March

Easter news: CELEBRATE EASTER WITH CHOCOLATE BY THE BALD MAN

Easter is just a bunny hop away, and to celebrate the most indulgent long weekend of the year, Australia’s favourite chocolate based cafe, Max Brenner, is introducing its new and utterly delectable, 2013 Easter Collection.

Conjuring up choc-filled memories of Easter’s past, this unique gift range is true to the Max Brenner vision – offering a deliciously wonderful and nostalgic experience with each and every bite. From mouth-watering chocolate bars to traditional chocolate eggs, the opportunities are endless when it comes to satisfying (and spoiling) even the most discerning choc-lover:

Classic Fine Chocolate Egg; deliciously smooth and rich chocolate eggs, this traditional favourite is perfect for Easter hunts with the family… or to enjoy all to yourself. Available in milk or dark chocolate ($2.50, 40g or 10 eggs $22.50, 400g).

Max’s Box of Chox; for big and small kids a-like, Max’s Box of Chox contains 20 solid pure milk chocolate egglets. Personalise with your special message, and this becomes the ultimate Easter gift. (RRP: $9.80, 150g)

The Speck-tacular Egg; playfully artistic in design, this delicious and extravagant Easter treat is inspired by Max Brenner’s best-selling product, Nuts (caramelised pecans rolled in rich praline cream and fine cocoa powder)! Featuring rich milk chocolate speckled with unpredictable pecan chunks and crunchy toffee bits: this is truly a treasure among eggs…. (RRP: $16.00, 120g).

Max Brenner Chocolate Bars; presented in chic and colourful packaging, the Max Brenner Chocolate Bars redefine the traditional ‘Chocolate Bar’. Deliciously sleek in nature, these thin Chocolate Bars are available in milk chocolate with caramel pieces and sea salt and Dark Chocolate with caramelized cocoa nibs– drool! (RRP: $8.00, 100g)

White Chocolate studded with Colourful Chocolate Buttons; Let your childhood fantasies come true with these addictive chunky white chocolate slabs studded with colourful chocolate buttons. Deliciously fun for the mini Max’s or for the inner-child in all of us (RRP: Sold by weight, $10 per 100g)

Praline Mixed With Peanut Butter; one of Max’s best selling Pralines comes alive this Easter with a deliciously festive print. Buy these moorish milk chocolate Pralines mixed with peanut butter individually or add them to one of Max’s many Praline boxes. (RRP: $1.90 each, or Box of 9 $21.00)

So whether you’re looking to spoil yourself or your loved ones this Easter, hop to your closest Max Brenner Chocolate Bar or Shop your Experience on the Online Shop (www.shop.maxbrenner.com.au) – the go-to-place for chocolate goodness this Easter.

For more information about Max Brenner or to visit your closest Chocolate Bar location visit the Max Brenner website: http://www.maxbrenner.com.au

What’s on: The Strand Arcade is seeking out all chocolate lovers!

With the Easter long weekend upon us, The Strand Arcade is seeking out all chocolate lovers!

The Strand Arcade boasts an abundance of succulently sweet retailers including Haigh’s Chocolates, French inspired patisserie Sweet Infinity and boutique chocolatier Bon Bon Fine Chocolates to satisfy every craving.

The Strand Arcade takes the indulgence one step further, with the chance for one lucky shopper to win a year’s supply of Haigh’s chocolates. Yum!

I

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AS JIM BEAM UNVEILS THE WORLD’S LARGEST ESKY® COOLER AT ICONIC BONDI BEACH

Jim Beam, the world’s no.1 bourbon, pays tribute to the great Aussie icon

Thursday 21st March 2013 As the sun rose on Bondi Beach this morning, there was a slight change in the water temperature, as Jim Beam make history by turning the iconic Bondi Icebergs Pool into the world’s largest ESKY® cooler. The desire to set this record stems from the earliest values of founder Jacob Beam (1770 – 1834) – a pioneer and a man with history-making vision.

Today, Jim Beam is the world’s number one bourbon and make history everyday. What better way to continue the trend than by championing true icons of the Australian lifestyle, Bondi Beach and the ESKY® cooler.

Members of Channel Ten’s Bondi Rescue cast joined Bondi locals and intrigued passers-by this morning to marvel at the new Bondi skyline and unveil the gargantuan structure to the public.

Fred Noe, great-grandson of Jim Beam says, “At Jim Beam we take our bourbon making seriously, we felt the world’s number one bourbon deserved something, and somewhere, special to keep it cold – and where better than the world’s largest ESKY® cooler at Bondi Beach.

“In our family of seven generations of distillers, we don’t just say we’ll make history – we actually do it.” Continues Noe.

The huge structure took days to build and boasts some pretty impressive stats:
· The ESKY® cooler (measuring 36m by 15m) will be filled with approximately 2 million litres of water.
· Over 500 giant ice cubes.
· The giant structure will hold 33 supersized Jim Beam cans (1960mm diameter at a height of 3920mm).
· This ESKY® cooler has been designed to work with the infrastructure of the iconic pool – the water will float the cans, and ice, to the optimal level to give the perception that the giant cans can be easily grabbed.

Art Battles Australia Launches ‘The Quay Series’ For 2013

Art Battles Australia is an initiative that was founded in 2011 at Name This Bar, Oxford Street Sydney. The aim was to provide an innovative event, at a venue for up and coming artists to showcase their talents to the general public and patrons of the bar, along with live entertainment, DJs, and celebrity MCs and judges. The Art Battles concept has not only changed the way that artists display their skills but has also created a new model for exhibitions and sales.

This year Art Battles is even bigger and better with the launch of ‘The Quay Series’. An all- new artist line up selected from a pool of the freshest up and coming and established Sydney visual artists will take part in 6 heats, which will be held weekly at Name This Bar. Starting on Thursday 28th March, and running every Thursday for 6 weeks, the heats will accumulate in the Grand Final, which will take place on the 4th and 5th of May amongst thousands of locals, national and international tourists at Sydney’s Circular Quay. With the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, this 2 day Finale will run in conjunction with Tiger Beer’s Translate initiative, a collaboration of Music, Art and now the world street soccer finals.

The winner of the Art Battles grand final will be flown to Vietnam to represent Australia at Tiger Translate Vietnam as a guest of Tiger Beer Australia. Tiger Translate aims to celebrate global creativity through the exposure to different cultures and experiences. Bringing creative artists from the East and West together, they showcase their artistic collaborations spanning the areas of music, design and art, fashion, dance, photography and more.

The Art Battles events see up to four artists per heat battle it out on canvases in a 100 minute showdown. Artists create their works using a number of different styles and techniques on canvas from street art to fine art using tools such as brush, marker pens and for the first time spray paint provided by Art Battles partner Liquitex. Liquitex offers the largest array of art materials and has recently launched a range of professional acrylic spray paints which are new to the market. The sprays differ from those currently available due to their low odor, artist grade pigments, water based technology and light-fastness.

Since its beginning, Art battles Australia has gained momentum and credibility amongst spectators and artists, seeing the last series winner Nick Ford taking out the major prize to represent Australia in Dubai amongst artists from across the world.

Artists wishing to Sign up for Art Battles can contact agnes@namethisbar.com.au or via the website http://www.artbattles.com.au

For more information visit: http://www.namethisbar.com.au & http://www.artbattles.com.au

Social Spy** Ivanhoe Hotel Sneak Peek

Last night Sydney Social was invited to the exclusive launch of the Ivanhoe Hotel for an exclusive sneak peek inside the local landmark.

For decades, the Ivanhoe has been a bar, restaurant, and nightclub staple on the Manly Corso, and the new transformation is truly impressive.

Lucky guests were able to witness the transformation inside, party on the outside decking, try the new sweet vodka mixers served in funky glasses and sample the mouth-watering pizza, lobster soup, burgers plus other treats off new menu too!

The first floor is inviting with plenty of cosy seating and hosts a decedent staircase. There are open areas tucked away and interesting art ties the space together. The second floor’s spacious veranda is perfect for daytime people watching and an after-hours drink. Dance floor junkies can congregate on the spacious third level dance floor, overlooked by a DJ booth.

Whilst the former Ivanhoe offered a damn fine $10 steak and plenty of locals for a game of pool, the new nautical digs, inventive cocktails and classed-up menu selection will leave you wanting to explore each of the three levels.

According to Bar MD, Grant Collins, the highly anticipated grand re-opening has left Manly locals and Sydneysiders alike, all eager to see how the renovation would take a modern approach to a classic seaside pub.

The iconic hotel, based in Manly has been closed for refurbishment and the official grand opening for the public will be at the end of March!

Next time you find yourself on the Northern Beaches, we highly recommend popping into The Ivanhoe for a bite and a drink.—you won’t be disappointed!

For more info check out http://www.ivanhoehotelmanly.com.au

Movie Review** THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE REVIEW

I had seen the same trailer for this film a number of times, each time I got more excited to see the final product. I hoped this would be a funny film that reached the same level of comedy as Anchorman or 40 Year Old Virgin. Did it live up to my hopes??

The film is about two lonely young boys who become best friends over a love of magic. Years later they grow up to become Burt Wonderstone, (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton, (Steve Buscemi).

Their shows become bigger and bigger until they finally have centre stage in the grandest casino in Vegas. All is not well as they two start to drift apart over their repetitive boredom of the same tricks each night and Burt’s big headedness. In the meantime there is a new street magician Steve Gray, (Jim Carey), who is performing daring street magic. Soon the friendship breaks and they need to find a way back to the top.

It is obvious that Burt and Anton are taking off Siegfrid & Roy, while Steve Gray is meant to be Chris Angel. There are other nods to magicians like David Blaine. Carell and Buscemi are a great double act even if they don’t look like a great pairing. Carey is back to the Carey we all know, and some may love, with other the top acting, after all that’s what he is best for. He does steal the show with some outrageous over the top tricks, which I wont spoil. The first one will turn a few stomachs. The main characters are back by Olivia Wilde, Burt & Anton’s assistant (Amazing), and Alain Arkin, Burt’s magician mentor. Both characters add a lot of humour outside of the main three.

A lot of the film is predictive but most are in this genre. It is the constant jokes that you would expect from comedians of this calibre that keep the film going. I’ve noticed with a lot of comedy films recently that the jokes start to slow down about half way through as if they are out of steam, not here!!

If anyone is a fan of Steve Carell or Jim Carey, then this is them at their best and you wont be disappointed. No its not an Anchorman or 40 Year Old Virgin, but this is definitely a film I would love to see again for an abundance of funny stand out moments. I haven’t heard a cinema audience laugh out loud for so long.

Sydney Social 101 gives The Incredible Burt Wonderstone 8/10. It was reviewed by Syrus Wynne, Sydney Social’s resident critic!

SOCIAL SPY** Rekorderlig Cider at Taste of Sydney

Last night Sydney Social was invited to sample Rekoderlig Cider’s brand new flavoured drink, which was launched at the first day of the 2013 Taste of Sydney Festival.

The Swedish mega brand, which is also the exclusive sponsor of the event, debuted its Passionfruit beverage in their swanky cider bar tent, and this refreshing concoction is the latest in the range added to their already exotic line.

The other flavours available are Apple, Pear, Strawberry-Lime, Wild Berries, Apple & Blackcurrant and Mango & Raspberry.

These fun flavours served in pint glasses appeal to men and women and the fruit alternatives make a great afternoon brew – especially in the Sydney sun!

“We are excited to part of this year’s Taste of Sydney,” Rekorderlig’s Marketing Manager Nikki Langford said.

Loyalty cards are on offer at the food festival, and those who purchase five drinks will get a goodie bag containing a bottle of their choice to take home, as well as a collectors glass and bottle opener.

The Rekorderlig bar is situated smack bang in the middle of the event, right next to the entrance, so it’s a perfect place for attendees to quench their thirst.

Taste of Sydney is an annual occasion, held in Centennial Park and celebrates the Sydney food scene, and the festivities this year will be running from March 14 to March 17.

Don’t miss your chance to head to the Swedish cider bar and for more info visit http://www.rekorderlig.com.au

What’s on: Grandmaster Flash in the Flesh at the Soda Factory

When: Friday March 22nd, 9pm-5am
Cost: $20 (on the door)

He’s the daddy of DJ culture, the ultimate decknician, the grand master himself, and he’s coming to Surry Hills’ tightest new hotspot, the Soda Factory, on Friday 22nd March.

Grandmaster Flash has been killin’ it since ’74, and is still regarded one of the greatest DJs of all time. So dust off your platforms and don’t miss your chance to catch Flash in the flesh in the intimate, vintage surrounds of the Soda Factory.

Less than a month since opening their doors, The Soda Factory is fast becoming the watering hole of choice for hot bands and celebs alike. Just recently, hit makers Bloc Party were seen kicking back behind the coke machine. With sweet old school tunes, delish dogs and killer cocktails it’s no wonder the likes of Kele, A-Trak and the other cool kids come to hang… must be something in the bubbles…

Speaking of cool kids, the Soda Factory is stoked to announce an additional ‘secret’ show for Electric Empire after the overwhelming response to last night’s gig. The indie roots band will perform this special encore show tonight, Friday 15th March. With no door charge, we suggest you take your dollars straight to the bar for a Choc Passion Martini instead.

For venue details and more events: http://www.sodafactory.com.au

What’s on: GIANT LETTERS SPELLING OUT ‘CARMEN’ NOW ADORN AN OPERA STAGE THAT APPEARS TO FLOAT ON SYDNEY HARBOUR.

The creative vision for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Carmen has been revealed with the final ‘C’ of six giant letters spelling out ‘CARMEN’ now in place on the harbour-top opera stage. The spectacular Spain-Meets-Hollywood stage will set the scene for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Carmen, which opens Friday 22 March for three weeks only.

The Hollywood-inspired Carmen letters measure a staggering 9 metres high and 25 metres wide. When the production opens next Friday 22 March, they will be spot-lit by lighting towers on and around the main stage during the production. The scaffolding supporting the letters doubles as a structure for the singers and dancers to climb and perform from during the show. The stage itself is 32 metres by 24 metres and resembles a round, blood-stained bullfighting ring. It sits on a platform supported by 16 pylons sunk into Sydney Harbour.

The Carmen letters will cut an imposing silhouette across Sydney Harbour for the duration of the production, 22 March – 12 April. It positively dwarfs Australian icons such as the Big Banana and Big Pineapple in scale!

The letters symbolise the glamorous, seductive facade of Carmen and will be seen in all their glossy glory by visitors looking across the harbour from the Sydney Opera House, by joggers around the Royal Botanic gardens, by commuters driving across the Harbour Bridge and those travelling by ferry (or cruise ship!) on Sydney Harbour. The audience will see the letters in reverse, signifying the seedy underworld in which the gypsies’ underhanded activities take place at the tobacco factory in Seville, Spain.

The Carmen set features other spectacular effects including a life-sized slaughtered bull (post bull-fight) and fireworks. Dancers will whirl about the stage in dazzling flamenco costumes, bringing colour and movement to the blood-red stage.

Some of the world’s best opera talents have converged in Sydney to perform in Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Carmen. Hailing from Sydney, Perth and Tasmania in Australia, from New York and Memphis in the USA and even from the Ukraine, this is a truly global cluster of opera stars.

When the show opens, they will have had just over four weeks to bring this brand new outdoor production to perfection, ahead of the opening night on Friday 22 March, when they will perform on Australia’s most unique opera stage atop the water of Sydney Harbour. A nightly audience of 3,000 seated at the edge of The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney will enjoy tapas, paella, Spanish BBQ and cocktails in luxury, while they watch the drama of Carmen unfold beneath the stars.
http://www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au

Social Spy** *Bondi Hardware Turns One Year Old!*

One of Sydney Social’s favourite haunts is Bondi Hardware! It was the perfect evening as Bondi’s bustling Hall Street was host to Bondi Hardware’s first Birthday celebrations!

Hall Street is home to local favourite Bondi Hardware bar and restaurant which is named after its original occupant of 30 years, a cluttered Hardware store. The restaurant pays homage to its heritage, with the interior painstakingly transformed utilising exposed brickwork, beams, high gabled ceilings and recycled timber. Last night Bondi Hardware turned one year old and to celebrate the owners, Hamish Watts & Ben Carroll threw a huge invite only bash for locals, media and celebrities.

Cocktails on arrival included Hardware Fizz and Raspberry Mules, then guests moved onto Vale Ale, Batlow Cider, wine and champagne. To soak up all the booze food served included the ever popular beef, pork and chicken sliders, lamb koftas and pizza, and the party went on late into the night with the DJ pumping out soul and funk tunes.

Celebrities who attended included SYP (PSY impersonator), Hayley Jenson (Australian Idol), Joel Chapman & Kosta Theodosis (Amy Meredith), Nacho Pop (TV Personality and dancer), Penne Dennison (TV Presenter), Sophia Hope (X Factor contestant), Tali Jatali (TV Personality), Tom Steinfort (TV Presenter) and Zoe Sheridan

The expertise of Ben & Hamish is evident at Bondi’s craftiest bar and restaurant, where the welcoming ambiance, mouth-watering food and delicious beverages combine to create a uniquely Bondi dining experience. A good workman never blames their tools, and at Bondi Hardware they’re the best in the business!

http://www.bondi-hardware.com.au