social

SOCIAL SPY** The Bucket List Local Produce Dinner

What better way to support our local farmers than by using local produce in our community? Well that’s exactly what The Bucket List’s Head Chef Tom Walton plans on doing.

Bondi’s popular beach-front restaurant is putting on a succession of meals using organic food as part of the Local Produce Dinner series.

“Through the dinner series we are giving guests a feast using the freshest local and seasonal produce and preparing it simply,” Tom says.

“We want to raise the awareness of the great farmers and producers we have right here on our doorstep.”

The dinners are hosted in conjunction with Food Orbit, and founder James Nathan wants to develop a bigger relationship between wholesale buyers, such as chefs and restaurateurs, to trade with local farmers, so that real food can be brought to food lovers.

“We’re giving farmers and producers an online presence and a platform to connect, build relationships and trade online with the growing number of chefs and wholesale buyer wanting their produce,” James says.

“In putting these dinners on with Tom, it’s great to get to work with a chef who shares our passion to showcase exactly that.”

Guests had the opportunity to sample goods from brewers, wineries, farmers and producers in and around Sydney, The Hawkesbury River, Southern Highlands, Leppington, Newtown and even as close as Bondi Beach – talk about eating from your doorstep!

Each dinner has a different free range meat, starting with the Free Range Lamb, but that wasn’t the only food on offer. There were a host of starters including organic mushrooms, crisp herb polenta and roast carrots.

Attendees gulped back wine from Newtown Brewery, Young Henrys, as well as a delicious sipping on a delicious 2006 Crossroads Riesling and 2008 Pinot Noir, provided by Terini Wines.

Upcoming dinners in the series include:

Free range beef – Wednesday June 5

Free range pig on a spit – Thursday July 11

Organic Free Range Chicken and Venison – Thursday July 25

Local Sustainable Seafood – August 8

Don’t miss out on trying some of the finest food that Sydney has to offer – check outhttp://thebucketlistbondi.com

Jennifer Fletcher attended the event on behalf of Sydney Social 101.

*Prices start from $80 per head inclusive of all wine, beer and sparkling water.

What’s On: People’s Choice Awards Shake Up 2013 Disaronno Mixing Star

The public will have the chance to vote for their favourite cocktail in the Disaronno Mixing Star People’s Choice Awards hosted by actor and director Gracie Otto on Wednesday 15 May 2013.

This exclusive consumer event will be held at the The Loft, Sydney at 6pm – 9pm where three bartenders will compete for the People’s Choice Awards, by showcasing their original Disaronno cocktail creations that have been inspired by a favourite film scene.

Guests can sample and judge the specialty cocktails while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres.

The top three cocktails will be chosen from 15 submissions from around Australia judged by Club Suntory (www.clubsuntory.com) and selected to compete in the Disaronno Mixing Star National Final cocktail-making competition. The final three cocktails on offer will have been judged on the quality and taste of their cocktails and their creative link to the film scene.

At the event, the three final cocktails will be available for the public to taste and decide which cocktail should win the first ever Disaronno Mixing Star People’s Choice Awards.

Where: The Loft, 3 Lime Street When: Wednesday, 15 May 2013 Time: 6pm – 9pm
Entry: Free

For more information or recipe ideas visit http://www.themixingstar.com OR http://www.facebook.com/themixingstar

SOCIAL SPY** The Crane Bar Restaurant Launch

The Crane Bar Restaurant, Sydney’s hot new Japanese eatery in Potts Point, opened its door to VIP guests and socialites last night.

Geishas and traditional Japanese drummers greeted guests on the red carpet outside the stylish restaurant.

Celebs attending the bash included X Factor host Luke Jacobz, Home & Away’s Dan Ewing and his wife Marni Little.

Taking the bar by storm, resident mixologist Thiago Santos created cocktails and also on offer was delicious Japanese canapés selected from the menu. Top chef Tiachi Ito impressively carved a 50kg fresh Tuna into bite-sized servings of sashimi.

Inside and outside the establishment was packed with attendees and the atmosphere was buzzing as a DJ pumped out upbeat tunes in the garden, which was decorated with oriental paper lanterns.

“We’ve been inundated with interest about tonight’s event and the venue in general,” Sarah Budge, co-owner said about the launch.

The venue is situated on Bayswater road and holds a 24 hours license for late night diners. Corporate and social events are also available.

For more information about the sophisticated hip new eating place go to http://www.cranesydney.com/

Sydney Social’s roving reporter Jennifer Fletcher attended the launch last night.

Social Spy** Art Battles Australia Crowns Winner of 2013 ‘The Quay Series’

Art Battles Australia ‘The Quay Series’ held its finals weekend over Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May 2013 at Circular Quay and Sydney Social 101 had the honour of being invited as a guest! With the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, the 2 day finale ran in conjunction with Tiger Beer’s Street Football tournaments, creating a collaboration of music, art and sport.

Twelve artists who competed over a six week period at Name This Bar came together at Circular Quay on Saturday to battle it out in three fierce semi-final rounds throughout the day. Artists had 90 minutes to complete an artwork with the theme ‘Concrete Jungle’ on oversized canvases. The artists were scored by a points system, judged by representatives from sponsors Tiger Beer, Eckersley’s and Liquitex, and the top five artists went through to the Grand Final.

Artists Lee McConnell, INDO, Caryn Griffin, Ken Tucker and Sam Paine made it through to compete in the Grand Final on Sunday to impress celebrity judges Nacho Pop (dancer, choreographer and TV personality), Hayley Jensen (singer songwriter and former Australian Idol contestant) and renowned journalist Amy Cooper. With the new theme ‘Where You Would Rather Be’, artists took part in the second day of creating live artworks in a 90 minute showdown in front of thousands of locals and national and international tourists.

Lee McDonnell Mambo artist, and INDO professional graphic designer\illustrator turned professional artist, were the top two finalists for the day, with Lee taking out the coverted first prize and INDO coming second and winning an Eckersley’s hamper. First prize winner, Lee, has been crowned 2013 Art Battles Australia winner and won an all expenses paid trip 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.

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 was even bigger and better with their 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 took part in 6 heats, which were held weekly from Thursday 28th March at Name This Bar. The Art Battles events saw two artists per heat battle it out on canvases in a 100 minute showdown. Artists created 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 paints.

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

All images are credited to: Alexandra E. Petri, TNT

Social Spy** Rebirth of the Marly, Hotel Marlborough launches Garden Bar

1May 2013 Hotel Marlborough, Newtown

The Marly invites you to come play in its garden

Last night, Sydney Social was invited to the VIP opening of Hotel Marlborough’s new Garden Bar in Newtown.

As the name suggests, The Garden Bar is an outdoor courtyard (heated during the chillier months) that has been opened up and transformed, showing off an indoor/outdoor hangout like no other in Newtown. The interior hosts a wild mash of styles, from feminine and romantic, green and organic, to edgy exposed brick and providing a stark contrast to the Marly’s classic exterior.

Fun, fruity cocktails were served alongside tray after tray of backyard classics by new Head Chef, Ernie Priestley. Having previously worked at the Abercrombie Hotel, Norfolk Hotel, Keystone, Merivale and Universal, Ernie has packed the menu with classed-up pub favourite, heaps of vegetarian offerings and old school Aussie classics such as fish fingers and a cheese platter. We highly recommend the fried scallops!

The new refurb plays up the garden theme with lush greenery, a sweet assortment of candy colours and a whimsical love seat. Touches of exposed brick and pops of lipstick are part of the overall re-launch of the Hotel Marlborough. “We have respected the heritage of the venue on the exterior, restoring heritage cream tiles and specially hand blown green tiles – but new venue like the Garden Bar will sit a long way from what the old Marly offered,” said Paddy Coughlin, CEO of the Riversdale Group.

The Iconic establishment has a rich history with more than 150 years of trade. “I love the history of the Marly, and it’s a great looking pub. It lost its way in recent years though so we’re going to give it a fresh new focus, and the timing couldn’t be better. Newtown is undergoing a massive resurgence in terms of pubs and clubs and as biggest and one of the best positioned in the area we’re looking forward to leading the charge for change,” adds Paddy.

The night could not have been more perfect for a night in the new Garden Bar. A full house of media and VIPs and celebs including Roy Billing, Michelle Leslie and Adam Zammit, Sally Singleton, Callan Ward, Jon Giles, Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson, Phil Davis, Toby Greene, Stephen Gilham (AFL Players, GWS Giants) partied with Singo, Paddy Coughlan, Ned Kelly, Mark Carnegie and Geoff Dixon in celebrating the re-birth of the Marly.

The Garden Bar at the Hotel Marlborough is open from 12PM – very late seven days for a cheeky backyard bevvie and burger

Hotel Marlborough – 145 King StreetNewtownwww.marlboroughhotel.com.au

What’s on: The Strand Arcade VIP Shopping Evening to launch Wool Week

The Strand Arcade have partnered with The Campaign for Wool to support this initiative and will be marking the official launch this Thursday with an exclusive VIP shopping evening.

The event which runs from 5-8pm, invites shoppers to enjoy one-night-only offers from leading retailers including Alex Perry, Gorman, Manning Cartell, The Corner Shop and Dinosaur Designs while being treated to complimentary Chandon bubbly, hot chocolate, fairy floss and roasted nuts.

Shoppers that spend $200 or more in centre will receive two pairs of Leona Edmiston signature winter PINS for free. For a full program of retailer offers, please see attached.

The VIP evening will also reveal an installation by textile artist Magda Sayeg. Two six-metre-tall gumtrees covered in over 600 metres of vibrant Australian Merino wool will showcase Sayeg’s world-renowned guerrilla knitting style while stores continue the theme with window displays featuring orange yarn.

Adding to the celebration, The Strand Arcade is showcasing student and graduate designs from Australia’s most respected fashion and textile tertiary programs which have been created especially for The Campaign of Wool and Wool Week.

Behind this project is a focus on educating consumers about the benefits of wool and an aspiration to go ‘back to the source’ and highlight the use of Australian Merino wool in designer fashion.

WHEN: Thursday 2nd May 2013, 5pm – 8pm

WHERE: The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney

WHAT:

× Exclusive offers from retailers, see full program attached
× Complimentary treats and drinks
× Magda Sayeg guerrilla knitting installation, on display until the end of June 2013
× Student and graduate design showcase from University of Technology Sydney, Whitehouse Institute of Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Curtin University of Technology and Queensland University of Technology, on display until end of June 2013
× Exclusive orange yarn window displays
× ‘Meet the Designer’ in-store at selected boutiques

What’s On: INSEAM Fridays at The Den

Sydney Social 101 is excited to announce that theres a new night in town thats not to be missed! Held at The Den at The Ivy, it’s a cool venue in the heart of the city!

INSEAM Fridays promises the most elite service from the moment you enter the private lift and into the stunning mirror bar. With Mixologist Mike Enright originally from the leading bars of London’s West End creating the most delicious of cocktails.

INSEAM at the Den brings the smoothest sounds of the city every Friday night, spinning soul music, house and funk to dance the night away. Showcasing a special guest DJ exclusively for INSEAM guests every week.

What: INSEAM at The Den, Ivy
When: Every Friday, from 9pm
Cost: $20 cover charge
Where: Level 2, 320 George Street, Sydney 2000

Check out what everyone had to say about the Launch of INSEAM:

WHAT’S ON: DANCE LIKE EVERYBODY’S WATCHING PACHA SYDNEY – SATURDAY 4 MAY

Pacha Sydney and presenting partner Heineken® will give music-loving Pacha-goers the opportunity to be part of their very own music video on Saturday 4 May with an exciting installation called ‘The Human Equalizer’. This special night will also feature Pacha Sydney’s world-class dance performances, dazzling lightshows, a host of DJs and a smashing headline performance by Australian dance music sensation The Potbelleez.

The Heineken Human Equalizer at Pacha Sydney is the first opportunity for people at a live music event to be part of their own music video in Australia. The process is simple: Pacha revellers gather their friends and pull out their most impressive moves in the unique interactive studio situated behind the DJ booth. Their dancing displays will be filmed and then automatically uploaded onto their personal Facebook pages; allowing their friends to check out their dance moves, comment and share.

Pacha Sydney’s beat-loving dance-driven revellers will also be treated to a storming headline set by The Potbelleez. Catapulting into the Australian dance music scene as an ambitious back-to-back DJ outfit in 2003, The Potbelleez boast a back catalogue that reads like a checklist of anthems for a generation of Australian clubbers and festival goers. Back bigger and better in 2013, The Potbelleez will be performing tracks from their brand new album, including the smashing single ‘Saved In A Bottle’.

And if that’s not enough, Pacha Sydney will also offer its weekly line-up of dynamic dance performances, jaw- droppingly mad lightshows and the best of international and Australian DJs over ivy’s 10 bars, four levels and three stages. This really is a night not to be missed!

In the lead up to this exciting event, Heineken has also launched Dance Control – http://www.heineken.com.au/dancecontrol – a digital interactive platform that allows a much wider audience to engage with this unique music experience. The Dance Control turns the Heineken Human Equalizer into an extraordinary interactive virtual game where the user can take control of a dancer’s steps and moves, creating their own personalised video.

All users who create a Dance Control video between 23 April and 1 May will be in with a chance to win tickets to the phenomenal night at Pacha Sydney on Saturday 4 May.

http://www.pachasydney.com/

DOORS OPEN AT 6.30PM EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT $35 in advance / $40 on the door

Fashion Spy** Katie Perry Popping up in Paddington

Australian fashion designer Katie Perry’s pop up store opening on Thursday 18th April saw several creative types coming together showcasing their fabulous wares. Sydney Social popped along to check it out.

Excited guests poured into Katie’s gorgeous residence on Paddington’s style mecca William Street to browse her gorgeous autumn collection and other luxury brands such as Swarovski jewellery from Jlili and boutique skincare Pink Hibiscus (a favourite of Jackie O and Bessie Bardot).

Sydney has seen a bit of a surge in the pop up phenomenon over the past few years. Rising rental prices sometimes see empty spaces for a retailer, bar or art gallery to temporarily spring up in. It’s fun for the consumers who constantly have new places to visit and an excellent way for niche retailers, who don’t necessarily want the financial burden of a full time store, to engage new customers, particularly when several retailers come together in one space.

Throughout the evening, Sydney Social enjoyed the sociability of the shopping experience and the friendly atmosphere while we bopped around to the various designers and retailers. We tasted fabulous Italian wine from Sensi Collezione and ate delicious hot canapés (served by equally delicious hot men!).

Katie Perry was on hand throughout the night to give style tips and showcase the collection. Her pop up shop will be open every Saturday and individual shopping appointments (and for further one off events).

Other guests included; Steve Clisby (The Voice), Lauren Dawes (The Voice), Adam Dixon (couture bridal designer and next-door neighbour) and Anna Lutkajitis (Skipping Girl). The beautiful flowers and decorations were supplied by Willow and Dune.

Sydney Social trivia: brief history of the pop-up shop
‘Vacant’ of Los Angeles was the first company to introduce pop-up retail. In 1999
following a business trip to Tokyo, ‘Vacant’ staff wondered whether consumers would line up to purchase limited edition products from niche retailers.

Once the products were sold out (usually within hours) the store would close until the owner received more products and would then re-open. This led ‘Vacant’ to think about closing the store permanently after the goods were sold, and moving it to another target destination, since consumers were travelling long distances to the niche retailers.

You can check out her online store is http://www.katieperry.com.au. This review was attended and written by Katie Hoskins. href=”http://sydneysocial101.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/20130424-115618.jpg”>

What’s On: ANZAC DAY 2013

So we’re excited that ANZAC Day is almost upon us, a day where we can remember our loved ones, neighbours and friends that have given their lives to protecting our country.

In keeping with tradition, ANZAC Day marks the one day of the year where gambling games are legal in all pubs and clubs in Australia – notably 2-Up!

We are also very lucky to get a day off work! Here is our guide to the best spots across Sydney to celebrate ANZAC Day.

The Australian

The Australian at The Rocks will be sharing the ANZAC spirit on the city’s largest and most exciting 2-Up Arena.
Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: Open from 8.00am and 2-Up from midday-late
Address: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
For further information: http://www.australianheritagehotel.com

The Glenmore

Salute and commemorate our courageous Diggers with a cold beer and Aussie BBQ. Play 2-Up from midday on the hugely popular outdoor arena.
Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: Open from 8.00am and 2-Up from midday-late
Address: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
For further information: http://www.theglenmore.com.au

KIT Wednesdays is upping the ante with a combined celebration for ANZAC Day Eve
· DCUP
· Steve Frank
· Zannon
· Alex Preston

Bungalow 8 |3 Lime St, Sydney
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time : From 11am
· Massive 2UP arena
· Celebrity tossers
· Aussie tunes
· Bagpipe band
· The Last Post (played at 5:45pm sharp)
· $15 cocktail jugs served till 4pm

Cargo Bar |52-60 The Promenade, Sydney
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 11am
· All day BBQ and outdoor bar
· Biggest 2UP arena to date
· Playing the Last Post (5:30pm sharp)
· The party will continue into the night with some classic Aussie tunes from DJ’s KATO, Liz Bird, Adam Bozzetto and loads more

Newtown Hotel | 174 King St, Newtown
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 1 pm
· 2UP
· Fosters cans $5
· Free sausage sizzle
· DJs from sunset, PHDJ, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Meem

Sugarmill Hotel | 37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 10am
· 2:30pm AFL live Essendon vs Collingwood
· 4:00pm NRL live Roosters vs Dragons
· 7:00pm NRL live Storm vs Warriors

Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ |37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
When: ANZAC Day- Thursday 25th April
Time: From 10am
· Sweethearts will be open ALL ANZAC DAY from midday to midnight.
· TAPPY HOUR from 4-7pm when all tap beer and wine is $5

Some other key places that are fab for ANZAC are:

Dicks – Balmain

The Beach Road Hotel – Bondi

Coogee Bay Hotel – Coogee

The Royal – Paddington

Have fun!!!!