Category: LIFESTYLE

Jubilee weekend in Brighton at the UK’s Most Spectacular Seafront Terrace, Rockwater

Posted: 01/06/2022

If you’re not amongst the predicted 4 million people to descend on London to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee celebration this weekend, then perhaps heading the other direction’s for you? The UK’s most luxurious, coastal community hub, Rockwater Hove has a celebration for Her Majesty all their own with your name on it. Situated on the picturesque Western Esplanade of Hove’s seafront, Rockwater Hove is the ultimate boutique bar and restaurant experience to celebrate in style. Rockwater Hove’s terrace is open to the public this Jubilee weekend on a walk-in basis for all-day dining and spectacular sea views. Here, you and guests can enjoy an array of delicious, locally sourced food and beverages from seasonal seafood platters, charcuterie boards and plant-based delicacies, along with an extensive cocktail, wine and beer menu. For more, head to the Rockwater Hove website

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Brighton bars, Brighton restaurants, Hove, Jubilee in Hove, Rockwater

Best ways to celebrate VIVID Sydney in The Rocks

by James Banham

Posted: 01/06/2022

Vivid Sydney is on! From 28 May to 18 June, the city comes to light in celebration of the artistry, culture and propensity to celebrate that is the city of Sydney. If you missed our best date night suggestions for the public event period, then scroll down for some more ways to celebrate that are less date-y and more let’s go out and have fun. For food, head to… 6HEAD will deliver an ultimate sensory experience through theatrical gastronomy, where you will have all five senses stimulated as they embark on a culinary journey designed to fascinate. The Rocks Markets will be hosting evenings of tasty treats throughout Vivid Sydney to keep you fuelled up, from pizza and gozleme to gelato, dumplings, crepes, BBQ and more. Throughout the lit-up stalls, visitors can also explore handmade jewellery, fabrics and gifts. And as a bonus, there’ll also be live music! Sights, eats and tunes? Sorted. Tayim’s outdoor alfresco dining courtyard, complete with glowing decorations, for the perfect opportunity to stop and fill up during their Vivid Sydney journey with falafels and fresh lamb skewers with a side of delicious cocktails and wine. Creperie Suzette, who will be serving up rainbow bagels and glitter coffees throughout the festival. Afterwards, stop by The Tea Cosy, who is transforming their courtyard on Atherden Street into a glow-themed garden, with neon lighting, glowing furniture and special menu items from Thursday to Sunday. For drinks, head to… Blu Bar on 36 has carefully curated a special Vivid Sydney Menu which is available… Read More

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Sydney Vivid guide, vivid sydney, Vivid Sydney what's on, What to do Sydney Vivid

8 new restaurants across London to visit

by James Banham

Posted: 30/05/2022

The spring-summer season in London imbues the city with freshness to such a point that almost makes you forget the bleakness of the 9 other months of the year. And when there are new restaurants and bars to try out across town? Well, you’ll be dining out on the memories – as well as the fine menus – for months! Some of these listed might not be new in the true sense of the word, but fresh from covid restrictions and with something new to offer at very least, they’re worth adding to your list or paying another visit to. Laurel’s On The Roof Shoreditch Officially opened on Thursday 5th May, Laurel’s On The Roof is London’s newest and most laid back rooftop restaurant, bar and pool located at the Mondrian Shoreditch. Inspired by 1970’s Hollywood and the legacy of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, Laurel’s is an all day-dining and drinking hotspot infused with glamour and offering London’s most sought after tables. Transporting diners on an exploration of Los Angeles, Laurel’s offers an evolving all-day, highly seasonal menu, the perfect spot to while away long summer evenings whilst overlooking the bustling Shoreditch neighbourhood. Riding House Bloomsbury Wednesday 8th June will see the opening of Riding House Bloomsbury, the long-awaited second iteration of Fitzrovia’s Riding House Café from restaurateur Adam White. Opening with a soft launch from 25th May, Riding House Bloomsbury is set to be a lively modern brasserie with a members club-like atmosphere, adding to Bloomsbury’s burgeoning reputation as the latest dining hotspot…. Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: 8 new restaurants across London to visit, Best restaurants London, Notting Hill restaurants

Your interstate best friend: The Toyota Landcruiser 300 7-seat monster

by THE F

Updated: 29/05/2022

Cars are all about context, right? You don’t get a convertible Volkswagen Eos to hit the outback. Much less do you get a Ford Wildtrak for simple trips to the shop. But on the odd occasion you find a car that’s equal parts massive and practical that makes you think, ‘oh yeah, that works’. Say hi to the Toyota Landcruiser 300. Quite literally the biggest car you’ve ever driven, with more power than the simple streets of Sydney knew how to handle and enough suspension to make you have moments of existential quandry where you think, ‘am I actually driving, or just rolling under my own momentum?’ MORE: Here’s what we thought of the Toyota CHR Koba SUV View this post on Instagram A post shared by T H E F (@the_f_online) More an icon and master of the outback, you’d be considered nuts if you didn’t put this car through its paces on all kinds of terrain from the city to the country. So, we spoke with travel expert Quentin Long about the best ways to explore Australia’s landscape and those unseen destinations. The Landcruiser 300 makes all kinds of trips for all durations and demands a breeze. With perks and features that include some of these bits, you’re in good hands: a brand new 3.3L twin-turbo V6 diesel engine delivering 227kW and 700Nm 10-speed automatic transmission designed to enhance driving performance, fuel efficiency, and quietness – which genuinely works – you hear nothing and let’s not forget, the Multi Terrain Select with a… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIA, CARS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: Landcruiser, Landcruiser weekends away, Toyota Australia, Toyota Landcruiser

Join 45% of Australians this year – plan a road trip with a new Mitsubishi Outlander

by James Banham

Updated: 21/06/2022

You know how sometimes you get into a car (say, an Uber or a friend’s car), the seats are like wood, the posture’s off and the roof’s so low you get a pinched nerve in your neck and you’re left thinking how can anyone sit in this all day long? Well, the new Mitsubishi Outlander is so, absolutely the polar opposite of every average car experience you’ve ever had it’s going to be hard to find the words. But let’s try. Basically, if you’re in need of a new car, either for a good time or a long time, the Mitsubishi Outlander is it. And even though it’s not summer anymore and the season for roadtrips is tapering off – after 3-in-4 of us took to the road in 2021/2022, you’re still in safe hands with the new ride. View this post on Instagram A post shared by T H E F (@the_f_online) Sitting up higher than your average and with enough torque and suspension to truly convince you you’re driving a cloud, it’s a genuinely stylish ride – that kind of looks like a Transformer, but nicer – that will inspire you this winter to take a road trip to literally anywhere. We partnered with Mitsubishi earlier in 2022 to get their take on an ideal road trip itinerary when you know your trip’s sorted with a quality car, 20-inch alloys a full size sun roof. See ya, traffic! Beat the rush and make an early start to avoid the highway traffic jam. Mitsubishi’s research… Read More

Category: CARS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi Outlander road trip, Outlander, road trip, road trip guide

Planning a staycation in Melbourne? Your choice of hotel matters: Avani Melbourne Central Residences

by James Banham

Posted: 29/05/2022

Melbourne is Australia’s city of culture. So when you plan a visit, you need to be sure of three things: you’ve planned a visit to a gallery, you know which restaurant you’re visiting and you’ve made sure you’re staying at a hotel that’s got your best interests at heart. This is why you need to Google the Avani Melbourne Central Residences. Set high amongst the cityscape with panoramic views to complete it all, the Avani is a stunning hotel tower of 55 storeys with a striking weave-like pattern and tinted exterior, beautifully crafted with a sense of style, offering a selection of one and two bedroom contemporary, fully furnished suites. If the location’s not reason enough to make these suites number one on your list, then maybe the 24-hour reception, games room, gymnasium, pool and spa and streamroom and sauna might be selling points enough. And on top of that, Bourke Street, Melbourne Central, the Yarra River and Southbank are literally a walk – or tram – away, making your getting around that much easier. See more and make a booking at the Avani Melbourne Central website Here’s a list of some Melbourne restaurant favourites worth visiting while you’re in town: Formaggio at Baby Pizza Back by popular demand, Baby Pizza’s much-adored Formaggio menu is making a cheesy return! For the entire month of May, Baby favourites are made even better, oozing with cheesy goodness. Available until 31 May, the special menu is filled with every type of cheese you can imagine! To start, dig… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIA, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: Avani Melbourne, Avani Melbourne Central, Avani Residences, best melbourne hotels, hotel guide melbourne

Ways to ensure safety and security in the workplace

by THE F

Updated: 28/06/2023

Your organization needs to offer your employees and clients a safe place; your office needs to be safe from any security threats, violence and injuries of any kind. As an employer, you need to make sure safety is always your top priority, no one wants to work in a place where they don’t feel safe, and your customers also don’t enjoy walking into an office and start to worry if they are safe. There are things you need to put in place so that you can make your workplace safe, and they are; Once you have the license to open up your business, make sure you follow the federal and provincial regulations in your area to make sure your office place is safe. Some things that need to be part of your safety plan are first aid kits, having trained guards that will watch over the whole area and having emergency plans. When you feel like you haven’t consumed everything, you could go to the federal government website and see the regulations you need to implement. For your guards, you could impose uniform solutions for them to be safe while guarding the area and be safe in case a hazard occurs. One of the most common ways to make sure you and your employees are safe is by installing CCTV cameras in your office area, both inside the office and outside the office. Make sure you install equipped CCTV cameras that will make sure you see everything from your laptop. You will be able to… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Workplace safety

Everything to know when buying a townhouse

by THE F

Updated: 28/05/2022

A townhouse is a connected row of houses sharing walls. They are usually part of a planned development or condo and have common areas like pools, fitness centers, and playgrounds that the residents share. Townhouses are a great option for people who want to own their own home but don’t want the hassle of maintaining a single-family home. What are townhouses? Townhouses are a type of housing similar to an apartment but have their entrance and are usually attached to other units. Townhouses are often part of a community with common amenities like pools, playgrounds, and fitness centers. What are the benefits of owning a townhouse? There are many benefits to owning a townhouse. One of the main benefits is that you don’t have to worry about maintaining the exterior of your home or the common areas. Another benefit is that townhouses are often part of a community that can offer amenities like pools, playgrounds, and fitness centers. When you are ready to buy a townhouse, you should keep a few things in mind. Townhouses are usually part of a Homeowners Association (HOA) An HOA is a group of townhouse owners that works to maintain the property and common areas. The HOA fee is typically paid monthly and covers landscaping, snow removal, and building maintenance. It’s important to find out what the HOA fee covers before you buy a townhouse to budget accordingly. Townhouses are usually smaller than single-family homes If you’re downsizing from a single-family home, you may have to get some of your… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Investment, property, Townhouse

Date nights for VIVID Sydney in 2022

by James Banham

Posted: 24/05/2022

If you’re not climbing up Sydney Harbour Bridge or getting together at one of the many gin opportunities that lie before you this VIVID Sydney 2022, then perhaps date night’s on the cards. The Harbour View Hotel is putting on the festival of lights and visual art in their own way. And by offering delicious takeaway meals with drinks so there’s no need to worry about dinner before exploring the exhibitions around The Rocks. The Harbour View Hotel will be launching a special pop-up glow bar, serving glow in the dark cocktails outside their historic venue in The Rocks. This limited edition glow bar will be available throughout Vivid (from 27th May until 18th June), making it easy to sip on cocktails while you take in the stunning light installations of Vivid. The Harbour View Hotel will also be selling takeaway packs so you can wander through The Rocks and find the perfect picnic spot overlooking the harbour and Vivid lights. The Harbour View Hotel Vivid Takeaway pack (for $95) includes: Antipasto for 2 Stir fried noodles with chicken bites and capsicum x 2 Flatbread bread with roasted capsicum dipping sauce x 2 4 x Smirnoff Seltzers 1 x Blanket For more information, head to the Harbour View website

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Date night Vivid Sydney, Date nights for VIVID Sydney in 2022, vivid sydney, What to do Vivid Sydney

Where to enjoy Cointreau cocktails this VIVID Sydney

by James Banham

Posted: 24/05/2022

Lights, sound and festivity probably like we’ve never seen it before – after the Covid drama – will descend upon Sydney this VIVID and if ever there was a place to go for a drink, looks like this is it. Cointreau will be launching into the season with their new dedicated Cointreau Margarita Kombi for those exact drinks. Parking up outside Terrace on the Domain from May 27 to June 18 from 4pm-8pm. People are invited to come and enjoy Margaritas on the lawn outside the Terrace on the Domain while looking at all the Vivid lights on the city skyline. The ultimate pop-up bar on wheels, is in the form of a retro VW Kombi and will be offering delicious Margaritas. Cointreau, at the heart of one of Australia’s favourite cocktails, the margarita, has favourably increased by 83% in the last 12 months alone. To accommodate the versatility of this favoured tipple, the Cointreau Margarita Kombi will be serving 3 different Margaritas, the Original Margarita, the Vivid Bright Margarita and the Spicy Margarita. Each margarita will be sold for $18. For more information, head to the VIVID Sydney website

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

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.