FOOD & DRINK

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Adelaide Hills wineries worth a visit

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Renowned for its cool climate, this picturesque locale offers an ideal terroir for producing some of the most exquisite wines known to connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

A unique fusion of whiskey and art in Sydney

12/04/2024

By James Banham

The ‘Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar’, is an initiative set to enchant Sydneysiders from 17th April to 8th May, 2024.

Ruben’s Deli does good food in Melbourne’s Armadale

12/04/2024

By James Banham

What really sets this Melbourne gem apart isn’t just its delectable sandwiches; it’s the incredible catering service spearheaded by owner Amanda Ruben, that’s capturing the hearts of food lovers across the city.

Sweet Greek Delights in Melbourne

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Sweet Greek is offering the same beloved seasonal dishes with a fresh new look that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Tag: nye

Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Melbourne in 2023

by James Banham

Updated: 17/01/2024

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, and the anticipation of a brand new year is in the air, Melbourne transforms into a city of celebration! It’s famed for its spectacular fireworks display, bustling street parties, and glamorous soirees that light up New Year’s Eve. If you’re planning to bid farewell to 2023 amidst all the excitement, you’re in luck! Here’s our curated list of Melbourne’s finest venues where you can welcome the year 2024 in style, indulging in mouth-watering cuisine, sipping on premium beverages, and soaking in the electrifying ambiance. Let’s dive in, shall we? Mr Miyagi Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mr. Miyagi, where a feast awaits you! Their exquisite ‘Feed Me Menu’ is bound to tantalise your taste buds. Available from 5.30 PM to 9.30 PM, this flavourful experience is priced at $99 per person. To make your celebration even more sparkling, opt for the premium free-flowing beverage package for an additional $29 per person. Reservations are open now. Check out their mouth-watering menu and the venue’s vibrant atmosphere here. Stella Restaurant and Bar Get ready to usher in the New Year in style at Stella Restaurant and Bar. They are offering an exclusive New Year’s Eve Dinner from 5.30 PM to 9.30 PM. Savour a sophisticated culinary journey for $225 per person, with the option of premium paired wines at an additional $75 per person. Book your spot here to enjoy the delectable menu in their elegant setting. Not to be missed is the Stella’s New Year’s Eve Rooftop Party. From… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: new years, nye, what to do new years, where to celebrate new years

New Years at Lost Paradise: The line up announced

by James Banham

Posted: 18/08/2019

Get ya boots on, drinks ready and tits out – Lost Paradise is back for New Years Eve 2019. With a stellar line-up as usual, the festival experience that’s held an hour out of Sydney is turning it on in the bush, headlined by Rüfüs Du Sol and Hilltop Hoods, Golden Features, Matt Corby and The Veronicas, Green Velvet, Dom Dolla, Denis Sulta and Honey Dijon for four epic days of music, wellness, food, art and cultural experiences. In year 6, Lost Para is bringing together some of the world’s hottest acts, emerging musical talent, yoga teachers and practitioners to feed the soul through revelry, connection and discovery. For campers only, the festival offers a completely immersive escape from city life, encouraging people to forge deeper connections with nature, others and themselves. For more, see the line up and get tickets at the Lost Paradise website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Lost Paradise, New Years Lost Paradise, New Years Sydney, nye

Scotland’s Hogmanay headliner’s been announced for 2019

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Mark Ronson’s your man this Hogmanay 2019 and the world’s having a minor panic. He’s done the Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe thing and now, Ronson’s doing the Hog, hosting a whopping party party to ring in 2020 in Scotland’s capital, marking the first time a DJ is doing Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. He did Glastonbury, too, making the UK Ronson’s next big, obvious thing. All this comes after the release in June of Late Night Feelings, a sparkling summer soundtrack filled with leading female vocalists including Camilla Cabello, Miley Cyrus, Angel Olsen, Lykke Li and YEBBA. The whole event’s called Mark Ronson’s “Hogmanay in the Gardens” and will be complete with iconic trumpet fanfares and more bangers than the midnight fireworks, making it the best place to welcome the new decade. Get tickets from 10am on 22 July at edinburghshogmanay.com.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Hogmanay, Hogmanay New Years, Mark Ronson, Mark Ronson Hogmanay, new years eve, nye, Scotland Hogmanay

New Years’ Day at Watsons Bay just got more lit with Client Liaison

by James Banham

Updated: 23/12/2018

Client Liaison are the two Aussie guys who’re everywhere right now and this January they’re taking over the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Just ‘cos. They’ve revealed the full lineup for their New Year’s Day event at the hotel.They’ll play the part of party curators, having hand-picked a clique of their coolest electro friends to warm up the crowd ahead of their headline DJ set at the iconic beachside hotel. Alex Dimitriades AKA DJ Boogie Monster, star of The Slap and spinner of disco, soul and vintage vinyl – Nicky Night Time, frontman and producer of Van She and Triple J presenter and Client Liaison bass player Tom Tilley. Caitlin Medcalf, DJ John Howard, Eddy Diamond, Jack Kennedy, Sports and Strange Associates are also hitting the decks throughout the afternoon alongside CL. And always ones to keep a surprise up their eclectic sleeves, Client Liaison will introduce a final surprise guest at the party on New Year’s Day. The boys have brought their favourite vodka brand on board with Grey Goose mixing the signature ‘Le Grand Fizz’ cocktail for partygoers, and Corona providing the fresh cold beers from lunchtime ‘till late. Client Liaison presents New Year’s Day at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel opens at midday with DJs playing al fresco across two levels against the 180-degree Harbour backdrop. As day turns to night the party will get hot and heavy in the Sunset Room with final warm-up acts and the exclusive DJ performance from Client Liaison. Tickets are super limited to set the scene for an intimate experience. VIP third release tickets are… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: new years day parties, new years day party, new years day party sydney, new years day sydney, nyd party, nye, what to do sydney new years day, ynd

ARTS & CULTURE

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

The Resurrected Art of Silence: Shooshfest—Australia’s First Silent Film Festival In a bold leap for Australian cinema, the inaugural Shooshfest promises not only to showcase art in film but also to redefine what it means to tell a story without words. The brainchild of a trio of avid cinephiles, Rebecca Zemunik, Daniel New, and Maddison Costello, Shooshfest stakes its claim as Australia’s first-ever silent short film competition. Unlike traditional film festivals, this groundbreaking event invites creators from all walks of life—beyond just filmmakers— to weave cinematic magic without uttering a single word. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shoosh Fest (@shooshfest) The Silent Era Redefined Far from the silent film era of the past, where the medium was defined by technological limitations, Shooshfest asks participants to engage with silence as a narrative choice and a powerful tool for emotion. Through the absence of spoken words, this silent film festival beckons creators to rediscover the raw and visceral storytelling methods of the 1920s mavericks who defied the standards of their time. The festival’s vision is clear: to inspire and challenge modern filmmakers and non-filmmakers alike to innovate and connect on a deep, emotive level with audiences using the silent canvas. Innovation in the realm of storytelling is at the core of Shooshfest, with a clear goal to bridge past traditions with contemporary creativity. A Silent Revolution in Australia’s Film Scene Set in the heart of Sydney, Shooshfest aims to celebrate the very essence of cinematic storytelling. On the hallowed stage of the historic… Read More

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

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Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More