Category: CITIES

A taste of authentic Italy in Sydney at Don Fred

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Imagine stepping into a vibrant, bustling street in Italy, where the air is filled with the tantalising aroma of delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Now imagine experiencing this right in the heart of Sydney. Welcome to Don Fred, the newest gem on King Street in Newtown, that’s redefining the city’s culinary landscape. Opening its doors in February 2023, Don Fred has carved out a unique niche in Sydney’s food scene, offering a 100% plant-based menu that doesn’t compromise on the classic Italian flavours we all adore. The mastermind behind this innovative concept is Lorenzo Petrachi, former Restaurant Manager of Gigi Pizzeria, who has poured his passion and expertise into creating a dining experience like no other. As you walk into Don Fred, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight into a classic 1970s Paninoteca Bar in New York. The design choices are a nod to Petrachi’s Uncle Alfredo’s journey from Italy to New York in the early 60s, where he opened his own panino shop in the Bronx after overcoming numerous personal adversities. The burnt yellow walls, authentic Italian tiles, and brown timber tables resonate with the nostalgia of a bygone era, creating an ambience that’s both inviting and enchanting. But Don Fred is not just about aesthetics. Quality is at the heart of everything they do. Every ingredient used is ethically sourced and as fresh as can be, ensuring that customers enjoy the best plant-based alternatives available in the market. Petrachi sources local produce and ingredients, but also stays true to his Italian roots by… Read More

Unleash your inner rebel at the Australian Tattoo Expo Melbourne 2023

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Get ready to dive into a world of vibrant colours, bold designs, and unbridled creativity as the Australian Tattoo Expo rolls into town! Starting from December 1-3, 2023, Melbourne will transform into a buzzing hive of artistic talent, featuring 400+ masterful tattoo artists gathered under one roof12. Daring and Diverse Tattoo Experiences Fancy leaving your ink destiny to fate? Then step right up to the Dr Pickles Tattoo Glory Hole! Much like the semi-mythical activity that lends this booth its name, you’ll slide your arm through a slot in the wall and place your faith in the skilled hands of a mystery tattoo artist. You’ll leave the expo with a fresh tattoo and a thrilling tale to regale your friends with1. And that’s not all! Celebrity tattoo artist Lauren Winzer will be in attendance, offering free walk-up flash tattoos all weekend long1. With a client list boasting Hollywood heavyweights like Post Malone, Sophie Turner, Miley Cyrus, Toni Collette, Cody Smith, and Joe Jonas, you’ll be in illustrious company! More Than Just Tattoos But the Australian Tattoo Expo isn’t just about tattoos. The event boasts a slew of exclusively curated exhibitors and entertainment options34. Fancy some dental bling? Resident exhibitor The Cheshire’s Grin will be crafting real gold grills and teeth all weekend long1. Or perhaps you’re intrigued by body modification? Professional body piercers will be on-site, ready to enhance your body art with a new addition1. If getting tattooed isn’t your thing, fret not. Flux Entertainment will light up the main stage with breathtaking fire… Read More

Adults-Only circus show Rouge set to make Sydney even hotter this summer

Rouge 28. Photog Alison Catseye Productions 1

Sydney’s Spiegeltent has a sizzling new show starting soon and this one certainly isn’t for kids, in fact we probably wouldn’t take our mum either. Rouge is part circus, part bordello, set to stun your sensibilities with acrobatics, tasteful skin and pulsating sensuality. Already awarded, including Best Circus at 2020 Adelaide Fringe, a star turn at 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and critical acclaim from across the globe, Rouge is now setting up in Sydney for a saucy run from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 17 December. Director Elena Kirschbaum says, “Rouge loves to break conventions and smash gender stereotypes,so it’s much, much more than simply sexy circus. It’s delightfully subversive, highly inclusive and has quite a few surprises.” Tickets to Rouge at the Spiegeltent are on sale now, right here.

A fresh taste of Vietnam at St. Cloud Eating House

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This month, the renowned St. Cloud Eating House in Hawthorn East breathes new life into its culinary offering. The restaurant, located at 644 Burwood Road, is set to tantalise tastebuds with an explosion of Vietnamese flavours, thanks to celebrated chef Jerry Mai. Since its inception in 2015, St. Cloud Eating House, under the stewardship of hospitality veteran James Klapanis, has maintained its commitment to serving ferociously fresh Vietnamese cuisine to the denizens of Melbourne. The exciting and vibrant menu revamp is spearheaded by none other than the remarkable Jerry Mai, known for her culinary masterpieces at Pho Nom, Annam, and Bia Hoi Beer Hall. Mai’s flair for Vietnamese cuisine is widely acclaimed, and she now brings her unique touch to the St. Cloud Eating House. The restaurant’s new culinary journey is further bolstered by the recent collaboration between Klapanis and Angie Giannakodakis, stalwarts of the Melbourne hospitality scene. This partnership brings a renewed focus on generosity – striving to put the hospitality back in hospitality, as Giannakodakis puts it. St. Cloud’s refreshed food ethos is all about sharing and savouring every bite. Jerry Mai has expertly curated a menu that balances familiar Vietnamese flavours with unexpected new elements. Diners can expect a tantalising array of small plates, from grilled scallops with wild onion butter and nuoc mam to sticky lamb ribs with tamarind caramel. A highlight includes an irresistible beef cheek green curry— a testament to Mai’s Thai culinary influences. For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant offers a duo of indulgent desserts —… Read More

Centennial Homestead in Sydney launches ‘Rosé & Croquet’ activation

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Centennial Homestead, in partnership with AIX, reveals its latest summer sensation, the ‘Rosé & Croquet’ activation. Experience the ultimate garden party, filled to the brim with an abundance of rosé and complimentary mini croquet kits for patrons. This activation aims to immerse you in the quintessential family-friendly summer experience. By marrying the enchanting ambiance of parklands with the distinguished allure of AIX rosé wine, Centennial Homestead and AIX have concocted a delightful setting. Expect an expanded outdoor seating area equipped with additional seats, picnic blankets, umbrellas and abundant opportunities to create lasting memories. AIX is excited to roll out special prices on their premium Provence Rosé to celebrate this activation, with glasses at $16, standard bottles at $75, magnum bottles at $140, and the monumental Jeroboam bottle at $250, exclusively at Centennial Homestead. Centennial Homestead’s executive chef, Jeffrey Forrest, presents meticulously crafted picnic boards priced at $43 per person. It features a gourmet selection of the finest cheeses and cured meats. The casual dining menu will remain available throughout the activation period, offering fresh, contemporary dishes with a twist on traditional home-cooked favorites. AIX is thrilled about their summer activation. “That’s the beauty of AIX Rosé, its versatility to pair with any occasion. AIX tastes best when shared.” states Maison Saint Aix, Provence. Expect to bask in an unforgettable and inclusive atmosphere, celebrating leisure, enjoyment, and relaxation all throughout summer. The ‘Rosé & Croquet’ activation will continue until 31st December 2023, operating from Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm – 5pm, aligning with the venue’s closing hours…. Read More

Sydney Dance Company Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of New Breed

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Sydney Dance Company, in collaboration with Carriageworks and supported by Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation, is thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of its highly-anticipated New Breed programme. As we look forward to the world premiere of the commissioned works from four dynamic Australian dance makers at Carriageworks from December 6-16, 2023, we can’t help but reflect on the significant impact of this initiative. New Breed 2023 provides an unparalleled opportunity for Australian choreographers to create a newly commissioned piece with Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. Since its inception in 2014, New Breed has propelled 35 emerging artists to showcase their fresh ideas and raw talent on a world stage, solidifying its reputation as Australia’s premier platform for emerging choreographers. This year’s innovative programme will feature works from Beau Dean Riley Smith, Eliza Cooper, Riley Fitzgerald, and Tra Mi Dinh. Smith, an award-winning dancer, choreographer and actor, will present his work gubba, an exploration of Australia’s frontier wars and the violent history of colonial Australia. Cooper’s work critiques the reality she sees around her, using the iconic Spaghetti Western film genre as a lens. Fitzgerald’s Everyb0dy’s g0t a b0mb draws inspiration from the music festival Woodstock ‘99, while Dinh’s piece illuminates the moments between day and night, capturing the transformation of light across the sky in real time. Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, shared his excitement about the upcoming works: “Over the last ten years, New Breed has been instrumental in supporting the early careers of some of Australia’s most exciting emerging dancemakers…. Read More

Salote Tawale: I remember you – A Major Solo Exhibition at Carriageworks

Art Carriageworks

Carriageworks, Sydney, is excited to reveal the first major solo exhibition by Sydney-based Australian-Fijian artist Salote Tawale. Titled I remember you, the exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, 17 November 2023, and will be on display until Sunday, 28 January 2024. Tawale’s expansive exhibition explores the concept of memory through various mediums such as installation, painting, sculpture, and an intriguing component of karaoke. It is curated across two spaces within Carriageworks, and each space offers a unique exploration of how memory shapes identity. Bay 21 hosts Tawale’s interpretation of Carriageworks’ architecture, transformed into a ‘memory bank’. This immersive environment includes artworks like hanging masks, plywood cut-outs of people and plants, and a unique installation of the artist’s Fijian family home. The gallery also features a karaoke booth, inviting visitors to engage through song. This intriguing installation of partially formed memories, with missing panels and fading flowers, reflects the unpredictability and fallibility of memory. In the Public Space, a stunning 14-meter long bamboo raft titled No Location (2021) is anchored, originally presented at the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This piece, based on a childhood memory of a traditional Fijian watercraft, reinterprets the process of making a raft, symbolising Tawale’s experience of displacement. I remember you draws from Tawale’s personal experience as part of the Pacific diaspora in Australia. It embodies her exploration of the relationship between the individual and the collective, materialising memories into tangible forms. The exhibition is accompanied by a variety of public programs, including art-making workshops,… Read More

New York City Ballet takes a grand leap into Sadler’s Wells debut

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A wave of excitement is set to ripple through the heart of London as the celebrated New York City Ballet (NYCB) prepares to make its much-anticipated Sadler’s Wells debut in March 2024. This grand event will feature the UK premieres of works by an array of esteemed choreographers, including Kyle Abraham, Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, and a classic piece by the legendary George Balanchine. The NYCB, a titan of the dance world, is renowned for its contemporary style, speed, and musicality. Currently basking in the glow of its 75th anniversary, the company was founded in 1948 by the visionary choreographer George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein. This marks a triumphant return to London, a city they haven’t graced with their presence since 2008. Justin Peck’s masterpiece, Rotunda, is set to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of movement and music. A commissioned score from American composer Nico Muhly provides a rich backdrop to the performance of an ensemble of 12 dancers. As NYCB’s Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor, Peck has created more than 20 works for NYCB, with recent projects outside of NYCB including Illinois, a new stage adaptation of Sufjan Stevens’ album, and the choreography for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of West Side Story in 2022. Balanchine’s Duo Concertant, a riveting performance for two dancers and two onstage musicians, is set to the music of Igor Stravinsky. This piece was initially created for NYCB’s legendary Stravinsky Festival in 1972. Balanchine, widely regarded as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century,… Read More

Christmas with a view: Santa Comes to Sydney Harbour Bridge

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this season, the festivities are reaching new heights. The jolly man in red himself – yes, Santa Claus – will be waiting for you at the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge! Every Sunday morning from November 5th to December 24th, 2023, Santa will be perched on high, 134 meters above sea level, ready to greet climbers with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho!”. A Christmas Photo to Remember Imagine capturing a Christmas photo unlike any other – one that not only features Santa but also boasts the breathtaking backdrop of the Sydney Opera House. This unique opportunity is available to all climbers booked in on a BridgeClimb experience before 11am. Say goodbye to traditional mall Santa photos, this year your holiday snaps will sleigh all others. Seasonal Add-Ons for Extra Cheer But wait, there’s myrrh! Besides experiencing the best views of Sydney while scaling the iconic arches of the bridge, climbers will be treated to some extra Christmas cheer. Each purchased photo package comes with a complimentary printed Santa photo. Digital photos can be jazzed up with an optional festive photo border, perfect for sharing on social media or sending as a unique Christmas greeting. And that’s not all – climbers will also receive a Santa hat to take home as a fun memento of their unforgettable climb. Sing-Along to Your Favourite Carols Feeling musical? The climb isn’t just about the views and the photos – it’s also a chance to raise your voice in… Read More

Embrace authentic fusion of tradition and innovation at Australian Gin Week

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In the heart of Australia, a unique partnership is set to celebrate the richness and diversity of the nation’s gin industry. For Australian Gin Week, Seven Seasons, an iconic gin brand known for its remarkable interpretations of indigenous Australian flavours, has partnered with the award-winning Rekodo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar at Barangaroo House. Together, they are unveiling the Green Ant Gin Martini, a bold new creation that captures the vibrant flavours of Australian flora. From the 15th of November to the 14th of December, patrons of Rekodo will be able to indulge in a special Green Ant Gin Martini and snack menu. This collaboration not only puts the spotlight on Seven Season Spirits’ acclaimed Green Ant Gin, but also entwines the rich history and flavours of Australian flora in an exciting culinary experience. Award-winning bartender, Jai Lyons, will be the mastermind behind the Green Ant Martini, while head chef Michael Dabbs has crafted a bespoke menu that perfectly complements the unique notes of the cocktail. Among the standout offerings is the Steak tartare temaki with koji, finger lime dressing, and a green ant garnish priced at $14. In addition, the Green Ant Gin Martini will feature at 50 of Australia’s top venues, including Margaret & West Hotels in New South Wales, Vue de Monde & Sunda in Victoria, Sasso Italiano & Rosellas Bar in Queensland, and Sofitel & Fleet Street Social in South Australia. Each venue will add their unique twist to the cocktail, further elevating the martini experience. Seven Seasons, founded by former AFL… Read More