Bust out your fedoras and flapper dresses, Brisbanites, and prepare to step back in time. For two nights only as part of this year's Wonderland Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse will become a 1920s-era speakeasy inspired by the F. Scott Fitzgerald book that epitomises the period, and its two film adaptations. If you wanted to be an extra on Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby but didn't get the chance, this is the next best thing. At The Gatsby Gamble, attendees will work their way through an evening of games and mysteries, all keeping with the Gatsby theme. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of night, with clues to collect, puzzles to be solved and surprises to be had. Pretending you're Leonardo DiCaprio or Carey Mulligan — or Robert Redford and Mia Farrow — is perfectly understandable.
If you're a film buff, then you're also a travel buff. Even if you don't venture further than your nearest cinema, you're often journeying to other countries when you sit down to watch a movie. Thanks to the Cine Latino Film Festival, the sights and sounds of Latin America await Australian filmgoers in November, taking them on a trip to Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Australia's second Spanish-language film festival (after the Europe-centric Spanish Film Festival), the Cine Latino Film Festival will bring 26 titles from Central and South America to Brisbane's Palace Centro from November 16 to 29. The fun kicks off with You're Killing Me Susana, a marital comedy featuring Mexican star Gael García Bernal. Other highlights span a variety of genres and nations. Audiences can check out Inseparables, the Argentinian remake of French film The Intouchables, or get an authentic glimpse into prison romance in the Dominican Republic with Woodpeckers – about inmates from neighbouring jails communicating via their own form of sign language. Elsewhere, Cannes Critics' Week hit Gabriel and the Mountain combines documentary and drama to tell the true tale of a Brazilian traveller; Tales of Mexico asks eight filmmakers to spin stories about Mexican history; and Lost North tracks a man trying to find his girlfriend across the 900 miles between Santiago and the Bolivian border. Other notable titles include Peruvian musical-comedy Crazy in Love, Colombian paramilitary thriller Guilty Men, and Ecuador's submission to next year's foreign-language Oscar category Such is Life in the Tropics, about a battle between a land owner and squatters. The festival will also shine a particular spotlight on Argentinian and Mexican filmmaking in two specific program strands. The latter is a collaboration with the Hola Mexico Film Festival, while the former will thrill fans of familiar faces, with The Secret in Their Eyes star Ricardo Darín playing an Argentinian president in The Summit, and Gloria's Paulina García going soul searching in The Desert Bride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALX8_SHP68
Some films are long, slow and serious. Others are brief, quick and fun. There's a place for the former, of course; however Radical Reels champions the latter category, combining the most action-packed mountain movies it can find into a compilation of high-octane shorts. Radical Reels is the adrenaline-loving little brother of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, the most prestigious international film competition and annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. From the most recent festival's 300-strong submissions, a subset of daring displays have been singled out for their own showcase. Over a three-hour session, nine shorts approach the very edge of action sports and natural highs: the wild rides, long lines, steep jumps, and skilled stunts, as well as the rugged playgrounds thrill-seekers explore on their mountain bikes, paddles, ropes, skis, snowboards and wingsuits. Expect the world's best extreme athletes getting fast and furious when the Radical Reels Tour 2017 stops in at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
If the end of times means endless kegs of beer, then count us in. We're certainly willing to pretend the former is the case if the latter is the reward — and so are the folks at Archive Beer Boutique. That's why they call their signature annual event Armakeggon after all, though you, the tasty brews and the bar will all be around long after the 2016 shindig is over. Well, that and it's a catchy name to describe a day that features 40 extra special, often one-off beverages poured through the West End establishment's taps until their beer-loving hearts are content. For those after more than an out-of-the-ordinary drop of the yeasty good stuff, the affordable price of admission — $10 before August 24, and $20 afterwards — includes brewery stalls, live music and maybe even some surprise guests. Oh, and there'll also be carnival games and beer workshops on site, too, because the only thing better than spending the day drinking is winning prizes and learning something new while you're doing it.
When it comes to food events, there's nothing quite like the Sunnybank $2 Food Trail. It's all there in the name, with the Brisbane suburb's shopping hub becoming a diner's delight in the most affordable fashion. Think of it as the ultimate self-guided foodie adventure, for nothing more than spare change. At your own pace, you'll walk between more than 50 participating local cafes and restaurants featuring a range of authentic Asian cuisines. You'll feast on Chinese, Japanese, Hong Kong-style, Vietnamese, Korean and Taiwanese dishes, and you'll only pay $2 per plate. With such an array of steaming soups and sizzling stir-fries on offer, we don't recommend eating lunch first; in fact, you'd best arrive feeling as hungry as possible. Snacking on signature dishes is the main course — or several; however, for the first time in the trail's history, you can also customise your trek courtesy of a range of sweet, vegetarian, cooling, yum cha and other mini-itineraries. There's also plenty of non-edible appetisers, too, thanks to live music, lion dancers and roaming entertainment that'll add the perfect garnish to every meal by setting the mood.
Keen to celebrate the sights, sounds and tastes of Thailand, but can't make the trip abroad at the moment? The annual Brisbane Thai Festival has you covered, whether you're lamenting your inability to head to southeast Asia, getting your fix in-between sight-seeing visits, or simply a fan of Thai culture, cuisine and traditions. The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 patrons, so you certainly won't be alone. Don't worry — with food, performances, Muay Thai demonstrations and a Singha beer garden on offer, there's plenty for everyone at Brisbane's largest Thai-focused event. Indulging in all the Massaman curries you can eat, iced teas you can drink and traditional dances you can watch is only part of the equation, of course. As run by the Thai-Australian Association of Queensland Inc, the festival aims to promote and strengthen ties and harmony between the Thai and Australian communities. By heading along, you'll not only get a feast of food and entertainment — you'll be doing your cross-cultural part.
It has happened: The Flying Cock has reached its terrible twos. Now that the venue is crawling into toddlerhood, it's celebrating as only it can. Hey, everyone deserves a cake with a pair of candles on it — and a weekend-long party to go with it. The Flying Cock 2nd B'Day Weekend Extravaganza starts on Friday night, with live music, mic man Mikey 21Hundred back in the house and Rapversations on DJ duty. Sounds like a big evening? Well, it's a case of one down, two more to go. Come Saturday, dance and drink until dawn thanks to Birdman Randy & The Ivory St Preachers and an extended liquor license — and yes, that's a command, not a suggestion. Don't go thinking that Sunday is all about a chilled-out recovery session, though. Nope, that's when the venue's next Spot On party takes over for their third event. Well, birthdays should be memorable.
By day, they climb cliffs and learn survival skills. By night, they sit around a campfire singing songs and discussing philosophy. They're the Cash clan — and if their everyday activities haven't convinced you that the six siblings aren't part of an ordinary family, the determination and dedication of their father, Ben (Viggo Mortensen), should do the job. There's a reason that the heartfelt film that tells his tale is called Captain Fantastic, after all. Whether he's running around the forest in America's Pacific Northwest, or making a scene by wearing a bright red suit to a funeral, the eccentric, affectionate Ben always seems larger than life, and much like a superhero to his kids. But, when tragedy strikes, he's forced to take them on the road out into the real world. With his oldest son Bo (George MacKay) also contemplating leaving his untraditional upbringing behind for a new college adventure, and his parents-in-law (Frank Langella and Ann Dowd) unhappy about his off-the-grid parenting methods, conflict soon begins to brew. As the offbeat brood treks across the country in a coming-of-age journey for both adolescent and adult characters, Captain Fantastic traverses territory that feels familiar and fresh all at once. Yes, the path it takes is sometimes a little predictable, but writer-director Matt Ross generates enough genuine emotion to ensure that it also feels authentic .This is a warm, rich and vibrant production, both visually and in tone. Continuing his spate of fantastic performances in under-seen fare like The Two Faces of January and Far From Men, Mortensen is more than partly responsible for the movie's charms. In fact, he's simply magnetic in a progressive, protective parent role that trades heavily on his gruff yet tender charisma. With much of Captain Fantastic dependent upon unpacking the many layers and contradictions of a man who gives his 6-year-old son a copy of The Joy of Sex but hasn't imparted his 16-year-old with enough practical wisdom to know how to talk to girls, the subtle complexity he brings to his protagonist couldn't be more pivotal. Around him, his young and experienced co-stars also shine, particularly MacKay and the veteran Langella. It helps that Ross knows a thing or two about unusual families, with the actor-turned-filmmaker having starred in the polygamous TV drama Big Love for five seasons. While Captain Fantastic directs most of its fondness towards its unlikely hero and his eclectic clan, it also explores the importance of not only difference but balance. That's not an easy feat given how endearing the main characters and their unorthodox lifestyle are, and proves a testament to how multifaceted this smart, sweet picture really is.
Sure, you could spend your weekend going to a massive comic book convention, complete with cosplaying, buying pop culture trinkets and lining up for celebrity autographs. Or, you could pop into a different kind of comic heaven — of the single page kind. Think of Dr. Röt Fifer's One Page Comic Challenge as The Scratch's addition to frenzy taking over Brisbane, and the perfect kind of event to head to after you're done with the main attraction. The Milton bar put a call out to ask for original one-page submissions, with the best earning a spot on their walls between September 14 to 20. While you're perusing the creative comic creations, you'll also want to be boozing, which is where Young Henrys' Dr. Röt Fifer comes in. The Sydney-based brewers have just invented the limited edition Vienna lager to celebrate Oz Comic-Con, actually. The least you could do is sink a few while looking at alternative indie art.
When an exhibition is called INK REMIX, you should expect plenty of the titular substance; however you expect a few unusual bits and pieces along with it. The former comes courtesy of the usual traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, as well as ink print jets, biros and more. The latter spans everything from painting, photography, video and animation to the likes of tea and Coca-Cola. So, they're the substances and formats that you'll spy at the Museum of Brisbane's latest major exhibition — but there's more to the showcase subtitled 'Contemporary art from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong', of course. Through the work of 14 established and emerging artists, audiences can ponder just what ink means in today's society. Plus, in addition to all things ink brightening up the gallery space until February 2017, INK REMIX also offers a heap of fun activities. Keen on an introductory lesson on fancy handwriting or a live calligraphy poetry demonstration? You'll find that at City Hall as well. Image: YAO Jui-chung, Yao's Journey to Australia.2015, biro, blue ink with gold leaf on India handmade paper, 195 x 539 cm.
You might've heard of Taryn Brumfitt, a photographer and Adelaide-based mother-of-three, and one of Australia's leading voices on the topic of healthy body image. In fact, you've probably seen her before-and-after photos, which defy the all-too-common belief that thin equals happy. Her 2013 Facebook post went viral, seen by more than 100 million people around the world. Ashton Kutcher shared it, international talk shows came calling, and her inbox was flooded with emails from women with stories about their own struggle with body image and shame. Motivated by these experiences, Brumfitt has now turned to filmmaking, crafting a documentary about the onslaught of issues and opinions women face when it comes to the concept of beauty, and the compulsive need people feel to conform to society's arbitrary physical standards. The epitome of an activist picture crusading for a cause, the impassioned Embrace presents a wealth of information about a topic that's clearly near and dear to its maker's heart: encouraging everyone to love their bodies, just the way they are. Indeed, in a world where airbrushed models can be seen on every screen, and the beauty and diet industry rely on insecurity to turn a profit, Brumfitt's film could hardly feel more crucial. Embrace reveals an engrained self-loathing many women feel when asked about their appearance, and emphasises the need for a broader conversation on the subject. That the film was largely funded by Kickstarter contributions shows that she's not the only person eager to talk about the topic, either. Accordingly, in addition to recounting Brumfitt's personal experience, Embrace touches on everything from eating disorders and plastic surgery to recovering from physical harm and finding a space for varied representation in the media. She chats with a model considered plus-sized, and gets a consultation from someone eager to use a scalpel to improve her body. Famous faces such as British TV personality Amanda De Cadenet and American television host Ricki Lake give insights into their ups and downs. Burn victim Turia Pitt also relates her journey, as does German actress Nora Tschirner, with the two offering varied examples of the eternal attempt to be comfortable in one's own skin. It's an inspiring compilation — albeit one that can seem a tad repetitious. Of course, it could be argued that the film's message needs to be stressed again and again, until the battle for a more inclusive and positive approach to body image has been won. On the technical side of things, there's little about Embrace that hasn't been seen before, though again, its just-polished-enough sheen suits its content. Ultimately, when it comes to championing the importance of looking beyond the surface, this documentary does everything it can to make its statement heard.
Twelve short months ago, a group of talented gals rocked The Foundry, and Brisbabes was born. The female-focused music showcase has popped up three other times since then, making their October 1 show their fifth outing — as well as their first birthday party. After one fantastic year of achieving some very significant feats — aka shining a light on women in the Brissie music scene, inspiring female artists to take to the stage, sourcing some of the city's finest female-fronted acts, and just generally discrediting the idea that there's no female talent out there — Brisbabes is doing so again. This time, Quintessential Doll, Stevie, Whalehouse and Blaq Carrie will be taking to the stage, as will a mix of dark pop, punk, hip hop and more. Sounds as awesome as the ladies it'll be celebrating; however that's not the only girl power the day has in store. If you're around before the big shindig at 8pm, drop by from midday the Girls Rock! Brisbane Showcase, which will highlight the best tunes and brightest talent from the very first Brisbane Girls Rock! Camp. Image: Ash Heard Photography via Whalehouse.
Welcome to the future of theatre. Don't expect robots, hoverboards and other sci-fi-like technology, though. Do expect the next wave of performers and other practitioners. They're all on display at the Festival of Australian Student Theatre, which brings high school students, tertiary students, recent graduates, emerging artists and independent companies together to showcase their work. Pretend you're at a high school filled with werewolves, tap into your adventuring and destroying instincts, attend a funeral for roadkill, listen to six ladies comedically unravel their lives at different stages, and see what happens when a group is given just 24 hours to come up with their next work — and that's just a taste of the program's offerings. Over the long weekend, you can revel in all this and more, with the latter part of the equation including a forum and a feedback panel. For those passionate about live performance and keen to get a glimpse of the stage shows to come, it's better than gazing into a crystal ball. It's also the only way to spend the long weekend immersed in your chosen art form.
First, it's the low, flat tone in his voice that does it. Then, it's the anxious but determined glint in his eye. It only takes a few seconds of screen time, a couple of words and a specific expression, for Joseph Gordon-Levitt to make his portrayal of Edward Snowden worth watching. He's the glare, grit, heart and soul of Snowden, from director Oliver Stone. Even as the filmmaker takes a clear-cut stance about the man considered a hero by some and a traitor by others, Gordon-Levitt brings the required conflict and complexity to the role. Snowden begins in June 2013, in a hotel room in Hong Kong, with one of the most significant and suspenseful events in recent history. The NSA contractor is meeting with filmmaker Laura Poitras (Melissa Leo) and journalists Glenn Greenwald (Zachary Quinto) and Ewen MacAskill (Tom Wilkinson), providing them with a wealth of documents about the US government's secret surveillance regime. The scene should feel familiar, particularly among viewers who have seen Poitras' Academy Award-winning documentary Citizenfour. Stone recreates parts of her excellent film as a starting point and a framing device, before setting out to unpack what it was that compelled Snowden to do what he did. What follows is a dramatic retelling that incorporates much of what you might have read in newspaper headlines, along with snippets of Snowden's life including his rocky relationship with his girlfriend Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley). He excels during his training, and works his way through various intelligence postings around the world. But with each new task, he grows increasingly concerned about America's intrusive espionage activities, and disillusioned with the country he had always believed in. It's an intricate story — and a fascinating one. Stone does an adequate job jumping between multiple time frames, weaving three distinct narrative threads and crafting a slick feature in the process. Yet it's the central performance — along with the inherently gripping subject matter — that keeps Snowden tense and thrilling. As the film cycles through relatively routine biopic territory, Gordon-Levitt even manages to make the frequent sight of searching through files and staring out of windows seem compelling. Unfortunately, while JG-L's portrayal is spot-on, it hurts that the narrative and filmmaking all feels so standard and straightforward. Indeed, it's the feature's conventional nature that never wholly satisfies, even if the story it relates remains engrossing. Snowden is filled with questions, but they're ones that the director quickly offers his own easy, ready-made answers to. On the whole, this is a far less probing effort than Stone's best – think Platoon, Wall Street and JFK. That said, with World Trade Centre, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and Savages among his recent output, Snowden is his best film in some time, as well as his most topical. And if nothing else, it also gifts audiences a rare treat: Nicolas Cage actually acting — rather than chewing the scenery — as one of Snowden's early mentors.
If the latest food event heading to Brisbane needs a theme song, it has plenty of options to choose from. Sure, most tracks that reference wings in their name come soaked in emotion (we're thinking about Jeffrey Osbourne's 'On the Wings of Love' and Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings', for starters, because '80s tunes are just that impossible to forget). But hey, who isn't in love with crispy, deep-fried chicken wings? We're going on about potential anthems because the Australian Buffalo Wing Festival will make you want to sing an ode to its titular dish, we're betting. That's what showcasing all the great places in Brissie that sell these delectable sites of poultry does. Well, that and fill your stomach. Featuring everywhere from Bella BBQ to Yardbird, Barcadia to The Manhattan Line, and Newstead Brewing Co to Ze Pickle among its 24 locations, the fest is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of affair; basically, pick an eatery from one of the four regions highlighted on the four days from August 31 to September 3, and start munching. Or, go on a Buffalo-crawl in search of the 66 deals on offer. Each joint will be serving up their own flavours, including honey mustard at Wing Blaster and Hawaiian at Shady Palms, so you really will want to taste them all. Image: Brian Chan.
The jaunty score. The neurotic guy looking for love. The comedy that springs from errors, manners, clever turns of phrase, canny observations, family altercations and romantic entanglements. Add it all together, and a Woody Allen movie materialises. Over the course of his 47 feature films and more than five decades in the business, the 80-year-old filmmaker has found his niche — and while there are definite twists, tweaks and exceptions to his usual formula, his latest film, Cafe Society, feels like something he's made several times before. Indeed, starring as Bronx native turned wannabe Los Angeles player Bobby Dorfman, Jesse Eisenberg joins a long line of actors tasked with ostensibly stepping into the writer-director's shoes. An uncredited Allen himself even provides the film's on-the-nose narration, just to make the link even more apparent. Following an expected path, Bobby seeks both professional and romantic success: the former via a job with this Hollywood agent uncle Phil Stern (Steve Carell), and the latter with the down-to-earth Vonnie (Kristen Stewart), who also happens to be Phil's secretary. That she has a boyfriend complicates matters — as does her boyfriend's identity. Even if you've never seen an Allen film before, you shouldn't have much trouble guessing where this one is going. Fans of the incisive Blue Jasmine and the delightful Midnight in Paris — which qualify as Allen's best films in recent years — should definitely temper their expectations. Admitedly, Cafe Society certainly improves upon recent misfires Magic in the Moonlight and Irrational Man. Still, the film never seems in any great danger of straying far from familiar territory. The truth is, it feels like Allen is just going through the motions — and it would appear that he knows it, too. It can't be a coincidence that Cafe Society not only falls in line with his typical output, but apes many of his superior efforts, at times resembling a Hollywood-set version of the far more memorable Midnight in Paris. Thankfully, while Allen appears to be on autopilot, his cast delivers the goods. Eisenberg, Stewart and Carell bring the energy required of their characters, while Blake Lively, Corey Stoll and Parker Posey prove dependable in secondary roles. They're assisted by their detailed period costuming and surroundings, and by gently glowing cinematography that threatens to steal the whole show. That the images prove the main attraction amidst the self-mimicry and fluff is telling, to say the least.
Whatever shoes you're planning to wear this weekend, you'd better prepare to kick them off. Sure, Yatala Drive-in's nostalgia night screening of Footloose is on Saturday rather than Sunday — but when Kenny Loggins tells us to get rid of our footwear, we're going to listen. Don't pretend that you don't know what we're talking about. You're singing the title track from the 1984 movie in your head right now, aren't you? And soon you can be doing so in the comfort of your own car, all while watching Kevin Bacon punch-dance out some anger — and then try to teach John Lithgow that fancy footsteps aren't something to fear. Of course, heading to the drive-in isn't just about the big screen experience, but about hanging out around the lines of vehicles and grabbing a bite to eat from the diner — fitting activities, as anyone who has already seen Footloose will know. Just remember to book in advance, because cutting loose is a pre-purchase only event.
These days, the line between movies and on-stage musicals is rather thin: one becomes the other all the time, and vice versa. In Little Shop of Horrors' case, both situations prove true. First, a Roger Corman-directed 1960 black comedy horror feature inspired a 1982 off-off-Broadway effort. Then, years before they'd work on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's theatre offering spawned a 1986 film. If it all sounds a little confusing, don't worry — just think of it as one ravenous plant sprouting off into different directions. In fact, that hungry piece of foliage is called Audrey II, she's owned by a flower shop worked called Seymour, and she needs human blood to survive. Whether you've seen the '80s flick starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Bill Murray, or you've been meaning to check Little Shop of Horrors out for years, here's your chance to enjoy the theatre version. Luckiest Productions and Tinderbox Productions have revived the tale for the Australian stage, complete with Brent Hill, Esther Hannaford, Tyler Coppin, Scott Johnson, Angelique Cassimatis, Josie Lane and Chloe Zuel among the cast — and a carnivorous plant as well. Image: Jeff Busby.
Everybody wants to be Ryan Reynolds. That's not an expression of envy, but rather the plot of a growing collection of body swap movies featuring the Deadpool star. In Self/Less, an ailing real estate mogul (Ben Kingsley) transferred his consciousness into Reynold's younger, fitter body. Now, Criminal transplants the memories of Reynolds' murdered CIA agent Bill Pope into the brain of emotion-free death-row prisoner Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner). In both cases, the obvious happens, with the older men so profoundly influenced by the new thoughts and feelings coursing through their brains that they start to question their own life choices. And in both cases, the conflict between their old ways and a fresh beginning — as signified here by the wife and child Reynolds' hero has left behind — isn't their only battle. Gun fights, chases and a host of determined bad guys also feature prominently in the predictable narratives that follow. Indeed, if there's one thing that the London-set Criminal isn't, it's original. While Jericho's changed mental state comes courtesy of an experimental technique pioneered by neurosurgeon Dr Franks (Tommy Lee Jones), it's actually orchestrated by CIA heavy Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman), who needs to finish the mission that saw Pope lose his life. Of course Jericho isn't too keen to assist, particularly with a Spanish anarchist (Jordi Mollà), his hacker colleague (Michael Pitt) and nuclear weapon codes in the mix. Instead, he's just after a big bag of money that's been lost along the way. Or at least he is until he forms a connection with Pope's widow (Gal Gadot) and young daughter (Lara Decaro). A Frankenstein's monster of action-thriller, espionage and Reynolds mash-ups proves the end result. In fact there's even a nod to Mary Shelley's classic novel — Criminal is ultimately a film about a despised creature given a new lease on life, after all. Sadly, writers Douglas Cook and David Weisberg (The Rock) approach the subject with minimal subtlety. The same is true of director Ariel Vromen (The Iceman), who seems like he'd have been more at home directing action films in the '90s. They didn't need nuance back then — and seesawing between loud setpieces and laid-on-thick schmaltz, Vromen doesn't want any now. At least Costner, channeling his best Gary Busey and Nicolas Cage impressions, knows exactly the kind of film that he's in. In fact, his lead performance is fascinating to watch, with the veteran movie star doing his best to bring a little depth while powering through the often-silly dialogue. Jones and Oldman don't fare as well, with neither actor expending much effort in their respective one-note roles. And for all his importance to the plot, Reynolds barely makes an impact. Maybe he's saving his energies for the next instalment of Being Ryan Reynolds. At this rate, there has to be another one in cinemas before too long.
As far as blasts from the pasts go, trawling through cinema greats from years gone by has to be one of the most enjoyable. Who doesn't want to travel back in time movie by movie — sometimes discovering classic features you've always meant to see but hadn't yet, sometimes revisiting tried and trusted favourites. The Vintage Centro 2016 program offers all that, of course, as screened in themed monthly blocks between May and October. Fancy a dose of music and the movies to get things started? Or a trip to space, a look at great on-screen couples, the best of the '80s and a few memorable send-ups? Well, that's exactly what's in store at what may as well be a mini film festival in weekly instalments. In fact, with everything from the King's Elvis: That's the Way It Is to Mel Brooks' Hitchcock parody High Anxiety on the lineup — and the likes of musical wonder Singin' in the Rain, age-old classic The Wizard of Oz, David Lynch's sci-fi epic Dune, animated delight The Iron Giant, Bruce Lee's frenetic marital arts showcase Enter the Dragon and the original The Nutty Professor as well — film fans are in for a whole heap of retro cinema fun. As with any great movie selection, that leaves cinephiles with an obvious question. No, it's not "what should I see?", but "what can I live with missing?"
Fancy a slice of baked flour, butter, sugar, eggs and more? Let's be honest — who doesn't? Yep, everyone loves a piece of cake, or several. Or 22, perhaps? Because one cake just won't do, Alphabet Cafe is bringing out every single recipe in their repertoire for a one-off eating event like no other. The details are simple, but delicious. Just book in, then head to Wandering Cooks at 5pm on April 27, and prepare to devour as many $4-per-slice servings of dessert goodness as you can possibly manage. Tickets cost $16, which includes your first piece plus a drink. We reckon this is a bit expensive — 16 bucks entry plus cake money — but we'll probably swallow our gripes with our third piece of cake. Just in case you're not excited enough already, we're going to run through some of the concoctions on offer. There's Always Money in the Banana Stand is a banana cake meets peanut butter pudding mix, while Look to the Cookie adds a whole heap of biscuits to a vanilla and white chocolate-topped choccy feast. Cheesecake lovers can indulge in orange scented and spiced pumpkin varieties, and anyone avoiding gluten is covered too. There's more, but we don't want to give everything away. Now, who's hungry?
When you're rockin' along to a live set at the Woodford Folk Festival — after a day jam-packed full of other activities, and before heading back to your tent to get some shuteye, of course — you're probably not thinking about what comes next. No, we don't mean the reality that is your post-fest life. We're talking about the impact of so many friendly revellers upon the event's luscious natural setting. Of course, the folks behind the annual event always have that on their mind. In fact, they've crafted a yearly pilgrimage to help redress the damage the festival does to the environment. It started as a tree-planting working bee back in 1997, and has evolved into something even bigger. Think talks, presentations and performances, as well as daily planting and weeding activities. In 2016, The Planting includes conversations about everything from climate change and community gardens to sustainable artworks and eco-tourism — and yes, that's just the beginning. Learning more about saving seeds, keeping bees and building with bamboo is also on the agenda, as are wildlife-focused bushwalks, a host of culinary cook-ups, a craft beer appreciation class and more than a few meditation sessions. Music-wise, Old Man Luedecke, All Our Exes Live in Texas and Winterbourne are among those on the bill, while film fans can check out on-topic docos such as Bikes vs Cars and Just Eat It. And, by camping out and doing your part to give back to the place and space that hosts such a fantastic cultural event, you're not only making sure you can see in the new year there in the future, but that generations to come will be able to too.
Move over, craft beer — it's craft spirits' time to shine. Everyone's been to a day dedicated to the former; however spending an afternoon in a room with over 30 exhibitors showcasing more than 100 craft spirits, with master distillers on hand too, is a pretty rare occasion. No wonder the Indie Tasting folks thought they'd bring their booze-infused celebration to Brisbane, and to Lefty's Old Time Music Hall, no less. It's the type of event that whiskey, gin, rum, vodka and tequila-lover's dreams are made of. We'd keep listing different kinds of spirits, but we're getting thirsty. Sampling the best Aussie and international indie brands on offer is the number one item on the agenda, obviously, including scoring a sneak peek sample of a few boutique tipples that aren't even available in bars and stores yet. Six seminars covering the likes of small-scale production, modern mixers and coffee-flavoured concoctions will boost your craft spirits knowledge too, and live music from the aptly named Whiskey Blues will keep the day rockin'.
Music is an experiment, even if most of the songs in your Spotify playlist don't exactly sound like it. Of course, catchy tunes sit at one end of the acoustic spectrum. The kind of sounds you'll hear at Sonic State Queensland Week Microfestival — well, you'll find them at the other end. That's what happens at a celebration of spatial and sonic music-making, after all. Over the course of four days at Metro Arts, everything from electronica and post-rock to contemporary classical and sound art installation will echo through your ears. Indeed, curator and sound artist Luke Jaaniste has corralled a whole host of nationally significant musicians to unleash their experimental efforts upon eager listeners, with Lawrence English, Nicola Morton, Andrew Gibbs and Chris Perren among the musicians featured. Take your pick of their evening shows, and then delve beyond their array of ambient, synth-heavy, chamber and punk soundscapes courtesy of an accompanying free workshop program. Image: Lawrence English by Marco Microbi.
Maybe you don't get paid until next week. Perhaps you're saving all your cash for your next holiday. Or you could've broken your bank account by buying all the Prince albums you could ever want. However it happened, you're still broke. But, as long as you've got a fiver burning a hole in your wallet, you can still have a great Saturday night out. Thank the legends at The Zoo for an evening's entertainment that everyone can afford. If you've ever wondered how the Ann Street icon has managed to keep the tunes pumping and the crowds coming since 1992, it's because of ace ideas like this one. Yes, Five Bands Five Bucks is exactly what it sounds like — and what it sounds like is 100% awesome. Big Bad Echo, Cassette Cathedral, Yaurout, Age Champion and Whalehouse will be on the bill, waiting for you to part with a piece of pink-coloured currency to hear their latest and greatest tunes.
Kings want to reign for years, but if they can't, then they'll certainly want to follow in Richard III's footsteps. He only sat on the throne for two orbits around the sun, getting the position in rather dubious circumstances and eventually meeting his demise at the hands of the rebellion; however his tale is among royalty's most famous. That's what happens when William Shakespeare writes a play about you, after all. And yet, that's not the end of old Dick's tale. Though he died in battle in 1485, his body wasn't actually discovered until 2012 — and in a supermarket car park, of all places. No wonder Marcel Dorney and Daniel Evans have come up with a new theatre production that probes real life, the Bard's take and our continuing fascination. The Tragedy of King Richard III excavates the play, the man and the reasons that its titular figure still gets tongues wagging. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about one of history and drama's greatest villain, you haven't seen him dissected and contemplated quite like this before.
The 17 artists displaying their work at The Laundry Artspace's latest exhibition are in a state of flux. While that can be said of all creative practitioners — given that they're always making or creating something, and promptly starting on a fresh piece once the last one is finished — this group really is an in-between bunch. Firstly, as current QCA Honours students, they're in that realm between just beginning to learn their discipline and finally escaping the confines of school to let their imaginations roam free. And, in Something like this, but not this, they're unleashing their in-between works to anyone who wishes to see. In fact, this gang not only knows that they're still working things out — they're also not afraid to show it. In a world where everyone's always embellishing their achievements, they're embracing just where they're at. We're guessing their art will be as refreshing as their attitude. Image: Peter Kozak, Couch Jump, 2016.
Even if you're not the biggest film fan, you've probably seen more than a few that seem a bit familiar. Maybe they focus on the same types of characters. Perhaps they tell a well-worn story. Or, it could be about the placement of the camera, or the clichés in the content. At Motion Picture, it might appear as though that's what you're in for — aka more of the same — but trust us, it's not. Curators Katherine Dionysius and Amy-Clare McCarthy have assembled cinematic movements by Benjamin Crowley, Simone Hine, Daniel McKewen, Llewellyn Millhouse, Anita Holtsclaw and Grant Stevens that undermine, confuse, dismantle, obscure and subvert everything you've feasted your eyes on before. So no, you haven't watched these films. And no, you won't see the same thing twice. The six artists each engage in the medium in their own way; however, despite their differences, they're drawn together through commonalities such as repetition, subversion and anticipation. Image: Simone Hine, 11:35am 2010, Digital video, 2:04, looped.
When it comes to yoga poses, downward-facing dog is yesterday's news. Now, it's all about reclining cats and scampering kitties — and having furry, friendly felines in the room with you. Okay, okay, so we just made up those two positions; however we wouldn't dare joke when it comes to Brisbane's latest exercise trend. And, at Stretch Yoga's next event, working out with a purrfect pal isn't the only thing on the agenda. Should you fall in love with one of the cute critters, you can also take it home with you. That's right, stretching your limbs, potentially adding a cat to your family and helping a creature from Kitten Kapers Rescue and Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue go hand in hand at the Holland Park studio's Pop-Up Kitten Yoga & Adoption Day. With all that on offer, resistance is futile. Just remember to book in for the 12.30pm or 1.30pm classes in advance, because this kitty bonanza is certain to be popular.
Hungry? Thirsty? Hankering for a barbecued feast, delectable dessert, tasty tipple or array of craft beverages? Of course you are — and on Friday and Saturday evenings from June 3 to 25, Queensland's newest food and wine festival has all of your cravings covered. That'd be the Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival, the first such event to bring gastronomical delights to the glitter strip. The theatre and the art of food is the inaugural event's focus, which means eating and drinking isn't the only thing on the menu. You'll also find performances and all-round sensory experiences alongside meals, masterclasses and more offerings than your stomach can handle. Indeed, whether making gourmet caramel apples, decorating cookies, mixing cocktails or learning sustainable fish cooking methods gets your tastebuds tingling — or a progressive degustation of signature dishes from the Gold Coast's emerging chefs, perhaps — you'll find it here. Plus, the entire festival is a foodie treasure hunt, with halls, alleys and back streets overflowing with things to devour.
In 2013, Expressions Dance Company presented When Time Stops. The idea behind the performance was simple yet striking. It crafted a dance piece out of the instances when life seems to slow down or even come to a screeching halt, as remembered by a woman during her final moments. That was then, and while the show proved a success, every director dreams of improving upon their efforts. A collaboration between Queensland's premier contemporary dance company and local chamber orchestra Camerata of St John's — who play Iain Grandage's Helpmann Award winning score live — When Time Stops: Director's Cut endeavours to reshape its inspiration. Off stage, that task falls to Expressions' artistic director and choreographer Natalie Weir; on stage, eight dancers and twelve musicians work their magic. The end result tells of first kisses, accidents that nearly came to be and tragedies that couldn't be avoided, all while simultaneously retaining the spirit of and reinterpreting the original work.
Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti is no stranger to death, or to examining the subject on film. It might be something most of us don't like to think about, however the writer-director understands the shadow mortality can cast, as well as the way that the act of mourning can overtake a person's life. After exploring the impact of losing a child in 2001's Palme d'Or winner The Son's Room, and then writing and starring in 2008's Quiet Chaos, he returns to the topic with Mia Madre. That the film's name means "my mother" in his native tongue is telling. Taking a decidedly meta approach, the film follows a filmmaker in the midst of production while at the same time coping with the hospitalisation of her mother. It's not quite as autobiographical as it sounds: the director is a woman, Margherita (Margherita Buy), while Moretti plays her brother Giovanni, and veteran Italian actress Giulia Lazzarini plays their mother. And yet, in the way that Mia Madre hones in on the stress of simultaneous professional and personal crises, there's no doubting that the tale evolves from experience. As her mother's health begins to decline, Margherita struggles to make her movie – about factory employees fighting for better working conditions – while also using it as a distraction from her troubles. Alas, her freshly arrived American lead (John Turturro) refuses to learn his lines or follow her directions, constantly derailing and delaying production. With her live-in lover in the process of moving out and her teenage daughter struggling at school, Margherita's home life offers little solace either. Depicting many a balancing act, Mia Madre swiftly proves one itself. Moretti keeps searching for the right mix between quiet and anxious, dramatic and comedic, and contemplative and freewheeling. In fact, his film is more convincing in demonstrating how frustrating that can be than it is in finding any harmony between its competing elements. Of course, that's partially the point, with grief clearly painted as a disruptive and destabilising force. And yet, as accurate and authentic as the movie's messiness feels in an emotional sense, it also makes other contrasting factors — such as the patient camerawork and energetic performances — seem slight, a little convenient and sometimes out of place. Indeed, it's always distracting when a specific actor appears as though they're in the wrong film, even when they're one of the best things about it. Turturro lights up the screen and brings a few well-timed comic moments, yet never completely fits in with his surroundings. That's not a criticism of his performance, or of the more restrained but similarly excellent efforts of Buy and Moretti. Instead, it's an acknowledgement that even in thoughtful, intimate accounts of something as complex and challenging as death, mimicking chaos and actually embodying it aren't quite the same thing.
In an age in which we spend more time looking at screens than we do looking at each other, the organisers of a monthly public meet-up are trying to encourage a little old-school human connection. Held once a month in cities around the world, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Eye Gazing is exactly what it sounds like: a group of strangers meet in a public place in order to create a silent bond. The events are run by The Human Connection Movement, a group that aims to change the way that people interact for the better. "We're here to empower people to stay open and lead with an open heart whilst maintaining authenticity, courage and awareness," reads a description on the event page for the group's upcoming Brisbane meet. It's set to take place in Orleigh Park on Saturday, January 14. It's free to attend, although you will need to register online. Image: The Human Connection Movement/YouTube.
It has become one of 2016's most unfortunate trends: gathering in bar, club or venue around town to commemorate a music icon and commiserate over their loss. At The End on December 11, Jet Black Cat Music is taking the opportunity to put this cathartic routine into action once again, this time focusing on the late, great Sharon Jones. Two things are certain once 5pm hits, and you should be able to guess what they are. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings' records will be given a spin or several. Obviously. And, there will be dancing. Most likely tears as well. That's how you mark the impact of soul and funk singer who only released her first record at the age of 40, but made up for lost time in the 2o years that followed. You don't need to think twice about heading along — and yes, this kind of shindig has got to be the way it is.
Chess is best played calmly, with an analytical mindset and with an awareness of the many life lessons it can teach — at least as far as every film depiction of the strategic game is concerned. Based on the tale of Ugandan prodigy Phiona Mutesi, Queen of Katwe is certainly guilty of finding parallels between reality and moving pawns around a board, and even of tasking a kindly coach with pointing them out. Thankfully, in the hands of The Reluctant Fundamentalist director Mira Nair, embracing cliches and relying upon metaphors can't stand in the way of a great story. And what a rousing tale it is, not quite of the rags-to-riches kind, but one filled with fighting spirit and driven to discard the shackles of poverty and gender. When the film first offers a glimpse of teenaged Phiona (Madina Nalwanga), she's poised to win a national championship — making Queen of Katwe's end goal apparent, yet never downplaying her struggle to get there. Jumping back, we next see her as a nine-year-old spending her days selling corn to help her widowed mother Harriet (Lupita Nyong'o) support their family of six. Learning to play chess is the last thing on her mind; in fact, she only heads to the local club run by volunteer Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) to get a free cup of porridge. Even if you're not familiar with Phiona, or the magazine article turned book The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl's Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster that inspired Nair's film, you should know what you're in for. Phiona takes to her new hobby with gusto, with Robert's encouragement and despite Harriet's disapproval. The local boys aren't happy to be playing a girl — and they're even less impressed when she keeps beating them. And when the club raises the funds needed to play a tournament against wealthier students, they're hardly welcomed with open arms There's a game afoot in this film about a game: one side patiently tries to position the pieces necessary to paint a portrait of Phiona's impoverished life in a developing country, while the other happily tries to fit her tale into an established pattern. Mair alternates between fleshing out the location-specific details and brightly bouncing through the usual underdog sports movie elements. Yes, it seems that chess really is relevant everywhere, even when it comes to the way that Queen of Katwe handles its narrative. In terms of performance, everyone from newcomer Nalwanga to Oscar-winner Nyong'o to standout Oyelowo shines, enhancing the film's many uplifting charms. Add an end credits nod to the real-life figures behind the inspiring story, and joyful tears are more than likely. Sure, Queen of Katwe still proves the kind of movie that makes its plays known several moves in advance. But that doesn't diminish the moving end result.
Who says you can only celebrate Halloween in October? Not The Brightside, The Foundry and Black Bear Lodge. They're hosting Deadlam, aka Bedlam Records' annual super-sized epic Halloween extravaganza — and they don't care that the spookiest day of the year has already been and gone. To be fair, holding their four-stage party on a Friday night really is the best move. Plus, Halloween was just this week, and there was plenty of other cool stuff on the weekend prior. Anyway, enough quibbling about a fright-themed music fest taking place a few days late, and more getting into the fearsome but fun vibe. At Deadlam - Episode III, headliners The Drones will certainly assist, and they'll have help. i heart hiroshima, GL, Dorsal Fins, Shining Bird, Twin Haus, Astro Travellers, Shady Bliss, squidgenini, You Beauty, Bugs, Thigh Master and Golden Age Of Ballooning are all on the bill, plus Big Dead, Romeo Moon, Muddy Chanter, Tiana Khasi, Rahms, White Blanks and Voiid. In fact, this overnight fest is so stacked with talent, it's scary
Brunch isn't just something you eat after you've enjoyed a weekend sleep in. And it's not just an excuse to gorge on breakfast, lunch and a few cheeky mid-morning beverages all at once. It's both, as well as an occasion that's always worth celebrating. That's why Cloudland are throwing a series of brunch-themed shindigs. It's a concept that has been happening in New York and London for a while now, and now it's Brisbane's turn. The Brunch Club really does combining everyone's favourite meal with a party vibe; think live entertainment, garden games and a 3.5 hour food and beverage package. That's what you'll find from 11.30am every Sunday in November — and yes, if it kicks off before midday, it still counts as brunch. Tickets coast $75 per person for the most indulgent before-noon boozy spread you're likely to ever enjoy. And it's certain to be popular, so we'd recommend booking in advance.
When gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) first rifles through a manuscript penned by her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal), the pages draw blood. Her finger bleeds from a simple paper cut, but another, unseen wound also opens — one caused by her actions 19 years earlier, that she thought her now-strained second marriage to the wealthy Hutton (Armie Hammer) had healed. Already an insomniac and riddled with stress about her latest exhibition opening, she's drawn to the dark tale told found within those pages. There, a man by the name of Tony (also played by Gyllenhaal) finds his family holiday with his wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter (Ellie Bamber) interrupted by Texan troublemakers (including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Karl Glusman). Before long, the story segues from road rage terror to nightmarish tragedy to an account of violence that can only be solved with more of the same. As Susan reads, ravenously leafing through the novel at any moment that she can, it inspires memories of her younger, happier days with Edward. That's the film's second narrative within a narrative, one in which Susan earns the disapproval of her mother (Laura Linney) by wedding a writer of little means, and then struggles as their married bliss inevitably falters. And so Nocturnal Animals becomes a nesting doll of pain, heartbreak, betrayal, sorrow and, eventually, revenge. Alluring exteriors hide ugly depths on multiple levels. The film constantly juxtaposes beauty and horror; an opening sequence is filled with fleshy, scantily clad women dancing in a cloud of glitter. Who better than director Tom Ford to usher audiences into such a seductive, psychologically complex world? Nocturnal Animals is a bolder, blunter and more brutal movie than the fashion designer turned filmmaker's first effort behind the lens, A Single Man. In adapting Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan, the writer-director proves that he still knows how to provoke a reaction. Still, where A Single Man heaved with emotion as it bewitched the eye, Nocturnal Animals seethes with emptiness. As shot by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, the film's glossy visuals feel like vacant vessels, styled meticulously, and yet never containing more than the obvious. In a pulpy, throwaway thriller, that's fine, but Ford aims much higher than that. Ensuring that his feature wears his clear influences, from Alfred Hitchcock and Brian de Palma to David Lynch and Douglas Sirk, prominently on its impeccably dressed sleeves, he strives to craft a sensual, suspenseful exploration of regret, and the aches that mistakes can bring. Sadly, he comes up short. The cast of the work is expectedly first-rate, from the glassy-eyed Adams to the increasingly frantic Gyllenhaal to the ever-stellar, scene-stealing Michael Shannon as a cop helping Tony seek justice. Some play real characters within the world of the film, while others are literary manifestations of decades worth of pain. But then if there's one thing that Ford excels at as much as making his features look stunning, it's casting. Everyone's performance is perfectly pitched, which is perhaps why the overall lack of feeling behind the film's luxurious facade feels so very disappointing.
Want a bit of greenery in your life, but suffer from thumbs of a different colour? Or, maybe you love hardy plants of the thick and fleshy variety, particularly those native to arid climates and known to retain water. Either way, like most things, there's an event just for it. Hosted by Facebook group Succulovers, the Succulent & Cacti Extravaganza is their latest trading day. If you're after succulents, cactus and lithops that are rare, colourful and unique, you'll find them here. Echeverias, sempervivums, kalanchoes, cotyledon, graptopetalum, haworthias, aeoniums, pachyphytum, gasterias, haworthias: even if none of that means anything to you, you can feel good knowing that they'll all be on offer. Just remember a couple of things going in. Firstly, such pretty, pretty flora make ideal gifts for absolutely everyone, and Christmas is just around the corner. Secondly, if you're buying something for yourself, your new purchases will look pretty ace brightening up your Insta feed.
You know that feeling when you think you've seen someone before, but just can't place them? Imagine that turned into a video exhibition. At Split Screen, you'll be certain you recognise the person in each of the works displayed throughout Metro Arts — and, as you peer closer, you'll realise that they're all the same. That'd be video, performance and installation artist Simone Hine, who not only created everything in the showcase, but stars in every single piece. Combining both new and existing works, she probes the idea of screen content, plays with popular culture, and picks apart the concept of fashioning an identity through the flat, rectangular surfaces we all spend too much time looking at. The end result displays at the CBD space from October 19 to November 5, though Split Screen does more than adorn the walls waiting for viewers to watch. It also takes audiences on a journey of newly constructed narratives — and, probably makes you think differently about your screen time.
How to start a new Brisbane record label in a few easy steps: 1) write a book about the city's music scene; 2) team up with a drummer and music manager; 3) sign an ace local band; 4) throw what's sure to be a cracking party during Fortitude Valley's annual music-focused celebration. That's the Pig City Records model, anyway, but it looks like a good one. On October 28, the new venture from Pig City: From The Saints To Savage Garden author Andrew Stafford and Lords Of Wong's Sean Clift will be putting it all into action at Black Bear Lodge, with the event doubling as the launch of their first act's second album as well. That'd be Some Jerks' Strange Ways, in case you were wondering. With a surf-rock sound, they were once described as something like Sleater-Kinney covering the Shangri-La's, so you know the tunes are going to be good. As is the vibe, because who doesn't want to be merry when a new Brissie record label is making its way into the world? Some other jerks, that's who.
68 feature films from 19 different countries make up the program at this year's Jewish International Film Festival. Screening at select cinemas around Australia — and in Auckland, too! — the 27th annual edition of this celebrated festival will showcase films that explore every angle of Jewish history and identity through critically acclaimed dramas, side-splitting comedies, mind-blowing documentaries and more. JIFF 2016 will be bookended by a pair of films about one of the darkest moments in human history. Opening night film Denial stars Rachel Weisz as Professor Deborah Lipstadt, who in 1996 was sued for defamation by English holocaust denier David Irving (Timothy Spall). Closing night, meanwhile, will screen the provocative documentary The Last Laugh, featuring the likes of Sarah Silverman, Mel Brooks and Louis C.K. as they ponder how far comedy can go when tackling such a sensitive topic. Other standout titles include a new German adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank that premiered to critical acclaim at this year's Berlin Film Festival, as well as Jerry Lewis: The Man Behind the Clown, a documentary about the titular comedian's remarkable decades-long career. The Brisbane leg of the festival will run from November 10-20 at New Farm Cinemas. For the full JIFF 2016 program, go here.
"Stereotypes: there must be more to life," sang Blur back in '95, and wiser Brit-pop lyrics have never been crooned. More than two decades later, it's a sentiment photo media artist Emma Wright also aims to explore in her first solo exhibition, Persona non kata. Consider her pieces a response to widely held, over-simplified ideas and beliefs, as well as a way of sparking conversation. Using constructed scenes and performance, she responds to easily misunderstood social shortcuts, turning them into absurd self-fulfilling prophecies and challenging the viewer to label her. How that process turns out is up to each audience member, of course — and that's the point. Until October 9, you can witness her compositions at POP Gallery in Woolloongabba, and probe your reactions in the process. All your life you are dreaming, and then you stop dreaming, as Albarn and his bandmates would put it. Image: Emma Wright Here we go again 2016. Inkjet print on rag matte paper. 85 x 120cm.
If there's one thing no one ever gets tired of, it's food truck gatherings. A bunch of meals-on-wheels restaurants converge in one place, cook up a storm and sell their delicious dishes to the hungry masses. What's not to love? Indeed, The Paper Plate Supper Club might be the latest such shindig to pop up around town; however it's also one of the tastiest. Every Friday to Sunday until the end of November, it'll help ravenous Brisbanites chow down on everything from Nutella French crepes to hotdogs to handmade gnocchi and dumplings. Who's hungry? Okay, okay, we know you're on board, so we'll stop asking questions. And if you're after some specifics, J'Adore Les Crepes, The Pretzel Nook, Wild Rissoles, Steam'd, Tibetan Momo Fresh Dumplings, Mums Green Thai Curry, Mother Africa,Toni's Gozleme, I Love Paella, Crispy Potato Cakes, Cornish Pirate Pasties, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers and more will converge on the Powerhouse Plaza three nights a week for the eating pleasure of anyone in the vicinity. Yum.
Do you remember what the Hamilton stretch of the Brisbane river looked like more than a decade ago? No, neither do we. And it's not just because we have short memories; Portside just seems like it has always been there. In fact, it has been ten years since the riverside precinct opened, which is a mighty fine reason to throw a shindig, fancy dinner or combination of the two. A Taste of Portside will take place on both October 6 and 13, paying tribute to four restaurants that have been on-site since the very beginning with a roving dinner. You won't just head to one of Moda Events, Sono Japanese Restaurant, Gusto da Gianni and Byblos Bar for a bite — you'll have a different course at each. Start with canapés, then enjoy an appetiser platter with sake, before feasting on an Italian banquet and ending with cocktails and desserts. Happy birthday indeed.
Cast your mind back to 2006. It was a simpler time. You were probably listening to Bloc Party, The Killers, Pendulum and Wolfmother, and going to the kind of massive music fests that no longer exist (RIP Big Day Out). And, you'd never even heard of an iPhone. Miss those days? It's okay, sometimes everyone does — and The Flying Cock has the antidote. They don't just serve up great chook; sometimes, they want you to dance like a chicken, too. Okay, not literally; however at their We Get Around [2006] Two Level Dance Party, they do want you to strut your unrestrained stuff on the dance floor. So does a lineup of Habebe, Cosmo Cater, Belfriend, Doe, Harry Doofward, Baby Making DJs, Greaves and Tom Gazal, who'll all help you party like it's 2006. All you need to do is grab your besties from a decade ago, show up and relive old times. Too easy.
With little more than markings on paper, Monica Jimenez peers into the essence of life. Her drawings depict runners, swimmers, pole-dancers, and people dressing up as animals and in costumes, all in a minimalistic fashion; however whether viewed individually and as a whole, their impact is maximised. "My characters are all runners," says Jimenez. "They have run away from their context. They have left their circumstances behind and they are floating in the page deprived of any reference." Pondering who they are and what they're running from is up to you, the viewer. In the process, you'll craft a story to finish their incomplete narratives, and challenge notions of cultural, sexual and national identity. In other words, you'll contemplate existence. Of course, we're all running from something — or, in the case of seeing Jimenz's Corre/Run exhibition, we should be running to Junky Comics. Her pieces adorn the walls until October 20; and of course, while you're in the store, you can also ruminate over a spot of shopping.
If there's one thing Australian television has taught us, it's this: everybody needs good neighbours. At the Gallery of Modern Art, they're contemplating that concept between October 15 and January 17. In fact, they're looking at one nearby place in particular. No.1 Neighbour: Art in Papua New Guinea 1966–2016 assembles work made in the southwestern Pacific nation over a 50-year period filled with significant change. As the country evolved through various eras, including independence in the mid '70s, its resident artists explored their world with a critical and creative eye — and their relationship with Australia as well. The exhibition marks the first time the gallery has presented a showcase centred on PNG of this scale, and features everything from colourful works on canvass to towering sculptural forms. Also featured is major new collaborative work a Bit na Ta (the source of the sea), from Australian musician, composer and producer David Bridie and Tolai musician George Telek, with the involvement of the wider Tolai community based in East New Britain. The immersive, distinctly Tolai cultural space draws audiences in with its soundscape, aka offers the perfect thing to get that soap opera theme you've been humming out of your head. Image: GENDE, Simon; Papua New Guinean, Simbu Province, Highlands; Papua New Guinea b.c.1965; No 1 Kiap Australia Mr Jim Taylor I brukim bush long Highlands Papua Niugini (The first Australian Officer, Mr Jim Taylor, in an exploratory mission in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea); 1999; Synthetic polymer paint on canvas; 78.5 x 90.5cm; Acc. 1999.145; Purchased 1999. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant.
Artist Lucy O'Doherty remembers doing what many of us did as kids: making a whole world come to life with little more than dolls and doll houses. Now, she paints images of domestic scenes — and if both pastimes sound quite similar, that's because they're supposed to. Suburban Rituals mades the parallels plain, one alluring, colourful, stylised image of ordinary living at a time. Each picture provides a portrait of a yard, and usually a house, as well as glimpses of unique lives played out in relatable scenes. Peek into any garden and you'll find a path, lawnmower, pool, spa or combination of the above, for example. Peer into any window and you'll spy a bed and a television too. If O'Doherty's pieces indulge her own need to create new worlds, then the exhibition satisfies everyone's cravings to look into them. Suburban Rituals graces the walls of the Edwina Corlette Gallery from November 29 until December 17. Image: By the Light of the TV, Lucy O'Doherty, 2016, oil on linen.
Roll up, roll up, Cirque du Soleil is back in town. As they've proven over their last seven visits to Australia, the Canadian troupe is more than just the usual circus. However, for their eighth display of acrobatic feats on our shores, they're going back to basics. Kooza offers high-flying, death-defying feats (twin highwires that intersect diagonally at 15 and 25 feet above the stage, and an enormous spinning contraption called the Wheel of Death, for example), combined with the age-old art of clowning around. As far as the latter is concerned, prepare to watch a choreographed skeleton dance, plus the finessed fluidity of seven hoops spinning at once — and they're just the fantastic feats that we know about. Of course, there really is more when it comes to Cirque du Soleil: the music, the movement, the mood and the accompanying musings, specifically. This time around, in addition to showcasing eye-popping displays of physical trickery and amusing antics, Kooza also contemplates deeper notions, including fear, identity, recognition and power. Image: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil.
