Sydney is an incredible city for eating out in — we have a stellar selection of places to eat, drink and be merry at our fingertips. But, let's be honest. Sometimes you just need a good takeaway, whether it's a delicious lunch to eat at your desk during a particularly busy day at work, a meal on the way home after catching up for drinks with friends, or a mid-arvo sugary treat to eat in a relaxing park on a cruisy Sunday. Luckily for us, Sydney has some pretty amazing places to hit up when you need to grab something on the go. From enormous sandwiches, bagels and pizza, to Greek doughnuts that'll cure even the worst afternoon slump, takeaway food is best when it's impressively over-the-top — and we've got the answers. It was a tough job, but we've managed to narrow it down to our favourite five across the city.
Made up of mathematicians, programmers, architects, animators and engineers, Tokyo-based art collective Teamlab has made quite a splash on the world stage. Their famed Borderless Digital Art Museum — which launched in Odaiba, Japan, in June 2018 — pulls perpetual queues and became the most visited single-artist museum in the world just 12 months in. But even if you haven't managed to wrangle a trip to Tokyo, you'll still have the chance to get swept up in some Teamlab magic, as the artist assembly brings its new exhibition Reversible Rotation to town for the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Taking over Melbourne CBD's Tolarno Galleries from October 5 to November 2, the boundary-pushing installation features four imaginative digital screen works, designed to make you reconsider the concept of space and the relationship between humans and nature. Here's what you'll see if you head along: [caption id="attachment_744769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Teamlab, Waves of Light (2018) by Kate Shanasy[/caption] WAVES OF LIGHT (2018) One for all the water babies out there, Waves Of Light is a continuous loop work, created in 3D then turned into an artwork that exists in what Teamlab calls "ultrasubjective space". It captures the movement of waves through continuously shifting water, the vision carefully constructed after calculating the behaviour and interactions of hundreds of thousands of water particles. The result is an immersive viewing experience, designed, as most of Teamlab's work is, to break down the boundaries between humans and nature. The shimmering artwork reflects on premodern Japanese paintings and their common use of line series to depict a sense of life in oceans and rivers. [caption id="attachment_744772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] From left to right: Teamlab, Reversible Rotation — Cold Light (2019) and Reversible Rotation — Black in White (2019) by Kate Shanasy[/caption] REVERSIBLE ROTATION — COLD LIGHT (2019) AND REVERSIBLE ROTATION — BLACK IN WHITE (2019) Both of these captivating 2019 works are again made using 3D reconstructions that are then worked into 'flat' artworks. At the heart of each is a piece of Japanese 'sho' or calligraphy, drawn in space rather than on a flat surface to create what's known as "spacial calligraphy". The 3D imaging captures each brush stroke's power, depth and speed, then the final artwork appears in constant rotation. But be prepared for some trippy viewing — the sho can look as if it's rotating in different directions. Experience it through the moody scrawl of Reversible Rotation — Black in White, and again slightly differently for the more recent piece, Reversible Rotation — Cold Light. The latter is showing for the first time ever at this exhibition. [caption id="attachment_744773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Teamlab, Enso — Cold Light (2018) by Kate Shanasy[/caption] ENSO — COLD LIGHT (2019) Enso – Cold Light sees Teamlab getting crafty with spacial calligraphy once again, this time paying homage to 'enso', the Zen practice of drawing a circle using just a single brush stroke. This particular stroke is suspended in space, though audiences will get to see it captured from various viewpoints, as they're displayed in rotation on-screen. Thought to represent enlightenment, truth, the entirety of the universe, and equality, the enso is also left open to interpretation, capturing the heart and mind of each viewer in a slightly different way. Catch Reversible Rotation at Tolarno Galleries, Level 4, 104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne until Saturday, November 2. It's showing as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Images: Kate Shanasy
Lock in for summer, as Finely Tuned presents six high-end warehouse events at Carriageworks. Bringing together some of electronic music's biggest and brightest names, each event fuses industrial aesthetics, precision lighting and cutting-edge tunes. Held across multiple dates from Monday, December 29–Friday, January 16, 2026, Finely Tuned aspires to create a ritualised dance music fixture on Sydney's cultural calendar. Think London's Printworks, Manchester's The Warehouse Project or Berlin Atonal, where ambitious curation leads to larger-than-life club experiences. Headlining the opening event on December 29, British electronic icons Underworld serve up generation-defining anthems, while cult favourite Ross From Friends presents his club-pop project Bubble Love. Next, on January 2, French industrial artist I Hate Models brings frenetic energy, with support from Polish techno maximalist VTSS and emerging Scottish DJ Sim0ne. Meanwhile, on January 3, German house heavyweight Ben Böhmer will deliver his euphoric audiovisual show, joined by Melbourne's rising star Pretty Girl and a b2b set from PARIS and Juno Mamba. [caption id="attachment_1017760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Gorrigan[/caption] Looking ahead, essential Dutch DJ Chris Stussy hits Carriageworks on January 10, supported by a rousing b2b set from UK breakouts Josh Baker and Prospa. Then, January 16 sees Grammy-nominated house icon CamelPhat joined by melodic house star Samantha Loveridge and deep house selector OLIIV. Finally, rounding out THE WORKS' debut season on January 25, Ibiza mainstay Michael Bibi, performing on the back of huge shows at Glastonbury and Coachella. "We're very excited to bring this new curated event series to one of Eora's most exciting creative venues," says Finely Tuned founder Simon Beckingham. "THE WORKS takes inspiration from the globe's best electronic music spaces, combining a world-class lineup with an exceptional level of production to create a series of warehouse events unlike anything previously seen in Sydney."
If getting spirited away to the most adorable place on earth is at the top of your must-do list, then you've likely been counting down the days until November 1 hits. That's when Studio Ghibli's very own theme park will open its doors, after years of anticipation. And yes, it's all looking extremely magical. The Japanese animation house has been dropping photos of the park via its Twitter feed, and it really does resemble the company's gorgeous frames in real life — as the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka, a city on the western outskirts Tokyo, already does as well. Something else that's obviously a delight: a Hayao Miyazaki-directed trailer for the new park, to promote ticket sales, complete with a supremely cute cat train. A cat train? Yes, you read that correctly. My Neighbour Totoro features a cat bus, but this brand-new — and very brief — piece of animation from acclaimed filmmaker Miyazaki combines felines and another mode of transport. Fingers crossed that the Studio Ghibli theme park will build upon that idea, or screen a longer version. ゆっくりきて下さい。 pic.twitter.com/BtQP4tVGCJ — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) August 1, 2022 If the new trailer for the park in Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture has you excited, then the venue itself will make you feel like you've stepped right into Studio Ghibli's movies. It's located around a three-hour train trip from Tokyo, expands across 200 hectares and was initially announced back in 2017. It was also originally planned to open in 2020 but, in 2018, that date was pushed back to 2022. The Aichi Prefecture Expo Park spot is already home to a replica of Satsuki and Mei's house from My Neighbour Totoro, and it's gaining plenty of other attractions as it becomes a fully fledged Studio Ghibli theme park. Totoro features heavily, understandably, with the site even initially described as having a My Neighbour Totoro focus. However, you'll also be able to check out a life-sized version of Howl's Moving Castle, the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, Kiki's home from Kiki's Delivery Service and a village area that pays tribute to Princess Mononoke. pic.twitter.com/DmvmhZPFze — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) August 2, 2022 Also slated to feature: nods to the cat from Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns, buildings with design elements that take their cues from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and a super-sized garden that'll make you feel like you're one of the tiny characters in Arrietty. There'll also be a permanent exhibition room, a special exhibition room, a video exhibition room, a playground, and a shop and cafe, so you'll have plenty of places to explore, eat and browse. Expect more nods to Ghibli's various features to follow, recreating other aspects from its three-decade-old body of work — and possibly its most recent movie, Earwig and the Witch, too. And if the end result is even half as wondrous as the studio's aforementioned museum, then fans are in for a treat. There, you can also climb up to the building's rooftop garden to see one of the robots from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and watch exclusive shorts (including a sequel to My Neighbour Totoro) in a cute little cinema. Indeed, the museum is such a tourist attraction, you have to buy tickets over a month in advance — and experiencing the rush of folks in the merchandise-packed gift shop will make you feel like a susuwatari (Totoro's gorgeous little balls of floating soot). pic.twitter.com/jZ92iNqhxT — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) August 2, 2022 Incorporated into the existing parklands, the Studio Ghibli theme park will be heavy on greenery and the natural surroundings, which matches the environmental messaging that plays a prominent part in Ghibli's movies. The site will also encourage "enjoying walking", according to the draft concept outline, while aiming to offer "a one-of-a-kind park loved by more people". We don't think either will be difficult. If you're now planning a Ghibli-centric holiday, you'll need to cross your fingers that Japan's border rules change before November. At the moment, foreign tourists can only enter the country as part of package tours. The Studio Ghibli theme park will open on November 1, 2022. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Moseying along George Street can involve many things. Rushing to get the train at Town Hall, weaving in and out of QVB or The Galeries, trying to avoid throngs of people doing the same thing — they're all on the list. But on Friday, December 2, the stretch between Market and Park streets will host a huge three-course lunch, serving 600 people right there on the pavement. The literally sprawling al fresco midday meal sold out last year and is back for a second iteration called A Feast for the Senses. Luke Mangan's Glass Brasserie at Hilton Hotel has been enlisted with pulling together the food, while sommelier Samantha Payne is in charge of the wine and the Ministry of Sound Orchestra will be dishing up the soundtrack to the lunch. On the menu will be smoked King Ora salmon, roasted spatchcock with citrus and tarragon salsa, and passionfruit meringue with coconut anglaise and fresh berries. There's also a vegetarian version of the meal featuring grilled sugar loaf cabbage with white polenta and soffritto. [caption id="attachment_860256" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ministry of Sound Orchestra[/caption] If you're wondering why Sydneysiders are being asked to sit down for lunch in the middle of the city street, it's part of a day-long series of dining pop-ups around town that's been dubbed Open for Lunch. Aiming to highlight the culinary talent we have in this city, the overarching event is all about long-table lunches, other dining and drinking activations, and just spending a day out of the house. Four sections of George Street are set to be shut down on the day, alongside a pop-up out west in Parramatta. At the latter, a Western Sydney Long Lunch will take place at Commbank Stadium. There, diners will first wander between stations, sampling food and drinks from Parramatta restaurants like exciting new opening Misc. From there, guests will be seated at a communal table and be treated to a two-course set menu from Matt Moran, followed by a Mowtown Greatest Hits performance from Human Nature. In the YCK Laneways precinct around York, Clarence and Kent streets in the CBD, another feast will be taking over George Street between Market and King Street. At this neighbouring long lunch, members from the Cash Only Diner, Stitch Bar, NOLA Smokehouse, The Barber Shop, Esteban, PS40 and Rockpool teams, as well as Anna Polyviou, will be handling the food and drinks for a three-course meal accompanied by music from Gretta Ray and Yorke. If you want to inject some Nashville energy into your work week, Porteno's Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz are hosting the George Street Hoedown between King Street and Martin Place. Think: eats inspired by the city, music from Josh Hedley while he's in the country from America, cold beers and Tennessee whiskey. And, Merivale is also getting in on the action with the Disco Picnic on George Street between Angel Place and Hunter Street. This summer party is being curated by mimi's Jordan Toft and Totti's Mike Eggert. You can expect antipasti, porchetta, beers, wine, negronis, and live entertainment from Groove City and two special guests. [caption id="attachment_757522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Eggert, Bar Totti's[/caption] Sydney's Open for Lunch will take place across Sydney on Friday, December 2. For further details and to buy tickets, head to the event's website. Images: Destination NSW.
Currently on display in Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria's world-first exhibition Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines is pegged to be one of the hot-ticket cultural events of this summer. But if browsing the two iconic artists' works on a wall just isn't enough, you're going to want to check out the latest line of threads from clothing retailer and sponsor Uniqlo. The Japanese brand has just unveiled its new Crossing Lines collection of t-shirts, inspired by key pieces from both Haring and Basquiat's own repertoires. Launching overseas this month before dropping in Australian stores in January — all as part of Uniqlo's UT range — the mens' and womens' collection is the result of a collaboration with the Basquiat Estate and creative consultants Artestar. And it's filled with famous designs from the two late art legends, translating a number of Haring and Basquiat's works into t-shirt form. You'll spy Haring's famed crawling baby figure, Basquiat's recognisable scrawl from his piece Untitled (World Famous) 1983, and the tribute crown symbol painted by Haring after Basquiat's death. The horseshoe sketch makes an appearance, as do the familiar wiggling outline figures, just like the ones Haring famously painted on a Collingwood wall back in 1984. It's not the first time Uniqlo has gotten behind a major art event with some fresh designs. The label's collaboration t-shirts with acclaimed American artist Kaws proved a sell-out success when they launched earlier this year, coinciding with NGV exhibition Kaws: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness. Uniqlo's Crossing Lines collection will hit Australian stores in January 2020. Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria until April 13, 2020.
On March 14, Cyberdyne presented an exhibit at the 2011 Cybernics International Forum. The invention: HAL, an exoskeleton robot suit powered by electric motors that enhances physical strength and allows users to defy typical human capabilities. Creepy or cool? A little bit of both, I'd say. At first glance, it's perplexing to think that someone can slip on this suit and instantly inherit superhuman strength. The likes of Iron Man are revered in comic books and robots are cool in sci-fi movies, but to give humans that power in real life is both scary and a bit weird. Between these robot suits and the latest thought-controlled cars, the distinction between man and machine is starting to get blurred. But if you look deeper, HAL was designed to do more than just transform humans into cyborgs. Creators of HAL had a high-tech advance in industrial work in mind. The contraptions, that come in many forms, from a full-body suit to a "lite" single arm version, were initially aimed at helping factory workers who had to lift heavy objects on a daily basis. HAL would prevent joint pain and stress on the body, especially for older workers and those with limited joint function, and also aid people with reduced mobility. In addition, in light of the many recent natural disasters, developers have been thinking that robot assistance may have a future with the military, with firefighters or other rescue personnel. A group of firefighters with the ability to lift rubble on their own after an earthquake seems too good to be true, but with HAL it is a very real possibility. Yes, it is still somewhat creepy that a human being can now strap on a suit and basically turn into a cyborg. But if it can help save lives, then it's pretty damn cool. [via FastCompany]
Two decades after Hae Min Lee's murder, the Baltimore high school student's horrific plight continues to dominate the true crime landscape. After featuring on the first season of Sarah Koenig's grimly addictive podcast Serial, it's now forming the basis for a new documentary series, The Case Against Adnan Syed. The four-part HBO series will pick up where everyone's 2014 obsession left off — the trailer below promises to reveal 'a new chapter' — not only exploring 18-year-old Lee's death in 1999 and her ex-boyfriend Syed's conviction in 2000, but the latter's ongoing quest to have the extremely complex legal matter reassessed in the years since he was found guilty. Everything from Lee and Syed's relationship, to the original police investigation and trial, to the developments up until now will feature, with the film gaining exclusive access to Syed, his family and his lawyers. The series couldn't come at a more crucial time for Syed, who was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison, and continues to fight his case through the courts. While he was granted a new trial in 2016, that ruling was subsequently appealed by the State of Maryland — only for the Court of Special Appeals to agree to vacate Syed's conviction and finally give him that retrial last March. A date for the actual retrial hasn't yet been set, however. Splashed across the small screen, it's certain to make for compelling viewing — but if you think you've spent too much time mulling it all over across the past five years, filmmaker Amy Berg has you beat. Unsurprisingly given how complicated the matter is, the director has been working on the project since 2015. And, with her excellent doco background — with Berg helming 2006's Oscar-nominated 2006 Deliver Us from Evil, about molestation in the Catholic Church; examining the West Memphis Three's quest for freedom in 2012's West of Memphis; and tackling the sexual abuse of teenagers in the film industry in 2014's An Open Secret — her new venture is certain to be thorough. Weeks out from launching the series, which is expected to land this autumn, HBO has dropped a trailer. In it, it mentions the investigation of other suspects and new evidence — saying, "the closer you look the more you see". Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1qzo2WEew As they did for West of Memphis, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will provide the score. 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' will air on HBO this autumn, it is then hit Foxtel for Australian viewers later this year. It's not clear yet if the show will air or stream in New Zealand. We'll update you as soon as further release dates have been announced. Image: Adnan Syed via Syed Family / Courtesy of HBO.
Darius Devas is a freewheeling filmmaker who has forged a career out of his passion for adventure, the importance of place and his sensitive ear for listening to the stories of others. His company, Being Films, already holds a small selection of works that may at first seem light-handed in their treatment of subject, but their apparent softness belies a nuanced, committed retelling of personal worlds. Devas' latest feature, Goa Hippy Tribe, is a documentary that traces a link across three decades between a community of hippies on an Indian beach to the social networking phenomenon of Facebook. Despite many of his subjects claiming to revile the medium, they all acknowledge that it was the perfect tool for reconnecting their mature selves back into their playful past. Following a massive friend-finding online, the Goa alumni organised a reunion on the beach in 2009 and Devas joined them to document the gathering. The result is a heartfelt collection of memories and stories that stretches beyond the cliched definition of 'hippy'. This Tuesday, Devas will screen a special session of Goa Hippy Tribe at the Chauvel to help launch the official SBS interactive website. Definitely grab a seat at this event to learn more about film with soul and of the positive side of social media when it comes to preserving and sharing memory. All money raised at this screening will go towards Devas' upcoming residency at the Binger Writers Lab in Amsterdam. https://youtube.com/watch?v=s0seVPeoPXs
Sometimes old is better than new. If there are any people that know this to be true, it is the vendors at Lunatiques warehouse in Alexandria. The space describes itself as a 'collective' that houses pre-loved goods aplenty from furniture and homewares to art. Just about every design style is covered off here: art deco, industrial, retro and antique. If you're browsing for smaller goods, Green Square station is right outside. If you have your eye on something bigger, there is parking available on-site or delivery can be arranged. Images: Kitti Gould
Just because you haven't got an actual kid, doesn't mean you have to miss out on that time-honoured tradition of taking some festive shopping centre snaps with the jolly man himself. Westfield centres across Australia and New Zealand have teamed up with a crew of expert pup-arazzi to once again offer Christmas-themed pet photography shoots. Yes – your fur-baby can get a family paw-trait with Santa Claus. Westfield's shopping centres — with the exception of some, such as Sydney CBD — are offering an extended festive photography series, with sensitive and pet-friendly options available. Unfortunately, not quite all creatures great and small are allowed — dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs can book in at most centres, but you'll need to double check before bringing in something like an alpaca, snake, frog or goat. Of course, with the pandemic, it's not quite business as usual at the Santa sessions. Instead of cuddling the big man in red, you'll be holding your pup or guinea pig in the seat next to him. A similar setup is on the cards for regular family photos, too, with kids and kidults located a safe distance away. Westfield has three spots in SA, four in WA, six in Queensland, seven spots in Victoria and a whopping 15 in NSW. Over in NZ, there are four in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Bookings are a must and can be made via your local Westfield's website, where you'll also find some guidelines for you and your four-legged mate. Most centres will have a dedicated Pooch Parking zone where you'll be met and escorted to the set, and your pet needs to be brought in on a lead or in a cage. There's a range of photo packages to choose from, including The Vixen ($29.95) for one 6x8 photo, one 4x6 photo and four wallet snaps, while at the higher end you can splash out on Santa's Gift Pack ($49.95), which includes a hefty array of photos, gift tags, digital files, bookmarks and even a calendar. Various sessions are available at Westfield centres across Australia and NZ from Saturday, November 7. Check your local's website for details.
As you're (hopefully) well aware, the season of celebrating all things Mum is mere days away. If you've got a mother in your life who can be a bit trickier to book for on Mother's Day, how about a fried chicken feed that's a hot bucket of finger-licking fun? That opportunity doesn't come around often, but it just so happens to be the occasion taking over the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel on the big day (Sunday, May 11, if you're yet to mark your calendars). This is the world's first KFC Habanero High Tea. It's the time and place to give back to mums who love a bit of spice and childlike fun. Mums are the guests of honour, and their cliques are welcome too. A DJ will play Mum's favourites all afternoon long, while a crispy menu of fried chicken and the like occupies the tables. Drinks will be flowing to wash down KFC's Popcorn Chicken, nuggets, chips, and the new limited-time Habanero Hot & Crispy, with plenty of other delicious treats available. Tickets are on sale now for $50 per person, and must be purchased in pairs. Who would dare send their mum to a Mother's Day lunch alone? All ticket proceeds will go towards Aussie youth's mental health and wellbeing, through the KFC Youth Foundation, Black Dog Institute and ReachOut Australia.
When someone spots a giant spider, they take notice, even when it's simply a tall metal piece of art. Seeing one of Louise Bourgeois' towering arachnids is indeed a stunning experience; however, so is watching people clock her lofty works. Her Maman sculptures demand attention. They're the type of public art that audiences just want to sit around, soak in and commune with. They're photo favourites, too, of course — and one has just arrived in Australia. This is the first time that Maman has displayed Down Under, with the world-famous piece arriving in Sydney as part of Sydney International Art Series. Bourgeois is one of three hero talents scoring a blockbuster exhibition during event, alongside Wassily Kandinsky and Tacita Dean. The nine-metre-high, ten-metre-wide sculpture that Bourgeois is best known for is currently on display on the forecourt of the Art Gallery of NSW, towering over the historic South Building. The sculpture hails back to 1999, and boasts its name because it's a tribute to Bourgeois' mother. The artist described her mum as "deliberate, clever, patient, soothing... and [as] useful as a spider". [caption id="attachment_927831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] If you're keen to see Maman on home soil, Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day? is running at the gallery from Saturday, November 25, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024, boasting 120 different works — the most comprehensive exhibition of Bourgeois's work ever to grace a gallery in the Asia Pacific. The Bourgeois exhibition is on display 13 years after the Paris-born artist passed away in New York in 2010, and after she stamped her imprint upon the art of the 20th century. Visitors will see her Arch of Hysteria work down in the gallery's underground Tank, textile works of the 1990s and 2000s, and plenty in-between. Other highlights include The Destruction of the Father, which is among the pieces that've never been displayed in Australia before; Clouds and Caverns, which is rarely seen in general; and the mirrored piece Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day?, which shares the exhibition's moniker. Alongside the display of art, there will be a free film series curated by the AGNSW's Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd. A heap of Louise Bourgeois' favourite flicks will be screened at the gallery's cinema, including 1958's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1971's Harold and Maude, David Lynch's Eraserhead, John Waters' Pink Flamingos and The Wizard of Oz. [caption id="attachment_927828" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] Top image: installation of Louise Bourgeois 'Maman' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins.
Music festival The Plot returns to Parramatta Park this November, and the all-Aussie lineup of artists it's bringing with it is better than ever. From the same minds behind Groovin' The Moo, The Plot's always been big champion of emerging local talent and, dropping its first artist announcement today, the festival looks set to continue its strong support of our up-and-comers. On Saturday, November 18, the festival will ring in its fourth year with the likes of electronic duo Saatsuma, Melbourne three-piece Cable Ties, Splendour and Meredith faves Confidence Man, Brisbane's Hollow Cove and triple j Unearthed finds, Northeast Party House. They'll be joined by more established favourites like Bec Sandridge, Brisbane songstress Airling and the ARIA-nominated sleepmakeswaves, with about 30 more names to come. And, if you've attended The Plot before, you'll know to expect plenty of other treats alongside their fresh selection of live local tunes. This year's festival promises to showcase some of the greater west's best, across a diverse array of food, drink, craft and clothing stalls. Just who'll be making an appearance will be revealed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here's the first batch of acts announced for The Plot 2017. THE PLOT 2017 LINEUP Airling Alex The Astronaut Alice Ivy Bec Sandridge Cable Ties Confidence Man Dean Lewis Dear Seattle Haiku Hands Hollow Coves Jess Locke Kuren Kyle Lionheart Lastlings Maddy Jane Manu Crooks Ninajirachi Northeast Party House Nyxen (Live) Ruby Fields Saatsuma Skegss Sleepmakeswaves The Teskey Brothers Tigertown Images: Jess Gleeson.
"We are the smartest men in America. We literally have the resources to take over the world." When four tech billionaires on a snowy getaway in a sprawling mansion start talking that way, as the characters in Mountainhead do in the new film's just-dropped full trailer, no one else is likely to benefit. Other than audiences, that is, because this is the latest project from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — and it marks his return to the screen after that huge HBO hit wrapped up in 2023. Here, the world is in chaos. Violent confrontations, atrocities, nations teetering both politically and economically: that's the situation. On a luxe weekend in icy climes, four titans of tech watch on. What could the US President have to say when he calls, then? "That your platform's inflamed a volatile situation, circulating unfalsifiable deepfakes, massive fraud, market instability" is one prediction that Mountainhead's sneak peeks have been teasing. Armstrong both writes and directs — and is still clearly in eat-the-rich mode as the ultra-wealthy quartet at the centre of his new movie respond, or don't, to an international crisis perhaps of their making. Steve Carell (Despicable Me 4), Jason Schwartzman (The Last Showgirl), Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) and Ramy Youssef (Poor Things) play the cashed-up crew, aka Randall, Souper, Venis and Jeff, who aren't above shouting about their supposed greatness from mountaintops and writing their net-worth figures on their bare chests. Mountainhead might be Armstrong's first feature as a director, but it's a straight-to-streaming flick, hitting HBO Max in Australia on Sunday, 1 June, 2025. Co-starring alongside Carell, Schwartzman, Smith and Youssef: Hadley Robinson (Anyone But You), Andy Daly (Night Court), Ali Kinkade (Lessons in Chemistry), Daniel Oreskes (A Real Pain), David Thompson (It's What's Inside), Ami MacKenzie (Pulse) and Ava Kostia (Love Across Time). Although Armstrong is best-known for Succession — understandably so given that it has earned him seven Emmys — he's an Oscar-nominee for In the Loop's screenplay, also co-created Peep Show, was a writer on The Thick of It and Veep, co-penned Four Lions and wrote a season-one episode of Black Mirror, among other credits. Check out the full trailer for Mountainhead below: Mountainhead streams via HBO Max from Sunday, June 1, 2025. Images: Macall Polay/HBO.
Neo. John Wick. Johnny Utah. Ted "Theodore" Logan. Across Keanu Reeves' almost four-decade acing career, the inimitable star has played many iconic parts — but only one thrust him to stardom as a time-travelling high-school slacker who had to round up famous figures from the past to pass his history report and save the future of humanity. As a result, the Bill & Ted movies have always held a soft spot in Keanu fans' hearts. Since first hitting screens in 1989 and 1991, the franchise has long been the subject of follow-up rumours, too. And now, just when the world particularly needs a reminder about being excellent to each other, the series is returning with its long-awaited third instalment. Nearly thirty years after Reeves last rocked out, grappled with fate and used a telephone box as a mode of transport in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, he's back doing the same thing. So is Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esquire, Ted's best buddy, San Dimas High classmate and fellow founder of Wyld Stallyns, aka the garage band that'll change life as we know it and inspire a utopian society — at least according to Rufus (the late George Carlin) in film that started it all, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. But as the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Bill & Ted Face the Music shows, that plan hasn't quite panned out as yet for the franchise's central duo. Twenty-five years ago, they played a concert in front of the entire world. One month ago, they played a gig in California for 40 people — "most of whom where there for $2 taco night", they're told. After being reprimanded by the folks from the future for their lack of progress — when you're supposed to write the song that unites the globe and saves reality, a quarter-century without any progress isn't going to go by unnoticed — Bill and Ted decide to head forward in time to a point when they've already penned the tune in question. Once they're there, they figure they can just steal the track from themselves. Bill & Ted Face the Music's first sneak peek is only brief, so it reveals few other details; however, if you've watched and rewatched the comedy series' first two movies, you'll know that plenty of hijinks await. So does playing air guitar with the Grim Reaper (William Sadler), because of course it does. Not touched upon in the teaser: the fact that Brigette Lundy-Paine (Bombshell) plays Ted's daughter Billie Logan, Australian actor Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) pops up as Bill's daughter Thea Preston and Kid Cudi also has a role. Keanu does exclaim "party on, dudes!" in the 90-second clip, though, and more than one version of Bill and Ted appear on-screen. As for what else the film has in store, audiences will find out when it hits cinemas in August. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hAL7emClFM Bill & Ted Face the Music is scheduled to release in Australian cinemas on August 27.
'Social distancing' isn't just a phrase that you might remember from watching Contagion years ago. As the world reacts to COVID-19, it's an important and crucial tactic to help stem the growing spread of the coronavirus. That means not only keeping your distance from other people if and when you do venture out of the house but, increasingly, staying home entirely. If communal viewing parties are part of your usual social routine, however, you don't have to completely adjust to watching Netflix alone. Thanks to a Google Chrome plug-in called Netflix Party, you can now stream movies and TV series on the platform simultaneously with your friends — with the browser extension synchronising everyone's playback so you're truly watching each and every frame at the same time. It also features an online chat function, allowing you to talk, laugh and otherwise comment while your film or show of choice plays. To use Netflix Party, everyone you'd like to watch with will need have their own Netflix account. They'll also need to use Google Chrome — and the plug-in is only available on desktop and laptop computers, so you won't be able to sync your television sets. After downloading the extension, you'll want to head to the Netflix website, select what you'd like to watch and hit the 'NP' button at the top of the browser next to the address bar. Then, select 'start the party', which'll create a URL for you to share with your mates. For those receiving a Netflix Party URL, you'll need to click on it to open it in Google Chrome, then hit the 'NP' button at the top of the browser next to the address bar. Once you've done that, it should automatically bring you into the communal viewing space. Of course, people have tried synchronising their streaming viewing manually ever since Netflix and other platforms emerged on the scene. If you've attempted that option, though, you'll now that it's tricky, involves a constant barrage of text messages asking "which part are you at now?", and just proves logistically frustrating. Netflix Party is available for Google Chrome on both desktop and laptop computers. To download the plug-in, visit the Netflix Party website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Netflix.
If you adore a hidden bar, you'll love Clarence Street watering hole Old Love's. The venue from the team behind Old Mate's Place is located down an unmarked corridor and behind a nondescript security door in the basement level of the building. You truly don't know whether you're about to find a bustling CBD venue or an empty fire escape — but luckily, a welcoming cocktail bar awaits you. Once inside, you'll find a loving homage to the world of rum. You're handed the Book of Rum upon entry, a passion project that Old Mate's Dre Walters worked tirelessly on in the lead-up to the opening. The book is a guide to all things rum, and the back bar is set up in the order the different regions and distilleries appear in the book. Flick through the pages to the middle of the guide, and you'll discover a list of fun and inventive cocktails — many of which are based on long-forgotten Pacific Island and Caribbean combinations that Walters and the team dug up from historic tiki recipe books. The Old Mate's Place owner says they've "dropped some power steering" into these drinks of yesteryear with the help of contemporary spirits and modern mixology. The Pet Dragon will delight, combining a house-made rum-based drambuie, dried plum extract, a burst of citrus and egg whites for fluffiness. The Cuban Payphone takes white rum and brightens it with sherry, citrus, sugar and orange bitters. A favourite from the Ginny's and Old Mate's menus, the pickled jalapeño Tommy's margarita is also available here — a good option for the rum-averse. There are also seasonal daiquiris made with whatever fruit is available from the markets that week. If you want to dip your toes in the world of rum, chat with the bartender and pick out a rum to combine with freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. It's the beginner's version of a rum on the rocks. Rounding out Old Love's offerings are a few memorable bar snacks. The mini Cubano and the jerk chicken roll are packed with flavour — a true delight when paired with a top-notch cocktail.
Ashfield Park is a picture-perfect example of Aussie outdoor culture; the park has centuries-old trees, there's a strong community that tends to the park's veggie garden, and there's a thriving bowlo, as well as free barbecues and sheltered picnic areas. The best part is the old palm trees that give the inner west suburb a taste of the tropics, providing heaps of shade for you to nurse a couple of cold drinks and stuff your face with pumpkin loaf and whipped ricotta, a specialty sweet-savoury snack from the close-by cafe Outfield. You're permitted to drink booze in the day in Ashfield Park, however, make sure you're all packed up by 9pm. Image: The Outfield, Kimberley Low
Spending quality time outdoors and with your pals after work is a solid way to improve your mental health. But achieving this and getting into bed at a reasonable hour can feel like an impossible task. We've found a solution. Head over to Petersham Bowling Club for a couple of rounds of after-work bowls followed by a couple of rounds of trivia. Make a night of it by hitting up the bistro, which serves some tasty bites (including a number of vegetarian options). You can be further satisfied by knowing that all seasonal produce is sourced from local sustainable vendors.
When a clown ponders its final farewell, what does it see? Cirque du Soleil's Corteo has the answer. When this production first hit the stage in Montreal in 2005, it won over audiences by setting its acrobatic feats within a funeral procession imagined by a jester — a carnival-like parade that muses on humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities — in a space between heaven and earth. Two decades later, it's one of the troupe's most-beloved shows. Celebrating that milestone, Corteo is heading Down Under for a six-city tour in the second half of 2025. In Australia, the hit production will debut at Perth Arena from Friday, August 8, before playing at Melbourne's John Cain Arena the same month, then Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Brisbane Entertainment Centre in September. Come October, Adelaide Entertainment Centre will host the spectacle, as will Spark Arena in Auckland. One of the tricks that's helped make Corteo such a success, with over 12-million audience members in 30 countries on four continents seeing it so far, is its unique stage setup. Watching this show means also watching your fellow viewers, because the action takes place in the middle of the arena, splitting it in half and causing patrons to face each other. This is Cirque du Soleil's first production with this layout. As its clown protagonist conjures up the festive parade that ushers him from this world, attendees will witness a poetic yet playful performance — one where the acrobatics are unique, too, and where angels watch over. "Corteo was the first Cirque du Soleil show created by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the same director who brought us LUZIA. Corteo is a real celebration of life that blends comedy and never-seen-before acrobatics into a unique staging arrangement," said Mike Newquist, Chief Revenue Officer of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, announcing the show's Australian and New Zealand tour. "Australians who fell in love with the breathtaking artistry and storytelling of LUZIA will be equally captivated by Corteo." LUZIA was the last Cirque du Soleil production that bounded this way, kicking off in 2024 — and notching up another first as the Montreal-based company company's debut touring show to feature rain in its acrobatic and artistic scenes. Before that, 2023 saw Cirque du Soleil bring CRYSTAL, its first-ever ice production on ice, Down Under. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo — Australia and New Zealand Tour 2025 Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 10 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, September 18–Sunday, September 21 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, October 2–Sunday, October 5 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, October 30–Sunday, November 2 — Spark Arena, Auckland Cirque du Soleil's Corteo tours Australia and New Zealand from August 2025. For more information, or to buy tickets — with presales from 11am on Tuesday, February 18 and general sales from 12pm on Monday, February 14 — head to the show's website. Images: Maja Prgomet, Johan Persson and Aldo Arguello.
Celebrate love and the arts with QUEER ACT/IONS, presented by The Q, young turks MKA: Theatre of New Writing and nurturers of experimentation PACT Theatre in association with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival. First off: A Boy & A Bean, written and performed by Nick Atkins (from 12-15 February). Atkins dives into the very vital debate of marriage equality in an honest and tender performance that sees a boy called Jack stray between love, legislation and folklore. Unsex Me, Mark Wilson's performance of whispered confessions and hilarious self-mockery, will then run from February 19-22. Want more Mardi Gras events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
Everything in its right place: when Thom Yorke takes to the stage Down Under in spring 2024 for his debut solo tour, performing songs from across his four-decade career, that's how Radiohead fans will feel. The English musician has announced a six-date trip to Australia and New Zealand, on his first jaunt this way since the band that he's synonymous with last made a visit in 2012. Yorke has four Aussie and Aotearoa cities on his agenda in October and November, and he's going big at each of them (no surprises there). The Everything tour will kick off at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, then hop to Spark Arena in Auckland. When he makes the leap to Australia, Yorke will play two evenings each at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House Forecourt in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_959883" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Avedon[/caption] Yorke aficionados elsewhere across Australia and NZ, this does indeed mean that the tour is leaving you high and dry for local shows — so we foresee a trip in your future. The singer whose voice echoed through Radiohead's 'Creep', 'The Bends', 'Just', 'Karma Police', 'Paranoid Android' and more will be busting out select tunes from the band's catalogue. He also has three studio albums as a solo artist, so expect tracks from them to also get a whirl. And, his film score and soundtrack work — see: Suspiria, Motherless Brooklyn, Peaky Blinders and Confidenza — will also pop up. [caption id="attachment_959885" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Before the Everything tour, Yorke has been hitting the stage with The Smile, which also features fellow Radiohead alum Jonny Greenwood plus Sons of Kermit's Tom Skinner. The Smile's second album Wall of Eyes dropped in April 2024. Of the Sydney Opera House shows, the venue's Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall said this "this is historic. I'm ecstatic to announce the long-awaited Opera House debut of one of the greatest musicians of our time". "A multi-award-winning artist, Thom Yorke rose to cultural and critical acclaim throughout the 90s with his boundary-pushing reimagination of contemporary rock, and has soared through recent years with a plethora of wildly innovative solo and collaborative creative projects. Yorke will bring his hauntingly existential lyrics, inimitable falsetto and rapturous arrangements to the Forecourt for two nights only," Marshall continued. [caption id="attachment_959886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glenn8881 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Thom Yorke: Everything Australian and New Zealand Tour Dates 2024: Wednesday, October 23 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Friday, October 25 — Spark Arena, Auckland Tuesday, October 29–Wednesday, October 30 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Friday, November 1–Saturday, November 2 — Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney [caption id="attachment_959887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Popcornfud via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Thom Yorke is touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024, with Australian tickets on sale from 10am AEST on Wednesday, June 5 and New Zealand tickets on sale from 11am NZST on Monday, June 10. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image:Raph_PH via Flickr.
A boundary-pushing new venue is set to arrive in Newtown in February after more than a year of anticipation. Pleasure Club will arrive beneath King Street on Friday, February 23, hitting the Inner West with cocktail and entertainment programs to rival the city's best. The bustling basement bar comes from Odd Culture Group, the hospitality team behind the likes of The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitz and its namesake bar. The space has been granted the first 4am license issued in Newtown in 100 years, and will feature a live music and performance lineup that the team promises will be a bastion of creativity and inclusiveness in this city. Adding to the excitement, there will be a creative drinks program crafted in tandem with innovator Matt Whiley (Re-, ex-Scout) and Creative Beverage Lead and General Manager Sam Kirk (Jacksons on George, The Coldroom). [caption id="attachment_828933" align="alignnone" width="1920"] King Street, Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] "We want to change the way we perceive and interact with late-night experiences in Sydney," says Odd Culture Group Creative Director Nick Zavadszky. "After so many years of control and limitations, Pleasure Club is our creative vessel — a pocket dimension of all the weird and wonderful shit we like to celebrate. It exists to provide connection, escapism from the world above, and give Sydney a safe and inclusive space to enjoy late nights." Whiley and Kirk will lead an in-venue cocktail lab at Pleasure Club. The pair, who previously worked together at Whiley's acclaimed London venues The Talented Mr Fox and Peg + Patriot, will conceptualise seasonal cocktail programs built on themes and stories. Expect these lists to colour outside the lines, starting with the opening lineup of drinks branded Nostalgia Machine. [caption id="attachment_896941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cocktail at Matt Whiley's Re-[/caption] "Our first menu will be a new take on Australiana that you wouldn't have seen or experienced before, not necessarily relying on Australian native ingredients or only Australian products to convey a story," says Kirk. "The cool thing is, with the lab equipment we have, we can create anything without any limits, and the team is letting their imaginations run wild," adds Whiley. These exciting mixed drinks will be part of a wider drinks menu with a little something for everyone — and will accompany the equally innovative slate of entertainment. Visitors can expect everything from stripped-back acoustic sets and twisty jazz performances to live theatre and plenty of fast, loud rock. [caption id="attachment_873974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Duke of Enmore[/caption] "Crafting the entertainment experience at Pleasure Club has felt akin to curating the art inside a grand museum," says Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf. "Art defies convention (or at least the best art should) — it's immersive, experimental, subjective, confronting and stirs something in you, which is everything the Pleasure Club entertainment bill seeks to offer. Surrender to your primal instincts, embrace the allure of sin, and revel in the celebration of the unique and unconventional. When that curtain opens, expect the unexpected." If this all sounds like a lot, it is — but that's the most exciting thing about this new venue from one of Sydney's most passionate hospitality crews. You'll just have to wait until Friday, February 23 to experience everything Pleasure Club has to offer for yourself. [caption id="attachment_844384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hot Mess Party at Odd Culture Group's now-closed Oxford Tavern[/caption] Pleasure Club will open at 6 Wilson Street, Newtown on Friday, February 23. It will operate from 4pm–4am Wednesday–Sunday. To stay up to date with everything happening at the venue, follow the bar's Instagram account. Top image: Christopher Pearce
Whenever a movie milestone rolls around, it sparks two things: a reminder about how much time has passed since the flick in the spotlight first hit screens, and a yearning to watch whichever classic is worthy of such celebrations right now. When a Studio Ghibli film hits a big anniversary, it also sparks a sense of urgency — although we all just feel like watching the beloved Japanese animation house's flicks right this minute all the time, don't we? 2022 marks a huge 25 years since one of Studio Ghibli's absolute best movies first graced picture palaces, which means that it's time to revel in all things Princess Mononoke. And if you're now desperate to revisit the Hayao Miyazaki-directed masterpiece, Australia and New Zealand's cinemas have great news for you: they're playing the historical fantasy gem again from Thursday, July 14. Two versions of the movie will hit a selection of Aussie and NZ venues as part of a 25th-anniversary season: the original Japanese version, which is the one that every Ghibli fan should be flocking to, and the English-dubbed version as well. And, whichever you choose, participating cinemas will also be offering a free commemorative pin featuring San's mask. It's available when you buy a ticket — although, given it's a collector's item, it's only on offer while stocks last. If you're a newcomer to this delight by the one and only Miyazaki — a film that only ranks behind Spirited Away and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind among the director's greats — get ready for a picture that makes a clear ecological statement. The iconic filmmaker has never shied away from doing just that; however, Princess Mononoke might just send his most forceful message about humanity's impact upon the earth. As set in Japan's Muromachi period (from the 14th to 16th centuries), the involving fantasy takes place among humans, animals and gods, all of which have been living in harmony until the movie starts. From there, the film charts the paths of a young prince with a curse and a young woman raised by wolves, as well as the conflict between a modernising town and the forest it's destroying. Every Studio Ghibli film is worth seeing — the animation house hasn't ever made a bad one, even if a few sit below the rest — but Princess Mononoke is a stone-cold classic. The highest-grossing Japanese feature of 1997, it's also the picture that helped bring the company's wonderful flicks to western audiences. Check out the trailer for Princess Mononoke below: Princess Mononoke returns to Australian and New Zealand cinemas from Thursday, July 14. For more information, and to find cinema locations, head to the Madman Films website.
When it comes to our long-lasting love affair with coffee, we all know this city prefers boutique fabulous over, say, evil green and white corporate giants intent on, if nothing else, killing tastebuds. Piccolo Me, however, a 100 percent Australian venture launched by brothers Roy and Charlie Hachem that aims to bring back some much needed "soul" to the chain industry, is pulling out some pretty quirky stops to help attract a crowd. And so far so good: it looks like those stops are bringing in the go. We decided to head along to Piccolo Me's Bridge Street store in the CBD (you can also find a fix on Castlereagh, as well as Macquarie Uni and Norwest Business Park by the way). The setup here is good, with a decent street-fronted waiting area complete with large counter, warehouse-inspired stalls and Connect Four if you're in between meetings and need to give the old feet and brain a rest. Otherwise you can pop round to the dining area, illuminated by some pretty nifty, diagonal bare bulb lighting, which features a cute plant wall with a multitude of green sprouts homed in self-branded black and yellow cups. As dining goes, there's nothing really that special on the menu – think all the usual carb and filling-based quick and tasty hunger killers. However, in these guys' defence, all said bread-based goods are sourced from The Bread and Butter Project (where 100 percent of profits go towards helping in-need communities), and more importantly, you don't really come here to eat. You come here to drink. On that front, another of Piccolo Me's philosophies focuses on local industry and sustainability, so your caffeine, in the form of organic Fairtrade beans only, is chosen from local roasters (a cup of Joe comes in at $3.50 for a regular and just $2 for a piccolo between the hours of 3pm and 4pm). But then there's the Nerdtella Bomb of Nutella, Nerds and milk; an evolution of Piccolo Me's initial Nutella mocha or hot chocolate that, as well as combining the Hachem brother's love of sweet treats, is so pop culture-tastic it received international attention from Huffpost Taste. Yes, it's very sweet and totally worth it if you need to binge on something ridiculous, but sadly no, it's not that amazing. You can certainly taste the tang of the nerds combined with the smooth, chocolately Nutella, but once the speckled brown nugget melts off its stirring stick, it clumps at the bottom. This is fine if you're sitting in, but on the go is not such a hot look. The gravitational behaviour of melted breakfast spread and lollies aside, however, we have to admit the team at Piccolo Me have done a fantastic job with their marketing. All you need to do is wander around the CBD circa 3pm and it won't take you long to see some busy businesswoman throwing back a black and yellow $2 afternoon saviour. And, if we're to believe all this soul and sustainability stuff too, then what else can we say? Piccolo Me, piccolo you.
Inside the towering frame of Crown Sydney, Sydney's most luxurious building by a long shot, is one particular hideaway, the Presidential Villa — Sydney's most expensive hotel room. It has welcomed the likes of Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey and Drake for $38,000 a night. You can get a taste of that luxury through Suite Sessions — an intimate concert series (think NPR Tiny Desk but with marble and all-the-way-to-the-horizon views instead of desks and bookshelves) that takes place in that very room. Kicking off the 2026 Suite Sessions series is Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, who's booked the 88th-floor room for a one-night-only acoustic gig this Thursday, March 12. Split across two sessions (6–8pm and 8.30–10.30pm), the sessions welcome just 90 guests each, with food and drinks provided by Nobu. It's not just music, too; you'll be seated for a Q&A session with the former Spice Girl discussing her life and career in depth. Melanie C said: "I'm so excited to perform in such a unique setting as the Crown Sydney Presidential Villa. Having the chance to perform acoustically in a beautiful, intimate setting is such a special way to connect with fans and share some of my favourite songs over the years." Crown Sydney is making the most of the occasion with a Wannabe High Tea following the gigs, hosted at Teahouse from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15. Expect luxe bites, Spice Girls-themed cocktails and plenty of bubbles in an experience that's sure to make your whole group zig-a-zig ah. Suite Sessions featuring Melanie C take place across two sessions this Thursday, March 12. For more information or to get tickets, visit the website.
One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of the 21st century, Chan Marshall — aka Cat Power — is no stranger to a cover. She's been transforming other people's work into something entirely Power-esque across her entire career, including honing the art on her 2000 album The Covers Record and 2008's Jukebox. In 2022, she again dropped a project devoted to reshaping songs originally sung by others with the aptly titled album Covers, unveiling versions of tracks by Frank Ocean, Nick Cave, Lana Del Rey and Iggy Pop. Now, Power has embarked on her most ambitious cover-based project yet, covering Bob Dylan's legendary 1996 Royal Albert Hall set in full in 2022 at the titular venue in London. Receiving rapturous praise, the show is a track-by-track recreation of a legendary set that Dylan performed on his first tour after polarising attendees at the Newport Folk Festival with his new electric sound. Sydney is lucky enough to be the second-ever city to see Power perform this set, with Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert coming to the Sydney Opera House as part of the Vivid Live program. Concrete Playground chatted with Marshall before she headed to Australia to discuss why this set is so important to her, the reaction to its debut in London and the new music she has on the way. ON WHY SHE CHOSE THIS PARTICULAR BOB DYLAN SET "I got an offer to play the Royal Albert Hall in London on Bonfire Night, Guy Fawkes Night... and I was like 'well if I play there, I only want to do Dylan's songs'. And that was just a no-brainer of which songs I would do. I felt pretty alone when I was young — when he was running around being a rockstar and stuff. I wasn't a rockstar, but just knowing that someone was kind of scuzzy, and writing his own shit and saying what he wanted to say and doing his own thing, that was that peer thing he gave people. He narrated and was able to articulate people's points of view during a time of mass confusion and that confusion is the thread of our social constructs." ON HEARING THE SET FOR THE FIRST TIME "It was the film, so it might have been [in] 91 — it was the film Don't Look Back... I just felt transported to this place that reminded me of just floating and thoughts and poetry and the absurd." ON THE TEAM SHE PULLED TOGETHER FOR THE SHOW "We had a rehearsal and I tried to figure out who would be best. Because it's really specific, the style of playing — the heartbeat of that is Bob's style — and on top of that, The Band and that movement of playing. Because I could say that it's a style but there was a certain feeling, I think, that was happening at the time. I asked my friend Henry Munson, he's playing with me. He's in Arsun's band, he has his own bands, too. But he was, no-brainer, going to be the Bob guitar. I had never heard the drummer play before or seen him play or met him, but I said 'well, tell me what kind of band he's in before I go jam with him' and [my friend] said 'oh, he's in a Grateful Dead cover band'. And I said 'okay perfect, he sounds great'. " ONE DEBUTING THE SET AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL "Oh my god. So, for me, I'm secondary to the nature of what's happening when I'm doing it — I feel secondary. My major concern is for the song itself. It's not psychological, it's like I have to do it justice. I don't know. I'm secondary, my physical being is secondary but the song is always the point of me doing what I'm doing. And, I can be very hard on myself but it's the only way that I can be. In the back of my mind, you know, my consciousness, my awake mind was like 'oh yeah, I'm fucking terrified'. I've never been inside that place. I used to walk around it. I used to stay at the Hotel Columbia across the park from there, you know, the rock 'n' roll hotel or whatever. And I'd always walk around that place. I'd never been inside, and to be able to play there, it was some kind of a magic gift or something. That's how it felt. It means something individually to me to do those songs in that venue 'cause of how much I loved Bob growing up." ON THURSTON MOORE'S REACTION TO THE LONDON SET "One thing was that, at the end, there were a bunch of friends there and Thurston Moore was in town and he said — he's gonna kill me — but he said 'Mr Tambourine Man' made him cry. Isn't that sweet?" ON THE MAGIC OF COVERING OTHER ARTISTS' WORK "I knew those songs already, as a little kid, so it was like — I don't want to say second nature because, as someone who's loved all kinds of music my whole life and different things besides music, it wasn't second nature to me — it was just familiar and just easy, because it was like being a kid and singing along. If I play Michael Jackson's song or something, play me the Thriller record, I'm going to sing backup on the whole fucking record with my own harmonies, because I've been singing that shit forever. And different singers bring different shade or colour, or smell or taste, to the same old song. And that's what speaks to a new generation or a new group of people, just different emulations of one song." ON HER CONNECTION TO THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE "I did a record of mine called Moon Pix. I think it was the 25th anniversary. [Editor's note: it was the 20th.] I did another Vivid fest, actually... I have the poster for all two of them. And I hope to get the poster for the third. The Moon Pix thing was really moving because I was alive, you know. I wasn't dead. I never thought I'd live this much and I was there and it was great and it was beautiful. I was with Mick [Turner, from Dirty Three] and Jim [White, also from Dirty Three] and we were, all three, alive. And it was beautiful, and it was real, and it was really nice." ON WHAT'S NEXT FOR CAT POWER "I'm going right back into the studio and doing my new record. There's a song called 'Brave Liar', I think it's the good one. Another home recording." Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert is coming to the Sydney Opera House for Vivid Live on Wednesday, May 31. Head to Sydney Opera House website for tickets and further details.
It's true every time the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras arrives: whether you're keen on the parade action, browsing stalls, partying in pools, hitting the dance floor, catching drag performances or plenty more, there's no shortage of options at the Harbour City's celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride and culture. For 2026, the lineup spans the return of Fair Day, the festival's usual beloved splash-filled soirees, as well as performance, talks, cinema and community gatherings — and that's just the beginning. In total, more than 80 LBGTQIA+ events will be taking place throughout Sydney between Friday, February 13 and Sunday, March 1, 2026. The overarching theme of Mardi Gras' 48th year is ECSTATICA, which celebrates joy as power, protest and connection — and feels especially vital in our current climate. The program once again kicks off with the Progress Pride Flag Raising at Sydney Town Hall on Friday, February 13, and sets the scene for a big opening weekend. That evening sees the return of Ultra Violet at City Recital Hall — a femme-driven, multi-sensory celebration from Sveta Gilerman and Jess Hill — while the following night, Black Cherry spotlights trans and gender-diverse artistry at the National Art School's historic Cell Block Theatre. Fair Day returns to Victoria Park on Sunday, February 15, filling the park with stalls, picnic rugs, performances, a doggy parade, the always lively Drag King Games, the Queer Fashion Runway and a full day of community connection under the summer sun. Other returning favourites include Kaftana Pool Party at Ivy Pool Club (Wednesday, February 18), Laugh Out Proud at the Enmore Theatre (Friday, February 20), Queer Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW (Wedmesday, February 25), and the 33rd Mardi Gras Film Festival by Queer Screen, running in cinemas across the city (February 12–26). Among the new events for 2026 is Mardi Gala — a couture-meets-culinary spectacle at the Ivy Ballroom on Tuesday, February 24 — plus fresh theatrical additions including Perfect Arrangement at New Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company's revival of The Normal Heart at the Sydney Opera House. As always, the action culminates in the 48th Annual Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 28, when Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade transform into the beating heart of LGBTQIA+ pride. Expect thousands of marchers, floats awash with colour, and that unmistakably pulsating parade energy. And as ever, the party doesn't stop after the parade — that night brings the return of PARTY, reimagined for 2026, while the beloved Laneway returns to take over The Beresford and Hill Street on Sunday, March 1, to close the festival with a bang. Rounding out the program is Mardi Gras+, the open-access stream championing queer artists, storytellers and communities across Sydney — from Rainbow Beaches activations to cabaret, comedy, walking tours, markets and more. Images: Jordan Munns, Joseph Mayers, Ann-Marie Calilhanna, Ken Leanfore, Lexi Laphor, Jess Gleeson, Ash Penin,
UPDATE: MAY 27, 2019 — Due to an overwhelming response, Matty Matheson's Sydney and Brisbane shows have been moved to bigger venues. The former will now take place at Marrickville's Factory Theatre (previously Oxford Art Factory) and the latter at Newstead's The Triffid (previously Brightside). All tickets already purchased will be valid for the new venues. New tickets for Sydney can be purchased here and Brisbane here. Chef Matty Matheson is stepping out of the kitchen and onto the stage, heading Down Under for an expletive-laden speaking tour next month. Known for his hit TV shows Dead Set On Life and It's Suppertime — and his new New York Times best-selling book, Matty Matheson: A Cookbook — the culinary star and award-winning author will hit up Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. A colourful character famed for his larger-than-life personality, Matheson will be dishing up a his cooking (and life) tips, with an audience Q&A and a meet-and-greet session, too. He's set to serve his home truths on topics like addiction and mental health, the #MeToo movement and its impact on the food industry, and a few of his own life's ups and downs, as well as talking about his new web series, Just A Dash. https://www.instagram.com/p/BjKhY6iHrRZ/ Audiences will be treated to a true taste of this foodie legend, as Matheson tweaks each show to best represent himself, even down to the soundtrack plucked straight from his own playlists. MATTY MATHESON 2019 DATES Perth — Rosemount Hotel, Saturday, June 22 Sydney — Factory Theatre (previously Oxford Art Factory), Sunday, June 23 Melbourne — Corner, Tuesday, June 25 Brisbane —The Triffid (previously Brightside), Thursday, June 27 Tickets are $49 and go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, May 21 via the Secret Sounds website.
It's a common perception that the northern beaches is always on a health kick. And while it's largely true, that doesn't mean you should write off the peninsula completely — it's not all doom and gloom (or kale and quinoa, for that matter). What the beautiful people on the beaches have discovered is that health food doesn't have to be boring. While you might be worried at the mere suggestion of trading in your beloved bacon and egg hangover cure, you'll be missing out if you don't read on. Come the weekend, the folk on the beaches will be set up at cafes overlooking the beach, a specialty brew in one hand and a healthy breakfast burrito in the other — and you should be too. So regardless of whether you live in the area or just visit on weekends, here's ten cafes you should tick off your list — from Manly to Palm Beach, and all the beaches in between.
Privacy and comfort are at the core of this new Rozelle tattoo parlour. Instead of awkwardly bumbling in off the street for your first inking, each artist at Hand in Hand Tattoo organises consultations and bookings privately so you can get to know them and the space. Once you enter the shop — which sits above a barbershop and massage parlour for a treat yo'self trifecta — you're met with chill vibes at the retro sunken lounge where you can chat ink styles. There are specialists across the design spectrum, with artists anything from fine line black ink to illustrative flora and fauna and dreamy geometric work. You'll need to seek them out through Instagram to find the right fit and figure out pricing and booking times, which are all variable depending on the artist and job.
The annual celebration of independent music merchants, Record Store Day, is back this Saturday, April 22, and there are a heap of exciting activations across the country hoping to draw patrons out to their local shop and have them flicking through stacks of vinyl. One such activity is a nationwide record treasure hunt being held by the Australian Music Vault. If you want to take part in the hunt and possibly get your hands on a free record from a beloved Aussie artist, all you have to do is head to your local record store and keep an eye out for releases marked with special Australian Music Vault branding on the front. If you find one of these gems, flash it at the counter where they'll confirm it's a winner and you can take it home to spin on your turntable, free of charge. [caption id="attachment_782966" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Created by the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Australian Music Vault celebrates contemporary Aussie tunes by exhibiting and archiving important pieces of music history and working with artists to facilitate the growth of the country's music scene. All of the vinyl available as part of the Record Store Day treasure hunt will be from featured Australian Music Vault artists. While the exact location of these freebies are being kept under wraps, hints will be given over on the Australian Music Vault Facebook and Instagram pages on the day. "There's a magical energy about Australia's music culture. Record stores are often a meeting place of inspiration for creatives, and we can't wait to see stores full of activity for Record Store Day," said Australian Music Vault Senior Curator Carolyn Laffan. "It's a treat to be a part of this amazing initiative and good luck to all on the lookout for hidden Australian Music Vault gems." Alongside the treasure hunt, you can also expect limited-edition releases from the likes of Bluey, Ball Park Music, Foals and Groove Armada, plus Confidence Man, Peking Duk, Orville Peck and Loyal Carner to be available on the day. And the celebrations don't stop there, with performances from Ella Thompson, Close Counters, Redhook and Tropical Strength; Peking Duk's in-store signing at Beatniks on the Gold Coast; and a stack of MTV specials and giveaways among the other activations popping up across the country. Record Store Day will be taking over record stores across the country on Saturday, April 22. Head to the Record Store Day website for the full list of special-edition releases. Top image: Destination NSW
Cosmic bass visionary Flying Lotus (aka Steven Ellison) specialises in crafting a whirlwind of sounds you've never heard in combination before. Praised as the most revered producer of his generation, he is the supreme genre-traverser and genre-creator. Before sneaking down south to showcase his mind-melting magic at Golden Plains Festival, he will be treating Sydneysiders to the years-in-the-making audiovisual spectacular Layer 3 at the Opera House on March 9, 2014. Over the years, Ellison has carved out a unique brand of ambient hiptronica that folds together the pulse of contemporary urban life with sci-fi futurism. With his hypnotically off-kilter beats, Flylo's musical palette is meticulously designed. He creates immersive soundscapes that voyage through downtempo jazz, pulsing electronica, and 1990s trip-hop. In an interview with the UK magazine The Wire, he described his recent album Until the Quiet Comes as a more pared back attempt at "a children's record, a record for kids to dream to." And true, there is a sense of musical wanderlust embedded in this record, with its thick dreamy textures and mystical harmonies. Ellison has had a busy year collaborating with Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt and Kendrick Lamar, as well as curating the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto V. Thus, we are truly fortunate to have scheduled in a session of head-spinning avant-garde electronica. This one-off performance will be a swirling array of video-game funk and room-rupturing beats, translating basslines into cinematic beauty. It is fair to say that no-one can do what Flying Lotus does. Simply unmissable. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on November 15, 2013, from the Sydney Opera House website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rbuQuvoc0YE
A city break in Aotearoa New Zealand's biggest city, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, has never offered more. There's an itinerary to suit all timeframes and holiday personalities — from the city-slicker to beach-goer, the shopping-focused traveller to the foodie whose appetite leads the way. It's a city constantly evolving its offerings, with hospitality joints popping up left, right, and centre. So, we've scoped the best experiences and places to note with 100% Pure New Zealand to help you make the most of your Auckland break. Add an extra car ride out of the city or linger a little longer in the big smoke — it's over to you to indulge your whims. What we can promise is all roads lead to a memorable stay. One with world-class views, innovative foods or even dramatic black sand underfoot. [caption id="attachment_929906" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Hotel Britomart[/caption] Stay: The Hotel Britomart The Hotel Britomart pulls out every stop for a distinctly Aotearoa New Zealand stay in downtown Auckland. Exposed timbers and brick nod to the building's past life as a factory and Masonic house, while modern luxury oozes from local artisan-crafted furniture, recycled glass chandeliers and crockery. Inside the rooms, minibars are filled generously with local treats. The 99 sustainable rooms are categorised by their views. Generous windows offer direct glimpses of the Waitematā Harbour, the CBD's skyline, or the vibrant laneways. The Wairoa Suite, the largest of the five Landing Suites, offers sprawling rooftop views framed by architecturally designed wooden details. Downstairs, the all-day restaurant kingi focuses on elevated seafood, with a sommelier-curated wine library showcasing local terroirs. Tucked away in the on-site lane are a fleet of complimentary vintage bikes, ready for adventures. Stay: Mövenpick Hotel Auckland Auckland is a food-lovers paradise, and now you can stay at a hotel where food is the focus. Mövenpick Hotel Auckland's daily Chocolate Hour indulges guests with a complimentary daily buffet of truffles, cakes and fondue between 3.30–4.30pm. When it's time to break the sugar rush, on-site restaurant BODA offers panoramic harbour views, Korean-New Zealander cuisine and inventive cocktails. Or retreat to the sleek, monochromatic suites, knowing the 24-hour ice-cream sundae service means that your next sugar hit isn't far away. A central location makes Mövenpick Hotel Auckland the perfect base for urban adventures. Step out from the lobby to Auckland's main Queen Street or explore the local boutiques and eateries in the adjacent Commercial Bay. For adventures further afield, Auckland's main Britomart Train Station is on the same block to connect you to most mainland suburbs, while the main ferry terminal — the gateway to wine-mecca Waiheke Island and bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi — is just a few metres beyond. See: Ever-Changing Landscapes with GO Rentals As exhilarating as city life is, renting a car, even for a day, is your ticket to seeing Auckland in all its glory — and fast. After all, you're never more than 45 minutes away from a beach. Jump in a GO Rentals four-wheel-drive to venture through the bush, to wineries and eventually to the surf-ready black sand beaches of west Auckland. Closer to town, soak up all dimensions of Auckland through the skyroof of a climate-friendly GO Tesla. Cruise through the bustling beach strips of the eastern suburbs like Mission Bay and Kohimarama along Tamaki Drive. Drive up one of Auckland's many maunga (mountains) for quintessential Auckland views. Mt Eden and Mt Albert offer panoramic views, and the nearby townships are brimming with artisanal bakeries and cafes for picnic essentials. Round out your journey by offsetting emissions with CarbonClick, and you'll feel just as good as you did driving breezily behind the wheel. See: Explore the City's Seaside You can't come to Auckland without experiencing it from its most impressive vantage point: the glittering Viaduct and surrounding Hauraki Gulf. If you stay in Auckland's city centre, you'll be a short walk from Te Wero Island — a nook in the Viaduct that houses many of Auckland's bustling harbourside bars and restaurants like St Alice, Dr Rudi's and it-bistro, Soul Bar. It's an ideal spot to rug up and maximise your culinary experiences. Otherwise, the area's public transport and ample roads make it accessible from all directions. The nearby New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa runs harbour cruises on the beloved wooden boat, Breeze, for a different vantage point of the city too. [caption id="attachment_929939" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ai_yoshi via iStock[/caption] See: Nature and Heritage Your Way at Auckland Domain Auckland's sprawling park is home to 150-year-plus trees as well as a stunning winter garden that's well worth the visit on any trip to Auckland. It's New Zealand's oldest public park, 200 acres in size and has four kilometres of walking tracks that can be used to explore the scenery and peaceful vibes above the city. It's serene surroundings can be enjoyed year-round, but if we're being honest, it's particularly magical when temperatures dip in the city. The gardens' sculpture walk takes on a new dimension when experienced with a bite in the air, with the cool metal of the sculptures in stark contrast to the grassy greens of the park. Taste: Exquisite Pacific Fusion at Metita At the newly opened Metita restaurant in SkyCity, explore the urban ritual that Aucklanders love most: indulging in new fusion cuisines. Offering contemporary Pasifika cuisine, Metita explores the intricate flavours of the many island cultures that call New Zealand home and chef Michael Meredith's Samoan roots. Dishes include inventively garnished meats, caviar and corned beef buns, and the signature oysters cooked in marrow. There's no shortage of things to do, see, drink, and eat here. Being Auckland's largest entertainment precinct, SkyCity houses 15 bars and eateries as well as the iconic Sky Tower and its 350 metre-high city views. There's also the award-winning East Day Spa (home to the nation's only marble lounger tepidarium) and two hotels. Taste: Authentically Loved Auckland Eats Aucklanders have solidified their love of eating into a collaborative list of must-try dishes: Auckland Iconic Eats. This list is updated yearly by public vote, and the quality is consistent. Favourites include the chicken parfait from Britomart's Mr Morris, succulent fish sliders from SkyCity's Depot and Gochu's pork and kimchi-stuffed milk buns. Consider it a starting point for your next sit-in menu, or treat it as a bar-crawl-like mission to tick off as many as possible and test the limits of your belt buckle. Taste: New-Wave Māori Flavours at Ada Adding to the list of cuisines that are hard to find outside of New Zealand is Ada, where Chef Kia Kanuta prepares elegant Māori comfort kai (cuisine). Rewarewa fried sourdough is topped with a bespoke mushroom grown only for Ada, paua (abalone) gets a vongole and chilli-infused twist, while snapper is battered whole and served with his iconic Marmite béchamel. Everything is harvested sustainably and served with the finesse of Chef Kanuta's French training. Ada is in The Convent Hotel, located in the trendy suburb of Grey Lynn, 15 minutes from downtown and easily accessible by bus or car. Lovers of interiors and architecture will appreciate the space's sleek transformation from a former 1922 Spanish-revival nunnery to a boutique hotel. Find your very own Aotearoa New Zealand here.
Across from the Seymour Centre and hidden just out of view from the hustle of Cleveland Street is a real quacker of a pub. Yeah, you'd be a goose not to duck into The Duck Inn Pub & Kitchen — and everyone would be crying fowl if these avian puns continued, so here is where they'll end. Situated on Rose Street in Chippendale, The Duck Inn's a pub with a distinctly un-pub-like feel. You'll find no pokie machines, no punters fixated on the dogs on TV. Instead, it looks and feels more like going to a friend's place that you're a little bit jealous of, with cosy couches and reading lamps, a cardboard deer head on the wall and a bunch of well-worn books and board games (Uno tournaments every quarter, trivia every Monday). Despite its shiny new interior, The Duck's still a pub where being a pub matters the most — the pub grub. The Classic Oz Beef Burger with shoestring fries ($18) is an updated classic that was our highlight of the menu. The fish pie topped with mashed potato (also $18) ties in well with winter nights. If you're still feeling chilly after eating, the buttered rum ($10 mug) goes down a warm, buttery, cinnamon-y treat. It's hard to deny the warmth and homely comfort of The Duck. Between the whitewashed walls and leafy beer garden, it's the perfect watering hole for friends, family or first dates. The perfect Duck sitting? Sunday afternoon drinks that turn into dinner with a side of Jenga.
The Chau Chak Wing Museum is all about bringing the past and present together. Not only does its collection range from ancient artefacts to contemporary art, but the exhibits themselves use advanced technology to bring historical stories to life. The museum's latest free exhibit is no exception, featuring an array of cultural objects presented alongside a stirring soundscape. On now, Tidal Kin: Stories from the Pacific explores an unfamiliar segment of history. The exhibit shares the stories of eight Pacific Islander visitors who arrived in Sydney during the 18th and 19th centuries against the backdrop of an evolving port city. From the arrival of Tahitian navigator Tupaia and the HMB Endeavour in 1770 to the introduction of the White Australia Policy in 1901, the period was rife with bustling commerce, tumultuous power struggles and changing policies. Learn about their journey through a special visual and auditory experience — explore objects like a ceremonial yam bag, conch trumpet or decorated cloth while immersed in audio recorded by the Pacific Islanders' descendants in their native language. Tidal Kin: Stories from the Pacific is on now. Get more details at the Chau Chak Wing Museum's website. All images: David James
The iconic 'grapes on the roof' restaurant (otherwise known as Chinese Noodle House) has opened a new venue on Enmore Road and, like its Haymarket location, it's all about the dumplings — and, of course, the plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling. (That special braised eggplant is pretty excellent, too.) The steamed and pan-fried goodness here comes in gigantic portions and every parcel is handmade. Once you've stuffed yourself to satisfaction, head to nearby Holey Moley for a bit of late-night putting without the swarming crowds. Opt for nine or 18 holes, and get ready for a pop culture overload — every hole of this mini-golf course is themed within an inch of its life. Putt across the Simpson's living room, through a Mouse Trap-like contraption and into the 'nine-iron throne'. It's as crazy — and incredible — as it sounds.
Imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine more than 100 different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? It isn't just a cheesy fantasy at Australian dairy festival Mould, which started making cheese-loving dreams come true in 2017. In 2024, it's not only returning — it's back for its biggest festivals yet, including for three days in Sydney at Carriageworks in Eveleigh across Friday, July 26–Sunday, July 28. If you're a cheese fiend, then you'll know that there's only one suitable way to tuck into the beloved dairy product: all the time, or at least as much as possible. As presented by Revel — who are also the organisers of Pinot Palooza — that's an idea that Mould not only understands but encourages, celebrating the mild, hard and soft bites made by Australia's best cheese wizards. There won't just be a few cheeses on the menu. More than 100 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting, spanning dairy from around 27 producers. In past years, that lineup has included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow, as well as Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — snacking on samples is included in your ticket, but you'll then pay extra to purchase slices and slabs to take home with you — the fest features cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks. Courtesy of 2024's The Grate Cheese Commission, a range of cheeses created solely for the fest will also tempt your tastebuds. This year's events will include more of the foodstuffs that pair extremely well with cheese, too, such as olives, crackers and conserves. It wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake, all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Archie Rose and Hartshorn will be among the tipples featured.
When searching for great weekend getaway destinations near Sydney, Lake Macquarie is always high on the list. To the east, you've got 167 kilometres of shoreline and a bunch of quaint coastal towns. And out west, you'll find dramatic mountains and waterfalls within Watagans National Park. To help get you and a bunch of your mates to the most lavish parts of Lake Macquarie, we teamed up with the wonderfully opulent 8 at Trinity to create the ultimate weekend travel package that's worth over $2,700. It includes an $800 voucher to spend on food and drinks at 8 at Trinity as well as a two-night stay at Luxe Terrace for up to eight guests. Grab a seat within the grand pavilion that looks out over the Trinity Point Marina and the surrounding lawns and enjoy an extra special lunch or dinner out with your favourite people. This place is next-level glam, feeling as if it's been plucked right from The Great Gatsby. There really is no place like it in Australia. Use the voucher to splurge on premium seafood platters (adding a few lobsters for good measure), wagyu beef steaks and all manners of cocktails and champagne. And once you've finished treating yourselves to a proper feast, wander on over to your luxury terrace — conveniently located right next to 8 at Trinity — to fall into a deep food coma. During the rest of your stay, you and your mates will also get complimentary use of the accommodation's electric bikes and canoes, so you can explore as much of the area as you can. Alternatively, head just outside the restaurant to hire flight boards or even organise a scenic sailing trips around Lake Macquarie at your own expense. To enter, simply watch this exciting video of 8 at Trinity and answer the question below correctly. [embed]https://youtu.be/-3n8WCHwE84[/embed] Not the lucky winner? Worry not. You can still book yourself a table via the 8 at Trinity website. [competition]898983[/competition]
While Vivid's annual celebrations will be taking over Circular Quay and Tumbalong Park in May, Western Sydney residents who don't want to battle the public transport and huge crowds can rejoice — Sydney Zoo's festival of lights is returning for its third annual instalment — and its set to be the biggest iteration yet. Glow will take over the Eastern Creek zoo between Friday, May 10 and Saturday, June 15 with a plethora of light installations and activations. Each night between 5.30–10pm, patrons can wander the zoo and discover its revamped Light Walk, which stars a safari of luminous animals and a huge range of interactive installations. Immerse yourself in the dazzling Water Walk, catch the huge lion lantern and keep an eye out for the event's centrepiece, a fiery installation called Ignite. Accompanying the iridescent art will be a KIIS.FM ferris wheel, a vortex tunnel, a maze, carnival rides and glow-in-the-dark golf. Plus, you'll even be able to explore the zoo's aquarium and reptile house after dark. Food trucks will be on-site, as well as a pop-up bar slinging beer, mulled wine and the event's signature cocktail. There's also be eats including deep-fried doughnuts, paella and treats from Enzo's Pizza. The activations have been designed to be mobility-friendly and wheelchair-accessible, with no hills or steps throughout. General admission tickets to the event start at $30 for adults and $25 for children, with infants scoring free entry.
Melburnians, you're a mere three hours away from a weekend filled with epicurean adventure in the Victorian High Country. Grab your car keys, because you're going on a road trip out of the dense city and into the wide-open spaces of north-east Victoria — which at this time of year, is tinted a vivid gold as the leaves change colour with the onset of a proper, country autumn. SATURDAY MORNING: BEECHWORTH Your exploration of the High Country starts in the historic town of Beechworth. Grab a country-style breakfast from Beechworth Bakery to set you up for the day, then pick up some of the area's most famous produce from The Honey Shop. After that, it's time to explore the mineral-rich hills around Beechworth, which are home to more than two-dozen vineyards. One-hundred-and-fifty years of wine-growing history in the region have birthed diverse styles, grape varieties and wineries. Visit young guns Vignerons Schmölzer and Brown and Sentio Wines, whose winemakers have worked at prestigious producers both domestically and abroad before striking out on their own to create some of the most exciting drops in the region. Then there's the iconic producers Castagna, who specialise in biodynamically grown fruit, and Sorrenberg, whose iconic Gamay sells out in record speeds every year (their Chardonnay is also worth picking up). Most of the wineries and cellar doors in Beechworth are by appointment only, so book a tour through Beechworth Barrel Tours, who will liaise with your chosen wineries and create a custom itinerary for your morning adventure in wine country. Autumn is a great time to visit, as it is post-vintage when the winery is a little quieter, giving guests the opportunity to taste the wines that are currently fermenting in oak and out of tank. AFTERNOON: BEECHWORTH TO RUTHERGLEN The short half-hour drive between Beechworth and Rutherglen is the perfect opportunity to check out some of the local haunts of the winemakers in the region. Tessa Brown (from Vigneron Schmölzer and Brown) is a fan of Provenance in Beechworth. Built in 1856 (during the height of the gold rush era) this two-hatted restaurant creates contemporary food from quality regional produce with a focus on seasonal awareness. If you want to drive straight through to Rutherglen, your first stop needs to be All Saints Winery and Terrace Restaurant to have one of the best-value meals from a one-hatted restaurant (three courses with matching wines from their estate for only $110 per person). For those wanting something a little more relaxed (and to take advantage of those last warm rays of autumn sunshine), stop in at Campbells Wines. Pick up an iconic Rutherglen fortified wine, along with a locally sourced vineyard platter (featuring cheeses, antipasto and terrines) to feast on at one of the great picnic spots on the banks of Lake Moodemere. For late-afternoon tipples, check out local winemaker Simon Killeen's (from Simao and Co) favourite wine bar, Thousand Pound, for the best wines the region has to offer (plus some classics from further afield). RUTHERGLEN But where to rest your head after a full day of vinous activities? Rutherglen offers you the best of both worlds. Grapevine Glamping at Cofield Estate allows you to stay in the midst of a real working winery and vineyard while enjoying all the comforts of home. The king-size-bed canvas bell tent (complete with split system heating and cooling) comes with wine and the option to cook your own meal in the fully equipped camp kitchen or order up a vineyard platter to feast on while you enjoy the fire pit just outside your tent. For those who like their accommodation with a side of luxury and history, Mount Ophir boasts 360-degree views of Rutherglen, including the Murray River Basin and the Victorian Alps to the east from its incredible 'tower room'. Here you stay over three floors in a French provincial-styled tower, with a spiral staircase that leads to the private sitting room on the second floor and a luxurious bedroom suite and marble bathroom on the top floor. SUNDAY MORNING: MILAWA Here is your chance to work off all the food from Saturday's gluttony. Cycle through the autumnal foliage and pass cellar doors and farms on the Milawa Gourmet Ride (the morning hours of autumn are the perfect time of year to cycle around, as it's not too hot). Hire a bike in town or borrow one from Brown Brothers Winery and stop in at their fantastic cellar door for a morning coffee and a couple of bottles of their Patricia sparkling wine to go. Grab yourself a map and take the leisurely 10-kilometre ride through the region, stopping in to see as many cellar doors, farm gates and gourmet food stores as you like before ending up at self-confessed cycling addict Sam Miranda's joint, the Sam Miranda Winery at Oxley. AFTERNOON: KING VALLEY AND PROSECCO ROAD Complete your journey along the King Valley's 'Prosecco Road' after Brown Brothers and Sam Miranda in the morning with an afternoon visit to Pizzini Wines. The Pizzini family are passionate about family, friends, food and wine. Their vineyards are a mosaic of Italian varietals (like Prosecco, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese), all of which can be enjoyed in their cellar door. You can even try your hand at making some traditional Italian dishes to accompany the wine at Katrina Pizzini's A Tavola cooking school. Then head to Chrismont for inspiring architecture, more Prosecco and an Italian long lunch on the terrace. EVENING: KING VALLEY Stay the night on the homestead where Australia's prosecco vines were first planted (and your last stop on the Prosecco Road), Dal Zotto Cellar Door and Accommodation. Immerse yourself in all things Prosecco by taking part in their 'pick your own Prosecco' adventures. During autumn is when you can witness the drying of the Prosecco grapes to be made into Otto Dal Zotto's 'natural' Prosecco (or 'Col Fondo' style, as they call it). Taste your way through their five different styles of Prosecco at the cellar door before picking your favourite to take back to your accommodation for a nightcap with house-made antipasto and charcuterie. Autumn scenery and produce won't last — to plan your full itinerary in the High Country and explore more of regional Victoria this season, visit the Wander Victoria website.
When you think of goods made out of recycled cardboard, the most common objects that would spring to mind would probably be cereal boxes, toilet paper or drink bottles. A fully-functioning bicycle would most likely not make the top of the list. Yet, now thanks to Israeli bike enthusiast, Izhar Gafni, it will certainly appear somewhere on that list. Gafni has created a bicycle made entirely of recycled cardboard, and all using only $9 of material. The bike functions just like a normal bike, is water resistant and can carry riders of up to a massive 220kg. Despite the material costing between $9-$12 for each bicycle, Gafni is looking to sell his product for $60-$90 a pop, depending on the extra addition of an electrical motor. Nevertheless, this innovative creation is believed to change the world of bicycles by being significantly more eco-friendly and well within consumer's budgets. The inspiration for the recycled bike came after Gafni saw news that an inventor had developed a canoe made from recycled cardboard. Even through the skepticism and doubt he received, Gafni persevered with his idea and three years later achieved what three different engineers had thought to be impossible. Gafni's recycled bicycle has since been made into four different prototypes including one with training wheels for children. He is currently working with investors to establish a company that can produce and distribute his bikes on a global scale.
Surry Hills isn't short on pizzerias. You'll find traditional woodfired Neapolitan-style pizzas at Vacanza, Romanesque iterations at 170 Grammi, fresh Italian ingredients at DOC and untraditional toppings at The Dolphin. However, next door to sister restaurant Via Napoli on Crown Street, you'll find a spot that isn't slinging your usual doughy rounds. Pizza Fritta 180, as the name suggests, specialises in a lesser-known Neapolitan dish: fried pizza. Luigi Esposito — the pizzaiolo who helped ignite Sydney's love of woodfired pizza — grew up selling pizza fritta on the streets of Naples with his grandparents and he's still using his nonna's recipe today. Expect to tuck into the calzone-like Nonna Rosa (stuffed with salami, provola cheese, ricotta, San Marzano tomato, basil and pepper) and the Pizza Elena (stuffed with pork cheek, provola cheese, creamy ricotta and basil). These function as the ideal bar snack, to be eaten pizza in one hand and drink in another. The restaurant also champions another type of fried pizza: the montanara. Instead of being stuffed and folded like pizza fritta, these mini pizzas are flat and topped with the likes of prosciutto and bocconcini, or even an entire ball of burrata. Many of the ingredients for both dishes have been imported directly from Naples. And there's a full on sweets menu too, including fried Nutella calzones and hot cinnamon doughnuts called graffa. The restaurant's vibe emulates the lively laneway bars of Naples — so pop a trip down for aperitivo hour in your diary. You can sip Aperol spritzes, negronis and Italian beers and vinos, of course, and tuck into a range of classic Italian bar snacks. Our tip: try and nab a seat near the open kitchen, where chefs are tossing and kneading the pizza dough throughout service.
New York City is known for its best-in-class dining. But here's something not everyone tells you: there are some incredibly tasty spots to eat and drink outside the five boroughs, too. From Poughkeepsie to Buffalo and everywhere in between, upstate New York is teeming with culinary destinations that are worth venturing beyond the city for. As you make your way between outstanding outdoor landmarks and cultural institutions, finding a charming town filled with acclaimed eateries and brewery bars is a cinch. There's also a rich variety of farms and specialty stores to drop by to see how the magic happens right before your eyes. We've teamed up with New York State to showcase some of the best cafes, restaurants, markets and drinking spots that ensure your next adventure to New York is one your tastebuds will remember. [caption id="attachment_846987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Plan Bee Brewery, Derek Dellinger, Plan Bee Farm Brewery[/caption] DRINKS New York State's farm-to-table scene hasn't overlooked the world of drinks, with a raft of breweries, distilleries and wineries ensuring you can sip a small-batch drop that leaves a powerful impression. Poughkeepsie's Plan Bee Farm Brewery has a ground-to-glass philosophy. Most of the company's ingredients grow either on-site or in nearby paddocks — we're talking water from the wells, estate-grown hops and fruits, and yeast cultivated from the farm's raw honey. The taproom is open Fridays to Sundays from 12pm, so swing by to sample what's on tap. Don't let the name get you down – The Brewery of Broken Dreams in Hammondsport is anything but. Founded by a couple of dedicated beer lovers, the venue earned its moniker following several failed attempts to get a craft beer venture off the ground. Drawing inspiration from their hardship, the duo transformed an old winery into a stunning brewery bar with 12 rotating taps of ale that display the best local hops and malt. In Aurora, on the outskirts of Buffalo, the 42 North Brewing Company has a first-rate taproom, brewery and beer garden that you can easily while away a few hours in. And don't worry if you really do lose track of time — the venue also has four lofts that you can spend the night in, complete with windows peeking into the brewery floor, balcony doors overlooking the beer garden and complimentary growlers. [caption id="attachment_845910" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arrowood Farms[/caption] Then, in Accord, Arrowood Farms is a celebrated gastropub with a sustainable ethos. Via a small-batch brewery, a distillery and a farm-to-table restaurant, it produces diverse culinary pleasures from ingredients grown on the property or within the Hudson Valley. If vino is more your bag, pay a visit to Bacchus Wine Bar. You'll find this restaurant and wine bar tucked inside Buffalo's historic Calumet building — a famous art nouveau landmark built in the early 20th century. Here, visitors will discover an award-winning seasonal wine list that shuns pretension. Food-wise, the venue serves a simple yet delicious menu, including New York-style strip steaks, half-racks of lamb and pecan-crusted salmon. Meanwhile, Kingston's reputation as an artsy hub deserves a cute wine bar to match. Fortunately, these prayers are answered in Brunette. This chic wine bar is big on low-intervention wine, beer and cider. It's a theme that tracks to the venue's design, too, with simple wood furnishings, white marble benchtops and a baby pink facade. Pair your vino with a selection of snacks to share — think trout roe nachos, tinned fish served with bread and pickles, and kale caesar salad. Or, to try directly from the source, visit some of the state's top wineries. Our picks are Ravines Wine Cellars in Geneva, particularly to try its bone-dry riesling in the stunning historical barn, and Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, based in the Hudson River region, where you can enjoy a picnic in the garden with a bottle of its award-winning chardonnay or tocai friulano (an Italian variety). [caption id="attachment_845328" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phoenicia Diner[/caption] RESTAURANTS As you wander your way through upstate New York, you'll be presented with many blue-chip restaurants putting unmatched passion into their cuisine. Nowhere is this more evident than Woodstock's Silvia. This family-owned eatery bases its offering around locally sourced organic ingredients prepared over a woodfired grill. Alongside grilled wild shrimp, woodsmoked pork chops and seared brussels sprout, trademark cocktails like pomegranate hibiscus sours and spiced beet margaritas will go down an absolute treat. A few miles up the road in Phoenicia, the Phoenicia Diner has served classic American cuisine since 1962. The current owner has taken this longstanding roadside eatery in a local direction, with the menu showcasing seasonal produce grown on farms throughout the Catskills and Hudson Valley. All-day breakfast classics like buttermilk pancakes and bagels topped with lox and cream cheese hit the spot. Lunch takes things up a notch with sandwiches jam-packed with your choice of Korean fried chicken, meatloaf or chorizo. Po'boy fans will struggle to resist a Catskills interpretation of this Louisiana favourite: cornmeal-crusted trout, remoulade, tomato and lettuce on a baguette. Keep driving inland along scenic Route 28 to come across Peekamoose in Big Indian — a stunning example of farm-to-feast dining that makes the most of its surrounding landscape. The rustic yet refined menu highlights the close relationships the restaurant has built with the region's top farmers and makers. Plus, the rejuvenated farmhouse is styled with fascinating found objects, which may prompt some interesting dinner conversation. [caption id="attachment_845288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Garage Taco Bar[/caption] The Garage Taco Bar offers more than its no-frills storefront and decor may suggest. Housed inside a former auto shop in Binghamton, this industrial-chic taco joint and cocktail bar is decorated with the remnants of old steering wheels, bumper grills and rims. The Mexican street food-style cuisine includes everything from taco platters to stacked burritos. Further north, at the tip of Seneca Lake, FLX Table in Geneva is where food and community combine. You may have frequented pared-back restaurants that only offer a dozen or so seats before — but have you ever had to join everyone around the same table? Embrace your inner extrovert to make the most of the dinner party vibes and the seasonal five-course meal. [caption id="attachment_845006" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anchor Bar, NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] Of course, we can't forget to mention one of the most legendary foods to come out of the state of New York: buffalo wings. If you're going to eat 'em, Anchor Bar — the (alleged) birthplace of this hearty snack — is where to do so. As the story goes, Teressa Bellissimo tossed some leftover wings in hot sauce to feed her son's ravenous friends in 1964, resulting in the famed dish that's now served in bars around the globe. The restaurant is a great pitstop on the way to Niagara Falls, so you have no excuses not to pull in for a wing feast. [caption id="attachment_851107" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roots Café, Courtesy of Roots Café[/caption] CAFES Directly opposite Hudson train station, you'll find Kitty's Market and Cafe. Nab a table in the outdoor patio to soak up the sun as you dine on home-style cuisine — the venue is renowned for its signature rotisserie chicken sandwiches and top-notch coffee. Have a long drive ahead? Stock up on road-trip snacks from its range of eclectic provisions. When exploring the picturesque Finger Lakes district, Roots Cafe in Naples is the ideal spot to rest up and re-caffeinate. This quaint old-fashioned home may look like something straight out of an iconic US TV show (think more Dawson's Creek than Schitt's Creek) but it also happens to serve some pretty tasty food. The menu changes seasonally based on local supply but is always reliably hearty Modern American fare, like braised brisket with veggies, barbecue pulled pork sambos and good ol' fashioned mac 'n' cheese. [caption id="attachment_853529" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ithaca Farmers Market, NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] MARKETS AND SPECIALTY STORES Upstate New York is a haven for fresh produce and locally made goods, so there are unsurprisingly dozens of markets and microbusinesses worthy of a visit. First up: the Ithaca Farmers Market. Each weekend, 130 chefs, farmers and artisans (each of whom grow their wares within 30 miles of Ithaca) set up shop to sell their wares. You also don't have to trek to Canada to sample world-class maple syrup. Based in Dover Plains, Soukup Farms is a third-generation producer of pure syrup and other specialty products, including maple cream, maple hot sauce and even maple candles. Another enduring operation selling sweet treats is Parkside Candy. This popular confectionery store and ice cream parlour was founded in Buffalo in 1927, and the decor doesn't seem to have aged a day. Parkside is known for its handmade chocolates and old-fashioned lollipops, but don't leave without trying its signature Sponge Candy — it's melt-in-your-mouth good. To start planning your trip to New York State, head to iloveny.com. Also, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best places to stay, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and day trips from NYC. Top image: Arrowood Farms
Creating a list of the very best Thai restaurants in Sydney is no easy feat. We're spoilt for choice when it comes to places that serve up the perfect green curry, pad thai and tom yum soup. But while us Aussies love these classic dishes, each of Sydney's best Thai restaurants serves up stacks of other regional delicacies that must be ordered — either keeping traditional dishes as authentic as possible or totally reinventing them for a new audience. These are the Thai diners in Sydney where you can safely go off-piste. Ask the server for recommendations or simply close your eyes and pick something totally random. Let fate decide. Whatever option you choose, you won't be disappointed by the food, drinks and service at the best Thai restaurants in Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney The Best Indian Restaurants in Sydney The Best Restaurants in Sydney The Best Ramen in Sydney
Head to Melbourne's Reine and La Rue for a French meal in the luxe surroundings of the neo-gothic Melbourne Stock Exchange building, or to Purple Pit in the same abode for Euro-style cocktails, and you'll be eating and drinking at Australia's two most-stylish hospitality venues for 2024. At this year's Australian Interior Design Awards, which were announced on Friday, June 14 in Sydney, the pair shared the Hospitality Design accolade in a night that showered plenty of love upon Victorian locations. A house in Northcote earned the top award at this year's ceremony, the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design. Unsurprisingly, it also took out the Residential Design Award, although it had company there with a a New South Wales abode named Daddy Cool. And if you're wondering what makes a home dazzle so much that it's considered the absolute pinnacle of interior design in Australia for the past year, Northcote House earned praise for boasting an "exciting collision of technology, sculpture and innovative material use" — and also for its "unfamiliar yet captivating interior spaces". [caption id="attachment_962126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reine and La Rue, Tim Salisbury[/caption] Now in its 21st year, AIDA highlights spectacular decor in shops, workplaces, homes and public settings. When it revealed its shortlisted picks for this year in April, it whittled down its choices to 222 projects from around the country (plus a few overseas that spring from local talent), which is a record for the awards. Back in the Hospitality Design field, four other venues received commendations, giving the revamped Gerard's in Brisbane, Bar Besuto in Sydney, The Sporting Club Hotel in Melbourne and Bambino in Vietnam some affection. [caption id="attachment_962130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Northcote House, Tom Ross[/caption] In the Retail Design category, the flagship store for fashion outfit Song for the Mute in George Street in Sydney did the honours, with the city's LeTAO getting a commendation alongside Melbourne's Pidapipó Laboratorio, July at QVM and Up There. The list of award-winning spots — and commended ones — that the public can easily check out includes the Public Design field, where the Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre on Phillip Island in Victoria emerged victorious. The Art Gallery of New South Wales' library and members lounge scored a commendation, as did the Memorial Hall at Christ Church Grammar School in Melbourne and The Embassy of Australia in Washington DC in the US. [caption id="attachment_962131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Song for the Mute, Tom Ross[/caption] While you can't head along anymore, the Installation Design Award went to the design wall championing Melbourne-born product designs at the National Gallery of Victoria, in a category that commended the Community Hall at the NGV's 2023 Melbourne Now exhibition, as well as Zampatti Powerhouse — a retrospective devoted to fashion designer Carla Zampatti — at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. The Australian Interior Design Awards also make state-by-state choices from both commercial and residential premises, with plenty of the above spots also popping up. In Victoria, Reine and La Rue and Northcote House topped the list, while 477 Pitt Street and Daddy Cool were NSW's picks, and Gerard's and a Gold Coast apartment were Queensland;s. Vin Populi and Proclamation House did the honours in Western Australia, as did the Samstag Museum of Art at University of South Australia and Stirling Residence in SA. [caption id="attachment_962127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gerard's, David Chatfield[/caption] [caption id="attachment_962128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Besuto, Damian Bennett[/caption] [caption id="attachment_962129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sporting Club Hotel, Derek Stawell[/caption] For the full Australian Interior Design Awards 2024 winners, head to the AIDA website. Top image: Purple Pit, Peter Clarke Photography.
Imagine a fully immersive theatre experience with a choose-your-own-adventure twist and lots of macabre nods to Edgar Allan Poe, and you'll have some idea of what to expect when A Midnight Visit takes over an abandoned Sydney warehouse later this year. Unlike any theatre offering the city has seen before, this captivating experience is part performance, part playground and part film set. And it's being brought to life across 30 rooms of an eerie, two-storey, 3500-square-metre Newtown warehouse before it's demolished to make way for apartments. Audiences will find themselves transported into a dream world that takes its cues from those notoriously macabre works of Edgar Allan Poe, as imagined by a team of local actors and a crew of innovative sound, film-set and costume designers. Expect an air of David Lynch and some Stanley Kubrick vibes, with a spot of steam-punk thrown in for good measure. "The experience explores themes of madness, guilt, death, impermanence and memory — just the small things in life," explains director and co-creator Danielle Harvey. "It's sometimes funny, sometimes sexy, sometimes wistful, and yes, sometimes a bit scary." It won't be for the faint-hearted, with hints to uneven floors, suffocatingly small spaced and many 'troubled characters'. If you're thinking you might need some sort of tipple to calm your nerves before all of that, or after, you'll find yourself in good hands at The Ravens Rest pop-up bar, curated by Studio Neon. A Midnight Visit will run from October 3 until December 9, at 655 King Street Newtown. Tickets are $45, available here. Preview performances from September 19 will also be available for $25.
