If you pick your bites to eat based on food-focused occasions, here's your latest menu-swaying date: World Vegan Day on Tuesday, November 1. And if you also choose what to feast on based on impossible-to-pass-up deals, here's one of those, too, with Japanese cuisine chain Motto Motto doing $1 plant-based miso ramen for one day. The two above pieces of information are indeed linked, so you'll find brothy bowls on offer for a gold coin for World Vegan Day. Each Motto Motto store will be serving up the deal; however, there is a caveat: the $1 ramen is only on offer to the first 200 customers at each location from 11am. That's your lunch sorted, while stocks last — so having an early bite to eat will be a smart plan. Brisbanites, you'll be heading to Motto Motto's four local stores in Westfield Carindale, Westfield Chermside, Westfield Mount Gravatt and Indooroopilly Shopping Centre to get your cheap ramen fix. Or, down the Gold Coast, to Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre.
This weekend, say danke schön to Eat Street Northshore's Oktoberfest celebrations — two action-packed weekends of indulging in classic Bavarian eats like pork knuckle and German-style potatoes, as well as live music, games and of course, beer. From Friday, September 26 to Sunday, October 5, Eat Street comes alive with four stages of live music and entertainment. Performances include Aussie country music duo Route 33, DJ Jonny Drama on the decks and rockabilly outfit Whistle Dixie Band on the main deck. For a more traditionally German experience, the Alpine bell-playing group, Alpenrosen Bell Players, will provide a ringer of a performance (get it?) while The Oompaholics provide the perfect introduction to a traditional German oompah band, but with a pop/rock twist. There's also an abundance of German biers and brews that you can sip away at by the stein, as well as eats like sausage pizza and pork sausage lollipops. However, the arguably biggest drawcard of these action-packed weekends is the best-dressed dachshund competition, where adorable sausage dogs compete for who has the cutest outfit. For just $6, the entry fee is a no-brainer for those who want to experience that electric Oktoberfest atmosphere. Plus, kids under 13 can enter for free. For more information about Eat Street Northshore's Oktoberfest, visit the website.
The days are dwindling down, and you've come to a stressful realisation: you've left your Christmas shopping until the last minute again. Let's face it, you're not alone. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. Returning for another year, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix. More 180 of them, in fact. They'll also be joined by an array of festive (because you'll need to eat while you browse), including Gelato Messina, Kokopod Chocolates and Gnocci Gnocci Brothers, as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer. Image via Carseldine Markets.
Whether you hated or loved her as an eight-year old, or you’re completely impartial towards her (like you should be in 2012), there’s no denying Britney Spears’ story is one of the great disappointments and tragedies of our generation. She came from innocent beginnings in Kentucky, to being a full-blown mental patient with two children to a guy who now stars on a weight loss show on Australian television. It really can’t get much worse than that, or can it? Here to satirise a quite bleak tale are Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank, who have carefully crafted a cabaret performance around the life and times of the electro-pop nightmare that Britney has become. It is a piss-take at times, but has surprisingly real and honest undertones that actually evoke care within for someone that really was so naive, or ‘Overprotected’. She gave us grammatically incorrect hits like ‘I’m A Slave 4 U’ and ‘If U Seek Amy’ (say it out loud...), as well as heart wrenching ballads with deep undertones such as ‘Gimme More’ and ‘Womanizer’, but once these songs are stripped back to just piano and lyrics, that’s when their true meaning become apparent – that is, that Britney is a genius. If you want to reminisce and laugh at your favourite teen idol, I insist that you see Britney Spears: The Cabaret. You might even shed a tear along the way.
Since setting up its local base back in 2019, BrewDog has been serving Brisbanites plenty of cold ones, with the Scottish beer behemoth making this sunny city of ours its Australian home. Over that time, you've probably sat by the river and knocked back the company's brews — but at its annual Collabfest festival, you'll be encouraged to try yeasty bevvies from other breweries. Running from Thursday, October 21–Sunday, October 24, this weekend-long event will celebrate brews from five other beer-making outfits from across southeast Queensland: Currumbin Valley, Helios, Land & Sea, Slipstream and Terella. They'll be brewing brand new (and unique) beers for the occasion, too, so expect to taste something that you haven't sipped before. There are two parts to the shindig. First, it all kicks off with a Thursday night launch, which is obviously when the party begins. Then, until Sunday, you'll be able to drop by and drink the Collabfest brews whenever you like. Although BrewDog is making a big deal of teaming up with other brewers, this fest is simply an expansion of its current approach. Already, its DogTap taproom serves up other tipples from the Sunshine State — but when it comes to beer, any excuse for a party will do. Images: Pandora Photography
Forget finding a golden ticket — while scoring a free pass to a chocolate factory was everyone's dream as a kid (and, let's face it, is still a dream now), there are other ways to indulge your Willy Wonka fantasies. Cakes as far as the eye can see, classes on how to make them, a dedicated cookie zone and a huge sweet market aren't just things that floated through your head while you were asleep. They're real, and they're part of the International Cake, Cookie and Sweet Show at Brisbane Showgrounds. From Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19, the Ekka precinct becomes the sweetest place in the city, so prepare your tastebuds and stomach accordingly. The three-day show will feature a mixing bowl worth of live cake-making and decorating sessions, how-to demonstrations, hands-on classes and a two-day cake sculpture challenge — as well as hosting the Australasian Cake Oscars, the tastiest awards you're ever likely to come across. Other highlights include more than 90 stalls and shops, which'll help you bake up a storm at home, as well plenty of tasty fare to devour. Basically, when you're not learning how to make sweet treats, you'll be eating them.
If you’ve ever bought music on a physical format in Brisbane, you’ve likely been to Rocking Horse Records. For forty years, the CBD establishment has showered the latest and greatest independent and imported releases upon the city, be it on vinyl, cassette, CD or vinyl again. To pay tribute to a store that been a mainstay of both Adelaide and Albert streets (the former for its first 25 years, and the latter for the last 15), as well as offered employment to seemingly every local artist and aspiring musician, The Triffid is throwing just the kind of concert and party the retailer deserves. Yes, there’ll be live gigs by local legends. Yes, there’ll also be a whole lotta love. The free part of the proceedings kicks off at 2pm, with Kristy Apps and The Shotgun Shirleys and The Floyd Family Breakdown serving up acoustic beer garden sets. After 5.30pm, you’ll need a ticket to see Last Dinosaurs, The Cairos, ’90s queer folksters ISIS and more, but if any celebratory show is worth flocking to this year, it’s this one.
March isn't the only time to celebrate Ireland in Australia. If you're a movie lover who adores the country's talents, landscapes and cinema output, the Irish Film Festival is just as exciting. In 2023 in Brisbane, the fest returns for three days across Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15 with its reliably impressive program — this time taking over Dendy Coorparoo. Every film festival is made better when Olivia Colman is involved — and at IFF, the Empire of Light and Heartstopper star is popping up in Joyride, which is penned by Bad Sisters' scribe Ailbhe Keogan. The movie tells of a 12-year-old who flees a difficult home situation in a stolen taxi, only to find a woman passed out in the backseat with a baby. Another massive highlight from the 16-title national program: the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning short An Irish Goodbye, which follows a a young man with Down's Syndrome and his brother when they discover their recently deceased mother's bucket list. Also among the fest's must-sees is opening film Lakelands, which dives into rural sport, masculinity and isolation. Or, there's It Is in Us All, which earned Special Jury Recognition for Extraordinary Cinematic Vision at SXSW; Róise & Frank, about a widow who believes that her late husband's spirit has returned via a stray dog; and North Circular, a music documentary that celebrates Dublin's North Circular Road. Documentary Lyra pays tribute journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot during rioting in Derry, with the film arriving four years since her death and 25 years since of Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace agreement. IFF will also include an online component to this year's fest, as it has been doing since the pandemic hit. If you're keen to watch Lakelands, It Is in Us All and Róise & Frank from home — and more — get streaming from Thursday, October 5–Sunday, November 5.
Spend your New Year's Eve gazing out over the CBD from one of Brisbane's original rooftop bars — and eating, drinking and enjoying a night by the pool as well. In a way, it's just business as usual at Next Hotel's Pool Terrace & Bar. The level four spot will be throwing a party, but it won't be charging entry fees or selling tickets. In other words, it's a great option for anyone who hasn't nabbed a spot at an expensive soiree, hasn't cemented their plans as yet or doesn't wish to end the year by forking out for a huge cover charge. Just spend your pennies on whatever you choose to eat and drink from the bar menu, because nothing else will cost you a cent. If you're choosing to make a night of it, a DJ will be spinning tunes so you can dance poolside while the last moments of 2019 tick down. For those bringing a crowd — 20 people or more — you are able to book by contacting the venue.
It's a day-trip getaway, a waterside pub, a sun-soaked beer garden, and now it's a four-hole putt-putt course. This is indeed the Bribie Island Hotel — a venue that holds itself in the childhood memories of many Brisbanites and is looking to keep making new memories with this latest addition. This is, however, a limited-time offering; the free putt-putt course is only open from now until September. You can book a putt-putt party package with your table if you fancy offloading the little ones, or you can give the course a go while you're waiting on your mains (we won't tell). Either way, be sure to grab a plate of loaded fries to share, a wood-fired pizza or any number of pub classics off the menu to enjoy before (or after) your game. Putt Putt in Paradise is available at the Bribie Island Hotel until September. For more information or to book your spot, visit the Bribie Island Hotel website.
In the trailer for Midsommar, a group of people trek through a forest, all saddled up with backpacks and sleeping bags. They're outside a Swedish town, with the locals putting on a mid-summer event. "It's like a crazy nine-day festival; it only happens every 90 years," visitor Dani (Florence Pugh) is told. As anyone who has ever seen a movie should know, this situation usually goes one of two ways: raucous festivities ensue, with friendships tested and lessons learned, or unnerving antics do instead. With Hereditary writer/director Ari Aster behind Midsommar, anyone who saw the 2018 horror hit will know that this flick is destined to fall into the latter category. The details are being kept scarce, even in the movie's just-released first trailer, with the film set to hit cinemas worldwide from early August this year. But if you're expecting another visibly dark and sinister flick from Aster, think again. Instead, Midsommar looks light, bright and filled with bohemian-looking folks — even as it seems to step firmly into creepy cult territory Story-wise, Dani is accompanied by her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor), a whole heap of people wearing white await their arrival and things aren't quite what they seem when the duo gets to their destination. The Good Place's William Jackson Harper and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch's Will Poulter also feature among the cast, and what this first sneak peek offers in the way of idyllic natural surroundings and flower crowns, it counters with glimpses of chilling rituals. Check out the nightmarish first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0UWIya-O0s Midsommar opens in Australian cinemas on August 8.
You'll find big things in small packages at the St Kilda Film Festival this year. You'll also find some changes, too. Australia's oldest short film festival, this massive event won't physically descend on St Kilda for the 34th year in 2020 — with the lineup jumping online and screening to movie buffs nationally. Even better: it's screening for free. Showcasing some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers in the country, the festival runs from Friday, June 12–Saturday, June 20, with audiences at home getting the chance to see a selection of exciting films. It all kicks off with a virtual opening night, then features curated sessions, live online Q&As and webinars. As always, the backbone of the festival is Australia's Top 100, featuring filmmakers from every corner of the country competing for prizes. Other selections include the Australian Animation Explosion, highlighting Aussie animation; Shifting the Gaze: Focus on Women Filmmakers, presenting new films from female filmmakers; Dark Matter, showcasing on horror, thriller and dystopian tales; and Out of Range, Gods of Tiny Things and Home, which focus on being and becoming an Indigenous Australian. For the full St Kilda Film Festival program, or to watch online between Friday, June 12–Saturday, June 20, visit the festival website. Image: Jim Lee
Almost a year after settling into South Bank, Brisbane's new Emporium Hotel has finally launched its culinary centrepiece — the aptly named Signature restaurant. With the kitchen overseen by the husband and wife duo of executive chef Chris Norman and executive sous chef Alex Liddle, the 60-seater venue joins the hotel's other luxe eating and drinking options, including rooftop spot The Terrace, just-opened lobby bar Piano Bar and relocated French patisserie Belle Epoque. Three features stand out at Signature: its eye-catching decor, its hefty wine collection and, of course, its food. Design-wise, it's impossible to miss the restaurant's bespoke lighting fixture, which includes 1000 hand-blown glass baubles. Elsewhere, pale pink and burnt orange tones, coloured marble surfaces, a backlit white onyx bar and a 150-year-old Parisian stained-glass window all stand out — the window is part of a 12-person private dining room. Signature's sizeable vino list also has its own space, called The Library. More than 6000 bottles are housed inside on floating racks, as are 200 magnums — with the range spanning drops from Australia and around the world, including limited editions and rare vintages. Order a particularly special tipple and it'll come in one of the bar's bespoke decanters. To eat, Signature has a menu championing modern Australian cuisine across a variety of options. Start with oysters and caviar at the bar, order your meal a la carte — including from a separate vegan menu — or go for a five- or seven-course tasting menu. Meaty highlights include kangaroo tartare, blueberry-cured ocean trout, Brisbane Valley quail paired with corn, hazelnut and wattle seed granola, plus Flinders Island lamb with artichokes and shallots, while the animal-free lineup includes tomato and saffron consommé, chargrilled cauliflower with gnocchi, and black fig and guava cheesecake. Signature also shakes and stirs its own range of cocktails (yes, they're Signature's signature cocktails), including a martini with kahlua and creme de cacao, as well as a spicy blend of pepper bourbon, mint and jalapeños. Find Signature on Level 1, Emporium Hotel, 267 Grey Street, South Bank, open from 5.30pm Tuesday–Saturday.
The Korean Film Festival In Australia (KOFFIA) is back for its fourth year in 2013, promising unmissable films and the brightest stars in their latest offerings for the screen. This is your opportunity to experience an alternative movie-going experience in the comfort of your local cinema. You have the choice of 17 feature and various short films, with 50 screenings in total gracing Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne cinemas. It has been dubbed "a must for fans of Korean culture" although just about anyone is sure to enjoy the films, all of which are subtitled in English. On the bill are 9 Muses of Star Empire, which documents the K-Pop phenomenon from the inside, and Architecture 101, a romance-themed session, ideal for couples. Be sure to visit the Myer Centre cinema during the festival to meet the many faces of Korean cinema. There are also a host of other cultural activities, be sure to check them out when planning your KOFFIA experience. https://youtube.com/watch?v=s3dZhCnV7ik
Cheese dreams are made of this: a cake, but made out of everyone's favourite dairy product, then topped with deli meats, fruit and edible flowers. It might sound like something that your brie-loving slumbering brain thought up after pairing wine and cheddar and then hitting the hay but, even if it is, Salt Meats Cheese are the ones now making it a reality. The Italian chain has just added one-kilogram brie cakes to its menu, so that's the kind of cheese you'll be eating by the chunky dessert-sized slice on your next big occasion. As for those toppings, prosciutto, mortadella and sopressa from SMC's deli sit atop this whopping white wheel of the good stuff. To keep tempting your tastebuds, so do pickles, fresh and dried fruits, plus those blooms that you can munch on. One whole kilogram of brie is a lot for one person to devour, so these cakes are designed to feed between ten and 15 people — but we'll leave it up to you how strictly you take that guide. If your stomach is now understandably rumbling, the brie cakes are available at SMC's Drummoyne store in Sydney, Newstead eatery in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise outpost on the Gold Coast. Each one will set you back $99, and you can place your order by contacting the store at least 36 hours in advance of when you're eager to pick your cake up. Obviously, there's only one word for this news: yum. Salt Meats Cheese's one-kilogram brie cakes are available from its Drummoyne store in Sydney, Newstead eatery in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise outpost on the Gold Coast for $99 each, with orders placed by contacting the store.
If you love cheese, but are sick of spending the bulk of your pay cheque on it, here's a solution: take a cheese-making class. Sure, it'll cost you pretty penny, but then you'll have the knowledge to make endless cheese at home, whenever you want. Also, thanks to Omnom Cheese Shop's new virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop, you can learn along at home as well. The Sydney-based cheese outfit is adding a series of online classes to its repertoire, taking place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21. During the 80-minute class, you'll learn to how to make three types of cheese — in real-time, via Zoom, with plenty of live tips as you go. You'll also receive a DIY cheese-making kit delivered to your door as part of your $59 ticket. You will need to have some kitchen equipment on hand, and to pick up some milk and cream — with full details sent out a week before the class. Hot tip: in-person, Omnom's cheese-making sessions regularly sell out, so its online classes are certain to be popular. Another suggestion: if you want to pair your cheese-making with wine, well, that definitely isn't frowned upon. Omnom Cheese Shop's virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21.
It can be difficult to unearth quality gifts for our paternal figures — especially when it's at a distance. No matter how many times your pops insists on "not wanting any presents" this year, you know that deep down he does. To take the guesswork out of gift giving on Dad's big day, we've compiled a list of six interesting presents you can send the father figure in your life. Whether you're near or far from the human you'd like to celebrate this September, these gifts will ensure you attain favourite child status from the comfort of your couch. THE BEER-LOVING DAD When Father's Day rolls around, the Beer-Loving Dad will want to spend it with a cold one in hand. But, being a special occasion, it's likely he'll want to go beyond his usual brew. To mix things up for your dad this Father's Day, consider sending him a BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack. Inside, he'll find 16 delicious types of beer to try, including pale ales, IPAs, lagers, sours and a comfy pair of socks to match. The pack includes independent brewery mainstays like Stone & Wood and Coopers, plus newer kids on the block such as Capital Brewing Co and Atomic Beer Project. THE ACTIVE DAD Know a dad that really loves being active? Like, a lot. You know the type — they're up at the crack of dawn for a lycra-clad, early morning cycle or a surf before they head to work. If you've got one of these in your life, then there's a good chance he could do with a new pair of running shoes because the Active Dad is known to keep a close watch of their step count. So, why not help them hit their daily 10000 strides in style with a pair of new Nike kicks. They're practical, versatile and, if you choose wisely, could elevate your dad's street cred tenfold. THE MASTERCHEF DAD Some dad's are famous for whipping up one-pot wonders. If you've never heard of this culinary creation before, lucky you. Typically, this dish consists of an assortment of limp vegetables tossed into a singular pot with stock and whatever herbs and/or spices happen to be in the pantry. Then, after being boiled within an inch of its life, dinner is served. Other dads, however, take their cooking much more seriously. Whether the father figure in your life is merely an expert in tinned things on toast or could be a serious contender on the next season of MasterChef Australia, sending a quality cookbook his way this Father's Day is top-tier gift idea. Not sure which one to buy? Try Cooking with Koori by Nathan Lyons or The Chin Chin Book bursting with recipes and intel from Benjamin Cooper. THE OUTDOORSY DAD Have a dad who's obsessed with the great outdoors? He's a loveable character who's a huge fan of getting out of town, off the grid and into good ol' fashioned nature. Perhaps this human is still reeling over the cancellation of the TV show of the same name back in 2009. If that's your guy, consider slinging him a lil something that'll level up his outdoor adventure set up and help fill the Ernie Dingo-shaped hole in his heart. We suggest sending a lightweight camping hammock or the latest cooking gear so he can test it out at home — even if the backyard is the furthest he can travel this Father's Day. THE DAD JOKE DAD A lot of dad's consider themselves comedic masterminds. Maybe there's an anonymous course they attend right before the birth of their children that instils a wacky sense of humour in them. Or, perhaps simply becoming a dad unlocks something that was within them all along. Either way, the Dad Joke Dad is a sucker for top-notch merch to help to show off his kooky personality. Thankfully, the BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack contains a pair of sidesplitting socks that dad will never want to take off. THE MUSO DAD The Muso Dad often considers himself as a rebellious type. But, despite his desire to be counter-cultural, he is somewhat easy to spot in the wild and typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviours: a history of taking you to live gigs; owning Rage merchandise; and unironically throwing around the phrase "back when music was good". Sorting out a few tickets to your muso dad's favourite band is a lil trickier this year, so we suggest taking his advice and digging into the music archives. Do your darndest to find that vinyl he's been chasing for years; sort him out with a Spotify membership complete with personalised playlists of his faves; or, if you've got a bit of extra cash to splash, send him a record player so he can dust off the record collection and put it to good use. We recommend checking out Sydney's Repressed Records, Melbourne's Discrepancy Records or Rocking Horse Records in Brisbane. Learn more about BoozeBud by visiting the website here. Top image: Discrepancy Records, Tracey Ah-kee
Traditionally, autumn is a season filled with orange, red, brown and yellowing leaves, as spring and summer's greenery makes way for winter. Come March, just over an hour outside of Brisbane, it'll also be a time for golden stems — all as part of the Scenic Rim's new Sunshine & Sunflower Day. Expect to spot sunflowers as far as the eye can see at the Jenner family farm in Kalbar. There'll be more than 200,000 of the vibrant blooms reaching up to the sky, in fact, and you'll be able to wander through them all. You'll also be able to do yoga at sunrise in the field, learn how to cook with sunflowers, fly over the top of the property, and have both dinner and breakfast there. And, obviously, taking plenty of photos with a yellow backdrop is on the program, too. The new event is the result of Russell and Jenny Jenner's change of direction during Queensland's ongoing drought conditions. Usually, they farm lucerne but, with water levels low, they opted to switch to a crop that doesn't require as much H2O. And, with all those sunflowers now looking rather striking, the couple is keen to let everyone else enjoy their golden petals. Events across the day are ticketed separately, so you can pick and choose exactly which ones you'd like to attend — and what suits your budget. For those who'll simply be happy with seeing all of those rows and rows of sunflowers, the $15 entry-level tickets will get you access to the field between 9am–3pm, plus three flowers to take home with you. There'll also be food stalls and vans onsite, plus coffee. And if you'd like to take a picnic while you're there, you can order a hamper as well. Sunshine & Sunflower Day takes place on Saturday, March 27 at Kalbar in Queensland's Scenic Rim. For further information, and to book tickets, head to the event's website.
Sometimes, the best ideas are the simplest. Indeed, when the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl kicked off in 2016, it did so in straightforward but great style. Recognising that the key to many a good night out is a multi-venue itinerary, it made hopping between Fortitude Valley's finest hangouts a streamlined, well-organised yet still laidback experience — with brews aplenty and an ace live soundtrack. Come 2023, the sprawling music and beer festival will still be going strong, and it has another packed day of tunes and brews in store. That date: Saturday, February 11, when attendees can jump between eight Valley spots to see a huge heap of bands take over nine different stages. Also pivotal: entry is free yet again, meaning that you'll only need your wallet for brews. [caption id="attachment_878320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darcy Goss[/caption] On the bill: The Terrys, The Buoys and VOIID, headlining a roster of top-notch Aussie acts, plus Aaron Gocs as the festival's host. Among the other artists hitting the stage, Moon Saloon will serve up melodies aplenty, A.D.K.O.B is bringing its indie-rock sounds to town, Horror My Friend will deliver a dose of shoegaze and LOUNGE is all about power pop. The simultaneous sonic fun takes place at Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside indoors, The Brightside outdoors, Greaser (where there'll be two stages), O'Skulligans, Ric's Backyard, The Zoo and Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar. As always, the agenda includes running between each to sip frosty beverages and catch crackin' sets, with the entertainment once again sponsored by a brewery. The whole shindig kicks off at 6pm, so the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace evening of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. Well, that and check out the full impressive 41-act lineup below: [caption id="attachment_833903" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jared Hinz Photography[/caption] MOUNTAIN GOAT VALLEY CRAWL 2023 LINEUP: ACTS: The Terrys The Buoys VOIID Bakers Eddy Bella Amor Dopamine Big Wett Carla Wehbe Horror My Friend Kitschen Boy Secret Act Sputnik Sweetheart Suzi ZHR 90IVY A.D.K.O.B Dizzy Days Dog God Doggie Heaven Dust Dusty Enclave Jem Cassar-Daley Joe Mungovan LOUNGE Miranda vs Arizona Moon Saloon Mozza Oil! Placement Rutherford Jazz Trio S.A.B Safety Club Stage Presence Supathick The Dandys The Love Inn The Pb's Twine Walta Wissalea & the Walnuts Hosted by Aaron Gocs [caption id="attachment_789891" align="alignnone" width="1920"] katexjean[/caption] VENUES: Black Bear Lodge The Brightside The Brightside — Outdoors Greaser (two stages) O'Skulligans Ric's Backyard Suzie Wongs The Zoo The 2023 Mountain Goat Valley Crawl takes place from 6pm on Saturday, February 11. Entry is free, but you'll need to RSVP for free tickets online. Top image: Nick Mick
There are two things at the forefront James Cousins' paintings – interference and disruption. In most of his pieces, few marry together in terms of colours, texture and shadow, but their clashes create something comfortably wholesome. Everything seems a little disheveled, with the only focus is on the irregularities. Cousins employs images, which he submerges, redefines, overlays, and manipulates with vinyl stencils and paint, letting each lurch away from his own artistic intentions, taking direction on their own. And this type of work has long been appreciated and admired on Australian, New Zealand and international circuits. Cousins has exhibited as part of the The Wallace Art Awards (2005), Waikato National Art Awards (2002) and the Visa Gold Awards (1996, 1998) and featured at the 2005 Rotterdam Art fair. You can see the work of this New Zealand artist at Ryan Renshaw Gallery till the 23rd of August. Some of his pieces are a little confronting, other’s are just sporadic, but all say a little something about the uselessness of focus.
A great trailer does two things: makes you want to run to the cinemas to see the film in question, and makes you hit replay on the preview itself the moment it's finished. Or, thanks to the rise of TV trailers, it inspires your next date with your couch. You'll want to get as comfy as possible to binge-watch the next season of your favourite show, after all. 2019 is almost over, but more trailers keep popping up for both big- and small-screen highlights due this year and next. And this fortnight is no different, with everything from True Detective to The Secret Life of Pets to How to Train Your Dragon dropping trailers for their next instalments — and the new Jungle Book-inspired film, the Andy Serkis-directed Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, too. That said, it's a great time for previews of films that aren't based on existing series or properties, although Norwegian disaster flick The Quake — the sequel to 2015 epic The Wave — still falls into that category. Elsewhere, however, High Life sends Robert Pattinson into space, Cam finds the horror in webcams, Blue My Mind steps into a dramatic teenage transformation and dystopian sci-fi effort Captive State battles with aliens. Animated efforts Missing Link and Spies in Disguise explore humanity's past and our penchant for espionage, respectively, while festival hit Capernaum follows a boy's tough fight for freedom — and his tough life on the streets that inspires it. On the small screen, Dogs, Dogs of Berlin (yes, they're diferent shows) and Kingdom are all headed to Netflix. The first is a docuseries about gorgeous canines from around the world, the second is a gritty cop show set in the German city that gives the show its name, and the third unleashes zombies in medieval Korea. Check out this week's full slate below — and prepare some busy viewing ahead. TRUE DETECTIVE SEASON 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btoZfxs0pE0 Coming to Foxtel in January. MOWGLI: LEGEND OF THE JUNGLE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVBjPpUlQrE On Netflix December 7. HIGH LIFE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WI49OA3BjU Australian release date TBC. DOGS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLCmLgjiJ8 On Netflix November 16. CAM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN8xZ5WDonk On Netflix November 16. THE QUAKE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094n7ami6N0 Australian release date TBC. MISSING LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5VC7nCv_Y In Australian cinemas April 11, 2019. DOGS OF BERLIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcDBHjHePk On Netflix December 7. CAPERNAUM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUo0048xZE Australian release date TBC. BLUE MY MIND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yyf26VkZP0 Australian release date TBC. KINGDOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDKLeKiFaU On Netflix January 25, 2019. CAPTIVE STATE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESxrJtJfIFU Australian release date TBC. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Dy6cIyOJg In Australian cinemas June 20, 2019. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBcIzV_eIJE In Australian cinemas January 3, 2019. SPIES IN DISGUISE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSGHvzMY60 In Australian cinemas September 19, 2019. Image: Warrick Page/HBO.
The phrase "Hollywood on the Gold Coast" might've been coined to describe Movie World, but the film-loving theme park isn't the only way that this patch of Queensland celebrates cinema. Plenty of flicks are made at Village Roadshow Studios. Each year, watching pictures also gets its own festival. You can see films on the Goldie every day, of course, but the Gold Coast Film Festival brings together titles that you mightn't otherwise find at the region's multiplexes — or lets you catch them first. In 2024, 23 features grace the just-announced GCFF lineup, which will run for 12 days from Wednesday, April 17–Sunday, April 28 at HOTA, Home of the Arts and other GC venues. Bill Bennett's The Way, My Way will kickstart the fest, with the Kiss or Kill and The Nugget filmmaker turning his own memoir about walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route — all 800 kilometres of it — into a film. Then, at the other end of the event, Ewan McGregor (Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio) stars opposite his IRL daughter Clara McGregor (American Horror Story) in Bleeding Love, about a father-daughter road trip. There's a fitting feel to Gold Coast Film Festival's 2024 iteration bookending its cinema showcase with titles about travel. The Goldie is that kind of destination, including luring Brisbane movie lovers down the highway to watch along. That unofficial theme comes through in other ways, too, such as in documentary Diamond of the Sea, about ironwoman Bonnie Hancock attempting to circumnavigate Australia by paddle; The Monk and the Gun, featuring an American travelling to Bhutan; and a retro screening of Cliffhanger (yes, the action-packed 90s flick), which will take place at Burleigh Brewing. That beer-slinging spot will also host a session of music documentary The Ending Goes Forever: The Screamfeeder Story, focusing on of Brisbane's 90s indie-music favourites. Elsewhere, Steven Soderbergh (Full Circle)-produced thriller Divinity gets another Down Under run after playing SXSW Sydney 2023 — and fans of Gareth Evans' (Gangs of London) epic Indonesian action effort The Raid will be able to scope out the shiny restoration. Another overall highlight: doco Growing Happiness, which is about Scenic Rim farmers Jenny and Russ Jenner, their move to turn their fields into a sunflower farm, plus the popular festival that now takes over their land once a year (including this April during GCFF). Or, for something completely different, Sting, which is helmed by Australian director Kiah Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood: Apocalypse), sees Ryan Corr (In Limbo) joined by Alyla Browne (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), Noni Hazelhurst (One Night), Penelope Mitchell (What You Wish For) and Silvia Colloca (Wellmania) — and some eight-legged creatures. With 2024 marking two decades since one of the best blends of romance, comedy, drama and sci-fi of the 21st century reached screens in the form of Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the timing is excellent for checking out the French filmmaker's latest feature. In his first movie since 2015, the director draws from his own experience in semi-autobiographical comedy The Book of Solutions. On a lineup that's aiming to offer a movie (or several) for everyone, musical Greatest Days features Take That's songs, My Fair Lady gets a flashback screening and The Lie: The Murder of Grace Millane dives into the true-crime case. Or, there's also a trip to a Polish village in the 19th century with The Peasants, boxing drama Heart of the Man, psychological thriller Birdeater and Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First. Plus, short film competition SIPFEST is on the GCFF program again, returning to the HOTA Outdoor Stage with 15 bite-sized flicks — and also the annual Women in Film lunch is back. Who said hanging out on the Gold Coast just meant going to the beach? The 2024 Gold Coast Film Festival runs from Wednesday, April 17–Sunday, April 28 at HOTA, Home of the Arts and other venues on the Gold Coast. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Despite popular demand, The European Bird Census Council has yet to put on a ravin’ music festival for all the kids out there who want a bit of dove with their Dvorák. Don’t stress though, as the East Brisbane Community Centre has picked up the loose reigns, and put on a showcase that promises a flock of Brisbane talent. The EBCC Music and Arts Festivals holds a line up of artists, whose specialties range from contemporary classical to a sound a little jazzier. With seven acts on the bulletin, this cosy collection of artists will tuck themselves into the Judith Wright Centre shopfront for an evening of entertainment. Jack Saunders’ Killfloor Project, Macarthur Clough, Hannah Reardon-Smith, Magee, Fowler-Roy and Green Trio, Luke Carbon Quartet and Graeme Jennings and Ben Marks Due, will be just a few names leading the show – it may be a mouthful of a line up, but it sure is a tasty one of new up and comers from our very own city. Don’t miss seeing some of Brisbane’s musically brightest this Saturday.
Do your usual trips to Minjerribah, also known as North Stradbroke, involve hitting the beach? Of course they do. That's one of the island's biggest drawcards — but soaking up the destination's arts scene deserves to be on your list as well. And if you don't quite know where to start, there's a four-day arts trail dedicated to that very topic. Thanks to the returning Straddie Arts Trail, there are plenty of places to begin between Friday, August 11–Monday, August 14. The event will showcase more than 60 artists over 38 stops across Straddie's scenic expanse, covering folks in Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout. Visitors will head to community and museum galleries, wander into open studios and scope out pop-up galleries. Also, plenty of Straddie's retailers, restaurants and cafes get into the spirit of the trail, too, featuring pieces by the island's artists and makers, and hosting events as well. If you're keen to learn a few skills while you're there, you can book into workshops on everything from sand art and crochet to native flora embroidery and beekeeping. Some sessions are free, but others vary in price.
Sometimes, the stomach wants what the stomach wants. Sometimes, your stomach feels like it's being spoiled for choice. Whether you're fond of themed burgers, inventive french toast or the kind of spring rolls you don't get to eat every day, Bowen Hills' thriving and lively King Street precinct inspires the latter reaction. When there's everything from cheap and tasty chicken to creamy desserts on offer, where do you start? When you're eager for a bite to eat but you're surrounded by so many amazing options, it's easy to gain a case of epicurean anxiety. To help, we've teamed up with the King Street precinct crew to highlight eight must-try dishes you should munch your way through during your next trip (or trips) to the inner-city area. Your hungry stomach and salivating tastebuds can thank us later. WHOLE SLOW-BAKED LAMB SHOULDER AT THE LAMB SHOP Thanks to its name, it's easy to guess what's on The Lamb Shop's menu. The Greek-inspired joint loves its lamb, and it especially loves putting pieces fresh off the spit into a jam-packed souvlaki. And yes, they come stuffed with hand-cut chips as well. If you're gathering the gang for a casual meal, though, you'll want something to share and savour — and the eatery's whole slow-baked lamb shoulder may just replace your nan's roast as your favourite lamb dish. Succulent, juicy and perfectly complemented by chargrilled pitas and The Lamb Shop's three different salads, there's a reason that this dish flies out the door each night. Arrive as close to 5pm as possible for this one, otherwise you might miss out. 50-CENT CHICKEN WINGS AT WELCOME TO BOWEN HILLS It's a truth that may as well be tattooed across every budget-conscious food lover's stomach: when a dish manages to be both delicious and a bargain, it just tastes better. That's the case at Harry's, Welcome to Bowen Hills' permanent pizza and chicken joint, which serves up 50-cent chicken wings all day, every day (well, five days a week but that doesn't have the same ring to it). All those dodecagonal coins burning a hole in your pocket? They'll go to great use here. Plus, as well as being cheap, these chook pieces are tender and juicy — as all great chicken wings should be. SONIC BOOM BURGER AT SUPER COMBO If you're a fan of 80s and 90s video games, then perusing Super Combo's menu should bring a smile to your face. As Brisbane's resident Street Fighter-inspired burger joint, its burgs all come with appropriate names — such as Hadoken, Spinning Piledriver and Sonic Boom. We recommend the latter, especially if you're fond of stacked burgers that experiment with flavour. Sure, you've had a crispy fried chicken burg before; however this one is just as much about the maple candied bacon, pineapple chutney and a combination of cheddar cheese sauce and smoky mushroom sauce. MODERN KAISEKI MENU AT SUSHI & NORI If you've ever sat down to a Japanese dinner that serves up multiple courses, artfully arranges its individual dishes, and carefully balances its ingredients in terms of taste, texture, appearance and colour, then you've experienced the art of kaiseki. At Sushi & Nori, that idea shines through in a separate menu devoted to modern, creative options — the kind that you'll want to choose several of and create your own multi-course meal. Highlights include the salmon sashimi, truffle tuna tartare and zucchini noodle with spicy prawn, as well scallop ceviche. Yes, seafood features in a big way — and everything looks as good as it tastes. GELATO SHAKE AT LA MACELLERIA Feeling like a creamy scoop of handcrafted Italian gelato, but feeling thirsty as well? To solve this very problem, La Macelleria launched its gelato shakes. Prepare to make a difficult decision, though. Do you feel like sipping a blend of milk and stracciatella (aka chocolate chip gelato), or should your milkshake taste like raspberry cheesecake? The choices go on, but one is especially simple — if you're keen, you'll want to head to King Street. It's one of only two places in Brisbane that you'll find La Macelleria's shakes on the menu, and it makes a satisfying liquid dessert after you've eaten your way through the precinct's other restaurants. SAIGON STEAMED RICE PANCAKE AT BANOI Picking a standout dish at Banoi, King Street's resident homestyle Vietnamese eatery, isn't an easy feat. When a place serves up crab and prawn spring rolls, pork belly bao and salt and pepper chicken ribs, you really can't expect your tastebuds to play favourites. Still, the steamed rice pancake might just jump to the top of the pile. Indeed, it's one of Banoi's specialties. It comes in meat and vegetarian varieties and delivers a spot-on balance of texture and flavour. CRISPY PORK KNUCKLE AT BEERHAÜS Walk into any pub, brewery or beer-loving joint in Germany and, as well as finding plenty of ales to quench your thirst, you'll find pork knuckle on the menu. It's also an essential dish at Beerhaüs — which is part of Rockpool Dining Group's Bavarian chain — and the King Street joint definitely takes this classic seriously. Cooked until it's sporting a crispy crackling on the outside, yet still remaining succulent on the inside, this is traditional German fare done oh-so-well. It's also a top option if you're feeling extra hungry. Naturally, it's served with sauerkraut, plus mashed potato, bier jus and apple compote. PEACH SPRING ROLLS AT FAT DUMPLING For your next meal at Fat Dumpling, we're going to make a controversial choice. There's one dish you can't pass up, and it isn't dumplings — although, with poached, steamed and pan-fried options available, including the old favourite that is pork xiao long bao, you'll want to try several varieties and then several more. Whatever you opt for during the savoury portion of your lunch or dinner, finish up by tucking into a serving of peach spring rolls. It comes with vanilla bean ice cream, and it's the only dessert on the menu because nothing else is needed. Take your senses on an adventure to Bowen Hills and find more great places to eat at King Street here.
2022 was a big year for Brisbane-based hospitality crew Potentia Solutions Leisure, with Lina Rooftop and Soko Rooftop both opening their sky-high doors, and Mina Italian first welcoming in diners as well. How does a restaurant and bar-running (and -loving) crew top that? By kicking off 2023 with another new venue, obviously: Rumba, a Cuban and Latin American-centric joint. While this cocktail- and platter-slinging spot is a fresh arrival, officially launching on Thursday, February 2, it'll draw Brisbanites to familiar digs. Potentia has farewelled Argentinian eatery Evita on St Paul's Terrace, with Rumba taking over its site. New year, new focus, clearly. [caption id="attachment_863797" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Evita[/caption] While the full menu details haven't yet been revealed, patrons can start looking forward to share-style meat and fish bites, a big focus on roof vegetables, plus homemade cheese bread served in Cuban cigar boxes. Drinks-wise, expect creative concoctions that nod to the venue's regions of inspiration — and plenty of them. The vibe: relaxed yet boisterous, colourful but raw, and stripped back while soundtracked by Latin jazz. Azulejo prints and bright hues will cover the place, and there'll even be the remnants of a car in a hole in the wall. A roster of DJs and bands will set help set the mood, too, in the kind of space that'll be worlds away from Lina and Soko's luxe rooftops — but promises to be lively and enticing in its own way. Unsurprisingly given Rumba's name, wearing a comfortable pair of dancing shoes is also recommended. Find Rumba at 365 St Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley, officially launching on Thursday, February 2 — then operating 4pm–12am Tuesday–Saturday.
"Luke, I am your father" might just be one of the most famous line ever uttered in a movie — except, of course, that's not actually what Darth Vader said. If you're pedantic about the exact phrasing of iconic Star Wars dialogue, or just brimming with Jedi-focused tidbits, then here's your chance to put those skills to the test. Come Monday, May 4 (when else?), Isolation Trivia is hosting an evening of fun that no one can have a bad feeling about. The live-streamed quiz night is delving into the series that has not only spanned 11 films to date — including last year's The Rise of Skywalker — but also inspired a host of new instalments yet to come. If you have a Chewbacca costume in your wardrobe, you're destined to hop online and play along. Sure, your house isn't quite the Mos Eisley Cantina, but you can pretend — may the force be with you, and all that. The night gets underway from 6.25pm, which is when you can start arguing over whether Han shot first. And playing along won't cost you a cent.
Ever found yourself eating your way through a high tea — spreading cream on scones, biting into a mini quiche and sipping a cocktail, probably — and realised that you could really use more cheese? Even if you haven't experienced that train of thought, you'll be pleased to know that La Valle Wine Bar and Bottle Shop has the answer. At its High Cheese events, the name is obviously self-explanatory. On the menu: dairy, and plenty of it. You'll be tucking into a tiered cheese tower, in fact — and, each Saturday in July and August, you'll be making the most of the venue's new truffle series. That means that your tastebuds can expect truffle manchego, truffle whipped mascarpone with focaccia, truffle brie slices, four-cheese croquettes with cheese aioli, arancini with truffle and truffle dipping sauce. For your $55 ticket, you'll also get two hours of bottomless wine — something to say cheers, not cheese, to. July's High Cheese sessions are slated for July 9, 16, 23 and 30, and August's on August 6, 13, 20 and 27 — you can make a cheese date for 11am, 12pm or 1pm. And, seating-wise, you can choose to sit in La Valle's laneway or get cosy inside. Update: August 1.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — The Foundry's New Year's Eve shindig will indulge both your retro and your festive urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 9pm on NYE. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the season. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Tickets are $12.25, with the fun running through until 3am.
Listening to live tunes is one of the Queensland Performing Art Centre's main drawcards, obviously. Sitting outside on QPAC's Melbourne Street Green and enjoying free live sets is part of its regular Green Jam sessions, too. But maybe you like your tunes a bit more experimental and improvised — or, you could have an instrument gathering dust at home that you'd like to play at the venue. Musos of Brisbane and music fans alike, meet The Jam Club. It happens on the second Wednesday of every month, and it's a big acoustic jam session. No matter whether you're a professional or you're just learning, you can bust out your skills and add to the soundtrack — all by heading along from 6–8pm. Yes, all skill levels are welcome. And, if you'd rather just listen to the sounds of fellow Brisbanites jamming away, that's definitely allowed as well. So, that's how you can spice up your midweek on Wednesday, September 8 — and again on October 13, November 10 and December 8 as well.
New Year's Eve is a great time to reflect on the weirdest and most wonderful trends of the year. There's some we'd quite happily leave behind (Baby Shark, we're looking at you). But one that we're very much on board with is activity-based nights out. Gone are the days of just sitting at the pub for a few hours — the time we spend with friends now comes with a side of fun (and perhaps a little competitiveness). A prime example: Topgolf. This worldwide phenomenon opened its first Aussie location on the Gold Coast in 2018. It's essentially a modernised driving range — guests have the choice of seven 'games' to play from a private, climate-controlled hitting bay, and all the golf balls are microchipped, allowing you to track and gain points for accuracy and distance. It doesn't matter if you're a complete novice or a burgeoning Tiger Woods — the aim of the game is to have a good night out with your mates. And if you're looking to up your New Year's Eve game, Topgolf has special NYE-only packages for groups of up to six available. The standard package, at $780 per bay (or $130 per person for a group of six), includes four hours of unlimited play from 9pm–1am, unlimited soft drinks and food platters, featuring shrimp cocktails, pork belly and chicken pot stickers. The premium package, at $1200 per bay (or $200 per person for a group of six) includes all of the above, plus three hours of beers, wine and spirits and a glass of sparkling for the countdown. Great company in a cool setting — sounds like the ultimate double eagle to us. Get ready to par-tee. To book your NYE party, make an enquiry via the website.
When the working week is done, folks just wanna have fun. We're paraphrasing Cyndi Lauper because she knows what she's singing about. If your idea of taking her advice involves listening to ace musos belt out a few tunes, then QPAC's returning Green Jam is the Friday afternoon session you're looking for. All about live music, tasty bites to eat and kicking back in a grassy spot a stone's throw from the inner city, the regular event offers an ace start to your weekend from 5.30–7.30pm. This year's season will run between Friday, July 30–Friday, August 20, so you can warm up your winter with an outdoor songfest at the Melbourne Street Green (aka that vibrant patch of turf just past the Cultural Centre walkway). The music lineup changes weekly and, food-wise, you can tuck into pizzas and arancini — while sipping wine and beer, including of the non-alcoholic variety. Entry is free, but you'll obviously have to pay for the eating and drinking part of the evening.
You've turned your recurring morning alarm off. Your work outfits have been pushed to the back of your wardrobe. Your mood: Christmas casual. You've survived the big day itself, including the family shenanigans that go with it, and now the holiday break spans before you. Yes, it's that supremely chilled period between Christmas and New Year's Day. Your agenda is flexible — but you're staying close to home. Thankfully, Brisbane doesn't become a ghost town just because it's that time of year. Yes, there's less hustle and bustle around the place, but there's still plenty to do. To help fill out your post-Christmas, pre-normality period, we've teamed up with Jacob's Creek to suggest five impromptu options, because no one wants to do too much planning at this time of year. PAINT A NEW ARTWORK FOR YOUR APARTMENT Every time a new year hits, we all have big plans to learn new skills, try different things and be more creative. But life usually gets in the way — so the time between Christmas and New Year's Day is perfect for getting a jumpstart on your 2021 resolutions. Always wanted to show off your artistic side, or cultivate it? Cork and Chroma can help. You'll be given everything you need to paint a picture of pancakes, vineyards or a twilight scene. Well, almost everything, because it's a BYO affair. Grab a bottle of Jacob's Creek Classic (sauvignon blanc or shiraz, depending on your preference) to share with mates, pick up a brush and let the magic happen. GET SLURPING AT TARO'S RAMEN No one wants to cook after Christmas. Your mum probably piled you up with leftovers that'll last for days, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. So, your tastebuds will be hankering for something completely different — and we're betting that you didn't have ramen on December 25. With locations in the CBD, South Brisbane, Stones Corner and Ascot, Taro's is the city's number one go-to ramen joint. In fact, once you've tried its soupy noodles, you'll start dreaming about your next visit. It'll take care of your big brothy bowl, so all you need to do is pick up a bottle of Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé to split with some friends. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT A 1920s-STYLE SPEAKEASY Deciding how to see out one year and start the next isn't the easiest feat. After everything that 2020 has thrown our way, wanting a hassle-free night that'll make you feel like you're escaping in multiple ways is completely understandable. The Tivoli's NYE festivities ticks that box. The Fortitude Valley venue is transforming into a 1920s speakeasy, and it's enlisting Brisbane Immersive Ensemble, the team behind the popular Cluedo: The Interactive Game nights, to make you feel like you've been whisked back a century. Your ticket covers entertainment, drinks and canapes, so you just have to sort out your 20s-style outfit. TREAT YOURSELF TO ONE FINAL DECADENT MEAL THIS YEAR If there's ever a time to treat yourself to a lavish lunch or dinner, it's the last few days of the year. And if there's ever a place to tuck into a 30-day dry-aged New York strip steak, half a dozen oysters topped with maple bacon, and dutch potatoes with paprika and wholegrain mustard, it's Walter's Steakhouse. The CBD restaurant and bar is open on select days between Christmas and NYD in Old Mineral House, opposite the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens. Yes, that means you can add a pre- or post-meal stroll through the greenery and by the inner city stretch of the river to your itinerary as well. VISIT GOMA, THEN HAVE LUNCH AT THE ON-SITE RESTAURANT No one visits Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art just once. Thanks to its ever-changing exhibitions, there's a new reason to stop by every few months. Your current excuses: a ticketed showcase of historic and modern motorbikes that celebrates their artistry and design, a lineup of free movies on the same topic, more than 200 artworks by Gordon Bennett, a selection of Indigenous Australian video art, and a special focus on collages and memes. Wandering GOMA's halls is certain to help you work up an appetite, too, so book yourself in for lunch at the onsite GOMA Restaurant to break up your visit. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: Installation view The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire 28 November 20 – 26 April 21 Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane Photograph: Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA Please drink responsibly.
While most of us were urged to "stay home" by our Prime Minister (and have done so by kicking back on the couch and doing puzzles), Australia's healthcare workers were called to the frontline of COVID-19 — and have been working nonstop since. We all can't wait for our next holiday, but those in our hospitals probably need the biggest break of all. Helping out in a small way is Aussie startup Unyoked, which is offering 100 free getaways to Royal Prince Alfred ICU workers and has launched the Prescription to the Wilderness gifting initiative. The latter lets you buy a friend, family member or neighbour working on the frontline a stay at one of its off-grid cabins — once travel restrictions are lifted, of course — at a 20-percent discount. You just need to add in their place of work at checkout. The idea came about when Unyoked founders Cam and Chris Grant got off the phone with their mate Dr Jack Purcell at the RPA, knowing that, right now, our emergency services and hospital workers are working round the clock in very tense environments. So, once the crisis is over — or at least dialled down — they'll need a (very) well-deserved break. The discounted stays start at $178.4 for one night or $356.8 for two and can be used for any of Unyoked's 13 cabins across NSW, Vic and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. Unyoked's ethos is to connect back with nature to help unplug, alleviate stress and anxiety, which is something we're guessing many health workers are in need of right now. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city. The off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape, too. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. So, even if you're not working in on the frontline, you may want to consider booking yourself a remedial weekend away once allowed. Unyoked cabins are located across NSW, Vic and Queensland. While you shouldn't book just yet, you can check them out here.
When it comes to this cheap way to get a bite brought to your door across Friday, August 25–Sunday, August 27, Larry Emdur and Ian 'Turps' Turpie spring to mind: the price is indeed right. Across the three days, DoorDash is bringing back its $1 Weekend. Not that you'll be paying with actual gold coins, but that's all you'll need denomination-wise for a heap of dishes. Running across the country, this weekend special has enlisted Fishbowl, Lord of the Fries, Betty's Burgers and San Churro — and Soul Origin, Pizza Hut, Red Rooster and Oporto, too. Prefer Ribs and Burgers instead? That's also on the list, as is The Yiros Shop, Burrito Bar and Broken Hearts Burger Club. Each state has more than 2000 offers available across the three days, including Queensland. Of course, as there always is, there are caveats. The big one: the deal is available from 2–5pm AEST each day, so you'll either want a late lunch or early dinner. Another crucial point: there's a unique promo code for each day displayed on the DoorDash app for each store, which you need to use at checkout. And, you will 100-percent need to order via that app. Also, you can only get one $1 menu item per order — and one $1 special per day, too. Unsurprisingly, only some menu items are available for $1. And, some places will only let you get one $1 special across the whole weekend. Delivery and service fees are still applicable, and an order fee will be added if your subtotal is less than $15. Still, in this economy, a bargain is a bargain.
Another week, another Gelato Messina special. That's been the dessert chain's contribution to making lockdown a little more bearable over the past 18 months, and it isn't changing that tactic now. So, if you're under stay-at-home conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, you now have another decadent sweet treat to look forward to. For folks in southeast Queensland, you've got an excuse to eat dessert even now that the region's latest lockdown is over. On the menu this time: the return of the brand's sticky brioche snails, complete with plenty of caramel. Basically, it's Messina's interpretation of a Cinnabon-style scroll, and it's another limited release. It also comes paired with a tub of cheesecake gelato — because Messina always likes to team up its baked goods with the frosty dessert it's known for, obviously Wondering what exactly Messina's latest sticky snail entails? It comes stuffed with caramel custard and choc chips, and covered in malt caramel — and the latter is oh-so-gooey. As for the accompanying tub, it's filled with layers of vanilla custard gelato and cheesecake mousse, and then topped with cheesecake crumble. Dubbed a 'lockdown snack pack', this special can only be ordered online on Monday, August 16. It will set you back $69 for both the snail and the tub of gelato — and, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to pick up your order. They'll be available for collection between Friday, August 20–Sunday, August 22. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your pie — with a ten-kilometre limit in place for picking up food in most lockdown areas, and a five-kilometre limit in place in Local Government Areas of concern. Melburnians, if lockdown is extended again until then, you'll also only be permitted to travel within a five-kilometre radius to pick up food. Then, after you've got the sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila! You can preorder a Messina lockdown snack pack from Monday, August 16, to pick up from Friday, August 20–Sunday, August 22.
If Pitch Perfect 2 taught us anything, it's that bigger isn't always better. The so-so 2015 sequel didn't exactly make the original look like a one-hit wonder, but in trying to repeat the same beats (only louder), it couldn't find quite the same catchy refrain. Still, it's a toe-tapping triumph compared to the third instalment in the a cappella-focused franchise. Like mid 2000s-era Britney Spears, whose 'Toxic' the film trots out more than once, Pitch Perfect 3 is desperately trying to recapture some old magic with very little success. Britney's track is actually the best thing about the movie, which is why it keeps popping up. As the Barden Bellas sing, dance and channel their inner pop star, they're doing what they love — and it shows. Sadly, director Trish Sie (Step Up 5), returning screenwriter Kay Cannon and franchise newbie/co-writer Mike White (Brad's Status) insist on overcomplicating matters again and again. And so it is that our heroes find themselves belting out the tune on a boat that's suddenly besieged with action and explosions. If you're thinking that the franchise has completely run out of ideas, then you're right. The singing silliness starts when record producer Beca (Anna Kendrick), pals Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp), outspoken Australian Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the rest of the gang wrangle their way into a gig entertaining American troops — which then turns out to be a competition to support DJ Khaled at the finale of the tour. Unhappy in their adult lives now that college is but a distant memory, the experience sees the group back in their aca-element, hopping across Europe and riffing off against bands with actual instruments. Commentators John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks) tag along to make a documentary, while Fat Amy also has to deal with her estranged Aussie father (John Lithgow). While Britney gives Pitch Perfect 3 its high point, it heads in the opposite direction every time Lithgow opens his mouth. Like Quentin Tarantino in Django Unchained, it's another case of an American actor completely missing the mark when trying out an Australian accent — not that he seems to be trying that hard. The fact that it'll stick in your mind says just as much about the film around it, however, with the movie brightly shot and zippily paced but unable to rise above a bland screenplay. It doesn't help that the main cast seem barely interested, as they trot through the expected motions, jokes and character tics. At least they give the various jukebox-like musical numbers the requisite energy. Everything else in the film feels like exactly what it is: filler. The end product is a movie that, much like its characters, is happy just to relive past glories. Ironically, the film's message — about moving on and letting go of the past — is one that it seems incapable of taking on board. As a result, while Pitch Perfect 3 is packaged as the Bellas' last hurrah, no one will be surprised if we end up with a fourth instalment. If it forces the group onto a reality TV singing show — and, really, where else can they go? — then it really will be scraping the bottom of the barrel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rv_aNPMRv0
If you haven't yet made the trip to Agnes in Fortitude Valley for dinner or a drink, Brisbane's current lockdown obviously isn't the time to start. You can't anyway, as the city's restaurants are only presently allowed to open for takeaway and delivery orders. But, if you'd like to load up on baked goods — and you live within ten kilometres of the venue — you are still able to hit up the restaurant's pop-up bakery. A lockdown favourite, after making appearances during previous stay-at-home stints, the eatery's bakery is back up and running between Wednesday, August 4–Sunday, August 8. You'll need to head along to 22 Agnes Street from 7am, and you'll likely want to get in early, as its tasty pastries — including danishes — are only available until stocks last each day. Social distancing is in effect for those queuing up, so prepare to stand two metres apart from your fellow baked goods fans. Whether the pop-up will continue if Brisbane's lockdown is extended again is yet to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_801126" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chatfield[/caption]
Scott McDougall's paintings are a reflection of the small stories and people who weave through his travels. Through colours, textures and formal composition, the most exciting elements of countries he has visited are transferred to canvas. Signs of Life is McDougall's latest exhibition, partially detailing his trip to Cuba. He takes inspiration from the iconic propaganda billboards that previously dominated its landscape, and are now fast disappearing through neglect as well as the changing priorities of a new regime. McDougall has exhibited throughout Australia as well as London, Bristol, Glasgow and Paris. His previous works have explored the landscapes of Havana, Vietnam, Australia and Italy — specifically the dislocation of European architecture to foreign lands and the dramatic contrasts between their buildings and people. Across an art career spanning 30 years, McDougall has won dozens of awards, has pieces in private collections all over the world and is one of Australia's most accomplished artists. Signs of Life exhibits at Lethbridge Gallery from November 7 to 19.
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes pinot noir as 'sex in a glass'. Winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. Broadway wannabe Titus Andromedon loved it so much he compares it to 'caviar, Myanmar, mid-size car' (see below). No wonder the good folk at Revel — who bring Malbec Day and Mould our way, too — created Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things peeeno noir. The event usually hits up Aussie capitals each year and lets wine connoisseurs sample more than 200 drops, direct from Australia and New Zealand's best producers. But in 2020, like many things, it's going virtual. Whether you're a newbie who likes something light and inviting, or a pinot pro fond of the biggest, most complex drops there are, prepare to get sipping at Pinot Palooza Side B. From 4pm on Saturday, November 21, you'll simply be tuning in digitally. As part of the stream, there'll be winemakers talking about the business and guest DJs spinning tracks — turning the whole event into a party in your dining room. Drinks-wise, you have a couple of options. If you know exactly what type of pinot you like, you can nab a free event-only ticket, grab your own vino and get pouring. Or, you can order a '12-track pinot pack' for $85 — which includes a dozen 150-millilitre cans of wine from regions such as Gippsland, Northern Tasmania and Central Otago that you can taste while you're streaming the shindig. https://youtu.be/A6yttOfIvOw
When Dario Argento, Mario Bava and Lucio Fulci turned celluloid dreams into nightmares, they did so in vivid, visceral, blood-splattering fashion — and helped shape an entire genre, giallo, in the process. Whether taking on witches and zombies, depicting murders by literary fans and attacks at art galleries, or stepping into sinister and supernatural territory, the three influential Italian filmmakers transformed stylised horror cinema into art. Their output sits at the centre of the Gallery of Modern Art's Gothic, Giallo, Gore: Masters of Italian Horror program, Brisbane Festival's nod to the kind of frightening flicks that other horror movies want to be when they grow up. Come for '60s, '70s and '80s masterworks such as Argento's Deep Red and Tenebrae, Bava's Blood and Black Lace and A Bay of Blood, and Fulci's Zombi 2 and The House by the Cemetery. Stay for a masterclass in unnerving filmmaking. If you're eager for an extra special treat, here's two: one for your tastebuds, and one for your eyes and ears. Firstly, Gelato Messina's Smooth Criminal chocolate gelato bars will be on offer at GOMA for the duration of the season. Secondly, giallo classic Suspiria has its very own session at The Tivoli, with Claudio Simonetti's Goblin coming over from Italy to play their iconic score live.
If you're a devourer of books and words, you can look forward to feasting on a hefty lineup of talks, workshops, panels and more, when the Emerging Writers' Festival returns for 2022. After all-digital instalments in 2020 and last year, the fest will be back to hosting a jam-packed program of IRL events, though handily, a stack of them will also be accessible online. Running from Wednesday, June 15–Saturday, June 25, this year's edition has events for all varieties of lit-lover and writing enthusiast, featuring over 150 artists. EWF favourite Amazing Babes will see a cast of familiar faces sharing stories about the women, real and imagined, who've helped shape their lives; while the return of the National Writers' Conference will deliver a day of panels, workshops and pitching sessions headlined by the likes of Yassmin Abdel-Magied, and award-winning author and editor Jennifer Down (Bodies of Light). On Friday, June 17 and 24, you can head to State Library Victoria to be serenaded by stunning soundscapes and spoken word for Bodies of Sound, while on June 23, the Scienceworks Planetarium hosts a special full-dome screening of Starlight followed by the sharing of responsive works by two emerging writers. You can also up your own writing skills with an array of masterclasses and workshops covering everything from zines to narrative audio, catch inspiring exhibitions and readings, and celebrate all things mateship at performance-meets-speed-friending event Best Bookish Friends.
UPDATE, AUGUST 23: Urban Cocktail Trail: Fortitude Valley has been postponed from Saturday, August 28 to Saturday, October 9. This article has been updated to reflect that change. By now, every Brisbanite should've heard of the Urban Wine Walk, aka your excuse to mosey around town and drink vino at various bars across a mighty fine afternoon. Prefer hopping around a particular patch of the city to drink cocktails instead? Meet the Urban Cocktail Trail, which is exactly what it sounds like. This time, from 2–6pm on Saturday, October 9, you'll make your way around the Fortitude Valley to sip cocktails. Dutch Courage Officer's Mess, The Parlour, Bisou Bisou, The Prince Consort and Gerard's Bar are some of the places involved, with the list topping out at nine bars. They'll each be making their own special cocktail for the occasion, so you'll basically be venturing to them all and catching those different drinks like Pokémon. Tickets cost $79.99 and are on sale now, with places limited. You can choose where you kick off, and you'll get a glass of bubbles and something to eat at your initial port of call. After that, you'll be able to redeem six vouchers for six mini cocktails at whichever participating places you feel like visiting.
All good things evolve and change, and regular chances to browse and buy are no different. Since 2015, Metre Market has been setting up shop around town and hosting curated markets — and now it has gone and had a makeover. It's time to bid farewell to Metre Market and say hello to The Market Folk — and to head along to the latter on Sunday, November 3, Sunday, November 17 and Sunday, December 1, too. Run by Brisbane entrepreneur Sarah Malengret, the event's focus is the same, but the change of name reflects its growth over the years. First started as a rack sale, letting stallholders sell their pre-loved clothes in a metre of space, it now features everything from fashion and food to arts, homewares and design items. Eastsiders will find all of the above at Coorparoo Square from 10am–2pm, plus plants, skincare, accessories, bespoke jewellery and a soundtrack of live tunes. Fashion still features heavily, as does the chance to clear out your wardrobe, send your old outfits off to a new home and make some cash. Of course, if all you want to do is scour the tables for the best things money can buy from local up-and-coming designers, artists and makers, there's plenty of that on offer too.
Wake in Fright and Mad Max 2 have a lot to answer for. While one remains a flat-out Australian masterpiece after almost half a century and the other belongs to our best dystopian action franchise, they've spawned more than their fair share of imitators. Many Aussie films have aped their visions of broken, isolated, male-dominated worlds. Quite a few have also used their shooting location, Broken Hill. It's easy to understand why: examining toxic masculinity's extremes is a juicy subject, and the outback town on the far-western edge of New South Wales' dusty expanse cuts a striking sight on the big screen. When layered one over the other, the seemingly endless array of scrubby nothingness that encircles the remote spot appears to pulsate with oppressive desolation. The third film in four years from director Heath Davis (after 2016's Broke and 2018's Book Week), grimy crime thriller Locusts is happy to trot out the above template once again. There's another thoroughly recognisable element at play as well, one that also pops up in Wake in Fright and other Aussie flicks like The Cars That Ate Paris and Welcome to Woop Woop: the outsider wandering across this desert landscape and discovering its hostility for himself. Here, that task falls to slick technology bigwig. Ryan Black (Ben Geurens), who returns to the drought-stricken ex-mining town of Serenity Crossing after the death of his estranged dad. Complete with a far-from-cosy reunion with his brother (Nathaniel Dean) and the old girlfriend-turned-single mum and stripper (Jessica McNamee) he long left behind, everything about this scenario ticks a heap of familiar boxes. Thugs, drugs, broken dreams, family secrets — throw in Cold Chisel on the pub radio (they sang about Broken Hill, aka the Silver City, in 'Khe Sanh'), and Locusts always plays out as expected. When a group of inhospitable locals make it clear that Ryan isn't welcome, but still demands he settle his father's debts, it seems as if first-time screenwriter Angus Watts is stamping squares on a generic movie bingo card. The more twists and turns that pop up, the more that this feels true, with Locusts' various plot developments wavering between convenient and flimsy. Flashes of a man yelling at a kid with a gun earn the same description, although they're clearly designed to ramp up the tension. And as for a hefty late revelation that tries to keep things topical, it feels tacked-on rather than meaningful. Why do films continually wade through such well-worn terrain? It makes for easy, B-movie-style genre fare and, in Australia, we sure do have the backdrop for it. In Locusts and Heath Davis' case, the movie also taps into a theme that the director keeps pondering across his career. While they're set in vastly different circumstances and brandish incredibly different tones, Broke and Book Week also follow men thrown out of their depth by the vagaries of life, then scrambling to recover. Locusts is his least convincing example to-date, however. That said, Geurens' somewhat dull lead performance aside, the film does overflow with suitably scruffy, stern, grizzled men (including Peter Phelps, Broke's Steve Le Marquand, Book Week's Alan Dukes and late actor Damian Hill in one of his final screen performances) who look and feel as rough and tough as all the dirt and bush that's constantly in sight. Filling the movie with sun-dappled shades of earthy reds, murky browns and parched yellows, cinematographer Chris Bland (another Broke and Book Week alum) not only has Locusts' best job, but does Locusts' best job. While Broken Hill doesn't look anywhere near as captivating in real life as it frequently does on the screen, it's hard to point a camera at its rusty vistas without finding a fittingly moody shot. So, Bland does this often. Once again, this fits the picture's contemplation of struggling men laid bare in forbidding surroundings, but the heavy emphasis on the landscape does stand out. For the film's characters, the town's post-apocalyptic scenery is a barrier that stops them from moving on. For the film itself, it's yet another crutch used by an inescapably familiar feature that repeatedly leans on obvious elements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD_gvewa9JU&feature=youtu.be
UPDATE, November 9, 2020: Sweet Country is available to stream via Netflix, SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. In Sweet Country, the sun streams down on Australia's ochre-hued landscape, its scorching presence felt in every frame. At the helm of just his second narrative feature, director and cinematographer Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah) lets his images swelter with the outback heat, crafting a film where stifling temperatures and skyrocketing tempers go hand in hand. Indeed, if a movie could drip with beads of dusty, angry sweat, this one surely would. It's hot, rough and tough in the Northern Territory in the 1920s, but the real source of conflict and oppression — the real fire boiling in the movie's belly — is the nation's racial disharmony. Discrimination, intolerance and the turmoil ignited by both sit at the centre of the Indigenous western, which Thornton fashions after the genre's greats while ensuring that its local heart always beats strong and true. If the film's gold-and-rust sights paint a beautiful yet blistering picture, then its accompanying perspective proves not just fiery but positively searing. Though Sweet Country peers back almost a century, to a time when Australia was caught between its colonial past and the gleaming promise of a modernised future, the attitudes and struggles it explores remain painfully relevant today. In three distinctive parts comprising an astonishing whole, strained relations between white settlers and Aboriginal workers bubble to the fore — firstly, as confrontation brews across a trio of remote properties; then, in a chase through the region's vast surroundings; and finally in a law-and-order showdown. It all begins when black stockman Sam Kelly (Hamilton Morris) kills cruel, violent station owner Harry March (Ewen Leslie) in self-defence. With little chance of a fair trial, he's forced to flee through the scrub and desert with his wife Lizzie (Natassia Gorey-Furber). Sergeant Fletcher (Bryan Brown) is soon on their trail, with assistance from Indigenous tracker Archie (Gibson John), kindly preacher Fred Smith (Sam Neill) and his neighbour Mick Kennedy (Thomas M. Wright). As the slow-building tale unfurls, screenwriters Steven McGregor (Redfern Now) and David Tranter (Thornton's previous sound recordist) insert memories and foreboding glimpses of events to come. Here, playing with the movie's timeline provides emotional context, a crucial touch in a film that tackles race relations head on yet never colours with just black and white. Sweet Country might dive into a climate of pervasive prejudice and persecution in a quietly confronting and sometimes brutal fashion, but it also knows there's no simple way to fix Australia's still-evident divide. That awareness doesn't make the end result any less impassioned; in fact, it makes it even more so. That said, while the movie's message echoes loudly, Thorton lets his images do much of the talking. From views spied through doorways to shadows falling on furrowed brows, every ravishing shot seethes with harsh truths. Like fellow great Indigenous filmmaker Ivan Sen (Mystery Road, Goldstone), Thornton is a master at layering Aussie scenery with heartbreak and fury that speaks volumes. When dialogue is called for, the cast more than delivers — though none more than exceptional first-timer Morris. Leslie, Brown and especially Neill all play their parts to perfection, but the hurt, sorrow, terror and resignation flickering across Morris' calm face lingers long after the end credits roll. In a piercing, powerful film that deserves to be hailed as a major achievement, that is no mean feat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYKBG1znk4A
