There might seem like there's a dedicated night for every kind of music — and there probably is — however don't let that keep you away from The Foundry's latest regular series. That'd be Brisbabes, the evening that not only has an awesome name, but also shines a light on the lovely local ladies enlivening the city's music scene. The first female-centric celebration rocked The Foundry back in October, proving such a hit that it's back for another outing. This time, Sahara Beck, Avaberee, Love Signs and Alla Spina will take the stage, with DJ Black Amex and Sezzo Snot spinning tunes between sets. They'll bring a dash of indie folk, some post-synth pop, and a little ska punk to the talent showcase, with one aim in mind: making sure Brisbabes #2 is bigger and better than its predecessor. They'll also champion a spirit of inclusivity, because while the fairer sex's music antics might be the main attraction, everyone is welcome.
Still coming to terms with the end of your favourite advertising-oriented television drama? Keen to pretend it was all just a dream, even just for an evening? Cobbler has the solution — and a brilliant idea for a boozy party. Yes, the West End bar is dedicating their last night of the year to Mad Men. If you have a thirst like Don Draper, a sense of humour like Roger Sterling, and a no-nonsense attitude like Joan Holloway and Peggy Olson, then this is the place to be. Yes, there'll be whiskey. Yes, you can wear your best '60s attire. That's half the fun — and the only way you'll win a prize for the best outfit.
Thanks to SPECTRE, Bond was big in 2015. Thanks to Cloudland's New Year's Eve party, Bond is about to get even bigger. You know what to expect: suave style, glitz and glamour, innuendo puns all round. Oh, and martinis — shaken not stirred, obviously. You can also expect a Casino Royale experience, as well as a dance floor grooving along to '70s and '80s disco. All that's left is to rewatch your favourite Bond flick and use it for inspiration. If that means revisiting Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Pierce Brosnan as 007, that's okay — we won't judge you.
Fancy swinging a mallet on New Year's Eve? Or combining the biggest event on the annual party calendar with a social round of sport? At Kerbside, you can do both. While away the hours until 2016 hits with a friendly game of croquet — the game that's both fun and cathartic. In what's certain to prove one of the lowest-key party options out there that still involves leaving the house, no tickets or drinks packages are required. Just hang out with your friends, chill out to the tunes spun by DJs De La Haye, Moses and Kidnyte, and watch the evening unfold.
Wrestling might focus on grabbing, grappling and general clashes of strength, but there's more to the combat sport that that. It has given us the hulking ball of charm that is The Rock, as well as unlikely Trainwreck and Sisters star John Cena, for example. And then there's the masked style of lucha libre, as made popular in Mexico. Now, the Brightside is getting in on the action, courtesy of five matches that span a tag team event and a battle for a goon belt. Of course, that's not all the Valley venue is offering. Trust them to pair the in-ring mayhem with their usual focus on rockin' tunes. Yep, it's a rock and roll wrestling night, with Darkc3ll, Holistic and Terror Parade taking care of the music side of things and the Australian Wrestling Alliance serving up the latter. And yes, here, wrestling rocks in more ways than one.
You have to hand it to Brisbane Arts Theatre — they know how to kick off their 2016 season. The Petrie Terrace-based organisation obviously wants the laughs to flow freely, and the contemporary commentary too. Christopher Durang's Baby with the Bathwater is their first cab off the rank for the year, and it promises plenty of both. It tells the comedic tale of parents so unprepared for their new task — and so determined to be polite about it, even to their newborn — that they refuse to discover the gender of their child. All things farcical and satirical ensue in a play that also throws an anti-Mary Poppins into the mix. If you're still not convinced, then perhaps The New Yorker can change your mind. When Baby with the Bathwater first premiered in 1983, the prestigious publication was so impressed that they called Durang "one of the funniest dramatists alive", after all.
So, you've always wanted to be a writer, but you don't know where to start. The Queensland Writers Centre should be every aspiring wordsmith's first port of call. Don't just take our word for it — check them out for yourselves. In fact, they're throwing an open day so that the next generation of budding literary stars can do just that. Where else will you get to listen to Queensland authors such as Samantha Wheeler, Anna Campbell and Kari Gislason talk about crafting content for younger readers, writing up a romantic storm or combining their fondness for text with a travel itinerary? Or take an excursion through the state's pulpy crime, adventure and speculative fiction output? It's the perfect way to commemorate QWC's 25 years of operation, with everything from casual discussions to celebratory cake all part of the lineup. No one is going to say no to the latter; however with so much interesting chatter to listen to, it's really the icing on a jam-packed event.
If you like your entertainment of the pulpy variety, then Leah Shelton has the show for you. She's embracing all the things the term conjures in her combination of live art happening and cabaret. Pulp mags, film noir, Ozploitation movies like Wolf Creek, and Quentin Tarantino flicks should be at the front of your mind, as they're at the forefront of her performance. In Shelton's comic, physical and burlesque-oriented vision of a sunburnt country, cars rule, hitchhiking kills and dingoes eat babies. It's the stuff genre-loving pop culture aficionado's dreams are made of, as told with jewel-encrusted gore, lip-synch, pole dancing and black comedy. Yes, really. Image: StillsbyHill
The art of the Bentinck Island and the Torres Straight is some of this country’s most admired. Coming from the likes of the Gab Titui and Badu Art initiatives of Torres Straight, the art of these areas depicts great stories, history and time. Now, QAGOMA presents the work of some of our country's greatest artists in Island Currents. Set to be displayed in Queensland Art Gallery’s Watermall, Island Currents is a North Queensland celebration of land, sky and sea. In pieces monumental in both size and intricacy, Island Currents brings together all manner of vibrancy and style.
As much as I love to pretend I hate the abundance of budding graphic designers and artists these days, I have to say that Semi-Permanent is a seriously awesome design conference making its way around the world. Despite the fact I would want to throat-punch all the so called “creative minded” and “artistically awake” twats that would make up a good 50% of the attendees to the conference, it would really be a brilliant experience. However, if you haven’t already got a ticket I unfortunately have to inform you that there are none remaining and you’re going to have to settle for the We Buy Your Kids exhibition. Their John Carpenter exhibition is the equally exciting official after party to the conference, and will be held at Nine Lives. Let’s be honest, there can never be too many after parties; I think even birthday parties should have after parties. But this isn’t your average lets-get-drunk-at-Lambda after party - the exhibition by the Sydney duo will showcase a diverse array of their recent impressive works, spanning from band posters (Ty Segall, Best Coast, Les Savy Fav – to name a few!) to film and anything else Sonny Day and Biddy Maroney can get their hands on.
November is simultaneously the best and worst month of the year for uni students – why? One word: exams. Oh, and: assessment. It’s the rush to the finish line that sees students freaking out and drinking so many energy drinks that funny (read: unhealthy) things happen to their pee. But once it’s over it’s pretty sweet and you either have holidays til the next semester or you graduate (or you decide uni isn’t for you and you drop out, but we’re not talking about those types this time around). And if you’re an arts graduate, this means an exhibition! It’s not just QCA and QUT with a stake in the grad exhibition circuit – the Southbank Institute of Technology’s visual arts students are opening Breaking Heads this Thursday, with over thirty students of varying disciplines exhibiting. These kids have been given wings and it shows in their work, so if you’re exhibiti-hopping this Thursday, make sure you give SIT a visit too.
The Vengabus is coming! How long I have waited to actually be able to say that and it be true is quite embarrassing. Perennial party-ers the Vengaboys rose to fame when I was just a small child, and now they are bizarrely making a comeback – much to the delight of, well, everybody! Let me take you back to 1998, when questionable European pop bands were all the rage and lycra was an acceptable and supported fabric. It was a time when music was infected by repetition and the closest thing to indie rock was...nothing. Nothing at all. Looking back now, these songs make 1. absolutely no sense 2. are in awful in every way 3. would never make it into the mainstream nowadays. 2010's subtly named 'Rocket to Uranus' consists of a cameo by celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton and contains such masterful lyrics as “We're almost there. Uranus is so pretty! It feels like home”. Surely they must've made that song for a laugh? Or maybe not, they are Dutch after all. I may have been 8 years old, but goddamnit did I want to go to Ibiza. Relive the late 90s how you remember them – on board the Vengabus. If you like to party, c'mon and move your body, happiness is just around the corner!
Have you ever made a New Years resolution and broke it? Of course you have. The chance of keeping any sort of promise you make on January 1st is slim to none, unless of course you have a real passion and drive. My New Years resolution is usually to stop biting my nails, but I lack the motivation – what do I get out of it? This promise breaking and selfishness needs to end right now, I say! If you're looking for a real resolution that offers results and benefits immediately, including a feel good boost, then you should really look no further than Resolution Run. It's an annual fun run held to raise money and awareness for a variety of charities, and this year the Cancer Council is the featured charity, although there are a number of other ones to choose from. The idea is that you raise money for your chosen charity and on the day any money collected will go directly where you want it to. You can start preparing for Resolution Run before the day, and will need to register online at http://www.active8change.com.au to participate. For every $50 you raise, you get an entry into the draw to win a prize pack. You can also win prizes for placing, too! Help yourself, but most importantly help others and make 2012 your year for a positive change.
Just for kicks (and in good taste), Fortitude Valley’s modest hideaway Kerbside has decided to celebrate music legends via a very public party. Not that I’m complaining, who doesn’t love a good bash? And this month the bar is set to raise its glass and pay homage to the memory of the ‘Prince of Soul’, Marvin Gaye. Rolling Stone ranked him number 6 on its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time. If that wasn’t enough, Gaye has also been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has his very own Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Gaye will always be known as a soul god; a motown machine; the very man who revolutionized the soul music industry. Let’s face it. The man’s a legend. Kerbside will transform their humble bar and café into a happening retro affair in Gaye’s honour. Patrons are encouraged to appear in 60s vintage cocktail costumes, those best dressed will win bar voucher prizes (ka-chiiing! Having won Best Bartender around, I know Kerbside makes some mean punch). There will also be a variety of retro cocktails and canapés that will be served to the tunes of DJs Rolandee and Ben Reeve. Be there, you wouldn’t wanna miss out on this one. Rest assured, there will be some Sexual Healing for some of the lovers out there.
There is an inherent understanding that a kimono is rich in beauty, history, and craftsmanship. The last thing that most would think of is to take it apart, but fifteen local artists have done just that, taking two vintage kimonos and reinventing them for a worthy cause. The Reincarnated Kimono Project is a collaborative initiative between local Brisbane artists and fashion designers, with a sum of the exhibition’s proceeds being donated to aid Red Cross Japan in light of the recent tsunami disaster. These artists’ works have either been produced using or inspired by fabric from the original kimonos. Each of the fifteen honour the Japanese classic by respectfully reinterpreting and repurposing the fabric into innovative mixed media artworks, jewellery, fashion, and fabric origami. Curated by Melanie Augustin, the architect behind Kimono Reincarnate, The Reincarnated Kimono Project Exhibition will feature the likes of Deanne Mayocchi of Maiocchi, Nicole Lacey of Hot Toffee, and Stephanie Morris of Wimcee amongst others. Visit the exhibition to both support the relief cause and to open yourself to a world where the modern gets a curiously insatiable taste of the orient without needing to buy a plane ticket. Pictured work by Robyn Dixon
Roller derby isn't as sweet as it sounds. It's less poodle skirts and more mouth gaurds, fishnets and knee pads. It's less for the faint hearted and more for those who like it rough. Girls who don't mind teaming shades of red lipstick with shades of blue bruises need only apply. It's fast, its fearless and its thrilling to watch. Since the movie Whip It, a new breed of girls have taken to their skates in the name of roller derby glory. Involving two teams, the general aim of the game is for one member of a team to pass through their opponents pack. They do this by being very quick and managing to stay on their feet despite the shoves, knocks and blocks they may receive from their rival team. In the end it usually results in a girl-on-girl speed skating scrum – no wonder its such a popular spectator sport. After bumping and grinding to sold out stadium shows last year, Brisbane's Roller Derby craze is set to continue with an all star line up of rolling queens. Skating in front of a raucous crowd at Brisbane's Convention Centre, The Northern Brisbane Rollers are set to clash again with the Toowoomba City Rollers for season two, while the Diner Might Dolls compete against the exciting new team The UntouchaBelles. We recommend booking now as these shows sell out fast.
Renegade cinema Tribal Theatre are once again turning their back on Jennifer Aniston's latest rom-com and instead bringing us some so-bad-its-good eighties horror movies. The nostalgic zombies and vampires night will begin at 6.30pm with classic horror film The Evil Dead. Released in 1981, the film was controversial for its time due to the graphic depiction of violence and gore. In fact The Evil Dead was so disturbing that it was initially turned down by almost all U.S film distributors until it was bought by a European company at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was the first and last movie to ever be released at the cinemas and on VHS at exactly the same time. Evil Dead has since become a cult classic having been adapted into a comic book, stage musical and even a claymation. Then, if your pants are still clean and your nails are still intact, at 8.15pm a screening of 1985 horror film Fright Night will commence. The vampire found in Fright Night isn't like the dreamy crush-worthy ones found in the Twilight saga. Rather than falling in love with you he'd prefer to kill you. Or at the very least scare the living daylights out of you – in an eighties sort of way.
You know what people in Brisbane like? They like markets - Valley Markets, Suitcase Rummage, West End Markets, Marky Markets, so on and so forth. You know what else they like? They like drinking - cocktails, beer, rum, wine and so on. Therefore the logical equation to bring these simple joys together would be markets + drinking = Kerbside Markets. For those not so mathematically inclined, the Kerbside Markets will be a monthly Sunday afternoon laneway market held at the eclectic Constance St bar. It’s the only market where you can grab a boutique beer and filter through the miscellaneous paraphernalia sold by the likes of Little Bird, Pannikin, Restless, Calabash, Silver Tooth Vintage and more. And unlike other markets around town, there’ll be fewer crowds and fewer crap – no bulk imported goods here! And once you’ve tapped out from a hard day’s foraging through the marketplace, you can slump into a seat, couch or rocking chair and compliment your booze and buys with a snag from the Kerbside sausage sizzle (vegetarian and gluten-free friendly sausages available too!). The best part is that entry to the Kerbside Markets is free. Consuming does cost a little extra though.
We all know a wallflower. You know, the person at the party who blends into the background? The friend you can't bring anywhere because they drag the fun down? Well sistah/bruvva, you were wrong. The wallflowers are fighting for their right to be seen and talked to in the corridors of your best friend's parents' house. No longer will they be criticised for choosing to sit on the couch nursing the same vodka and lemonade all night, nor will they stop luring an unsuspecting drunk into a D&M about the universe. All the wallflowers of last weekend have a team of artists behind them, rooting for their integral place in our young event-going lives. While the term 'Wallflower' is sometimes seen as a negative thing, on Friday, it'll be like topsy turvy land. The wallflowers will be celebrated and the other party favourites will fade into the background. Ken Smith, Maddy Young and Zoe Hughes + others will be at Bleeding Heart gallery launching their Wallflowers group art exhibition. There's a licensed bar and the show will run til the 19th. Get your awkwardness on and show your support for local art and a pretty cool idea. Image credit: Holly Leonardson Art
It's actually a surprise when you meet an Emma and their middle name ISN'T Louise. Hell, it's my middle name too. That said, there isn't anything common about the Emma Louise I'm talking about, you know, the Brisbane singer/songwriter making waves all over the country? This little wonder has been a bit like her moniker of late; very very popular. She has toured with Washington, just finished up gigging with Boy and Bear and has been announced as the support for Josh Pyke's national tour AND Bigsound Live. With a schedule this busy, you should consider yourself lucky that this charmer is back in town for her own headline show! I'd say she sounds a bit like Sarah Blasko, but really, she's in a league of her own. Her debut EP Full Hearts and Empty Rooms has been garnering some very respectable reviews, as are her recent support shows; people are getting in early to see her, and not just because they want to get a prime position for the headliner. With all this love for my namesake, I have faith that Emma Louises can be more than just a fumbled response at the hospital... we are pretty unique. See one of the best Emmy Lou's out there this Saturday at the Visy Theatre, and make your appreciation for our species known!
2011 Archibald Prize-winning artist Ben Quilty will be gracing the Valley’s James Street this Thursday for a live art installation as part of the Art on James initiative. Watch Quilty work his magic on the blank canvas with aerosols – an interesting contrast to his usual thick impasto style. As part of the live art performance, audience members are encouraged to interact with the artist – listen, learn and converse with Quilty while he paints – or you can simply sit back and absorb what’s going on in front of you. Quilty will be joined by performance curator Alison Kubler for an ‘in conversation’ prior to the live art. And if watching Quilty work makes you hungry, drop in to Press for eco-friendly foods and bevs! It’s going to be a great start to the week-long Art on James event.
All my life I've struggled to get my business-minded parents to understand my creative talents. They would usually pat me on the head and leave me alone with my paints or pen and paper and just let me do whatever I wanted. I guess you can imagine the jealousy I feel reading that siblings Cecilia, Maryann and Patrick Hine were born into a very creative family (their parents had 11 kids!) and henceforth have become artists, sharing their unique talents in a collaborative exhibition, hinesight. Each sibling has a different branch of artistic flair; Maryann is a graphic designer and visual artist who for over 20 years has produced sculptures, paintings, multi-media works – you name it; Cecilia is an award-winning painter whose oil work is inspired by Greek mythology; and Patrick, an acclaimed independent filmmaker. In hinesight (geddit?), you will be able to view pieces from the relatives: Maryann's paintings inspired by Trees by Kilmer, Cecilia's surrealist furniture that involve ceramic antiques and mosaic, and Patrick's photographs from his travels in Prague and Moscow. Blood may be thicker than water, but that doesn't mean the trio haven't let outsiders intrude on their intimate show – there'll be entertainment from related cellist Camilla Tafra and classical guitarist Steven Tafra, plus finger food and drinks. You won't want to miss seeing this unique display, and if you do, in hinesight you will know you should have.
I don't know about you, but if I took photos of people from my local area, it would not be pretty. Thankfully, Emma Thomson has done her town justice in her new exhibition Made in the Shire. Inspired by the 1981 Australian film Puberty Blues, which was an insight into two sixteen-year-old girls from New South Wales’ Sutherland Shire, Made in the Shire is a collection of photographs of the people that make up this diverse community. Thomson searched for models via her local newspaper and the results were pretty great. Respondents ranged from desperate romantics, high school sweethearts to attention seekers and odd couples. The National Art School graduate's work is on display at the Queensland Centre for Photography, so do the attention seekers a favour and burn their image into your memory, or simply admire Emma's bravery. I know I couldn't do it!
Oh, what most of us would give to have lived in the sixties. The freedom! The music! Woodstock! It may have been an eon before any of us were born, but the swingin’ sixties have made a massive comeback of late. Mad Men is a ode to the lives of business men and women in those changing times, and in celebration of the buzz the TV show has generated, The Marriott are premiering their first sixties-inspired cocktail party and fashion parade. Most of us have watched Mad Men, or heard about it from our cooler friends, so chances are you're familiar with the premise of the show. Essentially, Don Draper is this mysterious and sexy ad-agency exec who spends the majority of his time being elusive and cheating on his wife. Mad Men knowledge aside, we all know what we were missing back then. Luckily, so does The Marriott, and on their Mad Martini night, you can expect swinging beats, canapés, a fashion parade, photographs from QueensPlaza's recent Mad Men exhibition, and of course, lots and lots of martinis. Channel your inner Don or Betty Draper this Friday and relive what was some of the best times we never had.
There are no excuses. I am sick to death of hearing people say, “Oh, I have no money for Splendour”, maaate I have been down to my last dollar at least 6 times this year. I managed to scrape together the measly $500 (now $390!) for a ticket and I have my bags packed for 3 days time when such acts as Kanye West, Coldplay, Jane's Addiction, The Hives, Kaiser Chiefs and Modest Mouse grace the Woodfordia site. I'm pleading a case that up until this year has sold itself; Splendour is notorious for selling out lightning fast, but for some reason, this year's tickets are still available at a discounted price. It's confusing because it's potentially the best line-up the festival has seen in years (please don't hurt me). The Woodfordia site is equipped with everything...it's like a mini hippy community. If you squint your eyes and are slightly inebriated, it might even feel like you are at Woodstock circa 1969. If the self-sufficient drawcard isn't enough to wipe your diary at the end of the week, maybe the appearance of Wikileak's ostracised founder Julian Assange via satellite will spark your interest? Or what about the possibility of a Kanye dummy spit? C'mon, you know you want to. Beg your mum/dad/partner/friend with benefits (monetary, of course!) for a few hundy and get to Splendour for 3 days of terrific music and events. You can bet you're bottom dollar that you won't be wasting a cent.
Keeping the Australian rock dream alive for the Queensland sector is Black Mustang, who have been working their way up the ranks since 2004, playing venues in every corner of the country, kicking ass and taking names along the way. Since the band was conceived they’ve also opened for other Australian big guns such as The Angels, Six Ft Hick, Tame Impala and British India; recorded a 6-track self-titled EP, which was quickly followed by their debut long-player, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Now, with a freshly rejuvenated lineup, Black Mustang return with their second full-length album Loaded Gun. To celebrate the latest and greatest with Black Mustang, the lads are set for yet another tour, starting in the latest and greatest venue in their motherland, Woodland Bar. The Stang’ll be joined by The Black Stars and Ghost Audio, and to sweeten the deal further, they’re giving away copies of Loaded Gun to the first hundred punters. Stop clutching onto your worn-out Acca Dacca CD, there’s more where that came from. Find it down Coniston Lane this Saturday.
Theatre shows, as a whole, are pretty impersonal. Sure, you might feel like you connect with a character’s personality or laugh at their lines, but when it comes down to it, you’re an outsider. There’s a barrier between you and them, and while you can see into their world, you don’t get the chance to experience it first hand. Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper is a show that turns the classical concept of theatre on its head. The show is performed to only forty audience members at a time, each member invited on stage to enter Lloyd’s world – his bedsit – and to experience what Lloyd experiences first hand. The story – a tale of a Queensland battler as told through his grandson’s eyes – is based on a true story, written and performed by Green Room award-winning actor Tim Stitz. Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper is an innovative production, which draws the audience in to the story with its powerful narrative but unlike other productions, doesn’t feel like you’re watching something play out on screen – you are drawn inside, to become a part of Lloyd’s world.
When I took Introduction to Anthropology at uni, I learnt that by nature, humans are social animals. Since being introduced to Eddie Perfect’s Misanthropology, I have also learnt that humans are stupid animals. This isn't a stab at the intelligence of Mr Perfect, it's simply a commentary on his commentary of social activities in 2011 Australia - shown through musical theatre, no less. Leaving no stone unturned, Perfect investigates breast implants, football and obvious choice, Kerri-Ann Kennerley. Mr Perfect might just be the man who's been right in front of you this whole time; he's famous for his dead-ringer impression of Shane Warne (you better believe he did a Warney musical) and his stage show Keating! The Musical. If the name is still not ringing a bell, then perhaps you’ve seen him as a guest on Spicks and Specks or Talkin’ Bout Your Generation? Or if you're a middle-aged housewife, you may know him as Mick Holland on TV's Offspring! Watching Offspring may be your idea of a 'Perfect' way to spend your Wednesday, but Eddie's screen time is so low, you'll need your extra hit. This musical lecture on Misanthropology with Professor Eddie Perfect is sure to re-instill your fears that the human behaviour ain't what it used to be. Oh and don't worry, there's no test afterwards.
Nearly two decades after it transformed from an unloved patch of Fortitude Valley into the suburb's upmarket precinct, James Street is in makeover mode once again — and it'll soon welcome a Michelin-starred chef to the area. Chef Alan Wise will return to Australia from New York to open Beaux Rumble, which'll fittingly take its design cues from Grand Central Station. Food-wise, the restaurant will focus on woodfired Australian cuisine — heroing seafood and plant-based dishes — when it opens in Ada Lane beside the newly opened The Calile Hotel this November. An all-day eatery, Beaux Rumble will sprawl across 400 square metres over two levels in the newest part of James Street. While Wise is keeping quiet on menu specifics for now, diners can expect a full New York-style brunch from the open kitchen, which'll feature a sizeable custom grill. Also on the agenda are cocktails, dinner and everything in-between. [caption id="attachment_694716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile Hotel by Sean Fennessy[/caption] You'll be able to enjoy all this on a dining terrace overlooking Ada Lane, in a ground-floor main dining room or in one of the two private dining room upstairs. If you're wondering just how Beaux Rumble's various spaces will nod to Grand Central Station, they'll take inspiration from the 1913-built transit hub's Beaux-Arts architecture. Think ornate vaulted metal, marble benches and tiles, brass fittings and oak flooring, as well as archways, domed ceilings and intricate Art Deco touches. Designed by s.t.udio's Sally Taylor, the restaurant's fit-out favours materials that won't just stand the test of time, but will also age appropriately. As for the Victorian-born Wise, his arrival in Brisbane marks the latest stop in a global career that started in London in the 90s, includes stints in regional Victoria, Vancouver and Dublin, and saw him work through top restaurants such as Picholine, Juni, Public and Rouge Tomate Chelsea. It was during his sting as executive chef at the latter in 2017 that Wise earned his Michelin star. Beaux Rumble is set to open in Ada Lane, James Street, Fortitude Valley from November. We'll keep you updated with an exact opening date once it is announced. Top image: Alan Wise
The problem is, with technology these days, all your friends are ‘photographers’ because they can afford cameras, or at least iPhones. But that’s like saying all your friends are ‘guitarists’ just cause they can play Wonderwall. The point is, neither of these two artforms should be archived away because lots of people are trying their best to ruin them. Long story short, amongst scrums of Instagramers there are still some very talented photographers out there, and some of them are emerging out of their dark rooms to show off during the Brisbane Festival's GOA Billboards Exhibition. The location to splurge on this talent is the Judith Wright Centre’s Shopfront, a more than fitting space to pay homage to some of Brisbane's brightest photographers and their art. In this context, those to be splurged on are a bunch of incredibly talented highschool students who were challenged to capture Brisbane’s beauty from as many fun angles with as much flare as possible under the theme Brisbane Parks: Garden Cities and Urban Jungles. Curator Henri Van Noordenburg picked the best ones and put them in a room, the afore mentioned Judith Wright Centre. You've the freedom to enter this room from 10am to 4pm from the 17th to 28th of September. And it's free!
There's perhaps an unintentional double-meaning in the title of Pixar's new film Brave. Thematically, bravery naturally forms the substance of the lead character's development, but the name's also an interesting take on the company's creative direction. Not only is this Pixar's first film to centre around a female protagonist, it's also the first with a female director (Brenda Chapman). At least... it was until Chapman was replaced by Mark Andrews halfway through. So, 'Brave-ish' perhaps? But then you recall Andrews co-wrote and worked as second unit director on John Carter, which takes us back to plain old Brave (or possibly insane). Of course replacing directors is almost a tradition at Pixar, with this now the fifth time it's happened, and usually the contradictory approach somehow works. On this occasion, however, it's not quite as effective since the competing visions fail to marry quite so seamlessly. The story follows Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald of Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire fame) as a princess in training, though her attention and discipline run as wild as her Rebekah Brooks locks. She favours riding over reading, archery over tapestry and mischief over miss congeniality - all to the amusement of her father King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and the chagrin of her Queen mother Elinor (Emma Thompson). Tensions come to a head when it's announced three eligible clansmen will be competing for her hand in marriage, and in defiance of her mother she shuns tradition and sends the kingdom into turmoil. It's no surprise the 'animatography' in Brave is exquisite. Pixar's ability to imbue its characters with rich emotions, even when they're inanimate, is as impressive as it is now assumed, and the opening shots of the highland vistas are so photorealistic they could easily be mistaken for the opening shots of Prometheus. Ultimately Brave is probably Pixar's worst film to date. However, anything by Pixar will still be better than most of the other films that have (or will) come out this year. That's because the teams at its San Francisco-based headquarters know their story structure, character arcs and emotional triggers better than most, as well as how to make an audience laugh. And laugh you most certainly will. https://youtube.com/watch?v=TEHWDA_6e3M
Get your running shoes on and break open that piggy bank, it’s time for another Sass and Bide Warehouse Sale! Our favourite Aussie label is giving Brisbane fashionistas a chance to fill their wardrobes with some amazing designs with 50%-70% off everything. Worn by the likes of fashion royalty such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kate Bosworth, Madonna, Beyonce and Kate Moss, designers Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton have come a long way since meeting at high school in Brisbane. The talented duo began their design career selling customised jeans at Portobello Road Markets in London before coming home to launch their debut collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in 2001. The often quirky but always fabulous label cemented its place in the hearts of ladies around the world with their revolutionary denim and continue to amaze and inspire with their ever evolving aesthetic. Get in quick, it’s sure to be first in best dressed - literally! Cash, eftpos & most major credit cards will be accepted.
Vaudeville, as a genre of entertainment, is not quite as prominent as it once was. Every show featured a bill of comedians, dancers, magicians, trained animals, acrobats, and minstrels, to say the least! Though the essence and influence of vaudeville can still be seen today, its original form has faded. Underground Productions’ second mainhouse show of 2012, Goodbye Vaudeville Charlie Mudd, explores the end of an era. Dancing on the edge of wartime, a troupe of vaudevillian performers are suspended in the year 1914. Lead by Charlie Mudd, the haphazard crew gathers together to perform to nobody, save perhaps the odd passer-by who happens to stumble across the eerie ensemble. Newcomer Violet is one such unfortunate, who joins the gang of misfits, only to become trapped in limbo as the performers descend into violent parody. As the fictitious realm of the vaudeville house becomes dangerously intertwined with reality, Violet embarks on a journey to solve the mystery and free the actors from themselves. The play was written by Melbourne-based playwright Lally Katz in collaboration with original director Chris Kohn. They were commissioned by Malthouse Theatre Company to come up with a brilliant idea, and voila! Don’t miss the Brisbane premier of Goodbye Vaudville Charlie Mudd!
Brisbane rock fans will be squeezing into their leather pants and teasing up their hair this Friday to catch British glam rock masters, The Darkness. The British Award winners are dropping Down Under on their second ever Australian tour before they jet off to support the one and only Lady Gaga on her upcoming European tour. After skyrocketing up the charts in 2003 with their hit single ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’, The Darkness enjoyed short lived stardom before singer Justin Hawkins checked out of the band and into rehab in 2006. Now back with their original line-up and a new album in the pipeline scheduled for later this year, the band are hitting our shores as part of their aptly titled Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us reunion tour. Supported by young Gold Coast up and comers Nine Sons of Dan, The Darkness will be blowing the roof of the sparkling new Eatons Hill Hotel with their (in)famous stage show rep' this Friday night.
If poetry is something that makes you groan, question your intelligence, and bang your head against a wall, then you’ve been stuck in a highschool mindset for too long. In 2014 poetry isn’t all Keats, Lawson, “shall i compare thee to a summers day” and toupes– this is a time of rich and radical free verse. And there’s no better way to celebrate poetry than to sport your favourite black turtle neck and head along to the final of the 2014 Riverbend Poetry Series as launch for the Queensland Poetry Festival program. This evening will kick of at 6pm, and showcase some of the finest poetic voices of our time. Long time activist, post-surrealist writer and poet Lionel Fogarty is the sure highlight of the night. With words that have reformulated the understanding of poetic discourse and its roles in both black and white communities, he’s a master of the written word, and a leader in politically aware poetry. He’ll be joined by The Bell Divers, winner of the 2013 Queensland Literary Award for Emerging Author Rebecca Jessen, local poets Vanessa Page and John Koenig, and Zenobia Frost. Poetry is something Brisbane should always be proud of. We’re the city that bred David Malouf, Graham Nunn and The Brisbane Bard, and have a blossoming generation of up and comers ready to sport their quills and show of some a-grade verse. Buy a ticket to the Riverbend Poetry Series final, and show a little support.
Our city is bubbling with creative talent, if you know where and when to find it. It can be an issue for Brisbane artists, musicians and writers to make contact with the wider public, so, that's where the Papergirl Project comes in. This ingenious community project involves everyone in Brisbane in the aim of spreading the incredible and inspiring pieces Brissie locals have created. The talented team behind this project gather art and writing from the local creative community, exhibit the fruits of their labour and then distribute art and writing to random passers-by. If you wish to help spread colour and creativity across Brisbane, all you need is a bicycle and a bag to carry the rolled up artworks. The Papergirl Project exhibition will be held on March 15 and the brilliant bike army will be heading out in full force on March 16. It's not about giving the artwork to the 'right' people; it's about sharing wonderful works with people who are in the right place at the right time.
It's hard to find sculptures that focus just as much on the internal as they do the exterior. The work of Sophie Bottomley does just this however, with pieces that explore their own guts while showing off visually seductive frames. With lush, repetitive surfaces, alluding to the artists hand, Bottomley places her attention on what lies underneath, in and around her pieces - check some out here. Now you can see Sophie Bottomley's work for yourself at Spiro Grace Art Room for her exhibition The Shape of the Mouth. The pieces on show will be transformed everyday materials that investigate the relationship between interior and exterior, form, scale, colour, light and surface, and do so in a way that invokes a strong corporeal and visceral response. The opening night for The Shape of the Mouth will be Thursday August 7, kicking off at 6pm, and the exhibition will run until August 30.
Feeling kind of basic today? Feel like you’d be better off in a High Fidelity scene, channelling John Cusack, Jack Black or just your run-of-the-mill rock snob? Then head to QAGOMA and get a healthy dose of pop culture, art and multimedia crossovers at their latest exhibition, Seen + Heard. The exhibition draws on major artworks, installations and multiples from the gallery’s collection which address the intersections, clashes and marriages of pop culture, music, sound and visual art. It’s like a super-dooper Venn diagram expressed by physical representations, rare records and art work that will have you crackling. Seen + Heard will draw on the work of sculptural sound pioneer Nam Jun Paik, publisher Francesco Cons, Philip Corner, Emmett Williams and Milan Knizak. It will also feature musical score, performance and sound installations, including Candice Breitz’s King, a portrait of Michael Jackson. Plus, a bundle of fancy LPs that will have you swooning and sulking with jealousy all at once. So whether you’re a creative type of not, head to QAGOMA and learn that pop culture isn’t all Andy Warhol and Simpsons references. Supposedly.
Contemporary music ensemble “Kupka’s Piano” are taking their talents far and wide throughout 2013, in the search of exciting composers of younger generations worldwide. The Brisbane-based outfit will be exploring new developments and musical concepts while premiering the latest Australian works commissioned just for this series. Each of their concerts will showcase a selection of international works that are innovative and intriguing, and link to those that Australia have to offer. Taking its name from Bohemian painter František Kupka’s iconic 1909 painting “The Piano Keys”, the ensemble aims to entice audiences into hearing new sounds, new structures, new musical ideas. It fills a gap in Brisbane’s music scene where the members, all in their 20s, focus on the works of their contemporaries. The concerts will be hosted throughout the year, from March to September, and so subscription passes are available for those who wish to see all four at a discounted rate.
Frontmen rarely come as charismatic as Henry Wagons. A storytelling character and a half, the Melburnian native has returned from the dark desert highways of the US to bring Wagons' shiny new album to the townspeople. Seeing music as a joyous occasion rather than a moment to wallow in your sorrows, Wagons' shows are downright shindiggerous in their approach. "'Music is a public activity — the very birth of music was designed to be joined in on,'' Wagons told SMH. ''The first music was played at celebrations. The insular emo songwriter in the bedroom is this recent offshoot of what music is at its core. Music for me is for other people. I write it alone, but with the idea of playing it for other people.'' These "other people" make up the remaining five members of Wagons, one of Australia's best and most underrated live bands. Wagons have just released their latest single 'Beer Barrel Bar', taken from brand new, sixth studio album Acid Rain and Sugar Cane and nabbing a four-star rating from Rolling Stone. Landing feature album at 2ser and RTR, Wagons' new release heralds the end of a long period between drinks for the band — Henry Wagons released his own lovelorn ballad-filled solo album in 2013 and spent many months on the dusty highways of America touring his wares. With Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party/Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds) behind the mixing desk and Wagons himself bringing his US-inspired country stomping style to the plate, Acid Rain and Sugar Cane has quite the Nashville twang to it. Best enjoyed with a whiskey in hand and a soulmate far away, the LP is a natural evolution of Wagons' indie country blues into an Ameristralian tavern hootenanny. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WXoiX2bFPDY
For the third time around (but certainly not the last) is Stranded, a night of local and quality live music that will entertain you until late. Head along to the Valley to hear some of Brisbane’s finest – Ed Guglielmino and The Show, Monkey Island and Bottlecock will be your musical hosts for the evening. In what’s become an unfortunate rarity, you can also hear some of Brisbane’s beloved Vinyl DJs to help you rock and roll throughout the night. At 633 Ann (once referred to as the Mustang Bar) they’ve had a facelift but haven’t dialled down their love of live music. The drinks are cheap, the volume is loud and the game plans are set to party. This regular night of music is one to keep your eye on – a grouping of Brisbane’s best such as this doesn’t happen too often, particularly in such a renown venue. Tickets on the door.
Come to see Noises Off; stay to see Nothing On. That's the play-within-a-play bundle that Queensland Theatre's latest production offers when it takes to QPAC's Playhouse from June 3 to 25. QT's artistic director Sam Strong helms this adaptation of Michael Frayn's classic farce, which he wrote back in 1982. In fact, the story of how it came about is quite interesting in itself. While waiting in the wings watching something else that he had written, Frayn thought it was funnier when viewed from behind the stage, and the idea to write a play that took that perspective came to mind. So, to clarify, Noises Off was the end result, and Nothing On the farce that it all revolves around. Expect clumsy bombshells, troubled actresses, booze-loving septuagenarians and a haughty director, plus everything that can go wrong in the theatre, well, going wrong. Simon Burke, Ray Chong Nee, Libby Munro, Hugh Parker, James Saunders, Louise Siversen and Nicki Wendt star.
There isn't much in life that beats curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. Although a great story is merely a download away, nothing beats a physical book that you can hold in your hands and immerse yourself in. Besides, who doesn't love that familiar scent whipped up by the pages of a fresh book? If you're a fellow literature lover head to Motto Pop-Up and Book Launch at the Institute of Modern Art. Surround yourself with the wonderful world of words as Berlin-based art-book merchants Motto launch Making Words. This anthology of writings focuses on the genres of science-fiction and art. Between the covers of Making Words you'll find essays by writers such as Adrian Martin, Amelia Barikin and Patrick Pound. Don't miss this chance to get your hot little hands on a thought provoking and irresistible read.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the Camera d'Or at Cannes, Beasts of the Southern Wild is the impressive debut feature film from young director Benh Zeitlin. The film, which opens in cinemas from September 13, sees six-year-old Hushpuppy battle a hot-tempered father, melting ice-caps and monstrous creatures called the aurochs as she searches for her mother. Featuring moving performances from Dwight Henry as Wink and Quvenzhané Wallis as Hushpuppy, Beasts of the Southern Wild is a truly one-off fantasy drama that is at once magical and powerfully grounded. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see Beasts of the Southern Wild. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Dutch Courage Officers' Mess might be known for slinging plenty of gin, but the Fortitude Valley bar also knows a few important boozy truths. Sometimes, your favourite watering hole is closed. Sometimes, you don't really feel like hitting the club. Sometimes, you just want to kick back on the couch with a cocktail (or several) in your hand. To help, the bar puts on regular masterclasses — teaching you the tricks of its trade and serving you up a few beverages in the process. And the April class sure does have a buzz about it. Yes, it's all about making espresso martinis. From 3.30–5pm on Saturday, April 13, you'll discover how to whip up a classic espresso martini, plus Dutch Courage's own variation: the Cradle Snatcher, which features butter vodka, agave and a Nutella stripe. Learn, make, drink — that's all on the agenda as part of your $39 ticket, as is an energetic start to your Saturday shenanigans. Bookings are essential.
There's no shortage of cheesy places in this food-loving town of ours, but King Street's Il Verde just might be Brisbane's cheese central. Serving up pasta from a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano has helped put the Bowen Hills eatery on the culinary map — and it's doing just that on the most romantic night of the year. If you're going to celebrate one thing you love, aka your significant other, then you may as well celebrate something else you love, too. Take your favourite person, add your favourite meal — that's the general thinking. It all takes place from 5.30pm on Thursday, February 14, with bookings required. This super cheesy night includes pasta or gnocchi stirred up in a wheel of cheese, a bellini upon arrival, an entree, and raspberry panna cotta with dark chocolate sauce for dessert, and it'll set you back just $45 per person.
One of the most iconic movie musicals ever made has been adapted into a lively theatre effort; however that's not the only reason to head to the new staging of Singin' in the Rain. Do it for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Their new Oscar-tipped film, La La Land, both pays tribute to and follows in the footsteps of the Gene Kelly-starring 1952 flick. Yes, that's a very, very good thing. For those who've somehow missed the '20s-set big screen classic during their lifetime, Singin' in the Rain charts a story of romance and stardom, as silent film star Don Lockwood tries to adjust to the age of talking pictures, and aspiring actress Kathy Selden tries to make her big break. It was actually crafted around a heap of existing songs, such the titular track, 'Make 'Em Laugh' and 'Good Morning'. All of that sings and dances its way onto the Lyric Theatre's stage, complete with the talented Grant Almirall, Rohan Browne, Gretel Scarlett and Jack Chambers among the cast — and 12,000 litres of water causing a splash. Actually, there's even a wet weather warning for anyone sitting in the front three rows, as well as a free poncho. Image: Jeff Busby.
For some reason I thought that Supanova would be akin to America's ComicCon. It's dressed up as a pop culture expo, but in layman's terms that means it's for geeks. That isn't a bad thing at all, because at least you won't feel socially awkward around all the jocks – they don't even know this place exists. The supa-star guests are Christopher Lloyd (Emmett from Back to the Future), Val Kilmer (holy shit, he's still alive?), Colin Morgan (Merlin off...erm, Merlin), Julie Benz (Dexter's Rita), amongst some others that I honestly don't even know of. Not to worry, Supanova 2011 is full of sweet activities that are sure to please sci-fi and fantasy lovers, especially the karaoke, something even I would get into just for shits and gigs. In all seriousness, if you are considering attending, you need to be weary of the Weapons Policy, y'all. You can't bring or use actual weapons, but on a positive note, you can watch the AWF wrestling, which is brutal. A favourite at Supanova is the meet and greet with the stars, and you even get to have a photo and get it signed with perhaps, Val Kilmer? C'mon, he was hot once! Get down to Supanova, you Casanova of “pop culture”.
Roll up, roll up, the big top is here — but when you step into Infamous' spiegeltent, you're not stepping into an ordinary circus. A blend of acrobatics, clowning, dancing, comedy, cabaret and burlesque, this is strictly an adults-only affair. Think performers getting a little risqué, acrobats with ripped abs and displays of raunchy dancing, as well as death-defying acts with a devilish dash and plenty of cheeky laughs. Yes, this is a show that comes with a word of warning, so prepare for a two-hour stint of naughtiness that ramps up the indulgence and the hedonism — and the sauciness as well. After packing out two seasons on the Gold Coast, Infamous hits Brisbane between Friday, October 12 and Sunday, November 18. You'll find its big top at Victoria Park, with performances running from Thursday to Sunday during its six-week stay — and with tickets ranging from $47.20 all the way up to $247.35 for the best seats in the house.
If you're going to open a new burger joint in the meat-and-bread-loving haven that is Brisbane, you need to have a point of difference. Biggie's Burgers has a great name, sure, but they're also satisfying a definite culinary need: the Bulimba-based venture is a delivery-only burger joint. Getting your favourite piece of protein placed on a roll and driven to your door isn't that unusual — but only being able to get it that way is. Launching on Boxing Day, Biggie's Burgers will be serving up a hefty menu of gourmet New York-style burgers that can be ordered exclusively on UberEATS, and are then cooked fresh and ferried to wherever you happen to be. Their menu hasn't yet been revealed; however consider the knowledge that it'll include the Big Poppa Pork Belly — aka grilled Peruvian pork belly strips, mojo verde, white slaw, mustard, jalapeños, American cheddar and house-made pickles on a brioche bun — a mouthwatering sneak peek. And, in good news for those keen to get a taste as soon as they can, Biggie's is throwing a celebratory shindig to unveil their delicious fare to the world. If you're not still too full from Christmas lunch, head to Barcadia on Boxing Day for the first-ever Biggie's Burgers Pop-Up. It's a one-day-only affair, running from 9.30am to 10pm, and offering up just the kind of food you need when you're watching sport on the bar's television. For more information about Biggie's Burgers, keep an eye on their Facebook page.
