ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance and commemoration of the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I. It is a public holiday in both Melbourne and Sydney, with many events and activities taking place throughout the day to honour those who have served their country. Here are some of the best things to do in Melbourne and Sydney on ANZAC Day. Melbourne: Sydney: No matter how you choose to spend ANZAC Day, it is sure to be a day of reflection, commemoration, and gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served their country.
Foodies of Sydney, brace yourselves for the ultimate Happy Hour experience! Starting from May 1st, Jane founder and executive chef, Tristan Rosier, brings to you “Jane – Sydney’s Best Happy Hour” – a culinary and beverage experience unlike anything before. Running between 5pm and 6pm Monday to Friday, and with extended hours of 4pm to 6pm on weekends, Jane’s Happy Hour boasts an array of sensational snacks under $15.00 and drinks starting at just $6.00. And with the Covid-safe measures in place, you can enjoy all these delights in a beautiful, elegantly-lit atmosphere. One of the key selling points of Jane’s Happy Hour is the award-winning RHUBI Mistelle, a handcrafted rhubarb aperitif from Victoria that serves as the foundation of some of the most extraordinary cocktails on the menu. The signature drink, The Australiano, priced at just $6.00, is a popular favourite created with RHUBI Mistelle, Regal Rouge vermouth, bitter citrus, and mandarin. The drinks list also includes other imaginative cocktails, such as White Possum G&Ts, RHUBI and Soda, chilled red wine, VB, and the in-house special, Jane Martini. In addition to the remarkable drinks menu, Jane’s team of chefs serve up the perfect pairing of locally sourced, Australian inspired snacks or larger share dishes with highlights set to include Sydney Rock Oysters, Duck Croquettes, marinated Port Lincoln sardines with kingfish Nduja, Lamb Dumplings and the famously delicious Kangaroo Tartare. Priced between $2.00 and $15.00, the snacks have been curated to showcase a range of flavours from all over the region. For enthusiasts seeking the… Read More
Opera Australia is set to give its premiere performance of Philip Glass’ Satyagraha, a hypnotic masterpiece featuring minimalist compositions, at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on Saturday, May 13. The operatic depiction of Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent protest in South Africa during his early years, performed in its original Sanskrit language, presents a challenging role for Indian-born tenor Shanul Sharma. Sharma, who started off as a heavy metal vocalist, will portray Gandhi for the first time in his career, becoming the first Indian-born Australian to perform as a principal artist in Opera Australia. Opera Australia regular, Australian soprano Rachelle Durkin who was previously appointed for the role of Mrs Schlesen with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, is set to play the same role here. The Opera Australia Chorus will perform the substantial four-part chorus and Opera Australia’s Head of Music, Tahu Matheson, will lead Orchestra Victoria sans brass or percussion instruments. It’s directed by Andy Morton and features a talented cast of Opera Australia principals, including Andrew Moran, Richard Anderson, Sian Sharp, and Alexander Sefton and you know will be an incredible experience. For more and tickets head to the Opera Australia website
The Athens Acropolis Museum is one of the most visited cultural destinations in Greece. It boasts a vast collection of ancient artifacts that offer visitors a glimpse into the rich history of Athens. Here are some of the highlights that visitors must see at the museum. The Parthenon Gallery: The Parthenon Gallery is the most popular attraction in the museum. It is a massive gallery that houses the Parthenon Frieze, which is a 160-meter-long sculpture that adorned the walls of the Parthenon temple. The frieze depicts a procession of people who were attending the Panathenaic religious festival. Visitors can walk around the gallery and see the original sculptures up close. The gallery also offers a stunning view of the Acropolis from the glass window that runs along one side of the room. The Archaic Gallery: The Archaic Gallery is a must-see destination for visitors who love ancient art. It features a collection of archaic sculptures that dates back to the 6th century BCE. The gallery offers a glimpse into the early days of Athens, and the sculptures depict various mythical creatures and humans. The most notable sculpture in the gallery is the celebrated “Kore of Antenoe,” which is a statue of a young woman. The Athena Nike Gallery: The Athens Nike Gallery is a small gallery that houses several notable sculptures, including the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The gallery is dedicated to the goddess Athena, who was believed to have given victory to the Athenians in battle. The most famous sculpture in the gallery is… Read More
Are you a fan of all things royal? The coronation of King Charles is just around the corner, and Kew Gardens has a special celebration planned just for the occasion. Here’s your guide to celebrate the coronation of King Charles at Kew Gardens: 1. Visit the exhibition Kew Gardens has a special exhibition on display to commemorate the coronation of King Charles. Make sure to visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory for a stunning display of exotic flowers and plants that represent the Crown Jewels, as well as the Royal Family’s coat of arms. The exhibition runs from the king’s coronation to the Jubilee, so don’t miss out! 2. Join the tour Get to know Kew Gardens on an informative tour led by experienced guides. Discover the history and secrets of the gardens, including the unique and rare plants housed here. Don’t forget to ask your guide about the impact of British royals on the garden’s development. The tour lasts around two hours and is suitable for all ages. 3. Enjoy a royal-themed picnic Pack a hamper full of delicious food and enjoy a picnic under a canopy of magnificent trees while basking in the glorious sunshine. Kew Gardens has several picturesque spots where you can lay down your blanket and picnic in style. You can even order a special royal-themed picnic basket with classic British delicacies and refreshing drinks for the perfect coronation celebration. 4. Watch the fireworks As the sun sets over Kew Gardens, prepare for a magical evening with spectacular coronation-themed fireworks… Read More
The ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome have left an indelible mark on the world’s cultural, scientific and architectural landscapes. The two empires’ influences on modern society are seen in everything from the buildings and monuments that adorn our cities to the language and ideals that shape our cultural beliefs. It’s no wonder then that the study of classical subjects such as Greek and Roman history, myths, and literature has been a longstanding tradition for humanities scholars. But it’s not just in academia that classical studies have value; they are also highly relevant to travellers today. One of the most significant benefits of studying ancient Greek and Rome is the opportunity to enrich one’s travels to these countries while gaining a deeper understanding of their people and culture. By studying the classics, you gain valuable insights into their values, philosophies, and way of life, making your trip more meaningful and rewarding. When you visit the ruins of the Parthenon in Athens or the Coliseum in Rome, for instance, you will understand better how these iconic structures fit within the context of the societies that built them. There’s also much to be learned about today’s political and social issues by studying classical history. For instance, the political philosophies of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates have gone down in history as the shining examples of democratic thought. The U.S. Declaration of Independence itself was inspired by ancient Greek democracy, and its authors sought to create a government that reflected the egalitarianism that was so highly prized by Athenian… Read More
Ford Australia is set to launch the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV later this year, marking the company’s first all-electric passenger vehicle, they have announced at this year’s Melbourne International Grand Prix at Albert Park. Three different variants of the Mach-E, namely Select, Premium, and GT, will be offered to customers, each designed to provide exhilarating driving experiences with performance and convenience features built-in. At the top of the range is the Mach-E GT, boasting MagneRide suspension and performance brakes, making it the quickest car that Ford will sell locally. Its dual electric motors give it an impressive 0-100km/h sprint of 3.7 seconds and up to 490 km of range. The Premium variant runs on a bigger battery of 91kWh, making it the longest range option with close to 600 km of running on a full charge. The Mach-E’s Untame mode offers a driver-centric experience and adds more fun to your drive. The Mach-E’s interior can comfortably sit five people, featuring a 15.5-inch infotainment system with Ford’s SYNC 4, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, wireless mobile phone charging, and a 10-speaker B&O sound system. All Mach-Es delivered in Australia will come standard with a panoramic sunroof. Ford Australia’s President and CEO, Andrew Birkic, expressed his excitement about the Mach-E’s arrival, saying, “We know Australians love that feeling of driving a performance car, and the Mach-E will mean they can enjoy that iconic Mustang freedom with all the benefits that an EV offers. There’s something special about the Mach-E that you can only really understand once you get… Read More
Sydney is an international hub for food, with cuisine from all around the world represented. However, among the many restaurants opening every month, there are some that truly stand out for their authentic flavors and commitment to tradition. These family-owned restaurants showcase the passion and creativity of generations of chefs and owners. Among those, four stand out as shining stars in Sydney’s culinary scene: Hello Auntie, XOPP, SAX, and Love.Fish – and more! Hello Auntie Owned by Chef Cuong Nguyen and his mother Thi Da (Lynda) Tran, Hello Auntie is a vibrant Vietnamese eatery in the bustling Darling Square precinct. Nguyen’s travels and culinary training have allowed him to bring a modern twist to traditional Vietnamese dishes, while still remaining true to the authenticity of the original flavors. “The food is a reflection of who we are and where we come from,” explains Nguyen. “Vietnamese culture is all about family, and that is something I want to share with our customers. Every dish is a story, and we hope to honor the Vietnamese culinary culture by telling those stories through our food.” The menu is an exciting blend of Vietnamese classics and innovative new creations. Must-try dishes include their signature crispy pork belly banh mi and modern variations of pho that reflect the chef’s London-based culinary training. XOPP XOPP, from the respected Golden Century Group, is a Cantonese restaurant that has persisted for over three decades. Founded by Eric and Linda Wong, the restaurant has been passed down to their sons, with Billy Wong now… Read More
Mary’s founders, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham, are presenting HERE NOW, a day-to-night festival of food, wine, music, and art as part of Vivid Sydney’s newest pillar, Vivid Food. The festival will be held on Saturday, June 11, at Macquarie Place Park in Sydney, and will showcase exciting names, cult favorites, and emerging artists in the fields of food, wine, and art. The 18+ event will feature interactive music performances within the park, as well as acoustic and stripped-back live sets from up-and-coming artists such as Dante Knows, Gordon Koang, and DJ sets from Eloise & Reenie. Co-curated by drinks journalist Mike Bennie and farmer/restaurateur Palisa Anderson, the festival will bring together a collection of food and wine vendors who represent NSW’s abundant hospitality community. A full lineup of artists, musicians, and food vendors is still to come. Tickets include entry and 5 food tokens, and can be purchased from Moshtix . After the festival, Mary’s will host an official after-party at Mary’s Underground.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has announced its major new exhibition, DIVA, which will open in June. The exhibition will be the first of its kind to celebrate the extraordinary power and creativity of iconic performers who have made their voices heard from the 19th century to the present day. Let’s not forget Whitney Houston, for example – watch her documentary on Amazon DIVA will honour the powerful and personal stories of creativity, ambition, and resilience of some of the best-known divas, from opera goddesses and silent movie stars to sirens of the big screen and today’s global megastars. The exhibition will also explore how performers have intersected with society and driven change through their platform and profile for social good and political change, including global civil rights and feminism. Over 60 looks will go on display, many rare or on display for the first time, including stage ensembles, iconic costumes by fashion designer for the stars Bob Mackie, and personal objects and accessories owned by divas. DIVA also includes examples of diva branding and key photographic works by renowned photographers. Kate Bailey, curator of DIVA, said that the V&A is the perfect stage to celebrate the multifaceted diva. “At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers who have challenged the status quo and used their voice and their art to redefine and reclaim the diva,” she said. One of the divas featured in the exhibition is Dame Shirley Bassey, who said: “It is wonderful to see the… Read More
