Category: CITIES

Sydney’s ultimate date night: dinner and the opera on Sydney Harbour

Updated: 08/03/2021

Forget Valentine’s Day; this opportunity’s about to trump any idea you’ve ever had before. Opera Australia’s putting on a European gastronomic spread ahead of its annual Handa Opera on the Harbour, renowned as one of the world’s most premier and premium outdoor musical events. The premium harbourside setting will be transformed into a pop-up opera house, complete with bars, restaurants and tiered seating that make the most of the spectacular Sydney skyline views. You’ll get the chance to choose from five different restaurant and bar areas that’ll serve a European-inspired menu that will highlight the flavours of France and Italy in celebration of the triumphant return of Opera Australia’s production of Opera Australia’s La Traviata. For those who bank with HSBC Australia, the Platinum Club will be on-hand as the pop-up dining experience to visit, comprising a sumptuous undercover restaurant and bar with premium Sydney Harbour views. The Club offers exclusive two or three-course sit-down fine dining with table-service, matching wine and a set menu from The Fresh Collective’s award-winning chefs. Opera Australia has partnered with Handpicked Wines as the official wine partner and will have on-hand, a range of award- winning wine selections from Australia’s leading fine wine regions. Reservations for the HSBC Platinum Club are essential. For a more laid-back option, guests can dine with some of the best views on site as a backdrop on the Northern Terrace. Enjoy bistro-style dining from Frenchies Bistro and Brewery with a choice of French-inspired hot, cold and dessert selections. The Southern Terrace will transform into… Read More

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

Tags: handa opera sydney harbour, opera domain, Opera music bowl, Outdoor opera, Sydney Harbour opera, Sydney outdoor music festival, Sydney's ultimate date night dinner and the opera on Sydney Harbour

Love the pickle? You’ll love this new festival dedicated to fermenting in Mudgee

by THE F

Posted: 08/03/2021

Fermenting’s the unsung hero of the kitchen. If ever you wanted to make stuff last forever, it’s the number one tool for success. And the best bit? It’s literally so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it yourself sooner and been opting for super expensive pre-done options from the supermarket for years. There’s a festival happening in Mudgee to know about, if this is up your street, called Fermenta, celebrating fermenting in the format of a twilight picnic. Headlining events to look forward to are: breakfast with an alpaca, ‘Wild stories’ foraging guide, kombucha demonstration and brewing workshops, how to make honey ginger beer, sourdough crumpets making, chocolate fermentation classes and even a traditional sauerkraut demonstration. Fermenta is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s The Festival of Place – Summer Fund and the Australian Government’s Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Fund. For more info and to get tickets, head to the Fermenta website

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

Tags: Fermenta, Fermenta festival Mudgee, Fermenta Mudgee, Mudgee food festivals

Top 5 events at Canberra Good Food Month in 2021

by James Banham

Updated: 08/03/2021

Canberra Good Food month is back in 2021, celebrating the very best of the capital city for the seventh sensational year. Here are the five best events to add to your calendar: Alanna Sapwell x Analiese Gregory x Bar Rochford Lunch sittings from 12:00pm, dinner sittings from 6:30pm | Sunday, 28 March | Bar Rochford | $160 Hold on to your hats, Canberra! Good Food Month presented by Citi is flying Alanna Sapwell, former head chef of ARC Dining (Brisbane) and Saint Peter (Sydney), and Analiese Gregory (who recently departed Hobart’s two-hatter, Franklin) into town for two delicious events at everyone’s favourite watering hole, Bar Rochford. Tickets include multiple courses with matched wine. Buy tickets for lunch here Buy tickets for dinner here Young Chefs Dinner presented by Citi Vegetarian Edition 6:30pm | Monday 29 March | Monster Kitchen & Bar at Ovolo Nishi | $150 Promoting and nurturing young talent is a Good Food Month legacy and we proudly shine a light on the crème-de-la-crème of Canberra’s bright young things. This year the brief is to go green, so what better way than a plant based take-over of the newly vegetarian kitchen of Monster Kitchen & Bar – our budding young chefs Kenny Tse (Monster Kitchen & Bar), Ben Waterston (Les Bistronomes) with one more to be announced soon, will curate a stellar set menu under the guidance of acclaimed Michelin-starred Executive Chef, Paul Wilson. Tickets include three courses with premium wine and beer. Buy tickets here The Good Weekend Quiz: Live The Good… Read More

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

Tags: canberra good food month, good food month, top 5 canberra good food month, what to see canberra good food month

Melbourne Design Week 2021: Design the world you want

by THE F

Posted: 07/03/2021

Melbourne Design Week is back and the full program for its 2021 festival – the largest iteration to date – is out! Now in its fifth consecutive year, the festival features 11 days of more than 300 exhibitions, talks, films, tours and workshops across Victoria and online exploring the theme ‘design the world you want’; a positive message after the last year of hell. With big-to-small names of the design industry, the Melbourne Design Week will celebrate the diversity of Australian design and architecture and offer both industry professionals and design enthusiasts alike the opportunity to engage with local, national and international practices at the vanguard of design world-wide. For more of what to expect and to book your visits, head over to the designweek.melbourne website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Design the World You Want, Design week, Melbourne design week, Melbourne Design Week 2021

Brisbane Queer Film Festival is back this March 11-21

by James Banham

Posted: 07/03/2021

Featuring a program of bold, defiant and refreshingly authentic queer storytelling by and for the queer community, the annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival’s back for 2021. Taking place at New Farm Cinemas, the festival program is made up of 14 features, 3 shorts sessions, 6 documentaries, with 17 Queensland premieres, and 3 Australian premieres, and special presentations of the auteur of Taiwanese Second Wave cinema, Tsai Ming-Liang’s Days (Rizi), in partnership with Queensland Film Festival; 25th anniversary screening of Bloodsisters in partnership with Sissy Screens and Institute of Modern Art. Some highlights to look out for are: The tender and playful UK documentary, Posy Dixon’s Keyboard Fantasies, the story of Beverly Glenn-Copeland a trans* elder and musician rediscovered by the youth in the experimental contemporary music scene. The latest and ‘biggest budget’ Bruce LaBruce feature Saint-Narcisse in all its twinning glory, ultimately is a film about the bond of family. Australian filmmakers Thomas Wilson-White & Lizzie Cater’s new feature The Greenhouse – a magic-realist film asking what would you do, if you could go back in time, will make its Queensland premiere and the Teddy award winning feature from Faraz Shariat, German/Iranian story No Hard Feelings. Along with two Australian Premieres from the voices of future trans*/non-binary/queer storytelling, Lia Hietala & Hannah Reinikainen’s Always Amber and Olivia Peace’s Tahara, evoking the unique confines of contemporary youth by shooting in a tight 1:1 aspect ratio (Instagram). There’s a lot on. Head to the BQFF website for more.

Category: BRISBANE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: bqff, Brisbane film festival, Brisbane gay, Brisbane Mardi Gras, Brisbane Queer Film Festival, Gay Brisbane guide

Gay theatre for Mardi Gras: what to see at Giant Dwarf Theatre this March

by THE F

Updated: 08/03/2021

Launching on Wednesday, 3 March the Giant Dwarf Theatre is inviting you to experience their 2-week program, Queer Hub, supporting the work made by the LGBTQIA+ community. Their new Queer Hub program presents the opportunity for diverse artists to explore their talents and share their works in a colourful array of storytelling, cabaret, comedy and performance art. See scheduled performances below: Drag King Bingo Mind the Dancer Natali Caro: Seeking Representation Two Queers Walk Into A Bar Two Queers Open Mic 10 Things I Hate About You (but it’s queer) Table Read The Summer Bay Homicides The Kings Queerstories

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, SYDNEY

Tags: Gay theatre for Mardi Gras what to see at Giant Dwarf Theatre this March, Mardi Gras Theatre, Theatre Sydney

Good & Fugly: fighting waste has never been so delicious and healthy!

by Emi Berry

Updated: 06/03/2021

Did you know up to 25% of Australian produce doesn’t leave the farm because of their ‘imperfections’? But even imperfect fruit and veg deserve some loving, right? And the best part is, your love for rescued fruit and veg will help towards reducing wastage. The statistics are pretty alarming – in Australia alone, we throw away 3.1 million tonnes of food – the equivalent to 17,000 747 jumbo jets. A step in the right direction, Good & Fugly are fighting waste by selling boxes of perfectly edible, seasonal produce direct from farmers that just don’t make the cut for the supermarkets because they simply don’t meet their cosmetic standards. It could be that your capsicum looks a little wonky, or your plums are too big or too small. But this is also actually a win for the consumer who much prefers to purchase their produce direct from the farmer. So does it work? You simply choose the box size you’d like delivered (small is $39 and large is $59). Each week, produce may vary depending on what farmers have available, however, they aim to provide staples such as potatoes, onions and leafy greens on a regular basis. Delivery is included in the price and can be weekly or fortnightly. Deliveries can be cancelled at any time. Good & Fugly currently deliver to the following areas in Sydney: –Wednesday – Lower North Shore and Eastern Suburbs (Order must be in by Monday 9pm) –Friday – Inner West, Inner South and CBD (Order must be in by… Read More

Category: CITIES, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, SYDNEY

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Best burgers in Five Dock Sydney: Fat Belly Jack’s food truck

by James Banham

Updated: 08/03/2021

Southern American food better watch out – it’s about to meet its match. The Australian interpretation’s out for blood. The new Fat Belly Jack’s food truck is serving up Nashville fried chicken, burgers and bar snacks like dumpster fries, cheeseburger spring rolls and jalapeno poppers five days a week (Wed-Sun) from the beer garden at the re-launched Illinois Hotel in Five Dock. None of it’s good for you, but it’s good for the soul, turning a local inner west pub into its slice of heaven as they use recipes developed over years of research and general taste gauging. Fat Belly Jack’s boasts the most authentic Nashville fried chicken outside of Nashville. With heat level ranging from mild to ‘really f#cking hot’, there is something for everyone with wings done four ways, as well as chicken tenders and other snacks. Find the food truck at The Illinois Hotel, 15 Parramatta Road, Five Dock

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

Tags: Best burgers in Five Dock Sydney Fat Belly Jack's food truck, Best burgers Sydney, burgers inner west sydney, Burgers Sydney

Australia’s first non-alcoholic bar is opening this April: Brunswick Aces Bar

by James Banham

Updated: 27/02/2021

There’s a new bar opening in Brunswick East, Melbourne and they’re not serving alcohol. To a seasoned drinker, this is quite shocking, but to those who aren’t into it, can’t drink it, or just fancy not writing themselves off on a first date or casual catch-u[ with friends, it’s been a long-time needed. It’s called Brunswick Aces Bar, is by Brunswisk Aces Distillery and is set to open late April 2021. A 150-person capacity venue on Weston Street in Brunswick East, it’ll be the first of its kind in Australia, offering a dedicated space for non-drinkers to enjoy an extensive list of specially curated drinks and cocktails. Every section of the drink menu will be designed to cater for non-drinkers, from beers and wines, to the distillery’s signature 0% alcohol gin alternative, Brunswick Aces Spades Sapiir and Brunswick Aces Hearts Sapiir. The menu will feature a host of sober takes on classic cocktails, like the Negroni, Espresso Martini, Tom Collins and the simple G&T, as well as a range of premium beers and wines from around the world. With Brunswick Aces being stocked at premium bars and restaurants nationwide, and with domestic travel not returning to normal any time soon, the team will also be looking to bring a taste of these venues to Brunswick East by recreating the drinking experience from venues including Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel and Firedoor. Find out more at the Brunswick Aces website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Australia's first non-alcoholic bar is opening this April Brunswick Aces Bar

Drinks from a drag queen: how to make it happen

by James Banham

Updated: 27/02/2021

This annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, you can have a drag queen bring you alcohol. And be happy about it. BWS Paddington South Dowling Street, BWS Paddington Oxford street and BWS Darlinghurst – have had store signs changed to BWS YASSS, complete in rainbow colours, as part of the celebrations which means that Miss Prada Clutch will hand deliver some very special party packages. “Yas darlings, I’m so excited to be part of BWS Mardi Gras celebrations. The BWS YASSS store signs are fabulous because ‘Yas’ has its origins in our glittering drag community and is a fierce expression of support,” Prada Clutch said. “And drinks delivered in one hour? How qween-venient. Certainly faster than it takes for me to get ready in the morning, darlings. I can’t wait to help deliver my special party packages and so speedily. Somebody hold my lipstick!” Prada Clutch added. How to get Prada to bring you booze? The party packages include a bottle of super star and Sydney Mardi Gras headliner Rita Ora’s premium tequila brand Próspero and Mishka Vodka as well as glitter props in the Mardi Gras vibe. Customers who entered a competition to win a Mardi Gras party pack personally delivered by Miss Prada Clutch have gone into the draw.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: BWS Sydney, Drinks from a drag queen how to make it happen, Prada Clutch Sydney

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More