Win tickets to see CINCO by Sydney Dance Company this March

Updated: 16/11/2022

Sydney’s famed Sydney Dance Company pumps out shows quicker than its dancers can take pilates classes, but this month’s is a real winner. It’s a part of the Sydney Dance Company’s 50th anniversary, and this year, the number 5 is taking centre stage in the production. For Cinco, Rafael Bonachela‘s brand new work, the choreographer has turned to the world of numbers and mathematics for inspiration. The work features five dancers to perform all five movements of a string quartet composed in the 1950s. Not to mention, it’s also the Company’s 50th Anniver The latest instalment by choreographer Rafael Bonachela, CINCO, is on in Sydney this March and is promising a thorough trip through the creative expressions of the Company’s lead. It’s all combined with the award-winning lighting of Damian Cooper, the imagination and skill of designer Bianca Spender with celebrated Argentinian composer Alberto Ginaster. Enter below to score yourself one of 10 double passes to see the show on 26 March 2019. Entries close 11:59PM AEDT, 24 March 2019. Loading…

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Cinco, Cinco dance, sydney dance company, Sydney Danco Company Cinco, THE F Dance, the f sydney, the f sydney dance company

Where to stay in Covent Garden, London: The Nadler boutique hotel

The Nadler Covent Garden - Exterior daytime

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Any visit to London isn’t complete without a visit to Covent Garden. The site of music, food, fashion, entertainment for decades, its got its own long list of reason to visit, other than hospitality, but it’s definitely the latest hotel on the block, The Nadler Covent Garden, that gives any tourist – first timer or veteran – a reason to pay it a visit. The Covent Garden establishment is the latest in a long list of Nadler hotels around London, making it the fifth jewel in a crown of striking hotels in the city that really put London on the map – even more so – as a must-visit and must-stay destination; museums aside. It overlooks the Strand, right in the heart of Covent Garden and is perfectly situated for exploring one of London’s most schmick districts. The hotel is unique, other than its stunning aesthetic, because of a few touches they’ve gone with for guests that really set the joint apart from the regular hum drum that might be on offer in other parts of town. Each room comes with a mini kitchen, direct access to the Royal Opera House (currently showing Frankenstein and Juliet & Romeo), champagne tastings at Champagne + Fromage, to exclusive discounts and perks at luxury shoe store, Oliver Sweeney, the hotel’s specially trained front of house. The Nadler in Covent Garden really lets you live as a local, right in the centre of London – which no one can afford otherwise – putting the best of life, right at… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, TRAVEL

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Bhutan’s 3 new luxury lodges just raised the bar: Timphu, Paro and Punakha

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Bhutan’s three new lodges by Six Senses are stunning and contribute to the country’s Gross National Happiness philosophy.

Category: ASIA, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: Bhutan, Bhutan. Bhutan Six Senses, Lodges Bhutan, Paro lodge, Punakha lodge, Six Senses, Six Senses Bhutan, Six Senses Hotel, Timphu lodge

Interviewing Jaden Smith: Why he’s JUST what the world needs right now

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

When Jaden Smith was just 11 years old he started learning about the impact that humans were having on the environment at school. This ignited his passion which inspired him to look further. “I really started to just study more and do more of a deep dive [into our environmental impact]…I really just got so inspired to really make a change,” he said. 10 years on, Jaden has grown up a hell of a lot and the singer, style icon and eco-entrepreneur is bringing packaged water to Australian shores. JUST Water contains locally sourced Australian spring water and is packaged in a fully recyclable Tetra Pak carton. The paper-based carton is the first of its kind and is made from 82% renewable resources – paper certified by Forest Stewardship Counsel wood sources and the cap and shoulder is made of plant-based materials. In true Smith style, the water’s packaging is minimal, eye-catching and chic. Specifically formulated with a wide mouth on the bottle, “so that people would use their JUST Water bottle as a container,” he explained. “[What] we’re really selling is this innovative container that’s different than all of the other types on the market.” The bottle will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 72% in comparison to any of their petroleum-based competitors (i.e every other plastic bottle on the market). Aside from quitting single-use plastics, Jaden is well-known for his flamboyant style. He says you don’t always need something new to stay on top of the latest fashion trends and that thrifted (op… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Jaden Smith, Jaden Smith interview, Jaden Smith JUST Water, Just Water, Just Water interview, THE F celebrity, THE F Jaden Smith, THE F Just Water

Ferrari f1 red: Ferrari does Formula 1, Ferrari Red Lounge

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

Ferrari Australasia are proud to announce the launch of ‘The Ferrari Red Lounge’, a venue just for the Grand Prix in Melbourne like they’ve never done before. Just metres from the F1 track, the Ferrari space will be celebrated with a special unveiling of the limited series Icona car, the Monza SP1. It’s a space of 240 square meters, immersing anyone lucky enough to head in, into the world of Ferrari over the four-day schedule, that’ll continually evolve into the night, hosting VIP guests and private entertainment, to showcase two of the brand’s most iconic models, the Ferrari Portofino and Monza SP1. The car they’re unveiling, the Ferrari Monza SP1, is inspired by barchettas of the 1950’s aesthetic, which is futuristic, but at the same time an homage to the past. The Monza SP1 is equipped with the most powerful naturally-aspirated V12 ever produced by Ferrari. The power of the 812 Superfast’s 6.5 litre engine has been increased by 10 cv to 810 cv at 8500 rpm with a slight increase in torque to 719 Nm at 7000 rpm. See more at Ferrari.

Category: CARS, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: ferrari, Ferrari Grand Prix, melbourne grand prix, THE F Ferrari Grand Prix, the f grand prix, THE Ferrari

Holden Suv: Holden does 5 SUVs: Here’s why they’re awesome

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

When it comes to buying or talking about cars, you don’t need to be an car-nut to make a good decision. Though, if you’re in the market for an SUV – as so many of us are – looking anywhere but the Australian car brand Holden mightn’t do you any favours. The Lion brand has long been known on Australian roads and has a soft spot in Aussie’s hearts, which is why they’re now – much like as they’ve always done – giving the people what they want and catering to the ever-lucrative and teemingly busy SUV market, which has in 2018/9 capitalised majority of the market’s demand. And it’s not going anywhere. Holden does five kinds of SUV vehicles; each one different than the last, and for good reason. Catering to the busy suburban Mum of three who’s constantly running errands, to the yuppie Surry Hills resident who needs something more compact to get from A-to-B while still packing a punch; the Holden name has fast become one to consider when it comes to SUVs and excitingly – and more temptingly – away from the tired old names in the category we see all too many of on the roads. We got to experience the Holden Proving Grounds in Victoria, Australia, where all the testing, perfecting and tuning of all Holden vehicles takes places – and what an experience it was. Here are the 5 Holden SUVs and the best bits about them, absolutely in order of preference! Holden Trax It’s compact, zippy, drives… Read More

Category: CARS, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Best Holden SUVs, Best SUVs, Holden SUV, Holden SUVs, SUV guide, SUVs, This is how we SUV

Winners of the 2018 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are announced

by James Banham

Updated: 07/03/2019

One of the richest and most coveted awards in the performing arts in Australia, the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards winners have been announced and the results are tremendous. The winners of the prestigious Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were announced by Ian Scobie AM, Director, Art Projects Australia at the Adelaide Festival on 4 March, and are: Bleach Festival (Qld) – Group Award Genevieve Lacy (Melb) – Individual Award Annette Downs (Tas), Facilitator’s Prize. What the prizes are about Group Award ($90,000) – Bleach Festival, Gold Coast Bleach Festival has transformed the arts on the Gold Coast. It has made a major contribution to the performing arts in Australia by filling a critical void in the nation’s sixth largest City. Through Bleach, the Gold Coast now has a growing sector of artists who are inspired to make distinctive, daring and unique art that crosses form and responds to unique Australian landscapes. Bleach in its short history is one of Australia’s leading and most exciting site-specific contemporary arts programs and has attracted close to 1 million people since inception. ‘Winning this Award is one of the most exciting rewards of recognition we have ever received for the Bleach Festival. The Board and team are thrilled to be acknowledged nationally for the work that we have done here on the Gold Coast. This is such a prestigious Award to win and this will enable us to be even more ambitious and adventurous in the new work we make with local artists. This is a real game changer for the Gold… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Arts blog, Australian arts, Australian arts blog, culture blog, Melbuorne performing arts, Sidney Myer performing arts, THE F arts, THE F Culture, Winners of the 2018 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are announced

Sheraton grand hotel Sydney: The Sheraton Grand Sydney on Hyde Park

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

There are few places in Sydney that offer top notch accommodation, right in the middle of town with views that only the Kardashians can afford. And that’s the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park Sydney. it’s just had a massive renovation so fresh, the carpet still has bounce, each room has a bath, almost every room has a view, and what they offer in-between all that is nothing short of spectacular. From the moment you enter the hotel, it’s all smiles, all professionalism, cherry dispositions and even cheerier rooms that await with all the mod cons to make even the shortest of trip – like a night – absolutely memorable. Ascend past level 11, though, and you’re treated to all kinds of luxuries. If you’re lucky enough to score a terrace suite with private balcony that looks over Sydney’s Hyde Park with the opening of Sydney Harbour in the very visible distance, then consider yourself lucky: you’re in celebrity land. This is the kind of room the lush opt for when they’re passing through or paying a visit; and it’s easy to see why. With a bed so wide you can’t reach the other side, blinds as good as black-outs, a walk-in robe and a bathroom big enough to have a party in, the Sheraton’s rooms don’t leave much to be desired. And as is standard fora hotel of the Sheraton’s magnitude, their food offering isn’t to be scoffed at, either. If it’s not the annual Christmas in July feast they put on at the aptly named… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, TRAVEL

Tags: Hyde Park Hotels, Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, Sheraton hotel sydney, Sheraton Hyde Park, Sheraton Sydney, sydney hotels

Carbs for Mardi Gras: Textbook Patisserie does a Golden Gaytime croissant

by James Banham

Updated: 26/02/2019

If you’re in Sydney’s inner south and know Textbook Patisserie, then prepare to have your pre-Gras diet shot to shit: they’re doing gay croissants. Because the art of butter, crispy, bread-like pastries from the pretty, wrought iron-clad streets of gay Paris just simply aren’t gay enough, John Railey is going next level. Multicoloured croissants made by the Callebaut Chocolate hero Railey will adorn the display cabinets of the Botany Road bakery this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season, celebrating in a more delicious way, the freedoms we’re so afforded in this wonderful era, city and country as gays and their friends. The pastry is literally rainbow coloured and bursting with coloured Callebaut Chocolate pieces, caramel, chantilly and caramel peptides for an extra little somethin’. Get them from Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 March for $12.50. Find Textbook Patisserie at 274 Botany Road, Alexandria.

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

Tags: Croissant, Gaytime Croissant, Golden Gaytime Croissant, Mardi Gras croissant, Textbook Patisserie Sydney, THE F Croissant, ThE F Mardi Gras, THE F Textbook Patisserie

KING by Shaun Parker for Sydney Mardi Gras: A Review

by James Banham

Updated: 22/02/2019

Being a gay man in 2019 really is a revelation. In 30-or-so years, gay men and women have gone from the ostracised outcasts of abnormality, to something few people bat an eyelid to. But it’s the underlying tone of masculinity and what exactly that is, and the questioning of it, that has been the most rocking of qualities of the homosexual existence since it first came into common parlance in the mid 20th century. Fast forward to today, when we’re looking at KING, a dance production choreographed by Shaun Parker and musically backed by Ivo Dimchev and you have a culmination of the story of males that could only be done in collaboration with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival 2019. KING is a dance production of 10 male dancers and Dimchev himself, a Bulgarian choreographer, visual artist, singer-songwriter that explores Parker’s (choreographer) trademark highly physical choreography in an articulate interrogation of male power, control and group dynamic, expertly exposing the brutality of macho ritual and the human toll of toxic masculinity. In short: KING is the Queen of Mardi Gras in 2019 that is a visually striking, musically intoxicating and artistically rousing performance that makes you three things: proud to be gay, proud to be around gays and proud to be in an age where the concept of masculinity can be picked apart, dissected and danced away as a farce, open to artistic interpretation and playfulness, welcoming of all. And then, of course, there’s the striking vocals of Dimchev who’s obviously a… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, DANCE, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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