Category: FEATURES

Underrated Italian gem I Maccheroni has a new home in Woollahra Sydney

Updated: 16/11/2022

If love were tangible, it would be found in the form of the perfectly pillowy spinach tortelli with burnt butter, crispy sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano at I Maccheroni. Formerly located in Rose Bay, the Italian diner is now situated just off Oxford Street on Woollahra’s Jersey Road. Owned and helmed by ex-Otto and Pendolino chef Marcello Farioli who hails from Modena, Italy, I Maccheroni serves up high-quality, unpretentious, seasonal, homemade Italian fare. The menu focuses on Italian staples and is continually changing, however, there are a few mainstays. The aforementioned divine spinach tortelli, as well as a mushroom arancini, and a tiramisu. Naturally, there’s also always a maccheroni option on offer, with this constantly rotating. With a commitment to seasonal dining, I Maccheroni always has blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu (if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when the Cacio e Pepe is on offer, this is a must-order dish!). Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch on Saturdays, the two-level Woollahra joint is a homely yet elevated experience. The venue is a step up from the former long-tabled communal dining setting of the Rose Bay location; I Maccheroni in Woollahra spans two levels and features a bar, upstairs function or dining space, and more intimate small table seating options, all in a fine-dining worthy grey, blue and timber setting. Unlike its former location, I Maccheroni in Woollahra is now fully licensed, and features a substantial wine list with bottles hailing from both Italy and Australia, as well as… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, SYDNEY

Tags: i maccheroni, italian cuisine, italian food, italian restaurant sydney, italian restaurants

Sydney theatre review: Billy Elliot is in town

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by Emi Berry

Updated: 16/11/2022

Dust off the tutu and slide on your tap shoes because Billy Elliot is back in town. Based on the movie of the same name which was released back in 2000, Billy Elliot the Musical is a celebration of dance, infused with comedy, drama and inspiring music by Elton John. Originally premiering in London’s West End in 2005, the musical first toured Australia in 2007 for two years. After a 10 year absence, the production is back in Australia, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until December 15, 2019. It then plays at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from December 2019, the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from February 2020, the Crown Theatre in Perth from June 2020 and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from July 2020. The show opens by taking the audience back to 1984, to a small coal-mining village in Northern England just as the coal miners’ strike is unfolding under the Thatcher government. Billy’s mother is no longer with us, so Billy is being brought up by Jackie, his working class father who is a coal miner (played by Justin Smith) and Billy’s grandmother (played by Vivien Davies). The role of Billy Elliot is being shared by four young talented actors – Omar Abiad, River Mardesic, Wade Neilsen and Jamie Rogers. Also appearing in the cast is respected Australian actor Robert Grubb, who plays Billy’s hilarious boxing coach, George. We follow Billy on his life journey during some of Britain’s most turbulent times as it takes him out of the boxing ring… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: Billy Elliot, Billy Elliot review, Billy Elliot Sydney, Billy Elliot SYdney review, sydney theatre, Sydney theatre review

Look up: Where to see the best skies in the world

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Astrotourism is big. Really big. Some would say sky’s the limit-big. And Lonely Planet are the people to listen to when it comes to getting a good grip on where’s good to go to see some of the best skies the world has to offer. The travel gurus based in the UK, with reach to the four corners of the world just released a new tome, Dark Skies, the ultimate guide to space tourism and worship of the largest canopy in the world; reminding us to take some time and look up once-in-a-while. The author, Valier Stimac, wrote the comprehensive companion to the tune of 35 dark sky sites and national parks, where you can see the aurora, the next decade of total solar eclipses and how to view rocket launches, plus the lowdown on commercial space flight. The book’s the ultimate guide to finding sites accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association; to help you learn about stargazing and astrophotography and to see astronomy in action at 12 observatories across the globe. “The skies above us are part of our heritage, both natural and cultural,” Valerie writes in her introduction to the book. “Astronomy and stargazing are an important part of human history, one that can connect us back to early myth or awaken us to the vast scale of our universe and its many mysteries. Witnessing the sweep of the Milky Way, the remains of passing comets as they burn up in our atmosphere, or the shimmering aurora, we better understand space and our place in it.” In a day… Read More

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Dark Skies, Dark Skies book, Lonely Planet Australia, Lonely Planet Dark Skies book, Lonely Planet UK, THE F Dark Skies, THE F Lonely Planet

World Class Sydney turns the city into stage for Bartender of the Year 2020

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

If your life revolves around alcohol and making cocktails (to serve, not drink), then you’d know what World Class is. It’s regarded as the world’s biggest and most influential bartending competition, instrumental in transforming fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world. This year, it comes to Sydney, where it’ll turn the city of Sydney into a vibrant hub of events, experiences and festivities as an elite group of finalists battle it out to be crowned the world’s best. None of this happens until 2020, but we spoke to one boss chick who’s taking it on herself, a bartender at Isabel, the 2019 World Class Finalist who had this to say: “World Class truly paves the way for innovation in our bars. It helps reshape and redefine what the cocktail experience is by challenging what bartenders know about technique, creativity and charisma. It’s also a great chance to delve into the minds of our peers and see what they get up to, providing a global community where we can learn from and be inspired by each other”. Meanwhile, she and a guy named Tim Philips-Johansson will be competing in a competition that runs in more than 60 countries and has supported, educated and inspired more than 300,000 bartenders through its training and advocacy programme. Actually, Tim won in 2012 and co-owns a bar in Sydney. He said: “Our bars and bartenders have long been celebrated for being the best in the business, qualified by the fact we are one of only two countries to produce… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: best sydney bars, Diageo Sydney, sydney bars, Sydney World Class, World Class Bartending

London Cocktail Week’s done – but The Sun Tavern is always worth a visit

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

London Cocktail Week takes over the city every year in October, turning it on for the most beloved bars around the city. It’s a slurry, hazy blur of cocktails and spirits, but for those whose persistence for flashy beverages knows no end, it’s the week of the year. And The Sun Tavern in Bethnal Green took it upon itself this year to get amongst it, and you know what? No one was mad. It’s a quaint little corner spot, that for the week, was whipping out £6 cocktails to thirsty locals and visitors, concocted by the minds of one bartender ‘Ross’. They in fact partnered with cocktail bar, Discount Suit Company for their London Cocktail Week House Party series that ran 6-13 October: a series of unmissable bar collaborations with globally renowned and celebrated bars spanning form LA to Barcelona, including World’s 50 Best, Limantour. Couple it with a steady flow of pizzas from Yard Sale and it made for a quality night. Sure, it’s done for 2019, but dropping by for a visit and tipple, just ‘cos you can is always a solid idea. See more at the Sun Tavern website.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best bars London, Cocktail bars London, London bars guide, London Cocktail Week, London cocktails, Sun Tavern bar London

No wires, more music – Blue Ant are doing a new wireless earbud

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

They’re stylish, lightweight and work without you having to try; the Blue Ant Pump Air 2 is the next thing in wireless music. The Blue Ant brand has done some great stuff when music’s concerned. Not only is a heap of their stuff wireless and good-looking, it’s enhanced by the fact they’re a technology company that makes music, meaning all the gizmos and whatsits in the background and where the real marvel comes into play. They’re all about family, too. Not in the people sense, but the full range of offering sense, making something for everyone when it comes to audio products that are packed with intuitive techy innovations. Take the new Pump Air 2 wireless earbuds, for example. They provide next-gen sound with Bluetooth 5.0 that ensures quick, consistent connectivity with exceptional range HD audio all wrapped-up in a nice little sleek design that delivers a premium immersive listening experience. Tack onto that the fact they’re water – or sweat – proof, stay in your ears, run for 15 hours thanks to the protective and charging, wireless micro-charging case and pair automatically with your phone, it’s a win-win. Get them for $169.95, or see more at the Blue Ant Wireless website.

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TECH & GADGETS

Tags: Blue Ant Pump Air 2, Blue Ant Pump Air 2 review, Blue Ant wireless, wireless earbuds, wireless earphones

How to do Thanksgiving in London

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

London isn’t America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adopt some of their customs, right? Especially when they involve eating. Thanksgiving is the US tradition of giving thanks for what you’ve got and a retrospective look on the year that was before the onslaught of Christmas, so, doing the same in London can only be a good thing. To get into the spirit of the beloved American tradition, popular London restaurants Riding House Café (Fitzrovia) and Rail House Café (Victoria), welcome their Thanksgiving feast on Thursday 28th November. They’ll be hosting banquets, complete with seasonal cocktails called The Ginger Pilgrim made from bourbon, honey, lemon and ginger. This’ll partner with a slow roasted Norfolk bronze turkey cooked in herb butter, ideal for sharing. Pair it all with cornbread and sausage stuffing; maple-buttered sweet potatoes; mac and cheese; and creamed corn casserole, vegetables like traditional glazed sprouts with smoky bacon; and green beans with praline. Calvados gravy and cranberry and confit orange relish will also be served alongside this inviting feast. All for only £40 per person for lunch and dinner on Thursday 28 November 2019, the question is why not?

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: food blog, London food blog, London food writer, Thanksgiving London

5 top reads this November

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The southern hemisphere’s getting hotter, the north’s getting colder and no matter how you’re looking at it, it means more down time. Which also means book time. Which means you need some new material to keep you company. Here’s what we’ve dug up… Queer Ink: A blotted history towards liberation A history of the Rorschach ink blot test, which was used to identify homosexuality. Used as the tool for a feminist exploration into the modern day gay, it’s a great read for anyone interested in psychology. Get it here. Inspired by Nature Create beautiful and evocative interiors using the bounty of the natural world. In his latest book, master stylist and art director Hans puts natural materials, items and motifs at the heart of a contemporary decorating style that provides a refuge from the noise and haste of modern life and 21st-century technologies. Get it here for $49.99. Five Ingredient Vegan From the author of 15 Minute Vegan, Five Ingredient Vegan showcases simple yet exciting recipes using five ingredients or fewer. Get it for $39.99 here. Pardiz About a personal journey into Manuela Darling-Gansser’s “paradise past”. Having lived in Iran for the first nine years of her life, she returned as an adult to reconnect with the country she remembered so fondly. Get it for $29.99.

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: 5 book list, 5 tops reads this November, Book list, Hardie Grant, November book list

V&A Museum London: Guo Pei presents first runway show in the UK

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

First things first: Who’s Guo Pei? Remember the yellow gown that Rhianna wore on the red carpet of the Met Gala in 2015? She made that. And many other haute couture pieces as part of her work as China’s largest named couturier in the 21st century. She’s a big deal. And now, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is hosting a landmark presentation by her, showcasing looks from her AW 2019/20 Alternate Universe Couture collection inside the museum’s iconic Raphael Gallery on Friday 1 November 2019. It’s all part of Fashion in Motion: V&A’s key fashion event enabling anyone to take a seat on the front row. It provides a platform for both established and up-and-coming designers, and presents – as part of its regular series – free-to-attend runway shows for the public. Its previously featured Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Yohji Yamamoto and other large names. “I am very pleased to be the featured designer of V&A’s Fashion in Motion 20th anniversary show. This will also be my first-ever show in the United Kingdom. The V&A is an historic platform, preserving and celebrating art and design in many forms, from many cultures and very often spanning many centuries. I feel fortunate to be included onto V&A’s platform and very much looking forward to the collaboration,” said Guo. Guo Pei has established herself as one of the most inventive designers working today. Showcasing the finest of traditional Chinese craftsmanship while incorporating contemporary innovation, her designs take inspiration from myths, legends, religious, architecture, and her… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Guo Pei, Guo Pei London, V&A Museum, Victoria Albert Museum

What do you see when you look at an ink blot? And how gay are you?

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

For anyone keen on the history of psychology, sexuality and pretty ink pictures, Queer Ink is the book for you. It’s a journey through academia, exploring the history of the Rorschach inkblot test and its deep roots in the history of homosexuality. Queer Ink: A blotted history towards liberation contextualises the Rorschach ink blot test and embeds it within feminist action and queer liberation. Who’d’ve thought, right? The book uses the ink blot test as a tool through which we can explore and reveal a queer feminist history of Psychology. For example, by unpicking the work of psychologists past, it’s pretty clear that their work was influenced by their own takes on feminism and often queer lives. The author, Katherine Hubbard’s a PhD sociologist who wrote her work titled, ‘A history of the Rorschach ink blot test in Britain: an interdisciplinary, queer feminist approach to one bleeding test’ and now, her work’s made it to book form. Find it at Routledge.

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: gay blog, Gay book, Ink blot test, Ink test, LGBTIQ blog, Queer ink blot test, Rorschach ink test, Rorschach test, What do you see when you look at an ink blot? And how gay are you?

ARTS & CULTURE

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

The Resurrected Art of Silence: Shooshfest—Australia’s First Silent Film Festival In a bold leap for Australian cinema, the inaugural Shooshfest promises not only to showcase art in film but also to redefine what it means to tell a story without words. The brainchild of a trio of avid cinephiles, Rebecca Zemunik, Daniel New, and Maddison Costello, Shooshfest stakes its claim as Australia’s first-ever silent short film competition. Unlike traditional film festivals, this groundbreaking event invites creators from all walks of life—beyond just filmmakers— to weave cinematic magic without uttering a single word. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shoosh Fest (@shooshfest) The Silent Era Redefined Far from the silent film era of the past, where the medium was defined by technological limitations, Shooshfest asks participants to engage with silence as a narrative choice and a powerful tool for emotion. Through the absence of spoken words, this silent film festival beckons creators to rediscover the raw and visceral storytelling methods of the 1920s mavericks who defied the standards of their time. The festival’s vision is clear: to inspire and challenge modern filmmakers and non-filmmakers alike to innovate and connect on a deep, emotive level with audiences using the silent canvas. Innovation in the realm of storytelling is at the core of Shooshfest, with a clear goal to bridge past traditions with contemporary creativity. A Silent Revolution in Australia’s Film Scene Set in the heart of Sydney, Shooshfest aims to celebrate the very essence of cinematic storytelling. On the hallowed stage of the historic… Read More

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

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Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More