Like cocktails? Like devouring them at one of the Valley's favourite hangouts? No, they're not trick questions. If you answered yes to both — and we're certain that you did — then you're going to love Dutch Courage Officers' Mess returning boozy masterclasses. Not content with wowing thirsty folks with their drinks list — pavlova sour, anyone? — the Alfred Street hotspot wants to impart their beverage-shaking wisdom to their patrons. On the third Saturday of each month, they'll be enlisting their top-tier bartenders to share the tricks of the trade in themed afternoon sessions. Each class will cover everything from the tools you need to the basics of cocktail structure, as well as the history of alcoholic concoctions and tips for making your own recipes, too. A new theme, Modern Classics, will kick things off for the year on January 20, with breakfast martinis on the menu. As for the rest of the year, liquid desserts, winter warmers and a spice trade sojourn have all taken pride of place previously, which gives you an idea of what'll be in store. Whatever the subject, we're betting that a certain clear spirit will feature among the ingredients; this is a bar that boasts more than 150 gins on site, after all.
On January 20, splashing around in the Yeronga pool — after slipping, slopping and slapping on some sunscreen, of course — is just the start of the fun. What could make an afternoon lazing around in the water even better? That'd be food, glorious food, which the folks at Summer Food Trucks will take care of. Yes, it's a good ol' fashioned food truck pool party, other than the fact that the local concrete-surrounded body of water didn't have meals-on-wheels when you were a kid. No, trying to eat a Paddle Pop before it melts in the hot Queensland sun — which we've all done at least once — doesn't count. Mosey on down to School Road from 1pm for a dip and something delicious. And, if you can't make it, don't worry. Summer Food Truck Pool Parties will keep popping up around town, so keep an eye out for their next event.
If you're dedicated to avoiding meat and animal products, then you probably became an instant regular at Brisbane Vegan Markets when they first popped up a couple of years back. And, when they made the jump from monthly to twice-monthly thanks to their twilight version, you probably doubled up your shipping trips. That won't change in 2018, with Brisbane Vegan Markets returning with its regular gathering dedicated to animal-free wares. Celebrating ethical eating choices is the name of the game, and in the best way that anyone can: bringing together all of the stalls selling all of the vegan products. Whatever type of cruelty-free food you're after, there's a very good chance you'll find it here — on the second Sunday of each month from 9am to 3pm, and again on the fourth Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. Stallholders change each time, but attendees can expect guilt-free grab bites from a rotating range that has previously included I Should Coco, Tibetan Momo, Kings Indian Fusion, Fire & Dough, Tapioca Traders, Organic Frog Doughnuts, Chai Cart, Vegan Van, Vurger, Green Street Foods, Flour of Life and Popcorn Downunder — and they're just some of the traders setting up shop. Plus, there'll be clothing and cosmetics on offer too, and live music as well.
If the current wave of boozy exercise classes has taught us anything, it's that alcohol is a great motivator. If it has taught us anything else, it's that we mightn't be too far away from a future where the alternative — aka getting active without a drink in your hand — seems strange. Add Yin & Gin Fridays to the list of sessions making the case for simultaneous sipping and stretching. Here, you'll strike your best yoga pose while knocking back some juniper spirits, and, thanks to its Friday afternoon, post-work timeslot, you'll unwind from the 9-to-5 in quite the relaxing fashion. Unsurprisingly, something this ace is proving rather popular, with previous sessions selling out. The next takes place on January 19 at Stretch Yoga's Holland Park studio. The sessions include an Ink Gin cocktail, a Deep Stretch Yoga class, and cheese and nibbles afterwards, all in support of the Women's Legal Service. Bookings are essential.
There's something strange in the neighbourhood this week. In plenty of neighbourhoods across the city, in fact. With the second season of Stranger Things heading to Netflix on October 27, it's safe to say that many a Brisbane household will be diving into the show's '80s-set horror/sci-fi world — and quite a few bars as well. Hot on the heels of Electric Avenue's trivia night comes The Scratch's Stranger Things Tribute Art Show, which isn't simply a bunch of paintings made to appease the demogorgon (as fun as that definitely sounds). And, given that the 20 local artists involved haven't seen the show's new episodes yet, it's not going to feature every single one of season two's Ghostbusters references either. Instead, the one-night-only art show will light up the Milton bar with pieces inspired by Hawkins, #justiceforbarb, Steve's hair, Eleven's love of eggos and more. Brisbane Brewing Co will be whipping up some "Barb" rhubarb sour for the occasion, while the Hellmouth Diner are making — what else? — waffles. Throw on your best '80s threads, gather your gang and BMX your way there.
Calling all art lovers — and those who'd like to take their penchant for painting, sculpting and other creative endeavours to the next level. Brisbane's Institute of Modern Art is throwing their yearly shindig, and it's a themed affair. Here, you'll support one of the city's best galleries, and you'll wear your affection for your favourite artist or artwork not only on your sleeves, but as your entire outfit. If you're keen on going to IMA's Annual Party as your artistic self, that's fine too. Artists and artworks come in all shapes, sizes and guises, after all. Those who do get into the dress-up spirit will have their attire judged by Gail Sorronda, Dirk Yates and Carl Dempster, and can even win prizes; however having fun, celebrating the Brunswick Street institution and hanging out with like-minded art aficionados is the real agenda on October 28. Kicking off at 6pm, the event also includes the unveiling of the new IMA Courtyard Commission, Corps à Corps; tunes spun by A Love Supreme DJs; complimentary beverages on arrival from Madfish, Newstead Brewing Co., and Splitrock/Tiro; and Ben's Burgers making sure you don't go hungry. Entry is free, but attendees are asked to register in advance for what's bound to be one crazily creative night.
Brisbanites, there's no need to plan your dinner for Saturday night. We know what you're having, and it involves dumplings, burgers, doughnuts and ice cream. And if that feast doesn't sound appetising enough, everything on the menu is animal- and cruelty-free. You'd expect that at the Vegucation Vegan Night Market. After having some tasty vegan food fun last year, the evening gathering is coming back for another round — and another serving of delicious, healthy, plant-based fare. As well as MooFree Burgers, Cakegirl Donuts, Tibetan Momo Cafe and Space Bars Ice Creamery, expect edible wares from Flour of Life Bakery, Charlie's Nuts, Corn Star Brisbane and Pots of Produce, all at the Albion Peace Centre from 5pm on October 28. Non-cuisine stalls will also be on offer, as well as music to keep things humming, in what promises to be an informative and delicious event.
Everybody loves degustations. If you like food — and who doesn't? — then you obviously like eating several courses of it, and then several more. All those plates of deliciousness can't make you forget one simple truth, however: even when you're feasting on six different delectable savoury dishes, you're still looking forward to dessert more than anything else. The solution? Make sweet treats the main attraction. And, if you're Woolloongabba's Electric Avenue, enlist a Brisbane chocolate-maker to help. Together, the bar and BASIK are unleashing a secret chocolate degustation upon the city, in the venue's secret Jack Rabbit whiskey hideaway. Tickets cost $99, and they're limited, unsurprisingly. Attendees will receive a decadent booze and chocolate combo that starts with a cocktail upon arrival, includes four canapes — including vegetarian options — because everyone has to eat something sensible, and then works through two sets of four bon-bon Chocolates, with one matched with the perfect alcohol pairings. Expect rum and eggnog to feature, of course. Expect to feel rather merry as well.
There's no shortage of cliches, quotes and sayings about the inspirational, eye-opening, life-changing nature of travel. There's a reason for that — journeying beyond your own slab of concrete, visiting new places, getting immersed in other cultures and literally viewing life from a different space really does have an immense impact on how you see the world. If it's been a while since you've experienced that for yourself, let the Museum of Brisbane remind you in their latest exhibition: Our Collection: Journeys into the Asia-Pacific. The City Hall institution has delved into their array of artwork, found a plethora from artists who took inspiration from their travels, and turned the end result into a display that runs from November 3 to May 20. From paintings to ceramics to textiles, the pieces included all bear the marks of a wandering creative — with Irene Chou, Jan Davis, Ian Fairweather, Pamela See, Milton Moon and Gwyn Hanssen Pigott all either living in or spending extended periods visiting the likes of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and the Solomon Islands in the Asia-Pacific region. Journeys into the Asia Pacific also features five garments from Easton Pearson, based on the clothing label's creators fondness for doing what all fashion-loving folks do: trawling vintage shops and flea markets for great finds.
Brisbane creative types, rejoice: your favourite hobby has yet another outlet. Yes, we're talking about getting arty while getting into a few beverages, aka the hobby this city just can't get enough of. If you've frequented Cork & Chroma, Boozy Board Art, Botanical Drawing with Drinks, Pub Painting, Pastels & Plonk, Watercolour & Wine or Brushes and Beats, then you'll know what we're talking about. If you haven't — maybe the dates haven't yet aligned, or you just haven't gotten around to picking the session for you — then Pens 'n' Pints is your latest chance to discover just what all the fuss is about. You'll draw. You'll drink. That's all there is to it, really, other than illustrator Jimmy Patch offering his guidance. The November 9 class costs $55 per person, which includes pens, markers and pencils to whip up your masterpiece, plus some Young Henrys brews as inspiration.
So, you're the type of Brisbanite that buys their books from Avid Reader, their homewares from Nook and seeks out nut-based dairy products from Nutsy. You think Bee One Third neighbourhood honey is the bees knees, and you like to snack on Peruvian Munchies anytime you can. Sound familiar? Either all of the above, or just parts of it? If it doesn't, would you like it to? If you're a small-batch lover and a local-maker aficionado, you'll want to flock to Wandering Cooks' Yuletide gathering of Brissie's best — including all of the above, and more. From 3pm on December 16, you'll be spoiled for choice at the Small Batch Christmas Market. And, spoiled for gift options as well. Entry is free, and remember the golden rule of seasonal shopping: buying yourself a gift, or several, is a very important part of the festive process.
If there's one thing that's more soothing than staring at a transparent bowl filled with greenery, it's making your own mini garden. Yes, it's terrarium time, and you don't just want to pop one on your desk at work or your coffee table — you want to place every piece of rock and plant-life inside that terrarium yourself. That's where Work-Shop's Tropical Terrarium session comes in, under the guidance of experienced hands Bella and Keylan from Botanicals by Bella. As long as you bring along a clear, sizeable glass container, they'll teach you the tricks of the trade, give you everything else you need and help you pick up a soothing new hobby.
If you've ever had any doubts that there's a festival for everything, then Spruke just might convince you otherwise. The three-day event's focus falls on a certain, small, guitar-like instrument originating in Hawaii and gaining in widespread popularity. Yes, we're talking about the ukulele. Whether you're a dedicated uke fan, a wannabe player or a newcomer, the bi-annual festival has something for you. Performances by ukulele musicians from both Australian and overseas are the obvious drawcards; however this is as much about celebrating the joy of music — be it making it or listening to it — as it is about live shows. Accordingly, the program includes everything from workshops on strumming techniques to a plethora of jamming sessions, all largely taking place at the South Bank campus of TAFE Queensland Brisbane. And if you think all this uke spruiking isn'r for you, odes to Elvis and Beethoven, a glam rock class that teaches Bowie on the ukulele, and an open mic session at The Scratch in Milton might all change your mind.
A popular Christmas song that you're about to get stuck in your head claims that the festive season is the most wonderful time of the year; however October has to give it a run for its money. Not only are all things spooky and scary on the agenda as the end of the month nears, but all things beverage-related every October day beforehand. Yes, that means one thing: Oktoberfest. And at Green Beacon on October 1, they're showing just how to celebrate this adopted occasion the only way they know how. That's right, they're starting off the month by throwing their annual party. For the fifth time, you'll eat, drink and... well, actually, that's all there is to it. German-style beers such as Kolsch, Gose and Marzen will be on offer, and the food menu includes pretzels, pork knuckle, schnitzel, German sausages and German salads. Who needs Christmas?
Bingo. Rave. Two ends of the spectrum of fine holiday fun finally came together in Australia this year. Bongo's Bingo is a games night like you've never seen before. Part club, part rave, and, of course, part bingo night, this unlikely fusion event has been wildly popular in the UK since 2015. They took the show on the road, launching in Australia this June and coming back in August. And, it went so well, they're doing it all yet again. Patrons can expect all of the debauchery of the original British version of Bongo's Bingo, including rave intervals, dancing on tables and a loose kind of bingo that you definitely never played with your nan (well, maybe you have). The victorious players can win everything from big cash prizes to a Hills Hoist, with a range of some absolutely ridiculous surprises on offer. Bongo's Bingo heads to The Tivoli on November 24.
For the first time in Australia, Mustafah Abdulaziz's acclaimed photo exhibition, Water Stories, displayed in Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden last month, and now the exhibition moves to Brisbane's South Bank, along the lower boardwalk on Clem Jones Promenade. Taking a riverside location, the outdoor exhibition will display powerful images that highlight the ebb and flow of our most vulnerable resource, impacting people and communities around the world. US-born, Berlin-based Abdulaziz has already had an impressive career working for publications such as TIME, The Guardian and Wall Street Journal, plus has traversed four continents to better understand water. Through 70 large-scale images, the 31-year-old photographer's exhibition visually documents the current global water crisis through imagery of people, nature and landscapes. Since 2011, his ongoing project, supported by HSBC and in partnership with WWF, WaterAid and EarthWatch, has demonstrated how water impacts our collective and individual health, prosperity and future, and when managed properly, how it becomes a vein of life that upholds communities around the world, especially since there are over 800 million people without access to safe water. Abdulaziz hopes the exhibition will emphasise the importance of coming together to approach emerging water crises. WWF's Water Stories is on display along the lower boardwalk on Clem Jones Promenade from Friday, September 15 to Tuesday, September 26 between 7am–8pm each day, and lit up after sunset for nighttime viewing.
Fashion, art and design lovers, rejoice — Canvas Market is in town. Taking over the Brunswick Street Mall from 10am on September 16, the creative browse-and-buy session assembles the best clothing, paintings, and other imaginative bits and pieces that it can find for two reasons: to showcase exceptional fare of the high quality, original and ethical kind, and help you make some great purchases. Indeed, one of the cornerstones of the market isn't just offering up an art and design-focused shopping experience, but letting artists and designers sell and chat about their work. Every item and picture has a story, after all, and here you just might hear it from the source. In the process, customers can also feel assured that their cash is going straight to the folks responsible for their new prized possession. Whether your wardrobe needs a makeover, or your shelves and walls, you'll find something unique and different here — or have fun trying.
The weather might be heating up in sunny Queensland, but that doesn't mean you can't all spend a day pretending you're somewhere much, much cooler. How does an imaginary visit to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Iceland sound? All you need to do is head along to the Scandinavian Festival Brisbane. Now in its sixth year, the annual showcase of countries with colder climates offers a smorgasbord of authentic food, entertainment and shopping that'll make you think you're on the other side of the world. Yes, the festival does include two of the things Scandinavian nations are best known for: Ikea and Lego. In their new home at Bowen Hills' Perry Park, it also includes stalls serving up Swedish pastries, Finnish recycled products, Nordic homewares and other goodies, plus traditional folk dancing and music. 15,000 people attended last year, so arriving early is recommended — more Norwegian waffles, Swedish meatballs and Finnish beer for you.
Want to be surrounded by cute critters, and potentially give one a good home? Want to support the rescue groups and welfare organisations that help look after creatures with nowhere else to go? The RSPCA's annual Big Adopt-Out offers all this, plus that great feeling you get when you're helping a good cause. Basically, it's the nicest way an animal lover could spend a Saturday. Over 250 mousers and pooches of all ages will promise to make your heart melt; however kittens and puppies aren't the only drawcard. Expect food trucks and live entertainment, aka perfect ways to help pass the time while you're deciding which new pet to take with you. Expect vet advice and products to purchase too, ideally for the fresh addition to your family.
Think about how nervous you feel when you're on a first date. Now imagine that it's happening in front of a theatre full of people. In an era of online dating, when people are judged based solely on a handful of selfies, theatremaker Bron Batten transports the rituals of modern romance from your smartphone to the stage for Brisbane Festival. Onstage Dating is exactly what it sounds like: each night, a different volunteer gets put through the ringer, as Batten gleefully deconstructs the conventions of contemporary courtship. Will true love flourish, or will the night end in disaster? Either way, it sounds like fascinating viewing.
It's the ultimate trifecta: head near the shoreline, pair great views with some exercise, and do some buying and browsing as well. Welcome to the Seaside Vintage Trail, the Saturday stroll that combines all of the above. Come 9am on October 14, Sandgate is the place to be to wander, sift through retro treasures, and stock up on pre-loved bits and pieces. Reloved Relics, Call Me Old Fashioned, Hello Duckie and Old Favourites are the stores getting in on the action, selling everything from antiques to clothes to homewares. As you roam through the suburb's central business district, it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of event. Here, the choice is yours. Where do you start? Where do you finish? What do you purchase? How long do you spend staring at the sea? How many cafes will you pop into along the way? Should you have ice cream because you're near the beach? Only you can decide. Treat yo'self to the latter, though, obviously. Image: bertknot via Flickr.
What's more spectacular than spending time in Brisbane's great outdoors? Heading outside for an event dedicated to the city's multicultural community, that's what. Taking place at Roma Street Parklands from 10am on October 8, that's MOSAIC through and through. On what's forecast to be a sunny spring day, the festival will unleash a storm of world music, dance and food — aka the type of storm that brightens things up, rather than darkens clouds. Three stages will showcase performances, acoustic songs and cultural storytelling, while roving artists will keep things interesting amongst the crowds, celebrating the many talents Brisbanites have to offer. Then there's the food, with an array of international cuisine certain to be one of the event's highlights. Eat your way through a range of food and market stalls, and watch a few global cooking demos, then take in a world fashion show and try your hand at some arts and crafts.
From the lights of skyscrapers dappled along every city's horizon to the constant glow of phone, television and computer screens, the future is rather bright indeed. If you're missing the darkness, or haven't really pondered the fact that everything is illuminated, let Julie Vulcan's DARKlight_I: utterings envelop you in a realm between the two extremes — and get you thinking. Why are we drawn to the light? Why are we scared of the dark? Prepare for these questions to wash through your mind. The first section of her multi-part artwork WishingDARK, this four-day performance installation at Metro Arts presents a visual and sensorial experience, immersing attendees in a space where your eyes will have to adjust their focus. DARKlight_I: utterings will run over five sessions from October 4 to 7, with an artist talk taking place on October 6. The latter has been dubbed DARKsnack, and it'll feed your curiosity about the method behind Vulcan's embrace of the darkness, while Vulcan herself sits in the low-light installation, all over dark-influenced drinks and snacks. You'd best get in quick as tickets are limited. Image: Julie Vulcan, Wishing Dark. A work devised and performed by Julie Vulcan during a residency at the Rex Cramphorm Studio, University of Sydney. Sound by Ashley Scott.
If you studied art in school, then you probably made your own photograms. Sans camera, they're created by placing objects on photographic paper, then exposing the sheet to light. It's an easy but underrated art form, all silhouettes, texture, surfaces and visual poetry — but, we're guessing your dabbling didn't quite turn out like Renata Buziak's series of images, however. In reveal, Buziak turns photograms into a form of self portraiture, capturing her physical presence during a solitary performance. Spending days alone in a dark room, she fashioned pictures that achieve what all snaps aim to — painting with light. The results are on display at Onespace Gallery from September 20 to October 21, with an opening event at 4pm on September 23. Whatever you learned in school, you'll pick up a whole new appreciation for this style of image-making, and for quite the alternative to selfies. Image: Renata Buziak, 'Softly pressing down' (detail), 2017, C-Type print on aluminium, 186 x 29 cm.
The best dance performances leave audiences with two feelings: a deep appreciation for the artistry on display, and a burning need to tap one's own toes. Usually, however, you have to leave the venue to take care of the latter — but not at Attractor. A double Helpmann award winner, and a collaboration between Dancenorth, choreographers Lucy Guerin and Gideon Obarzanek, and heavy metal duo Senyawa, Attractor unleashes a trance like dance set to the sounds of the Indonesian rockers, one that proves both primal and ecstatic at once. Then, 15 minutes before the end, it invites you to join in. Don't worry — if you'd rather just watch, you can stay in your seat, but it's not every day that you get the chance to be part of the show. Those eager to take part need to specify when they're buying their ticket, but get in quick, as there's only 20 spaces available at each performance. Image: Gregory Lorenzutti.
Bust out your fedoras and flapper dresses, Brisbanites, and prepare to step back in time. For one night only, Cloudland will become a 1920s-era speakeasy inspired by the F. Scott Fitzgerald book that epitomises the period, and its two film adaptations. If you wanted to be an extra on Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby but didn't get the chance, this is the next best thing. At The Gatsby Gamble on September 22, attendees will work their way through an evening of games, puzzles and mysteries, all keeping with the Gatsby theme. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of night, with clues to collect, artworks to view, coins to earn, alliances to be made and a fortune to win. For the $65 price of admission, you'll get a two-hour hosted experience, a drink on arrival, canapes throughout the fun and chips to help grease the wheels. Pretending you're Leonardo DiCaprio or Carey Mulligan — or Robert Redford and Mia Farrow — is perfectly understandable.
From the heartfelt animation of Studio Ghibli to the sword-swinging excess of Takashi Miike, if there's one thing that Japanese cinema is known for, it's variety. And while neither feature on this year's Japanese Film Festival program, there's plenty more where they came from— including true tales of dentists who became pop stars, watercolour explorations of the impact of war and Tokyo murder mysteries. Screening at Event Cinemas Myer Centre from October 25 to 29, JFF 2017 continues the annual festival's fondness for diversity as it showcases the latest and greatest movies that Japan has to offer. Take its opening and closing films — kicking things off is historical ninja flick Mumon: The Land of Stealth, while acclaimed drama Radiance heads from Cannes to the fest's last night. Other highlights include Japan's next Oscar submission, Her Love Boils Bathwater; a moving account of a real-life chess prodigy's struggle in Satoshi - A Movie for Tomorrow; and perhaps the movie with the best moniker in the lineup, Hamon: Yakuza Boogie. Throw in the adorable animation of Ancien and the Magic Tablet and the crime thrills of Rage, and the scene is set for a delightful dip into Japan's movie magic.
Thanks to those inescapable pieces of technology we all keep glued to our hands, taking and making portraits — of others, and of ourselves — is far from a dying art. And, it's far from a boring one as well. That was true before we all started snapping everyone we've ever met, uploading them to Instagram and playing with silly filters on SnapChat. It's true of painted pictures as well. In Portray and Play, the QUT Art Museum steps through the wonders of the portraiture world via a series of unusual images. Highlights include photographs by major Dutch figures Hendrik Kerstens and Erwin Olaf, including the former's Lampshade and Bag pieces, as well as oil sketches of Brisbane in the '80s by Richard Dunlop, and other far-from-average items in the gallery's collection. Running from January 6 to February 4, the exhibition also runs alongside the summer holiday program Draw It. Code It., should you have some little ones to entertain. They'll be able to get in on the self-portrait action and test out their drawing skills from 10am to 4pm from January 6 to 14. Image: Hendrik Kerstens, Lampshade, 2008, ultrachrome print.
Thirsty? If you're not now, you will be once you've read this. That's the only appropriate reaction to a festival of beer, after all. Just think of all the amber liquids and foamy goodness. Okay, enough drooling; here are the important details every ale lover needs: more than 130 beers and ciders will be on offer, plus a range of international food trucks. To set the mood for a full day of booze and food on February 24, there'll also be live entertainment as well. It's the fifth year that Eatons Hill Hotel has hosted the tipple-fuelled shindig, once again celebrating drinking, eating and enjoying a day in Brisbane's glorious outdoors. If you're serious about your beverages, you'll want to taste, sip, sample and chat to folks from more than 30-plus breweries, with the attendee list ranging from Balter and Green Beacon to Stone & Wood and Young Henrys. Basically, if there's a beer heaven, this is it. Image: Brisbane Beer Fest.
Brisbane isn't the centre of the universe — but for five days in March, it'll feel that way when it comes to all things science and technology. For the third year in a row, the city plays host to the only Asia-Pacific offshoot of New York's World Science Festival. The short version: prepare to be showered in knowledge. This year's science extravaganza will take over a lengthy list of local venues between March 21 and 25, offering up a hefty list of activities to go along with it. Watching classic sci-fi flick Close Encounters of the Third Kind with a live score and staring up into the sky on top-notch telescopes are just the beginning, with the rest of the lineup spanning everything from the annual turtle hatching session (yes, real, tiny turtles), to a meal specifically crafted according to scent, to a science-inspired film screening program at GOMA, plus sci-fi storytelling, an outdoor science playground and Dr Karl doing his thing. And, if you're keen to listen to some smart folks discuss important subjects, you won't be disappointed. Among the highlights, a panel of neuroscientists, psychiatrists and biologists will chat about the brain; others will delve into space junk floating above the earth; and more still will contemplate 30,000 years of human survival. You know, just everyday topics.
Casinos don't do things by halves. Take Treasury's new shindig, for example. Putting on their first Cocktails & Canapes in the Park session in what's intended to be a series, they're not just throwing together a few tables of drinks and trays of nibbles. No, they're amassing 12 pop-up cocktail bars and an array of food stalls. 12. Cocktail. Bars. Yes, really. On the menu: Veuve Cliquot Rich, Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Chambord, Pimm's, Herradura, Aperol and more. Beer lovers, you'll also find a craft beer station with Little Creatures brews, plus vino aficionados can expect a wine bar with Squealing Pig, T'Gallant and Wolf Blass drops. And eats-wise, the international-focused range will include fish tacos, pulled BBQ pork sliders, gyoza and prawn skewers. With live music and a dance floor too, it all gets underway under the Queen's Park Marquee outside the Treasury Hotel from 6pm to 9pm on February 23, with tickets $69 per person. And no, you won't get kicked out come closing time — that's just when the official, paid-for proceedings end, and the event opens its doors to the public.
When it comes to eating dessert in Brisbane, it's worth remembering two things — particularly if you're partial to hefty helpings of frozen dairy products. Firstly, it's never too cold for ice cream or gelato. Secondly, you can never have too much ice cream or gelato. Indeed, it was the city's insatiable appetite for frosty, creamy goodness that helped La Macelleria open a second store in West End, and now they're upping the ante with their best invention yet. Behold: All-You-Can-Eat Gelato day, taking place on March 25. $10 gets you as much deliciousness as you can handle — in cups and cones only — so we'd recommend blocking out plenty of time. As well as just generally feasting your way through their usual flavours, they'll have five newbies only available on the day, including matcha, maple pecan pie, and coconut white chocolate and lime, plus sorbets of Earl Grey and yuzu, and strawberry and balsamic vinegar.
Handball isn't just something kids play in the schoolyard. Well, it is for the most part, but that doesn't mean running around a slab of concrete while attempting to slap a tennis ball with your hand isn't something anyone at any age can enjoy. Or, that you can't indulge in the game of your youthful lunchtimes with a beverage in your hand — or in a bar for that matter. If you haven't outgrown it, or if you want to relive those past glories, then Sabotage Social have the event for you. Come Boxing Day, they're dedicating the afternoon and evening to something other than cricket, but it'll be just as serious. As a boozy handball tournament should be, of course. The folks from 4ZZZ's Kids With Class Kicking Arse will be guiding the show, while the venue will be serving up the refreshing tipples between balls. Entry costs $5 per person for a six-round — plus finals — contest. Registrations open at 2.15pm, with the action starting at 2.30pm. Now, that's one way to have a bouncing great time.
From Moonlight winning best picture at this year's Oscars, to Call Me By Your Name looking set to shine brightly in the current awards season, 2017 has been a great year for queer cinema. God's Own Country, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, A Fantastic Woman, Beach Rats — the list goes on. And while they haven't all made it to Australian cinemas just yet, two of them are coming Brisbane's way thanks to the Brisbane Queer Film Festival. While the actual fest doesn't roll around again until March 2018, the BQFF team is treating Brissie cinephiles to sessions of Beach Rats and Call Me By Your Name a little early. The first, on December 13, marks the festival's fundraiser — so if you're eager for an ace event next year, you'll want to show your support. The second, on December 16, gives movie buffs a sneak peek of the film that has been enchanting audiences since it premiered at Sundance. (Don't believe us? Here's our thoughts from Sundance, Berlinale and the Sydney Film Festival.)
Fancy a spot of Saturday shopping, but not sure where to go or what to buy? The solution: think independent. While that might be great all-round advice for supporting local business, it's also the specific idea behind the Brisbane Indie Sale Trail. Taking place from 9am to 4pm on February 24, it's a simple way to throw your love behind — and cash towards — Brissie's ace small stores. It's also a great way to get a discount, with shoppers nabbing a percentage off their purchases that grows with each stop (as long as you spend at least $20). And, it's basically the adult version of a treasure hunt, given that you'll hop around town and look for whatever delights tempt your wallet. Five retailers are taking part: onegirlstudio, Paper boat press, Nook, Green Tangerine and Scrumptious Reads, meaning that everything from homewares to ceramics to clothes to reading material is covered. As is much of this town of ours, with the full trail seeing participants flitting from Ashgrove to West End and even out to Sherwood.
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. Now, ready to sink his teeth into a new chapter of music-infused revelry, Loud's announced his latest project, Hot Dub Wine Machine — a series of al fresco get-togethers that'll take over four of the country's best-loved wine regions. This Australia-wide tour follows the raging success of Hot Dub Wine Machine's inaugural event, which saw over 6000 wine and music lovers flock to McLaren Vale's Serafino Winery in December last year. This time around, the scenic vistas and rolling hills of wineries Australia-wide will play host to the festivities, including the Somerset Valley's Ocean View Estate on Saturday, April 1. The boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark, and feature a hand-picked smorgasbord of Australian musical talent. This will all lead into one of Hot Dub's signature sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as the DJ mixes an iconic song from each year. Backing up the tunes, expect a careful curation of locally-sourced gourmet eats, craft beer, cocktails, and of course, some sensational vino from these iconic Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year. Images: Pat Stevenson.
Want a bit of greenery in your life, but suffer from thumbs of a different colour? Or, maybe you love hardy plants of the thick and fleshy variety, particularly those native to arid climates and known to retain water. Either way, like most things, there's an event just for it. Hosted by Facebook group Succulovers, the Succulent & Cacti Extravaganza is their latest trading day. If you're after succulents, cactus and lithops that are rare, colourful and unique, you'll find them here. Echeverias, sempervivums, kalanchoes, cotyledon, graptopetalum, haworthias, aeoniums, pachyphytum, gasterias, haworthias: even if none of that means anything to you, you can feel good knowing that they'll all be on offer. Just remember a couple of things going in. Firstly, such pretty, pretty flora make ideal gifts for absolutely everyone. Secondly, if you're buying something for yourself, your new purchases will look pretty ace brightening up your Insta feed.
It's not every day that Brisbane pips Australia's other capitals in the art stakes — and when it does, it's worth paying attention to the exhibition in question. Taking over the Institute of Modern Art from February 11 to March 25, Ebb Rains marks the country's first-ever solo showcase for artist and educator Willem de Rooij. The Berlin-based Dutch creative has exhibited everywhere from the nations he was both born and lives in, to France, the UK and the USA. Now, it's our turn. And, if you're wondering why — other than the talent on display in his pieces, of course — then just think about the concept of expansion. Ebb Rains contemplates these kinds of forces in a number of ways: first and foremost, by pondering the Dutch presence in the Asia-Pacific region throughout history. It also ruminates upon the ways that interventions can take place in the natural world, adding an extra layer. And then, there's de Rooij's work itself. Featuring two large-scale textiles created in response to the topic, as well as a collection of others, his output demonstrates his growing, evolving, intensifying body of art. Image: Willem de Rooij, Blue to Black (120 x 550 cm, batik hand-printed fabric, 2012). Installation view, Hollandaise, Raw Material Company, Dakar, 2013. Courtesy the artist and Galerie Chantal Crousel, Paris.
The 2013 Boston Marathon came to an end with the kind of bang that no one could've imagined. As spectators lined the streets on April 15, cheering and chatting while waiting for competitors to cross the finish line, two brothers detonated home-made explosives. Showing the strength that its inhabitants pride themselves on, the city banded together as victims were mourned, the injured treated and the culprits pursued. You know the details — they were splashed across the news around the world. Now, in their third collaboration based on true life events, writer-director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg dramatise the events in Patriots Day. After probing an unsuccessful military counter-intelligence mission in Lone Survivor, and gushing oil in the Gulf of Mexico in Deepwater Horizon, the pair once again offer an on-the-ground look at a tragic event in recent history. It's an ambitious task, particularly given the number of characters featured, as well as the intricacies of the post-bombing manhunt. Those complexities keep the procedural aspects of Patriots Day tense and involving. Unfortunately, they don't make Berg's fondness for easy sentiment any less obvious. Specifically, the film presents a case of patriotism versus terror — or us versus them — clear and simple. In the first camp sits cop Tommy Saunders (Wahlberg), an always-everywhere everyman drawn from several real-life people, who is trying to keep his boss (John Goodman) happy by working the marathon. Cautious but determined FBI agent (Kevin Bacon) oversees operations following the attack, while a local sergeant (JK Simmons) polices a nearby town. Their targets: Dzhokhar (Alex Wolff) and Tamerlan Tsarnaev (Themo Melikidze), whose deeds and paths overlap with plenty of others, including a couple watching the race, an officer guarding a university and a Chinese student proud of his new car. Using individual experiences to piece together a broader narrative isn't a new approach when it comes to stories like this. It's simple and it's effective – descriptors that could also be used to describe the docudrama shooting style, the frenetically paced editing, and the tense, pulsing score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It's not hard to appreciate the technical prowess on display as Berg turns much of the movie into an action-thriller. Nor can you fault him for wanting to pay tribute to the folks left to search and scramble in the aftermath of the bombing. And yet despite this, Patriots Day makes for uncomfortable viewing. The film was shot in early 2016, and therefore can't really be accused of intentionally pushing an agenda linked to recent political developments. Nevertheless, there's a lingering sense of awkwardness that springs from the way the film leans on easy cliches, stereotypes and emotions for entertainment — even though it's based on something that really happened, and even as it tasks Bacon's character with voicing a few token words of warning about needlessly perpetuating fear. That's where the complicated nature of the underlying story, and of bringing historic tragedies to the screen in general, proves most difficult for Berg.
From February to June this year, Event Cinemas at the Myer Centre will screen cult film classics. You won't need to take a day off to head to one of the screenings (they're on Friday night every fortnight) — but the program does start with the most famous movie character that did, Ferris Bueller of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The cult hits will keep coming whether you're seeing them for the first time or the twentieth. Dose up on nostalgia with Stand By Me and E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, or adopt Tyler Durden's mindset by watching Fight Club. Johnny Depp (sans banned puppies) will make an appearance in Edward Scissorhands, before the festival goes gangster with The Untouchables and The Godfather Part II. One flick isn't always enough, so select evenings will screen double features. On February 17 it's The Fly and Gattaca (for those who like their sci-fi bleak) and RoboCop and Flash Gordon on April 28 (for some trashy fun). Screenings start at 7pm on Friday nights (double features start at 6.30pm).
If simply hearing about a particular type of food instantly makes you want to eat it, consider yourself warned: we see a hefty array of baked goods in your future. Albion has just welcomed a new haven for bread, pasta and pastries in the form of newcomer Doughcraft, which heroes European-style bites. If hearing about Albion's latest additions instantly makes you think about Craft'd Grounds, too, you're on the right track here. Open since June, Doughcraft has settled into the new inner-north dining precinct, which is also home to everything from coffee roastery Seven Miles and brewery Brewtide through to French fine-diner Herve's. On the bakery's menu: mascarpone-filled doughnuts, raspberry brioche buns and gorgonzola breadsticks, plus Nutella-filled cruffins. Crusty beer-infused buns stuffed with mortadella and pecorino romano are on offer as well, as are sausage rolls — and, back on the sweet side of things, so are rum and vanilla-flavoured French pastries, fruit-topped danishes, and strawberry, caramel and pistachio meringues. Sweet, savoury, hot, cold, eating in, taking away: they're all covered. And if there's one dish you'll definitely want to make the trip for, it's Doughcraft's raclette with prosciutto, salami and potatoes, which is served up from Friday–Sunday. Head Chef Marco Conti, who boasts ten years of experience in restaurants across Sardinia, London, Manchester, Liverpool and Brisbane, describes Doughcraft's food lineup as offering "something for all occasions". "So whether you're enjoying our one-of-a-kind pain au chocolat with your morning Seven Miles single-origin coffee; a Brewtide coffee stout along with our Sardinian sausage, manuka honey and Normandie brie 'casa panini' for lunch; or our Sardinian lasagne enjoyed at home for dinner, there's something to cater for everyone's tastes," Conti continues. Visitors to the Albion spot will notice the open, airy look and feel, too — amid everything tempting their tastebuds — including a glass-enclosed preparation area where you can watch pasta being made. Repurposed timbers and materials feature heavily, and Doughcraft skews as European as possible with its hanging shelves filled with baskets of bread. Sustainability is also a huge focus, with the bakery favouring local ingredients and aiming to create zero food wastage. The latter means turning leftover croissants into puddings, as well as donating excess bread to farmers to feed livestock — and finding as many other ways to tick that box as possible. Find Doughcraft at Craft'd Grounds, 31–37 Collingwood Street, Albion — open from 5am.
Finding a designated driver on New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — no one's putting their hand up to find a park near the fireworks, South Bank or anywhere near the city. TransLink understands, and is easing the pain of commuting on the big night (slightly) by offering public transport for free. On Friday, December 31, all trains, buses, ferries and CityCats will be free from 8pm through until 5.30am on Saturday, January 1. This doesn't apply to the Airtrain or long-distance services, but if you're otherwise travelling within Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, you're in luck. And, on the Goldie, it includes trams, too. In Brisbane, as there will most likely be hordes of people flocking to and from the fireworks, there'll also be additional buses and trains around South Bank, and the South Brisbane and Roma Street train stations — with extra buses between 8.40pm–1.40am and trains from 8.30am until early morning. You can check out a comprehensive rundown of New Year's Eve services at the TransLink website. Find more information on free travel periods, and on service updates, head to the TransLink website.
The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7) features artworks by over 140 artists from 25 countries across the region. Pieces such as paintings, installations, sculptures and photography by Indigenous Australians and Papua New Guinean artists will also be showcased. Works by young Indonesia and Vietnamese artists will be featured, as well as artists' work from Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. The central theme of APT7 is humanity's relationship to place at a time of rapid urbanisation and increase of people, trade and influence. The artists showcased have explored ideas regarding structures, have represented changing landscapes and alternative relationships between the city and humans. This innovative, inspiring and interesting exhibition is running for five months at both the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Interactive programs for children as well as a cinema program will be included during the exhibition. This showcase displays the finest artworks from across the Asia Pacific region and as it only occurs every three years, it is worth checking out!
Jason “Spaceman” Pierce and company last graced us in 2011; now, with a new album and a bigger sonic and visual spectacle in their arsenal, Spiritualized are presenting their latest offering Sweet Heart, Sweet Light. Sweet Heart, Sweet Light has been praised across the board, labelled by online indie-handbook Pitchfork as “probably the most uplifting album of [J Spaceman’s] career. It is the seventh studio album from Spiritualized. Long time fans will be treated to the group’s all-encompassing performance that will cover the classics of their now 22-year career, and there are few places better than Brisbane’s Hi-Fi to exhibit the space rock of the critically acclaimed group. Spiritualized will be joined by special guests Lost Animal for what is sure to be an undeniable gig.
Besides baguettes, berets and Brie, the French are also very well known for their music. So Frenchy So Chic serves to bring stunning French music to our very own doorstep as it showcases some of the country's finest musical talents. Paris band Revolver will be playing at So Frenchy So Chic. The four piece formed in 2006 and make infectious indie-pop infused with impressive harmonies to create their unique sound. The boys have wooed audiences across Europe and now it's your turn to be seduced by their music. Although they have a distinctive sound, Revolver site their influences to be musicians such as The Beatles, Elliot Smith, Neil Young and Radiohead. Catch the charming quartet and their beautiful music at the Powerhouse this Friday and be transported to Paris with their French pop sound and sublime vocals.
It is very easy, tempting even, to hoist up Samsara as a repeat reminder of how fevered we've grown in our lust for quick-cut edits, elevator-pitch plots and uncomplicated relationships. This latest film by director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson (previously partnered in 1992's Baraka) is a non-verbal meditation on our planet and the billions who share it with us, and while only 99 minutes long, Samsara stares you in the eye for longer than most find comfortable. Casually moonlighting as the name of an exotic scent or clothing range, samsara is Sanskrit for "the ever-turning wheel of life", and it is this motif that led Fricke and Magidson through a five-year shoot in twenty-five countries on five continents. Samsara is the wheel of life, death and rebirth, but it is also the grinding wheels of commercial labour, of fickle trends, and of the literal vehicles that the production crew commandeered in their often gruelling efforts to obtain 70mm footage for a few seconds of screen time. This herculean dedication to cinematography has certainly returned great wonders. Samsara flows from one luscious image to the next, carried by intuitive editing rather than plot, and is supported by an original score from Michael Stearns, Lisa Gerrard and Marcello De Francisci that perpetually slips away from defining the meaning of a scene (while almost always evoking a whiff of patchouli and chai). One of the driving concepts of Samsara are the portraits. These are sustained takes of people staring at the camera, their charged gazes a tribute to the eternal expression found on Tutankhamun's sarcophagus. A simple theme, but one that perfectly captures the sense that we are all occupants of this "mudball spinning in space", as Fricke terms it, no matter how varied our style, home or eye colour. It is interesting to note that these are the obvious moments of stillness — the fluttering lives — while the longer-living landscapes and architecture we inhabit are shown in dynamic time-lapses, as if it is the mudball that is sloughing away faster than our flesh. Perhaps here there is a point of concern about the motivations behind Samsara. Fricke and Magidson are keen for the film to be a guided meditation, "not about right or wrong...[but] about how it is now". Mostly the images and sequences allow viewers to reflect and ruminate on their own thoughts; however, there are certain footage choices throughout Samsara that it is naive to declare free of political weight. A significant section of the film plays witness to the immense production lines, for instance, rendering machines, humans and livestock into commodities at a rate and volume that is staggering to witness. While Fricke and Magidson may not have nailed a manifesto to the projector, there is no denying how charged this footage is in light of our daily dialogues on scarcity and peak economics. Whether or not there is a polemic actually behind its majesty, Samsara is a film that provides a great counterpoint to the usual Boxing Day fare at cinemas. For those who are overfed on the sugar and fat of blockbusters, prepare to cleanse your mind and heart with another kind of richness. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qp967YAAdNk
Queensland Conservatorium's first year Musical Theatre students have put their heart and soul into a special workshop production, The Wishing Well. This two and a half hour production is directed by Sue Rider and Jim Vilé and promises to engage and inspire. This performance revolves around Edith Middleton, a lady from London who leaves her harsh homeland for the promise of a brighter future to be found in Australia. However, Edith arrives in Sydney during the peak of the Depression and faces a whole new set of obstacles. Her son, Tim, is born with a hole in his heart and the story follows the pair as they struggle for a better life and learn lessons about the blessings and curses that life has to offer. The Wishing Well will be performed for four nights only and is recommended for people aged over 15 years. Grab your tickets now!
There's no need to sugarcoat Brisbane's newest event — you'll find plenty of sweetness on offer regardless. After all, that's what you'd expect at the city's first-ever dedicated dessert festival. It's called Sweet Street for a good reason. Taking over the Alden Street laneway behind The Wickham in Fortitude Valley from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, October 29, Sweet Street promises the kind of wonderland Homer Simpson couldn't even dream of. Specific details are still being kept under wraps, but The Wickham and Lucid Sweets are involved, with the event currently seeking expressions of interest from other dessert masters. Regardless of the final lineup of vendors, sweet treats will be available for brekkie, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and every excuse in-between. The festival explicitly promises "more brownies, cupcakes, macarons, meringues and doughnuts than you ever thought could fit in once space". That sound you can hear? It's your stomach grumbling. If you've spent some time indulging your sweet tooth in Sydney, the name might sound familiar, thanks to the Shangri-La's annual dessert extravaganza. Whether the two events are related, or just share a mouth-watering moniker, Brissie's sugar lovers are in for quite the sweet occasion. Sweet Street takes place on Saturday, October 29 in Alden Street, Fortitude Valley. For more details, keep an eye on the event's Facebook page.
They're crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and come in more colours than you can think of. They're a hit at markets around the city, spreading sugary joy in varieties as delicious and diverse as espresso, rosewater and pistachio, honeycomb and bubblegum. Yes, we're talking about Lucid Sweets' luscious meringue kisses, aka those bright egg white creations Brisbanites can't seem to gobble up fast enough. And now, in the news we've all been waiting for, they're going to be available more readily, more often. Prepare to spend more time in Geebung from March, because that's where and when Lucid will be setting up their permanent store. The store will see them serving up their beloved fluffy treats over the counter as well as their existing market appearances and online orders. There must be something about the northside suburb, with Nutri Hitt also settling into the area in recent months (although their desserts are on the healthier side of things). Lucid isn't just about meringues of the rainbow-hued and bite-sized kind though — so if your sweet tooth hankers for something else, you won't be disappointed. As anyone who has spent far too long drooling over their Instagram feed will know, the artisan baking wizards are also renowned for their Mexican chilli chocolate, Cookie Monster, Cherry Ripe and Bubble O' Bill mini pavlovas, plus the occasional cake and biscuit. Find Lucid Sweets in Geebung from March, and keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for the final address and opening details.
