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. If you want to feast on Biggie's Burgers range of gourmet New York-style burgers, you'll need to place your order UberEATS, then wait as they're cooked fresh and ferried to wherever you happen to be. As for what you'll be eating, prepare to start feeling hungry. The Bad Boy Brisket features 12-hour slow-cooked beef, house-made pickles and slaw on a brioche bun, and is known to sell out. Or, opt for the Big Poppa Pork Belly — aka grilled Peruvian pork belly strips, mojo verde, white slaw, mustard, jalapeños and American cheddar, also with house-made pickles on a brioche bun. Rounding out the selection are three other hefty offerings: the Brooklyn Beef 'N' Bacon with an Angus beef patty, the Deep South Grilled Chicken with cajun chook, and the super-sized Notorious B.I.G. with a whopping two slabs of meat. Sides-wise, customers can choose between the usual — aka a bowl of mixed chips, some coleslaw or chickpea, and avocado salad — or a couple extra-special additions. Who doesn't want to pair their juicy burg with puffy pork rinds, half a dozen dry rub wings or chilli cheese fries — all without leaving the comfort of home? Biggie's Burgers delivers from 11.30am to 10.30pm. For more information, head to UberEATS or check out their Facebook page.
When you're Fortitude Valley's go-to gin joint, pouring juniper spirits day in, day out is always on the menu. But Dutch Courage Officers' Mess doesn't just like serving the good stuff — it also enjoys teaching everyone more about it so you can truly appreciate its spirit of choice. The venue is mighty fond of hosting boozy masterclasses, which cycle through different types of cocktails. But if you fancy knowing more gin in general, the Gin Discovery sessions are for you. If you've ever wondered what gin actually is, how it came out, what the difference is between various styles and why it's always paired with tonic, this is where you'll find out. You'll also sip gin while you're gaining all of this extra knowledge, because that's obviously a big part of the fun. The next sessions take place on Friday, January 21 and Friday, February 11, both kicking off at 5.30pm and lasting an hour — so they're an ideal after-work drinks idea when the working week is done. Your $49 ticket includes the class — which also covers making gin cocktails — plus a G&T upon arrival and a tasting flight that'll showcase four different gins, each with its own botanical emphasis.
If you're fond of spending your time browsing through stalls, looking at local wares and buying everything from arts and crafts to fashion and homewares, then you've probably made a visit to a BrisStyle market. The Brisbane group hosts several regular events around town, including the Brisbane Twilight Markets in King George Square and The Handmade Market outside the Queensland Museum. It doesn't usually focus primarily on greenery, though — which is one of the reasons that its upcoming Plant Market is so special. Here are two others: it's spring, so it's the ideal time for it; and it's happening in Roma Street Parkland. From 9am–2pm on Saturday, September 18, you'll want to head to Roma Street Parkland's celebration lawn to get shopping. Yes, you'll be looking for greenery while surrounded by greenery. As well as plants, there'll be gardening accessories and floral-themed homewares on offer, and you can book into a kokedama workshop, too. Or, if you fancy learning how to embroider a monster leaf — or paint a tropical plant pot — they're also part of the lineup of ticketed classes. Expect food trucks onsite as well, because we all know that trawling the markets is hungry and thirsty work. [caption id="attachment_784308" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane Marketing[/caption]
Everyone loves taking taking photos of their dog. Alongside your pet's cheery company and unconditional love, that's one of the big joys of having a four-legged friend in your life. And, over the past few years, we've all become pretty fond of those pop-up museums the Sugar Republic crew have been putting on — including its current multi-room wonder, The Selfie Lab, which is on display right now at Chermside. You've probably guessed where we're going, because Doggo Day at The Selfie Lab is all about bringing your pupper to wander through The Selfie Lab's 16 colourful and neon-lit themed rooms. These installations are all about the pics to begin with, so imagine how much better they'll look with Fido, Max or Champ in the frame. Here, you'll find rooms that take their cues from Palm Springs motels, 50s diners and 80s bedrooms, as well as a space that promises to take visitors to the moon. And, that's just a bit of the decor on offer. You and your pooch will want to head opposite Uniqlo on Westfield Chermside's second level — phone in-hand, of course, so you can keep snapping pics. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Selfie Lab (@selfielabofficial) Top image: @belindaboyceee
Calling all early birds — especially eager Brisbanites who don't getting mind getting their Saturdays started as soon as they possibly can. If you're not usually fond of rolling out of bed on a weekend before mid-morning hits (or possibly even later), then this could just be the energetic motivation you need to greet the day long before you usually would. Every Saturday from 8am, Woolloongabba's South City Square is playing host to free yoga classes, taking you through more than a few moves over a 60-minute session. It's called Yoga on the Lawn, so you know where you'll be bending and stretching — and everyone who attends will receive a hot beverage afterwards. While the class is free, there is a limit of 20 people per session due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. So you'd best remember to set your alarm, then head on over to Logan Road for an active yet calming start to your weekend. Yoga on the Lawn takes place on Saturdays at 8am at South City Square, 148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba.
You can never have too much greenery in your life, both inside and outside your house. And, whether you're decking out your interiors or setting up a luxe outdoor hangout zone, you can never have too many homewares either. At least that's what you'll keep telling yourself while you're browsing around The Home Collective, which is making its post-COVID-19 lockdowns return. The northside market will be offering up an array of plants, pots, furniture, cushions, art, ceramics, candles and other items that belong in your house or garden. If you're keen for a sneak peek, or some design inspiration, check out the event's Instagram page. That'll motivate you to head along, we're certain. Taking place at the Wavell Heights Community Hall from 8am–12pm on Sunday, July 19, the market will kit out your abode with plenty of choices, with more than 50 stalls ready for you to peruse. Sure, there's an excuse to boost your garden and homewares cred every weekend in Brissie, or so it seems, but you just can't have to much of a good thing. Entry is via gold coin donation, which'll go to the folks at Animal Welfare Queensland. And, there'll also be caffeinated beverages from Mana Coffee to help perk up your Sunday morning — plus bites to eat from The Collective Kitchen. The Home Collective Market takes place at the Wavell Heights Community Hall from 8am–12pm on Sunday, July 19.
Japanese cinema's diverse array of wonders can't be confined to one event. Brisbanites can watch the latest and greatest films the country has to offer at the annual Japanese Film Festival — and, thanks to its classics program, cinephiles can also step back into Japanese movie history, too. Next running from Friday, January 8, 2021–Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at the Gallery of Modern Art, the latest old-school film program explores plenty of big-screen highlights from the 60s through to the 00s, especially if you're fond of weird, wonderful, surreal and subversive flicks. If you haven't ever watched Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man, take the opportunity to redress that situation — because we all need to see a movie about a man compelled to stuff metal into his body. Or, make a date with 70s standout House from director Nobuhiko Ōbayashi, which is about a creepy abode that eats schoolgirls. Other must-sees include Seijun Suzuki's assassin-fuelled Pistol Opera; Diary of a Shinjuku Thief, Nagisa Ōshima's 60s film about a man who steals from a bookstore in Shinjuku; and Eros + Massacre, a biopic about Sakae Ōsugi, who advocated for sexual freedom in the early 20th century. And, in great news for your wallet, attendance is free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShJvheZHXdI The Japanese Film Festival Classics Program next runs from Friday, January 8, 2021–Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at the Gallery of Modern Art.
When you decide to call your resident ritzy watering hole Piano Bar, that name sets a few expectations. Yes, Brisbanites can be forgiving for thinking that tickling the ivories is on the bill at the Emporium Hotel spot — because it is. On Sundays from 2pm — kicking off on Sunday, October 4 — those keys will be pressed in the name of jazz, too. The South Bank venue has dubbed the regular occasion Speakeasy Sundays, and it'll be combining live tunes with cocktails to suit the mood. Head on over to the hotel's bottom level each week, and you'll be tapping your toes to the likes of the Aaron Jansz, Bradley McCarthy and Brendan St Ledger Trios over a few beverages. As for those drinks, cocktails will be on offer for $15, so prepare to sip your way through a few classic drops. Given current COVID-19 capacity restrictions, reservations are recommended if you'd like to end your weekend in the jazziest way possible — and in the Piano Bar's luxe, gleaming, chandelier-filled surroundings. Speakeasy Sundays kick off at Emporium Hotel's Piano Bar on Sunday, October 4, and run at 2pm weekly afterwards.
The term 'best of both worlds' certainly applies to beer yoga. Exercise, alcohol — what's not to love? And we'll all just happily overlook the fact that one counteracts the other because simultaneously sipping and stretching is just so much fun. These batch of brew-fuelled active sessions boast a little something extra, however. When you're doing your best downward-facing dog and then pausing to take a drink, you'll be doing all of the above in a brewery. Just join the folks at Ballistic Beer Co. fortnightly on Thursdays, with the remaining sessions for 2020 happening on October 1, 15 and 29; November 12 and 26; and December 10. You'll want to head to its Salisbury digs, and arrive at 5.45pm for a 6pm start. It'll only set you back $15, which includes the class and a Ballistic beer — and it's a BYO yoga mat situation. Ballistic's beer yoga takes place fortnightly on Thursdays, with arrival at 5.45pm for a 6pm start.
Bao is one of those immensely versatile dishes — the kind that always seems to taste great no matter the filling. Whether you like yours stuffed with pork belly or karaage chicken, or prefer mushrooms with truffle kewpie mayonnaise and truffle salsa, chicken katsu with sando sauce, or beef ribs and avocado, your tastebuds won't be disappointed. Clearly, Bao Bar specialises in the beloved bite. In fact, it serves up all of the above varieties, as well as tofu and prawn types, too. And, from midday on Sunday, September 13, it's dishing them up for $3 a pop to celebrate the store's launch — as part of an afternoon-long festival. Yes, that'd be the $3 Bao Festival, which will run until 10pm. No bookings are required, but the South Brisbane spot does have a 30-person seating capacity at present, so you might need to wait — or you can grab some cheap bao to takeaway. Bao Bar's $3 Bao Festival runs from midday on Sunday, September 13. Top image: Bao Bar.
If 2020 has been good for anything, it's upskilling. No doubt you started making sourdough from scratch, did some DIY projects around the house or took up an online course. You probably attempted to mix up a negroni, amaretto sour or perfectly balanced martini at some point, too. But, if your concoctions didn't quite match the expertise of the bartender at your favourite watering hole, now's your chance to level up. This winter, three top Aussie bartenders are bringing the festivities to your living room with a series of online cocktail classes. Kicking off the series is Eau de Vie Melbourne's Jonny Linstead on Thursday, August 20, from 6–6.30pm. He'll be showing you how to make a vodka-based martini dubbed the D'Vine Time. At the same time on Thursday, September 3, Brisbane bartender Millie Tang, behind old-world cocktail bar The Gresham, will be mixing up a twist on the classic Moscow Mule: the Polish Pony. Then, rounding out the three-part series will be award-winning bartender Kate McGraw from Sydney's izakaya-style bar Isabel on Thursday, September 17. Fittingly, she'll be whipping up a Kyoto Highball, which will have you dreaming of trips to Japan. [caption id="attachment_777922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Polish Mule[/caption] A collaboration between premium vodka distiller Belvedere and drink delivery company Boozebud, the at-home cocktail classes will focus on top-quality natural ingredients. Each drink recipe will have a 'less is more' approach, so you'll be making cocktails that you'll actually be able to recreate — again and again and again. The masterclasses are free to stream via Facebook. For Jonny Linstead's class head here, Millie Tang's here or here for Kate McGraw's. But, to make the most of it, you'll want to get a cocktail pack delivered beforehand. The packs cost between $93.99–99.99. Purchase your cocktail packs via Boozebud, then head to the respective Facebook events at 6pm on August 20, September 3 and September 17 to take part in the virtual masterclasses. Images: Kate McGraw, cocktail, Jonny Linstead and Millie Tang
As dairy fiends already well and truly know, adding burrata to any meal automatically takes it up several notches. Add the delicious blend of mozzarella and cream to every dish as part of a five-course dinner and, well, you've got yourself quite the cheesy, indulgent and delicious feast going on. That's what's happening at Burrata Night. Nope, that name doesn't disappoint. Salt Meats Cheese's Gasworks store is whipping up a heap of burrata-topped options on Tuesday, October 20, then letting you eat your way through them. There'll actually be seven different dishes, including both spaghetti carbonara and gnocchi sorrentina with burrata, as well as mortadella and broccolini pesto pizzas, too. Or, you can opt for prosciutto with burrata, roasted pumpkin with burrata or burrata that's crumbed, then fried. The five-dish dinner will set you back $79, and you can choose which five of the above choices you'd prefer. Or, you can take the plate-by-plate approach and order single serves for $19 a pop. It all kicks off at 5pm, and booking in advance for this one-night-only affair is essential.
There's no right or wrong way to eat gelato. That said, if you're feeling a bit like you've licked every scoop ever, there is a more interesting way. Sure, you can mosey on in to a gelateria, pick your flavours and dive in — or you can head to one of La Macelleria's gelato degustation sessions. For an hour across multiple Saturdays — from 3pm on November 14 and 28, plus December 12 — La Macelleria's Matteo Zini will treat your tastebuds to four different flavours, with the theme changing at each session. You'll nab a welcome coffee on arrival, then get some words and wisdom about frosty desserts from Zini, and then get tasting. You'll also receive a 500-millilitre take-home pack of your chosen variety. Tickets cost $29 for what promises to be a gelato and sorbet adventure. As for what you'll be eating, November 14 is all about summer sorbets (including feijoa, blood orange and cardamom, dragon fruit and lime, and lychee and elderflower), while November 28 is focused on Italian gelato favourites (such as parmigiano reggiano, pesto, Vin Santo and a Sicilian-inspired flavour with ricotta and orange zest). Then, on December 12, Christmas-themed scoops will be on offer (think: eggnog, panettone, pavlova and Christmas pudding). Only 12 tickets are available per session, so getting in quickly is recommended — a Halloween date on October 31 has already sold out.
On Wednesdays, you might be known to wear pink. This week, though, you can break out your favourite not-quite-red shades on Thursday. You'll need to look the part at Ivory Tusk's Mean Girls trivia night, after all. Yes, not being there would be social suicide. Yes, revisiting the correct usages of 'fetch', 'grool' and 'ESPN' is just part of the fun too, as is channelling your inner queen bee. Yes, pretending it's the Spring Fling is encouraged. If all of the above means something to you, then this is your kind of event. Mathlete or plastic, if you're a fan of the now 16-year-old movie, then show your devotion by battling it out across trivia rounds. It all kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, August 27 and entry is free — but registrations are essential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOmTMCtGkI Ivory Tusk's Mean Girls trivia night takes place from 7pm on Thursday, August 27 — with free tickets available now.
Yatala's latest retro movie night poses a dilemma. Will you show your 90s love, chat about Bettys and Baldwins, exclaim "as if?" and remember that Paul Rudd doesn't age? Or, will you wish 00s-era Lindsay Lohan was your best friend, wear pink even though it's not a Wednesday and write in a burn book? Of course, if there's a way to show your affection for both Clueless and Mean Girls, then that's an option — both films are on the bill, after all. One borrows from Jane Austen and made a star out of Alicia Silverstone, the other is based on a self-help book and boasts Tina Fey as a screenwriter, and they're each considered high-school movie classics for a reason. They'll also be playing from 7pm on Saturday, October 3 — Mean Girls day, as fans will know — which sounds like a fetch way to spend your Saturday night. Tickets cost $49 for a carload of six, so gather the gang, jump in the car and motor down the highway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS0KyTZ3Ie4 Yatala Drive-in's Clueless and Mean Girls double screens from 7pm on Saturday, October 3.
Hoyts Cinemas across Brisbane are reopening on July 2 and are about to become the most magical places in Queensland, as all eight movies in the Harry Potter franchise light up the screen over two spectacular weekends. Split into two parts — so you won't need a time turner to stay awake — the marathon kicks off at 10am on Saturday, July 4 with Harry, Hermione, Ron's first four years at Hogwarts and runs until 7.30pm. These same four films will be screened at the same times on Sunday, July 5, too. The following weekend, the marathon will pick back up again at 10am at Saturday, July 11, when the battle against You Know Who begins in earnest. Similarly to the week before, the last four flicks will also be screened on the Sunday. Tickets to the flicks are going for $10 a pop — so, yes, you will need to buy individual passes to each one — which means you can pick and choose. Love Goblet of Fire? See it twice. Not a big fan of the Half-Blood Prince? Skip it and go out for lunch instead. In fact, tickets to most Hoyts films are currently $10 as part of an opening special. If you're curious about what else is on the program, check out our list of 13 news films hitting the big screen this July. Harry Potter Movie Marathons are happening at all three Hoyts Cinemas in Queensland: Redcliffe, Stafford and Sunnybank.
Love Christmas, movies and the festive filmic space that explodes across the cinema screen when the two join forces? On Saturday, December 21 at Woolloongabba's Electric Avenue, you'll be feeling mighty merry, then. From 2pm, there's no need to write down all your favourite Xmas flicks on giant pieces of cardboard to prove your adoration — or throw any paint tins down some stairs. If you're eager to head along to The Big Movie Quiz Off: Christmas Edition, then you'll know what we were just talking about — because you've clearly seen Love Actually and Home Alone a few times. And, you'll also know all about which of this year's Christmas flicks is set to a George Michael soundtrack, which 1947 classic the FBI wasn't fond of because it painted bankers in a bad light, and which movie features a very cranky Jim Carrey. You'll even know how many versions of festive slasher film Black Christmas have been made, too. From Miracle on 34th Street, Gremlins and Die Hard to Bad Santa, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Jingle All the Way, if it's brimming with the spirit of the season, there'll probably be a question about it. Man vs Bear will be asking those questions, there'll be prizes on offer for first and second place, and Electric Avenue will also be serving up Christmas-themed food and cocktails. Entry is free — but you'll want to register for a ticket, then play along and get mighty jolly, ya filthy animals.
Every cake-loving Brisbanite knows that a treat from Jocelyn's Provisions can brighten your day. On Sunday, December 1, buying something from the store's first-ever bake sale will do more than that — it'll also raise money for drought relief. That's some hefty extra motivation to snack on both sweet and savoury baked goods, which'll be on offer from 9am–1pm at Albion Fine Trades. Fancy a spring-inspired bundt cake made with lemon and ricotta? They're definitely on the menu. Jocelyn's will have company, too, with the Bake for a Farmer sale featuring stalls from ARC Dining, E'cco Bistro, Harvey's, Sixes and Sevens, Ben Williamson, CRU Bar, Tartufo and sAme sAme as well. You can also take a yoga class with Raw Power Yoga from 10am before you start feasting on baked treats. All proceeds will be donated to Drought Angels, which works to help farming families affected by natural disasters around the country. Top image: Jocelyn's Provisions.
If it's good enough for Toto's 'Africa', then it's good enough for Smash Mouth's 'All Star'. Because Brisbane sure does love a trend, another local bar is picking a particular tune and cranking it out on repeat for an entire evening. Perhaps somebody once told them it was a great idea. Our apologies that you now have the 1999 hit stuck in your head, but consider it good practice for Friday, December 6. From 11pm, The Brightside is gonna roll you with their Smash Mouth 'All Star' Appreciation Night, which celebrates 20 years since the track first started echoing through our brains. Prepare to hear that song — and only that song — for four hours. It doesn't make sense not to live for fun, after all. We know exactly what you're thinking: get your game on, go play. Or, you could be thinking that perhaps all that glitters isn't really gold. Either way, entry is free, but we can't promise that listening to the track over and over and over again won't cost you something.
Two days. One park. Plenty of outdoorsy things to do. Whether you're keen on grabbing some gardening tips while you're surrounded by one of Brisbane's best displays of public plant life, or you're eager to relax on the grass while eating food truck grub, Parks Alive has something for you. Indeed, offering something for everyone is what this annual celebration of Roma Street Parklands is all about — because that's what the park is about as well. Coffee cup recycling classes, plant clinics manned by experts, brass bands playing everything from The Beatles to Bacharach, bush tucker walks, meals-on-wheels galore: they're all on the bill. Indeed, even though there's never a bad time to soak up the splendour of Brissie's parks, there's never been a better time to get to Roma Street. Free fun and Brisbane sun combine for a chilled day in the outdoors — and a chance to channel your inner Leslie Knope, obviously. Image: Bertknot/Flickr.
Sick of the same old lunch options? Even in a city constantly welcoming new cafes and eateries, that's understandable. Until May 6, QueensPlaza wants to make your midday meal a bit more exciting thanks to their pop-up Picnic & Pantry concept. Head to the shopping centre's first level for more than just the usual places, spanning gourmet bites, tasty snacks, a curated range of homewares and more. Just who'll be offering up the food will change on a regular basis; however, expect edible delights from Yes Joy, The Golden Pig, Homeslice Kitchen, Nodo Donuts, HRVST ST and Benchmark Coldpress. Now that's a feast your stomach will be rumbling for. Picnic & Pantry runs from Wednesday to Saturday, operating from 10am to 3pm. Image: Nodo Donuts.
The '90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on '90s pop culture — The Flamin' Galah's shindig will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the '90s House Party from 10pm on April 29. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered; all of those repeat viewings of Clueless really will come in handy as inspiration. As extra motivation, the best '90s outfit will win a $50 bar tab; however, heading along for the music is reason enough. You'll be unleashing your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy in no time, while drinking quite the array of themed beverages. Fancy some Fresh Prince Juice, Kate Mossjitos, Espresso MMMboptinis, Seinfeld Spritzes and Butterfly Clip Bombs? Of course you do.
Maybe you have tickets to Splendour in the Grass in your hot little hands (or, to be more accurate, your inbox). Maybe you missed out. Whether you're celebrating or commiserating, Bistrotheque has the event for it. The muddy music fest in question might still be months away, but the Valley venue is throwing a party to revel in its stellar lineup. Just head to Brunswick Street on April 21, close your eyes and pretend that you're in Byron Bay. Bistrotheque's array of bands and DJs will do their part to help make that happen. And if you're keen for a brew as you're soaking in the tunes, don't worry — you won't have to buy drink tokens. As for who'll be buzzing through your ears, here's a refresher. The xx, Queens of the Stone Age, LCD Soundsystem, Royal Blood, Haim, Sigur Rós, Schoolboy Q, Vance Joy, Two Door Cinema Club, Peking Duk, RL Grime, Bonobo, Father John Misty, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Tash Sultana, Paul Kelly, Stormzy, Future Islands, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, BANKS, Bernard Fanning, Dune Rats, Cut Copy... the list goes on. Image: LCD Soundsystem, Matt Biddulph via Wikimedia Commons.
Think of a great Aussie band or musician. Actually, think of several; it's impossible to limit yourself to one. Past and present, groups and solo artists, rock chicks and working class men — they're all accounted for in what proves a mighty big list. It's more than likely that whoever popped into your head is accounted for at The Triffid's Aussie music extravaganza. From 7.30pm on April 21, the Newstead venue will open its stage to Wide Open Road: A Celebration of Australian Music, which is exactly what it sounds like. A heap of Aussie acts will belt out tunes by a heap of Aussie greats. With ANZAC Day coming up, it couldn't be more appropriate. Expect tracks by ACDC, INXS, Midnight Oil, Divinyls, You Am I, The Easybeats, Hoodoo Gurus, The Saints, The Warumpi Band, Radio Birdman, The Triffids, Skyhooks, Wiggles, Celibate Rifles, Ed Kuepper, The Grates, The Screaming Tribesman and more. Expect Band of Frequencies, PC & The Biffs, Sabrina Lawrie, Suburbiasuburbia and WHALEHOUSE to do them justice. And, expect to revel in the sounds of this country of ours for one rockin' night.
One of the great things about being an adult is being able to eat chocolate whenever you want. As great as indulging your sweet tooth any time cravings hit is, however, simply buying a choccie from the shop or grabbing one from the cupboard isn't particularly exciting. Not as exciting as an Easter egg hunt, for example. You might've thought those days were over, but 31 Degrees Custom Chocolate is here to tell you otherwise. On April 8, the Woolloongabba-based store will be holding the Easter event you didn't know you were craving: an Easter egg hunt for adults. You'll run around the city on your choice of bike, foot or public transport, and you'll collect clues, stop by great Brissie food business, see landmarks and scavenge your way to the good stuff. Yes, we're talking about oval-shaped orbs of smooth, creamy chocolate. If you're eager to take part, just register online before 5pm on April 1 (and no, this isn't an April Fools' Day joke). Entry costs $20, whether you're participating on your own or as part of a team, with part of the fee going towards beyondblue.
It's a great time to have a four-legged friend in south-east Queensland — or, for those who are still dreaming of their very own pupper companion, to bask in the cuteness of everyone else's. In fact, the region has gone barking mad for pet events. First, Brisbane got its first regular pet-focused market. Now, Sanctuary Cove is hosting a canine-centric day of fun. Paws & Pizzazz takes over the Marine Village on Sunday, March 26 with a celebration of doggos that spans everything from obedience to health checks to responsible pet ownership. The free, all-ages affair is the perfect excuse to take your adorable pooch on a road trip — and to buy an adorable pup outfit. It wouldn't be a dog extravaganza without a pet parade, of course, with fashions on the field, waggliest tail, biggest smile, most impressive hairstyle and pets that look like their owner among the categories your pooch can compete in. If you're heading along sans-hound, check out the Insta-pet meet and greet, where all of those local, furry stars you've been following will be on hand to say hello.
It didn't take long for the medium of film to evolve from movies about moving trains to cinematic voyages to the moon — and, in terms of the tales told, it hasn't stopped there. By watching the silver screen, audiences can venture to the cargo spaceship Nostromo and meet its chest-bursting inhabitants, witness a friendly extra-terrestrial try to phone home and see an Iranian teenager reach for the stars. Yes, movies are pretty magical like that. Alien (and Aliens), E.T. and documentary Sepideh: Reaching for the Stars are all on lineup at Science Frontiers, the Gallery of Modern Art's film program for the World Science Festival Brisbane, of course. So is the genetically determined future seen in Gattaca, real-life Hadron Collider action in Particle Fever, and the inspiring Oscar-nominated true tale that is Hidden Figures. Or, take a trip through time with Primer, and into space with Interstellar. Hearing Brad Pitt's voice talk through the birth and death of the known universe is also a highlight, courtesy of the Terrence Malick-directed doco Voyage of Time. And then there's the extra-special sci-fi treat that'll thrill fans of David Bowie and his filmmaker son Duncan Jones. First, watch the latter's excellent Sam Rockwell-starring effort Moon, and then see just how otherworldly the former was in The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Been thinking pink over the last few months? When it comes to wine, of course you have. Alas, summer is over and Brisbane's weather is slightly cooler, which means that rosé season just might be over for this year. If you're about to cry some tears into your pale red-stained wine glass, don't — just head to the Brightside for the Summer of Rosé Closing Party. You already know what you'll be sipping. That's the main attraction, really. Help the Brighty finish off their last bottles and feel fancy while you're doing it. It's not unusual for the venue to encourage attendees to dress up at their shindigs, but this time they really do mean it. Formal attire is encouraged. As well as so, so, so many pink beverages, expect the Rosé Boyz (aka Jaxon Luther King and Jesse Barbara) to spin appropriate tracks to keep the mood festive. Just how themed they'll be — and if 'Pretty in Pink', 'Pink Cadillac', songs by Pink or the Pink Panther theme get a whirl, for example — is something you'll have to find out on the day.
Ever wish life was full of more surprises? Like everything these days, there's an event that can help scratch that itch. Every now and then, Secret Foodies pop up with a dining experience that takes the planning out of your hands — and, apart from a few clues, they don't even tell you where you're going until two hours before it starts. The Secret Foodies Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea Party is their latest attempt to lead those with a hankering for delicious dishes in an undisclosed location down the rabbit hole, so break out your best headwear. In fact, wearing your high tea best is recommended at this very important date. The actual setting won't be revealed until the day, but you will be headed to a boutique hotel in the heart of the CBD. On April 8 and 9, attendees can expect teapots aplenty — obviously — plus the kind of treats that'll make you think you're in Wonderland. Cupcakes, chocolate card ganache sandwiches, marshmallow mushrooms, strawberry heart tarts and a special top hat cake will all beg "eat me", while Ta_Ku Sauvignon Blanc Pink will scream "drink me".
When the sky isn't unleashing nature's wet and wild fury upon the city, having a picnic is one of the best things you can do in Brisbane. The temperature is usually right, the grass is typically quite the shade of green and we've got plenty of parks just begging for you to visit. Combine all of the above with a historic site, food trucks and jazz and you have Newstead House's By the River series. Once again taking over the venue's stunning lawn from 4pm on April 1 — and, taking place with the assistance of The World Food Markets, as always — By the River is the chilled kind of Saturday evening we all need every now and then (or maybe even more often). Bring your best picnic blanket, your mates, and some cash for something to eat, and let the event take care of the rest. They might've moved their headquarters to Milton, but Newstead Brewing will also be on site selling cold beverages, with all proceeds going towards Brisbane's oldest surviving residence. Image: World Food Markets.
It has only been four years since the Stones Corner Festival launched, unleashing a day of food and music on the inner east; however it has swiftly become one of the city's must-attend street fests. With the 2017 event fast approaching, they've announced the first taste of things to come on April 30. Expect local legends and a giant new beer garden for starters. Leading the music lineup is Regurgitator, instantly turning the festival into a celebration of one of the city's best and longest-running bands. They'll be joined by Sahara Beck, Luke Daniel Peacock, Hemingway, The Stress Of Leisure and Sarah Booker, with others set to be added before the event. As for that outdoor drinking area on the corner of Logan and Old Cleveland roads, expect it to be bigger, cashless, include a dedicated beer garden for the first time, and bring together a host of yet-to-be-revealed breweries and wineries. Food trucks, market stalls, a petting zoo and a range of activities will round out what's shaping up to be another great — and free — day out, all on a Sunday that's oh-so-conveniently before a public holiday.
If Scenes From a Marriage hadn't already been taken, it would've made a great title for most of Asghar Farhadi's movies to date. From 2003's Dancing in the Dust to 2011's Oscar-winning A Separation and his 2013 follow-up The Past, the Iranian writer-director has filled his resume with features about the struggles of not-so-harmonious domesticity. Now you can add The Salesman to the pack, just as Farhadi can add another Academy Award to his mantle. Still, a shiny new statuette can't mask his fondness for repetition. Farhadi is a master of observing just how the bonds of matrimony can unravel, but seven films in there's no avoiding the feeling that you've seen some of it before. The Salesman opens on the set of a play, with husband and wife Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) staging a revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. As Farhadi demonstrates rather unsubtly by cutting from a bed on stage to their crumbling real life home, all isn't well for the couple. That's especially true after they move into a friend's flat and Rama leaves the door unlatched, only to be attacked by a stranger. Understandably she's shaken. Just as understandably, he's driven to track down the perpetrator. Their conflicting responses sit at the heart of Farhadi's latest film, with the writer-director eager as ever to wait and watch as the couples' fraught emotions slowly but surely rise to the surface. Indeed, pumping seemingly ordinary spaces full of the kind of tension that can only spring from fraying intimate bonds is one of the things he does best. Dissecting how even a mere word, look or gesture can completely reshape, change or ultimately unravel a relationship is another. Both talents are on display as Rama takes the reserved and ultimately forgiving route, while the increasingly frantic Emad can't shake his wounded pride — or his need for vengeance. Cue a situation rife with drama, which Farhadi carefully heightens. As he's done before, he makes plain the gender lines driving the divide between husband and wife, as well as the cultural reasons for their behaviour. Here, he also stresses the fact that Iranian society will applaud a man bent on revenge but blame a woman who's a victim and judge another that's made untraditional choices, making hefty material even meatier. Throw constrained yet probing visuals into the mix alongside nuanced and multifaceted performances by Hosseini, Alidoosti and the pivotal Babek Karimi, and The Salesman can only be described as classic Farhadi territory. Still, there's a difference between ticking the usual boxes and expanding them, and here the Oscar-winning filmmaker manages one but not the other. As a result, the movie feels less like an involving effort in its own right and more like a greatest hits package. Many a director has made a successful career out of playing the same cinematic notes over and over again, but just as many have eventually stretched their usual tendencies too far. While The Salesman proves engaging, particularly in its later stages, there's a distinctive sense that next time Farhadi needs to show us something new.
If there's one thing that's better than sipping your way through a range of Australian and international gin, it's turning an evening dedicated to doing just that into a night of surprises. You'll get plenty at Gin Junkies — plenty of drinks, plenty of unexpected botanicals, and even a trip to a mystery location in Fortitude Valley. It's Grape Therapy's third event of its type, and here's hoping it's a series that they continue. Attendees will get to feast four different gins — complete with all of the seasonal fruits that the organisers can get their hands on, of course — plus premium tonics. And, if you're keen for more than just tasty beverages, then you can add a masterclass to the mix as well to help extend your knowledge about your favourite juniper-infused tipple. Now that's how GT helps you indulge in G&Ts aplenty.
Yeah science! That's not just something Breaking Bad has us all exclaiming — it's something that we all should be thinking on a daily basis. If it wasn't for science, our understanding of the world would be much smaller. We could list a heap of reasons why, or we could direct you towards Brisbane's very own five-day festival dedicated to the field. Showering the city in knowledge for the second year running, the only Asia-Pacific offshoot of New York's World Science Festival returns with another jam-packed program of science goodness. Stargazing, becoming a hologram, science-inspired art and movies, watching 2001: A Space Odyssey with a live orchestra score, breaking down the sensations involved with eating a nice meal, mass colouring, watching hatchling turtles greet the world — you'll find them all on the lineup. Or, boost your understanding of plenty of subjects by attending a panel session on everything from microplastics to energy to pioneering women. Conversation subjects include Frankenstein anxiety (for those worried about robots), extreme moments in science (with Dr Karl providing a few lessons) and other worldly water (in case The Martian has you thinking about the topography of Mars).
Fresh from throwing Brisbane's first ice cream shindig, West End's new West Village precinct is gifting the city another new event. This time, sake and bubble tea will be flowing freely, gyoza and yakitori will be filling stomachs, and origami folding and an arcade alley will be testing nimble fingers at the first Brisbane Japanese Festival. Yes, arigatou gozaimasu is exactly what you should be saying. Taking place from 11am to 5pm on August 19 as part of Japan Week Brisbane, the day-long street fest celebrates the country that gave us everything from Pokemon to Godzilla to Studio Ghibli with a feast — of festivities, of culture and of food. And while there's plenty of fun due to come in all categories, sushi doughnuts fall firmly in the latter. Sushi. Doughnuts. Talk about taking two great things and making them even better. The festival will also boast markets and food stalls, bars serving sake and whiskey, a bonsai garden, traditional drumming and dancing, chopstick challenges, Japanese personalities, music, art and more, all helping turn West Village's indoor and openair spaces into a Japan-centric wonderland. Food-wise, there'll also be karaage, poke bowls topped in sashimi and bento boxes galore — and while the organisers haven't explicitly mentioned ramen, it wouldn't be a Japanese fest without the sounds of slurping, now would it? Tickets cost $10, and given how popular the ice cream festival was — more than 5000 Brisbanites went along — snapping one up ASAP is recommended. Plus, online ticket buyers go in the draw to win a trip to Japan.
Whether you follow your horoscope or remain convinced that life is a series of random accidents, sometimes the planets align and there's no avoiding the matter. How else do you explain the fact that this year's International Rum Day falls on Brisbane's Ekka public holiday? There's getting into the spirit of the occasion, and there's spending the occasion celebrating a particular spirit. Both are on offer at the Walrus Club once 4pm rolls around, plus more rum than you'd find in a Bundaberg factory. Taste test your favourite tipples and try out some new types from around the globe, listen to live music and keep your stomach lined thanks to a variety of food stalls. The fun is scheduled to run until late; however, remember the golden rule of midweek public holidays — unless you've snagged yourself an extra, extra-long weekend, reality still beckons the next day.
Three days, 14 shows, multiple art forms, plenty of stringed instruments. Add them altogether, and the Restrung festival is back for another round of genre-bending fun. If you thought violins, cellos and the like were just for classical music fans, prepare to have your perception altered. Taking over Brisbane Powerhouse from August 17 to 19, the festival features strings doing different and unexpected things: inspiring ballet, as seen in Collusion's Muscle Memory; exploring love and death, the themes of Silver Sircus' Heart Strings; and offering the soundtrack to the bout of physical theatre that is The Viola Cloning Project's collaboration with Zen Zen Zo. The 230 strings of a grand piano, a cellist beloved by Radiohead and electric folk fusion: they're all also on the bill. Indeed, everything from electronica, folk and jazz to rock, pop and minimalism gets a look-in, marking the third Restrung festival in style. In total, more than 50 international, national and local artists wield their bows to create more than beautiful music, captivate hearts and challenge string-loving minds.
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the fifth annual Vegan Day Out. Come September 2 and 3, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. For one weekend only, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Melbourne Street, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or two) of it. Whether you're a dyed in the wool vegan or just giving it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, complimentary coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on more than 300 different products.
Strangers on a Train meets Sliding Doors meets Brick meets True Romance. If that sounds like quite a lot to squeeze into one package, hold on, because writer-director Christopher Smith is just getting started. Detour is the kind of movie that openly nods and winks to its many influences, made by the type of filmmaker that wants audiences to know that he's shouting about his references on purpose. Smith even goes so far as to have one of his characters watch part of a 1945 film noir with the same title as the movie they're in. When a filmmaker nods so eagerly at his or her sources of inspiration, one of two things tends to happen. Ideally, they shape those influences into an engaging new package that builds upon familiar parts. More often, they end up being overshadowed by the better filmmakers whose movies they keep reminding you you could be watching instead. Aiming for the former but delivering the latter, Detour proves a feature more concerned with showing viewers what it's doing than actually doing it well. Smith certainly knows and loves the films that he's homaging, but making that plain isn't the same as making an entertaining crime thriller in their image. That the movie's protagonist not only shares his name with a 1966 Paul Newman movie, but has a poster of the film on his bedroom wall, says plenty. So does the fact that audiences first meet Los Angeles law student Harper (Tye Sheridan) as he's listening to a lecture about the escape tactics of pursued criminals. Throw in a grudge against the stepfather (Stephen Moyer) he blames for his mother's comatose state, a chance bar meeting with local thug Johnny Ray (Emory Cohen), and a stripper with a heart of gold named Cherry (Bel Powley), and it all starts to feel rather derivative — even when the movie's big gimmick kicks into gear. Once Harper discovers what he hired Johnny Ray to do during their drunken evening together, Detour splits its narrative into two timelines. In one, the new acquaintances make the sunny drive to Las Vegas with murder on their minds; in the other, Harper stays home, although that still ends up being quite eventful. Smith flits from one story to the other, and frequently splashes them together using slick split-screen imagery. Sadly, the device doesn't help either section shake the been-there, done-that feeling – and neither does the film's predictable destination. Smith does, at least, take a trio of impressive actors along for the ride, even if none are quite at their best. Sheridan, Cohen and Powley have all given much, much better performances in Mud, Brooklyn and The Diary of a Teenage Girl respectively, but at least they try to make their stock-standard characters seem like something more. That's not exactly high praise, but it does sum up Detour's fortunes quite perfectly. A loving attempt to tackle a familiar genre, the film does everything it can to speed into new territory. Alas, it gets lost along the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbzZGUJ4MzE
Almost a year ago, Michelle Lee won one of Australia's biggest theatre prizes, the Queensland Premier's Drama Award. From June 24 to July 16, her winning play will take to Queensland Theatre's stage. If that's not a dream come true for the Melbourne writer, then we don't know what is — and, you can witness her sharp story about globalisation, power, politics and migration. Rice tells the tale of Nisha and Yvette, two multicultural women working late in the same building who are about to cross paths in an ordinary but revelatory way. One is a 28-year-old business prodigy who has worked her way to the second-in-command post at an Australian rice company, and is working on closing a huge deal with the Indian government. The other is a cleaner who clears away her takeaway containers. It mightn't initially seem like it, but these ladies have plenty in common, as they discover over the course of the evening. Starring Kristy Best and Hsiao-Ling Tang, and directed by Griffin Theatre's Helpmann Award winning director Lee Lewis, Rice takes a smart, humorous look at globalisation in our modern world — and the personal consequences of such a far-reaching concept.
Anyone can buy a ticket to see their favourite band, head to a gig and sing along with the live set. In fact, everyone has. It's ace — but, so is going to your local, seeing a heap of new talent discovering new groups to obsess over. Or, getting blown away by whoever's on stage and asking "what band was that?" That's the question you'll be asking at the Brightside on June 22. In fact, that question is the whole point of their local music showcase. Dead Wild, What's Left Is Yours, The Watsanames, Down and Out, and Blooom will take to the mic, you'll no doubt love them, and your ears will thank you. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door, and in return, you'll get a whole heap of new faves. Still, like a certain ad campaign says: finding some fresh sounds and supporting new talent from the outset — well, you can't put a price on that.
Winter is all about staying indoors — and you want those interiors to look as great as possible. Art and design lovers, that's where the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's annual Winter Design Market comes in. Browse, buy and then prepare to get cosy. Find jewellery, ceramics, textiles, homewares and clothing and more at the day-long maker market, which takes over the GOMA forecourt from 9am until 4pm on July 8. Don't go giving their official store a miss either — take the time to peruse the GOMA collection of books and art, and thank us for the tip later. Remember: cute design wares call for cash, as EFTPOS facilities might not be available at all sellers. And while GOMA will host another design market once the silly season rolls around, getting your gift shopping out of the way now will make you feel like Christmas has come early. By Alice Bopf and Sarah Ward.
When you live in a city that's usually streaming with sunshine all year round, the sudden onset of colder weather can come as a shock. Fear not, brrrrrrrr-yelling Brisbanites — the frosty season comes bearing gifts. Indeed, at Riverbar and Kitchen's Winter Festival, there's plenty of things to heat you up. Example one: mulled wine, aka the best way there is to drink wine (once you've tried it, we're betting you'll agree). Example two: hot-buttered rum, which really does involve putting butter in rum (and defying everything you've ever been told about healthy eating). Example three: oysters, because all that slurping is bound to warm your tastebuds. You'll find all three down by the Eagle Street waterside from 5pm on July 8, plus live music too. Entry is free, but you'll have to pay to enjoy all of the above. That view won't cost a thing, of course.
The latest play to hit Brisbane Powerhouse's stage is certain to kick a big bag of goals — and cast aside the laughable idea that sports and arts can't get along. After showing at Gold Coast's Bleach* Festival earlier in the year, The Forwards brings the footy field to Brissie's theatre scene in a tragicomedy about a great game, and the game of life. In an effort written by Zeal Theatre director and founder Stefo Nantsou, and performed by award winning company Shock Therapy Productions, The Forwards introduces audiences to their new favourite team: the Pintoon Parrots. Their town is abuzz after they make the grand final with the help of star forwards Rabbit, Hoges and Tractor, but all that revelry has repercussions. Raucousness and rivalry, mateship and mayhem, violence and envy, booze and bickering — expect all of the above. "It's not a bunch of characters sitting around talking about their problems," says Nantsou. "It's people doing what they do — kicking a ball, dancing to a band down the pub, going to parties, being in dangerous situations, holding secrets, cheating, gambling, raising hopes and disappointing loved ones." Image: Garth Ledwidge.
For all its chilling prescience, George Orwell's 1984 made us believe that loving Big Brother would be horrifying. That just like the protagonist Winston, we'd all be dragged kicking and screaming into Room 101 for conversion. Not so. It took some time, but as apps became less and less coy about asking to root through our messages and contacts, we became less wary of them. The rebellion never had a chance. Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan aren't so sure. The pair adapted Orwell's novel for the West End production and are now directing the Australian season at Brisbane's QPAC this June. 1984, which imagines a world where all citizens are under constant surveillance and the government has a ministry dedicated to fake news, seems to be gaining relevance as it ages. If things keep going Orwell's way, though, it's unlikely you'll get another chance to experience it in a theatre. Or in any form, for that matter. So what'll it be — freedom or happiness?
Early in Paris Can Wait, Anne (Diane Lane) and her busy film producer husband Michael (Alec Baldwin) take a start-stop ride to the Cannes airport. The sun streams down as they coast through the seaside town, but their driver, Michael's sometimes business partner Jacques (Arnaud Viard), keeps pausing to buy bread, sausage and strawberries for their flight. It's a kind gesture, and just the type of thing you'd expect holidays in France to include. Alas, they feel like frustrating interruptions for the visiting Americans. Far from improving their trip, the nitty gritty of actually embracing their surroundings gets in the way. Like characters, like filmmaker, like film. Jumping wholeheartedly into the narrative side of the family business by making her first non-documentary feature at the age of 81, writer-director Eleanor Coppola fills Paris Can Wait with detours and diversions. Unfortunately, they're unable to boost the final product, which is affectionately shot but uninspiringly scripted and assembled. While the film's premise revolves around an extended jaunt that takes its time to get to its eventual destination, tripping over cliches causes the leisurely romantic drama to stumble. A middle-aged woman doing some unexpected soul-searching, a connection arising out of nowhere, and broken-down cars prolonging the journey: Coppola throws them all in, along with long-held regrets, new awakenings and the difficulties of long-distance love. Inevitably they all arise as Anne treks across the country, not with Michael, who is always barking orders about his latest movie into his phone, but with the much more laid-back Jacques. The pair become unlikely road trip companions after an earache stops her getting on the plane, but their odd-couple awkwardness doesn't last long. He's a suave and shameless flirt fond of wining, dining and straying off the beaten path. Set free from her usual life, she soon finds her defences beginning to crumble. As a scenic travelogue complete with stopovers for picturesque picnics, swanky restaurant dinners and a visit to the Lumiere brothers museum in Lyon, Paris Can Wait is a Francophile's fantasy. If France's lavender fields and other rustic highlights weren't already on your must-visit bucket list, they will be after you've watch this film. Indeed, Coppola demonstrates a feel for both the road and for her locations, which is hardly surprising given that Paris Can Wait was inspired by her own post-Cannes Film Festival adventure back in 2009 (her husband Francis Ford Coppola had a feature screening at the festival that year). If only the story she spun had the same authenticity. Coppola might've taken the broad gist of the movie from her experiences, but the on-screen details prove disappointly stock-standard. And, if only her casting choices weren't so obvious. Lane is subtle and effective in rehashing territory that she previously played with in Under the Tuscan Sun. Baldwin, on the other hand, who is heard more than he's seen, may as well be playing Jack Donaghy from 30 Rock. Still, there's one area where choosing the easy option works, and it's one we'll choose to believe really is a case of art imitating life. As a soundtrack to her trip, Anne keeps listening to Phoenix. It's fitting: not only does the band's melodic pop-rock suit the mood of the film, but, thanks to her daughter Sofia, their frontman is Coppola's son-in-law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EiPR0TtHv4
From July 19 to 22, a bunch of Brisbane visual artists will be flying the flag for pop-up art. We mean that literally. 20 of the city's creative folks have actually created silk flags, which will flap along the staircase of Jacob's Ladder in King Edward Park. The outdoor exhibition is called Brave New Worlds, as that's what the likes of Courtney Coombs, Naomi Blacklock and Joseph Breikers were all asked to imagine. Their artworks offer up a vision of what they'd like their brave new world to be, with the results on display for the cavalcade of pedestrians who traipse up the steps every day. Plus, as an added bonus, they'll also help activate a busy thoroughfare. Indeed, drawing attention to Brissie's nooks and crannies is what the project is all about — and serving up art in unlikely places as well. The installation will be followed by a second event, This Frozen Moment, a one-day audio piece taking place on July 28 in the Edward Street laneway down the side of Metro Arts. Showcasing more than 20 of the city's finest authors, poets and spoken-word artists, it features suspended origami sculptures, with each encasing a speaker that whispers about life-changing instances.
What's better than one party? Two. The answer is always two. You know it, we know it, and the folks at both Green Beacon Brewing Co and the Teneriffe Festival know it. This year, the former joining isn't just joining in the fun of the latter — they're shutting off the street and throwing their shindig as well. Yep, it's a good ol' fashioned Green Beacon Block Party (and yep, something can still be classed as old fashioned even if it's the first time it has ever happened). Expect everything a brewery get-together should have, aka multiple beers, three bars, a feast of food trucks and plenty of live music. Plus, there's even an official beer to make things seem, well, more official: Green Beacon's very own Riffe Raff Pale Ale. It's the official beer of Teneriffe, offering hints of fresh juicy citrus, passionfruit, apricot and pineapple. Arrive thirsty, but don't expect to leave that way.
Brisbane does pretty well in the craft brew stakes, but come GABS time, it's difficult not to get a little envious of our pals down south. For those who haven't heard of Melbourne and Sydney's boozy annual celebration, we're talking about the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular. It isn't coming up north, but Bloodhound Bar are serving the next best thing. Trust the Brunswick Street bar to treat Brissie residents to a highlights package, aka the GABS 2017 Beer Showcase, from 5.30pm on May 30. Six beverages will be on offer, and they're really not the kind of brews you'll get to sip every day. Try the blend of chocolate, vanilla and coffee that makes Feral Brewing Company's Dark Matter porter go down so smoothly, Brouhaha Brewery's Raisin Hell Belgian dubbel — which is made using 25 kilograms of, yep, raisins — or the yoghurt-soured, puree-filled concoction that is 3 Ravens Brewery's Little Ravens Mango Lassi IPA. We won't spoil all of the brews that'll be dripping off the keg, but be warned: a seventh, cocktail-style tipple might get added to the mix too (if it arrives on time, that is.)
Roll up, eat up — and, because it's the end of the week, let your hair down too. The folks at the Food Truck Collective are helping you see out another round of the working grind in tasty, tasty style thanks to their new weekly gathering. It's a permanent fixture brightening up the corner of Chester and Ann Streets each and every Friday from 6pm to 9pm. King Of The Wings, Micasa, The Bone Lorry, That BBQ joint, Pizzantica, Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van and Fonzie Abbott Coffee Roasters will all be there, and they'll be joined by a rotating array of special guests. You know what that means: you have an added incentive to drop by often. Plus, because tucking into a Friday night feast hits the spot all the better with a few brews in hand, Newstead Brewing have joined the fun to set up a bar. They'll be slinging beers, wines and ciders almost on their home turf, and offering up the proceeds to Foodbank Australia, meaning your thirst will help satisfy someone else's hunger.
