Instead of shooting tequila and fighting back the tears while biting on a lemon, you might be better off using it as an alternative fuel. Originally seen as a potential saviour, crop-based biofuels are now criticised for competing for arable land, driving up grain prices and being grown in conditions that damage the environment. Agave, the plant used to make tequila, might just provide a solution. Since it grows in arid conditions, it doesn't compete for arable land and water supplies, and can adapt to future changes in the climate. Research into the energy and greenhouse cost of producing agave-derived bioethanol shows that it would be preferable to current biofuel crops, and one Australian company Ausagave is already giving it a try. So, the next time someone tries to force a tequila shot on you, you can refuse on the grounds that you'll need it for the drive home. Just don't put the salt or lemon in the tank... [via PSFK]
For cinephiles who like their movies dark, twisted, offbeat and out there, Monster Fest has been a beloved name on Australia's festival circuit for more than a decade. The event started back in 2011 as a Melbourne-only showcase of weird and wild cinema, and has expanded to hit up Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, too — because everyone deserves a strange and surreal (and sometimes chilling and horror-fuelled) night or several at the pictures. In 2022, Monster Fest is back for another whirl, although you're forgiven if that idea sounds familiar: earlier in the year, it hosted weekender mini fests to sate movie buffs' appetites. Now, it's time for the full festival experience, which unfurls over four days in Brisbane, again highlighting the latest and greatest in genre filmmaking. If it's a horror, sci-fi or thriller movie and it's destined for a cult following, you'll likely see it here first. When it arrives at Event Cinemas Myer Centre from Thursday, December 8–Sunday, December 11, Monster Fest 2022 will kick off with the Yuletide terrors of Christmas Bloody Christmas, which features a robotic Santa malfunctioning, then going on a murderous rampage. 'Tis the season and all that. From there, other standouts include Stephen Dorff- and Emile Hirsch-starring The Price We Pay, which begins with two criminals on the run and gets deadlier from there; The Offering, about a family battling an ancient demon; and Swissploitation flick Mad Heidi, which has its namesake fight fascist rule in a grindhouse frenzy. Or, there's On the Edge, the latest from American Mary filmmakers Jen and Sylvia Soska; Subject, the sophomore release by Australian Watch the Sunset filmmaker Tristan Barr; and Ribspreader, another Aussie effort, this time about getting rid of smoking — and smokers. Closing night features Kids vs Aliens, a coming-of-age sci-fi/horror effort that sees a house party gatecrashed by visitors from another galaxy as directed by Hobo with a Shotgun's Jason Eisener. Elsewhere on the lineup, even though the idea of people fighting to survive their way through a building isn't new by any means — see: High-Rise, Dredd and The Raid, for starters — French film Lockdown Tower is giving it another go. A must-see for everyone: the special presentation of Friday the 13th Part III to celebrate its 40th anniversary, as screening in 3D and 4K. And a word of warning: if you like your movies happy and chirpy, this clearly isn't your kind of festival. For everyone else, settle in.
Just a few short months ago, hopping around Brisbane to eat and drink at a variety of different restaurants and bars was completely off the menu. When July rolled around, that meant that the city's annual Good Food Month couldn't take place in its regular slot — but, thankfully, it's now unleashing its hefty program of food-filled events in November. If you've spent this year becoming weary of your own home cooking, you'll be particular eager to sink your teeth into the culinary festival's sizeable spread. Good Food Month is operating under COVID-19 safety measures, of course, which means social distancing, limited capacities and staggered arrival times; however, it's still serving up everything from yum cha paired with Gelato Messina's desserts to a Brisbane appearance by an acclaimed Noosa pop-up. The idea of tucking into dumplings and gelato has probably already inspired a few grumbles from your stomach, and that's on offer at the event's yum cha high tea at Donna Chang. As well as the restaurant's dishes, it'll feature gelato versions of mango pancakes, baos and bubble tea — and everyone will get a whisky cocktail as well. If haven't made the trip north over the past few months to check out Esme, the latest venture from ex-Arc Dining Chef Alanna Sapwell, then you'll be pleased to hear that it's coming to Brunswick Street's Baja Restaurant for two sittings. Choose between lunch and dinner, then eat multiple courses of Sapwell's dishes as paired with wine and beer. Other highlights from Good Food Month's program include the annual Young Chef's Lunch, this time taking place at Za Za Ta Bar & Kitchen; a decadent three-course brunch featuring Moreton Bay bugs and bottomless prosecco at riverside restaurant Patina; both learning about and eating Three Blue Ducks' recipes, as guided by Head Chef Jensen Brouwer; and feasting your way through a dinner party at Stanley with the Howard Smith Wharves restaurant's Louis Tikaram and his former colleagues Adam Wolfers (Gerard's Bistro) and Alex Munoz (Labart). Or, if you'd the type of person who'd rather mosey along to a regular event whenever the mood suits — rather than a once-off meal — The Golden Pig is doing $45 banquet lunches every Friday and Saturday in November, Walter's Steakhouse is pairing three courses with three martinis on Wednesdays, and The Gresham is devoting Thursdays to freshly shucked oysters and martinis. Pour Boy is also doing daily local-focused lunches, while Popolo is hosting picnics at South Bank's River Quay Green every Friday and Saturday evening. Brisbane Good Food Month 2020 runs throughout November. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
Watching a delighted dog at the beach, in a pool, in whichever puddle it happens to be walking past, under the hose or while getting a bath is one of the most joyous sights in the world. If we could all enjoy something as much as most canines enjoy frolicking in good ol' H20, stress would be a thing of the past. Combine a stint of watery pupper-spotting with a few brews, and a mighty fine Sunday afternoon is in order at Slipstream Brewing Co. As part of Brewsvegas, the Yeerongpilly venue is hosting the Pale Tails Doggo Pool Party — so either bring your four-legged friend along for a splashing good time, or come along, sink a few beers and enjoy seeing a brewery go to the dogs. As well as plenty of pools waiting for plenty of pooches, there'll be dog portraits, dog treats and doggo-centric competitions as well. And the beer of the moment is The Good Beer Co's Pale Tail pale ale, as brewed by Slipstream and created in collaboration with the RSPCA, the latter of whom will receive 10 percent of every sale. The barking, boozing and splashing takes place between 2–4pm on Sunday, March 17 and, while entry is free, registering in advance is still required. Image: Pale Tails Doggo Pool Party.
In all the regular ways, this hasn't felt like a big year. It has been chaotic, of course, although that's completely different. Across the final three weeks of 2020, however, Brisbane Showgrounds' latest event is going to feel huge — because the inner-city site is welcoming the Factory Summer Festival to town, marking the event's first Brissie iteration after three years doing its thing on the west coast. Across select nights between Friday, December 11–Thursday, December 31, Bowen Hills is hosting everyone from The Presets, Hermitude and Peking Duck to Vera Blue, Hayden James and Illy — and a tribute evening dedicated to Daft Punk and a big New Year's Eve shindig, too. Also on offer at the huge outdoor fest: four stages, nine themed bars, a silent disco, carnival rides and a games arcade. No, you won't be bored here. Eager to celebrate Christmas Eve by dancing? Keen to do something other than hit the shops on Boxing Day? They're all on Factory Summer Festival's agenda as well. You'll need to buy your tickets to each separate date, though — so it's a case of picking when you want to party, then hopping to it.
It's about to get a whole lot harder for any New South Wales driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving — and it's thanks to a world-first move by the NSW Government, which is adopting speed camera-style technology to detect the illegal behaviour. After trialling the high-definition cameras during October — and spying more than 11,000 drivers using their phones, according to the ABC — the government has announced that a further test will take place from January. If proven foolproof, the technology will be implemented on a permanent basis. As first reported earlier this year, the legislation giving the tech the go-ahead was passed in NSW parliament back in May. And while the technology didn't actually exist at the time, the government put the call-out to companies who were interested in providing the technology. Three outfits took part in the first trial, with Australian company Acusensus selected for the January test run. Acusensus' cameras, which use artificial intelligence, will be placed on the M4 and Anzac Parade. They can operate in all conditions — day and night, and regardless of the weather — to detect folks using their phones while they're behind the wheel. It's hoped that using the cameras will have a huge positive impact on the number of road fatalities, much like when breath testing was introduced back in 1982 and slashed fatal accidents by almost 50 percent. While most drivers will probably see this as a cash grab, fines won't be issued during the January trial. If the cameras come into effect permanently afterwards, fully licensed drivers will be looking at a $330 fine and four demerit points if caught; however NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey told The Sydney Morning Herald that money raised from the camera fines will go back into a Community Road Safety Fund. Via the ABC.
Jeez Frozen was a terrific film. Catchy tunes, loveable sidekicks, a woodsman hero and – at its heart – two sisterly princesses thrown into turmoil after one of them discovers her power to manipulate ice and flees to establish an unforgiving frozen kingdom in the north. Jeez The Huntsman: Winter War isn't a terrific film. No tunes, stilted sidekicks, a woodsman hero with a comically bad Scottish(?) accent and – at its heart – two sisterly princesses thrown into turmoil after one of them discovers her power to manipulate ice and flees to establish an unforgiving frozen kingdom in the north. Perhaps you could forgive the makers of The Huntsman for trying to leverage some of the success of the former. After all, it is the ninth highest grossing film of all time. But 'beautiful girl doing cool shit with chilly water' isn't enough to constitute an entire story. You still need, well, 'a story', and it's on that front where The Huntsman: Winter War really falls apart. It begins with Liam Neeson's voice telling us we're about to see a prequel to 2012's Snow White & The Huntsman. And Neeson – like the proverbial mirror on the wall – does not lie. But then, about half an hour in, The Huntsman: Winter War suddenly turns into a sequel, making this about as close as a film will ever come to possessing a literal 'plot twist'. Eventually deciding it's set after Snow White has vanquished the evil Ravenna (Charlize Theron), we find our Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) moping about the South and mourning the loss of his wife (Jessica Chastain), before committing to foil the evil ice queen Freya (Emily Blunt) in her attempt to secure the famous mirror. The rest of the movie is little more than a collection of special effects, shaky fight scenes and a few funny lines from dwarf sidekicks Nick Frost and Rob Brydon. Theron, it must be said, lights up every scene she's in, reminding us that she is still absolutely the fairest and most interesting in the land. Alas, her screen time is also the most restricted, reducing her menacing smile and genuinely engaging relationship with her sister to mere bookends around an otherwise entirely dull affair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W65ndip7MM
Operational in New South Wales since 2017 and Queensland since 2018, container refund schemes are the waste reduction tactic that helps everyone. You get to exchange your used drink containers for shiny ten-cent pieces, and Australia in general benefits by removing bottles and cans from landfill — which is a small but worthy step towards a greener planet. Until August 23, 2020, swapping your empty drink vessels for loose change will also help another important party: Australia's bushfire-affected wildlife. In eligible states across the country — New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory — TOMRA Collection Solutions has launched Cans for Koalas, which'll direct your refund to WWF's Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund. Donating your refund to a good cause has always been an option; however, for the duration of the Cans for Koalas campaign, you can specifically direct your funds to the WWF. To do so, you'll need to head to a TOMRA recycling point, with more than 320 Return and Earn machines scattered across New South Wales and ten TOMRA recycling centres located around southeast Queensland. While Cans for Koalas' name singles out one particularly fluffy, adorable type of Aussie animal, they're not the only critters that'll benefit, with kangaroos, kookaburras, wallabies, wombats and a whole heap of other species all impacted by this summer's blazes. WWF will use your donation to provide food and water to affected animals in bushfire-impacted regions, help restore animal habitats via tree-planting projects, and support the veterinarians caring for and providing medical treatment to injured wildlife. The aim is to raise $250,000 by the end of May — a target that was not just met but more than doubled in the last big donation push, Bottles for the Bush. TOMRA Collection Solutions' Cans for Koalas campaign is running now until August 23, 2020. You can donate your empty drink containers via a TOMRA recycling machine in Sydney and Brisbane — for further information, visit the Cans for Koalas website.
If you've ever worn a little black dress, then you owe Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel a big thank you. Depending on your choice of suit, bag and perfume, you might owe her some gratitude there as well. The French designer's influence upon 20th-century fashion extends far and wide — and, even though she passed away in 1971, her imprint can be felt in the 21st century as well. So, when the NGV International sends some love her way at its next blockbuster exhibition, it'll have plenty to cover. Displaying at the St Kilda Road gallery from Sunday, December 5, 2021–Monday, April 25, 2022, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will arrive fresh from its current stint at Paris' Palais Galliera. Its stop in Melbourne is its first international jaunt, in fact. On show will be pieces from the French venue, as well as from the Patrimoine de Chanel, the fashion house's heritage department. More than 100 garments will grace the NGV's walls and halls, with the exhibition charting her career. You'll also be able to see what Chanel achieved with perfume, jewellery and accessory design, too. Some pieces will date back more than a century, given that the fashion icon opened her first boutique in Deauville in 1912, before making the leap to her own Parisian couture house in 1918. Expect to check out everything from black threads — obviously — to lace gowns, wool jersey and tailored tweed suits, and an array of beaded garments. As you peer at Chanel's designs, you'll see how womenswear developed, and both how and why she's left a mark that still lingers today. [caption id="attachment_819495" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Gabrielle Chanel (designer). Dress, spring–summer 1925, silk guipure lace, silk organza flower. Patrimoine de Chanel, Paris. Photo © Julien T. Hamon.[/caption] The NGV is also adding its own Chanel pieces to the exhibition, such as a white lace Evening dress that dates back to 1933, and a shirred red silk velvet and marabou-lined evening cape from around 1924–26. They'll form part of a showcase that's split into themed sections, with different parts devoted to her early work, the way her design language evolved in the 1920s and 1930s, the iconic scent that is Chanel No 5, and how the brand's pieces have favoured a look best described as "austere luxury". Also getting their own themed strands: suits, accessories and jewellery. To launch Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, which will be ticketed — and will be the first-ever exhibition in Australia that'll solely focus on Chanel's contributions to fashion and culture — the NGV is bringing back its black-tie NGV Gala, which'll take place on Saturday, December 4. [caption id="attachment_819496" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Gabrielle Chanel, c. 1930s, photograph by André Kertész. Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine. Photo © Ministère de la Culture–Médiathèque del'architecture et du patrimoine, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais /André Kertész. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria.[/caption] Announcing the exhibition, NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM said that "there is no bigger name in 20th-century fashion design than Gabrielle Chanel. Her originality, timelessness and elegance forged a radically modern vision of fashion and a singular style. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will be expansive, visually sumptuous and will reveal the achievements and enduring legacy of the extraordinary French fashion designer." If you decide to wear a little black dress while you're checking out all things Chanel this summer, you'll likely have plenty of company. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will display at the NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 5, 2021–Monday, April 25, 2022. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the gallery's website. Top image: Anne Sainte-Marie in a Chanel suit, photograph by Henry Clarke, published in Vogue US, 1955, retouched by ARCP. ParisMusées. © Henry Clarke, ParisMusées /PalaisGalliera/ADAGP. Copyright Agency, 2021.
In the most mathematical news since boffins discovered a pattern in prime numbers, the cast and crew behind of Adventure Time, the show that straddles generational gaps like it ain't no thing, are coming to town next March. It's going to be live, it's going to be loud and it's gonna be so flippin' awesome. Making quick trips to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Adventure Time Live will be an interactive, audio-visual festival that includes Q&As with cast and crew, cosplay competitions, live reads of classic episodes and much more to be announced. It's not a show, it's an experience, man. The event hits Australia between March 10 and March 12 next year, which will probably coincide with the largest gathering of adults pretending to be children pretending to be adults that this country has ever seen.
It's been less than a year since Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog made its much-anticipated Australian debut, opening the doors to its hefty Brisbane brewery DogTap last November. But already the team's looking to ramp up that local presence, announcing ambitious plans to open more flagship venues across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by the end of 2021. While the company's keeping hush for now on exactly where these new bars will be located, it has confirmed it's already started searching for sites between 300 and 1000 square metres, in each of the three above cities. It seems the choice to kickstart Aussie operations in the Queensland capital has proved a smart move for the brewery, especially given the extra COVID-19 fallout some other states have had to endure. "The continued success of our DogTap taproom has convinced us that the time is right to start the search and find exciting locations to join the fold," said BrewDog's Head of Australian Operations Calvin McDonald in a statement. Already operating in over 80 countries, the company plans on snapping up 25 more sites worldwide before the year's out. [caption id="attachment_751726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] BrewDog's ambitious expansion plans come off the back of a few news-filled months for the brewing company. Just recently, it claimed the distinction of becoming the first carbon negative international beer brand in the world, removing twice as much carbon from the air than it emits. BrewDog plans to open more sites in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in the coming 12 months. We'll share more details as they're confirmed. Images: DogTap Brisbane by Pandora Photography
As everyone who has ever sipped an espresso martini knows, combining coffee and alcohol is a stroke of both boozy and caffeinated genius. Love a cuppa? Fond of a tipple? Then of course you like them paired together. What's not to adore? Fans of the beloved combination now have another boozy beverage to try, too, thanks to Sydney distillery Archie Rose and Melbourne coffee roasters St Ali. The duo have joined forces on a new and enticing concoction that, like its fellow blends of the caffeinated stuff and the hard stuff, is bound to give you a buzz. It's likely to earn its own obsessives as well. The end result: Blasphemy coffee whisky. It's actually a coffee whisky spirit, to be precise, and it's made from Archie Rose's single malt whisky and St Ali's Orthodox and Wide Awake coffees. Yes, as the name makes plain, the folks behind it know that it might be seen as sacrilegious by some diehard whisky and coffee aficionados. "Although strict whisky and coffee purists might consider it an abuse of both liquids, it's a pairing that when you taste it, and understand the production processes, actually makes perfect sense," says Archie Rose founder Will Edwards. Whether you're drinking it neat or in a boulevardier — as the two brands recommend — you'll also be able to taste amaretto, dark chocolate, creme caramel, roasted hazelnuts, stewed apples, plum jam and fresh berries. And no, unlike St Ali's cold brew, it isn't available in goon sacks. Instead, you'll find it in 700-millilitre bottles — which is perfect for adding it to your whisky shrine. Archie Rose and St Ali's Blasphemy coffee whisky will be available to order from Wednesday, July 28 via the Archie Rose and St Ali websites, for RRP $89.99 — and you'll be able to find it at the Archie Rose Cellar Bar, and at selected bottle shops. Images: Nikki To.
Roll up, roll up to Brisbane's newest festival, CIRCFest22 Meanjin, which is all about physical theatre and circus. But don't go expecting big tops, ringmasters and lions here. Yes, there'll be acrobatic displays. There'll also be clowns, too. This definitely isn't your stereotypical circus, though. Running from Thursday, April 21–Sunday, May 1, this debut event features ten days of shows spanning physical feats, burlesque, drag and more — with 114 performers on the bill, 76 sessions taking place and six venues playing host. So, whether you head to Brisbane Powerhouse, Metro Arts and The Tivoli, or to La Boite Theatre, The Ron Hurley Theatre or the Kingston Butter Factory, you're in for quite the display, with the new fest coming to fruition thanks to partnership with international circus centre Tohu in Montreal. Highlights include not one, not two, but three shows by Briefs Factory; Arterial, which focuses on First Peoples' connection with Country; the horror-skewing The Long Pigs, as set in an abattoir; and Finucane & Smith's circus-meets-disco experience Diva Dive. There's also High Tea With BOOFF, an immersive Tim Burton-esque show that, yes, includes tea and biscuits; intergenerational circus courtesy of Casting Off; and the family-friendly Monster Siege, which takes place at Musgrave Park.
If you're just a hunk, a hunk of burning love for the one and only Elvis Presley, and you live in Australia, you've been having quite the few years. A massive exhibition dedicated to the king of rock 'n' roll came our way, Baz Luhrmann's AACTA-winning and Oscar-nominated biopic Elvis wowed fans, and Sofia Coppola's Cailee Spaeny-starring Priscilla has also hit the big screen. Also on offer: a new Presley-focused stage musical that debuted in Sydney in 2023 and plays southeast Queensland from Saturday, June 15. Called Elvis: A Musical Revolution, this production features more than 40 of the singer's hits, because there's just that many songs to include. All of the expected favourites are worked into the biographical musical, which means everything from 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog', 'That's All Right' and 'All Shook Up' through to 'Suspicious Minds', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Burning Love' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'. 'Good Rockin' Tonight', 'Earth Angel', 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Are You Lonesome' get a whirl as well, as do 'Blue Moon of Kentucky', 'See See Rider', 'Can't Help Falling in Love' and 'A Little Less Conversation'. That's what the show's audience hears. As for what everyone sees — what makes the musical one for the money, naturally — the production's story tells Elvis' tale from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through to his triumphant '68 Comeback Special. If you've seen the aforementioned Elvis, none of it will be new news, but Elvis: A Musical Revolution works its hip-swinging magic anyway. On the Gold Coast, Elvis will be in the building at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Starring Rob Mallett (House Husbands, Singin' in the Rain), Elvis: A Musical Revolution hails from David Venn Enterprises, which has also been behind Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, The Wedding Singer and Bring It On: The Musical — and arrives via a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Also behind the scenes, the musical's book comes courtesy of David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone — who have Saturday Night Fever: The Musical and Ghost: The Musical on their resumes — with Abbinanti also composing the orchestrations, arrangements, and additional musical and lyrics. Images: Ken Leanfore / Daniel Boud. Updated Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Returning for its third iteration, The Fork Festival sees top restaurants across the country offering sit-down meals for half the usual price. Yep, 50 percent off your total food bill, folks — think of it as the proverbial carrot luring you out of the house. Kicking off on Monday, February 15, the offer is a blessing for those feeling a little light-pocketed after Christmas, NYE and Valentine's Day. To snag a half-price meal, you just need to make a reservation through The Fork website or app at one of the participating eateries for any service (breakfast, lunch or dinner) during the six weeks. There are some great venues coming to the party, too. In Sydney, you'll find cheap eats at the likes of Tayim in The Rocks, Marrickville's Poor Toms Gin Hall, No 1 William in Darlinghurst, Cottage Point Inn, Dulwich Hill's Bambino Torino Pizza and Lone Star Rib House in Blacktown. [caption id="attachment_701766" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tayim by Guy Davies[/caption] Brisbane's lineup includes the CBD's Pool Terrace and Bar, Baos Pop Bistro in South Brisbane and Albion's Nutmeg Indian Cuisine, while Melbourne's Giro d'Italia, Undercover Roasters, Don Taco, Temple Brewing Co and Tulum Restaurant will all serve up discounted eats — as soon as they're allowed to reopen, of course. All of Victoria is currently under a snap five-day lockdown until 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 17, and restaurants can only serve up takeaway until then. You might want to revisit an old favourite or you could get a little adventurous and road-test somewhere new. Either way, there's ample time to squeeze in a fair few discount feasts before the festival wraps up on Sunday, March 28. The Fork Festival runs from Monday, February 15–Sunday, March 28 at select restaurants nationwide, excluding the NT and Tasmania. Victoria's Fork Festival will begin when restaurants reopen. Top image: Giro d'Italia by Parker Blain
If you've had one high tea, then you know what you're in for — right? That's not the case at W Brisbane's High Tea of Aus. It comes with a distinctively local flavour. As great at scones and sandwiches are (and then more scones and more sandwiches), this weekend feast takes its cues from Aussie favourites, although not as you know them. Serving up meat pies, lamingtons and milo as part of its spread, the hotel is calling its dishes 'reimagined versions' of these trusty favourites — and you can't go wrong where all three are concerned. Keeping the theme going, other treats feature Toowoomba free-range eggs, Fraser Island crab and quandong. Running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two-hour sessions between 11am–2pm, the high tea comes with unlimited tea for $55 per person, but can also include Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a martini or a strawberry sour — which'll cost up to $79 per person, including food. Bookings are necessary, and can be made online. Images: Nikki To.
Whatever you already had planned for the last weekend of July in 2024, we recommend rejigging your schedule to fit in a trip or two to James Street. Once a year, this patch of Fortitude Valley throws a big food and wine party. Venues spanning the roadway not only take part, but get folks eating and drinking along the road. And for one day of it, the street itself shuts down to traffic from Arthur Street down to McLachlan Street, turning into a dining space instead. The event: the James Street Food and Wine Trail, which will return across Saturday, July 27–Sunday, July 28. 2024's run is a shorter affair than in recent years — 2023's trail took place across four days, starting on Thursday — but it'll still be jam-packed with venues and stalls. In fact, this year's Market Day on the Sunday will feature 39 stalls, the most in James Street Food and Wine Trail's 12-year history. If Hellenika is your favourite eatery in Brisbane, Greek or otherwise — or you can't go past sAme sAme's Thai dishes and two-storey venue, ESSA's moody space, the wine and people-watching at Cru Bar, or the frosty sweet treats at Gelato Messina — you'll already be a fan of the area and its impressive culinary options galore. Now, it's time to celebrate everything that makes the precinct one of Brisbane's go-to places for a bite and a drink. Prepare to have company, too, with more than 25,000 people anticipated to attend Market Day alone, filling out a 7500-square-metre space. As always, nothing says classic Brisbane like spending winter days feasting your way up and down this patch of the River City. The festivities start on the Saturday with a four-course set-menu champagne lunch at ESSA, bubbles at the freshly renovated Cru Bar and newcomers ēmmē hosting a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner, plus an aperitivo hour at The Calile's Lobby Bar. On the Sunday, Jocelyn's Provisions will have special sweet treats — and Gelato Messina will serve up limited-edition desserts across the entire weekend. The free-entry Market Day is the main attraction, of course, given that the picnic-style event turns James Street into a 300-metre-long outdoor dining room while also hosting live performances and live music. Get excited about ēmmē, Agnes Bakery, James & Antler and Sushi Room joining the lineup for the first time, the latter with live tuna carving. Arrive hungry, but don't expect to leave that way. The James Street Food and Wine Trail 2024 will take over James Street in Fortitude Valley from Saturday, July 27–Sunday, July 28. For more information, head to the JSFWT website. Images: JSI x Andre Cois.
It's a problem that everyone can relate to, and on more than one occasion. You reach for two socks, but despite your searching, you can only find a solo foot covering, sans partner in crime. It's all alone and destined to be deemed odd due to its lonely status. As the name suggests, Odd Sock! ponders this common predicament, attempting to offer an adventurous, amusing answer to the age-old question of lost socks' whereabouts. With The Mime Guy in the performer's seat, you also know what kind of show you're getting as slapstick, silent physical comedy ventures into the unknown sock universe.
Over the past few years, it seems like Brendan Maclean has been everywhere: on Triple J, popping up in Baz Luhrmann’s Sydney-shot The Great Gatsby, making music and sharing his 140-character thoughts all over Twitter. Now he comes to Brisbane fresh from performing in Italy, France and New York, in a rare and intimate solo show. In A Fancy Evening with Brendan Maclean, expect his infamous covers of Leonard Cohen, Fleetwood Mac and Lady Gaga, as well as his original solo works. There’s a reason he’s been lauded and applauded by Amanda Palmer and Solange — and if you don’t already know why, here’s your chance to find out. A fancy evening with Brendan Maclean is one of our top six picks of MELT Festival. See the other five here.
Fans of instrumental configurations and electronic pop are in for a real treat this week. Some of Brisbane’s most innovative musicians are taking the stage at the Judith Wright Centre to put on a great display of alternative, interesting music. Instrumental group, Mr. Maps and electro-pop trio, Hunz, have come together to release a split 7” offering and are putting on a joint performance to celebrate. Hunz’ brand of electronica features heavy beats and dreamy soundscapes, while Mr. Maps combines string and keyboard arrangements with traditional instuments like guitar and bass. Both acts have borrowed elements from each other’s sound to create new dynamics in the songs on their release. These new twists are sure to be featured in the performances of both, which should make for a great night of live music.
After a stack of time spent cooped up in your house this year, there are likely few creative outlets you're yet to have a crack at. At-home ceramics? Paint-by-numbers? Banana bread? Done, done and done. But the dessert slingers over at Doughnut Time might just have a new one for you, involving some crafty flair and a much-needed sugar rush. Roll up those sleeves and get ready, because it's time to try your hand at doughnut decorating. Having made a comeback under new owners, relaunching stores in Queensland and Victoria, the doughnut company has just unveiled its latest creation — a series of DIY doughnut kits. Each comes with four plain doughnuts and all the trappings needed to whip up some mini edible masterpieces, allowing you to recreate Doughnut Time signatures with the help of colourful glazes, sprinkles and other toppings. You can have a go at making your own version of the Caramilk Baskin, or perhaps attempt the chocolate-caramel fusion that is Life On Mars. There is even a vegan kit, if you prefer your doughnuts and decorations cruelty-free. Each DIY kit clocks in at $34, with shipping currently available to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. Folks in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra, stay tuned — you'll be able to order kits to your cities in the coming days.
It's the first Australian-produced show to win the Tony Award for Best Musical. It's based on an adored Baz Luhrmann-directed, Nicole Kidman- and Ewan McGregor-starring film that hit cinemas more than two decades back. With its tale of star-crossed lovers set to a toe-tapping soundtrack, it's been a Broadway sensation. And, since 2021, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has finally been showing off its spectacular (spectacular) delights around Australia — next stop: Brisbane. If you're as keen to attend the production's River City season as its central duo are about each other (and about professing their affection through song), then you just might be able to nab yourself a cheap ticket. As has happened with Mary Poppins and Hamilton, a lottery is being held for the production's Sunshine State run. Via TodayTix, you can sign up for your chance to score a seat for just $30. Yes, that figure is accurate. Yes, this is your chance to see the acclaimed screen-to-stage musical for less than the price of a dinner. To take part in the lottery, you will need to download the Today Tix app — which is available for iOS and Android — and submit your entry each week for the next week's performances. The lottery will go live at 12.01am every Thursday morning, starting from today, Thursday, May 4, with winners drawn after 1pm on the following Wednesday. If your name is selected, you'll have an hour to claim your tickets from when you receive the good news. If you need a reminder, you can also sign up for lottery alerts via Today Tix, too. Playing QPAC's Lyric Theatre from Tuesday, May 16, Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings to life the famed Belle Époque story of young composer Christian and his heady romance with Satine, actress and star of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret. Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, the show is known for its soundtrack, celebrating iconic tunes from across the past five decades. The film was, too; however, the stage version backs up the movie's tracks with even more hit songs that have been released in the 20-plus years since the feature premiered. Usually, tickets will set you back $89–299 a pop — so the $30 lottery really is an absolute bargain. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will play QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from Tuesday, May 16. To enter the Today Tix $30 lottery, download the company's iOS or Android app, and head to the company's website for more information — and to set up an alert. Images: Michelle Grace Hunder.
Last month marked a step in Google's expansion beyond cyber space and into the physical realm, with the opening of the world's first Google store in London. The store is officially known as 'The Chromezone' and will be followed by a second store in Essex. But Google's colonisation of time and space is still in the exploration stage, the store selling only Google's Chromebook laptop and a few accessories. Arvind Desikan, head of consumer marketing at Google UK, said the "foray into physical retail" is "something Google is going to play with and see where it leads." Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Google has been busy scoping out the territory in India in its very own bus. Since 2009, the Google bus has functioned as a mobile internet cafe, stopping in a new town every few days to offer internet access to the local residents. The Google bus is a clever foray into an essentially untapped market, as internet usage in India currently lags well behind the West. Now we know what Google employees are doing with that paid weekly 'creative time' that makes the rest of us consider enrolling in an IT degree. While the Chromezone opening had nothing on the hype that surrounded the launch of Apple's Regent Street flagship, it nevertheless fuels tension between the two technology empires. Hopefully we've learnt a thing or two from the great clashes of empires past, and the two can figure out how to share the realm of time and space peacefully . https://youtube.com/watch?v=W4Faoo1wDag
Metro Arts is home to some of Brisbane’s best local art exhibitions and they have a great one for all art aficionados throughout August! The latest exhibition on display this month is Chatter by Hayley Brandon. Hayley’s brand of visual art within Chatter focuses on the nature of language in all its mediums and how it impacts on relationships and everyday occurrences. The Brisbane based artist bases a lot of her work around incidental experiences and how they can be reconceptualised into art through a variety of mediums. The exhibit launches on the 8th of August at 6pm, but if you can't be there for the opening, don’t fret! The exhibition will be on display until the 25th of August. Be sure to get along at some point and show some support for great local artistic talent.
It was Britney Spears who said it best. There are only two types of people in the world: the ones that entertain, and the ones that observe. Whichever category you fall into, there's no denying that, when done right, a dinner party is one of life's great pleasures. And, don't be fooled, there is definitely a right way to go about it. It's not rocket science, though — and that's where we come in. We've teamed up with Tempus Two to create your ultimate dinner party checklist. CURATE YOUR GUEST LIST (AND SEND OUT A PROPER INVITATION) So, you want to host a dinner party? First things first — who's around the table? Perhaps even more so than the food, the guest list is the most important element for a host to consider. It's all about striking the right balance between people who will keep the conversation both interesting (and, more pertinently, actually going), and a bringing together group of people who will get along. The guest list also hinges on the reason you're hosting in the first place — do you just feel like getting your people together? Looking to make an introduction? In this case, the 'why' will determine the 'who'. Guest list finalised, the next thing is to send out an invitation. This will set the tone from the outset — a casual text has a different vibe to a well structured e-invite or even a paper invitation. We love the touch of a proper invitation (be it paper or virtual) as it automatically makes your dinner feel like an event worth attending. SET THE MOOD Music is an often overlooked element of a dinner party. Ideally you want to soundtrack the evening with tunes that will both blend into the background while being interesting enough to cover any potential gaps in conversation. Low-tempo jazz and electronica are always winners — but a good DJ always knows how to read the room, so you shouldn't be afraid to mix it up if you feel the night going in a different direction. Although, we'd suggest that a dinner party probably isn't the right occasion to show off your latest Scandinavian scream metal find — it's probably better to keep the tunes a little more neutral. If the music provides the soundtrack for the night, how you prepare the room is akin to setting the stage. Lighting is key here — too bright and it might feel like you're in the office, too low and it might look like you forgot to pay your bills. Soft lights — think floor lamps and candles — are your friends here. Another nice touch is to bring in something from outside. Nice artwork is always a lovely touch, but flowers and the like really make a room come to life. PREP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IN ADVANCE — OR EVEN GET IT CATERED As a host, it's all too easy to forget to actually enjoy yourself. And it makes sense — you're probably too worried about everyone else having a good time and making sure glasses stay full. But ideally, a dinner party is an opportunity to enjoy yourself and the company of the people you've invited. Do yourself a favour and do as much prep as you can before your guests arrive, so you have more time to have a good time rather than having to run back and forth from the kitchen. Want to really sit back and enjoy yourself? Go to the next level and get it catered — sure it's a little extra, but after all, it's hard to know these days just when you might be able to host your next dinner party. SERVE A LOW-ALCOHOL WINE TO KEEP THE GOOD TIMES GOING LONGER While you probably don't want to host a dry dinner party, you probably also don't want the night to potentially get out of hand. Plan ahead with an easy compromise: serve low-alcohol vino and keep the good times rolling. Tempus Two has just dropped an excellent range of low-ABV wines — they've got 30 percent less booze and calories than a standard bottle. The Lighten Up range includes top-shelf, low-alcohol pinot noir, prosecco and rosé, with each bottle clocking in at just four standard drinks. BEGIN WITH A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL This slick move is a surefire way to class up even the most casual of dinner parties. Yes, it's probably easier to pop a bottle of something, but a cocktail on arrival works better for two reasons. Not only can you serve these up to order, meaning latecomers can still enjoy a fresh drink when they arrive, but shaking or stirring in front of your guests adds a touch of theatre to the evening. And what's a dinner party without a bit of theatre? You could even go low-alcohol here, too — make a bubbles-based bevvie with a generous splash of Tempus Two Lighten Up Prosecco to start the night on the right note. For more information about the low-alcohol Tempus Two Lighten Up range, head to the website. Top image: Supplied
With Brisbane recording the first local Australian case of the new, more contagious B117 variant of COVID-19, Australia's internal borders have become a hot topic yet again — because that wasn't just a 2020 trend. Since the new case initially came to light on Thursday, January 7, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared the Greater Brisbane region a national hotspot, and a number of states have changed their border arrangements. As of late last night, on Friday, January 8, that includes Victoria, with the state closing its borders to all of Greater Brisbane. Victoria has declared the five local government areas currently under a three-day lockdown in Queensland — the Brisbane, Redland, Ipswich, Moreton and Logan local government areas — as red zones, effective at 11.59pm on Friday, January 8. This means folks from these areas are "cannot travel to Victoria unless an exemption applies", with exemptions "only granted in limited circumstances". The red zone declaration may have only come into effect overnight, but it covers anyone who has been in the Greater Brisbane area since Saturday, January 2. Accordingly, anyone who has visited the region in the past week and since left still won't be allowed entry into Victoria. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1347517728307830789 As previously announced yesterday, Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services also advises that anyone who has already arrived in Victoria from Greater Brisbane since January 2 needs to get tested immediately — even if you don't have any symptoms — and remain at home or wherever you're staying until 6pm on Monday, January 11. You'll be under stay-at-home conditions, as if you were still in Greater Brisbane. A further assessment about the situation in Victoria will be made on January 11. As for how long the border ban on folks from Greater Brisbane will be in place, an end date hasn't been given. Victoria's borders are also closed to New South Wales, in response to the latter state's northern beaches cluster. As at Friday, January 8, Victoria has 39 active cases of COVID-19. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website.
No one makes movies quite like the South Koreans, one of the powerhouse nations of international cinema. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2014, the Korean Film Festival in Australia will once again deliver the best of the Hallyuwood industry to our shores. The festival kicks off with Cold Eyes, a cat-and-mouse surveillance film that blitzed the Korean box office last year. Other thrillers (a genre in which Korean filmmakers seem to flourish) on the program include mafia movie New World, featuring Oldboy star Choi Min-sik, and big-budget action flick The Suspect. But there's more to Korean cinema than just bloody tales of crime and revenge. Fashion doco Nora Noh recounts the life and times of the Korean Coco Chanel, while animated kids film The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow has possibly the greatest title of all time. There's also a selection of comedies, including '80s-set high-school tale Hot Young Bloods and age-swap movie Miss Granny. For the full KOFFIA program, visit the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4iPhhvAY4
Brisbanites, if you've recently been shopping for bargains, spending some time in self-isolation could be in your future. On Sunday, June 20, Queensland Health has issued advice relating to a new coronavirus case in the community — with a traveller has testing positive after visiting DFO at the Airport on the day she completed hotel quarantine.. The traveller went shopping on Saturday, June 19, with anyone who was at the shopping centre between 4–4.30pm that day requested to self-isolate immediately, then contact Queensland Health. Just how long you'll need to stay quarantined at home, and whether you'll need to get tested, will be advised by Qld Health; however, in a statement, the government department has noted that "it is likely now that individuals will not need to quarantine for the full 14 days." The entire shopping centre has been named, rather than specific stores, but only during the half-hour period mentioned above. A second venue is also listed, with the same advice: the Brisbane Portuguese Family Centre in Ellen Grove from 7pm till close on the same day. The Brisbane CBD in general has also been identified as a venue visited by the positive case, although anyone who was in the inner city between 5–6pm on Saturday just needs to monitor for symptoms. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1406426091502202882 This isn't the first time that a case in or around the airport has prompted such warnings, after a passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 breached the green zone in the Brisbane International Airport back in April. As always, the usual advice regarding COVID-19 applies anyway. So, requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms in general are still in effect, as they have since March 2020. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the Queensland COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Whether you're trying to find your way around your a far-flung holiday destination, a part of your own city you're not so familiar with or your own neighbourhood, Google Maps has probably helped you out of a bind more than once. Over the years, you've been able to play everything from Pac-Man and Mario Kart to Where's Waldo and Snake via the online service, too — so using it for a global Easter egg hunt really isn't too far out of the ordinary. Because it's almost that time of year, and because Cadbury wants to remind us all to eat chocolate, the brand has teamed up with Google Maps to create a virtual way for you to hide and search for Easter eggs. It's all digital, though, so it does mean that you won't actually be eating any choccies. If you want to dive into your own stash while you're clicking and scrolling away, though, absolutely no one is going to stop you. Here's how it works: you head to the worldwide Easter egg hunt website, sign up and then get hiding. Once you've picked your spot — somewhere of significance to you and the person you're hiding it for — you'll write a clue, which'll then get sent to your chosen person. For those on the receiving end, it's up to you to decipher the details and find the virtual egg. If it's too hard, that's all down to whoever enlisted you in the hunt — so, if you can't find your digital egg, you might want to ask them for more hints. You can only hide one egg at a time, and only send the corresponding clue to one person. But, you can repeat the process as many times as you like. While there is a physical component, it sadly doesn't involve racing around the world, the city or even the house actually trying to get your hands on chocolate. Instead, you can arrange to send one of three Cadbury products to someone in Australia, starting at $50. Staying virtual doesn't cost a thing, however, if that better suits your budget. To take part in the worldwide Easter egg hunt, head to the Cadbury website.
Put away the gadgets, turn off the Netflix, round up the family and lace up your (and the little guys') joggers. If you're up for a domestic holiday with a difference, exploring the great outdoors of regional Victoria may be the answer. Its variety of scenic walking trails offer the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and quality time with the whole family — all the while surrounded by the pristine natural landmarks that make it a hiker's dream. To help you get out there with the entire fam, we've teamed up with our mates at Macpac to track down getaways perfect for all ages. These family-friendly hikes are well within reach of Melbourne, so you can add it on to a standard city break. The kids won't get bored in the car — and you'll make it back to the city in time for dinner. Load up that picnic basket and head to these coastal adventures and lakeside saunters that everyone will love. [caption id="attachment_717127" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria.[/caption] MORNINGTON DOG-FRIENDLY WALK The Mornington Foreshore offers everything from stunning camping spots and sandy beaches to great quality food and drinks. Featuring a dog-friendly path and modern playground, the walk begins in native bushland and includes many vantage points to glimpse a spectacular water view. Along the way, you'll get to explore Mothers Beach and its vibrant boat houses before arriving at the popular Mornington Pier. Good news if you brought your fur baby along for the family holiday, too — the Royal Beach is leash-free, and the water and rock pools provide a great spot to rest. Pack this: Kahuna 18L Urban Backpack ($71.99) [caption id="attachment_717128" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria.[/caption] YOU YANGS BIG ROCK WALK Set between Melbourne and Geelong, the You Yangs Regional Park is a great place to visit if you want to get back to nature but not too far away from the city. Home to towering granite rock formations that rise out of the volcanic soil, this place is most popular among rock climbers and mountain bikers. The Big Rock Walk is a leisurely 30-minute stroll winding its way between thick vegetation, eventually arriving at said 'big rock'. The name may lack some imagination, but you'll be inspired by the view from the top. On those cooler Victorian days, the rock soaks up the sun and makes for a pleasant picnic spot with incredible scenery. Pack this: Soft Touch Water Bottle 1L ($24.49) [caption id="attachment_717130" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria.[/caption] WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY WALK Beginning at Point Impossible, the Wadawurrung Country Walk showcases incredible white-sand beaches and coastal shrubbery that attract visitors from near and far. Plus, you can learn about the traditional Wadawurrung people that lived there for thousands of years as you journey along its path. The Torquay Sundial is another highlight and, set near the playground, is a great spot for the kids to discover. Designed by local artists Claire Gittings and Glenn Romanis, the sundial's art combines flora, fauna and oral stories significant to the local community. As you make your way along this 90-minute walk, make sure to stop off at the likes of Whites Beach Playground and the Elephant Walk Park to keep the kids entertained and their energy high. Pack this: Summit Ridge 22L Daypack — Kids ($80.00) [caption id="attachment_703508" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brianna Laugher via Flickr.[/caption] LERDERDERG GORGE Only an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD, Lerderderg State Park is a sprawling spot that spans 14,250 hectares. Begin your descent into the gorge from MacKenzies Flat, then follow the well-signed track towards the river that carves through the landscape. Roam the sandstone and slate rock formations of this 300-metre deep gorge and spot some of the beautiful flora and fauna dotting the area. The kids will have fun leaping across the stepping stones and splashing around int he shallows. Pack this: Cub 10L Daypack — Kids ($54.99) [caption id="attachment_717125" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria.[/caption] LAKE ELIZABETH WALK The Otway Ranges are home to some challenging climbs, but this walk is accessible for the whole family. Take a relaxing stroll around Lake Elizabeth and find out why this tiny section of the Otways is so beloved. Located just a ten-minute drive from the tight-knit community of Forrest, the Lake Elizabeth Walk offers the opportunity to wander through the ferns and even spot a platypus or two. Towering trunks burst from beneath the lake's surface, remaining from when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago. There's also a small jetty where you can bring a dingy and paddle your way across the water. Pack this: Possum Child Carrier V2 ($239.99)
To look at John Shipton is to see the obvious, even if you've never laid eyes upon him before. The family resemblance is immediately clear, and the traits that've likely been passed down from father to son — determination and persistence, blatantly — become apparent within minutes. Shipton needs to be resolute for the battle that documentary Ithaka captures. It's a fight that's been waged for a decade now, publicly, and not just in embassies and courtrooms but across news headlines worldwide. He's visibly Julian Assange's dad, and he's been helping spearhead the campaign for the WikiLeaks founder's release. Assange fell afoul of US authorities in 2010, when his non-profit whistleblower organisation published documents about the American military's war crimes leaked by army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. As Ithaka makes plain, The Guardian, The New York Times and Der Spiegel revealed the same information at the same time; however, only Assange now sits in London's Belmarsh prison. Plenty about the past 12 years since Manning's leaks were exposed to the world is filled with numbers. Plenty about the ten years this June since Assange first took refuge in the Embassy of Ecuador in London is as well. The Australian editor and publisher spent almost seven years in that diplomatic space, seeking political asylum from sexual misconduct allegations in Sweden that he contended would be used to extradite him to America. If the US succeeds in its efforts, and in its espionage charges against him, he faces up to 175 years in incarceration. The list of figures goes on, but filmmaker Ben Lawrence (Hearts and Bones) makes two pivotal choices. Firstly, he surveys Assange's current struggle not through the Aussie himself, but through both Shipton and Stella Moris, his South African-born lawyer and now wife. Secondly, although those aforementioned numbers are inescapable, the riveting and affecting Ithaka brings humanity to this well-publicised plight. Moris herself sums up the movie's position best at the unveiling of a statue of Assange in Geneva. "I'm here to remind you that Julian isn't a name, he isn't a symbol; he's a man and he's suffering," she says. It's a reminder that Ithaka's audience might need, given how ubiquitous Assange's tale has become, including on-screen — in fellow docos We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks and Risk, and in dramas Underground: The Julian Assange Story and The Fifth Estate — and how polarising he has proven. Risk attempted to grapple with his contradictions, but Ithaka almost deems them irrelevant. Lawrence doesn't dismiss, excuse or pander; rather, he knows that Shipton and Moris' point remains regardless: that how Assange has been treated for receiving and publishing information is a human rights abuse, as well as an attack on the freedom of the press. That notion echoes again and again in Ithaka alongside its rousing soundtrack by Brian Eno, and with passion; to look at both Shipton and Moris is to see the fervour blazing tirelessly in their eyes, too. Making his second documentary after 2018's Ghosthunter, Lawrence fills the bulk of his naturalistically shot frames with the pair working against Assange's possible extradition, and for justice, with that avid gleam given ample opportunities to keep burning. Again, among the litany of opinions that he's evoked over the years, the idea that the Australian deserves life in prison for distributing Manning's intel to the world — or that anyone does — shouldn't have a place. Ithaka's allegiances are never in doubt, even without knowing that Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton is one of its producers, but giving time to the WikiLeaks creator's critics wouldn't and couldn't have changed its core position. Lawrence knows what everyone watching knows, though: that the mantra behind the movie isn't a new one. Accordingly, the film shows as much as it tells — leaving the telling to Shipton, Moris and talking-head interviewees; and having cinematographer Niels Ladefoged (an assistant editor on the original Swedish The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) deeply and carefully observe the minutiae around Ithaka's core duo. The documentary can veer towards the procedural as a result, including when Moris works through a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful plan to get then-US President Donald Trump to issue a pardon. It's always personal, of course; that Assange is primarily present as a voice on the phone, aka exactly how his father and wife have interacted with him during his time at Belmarsh, especially after the pandemic hit, only makes that feeling all the more evident. Shipton and Moris have long stressed the stakes for Assange — Moris' Geneva remarks are just one such instance captured in the feature — but Ithaka is equally concerned with the impact upon the pair. It doesn't just use the two as a different access point into this now-familiar story, but to illustrate the emotional and psychological burden that falls upon them as they crusade, lobby and also worry. As Assange's legal battles are prolonged, septuagenarian Shipton loses time with his five-year-old daughter in Australia, while Moris raises her two children with Assange alone. Alongside tenacity, weariness lingers in their eyes as well. It's there, noticeably, when Shipton rankles against pointless or ill-thought-out questions, and when he's ceaselessly direct in response. Assange's case continues; he awaits the latest ruling in his efforts to avoid extradition, a matter that's been before the courts for years now. Previously, it was decreed that his mental health would suffer, and he'd be a suicide risk in the conditions that'd greet him in America; however, the US government has kept pressing, winning a High Court judgement in its favour in late 2021, while Assange's team keeps fighting back. Ithaka overtly aims to raise awareness; the documentary is an act of activism as much as a portrait of Shipton and Moris. It's engrossing and fascinating, too, plus powerful viewing on a subject, and a person, that's rarely been far from the media's gaze for the bulk of this century — but not like this.
While much of the country is slowly starting to creep back to normality — and Melbourne has a roadmap to get there — there are some basic activities that'll be looking very different post-COVID. That includes the humble music gig and festival. With large crowds seen as a potential risk for virus transmission, all Australian states and territories still have density limits in place for gatherings and events, meaning that this year's festival season is set to be in stark contrast to all those before it. While it's hard to tell exactly what the future of music shows looks like locally, plans for an upcoming Western Australian event could help shed some light. Hitting the Busselton Foreshore on Saturday, October 31, the inaugural Good Day Sunshine festival is set to debut a new COVID-safe festival format, featuring a revolving stage and four separate crowd areas. The design will allow event promoters Macro Music to safely host 5000 punters. In the plans, the aptly named Turntable Stage sits at the centre of the site, rotating between four separated audience zones, each with a reduced 1250-person capacity. The lower numbers and crowd split will allow the festival to meet the state's current density restrictions of two-square-metres per person, while improving ease of contract tracing. Each of the four areas will operate as a separate event, complete with its own entry and exit point, and own amenities including bars, toilets and food outlets. A static sound system will service the entire site, while on-stage LED screens will provide all punters with concert visuals at each point of the stage's revolution. After purchasing tickets, Good Day Sunshine patrons were required to nominate one of the four quadrants, which is where they'll remain for the entirety of the festival. Each of the zones will have its own COVID safety officer, leading dedicated teams of staff that will continuously clean shared facilities and top up hand sanitiser stations. The event is set to be closely monitored and, if it proves successful, could pave the way for future Aussie festivals. "I would be flattered if this format was to be used by other events in Australia and across the world," said Macro Music CEO and festival designer Ross Macpherson. "The sooner we can get large-scale live events back up and running, the better for everyone." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeYsTUQ9D34&feature=youtu.be The Good Day Sunshine lineup has met some issues thanks to Western Australia's hard border lockdowns and difficulties securing approval for artists to enter the state. At this stage, acts including Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio and Xavier Rudd are set to headline the October 31 debut. Good Day Sunshine will debut at Barnard Park, Busselton, on October 31. Learn more about its new format at the festival's website.
If it's a shiny start to 2018 that you want, then it's a shiny party you'll get at The Fox's NYE Glitter Ball. A word of warning first up, however: you'd best be keen for a music-, drink- and crowd-filled evening as well. Spread across three floors, it'll certainly be busy at the South Brisbane haunt, with a trio of options on offer. Hang out on the ground level for $65, which gets you three hours of food and drinks; head up to the roof for $179, keep the fun going for five hours and get a glass of Veuve Cliquot on arrival; or fork out $229 for the VIP experience, including an oyster bar. Live entertainment will be on offer either way, and so will so, so, so much glitter and a jam-packed venue.
We could probably all do with some more phone-free time, what with today's always-connected society, not to mention the cancer scares. But sometimes it's handy to have a functional phone even when you're trying to get away from it all. Music festivals are a prime example: you're out in a paddock enjoying music all day and when the speakers fall silent you need to call your friends to find your tent. So, UK phone company Orange teamed up with renewable energy experts gotwind to develop some new ideas for Glastonbury this year: wellies with thermocouples that harness the funky heat of your feet after throwing shapes all day, and a shirt that charges your phone by converting soundwaves into electricity. And if you're getting back to nature by going camping, you might just need that phone to make a call if something goes wrong... or to post a photo of what a great time you're having away from all your facebook friends. Japan's TES New Energy have come up with what is basically a cooking pot with a power cord, so that you can harness the extra heat from boiling the billy to charge your smart phone. [via PSFK]
Thelma and Louise. Chocolate and peanut butter. Romeo and Juliet — all iconic pairings. Now, rosé wine and gin creators Maison Mirabeau might have introduced a new contender to the mix in the form of its signature drop: the Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin. As you might have guessed, it's created via the power pairing of Provençal pink wine and gin. The low down? It's a fresh drop that you will want to enjoy in an appropriately refreshing environment. So, fantastically, a great introduction to the drop is on offer at the Maison Mirabeau x Four Seasons Sydney poolside pop-up this summer. From Monday, December 5 to Monday, January 23, you'll have the chance to channel a South of France sojourn by heading to Four Seasons Sydney and sipping a selection of delicious rosé- and gin-based cocktails from the comfort of your sun lounger. Whether you like a traditional dry gin (tinted pink), or are a purist and opt for a glass of Pure Rosé, you can expect subtle, stylish drops. There's Mirabeau's Riviera Gin & Tonic served with Mediterranean tonic water, fragrant rosemary and zesty lemon peel; and a chilled Rosé Negroni served with Lillet Rosé, Campari and orange peel — a particularly decadent indulgence when coupled with a stay at one of Sydney's most fabulous five-star hotels. Alternately, if you can't quite find the time to stop and smell the rosé, then Maison Mirabeau is making it easy to create a piece of Provence at home with bottles of Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin now stocked at Dan Murphy's. For more on the Maison Mirabeau x Four Seasons Poolside Summer pop-up, head to the website.
Feel like you're always seeing shows in the same places, Brisbanites? Wondering why some of the big productions don't make their way to our theatres, even if they're playing in Sydney and Melbourne? There's a reason for both — but if a new proposed 1500 to 1700 seat venue comes to fruition, those problems might become a thing of the past. Released on January 16, Building Queensland's Infrastructure Pipeline Report recommends something that theatre, music and live performance fans have long been hoping for, and is rather obvious really: that the State Government builds a new performing arts centre. The city's spread of performing arts venues hasn't changed in quite some time, meaning that there's only so much room for so many performances. Chatter about another addition to the fold springs up every few years — but this report might just see that talk turn into action. The report cites the fact that Brisbane's major performing arts venues are currently at capacity, which is a pretty big deal. That means that they probably couldn't fit in something like The Book of Mormon (which has just opened in Melbourne this week) if they wanted to. For example, with the city's biggest venue — the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank — already staging events for Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre Company, Opera Queensland and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, it's pretty darn busy. That's not really a reason that stands up to growing pressure from the arts sector, including local, national and international companies looking to stage mid-sized and large-scale productions, or to audiences. And it will only continue to be an issue into the future. No further specifics are offered, although putting together a complete detailed business case is outlined as the next step (albeit without a timeline). And as we mentioned above, the government has played in this territory before, with nothing actually eventuating. Debate has raged about the size of any new venue over the years, with preferences ranging from 500 to 1500 seats. And while the latter was included in the winning Queen's Wharf proposal — aka the space that's about to drastically change on the northern side of the river in the CBD — it's no longer mentioned on the project's website. Via Brisbane Times.
When Pharrell Williams first made contact with Morgan Neville, the Oscar-winning documentarian behind 20 Feet From Stardom, their conversation could've started like this: "it might seem crazy what I'm 'bout to say". The famed producer, N.E.R.D. co-founder, 'Happy' singer, and Daft Punk and Snoop Dogg collaborator's proposal to the filmmaker also behind the Mr Rogers-focused Won't You Be My Neighbour?, then Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain and STEVE! (martin): a Documentary in 2 Pieces, was for Neville to tell Williams' life story — a request that doesn't seem out of the ordinary. But Pharrell wanted this journey through his upbringing in Virginia Beach in Virginia, his music dreams as a kid and a teenager, and then the ups and downs of his career to solely be relayed using Lego animation. How do you explore anyone's existence, let alone someone so influential in music for decades, while rendering them, other interviewees and everything else that's seen on-screen only in the style of The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part? Just as importantly, why would you? Piece by Piece, the film that results, sits alongside Brett Morgen's David Bowie-adoring Moonage Daydream as recent music docos that know how to expertly takes their cues for their approach, aesthetic and vibe from their subject. In both cases, it's instantly apparent that any other method wouldn't have done the folks at their centre justice. Piece by Piece boasts the childhood details, the stories shared by loved ones and colleagues, the glimpses into the studio and the examples of Pharrell's work, his music and the videos that go with them alike. As the movie's title states so clearly, however, they have all been built piece by piece in Lego animation. This effectively meant making the film twice, first featuring the raw materials, including chats with Williams, his N.E.R.D. bandmates Shae Haley and Chad Hugo, his distant cousin Timbaland, fellow Virginia Beach residents Pusha T and Missy Elliott, and then everyone from Daft Punk and Snoop to Gwen Stefani and Kendrick Lamar — and secondly with that initial cut, which Neville dubs the "radio edit", animated frame by frame in the Lego fashion. Spliced into the initial version were storyboards for scenes that simply wouldn't have been possible to realise without Piece by Piece's unconventional biodoc technique, many of which bring Pharrell's synesthesia to the screen. Music appears to him as colours, and shapes as well. The film not only recreates that sensation for the audience, but does so with exacting detail: when the beats that Pharrell creates appear as pulsating bricks, be it for N.E.R.D's 'Rock Star' or No Doubt's 'Hella Good', or for Snoop Dogg's 'Drop It Like It's Hot' or Williams' own mega hit from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack — and much more — the forms and hues depicted are exactly what Pharrell sees. In every piece, frame and moment, this is a documentary that's intimately in tune with its subject, then. It celebrates a dreamer by crafting those dreams out of bricks. Yes, it all clicks. It's an ode to creativity and imagination, too, right down to deploying one of the first formats that almost every child uses to make new worlds, because that's what Lego lets us do. While there are tie-in kits available for sale, as happens with Lego-based movies, the medium matches the man perfectly. Indeed, that's so accurate that the feature wouldn't have happened otherwise, including if Lego hadn't be on board with the idea, Neville told Concrete Playground. "We'd thought about it, whether there were other ways of doing it if Lego said no. And I think we all agreed if Lego said no, there was going to be no film," the director shares. "It just felt like Lego itself was actually an important piece, as it were, of what the film was — that it wasn't just a gimmick, that it actually felt part of who Pharrell is in his story and how he sees the world." We also chatted with Neville about how you respond when Pharrell asks you to make a movie about him using Lego — a version of which is seen in the film — plus creating a type of music documentary that hasn't been made before, the added possibilities that come with examining someone's life and career in Lego, heroing creativity, his starting point whether he's making docos about Williams or Bourdain or Martin, and more. On How You React When Pharrell Suggests That Lego Would Be the Perfect Medium to Tell His Story "What happens in the film is a version of what happened in real life. But that was the one moment that I didn't actually record, because the first time I met Pharrell, he pitched me on this idea where he said 'I want you to make a movie about me, and then I want you to throw away all the visuals and do it again in Lego'. And honestly, when he said that I was totally hooked. So that's the difference. I think in the movie I'm a little unsure, but I think in real life I jumped right into it. That was the thing that got me incredibly excited, because I didn't know what it was going to mean. It was a crazy idea, but I love crazy ideas." On Making a Type a Music Documentary That Hasn't Been Made Before — and Whether It Feels Daunting, Freeing or a Bit of Both "I feel like being a film director, there's a kind of wilful amnesia that you have, where you intentionally forget how difficult it is to make films. Because if you remembered, you wouldn't make them. So I vaguely knew that this was going to be climbing a mountain, but I really just looked at this path in front of me and said 'well, this is interesting. What if I do this, and what if I think about this? And, well, let's talk to Lego. They could kill it. It might go away'. We talked to Lego and they said 'we love it'. And then we just kept trying things. And so step by step it came together, but it was five years of work to get there." On How Using Lego Allowed the Film to Explore and Expand Areas and Details That Wouldn't Have Been Possible Otherwise — or in Such an Evocative Way "That was the amazing realisation I came to early on, was that because of the Lego, we could do things you can't normally do — you certainly couldn't do in a documentary and you couldn't do in a lot of films — which is visualise imagination, or visualise things in somebody's head. And so the synesthesia was an important thing because Pharrell sees colour when he hears sound. We wanted to get that right. We actually brought in Michel Gagné, who's a famous animator, who had done the synesthesia in Ratatouille, to work on this — to think 'how do you do synesthesia, but in Lego?'. But then also the idea that we can visualise beats — the beats that Pharrell has made are physical Lego objects. And every beat in the film is actually reflective of how Pharrell sees that song. So the colours and the shapes of the beats in the film are accurate to what Pharrell sees in his head, even though nobody else knows what that is. Every song, we're like 'Pharrell, okay what are the colours? How does this look?'. Because it's interesting, he has a library in his head of every song you mention, he'll tell you what the colours are of that. So things like that you could do in Lego, which I don't know how else you would do that." On the Importance of Connecting Celebrating Creativity and Imagination with One of the First Gateways to Unlocking Both for Children "I think many people, most people, probably grew up with some connection to Lego toys. I did. I was of the era where when I bought a set of Lego, you would just get a big box of pieces. There were no instructions, it was just 'okay, make whatever you want'. I always ended up with a big tub of random pieces and you would just make stuff. I think Pharrell, also Lego he said was a really important toy his parents would give him when he was young. And it's interesting how much it comes up in the creative community. I've talked to architects and artists and designers, and Lego actually is kind of a building block of creativity. It's this thing that I think is just pure imagination in that way. And so imagination is a huge theme of the film. I love making films about creative people and how they think, and Lego just felt like this perfect way of exploring that. And the idea that it was Pharrell's conceit makes it even more organic to why it works in this film." On Neville's Starting Point When He's Making a Documentary, No Matter Who or What His Subject Is "My starting point on every project, I do a couple of things. I start a playlist of music. So for every film, I have a playlist of music, even if it's not about music. I'm a musician and I've made a lot of films about music, and it helps me get a feel for the tone of what a film could be. In this case I had like ten playlists, because Pharrell had done so much music. So I had solo work and produced by, and with the bands he had done and influenced music. And I spent months listening to all of it, waiting for songs to pop out and for me to hear them and say 'oh, I could see this, it feels like this song belongs in a scene' or 'this song has a theme that could work to the story'. So that's a big part of it. Then I gather visuals and references, and all that kind of stuff. So all that just goes into a pod as I start to conceive of what this film might be. But I think all that other stuff, tone and aesthetic, are all things I'm thinking about in the beginning. And then I just talk as much as I can to the subject or other people. I just am trying to take in as much input as I can get. Then it starts to form in my head and little things start coming together." On the Difficult Task of Knowing What to Include and Leave Out When You're Making a Film About Someone with Such a Wide-Ranging Career "It always is. This was difficult because Pharrell has done so much, but I always think about it more like 'what are the things that influenced his life?'. I mean, a big part of this movie is his childhood, which was a huge part of what made him who he is. But it's not his career. So in that way, the career stuff, he had so many more hits that aren't even in the film. He's done so much. But to me it's about the moments where things turn. It's where maybe a failure — failures are as interesting as successes when it comes to looking at a narrative of a person's life, because that's where we learn. So I think it was really identifying the moments where something felt different, or where he learned something, or where something clicked or didn't click. I always try to avoid what I think of as 'the Wikipedia version' of a person's life, because it's not that interesting to just go through everything they accomplished. But to hit the moments that actually meant something to them, that were part of their personal growth or their creative growth, that's what I try to zero in on, and so that helps me cut stuff out unfortunately." Piece by Piece opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Images: courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
Do you prefer popcorn or choc-tops? Frozen coke or post-mix? Drama or comedy? Action or horror? These are all questions you need to answer because you need to be ready for the cinematic fiesta that is about to take place. The Brisbane International Film Festival is on again, and it might be the most comprehensive and diverse iteration of the festival ever experienced. Taking place in cinemas all over Brisbane, BIFF (what a great acronym) will be screening dozens of films ranging from home-grown flicks to obscure international fare. Do yourself a massive favour and check out the program online. Decide if you prefer documentaries or short films, world cinema or Australian efforts and buy a ticket (or ten). Don’t miss out on one of the cultural highlights of the year. And if you really need a hand choosing from the extensive list, we have gone ahead and made a list of ten films that you need to see.
I fear soon Brisbane will reach a point where the beloved attires so many of us covet - the wardrobes of eras and people past, second hand and vintage fashion - will begin to hit a serious stock shortage. There are only so many lovely stylish ladies who have saved their outfits from the last few decades – and I think at least a few of their collections are filling up the hangers in my wardrobe. There’s just something about our generations range clothing that can never going be as cool as the fashions of the 40s and 50s. It's time to stock up before all the good stuff is gone! The monthly Vintage and Designer Markets are on again this Saturday housed at their new venue, Rumpus Room. There is sure to be something to suit your budget and need. I mean come on, there’s gotta be room in your wardrobe for an extra trendy coat this winter! There's always room! Get your mitts on the best of Brisbane’s vintage before it’s all snatched up!
In the Greater Brisbane region, 2021 started with a snap lockdown and then other COVID-19 restrictions, before returning to the conditions that were in place late last year. Now, with March almost at its midpoint, the entire state is about to enjoy a few changes — which is particularly great news if you like gathering in large groups at home or in public. This morning, on Thursday, March 11, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced via social media that new eased restrictions will come into effect at 1am on Saturday, March 13. On the cards, just as the weekend begins: letting folks have 100 people over to their house at once, and to gather in groups of 500 outdoors in public. So, if you've been keen on throwing a house party but didn't want to restrict your guest list to the previous cap of 50, you can now double your fun. You'll need to wait until Saturday night, though, with the previous rules still in place on Friday evenings. For outdoor public gatherings, the cap is going up from 100 — which is a hefty leap. Also changing: the limits on people at campsites, which could affect your Easter getaway plans for the better (yes, it's almost that time of year). There'll now be no caps, with the rules here being removed altogether. And, if you feel like you've spent too long waiting for elevators of late, there's a reason for that. Currently, only four people are allowed inside a lift at once, but that's going up to six people. In this batch of relaxed restrictions, nothing has changed with hospitality and entertainment venues including restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, bars, museums and galleries — so they're still able to welcome in one person per two-square-metres, and allow stand-up eating and drinking, too. Indoor events remain at 500 attendees, and seated, ticketed venues such as cinemas and theatres have been at 100-percent capacity since January. Outdoor events can still have 1500 folks head along, openair outdoor stadiums remain at full capacity as well, and dancing indoors and outdoors has been back for a couple of months, with the one person per two-square-metres rule in place there as well. The latest changes come as Queensland reported five new overseas-acquired cases in the past 24 hours, and zero new local cases. The state's current case total sits at 41, out of a pandemic-long total to-date of 1373. As always, the usual hygiene and social-distancing advice applies — including frequent hand-washing, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people and getting tested if you have even the slightest of COVID-19 symptoms. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Takeaway or dine in? It's the question that everyone who can't be bothered cooking dinner has faced, and it is more complicated than it sounds. Perhaps you'll be flying solo with your containers of food, but feel like some company? Or, maybe you and your pals all want meals delivered from different places, but know that's a bit impractical. A Helsinki pop-up has the answer, whether you're looking for an alternative to eating alone or trying to keep your gang of fellow diners happy. Called Take In, the kitchen-less venue is all about pulling up a chair, picking from around 20 restaurants, and enjoying the space as your dining room away from home — plus, making sure you have someone to share it with, even if your mates are all already busy. There's also a bar on-site, so that's the drinking side of the equation taken care of (or some liquid courage if chatting to folks you don't know makes you a little nervous). Customers can drop in just for a tipple, too; however eating out alone, but not alone is the main aim of the game. For anyone finding themselves in Finland in in the near future, the pop-up runs until April. Via Eater.
Anyone who's been outside at all this winter will have noticed that Brisbane's hardly dipped below t-shirt weather. Well, Brisbane is never too cold, but this August was one of the warmest on record. This has been both delightful and worrying — we've enjoyed days in the sun, but they've only added to our ever-present anxiety around global warming. And as we start to mentally prepare ourselves for a really, really hot summer, it seems that we're out of time already — this weekend is set to be a bit of a scorcher. Weatherzone reports that a pool of hot air is currently making its way across the country and, when it reaches the eastern states over the weekend, it will raise the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees. That will bring central Brisbane up to a maximum of 35 degrees on Sunday, September 24 and Monday, September 25. Ispwich is set to have four days over 35 in a row. In September. The hot temps will be accompanied by some nasty gusts of wind, so it's likely fire bans will be put in place across the state. While things will cool down in NSW and Victoria by Monday, in Queensland the spring heatwave is expected to continue into the week as well. Better buy that fan now, then.
Spender understands the adaptability of a chair, Jeremy Neale and Go Violets team up and Bonobo are ready to help you relax on a Sunday. Here are five tracks to soundtrack your weekend. https://youtube.com/watch?v=HgU3rROkeIE 1. 'Bed & Chair' - Spender Spender dropped this pop tune densely wrapped in deep synth only yesterday, meaning you could be one of the first to own it, and then when your friends catch up and start talking about him in a month, you can be that person who says "I knew him before he was big". Be quick though; this window will only be open a short time, with Spender set to soar into stardom off the back of this dance-inducing smash. Also, we don't recommend trying his chair positions at home. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JyqemIbjcfg 2. 'Recover' - CHVRCHES CHVRCHES announced this week their plans to tour Australia in early August (with Splendour in the Grass rumours swiftly following), and their tickets will be in hot demand. Their debut EP Recover was released only two months ago and has since gained worldwide acclaim, and the title-track here is a fine example of just why everyone wants a piece of the Scottish trio. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bpm8VV8O93E 3. 'Antenna' - Bonobo Bonobo are the masters of making music that suits every occasion, and their newly released album, The North Borders, showcases this to perfection. Play this track at that house party on Friday night, whilst nursing that hangover on Saturday morning or whilst having the in-laws over for supper on Sunday, and nobody will be disappointed, especially not you. 4. 'In Stranger Times' - Jeremy Neale & Go Violets Jeremy Neale is the garage guru of Brisbane. Not only does he front the voracious Velociraptor, but he also creates his own catchy tracks in his spare time. Now he has teamed up with the guru-esses Go Violets to create a delectable harmony that transports you back to the '60s. So open all the windows and doors and blare 'In Stranger Times' to all of your neighbours — they deserve to hear it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tBsRvthVhdw 5. 'Entertainment' - Phoenix Phoenix's new album Bankrupt is finally released in only 11 short days. The French rockers have been teasing us ever since the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix with hints about when they would release new music and what it would sound like. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it sounds incredible. 'Entertainment', the first track off the soon-to-be-released album, is a ballistic blend of pop, orient-inspired synth and bass guitar that will populate every party playlist you hear this weekend.
Early 2000s, Apple-powered minimalism. It's a thing. At least one this designer is running with. German designer Klaus Geiger has resurrected the now-retired Apple Power Mac G5, the once proud must-have of the post-millennium hoo-ha, in a stunning new furniture line we're chomping at the bit to have in the office. If it's not too painful, cast your mind back to 2003. Botttles full o' bub were being swilled by Fiddy Cent. Ol' Delta Goodrem gave the finger to Neighbours. The US launched a slight little you know, invasion of Iraq. Things were on the move. Apparently the still slick-looking Mac was the fastest in the Apple family when it hit shelves in the same golden year of 2003, now it lies dormant, superseded by Airs and Pros. But old models don't just vanish into the ether. Geiger's elegant-as-blazes project BENCHMA(®)C rounded up the old towers and transformed them into sleek desks, shelving units, drawers that make you remember the Macs of the millenium not as this: but as sleek marvels of minimalist design. Like this: We're signing up now. Via The Verge. All images Klaus Geiger
Come one, come all to see The Illusionists! A team of some of the world’s greatest magicians have assembled to wow and amaze with an unforgettable and dazzling display of magic that will have everyone on the edge of their seat. Each individual Illusionist will perform their own special brand of magic, along with their own assistants and sophisticated array of tricks and talents. Forget your typical children’s party magician; this is not just a display of card tricks and slight of hand pranks. Come to witness mind boggling displays of levitation, and daring escapes that will leave you breathless. The Illusionists have sold out shows around the world and they mean to do the same in Brisbane. Come and see the greatest display of super-talent this side of The Avengers, and prepare to suspend belief in the face of pure magic.
A triple treat sounds like something delicious you may have received as a reward after a rough week of maths homework and soccer practice. Neapolitan ice cream perhaps? Corn chips, salsa and guacamole maybe? Or even a hot dog with cheese and tomato sauce? All very delicious options which work especially well together because of three distinctive flavours working as one. The Triple Treat Tour is coming your way and it’s a threesome glorious enough to excite your everything. Although the realm of the event is more in the aural arena than one to please your taste buds, this particular tour is still one to shout about. The three fillings to this Triple Treat pie are millions, Nantes, and Northeast Party House – a trilogy to rival the Lord of the Rings. All hailing from different states, they’ve been taking turns playing to a home crowd, and this week it’s Queensland’s turn with millions. Playing at Woodland Bar, the three bands will be bringing their distinctive garage-pop-dance-indie-rock flavour to the table, ensuring there is something for everyone. Despite there being no ice cream specifically linked to this event, it’s still very worthy of it’s Triple Treat title.
Real life has enough drama, as we all well and truly know at the moment. When it comes to getting cosy on your couch, you can be forgiven for wanting to forget the world's troubles — and your own, and this year's — and get caught up in a side-splitting comedy instead. Our tip: pick a top-notch TV series of the rib-tickling kind and stream (or re-stream) your way through it. Some you can knock out fairly quickly, filling your weekend with laughter. Others will take weeks and months, and will constantly brighten up your days in the process. From acerbic delights and absurd wonders to heartwarming gems and instant classics, streaming platform Binge isn't lacking in the comedy department. Because being able to lose yourself in a hilarious TV series is one of life's simple but much-needed pleasures, we've teamed up with the Australian service to highlight five shows that are guaranteed to have you giggling and guffawing — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Lorde, that dynamo 17-year-old with the Grammys and the dance moves and the best friend named David Bowie, has been hit by illness after a gargantuan string of performances including Coachella, forcing her to postpone her Australian tour dates. Set to hit our shores in just a couple of days, Lorde was set to perform at eight shows across the country including Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane. The Pure Heroine issued a statement via press release today: "It breaks my heart to have to postpone these shows as the band and I absolutely love playing to Australian crowds, and it was not a decision we made lightly," she said. "I know I need to focus on getting better in order to perform at my best. We'll be with you as soon as we can, Aussies." After a heartbreaking cancellation earlier in the year, this will (hopefully) eventually be Lorde's first Australian stadium tour since playing smaller club venues and the Laneway circuit. And while we were sure to get the full royal treatment from her 2013 breakthrough album Pure Heroine, this 2014 tour was said to have some surprises in store. It's been announced there will be a huge light show component, but we're keeping our fingers crossed for a cameo from Ziggy Stardust. Management have yet to release further information or rescheduled tour dates as yet, or whether refunds will be issued. Stay tuned for more details, for now give your neighbours a little singalong concert. Here's where the postponed tour dates currently sit: Thu 24 Apr — Festival Hall, Melbourne (All Ages) POSTPONED Sat 26 Apr — Festival Hall, Melbourne POSTPONED Sun 27 Apr — EC Theatre, Adelaide (All Ages) POSTPONED Tue 29 Apr — Challenge Stadium, Perth (All Ages) POSTPONED Fri 2 May — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All Ages) POSTPONED Sat 3 May — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All Ages) POSTPONED Sun 4 May — Entertainment Centre, Newcastle (All Ages) POSTPONED Tue 6 May — Riverstage, Brisbane (All Ages) POSTPONED
Brisbane isn't quite the centre of the universe — but for five days in March, it'll feel that way, especially when it comes to all things science and technology. After 2020's event didn't quite turn out as planned, the city will once again play host to the only Asia-Pacific offshoot of New York's World Science Festival. The short version: prepare to be showered in knowledge. This year's science extravaganza will take over a lengthy list of local venues between Wednesday, March 24–Sunday, March 28, offering up a hefty list of activities to go along with it. When you're not listening to Dr Karl Kruszelnicki chat about the importance of trusting scientists, you'll be pondering how the very first stars looked, exploring the science of happiness, wandering around a science-inspired art art trail, and hitting up a trivia, comedy and science hub outside the Cultural Centre. Curocity Brisbane also ties into the fest, so you'll be getting the best of two hefty events at once. Or, you can catch a program of films that explore how the mind works — such as The Babadook, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Oliver Sacks: His Own Life — then head to the annual turtle hatching session (yes, with real, tiny turtles). Other highlights include chats about everything from beer, bushfires, the pandemic and spiders to dinosaurs, artificial intelligence and the art of scientific illustrations. [caption id="attachment_799285" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Loggerhead hatchling, World Science festival 2017[/caption]
If you needed more evidence that teenagers are becoming even smarter at a younger age, look no further. A new trend has emerged in Midwest America, where teenagers are reportedly soaking candy in alcohol in order to get drunk. Long gone are the days when young hooligans would wait outside the bottle shop and desperately beg the first bloke with facial hair to buy them a case of Bacardi Breezers. Instead, candy is being soaked in spirits before being consumed in a seemingly harmless practice. These teenagers were even able to pick the cutest and most innocent candy as their method of intoxication: the gummy bear. Darcy Jensen from Prairie View Prevention Services works in South Dakota to stop underage drinking. She notes that whilst the problem has not yet become widespread, she has already sent out warnings to schools across the state about the dangerous new practice. "Maybe someone has offered the candy and they didn't even know. So telling the kids ahead of time this could be something to be aware of is important," she said. Darcy raises a valid point. Teenagers might think twice about accepting a drink from a stranger, but a gummy bear? Never. She notes that this new trend will provide parents with a good opportunity to talk to their children about the hazards of underage drinking, and describes the gummy bears as "a good conversation starter." Maybe confectionery giants should start selling candy in brown paper bags from now on. [via Keloland]
