It sounds poetic (and it is), but an evening with Anberlin isn't just any old evening in curled up with a blanket on the couch. Oh no, it's a never-seen-before performance by the band, with nothing but good times promised for new and old fans. They have graced the Brisbane stage a few times before, but never like this. The fivesome from Florida have to live up to high expectations after their Soundwave set was met with a stellar reception earlier in the year, but they are ready to do something different. The genre-bending musicians are planning to do covers, variations of old songs, tell the stories behind their hits and even perhaps a Q&A with the audience, as well as revealing b-sides, acoustic renditions and maybe some guest vocalists. For some background on them, Anberlin are considered a Christian band by many, yet don't always cement themselves within those beliefs, something that makes them accessible and just that bit more untouchable - damn those chaste rockstars! Nevertheless, an evening with Anberlin will be unlike any show they've ever done before, they swear to God! Don't you wish all your favourite bands cared about you this much? Go forth, spend an evening getting to know Anberlin – nothing suss.
If you're a fan of rockabilly and hot rods, there's a good chance you'll already be aquainted with Rocklea's annual Greazefest. For the unacquainted, Greazefest Kustom Kulture Festival is a celebration of all things 50s-era; hot rod cars, pin-ups, vintage bikes, rockabilly musicians, and tattoos. In its 12th year, the left-of-centre festival has become a key date on grease-lovers calendars. This year there'll be California's James Intveld (Johnny Depp's singing voice in Cry Baby) and Tennessee's Jason Lee Wilson, who are very well-known in rockabilly circles here and abroad. To add pack to the punch, the highlight of the Greazefest weekend is the Hot Rod Show on Sunday, as well as the retro and vintage Fashion Show at noon, plus the Kustom Art Show. It'll be like a combination of Grease (the movie) and The Outsiders! Oh yeah! Even if pin-up chicks and muscle cars aren't your type of thing, you can at least guarantee you will be entertained by the sweet greaser hairstyles and the sure to be large amount of tattooed ladies and gents. Image Credit: Matt Black
Behold the theatre production everyone in Brisbane has been talking about since it first premiered in 2017 — and one that ticks plenty of boxes. A comedy from a talented local writer: check. A timely skewering of race and gender: check again. Written by Michelle Law, Single Asian Female steps into the world of three women from one Chinese family living on the Sunshine Coast. Pearl has runs a restaurant, eldest daughter Zoe is forced to think about the battle between her personal and professional desires, and her younger sister Mei is navigating school. Each contemplates the intersection between their heritage and their western lives, as well as its impact on their identity. Indeed, their troubles and journey are made all the more powerful due to their status as Chinese women in Australia, and the struggles that it brings — as brought to life with humour and insight by Law, director Claire Christian and the talented cast. The play debuted is the first from Law, who co-wrote and starred in TVs Homecoming Queens, and also penned as the book Sh*t Asian Mothers Say with her brother Benjamin. Yes, she's proving one of Australia's rising stars. Image: Dylan Evans.
If George Clooney can float around in space in Gravity and Matt Damon can get stranded on Mars in The Martian, then Brad Pitt can race buggies on the moon in Ad Astra. Another Ocean's 11 star, another intergalactic movie — and another big-screen sci-fi spectacle, obviously. Pitt plays Roy McBride, an Army Corps engineer who is determined to soar into the stars and beyond, all to follow in his father's (Tommy Lee Jones) footsteps. His dear old dad went missing on his own space mission in mysterious circumstances, and if Christopher Nolan's Interstellar taught us anything a few years ago, it's that searching for family and blasting out of this world seem to go hand-in-hand. Donald Sutherland, Liv Tyler and Loving's Ruth Negga also feature, with Ad Astra marking the latest release from The Immigrant and The Lost City of Z filmmaker. The latter is definitely cause for celebration, with the director's previous movies proving thoughtful, detailed, exquisitely performed dramas. Take all that to space — in a film that's been delayed a few times due to the extensive visual effects work required — and hopefully it'll soar. For a while, it's been a good time to watch great movies about big-name stars in space; just this month, Robert Pattinson blasts off in High Life, too. But if you're a Pitt fan, the next few months are shaping up to be particularly exciting — before he rockets to the outer edges of the solar system in Ad Astra, he'll be stepping back to the 60s in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Watch the first trailer for Ad Astra below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm3h6iWmIEw Ad Astra releases in Australian cinemas on September 19.
Current world events don't make the prospect of international travel seem particularly appealing at the moment. The truth is though, cinema has been taunting travellers for decades. Whatever holiday you might have planned, there's a horror movie just waiting to convince you otherwise. Heading to a cabin for a quiet weekend? The Evil Dead and The Cabin in the Woods have news for you. Venturing across the Australian outback? That's where Wolf Creek comes in. Seeking out a gorgeous beach? Whatever you do, don't watch The Shallows. Stopping at a roadside hotel? Didn't turn out so well in Psycho. Bound for Europe? Hostel made a whole trilogy about what you can expect. With a name that combines Germany's largest city with the connection that can arise between hostages and their captors, Berlin Syndrome initially appears to traverse similar terrain as the movies mentioned above. Indeed, the film starts with Brisbanite Clare (Teresa Palmer) arriving abroad, chatting to fellow backpackers and wandering the streets. An aspiring photographer, she snaps everything from famous buildings to everyday folks along the way. Then she meets Andi (Max Riemelt), a German schoolteacher who opens with a line about strawberries, takes her for a scenic walk, and intrigues Claire enough that she changes her plans to jump to her next destination. They have a fun night out together, go back to his apartment, and...things go south from there. It should all sound familiar, of course. That's Berlin Syndrome's aim, for two reasons. Based on the book of the same name, directed by Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Somersault), and adapted by screenwriter Shaun Grant (Jasper Jones, Snowtown), the film's entire premise relies on several elements that many movies have already covered — a dream vacation gone bad, and a romantic spark that turns sinister. But the movie also takes scenarios that have been done to death and thrusts them into unexpected territory. It's not a spoiler to say that Clare awakes the next morning to find that she's locked in Andi's flat, and that he's removed the SIM card from her phone. Nor does it give the game away to reveal that he has trapped her on purpose. After spending its setup revelling in the excitement and openness of travel, Berlin Syndrome dedicates most of its running time to the opposite extreme with an expert command of tension. At the same time, the film unpacks Clare's complicated response, as she seesaws between fighting back and slowly settling into a twisted version of domesticity. Behind the camera, Shortland crafts a film of juxtapositions, both in terms of tone, and in the sites of Andi's apartment versus the city outside. But there's no one better at getting to the heart of the film's internal conflict than Palmer. The Aussie actress has had a huge year or so, popping up in everything from the bad Point Break remake to the locally made war flick Hacksaw Ridge. But she's in career-best form here as she conveys Clare's inner turmoil. Likewise, it takes considerable skill for Riemelt to make Andi more than a straightforward villain. Welcome to Berlin Syndrome, a murky, confronting trip. Deep dive into Berlin Syndrome's core themes and read our feature examining how modern filmmakers like Cate Shortland are tackling complex issues of psychological manipulation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVBDJNHL0k
“Australia’s clown prince of polyester”, Bob Downe, is coming back to Brisbane to melody his way through his latest solo show, 20 Golden Greats. This show has proved a hit through Edinburgh, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide thanks to its plethora of pop, disco and rock hits. Downe promises that there “won’t be a single song you haven’t heard”. The nightly performances offer a cabaret-style menu to add an extra dimension to your experience, information on which can be found here. The familiar face of Bob Downe is the creation of journalist, comedian and actor Mark Trevorrow. He’s demonstrated his talents on ABC local radio, our own Kath & Kim, as well as adding a host of critically-acclaimed stage shows to his name. For fans of the stage, screen and those who love to sing, put your night in the theatrical hands of Bob Downe.
Sometimes, finding bliss is as easy as sinking a cold one. At other times, an energetic bout of bending and stretching hits the spot. Beer yoga combines the two, obviously — and to raise money for the bushfire appeal, it's returning to Brisbane's XXXX Brewery. To answer the question that has probably popped into your head: yes, it's very likely that your exercise session will be scented by the yeasty smell that hangs over the Milton venue. The whole suburb has adopted the aroma, after all. Of course, once you're done testing your flexibility for an hour, you'll smell that beer smell while you're downing a schooner of XXXX Gold. Run by Yoga Flex Studio, the class takes place at 4pm on Saturday, February 15 — and arriving slightly beforehand to get set up is recommended. Bringing your own mat if you have one is, too. Tickets cost $20, with all the proceeds being donated to the Australian Red Cross's bushfire appeal.
If you're starting to feel like a new season hasn't truly started until Finders Keepers has come to town, you're not alone. The ever-expanding art and design market has been bringing us face-to-face with some of the country's most quirky and creative designers for over a decade now — and it's set to do it all over again when it returns this November. The focus remains, as ever, on helping you discover and connect with the next wave of independent and emerging artisans. Expect to find debut collections from the likes of Brisbane-based jewellery maker Sinead Buckney, Sticks + Stones, The Label's sustainable fashion and hand painted canvas bags from McKenzie HOUSE. The Finders Keepers Artist Program, an initiative that was introduced last year to support emerging artists, will highlight the spring/summer recipient Mosey Me's bright, abstract designs across all market collateral for the season. Many of the market's seasoned vendors will also return — so, if you've been kicking yourself since last round that you didn't pick up a Posie candle, some Eco Intimates lingerie or one of Bridget Bodenham's mugs, you're in luck. As usual, there'll be live music and other entertainment scattered across the weekend to keep the good vibes going. And you're covered when the inevitable shopping-induced hunger strikes, with everything from empanadas to gelato on offer. Tickets are $5, available at the door and valid for the entire weekend. So, if you can't stop thinking about that one thing you didn't buy, you can make a return visit. Start creating your shopping list now and head to the Finders Keepers directory to see the full scope of vendors. Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Brisbane will run from November 8–10 at 12pm–9pm on Friday and 9am–5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Images: Samee Lapham.
Ever since Freddie Mercury teamed up with Brian May and company back in the 70s, Queen has never been out of fashion. Thanks to Bohemian Rhapsody, however, the band has been grabbing attention again in recent years. You could call it a kind of magic. You could say that their songs must go on. Either way, if you're happy to let the British group keep rocking you, then head down to HOTA, Home of the Arts on Thursday, September 22. Been feeling a crazy little thing called love for Freddie and his bandmates? Then you'll be in the right spot. And if your approach to the group's music is "I want it all!", that's what you'll hear. The one-night event will break free from 8pm, so get ready to dance with your fellow champions. Basically, prepare to step back in time — and if you miss out, you'll feel a little under pressure. While Queen tribute nights aren't rare, this one is happening by candlelight at HOTA's outdoor stage as part of the venue's Wonder festival.
Benjamin Stanford, better known to his fans as Dub FX, is a Melbourne-based one man performer of limitless vocal effects. Aided by live looping, effects pedals, he creates intricate hip hop, reggae and drum & bass rhythms that sound as deep and heavy on the street as they do in a packed venue. Taking his lifelong dreams of street performing to the UK, he met label mate and touring partner Flower Fairy and found himself selling so many of his recordings at his live performances that he created his own label, Convoy Unlimited. Dub FX has toured extensively throughout 2012, kicking off the year with sold out shows in New Zealand to warm up for his first ever Australian tour which saw him conquer audiences in nationwide. Now he’s back in Brisbane to pack out The Hi-Fi, a show that is dangerously close to selling out.
In plenty of cities around the world, spending winter drinking on a rooftop by the pool might sound ridiculous. Not in Brisbane, though. We're a city with a sultry climate, even when the temperature does get chillier — and we sure do love taking advantage of our usually sunny weather. South Brisbane's Lina Rooftop is doing just that every Sunday throughout winter from June 26, and it wants you to join in. Because poolside bottomless brunches with a view is a year-round activity in Brissie, the sky-high bar is turning on the drinks each week from 1–3pm. On the menu up at this level-12 spot: two hours of bellinis, bloody marys, beers and wines for $89 per person, over a two-course set-menu food spread that includes grilled prawns, sashimi and nigiri, popcorn chicken, caramelised cauliflower arancini, pulled pork sliders, and chorizo and seafood paella. Spend $125 instead and you'll also get bottomless spritzes and cocktail slushies, too (because no, Brisbane in winter isn't too frosty for that).
It's a little bit hard to fathom that Pearl Jam have been rocking it for twenty years this month. Who knew songs like Last Kiss and Better Man have been around long before I could even put my fingers on the guitar chords and sing along in a man-voice? What is also completely crazy is that up until now, 1, 200 hours of unseen footage has been sitting around in (probably) Eddie Vedder's basement, gathering dust and not being made into a documentary. Pearl Jam Twenty is the story of the band's formative years and everything that came after – the success, the chaos, and the music that defined a generation. It's a bit of a mash up of a concert, an insider-hang sesh and a pat on the back to Pearl Jam's twenty years in the biz. Cameron Crowe, the man behind Almost Famous, tells the story of the group that sold sixty million albums and are still continuing to produce music. You can expect bold images with a huge sound in this documentary that will not disappoint Jam fans. If you are feeling Alive, you'll probably be awakened by this look into one of the world's most successful bands. It's one night only and at selected cinemas across Brisbane tonight.
Brisbane might be known for having sun and clear blue skies almost all year round, but this pretty city of ours is just as enticing with a chill in the air. It's the perfect time to make a beeline for one of the town's more cosy spots and warm up from the inside with a meal that doesn't just taste great but looks ace too. We've partnered with Samsung to bring you these five must-eat Brisbane winter dishes. Their new Galaxy S9 and S9+ have superior low-light capability, to capture your tasty meal in all its glory. So go on, treat your tastebuds and your Instagram feed. Yes, both will thank you. KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN AT CHOP CHOP CHANG'S Whether you've devoured it so many times you've lost count or you've just heard everyone else in Brisbane rave about it, Chop Chop Chang's Korean fried chicken is a favourite for a reason. It's spicy on the outside and succulent on the inside, and it couldn't look less like the fast food you might be thinking of. The hefty slathering of gochujang (Korean red chilli paste) will put a spring in your step, while the sesame and green shallots sprinkled on top complement the flavour nicely. And things are far from frosty in the eatery's Boundary Street digs, which is an added bonus. JETTY PAPAYA SALAD AT THE JETTY Salad doesn't usually scream 'winter food', but it really is the perfect meal to devour when you're sitting in the sun at South Bank. And that's a year-round activity here. Plus, when you're doing it at The Jetty, you'll have your choice of belly-warming meats — lemongrass chicken, tempura soft-shell crab or charred marinated eye fillet — or grilled halloumi. Whichever you choose, it'll sit upon a bed of mint, basil, bean sprouts and shoots, cucumber, cherry tomato and toasted peanuts, with some chilli jam for a bit of extra kick. If that combo of ingredients, soaking up the sunlight and the gorgeous view over the river can't warm you up, then nothing can. FONDUE AT FROMAGE THE COW Cheese, glorious cheese: that's what's on the menu at Fromage the Cow, and in a hefty range of types, dishes and flavours. But there's one particular item that gets everyone flocking to Milton. Who can pass up fondue? Available for both lunch and dinner in two different varieties. Like dipping pickles and crudités in Emmental, provolone, gruyere and white wine and shallot sauce? Opt for the Fondue Neuchatel. Prefer gorgonzola, mozzarella, thyme and a red and white wine sauce with sliced meats, pear slices and onion? That's on offer too. This is one dinner you'll want to capture from every angle and in slow motion. FIRE TONKOTSU AT TARO'S RAMEN When a dish promises warmth in its name, then you'd best prepare accordingly. The fire tonkotsu ramen at Taro's well and truly delivers. More than that, it'll douse your taste buds with authentic Japanese flavour. The eponymous Taro takes great pride in his slow-cooked tonkotsu pork broth, and you can taste the difference in every mouthful. Slurp it like you love it because you do, and slurp it loud. Pair the noodle soup with a sip or two of sake, and you'll forget that it's winter pretty quickly. And if you're not fond of putting a little fire in your belly, Taro's other ramen varieties are just as appetising. CHICKEN KATSU BAO AT JUNK If ever a meal was made for snapping, uploading and splashing about your socials, it's bao, as everyone's Instagram feed can already attest. They're just so cute and fluffy. And no matter what they're stuffed with, they're delicious. Still, Junk's chicken katsu bao ups the ante. Katsu will do that. Expect three pieces filled with crispy poultry, covered in sauce and paired with kimchi for an extra kick. Ordering more than one serving to share is completely understandable, and the char siu pork spring rolls are probably calling, too. Instead of spending your winter nights on the couch, discover all the after-dark happenings in your city here — and don't forget to document it all on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light so you can capture your best moments no matter what. Images: Cole Bennetts.
Brisbanites, if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the next few days. After a particularly rainy past 24 hours, the wet weather is set to stick around — indeed, more is well and truly in store for the rest of the weekend. And not just any old wet weather either. Brisbane Times is reporting that a month of rain is expected to fall, and flood warnings have been issued around the state's southeast after up to 300 millimetres of rain poured down in the last day. Regions on alert for rising waters include the areas surrounding the Upper Dawson River, the Logan and Albert rivers, and the Mary River. The rainy conditions aren't expected to ease completely until Thursday, making for quite the damp period. Alas, if you're keen to keep an eye on the big wet via the Bureau of Meteorology radar, it's currently down for maintenance, as spotted by the ABC. Via Brisbane Times.
It's a tale as old as time, again — but in an escape room-meets-scavenger hunt way. An interactive IRL game based on Beauty and the Beast will have fans running around the streets of Brisbane this winter. This new pastime hails from CluedUpp, which has already busted out CSI, Jack the Ripper, and witchcraft and wizarding-themed activities around Australia — plus Alice in Wonderland games, too. Here, the company wants you to be its guest to get sleuthing. Its Beauty and the Beast game involves roaming around outdoors on an adventure that takes its cues from the classic 18th-century fairy tale that's earned such a following, as combined with a whodunnit-style mystery. Beloved story? Tick. Inserting fans into said narrative? Tick again. Working in the ever-popular genre that is the whodunnit? Tick once more. Throw in the whole escape room and scavenger hunt elements, and it does sound like something that an algorithm would come up with — and a lot of fun. Hitting Brisbane on Saturday, August 26, this spin on Beauty and the Beast starts with the latter getting cursed again. Forget love — this time, there's challenges to complete, clues to crack and fairy tale characters for you and your mates to interrogate. Participants get involved in teams of up to six, roaming around outdoors with their phones to help. And yes, if you want to dress up to fit the theme, you can.
The title of Jake Connor Moss' one-man show might sound like a joke; however Is There Pussy in Heaven? isn't a stand-up gig. Through comedy, poetry and other performance tools, the writer, artist and filmmaker tackles many of the serious subjects that trouble young adults today. Suicide, depression, homelessness and abuse are all on the agenda, with Moss chatting about his work and answering questions after the opening night performance. And, putting his money where his mouth is, he'll donate all the funds raised from the three-day season to The Smith Family, Bris Youth, Headspace and Kids Helpline to help provide services and care to disadvantaged youth.
If you like filling your house with Swedish furniture and homewares, then an IKEA voucher is probably high on your Christmas list. Or, you could treat yo'self in the lead up, because buying yourself a few presents is always perfectly acceptable — and also get your festive shopping done, listen to Christmas tunes and tuck into a three-course Christmas dinner. Yes, two faves are joining forces, again — and this time, instead of Halloween, IKEA is embracing Christmas. Yes, you can eat those Swedish meatballs; however, there's more on the menu, including either a Swedish seafood tasting plate or vegetable ball falafels for starters. From there, there's roast turkey with cranberry and orange stuffing, herb-crusted baked salmon, Christmas plum pudding with berry compote, DAIM cake and berry gelato cake. Happening at the brand's North Lakes and Logan stores in Brisbane, the Christmas feast costs $30 for adults and $25 if you're an IKEA Family member. You'll want to book tickets ASAP — IKEA's food events are always popular — for 5.30pm on Thursday, December 8 at North Lakes, and the same time on Friday, December 9 at Logan.
Kicking off this year's Brisbane Festival in vibrant style, The Tivoli is getting a one-night-only makeover, becoming the Heaps Gay Trash Palace on Saturday, September 8. Just what does that entail? Think dumpster decadence, which is a term we've just coined to describe the shabby chic vibe. Also, think DIY frocks, a celebration of all things queer, and a heap of performers, live acts and DJs. It's an 80s-themed trash wedding, after all. And, the shindig won't just take over The Tiv's interior, but will spill out into the car park too, becoming a block party. It's a ticketed affair, for $40 per person — and it's the finale to eight actual LGBTIQ weddings, which are taking part on King Street down the road as part of Qweens on King. Image: Ezra Qua-enoo.
As a sci-fi TV series about alien abductions, unexplained happenings, UFOs, conspiracies and all manner of odd occurrences, plenty of strange things have happened on The X-Files. The sewer-dwelling man-like monster. The talking tattoo. The Cops episode. Jerry Springer showing up. Mulder dancing at a cowboy bar. The list goes on, and with the show set to return in early 2018, it's only going to grow. Only Brisbanites can enjoy Brisbane Arts Theatre's X-Files: The Musical, however. In an Australian premiere production running from April 15 to June 4, the truth is out there all right — in song, and on the stage. Tape an X to your window, pack yourself some sunflower seeds as snacks and grab your best super-bright torch, as Mulder and Scully are coming to Petrie Terrace. You'll want to believe in this song-filled parody about a half-human, half-animal hybrid that could be Mulder's long-missing sister. Trust us (when you're not trusting no one, that is). And if that's not enough off-screen weirdness for you, David Duchovny himself is also touring Australia next year — as a singer, at his own concerts, and sadly not as part of this show. Still, it's quite the coincidence.
Bury all your preconceived notions of Australian films being dry, cerebral art-house wankfests. Mystery Road is the real thing. Writer, director, composer, cinematographer and visionary filmmaker Ivan Sen has delivered a new classic, an outback murder mystery with a rich tide of ideas unravelling and washing around the edges. Mystery Road is a masterclass in first-rate Australian acting. Hugo Weaving plays the kind of male role typical of a Lars Von Trier film: not a villain but a seriously messed-up, creepy bastard. Ryan Kwanten is a diabolically suss and casually racist roo-shooter. But it's Aaron Pedersen who carries the film with a devastating performance as Detective Jay Swan. He's a cowboy, a superman, a protector of a marginalised and deeply suspicious community, and an outsider in an uncaring, corrupt police establishment. Investigating the murder of a young Aboriginal woman, he unearths a trail of prostitution, drug rings and deep social dysfunction in his outback, ex-mission town. With each new body that's found, we feel his heart sink with sorrow — he doesn't have the comfort of distance enjoyed by his white copper colleagues. He's between two worlds, as is Mystery Road itself — it's a small movie but a big story to rival any Hollywood Western, with the desire to speak to a mass audience. The unavoidable political themes and Indigenous cultural perspectives are tethered to the recognisable narrative of a police procedural, making this a familiar but strange viewing experience. It works because it springs from Sen's experience growing up and just hanging out in down-and-out regional towns that have fallen off Australia's map: where the forgotten and poor are fatally vulnerable and totally absent from the national conversation. You might not recognise this set of life-experiences, but you'll recognise the Australianisms — the old-school, sweet-and-sour-pork Chinese restaurant; the characters' casually cagey glances; the quietly funny, laconic turns of phrase. These are all the details of a master storyteller. Mystery Road's slow-beating pulse finally riptides to a heart-stoppingly tense shoot-out. As the film's rhythms crested and fell, I found no easy explanations, no Hollywood signposts, just a genre piece of great complexity, subtlety and sophistication, and troubling beauty. This is an important film, a stunningly entertaining one, and a great one. https://youtube.com/watch?v=n7CmxOOr32I
In Tammy, what you see is what you get — even if you have seen it all before. A road-trip odd-couple coming-of-age comedy, Melissa McCarthy's latest effort drives down familiar routes in search of revelations and raucousness but does little more than warmly ride through the usual cliches of its genre. McCarthy's titular character is a picture of immaturity, escaping her blue collar, Middle America problems after a day from hell that leaves her car wrecked, her employment terminated, and her husband (Nat Faxon) with another woman (Toni Collette). Despite protests from her mother (Allison Janney), she takes to the highway with her fun-loving, Cadillac-owning grandmother, Pearl (Susan Sarandon). Mismatched travelling companions with individual scores to settle, they set out on a jovial jaunt, but find more than frivolity on their journey. Tackling troubles en route to a far-flung destination has been the premise of many manchild-focused movies, as recent features Due Date and The Guilt Trip have shown. While Tammy appropriates typically male traits in a gender role reversal, even its central swap is absent originality. Indeed, McCarthy's own Identity Thief followed the same formula barely a year ago. Alas, in Tammy, McCarthy's seeming ambition to ape Zach Galifianakis' similar output continues. Even when writing her own roles — here with director Ben Falcone — she copies stereotypes rather than carves out her own niche. Her aims in broadening the representation of women on screen are admirable; her methods are less so. Despite her slapstick skill, she rarely serves up anything other than the same imitative effort. Tammy's derivation doesn't stop there, nor does its squandering of its cast. With Sarandon involved, the girl's own gambit also borrows from Thelma and Louise as it ambles through a checklist of cartoonish tropes. Tammy and Pearl cycle through liaisons with men (Gary Cole and Mark Duplass) they meet along the way, fall afoul of the law, and reunite with long-lost relatives (Kathy Bates and Sandra Oh). Of the supports, Bates makes the best of scarce opportunities in an offering that's as much McCarthy's passion project as it is her star vehicle. And yet, though the comedy and characters clearly spring from all that has come before, the feature sparkles with sincerity. Missives of the self — esteem, worth and discovery — are as common as most of the film's content; however, Tammy never feels anything other than earnest. First-time filmmaker Falcone may assemble everything together in tonally bland and comically mistimed packaging, his visuals devoid of texture and his scenes lingering too long, but his affection for his lead and narrative shines through. In its generic compilation, Tammy may lack its desired humour, but it does boast customary helpings of heart and hopefulness. https://youtube.com/watch?v=K8a3TOhVA3c
Instrumental outfit Grails are bringing their enigmatic live show to The Zoo. The five-piece are known for skipping around genres, unable to be pinned to any certain classification and yet so eloquently fill many of them. They’ve found inspiration in unexplored terrain, from Japanese psychedelic drone to Turkish ‘60s rock; near-cinematic soundscapes have wooed audiences with playful unpredictability and pinpointed minimalism since the early 2000s. The Zoo has hosted many similar acts in the past—mini-festivals of psych rock and instrumental groups have found themselves at home in one of Brisbane’s stellar music venues. Tickets are still available to this alternative show that will surely prove unforgettable.
In terms of products that are equally cruel and stupid, skin-lightening cream would have to be up there. And now, thanks to Anchuli Felicia King's White Pearl, it's now also brutally satirised. Fictional cosmetics company Clearday, based in Singapore, turns a very tidy profit exploiting customers' insecurities about the way they look. When one of its ads for skin-lightening products goes viral, the disapproving eye of the digital world settles on the company's pristine open-plan office. Amidst the buck-passing and fallout containment, a transformation begins to occur — what playwright King has referred to as "the shift from socialised hysteria to primal hysteria". With comedy that's blacker than bitumen and grimier than a skip in the CBD, White Pearl is here to raise conversations regarding casual racism and corporate culture. It's unlikely you needed another reason to hate on late-stage capitalism, but King will make you laugh while you do. The play is a co-production between Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta and Sydney Theatre Company, directed by Priscilla Jackman — and it's showing at Queensland Theatre's Bille Brown Theatre from Thursday, June 17–Saturday, July 10. [caption id="attachment_748064" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] White Pearl[/caption]
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the Vegan Day Out. Come September 8 and 9, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. For Saturday and Sunday, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Melbourne Street, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or two) of it. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool vegan or just curious to give it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on some of its 3000+ products.
When you peer inside your wardrobe but can't find anything to wear, it's often just a matter of taste. From the clothes on your racks, none might suit your mood, vibe or look that day. There's nothing wrong with what's hanging in front of your eyes — it just isn't for you right then or perhaps anymore. So, why not swap whatever you're certain that you're not going to don again for someone else's threads? Clothes swaps serve multiple purposes: helping folks clear out their cupboards, giving good-quality pieces a new life and promoting sustainability in fashion. That's what you'll find on offer at West End's Fate Space on Saturday, December 2 when fashion culture and events platform Chev Lane hosts its own clothing swap and second-life market. From 2–6pm, you'll be able to bring your own clothes in, then exchange them for something else that catches your eye. Here's how it works: when you're swapping your own outfits, you receive tokens, which you then use for other threads. There's a limit of ten items per person, and you'll nab one token if your piece is under $50 in resale value and two if it's over that amount. You'll pay $7.95 entry, then get exchanging — and local fashion re-sellers will also be slinging wares, as will designers and artists. Anything traded in for tokens that isn't picked up by someone else will be donated to charity at the end of the swap. For a soundtrack, Maggitron and Thien Pham will be on the decks. For beverages, there'll be boozy and non-alcoholic options.
Take Cirque du soleil, nab their absurdity, quarter their going price, compact the talent to three people and you have for yourself 3 is a Crowd. This new ensemble of seasoned circus artists, Bianca Mackail, Olivia Porter & Rockie Stone, bring to Brisbane their show Fright or Flight and their ridiculously bendy bodies with it. Chaotic, comical, and outright absurd this act will have feathers flying and crowds ‘clucking’ for more of the stunning physicality and theatrical performances that breath life into Fright or Flight. As the debut show by this troupe, these three artist vibrantly prove that a quirky and humour based performance can still ride the same track as one that is beautiful, endearing and ambitious. Brace yourself for the rare breed of performer that makes up 3 is a Crowd and the nest of enchantment that holds their latest theatre piece. Have a sneak peak at Fright or Flight
It's hard to imagine that there's a positive aspect to losing someone or something you care about, but with shows like The Joy of Loss, there might be a glimmer of hope for those who have dealt with the ultimate pain. Not unlike the four stages of grief, The Joy of Loss looks at six gestures of loss via multi-disciplinary installations. There is fire, air and infrasonic, eight-channel surround sound, live dance and live music installations, with the finale being interviews conducted in silence. This introspective look at a personal topic is lead by artist David Sudmalis, whose drive for this project was the notion that loss is a new starting point, that is, the moment of departure. These interconnected gestures represent the journey through which we must pass: memory, experience, emotion and physicality. We are losers by nature, we would learn nothing if we didn't grow from our losses. Hell, our twenties are just one big lose-fest! While you can't control the cards you're dealt, you can control how you approach the aftermath. Watch as sound, image, performance, space, metaphor, language, and silence come together to forge a shared understanding of loss and how its cathartic qualities can ultimately bring joy. Image credit: The Joy of Loss
To add more fizz to the festive season, Brisbane bar Cloudland is hosting a two-month celebration of bubbly. As part of the luxe affair, the glitzy venue is hosting a Grand Cru Champagne Dinner from 6–8pm on Wednesday, December 6. Guests can mingle with new friends at the communal table while being treated to a five-course menu designed by Executive Chef Andrew Musk and paired with RSRV wines. Maison Mumm Champagne and GH Mumm Ambassador Emeline Troger will also be on hand to talk diners through each sip. Arrive at Cloudland's Heritage Room, where you'll be greeted with Pacific oysters, served with cucumber and elderflower mignonette, and watermelon with goat's curd, aged balsamic and basil. Then, progress onto a refreshing blackberry-cured salmon crudo with burnt grapefruit, citrus crème fraîche and a squid ink tuile, while sipping on a glass of 2015 RSRV blanc de blancs. Seared duck breast with beetroot, hazelnut and shiso will be accompanied by a glass of the elegant Rosé Foujita, followed by a hearty herb-crusted lamb with pinot noir jus and a 2014 blanc de noirs. To finish off the night, there's a meringue with mascarpone, raspberry sorbet, strawberries and lemon balm, matched with the delicate Cuvée 4.5. For those further down south who can't attend the Cloudland Brisbane event, there'll be another Champagne Dinner at The Island Gold Coast on Thursday, December 7. Tickets are $190 per person and strictly limited, so get in quick. Book your spot and find out more at Cloudland's website.
They're taking to hobbits to Isengard at the Elizabeth Picture Theatre this spring, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for one sitting of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations on Sunday, October 7. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King, this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at 558 minutes, starting the journey at 10am and including short breaks between each (for breakfast and second breakfast, if you will). If you make it to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest CBD resident on your way home (note: do not actually screech at the residents). Without a ticket, expect at least one overenthusiastic cinema staff member to make an example of you, thundering "You shall not pass!" to raucous applause. So buy a ticket, precious. Actually, you'll need three — one for each film, at $12 each.
UPDATE, October 7, 2021: Due to lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne in 2021, Pinot Palooza has postponed its 2021 event until 2022. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes pinot noir as 'sex in a glass'. Winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. Broadway wannabe Titus Andromedon loved it so much he compares it to 'caviar, Myanmar, mid-size car' (see below). No wonder the good folk at Revel — who've also brought Malbec Day and Mould our way — are coming back to town with Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things peeeno noir. For just two days, Brisbane wine connoisseurs will have the chance to sample more than 100 drops, direct from Australia and New Zealand's best producers. Whether you're a newbie who wants to start with something light and inviting, or a pinot pro ready for the biggest, most complex mouthful on the menu, there'll be an abundance of selections at either end — and plenty along the spectrum, too. If, at any point, you need to take a pause in your tasting adventures, you'll be catered for. Pinot Palooza will hit the John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds on Friday, May 20 (from 4.30–8.30pm) and Saturday, May 21 (from 11am–3pm and 4–8pm). Tickets are $65, and include all tastings and a take-home wine glass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6yttOfIvOw
Around mid-December each year, something important happens: summer solstice, or the day with the longest span of daylight and shortest stretch of night for the current 12-month period. Since ancient times, it has been a time of celebration — and that's what Northey Street City Farm is doing at its Summer Solstice Night Market. At the Windsor spot on Friday, December 16, a waste-free organic street food market will serve up locally sourced bites to eat and sips to drink, including a whole heap of vegan and gluten-free options. Think falafel, Italian cuisine, burgers, juices, smoothies, beer, cider and kombucha on tap. Everything will be served on crockery, with wash stations set up so you can help clean up. Also on the bill is live music, drumming, circus, talks and workshops — plus fire twirling and dancing. And, if you're keen to learn more about sustainable living, Mia Swainson is launching her book on the topic at the market. As well as food, you'll be able to pick up ethical gifts, too, helping take care of your last-minute Christmas shopping. The fun kicks off from 6pm, and entry costs $27.19 for adults. Images: Northey Street Organic Farmers Market.
Question: When is a German restaurant more than just a German restaurant? Answer: When it's named Heisenberg Haus and takes inspiration from a celebrated television show. Breaking Bad fans will know what we're talking about. Yep, the proprietors of Ipswich's first German eatery have embraced both aspects of their moniker — that is, its country of origin and the alter ego of school science teacher-turned-drug kingpin Walter White. It's a stroke of pop culture genius, and the perfect way to shout out to a beloved TV series without distancing the three people on the planet who still haven't gotten around to watching it. While traditional German cuisine — think classics like chicken schnitzel, pork knuckle and apple strudel — is the main attraction, references to Breaking Bad aren't hard to spot. No, you're not going to find Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken here (though Gustavo Fring's fast food joint still could become a reality). Instead, as well as the type of subtle decorative flourishes that are best discovered for yourself, you'll find a whole host of themed cocktails. They include tasty German beer tipples, such as the Fruity Marie and the Badger and Skinny Pete, as well we the more classic kind of concoctions. Who can pass up the chance to knock back a Walt's All-Nighter Espresso Martini, the G&T twist that is the Strawberry Pinkman, or a the creamy chocolate goodness of the Goodnight Hank? And then there's the well-named combo of vodka, blue curacao, pineapple and pop rocks that is the Blue Crystal Surprise. Now that's sure to give you a buzz. Find Heisenberg Haus at 164 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, or visit their Facebook page for more information.
The Gin Club, Evil Eddie, Powderfinger's Ian Haug - these are names you most likely know. But one name you mightn't know, but should, is that of Danny Widdicombe. Most musicians tour and write songs while they have a clean bill of health, but unbeknownst to Danny, leukaemia was wreaking havoc on his body while he was away doing gigs in Berlin. His health may have been as its lowest but his spirit and drive to complete his latest, and possibly last, album never faltered. In a completely courageous act, Danny started to compile 'Find Someone' while he underwent chemotherapy, and was helped by some of Australia's best songwriters and musicians. What a great way to take your mind off grueling cancer treatment by focusing your mind on something wonderful and heartfelt. This Friday The Zoo is specially hosting a benefit concert in honour and support of Danny Widdicombe's amazing plight and story. The Gin Club will be headlining the night, and will be joined by Evil Eddie, The Wilson Pickers, Guy Webster, Tylea, with video performances as well as a head shaving event, all MC'd by Ian Haug. If you need any reason to come and support an amazing man, let it be because 'Find Someone' is actually a quality record and there's some fantastic bands supporting this worthy cause.
Have a hankering for a Chur Burger, but can't make the trek from the CBD to the Valley? Maybe your lunch break's too slim. Maybe, despite the protests of your taste buds, you just can’t be bothered. We know, we know, talk about a first world problem. But the stomach wants but the stomach wants. Soon, this dilemma will no longer exist. Behold Chur Express, your new favourite Riverside lunch spot. Yes, the cravings of city dwellers, workers and anyone else in the general vicinity of Eagle Street are set to be satisfied by the new Chur Express, albeit from a smaller menu. Devouring everyone’s favourite combination of bread and meat — and those unmissable sides of onion rings, wings and chips — will be as simple as strolling on down to Riverside. A firm opening date has yet to be announced, but expect to see the brand new Chur Burger offshoot cooking up a storm in the not-too-distant future, as their Facebook page knowingly teases. Not only will patrons be treated to some of Brisbane’s best burgers, but Chur's mouthwatering meals will come served with waterside inner-city views and river breezes. You'd be forgiven for thinking that this news has been a long time coming, with rumours about Chur's CBD offshoot circling for months now. You'll also forgive the head burgermeisters for taking the slow and steady approach — they do have an already bustling location on Constance Street to run, after all.
The funniest comics from Australia and across the globe will be in town between February 26 and March 24 for this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival. Be prepared for an onslaught of hilarity as comedians such as Stephen K. Amos, Sammy J & Randy, Dave O'Neil, Dave Thornton, and Hannah Gadsby take to the stage. Although you may not know their faces, you'll definitely recognise the voices of Triple J presenter, Mel Buttle and Tom Ballard, who will also tickle your funny bone. This year's colourful bunch of comedians include well-known entertainers as well as up-and-comers. Newbies have the chance to make you giggle at the Breakout Comedy show from February 21. Another highlight of the festival is Chalkboard, a late-night session held on Friday and Saturday nights where a variety of comedians get the chance to share their new material. Held at the Brisbane Powerhouse, this much-loved festival will make you laugh until you cry — or at least until you need to change your underwear.
On most days of the year, a Brisbanite can wander into a Fortitude Valley venue and listen to live tunes. In most years, too, the inner-city suburb celebrates that fact in a huge way. We've all been to a Valley Fiesta. We've all been to several, in fact, because they've been filling the Brunswick Street Mall and surrounding bars with music for 24 years now — and the suburb-specific festival is back in full swing in 2021. Running from Thursday, October 28–Saturday, October 30, this year's three-day Valley Fiesta is hitting up 23 locations with oh-so-much live music. Get ready to hop between Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside and its outdoor area, Cloudland, Greaser, Netherworld, The Tivoli, The Triffid, The Wickham and The Zoo. You'll also be heading to Backdock Arts, Birdees, EC Venue, Kings, La La Land, O'Skulligans, Press Club, Queens, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, The Prince Consort and Woolly Mammoth as well. As for who you'll be listening to, the list of acts includes more than 150 artists and bands, so you can get ready to check out Blonde on Blonde, Butterfingers, Beddy Rays, Nerve, DVNA, Jesswar, VOIID and SixFtHick — plus DZ Deathrays doing a DJ set — among a heap of other names. Prices vary and tickets for each event are sold separately — and, obviously, it'll be a COVID-safe affair with the applicable capacity restrictions. And, if you're wondering why this year's Fiesta kicks off on a Thursday, that's because Friday, October 29 is the rescheduled Ekka public holiday. So, your long weekend itinerary can including hitting up a Brisbane favourite — and also heading into the mall on the Saturday for a huge music marketplace that'll span record swaps, vintage clothing and pop-up DJs. VALLEY FIESTA 2021 LINEUP A Love Supreme Alivian Blu Allora Amarri Amy L Annoying Neighbours Asphyxia B-boy Cielo B-girl Tinylocks Bad Neighbour Band 42 BBTK Beddy Rays Being Jane Lane Betty Taylor Big Dinner Birdman Randy & The Ivory Street Preachers Blonde on Blonde Blussh Bombshell Academy Breakfast at Nans BRIA Brief Habits Brixton Alley Buttered Butterfingers Callin Malley Big Band Carmouflage Rose Charlesworth Chelsea Drive Chukale Clarence Kent Colourblind Cooper Riley Creed Tha Kid Curtis Sciliba (DJ) Dahlia Dyer Dahlia Gunn David Carberry Day of Embers De La Vinx DJ Bacon DJ Fukhed DJ Lil J Don Rual Dream Coast Dumb Things DVNA DZ Deathrays (DJ) Ebony Ruth Echowave Ella Fence Eloelo Ethan Enoch Feelsclub First Beige (DJ) Flamingo Blonde FOMI Foul Face Frenchie Darling Friends of Friends General Press: GP001 Halfway Haliday Hive Mind Hope D Hot Reno J-Funk Jack Davies and The Bush Chooks Jacob Tompkins Jesswar Kessin King Stingray Kweir La bOum Lacy Pop Late November Lazy Leis Lila Lux Lilith Revere LO'99 Local Safari Loiter Lotus Ship Lunchtime Madeline Glasseater Malibu Stacey Margeaux Le Gogo Melaleuca Mellow Miranda vs Arizona Mou MoZza Nerve Nice Biscuit Nicole McKinney Oh Bailey Parachute Youth Passionfruit People Mover Phatnug Phil Smart Pocketlove Pure Milk Pvcker Up Radolescent Ramjet Rose Rogers Ruckus Slam S*A*S*H Halloween Sachem Saint Lane Sametime Selfish Sons Sellma Soul Set The Record Shifting Sands Siala Sid The Entertainer SixFtHick Skanalosos Skies Collide Skrub Sleeping Slowrip Slurpee Jerks Smak Soviet X-Ray Record Club Start Together Stone & Wood Garden Sessions Strictly Classics Sunsets syrup, go on Teen Sensations The Buzzing Towers The Double Happiness The Lonesomes The Mangroves The New Black The Sleepyheads The Unknowns The Wolston Butchers Toby Hobart TOWNS Trilla D VERUM VOIID Waxflower Wet Season Wetlands Wharves White Light Station Yellowcatredcat Yr Familiar Zed Charles Valley Fiesta 2021 takes place from Thursday, October 28–Saturday, October 30. For further information and to buy tickets, head to the festival's website. Images: Dave Kan.
After taking a break during COVID-19 lockdowns, Brisbane City Cathedral Square Markets is making a comeback — which is great news for anyone who works at the Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley end of the CBD. Once a week, folks on that side of the city can now wander through the stalls, grab a tasty lunch, buy some top fresh produce and pick up all kinds of other edible bites to take home. And if you're usually in another part of town but you want to drop by before work or during your break, that's obviously on the agenda as well. A weekly affair, the markets will kick off again on Thursday, July 16, running from 8am–2pm. As well as farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, artisanal breads and baked goods, and local seafood and meats, you'll find a range of vendors selling meals you can eat while you're there. That's handy —because we all know that it's best not to shop for food on an empty stomach. Brisbane City Cathedral Square Markets kick off again on Thursday, July 16, running from 8am–2pm each week.
Kevin Smith fans have to put up with a lot. His films in recent years have been akin to cruel and unusual punishment, especially when compared to his work in the 1990s that was comparatively affectionate and funny. His modus operandi these days appears to be to come up with ideas that are ripe for the cinematic picking — two friends making a sex tape to pay the bills in Zack and Miri Make a Porno; horny teenagers finding themselves in a fanatical religious cult after using an app to hook up with strangers in Red State — and defusing them of all their potential. In Tusk, Wallace (Justin Long) is an incredibly rich (six figures a year!!) podcaster who ventures into the unknown to experience all the weird and wacky things that America has to offer before going back to the studio to spend an hour telling his travel-phobic co-host all about it. Their show is called The Not-See Party, and as if the joke wasn't bad enough, Smith finds the time to explain it over and over again like the idiot at a party who goes around telling all the guests the exact same risque joke under the belief that he's funny. On one of his missions north of the border (cue terrible Canada jokes), Wallace is abducted by a psychotic madman named Howard Howe (Michael Parks), who wants to — and I am not making this up — turn his young guest into a walrus. Tusks and all. It is The Human Centipede Goes to the Canadian Wilderness and it is quite easily the worst film I have seen all year. It's not even because of the bad acting — Parks goes for broke, but there's little to be said of the rest (Haley Joel Osment and Genesis Rodriguez), and Johnny Depp goes so far overboard he needs a paddle — or the way the film lacks any sense or logic or scares to make it a satisfying horror entry beyond the gruesomeness of its third act. No, where Smith and his screenplay go so completely wrong is the laziness that overcomes the film. The jokes that come thick and fast can barely even be described as jokes. These are lowest-common-denominator gags that go for cheap, easy laughs over genuine smarts and wit. The horror is underutilised, the tragic nature of this character undermined by a stoner childishness that renders the material unwatchable. Even stoners deserve better than this. This is a movie that filled me with such contempt for its filmmaker that I want to swear off ever seeing another one of his films ever again. Life is too short for whatever cheap, cynical nastiness he has in store next. https://youtube.com/watch?v=trTTjvPCLJQ
But out your red beanie, pop on your Team Zissou sneakers and, if you're gathering the gang, make sure you're all wearing matching tracksuits. Milton bar Mongrel is throwing a fundraiser for flood relief, and it's also having fun with the concept — especially if you're a Wes Anderson fan. Given the recent weather — rain, floods, water everywhere and the like — this benefit party takes its cues from the filmmaker's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Dressing up is encouraged, and we can only assume that Mongrel will be making everything as symmetrical and pastel-hued as possible. Live tunes are also on the bill, so fingers crossed that you'll be listening to Bowie tunes. Moonboot and Kim & BVJ are on music duties, and there'll be karma kegs pouring Sea Legs Brewing Co session ale, Catchment Brewing Co pale ale, Black Hops Brewing Lay Day lager and Slipstream IPA. Tickets cost $10, with all funds — from entry and from the kegs — going to support Loop Growers, Belvedere Farm and Almanac Coffee.
Are you a budding musician, wanting to make a break in the music industry? Are you searching for the right words for your songs, or the right pathway to promote your work? The State Library of Queensland may be your answer, with their Music Zines for Beginners workshop. Cultural Seed Planter and “Zinester” Jeremy Staples will be lending a hand to those looking to get ahead, be it from the very beginning stages of creating and producing music, to promoting it through your own, hand-crafted zine. This is just one of the beginner workshops available at the library – lyrics, recording, creating cover art and promo posters, as well as music videos can all come to life by means of the right class. This is all part of the State Library’s “Live! Queensland Band Culture” exhibition, which aims to shine a light on local musical talents past and present through performances, historical showcases and informative events.
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. Thankfully, you'll have the opportunity to slip into this magical world without ever leaving Brisbane. A selection of venues are hosting Banff Mountain Film Festival's 2022 tour — the event's latest stopover, 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. Check out nine of them at Brisbane Powerhouse from Thursday, June 2–Saturday, June 4.
A celebration of classic cinema with a queer twist; come along to the rooftop cocktail launch party of the 2014 Brisbane Queer Film Festival. Welcome to the 15th annual Queer Film Festival, an opportunity to honour the most exciting, engaging, questioning and endearing films, both locally and from around the world. Your ticket to the hottest celebration in town gets you entertainment, prizes, a cocktail, finger food and a complimentary film ticket to a feature or Queer Aussie Shorts program. Entertainment for the night is courtesy of Brisbane’s own Carol Lloyd, plus festival favourites Vollie LaVont and DJ ISH. Keep your eyes peeled, because there is so much more to this festival than just the flicks - discussions and forums, networking, slumber parties, more cocktails, followed by yet another party to wrap up the excitement. Dress to the nines, inspired by Italian film posters of the 1950s (with a twist), bring along your similar-minded friends, and relish the flourishing queer film community of Brisbane.
The Belligerents may not want to be in our arms, but we sure as hell want to be in theirs. This local Brisbane band has long been one of the most talented, best dressed clique on our music scene, and their I Don’t Want to be in Your Arms tour is your chance to see them in the flesh. If you don't think you've danced to The Belligerents before, chances are high you’ve heard their stuff. Two years ago they made waves with 'Steal Money', and since they’ve been touring, producing and writing just as many jam-jacked songs. They’ve got a cranky beach vibe going on – like when you get sand in your togs. It’s surfer rock, meets psych, with a bit of heart and angst. Some of their tunes are rough and heavy, other’s are as light and free falling as half the band's hair cuts. Now, The Belligerents will be hitting the Black Bear Lodge stage for the 'I Don't Want to be in Your Arms' single launch. Local goal-kickers Baskervillain and The Jensens will be supporting – if you haven’t checked out The Jensens’ 'Shark Thunder' then quit mucking around and listen. Tickets are only $10 and you can grab them here.
Skip the airfares, hefty ticket spends and get-to-the-front crowd panic, you can stream Chicago's Lollapalooza festival right from your own snuggly warm bed. Thanks to the legends over at Red Bull TV, you'll be able to stream the entire three days worth of live shenanigans from their exclusive channel. Chicago's historic Grant Park will play host to some pretty big ol' must-streams this weekend. With the recently Splendour-victorious OutKast headlining alongside Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Foster the People, CHVRCHES, Interpol, Childish Gambino, Calvin Harris, Kings of Leon, Glen Hansard, Chromeo, The 1975, Jenny Lewis, Courtney Barnett and a severe bucketload more (over 100 woah-inducing names) on the lineup, that's the best excuse for staying home and cleaning your house to tunes we've ever heard. With three channels of ridiculously solid programming over five stages, you'll be the worst remote pest ever (but warranted). There's over 200 hours of exclusive content as well as the sets, so you can duck backstage for some Lolla tomfoolery, artist interviews, unique POV angles and festival highlight throwbacks. It's a new era for Lolla. Since Perry Farrell started the whole thing in 1991, they've regularly rivaled Coachella for lineup steeze and have now extended to Lollapalooza Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Now they're teaming up with Red Bull TV to take Lolla global, we're pretty stoked to feel all included in the 'palooza festivities (and we don't even have to buy a token inappropriate headdress to get involved). The livestream will kick off at 5am AEST tomorrow morning until 1pm AEST on Monday. Red Bull TV is accessible via the web at www.redbull.tv and its Android and iOS applications, as a pre-installed channel on Apple TV, and as a free, downloadable app on Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, Chromecast, and iOS and Android devices.
When cinemas are running as normal, getting a glimpse of the other side of the world is as easy as stepping into a darkened theatre. While lockdowns have impacted picture palaces around the country, and Australia's huge lineup of film festivals have moved online, that experience has shifted into our lounge rooms. The latest virtual film fest to make the leap to digital: the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia. In 2021, it's streaming a five-movie lineup via ACMI's online Cinema 3 platform — and it won't just evoke your travel yearnings for Central Europe, but for Antarctica as well. That look at frostier climes comes courtesy of the stunning Frem, with director and cinematographer Viera Čákanyová peering out over its icy expanse in a film that blends reality and fiction. No, you won't find sights this striking elsewhere on your normal streaming queue. Or, you can also watch book-to-screen adaptation Gump and its tale of canine companions; documentary Athanor: The Alchemical Furnace about acclaimed Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer; and 70s classics The Ear and Pacho, The Thief of Hybe. Top image: Hypermarket Film
Think Lunar New Year, and you likely think Chinatown. That understandable — but it's not the only Fortitude Valley spot celebrating the occasion. Over at Bakery and California lanes, the two patches of pavement are putting on a Chinese New Year Celebration. There'll be food. There'll be booze. There'll be dragon dances and live music as well. From 6pm on Saturday, February 1, the Year of the Rat will get into full swing with a lively laneway party. Fat Dumpling will be serving up their titular dish (naturally), Nom Nom Korean and Nom Nom Ramen and Sake Bar will both be helping full your stomach, and Cakes & Sh!t will be whipping up 'misfortune' cookies. Those sweet treats come dipped in chocolate — and we're guessing that you won't mind if they bring you bad luck. Also on offer: lychee martinis and other cocktails at a heap of the two laneways' bars. All that celebrating is thirsty work, after all. Plus, dragon dances will take place at 7pm in Bakery Lane and 8pm on California Lane. Top image: Fat Dumpling.
Every week over at its Gasworks store, Salt Meats Cheese serves up all-you-can-eat pizza. Yes, it's as delicious as it sounds. Now that the eatery has made the temporary jump over to the other side of the inner-city as part of the Salt Meats Cheese and Gelato Messina Laneway WV Pop-Up, it's serving up slices upon slices twice a week — and in West End, the Thursday night frenzy is all about vegan fare. If you're a vegan and you've been holding back, now's the time to get your bottomless pizza feast one night a week. Fancy as much pizza as you can handle, but without any animal products? Then mark every Thursday between July 5 and September 6 in your diary. From 5pm, SMC's West End laneway store will serve up unlimited vegan slices for $20. The only catch is that you'll have to buy a drink as well, but you can choose from both boozy and non-alcoholic options. And, for an extra $5, you can also opt for all-you-can-eat gluten-free vegan pizza as well. Finding decent slices that cater to dietary requirements is hard enough, let alone devouring as many as you feel like in one sitting, so expect this to be popular. Unsurprisingly, bookings are essential.
Screen printing is often an artist’s first foray into artistic creation. Zines use it in the early years to transfer big impact onto many pages; bands still opt to create hand-made merchandise with the medium, the imperfectly perfect prints showcasing DIY craftsmanship. Come along to celebrate the timeless impact and true finesse of screen printing with the folks at Poly Gone Cowboy who have done their homework and collected the best in the business, from Brisbane and interstate, to show off their wares. Such include Clinton Barker, Benn Driscoll, Robert Chalender, Charles Street, Samuel Tupou, Mini Graff, Franck Gohier, Chayni Henry, Joanna Kambourian and Darren Bryant. One of the most intriguing elements of screen printing is its malleable flexibility; you can choose your muse, your artistic inspiration, and no matter the style or message, screen printing can and will showcase it just as you choose. These guys sure do know what they’re doing; you can also partake in monthly screen printing workshops at PGC, making your own image in the light of those who have rocked it before you. Be sure to check out the fuss while you can!
Happiness, then horror. That's what Herself's earliest moments serve up. When the gripping and poignant Irish drama opens, it's with the sight of Sandra (Claire Dunne, Spider-Man: Far From Home) being given a makeover by her two daughters Molly (Molly McCann, Vivarium) and Emma (debutant Ruby Rose O'Hara). The younger pair tenderly apply lip gloss, blush and shimmering eye shadow as they talk about their mother's under-eye birthmark, then the trio dance blissfully in the kitchen to Sia's 'Chandelier'. But Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson, Vikings) arrives home mid-song, and he's angry. He's found a roll of cash hidden in the family's car, and he's soon unleashing his furious thoughts and unforgiving fists in response. The film cuts between the violence that follows and Emma's rushed run to a local shop to seek help for her mother — but even just seen in glimpses, the ordeal that Sandra is put through by her savage spouse is both harrowing and heartbreaking. Survivalist films typically pit humans against the elements, nature or space, frequently testing a character's endurance when they're cast adrift in the ocean (as in Kon-Tiki and All Is Lost), endeavouring to prevail in unwelcoming expanses (Into the Wild, Arctic), coming face to face with animal predators (The Grey, Crawl) or ascending to the heavens and all that it entails (Gravity, The Martian). Herself doesn't tick a single one of these boxes, but it still fits the genre. In fact, it might be one of the most essential survivalist movies yet. What else is a feature about a woman trying to escape an abusive marriage, care for her two children alone and build a safe future that's all her own, if not a story of survival? What else is Sandra doing but simply attempting to persist and persevere when she leaves Gary, then weathers the consequences — because neither life in general, nor social services and government bureaucracy specifically, are particularly hospitable to women in her situation? Herself needn't wonder what it's like to try to hold on while you're cut off from the world, or to navigate that other survivalist film staple, the post-apocalyptic realm, because it dives straight into a torturous life-or-death situation that happens every day around the globe. It's clear from the outset that Sandra and Gary's marriage hasn't been content for some time, and that she's long had the bruises to prove it. Her badly fractured hand, a marker of this latest outburst, becomes the latest physical symbol of their domestic horror, as well as the catalyst that gets Sandra to finally farewell their relationship. Forging a path forward proves complicated at every turn, however. The authorities can only house the trio in a hotel far away from the girls' school, with the wait for permanent housing expected to take years. Juggling two jobs to barely scrape by becomes even trickier and, by court order, Gary still gets weekend visits with the kids. Then, thanks to a spark of unexpected inspiration from a bedtime story, Sandra decides to try to build her own house — a €35,000 self-build that only becomes possible due to an overwhelmingly thoughtful gift from one of her bosses, Peggy (Harriet Walter, Killing Eve). Also pivotal: the kindness of a construction industry veteran Aido (Conleth Hill, near-unrecognisable from his time as Game of Thrones' Varys), who knows Gary's reputation; and all the help she can muster from friends and colleagues, plus whoever they can round up to assist as well. An actor with an extensive theatre history, Dunne turns in a phenomenally rich and vulnerable performance — one that would silence an entire room if she was on a stage, rather than on the screen. In her hands, Sandra is determined, but she also knows all too well what it's like to feel defeated. She's no longer willing to stay with her husband for their children's sake, and she can understandably barely stand to be in the same place as him, but she also mourns for what their relationship once was. She knows what's against her at every turn, she has the pluck to keep soldiering on again and again, but she's no saint or martyr. She struggles, she wavers between not knowing how to accept help and almost demanding it, and she grapples with finding her voice and her sense of agency — especially when put on the spot in court — after being robbed of both for so long. With What Richard Did's Malcolm Campbell, Dunne co-wrote Herself's script, too, and it's clear that she breathes every speck of pain, despair, diligence and fortitude that Sandra so visibly cycles through. As a writer, Dunne doesn't make easy choices. Her narrative doesn't follow a straightforward path, either. Herself's script highlights the devastating complexities that surround Sandra constantly, but it avoids plotting the obvious course — because more hopeful and more grim moments are always in everyone's futures, even when it seems that worse surely can't come. Stress, resilience, affectionate gestures and uncaring powers-that-be are all a part of this story. So is interrogating a system that's quick to push back at victims in the name of family, and showing the impact upon children who grow up in a household blighted by domestic violence. Herself fleshes out this reality, but always hurtles onwards, because that's all that Sandra can do. Worlds away from the two other features on her resume — Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady — director Phyllida Lloyd helms an intense, compassionate but still clear-eyed drama. It's as bleak as French standout Custody, which also plunges into an abusive marriage and the impact upon both partners and children. It's also as brutal in its unflinching depiction of navigating bureaucracy as fellow Irish film Rosie, which also tells of a mother trying to find housing for her kids. And yet, without any cloying sentiment, with purposeful but never heavy-handed symbolism, and as shot with tender naturalism and an abundant wellspring of empathy, there's hope and tenacity coursing through this sensitive and compelling drama as well.
