Still one of the best intimate venues in Sydney for live music is The Vanguard in Newtown. Walk through the doors and you feel like you have stepped back in time.

With a 1920’s interior, this purpose built live music venue brings out the crisp sounds. With an elegant and stylish restaurant of which the menu includes an eclectic mix of soul food and modern Australian cooking; this is the place for a great night. The Vanguard plays host to big acts from Australia and around the world. But what I really love is the way it supports our local musicians.

The Vanguard is situated at 42 King Street, Newtown, a cosmopolitan neighbourhood where professors and students, the upwardly mobile and the down at heel, gay and straight, migrant and middle class, wealth and welfare, suits and spikes share a successful experiment in the new globalism. Newtown is the impact point where the University of Sydney collides with the University of Life.

Some of the gigs coming up at The Vanguard include Mama Kin in the 28th October, Urban Gypsies on the 29th October, Ava Torch and The Boybirds on the 3rd November and Aaron Harvie from Masterchef presents Food that Rocks: South of the border on the 9th November 2010.

“Festival director Joanna Savill is a journalist, presenter, linguist and world traveller, with a particular fascination for food, wherever she may find it.

This is her second year in the director’s chair, after an enormously successful inaugural festival in 2009 – during which more than 300,000 people attended a massive 438 individual events “

Read below as Two Flat Whites roving reporter Arno Billard asked Joanna Savill a few questions about the Crave Sydney International Food Festival. Read Arnos Interview with Joanna Savill»

I sat down and watched arguably the best Australian film of 2010 last week, Animal Kingdom . If you like a good crime thriller, Underbelly & The Combination you will enjoy this cinema experience. Based on the Cody Family of Melbourne in the 1970’s, this little production punches well above its weight.

This Australian film won the World Cinema Jury prize at Sundance earlier this year and deservedly so. The story was quite compelling and I was gripped to my seat with all of the twists and turns. In the centre of this story is Josh (James Frecheville); whose mother dies from an overdose and is thrown into an urban war zone and with his grandmother who he hardly knows. This young Aussie actor is superb in his first lead role.

His grandmother (Jacki Weaver) who plays Smurf is brilliant as head of a criminal family; the Cody Clain for which her four (4) sons; Baz (Joel Edgerton) who is thinking of giving up the world of crime; Pope (Ben Mendelsohn) who is just out of prison and lying low; Darren (Luke Ford) who is quiet and withdrawn and Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) a lunatic and is as unstable as they come; all of who form a gang that travel around Melbourne robbing banks.

The gang is pursued by Leckie (Guy Pearce), a detective who is hot on their heels. It was good to see Guy back on our screens and he really does well in this film. Overall, a movie well worth seeing.

Article written by Checkmate

Marcia Hines has been a music industry veteran since she first ripped onto the radar in OZ when she performed with a hippy troop of naked dancers for HAIR’s Australia tour when she was just 16. She has since charted her own path with a string of hits in those early days, appearing controversially as the first black actress to perform the role of Mary Magdalene in the Australian version of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Her image and career were completely reinvented when she became a panellist for Australian Idol and her name was once again being discussed around Australian dinner tables and water coolers with affection.  Since Idol has been put on hold, the chanteuse had enjoyed the break from filming to record a reimagination of Carole King’s hugely successful 1970 album Tapestry. Two Flat Whites caught up with Marcia while she is on-road touring with Simply Red to discuss the new creative endeavour, Marcia Sings Tapestry . Read the complete Marcia Hines Interview by Estelle Pigott»

With pristine white chairs lining the sleek catwalk, the posse of photographers nudging each other to get the best position.

Design Federation got the exclusive back stage, access, where behind the scenes in all its brilliance, excitement, tensions and tempers.

With 20 designers showcasing at fashion palette, the swarm of photographers as well as eager fashionista’s, the room is full of highly creative types that is overwhelming. Read the Rest of Surungi Hohols article on Fashion Palette»

Across the first weekend of November, Parramatta will host a vibrant celebration of today’s professional contemporary artists from around the world who are embracing the traditions and innovations in South Asian arts. This will be a world-exclusive program where different cultures and generations come together for a rich masala or ‘mix’ of concerts, shows and fun events for everyone to enjoy.

For all the details including event schedule, head on over to parramasala.com

For one night only 7 of Sydney’s best Restaurateurs and Front of House Managers serve up a 6 course feast – part of the Crave Festival

Seven of Sydney’s most outstanding Restaurateurs and Front of House Managers gather on one special night to present signature dishes from their restaurants matched to their favourite wine. Sarah Wilson will MC this fun evening of beautiful food and wine and top service.

The All Stars are donating their time and food/wine to allow proceeds from the evening to support StreetSmart Australia.  The event has been kindly support by The Sydney International Food Festival – CRAVE.

Your Front Of House All Stars are:
Tim Connell – Coast
Sam Christie – Longrain
John Fink – Otto
Howard Flannigan – Bistrode CBD (with Jeremy Strode)
Colin Nelson/Charles Leung – Sailors Thai (with Janni Kyritsis — ex MG Garage)
Stuart Knox – Fix St James

When: Sunday 24th October 2010 – 6:30pm for 7pm
Where: Coast Restaurant, Cockle Bay Wharf
Price: $155.00 per person, 6 courses with wine all inclusive

Bookings and Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:

“It’s with immense excitement that I finally announce the Asperatus prints will be released late October with pre-orders now available
from www.matthuynh.com

Archival giclee printing: Signed and titled. 100% Cotton Hahnemule Photo Rag paper. 297 x 420 mm. Black linen portfolio. Black foil stamp deboss. Secured under white ribbon. 180 AUD

I have been working hard to honor last Winter’s work with a diligent service to the production of prints intimately aligned with my
intentions and aspirations for their proper presentation, and am very proud of the results.”

www.matthuynh.com

Monstrosity Gallery is proud to present a series of amazing illustrations by Louie Joyce.

“Louie Joyce is an Illustrator and Graphic Designer based in Kings Cross, Sydney. His love for comics, both the strong graphic imagery and narrative, is something he tries to distill into single images – moments that exist within larger events, stories or lives.”

Exhibition runs from September 24-October 15. Gallery open 11am-6pm (Closed Tuesdays) and by appointment.

Monstrosity Gallery

t: 

“I liken social change to the shifting of tectonic plates underneath the earth’s surface.  The process is incredibly slow but when the plates collide the results are life-altering earthquakes and tsunamis.  Social change does occur, but it occurs far too slowly.  I’m an impatient man.  I want to see real change in my lifetime, and I want The Other Film Festival to act as an agent for that change.  I want complete cinema access for people with disabilities to be taken for granted in the future.” Read the rest of Ryan Nances article on Embracing 'otherness' at The Other Film Festival»