Quintessentially cordially invites you to the world premiere of the best selling autobiography Mao's Last Dancer.  The incredible story of Li Cunxin, the film recounts the courage and hard work that took him out of the utter poverty in Mao's communist China at age 11 and into a harsh training regime in Beijing.

Quintessentially has exclusive invitations to this red-carpet premiere taking place in Sydney and Melbourne:

Sydney: Monday 21st of September at Sydney’s stunning State Theatre followed by a Chinese Banquet at the Swissotel. (Gold and Platinum tickets available)

Melbourne: Wednesday 23rd of September at the Regent Theatre followed by a Gala at the Sofitel Hotel. (Gold and Platinum tickets available)

Quintessentially has a limited number of tickets available so please email qaustralia@quintessentially.com to book.

And they’re off! The world class Spring Racing Carnival is right around the corner and Quintessentially has access to fabulous trackside marquees on all the main race days including the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, and the Derby, Cup and Oaks days. From the 1st of October to the 19th of November, Victoria will be in a frenzy with 50 days of horses, champagne, and of course, fashion.

For those not lucky enough to make it to the Melbourne Cup, Wildfire Restaurant in Circular Quay is hosting a glamorous Melbourne Cup Lunch and Garden Party. Enjoy a stunning banquet with live entertainment and a fashion show by host, fashion icon Camilla Franks, at AUD 149 per person. The Harbourside Garden Party at AUD 99 per person will include champagne on arrival and canapés. This event is always a sell out and we recommend you make your reservation ASAP. Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com for bookings.

The Karma Foundation’s 3rd Annual Kandy Halloween Party at the Playboy Mansion is slated to take place Saturday, October 24, and Quintessentially Members are invited to attend. This year Hugh Hefner will be the official guest of honour, while chart-topping recording artist Flo Rida performs and DJ Mister E mans the decks.

With lavish décor featuring robotic monsters, professional scare actors, ghouls and a haunted house – not to mention over 1,000 of the world's most beautiful women – this party is not to be missed. Body-painted Kandy models, an open bar and dinner buffet, Kandy go-go dancers and Playboy Playmates will only add to the fun. Please note that costumes are required.
Women may apply for complimentary tickets with the Karma Foundation, or regular tickets are currently available for USD 1,000. Tables/cabanas are USD 10,000 each.

Please e-mail qaustralia@quintessentially.com for more information and to purchase.

Honour your Dad this Sunday with the help of Quintessentially. Whether a special lunch on Sydney Harbour, a sumptuous family picnic in Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens or a fishing trip in Hamilton Island, Quintessentially has plenty of ideas to show thanks and appreciation to your much loved Dads. There are also several banquets and events taking place around town that will surely impress the whole family. The Quintessentially team can also offer a personal shopping service by assisting you in choosing a unique gift for your Dad.

Please email qaustralia@quintessentially.com

Located just one hour north of Sydney on New South Wales Central Coast this magnificent beachside house is the perfect destination for a family or group escape. With 4/5 bedrooms, this spacious residence is surrounded by a tropical bushland with a focus on nature and the local birdlife. The enormous open plan living area boasts high ceilings and opens onto an award winning tropical garden. The residence also offers a caterer’s kitchen with a large entertaining space.

Quintessentially Members are being offered a bottle of Champagne on arrival to set the mood for your enjoyable getaway.  For bookings please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com

Know all the latest hotspots but after something more low key? These restaurants may not be on your radar but will consistently deliver a delicious meal time and time again.

IL BARETTO - Italian
This Surry Hills favourite has locals queuing out the door for their authentic Italian fare.  Located in leafy Bourke Street, this simple trattoria offers home made pastas including their signature pappardelle with duck ragu and one of Sydney’s best panna cotta for the sweet tooths. For those who can’t stand the wait, Il Baretto also offers a speedy takeaway service.
Location: 496 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. +61 2 9361 6163

DIN TAI FUNG– Yum Cha.
The internationally celebrated Taiwanese dumpling chain is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and is constantly packed. Famous for its Xiao Long Bao - Soup Dumplings, this CBD restaurant is stylish and sleek with friendly staff and efficient service. An equally tempting option apart from the dozens of dumplings to choose from are the cha jiang noodles and the hot and spicy soup. Although reservations are not taken, the large restaurant accommodates a quick turnover.
Location: Level 1, World Square Shopping Centre. 644 George St, Sydney

PHAMISH – Vietnamese.
Located in a quaint courtyard in Darlinghurst next to the haute cuisine restaurant The Universal, Phamish is renowned for serving the best Vietnamese cuisine in Sydney. Don’t expect to have a leisurely relaxing evening here – the service is super fast to keep up with the high turnover. Favourites include soft shell crab, green papaya and beef salad, and their signature crispy duck pancakes. The no booking policy can make eating here tricky – arrive early, (doors open at 6pm) or put your name down and take a stroll.
Location: 50 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. +612 9357 2688

For more information, please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com

Palm Cove is known as one of the most laid back and charming resorts of Tropical North Queensland and boasts some of the most pristine beaches in Australia. Peppers Beach Club and Spa is located in the heart of the quaint village and overlooks a stunning palm fringed, white sand beach. Immerse yourself in the tropical retreat and enjoy the award winning restaurant Lime & Pepper and be pampered in the Sanctum Spa.

To make the most of this idyllic resort, Quintessentially Members are being offered a ‘Stay 4, Pay 3’ package. The perfect destination for an extended weekend, please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com for availabilities and bookings.

‘One day in September’ is the highlight on the AFL calendar when two teams battle it out for the Premiership title. This year that glorious day falls on Saturday 26th September and as always, tickets are hard to come by. To enjoy the match in style, Quintessentially has access to premium seats and also catered corporate boxes.

Tickets are strictly limited so please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com at your earliest convenience to book your ticket.

In an Australian first, internationally renowned Spanish Chef Sergi Arola will join forces with award-winning Brent Savage for a creative collaboration at Bentley Restaurant & Bar. The two gastronomical pioneers will present a nine-course tasting menu, with each dish to be complemented by Spanish wines hand-picked by celebrated sommelier Nick Hildebrandt. This exclusive menu is to be offered for four nights only during the Sydney International Food Festival, which runs from Sunday the 11th to Wednesday the 14th of October.

In a special offer available exclusively to Quintessentially Members, guests will be able to personally meet the masters behind the magic – the double Michelin-starred chef and recipient of global acclaim, Sergi Arola, and Brent Savage, who is well regarded as one of Australia’s greatest young talents in the industry. Guests will have an opportunity to not only sample the exquisite dishes created by these distinguished chefs, but to talk them about their food philosophy and experimental approach to fine dining.

Bookings are AUD 320 per person, including matching wine. Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com for bookings.

Coming this summer, Keith Urban will bring his Escape Together World Tour home to Australia.  This two hour high energy concert event packed with hits, guitar slinging and what has become an Urban concert trademark: the unexpected. Keith will be performing at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 16th December, the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Quintessentially Members have access to a VIP package that includes cocktails, a themed Nashville menu and Gold reserve seating. Packages are limited. Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to book.

ShContemporary takes place every September in the spectacular Shanghai Exhibition Centre. The first exhibition in 2007 immediately established itself as Asia’s most dynamic and international contemporary art fair. The 2008 edition attracted over 140 prestigious international galleries from nearly 30 countries, and was visited by over 15,000 collectors, artists, curators and art enthusiasts.

This year, ShContemporary returns with a new artistic direction and will be taking place in the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. The Shanghai eArts Festival is a major exhibition that focuses on electronic and new media art. The largest group show of 2009 in China, "Bourgeoisified Proletariat", will consist of newly commissioned work by some of the biggest names in Chinese contemporary art. Liang Shaoji’s solo show at the Zendai MoMA will feature a large scale installation by a recently ‘rediscovered’ master, not to mention the daily cocktail receptions and parties, making Shanghai the art destination of September 2009.

When: 9th – 13th September
Where: Shanghai Exhibition Centre, No.1000 Yan An Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China
Quintessentially is designated as the official concierge partner for SHContemporary09 and will provide an on-site concierge service for all VIP guests.

Quintessentially Members get a range of exclusive benefits including the following:
- Invitation to Preview and Vernissage
- Invitation to VIP Party at Lounge 18
- Access to VIP Days
- Access to the VIP Lounge throughout the Fair

For further information and a chance to mix and mingle with the international art world’s pre-eminent figures under one roof, please email eventscn@quintessentially.com.

Celebrate the 52nd Venice Biennale in style with Quintessentially Art in partnership with Quintessentially Escape.

Contemporary art expert Nick Hackworth will host you on a luxury weekend trip to Venice where the 52nd International Art Fair is taking place. Quintessentially Escape will tailor all of your practical arrangements to ensure you have an unforgettable and relaxing visit. Nick will guide you through an extraordinary array of international pavilions that this spectacular event provides, guaranteeing a magical weekend to remember.

You will be able to choose from a selection of luxury hotels and exclusive restaurants, including the Hotel Cipriani and Luna Hotel Baglioni, which are justly famous for their sumptuous decor and faultless service, providing the perfect respite at the end of each day. This is a delightful one-off experience, incorporating the visual wonders of the avant-garde art world, set within the incomparable splendour of Venice.

The group will arrive in Venice on Thursday 17th September and depart on Sunday 20th September. To find out more please contact art@quintessentially.com or call +44(0)207 292 5110.

Wicked- The Musical
Saturday 5th September- Saturday 12th December- Capitol Theatre, Sydney

AFL Grand Final
Saturday 26th September – MCG.

Parklife National Tour
Brisbane – Saturday 26th  September - Botanic Gardens and Riverstage
Perth – Sunday 27th September - Wellington Square.
Melbourne – Saturday 3rd October - Birrarung Marr.
Sydney – Sunday 4th October- Kippax Lake, Moore Park, Sydney.
Adelaide – Monday 5th October - Botanic Park, Adelaide

Chris Isaac
Tuesday 29th September- State Theatre, Sydney

Black Eyed Peas
Sydney – Saturday 2nd + Sunday 3rd October – Acer Arena.
Melbourne – Tuesday 6th + Wednesday 7th October – Rod Laver Arena.

II Divo
Monday 12th October- Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Mamma Mia
Friday 23rd October-Sunday 29th November- Sydney

Liza Minelli
Sudnay 25th October- Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Andre Rieu
Thursday 29th October- Sunday 1st November- Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Nickelback
Sydney- Friday 13th November- Acer Arena
Melbourne- Monday 16th November- Rod Laver Arena

For all your ticketing needs please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com

Cartier, one of the most prestigious jewellers in the world whose exquisite creations are epitome for timeless beauty and craftsmanship, invites you to discover new collections and more. All Quintessentially Members are offered personalised shopping service including private viewings and complimentary champagne. Please click on Australia/Shops/Sydney/Cartier for more information.

Sanctuary, Byron Bay: This private and discreet therapeutic retreat specialises in all types of addictions, and complex health issues in complete anonymity. The luxurious Sanctuary creates individual programmes developed by a team of up to twelve practitioners to achieve the best possible result. Eastern and Western modalities are employed including psychotherapy, physiotherapy, qi gong, shiatsu, massage and naturopathy. Conventional medicine is also available when required. This is Australia’s premier location where guests gain the skills and insight necessary to go back into the world and sustain their health and inner calm. Quintessentially Members will receive a complimentary return helicopter airport transfer to Byron Bay when participating in a minimum 2 week programme at The Sanctuary. Please click on Australia/Travel/ByronBay/Sanctuary for more information.