Is your wardrobe overflowing with clothes that you don't wear? We've all been there, and we've all been too busy to do anything about it. Through its op shops, Australian Red Cross finds a new home for your pre-loved outfits, shoes and accessories, with proceeds going towards its charity efforts — but we all know that wanting to donate your old threads is one thing and finding the time to do it is another. That's why Australian Red Cross has once again partnered with Uber for its annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive. When it launched in 2018, it collected over 43,500 kilograms of clothing in that first year alone, which saw clothing items worth an estimated $800,000 donated. And you'd best take the drive part literally, as the ride-sharing service will actually drive to your house, pick up your unwanted clothes and accessories, and deliver them to Red Cross Shops. Even better: it's not only super easy to take part, but it's free as well. Brisbanites just make sure you're ready between 10am–4pm on Saturday, November 19. Once you've bagged up all of your old bits and pieces (items you'd happily give your best friend, and no toys, books, furniture or electrical objects) into a bundle that weighs no more than 20 kilograms, it's all incredibly simple. Open the Uber app during that six-hour window, then find the 'package' option. After that, you need to click 'send a package', enter "Red Cross Clothing Drive" as the destination, and select one of the Red Cross Clothing Drive locations displayed An Uber driver will then stop outside your house, meaning that you just need to take your preloved goods out to their car. Voila, you've cleared out your closet and you've helped folks in need, all with the tap of a button.
Francisco López is bringing his sweet Spanish sounds to Brisbane for one night at the Powerhouse. Known across the globe for pushing the limits in the areas of sound art and experimental music, Francisco is a pro at creating unique soundscapes. He invites you to embark on a journey, blindfolded, within his surprising world with his impressive tracks which leave you questioning all that you have heard. Francisco has played at hundreds of concerts and venues such as London Institute of Contemporary Arts, All Tomorrow Parties Festival and Olympia Festival. The Spanish artist has created sound installations in over sixty countries and collaborated with over 150 international artists. His incredible contributions to the music world have been recognised at the Arts Electronica Festival as the winner of the Qwartz Award 2010. Whet your appetite for Francisco López's magical world with his epic track 'Köllt'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YDF8NzCZ-Xs
British singer/producer Ghostpoet, aka Obaro Ejimiwe, is coming Down Under to tour his latest record Some Say I So I Say Light. A record that mystifies listeners with its post-genre electronic production featuring loose and stretched out raps (in his sunken British accent). He captures a dark moodiness that brews amongst contagious hip hop beats. It's a treat to listen to, and hard to compare to anything else, really. Ejimiwe has a way of creating forward-thinking music. His distinct and uncategorised style puts him on his own pedestal. The unique artistry present in his latest record follows on from his debut Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, which received a Mercury Music Prize nomination in 2011. He'll be bringing all these sounds and more as he takes a spin around Australia in September. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ABkQ96dh0eQ
Sofia Coppola has made her career by highlighting that being young or famous (and often both) does not protect anyone from existential crisis, no matter how blessed their life may outwardly seem. While previously Coppola has mocked this up in stylised versions of other times and places, her newest feature, The Bling Ring, picks at the designer threads of youth and celebrity in a city very close to her heart: Los Angeles. As the film opens, a circle of Hollywood teenagers are charged with breaking and entering the homes of TMZ royalty, including Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, and sashaying away with millions of dollars worth of luxury goods, clothing and cash. The seeds of their downfall are found one year earlier, when Marc (Israel Broussard) arrives at his new school with adolescent awkwardness slung over his otherwise fashionable shoulders. It is here that he casually befriends Rebecca (Katie Chang) and her posse of light-fingered, self-absorbed pals (including Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga). Though based on actual events (Coppola has changed the names), The Bling Ring does not feel like a true crime film. It is dream-like, with Rebecca and Marc skipping through empty mansions in the hills, tossing diamonds and shoes at one another in an hour-long montage. Details of the characters' lives — and of the real identities behind these characters — are lost in the glitter, and as a result the plot unspools to hit certain moral milestones before the end credits roll. There are no twists and, ultimately, if you want a good story, you should seek out details of the real teenagers (and the Vanity Fair article that inspired the film) online. The Bling Ring then is a film essay on the experience of desire and lack of privacy in the fame economy. It is hard not to want everything that appears within the 90 minutes of the film, as clothing, money, drugs, young bodies and modernist mansions are showcased beneath a heaving soundtrack of Azealia Banks, Phoenix, M.I.A and Kanye West. By the end, when the teens' spree is brought to a halt, their only unforgivable mistake is the hubris of being so boastful about their crimes in a world of security cameras and social media. Most people otherwise would happily take a punt were they to know that Paris Hilton kept her keys under the doormat. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r4c6hmrwba0
A Love Supreme returns for another round of fast-paced beats and hip-hop boogie with 90s revival king, James Pants, leading the way. Born to two Presbyterian ministers in a little city called Spokane, USA, Pants went from being the teenage DJ for a black nationalist rap group to a multi-instrumentalist, with the ability to induce his listeners into fast-paced, synth-laced musical trips. Boasting fans such as Flying Lotus, Zane Lowe, Tyler the Creator and Erol Alkan, he’s conquered the US scene with his uniquely unpredictable electric sound – now it’s Brisbane’s turn to witness James Pants and the reputation that precedes him. Hosted by Apartment in the City, A Love Supreme promises an endlessly heated stage with Melbourne’s up and coming Andras Fox showcasing his unique sound, influenced by everything from Detroit House to Exotica Records. A tasty selection of Brisbane’s finest music-makers, DJs Gavin Boyd, Cryptic and Tas One, will round up the evening. Catch major US talent James Pants, and a few of our own rising stars this Sunday at A Love Supreme.
In his live performances, Kirin J Callinan does not hold back. This guitarist and singer-songwriter is a confronting and charismatic frontman who always delivers a stellar performance and captivates his audience. Callinan will play at The Zoo to celebrate the release of his latest single, 'Embracism'. The film clip was directed by Cara Stricker and has already received rave reviews from across the world. During 'Embracism', the cameras follow Callinan in his daily morning routine, but when these visuals are paired with provocative lyrics and driving guitar riffs, the final product is a little intense, to say the very least. Callinan is a true showman and his onstage presence and musical abilities have earned him positions alongside bands such as The Pixies, The Pet Shop Boys, Midnight Juggernaughts, The Strokes, Jarvis Cocker and Ariel Pink. Callinan is taking 'Embracism' on the road over June and July. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_gtwhDklaQ
Although the use of asbestos was banned in 1967, its side-effects have reared their ugly head within Australian families for years. Dust is a play that sheds light on the heartache and repercussions that surround asbestos in all of their forms. Written by Donna Jackson, this captivating roving theatre performance will take the audience on a rollercoaster as it explores the ripple effect caused by this material. Dust was inspired by those who have battled James Hardie Industries and won compensation. It puts on stage the treasured Aussie value of giving the underdog a fair go. The performance exists within an average Australian household and portrays just how close this dangerous substance was to the day-to-day lives of typical Australians. The story flitters between the home, legal context and the media to present a well-rounded representation of the issue. Featuring a rock n’ roll soundtrack and a choir of 50, Dust is a fascinating production that will ring true with many viewers and is not to be missed.
Head along to the brand new EDM night, Melody Beat, the evening of electronic tunes and artists who will open your mind (and ears) to new realms of sound. The line up is intriguing, the sounds reverberating, and the Melody Beat name is sure to be impressive on its first showcase evening. Andrew Tuttle, Hether, White Palms, Pale Earth and Cedie Janson will be putting together a night of evolving sound, with masterful tunes each adding their own flavour to the grand scope of electronic music. Andrew Tuttle (formerly going by the moniker, Anonymeye) is best known for interplaying acoustics with a largely electro set – computers to banjos are fair game. Duo act Hether will envelop you with ambiance and spectral sound. Matthew Cook, aka White Palms, creates smooth beats with seamless ease. Pale Earth is as stimulating with visuals as with sound, layers of fuzz and reverb creating unmissable atmospheres. Plus the ominous delicacies from Cedie Janson will leave you amorous. Don’t forget – this is a BYO evening, with a $10 entry fee, so be sure to plan ahead.
The uncanny is defined as something familiar being made unfamiliar. Cast your mind back to the star of the '80s horror film series Child's Play, as Chucky is a perfect example of the uncanny at work. The uncanny doesn't have to always be frightening (or hilarious), but it is definitely always intriguing! If you're fascinated by this state of unsettlement, step into an eerily familiar world where nothing is as it seems at the the Judith Wright Centre's latest artistic offering, Uncanny. Presented by the centre and Flying Arts, this interesting exhibition is designed to highlight and celebrate the weird and wacky in our everyday lives. The exhibition was created by seven emerging curators and seven Queensland artists who represent the uncanny in their artwork. Various mediums such as video, sculpture and photography will be exhibited. The featured artists include Rachael Bartram, Kate Bernauer, Gerwyn Davies, Dan Elborne, Pirrin Francis, Jason Haggerty and Sarah Oxenham.
Practise your Cockney accent, rehearse your favourite drunken London tale and prepare for high tea: the British Film Festival has arrived in Australia for the first time ever. There'll be a dozen contemporary features, five 20th-century classics (The Third Man and Lawrence of Arabia among them) and a chance to quiz Eric Bana during a live Q&A session, and a simply smashing opening night party. Here are five of our must-sees: Jump A massive hit at the Toronto International Film Festival and winner of the Palm Springs Festival's Bridging the Borders Award, Jump is a comic thriller set on New Year's Eve in Derry, Northern Ireland. A witty, fast-paced script captures the stories of three troubled individuals, who find themselves entangled by doomed romance, theft and revenge. Good Vibrations This eccentric, unstoppable rock movie comes to the British Film Festival following sold-out sessions at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival. Set against Ireland's Troubles of the 1970s, it follows the story of rebellious, maverick music lover Terri Hooley, Belfast's 'godfather of punk', and his determination to show the world the power of the seven-inch single. Dom Hemingway A gangster film in the style of Sexy Beast, Dom Hemingway stars Jude Law as the outrageous, volatile Dom, and Richard E. Grant as his best friend, Dickie. Following Dom's release after twelve years of imprisonment, the two travel from London to the south of France, encountering all number of misadventures along the way, from a car accident to an inevitable femme fatale. Mission to Lars How far would you go to meet your favourite rockstar? In this quirky documentary, siblings Kate and Will Spicer find out when they take their autistic brother, Tom, to Los Angeles to pursue Metallica's Lars Ulrich. Still Life The latest offering from Uberto Pasolini (producer of The Full Monty), Still Life is a drama in the British humanist tradition. A calm, meticulous ex-councillor, John May (Eddie Marsan) enters the lives of a mischievous adventurer, Billy Stoke, and his abandoned daughter, Kelly (Joanne Froggatt).
The third and final instalment of Rinse & Repeat brings together elements of the past two, to clincher and question, provoke and conclude. The first focused on boredom of the younger generations; the second looked at ways to fill the void, with a preoccupation with things outside ourselves. This exhibition is riskier and risqué – the fetish of materials and obsessions, the idea that perhaps the darker sides of life reside no deeper than on the surface. For one night only, see the works of artists Clark Beaumont, Athena Thebus, Louise Bennett, Courtney Coombs, Hannah Bronte and Alice Lang. See your questions answered or, as is the true nature of art, be inspired to question further.
Come down to Fish Lane Studios to experience the temporary artist residencies, exhibitions, workshops and launches, with an array of talents and notable figures sharing their works and knowledge. The program runs until the end of October. The outstanding events include a drawing workshop with Ghostpatrol and Sean Morris on October 29, and the ‘Short Stay’ exhibition opening and after party on October 31. Each event is individually priced, and requires an RSVP to be sent to rsvp@iamprojects.net. Recent events held as part of Short Stay include a poster and risograph workshop with Charlie Hillhouse of Small House Books, as well as the official Short Stay launch party, which saw the publication launch of ‘Sex Waves’, presented by Small House Books. This program was brought about by the Mild Manners exhibition space organisers, and supported by iAM Projects.
Meet Shep and his two best mates, Dirty Gordo and Dirty Pat. They’re known as The Dirty Brothers. Stunts meet modern comedic theatre in an entirely original production known as The Dark Party. These macabre lads spin their own talents into what they call “Sideshow Noir”: art-house cinema with punk rock intentions, swords, staple guns, singing saws, power tools and car batteries share the spotlight on a stage of the deranged. The Dark Party first kicked off five years ago in Melbourne, and have since spiralled out of control. From Australia and New Zealand, to Edinburgh, Holland, Belgium and beyond, packed houses have greeted the trio every step of the way. Come along and see what the fuss is about. These “kamikaze clown princes of sideshow” will leave you breathless, be it by shock or side-splitting laughter. Be warned: they will do their worst.
An old man, who strangely resembles the gramps in Up wanders through a forest on the run from a mysterious tracker hell bent on hunting him down. Swept into a surreal world, lost yet learning, he wanders, possibly in search of Xanax, but probably in hope of light. From the team behind multi-award winning production The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer comes another heartfelt adventure that explores the emotions, burdens and brilliance that come with age, It’s Dark Outside. Through puppetry, animation, masks, and beautiful live performance, this grand stage exploration delivers an epic western-style tale about dementia and redemption, through sincere theatrical tones. Whether you’re curious of the capability’s of this generation of theatre, or have a soft spot for pure ingenuity and human compassion, It’s Dark Outside shouldn’t be missed. It’s a gentle reminder that while it might be nice to run away from the life you once had, it’s not so easy to hide from it.
Each year Ryan Renshaw handpicks the best up and coming Queensland artists to be involved in a group show at his gallery located in Spring Hill. This year, the new artists involved in this exciting exhibition include Zoe Knight, Kate McKay and Jarrod Van der Ryken. Each artist has their own style and they combine to create a spectacular showcase which, this year, is entitled Test Pattern. Zoe Knight studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Queensland University of Technology. Her artwork is focused on three-dimensional sculptures often featuring self-involved knots and is described as a “productive form of fidgeting”. Kate McKay is concerned greatly with the fluid concept of self and identity. Whereas Jarrod Van Der Ryken's main theme is the materialisation of the emotional reality. Make the trek to the Ryan Renshaw Gallery to view this trio's art pieces. The opening night will be held on Friday 7 February from 6-8pm.
Record stores aren’t just retail outlets. They’re alternative schools for the musically challenged, sites of identification and rebellion, and burning hot crucibles for new bands — if not entire movements. For a while, however, we feared that the digital revolution would turn all of that into a relic of the past — a thing relegated to nostalgic, drunken reruns of Empire Records, High Fidelity and Good Vibrations. To an extent, the fear was justified. We’ve seen quite a few legendary institutions kick the bucket. But as the old adage goes, you can’t keep a good man, woman or album collection down, so record stores have been making a serious comeback. And to keep the punters off downloads and onto discs, they’ve been doing things in even quirkier, bigger ways than ever before. One of these is annual international Record Store Day, now in its sixth year. On Saturday, April 19, music shops all over the world will host live gigs, interviews, special sales and much-anticipated new releases. In Brisbane, Westfield Carindale will be teaming up with Rockaway Records to sell more than 300 limited edition vinyl items, including The Beatles’ Butcher LP. “Its controversial artwork was believed (wrongly) to represent political protest over the US presence in Vietnam,” Rockaway Managing Director Scott Johnson explains. “The LP was banned shortly after release in 1966, and the last mint copy sold for $80,000.” What’s more, a DJ will spin vinyl all day and a “wall of shame” will display some of history’s worst ever cover art. Meanwhile, Rocking Horse will be hosting a bunch of live gigs, headlined by Ed Kuepper, who came to punk prominence after founding The Saints and, more recently, has been writing music for film when he’s not tossing around ideas with Nick Cave. He’ll be supported by indie pop outfit The Cairos and Brisbane synth obsessive Laura Hill. Tym Guitars will follow suit, with appearances from punky Tasmanians The Captives, emo poppers Columbia Buffet and the Hard Ons, amongst others. Then at Jet Black Cat, you’ll be able to catch Holy Holy in solo mode at 4pm and My Warning from 5.30pm.
Brisbane’s own Barek is back with a new show at The Bearded Lady. A street artist at heart, Barek is known for dabbling with various media, drawing and sculpture, branching out to stickers, aerosols and lino prints that pop up in the most conspicuous of places. The trademark is cartoon faces, the expressionless to the costumed; sometimes with a message to share, Barek aims for the understated and the unusual, meticulous in construction, interweaving with the viewer’s imagination. And what better venue for the unusual and the conspicuous than The Bearded Lady. A hidden gem in Brisbane’s cultural mecca, West End, this is a bar where the beers are cold and boutique by the barrel, the bar staff awaiting you with a smile, and the music is so on trend, you’ve probably never heard it before. So many delights in the once place, you’re set for spoiling once you set foot in the quaint bar with its pulse on vintage eclecticism.
Meet Tessa and Brendon. They’re a super-cute married couple, whose love of music not only brought them together in a romantic sense, but lead to the formation of the bee-bopping, folksy pop, life-affirming duo we’ve come to know as Microwave Jenny. It seems as though they’ve done it all. Well… almost. From large-scale festivals such as Byron Bay Bluesfest, Peats Ridge and Festival of the Sun, to what was known as a house tour - where they stormed fans’ backyards for a performance. They’ve appeared on movie soundtracks, and they’ve won awards. So, naturally, the next step is to take on the world - the DIY, self-managed, independent group is going to base itself in the UK, which will see them write, tour and record throughout Europe for the next twelve months. This exciting venture calls for a grand farewell, and they would love to see you before they go. One-off shows in each capital city will give fans the opportunity to get their MJ live fix while they still can, and for newbies to be introduced to the fun-loving music they practically glow in.
Situated smack bang in the middle of our city in a beautiful heritage listed building is Bleeding Heart Gallery. With a gorgeous sprawling verandah and an interior that is jam-packed with art, this special gallery is more than just a pretty face. Bleeding Heart Gallery contributes all of its profits from the event space, art gallery, cafe and local artisan gift store to charity and supporting those in need in the community proving that beauty and brains is possible. The team have developed a new weekly event that will add some variety to your routine Friday knock-off plans. Head to Bleeding Heart from 4pm to sip on a much-needed drink and enjoy a BBQ at Friday Slow Down. Each week the money raised from the bar and BBQ will go to a chosen charity. DJs will be keeping the tunes rolling with both new and old favourites. To book a table with work mates, email info@bleedingheart.com.au or call 3229 0395. Make Bleeding Heart your regular Friday knock-off hang. Drinks, snags, local art? It's a no brainer.
Here we have The John Steel Singers, whose latest album is full of zingers. Then there’s Jeremy Neale, who’s a pretty big deal. They’re joining forces to tackle Australia’s east coast for their super tour, Boys Gone Wild, where the tunes are big and their behaviour anything but mild. But seriously, this really is the show you’ve been waiting for. It is somewhat of a local tradition to combine musical powers for the sake of one big blow-out of a show, and you know these crazy lads will bring their all, their big bold indie-rock sounds bouncing off one another, your boogie shoes allowed no reprieve between sets. We’re lucky enough to be spoiled for choice this time around - two back-to-back shows are available, though they’re sure to sell out. Tickets for their Black Bear show are not to be missed; don’t leave it too long, lest you be left wanting.
One thing is for sure… Avenue Q is not your average puppet show. It follows the story of recent college graduate Princeton, who moves to a drab apartment on the colourful street of Avenue Q in New York to follow his dreams. As they say, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere! Along the way, Princeton meets the girl next door, Kate, the neighbourhood Republican named Rod, an internet sexpert called Trekkie and Lucy, who has a bit of a street corner reputation. They help him along the way, teaching him the ways of the Big Apple, as well as discovering what Princeton was meant to do with his life. This Tony Award-winning act has circled the globe, and finally returns to Australian stages after sell-out shows of the past. While this may appear to be playful puppetry, there are some spicy themes throughout the show and so parents should use discretion when bringing younger audience members along.
Take the life-affirming charms of Feist, the powerful self-assertion of Beth Ditto, add a French twist, and you have the more-than-dynamic duo of Lily Wood & the Prick. They’ve been described as playful, intelligent, vibrant and 'like sunshine'. Nili Hadida and Benjamin Cotto use their unique strand of electro pop to engage and enamour audiences, which have stretched near the millions across French music festivals and the far reaches of Olympia. They’ve won the prize of Best New Act at the French Grammys, which is an award that only reinforces their position as an influential and vibrant figure in the French and electro pop music scenes. They are slowly but surely making strides on the international stage so don’t miss the opportunity to see this very exciting act while they grace Australian shores, in a setting that promises to bring the most out of their performance. So Frenchy. So chic.
Head along to the Friends Clubhouse this Friday night for the treat that comes in threes. Courtney Barnett is bringing along pals Jarrod M. McMahon and Eves for her Alhambra show; as if her performance wasn't exciting enough, you'll be able to catch the talents of the newer kids on the block. 2013 was a particularly exciting year for Courtney. Between touring a-plenty, she released the second of her two EPs to stellar reviews (locally and internationally), likening her to the classic sounds of Bob Dylan and The Byrds. On this particular night, she will be launching the combined double EP on vinyl, The Sea Of Split Peas. Those who have been to a Friends Clubhouse night will know the drill. Those who are currently pencilling this night in their diaries (good move, first of all) will have free cheeseburgers overflowing from their hungry eyes come midnight, plus a smattering of DJ sets and party times to look forward to after the live music. There are officially no reasons good enough to miss this dish of an evening, so get in early.
The last exhibition for 2013 at The Hold Artspace is one worth celebrating. Art from the talents of Rachael Archibald, Ali Bezer, Anna Carluccio, Sid Coombes, Carolyn Craig, David Chatfield, Simon Degroot, Mitchell Donaldson, Katelyn-Jane Dunn (plus many, MANY more) will be on display, plus some very attractive prices affixed to selected works on sale for the evening. The Hold Artspace in West End is not only a place that houses some of the most impressive young creatives in the local area, it also aims to foster critical practices amongst artists in their early careers. These emerging artists can grow and develop their own talents in a professional exhibition space, with the aid of working artists as well as the wider community. To support one or many of their events is to perpetuate the success of the space and its inhabiting program; if you are yet to attend an event at The Hold Artspace, this will be one you cannot miss.
Head along to Substation Gallery & Studio from 6pm for the first Annual WinWin Charity Art Auction. This event aims to raise funds to provide continuing support to Hands On Art, an artist-run organisation that works on community-based projects that help to stimulate creative growth. It is a not-for-profit organisation, and therefore runs by the hands of volunteers, and so any profits made through the auction will benefit this cause. The art that will be available for auction are many and varied, and represent not only the highly talented artists who submitted the works, but those who aim to continue this initiative. You will have the chance to bid over Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of December, between 10am and 4pm; interested individuals are welcome to ring up during this time to maintain their bidding throughout the event. Not only is this your chance to help support such an important cause, you might also walk away with a one-of-a-kind piece of art. At this time of year, both pursuits have never been so important.
The merry folks at Cheated Hearts are putting on a Christmas bash to get you in the yuletide spirit. Head along to Coniston Lane for the CH Christmas party. Don your finest wreath and jingle bells and indulge in the spirit of the season. You’ll receive a present on arrival, plus the latest mix from Jane Doe. Entertainment for the evening will include the Trap, Hip Hop, Indie remix stylings and Electro/Dubstep/Mashup skills of Sydney’s Ruby Slippers, Dimestore Diamonds, The Gatling Gun, Cvlt Teens and Virtual Illusion. Cheated Hearts is a young, queer, creative collective. Their mission is to offer alternatives and audience-driven events and celebrations and providing chances to experience a nightlife that might be otherwise hard to come by. They’ve got a mass following and a string of hugely successful events to their name, so you’ll want to get in early before the masses make a line around the corner. Party into the weekend and welcome the silly season in style with friends and killer tunes.
The classic Holden Kingswood was the must have automobile in the 1970s for doing laps around the 'hood in, and showing off to all the ladies at the milk bar. It’s no surprise then, that the Melbourne band of the same name collects just as many glinted eyes, impressed nods and make fathers fear for their daughters’ innocence. Kingswood is Australian rock at it’s finest. They have toured the country with legends of the same genre - The Living End, Grinspoon, Aerosmith British India and The Saints are just a few who’ve shared a tour bus with Kingswood, and instilled them with a bustling amount of influence and talent. Now, with a long list of festivals, a collection of highly acclaimed singles and a Like a Version under their belt, Kingwood are bringing in 2014 with hopes of a new album and a bundle of gigs. You can catch Kingswood at The Tempo Hotel this Saturday for only $23.50 – roll up for some real rock. Check out Kingswood’s ‘Ohio’
There are a lot of similarities between Wild Nothing and fellow chillwave pioneers Toro Y Moi and Washed Out. All three are bedroom recordings by one-man bands, and all three men are from the southern US. Freaky! All make dreamy, lo-fi music with breathy vocals and steady beats that you can (a) dance to at an underground disco, or (b) listen to alone in your room while you stare at your posters of '80s indie bands. In the case of Wild Nothing's Virginia-born Jack Tatum, the posters he's staring at belong to The Cure, The Smiths and Simple Minds. Tatum puts a sunny disposition on their '80s gloom pop with chiming guitars and soothing vocals. You can chillax to his latest LP Nocturne in your room alone, or join some other shoegazers for a little boogie when Wild Nothing visits Australia for the first time in March. I hope he plays 'Chinatown'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zm636VSQXUU
The clash of the prose, the jostling of imagery and emotive rhyme. Whatever their weapon of choice, the finest poets and wordsmiths of Queensland are ready to engage in their most crucial battle yet: the State Final of the Australian Poetry Slam 2013. They have engaged in wars of words for some months, and many have boiled down to few; 18 contestants are readying their syntactical swords in the name of prizes, honour and the opportunity to compete for the national title in Sydney. If the viewing stakes weren’t already high enough, Go Violets and Luka Lesson will provide musical accompaniment as the evening’s special guests. To the best slammer goes the spoils.
Some people will tell you their Instagram feed is art. Those people are wrong. Most photography isn’t art - it's just annoying. Luckily the work from Sid Coombes, Charlie Donaldson and Sarah Poulgrain is. From the 18-28 September at the Hold Artspace, West End, you can see the embodiment of the difference between your Instagram, and the professionals. Surface Tension is an exhibit on the specific spacial elements that make up photography and the relationships between objects and imagery. What does that even mean? Let these photographers show you! Between Coombes's signature, skin-bearing style, Donaldson's raw expressions and Poulgrains organic shots, there's no telling what you can take away from this wholegrain exhibit. It’s not exactly like photos get better with time, so if you’re interested in seeing what real photography is, check out Surface Tension - in a world where images are everywhere, this is an eye opener to what proper photography is.
Hong Kong is a supreme heavyweight when it comes to action flicks, and so it is only fitting to honour such a popular and longstanding genre of film by way of a retrospective. You can see cult classics and heroes such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat, all the way through to the not-quite-as-recognisable films that you are yet to love and their stars. ‘Action, Hong Kong Style’ is a celebration of the global reach this timeless phenomenon has achieved, from the blockbusting success to the minute details of action choreography, digitally restored alongside original archived film prints, sourced worldwide. The spotlight will shine on Wong Fei-hung, a hero of the martial arts, whose life has been portrayed on screen more than any other figure. For more informing approach to your exhibition experience, head along to the ‘Action, Hong Kong Style’ discussion, including film aficionados Sam Ho, Professor Mary Farquhar, alongside curator Kathryn Weir. Learn how to view your favourite action flicks through a critical eye, and perhaps learn something about the art which you may not have otherwise known.
Before heading along to Belvoir St Theatre, I usually say to people, "Oh, I'm going to see one of those edgy plays downstairs at Belvoir, you know, the kind with some nebulous storyline, butt cheeks right up in your face and someone smoking weed on stage." But Food is different. Writer and co-director Steve Rodgers has still included all that wonderful Belvoir-esque wackiness, swearing and gritty arthouse Australiana, but there was a depth and meaning in this work that I had never experienced in this theatre before. At the crack of dawn, Elma (Kate Box) is kneading and slamming dough on the counter in a takeaway joint somewhere in the backwaters of middle Australia while her sister, Nancy (Emma Jackson) pulses and jerks the night away in a South-East Asian nightclub. For two years, Nancy went missing, but unlike in a 'normal' family, her absence was never reported. Time skips forward and now that Nancy has returned, the sisters are left to their own devices in a family of two where they work hard to supply the local town with a staple supply of spring rolls, dim sims and Chiko Rolls. Between the shouting and banter of kitchen orders, sisterly squabbles and head-gripping wrestling, their teen-hood pains and complications begin to rise up like leavened bread. To add a little spice to the mix, a foreigner arrives in response to their kitchen-hand job advertisement. Hakan Leventelou (Fayssal Bazzi), from Olympus, Georgia explains nervously that his first name means 'Emperor' or 'King' and his family name means 'Son of Handsome'. With natural exuberance, he seasons their day-to-day grind with delectable anecdotes, incessant singing and adorable jokes about mice and dogs. He is also a man who loves "to watch and admire the women all the day", he explains in his thick, rhythmic accent. Tension builds between Hakan's overarching romantic universal perspective versus the sisters' static obsession with "who once stole whose Uggies". Wary as ever, Elma warns Hakan, "Mind your manners and don't fuck us around or I'll cut off your button." "Button?" he asks. Co-director Kate Champion, with her strong dance theatre background, has cleverly planned the choreography to the point of seamlessness. Although the stage barely changed, scene changes took place through movement and short interludes of carefully thought-out lapses, thus entering new situations or moments through the make-believe of your mind. Hakan may have been baffled by Elma’s button reference, but his intuition told him to tread carefully with these women. This review was written during the Sydney 2012 run of this show.
Brisbane’s own We All Want To are continuing to ride their high of success, and you can catch the crescendo at the Judith Wright Centre. They will be performing their acclaimed album Come Up Invisible in its entirety, but with a twist: a different guest will perform every song as the lead singer. The newly updated list of guests includes Velociraptor’s Jeremy Neale, Dom Miller, Ed Gugliemino and Sabrina Lawrie. This show will kick off a string of headline shows for We All Want To, though this promises to be unlike the others. After an exciting past year of shows and rave reviews, find out what makes this band one of Brisbane’s favourite on stage. “Words like epic and sprawling don't do justice to We All Want To’s beautifully written and recorded second album.” - Andrew Stafford, Pig City, July 2012
Since the reopening of City Hall, everything has been coming up Brisbane. And what better way to celebrate than with Brisbane's three-week-long City Centre Master Plans Ideas Fiesta. This exciting string of free public events is aimed at generating new ideas, showcasing design concepts and bringing together our vibrant community. From films to food, there's plenty to enjoy for every age, interest and family group with events that will be held in a variety of outdoor spaces, streets and venues. Be immersed in Spencer Lane's Arabian Night evening of colour, spice and entertainment; work your creative side with Sketchcrawl; join in the fun at the Albert Street Picnics; get in touch with Brisbane's cultural heritage with a guided walk; and enjoy plenty more in this creative series of activities. You'd be a fool not to take full advantage of this hip-hop-happy celebration, so get involved, share ideas and lend a helping hand in shaping Brisbane's bright future.
Is The Internship an ad for Google? Sure. Should you care? No, not really. Well not unless you use Bing, in which case, who the hell are you anyway? Stop reading this review and go back to Friendster. Written by Jared Stern and Vince Vaughn (who also stars in, and produced, the film) it tells the story of two 40-somethings (Vaughn and Owen Wilson) who lose their jobs as salesmen and decide an internship at Google is their best chance for a new start. With the promise of employment for the top team of interns at the end of the summer, Vaughn and Wilson find themselves competing against an army of ultra-smart 21-year-olds, including those within their own team, as their age and lack of tech savviness see them quickly ostracised. Even the staff at Google are largely suspicious or dismissive of the duo, especially the work-absorbed Rose Byrne (who comes complete with Australian accent and all). Slowly but surely, however, Vaughn and Wilson begin to win over their skeptics thanks to a handful of '80s movie references and some unbridled old-school enthusiasm. It's been eight years since Vaughn and Wilson partnered up for the highly successful Wedding Crashers, and given the obvious charm of the duo it's remarkable it's taken this long to bring them back together. Both put in more subtle performances than audiences are accustomed to and the result makes for a far more enjoyable film. There's still some farce in there, and it's a tad too long, but by and large The Internship is a surprisingly old-fashioned and heartwarming comedy that invites you to indulge in barracking for the underdog.
In the 1950s, Rothko found himself living an artist's dream. He had been commissioned by Manhattan's elite for a series of paintings that would adorn the walls of the Four Seasons in the brand-new modernist masterpiece of glass and steel, the Seagram Building on Park Avenue. Rothko would be set up for life, limited by his own imagination. What he created was a violent statement against the richest of New York, as he vowed to create stomach-turning crimson canvases to "ruin the appetite of every son-of-a-bitch who eats there". By the end of the '50s, Rothko stormily reclaimed the paintings and returned the hefty cash. How this series of events came to be, Rothko never said. The thought-provoking mystery and relationships between master and protege, art and commerce, artist and audience are all examined in Red, the award-winning play originally penned by John Logan. This production, by the Melbourne Theatre Company, is presented for audiences by the Queensland Theatre Company and stars the talents of Colin Friels and Tom Barton. A stellar opportunity to see history-making theatre. Image by Jeff Busby.
Twice a year booklovers storm the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for four days of book bargains, and now the Lifeline Bookfest is back for another round of ridiculously cheap reads. Whether you're looking for an early edition Dickens, a nasty Nicholas Sparks romance or a Bold and the Beautiful inspired cookbook - Lifeline Bookfest is your one stop. With prices as cheap as one dollar and a selection of rare, new and high quality stock, all you'll need is a few pieces of shrapnel to nab a quick literary fix. The cheap prices are only half of it though! Most of these books would never be found in a local bookstore, and once you've learnt to overlook the frightening amount of Bridget Jones' Diaries you'll be quick to discover the rarities on offer. With selections ranging from sci-fi and fiction to arts, music and cooking, you will be pressed leaving without a bag, basket or trolley stacked to the rim. Be sure to dive in to this year's Bookfest collection and grab some retro reads.
Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes' latest outing, Tabu, is a beguiling slow burn of love, melancholia and crocodiles. Shot in nostalgic black and white and bisected, Tabu tells the tale of a woman's life filled with romance, longing and a great deal of hand-wringing. Part one: Paradise Lost is preceded by an introduction, a film within a film that sets up the motifs that will reappear throughout. The kind-hearted Pilar (Teresa Madruga) is watching in modern-day Lisbon, and despite keeping busy with her human rights work and unwanted advances from a friend, she is becoming increasingly worried about her neighbour, Aurora (Laura Soveral). Frail but bolshy, Aurora has gambled away her life at the casino, suffering from the same curse as her father. Convinced that her maid Santa (Isabel Cardoso) is not just working for her but for the devil, too, she turns to Pilar for help. The disconsolate Aurora asks to be put in touch with a man named Gian-Luca. Part two: Paradise is the story of Aurora and the enigmatic Gian-Luca in their African youth. Aurora’s father has done well for himself in this new landscape, exporting exotic ostrich feather cushions, and the young Aurora (Ana Moreira) has made a name for herself as a rifle-slinging big game hunter, both thriving from colonialism. Described by her tea plantation husband as having a slight "bipolarity", Aurora enters a new state of entitled listlessness when she becomes pregnant. Her langour is soon soothed by noted heartbreaker Gian-Luca, summoned to catch her as-yet-unnamed pet crocodile. Their illicit affair is set against a backdrop of both the fateful Mount Tabu and the burgeoning Portuguese Colonial War. As the white interlopers relax into their own distractions, their African workers tend to their every whim. Paradise is told only through narration, a conceit that unfolds beautifully. Memories, myths and truths all melding together. For a film set in two parts, Tabu sits as a cohesive object, as if a semicolon is dangling between the two, despite the switch from dialogue to monologue. It's funny, melancholic, dark and romantic and its beauty is only ever a stone's throw from the realities of invasion, ownership and war. There are deft anachronistic touches throughout — Gian-Luca's band play a cover of 'Baby I Love You' at a party but it’s the Ramones version — which nicely sets the film apart from being a mere biopic of the time. A rare, dreamy, cinematic excursion, Tabu is a must while it's still on the big screen.
Head to GOMA for their latest, spectacular exhibition, My Country, I Still Call Australia Home. This is the largest collection of Indigenous artwork that GOMA has exhibited to date and involves artists from across the country with a variety of backgrounds. The huge exhibition pivots around three central themes. These include Indigenous perspectives of history, responses to the intricacies of contemporary society and the exploration of land and the strong associations it encompasses for the artists. This exhibition exists as a channel for the artists to share their stories through creative mediums. Wander through the extraordinary selection of photographs, film, paintings, sculptures and soak up this special experience. Featured artists include Ruby Tjangawa Williamson, Bindi Cole and Archie Moore. Throughout the exhibition there are many activities taking place such as talks by Brisbane artists, a range of programs designed for 50+ attendees and more sessions during NAIDOC Week. Visit the event site for more information. My Country, I Still Call Australia Home provides Indigenous people with a voice. Listen to their stories and be inspired at GOMA's latest offering.
Boxcopy Weekender's latest instalment is, Method for Counting Qualia, a showcase of Antoinnette J Citizen's latest work. Citizen is a visual artist and honours graduate from a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Queensland University of Technology. This inspiring artist has had exhibitions in cities across Australia and New Zealand. Her talent has been recognised in the form of numerous awards, such as the New Work Grant – Early Career by the Australia Council. Method for Counting Qualia involves a mechanical pie chart which serves to display and compare the various qualia that comprise Citizen's reality in live time. The pie chart is a visual representation of the datasets that Citizen is a member of and continually updates to show her network's current experiences. Take this opportunity to get inside the world of one of Australia's stand-out artists.
Dark Matter is the combined exhibition from Ali Bezer and Mitchell Donaldson and is The Hold Artspace's first exhibition of the year. The two artists have intriguing yet quite varying fields of exploration combining to make a unique exhibition. Bezer's work is mainly concerned with the relationship between the audio and the visual and how one is influenced by the other. While Donaldson's practice looks at the core of humanity and the perception of death. The exhibition is entitled Dark Matter as it is inspired by the hypothesis by which astrophysicists infer the existence of invisible matter through its effects on visible matter. This theory is applied as a metaphor to both artists work and has haunting effects. The closing event will be held on Friday February 7 from 6-9pm. Artistic talks will take place on Wednesday 29 January 6-8pm.
West End and art go together like happy people and muumuu dresses; when you see the combination, you just stare and stare and stare before mentally high fiving yourself. And while it’d be nice if there were more muumuu dresses in the world, there’s plenty of art in West End, and the latest instalment is just about a free flying as it gets. The Art Design Precinct on Bailey Street, are painting the walls with the art work of someone of Brisbane’s best in their show Awakening. Sue Collecutt, Lucy Adams, Jan Hollingsworth, Bevelery Teske, Michelle Bowden, Thee Crane Man, Froyle Neideck, Ian Longworth and Lynda Shapbott are some very nice people.They are also the artists showing their work, alongside music curated by Lynette Lancini. Truck along to this fortnight long exhibit, and it you want to keep one Concrete Playground writer very happy, please wear a muumuu dress.
Scribble Slam is not your average competition, it’s the live creation of art, improvisation and originality at its best. The usual Scribble Slam involves two teams, each with a large canvas and a limited selection of colours and materials, who are given a theme to guide their own masterpiece over a selected time frame. The winner is chosen by two judges and a crowd vote, so even if you’re not the creator, you’re still heavily involved in the event. For Scribble Slam 7, they've got Cherie Strong and Jonny Arnold up against Asa Boardman and Evelyn Morataya forming the double teams, who will compete within the whopping 90 minute time frame. Get in early, sink into your choice of sofa, armed with your favourite craft beer, and watch the action unfold. In amongst the artistic entertainment, there will be thebeforeparty performing, alongside resident DJ El Santo.
Whenever a festival hits town, it's the shows that are meant to be the big drawcard, especially when that fest spans everything from music, comedy and theatre through to cabaret, burlesque and spoken word performances. That's still true at Fringe Brisbane when it returns this spring, but attendees can be forgiven for being just as intrigued by the event's range of venues. For its 2022 run, which takes place from Friday, October 14–Sunday, November 6, Fringe Brisbane is popping up at more than 25 spots — and hosting over 300 performances of 102 different productions in them, in fact. That hefty lineup includes gigs in bars, boats, parks, homes and the planetarium, as well as a festival hub in Stefan's old South Brisbane base. Yes, between shows, you can spend your time in former old hair salon, and even enjoy an immersive experience in its tanning room. Or, to see a performance, you can soak in the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium's domed surroundings, hit up West End's Orleigh and Bunyapa parks, mosey around Birrunga Gallery in Adelaide Street, float on the river, visit greenery go-to Plant Empire and sink brews at Felon's Barrel Hall, among other locations. That's where you're heading, sprawling across South Brisbane, Stafford, Moorooka, Woolloongabba, Yeerongpilly, Seven Hills, Fortitude Valley and more. Traditional venues such as Big Fork Theatre, Brisbane Arts Theatre and Backbone are also on the list. Now, this is what you're seeing. On the bill: a one-night-only rehearsed reading of All My Friends Are Returning to Brisbane, a sequel to the play and film; a live performance of the original version of Gustav Holst's The Planets, on two pianos, at the planetarium; bite-sized takes on Macbeth, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet; a comedic mystic for Halloween; and, for the same occasion, David Massingham's one-man Little Sketch Book of Horrors. There's also open mic nights, French cabaret, queer cabaret, a comedy devoted to female pleasure, a sketch comedy set up like a date night, ImproMafia completely improvising a whole show, and the wonderfully named dance and physical theatre piece A Love Letter From Frozen Peas. Similarly on offer: glittery circus productions, a primer on Bollywood, J-pop, and a play described as Shakespeare meets Quentin Tarantino.
Tennis is a game of serves, shots, slices and smashes, and also of approaches, backhands, rallies and volleys. Challengers is a film of each, too, plus a movie about tennis. As it follows a love triangle that charts a path so back and forth that its ins and outs could be carved by a ball being hit around on the court, it's a picture that takes its aesthetic, thematic and emotional approach from the sport that its trio of protagonists are obsessed with as well. Tennis is everything to Tashi Duncan (Zendaya, Dune: Part Two), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist, West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor, La Chimera), other than the threesome themselves being everything to each other. It's a stroke of genius to fashion the feature about them around the game they adore, then. Metaphors comparing life with a pastime are easy to coin. Movies that build such a juxtaposition into their fabric are far harder to craft. But it's been true of Luca Guadagnino for decades: he's a craftsman. Jumping from one Dune franchise lead to another, after doing Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All with Timothée Chalamet, Guadagnino proves something else accurate that's been his cinematic baseline: he's infatuated with the cinema of yearning. Among his features so far, only in Bones and All was the hunger for connection literal. The Italian director didn't deliver cannibalism in Call Me By Your Name and doesn't in Challengers, but longing is the strongest flavour in all three, and prominent across the filmmaker's Suspiria, A Bigger Splash and I Am Love also. So, combine the idea of styling a movie around a tennis match — one spans its entire duration, in fact — with a lusty love triangle, romantic cravings and three players at the top of their field, then this is the sublime end product. Challengers is so smartly constructed, so well thought-out down to every meticulous detail, so sensual and seductive, and so on point in conveying Tashi plus Art and Patrick's feelings, that it's instantly one of Guadagnino's grand slams. In 2019, the picture's present day — a choice that enables Challengers to avoid everything pandemic-related — Art and Patrick go racquet to racquet in New Rochelle, New York. Pinging in-between their on-the-court confrontation, after they progress through the tournament on opposite sides to clash in the final, are flashes to moments from 2006 onwards. It was in that year, as teen doubles partners known as "Fire and Ice" (and best friends, and childhood tennis academy roommates), that the pair met Tashi. She's as confident when she's not standing on a green surface as she is on it, and on it she's an undoubtable prodigy. They're both immediately attracted to her. They each ask for her number at the same party while all three are together. In Challengers' later timing, however, Art is her husband and Patrick her ex-boyfriend. Art has also enjoyed almost every success that a tennis player can hope for, other than winning the US Open. Completing his career slam is his aim, with the New Rochelle contest about getting him back into form to stop a losing streak. Patrick has to sleep in his car to make the fixture; for him, earning a wildcard to the bigger dance and a chance at the kind of glory his former pal has long been basking in is the mission. The duo hasn't talked in years. The reason: a falling out about matters of the heart. But Challengers doesn't simplistically have its two men battle it out for Tashi as a prize, even when she promises a date to whoever wins their first game against — not with — each other in the mid-00s segments. Tashi is a force to be reckoned with. She'd never let herself become a trophy. Her career is cut short due to injury, sparking a move into coaching Art, and she's as ferocious and strategic there — and in their marriage — as she was when pursuing her own tennis fame. Then there's the inescapable bond between Art and Patrick anyway; Tashi's home-wrecker comments about sliding into the middle of their relationship aren't empty in Guadagnino's hands, whether a three-way kiss or loaded words are being exchanged. The director works with the first feature script by playwright, novelist and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes — and it's no wonder that authenticity beats at the heart of this deeply sultry, raw and evocative (and horny) movie. While this isn't a tale taken from actuality, Kuritzkes is the husband of filmmaker Celine Song, whose Oscar-nominated 2023 debut Past Lives not only leapt into another complicated love triangle but was loosely drawn from her own experiences. The two movies are playing different games, though, yet share the same richness of chemistry, lingering sexual tension, and understanding of how burning love and pining to be seen are life-shaping and -changing sensations. They're each so precisely helmed in their vastly dissimilar ways that they're works of art, and so expertly cast that their stars will always rank the respective flicks as career and performance highlights. Continuing the trend of Spider-Man love interests giving tennis films a whirl (see: Civil War's Kirsten Dunst with Wimbledon, then Poor Things' Emma Stone with Battle of the Sexes), Zendaya doesn't just make Tashi formidable and unforgettable; her portrayal, which is one of her best ever alongside Euphoria, firmly matches. Neither the movie nor its leading lady polish over the character's fierceness and ruthlessness when it comes to her passion, instead exploring what's behind her intensity from the outset: being a Black star who isn't from a comfortable background in a world that's all about whiteness and privilege. She's magnetic to viewers, and to Art and Patrick, who are brought to the screen with romanticism and vulnerability by Faist, and with spirited but comfortable charm by O'Connor. Challengers loiters at the net, where two sides are pushed together — not as any balls bounce through the bouts depicted, but in unpacking every pairing that can be made from its main trio, racial and economic divides that definte their realities, and the thin line that can become a vast chasm regarding genuinely grasping your dreams versus forever chasing them. As it hops and rushes about — including between time periods, characters, games and romances — Challengers zips and zings, and lunges and thrusts. Guadagnino's knack for immersion keeps working up the bracket film by film, to hypnotic effect here. There's no Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives or Memoria dreaminess to cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom's lensing, but the same crispness, as seen in his work on Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria as well, remains. New for Challengers is the dynamism of the sports scenes, and of switching from character to ball vantages, each absorbing visual choices. Marco Costa, who returns from Bones and All, edits just as energetically. And amid songs by Donna Summer, Lily Allen and Nelly, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' second Guadagnino score, also after Bones and All, is an adrenaline-dripping disco and electronica whirlwind that couldn't better set and reflect the propulsive mood. Talk about an all-round ace.
Brisbane's streets are about to look a whole lot brighter — and sport a lot more paint, feature giant murals aplenty and showcase a heap more art in general. The reason: the returning Brisbane Street Art Festival, which'll take over the city from Saturday, May 7–Sunday, May 22 for its sixth and largest physical event. When it comes to splashing art across the streets, spraying some paint around and stencilling up a storm, this festival offers a firm reminder: no, Banksy isn't the only artist worth celebrating and never has been. Indeed, the street art scene has been thriving in Brisbane for years, which is why this fest even exists. 2022's BSAF will also feature international artists for the first time since 2019, helping put 50 new large-scale murals around the place — even if only temporarily. That includes Miss Birdy, Iñigo Sesma and Fivust, with the talent lineup spanning folks from the USA, Spain, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand. They'll be painting up a storm alongside Australian artists such as Sofles, Lisa King and Rachael Sarra. Also on the list: everyone from 23rd Key, Bronik, Drapl and GERM to Gus Eagleton, Katherine Viney, MAUY and Yin Lu. Over the festival's 16-day run, their efforts will be complemented by a range of art events — including Scribble Slam, a Brisbane-themed photography exhibit and a big party at Felons Brewing Co — and workshops. One place you'll want to head to is Northshore, where BSAF is taking over an entire warehouse and using it as its headquarters. Dubbed Superordinary Northshore, it'll host 12 mural activations, plus plenty of events — including the fest's opening party. Yes, that means there'll be impressive large-scale artworks by the river — and at Howard Smith Wharves and South Bank as well. Also getting a new coat of paint: the Queen Street Mall, RNA Showgrounds and the Valley mall, and that's just a glimpse of the venue list. BSAF is bringing Tools of the Trade, an exhibition from Hong Kong, our way as well. It steps through the history of street art and graffiti, but views it through the tools that artists use to create their work. And if you're keen to learn a new skill, the aforementioned workshop lineup has doubled since last year, and now features everything from yarn bombing to tufting. Images: Cam Scale; Sheep Chen and Adnate by Joshua Taten.
The year was 1971. The band was the Rolling Stones. The album was Sticky Fingers. It was the British group's first release of the '70s, and it helped set the standard their sound for the decade to follow. 45 years later, it's still considered one of their greatest ever records. Indeed, from the moment the opening strains of 'Brown Sugar' start rockin', there's no doubting that Sticky Fingers is something special. While the band still tour, hearing them play any of their albums live in their entirety is never going to happen, so a heap of Aussie musos have teamed up to give Brisbane the next best thing. Trust Tim Rogers to strut his stuff to tracks like 'Wild Horses' and 'Moonlight Mile' — and trust Ben Salter to join him. Salter's The Wilson Pickers bandmate Danny Widdicombe is actually the mastermind behind the event, with one of his other groups, The Honey Sliders, helping crank out the iconic album plus a heap of other great Stones songs. And if you can't make it to The Zoo on Saturday night, they'll be doing it all over again at The Soundlounge in Currumbin on Sunday evening.
Drooling over the 2019 Coachella lineup? Weeping because your bank balance says you won't be heading to Indio, California to catch Childish Gambino, Tame Impala and Ariana Grande? We understand. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" doesn't really apply here — but "if you can't attend, pretend" (which we totally just made up) does. You've got two options: compile your own epic playlist of present and past Coachella acts to listen to on repeat, or head to the The Flying Cock's Cockchella on Friday, April 12 for a celebration of the array of talent that will grace the fest's stages over the next two weekends. If that's not enough of an enticement, let's run through some of the other artists on the bill (aka the folks whose tracks The Flying Cock's DJs will be spinning): Anderson Paak, Janelle Monae, CHVRCHES, Gucci Gang, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Weezer, Aphex Twin, Khalid, Diplo, Jaden Smith, Idris Elba and Aussies Rüfüs Du Sol. Paying tribute to all that and more is going to be huge. Entry is free, and the fun kicks off from 8pm.
Christmas means many things: chaos in the shops, carols invading your brain, and a focus on all things red and green. In Brisbane, it also means Queensland Ballet's final production for the season, with The Nutcracker brightening up the QPAC stage every year. Whether you've experienced the Tchaikovsky-scored two-act performance about sentient toys, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy before, or you're joining little Clara on her Christmas Eve journey for the first time, you're certain to get swept up in the show's magic. And if you don't already have a ticket, don't delay — selling out is also an annual tradition. Image: David Kelly.
What do The Simpsons, Star Wars and Shrek have in common? They've all graced the big screen, they clearly share a love for the letter S and they're each huge hits. Oh, and they've all inspired their own firmly adults-only stage parodies, as pop-culture favourites starting with the 19th letter of the alphabet happen to do in Australia, it seems. Somebody once told us that Shreklesque is the burlesque and drag take pop culture's favourite green ogre that you didn't know you needed — and we're telling you that now. (And no, nobody informed you two decades ago that the animated hit would turn out like this, because no one could've predicted it.) On the bill at the aptly named show: the kind of irreverent and raunchy take on all things Shrek that The Bad Collective will be serving up with its upcoming The Stripsons, too — and, while Shreklesque has been around for a couple of years now, earning awards and acclaim in the process, the Aussie production is hitting the road for a national and New Zealand tour in 2022. That means that it's time to make a date with a production that might share a general storyline and a fondness for the colour green with the much less satirical — and actually family-friendly — Broadway hit Shrek the Musical, which came our way a year or so back, but couldn't be more different in a heap of ways. If you're wondering who had the brainwave to turn Shrek into a burlesque show, that'd be Trigger Happy as Shreklesque's creator and director. For this tour, the show's cast includes Bebe Gunn, Rainbow, Tugboat Tiffy, Baron Von Envy, Henny Spaghetti, Barbie Banks, Selin Tian, Rosaline DeRussi, Indea Sekula and De La Vinx. When Shreklesque hits The Tivoli from Wednesday, June 15–Saturday, June 18, wearing green is obviously recommended — although you'll be seeing plenty of it on-stage anyway. And if this is exactly your sense of humour when it comes to beloved pop-culture commodities, all that glitters is gold, naturally. Image: SomeFX.
