With the advent of iPods, notebooks and all things digital, your once prized CDs are slowly being relegated to a stack gathering dust. You remember the music fondly, linked to significant moments in your life, but have you ever wondered what was behind your record’s cover art? Created by interactive agency Soap Creative for EMI Music Australia, sleevage.com is a site dedicated to featuring cover art form, which like vinyls and cassettes, is in fear of dying a slow death. Not hard to believe these days; so many covers are missed as you download your digital music files. Sleevage is...
LifestyleSydney
what the butler saw luxury concierge services
Who has time to run errands these days? Washing the car, battling traffic on the school run, booking tickets for a show. Who needs the stress? You’d rather spend more time enjoying the pre-theatre meal with friends or putting in extra hours to close a big work deal. Actually, you’d rather be relaxing on a yacht in Cap d’Antibes or skiing in Chamonix… Which is why you’ll be smitten with Luxury Leisure. Akin to a concierge that you would find at a five-star hotel, their Sydney based-team of consultants act on your every whim, request and fantasy (legitimate and legal...
EntertainmentSydney
make it short and sweet
The Short & Sweet series is the tapas of the theatre world. Where upcoming and established directors, actors and playwrights serve up an evening of plays with one thing in common – each story is bite-sized and lasts less than ten minutes. So here’s the ‘short’ and ‘sweet’ of it. It’s the seventh year of the festival – it’s a formula that works. 140 ten minute plays have been chosen from more than 1500 international entries – it has global status. The Festival runs for five weeks until 23 February at The Seymour or Newtown Theatre – it’s on now....
Design & LivingLivingSydney
a valentine’s gift guide with a twist
Although dormant at most times, that helpless romantic in you will likely erupt sometime next Thursday. And despite your best efforts to do away with the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, you know that the one you’re with will secretly be hoping for something red, romantic or ridiculously expensive. So out of pure love we’ve done your homework. What’s requisite is that they’re Valentine’s gifts with a twist. A taste for the finer things in life? Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ (the only Australian company to be issued the Royal Warrant by the British Monarchy) Castlereagh store will host an exclusive Valentine’s evening...
EntertainmentSydney
understanding generation y: artexpress 08
It’s hard to tell what goes on in the minds of Generation Y these days. Maybe it’s something to do with a daily quest for tribal-style connection, online status, and multi-tasking in the pursuit of fighting boredom? Maybe it’s something too complex to think about on a Monday morning. You’ll find it easier to just visit the annual ARTEXPRESS exhibition. ARTEXPRESS gives you a current insight on students’ creativity and on the issues and ideas they elect as especially relevant to them. There are 62 outstanding artworks chosen from the portfolios of 9000 HSC Visual Arts 2007 students. They explore...
Eat & DrinkSydney
the art of chinese banquet
If you’ve already faltered on your New Year resolutions (like us), have faith, here’s a second chance. 7 February marks the start of the Chinese New Year and according to old custom; grudges are put aside making way for forgiveness (although we’re not sure if this is valid for not giving up smoking or not going to the gym…). What’s not to like about CNY? The Chinese community celebrate for 15 days with family and friends. Children and those that are unmarried are bestowed with little red envelopes filled with ‘lucky money’ giving prosperity and good fortune. Houses will get...
EntertainmentSydney
the new comedy festival diet
No need to feel guilty about not using your new gym membership. You can always try toning up your abs from laughing. And you can rely on a number of comedy festivals scheduled over the next few months to incentivise. Raw Comedy 2008 is Australia’s largest open mic comedy competition with heats now being held every Monday until 3 March and state finals on 7 March, at the Sydney Comedy Store. To get a gig here you must first qualify as a new comedian, and second, bring a good dose of courage and cheer squad. Expect surprisingly undiscovered talent, witty banter...
Eat & DrinkSydney
Kitchen table for eight
Whether you’re a Michelin star chef in the making or your local Thai take-away is on speed dial, food lovers of all sorts will marvel at a view in to the frenetic manoeuvrings of one of Sydney’s most well-regarded kitchens. ARIA restaurant has a kitchen dining experience usually found only in overseas acclaimed restaurants – start with the likes of New York’s Cafe Gray or Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s in London. Built within the main kitchen and custom-designed by Architect Alexander Tzannes, the Kitchen Table was created to serve as an observation platform for eight providential diners enjoying a lunch...
what your mother didn’t know about make up
Mum used to say don’t date boys with tattoos – they’ll break your heart. Don’t wear make up – you’ll ruin your skin. Funny how they’re right about so many things. But even though they’ve got the whole ‘mum force and you’ll see’ thing going on, we’re not convinced about make up being bad. We’ve even found stuff that is actually good for you. Just precede with minerals. What’s the deal? Mineral make up is made from naturally occurring minerals like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide and mica. It doesn’t contain the dyes, perfumes, oils, preservatives and additives that...
EntertainmentSydney
I regret nothing at the crystal bar
If you’ve been to a cabaret in Paris you’ll know its appeal. If you haven’t, we could explain, or for a similar experience closer to home just step in to Crystal Bar’s Crystal Boudoir. Located underground in the historic GPO building, you’ll find a world of vintage glamour. A spiral staircase, chocolate leather lounges and sophisticated lighting from twelve crystal haloes will welcome you. The cocktail menu and familiar shape of Moët & Chandon champagne also makes it inviting. The unique selling point for Saturday evenings is simply a combination of good food and a quality show. Begin by selecting...