If you've got a pile of gold coins burning a hole in your wallet, pockets or that void down the back of your couch — or just a spare $1 in your bank account because you haven't handled physical cash for years — BrewDog might just have the best way to put it to good use. Like beer? Keen to sample it? Always wanted to learn more about the amber liquid you're so fond of drinking? Meet BrewDog's $1 Beer School. No, there's no typo in that figure. A digit or two isn't missing, either. The Scottish brewery wants you to head by either of its two Brisbane locations — its Australian base by the river at Murarrie and its Fortitude Valley beer bar — and go to class. Beer class, that is, aka the best kind of learning there is. All throughout May at both venues, for less than the price of a coffee (or just about anything for that matter), you'll taste four BrewDog sips and boost your beer knowledge via a self-guided online tour. The two caveats: you do need to book in advance, meaning that you can't just walk in and decide it's time to go to beer school; and you can only have a maximum of eight people per booking. Happy learning — and drinking. Images: Anna Kucera.
Splendour in the Grass ain't all about dancing like a proper noob to That Song You've Been Waiting For and Only You Understand. There's plenty of brain food afoot, with a big ol' program announced for this year's colossal Splendour Forum. Opinionated tweeters, keep your pants on as the Silver Fox comes to Splendour for some hardcore hashtagged debate. Q&A's Tony Jones brings his hard-hitting swagger to the Forum for a special Splendour version of Australia's favourite "NO THEY DIII-IN'T" show on the Saturday. With an all-new Forum Twilight Film Festival, Tropfest live Q and A talks and the very first Splendour Late Night Comedy Club geared up to shake up the sets this year, you might even miss Interpol and Outkast this year. Dusk hours will see A Taste of Tropfest take over the Forum, a dandy little showcase of the film festival's most memorable awww and oooh moments. Comedy enthusiasts and those who enjoy a hearty, ugly-faced chuckle should stick around after dark, as Australia's top comedians (we're talking triple j favourites Matt Okine, Tom Ballard and Mel Buttle, Good News Week’s Claire Hooper, Spicks & Specks host Josh Earl, Greg Fleet and so many, many more) make y'all laugh until a little bit of wee comes out. Writers Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire bring their beloved literary salon 'Women of Letters' to Splendour with Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches), Courtney Barnett, Gossling, Jennifer Boyce (Ball Park Music), Nkechi Anele (Saskwatch), Liz Drummond (Little May) and musical comedians Alice Fraser and Genevieve Fricker — all narrating their "Letter to the Song They Wish They’d Written". Love a good keynote? You love a good keynote. Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall chats to TED Talker Paul Gilding about our super messed up planet (or is it?) in 'Life on Earth in 2030 - Fun, Frazzled or F%*ked?'. There's a bunch more to squeal about at the Splendour website. The Forum is open 10am ‘til late daily at Splendour. If you haven't got tickets yet, the re-sale facility is open until 9am Monday 16 June through moshtix.com.au or phone 1300 GET TIX (438 849). Worth a shot.
If you've got hungry eyes for one of the most popular movie soundtracks of all time, have practised your dance moves with watermelons and fancy getting lifted up into the air Patrick Swayze-style, then make a date with The Triffid on Saturday, January 18. From 8pm, that's when Cheap Fakes will be living out every 80s film fan's romantic dreams and playing the entire Dirty Dancing soundtrack live. Obviously, you'll have the time of your life. Prepare to hear the Brisbane and Gold Coast band belt out their rendition of the Swayze-crooned and co-written 'She's Like the Wind', too. From the sultry sounds of Eric Carmen's 'Hungry Eyes' to The Ronettes' classic 'Be My Baby', if it's on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, it'll be echoing through the Stratton Street venue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU9p1WRfA9w The gig will be accompanied by visuals from the movie and the appropriate dance moves, naturally — and dressing the part is encouraged. Tickets cost $35.10, and remember — no one will be put in a corner here.
Are you the kind of bar-goer who likes sipping drinks, hanging out with your mates and soaking in the atmosphere, but absolutely hates having to get up to grab another beverage? Even if you're not, every group has one. You know the type — they stay comfy when it's time for a refill, and they're always asking you to get their next round. The Parlour's new martini trolley experience solves this issue. No one minds nabbing a beverage for their friends, but this Wednesday–Saturday special means you won't have to. So, you'll sit in the Fortitude Valley bar, and you'll have your cocktails made right in front of you — without getting up from your seat — because the trolley brings the bevvies to you. Expect gin concoctions including your choice of martini— you can curate it however you like — as well as cocktails such as The Refined Australian (with gin, a vermouth blend, toasted macadamia and wattle seed, black walnut bitters, lemon zest and macadamia praline) and The London Cup (with gin, ginger-infused Pimms, clarified quince juice and orange bitters). Expect to turn your regular stint of drinks with pals into a far fancier experience, too.
In celebration of her highly anticipated debut album Nightswim, Owl Eyes is back for a national tour throughout May and June. She’ll be visiting all major cities for the first time since her sold-out tour in May 2012, this time being the first opportunity for fans to hear her new material. Owl Eyes, otherwise known as Brooke Addamo, is no stranger to the stage, having supported the likes of The Wombats among others in the early years of her career. However, she shines in her own light, with her surprisingly mature and definitive sound crafting a well-rounded fanbase for herself. Her song ‘Raiders’ attracted mass attention, as did her pairing with Illy for ‘It Can Wait’ and her cover of ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ by Foster the People. Owl Eyes is bringing along some of the country’s biggest upcoming acts – Collarbones, heralding from Sydney and Adelaide, and Sydney’s own Mammals. The tour is sure to be a slice of homemade, synthpop heaven – grab your tickets before they surely sell out.
Whether you're too young, too old or just too cool for Laneway, The New Globe Theatre is throwing together a Saturday night lineup for a reason that isn’t so cheery. Brisbane-based music press Audio Collective are calling it quits, but not before they throw a huge party to celebrate the memories. There will be prizes, a raffle and two stages hosting some Audio Collective’s bestest pals who want to say goodbye with a few boppy tunes. Local superstar Jeremy Neale will have everyone forgetting this is pretty much a funeral for one of Brisbane’s music heroes, and The Missing, Youth Allowance and a heap more bands will be putting on a brave face in this time of loss. Bat away the tears, and try your best to dance, drink and win the raffle. Tickets are only $15, available on the door on online here. If you are under 18 but still really want to pay your respects, then tickets are $25 and you need to bring a parent. That's not entirely a bad thing; a hug from mum might be quite nice when you're farewelling a friend.
This winter, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is hosting a sales event of most peculiar stock. Strange things they are, full of pages, rampant with words and with covers of the most beautiful colours. You can't charge them, they don't run out of battery, their brightness is unalterable, and they won't smash when you drop them. Lifeline Bookfest is coming back for another round of vintage bargains between Saturday, June 17–Tuesday, June 20. It's where you'll find everything from Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks to a bit of cheeky erotica, as well as games, DVDs and puzzles. If you've been before, you'll know there are warehouse quantities of books for sale – your grade five diary is probably hidden under a copy of Shantaram, and you'll come across at least three copies of Cooking with Days of Our Lives. In fact, over this four-day run, more than one million items will be up for grabs. In a first, this round will also feature more than 10,000 comics, manga and graphic novels. Also, a heap of special guests like sports stars Alastair Lynch and Ian Healy will be popping up. Prices range from $2.50 to the big bucks, and you'll have plenty to choose from. Whenever Bookfest hits Brisbane, it always brings hundreds of crates of reading materials with it. You'll still want to bring a trolley and your glasses, obviously, and to clear some space on your shelves at home. And, you'll want to bring your cards, because this Bookfest is cashless. Also, you'll need your own bags, as books won't be wrapped for you this time around. Head along from 7.30am–7pm on Saturday, June 17 and 8am–7pm between Sunday, June 18–Tuesday, June 20. And if you're wondering why this Bookfest is shorter than usual, that's because BCEC is jam-packed with other events. Images: Bookfest.
If smooth, often improvised sounds get your toes tapping, then the Brisbane International Jazz Festival probably gets your heart racing. Where else can you celebrate experimental melodies and witness some of the best musicians in the world? Or move and groove to what just might be one-off performances. That's the joy of jazz: no show is ever the same. There's so much in the festival's fourth-year program that you probably won't get to test that — but you will get to enjoy the talents of an impressive array of performers from around the country, plus a few international guests. Local hotshots including The Mal Wood's Bowery Hot 5, Aathmika and Parmis Rose and the Beauty School Dropouts are certain to be a highlight, as are an afternoon jazz workshop and a Women in Jazz panel. Or, get a dose of global sounds courtesy of New Zealand's Wil Sargisson Trio and Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life from New York.
Sure, you've eaten tacos and burritos before — but have you tried tortas and arepas? One of the benefits of the street food surge is the easy accessibility of different types of international delights. And when it comes to all things Latin, Comuna Cantina is jumping on that bandwagon. The upcoming addition to Albert Lane will champion the flavour, experience and spirit of South America in a market-style eatery in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. That means more than just Mexican cuisine, though a few old favourites are also on the low-carb, high-protein menu. Expect everything from grilled street corn to cassava chips to barbecue skewers — all made fresh in-house daily, right down to the sauces and salsas. When it opens its doors in March, Comuna Cantina will be the kind of place that you can grab a char-grilled chicken torta and go, or settle in for a few share plates and frozen margaritas — the choice is yours. And while the former is perfectly acceptable, it's the latter that will really be encouraged, as the space will feature a well-stocked cocktail bar serving Comuna Coladas and Comuna Martinis, and no doubt some great, lively Latin vibes. Comuna does mean community in Spanish, after all. Comuna Cantina is set to open in March in Albert Lane, Brisbane. For more information, keep an eye on their Facebook page and Instagram.
If you're going to celebrate an invented food-themed holiday, you have to go big. If you're Mister Fitz and it's National Ice Cream Sandwich day, then you clearly have to turn things to eleven. Behold, their 20-scoop monster of an ice cream sandwich. Dubbed the 'Baby Got Back' in keeping with the ice cream parlour's usual hip hop-themed menu, the giant creation features more ice cream than you've probably eaten all winter, all stuffed between two super huge M&M cookies. Because old Fitzy is known for smashing extra goodies into its frozen treats too, the dairy deliciousness inside also boasts a decent smattering of mini M&Ms. If you're keen on trying it out and you've got a few mates to help — you only need to look at it to know this isn't a solo dessert — then you'd best get in quick, with the mammoth ice cream sandwich only available today, August 2. It's also only available via Deliveroo, meaning that you won't have to worry about gorging on this behemoth in public (but hey, if you're keen on munching your way through this, you're probably not all that worried about making a mess anyway).
Yatala Drive-In's big screens are back in business, playing recent flicks and retro favourites every weekend. For four nights between Thursday, May 21–Sunday, May 24, one of the outdoor cinema's fields is going green, too — with nightly sessions of animated favourite Shrek. Rediscover why it really isn't easy being an ogre, all while watching vibrant CGI animation and listening to the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. And, as no one who has ever seen Shrek before can manage to forget, you'll also get a whole lot of Smashmouth — aka 'All Star' and their version of 'I'm a Believer' — stuck in your head as well. As always, your night at the flicks will cost $35 per car, which covers up to six people. Keeping in line with Queensland's social-distancing requirements, the venue has also implemented some new rules and procedures, however, to keep everyone safe and healthy. They include contactless entry, hand sanitiser stations, restricting capacity to 50 percent or less, only making restrooms available for emergencies, and limiting the candy bar to ten patrons at a time. If you're choosing to go out and support local businesses, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Brain freeze or caffeine hit? Sweet, sweet sugar in ice-cold slushie form, or a soul-warming cup of joe? Brisbanites, you have an important decision to make on Tuesday, November 7: would you like a free slurpee or a free coffee? Pay particular attention to the date, not just to put in your calendar, but to explain why you're scoring freebies. It couldn't be the more perfect time for 7-Eleven giveaways, on a day that the convenience store chain has dubbed 7-Eleven Day — and the celebrations will be running at the brand's 740 stores Australia-wide. Here's how it works: head to a 7-Eleven store all day — so, from 12.01am–11.59pm —then purchase anything other than tobacco or tobacco-related products to receive your choice of either a free regular coffee or a large slurpee. In more great news for your wallet, you can spend as little as 25 cents on a lollipop or 50 cents on a chocolate to still score a free drink.
While incest is usually looked down upon — in a Marty Mcfly, Luke and Leia, Woody Allen and co sense — the Brisbane's music scene has actually taken the idea, worked it liberally and made it all the rage. Bands are supporting each other, trading members, and even forming fresh collectives all under an umbrella locality, which has created a musical climate fuelled on collaboration over competition. Strange Yonder is just one music management group, dabbling in events and promotion, that's found good for the bands under their wings, and the hopeful talent each holds. "Strange Yonder is Kurt and myself," says Trent, founding member of the independent record, artist management, and event promotion label. "We do believe that James Murphy is the third member even though he has never heard of us, thought about us or even knows that we are the only two members of the James Murphy appreciation nation," he adds, with a cheeky glint is his eye. They are a partnership who have based their management style on organic, communal means, over the Us vs. Them approach that's traumatised music scenes since the birth of bands. "Live music in our opinion is the heart and soul, blood and guts and shit and piss of the industry," he says. "It's everything that is good and great about what we do. At our core we are simply lovers of landscapes brought on by sound and try to involve ourselves at every level." The duo's meeting and eventual collaboration can be pinpointed to one single night, an empty promise and a few illegally downloaded episodes of The Sopranos. "We originally got started by chance meeting," says Trent. "Kurt had put an event together and I didn't want to pay 10 bucks to get in, so I said I'd push the event around a bit on social media if he gave me a plus one." The rest of the story is a little hazy, resulting in a no-show on Trent's behalf — The Sopranos long taking blame. Not long after, Trent found himself at a gig, graced in the musical presence of the duo's current lovechild, The Ottomans. "I knew Kurt was involved with them. He was playing bass for them at the time as well as managing them, so I contacted him to book them," says Trent. What came next was their own take on creative collaboration over competition that's spawned the success of so many bands and management groups. "In a way we were competing against each other creatively so we decided to join up in a more structured way and see if we could create a little momentum off the back of what we were both doing," he says. Strange Yonder has since taken the reigns of western-psych rockers The Ottomans, Tsun, Silas and The Seasons, and their biggest act: long-haired, dream spinner Karl S. Williams. "Everyone was, and still is at each other's shows supporting each other," Trent says. "When any of our acts are recording we all get together and share in the process." On the side, Strange Yonder puts together sold out shows across the Gold Coast and Brisbane, curating single and LP launches as well as tours. Earlier this year, they hosted international rock icons The Oh Sees, with bass guitarist Petey remarking, "We haven't played a show that fucking crazy in more than two years." Less than three years old, Strange Yonder have built a creative realm that handpicks talent, simultaneously fuels it as a collective, and emits the bi-product of a uniquely creative family, glory-filled gigs, and the sweetest of sweet tunes to match. "All in all, what started as a hobby, born out of necessity to get involved, has grown into something that consumes time, triggers frustration, break hearts, gives boners, loses sleep, pushes boundaries, and deeply satisfies the both of us … but we wouldn't want to be anywhere else or have it any other way."
Icons teaming up with icons: when documentary series Pretend It's a City hit Netflix in 2021, that's what it served up. Earning attention: Fran Lebowitz, with Martin Scorsese directing. The focus: the acclaimed writer, humorist and social commentator chatting about her life for the legendary filmmaker, following on from Scorsese's Lebowitz-focused 2010 feature-length doco Public Speaking. Of course, Lebowitz doesn't need to be nattering with Scorsese, or in front of The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman helmer's lens, to prove a must-watch figure. Her sharp opinions and deadpan humour have made her famous for more than five decades now, and over a career spanning magazine columns, books, working with Andy Warhol, notable late-night talkshow appearances and public-speaking tours. It's the latter that's bringing her back to Australia in 2024 — including getting talking at QPAC. [caption id="attachment_912246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bill Hayes[/caption] Lebowitz will take to the stage for one night in Brisbane, on Thursday, February 15, as part of a tour aptly dubbed An Evening with Fran Lebowitz. Will she chat about attending the Succession season four premiere party? Her role as a judge in the Law & Order franchise (and The Wolf of Wall Street)? Saturday Night Live's parody of Pretend It's a City? Being a columnist for Warhol's Interview mag? Growing up in New Jersey? New York in the 70s? Topics such as race, gender, media and politics? Anything that vexes her? Everything? At least some will earn an unfiltered mention — including at the audience Q&A. Top image: Harrison Dilts.
Been dreaming of sick tricks since seeing Andy Samberg be "too legit to quit" in Hot Rod? Thankfully, you don't have to go searching on every single streaming platform to get your fix of action sports. Instead, you can catch a whole bunch of adrenaline-inducing stunts up close at Nitro World Games this October. On Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, the global championship takes place in Brisbane where the world's top athletes in BMX, FMX, skate and scooter will converge at Suncorp Stadium for a showdown like no other. Expect gravity-defying stunts and brand new courses featuring the largest ramps to ever appear at the competition. The semi-finals will take place on the Saturday evening with the nail-biting finals scheduled for Sunday's program. Keen to see the jaw-dropping action up close? The action will kick off at 4pm on both days with tickets starting from $55. For more information and to secure your spot, visit the website.
We all love a good combo and Fat Freddy's Drop certainly deliver the combined goods, being the ultimate collaboration of collaborations. Drawing members from The Black Seeds, Bongmaster and Trinity Roots to make their dub reggae sound, it's no wonder the band has enjoyed international success. They must have some good vibes for Brisbane, having aptly named their first tour in town since 2009 ‘On the Road to Brisbane'. Speaking of good vibes, you may have caught (or missed) Fat Freddy’s Drop at Good Vibrations Festival this year, priming the stage for Nas. Everyone in the massive crowd can agree their live show can bring together even the most keen fans and curious, unknowing punters. Even with two back-to-back shows this week, Fat Freddy’s Drop guarantee each will be diverse due to the awesome improvisation the seven-piece group is renown for. Get down to the Tiv on Thursday or Friday and experience the Drop for yourself
Gelato Messina first introduced its cookie pies to the world in 2020, and tastebuds across Australia thanked them. Then, it kept bringing the OTT dessert back when we all needed an extra dose of sweetness across the year. In fact, the dessert fiends have been serving them up for more than 12 months now. Messina celebrated that one-year milestone back in April; however, it isn't done with cookie pies yet. The chain has proven that a few times already over the past couple of months. And, it's committing to the concept in a big way in its stores going forward. Brisbanites, get ready to head into Messina's South Brisbane outpost, then walk out with a single-serve cookie pie. Yes, this cookie pie really is just for one person — and not just because you're not willing to share. The smaller-sized desserts come ready to eat as well. They're also topped with a scoop of gelato, because of course they are. Hang on, cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. If you're new to the concept, that's all you really need to know. To pick up one of these single-serve desserts, you'll need to head to the South Brisbane stores from 6pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings. That's the only time they're available, so marking your calendars is perfectly sensible. Don't worry about pre-ordering, though, as that isn't required. Expect to pay $12 with a scoop, or $10 if somehow you don't want gelato on top.
Welcome to the Legless Bar, where, once a year, regulars and newcomers alike test their talents at the venue's open mic night. Four keen folks in particular will try their luck: the bar's owner and MC, a guy on a blind date, a karaoke champ and a trivia host. That's the setup for Look Mum… No Hands!!, the first-ever production from indelabilityarts. Established in 2015, the performance ensemble aims to create work by and with people who identify as having disabilities. Now that's how you make your own opportunities in an industry that sadly provides very limited professional and creative avenues otherwise. Because anything can happen in a play about an open mic night, expect laughs, music and stories — and an amusing, inclusive show all-round. Expect lively performances from indelabilityarts' main players Michel Labosse, Maddie Little, Karen Lee Roberts and David Waldie, too.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Vision Australia need you. As part of the organisation's seeing eye dog program, they have puppies running around the place quite often, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy carer, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–15 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a seeing eye dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available for regular visits. A fenced-in backyard is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, and all food, training equipment and vet care. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than three hours a day, sat in front of Dog TV — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (@seeingeyedogsaustralia) Vision Australia is looking for people in a few of Melbourne spots: in the east to the Yarra Ranges; in the southeast to Portsea; and in Kensington, Flemington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale and West Melbourne. They're also looking in the Bendigo and Geelong regions, too. In Queensland, the north Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas are the current priorities. Once the pups reach 12-15 months old, they'll return to Vision Australia — and complete their journey to become four-legged companions for people who are blind or have low vision. Keen? You can apply online right now. For more information about Vision Australia's puppy carers, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
Christmas is coming to Rocklea, and that shouldn't come as a surprise. The Brisbane Markets love celebrating an occasion, so dedicating three Saturday mornings in December to all things festive was always bound to happen. Taking place from 6am–12pm on Saturday, December 10, 17 and 24 — yes, even on Christmas Eve — Christmas Lane will be filled with holiday supplies. If you normally do your grocery shopping here, then your ham, prawn and produce needs will be sorted. But stocking your shelves and fridge at home is just one part of the market. For presents, you'll be able to browse the markets' dedicated gift area (just don't let your loved ones see what you're buying them). Think: arts and crafts, homewares, fashion, jewellery and other handmade goods. If you're keen on giving plants and flowers — or food — you'll find them here as well. And, because all of that shopping is hungry work, you can nab breakfast onsite. Expect entertainment as a soundtrack, too — likely something that'll make you feel mighty jolly.
There’s not an awful lot you can do in 48 hours. You could get halfway through all of Lost, two sevenths of the way through all the Doctor Whos or have just enough time to track down a killer, as proved by Eddie Murphy - let alone, make a movie! Alas there’s a group of local filmmakers who’ve defied the odds, given up on Sawyer’s plight and traded in the couch for a camera for two days of intense movie making. These filmmakers will join more than 60,000 people from 120 countries to see who can make the best short film in a weekend – they’ve even got a chance to be screened in Cannes 2014. The Judith Wright Centre will be debuting these Brisbane entries over two big nights, 4-5 October. Check out the screening program here and get behind a bunch of up and coming JJ Abrams.
Any good 'twist movie' carries with it two inescapable truths: joy to behold, bitch to review. The best to which a critic can aspire is circumspection bordering on indifference, tempered like a card shark sitting on an unbeatable hand. That task becomes even more formidable when the twist itself provides the basis for the entire plot. In those cases, as it is with Steven Soderbergh's latest (and supposedly last) film Side Effects, even just stating what the film's about in the broadest possible terms discloses more than can ever be justified. Ultimately, there's little more that can be said beyond "This film is great and you really ought to see it." And yet, sufficient as that review might be, in this instance Side Effects' name and tagline — "One pill can change your life" — helpfully offer at least a permissible insight into the movie's umbrella theme: prescription drugs. Its main character Emily (Rooney Mara) flits back and forth from one antidepressant to the next like they were competing brands of cereal, forever in search of that consequence-free panacea to her daily "poisonous fog bank rolling in". Her well-intentioned psychiatrist (Jude Law) dutifully doles out each prescription, just as eager to cure her melancholy yet also candidly advocating certain medications over others in exchange for those companies' generous consultancy fees. However, just as Side Effects appears to be establishing itself as the fictionalised version of similarly themed documentaries like Generation RX and Prescription for Disaster, it takes such a sudden and monumental shift that the audience audibly gasped in our screening. From that moment on, Soderbergh (who also filmed and edited the movie under pseudonyms) has you questioning and requestioning everything you see and hear, grasping for clarity, and staving off paranoia like the very characters before you. If indeed this is to be his swan song, then we can take solace in knowing he's left us with another gripping, intelligent, and complex psychological thriller befitting both his status as an auteur and his extraordinary back catalogue of films.
Here's the exceptional thing about being a movie lover: you're never short on stuff to watch. And, because where you see something can have a big imprint on your viewing experience, you're rarely lacking great places to get your cinema fix. Brisbane's latest: the city's riverside CBD brewery. On Tuesday nights between now and Christmas, in a series called Summer Cinema Sessions, Felons Brewing Co is turning its Barrel Hall into a cinema and showing classic flicks — for free. From 7pm, you'll get comfy on a bean bag, lock your eyes on the big screen and enjoy a movie fave, all without paying a cent. You'll also drink brews, but that part will cost you. There'll be cinema snacks on offer as well and, again, that's when you'll need your wallet. On the agenda: Kill Bill (on November 8), The Breakfast Club (November 15), Jurassic Park (November 22), Shrek (November 29), The Grinch (December 6), Elf (December 13) and The Polar Express (December 20), so you have options in terms of genre. Those last three festive screenings — made all the more merry with beers, naturally — will definitely have you feeling jolly heading into Christmas.
One of the things I miss the most about being younger is my childlike outlook on life – if I wanted to climb a tree, I didn’t think about falling off; if I didn’t like something, I didn’t worry about if someone opposed my opinion. Then, with age comes life experiences that eventually quash that blindly optimistic and innocent perspective (‘if I fall out of the tree, I’ll definitely break an arm or a neck’/‘I can’t tell him his hair is stupid because he’ll totally bitch about me when I leave oh my god but it really is so dumb’), so sometimes I need a reminder of that childlike grace. Enter The Alphabet Two Ways – a picture book developed and shot by four-year-old Cody King and her mother, Tricia King. It retains the basic concept of an alphabet book – with a picture corresponding to each letter – with a unique twist: each ‘word’ is shot by both Cody and Tricia simultaneously, offering varying physical perspectives of each object and displaying varying elements of interest in each scene. Example: in R for Rain, where mum sees the reflection of the sky on the wet concrete, daughter sees her bare feet standing on the wet deck. It’s a simple concept that challenges little minds and big minds both with a beautiful series if photographs.
Mockumentaries tend to get a bit of a bad rap in critical circles. 'Lazy filmmaking' is the most common smear, and — to be fair — they are a far gentler form of screenwriting than an out-and-out screenplay. They've also experienced massive growth in recent years, most notably in television, with the likes of Modern Family, The Office and Summer Heights High all achieving both popular and critical success. In film, This Is Spinal Tap set the benchmark way back in 1984 and has reigned supreme ever since — an 11 out of 10, if you will. The newest edition in the genre is What We Do In The Shadows, a collaboration between writer/directors Taika Waititi and Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement. Billed as "a couple of interviews with a couple of vampires", it's a fly on the wall 'documentary' about four vampires sharing a flat in present-day New Zealand and is, quite simply, hilarious. The subjects of the film are: Viago (Waititi), an 18th-century dandy whose anal retentiveness makes him 'that' flatmate; Vlad (Clement), a legendary Lothario and formerly prolific hypnotist; Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), the self-proclaimed 'sexy one'; and Petyr (Ben Fransham) an ancient vampire from the early days. Key to its appeal is the way What We Do In The Shadows presents the needs, problems and activities of vampires as entirely commonplace. It makes them immediately relatable, treating something like the accidental puncturing of a victim's jugular and subsequent living room mess with no more pomp or fanfare than a spilled drink on a beige couch. The flatmates cruise the clubs of Wellington seeking victims like others seek a one night stand, they jeer each other on when a back-alley argument descends into a 'bat fight', and they projectile vomit blood when they absentmindedly eat actual food. Yes, they've their share of 'vampire' problems (sunlight, vampire hunters, etc), but also more normal ones, like having to tell your best friend you're the undead and suppressing the unceasing desire to kill him. What We Do in the Shadows also comes in at the welcome length of just 87 minutes, but its brevity doesn't come at the expense of jokes. It's packed with laughs, both visual and scripted, as well as offering a decent dose of improv (a common trait for mockumentaries). There's also more than a bit of horror and gore (so much so that with minimal tweaking this could easily have been reshaped as a solid B-grade scary film), yet there's no fear of fear thanks to the unbroken procession of gags. If this is lazy filmmaking, then bring on the trackies and couch surfing, because it suits us just fine. Check out Concrete Playground NZ's interview with Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cv568AzZ-i8
If jungle vibes inside a Coorparoo warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. It's the latest greenery-filled Brissie market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. Yes, it is trucking its way up north again for another Queensland venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. Get inspired by greenery aplenty and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces, all while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though — these markets are always popular, with more than 150 different species usually on offer. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on Saturday (8-10am, 10am-noon, 12-2pm and 2-4pm) and two on Sunday (10am-noon, 12-2pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets in advance. Plus, if you wear a onesie — and spend at least $10 — you'll get $5 off your purchase.
If jungle vibes inside a Brisbane warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, October 20. It's the latest greenery-filled market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. After opening up their warehouse, which isn't usually open to the public, for a markets on home turf and in Sydney, they're trucking their way up north for a one-off Brissie venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. Here, you can be inspired by greenery aplenty, and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces, while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though — their Melbourne and Sydney markets are always popular, so we can only imagine that their first Brisbane appearance will be as well. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on both days (8-10am, 10am-noon, 12-2pm and 2-4pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets from noon on Monday, October 15. Plus, if you wear a jungle-inspired print, you'll get $5 off your purchase.
While Brisbanites don't experience winter quite as much as our southern counterparts, we can still celebrate the chilly weather. To help you do so, Customs House is bringing back its popular igloo pop-up with fine French bubbly label Veuve Clicquot. The wintry wonderland is inspired by the French Alps, so you can get your winter escape without even having to leave the city. Opening from Friday, July 24, the aptly named Winter Chalet pop-up will see three igloo chalets take over the riverside spot. You can choose to stay out in the crisp air or book a night in your own private haven with your crew. Each igloo can fit between four and six people and has a minimum spend of $50 per person, which will be easy as long as you're willing to indulge in a few cocktails, glasses of champagne and snacks. In celebratory fashion, you'll be sipping glasses of Veuve Clicquot NV ($22) or, if you're keen to party, bottles of the fine bubbly ($120). Or, order yourself an espresso martini or Polish Mule, with vodka, elderflower, bitters, lime and ginger beer (both $20). Bottles of Veuve Clicquot Rosé ($130) and Veuve Clicquot 2008 Vintage ($260) will also be available, if you're keen to splash that cash, as well as a selection of wine, beer and spirits. For food, there'll be decadent snacks such as oysters ($5 each), scallops with chorizo crumb ($8 each), baked brie served with thyme and crostini ($18) and, the star, a croissant stuffed with citrus-poached Moreton Bay bug, lettuce and lime mayo ($18). Also available will be a selection of cheese — from goats brie to aged cheddar — served with truffled honey, pear, walnut bread and house-made lavosh. Or, you can opt for a set menu for $40 a head, which includes the Moreton Bay bug croissant, chips served with truffle aioli and a glass of Veuve each. Winter Chalet is taking over Customs House on Friday, July 24 and will run till the end of winter. If you're keen to book a private igloo, head here.
Ex-boxer Henry 'Razor' Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) is reluctantly lured out of retirement to settle old scores with long-time personal and professional rival Billy 'The Kid' McDonnen (Robert De Niro) in an exhibition fight. The pair must resolve a disputed match from 30 years earlier, as well as the fact that they were both in love with the same woman, Sally (Kim Basinger). The inciting concept for this film is right there on the uncanny valley-esque photoshopped poster: it's Rocky vs Raging Bull! (Colleagues assure me that others have beaten me to the Rocky and Raging Bullwinkle gags, so there's really little pleasure to be gained here.) You have to wonder what they would have done if De Niro or Stallone had said no. Although given the last decade or so of their respective careers, perhaps this wasn't a huge concern. But one need only imagine the producers turning to, say, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Pacino to realise that the film's sole purpose for existing is its very specific casting. Perhaps the Alan Arkin mentor role was originally offered to Kirk Douglas, whose boxer Midge Kelly feature in 1949's Champion. But like Stallone's Expendables franchise, the idea of De Niro and Stallone settling old scores in a boxing ring is an idea that would have been far more exciting about 20 years ago. In 2013, it feels like an afterthought. It's an odd compliment to give a comedy, but I'm going to do it anyway: I like that it's not all that funny. Some of the jokes work, but most fall flat. What's heartening about this is that the film is confident to go for long stretches where they don't even try for a laugh. You can easily imagine the alternate version in which it's simply wall-to-wall bad jokes, and you become thankful you're not watching that version. The ratio of drama to comedy is an odd one, as if the movie can't decide which genre it wants to plant its flag in. It shouldn't work, but sort-of does. If this feels like muted praise, it's deliberate. Grudge Match is one of those ideas that works as a passing joke rather than an actual film, and the finished product should be a gigantic car crash. But the film's brazenness is admirable — it knows why it exists, and wastes no time apologising for the fact — and it is possible to have a good time with it. Just make sure your expectations are suitably lowered first. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1bQSOBJCPQE
It's not often that you are able to get an insider look at a living legend's life and career. Paul Kelly – Stories of Me is a film about the Australian icon himself, directed by Ian Darling. The much loved singer-songwriter has provided the soundtrack to many Australian's lives with classics such as 'To Her Door' and 'Before Too Long'. Now, he has opened the doors to his private life and speaks candidly about his music and interesting life. This feature length film is running for one night only. Make sure you catch this special event as, Paul Kelly – Stories of Me, features live performances, interviews and much more never-before-seen footage. As an added treat, the man himself and Darling will make a special appearance after the film is screened. Don't miss this opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Australia's music legends.
Imagine a world filled with songs inspired by The Terminator. Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger has motivated many to do more than say that they'll be back. In fact, he's stirred the singing desires of Alastair Tomkins and his small cast, and he's brought about an entire production based on just that. Okay, okay — it's not just Arnie's doing, given that the film series evolved from the efforts of Ridley Scott, James Cameron and even more famous movie names. But he's the figure everyone thinks of when it comes to that series, and who doesn't want to picture him belting out a tune? That may not be what Songs For Sarah Connor: A Love Story Terminated actually offers, but it does present a musical based on the franchise everyone knows and loves. The show uses existing songs from the Gershwin brothers to Patsy Cline and Radiohead to present a reimagining of the iconic characters made famous by over 30 years of Terminator films, TV shows and pop culture. Bring your own clothes, boots and motorcycle.
Consider yourself a gin lover? Well, we've got just the thing for your juniper-loving self — a luxe, gin-fuelled trip to Melbourne. After all, don't we all deserve a little getaway? Thanks to our friends at urban gin distillery Patient Wolf Distilling Co., you and a mate could be jetting off to Melbourne for two nights — with flights, accommodation and gin all on the house. Should you win this prize, you'll spend the weekend at the luxury W Melbourne hotel. You'll also learn about distillation and botanicals in a Patient Wolf gin masterclass — a must-do for all gin lovers — at its home in Southbank, just on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. During the masterclass, you'll hear all about the distillery's story; sample its three signature gins; and get to spend $200 at the bar or purchasing a couple of bottles to take home. You'll also score a $200 voucher to spend on a decadent dinner at W Melbourne's on-site restaurant, Lollo, after a hard day of gin sampling. The competition is open to people aged 18 years and over. See further details below to enter. [competition]814639[/competition]
If you're of an age when you can remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats, because you will seriously enjoy this So Fresh shindig. The old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming to The Foundry from 10pm on Saturday, October 20, and it'll be playing bangers that now almost qualify as vintage. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. Entry will set you back $10 on the door, and of course it's obviously 18 and over — because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably.
In 2020, before Monsoon made cinema audiences swoon en masse, it screened at the Brisbane Queer Film Festival first. The same applies to Aussie teen rom-com Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt), too. So, if you're eager to see some of 2021's queer movie highlights well before they reach general release, then you'd best make a date with this year's BQFF. Running from Thursday, March 11–Sunday, March 21, BQFF will unleash a jam-packed 11-day program at New Farm Cinemas, all to celebrate the fest's 22nd year. Expect star-studded gems, the latest works from top directors, bold debuts from first-timers and everything in-between, all as part of a lineup that spans 20 features and three different shorts sessions. From that lengthy selection, standouts include the The World to Come, a frontier romance featuring Katherine Waterston (The Third Day) and Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman); German drama No Hard Feelings, which explores queer immigrant life; British thriller Make Up, as set in a seaside caravan park; and Sublet, the new film from acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Eytan Fox. There's also opening night's I Carry You With Me, which unfurls a romance throughout Mexico across several decades — and the Australian-made The Greenhouse, which ponders a time-travel scenario. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6opB0rcvTY&feature=emb_logo
We all love to be spoilt, right? Well, these five fabulous characters take indulgence to a whole new level. The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts is hosting a cheeky play written and performed by Liz Skitch, the creator of Skitch Tease. Spoilt puts on stage the lives of five pampered women whose worlds begin to unravel when their paths cross. The main characters include a reality TV star, a personal trainer to celebs, one botox-loving celebrant, a PR consultant and small-dog enthusiast and a bridezilla from hell. Spoilt is sure to tickle your funny bone as it pokes fun at the self-indulgent. It is more than a light-hearted comedy, however, as it explores the nasty side of narcissism yet has a positive outlook on personal growth. Spoilt returns to Brisbane still riding high on its Melbourne International Comedy Festival successes. It first wowed audiences at La Mama as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2013.
Who can get everyone in a crowd to take one piece of their clothing off and 'smash it in the air'? Hilltop Hoods can. It's a measure of the respect and adoration they've come to command in the local hip-hop scene (and, let's face it, the Australian music industry more generally). It's not for nothing — they have a persistent, infectious, unbridled energy that comes across in their epic live shows, and they're constantly giving to their fans. Nothing shows that more than the massive 21-date national tour they're setting off on right now. The Cosby Sweater Australian Tour comes off the back of their seventh studio album Walking Under Stars, the second instalment of an ambitious three-piece project that started with previous album Drinking from the Sun and will culminate next year with something big and as yet top secret. Will the reign of these undisputed kings of homegrown hip-hop never end? Expect heaps of new tracks alongside those old crowd favourites. Advice is, wear multiple pieces of clothing. https://youtube.com/watch?v=X6G2fzPTwOA
Cue prepubescent joy squeals: '90s R&B legends TLC are kicking off their first tour to Australia, stopping by Eatons Hill Hotel this June. In a time when 'Genie in a Bottle' and 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' dominated the charts, Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes taught a whole generation about girl power, cargo pants and combat boots. These were the ladiez who told me not to waste my time with scrubs (FYI: a scrub is a guy who can't get no love from me). Although nearly two decades have passed since their standout hits 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls', TLC will be hitting up Eatons Hill on June 7. Of course, since the passing of Left Eye in a 2002 car crash, the band will be performing with just two of the original three members. Although TLC's reps have stated there will be some inclusion of Lopes through audiovisual means (though definitely not a hologram a la Tupac). Beaten only by the Spice Girls, TLC still stand as the second highest selling girl group of all time with a mammoth 65 million album sales recorded worldwide. The trio are also universally acknowledged as the number one iPod selection at both karaoke and horrifically late portions of house parties when everyone feels the need to rap terribly and grind on the d-floor like it's 1994. Although TLC have confirmed they are working on a new album set for release sometime this year, this is inevitably going to be a gig for pure nostalgia. Bonus points for anyone who rocks up in white diamantes or primary-coloured overalls, Converse trainers and condom badges. Also, if you don't know all the words and relevant sassy head bobs to 'No Scrubs', you're straight-up not allowed inside the Eatons Hill foyer. Tickets on sale 9am on Thursday, April 24 via Oztix.
If you’re an emerging artist or producer it can be pretty daunting when you’re trying to establish your practice – especially if you’re doing it solo and you’ve got no money behind you. “What’s an invoice? How do I write a grant? I’m artistic okay, I don’t know what these things do or what they’re for” may be some of the thoughts flowing around the gunk in your brain (or maybe that’s just me) and all you need is someone with their head screwed onto their shoulders so that you don’t actually go crazy and quit before you’ve even begun. And that’s where Small Lakes comes in. They’re a not-for-profit organisation newly established by a group of people who have been working in and for the business for quite a while now – they’ll help you get your shit together, basically. And they’re going to have a launch party to celebrate this union of them + you – you’re invited, obviously. Oh Ye Denver Birds, Hunz and Restream will provide jams for your ears with K, Jaymis and Warren Handley providing the jams for your eyes (um, that means a visual installation). There’ll be art too, and a cash bar. Happy Small Lakes! We all deserveneed a celebration.
SLiQ Flicks has been given the boot, with the State Library of Queensland’s popular free film program finishing up for good after its current schedule comes to an end. The last screening takes place on August 31, showing the winner of the final audience vote — either Fellini’s 8½, Dead Man or Berberian Sound Studio. For four years under curator Lance Sinclair, SLiQ Flicks has screened classics and cult flicks alongside the underseen and underappreciated — as well as offering a second chance to view newer favourites on the big screen. Programmed by theme each month, Sinclair’s choices have proven interesting and eclectic, ranging from The Holy Mountain to Haxan, Zoolander to The Man Who Fell to Earth, Sorcerer to Kill List, Upstream Color to Samson and Delilah. After the demise of Tribal Theatre as a cinema in 2012, SLiQ Flicks has provided Brisbane’s only consistent weekly program of retrospective screenings. The State Library of Queensland has also hosted a number of externally-organised film festivals as part of the program, such as the Brisbane Refugee Film Festival and the forthcoming Australian International Animation Festival. Hopefully, these type of events may continue on a space-for-hire basis. Regular film screenings have long been a feature of the State Library of Queensland’s calendar of activities, including involvement in the early years of the Brisbane International Film Festival — which has now become the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival. The loss of SLiQ Flicks adds to the growing list of recent changes to the Brisbane cinema scene.
Every since Domino’s and Pizza Hut decided that every night could be cheap pizza night, it’s been hard to get excited about Tuesdays. However, the lovely folk at Trainspotters are restoring our will to wake up on weekdays at all with Stewsday Night At The Movies. Trainspotters has your Tuesday covered from now on with night at the movies, and this week’s flick is the 1996, king of self-aware horror, Scream. There’s no better combination then an A-grade horror flick, some blankies and cushions, some stew to keep the winter chill away, and maybe a special someone. And if you’re thinking that’s nice and well, but I can’t afford a prestigious movie night out, then brighten up pal - admission is absolutely free! Depending on who you ask, Scream may or may not be the greatest film ever made, but with the addition of hot milo, and board games, Stewsday could become the greatest night ever. Get yourself down to the Trainspotter’s Platform Bar on the 19th August, for doors opening at 7:30pm. Bring some friends, fill up on hot liquids, and do your best to avoid getting murdered.
If jungle vibes inside a Brisbane warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. It's the latest greenery-filled Brissie market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. Yes, it's trucking its way up north again for another Queensland venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists onsite on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. At a Moorooka warehouse, you'll be inspired by greenery aplenty — and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces — all while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though, as these markets are always popular. With more than 150 different species usually on offer, of course they are. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on Saturday (8–10am, 10am–noon, 12–2pm and 2–4pm) and two on Sunday (10am–noon, 12–2pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets from noon on Monday, April 8. Plus, if you dress up in two items of 70s clothing — think flares, wigs, head pieces and flower crowns — to fit the 70s jungle boogie theme, you'll get $5 off your purchase.
If you often rue the day in your adolescence when chicken nuggets became an unacceptable item to eat for dinner, well, Christmas has come well and truly early. On May 26 and 27, Welcome to Bowen Hills will take fried chicken back to junk food basics and throw its first Brisbane Chicken Nugget Festival. The permanent food truck park will dedicate two days to nuggets in all of their forms, with a vast selection ranging from traditional nuggets all the way through to a nugget burger. Yes, really. While the full line-up is yet to be announced, Belles Hot Chicken, Mr Burger, Koma Sliders, Phatboys Truck, Cycho's Buffalo Wings and King Of The Wings are just some of the culinary joints getting in on the action. And, festival entry is free. This weekend-long festival kicks off at noon and ends at 10pm on both Saturday and Sunday, so chicken nuggets will be in full force right up until the eleventh hour.
Tarantino fans, it's the moment you've all been waiting for — and it just might be even better than the world-famous Jackrabbit Slim's twist contest. In a massive overnight movie marathon (dusk till dawn included), Palace Centro is showing its love for the filmmaker responsible for making everyone think twice about Madonna's 'Like A Virgin', Royales with cheese, getting sword-wielding vengeance and getting caught in Minnie's Haberdashery during a snowstorm. With more enthusiasm than the man-in-question's fondness for rapid-fire dialogue, retro soundtracks and paying homage to every film he's ever seen, Tarantino Fest will train the James Street cinema's projector on some of QT's finest from midday on December 2. The next 19 hours or so will be filled with flicks helmed by Tarantino, written by Tarantino and/or starring Tarantino. On the agenda: Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, From Dusk till Dawn, both volumes of Kill Bill and The Hateful Eight, in that order. Breaking out your best yellow jumpsuit, bathrobe, Hawaiian shirt, daggy tee and shorts combo, or flight attendant's uniform is heartily recommended, with prizes up for grabs for best costume. $5 shakes will also be on offer — hopefully in Martin and Lewis, or Amos and Andy styles — as will themed drink specials. And if you want to dance to 'Stuck in the Middle with You' or 'Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon' in the foyer, we're guessing that no one will stop you.
Although Brisbane Festival may have wrapped up for another year, there are still plenty of exciting events happening to make life after Brisbane Festival just as fun. Metro Arts are hosting a jam-packed evening full of theatre, art and music. Get your fix of all things art and culture at this exciting event. From 7pm Billy the Lawyer and Benny the Clown will be showing. This tragic tale laced with traces of comedy, was created by Daniel Flood and Emma Che Martin. The tale focuses on two brothers and their mother as the memories of an act of violence that occurred twenty-five years ago haunts them. Also on the night will be a Q&A with New York artist, Barbara Rosenthal. Art buffs are in for a treat, as well as Rosenthal, Liesel Zink will be showcasing her dance art exhibition, The Psychology Project. Puppetry genius, Jennifer Bismire will be bringing her puppets to life in Paper Dolls and sound artists, Bad Intentions and Feet Teeth, will take you on a auditory journey.
Are you into conspiracy theories? Do you think Stephen King killed John Lennon? Believe NASA faked the moon landing? If you're not buying it then you should be buying the new issue of Bats. That's right, the little school girls who dared to DIY are all grown up and onto their 9th issue. In true Bats style The Conspiracy Issue will feature reckless and politically incorrect rants including a piece listing 10 Judeo-Christian beliefs that they believe to be bullshit, an open letter to mother nature, a look into the world of companionship and further exploration into the many conspiracies of the world. Listening to The X-Files theme tune while reading is advised. It may or may not also include a B-grade high school English report on the Loch Ness Monster or the written ramblings of an ex cult member. We're not going to confirm or deny anything so you best get your own copy to find out what's what. You can do so by heading to the issue launch party at Alloneword – the zine's very first over 18 event. The launch party will include DJ sets, live art by artists Jake Reston & Bhats, giveaways from I Heard They Eat Cigarettes & SOOT, as well as amateur spirit guide readings for the first hour (nope not even kidding). But most importantly you will be able to snap up a copy of The Conspiracy Issue before it hits stores in Australia the following week. Image by Goran Jovanovic
Every October, the Japanese Film Festival brings a feast of the country's best flicks to Brisbane. That's great news — but if you're looking for a Japanese cinema experience throughout the rest of the year, that's harder to find. Enter the JFF Fringe, a new monthly screening series showcasing featuring a mix of Australian premieres and encores of previous fest hits. Commencing on Wednesday, May 30, the series will run during the last week of each month, with subsequent sessions on Wednesday, June 27; Monday, July 30; and Wednesday, August 29. Gintama has the honour of kicking things off — complete with aliens and samurai — with the live-action comedy based on the manga of the same name. Other highlights include the Australian premiere of Honnouji Hotel, a period-set fantasy flick about a mysterious hotel in Kyoto; family drama The Long Excuse, which was a sellout at JFF back in 2016; and the gorgeous animated effort In This Corner of the World. The latter isn't a Studio Ghibli flick, but if you're a fan of the studio's movies, you'll want to add this to your must-see list. Trust us.
Forget about DeLoreans, hot tubs and phone booths — for five days in September, travelling to another time is as easy as stepping inside The Tivoli. In Orpheus, Fortitude Valley will become Paris, and the present day will become the 1930s, as Brisbane Festival takes audiences on an immersive theatre ride. Here, musician Django Reinhardt has been cast as the lead in a musical reimagining of Orpheus — and you're about to see the end results. Revisit the famous underworld romance, listen to a toe-tapping score of jazz, opera and French chanson, and eat and drink as if you really had ventured back nearly a century. There'll be free music beforehand, dancing afterwards on Friday and Saturday nights, and fitting food aplenty. Think brioche, brie, baguettes and providore platters. Image: RULER.
Do you usually leave your gift purchasing until the last minute? Have you vowed to finally do better this year? Do you have a heap of friends and family members celebrating birthdays in the second half of 2023 — and zero idea of what you'll get them? Enter The Made Local Market, which is hitting Brisbane IRL this winter to lend a hand with your shopping — and give you an excuse to treat yo'self. Whichever fits, including if you're keen to get a jump on Christmas, you'll have plenty to browse and buy. The market will take place in the Exhibition Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds from 9am–4pm on Saturday, June 17 and 9am–3pm on Sunday, June 18, spreading across two days. Because it focuses on the best local talent, every market is filled with different stallholders and unique creations, but there'll be more than 130 makers, designers, artists and creators at this one. Supporting creative small businesses and scoring a killer gift for your loved ones is a win for everyone involved, so head along and get your shopping sorted. Entry usually costs $2 — and, the whole thing will be cashless, so don't forget your cards. There'll also be food trucks slinging bites to eat, gin tastings, and plenty of places to get caffeinated.
