FOOD & DRINK

Da Orazio pasticceria unveils new stuff at Bondi Beach

09/05/2024

In a delectable twist of fate, Orazio D’Elia has steered Alexandria’s beloved Mia Dolci pastry shop towards a fresh horizon. Now standing under his sole proprietorship and reborn as Da Orazio Pasticceria, this transformation marks the dawn of a new era for pastry enthusiasts in the region. As part of this thrilling metamorphosis, a six-week pop-up venture is set to grace the shores of Bondi Beach. Following the departure of his erstwhile partner, this Italian pastry haven harmoniously merges with D’Elia’s renowned Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta establishment in Bondi, paving the way for an unmatched culinary fusion. Nestled beside Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta within The Hub at Bondi Beach, the Da Orazio Pasticceria pop-up promises a gastronomic extravaganza from May 15 to June 30. Embracing this evolution with open arms, Orazio shares, “The next chapter of the pasticceria feels like home. The consolidation under the Da Orazio family brand resonates deeply with our vision. While we cherish our roots in Alexandria, the expansion to Bondi adds a thrilling new dimension to our culinary expedition.” The essence of Da Orazio Pasticceria’s revitalization lies in a harmonious blend of classic charm and contemporary finesse. Spearheading the culinary symphony are two adept pastry chefs: Antonio Giotta, bringing forth traditional artistry from Italy’s southern lands, and Andrea Manna, infusing a modern zest from Italy’s northern realms into the heart of Italian confectionery. Both locations offer a divine selection of barista-made Vittoria coffee, commencing daily from 8 am, alongside a tantalizing array of sweet and savory delights until… Read More

Amber Lane Distillery does well at World Spirits Competition

09/05/2024

By James Banham

In an impressive showcase of quality and craftsmanship, the Australian-based Amber Lane Distillery has once again swept up top honours at the highly regarded San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This distinguished event, known for its rigorous standards and esteemed panel of judges, has awarded Amber Lane with two remarkable medals— a Double Gold for its Pineau 350 whisky and a Gold Medal for the Apera 100 whisky. The accolade is particularly significant considering the scope of the competition. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is celebrated as the largest of its kind globally, drawing in over 5500 entries from across 30 categories this year alone. Winning entries, such as those from Amber Lane, are recognized for their exceptional quality, standing out as near pinnacles of achievement within the spirits domain. These recent wins mark a continuation of excellence for Amber Lane, replicating the success of the previous year which saw the distillery clinch a Double Gold Medal for its Apera 87 and a Gold Medal for Silk Road. Maintaining a 100% success rate with four gold medals from their entries in the past two years, Amber Lane Distillery has solidified its reputation for producing award-winning whiskies. The co-owner of Amber Lane Distillery, Rod Berry, expressed immense pride and gratitude for the international recognition. Since their market launch in 2022, every release from the distillery has garnered a national or international gold medal, underscoring the sustained excellence and innovation that Amber Lane brings to the whisky-making table. Based in Australia, Amber Lane Distillery has quickly emerged… Read More

Hickson House’s new limited edition gin series

07/05/2024

By James Banham

Sydney’s Harbour Bridge stands as a majestic emblem of Australia, a beacon of architectural prowess, and a testament to the country’s vibrant history and culture. In preparation for the iconic structure’s centennial in 2032, Hickson House Distilling Co. introduces an extraordinary tribute with the launch of its HARBOUR BRIDGE GIN SERIES. This series, unravelling year by year, will unveil a new limited-edition gin that encapsulates the essence and legacy of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The connection between Hickson House and the Harbour Bridge extends deep into the annals of history. Nestled in the historic Metcalfe Bond Store in Sydney’s pulsating heart, Hickson House sits on a site integral to the bridge’s construction. In the 1920s and 30s, this building stored the steel and timber essential for erecting the Harbour Bridge, elements that underpin both the bridge and the distillery’s rich heritage. Remarkably, traces of these original materials still abound within the distillery, mingling with the craft of gin making under the bridge’s towering presence. The inaugural gin, BREAKING GROUND, commemorates the laying of the bridge’s foundation in 1923, a pivotal moment captured on each bottle of this distinguished gin. Crafted with precision, this gin blends the award-winning Hickson House Harbour Strength Gin with native botanicals like Lemon Aspen and Lilly Pilly, authentic to the bridge’s era of construction. At 42% ABV, BREAKING GROUND delivers a symphony of bold juniper, bright citrus, and delicate berry aromas, ideal for enhancing classic cocktails or the signature Harbour Bridge Gin & Tonic. In celebration of this launch, Hickson House… Read More

Korean food in Sydney? You only need Arisun

01/05/2024

By James Banham

Nestled in the heart of Sydney’s vibrant Chinatown, Arisun stands as a beacon for those seeking authentic Korean cuisine fused with a dash of Japanese delicacies. Since its move to Chinatown in 2007, following its original establishment in Belmore in 1990, this family-owned restaurant has entrenched itself as a vital part of the city’s diverse culinary landscape. Arisun isn’t just a place to eat; it’s an invitation to immerse in a unique dining experience, where the energetic pulse of K-pop culture complements the rich flavours of Korea and Japan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SYDNEY FOOD BLOGGER ?????? (@annabelleeatz) Upon entering Arisun, guests are greeted by an eclectic atmosphere marked by a giant neon sign, vivid displays of menu offerings, and an iconic noodle monument. The interior, featuring warm timber panelling, exposed brick walls, and spacious dining tables, can accommodate 200 guests, making it an ideal spot for gatherings. Arisun extends its hospitality outdoors as well, welcoming pets and providing a cozy environment reminiscent of home. Arisun’s menu is a testament to its commitment to quality and authenticity. Highlights include the must-try Korean Fried Chicken and Pork Belly Black Bean Noodle, priced at $19.90, catering to both halal dietary requirements and varied palates. The menu spans from Fish Cake & Udon Hot Pot to Flame Grilled Korean BBQ, with the Spicy Gochujang Boneless Chicken being a standout. Not forgetting vegetarians, a specialised menu is available upon request, ensuring everyone has a delightful culinary experience. The drink selection at Arisun is equally… Read More

Memphis hosts World Champion Barbecue cooking contest this May

01/05/2024

By James Banham

The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, celebrated for sparking the vibrant spirit of Memphis in its annual display of culinary mastery, has unveiled an enthralling lineup of entertainment and educational sessions set to take Liberty Park by storm from May 15-18, 2024. Now in its 46th year, the contest promises an even richer experience, marked by nightly entertainment on the Cattlemen’s Main Stage featuring Barbecue Sauce Wrestling, performances by Marcy Playground, Ingram Hill, and DJ MicTee from K97. The revered contest, known for gathering the crème de la crème of barbecue enthusiasts, expands its offerings with the introduction of expert-led grilling demonstrations at The Home Depot Outdoor Kitchen. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from barbecue luminaries such as Moe Cason and Chris Lilly, ensuring a blend of savory learning experiences with the fun of sampling. Adding to the allure, The McCormick Demo Stage and The Cooker Caravan with Heath Riles BBQ will offer culinary tips and behind-the-scenes access to competition teams, while The Kingsford Tour of Champions and BBQ Alley promise interactive tasting adventures. The VIPit Experience elevates the barbecue pilgrimage to luxury, allowing aficionados an exclusive peek into the world of competitive barbecue guided by industry giants. Memphis in May continues to champion the future of barbecue, with The Future of Q and partnership efforts highlighting the talents of junior pitmasters and aspiring chefs from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis. These initiatives underscore the event’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of barbecue greats while celebrating the rich… Read More

Tag: Fantastic Film Festival

Fantastic Film Festival Australia is on in 2024

Film Festival FFFA24 CANNIBAL MUKBANG key still

by James Banham

Posted: 31/03/2024

From the shadows of the unconventional to the spotlight of Melbourne and Sydney cinema screens, Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA) makes a triumphant return with its fifth edition, set to unfold from 17 April to 10 May 2024. This year, FFFA promises an even more vivid spectacle of the weird, wonderful, and wholly unexpected, solidifying its reputation as a panoramic celebration of new and provocative films that dare to venture beyond the cinematic norm. FFFA 2024 emerges as a daring and cutting-edge cinema showcase, presenting a treasure trove of films that challenge, amuse, and provoke. With an eclectic program featuring 24 feature-length films and 14 short films from Australia and around the globe, attendees can expect a kaleidoscopic showcase of the world’s most exhilarating voices in cult, genre, arthouse, and alternative cinema. Artistic Director Hudson Sowada elaborates on this year’s selection, “We’re proud to present 24 premieres, from the thrilling to the surreal. Each film has been meticulously chosen for its unique ability to transport, provoke thought, and entertain. Our 2024 selection is a testament to our commitment to showcasing films that are not only visually striking but also challenge our audience’s expectations.” This iteration sees the festival spread its wings further, returning to the Ritz Cinemas in Sydney and the Lido Cinemas in Melbourne, and debuting a selection of FFFA titles at a new satellite venue, the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne’s north. The festival’s opening night is set to captivate with the Australian premiere of Sting, directed by Sydney’s horror maverick Kiah Roache-Turner… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Fantastic Film Festival, film festival

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