The winners, grinners and who’s who of the 2018 Helpmann Awards in Sydney

Updated: 16/11/2022

On the set of this year’s production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, the 2018 Helpmann Awards Act II took place, celebrating the best talent Australia has to offer in the performance space. Hosted by Glenn A. Baker Am, Sydney Dance Company’s own Rafael Bonachela, TV host David Campbell and soprano Jacqueline Dark – and more – 23 awards were presented for the categories of comedy, cabaret, contemporary music, musicals, opera, classical music, theatre and ballet, dance and physical theatre. These Awards complement the 20 Awards announced yesterday at the Helpmann Awards Act I, of course. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia and this year, president Andrew Kay AM, said, “We are proud to present the 18th Annual Helpmann Awards across two nights this year. The breadth and diversity of winners, nominees and performances at tonight’s and yesterday’s events shines a spotlight on Australia’s world class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2018 Helpmann Award nominees and winners!” It’s a dazzling time for anyone involved in stage production and the night of nights for those whose talents are to be admired and adored. The show closed with the biggest line up of Australia’s leading vocalists from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s concert production of Funny Girl. Divas and funny girls themselves Trevor Ashley (Hairspray), Michaela Banas (Upper Middle Bogan), Natalie Bassingthwaighte (The X Factor), Casey Donovan (Australian Idol), Virginia Gay (First Tuesday Book Club), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) Dami Im (Eurovision), Maggie McKenna (Muriel’s Wedding), Zahra Newman (Book of Mormon) and West end and Broadway star Caroline O’Connor had the audience standing in their seats and cheering for more. The Helpmann Awards 2018 will broadcast: ABC… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: helpmann 2018, helpmann awards, helpmann awards sydney, helpmann awards winners

Infinite Cycle is the spin class studio you’ve been screaming for in Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Everyone knows Soul Cycle, right? Let’s just put that out there. But, what you mightn’t know about in the world of spin and definitely need to, is its Australian competition that offers something a little more unique: Infinite Cycle. HQ’d in Waterloo, NSW and branching out all over the place at a rapid pace, Infinite Cycle is the wholly Australian and completely different offering to spin addicts with the same cult vibe we all know and love. For the die-hard, it has what you need; for the adventurous it has what you crave and for the new; well, it’s one helluva challenge lined-up ahead of you. Infinite Cycle takes the concepts that run throughout all spin operations around Sydney and Australia at the likes of Virgin Active Health Clubs and Cycology, and adds something new in the form of completely unstable, core-engaging, Real Ryder bikes that completely offset the centre of gravity and are sure to have you doing Ariana Grande proud with your own physical embodiment of ‘side-to-side’. It’s an insane workout that does the quads, hamstrings, obliques, lats and most of all – and most likely the reason you’re so into it – the glutes (your bum!). Founded by Alan Sacharowitz and Dani Carr, Infinite Cycle brings a healthy dose of innovation to the cardio exercise space. The bikes are exclusive in Australia to Infinite Cycle and offer riders the chance to learn to turn, tilt and lean as they ride as they sync-up with the large scenic screens ahead of them and the pumping tunes around… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, HEALTH & FITNESS, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: infinite cycle, infinite cycle waterloo, spin class, spin class sydney, the f infinite cycle

Equipped for taste – 6 essential pieces of kitchen equipment you need for your home

by THE F

Posted: 15/07/2018

Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that our forebears managed to cook extravagant feasts entirely with their hands and a simple coal range. Today, we’re fortunate enough to have a variety of convenient kitchen tools and appliances at our fingertips to help us create delicious meals faster than ever. With cooking technology continually growing by leaps and bounds, we can now benefit from time-saving appliances like those below. Induction cookware Cooking with gas and electricity is so 2016! The new buzzword in the kitchen is induction cooking. With a decent quality cooktop and the best induction cookware, you’ll be ready to experience a whole new way to prepare amazing dishes. Induction cookware heats far quicker than typical cookware, offers even heat distribution and also uses less power. What’s more, if you find yourself preparing a sophisticated meal, you’ll benefit from heat control to ensure you won’t char or burn what you spent hours creating. Rice cooker Even though humans have been cooking rice for over 5,000 years, many of us still find ourselves red-faced as we scrape burnt remains out of the bottom of a pot. If you’re a regular master of this age-old trick, then a rice cooker is a must-have kitchen appliance. Once you invest in this magical product, you’ll kick yourself for not having thought of getting one earlier. All you need to do is add rice and liquid, and the result is a perfect dish every time. Pressure cooker A flick through your great-grandmother’s recipe book will reveal some stunning dishes. However,… Read More

Category: COLLABORATION, LIFESTYLE

Tags: home kitchen, kitchen equipment, spon, sponsored post

What Maggie Beer, Dame Nellie Melba and soprano Jessica Pratt all have in common

by James Banham

Posted: 25/06/2018

It was the iconic Dame Nellie Melba who started the trend at the height of her career and has since left the trend unmatched. Until now. Australia’s favourite kitchen legend, Maggie Beer has joined forces with the Sydney Opera House to craft a dessert – much like in the way of the famed ‘peach Melba’ after the Dame herself – after soprano Jessica Pratt thanks largely to her debut this season as the lead in the Lucia Di Lamermoor production by Opera Australia this month. When Dame Nellie Melba was at the height of her worldwide fame in 1892, legendary French chef, Auguste Escoffier of the Savoy Hotel created a dessert in her honour, especially for a dinner party held by the Duke of Orlèans and named it Peach Melba. To be served at Aria by Matt Moran on Sydney’s Circular Quay, Maggie and Matt will serve her creation, aptly named La Dolce Jessica by Maggie Beer during Jessica’s season of Lucia di Lammermoor. The bougie dessert is a decadent deconstructed trifle, the dessert consists of a lemon curd base, fresh raspberries and raspberry jelly, crystallised macadamia nuts, an Amaretto crumb, and toffee tuile. Find out more about Aria and the latest production by Opera Australia at their websites.

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

Tags: aria sydney, jessica pratt, maggie beer, Matt Moran, opera australia, peach melba

Three Williams cafe in Redfern is bringing back truffles this winter in a big way

Three Williams Mandarin & Honey crumpet (2)_preview

by James Banham

Updated: 08/06/2018

Three Williams has been around for a while since it burst onto the scene back in around 2013, and this winter, they’ve found a way to keep the lust alive with a bit of a an addition to their already wildly popular menu. Following on from last year’s successful ‘Celebrating Truffle’ menu, Three Williams cafe has now launched a new, extended truffle menu for the 2018 season, which features truffled waffle fries and two new truffled desserts. Head chef Jacquie Ektoros (formerly of Devon Cafe?, Guillaume at Bennelong) has created a menu of seven truffle dishes which includes five new dishes as well as tweaked versions of two of last year’s best sellers – roasted peking duck angel hair pasta and crispy truffle skin chicken breast. An avid truffle fan, Ektoros has been planning this truffle menu since last year, aiming to incorporate classic truffle flavour combinations as well as some inspired creative concoctions. He wanted this year’s menu to surpass last year’s way of being bigger, better and more innovative than the previous attempts, covering-off breakfast, lunch and in-between with a breeze. Three Williams 613a Elizabeth Street, Redfern threewilliamscafe.com

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: the f truffle, three williams, three williams cafe, three williams redfern, three williams truffle, truffle sydney

ARTS & CULTURE

National Portrait Prize in State Library of Queensland this winter

09/05/2024

By James Banham

The National Portrait Gallery’s esteemed National Photographic Portrait Prize of 2023 is set to grace the State Library of Queensland, marking a prestigious period from May 11 until July 7, 2024. Initiated in 2007, this prize has not only celebrated but has significantly fostered the art of photographic portraiture within Australia, offering photographers both recognition and a substantial reward. This year’s exhibition features 47 finalists chosen from nearly 2,400 submissions, highlighting a diverse range of subjects including the impact of flooding in Graceville, Brisbane, and the complex transcultural identity of an Iranian migrant mother. The accolade of winning the 2023 prize was bestowed upon Shea Kirk, who through his portrait ‘Ruby (left view)’ of Emma Armstrong-Porter, managed to secure $50,000 worth of prizes, comprising $30,000 cash from the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 in Canon equipment. Meanwhile, Renae Saxby received high commendation for her portrayal of the proud Indigenous women Cindy Rostron in ‘Bangardidjan 2022,’ earning a prestigious ColorEdge monitor valued at almost $4,000. Other notable winners include David Cossini, awarded the Art Handlers’ prize for his captivating portrait ‘Ugandan Ssebabi,’ and Bruce Agnew, whose work ‘KAHA, 2022’ captivated the public, winning the $10,000 People’s Choice Award. These accolades underline the breadth and depth of talent present in Australia’s photographic community. The exhibition, supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, not only showcases these spectacular works but also brings to light Australia’s rich and varied cultural tapestry. Vicki McDonald AM, State Library of Queensland’s CEO, and Bree Pickering, Director of the National… Read More

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

07/05/2024

By James Banham

The gallery opens with a presentation of rare Rover Thomas works including some never before seen to the public Sydney, Australia: A Secondary Eye has unveiled the new gallery space located within the arts district of Woollahra, Sydney, opening to the public from Friday 3 May 2024. Led by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a specialist with extensive experience working in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art and Boris Cornelissen, former Contemporary Art Specialist at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye was founded in 2020 with a focus on further developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia. Specialising in First Nations and contemporary Australian art, A Secondary Eye has exhibited and sold works by some of the most important and sought-after artists including Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Queenie McKenzie, Paddy Bedford, John Mawurndjul, Bill Whiskey, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Gordon Bennett, Tony Albert, Danie Mellor, Ben Quilty, Sidney Nolan, John Olsen and Fred Williams. Over the past four years, the gallery has placed a number of highly revered artworks in collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art and HOTA Gallery. The new gallery is positioned in the heart of Queen Street, a location traditionally associated with secondary market art dealers and once home to Rex Irwin Gallery, Sotheby’s and Christie’s. A Secondary Eye opens with a solo presentation of one of Australia’s most important and influential artists, Rover Thomas. A revered elder from the Kimberley region, Rover Thomas was the… Read More

Ballet Flamenco – Sara Baras Voces Suite Flamenca cred Santana de Yepes I

Flamenco Festival London 2024 is back

05/05/2024

By THE F

London’s acclaimed Sadler’s Wells Theatre is set to host the exhilarating Flamenco Festival 2024 from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 15th June, now in its remarkable 19th edition. The recent residency by Paco Pena gave us a taste of what to expect! This year’s festival is brimming with anticipation, featuring ten UK premieres and showcasing a constellation of flamenco’s brightest stars. With performances spanning across the iconic Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the intimate Lilian Baylis Studio, attendees are promised an immersive experience into the heart of flamenco’s vibrant tradition and its contemporary interpretations. Kicking off the festival is the critically acclaimed Rocío Molina, who returns to stun audiences with her innovative piece, Al Fondo Riela, on 4th June. Molina’s performance is a profound exploration of reflection and reality, encapsulated through the traditional flamenco trio of dance, song, and guitar. Her artistry is complemented by the expertise of guitarists Oscar Lago and Yerai Cortés, setting the stage for a festival that melds tradition with avant-garde interpretations. The festival skyrockets further with appearances by flamenco guitar virtuoso Vicente Amigo, presenting a mesmerising concert that traverses classical and nuevo flamenco realms, and the dramatic duo Patricia Guerrero and Alfonso Losa in Alter Ego, a show born from spontaneous improvisation that promises an intimate glimpse into the soul of flamenco dance. Adding to the festival’s allure, Eva Yerbabuena contemplates her illustrious 20-year career in Yerbagüena (bright dark), delivering performances that promise to be evocative and spellbinding, while the renowned Israel Fernández teams up with guitarist Diego del Morao to present… Read More

Dutch piano virtuoso returns to the Sydney Opera House

30/04/2024

By James Banham

Mark your calendars and prepare to be enveloped in the soul-stirring sounds of Joep Beving, as the maestro makes his grand return to the Opera House this July. After mesmerising audiences in previous years, Beving is back with a bang, ready to unveil the mystical realms of Hermetism across two spellbinding shows on Monday, 22 July 2024. Each performance promises an experience akin to a spiritual odyssey, underscored by Beving’s deeply introspective, neoclassical sound that has captivated millions globally. This year, the enigmatic Dutch pianist is set to elevate his musical narrations to unprecedented heights, blending his artistry with an awe-inspiring audio-visual spectacle developed alongside the innovative minds of Boris Acket, Merijn Versnel, and Roxanne Percobic. Hermetism, drawing inspiration from Beving’s 2022 album, invites you on an enchanted voyage exploring the essence of spirituality, the elusive nature of time, and the depths of the inner self. This isn’t just a concert; it’s an invitation to transcend the ordinary, led by a masterful storyteller who’s rediscovered his love for the piano and transformed it into a source of universal connection and wonder. Joep Beving’s remarkable journey from personal loss to streaming stardom is a testament to the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire. With over 200 million streams on Spotify and a place among the giants of post-classical composition, Beving’s return to the Opera House isn’t just an event; it’s a pivotal moment in the world of contemporary music. As Ben Marshall, Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, aptly puts it, “Joep describes… Read More

Sydney Film Festival’s World Premier of Midnight Oil

28/04/2024

By James Banham

The 71st Sydney Film Festival is set to kick off with a bang as it proudly presents the World Premiere of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line at its Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, June 5, at the prestigious State Theatre. Following the screening, a vibrant post-screening celebration will light up the Sydney Town Hall, marking a milestone event in the festival’s history. The Hardest Line unravels the pioneering narrative of Midnight Oil like never before on the silver screen. Defiant. Passionate. Vocal. Over their illustrious 45-year journey, ‘The Oils’ have left an indelible mark on modern Australia with anthems such as US Forces, Beds Are Burning, Blue Sky Mine, and Redneck Wonderland. This groundbreaking documentary features exclusive interviews with every band member, unseen live performances and studio footage, and iconic moments like the outback tour with Warumpi Band, the Exxon protest gig in New York, and the unforgettable “Sorry” suits at the Sydney Olympics, encapsulating the extraordinary odyssey of Australia’s quintessential rock ensemble. Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley expressed his excitement, stating, “We are delighted to feature Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line as our opening film this year. This documentary not only charts the remarkable journey of one of Australia’s most influential bands but also encapsulates the ethos of an era that reshaped our cultural and political landscapes. It is a tribute to their enduring legacy and a poignant reflection on their enduring influence that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.” Writer, director, and executive producer Paul Clarke shared his sentiments, “There exists no… Read More

Archives