Mona Foma is almost here and the 2023 lineup is fantastic. If you're desperate to go but have left it to the last minute in a move that can only be described as "classic you", you can still pick up an exclusive one-of-a-kind travel package for the second weekend of the festival (February 24-26). Each package is for two people and includes two nights at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart with complimentary daily breakfasts, tickets to the Peaches Mona Session on Friday, February 24, where the feminist icon will perform her seminal electroclash opus The Teaches of Peaches in its entirety on Mona's lawns, plus Posh Pit ferry passes to sip champagne and canapés while en route to the festival. All of the above is $765 total (for two of you) so book now at Concrete Playground Trips — but you need to get your skates on because there are just three left. [caption id="attachment_874265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hadley Hudson. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona Foma.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_883205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A king room in the Movenpick Hotel Hobart[/caption] Top image: Jesse Hunniford from Mona Sessions 2021. Image courtesy of Mona Foma.
It's times like these that you can add a big summer gig to your diary, with Foo Fighters coming to Brisbane in December. The Dave Grohl-fronted rockers will embark on their first headline tour of Australia since 2018. It's also their first visit Down Under since drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away in March 2022. Foo Fighters were last in Australia that same month and year, playing a huge Geelong show to help launch Victoria's post-COVID-19 lockdowns live music program. The band unsurprisingly took a break from touring after Hawkins' death, only returning to live gigs in 2023. In Brisbane, they're headed to Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday, December 12 with The Chats and Hot Milk in support — and more tickets are going on sale at 3pm AEDT on Friday, October 13. [caption id="attachment_903613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scarlet Page[/caption] Picking up the sticks: ex-The Vandals, Devo, Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freese, taking on the likely-daunting task of being the touring drummer in a band led by Nirvana drummer Grohl. Freese's stint with the band was announced in May, ahead of their first tour dates. When they hit our shores, the new-look Foo Fighters will weave in tunes from their new record But Here We Are, which released in June. Of course, all the hits from across their career will get a whirl, with their current setlist including everything from 'This Is a Call', 'Big Me' and 'Monkey Wrench' through to 'Learn to Fly', 'The Pretender' and 'Best of You'. And, yes, 'Everlong', because it wouldn't be a Foo Fighters show without it. 'I'll Stick Around', which is also on the list, isn't just a song title from the group's first album. Given that their new tour comes 28 years after that debut release in 1995, it perfectly sums up Foo Fighters' longevity. Over the years, they've made it Down Under a heap of times, released 11 studio albums including the just-dropped But Here We Are, and made 2022 horror movie Studio 666. [caption id="attachment_903619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr Rossi vi Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Top image: Jo via Wikimedia Commons.
It's all well and good to poke fun at what's wrong with Melbourne. Its shitty weather, the lack of beaches and the fact that no one thinks it's a priority to have a rail link to the airport (sorry about that one). You will have to bring an umbrella, pack a jacket as well as well as your sunglasses and ride an expensive bus into the city, but you will not be disappointed. Melbourne is so much more than bad weather, and once you get past the trams and laneways, you'll see a side to the city that isn’t — and can't possibly be — translated through tourism ads. Because perfect weather is overrated anyway, maybe I can coax you away from your golden circle for a trip down south. Once you work out the transport system, the city's grid is easy to navigate and you can work your way northside to southside, east to west. To ensure you won’t waste time sipping bad coffee in sleepy suburbs, let this guide be your compass. Explore all the diverse pockets of the city, from Brunswick to Balaclava and back again. CITY: CBD, Docklands, Southbank Devoid of any notable landmarks, the CBD is subtle and charming. Little Bourke Street houses a cluster of serious coffee — get a takeaway from Patricia (standing room only) or walk a few blocks up to Brother Baba Budan and Manchester Press. Keep going and you'll hit Chinatown, where Shanghai Village is where you gotta go for copious amounts of dumplings (it's also BYO). If you want fine dining (or just clean cutlery), join the queue at Chin Chin or order tapas at the newly-reopened Bomba. Some of the city's best breakfasts can be found at Cumulus Inc. and The Grain Store, and for sweet treats your ice cream go-to is Spring Street Grocer and the signature salted caramel crepe from Creperie Le Triskel. See what exhibition is showing at the Ian Potter Centre, and make sure you head out to Southbank to check out open-air arts space and bar, Testing Grounds. We're all about the rooftop bars, with some of the best being at Rooftop Bar in Curtin House and Goldilocks, which is a smaller, cosier alternative. Weather permitting, the Queen Victoria Night Market is always busting during summer, and literally no one can turn down a drink under a bridge right on the Yarra at Ponyfish Island when the weather's warm. Go to: Flinders Lane, Little Bourke Street (Chinatown), Cathedral Arcade See: Ian Potter Centre, Queen Victoria Market, Testing Grounds Eat: Shanghai Village, Chin Chin, Bomba, The Grain Store, Cumulus Inc., Spring St Grocer, Creperie Le Triskel Coffee: Manchester Press, Brother Baba Budan, Patricia Something Stronger: Goldilocks, Ponyfish Island, Shebeen, Rooftop Bar, Trunk, Mesa Verde NORTH: Fitzroy, Collingwood, Carlton, North Melbourne, Abbotsford Just a quick tram ride out of the CBD and you'll hit the inner north. Aside from the bearded men and creative not-so-sub culture, this pocket of the city is also known for its high-grade cafes, pop up food vans and ridiculously successful restaurants. Lately, the only place you want to open a restaurant is Smith Street, Fitzroy — where you can slurp noodles at Shop Ramen, down a famous Huxtaburger or get to Rockwell and Sons for Fried Chicken Wednesdays. Further over on Brunswick Street you'll find the cult of Vegie Bar, and be sure to make a trip to De Clieu or Everday Coffee for a killer brew. Over in North Melbourne, Auction Rooms has unanimously been voted Melbourne's best brunch and Beatrix's cakes are worth travelling for. Get one of the best views of the city from Naked in the Sky, sip the city's best cocktails at the Everleigh or make a night of it with live music at Brunswick's Howler. On a weekend, grab a coffee and stroll around the Rose Street Artists' Market or, if it's hot, join the rest of the northsiders heading to Edinburgh Gardens for a picnic and beers. Don't miss a visit to Abbotsford Convent and their Shadow Electric Cinema on summer nights. Go to: Smith Street, Brunswick Street, Gertrude Street, Sydney Road See: Edinburgh Gardens, Abbotsford Convent, Rose Street Artists Market, Juddy Roller Eat: Auction Rooms, Beatrix, Huxtaburger, Neighbourhood Wine, Rockwell & Sons, Vegie Bar, Shop Ramen Coffee: Everyday Coffee, Storm in a Teacup, De Clieu, Cafe Rosamond Something Stronger: Naked In The Sky, The Everleigh, Rum Diary, Howler SOUTH: South Melbourne, St. Kilda, Balaclava Crossing south of the river is a whole different ball game. Here, palm trees replace terrace houses and the asphalt horizon becomes the sea — yes, the sea. Get the best view of the bay from Captain Baxter's lush rooftop at St. Kilda Sea Baths or over a more casual burger at NSHRY up at Albert Park. Head up to Balaclava's Carlisle Street for some rooftop pho and rice paper rolls at Uncle, tacos at Si Senor or a drink at The Local Taphouse. Tucked behind a Coles carpark you'll also find Monk Bodhi Dharma serving their own roast and sustainable vegetarian and vegan fare. Also a must-visit is Melbourne institution St Ali and the South Melbourne Market, where you have to line up for a South Melbourne dim sim and fresh Turkish gozleme from Koy. Go to: Coventry Street, Carlisle Street See: South Melbourne Market, St. Kilda Sea Baths Eat: Uncle, Koy, NSHRY, Si Senor, Hannah Coffee: Monk Bodhi Dharma, Giddiup, St. Ali, Clement Something Stronger: Newmarket Hotel, Captain Baxter, The Local Taphouse EAST: Richmond, South Yarra, Windsor, Prahran Leafy and tailored, the east is the ying to the north's yang — and Chapel Street is the vein that pumps blood its suburbs. From South Yarra's boutiques to the Windsor-end bars, you can go Vietnamese at Saigon Sally, Mexican at Fonda or Japanese at Mr. Miyagi. Drink impeccable cocktails at The Woods of Windsor or something with house-infused bacon vodka at Sweetwater Inn. Richmond links the inner north with the east, and Church Street is home to top brunch at Top Paddock and I Love Pho on Victoria Street is the closest you'll get to Vietnam without crossing borders. And, disappear from the city with a stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens or in the gardens at Como House, where you'll also be able to have a very lovely Devonshire tea at The Stables. Go to: Chapel Street, Victoria Street, Swan Street, Greville Street, Church Street See: Royal Botanic Gardens, Como House Eat: I Love Pho, Fonda, Saigon Sally, Touchwood, The Stables, Meatmother, Mr. Miyagi, Top Paddock Coffee: Little Big Sugar Salt, Pillar of Salt, Dukes Coffee Roasters Something Stronger: The Woods of Windsor, Sweetwater Inn, Borsch, Vodka & Tears WEST: Kensington, Footscray, Flemington Traditionally the west isn't a destination for tourists or even for locals who reside on the opposing side of the city. While it isn't renowned for fine dining and sleek bars, the west is rich in culture and has managed to maintain a sense of local community. Take the train out just two stops to Footscray, where you can lose yourself in the multilingual chatterings and exotic ingredients at Footscray Market. Between Footscray and neighbouring Seddon, you'll find some of the best (and cheapest) African food, as well as well-known cafes such as Common Galaxia and West 48. Also easily accessible by train is one of Melbourne's best-kept brunch secrets, The Premises, and the best laksa in town at Laksa King. It's a side to the city not usually seen, but the burgeoning food and arts scene is sure to put the west on the map. As the locals say, the westside is the bestside. Go to: Macaulay Road, Victoria Street (Seddon) See: Footscray Market, Footscray Community Arts Centre Eat: The Premises, Laksa King, West 48, African Taste, Union Food & Wine Coffee: The Rusty Fox, Guerilla Espresso, Common Galaxia Something Stronger: White Rabbit Records Other helpful hints You will have to buy a myki card to use public transport — they cost $3 and you load up money on it. More information here. Download the PTV Journey Planner app (super useful). Look at CP Melbourne’s bar and restaurant directory for more eating and drinking. Images thanks to Farbenfrohe Wunderwelt, Manchester Press, Nicolas Boullosa, NSHRY, Fernando de Sousa & Shantanu Starick from Pixel Trade
There are two types of people in Brisbane: those who love Archives Fine Books, and those who haven't been there yet, even though it has been a Brisbane institution since 1985. Regardless of what you like to read, and how often, perusing the Charlotte Street shop's shelves is like hunting for — and finding — treasure. Yes, that old book smell will hit you the moment you walk in. And yes, there are more bookshelves — and books, too — than you've probably ever seen in one place. They claim to have more than a million printed tomes, and it certainly looks like it. From '80s cookbooks to tie-in novels for movies you never even knew existed, plus everything in between, you'll find it here.
Batter up at Portside. While most sports bars are happy with patrons simply watching their games of choice over a few drinks and a bite to eat, The Ballpark wants Brisbanites to get swinging. There's bats. There's plates to step up to, too. And when you have a slug, you'll be doing so in a batting cage. As well as screening plenty of sports, The Ballpark Portside lets you play baseball via its three interactive simulators. The venue advises that they're an Australian first, expanding the usual lineup of bar pastimes — because playing pool and darts is also on the agenda here. Think of it as a cross between a sports bar and the growing range of watering holes with things to do other than drink (a trend that Brisbane is mighty fond of, with the axe-throwing joints, boozy mini-golf havens, challenge-room spots and more across the River City to prove it). Open from Saturday, September 7, The Ballpark Portside has taken over a 450-square-metre space, which can welcome in 200 folks at once. Both local and international sports grace it screens, while its food and drink menu pairs tap beers, cocktails, wine and Seven Miles coffee with bagels from its Short Stop Cafe by day, and also with burgers from fellow American-themed Portside newcomer Dumbo when it opens. If hitting the batting cages sounds like a group activity, that's firmly on offer, including for events — and you can even book out the entire place for parties. "As lifelong sports fans, we wanted to bring that same energy and excitement to Brisbane," explains Ashley Johnson, one of the three Brisbane construction professionals — and fans of sport — behind The Ballpark Portside alongside Ben Holcroft and Jack Jones. "We've created a space that's an authentic sports bar experience-meets-immersive gaming that really celebrates America's sporting culture, whilst still embracing Aussie sports. The Ballpark will be a community hub where fans, friends and families come together to celebrate the love of sports and good times." Add it to the increasing list of new venues that are helping to revamp Portside Wharf. The current $20-million makeover has also seen Rise Bakery, Fosh, Rosé Gelateria and Birds Nest Yakitori join the Hamilton precinct in 2023, with gastropub Portside Social, Italian restaurant Sbagliata and French brasserie Mademoiselle also on the way — plus Dumbo. Find The Ballpark Portside at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, from Saturday, September 7, 2024 — open 10am–10pm Sunday–Thursday and 10am–12am Friday–Saturday. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Already one of Brisbane's best Japanese eateries, Howard Smith Wharves' Yoko Dining wants to be one of the city's best Japanese bars as well. Five years after first opening, the waterside venue has given its top level a revamp. Meet B-SIDE, its new upstairs record bar — and get ready for vinyl-spun tunes, boozy slushies, and everything from chicken miso ramen and miso caramel soft serve to tuck into. For years, if someone said that things were looking up in Brisbane, they were probably talking about the Queen's Wharf precinct with its 100-metre tall Sky Deck, or the city's embrace of rooftop bars over the past decade or so. Over at HSW, however, levelling up is now also on the agenda (and not just due to the broader precinct's own plans to add a new nine-story hotel to the site, plus a music hall, overwater pool, and waterside food and drinks deck). B-SIDE is one of two new additions to the riverside spot in October 2024 alone, alongside the Hong Kong-inspired Stan's above Cantonese eatery Stanley — each from beloved restaurants revamping their second levels. Welcoming in patrons from 5pm daily, B-SIDE takes inspiration from Tokyo in a number of ways. Firstly, Yoko Dining as a two-storey izakaya already owes the Japanese capital's similar joints a debt, so its record bar not only embraces that idea but runs with it. Menu-wise, however, B-SIDE is also nodding to the kind of fare that you'll find in Tokyo train stations. For bites to eat, diners can also enjoy wagyu katsu sliders, prawn rolls on milk bread and kizami wasabi octopus — plus sashimi (with kingfish, tuna, ocean trout, Hokkaido scallop, ocean trout and eel the choices), Japanese potato salad, tuna tataki and chicken karaage. The tunes come via DJs hitting the decks every night. On Monday evenings, 80s and 90s tracks are set to echo at the bar's retro vinyl sessions. On Sundays from 8pm, discounted rates for hospitality workers who show their RSA card are on offer. B-SIDE's drinks lineup has another impressive name involved: Matt Whiley, best-known of late for his acclaimed low-waste Sydney bar Re (which placed 46th in 2021's World's 50 Best Bars list and made the 51–100 longlist in 87th spot). Fresh from whipping up a sustainability-focused cocktail menu across town in Brisbane at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, he's done the honours for B-SIDE, where slushies and highballs feature prominently. Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.
Jeff Koons is anything but coy. We know that. His oeuvre consists of enormous neon balloon animals, nightmarish cartoon characters, and graphic sexual acts; sometimes a single artwork will feature all three. He's a middle-aged multi-millionaire who employs hundreds of assistants to make his works, he was married to an Italian porn star, and was once described by Stephen Colbert as "the world's most expensive birthday clown". With all that in mind, his bare butt being plastered across the pages of Vanity Fair shouldn't be much of a surprise. And yet you can never really prepare yourself to see a nude 59-year-old man splayed across what can only be described as a torture apparatus. Nor should you ever have to. But, part of a larger feature (yet to go online) about an upcoming Koons retrospective at the Whitney Museum in New York, an unforgettable image of Koons naked presumably comes as proof of the artist's determination and commitment to his craft. "Koons, at 59, has already begun a strict exercise-and-diet regimen," reads the article. "[Now] he will have a shot at working undiminished into his 80s, as Picasso did." Though it's an admirable crusade, we can't help but get creepy Patrick Bateman vibes off the whole thing. It's suspiciously easy to imagine this well-established neo-pop artist waking up in his silk sheets each morning and reciting the following mantra. "I live in a townhouse on the Upper East Side with my wife and six children. My name is Jeff Koons. I'm 59 years old. I believe in taking care of myself with a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine, but more than that I believe in giant inflatable rabbits." Aside from Picasso and fictional serial killers, Jeff Koons is compared to many great artists in this latest feature. Courbet, Duchamp, and Brecht all get a mention, and of course the founding father of pop art himself, Andy Warhol. Though Koons is undoubtedly as well-known as many of these artists, he's equally as controversial. Both praised and criticised for his kitsch and mass-produced work, Koons has a troubled history with the art world despite his widespread commercial success. Hopefully this feature and forthcoming exhibition do him some favours in the popularity stakes. Now readers will see he's just like them! He works out naked and loves Pink Panther erotica just as much as the next guy. Via Huffington Post and Gallerist.
Imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine more than 100 different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? It isn't just a cheesy fantasy at Australian dairy festival Mould, which started making cheese-loving dreams come true in 2017. In 2024, it's not only returning — it's back for its biggest festivals yet, including adding a fifth city to its stops. As well as hitting up Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, the event is heading to Adelaide as well. If you're a cheese fiend, then you'll know that there's only one suitable way to tuck into the beloved dairy product: all the time, or at least as much as possible. As presented by Revel — who are also the organisers of Pinot Palooza — that's an idea that Mould not only understands but encourages, celebrating the mild, hard and soft bites made by Australia's best cheese wizards. When it does so again this year, it'll serve up its cheese slices and bites from May–August. Running for either two or three days in each city, Mould will kick off in Brisbane in May as it has in past years, then travel to Melbourne in early June, plus Sydney at the end of July. As for Adelaide and Perth, they're both getting a Mould x Pinot Palooza combo — because cheese and wine are a fine pairing — with the fest arriving in South Australia in June and Western Australia in August. There won't just be a few cheeses on the menu at each stop. More than 100 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting, spanning dairy from around 27 producers. In past years, that lineup has included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow, as well as Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — snacking on samples is included in your ticket, but you'll then pay extra to purchase slices and slabs to take home with you — the fest features cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks. Courtesy of 2024's The Grate Cheese Commission, a range of cheeses created solely for the fest will also tempt your tastebuds. This year's events will include more of the foodstuffs that pair extremely well with cheese, too, such as olives, crackers and conserves. It wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake, all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Archie Rose and Hartshorn will be among the tipples featured. Unsurprisingly, Mould is mighty popular. In 2023, attendees tucked into a one million samples across three cities, and also took home over 8.5-tonnes of Aussie dairy products. So, if this the kind of event that your cheese dreams are made of, you'll want to nab an early-bird ticket ASAP. Mould — A Cheese Festival 2024 Dates: Friday, May 24–Sunday, May 26 — Mould Brisbane, John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds Friday, June 7–Saturday, June 8 — Mould x Pinot Palooza Adelaide, Queens Theatre, Adelaide Friday, June 28–Saturday, June 29 — Mould Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Friday, July 26–Sunday, July 28 — Mould Sydney, Carriageworks, Eveleigh Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 11 — Mould x Pinot Palooza Perth, Centenary Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds Mould — A Cheese Festival tours Australia from May 2024. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
The Gold Coast has Cucina Vivo. Sydney is home to Cucina Porto. Now, Brisbane boasts Cucina Regina. The chain of authentic-style Italian restaurants sits inside The Star's various locations, serving up classic dishes and drinks in old school-leaning surroundings. In the River City, the new riverside Queen's Wharf precinct is now your destination when the hankering hits for hand-stretched pizzas, homemade pasta, panna cotta from the dessert trolley, and negronis and limoncello sours. Brisbanites have been looking forward to Cucina Regina since October 2023, when it was initially revealed that it'd join the $3.6-billion CBD spot that took almost a decade to come to fruition. Several of The Star's eateries in other cities have made the jump to the Queensland capital, including cocktail bar Cherry and Japanese fine-diner Sokyo — adding to a precinct that also features Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, the new LiveWire and Black Hide's latest guise, all three of which have moved over from the old Treasury. At the 160-seat Cucina Regina — which is part of The Terrace, the riverfront space at the end of the Neville Bonner Bridge before visitors get to The Star Brisbane — the menu isn't just about Italian food; it's about comforting Italian fare. Trattorias are a big influence on the restaurant's look, feel and menu, with Australian design studio Tom Mark Henry in charge of the neutral-heavy fitout (which covers an 18-person private-dining space as well) and Italian-born Chef Davide Incardona overseeing the kitchen as Executive Chef. Whether you're tucking into puffed pizza bread as a starter, stone-baked prosciutto- or garlic prawn-laden slices, a 40-day dry-aged scotch rib fillet or the Brisbane menu must-have that is Moreton Bay bugs, you'll likely be enjoying something from the woodfired grill. Other options include calamari, burrata, bruschetta and arancini among the smaller bites; rigatoni carbonara, spiced Italian sausage ragu, and salted ricotta and roasted pumpkin agnolotti from the pasta picks; veal scallopini, the house speciality; and a 1.1-kilogram t-bone steak in the bistecca alla fiorentina. And for dessert? Tiramisu, Nutella pizza, a choice of lemon or chocolate cannoli, lemon sorbet and affogatos are among the choices. A banquet menu for four people, costing $89 and featuring ten dishes, is on offer if you're known to have trouble deciding on what to eat. For just a bite with a drink, there's also the snack range. Among the beverages, Italian wine gets its time to shine, naturally, while spritzes both boozy and alcohol-free equally tempt tastebuds — and classic cocktails are available upon request. "It is an honour to call Cucina Regina my culinary home and create wonderful occasions that are reminiscent of my childhood," said Incardona. "To be able to offer a place of warmth and wonder where locals and visitors can make memories surrounded by Italian flavour, loved ones and friends is truly unique." Among Queen's Wharf's dining and drinking destinations, Cucina Regina also joins the Vietnamese- and Thai-leaning Lúc Lắc, the Latin American-inspired Azteca, plus Cicada Blu, Babblers and Aloria up on the 100-metre-high Sky Deck. Find Cucina Regina at Queen's Wharf, level four, 33 William Street, Brisbane City, from Friday, November 15, 2024 — open for lunch from 11am–3pm Wednesday–Sunday and dinner from 5pm–late daily. Head to the venue's website for more details.
For the last 35 years, the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End has been a leading cultural hub, best known as the home of Queensland Ballet. Now, with the addition of Tom's Kitchen, the precinct's culinary side is on the rise, featuring a produce-driven menu that brings an 'adagio' approach — meaning 'controlled grace' in ballet lingo — to local ingredients and seasonal flavours. This cuisine is balanced against a flexible all-day cafe concept, where guests are welcome to swing through for a quick coffee, an easygoing breakfast or a nourishing lunch that leaves them feeling whole again. Designed around a bright, inviting space and a leafy garden courtyard, this heritage-listed spot will become an obvious choice for West End locals, ballerinas and far-flung visitors alike. Launched in partnership with VenuesLive, a leading hospitality and venue management service, Tom's Kitchen has a diverse menu primed for crowd-pleasing meals and bites. For instance, The Forager features market mushrooms, nduja, salted ricotta and a poached egg on sourdough, while The TK Smash is a stacked cheeseburger with smashed beef patties, provolone, pickles and house fries. To elevate the experience, Tom's Kitchen has carefully selected its suppliers. Coffee drinkers will be happy to know ST. ALi beans are tamped and brewed fresh, adding even more quality to your meal or takeaway. Meanwhile, Sprout Artisan Bakery's slow sourdough is the cafe's go-to bread for its brekkie and beyond dishes, with a selection of classic pastries in the cabinet. "Tom's Kitchen is more than just a cafe; it's a place that ignites creativity and encourages conversation. Whether you're stopping in for your morning coffee, grabbing a quick bite or indulging in a leisurely brunch, there's something for everyone to enjoy," says VenuesLive CEO Daryl Kerry. There's also the chance to stock up on items used in the back of house, as Tom's Kitchen rounds out its offering with a thoughtfully stocked pantry filled with superior staples. From top-notch craft wine and beer to tasty sauces, preserves and freshly roasted coffee beans, transporting a little culinary creativity from the cafe to your home is made simple. In fact, the flavours might be so good, you can't resist a pirouette.
IKEA and Ideabox, a U.S. architectural firm, have teamed up to create a line of fully furnished, prefabricated houses. The new homes, called Aktiv, are one-bedroom dwellings filled with space saving furniture and the usual Ikea fare, including Tundra maple flooring, Pax wardrobes and Abstrakt cabinets. Designed to be eco-friendly, the outside of the home will be made from a combination of fibre cement, corrugated metal and a standing seam metal roof. The Aktiv house is equipped with a dual-flush toilet and energy-star electronics to ensure it is more environmentally sound too. The house will incorporate the fun and design of Ideabox houses together with the functionality, design and personality of IKEA. The Aktiv is set to be priced from US$86,500. Prefab homes have already taken off overseas, and are set to provide Australians with an increasingly attractive construction option in the years to come. Check out ten incredible prefab home designs here. [via PSFK]
After a near-sold out first spin around the Brisbane river in 2017, Sydney's permanent floating venue, Seadeck, is once again heading north. From May 12 until mid September, the glamorous vessel will be cruising through Brissie waters for another season of luxe parties and hangouts. Missed Seadeck last time? It's been up and running in Sydney Harbour since October 2016 — after almost two years, 10,000 nautical miles, a run in with Egyptian pirates and a stint in liquor licence limbo. The boat's first venture up Australia's east coast resulted in an 11-week Brisbane stint, and it clearly just can't keep away. The vessel spans 42 metres, can accommodate 410 passengers and is the epitome of handcrafted luxury — from the handmade tiles and custom-designed brass bar to the bespoke furniture from every corner of the glove, everything you see was tailored for floating. Even the palm trees, standing four metres tall, took a dozen specialists to make to the right specifications. Each of the three decks is connected by sweeping staircases and cast iron lace railings, an homage to Hollywood's golden age of the '20s, '30s and '40s. Yes, the word 'swank' should come to mind. Seadeck's second Brisbane visit will start on Saturday, May 12 with an afternoon cruise at 1.45pm. Tickets, available from the Seadeck website, start from $25 general admission on Friday nights (which also includes a tour of the city's lights) and Sunday afternoons, and $40 general admission on Saturdays. If you're feeling the need to blow some serious dosh, VIP packages and hosted bottle service is also available. By Marissa Ciampi, Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
Sydney minimalist chill house trio Movement have fired a flare, significantly showing up on All The Radars in the last year. Following a hugely successful run of shows supporting Solange and Nicolas Jaar's Darkside with their self-titled EP, Jesse Ward, Lewis Wade and Sean Walker will embark on their own national headliner tour to herald their shiny new offering, Like Lust, out today via Modular and streaming below. The lads from Movement were kind enough to share their EP celebrations with Concrete Playground, fixing us up with a solid playlist of their go-to tracks right now to kickstart the listening party. We figure you've now got enough beats and smooth vocals to keep you going for the next hour or so, cheers dudes. 1. Earn — Childish Gambino (Violet Frosted Remix) "Somebody on YouTube has pitched shifted Childish Gambino's tracks — got a lot of hate for doing so — but we love it." https://youtube.com/watch?v=gQpMJwpOV9A 2. Kelela — Send Me Out "Quality production and songwriting." 3. Kwabs — Pray for Love "We really value the vocals." 4. Zoo Kid — Out Getting Ribs "Real track with a real sound." https://youtube.com/watch?v=L9wLrAtcd6Y 5. Nathan Adams & Black Coffee — Afraid of the Dark "The harmonies... we adore." https://youtube.com/watch?v=_OlIBzIir6k After that generous dose of influence, Movement's hugely anticipated new EP Like Lust is out today via Modular — and was seriously worth the wait. Just be sure to find a significant pair of cans to crank it with, this is some straight-up smooth production — recorded at home and optimized by Canadian producer and The Weeknd foil Illangelo. Four tracks of laidback chill house with some seriously silky vocals, Like Lust is full of wonderfully unexpected moments (most notably the face-melting guitar solo at the end of 'Ivory'). Take a listen below. CATCH MOVEMENT ON TOUR: 22 May - Shebeen, Melbourne - Tickets available via Shebeen. 23 May - Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide 30 May - Spectrum, Sydney - Tickets available via Oztix. 5 June - Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane - Tickets available via Oztix. 6 June - Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
What is music? This curious question might be asked by the youngest of us, the oldest, and almost everyone, ever. The forever rhetorical question has not even been answered or its meaning brought into question when involved in the Tribal Theatre's last hurrah, but we're gonna go with it anyway. I have a question for you: did you know that the Tribal Theatre had a bomb shelter? Who even has bomb shelters these days? My mind goes back Ned Flanders' bomb shelter for some reason... anyway, it's best to be prepared for impending doom, and sadly, in this instance the doom is the Tribal Theatre's closure. The old Dendy cinemas on George Street were given a new lease of life earlier last year under the Tribal moniker, and are about to change hands once again – but it's unsure if it will return as cinemas. There'll be plenty of performing artists, sound artworks and even a DJ set to get the underground a pumpin', including the curiously named bands Company Fuck and Meat Thump. What better way to celebrate the triumphs the little cinema that could has made (hosting theme nights, presenting BIFF and becoming a wedding venue) than to ponder what music is, whilst acting like it's the end of the world? You might even find the answer.
It's been more than a year since Welcome to Bowen Hills first opened its doors, and the permanent food truck park is still offering new reasons to stop by. Late in 2018, it added both an onsite pizza joint and a whole heap of arcade games to the mix, and now it's combining the two in the best possible way. On Thursdays until the end of June, you can head along to Bottomless Pizza and Pinnies night, delivering exactly what the name suggests. If the name sounds familiar, that's because the venue ran something similar with pale ale in February and March. While it has ditched the brews, it's still offering up a bargain. "I wish I could eat more slices" and "I just don't want to stop hitting those flippers" aren't things that you'll be saying here. Yes, the main attractions are all endless. For $15, attendees will enjoy as much of Harry's Pizza's finest as they can handle — and the same applies to playing pinball, NBA, Pac-Man and the other games around the place. If that sounds like your ideal way to spend an evening, the fun runs from 7pm each week. Image: Adam Shaw. Updated April 28.
Capable of tearing it up with a screamalong feedback-fuelled tune or turning things down with a snuggly acoustic ballad, Sydney's rambunctious garage crew Palms are one of the country's surefire good time live shows. If you haven't burled along to 'The Summer is Done With Us', scratched up your vocal chords with 'Love' or dived into All The Feels with 'In the Morning', you're in for a warm, sweaty introduction. The brainchild of Ex-Red Riders Al Grigg and Tom Wallace, the foursome released their debut album Step Brothers last August. Currently working on their follow-up, the lads were getting a little stir crazy. According to their Facey-B: "Because we get bored easily, and because it's been about a year since we put out our debut album Step Brothers, and because we missed yas, and because we missed sleeping on our mates' couches, drinking their beers and washing irregularly, we decided to hit the road." One for fans of fuzzy, gazey fun like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Twerps or Bleeding Knees Club, Palms crank a mean, loud live show. Likely to trial material from the upcoming second album, this is set to be a tour-before-the-follow-up type of deal — meaning no holds barred, pressure off, get loose type of fun.
There'll be rockin' in the free world on April 28 — or, at The Triffid, to be exact. The Newstead venue is throwing one of their now-legendary celebrations of absolutely legendary musicians. In the spotlight this time is the man that keeps searchin' for a heart of gold, Neil Young. Halfway, Good Oak, Dana, Gehrman & The Honey Sliders, Phil Smith & The Lights and The Predators are on the bill at Like a Hurricane: A Tribute to Neil Young, and the latter is particularly exciting. The local rockers feature Haugie and JC from Powderfinger — well, the latter does own the joint, after all. They'll all do their best to do justice to Young's enormous array of tracks, and they'll keep The Triff's tribute series flowing. Previous gigs have showered the love on Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Metallica, Iggy Pop, The Go-Betweens and Radiohead. Yep, these shows are always something special.
There are days when the Brisbane art scene needs to count its blessings for having Metro Arts under its banner. They consistently bring home some of Australia’s best names in art, and their latest exhibition is true testament to their pulling power. FLEET brings to Brisbane Sydney-based can-do-no-wrong visual arts collective OK YEAH COOL GREAT, who have curated pieces from 12 interstate contemporary artists working in collaborative duos. Duos Darren Seltmann and Vicky Browne, Kylie Banyard and Ron Adams, SuperKaleidoscope (Kim Fasher and Sarah Mosca), Charles Dennington and Tully Arnot, Todd Robinson and Mark Titmarsh, and Monika Behrens and Rochelle Haley present a mix of experience, talents and times in Metro Arts' FLEET. The pieces mirror their collaborations — there’s distortion, collision and the exploration of alternative representation through various mediums. Sculpture meets painting, video meets performance, and two becomes one in this collaborative exhibition. FLEET opens Wednesday, October 22, at 6pm, with the opportunity to hear from the artists at the opening event. OKAY YEAH COOL GREAT will perform on Friday, November 7, as part of Friday Night: November at Metro Arts.
As Pedro Almodóvar sees it, every aspect of life is filled with emotion and mystery. Sentiment and suspense ooze through his movies – although it's not just his narratives that inspire intrigue, or speak volumes about desire, loss, longing and guilt. With a command of style that matches his storytelling abilities, each shade of colour, each textured surface, each intimate close-up and each patient pause reveals and teases, too. The writer-director asks audiences to do more than watch; he wants viewers of his films to probe, to question and — above all else — to feel. It's little wonder, then, that Almodóvar's career has been built upon affairs of the heart and matters weighing on the mind, with his twentieth feature sticking to familiar territory. After sky-high camp comedy misfire I'm So Excited, Julieta unpacks the life of its eponymous figure with hints of the darkness that made the horror-tinged The Skin I Live In so thrilling, and with ample doses of the contemplation and inner drama that have served the Spanish filmmaker so well. First glimpsed in middle age, Julieta (Emma Suárez) is preparing to leave Madrid with her boyfriend (Darío Grandinetti) when she crosses paths with an old friend of her now-estranged daughter. Memories of other times swirl up, derailing her plans and motivating a move into a building the two inhabited years earlier. There, as she comes as close as she can to living in the past, she puts pen to paper to recount her tale. The film brings her recollections to the screen, as a younger Julieta (Adriana Ugarte) meets fisherman Xoan (Daniel Grao) on a train, settles in a seaside village, and forges a happy but short-lived existence. Complex relationships, contentment stolen away by a painful fate, and previous tragedies colouring future decisions – yes, Julieta proves a classic Almodóvar effort through and through, as it fuses three separate short stories from Alice Munro's 2004 book Runaway into one vivid and involving whole. Of course, from the moment the movie opens with the sight of the red fabric of one of Julieta's dresses, its visuals fall into the same category. And while there's little about Julieta that challenges its director or will surprise his fans, it still offers an evocative example of a craftsman doing what he does well. That Julieta largely unravels as expected in both its narrative and in Almodóvar's approach doesn't dampen its vibrancy. Indeed, appearing to so closely follow his own formula might just be by design. That increasingly seems the case whenever the film's performances capture attention, with both Suárez and Ugarte demonstrating devastating nuance. Not only do they provide two different takes on the titular character, but, in the process, they also represent the present and past of Almodóvar's long line of on-screen women. He's long been recognised for exploring female-centric stories and drawing potent performances out of his actresses. As he lets his two leads energise and complicate the film as necessary, he showcases their talent as well as the quiet evolution of his various heroines.
If you’ve been keeping up with Brisbane’s live music exports, you’ll be no stranger to Kite String Tangle. With his groove-abusive beats, and vibrant angles on conventional electo-sound, he’s one of our cities finest musical crafters, and is finally receiving the overwhelming national credit he’s long deserved – hand him the key to the city already Newman. Kite String Tangle has strings pulling him all around the nation – from festivals to sold out gigs – and now he’s home, and ready to throw some dance beats around the neighbourhood. The Zoo will be hosting his homecoming – tiara’s encouraged, and you can jog along for the cheap and chips price of $19.40. If you’ve read this entire piece, thinking who the heck is Kite String Tangle, you are a loser – sorry. But seriously, get on board, and discover the best piece of musical meat on the Brisbane beat buffet. Check out Kite String Tangle’s 'Given the Chance'
It has been a busy year for Russian incompetence, on-screen at least. After Chernobyl so blisteringly explored 1986's devastating nuclear reactor explosion and its widespread fallout, Kursk jumps forward to 2000's submarine disaster, where 118 sailors lost their lives during the sinking of a nuclear-powered vessel. The arrival of both the HBO mini-series and now this film in such short succession is a clear sign of the times — as Russia's influence, especially of the covert kind, continues to loom over world affairs, interrogating the country's high-profile misfortunes is hardly an unexpected trend. Today's filmmakers can't force certain parties in power to take Russian election meddling seriously, but they can examine how the world's largest nation by area has dealt with its own catastrophes. Kursk, like Chernobyl, doesn't provide a flattering portrait. In August 2000, as part of the first major Russian naval exercise since the fall of the Soviet Union, Oscar-class K-141 submarine Kursk descended into the ocean's depths. Although it was merely participating in training, it carried live combat weapons, including practice torpedoes — and when one exploded onboard, it set off a chain reaction that would strand the vessel at the bottom of the Barents Sea. Those who survived the initial blast were stuck waiting. First, they waited for Russian authorities to realise what had happened, which took hours. Then, as water seeped in, and supplies and oxygen dwindled, they bided their time as repeated rescue efforts floundered. Ever-protective of their military technology, and just as determined to assert that they could take care of the problem themselves, the Russian Navy even refused international assistance, making the trapped men wait longer still. That's how Thomas Vinterberg tells the tale of the Kursk, with the Danish filmmaker teaming up with Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat to adapt Robert Moore's non-fiction book A Time to Die. For the sake of heightened drama, some facts and timelines have been massaged, however the overall premise — that a Russian submarine sank, the country was poorly equipped to handle it and people paid with their lives — remains. So too does the notion of a nation more concerned with perception than its population; one in which citizens are expected to prove their unflinching patriotism by paying the ultimate price, but where the government won't dare risk its reputation to save them in return. Understandably, this damning truth lingers over every moment of Kursk, making an already sombre story even more so. Indeed, it's as evident on-screen as the grey colour scheme, the oppressive pressure felt in the movie's submarine scenes, and the use of different aspect ratios to send an emotional message. While he's working with a budget far beyond anything he might've dreamed of, or wanted, back when he co-founded the fiercely independent Dogme 95 cinema movement with Lars von Trier, Vinterberg is in comfortable thematic territory. Boasting a resume littered with moral quandaries, including the recent The Hunt and Far from the Madding Crowd, the writer-director has always been a keen observer of folks in a bind. That's what captain-lieutenant Mikhail Averin (Matthias Schoenaerts) and his men find themselves in, to put it mildly, as the clock ticks down and the end we all know is coming inches closer. Meanwhile, Mikhail's wife Tanya (Léa Seydoux) fights for both action and answers back above sea level, numerous admirals (Max von Sydow and Peter Simonischek, primarily) either toe or flout the government line, and offers of British help by Commodore David Russell (Colin Firth) keep falling on stubborn ears. Kursk doesn't spend enough time with any one person to be called a character study, and its broad scope necessitates more than a few shortcuts and cliches. When the movie opens with the sound of gasping breaths, only to show Mikhail timing how long his pre-teen son Misha (Artemiy Spiridonov) can stay underwater in the bathtub, it's an obvious move, for example. Still, in serving up an overview of the disaster's affected parties, and cycling between them as they endeavour to weather the horrific situation, Vinterberg's film is never less than compelling and heartbreaking. While his cast helps considerably, especially Schoenaerts and Seydoux, the director paints a powerful picture of tragedy, courage and (on the part of the Russian officials) sheer arrogance. This is a story of sailors scrambling to wade through life-or-death terror, of their loved ones refusing to kowtow to the authorities, and of the conflict bubbling beneath the rescue attempts — and it's as moving and gripping as the real-life scenario and the men lost to it demands.
For decades, beer commercials have told us that a hard-earned thirst needs a big, cold beer. Perhaps it needs a big tourist attraction to hang out at while you're drinking, too? In the type of fun you definitely couldn't enjoy onsite when you went north with your parents as a kid, a day-long craft beer and cider expo is coming to The Big Pineapple. More than 30 breweries and cideries will be on-site, serving up more than 100 different types of tipples — so you definitely won't leave thirsty. You can also knock back wine, cocktails and sparkling as well, and line your stomach with meals from more than ten food vendors, including low-and-slow cooked meats. Plus, live music is part of the fun too, giving your sipping and sightseeing a soundtrack. The Big Pineapple Craft Beer and Cider Expo takes place from midday on Saturday, September 14, with pre-sale tickets available now from $25. Image: Anne and David via Flickr.
Until the end of August, Northshore Hamilton is an impressionist wonderland, with stunning exhibition Monet in Paris projecting the French artist's work — and that of his contemporaries — all over its walls. A visit to the event's 2500-square-metre Grand Palais doesn't just mean staring at some of the best art ever created as it hangs, however. Like Van Gogh Alive before it, this showcase is a multi-sensory experience, with everything from Monet's Water Lilies to Edgar Degas' ballerinas being given an immersive spin. Here's another way to make the most of this stunning event, which is a global debut: picking up a paintbrush and whipping out your creative skills yourself. Take inspiration from the exhibition's dazzling art at Paint Like Monet, regular paint-and-sip sessions in the best surroundings possible. Happening on various dates — sometimes on Tuesday nights, sometimes on Thursday afternoons and sometimes on Saturday evenings — these classes include an hour walking around Monet in Paris. Then, it's easel time. Equipment is supplied, as is a glass of champagne, so you can unleash your inner Monet, Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and more. This is a gather-the-gang type of experience or a date-night go-to, with tickets costing $280 for two people. Images: Axis Productions.
The British Film Festival might only be six years old, but this year's event comes with a considerable sense of history. It's there in the fest's opening night film, Collette, which stars Keira Knightley as 19th-century French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. It's evident in a four-movie tribute that'll blow the bloody cinema doors off, showcasing the work and career of Michael Caine. And, it's obvious in closing night's Stan & Ollie, with Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as one of cinema's greatest double acts: British comedian Stan Laurel and his American counterpart Oliver Hardy. Dramatic true tales about Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart all keep the theme going, as do real-life spy thriller Red Joan with Judi Dench and the Idris Elba-directed, 70s and 80s-set Jamaican gangster movie Yardie. There's also a retrospective dedicated to Brit flicks from the swinging sixties, plus Peterloo — the latest effort from seven-time Oscar nominated writer/director Mike Leigh, which focuses on a working-class demonstration in Manchester in 1819. Screening at Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro between Wednesday, October 24 and Wednesday, November 14 (with a few extra days always tacked on at the end to replay the most popular titles), the 2018 BFF boasts plenty of other highlights — and genres and stars as well. Catch a Scottish Christmas-themed teen-zombie-musical-comedy courtesy of Anna and the Apocalypse, and watch Rob Brydon go synchronised swimming (yes, really) in Swimming with Men. Or, see Star Wars' Daisy Ridley, Harry Potter's Tom Felton and Clive Owen take on Shakespeare in Ophelia, a reworking of Hamlet.
Meet death — and no, that's not going to be anywhere near as grim as it sounds. In Mort, death is a seven-foot tall skeleton who loves cats, of course. He also offers the titular young man a job as his apprentice. So unravels a stage incarnation of a beloved novel first published in 1987, and one that proves as funny and fantastical today as it was then. The lead character is keen on the free board and lodging part of his new profession, but trouble brews when he's left in charge for an evening and steps outside the bounds of duty for a princess. As the latest in Brisbane Arts Theatre's series of Discworld works, Mort also comes with a sliver of sadness this time around. With the book's author, Terry Pratchett, passing away in March this year, crying while you're laughing is completely understandable.
There's something magical about jumble sales. You know what we mean. As you trawl through other people's trash hoping something you find might just become your own piece of treasure, you're rifling through items with a past — and, if you buy them, a future. Perhaps that's why everything from op shops to car boot sales just keep on keepin' on: we all want that search-and-discover kind of shopping experience. It's also why Annerley Junction's annual jumble sale keeps popping up. To say that this Saturday morning event is going to be a bargain hunter's delight is an understatement. If you're after tables, stalls and stores boasting everything from crockery to books to clothes — and more — you'll find it here. The Annerley Junction Jumble Sale isn't just about stocking up on vintage, pre-owned goods, however, with yarn bombing, Rwandan drumming performances, and other live music and art projects offering an added sense of fun and frivolity for this once-a-year community celebration.
Why did the fried chicken fan cross Hawken Drive? To eat all the greasy chook they could handle, of course. What might sound like a groan-worthy joke is actually happening in St Lucia thanks to KaiKai Chicken and its popular fried chicken buffet — and it's slinging a special for three days. Since opening back in 2018, the shop has helped locals solve the eternal question faced by hungry chook fiends everywhere — aka whether to have one finger lickin' good piece, several, or more than anyone should actually admit to. It serves up an endless array of poultry in 12 different flavours, plus all-you-can-eat ribs, chicken nuggets, pizza, fries, salads, other sides and desserts to round out the meal. Beverage-wise, you can also tuck into bottomless milkshakes (in creme caramel, triple chocolate, and peanut butter and jelly shake flavours), plus iced tea and mocktails. All up, from Thursday, June 6 to Saturday, June 7, the deal will set you back $39.90 per person. If it sounds too good to be true, we're here to tell you that it's a clucking reality; however, each visit does have a time limit. Flocking customers are asked to get their chicken fix within 90 minutes due to the demand — and, let's be honest, after an hour and a half of seeing how much chook you can feast upon, you'll probably be ready to fly the coop anyway. Image: KaiKai Chicken. UPDATE: This post initially stated that the special includes premium alcoholic drinks; however they are not included in the premium beverage package.
This year the Queensland Government are trying something a little bit different and it looks exciting! 2013 marks the first ever Queensland Multicultural Week from 31 August to 8 September. Across the state you will find a variety of activities to partake in to celebrate the diversity of our Sunshine State. The week long celebration acknowledges the positives of a multicultural state and looks at what we can learn through the sharing of traditions and cultures in a respectful manner. Some of the events in this year's program include the Transcultural Dance Festival, Community Shield Football Tournament and Ethno of the Road Music Tour amongst plenty others. The theatre production I Am Here, performed by six Brisbane actors from African refugee backgrounds, is a standout of Queensland Multicultural Week. Head to the website to catch an event near you and get involved in this wonderful new weeklong celebration.
Show me a dancer who doesn’t have fun at Coniston Lane, and I will show you a liar. The Coniston Lane sound is something pretty special, that exceeds the tainted ‘Valley’ expectations. It provides a dance floor so large, you’ll never dance in the same place once, and so populous you’ll be stared at from every angle. And there’s no better match to Coniston Lane then groovy-dooby event curators FWD THINKING – it’s a marriage made in d-floor heaven, and they’ve got the stairs to match. FWD THINKING No. 1 cemented this Brisbane team as flawless creators of beats, bopping and breakdancing – breakdancing not guaranteed, and their second event promises to be just as FUN. Apu, Herts, Yumo, Provis and Samson Dynamite will be standing up at a table of decks, press bee-bop buttons, and making sounds that will have you jittering with excitement. Entry is free, so you’ve really got no excuse. Unless you have two broken legs. Two broken legs is a fine excuse.
Elizabeth Rose could have ‘Watch This Space’ tattooed on her forehead in fat Comic Sans font and would still radiate perfection. She’s a musician who's risen in the ranks faster than many of her pop predecessors, and is the voice behind a sound that swelters out sweetness and get can make even the most arthritic hips swing. She’s worked with Flight Facilities, established herself as a solo artist, and worked rinks, circuits and stages with the confidence and velour of any performer twice her age. Now, with new Crystallise EP in hand, and a microphone in the other, she’ll be visiting Alhambra Lounge for one night of dream dancing and musical allure. She’ll be belting out her grounding classics, like 'The Good Life' and 'Ready', as well as her latest, and absolutely stunning track 'Sensibility', looking just mystic as she sounds. Don’t leave this gig to chance – clear your Saturday night, and grab tickets, to Elizabeth Rose, before she’s performing on a stage to crowds far cooler than you.
Cashed up Aussie musicians do the strangest things. Some join politics like Peter Garrett or The Basics. Their significant others make their way to Real Housewives of Melbourne. And others, namely Powderfinger bassist John Collins, go and establish new music venues that promise to reshape the Brisbane music scene. Introducing, The Triffid. This new place of musical worship is launching itself this Saturday night, with Saskwatch, The Creases and Mt Warning set to baptise the stage. Melbourne bands don't get much more exciting than Saskwatch — this nine-piece dance explosion pull out all the stops to create a live music experience that effortlessly marries rock with soul. Brisbane boys The Creases have been doing our scene proud with their international tours, daggy video clips and happy-go-lucky songs, and Mt Warning show off a captivating pysch-folk talent that has to be seen and heard to be believed. If The Triffid can pull together this kind of quality for their first gig, great things must be in store. Tickets are $23.80 and, unless it sells out beforehand, you can grab them at the freshly painted door. Be a part of Brisbane history and check it out!
After the first Brisbane Collective Pop-Up Exhibition was so well received, the team decided to organise another night to showcase the exciting and new talent that Brisbane has to offer. It will be a night packed full of creative local artists such as Lucinda Wolder, Jeff Paton, Kimberley Clifford and Rita Rose, doing what they do best. The live tasty tunes on the night will be supplied by local bands including Rack N Stack, Bright Lights, Green Nose, Beez Neez and heaps more. The exhibition is BYO and held at Via Studios. This rehearsing space has been decked out with its own video and board games room and is bursting at the seams with creative and colourful artwork. Celebrate Brisbane's next crop of up and comer's this Saturday night. In the mean time, check out one of the featured musicians, Emma Bosworth here.
"Faster, steeper, higher, deeper" – the Banff Mountain Film Festival's Radical Reels tour is coming to Australia, presented by Volkswagen Amarok. Hurtle down steep untouched powdered snow, or tag along with the world's wildest BASE jumpers, even feel the cold spray of the first stomach-churning descent of rapid kayaks. There's something for every kind of thrill junkie, brought to life on the big screen. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour has grown to be the largest and most prestigious mountain film festival, and the latest offering Radical Reels presents the most dynamic, audience-tested, maximum-excitement action sports films. They have group discounts available – to confirm these prices, call the Powerhouse box office on (07) 3358 8600. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KAzru0R6rTM
Heralding from Argentina, the enigmatic Juana Molina makes her Brisbane Festival debut in 2014 for a one-night-only performance guaranteed to dazzle. Described as "Spanish-sung folktronica", Molina's performances are as unique as they are playful; full to the brim with experimentation and honest passion in song. Continuing soundscapes full of surprises, never dull or anticipated. Some have attempted to pigeonhole Molina, tried to fit her into a niche genre or have compared her to other songstresses such as Beth Orton or Bjork while trying to describe her sound; one of the most admirable characteristics of Juana is her very selfness, her unique sensibilities and authentic original sound. Juana Molina is appearing in the Spielgeltent as part of Brisbane Festival 2015. Check out our wrap up of the ten best things to see at this year's festival over here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UC2lFttTOIM
Breakups do strange things to people. They have the ability to make the dumpee think that no-one in the history of humanity has ever been in a similar situation and no-one could possibly fathom the immense heartache that is being experienced. Directed by Claire Christian and Ari Palani, Escape from the Breakup Forest is a comedy that encapsulates that gut-wrenching feeling through the story of Josh. Emma, his first love, leaves him, and as a result his entire world shrinks to revolve around the sadness he feels. Refusing to leave the house, Josh battles with his anger and reduces himself to eating meals of cereal on his floor. Luckily for Josh, Curly, a hand puppet and somewhat counsellor, helps him to escape from Breakup Forest and to move on from Emma. Staring Steve Pirie, Ell Sachs and Dan Stewart, this play is a comedy about getting over yourself and realising that, as your mother has probably told you, the world does not revolve around you.
Oktoberfest is in the haus! It's Brisbane's version of the German beer fest, and it's as close as you can get to the real thing without stepping out of your hinterhorf! Brisbane Oktoberfest is back at the RNA Turniergelände (show grounds) for another year of schnitzels, beer and zeitgeists galore. The origins of Oktoberfest date back to 1810, and rules from back then still apply today - like that only beer brewed in Munich can be consumed, and everyone has to wear long socks and suspenders (loljokes). Us dirty thieves have recycled the event's premise and have made it our own, although not as long, but still with a hear, hear! to all things German. There'll be plenty of Schweinebraten (roast pork), Würstl (sausages) and Brezn (pretzels), not to mention the ridiculous amount of classic German beers to go around. Also a crowd favourite is the Miss Oktoberfest competition, with the title going to the candidate that can wear the traditional dress (dirndl) with pride, be strong enough to carry numerous steins, can master new German skills quickly and who knows the most about Oktoberfest and Germany. Similarly, the Bavarian Strongman contest is a test of the true German man within (hint, there's keg rolling and a bucket race involved). Even if you don't like the taste of beer, the spirit of Brisbane's Oktoberfest is calling you to its doppelganger event for two weekends (7-9th and 14-16th). I promise it won't be shizenhousen!
We didn't think it was possible, but West End is about to get more colourful. The vibrant inner city suburb, known for its eccentric charm and character, will host the West End Street Art Festival on Sunday, October 22. West End will be transformed by some of Brisbane's most talented street artists with large-scale murals, over 200 market stalls to explore, live music and a live painting exhibition. By joining the festivities, not only will you be surrounded by the best arts and culture Brisbane has to offer, but you will also be contributing to an extremely worthy cause. The festival aims to raise $10,000 for Orange Sky Laundry to support their work in preventing youth homelessness.
Flowstate, South Bank's new temporary creative precinct, isn't just adding another artistic space to the inner-city — for its first year of operation, the venue is hosting all of its shows for free. That means that you officially have no excuse not to stop by. But more than that, it means Brisbanites can access a heap of inventive performances that they mightn't otherwise see. Take Mixed Reality, for example. It's not your usual production — in fact, you probably haven't come across anything like it. Painting in virtual reality isn't the kind of thing you see every day, after all. Nor is watching sculptor Briony Law paint in 3D while a drone replicates exactly what she's doing. A work in progress, the piece will be presented to audiences on Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16 with sessions between 6pm and 9pm. If you'd like to hear more about this unique effort, head by on the second night, with a Q&A taking place at 7.30pm.
Every year, when spring hits Toowoomba, the regional city becomes the brightest place in southeast Queensland. Blooms blossom, greenery sprouts and flora reaches towards the sun — that's right, it's Carnival of Flowers time. Running from Friday, September 18–Sunday, September 27 at a variety of Toowoomba locations — including Laurel Bank Park and the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park — the annual event showcases all of the gorgeous florets, growths and gardens around town. On the agenda: everything from park tours to kaleidoscopic arrays of tulips, petunias and poppies. In total, more than 170,000 blossoming bulbs and seedlings have been planted, so this huge — and free — carnival won't be short on natural splendour. Outdoor dwellers can also expect live music in flower-filled parks, food trucks slinging bites to eat, a food trail showcasing more than 60 local eateries and a ferris wheel with a blooming great view, while pub, dinner, art and architecture-focused walks are also on offer. Celebrating its 71st year, the carnival features an illuminated night garden, too, which'll be on display for its entire ten-day run. Yes, that means there's no bad time to visit — and you might want to make the trek more than once. Indeed, when it comes to scenic spring sights, there's no prettier place to be. And, given it takes less than two hours to head up the mountain from Brisbane, it's perfect for a weekend day trip. Make a playlist, take a picnic and there's your Saturday or Sunday sorted. Naturally, this year's event will be adhering to COVID-19 requirements — so expect some social distancing with your bouquets. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Sometimes, it's easy to overlook the practical, logistical side of international art exhibitions. Before all those paintings, sculptures and pieces can travel to our shores, they have to be packed and shipped — and it is hardly a quick or cheap endeavour. Artists Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby, aka Goldin+Senneby, have come up with an innovative solution to this predicament for their Brisbane showcase. Rather than bring their retrospective Standard Length of a Miracle to Australia, they're presenting bootlegs and replicas of their original work. It's an intriguing way of dealing with the problem, as well as one that fits in perfectly with their penchant for probing late capitalism. And, the end result comes complete with a few additions when it displays at the Institute of Modern Art from November 18 to March 10, with the duo getting a little help from their friends. As well as the main attractions, SLOAM also includes Camila Marambio and Amaara Raheem's Meth(odology) Lab for the first week of the exhibition. Further, Headless will feature Goldin+Senneby spokesperson Angus Cameron in conversation with Mary Graham, while Acid Money, Malin Nilsson's magic demonstration, will bring the showcase to a close. Image: Goldin+Senneby, "Headless. From the Public Record" with Angus Cameron (economic geographer), K.D. (fictional author), Kim Einarsson (curator/writer), Anna Heymowska (set designer), Marcus Lindeen (director), Eva Rexed (actor). Installation view: Index, Stockholm, 2009.
We’ve all seen a little bit of Cirque du Soleil at one point or another – for some reason it’s incredibly difficult to avoid. My experience with it involves a ten year old version of myself veging out with my Dad on the couch and watching the colourful acrobatics play out on TV, then attempting to replicate their routines on the living room “stage” (note: I definitely do not recommend doing this, especially if you are unfit/not flexible/clumsy). Even now, ten years later, watching Cirque du Soleil doesn’t fail to inspire awe and amazement in me - though I’ve stifled my dreams of joining them on the high wire. Who knows, though, my acrobatic hopes may be rekindled when I see the antics of Saltimbanco play out in real life. Fellow aspiring acrobats, pencil this in your diary: for a limited season, one of the Cirque’s most loved shows, Saltimbanco, is arriving in Brisbane. It’s the perfect occasion to see the eclectic performance in the flesh, but personally I’m going to pick up some new moves.
West Village is already one of the greenest parts of West End, and now it's letting you take some plants home with you. No, you can't raid the precinct's garden — but you can browse the stalls at the spot's returning Plant Market. Looking for something leafy to sit on your window sill? A statement plant for your back deck? Terrariums and kokedamas to place (and hang) wherever fits? Then you're headed to the right place. Keen on ceramics to spice up your shelves? Succulents and cacti, because they brighten up any space? Good ol' fashioned flowers, just because? Again, you'll find them here. The long list of participants includes All the Green Things, Harris Farm Markets, Elle's Balcony Garden, Billeta Ceramics Succulent Mummas, Makers of Something Special, Luvia Designs and Craft Chino. The market will also include workshops, as well as live tunes. Just head on down to the free event from 10am–2pm on Sunday, August 28 — and if you have some plants at home that don't quite suit, you can bring them along to the onsite greenery adoption centre. It works the other way, too, so you can pick up a plant that someone else didn't want and take it home with you for free.
January might be in full swing and the memories of your summer holiday may be fading, but that doesn't mean you have to stop celebrating — and saying cheers to the new year. Your latest excuse comes courtesy of Pint Palooza, The Osbourne Hotel's new five-day beer festival, which is serving up brews and more from Saturday, January 22–Wednesday, January 26. A constant across the whole event: beer, obviously, with Young Henry's doing the honours at a pop-up bar at the Fortitude Valley venue. You'll be able to sip the brewery's tins, play games and even win prizes, all while listening to tunes. The fest kicks off with two Hottest 100 countdowns — music and the Gabs Hottest 100 Craft Beer Countdown — with the lineup also spanning live performances from 4–8pm on the Sunday afternoon, DJs from 9pm on the Tuesday, drag queen bingo and an 80s-themed glow party. Entry is free, but contacting the venue in advance to book a table is recommended.
We may laugh at our neighbours across the ditch about the way they pronounce words with the letter I in them and sheep relations and other things like that, but the fact of the matter is that our Kiwi friends are pretty good at – if not better – at a lot of things than we are. They’re more successful with PSAs than we are, and their drum n’ bass scene 1UPs us every time, thanks to Shapeshifter. The Christchurch quintet have been bringing the dub since 1999 and have been hailed as the pioneers of modern music due to their unique approach to the genre – most likely stemming from each members varied musical background, mixing funk, electronica, metal, jazz and hip-hop to create that unique Shapeshifter sound. They’ve skipped the Christchurch winter to hang out in their Berlin studio for the past six months, creating new sounds and touring Europe along the way, but now they’re returning back to their antipodean roots, doing a mini-tour before they head back to New Zealand for the festival season. Catch them at the Hi-Fi, but maybe avoid asking them about their fush and chups – I’m sure they’ve heard that one before.
After the work-week marathon, holing up at home all weekend can be mighty tempting. And while technology has gifted us with the amazing ability to get both food and entertainment without changing out of our PJs, it's no replacement for sunshine and socialising. So once a month, swap the hermit life for an outside hangout. The Sound Society is an initiative that fills two of Brisbane's most beautiful parks with music. It all kicks off at South Bank Parklands on Saturday, March 2 with singer-songwriter Graham Moes performing at 4pm, followed by folk-rock band Boatkeeper at 5.15pm and Cheap Fakes at 7.15pm. You're welcome to pack a picnic but onsite food vendor The Plough Inn will also be dishing up smoked brisket and slaw rolls. The tunes will continue to roll out quarterly so check back in here in a few months to see who will take the stage at Rainforest Green next. If a slow Sunday morning is more your style, meander down to Roma Street Parkland between 9am and noon — picnic blanket in hand. The lineup is equally eclectic here with local Brisbane four-piece Pending? slated to perform on March 3. The free music is a monthly occurrence here. Yas Queen will take the stage on Sunday, April 7, followed by Kayleigh Pincott Quintet on May 5 and The Brookes St Grind on June 2. Plus, food truck Juice Power will have your brunch sustenance sorted with fresh juices, smoothies, salads and more. Embrace the outdoors this summer. The Netflix marathon can wait for nighttime.
When you head to the theatre, you see something made from nothing. A previously empty stage comes alive with actors, and becomes the setting for any story that a creative mind can whip up. At Home, attendees will literally see something come from nothing, with a house built on-stage as part of the show. Coming to Brisbane from the US — and enjoying its Australian premiere at Brisbane Festival between September 12–15 — Home combines choreography, construction, live documentary and more, conjuring up its setting room by room. You'll discover what makes a house a home as the minutiae of daily life fills the abode and, naturally, you'll also get to take part in a huge house party. Image: Jacques-Jean Tiziou.
Love is in the air at Metro Arts until Saturday, March 16. It's also on the walls, too. Fresh from returning from a Tokyo residency, Olivia Lacey takes inspiration from that great source of romantic expression — pop songs — by turning their lyrics into into artworks. Love Me, Love Me isn't just about finding a new way to use crooned missives of devotion and adoration, however. And it's not just about revelling in your favourite tracks either. She might be using confetti, balloons and streamers, but Lacey is interested in exploring why romantic language has such an impact. And, how it changes. The Queensland University of Technology-trained artist is also keen to ponder just who sappy love songs are speaking to, a question many a radio listener has no doubt contemplated. With that in mind, taking pride of place is central piece Baby, I'm All Yours, which puts Lacey's penchant for party decorations to great use — and the insightful side of her work as well. Image: Callum McGrath.
Chicken lovers of Brisbane, rejoice — there's no shortage of places to get your poultry fix around the city, and plenty of them are kind on your wallet. Add Brooklyn Depot to the list every Monday to Friday thanks to their weekday $1 wing deal. That's $1 per wing, so bring a handful of gold coins if you're feeling particularly hungry. The offer runs from 3pm until 6pm, which means they've got you post-work snacking needs well and truly taken care of. And, if wings aren't your thing — or if you're eager for an early dinner to go with those pieces of chook — then you'll also find $6 cheeseburgers and $8 chicken or veggie burgs on the menu. Drinks-wise, $5 house beer, wine and spirits will take care of your thirst as well.
