Everyone shops for new homewares at IKEA, but not everyone takes their IKEA shopping and turns it into something new. If you've always wanted to be one of those people — and who hasn't? — now you can. Just let the folks at Laneway Learning show you what to do. Their IKEA Hack class is exactly what you think it is: a lesson in transforming an off-the-shelf item into a one-off treasure. You'll be converting an ordinary, everyday lampshade into an original and creative decorative piece, and brightening up your house in more ways than one. You'll also be jumping into a world of IKEA fun, with reconfiguring and revamping the Swedish retail giant's bit and pieces — and working with recycled materials and found objects — quite the popular endeavour. This could be the start of a whole new way of looking at furniture, and a new pastime. Image: Teste di Legno.
Not everyone can road trip around the United States, surveying its natural monuments and snapping the results; however, everyone can share in the aftermath of Holly Riding's scenic journey. Exactly a year ago, she was photographing grand American sights. Now, her unedited images form the basis of her own show. As shot on 35mm, Desert Dreams attempts to capture the raw aesthetic of the vast and varied landscape that is often ignored in favour of US clichés. This isn't about the busy cities the rest of the world tends to imagine when they think about America. This is about the remote locations off the beaten path, where beauty is found in simplicity. Riding's A2 photo prints display the spirit of rural USA in all its glory, as does the accompanying hardcover zine. Anyone wanting their own slice of American desert life best head along to Desert Dreams' opening night on May 15, though. They'll be hot off the press, and in limited supply — plus you'll be among the first to revel in the earthy splendour of the exhibition.
Thanks to the internet, cats might be the animal kingdom's reigning rulers when it comes to art; however, man's best friend shouldn't be overlooked. Dogs may not be viral video sensations, but they're no strangers to the spotlight, either. In fact, the tail-wagging canines have a long history in storytelling and mythology. Dog Show dives into the many depictions and interpretations of these four-legged critters, as well as the relationship between people and pooches, for those interested in the intellectual side of things. And when we say many, we mean many. Twenty-five artists have offered their contemporary spin on hounds and puppies. The exhibition also assembles an array of dog-centric drawings, paintings, sculptures and more into one place, in the kind of show that sounds like heaven to anyone who's not a cat person. Here, every dog really will have its day.
You've been there plenty of times to see a show, have a meal, or enjoy some free Friday night comedy, but you might not realise that Brisbane Powerhouse is one of the city's most interesting places. We're not talking about its lineup of performances and events; instead, we're looking at its architecture. The multipurpose arts centre was once an electricity station, then spent decades abandoned and derelict, and was even used as a site for target practice for the army. There's simply nowhere else like it in Brisbane, and the artists behind Made with Light clearly feel the same way. Each of the exhibition's six pieces shines a light — literally — on their heritage-listed, riverside, brick-and-concrete canvas. Audiences are invited to interact, observe and appreciate the familiar venue in its shiny new get-up. Works come from artists Sarah Oxenham, Jonathon Istria, Alinta Krauth, Kellie Williams, Sophie O‘Rourke and Jen Seevinck.
Heading to one of the many markets around Brisbane is a weekend tradition, especially for those keen to stock up on fresh, tasty treats for the week ahead. For residents of the inner west, it's now something they can do closer to home, courtesy of the brand new Red Hill Farmers Markets. Every Sunday morning from May 31, Ithaca Tafe will turn into market central, foodie heaven and all things in between. Featuring produce supplied by farmers and sourced locally, with a strong focus on all things spray-free, this is where everyone serious about their meals is going to want to be. For culinary wizards, gourmet goodies including deli lines, fresh seafood and premium meats are the drawcard, though those fonder of eating than cooking will find plenty to devour on the spot. Those more interested in the non-edible things in life can survey the arts and crafts stalls, or browse for fashion, jewellery and gifts. Shopping is only part of the fun, of course, with live music and other activities also on offer. It's a dog-friendly event, too, so you can take your pet pooch along. This is the fourth venue run by Mark Power, a veteran of the farmers markets game. Regulars at Carseldine, Nundah and Kuraby know just the kind of goodness they're in for. Everyone else: prepare for an artisanal explosion. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
It has only taken a year or so, but Brisbanites have a new tradition: flocking to food trucks and feasting on their delicious treats. It's easy, tasty and can be put into practice any old time. Indeed, barely a day goes by without cuisine-cooking vans converging on a park, corner or street. This week, a certain Swedish retailer becomes the latest place to satisfy your appetite — and yes, there's more than meatballs on the menu. Taking over the Ikea Logan Forecourt, Eats and Beats turns a pop-up event into a party, with a little help from all the mobile eateries you know and love. That'd be King of the Wings, Little Back, Sushi Neko Food Van, Fiery Deli, Vira Lata Food Truck, Viva Paella, Pizzantica, Puerto Taco, Yummi Fruit Ice-Creamery and Grandmas Kiwi Kitchen, just to name a few. Dave Power, Neighbour, Inigo and PocketLove will provide the mood-setting music, so all you need to do is turn up. Who knew heading to Ikea could be so enticing? Image: Pizzantica.
Another year, another multi-part concert by new music ensemble Kupka's Piano, but don't go thinking the Brisbane-based group is simply repeating themselves. The youthful collective profiles the best and latest from European, Australian and international modern art music — and they really do mean that. Indeed, supporting emerging creatives and showcasing first-time works is all part and parcel of the Kupka's Piano experience, truly offering performances of the never-seen — or heard — before variety. In Shivering, Confined, Expiring, the first show in the Extra Mural season, four world premiere pieces feature, each by a young local composer. The concert is a preview of a collaborative project with MakeShift Dance Collective, interspersed with conversations with the musicians, dancers and composers about its evolution. The full version will be unveiled in October, another component of a series that endeavours to step beyond the ensemble's usual boundaries, taking a good look at themselves, their world, and their place in all of space and time.
The Beatles versus The Rolling Stones. Blur versus Oasis. Biggie versus 2Pac. The bands and artists may change, but the rivalry of music always continues. At the New Globe Theatre, scores will be settled and winners decided. The showdown comes courtesy of the venue's Choose Your Weapon series. First up is the height of decadent '80s rock and roll versus the biggest act to come out of the '90s grunge revolution, or, Guns N Roses versus Nirvana. A selection of their classic tracks will be interpreted by three Brisbane bands, with themed burlesque performances contributing to the party. In the Gunners corner sits Bertie Page Clinic, taking you down to Paradise City and helping fend off that cold November rain. Junkyard Diamonds and Walken will smell some teen spirit and come as they are. You don't have to choose sides, but it is all part of the fun.
Melbourne's shindig-instigators Northeast Party House will be dominating Alhambra Lounge with a downright hootenanny to launch their highly anticipated debut album. Any Given Weekend features dancefloor fillers such as 'Youth Allowance' and 'Fake Friends', which are sure to stir a rambunctious crowd. Latest single off the album, 'The Haunted', is a great example of the strong songwriting chops and poppy hooks you can expect from NPH's debut record as a whole. Forming in 2010, these six Melbourne lads began by throwing down sets at warehouse parties, and their reputation for delivering high-energy live performances has stayed strong. Northeast Party House's alternative dance rock is chaotic but never sloppy, and always wildly fun. So don your most easily-danceable outfit and gather the party fiends in your crew, these shows are set for serious shindiggery. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yU63Pertfk8
One minute Sydney's Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O'Dell were writing nostalgic garage pop in a Newtown bedroom. The next, they were on high rotation on triple j and basking in Channel V praise along the lines of "terminally infectious" and "the next big thing". The trio's sweet acoustic sound first hit the ears of influential label I OH YOU (Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays) in September 2013. "A good friend (who I guess I owe a beer to now) called me up and began barking down my phone about an amazing young band from Newtown," explains I OH YOU director Johann Ponniah. After signing up, the lads released their self-titled debut EP on March 28, swanning into the iTunes Australian Charts at #7. Their single 'Delete' was heard on airwaves around the nation and spent some time hanging about the upper reaches of the ARIA Australian Artists Singles Chart. So this month, DMA's are embarking on their very first East Coast tour. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vKSWC5r1tYg
Man, these guys are slaying alternative rock in Australia right now — and for all the right reasons. After a bout of intense national touring with Groovin The Moo and an unforgettable One Night Stand set earlier this year, it's clear that Australian audiences can't seem to get enough of these four guys from Mansfield, Queensland. Violent Soho's latest album, Hungry Ghost, was welcomed with open arms last year by those looking to thrash around in damp mosh pits. With anthemic tracks such as 'Covered in Chrome', 'In the Aisle' and 'Saramona Said', this headliner gig is sure to be an epic evening of sweaty enthusiasm. Over a whopping 14-date national tour (plus Splendour), Violent Soho will be joined by brothers-in-arms The Smith Street Band and Luca Brasi for various shows — either way, it's going to be well worth rocking up for the support band ahead of the main event. Just don't wear precious threads and make sure you come to The Hi-Fi ready to burl out a gravelly singalong. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RN9NC4iQcsA
After a string of supports, many an appearance at big-time music festivals, and a speedy recording of their debut album, Little Bastard are ready to take on some of the nation’s best live music venues on their first headlining tour. And it’s about time. The key to surviving a Little Bastard show is to swig back a few during happy hour, warm up your limbs and be ready in mind and body to let loose. Their stage presence is a whirl of chaos, a ride that should be taken as often as possible, though with great caution and awareness. Hot, breathless, and unrelenting punk anthems will make it difficult to stay, even harder to turn away. Little Bastard never fail to get the party going, and their Brisbane show at Black Bear Lodge will prove no exception. Come along to see the intimate stage try to contain the seven Sydneysiders plus their explosive set.
Melbourne’s own Oscar Key Sung is fast becoming one of Australia’s prized indie artists. It is his storytelling styles mixed with his electro jams and slow and spacious sonic atmospheres that are being heralded the “new” RnB. Now, to mark the occasion of his debut EP release, Oscar is coming to Alhambra to do what he does best—woo the masses with his velvet vocals, full of control, yet colouring outside the lines with unique mastery of the live performance. Oscar has been receiving notable praise since his introduction to the scene back in 2010; from Pitchfork reviews to his peers, Ghostpoet and MeLo-X, to being handpicked for some of the nation’s most revered festivals, there has been no sign of slowing down for Oscar. Catch him alongside local supports Tincture and Motion Picture Actress for what is sure to be the last opportunity to see such a major act in an intimate setting.
In How To Be Single, paralegal Alice (Dakota Johnson) complains about all the things she said she'd do but hasn't. Everyone in the audience can surely relate; actually, as they're watching her dating exploits, they're witnessing that very idea in action. At the outset, the screen adaptation of Liz Tuccillo's novel declares that it won't tell the usual relationship-focused story. That statement proves more aspirational than accurate, with the author's background — co-writing self-help book He's Just Not That into You, as well as penning episodes of Sex and the City — giving you a hint of what to expect. While this Christian Ditter-directed effort might not focus on a typical boy-meets-girl narrative, that doesn't keep the feature out of predictable territory. Following in the footsteps of every other film and TV show about being uncoupled, How To Be Single delves into the moments in-between the love, lust and living happily ever after. More than one woman attempts to accept their amorous lot in life, and learns a few lessons in the process. The idea of forging an identity without a partner is championed, all while the movie's characters keep talking about the guys — or lack thereof — that they're chasing. Cue a New York tale about Alice, her doctor sister Meg (Leslie Mann) and new best friend Robin (Rebel Wilson) — as well as the marriage-obsessed Lucy (Alison Brie), who frequents the same bar. Alice is on a break from her long-term boyfriend, though the heavy-partying Robin encourages her to make the most of her unattached time, particularly when that hiatus becomes permanent. After spending years delivering other people’s babies, Meg finally realises that she wants one of her own. Lucy, meanwhile, has dedicated the last six months to devising an algorithm to help her get the most out of online dating, with little success so far. The journey each character goes on — espousing the joys of going solo while traversing casual flings and potential serious connections — is far from surprising. Nor is the long list of men — a commitment-phobic bartender (Anders Holm) and protective single dad (Damon Wayans Jr.) among them — that pop up along the way. Indeed, when it comes to chronicling the trials and tribulations of modern dating, How To Be Single thinks that saying it is different is enough. And yet while it fails to follow through on that promise, it approaches the typical clichés of its genre with the energy needed to make them entertaining. In fact, packaging up been-there, seen-that stories and passing them off as a twist on standard chick flick fare proves less trying than it sounds, largely thanks to the film's cast. As he did with the less successful Love, Rosie, director Ditter not only shows an affinity for romantic comedy conventions, but for getting the most out of his actors. If the film's biggest downfall is its false assertion that it doesn't fit the expected formula, then its biggest asset is how its talent weathers the routine material they're saddled with. Yes, you've seen all this before, and no, none of it is particularly memorable. But at least Johnson, Wilson, Mann, Brie and company use their charms to keep things lively.
All good things must come to an end — and all great things must bid farewell in style. When it comes to Cheated Hearts, both ring true. Yes, the beloved queer-friendly night is saying goodbye to its Brisbane shenanigans to focus on its Melbourne launch, but it's not going away without throwing an enormous get-together. How else could they mark three-and-a-half years of dancing, booze, beats, babes, photos, videos and fun, after all? All these things combine for one last hurrah at The Brightside. They're not calling it the mother of all parties for no good reason. So, prepare for all the usual shenanigans to brighten up a finale to end all finales, including decorations as far as the eye can see, drinks specials, giveaways and trap, hip hop, RnB and other remixed tunes spun by the Cheated Hearts DJs and their special guests. Plus, there'll be a ball pit. We told you it was going to be epic.
Dig out your finest lilac-coloured threads — and your raspberry beret, too — and get ready to party like it's 1999. Yes, the man and music icon that was Prince has left this life like a cloud of purple rain; however now that the doves have cried, it's time to celebrate. That's why Kristian Fletcher and the New Globe Theatre are hosting a Prince Video Tribute Night, after all. Courtesy of a compilation of live footage and music videos, all projected onto the venue's big screen, they'll run through the pint-sized performer's greatest hits. That means everything from 'Kiss' and 'Sign o' the Times' to 'Gett Off' and 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World', but remember to enjoy it — baby, it'll go much too fast. If there's a better way to show your appreciation for an artist that truly was like no other, then we haven't come across it. When it comes to how you should react, his own words sum it up best: let's go crazy. And when it comes to bidding farewell, Prince knows just what to say again: thank you for a funky time.
If 2015's slate of documentaries has taught audiences anything — and filmmakers, too — it's the value of personal recordings, private scribblings and lost tapes. Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, Amy and Listen to Me Marlon all used previously unheard ramblings, unread notes or unseen footage as their basis, all to great effect. Their accounts of famous subjects unfolded in the best manner possible: in their own unguarded words. Sourcing its treasure trove of audio from a shoebox stashed in a basement for decades, Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict endeavours to do the same as it peers back at the achievements of its titular socialite and collector. Indeed, her musings, all immortalised in the late 1970s by her biographer, provide the highlights of an otherwise cursory film. Guggenheim is a fascinating figure who lived a life most can only dream of, and her personality drips through in her voice and recollections. The material assembled around it, while plentiful, can only feel ordinary in comparison. It traces over the same details, rather than filling in the gaps. Meanwhile, Guggenheim's own mutterings and the accompanying chats, clips and images, seem content with offering description rather than depth. They still tell quite the tale, of course. Born into one of New York's wealthiest Jewish families, the daughter of Titanic victim Benjamin and niece of museum namesake Solomon, Peggy eagerly took on the role of rebel and black sheep, with her refusal to conform to expectations one of the strengths of her ventures in the art world. In Paris in the 1920s, she started buying pieces that caught her eye, and continued to do so until her death in Italy in 1979. In between, she befriended many an artist, founded galleries in Europe and the US, saved pieces from the Nazis and unearthed emerging talent such as Jackson Pollock. When director Lisa Immordino Vreeland isn't letting Guggenheim do the talking, she's compiling the usual mix of archival footage and interviews, with Marina Abramovic and Robert De Niro among those featured. It's the same tactic the filmmaker used in her last effort, Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel — but while both movies are straightforward in their approach, there's considerably less energy and personality this time around. Vreeland's struggle with tone — never quite knowing whether to interrogate the gossip that surrounded Guggenheim's personal affairs or to simply recount the rumours — certainly contributes to the film's lack of liveliness, as does its insistence on serving up a standard biographical documentary instead of a true reflection of its subject. It still makes for pleasant-enough viewing, particularly for art addicts themselves, but it never manages to fully do Guggenheim justice. In fact, it's only her vocal presence that stops the movie from amounting to little more than an interesting video of a Wikipedia listing. Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict will screen for a limited number of sessions at New Farm Cinemas during the last two weekends of January. For sessions times, go here.
If checking out brand new games is the stuff your dreams are made of, then Trees Go Ping is offering up a slice of gaming heaven worth getting excited about. Launching on March 31, the event series showcases titles even the most enthusiastic of players mightn't have come across yet, serves up a few drinks, and gives game aficionados a space to chat, chill and hang out. Perth's SK Games are helping run the first evening, which means their wares will be in the spotlight. Prepare to check out Push Me Pull You, Brolly Folly and Panoramical too, as well as browse for zines and other crafty things, and snack on chocolate crackles. If that's not enough to pique your interest — and getting a sneak peek at yet-to-be-released games really should be — then the event's ticketing structure might attract your attention. Pay $10 at the door, $5 if you're broke and zilch if you just want to stick your head in and see if it's for you. At that price, you've got nothing to lose.
Like cocktails? Like devouring them at one of the Valley's favourite hangouts? No, they're not trick questions. If you answered yes to both — and we're certain that you did — then you're going to love Dutch Courage Officers' Mess latest boozy masterclasses. Not content with wowing thirsty folks with their drinks list — pavlova sour, anyone? — the Alfred Street hotspot wants to impart their beverage-shaking wisdom to their patrons. Every third Saturday of each month, they'll be enlisting their top-tier bartenders to share the tricks of the trade in themed afternoon sessions. Each class will cover everything from the tools you need to the basics of cocktail structure, as well as the history of alcoholic concoctions and tips for making your own recipes, too. All things fresh and floral will kick things off in February, with liquid desserts, winter warmers and a spice trade sojourn among the future topics. Whatever the subject, we're betting that a certain clear spirit will feature among the ingredients; this is a bar that boasts more than 120 gins on site, after all.
Boys of Summer isn't just the name of an '80s Don Henley song — yes, the track that you probably have stuck in your head right now, even if you didn't previously know who sings it. From February 20, it's also the name of Black Bear Lodge's latest club night. Two things are in focus here, and they're both certain to please. First, there's dance floor-filling classic 80’s rock and pop combined with modern hiphop and R&B. Then, there's a smattering of up-and-coming and veteran DJs. As you've no doubt figured out, the latter will be spinning and mixing the former. As far as music to groove to goes, expect an evening inspired by Countdown reruns, MTV highlights and VEVO playlists. And when it comes to talents behind the decks, expect to be in good hands — veteran selector D.Black of Common People and The Depot fame is in the curator's chair, after all.
There's more to working in a pub than just serving tasty liquids, as many a bartender will tell you. That doesn't stop punters thinking they can pour beers and move kegs — but could they really? If you've ever wanted to put your skills to the test, then Woolly Mammoth has the event for you. And, if you're a hardworking hospitality worker who has always wanted to showcase your finely tuned talents in a public competition, the Fortitude Valley bar has just the thing for you, too. At the first-ever edition of Cellarman Games, willing participants will work through the many challenges of providing thirsty patrons with their favourite tipples. Pulling apart beer taps and making cocktails on the spot are all part of the fun, with entrants competing for vouchers, tickets and Young Henry's goodies. Of course, as is always the case in all booze-related contests, the real prize is bragging rights.
If there's one topic science fiction can't get enough of, it's artificial intelligence. And if there's one situation sci-fi films can't stop contemplating, it's the interplay between humans and technology with consciousness. In The Matrix, people were plugged into a computer program — and in Her, a lonely guy fell in love with an operating system. Existenz played with virtual reality, while Ex Machina tried to tell the difference between a robot and a person. All four became classics of the genre, and now feature in the Mind vs Machine: What Makes Us Human? film program that accompanies the World Science Festival Brisbane. If any subject was destined to have its own mini film fest as part of a science event, it was this one. And of course, they screen alongside the ultimate movie example, aka Blade Runner, because it wouldn't be an exploration of AI in cinema without Ridley Scott's seminal science fiction effort.
When Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) returns to the world of fashion, very few people care. In Zoolander 2, the male model finds that everyone has moved on during his 15-year absence; in fact, upon his arrival at the Rome airport with his rival turned best buddy Hansel (Owen Wilson), the paparazzi barely give him a second glance. The dim-witted character's on-screen comeback appears to subvert the film's off-screen reality, given that audiences have been clamouring for a follow-up to Zoolander ever since the 2001 feature became a cult favourite. Alas, it actually proves a sign of things to come, with the sequel rendering its central figure utterly forgettable. The Derek Zoolander of today might still boast shiny hair and his famous facial expressions, but he's now a recluse who gave up his career and son after a tragedy. Only an invitation to sashay down the runway for superstar seamstress Alexanya Atoz (Kristen Wiig) lures him back into the spotlight, though his trip to Italy also thrusts him into the thick of another conspiracy plot. This time, celebrities are dropping like flies, leaving pouting, blue steel-style selfies behind. Enter Interpol fashion division agent Valentina (Penélope Cruz), who needs Derek's help to put an end to the assassinations. Like many sequels, Zoolander 2 knows that viewers liked the first film, and isn't willing to stray far from that winning formula for its second outing. That means not just a similar story, the same levels of sartorial silliness and ample stupid dialogue, but plenty of overt nods to its predecessor. Indeed, spotting the references, repeats and rehashes — a familiar face here, a recycled line there — is perhaps the most enjoyable part of the movie. If you think that's a bad sign, you'd be right. If you think that everything else feels stretched, with countless twists and gags about obvious pop culture targets, you'd be right there too. That sense of déjà vu you're feeling is by design. What sets the two films apart, other than the sequels bloated narrative, is their respective strike rates. Zoolander might've been little more than a collection of exaggerated sketches and quotable dialogue, but at least its jokes landed more often than they didn't, whether skewering the fashion industry or taking aim at society's obsession with superficiality. Here, the recognisable content raises a smile, but attempts to contemplate loyalty, legacy and longevity come across as cheap and easy. Everything else — taking down hipsters, packing in cameo appearances, literally killing off Justin Bieber, and having Hansel date an orgy — falls flat. At least Stiller, as co-writer, director and star, can't be accused of lacking enthusiasm either in front of or behind the lens. Zoolander 2 is left wanting in the surprise and subtlety departments, however it forges ahead with the same energy he brings to his performance. Acting-wise, he's pulling the same faces and hitting the same beats — as is Wilson and scene-stealing fellow returnee Will Ferrell as devious designer Mugatu — but he doesn't seem as strained as the material he's working with. Ultimately though, Stiller's eagerness isn't enough. Just like there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking, there should be more to a long-awaited sequel than blatantly reliving past glories.
Brisbanites really don't do anything by halves. If we like a kind of food, then every second corner seems to be selling it — and if we're start getting into a particular pastime, then it just keeps on popping up. Take handball for example, with the sport bouncing back into the city in a big way. Not only is there an annual festival dedicated to it, but now there's a Sunday arvo smackdown at Woolly Mammoth. Yes, those keen for an end of weekend sesh with their mates can add the game we all played at lunchtime to the agenda. Schoolyard rules apply, though points will also be awarded for aces, the best heckle and the best cheer squad. Plus, because the comp is sponsored by Stone & Wood Brewing, the winners will receive a stack of beer as high as their tallest team member. That's as good a reason to jump on the bandwagon of revisiting this childhood activity as any.
Heading to St Jerome's Laneway Festival? Ready for a jam-packed lineup of indie tunes, gourmet grub and all-round urban fest fun? That's just the start of your Saturday. Yes, what you do after your epic outing matters. If you're keen on keeping the official shenanigans going, there's only one place you should run to once the main attraction is over. We suggest shuffling your sneakers on down to The Foundry, because that's where the after party will keep the revelry going into the early hours of Sunday. After live music has filled your ears all day, DJ sets will get you grooving all night. Chvrches, Health, The Smith Street Band and DJ Slymewave from Big Scary will all be working the decks, plus more to be announced. Our second suggestion is to snap up your tickets asap, because this is guaranteed to sell out.
Spotlight is a 'deep breath' movie. The kind that holds you in your seat long after the final frame and leaves you staring at the credits lost in deep, uncomfortable thoughts. You find yourself at once furious and disconsolate, avoiding others’ gaze when possible, and offering mutual half smiles when not. Others simply cry. This is a film about child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, told through the eyes of the Boston Globe journalists who uncovered and exposed it in 2002. The name, Spotlight, refers to the Globe's long-term investigative unit, a four person team whose secretive research and day-to-day operations existed largely outside the newspaper’s conventional structure – a sort of journalistic special forces if you will. Directed by Tom McCarthy (Win Win), Spotlight is, in almost every respect, a masterclass in restraint. From the performances, to the writing, to the direction and, most importantly, to the actions taken by the reporters themselves, it is the definitive anti-clickbait film; an ardent dedication to both an age and institution when the priority of media outlets was not 'first' but 'right'. For the Spotlight team, the mere selection of a story might take months and its final form not see the light of day for more than a year. If something couldn’t be substantiated, the story would be held for a few more months until it could. To imagine that level of patience (and budgetary freedom) in the modern era of twenty-four hour news is all but inconceivable. Of the film's six Academy Award nominations, two are for best supporting performances by Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, though more could (and perhaps should) have easily been spread across the entire cast. Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, Billy Crudup, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James and Stanley Tucci all contribute incredibly passionate and complex portrayals of the journalists and lawyers responsible for either exposing or protecting the church’s extraordinarily sordid past and practices. Indeed, there are no weak links in this confident, consummate picture, whose deft touch and understated approach neatly reflect the disciplined reserve of its characters. Powerful, absorbing and deeply moving, Spotlight is almost certainly the best film about journalism, and, specifically, print media, of at least the past decade. Probably more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg5zSVxx9JM
It's the news Brisbane eastsiders have been waiting for, and anyone keen on mixing up their Sunday morning shopping routine will be pretty happy about it too. Come January 31, the Carindale PCYC will be playing host to a new weekly market. It's called Moo and Glue. And the great name is just the beginning — though, when it comes to summing up both the farm-fresh and handmade goodies on offer, the market's moniker really does get the message across. They're backing it up with the usual mix of stalls and trucks, all selling things that will stock your pantry, fill your stomach and decorate your home. On the edible side of equation, expect locally grown produce from The Happy Veg, fresh bread from The Baker's Corner, caffeinated brews from Mr Barista, ice cream from Miss Daisy and sweet treats from Eat That Cake. More stallholders are being announced on a regular basis, so expect that list to grow. Yes, you're allowed to get hungry just thinking about it. Elsewhere, you'll find an international food court lined with many of the city's favourite mobile eateries, plus a jumping castle for younger attendees. Basically, it's the weekend marketplace locals have been dreaming of — and a much needed addition to this patch of Brisbane. The first Moo and Glue Farmer's, Craft and Boutique Market will take place on January 31 at the Carindale PCYC, 27 Narracott St, Carina, and will run every Sunday morning from 7am. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase, "How very droll," listen up. NPR humorist, bestselling author and creator of uncomfortably real windows into human existence David Sedaris is coming back to Australia. Returning for a national tour in January 2016, the beloved American humour writer will bring his trademark sardonic wit and social critique to the stage for An Evening with David Sedaris, his third tour to Australia. Celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances, must-read pieces in The New Yorker and his unputdownable books Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and his most recent book, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, Sedaris is no stranger to telling it like it is — and don't expect our own country to get away unscrutinised. "I love the airports of Australia," says Sedaris. "Security wise, they’re like stepping into a time machine and coming out in 1975. No one yells at you, you get to keep your shoes on. It’s heaven. Coming from the UK, I also appreciate how open the people are, how willing to talk about money. ‘How much did your house cost?’ I ask. ‘How much do you make per year?’ In Europe people pass out when you ask that question, but in Australia, they just jump right in and answer." Sedaris's last Australian tours sold out quicksmart, so you're going to want to lock these down when they're on sale 9am August 14. AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS TOUR DATES: January 17 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tickets via ticketek.com.au. January 18 and 19 — Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Tickets via sydneyoperahouse.com. January 20 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane. Tickets via ticketek.com.au January 21 and 22 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets via artscentremelbourne.com.au. January 23 — Theatre Royal, Hobart, Tickets via theatreroyal.com.au. January 24 — Octagon Theatre, Perth. Tickets via ticketswa.com. Tickets on sale 9am Friday, August 14. Image: Anna Fishbein.
The '90s really are the decade that just keeps on giving. You lived through the outfits and the music, then looked back with astonishment after they passed. Now, enough time has elapsed that you can embrace them again with the affection you’ve always been secretly harbouring. You know it's true. That’s where the ‘90s Music Video Party comes in, celebrating the decade everyone once pretended to forget but now loves to remember. Nostalgia is unavoidable as three hours of your favourite tunes set a retro mood, accompanied by the corresponding music videos on the big screen. Last time this event it was held, it sold out — that's how much everyone wants to pretend to travel back in time. Yes, the bubblegum pop of Aqua and the grunge of Soundgarden will combine, and the MMMbop of Hanson and the room shaking of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince too. Hop on to the event’s Facebook page in advance to request your must-hear track, then make like The Spice Girls and say you’ll be there.
While women are more present than ever in the armed forces, the military uniform somehow remains a symbol of hyper-masculinity. It evokes ‘manly’ ideas of discipline, power and emotional disconnection — and, of course, there's the old trope lauding the physical appeal of a man in uniform. In Men in Uniform, Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours candidate Sally Edwards uses a collection of men’s fashion to playfully reinterpret the military uniform and its masculine associations. The exhibition takes the form of a one-night-only runway show, where Edwards’ collection sees combat fatigues and trench coats become pink PVC and orange knits, questioning current notions of masculinity and how they are communicated through fashion. Be at AC-H Gallery from 5pm, 17 October, to see Men in Uniform march down the runway. Photo by Yck Strong.
Sometimes, one festival just isn't enough. As ace as the Teneriffe Festival is, the festival within the festival is one of its biggest drawcards. That'd be the Pork, Fork & Cork Festival, Part IV, and its annual ode to tasty food and beverages. As the name suggests, this is the street party's fourth year, which means they've perfected the art of eating, drinking and being merry. Festival mainstays Alfred & Constance, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Chester Street Bakery, Kwan Brothers and Limes Hotel are all part of the fun, showcasing savoury sensations, specialty cocktails and all-ages milkshakes. They're joined by the Doughnut Time caravan, which means ample parcels of sweet pasty goodness that no one can resist. Newcomer Little Wick Winery will also pop up, and if you don't know who they are now, you won't be able to forget afterwards. The festival marks the first public unveiling of their venture, Queensland's first urban winery. Now that's something to sip and savour — and to keep talking about afterwards. You can do just that at one of the two official afterparties, on the rooftop at Limes Hotel and inside the walls of Alfred & Constance — where else?
Maths and art may not seem like easy bedfellows, but don't tell that to Genine Marie Larin, Meagan Streader and Robert Andrew. The emerging Brisbane creatives have banded together to explore line as a point of movement. No, this isn't just a show filled with paintings of stripes. Their exhibition is called Superlinear, a term that has specific mathematic significance. It describes a function that grows faster than a linear one — and is also used when a line departs from the two-dimensional plane. Think about brush strokes expanding and rushing forward, and that should give you an idea of the types of images they're working with. Superlinear also marks the eagerly awaited relaunch of the Spiro Grace Art Rooms, Spring Hill's favourite dynamic exhibition space. What better way to rechristen a place that attempts to leap ahead of the artistic pack than with a show based on doing the same? Now that's a great creative equation.
"When you've got it, flaunt it," the song goes — and when it comes to Australian movies, filmmakers have taken that advice. What they've got is a stunning outback setting, and they certainly know how to show it off. The latest example: Strangerland. A tale about missing children, arguing parents and the many factors that have caused both states of affairs, Strangerland has plenty of other things going for it. There's the high-profile cast of Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving, for one. There's the simmering mood of melodrama, for another. There's never any doubt, however, that this is a movie defined by its location. The Parker family — pharmacist Matthew (Fiennes), his wife Catherine (Kidman), teenager daughter Lily (Maddison Brown) and younger son Tom (Nicholas Hamilton) — has moved to the country town of Nathgari, laying low and hiding from past troubles. It's the kind of place where the locals know each other by name, and where there's little to do but complain about the heat, which the newcomers do plenty. It's also the kind of place where kids wander and adults wonder, as happens when Lily and Tom disappear into the night, leaving Matthew and Catherine looking for answers. A determined cop (Weaving) investigates the case, his detective work uncovering family surprises, marital tensions and deep-seeded disharmony, while a dust storm complicates his search. A remote town turned ugly and a scenic setting brimming with complexity fuel Strangerland, recalling the likes of Wake in Fright, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Mystery Road. They're comparisons first-time feature director Kim Farrant seems happy to conjure, leaning heavily on the oppressive nature of the landscape as she does. Her film lingers, both lovingly and a little too long, on aerial shots of the rock, dirt and scrub, making the harshness of the Australian desert evident. In fact, postcard-worthy pictures of the nation's interior receive almost as much screen time as the actors. That's not to say that the cast doesn't have much to do, just that they're often dwarfed by their background — and that rings true not just visually but in the story. Kidman carries the weight of past tensions in her performance, one of her best of late, as a woman trapped on several levels. In contrast, Fiennes doesn't fare as well at expressing his character's inner turmoil, leaving his on-screen wife the star of the show. The third point in their tussle, the ever-welcome Weaving, makes the best of a stock-standard part. Indeed, stock-standard describes the majority of Strangerland as it sticks to the 'atmospheric Australian drama' playbook. What sets the movie apart from other efforts, however, is its refreshing consideration of female sexuality — a rarity in films of this and other ilk. It seems that the women at the feature's core have also heeded guidance about flaunting what they've got, their desire and desperation proving gripping viewing. Strangerland is at its most powerful when contrasting Lily's blossoming youth with Catherine's need to connect, and coping with the crises that spring from both. The space between the two is the real mystery unfolding in the outback.
“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are,” said Anais Nin — but what does that mean in these selfie-taking times? We use social media to share our thoughts and to cultivate our identities. We build our sense of selves through snaps and posts, and we form opinions of others through their online presence. We know that they do likewise. There's plenty of food for thought in the topic, so custom garment printers The Print Bar and creative collective The Push have asked 16 female artists to chew it over. Not Yr Sweetheart is the result, pondering who we want to appear to be in our current social media-heavy climate, and doing so through graffiti, jewellery, photography, large-scale murals, ceramics, print making, illustration, typography, sound and fashion design. It's a diverse showcase of fluid personalities, a celebration of a handpicked group of local talent, and — like our internet-mediated images — whatever we perceive it to be. It's also a chance to support Australian (and one US) creatives as you're laughing, questioning, dancing and interacting with their works, with all sale profits going back to the artists and their efforts to forge their identities.
You've watched films based on World War II. You've read books and possibly seen plays, too. You might not have seen an immersive dance theatre installation, though — but now, thanks to performer and Phluxus2 Dance Collective artistic director Nerida Matthae, you can. In putting together the company's latest production, she took inspiration from photographs of her grandfather, a German paratrooper. His experiences provided the starting point for The Paratrooper Project, and for an expression of several lines of thinking about history and conflict. How does the past, particularly when filled with traumatic acts, influence the present? What imprint does war leave upon current day realities? Down in the trenches, that's what Matthae and fellow collaborators Gareth Belling, Gabriel Comerford and Margi Brown Ash investigate through movement. Together, they dance through remnants and imaginings of time, memory, action and trauma — but they're not alone. As the performers are placed in the battle zone, surrounded by 12 moving parachutes and accompanied by a soundtrack that utilises artillery, you can walk through and explore the set. You won't just witness the intimate, thought-provoking rumination on conflict — you'll be a part of it.
Everyone loves pop songs — and anyone who says they don't is probably lying. It's okay, they've got a reputation to uphold. For one night at the Brightside, though, they don't have to pretend otherwise. Punk Goes Pop! is exactly what it sounds like: punk bands covering pop songs. It's based on the series of albums of the same name, first released in 2002, offering loud, fast-paced, rock-infused versions of everyone from 'N Sync to Belinda Carlisle, Rihanna to Kanye West, and Taylor Swift to Mumford & Sons. The list goes on. The Brightside's version offers a fun twist, with local bands Double Lined Minority, Set the Record, Seabound and Elegies along for the ride. They're serving up covers of covers of pop songs, like a nesting doll of new takes on catchy chart toppers. Between sets, Thriller DJs will spin the original compilations to ensure the upbeat mood never wavers. And then there's the drink of the evening, the aptly titled bucket cocktail Falling in Reverse's Take On Coolio's 'Gangstas Paradise' Was the Worst Cover in the History Of Music. Best order it when the music is quiet.
It's the yearly exhibition that leaves us with jaws on the floor; the 59th annual World Press Photo exhibition is coming to Australia for another year. Beating 97,912 submissions by 5692 photographers from 131 countries, Denmark's Mads Nissen took out the top spot for 2014 Photo of the Year for his intimate, poignant portrait of Jon and Alex, a gay couple in conservative St Petersburg, Russia. After almost six decades of beautiful and devastating photojournalism, the WPP contest continues to be one of the world's most important platforms for art, journalism and humanising the headlines. The World Press Photo exhibition can be seen at Sydney’s State Library of NSW, May 23 – June 21; WA Museum in Perth, July 4 – 26; and Brisbane Powerhouse, August 8 – 30. Before the exhibition makes its way to Australia, take a look through some of the landmark images that caught the eye of the WPP judges; from an orphaned rhino in Kenya to Lionel Messi at Brazil's World Cup, Istanbul's anti-government protests to a young Kamilaroi girl in Moree, New South Wales. With many of the photographs documenting the more saddening news headlines, they're often not easy images to look at, but it's the work of these photojournalists that wakes up an otherwise ignorant world.
Bangarra's latest work, lore, celebrates the passing-down of knowledge from one generation to the next. For 25 years, Bangarra has created dance works to enlighten audiences about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures survive today. As its title suggests, lore is no different in providing a stage for ancient spirituality to meet the 21st century. lore is a double bill, and making the rounds to Canberra, Wollongong, Brisbane and Melbourne, following a successful premiere at the Opera House on June 11. Seasoned choreographer Frances Rings' Sheoak is followed by I.B.I.S, by Deborah Brown and Waangenga Blanco, in their choreographic debut. Both Sheoak and I.B.I.S. transport the viewer to sacred places, whether at the roots of an all-giving Grandmother tree or surveying the beauty of the Torres Strait. Bangarra never shies away from social commentary; the works address everything from climate change to racial inequality. Yet in the staunch declarations of identity onstage, there is a constant look to the future, with hope.
Like your culture with a side of scares, your tunes on the heavier end of the spectrum, and your performances gloomier than most? Does your festival-going experience feel incomplete if you're not donning a costume while you're taking in a show? Whether you want to indulge your dark side, or you're just looking to attend a different kind of shindig, one event has you covered. That'd be the Dead of Winter, Brisbane's horror music and arts festival. Because there truly is a place for everything, Australia’s only boutique celebration of all things brooding and mysterious, culture-wise, has enjoyed revelling in the type of stuff most other events overlook since 2009. Think motley crews of horror punk lovers and misfit metal heads — and that's only the beginning. Rock, hardcore, blues and psychobilly combines with burlesque, comedy and even fashion in an event that really isn't like any other. A lineup of local and international underground bands and sideshows — including Tumbleweed, The Go Set, Lord, Dreadnaught, The Resignators and A Breach of Silence — will span multiple stages for a whole day of on-theme fun of the macabre and moody variety. It all happens on Saturday July 25 at the Jubilee Hotel, with tickets already on sale. Until then, it is perfectly acceptable to hole up watching horror movies while trying to decide which costumes to wear.
If you’ve been teetering on the brink of comic book and superhero fatigue, meet the movie that just might push you over the edge. In the case of the latest version of Fantastic Four, it’s not just the fact that every month seems to see a new film in the genre reach cinemas (or the knowledge that this particular content was translated to the screen just last decade). It's also the feature's embrace of cliché, grim tone and a complete lack of energy that causes it to grate, and then some. Fantastic Four is yet another gritty reboot of a superhero origin story. In case you can’t remember the 2005 film of the same name and its 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (or in case you’ve willingly forgotten them), the series mythology concerns a quartet of friends who get genetically altered and gain superpowers — stretchy limbs, rock-like skin, bursting into flames and invisibility. The characters first created in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are now brought back to the big screen by Chronicle writer/director Josh Trank. Reed Richards (Miles Teller), Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) and Johnny Storm (Michael B Jordan) travel to another dimension and come back changed, with the latter's sister Sue (Kate Mara) also caught up in the fallout. Their one-time friend Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell) goes with them...but doesn’t fare quite so well. With X-Men: Days of Future Past writer Simon Kinberg and The Lazarus Effect's Jeremy Slater helping on the script, Trank’s take is as stern and serious as his cast are young and fresh-faced — think Fantastic Four filtered through the template of a teen drama, even if the actors are slightly older than that. Outcasts come together, trouble ensues, and everyone tries to come to terms with their trauma in a manner not unlike many after-school specials. Yes, life lessons are also learned, including the all-important “never drink and teleport” and “don’t touch the green, glowing goo”. It all makes for as low-key, downbeat affair as comic book adaptations have seen, with the cast the saving grace. The presence of the five key players — plus Reg E Cathey as Johnny and Sue's father — is a welcome one, although their performances hardly live up to the great work they've delivered in the past. Bell's version of the Thing is the feature's highlight, though we hear much more of the actor than we see. In his brooding brute of boulders, a glimpse of the emotion Trank is aiming for is apparent, albeit only briefly. That Teller and co. hardly shine could be a reflection of the stilted dialogue they’re spouting, (including a blatant one-line rip-off of Ghostbusters) as well as the unengaging series set-up they're immersed in. When all the lab scenes, messy action and cheap-looking special effects ultimately build up to the bestowing of the group’s name (aka the movie’s title), disappointment isn’t the only emotion you'll be feeling. As a concept, there’s plenty of interest in Fantastic Four — and yet filmmakers keep floundering in bringing it to the screen. A sequel is already slated, of course, and here's hoping that it tells a new tale with a smattering of enthusiasm, rather than blandly rehashing familiar territory.
Everyone's favourite annual celebration of France is back for another year. That'd be the Brisbane French Festival, complete with all the fine food, busy market stalls and fun activities Francophiles have come to expect. This year's three-day cultural affair features plenty of all three, although the wine and cheese pavilion is certain to be everyone's first port of call. If you're able to tear yourself away from feasting on deliciousness, you can browse for homewares, gifts, fashion, books and magazines, or enjoy live music, dance classes and even magic and acrobatics. Want to steep yourself a little deeper in French style? That's where the fashion shows and masterclasses come in. Jostle for the front row as designers Jérôme L'Huillier and Mette Pedersen showcase their chic stuff, or learn about everything from French table settings to Bordeaux vineyards. Then, cap off your weekend of Gallic goodness with a glass of champagne — yes, there's a session on that too, of course.
How much do you know about the tutu, the fitted bodice and round skirt combination that ballerinas wear? Well, you know that. You might not know that they were designed to promote maximum movement while exposing fancy footwork. And they debuted back in 1832 in Paris, making them almost 200 years old. Over those two centuries, they've become an icon of the ballet world, with dancers and audiences alike accustomed to seeing them in pale, single shades. If you've ever wondered what a different take on the tutu would look like, now you can find out. That's the task the Australian Ballet charged the nation's top designers with for a one-off Sydney performance in 2003 — but a great item of clothing never goes out of fashion. QUT Art Museum are bringing these timeless garments to Brisbane, including creations by Akira, Collette Dinnigan, Dinosaur Designs, Easton Pearson, Alex Perry, Sass and Bide, Scanlan and Theodore, Harry Seidler and Tigerlily. Here, dance meets design in the most stunning, stylish way, and a romanticised costume gets reinvented.
Nothing says you're sorry like a pom pom. If you haven't heard that saying before, don't worry. We might've just made it up, but we're simply following in Rachel Lynch's footsteps. Since September 2015, Lynch has been the go-to gal for woollen tokens of apology after making her own, letting it loose on Instagram and watching the world take notice. Her fluffy balls of remorse inspired others to follow suit, resulting in an ongoing community art project and The Print Bar's Apomogy exhibition. The former, like the underlying concept itself, is as straightforward as it sounds: all manner of people craft their own pom poms, attach their candid confessions, and then post them off to be included in the artwork. The latter showcases the project as it currently stands, complete with multi-coloured bundles and hand-scrawled notes galore, as well as workshops to help apologetic folks whip up their best creations. Who knew saying sorry could be so much fun?
Thirsty? If you're not now, you will be once you've read this. That's the only appropriate reaction to a festival of beer, after all. Just think of all the amber liquids and foamy goodness. Okay, enough drooling; here are the important details every ale lover needs: more than 130 beers and ciders will be on offer, plus an international food court. To set the mood for two full days of booze and food, there'll also be live music from none other than Daryl Braithwaite and Shannon Noll. You don't turn a beer fest into a long weekend bonanza without calling in the pub rock big guns. Eating and drinking might be the main attractions at Brisbane Beer Fest's 2016 outing, but this is also an event for those serious about their beverages too. Amid the tasting and the sampling of more tipples than you could dream of, you can also meet the folks behind 20-plus breweries and find out their tricks of the trade. If there's a beer heaven, this is it. Image via Green Beacon Brewing.
Feel like being inspired? In need of a positive evening out? Trust Peppermint Magazine, Australia's own eco fashion and lifestyle quarterly, to come up with an event that fits the bill: their PepTalks series. Launching on March 22 at Wandering Cooks, PepTalks embraces both interpretations of its name. Yes, fab folks featured in the magazine's pages will chat about their work, lives and efforts to make a difference. Yes, their discussion will pep you right up. Justine Flynn, Hailey Bartholomew and Shannon Sheedy are the first inspiring figures in the PepTalks hot seat, sharing their experiences founding social enterprise organisation Thankyou, making short films, and creating sustainable homewares and lifestyle brand Dharma Door respectively. Plus, talk isn't the only thing on the menu, with snacks from Sol Breads, Woombye Cheese Company and Loving Earth chocolate also on offer, as well as a drink on arrival.
If art should make audiences think differently about the world around them, then Geoff Todd has hit the jackpot. Sure, his work has been displayed by the National Gallery of Australia and other prestigious institutions, and featured in exhibitions across the United States, Austria, Hong Kong and Italy as well; however his real aim is to shed light on those often ignored. Focusing on the mythological creatures of several cultures, and following their transformation from their original incarnations, Todd's Beautiful Beasts dissects figures that are frequently persecuted and misunderstood. Of course, while his paintings and drawings depict sirens, minotaurs and more, it's not difficult to see the real-life, modern-day parallels. Indeed, there's something probing and mesmerising about his pieces, which draw upon Todd's labourious research. Thankfully, pondering his art and its meaning isn't limited to his latest show, with the event doubling as the launch of his new book of the same name.
If you had a childhood fear of swimming at the beach, tried to get your bicycle to fly, dreamed of becoming an archeologist or begged your parents to take you to a dinosaur-filled theme park, then we're betting you grew up watching movies made by one man. That's just the impact Steven Spielberg's films had on kids of the '80s and '90s. Now, decades later, your youthful obsession is about to come in handy in the most important way possible. First, gather your similarly fanatical friends. Then, head on over to Shady Palms to strut your stuff at their Spielberg trivia night. Yes, Steven Spielberg (not to be mistaken for Senor Spielbergo) is in the spotlight at the next Man vs Bear-hosted battle of knowledge, which is good news for everyone who wore out their family VCR or DVD player watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Jurassic Park over and over again. Questions about everything from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Schindler's List to Saving Private Ryan and War of the Worlds are bound to pop up — and, if you emerge victorious, you'll probably be crowned the next JJ Abrams. If you've seen Super 8, you already know that the Lost creator and Force Awakens director is the world's number one Spielberg expert.
In the space where someone makes art, two things combine. The product of their efforts takes shape as a tangible object, and the tools of their labor remain scattered around it. The artwork is the main attraction, but it wouldn't have been possible without a range of mundane items and materials. With Catacoustics III, Charles Robb once again connects the two into composite sculptural forms or installations. And he does so while building upon his previous efforts and considering another important artifact of the creative process: the public monument. Accordingly, as he explores the slippages that occur in an artists' studio, as well as the contemporary possibilities of his chosen medium of sculpture, he also constructs a fragmented replica of the Ian Fairweather (1891–1974) memorial rock on Bribie Island. Inside and outside forms of art merge, as do the familiar and strange, and the meticulously crafted and refined but also strangely disorienting, in an exhibition that ponders both form and purpose.
Everyone knows that music is best when it is live and loud, and Brisbane has the event to prove it. That’d be the aptly named Brisbane Live Music Week, a seven-day showcase of the city’s sonic shenanigans presented by community radio station 4ZZZ. Any and all gigs taking place in Brisbane from March 20 to 26 technically fit the bill, but there’s much more to the third celebration of the city’s thriving music scene than that. There’s also one-off shows, the Queensland Music Awards and an Autumn sound smorgasbord, championing a variety of acts, styles and venues. City and Colour, Melissa Etheridge, Bixby Canyon and Steve Earle and the Dukes all feature on a lineup that any event would dream of having, spanning local legends, home-grown up-and-comers and international stars. Keep checking the BLMW website for the latest additions, and for those who can’t make it in person, there’ll be special live-to-air performances across 4ZZZ and their online outlets.
Forget awards ceremonies — acting classes are where the real heroes of the stage and screen can be found. Sure, you mightn't have heard of any of the folks learning their craft yet, but you will. Today's aspiring thespians are tomorrow's stars. That's why productions such as The Government Inspector are must-see affairs if you're serious about theatre and the performing arts. Final-year QUT Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) students will tread the boards to showcase their skills, and treat audiences to a retelling of a satirical Russian play in the process. If you're not already acquainted with the underlying story, don't worry — tales of corrupt government officials never feel anything less than familiar. In David Harrower's translation of Nikolai Gogol's classic piece, the arrival of the titular character sends a self-serving mayor into a panic. Chaos results, but only when it comes to the narrative, not the up-and-coming cast of talented performers.
