Category: FEATURES

Chinese Terracotta Warriors on display with Cai Guo-Qiang’s ‘The Transient Landscape’ at Melbourne’s NGV

Updated: 16/11/2022

It was back in December that news the Chinese Terracotta Warriors were coming to Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria and now, the time’s come. Presented alongside of one of the most exciting Chinese contemporary artists of our time, Cai Guo-Qiang, the Terracotta Warriors are back at the NGV for the second time in history, for the enjoyment of art lovers who’re after a journey through history and a celebration of contemporary Chinese art. Cai Guo-Qiang’s exhibition, The Transient Landscape, is a presentation of all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions, including a monumental installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds. It’s quite epic to see. Exclusive to Melbourne and presenting nearly 170 works, the exhibition will offer a new perspective on Chinese culture, past and present and features 8 life-size Terracotta Warriors and monumental new works by Cai Guo-Qiang including, Murmuration (Landscape) 2019. See the exhibition at the NGV International from 24 May 2019 – 13 October 2019. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality | Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape from NGV on Vimeo.

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

Tags: cai guo qiang, Chinese Terracotta Warriors, Melbourne Gallery, national gallery victoria, ngv, NGV International, ngv melbourne, terracotta warriors, the f melbourne, the f ngv

Mexican in London: Bottomless brunch at Santo Remedio

Mexican food and margaritas at Santo Remedio

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

If Mexican if your thing, and endless drinks do the job, too, then Santo Remedio has you covered. For Cinco de Mayo – and just ‘cos – Santo Remedio is the Mexican cantina in London that is joining the fold of bottomless brunch offerings in central London to spice up any weekend. Since 4 May, the folks behind Santo Remedio, Edson and Natalie have worked on mid-morning classics as well as their most popular dishes, inspired by recipes found in Mexico City, Yucatan, Oaxaca and beyond. Unlimited margaritas, bubbles or beer along with three courses and extra tasters, what’s on at Santo Remedio is all about a flavour-packed journey of tacos, slow-cooked meats, and veggie dishes. Think starters of guacamole and tortilla chips, baby potato flautas (fried corn tortillas stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes), pork carnitas tacos made with Herefordshire pork, or the prawn Aguachile Rojo. Then for mains, you’re looking at the likes of chilaquiles verdes o rojos with fried eggs, a traditional Mexican dish of fried tortillas bathed in salsa until tender; hibiscus flower enchiladas, a quirky take on the regular enchiladas, replacing meat with the fragrant flower; and chicken enchiladas suizas, a bold and zesty spin on this treasured dish with tomatillo salsa and chihuahua cheese. There are other options for meatier eaters, too! Find out more about the £45 bottomless brunch at Santo Remedio and make your own booking at their website.

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

Tags: Bottomless brunch London, Mexican food London, Santo Remedio, Santo Remedio Mexican food London

Strazzanti London: Hackney Coffee Company & Campari UK launching The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Strazzanti Italian restaurant in London have joined up this Saturday 18 May with their friends Hackney Coffee House for their latest Sicilian dining experience, focusing on good food, great drinks and even greater times as the sun begins to show itself more and more. Appropriately called The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo, it’s a staring point for the summertime session with more dates to come, but it’ll be a celebration of all the things we love about our longer London days and the Italian influence of venues like Hackney Coffee Company. There’s a special menu that’ll be served too, curated by chef Emilia Strazzanti, that’ll draw upon her Sicilian heritage with a number of regional dishes just like her Grandparents would make. Emilia will be using locally sourced artisanal East London and Sicilian produce to produce three iconic food and drink stations. The food stations are: Stuzzichini Station featuring featuring crispy deep-fried Primo Sale cheese with honey & Sicilian oregano; beef and caper croquettes with salsa verde; bruschetta with tomatoes and Strazzanti Pesto Trapense; and pane cunzato with broccolli, garlic, chilli and anchovies. Enoteca Wine and Pasta Station Featuring aubergine timballo Siciliano, and fresh Pasta e Basta pasta with wild fennel Sicilian sausage ragu, while the Negroni and dessert station will offer a trio of cakes: Sicilian pistachio, almond, and hazelnut. Sicilian red and white wine Aperol Spritz & Negroni Station Available all evening. With an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or glass of wine in hand and plenty of food being served to stimulate the appetite, it’ll be a session worth experiencing. Tickets cost £45 per person and includes all food, 1 x… Read More

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

Tags: Best food London, Best Italian restaurants London, London food, London Italian restaurants, Strazzanti Italian London, Strazzanti London: Hackney Coffee Company & Campari UK launching The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo

Test driving Toyota Fortuner GXL: Going bush the right way

James Banham playing with a dog next to the Toyota Fortuner

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Sometimes you just need some ‘you’ time. And what’s the best way to get it? Getting the hell outta Dodge and heading for the sticks, of course. Sure, throw a bath in there, some bottles of red and cheese and you’ve got a top-notch weekend away to soak up that R&R, but it’s how you get there that really sets the pace for the final destination. Enter the Toyota Fortuner GXL. It’s an SUV with enough go under the hood to make the journey pretty effortless – and fuel efficient – enough comfort and suspension to give you the allusion of cloud-like driving and enough space for you to basically live in, if you forgot to finalise your payment for that AirBnB in the mountains you loved. MORE: What the Toyota Koba mini SUV is like to drive We’re going to take a look at how the Fortuner tops off a trip up to terrain that your little city buzzbox might have a meltdown over. The look At first glance, the Toyota Fortuner is big. Very big. But, with size comes safety and with safety comes a stress-free drive, which is what you want when tackling anything from winding mountain roads, to tight inner-city corners. It’s a complete 7-seater with two retractable rear seats to stick any additional kids you might wind-up with, friends on a night out, bags or pets. They even fold up conveniently for the times you don’t want to feel quite like you’re at the head of a people mover while… Read More

Category: CARS, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Best crepes in Sydney for Vivid Festival: Four Frogs Creperie

by Emi Berry

Updated: 16/11/2022

The countdown is on to Vivid Sydney, where spectacular light exhibitions transform the city over a three week period commencing Friday 24 May. While there will be events taking place all over the city, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House and The Rocks will no doubt take centre stage during this iconic light festival. As the city illuminates from 6pm each evening, you’ll probably want to grab dinner before, after or in between discovering the inspiring light installations. The nights will be cool, so what better way to warm up than indulging in a warm glass of mulled French cider and a delicious crepe at Circular Quay’s Four Frogs Creperie. Founded by four Frenchmen who fell in love with Australia, Four Frogs Creperie is the real deal when it comes to mouth-watering sweet crepes and galettes (savoury crepes). With over 50 variations of a mix of crepes and galettes on offer, even the fussiest eaters amongst us will find something to satisfy. For those seeking a traditional French galette, you can’t go past the La tartiflette which is produced with bacon, Swiss and raclette cheese, potato and onion slow-cooked in cider. You can choose to add an egg to the topping, which is highly recommended if you really want to enjoy the complete ‘la tartiflette’ experience. We’ll also let you in on a very important tip, particularly during those cold evenings by the harbour: the homemade mulled cider is exceptionally good, so why not spoil yourself and order a glass to accompany your meal. Made with… Read More

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

Tags: Best crepes Sydney, Crepes Sydney, Crepes VIVID Sydney, Four Frogs, Four Frogs Crepes, french restaurants sydney, vivid sydney

Simple yoghurt done simply: The new range from five:am

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Long gone are the days of yoghurts drowning in sugar and a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce, five:am has launched a new range that makes things simple. And the difference is, it’s actually good. You know normally when someone tries to ring out a new range of yoghurt without the bad stuff we all love, it can sometimes flop? Well, this doesn’t. The new range is called five:am SIMPLY. They say it’s yoghurt as it should be and made with nothing but yoghurt and fruit or honey. It doesn’t include any added sugar, any nasties, preservatives or anything artificial. So, for those who’re after something that isn’t leading to your own demise, this isn a good choice. Get five:am from supermarkets.

Category: FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Five am, Five am yoghurt, THE F five am, Yoghurt

Highball: New Zealand’s first dedicated spirits and cocktail festival

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Right in the middle of Wellington, New Zealand, Highball is happening on 11-12 May. It’s the country’s immersive celebration of cocktails and spirits, giving people the chance to explore distilleries, rare exports and other bevs, presented by local and international masters of Wellington’s cocktail bars and talent. Joined by the women of Wellington who’ve made such a name for themselves in the bar scene, they’ll be shaking, stirring and garnishing cocktails throughout the festival. Abi Chilcott (Havana Bar) and Laura Walker (Forrester’s Lane) are are a couple of newbies who are making waves in the bartending industry and will show off their bespoke cocktail recipes and the secret to a perfect cocktail. In partnership with Liquorland, there will be 16 regional and international distilleries on show throughout the weekend, including Johnnie Walker (Scotland), Arette Tequila (Mexico), as well as Kiwi craft spirits producers like Denzien Urban Gin Distillery, Thomson Whisky and many more. See more at the festival’s website.

Category: FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Highball cocktail festival, Highball cocktails, Highball cocktails New Zealand, Wellington cocktail bar, Wellington New Zealand cocktails

Opera for One: The new initiative for opera lovers who go it alone

La Traviata 2018 Opera Australia brindisi

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

If you love opera, but your friends just don’t get it, then never fear: your days of going to the opera to see the wowing productions of Opera Australia are over. OA are introducing ‘Opera for One’, a new initiative for people who’ve for too long, enjoyed the dazzling highs of Carmen and the heart-wrenching plights of La Traviata by themselves. For the upcoming autumn season of opera in Melbourne, Australia, OA found that the number one reason people do not attend the opera is because they have no one to go with. One in five people said they had not yet seen a performance because they were unwilling to go on their own. Opera for One, the incredible new initiative by Australia’s largest opera production company aims to bring together solo attendees so they have someone to enjoy the show with and chat to during those awkward moments pre-show, during interval and that all-important post show critique. How it works is simple: If you’ve bought an Opera for One ticket, you’ll be invited to complimentary drinks and canapès an hour before the performance to meet other solo guests in a welcoming and relaxed environment. The group will be treated to a pre-performance talk by a member of the OA creative team before all being seated together for the show. The upcoming opera season in Melbourne includes these shows, which you can more easily visit alone now, if you’ve always wanted to, or just if you prefer it that way! RIGOLETTO State Theatre, Arts Centre… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA

Tags: Going to opera alone, How to go to opera alone, opera, opera australia, Opera for One, the f opera, THE F Opera for One

Jardin Blanc: Eat with Raymond Blanc at the Chelsea Flower Show in London

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

In what is possibly one of London’s most refined experiences at the hands of chef Raymond Blac, Jardin Blanc will again appear in Chelsea this year for a stunning gastronomic experience that money can buy. Blanc’s two hats will take centre stage at the secret garden restaurant – Jardin Blanc – amongst the renowned Chelsea Flower Show in London, giving diners a taste of what the £402 per person package can award you. From 21 to 25 May, Jardin Blanc will once again be the premium hospitality experience and hot ticket for London’s must-visit show, turning out access to the show, a complimentary open bar and special menus curated using the best seasonal ingredients, served with style for ticket holders. It’s all about flowers, food and fine experiences, all designed by Raymond Blanc and inspired by springtime’s sensational produce in a super flash surrounding. What to expect at Jardin Blanc “[Jardin Blanc is] an enchanting place filled with art, food, fun and of course, flowers,” said Raymond. “From breakfast to lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, we’ll provide for you a memorable experience.” Think ‘terrace’, with glasses of champagne, a pergola covering and swinging benches by Myburgh Designs, unlimited gin cocktails using Warner Edwards’ gin and the freshest of spring botanicals. For those a little more ‘hands-on’ and gin inclined, there’s a a gin tasting at Jardin Blanc as part of Tuesday’s La Lily Regale package, which for Friday visitors, means access to a live cookery demonstration from Raymond, with exclusive tastings accompanied by Champagne. Find… Read More

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

Tags: Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea Flower Show London, Chelsea London, Jardin Blanc, Jardin Blanx tickets Chelsea Flower Show, Raymond Blanc, THE F Chelsea Flower Show, the f food, The F London, THE F Raymond Blanc

Taimi: The gay dating app that will alter the world of gay dating in Australia

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

A new dating app designed especially for gay people was launched in Australia last Saturday. Taimi claims to be different from other online applications of its kind. Here’s why. Overcoming stereotypes The market is oversaturated with one-night-stand driven dating apps. Developers of those usually have a false perception that all the gay men are looking just for a hook-up. Taimi challenges this myth maintaining an environment for trusting and meaningful connections. This app takes dating seriously and welcomes users who do the same. It provides them not only with a standard swiping process, but with a number of tools allowing to make a statement about their worldview: Creating personalized interactive feed, Sharing stories, Creating and following thematic groups inside the app. All this makes Taimi much more than just a place to find a casual one-nighter. Creating community With all these features, Taimi – dating app at its core – becomes also a social network. The app brings together people with common interests and issues. Thus, Taimi is a free-from-discrimination place where gay people feel safe and understood. It encourages efficient private communication providing users with various instruments, such as video calls and icebreakers, which pop up every time you match with someone. There’s more Safety Features. Taimi’s thorough verification process and 24/7 moderation eliminate attempts to create fake accounts. In addition, users can benefit from the Stealth Mode (only people you like can see you are online), and the Private Album (you can control access to your private photos). Feature Requests. You can submit… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TECH & GADGETS

ARTS & CULTURE

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Experience break dancing like never before this MAy

24/04/2024

By James Banham

Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More

Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

24/04/2024

By James Banham

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

Lauren Brincat When Do I Breathe 2024. Performer Jasmin Lancaster. Photographer Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist

Public performance in Randwick Sydney by artist Lauren Brincat

22/04/2024

By James Banham

This week, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct will experience an exceptional infusion of art and community spirit through a public performance by the celebrated multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brincat. Scheduled for one-night only, on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Brincat’s performance marks the launch of the new Laneway Art Program. This initiative, commissioned by the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct and supported by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, seeks to enhance perceptions of safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people navigating the streets and laneways of the Precinct. Brincat, along with Rochelle Haley, another leading Australian artist, has been entrusted with the mission to improve night-time connectivity and comfort within the precinct through performance-based and site-specific artwork. Both artists have engaged directly with health workers in the area to shape their projects, aiming to make the public spaces more welcoming and to strengthen the sense of community, safety, and inclusiveness across the site. The artwork, titled When do I breathe?, is an ambitious collaboration with sound artist Evelyn Ida Morris, UNSW Choral Director Sonia Maddock, and choreographer Charmene Yap. It invites the public to actively participate in shaping new paths across the precinct, offering a unique experience that encompasses three activation sites within the UNSW Kensington and the hospital precinct. The performance, beginning at 5:00 pm on the UNSW Scientia Lawn, is a reflection on the interconnectedness of local communities, especially those separated by differing work shifts and daily rhythms. Aiming to reclaim public space through collective action, When do I breathe? presents an… Read More

Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired

22/04/2024

By James Banham

On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.