Feel like you're pretty familiar with stand-up paddleboarding by now? Well, if you've managed to tackle the task atop local lakes and seas, it might be time to level up your balancing bravado with a paddleboarding trip on the Mossman River. The team at Wind Swell will take you on a three-hour trip upstream to soak in the sights and sounds of the buzzing tropical rainforest. Along the way, you'll learn about the local habitat, have a chance to try out some paddleboard yoga, taste exotic flavours of local tropical fruit and cool off in the freshwater swimming hole before floating back to base. And, if that's not enough adventure, check out the company's other tours in wing surfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and more.
If Cairns Canyoning existed in 1994, we're convinced that TLC would have actually sung: "do go chasing waterfalls". With the help of expert guides, here you'll have the truly thrilling opportunity to abseil down waterfalls, hurl yourself from towering boulders into crystal-clear fresh water and zip line through World Heritage-listed rainforest all in one trip. You can choose between the half-day adventures through Behana Gorge or Crystal Cascades or, if you're feeling a little more hardcore, sign up for the full-day Spillway Canyon trip.
To bare witness to the La Boite and Sydney Theatre Company's much anticipated co-production of Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness is to venture into a whimsical world where quirky tales are made to be believed. An intriguing world where fantasy, reality and sequinned capes keep you captivated for hours. The tales shared and depicted by the talented cast of three are abstract to say the least; pimples that spout pearls, a cork in the head to cure a broken heart, teddy bears begging for imaginary tea. Nothing is too evocative or risque for Edward Gant and his Amazing Feats of Loneliness either. The show will have you throw caution to the wind of political correctness to chuckle at naughty Catholic Priest jokes along with other controversial quips. Amongst the heart felt portrayals of tragic tales are some of the most magnificent costumes by Australian designer darlings Romance Was Born. Championed by style icon Cate Blanchett, who is on the board of the Sydney Theatre Company, Romance Was Born add great colour and sparkle to the show via tulle teddy bear heads, pastel printed onesies and even a strap on beard made entirely of pearls. Now that's my kind of facial hair.
Who are The Secret Whisper? Well, they’re a female-fronted five-piece hailing from The Gymp, and they make energetic pop-rock akin to a hybrid of Paramore and Jimmy Eat World. The group of friends brought The Secret Whisper together for a “journey of love” sometime last year. The fun-filled venture has proved to be extremely effective as they’ve already headlined gigs up and down the coast, catching the attention of Sydney producer Sonny Truelove, who produced their debut EP, Le Jeune Amour. The EP was then shipped to the States to be mixed by Grammy nominated producer Michael Elvis Baskette, who’s worked with the likes of Iggy Pop and Incubus. The Whisper’s labour of love on Le Jeune Amour will be culminated at their EP launch this Black Friday at The Zoo, where they’ll be supported by local dudes Montpelier and Byron Bay’s Polaroid Fame. Once the final chords die out, the party continues at The Bowler Bar – so hold on to your stamps and ticket stubs for discounted entry. If you didn’t know The Secret Whisper earlier, then this is the best time to get acquainted.
No Anchor is listed on triple j Unearthed as being punk/metal. So punk/metal, in fact, that they don’t even have a guitar player - because guitars are way too cute to be punk/metal. Genres are superfluous in No Anchor’s case though as they don’t even consider what they do to be music – in fact, it’s a punishment. Listening to No Anchor equals an aural version of high-school detention. Self-deprecation aside, they’re actually really good, and they’ve made albums to prove it. In fact, they’ve just finished making one, and it’s called Real Pain Supernova, which you can now download for free on their website. But if you’re a live/vinyl purist, you’ll probably get a kick out of going to No Anchor’s album launch and having your face melted off at Woodland this Black Friday – the dudes will be joined by Dreamtime and Undead Apes. Your face might not survive the shred but the double vinyl LPs they’ll have for sale will so pick one up on the way out.
It's been a while since the name and sounds of Incubus have been syphoned into our ear drums, but they have not been forgotten, it seems. They brought us the now decade old classic, 'Drive', and follow up singles 'Wish You Were Here' and 'Dig', along with many others, but haven't put out a record for nearly five years. So what gives? Where have these lovable rogues been? After the success of their worldwide hit album Make Yourself in 1999 and its follow-up, Morning View in 2001, the band continued to tour well into the 00's, busting out a couple more albums and a greatest hits CD, bringing their discography to an impressive six records, as well as being certified platinum and scoring a number 1 US album for their 6th effort, Light Grenades. They announced a hiatus after their 2008 Australian Soundwave tour and re-emerged in July last year with their 7th album, If Not Now, When?. For a band renown for their gritty sound, there's hope in the new album, which lead singer Brandon Boyd says will be “darker, slower...and more involved than anything Incubus has birthed to date”. With that sort of promise, it looks like witnessing the rebirth and reappearance of this Californian band could be worth the wait.
If there’s one thing I’d like to bring back from ‘the way things used to be’, it would be the presence of the paper boy, except that instead of delivering the community paper (which tends to end up becoming part of the front garden), the kid that’s too young for a real job but too old for pocket money would deliver something you were actually interested in. For one day, For Us By Us is doing exactly that. Drawing from a concept originally started in Berlin, Papergirl is a project that invites everyone – be you artist or not – to submit a work of art that can be rolled up and delivered by various paper girls and boys throughout the city. It’s a concept that breaks the barriers between art, artists and audiences by directly engaging the people of Brisbane and allowing them to become part of a community they may not usually engage with. This Saturday the For Us By Us paper girls and boys will be taking to the streets of the Valley, city and West End, but if you’d like to view the art before they get rolled up and distributed, head to the White Canvas Gallery on Church Street for the Papergirl exhibition.
Seriously, it’s a comedy, rock musical. What else do I need to say? Rock of Ages, produced by Rodney Rigby is currently on a US National tour and the shows begin at QPAC next Saturday for a strictly limited season. So, it’s coined as an incredibly funny musical about a young aspiring rock star, Drew, who meets and falls in love with a girl named Sherrie through a volley of the greatest rock songs ever written. Drew is portrayed by Justin Burford who you may know from End of Fashion, so you know he’s got talent and definitely a good voice. Sherrie is the alias of Amy Lehpamer, a well recognised actress who’s recently been in some impressive musicals and appears in the series The Pacific. As well as being able to sit and sing along to the songs your dad wouldn’t turn off in the car as a kid, you also get to admire the ridiculous hair styles and costumes that some of us wish we still could get away with, all while relishing the two and a half hours of a musical with an incredible reputation. Rock of Ages has been nominated for a spectacular repertoire of awards including Musical of the Year. So tease your hair, put on your flares and get ready for Rock of ages to rip out your inner Gene Simmons.
The 21st century is synonymous with combos – from degustation to Family Packs, 2-4-1s and Bring a Friend for Free deals – we’re all about getting the most out of one offer. The concept’s not exclusive to Ikea or Coles; in fact, it’s applicable to art, too. At LEVEL, they’ve got four exhibitions in the one space, so you don’t have to go too far to see a hugely diverse range of work. First is Rise and Fall by Phoebe McDonald. McDonald is interested in the nature of life, time, space and perception and her recent bodies of work she explores shadows and reflected colour as compositional elements. Second is Familial Tangles by Melinda Ryan Carroll, in which Carroll explores the space in between memory, attempting to map the loss of memory. Third is Balance, a set of works by Louise Sparre, who pulls fragments out of everyday image and information flow and into dazzling constellations. Fourth is Lost Girls – Unchartered Territory and Dream Scapes by Rachel Bartram, using the concept of the fictional heroine archetype and presenting her in unfitting, unfamiliar and dream-like settings. While I don’t mind a combo of the edible variety (Family Box what up!), the creative variety is so much more fulfilling, so I’ll be making the journey down to Newstead this Saturday to take in the visual nourishment I've been really needing. Image credit: Phoebe McDonald ‘Rise and Fall’ (detail) 2011
Your experience with a capella shouldn’t be limited to Ted’s band on Scrubs – though The Blanks are pretty special in their own right. However, there’s a lot more out there in terms of contemporary a capella, including the genius that is The Idea of North. The four piece started off as a group of friends attending ANU in 1993 and have since gained international recognition, with their most recent achievement being the 2010 Aria for Best Jazz Album. With Brisbane’s Powerhouse being dubbed as The Idea of North’s ‘second home’, it seems only natural that the Powerhouse Theatre plays the venue for the launch of The Idea of North’s latest album. Take a walk down to the river and enjoy the best thing to come out of our nation’s fine capital. If you’re going expecting Ted Buckland, you might be going for the wrong reasons, but maybe, just maybe, The Idea of North will do their own rendition of Hey Ya.
It can get pretty lonely working as a freelancer in a creative field. Sometimes it'd be nice to have a lunch date with someone; inspire and bounce a few ideas off one another; have the ability to recount 'bitch and moan' stories with fellow freelancers; maybe share a few 'in' jokes about the highs and lows of your shared field. Collaborate and all that jazz. Well, creative networking group Sprinkl has heard the cries of creatives all around Brisbane and are aiming to solve their woes with some short and sweet meet ups. Aimed at creatives and freelancers, Sprinkl is ideal for helping industry insiders build their creative networks, aiding creative collaboration and bringing fellow creatives together. Designers, Photographers, Writers, Musicians, Animators, Artists - seasoned, breakthrough, industry and students are all welcome. Afraid of being judged by your business card or getting cornered into a pyramid scheme? Don't be. Sprinkl is more about embracing and showcasing local creative talent. At past meet ups they have held The Sprinkl LIVE Design-Off, where two designers are given one brief and an impossible one hour deadline to duel it out for creative supremacy. You can see some of the fun and talented results here. See? Looks like fun.
I am not A Nihilist is not just a statement of philosophical views, it’s also one of the personalities of Mark Zian, the one with which he has created a new album, ‘No Ooo’s No Ahh’s No Audience’. Zian has decided he is not a two-dimensional character, thus has created several alter egos to distribute his creative input into, so that listeners can view each project in its own context. As well as I am not a Nihilist, Mark is also Scruples and Curlew. In celebration of I am not a Nihilist’s album release, Zian is holding a launch with a cross section of his favourite artists, creating a night of varying performances – ambient electronic music, spoken word and film – culminating in a live performance of songs from the album by I am not a Nihilist himself. Nihilist or not, the ‘No Ooo’s No Ahh’s No Audience’ launch promises a night of audiovisual delight, and at the low price of ten bucks for entry, it pays itself off. Image credit: Ricky Tang
I was first acquainted with Owl City when I listened to one of Triple J's best programs, the A-Z of Shit Music, and oh how I laughed. It appears that you don't have to listen to Owl City's records to form an immediate opinion, you just have to hear the lyrics. Why don't I treat you to some now? 'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs, from 10, 000 lightning bugs, as they tried to teach me how to dance.' Wait, hold on? What? What's a lightning bug, Owl City man, aka Adam Young? From what I can gather from YouTube videos, he sits behind a MacBook and speaks through a magical microphone with 500 voice filters built in. If that's not got you buying tickets for you and all your friends, he also has over 25 million hits on his MySpace, an amazing achievement... in 2007. Maybe Owl City is all about going back in time and making things cool again, like racing back to 2003 to steal The Postal Service's sound? As Max Lavergne put it, “it's excruciatingly emo and not easy to listen to, but the truth rarely is”. And there you have it - I double dare you to attend the gig of the year, it will reignite your closet emo side, and most likely your hatred for them and the music they “create”.
I'm the first to admit that my uni course was a walk in the park. I am also happy to admit that I found out about a lot of cool things during my time as an Arts student, including the hilarious, now defunct, comedy sitcom Black Books. The star was Dylan Moran, an Irishman with a sharp wit and an even sharper dress sense. Not only is he an actor, starring in Shaun of the Dead and Run, Fat Boy Run, he is also an esteemed comedian, ranked #14 in the world - because apparently such accolades exist. Anyway, he is like, totally (that's the name of one of his past tours... and now you know) an amazing performer and has garnered much adoration for his deadpan humour and spot-on observations. He kind of looks like he just got out of bed, which is not only lovable, it's actually kind of attractive. Don't doubt him though, Dylan isn't just some scruffy old man, he's a legit comedy institution, having already sold out shows internationally and two here in Brisbane already. Make sure you skip uni to see the legend that is Dylan Moran when he's in town for his third and final show.
Australia’s relationship with water is a difficult one – jumping between extremes, we’re either in a time of drought or flood, and communities can buckle and disappear under the pressure. It’s often not until its too late that we finally ask ourselves how we need to develop new ways of understanding a constantly changing environment that we cannot control. In La Boite’s latest production Water Wars Cal, a seven-year-old boy, and his dog Freddo, are trying to understand this concept in their town. Cal observes as his friends and neighbours try to solve their problems but instead slowly descend into madness. There’s a delicate balance between two human instincts in times of disaster – the instinct to save yourself, and the instinct to help others – so what happens next? And how will Cal deal with everything that is happening around him? The indie production from La Boite is timely and full of dark humour weaved within the relatable plot. With only a short season, it’s an unmissable production.
I was sitting at home a few Sundays ago watching Great Migrations, feeling indolent and pointless. I thought, it’s bloody cool that animals have to undertake amazing feats just for the survival of themselves and their species. Disgustingly divergent, I sat with my microwave dinner in complete comfort, observing the incredible behavior of fauna, and it was that moment when I got up and decided to quit wasting away and get up and do something - perhaps even something beneficial to the survival of my species. So I turned my iTunes to shuffle and some classic punk came on - I was listening to The Get Up Kids and my disposition turned around. It was one small step that led to a chain of good events throughout my week. I guess you wouldn’t understand unless you experience it for yourself, so how do you remedy this? First step: get off your MacBook Pro. The Get Up Kids are playing at the Hi-Fi and if you don’t know what’s good for you, I do! Skate to your friends house, take them to drink some White Rabbit dark ale at Archive then cross the road, go and see them play and feel alive.
At night, the public parks of Tokyo’s Shinjuki, Yoyogi and Aoyama districts are to Tokyo as Mt Coot-tha is to Brisbane – the city’s best place to get down with your bad self, at least in the 70s anyway. Photographer Kohei Yoshiyuki would frequent these Japanese parks, equipped with a 35mm camera, infrared film and a flash; with his gear he’d document the clandestine trysts happening behind each bush and bench, as well as the voyeurs who would not only watch, but sometimes participate in the couple’s lewd acts. The images of the exhibition are raw and candid, exposing a side of Japan that is rarely seen. In its original showing in 1979, the lights of the gallery were turned off and visitors were given flashlights to view the life-size images, giving the viewer a similar experience to what Yoshiyuki had during the time of his project. The Park is a thought-provoking documentation into a world that exists not only in Tokyo, but in many cities around the world, but is so taboo it is rarely ever discussed, much less documented in a permanent format. Image credit: Kohei Yoshiyuki
Clothes: whether it’s your overworn and almost outdated Wranglers, or the broached and revived polka-dot dress from the 70s you embezzled from your mother, they separate us from the animals. On the contrary, in the case of those flamboyantly antiquated, painfully hip individuals that we all know too many of, clothes can also make us look like animals. Regardless, everybody’s just looking for something different. Everyone wants to stand out, be noticed, be admired, which is why there is such a demand at the moment for unique designers and an escalating number of home mod enthusiasts. However, if you’ve been looking for something really out there, something that might even overshadow Gaga, then ThreadTech 3 is for you. If you haven’t heard of ThreadTech before, what they do is take a very literal approach to brightening up of your wardrobe. Previous workshops have employed the use of conductible thread, matched with LED lights to weave some dazzle into your chosen piece of clothing. In ThreadTech 3, this more advanced workshop will exercise sensors such as light and motion sensors to even further vitalise and customise your outfit. So if you’re free this Saturday, take a walk along the river to the Edge - just watch out for paparazzi when you’re done.
The tenth BIGSOUND conference has sold out this year, and for good reason – it’s three jam-packed days of talks, presentations, workshops, parties, and other general good times for anyone who has anything to do with the music industry. Don’t fret if you missed out on a ticket though, all is not lost! BIGSOUND Live still has tickets available, and if you ask me it’s probably the best part of the entire event anyway – I’m not one for listening to people make noise with their talky-hole unless there’s some shred in the background. BIGSOUND Live will bring the shred and a whole lot more when it takes over eight venues throughout Fortitude Valley this week. The Getaway Plan, Bleeding Knees Club, Street Chant, Calling All Cars, Ball Park Music, SEALS, The Sheepdogs and more make up the 80-act-strong cohort. What’s the price of a good time? The BIGSOUND dudes are generous, giving one night of aural delight for just $33, or both nights for $55. Pleasant numbers, pleasant results.
Australia’s premier illusionist Consentino is continually defying the odds. He is known for his incredible dexterity, intimate magic mysteries, his intense escapes and his ability to distort your perception of reality. This “daredevil performer” has won awards for his talents, including the Merlin Award for 2012. He is a Guinness World Record Holder, a Helpmann Award nominee, runner up for 2011 on Australia’s Got Talent and recently performed a sold-out show at the Regent Theatre for Channel 7. Now, you can see the man himself doing what he does best. Consentino’s original and innovative presentations have garnered prestige and respect amongst his peers and clients alike. A showman first and foremost, Consentino will prove why his performances are among the most powerful, riveting and sought-after in the industry today. Tickets to the VIP Experience have already sold out, so be sure to claim your own seats for the show before these magically disappear.
The team at Switchboard Arts present their latest play, The Choir. This performance focuses on a state choir competition in which a group of orphanage boys take part. The seven choirboys are aged between 12-16 but are in fact played by adult actors. After facing various up's and down's throughout the lead up to the competition, the young boys discover that not everyone is worthy of their trust. Themes of friendship and betrayal tie this story together and humour provides a charming undercurrent to the play. In addition, the fantastic musical pieces colour the drama and it's no wonder why Errol Bray's, The Choir, has received international acclaim. The Washington Post has described it as 'touching', London's Stage has stated that it 'packs a punch' and our own The Australian believes The Choir is 'beautifully shocking and funny'. Catch this special performance by Switchboard Arts at The Powerhouse from Tuesday to Saturday.
The teachers and dancers of Brisbane's Mad Dance House have prepared a show that will both entertain and impress you. Their passion for dance and pure talent will be showcased on Saturday night in the performance, Hype – A Dancer's Voice. Join the fun as Mad Dance House celebrates its 10th birthday. Hype is an annual show that features Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary styles with over 70 performers busting a move and breaking a sweat. Mad Dance House boasts a bevy of talented teachers such as the gifted Jasmine Meakin. This masterful Hip Hop dancer and teacher has become a Youtube sensation as her tutorials and dance videos have been watched by millions of people. Be inspired by amazing and passionate dancers this Thursday night. For an hour and ten minutes the performers will be giving it their all to celebrate a year of hard work.
Tex Perkins is a man of many faces. He has fronted The Cruel Sea with their ethereal soundscapes, he has lead the charge of hardened pub rock with The Beasts of Bourbon. He has collaborated on the Tex, Don and Charlie shows, he has accompanied Tim Rogers for the TnT Project. He has even channelled his wears for the Johnny Cash musical The Man In Black. Now, with a yet-to-be-titled album in circulation, Tex will be touring the country stylings with Dark Horses throughout November. The new offerings from the group show an altogether new direction for Tex, while maintaining his signature gravelly vocals and poetic songwriting. It promises to be a mature follow-up to the self-titled album released in 2011. On the live stage, Perkins’ world-weary growl is best showcased. Their set promises to be an enlightenment of newer material as well as a celebration of old gems. Tex Perkins alongside his fellow Dark Horses is a show that’s not to be missed.
During a routine traffic stop, Officer Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Officer Zavala (Michael Peña) confiscate a small cache of money and firearms from what turns out to be a notorious cartel. A regular day on the job soon escalates into a thrilling chase after the young officers uncover a secret that puts them on the wrong side of the country’s most dangerous drug operation. End Of Watch is already being heralded a must-see by critics for its high energy and cinematography that puts the audience in the firing line. This film is sure to be a hit with fans of the LAPD-thriller genre, however its added grit and harsh honesty promises more than just your average buddy-cop flick. Catch it while you can at a cinema near you.
Attention all gamers: Start warming up your thumbs as you are in for a treat. Head to the State Library of Queensland and play some of the Sunshine State's best video and mobile games. Workshops, films, trivia, and special events such as after-hours games nights and talks are all a part of this exciting exhibition. All you need to bring is yourself, as iPads, PCs and a Big Play screen are all provided. At each station you'll find the latest and greatest games available. Over the duration of the exhibition these platforms will be updated with the latest releases. Another feature of the event is the launch of the world's first ever video game musical, 7bit Hero. Meet like-minded people, sharpen your gaming skills, and share your passion at Garage Gamer.
International rock god's, The Hives, are back in Brisbane this Wednesday night. The globetrotters have returned to Australian soil after playing at the Mecca of music festivals, Coachella and blowing people's mind's across the UK. Their Brisbane fans are ready to welcome them back with open arms and rock out. The Swedish garage rock band are best known for their single, 'Hate to Say I Told You So' and their onstage wardrobe choices which sees the boys don black and white outfits. After forming in 1993, the Swedes have released five studio albums and a string of successful singles. Extend your New Year's celebrations by heading to The Tivoli on the 2 nd January to rock out with The Hives. We can't think of a better way to welcome in the New Year!
2012 has been a wild ride for the artisans of Drawn From Bees. From the release of their eagerly-awaited second album The May King and His Paper Crown to their national tour, to their grand performance as a 12-piece orchestra at the Brisbane Powerhouse, they have been busy Bees indeed. Drawn From Bees will be rounding out the year by way of a special set at Black Bear Lodge, and for those who missed their Powerhouse spectacular, they will be doing an orchestral encore, which is sure to be quite the sight. Joining them will be local psych-rock delights Grand Atlantic, alt-country shakers Rattlehand and the melancholic Slow Push. This is the shindig of choice to see out the year, and you’ll be in good hands should the world in fact end the following day. Tickets are moving swiftly, so don’t leave your apocalyptic plans to chance.
Krump until you slump is the party persons answer to exercise. Forget a run around the block or a boring session at the gym, get fit the fun way with a productive boogie to some funky beats. Based on Melbourne's popular night 'No Light, No Lycra,' Krump until you slump is out to help us Brisbane kids get into shape through the power of dance. There are no routine dance moves or teacher instructions, just old school dancing. Whip your hair, break ya neck, do the robot or the Macarena - as long as you can keep up your heart rate, you're onto a winning move. You'll be mid shaking your bon bon and before you know it, you're dancercise-ing baby. It's that easy! Oh and if your a little bit shy to cut a rug, the lights will be turned down low so no need to hold back those hip shakes.
Brisbane’s (nay, Australia’s!) undisputed queen of boutiques, Blonde Venus, is turning 21 this year and she wants everyone to know she’s coming of age. No, this doesn’t mean that she’s going to don a fluro pink sash with flashing lights on it while strutting down Brunswick Street, come on now – you know she’s better than that. Instead, she’s going to host and present various events throughout the year in celebration of her debut, the latest of which is Boomgates + Super Wild Horses (+ guests)! Boomgates is the Melbourne supergroup consisting of members of Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Dick Diver, Teen Archer and The Twerps; Super Wild Horses are the girl-duo who recently took out the HEAR category in the Thousands Awards. Together, they’re launching their split 7”, and it’s all happening at Woodland. Forget the novelty 21st keys and personalised yard glasses – the only present Blonde Venus wants is your presence. Limited tickets are $10 – get in quick!
For many of us, an average quiet morning means eating cereal in pyjamas while making sarcastic jokes about morning TV, but for Tim and Jean, it can mean creating and recording a hit song. This was the case for their track 'Come Around,' recorded in an early morning session at their home which later lead to them being 'unearthed' by triple j. Thanks to that one track the Perth boys have since been answering the calls of major record labels and touring the country with much love, hype and praise. More recently the young-gun duo toured with this year's Laneway Festival, Falls Festival and Good Vibrations and released another track 'Like What' which is also the title of their debut album. To celebrate the official debut Tim and Jean are now set for a tour of their own, bringing their upbeat, synth saturated dance music to Adelaide, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney, before jetting off to the UK and North America. Catch them while you can.
A murderous barber, a lustful judge, and some seriously suspicious tasting pies. Come one, come all, to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. Following last years critically acclaimed production of RENT, Ignatians Musical Society and director John Peek are joining forces again to kick off 2012 on a slightly sinister note, with the hit musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. From sell out seasons on Broadway, to critical acclaim on the silver screen, this musical is sure to thrill and delight audiences of all ages. But beware, this dark tale is not for the faint-hearted or hemophobic. Emerging from the dank and foggy streets of Victorian London is Benjamin Barker (Sweeney Todd), who seeks revenge on the powerful judge who wrongfully deported him fifteen years earlier. When he learns of the ill fate of his wife and child from pie shop owner Mrs Lovett, he swears vengeance and the pair begin to work together. This musical is celebrated for its flawless fusion of the whimsical and the macabre. Its songs, cleverly crafted by writer Stephen Sondheim, black humour and tragic story are sure to leave its audiences unsettled, without appetite, and still longing for second helpings. Don't miss out, go along and take a bite!
I like whimsical, elongated names for things, ya know, they aren't just fireworks I can hear, they are explosions in the sky. Ooooh. The Explosions In The Sky in question are in fact an experimental group reigning from Texas, home of non-experimental country music. The post-rock foursome are known for their super-long instrumentals and emotional live shows. And they don't make people emotional in a Beatles frenzy sort of way either – these sprawling tracks actually hit deep into your soul. Before you dismiss Explosions In The Sky for being a boring band, you probably should give them a chance. You may have already given them a chance without knowing – they could've slipped into your subconscious if you have ever been inclined to watch the TV show, Friday Night Lights. After my first listen to 'Your Hand In Mine', I felt extremely calm. Perhaps seeing Explosions In The Sky is just what you need if you really want to find peace within yourself. Meaning of life: contemplated.
If you’re yet to hear Royal Headache’s Down The Lane or Dick Diver’s Through The D, then what the hell are you doing reading this? Rip out your debit card and splash out on some Royal Headache and Dick Diver mp3s, get learned, then come back to this article. I’ll wait here. Okay, great. So now that you’ve listened to both of those songs, you’re well aware of the brilliance that is each respective band. Wouldn’t it be perfect if they could play during the balmy weather we have coming up, while you down brews in the inflatable pool on the deck? (Yes.) Well, that’s not going to happen – sorry – but the next best thing is their split launch of their respective LPs. It’s all happening at Woodland this Friday night – head in, buy both CDs (don’tcha know they’re gonna be vintage soon?) and see the two best bands of the summer before it’s too hot for you to ever leave the pool again.
Here in Australia, we have a glasses shop called Bright Eyes, so every time I listen to or hear about Bright Eyes, I think of sexy guys on posters wearing Raybans. This wouldn't be so bad if I weren't denying myself the privilege of having Conor Oberst on my mind every time I heard “First Day of My Life” at every wedding ever. It's hard to think that Bright Eyes have been creating music for over 15 years and have only toured Australia a handful of times. Conor and bandmates Mike Mogis and Nate Wallcott may be from Nebraska but they are definitely heard much further than their central roots, even if it took us a while to get to know their sound. And if you don't know what that is, it's acoustic, indie and lovely. Speaking of getting to know them, Brisbane is lucky enough to have the godforsaken gift of a sideshow on the tail of Bright Eyes' slot at Harvest. We never get sideshows for anything, EVER, so it would be very silly if you missed Bright Eyes twice when they were in town. C'mon, they are right in front of you, you just need to look.
Lightspace has been growing into an increasingly popular venue for great events as of late, and it’s not hard to see why. Lately it’s been home to fashion shows, art shows and all those other hip things to be seen at. One may even go there to crash their girlfriend’s graduation party and exploit the free booze available. If these reasons are making you miss that great white building on Light Street, well, this Friday you’ve got another chance to visit. The Whitelight ‘warehouse’ party is back, with a fantastic line up of bands that are killin’ it right now. Personally, I’m going to be at this event because aesthetically it’s a great place to be and statistically there’s probably going to be an abundance of gorgeous women. But if you need more excuses, then I’ll tell you that the last Whitelight warehouse party was incredible, with the Jezabels headlining. This Whitelight relapse will hopefully involve more beautiful women, but will most definitely involve even more great music – Belligerents, anyone? So, with all that said - I hope to see you on Friday, especially if you’re a cute girl.
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics will kick off after the game's official opening ceremony on Friday, July 23. If you've already binged your way through your favourite shows, swap the channel and sit down to watch our country's best and brightest athletes compete on the world stage. It'll also be great planning prep for 2032 when Brisbane will host the Olympic Games. Of course, when you're enjoying some world-class sport on TV, it's vital to have the perfect drink on hand. Here are six sports that you can catch over the next two weeks based on your favourite cocktail choice, which will perfectly complement these feats of athleticism. You can watch the 2021 Olympics via Channel 7, 7two and 7mate or stream it on 7plus. NEGRONI & LONG JUMP On the surface, a negroni seems like a reasonably simple set-up — just mix gin, campari and vermouth. But it's incredibly easy to mess up the balance and finding the perfect mix takes a decent amount of bartending experience and skill. In a purely theoretical sense, long jump seems like the kind of event that should be easy. In theory. But anyone who's been tormented with high school athletics can attest to its difficulty and appreciate the sophistication that goes into perfecting what seems like a straightforward event. When can I catch it? The men's qualifiers kick off on Saturday, July 31 at 8.10pm, while the women's qualifiers begin on Sunday, August 1 at 10.50am. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, Brooke Stratton and Henry Frayne will both be competing. PIMM'S & TENNIS Pour yourself a Pimm's and pretend you're watching the tennis live from Tokyo. The light refreshing drink is a tennis staple for good reason, radiating warm summer energy, despite how gloomy the weather might be here at home. When can I catch it? The tennis kicks off at 12pm on Saturday, July 24 and runs until Sunday, August 1. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, world number one Ash Barty will be competing alongside nine other Australian competitors including Sam Stosur and John Millman. MARTINI & DIVING Sophisticated, elegant and a little dangerous. These are all words that describe both James Bond's signature martini and diving. Sip this classic cocktail as you watch the astonishing aerial acrobatics of the Australian divers. Plus, after a few of Sydney's best martinis, you won't know whether the drinks or the diver's backflips are causing you to feel a touch lightheaded. When can I catch it? The diving will run from Sunday, July 25 until Sunday, August 7. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, seven divers will represent Australia in this year's Olympics include previous medal winners Anabelle Smith and Melissa Wu. ESPRESSO MARTINI & ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS If you feel like life is best enjoyed with a healthy mix of enthusiastic energy and class, you're bound to enjoy both an espresso martini and the range of gymnastics events on offer throughout the Olympic Games. Whether it's the beam, vault, bars or floor, Australia's top-tier gymnasts will inject a burst of energy to match the caffeine hit in your espresso martini. When can I catch it? The artistic gymnastics will begin at 11am on Saturday, July 23 and run until Tuesday, August 3. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, Australia has three artistic gymnasts competing this year as well as six rhythmic gymnasts and two athletes competing in the trampolining. [caption id="attachment_795641" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Millie Tang[/caption] A SHOT & 100 METRE SPRINT As the Olympics marquee event is over in under ten seconds, you'll need a drink that's consumed equally quickly. Obviously, that's where shots come in. Just pick whichever tipple you prefer, pour it into a shot glass before the starter's pistol fires and you're ready to go. When can I catch it? The women's 100 metre will take place on Saturday, July 31 with the final taking place at 10.50pm. The men's 100 metre will then take over next Sunday, August 1, with the final occurring at the same time. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, Hana Basic and Rohan Browning will both compete. LONG ISLAND ICED TEA & MODERNS PENTATHLON The modern pentathlon is a mix of five different sports: running, swimming, fencing, shooting and show jumping. Just like the long island iced tea, it's the perfect event if you're a bit indecisive about what you want to watch (or drink) and are just happy to enjoy the experience. When can I catch it? Both the men's and women's modern pentathlon will run from Thursday, August 5 until Saturday, August 7. Can I catch any Aussies? Yes, we have two competitors in the modern pentathlon, Ed Fernon and Marina Carrier. You can watch the opening ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics on Channel 7, 7two and 7mate or 7plus from 8.30pm on Friday, July 23. Top image: Atlanta Bell.
Think you know what's on the menu at Cheddar? Think again. Rather than a haven for cheese-loving folks, the cafe on the corner of Albert and Mary streets offers up brunch and burgers. You'll find a certain dairy product on the both though, don't worry. Parmesan-topped herb pesto and prosciutto on sourdough, zucchini fritters with haloumi or a double cheeseburger should be enough to satisfy your cravings — assuming that, like most people with a pulse and an ability to eat lactose, you have an obsession with cheese. Or, opt for the distraction method. From good ol' smashed avo to Tasmanian smoked salmon to croissants aplenty, you'll also find enough tasty bits and pieces to whet your appetite. Other morning options include an array of tried-and-tested favourites such as bacon and egg rolls and granola, while the burg range features chicken, braised pulled pork, beef, and slow-cooked lamb and fennel. Grab a cup of Campos coffee with it, and you're set, with Cheddar open for brekkie, brunch and lunch during the week, and for your early food fix on weekends.
Heartbreak is two souls wanting nothing more than each other, but life having other plans. So goes Robot Dreams, another dialogue-free marvel from Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger, who had audiences feeling without words uttered with 2012's Blancanieves — and showed then with black and white imagery, as he does now with animation, that he's a master at deeply expressive visual storytelling. His fourth picture as a director was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. In most years, if it wasn't up against Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron, it would've taken home the Oscar. It earns not just affection instead, but the awe deserved of a movie that perfects the sensation of longing for someone to navigate life with, finding them, adoring them, then having fate doing what fate does by throwing up complications. Usually this would be a boy-meets-girl, boy-meets-boy or girl-meets-girl story. Here, it's a dog-meets-robot tale. The time: the 80s, with nods to Tab and Pong to prove it. The place: a version of Manhattan where anthropomorphised animals are the only inhabitants — plus mechanised offsiders that, just by placing an order and putting together the contents of the package that arrives, can be built as instant friends. Eating macaroni meals for one and watching TV solo in his small East Village apartment each evening, Dog is achingly lonely when he orders his Amica 2000 after seeing an infomercial. As he tinkers to construct Robot, pigeons watch on from the window, but they've never been his company. Soon exuberantly strutting the streets hand in hand with his maker, the android is a dream pal, however, but this kismet pairing isn't what gives Robot Dreams its name. What do two beings, human, animal, automaton or otherwise, do when they're falling head over heels for each other's presence? They glide through their suddenly sunny existence like there's nothing else in the world, joined at the hip and the spirit. This pair explore. They mosey blissfully around New York, which finally feels like a playground for Dog, rather than a place where everyone else is happy. They eat hot dogs from street vendors and dance on rollerskates in Central Park. They swoon over a shared favourite song — embracing the pull of Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' (because if it can't bring folks together, cementing connections and glorious memories, then nothing can). As the summer nears its end, Dog and Robot also decamp to Coney Island, to the beach, for a cheery day of swimming and sunbathing, and also of relaxing slumbering on the shore. Alongside slip-slop-slap advice, plus the rule that everyone is told as a kid about waiting before swimming after eating, Robot Dreams adds another piece of guidance: watch out that your metal mate doesn't rust and short-circuit from the saltwater and sea breeze if you're taking them out for sun, surf and sand. When Robot can't move after the duo wake up, Dog's only choice is to leave him there overnight, then return the next day with the requisite supplies. The season is truly saying farewell, though — and September, the month, takes on a more mournful tone than in the disco classic that cribs its moniker, as the film also goes on to reflect as the song keeps popping up. When Dog endeavours to bring Robot home, the beach is shut and gated. The reopening date: June 1 the following year, when summer approaches again. In Berger's adaptation of Sara Varon's 2007 graphic novel of the same name — the author and illustrator's Chicken and Cat also gets a shoutout within the flick's frames — Blade Runner's "do androids dream of electric sheep?" isn't the question. Visions frolic through Robot's bucket-shaped head while he sleeps, all toying with the only query that anyone watching is asking: will Robot and Dog reunite? Robot Dreams is a movie of yearning, a picture about the unwanted surprises that can derail contentment and a portrait of the fact that that's the fundamental reality of life. This hauntingly candid truth blows through the film gently but crisply, like a flurry from the ocean on a mostly still day. It sweeps through The Wizard of Oz-inspired reveries and solitary Halloweens, too, plus new friendships forged with a family of birds, and also with the outgoing and outdoorsy Duck. With its line-heavy 2D animation creating a world awash with loving details — the spooky costumes come October 31 are just one delight — this poignant tale is also one of reality and resilience. Everything that Robot Dreams muses on is handled with soul-stirring tenderness and astute recognition, such as the way that fulfilment can flow out with the tide for no other reason than that's how things work sometimes, that living is a balance of weathering disappointment and appreciating joy when and where you can interlace fingers with it, and that knowing when to ride what the next wave brings in is one of the most-crucial lessons there is. Premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and winning Best Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival the same year, Robot Dreams first debuted before animated series Carol & the End of the World hit Netflix; however, they share the same emotional texture, and the same being-seen sensation, like they've peered into hearts and minds to render the results with strokes, shapes and colours. No words are needed to tell this narrative not only because that's Berger's savvy decision, but because no words are required to describe a journey that everyone has taken. We've all been Dog and we've all been Robot — forced to move on and left behind, that is — and so pictures here do say far more than dialogue ever could about the feeling of standing in both shoes (or paws, or metallic feet). As much of a toe-tapping gem now as it has been since its 1978 release and always will be, 'September' also conveys everything, crooning as it does about love changin' minds, chasin' clouds away, getting souls singin' and hearts ringin', and also about recalling such golden dreams and shiny days gone by. Do you remember revelling in the glow of someone that completes you, pining for them when they aren't by your side, and realising that everything is transient, elation and sorrow included? Thanks to Robot Dreams, you will.
For when you can't decide between dancing and playing a game that your grandmother might love, bingo raves were invented. Now, for when you want to see a musical theatre show and you're also keen to stamp squares on a card, Broadway Bingo is here, too. It's a performance. It'll get you playing along. There'll be singing, as well as winning. Running from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 at Brisbane Powerhouse, taking over the venue's Underground Theatre, this entertaining mashup draws each tune that'll be crooned from the bingo cage. And, yes, the audience gets its own card to play along while they watch. You'll be keeping an eye out for things that correspond with the squares on your pivotal piece of paper — which might include "someone does a pirouette", or maybe "an audience member cries". Stamping them all and yelling "bingo!" isn't just allowed; it's mandatory. As the onstage talent dives into the costume box to match their outfits to their randomly chosen tracks, expect to hear songs from Les Misérables, Rent, The Sound of Music and Wicked, as well as Waitress, Cats, West Side Story, Dear Evan Hansen and more. Brisbane's own Outside the Jukebox is behind the show, adding it to its list of productions alongside Merry Mixology and Mixtape: Rewind to the 80s. [caption id="attachment_882045" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
When it comes to finger-lickin' goodness, fried chicken isn't the only delicious dish in town. Who doesn't love getting all sticky eating a big batch of ribs? And as regulars at the Boundary Street Markets will agree, Big Roddy does some of the best. Since April 2016, Big Roddy's Ripping Rib Shack has been one of the best places in the city to get your Chicago-style barbecue fix — and they're not done filling your stomachs just yet. Like so many market stalls before them, they made the leap to a permanent store because everyone really does need more beef and pork ribs, buffalo wings, poutine and burgers in their lives. Also following in the footsteps of plenty of other Brisbanites, Big Roddy's set up their bricks-and-mortar shop in Fish Lane in South Brisbane. As for what's on the menu, expect half and full racks of both pork and beef ribs; veggie, cheese and fried chicken burgers; and a combination of both ribs and burgers in the form of The Ribwich. Certain to tempt your tastebuds, the ribs-meets-burger comes served on a brioche bun. Snacks include wings dripping in sauce and dipped in homemade garlic aioli, chicken bites, chilli fries, jala-macca-peño poppers (which, yes, really do stuff good ol' jalapeño poppers with mac 'n' cheese) and the fries, gravy and cheese curd combo that is poutine. Be warned: if you weren't a rib lover before, you will be soon.
Everyone should see Henry Rollins on a stage. Luckily, audiences have had ample opportunities for more than four decades. The musician first came to fame singing behind the microphone in punk-rock band Black Flag and then Rollins Band, but is now just as renowned for his spoken-word shows, where he waxes lyrical (and candid and amusing) about his life, fame and the state of the world. Australians are no stranger to Rollins getting chatty; however, thanks to the pandemic, he hasn't taken to stages Down Under since 2016. That's changing this winter, with the icon, actor, author and radio host heading around the country on a 17-city tour. Rollins' spoken-word gigs always sell out, and they're always an entertaining — and unflinchingly honest — night spent listening to the Sons of Anarchy, Lost Highway and Heat star. This time, he's visiting both capitals and regional centres, and notching up every Aussie state and territory, on a tour dubbed 'Good to See You'. His Brisbane stops: Thursday, June 15, Friday, June 16 and Sunday, June 18 at The Tivoli. Attendees can look forward to Rollins looking back over the past seven years since he last visited Australia, stepping through his life from 2016 until COVID-19 hit — and, of course, exploring what's happened since. Fingers crossed for more mullet insights, too. Rollins makes his way around Australia after a massive leg in Europe, where he's been flitting from Croatia, Poland and Finland to Sweden, Germany, France and the United Kingdom — and more. And, his latest tour comes after he added two more books to his name in 2022: Sic, which draws upon the frustration of not knowing if his touring life would ever return; and Stay Fanatic!!! Vol. 3. Top image: Morten Jensen via Wikimedia Commons.
Maybe you really love Patrick Swayze. Perhaps you just need some more terracotta or ceramics in your life. Or, the idea of pottering around a clay-based showcase and finding pottery pieces — for yourself or as gifts — could just be your idea of a great Saturday. Whichever category you fall into, coast on over to Clayschool's Winter Market for 2023. Browse, buy, support local artists — it's the ultimate exhibition-slash-market. [caption id="attachment_893249" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clayschool[/caption] Indeed, while we're talking multi-tasking, Clayschool's students are hoping to show off their unique, handcrafted designs, and sell some as ace one-off wares. Christmas might be quite a few months away, but you can start planning already — or pick up something special for someone special, just because. (Yes, that includes for yourself). Plus, given that it's all taking place at West Village from 9am–1pm on Saturday, June 17, that means food and drinks will be in the vicinity as well. No one likes shopping on an empty stomach, after all — or while thirsty.
Mention Caxton Street and a few things automatically spring to mind: the football stadium, pubs and seafood, to be specific. No matter how you feel about sports or even booze, the roadway's regular ode to the ocean's finest is always worth a trip to Paddington — and yes, the Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival is back for 2023. This street party loves everything from fish and prawns to oysters and calamari — and tunes, brews and a good time all round as well. On the culinary side of things, expect seafood galore on the menu on Saturday, July 15, plus all the drinks that the Caxton Hotel serves to wash it down with. Also on the agenda: live music, with Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson headlining the main stage in the hotel's beer garden. The aforementioned pub is driving the whole shindig, with the watering hole a fest staple since the event first launched more than a quarter-century ago. And, while you're sipping brews and cocktails with a soundtrack, and tucking into seafood platters, there will be sports on the big screen — it is The Caxton, after all.
Talented pooches have been barking their way to big-screen stardom since the birth of the medium, and Cannes Film Festival even gives out awards for ace pupper performances. In Australia for a few years now, we also celebrate the intersection of canines and cinema — via our very own dog-themed movie showcase. At the Top Dog Film Festival, doggos and puppers cement their status as humanity's favourite film stars in a touring program of pooch-centric shorts. For a couple of hours, dogs will leap across screens in a curated selection of heartwarming flicks about humanity's best friend. Over the last few years, the lineup has included films about dog-powered sports, dogs in space, dogs hiking through the desert, senior dogs and more — with this year's bill highlighting dolphin-spotting dogs, animal actors and mountain pups. The festival hits Brisbane Powerhouse on Saturday, August 5 as part of its 2023 run, and rushing after tickets the way your best four-legged friend rushes after a frisbee is recommended. Given how much we all love watching dog videos online, not to mention attending pupper-centric shindigs in general, this event is certain to be popular. You'd be barking mad to miss it, obviously.
Spinning tops at the ready — it's time to enter the dream within a dream that is Christopher Nolan's filmography. With Oppenheimer, the British writer/director's 12th feature, on its way to the big screen in July, Palace Barracks is dedicating its regular Palace Encore! retro screening program to his flicks for two action-packed months. Memento, The Prestige, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet — they're all on the lineup, with the season running from Friday, May 12–Friday, July 14. Largely, the sessions take place at 6.30pm on Friday nights and cost $10 for Palace members and $15 otherwise, but there is one big exception: a day-long marathon of The Dark Knight Trilogy (aka Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises) from 11am on Saturday, June 17, where you'll pay $25–30 for grim caped-crusader antics. At Beyond the Infinite: The Influences and Films of Christopher Nolan, as the program is called, there's another dream layer to plunge into as well. Palace is also celebrating the films that've left an imprint on Nolan and his work, which opens up the door to a couple of other masterpieces. Everyone should see Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey on the silver screen at least once. The same goes for Ridley Scott's OG Blade Runner, too. And, also on the ten-week bill is a jump back almost a century with 1927's highly influential German expressionist gem Metropolis.
Usually when Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art includes the words 'cancel' and 'culture' in close proximity, it's to the heartbreak of art lovers — not that having to cancel its stunning cultural experiences is a common occurrence at all. But on Thursday, April 20 from 6.30–7.30pm, the South Brisbane spot is spending a night contemplating the most frequent use of those two terms together: cancel culture. Performer Courtney Act, comedian and QUEERSTRALIA presenter Zoë Coombs Marr, artist Michael Zavros, and Gumbaynggirr and Turkish storyteller and creative Brittanie Shipway are hitting Brisbane to discuss social media's approach to accountability at the venue's latest GOMA Talks session. It's timed to help see out its spectacular Air exhibition, which wraps up its run on Sunday, April 23. And if you're wondering how the site is connecting its topic to its focus on the substance that we all breathe, that's happening by posing a question: "is cancel culture giving us a voice or suffocating us?". The panel will chat about their own brushes with cancel culture, and dive into what's driving this modern wave of boycotting, if the digital world is truly keeping people answerable and if there's a more empathetic way. Journalist Paul Barclay will be hosting, and entry is free. Can't make it along in-person? GOMA is also livestreaming it via its YouTube channel. Top image: Gallery of Modern Art, James Turrell artwork.
Forget about every dog having its day — on Sunday, March 19, every dog in Brisbane can have their own festival. Victoria Park / Barrambin is putting out the welcome mat for peppy pooches and their loving owners thanks to DogFest. Has anything ever had a more appropriate title? Between 9am–2pm, the Herston spot will become a canine wonderland, complete with food trucks, live music and market stalls. Some spots will be selling food for humans only. Others will be going all in on doggo treats. Yes, it's a best-of-both-worlds situation. Plus, two stages will boast everything from dog competitions (including categories for best dressed and best trained) to masterclasses about pupper obedience behaviour. Promoting the latter is a big focus of the whole day, should you literally be looking to teach your four-legged best friend some new tricks. Entry is free, but you can reserve tickets in advance online.
Being an adult means celebrating Easter however you damn well want to. Fancy setting up an Easter egg hunt around your house? Go for it. Keen on drinking cocktails out of chocolate? No one will stop you. Want to ditch the usual festivities and dance away the afternoon and evening at a disco party on the river? Hop to it for the second year running. Indeed, if that last option particularly takes your fancy, you'll want to make a date with 2023's Mr Percival's Easter Sunday River Disco. Kicking off at 1pm on Sunday, April 9, it's exactly what it sounds like — all at Howard Smith Wharves' resident overwater bar. MC Double D, who you might know from Sneaky Sound System, will be spinning tunes alongside Dan Mumbles, Chilliana, Aunty Stan, Ethan Graves and LXXX — and they'll be on the decks right through until late. As for drinks, there'll be bubbles aplenty at Mr Percival's outdoor spritz bar, as well as Italian cocktails. And, the usual food menu will be on offer if you need a prawn cocktail, Moreton bay bug roll, bug-topped pizza or vanilla gelato sundae for sustenance.
Brisbane Powerhouse's new Night Feast, which enjoys its first-ever run throughout March, isn't just about having something to eat when the sun goes down. Yes, that's what the name says; however, the night market has some leeway around that. Given the place hosting it, of course a hefty serving of arts was also going to be part of the program. So, from running 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Sunday between Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 26 — for its first two weeks, then starting at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, March 18 — Night Feast is filled with stunning installations, too. One such piece hails from Maschi Fontana and gives the New Farm venue something different, even just for a month: towering pyramids. [caption id="attachment_893482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] This feast sure is going big — with Amanda Parer's gargantuans thanks to Fantastic Planet, and also with Rising Lotus. The latter features large triangle sculptures, which look retro-futuristic with their shape, glow and haze. As for Maschi Fontana, it's a collaboration between artists Tom Mùller and Jean-Thomas Vannotti, and focuses on combining spiritual and cult practices from years gone by with technological and environmental notions to come. Harking back to ancient Egypt but looking like it could've stepped straight out of a futuristic movie, Rising Lotus nails the brief. [caption id="attachment_893480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coogee[/caption] Top image: Lachlan Douglas.
Easter in Sydney doesn't just mean chocolate, hot cross buns and whatever other sweet treats the city's eateries happen to come up with at this time of year — it also means the Sydney Royal Easter Show. And, while you won't find the latter at El Camino Cantina's Tex-Mex joints in Brisbane, of course, the chain is getting into the spirit of the event nationwide with its returning limited-edition margarita menu, which it has dubbed 'the Royal Rita Show'. For its latest batch of creative flavours, El Camino Cantina is serving up Jelly Belly, Warhead, Chupa Chup and Rainbow Nerd margs. There are Trolli Lolli and fairy floss versions, too. Basically, it's the candy and booze combination you obviously didn't know you'd someday want when you were a kid. These lolly-flavoured ritas are on offer from Monday, April 3–Sunday, April 30, in both 15-oz and 24-oz glasses. And if you'd like to pair them with tacos, you'll find a Royal Rita Show food menu on offer as well; think tacos with popcorn chicken, chorizo and potato hash, slow-cooked barbecue brisket, and prawns with bacon. In southeast Queensland, you'll find both the margs and tacos tempting your tastebuds at El Camino in Bowen Hills, South Bank and Chermside in Brisbane; Robina and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast; and Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast.
