Listen up chicken lovers: Chargrill Charlie’s is moving to Melbourne

Updated: 03/04/2019

Sydney’s chicken people, Chargrill Charlie’s – popular with Justin Bieber and any other international guest that comes to Oz to visit – is opening in Melbourne. Set to open on 6 April in the centre of the city’s inner-east in Camberwell, Chargrill Charlie’s first Victorian store is ready to recreate the friendly atmosphere that has seen the 11 New South Wales venues become a staple of Sydneysider life – just see what they have on offer. The founder of the slow-cooked rotisserie chook in Australia, Chargrill Charlie’s menu goes beyond the tender take-out mainstay. The extensive dine-in and take-away list will tempt you with an abundance of fresh creations, be they healthy or not so much. They’ll also have the usuals like salads, dinner plates, chicken schnitzels, homestyle vegetables, crunchy hot chips, wedges, rolls and burgers as well as the infamous apple pie dessert. Here’s what in store on opening day: From 12pm – 1pm Chargrill Charlie’s will be serving a FREE quarter sized BBQ Chicken + Chips combo. Then, between 5pm – 6pm there will be a FREE half BBQ Chicken + small Salad dinner deal. See more at the Chargrill Charlie’s website.

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

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Something new on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story by Opera Australia

Opera Australia West Side Story HOSH dance

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

It’s not often Opera Australia strays from the respite of centuries-old, well-loved scores by the likes of Puccini, Bizet and Verdi to try something more contemporary. But the latest production of West Side Story by Opera Australia that headlines this year’s annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour does just that, and has done so well. Complete with mid-way surprise fireworks as is now customary by the production company, and a range of 40-strong cast that can easily blur the lines between opera singer, dancer and actor, it’s a remade musical that pays homage to the original, the book and the tale; just makes it better. Directed by Jerome Robbins, the entire production of West Side Story is a shining testament to the classic story that’s given us some of the world’s most memorable show tunes. They were all there in the script. Think Maria, Tonight, America and Gee Officer Krupke to name a few. All of them just as hilarious as they are telling in the play about the horror to come. With OA names like Julie Lea Goodwin and Alexander Lewis as Maria and Tony; Mark Hill and Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva as Riff and Bernardo and Karli Dinardo as Anita, the musical adaptation is done wonders as the story of race hatred and a blossoming romance unfolds to the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Opera Australia’s artistic director, Lyndon Terracini has been wanting to produce West Side Story on the HOSH stage for years. Something about the backdrop and the… Read More

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

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Fitness Show is back to Sydney from 12-14 April: Win tickets!

by James Banham

Posted: 25/03/2019

If sore muscles, sweaty bods and perfectly chiselled abs are your thing, then the Sydney Fitness Show – back this April – is right up your alley. With big names like Ellice Whichello and Dann Conn, Kwame Duah, Simeon Panda, Sophie Guidolin, and Calum Von Moger confirmed to be making an appearance, it’ll be a who’s who of physical exertion you don’t want to miss. And where better than in Sydney, one might ask? The event will showcase the biggest trends that are continuing to emerge in the health and fitness world for 2019. And for a country that is said to work its way toward spending over $2.4 billion on health and fitness by 2022, it’s no surprise it’s as popular as it is. On show will be wearable tech (tackling both your fitness and health), vegan and sustainable/ethical brands (which will continue to feature and gain in mainstream popularity), boutique fitness, group training and high intensity interval training, which will continue to become more prevalent in the fitness space. Further big name exhibitors released to date will include Chemist Warehouse, Nutrition Systems, Muscle Nation, Musashi, Lorna Jane and YoPro. Check it all out at the Fitness Show website and win tickets below. Entries close 11:59PM AEDT, 5 April 2019. Loading… his year the show will be open to trade and general public from 10am – 5pm daily across the 12-14 April 2019 at the ICC Sydney. The exclusive industry zone will be open from 12-13 April 2019. For more information visit www.fitness-show.com.au and… Read More

Category: CITIES, HEALTH & FITNESS, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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No1 Airport Lounges open The House in Melbourne and Sydney International Airports

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

No longer do you need to be basic find yourself sitting outside of the luxury of the the flight lounges at Melbourne and Sydney airports like the proverbial naughty puppy dog left out in the rain. No1 Lounges have opened in Sydney and Melbourne International Airports, giving all manner of travellers access to something to look forward to – other than duty-free shopping – before you board your long haul flight out of Oz. They’ve kicked off their terminal take over with their flagship brand, The House, opening its doors – provided you’ve got the dollars – to all travellers, regardless of the airline brand name on their ticket. From just $80 per person, you can relax in first-class comfort for up to three hours prior to departure, with the option to buy additional hours online in advance, or on arrival at the lounge. It’s $90 at the door per person, if you’re feeling a bit more lush and don’t have the foresight to plan ahead. No1 Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports offer a choice of seating areas, unrivalled airport views, showers, and unlimited Wi-Fi, as well as television, newspapers, glossy magazines and charging points as standard. If you’re feeling yourself a bit more, you can upgrade your experience and enjoy white-linen a la carte dining, a fully tended bar that offers premium wines, beers and spirits, champagne and classic cocktails and barista coffees. Where’s The House in Sydney? Inside Terminal 1 (Qantas), this 8000 square foot lounge has 120 seats, with immediate views… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, TRAVEL

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Sydney Dance Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a massive way with Mardi Gras and CINCO

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Rafael Bonachela is the artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company and responsible for most of the epic dance pieces the troupe puts on in Australia and around the world. He does it well. So when his baby turns 50 and celebrates its birthday in quite an epic was as it has, you know he’s behind it, doing nothing but the best for the dance company responsible for Forever & Ever and ab intra just to name a few. In addition to the milestone in itself, the Sydney Dance Company participated for the first time in the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and is putting on a new double bill production, headlined by the new work, CINCO (you can win tickets here). “Mardi Gras was an incredible thrill, for me personally and for the Company. Believe it or not, it was the very first time that Sydney Dance Company had participated in the parade,” said Rafael. The entry of the Company signified 50 years as a diverse organisation that hires and is involved directly with many people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and their friends. “We employ a significant number of LGBTQI artists and staff and we have a long tradition of welcoming the LGBTQI community to participate and express themselves through dance,” he said. And they did it well. Rafael doesn’t even shy away from admitting their float was essentially one of the best ones out there on Oxford Street. “It was an explosion of gold glitter, complete with a ballet bar, mirrors, and… Read More

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

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London’s National Gallery celebrates Sorolla Spanish Master of Light exhibition with new menus

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The National Dining Rooms and The National Café right in the middle of London are celebrating the Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light exhibition at The National Gallery with a special menu hailing all the way from Spain thanks to restauranteur, Oliver Peyton. It’s all going down from 18 March to 7 July, and has been inspired by the stunning work of Spanish painter, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastidas. Think tapas style starters of smoked ham, manchego croquettes with pimento aioli, for instance. Then you’d move onto the likes of hake fish in romesco sauce and almond olive dressing, vegetable paella with sprouting broccoli, asparagus, padron peppers and saffron. Dessert looks something like a bit of crema catalana or tarta de Santiago served with clotted cream and it all kicks off for £19 (about $40) for two courses or £24 ($50) for three. Complete with artwork by the artist themselves, comprised of vivid seascapes, garden views, and bathing scenes for which he is most renowned, the Sorolla exhibition features more than 60 works spanning Sorolla’s career. It – and the restaurants, obviously – are worth a visit. See more at the Peyton and Byrne website. Find them here: The National Dining Rooms Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN The National Café East Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

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

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Gay and Loathing in Bris Vegas: The series starts

by James Banham

Posted: 22/03/2019

Australia’s own gay comedy series, Gay and Loathing in Bris Vegas is but days away from episode one, turning out the country’s first TV homage to the progress we’ve made, one one hand and the comedy behind being a gay man, on the other. Already a hit at festivals, the series recently opened the Brisbane Queer Film Festival and is in official selection at the Sicily Webfest and Web Series Festival Global in Los Angeles. The show was even selected to compete in the the semi-finals of the International Online Web Festival. The self-funded series was shot in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and was made with almost 40 local cast and crew. “It’s been the ‘Gone with the Wind’ of Australian web series”, say co-creator John Cahill. “But, if recent audience reaction to the three episodes that screened at the Brisbane Queer Film Festival is anything to go by, we’ve managed to create a great product that is funny and engaging. You can’t ask for more. Except maybe for an Emmy!” Set in Australia’s third largest city over a 2-day weekend, the series showcases the lives of 7 gay men as they traverse the cul-de-sacs of the sub-tropical suburbia (fondly referred to Barack Obama during the G20 Summit as Bris Vegas). The series is intentionally farcical, with the city a key character. “We wanted to tell an intrinsically Brisbane story because the city often takes a backseat to Melbourne and Sydney”, says John. While the title and the synopsis might suggest otherwise, the writers are quick… Read More

Category: BRISBANE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

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Where to stay in Covent Garden, London: The Nadler boutique hotel

The Nadler Covent Garden - Exterior daytime

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Any visit to London isn’t complete without a visit to Covent Garden. The site of music, food, fashion, entertainment for decades, its got its own long list of reason to visit, other than hospitality, but it’s definitely the latest hotel on the block, The Nadler Covent Garden, that gives any tourist – first timer or veteran – a reason to pay it a visit. The Covent Garden establishment is the latest in a long list of Nadler hotels around London, making it the fifth jewel in a crown of striking hotels in the city that really put London on the map – even more so – as a must-visit and must-stay destination; museums aside. It overlooks the Strand, right in the heart of Covent Garden and is perfectly situated for exploring one of London’s most schmick districts. The hotel is unique, other than its stunning aesthetic, because of a few touches they’ve gone with for guests that really set the joint apart from the regular hum drum that might be on offer in other parts of town. Each room comes with a mini kitchen, direct access to the Royal Opera House (currently showing Frankenstein and Juliet & Romeo), champagne tastings at Champagne + Fromage, to exclusive discounts and perks at luxury shoe store, Oliver Sweeney, the hotel’s specially trained front of house. The Nadler in Covent Garden really lets you live as a local, right in the centre of London – which no one can afford otherwise – putting the best of life, right at… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, TRAVEL

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6 reasons to visit the new Vivi Restaurant and Bar in London

by James Banham

Updated: 18/03/2019

If the 60s were your decade of choice, you like quality bevs and fancy a new joint to visit, right in the middle of London, then the new Vivi Restaurant and Bar at Centre Point is for you. Complete with flair bartending, an all-day menu and a quality range of decor, the new venue – by the folks who brought us the famed London Skygarden – offers up a fresh new six reasons to pay it a visit. And then keep coming back. The dining room Open from brekkie to brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, head chef Arnaud Delannay will be pumping out signature dishes that focus on bold flavours and fresh seasonal ingredients. He’s kind of made a name for himself by turning out twists on the old classics such as Keen’s twice baked cheddar soufflé; chicken kiev and mash; and duck à l’orange and all the desserts you need. 2. The bar Vivi has really made its mark with the whole nostalgic thing. By working with a drinks menu that celebrates old school bartending with imaginative, quality cocktails, they’ve carved a niche out for themselves that really hits the mark when it comes to justi what you need. Drinks like Wild Honey on the Beach of Bulleit rye whiskey, pimento dram, lemon thyme infused honey, lemon and The Beach Boys, The Weeping Guitar of gin mare, Italicus rosolio di Bergamotto, cucumber, elderflower, lime, tonic water, everything they make is quality. 3. The gallery This is where Vivi-goers comes to people watch, gawk,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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London’s newest, flashest entrepreneur’s club: Home Grown opens in April 2019

by James Banham

Posted: 17/03/2019

If there’s one thing London does well, it’s their clubs, bars and private members’ hideaways, perfect for the sneaky drink, refined surrounds and general chilled awesomeness of what it means to be a member. Home Grown is for high-growth entrepreneurs and from 3 April, will be open on Great Cumberland Place in Marylebone, right in the middle of London. Home Grown is for fast-geared people with a business mind and drive to work, never stop and never take a break. It’ll be comprised of a carefully selected membership of entrepreneurs and investors will join a star-studded group of business to create a unique new community, designed for individuals who not only work to live, but live to work. The founders of exciting brands such as Not on the High Street, Seedlip, Planet Organic, Larsson & Jennings, Pleesecakes, Duke & Dexter and Blondie’s Kitchen along with ambassadors including Daniel Priestly, Jenny Tooth OBE, Julie Devonshire OBE, Lex Deak, Camilla Dolan, Andy Yates and Stephen Page are just some of the dynamic individuals getting ready to make Home Grown their second home. Why? The new pad will be dedicated to growing businesses thanks to its networking opportunities. What will Home Grown offer? For members after a bit of benefit to their membership, it’ll host: Expert ‘How To’ talks ‘Sweatworking’ – a HIIT workout, and networking event where barriers to building better connections are broken down through exercise ‘Breaking Bread’, intimate monthly dinners with leading experts in specialist fields which will include debate, discussion and delicious dishes. Health… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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