Category: CITIES

2 things to see in Covent Garden this Christmas

Updated: 16/11/2022

Christmas is on and so are the lights. Where’s best to see them? Covent Garden in London, of course. Don’t miss the Biscuiteers Installation. Weighing in at 10kg and spanning over 4ft wide, the intricate creation has been decorated entirely by hand and took the British baking masterminds over 100 hours to construct and ice. Providing the ultimate festive picture moment in Covent Garden’s Market Building, passers by also have the chance to purchase bespoke tins filled with 10 designs of Covent Garden hand-iced biscuits and build-your-own gingerbread houses. Tiffany ice-skating rink. The brand just sold for $16.2 billion, so you know they can afford something nice. Tiffany & Co. will unveil a one-of-a-kind scented interactive winter wonderland experience, filled with sparkling snow, a festive ice-skating rink and fragrance pop-up shop, amid the backdrop of iconic Tiffany Blue boxes. Bringing the magic of the season to life, the enchanting Tiffany & Co. winter wonderland will be located in the East Piazza from 28th November to 26th December. Centered around the joy of gifting, the installation features multi-sensory experiences, including experiencing Tiffany & Co.’s Signature Eau de Parfum as it is diffused into the air during key intervals each day, along with glistening snow falling from the sky and magically dissolving as it touches the ground.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Christmas day London, Christmas ice skating London, Covent Garden Christmas, London Christmas, What to see London Christmas, Where to ice skate London

Melbourne: Ketel One Vodka takes over the city’s Arbory Afloat riverside bar

by James Banham

Posted: 25/11/2019

Vodka is versatile. And so is the range of things to do in Melbourne in the summer. Combine the two and you get Ketel One Botanical; a new vodka range by the brand that combines the throat-burning deliciousness of vodka with the fragrant and floral notes of, well… Flowers. Arbory Afloat, Melbourne’s latest summertime destination, is all about summer in the city and vodka, so they’ve combined the two in honour of the new batch, creating a lush oasis on the venues’ upper deck to celebrate the launch of the new spirit. Arbory Afloat is serving each of the three new Ketel One Botanical varietals in a simple yet elegant, smooth-sipping spritz. You can enjoy these: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint spritz; Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose spritz; Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom spritz; To accompany the take-over, Arbory Afloat has created a range of merchandise; T-shirts, hats and towels inspired by the botanicals from Ketel One Botanical. Find it all at Arbory Afloat, opening hours: daily 11am – 1am, from now until 23 February 2020.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: arbory afloat, Melbourne Arbory Afloat, Melbourne bar, melbourne bars

Watch the X Factor’s best productions in London for free

by James Banham

Updated: 25/11/2019

Boxpark in London’s Wembley is about to come alive with The X Factor’s celebrity special event taking over the space on 30 November. Thanks to Just Eat, the food delivery folks, the ultimate X Factor viewing experience will be narrowcast on a 16-foot screen while familiar X Factor faces will take part in a Q&A session and stun guests with an exclusive live performance. Not to mention karaoke for the singers, meet-n-greets with the stars for the selfie-takers and all the food for the foodies, courtesy of vendors like Mama Jacq’s and Koolcha who both appeared at Just Eat’s flagship summer event, Food Fest. Sign up to head along at Eventbrite.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Watch X Factor London, X Factor, X Factor London, X Factor Wembley

Best things to do in Sydney this summer: Free live music, laneway surprises, late night bites

by James Banham

Updated: 24/11/2019

In a city gripped by bureaucracy and laws that stifle fun, it doesn’t mean you can’t get out amongst it in Sydney this summer. There are a lot of things on around the city this summer, courtesy of the hospitality folks at Merivale, to keep you occupied as the city heats-up. This is what’s on… Free live music Live music is the beating heart of all world-class cities and needs to be the driving force of Sydney’s reinvigorated future. Working closely with The Music and Booze Co, Merivale has curated a free programme of incredible and unexpected music experiences in the CBD. This week will see The Preatures and Thandi Phoenix take over Palings, Kira Piru play a pumping poolside set at Pool Club and Brendan Maclean perform by a grand piano at Establishment. Disco Espresso – The city’s tiniest disco Every Thursday and Friday afternoon, Will & Co on George Street will be transformed into Disco Espresso, Sydney’s tiniest disco party. Larger than life disco duo, The Dollar Bin Darlings, will be spinning tunes under the mirror balls from 5pm, with wine, beer and cocktails served on tap. Late night bites From tonight until the end of summer, Merivale is offering 50% off all bar food in all CBD bars – 11-12pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Guests will be able to enjoy half-price late-night bites at Palings, Establishment Main Bar, Slip Inn, Pool Club, Palmer & Co,.Bar Topa, Little Felix, Charlie Parker’s and the soon to open Bar Totti’s and Jimmy’s Falafel. Poof Doof Sydney… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

The Australian Ballet does dessert: Aria Sydney celebrates the Sylvia production

by James Banham

Posted: 22/11/2019

It was back in June that Aria Sydney celebrated a production at the Sydney Opera House. Read about that here. And now, the restaurant’s doing it again but this time, in celebration of Sylvia by the Australian Ballet. The production by The Australian Ballet will be on at the Sydney Opera House from 8 – 23 November and much like the production: a writhing tale of passion and humour entangled with love and sword fighting, the dessert tells a similar tale. Designed by Executive Chef, Joel Bickford, this exclusive pre and post theatre dessert is a delicate mix of natural elements and bold flavours that pairs sweet juicy strawberries with crisp shiso and bursting black grapes. The new dessert is obviously a limited run, and can be enjoyed as part of Aria’s pre and post theatre menu until the show concludes on Saturday 23 November.

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

Tags: aria sydney, Australian Ballet, Ballet food, dessert, Sylvia dessert

Why you need to go to Elephant Bar and Dining at Paddington’s Royal Hotel

by THE F

Posted: 18/11/2019

Nestled in the heart of Paddington, the Royal Hotel underwent a transformation last month, with all four levels now providing a unique offering. The local closed for a mere four days, from September 8th to 11th, reopening on the 12th with new interiors and an updated menu across the entire pub. The genesis of the relaunch was the desire to redesign the Elephant Bar. The relaunched Elephant Bar and Dining, which now spans across levels one and two. The space is light and airy, with botanical touches littered about the first two levels, complementing the marble bar tops and straw chairs and tables. Elephant Bar and Dining consists of a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and two event rooms. Whilst all the spaces are united aesthetically, each space has a unique look; from the forestry patterns adorning The High Room, to the nautical theme of the private Colonial Club. Created by the Royal Hotel’s ex-bar manager Kurtis Bosley, the drinks menu is geared towards the warmer weather. The cocktail range is experimental yet approachable, with well-blended flavour palettes. A standout is the 5 Ways Sling, a delicately fruity combination of pomegranate liqueur, strawberry infused gin, lime, rhubarb bitters and whites. The Mediterranian style menu is made for sharing; kick off your coastal culinary exploration with the South Australian Sardines and Western Australian Octopus, try a classic Mediterranean salad, before feasting on Spring Bay Mussels Marinara or White Wine, Pan Fried Pumpkin and Ricotta Gnocchi, or Chili Spanner Crab Linguini. For those who enjoy more traditional pub fare,… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: elephant bar, paddington, paddington restaurants, pub, royal hotel paddington

Acre Eatery is one of the inner west’s best kept secrets

by Emi Berry

Updated: 18/11/2019

The Acre Eatery in Sydney is probably one of the inner west’s best kept secrets. A stunning farm-to-table establishment located in Camperdown Commons, this venue now stands where the Camperdown Bowling and Recreation Club once existed. The beautiful thing is that this farm-like eatery is now a community hub for locals to gather and feast. What could have been developed into another block of bland high rises, is now a feel-good urban farm in the city. The establishment is located within Camperdown Commons, which is also home to not-for-profit organisation Pocket City Farms. Pocket City Farms take neglected spaces in Sydney and turn them into sustainable, urban farms. The venue boasts three areas to dine in – a sunny garden terrace, a takeaway section (known as the ‘Container’) and an impressive, country-style dining room that is fit for a wedding. And yes, Acre Eatery does cater for such events. The funky Spritz Bar is located on the Garden Terrace and is a great space to sit around with friends and share a meal over a few drinks. Breakfast is served in the Garden Terrace five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday and is the perfect location for a relaxing weekend breakfast, overlooking the community garden. Breakfasts don’t get any heartier than the ‘Country Breakfast’, which includes homemade pasture-raised pork sausage, butter mushrooms, bacon, grilled tomato, free-range poached egg, toast and pickles. For something a little naughtier, you may want to consider the spelt flour ricotta hotcakes with macerated berries, maple butter and caramelised banana…. Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, COFFEE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Acre Eatery, breakfast in sydney, breakfast places in sydney, Camperdown Commons, christmas lunch, dining, urban farm

Wines from Spain: What you need to be drinking in 2020

by THE F

Posted: 11/11/2019

The Wines From Spain Awards is part of the larger Eat Spain Drink Spain roadshow which showcases the best of Spanish food and wine. The campaign aims to bring together the diverse and exciting wine and authentic food to allow food and wine livers alike to explore the opportunities that Spain offers. In it’s seventh year, The Wines From Spain Awards, showcase a fascinating selection of the top 100 Spanish wines, chosen from over 400 entries. This year, the line up expressed a large range of diversity and a high quality of wine being produced in Spain. Spain continues to offer some of the best wine in terms of value, with wines on display ranging from £7.99 to £50. When speaking to Director Fernando Munoz at the London Wine Tasting which was held at Mimo London, he focused his tasting this year on the more unknown regions and grape varieties. “I was very pleased with some of them: for whites and rosé, nº 10, 13, 18 and 42, were all excellent. As for reds, I quite liked nº 46, 50 and 55.” “We had a group of 11 judges, who in July chose 100 winners which are showcased here today, and out of the 100 winners we also select 13 Champion wines for each category.” Said Fernando. In the White Wine Category; Pansa Blanca 2018, Raventos de Alella was awarded the Best Discovery; Raimat El Niu de la Cigonya 2018, Raventos Codorniu was awarded Best White Over £10; Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2018, Bodegas El Grifo,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best wines guide, How to choose Spanish wines, Spanish wine guide, wine guide, Wines from Spain

Glebe favourite The Toxteth pub gets an upmarket refresh

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

Occupying a prime position on the corner of Glebe Point Road and Ferry Road for almost a century, The Toxteth recently underwent an update. Glebe’s beloved local has long been the pub of choice for catching up with friends and family over drinks and good food with live music. In late 2018, The Toxteth, or The Tocky as it’s known by locals, was given a makeover. Retaining its rustic exposed brick walls, The Tocky has been fitted out with plush leather banquettes, leather paneling on the bar, copper fixtures, and timber finishes, all set around a soft neutral olive colour palette. The courtyard now features a retractable roof, making it a viable dining option regardless of the season. To accompany the new decor, the food and beverage menu has also undergone a new look. The Tocky’s classic rump steak and chicken schnitzel remain, however they’re now joined by new plant-based options. The vegetarian and vegan fare ranges from delightfully crispy popcorn cauliflower and Italian-inspired mushroom arancini to kelp noodle salad with salt and pepper tofu or a variety of hot bowls. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, join ‘Sienna’s Brunch Club’, a bottomless Bellini brunch. For the first time, The Toxteth is serving cocktails and mocktails. The Gins and Roses is a beautifully balanced floral option, while the Espresso Martini on tap from the Lexington Hill Collection is sure to be a millennial favourite. The range of cocktail carafes provide the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon with friends, and the lychee and passion fruit… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: Best Sydney pubs, London bars, sydney bars, Sydney pub guide, THE F Toxteth, Toxteh London, Toxteth Sydney

The 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras theme and program has been revealed and it’s magical

by Emi Berry

Updated: 10/11/2019

What Matters has been revealed as the theme for the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and it promises to be bigger and bolder than ever. The theme builds on the legacy of Mardi Gras – a platform for activism, encouraging the community to think about creating a more inclusive future. “This year we celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality. From ground-breaking queer artists to trailblazing thought leaders, Mardi Gras 2020 is an opportunity to visit the next destinations on our journey of diversity, inclusion and social justice,” says Mardi Gras Arts Interim CEO, Grant Lowe. Mark it on your calendars! Friday 14 February 2020 is when the festivities kick off, with a diverse program of events running until Sunday 1 March 2020. They’ll be dazzling dance parties, top-tier theatre, music, world-class workshops and family-focused fun, with the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade taking place on Saturday 29 February, 2020. The post-Mardi Gras Parade celebrations will continue with the iconic Mardi Gras Party happening at the Hordern Pavilion with the electrifying Dua Lipa headlining. The pavillion and its surrounding areas will be transformed into a brand-new adult playland with the party starting at 11pm – 8am. Fourth release tickets are on sale now. There’s a supersized program on offer including the pre-eminent vogue ball, Sissy Ball and iconic festival classics such as Fair Day and Laneway, the traditional closing event of Mardi Gras. There’s no shortage of thought-provoking workshops and community events, with Queer Thinking taking over… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, DRAG, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: gay, gay sydney, mardi gras, mardi gras parade, sydney gay lesbian mardi gras, Sydney Gay Lesbian Mardi Gras Seymour Centre

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.