Drooling over the 2017 Coachella lineup? Weeping because your bank balance says you won't be heading to Indio, California to catch Beyoncé, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar… and film composer Hans Zimmer? We understand. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" doesn't really apply here — but "if you can't attend, pretend" (which we totally just made up) does. You've got two options: compile your own epic playlist of present and past Coachella acts to listen to on repeat, or head to the Empire Hotel's Bistrotheque on January 14 for a celebration of the array of talent that has graced the fest's stages since 1999. A live set by Reckless at Tiffany's, plus the DJ stylings of Benrama, Pony Club and Linguine should help entice you. And then there's the roster of acts they'll be spinning. Let's just run through a few of the folks that have played Coachella over the last 18 years, shall we? The Chemical Brothers, Beck, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Weezer, Bjork, The Strokes, Oasis, Beastie Boys, Blur, The Cure, Air, The Flaming Lips, Iggy and the Stooges, Daft Punk, Kanye, Sleater-Kinney, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, Tegan and Sarah, Prince, Mark Ronson, Morrissey, Leonard Cohen, The Presets, Jay-Z, Faith No More, Sia, Gorillaz, Phoenix, Robyn, PJ Harvey, Childish Gambino, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, New Order, Wu-Tang Clan, OutKast, Pharrell, Lorde, The Pixies, AC/DC, Tame Impala, The Weeknd, Drake and Calvin Harris have all made the bill. Paying tribute to all that and more is going to be huge.
The sights and sounds of Italy are heading our way once again, for the latest edition of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. Hosted in select Palace Cinema locations around the country, this year's festival of more than 30 films will be bookended by two special gala events. Smash-hit comedy God Willing screens on opening night, while a special restoration of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1970 masterwork The Conformist will bring the festival to a close. In between you'll find comedies, dramas and eye-opening documentaries, as well as a number of high-profile titles making their Australian debuts. Heading up our list of must-sees are a pair of films that caused a stir at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Matteo Garrone directs Selma Hayek and John C. Reilly in the surreal fantasy Tale of Tales, while John Turturro stars opposite Italian actress Margherita Buy in the madcap comedy Mia Madre. We're also intrigued by Venice-set comedy Pizza and Dates, about the city's Muslim population searching for a place to build a new mosque, as well as compilation documentary Italy in a Day, made up of hundreds of short videos submitted by people from all around the country. For the full Lavazza Italian Film Festival program, visit their website.
LadyFest was first held in Washington in 2000; five years later the festival reached our town. LadyFest has been brought back to Brisbane in 2013 to the delight of people across the city. This event is designed to empower the women of art in our community and to showcase their amazing artistic creations. The festival will run over six months and include interactive artistic workshops, gigs and exhibitions. This Friday marks the launch of this fabulous event and the girls behind the exciting festival want you to join them for a drink and a boogie. Performing at the Beetle Bar will be Emma Bosworth, Tiny Spiders, Love Like Hate and The Boys. DJ Ally Cakes will keep the vibe sparkling by spinning some sweet lady tunes. Come celebrate with the sisterhood and enjoy the marvellous talents of these lovely ladies. Entry is $10.
Brisbane's biggest St Patrick's Day party will return to Eagle Farm Racecourse this March with a day full of Éire-themed entertainment, live acts, booze and food. Paddyfest is the Irish equivalent to Oktoberfest and it's all going down on Saturday, March 16 from noon. Avoid those crowded pubs and enjoy all things Irish on a picnic blanket instead. Expect tonnes of local and international acts taking the stage, including headliner Kingswood, who has performed at the likes of Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival. Irish dancers, pipe bands and DJs are also on the docket, as are roving performers, a new laser light show and a dedicated kids zone. Requisite Irish bevvies like Guinness, Kilkenny and Magners Irish Cider will all be on offer, along with a range of Aussie brews, spirits and soft drinks. For eats, the Diddly Dee food truck will serve up an Irish feast — think corned beef, braised meat pies and all types of potato-based dishes. There'll also be a range of food trucks slinging the usual suspects like pizza and burritos. Also, this year, punters can head a brand new food and wine precinct featuring cheese and charcuterie boards, wine tastings and pop-up bars. Tickets begin at $25 a pop, or $30 on the day. For more information and to nab your tickets online, head here. Plus, use code CP to receive $10 off General Admission tickets.
Sometimes, the perfect storm brews, with all the right elements coming together. And when you bring a play by the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer behind Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow to the stage under the guidance of the Matilda Award-winning director of Venus in Fur, that’s what promises to happen. With the usual David Mamet brand of sarcasm, Boston Marriage tells of Anna and Claire, united on the outskirts of the city’s high society, and doing whatever they must to enjoy the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. Their status-seeking ways involve encouraging the affections of a wealthy man, chasing a much-younger woman and assisting each other in both endeavours. A critical and audience hit since it was first performed in 1999, the fast-paced, sharp-tongued effort is considered not only one of the playwright’s best comedies but one of the funniest dissections of class as well. Expect barbs to fly, banter to ripple and the facade of the well-to-do to crumble in witty and wicked fashion.
When you're deciding how to spend your next brunch — and where to spend it, more importantly — perhaps it's a case of what you'd like to drink. Tired of mimosas? Fancy something stronger with your first Sunday meal? Or, maybe you just really love gin. West End gin joint Covent Garden has been in the boozy bottomless brunch game for a while now, and shows no signs of stopping. Here, gin tap cocktails flow freely. You can drink as much of the monthly cocktail special as you like for two hours, or you can tuck into a few Pimm's cups (and then a few more). Pimm's is based on gin, after all. For $49 per person, you'll also sip red or white wine sangria, and munch on a shareboard spread — choosing between charcuterie, remoulade, chutney and mustard, or feta, pickled vegetables, hummus and olives. Both come with that breakfast and brunch staple, aka bread, too. The food and drink feast goes down between 11am–3pm each week and, while bookings aren't essential, it's recommended that you secure your spot in advance anyway.
Heads up, Mother's Day is just around the corner. (It's happening on Sunday, May 12, in case you temporarily forgot.) You can frantically message your siblings later, there's pressie planning afoot, and we've found quite the showstopper for your dear ol' mumsie this year thanks to Gelato Messina. Never one to miss an opportunity to experiment with new ways to inhale gelato, Messina has been cooking up quite the delicate novelty dessert for Mum: a Italian-inspired chocolate box of gelato-filled nibbles. These brownie point-winners launched in 2015 — and selling out every year since — are sure to bring it home again this year. Each box comes with nine handmade, handpainted chocolate and gelato bon bons — best enjoyed with opera blaring in the background, with a strong, black cup of coffee and a shoulder massage. Go on, your mum put up with you through puberty, you owe her one massage. So which crazy tell-your-friends flavours have Messina come up with for their bitty bon bons? There are nine in total, each more decadent than the last. Ready? There's lamington, black forest, dark choc honey, banoffee pie, cremino — with Italian meringe, amaretti and that salted caramel gelato — tequila sunrise, strawberry and cream, and tea and bikkies. Yep. If you can find us something that says 'perfect Mother's Day gift' better than fragrant earl grey tea gelato and shortbread crammed into a fragile little choc-house of caramel, we'll eat this empty bon bon box. The Messina gelato bon bon boxes are going for $49 a box, and are available to order from Wednesday, April 17. They're available for collection from Bondi, Newtown, Tramsheds, Darlinghurst, Rosebery, Miranda, Parramatta and Penrith in NSW; Fitzroy in Victoria; and South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley in Queensland. Gelato Messina's Mother's Day Bon Bons area available to pre-order from Wednesday, April 17 and to pick-up between Friday, May 10 and Sunday, May 12 (Mother's Day).
Can you remember the last time you played Hungry Hippos? Are you familiar with that evil feeling of satisfaction that comes with playing the 'draw four' card in Uno? Remember the humble fun that was had when making rude words in scrabble? Why is it that we only ever play boardgames during a blackout? Or while camping? Or when bored on holidays with our parents? So many questions! There is an answer though. The last Thursday of each month is now your excuse to play board games. Thanks to the Brisbane City Council in association with Sinuosity, King George Square celebrates Games Night, a place where the simply joys of Connect Four and the sleek strategies of Chess are celebrated. On Games Night you'll find all sorts of board games. Learn a new one, be reunited with an old favourite, bring your own board game or join in with someone else. And for those of you who like the look of the above picture – yes it is true! At Games Night there are also giant board games available to play with - Honey I Shrunk The Kids style. Just in case you needed yet another excuse to play. Check mate. Image by Amy Saunders
Dysfunctional siblings come together after ten years apart in The Skeleton Twins. Hardly the most original of storylines, but while it's true that this film could have easily fallen through the cracks like so many other Sundance dramedies no matter how well it was written — and make no mistake, this is a fantastic screenplay — it was to the film's incredible fortune that Saturday Night Live alumni Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader signed on to play the titular twins. The two clearly built up a rapport working together on the famed sketch comedy series for so long, and watching these two wonderful comedians play depressed sad-sacks who find comfort in each other's comedic company is a joy. They're believable as the troubled twins whose lives come crashing down in unison, and a sequence in which they mime their way through Starship's 1987 hit 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' is a stellar, funny example of their unmatchable chemistry. Hader is Milo, so distraught over his nonexistent career in LA and a broken romance that he attempts suicide to the blaring tunes of Blondie. Wiig is Maggie, Milo's no less fragile sister, who we're introduced to with her own pile of pills in her hand and who lets Milo move in to recover alongside her and her husband, Lance (Luke Wilson). In their quaint hometown there is also Rich (Ty Burrell), a former teacher with whom Milo had an illegal affair during high school; their new-age mother (Joanna Gleason), who they blame for their problems; and an Australian scuba instructor (Boyd Holbrook) who Maggie has sex with to numb the sadness of her own disappointing life. The real surprise of the film is Hader, graduating from more juvenile cinematic entries like The To Do List and Men in Black 3 and giving a beautifully crafted performance that allows his knack for voice and facial expressions to shine in the stronger material. His reading of a line where he equates himself to a "tragic gay cliche" hums with melancholy as much as it made me guffaw. Wiig, finally finding an appropriate post-Bridesmaids vehicle, gives excellently matched work. The Skeleton Twins is a massive step forward for each of the principal talents involved and ought to make sophomore writer-director Craig Johnson a star, as well as propel Hader and Wiig into the big(ger) leagues. Perhaps more importantly, just like other recent comedies Obvious Child and Happy Christmas, Johnson's film proves that Hollywood needs to step up their game. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bn4VpK0gdyU
Celebrate Father’s day early this Thursday at the Black Pearl Epicure cheese and beer matching class. With Black Pearl’s cheese expert, Peter Gross, and one of Australia’s most prolific beer writers*, Matt Kirkegaard, sharing their almighty knowledge of combining two of the most sinful yet satisfying gifts for the stomach, Dad is sure to be thrilled. He will get the opportunity to taste some top beers, local and from around the globe as well as cheeses sourced to perfectly complement these brews. A great way to spoil your father ahead of time. Plus it gives you the opportunity to sleep in on Sunday morning! *Yes, beer writing is a career.
One of the permanent markered events in the Sydneysider spring calendar, Newtown Festival remains one of Sydney's go-to events for grass lawn sprawlers, like-nobody's-watching dancers and festival food stall enthusiasts — and it's still only a gold coin donation. The always-anticipated festival in Camperdown Memorial Park has announced its 2014 program — this year in celebrating the Day of Independence for Australia's newest micronation, 'Newtown Republic'. Heh. Themes. Sitting at the top of the lineup are shiny handclap-triggering foursome Deep Sea Arcade, beloved punk rockers Straight Arrows, reggae-driven hip hip crew Astronomy Class and epic prog-rock favourites sleepmakeswaves. Magical Mystery Tour-like psychedelics Richard in Your Mind, rascally garage punk trio Bloods and Sydney's suavest disco-funk-cranking-epic-shoulder-pads-wearing smooth talker Donny Benet will be hangin' out too. Country bluegrass supergroup The Morrisons will soundtrack your spring festival meandering, Day Ravies will psych you out, newcomer East is a definite bright spark to catch, party-triggering hip hop crew Daily Meds will be an undoubtedly must-see set, while sassy vintage rock-n-rollers The Fabergettes will be sure to have you mum dancing like a boss. This is just the start of the huge local lineup — we haven't even talked about the dog show. Or the live art hub with Phibs, Peque and Unique painting all day. Or the writer's tent with talks from Dr Karl and the Moriarty Sisters. With over 80,000 people making their way through the gates every year, Newtown Festival remains one of Sydney's best local 'how sweet is Sydney' ops — also still raising funds for the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. Full program details can be found at the festival website. NEWTOWN FESTIVAL 2014 LINEUP: DEEP SEA ARCADE ASTRONOMY CLASS SLEEPMAKESWAVES DONNY BENET & THE DONNY BENET SHOW BAND STRAIGHT ARROWS TIGERTOWN RICHARD IN YOUR MIND BLOODS EAST DAILY MEDS DAY RAVIES THE FABERGETTES THE LULU RAES THE MORRISONS BRAVE Newtown Festival 2014 is on Sunday, November 9.30am – 5.30pm in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown. Entry is by gold coin donation, there's no glass or BYO and there's no entry after 5pm. For more info head to the festival website. Top image: Newtown Festival.
If you’ve been getting in a sulk about the eight hour car trip that divides you and The Art Gallery of New South Wales’s Pop to Popism exhibition, then sook no more. Poly Gone Cowboy, the Fortitude Valley’s newest gallery, is showing up any interstate attempt at pop art with their latest exhibition, Con$ume. Con$ume presents the dynamic pop art prints and furniture of Brisbane-based artist Rupert Lewis Jones. Don’t dive into this exhibition expecting Rupert to be an incarnation of Warhol or Licthtenstein – his work is something far more modern, and just a touch more surreal. His pieces question the materialistic values of modern day society, with answers strung between dynamite colours and bold figures. Make sure you head along to support not only Rupert Lewis Jones, but Poly Gone Cowboy, our newest multifaceted creative space, that is sure to be a go-to hub of talent. Because if there's ones thing Brisbaners need to consumer a little more of, it's art.
A cool exhibition has raced into town and made a pit-stop at West End. Whether you're a spandex loving cyclist or weekend rides around town on your fixie-bike are more your style, the Pedal Brisbane Bicycle Exhibition will get your wheels rolling. The exhibition includes photography from local talent and international artists, as well as exhilarating cycling films and an array of knowledgable guest speakers. Drinks and food will also be available on the evening which will commence at 6pm, Level II Absoe (51 Mollison Street, West End). The exhibition promotes healthy living and uses art to encourage bike riding in Brisbane. Before feasting your eyes and ears on all things brilliant and bike related, get your blood pumping with the Style Over Speed ride. Join the flock of Brisbane bike enthusiasts on this fun-ride as they zoom around town and end up in West End. If you're keen for the Friday night bike ride, the group will be meeting at King George Square at 5pm and will commence the inner-city circuit at 5.30pm. There will be a a few stops along the way to allow the tail end to catch up. This Friday night, opt for a healthy knock-off activity that won't leave you with a sore head on Saturday morning.
RAW: natural born artists presents ‘Expressions’, a celebration of art in its many wonderfully diverse forms. Music, fashion, film, photography, hair and make-up, and performing art will be on display by artists who you have yet to experience. RAW is an independent arts organisation that selects and spotlights creatives and their chosen art forms. Its mission is to provide the tools and exposure for budding artists, as well as connecting them with like-minded people across Australia and the United States. Each of their monthly events features a film screening, musical performance, fashion show, art gallery and a featured hairstylist and make-up artist. Be sure to dress to the nines in cocktail attire and immerse yourself in a realm of creativity. Please note, this is an 18+ event. For the full list of featured artists, head along to the website.
When Holey Moley set up shop in a former Fortitude Valley church two years back, it was the hangout we didn't know we needed. Who can say no to sinking a few putts while navigating a pop culture-themed mini-golf course and drinking plenty of pints and cocktails, after all? Since 2016, the chain has spread around the country, opening multiple venues in Sydney, and expanding its greens to Melbourne and Adelaide as well. Now it's back where it all started, spreading the love around southeast Queensland. Since late March, the lower portion of the state is home to not one, not two, but three Holey Moleys, with new bars opening in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. Both feature 18 holes of tap, tap, tap-tastic fun, as well as karaoke setups so that you can belt out a few tunes when you're not on the turf. And, they're each adjacent to Strike Bowling, so you can really ramp up the boozy, sporty shenanigans. Jaws, dinosaurs, Kanye, Tetris, The Simpsons and The Big Lebowski are just some of themes on offer, if you're wondering why you should abandon the other putt putt courses on both coasts — other than the drinking part of the equation, of course. As always, you'll find Caddyshack bars on the premises, serving up suitably named tipples such as the Espresso Partini (with coffee liqueur, Smirnoff vodka and Little Drippa espresso) and the Fresh As A Birdie (Don Julio Blanco tequila, fresh mint, lime juice and agave topped with ginger beer). Find Holey Moley Surfers Paradise at Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Blvd and Holey Moley Sunshine Coast at Shop MM01, Big Top Shopping Centre, 12 - 20 Ocean St, Maroochydore. Images: Holey Moley.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. This year, more than 300,000 Aussies are expected to take part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, and hold more than 11,000 sales. A huge array of events will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions items. And, when the Garage Sale Trail sprawls across two big spring weekends — between Saturday, November 12–Sunday, November 13, and then again from Friday, November 18–Sunday, November 20 — online garage sales will once again be part of the fun. According, whether you're buying or selling, you have two options: do so in person, or take the virtual route. It's only the third time ever that the Garage Sale Trail is going digital, too. And, digital workshops are still also on the bill, so you can learn everything from DIY wardrobe tips to hosting the best sale. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Brisbane, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood. [caption id="attachment_783811" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jo Lowrey[/caption] Images: Garage Sale Trail.
In the words of the great man himself, there'll be plenty of people turning and facing the strange in Fortitude Valley on November 4. That's what happens when Brisbane's now-annual multi-part Bowie bonanza returns to the city's streets, complete with some real cool cats. Event one: a screening of the Bowie-starring Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence — because there's much, much more to his film career than Labyrinth. Don't worry, events two and three will have you dancing in the streets in no time. Actually, the second part of the agenda is taking that literally. Bowies Down Brunswick is exactly what it sounds like, and it's groovy as. Dress up as your favourite version of the all-round icon (we love his early '80s 'Modern Love' stylings ourselves), meet outside the New Globe Theatre, offer a gold coin donation for the Cancer Council and prepare to dance your way down to The Wickham with your fellow costumed Bowie lovers. Along the way, a selection of venues down will come alive with Bowie music, themed cocktails and more. Yep, it's basically a roaming Bowie party. Then there's the third and final shenanigans of the day, aka a David Bowie Party. Dance to his hits and just continue to soak in the glorious that is one of the best performers to ever live. We can be heroes, indeed.
When was the last time you scrolled through someone else's social media feed, ogled their happy snaps, envied their existence and felt bad about your own life choices? However honestly you choose to answer that question, we know you know the feeling. You've been there and done that, and probably more than once. What we'll assume you haven't done is move across the country to stalk your Insta girl crush, and then changed your entire identity in order to become their BFF. In a nutshell, that's the story of Ingrid Goes West, a caustic yet relatable comedy that blends a portrait of today's #nofilter world with some Black Mirror-style social satire. It's a film that's all-too-aware that measuring self-worth through likes, follows and shares has become the norm, and is well and truly committed to probing and satirising that fact. If, like most of us, you live large parts of your life online, then you're likely to find this darkly comic tale insightful, amusing and unnerving — not to mention a little close to home. When we first meet Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza), she's trawling through a woman's wedding posts while driving to the reception. She wasn't invited, she's furious and the fact that she's only really an Instagram acquaintance of the bride doesn't matter to her one bit. A meltdown, a short stint in a psychiatric hospital and a modest inheritance later, and Ingrid finds herself alone, cashed up and looking for a new pal. Enter LA influencer Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen), who Ingrid spies in a magazine and reaches out to online, eventually abducting her dog in order to spark a connection. Remaking herself in her new bestie's image, Ingrid's efforts initially pay off. Soon she's having dinner with Taylor and her artist husband Ezra (Wyatt Russell), going to parties with the duo, enjoying girls-only road trips to Joshua Tree and filling her own social media feed with proof of her glamorous new life. But then Taylor's snarky, smarmy brother (Billy Magnussen) shows up, and quickly sees through Ingrid's Single White Female-esque obsession. In their first feature film, writer-director Matt Spicer and co-scribe David Branson Smith find plenty of material to work with, both in Ingrid's delusional deception and her inevitable unravelling. In the process, they contemplate and skewer a culture that enables her behaviour with the tap of a screen, and then judges, denigrates and condemns with the press of a few more buttons. It might all seem quite obvious to anyone with a smartphone, but that doesn't make it any less humorous, perceptive or effective. Spicer also deserves credit for finding the right stars for the job, particularly his leading lady. With her expressive eyes working overtime, Plaza flits between sincere, ironic, vulnerable and vapid in an instant, all while making viewers understand Ingrid when they might otherwise just feel derision or pity. Olsen, meanwhile, nails her role as a bohemian social media star, so much so that you'll think you're actually following her on Instagram yourself. Of course, that's the point: the most astute and accurate parodies are often only a step or two away from the real thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n83Za_7AiyY
January at Riverbar and Kitchen usually means two things: watching the Australian Open and soaking in an Amalfi-inspired vibe. 2024 is no different, with the Eagle Street Pier spot going all in on the games, sets, matches and drinks. Every day until Sunday, January 28, you'll sit beneath blue umbrellas, grab Peronis from the beer cart, catch the on-court action and soak in the river view. Big screens are your go-to for watching the tennis, so you can level up your next sports-viewing session by hanging out by the water while sipping beers and cocktails. On the regular menu: everything from oysters, jalapeño arancini and grilled tiger prawns to buttermilk fried chicken, burgers and pizzas. And, as well as the Peronis, the drinks lineup includes plenty of spritzes — complete with a non-alcoholic version if you're going dry to start the year. Entry is free, but booking a table in advance is recommended.
Had the kind of Wednesday that only a plate full of pasta can fix? Then prepare to indulge your carb-loving dreams at Gerard's Bar. Once the middle of the week hits until November 6, the James Street favourite will be dishing up everyone's favourite Italian meal — well, the one that's not pizza — for just $15 a pop. At Good Pasta = Good Dreams, the menu will change weekly, although you'll be able to tuck into a serving of handmade pasta no matter which Wednesday you head by. Kicking off at 5pm, the pasta night will pay particular attention to Gerard's charcuterie cabinet, so expect meat paired with pasta and drenched with slow-cooked sauces. Fettuccine with guanciale and parmesan-reggiano and a creamy Cacio e Pepe are some of the options the eatery is trifling with. A vegetarian dish will also be available. To wash it all down, there'll be natural and Italian wines, although they're not included in the $15 price. Bookings aren't necessary, but it you really love your pasta, you might want to secure a spot in advance — this pasta fix is bound to be popular. Image: Gerard's Bar. Updated October 28.
Between Thursday, December 8–Wednesday, December 14, Palace Cinemas is giving movie buffs in Brisbane an extra present. 'Tis the season, after all. It's not just the gift of great flicks — that is, the chain's daily bread and butter — but the gift of cheap great flicks. The one catch: you need to be a Palace Movie Club member. Head to the company's venues around the city — so at Barracks and James Street — across the week in question, and you'll only pay $8 to see a film. Haven't yet seen Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bros, Don't Worry Darling or Top Gun: Maverick yet? Catching up will cost you $8. Keen to check out Decision to Leave, Bones and All, She Said, The Menu, Seriously Red, Violent Night, The Velvet Queen and Armageddon Time? Also $8. We'd keep naming movies, but you get the picture. Booking in advance is highly recommended, given how much everyone loves going to the flicks for little more than the price of a cup of coffee. If you do nab your tickets online, you will have to add a transaction fee to the cost. You won't be able to use the $8 deal on special events and film festivals, or on two-for-one offers and other deals — but you've now got plenty of movies to see for cheap.
Good Oak comprises of Stephen Ryan, Brett Gibson and Tom Busby. As each of the boys brings something different to the table the resulting sound is organic and unique. They are an eclectic bunch as Busby is part of the successful roots band Busby Marou, Ryan's strengths lie in songwriting and Gibson's vocal skills and ability to play the harp beautifully are outstanding. The bricolage of genres and styles from each of their background's form to make dreamy harmonies and quality tunes. These fine, folk fellows have scored slots at coveted festivals such as Bleach and Oxford St Party. To get a feel for their music, listen to the boy's track, Fill My Cup here. See what all of the fuss is about at one of the Valley's best music venues and drinking holes, Black Bear Lodge. Enjoy some magical music, smooth drinks and take home a freshly printed EP.
Let’s be honest, op-shopping is a lot of hard work. Especially for those of us living city side where every charity shop has been combed through more times than Justin Beiber’s hair. But wipe the tears from behind those oh so fashionable ironic nana glasses (I’m looking at you Alice from Masterchef) as we have a solution to your second-hand sartorial quandary. A market like no other, Brisbane’s Suitcase Rummage brings the op-shop to you. Rummagers set Reddacliffe Place abuzz on the first Saturday of every month. Eager sellers pimp their wares with minimal fuss relying on the aforementioned suitcases to display a myriad of wares from clothing, records, art, jewellery and more. Empty pockets? Goods to sell? The gorgeous gals behind the market make selling a breeze, just check out their blog to register for upcoming markets to get selling Grandma style. Entry to the market is free and selling kicks off at 12pm but make sure you get in early to snap up some banging bargains.
Any plans for Greek sojourns or food-filled treks across Mexico haven't quite come to fruition over the past two years, but that doesn't mean you can't indulge in a bit of escapism without leaving home. And, no, we're not just talking about daydreaming and spending hours scrolling through Pinterest. As it did last year, Australian Venue Co is helping to ease the wanderlust a touch by transforming six of its Brisbane pubs and restaurants into some of the world's most popular holiday destinations for summer. So, you'll be able to pretend you're in Santorini just by visiting Friday's, and do the same with Palm Springs at The Wickham. Both the Regatta and the Cleveland Sands Hotel are getting in on the fun, too, going with floral and summery theming. And over at Mihi Tavern and Fitzys Loganholme, they're taking their cues from Mexico. [caption id="attachment_832209" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] Of course, the visual makeovers — which include flowers aplenty — come paired with appropriate food and drink menus. Think: bottomless mezze, Greek barbecue platters with sangria jugs, sips from a pop-up spritz cart complete with your choice of garnish, drag brunches with bottomless pancakes and beverages and a dedicated frozen margarita zone. At Friday's, The Wickham, the Regatta and Cleveland Sands, the theming is already in full swing, while Mihi Tavern will kick things off on Tuesday, November 23 and Fitzys will do the same on Thursday, November 25. For more information about Australian Venue Co's summer pop-ups, head to the Friday's, The Wickham, Regatta, Cleveland Sands, Mihi Tavern and Fitzys websites.
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin or are sick of online shopping, here's your chance. Hugo Boss is hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score a further 30 percent off menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessories. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion later in the year or looking to level up your work wardrobe stat, Hugo Boss's mid-season outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale running from Saturday, April 3 until Sunday, April 18 (or until stocks last). The only catch? You'll have to take a trip to the Gold Coast to bag yourself a bargain. Just head to the Boss Outlet at Harbour Town Premium Outlets to get these quality threads for such a steal. Current opening hours are 9am–5.30pm Monday–Wednesday, 9am–7pm on Thursdays, 9am–5.30pm Friday–Saturday and 10am–5pm on Sundays. Hugo Boss mid-season outlet sale will run from Saturday, April 3 till until Sunday, April 18 or until stocks last (excludes new season stock). To find your closest outlet, visit the website.
Laneway Festival has officially returned for another glorious year, hitting Brisbane and Sydney this weekend and Melbourne the next. Sure, there are some pretty big-name folks on the lineup — Grimes, CHVRCHES, Flume — but true to Laneway form, there's a whole host of artists you might not have wrapped your ears around yet. Laneway's triple j Unearthed lineup sees five new emerging artists hit the big stage. Each band/artist will be appearing in their hometown Laneway Festival in 2016. They're joining a damn good alumni bunch too — Client Liaison, Bad//Dreems, Ali Barter and more count themselves as Unearthed Laneway artists. Since they're playing in their hometown as shiny new discoveries, we thought we'd get each of them to give us a little hometown secret — their favourite hidden gem. Introduce yourself to Australia's new batch of music — you'll find them in these five local go-tos. ESESE (MELBOURNE): RAS DASHEN "Our favourite spot is my parent's Ethiopian restaurant Ras Dashen; not only because it's my rents and the band gets free food, but because you will never eat anything so hangover curing in this city. Since, 50 percent of us are DJing most weekends/weekdays and you know, getting lit goes hand in hand. So, whats better than some injera and Ethiopian coffee to get you back to life." 121 Nicholson Street, Footscray ADKOB (SYDNEY): TOWN BIKE PITSTOP "My local coffee house. I'm not that into the bikes but the food and vibe are both top notch. Try the Julio or the BLT — Swish. I'm a huge of that end of Abercrombie Street, it is still pretty residential but among the terraces are other cool things like the Eveleigh Hotel, the Commercial Gallery, this new organic tea bar and up the road the Redfern Night Markets." 156 Abercrombie Street, Redfern GOOD BOY (BRISBANE): BARBARA "Im not sure how 'hidden' Barbara is but this beautiful bar sits between the loans department and the sales department of the Fortitude Valley Cash Converters. The staff are top notch, the entire establishment is simple, wooden and handsome, and the house beer 'Babs' is incredible. Best nights are Wednesday when you can get a burger from our favourite chicken joint, Lucky Egg, and a Babs beer for 15 dollarydoos and listen to some classic hip hop." 105/38 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley FAIT (PERTH): THE OLD LAUNDRY "The Old Laundry is a favourite local haunt of mine. Gorgeous interiors, good food and friendly service. A great place to sit and watch the world go by." 22 Angove Street, North Perth THE HARD ACHES (ADELAIDE): TWO-BIT VILLAINS There are way too many favourite spots of ours in Adelaide, but let's settle with Two-Bit Villains. It's a kick arse American style diner with amazing food and handmade sodas, all of which are either veg or vegan. Run by great people in a sick location, Plus they do a mean poutine if you ask nicely." - BD. Shop 150 Balcony Level, Adelaide Arcade More about Laneway Festival over here.
The grand folks over at A Love Supreme are diving into the festive season, and you’re invited along for their annual Wrap-Up Party. Skip to alfresco amazement that is Shady Palms in Stones Corner, for your double good deed: $10 on the door will allow you to celebrate the milestone of another year gone by, with all proceeds going to help the Typhoon Haiyan Relief, and those impacted by the disaster. Local talents will be hitting the decks for the evening’s entertainment; DJ Cryptic, Gavin Boyd, Jimmy Ellis and Kieron C. will be bringing the funk. 80s nostalgia, disco fever, soul, electro, house and future funk will be riding the groove train into your festive ears. All you need to bring is your yuletide spirit, your dancing shoes and persevering buddies. This one starts early, however it’s what you’ve been training all year for. You’ve got this. Get in early to claim an umbrella and let the good times flow.
Go to the movies and feel good doing it. Now in its seventh year, The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival will once again shine a light on contemporary human rights issues through a carefully curated lineup of socially conscious films. Rich Hill takes place in the titular Missouri mining town and follows three young men struggling with poverty, mental illness and the turmoil of adolescence. Praised for its empathetic touch, the film won the Documentary Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year. Everyday Rebellion has a somewhat broader subject, highlighting nonviolent protests happening all around the world. From Occupy Wall Street to the Iranian democracy movement to topless activists in the Ukraine, it's a truly global story about people united by courage. Another standout, Light Fly, Fly High offers a unique tale of female empowerment. A member of India's 'untouchable' class, Thulasi dreams of becoming of a professional boxer, only to find many of her toughest bouts being fought outside the ring. For the full Human Rights Arts & Films Festival program, visit www.hraff.org.au.
He won three Oscars and worked on 285 films. He created gowns for everything from 42nd Street to Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon to An American in Paris, and Oklahoma! to Some Like it Hot, and ranks among the most successful costume designers ever to ply his trade in Hollywood. He's also Australian, born Orry George Kelly but better known as just Orry-Kelly. And, as Women He's Undressed rightly assumes, most people have probably never heard of him. For those who haven't, Gillian Armstrong's latest documentary is here to shed light on a life of glamorous ups and heartbreaking downs during the Golden Age of cinema. For those who have, the movie will surely still fill in plenty of gaps, whether serving up interviews with Orry-Kelly's colleagues and those he inspired, or spilling the beans on his famous friendships and status as a confidant to many a leading lady. Either way, his journey from a small town to the big screen makes for quite the story, as do the exploits that followed. He didn't just dazzle with his prolific designs, but also with his defiance, proudly living as a gay man at a time – and in an industry – that was far from accommodating. In a factual effort that bears more than a little resemblance to Armstrong's Unfolding Florence: The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst, Women He's Undressed doesn't only rely upon talking heads and archival footage, though what it boasts in these areas proves both engaging and illuminating. Instead, it addresses the issue that troubles many docos — not having enough existing content, but not wanting to fill its frames with wall-to-wall secondhand accounts and clips — through cheeky re-enactments. In some films, that's a tactic that doesn't work, but not in Armstrong's skilled hands. She tasks actor Darren Gilshenan (Rake) with both playing and recounting Orry-Kelly's life, with his version of the subject — who is rarely glimpsed in his real guise — speaking directly to the camera. The effect feels more conspiratorial than typical narration, like watching someone talk through their memoir and share all the juicy tidbits that were omitted. In fact, such scribblings are mentioned, as intermingled with an account of his special bond with Cary Grant. More well-known names keep coming up, of course — and with actress Jane Fonda, local designers Catherine Martin (The Great Gatsby) and Kym Barrett (The Matrix), and film critic Leonard Maltin among those offering their memories of and thoughts about Orry-Kelly, there's never any doubt that this is a tribute. If ever a film figure warranted such an adoring approach though, it's this under-sung hero and his brilliant career. Oh, and those ladies he helped in and out of his beautifully made costumes? They included Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Natalie Wood, Shirley MacLaine and Marilyn Monroe, just to name a few.
Sometimes a movie makes a statement. Sometimes it just thinks it does. In Men, Women & Children, the impact of digital technologies on interpersonal exchanges is purportedly probed for all to see. We’re not only caught up in our daily minutiae, the film appears to posit, but our interactions are so often mediated and dictated by the online world that truly connecting with our loved ones is impossible. An interstellar framing device certainly labors this point, announced in the unseen Emma Thompson’s dulcet tones. Linking to Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot, the sequence bookends the feature’s musing on modern relationships. The narration waxes lyrical about the juxtaposition of our supposed importance: we blast tokens of our species into space as if someone might care, yet given our tiny place in our universe, our daily realities can only be trivial and insignificant. Living life through the internet doesn’t matter; we’re best spending our time cultivating physical, tangible bonds with those we care about. Adapted by writer/director Jason Reitman from the novel of the same name, Men, Women & Children states its case through intertwined vignettes. Across an average American community, lives and loves are influenced by devices on desks and in hands. A married couple (Rosemarie DeWitt and Adam Sandler) seek sexual fulfilment not from each other but through an affair website and prostitution. Their son (Travis Tope) has a porn habit that means he can’t relate to his wannabe actress classmate (Olivia Crocicchia), who posts semi-clad modelling pictures online with the help of her mother (Judy Greer). Said single parent warms to an abandoned father (Dean Norris) concerned that his son (Ansel Elgort) prefers gaming to football. And so it continues, with the lapsed athlete falling for a melancholy teen (Kaitlyn Dever) constantly surveilled by her fear-mongering mother (Jennifer Garner). Then there’s the cheerleader (Elena Kampouris) with body issues and a crush on an older boy (Will Peltz) unnoticed by her father (JK Simmons). Everyone has names, but they need not; they’re symbols, a means to an end, faces placed upon narrative convenience. That the ensemble is rendered in such broad terms, with a clear lack of subtlety and satire from the maker of Juno and Young Adult, is what makes Men, Women & Children alarming to watch. Surprisingly, it’s not the messaging that grates, because the bland material constantly undermines its own aim. The characters aren’t cast adrift by their technological predilections, but by their self-involvement, both of the on- and off-line variety. The usual Reitman aesthetic polish is evident, and the performances from the largely high-profile cast are effective; however, it all amounts to a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. With the supposed rallying against digital living too easily dismissed by inconsistent plot machinations, all that results is a soapy dramedy on the struggles of sex and secrets that has been done before and better by the likes of American Beauty and Crazy, Stupid Love.
The Biscuit Factory has always been the staple on the Brisbane bass scene. Once a month they throw a beat-heavy party, jetting in some of the best international drum and bass acts to our sunny little city. Now, for their final 2014 throwdown, and first event at West End’s Hi-Fi, they’ll be bringing to the stage Belgium born D&B don Netsky, favourites ETC(!) ETC(!) and rising Canadian star Rene LaVice. On the back of his new single and first number-one, 'Running Low' (featuring Beth Ditto), Netsky is bound to blow Boundary Street away with his liquid funk stylings. He toured last year to sell-out crowds, and since then has been making waves on an international scale — he’s worked his magic on Pendulum, Rusko, Leftfield and Swedish House Mafia just to name a few. ETC(!) ETC(!) are LA-based, cookie-enthused Biscuit Factory favourites, and Rene LaVice is the next big thing to come out of Canada since the Avril Lavigne era. The remaining tickets for the Biscuit Factory are $45.50 with the night kicking off at 9pm, and likely to be a late one. Prepare yourself, and don't miss out.
With the GoMA’s recent Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future exhibition putting Brisbane on the cultural map and the Met’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty smashing attendance records for the prestigious gallery, it raises the question: is fashion art? It’s a question that beckons a myriad of varying responses, but most can and will get lost in a vortex of useless words and information. So who can we turn to for an answer? Valerie Steele. If you’re not familiar with the blonde historian, let me put it into perspective for you: with a Yale PhD under her belt, Steele’s currently working as Director and Chief-Curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, has curated more than 20 exhibitions and authored numerous books on fashion, including Gothic: Dark Glamour and the Encyclopedia of clothing and fashion. Constantly quoted in the media, lecturing frequently and making numerous television appearances, she’s earned her place in the New York Daily News’ “Fashion’s 50 Most Powerful.” So, if anyone was to answer the question of is fashion art? it’s definitely Valerie Steele. Head down to The Loft on Thursday and hear a bit of the brainier side of fashion from one of fashion’s brainiest women.
To judge Nano Stern by his long haired hippie appearance is to underestimate the young Chilean's musical talent. Having played the violin since he was just 3 years old, Nano is not your average bohemian musician. He has lived a life that Byron Bay street buskers can only dream of, and to add further salt to the wounds, he's only 24 years old. Studying and adopting traditional music from around the world, Nano has been travelling the globe with his whimsical performances of Latin American and traditional European songs. His next destination? Australia. Said to be the voice of his generation in Chile, Nano Stern is the leading creator of the New Chilean Song. His exotic style of music incorporates guitar, violin, Swedish flute and lyrics written in Spanish, Macedonian, Italian, Swedish and English. While many of us probably won't be able to understand the lyrics sung throughout his show, Nano's emotion filled and heart felt performances are famous for striking a cord with all audiences. Nano Stern along with his 4 piece band will be gracing Brisbane with a magical performance for one night only. Audiences can expect to hear music from Nano’s last self-produced album, Los Espejos (ranked #3 by Rolling Stone Chile in their top 100 albums for 2009) as well new music from his imminent fourth album – to be recorded in April 2011.
For some, Christmas is a time of candy canes, glittering tinsel and family celebrations. For others, it isn't. Whether your loved ones are in another city, or this time of year brings sad memories, or you're just not that keen on making a big deal out of it, there are three things that everyone can enjoy: burgers, frites and beer. From 6pm on Christmas Eve, that's what Fritzenberger will be offering up at their first Orphan's Christmas. And while yes, they do serve up all of the above on every other day of the year, their cheerful festive shindig is also about bringing people together — plus games, drinks and specials. Dinner consists of a $20 burg, fries and brew deal, while Secret Santa will give everyone a gift, and occasion-appropriate beverages will be flowing. Join in the fun, or just enjoy some meat between two slices of bread, hot potato slivers and a yeasty tipple — the choice is yours.
Among the many dilapidated warehouses and factories, Milton has been building up quite the bevy of local craft beer brewers with several packed in around the glow of the giant XXXX factory. But if beer isn't quite your thing, lovers of spirits can now rejoice with the appearance of newly opened rum bar, The Malecón. Soon to be slinging drinks made from spirits produced on-site, the Cuban-inspired spot is a much-needed addition to Brisbane's spirit scene. For one special free event, much-loved Caribbean rum producer The House of Angostura is taking over the place with leading Brisbane-born barkeep Dan Gregory serving his award-winning cocktails throughout the evening. Gregory took home first place at the Australian final of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge in 2017 and has been the brains behind the drinks in popular hotspots like the Black Pearl, Eau de Vie and Brisbane's own Canvas Club. Making use of a variety of Angostura rum and bitters, Dan will be serving up classic rum-based cocktails alongside some experimental drinks that'll pack a few surprises. You could play it straight with a rum-spiked old fashioned, or switch it up with a yuzu mule — among others. Keeping the night lively, Afro Caribbean DJs Sabrosa Sound System will also be laying out a soundtrack of Latin, Caribbean and African beats that'll pair perfectly with a few rum-fuelled cocktails. The House of Angostura x The Malecon Takeover will run from 6pm–11pm on Sunday, June 3. Entry is free. For more information head to the website. Images: Grace Smith
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. Launched earlier in 2017, The Zoo's ongoing series does exactly what it promises, and it's certain to do it with enthusiasm, fun and an ace onslaught of sounds. For this instalment, join Montaigne, IVEY, Ella Fence, May Lyn and GNIGHTZ for an evening dedicated to the strong, talented females tearing up the Australian scene. Plus, there'll also be an art show on the night, extending the event's focus on ace ladies doing creative things. Image: Montaigne / Greg Holland Photography
Settle into autumn with some of the latest fun-infused classes run by Brisbane's own, The Joynery. As a community-driven initiative, based on the sharing of skills and abilities, you'll be taught some life-enhancing lessons by the best in their field. As the nights become just that little bit crisper, it's very quickly becoming scone weather again. And if you thought the art of making these baked treats was strictly confined to the over 60s, then think again. Gillian from Gillian Bell Cake Girl will be providing a one-hour masterclass on the tips and tricks to baking the perfect scone even Lady Flo would be proud of. If the kitchen is a no-go-zone for you, perhaps The Joynery's bike mechanics workshop is more your scene. From those who shudder at the thought of changing a tyre, to lycra-laced bike junkies, Bike Mechanics: Repairs for the Non-Lycra Set is a workshop for anyone with a set of wheels. Led by mechanical engineer Evan Blair, this one-hour workshop will cover the anatomy of a bicycle and give an idea of all the areas of a bike that require attention. From confidence in the kitchen to scrubbing up on your bike know-how, The Joynery classes are the cheapest ticket in town to a more skilled you.
Sleep, who needs it? Not coffee-loving Brisbanites on Saturday, August 4. After a day spent tucking into coffee-flavoured foods, drinking coffee and other coffee-filled beverages, and just generally saying the word 'coffee' until it begins to lose all meaning, you'll be buzzed right through the evening. Making these caffeinated dreams come true is Bakery Lane's first Craft Coffee Festival, which will feature as many coffee-themed bites and drinks as can reasonably be packed into one laneway. There'll be stalls set up throughout the cosy patch of Fortitude Valley, and the precinct's regular hotspots will also be getting in on the action. With the fest running from 10am–10pm, there'll obviously also be espresso martinis and other coffee-infused cocktails once night hits. From coffee eclairs and crepes with coffee crème, to tiramisu cups and espresso cupcakes, if it has coffee in it, it's probably on the menu thanks to Le Petit Paris Bakery, Cakes & Sh*t, The New Black, Nomnom Korean, Jonny's Pizzeria, TSO Valley Lounge & Dining, Laruche Bar and Bowery Bar — good ol' cuppas with chocolate spoons included. You'll sip, sample, buy beans and watch top baristas do their best, while listening to live tunes from The Fergies and Pink Matter. And yes, if you get a little too pumped, there'll also be decaf. Entry is free, although feeling like you're bathing in coffee — on the inside; sorry, actually soaking in a tub of caffeine isn't on the agenda — will require your wallet.
The Splendid 2011 program is now on the look out for young and passionate creatives to take part in their three-week intensive residency. As part of the residency, young and emerging artists will be mentored and given the opportunity to tour their art works and dream up ideas and creative works for festival audiences as part of The Arts Lab. One of these festivals includes Australia's most beloved festival Splendour in the Grass – as well as three weeks residency in Lismore. To be eligible you need to be under 30 or in the first five years of your practice, which can vary from visual arts, theatre, dance, design, installation, architecture, digital media, sound, text and other creative pursuits. To find out more or to prepare for your application, The Edge will be hosting a Splendid Session. Applications close May 2.
Mention the name Weird Al Yankovic and a pop parody song likely slips into your head. Maybe you're now humming 'Eat It' to yourself, or 'My Bologna' — or perhaps 'Like a Surgeon', 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' are echoing in your brain. They're some of the musical-comedy tunes the singer is famous for, but they won't be getting a workout on his 2023 Australian tour. First, the exciting news: Weird Al is heading our way in March, including hitting up the Queensland capital as part of a comical whirl around the country. Next, the possibly surprising news: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, as it's called, isn't about playing Yankovic's satires of other well-known songs. AUSTRALIA, here I come!!! #TheUnfortunateReturnOfTheRidiculouslySelfIndulgentIllAdvisedVanityTour comes to Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane in March 2023! https://t.co/o0riivPZ37 — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) November 27, 2022 Instead, the musician is swapping his usual parodies for his other musical-comedy standouts across his 14-album catalogue. Clearly, he has plenty of tracks to choose from — and they'll all be played with his original band of four decades in an intimate, stripped-down show. Don't go expecting costumes, props or video screens, either. This deep cut-focused tour follows Yankovic's successful 2018 and 2022 North American Vanity Tours, which featured sold-out performances at The Kennedy Centre and Carnegie Hall. In Melbourne, he'll be joined by comedian Emo Philips, his The Vidiot From UHF co-star, for two gigs at QPAC's Concert Hall on Monday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 21.
Finding a designated driver on New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — no one's putting their hand up to find a park near the fireworks, South Bank or anywhere near the city. TransLink understands, and is easing the pain of commuting on the big night (slightly) by offering public transport for free. On Tuesday, December 31, all trains, buses, ferries and CityCats will be free from 7.45pm through until 5.30am on Wednesday, January 1. This doesn't apply to the Airtrain, long-distance services or Logan's current Demand Responsive Transport trials, but if you're otherwise travelling within Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, you're in luck. As there will most likely be hordes of people flocking to and from the fireworks, shuttle buses will be running every ten minutes between 5.30–11.30pm inbound from Eight Mile Plains, Carindale and Chermside — and between 8.40–1.30am outbound to the same stops from Ann Street and Woolloongabba. You can check out a comprehensive rundown of New Year's Eve services at the TransLink website. If you're planning a NYE trip on a ferry or CityCat with your dog, though, be aware that your pet pooch won't be allowed onboard after 12 noon. Find more information on the free travel periods here and check for updates on the TransLink website.
Tucked away in the newly refurbished Winn Lane in The Valley, Nine Lives Gallery will be hosting an exhibition showcasing the works of two bronzed American artists who both have an interest in photography, surfing and share the same first name. Entitled Peripheral, the show will feature the works of artists Alex Kopps and Alex Knost. Kopps is an extremely talented individual and has work spanning a whole range of mediums including photography, video art, drawing, painting and mixed media (particularly lovely). Peripheral will focus on his more filmic creations, specifically video art and large-scale optical prints of snap shot photography. There will also be a few prints and drawings in the exhibition. Knost is even more of an all-rounder with a background in surfing and music as well as painting and drawing. Despite his varied talents, Knost now focuses more firmly on photography and film, including the creation of an alternative surf flick ‘Beach Blanket Burnout’. There is definitely an underlying theme of surf culture between these two Californian-based artists, but this will not be the immediate focus of this exhibition. Rather, in the case of Peripheral, Kopps and Knost capture the in-between moments and accidents through film and photography. This exhibition is a must-see if diverse and refreshing international contemporary art is your thing. And even if it’s not, you still should check it our anyway because art is good for the soul and this exhibition looks like a good’n.
The theatrical genius that gave you Urinetown is about to give a whole lot more. Don’t Clap, Just Throw Money is hilarity doubled, with a back-to-back feature of prehistoric proportions. Faulty Fanny’s Cabaret sends you back to the golden age of debauchery and divine spectacular of the stage, when the drinks were served straight up to the shady characters downtown. Song and dance, cross-dressing delights and clothes-less surprises, all in the lopsided world that will hold a very real place in the hearts of lovers of modern day theatrics. Things Are Looking Up, the original musical by Louis Peake, takes us back to before the apocalypse, with a glimpse into how the human condition transforms when faced with the end of life. Tongue-in-cheek while being a little too familiar, while being soundtracked by hilarity, it will prove a smash hit among audiences looking for a Tyrannic night out.
When The Danger Ensemble decided to stage a run of Hamlet, they clearly took its opening soliloquy a little differently than most. To be a normal version of Shakespeare's famous play, or to give the Bard a shake up? Now that is the question. If the title doesn't give their answer away, then the fact that The Hamlet Apocalypse sends the titular Danish prince into a dystopian scenario might — this isn't your high school rendering of the classic tragedy. Here, seven actors enter the stage, set the production on the eve on an apocalypse and even throw a silent dance party in for good measure. If you've seen the outfit's previous striking works such as Sons of Sin, The Wizard of Oz, Loco Maricon Amor and CALIGULA, or their version of Macbeth earlier this year, then you'll know this is must-see entertainment. If not, you're in for a theatrical treat that'll change the way you look at the iconic play. In the words of the text itself, "though this be madness, yet there is method in't." Image: Morgan Roberts.
Dive into a box of Lego, drink a few beers — it's the kidulting dream. Really, it's the best of both worlds, because getting older doesn't mean farewelling fun. While a dedicated brick bar popped up in Brisbane at the beginning of the year, that's not your only chance to build whatever your heart desires while knocking back tipples. Semi-Pro Brewing is also getting in on the action, hosting a Bricks and Beers night on Thursday, February 28. From 6.30pm, you'll spend an hour working to a theme — and competing to construct the best Lego creation you possibly can. Then, from 7.30pm, it's freestyle time. If you've always wanted to make your mark in tiny plastic blocks, then go forth and do so. Prizes will be awarded for creativity in both categories, and drinks will be flowing. Entry is free, all Lego is supplied, so no need to raid anyone's toy box. But bring your wallet for beverages.
Forget self-help books claiming than men are from one planet and women are from another. If you want to understand the battle of the sexes, you'd best brush up on your Shakespeare. The Bard didn't just have a way with words; he also offered audiences a keen insight into the human condition. Take Much Ado About Nothing, for example. Sure, it's a rom-com filled with bickering and bantering. Yes, it has been turned into a film featuring Keanu Reeves — and another directed by Joss Whedon. Beyond all that, though, it's a clever comedy that gets to the core of matters of the heart. No wonder that the Queensland Theatre Company have chosen to revisit the timeless tale to mark the 400th anniversary of the great playwright's death. Of course, with Jason Klarwein making his main-stage directorial debut, that's not all they're doing. Fancy a dash of starry-eyed lovers combined with a version of OutKast's 'Hey Ya', or a fast-paced relationship rollercoaster mixed with a Hamilton Island-inspired tropical location, anyone? Image: David Kelly.
In this age of Tinder, Grindr and three dollar basics, the idea of sex with strangers isn’t as foreign as it is frequent. All it takes is a brief hello, a shot or two of tequila, intentions splayed on a table, and hey presto, you’ve Romeo’d your way into sex with a stranger. And there’s no better, funny, and deeply concentrated exploration of the fast-paced, frivolous and sometimes messy situations that can arise from this, than the Powerhouse’s Sex with Strangers. This play follows strangers Ethan – a star sex blogger and memoirist, and Olivia, his idol and obscure novelist. What ensues, is attraction, cravings and a dark side of ambition that revolves around three little letters – s-e-x. Sex with Strangers is a compelling story that explores the near impossibility of reinventing oneself when the past made forever at the hands of Google, and how identity can be shaped by these types of 'incidents'. Obvious warning here, don’t take your kids. This one’s for mum and dad, and all you Tinder felons.
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2020 — Due to popular demand, The Fork Festival has extended for three weeks, which means you have until Saturday, February 29 to snag a tidy 50 percent off your total food bill. It also means this deal is sticking around for Valentine's Day — you know what to do. When Christmas and New Year are over, the temptation to hibernate grows pretty strong — so, you're probably going to need a little something extra to tempt you off the couch. Handily, online reservation platform The Fork has a winning idea up its sleeve: it's offering a huge eight weeks of dining specials nationwide. Kicking off on Monday, January 6, the second ever The Fork Festival will see top restaurants across the country offering sit-down meals for half the usual price. Yep, 50 percent off your total food bill, folks — think of it as the proverbial carrot luring you out of the house. So far, 300 restaurants have signed up, but The Fork is expecting this number to grow. To snag a half-price meal, you just need to make a reservation through The Fork website or app at one of the participating eateries for any service (breakfast, lunch or dinner) during the five weeks. [caption id="attachment_696122" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harajuku Gyoza[/caption] There are some great venues coming to the party, too. Brisbane folk can score discounts at the likes of Corbett & Claude, Malt Dining, Harajuku Gyoza (CBD, South Bank and Indooroopilly), The Yiros Shop (South Brisbane, Newmarket, Cannon Hill and Fortitude Valley) and Comuna Cantina. You might want to revisit an old favourite or you could get a little adventurous and road-test somewhere new. Either way, there's ample time to squeeze in a fair few discount feasts before the festival wraps up on February 29. You can check out the full list of participating restaurants on the website. Top image: Comuna Cantina
