Whatever lunch plans you had for Saturday, March 12, you'd better cancel them. Instead, we'd suggest heading to South Brisbane to welcome The Yiros Shop to the neighbourhood. If you do, they'll return the favour. Not only will you get to tuck in to one of the new store's grilled pita and meat combinations — think fresh, fluffy and filled with pork, chicken or lamb, then topped with tomato, onion, parsley and tzatziki — but you'll get to do so without opening your wallet. Just drop by 189 Grey Street between 12pm and 4pm to brighten your day with a free yiros. Now that's something to say "opa!" to. Anyone who has already checked out The Yiros Shop's existing Cannon Hill or James Street outlets will know the tasty meal that they're in for — and for everyone else, there's never been a better time to get acquainted with their gourmet Greek fare. Free Yiros Day might be the main attraction this weekend, and rightfully so, but don't forget desserts such as sweet rice pudding, baklava, galaktoboureko (semolina custard in filo pastry) and loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) are also on the menu. If you can't change your plans for a free feed, then you can mosey along and fork out some cash any time from March 10, with the new addition to South Bank open from 10.30am seven days a week. Yes, that means that you can't get your brekkie yiros fix there as yet; however keep an eye on their Facebook page, because early morning deliciousness will launch in the coming months. Free Yiros Day takes place between 12pm and 4pm at The Yiros Shop at 189 Grey Street, South Brisbane. For more information, visit their website.
Feel a hankering for some chortles but don't have the funds to fork out for international tours? Check the Powerhouse website for the night's Knockoff Comedy lineup. This free Friday night comedy show runs from 6pm, and plays host to some of the biggest up-and-comers in Brisbane comedy. Plus, at the end of each month, Knockoff is home to Brisbane's premier impro night thanks to the comedy stylings of ImproMafia.
It was one of Brisbane's best 2016 events, as well as the kind of shindig someone really should've thought of earlier. Now, after a killer kick off in its first year, the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl returns for 2017. Once again, it's the stuff live music fans' dreams of made of, and it's getting even bigger. Five gigs will happen at five of Brisbane's best hangouts, all within two blocks of each other, and all on the same day. Oh, and did we mention that they're all free? No, we're not making this up. The simultaneous sonic fun takes place on February 11, and other than upping the number of places you'll have to sprint between — and the number of bands belting out tunes, of course — it's business as usual. Music and beer-loving Brisbanites are invited to trek between The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry, Black Bear Lodge and Woolly Mammoth, take in a jam-packed lineup of local bands (and a couple of Sydneysiders and Melburnians too), plus devour plenty of frosty, refreshing beverages. The epic day of entertainment is sponsored by a brewery, after all. Details of the who plays at which venue variety are available from the event's Facebook page, with the whole shindig will kick off at 5pm. Given we know the what, where and when of it all, the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace day of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. Oh, and to get excited about the below lineup: Alice Ivy Angharad Drake Average Art Club BUTTERFINGERS Clea Dreamtime Evan Klar Future Haunts GILL BATES I Know Leopard Luke Daniel Peacock Mallrat Max Chillen + the Kerbside Collective Miss Blanks Moses Gunn Collective Pearls Polish Club San Mei Stevie sweater curse The Ocean Party These New South Whales Top Dollar WAAX WHALEHOUSE
When the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl kicked off in 2016, it did so in simple but great style. Recognising that the key to many a good night out is a multi-venue itinerary, it made hopping between Fortitude Valley's finest hangouts a streamlined, well-organised yet still laidback experience — with brews aplenty and an ace live music soundtrack. That was then. Now, the same idea and aim remain; however everyone's favourite multi-venue mini music and beer festival is even bigger and better in its third year. After expanding from four venues in its initial outing to five the second time around, 2018's event will see attendees jump between seven spots to see 35 interstate and local artists. The simultaneous sonic fun takes place on February 17, at returning spaces The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry and Black Bear Lodge, plus new additions Barbara, The Flying Cock and Crowbar. As always, the agenda includes running between each to sip frosty beverages and catch crackin' sets, with the entertainment once again sponsored by a brewery. Details of the who plays at which venue variety are yet to be announced; however the whole shindig will kick off at 5pm. Given that we know the what, where and when of it all in a general sense, the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace day of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. Oh, and to get excited about the below lineup: Philadelphia Grand Jury Gooch Palms Hatchie Hollow Coves Carmouflage Rose Midas.Gold Ninajirachi Jess Locke Bugs BOAT SHOW Nice Biscuit Emerson Snowe Holiday Party Ayla King IV Austen Jesswar Fritz Jouk Mistrow The Gametes Orlando Furious FeelsClub Port Royal First Beige Eat Your Heart Out Chakra Efendi Stranger Land JEFFE Hey Baby Pink Matter Keelan Mak Earthlings Twinfolds Hope D Zapéd
If you don't have a spare couple of hours in your schedule on Wednesday afternoon, we recommend doing whatever you can to finangle some free time. It's for a good reason, trust us. Who doesn't want to spend their arvo watching their favourite bands battle it out — but not on stage. The Bigsound Ping Pong Smackdown will lure Tiny Little Houses, Dorsal Fins, Totally Mild, Terrible Truths, Mere Women, Flowertruck, Good Boy and Loose Tooth to show their skills not with a guitar or mic, but with a ball and paddle. Talk more than just your usual festival or conference session — as well guaranteed entertainment. Image: Dustin Gaffke.
Think Bigsound is just about the big end of the business? Think again. Showcasing the smaller side of the industry, Barbara's unofficial side event will focus on indie labels and the bands that make them great. The numbers are simple: 15 artists, nine labels, and two busy, busy afternoons. Head by September 7 and 8 for a few cosy hours of awesome songs in an intimate setting, with Fazerdaze, Loose Tooth, The Laurels and Flowertruck among those on Wednesday's bill, and The Goon Sax, Shining Bird, Terrible Truths and Teeth & Tongue just some of the talent on Thursday's lineup.
First, the bad news: Brewsvegas, Brisbane's annual celebration of beverages, doesn't take place until March. Now, the good news: once again, they're unveiling their lineup this week at the ideal summer event for those who like to cool off with both a beer and a swim. Say hello to the Great Brewsvegas Pool Party, Beer and Program Launch, aka the get-together that wants to amp up your excitement not once, but twice. We're not sure what we're more pumped about — descending upon Ithaca Pool ready for an evening of splashing about, or getting a glimpse of all the awesome 2017 fun to come. The correct answer is both, of course. And with surf rock band The Wet Fish cranking out the on-theme tunes, Ze Pickle serving up their festive foods and Newstead Brewing Co unleashing this year's official Brewsvegas Beer at the launch, expect those excitement levels to keep on growing.
Great films, good food and ace company. Now, there's your recipe for an excellent night out. Throw in a couple of rounds of trivia questions, and you've cracked New Farm Cinemas' formula come Australia Day eve. Come ready to watch homegrown movies, eat iconic snacks and answer locally-focused trivia, as there'll be plenty of each. Program-wise, there's a flick to suit all tastes: amusing, thanks to The Castle, unnerving, courtesy of Wolf Creek, and retro, via the original Crocodile Dundee. Guest trivia master Daniel McConnell will wear more than his undies to preside over proceedings, and the candy bar will serve up the taste sensations that are Golden Gaytimes, Bubble O' Bills, Tim Tams, lamingtons and meat pies.
For three days every September, Brisbane becomes the centre of the music industry. At least that’s how it feels when BIGSOUND, the annual music conference to end all music conferences, comes to town. In 2015, Australia's answer to South by Southwest sees Fortitude Valley pumping with events, including keynotes, panels, discussions, seminars and live gigs showcasing 150 bands across 15 venues. Everyone from former Federal Arts minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and rapper and activist Brother Ali to Katy Steele, Major Leagues, Muscles and Stonefield will be there — and that really is only the beginning. Of course, the official program is just part of the fun, with events happening around the main attraction always proving equally as exciting. To help you plan for what's certain to be a big few days, check out our picks of the five BIGSOUND events you should schedule into your diary.
Brisbane's Young Franco should be on your one-to-watch list. Seriously. He's heading around Australia on his very first run of national headline shows to plug his brand new single 'Don't U Want Me', out via new Australian label Of Leisure. This young whippersnapper has been garnering interest from the likes of triple j and THUMP with his sophisticated, super catchy beats, hitting it out of the ballpark on his recent UK tour, Alison Wonderland tour support and huge Splendour set. 'Don't U Want Me' featuring Blair De Milo, will be sitting pretty on our playlists all spring and summer long. Heading around Australia this October and November, Young Franco will undoubtedly show off his latest EP Franco & Friends, a feature frenzy with the likes of KLP, Set Mo, Feki and De$ignated, his recent collab with Brisbane pal UV boi, and his Motez, Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk-approved debut EP Futurefunk.
If you'd like to pair your next afternoon tipple with a stunning ocean vista, then you'd best make Manly's new harbourside hangout your latest watering hole. You won't just be surrounded by the sea as far as the eye can... uh... see thanks to Tide Wine Bar and Casual Dining's marina-adjacent location. You'll also be enjoying a few wines in a cute little shack built over the water. Tide isn't just about its ace William Gunn Jetty digs and fresh seaside breezes, thanks to a simple but substantial food and drink menu. The former includes breakfast, lunch or dinner options such as pancakes, burgers and tapas, while the latter comes complete with ale and cider on tap, plus a hefty list of bottled brews, spirits and wines. To answer the question that anyone heading to a waterside venue has to ask, yes fish and chips are on offer. So are relaxed Sunday cocktail sessions with live music — perfect with that killer view. Trying not to wish you were on holidays is impossible, but if this isn't the next best thing to actually going on a summery getaway, then we don't know what is. Find Tide Wine Bar at William Gunn Jetty, 1 Wyvernleigh Close, Manly. For further information, head to their website or Facebook page.
Before long every area of Brisbane will boast its own Chinese eatery and pizzeria combo. That might sound like wishful thinking, but at the rate Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizza Violetta are expanding, we reckon it could soon become a reality. First, a little background information for those who are yet to experience the culinary delights of these two sibling restaurants. After attracting hungry diners to their initial Kenmore stores, the two set up a second base in Paddington. That, it seems, was only the beginning. Wilston is the next location in owner Renata Roberts' sights. And inner-northsiders won't have long to wait, with June the mooted kick-off date. The rest of the details about the duo's new digs fall into the "to be confirmed" category, though we're sure that the likes of shredded crispy beef and Kung Pao chicken, plus eleven different types of pizzas, will feature on their respective menus. All that's left is for eastern and southside additions to join the mix. Surely it's only a matter of time. For more information, check out the Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizza Violetta websites.
UPDATE: JUNE 22, 2020 — Sephora has extended its sale for five days. It'll now end on Sunday, June 28. Sephora, aka the French-based perfume and cosmetics chain that has won fans the world over, has been opening stores around Australia for the last few years. And whether you're keen to head into your closest shop, or you're quite happy browsing and buying beauty products online, it's currently hosting a huge sale with prices up to 50 percent off. That's good news for everyone, including your bank balance. If you haven't jumped on the Sephora bandwagon yet, then prepare to nab all those prestige international brands you can't get elsewhere. In-person and virtually, it's a beauty product wonderland, with more than 1500 different lines on offer. The exact discount varies from product to product, but you can expect 30 percent off Fenty matte lipsticks, 50 percent off Marc Jacobs foundation, 30 percent off Tarte lipgloss sets and hefty savings on Sephora's own branded lines, too — just to name a few of the items on sale. If this is the excuse you needed to boost your makeup bag, the sale runs until Sunday, June 28.
In just one short year, Bella BBQ has gone from a backyard hobby to a bustling market stall to one of Brisbane's favourite food trucks. That's quite the feat, even for purveyors of tasty meats, so they're doing something to celebrate it. That something involves introducing a new component — or a new kind of flexibility, to be exact — to their popular menu. All the staples you know and love remain, such as low- and slow-cooked brisket, pork, ribs and wings, plus their new lamb offering. Now, though, you can have more of a say in what goes into your burger. Welcome to Bella BBQ's build-a-burger experience, or the taste sensation that you didn't know that you were missing. It all starts with a bun and a $10 price tag, and then you choose and pay for everything else that goes on top of it. The usual salads are your next point of call, including Bella BBQ's scrumptious southern slaw. Then, pick your preferred meat, sauce and extras, and prepare for your mouth to water. When it comes to adding something special, options include candy bacon-infused mac and cheese, in case you need a little more tempting. Yes, folks, that's how you make an already great burger place — and their delicious burgers — even better. To stay up-to-date with Bella BBQ, download their app or visit their Facebook page.
Live in Greenslopes and like strolling around market stalls, but don't want to venture too far on a Sunday morning? If so, you're in luck. Because every area of Brisbane needs its own outdoor space to stock up on farm-fresh produce and browse for handmade trinkets, Markets on the Lawn is bringing everyone's favourite weekend shopping activity to the inner eastern suburb. Come July 31, you'll find all of the above at Greenslopes State School every week from 8am — and a place to enjoy a picnic and listen to live music as well. Here, you can pick up your groceries, grab a meal from a food truck, listen to a heap of tunes, take part in a workshop, and simply hangout and relax. Think of Markets on the Lawn as a combination of the usual food and craft-focused affairs and a more lifestyle-oriented event. If you've been to the Stones Corner Street Market, then you should know what to expect. In fact, it's their success that has given rise to Brisbane's latest outdoor shopping gathering. At the rate new markets keep popping up around town, locals will soon be able to dedicate their entire weekends to hopping between different venues. Sounds tasty. Markets on the Lawn kicks off at 8am on July 31 at Greenslopes State School. Check out the event's Facebook page for more information. Image: Erol Ahmed.
You can never have too many beers, wings, burgers or pizzas. That's obviously the motto of the team at Yard Bird Ale House, who after bringing all of the above to Fortitude Valley and Paddington are spreading their wings and flying straight to Stones Corner. The exact location of Yard Bird's third nest is yet to be announced, but expect to start flocking there around August. If you've experienced their combo of Tex-Mex-style food and craft brews before, then you're already excited. And if you haven't, checking out their new digs should be all the motivation you need to drop by. Patrons will find the usual Yard Bird offerings: beer and cider taps a-plenty, plus a dining menu stacked with poultry pieces, meat and bread, and slices of pizza, plus tacos, nachos, wraps and hot sandwiches too. Full details are still to be confirmed, so watch this space — or head to the Valley or Paddo in the interim to get your Yard Bird fix. To keep up to date with Yard Bird Ale House's Stones Corner venture, check out their website and Facebook page.
Feel a hankering for some chortles at the end of the weekend? Trying to squeeze in as many laughs as possible into your life in general? Keen to jump into the working week with some giggles? All of the above situations are catered for at Livewired Comedy — aka Brisbane Powerhouse's regular free Sunday afternoon comedy gigs, which kick off for 2019 on July 14. This free comedy show runs from 5pm each week, and will play host to some of the biggest up-and-comers in comedy, including both local and interstate comedians. Just head on down to Powerhouse's Turbine Platform (the big space in the middle of the building, which you can't miss once you walk in the door) and prepare to get your funny bone tickled.
It's been 11 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival has announced its 2016 lineup. Returning to Singapore, Auckland and the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with one heck of a killer lineup. Following the previously leaked Hudson Mohawke and Purity Ring headliner announces, Laneway will see one heck of a crew on their unconventional stages. Odd Future's super outfit The Internet will be here, alongside Ninja Tune's bass monarch Thundercat and the return of Grimes (start losing your collective shit). Epic Scottish electronic crew CHVRCHES are headed back to Australia, with a few fellow return trippers — Baltimore dreamboats Beach House, American math rockers Battles are back with their new album, as well as Brooklyn's atmospheric foursome DIIV. Plenty of love for the onstage return of Big Scary after Tom Isanek finished up with #1 Dads, and there's sure to be a big ol' ruckus for Sydney wonderkid Flume back on stage. You'll be hard pressed to find a spot at Las Vegas hypecard Shamir's set, watching young Washington rapper GoldLink or the pretty, pretty Beatles-y Tobias Jesso Jr. Odd Future's Vince Staples is headed here too, following his OFWGKTA bud Tyler the Creator's ban from Australia. With beloved local artists like Hermitude, Violent Soho, The Smith Street Band and DMA's, this year's lineup is more eclectic than a Jenny Kee jumper. Enough talk, here 'tis. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP: Ali Barter* Banoffee Battles Beach House Big Scary Blank Realm** Chvrhces DIIV DMA’s East India Youth FIDLAR Flume GoldLink Grimes Health Hermitude High Tension Hudson Mohawke Japanese Wallpaper Majical Cloudz Methyl Ethel METZ Purity Ring QT Shamir Silicon Slum Sociable** Sophie The Goon Sax*** The Internet The Smith Street Band Thundercat Tobias Jesso Jr. Vince Staples Violent Soho * Exclusive to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne only ** not playing Fremantle *** Exclusive to Brisbane only ST JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2016: Saturday, January 30 — SINGAPORE (THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY) Monday, February 1 — AUCKLAND (SILO PARK) Friday, February 5 — ADELAIDE (HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE, 16+) Saturday, February 6 — BRISBANE (BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS, 16+) Sunday, February 7 — SYDNEY (SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, ROZELLE) Saturday, February 13 — MELBOURNE (FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE) Sunday, February 14 — FREMANTLE (ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END) Tickets on sale September 30 at 9am from Laneway Festival. Image: Andy Fraser. Here's one for getting psyched up.
When it comes to the carnivorous amongst us, everyone loves a good steak sandwich, with the juicy slabs of beef, the crusty bread, the tasty salad, the tantalising sauces and all the other fillings combining to make mouths water. That’s what Just Steak It has discovered from their stall at Eat Street. In fact, their popularity has inspired them to set up their own permanent shop. Soon, Post Office Square will be the place to head to for a meaty sanga fix within business hours. That means all Just Steak It's delicious creations will be available more often. That can only be a good thing. Anyone who has sampled their rib-eye-based offerings — such as the Philly cheesesteak, the Texan wrap and the Argentinan, for starters — will certainly be celebrating. Yes, vegetarians probably best look elsewhere. Foodies of Brisbane will no doubt spot the trend Just Steak It is adhering to in making the leap from the markets to a permanent store, with plenty of others doing the same in the last year. While they might not be do the first to do so, they might just be the one that all meat-lovers have been waiting for. Find Just Steak It in Post Office Square in the coming months. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest information.
If you've lived in Brisbane long enough, you've probably become accustomed to seeing parts of the city torn down and turned into shops, apartments and offices. Don't go thinking that the latest Hamilton development is just doing the same thing, though. In fact, it's turning that trend on its head. Brisbane residents should say goodbye to the old Caltex service station on Kingsford Smith Drive, and prepare to welcome to a brand new park instead. The transformation is part of the next stage of the Northshore masterplan, which has already brought plenty of greenery to that part of the city — plus the wonder that is the Eat Street Markets, too — and just generally made what was once an industrial area look a whole lot different. [caption id="attachment_581792" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hercules Street Park, Northshore.[/caption] As announced by the State Government, the new Hercules Street Park will span two hectares, and include a central multi-use open space with amphitheatre seating that could be used for events and sporting matches. The space will also feature a tree-lined 250-metre jogging path, picnic shelters, barbecues and a small dog off-leash area. It all forms part of what's shaping up to be Queensland's largest waterfront urban renewal project, with 15,000 people expected to live at Northshore — and another 15,000 expected to work there as well — once construction is finished. That's not bad for a section of town that used to boast Brissie's main wharves, and even once housed a prison. In fact, the now-bustling Kingsford Smith Drive was initially built as an access road to the jail. For more information, keep an eye on the Northshore website.
Whether you call them chips, fries or frites, there's something irresistible about warm, golden slivers of potato. We all know it's true. That's probably why Caxton Street's next addition is about to dedicate a big portion of their menu to them. You don't open a pub dedicated to frites and burgers without offering up plenty of everyone's favourite side dish, after all. Revamping the space on the corner of Caxton Street that Casablanca's called home for 23 years, Fritzenberger Frites and Burger Brew Pub will serve up exactly what its name suggests — and in several varieties. Rest assured, you won't find their selection at any old greasy spoon. Yes, it's another take on one of Brissie's most enduring trends (burgers, duh) — but hey, you don't hear the city's collective stomachs complaining. With its own microbrewery on-site, the drinks side of the equation will also be a huge drawcard (because every burger and fries combo tastes better when it's washed down with a beverage). Expect to enjoy plenty of house brews, and just a great vibe all round. Fritzenberger is the latest project from the bright minds behind Harajuku Gyoza, so they know a thing or two about mixing tasty food with brews. Find Fritzenberger Frites and Burger Brew Pub at 52 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane City from early September. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more details. Image: Stephanie McCabe.
We all know that one day the singularity will be upon us and machines will rise up and take the planet. We know that. And yet when a super intelligent cooking robot wanders into our midst we welcome it with open arms — and that's probably because, even in the face of grizzly robot death, food is king. With that in mind, meet June the intelligent oven designed by a feisty gang of ex-Apple developers. June is incredibly advanced. Using image recognition technology, she can identify food types, weigh dishes and adjust cooking time to make sure your food is cooked perfectly (allowing you to have another wine and lose yourself in Game of Thrones without worrying about ruining dinner). She’s equipped with a touch screen with step-by-step instructions, a meal planner and recipe suggestions, a built-in digital scale, and push notifications. She also has (brace yourself) live HD video streaming from within the oven. Yep. We have a feeling that watching this fascinating live stream will become a household activity. And may opened-oven-door cakes never sink in the middle again. And although June looks like a wee microwave, she packs a powerful punch with the ability to preheat to approximately 180 degrees Celsius in four and a half minutes. And she has a NVIDIA Tegra K1 with 2.3 GHz quad-core processor, mostly likely making her more powerful than your laptop. Welp. The future is certainly now and we, for one, welcome our robot overlords. At least they know how we like our steak. Images: June Oven. Reserve your June oven here.
Master of all smooth tunes and poster child of Melbourne's enduring obsession with beards, Chet Faker is on his way around the country with a huge arena tour for 2015. And we really do mean huge — this local legend is returning from a string of massively successful European and American shows to play Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, Melbourne's Palais and the freakin' Brisbane Convention Centre. His shows are officially pulling the same numbers as the G20. This is no doubt welcome news for those that missed out on his national tour in 2014. With Hordern Pavilion holding roughly 4,000 more people than the Enmore where he played in June last year, tickets will be much easier to come by. Maybe. In Brisbane that difference will be even more pronounced. The Brisbane Convention Centre can host a whopping 8,000 rampant Chet lovers. All this hype comes after a stellar run of critical acclaim for the Melbourne musician. Faker took out five ARIA Awards last year, including best male artist and best independent release for his debut album Built on Glass (after a casual nine nominations) and his super single 'Talk is Cheap' took out the top spot in triple j's Hottest 100 this January, beating Peking Duk's tipped-to-win 'High'. Faker's arena setting is sure to affect the show itself too. Specialising in croony electronic ballads and music that makes you feel all warm and gooey inside, it's hard to see how Chet will translate well to the big stage. How are we supposed to snug up and get a little intimate around the stage where Barack Obama talked just a few months prior? Melbourne, on the other hand, may get treated to a rare glimpse of this intimacy. His show at the Palais — assuming it's still standing by then — will actually be smaller than when he played the Forum earlier in 2014. Get ready for some homeland lovin'; this will be one of the last tours Faker will likely embark upon in Australia for a while. Supported by GL + Roland Tings. To find out more about about Chet Faker and his killer debut album check out our interview a while back.
There's a time and a place for everything, and that applies to well-known suburban eateries opening up inner-city offshoots. If you've been to The Racing Cafe in Hendra, then you've feasted on their breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. Their next venture, aptly named Racing II, serves up something a bit different. That'd be all-day dessert, just the kind of tasty treat that Fortitude Valley needs. When you start hankering for a brownie bowl, cookie cake, vanilla cream pie, butterscotch-drenched banana split or s'mores, this is where you'll find it. You don't make the jump to one of Brisbane's hottest areas, and turn the Winn Lane place formerly occupied by Skull It into a second venture, without doing something special, after all. Sure, the alleyway space is little more than a hole in the wall — but it's also tasked with segueing from a weekday, daytime hangout to a late-night, weekend pit stop. Of course, you'll also find the likes of pumpkin smash, savoury mince benny, Thai pies and and yoghurt-topped nachos on the menu, for anyone after something other than a sweet treat. Or, there's always one of five fruit-laden smoothies to bridge the gap between nutritious and indulgent (or to make you feel better about anything less healthy you might be eating along with it). Find Racing II in Winn Lane, Fortitude Valley. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
'The Voice' is coming to Bluesfest. Not the Delta kind, the only kind. Bluesfest have announced their second artist lineup for the 2016 festival. Living legend and eternal Sexbomb Tom Jones sits at the top of the bill, alongside Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Memories will be flooding (along with Bluesfest, if it rains again) with the appearance of Jackson Browne, alongside the The Decemberists. Things are going to get real Byron when The Wailers perform all four of Bob Marley’s albums Exodus, Survival, Uprising and Legend in their entirety. Returning Bluesfester Steve Earle is back with The Dukes, alongside Tweedy, Jason Isbell and Grace Potter. Add this motley crew to the first Bluesfest cornucopia of The National, City and Colour and UB40? You've got yourself a humdinger of a muddy, muddy weekend. Enough chatskies, here's who's playing. BLUESFEST 2016 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: Tom Jones Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds The Decemberists Jason Isbell Sturgill Simpson Tweedy Steve Earle and The Dukes The Wailers Grace Potter Lord Huron Nahko and Medicine For The People Vintage Trouble Lucky Peterson Emdee Blackberry Smoke BLUESFEST 2016 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: The National City and Colour UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue Joe Bonamassa Tedeschi Trucks Band The Cat Empire Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real The Word Rhiannon Giddens Janiva Magness St. Paul & The Broken Bones Allen Stone The Selecter Shakey Graves Songhoy Blues + more Bluesfest runs Thursday, March 24 – Monday, March 28 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets from Byron Bay Bluesfest. Image: Andy Fraser.
It might be based on a book by New Zealand author Barry Crump, however Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a film only Taika Waititi could've made. If you enjoyed the writer/director's quirky brand of humour in Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, you'll know exactly what you're in for. Here, hiding out in the wild, dreaming about being a gangster and arguing about which Terminator you'd rather be go hand in hand. Indeed, that's Ricky Baker's (Julian Dennison) story — or, it is after the 13-year-old is taken in by the kindly Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and the cranky Hec (Sam Neill). When tragedy strikes, he absconds to the surrounding wilderness to avoid the controlling plans of an over-eager social worker (Rachel House). A national manhunt ensues, as does plenty of mayhem; think nods to '80s classics, over-the-top car chases, plus Rhys Darby popping up as an eccentric conspiracy theorist. Part coming-of-age adventure, part comedic trek through the New Zealand bush, if the end result sounds both hilarious and heartwarming, that's because it is. And, it's also Waititi's last indie effort before he takes on a rather mammoth task: directing Thor: Ragnarok, and bringing his distinctive sensibilities to the superhero realm. [competition]572050[/competition]
First, the bad news: one of Newstead's favourite hangouts is closing its doors. Now, the good news: they might be saying goodbye to the unlikely Masters Street spot they've called home since 2012, but they're about to say hello to South Bank. Yes, Tippler's Tap is jumping from an industrial complex to one of South Brisbane's favourite eating and drinking precincts, shifting its rotating lineup of beverages and permanent menu of American-style sliders, baskets and sandwiches to fancier digs. Don't worry, their famous wings, ribs and $2 tacos are moving along with the rest of their mouthwatering morsels. If you've visited their sister venue, Tomahawk Bar, then you've actually been to their new location already. Tomahawk will disappear forever, but a few of its food and drink offerings will live on at the revamped space, with Tippler's 2.0 salvaging as much as it can from its original site for the refurbishment of the Grey Street spot. And, in the bar's typical style, they can't leave their current surroundings without marking the occasion. Before the doors close at the end of trade on Saturday December 19, regulars can soak up the classic Tippler's experience one last time. Just bring a healthy appetite, a hefty thirst and plenty of good memories. Head along to the Tippler's Tap farewell party from midday on December 19 at Unit 1, 22 Masters Street, Newstead. From early January, find the bar at 5/182 Grey Street, South Brisbane. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
If you've caught Tkay Maidza's singles 'Switch Lanes', 'U-Huh' or 'M.O.B.' (that's 'Money Over Bitches') on radio of late, you'll know that the 19-year-old is all about putting in the hard yards. The Adelaidean youngster's touring schedule is evidence that she means what she sings. Maidza spent last summer rapping her way from one festival to another, appearing at Falls, Southbound, Beat the Drum and St. Jeromes Laneway. And now she's kicking off a national tour, which has almost sold out, and includes gigs at Mountain Sounds and Groovin' the Moo, as well as supports for Charli XCX. Since releasing her huge breakthrough hit 'Brontosaurus' in 2014, Australian music fans can't stop jibbering about Maidza. International booking company The Agency Group were immediately smitten and signed the teenager before launching her on an epic tour through the UK and the US. Maidza will be supported at every gig by two fellow bright young things from Brisbane — 19-year-old producer UV boi, and 17-year-old classically trained multi-instrumentalist JOY.
It has been five years since a few beer-loving Brisbane folks decided to turn their passion into a city-wide party, and we'll keep saying cheers to that. When Brewsvegas rolls out its kegs each March, this booze-loving town fills every bar, pub and watering hole with yeasty goodness — in 2018, from March 10 to 18. Whatever type of beer you like, whatever you'd like to pair it with, and whatever you'd like to be doing while you drink it, it's highly likely you'll find it here. It's the fest that starts with a pool party, includes multiple pupper-friendly events, embraces everything from zombies to monsters, gets active with golf and handball, and can't resist a dinner, celebration or other reason to down a few cold ones, after all. In total, more than 70 events will take place at 50 locations, which means Brisbanites are in for a massive festival. From the huge lineup, here's our ten picks — let's call it our Brewsvegas ten-pack. Top image: Archer's Bunker.
Remember when jars were something jam came in — and didn't double as something to drink out of? Well, those days are long gone, as are the days of simply sipping cocktails out of them. Next, you'll be eating cake out of one. No, we're not joking. We would never kid about something as important as dessert. Cake in a jar is exactly what it sounds like: moist, baked deliciousness crammed into a clear glass container for your feasting pleasure. And, from early March, it's just what The Mason Baker will be selling in seven different flavours. Yep, it's all there in their name. The brainchild of Brisbane entrepreneur James Willis and celebrity chef Philip Johnson, the Mason Baker won't just be serving up your new favourite sweet treat, though they'll be doing plenty of that. As well as popping up at E'cco, they'll be delivering it across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast as well. That's the great thing about the concept, which James spotted in the US: it doesn't just look great, thanks to its layers of frosting and toppings, but it's easily portable. Plus, you can keep the jar and use it for something else afterwards. For more information about The Mason Baker, visit their website or Facebook page.
West End's massive West Village precinct continues to get bigger and bigger. While the project is still in development, it has held everything from ice cream festivals to weekend providore markets since it was approved in 2016. And, as of Saturday, October 20, the $800 million project has some hefty new additions. The former Peters Ice Cream Factory site is now home to The Garden Pantry and The Common. The former is a casual dining precinct featuring multiple eateries, plus indoor and outdoor seating, while the latter is a 24-hour public space brimming with grass, trees, plants, a water installation and a field of lights. In short, the inner-city development has gained a heap of new dining options and a lush place to hang out. The Garden Pantry's restaurant lineup includes Cheeky Poke Bar, Mr. Bunz and Salt Meats Cheese as its first tenants, which means that West Enders can now devour Hawaiian-inspired bowls, pan-Asian baos and Italian eats. It all comes from tried-and-tested sources, with each of the three headline eateries setting up its second Brisbane locations. In SMC's case, the chain is also introducing a new tuckshop-inspired menu that focuses on ten different pizzas by the slice, rotating gnocchi specials and three frozen cocktails that nod to Italian granitas. Think jalapeno salty margaritas, Aperol spritz frozès and espresso tiramisu martinis. That's not the end of the story for SMC either — because making food is as fun as eating it, West Village will also be the site of its first Brisbane cooking school, which'll open its doors in Factory Lane in 2019. Joining the restaurant's usual array of cheese wheel pasta dishes, all-you-can-eat pizza nights and plentiful cocktails, the cooking school will host hands-on classes on how to make gnocchi, other pastas and desserts, including gluten-free options. Unsurprisingly, in terms of decor, the new spaces play up the garden theme — both in The Garden Pantry space, which is decked out tropical-style, and in The Commons' greenery-filled garden area. Later this year, West Village will open Factory Lane, and add a new arts and events studio called The Bromley Room #2. The Common and The Garden Pantry and its restaurants are now open at West Village, which is located at 97 Boundary Street, West End.
If you've been gorging yourself silly on American-style beef, ribs and pulled pork over the last year or so, then you've firmly jumped on the bandwagon of the latest food trend — and you might not even know it. We're not talking about US-themed eateries, though they're endlessly en vogue at the moment. We're talking about meats cooked over long periods of time at a low temperature. Without anyone really realising it, low and slow barbecuing has become Brisbane's favourite style of food preparation, and now there's a festival to prove it. Come July, South Brisbane will be engulfed in the kind of smoky, spicy taste sensations that can only come from taking your time to lock in as much goodness as possible. At Brisbane's first Low and Slow BBQ Festival, as supported by the Australasian Barbecue Alliance (it's a thing), a convoy of food trucks will converge on Wandering Cooks to prove their culinary patience. They'll be starting up their ovens long before their doors open, and you'll get to devour the long-simmering rewards. Between sampling from the likes of Joe's Texan BBQ, Bella BBQ and Char Baby, sipping frosty bevs at pop-up bars and learning up at masterclasses and workshops, you'll also watch teams of professionals battle it out to be crowned the low and slow champions — while scoring free samples of their creations. Look what happened in Port Macquarie: If your own gastronomic itches need scratching, you can then browse the boutique marketplace for barbecue-related products to help you whip up a storm at home. The sounds of DJ Cutloose will provide your ultimate barbecue soundtrack, including his inventive ‘Cut and Cook’ project — which hopefully tastes as good as it sounds. If that seems like too much fun for just one day, it just might be. Though the festival is currently slated for July 19, plans are afoot to kick things off on Friday and keep things cooking on Saturday and Sunday. Now that's a party that's low and slow by name and by nature. The Low & Slow BBQ Festival takes place from 12pm-9pm on July 19 at Wandering Cooks, 1 Fish Lane, South Brisbane. Visit their website for more information, including details of the festival's expansion across July 17 – 18. Image: Brent Hofacker. View all Brisbane Events.
This spring, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will host an extensive retrospective by renowned South African photographer David Goldblatt, as part of the Sydney International Series. Running from October 19 until March 2019, David Goldblatt: Photographs 1948–2018 will dive deep into the life and work of one of recent history's most legendary photographers, covering a career of more than sixty years. Goldblatt is best known for his portrayal of South Africa's tumultuous history, especially surrounding apartheid. As the photographer's first major retrospective in the southern hemisphere, the exhibition will feature Goldblatt's most famous photo series, along with early vintage prints, never-before-seen footage from his personal collection and a new feature-length documentary. As MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE explained, "visitors will discover an extraordinary artist whose documentary eye has not strayed from the complexities of his country of birth, but resonates with other global histories (including Australia's own) through narratives of race and racism, and industry and the land." The Sydney-exclusive exhibition is the first major retrospective of Goldblatt's work in the southern hemisphere. The exhibition was also the Goldblatt's final project before his death earlier this year. Images: David Goldblatt, A plot-holder, his wife and their eldest son at lunch, Wheatlands, Randfontein. September 1962 (3_4907), 1962. Image courtesy the artist and Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg © the artist; David Goldblatt, Shop assistant, Orlando West, 1972. Image courtesy Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town © The David Goldblatt Legacy Trust.
After four years of serving up hot Italian slices, 39 Alfred Street has a new purpose. Or, to be accurate, the Fortitude Valley address has several. A changing array of food and drink pop-ups is now on the menu as Alfredo's Pizzeria becomes a limited-time supper club. In a case of goodbye to one AP, hello to another, Alf's Place is the space's fresh moniker as it gets into the revolving bar and eatery game. Launching on September 14, it'll kick things off with two weekends of smokey barbecue, before serving up two more of late night eats — and, opening its kitchen to young, up-and-coming chefs and bartenders, there'll be more where they came from. Focusing on Texas-style meats, Sticky Fingers Smokehouse will do the inaugural honours from September 14-16 and 21-23, in the latest venture from ex-Two Small Rooms and BLVD whiz Josh Lawson. He'll be cooking up seasoned, slow-cooked pork spare ribs, grain-fed beef brisket, pulled pork and smoked sausages — with sides of spiced fries, black peppered coleslaw, potato salad and mac 'n' cheese, all on a walk-up-only basis. Next, over September 28-30 and October 5-7 comes the Midnight Dining Club, which will operate from 11pm until 2am. Ex-MasterChef contestant Danielle Dixon will change her offerings nightly, as well as letting patrons concoct their own dishes from a list of 'pantry' ingredients (whatever that means). When Alfredo's Pizzeria shut its doors in mid-August, it did so with little fuss, but its new incarnation won't stay quiet for long. It is the latest venture from busy hospitality entrepreneur Damien Griffiths, after all, who has brought everything from Alfred & Constance and Kwan Brothers to Limes Hotel and Les Bubbles to Brisbane — as well as Mister Fitz's ice cream sandwiches and the now-everywhere Doughnut Time. Find Alf's Place at 39 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley from September 14. Head to the venue's website and Facebook page for further details.
If you haven't been hanging out in Milton recently, you will be soon. Not only is the inner western suburb about to boast its own fromagerie, but it'll also feature a licensed rotisserie. If cheese isn't your thing, then maybe chicken is? You'll find plenty of poultry products at French Bird, which is expected to open on Baroona Road in June. Those after juicy chooks roasted and rotated until they're finger lickin' good will be in food heaven — and the humble rotisserie, which used to be relegated to greasy corner stores and chicken shops, continues its resurgence. It's about time, really. More details are yet to come to light, however — given that French Bird is the latest venture from Jerome Dalton of Dalton Hospitality — we're certain that everyone one in Brisbane is going to want to give it a spin. If his name sounds familiar, that's because he has been quite busy of late. His latest eatery, Blockhouse Nundah, just unleashed its all day delights upon the city earlier this month, and he was one of the fine folks who helped helped save The Tivoli from being turned into apartments. With that on his resume, trying his rotisserie chicken won't just be a delicious treat — it's really the least you can do. Find French Bird on Baroona Road, Milton, from June. Keep an eye on the Dalton Hospitality Facebook page for further developments.
Throw on your robes, whip out your wand and fly your pet Hippogriff down to the BrisCentre in Paddington, where Pastel Palace will be hosting an enormous Harry Potter themed market. On Saturday March 26, Brisbane will be bustling with all manner of magical folk, selling everything local witches and wizards could possibly need. Even your Muggle mates will be welcome. Just nobody bring any trolls. The entrance to this pop-up Diagon Alley will be open from 1:30pm. Vendors will include Pastel Pixie, Kareki Art, Bonnie's Bathhouse, Enchanted Light and Ruby Kawaii, who'll be selling Potter inspired art, candles, soaps and accessories, as well as merch and memorabilia from the movies. There'll also be magical trivia and a costume competition, to help separate the wizards from the squibs. We just hope someone is stocking Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. Most vendors on site will have credit card facilities, but maybe bring a sack of galleons just in case. And if you're busy on the day, don't worry – unsold items will be made available for purchase online after the event. For more information about Pastel Palace's Evening at Hogwarts, go here.
Grab your diary. Call your mates. Reserve your horse. Secret Garden has just announced its 2017 dates. And we're happy to tell you that Australia's beloved, grassroots, made-for-mates-by-mates festival will be taking place over 48 hours, across Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February. You have less time, however, to scrape your cash together. Ticket sales kick off at 9am on Thursday, September 29. If you're a regular gardener, you'll know that they sell out pretty damn quickly, so don't dilly dally. Good news is, though, that, were you at the festival in 2014, 2015 or 2016, you're in for a sweet surprise in the form of pre-sales. To find out exactly what that involves and when it'll be occurring, keep a close eye on your inbox. As usual, we won't know anything about the lineup or festival program until tickets are sold out. But, we can tell you that, as always, Secret Garden will bring you an immersive experience, a long way out of the city, within a magical natural setting transformed into a wonderland. You'll find yourself wandering through a forest maze, getting lost in massive installations, discovering unexpected pop-up performances and coming across tucked-away parties in custom-made rave caves. Maybe. All we know for sure? As always, you're invited to wear your craziest, most dressed up fancy dress. Start planning. Secret Garden will run over Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February. Tickets on sale 9am Thursday, September 29. More details on the festival's (insanely awesome) website. Images: Tim Da Rin, Zakarij Kaczmarek.
Hito Steyerl is a leading figure in the critical articulation of how the internet, digital technologies and images are transforming life, work and politics. That is, she gets how Buzzfeed, cats and Buzzfeed articles on cats are manipulating the paces and practices of everyday people, and why it matters. The Institute of Modern Art is showcasing the first survey in Australia of this ground-breaking, Berlin-based artist, writer and filmmaker with the exhibition Too Much World. Running from December 13 to March 22, this exhibition features six of Steyerl’s works from the past decade, including art film Liquidity Inc. Her other video installations will comprise self-reflective combinations of technologies and environments, with the masterful use of montage, art and documentary practice making these videos just as visually truthful as they are revealing. Hito Steyerl is one of the most critically acclaimed artist working in the field of video and digital innovation today. Too Much World should not be missed.
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its end-of-financial-year sale, where you can nab major discounts on Koala's bedroom range, sofas and even its brand new desk built for WFH. That sturdy desk is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, is easy to assemble and designed specifically with home office use in mind. During the sale, you'll get ten percent off this WFH lifesaver (which brings it down to $360). Other living room products on sale include 25 percent off the two-seater sofa, bookshelf (in three different sizes) and television unit, as well as 15 percent off the three-seater sofa and sofa bed. If it's the bedroom you're looking to elevate, you can also score 15 percent off the award-winning Koala Mattress, the Koala bed base, the gel-infused memory foam pillow and the incredibly silky sheets. The mattress, for the uninitiated, feels a little like memory foam and latex, but without the sink factor. All products come with free four-hour delivery (to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of pure comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
There are a few things that everyone knows about Ernest Hemingway. He was a Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author. He was fond of hanging out in Havana. And he loved his liquor, particularly the special concoction created for him in Cuba. You know it as the Hemingway daiquiri. Removing the sugar from, adding grapefruit juice and maraschino to, and doubling the rum in the classic cocktail, his eponymous drink is the extra-strong swill to end all extra-strong swills. It's also the perfect beverage to enjoy during Bacardi Rum Month — and on July 21, which happens to be Hemingway's birthday. Check out these three Brisbane bars and their special tipples, all doing their best to live up to the writer's memory. THE KITTY If there's one bar in the Treasury Casino that's all about knocking back cocktails, it's the Kitty. And if there's one bar in Brisbane's premier inner-city entertainment district that Hemingway might frequent if he was around today, it's this one. If he did rise from the grave to do so, they've definitely got the drink for him. With plenty of Bacardi, lime and grapefruit — plus black cherry and pepper shrub — their zombie twist on a Hemingway daiquiri might be just what he needs. Be warned: they're not holding the sugar on this one. 130 William Street, Brisbane BLACK BIRD BAR & GRILL Old meets new at Black Bird Bar & Grill — in their decor, their atmosphere and their approach to drinks. With their speakeasy vibe, they certainly have a head start at conjuring up Hemingway's golden days, and they're channeling the same mood in recreating his favourite cocktail. Remembering that the author was known to have an iron tongue and liked his drinks quite sour, they have altered the recipe ever so slightly to suit the modern-day pallet. Given that their tweak involves rock candy syrup, we're certain that no one will be complaining — not even Hemingway. 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane BYBLOS BAR AND RESTAURANT Overlooking the Brisbane river isn't quite the same as gazing out over Havana, but with a Hemingway daiquiri in your hand, you can certainly pretend. At Portside's Byblos Bar and Restaurant, you can add Lebanese cuisine to your globetrotting imaginings too, matching hearty, spicy meals with tart, tangy cocktails. For the latter, their take on the writer's preferred beverage is as fragrant as ever, while giving the drink a modern day twist. Called Clearer With Age, it keeps things simple with clarified grapefruit juice and maraschino sugar rum. Enjoying Hemingway's namesake doesn't get any purer than this. Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton Top image: Cocktailmarler - Wikimedia Commons.
Ever wanted to see your favourite bands kick a few goals, and help support a good cause at the same time? Since 1993, the Reclink Community Cup has been turning musos into footy players for an annual charity Aussie rules match, with the Melbourne game drawing more than 10,000 people and raising over $100,000 each year. Sydney's been going strong for years too, and now, it's coming to Brisbane for the first time ever. Come September 25, the city's music community will descend upon Pine Rivers Showground to put their sporting prowess to the test. Two teams will take to the field: The Rocking Horses, featuring players from an array of Brissie acts, and the Brisbane Lines, filled with a crew of 4ZZZ veterans, other industry insiders, street press staff and general music-related folks. Full lineups are yet to be announced, however the likes of Paul Kelly, Courtney Barnett, Tim Rogers and Tex Perkins have strapped on boots in previous interstate events. A couple of pollies normally join in, with Queensland upper house members Senator Murray Watt and Senator Anthony Chisholm slated to do the honours, the former with the musos and the latter playing with the media. Plus, the Community Cup isn't just about getting a dose of the live AFL action fans have been missing since the state's two teams failed to make the finals, as ace as the prospect of more footy is. Given that rock stars are involved, of course live music is part of the proceedings as well, with the Reclink Choir (featuring Robbie James from GANGgajang), Screaming Steven & The Heathens, 2Dogs and Sydney's Scabz taking care of the tunes. And, food-wise, expect stalls ready to fill your ravenous stomachs. Watching bands play — both music and footy — is hungry work, after all. Tickets cost $10, with every dollar raised going towards Reclink's efforts to improve the lives of Queenslanders suffering from disability, homelessness, substance abuse and economic hardship through participation in sport and the arts. Yep, whoever emerges victorious from the game, a heap of deserving folks will be the real winners. Image: Rod Hunt.
Australian bars, restaurants, cafes, lounges and eateries are rolling around in international applause this week, with 15 of our best venues making the first round selection at the seventh annual Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. Six spots in Sydney along with five in Melbourne and two each in Adelaide and the Gold Coast made the shortlist, amongst 241 finalists from 70 different countries. Based in the UK, the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards advertise themselves as "the world's only event dedicated exclusively to the design of food and drink spaces." Prizes are handed out in over 30 different categories including Best Bar and Best Restaurant, while they also give out more narrow awards for things like lighting scheme and use of colour. This year’s jury is comprised of 23 industry leaders and includes designers, chefs and restaurant critics. Naturally, the shortlist includes a pretty swish bunch of names. Competing in the Best Australia and Pacific Restaurant category are ACME, Bondi’s Best, Coogee Pavilion and Kazbah Souk in Sydney, Parwana Kutchi Deli and Sean’s Kitchen in Adelaide, and Kiyomi and Vivo Cucina on the Gold Coast. In the Best Australia and Pacific Bar category, Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Stillery in Sydney will compete with Greene Street Juice Co. and George Hotel Bar in Melbourne. Also in Melbourne, Bond Lounge has been included in the Best UK and International Nightclub section, along with Raw Trader and The Kettle Black, shortlisted for Best UK and International Cafe. Last year saw the gong for Best Australia and Pacific Restaurant go to South Australia’s Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant, while Best Australia and Pacific Bar was given to Howler in Melbourne. This year’s winners will be announced in an awards ceremony in London on October 1. Via Architecture & Design.
Every last trilby-wearing tween celebrity, President’s daughter and your smug, smug US-based friends will be rubbing their paws together after this morning’s Coachella festival lineup. Running over three weekends from April 10 - 19, the Californian festival has delivered their usual jaw-dropper of a lineup. Big gun headliners AC/DC, Jack White and Drake mark the top of the weekend bills, with a bonafide metric fucktonne of squealworthy buds filling out the rest — Interpol, Belle and Sebastian, Florence and the Machine, alt-J, St. Vincent, Ratatat, Jenny Lewis, FKA Twigs, Drive Like Jehu and Ol’Davey Guett-Guett to name a few. Homegrown legends are heading on over and representing with gusto, with Tame Impala, Chet Faker, Angus and Julia Stone, Vance Joy, What So Not and Alison Wonderland on the bill. Anyway, let’s be honest, you haven’t truly read any of those words — you’ll be wanting this:
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” So begins both the film and the song ‘Straight Outta Compton’, and it’s equal parts preview and warning. The ‘street knowledge’ of NWA’s leading trio — Dr Dre (played by Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr, playing his real-life father) and Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell) — was an affront to the establishment, a threat, even, but also helped facilitate the group's rapid rise from neighbourhood group to musical ascendancy. Acquired over two decades of daily exposure to gang violence, racial vilification and police persecution, it instilled in them a bravado, passion and unyielding determination that permitted neither retreat nor weakness. It also came at a price, however, because not all streets are the same, and when Crenshaw Boulevard became Rodeo Drive, the blinders and shortcomings of that knowledge became all too apparent. Straight Outta Compton, then, is not just an NWA biopic but a cautionary tale about loyalty, friendship and the corrosive effects of celebrity. Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), Straight Outta Compton doesn’t push the genre in any new directions but does a superb job of keeping the focus on the chemistry and appeal of its leading men. Its earliest scenes are easily its strongest, chronicling the group’s formation and revealing how the constant police harassment contributed to not just NWA’s message and appeal but also its most iconic song ('Fuck the Police'). In light of the shocking number of black deaths at the hands of police this year alone, it’s a tragically timeless sentiment that continues to resonate with an especial significance. Hawkins, Mitchell and Jackson Jr put in excellent performances, with the latter's resemblance to his father so remarkable as to make his scenes feel more documentary than recreation. Paul Giamatti, too, is once again utterly engaging as their manager Jerry Heller, never quite allowing you the confidence to say whether he’s hero or villain. Regrettably, most of the female performances are relegated to bare breasts and bouncing buttocks, with key figures like Michel’le and Tomica Woods-Wright given little to no attention, while Dre’s history of violence towards women is completely ignored. Still, a film can only cover so many bases, and Straight Outta Compton shouldn’t be faulted too heavily for electing to keep its focus on the band and its significance rather than the individual stories within. Ice Cube once described NWA as journalists, reporting on a world that the mainstream media refused to. But in the end it was less what they said and more their preparedness to keep saying it as loudly and publicly as possible that made them such an important and ongoing musical force. Straight Outta Compton is a slick, provocative and timely film that absolutely warrants your viewing.
The legendary, controversial, performance artist who does 'nothing' is finally returning to Australia after a 17-year absence. The subject of two major projects at Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and an already semi-announced residency at Pier 2/3 with Kaldor Public Art Projects, Marina Abramovic is heading our way this June. Beloved and equally criticised, 67-year-old Abramovic has been invited by both MONA's David Walsh and John Kaldor to create a two experiences for the public — a retrospective solo exhibition at MONA called Private Archaeology, beginning June 13 and running to October 5, followed on June 24 (through July 5) by Kaldor Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence, with a series of exercises from the Abramovic Method happening over twelve days at Pier 2/3 from June 24 to July 5. On the one hand, the MONA show Private Archaeology will be a major exhibition showing her early foundational work with German artist and Abramovic's former lover and collaborative partner Ulay, as well as more recent work. The exhibition intends to anchor the artist's current work in a historic context, featuring those pivotal solo works that brashly explored the artist's physical and mental limits. With Abramovic the main curator of the show, the works are 98 percent confirmed according to Walsh — who apparently wants to be as surprised as the audience when the exhibition opens. "Christ died on the Cross for our sins. So the New Testament tells us. Hopefully, I’ll do something worthy of his sacrifice one day. I’ve got real potential when it comes to sin," says Walsh. "Marina Abramovic seems to operate for all us. Her sins, her excesses, her minimalist, egocentric actions define the boundaries of what it is to be human. I would do the stuff she does if I had the balls. And the brains. And the desperation to understand. I’d rather be represented by a sinner than a saint." On the other, Kaldor Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence, will see the artist present for twelve days of classic Abramovic 'performances' (although she doesn't like to call them that). Leading on from the Serpentine Galleries exhibition 512 Hours, the artist's Sydney project will focus on audience participation with intense works like Counting the rice and her famous 'gaze' work — a play on her work The Artist is Present performed in New York's Museum of Modern Art, where you're asked to sit face-to-face with a stranger for a certain period (apparently Kaldor's still in contact with the stranger he sat opposite at the Serpentine). Abramovic will work with collaborator Lynsey Peisinger to create a series of spaces for exhibition visitors that invoke certain physical and psychological states. "In Sydney, for Marina Abramovic: In Residence, I will be like a conductor in the exhibition space, but it will be the public who take the physical and emotional journey," says Ambramovic. "We constantly like to be entertained, to get things from outside. We never take time to get in touch with ourselves... our inner self. My function in this new kind of performance situation is to show you, through the Abramovic Method, what you can do for yourself." There will also be artist residencies offered to 12 lucky Australian artists for the twelve day exhibition, all of whom will have mentoring from Abramovic herself. Best bit for the public? It's all free. This is a big time pull for Australia, with two of the country's leading private arts patrons, Walsh and Kaldor, both separately approaching Abramovic, and both landing a 'yes'. Kaldor approached Abramovic following her successful involvement in Kaldor Project's applauded group exhibition 13 Rooms at Pier 2/3 — the work, Luminosity, which saw a naked artist wall-mounted on a bicycle seat for long periods of time (and didn't star Abramovic herself). Walsh approached the artist after meeting her over five years ago in Amsterdam. But this isn't the first time Abramovic has been to Australia; before presenting Gold found by the artists with Ulay at the 1979 Biennale of Sydney, the artist spent a cheeky five months with an Aboriginal community in central Australia in the '80s (and raised a baby kangaroo and cuddled this sheep). Private Archaeology opens at MONA on June 13 and runs through October 5. Kaldor Public Art Projects’ Marina Abramovi?: In Residence at Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay opens June 24 and runs through July 5.
When a business mentions a particular place in its name, that's where you'd expect to find them. And for the past three years, that's proven true for New Farm Confectionery. To the surprise of no one who has tried one of their chocolates, however, the sweet treat purveyors have outgrown their cosy hole-in-the-wall space behind New Farm Cinemas — so they've moved one suburb over. If you're looking for handmade, high-quality goodies such as honeycomb-laced chocolate bark, dark chocolate rocky road, lime and coconut brittle, fruit-flavoured caramels and decadent hot chocolates, just to name a few of the store's indulgent and delicious creations, you'll now need to head to Waterloo Street in Newstead. Yes, we know what you're thinking. A bigger space shop does indeed mean more tastiness, and more room for you to hang around and enjoy it all in. For those unacquainted with the confectionery shop, it was originally inspired by a trip to Paris by owner Jodie Neilson, who saw sweet bites to eat everywhere throughout the French city and wanted to offer the same luxury to Australian adults. Forget mass-produced, supermarket-variety lollies filled with additives — everything's free of artificial colours and flavours, and made in store in small batches. Think couverture chocolate honeycomb, marshmallows flavoured with real fruit and oil, and individually-wrapped salted caramels, to list some more of their wares. New Farm Confectionery still delivers, in great news for anyone hankering for a choc fix on the other side of town. Plus, in the lead up to Easter, it's also popping up at three shopping centres around the city. From March 19, you'll find them at Chermside, Carindale and Indooroopilly, tempting your tastebuds with the likes of salted caramel-filled dark chocolate bunnies, eggs filled with rocky road and vegan chocolate offerings. Find New Farm Confectionery at 16 Waterloo Street, Newstead, or visit their website.
Dust off your deckchairs and shake out those summer-lovin' picnic rugs because the lineup for A Day on the Green's November/December instalment has just dropped and phwoar, it's pretty darn good. Playing dates at various luxe wineries around the country, alt-rock superstars Garbage will make their triumphant return to Australia, joined by local legends The Temper Trap, The Preatures, Adalita and Tash Sultana in a lineup that champions some seriously killer frontwomen. Picture Shirley Manson, Isabella Manfredi and Adalita on the same stage — fingers crossed for an all-in song. This is the first time Garbage has played in Australia since 2013, and is culminating with their latest release Strange Little Birds. Take a moment to revisit their 1995 hit 'Only Happy When It Rains', because Thursday. The Temper Trap will also be playing their first shows since releasing their third album Thick As Thieves, which has been garnering some widespread airtime both locally and internationally. Early Christmas present anyone? A DAY ON THE GREEN 2016 TOUR DATES: Sat Nov 26 — Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley Sun Nov 27 — Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale Tues Nov 29 — Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (*Tash Sultana/Adalita not playing Perth) Sat Dec 3 — Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley Sun Dec 4 — Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton Tickets go on sale Monday, August 8 at 12pm, starting at $99.90 +BF from ticketmaster.com.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. Last year, more than 8000 garages opened their doors to bargain hunters, and they're doing it for the sixth time on October 24. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. Register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Conversations surrounding the best artists on the international rap scene today inevitably include mention of Danny Brown. The Detroit-born rapper's incendiary performances and the berserk originality of his songs have shellshocked his fans and rap enthusiasts alike. Now, this innovative and ever-surprising artist returns to Australian shores for a teeny two-stop tour. Brown made waves in 2010 with the release of his debut album The Hybrid, before gaining massive recognition a year later for his second album XXX. In 2013, he released his most recent album Old, which spawned the birth of three singles 'Dip', '25 Bucks' with Purity Ring and 'Smokin & Drinkin'. Brown hit our shores last year for an exclusive, sideshow-free Splendour in the Grass appearance, and hits Perth's Origin NYE 2014 and Sydney's Field Day 2015 on this visit. Danny Brown will be playing at Brisbane’s The Hifi on the January 3 and The Corner Hotel, Melbourne January 4 and 5. Don't miss the mad and talented antics of this contemporary hip hop great.
