Category: CITIES

Painting the road pink: Sydney’s Rose street festival is back

Rose street festival

After a hit the first time ’round, Sydney’s Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel is painting the road pink with its second Rose Street Fest in Watson’s Bay! With the Sydney skyline as the backdrop to what will be a stunning festival of alcohol and happiness, it’s the kind of thing families, friends and lovers flock to, to wander the aisles, try the drops and enjoy the sun. There’ll be music, food and wine as anyone there over 18 is given a tasting glass with their ticket and free passes to all the vendors the likes of Gilbert wines, AIX, Freeman Vineyard, Mirabeau and more. There’ll even be Blossom Rosé Sparkling Apple Cider pouring, Proud & Punch is sampling its fruity coconut pops as a cooling palate cleanser and the Watsons Bay street food cart will have a rosy makeover piled high with pink desserts and frosé to sample. From 11-7 on 27 October, it’s the best way to welcome-in the summer. Get tickets here.

Arnold Ivey crafts a new menu at London’s Avenue in St James

Oysters

Oysters from all over the UK, fresh fish caught that morning and incredible wholesome, borderline umami flavours, the new menu by the UK chef is one to try. Arnold Ivey’s stints at the likes of London institutions like Bluebird Chelsea, Orrery in Marylebone, Paternoster Chop House (the first dates restaurant) and Kensington Place before it shut down, all contribute to the stunning new menu. Sure, they do the Avenue classics that draw the regulars, like the Avenue Cheeseburger and Classic Chicken Caesar Salad, but it’s the new seafood additions that are really worth the visit. Think whole seabass off the bone, mussels, fish and chips, yellowfin tuna tartare with cucumber, apple and seeded crackers, Severn & Wye smoked salmon, served alongside soda bread, capers shallots and dill cream, and the famous lobster roll with Mary Rose sauce and fries available on the weekend brunch menu. And top it all off with new dessert options like a house-made strawberry Avenue take on the eton mess and a sensationally tart lemon meringue. Both musts! Head to the Avenue at 7-9, St James’s St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1EE or their website to book your experience.

Sydney Dance Company’s 2020 season: What it’s all about

Sydney Dance Company 2020

Sure, it’s been 50 years of Sydneyside choreographic magic at the hands of Rafael Bonachela, but this forthcoming 2020 season is the last in a long line of awesomeness that takes them into the new decade. Next year, the Company’s exploring the thrill of pushing boundaries, both on stage and what they can do with the power of it, by partnering with other choreographers. The likes of William Forsythe and Bryce Dessner and Melanie Lane will join the resident director, Bonachela on an array of works, archival and new. Works along the lines of WOOF by Lane and ab [intra] by Bonachela will be presented as part of the lead-in to the next fifty years of dance magic at the hands of the Sydney Dance Company. As Bonachela says, “I look at 2020 as the start of the next 50 years for Sydney Dance Company. The year ahead is filled with national and international touring and it is always a great pleasure and privilege to share the performances of the extraordinary dancers of the company.” Keep your eyes on the Sydney Dance Company website for works coming up and how to get tickets.

The Marriage of Figaro is back with Stacey Alleaume taking stage

Stacey Alleaume Mirrage Figaro

Since joining the program in 2016, Melbourne-born opera singer Stacey Alleaume has kicked goal-after-goal. From making us laugh out loud in her 2018 role in The Turk in Italy to making us cry as Violetta Valery in La Traviata of the same year, she’s a star on the rise and one the company’s thankful for in the 2019 season where Stacey will take on the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Stacey will share the role with fellow soprano, Julie Lea Goodwin who crushed her role as Wendy in the Australian focused production of the famed artist Brett Whiteley in Whiteley. Alongside Paolo Bordogna – who Stacey has worked very closely with previously in The Turk in Italy – who’ll bring his charming Italian flavoured baritone skills to the stage as Figaro Set in the 1600s – a good century before Mozart actually wrote the opera – it’s a spectacular take on the highs and lows of a tale that makes a hero of the underclass, highlights the class divisions of the time and foreshadows the French Revolution that was brewing on the near horizon. See more about the production and get your tickets at the Opera Australia website.

Gaming, technology and dance take to the Camden stage in Sydney

Shaun Parker Zone

When Shaun Parker does a show, it makes headlines. The last instalment that was KING as part of the 2019 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras was testament to that. And this theatrical season, the company is back with In The Zone, a production that brings gaming technology and dance together on stage. It’s about mesmerising Airsticks technology which creates sound through movement, alongside outstanding hip-hop choreography from Shaun Parker himself, the Sydney choreographer and Artistic Director of this incredible company.  Performed by Western Sydney street and hip-hop dancer Libby Montilla, In The Zone will take you on a journey into the world of limitless imagination inspired by gaming and escapism. Creating an unforgettable show for all ages, In The Zone is perfect for dance lovers, avid gamers and those ready to witness a breathtaking combination of exceptional choreography and modern technology. The show will premiere at the Macarthur Auditorium, Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street, Camden, NSW 2570 on Friday 13 September from 7pm. See more at the production’s website.

Fjällräven has a new shop, right in the middle of Sydney

Fjallraven 1

Sydney Fjällräven fans rejoice! Your prayers have been answered as the Swedish heritage outdoor brand announces the opening of its Australian flagship store located at 38 York Street.  With a wall full of your favourite Kånken backpacks in almost every essential colour you could think of as well as a decent selection of mens and womens clothing, there’s no need to go anywhere else for your outdoor life accessories. For those who love the original Kånken, there is an impressive variety of colours to choose from – so be warned – it won’t be a quick process when deciding. For something a little more striking and super durable, you might want to check out the Kånken No.2, which features leather handles and is produced using G-1000 Heavy Duty fabric, which is classified as ‘extra hard-wearing’, so perfect for both travelling and outdoor life.  If you’re not familiar with the story behind Fjällräven (which translated from Swedish means Arctic fox), it’s worth understanding how it came to life, as it gives you a better appreciation of the brand’s mission and how it has stayed true to it after all these years. Stepping back in time to 1960, Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin was only 14-years-old when he customised his backpack to go hiking, as he was not satisfied with the one he had. He made improvements to his original backpack by attaching a wooden frame, providing better stability and more functionality. Little did he know this was going to be the beginning of an iconic Swedish outdoor… Read More

5 best Latin American places to eat in Sydney

Chula Mexican restaurant Potts Point Sydney THE F posters wall

Whether you are a Latino going travelling in Australia or you’re just going for a holiday there and want to find the best places in Sydney for Latin American recipes, we have you covered. Keep reading to discover the best Latin American eateries in Sydney that can help you feel right at home, even when you are thousands of miles away. Latin American Food in Australia According to REVIEWBOX, globalisation has helped to ensure that no matter where you are in the world, you are likely to be able to find food that reminds you of home. This is true for Latinos who are in Australia, as there is an array of restaurants and eateries that provide traditional Latin American recipes. Food is such a big part of culture and so it is important to embrace different cultures and recipes all around the world, whilst still eating the food that you love from your home country. If you are searching for Latin American dishes in Sydney, such as Ceviche, Empanadas, Cuy, Arepas, Pupusas, Tacos, Tamales, Aji Amarillo, or Feijoada, then here at the places you need to try: INCA’S Restaurant Cafe & Bar In Darlinghurst, Sydney, you’ll find Inca’s Restaurant Cafe & Bar which specialises in Peruvian and Latin cuisines. This place is great for seafood and has excellent reviews online. It is well worth a trip if you want delicious Latin American dishes. Tequila Mockingbird Situated in Paddington, you’ll find Tequila Mockingbird, which is a great restaurant to try out if you are looking… Read More

Sydney: Off the beaten path

Sydney

Although the city has no shortage of world-famous attractions, (the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge come to mind almost immediately, as well as Bondi Beach) travelers seeking interesting alternatives to the mainstream sights may find themselves lost in the seaside city, doomed to forever wander the CBD. Despite the popular narrative often found in the literature on Sydney’s tourism, there is plenty to see and do in the areas outside of the city center, off the so-called beaten path, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on in this article. White Rabbit Gallery Located in the inner-city suburb Chippendale, the White Rabbit Gallery is a contemporary art museum that houses over 1000 pieces from the White Rabbit Collection at any given time. Since the collection itself is so massive, the museum will put up new exhibits twice a year, refitting the entire building in the process. The White Rabbit Gallery features pieces from many significant Chinese and Taiwanese contemporary artists and the collection is one of the largest of its kind. Since the gallery is registered as a charitable, philanthropic institution which is funded in entirety by the Neilson Foundation, they are able to stay true to their goal of making the complex and nuanced world of Chinese contemporary art more accessible to the public by offering free admission to all visitors. That’s right, it’s completely free, and according to Sophia King, an art critic from THEGOODESTATE, “The White Rabbit Gallery houses some of the most evocative pieces from it’s genre, and provides much more… Read More

Mushrooms at Somerset House: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi

Beatrix Potter, Hygrophorus puniceus, pencil and watercolour, 7.10.1894,

This right here is the kind of work that sets Somerset House apart and makes for January 2020’s next exhibition you need to see. Doesn’t matter if you take them, cook them or eat them, the humble ‘shroom is a wealth of point of interest, all its own. This exhibition explores that in all its glory, from the mind and talent of curator and writer Francesca Gavin. Through the work of over 40 artists, designers and musicians, Mushrooms celebrates the rich legacy and incredible potential of the remarkable fungus, the ideas it inspires in the poetic, spiritual and psychedelic, and the powerful promise it offers to combat the human devastation of the planet. Throughout the exhibition, international artists will delve into their take on the concept of the mushroom, spanning large-scale sculpture, hand-cut collage, painting, drawing, photography, film and performance. The incredible versatility of mushrooms is also explored in new, conceptual pieces from designers working across architecture, furniture and fashion, including a 3D-printed mycelium chair from Eric Klarenbeek, light shades and stools from Sebastian Cox and Ninela Ivanova, and mushroom based textiles. It all goes down on 31 January 2020 to 26 April 2020. See more at the Somerset House website.

Indian afternoon tea: Vivek Singh, and Great British Bake Off star Tamal Ray make it happen

Jodi Hinds Food Photographer London

Remember Tamal Ray, the baker from the Great British Bake Off? Sure ya do… Well, he’s teamed up with Vivek Singh, the London king of Indian behind such establishments as Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden and its stunning bespoke menu, to create the latest trend in English afternoon tea. Singh has been around for a while now, turning out stunning Indian flavours the city keeps going back for, but now, the two are trying something new. Now on the menu at at Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden, the bespoke menu brings fire and spice to the traditional tea-time spread, and is inspired by the duo’s shared family roots in Kolkata, West Bengal. They’re doing such gastro magic as marrying the flavours of East India with modern culinary techniques, giving afternoon tea a completely new look and taste. They’re doing away with boring white bread sandwich fingers, subbing them out for things like Kolkata fish finger sandwich with tomato chutney cooked in turmeric, chilli and mustard oil. Add to that, the likes of a Bengali-inspired Chicken Kathi ‘spring rolls’, yet another take on the traditional street food rolls found in Kolkata. No afternoon tea at Cinnamon Bazaar would be complete without Vivek’s signature chaat, so guests can tuck into Tamal’s favourite Pani Puri – semolina shells filled with spiced chickpeas, mint and tamarind water – and Papdi chaat, crisp wheat chaat with yoghurt, tamarind and coriander chutneys. It’s the kind of thing that’s so yummy, so now and so very London. See more at the Cinnamon… Read More