UPDATE, October 19, 2020: Climax is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes and Amazon Video. A bowl of LSD-laced sangria. A thumping soundtrack. Dancers at the top of their game. With the lurid and kinetic Climax, Gaspar Noé takes a trip into a memorable, manic and murderous all-night party. Loosely based on a true story that dates back to the 90s, it starts with a troupe busting moves, downing beverages and blowing off steam after rehearsals, then discovering that their drinks have been spiked. That said, 'discover' isn't really the best word to describe folks realising that their nightmare is real. It's wholly accurate, however it can't completely convey Selva (Sofia Boutella) and her crew's horrific predicament. Writing as well as directing and co-editing, Noé isn't interested in explaining or describing, so that's about as far as his narrative goes. But, as the Argentine-born, French-based provocateur keeps demonstrating with each successive picture, he loves plunging audiences into hallucinatory and immersive worlds. From I Stand Alone and Irreversible to Enter the Void and Love, every movie on his resume involves a straightforward set-up, followed by a descent into chaos and mayhem of varying kinds. That said, Climax's might just be the most literal. One moment, everyone is eagerly strutting their stuff in a seemingly safe space. The next, an orgy of screams, tears, paranoia, sex, blood and death is the new normal. From a largely non-professional cast that numbers 24, all trapped in a remote hall as snow falls outside, connective threads emerge. Selva isn't particularly happy with anyone, and David (Romain Guillermic) considers himself the ladies man of the gang. Emmanuelle (Claude Gajan Maull) is trying to balance her career with being a mother to the young Tito (Vince Galliot Cumant), while everyone just wants to let loose as Daddy the DJ (Kiddy Smile) hits the decks. Personal squabbles, petty grievances and plenty of baggage all add to a jittery, claustrophobic mood, and that's before the acid takes effect. When the drugs kick in, so too do the group's fears and insecurities, the competitive vibe that comes with performing for a living, and the emotional and physical slaughter. Epitomising the idea that style can equal substance (as he has across his entire filmography), it's how Noé spins this story that mesmerises. Whether he's watching the troupe unleash their stellar dance skills in Climax's hypnotic first half, or charting carnage in its second, there's never a dull moment. There's never an average or unengaging moment either, or one that doesn't want to get a rise out of viewers. All of the director's usual traits are on display, from the propulsive tunes that set a distinctive rhythm, to the fluid and floating camerawork by his now four-time cinematographer Benoît Debie, to his penchant for evocative red lighting. And yet, pairing them with dance is a masterstroke. Noé already has a handful of music videos to his name, including for Nick Cave, Placebo and Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter (who contributes a new song to Climax's soundtrack), but in mixing fancy footwork and horror, he might've found his true calling. That's not to say that Climax doesn't have thematic bite as it both revels in and dissects hedonism, and posits that creation and destruction are two sides of the same coin. Nor does it mean that Noé isn't up to his usual tongue-in-cheek tricks (he introduces his main players via video auditions screened on a TV, with VHS tapes of boundary-pushing classics like Suspiria and Salò underneath). But the film is an experience above all else. Purposefully overwhelming the senses — and trying to shatter them, too — it pulls you in with a lengthy sequence of astonishing choreography. It gets your toes tapping until they can't stop. Then, it forces its pulsating frenzy into your soul. The result is Noé at his best, and is best summarised by a song by his regular collaborator Bangalter. In a sea of sweat and terror, Climax loses itself, its characters and its audience to dance in the most bold, unhinged and thrilling way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-ydNrDCw58c
It doesn't take much to turn a day at the Regatta into a party — but when the iconic Brissie pub really wants to throw a shindig, it knows how to go about it. Enter Regatta Fair, the fifth annual occasion dedicated to three days of riverside food, booze and hanging out. Taking place between Friday, April 5 and Sunday, April 7, it's an excuse to eat, drink and be merry at one of the city's favourite haunts — and you won't hear us complaining about that. Who doesn't want to wander beneath the fairy lights in the venue's laneway, peruse stalls selling all your favourite stomach fillers and thirst quenchers, and listen to DJ sets and live music in the process? Anyone keen on truffle and porcini mushroom arancini, smokehouse pork tacos, Belgian-style waffles and strawberry cheesecake won't be disappointed, so arrive hungry. And neither will those after an a range of wines, beers, ciders, sparkling, whisky or pina coladas, so arrive with a hankering for a beverage or several — and for a fun afternoon. Entry is free — and you can either pay as you eat and drink, or fork out $45 for four beverage tokens and one food token.
Nothing says winter in Brisbane like the Royal Queensland Show taking over the RNA Showgrounds each August. Get ready for rides, show bags, giant vegetables, cute animals, possible Matt Damon sightings (it happened in 2023) and Brissie's favourite dessert: those coveted strawberry sundaes. There's always plenty to see, do and eat — and a reason that the event comes with its own midweek public holiday. Brisbanites get set free from work to rush along, fill themselves up with fried and sugary goodness, then brave the rides and gaze at the fireworks. While this year's day off falls on Wednesday, August 14, the Ekka still runs for its usual nine days between Saturday, August 10–Sunday, August 18. That means plenty of time to enjoy sideshows, animal competitions, cooking demonstrations, live music and more — patting pigs, crashing dodgems, throwing balls in a clown's mouth for a prize and taking home all the Bertie Beetles you can eat all included. Almost 380 different types of show bags will be up for grabs, with 77 new bags on offer in 2024 and prices still starting at $2 each (then ranging much, much higher in some instances). For the evening Ekka Nites lineup's return, live performances will shine when the sun goes down. As well as lighting up the heavens with fireworks and drones, expect everything from galloping horses and stunt performers to country karaoke. Because attending the Ekka usually isn't kind on anyone's wallet, this year's event also boasts a new Ekka Tuckshop, letting you get a bite to eat for $5 and under. [caption id="attachment_861552" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rommel Carlos Photography[/caption]
Beer festivals can happen anywhere, because events dedicated to showcasing and sinking brews are all about the drinks, not the location. Host a beer fest in stunning surroundings, however, and it's a sure-fire way to level up an already enticing celebration. That's what Range Brewing's Gerard Martin and Matt McIver decided back in 2022, when the pair gave Brisbane a brand-new booze event that's all about independent beers. That festival? Juicy. And its glitzy locale? The one and only Fortitude Music Hall. That initial event was clearly a hit, because the Range crew are back to do it all again in the eye-catching Valley Mall venue. 2023's Juicy Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, March 11, this time with up to 90 different brews from 20-plus brewers ready to be sampled beneath Fortitude Music Hall's chandeliers. As it did last year, it'll host two sessions: an afternoon slot from 12–4pm and an evening one from 6–10pm. "We gave the beer festival industry a bit of a shake up with Juicy last year and the resounding response was that the public and the brewers loved it," says McIver. "We think the all-in ticketing model is the future of the modern beer experience in Australia and we are stoked to be bringing another rendition of Juicy back in 2023." As well as getting attendees sipping beers under those chandeliers, this one-day event pairs yeasty beverages with a soundtrack, all as part of a ticketed affair that covers everything you'll taste for that one price. Martin and McIver took inspiration from overseas, then decided to bring it home — and give Fortitude Music Hall its first-ever beer festival in the process. So, you'll pay your entry fee, get your glass and start enjoying your way through all the brews on offer — without needing to worry about paying for drinks as you go. Each beer is served up in the event's exclusive tasting glasses, and every single one on offer in 2023 will be different to the lineup in 2022. Breweries getting some love at Juicy's second fest include Sydney's Wildflower, Melbournian's Hop Nation and Brisbane's Sea Legs, as well as everywhere from Grifter and Molly Rose to Garage Project and Working Title. Yes, Range features as well, naturally. DJ Ebony Boadu, DJ Sampology and select DJs from Fortitude Valley's QUIVR DJ School will provide the tunes — and to help line the stomach, Shucks Oyster Bar will be slinging seafood, Southside will serve up its Asian cuisine and Baja is bringing the Mexican bites. Also on offer, and a perfect beer accompaniment: steak and frites. Juicy Beer Festival takes place on Saturday, March 11. For more information or to buy tickets from 9am on Thursday, January 19, head to the fest's website.
Each spring, Brisbane's big screens spend a few weeks celebrating Italian movies. If you're keen to see flicks from the European nation at Australia's picture palaces beyond the annual Italian Film Festival, however, that isn't always guaranteed across the rest of the year. Espresso Cinema is doing its part to help change that — and, making its debut in the Queensland capital, that means hosting three screenings in 2025 that are giving a trio of Italian titles their Aussie premieres. The place: New Farm Cinemas, where Espresso Cinema's lineup of new, applauded and award-winning films are flickering on a trio of individual dates. First up is The Story of Frank and Nina, with the movie series opening on Sunday, June 29 with the Milan-set, Paola Randi (Beata te)-directed and Ludovica Nasti (My Brilliant Friend)-starring recipient of the 2024 Venice Film Festival's Magic Lantern Award. For a trip to the Alba white truffle region of Italy instead, Trifole plays on Sunday, July 20 — and charts the efforts of a Londoner (Ydalie Turk, who also co-wrote the film) making the journey back to Piedmont to look after her truffle-forager grandfather (Umberto Orsini, Marcel!), then following in his footsteps with his dog Birba to attempt to save his house. Finally, come Sunday, August 31, documentary The Sleeper: The Lost Caravaggio wraps 2025's season up with the potential discovery of a lost piece by Caravaggio in an 80-year-old Madrid woman's lounge room.
Just when you thought no more of your teenage dreams could come true, there's yet another juicy serve of musical nostalgia heading our way this February. The next edition of RNB Vine Days is set to deliver a lineup that'll have you throwing back hard to the good ol' days. The one-day festival differs a little from the aforementioned arena spectaculars — instead of being held in a stadium, the concert will take over a winery at Mount Cotton. It makes sense — the tour comes from the same minds that brought you A Day on the Green. Similarly, RNB Vine Days will be all ages and bring with it a star-studded cast of old-school music icons. Hitting the stage this time around is none other than UK pop royalty Craig David, who'll be performing alongside his full live band. Brit-Canadian girl group All Saints will send you tripping back in time as they revisit smooth hits like 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores', while renowned rapper Nelly will be getting the crowd 'Hot In Herre' as he throws down previous gems like 'Dilemma', 'Ride Wit Me' and 'Just A Dream'. Singer-songwriter Amerie and RnB Fridays Live resident DJ YO! MAFIA round out the lineup, to be be enjoyed alongside a day of sunshine, gourmet eats and the venue's own signature wines.
Everyone has a favourite holiday, venues included — and it looks like Brisbane Quarter's might just be Easter. The precinct itself is welcoming in towering glowing bunnies, while W Brisbane is putting on decadent high teas themed to fit the occasion. So if you like peering at luminous rabbits, then tucking into tiny bites to eat and sipping spritzes, you'd best add a trip to this CBD spot to your must-do list. For the food and drinks, you'll be moseying on over to W Brisbane's Living Room for its Hopping Good Easter High Tea. On the menu: 'paint your own' Valrhona white chocolate easter eggs, hot cross scones, raspberry chocolate squares and mocha crème brulee tarts, as well as confit duck pie, lobster tarts and creamy truffle eggs with blue scampi caviar. But you'll probably get most excited about the boozy side of things — including bottomless Chandon Garden Spritzes. Yes, it's time to chose your pals best in need of a treat, then make a date — with these high teas kicking off from 11am–3pm on Friday, April 1 and running from Friday–Sunday each week until Sunday, April 24. If you're keen, you have two price options. Pay $65 each, and you'll feast your way through the food, accompanied as much tea and coffee as you can drink. Opt for the $109 option, however, you can add those aforementioned free-flowing spritzes.
Mr Laneous gives new meaning to the term 'energetic.' When the West End native and his Family Yah crew come together, musical havoc ensues. Placing the group's punchy melodic chants, reggie rythms, sneaky electro sounds and free form jazz into one category is not an easy fete. Pseudo-indie-hip-hop is one popular interpretation. Music-that-makes-you-skip-and-giggle-with-glee is another. Despite tripping the light fantastic at Big Day Out, Woodford and Sunset Sounds over the summer festival season, the band shows no signs of slowing down. In order to celebrate the release of their new EP Scissors the Family Yah will be packing up their genre-bending groove train and touring the east coast. No rest for the wicked indeed. The 10 piece band will cap off the tour in their hometown of Brisbane, where patrons will bare witness to a chaotic show of new danceable tracks along with old crowd (and triple j) favorites including 'It Only Takes,' 'Bubblegum' and 'Searing Life.' There to add to the ruckus will be MC Tuka, one forth of the Sydney DJ crew Thundamentals and the man behind the 2010 Reggae album 'Will Rap For Tuka.'
With Baby Driver, writer/director/music lover Edgar Wright takes a guy, a girl, gangsters, guns and getaway cars, and sends audiences on quite the ride. The filmmaker behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World doesn't exactly seek to sell audiences on the high-stakes, heist-pulling lifestyle. In fact, his protagonist Baby (Ansel Elgort) desperately wants to drive away from crime. But there's one thing that brightens up this speedster's obligation to underworld boss Doc (Kevin Spacey), and it's something we can all relate to: that fantastic feeling of hearing the right song at the right time, boosting your mood and changing how you see the world around you. Whether he's hurtling through the streets or sitting in a booth at a diner, one of Baby's ever-present old school iPods always has the goods to improve any situation. His personal soundtrack makes dealing with bank-robbing thugs like Griff (Jon Bernthal), Bats (Jamie Foxx), and lovers Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza González) bearable. It also makes meeting waitress Debora (Lily James), who enters his orbit literally crooning his name, all the more special. Baby is turning a routine into a dream with the right MP3s, and Wright wants viewers to lap up every second of it. Cue Queen, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the kind of deep cuts the term 'deep cuts' was coined to describe. With Wright stylishly weaving his music choices into the fabric of both the film and its title character, there's barely a minute that passes by without the right audio accompaniment. There's singing and dancing and in-sync editing and cinematography — although Baby Driver isn't a musical. Rather, it's a playlist paired with glossy, kinetic pictures that delivers its story in video clip-length doses. Unsurprisingly, the film was actually inspired by Wright's music video for Mint Royale's 'Blue Song', which makes a blink-or-you'll-miss-it appearance here. And yet, while Baby himself might avoid lulls in his flow of sounds (at one point, we even see him time the start of a job to a specific ditty) even the liveliest of mixtapes can run out of steam. Perhaps that's why Baby Driver entertains in the moment yet can't quite maintain momentum, and why a sense of repetition eventually sets in. Recognisable refrains begin to echo across scenes, while nods to similar flicks about heists, souped-up vehicles and lovers-against-the world — including Drive, The Driver, Point Break, Wild at Heart and A Life Less Ordinary — grow increasingly obvious. Still, as you watch the cast revel in Wright's music-filled world, it's easy to enjoy much of the drive. Baby Driver's rush of attitude doesn't just ooze through its lovingly selected tunes. It's also present in Elgort and James' clear chemistry, and in the way Spacey, Hamm and González's embrace their shady supporting players. Baby's story gets dark and bloody at various points, but the film remains a light and playful dose of high-octane crime-romance hijinks. Think of it as the movie equivalent of a disposable toe-tapping pop song: mostly pumping, thumping fun, but it just can't play on forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7xtCrhwD0
So many films, such little spare cash. Know the feeling? Going to the movies isn't a particularly cheap night out, especially if you're fond of popcorn and choc tops while you watch. Even if you're an avid film buff, you can probably empathise. For one week between Thursday, August 29 and Wednesday, September 4, Five Star Cinemas is here to help. If the independent chain's name doesn't sound familiar, then New Farm Cinemas and The Elizabeth Picture Theatre will. Head into either spot during the aforementioned dates, and you can see any movie you like for $6. And, if you'd like to get cosy in either the venue's premium cinemas, that'll cost you $12. Flick-wise, there's plenty to see, whether Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, stirring documentary The Australian Dream, gorgeous Japanese animation Weathering with You, or unsettling horror movie Midsommar takes your fancy. If you're more of a drive-in fan, you can also zip down to Yatala, too. Sit in your car, watch The Lion King or Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw and pay $35 for a carload of up to six people.
Love is in the air at Victoria Park / Barrambin this February. Movies are screening in the open air, too. On Saturday, February 11, in the lead up to the supposedly most romantic day of the year, the Herston patch of turf is bringing back its outdoor cinema for a Movie Date Night session. Even better: entry is free, with the event starting at 5.30pm. That's when onsite food trucks will be serving, so you will need your wallet for that — or you and your other half can pack your own snacks and drinks, and enjoy a picnic. Movie-wise, Pixar's Up will play from 6.45pm in all of its adorable and heartfelt glory, while The Proposal then hits the screen with its rom-com antics from 8.30pm. And, if your dog likes flicks under the stars, too, you can bring them along — but they need to remain on a leash.
The Alex Perry Hotel puts its designer credentials right there in its name. This Fortitude Valley property is decked out with all of the fashion designer's signature touches pulled directly from his runway creations. Think rich, dark colours contrasting with gleaming white and natural tones, plus natural light aplenty. And, the rooms are all apartment-style, which always helps in making you feel at home. It might be located in a busy area for boutique accommodation, near both The Calile and Ovolo the Valley — both of which have their place in the list of the best boutique hotels in Brisbane — but there's one thing that helps Alex Perry Hotel stand out: its rooftop space. There's a pool, naturally; however, sitting on the astroturf and admiring the sunset is one of the best ways to soak in the best of Brisbane's sensational weather.
At Sydney's Don't Tell Aunty and Melbourne's Daughter in Law, chef Jessi Singh serves up Indian cuisine his way. He isn't flouting tradition; rather, he doesn't think there's any such thing as 'authentic' Indian food. "There are no recipes, and everything is passed on through the generations in the kitchen verbally," he explains about his rule-breaking dishes — which'll also be available in Byron Bay in mid-June. Singh is expanding the Daughter in Law brand to the beachside town, with the new 65-seat eatery setting up shop on Fletcher Street. Both locals and visitors to the scenic spot can expect to tuck into a seafood-heavy menu, which'll also place an emphasis on both vegan and gluten free fare. Ingredients from the Northern Rivers region will feature, too, with Singh calling his dishes "global food with an Indian twist". In Melbourne, the culinary lineup spans Indian fried chicken, tandoori tikka sliders and papadum platters — if you're wondering what kind of meals Singh classes as 'unauthentic'. The food menu will be paired with an extensive wine list curated by sommelier Bhatia Dheeraj, self-serve fridges full of beer and cider, and a range of cocktails. Sip the Indian spiced sangria, and you'll be tasting red wine, sweet vermouth and orange. Opt for the restaurant's namesake tipple, and you'll be enjoying Brookie's gin, a tandoori-fired pineapple and cardamom lime. Vibe-wise, the new Daughter in Law will take its cues from its location — think playful, vibrant and also relaxed. Patrons will get comfortable on green and blue velvet seating, drink from handmade glasses covered in rainbow peacocks, and sit amidst gold flourishes and under a pink neon sign. Scenes from Bollywood films will brighten up the walls, while DJs will spin 80s and 90s tracks daily. Daughter in Law's Byron Bay restaurant will mark the chain's third, after setting up shop in Adelaide earlier in 2021. Before launching Don't Tell Aunty in Sydney in 2018 — and going on to start its growing no-frills Australian-Indian bar and grill sibling — Singh spent a lengthy stint in the US running his two Babu Ji outposts. Daughter in Law will open at 22 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, in mid-June — trading from 5pm–late seven days a week.
There are many ways to choose which tipple to drink, and being intrigued by the name is as good as any. That might've been how you first discovered Nosferatu Distillery's gins — or how you're coming across them now. A spirits brand that shares its moniker with one of the most influential movies ever made, about vampires or otherwise, was always going to stand out. The fact that Nosferatu's eponymous gin is a tasty blood orange number was always going to earn attention, too — and, of course, the Count Orlok-shaped silhouette on the bottle's label along with it. Here's another reason for Brisbanites to throw the company some love: its newly opened headquarters in Bowen Hills, which operates as a distillery, bar and cafe. Get a caffeine fix by day, then sip gin by night: that's on the menu at the boutique brand's new Brisbane base. Located in Jeays Street and welcoming in gin lovers Monday–Saturday, it'll actually celebrate its grand launch on Saturday, October 15; however, it is indeed already trading. The drinks lineup includes all of the usual coffee options, teas, StrangeLove sodas (keeping the movie theme) and non-alcoholic beers for those keen on a non-boozy beverage. Or, there's wine, beer and the company's range of spirits — Nosferatu Blood Orange Gin, Mandrake Cucumber and Mint Gin, Giselle Pavlova Gin and Bunyip Sticky Gin — including in cocktails and flights. While the company has taken its cues from a horror great in its title, its new industrial-style warehouse space definitely hasn't. Here, in a light and airy setup, expect leafy plants aplenty around the venue, a retro-style van as a bar, and the distillery's operations in full view. Bites to eat are served up by a rotating array of food trucks. And Nosferatu's Bowen Hills location is dog-friendly, too, so add it to you and your pooch's next cafe or bar outing. Find Nosferatu Distillery at 26 Jeays St, Bowen Hills — open 7am–5pm Monday–Wednesday, 7am–9pm Thursday–Friday and 11.30am–9pm Saturdays, with the venue's grand launch set to be celebrated on Saturday, October 15.
Fancy a French Riviera-style summer, but can't afford the trip to Europe? Pretend you're on the other side of the world while just journeying up the coast thanks to The Cabana Club, the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort's new Sunday session. It has only been a few short months since the hotel launched The Cabanas, which offer pristine shelters and decadent menus, aiming to make visitors think they've been whisked far, far away. While they're only available to those staying at the resort, The Cabana Club is an open-for-everyone affair. Just bring your chic-dressed self, your mates and your eagerness for a fun end to the weekend. Kicking off on November 26, and running from 2pm to 6pm each week, The Cabana Club will feature DJs spinning relaxed tunes, plus a bar serving beverages to get you in a chilled-out mood. Alas, you won't get access to the pool while you're there — so factor in some beach time if you want a swim. Entry is free and bookings aren't required, but places are limited.
As well as having a catchy name, Kangaroo Point's One Fish Two Fish always serves up a decent catch. And if you're fond of shellfish, you'll particularly agree with that statement this autumn. Throughout March, the seafood eatery is focusing on crab and crayfish. It's plating up its fancy feast for dinner on Wednesdays–Fridays and lunch on Fridays–Sundays, in fact — so get ready to treat yo'self with a five-course meal. This year's Crab and Cray Cray costs $95 per person. Tempting your tastebuds: Fraser Isle crab bruschetta (with fennel, lemon, caviar, olive oil and dill), mornay pastry triangles with crab and crayfish (served with house-made chilli jam), and grilled baby whiting stuffed with sand crab (plus pan-fried potatoes, pancetta and caramelised onion). There's also a palette cleanser of granita with blueberries and lemon between the pastries and whiting — and, for dessert warm chocolate fondant served with orange sorbet is on the menu. No, those two courses don't include crayfish or crab. Bookings are essential by contacting the venue — and drinks will cost you extra.
Over the past couple of decades, Brisbanites have become accustomed to seeing Ben Ely in the city's live music venues — either as part of Regurgitator, or with one of his many other projects. An artist of the visual as well as musical kind, he's also becoming a fixture of Brissie gallery spaces. In fact, just months after bringing his Everything Must Go exhibition to Brisbane Powerhouse, he's back again. Where his last creative showcase focused on the business of selling courtesy of promotional material for a few fictitious items, Ely is focusing on something that's been part and parcel of his on-stage efforts this time around. You can't be a rock star without walking up to the mic, picking up an instrument and putting on one hell of a performance — yep, as the exhibition's title exclaims, it's SHOWTIME! All types of performance, spanning punk rock, circus, burlesque, dance, theatre and comedy, and including everything from behind-the-scenes preparations to post-show antics, fall into this colourful, character-filled display. Gracing the Powerhouse's walls from November 7 to December 3 as part of the venue's Wonderland festival, it's also a chance for fans to snap up a piece for their walls at home, with Ely's artwork also for sale.
A glowing palace is coming to the Gold Coast — but just for ten days. From Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 25, it'll tower outside HOTA, Home of the Arts, as part of the venue's Wonder arts festival. That structure, called Alcazar, spans seven metres in height — and 13 metres in width. Mixing art and architecture, it looks like a series of stacked circles, reaching up three levels. Yes, you can indeed walk through the installation. In fact, you're meant to in order to see how both light and colour shift throughout the space. Even better: it's a different experience in the daylight, when the sun beams over the outer facade, and at night, when internal lights get luminous. Free to see at the site's outdoor stage for ten spring days, Alcazar hails from the artists at Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu, and is having its world premiere at HOTA. It'll be open from 9am–9pm on September 16, 19–21 and 23; 9am–5pm on September 17, 22 and 24; and 7am–9pm on September 18 and 25. On Sunday, September 18, an early-morning yoga session will take over Alcazar, too — and on Saturday, September 24, the Lux de da Luna dinner will serve up a five-course meal with the installation as a backdrop.
The bourbon maestros at Woodford Reserve are inviting Aussies to raise their glass to a cocktail classic as Old Fashioned Week returns with a generous twist this November (and we're not talking about the garnish). Extending the celebrations from seven days to an entire month, Woodford Reserve is offering complimentary cocktails at its participating bars nationwide so lovers of Kentucky's finest dram can enjoy an expertly crafted drink without worrying about their wallet. Brisbanites should head to Fortitude Valley's Savile Row or luxe diner The Arsonist, where they can enjoy their first round of Old Fashioneds on the house, courtesy of Woodford Reserve. The celebrations don't stop with a quick cocktail. Woodford Reserve will be bringing in international expertise in the form of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. During her visit, she will lead a series of bourbon masterclasses, offering bartenders and enthusiasts alike the chance to learn from her insights on the art of distilling and how Woodford Reserve has been crafted to be the perfect bourbon for an Old Fashioned. "We're thrilled to be bringing Old Fashioned Week back to Australia once again this year," says Richard Dredge, Woodford Reserve Senior Brand Manager at Brown-Forman. "And this time, we're making it even bigger and better than ever."
If you've got a penchant for parchment, Pepe's Paperie is the perfect place to indulge in all your stationery needs. Pens, notebooks, journals, leather goods, and decadent gift wrap are in abundance in the Paddington store. Inspired by a love of fine Italian stationary, Pepe's Paperie prides itself on the quality, luxury and stylish nature of the products sourced and stocked from Australia and around the world. The Paddington store is housed in an old Queenslander, that oozes charm and inspires letter-sending.
When Dr Jane Goodall volunteered to live among chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, newspaper headlines were dismissive. Nearly 60 years later, the pioneering primatologist is world-renowned for her groundbreaking research — highlighting how closely connected humans are to our closest living relatives. Having dedicated the past six decades to her ongoing study, animal welfare in general and conservation, Goodall has lived a vastly fascinating life, which she'll be chatting about when she comes to Australia in May 2019. Goodall will appear at Jane Goodall: Rewind The Future event, which heads to the Sydney ICC on Thursday, May 8 and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, May 11. The session will feature a 40-minute lecture by Goodall about her work, followed by a conversation between Goodall and a host for the same duration. Topics certain to get a mention include just how revolutionary her findings were at the time — and the impact they still have now — as well as her connection with the resident primates of Gombe. You can also expect Goodall to discuss her subsequent efforts to fight against threats to African chimpanzee populations, such as deforestation, illegal trade and unethical mining operations. Indeed, wildlife and environmental conservation is the main aim of the Jane Goodall Institute, which she founded in 1977. The Jane Goodall Institute Australia and Think Inc. are behind her 2019 Aussie trip. Catch Jane Goodall: Rewind The Future at the Sydney ICC on Thursday, May 8 and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, May 11, with tickets on sale now.
Brisbanites, if catching a train is on your Saturday agenda — and catching one to get to or through the inner-city in a hurry in particularly — you might want to start making other plans. Every line that runs through the Brisbane CBD has been suspended this morning, Saturday, July 25, due to an incident requiring emergency services, with every single stop between Roma Street to Bowen Hills impacted. All services on all lines that run through the CBD are affected, which spans a lengthy list, including the Airport, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast services. Also impacted: the Beenleigh, Caboolture, Ipswich/Rosewood, Springfield, Cleveland, Doomben, Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Redcliffe Peninsula lines, too. https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1286800112300294147 Buses have been brought in to replace trains through the CBD at present, running between Albion, Milton and South Brisbane train stations. That said, Translink still advises that passengers should expect to add an extra hour onto their travel time for the time being. For further details about the rail delays, head to the Translink website — or keep an eye on the Translink Twitter feed.
For eight weeks this autumn, Hamilton will boast two places to see movies. Only one will get you catching a flick outdoors, under the stars and by the river, however. That cinema: Sunset Cinema, which first popped up at Northshore in 2023 and is returning to get its projector whirring again from late-March through till mid-May in 2024. While sunset doesn't usually follow moonlight, Brisbane's outdoor cinema scene is one place where it does, with Sunset Cinema hitting town a month after Moonlight Cinema wrapped up its latest season. The latter gets a summer run in Roma Street Parkland each year, while the former opts for autumn in Hamilton. It's been a busy period to see a movie beneath the evening sky in general in the River City, with Brissie now home to a permanent year-round openair picture palace over at Brisbane Powerhouse. For Sunset Cinema's 2024 stint in the Queensland capital, films will screen at Dock D, largely from Wednesday–Saturday. The season kicks off on Thursday, March 21 with rom-com Anyone But You, then ends on Sunday, May 11 with Kung Fu Panda 4. In-between, everything from more Sydney Sweeney in Madame Web to twice the Timothée Chalamet thanks to Wonka and Dune: Part Two is on the lineup — and also Barbie, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Wicked Little Letters and Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black as well. Filmgoers can also see Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn's latest spy caper Argylle, the Mean Girls musical starring Australian actor Angourie Rice (The Last Thing He Told Me), witness Barbie's Kingsley Ben-Adir transform into a reggae icon in Bob Marley: One Love and catch Eric Bana's second stint as Aaron Falk in Force of Nature: The Dry 2. A number of double features filled with retro classics are on the bill, so the OG Mean Girls will show with Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You with Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie with Jennifer's Body. Or, there's Finding Nemo paired with Toy Story, then The Princess Bride with The Wizard of Oz. BYO picnics are encouraged, but the event is fully licensed, so alcohol can only be purchased onsite. For that, Oxford Landing is providing the wine, Manly Spirits Distillery Co the gin for G&Ts and Mountain Culture Beer Co the brews. Didn't pack enough snacks? There's hot food options, plus plenty of the requisite cinema treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn. Choose a VIP seat in the sunset lounge, which comes with premium bean lounges and the best view of the screen, and your popcorn will be bottomless, in fact. Sunset Cinema is doing headphones for its audio, so you'll be listening in via bluetooth once the flick kicks off at last light (with gates opening at 5.30pm). And, your movie-loving dog won't miss out, with the picture palace pooch-friendly, but Rover will need to stay on a leash. Sunset Cinema will run from Thursday, March 21–Sunday, May 11, 2024 at Dock D, Northshore Hamilton. Head to the Sunset Cinema website for further details.
Turning an unloved patch of the inner city into Brisbane's newest riverside precinct, Howard Smith Wharves has quickly made its presence known. Breweries, overwater bars, Greek tavernas, Japanese joints, gelato — you'll find them all here. Come Tuesday, December 31, you'll also find plenty of ways to party. Getting into the NYE spirit to cap off its first full year of operation, HSW is throwing a heap of shindigs to see out 2019. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of deal, with something on offer for all price ranges — and both laidback and luxe options as well. Of course, there's one thing they all share: a mighty fine view of the fireworks. Want to get the celebrations started early? Head to Felons' free shenanigans from 11am, where you'll find brews aplenty, obviously. Fancy a picnic on the lawn? That's free to attend too, with plenty of food and drinks on offer to purchase. Those in the mood for some kidulting fun will also be catered for, with a family-friendly fun fair running from 6pm. Your $59 ticket gets you a meal, a boozy drink, some gelato, and access to a whole heap of arcade and video games. You can also splash out of a $299 Champagne-fuelled party in Bougainvillea House, which includes five hours of drinks and canapés — or go Italian at Ciao Papi's family-style soiree for $199.
A few years back, VEND Marketplace added a new space dedicated to plants. Its mission: to help you fill your home with all types of greenery. And to help you do just that, it's hosting another of its regular — and huge — sales. Welcome to the Greenhouse, as the area is aptly known. The place where gardeners' dreams come true, it's upping the ante from 8am–4pm on Saturday, December 17. That's when the 250-square-metre indoor garden will be slinging its green babies at a special one-day Life Is Plantastic! event — and yes, there'll be succulents, cacti and indoor-friendly plants, plus pots as well. Thanks to the onsite cafe, there'll also be juice, smoothies, tea, coffee, beer and wine to drink — and meals to eat if all that shopping through stalls and 100-plus businesses gets your stomach rumbling. VEND is also doggo-friendly, should you want to bring your four-legged pal with you. And getting in quickly is recommended, because these plant specials are on offer on a first in, first served basis. It's VEND's last plant sale of 2022, and also timed nicely if you'd like to give greenery for Christmas. Images: VEND Marketplace.
Drinking a beverage and watching a band ranks among life's simplest pleasures. Enjoying one of hundreds of craft beers and ciders from around 50 independent brewers and cideries, while being entertained by Thundamentals, Briggs, Jesswar, Hockey Dad, Ruby Fields, Dear Seattle, Charlie Collins, BRIS182 and VOIID — now that's how you take something great and make it even better. Ensuring a good time is had by all is part of the aim of the Beer InCider Experience, which is returning for a second time in 2019. After holding a one-day fest in March, it's back for the full two-day deal on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 — and it's a same place, same ace fun kind of situation. As always, the event will showcase the best in brews and music, and throw in some delicious food and entertainment options. And, like previous fests, the tasting festival is taking over the Brisbane Showgrounds. Felons, Gage Roads, Stone and Wood, Young Henrys, Range Brewing, Burleigh Brewing, Soapbox Beer, Slipstream and Kaiju are among the breweries that'll be quenching your thirst for lagers, ales and more, plus Golden Axe, Sunshine Coast Cider and others on the cider front. Expect collaborative beverages and exclusive brews made just for the day, plus local food-slinging folks helping to line your stomach, and even a ping pong arena, a handball court, art installations and games. Yes, this truly is the ultimate in drinks-focused festivals. Tickets start from $35 and are on sale now. Images: Beer InCider.
Among the many things we've all been missing over the past year or so, big events and venturing far and wide both rank high on the list. Large-scale music festivals have only just started making a comeback around the country, and being allowed to leave the country to holiday in New Zealand is still a relatively new development. But if you'd like to an excuse to explore Queensland — and to enjoy a heap of live tunes while you're doing so — Queensland Music Trails is here to take you on a statewide road trip. A new event from the team at QMF (formerly Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is hosting an array of gigs and shows across the state, all as part of set trails. Kicking off on Friday, June 25, it's heading to the state's southern outback region first up. Until Thursday, July 8, everywhere from Jimbour to Charleville — and Quilpie, Windorah and Birdsville, too — will host different parts of the program, spanning opera shows in a homestead, chamber music under the stars, a blend of puppetry and tunes against a scenic backdrop, and more. If Opera at Jimbour sounds familiar, that's because it has happened before. This time, Jimbour House in the Western Downs will host two galas — and camping over four nights, if you want to turn your visit into a proper getaway. Or, for those keen on a stint of peering at the sky, you'll be able to do just that at Music for Stargazing at the Charleville Cosmos Centre — with Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton leading the lineup. At Baldy Top in Quilpie the southwest, Topology and Dead Puppet Society are joining forces to pair the former's sounds and the latter's visual theatre — and in Rabig Park in Windorah, blues, roots and acoustic artists such as Karl S Williams, Emily Wurramara and Hussy Hicks will treat your ears. Also on the bill is Birdsville's Big Red Bash; however, it has already sold out. [caption id="attachment_814672" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] If you can't make the outback trip this winter, future trails are planned for the far north, southeast and east coast (spanning from Mackay to the Sunshine Coast). You'll also be able to head to the cape (from Townsville to Bamaga) and gemfields (Emerald to Middlemount) regions, and go coast to coast from Yarrabah to Burketown. Just when those other trails will pop up is yet to be revealed, with the touring festival planning to gradually ramp up its operations over the next five years. Eventually, it's hoped that Queensland Music Trails will run across the state year-round. Queensland Music Trails' Outback Trail runs between Friday, June 25–Thursday, July 8. For further details, head to the event's website.
Every year, southeast Queensland plays host to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, which hands out gongs to the year's best films from around the region. There's a star-studded ceremony, which takes place at HOTA, Home of the Arts on Friday, November 11 in 2022, and celebrates movies specifically from the 70 countries and areas within its chosen remit. If you're keen on seeing some of the flicks nominated (and hopefully, some of the winners), there's a cinema program as well. The 2022 film screenings lineup is also gracing HOTA from Wednesday, November 9–Sunday, November 13, and it's well worth a trip down the highway. Kicking things off: the powerful New Zealand drama Muru, a bold, tense and potent response to the country's Tūhoe raids — as starring Cliff Curtis (Reminiscence) in a weighty performance, plus activist Tame Iti as himself. Elsewhere on the bill, there's documentary Delikado, about a David versus Goliath-style quest to save the island of Palawan; South Korean mystery Hommage, featuring Parasite alum Jeong-eun and charting the searching for missing footage from one of the first feature films directed by a South Korean woman; Return to Seoul, following a 25-year-old-returning to the titular city to reconnect with her heritage; Children of the Mist, a doco focused on forced marriage in rural Vietnam; and Joyland, the first Pakistani film to screen at Cannes. And, a must-see: Australia's own Sweet As, an outback-set coming-of-age story written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Jub Clerc (The Heights) that won an award at this year's Toronto International Film Festival — and stars Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Firebite), Tasma Walton (How to Please a Woman) and Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin).
Whether you're a city slicker or certified survivalist, enjoying life on an outback station is an unforgettable experience. Fortunately, the areas surrounding Cunnamulla are home to a number of historic farmlands that welcome visitors for outdoor adventures and backcountry camping. One such example is Franc Villers Station, which features serene unpowered camping sites alongside a picturesque dam. Here, you're welcome to fish, swim or just relax in the country air. Meanwhile, Nulla Station offers camping along the Warrego River right beside a wildlife reserve, with a network of tributaries and rocky outcrops offering self-guided explorations. Head to the website to choose from a variety of accomodation options. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Get your dancing shoes on, because one big ol' glittery party series is headed to your living room. LGBTQI+ club night Poof Doof is throwing weekly digital dance nights — so expect to get down to anthems by the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Madonna, Pet Shop Boys and Cher, 'cause this party is here, loud and (very) queer. The legendary Melbourne party collective is streaming Poof Doof Direct every Saturday from 9pm via Facebook, Twitch and YouTube. Each week, you'll be treated to pumping tunes from a range of DJs. And of course, it wouldn't be a proper Poof Doof party without some drag performances, too. Coming up on Saturday, May 2, is a massive one-off Poof Doof Sydney party live streaming straight from The Ivy. Poof Doof took up residency in the Sydney institution last November and has been dishing up a weekly dance-heavy night ever since. Not even COVID-19 can keep it completely quiet. Expect to be dancing to a packed lineup of DJs, including headlining act Sneaky Sound System, Sveta, Troy Beman and James Alexandr. Plus, catch dazzling drag performances from queens Danni Issues, Hannah Conda and Faux Fur, with Jimi The Kween hosting the entire night. For Sydneysiders wanting to take their night in to the next level, you get a Poof Doof Party Pack ($75) delivered to your door. It'll be filled with vodka, two cans of red bull, some soda water and two Hahn Super Drys. Orders can be made here prior to 9am on Saturday. To catch a glimpse of what you're in for, check out the video below. https://www.facebook.com/PoofDoof/videos/1048635328855408/
Any time that you step inside West End's Chu the Phat, you can order up a banquet, get cosy and comfortable, and eat your way through multiple dishes. On Sundays, however, you have an extra reason to say cheers to this hefty feast — and that'd be the two hours of drinks that come with the package. Running from 12–9pm each week, Chu the Phat's Super Sundays promise to keep your stomach satisfied and ensure that you don't go thirsty. It's a gather-the-gang type of special, because that's what the last day of the weekend is all about, and it'll cost you $50 a person. While you're tucking into the eatery's banquet, you'll be munching on steamed duck buns, vegetable spring rolls, chilli chicken and braised beef, as well as vegetable crackers, stir-fried pork and steamed greens. Beverage-wise, you can choose between spritzes, selected beers and wine, and a range of non-boozy tipples.
For locals and tourists alike, Mt Coot-tha is one of Brisbane's must-see spots, particularly if you like peering down on cities a great height. From next year, visitors won't just drive up to the lookout to enjoy the view, walk along its trails or picnic in its parklands, however — they'll also be able to glide through the treetops and soar down from the summit via a zipline. Approved by the Brisbane City Council in 2017, set to start construction later in 2018 and due to be fully operational by 2020, the Mt Coot-tha zipline will consist of three parts, each of which will open in stages. Actual ziplines comprise two of the components, and yes, there'll be more than one, with nearly three kilometres of zipline included in the entire project. Firstly, a treetop canopy tour will span 1.5 kilometres between multiple platforms, starting at the west of the summit and finishing to the west of JC Slaughter Falls. As its name suggests, it'll zip through the trees to take riders on a tour of the site's flora, fauna and indigenous cultural heritage. It'll be the first to open to the public, from sometime in 2019. In 2020, it'll be joined by a two stage 'megazip' tour that features six parallel lines between the summit and the Mt Coot-tha botanic gardens. As well as that 1.1-kilometre stretch — all in a single span, without any platforms along the way, and with users reaching speeds of around 60 kilometres per hour — there'll also be a second 340-metre run within the gardens, taking patrons zooming over the Melaleuca Lake. The final section of the project will involve a guided indigenous experience across a new 335-metre suspension bridge that'll be built above JC Slaughter Falls, connecting to the treetop canopy tour and the new arrival centre on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. And, so that everyone can get between destinations other than via zipline, there'll also be a shuttle bus linking various points. Brisbane City Council will put $1 million towards the zipline, which will be built by Zipline Australia — and, once it's finished, it'll be the longest zipline in the country. The project has also attracted criticism, including worries about its environmental impact throughout the vegetation-heavy area. In response to concerns, "extensive independent expert studies have been undertaken as part of the project to ensure the Mt Coot-tha zipline design is sensitive to the environment, including the natural habitat and Botanic Gardens," Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk advised The Courier-Mail. Images: Brisbane City Council.
If breakfast is the most important meal, then Java Lounge is a very important place. Here you will find the remedy to your hangover or the solution to your morning munchies thanks to the cafe's straight forward breakfast menu. Free of bells and whistles and fussy breakfast options, Java Lounge serves up the real deal. When they say it's a 'big breakfast,' they're not kidding. While the food may be straight forward, the cafe's interior is a little less so. Eclectic red chairs and couches are scattered throughout the venue, while bright and bold artworks cover the walls. It's a little bit of a mish-mash but you're not here to take in the scenery, you're here to get your breakfast on. On the menu you can order eggs any way you like them, delicious Bircher muesli, toast any which way, banana bread, pancakes, crispy bacon and gourmet vegetarian options. Java also cook up a mean brekky burger, but in my eyes the Canadian Breakfast, including pancakes with maple syrup, fried eggs and bacon ticks all the boxes. Unsurprisingly, coffee here is also a speciality. The cafe uses local brand Frisky Goat Espresso, and also have a charming selection of tea on offer too. Once you've exhausted the breakfast menu, lunch at Java Lounge is also recommended. On the lunch menu you'll find your typical cafe styled sandwiches and salads – but with a little more love involved.
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and in 2023, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Brisbane again from 2pm on Saturday, July 29. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon Milton and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are usually flooded with orders for the day) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Frew Park. If you need an incentive — other than the event itself, of course — it's now 45 years since the song was first released. Also, this year's celebration of all things Kate Bush is taking place on the British musician's birthday. Running up that hill beforehand (whichever hill you like) isn't compulsory, but it feels fitting. And yes, when it comes to Kate Bush worship, she sang it best herself: don't give up.
One day. Oh-so-much pink — and oh-so-many flowers, too. For another year, Hendra's Poco Posy is dedicating a spring Saturday to the delicate flowers known as peonies. It'll be selling them, you can buy them and, both at the shop and when you get home, everything is going to look mighty rosy. Taking place on Saturday, November 9 in 2024, Peony Market Day will have bunches of bunches on offer. Entry is free and there's no tickets required to head along, unlike in some past years — so just drop by from 8am–12pm, when plenty of petals will await. Prices start at $35 for a bunch, with flowers in both pale pink and mid pink on offer. A note: getting in early is recommended, as the peonies do sell out every year — and there's no pre-purchasing. You'll also be helping to celebrate the store, in a way: 2024 marks a decade of operations for Poco Posy.
Movies about Deloreans, phone booths and hot tubs might all claim otherwise, but travelling through time isn't currently a possibility. But if you'd like a Doctor Who-meets-Midnight in Paris experience — with Ernest Hemingway chatting to Joan of Arc included, too — this immersive Brisbane show lets you definitely pretend otherwise. Taking over Woolloongabba's Mr Badgers, The Time Travel Cafe is actually a big theatre party. You'll sit, you'll talk with your fellow attendees and you'll feel like you've leapt back to 1920s Paris. Oh, and because Bill and Ted really are pioneers when it comes to messing with all things temporal, you'll also chat with travellers from throughout history. It's not how you'd usually spend an hour at a bar, but that's a big part of the attraction between Wednesday–Sunday from Thursday, May 26–Sunday, June 26 (with sessions at 6.15pm, 7.30pm and 8.45pm nightly). Tickets cost $65, and you're encouraged to dress up in either formal or surreal attire — and, if you're wondering what the latter entails, you can be the judge. Updated June 8.
As well as having a catchy name, Kangaroo Point's One Fish Two Fish always serves up a decent catch. And if you're fond of shellfish, you'll particularly agree with that statement this winter. From Friday, June 24–Sunday, June 26, the seafood eatery is focusing on crab and crayfish. It's plating up its fancy feast for lunch, in fact — so get ready to treat yo'self with a four-course midday meal. This year's Crab and Cray Cray includes both food and booze, all for $79 per person. Tempting your tastebuds: Fraser Isle crab bruschetta (with picked Queensland crab, fennel, lemon, caviar, olive oil and dill), painted cray salad nicoise (with painted crayfish, cherry tomatoes, red onion, roasted red peppers, steamed green beans, olives, kipfler potatoes, white anchovies and a six-minute egg) and sand crab lasagne. For dessert, lemon cream tiramisu is on the menu — as made with Limoncello, mascarpone and savoiardi — and yes, that's the one course that doesn't include crayfish or crab. Bookings are essential by contacting the venue, with sittings from 12–2pm and 2.30–4.30pm.
There is something about Troy Emery’s works that place them distinctly in the ‘specimen’ basket rather than the ‘sculpture’ one. Perhaps it is the bizarrely life-like quality they adopt, as these animals, within their tasseled, decorative outerwear, are frozen in time – mid-step, poised, vulnerable - as if in their natural surroundings. Emery is a Sydney-based artist who works with taxidermy and brightly coloured textiles to create experimental sculptural pieces, usually in the form of fictional, alien-like animal species. The sculptures are generally created through the use of hobby taxidermy materials and easily sourced craft textiles such as tassels and pom-poms. On one level, the works are sensational, tactile, visually appealing; these invented creatures are viewed in the same way that exotic animals in a natural history museum would be – with eagerness and wonderment. Yet on another level the works themselves, and indeed the response they elicit in their viewers, present a reflection on our cultural and historical understanding of animals, as we position them as objects in our homes, museums, and fashions.
New Year's Eve is almost upon us, and it's time to set your plans in motion. Gather your crew, pick your venue, sit back for the fireworks and party your way into 2024. You deserve it. We're here to help you get the ball rolling with suggestions for venues around Brisbane with an epic New Year's offering to light the candle of celebration. The choice is yours, but don't delay; time is running out to secure your tickets. THE REGATTA HOTEL First up, a Brisbane cornerstone, The Regatta Hotel. This institution is synonymous with riverside dining in Brisbane, thanks mainly to a history going way back to 1874 through fires, floods, protests, renovations and more. Riverside is the perfect spot to enjoy the New Year's celebrations, so The Regatta is going all out for 2024 with a Midnight Masquerade-themed night. Running from 8pm to 12am, the night is available through general admission or VIP tickets — both options have a cocktail dress code, and masks are optional. GA guests will enjoy a four-hour beverage package and live music, while VIP guests will head to the second level for beverages and a four-course set dinner before the fireworks. Tickets from $165. FRIDAYS Another tried and true choice for partying by the river is Fridays, the buzzing rooftop bar that has taken a starring role in Brisbane's nightlife. An epic New Year's is all but assured at Fridays. Anyone who's partaken in a vibey riverside bevvy or a sun-soaked work lunch can attest to that. The offering here is one of a late night (obviously), open views of the fireworks, live music, DJs and entertainment and food and drink to fuel the revelry. The package is inclusive, with bottomless house wines, tap beers and even spirits. The food? Canapés, but not party pies and spring rolls — think filet-o-prawn sliders and smoked brisket cottage pies. Tickets from $165pp. RIVERLAND Just next door is another great choice: Riverland (riverside is the place to be for New Year's, let's face it). Time is short, as third-release tickets are already 50% sold out — we told you not to hesitate. Riverland is newly renovated and intends to let the party flow across all three levels of the space. For a New Year's party at Riverland, views are epic and the benefits are inclusive. Expect three hours of roaming canapés, four hours of bottomless bevvies, live music and celebrations to be shared with your loved ones. Tickets from $169pp. THE WICKHAM For our last stop we're heading inland slightly to another institution. The Wickham may have been part of Fortitude Valley since the 19th century, but this pub's attitude is anything but outdated. To send off 2023 and welcome 2024, The Wickham is hosting a heaven-and-hell-themed evening of celebrations and killer live entertainment. Beyond the fireworks, the evening's entertainment will be hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race's Art Simone and Karen from Finance. Other performers pencilled in are Shanny T-Bone, Asphyxia, Chocolate Boxx, Abril Latrene and Ivyy Monroe, and they'll be backed by a live DJ. Dress up accordingly with the heavenly hellish theme, and you stand a chance of winning a best-dressed prize. Tickets from $25pp. For more information and to make bookings for venues and events operated by Australian Venue Co, visit the website.
Arguably the biggest pop sensation to emerge in the last six years, Billie Eilish is touring Australia throughout September 2022. The tour marks the first time Eilish has headed Down Under since 2019. Since her last visit, Eilish has released her latest chart-topping album Happier Than Ever, a documentary and visual book; taken out the Hottest 100; and swept the Grammys — including taking home all four of the major categories at the 2020 ceremony. And, earlier in 2022, she became the youngest-ever performer to headline the UK's Glastonbury Festival. The Happier Than Ever Tour plays the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 19, on its second stop in Australia, with Sampa The Great in support. Expect all the hits — from the tour's titular track and 'bad guy', naturally, as well as 'bury a friend', 'all the good girls go to hell', 'everything I wanted', 'Therefore I Am' and more. Expect to have plenty of company, too. There's a reason that Eilish is playing three shows at Boondall.
If you can't choose between hitting up a music festival on any given weekend or exploring the Sunshine State, then Queensland Music Trails likely became your favourite event when it first held a trial run back in 2021. This statewide festival turns heading to see live music into a massive road trip, with different legs sprawling through different parts of the state — and it'll be back in 2023. The fest's big return this year was announced back in 2022, which was already excellent news. Now, event organisers are getting to the even better stuff, aka lineup details. Among the first contingent: Lime Cordiale, CW Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Hatchie, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and Sycco. [caption id="attachment_814672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Queensland Music Trails' bill so far covers trails in the outback, Scenic Rim and southern Queensland, including stops everywhere from St George and Charleville to Canungra and Jimbour. While the full details for each leg haven't yet been unveiled, each route varies in length — the outback trail running for nine days from Thursday, April 13–Friday, April 21; Scenic Rim's for three days across Friday, April 28–Sunday, April 30; and the southern leg for three days from Friday, May 5–Sunday, May 7. Keen on heading out west? Then you can choose between Hussy Hicks, Karl S Williams and Jem Cassar-Daley at Oasis Afternoon in St George — or Emma Donavan & the Putbacks and Alice Skye at the Outback River Lights Festival in Cunnamulla. There's also C.W. Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Everybody NOW! and The Pacific Belles at The Big Base Party in Charleville; Harry James Angus and The Barleyshakes Duo at The Sundowner in Tambo; and a whole on-the-road series of gigs with The Barleyshakes Duo, too. So far, the Scenic Rim trail will welcome back The Long Sunset for a second year, hitting up Canungra on Saturday, April 29 with Lime Cordiale, Hatchie, Sycco and Tia Gostelow — and more to be announced. And, on the southern trail, there's the also-returning Opera at Jimbour for three days, featuring talent from Opera Queensland, Ensemble Q and the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music Orchestra. Still on opera, an entire festival dedicated to it — the Festival of Outback Opera, in fact — returns from Tuesday, May 16–Monday, May 22. At present, it features a long lunch and dark-sky serenade in Winton, plus an evening of singing and an opera ball in Longreach. This fest within the fest hasn't been put in a specific trail, but journeying to Winton and Longreach (and between them) works as its own route. More details, acts and events are still to be announced, as part of a fest that was initially slated to cover huge music gigs and festivals held at 25 locations around Queensland — also heading to Quilpie, Toowoomba, Roma and Blackall, Longreach and Winton. Now expected to arrive further down the road, with no further specifics so far, are trails in the far north, along the reef, in Brisbane, and through both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. If 2022's plans stick, the first will span Paronella Park, Yarrabah, Cairns, Barron Gorge, Kuranda and Mossman/Port Douglas, while the second will hit up Mackay, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bowen and Townsville. And, the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast trails are obviously self-explanatory. [caption id="attachment_857800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] An initiative of QMF (Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is returning thanks to a $20-million investment by the Queensland Government over the first three years. "The Queensland Music Trails are a key step to building Queensland's cultural events so we are ready to host the world in 2032 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. "It's exciting to see QMF partner with key Queensland artists and arts organisations to collaborate on signature cultural events that will be integrated into Qld Music Trails, including a visual arts tour with Arts Queensland funded Flying Arts Alliance, and Festival of Outback Opera and Opera at Jimbour with Opera Queensland who are also supported through the arts portfolio," added Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. [caption id="attachment_887098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big Red Bash[/caption] Queensland Music Trails return for 2023 from April — head to the event's website for more information. Images: Katrina Lehmann / Mitch Lowe.
Summer mightn't be here just yet but, thanks to Brisbane's sunny climate, pool party season is. Indeed, it's kicking off with one big splash at W Brisbane, with the opulent hotel nudging everyone into the water with a huge shindig in their fourth-level rooftop pool and wet deck area. At the first of the venue's Summer Crush Pool Parties — aptly named Fire Starter — you'll take a dip, sip drinks and dance the night away, all with a massive view over the river towards Mt Coot-tha. And, given that the event takes place on Saturday, September 28 to coincide with Brisbane Festival's Riverfire, you'll be making full use of that gorgeous vantage. When you're not looking up or plunging into the pool, you'll listen to tunes by Young Franco, Rosie Kate and Little Fritter (who also happens to be W Brisbane's music curator Kane Dignum). You'll also knock back Moët Ice Imperial Champagne and refreshing cocktails while feasting on a summer barbecue spread. If it sounds like a luxe affair, that's because it is, with tickets coming in at $179 per person. The fun starts at 4.30pm, runs through until late evening, and bringing your togs is obviously essential.
This year, the AICE (Australia Israel Cultural Exchange) Israeli Film Festival, the only country-wide event to focus on Israeli film, celebrates ten years of bringing assumption-shattering documentaries and controversial features to Australian audiences. Opening night will see the national premiere of The Ballad of the Weeping Spring, nominee for nine Israeli Academy Awards and winner of four. Stylistically influenced by both spaghetti Westerns and samurai epics, it explores the often blurred lines between life and art in its portrayal of the emotional reunion of a once legendary band torn apart by tragedy. Other highlights of the fortnight-long festival include The Gatekeepers, an Oscar-nominated documentary in which six ex-leaders of the Shin Bet (Israel's internal secret service) discuss their success and failures in "overseeing Israel's war on terror"; Good Garbage, winner of Best Documentary at Shanghai's Magnolia Film Festival, which depicts the hardships of 200 Palestinian families who depend upon the Hebron Hills garbage dump for survival; and Zaytoun, a drama about the development of an unusual friendship between a Palestinian orphan and an Israeli fighter pilot. "The festival continues to highlight not only the breadth and strength of the Israeli film industry, but also presents the broad spectrum of Israeli society and everyday issues," explains co-curator Keith Lawrence. "A common thread in many of the films this year is that of the concerns of young adults — social, sexual and political — whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim."
It's a familiar setup: a remote house, a family haunted by decades-old troubles, a murky history that's still leaving an imprint and tension levels rising when, naturally, strange things start to happen. As it has been for countless scary flicks before it, that's the broad overall premise of new Australian horror movie Relic; however this Sundance-premiering film has more than a few tricks up its sleeves. Emily Mortimer (Mary Poppins Returns), Robyn Nevin (Top of the Lake), and Bella Heathcote (Bloom) star as three generations of a Victorian-based family — with Mortimer's Kay called back to her family home when her widowed elderly mother Edna (Nevin) disappears. With her own daughter Sam (Heathcote) in tow, Kay first endeavours to find her missing mum. Then, when Edna reappears suddenly without any explanation for her absence, Kay and Sam try to ascertain just why Edna's house — and, increasingly, Edna too — seems so sinister. The feature directorial debut of Japanese-Australian filmmaker Natalie Erika James — who cowrote the script with fellow first-time Christian White — the instantly disturbing but still slow-burning Relic takes its creepy, eerie look and feel seriously, as the film's trailer shows. As it trifles with the supernatural and provides many a well-executed jump, bump and unnerving sensation, the smart and thoughtful movie also uses its concept and plot to ponder the physical and emotional impact of ageing, including dementia. Aussie audiences can get unsettled — including by the film's labyrinthine main setting and its nerve-rattling soundscape — when Relic hits Stan on Friday, July 10. Across the ditch, it arrives courtesy of the NZ International Film Festival. It follows this year's also excellent Aussie-made release The True History of the Kelly Gang in making the leap from international festivals to local streaming. Check out the Relic below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atqf47wM5Gg Relic starts streaming via Stan from Friday, July 10. You can also watch it as part of the NZ International Film Festival from 25 July.
For more than six decades, the eastern suburbs of Brisbane have celebrated a red, juicy and delicious fruit. RedFest Strawberry Festival is about more than its eponymous foodstuff; however it's definitely the place to be if you're keen on strawberry sundaes — and strawberries in all kinds of other foods as well. In 2023, RedFest is back. Now it's called RedFest by the Bay, and it's taking place around the Raby Bay Harbour. And if you think that you can eat more strawbs than anyone else, an eating contest forms part of the fun. Want to wander around the Redland Showgrounds dressed as a strawberry? You'll also be in your element. And yes, the word strawberry will be uttered so many times that it'll lose all meaning. Running over two days from Saturday, September 2–Sunday, September 3, the full program also spans general show shenanigans — such as live music, arts and cultural displays, carnival rides, a sideshow alley, show bags and fireworks. Oh, there will be a heap of food other than strawberries, although they can still be your main attraction.
First dates are like trying your first ever macaroons — they can be surprisingly delightful, a little bit disappointing, or just a huge messy waste of your time. The one feeling most synonymous with first dates is anxiety so it's important for you to pick a place where you feel comfortable. You need somewhere where you can start out with a drink and have the option to bail for more, or somewhere where you can share the food, in hope of a Lady and the Tramp moment. You also need somewhere with a great atmosphere, and possibly a bit of mood lighting. To help, Concrete Playground has rounded up our five favourite places to take your newly beloved. The Lark If you want a bit of flexibility, you’ve got it here. Your options are a) sidewalk seating for a bottle of wine and people watching b) getting cosy on the couches upstairs with a cocktail and some gorgonzola-soaked chips and c) enjoying the courtyard atmosphere with some hearty clam chowder and cinnamon apple donuts for dessert. Located in Paddington, The Lark's art deco design makes the place feel homely and comfortable. The staff and owner Perry Scott are drinks experts, and with an ever-evolving wine list they are more than happy to give you informed recommendations. May we recommend the Strummer if you’re partial to a cocktail. 1/267 Given Terrace, Paddington; 07 3369 1299; www.thelark.com.au Sling Lounge Swing on in to Sling for some cocktails and tapas. The first thing you might notice when you step in off Boundary St is the raucous behaviour. And this is just the bar staff. Sling’s thing is its cocktails and the folks behind the bar are certainly good at mixing them. Happy to discuss your wants, dreams and desires in a drink, the staff (most likely one of the owners) are enthusiastic connoisseurs in this area. Fun to engage with, they’ll make the start of your date relaxing from the get-go. Once you take a seat either out the back in the lush courtyard or down on the street, you can choose a selection of tapas offerings and enjoy the relaxed vibe. 153 Boundary St, West End; 07 3255 3522; www.slinglounge.com Garuva Restaurant and Bar Well-known for its propensity for romance, Garuva in Fortitude Valley is the perfect location for those after a more intimate experience. If you don’t want to jump right into the slightly suggestive curtained dining area, you can start out at the bar. Garuva’s is all about sitting on the floor (on soft cushions) so if you have a bad back, or can’t control yourself from groaning loudly every time you get up off the floor, then it may not be for you. But if you are a lithe young thing then pull up a cushion and enjoy the tunes, usually a male and female duo creating a fun and chilled out atmosphere. If your date wants some more floor-sitting action then move on in to the restaurant where your low-set table will be curtained off for privacy while you enjoy delicious Asian-fusion food and maybe even a bit of hand-holding. 324 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley; 07 32160124; www.garuva.com.au Libertine Bar and Restaurant This is where mood lighting and food sharing tactics come into play. Located at the heritage Barracks building in Paddington, Libertine is visually beautiful with antique chandeliers creating a warm glow over the dark timber, golden and bright red colour palette. Stepping into Libertine is like stepping into an older, more romantic world. The French-Vietnamese menu offers ‘street food’ to start, including delicious pork spring rolls with green chilli sauce you want to drink (but won’t…unless you’re feeling very comfortable). You can follow this with a couple of the fantastically flavourful share plates and a bottle of French wine off their extensive list. No. 5 The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace, Paddington; 07 3367 3353; www.libertine.net.au Watt Restaurant + Bar We couldn’t have a list of top first date venues without incorporating the beloved Brisbane River. And if you thrive in the daytime then Watt is the place for you. Right on the river at the Powerhouse in New Farm, you will have the quintessential Brisbane experience of soaking in the sun and enjoying the outdoors. With a seafood-focused menu, you and your date can enjoy a long lunch, and with the submerged ‘flood’ sculpture out the front you’ve already got one conversation started. If you go on a Sunday you can enjoy live music from 3.30pm and free comedy at the Powerhouse afterwards from 6.30pm. 119 Lamington Street, New Farm; 07 3358 5464; www.trippaswhitegroup.com.au
Member of iconic Australian band turned powerful solo rock femme. Adalita has been going from strength to strength since launching her solo career since her time in Magic Dirt, and now her seasoned solo performances are not to be missed by any fan of the classics or the contemporaries from this rock goddess. She’ll be celebrating the release of her latest album, All Day Venus, with her fans by way of an East Coast tour, with a band that includes ex-Paradise Motel bassist Matt Bailey. Adalita is hungry for the tour, she’s ready and excited, and she’s got a growing repertoire of solid, heavy tracks to thrash out with you. Joining her on the road will be songbird Laura Jean, who will make no less impact than Adalita. Don’t miss what could be your best opportunity to see such a worldly woman of rock in the intimate venue of The Zoo. Grab your tickets now.
Five years ago, a new addition to St Lucia asked Brisbanites a crucial question: why did the fried chicken fan cross Hawken Drive? The answer: to eat all the greasy chook they could handle at poultry buffet restaurant KaiKai Chicken. Since then, the eatery has helped solve another crucial query faced by hungry chook fiends, aka whether to have one finger lickin' good piece, several, or more than anyone should actually admit to. It serves up an endless array of poultry in a dozen different flavours, plus all-you-can-eat fries, rice, other sides and desserts to round out the meal. A la carte orders are also available, but who wants that when there's bottomless fried chicken at arms reach? To indulge in all of the above, likely while wearing your stretchiest outfit, you've needed to head to Brissie's inner west — but now, thanks to the chain's second venue, you can also venture south. Now open and serving customers, KaiKai has launched its second yellow-hued store in Springwood, complete with its beloved all-you-can-eat fried chicken buffet. [caption id="attachment_640449" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Atlanta Bell[/caption] That means that you currently have twice as many spots to hit up for the chain's affordable — albeit hardly healthy — $24.95 bottomless package, which includes those 12 flavours of chicken, six types of loaded fries, steamed rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread rolls, and cinnamon jelly doughnut sandwiches for dessert. Also on the menu at the new Kaikai spot: a $75 option that also includes a 90-minute alcohol package spanning bottled beers, mimosas and soju jugs. If it sounds too good to be true, we're here to tell you that it's a clucking reality — as it has been in St Lucia for half a decade now. That said, visits to Kaikai do have a time limit. Just like sipping that aforementioned bottomless booze, flocking customers are asked to get their chicken fix within 90 minutes due to the demand — and, let's be honest, after an hour and a half of seeing how much chook you can feast upon, you're probably be ready to fly the coop anyway. Find KaiKai Chicken at 3/25 Watland Street, Springwood — open 5.30pm–10pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, and 5.30–10.30pm Friday–Saturday.
