The BrisStyle team is a rather busy bunch. A few times a year, it puts on twilight markets in King George Square, but that isn't its only regular event. If you're particularly after a treasure trove of handmade goodies — and who isn't? — it hosts another opportunity to browse and buy that's dedicated to exactly those kinds of objects over at the Queensland Museum. And, because it's that time of year, it's putting on a Christmas version of the latter. Fashion, art, jewellery, homewares — if someone's been using their nimble fingers to make it, then you can probably trade your hard-earned cash for their hard work. In fact, there'll be a long list of artisans — normally around 60 locals, actually — selling their wares. And, while you're shopping, you'll also be able to grab a bite at the onsite cafe — and live tunes from local musos usually provide a soundtrack. The BrisStyle Handmade Christmas Markets take place on Saturday, December 21, so that's when you can take care of your gift-buying needs. Head along from 10am–3pm, with it all taking place in the Queensland Museum's whale mall. Image: BrisStyle.
Burger lovers of Brisbane, rejoice — yet another place selling your favourite food is posed to join the city's culinary lineup. If you've ever grabbed a burg on the Gold or Sunshine coasts, then you'll be familiar with the newest joint heading to Newstead. Yep, Betty's Burgers is finally coming to Brisbane. Don't go donning your best stretchy pants and flocking to the inner-city outskirts just yet, though. An opening date is yet to be announced, but setting up a retro burger barn that'll make you feel like you've been whisked back to '50s America takes time. Of course, good things come to those that wait, as your mum always told you. That includes five types of burgers, including classic, crispy chicken, pork belly and shroom selections. And there's also the massive stacked concoction that combines a good old' beef burg with its mushroom sibling. If your stomach is already grumbling, that's understandable; Betty's meat-and-bread (and veg-and-bread) fare tastes as good as it sounds. Plus, it's not just the titular fare that's the attraction here, thanks to their Shake Shack-style frozen custard desserts known as 'concretes', which are available in everything from peanut butter brittle to hot fudge doughnut flavours. For more information about Betty's Burgers' Newstead store, keep an eye on their Facebook page.
When trouble strikes, tragedy gets a catchphrase: "life goes on." You might hear it from well-meaning acquaintances, or even loved ones. As accurate as those words may be, however, the reality is far less simple. In the case of Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) in Manchester by the Sea, pain and heartbreak become like a second skin, numbing him to the outside world. As he goes about his job as a Boston janitor he encounters complaints, advice and even awkward romantic advances, and yet he can barely bring himself to react. "You're rude, you're unfriendly, you don't say good morning," his boss tells him after a complaint is lodged. Lee remains unfazed. Manchester by the Sea tackles heavy subject matter as Lee is forced to return to his hometown and take custody of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges) after the death of the boy's father (Kyle Chandler). From this relatively simple dramatic premise, writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret) masterfully pieces together fragments of past trauma, present malaise and future uncertainty, delivering a complex portrait of a haunting but rarely acknowledged reality. Whether we've charted the same journey as Lee or endured ordeals of our own, most of us are broken in our own way. Surviving that pain, rather than fixing it, is perhaps all we can really ever hope to manage. Lonergan stresses this idea in a number of different ways. Stellar performances from Hedges and Michelle Williams (as Lee's ex-wife) seethe with inner turmoil. The snowy Massachusetts setting, meanwhile, provides further obstacles. And then there's the filmmaker's approach to filling in Lee's backstory, via flashbacks that slip into the main storyline so seamlessly that it takes a moment to realise that the timeline has changed. Of course, that's how everyday pain manifests itself. It coats life with an extra layer, even when things otherwise appear fine. It intrudes seemingly at random, even when you're not expecting bad memories and heartache to rear their ugly head. In an Oscar-nominated performance, Affleck broods, frowns and furrows his brow. Don't think he's just serving up his own version of Sad Affleck though. Here, despair runs much deeper than a bad interview about a superhero flick. Conveying the deep-seeded misery that can only come from years of suffering and regret, Affleck plays Lee with naturalistic agony of the festering variety, while also providing a glimpse at something more. An exploration of grief and loss, Manchester by the Sea is undeniably bleak. But don't be surprised by the movie's sense of humour, either. Laughter is a necessary cathartic device even in the darkest of situations, and here it makes the drama feel that much more real. Combined with the movie's commitment to laying bare inescapable inner struggles, and Lonergan's latest proves both devastatingly relatable and sincerely affecting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVoD0pTge0
To explore the concept of the frontier, aka the area that lurks around borders, you really do have to break a few boundaries. Like staging an exhibition across two galleries, splitting one show into site-specific sections and weaving everything around the city's own watery dividing line (yes, we're talking about the Brisbane river), perhaps? That's Frontier Imaginaries in a nutshell — and it really is just the start of the creative, contemplative extravaganza. No Longer at Ease takes over IMA, while The Life of Lines settles into the QUT Art Museum, with both bringing together leading Australian, indigenous and international artists to reflect upon barriers, divides, and their physical, digital, geographical and cultural impact. Of course, work by the likes of Gordon Hookey, Tom Nicholson, Megan Cope, Rachel O'Reilly, Alice Cresicher and Wendelein Van Oldenborgh is only part of the puzzle too, and not just because the two-year effort will eventually grow and evolve, complete with an offshoot in Jerusalem. Courtesy of an accompanying event program, convening to talk, read, meet and learn is just as pivotal. That's how you really do eradicate limits, after all. Image: Gordon Hookey, HISTORY is his story, MYSTERY is my story (A History according to me)', 2016 and ongoing, oil on canvas.
It is no secret that Brisbane loves breakfast, and it is definitely no secret that Brisbane loves booze. So it is mighty lucky that you can eat, drink and be merry well before noon at an overwhelming number of Brisbane's favourite breakfast destinations. Whether you're chasing the hair of the dog or simply love a mid-morning mimosa, revel in the beauty of the boozy brunch this weekend. Remember, it's 5 o'clock somewhere (we think). Top image: The Balfour Kitchen.
Jackie, by Chilean director Pablo Larrain, is a captivating and unflinching portrait of private grief amidst one of history's most public tragedies. It is, as the name suggests, neither a film about JFK's assassination nor about JFK himself, but rather a study of first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and the unfathomable burden of responsibility she both assumed and had thrust upon her in the immediate aftermath of her husband's murder. Portrayed by Natalie Portman with uncanny fidelity, Jackie's story is told via a series of flashbacks as she gives her account of events to Pulitzer-winning journalist Theodore H. White (listed in the credits merely as 'the journalist' and played by the ever reliable Billy Crudup). White's handwritten notes of that interview were made public the year after Jackie's death, and reveal the extent to which she insisted upon oversight of the final copy to ensure JFK's legacy was honoured – including her emphasis of the 'Camelot' theme that would forever become synonymous with the late President's name. Much like Clint Eastwood's recent Sully, the most dramatic moment in Jackie – her husband's assassination – is reserved for only the final stages of the film. For the bulk of the running time, Larrain instead chooses to focus squarely on the minutes, hours and days that followed the Dallas shooting. Gone for the most part are the glitzy ballrooms and lavish parties, replaced by hospital waiting rooms, cramped bathrooms and the back seat of a hearse. The choice is well considered, demonstrating precisely how alone Jackie was in those trying days, save for Robert Kennedy (Peter Sarsgaard) and her faithful White House social secretary Nancy Tuckerman (Greta Gerwig). Jackie was a woman in a man's world, and everyone of them felt entitled to tell her what to do, where to go and, most importantly, how to feel. That in that environment, under those conditions, she still found the strength to stand up to so many is a testament to Jackie's character, and forms the bulk of the film's thematic line. Portman's performance is phenomenal, an extraordinary embodiment of the physical and aural cues that made Jackie such an icon in her own right. It's such a remarkable likeness, in fact, that the film does on occasion veer dangerously towards a mere showcase of Portman's abilities at the expense of advancing the story. Thankfully, these moments are short lived and quickly forgotten. Portman has honoured her subject with a fine portrayal that, like Jackie herself, refuses to hide behind artifice – an unflinching, bare bones turn that only grows stronger the closer the camera comes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZTXv5NpgaI
Imagine that, for some strange reason, you're only allowed to watch films starring one particular actor. Then, imagine that you're forced to watch them over and over again. You can pick any performer that you like — but we all know there's just one right answer to this. Who wouldn't want to keep enjoying flicks starring Bill Murray? In fact, it sounds like a scenario out of one of his movies. No, it's not Groundhog Day at Catchment Brewing Co — it's A Very March, although you'll find the star's joyfully repetitive rom-com with Andie MacDowell on the lineup not once but twice. That's on purpose, obviously. History doesn't just repeat itself for Phil Connors, Rita Hanson and Ned Ryerson. Every Wednesday night until April 5, you'll also find a selection of Murray favourites, including the golfing comedy classic that is Caddyshack. Plus, $15 doesn't just get you a mighty fine night at the movies, but also some truffle popcorn and one of the brewery's craft beverages.
Galleries and museums don't just display art; they also compile a record of our creative history. Every piece they put on show or add to their collection tells a tale, while adding to a broader narrative about artistic ideals, themes and techniques. And as the years pass by, that story only grows. In the case of the University of Queensland Art Museum, their 3700 items certainly have plenty to say about current issues and contemporary art. With the institution celebrating its 40th birthday, they're sharing a selection of 130 works that have inspired many a discussion — and are bound to start a host of new discussions. Indeed, if there's one thing beyond the Tower: UQ Art Museum – 40 years and counting is guaranteed to do, it's provoke plenty of thoughts about the changes and challenges of the art of the past, as well as the path ahead for artists in the future. That includes a reflection on the changing role and place of the art museum itself, and — thanks to its moves around campus — not just in a philosophical sense, either. Image: Gabriella Mangano and Silvana Mangano, The Surround (video still), 2009, single-channel digital video, 16:9 ratio, black and white, sound, duration 00:02:05, edition 3/5. Collection of The University of Queensland, purchased 2010. Reproduced courtesy of the artists and Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne and Sydney.
If you live in Brisbane, you've heard all about the city's connections with Asia; we are the home of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, after all. Since 2013, the BrisAsia Festival has also been on that list, paying homage to the culture of our neighbours. As always, this year's program features another mix of traditional and contemporary Asian arts, channelled into events across Brisbane. And while one of the unmistakable highlights will serve up a feast for your stomach — yes, that'd be Wandering Cooks' Dumpling Day — that's just the beginning of the fun. Where do we start? Work your way through Asian films such as In This Corner of the World and A Silent Voice, attend a lunar new year rooftop party screening of Studio Ghibli's The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, dress up for a cosplay-filled summer shindig at the South Bank Piazza or head to Brisbane Powerhouse for an intimate club night. Or, learn how to paddle a dragon boat, enjoy a tai chi lesson, embark on a food tour of Sunnybank, listen to traditional Japanese instruments or take part in a Mario Party battle.
If brutal honesty, passionate angst and extraordinarily affecting personal songwriting is your jam, rejoice the return of Martha Wainwright to Australia for a massive, 12-date national tour. Part of a large, fractured musical family, it was perhaps fitting that Martha made her first big splash with 'Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole', a song at once heartbreaking and defiant, laying bare her difficult relationship with her father in an extraordinarily public way. And her forthcoming album, Come Home to Mama, continues this deeply personal approach to music, inspired by the six-month period in which she gave birth to her first child and lost her mother — legendary Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle — to cancer. But it's not all doom and gloom. Over the years Wainwright has established herself as a compelling and engaging performer with an extraordinary voice, one that will have you in tears one moment and tapping your feet the next. It won't be an easy night, but it could be an amazing one. 31 May – The Tivoli, Brisbane 1-2 June – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay 6 June – Sydney Opera House 8-9 June – Live n Cookin' @ Lizotte's, Newcastle 13 June – Theatre Royal, Hobart 14-15 June – Recital Centre, Melbourne 16 June – Memorial Hall, Leongatha (VIC) 20 June – Dunston Playhouse, Adelaide 22 June – Astor Theatre, Perth Tickets for the Sydney Opera House show are on sale on Friday, April 12, at 9am. More ticketing information here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=pX-bIr8dr6U
UPDATED, Friday, March 15, 2024: Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) is available to stream via Disney+. Just like a great music documentary, an excellent concert film isn't solely about existing fans. That's still true when a movie arrives in a sea of friendship bracelets, focuses on one of the biggest current singers in the world, and perhaps the largest and most devoted fandom there is can be seen screaming, dancing and crying joyfully in its frames in a 70,000-plus drove. As the shows that it lenses were, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour was a financial success before any Swifties experienced their version of heaven. Swift's onstage journey through 17 years of tunes sparked ticketing mayhem both as a concert and a cinema release that captures close to every moment. The Eras tour is a billion-dollar entity, with the self-produced film that's spreading it further than packed stadiums a box-office bonanza since it was announced. The 169-minute-long movie is also a dazzling spectacle that neither dedicated Swifties nor casual viewers will be able to easily shake off. When Swift told the world that she never misses a beat and she's lightning on her feet in possibly her best-known pop song, everyone should've believed her. Long before 2014 earworm 'Shake It Off' gets a spin in the 1989 segment of The Eras Tour, she's proven those words true in an indefatigable onstage effort. "Can't stop, won't stop moving" describes her efforts and the film, which is as energetically directed by Sam Wrench (Billie Eilish Live at the O2) and edited by a six-person team (with Max Richter's Sleep's Dom Whitworth as its lead) as it is performed. And, for anyone that's sat through Valentine's Day and Cats and found them hardly purring, it gives Swift the cinema presence that she's been trying to amass here and there — The Giver and Amsterdam are also on her resume — for over than a decade. Watching The Eras Tour doesn't just feel like watching a concert, but a musical spectacular in its vast grandeur, complete with the lead to match. Filmed over three concerts at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium in August — closing out the first US leg on a global excursion that'll have notched up nearly two years of performances when it finishes in Toronto in November 2024 — The Eras Tour goes for both scale and intimacy, the holy duo of the genre. Concert flicks can't just passively watch on. One of their biggest aims: gifting audiences perspectives on the show that they can't see in-person, including spanning far and wide plus near and close. So, this one takes in the massive crowd and the just-as-enormous stage design from above. It also gives Swift's dancers and band their due. And, it, sees the star herself get sweaty, and the changing gleam in her eye depending on what which track calls for. As bouncily spliced together, each image reinforces an inescapable takeaway: everything about this tour is huge, from the cast and crystal-clad costumes to the sets and setlist, and also Swift's own stamina and chameleonic showmanship. Live and as recorded for posterity, nine of the singer's ten studio albums earn their own era (the one that doesn't, her 2006 self-titled debut, receives a track during the late acoustic section). Cue pinballing between records and styles, appearances and themes, and ballads and pop. Accordingly, songs from 2019's bright Lover sung in a bejewelled bodysuit give way to gold fringing to go all country-pop with 2008's Fearless, then orange cottagecore and witchy black cloaks for 2020's Evermore, a one-legged and snake-clad black-and-red catsuit for 2017's Reputation, and so on. Eras onstage has been exhaustively documented since opening in Arizona in March, making knowing which tracks Swift will sing, outfits she'll wear, moss-covered cabins she'll sit atop and glistening pools she'll seem to dive into scarcely a surprise not only to the Swiftiest of Swifties, but to anyone who hasn't been able to avoid the tour coverage — but in a production this immense and evolving, a "what'll happen next?" vibe still pulsates. Sans accompanying footage — interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses and commentary are absent, with just snippets of bloopers dotted through the closing credits — The Eras Tour lets the show and tunes do the talking, plus Swift's chatter when she addresses the adoring crowd. By the time that she mentions how fun it is to segue through sounds and looks, and how it's made possible due to her fans (so: popularity and sales), the film has already made that plain, too. An ode to reinvention sits at the centre of Eras onstage and on-screen, and to longevity as well. When 'Look What You Made Me Do' enlists Swift's dancers in clear boxes, each decked out like various versions of the superstar across the years, the Barbie nods aren't subtle. 2023 is clearly the year of cinema celebrating women being everything that they want to be, which thrums at the heart of two key Swift details: why she's kept striking a chord, including with her youngest aficionados who see her as an array of role models, and her savvy knack for transformation. To the delight of The Bear's Cousin (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, No Hard Feelings), 'Love Story' gets a whirl early. Usually Swift-agnostic The Eras Tour viewers can consider the hit TV dramedy's fictional character their spirit animal while watching. This presentation is as shiny and shimmering as everything that its star wears, and as irresistible as the catchy 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' refrain and slinky 'Vigilante Shit' beat as a result. Getting to the why of it all, Swift briefly explains the tour's concept; "what are you gonna do, play for three hours?" she says she was asked about touring post-pandemic after not yet taking Lover, Evermore, fellow 2020 release Folklore and 2022's Midnights on the road. The swarm of phone-wielding concertgoers before her cheer, of course. Understanding why Eras has had everyone talking since is as simple as letting The Eras Tour wash over you. A music film veteran with movies about everyone from Mary J Blige and Blur to Brandi Carlile and Lizzo on his resume, director Wrench knows that his task with The Eras Tour is multifaceted. His latest concert flick needs to spy the macro and the micro; to feel like it's on the ground and unveiling a money-can't-buy experience; and to see its star as everything and an everywoman whether she's singing about falling in love, searching for a soulmate, heartbreak, revenge, empowerment and identity — and playing guitar or piano. That it does this so seamlessly is no minor feat. Swift isn't a stranger to bringing her shows to the screen, as seen with The 1989 World Tour Live and Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour, but Swifties will consider The Eras Tour their Stop Making Sense, The Last Waltz and Amazing Grace. For everyone else, all almost three hours of the film is still enchanting to meet. Top image: TAS Rights Management, Trafalgar Releasing.
First things first: no, Artisan hasn't fashioned its own take on the reality TV show that once beamed a certain wannabe US presidential candidate into our living rooms. Instead, the gallery has turned over its space to thirteen creatives that were once apprentices in fields as varied as shoemaking and blacksmithing. If those areas all sound like traditional crafts and trades that have come under threat from modern mass production methods, that's because they are. That's part of the point of the exhibition. By showcasing the creations of talented leather makers, woodworkers and more, The Apprenticeship shines a spotlight on the skill and style evident in their work. Of course, highlighting the training aspect of pursuing handcraft-oriented careers is also on the agenda, hence the choice of name. As you peruse their efforts, you'll discover their stories, learn how they got to where they are, and consider the future of everything from sign-writing to brick-making.
"Your nose like a delicious slope of cream / And your ears like cream flaps / And your teeth like hard shiny pegs of cream." Diner en Blanc — like Howard Moon's poem — will have you in all white. But sorry, Booshers: the seventh edition of this Brisbane event is just for the sophisticated. Now on five continents, the Diner en Blanc began in Paris three decades ago thanks to François Pasquier and friends. This year, 3500of Brisbane's creme de la creme will once again dress in all white on Saturday, October 13 for the event held at a predictably stunning location that remains secret until the very last moment (over the last few years, the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River at Portside, Roma St. Parklands, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Exhibition Grounds proved welcoming venues). Following an evening of elegance, fine dining and live music, the foodies then pack up their crystal, dinnerware, tables and litter. Like ghosts (white 'n' all), they leave behind no sign of their rendezvous (but don't get any ideas, a white sheet thrown over your figure will not do for an outfit). Diner en Blanc guests must either be invited by a member from the previous year, or get on the waiting list for a ticket. Here's what happened in 2014: Image: Mish Photography.
Every Friday night during Brisbane Festival, you can don your most glittery get-up and hit the d-floor with artist Neridah Waters and the Common People Dance Project. You'll have all the space you need to bust a move, as each person is encouraged to find their four square metres and dance like 2020 wasn't the s**tstorm it's turned out to be. Waters wants to give the public a chance to shake it off, shimmy through the pain, and ultimately connect with our fellow humans. It's an all-ages affair, and you should expect audience participation games, too. Head to Flowstate at South Bank Parklands from 6.30pm on Friday, September 4; or from 6pm on September 11, 18 & 25. There are three dance-offs per Friday night.
Pairing movies with music is no longer new news, but the latest returning event that's serving up that combo is hoping for two things. Firstly, it's betting on a whole lot of love for Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a classic 1987 romantic drama. Secondly, when it comes to getting excited about seeing that now 36-year-old flick on a big screen with its soundtrack performed live, it's hoping that you've never felt like this before. Obviously, Dirty Dancing in Concert wants to give you the time of your life as well — and to not only let you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most charming film roles, but to immerse you in the movie from the moment you take your seat. No one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, but the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, and a live band and singers will perform its iconic songs as it plays. Just as swoon-worthy: the fact that those musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. This blast-from-the-past affair is touring Australia this spring, hitting Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, September 22.
If you're sick of bringing crackers and dip to the party, but get cheese blind when faced with a fridge full of fromage, then read on. There's no need to taste everything in the deli (although that isn't ever a bad idea), and we've a little something for you to ensure cheese no longer becomes such a pandemonium requiring social etiquette. Soon you'll be able to tell everyone how nutty but sweet the prima donna is. The Dutch-style gouda, that is. So, fromage fans, listen up: here's Concrete Playground's bluffer's guide to cheese. 1. Cheese 101: How is Cheese made? Apparently, the process of cheese making was an accident. The story goes that milk overheated in a storage container of some sort, soured and created curd. Now don't squirm, but rumour has it that the said 'container' was either an animal's internal organ or an inflated animal skin. Nowadays, it's more of a civilised process. The milk (from a cow, sheep, goat or buffalo) is pasteurised (heated then cooled to remove harmful pathogens) then starter cultures and rennet are added. This causes the milk to coagulate into an attractive custard-like mess. Miss Muffet then separates the curds and whey (milk serum) and appropriately ripens to enhance the variety of textures and flavours. 2. Varieties So how can one identify all those cheeses at the deli? It is possible to judge a cheese's character by its rind; the texture, taste, strength of flavour, and even maturity. However, for us cheese novices, it's best to just remember these types to get the mozzarella ball rolling. Fresh cheese: feta, cottage, ricotta and cream cheese Soft white cheese: brie and camembert Washed rind (warning: stinky): tallegio and langres Blue: roquefort, gorgonzola, stilton Semi-hard: cheddar, manchego and gruyere; and Hard (robust flavour): parmesan. And lest we remind you that there's always the 'try before you buy' option. 3. Storing cheese The common rule of storing cheese is to store in its original wrapping. Failing that, plastic wrap is fine. If left unwrapped, the cheese will dry out and lose flavour. Harder cheeses have a longer shelf life than fresher types, such as a cream cheese or feta. These should be kept in their container with the lid on so no air can get in. If you start to smell something funkier than the cheese should, toss it. Make sure blue cheese and rind cheeses are kept tightly wrapped and separate to other food as their odour is quite strong. Again, you don't want your housemates to think something died in the fridge every time they open it up to get their milk. Mozzarella and bocconcini should be kept in their water, and don't get turned off if the water starts to get mirky coloured. It's just the milk in the water as the cheese releases its salt. But, as Stefano says, "to be honest, I never store. I always open and finish what I eat!" So shame on you if there are leftovers. 4. The perfect cheese board When preparing a cheese board, Stefano suggests not having more than three cheeses on offer and only one or two accompaniments per cheese. It's also best to bring the cheeses to room temperature in order to appreciate their full flavour. As a guide, you generally want a soft white cheese (such as brie), a blue (Ra Roquefort from France) and a firmer type (such as vintage cheddar). But don’t be afraid to ask your cheesemonger for recommendations. Encourage guests to cut wedges 'nose to tail' and cheese with rinds from centre to the edge. And don't forget to allow a few knives for cutting. You can't have the Stinking Bishop on the Jean de Brie. In terms of accompaniments, "definitely sliced pear, fig jam, quince paste or even orange marmalade, muscatel grapes and honey. And olives of course!" says Stefano. 5. Matching cheese with wine Cheese and wine. They're a perfect match. Complimenting the two requires a bit of time and experiment, but lest we forget to remind you that one without the other is a social faux pas. You can't go too wrong, however, if you follow the golden rule: the whiter and fresher the cheese, the whiter and crisper the wine; the darker and stronger the wine, the darker and stronger the cheese. For instance, brie is best matched with a dry sparkling or chardonnay; edam is great with a shiraz, grenache or pinot noir; and camembert's delicate 'mushroomy' character would be nicely offset with a sparkling white. Stefano highly recommends manchego for a dry white, and a simple cheddar for any red. He also emphasises that "any cheese will be good!" Cheese to that, we say. 6. Best melting cheese for pizza Mozzarella is originally from Italy, so it goes without saying that it would be the most ideal cheese for a pizza. "I love the buffalo mozzarella, just because of its white colour", says Stefano, "my pizza is just red and white. The tomato and the mozzarella." Bocconcini (any type is good) goes down a treat on pizzas too; its semi-soft elastic texture is mild, yet a little sweet. Stefano recommends cherry bocconcini. "The small balls are easy to slice and melt beautifully," he says. 7. European vs Australian ... similarities and differences With over 45 countries producing their own varieties of different cheeses, how on earth are we meant to decipher the difference ourselves? Basically, the flavour is affected by its origin. So essentially this comes down to what grass the cows or sheep are grazing on. For example, all blue cheeses are named so because of the mould Penicillin that is added, however, each has their own flavour and characteristic. A Bleu de Gex from Germany may be richer than a gorgonzola from Italy. The Greek's tend to add more salt to their varieties too. Think haloumi and feta (compared to a creamier Danish type). Most cheeses are named so after their place of origin. Fine examples include Gruyere, (Switzerland), Brie (region in France), Cheddar (England), Fontina (Italy), Havarti (named after a Danish farm called Havarthigaard) and Jarlsberg (Norway). 8. Cheese on a budget This can be done. Visit your local deli and suss out what's on special. Don't be shy to ask for a taste too. if you're going to be spending your pennies on cheese, it has to please. Stefano says that camembert, manchego, local vintage and smoked cheddar are generally going to be the more affordable varieties and "will always go down a treat no matter what". Pricier cheeses don't necessarily indicate that they will knock your socks off either, as it is a matter of preference. The price is just an indication that it's from a smaller farm and/or imported. Artisan cheeses are often more expensive as they are made by hand using traditional methods. 9. Talk like a pro Before you go forth and preach the gospel of cheese to your friends, brush up on these decorative phrases to raise a few brows ... "Wow, the camembert has a very pronounced, 'mushroomy' flavour." "This pecorino grated on the pasta is quite piquant and not too acidic. It’s not as strong as Parmesan Reggiano and seems to add a strong dimension to the dish." "I like semi-soft cheeses such as Monterey Jack, for its mild and buttery flavour. It goes perfectly with a good lager." "Epoisses is quite voluptuous with a well-rounded flavour." "I'm after something a little nutty, yet mild and pleasant. Nothing too earthy and pungent please."
Huge music tours are back on Australia's agenda — and they aren't just confined to chart-topping stars, iconic names and huge festivals. In the classical world, the London Symphony Orchestra is also coming our way to play a series of shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. And, the 2023 tour will mark only its fourth-ever trip Down Under. Famous for everything from being the official orchestra of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies through to recording the Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, Thor and The Shape of Water film soundtracks, the LSO held its first-ever gig in 1904. That means it's been picking up its instruments for almost 120 years — and in that time, it has only visited Australia on three occasions before now. The April and May shows at QPAC in the Sunshine State, the Sydney Opera House in the Harbour City and Arts Centre Melbourne in Victoria will also see the orchestra make the journey Down Under for the first time since 2014. If it's drama you're after, get ready to watch music director Sir Simon Rattle's baton fly as he conducts the orchestra during his final season with the organisation. The LSO is bringing 114 musicians our way for the tour, including two Australians: Naoko Keatley and Belinda McFarlane, both on violin. And, it's the largest orchestra it has ever toured to our shores. The orchestra will play three different programs — two each in Brisbane and Melbourne, and a third in Sydney as well. All cities will be treated to a night featuring John Adams' 'Harmonielehre', Claude Debussy's 'La Mer' and Maurice Ravel' 'Daphnis and Chloé Suite No.2', plus an entire evening dedicated to Gustav Mahler's 'Symphony No.7'. As for that extra Sydney gig, it'll feature Daniel Kidane's 'Sun Poem' and Anton Bruckner's 'Symphony No.7'. Before its 2014 tour, the LSO first came to Australia in 1966 and then again in 1983. LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR Friday, April 28–Saturday, April 29 —Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Monday, May 1–Wednesday, May 3 — Sydney Opera House Friday, May 5–Saturday, May 6 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne The London Symphony Orchestra will tour Australia in April and May 2023. For further information and to buy tickets — with on-sale dates varying per city — head to the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and websites. Images: Mark Allen.
There's a vibe that buzzes through a venue just before a live gig starts. It's a feeling of excitement shared by a room, arena or field full of people who just can't wait to see a performer take to the stage, and to completely surrender their senses to a show for the next few hours. We all know it. If you're fond of seeing musicians, bands and comedians do their thing right in front of your eyes, you love it. But for nearly two years now, much of Australia has missed it — or missed experiencing it whenever we liked, as was the norm before the pandemic. The country's live entertainment industry has obviously been suffering due to COVID-19, and the lockdowns and restrictions that've been helping to stop the spread since March 2020. Yes, that's an understatement. So, more than 400 artists, performers and other organisations involved in putting on live shows — think: venues, music festivals, tour promoters, ticketing agencies, record labels and comedy producers, as well as theatre, opera and dance companies — have banded together to encourage a way forward. As the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra did back in July, this alliance has kicked off a campaign that's all about getting the jab. The message: #VaxTheNation, stop the interruptions to our daily lives. Accordingly, the just-dropped campaign commercial features shots of sights that feel a bit like a dream from another time, with performers on stages and packed crowds lapping up their sets. These images play to the sound of Powderfinger's 'My Happiness' — and yes, the Brisbane band is one of the big names backing the initiative. Also involved: Jimmy Barnes, Courtney Barnett, Paul Kelly, G-Flip, Tim Minchin, Celeste Barber, Vance Joy, Archie Roach, Amy Shark, Regurgitator, Courtney Act, Birds Of Tokyo, Tom Gleeson, Amyl & The Sniffers, Hilltop Hoods, Nazeem Hussain, Marcia Hines, Midnight Oil, Judith Lucy, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Nina Las Vegas, Briggs, Daryl Braithwaite and Human Nature. The list of performers and musos throwing their names behind the campaign goes on, while new industry group Live Alliance — which includes folks from a heap of other live entertainment bodies — are onboard as well. Check out the #VaxTheNation commercial below: In a statement, Live Alliance members said that "the impact of the pandemic on Australia's world-leading music, theatre, comedy and live entertainment industries has been truly devastating. Getting vaccinated is the crucial step fans can take which will allow us to join together and enjoy the unbeatable magic of live performance once again." Those sentiments have been backed up by words of encouragement from plenty of the high-profile names involved, too. "It's like boxing — a few well-placed jabs can keep your opponent at bay — so let's get the jab to fight COVID-19 so we can get back to what we love doing," noted Archie Roach. "I miss my family, I miss my mates, I miss travelling, I miss performing and sweating it out with other music loves at live music events. But every day when I see those vaccination rates getting higher and higher, it reminds me that I'll be doing all of that again soon and we are so, so close now to dancing together again!" said KLP. "This IS a race. A race we are all running, together," advised Tim Minchin. "As someone who hates COVID and is desperate for attention, I think we should all vax it up so we can get back to normal and have comedy and music and theatre again ASAP. Let's #VaxTheNation so we all have a reason to have a shower and leave the house," said Tom Ballard. If you're now looking for vaccination clinics, you can check out a handy online map that collates vaccination hub, clinic and GP locations. It covers all Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. For more information about #VaxTheNation, head to the campaign's website.
1987's Predator is so much better than you remember, even if you remember it being pretty bloody great. Written by Shane Black (who also scribed Lethal Weapon before writing and directing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys), Predator was framed as just another action blockbuster vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger, yet proved a surprisingly smart and masterfully constructed thriller with equal measures of horror, science-fiction, eternally quotable lines and laugh out loud comedy. Best of all, its villain was something entirely new: a sneaky, lethal and superior hunting machine that could turn invisible as it hunted humans for sport like the antagonist from an alien version of The Most Dangerous Game. Sequels followed. The first wasn't bad. The rest were. They even tried spinoffs, hoping the success and popularity of the Alien vs. Predator comic book series would translate to the big screen. It didn't. Now, some 31 years after the original, Black returns as both writer and director with The Predator. At the end of the day though, things probably would have been better if he hadn't. If the original Predator defied easy categorisation, The Predator proves even harder, shifting from extreme gore and violence one minute to 80s-style quips and blokey banter the next. The hero this time round is Narcos star Boyd Holbrook, whose vanilla performance matches his vanilla character - a grizzled sniper who finds himself on the wrong side of a shady government agency after inadvertently establishing first contact with Earth's latest predatory guest. He's soon bundled in with a bunch of PTSD-affected military rejects as part of a smear campaign, only to have these so-called loonies become his reluctant allies in a desperate effort to stop the extraterrestrial killer and save his autistic son (whose savant abilities – surely one of cinema's most tired cliches – allows him to read and interpret the alien language). It's a mess of a movie, uncertain from its opening scene whether it wants to make you laugh, wince or hide behind your hands. Black's strength has always been dialogue, so it's no surprise The Predator's less action-oriented scenes are also its strongest. Even in these moments, though, the jokes a wildly inconsistent, with every witty high point undermined by a crude, racist, bigoted or sexist jibe. Yes, soldiers are far from saints and doubtless many speak exactly like those presented on screen. Less so scientists whose behaviour in The Predator is often distinguishable from the soldiers around them thanks only to their white lab coats. Performance wise, Olivia Munn does what she can with limited resources (including having her introductory sequence edited out of the film after she discovered her co-star in the scene was a registered sex offender and raised objections with the studio). She's one of a number of talented actors stuck with thinly-crafted actors, including Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes and Key & Peele's Keegan-Michael Key. Jake Busey also makes a cameo, marking one of the film's many tips of the hat to the preceding films (his father was in the sequel), with playful quotes, musical cues and various props all there to reward long-time fans. The gritty action-comedy genre could well do with a comeback, and nobody would seem better placed than Black to make it happen. With The Predator, however, he falls short, delivering something that's entertaining at times but ultimately feels entirely forgettable. Certainly, it's a far cry from the brilliance of his original. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaG1KZqrLvM
Australians devour approximately 190,000 tonnes of meat per year. This equates to 120kg per person per annum, which is almost three times as much as the world average. Despite the phenomenal increase in meat consumption over the last few decades, particularly in pork and poultry, the number of pig producers in the country has reduced by 94 percent and there are only two major producers of chicken. This is largely why two-thirds of the world's meat now comes from factory farming. So what can you do about the animal cruelty and health problems this gross over-consumption is causing? Take part in Meat Free Week from March 23 - 29 to help spread the word and raise funds for this important issue. Money raised from the initiative goes to charities such as Voiceless, who help protect factory farmed animals in Australia. And they're not trying to persuade you to become an avid vegan or vegetarian; it's simply about modifying meat consumption: limiting meat intake and only choosing free-range animal products in order to reduce the amount of factory farming in Australia. You could also improve your own health in the process, as eating excessive amounts of meat can lead to heart disease, kidney failure or even cancer. Head to the Meat Free Week website to read more and sign up.
Everyone has an Ekka routine. For most of us, it involves trying to get someone you know to buy you a Bertie Beetle show bag, and then still managing to get the flu even after steering clear of the RNA Showgrounds. But this year, make a new tradition. Black Bear Lodge will help. Enter the Pre-Ekka Wrekka, aka the Brunswick Street venue's inaugural public holiday bash. To get things started, Shady Bliss, The Dollar Bill Murrays, Bixby Canyon and Nice Biscuit will crank out some tunes, and Sailor Jerry will lend their boozy support. Yep, it already sounds like something we'll be looking forward to in years to come. Image: Rachael Baskerville via The Dollar Bill Murrays.
Musicians around Australia are taking to the streets in an unusual form of protest. In response to the recent decision by ABC Radio National to decommission music programs The Daily Planet, The Inside Sleeve, The Live Set and The Rhythm Divine, buskers will gather en masse outside ABC offices in capital cities to voice their concerns and belt out a few tunes. Set to take place in Sydney today, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart tomorrow, and Brisbane next Thursday, the RN or Busk protests are being coordinated by the Save RN Music campaign. "We need these shows for our careers, our community, our families and Australian Culture, because these shows play and support independent adult contemporary music," reads the Facebook event page for the Melbourne protest. "They are the lifeline from the musicians to the audience." Meanwhile, a number of prominent musicians including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Archie Roach, Sarah Blasko, Tim Freedman, Megan Washington and Dan Sultan have co-signed an open letter addressed to ABC board members saying they were "appalled" by the ABC's decision to scrap the programs "without proper industry and public consultation". "The cuts deliver a fundamental blow to diverse, vibrant and independent sectors of the Australian music industry, which receive minimal national radio coverage elsewhere," the letter reads. It also directs the board to an online petition, signed by more than 15,000 people, that calls on the ABC to reverse its decision. To find a busk in your city, go here, and to learn more about the Save RN Music campaign, go here.
Every quarter, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology releases its climate outlook for the coming season, signalling to the country just what type of weather might be in store. For the winter just gone, for example, it advised that we were in for hotter and wetter-than-average conditions. And, for both spring and summer, it's now predicting plenty of warm-weather rain. BOM's spring forecast was actually released at the end of August, noting two key points. First, it advised that there's a high likelihood of above-average rainfall across this period. Secondly, it noted that temperatures are likely to be average or even slightly below average in the nation's south, and warmer than usual in the country's north. Since then, however, the Bureau has issued two further statements about spring and summer's weather — with the latest stressing that there's an increased chance of flooding and cyclones. Thanks to BOM's severe weather outlook, it's sensible to expect damp conditions from October through until April, as a result of La Niña. The news follows an announcement at the end of September, when the Bureau revealed that the coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon was now active in the Pacific Ocean, and was likely to remain that way until at least the end of 2020. Some La Niña events can last around a year. When it comes to flooding, BOM advises that because La Niña is expected to bring more rain to Australia's east and north, the risk of widespread flooding increases. It also notes that rain has already been hitting some drought-affected areas. https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1315493814958583808 In regards to tropical cyclones, it predicts that there's an increased risk in the country's north. "On average, Australia sees nine to 11 tropical cyclones each year, with four crossing the coast. With La Niña this year we are expecting to see slightly more tropical cyclones than average, and the first one may arrive earlier than normal," said Bureau climatologist Greg Browning. BOM also advised that there's average potential for heatwaves and severe thunderstorms across the coming months. In good news after last year's catastrophic bushfire season, the Bureau is forecasting average fire conditions for the rest of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, too, as linked to the wetter weather. "This fire season, we're expecting wetter than average conditions in eastern and northern Australia, so long-running large bushfires are less likely; however, a wetter spring can lead to abundant grass growth, which could increase fire danger as it naturally dries during summer," noted Browning. If you're wondering what all of the above means, temperature-wise, it depends on the state. Queensland is never cool once spring and summer hits, but above-average temps are particularly forecast for the state's northern half. In New South Wales and Victoria, higher-than-average temperatures are predicted, with longer and more humid heatwaves possible in NSW's south and across the entirety of Victoria. The latter also applies to South Australia, although it might be in for fewer days of extreme heat. Western Australia can expect higher-than-average temperatures across the state, especially in the northeast. For further details about the Bureau of Meteorology's spring and summer forecasts, check out its spring outlook and severe weather outlook.
Not be outdone by their neighbours, whose own festival du film celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the latest line-up at the Audi Festival of German Films is guaranteed to give the French a run for their money. Presented by the Goethe-Institut in conjunction with Palace Cinemas, the 2014 festival boasts a selection of more than 50 German language films, as well as parties, lectures, special screenings and Q&As. Just a few of the highlights include Marc Rothemund's The Girl with Nine Wigs, about a young woman struggling with a cancer diagnosis; Constanze Knoche's simmering family drama, Visitors, about the strained relationship between a father and his three adult children; and Jan-Ole Gerster's black and white, day-in-the-life dramedy Oh Boy, which scooped up the top prize at the 2013 German Film Awards. For the full Audi Festival of German Films program, see the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xlyt_IRWM30
Located in the Great Sandy National Park, Double Island Point is a tranquil spot for just that. To get there you'll need a four-wheel drive, a beach driving permit, all your own supplies and knowledge of the tides (you can only reach it at certain points of the day) — so invite your mates who are more seasoned campers. But once you're there, you'll experience clear blue water, complete calm and, hopefully, a chance encounter with a dolphin or two. Pack your sleeping bag, your favourite people, supplies for a fireside feast and make a weekend of it.
Broadway and West End smash An American in Paris is singing and dancing its way into Brisbane, with the four-time Tony-winner kicking off its Australian run of shows at the QPAC Lyric Theatre on Saturday, January 8. The dazzling show is based on 1951 film of the same name so yes, if you're a fan of classic movies — and classic big-screen musicals starring none other than the inimitable Gene Kelly at that — its name will definitely sound familiar. Story-wise, the musical follows an American soldier in Paris (because its moniker is that straightforward). Set at the end of the Second World War, it charts US GI's Jerry Mulligan's exploits as he falls for a French woman. Well, he is celebrating the end of the combat in the notably romantic city, after all. Bringing the Oscar-winning 70-year-old film to the stage, this version of An American in Paris is directed by acclaimed contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon — and adapted for theatre and choreographed by him, too. The Aussie run is also being staged in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, so expect to see some of their dancers helping to bring the musical to life. George and Ira Gershwin's songs make the leap to the theatre as well, including 'I Got Rhythm', 'S Wonderful', 'But Not For Me' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Initially, An American in Paris debuted in Paris — where else? — in 2014, before hitting Broadway, Boston and West End. In Brisbane, it'll play until Sunday, January 30. [caption id="attachment_828886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tristram Kenton[/caption] Images: Tristram Kenton.
El Camino Cantina is known for its colourful interiors, cheap Tuesday tacos and giant margaritas, including across its existing Brisbane stores. From mid-November through until early January, its newest local outpost at South Bank is celebrating those oversized drinks with a six-week-long festival dedicated to the frozen cocktail. Head by between Friday, November 20–Sunday, January 3, which is when inaugural Ritapalooza will feature 15 limited-edition margaritas, as well as food and drink specials. Skittle, Hubba Bubba and marshmallow margaritas will be on offer alongside classics like mango, strawberry and passionfruit — and you can nab them as part of four-flavour tasting paddles. Tacos will be going for $7 — and $4 on Tuesdays — throughout Ritapalooza, and the ten-cent Wing Wednesday tradition will be on offer, too. Or, you can tuck into a palooza party package, which includes two hours of margs for $89 — along with a food spread that features buffalo wings, chicken fajitas and churros. [caption id="attachment_789077" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Michael Gribbin[/caption]
For years, if someone said that things were looking up in Brisbane, they were probably talking about the Queen's Wharf precinct with its 100-metre tall Sky Deck, or the city's embrace of rooftop bars over the past decade or so. Over at Howard Smith Wharves, levelling up is also on the agenda, with not one but two of the riverside spot's beloved restaurants revamping their second levels. Cantonese eatery Stanley was the first to announce that its top floor would become a new bar — and the end result, the Hong Kong-inspired Stan's, opens on Thursday, October 4, 2024. Now, Japanese favourite Yoko Dining has also revealed that it's making over its upstairs space to celebrate five years since opening, and you'll be able to check it out from Monday, October 14, 2024. Meet B-SIDE, a record bar that takes inspiration from Tokyo in a number of ways. Firstly, Yoko Dining as a two-storey izakaya already owes the Japanese capital's similar joints a debt, so B-SIDE not only embraces that idea but runs with it. Menu-wise, however, it's also nodding to the kind of fare that you'll find in Tokyo train stations. Explains restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess, who is behind Yoko Dining: "we wanted to create something that encapsulates the energy and playfulness of Tokyo's vibrant back-alley bars but with a Brisbane twist." "B-SIDE is for those who want to kick back after work, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and let loose with good music," he continues. The tunes will come via DJs hitting the decks every night. On Monday evenings, 80s and 90s tracks will be echoing at the bar's retro vinyl sessions. On Sundays from 8pm, discounted rates for hospitality workers who show their RSA card will be on offer. B-SIDE's drinks lineup has another impressive name involved: Matt Whiley, best-known of late for his acclaimed low-waste Sydney bar Re (which placed 46th in 2021's World's 50 Best Bars list and made the 51–100 longlist in 87th spot). Fresh from whipping up a sustainability-focused cocktail menu across town in Brisbane at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, he's doing the honours for B-SIDE, where slushies and highballs will feature prominently. For bites to eat, patrons can tuck into wagyu katsu sliders, prawn buns and two different types of ramen — plus Japanese potato salad, kizami wasabi octopus, tuna tataki and seasonal sashimi sliced to order. Or, for something sweet, there'll be miso caramel soft serve. On opening day, when B-SIDE starts letting Brisbanites through the door from 5pm, there'll also be 50 bowls of free chicken miso ramen on offer. Howard Smith Wharves is set to keep looking up thanks to the broader precinct's own plans — if they receive development approval, they'll add a new nine-story hotel to the site, plus a music hall, overwater pool, and waterside food and drinks deck. Find B-SIDE upstairs at Yoko Dining, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane, from Monday, October 14, 2024 — open nightly from 5pm–late. Head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.
Lou Reed knew what he was talking about when he named his 1972 album Transformer. Offering listeners a 'Perfect Day' and taking them for a 'Walk on the Wild Side', it's the kind of record that leaves you forever changed. It did 44 years ago, and it still does now. No wonder Brisbane vocalists Alison St Ledger, Lucinda Shaw, Sandro Colarelli, SS.Sebastian and Sabrina Lawrie are paying tribute to a true great of modern music as part of this year's Wonderland. Join the quintet plus an eight-piece band as they play Transformer in full, which was not only originally performed by the late Reed, but produced by David Bowie. The performance will honour its inimitable sounds and the legends that first made it possible.
Beware wells in the middle of the forest, crawling women with long black hair completely covering their faces and, naturally, any VHS tapes that depict both. Along with a healthy disdain for viral videos, that's what the Ring franchise has taught us over the past three decades — and the original Japanese series isn't done yet. The seventh film in the initial saga, Sadako follows psychology counsellor Mayu Akigawa (Elaiza Ikeda). Her younger brother is a YouTuber, and her latest patient may have a connection to the eponymous murderous spirit that's known to haunt videotapes. Yes, that likely means that someone will let the killer ghost loose on the internet, giving anyone who sees the creepy force just seven days to live. While Ring's concept was always going to play with the online world at some point, perhaps the most exciting aspect of Sadako is its filmmaker, with Hideo Nakata returning after directing the initial Japanese flick Ringu. He also helmed sequel Ring 2, as well as the sequel to the American remake, called The Ring Two. If you're a fan of J-horror, you've probably seen his other flicks, such as Dark Water and Kaidan. Ring actually started on the page back in 1991, thanks to a horror mystery novel series that spawned printed follow-ups called Spiral, Loop, Birthday, S and Tide. On-screen, the Japanese films debuted in 1998, and are split over two different timelines — with Sadako following on from 1999's Ring 2, and the other branch releasing its first follow-up in 1998, two more 3D movies in 2012 and 2013 that are confusingly also called Sadako, plus a cross-over with the Ju-on series named Sadako vs. Kayako in 2016. Of course, there's also the three American movies, starting with 2002's well-received The Ring starring Naomi Watts and ending with 2017's terrible Rings. A South Korean remake, The Ring Virus, also popped up in 1999. Check out the trailer for Sadako below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Pftw4fd8k Sadako doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — we'll update you if and when that changes. Via IndieWire.
UPDATE, January 15, 2021: Widows is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Widows begins with images of both passion and peril, contrasting intimacy with anarchy and the everyday with the extreme. Against crisp white sheets in their well-appointed Chicago penthouse, Veronica (Viola Davis) and Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) embrace. In a van filled with stolen cash, Harry also leads a gang of thieves that are being pursued by the police. Directing his fourth film, Steve McQueen jumps between the two scenes throughout Widows' opening moments, letting blissful domesticity and a chaotic chase clash together. It's an effective juxtaposition for many reasons, including the technical flair on display from McQueen's regular cinematographer Sean Bobbit (On Chesil Beach) and returning editor Joe Walker (Blade Runner 2049). It also couldn't better encapsulate this stunning heist movie. When Harry's job goes wrong, Veronica is left a widow. So are the wives of his accomplices, though mother-of-two Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Polish transplant Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) don't know each other, let alone Veronica. But this trio of women from different backgrounds has more in common than just their grief. The lives they previously knew explode in the hail of gunfire that claims their husbands, leaving them all struggling to get by. Moreover, they become targets for a local crim turned aspiring politician (Brian Tyree Henry), who needs the $2 million that Harry pilfered to battle his corrupt opponent (Colin Farrell) at the polls. Pierce the veneer of normalcy, and desperation follows. That's Veronica, Linda and Alice's shattered situation in a nutshell, with tough times calling for tough decisions and deeds. To deal with the mess they're now in, the three ladies decide to stage their own heist, using plans left in Harry's secret notebooks. Remaking the 1983 British TV series of the same name, writer-director McQueen teams up with Gone Girl's Gillian Flynn to paint a portrait of women doing what they have to to get by. That the uncaring, unjust and inequitable world has led them to this juncture never escapes attention. Nor does the fact that these ladies — including hairdresser-turned-getaway driver Belle (Cynthia Erivo) — are all too accustomed to society turning them a blind eye. A slick thriller with much to show, just as much to say and plenty of grim, purposeful swagger, Widows achieves what few heist flicks manage. When it comes to the nuts and bolts of the genre, it glides forward with exacting precision and bristling tension. When it comes to giving resilient, enterprising but far-from-perfect women their due — and in a testing situation, too — the film builds complex, capable and compelling characters. And when it comes to making a statement, McQueen and Flynn don't hold back. They're subtle more often than not, knowing that the most potent tool in their arsenal is simply depicting what these ladies are going through. That said, they also know when nuance isn't enough. A moving #BlackLivesMatter moment packs a blunt but powerful punch, for example. In short, Widows is the sum of its parts in the best, smartest and most entertaining possible manner. McQueen's knack for devastating drama, as so exceptionally deployed in Hunger, Shame and 12 Years A Slave, meets Flynn's knack for twisty female-driven tales — and both meet the well-oiled crime plot of Lynda La Plante, who scripted the original television show. The combination gives Widows a layered, lived-in feel that makes its quiet moments of mourning land hard and its action scenes land even harder. 2018's other caper about light-fingered ladies, aka Ocean's 8, this decisively isn't. Men play their part here, in the form of Neeson's criminal mastermind, Farrell and Henry's warring politicos, and Daniel Kaluuya as the latter's vicious enforcer brother. As the title suggests, however, Widows is firmly about women who've had much taken away — and who are fighting to survive the latest blows life has sent their way. The movie's lead actors are all fighting too, putting in career-best work across the board. Like their characters, there's much that connects Davis, Rodriguez and Debicki, who all say as much when they're not speaking as when they're uttering the film's smart dialogue. But perhaps the thing that binds them best is the multifaceted picture of womanhood that they offer. They're fragile and fierce, confident and uncertain, and messy and motivated all at once. Singling out one of their performances is no easy task, although Davis leads the charge. If you encountered her commanding, heartbroken protagonist in real life, you'd likely follow her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbKgqY3Fv9k
Fans of the legendary Stephen Fry should prepare to laugh, cry and squabble over ticket sales because the man himself is coming down under in November with a new comedy show, Telling Tales. The announcement hit hungry inboxes this morning, accompanied by an arguably redundant biography about Fry’s history of making us laugh, cry and think; from his days in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Blackadder all the way up to his poignant LGBT doco Out There. Yes, we know who he is. Yes, we will sell our hair to go to his show and bask in his glowing presence. Fry will be hitting the big cities, Melbourne (Hamer Hall), Canberra (Royal Theatre, Perth (Riverside Theatre) and Sydney (State Theatre). Sorry Brisbane, next time. The show has been described rather alliteratively as an evening of "fun, frolic and uniquely Fryish delight" but let's be honest, the host of QI, the best TV quiz show of all time, needs no fancy introduction. Frankly we’d respond the same way to an email that just barked, "Stephen Fry is coming to Oz, buy a ticket you garbage people." Speaking of, tickets go on sale Tuesday 1 September at 9am. STEPHEN FRY'S TELLING TALES 2015 TOUR DATES: Monday, November 9 — Hamer Hall, Melbourne. Tickets via Arts Centre Box Office or Ticketmaster. Saturday, November 14 — Royal Theatre, Canberra. Tickets via Ticketek. Tuesday, November 17 — Riverside Theatre, Perth. Tickets via Ticketek. Saturday, November 21 — State Theatre, Sydney. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Image: Virgin.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, we often say to ourselves, and our friends, "I can't imagine living without coffee." Well, what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 8, you can help out simply by purchasing a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its fourth year running, aiming to build on the $83,950 raised last year. From every coffee purchased at a participating cafe, $1 will be donated towards local projects, so if your cafe is not participating, head to one that is, just for one day. You can also donate at the counter, so if you prefer a hot chocolate, then you can still help out. It's one day when the little things can definitely make a big difference.
If the impending winter chill has you dreaming of cosy nights spent quaffing drams of whisky, there's a Melbourne-made creation that deserves a spot in your spirits collection. The team at the city's own Starward Whisky has just unveiled the latest edition of its Ginger Beer Cask series — and, as it has six times before, this spicy little number promises to keep those wintry blues at bay. The seventh iteration of Starward's ginger-based program since 2014, 2022's offering isn't just about pairing ginger and whisky, as fine a combination as that is. Another winning duo gets a look-in as well: chocolate and orange. So, expect to smell ginger, orange and dark chocolate while you're sipping — and to taste ginger, obviously, as well as vanilla, pineapple, sweet raisins and fig. For this year's version, Starward has also added more ginger for extra spice, and only used American Oak red wine barrels, which've helped ramped up the vanilla and coconut characters. Starward's experts say you can try the whisky any way you please, but they particularly recommend sipping it straight, perhaps alongside some good-quality dark chocolate. Either way, it's safe to say you can expect a very good drop — 2021's drop won a Double Gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, while 2020's Ginger Beer Cask edition took out a gold medal at the World Whisky Masters, plus a bronze at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition. The special-edition spirit is always quick to sell out, and this year's release is pegged to be no different. It's on sale now, so stocking up for winter ASAP is highly recommended. Starward's Ginger Beer Cask #7 is on sale now via the distillery's website, and at national retailers. A 700-millilitre bottle will set you back $149.
It doesn't take long for a burger place to become a local favourite. Before Ze Pickle came to Brisbane though, it had a bit of a head start. Word of its extreme creations — think 12-hour smoked beef brisket topped with mac 'n' cheese, crispy fried chicken paired with maple smoked bacon, and hand-pressed wagyu patties with cheese sticks — had been filtering up from Burleigh over the past couple of years. And then there's their famous Triple Loco, which combines beef, bacon, pulled pork and jalapenos between two grilled cheese sandwiches. How could you stay away from a burger joint that sells this?
Many families' budget for Christmas lunch doesn't factor in lobster. Enjoying a $40 crustacean around the Christmas table feels like an activity reserved for households with large end-of-year bonuses. Woolworths and Coles, however, have both made this a more affordable reality in 2020, dropping the prices of their Western Australian rock lobsters to just $20 a pop nationwide. On Friday, December 11, both supermarket giants announced the reduction in price of the luxury seafood item by 50 percent, down from $40 this time last year. Woolworths reportedly has purchased five times as many lobsters as it did last year, with the company sighting recent restrictions on seafood exports from Australia as a reason the company has reduced the price. "Our support in purchasing more rock lobsters this year will give WA producers an avenue to move more volume into the domestic market which would have traditionally been exported," said Dudding. "It's a win-win partnership and we look forward to working with the industry to offer Australian households the chance to add premium seafood to their Christmas table this year at a more affordable price." Coles seemingly one-up its competitor, announcing on the same day that it had purchased 29 times as many lobsters as it had in 2019. Eager shoppers have already jumped at the opportunity to snap up the half-priced lobsters, with Woolworths implementing a limit of four lobsters, per person, per transaction. Coles is set to introduce the same limit from next Wednesday, December 23. Seafood is a holiday tradition in Australia, with Coles stating the supermarket sells 70 percent more seafood in December in comparison to every other month. That number may rise even more this year thanks to the reduced price, with Woolworths estimating Australians will purchase 35 tonnes of lobster this holiday season compared to 6.5 tonnes last year. $20 Western Australian rock lobsters are available nationwide at both Coles and Woolworths while stocks last.
From the writing team behind Fat Swan comes this performance that exponentially raises the calibre of things set in the Sutherland Shire. Little Orphan TrAshley is the latest adults-only panto to verify the genius of Sydney drag artist Trevor Ashley, who this time plays a ten-year-old orphan seeking her birth parents so they can give permission for gender-reassignment surgery. The performance is much in the same vein of Fat Swan. A good portion of the humour is due to the fact that Ashley is a slightly overweight man and hence looks funny dressed as a girl, but most of it is due to the fact that he’s an extraordinary actor with impeccable comic timing. The rest of the characters are no less ingenius — a photographer/multi-millionaire named Daddy Warhorse (Gary Sweet), the boozy matron Miss Trannigan (Rhonda Burchmore), and Fannie’s ex-sniffer dog Bullshit (Rhys Bobridge). You'll never look at that cutesy orange mop the same way again, but it will be worth it.
Some say it's blasphemy. Others have branded it the funniest film of all time. When it was being made, the original backers were so worried about potential controversy that George Harrison — yes, The Beatles' George Harrison — had to step in and stump up the cash. Of course, we're talking about none other than Monty Python's Life of Brian — aka the tale of the man mistaken for the messiah, even though his mother says that he's just a very naughty boy. Nothing says Easter like viewing this comedy classic under the stars at the Eat Street Drive-In, no matter how many times you might've seen it before. They're screening it at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 24. The remainder of the Easter weekend will see a short run of Deadpool, playing on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
After eight seasons, a massive body count and an enormous wait for winter, Game of Thrones is coming to an end, with the final season kicking off this week. But that doesn't mean saying goodbye to the world first created by author George R.R. Martin — not only thanks to the author's books, whenever The Winds of Winter finally hits shelves, or even simply due to the planned prequel series. In addition, fans will soon be able to visit a heap of new GoT tourist attractions. After shooting much of the show in Northern Ireland for the past decade, last year HBO announced that it's teaming up with Tourism NI to open a number of sets and sites to the public for the first time. If you've ever dreamed about walking around Westeros, this will be your chance. Winterfell, The Wall, King's Landing and Dragonstone are among the iconic spots that'll feature in what's being called Game of Thrones Legacy. Now, further details have been revealed, so prepare to be happier than Arya Stark crossing a name off of her infamous list. The first part of Game of Thrones Legacy will be a huge Game of Thrones studio tour within Linen Mill Studios, which is where plenty of she show has been filmed. Yes, this is where you'll find the ancestral home of House Stark, the headquarters of the Night's Watch and the capital of the seven kingdoms. When it launches as a tourist site, it'll be filled with original set pieces, costumes, props and weapons across a hefty 110,000-square-feet. The tour has been dubbed an 'interactive experience', although exactly how you'll be able to interact with these GoT items — other than training your peepers towards them — hasn't yet been unveiled. You will definitely wander through fully dressed sets, walk "in the very footsteps of Westeros's most prominent residents", relive "key moments from the series" and stand "right where they took place" as part of the immersive attraction, according to the press release. There'll also be informative displays highlighting the production spaces, as well as the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into bringing something as epic as GoT to life. Plus, you'll also be able to play around at an interactive costume department station, as well as sections dedicated to the show's make-up, prosthetics and armoury. Also set to go on display: art files, models and other production materials, as well as accompanying digital content and interactive materials highlighting GoT's digital effects. If you're now contemplating a trip to Northern Ireland, the entire Game of Thrones Legacy setup will comprise the largest authentic public display of GoT artifacts in the world, should that stoke your excitement. More details are set to come and, after originally touting a 2019 opening date, the tour looks slated to open around this time in 2020 (spring in Northern Ireland) instead. By then, you'll certainly know whether Jon Snow really does know nothing — and then you can head to Northern Ireland to visit many of his haunts. Images: Home Box Office, Inc.
Desperate to get away from the ceaseless monotony of their suburban lives, four regular Joe's come together and form a neighbourhood watch group, but unwittingly unearth evidence of an alien invasion that sees their quiet town overrun by aliens masquerading as citizens. With all weary hopes of male bonding over gambling, women and binge drinking shattered they must save the town, and the world, before it’s too late. Featuring a stellar class including established funny-men, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade, The Watch has all the right elements to be a great comedy - add in some great special effects and some hilarious lines and we may have a Spring comedy hit on our hands.
What a difference 128 years can make. Back in August of 1888, the final bricks were laid on The Prince Consort Hotel. Now, after weathering many a change over many a decade, the place now known as The Elephant is throwing a party to commemorate their longevity. Saying that it's going to be quite the gathering is probably one of the understatements of the venue's century-plus of operation, so prepare for a wild night whooping it up in heritage-listed confines. Dallas Frasca, Aerials and The Strums will take care of the live music, and all The Elephant's usual drinks, meals and revelry will be on offer. Remember, you only celebrate an iconic pub's 128th birthday once.
Ben & Jerry's aren't afraid to put their ice cream where their mouth is, and not just by devouring their own creamy frozen desserts. In their latest show of support for marriage equality in Australia, the sweet treat makers are giving away free ice cream cones to celebrate this week's historic passage of legislation. Between 5.30pm and 9.30pm on December 11, visitors to Ben & Jerry's Aussie stores can pick up a frosty scoop without spending a cent. The offer applies at the chain's seven New South Wales, five Victorian, four Western Australian, one South Australian, two Australian Capital Territory and five of its six Queensland stores. If you're wondering why one misses out, that's because their Movie World digs aren't open once the park closes at 5pm. It's not the first time the brand has demonstrated their values with ice cream, as anyone who asked for a double dose of New York Super Fudge Chunk this year would know. When the fight for marriage equality was still under way, they instituted a same-flavour ban across their stores, refusing to put two scoops of the same ice cream variety on a single cone until the country's LGBTQI+ citizens were given the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. Now that the plebiscite has been and gone, 61.6 percent of respondees voted yes and lawmakers followed through, the ban has been lifted. Ben & Jerry's history of supporting marriage equality also includes their 2013 launch of the I Dough, I Dough ice cream flavour and campaign. Grab a free ice cream cone from Ben & Jerry's stores across Australia from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on December 11. For further information, visit the event Facebook page.
After drip-feeding various teasers over the past few months, Netflix has finally released the full trailer for The Crown's third season. The regal drama's new batch of episodes won't just continue the tale of Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of Britain's royals, but will tell the next chapter of their story with an entirely new cast — including Oscar-winner Olivia Colman as the monarch, Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret. They'll be joined by Josh O'Connor (God's Own Country) as Prince Charles — and, given that this season steps through the late 60s and 70s, he starts to get a hefty amount of attention in the new sneak peek. The show has already been renewed for a fourth season that's due to be set in the 80s; in fact, it's currently in production. So, as history dictates, Charles is about to be thrust into the spotlight in a big way. Also coming on board for season three are Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother and Game of Thrones' Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten. Although Gillian Anderson's casting as Margaret Thatcher has been grabbing headlines, she won't show up until season four. Welcoming Colman and company means farewelling the show's stars across its first two seasons, including Claire Foy as Elizabeth, Matt Smith as Philip and Vanessa Kirby as Margaret. Since 2016, The Crown has peered inside both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, unpacking the goings-on behind Britain's houses of power. So far, it has chronicled Elizabeth's wedding to Philip, her coronation and the birth of her children (Charles and Anne, as well as Prince Andrew and Prince Edward). In addition to delving into the monarch's marital ups and downs, the series has also explored the romantic life of her sister, Margaret, plus the major political events throughout the late 40s, entire 50s and early 60s. In season three, everyone's favourite source of royal intrigue will see Lizzie and her family grappling with the fact that Britain is changing — and, as the monarch reflects in the trailer, not necessarily in the way she'd like. Charting the years between 1964–1977, it'll also cover Harold Wilson's (played by The Man Who Killed Don Quixote and The Children Act's Jason Watkins) two stints as prime minister. And plenty of drama at the upper echelons of power, of course. Check out the third season's full trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLXYfgpqb8A&feature=youtu.be The Crown's third season will hit Netflix on November 17. Images: Sophie Mutevelian / Netflix.
Do you feel like the '00s were yesterday? I bet we know why. You're still hooked on the decade's ace indie music, aren't you. We can all remember where we were when we first heard the Arctic Monkeys for the first time — and we can all still recite every track by The Streets, too. Taking over Woolly Mammoth on July 14, I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor is the night for you. The name says it all really. Somebody told me that you'll dance over and over and over and over, get a dose of lisztomania and heads will roll — but hey, you only live once, right? Yes, The Killers, Hot Chip, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Strokes are certain to get a spin, as is everyone from The Rapture to Peter Bjorn and John, and LCD Soundsystem to Kings Of Leon.
When it comes to dating, there's nothing wrong with wanting to impress. You're keen to put your best foot forward, orchestrate a perfect date and create a lasting impression, we get it. Or maybe you want to treat your partner to a night they'll treasure, we get that, too. The thing is, you don't have to splash a ton of cash to win someone's heart. Forget about booking that fancy fine diner because, in retrospect, your most memorable moments won't involve that hundred-dollar steak or that decadent dessert — they'll be about your partner. The conversation, the laughs, the first time you nervously hold hands — that's what you'll remember. Even if your pockets are a little light, you can still treat that special someone to a night on the town. To help you out, we've pulled together the best free date ideas for wooing your beloved even if you're on a shoestring budget, while our friends at CommBank have rounded up some handy money tips for when you're dating or coupled up. Here are five free activities to check out this spring — you're welcome. Spender? Saver? See CommBank's tips on how to understand your and your date's financial similarities and differences. TEST YOUR SKILLS AT FREE TRIVIA There's a special kind of intimacy that blooms from competing for ultimate trivia glory and, when it comes to crushing the competition, two brains are better than one. So, pool your knowledge and put it to the test. The Brightside in the Valley is best known as a music venue but every Thursday at 7pm it transforms into a trivia hotspot, with quizmasters firing all kinds general knowledge questions and offering prizes for first, second, third and last place. Yep, it's not only winners who are grinners. If you're keen for trivia that's centred on a specific topic, head to Shady Palms. Every Thursday from 6.30pm, the pub runs themed trivia nights for the connoisseur — think The Simpsons, Disney or even Kath & Kim (yep, get your best Trude and Prue impersonations ready). Spots fill up fast, so unlike The Brightside, you'll need to book online. Excellent prizes mean that not only are these dates free, but you could even end up making a 'profit'. And you'll have your first serious discussion about joint assets — even if it is just a lunch voucher. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY For all the movers and shakers out there, Lefty's Old Time Music Hall hosts a free dance party with a funky edge. The Good Foot Funk and Soul Revue is on the last Friday of every month and features a lively mix of Motown, funk, northern soul and boogaloo tunes. Of course, there will be a few of 'those couples' with magnificently choreographed moves, but don't worry about forking out for dance lessons, absolutely no skill is required. Just find your own rhythm together, then twist and shout the night away without refrain. Remember, it's character building to endure a few dance fails while partaking in some toe-tappin', heart-thumpin', old-school fun and any date prudent enough to save the dance for you is worth spending more quality time with. [caption id="attachment_692305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] via Flickr.[/caption] HAVE A PICNIC AT BRISBANE'S HIDDEN BEACH A romantic picnic is perfect for getting into those deep and meaningful discussions about your hopes, dreams and future. When you crave some seclusion, grab your rug and basket and head to Brisbane's hidden beach. Less than ten kilometres out of the city is the secret idyll of Colmslie Reserve which boasts a tiny riverside beach — yes, sand and all — tree-lined paths and a boardwalk that catches the cool water breezes. This expansive southside oasis is the perfect spot for a peaceful interlude and lazy day in the springtime sun. Forget paying cafe prices for lunch; treat each other to your poshest homemade sandwiches or go Iron Chef-style with a cook-off at one of the public barbecues. Whose penny-pinching cuisine will reign supreme? CATCH FREE ART AND FILM AT GOMA There's always something new and exciting happening at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. If you're both open to finding some unexpected film gems, check the free Cinematheque program. The offerings tend to be (unsurprisingly) artier than your standard cinema — usually independent, international, historic or all of the above. As part of the upcoming APT9 cinema schedule, GOMA will be showcasing innovative film from Indigenous, East Asian, Indian and Marshallese filmmakers until April 2019. After the show, rove the gallery halls. This world-class art may be free, but having someone to enjoy (or critique) it with is priceless. Play the "which one would you buy for your house?" game to see if your tastes align. If your partner opts for a mega-installation while you're thinking of picking a print from the gift shop, you'll both need to learn to compromise. [caption id="attachment_656294" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joel Devereux.[/caption] PERUSE A CREATIVE POP-UP Flowstate is a creative pop-up in the heart of South Bank. Be wowed by the digital installations, innovative artworks and captivating performances or join in one of the free workshops for art, crafts and wearables — it's an excellent way to get a handle on your date's outlook and personality. Are they a collaborator? Do they prefer making beautiful things or buying them? Are they excited by foraging or handmade clothing? And, most importantly, can they groove in the great outdoors to some bangin' tunes? Head to the free Friday Feels dance party from 5.30–6.30pm to find out. With different DJs every week, the beats stay as fresh as the everchanging Flowstate landscape. Come for the art and the personal insight, stay for the free feels. Don't spend a cent on your next date with the above recommendations, or, even better, enter our comp and let us pick up the bill. Top image: Joel Devereux.
Back in 2019, Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog finally made the leap to Australia, setting up its first local brewery by the river in Brisbane. But its reputation had preceded it to our shores, and not just due to its yeasty brews. When you make craft beers for dogs, launch the world's first craft beer airline and open the world's first craft beer hotel, you're bound to garner plenty of global attention. If you're a beer-drinking dog owner who loved the idea BrewDog's boozy, pooch-friendly place to stay — which is fitting called The DogHouse — that's understandable. Still, making the trip to Columbus, Ohio in the US with your four-legged best friend mightn't have topped your to-do list. Thankfully, BrewDog has just announced that it's opening its second craft beer hotel, and on our own shores. Ideally, by the end of 2022, Aussies will be able to bunker down for the night at The DogHouse Brisbane. An exact site hasn't been confirmed as yet, but it's likely that the hotel will make its home right next to BrewDog's existing Brisbane brewery DogTap, which is located in Murarrie. It'll feature up to 30 rooms, which'll each come decked out with shower beer fridges — because why wash without a brew in your hand? — and in-room draft beer taps filled with Aussie-brewed Punk IPA. And, taking your pupper along is 100-percent on the agenda at this eco-friendly place to stay. [caption id="attachment_803135" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The DogHouse Columbus[/caption] Plans for The DogHouse Brisbane were revealed as part of BrewDog's new blueprint for its operations Down Under over the next two years — and the company has much more in store. As previously announced, it's looking to ramp up its local presence, with a new bar slated for the Brisbane CBD, and new venues on the cards in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The latter sites will also include their own microbreweries, so they can make their own beer on the premises. While 2021 was previously announced as a launch date, it is now expected they'll be up and running between now and 2023, with further locations on the Gold Coast and in Newcastle also being considered. In Brisbane, BrewDog's beer campus is also undergoing a few more changes — including adding a bigger outdoor seating area with shaded seating to its riverside terrace, and expanding the brewery by installing a pasteuriser. In great news for lovers of hangover-free brews, that new piece of equipment will help the company broaden its alcohol-free beer range, which'll soon include Punk AF, Hazy AF and its raspberry AF sour, Faux Fox. The taproom is also getting an extra 100 square metres of private event space, the walk-in takeaway shop will be expanded and there'll be a larger kitchen. [caption id="attachment_800310" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brewdog DogTap Brisbane[/caption] Announcing the news, BrewDog's ANZ CEO Ed Bott said: "we are extremely grateful for the outstanding support we have received in Australia since we landed Down Under. It's been a pretty wild ride so far, but we have ambitious plans for Australia and New Zealand, building a fast-paced sustainable business that can be a force for good. We can't wait to bring our relentless obsession with incredible craft beer to the rest of the country and for our Punks to be able to head to their local BrewDog bar and get their paws on our freshly brewed Aussie beers". BrewDog is also keeping its crowdfunding initiative, Equity for Punks, in place in Australia until Wednesday, March 31. Pledging your support can help speed up the company's plans to open a bar in your city, too — with the brewer noting that if more than 500 Equity Punks join from the same city before the current deadline, it will open a BrewDog bar there within the next three years. The DogHouse Brisbane is expected to open sometime in 2022, while new BrewDog sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are on the cards between now and 2023. We'll update you when further information come to hand. For now, you can keep an eye on BrewDog's website for details. Top image: The DogHouse Columbus.
Since late 2017, Taco Bell has been making inroads into the fast food scene Down Under, with four stores now open in Queensland, a total of 50 planned across Australia by the end of 2021 and up to 60 set for Aus as well as New Zealand by 2023. That's great news if you're a local fan of the US Tex-Mex chain. If you're extra fond of the company's burritos, quesadillas, nachos and — of course — tacos, you could always book your next US holiday at a pop-up Taco Bell hotel. The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort will welcome guests from August 9, operating for a limited time only. If you're wondering what's in store, it's "a destination inspired by tacos," according to the eatery. Think taco-themed rooms, tacos for breakfast (and lunch, dinner and snacking on whenever the urge hits), a Taco Bell gift shop and an onsite salon doling out Taco Bell-inspired nail art. Apparently the poolside cocktails will also be given a Taco Bell twist, which hopefully doesn't mean boozy liquid concoctions made of meat, salsa, avocado and tortillas. Alcohol seems like it'll be a big feature, with the hotel strictly for those aged 18 and over. As for the rest of the joint's food, The Bell will also serve up an exclusive menu, in case you're feeling like you've already eaten every Taco Bell dish ever. With the chain founded in Southern California back in 1962, eager taco lovers will need to head to the area — to Palm Springs to be exact, although the exact location hasn't been revealed. Reservations will open in June, and there's no word yet on just how much a stay will set you back. For more information about The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort, keep an eye on the hotel's website.
Well, this could have gone better. The first leg of Listen Out 2014 has been marred by an unfortunate incident that led to a security guard suffering serious injuries yesterday. Late in the afternoon, a group of gatecrashers jumped the fence at Sydney's Parklands and a 29-year-old security guard rushed to stop them. The intruders then trampled him and ran away. Suffering internal bleeding and a ruptured spleen, the security guard received medical assistance at the venue before being taken to St Vincent's Hospital. He is currently in a stable condition, but police are asking anyone with information about the gatecrahsers to come forward. In particular, they would like to speak to "a man in his late teens or early 20s, with a solid build, and short dark brown hair [who] was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt and red shorts". If you know anyone by that description who also happens to be kind of cheap and incredibly insensitive, time to dob them in. Listen Out is in Perth today and has two more festival dates next weekend for Melbourne and Brisbane. Time to step up your game, people. Do the right thing, look after each other, and there won't be any problems. There are far too many dickheads out there ruining it for everyone. If you have information about the incident call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
When most of us climb onboard a plane, settle into our seat and soar into the sky, we don't conjure up a boozy new business idea. To be fair though, most of us aren't ex-commercial pilots like Stuart Martin. Once he landed after a trip from Melbourne to Sydney, he had a chat with Lucy Martin and brewer Gavin Croft, and before long had put his plan into action. And that's how Archer's Brewing was born — as well as its home base, Archer's Bunker. Named after the Archer planes, which were the first type of aircraft Stuart ever piloted, Archer's Brewing pumps out yeasty beverages of the mid-strength lager, pilsner, pale ale and IPA variety, all using Australian ingredients. Archer's Bunker, however, is the place where the magic happens. If you're wondering why it's called a bunker, the site's space beneath The International Hotel in Spring Hill answers that question. To find the bar, eager drinkers should look for the Archer Brewing fridge inside the Cellarbrations bottle-o on the premises. Once inside, a few themed items — helmets, paintings and the like — keep the high-flying vibe going, while the decor is dark and earthy like an underground shelter (albeit one with full views to the brewery's copper fermenters and brew tanks). In addition to sipping their way through Archer's range (which first launched at this year's Beer InCider Experience) patrons can snack on cheese and charcuterie share boards, oven-fired pizzas, vegetable rice paper rolls and a vegetarian board that comes with grilled haloumi. And if their tipples delight your tastebuds, you can also enjoy them on tap at a range of other venues around town, such as Fitz + Potts and The Mill on Constance. Colour-coded cans will also be available soon as well. Find Archer's Brewing and Archer's Bunker at The International Hotel, 525 Boundary Street, Spring Hill. Check out their website and Facebook page for further details.
If you're attending a writers festival, here's something you probably already know: reading is one of life's great leisure-time pleasures. And, if you're attending Brisbane Writers Festival, you're probably feeling guilty about taking time out of your schedule for doing something you enjoy. The concept of relaxing — of leisure, and of its pleasures — is the subject in the spotlight at this session. Robert Dessaix literally wrote the book on the topic, and he'll be chatting it through with ABC Radio National's Sarah Kanowski. Listen, learn and then take the resulting insights back to your busy life.
