Empty plates are a diner's nightmare. If you're sitting in a restaurant and there's nothing in front of you, it's either because your meal hasn't arrived or because you've come to the end of a tasty dish. But at Matt Moran's Solotel group, empty plates will now help a very worthy cause: Australia's drought-affected farmers. With the country currently doing it tough, drought-wise — and farmers doing it even tougher — the hospitality empire has launched 'Plate for a Farmer', which encourages patrons to buy an empty plate to support those in need. You can purchase an empty entrée plate for $5 or a main plate for $10, with Solotel matching every dollar spent. The proceeds will then go to Rural Aid to assist with their mental health counselling and other drought support programs. If you're keen to give farmers a helping hand next time you're eating out, you can do so at Aria in both Sydney and Brisbane, plus Bea at Barangaroo House, Chiswick Woollahra, Chiswick at the Gallery, Paddo Inn, North Bondi Fish, Opera Bar and Chophouse. Solotel's initiative recognises the importance of Australian produce and rural suppliers to the group's meals, as well as Moran's background as a fourth-generation farmer. "Throughout my career, having access to the very best produce in Australia has been a joy, but the drought conditions that now shroud our countryside are having a devastating effect on our rural suppliers," says Moran. "As both a chef and a very proud fourth-generation farmer, this is heart-wrenching. Our Aussie farmers' hard work and innovation have enabled the team and me to bring wonderful seasonal menus, year after year. It's now time for us to step up and help them."
If there's one thing that Sundays were made for, it's enjoying leisurely drinks to the strains of a live tune or several in one of Brisbane's best hangouts. If wine and acoustic grooves tick the first two boxes for you, then head to The Triffid on March 26 to take care of the latter at Vino & Vibes. Ten Aussie wineries will bring more than 50 tipples to Newstead for your tasting pleasure, so prepare to keep a wine glass in your hand. You'll actually receive your very own to take home with you, plus discounts if you're keen on purchasing a few bottles or more, as well as a barbecue lunch. Don't forget the other great aspect of wine events: picking up a few tidbits and insider tricks that you can wheel out over dinner every time you get the chance afterwards. Oh, and plonk and lots of it. We'll say cheers to that.
Ever found yourself standing on stage, microphone in hand, ready to belt out a karaoke tune, but unable to pick which boy band you want to croon to? Ain't nothing but a heartache indeed. For everyone who has been in that larger than life situation, and everyone that'd like to be, Southside Tea Room is hosting the ultimate singalong night. Say hello to Boy Band Karaoke. You'll want it that way at Morningside's finest on April 22, and you'll be saying bye bye bye to any chance of keeping your love of singing and dancing groups of guys a secret. Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, One Direction, Westlife, 98 Degrees, Human Nature — they'll all get a whirl, with host Stephen Childs overseeing the shenanigans, a temporary tattoo parlour on the premises and prizes for best costume. A word to the wise: if you're ready to publicly embrace that love of boy bands that's been tearing up your heart, grab a free ticket once they're available online on March 22. The last time SSTR did karaoke — of the Disney-themed variety — it sold out quick smart. And we're betting there's more folks happy that Backstreet's back than you might think.
Maybe you think he's the most imaginative filmmaker working today. Perhaps you loved his early movies, but haven't been as fond as his continued collaborations with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Either way, there's one thing everyone can agree on when it comes to Tim Burton: at his best, he's a cinematic artist. We're pretty sure everyone can also recognise that the man behind Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Corpse Bride is never less than fascinating, even when films like Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows aren't quite hitting their marks. Indeed, The Brightside is paying tribute to his distinctive style as much as his movie output in their one-evening-only gothic extravaganza, aka A Night of Tim Burton. Expect creepy flicks, Wonka candy cocktails, a Beetlejuice graveyard photobooth, and Jack and Sally Skeleton facepaint, plus Man vs Bear hosting a few rounds of Tim Burton trivia. And as always, expect to get dressed up for the occasion. If you've ever wanted to do your best Depp impression, here's your chance — and yes, there's prizes on offer for the best costume.
Women, adventure and filmmaking go hand-in-hand, even if the world doesn't often recognise it. The best surfing and skydiving movie ever made — that is, the original Point Break — was directed by a pre-Oscar-winning Kathryn Bigelow, for example. At the Women's Adventure Film Tour, she has plenty of fantastic female company. Australia's first film festival dedicated to inspiring ladies doing exciting and extraordinary things, the cinema showcase launched in Sydney in May, and now it's hitting the road. On its national trek, attendees can expect a high-octane onslaught of documentary efforts from Telluride's Mountainfilm festival, all highlighting real stories about women. The fest's selection also draws from a variety of cultures, touches upon a range of sports from around the world, and shows ladies either going full daredevil or stepping beyond their comfort zones — because adventure means different things to different people. A collaboration between Mountainfilm and female-fronted collective She Went Wild, it stops by Brisbane's Hawthorne Cinemas Deluxe on September 7, with tickets $25 for adults.
For 17 years, iconic live music venue The Zoo has been owned and operated by the kind of figures the industry needs more of. That'd be ladies. With Pixie Weyand taking the reigns from long-time owner Joc Curran, the Ann Street haunt isn't going to stop showcasing the women who work in the music biz — and with Girls to the Front!, its not going to stop celebrating them on stage, either. The Zoo's latest event does exactly what it promises, and it's certain to do it with enthusiasm, fun and an ace onslaught of sounds. Join Lita and the Bones, Leanne Tennant, Austen, Amela and ROO for an evening dedicated to the strong, talented females tearing up the Brissie scene. Entry costs $10, with tickets available on the door — and, because The Zoo really do want to support these ace women however they can, the entirety of your blue-coloured cash will go to the artists. Image: Austen.
What do Glen Hansard, Dropkick Murphys, The Cranberries, The Pogues, Elvis Costello, Sinead O'Connor and U2 all have in common? And Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Dubliners, Flogging Molly and Stiff Little Fingers too? It's not a trick question — it's all about their country of origin. 'Tis the time of year to be thinking Irish, after all. Forget all of the usual St Patrick's Day shenanigans, and celebrate the music instead at Where the Streets Have No Name. Sadly, none of the above talented folks and bands won't be in attendance, but you can expect to hear their tracks anyway. From 7.30pm on March 17, The Flanginpanis, Paddy McHugh Trio, Fox n Firkin, Andy McDonell Band and Alan Boyle Band will be paying tribute to all of the tracks and acts that have helped but Ireland's musos on the map. This isn't a "wear green" kind of shindig, but it's okay if you do — and if you want to see if Guinness is flowing through The Triffid's taps.
Russian society comes to Kelvin Grove from March 17 to 25, complete with power grabs, politics, secret liaisons and scandals. Yes, QUT's final-year acting are taking on Tolstoy courtesy of the text that'll always be a classic: Anna Karenina. For those who aren't familiar with the 19th-century source material, or missed the 2012 flick starring Kiera Knightley, expect a tale of love, lust and loyalty as the titular princess is forced to choose between her heart and her responsibilities. Sparks fly, obviously, as does plenty of societal commentary that's still relevant now. Of course, checking out the QUT production offers more than an affordable way to witness a literary great come to life — it helps support the next generation of talent too. Today, they're strutting around a stage as part of their course; tomorrow, who knows? See a stellar story from times gone by and the folks who'll help make them in the future.
How much do you know about this great city of ours? If you've lived here long enough, you might've picked up a few pieces of trivia; however even those with an encyclopaedic awareness of Brissie can discover a thing or two at Brisbane Powerhouse's latest offering. Think of The Story of Brisbane as a different take on the city's history — and one that shares the views of everyone from David Malouf to The Go-Betweens, while bringing you into the tale as well. With actors Therese Collie and Tim Mullooly as your guides, you'll embark upon a riverside tour based upon the words of Brisbane's great writers. As your feet are roaming around town, you'll delve into events spanning the original indigenous settlements to the state of the area today. A standard, school-style lesson, this definitely isn't, with Collie and Mullooly transforming themselves into a variety of characters during the wandering walk. You will need a Wednesday morning free to attend the weekly event — but if you're lucky enough to have a day off, you'll gain a unique insight into the city you call home.
Prepare to live out your Wet Hot American Summer dreams, Brisbanites — again. This dry warm Brissie autumn just got a whole lot better thanks to the eagerly awaited return of one of the best new events of 2016. Yes, Death Valley Fun Camp is rolling out another year of back-to-nature mayhem. You don't just head to the picturesque Lake Moogerah, splash around, sing around the campfire, toast marshmallows and sleep under the stars at DVFC, although they're definitely on the agenda. From May 27 to 28, you also take a break from devices, status updates and technology in general during a weekend of crafts, food, drink, tunes, good ol' fashioned human connection and fun put together by Southside Tea Room, Death Valley and The Grates' duo John Paterson and Patience Hodgson. Keen for ziplining, kayaking, swimming, archery, pom-pom making, fermentation workshops, badge making, rediscovering the lost of art letter writing and cooking up a storm on the open fire? You will be here. Or, tell ghost stories as the flames flicker, enjoy a set by the Top Shelf Wedding Band and belt out a song at live indie karaoke. Meals-wise, you'll feast on three squares cooked up by Lucky Egg's Jacob Knauth and grab a midnight snack at the on-site tuckshop. And when it comes to refreshing beverages, expect to down beer and cider from Young Henrys — plus a camp cocktail that features The Bucha of Byron's kombucha. Tickets, which include accommodation, food, activities, a camp shirt and s'mores, go on sale at 9am on March 16. Get in quick: the first 25 are available for the early-bird price of $119 before the regular cost of $179 kicks in, and the first 100 folks to book get a bunk bed in a cabin, with everyone else pitching a tent. For an extra $79, all of your tipples will also be taken care of, and you'll even get a take-home enamel mug as a souvenir. Plus, you'll be helping a good cause, as profits from the food and drink will go to Kids Help Line. Image: Alana Potts.
What starts with a race across New Zealand and ends with a contagious virus seeping through Sydney, but doesn't leave the warm and sunny climes of south-east Queensland? That'd be the Gold Coast Film Festival. All of the above forms part of the event's 2017 lineup from April 19 and 30 — plus a boat ride with Zoolander, surf flicks by the beach, Pulp Fiction in a taphouse, all-female horror, unnerving serial killer thrills, animated Swiss delights and the chance to walk in The Rock's footsteps. The rather eclectic program kicks off with Pork Pie, taking Boy's James Rolleston on a ride around NZ in a stolen car and remaking 1980 Kiwi classic Goodbye Pork Pie in the process. It's an amiable, affable, antic-riddled comedic adventure — just the kind of flick you want to see before heading to a party. Then, 12 days later, the world premiere of Aussie-made Event Zero wraps up the fest with something completely different. Here, detectives and politicians try to cope with a potentially deadly attack, with local veterans such as Zoe Carides and Nicholas Hope among the cast. In total, 32 features will screen at this year's GCFF, including four world, nine Australian and eight Queensland premieres. As well as watching Stephen Curry induce chills in festival circuit hit Hounds of Love, see the Oscar-nominated My Life as a Courgette manoeuvre clay and swell hearts, and talented filmmaking ladies unleash an anthology of scares with XX. Other movie standouts include Alliance Francaise French Film Festival highlight Planetarium, Finnish boxing romance and Cannes favourite The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki, Indonesian action bonanza Headshot, playful Chilean poetry biopic Neruda and Australian artist-focused documentary Whitely. Or, viewers can opt to follow the stars courtesy of Jessica Chastain in the World War Two-set The Zookeeper's Wife, Emma Watson and Tom Hanks in tech thriller The Circle, and a voice cast that includes Lena Dunham and Jason Schwartzmann in animated effort My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea. Events-wise, in addition to watching classic movies on the water, in a brewery and on the sand, the program also includes a Gold Coast movie location tour, a trivia night, the chance to feature in your own film-themed gif, discussions about everything from working with animals on-screen to making the most of film fests, and a ceremony honouring Deborah Mailman as this year's Chauvel Award recipient.
So far in 2017, Brisbane Arts Theatre has taken on a classic novella linked to a much-used phrase, spy intrigue with a dash of Hitchcock, and a little old movie about an amusement park filled with dinosaurs. Maybe you've heard of it? Up next is a trip to the past with Minefields & Miniskirts. Think war, women and how one had quite an impact on the other. Based on the book by Siobhan McHugh, Minefields & Miniskirts explores the stories of the ladies of the Vietnam war, as compiled from interviews with 50 women who lived through it. They're entertainers, nurses, journalists, volunteers, consular staff, secretaries, wives, mothers and anti-war protestors. Often, they're several of the above. And, their tales are relayed on stage through a series of monologues. Step through their experiences when the production graces the Petrie Terrace-based outfit's stage between April 8 and 29. These are the accounts you probably haven't heard before, about the people that efforts focused on war often ignore. Plus, with ANZAC Day around the corner and news headlines filled with combat, it couldn't be timelier.
As fun as it is, Easter isn't just about staying home and eating chocolate. Given that most of us have four days off, it's also a great time for a road trip. In keeping with the eating and drinking theme, might we suggest a cheese, wine and food festival? If heading to the Sunshine Coast sounds like your idea of fun, then the Kenilworth Cheese, Wine & Food Fest should be your first destination. Sample cheese and wine all day long, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy some live music. And then there's the cheese rolling contest, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Ever wanted to see your own artwork on a gallery wall? Aspire's annual SNAP exhibition is the showcase that might make that happen. It's too late for this year, of course, but once you find out how it works, you'll be itching to get involved next year. The best way to discover the ropes is to dive into the end result — and, you'll get some inspiration for your snapping over the next twelve months in the same process. At SNAP17, you'll peruse the best photographs Brisbane's shutterbugs have captured. The exhibition displays from April 19 until May 3. The annual callout is open to everyone who who manipulates or takes photos, so if you fall into that camp, keep your eyes peeled for next year. A camera has to have been used at some point, but landscape, portrait, digital and mixed media photography are all acceptable.
They told us that boys don't cry and that they wanted things to be just like heaven. They fell in love on Fridays, hopped into a mint car and dialled a wrong number. They're The Cure, the enduring English rockers who helped define the gothic rock genre. They're also the well-deserving subjects of The Brightside's latest listening party. After their Daft Punk hangout session, the Valley hotspot breaks out the hairspray, black outfits and ample eyeliner for a night with a more melancholy mood. You know how it works. Sit, listen, relax and think about lovecats. Oh, and drink themed cocktails too. As always, the band's back catalogue will get a hefty spin, with DJ Mitch "Bris 182" Rekxton doing the honours. Given the music he's working with, there's no doubt you'll want to be close to the action — and who knows, someone might even want to take pictures of you in the process.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with a few supposed medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. At a new series of wine-tasting fun runs about to take place around Australia, however, you'll put in the hard yards before you get the boozy rewards. The Grapest 5K run consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. Don't worry, if you're not up to the first part and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option too. The run will take place on Saturday, June 3 north of Brisbane at Ocean View Estates.
Always eager to open their doors to Brisbane's makers, Wandering Cooks aren't just going local with their latest event — they're also focusing on all things handmade. Think of their afternoon pop-up as a showcase of just what a couple of folks plying their handy skills can do: making furniture, crafting stoneware and cooking up a storm included. At Made by Hand from 4pm on April 1, Sollywood and Two Warm Hands are in the spotlight, with former known for their wooden furniture and the latter quite skilled with pottery and stone. They'll be joined by the culinary talents at Musa Nana, Char Babyand Latin Manna so that you can not only learn and chat about the kind of pieces you'll be wishing you could whip up, but feast on delicious food that'll have you dreaming about becoming a kitchen whiz.
Four women. One fancy room. A civil war raging outside. A dictator who hasn't yet come home. The same scenes repeated over again, but in a different light. Throw them all together, and that's Abi Morgan's power-driven political effort Splendour. The play was first staged in 2000, and now comes to Brisbane courtesy of local theatre ensemble Now Look Here and CBD arts venue Metro Arts. Now Look Here isn't just putting on an acclaimed women-centric piece of theatre, however. They're backing up that up not only on stage, but off. Ladies reign among the cast and crew, with the entire production an all-female affair. As for Morgan, if the writer's name sounds familiar, that's because she has been a mainstay of theatre, theatre and film for the last two decades. On the small screen, she wrote and executive produced BBC mini-series The Hour, while her cinema contributions include the screenplays for The Iron Lady, Shame and Suffragette.
Thirsty? If you're not now, you will be once you've read this. That's the only appropriate reaction to a festival of beer, after all. Just think of all the amber liquids and foamy goodness. Okay, enough drooling; here are the important details every ale lover needs: more than 130 beers and ciders will be on offer, plus an international food court. To set the mood for two full days of booze and food, there'll also be live music from Taxiride too. You don't turn a beer fest into a two-day bonanza without calling in a pub rock staple. Eating and drinking might be the main attractions at Brisbane Beer Fest's 2017 outing, but this is also an event for those serious about their beverages as well. Amid the tasting and the sampling of more tipples than you could dream of, you can also meet the folks behind 20-plus breweries and find out their tricks of the trade. If there's a beer heaven, this is it. Image: Brisbane Beer Fest.
Dig out your finest lilac-coloured threads — and your raspberry beret, too — and get ready to party like it's 1999. A year ago, the man and music icon that was Prince left this life like a cloud of purple rain; however now that the doves have cried, it's time to celebrate. That's why Bistrotheque is hosting Prince: When You Were Mine (One Year On), after all. Courtesy of a compilation of the artist both known and formerly known as Prince, they'll run through the pint-sized performer's greatest hits. That means everything from 'Kiss' and 'Sign o' the Times' to 'Gett Off' and 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World', but remember to enjoy it — baby, it'll go much too fast. If there's a better way to show your appreciation for an artist that truly was like no other, then we haven't come across it. When it comes to how you should react, his own words sum it up best: let's go crazy. And when it comes to bidding farewell, Prince knows just what to say again: thank you for a funky time.
When Gelato Messina moves into the neighbourhood, you throw a party. Okay, to be fair, the first Fish Lane Festival happened last year. However, with some of Australia's best ice cream-makers setting up shop in the area — plus a host of new eateries, too — there's never been a better time for a repeat shindig. That's what'll happen come midday on May 13, with the laneway entering celebration mode for ten hours of fun. Eat, drink, dance and hangout in one of the best stretches of roadway Brisbane has to offer, and prepare to make both a day and a night of it. There'll certainly be plenty of spaces tempting you to stay for as long as possible, including including three stages of local live music and DJs, the Bertie Cider Garden packed with Colonial Brewing Co's beverages, the Tanqueray Gin Jungle serving up exactly what you think, and the Ketel One Espresso Martini Bar doing the same. Food-wise, everywhere from The Fox to Billykart to 31 Degrees is adding their tasty fare to the spread, complete with charcuterie bento boxes, cheeseburgers and sliders, and house-made s'mores. Or, opt for Five Sisters' meze platter, Chu the Phat's lion's head meatball and potato bread brisket sandwiches, Saccharomyces Beer Cafe's chilli nachos made with stout infused chilli — or whatever one-of-a-kind custom gelato flavour Messina whips up. Image: 31 Degrees.
Drawing upon Australia's extensive history of indigenous art, the Queensland Art Gallery shines a spotlight on significant pieces from the decade spanning 1984 to 1994. From July 22 to October 22, more than 100 paintings and sculptures by eight Australian Aboriginal artists will grace QAG's walls, as sourced from the Janet Holmes à Court Collection. Sung Into Being: Aboriginal Masterworks 1984–94's specific timeframe of interest isn't an accident or an arbitrary choice, as gallery director Chris Saines explains. "This exhibition captures an intensely productive and exciting period when Aboriginal art first began to be exhibited and collected as fine art, and embodies both the stylised aesthetic of the Kimberley and the colour palette and imagery of central and southern Arnhem Land," he notes. Highlights include pieces by Rover Joolama Thomas, Jack Wunuwun, Jack Kalakala and Les Mirrikkuriya, as well as an overall focus on pieces that convey songs and ceremonies connected with the creation of the land. It's the kind of cultural and history lesson that can only spring from looking at the real thing — and it's free in an exclusive-to-Queensland run. Image: Rover Joolama Thomas Kukatja/Wangkajunga people. c1926-1988. The shade from the hill comes over and talks in language. 1984. Janet Holmes à Court Collection.
Five months. That's how long festive fiends have to wait until their favourite time of year comes rolling around again. Or, for those up for a surprise meal in a yet-to-be-revealed location, getting a dose of Christmas in July is as easy as going along to Secret Foodies' next event. On offer is a three-course feast cooked by one of Brisbane's top chefs — but we can't tell you who, or where you'll be going, or just what you'll be eating. We can tell you that tour $100 per person ticket includes food, mulled wine on arrival and more vino courtesy of Mud House. Oh, and there'll also be a bit of Kris Kringle action, so everyone has to bring a $5, homemade or re-gifted present. For those knew to the Secret Foodies fun, you'll get an SMS at 10am on July 22 telling you where to be at midday the same day. It'll be central, don't worry. And you'll eat, drink and be merry, so don't worry about that either. Yes, Christmas really can come more than once a year.
Like eating? Drinking? Tasting something new? Sampling as many delicious bits and pieces as you can? Being taught the tricks of the trade by culinary masters? Don't we all. Thankfully, chances to do all of the above keep popping up. Hot on the heels of last weekend's Regional Flavours, Brisbane foodies have another cuisine and vino event to get excited about — and no, the Brisbane Food & Wine Expo isn't the same as the Good Food & Wine Show. Held at the Brisbane Showgrounds between July 21 and 23, this dining and sipping showcase offers a fresh round of all the things food show fans know and love: tucking into the good stuff. Exhibitors include everyone from Salt Meats Cheese to Byron Bay Chocolate Co, while special additions to the menu range from cheese, lavosh and wine masterclasses to celebrity degustation dinners. As always, the usual advice applies: arrive hungry.
Is your green thumb tingling? Heading to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha is always a great way to scratch that itch, but on May 20 and 21, it'll be even better than usual. You can walk through greenery and soak in the splendour of nature, as usual — and scour the auditorium for race specimens to take home with you. For the second year, the Brisbane Plant Collectors Fair returns with a weekend-long market dedicated to all things green and growing (well, other than the Incredible Hulk — but he'll be popping up soon at GOMA, don't worry). Browse and buy hard -to-find and unusual plant species from around the world, spanning bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs, orchids, herbs, cacti and succulents, and exotic tropical plants. There'll be sales, guest speakers, and food and drink options. Plus, in the kind of smart move an experienced garden whiz — and garden shopping whiz — obviously planted, the fair will boast a plant cloak room so that you can purchase some growing goodies, leave them somewhere safe and keep perusing. Parking your new flowering pals will set you back a gold coin, which will go to the Abused Children's Trust.
When it comes to Nirvana, everyone has one of two moments seared into their brains. Either you're old enough to recall where you were when you heard the news about Kurt Cobain, or you can remember the instant you later realised what a gap he had left in the music world. Whichever category you fall into, come as you are to The Triffid's latest tribute night. We're so excited, we can't wait to meet you there. The legendary three-piece's catalogue of songs will be in bloom on June 3 as Byron Short & The Sunset Junkies, Walken, The Bear Hunt, Port Royal and some special guests go sifting through rock 'n' roll history. As is the custom, each band will play four Nirvana covers and two of their own tracks. If that's not for you, all apologies. Smells like an ace evening, as the Triff's look at music legends always proves. Past shows have felt the love buzz for Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Metallica, Iggy Pop, The Go-Betweens, Radiohead and Neil Young, after all.
After a busy year of Rihanna, hip hop and other themed yoga classes, New Farm's Yo! Yoga are hitting the big one-oh. So, they're celebrating the best way they know how: with some bending, stretching, gratitude and mindfulness, all rolled into a one-day event. That's the broad agenda at YO!VO Festival. As for the specific lineup, think Drake, The Weeknd and Beyonce-focused sessions, blissful workshops, and just ace vibes all round. Tickets cost $25, and then it's up to you how much you attend between 9.30am and 2pm. In addition to all of the above, you'll also be able to stock up your activewear wardrobe, win prizes, and purchase food and drinks from some local favourites. They're the ones having the birthday, but everyone gets to enjoy the fun.
Meet Brisbane's longest-running local film festival. The Brisbane International Film Festival was brought to an end after its 2013 run, and its replacement — the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival — was just axed after three years, but the West End Film Festival is still kicking on. They're focused on short films rather than lengthier flicks, but it seems that good things come in small packages as the fest gears up for its ninth year. Taking place on May 27 and 28, WEFF once again shines a spotlight on homegrown talents keeping things short and sweet in the cinema, with their program split over three sessions. Cats, tollbooth workers, scavenging seagulls, time travel... they all get a mention. First, head along to the Boundary Street Markets at 6.30pm on Saturday night to watch music video submissions, and see who gets this year's prizes. Then, come back at 4pm and 7pm on Sunday for two stints that include documentaries and animation (plus more awards after the later session).
Whether you're looking for something on a budget, or you're after the best vintage fare, there's nothing like trawling through other people's wares. Forget your regular old household clear-outs, trash and treasure markets, outlet sales and car boot offerings though — Brisbane's biggest clothing garage sale is back. We're not sure whether its size has been officially confirmed; however if it delivers a massive array of sartorial bits and pieces — and it always does — then we won't ask questions. Taking over Bizzell's Garage on Latrobe Terrace from 10am until 4pm on May 28, prepare to arrive with shopping on your mind and leave with a full basket. Prices vary, as will condition, but expect to pay anywhere from $5 to over $100 for clothes, swimwear, shoes, accessories, denim, leather items and jewellery. Brands spanning the sporty likes of Adidas and Puma, the upmarket style of of Burberry and Christian Dior, and the street red of Converse and Calvin Klein will all be on offer. And, if you want to add a few plants to your home garden, or boost your vinyl or CD collection, you'll find greenery and physical copies of music on sale too.
If you want to learn to dance, you may as well learn from the masters. And now the Queensland Ballet can get you Nut-Cracking, even if you're not a trained dancer. The organisation is running drop-in classes at their Thomas Dixon Centre in West End. And it's not just ballet that's on the agenda. Sure, you can don your tutu and get a-pirouetting if that's your calling. But there are lessons in a host of other styles as well, including contemporary and Broadway-style dancing. Also on the program is Pilates, yoga and tai chi, so you can keep yourself stretchy and calm in-between dance sessions. Classes are casual, cost $16 per pop and run the year through. So, you can turn up — or not — at your leisure. If you do want to make a commitment, 10 class packages, 30-day memberships and courses are also available. Don't forget to send us a vid if you manage to master that curbside scene in Singin' in the Rain or score a role in La La Land Vol. II. The Queensland Ballet runs casual classes Saturday to Thursday at the Thomas Dixon Centre, Corner of Drake Street and Montague Road, West End. For more info or to book-in to a class, visit queenslandballet.com.au.
Last year, Mooloolaba's Wharf Tavern put on a new festival. As you can imagine, it was quite the hit — with tunes, brews and good vibes by both the river and the beach, how could it not be? In fact, it was so popular that they're doing the whole thing again. Say hello to the Sea N Sound Festival 2017. If a feast of live music will tempt you up north, then prepare to catch sets from Boy & Bear, Busby Marou, Tijuana Cartel, Potbelleez DJs, Timberwolf and a host of Sunny Coast locals. If it's pairing all that with food and drink that you're after, then get ready for craft tipples and — what else? — local seafood. Yes, it sounds exactly like a boutique festival on the Sunshine Coast should, and that's a good thing. Gates open at midday, so if you're keen for a dip as well, you'd best head up early.
Does your mum like homemade wares, barbecued meats and craft brews? Or, do you like eating and drinking the last two while you shop for the first? Either way, get on down to Mother, Wandering Cooks' new one-day festival. Taking the woman that brought you into the world is highly encouraged, of course, when you head over to South Brisbane from midday on May 13. And no, that isn't a typo. You probably already have something planned for the Sunday May 14, aka Mother's Day, so this bit of fun is taking place on Saturday. There'll be more pottery and ceramics than the ghost of Patrick Swayze could whip up thanks to Brush and Wheel, plenty of greenery courtesy of Mappins Nursery & Aquarium, plus rolls filled with Cuban-style, pasture-raised, pecan-fed pork cooked up by Shank Brothers BBQ and hand-crafted beers by Modus Operandi Brewing. Entry is free, which gives you an even better reason to extend your mum-centric celebration over the entire weekend.
At a time when every second movie seems to feature caped crusaders, you can be forgiven for thinking Gifted might fit the usual bill. Captain America aka Chris Evans leads the cast, The Amazing Spider-Man's Marc Webb sits in the director's chair, and, based on her off-screen interviews, Jenny Slate is the smart, spirited actress superhero we all need. Their collaboration doesn't involve spandex or fighting crime, however, but rather championing strengths and recognising truths of another kind. This precocious, kid-centric film makes no attempt to hide its efforts to tug at your heartstrings. But memorable performances and a refreshing perspective ensure that it's a winner nonetheless. In a tale of brains rather than brawn, seven-year-old Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) is the smartest student in her new Florida school, and her teacher (Slate) wants to do something about it. But Mary's uncle Frank (Evans) disagrees, having seen her genius mathematician mother follow a similar path only to end up taking her own life due to the pressure. When the headmistress calls in Frank's own estranged mother (Lindsay Duncan), a tug-of-war ensues over the girl's future. He insists that Mary should have a normal childhood, while his mum wants her granddaughter prodigy to realise her potential as soon as possible — regardless of the consequences. What's the best option? With its allegiance firmly with the likeable Frank, Gifted plays up the contrasting parenting styles for drama, rather than delving too deeply into the question. And yet, as Mary gets stuck in the middle of a very predictable custody battle, the film makes a crucial case: that being normal and special aren't mutually exclusive. Don't underestimate this viewpoint, and the alternative it offers to almost every other message that movies thrust our way. Seeing a constant parade of superheroes on screen can cast everyday existence in a pretty dull light, but Gifted celebrates the idea that life and people can be both extraordinary and average, and that that is perfectly okay. Perhaps that's how Webb approached making the film as well — sometimes it's great, sometimes it's simply good, but it comes together nicely overall. It's easy enough to see where the by-the-book plot is going, although thankfully it's all engaging enough that viewers won't really mind. The score lays the sentiment on a little too thick sometimes, and the Florida setting is given quite the sunny hue, but ultimately the film never veers into territory that could be called grating or cloying. Still, blending all of the above together mightn't have worked as well if Gifted wasn't so superbly cast. Pay attention to young Grace, a veteran of 42 roles at the age of just 11, who makes Mary feel like the type of kid everyone can relate to — even if you don't share the same exceptional math skills. Elsewhere, Evans gives his conflicted character ample emotional range, while Slate makes her kindly teacher more than just a helpful love interest. As a feisty neighbour, Octavia Spencer mightn't have quite as much to do, but she's as warm and enjoyable as anything else the movie has to offer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDgOnFH_KEo
Everybody loves a good food pairing, and Belgium has one of the best: moules and frites. Think of it as the fancier version of the Aussie favourite that is fish and chips — because the fact that seafood and potato go well together is something that every nation clearly knows. Throw in a cold brew, and it's heaven in a meal. It's also on the menu at Brewski's one-day Moules & Frites & Biére festival, which takes over the Petrie Terrace bar on September 10. Mussels, fries and beer will be served up in abundance for a tasty Sunday session from 12pm. Given all things Belgian are in the spotlight for the day, that extends to the tipples flowing through the taps, with seven types on offer. Grab a Rodenbach or Boon for the country itself, or try Belgian-style offerings from Australia, the US and New Zealand. A Hallertau Flemish Giant, anyone?
First things first: if you're going to combine karaoke with feminism and need a name for the resulting event, you can't get any better than Femioke. If there was ever a term bound to inspire the proud and passionate singing of many a pro-girl anthem, it's this one. Expect to do plenty of that at Femioke, whether the likes of the Spice Girls, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Cyndi Lauper or Beyonce gets your vocal talents flowing. As emceed by Metro Arts' Amy-Clare, the event isn't only interested in belting out favourite feminist tracks, however — it's also about taking back misogynist songs. Think of it as a DIY-style sing-along, an all-inclusive feminist event and a safe space to celebrate the Yes vote — complete with a cash bar because every great karaoke session needs a tasty tipple. If you missed the first three events, don't do the same this time. All feminist identifiers are welcome. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Imagine walking into a gallery and finding a musical instrument making sweet melodies right before your very eyes — without anyone playing it. Now, imagine that large-scale, self-playing instrument looks like a waveform, aka the visual representation of a wave that is often used to represent sound. That's Ross Manning's Dissonant Rhythms, or part of it at least. The Brisbane artist and musician is unveiling his first-ever survey exhibition, complete with the aforementioned room-filling new commission. As well as changing the way you envision music being made, the Institute of Modern Art showcase will highlight Manning's fondness for repurposing everyday objects; think sculptures made from ceiling fans, fluorescent tubes and overhead projectors, resulting in quite the intertwining of light and sound. Indeed, between August 5 and October 29, it's safe to say that you won't find standard pieces of art lining IMA's walls. This is the kind of exhibition that will have its own vinyl album, after all. Image: Ross Manning, dichroic filter piece (extended projection) (2012-14). Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery.
If Brisbane's latest food event needs a theme song, it has plenty of options to choose from. Sure, most tracks that reference wings in their name come soaked in emotion (we're thinking about Jeffrey Osbourne's 'On the Wings of Love' and Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings', for starters, because '80s tunes are just that impossible to forget). But hey, who isn't in love with crispy, deep-fried chicken wings? We're going on about potential anthems because the Australian Buffalo Wing Festival will make you want to sing an ode to its titular dish, we're betting. That's what showcasing all the great places in Brissie that sell these delectable sites of poultry does. Well, that and fill your stomach. Featuring everywhere from Red Hook to Yardbird, Barcadia to The Manhattan Line, and Newstead Brewing Co to Carolina Kitchen among its 24 locations, the fest is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of affair; basically, pick an eatery from one of the four regions highlighted on the four days from August 3o to September 2, and start munching. Or, go on a Buffalo-crawl in search of the many deals on offer. Each joint will be serving up their own flavours, so you really will want to taste them all.
For a genre that's obsessed with killing people off, horror certainly likes to bring things back to life. That applies to dearly departed children and their favourite dolls, and also to series' and spinoffs that would perhaps have been better left alone. All of the above combines in Annabelle: Creation, a prequel to the first offshoot from The Conjuring films, and an exercise in formulaic franchise-building. Alas, a house full of orphaned girls aren't the only victims here. Jumping back to the beginning of the unsettling toy's tale, this instalment also introduces its flesh-and-blood namesake. Nicknamed Bee, the seven-year-old daughter (Samara Lee) of Esther and Samuel Mullins (Aussie actors Miranda Otto and Anthony LaPaglia) is rather fond of her inanimate best friend, a bond that seems to linger even after tragedy strikes. When a parentless group of youngsters — including the polio-stricken Janice (Talitha Bateman), her close pal Linda (Lulu Wilson) and young nun Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman) — are taken in by the still-grieving couple 12 years later, they come to discover just what that means. Needless to say, it involves a certain possessed plaything. Arriving in 2014 in an eager bid to cash in on The Conjuring's success, the initial Annabelle film was a bland affair — and while this second effort improves on its predecessor, that's not saying much. Aware that the standard stalk-and-kill story didn't work the last time around, Lights Out director David F. Sandberg and returning writer Gary Dauberman instead decide that imitation is the best form of flattery and the best approach to the series as a whole, returning to the kids in a creepy home motif that made the main films in the franchise a hit. Had The Conjuring 2 not already been released, this could have stolen its title. Secret rooms taunt curious minds; things go bump in the night; and sinister happenings start spooking everyone in the house. The film's narrative is as routine as expected, and doesn't ever pretend otherwise — with more titles in the series already greenlit, Annabelle: Creation doesn't really need to do anything more than just exist. It's the episodic approach to movie-making that's largely designed to keep the franchise in viewers' minds until the next chapter rolls around. Think of it like TV: every hour of a show isn't going to be a winner, but the powers-that-be know that doesn't matter as long as audiences stay primed for the next one. As calculated and template-driven as Annabelle: Creation may be, the film does have one saving grace: Sandberg. Making his second Hollywood horror movie in two years, the director repeats his Lights Out fortunes, vastly improving a surprise-free plot through his mastery of mood and imagery. He knows how to make unnerving moments count through both patience and quick scares — and how to cultivate a convincing atmosphere of dread and unease with camera placement and lighting choices. Every obvious development, silly character choice and by-the-book performance works against him, but if Annabelle: Creation does one thing, it's make a case for Sandberg to be given much, much better material to work with. Let's just hope he leaves this particular franchise in his rear-view mirror. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPTogn2E3CI
Not content with showing their love for strawberries once a year, Sandstone Point Hotel has another tasty trick up its sleeves: its annual Oyster Festival. Seafood lovers, prepare to be in your element. The fact that you'll be slurping down molluscs while you're on Bribie Island adds to the fun, of course. Taking over the venue on November 18, the day-long celebration of salty, slimy deliciousness will treat your tastebuds to oysters from all around the country, asking whether you can discern the difference. They'll be freshly shucked at the fest's oyster bars — and if you need something to snack on in-between, you can feast on the rest of the ocean's finest (and sip a few beverages) at an array of seafood and wine stalls. Anyone that really, truly loves their oysters can also take part in the competitive portion of the day, because it wouldn't be a food festival without a contest. Chef demonstrations and live music are on the bill as well, alongside a cruisy day hanging out off the Brisbane mainland, with entry costing $5.
The landscape of the late Harry Dean Stanton's face is home to a thousand stories. In Lucky, we're privy to a few. Directed by actor turned filmmaker John Carroll Lynch, this intimate character study revels in Stanton's crumpled gaze, rugged skin and weary expression, as though they're the only things in the world worth looking at. For 88 minutes, they might as well be. Of course, there are other things that fill Lucky's frames. The movie starts with desert vistas that are almost entrancing as Stanton, with Lynch drawing a clear connection between their arid, weathered state and the film's central figure. A tortoise, named President Roosevelt, is spied ambling across hills and through cacti, slowly but surely going about its business. Townsfolk gather at the local diner during the day and at a bar each evening, shooting the breeze about life and love, and saying everything and nothing all at once. They're all connected to Stanton's protagonist within the narrative, but speak also to his mindset and his journey through life. Still, while these elements – these images and characters – all have a part to play, there's also no ignoring that this thoughtful motion picture wouldn't have worked without Stanton in the titular role. That's partly because Lucky the film and Lucky the character can't really be separated. Story-wise, Lucky doesn't chart big developments or action-packed occurrences. Instead, it follows the charmingly cantankerous World War II veteran's routine, as he smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, watches game shows, does crosswords and exercises in his underwear. But when the nonagenarian suddenly faints, it becomes clear that his mortality lurks just around a looming corner. Much like Jim Jarmusch's Paterson, this is a film that peers into a man's existence in order to show just how extraordinary the ordinary can be. Life, death, loneliness, friendship, hopes, regrets: they all ebb and flow through Lynch's film, sometimes mapped out in Lucky's expression, sometimes seeping through in his gruff chatter. As much as the film is tied to its star, it's also peppered with extra flavour thanks to its supporting cast. Stanton's Alien co-star Tom Skerritt pops up as a fellow veteran, while Ron Livingston makes an appearance as an insurance salesman. Meanwhile, acclaimed director David Lynch — with whom the 91-year-old Stanton has collaborated on everything from Wild at Heart to The Straight Story to the recent third season of Twin Peaks — plays the owner of the aforementioned turtle, and brings vibrancy and warmth to every scene he's in. It's not an easy job, shining a spotlight so soulfully on Stanton, while leaving room for others to have their moments too. But, in his first stint behind the lens, it's a job that John Carroll Lynch does masterfully. More than just a love letter to its leading man, Lucky is a melancholy ode to the inevitability that life goes on until it doesn't. Though conveyed calmly and with lashings of warm comedy, that's a potent message — both before Stanton passed away in September and now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWxpmcZ0E0Q
Humanity has a complex relationship with animals. We welcome them into our homes as pets, raise money to save their habitats and spend hours watching cute cat videos — and we also cage them in zoos for our viewing pleasure, cull the ones considered pests and serve others up on our tables as a source of sustenance. Alas, it only gets more complicated. We shed tears over the loss of our beloved pooches, walk past dead possums on the road on a daily basis, go fishing for fun and food, and eagerly swat flies. If you don't know how to feel about all of that, you're not alone. And while Sally Molloy's latest project won't give you any answers, it might just offer some catharsis. Or point you in that direction, at least. On July 15 and 16, Memorial To All The Animals We've Ever Had To Kill invites participants to head to the corner of Jane Street and Riverside Drive in West End, share their stories, and then see the results included as part of the closing memorial viewing. Think of the CLUTCH Collective piece as a tribute, a confession and a piece of art — and whatever else you need it to be as you work through your thoughts and feelings. Image: 'Eugene and the ghost of poss', Sally Molloy.
For the next three months, UQ Art Museum is jumping into the future. Great Scott! So, what does the future of creativity look like? How does contemporary art ponder futuristic technologies? Are today's artists modern-day alchemists? What kid of future-focused thinking can they provoke? They're just some of the questions New Alchemists will inspire, as well as the obvious: how many times can we utter the word 'future'? Short answer: plenty. Indeed, when it comes to pondering what comes next for humanity, we can't say it enough. Or paint, sculpt or make a response to the concept, which is what the talented folks displayed in the exhibition have done. Art Orienté Objet, Michaela Gleave, Ian Haig, Oron Catts & Ionat Zurr are just some of the names involved, along with Corrie van Sice, Nadege Philippe-Janon, Thomas Thwaites and Lu Yang. Image: Michaela Gleave, We Are Made Of Stardust, 2011/12, Pine structure, LED's, RGB controllers.
On November 25, things are getting hot in Caloundra. Tongue-tinglingly hot. Face-meltingly hot. Homer Simpson running, screaming and waving his hands around hot. That's what happens when you spice up your Saturday with a chilli festival, after all. Adding some zest the Sunshine Coast, Bulcock Street is hosting the inaugural Ignite Chilli Festival from 1pm. There'll be stalls offering chilli galore, and not just in food form. Of course, there'll be enough edible hot hot heat to help you turn several different shades, but that's just part of the chilli fun Chilli arts and crafts, chilli fashion, chilli jewellery and chilli homewares will all be on offer, as will saying the word chilli so much that it no longer means anything. The full lineup of entertainment, eating options and activities will be announced closer to the festival, but we're betting that the spiciest event of them all will make the bill. It wouldn't be a chilli fest without a chilli-eating competition, of course. Our tip, and we think you'll need it: remember that milk is a chilli-lover's best friend.
Twin Peaks: you either love it or you love it, right? Don't just take our word for it — take Janey-E's, with her reaction expressing every Peaks-loving TV fan's as well. Indeed, both 25 years ago and now, there's just absolutely nothing like David Lynch's most wonderful and strange television series. And, thanks to the music stylings of Angelo Badalamenti, there's nothing like its score and soundtrack either. In fact, the composer won a Grammy for the Twin Peaks theme, and since 1990 many a muso has tried to follow in his footsteps. Xiu Xiu have toured a stunning rendition of the show's tunes, and now it's time for a bunch of Brisbanites to try their hand at The Junk Bar's Fire Walk With Us: The Music Of Twin Peaks series. In intimate and immersive sets on August 23, 24, 25 and 27, Mia Goodwin, Lucinda Shaw, SS.Sebastian and Tylea will take on vocal duties, while James Lees, Helen Svoboda, Rohan Seekers, Jamie Trevaskis, Andrew Saragossi and SS.Sebastian (again) will pick up their instruments. Together, they'll be belting out new renditions of Twin Peaks' minimalist, atmospheric tracks, channelling their inner Julee Cruise, and clearly imagining they're making like "the Nine Inch Nails" and taking to The Roadhouse's stage. Booking now is recommended, because, like the owls, grabbing a ticket isn't quite as it seems — at the time of writing, all but the Friday night late spot and Sunday show had already sold out quicker than damn fine cherry pie.
Come September, Brisbane will become the centre of the music universe, if only for a couple of days. That's when BIGSOUND comes to town — and as everyone with even a passing interest in the industry knows, it is indeed a big deal. What you mightn't also realise is that is has a smaller predecessor, Little BIGSOUND. Call it the main event's youthful sibling, call it a younger-skewing offshoot, call it a mini festival; basically, call it whatever you like, but the end result is still the same. Focusing on music-loving folks 25 and under, Little BIGSOUND is all about teaching the biz to those starting out — and throwing in a few gigs, naturally. This year's shindig will take over The Edge at the State Library of Queensland on July 29, offering a Saturday filled with classes, talks and experts. Catch Airling and The Kite String Tangle sharing their stories, use SLQ's state-of-the-art facilities, learn about music marketing and publicity, and meet and greet festival agents, venue bookers and more. Tickets cost $39.80, but it all culminates in a free all-ages gig — keep your eyes on the Little BIGSOUND Facebook page for further information.
Thanks to Brisbane's thriving art scene, feasting your peepers on creativity is as easy as picking a gallery and blocking out some perusing time. Indeed, at any given moment, there's no shortage of exhibitions vying for your attention; however only one features jewellery pieces inspired by the brain's inner workings. Displaying at Artisan until August 19, Luke Maninov Hammond's Beneath the Surface turns the networks and connections firing away inside our heads into something metal and tangible. Using neuroscience as a jumping off point, he crafts delicate structures of ordered complexity, reminiscent of our grey matter, cellular machinery and marine life. Given that Hammond is both a jeweller and a neuroscience imaging specialist, it's hardly surprising that he's combining his two areas of interest. What might surprise viewers is the gorgeous end result — you might never look at jewellery the same way again.
When GOMA puts together an exhibition, they go big — they don't want you spending much time at home, you see. As part of their current Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe showcase, they've decked out their halls with props, art, costumes and more, and filled their cinema with caped crusader flicks. Now, they're throwing a series of Friday night parties to extend the revelry. From July 28 to September 1, music, movies, and meandering past Tony Stark's suits and the Hulk's bed all combine in an end-of-week art and sound extravaganza, Marvel Up Late. It's the usual kind of shindig GOMA throws for their huge installations, but no one jam-packed gathering is the same. With Art vs Science, Black Cab, Habits, Olympia, Models and NO ZU on the music bill, they're calling this one superhero-sized, for example. Other highlights include local artisans discussing the craftsmanship involved in the exhibition, should you want to learn more about the pieces on display, plus pop-up bars. And while we're not telling you to dress up like your favourite hero, you know someone will. When surrounded by Thor's hammer and Spider-man's first comic appearance, after all.
You have to hand it to Homejob and Kaomoji, two Brisbane-based creative businesses. If there's one thing they know, it's how to launch their new collections in style. Of course, the duo behind the labels — Wendy Ma, who makes Kaomoji's bits and pieces, and Emika Kazama, her partner in Homejob's sustainable wares — know plenty of other things, such as how to craft artistic ceramics and fashion ethically made artisan objects, accessories and garments. But, throwing a party at the Institute of Modern Art to celebrate the release of their latest ranges is inspired. At IMA Gallery Shop After Hours: Homejob X Kaomoji from 6pm on June 23, seeing the fruits of their artistic labour is an occasion worth celebrating. It is an unveiling after all. There'll also be free sparkling wine, and plenty of dancing thanks to the Buff Girls hitting the decks. And, if you want to purchase one of their items, that'll be met with a smile.
Anyone can drink a lager, pilsner or pale ale. Not everyone can knock back a stout or porter. And while the former are available everywhere, you won't find a celebration of the latter just anywhere. That's why Milton's favourite dive bar started the Weekend of Darkness. Since 2013, the Scratch has dedicated a couple of days year to showing their love for brews on the blacker end of the beer spectrum — and offering a home for those who feel the same way, of course. If it's yeasty, liquid and overflowing with smoky, coffee, chocolate, spiced and even bourbon flavours, you'll find it here. You'll also find snacks, offbeat vibes and strange happenings galore. Expect this year's fifth dalliance with the dark side to kick off on Friday to extend the drinking fun, include a hefty beer lineup, and also offer up some hearty grub to go with it. Expect everything, be it food, booze or atmosphere, to warm up your insides too. There's a reason this takes place in winter, after all.
Like cocktails? Like devouring them at one of the Valley's favourite hangouts? No, they're not trick questions. If you answered yes to both — and we're certain that you did — then you're going to love Dutch Courage Officers' Mess returning boozy masterclasses. Not content with wowing thirsty folks with their drinks list — pavlova sour, anyone? — the Alfred Street hotspot wants to impart their beverage-shaking wisdom to their patrons. On the third Saturday of each month, they'll be enlisting their top-tier bartenders to share the tricks of the trade in themed afternoon sessions. Each class will cover everything from the tools you need to the basics of cocktail structure, as well as the history of alcoholic concoctions and tips for making your own recipes, too. A new theme, Modern Classics, will kick things off for the year on January 20, with breakfast martinis on the menu. As for the rest of the year, liquid desserts, winter warmers and a spice trade sojourn have all taken pride of place previously, which gives you an idea of what'll be in store. Whatever the subject, we're betting that a certain clear spirit will feature among the ingredients; this is a bar that boasts more than 150 gins on site, after all.
