The simplicity of the unpopulated, the pristine beauty of nature. This forms the basis of both artistic inspiration and personal reflections that are the subject of Justin Lee Williams’ latest collection, “Night Mountain I Miss You”. Justin spent recent years living in the isolated mountainous Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. This is a collection of works that celebrates and reflects upon the most memorable characteristics of the mountains—from its people, folklore and ways of life—while also grieves for the losses of the lifestyle and identity that was formed, which so greatly differs from his new city-centre surrounds. Presented by Mild Manners, the exhibition is comprised of painting and sculpture works, and is sure to be a welcome combination of the generally familiar and of personal seclusion. watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6utk0czsb0I#at=136
Folk-inspired indie rock with a whole lotta soul. That is what you will get on the Brisbane leg of Bears With Guns’ east coast tour in support of their new EP, Only The Quick And The Hungry. It was only a year ago that the Sydney outfit made their recording debut, and have since created an irrefutable reputation for live performance. They’ve been described as wise beyond their years, playful on mandolin, ukulele and keyboards, with a dash of the gut-wrenching melodies that give true depth to songs. The lads will be supported by Brisbane's own Brother Fox and Andrew Markwell. Make a point of catching this five-piece in an intimate, local setting while you still have the chance – these guys are set for bigger things, and bigger arenas to contain their sound.Also be sure to arrive early for door tickets, they'll sell quick!
As part of the Mono15 Exhibition, the artists themselves will be taking you into their own work that examines the ever-changing landscape of sound by way of Open Frame, an annual celebration of music and media. The first concert in the this year’s program, featuring two international sound artists, Akio Suzuki (Japan) and David Toop (United Kingdom) will be free to attend. This is a joint project with Room 40. On August 22 you can also attend the Mono Panel, hosted by Amelia Barkin and Greg Hainge (both from the University of Queensland) alongside David Toop to discuss this year’s Open Frame theme, and also celebrating the launch of Hainge’s book “Noise Matters: Towards an Ontology of Noise”. This year’s Open Frame theme is “The Future is Noise”; the performers and speakers, who are linked through their own interpretations of the varying qualities of sound, will be responding to Italian futurist Luigi Russolo’s 1913 manifesto L’Arte dei Rumori (The Art of Noises). Immerse yourself in an art to be felt, rather than just seen, and gain a new appreciation of sound.
Sometimes all you want in life is a little bundle of joy to play with and look after. No, we’re not talking about children here – we’re talking pets. No, not real, living pets (that’s a lot of effort and mess and pet food is pretty expensive), for the 21st century person you need a 21st century pet to go along with it. We’re talking electronics here, but forget Pleo – how’s about you make your own? Firstly, it’s less expensive. Secondly, you get to play Frankenstein for a little while, which allows you to tick that off the bucket list. The Edge is bringing artists Priscilla Bracks and Gavin Sade in to teach you how to make an interactive ‘pet’ – no prior experience required! Over four sessions, Priscilla and Gavin teach you how to design your character and bring it to life (well, figuratively), incorporating mechanisms and determining your toy’s level of intelligence. By the end of the workshop you’ll have a toy pet to call your very own – no clean up required.
For some, it can be hard to believe that the Queensland floods were over a year ago now. Our community was brought together so quickly to repair the damages that our broken riverbank that within a week following the floods, Brisbane was almost back to how it was before the rain began. Almost. While a lot of the city is back to its original state, there are still many reminders of what happened last January. The Queensland Museum was one of the buildings heavily affected by floods. Closed for much of last year, it has recently reopened to be even better than before. In memorandum of past events, the Museum, in partnership with ABC Open, have curated Bouncing Back From Disaster, a display of artifacts and stories from Queenslanders discussing the impacts of the floods. It’s an honest, hard-hitting exhibition that resonates and relates to everyone in our river city.
If you happen to be back at uni this year, join the club. It seems like everyone is either starting their degree this year, finishing up one, or going back because they can't bear the 'real world'. And why would you want to give up all the perks of being a student? Student nights, endless happy hours, tardiness without reprimand, cheap movies and transport, Oh Hello! Uni Socials... Try as you might, you may never be able to give up the glory days, so thank your lucky stars that Oh Hello! has got you covered pre-semester. Before you head back to the books/bludging, why not indulge yourself in the cheapest student night in town? The popular kids, YouTube sensation Hey Geronimo!, will be there to get the party started and as usual, the Cobra Kai DJs are in the house, making this social better than any lame school disco. Did I mention Oh Hello! have added Rekorderlig to their list of tasty drops? Oh yes they have. Paying off your HECS debt is not an option, so make sure you're on Cobra Kai's roll.
It's time to shine up those shoes Brisbane because the prodigal son of stand up comedy has returned! Ross Noble will grace the not-so-quaint stage of QPAC theatre with his new show Nonesensory Overload for four highly anticipated nights from the 21st - 24th of March. Following a string of successful Australian tours, countless festival and television appearances, and pockets full of awards that have earned the loveable Englishmen the honorary Aussie title, Nobel is back in Brisbane bringing back his gift of giggles. The appropriately named show promises everything we've come to expect from Noble - illogical and uncontainable hilarity. His unique performance style is almost hard to keep up with as he whimsically bounds about the stage spouting streams of improvisation, and encouraging his audiences to participate in everything from light heckling to conga lines. There's no denying Noble knows best when it comes to comedy. Don't miss the great improvisor in all his glory. Enjoy an evening of unpredictability and uncontrollable laughter.
It’s that time of year again: the sun is out – oh, wait, hang on, no it’s not, we’ve had torrential rain for most of the past month. Well, it’s still time that time of the year for alternating and interchanging between the three Bs: the beach, beers and bands. Our favourite saint, St. Jerome, is delivering the last B with gusto this Saturday – taking place once again at the RNA Showgrounds, this year’s Laneway Festival is sure to impress. The impressive lineup boasts Active Child, Feist, Jonti, Toro Y Moi, Yuck and more. In addition to a ridiculously amazing lineup over three stages, there are markets and foodstalls to make sure you’re well-clad and well-satiated throughout the day. Rain, hail, or shine, St. Jerome will ensure that his Laneway Festival will be an unforgettable day – and, if there does happen to be rain/hail, well, the RNA Showgrounds are covered (for the most part). You're all set to get down.
Want to go on a journey to the Mediterranean without having to depart from the port of Brisbane? Look no further than the Powerhouse this Friday, when worldly Mzaza take to the stage and transport you to another continent with their range of sounds. Singing in French, Spanish and Turkish, Moroccan-born Pauline Maudy is the crooning, multi-lingual frontwoman of a band that includes the violin, bendie, kaval, darabuka, guitar, kamanche tarhu, the accordion and more familiar and not-so-familiar elements in their instrumental arsenal, which, in writing, looks like it would sound terrible; a strange multi-cultural mix. It's not - in fact, it's the complete opposite. Mzaza’s latest release Journey Over Skin has seen the band sell out venues (including a previous Powerhouse performance) and dominate stages at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. Fresh out of a string of gigs in Tasmania, Mzaza will see that all who enter the Visy Theatre of the Powerhouse can aurally stamp all the pages in their passport this Friday.
There was once a shop not far from where Percolator Gallery now stands, in which I had an experience that simultaneously confirmed everything my parents have ever taught me about stranger danger, and increased my secret and rather silly adulthood sense of trepidation in entering unfamiliar stores on the Paddington strip. Imagine Hansel and Gretel meets high-end vintage dress shop and you’ll have an idea of the traumatic experience that I underwent (I was actually locked in a shop by a cranky op-shop lady while she berated me and shoppers like me who come in to browse but not buy). Rest assured that particular store is no longer there, and gone with it, the idea that browsing is not allowed. Despite popular opinion, commercial art galleries are among the best places to browse and Percolator Gallery is no exception. Percolator is a rental art space available for hire to emerging and established artists, and this month Mark Thomas’ beautiful photographs provide the drawcard to passing shoppers and foodies. Although Thomas’ photographs themselves are well worth a special trip into Paddington, I won’t tell anyone if you also take the opportunity to pop into Sassafras for some ricotta hotcakes afterwards.
Two strangers. Two days. One ridiculously large wad of money. This is the unmissable Midsummer! After it's sell out debut in Edinburgh on the Traverse Theatre stage in 2009, David Greig and Gordon McIntyre's story about love and lack of it has left a trail of laughter through the Uk, USA and now Australia. La Boite Theatre is proud to introduce this smash hit to Brisbane with the original Edinburgh cast in tow. The play follows Bob and Helena through two hangover fuelled days of rebellion and hedonism. The two are plagued by the discontents of life and love, and see only one sure fire way of escaping the drown of day to day life for an evening: by jumping into bed with each other. Little do they realised that once the shoes are back on, they will be thrown into an adventure filled with car chases, vengeful gangsters, Japanese rope bondage and song sining . If you are not a Broadway fan, do not fear. The songs, written by McIntyre, lead guitarist of the Scottish band Ballboy, are each modern, whimsical and quirky acoustic masterpieces that accompany the story momentarily to offer a treat for the ears and even more laughter. The Roundhouse Theatre is a perfect performance space for this play, as it's size and structure allows the audience an intimate view into Bob and Helena's world, whether they are prepared to be pulled in or not. Don't miss this play on love. It's sure to sell fast. Grab your tickets fast!
Get ready Brisbane, it's time to shine those shoes and head on down to Easy Street! One of the most adored musicals of all time is returning to the Brisbane stage this April and is sure to delight eagerly awaiting audiences. The Tony award winning musical Annie has wowed fans of all ages and from all parts of the world for the past thirty-five years. The smash hit takes us to New York City through the eyes of young orphan Annie as she searches for her family. After escaping the neglectful orphanage supervisor Miss Hannigan and her cunning crew, luck drops Annie into the care of zillionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks and her world begins to spin. After bringing Annie to life over twelve years ago, producer John Frost is eager to do it all over again with a stand out Australian cast, lead by theatre icons Anthony Warlow and Nancye Hayes. Whether you're a stranger to Annie's exciting world, have seen a live production or watched any of the countless film adaptations, this treasured musical is sure to have you humming and tapping for days. With it's loyal fan base and limited season, tickets are sure to sell fast!
Fairy tales, fantasy and adventure are what's promised for this years trio of productions from the Queensland Ballet. With interpretations of classics such as Fairy Tales: Stories of Hans Christian Anderson and Miguel de Cervantes adventurous novel Don Quixote to come through out the year, both stakes and expectations are high for Queensland's premiere dance company. The 2012 season begins on a very whimsical tune. Artistic director and choreographer Francois Klaus has taken up the challenge of adapting two of Lewis Carole's most beloved works of fiction, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The story follows young Alice's journey through the rabbit hole, into the beautiful and uncanny world of Wonderland. The boundaries of reality and fantasy are steadily broken down as she makes her way through Wonderland, meeting with a wise caterpillar, a homicidal Queen and a rabbit very preoccupied with his schedule. With countless works of art, stage, and films based off it, Carole's story of the strange and magical land and it's insightful heroine has become a kind of cultural phenomenon steeped in nostalgia. Queensland Ballet are eager to meet the challenge of re inventing this classic and giving audiences of all ages what they have delivered on in their past productions: a wondrous visual and musical display. Tickets are sure to sell fast so don't be late for this very important date!
Please sir, I want some more. "The innocent request of a hungry orphan boy living in London in the mid 1800s. Sound familiar? The famous phrase can only be associated with Oliver Twist, the Charles Dickens novel that has been adapted, perhaps a little more famously, into a musical. Oliver tells the story of the young boy who is sold off from a workhouse after asking for more gruel, and incidentally finds his way into a criminal underworld of child pickpockets. While on the run he encounters the Artful Dodger, who takes him to meet Fagin, the trainer of the little thieves. The criminal life may suit some people, but Oliver is not one of them, and his friendship with Nancy, the girlfriend of burglar Bill Sykes, shows potential for a brighter future. Oliver was first performed in 1960, and ran for 2618 shows! It has since been made into a film, and has been revived numerous times by major companies. This production is by Queensland Musical Theatre, and there are only 6 shows in the season. Catch it while you can!
America's avant-garde pop group, Xiu Xiu, have returned to our town to celebrate the release of their latest album, Always. The band are fascinated with the horrors that bubble just under the surface of society and their disturbing visions of the world flicker through their music. Xiu Xiu are notorious for their unique electro-pop sound that has a distinct flavour of post-punk. Their latest musical offering, Always features tracks that explore relevant topics such as pro-choice and immigration. Xiu Xiu aren't afraid of blending their political views with their music. These guys are a long way from home and are only playing one show in Brisbane for a power-packed 90 minute set. Xiu Xiu's performance is not to be missed. Strap yourself in for a night of experimental tunes, fresh lyrics and lush synths - it'll be one to remember!
If you thought home grown talent, Hungry Kids of Hungary, had fallen off the radar in the past couple of years, you would be mistaken. In fact, the boys have been busy recording their second album and jet-setting across the world playing to international audiences. Their second album, You're a Shadow, is due for release in March 2013 and has fans of the band's catchy indie pop tunes waiting with baited breath. This Thursday night, catch Hungry Kids of Hungary at The Zoo as they embark on their national tour. The Brissie boys are playing in smaller venues this time around, so head along for what will be a special, intimate show. The foursome will be playing a mix of old favourites such as, 'Set it Right' and new tracks including 'Sharp Shooter'. These guys are old hands in the music scene, so you are guaranteed a night of infectious and perfectly polished tunes.
Self-dubbed indie/stoner rock quartet The Owls have been rightly tipped for big things since their days as Triple J Unearthed starlets. In 2010 they nabbed the coveted Unearthed spot on the Fat As Butter lineup and from there they have gained momentum. Supporting the likes of The Living End, The Jezabels, Ball Park Music and Cloud Control, the band continuously prove their fluidity and success in double-dipping genres. Supported by The Cathars and The Royal Artillery, this is one show you’ll have to see while you have the chance. “Think the dirty sexy feel of Queens of the Stone Age, soulful sensibilities of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, harmonies reminiscent of classic Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, with a splash of Radiohead. Put all these elements in a haunted house, cut the power, and you’ll feel the musical energy of The Owls.”
The Deadshits festival is back in its fourth year and is bigger than ever. This year the annual festival is boasting its best lineup yet as artists are both home-grown and international. The festival is held across four different venues over three big nights. On Friday, the opening night, the lineup includes USA bands Woods and Hunx & His Punx. Saturday night promises to be just as entertaining as bands such as Leighton Craig and Outerwaves will be accompanied by the Jet Black Cat DJ's who will keep the party vibe rockin'. There will also be a veggie BBQ and this event is BYO. Also on Saturday night head to The Hideaway for a late night cocktail celebration and treat your ears to Superstar and Angel Eyes. The closing night of the festival is at Black Bear Lodge and will feature Terrible Truths, Spire House, Black Vacation and Fig. Buy a festival pass or a ticket to one of the nights and make the most of your long weekend!
Brisbane’s own man of immeasurable talent, Tim Rix, is showcasing his diverse skill and vision by way of a solo exhibition at Love Love Studio. Entitled ‘Public Witness Program’, this is your opportunity to see the latest and greatest from this reputable artisan, a rare glimpse inside the mind of a true craftsman. A tattooist by trade at Westside Tattoo, his works are as realistic as they are surreal, lifelike and intricate adding whimsy to the everyday. His hand-created portraits are wearable as majestic large-scale tattoos or framable as painted creations. His newest, yet-to-be-seen paintings will be on display, alongside some of his most revered works spanning across his notable career. Join fellow fans of Tim’s for the opening night celebrations, a reception held at the studio. Love Love is an artist-run initiative to support emerging artists; help them warm their new establishment with an evening that is not to be missed.
If the people want juice, give the people juice.. If they want entertainment, give them comedy. And if they want that comedy to be a-grade and well played, then give the people directions to Fat Louie’s. Fat Louie’s Comedy for the People might just be the most high set, underground comedy night that’s hitting the Brisbane entertainment landscape. Marrying rather nicely with cheap drinks, the option of snooker, and the musty, dim lit scenery that’s become synonymous with Fat Louie’s, Comedy for the People is the new laugh-out-loud go to. The line-up of comedians is unannounced, but if anything this just adds to the thrill and shrill – cross fingers for Jerry or Tina. The night debuts on February 6 at 8pm, so shift around your Friday night plans to accommodate for this sneaky slot – if it’s not as funny as we expect, just drink up until it is.
Adored babyboomer playwright David Williamson is back with another witty tale of human nature when faced with extreme circumstances. Brothers Ian and Ben don’t always see eye to eye. When they go to visit their father for his birthday, they find all is not as expected. Their old man has come into a decent sum of money — $100 million, to be exact. Dad has fallen for a beauty queen heralding from the States, so far in fact that he has married her without a thought to any prenuptial safety net. How will they face this unreal situation? Is there more to Fury than her stunning good looks? One thing’s for sure: this is first and foremost a tale of people behaving badly. For fans of Williamson's previous work, such as The Removalists and Don’s Party, or for those with a love for a darker laugh, be sure to secure your tickets for this strictly limited showing season.
Titles matter. A film with a good one can intrigue, inspire and entice audiences from far and wide, just as a bad one can turn you off faster than a date swearing at a waiter. The grey area is when things get literal. Everything's okay so long as it's just a case of 'does what it says on the can' — your Ghostbusters, your Ferris Bueller's Day Off, your The Pianist — but what about when it gives something away? That poor choice of words can destroy all semblance of mystery for a movie. It's why studios ultimately didn't go with: 'Bruce Willis Is a Ghost', 'Don't Trust the Gimp with the Limp' or 'It's...His...Sled'. With that in mind, the decision to title Peter Berg's new film Lone Survivor would seem a miscalculation. "Four Navy SEALs go into Afghanistan to target a Taliban leader, but how many make it out ali- oh, wait, it's one. Just one. A 'lone survivor'. Says so right there on the poster. And yet, despite having directed Battleship, Peter Berg's no idiot. Mindful that the details of this true (and widely publicised) military mission were already known to many, he realised the most compelling question was not 'how many would survive?' but rather 'how did ANY of them survive?' That disastrous mission was Operation Red Wings, and the reason for its failure was essentially the SEAL team's decision to not kill three unarmed farmers who'd stumbled across their position. For the (moral) armchair general, it's a no-brainer. Rules of engagement and all that. But in the moment, knowing that to let the civilians go was to guarantee an attack by the Taliban and fail the mission… the ethics of combat became a lot murkier. Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Taylor Kitsch play those four imperilled SEALs, and from the moment they elect to abort the mission, Lone Survivor becomes a heart-in-mouth, hug-yourself-for-two-hours, ball-breaker of a film. Pursued through inhospitable mountains by several hundred Taliban and cut off from their support, the feats of those four soldiers quite simply defy belief. That's where the film's opening titles come into play: a montage of real-life footage from the SEALs' infamous 'Hell Week' training program that effectively acts as a 'proof of concept' for what you're about to see (if you're interested: youtu.be/sg2vF4UQMmQ). This is a war movie at its most confronting; it terrifyingly captures the confusion, brutality, chaos and intensity of combat in a way not seen since 1998's Saving Private Ryan. It's a suffocating sort of tension, and whilst there's no question the movie suffers from some clumsy jingoism, the experience is so tactile and overwhelming, you frequently find yourself ducking in your own seat. The author and journalist Sebastian Junger observed after his embedment in Afghanistan that "War is a lot of things and it's useless to pretend that exciting isn't one of them." From an adrenaline standpoint that might well be the case, but in every other respect, from every other possible viewpoint, it's an inescapable waking nightmare that you'd never wish upon anyone. If that doesn't ring true for you, go see Lone Survivor. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yoLFk4JK_RM
Brisbane’s own slice of the international stage, the annual World Theatre Festival, is back for its 11-day long spectacular, with myriad performances to immerse yourself in. From highbrow to raised-brow, grandiose to the minimal, WTF has got your theatrical cravings more than catered for. Moreso, WTF will challenge your preconceptions of theatre, leaving you with a deepened appreciation for the art form in itself, or tempting you with a favourite you might not otherwise consider. To get your creative juices flowing, why not visit Yum Chat, a free event for artists to delve into the influence of Asian cultures on art and its creation; it’s free to attend, and will offer a wonderful networking opportunity. Then there’s The Great Spavaldos, a fully immersive, high-flying experience of a circus unlike any other. There is also a spoiled-for-choice line-up of masterclasses to attend for the trained professional right through to the budding youngster. To see more information about the festival, and to start booking your tickets, head along to the official Powerhouse page.
There are few words to describe Pete Rock without completely gushing over his immense talent. He's one of the greatest producers of our generation and without him, jazz would have never found a way to be blended into the hip hop genre. Brisbane has been privy to some massive talent of late and Pete Rock is no exception. The eccentric American rapper, DJ and producer hails from the Bronx and has produced tracks for Run DMC, Nas, Public Enemy and the late Biggie Smalls. He's also well known for his collaborations with the Wu-tang Clan and most notably his contribution to Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', which itself is absolutely epic. As if that wasn't enough, Mr Rock is an established DJ: he's remixed countless singles for music artists (Mary J Blige, Madonna, The Roots to name a few) and has played to live audiences around the world. He mixes his own flavour of hip hop – a combo of jazz and funk – along with samples from anything from country music to motown classics. He is definitely in a league of his own and you will be too if you get along to see him blow your mind with his skillz.
The yearly, furtive question of “so… what are you doing for New Years?” could be heard whispered on the lips of Brisbane’s vanguard party-ers over a month ago. Those die-hard party innovators began listing off their criteria for an awesome New Years Eve 2011 when the rest of us were still yawning and blinking into the bright reality of the festive season. If you’re looking to bring in the New Year without really doing ‘New Years’, then No Years is the answer to your question. Literally. No Years has got it all. With the Brisbane Powerhouse as its backdrop (an excellent defensive anti-zombie fort should 2012 apocalypse predictions prove accurate), this mini-festival features a superabundance of Australian and international bands including headliner Dum Dum Girls, as well as some amazing local visual art. *Here’s a tip: if you gather together a group of 5 or more (which shouldn’t be difficult given that this will be the place to be come December 31) you can get a significant discount off ticket prices
It’s time to get your best tux or your best gown because Beethoven is coming to Brisbane! The very talented Queensland Symphony Orchestra will bring Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7 to life along with Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde. The concert will also feature the thought-provoking piano prodigy Sergio Tiempo, who, has sold out concert halls across the globe will grace Brisbane by playing Liszt’s Piano Concerto no. 1. The Orchestra will reach a fever pitch under Evind Aadland’s highly acclaimed baton (I suppose that would make him highly acclaimed too). Aadland has previously conducted the Trondheim symphony orchestra for seven seasons including their tour of China, so the orchestra will be bound for glory with this conductor at their helm. Put on your smartest duds and bring someone special along to QPAC for what is certain to be a magical evening of music and song.
What happens when you bring ten of Brisbane’s best filmmakers, animators, motion designers and video artists and get them to collaborate with ten of Brisbane’s best musicians? You get Ten10: an audiovisual exhibition showcasing the natural relationship between sound and image. The Ten10 initiative is a fresh concept exhibiting for the first time in Brisbane with hopes to move to other cities in the future. This Friday’s debut presentation includes the likes of Axxonn, Cured Pink, Brodie Rocca and Chih-Han Hsu, amongst many more (well, sixteen more to be precise), collaborating to create works that are unique and diverse compared to anything any of the artists have been a part of previously. Unlike other exhibitions, Ten10 is a one-night-only event, held in the boutique location of Lightspace in the Valley – don’t miss out! If you do, though, don’t get too worked up – the whole thing will be on Vimeo in the weeks following the event, as well as a behind-the-scenes documentary noting the creative process behind the concept. But, at ticket prices sitting pretty at only $20, that works out to be a performance for two bucks apiece – a creative bargain!
Half naked guys. Girl on girl action. Gay boys singing and questionable choreography. It's either a boozy night in the Valley or a [title of show] performance. Either way, you’ll end up aroused... Back by popular demand, Brisbane audiences will be entertained once again by the Oscar Theatre Company’s [title of show] (yes that is the actual title of the show). Featuring a cast of Brisbane’s regular theatre actors and director Emily Gilmore, this musical is bound to have you [tos]sing about with laughter and breaking out your Jazz Hands in no time. The show follows the lives of Hunter and Jeff who happen to be gay and nerds as well as their close lady friends Susan and Heidi as they try to make the best play for the New York Music Theatre Festival and make loads of people with loads of money love them. But this isn’t going to be easy as Jeff refuses to nude up to sell tickets, Hunter procrasturbates, Heidi is a professional understudy and Susan would prefer to create the ultimate Drag Queen name. Like Dora Jar. Or Wilma Fingadu.
Ladies ahoy! It’s about time to don your Mother’s Best dress and your highest heels as SlutWalk is coming to Brisbane! Forget any implied offensive nuances you might usually associate with the word, the friendly walk is to protest against the blaming of victims of sexual assault. SlutWalk originally started in Toronto in response to a member of the Toronto police force advising that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised”. His words have since catapulted a global movement into existence aptly titled SlutWalks. The first march took place in Toronto in April where over 3,000 women came to show their support. From uber-feminists, to the ‘sluts’ who just enjoyed their sex, and to the women speaking out against rape, the walks drew women of all backgrounds underneath one banner. The movement has swept the world since. From Canada, the US, the UK and Australia women are speaking out, publically demonstrating their outrage and their comfortableness with a term that would usually be deemed as derogatory through these very walks. The hope isn’t for ‘slut’ to ever become a term of endearment, rather for women and men alike to actively work towards re-appropriating the term ‘slut’. Australia’s got a lot on its hands when local Brisbanites march this Saturday at King George Square for Brisbane’s very own SlutWalk.
To everyone that’s still calling Brisbane the east coast’s sleepy city, are you even reading this website properly? Stop pooh-poohing little old Bristown Madeline, you’d see there’s a lot going on if you stopped chasing after Pepito and his bad hat. This week is huge for things to do, especially when it comes to music - the BIGSOUND three-day conference and showcase is happening, while also celebrating its tenth anniversary. With 80 bands playing in eight venues, it’s massive. But there’s more. Cue Break and Enter – or BnE. It’s a two-night showcase allowing more than twenty up-and-coming musicians currently without label/management/agent backing to flaunt their wares to audiences old and new. See the likes of Blonde on Blonde, Young Men Dead, Charlie Mayfair and Tiger Beams in some of the Valley’s best venues – Barsoma, X & Y and Oh Hello! And you know the saying – the best things in life are free. So is Break and Enter. There’s really no excuse to miss out on this one.
I feel like a proud mother. It's like my baby has grown up so fast. It seems like only yesterday I spent an entire night in the smoking area of X&Y, enjoying the company of some cool peeps, sipping on my halloween cocktail, complete with dry ice. Alas, those days are not gone, and X&Y still gathers an epic queue that meanders halfway down Ann Street. Sucked in, Cloudland. The point of the matter is that the Valley's coolest uncool club is turning 2. X&Y is independently owned and has spent the last two years not only hosting local, national and international musicians and DJs, but also serving up decently priced alcohol and having a pretty impressive (ahem, award-winning) cocktail bar. To celebrate their terrible twos, X&Y bar is having a massive two-night party with free entry! On Friday, Six Ft Hick will be rocking a live show with support Esteban Vihaio, followed by a 3-act DJ set. The Cairos will show the crowd up on Saturday, along with support from Vasy Mollo, and later taken over by Charlie Hustle and LL Cool James, who are sure to rock the party to the morning light. Two is a very vital age. Make sure you get down and enjoy the party so lovingly thrown by the birthday boy/girl (hey, they have both chromosomes), it'd be almost a shame to miss out on such a momentous occasion!
No one could accuse Ty Segall of being lazy. At the tender age of 23, Segall’s already got nine albums under his belt, including four solo albums since 2008 and three with The Epsilons, his former band. That’s nine albums in six years; six years of Ty whittling his unique brand of lo-fi garage punk rock, while also finding time to be a sometime member of the Sic Alps. Goodbye Bread is the latest release for Ty to add onto his arsenal of albums. It’s classic Segall, dark and reverb-drenched but shows development, being mellower and more psychedelic than previous releases. It’s the follow up to 2010’s Melted, and with its release comes Ty’s first Australian tour. First stop is Woodland this Thursday, where the one-man-wunderkind will be supported by Tiny Migrants and Martyr Privates. If you ever needed motivation to get down on a Thursday, Ty Segall is the perfect catalyst for you.
In a time when social media reigns supreme, how can we distinguish between what is real and what is not? Our RTs on Twitter, our reblogs on tumblr, our wall posts on Facebook, our pins on Pinterest – they create a virtual self that may or may not reflect how we actually act on a day to day basis. It’s kind of like that episode of Portlandia – which I fear is becoming a reality for me and my friends more and more every day. Choreographer Liesel Zink has taken this into account with her latest theatre work A Collection of Various Selves, a performance based on months of conversations between Zink and more than 800 people via social media networkers. A Collection of Various Selves explores where people stop and their online personas begin amongst 140 character tweets and rapid-fire status updates, through an eclectic performance by Zink and her crew of movers and shakers. Head down to Metro Arts from Wednesday to experience a self that varies from the usual – if you can bring yourself to tear yourself away from your computer.
UPDATE, DECEMBER 13: Go Boat has announced its Gold Coast launch date, setting sail from January 2020. The below story has been updated to reflect this. Southeast Queenslanders will have another excuse to hit the water this summer when GoBoat splashes into the region. The Denmark-born company has been busy launching its eco-friendly picnic boats in cities all over Europe, as well as in Canberra and Melbourne — and come January 1 2020, it's set to make its Gold Coast debut, giving punters a fun new way to cruise through Sanctuary Cove, the Coomera River and the Goldie's canals. Aimed at making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, the Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence, making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. In a win for the planet, they also run on silent, pollution-free, electric engines, and are crafted from a mix of reclaimed timber and recycled PET bottles. [caption id="attachment_701554" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lean Timms[/caption] Each of the contemporary GoBoats clocks in at 18-feet long, boasting a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And despite what you might be thinking, they're even affordable enough to fit your budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will you less than $13 per person, per hour. That's $99 hourly in total. GoBoat's Queensland fleet will set sail out of Sanctuary Cove Marina. Oh, and did we mention they're pet-friendly? Surely you've got a very good boy who deserves a river jaunt this summer. GoBoat will launch on the Gold Coast on January 1, 2020, with bookings available now. Top image: GoBoat Gold Coast.
Summer holidays might be well and truly over, and the arrival of 2019 might feel like yesterday's news now, but that doesn't mean that boring old adult life awaits. If you're still in kidult mode (or still want to be), this time of year is perfect for indulging your inner child. Just head to the movies. To the joy of all-ages film fans everywhere, the big screen is the place to find a whole heap of family-friendly flicks that are tailormade for kidults and actual kiddos alike. Animated delights, nostalgic throwbacks, comedies based on true tales — they're all here. Specifically, they're all on the Sunset Cinema program that takes over Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens from Thursday, February 28 to Saturday, April 13. Think bean bags, beers and bubbles for adult viewers and a lineup of movies for audiences both young and young at heart. There's your next night out all planned — and to make things even easier, here are four all-ages flicks to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMe7hUb3TpI MARY POPPINS RETURNS 2018 was a great year for Emily Blunt. She tried not to scream in terror — all while her pregnant character gave birth — in A Quiet Place, and then picked up an umbrella and floated in a completely different direction in Mary Poppins Returns. In both, she's fantastic. In Poppins in particular, she's a treat in the most delightful way. Stepping into Julie Andrews' shoes is no easy feat, but the English actor nails the job, and so does this five-decades-later sequel to everyone's favourite childhood film. Heading back to Cherry Tree Lane to revisit the now-adult Banks siblings (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer), as well as the next generation, the charming affair has future classic written all over it. Showing: Friday, March 15 and Friday, April 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay2fTiEi-RY RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET It's been more than eight decades since Disney made its first full-length movie, saying "hi-ho, hi-ho" to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. All these years later, it's still delivering hits — including Tangled, Frozen, Moana and Wreck-It Ralph in the last nine years alone. Now the latter gets a sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, which jumps from bringing to life retro arcade games to visualising what the online world might look like. Once again, the titular character (voiced by John C. Reilly) is our guide through this bright and lively adventure — though, his small offsider Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) steals the show this time around. Showing: Friday, March 22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW3AFC5uh4s A DOG'S WAY HOME Whether you couldn't stop watching Milo & Otis, fell head over heels for Beethoven, loved Air Bud or went old school with Lassie, a dog movie played a part in everyone's childhood. Thanks to Marley & Me and the Red Dog flicks over the past decade, pictures about puppers just keep charming hearts — and A Dog's Way Home wants to join that list. Adapted from the popular book of the same name by the author of fellow pooch-focused page-to-screen adaptation A Dog's Purpose, and based on a true story as well, this is basically the US version of Red Dog in a way. Story-wise, it tells of a four-legged cutie who does whatever it takes to make its way across 400 miles to get home to its owners, with Bryce Dallas Howard giving the doggo a voice. Showing: Friday, April 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=a5BhAw-2peo STORM BOY Mr Percival flies again in the latest homegrown film to hit cinema screens. If you went to an Aussie primary school in the past four decades, you'll know what that means. Initially, a short children's novel by Colin Thiele, Storm Boy became a beloved local film back in 1976 — and now it's back in new 2019 packaging. The core tale remains the same, focusing on a pre-teen boy (an astonishingly naturalistic Finn Little) who lives with his reclusive fisherman dad (Jai Courtney) on the South Australian coast and takes in three pelican chicks when their lives are threatened by hunters. The original David Gulpilil-starring flick has remained a classic for a reason, and this version follows in its footsteps. Afterwards, if you'd like a pelican for a best friend, that's understandable. Showing: Wednesday, April 10 Sunset Cinema will take over Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens from Thursday, February 28 to Saturday, April 13. Check out the full film program and book tickets here.
Situated smack-bang in the middle of the city, Post Office Square boasts many things, including lunchtime eateries, a patch of grass amidst towering office buildings and a busy thoroughfare to Central Station. And come April 9, it'll also feature Brisbane's newest micro pub, Isles Lane. Slotting into the parkside space at 300 Queen Street, the 400-person venue comes courtesy of Trent Meade and Matt Blyth, the current team behind Fortitude Valley's The Met and GPO Hotel. For their foray into the CBD, they're whipping up a casual watering hole that'll segue from daytime eating to afternoon drinks every day of the week. Or, as Meade explains it, the venue will take cues from "classic big city eating houses, from New York to Barcelona", while adding its own modern Australian twist. While the beverage selection promises familiar brews and special rotational beers, plus a curated array of riesling, rosé, prosecco and Champagne, Isles Lane is placing a heavy emphasis on the food side of the gastropub equation. With head chef Lucie Woods overseeing the kitchen, diners can expect the likes of chicken and waffles, lobster rolls, whole suckling pigs and spicy barbecue beer can chicken, along with sides of haloumi chips and spicy fried school prawns with burnt lemon aioli. Decor-wise, the space will take inspiration from its surroundings; think natural light and greenery aplenty. And, it'll also spread the fun outside as well as part of its lineup of yet-to-be-revealed events. Isles Lane at will open at shop 10A, 300 Queen Street, Brisbane from April 9. Head to the venue's website and Facebook page for further information.
Twelve nights of street food eats, a one-off pasta party, decadent surf 'n' turf, a celebration of young chefs and a huge array of lunch specials. They're the first things on the menu at this year's Good Food Month in Brisbane, with the city-wide culinary celebration set to return for the entire month of July. Actually, the delicious spread of foodie events will extend beyond the month, all thanks to the annual favourite that is the Night Noodle Markets. It's back in 2018, obviously, complete with stalls from Black Star Pastry, Hoy Pinoy, Waffleland, Puffle, Sambal Kampung, Bangkok Street Food, Bao Brothers, Little Kyoto, Phat Elephant and more. And, it'll run from July 25 to August 5, once again taking over the South Bank Cultural Forecourt. While the full Good Food Month program won't be unveiled until June, a handful of other highlights have also been revealed. Leading the charge, two of the biggest names in Australia's Italian cooking scene will whip up a four-course dinner at Bucci's Pasta Party, with the restaurant's head chef Shaun Malone teaming up with Monty Koludrovic from Sydney's Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. Or, for those after some seafood and steak of the fancier persuasion, Ocean's Prime will see Walter's Steakhouse pair up dry-aged prime beef with Moreton Bay bugs. Both meals don't come cheap — $120 for the former, $150 for the latter — but they do come with matched wines. From the tried-and-trusty part of the lineup, the iconic Young Chef's Lunch is back for another round, once again showcasing Brissie's emerging chefs. And, after proving noticeably absent in 2017, the Let's Do Lunch series returns with a new batch of midday options. If the above events have already whet your appetite, consider them the entree before the main meal. Nope, you won't be short on food options come July — and you won't be left hungry, either. Good Food Month Brisbane takes place between July 1 and 31 at various venues around the city, with the Night Noodle Markets running from July 25 to August 5. The full program will be released in June; however tickets to the just-announced events are already on sale — visit the event website for further details.
Empty plates are a diner's nightmare. If you're sitting in a restaurant and there's nothing in front of you, it's either because your meal hasn't arrived or because you've come to the end of a tasty dish. But at Matt Moran's Solotel group, empty plates will now help a very worthy cause: Australia's drought-affected farmers. With the country currently doing it tough, drought-wise — and farmers doing it even tougher — the hospitality empire has launched 'Plate for a Farmer', which encourages patrons to buy an empty plate to support those in need. You can purchase an empty entrée plate for $5 or a main plate for $10, with Solotel matching every dollar spent. The proceeds will then go to Rural Aid to assist with their mental health counselling and other drought support programs. If you're keen to give farmers a helping hand next time you're eating out, you can do so at Aria in both Sydney and Brisbane, plus Bea at Barangaroo House, Chiswick Woollahra, Chiswick at the Gallery, Paddo Inn, North Bondi Fish, Opera Bar and Chophouse. Solotel's initiative recognises the importance of Australian produce and rural suppliers to the group's meals, as well as Moran's background as a fourth-generation farmer. "Throughout my career, having access to the very best produce in Australia has been a joy, but the drought conditions that now shroud our countryside are having a devastating effect on our rural suppliers," says Moran. "As both a chef and a very proud fourth-generation farmer, this is heart-wrenching. Our Aussie farmers' hard work and innovation have enabled the team and me to bring wonderful seasonal menus, year after year. It's now time for us to step up and help them."
If there's one thing that Sundays were made for, it's enjoying leisurely drinks to the strains of a live tune or several in one of Brisbane's best hangouts. If wine and acoustic grooves tick the first two boxes for you, then head to The Triffid on March 26 to take care of the latter at Vino & Vibes. Ten Aussie wineries will bring more than 50 tipples to Newstead for your tasting pleasure, so prepare to keep a wine glass in your hand. You'll actually receive your very own to take home with you, plus discounts if you're keen on purchasing a few bottles or more, as well as a barbecue lunch. Don't forget the other great aspect of wine events: picking up a few tidbits and insider tricks that you can wheel out over dinner every time you get the chance afterwards. Oh, and plonk and lots of it. We'll say cheers to that.
Ever found yourself standing on stage, microphone in hand, ready to belt out a karaoke tune, but unable to pick which boy band you want to croon to? Ain't nothing but a heartache indeed. For everyone who has been in that larger than life situation, and everyone that'd like to be, Southside Tea Room is hosting the ultimate singalong night. Say hello to Boy Band Karaoke. You'll want it that way at Morningside's finest on April 22, and you'll be saying bye bye bye to any chance of keeping your love of singing and dancing groups of guys a secret. Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, One Direction, Westlife, 98 Degrees, Human Nature — they'll all get a whirl, with host Stephen Childs overseeing the shenanigans, a temporary tattoo parlour on the premises and prizes for best costume. A word to the wise: if you're ready to publicly embrace that love of boy bands that's been tearing up your heart, grab a free ticket once they're available online on March 22. The last time SSTR did karaoke — of the Disney-themed variety — it sold out quick smart. And we're betting there's more folks happy that Backstreet's back than you might think.
They say truth is stranger than fiction. The story told in The Eagle Huntress feels like a surreal cocktail of both. The impressive directorial debut by newcomer Otto Bell, the doco was the darling of last year's festival circuit. And while Bell may be green, he did manage to nab Star Wars star Daisy Ridley as both narrator and executive producer, so already his film has credentials. The documentary follows Aisholpan Nurgaiv, a very impressive 13-year-old Kazakh girl living in the severe Altai mountains in Mongolia. Her family are nomadic, travelling across the mountains and living on the land. As we're gradually introduced to her school, her friends and her responsibilities, we gain fascinating insight into the thoughts and experiences of a teenage girl in Mongolia. This alone would have made a unique documentary. But when Aisholpan gets home from school, she gears up and rides a horse out into the mountains with her father, where she trains golden eagles. With wingspans of up to 2.3 meters, the magnificent birds are used to hunt hares, foxes and even wolves. Aisholpan is in training to compete in the Golden Eagle Festival, an annual festival in the town of Olgii. There are seven generations of eagle hunters in her family, and her father is a two-time champion at the festival. She's the first woman to compete, and has every intention of being the first woman to win as well. The main tension in the film comes from the stinky old men who claim women can't be eagle hunters because of deeply entrenched, culturally reinforced sexism (and probably something about eagles smelling menstruation. Aisholpan faces an uphill battle with this one). The Eagle Huntress feels like both a documentary and a feature film, with one foot firmly in each camp. The stunning cinematography heightens the sense of drama, while candid interviews and Aisholpan's capriciousness keeps things feeling real. Bell's narrative approach can at times be a little jolting. We're conditioned to expect a certain amount of reminiscing and recapping, as most docos deal with the past and not the present. Still, all will be forgiven as you're swept up in the drama, the scenery and the determination of the plucky young girl at the film's centre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfi5JS6HTH0
Maybe you think he's the most imaginative filmmaker working today. Perhaps you loved his early movies, but haven't been as fond as his continued collaborations with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Either way, there's one thing everyone can agree on when it comes to Tim Burton: at his best, he's a cinematic artist. We're pretty sure everyone can also recognise that the man behind Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Corpse Bride is never less than fascinating, even when films like Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows aren't quite hitting their marks. Indeed, The Brightside is paying tribute to his distinctive style as much as his movie output in their one-evening-only gothic extravaganza, aka A Night of Tim Burton. Expect creepy flicks, Wonka candy cocktails, a Beetlejuice graveyard photobooth, and Jack and Sally Skeleton facepaint, plus Man vs Bear hosting a few rounds of Tim Burton trivia. And as always, expect to get dressed up for the occasion. If you've ever wanted to do your best Depp impression, here's your chance — and yes, there's prizes on offer for the best costume.
Women, adventure and filmmaking go hand-in-hand, even if the world doesn't often recognise it. The best surfing and skydiving movie ever made — that is, the original Point Break — was directed by a pre-Oscar-winning Kathryn Bigelow, for example. At the Women's Adventure Film Tour, she has plenty of fantastic female company. Australia's first film festival dedicated to inspiring ladies doing exciting and extraordinary things, the cinema showcase launched in Sydney in May, and now it's hitting the road. On its national trek, attendees can expect a high-octane onslaught of documentary efforts from Telluride's Mountainfilm festival, all highlighting real stories about women. The fest's selection also draws from a variety of cultures, touches upon a range of sports from around the world, and shows ladies either going full daredevil or stepping beyond their comfort zones — because adventure means different things to different people. A collaboration between Mountainfilm and female-fronted collective She Went Wild, it stops by Brisbane's Hawthorne Cinemas Deluxe on September 7, with tickets $25 for adults.
For 17 years, iconic live music venue The Zoo has been owned and operated by the kind of figures the industry needs more of. That'd be ladies. With Pixie Weyand taking the reigns from long-time owner Joc Curran, the Ann Street haunt isn't going to stop showcasing the women who work in the music biz — and with Girls to the Front!, its not going to stop celebrating them on stage, either. The Zoo's latest event does exactly what it promises, and it's certain to do it with enthusiasm, fun and an ace onslaught of sounds. Join Lita and the Bones, Leanne Tennant, Austen, Amela and ROO for an evening dedicated to the strong, talented females tearing up the Brissie scene. Entry costs $10, with tickets available on the door — and, because The Zoo really do want to support these ace women however they can, the entirety of your blue-coloured cash will go to the artists. Image: Austen.
What do Glen Hansard, Dropkick Murphys, The Cranberries, The Pogues, Elvis Costello, Sinead O'Connor and U2 all have in common? And Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Dubliners, Flogging Molly and Stiff Little Fingers too? It's not a trick question — it's all about their country of origin. 'Tis the time of year to be thinking Irish, after all. Forget all of the usual St Patrick's Day shenanigans, and celebrate the music instead at Where the Streets Have No Name. Sadly, none of the above talented folks and bands won't be in attendance, but you can expect to hear their tracks anyway. From 7.30pm on March 17, The Flanginpanis, Paddy McHugh Trio, Fox n Firkin, Andy McDonell Band and Alan Boyle Band will be paying tribute to all of the tracks and acts that have helped but Ireland's musos on the map. This isn't a "wear green" kind of shindig, but it's okay if you do — and if you want to see if Guinness is flowing through The Triffid's taps.
Russian society comes to Kelvin Grove from March 17 to 25, complete with power grabs, politics, secret liaisons and scandals. Yes, QUT's final-year acting are taking on Tolstoy courtesy of the text that'll always be a classic: Anna Karenina. For those who aren't familiar with the 19th-century source material, or missed the 2012 flick starring Kiera Knightley, expect a tale of love, lust and loyalty as the titular princess is forced to choose between her heart and her responsibilities. Sparks fly, obviously, as does plenty of societal commentary that's still relevant now. Of course, checking out the QUT production offers more than an affordable way to witness a literary great come to life — it helps support the next generation of talent too. Today, they're strutting around a stage as part of their course; tomorrow, who knows? See a stellar story from times gone by and the folks who'll help make them in the future.
Boards and decks and paints and cuts — and live tunes and arcade games too. That's what's on offer when Winn Lane's finest and their surrounding establishments come together in the place that may as well be the area's spiritual home: The Zoo. Yes, the Valley's resident writers, painters, artists, skaters, barbers, gamers, rockers and more are joining forces to turn All As One into quite the shindig on March 18, with everyone invited. It's the kind of gathering that's all about celebrating everyone as a whole, rather than spruiking individual talents, aka the type of thing that doesn't really happen all that often. As for specifics, expect a skate demo from Parliament Skate Shop, wall-to-wall live painting by The Culprit Club with help from Ironlak Art and Design Brisbane and Bench Espresso, a to-be-revealed roster of live music presented by The Zoo, haircuts by Babylon Falls Barbershop & Studio and arcade entertainment from Frankie's Arcade. Sounds busy in the best possible way, doesn't it?
How much do you know about this great city of ours? If you've lived here long enough, you might've picked up a few pieces of trivia; however even those with an encyclopaedic awareness of Brissie can discover a thing or two at Brisbane Powerhouse's latest offering. Think of The Story of Brisbane as a different take on the city's history — and one that shares the views of everyone from David Malouf to The Go-Betweens, while bringing you into the tale as well. With actors Therese Collie and Tim Mullooly as your guides, you'll embark upon a riverside tour based upon the words of Brisbane's great writers. As your feet are roaming around town, you'll delve into events spanning the original indigenous settlements to the state of the area today. A standard, school-style lesson, this definitely isn't, with Collie and Mullooly transforming themselves into a variety of characters during the wandering walk. You will need a Wednesday morning free to attend the weekly event — but if you're lucky enough to have a day off, you'll gain a unique insight into the city you call home.
