It's with vibrant detail that Coco bursts onto cinema screens. A tale of following your heart while honouring your family, Pixar's latest effort is both a colourful sight to behold and an exuberant journey; a film exploding with dazzling visual and emotional fireworks. Within frames heaving with intricacy, there's never a dull moment as the movie sashays from modern-day Mexico to the Land of the Dead during the country's Dîa de los Muertos celebrations. Often it's the little things that stand out, from the grain of the many flowers never far from view, to the weathered skeleton bones that literally dance through the streets, to the melancholy look on an old woman's face. That's the animation studio's forte, of course. It's the reason their talking toys filled us with joy, that their rodent chefs charmed us, and their feelings with feelings left us in tears. As Toy Story, Ratatouille and Inside Out all demonstrated, their films might paint with pixels rather than living people, but they vibrate with the texture of reality. Coco fits the mould perfectly, at once a lovingly realised venture into several new worlds and a familiar mosey through Pixar's usual terrain. What if the dead had feelings is just one of the questions it asks. What if we confronted our own feelings about death is another. Helmed by studio veteran Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) with writer and first-time co-director Adrian Molina at his side, Coco takes its name from the grandmother of 12-year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez). While she sits quietly through the last phase of her life, still yearning for the father she lost when she was a girl, he dreams of being a musician, but is forbidden by his music-hating family. Their reasons for this stem from personal tragedy, but it's not enough to stop Miguel from strumming his guitar. His desperation to retrace the footsteps of his entertainer hero (Benjamin Bratt) eventually leads him beyond the mortal coil, on a quest to find his great-great-grandfather and win his musical blessing. If Alice in Wonderland had followed a Mexican boy chasing his dreams, or if Marty McFly had taken the DeLorean through the barrier between life and death, Coco might very well have been the end result. The spirit of these youthful adventures seeps through this film, in a manner that proves delightful rather than derivative. Indeed, this is a story about remembering your past even as you step into the future. As well as following Pixar's own tried and true template, the script weaves its influences into a moving escapade bearing the expected touches, but never failing to surprise. That remains true even if you've seen The Book of Life, the outwardly similar 2014 animated effort that also sees its characters frolicking through the Mexican afterlife. It mightn't be the first family-friendly feature to play in this territory, or the first to explore the conflict between ambition and responsibility. Nevertheless, Coco enchants with warmth and authenticity from start to finish. In fact, as bright as its images shine, as high as its heartfelt emotions soar, and as perfectly as its voice cast fill their roles — including Gael García Bernal stealing scenes as a dead prankster — it's the film's embrace of its setting and culture that truly makes it sing. This isn't Pixar playing tourist south of the border, but paying tribute: to people, songs, lives and beliefs. The gorgeous detail that infuses every frame is a testament to seeing what others often don't, and it couldn't encapsulate Coco's beauty better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIm1PyBSwc
What happens when you take a huge name in Australia's music scene, add 40 more musical talents, then combine them all for two big gigs? In 2023, you get Red Bull Symphonic with Genesis Owusu and the Sydney and Brisbane Symphony Orchestras. The popular series pairs impressive local talents with an orchestral backing, after first debuting in 2022 in the Sunshine State with Goodna rapper Lisi and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, it's expanding its shows to New South Wales, too — and making Ghanaian Australian artist Owusu the star. "If you've seen me perform live, you know I love the drama. Bringing out the grandeur in every element," said Owusu, announcing the gigs. "What's grander and more theatrical than a punk-funk-rap enigma backed by a 40-piece orchestra? We getting real thespian out here." The 2023 Red Bull Symphonic tour will kick off in Brisbane, at the River City's Fortitude Music Hall on Friday, March 3, with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra in support. Sydneysiders get their turn on Thursday, March 23 at the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall, with — naturally — the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on hand to assist. Owusu will also be collaborating with Australian composer and arranger Alex Turley (Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Omega Ensemble, Electric Fields, NGAIIRE), in two shows that promise to combine two different arts worlds — and give his own punk-electronic tracks a new interpretation that even his most ardent fans haven't experienced. The multi award-winning performer gets orchestral after a massive couple of years that've seen him win triple j's Album of the Year in 2021 for his debut record Smiling with No Teeth; nab four ARIAs including Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art for the same release; and score 2022 ARIA noms for Best Music Video and Best Independent Release for single 'GTFO'. And yes, it's an excellent time to enjoy classical orchestras in new ways, courtesy of other events like Ministry of Sound Classical and Synthony, plus film-and-music screenings for flicks as diverse as Black Panther, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, Frozen, The Princess Bride, Home Alone, Toy Story and more. Wondering what's in store at Red Bull Symphonic? Check out footage from 2022's event below: RED BULL SYMPHONIC WITH GENESIS OWUSU: Friday, March 3: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra Thursday, March 23: Sydney Opera House, Sydney, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Red Bull Symphonic with Genesis Owusu takes place in March 2023, with tickets onsale now via the Sydney Opera House for Sydney and Ticketmaster for Brisbane. Top image: Bart Celestino.
If all goes to plan, this could be one of our last Friday nights in lockdown. And how better to send it off than with a big ol' living room boogie? Fittingly enough, this Friday, October 23, also marks the final event in Melbourne Fringe Festival's lockdown program, starring a celebratory edition of fan-favourite, Mr McClelland's Finishing School. Broadcasting to a screen and speaker system near you from 9pm, the virtual dance party will see DJ Andrew McClelland working his usual magic, guiding you all through a foot-stomping, groove-inducing mix of indie, pop, soul and rock tunes. Live and loud from his own lounge room, mind you. Clear out the coffee table, put the breakables somewhere safe and get ready to sweat out your lockdown frustrations to hard-hitting songs from across the decades. Best of all, it's an affordable night spent cutting shapes. You'll pay $5 if you're flying solo, $10 for a household ticket, or $15 if you're joining in from some other magical place where IRL partying is still allowed.
With the rise of the mp3 and the gathering of the cloud, the concept of physically owning your music has gradually begun to disappear. Yet for many music lovers, the tactile nature of analogue media still holds a powerful nostalgia. How else do you explain last year's record-breaking vinyl sales? But while the record may have experienced a bit of a resurgence as of late, what about the humble audio cassette? Well, it turns out there may be a market for that too. Inspired by the success of Record Store Day, Cassette Store Day is a celebration of all things magnetic tape and plastic. Its third iteration is set for October 17 — and for the first time, the southern hemisphere is getting in on the action. Australian label Rice Is Nice and New Zealanders Arch Hill Recordings will join Germany’s Mansions & Millions, America’s Burger Records and original UK founders Suplex Cassettes, Kissability, and Sexbeat in organising the 2015 edition, an international party marked by a slew of events, sales and releases. Last year saw such big name artists as Karen O and There Might Be Giants drop tapes for the occasion, among more than 300 others. Of course, not everyone is so enamoured with these chunky slabs of plastic. Last year Tone Deaf penned an article titled ‘Why International Cassette Store Day is Stupid’, arguing that the event is simply nostalgia taken too far. And look, the killjoys may have a point. Although vinyl fans insist that records sound ‘warmer,’ it’s a lot harder to make that argument for the compact cassette. Still, anything that gets people supporting local music stores is okay by us. Besides, who doesn’t secretly want an actual mixtape from their crush? CASSETTE STORE DAY AUSTRALIAN RELEASES Courtney Barnett — Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit Summer Flake — Time Rolls By EP Bloods — Work It Out Ocean Party — Light Weight Step-Panther — Strange But Nice Dollar Bar — Paddington Workers Club Dollar Bar — Hot Ones Red Riders — Drown In Colour Demos The Finks — Lucklaster Fraser A. Gorman — Slow Gum Ouch My Face — Bunyip Raindrop — Crowded Brain EP Rice Is Nice Records — Vol. 3 Mixtape (various artists) Ft. Blank Realm (unreleased), Black Zeros, Tired Lion, Lowtide, The Living Eyes, Pearls, Love of Diagrams, Day Ravies, Us The Band, Zeahorse, White Dog, Weak Boys Wonrowe Vision — Triple Cassette Mortification — Scrolls Of The Megaloth Double Cassette Barrow-man — Dog Tales Betty & Oswald — King Of Bohemia Tutu and the Bodyrockets — The Ballad of Bonnie Bigfish Hills Hoist / Piqué — Cool Change / Kitty Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Jun Chen was born around Guangzhou in 1960, migrated to Australia in 1990 after the Tiananmen Square uprising, and currently lives and works as an artist in Brisbane. Chen studied tradition ink drawing in China, then ‘Western’ oil painting at QUT, making his technique unique in both practice and execution. His latest exhibition China – Back and Forth, is testament to the talent and creative journey this artist has not only lived, but captured. This display of Chen’s work doesn’t so much explore China’s scenery, monuments or street-scapes, rather the people who inhabit them. From young children flying kites, to the ‘new generation’ young girls on their iPhones, Chen explores the richness of historic China, alongside the emergence of the new. Consumption also plays a key role in his paintings – tables crowded with exotic flavours and colours, to the street butcher’s and waitresses who make it possible, Chen explores the cycle and changes of food and tradition through his painting. Paintings that are richly textured with mists of colour, around fine-lined and detailed figures – have a look at some his previous work here. China – Back and Forth runs for three days only at The Hold Artspace, West End.
Another week, another appreciation night paying tribute to a worthy figure in music. At this one, however, things might get a bit steamy. That's what happens when the artist in question is known for a catalogue of sexy, sexy songs, of course. Four words, and you'll understand: "Let's Get It On." Two more: "Sexual Healing." How sweet it is to soak in the glory of Marvin Gaye for an entire night, with Black Bear Lodge doing the honours. You know the drill: his tracks will be playing on repeat, floating their sultry sounds through the air and infusing everyone with a groovy kind of mood. Here, that's what's going on, really. If you're a fan of sensual funk, ain't no mountain high enough to keep you away. You've got to give it up for the man that gave the world such sweet, sweet music. Let's face it: when you've got that feeling, you need an evening with Marvin Gaye.
Cloud Control have re-emerged onto the music scene from their Dream Cave with new tracks and a hotly anticipated national tour. Their current single “Dojo Rising” has been received with great anticipation and is sure to be featured in their setlist, alongside the tracks that catapulted them into the spotlight and longtime fans’ hearts. Psychedelic pop, dreamscapes of sound, infused with life-affirming beats and catchy melodies are what you can expect from this foursome, who have grown so starkly since their last tour, and yet retain the effortless writing and performance that makes them a treat to see. They will be supported by Sydney’s Palms, with their own brand of indie-pop to so neatly compliment the headliners. This sweet night of tunes is sure to sell out, so don’t risk grabbing tickets on the door. watch?v=KRwQp6iglWk
On February 16th 1929 Edward (Ned) L. Doheny Jr., son to the oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny Sr was left dead and bloodied on the floor of the ground floor guest room of Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. His chauffeur/personal secretary (Theodore) Hugh Plunkett also lay dead. Scandal ensued. There Will Be_____ is an exhibition centred around the 30 minute film Greystone, by Los Angeles based artist Kerry Tribe. Revisiting one of the 20th century’s most shocking and mysterious society murders, this film looks into the murder/suicide/you tell me, of one of America’s highest flyers and his PA. The film and this presentation proposes a series of explanation for how both were killed – the official finding was murder suicide at the hands of Plunkett’s paranoia, but of course the theories are abundant. Filmed on location at the scene of the murder (in the very rooms the killings took place!) and using only dialog appropriated from dozens of films that were shot within the storied estate, this film and partnered exhibition will have every sceptic swooning, and even the sanest viewers intrigued. Don’t miss it.
It's Groundhog Day The Musical — and it's finally making its way to the Australian stages ten years after it was first announced. Back in 2014, Australian comedian, musician, actor and writer Tim Minchin (Upright) revealed that he was making a song-filled onstage version of the Bill Murray-starring classic comedy. Then, the end result premiered in London in 2016. Next came Broadway in 2017, with 2024 marking Australia's turn. Prepare for plenty of déjà vu in Melbourne from January. Feeling like you've been there and seen this comes with the territory with this production, of course, given that that's what the story is all about. Obviously, you've probably seen the film. In fact, you've likely done so more than once. Still, when Groundhog Day The Musical hits Princess Theatre from Wednesday, January 24, this'll be Aussie theatregoers' first chance to catch the stage show on home soil. The tale remains the same, with Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Connors tasked with travelling to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day event — and none too happy about it, oozing cynicism as everyone else around him embraces the occasion. After a cantankerous day, he wakes up the next morning to find that everything is repeating again. And, that's how every day continues, no matter what he does or how he tries to tinker with the cycling routine. On the big screen (and on VHS and streaming queues since), the result proved hilarious, and also one of Murray's best-ever roles. For the stage iteration, Minchin teamed up with screenwriter Danny Rubin — who originally co-wrote Groundhog Day's movie script and won a BAFTA in the process — plus Minchin's Matilda The Musical director Matthew Warchus. Their theatre efforts earned Groundhog Day The Musical Tony Award nominations, as well Olivier Award wins for Best New Musical and Best Actor. Yes, Groundhog Day The Musical's Australian-premiere season runs across Groundhog Day itself, aka February 2. Yes, you can listen to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' on repeat now to celebrate. And yes, like the musical version of Matilda, this'll likely return to the big screen at some point — but after the Melbourne season. Groundhog Day The Musical comes Down Under exclusive to the Victorian capital — and if you're wondering who'll step into Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) shoes, and Andie MacDowell's (Maid) as Phil's producer Rita Hanson, too, that'd be Andy Karl returning to the former after doing the honours in London, plus Elise McCann (Matilda The Musical) as the latter.
What begins and ends with two massive gigs, will light up the sky three times a night, and includes everything from unsettling shipping container installations to a kaleidoscopic house of mirrors and a mind-bending circus? That'd be this year's Brisbane Festival, which will feature nearly 600 performances across a huge 22 days when it returns between September 8–29. Marking his fourth stint as Brisbane Festival's artistic director, David Berthold has curated a stacked program of almost 70 shows for the 2018 lineup — featuring more than 1000 artists, taking over 17 venues, and serving up 100 performances for free. As always, the fest's lineup spans the full array of arts, culture, performance and music events, so if you're keen to catch an inventive new play every night at the returning Theatre Republic — or schedule your life around gigs at Brisbane Arcadia — then you're about to become mighty busy. To help you out, here's our list of our top ten.
Once again, alcohol proves a great motivator when it comes to exercise — and Welcome to Bowen Hills is the latest place getting in on the action. Joining the city's onslaught of boozy fitness classes, it's hosting a Yin + Gin session on April 12. Even better: this one is just $10. For the entry price, attendees will get active with a drink in your hand, with a cocktail included. If anything can get you to bend, stretch, flex and relax — whether you're a first-timer, an occasional yoga dabbler or a devotee — it's this liquid incentive. Unsurprisingly, the session is likely to prove popular, with bookings required. And, once you've worked up a sweat and enjoyed a beverage, you'll be in the perfect spot for dinner thanks to the food truck hangout's array of meals-on-wheels providers.
You’ve never seen Queen Elizabeth quite like this before. The long-reigning English monarch of the late 16th century has been portrayed by actresses numerous times, most famously by the likes of Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett. In such performances we see Elizabeth as regal, bold, passionate, sensitive, commanding, and even a little romantic. But how many times have we seen her as a stark raving madwoman? Queensland Theatre Company presents Elizabeth: Almost By Chance A Woman, by Dario Fo. In the final day of her life, an ailing Elizabeth clings desperately to her throne and her sanity. She has gone eleven days without sleep, and she fears that if she allows herself to bed she may not rise again. Her mind conjures up vivid memories and grandly paranoid delusions, such as William Shakespeare having plagiarised the events of her life in his plays. Her boudoir transforms into The Globe Theatre, where the last few hours of her reign are played out in stratospherically high drama. Fo is a Nobel Prize-winning playwright, famous for his biting political satires and revival of the commedia dell’arte performance style. Directed by Wesley Enoch, this is your chance to see Elizabeth as a foul-mouthed, lustful, and neurotic narcissist.
It seems that perhaps a deficit in the ear department may go hand in hand with a vocation as a successful artist. We all know Van Gough was sans ear and it seems that our very own earless Mark ‘Chopper’ Read is getting in on the action. Rumor has it that the notorious ex-criminal was inspired to embark on his career as an artist after Archibald Prize winner Adam Cullen told Chopper that he sold two pieces to Elton John for $50,000. Chopper put down the pen and picked up a paintbrush only to sell all fourty-five of the pieces in his first exhibition. We don’t suggest you start eyeing off your sharpest kitchen knife, or trying to figure out how you are going to wear sunglasses with your new look but perhaps instead you might find some artistic inspiration by checking out some of Chopper’s latest works. Head into the Valley to catch Chopper’s art works hanging alongside paintings by up and coming Redcliffe portrait artist Kevin Hawley at the White Canvas Gallery. Want to meet the artists? Mark Sunday the 24th in your diary for a chance to hear what inspired the pieces in Chopper’s sixth exhibition.
Blue skies and scenic coastal sights will brighten Brisbane's Palace Barracks cinemas between Thursday, October 18 and Sunday, October 21, with the Greek Film Festival coming to town. Marking its 25th year, this showcase of Hellenic filmmaking will seven features — kicking off with Jamaica, about two brothers reuniting after a tragedy, before wrapping up with World War II drama The Last Note, charting events leading up to the execution of 200 Greek war prisoners in the Chaidari concentration camp. Elsewhere, viewers can see the drama Happy Birthday, which takes inspiration from the street demonstrations that rocked Athens in 2008; sequel The Bachelor 2, a comedy that has been compared to The Hangover movies; and Polyxeni, which steps into the world of Greek aristocracy — but in 1970s and in Istanbul. As part of the touring festival's comedy retrospective, Brisbanites can also catch comic whodunnit Nisos, which actually opened the fest back in 2010, as well as First Time Godfather, which is based on an autobiographical short story the son of one of Greece's former prime ministers.
If you live in Brisbane and you haven't seen Regurgitator live approximately 752 times, do you really live in Brisbane? They're the homegrown act that released two of the best-ever albums of the 90s — that'd be Tu-Plang and Unit — and they're local legends. They'll also be taking to The Brightside's stages to raise money for flood-affected Lismore folks on Friday, March 11, because flood benefits don't get no better than this. Less than a week after holding its last flood-relief benefit, the Warner Street spot is welcoming in a heap more musos, who'll all do their thing for a great cause, too. Joining the Gurge: The Fauves and Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson for a big 90s vibe, as well as Nice Biscuit, Sammm., Seaside, Slowrip, Square Tugs and Mitch, Please. This is a no-frills affair that's all about bands, tunes and notching up that cash. And if you're wondering how much difference these kinds of gigs make, last week's raised $18,727.61. Just called Flood Benefit, the latest show kicks off at 5.30pm, will span across two stages and is selling $56.10 tickets now. All proceeds will be donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal. [caption id="attachment_711489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Brightside[/caption]
Around December 20–23 each year, something important happens: summer solstice, or the day with the longest span of daylight and shortest stretch of night for the current 12-month period. Since ancient times, it has been a time of celebration — and that's what Northey Street City Farm is doing at its Summer Solstice Night Markets. At the Windsor spot on Friday, December 20, a waste-free organic street food market will serve up locally sourced bites to eat and sips to drink, including a whole heap of vegan and gluten-free options. Think falafel, Italian cuisine, burgers, juices, smoothies, beer, cider and kombucha on tap. Everything will be served on crockery — with wash stations set up so you can help clean up — and, if you bring your own reusable plate and keep cup from home, you'll get a 50-percent discount on your food. Also on the bill is live music, drumming, acrobatics, talks and workshops — plus dancing on the grass to hits from 1994. The leafy venue has been doing its thing for 25 years now, so this shindig is doubling as a 25th birthday party as well. The fun kicks off from 6.30pm and, although entry is free, registering in advance is recommended. Images: Northey Street Organic Farmers Market.
Fond of a certain video store employee-turned-famous director and Palme d'Or-winning film that made him a household name, and love a good beer as well? Then you'll want to make your way to Bacchus Brewing Co on Saturday, November 23. With 2019 marking 25 years since Quentin Tarantino unleashed Pulp Fiction onto the world, the boozy Capalaba joint is celebrating by hosting its own Tarantino BeerFest. From midday, attendees can sink brews and revel in a Tarantino vibe. While Bacchus is keeping the full details to itself for the moment, beers themed around the filmmaker's movies will be on the menu. Perhaps they'll pump out a $5 shake-influenced drop, or, if the brewery is feeling super creative, a royale with cheese-inspired tipple. If nodding to this year's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is on the agenda, a beer that takes its cues from whisky sours wouldn't go astray. The food lineup will also keep the theme going, and QT's movies will be playing on the big screen. All that's left is to grab your best bathrobe and channel the man himself in Pulp Fiction — or break out your best competitive twist moves.
If jungle vibes inside a Coorparoo warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 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 — and, after hosting plenty of online-only events over the past year, this sale is a 100-percent in-person affair. 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. This sale is Christmas in July themed, so prepare to give yourself the gift of green babies aplenty. You'll get inspired by plants in general, too, and learn to incorporate them 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 170 different species usually on offer. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in 30-minute sessions across both days, and attendees will need to register for free tickets in advance. Plus, if you come decked out in Christmas attire (think: Santa hats, full costumes, Christmas jewellery or reindeer noses) — and spend at least $10 — you'll also get $5 off your purchase.
Brisbane's new permanent food truck hangout has been home to all kinds of things since it set up shop earlier this year — festivals dedicated to all kinds of foods mainly — but, come May 19, it'll welcome something different through its doors. While there's always some sort of party going at Welcome to Bowen Hills, and doggos are always welcome, the venue's Tiny Dog Festival will see the space swarmed by puppers of the super small variety. If it's an adorable little barking creature, it'll be in the spotlight — so bring your own or prepare to pat plenty of others. And, the site's food trucks and bars such as Mr Burger, Food Mood and The Wurst Dogs won't just be catering to humans. L'Barkery will be serving up puppacinos and other doggie treats, and there'll be beer (for you) and bone (for your four-legged friend) deals on offer. As part of the all-round celebration of pint-sized pooches over a few pints, the fest will also feature a tiny dog race and a best dressed tiny dog competition. If your pupper is speedy or has great style, then you'll want to take part. Plus, Welcome to Bowen Hills also wants to find Brissy's tiniest adult dog, so prepare to spend a date staring at cute pooches that could fit in your pocket and saying "awwwwwww".
Melbourne has two. Sydney has one, and regional New South Wales also has a couple. And yet, Beer DeLuxe hasn't yet brought their craft brew taps to Queensland. But, come next year, that's about to change. With an opening slated for 2017, the bar chain will launch a brand new venue on Eagle Street — right in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. Their sixth Australian establishment will boast all the things regulars down south have come to expect: an epic selection of beers and a lineup of hearty pub food to help grease stomachs. Just how many brews Beer DeLuxe Brisbane will stock is yet to be revealed, but if their recent Sydney opening is anything to go by — and the fact that the venue will seat 200 — it should boast in excess of 150. And while the brand prides itself on its international focus, we're betting that a heap of local labels are bound to get a look in. Plus, nestled in next to Esquire, it'll offer patrons the ideal Brissie experience — that is, drinking brews in the sun with a watery view. In fact, with the Pig 'N' Whistle and Bavarian Bier Cafe also dotted along Eagle Street, the riverside strip that Beer DeLuxe is about to call home might just become the city's most packed pub crawl spot. Beer DeLuxe is set to open at 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane sometime in 2017. Keep an eye on their website for more information. Via The Daily Telegraph.
UPDATE, January 18, 2021: The Truth is available to stream via Stan, Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play and YouTube Movies. What does an acclaimed Japanese filmmaker do after spending his career exploring complicated family dynamics in his homeland, then winning the Cannes Film Festival's top prize for his last effort? If he's Hirokazu Kore-eda, he goes to France. Boiling The Truth down to 'Kore-eda in Paris' is simplistic, and yet it fits perfectly — and that's by no means a bad thing. Neither is dubbing this layered film Kore-eda ode's to French cinema. While the writer/director calls on many of the familiar trademarks that've made his Japanese-language features such hits, he sets them in France, filters them through French cinematic sensibilities, and deploys them in French and English. His first non-Japanese movie mightn't initially seem like the natural successor to Shoplifters, but it actually suits that role nicely. The intricate, intimate family interplay that Kore-eda has spent his filmography studying is universal, after all. When beloved acting veteran Fabienne Dangeville (Catherine Deneuve) welcomes her daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche), son-in-law Hank (Ethan Hawke) and granddaughter Charlotte (Clémentine Grenier) for a rare visit to her sprawling home, there's much to unpack — for this loving but bickering brood, and for audiences. The family reunion is in celebration of Fabienne's just-published memoir, which Lumir hasn't been given a copy of before she arrives, but has firm views on once she reads it. "I can't find any truth in here!" she comments angrily. "I'm an actress — I won't tell the unvarnished truth," is Fabienne's haughty justification. As well as throwing around the titular term liberally, The Truth follows the pair's attempts to sift through a lifetime of baggage, with the book's many embellishments revealing just how differently they each view Lumir's childhood. Also an actor, Hank watches on, hampered by his inability to speak French. Meanwhile, Charlotte obsesses over grandmother's giant pet turtle, who has the same name as her grandfather. But the fallout from Fabienne's memoir just keeps coming. Her long-term personal assistant, Luc (Alain Libolt), quits because he isn't even mentioned in the book, throwing the household into disarray. That leaves Lumir, a screenwriter, to step in, accompanying her mother as she shoots her latest big-screen role. It's in a sci-fi film called Memories of My Mother, where Fabienne's character grapples with an absent mum — all as Fabienne herself gets envious about her applauded young co-star (Manon Clavel). Not only crafting a film about a strained mother-daughter relationship, but also featuring a film within the film about the same topic, Kore-eda threatens to steer The Truth into obvious territory. But he's always been talented at exposing the complexity lingering beneath seemingly straightforward scenarios — and, perhaps more importantly, twisting such situations into revelatory and insightful family portraits that bubble with honesty. So, he does just that. Specifically, he keeps finding new ways to interrogate the film's eponymous concept, and its relationship to Fabienne and Lumir's life. The Truth ponders the playful fibs told to children, the rose-coloured glasses applied to the past, the gaps that even the most vivid memories can have, and the overt choices made to shape one's own narrative. It also tasks Lumir with scripting dialogue for both her mother and daughter that they can each pass off as their own genuine emotions. There's such depth to the movie's contemplation of its chosen subject that, if you didn't already know, you'd never guess that Kore-eda doesn't speak French himself. The film certainly looks the part, set in well-appointed surroundings, favouring a subtle colour scheme and never overly making a visual fuss. Performance-wise, though, it helps that he's working with two of France's greatest living actors — and that Deneuve couldn't be better cast. Seeing the 76-year-old play a celebrated star who chain smokes, spits out strong opinions, and cares little for her predecessors, peers or successors is a clear case of art imitating life. It's also glorious to watch. Yes, Kore-eda has found yet another way to trifle with the truth, but his film's biggest accomplishment just might be its heft as a character study of Deneuve's irrepressible Fabienne. Binoche more than holds her own in the movie's second substantial role, continuing a stellar spate of very recent performances (in Let the Sunshine In, Non-Fiction, High Life and Who You Think I Am). While Hawke makes a smaller impression, there's no dead weight here. Seeing him weather Fabienne's barbs about Hank's career — because she doesn't consider acting in a streaming series to really be acting — is a classic Kore-eda move, with the director an expert at spying the ripples caused by throwaway comments. That's part of his observational, attuned approach. Cataloguing how family members interact and react in both ordinary and heightened circumstances, he captures the texture and reality of life, including in this characteristically warm, witty, emotionally perceptive addition to his resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQVotRZUxg4
It's the first day of summer in Brisbane, which usually means blue skies. But it just got rather dark and grey outside. And in this city of ours during the warmer months, that only means one thing: a storm is coming. So if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of your Sunday afternoon. Brisbane isn't just in for any old wet weather, either. The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that "damaging winds and large hailstones" is expected with storms sweeping through the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and southeast coast regions. That includes Brisbane, Kingaroy, Ipswich, Caboolture, the Gold Coast and Coolangatta — and while a specific time hasn't been predicted, the wild weather is expected to arrive "over the next several hours". https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1200983834923159552 BOM has been forecasting storms across southeast Queensland since this morning, after similar conditions further inland yesterday — in St George, a wind gust of 95 kilometres per hour was recorded. The Bureau also predicts that, when the weather system moves eastward overnight tonight, it'll leave behind "strong, dry, gusty westerly winds", which'll increase the fire danger tomorrow. https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1200946642209443842 As the storms approach today, the usual common sense tactics obviously apply: secure loose outdoor items and stay inside. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services's number is 132 500 if you need SES assistance. Weather-wise, the storms are set to subside after tonight, with tomorrow set to be a windy but dry 34-degree day. Get ready for more toasty weather as the week progresses — and all summer, really — with temperatures remaining in the mid-30s, and even forecast to hit 37 degrees on Thursday. Stay dry out there. And remember to check Live Traffic, Translink and BOM for warnings and updates.
UPDATE: October 10, 2020: Bloodshot is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Vin Diesel as Frankenstein's monster? Vin Diesel reliving the same events over and over again, Edge of Tomorrow-style, to right a past wrong? Vin Diesel filled with tiny robots — including in a Terminator-esque scene where half his face is exposed, revealing the nanotechnology gleaming beneath his flesh? Throw in shades of Universal Soldier and RoboCop as well (and some speedy car chases, because Diesel sure does love getting fast and furious behind the wheel), and that's Bloodshot. Yes, as well as tasking Diesel with playing a US soldier brought back from the dead, Bloodshot attempts to revive a variety of parts itself — all cobbled and spliced together from multiple other science-fiction stories and action flicks. That makes it a Frankenstein's monster of a movie as a whole, and the seams show at every point during this patchwork affair. Indeed, the fact that Bloodshot is actually based on a comic book character dating back to 1992 doesn't seem anywhere near as important to first-time feature director David SF Wilson as nodding at a heap of other pop culture titles. The same proves true for screenwriters Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer, with the former stuck in the derivative mode he demonstrated in this year's Fantasy Island (which he both wrote and directed), and the latter leaning more on his experience on remakes of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Thing than on his screenplays for Arrival or Bird Box. Bloodshot's premise: after not only being executed by a terrorist (Toby Kebbell) in the line of duty, but watching his wife Gina (Talulah Riley) murdered in front of him first, Ray Garrison (Diesel) awakens in Rising Spirit Tech's lab. The company has resurrected him using cutting-edge tech know-how, as head honcho Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce) explains, and the soldier is now its shiny super-enhanced prototype. At first, Ray can't remember anything from his past; however memories of Gina's untimely end weave their way back into his brain. And, although he's supposed to be working as part of RST's similarly tech-augmented team, he only has supremely violent vengeance at any cost in his sights. An unnecessarily prolonged scene featuring a psycho killer dancing to Talking Heads' 'Psycho Killer' aside, Bloodshot is initially economical with its storytelling, cutting to the crux quickly. But in what's designed to be an origin tale that kickstarts a new franchise — the Valiant Comics shared cinematic universe — the twists arrive swiftly as well. Actually, they hit even sooner if you're paying even the slightest amount of attention and you know your pop culture history. Bloodshot might be drawn from the page but, on the big screen, it's so generic and reminiscent of such a large number other works that it's devoid of any surprises, even if you've never read the source material. That been-there, done-that feeling also applies to Diesel, who, at this point in his career, could glare menacingly, growl threats in his gravelly tone and do whatever he needs to for his various on-screen families in his sleep. As previously seen in the Fast and Furious franchise, the xXx franchise and even in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (albeit without the stare given that Groot is 100-percent CGI), Bloodshot calls upon all those trademarks. And, like everything else in the film, Diesel just seems like he's borrowing from his past material. He's at his best when he's letting the smallest trace amount of humour sink in, as is the movie too, but that's not all that often. In fact, Bloodshot doesn't appear to know how far to ramp up its laughs or liveliness, primarily settling for serious, slick and oh-so standard rather than injecting any personality into proceedings. Elsewhere, Pearce wades through the feature's many tropes with more commitment than the film perhaps asks for, in what's still a boilerplate scientist role. Baby Driver's Eiza González effectively adds a dose of sensitivity, while New Girl's Lamorne Morris is the only actor who appears to be enjoying his work — although they too play parts that seem to have been written on autopilot. That's perhaps Bloodshot's biggest struggle. It's so wedded to slotting into a specific stitched-together mould that it squanders the very few highlights it manages to rustle up. In action scenes, standout moments are dwarfed by cartoonishness. Whenever the feature gains even a skerrick of big dumb action movie-style momentum, it attempts to get deep by pondering fate and free will. And, as is so often the case in flicks trying to spawn new franchises, it's more interested in setting up future instalments than the details at hand. Diesel might be looking for another big series to add to his resume, but absolutely nothing about this thin star vehicle screams for a follow-up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7ACXBRP-g
UPDATE, March 19, 2021: Searching is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. It's called 'screenlife': a growing group of horror and thriller flicks that trap their contents within a computer screen. Characters send emails, chat via video and text, scroll through social media feeds and Google whatever the narrative calls for, as viewers watch every move of the mouse cursor. The name is fitting for other reasons, too. Who doesn't live the bulk of their lives in front of a screen these days, after all? Indeed, in so simply yet savvily reflecting society's modern-day reality, this new filmmaking approach is more than just a gimmick — especially when it's put to such excellent use as seen in Searching. At first, the Kim family computer acts as a time capsule, exposing nearly two decades of memories as David (John Cho) and his wife Pamela (Sara Sohn) raise their daughter Margot. Through calendar reminders, emails and clips, the audience witnesses intimate and everyday moments, sees tragedy strike, and watches as David and a now 16-year-old Margot (Michelle La) struggle to cope in the aftermath. But more drama is set to follow. When Margot doesn't come home from a study session one evening and doesn't show up at school the next day either, David is frantic. Her laptop now becomes a sleuthing tool, as he uses every online means at his disposal to track down Margot's whereabouts, both with and without the help of police detective Vick (Debra Messing). A missing person thriller, Searching's premise has been done many times before, furnishing episodes of every procedural crime TV series that you can think of. While first-time writer-director Aneesh Chaganty and his co-scribe Sev Ohanian bring their own twists and turns, the essence of their narrative remains familiar. That's where the film's use of technology comes in. As both easily foreseeable and completely unexpected developments unravel on Searching's screen within a screen, each clue, keystroke and cascaded window feels urgent and immediate. Each choice and reaction that David makes, too. The movie has more than a few smart things to say about humanity's constantly online status, but it's smartest touch is using its immersive style to heighten the tension and suspense — and, in moments of extreme pressure, to show its protagonist reacting as everyone else would. Searching's casting proves as clever as its central conceit, as Cho emphatically demonstrates. Fourteen years after Harold and Kumar went searching for stoner snacks, it's long been a given that the actor should be a huge star. Searching isn't the only recent entry on his resume to back up that point (see his stellar work in Gemini and Columbus), but it is the biggest. The film is trained on his anxious face for the bulk of its 102 minutes, framing it close and tight via FaceTime videos, and he makes the most of every moment. It's not just worry and fear flickering in his darting eyes as David scrambles to find his daughter, but the dawning realisation that the computer knows more about Margot than anyone, even a father, could hope to. Known for Nightwatch, Daywatch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Russian-Kazakh filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov is the other crucial aspect to Searching. Here, he's in the producer's chair, adding another screenlife flick to his growing haul. He was behind the surprisingly effective Unfriended, and directed this year's other great computer screen-based effort, Profile, which follows a journalist trying to befriend a Syrian ISIS recruiter. Bekmambetov's studio also created the software that gives these movies their visual language, and has publicly said that he'd like to make 50 of them a year. Basically, the filmmaker is turning what might've been a flash-in-the-pan idea into its own genre, letting each subsequent entry illustrate the style's worth, effectiveness and astute capabilities. With Searching, he makes a resounding case. Even when it serves up a few over-the-top leaps, keeping your eyes glued to a computer has rarely been more riveting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eccvs0b_oU
Maybe you just like hanging out in Byron Bay. Perhaps you can't get enough of every music festival there is. Or, you could love seeing music legends take to the stage. The experience that is Bluesfest ticks all of the above boxes — and more — and will notch up its 35th anniversary with a couple of stone-cold icons behind the microphone: Tom Jones and Elvis Costello. Jones is no stranger to the event, last playing in 2016. What's new pussycat? Not the Welsh 'It's Not Unusual', 'Delilah' and 'Sex Bomb' singer spending Easter performing to a crowd of thousands in Australia. Costello and his band The Imposters were on the fest's 2023 bill, but had to drop out. So, they'll make the trip in 2024 instead. If you're now making long weekend plans, Bluesfest will take over Byron Events Farm in Tyagarah from Thursday, March 28–Monday, April 1. So far, the festival has named 23 acts and events on its lineup, ranging from Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos through to RocKwiz Live. Among the big names, Jack Johnson will play an Australian-exclusive set, in what's set to be his only Aussie show in 2024. Johnson has a history with the fest as well, first taking to its stages in 2001 when his career was just starting — long before he was a household name. Also heading to northern New South Wales as part of the five-day lineup: The Teskey Brothers, Matt Corby, L.A.B, Tommy Emmanuel, The Dead South and The Paper Kites, with the list going on. [caption id="attachment_913223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kizzy O'Neal[/caption] BLUESFEST 2024 LINEUP: Jack Johnson Tom Jones The Teskey Brothers Matt Corby L.A.B Elvis Costello & The Imposters Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos Tommy Emmanuel The Dead South The Paper Kites Drive-by Truckers Newton Faulkner Steve Poltz 19-Twenty Taj Farrant Erja Lyytinen Harry Manx Here Come The Mummies Clayton Doley's Bayou Billabong Little Quirks Hussy Hicks Blues Arcadia RocKwiz Live Tedeschi Trucks Band The Cruel Sea Taj Mahal Tim Finn Ian Moss Rickie Lee Jones Dan Sultan The Whitlams Black Stump Band Coterie Playing for Change Band Lisa Hunt's Forever Soul Jackie Venson WILSN Caravana Sun Women of Soul Collective
Arguable the tastiest month of the year, American Express delicious. Month Out celebrates all that makes Australia's beloved dining industry shine. On offer is the perfect vantage point from which to savour your favourites, make moves on your to-eat list and explore a little further from your culinary-home than usual. Across Brisbane (and Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide), there are one-off menus, exclusive events and snazzy discounts to make all of your dining experiences that much nicer. A highlight of the lineup is Pasta & Negroni Night at Gabba hot spot Sasso, happening Wednesday, May 25. A negroni on arrival — plus one for each of the three courses to follow — will set the good-vibes-only tone of the evening, before the trattoria's signature bread and pastas are shared over a two-hour sitting. Dessert and a bespoke bag of goodies to take home will sweeten an already sweet evening (which will be backdropped by live entertainment and the excitement of such fun on a school night). The 6.30pm slot has already sold out, so hurry if you want to secure your spot at the 8pm seating. [caption id="attachment_701804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greca by Nikki To[/caption] Jonathan Barthelmess's Greca is a light and airy Greek taverna at Howard Smith Wharves — with a view, menu and aesthetic that screams summer holiday. For the month of May, the waterfront restaurant is ensuring your work lunch is the envy of everybody. From Monday to Friday, you can fuel-up with a souvlaki plate — piled high with charcoaled lamb, pickled veggies and fries — and your choice of house spritz, Felons APA or glass of prosecco for just $25. Head to the website for details. [caption id="attachment_750423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stanley Restaurant[/caption] At other Wharves-favourite Stanley, the farewelling of the sun can be enjoyed with the Wine and Dine at Dusk package, available from Monday to Thursday for bookings at 5pm and 5.30pm. The four-course set menu features signature dishes from the loudly applauded Cantonese and Chinese restaurant (helmed by hospo-heavyweight Louis Tikaram). Honey-glazed char siu or peking duck pancakes, perhaps? Or, you might be in for salt and pepper Moreton Bay bugs. With the sommelier hand-choosing a wine from the in-house cellar to pour with each course, the $100 per person menu is definitely bang for your buck. On top of the aforementioned deliciousness, you can enjoy 20 percent off your bill (up to $25) when you use your American Express Card at participating venues, which include Cloudland, Otto, Gerard's Bar, Lune, Mei Wei Dumplings and more. Head to the website to explore the delicious offerings, best served with Amex. Top image: Nikki To (Greca)
That's right, REMI and Sampa the Great are getting back together and touring the nation. Titled Fire Sign, their adventure will bring tunes, hip hop and poetry to big cities all over the country, where every show will see a set from each artist, followed by a joint finale. If you've been keeping an eye on the collaborations between REMI's Remi Kolawole and Sensible J, and Sampa The Great, you'll know that last year they joined forces to create 'For Good', a single that appeared on Divas and Demons, REMI's second album. Featuring a bunch of other special guests, the album took REMI to sold out gigs and several festivals, including Splendour, Field Day and Falls. Meanwhile, Sampa The Great has been going great guns since releasing The Great Mixtape, her debut album in 2015. You might've caught her at WOMAD, Laneway, Sugar Mountain or Golden Plains. From Sydney to Melbourne, Perth to Darwin, expect epic shows from the artists, plus surprises in the form of unannounced performers and a variety of support acts.
A Matter Of Time is a moving photo documentary about the lives of eight lesbians residing in Queensland, during the socio-politically conservative mid-to-late twentieth century. It tells of their experiences and how these have shaped their lives in present times. Some led double lives, some hid in remote pockets of far north Queensland, while others lived openly, and in spite of the consequences. This is a project by doctoral candidate Heather Faulkner, a photographer and immersive storyteller. She turned her skills as a photojournalist into an art of addressing histories and realities of marginalised queer communities. Her passion stems from personal experience, as she addresses her own place in the alternate after she came out in Vancouver in the late 80s. As the struggle for rights continues, the importance of historical understanding has never been so great, so too as the understanding of those living outside the norm. For further insight, head along to this free exhibition.
If you're a vegetarian, worshipper of eggplant or just a keen home cook, chances are Yotam Ottolenghi has had some impact on your life. In fact, we bet you've got at least one of his bestselling cookbooks in your cupboard. In 2023, you'll be able to learn a few more tips and tricks from the renowned Israeli chef as he heads to Down Under for a speaking tour. The trailblazing chef, author, TV personality and restaurateur whose name has become its own cooking style is touring the country off the back of his book Ottolenghi Flavour, which builds on his love for innovative vegetable-based recipes — and his new Ottolenghi Test Kitchen title Extra Good Things, too. And yes, this'll sound familiar, as he was planning to head Down Under in 2021 and at the beginning of 2022, but we all know what got in the way. Yotam Ottolenghi — Flavour of Life will hit Brisbane's QPAC for two shows at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, January 28. As well as dishing up a few spicy secrets behind his mouthwatering hits (his miso butter onions and spicy mushroom lasagne are always favourites), the show will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the man himself about his influences and experiences. It also promises to delve into Ottolenghi's experience as the owner of famed London restaurants Nopi and Rovi, how he approached home cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can dial up the flavour in your own kitchen. And, chatting with author and broadcaster Alice Zaslavsky, expect Ottolenghi to discuss food pairings, next-level cooking methods and more. Plus, Ottolenghi and Zaslavsky will get cooking, using ingredients selected by each show's audience. Have a stash of burning questions for the chef? The speaking events will end with a Q&A.
Much like its seemingly ageless leading man Keanu Reeves, the tale of The 47 Ronin is both several centuries old and beloved in Japan. Combining some of the most startling exemplars of courage, loyalty and honour, it's a sort of Kelly Gang meets Custer story in which a group of disavowed and banished Samurai (known as Ronin) stoically vow to avenge their master despite its absolute promise of death. From a production standpoint, 47 Ronin unexpectedly delights, with the costumes in particular showcasing the very best union of imagination and authenticity. Alongside some extraordinary set design, the extravagant armour of the Samurai, ornate dresses of the concubines and opulence of the Shogun all inject dazzling colour into an otherwise entirely dark affair. Even the cinematography feels more dramatic and dour than might be assumed for an action movie, which largely represents both 47 Ronin's strength and failing. That's because this is an entirely joyless film, and while no one should expect a story about retribution and mass suicide to be a laugh riot, there's almost always a little wriggle room for fun in an epic tale of witchcraft and warriors such as this. Truly, there is perhaps only one moment of levity in the entire movie and it comes at the expense of a fat man's 'moobs'. As a result, there's a certain lifelessness to 47 Ronin which saps it of the potential to be a tremendously enjoyable movie. It is, instead, a bleak and brooding affair that plods from scene to scene instead of gallopping. Much is made up for in the final battle which, to be fair, is excellent and one of the better set pieces seen in recent times; however, it leaves you wishing the rest of the film had been delivered in a similarly spectacular manner. https://youtube.com/watch?v=47_-pqoPDVQ
The best of Korean cinema will once again be on full display when the Korean Film Festival in Australia returns for its sixth straight year. Kicking off in Brisbane on Tuesday, August 25, the program is headlined by a number of gripping crime thrillers — the genre having become synonymous with Korean cinema thanks to films like Oldboy and I Saw the Devil. This year, the mantle passes to the likes of A Hard Day, The Target and The Divine Movie. Other highlights among the KOFFIA 2015 program include the powerful coming-of-age film Han Gong-ju and the brilliantly titled opening night feature How To Steal A Dog. We're also pretty intrigued by closing night's Madonna (and no, we're not talking about the pop star), about a nurse, a comatose patient in need of a new heart and an act of redemption. For the full KOFFIA program, visit their website.
The pink bag-toting cyclists travelling through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's streets will be no more as of August 20, with Foodora announcing today that it will cease operations in Australia. As reported by the ABC, the company released a statement saying it would be pulling out of Australia to focus on its work in other cities, saying it was "shift[ing its] focus towards other markets where the company currently sees a higher potential for growth." Foodora, which is based out of Berlin, also operates in Canada, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Foodora's operations in Australia began when it acquired local delivery company Suppertime back in 2015. In recent months, the company has been plagued by allegations of underpaying works and "sham contracting", with Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman commencing legal action against the company in mid-June. For those worried about their late-night bathrobe meals, Uber Eats and Deliveroo drivers will continue to thanklessly deliver you food — rain, hail or shine.
Even though Australia is not traditionally a country to celebrate Halloween, there's nothing wrong with dressing up in large groups as ghouls and ex-wives while eating candy. If this kind of action is for you then you should head to the Halloween Street Parade this Saturday. This parade has been scaring young children since 1998 and each year it just gets bigger and more terrifying. With plenty of treats to choose from thanks to the market stalls and food vans, it is quite a culinary delight. There are amusement rides, pumpkin carving classes and bands playing that will keep you entertained until the creatures of the night march down Cambridge Parade when the sun sets. There are ghosts on motorbikes and even a hearse. If you are inclined to dress up then you can be a part of the parade, finishing off the night with everybody's favourite, fireworks.
Presence/Absence is a group exhibition, where the artist is the creator and the subject. The theme looks at the parallels of being there and not; how one state relies on another, yet is at complete odds with it. Both physical and implied presence goes under the microscope, as does the impact that a creator has on a work, even if they leave no trace of themselves. This theme has been individually interpreted by five local artists - Athena Thebus (the now-LA dwelling sculptor with a keen interest in pop culture), Chris Bennie (a videographer/photographer who examines objects and places), Clark Beaumont (a collaborative duo who use character and persona to perform their messages), Louise Bennett (who uses day-to-day practices, and mixed media) and Pirrin Francis (a storyteller, who reconstructs and reinvents narratives). You can catch the works until March 1, with the opening night celebrations taking place on the evening of the first day, February 21. Head along to the event website to confirm the opening hours of the space.
Anyone who has seen Tim Minchin live but missed his show with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra last year is in for a big surprise when they head to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this Saturday. The very talented one-man piano comedy act takes musical comedy to a whole other level when symphony is added to the mix. Fresh from the controversy of being cut from the UK’s Jonathan Ross' Christmas broadcast for being “offensive”, Minchin’s humour could be described as… divisive. Provocative? Let’s just say he’s something of an atheist. What gets missed in this kind of criticism, however, is the essential nature of the kind of ‘questioning’ that lies at the core of (almost) all of his songs. Surely the challenging of social norms, and the airing of thoughts that every one of us secretly has, is the principle that lies behind the noble art of comedy. Minchin’s ascorbic wit is punctuated by moments of earnestness and generosity. I’m a huge fan of this particular ginger (I can call him that, you see). Not only is he a truly impressive musician, his is the kind of humour that tackles big and small issues alike with just the right amount of ironic panache.
Something wicked this way comes, as Opera Queensland is beginning it's 2012 Season this weekend with it's debut performance of Giuseppe Verdi's classic opera Macbeth. After sell out performances from last year's classical productions, Opera Queensland Chorus and Queensland Symphony Orchestra have join together to begin the year on an awe inspiring and sinister note. Verdi's opera, based on William Shakespeare's literary masterpiece of the same name, is the re-creation of one of the most well known and beloved tragedy tales of the Western world. Macbeth, army general and hero of 11th Century Scotland, begins his ambitious journey of moving up the ranks to become ruler and King of Scotland. Aided by his wilful and haunted wife Lady Macbeth, the death toll begins to heighten, and Macbeth's tyranny starts to take a dangerous turn. Macbeth's bloodlust soon transports him into a world of regret, suspicion and madness from which he cannot return. The story itself seems to have been crafted with the intent of transitioning into the realm of operatic theatre. It's bloody battles, ambitious heroines, and eerie returns from the dead will make for an entertaining and moving piece of theatre. Maestro Nicholas Braithwaite will be directing Michael Lewis and Elizabeth Whitehouse in the leading roles, and Kaludi Kaludow will be returning to the Brisbane stage to play the righteous Macduff Do not miss what is sure to be a riveting evening of murder, madness and mayhem!
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia in 2017. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for another round in 2018. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2018's event is scheduled for May 19 at Ocean View Estates near Brisbane.
A night of opulent fun beneath bright lights and icy chandeliers awaits at Fortitude Valley's decadent Cloudland. In the newly renovated Rose Room, audiences will be treated to a night of indulgence. Brisbane's Lulu LeMans, the self-proclaimed People's Princess, will use her trademark wit and effervescence to captivate and then seamlessly guide attention from risqué burlesque to centre-stage performances. Expect good-times-guaranteed tunes delivered straight to your ears, courtesy of Cloudland's big band in residence. Over three dazzling nights (April 8, May 13 and June 17) the infinite possibilities of the Gatsby era will be brought to life — think sequins, glamour, outrageous fun and lavish excess. For $119 per person, guests will enjoy a three-hour show alongside a three-course meal and bottomless beer, wine and bubbly. It's time to strap in, old sport, for a show-stopping night you'll be sure to remember. Cloudland's Big Band Cabaret is an 18-plus event and proof of double vaccination is required to attend. To purchase your tickets, visit the website.
It's safe to say Aussies love Nutella. There are days, high teas and food trucks dedicated to the chocolate-hazelnut spread — and no shortage of frankencreations inspired by it. While a gelateria in Melbourne is serving up Nutella ravioli, a Brisbane chain has decided to launch Nutella spring rolls. Available at P'Nut Street Noodles stores across the city, the spring rolls are filled with lots of the sweet spread and covered in a golden, crisp exterior. And they're going for just $3.95 a pop. As they are just pastry and Nutella, you could argue that they are fried Nutella-filled pancakes or Nutella cigars, but spring rolls certainly fits with the Thai flavours of P'Nut. The noodle chain has three stores across the city — including in South Bank, Bulimba and Windsor — and is serving the dessert spring rolls as part of its new Nuts About Taste menu, which also features popcorn chicken and roti bread with peanut sauce. To find your closest store, head over to the website.
I googled ‘Wolf & Cub’ to find a picture to go with this article and I found this. Hi, is that not the cutest thing ever? I don’t even… sorry, why am I looking at this again? Oh right, Wolf & Cub! These Adelaideans might not be as cute as those two pups but I reckon they sound a hell of a lot better. Two years since releasing Science & Sorcery, Wolf & Cub have been relentlessly touring the country and in 2010 they were picked up by US label Last Gang Records, becoming labelmates with the likes of Death From Above 1979, Crystal Castles and Metric. After the rollercoaster ride that has been the last two years, Wolf & Cub went into hiding at the end of 2010 to start work on their next album. Creating a makeshift home studio in Sydney, demos were made and a new Wolf & Cub sound formed. From there, they scooped up their new tracks and scurried into the studio with producer Burke Reid to lay down the groundwork on a shiny new album. The album’s not quite finished yet, but if you wanna get a taste of it before it’s released, head to Alhambra Lounge on Friday, where they’ll be wailing down the walls with tracks old and new, supported by our own Teleprompter. While googling pictures of wolf cubs is a totally acceptable way to spend your Friday night, I can guarantee seeing Wolf & Cub will be a hell of a lot more fun.
What begins and ends with two massive gigs, will light up the sky three times a night, and includes everything from unsettling shipping container installations to a kaleidoscopic house of mirrors and a mind- (and body-) bending circus? That'd be this year's Brisbane Festival, which will feature nearly 600 performances across a huge 22 days when it returns between September 8–29. Marking his fourth stint as Brisbane Festival's artistic director, David Berthold has curated a stacked program of almost 70 shows for the 2018 lineup — featuring more than 1000 artists, taking over 17 venues, and serving up 100 performances for free. As always, the fest's lineup spans the full array of arts, culture, performance and music events, so if you're keen to catch an inventive new play every night at the returning Theatre Republic — or schedule your life around gigs at Brisbane Arcadia — then you're about to become mighty busy. Certain highlights include Séance, which has spooked out audiences in Sydney and Melbourne, and now comes to Brisbane to unleash its immersive sonic scares in 20-minute bursts; Horror, the already-announced production that's like bringing a frightening film to the theatre; and the return of House of Mirrors, aka the reflective labyrinth you'll want to get lost in once again. Or audiences can witness Homer's Illiad turned into a memorial for fallen soldiers in Memorial; catch the world premiere of LIFE the show, the latest cabaret-fuelled circus effort from Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO's Strut & Fret; and watch eight same-sex couples tying the knot in a joyful garden street party celebration. Want more? There's Peter Grimes, the acclaimed opera by Benjamin Britten, as well as Hamnet, which stars an 11-year-old who takes on Shakespeare by playing the bard's abandoned son. Over in Home, a house will be built on the QPAC Playhouse stage each night, with the process turning into a party. And thanks to A Force at Flowstate, a public artwork will evolve moment by moment and day by day, adding materials that have flowed through the space — and holding free workshops so that everyone can take part. Music-wise, Brisbane Festival's two bookending gigs at the Riverstage will get things started with Ball Park Music and San Cisco on September 8, and then cap it all off with Violent Soho, Meg Mac, Methyl Ethel and WAAX on September 29. In-between, Brisbanites can catch sets by Tkay Maidza, Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project, Sarah Blasko, Destroyer, Polish Club, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jen Cloher and Eskimo Joe — the latter with Brisbane's chamber Camerata. The list keeps going, with classical pieces combining with Circa's acrobatics in En Masse, puppet show Umami Mermaids exploring the world of mutated sea sirens, and pianist Sonya Lifschitz working her fingers as historical footage of the likes of Joseph Stalin, Ai Weiwei, Bertolt Brecht, John F. Kennedy and Julia Gillard screens in Stalin's Piano. And while it all comes to an end with Riverfire's usual bright display of blazing fireworks — for the 21st year, in fact — a thrice-nightly light show called River of Light will also illuminate the city, featuring giant spirals of water, coloured lighting and rainbow-hued lasers along the river at South Bank.
One of the country's prime sporting events each year, the Australian Open has taken over Melbourne each summer for more than a century. It's the ideal time to road test your experimental sunhats, mix and match shorts and polos, and do some day drinking in a classy way. After much uncertainty due to COVID-19 travel and gathering restrictions, the tournament in returning for another year in 2021. Qualifying for the event is scheduled to kick off in Doha and Dubai on Sunday, January 10, with the regular rotation of tennis superstars expected to qualify and make the trip Down Under. The main event will run from Monday, February 8–Sunday, February 21; however, if you're itching for your yearly dose of tennis and you just can't wait, five lead-up events will be hosted in Melbourne Park including the ATP Cup from Sunday, January 31 right up until the start of the open. Ticket bundles start at $49, which will allow you to watch four early round matches in the same day — and go up to $370, for tickets to the finals. Browse the schedule, grab tickets and find out more at the Australian Open website. [caption id="attachment_796232" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rob Keating via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Top image: Tourism Victoria via Wikimedia Commons.
Do you like scary movies? If your answer is yes — and that question has you itching to revisit Scream — then Jakop Ahlbom's Horror is for you. The acclaimed Swedish director and film aficionado has turned his love of all things frightening into an internationally acclaimed physical theatre production, and it's making its first trip to Australia Serving up spine-tingling thrills while nodding to everything from The Shining to Rosemary's Baby to The Exorcist, Horror blends black humour with the genre that gives the show its name, complete with a host of cinematic special effects that aren't usually used in live theatre. That means not just blood-splatter aplenty and slasher flick-style orchestral screeching, but swinging an axe through a wealth of classic movies and tropes in a head-spinning fashion. Expect more than a few chills when it heads to QPAC from September 26 to 29 as part of this year's Brisbane Festival. Still game? The smart, sinister homage sets its creepy fun in a haunted house — where else? — where a young woman and her friends are forced to confront vengeful spirits still smarting from a traumatic family event. Trading dialogue for illusion, mime, movement and music, it'll make you feel like you're a mere few steps away from a real-life horror flick. And, thanks to Ahlbom's stage magic, you will be. Images: Sanne Peper.
Australia's undying affection for Bill Murray has been shown through film tributes the country over— at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema, Brisbane's Catchment Brewing Co. and, most recently, Melbourne's Howler — but now the man himself is set to visit the country. But the actor, comedian and all-round good guy won't be emulating Peter Venkman or Carl Spackler or even Steve Zissou — he'll be performing classical spoken and musical works alongside distinguished German–American cellist Jan Vogler. The show's called New Worlds, which comes from an album of the same name the pair released last year. In it, Murray takes a different turn to how you my have seen him on-screen — he performs vocals to classic American music, and excerpts from American greats like Mark Twain, Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway. This will be accompanied by classical scores (think Bach, Schubert and Ravel) by Vogel and his ensemble. The show will be held at the QPAC on Friday, November 16.
Rallies and marches take place every January 26, not only addressing concerns about the date of Australia's national celebration, but also protesting the ongoing discrimination that has been faced by Indigenous Australians since white settlement — a topic that covers a large number of issues. In 2021, events will take place all around the country; however, heading along in-person isn't the only way to take part. In Brisbane, a rally and march will be held from 10am AEST, starting at Queens Gardens on the corner of George and Elizabeth streets in the CBD. But if you're not able to attend, you can stream it from home. There are a number of reasons why you mightn't be able to make it physically, whether you're avoiding large gatherings during the pandemic — the march and rally is asking attendees to wear masks and abide by social distancing, though — or you're located out of town. So, watching along is as simple as heading to Get Up!'s Facebook page from 9.50am AEST/ 10.50am AEDT, with the whole event streaming live.
Here's one way to warm up your winter: heading to Northshore Hamilton for wild nights filled with everything from cabaret, burlesque, circus and music to magic and a Shinjuku-inspired bar. From Wednesday, July 27, that's on the bill thanks to a new entertainment precinct pop-up called Twilight Electric. Yes, heading by when the sun is setting is highly recommended. This luminous limited-time venue will boast two big drawcards: Blanc de Blanc Encore, which has proven a Brisbane Festival favourite in the past; and a Brisbane season for Maho Magic Bar. And if you're wondering why, it's all happening in the lead up to this year's Bris Fest — which'll unfurl its jam-packed 2022 lineup, moon-focused events and all, in September. With the return of Blanc de Blanc Encore comes the return of the Spiegeltent, which'll be filled with the kind of party that'd make Jay Gatsby envious. Think: glamour, hedonism, opulence, an OTT vibe and extravagance aplenty, all thanks to Strut & Fret, who've also brought Feasting on Flesh, A Company of Strangers, Cantina, Dream Menagerie, LIMBO, Blanc de Blanc and Limbo Unhinged our way in the past. Blanc de Blanc Encore combines tunes, big dance numbers, acrobatics and other circus tricks, risqué humour and a vintage French aesthetic — so, there's a little something for everyone. The vibe is pure cheekiness, so if you're a little sensitive, this mightn't be for you. As for Maho Magic Bar, it's a bar, a performance space and a show all in one — all thanks to Broad Encounters, aka the folks behind that eerie Edgar Allen Poe-inspired warehouse experience A Midnight Visit that creeped out Brisbane in 2021. Here, neon lighting sets the mood, cherry blossoms hover above, and sake cocktails and shōchū lead the drinks menu. Also, magic shows happen at your table. An immersive event from the moment that you approach its glowing exterior, it's designed to replicate a night out in Shinjuku in Tokyo, and conjure up an 'anything can happen' feeling. The ace thing about the setup: whether you adore magic or don't think it's your thing, you'll still be entertained given the atmosphere (and the drinks and those lights) are a massive part of the allure. Still, magic is nonetheless a big part of it. Busting out illusions: Osaka's Shohgo Yamashita, the gender stereotype-busting Kaori Kitazawa and close-up magician Sarito.
Every specialty coffee cafe says they're different. Every craft beer bar as well. But Birkdale's newest venue doesn't claim to be one or the other — Craft Brew House is both a coffee shop and a bar in one. The hybrid venue is one you might expect closer to find closer to the CBD, rather than in the city's southeast. But the shoreside suburb seems to us the perfect location for a one-stop-shop where you can get your caffeine fix when the sun comes up, and relax with a cheeky beverage or two once evening hits. Craft Brew House also serves up food to suit whatever hour you find yourself stopping by, starting with house-made muesli, muffins and slices first up, as well as the healthy combo that is fresh fruit, ricotta and infused honey on sourdough. Later in the day, you'll find salads, pizzas, frittatas and platters — and, if that doesn't take your fancy, BYOing your own takeaway meal from somewhere nearby is totally acceptable here. If you're a local, expect to make it your local. And if you don't live bayside, well, you might want to make the trip out to stop by. Craft Brew House is now open at 190 Birkdale Road, Birkdale. Check out their Facebook page for further details.
It's Australia's annual slice of Italian cinema, and it's back for 2018 in its usual jam-packed fashion. That'd be the Italian Film Festival, which not only returns for its 19th year, but does so with a hefty touring lineup of 37 features and two short films, including 33 Australian premieres. It heads to Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from September 19 to October 14. Bookending the festival are two movies that couldn't be more timely, one delving into a media tycoon who becomes a world leader (no, not that one), and the other a stone cold horror classic that has just been remade by one of today's best Italian filmmakers. Exploring the scandals surrounding former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Loro kicks off this year's fest with an epic, nearly two-and-a-half hour drama from The Great Beauty and The Young Pope's Paolo Sorrentino. Then, at the other end of the event comes Dario Argento's original 1977 giallo masterpiece Suspiria — just weeks before the new Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson-starring version from Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino hits cinemas. Elsewhere, IFF also boasts three of the biggest Italian flicks doing the rounds of this year's international festival circuit, courtesy of Dogman, Happy as Lazzaro and Daughter of Mine. A diverse trio from a diverse range of Italian talents, the first sees Gomorrah's Matteo Garrone spin a story about a criminal who loves dogs (winning this year's Palm Dog Award at Cannes for its canine cast), the second unravels a time-bending fable from The Wonders' Alice Rohrwacher, and the third offers a devastating look at two mothers and the daughter they share courtesy of Sworn Virgin's Laura Bispuri. Other highlights range across the entire spectrum of Italian offerings — think comedies based on off-Broadway plays, such as My Big Gay Italian Wedding; underworld dramas like Boys Cry; and an amusing mystery about an inspector investigating the death of a local prosecco wine maker, as aptly called The Last Prosecco. Or, there's also detective thriller The Girl in the Fog, based on the best-selling novel and starring Italian veteran (and Loro actor) Toni Servillo; plus Italian box-office hit Couples Therapy for Cheaters, which focuses on exactly the narrative you think it does. And, looking back at cinema history as film festivals crucially do, this year's IFF retrospective will showcase the work of Italian-Turkish filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek. If his name sounds familiar, that's because he had a hand in movies such as Naples in Veils, Facing Windows and Ignorant Fairies — and if his name doesn't ring any bells, here's your chance to discover his celebrated filmography.
Word nerds, it's your time of year. Brisbane Writers Festival is just around the corner; however that's not the only city-wide celebration of literature and language of late, with Queensland Poetry Festival also returning for another stint. As always, this tribute to waxing lyrical has compiled a diverse program that showcases the artform in a number of ways. Focused around the theme of healing, attendees can expect sessions on everything from poetry and wellbeing, using the medium to imagine a better world, processing feelings into prose in today's post-#MeToo climate and grappling with loss — plus slam competitions, poetry readings, a bookstore slinging must-read texts and the the returning QPF Poetry Zine Fair as well. The 2018 Queensland Poetry Festival takes place from August 23 to 26 at a number of Brisbane venues, including the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Bloodhound Bar, Brisbane Square Library, the Institute of Modern Art and the University of Queensland Art Museum.
