If there was ever an event tailor-made for those with limited attention spans, it's Short + Sweet Festival. You know that feeling you get when you're 15 minutes into something that you're not all that into? Well, you won't find that here. In the fest's 2019 Brisbane run over June 5–22, a heap of new works will take to the Brisbane Powerhouse stage across multiple strands of theatre and cabaret. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but there's a twist. Each and every different performance spans a maximum of 10 minutes. There's no idea that probably hasn't featured among this heaving program of bite-sized theatre delights over the years, with southeast Queensland's best and brightest always eager to showcase their condensed skills. Of course, they're not just offering up a sample of their talents for the fun of it; they're also hoping you'll vote to send them through to the Short + Sweet gala final in September, too.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this late-night shindig at The Foundry will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 11.30pm on Saturday, June 15. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Tickets are $12.25 online, with the fun running through until 3am
If the words 'sharing feast' usually send you running, we bet we know why: you don't eat meat, animal products, gluten or wheat, and trying to make sure you can actually enjoy the food is frequently harder than it should be. Once a month, vegans can put those fears aside at Covent Garden, with the West End gin joint serving up a vegan feasting evening. In June, however, it'll also be doubling as a gluten-free, coeliac-friendly meal as well. Spread over two sessions — 6–7.30pm and 7–8.30pm — the plant and floral wallpaper-filled hangout's Garden of Vegan will dish up four courses of vegetable-heavy dishes. It all starts with sweet potato fondant in an orange glaze, before moving on to stacked mezze platters. Next, there's roasted tomato stuffed with mushrooms and basil, jacket potatoes with truffle olive, sautéed brussel sprouts and braised. As for dessert, that's when the apple crumble with coconut gel arrives. That's just a sample of the food on offer on Thursday, June 6, so arrive hungry. Bookings are open for tables of two at $74 per couple — and the event regularly sells out, so reserving early is recommended. There'll also be Garden of Vegan cocktails available, though they'll cost you extra.
It mightn't be anywhere near the season for trimming trees, singing carols and exchanging gifts just yet, but July is the time to pretend otherwise. And New Farm Cinemas has an event that's tailor-made for getting jolly mid-year — even if you usually avoid or ignore not-quite-Christmas shenanigans. At 7pm on Friday, July 5, the venue is giving seasonal classic Love Actually a whirl. That means there'll be plenty of jovial tales of romance starring seemingly every actor who was famous in Britain in 2003. Colin Firth broods, Hugh Grant dances, Alan Rickman charms and Liam Neeson shows his softer side. Keira Knightley is wooed and Emma Thompson proves a calm force to be reckoned with. To accompany the session, the cinema is also serving up some very fitting refreshments. There'll be mince pies, which'll keep your stomach warm, plus mulled wine, which will warm your insides thoroughly. Given that the movie will warm your heart — because if you're going along, you're definitely already a fan — prepare to feel mighty toasty as you revisit Richard Curtis' rom-com classic.
On Tuesdays, Brisbanites can gorge themselves on all-you-can-eat dumplings. On Wednesdays between May 15 and June 12, another Asian entrée gets the bottomless treatment. This time, you'll need to mosey on over to Phat Elephant in Post Office Square, with the deal available for both lunch and dinner. As always, we hope you're hungry. The details are simple: head along, buy a drink, hand over $15 and get munching. Your beverage isn't included in that price, but you'll still be able to feast on as many spring rolls as you like — with whatever liquid refreshment you choose to go with it — by only parting with a lobster and change. Even better — Phat Elephant's spring rolls are vegetarian, so you won't find any meat here. If you're eager for a lunch free-for-all, drop by between 11.30am–3pm (with the kitchen closing at 2.30pm). For dinner, make a date from 5.30–10pm (with the kitchen closing at 9pm).
If you've ever come up with a bright idea after a few beverages, here's an event you'll be able to relate to: Pint of Science. From Monday, May 20 to Wednesday, May 22, a selection of Brisbane pubs will welcome some of the country's cleverest minds to chat about their current scientific research. You'll learn all about new discoveries, technologies and advancements — and maybe even discover what's in your pint. Yes, 'The Good, the Bad and the Yeasty?' is the name of one session — including a chat about wild yeast as a flavour enhancer — with the rest of the Brissie schedule touching upon a range of topics. Finding cures from deadly animals, the way light travels through the stars, the importance of coral and the versatility of bacteria are just some of the subjects up for discussion by an array of scientists. Another (and a rather relevant one when you're sitting in a bar): the need to disconnect from technology. Sessions run at 7pm each night, with doors opening at 6.30pm — and each will only set you back $6. To boost your brain over a few brews, head to Brewhouse Brisbane, either of Newstead Brewing's watering holes, Sea Legs, The Burrow, The Charming Squire, The Fox, The Norman, The Waterloo, The Redbrick Hotel or Catchment Brewing, but get in quick as some are already selling out.
How many cats can you pat in 20 minutes? Don't know? Would you like to find out? Of course you would. From 5.30pm on Friday, May 31, Lutwyche's Cat Cuddle Cafe is hosting speed-patting sessions. You bring your feline-stroking hands, they'll provide the kitties — and it'll cost you just $5. Getting up close and cosy to the cutest of cats is just one part of the evening's festivities. The other is a twilight market in the cafe's car park, to help sort out its shelves after making the move from Red Hill. With the venue run by a rescue organisation, all your money will go to a good cause, too. Plus, there'll be stalls from other rescue groups so you can share the support around. If you fancy something to eat or a hot beverage, the cafe will also be serving up food and drinks — because all that browsing is hungry and thirsty work. And if it all sounds familiar, that's because the Cat Cuddle Cafe held the same shindig last month. Unsurprisingly, it was a hit, so it's bringing it back for more.
Trivia nights mean gathering your mates around, enjoying a few beverages and trying to convert your respective stores of knowledge into glory. At this particular trivia night, you'll do all that, but there'll be a particular emphasis on your pals. Given that the topic of the evening is a certain sitcom about a band of best buddies, celebrating your chums is the thing to do. Yes, Friends is in the spotlight at Fritzenberger's next battle of pop culture tidbits. If you think you know everything there is to know about the show that caused viewers to agonise over whether Ross and Rachel would get together, wish that Joey and Chandler lived next door and get their hair cut like Jennifer Aniston, here's your chance to prove it. Remember, it has been 15 years since Friends was on TV, making the contest not just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories. No one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way. Friends FritzenTrivia takes place from 6pm on Wednesday, June 12. Registration is required in advance by contacting the venue.
Film festivals usually follow a pretty standard formula with movies, events, panels and parties making up the bulk of the program. But the Gold Coast Film Festival, now in its 17th year, does things a little differently. Of course, it has films — 107 of them (to be precise). But nestled among the screenings and workshops are plenty of outdoor activities too, including several chances to watch flicks on the beach — aka exactly what everyone wants from a film fest on the coast, especially Brisbanites road tripping down south. With three world premieres, ten Australian premieres and four Queensland premieres on its lineup, GCFF has plenty to keep cinephiles busy. The list of what movie buffs will be viewing is a long one. Opening night kicks off with the Aussie premiere of eco-conscious documentary 2040 from That Sugar Film's Damon Gameau, closing night brings Gold Coast-made war film Escape and Evasion — and everything from local highlights to star-studded standouts feature in-between. Look out for Northern Territory rom-com Top End Wedding, Colombian drug drama Birds of Passage, or the truly distinctive thrills of Cannes winner Border. On the star-studded front, Robert Pattinson journeys into space in weird and wonderful sci-fi High Life, Tessa Thompson dallies with crime in Little Woods and Andrew Garfield plays detective in mesmerising noir mystery Under the Silver Lake. Sprawling beyond the festival hub at HOTA (the Home of the Arts), there are outdoor pop-up cinemas by the shore at Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, an evening of Jackie Chan-starring kung fu flicks in a laneway, a 50 First Dates movie night on a boat and Boogie Nights in a brewery. You can also head into the hinterland for a bit of horror, watching Cabin in the Woods and new homegrown thriller The Furies in the best possible location. The Gold Coast Film Festival takes place between Wednesday, April 3 to Sunday, April 14. To view the full program and purchase tickets, head this way.
The soundtrack to the last couple of decades has come with a thumping beat, and The End and Jet Black Cat are here to celebrate it. From 7pm on Saturday, March 23, the latter will be heading across the road to the former to spin some tracks and turn the volume up loud, in a night that'll take attendees through recent electronic music history. Say hey boy hey girl to the Chemical Brothers, wonder where your head's at thanks to Basement Jaxx and go around the world with Daft Funk — and, as always, that's just the beginning of the evening's playlist. At Electric Dreams: An Electronic Music Retrospective, everything from Massive Attack and Air to Depeche Mode and The Avalanches will get a whirl, and folks will be filling the dancefloor in response. If you've been missing the Big Day Out's Boiler Room, here's the next best thing. Entry is free, and the electronica runs until midnight.
The working day is done. You're hankering for a tipple and something in your stomach, but you're not yet ready for dinner. It's the familiar feeling that rolls around come quittin' time — well, that and the joy of being done with another day — and it's a dilemma that Victoria Park's bistro has a solution to. Every Wednesday to Friday from 5–6pm, the Herston venue is serving up $5 beverages with $5 wood-fired garlic breads. But if you're feeling like a cheap sip and snack on a weekend, too, you're in luck. This time around, the special also extends to Saturdays and Sundays. When it comes to the food and booze, you have to get one of both, so it'll cost you a minimum of $10. And, it's limited to two drinks per bread, to keep with responsible alcohol service rules. But, as far as a cheap bev and bite goes, it's a mighty fine and affordable option. Drinks on offer include sparkling rose, Taltarni sauvignon blanc, Newstead Brewing Co's Victoria Park Pale Ale, Lumber Yak Mountain Cider, Great Northern Super Crisp, Stella Artois and basic spirits.
Calling all cute canines and their beer-loving human buddies. The Scratch is looking for particularly adorable pooches to take part in their Dog Days of Summer portrait competition. If your ball of fluff regularly entices passersby to emit an instant "awwwwwwww", then you should — nay, you must — take part. Whether your pupper is tiny and delightful, covered in wrinkles or just knows how to bowl folks over with its charm, this is its time to truly shine. Entries are currently open now via email, with the winners announced on Saturday, March 2. Prizes will be awarded for first place, plus two wild card runners up. And if that's not enough, you can also get a live portrait of your doggo painted on the day thanks to Art Rats, with the best piece of art you're likely to own setting you back $50. Plus, if your doggo wants to make an afternoon of it, the Milton watering hole will be welcoming patrons from midday for The Good Beer Co. Pale Tail Session Ale beers, with 10 percent of the profits from every keg going to the RSPCA.
When it comes to cranking out ace bands, Brisbane has been doing locals proud for decades, thanks to everyone from The Saints, The Go-Betweens, Powderfinger and Regurgitator to The Grates, DZ Deathrays, Dune Rats and Violent Soho. But before all of the above groups hit it big, they each had to get their start somewhere — in a Fortitude Valley bar, probably. Somewhere across Brissie, the city's next must-listen band is desperately trying to follow in their footsteps — and they just might get a chance at The Brighside's new showcase of local talent. Once a month, Valley Sounds will round up a heap of up-and-comers for your listening pleasure. One day, you might be able to say you saw the Brisbane's latest big music export before they were pumping tunes out of radios everywhere. The regular series gets started on Thursday, March 14, returning again on April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11 and August 8. Entry costs $5 on the door, with gigs kicking off from 8pm. Image: The Brightside.
Brisbane's love of authentic Italian gelato just keeps going strong, and La Macelleria just keeps opening new stores to serve up its delicious desserts. After expanding from Teneriffe to West End and then Coorparoo, the artisanal ice creamery has now set up its fourth shop in King Street in Bowen Hills — which, to the delight of frosty dessert fans, means more icy sweet treats in more places. Even better — across the weekend of Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, the new King Street location will be in celebratory mode. Stop by on Saturday for a range of specials, with $2 coffees on offer from 12–2pm, $1 gelato tempting your tastebuds from 4–6pm and $3 gelato shakes ready to be slurped up from 6–8pm. Then, if you're in the neighbourhood on Sunday, La Macelleria will be scooping up a 'beermisu' flavour. It's made with beer from Green Beacon, because that's how a gelateria marks St Patrick's Day. For those fond of tasting something fresh out of the freezer, Brisbanites will be able to try three other new flavours that'll be joining the La Macelleria menu. Catering for all diets, they include a ruby chocolate variety created in collaboration with New Farm Confectionary, a dairy-free earl grey and yuzu sorbet, plus a vegan oat and chai gelato.
If you're one of the scores of Aussie teens who devoured smash-hit flick 10 Things I Hate About You when it first came out — and then about a million times on VHS since — prepare to feel positively elderly. The 1999 movie is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Yep, the modern day retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew that had us all swooning over Heath Ledger is a whole two decades old. And what better way to mark that occasion, than a special outdoor screening of the timeless high school tale? Moonlight Cinema has added a special throwback showing of 10 Things I Hate About You to its schedule, set to grace the Roma Street Parklands screen this Friday, March 15. Prepare to revisit all those late 90s feels, as you catch those classic movie moments, from the cheer-worthy smashing of Joey Donner's car to that pre-formal pregnancy suit. You can pack your own food for the session — Ms Perky would definitely recommend bratwurst — but BYO booze isn't allowed. Otherwise, you can make the most of Moonlight Cinema's food truck and pop-up bar.
Until the end of June, the UQ Art Museum has become a witchy wonderland, all thanks to its latest exhibition. And sure, you can wander your way through Second Sight: Witchcraft, Ritual, Power during daylight, but where's the fun in that? Instead, why not spend a very spooky night at the art museum. On Friday, March 15, the St Lucia venue is staying open after hours as part of its Loud Art series. Drop by between 6–9pm to see this supernatural-focused showcase as the witching hour approaches, dance like you're under the spell of DJ Dameeeela, and enjoy a few enchanting glasses of wine over snacks. Entry is free; however you'll need your wallet for whatever you'd like to eat and drink. Also free: peering at this superb showcase of otherworldly pieces, which ponders witchcraft, sorcery and magical practices, and goes well beyond the expected. Image: UQ Art Museum /Naomi Blacklock, Padma. 2018. Performance documentation from NETHERWORLDS exhibition, Spring Hill Reservoir, Brisbane, 9 June 2018. Photo: Charlie Hillhouse. Courtesy of the artist.
How many hours have you spent playing the best karting game ever made? Too many? We'll throw a shell at that idea. When it comes to Mario Kart, there's no such thing as too much. In fact, you should race on out of the house and down to Blute's Bar to show off your skills. From 3pm on Saturday, March 2, the Fortitude Valley bar will become a haven for everyone that knows just when to sling a ghost at their opponents — and just how to press buttons in the right order to get an early boost. Feel the need for speed at the venue's Mario Kart tournament, and you could win a cash prize. Entry is free, although you need your wallet for beverages. Yes, there'll be beers on offer, given it's all taking place at a bar. We're assuming that there won't be any banana peels to throw around the place, but maybe watch where you're walking anyway.
The single greatest cult film this side of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming back to Brisbane for a timely Friday night engagement. With The Disaster Artist taking audiences behind the scenes not that long ago, and Greg Sestero hitting up our fair town last year, The Room never gets old — and it's back once again. Described by critics as "the Citizen Kane of Bad Movies", with one critic comparing the film to "being stabbed in the head", Tommy Wiseau's The Room is an indescribable mess of plot holes, non-sequiturs, blurry camerawork and soft-core sex scenes, topped off by some of worst performances ever put to film. So naturally, we're recommending you go and see it. Of course, the truth is that no one really sees this movie. Rather, they experience it. Screenings of The Room are fully interactive, with audience members screaming lines of dialogue, dressing up like their favourite characters and hurling plastic spoons at the screen. This behaviour is actively encouraged by screening organiser Kristian Fletcher — in fact, he'll even be providing cutlery at the door. The cinema bar will be open ahead of the screening, something you should probably take full advantage of. The Room screens twice on Friday, February 22, at 6.45pm and 9.15pm, with tickets costing $15.
It's a pretty clever move, and one that probably made you think about drinking brews more than you might've otherwise. Rather than just calling the celebration of New Zealand's finest craft beers what it really is (aka a boozefest), the powers that be have labelled it a symposium. That means that you can feel like you're partaking in something scholarly as you're sipping on brews from across the ditch. Given that you'll be able to sample a whole host of beverages you probably haven't come across before, there really is an educational side to it. An annual event, this ace reason for a beverage normally takes place at this time year to commemorate Waitangi Day; however in 2019, it's moving to later on the calendar. But if you're still keen for a few NZ brews come 2pm on Saturday, February 9, Bloodhound Bar has you covered. At spin-off A Little Taste of Aotearoa, a selection of world-class beers will be on offer. Who can pass up Duncan's Brewing Co's Whippy Milkshake IPA, which is brewed with mango, vanilla, lactose and tropical fruity hops? Or Heyday Beer Co's Agua Fresca Tamarindo Sour Gose with agave nectar, lime juice, sea salt and red guava puree? Here, you won't have to, as they'll both be among the range pumping through the taps for the day.
If you ever need to kick your appetite into gear, feasting your eyes on Pie Town's social media feeds is a surefire tactic. Or, you could tuck into its enormous array of pies — including on the absolute best day for it. Yes, there's a day for everything, but calling March 14 'Pi Day' is immensely fitting. And if you can still recite pi well beyond 3.14 (putting your school maths classes to good use), Brisbane's home of pie wizardry will reward you for it. On Sunday, when the date rolls around, it's handing out $3.14 slices and coffees as part of a pi memory contest. There is a catch: to get the deal, you need to recite pi to more places than the person before you in line. So, arriving at 10am when things kick off is definitely recommended. If you're just keen on pie without having to remember pi, there'll also be a few special flavours on the menu to mark the occasion — including an Elvis pie that's made with peanut butter, bananas and bacon.
If you've got particularly funny mates, having a chuckle and having a brew is a tried, tested and all-round top-notch way to pass the time. At Good Chat Comedy Club's Friday Froths, you don't need to giggle at your pals, though — because it serves up a stellar array of funny folks to get you laughing. First, you'll want to head to Fritzenberger on Petrie Terrace, which is where the regular comedy evening takes place. You'll also want to collect one of the bar's brews, naturally — and if you're feeling peckish, burgers, fries with Twisties salt and more await. Entertainment-wise, the lineup is an ever-changing affair. From 7–9pm on Friday, April 9, however, expect Mel Buttle to take the microphone. Emma Zammit is on MC duties, and a number of special guests are on the bill as well — so you'll be heartily guffawing at plenty of side-splitting talents. Tickets cost $16.50, which only covers entry, so you'll be paying for your brews and bites on top. Head along with a group of friends, and you can nab four tickets for $55 or six for $75.
Why drink at one watering hole, when you can head to two, three, six or 14? That's always been the motivation behind everyone's favourite boozy journey, aka a pub crawl. And, it's the exact same type of thinking behind the Urban Wine Walk. Taking another wander around Brisbane, it's the bar-hopping excuse every vino lover needs — if you need an excuse, that is. From midday until 4pm on Saturday, May 15, you'll saunter around the CBD — and between the likes of John Mills Himself, Alba, The Gresham, Naga Thai, Super Whatnot and more — sampling wines and having a mighty fine time. As for the tipples at each of the 14 spots, they'll be taken care of by a heap of top wineries such as Gerler Wines, Vino Volta, La Petite Mort and First Drop Wines, so prepare to get sipping. Tickets cost $79.99, and are on sale now, with places limited. This moving cellar door will not only serve up around 42 wine tastings, but also your own tasting glass — plus a voucher for some food. Top image: Naga Thai, Darcy Starr.
The Sunday roast is a tradition for a reason; however at Emporium Hotel's Signature Restaurant, it's facing some stiff competition for five weeks in August and September. Fancy swapping your usual end-of-weekend lunch for plenty of truffles? Well, that's what's on the menu at the South Bank spot. For five weeks between Sunday, August 9–Sunday, September 6, with sittings between 12–2.30pm, Signature is hosting Signature Sunday Truffle Lunches — and truffles from two farms, including one from the Scenic Rim, feature heavily. They're part of the opening dish, which pairs scallops with parmesan and black garlic gnocchi, cauliflower puree and truffle emulsion. They also pop up in the gruyere panna cotta with prosciutto, green bean and truffle vinaigrette. Then there's the quail ravioli with truffle veloute, as well as the wagyu beef with truffle jus. For dessert, prepare to tuck into black truffle silken caramel with truffle honey and mandarin. This five-course truffle-filled degustation will set you back $75 — or you can add matching local wines for an extra $25. Signature Restaurant's Signature Sunday Truffle Lunches run from 12–2.30pm on Sundays between Sunday, August 9–Sunday, September 6. Contact the restaurant to make a booking.
Yeah, we're thinking he's back — John Wick, that is. Back in 2014, Keanu Reeves introduced everyone's favourite assassin (and dog owner) to the world, with the film quickly sparking an action-packed franchise. The first sequel followed two years later. The third effort did the same in 2019. And, yes, a fourth movie is currently in the works; however, for now you'll have to make do with revisiting the first three flicks on the big screen at Dendy Coorparoo's John Wick multi-day marathon. At this point you should know exactly what this excellent series offers up: John Wick first seeking revenge against those who've wronged him, then being hunted down by his fellow killers. And all of this because, in the first movie, he became the proud owner of an adorable pooch. As Wick notes, of course, "it wasn't just a puppy". On-screen, everyone from Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Common and Ruby Rose to Halle Berry, Jason Mantzoukas and Anjelica Huston also pop up. So too does Laurence Fishburne, so prepare for a Neo and Morpheus reunion. And behind the lens, former Keanu stunt double turned filmmaker Chad Stahelski directs. Revisit the exquisitely choreographed action trilogy at select times between Friday, August 7–Wednesday, August 12 — and, if you're not already excited, check out the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU8-7BX9uxs Dendy Coorparoo's John Wick multi-day marathon takes place at select times between Friday, August 7–Wednesday, August 12.
Get set to jump up, jump up and get down, just go ahead and jump, or get jumpin' jumpin until Sunday, October 4. Whichever jump-themed song you now have stuck in your head, it's definitely appropriate. We are talking about a pop-up inflatable theme park, after all. Returning for another school holidays and setting up shop at Sandstone Point Hotel, The Inflatable Factory is fun for kids and kidults alike, boasting quite the range of blow-up bouncy attractions. On-site you'll find a 12-metre-high slide, a Zorb ball ramp and a 20-metre-long wild west obstacle course — plus a bubble soccer arena, and more. Tickets cost $19 for as much jumping around as you can fit into two hours — which, let's face it, is probably just about the right amount of time to bounce, leap, bound and flip out. If you do want to stay longer, you can purchase an extra hour for $7. There's also coffee and snacks available as well. Find The Inflatable Factory at Sandstone Point Hotel until Sunday, October 4.
Come Friday, September 18, it's time for a night at the museum — but you won't find Ben Stiller roaming the halls here. Rather, given what'll be on display at Queensland Museum at the time, the revelry will feel rather sweet and cheery. Walking, talking and drinking while taking a tour of QM's new I Do! Wedding Stories from Queensland exhibition is on the agenda at the venue's latest adults-only After Dark shindig. You'll check out ever pieces and items that explore 180 years of wedding traditions, and there'll be chats about the garments and accessories on display, too — and you'll be able to sip your way through the night over a bite as well. A word of warning: these shindigs often sell out, and this one will be COVID-19 safe, which means it'll have a limited capacity. In other words, you'll want to nab a $30 ticket quickly (and note that that price doesn't include food and drinks). [caption id="attachment_782235" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Courtesy of Christie Nicolaides[/caption] I Do! After Dark takes place from 5.30–8.30pm on Friday, September 18 at Queensland Museum. Top image: Queensland Museum.
At the moment, you're probably thinking that Wednesday, September 2 is just another day on this year's calendar. If you like spritzes and arancini, however, prepare to have your view changed. On that date only, Alchemy is serving up quite the special — with a spritz and some arancini costing just $5 in total. Head by its riverside Eagle Street digs, hand over a galah and you'll get your choice of three kinds of spritzes and two types of arancini. From the drinks lineup, pick from watermelon spritz, Aperol spritz or Campari spritz. From the food selection, you can munch your way through either tomato, pea and mozzarella or saffron rice and braised lamb arancini. $5 Aperitivo and Arancini Day takes place all day from midday, but until stocks last — so getting in early, perhaps for lunch or a mid-afternoon beverage and bite, is recommended. Alchemy's $5 Aperitivo and Arancini Day takes place on Wednesday, September 2 from midday.
We're all sculptors. Don't believe us? If you've ever taken a bucket, filled it with sand, plonked it onto the shore and shaped it with your bare hands, then you've sculpted something. With that it mind, it makes sense that part of the Gold Coast would celebrate the art form on its beach — but there's more than just sandcastles on offer. Now hosting its 18th outing until Sunday, September 20, SWELL Sculpture Festival turns the shoreline into an openair art gallery, with installations popping up along the sand. Yes, by simply walking along the beach, you'll cop an eyeful of some stellar art (and some grains between your toes, the sea breeze and quite the view, obviously). In total, the ten-day fest features over 50 works to Currumbin Beach for an event that attracts more than 275,000 visitors each year. And, it also spans small-scale sculptures, guided twilight walks and artist talks. [caption id="attachment_635482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rowly Emmett Photography[/caption] SWELL Sculpture Festival runs until Sunday, September 20 at Currumbin Beach. Top image: Karl Meyer, Foci. Leximagery.
With the end of the year comes plenty of occasions to dress up — and not just don your sleekest threads, but put on a costume. Maybe you need something spooky for Halloween. Perhaps you really want to spread the festive cheer. Or, you could just need something wizard-related for one of Brisbane's regular Harry Potter-themed events. Operating for more than a century — first as a hairdresser, then selling wigs and theatrical supplies, and later turning to fancy dress and costumes — Sweida's knows all about throwing on a different outfit. And for two days, it's hosting a huge sale at its Salisbury warehouse to help Brisbanites do just that. Head by between 9am–2pm on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 to add a few new costumes, props, masks, hats, accessories and samples to your own rack. It's a cash-only affair, so arrive prepared. [caption id="attachment_785300" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sweida's[/caption] Sweida's Open Scarehouse Sale runs from 9am–2pm on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17.
In need of some new procrastination material? Well, you're in luck. Google image search 'Banff' and spend a few minutes (or half an hour) taking in the gorgeous pictures of snow-capped mountains, aqua water and towering pines. It's impossible to not daydream about holidaying somewhere far-flung and exciting while ogling these picture-perfect views, as we're sure you'll agree. In fact, that's especially true at the moment. Thankfully, between Monday, August 24–Sunday, August 30, you have the opportunity to slip into this magical world without ever leaving Brisbane. That's when the Banff Mountain Film Festival's 2020 tour comes to town — the event's latest stopover, at Brisbane Powerhouse, after beginning back in 1976. Its stunning cinematography attracts film buffs and adventurers alike, making the festival mighty popular across the world today. Every November, hundreds of films enter the competition with the cream of the crop chosen to entertain and amaze festival-goers. Some of the featured flicks battled it out in categories including Best Film on Mountain Sport, Best Film on Mountain Environment, Best Film on Mountain Culture, Best Film on Exploration and Adventure, People's Choice Award and more — and a selection will be playing on Powerhouse's big screen. Banff Mountain Film Festival's 2020 tour heads to Brisbane Powerhouse between Monday, August 24–Sunday, August 30.
By now, as a society, we've all thankfully moved past a very silly misconception: that Lego is just for kids. As anyone who has built brick-based creations at a boozy party, bought a complicated kit specifically for adults or subscribed to regular deliveries of the construction toys well and truly knows, Lego is definitely for everyone. At Brisbane Powerhouse until Thursday, August 27, Lego is also for artists. As part of a new (and free) exhibition, street artists such as Sofles (aka Russell Fenn), Mulga (Joel Moore) and Rone (Tyrone Wright) have whipped up their own Lego masterpieces — as have crochet wizard ChiliPhilly (Phil Ferguson), crafter Kitiya Palaskas and designer Rachel Burke. Some have created huge works, others have kept things small; however, either way, they've whipped up the kind of Lego concoctions you haven't seen before. The scene-stealer: Sofles' four-metre-tall take on Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe print, which combines Lego and spray paint. It's so huge, it has been installed outside Powerhouse's entrance, while everything else is found inside. [caption id="attachment_780637" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rone[/caption] And if you're wondering why this exhibition has come about — not that anyone needs a reason to play with Lego — it's to mark the launch of the brand's new Lego Art range, which uses tiles instead of bricks. Keen to make your own version of Marilyn? Show your love for The Beatles? Display your Marvel or Star Wars fandom in a different way? They're all on offer. Top image: Sofles.
Ever wanted to see your favourite bands kick a few goals, and help support a good cause at the same time? For the past 25 years, the Reclink Community Cup has been turning musos into footy players for an annual charity Aussie rules match, with the Melbourne game drawing more than 10,000 people and raising over $100,000 each year. Sydney's been going strong for years too, with the game finally coming to Brisbane in 2016 — and now it's back again for a fourth round. Come Sunday, July 28, the city's music community will descend upon Enoggera Memorial Park to put their sporting prowess to the test. Two teams will take to the field: The Rocking Horses, featuring players from an array of Brissie acts, and the Brisbane Lines, filled with a crew of journos, industry staff general music-related folks. Members of The Church, Powderfinger, Violent Soho, Dead Letter Circus, YesYou, Sweater Curse, Tape/Off and Flangipanis fall in the first camp this year, while staff from 4ZZZ, the ABC, Double J, street press, Oztix and QMusic will field the opposition team. Plus, the Community Cup isn't just about getting another dose of the live AFL action, as ace as the prospect of more footy is. Given that rock stars are involved, of course live music is part of the proceedings. And, food-wise, expect food trucks ready to fill your ravenous stomachs. Watching bands play both music and footy is hungry work, after all. Every dollar raised from ticketing goes towards Reclink's efforts to improve the lives of Queenslanders suffering from disability, homelessness, substance abuse and economic hardship through participation in sport and the arts. Yep, whoever emerges victorious from the game, a heap of deserving folks will be the real winners. Image: Rod Hunt.
Friday night has arrived, the work week is over and it's time for fun. But you can't pain the town red without a bit of sustenance first. And you can settle in for a big weekend without lining your stomach first. In a partying mood and love delicious culinary dishes? Then head along to Get Trucked at Night. On the last Friday of every month, X Cargo is inviting a heap of food trucks to drop by — because a feast of tasty eats will start off your weekend in style. The new regular event kicks off at 6pm on Friday, June 28 and runs until late — so whether you're in the vicinity of the Valley shipping container hangout for an afternoon snack, dinner or a late meal, you're sorted. Entry is free, and the purveyors of meals on wheels will change each month.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 9, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its eighty year running. This year over 700 cafes will aim to raise as much as they can, with totals reaching more than of $1 million over previous years. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 9 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. There are a heap of cafes participating across the city — head to the event's website to find your closest.
Have you spent the last decade popping your colleagues' staplers in jelly, or covering their desks in gift wrap? When someone makes a comment — any comment — do you answer "that's what she said"? Do you have a soft spot for paper company employees, or for anyone who gets married at Niagara Falls? As soon as you meet people who work in HR, do you expect them to be called Toby? If so, then The Office — the US version — has changed your life, and now it's time to put your secret skills to the test. Michael Scott won't call everyone into Tomato Brothers Wilston's conference room on Thursday, July 25; however Man vs Bear will host a trivia night from 6.45pm, so it's almost the same thing. Because Brisbane loves trivia evenings based on sitcoms that Mike Schur had a hand in (think Parks & Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine) more than it loves pulling pranks, it's certain to be a popular evening. The quiz session will run until 8.30pm, and someone had better break out Jim and Pam's wedding dance — and bring something beetroot-flavoured, ideally from Schrute Farms. Playing is free, but you'll need to reserve your spot by calling the restaurant.
No one really knows when alcohol-loving humans first started mixing their booze with other ingredients, but we do know when they first started referring to the resulting concoctions as cocktails. It was in 1806, so more than 200 years ago. There's some food for thought next time you mix up or knock back a drink — or for when you're making the most of Jade Buddha's returning cocktail markets. What's a cocktail market? A chance to try plenty of different types, all in sample-sized tastes so you really can wet your lips with more than a few. The event will serve up plenty of classics and you can sip them, all from 6–8pm on Saturday, August 17. While entry to the riverside bar is free, $40 will get you ten cocktail tickets, plus access to a selection of matching canapes. And it's worth remembering the golden rule of cocktails: they always taste better when you're drinking them with other people, so gather the gang. Images: Jade Buddha.
If you're of an age when you can remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats, because you will seriously enjoy this So Fresh shindig. The old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming to Eaton's Hill Hotel on Saturday, December 14, and it'll be playing bangers strictly of the 2000s vintage. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. This time around, the retro tunes will come with plenty of party fun, with a ball pit, jumping castle, fireworks and face-painting, plus free fairy floss and lollipops. Entry starts from $10 for early bird tickets, and of course it's obviously 18 and over — because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably.
Yatala's latest retro movie night poses a dilemma. Will you show your 90s love, chat about Bettys and Baldwins, exclaim "as if?" and remember that Paul Rudd doesn't age? Or, will you wish 00s-era Lindsay Lohan was your best friend, wear pink even though it's not a Wednesday and write in a burn book? Of course, if there's a way to show your affection for both Clueless and Mean Girls, then that's an option — both films are on the bill, after all. One borrows from Jane Austen and made a star out of Alicia Silverstone, the other is based on a self-help book and boasts Tina Fey as a screenwriter, and they're each considered high-school movie classics for a reason. They'll also be playing from 7pm on Saturday, August 17, which sounds like a fetch way to spend your Saturday night. Tickets cost $49 for a carload of six, so gather the gang, jump in the car and motor down the highway.
In Stuber, Uber driver Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) is obsessed with his all-important rating. He's hardly living the dream — selling sporting goods by day and ferrying around fellow Los Angelenos in your spare time is no one's fantasy — but if his score drops below four, he'll lose his side hustle. Here's hoping that the folks telling his tale don't share the same fixation with numbers, or a similar need to meet a certain ranking. As much as this tired ride of a movie can't stop mentioning stars (in conversation, on Stu's license plate, in his pleas to his customers and in the feedback he pores over after each trip), it doesn't earn many itself. Even worse — the few flesh-and-blood stars that Stuber does have, it thoroughly wastes. There's obvious odd-couple appeal in teaming up Nanjiani with Dave Bautista, especially with the former in awkward nice-guy mode and the latter playing it gruff and gritty. And yet, even when they're leaning into their clear-cut character traits to an exaggerated extreme, the duo remain on autopilot. If director Michael Dowse (Goon) merely asked his actors to channel their respective vibes in The Big Sick and Guardians of the Galaxy, just in a less-convincing manner, that's what he's received. Unsurprisingly, pairing a watered-down version of Nanjiani and Bautista's best-known roles with a grating attempt to revive 80s and 90s action-comedies proves as pedestrian as it sounds. Bautista's determined detective Vic hops into Stu's Uber on an already-eventful day. Hours after undergoing laser eye surgery, the hardened cop receives a tip about the elusive drug dealer (Iko Uwais) who killed his partner (Karen Gillan) six months earlier. Vic can't see, let alone drive, which is where Stu comes in. Vic also hasn't used a ride-sharing app before, so as he tracks his lead from a warehouse to a male strip club, and then zigzags from an animal hospital to his daughter's (Natalie Morales) art show, he keeps the protesting Stu behind the wheel. Every time that the reluctant sidekick tries to flee, with his best friend and secret crush (Betty Gilpin) continually calling in a drunk and vulnerable state, Vic plays his trump card: the threat of giving Stu a bad rating. Although it might initially appear otherwise, this isn't a comic reimagining of Michael Mann's Collateral, swapping a hitman and a cabbie for a police officer and an Uber driver. And, while the scenario is rife with potential commentary about the plague of insecurity that has become normalised in today's gig economy, screenwriter Tripper Clancy doesn't take that path either. The fact that an ordinary guy is basically held hostage not just by a gun-toting symbol of law and order, but by the need to retain a near-exploitative second job that relies heavily upon keeping privileged customers happy, should serve up a potent, insightful and searing statement about modern-day life. But in Stuber, it's just an excuse for an onslaught of outdated Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour-style antics, plenty of routine violence, and an escalating body count. To be fair, Dowse and Clancy don't just play up the buddy-cop angle, although Bautista always seems seconds away from declaring that he's too old for this shit. Taking the clown car approach — aka trying to stuff in as many possible sources of humour as it can, even if they don't fit — Stuber also attempts to wring laughs out of physical comedy, and find affectionate chuckles in Stu and Vic's mismatched interpretations of masculinity. Alas, watching someone stumble around with a visual impairment, even a temporary one, isn't funny. Nor is seeing paper-thin archetypes realise that being a man requires the right balance of sensitivity and courage, particularly when the supposedly heartwarming situation is completely one-note. That the movie's best joke stems from a throwaway line about plural nouns, and its second best from calling Vic "Douche Lundgren", says a lot. Add Dowse's visuals to Stuber's pile of misguided choices, with the film careening and chaotic in both its look and feel. The only time that it boasts any real spark is when the under-utilised Uwais (The Raid) unleashes his martial arts skills. That said, the picture's dull, commercial-style appearance does underscore its blatant core as a virtual Uber ad. Showing just how outlandishly messy a drive with the ride-sharing service could be isn't likely to entice new car-owners or customers, but that's not the point. Instead, Stuber mentions the company's name more times than a jingle, explains how it operates and even references its other various services. It's product placement packaged as a movie, and only the first part of that equation — the wrong part — works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMCUWR5ODkY
From the remains of ancient creatures to objects that have travelled far, far beyond the earth, plenty of interesting items grace the Queensland Museum's walls. Fancy getting a peek, but can't make it to the Cultural Centre site? Eager to peruse its fascinating wares, but can't dedicate a whole afternoon to the task? That's where the museum's one-day roving pop-up comes in. From 10am–3pm on Friday, August 9, Queensland Museum Hits The Streets will roam around the inner-city, showcasing items from its natural and social history collections, and featuring a team of scientists, curators and other experts on hand to have an informative chat. It'll set up shop in 20-minute bursts, letting you enjoy a mini visit to the museum in a few unlikely places. And if you're wondering why, it's in honour of National Science Week, which starts the next day. If you'll be in the CBD, you can catch the event at the Edward Street end of the Queen Street Mall, before it makes its next stop at the George Street end. After lunch, it'll head over to South Bank, popping up near the water playground, then near Streets Beach, and finally at the Cultural Centre Forecourt. Image: Queensland Museum.
If you worship at the altar of sweet, fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods, then get your cake-loving self to Fortitude Valley on Saturday, August 31. It's the festival that was clearly meant to be, and was always going to happen at some point: the Bakery Lane Bake Off. With tenants Cakes & Shit among the event's driving forces, this afternoon-long celebration is all about the store's titular dish. It'll be getting some help, enlisting guests such as Queen Fine Foods, The Scran Line and Rosie's Dessert Spot to share the cake love. When it comes to this dessert, you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen. Running from 12pm, the Bakery Lane Bake Off will play host to a heap of cake-centric activities. Browse stalls, watch demos, listen to experts chat about their baking prowess, watch cake-themed drag acts, dance to sweet tunes and — in the event's main slice — watch a cake-decorating showdown. Fancy getting involved in the latter, and working your magic with icing and fondant in front of a live audience? Then you can submit an entry to take part. Attendance is free, and if you'd like to nab a goodie bag on arrival, you just need to register in advance. Obviously, as well as all of the above street party fun, you'll be munching away when you get there — because this is the kind of shindig where you can have your cake and eat it too. Image: Cakes & Shit.
Often, the most resonant stories — the ones that feel truly universal, too — are the most specific. They're the ones that use creative artforms, be it movies, books or theatre, like an empathy machine. Audiences get deeply engaged in someone else's tale and experiences, fictional or otherwise, and feel for their ups and downs. While you're doing just that, you also glean similarities with your own life, even if it couldn't be more different to what you're seeing or reading. The above springs to mind with The Almighty Sometimes, which Queensland Theatre is staging between Saturday, August 13–Saturday, September 3. Mental health, turning 18 and parenting are all in the spotlight in this acclaimed play by Australian talent Kendall Feaver — and while your life might've taken different twists and turns than the play's protagonist Anna's does, you'll obviously be able to relate. Coming to Bille Brown Theatre after hit runs in Sydney and the UK, The Almighty Sometimes follows Anna (played by Melissa Kahraman) as she hits the birthday that every teen counts down to, and starts wondering what the future holds. Does her medication help or thwart her dreams? Should she go to university and pursue writing as a career? How will her mother Renée (Rachel Gordon) cope? Anna navigates the above, and having a boyfriend and thinking about leaving home as well. In the process, Feaver's play finds plenty to explore — thoughtfully, entertainingly and sensitively — with 2014 Queensland Premier's Drama Award-winner Daniel Evans in the director's chair. Images: Brett Boardman.
Swap your own four walls for some of Brisbane's most famous places: for a few days each year, that's what Brisbane Open House offers. Taking architecture fans, folks keen to explore another side of Brisbane and just anyone who likes to peek behind closed doors on behind-the-scenes tours of the city, the event notched up ten years back in 2019. Now, it's returning in 2022 for the first time since hitting that milestone, and expanding its showcase of Brissie's buildings, structures and precincts across two big weekends. If you've always liked to peer beyond the surface, then this is the event for you — because seeing past Brisbane's famous facades, and even stepping through nooks and crannies that aren't usually open to the public, is on the agenda here. After a couple of years spent at home more often than not, Brisbane Open House might just feel particularly enticing when it hosts its first-ever Villages of Brisbane day on Sunday, August 21, then holds its main two-day program across Saturday, August 27–Sunday, August 28. If you're keen on the first part, it's taking over Sandgate with a lineup of talks and walking tours. Attendees will hear about the history of the seaside spot, and also obviously go for a wander through its heritage-listed buildings. Among the places getting in on the action: Full Moon Hotel, Sacred Heart Church, Shorncliffe Railway Station, Sandgate Museum and Sandgate Town Hall. Over the main part of the fest, there's a focus on precincts — a new initiative for this year's Brisbane Open House. Fish Lane in South Brisbane is in the spotlight, which means making the most of the arts precinct that stretches through to South Bank, covering everything from museums and galleries through to restaurants and boutiques. Elsewhere, you can make a date with a hefty range of locations, and see them like you've never seen them before. In the CBD, that includes Anzac Square, Brisbane City Hall, Museum of Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves, Parliament House, Queensland University of Technology, Roma Street Fire Station and Roma Street Parkland. Hitting up the Spring Hill heritage tours, which include the Old Windmill and service reservoirs, is always popular. Other sites welcoming folks in include performance venues such as the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Woolloongabba's revamped Princess Theatre, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall. And, depending on what kinds of spaces you're interested in taking a gander at, the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane Cruise Ship Terminal, Fort Lytton, Government House and Masonic Memorial Centre are also on the list. So are the Port of Brisbane, Southbank Parklands, State Library of Queensland, Shingle Inn, The University of Queensland, Victoria Park, Wolston Farmhouse and Wivenhoe Dam, too. In total, around 40 venues are taking part — some letting you mosey at your own leisure, others hosting guided tours. Top images: Port of Brisbane by Kim Williams, Government House Fernberg and Old Windmill Tower by Paul Knie.
Bastille Day is upon us for another year, which means that partying like you're in France is well and truly on the agenda — even if you're still in Brisbane. One such place to head, albeit from Saturday, July 16–Sunday, July 17 rather than the actual occasion itself: CBD riverside precinct Howard Smith Wharves. For two days, Brisbanites eager to kick back by the water, have a bite to eat, knock back a few drinks and celebrate all things French can hit up the spot's sprawling lawn. That's where you'll find plenty of food, wine and music to get you into the Parisian spirit, plus that firmly Brissie river view. Sweet and savoury crêpes will be on the menu, as well as truffles and cheese — and mussels and frites as well. To drink, get ready to sip champagne, French martinis and oh-so-much vino. Estampa and Gypsy Cats will provide the live tunes, alongside an array of roving artists. Entry to the Bastille Day at HSW festivities is free, but you'll be paying for whatever you eat and drink.
Satay lovers have been paying attention to South Bank's Ma Pa Me this year, with the eatery doing bottomless satay evenings throughout 2022. Fancy vegan dishes instead? Head along on Wednesday, October 12 and Saturday, October 15, because the Little Stanley Street spot is dedicating two days to $40 animal product-free banquets. What you'll be eating: a 90-minute vegan feast menu featuring tempura eggplant, yellow curry, nasi goreng and more. Other dishes include Indonesian-style spring rolls with peanut sauce, wok-tossed edamame and gado gado, as well as steamed rice. On the Wednesday, the deal is running for dinner from 5pm onwards. On the Saturday, late lunches are also on offer from 3pm. Drinks aren't included in the price, so factor that into your budget. Also, the banquets are designed to be shared, and is ideal for groups of four and more — but if it's just you and a date/mate, or there's three of you, that works as well.
When you're eager to sink a few beers and also hit up more than one bar, a pub crawl is the solution to your troubles. When you're keen to sip all the wine in multiple surroundings, too, Brisbane has a wine walk for the occasion. Fancy splitting up a four-course dinner over four different venues as well? That's now a reality also. Meet The Dinner Crawl, which'll get you feasting your way through four Fortitude Valley venues in one night — eating a different dish and sipping a different drink at each one. The event stems from the folks behind La Costa, which is one of the eateries of the itinerary. First, however, you'll kick off the Thursday, August 11 dinner at 6pm at La Valle with a grazing board of cured meats, cheese and crackers over wine — aka how all good meals should start. From there, La Costa comes next, doing entrees — you can choose between lamb pappardelle or wild mushroom risotto — and spritzes. And, for the main, you're headed to Evita for either a sirloin with papas fritas or berenjena gratinada, paired with a glass of pinot noir. Finally, for dessert, things are going up — to Cielo Rooftop. That's where ricotta cannoli awaits, plus cocktails and rooftop views. Tickets cost $115 per person, and booking ASAP is recommended.
Sinking beers, mashing buttons: now that's a winning combo. It's the whole reason that pubs have long had pinball machines and arcade games. It's why bars wholly dedicated to boozy pinball and arcade gaming exist, and seem to keep popping up. And it's why BrewDog's riverside Brisbane brewery will play host to more than 60 pinball machines and 40 classic arcade games this July. The occasion: the Australian Kong Off V and Pinball Championships. That's what on at BrewDog DogTap at Murarrie from Friday, July 15–Sunday, July 24. There are multiple parts to it, but whether you're keen to play or to watch others attempt impressive feats — or you're just a fan of the documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters — you'll want to head on down. Watching is an option every day — and so is entering the competitions, as long as there are tickets available. Across Saturday, July 16–Sunday, July 17, the Australian Kong Off V will take place. No, there's no prizes for guessing which game is being played. Keen to press buttons yourself, but just casually? From Monday, July 18–Wednesday, July 20, at night, you can score unlimited gaming for $10. Then, on Friday, July 22, the Australian Women's Pinball Championship will be held — followed by the Brisbane Pinball Masters from Saturday, July 23–Sunday, July 24. The Brisbane Pinball and Arcade Collective and Netherworld are running the fun, but BrewDog is doing a special beer for the event, naturally. Called Unleash the Beast, it's a German style helles.
We've all spent more time inside than usual over the past few years. In the process, we've all been looking at our furniture far more often than we usually would. So, if you've been rocked by the urge to redecorate, rearrange and reorganise of late, that's hardly surprising — those well-loved cushions, that old couch or your overflowing shelves could probably do with sprucing up. If IKEA is your furniture go-to, then its mid-year clearance sale is here to help, too — offering discounts of up to 50 percent off on some items. Whether you're in need of something big like a bed, chair or desk, or you're eager to fill your walls and surfaces with frames and vases, you'll find slashed prices on a heap of products. The sale runs until Sunday, July 10 — and, for Brisbanites, you have multiple options if you're eager to start buying. Head into the Logan or North Lakes stores; browse online, then opt for click-and-collect; or do all your perusing and purchasing on the company's website, before waiting for delivery. Getting in quickly is always recommended, given how popular IKEA's sales are — and the fact that all of the chain's discounted wares are available while stocks last. And if you're wondering how cheap is cheap, plates and bowls start at $1, oh-so-many plant pots and fake plants come in at under $10, there's a set of mirrors for $15, and nifty storage tables cost $20 — and that's just the beginning.
There's only one way to mark World Vegan Day, which falls on Sunday, November 1. Take all animal products off the menu, then start eating — whether you enjoy a plant-based diet every day, or you're doing so to specifically celebrate the occasion. At Upstairs at Toombul, it's helping Brisbanites feast their way through vegetable-heavy dishes by hosting a vegan food trail. From 11am, eight of the northside precinct's eateries are getting in on the action, with dishes costing between $2–5 each. At Jackpot Dining, you can tuck into deep-fried tofu, vegetable noodles and vegetable fried rice, all for $5 a pop. Over at Phat Elephant, it's green curry time, again for a crisp $5 note. Little Red Dumpling is doing vegan steamed dumplings, too, also for the same price. And if you need a snack of popcorn just because, it'll cost you $2 from BCC Cinemas. At Hello Harry, you can choose between two kinds of sliders, nabbing two for $5. Dapple + Waver is doing vegan sliders as well, and for the same cost. And if you'd prefer Italian, you can pick between a smoked beetroot pizza at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and a margherita pizzetta at Il Gancio. The latter is also whipping up polenta chips — and, yes, they cost $5 too.
It has been a couple of years since Brisbane's Metre Market transformed into The Market Folk, and since the latter started holding regular markets at Coorparoo Square, too. It still knows how to celebrate Christmas, though — or to help you get ready for the most festive day of the year, to be specific. Head along from 9am–1pm on Sunday, December 20 to get your last-minute shopping done, and even find yourself a few nifty gifts. More than 40 stalls will be showcasing everything from fashion and food to arts, homewares and design items. There'll also be skincare, accessories and eco products as well. Yes, even if you're looking for a present for a particularly hard-to-buy-for friend, you're likely to find something. This is a Christmas market, so a few seasonal activities are also on the bill. That includes carolling, naturally, plus a Christmas selfie wall and a bauble decorating workshop for kids.
