rocks, and, whichever way you look, you're gazing over blue skies, sparkling harbour views and legendary landmarks. Entry to Sunday Sips and Sounds is free, but it's a good idea to RSVP to claim your spot.
About a 40-minute drive from Nelson Bay is Tilligerry Habitat, a nine-hectare reserve situated on the foreshore of Tanilba Bay. This area is open every day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and free to visit — just grab a map from the Environment Office and set off exploring. Within the reserve, there are gravel tracks and boardwalks that'll lead you through swamp mahogany paperbark forest and woodland and over freshwater streams. If you want to know what to keep an eye out for, the habitat's website has a few guides to download on the birds and orchids that are often seen in the area — a reptile guide is coming soon, too, and there's a sensory guide that'll help you identify the native flora to see, touch, smell and, in some cases, taste. You may also get to see some native fauna — echidnas, bandicoots and koalas are regularly spotted in the habitat. This website, which tracks recent koala sightings, will point you in the right direction.
There aren't many events where you can learn about crowdfunding, press freedom, investing, acting, pro surfing, science, the future, robotics, astronaut diets and New Zealand tourism all from the same lineup — and also about neuroscience, cyber intelligence, ethical leadership and sustainable food as well, and more. SXSW Sydney will present sessions on or featuring experts on them all when it returns for its third year. In its first lineup drop for 2025, the event has unveiled 40 of its speakers, also spanning topics such as quantum physics, the future of work and how the creative industries are evolving. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan is one of the folks on the roster, taking to the stage between Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19, 2025. So is former foreign correspondent Peter Greste, whose arrest and imprisonment in Egypt fuels new Australian film The Correspondent. Girls That Invest founder Simran Kaur, Crazy Rich Asians actor Remy Hii, former pro surfer and current World Surf League Commissioner Jessi Miley Dyer, Science Vs' Wendy Zukerman, Women's National Basketball League CEO Jennie Sager and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki are also among the initial names. There's not just more on the list now — ethical technologist Andi Mastrosavas, Silicon Valley Robotics' Andra Keay, neuroscientist Dr Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, space nutrition expert Flávia Fayet-Moore, Black Excellence Fund co-founder Kyah Bell, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy, actor Shuang Hu (Future Date), filmmaker Neil Sharma (Heartbreak High), screen producer Julie Eckersley (Erotic Stories) and The Conversation CEO Lisa Watts, for example — but more to follow. Among its 1600 sessions and events, 2025's SXSW Sydney will include over 400 conference sessions, alongside 150-plus professional development sessions. "You'll experience dynamic keynote sessions, powerhouse panel discussions and hands-on industry workshops that deliver practical skills you can apply immediately," said SXSW Sydney Head of Conference Fenella Kernebone about this first peek at 2025's program. [caption id="attachment_971190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] "With a focus on innovation, leadership strategies and experience-driven learning, you'll gain fresh perspectives to help you implement meaningful change in your organisation. This first release of speakers is just the beginning — prepare to build an even more comprehensive toolkit as we announce many more industry leaders," Kernebone continued. After initially making leap to the Harbour City in 2023, then returning in 2024, this annual massive music, technology, screen and gaming festival will also boast more than 300 gigs, 95 film screenings and 150 games on its 2025 bill. Those program details haven't yet been revealed; however, once SXSW Sydney starts dropping announcements for the year, as it has now, they keep coming right up until the event takes place. [caption id="attachment_971189" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] Already in 2025, the fest has advised a number changes, all designed to give more people more reasons to head along. One: additional free programming. Another: more flexibility with ticketing. On the fest's Sunday date this year, for instance, Darling Harbour will become a hub of family-friendly entertainment. Fancy hitting up the Innovation Expo without bothering your wallet? That'll now be on offer on the Saturday. As for ticketing, the single-day conference pass will set you back $295 and get you access to more than 75 sessions. The full-week pass to the conference and festival starts at $495. Plus, for movie lovers who you just want to see one flick, you can now do so for $25. SXSW Sydney's festival wristbands are back, though, giving access to either the screen, music or games showcases. [caption id="attachment_953712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_967878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2025 will run from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Nina Franova/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
Ananas is giving bottomless a new meaning: all-you-can-eat mussels and frites. If seafood and fries is your idea of a perfect culinary pairing, then drop by on Mondays to enjoy as much as you can stomach for $30. The stuff-your-face food event may not be a Mad Hatter or Willy Wonka-themed brunch, but hot and fresh mussels is a pretty great way to help cure the start-of-week blues. At Ananas' fresh digs in Circular Quay, enjoy a bucket of steaming mussels with their mariniére sauce — accompanied by plus pommes frites, of course — all while enjoying the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Plus, their stellar new location means that you can easily walk over to the Opera House afterwards if you're in need of a little post-mussel muscle movement.
Pretty on the inside isn't something a girl wants to hear but it's exactly the right way to describe Dear Pluto — the new weekend venture by those kids from Hibernian House's successful vintage pop-up shop. Wandering in from the alley like a wet cat (its been a rainy weekend) to do some 'field research', it was swell to have room to wander around the new vintage wares H.Q. It's spacious and dainty and there's loads of interesting clothing sourced from roadtrips around the state. So much in fact, that you don't have to wish someone else would put it down so you can pick it up. Yup, there's plenty for everybody and this weekend there's going to be plenty more! For the first time ever, Dear Pluto are unlocking the door to the shop's courtyard and holding a sweet Outdoor Flea Market. There'll be over ten stalls selling clothes and accessories for the ladies and the boys — all gathered, found and recovered from the depths of the uncovered treasure chests of the past. Dear Pluto's outdoor flea market will be on every Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm
What happens when xenomorphs and other terrifying extra-terrestrial creatures find their way to earth? So explores Alien: Earth, which brings the iconic horror/sci-fi saga first started by Ridley Scott's (Gladiator II) Alien to humanity's home, as well as to television. Another way to discover the answer to that question has popped up in Australia to celebrate the new series' arrival: an IRL hive quarantine zone, complete with ominous eggs and organisms, which is enjoying a two-day stint in Sydney. From 12–8pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025 and also from 8am–8pm on Friday, August 15, 2025, 348 Kent Street in the Harbour City is undergoing an otherworldly makeover. Expect ovomorph eggs, a crate containing a "class-one" hostile critter and Prodigy Corp workers donning hazmat suits trying to control the area. As for the show itself, which debuted on Disney+ on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, one of the trailers has some pertinent words: "we don't lock them down, it will be too late." This time, as other sneak peeks have also made clear, there's more than just one type of extra-terrestrial to deal with. So, while watching, you can hear humanity's screams in response, with this spinoff from the iconic Alien films featuring "five different life forms from the darkest corners of the universe" wreaking havoc. Not once, not twice, but nine times now across 46 years, cinema audiences have stepped into the world of xenomorphs, facehuggers and chestbursters — and of cats onboard spaceships, androids resembling people and shouts not heard in the universe's vast expanse. When the initial Alien dropped in 1979, it started a phenomenon. 1986's Aliens, 1992's Alien 3, 1997's Alien Resurrection, 2012's Prometheus, 2017's Alien: Covenant and 2024's Alien: Romulus have all followed, as well as the 2004 Alien vs Predator and 2007 Aliens vs Predator: Requiem crossover flicks with the Predator franchise. 2025's Alien: Earth is a first, however, given that it's the franchise's debut TV series. Executive produced by Scott, this is Noah Hawley's addition to the saga — and another of his projects, after Fargo, where he's expanding upon the realm of a beloved film on the small screen. Set in 2120, his Alien entry follows the fallout of deep-space research vessel USCSS Maginot crashing onto earth, then the discoveries made as a result by a crew of soldiers that includes human-robot hybrid Wendy (Sydney Chandler, Sugar). As it peers just under a century into the future, Alien: Earth sees its namesake planet under the control of five companies: Weyland-Yutani, of course, because this is the Alien franchise, plus Prodigy, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. It also witnesses a society where hybrids like Wendy — the first of her kind, with human consciousness inside a robot body — live side by side with humans, cyborgs and AI-driven synthetics. Hawley's cast not only includes Chandler, but also Fargo alums Timothy Olyphant (Havoc) and David Rysdahl (The Luckiest Man in America), plus Alex Lawther (Andor), Essie Davis (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Adrian Edmondson (Kidnapped), Samuel Blenkin (Mickey 17), Babou Ceesay (Killer Heat), Lily Newmark (A Gentleman in Moscow) and more. Find the Alien: Earth pop-up at 348 Kent Street, Sydney, from 12–8pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025 and also from 8am–8pm on Friday, August 15, 2025. Alien: Earth streams in Australia via Disney+.
Experienced the irresistible flakiness of the French pastries at Loulou Bistrot Boulangerie & Traiteur in Milsons Point? Getting your hands on them just got easier with the arrival of a second location in Martin Place. Swinging the doors open to pastry lovers on February 10, it's set to become one of the best spots in the city for freshly baked croissants and viennoiseries like petite tarts. Yet Petit Loulou's new digs is more than just a boulangerie; it's also a choice spot for bistro cuisine. On the menu, rotisserie chicken baguettes, Niçoise salads, and crunchy pork and herb sausage rolls. While Petit Loulou is intended mostly for takeaway, there's also a laid-back outdoor space for al fresco fun in the sun. Close your eyes and you might just experience the magic of Paris for a moment. "We wanted to offer Sydney locals an authentic French experience, whether they're returning guests or visiting us for the first time," says Loulou head baker, Brendon Woodward. "Our ethos is to share the joy of traditional French baking with the city, and what better way to celebrate the opening of our new CBD location than by introducing them to the essence of Loulou through our signature croissants." That all sounds incredibly exciting, but it's only half the story. In March, Loulou Bistro and Bar will open right next door, with a new 130-seat venue split across two levels. With the vibes extending onto Elizabeth Street, this Parisian-style eatery will bring that leisurely streetside atmosphere that makes dining in the City of Light so special. Drawing culinary inspiration from the south of France, this big sister offers a lighter take on contemporary and classic French cuisine. Whether you're seeking a takeaway croissant or a salad inspired by the Midi, reminiscing about your French adventures is made easy with Petit Loulou. Guided by renowned hospitality group Etymon, their latest sophisticated venue follows on from the likes of Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur and North Sydney's Poetica Bar & Grill, alongside a host of other upscale eateries. Petit Loulou opens at 1 Elizabeth Street, Martin Place on February 10. Meanwhile, Loulou Bistro and Bar is set for a March opening – check back for more information soon or head to the website.
Dearest reader, Melbourne has officially entered its Regency era. To celebrate the fourth season of Netflix's Bridgerton, the CBD was transformed into a real-life masquerade fantasy over the weekend, complete with colour-matching, mask reveals and promenading ton folk. For two days only, a floral-drenched door on Melbourne's Little Collins Street led fans back in time to a Regency-inspired retreat. Fair maidens greeted guests at the door and offered cucumber sandwiches, tarts, champagne and cups of tea as refreshments. Inside the parlour, guests were encouraged to get ready for a Bridgerton-worthy ball (and photo shoot op, of course). Multiple stalls were dotted around the parlour, each offering a Regency-era makeover. Guests began by getting colour-matched and were guided on which makeup and jewellery colours would best bring out their features. Next, hair coiffure accessories and a collection of vintage gloves were offered to emulate a swoon-worthy Bridgerton-esque look, regardless of whether guests arrived in traditional dress or jeans and a t-shirt. The mask maker was a real highlight, asking guests a set of questions to determine their ultimate Bridgerton archetype. Guests were then bestowed a ball mask depending on their answers. Options included the Muse, the Bohemian, the Writer, the Intellectual and more, each based on Bridgerton's beloved characters. Once guests headed upstairs, their personalised masks were ready and waiting for their masquerade ball photo shoot. Attendees stepped into the spotlight for their portrait amongst the rich tapestry, gilded details, and Regency-era oil paintings. "It's honestly unreal," said attendee Unice Wani. "I love that we get to enter an era we've always loved and seen." Unice's highlight? The colour matching. "I loved getting to test out what colour match shades I am because usually I'm gold and I just got told I'm silver! But it's been fun to try out different jewellery and masks – unreal." "The detail is incredible," said fellow attendee, Jasmine TXO, "I loved the masquerade stall and getting one that suits your personality. It's a personalised experience which is great." The masquerade makeover was the perfect way for Melburnians to get hyped for the brand new season of Bridgerton, the first part of which hit our screens on Thursday, January 29, with the second part dropping on Thursday, February 26. This season sees rising Australian star Yerin Ha take the lead as Sophie Baek, a masked Lady in Silver who captures the attention of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). As always, scandal, romance, and exquisite fashion abound. The Bridgerton Mask Parlour proved that the allure of the beloved series lies not just in the corsets and ballrooms, but in its invitation to indulge and escape into another world (even if you're in the middle of the Melbourne CBD). Watch Bridgerton only on Netflix.
Diggies cafe makes the most of its North Beach location, just a stone's throw from the waves. Pole position is the deck dining area, where diners can look out over the sand while having their morning caffeine hit. Unsurprisingly, given the prime real estate it occupies and the ever-hungry pre- and post-swim crowds, Diggies is perpetually busy. While you wait, consider the menu, bursting with breakfast favourites like buttermilk pancakes lashed with maple syrup and a bacon and egg roll with smoky tomato relish. When brunch rolls around, choose from a range of burgers, including a vegan mushroom option with sauerkraut and a herby green sauce. If you'd rather leave your shoes off, check out its takeaway nook, North Beach Kiosk. Located right next door, it has coffee, smoothies and beach takeaway staples like fish and chips and chicken rolls.
Dancing is permitted again in Sydney again from Monday, March 29, which is just in time for Easter. Yes, that's handy. So, in-between eating all of the chocolate — and other appropriately themed bites — you can give your limbs a workout. One of first potential events on your four-day-weekend agenda: Damn Good Saturday at Redfern Surf Club. Obviously, you now know when it will take place. Kicking off from 2pm and running until late on Saturday, April 3, this day-long party is all about dancing to DJs, having a bite to eat, sipping drinks and making the most of your time off. Hitting the decks are Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Nes, who'll be giving you plenty of motivation to make shapes. Food-wise, the holiday-themed menu will feature popcorn shrimp with chilli lime aioli, spiced jerk fried chicken tenders and shrimp po' boys. And there'll be happy hour specials, spanning both snacks and beverages — such as mango daiquiris and frozen pina coladas — until 4pm. [caption id="attachment_684551" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Images: Pat Stevenson.[/caption] Updated March 29.
"The thing about acting is that you're not on every day. It's not go, go, go. You get a lot of time off, especially because my very favourite thing to do is to play supporting roles. So I'm not in there every single day. I get a lot of downtime." If you've ever wondered how Rachel House manages to pop up in nearly every film and TV show out of New Zealand, and sometimes from Australia as well, that's her secret: she's spent more than a quarter of a century on-screen, including 22 years since Whale Rider marked her first movie credit, and she loves her supporting niche. House's resume as a performer has been exploding since the 2010s, but the 18 months since the beginning of 2023 have been particularly busy. Audiences have seen the Auckland-born talent in Creamerie, Bay of Fires, Foundation, Our Flag Means Death and Heartbreak High on TV and streaming. They've heard her voice echoing from Koala Man, What If…?, Pinecone & Pony and 100% Wolf: Book of Hath, too. The cinema side of her acting resume also hasn't been neglected thanks to The Portable Door, Next Goal Wins, The Moon Is Upside Down and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. But it's The Mountain, her debut feature as a director, that defines the past couple of years for House. "It felt like a really big year last year because it was all about The Mountain, to be honest," House also tells Concrete Playground. "When all these things come out and you go 'oh, wow, did Rachel have a break?' — yes, I had many breaks. But last year I didn't. Last year was all about The Mountain. The pre-pre-production was the year before, going all the way through Christmas. And then pre-production and then production, and then post-production. It just went on and on and on, and it was good, hard, solid work. And somewhere in there I got to do a few weeks here and there doing some acting." Although The Mountain is House's initial stint behind the lens of a full-length movie, she has helming 2010 short The Winter Boy to draw on, alongside a wealth of experience on film sets. The latter has spanned not only notching up more and more supporting parts, but also working as an acting coach on projects by compatriots Jane Campion and Taika Waititi. For the first of the two Oscar-winners, she loaned her skills beyond the camera to the second season of Top of the Lake and The Power of the Dog. For the second, she built upon her appearances in Waititi's Eagle vs Shark, Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok and Next Goal Wins. Combine decades carving out a screen career as an actor — something that House was actually told she'd never have, she explains — with helping guide performances out of other thespians, including kids, and the scene was always going to be set for an impressive first run as a feature director. With Taranaki Maunga on Aotearoa's North Island as its namesake, The Mountain tells of three children on a journey. In hospital undergoing treatment for cancer, Sam (newcomer Elizabeth Atkinson) hasn't grown up with her Māori heritage, but feels connected to it through the landmass that she's determined to climb: her mountain. Conversely, with ample time on his hands thanks to his busy dad, Bronco (fellow first-timer Terrence Daniel) considers himself a guardian of his culture. Mallory (Reuben Francis, another debutant) is the new kid initially tagging along, but appreciating more than just the chance to make friends along the way. Following its date with NZ's big screens in March, The Mountain enjoyed its Australian premiere during 2024's Sydney Film Festival, then hit Aussie cinemas in general release at the end of June. When House was showing her film to Sydney's audiences — "we got a really big crowd, and not only a big crowd, but a really receptive crowd who all really wanted to be there. So we were very, very grateful, and it was a lovely feeling in in the theatre," she shares — we spoke with her about it. Always wanting to direct a movie, what appealed about Tom Furniss' (7 Days) original script and how she reworked it, making the kind of picture out of New Zealand that she's always wanted to see, scaling mountains in multiple ways, giving Taranaki Maunga credit as a character and producer, learning from her past directors: House chatted us through all of the above and more. On Directing a Movie Always Being the Dream Back When House First Started Acting "Yes, yes — but I think it's interesting getting older. You do want to really pursue your dreams, and you want challenge yourself and all this. But, I suppose I feel — it's not less ambitious, but if I didn't direct a feature film, I would have been okay about it. I love storytelling, but I think it's because I'm in the the storytelling industry, and so I just feel very grateful to continue to tell stories in whatever way that means. I made a short film ages ago and it was a script given to me, and it was a really great lesson — because although I really loved the script and loved making the short film, it wasn't my a story that I was really connected to. And I think that was the lesson. So I've actually been sent scripts for maybe over ten years now to consider to direct, feature film scripts, and nothing appealed to me, nothing resonated to me in the same way that this this film did." On House's Initial Response to The Mountain's Original Script "Three young kids on a mission, and the possibility of the magic of that. I keep saying it but this was a real gift, actually, because the mountain, Tom [Furniss, the original screenwriter] hadn't named the mountain for whatever reason. I think his reasoning was he understands the process of filmmaking and didn't want anyone to feel locked into a location. But for me to read it, it was like 'but where are we? Where is the mountain?'. You name your mountain — you name the mountain because the mountain is going to be part of that story. It's really important. So it was a wonderful gift. And I got to talk about our Māori worldview because of being able to rework it." On the Starting Point When House Started Tinkering with the Story "To share with our country, in particular, the strength and beauty of our Indigenous knowledge. That was my intention. And to have a conversation with our country about how we see our mountains and how they shape and form us, and how they should be revered and protected." On Making the Kind of Movie That House Has Always Wanted to See Come Out of New Zealand "100%. And I think, as well, I'd love to inspire an Indigenous conversation all over the world. Mountains here in this country [Australia] all are all named and they all have beautiful, resonant, incredible stories. So let's start that conversation, let's share that Indigenous knowledge, because it's everywhere." On the Film Taking Audiences on a Journey of Finding Identity and Belonging — and Healing — in a Number of Ways "In Tom's original script, it was about three little boys and they wanted to conquer a mountain. I think that's something that seems to be so important universally, conquering — and it's gotten us all in a lot of trouble, conquering. So I wanted to really share with everybody the possibility of wanting to connect rather than conquer. It was all tied up in Sam not being raised in her culture but understanding that she was from that culture and, in the best way that she knew possible — which is Google, looking information up — she had this very, very strong belief that, even though she didn't have any evidence, that this mountain was one she belonged to. I wanted to show Bronco being from the absolute polar opposite, someone who was completely strong in in the world of Māori and really understood Sam's plight. Then I wanted to really embrace Mallory, who not only didn't understand it, but didn't believe it. I just wanted to somehow make that conversation between these three beautiful kids, and share it." On Climbing Not Only Literal But Internal Mountains in the Movie's Narrative "I was talking to somebody the other day and she described it as 'three kids who run away for different reasons but are all brought together by the power of Taranaki Maunga'. They've all got pretty clear mountainous arcs, so that was a definite intention. I suppose what I love — and maybe I would love it, I would say this — but I do love that it's Mallory who understands what's going on, that the mountain is saying 'go away. This is not good for you. This is too dangerous. I'm going to cover you in cloud. You've remembered the story of the two friends who stopped Taranaki from going into the sea and having an unhappy end.' So I love that it's Mallory who understands that it's the mountain communicating with them, and he's the one who says 'stop, we've got to stop'." On Crediting Taranaki Maunga as a Character and a Producer to Pay Tribute to Its Importance "Me and the producers and the team, we're quite a diverse bunch, the ones who make the decisions — and it just wasn't even a doubt. I don't think anyone thought that we wouldn't credit the mountain in the way that we've created the mountain. We also have made the mountain one of the producers as well, so if this film does well and we miraculously make some money, some of that money will go to the mountain, and the wellbeing and upkeep of our mountain. Otherwise, why would we make this film if we didn't believe it? But I will say that I'm so proud of our team, who, as I say, are very diverse — and it just wasn't even much of a conversation, it was just a decision that was made very easily." [caption id="attachment_965113" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Lisa Tomasetti, Netflix[/caption] On What House Makes of Her Career So Far Both On-Screen and Behind the Camera "I will say that back in the day, I'm really glad I didn't listen to some of the people who told me I couldn't do stuff, that I wouldn't be on screen. When I was at drama school, I was told I probably wouldn't do any screen work because of the way I looked. I was told by a director that directing was probably a bit beyond me. There is a kind of tall-poppy thing that we have, I think particularly with women. There is a fear of women taking up space and shining. I am of that generation that had all those beliefs — or disbeliefs, I suppose, is a better way of describing it. So I feel like my age group and up — women, I'm just talking about — I feel like we're late bloomers because of the conditioning that we had when we were younger, particularly in our country. So I suppose it's taking me a long time to enjoy it and not feel so overwhelmed by gratitude, that it puts me in a sort of constant thank you, scarcity sort of vibe. I guess I feel good about it, but I don't feel up myself about it. I just feel grateful and empowered that I didn't listen to any of those voices." On How Working with Other Filmmakers Across House's Career, Including as an Acting Coach, Helped Prepare Her for Directing Her First Feature "I've told the story a couple of times now, but I think it's a really fantastic story for anyone who's going to be working with kids, and in fact adults, all actors. Something that I learned working on Whale Rider — there's an iconic moment in Whale Rider where Keisha Castle-Hughes gets up on stage and and does this extraordinary speech to Koro, her granddad. And I was in that scene, I got to sit there in the audience and watch her over and over — and watching Niki [Caro, Whale Rider's director] and the way that Niki was going through exactly what Keisha was going through. I don't think Keisha ever felt alone. I feel like as a director, you've got to go through it with your actors emotionally. It's something that I definitely witnessed between those two. I'd see them in-between and they'd be talking, they'd be really close and talking to each other, and Niki would be crying and Keisha would be crying — and it was extraordinary to watch. And you could see that Keisha didn't feel alone. And I've seen that with Jane [Campion], with adult actors as well, actually. I just feel like she goes through it with her actors. So that was an extraordinary learning. With Taika [Waititi], he really creates a lot of fun on set, and that's incredibly important, too. I mean, you can have fun and when you need to have focus, you have focus. I feel like that's how we went about things as we were shooting The Mountain. Although, I do have to say, we were in such incredible and sometimes difficult terrain on the daily — and because we're an independent New Zealand film, we were on the move, man. So we had to go into these incredible places that took quite a lot to get there, and then we had to get out in three hours. But it was a wonderful family dynamic that we had. And that's something that I've learned throughout my whole career: the importance of family in regards to the people that you're working with." The Mountain opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, June 27, 2024 and in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
You'll notice there's not a lot of difference between the lunch and dinnertime menus at this Modern Australian restaurant in Terrigal — and that's because no matter what time you dine, you should start off with half a dozen oysters, sourced from Corrie Island Nature Reserve, and one of the bottles of Aussie wines, from Eden Valley, Beechworth, Margaret River (and many other regions). [caption id="attachment_777464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] You can order the Newlands beef carpaccio with capers and shaved parmesan, or the grilled Bangalow pork cutlets with sweet potato mash, or Stone and Wood battered fish and chips day or night — the difference is you'll have to commit to a two- and three-course menu ($59–69) from 6pm. If you're here at lunch, take advantage of the steak sandwich with watercress and horseradish, or the ARC club made with bacon, iceberg and egg mayo, which won't make an appearance later in the night. Images: Kitti Gould
This art deco pub in a corner spot on Erskineville Road is rarely seen without an assorted bunch of people merrily enjoying afternoon happy-hour sips, a quick-drink-turned-late-night or classic local feed. Family run and having sat in this place since 1932, it's no wonder there's an inherent sense of community. You'll find spots aplenty for you to perch, no matter the size of your party, spanning two floors. A soft brown-leather couch runs the length of the ground-floor space, a sports bar hosts sporting fans and fanatics alike, the rose garden makes room for anyone after an al fresco situation and the first-floor cantina (pictured below) delivers a funky fit-out and fresh menu. There's daily happy hours, a beverage list that celebrates local beers and vinos and a menu that serves everything from classic parmies and burgs, chocked salad bowls and steaks how you like them, to fancier small share plates — think eggplant yakitori, kangaroo tartare and grilled octopus. The Rose is a top-notch Inner West pub, well worth a visit on your next trip out for a beer.
Watching a scary film on Halloween is pretty much required but instead of plopping down on the couch with Netflix, head to the Hayden Orpheum for their special Halloween screening of The Silence of the Lambs. Even if you've seen this classic many a time, it's still guaranteed to scare the living daylights out of you. And if it's still on your must-watch list, what better time to cross it off than All Hallows Eve? Afterwards, stroll over to nearby Thiq Bar to calm your pounding heart with one of their heavenly pastrami burgers. A milk bun stuffed with house-smoked pastrami, Gruyere cheese, and sauerkraut, this is decadence at its most delish. Halloween plans, sorted.
Prepare to get slurping, Sydneysiders — and slurping up a different type of ramen than usual at that. While World Square's Ramen Zundo serves up brothy bowls of goodness on the regular, for four days it'll be specifically dishing out Sapporo-style ramen. If you're wondering what that is, then you owe it to yourself to go along. Across September 6–9, the store will be handing over the reigns to chef Sakae Ishida, who is considered not only a ramen master, but the pioneer of Sapporo-style ramen. He has worked with Nishiyama Seimen Co. — who supply most of Sapporo's ramen shops with their ingredients — since 1985, taught cooking classes around the world and helped ramen restaurants open around the globe too. While telling you what chef Ishida has in store isn't the same as tasting it for yourself, prepare your tastebuds for a 'double soup', which involves both chicken and pork broth. As well as noodles and sauce imported from Nishiyama Seimen Co. — and an additional high-heat wok stove to cook everything on — there'll be wok stir-fried vegetable toppings, such as fresh bean sprouts, shallots and cabbage. Two types will be available: a regular, with miso, soy or salt bases for $16, and a spicy version with a choice of the same bases for $16.50. Ramen Zuno's usual ramen menu will be put on hold for the duration of Ishida's pop-up; however you can still pair your meal with homemade gyoza, donburi and drinks.
Three mates walked into a bar — and decided to buy it. That's the rough origin story of Howlin' Wolf, which was taken over in 2017 by three friends with a love for whisky and chewing the fat. Today, the bar showcases more than 260 whisky varieties from around the world, including rare bottling and limited editions. If you don't know your malt from your maple the boys and their team are more than happy to give you the low-down on the lineup. As important as the whisky is here, having a good time is the overriding theme, so leave any lack-of-whisky-knowledge concerns at the door. Beyond the whisky, there's an impressive 50 craft beers on offer, too. Or throw caution completely to the wind and let the bar staff shake up a cocktail for you. Images: Jasmine Low
Renowned chef and restaurateur Matt Moran has announced the launch of his new burger brand, Proper Burgers. Reflecting his cooking philosophy of 'simple food, done properly,' the elevated burgers will make their debut this summer. Matt Moran says, "I have been cooking my whole life, and one thing I have learnt is that simple food, done properly, is hard to beat. That's what Proper Burgers is all about. For me, that means starting with grass-fed beef, seasoned properly and cooked with care. It means soft milk buns, sharp cheese and sauces we make ourselves. It's the kind of burger you remember — simple, satisfying, and bloody delicious. Big flavour. Nothing fancy, just damn good burgers." On the menu, classic burgers, snacks and sides are all designed to reflect Moran's commitment to top-quality produce. The Original Proper Burger features grass-fed beef and a tangy Proper Sauce, whereas the Proper Chook showcases southern crumbed chicken with a cabbage and herb slaw. On the side, you're not limited to ordinary, soggy take-out fries. Instead, go for popcorn prawns, corn ribs with parmesan and chipotle mayo, or crunchy salt and vinegar onion rings. While the first shopfront will open at Optus Stadium, it will form the foundation of a broader national vision. Moran plans to expand the brand to reach audiences who value high-quality food that is not overly complicated for its own sake. Images: SoCo Studios. Proper Burgers will open at Optus Stadium over the summer. If you're looking for a great feed now, check out this iconic Melbourne burger, which was crowned the 14th best burger in the world, or this Sydney number, previously ranked ninth best burger globally.
Sydneysiders take their pizza seriously, and with good reason. Thanks to our superb collection of authentic Italian pizzerias, complete with woodfired ovens and traditional methods, the Harbour City's pizza-philes are well versed on the difference between sub-par 'za and the real deal. But like many dishes carried to far-flung climes by migrant communities, there are plenty of non-Stivale interpretations of pizza that are every bit as culturally legit as their Neapolitan or Roman cousins. Case in point: the United States has almost as many pizza variants as Italy, from the hefty Chicago deep dish to the rectangular-pan Detroit style and of course, the iconic New York slice. Sydneysiders can get the quintessential NYC pizza experience courtesy of a beloved Big Apple stalwart, Sal's Authentic New York Pizza, which, in addition to its Darlinghurst outpost, also boasts another Sydney venue on York Street in the CBD and four restaurants in Melbourne, as well as branches across the ditch in Wellington and Auckland. Since 1975 — when Salvatore Leo opened his first pizza parlour in Little Neck, Queens — Sal's has been producing pizzas that fuse Italian recipes, passed down through the Leo family, with American produce. The same is true in Australia, with Sal's pizzas featuring the sustainably farmed premium Wisconsin mozzarella, vine-ripened Californian tomatoes and New York-milled spring wheat flour used in the States. The only locally sourced ingredient is the water used to make the dough and even this was thoroughly vetted via blind taste tests to ensure Sydney's H2O didn't undermine quality or flavour. All the recipes on offer in Sydney were developed by Sal himself, showcasing timeless toppings like pepperoni, buffalo chicken, Italian sausage and meatballs, as well as more contemporary inclusions like black garlic and chilli-infused hot honey. While every topping is available by the slice, as is the New York way, diners can also enjoy full pizzas. However, be warned — at 18 inches, tackling the whole pie should only be attempted by the truly famished. In the unlikely event you are still hungry, there are also classic sides on offer, including fresh-baked garlic knots, pepperoni wheels, mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings made to a recipe that has been in Sal's family since 1964.
Street artist Rone has a well-documented knack for taking on unexpected spaces as canvases for his distinctive large-scale works. In 2017, he staged an immersive installation in an abandoned weatherboard house for The Omega Project, while last year saw him reimagine the deserted Art Deco Burnham Beeches mansion for sell-out installation Empire. Now, the celebrated artist returns to his hometown of Geelong to transform Geelong Gallery into an immersive, experiential exhibition. Featuring the first comprehensive solo survey of Rone's long-running career, Rone in Geelong captures the artist's fascination with the concepts of beauty and decay. Visitors will be treated to a sprawling collection of street art, early stencil works and photographs from the many abandoned spaces he's reimagined as temporary art installations over the years. One of these past exhibitions will be reborn with a specially commissioned 3D recreation, while an exclusive new installation will see Rone overhaul the precinct's historic Douglass Gallery into a derelict space decked out with plenty of his signature painted murals. Exploring the inevitability of decay, he'll play on the room's grand architectural features with help from interior stylist and longtime collaborator Carly Spooner. A haunting soundtrack by Nick Batterham will bring the installation to life. Throughout the exhibition, you'll also catch plenty of references to Rone's youth and his own connection to the Geelong Gallery, from glimpses of portraits to pieces capturing the region's distinctive landscape. Initially set to take place in winter 2020, the exhibition has — thanks to the pandemic — been rescheduled for summer 2021. It's now set to run from Saturday, February 27 to Sunday, May 16 — and tickets are on sale now. [caption id="attachment_762250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rone, Powerhouse Geelong (2014). Photo by and copyright of Rone.[/caption] Geelong Gallery is open from 10am–7pm daily. Top image: Rone, 'I've seen fire and I've seen rain' (2016) from the Empty series, Geelong Gallery. Purchased with funds generously donated by Geelong Contemporary, 2019. Copyright Rone.
Plenty has happened across Brisbane for Melt Festival, the city's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, in past years. Getting more than a thousand people singing together to support and champion the LGBTQIA+ community will be a first, however. After already locking in a a Brissie-only show by Broadway icon Bernadette Peters for its 2025 event, and also confirming the return of the River Pride Parade for this year, Melt has now announced 1000 Voices, which will see singers from queer and pride choirs — plus anyone else who wants to join in — get crooning. Set to take place on Sunday, November 9 to close out Melt 2025 — which runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9 — the choral event will feature voices from across both Australia and New Zealand. Already, participation by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir and Brisbane Pride Choir is confirmed, but that'll be just the beginning. It's expected that folks from Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide, Northern New South Wales, Perth, Canberra, Auckland and beyond will take part as well. Adam Majsay, Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, is leading the charge — which will also give the River City a preview the day prior. On Saturday, November 8, a flash mob featuring some of 1000 Voices' talents will hit up a Brisbane bridge (there's plenty to choose from) as a sneak peek before the main event. "There's nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices rising as one — it lifts the spirit, opens the heart and reminds us what true family feels like. I've had the privilege of leading large-scale choral projects that centre inclusion and visibility, and I've seen first-hand how music welcomes people in," said Majsay, announcing 1000 Voices. "1000 Voices at Melt Festival will be more than a performance — it will be a powerful moment of connection for LGBTQIA+ singers, allies and anyone who simply loves to sing. Whether you're part of a choir or stepping into something like this for the first time, there's a place for you in this sound. And what a sound it will be — joyful, bold and unapologetically full of pride." "I'm personally so excited to be coming to Brisbane for this extraordinary event, and I can't wait to stand together with voices from all over Australia and New Zealand. Come be part of it — lift your voice and help us share in something unforgettable." If you're keen to join in, whether with your existing choir or lending your solo voice to the event, registrations are now open via the Melt Festival website. Melt takes place in spring, and returns in 2025 after being reborn in 2024 as a fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture that not only fills Brisbane Powerhouse, but spreads across the city. Last year, more than 120 events popped up in 70-plus venues across southeast Queensland, complete with a Wicked-themed Halloween ball, a pool party and plenty more. 1000 Voices is taking place on Sunday, November 9 in Brisbane, with registrations available via the Melt Festival website. Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Hit up the festival website for more details.
Just when you think you've conquered pretty much every coastal trail in Sydney, a brand new adventure opens up in the southeast. Last month saw the official launch of the Western Escarpment Walking Track in the Malabar Headland National Park, a 1.15-kilometre walkway that connects Pioneers Park in Malabar, with Arthur Byrne Reserve in South Maroubra. The track cuts through bushland and, at its highest point, affords some stunning views across the beach, the headland and Botany Bay. It runs along the western edge of the Malabar Headland Rifle Range — but outside it, rather than within it. So, you don't have to worry about shooting days spoiling your fun, and you can go sauntering seven days a week, 365 days a year. It's possible to complete the trail on its own or turn it into a much longer escapade. In fact, it forms part of Sydney's Great Coastal Walk, a seven-day hike starting at Palm Beach and finishing at Cronulla (or vice versa). If that sounds a bit overwhelming, another, far easier option is to add the adjacent, three-kilometre-long Boora Point Walking Track, thereby creating a loop, which allows you to circumnavigate Malabar Headland. Do note, however, that the Boora Point walk is on rifle range territory, so, when the guns are out, it's closed. [caption id="attachment_659652" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Randwick City Council[/caption] You can get to the Malabar Headland Western Walking Track either via Arthur Byrne Reserve, Fitzgerald Avenue, South Maroubra or Pioneers Park, Anzac Parade, Malabar. When you've done that, check out our top walks in Sydney, our favourite coastal walks, these mountain treks and these multi-day hikes.
ARIA has revealed the full list of nominees for its 39th annual ceremony, returning to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday, November 19. In partnership with Spotify, this year's awards will celebrate artists who are redefining the sound and scope of Australian music — from club floors to global charts. Ninajirachi leads the pack with a record-breaking eight nominations, the most ever for a female electronic artist in ARIA history. Her debut album I Love My Computer has cemented her place at the forefront of a new wave of Australian producers pushing pop and club sounds forward. Close behind is Dom Dolla with seven nods, recognised for his chart-topping track 'Dreamin''. Other major contenders include Amyl and The Sniffers and Thelma Plum, each earning six nominations, while Hilltop Hoods and RÜFÜS DU SOL scored five and four, respectively. The 2025 ARIAs will also debut a new category: Best Music Festival. Nominees include Ability Fest, Beyond the Valley, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Laneway Festival and Yours and Owls — a nod to Australia's thriving live scene. Meanwhile, rock legends You Am I will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. "This year's nominees are living proof that Australian artists are shaping the global cultural narrative in real time," said ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd. "There's no longer a singular image of what success looks like for an artist — and the stories celebrated in November are absolute proof of that." For the first time, fans can vote for public categories directly through Spotify, with voting open until November 10. The 2025 ARIA Awards will take place at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday, November 19. For the full list of nominees, visit the ARIA Awards website. Images: Supplied
Right now, it's the 2020s, not the 1920s. If you'd like to jump back a century while sitting in a cinema, however, Babylon is here to help. And, if you'd like to see the latest film from jazz-loving, Oscar-winning La La Land director Damien Chazelle before everyone else — at the Australian premiere no less, and with stars Margot Robbie and Diego Calva in attendance — you can on Monday, January 16. Because big premiere screenings aren't just for Hollywood — aka the place where Babylon is set, right in the middle of its Golden Age — Sydney's State Theatre is rolling out the carpet for Robbie and Calva. And, for Sydneysiders as well. These kinds of famous folk-filled screenings aren't often open to the paying public, but you can indeed nab a ticket to this one. Babylon follows Robbie, Calva and Brad Pitt as they wreak havoc throughout Tinseltown when the silents were in full swing, then try to navigate the jump to talkies. Robbie (Amsterdam) plays Nellie LaRoy, a 1920s actor. After winning an Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — set in a different era of Los Angeles' past — Pitt (Bullet Train) plays Jack Conrad, an industry veteran. And Calva (Narcos: Mexico) joins them Manny Torres, who desperately wants to be in the industry. As the decade comes to an end and Hollywood changes, these three characters have much to grapple with in this tale of ambition and excess. Expect decadently staged parties galore in the process — the kind that look right out of The Great Gatsby, or at least as if Chazelle is channelling his inner Baz Luhrmann. And if you weren't already thinking that anyway, up pops Tobey Maguire in only his fifth movie role since The Great Gatsby. Tickets to head along to Babylon's Australian premiere cost $55.94. Dress your 1920s best, obviously. Images: Paramount Pictures.
It's the best way to feel like you're at one of the world's top music festivals without physically being there, and it's back for 2025: the Coachella livestream. When the world's eyes turn to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California for six days each April, it isn't just folks on the ground that are paying attention. Courtesy of the fest's partnership with YouTube, everyone can stream along. Wondering when to watch? Enter this year's set times. For 2025, Coachella has made a change — or, another one, after revealing its lineup earlier than usual when it dropped in late 2024. With who'll be taking to the stage when, the festival is letting you plan ahead, unveiling both weekends' rosters at once rather than week by week. [caption id="attachment_980914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] Accordingly, you can now plot out how to work in Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone's headlining sets into your diary across Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Down Under — and when you can catch Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, The Prodigy, Kraftwerk, Kneecap, Benson Boone, Basement Jaxx, The Go-Go's, Djo, Miike Snow, T-Pain, Jimmy Eat World, Beth Gibbons, Amyl and the Sniffers, and plenty more as well. The fest's set times have come with a few lineup amendments, however, with FKA twigs no longer playing the event on either weekend. Instead, Weezer has joined the bill for the first three-day run for 2025, while Ed Sheeran is doing the same the following week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Coachella was livestreaming its sets long before the pandemic — and while beaming festivals to the world is no longer such a novelty, the calibre of the event's lineup means that it's still a mighty fine way to spend a weekend or two. The festival also has a new Coachella livestream app for this year, which lets you see the full livestream schedule, set reminders for your favourites, then watch the highlights afterwards. [caption id="attachment_912640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hunter Kahn via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_975321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harley Weir[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] Coachella 2025 runs from Friday, April 11–Sunday, April 13 and Friday, April April 18–Sunday, April 20 — which is Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
A converted warehouse that's both a bar and restaurant, dog-friendly and offers live music — yep, No. 5 Restaurant & Bar sure ticks a lot of boxes. While many in Alexandria already call this their local, for most, this hidden warehouse space has been flying under the radar. But with an updated menu that has moved from low-key, burger-type fare to sophisticated and experimental dishes from chef Emrys Jones that hero local produce, now's the perfect time to drop by this inner-city gem. KINGFISH CEVICHE AND A LIVELY COCKTAIL It's clear from the outset that the McCauley Street venue has fun with its dishes and decor. Entering No. 5, you're greeted with an industrial bar that runs half the length of the warehouse — a throwback to the space's previous life as an old gem factory — and a collection of colourful armchairs. The area is at once eclectic and inviting — it asks you to sink in to savour a cocktail and a couple of snacks. To oblige, nibble house-made pickles and a creamy chickpea and gremolata dip. Then, sip something fresh, like the Lively Up Yourself with white rum, elderflower liqueur, lychee, lime and mint ($19) and shake of the day that was. BEEF TARTARE AND BEER Creamier than most, No. 5's beef tartare ($18) features rich, chunky pieces of lean Australian beef, a generous handful of herbs and pretty little dollops of cured egg yolk. While the dish comes with herb-infused crackers, we think the fluffy sliced white bloomer ($5) with cultured butter — both made in-house — is great for mopping up the final bits of beefy juice left on the plate. The bar has a couple of Fremantle-made Gage Road brews on tap. We'd recommend the classic US-style Atomic pale ale — it's refreshing yet punchy, countering the richness of the tartare perfectly. POACHED LING WITH A GLASS OF PINOT GRIS When No. 5 made the call to revamp its offering and move away from pub grub staples, the new chef set his sights on a menu that made quality local produce the centrepiece. These top-notch ingredients shine in bigger plates, like the blue cheese risotto or charred lamb ribs, which can be tackled solo or shared with friends. If you're looking for something a little left of centre, tuck into the poached ling with a light and creamy lemon thyme velouté ($28). The dish, which is described as having 'sea flavours', pairs well with a crisp and acidic drop. We suggest the 2017 Black Estate Circuit pinot gris from New Zealand; it's extremely drinkable and cuts through the creaminess of the velouté with ease. FLANK STEAK AND A BOTTLE OF RED A prime example of letting good produce do the legwork, the 300-gram Riverine flank steak ($36) is moist, delicate and speaks for itself. (The chimichurri and accompanying roast baby capsicums are an added, but non-essential, bonus.) The dish deserves a bold red to accompany it and the 2014 Tumblong Hills 'J Block' syrah from Gundagai fits the brief. This tasty drop is one of only two Aussie reds on the list — so while the food hails from Australia's outback, the vino takes you further abroad to France, Spain, NZ and Italy. ROSEMARY MOUSSE AND A FRUITY COCKTAIL No. 5 is all about marrying high-quality food with booze — and that doesn't stop at dessert. To finish the night on a high, treat yourself to this dreamy duo of creamy mousse and tart sour. The rosemary yoghurt mousse with fresh fig and sable cookie goes swimmingly with the subtle Fox Is Berry Sour, made with gin, ruby rose, elderberry, lemon, sugar and egg white ($19). Cheers, sweet teeth. Grab some mates, or a date, and check out the new summer menu at Bar No. 5 in Alexandria.
Warning people not to wear mascara in anticipation of the tears you're going to provoke is a gutsy move. You risk putting undemonstrative types on their guard and liberal criers in front of an insuperable mountain of anticipation. Still, some situations are so inescapably, heavily tragic as to warrant the disclaimer. And No More Shall We Part is one of them. It's about love, and death, what it takes to close the curtain on the days ahead you've dreamed of and what it means to let someone go. Don (Russell Kiefel) and Pam (Linda Cropper — that's Geraldine Proudman, for the Offspring lovers) have built their whole lives together, filled a home with family, rediscovered their private lives when their kids have left and now, in their late 50s and early 60s, find themselves facing new inevitabilities as Pam's cancer worsens. There's not much more to say of their path through assisted suicide; this is a journey best undertaken blindly, with only the people on stage to guide you over the rocks ahead. The actors each shine in moments — she wrapping up her frailty with strength, he looking at her with such intensity it could start a fire — and what they give each night must drain them entirely. It's beautifully staged in the intimate theatre, which takes you past pastel walls and under doorways into the couple's home and fixes you to Pam's bedside. Stories as emotive as And No More Shall We Part are highly personal, so whether you think it succeeds will be personal, too. The extent to which this particular scenario, with this particular writing and these particular actors affects you is nearly unpredictable. On this night, some people were in floods of tears from the start, some people choked up in a moment that floored them, and some people appeared either unmoved or very stoic. For me, the everyman and woman characters and interjection-heavy dialogue that sometimes veered into the distractingly stilted were obstacles to fully realising the latent power of the subject. However, it still stands as an accessible and amazing vehicle for this fraught topic to be brought out into the light of public discourse, which may have been what really earned this play its 2010 AWGIE Award. And No More Shall We Part picks up that great prerogative of art to open up audiences to different perspectives on big issues through small, simple acts of empathy. You'll leave the theatre thinking and talking about it, whether your mascara's run or not.
We've all seen the packs of brightly coloured, hi-tech bicycles stationed on the footpaths of the city. And just when we thought that the shared bike situation had reached peak bike-pocalypse, Beijing-based company Ofo has begun rolling out a fleet of yellow bikes in Sydney. Billed as the world's first and largest dockless bike sharing platform, Ofo has ten million bikes available in 180 countries across the globe, processing 32 million rides per day. The smartphone-enabled service was trialled in Adelaide earlier this month, receiving mixed responses from city councillors and the public. However, Ofo's staggered rollout of 400 bikes in Sydney has been endorsed by the state's leading cycling body, Bikes Australia. Ofo reckons it's ironed out the kinks in this whole share bike game, saying it improves on Sydney's existing services. How? Well, firstly, the Ofo app indicates 'preferred parking' zones, to discourage riders from dumping their bikes on any old bit of footpath. Then there's the company's monitoring system, which uses thermodynamic diagrams to monitor the distribution of the bikes. This is obviously difficult to manage, but the company's got a local team on the ground, checking the bikes twice a day, shifting wayward bikes back to the proper zones and fixing any damages. As with Uber, Ofo also implements a credit rating system — well-behaved riders will earn points, while those who park outside the preferred zones and neglect to move them back will have points deducted. The launch comes at a time when Australia's dockless bike sharing services are under fire. In Melbourne, three councils have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore's oBike to ensure the bikes are parked upright, don't block footpaths and will be removed from any dangerous locations within two hours. Ofo launches 200 bikes in Sydney today, with an extra 200 in coming weeks. New users will score their first Ofo ride for free, with subsequent trips paid via debit or credit card priced at $1 for every half hour. For more info, visit ofo.com. By Libby Curran and Jonathan Ford.
If you're on the hunt for something a bit different this gift-giving season, the MCA Store is an excellent place to start. Here, you'll not only find an impressive selection of items from Australian artists, designers and makers but also everything from coffee-table books to homewares and games — perfect for gifting all your favourite budding creatives, art enthusiasts, design buffs, fashion mavens and hard-to-buy-for friends. And, every purchase from the MCA Store supports Australian artists and the work of the world-class art institution. So in a way, it's a gift that'll keep on giving. We've gone through the extensive catalogue to hand select our favourite gift ideas for this festive season. [caption id="attachment_880360" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MCA Store, 2022, Katje Ford[/caption] IKUNTJI TEXTILES, $69 Ikuntji Artists, the first arts centre established by and for women in the Western Desert art movement, invites design lovers to take a closer look at the stories behind the works with this self-published, full-colour book. The volume is centred around 14 artists who paint wearable textiles, delving into their design process, personal stories and collaborations via artist interviews in Luritja and English and writings from expert voices in the field of textile design. The lovingly assembled tome makes a perfect coffee-table book — the ideal read to either leisurely flip through or take in some of the remarkable stories from First Nations women. BACKGAMMON SET, $195 The MoMA team has given this classic game a vibrant makeover. The colourful design, inside and out, makes this beechwood backgammon board a style-heavy travel accessory, ideal for groups or just two. The game is fun, practical and easy to learn — even if you've got no idea how to play. Gift this to your modern boardgame-loving pal who could do with something a little simpler and nostalgic. Then next time you're over at theirs, you can suggest a chill game of backgammon instead of Settlers of Catan. Looking for a stocking stuffer for your games-obsessed mate? This Ken Done edition of Uno ($19.95) is just the ticket. [caption id="attachment_834248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning, MCA Members. Featured: Noa Eshkol, installation view, 20th Biennale of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2016, Image courtesy and © the Noa Eshkol Foundation for Movement Notation, Holon.[/caption] 12-MONTH MCA MEMBERSHIP, $75 If you're buying for someone who really appreciates the arts, an MCA Membership is a sure-fire win. It will give them access to exclusive behind-the-scenes programs, discounts on a range of art experiences, unlimited free entry to ticketed exhibitions — like Do Ho Suh, which is part of the 2022/ 2023 Sydney International Art Series — and plenty more. Any and every art lover will be thanking their lucky stars (or just you) with a gift as good as this. FLENSTED MOBILE, $125 Mobiles aren't just for kids, they're also a fun and funky way to add some colour and movement to your home. And at the MCA Store, you can find no less than ten artistic mobiles by Danish design house Flensted. Our pick: the minimalist Life and Thread, which is made up of colourful wings dancing around a small green sphere. You can find more literal pieces too — hot air balloons, birds, planes, elephants and more, all made to hang and swing from the ceiling. They're simple yet striking pieces of art. [caption id="attachment_880357" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MCA Store, 2021, Anna Kucera[/caption] FINK WATER JUG, From $395 If you're buying for someone who loves to entertain or is always on the hunt for unique homewares, these FINK water jugs might just be perfect. Designed in 1993 by celebrated Australian silversmith Robert Foster, these elegant vessels come in eight striking colours and can be found in contemporary collections at institutions (including MoMA), as well as in design-forward homes and restaurants around the globe. It's a great gift for those who like to make a statement, even when they're simply pouring a glass of water. [caption id="attachment_880353" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MCA Store, 2022, Katje Ford[/caption] 3D-PRINTED SUPERVASE, From $50 These brightly coloured vases by The Daily Rabbit are reminiscent of the Hub series and Staircase-III (2010) by Do Ho Suh. Like the South Korean artist's large-scale installation pieces, as you move around these vases, they appear to change in shape. The SuperVase, which comes in two sizes, is 3D-printed using eco-friendly, degradable PLA bioplastic derived from cornstarch, making it ideal for sustainably-minded friends and family members. It's watertight, so you can gift it with fresh flowers if you'd like, too. [caption id="attachment_881162" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MCA Store, 2022, Katje Ford[/caption] DO HO SUH MCA CATALOGUE, $45 Here's yet another great addition to a curated coffee table. This softcover MCA catalogue (exclusively sold at the MCA Store) surveys Do Ho Suh's creative practice, focusing on his large-scale sculptures and architectural installations with commissioned texts by curators Rachel Kent and Megan Robson and architectural historian AnnMarie Brennan. Take a deeper dive into the artist's process and the meaning behind his colourful, thought-provoking installations that have a strong connection to our shared understanding of 'home'. MID-CENTURY MODERN COASTERS, $38 This pack of four cork coasters features works from Tony Albert's Mid-Century Modern series, depicting used ashtrays with First Nations people and designs on them. For Albert, "there was something quite metaphoric about the ashtray and the Australian condition attached to Aboriginal people. What does it actually mean to butt out a cigarette on someone's face and someone's culture?" And, we ask, what does it mean to rest your drink on a coaster of that artwork? Who knew a humble coaster could be such a conversation starter? Got an art lover in your life? Gifting someone with an eye for design? Make sure you're their fave this year with a gift from MCA Store. Head to the website for the full range. Top image: MCA Store, 2022, Katje Ford
Lumi is Italian for 'small lights', and, true to that theme, LuMi Bar and Dining creates a delightfully intimate (and well-lit) atmosphere. Led by head chef Federico Zanellato and his wife and sommelier Michela, LuMi combines Italian heritage with Asian flavours to offer a casual yet refined dining experience. The simplicity of the European decor is in stark opposition to the complexity of the cuisine it houses. Meanwhile, the food is a fusion of modern Italian and Japanese flavours, serving up refined seasonal produce over a series of spectacular courses that look almost too good to eat. The chef's menu ($185 per person) lets you explore it all, with the Italian-focused wine pairing highly recommended ($115 per person).
It's the trend that's spreading the fun of surfing beyond the beach, and it has finally hit Sydney: man-made surf parks in general, and the Harbour City's first Urbnsurf specifically. From Monday, May 13, surf's now up at Sydney Olympic Park. Who said that you could only ride waves on the coast? Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on Urbnsurf Sydney took its time; however, the facility has been targeting opening before winter 2024 since last year. Back in April, the Urbnsurf crew confirmed the Sydney site's exact launch date, and that it had begun pumping out waves — and the time to welcome surfers of all skill levels into the lagoon is now here. The brand's second location in Australia, after opening in Melbourne in 2020, the $75-million development isn't small. How much space do you need to give Sydney its first Urbnsurf complete with perfect waves year-round, plus impressive food and beverage offerings? And to be able to accommodate up to 1000 people a day? A whopping 3.6-hectares. The diamond-shaped lagoon pool with waves up to two metres in height — and capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch between ten and 12 waves per hour — also isn't petite, coming in at around the same size as the Sydney Cricket Ground. "Finally seeing the gates open and the wave machine pumping is a feeling like no other," said Urbansurf CEO Damon Tudor. "Just like Melbourne, Urbansurf Sydney offers the perfect surfing conditions that cater for high-performance athletes and advanced surfers through to people trying surfing for the first time. We're extremely proud to be celebrating this achievement and we are stoked to see our customers ripping it up in the lagoon." "Urbansurf is much more than a surf park and one of the benefits born out of Melbourne is the strong sense of community guests feel when walking through the doors, creating a sense of culture is deep rooted in our core values — and we're excited to start to build our Sydney community," continued Tudor. Urbansurf Sydney offers a range of sessions catering to all types of surfers, whether you're just learning, are returning to the sport or consider yourself an expert. Also, thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors have the option of an evening swim. When surfers are done riding waves, Urbnsurf Sydney also features a wellness studio, skate park, Rip Curl store and a surf academy for those looking to take their skills to the next level. Just keen to swim, not surf? There's a pool for that as well. Plus, Sydney hospitality group Applejack is in charge of the culinary offerings at the park, as announced in 2023. Applejack owns and operates venues across Sydney such as Forrester's, The Butler, RAFI and Bopp & Tone. The team is bringing the same produce- and service-driven approach found at its other venues to surfside eatery Sandy's, which launched with the park — and RAFI Urbnsurf, which is on the way, opening this winter. Applejack joins the Urbnsurf family alongside farm-to-table favourites Three Blue Ducks, who provide the food and drink offerings down in Melbourne. Find Urbnsurf Sydney at Sydney Olympic Park — open from 6am–10pm daily.
Maybe you're desperate to hit up a Super Nintendo theme park. Perhaps you've always wanted to walk across Shibuya's famous scramble crossing. Or, you might just want to sing karaoke in a ferris wheel. Whichever applies — and if you'd prefer to scope out the Studio Ghibli museum, wander through a kaleidoscopic maze of digital art, or hit up all the izakaya or ramen joints possible, too — travellers from Australia and New Zealand now can on a trip to Japan. Before the pandemic, Japan had cemented itself as a favourite holiday destination for tourists from Down Under, but making the journey has been impossible for the past few years due to both local and Japanese border restrictions. Then, back in May, the Japanese government started trialling letting strictly controlled package tours — including with Aussies — into the country. Now, from Friday, June 10, it has broadened its entry rules and reopened to visitors from a heap of nations, albeit still with strict requirements in place. So, if a Tokyo trip has been at the top of your post-restrictions bucket list, that's now a possibility. The huge caveat: you can only head to Japan as part of controlled package tours. That means that travellers from Australia and NZ will need to be visiting with organised tours in conjunction with travel agencies, and must be chaperoned during their whole stay. Visitors also need to test negative to COVID-19 before leaving for Japan, wear masks everywhere — including outdoors — and have private medical insurance to cover your trip. And, physical distancing, sanitising and washing your hands frequently, and minimising time in shared dining areas is also required. The changed rules place Australia and New Zealand into the 'blue' band of countries under Japan's new border entry system, alongside 50-plus other nations. That's the highest tier, above yellow (which has vaccination and testing requirements) and red (which has even tighter vaccination and testing rules). In total, folks from 98 countries can now head to Japan — but there's also an entry cap of 20,000 people per day. Japan has reopened for package tours from 98 countries from Friday, June 10. For further details about visiting Japan and its border restrictions, head to the Government of Japan website.
You asked — and Cadbury has gone and delivered. The confectionary giant has responded to hordes of over-eager fans and brought one of its most beloved creations back onto Aussie shelves: the humble but widely worshipped Caramilk. Cadbury has confirmed that its former fan favourite, with its golden-hued concoction of caramel and white chocolate, will indeed be making a comeback, returning to local supermarkets across the country from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2. And, if you fancy being one of the first to get your mitts on the relaunched Caramilk, you can even nab a freebie this Wednesday, October 2. Cadbury will be handing out 1000 free Caramilk blocks at Town Hall and Central stations from 7am. Understandably, there are plenty of sweet-toothed Aussies who are salivating at the prospect — not least of all, those in the Facebook groups dedicated to requesting its return — and the blocks are expected to move quickly. The first 500 sold on eBay last week in just 28 minutes, so you better get to Woolies early tomorrow. They'll be available to buy for $4.80.
On the long list of streaming services on offer to Australian viewers, DocPlay has carved out a pivotal niche: showcasing the best factual filmmaking both locally and globally. It's where you can watch 2025 Oscar-winner No Other Land — and 2024 and 2023's equivalents, 20 Days in Mariupol and Navalny — then catch the remastered version of Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense, plus not one but two recent films about Blur. It's also where you can enjoy a range of docos about Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture without paying a cent during NAIDOC Week 2025. Between Sunday, July 6–Sunday, July 13, DocPlay is making 11 films available to stream to everyone, no subscription required, to mark Australia's annual week to celebrate First Nations history, culture and achievements. Some of the documentaries in the platform's free collection step into the world of sport. Others contemplate art, battles to protect Country and the education system. Canberra's Aboriginal Tent Embassy and efforts to gather support for the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum are also covered. The Adam Goodes-focused The Australian Dream is one title that audiences will be able to watch for free — and, as it examines the hurtful treatment directed the former AFL player's way at the height of the champion's career, it makes for powerful and essential viewing. Still in the realm of Aussie Rules, Like My Brother charts the efforts of young women from the Tiwi Islands as they attempt to chase their dreams in the AFLW. In You Can Go Now, Richard Bell is in the spotlight, exploring both his art and his activism. With their jumps back to 1972, Ningla-A'na and Still We Rise each also follow the latter thread. Voice heads to Cairns in the lead up to 2023's referendum, while Incarceration Nation examines the impact of the judicial and prison system upon Indigenous Australians. With The Dark Emu Story, Bruce Pascoe's book of the same name is in the spotlight. Via In My Blood It Runs, so is First Nations childhood in Australia via a ten-year-old boy's experiences. And in Connection to Country, the fight to protect sacred sites in the Burrup Peninsula is front and centre. Rounding out the collection is Winhanganha, which was commissioned by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and sees Wiradjuri artist Jazz Money examine archives through a First Nations lens. Check out the trailers for the films in DocPlay's 2025 NAIDOC Week collection above and below: DocPlay's NAIDOC Week 2025 collection streams for free — no subscription required — from Sunday, July 6–Sunday, July 13. Head to the streaming service's website to watch.
Darlinghurst has scored a new Japanese fusion restaurant and bar with Moku. The sleek new venue joins the likes of Besuto and Bay Nine Omakase in Sydney's ongoing movement in omakase-style dining. Moku also boasts the city's first-ever bottomless highball brunch offering. The stellar team behind the latest addition to Darlinghurst's dining scene includes Head Chef Ha Chuen Wai (formerly Sushi E & Sokyo) overseeing the pass, while celebrated mixologist Charles Chang is guiding the drinks program, creating artisan cocktails for guests. Head to Crown Street and you'll easily find the two-storey restaurant — two bright red flags with 'Moku' written across them indicate you've arrived at the entrance. Inside, you'll be greeted by textured brick walls and an intimate dining atmosphere. The name comes from the Japanese word for 'wood', and it lives up to the promise with a fit-out largely consisting of appealing timber furniture, exposed beams and earthy tones. There is also a bar on each level so that you can enjoy the team's creative cocktails from every space. When it comes to the food, Moku heroes Japanese classics and flavours combined with native ingredients for a modern Australian twist. If you're in for lunch, the chirashi lunch offering stars unagi kabayaki — eel, kinshi tamago and jellyfish salad accompanied by finger lime and sencha dashi, the kaisen chirash — a combination of fresh seafood including Mt Cook salmon, yellowfin tuna, scallop and ikura, and wagyu beef carpaccio. For dinner service, small plates feature Sydney rock oysters, corn tempura and prawn katsu sandos. Opt for the larger plates and you'll find buckwheat okonomiyaki (a savoury Japanese pancake), hoijcha-smoked duck breast and octopus paired with chilli miso, wakame vinaigrette and witlof. While the dessert course melds Italian classics with Japanese influences, such as a matcha tiramisu. Looking to try a bit of everything? Or perhaps indecisiveness plagues you. Whatever the case, the banquet menu could present an ideal solution. For $75 per person, you can enjoy the best Moku has to offer, from the chicken and saltbush tsukune and the eggplant and miso dengaku, through to the dessert of the day. Moku's omakase experience is only available on Wednesday and Thursday nights, so you'll want to book in advance. When it comes to the drinks program, the menu is inspired by the different regions of Japan and ranges from the best Japanese whisky, bespoke highballs and a brand-new line of sake. For those with a particular yen for the highball, Moku's bottomless highball brunch is available on Saturdays where you'll enjoy 90 minutes of exciting chef-selected bites to share and free-flowing highballs for $95 per person. Moku's dinner service is 5:30pm-11pm Tuesday to Saturday, and the lunch offering from 12pm to 3pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You'll find the venue at 163 Crown St, Darlinghurst, and you can book your reservation at Moku's booking page or simply walk in.
As a tourist, it's easy to get swept away by Sydney's inner-city galleries, restaurants, and bars. But just 25 kilometres south of the capital lies the Sutherland Shire — a destination known for its lush nature — including stretches of beaches (and Sydney's only beach directly accessible by train, Cronulla), as well as the Royal National Park. To learn more about the Sutherland Shire, we spoke with local restaurateur and owner of Hazel Kitchen and Bar, James Lancaster. Located within the Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea (a historic cottage that transformed into an arts haven), Hazel Kitchen and Bar is a cafe-restaurant and events space showcasing the best in local produce and Sutherland Shire dining. We asked James for the best-kept secrets in the local area for you to save next time you find yourself south of the city. CP: What do you love the most about the Sutherland Shire? James: Natural beauty, beaches, forests, waterfalls, and an abundance of incredibly talented people in our community: artists, chefs, musicians, and actors. The Shire really has something for everyone to enjoy. [caption id="attachment_1078693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Harrison[/caption] CP: Why should someone make a trip to the area? James: The coast has some incredible beaches, whether you enjoy calm water swimming at Gunnamatta Bay, Boat Harbour aquatic reserve, Wattamolla Beach, or Jibbon Beach. There are so many waterfalls, wonderful swimming holes, and bushwalks for all fitness levels, making it [somewhere] everyone should explore. There's a great food scene, from casual cafes to wonderful restaurants. The nightlife is vibrant with cool bars, a funky live music scene, and an incredible depth of talent across music, theatre, and visual arts. CP: If you only had one day in the Sutherland Shire, where would you go? James: I'd start with a swim at North Cronulla, followed by breakfast up the road at Rushi. Then I'd head up to Hazelhurst Gallery to check out an exhibition, before a delicious lunch at Hazel Kitchen and Bar. Next, I'd head to the Royal National Park for an afternoon walk and a freshwater swim at Olympic Pool, just past Karloo Pools. I'd pop into Audley Dance Hall Cafe on the way to grab a great coffee and takeaway for afternoon snacks. After sunset (and listening to birds in the forest), I'd head out to Brass Monkey to listen to some live music and have a few cocktails. CP: What do you think is the Shire's best-kept secret? James: The Royal National Park. Though large and commonly known, there are many secret waterholes, trails and endless adventure. For food, my favorite secret spot is tucked down the side of the Coptic Church in Kirrawee and is almost impossible to find. In Paradise is a gem for real Napoletana style wood-fired pizza. Super thin, great ingredients, charred crust, and, if you like chilli, ask Alfonso for his harrissa sauce… it's delicious. CP: Hazel Kitchen and Bar sits within the Hazelhurst Arts Centre. What's it like having a cafe and restaurant in a location with such rich Australian art history? James: The art and artists have really taught us to be more free and flexible in what we do. The inspiration from watching the art change around us all the time is liberating. The community that participates in the Arts Centre, the studios, the exhibitions, and the wonderful gardens brings us joy. We are very blessed to a view of art on one side, a beautiful garden on the other and a kitchen making delicious food in the centre — perfect combinations really. CP: Talk to us about Hazel Kitchen and Bar: what's your top menu recommendation? James: For breaky, I love the breakfast roll with its streaky bacon. For lunch, I often eat the green goddess salad, or if I'm in more of a dining mood, I'll have a grass-fed Scotch fillet and spice-roasted cauliflower with one of our sommeliers' wines from around the world. That lunch can morph into dinner and a few cheeky cocktails. CP: What's Hazel's philosophy? James: Being a public space, we really wanted a comfortable restaurant, a place you can relax and ponder the art you've just experienced over a coffee, scones and jam, or with a martini if you've really been thought-provoked and need to deep dive. We've curated a space for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and those moments in between. The peaceful gardens and the running creek provide the perfect backdrop to the ever-changing art inside the gallery and on your palette. CP: What does the Sutherland Shire do differently from Sydney City? James: So much diversity is accessible in a relatively small area. All your senses can be ignited in a few hours, and there's always more to explore and experience. It's adventures for all your senses. Images: Supplied.
Made famous by Emma Thompson and Kenneth Brannagh back in their heyday, Much Ado About Nothing is arguably, (well if you argue with me), Shakespeare's greatest comedy. It has everything a good comedy should — love, sex, evil plots, mistaken identity and two weddings. For those unfamiliar with the tale, Beatrice and Benedick are the precursors to every rom-com couple you've ever seen. They are the classic couple: hating each other at the beginning of the play, partaking in the most witty verbal abuse, and then by the end realising they are of course, desperately in love. And that's not all of it. There's also a plot to stop the young Claudio marrying the rich Hero, a faked death, a collection of hilariously stupid security guards, and a masked party to make up the rest of the story. Starring the up-and-coming young darlings of the Sydney theatre scene, Toby Schmitz and Blazey Best, not to mention the ever amazing Max Gilies, Bell Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing should really have its fair share of ado about it, promising to be an exuberant and entertaining performance.
It has been twenty years since James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet recreated one of the deadliest ship disasters in modern history — you know the one. Titanic also launched a lifetime of folks standing at the bow of boats and exclaiming "I'm the king of the world", and made the world endure a Celine Dion song that, as the lyrics promised, would go on. As well as snag a huge bag of Oscars and big, big bucks at the box office, the film did something else: reignite public fascination with the 1912 sinking. If you've ever watched and wondered what it'd be like to see the real thing, then wonder no more. You'd just better have a cool $137,000 sitting in your bank account. Commencing in 2018, travel company Blue Marble Private will be taking nine fascinated seafarers down to the famous ship on an eight-day journey. Departing from the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, they'll dive four kilometres down into the North Atlantic Ocean in a titanium and carbon fibre submersible — accompanied by experts, of course — to cruise around the passenger liner's deck, glide over its grand staircase and wander through the vessel that went down on its maiden voyage, taking more than 1500 people with it. The hefty price tag is supposed to reflect the cost of a first class ticket on the RMS Titanic 105 years ago, although it's hardly surprising that plunging deep into both the ocean's depths and a historical wreck costs a massive stack of cash and then some. This isn't the first time tours have been offered — indeed, presumably using some of the loot his romantic drama pulled in, James Cameron has made the journey three times — but it's still estimated that only 140 people have seen the site in person since it was first discovered in 1984. Via: The Australian. Image: OceanGate.
Thanks to Taronga Zoo, you can already spend your days staring at capybaras, seals, meerkats, otters, sumatran tigers, lions and elephants, all without leaving your home. With Sydney back in lockdown, the famed venue has relaunched its online TV channel, where it livestreams its adorable critters all day and all night. All those animals are all well and good. They're great, and they're very easy to spend too much time staring at, actually. But if you'd like to scope out some penguins as well, now you can. Yes, penguin cam is now part of Taronga's live-stream lineup, with its 45 little penguins and four Fiordland penguins being caught on camera 24/7. Melbourne's zoos have been live-streaming their penguins during the pandemic also, so this isn't the first time you've been able to gawk at black-and-white creatures while they go about their business — but when it comes to watching animals, the more the merrier, obviously. There's your background viewing sorted. Popping the stream on in the background while you work from home suits these kinds of feeds, in fact, because sometimes the critters in the spotlight aren't in view. The online television station was established by Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in 2020, and it is back now for obvious reasons. Taronga is also releasing regular videos across its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels, and making keeper talks and other clips available online as well. Or, you could always take a peak at its new Southern hairy-nosed wombat joey via our own website. It's just as adorable as you'd expect, naturally. To check out Taronga TV, head to the channel's website — or keep an eye on its videos on its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages. Top image: Rick Stevens
In modern marketing, you often hear the sentiment that everyone is a content creator now. And few spaces reflect that idea more than tourism and hospitality when it comes to generating social buzz. But if we're being honest, some creators know their way around content better than others. If you'd like to level up your skills to a professional level, the new ALL Accor Creator Academy is opening the door to the next generation of travel storytellers. Now launched in Australia, the program gives budding travel creators incredible access to one of the world's leading hospitality groups. A series of eight modules instils the skills needed to produce content that meets both audience expectations and brand standards, covering substantial ground while offering graduates direct access to Accor's global network of hotels, brands and experiences. Delivered over three to five weeks, these bite-sized, mobile-first modules help you get up to speed quickly on what it takes to build a successful career. After completing the entire course, you'll have learned all about storytelling, filming techniques, brand collaboration and the fundamentals of travel content creation. And with professional creators leading the modules, the information shared is real, practical and full of insight. "Creators are playing an increasingly important role in how people discover and experience travel. As brands automate more content, the value of authentic human storytelling is only increasing, and we're thrilled to be the first hotel group to invest in a trained creator pipeline with our industry-first initiative," says Jessica Baider, Influencer and Content Manager for Accor MEA APAC. View this post on Instagram Of course, when many people think of creators, followers are what come to mind first. However, the ALL Accor Creator Academy is doing things differently. Teaching participants how to develop their creative voice, respond to briefs and produce professional content, graduates join an invite-only network of recognised content creators within Accor. That means accessing a global network of future stays, campaigns and creative opportunities with Accor and its brand partners. Best of all, the ALL Accor Creator Academy is free to join and open to emerging creators, plus those who wouldn't typically see themselves as part of the influencer space. Featuring lessons from leading guest mentors and expert travel content creators, including James and Alex from Twosome Travellers, Lola Hubner and Lee Besser, you'll soon understand exactly what it takes to capture content and share travel experiences to the highest standards. The ALL Accor Creator Academy is now accepting applications for its first student intake until Sunday, May 17. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox. Images: Supplied.
When Ron Swanson discovered digital music, the tech-phobic Parks and Recreation favourite was uncharacteristically full of praise. Played by Nick Offerman (The Last of Us) at his most giddily exuberant, he badged the iPod filled with his favourite records an "excellent rectangle". In Black Mirror, the same shape is everywhere. The Netflix series' moniker even stems from the screens and gadgets that we all now filter life through daily and unthinkingly. In Charlie Brooker's (Cunk on Earth) eyes since 2011, however, those ever-present boxes and the technology behind them are far from ace. Instead, befitting a dystopian anthology show that has dripped with existential dread from episode one, and continues to do so in its long-awaited sixth season — which arrived on Thursday, July 15 — those rectangles keep reflecting humanity at its bleakest. Black Mirror as a title has always been devastatingly astute: when we stare at a TV, smartphone, computer or tablet, we access the world yet also reveal ourselves. It might've taken four years to return after 2019's season five, but Brooker's hit still smartly and sharply focuses on the same concern. Indeed, this new must-binge batch of nightmares begins with exactly the satirical hellscape that today's times were bound to inspire. Joan Is Awful, with its AI- and deepfake-fuelled mining of everyday existence for content, almost feels too prescient — a charge a show that's dived into digital resurrections, social scoring systems, killer VR and constant surveillance knows well. Brooker isn't afraid to think bigger and probe deeper in season six, though; to eschew obvious targets like ChatGPT and the pandemic; and to see clearly and unflinchingly that our worst impulses aren't tied to the latest widgets. Taking ripped-from-reality tales to an uncanny extreme, tearing into the obsession to adapt everything into content, exploring the catharsis found and carnage wrought by slipping into avatars: that's all in Black Mirror season six's five instalments. So is the ravenous nature of celebrity culture, plus the apocalyptic path that insular attitudes give rise to. Throw in explosive diarrhoea, Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance) playing herself, the true-crime boom, the savagery of fame, alternate pasts, astronauts and devilish bargains as well, and Brooker has given himself and viewers much to play with. Each chapter, whether focusing on a woman's existence being broadcast to the world or swapping sci-fi for horror in the first-ever Red Mirror instalment, pinballs between chilling and thrilling. Each chapter also knows that no matter whether streaming queues, VHS tapes, human replicas, 00s-era cameras or runic talismen feature, humanity's biggest enemy is itself. Starring Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself) as its namesake, Joan Is Awful is the only futuristic story in season six, examining where our current times might lead as Black Mirror long has. After firing a friend, complaining to her therapist about her boyfriend (Avi Nash, Silo) and meeting up with her ex (Rob Delaney, The Power), tech-company CEO Joan gets comfortable on the couch to watch Streamberry's latest wares, only to find that she's the platform's fresh subject (and that Hayek Pinault has stepped into her shoes). The series-within-the-series dramatises her past 24 hours, in fact, and doesn't paint Joan in a positive light. Swiftly, everyone she knows is watching, all taking the on-screen version as gospel. Savvily, the episode interrogates the platforms that Black Mirror and almost every other TV show exist on right now, television's relationship with reality, the incessant quest to thrust ordinary lives into the spotlight and the undervaluing of everyone in the creative industries — which bites hard given the present writers' strike — and it's a cutting and amusing delight. Next comes Loch Henry, which also has the medium of streaming in its sights. Black Mirror has been part of Netflix's stable since 2016, moving to the service after commencing on the UK's Channel 4, but Brooker doesn't let that stop him from digging the show's claws into its funder and home. Initially, the episode's film students Davis (Samuel Blenkin, The Witcher: Blood Origin) and Pia (Myha'la Herrold, Bodies Bodies Bodies) visit the former's sleepy Scottish hometown to make a nature documentary. Then Pia learns about the serial killer who terrorised the scenic locale decades back. Loch Henry doesn't just riff on the prominence of both David Attenborough-style series and headline-driven crime shows, or the fact that the latter can put sensationalist entertainment ahead of the very real victims; it also contemplates how easy it is to conceal one's true self from the world and how empty getting exactly what you've dreamed of can be. In Beyond the Sea, Aaron Paul returns to Black Mirror after first being involved in 2017. Here, it's an alternative 1969, and Cliff (Paul, Westworld) and David (Josh Hartnett, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) are on a deep-space mission, retaining ties with their families on earth — including Cliff's wife Lana (Kate Mara, Call Jane) — via mechanical doppelgängers that they can port their consciousness into from the heavens above. Brooklyn's John Crowley directs this episode, which proves apt when its retrofuturistic concept plunges into yearning after pivoting on a tragedy and following in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's footsteps. Black Mirror is rarely light; however, this thoughtfully paced, supremely well-acted chapter takes a particularly grim view of humanity's proclivity for jealousy and spite, and our penchant to use technology to indulge both. With Mazey Day, which shares its title with a starlet (Clara Rugaard, I Am Mother), the series also jumps backwards. This time, it's the mid-00s, Suri Cruise's birth is big news, and Bo (Zazie Beetz, Atlanta) is a paparazzo barely getting by, then quitting after her snaps lead to an actor's demise, then tempted back for a $30,000 payday. Her task: nabbing photos of Mazey, who has disappeared after a hit-and-run incident. Again, this season of Black Mirror carves into the commodification of people as content. Again, it shows that 2023-era devices and anything they evolve into aren't behind this trend. And again, it's both perceptive and surprising — and, although it tells viewers what they already know, that's also Black Mirror's usual remit. While horror bubbles through most Black Mirror episodes, including season six's, Red Mirror debut Demon 79 gives the genre its heartiest embrace yet. It's also the series' 2023 standout, and not just because Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve) and Paapa Essiedu (Men) are each a treat as a shopgirl forced to get murderous and a Boney M-inspired demon, respectively. The year is 1979, Needa (Vasan) sells footwear in a Northern England department store and racism stalks her every move, as does the fomenting political fearmongering sweeping the community. Soon, a Knock at the Cabin-esque scenario arises, with Gaap (Essiedu) giving Needa three days to kill three people or the world will come to a fiery end. As penned by Brooker with Bisha K Ali (Ms Marvel), Demon 79 looks like a video nasty from decades back, and hones on spreading ideas rather than the technology that enables them. But as someone's status quo forever changes in no small part thanks humanity's most atrocious traits, it's still Black Mirror 101. Check out the full trailer for Black Mirror's sixth season below: Black Mirror season six streams via Netflix from Thursday, June 15. Images: Netflix.
A neighbourhood dispute turns into all-out suburban warfare in Bad Neighbours, the raunchy, raucous, rapid-fire new comedy from director Nicholas Stoller (The Five-Year Engagement, Forgetting Sarah Marshall). Adding the word 'bad' to its title in Australia in order to avoid confusion with a certain iconic soap opera, the film marks another sure hit for one-man comic industry Seth Rogen, who slots comfortably into another role that basically amounts to playing himself. Yet it's Rogen's co-stars Rose Byrne and Zac Efron who are the movie's biggest standouts. Indeed, while the advertising material sells Bad Neighbours as a strictly Rogen versus Efron affair, the film is very much a triple act, with the more dramatically inclined Byrne clearly relishing the chance to cut loose. With a cast game for just about anything, Bad Neighbours accelerates from one over-the-top set-piece to the next. It's ridiculous, juvenile and very, very funny. Rogen and Byrne play Mac and Kelly Radner, a newlywed couple with a bouncing baby daughter, whose suburban peace is threatened when a college fraternity moves in next door. Chief dude-bro Teddy Sanders (Efron) seems agreeable enough at first, promising to keep the noise to a minimum and even inviting the couple to the frat's inaugural blowout, where a great time is had by all. But when the partying starts up again the following night and continues into the morning, the Radners decide to call the cops. From there, things escalate quickly. Teddy swears vengeance, and soon the two households are exacting increasingly crass and elaborate acts of sabotage in an attempt to bring the other side down. Screenwriters Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O'Brien pack a staggering number of gags into the film's tight 90-minute runtime, although arguably the more impressive feat is that the vast majority of them land. Stoller allows his cast ample room to improvise, but never to the extent that the movie loses momentum. Frankly, the performances are all the better for it. Byrne, in particular, seems to feed off the film's breakneck energy, the Australian actress frequently stealing the show from her more seasoned on-screen husband. Likewise, Efron exhibits great comedic instincts as the antagonistic Teddy, a villain who you simultaneously love to hate and actually genuinely kind of like. That's the other thing about Bad Neighbours: although the script is incredibly vulgar, it's very rarely mean spirited. As insane as their antics are, these characters feel like real people, and as the story careens towards its climax, a big part of you just wants to see Teddy and the Radners hug it out. The biggest part, however, knows that watching them fight is just too damn funny. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4zEUuzj3a2g
With Wunderlich Lane opening its doors in mid-2024, the time has come for this bustling hospitality precinct to host its debut winter event — NightShift. Presented for one week only from Monday, June 16–Sunday, June 22, guests will have to chance to celebrate the winter solstice through immersive installations, surprising culinary collaborations, roving performances and even a noodle-fuelled rave. Kicking off the week, Olympus hosts the NightShift Greek Feast Launch Party, serving an inventive feast inspired by ancient Hellenic banquets. With bookings available for groups of ten, this lavish sit-down extravaganza is complemented with table flowers designed by Doctor Cooper, mind-blowing art performances between courses, and hypnotic instrumental grooves performed by GODTET. The following night, music brainiacs Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe take over Baptist Street Rec Club for 'The Best Music Quiz Ever' on Tuesday, June 17. Then, S'WICH and Regina La Pizzeria will get together for the 'After-Work Pizzetta Party' from Wednesday, June 18–Thursday, June 19. Dine on limited-release pizzetta sandwiches, as Barney Kato and Adi Toohey soundtrack an evening of vinyl deep cuts. On Saturday, June 21, Island Radio hosts a 'Noodle Rave with JNETT' featuring six hours of feasting and booming beats. For something at a slower pace, R by Raita Noda presents 'The Whole Fish' on the same night, breaking down an entire tuna as part of an atmospheric sushi demonstration, while immersed in a Toshiki Ohta soundscape. With several more dining, drinking and relaxation events to explore — both ticketed and walk-ins — let NightShift guide your winter solstice to untold heights.
Just when you thought you were all Harvest sideshow-ed out, along comes Beck and announces his only Australian gig outside of his frenetically anticipated headline one. The exceptionally talented and artistically scrupulous musician will play the Sydney State Theatre on Wednesday, 14 November. It will be the closest thing you will get to a sonic run-down of his almost 20-year career, and even though cramming two decades of musical innovation into one show is almost as unrealistic as attempting to write about it, it will be worth every cent of however much tickets end up being when they're released next Friday. Since releasing catchy, off-kilter anthem "Loser" back in 1994 Beck has proved his mastery of music via eight studio albums and many more boundary-pushing collaborative projects. His latest release is so good it's actually inaudible to human ears. What you probably can hear, however, is the sound of your bank account groaning under a heavy but very good-sounding weight. That you should ignore. https://youtube.com/watch?v=VkCg-3nxT8E
Heading to the snow anytime soon? For yet another year, Thredbo's après ski shenanigans are bringing a stack of live gigs to the village every single night of the week. Once you've done your dash on the slopes, slip off your skis, grab yourself a cocktail and kick back (or get up and dance). On Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10, G.H. Mumm will take over the Thredbo Alpine Hotel with its massive, weekend-long event Red Sash Sets. We're talking confetti canons, lots of red lights and bucketloads of champagne — soundtracked by Aussie DJ duo Mashd N Kutchr on Friday evening and Hot Dub Time Machine on Saturday. The following Saturday (August 17), Corona will grab the reins, with its Sunset Sessions, starring Set Mo. Come Saturday, August 24, the entire Village Square will transform into an epic live concert venue, courtesy of Heineken. On the program are Client Liaison, KLP, Kayex and Michelle Owen. Then, in the first week of September (4–8), Rainbow Mountain: A Heaps Gay Ski Week will usher in spring with five days of DJ-fuelled parties, drag queen performances, long lunches and races. Last, but not least, it'll be Canadian Club's turn on Saturday, September 14. Expect a vintage-style soiree involving retro sweaters, roaring fires and the Alpine Hotel's bubbling hot tub. Hosting will be Hugo Gruzman (Flight Facilities) and Tom Tilley (Triple J/Client Liaison), with complimentary sets by Falcona DJs and Happiness is Wealth, which is a live performance that blurs the lines between audio and art. Lock in your dates for a ski trip with gigs galore. For the full music lineup, head here. If you're looking for an even more jam-packed escape to the snow, check out Thredbo's events calendar here.
What's better than gazing at the Vivid lights from the Museum of Contemporary Art's rooftop Sculpture Terrace? Doing so with a glowing, gin-infused cocktail in your hand, that's what. To that end, Bombay Sapphire is taking over the space this festival, with a pop-up dedicated to boozy and warming concoctions. If you're one to feel the cold easily, order the Winter Warmer in Laverstoke. Served in a comforting tea and saucer, this creation is a blend of ginger, chocolate butter and vermouth. Yep, it's your post-dinner cocktail and dessert sorted in one hit. Another sweet, sweet option is the Chocolate & Roses. For die-hard G&T drinkers, there are a few twists on the classic and they all feature native ingredients. Choose from lemon myrtle and thyme, karkalla (a native coastal succulent) and orange or finger lime and sage. Meanwhile, The Barber Shop Bombay Sapphire Negroni comes with picture-ready glow-in-the-dark glasses. Aussie artist Jonny Niesche will be lighting up the MCA facade this year. His installation Virtual Vibration, created exclusively for Vivid Sydney, will turn the building into a shifting, mesmerising image — combining the formality of high modernism with wild psychedelia — set to a soundtrack by composer Mark Pritchard. While the bar will be free to enter throughout Vivid (from Friday, May 25 till Saturday, June 16) it will be closed to the public on the opening night — as it's hosting the sold out Artbar: Vivid edition — and closed for private events on June 1 and 6. The Bombay Sapphire x MCA Pop-Up Bar will be open throughout Vivid Sydney on most Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, from 5–9pm. For the full schedule, check the website. Top image: Sam Whiteside
If you prefer your overnight getaways with a healthy dose of wildlife thrown into the mix, Sydney's newest eco-retreat will be right up your alley — because it's located smack-bang in the middle of Taronga Zoo. Officially opening today — Thursday, October 10 — the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is offering the ultimate sleepover with Sydney's biggest animals. Currently you can glamp overnight at the zoo as part of the Roar and Snore experience, but this is the zoo's first permanent accommodation offering. The impressive new structure is the work of acclaimed Australian studio Cox Architecture, and sees five lodges built into the zoo's bushland. There are 62 designer suites all up, with choices of harbour, bush, animal or treetop views. Best of all, the sounds and sights of Mother Nature will be literally out your front door — the retreat is located in a sanctuary where koalas, wallabies, red kangaroos, echidnas and platypus live. So you can wander out to spot some at your own leisure, or else join a tour of a still-quiet zoo at sunrise. The retreat is, importantly, located on Cammeraigal country, and we're told that Taronga worked with Cammeraigal Traditional Custodian Professor Dennis Foley and Gurindji Woolwonga woman Susan Moylan-Coombs to ensure that guests have access to information on local Indigenous history and culture. [caption id="attachment_745450" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The view from the restaurant, Me-Gal.[/caption] Food is set to be another big drawcard here, as the retreat also boasts a new restaurant, Me-Gal (the Cammeraigal word for 'tears'). It's dishing up an Aussie-accented offering centred around local produce and native ingredients — think Fraser Island spanner crab with fried saltbush, and NSW beef with king oyster mushrooms. As you have probably gathered, rooms at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga don't come cheap. Rates start from $790 per night for two adults, which includes the two-course dinner, breakfast, general admission to Taronga Zoo, and a some very cute encounters Australian animals. But, as well as a pretty unique experience, your cash will go towards a good cause. As the retreat is owned and operated by non-profit Taronga Conservation Society Australia, each stay at the retreat will contribute to helping the zoo caring for its animals, as well as contributing to conservation and education programs across Australia. The retreat will no doubt be a drawcard for international tourists, but would make for a great night away for a special occasion where you really want to splash out. The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is now open at Taronga Zoo Bradleys Head Road, Mosman. You can book now here.
If you've been in the DIY-doldrums since Work-Shop disappeared from their Broadway premises, we’ve some excellent news for you. They’re back. And they haven’t merely moved. They’ve expanded their crafty crusade across two brand-new premises – The Makery, at 106 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, and the official Work-Shop HQ, at 80 George Street, Redfern. The first is the creative’s ultimate shopfront. Every single item has been crafted by a local artist. Hand-poured soy candles with names like ‘black bamboo + lily’ and ‘black raspberry’ line the shelves. Dioramas in vintage tins hold impossibly tiny scenes of striped lighthouses and motorcyclists and families. Reflection-based photographic portraits of surfers shimmer on the wall. There are hand-blended teas, detailed jewellery, painted skateboards and individually designed garments. Here’s how it works. Independent artists, designers and artisans 'rent' one of the shop's display environments — be it a wall or corner or shelf — for a minimal weekly fee. That's where the vendor's costs end. The Work-Shop Makery facilitates sales, devoid of commission or mark-ups. It’s a chance for creative types to display their wares, without the expense of through-the-roof rent, the scariness of approaching galleries and/or the hassle of risking inclement weather at markets. Not only do they get their very own space, they can also take advantage of Work-Shop’s increasing popularity, marked social media presence and the sheer volume of foot traffic on Oxford Street. "We work with City of Sydney a fair bit and they approached us with the space," Work-Shop co-founder Matt Branagan explains. "We wanted to create a space where we could give young makers and designers and artists a proper shopfront. It’s also a grassroots place, where people can meet and connect.” At least once a week, The Makery hosts ‘Meet the Maker’ sessions. The ‘makers’ head into the shop and spend some time painting, sculpting, stitching or doing whatever it is that they do. Anyone can drop in for a chat. “We often go into a shop and buy things,” Matt says. “But we don’t know much about the process of how or why it was made.” Workshops are also planned, with 3D crochet happening on Saturday, February 8, and Knitting 101 for February 15. There’ll also be various parties, events and launches. Pozible is scheduled to pop-up for a week in March, and a bunch of Etsy vendors are planning on organising regular meet-ups. “We want to create a community of people, just sharing and bouncing off each other, meeting other people who inspire them to take their path in a different direction or help their business,” Matt explains. Meanwhile, the spacious 80 George Street site has been turned into the Work-Shop HQ. Forty-five people turned up on February 1 for the first Work-Shop — typography with Gemma O'Brien. All kinds of new classes are on the menu — hula hooping, African drumming, robotics, foraging and swing dancing — and, in about a month's time, a cafe will be in operation, serving caffeine hits from 6am. You can even get in on the action semi-permanently by renting your own deskspace. The Makery The Makery The Makery The Makery The Makery Work-Shop HQ Work-Shop HQ Work-Shop HQ Images by Lindsay Smith.
