Category: LIFESTYLE

Where to watch the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this year

Updated: 17/02/2021

Sydney’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is going to take on a different look in 2021. The parade’s put on a new look, the venues are hosting different levels of events (none) and the people won’t be as thick on the ground as they have been over the course of the past 40+ years. But that doesn’t mean you can’t watch the festivities from a safe and semi-responsible distance! Here’s where to get your bookings in to enjoy with friends on a screen in quality venues. Where to watch Mardi Gras in NSWThe Bank Hotel, NewtownThe Bearded Tit, RedfernBitter Phew, DarlinghurstBurdekin Hotel, DarlinghurstCafé Fredas, DarlinghurstThe Colombian Hotel, DarlinghurstDaniel San, ManlyDarlo Bar, DarlinghurstHome The Venue, SydneyHonkas, Potts PointThe Imperial Hotel, ErskinevilleThe Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, WhickhamOxford Hotel, DarlinghurstThe Oxford Tavern, PetershamPalace Hotel, Broken HillLansdowne Hotel, SydneyThe Rainbow Underground, WoonoonaThe Shakespeare Hotel, Surry HillsStonewall hotel, DarlinghurstRex Tamworth and Forum 6 Cinemas, TamworthTaylors Rooftop, SydneyUniversal, DarlinghurstQue Bar, Wagga WaggaThe Wickham Hotel, NewcastleThe Winery, Surry Hills Where to watch Mardi Gras in QueenslandEast Brisbane Bowls Club, East BrisbaneCrystalbrook Flynn, CairnsClub Southport, Southport Where to watch Mardi Gras in VictoriaPiano Bar, BendigoPiano Bar, Geelong For more information on the parade viewing events head to mardigras.org.au

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY

Tags: Guide Mardi Gras 2021, Mardi Gras 2021, Sydney Gay Lesbian Mardi Gras 2021, What to do Mardi Gras 2021, Where to watch the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this year

Sri Lankan restaurant in Melbourne – INDU opens its doors

by James Banham

Updated: 16/02/2021

For the times you’re hankering something with Sri Lankan flavours; think INDU. It’s open in Melbourne, turning out the cuisine that puts that part of the globe on the map, like Smoked Yarra Valley goats leg dosa, Indu-cured kingfish, Thilaka’s potato curry and the Great Lamb Raan. It can be found in the front of the iconic Collins Quarter building in the middle of Melbourne. Just sniff for and follow the dark and aromatic aromas produced by their menu inspired by the coast and village and delicious dishes. Find INDU at 86A Collins St, Melbourne and more at the INDU website

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Best Melbourne restaurants, INDU Melbourne, melbourne restaurants, Melbourne Sri Lankan restaurant, Sri Lankan restaurant Melbourne

South Yarra Melbourne’s newest cafe: Norman

by James Banham

Updated: 16/02/2021

After the mess that was 2020, Norman is now open in South Yarra! A visually pleasing space to drop-in to or stay a while, it’s complete with a two-level tranquility, that can hold up to 100 guests. It’s a sleek and sophisticated joint with brushed brass tones, baby blue hues and leafy greens throughout. And the food? Think a mix of classic cafe dishes with a twist as well as entirely new creations, giving cafe goers every reason to try something new. Whether it be an all-Aussie breakfast dish like Norman’s Vegemite avo toast or something more left of field like zucchini and corn waffles, Norman really has something for every hungry tummy. The brekky board really does have it all with a variety of bite-size sweet and savoury dishes that feature on the menu, and if you’re still hungry, dig into the brekky burger. Find it at ?Shop 2/300 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141 Monday – Saturday – 7am-4pm Sunday – 8am-4pm

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Best cafes South Yarra, Melbourne cafe Norman, Norman cafe, Norman South Yarra, South Yarra cafes

These top 4 vitamins are necessary for healthy skin

by THE F

Updated: 16/02/2021

Taking care of your skin is essential to look young and lively. Excessive use of cosmetics and pollution in the environment has led to many skin problems. But some readily-available nutrients can rejuvenate your skin and make it glow. Here are the four vitamins that you should know about for gorgeous skin. Vitamin A Vitamin A has antioxidant properties that both the lower and upper layers of skin need for proper functioning. This vitamin plays an essential role in collagen production that makes skin healthy and firm to control wrinkles. The ultraviolet rays present in the sunlight lead to photodamage, which results in premature aging of the skin and makes skin stiff. Vitamin A fights against photodamage and minimizes the harms of ultraviolet rays. Its presence in the skin suppresses the overactive skin glands to stop acne and other skin problems. You can quickly get vitamin-A skin treatment with La Clinica. Vitamin B Complex Vitamin B consists of 8 B vitamins that have a direct role in proper metabolism and brain function. Vitamin B7 or Biotin, a part of the Vitamin B complex, is an essential vitamin present in the skin. Lower amounts of Biotin in the skin leads to dermatitis. The hydrating properties of Vitamin B make skin glow and shine while balancing the tone of your skin. Another component of the Vitamin B complex called Niacin lowers the skin inflammation to improve the dry and itchy skin. The Vitamin B complex’s anti-aging and lightening properties make it an essential part of young and… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: collaboration

Earth Hour: save the date, save the planet

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Because if Earth dies, we literally have no hope, why don’t you try taking part in Earth Hour 2020? Born in Sydney, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour has since gained millions of supporters in 190 countries and territories, and more than 7000 cities. This year, 1 in 3 Australians are expected to switch off their lights for one hour as a symbolic event to support climate change action. Will you join the call? What do you need to do to participate? Easy! Switch your lights off for an hour, flick on some candles and enjoy the cosiness. Do it from 8.30pm AEDST from wherever you are. Find out more at Earth Hour!

Category: ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Earth Hour, Earth Hour Australia, How to be more green, Save the planet

11 Melbourne restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day at in 2021

by James Banham

Updated: 05/03/2021

So, Valentine’s Day as a concept is super divisive. Some love it, some not so much, others just use it as an excuse for dinner. That’s where this comes in handy. Here’s a list of 11 of Melbourne’s trendiest and top-notch places to smash a romantic dinner with a special someone – or group of them – you need to book before Sunday. Mejico Melbourne Spice things up this Valentine’s Day at Melbourne’s newest Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, Mejico. Sip on all kinds of margaritas and celebrate with a special set menu including oysters, Mejico’s signature tableside guac, salmon ceviche, Yucatan style BBQ empanadas, porterhouse steak with chimichurri and a margarita cheesecake to finish.Mejico’s Valentine’s Day set menu is available or dinner for $75 per person. Bookings online at Mejico’s website Chin Chin Melbourne Lock yourself and the one you love in at Chin Chin with its special ‘Love Me, Feed Me’ menu. The delicious set menu includes all the dishes you know and love from the CBD favourite including kingfish sashimi, grilled king prawns with Chin Chin papaya hot sauce and more. To finish with something sweet, lovers can indulge in a special Valentine’s Day heart-shaped chocolate and coconut mousse with chilli caramel and raspberry sorbet. Couplers can sit back and relax while they sip on liquid loving cocktails including the ‘Easy Lover’ with Aperol and elderflower and ‘Two’s Company’ with gin, raspberry and rhubarb flowers. The Love Me, Feed Me menu is available for $89 per person and bookings are available at Chin Chin’s site Bomba Treat your… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne restaurants, Valentine's Day restaurant guide, Valentine's Day restaurants, Where to eat Valentine's Day

No parade, no worries: How you can celebrate spirit of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Sydney’s doing Mardi Gras differently this year. No parade officially means no worries; Merivale and Absolut Vodka are stepping-in. Score a package by Merivale – huge Sydney hospitality group – to celebrate pride and diversity in style with a fabulous line-up of drink, dine and stay options on Saturday 6 March. Complete with cocktails, festivities, DJs, drag shows and live entertainment it’s all on offer at some of the group’s most popular venues, like: The Beresford – $95pp There’s nowhere better to have a pre-parade party than The Beresford – Sydney’s iconic destination for the LGBTIQA+ community. Assemble your gang and get into the rhythm of the day with an Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival, before settling in for a three-course brunch and drag show. Also included: ? Three-course set menu ? Live ‘Spice Girls’ drag show ? Live DJ set from DJ Dan Murphy The Paddington – $129pp Kick things off with an Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival, before launching into an absolutely bangin’ shared-style banquet from head chef Ben Greeno. Just a stone’s throw from the SCG, it’s the perfect spot to start your Mardi Gras. Also included: ? Shared banquet dining experience ? Live DJ sets & entertainment Queens Hotel – $129pp Head to Queens Hotel for a pre-parade smorgasbord of delicious Queen Chow favourites and live entertainment to get you warmed up for the big parade. YAS QUEENS! Also included: ? Set menu dining experience ? Live DJ sets & entertainment Bar Totti’s – $139pp With DJs on deck to get… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Melbourne’s Hawthorn Hotel is back in 2021

by James Banham

Posted: 06/02/2021

The Australian Venue Co and Swinburne University of Technology have joined up with the Hawthorn Hotel in Melbourne to bring it back to life. Listen closely enough and you can hear every student of the nearby University cheering! After closing its doors in 2020 due to the impacts of the coronavirus, the 152-year-old venue will undergo a renovation to provide a mix of dining, socialising and event spaces for The Hawthorn Hotel regulars, as well as a dedicated space for Swinburne alumni, industry partners, staff and students. The University’s carved out a spot in the pub and licences the first floor of the venue, which will be transformed into a dedicated space for its alumni, industry partners, staff and students. Meanwhile, the ground floor will be operated by The Australian Venue Co, a world-class hospitality group delivering exceptional food, drink and entertainment experiences across more than 150 venues nationally. So you know it’ll be good.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Hawthorn Hotel, Melbourne Hawthorn Hotel, Melbourne pubs, Melbourne's Hawthorn Hotel is back in 2021, Pub guide Melbourne

The best of Danish design: Nynne does Copenhagen Fashion Week

by James Banham

Posted: 06/02/2021

All about empowering women, Nynne recently took over Copenhagen Fashion Week, showcasing the best of not just Danish design, but why Danish women rank amongst the world’s finest fashion figures. Motivated by the joy and excitement of creating a universe where women feel comfortable and glow with confidence. Continuing from the Spring/Summer 2021 collection, which played tribute to the softer features and gentle expressions of women, this season NYNNE continues its quest to create a community of extraordinary women lifting one another up; Women For Women. Scroll on for images and find out more about the brand at the Copenhagen Fashion Week X Nynne website.

Category: STYLE, WOMEN'S STYLE

Tags: Copenhagen Fashion Week, Nynne Fashion Week, The best of Danish design: Nynne does Copenhagen Fashion Week

Our top picks of at-home wellness and why it will continue to grow

by THE F

Posted: 23/01/2021

A few fit facts as we head into 2021. Between 2015 and 2017 the wellness industry grew by 6.4 per cent to become a $4.2 trillion market. That’s nearly twice as fast as global economic growth (3.6 per cent annually, based on IMF data). The wellness industry now represents 5.3 percent of global economic output. Despite 2020’s massive disruption to face-to-face wellness operations, the growth rates have not dropped. Rather, engagement with online and at-home solutions have increased – and by all accounts, and common sense, does not look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. The accessibility and variety of online options has made it easier to not only reap workout and wellness benefits, but has also provided the social connection that humans naturally crave, especially after isolating for much of the year. Today we speak to a bunch of business owners in the wellness space to hear their thoughts. Mindfulness online Luke Mcleod is the founder of meditation and mindfulness app Soul Alive, a service that encourages people to take a moment and reset. He launched it right before the pandemic in August 2019 but it turns out that his mode for delivery could not have been more perfect. “My point of difference is that I host the sessions live, not only for social connection but to make people accountable to turn up” says McLeod. “While a lot of our clients are mums, so they do tend to catch up on the sessions after the live class from time to time, people try their best to get to the live sessions so they can chat before class.” “As… Read More

Category: HEALTH & FITNESS, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Home fitness, Home wellness, Our top picks of at-home wellness and why it will continue to grow

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.