Is your wardrobe overflowing with clothes that you don't wear? We've all been there, and we've all been too busy to do anything about it. Through its op shops, Australian Red Cross finds a new home for your pre-loved outfits, shoes and accessories, with proceeds going towards its charity efforts — but we all know that wanting to donate your old threads is one thing and finding the time to do it is another. That's why Australian Red Cross has once again partnered with Uber for its annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive. When it launched in 2018, it collected over 43,500 kilograms of clothing in that first year alone, which saw clothing items worth an estimated $800,000 donated. And you'd best take the drive part literally, as the ride-sharing service will actually drive to your house, pick up your unwanted clothes and accessories, and deliver them to Red Cross Shops. Even better: it's not only super easy to take part, but it's free as well. Brisbanites, make sure you're ready between 9am–4pm on Saturday, October 21. Once you've bagged up all of your old bits and pieces (items you'd happily give your best friend, and no toys, books, furniture or electrical objects) into a bundle that weighs no more than 20 kilograms, it's all incredibly simple. Open the Uber app during that seven-hour window, then find the 'package' option. After that, you need to click 'send a package', enter "Red Cross Shop" as the destination, and select one of the Red Cross Clothing Drive locations displayed An Uber driver will then stop outside your house, meaning that you just need to take your preloved goods out to their car. Voila, you've cleared out your closet and you've helped folks in need, all with the tap of a button.
Any weekend is a good weekend to shop for plants at the Brisbane Markets, the old faithful of the Brissie market scene. That said, Saturday, October 8 will be better than ever thanks to a returning event: Plantapalooza. It's the third time that the Rocklea spot has held a plant festival and, running from 6am–2pm, that's something to get excited about. You'll still find the venue's regular 150-stall-plus market array, but it'll be joined by thousands of extra indoor and outdoor plants, as well as plenty of flowers and succulents — and demonstrations on everything from composting and terrariums to growing herbs and arranging flowers to help you put your green thumb to work. Spring is well and truly in swing, so if you've been putting off getting into the garden, here's your motivation. Or, if you'd like to brighten up your house with a potted piece of nature, here's your chance as well. Remember: there's absolutely nothing wrong with giving a name to your favourite houseplant. Entry costs $2, or $6 with premium parking.
If your Friday night usually involves hitting the dance floor to 90s R&B tunes, you're definitely not alone. But on Friday, July 8, Brisbane's Institute of Modern Art wants you to give your usual go-to a miss — and make shapes in its courtyard for NAIDOC Week instead. SHOW UP: A Celebration of Black Music will be playing classic hip hop tracks from 6.30pm, with Cherbourg man DJ Big Mike on the decks. That's just one part of this end-of-week party, which'll also see Meanjin-based First Nations hip hop dancers Ziggy Wade, Dylan Wotton and Damian Mulligan perform as well. In addition to marking NAIDOC Week, this free shindig will help see out IMA's Rebirth Is Necessary exhibition, with the showcase dedicated to Jenn Nkiru wrapping up on Saturday, July 9. A word of warning: you'll be outside for the entertainment, so rugging up is recommended. Back inside, though, IMA's exhibitions will remain open late — and the IMA shop as well. And, afterwards, there's an after party down Ivory Tusk if you're keen to keep on keepin' on after 9.30pm. [caption id="attachment_812379" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top image: Maeve Baker, 'Do Your Chores, Try Not To Think Too Much, And Repeat', 2020, IMA Belltower Façade Projection. Commissioned by the Institute of Modern Art for 'Making ArtWork'. Photo: Charlie Hillhouse.[/caption] Top image: LIZANDBETTY, Final Friday, Institute of Modern Art, 2021. Photo: Marc Pricop.
Only one female filmmaker has ever been nominated for the Best Director Oscar twice. That woman: Jane Campion. The New Zealand talent won the coveted prize this year, for the phenomenal The Power of the Dog — and, while her exquisite revisionist western was the absolute best movie of 2021, it's not the only highlight on her resume. Campion's filmography is packed with must-sees, and see them you must — on the big screen, across one glorious month, all at the Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinémathèque. The venue is dedicating every Friday and Saturday in July to her films, as part of a season it's calling The Power and Passion of Jane Campion. Tickets cost $7 for members and $10 otherwise. [caption id="attachment_847709" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kirsty Griffin/Netflix[/caption] On the bill: The Power of the Dog, because watching it via streaming is nowhere near the best way to revel in its wonders; The Piano, the 1993 Oscar-winner that nabbed Campion her first Best Director nomination; In the Cut, a tremendous erotic thriller starring Meg Ryan; and Holy Smoke, with Kate Winslet starring opposite Harvey Keitel. There's also everything from 1986's Two Friends, 1989's Sweetie and 1990's An Angel at My Table through to 1996's Nicole Kidman-starring The Portrait of a Lady, 2009's Bright Star about poet John Keats and his romance with Fanny Brawne, and a selection of Campion's short films. Top image: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix.
Where would we be without movies during the pandemic? Even when cinemas were closed during lockdowns, we all still sought out the joy and escapism of watching a flick — and truly appreciated how cathartic it is. Still keen to queue up a big heap of movies, and a hefty dose of couch time? Enter Movie Frenzy, the returning week-long online film rental sale. From Friday, June 24–Thursday, June 30, it's serving up a sizeable lineup of popular flicks from the past year, all from less than $3 per movie. On the lineup: the OTT stunts of Jackass Forever, the Oscar-winning poignancy of Belfast, Joaquin Phoenix turning in another fantastic performance in C'mon C'mon and The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Or, bustin' can make you feel good (again) via Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and you can get some more sequel action via Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Sing 2. Female-led spy thriller The 355, Jennifer Lopez-starring rom-com Marry Me, ridiculous disaster epic Moonfall, Aussie zombie flick Wyrmwood Apocalypse and Liam Neeson's latest action effort Blacklight are also available, too. So are the oversized canine antics of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cliff Eastwood glaring his way through Cry Macho and the literary world-set The Hating Game. (While some of these flicks are more worth your attention than others, we'll let you do the choosing.) You can nab the cheap movies via your digital rental platform of choice, including Apple TV, iTunes, Fetch, Google Play, Dendy Home Cinema, the Microsoft Store, the Playstation Store, Prime Video, Telstra TV Box Office and YouTube Movies — although just what's available, and the price, will vary depending on the service. And you won't need a subscription, unless you decide to join in the fun via the Foxtel Store.
It has been eight years since La Macelleria set up shop in Brisbane, gifting the city's residents with an array of inventive gelato and sorbet flavours. During that time, it has taught ice cream lovers how to make their own, served up all-you-can-eat sweet treats and expanded its footprint, including by nestling into Coorparoo Square. Indeed, that's the place to head to on Sunday, July 10 if you like the best kind of gelato there is — which is free gelato, obviously. From 12–3pm, La Macelleria is busting out its gelato cart, setting up in the centre's green space and scooping up freebies — 100 to be exact. That makes it a first-in-first-served kind of event, with only one scoop on offer per person until sold out. Yes, we know it's winter. Yes, we also know that it's never too cold for gelato in Brisbane anyway, let alone free gelato. Leave your wallet at home, get licking and, while you're enjoying a frosty sweet treat, there'll be live tunes as well, all as part of an event that the centre is calling Free Gelato on the Green.
What makes a burger? If you take two of the same baked goods, slap some fillings between them and then get munching, does that count? If doughnuts are involved — standing in for burger buns, obviously — then Donut King thinks so. And, it wants you to as well. The doughnut chain is currently running the Hot Cinni Showdown, a competition to discover the greatest doughnut hack — like eating bacon and eggs sandwiched between two hot cinnamon doughnuts. It isn't just calling for suggestions, rewarding the best with $10,000 and adding the top pick to its menu next year, though. On Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, it's heading to Brisbane's King George Square to hand out free bacon and egg doughnut burgers. There's no need to eat brekkie before leaving home, then — if you can get to the CBD spot as close to 7am as possible. When the City Hall Clock Tower chimes seven times, that's when Donut King will start serving. There's only 1000 available each day, however, which is why getting in early is a must. Your free burg will come with a coffee, too — making doughnuts, eggs, bacon and caffeine the breakfast of champions for two days. Just look out for the Donut King Trailer in that big inner-city space. The queue will probably tip you off.
It's a great time to be a dinosaur fan — or, to be exact, a fan of prehistoric creatures rampaging across screens. David Attenborough's wonderful Prehistoric Planet has hit streaming queues, ready for a spectacular binge-watch. Jurassic World Dominion is in cinemas, even though it's forgettable. And King Street in Bowen Hills is doing a night of dino movies under the stars — beloved classics, too, and all for free. At King Street Movies in the Park — Dinosaur Adventures on Saturday, June 25, you'll head to Alexandria Park, watch dinosaur movies, get super nostalgic and hear plenty of roars. On the bill: the adorable animation The Land Before Time (at 5.30pm), and then the OG Jurassic Park (at 7pm). Is there a better dino-themed retro movie combo? We think not. Entry is free, but you are asked to register in advance for each session. This is both a dog-friendly (on a leash) and family-friendly event, so expect to have small and four-legged company. There'll also live music, a La Macelleria gelato cart so you can pair your movies with dessert and free popcorn — with one serve per person while stocks last. If you know you'll be hungry for more than movie snacks, you can also nab a $50 Luxury King St Eats Picnic Hamper for two, complete with a picnic basket and picnic blanket to use and then take home. Food-wise, it includes bites from your choice of El Camino Cantina, Xin Chao, Super Combo, Fat Dumpling, Welcome to Bowen Hills with Southern Smoke & Co, Beerhaus, Sushi & Nori and Six Acres Restaurant.
When One Fish Two Fish opened its doors in Kangaroo Point back in 2019, it gave the inner-city suburb a new neighbourhood fish and chip shop. It also levelled up eating seafood and slivers of potato, including via the joint's frequent events — which, if you like crab, crayfish, oysters, lobster, spritzes and more, you're probably already acquainted with. The latest special feast on the eatery's menu: Pasta Palooza. One Fish Two Fish isn't ditching the seafood, of course, but pairing it with carbs aplenty. Patrons will tuck into a four-course meal, with two sittings per day — from 12–2pm and 2.30–4.30pm between Friday, August 19–Sunday, August 21. First up, your $79 ticket covers a two-bite house-cured salmon pasta salad, as well as pan-seared prawn gnocchi and Fraser Isle spanner crab-filled pasta shells. They're actually the only three dishes with the ocean's finest in them, though — but you don't really want seafood for dessert, do you? Instead, your sweet tooth can look forward to dessert ravioli. Yes, that's how you make an already-ace style of pasta even better. This one features fried ravioli filled with ricotta, then topped with chocolate Jaffa sauce and candy floss. Bookings are recommended — and if you'd like to pair your meal with drinks, that'll cost you extra.
Some days, the only way to break free from the 9-to-5 grind is with some wings and a drink. Winghaus hopes that you feel like that most days, actually — but from Monday, July 25–Friday, July 29, it's giving you an extra incentive to head into its Brisbane CBD joint as soon as quittin' time hits. The occasion: National Wing Day, one of those dates that's all about a particular food, and is always jumped on by the places that serve them. Clearly, Winghaus fits the bill on this culinary celebration. While the day itself falls on the Friday, the bar chain is extending its wing-fuelled festivities across the entire working week. The more wings the merrier, naturally. Drop by between 5–7pm, which is when Winghaus does Wing Hour, and you'll be able to nab wings for just ten cents each. You do need to purchase a beverage, though, and there's a limit of ten per drink. Want more? Get sipping again. Winghaus is also doing six limited-edition special flavours, so you can expand your wing repertoire. On the menu, and included in the ten-cent offer: lemongrass and ginger, XO, Szechuan pepper and honey, honey mustard, satay and chilli beer varieties.
There's no shortage of cheesy places in this food-loving town of ours, much to every dairy lover's delight. But King Street's Il Verde just might be the cheese haven of Bowen Hills — once a month at least. Before the pandemic, the King Street spot would regularly serve up pasta from a parmigiano-reggiano cheese wheel. In fact, doing just that helped put the eatery on Brisbane's culinary map. Now, from Wednesday, August 3, that delicious dish is back and tempting in diners on the first Wednesday of every month. Unsurprisingly, the venue is calling this tasty feast Take the Wheel. And, that cheese wheel pasta, which is served straight out of the wheel at your table, is just one part of the three-course $55 feast. You'll also get polenta chips and wood-fired focaccia to start with, plus seasonal panna cotta served for dessert — and a house wine or schooner of beer as well. Bookings are a must, for sittings between 5.30–7.30pm.
Some festivals stick firmly to their set dates, making you cram your fun within a set tight timeframe. Others let parts of their program flow on for longer, spreading and sharing the love for longer. At the 2022 BrisAsia Festival, exhibition In Transit falls into the latter category, filling the Museum of Brisbane from Monday, January 31–Sunday, August 7. Across its three-month-long stay, this immersive installation explores growth and healing, all through works about intersectionality, language, displacement and reclaiming history. To be specific, it's all about how that latter list can help growth and healing, with Filipino-Australian artist Rhanjell Villanueva and MoB's new Artist in Residence Naavikaran creating pieces and experiences to sit on City Hall's third level. From Villanueva, visitors will spy an eye-catching entranceway, which mixes queer-coded digital imagery and video, as well as work that dives into pre-colonial history in the Philippines. From Naavikaran, expect performance-based responses that'll activate the space, as well as events and workshops — starting with poetry sessions on Saturday, February 5. Top image: Rhanjell Villanueva. Halo Halo 2020. Courtesy the artist. Updated June 17.
When something has been a part of the pop culture landscape for a whopping 33 years, there really isn't much it won't have done. And The Simpsons has done plenty — over 700 TV episodes and counting, a 2007 movie, its own albums and singles, and video games, books and comics as well. Yes, the list goes on. Until now, however, even the most diehard fans of television's favourite Springfield-dwellers mightn't have seen the titular family take to the stage in a burlesque and drag parody. But come Saturday, April 16, for one night only at The Tivoli — with sessions at 5pm and 8.30pm — Brisbanites can choo-choo-choose to watch exactly that. In case the show's name didn't make it plain, The Stripsons also claims to "put the strip in Springfield" — so, as iconic as Homer's blue pants and white shirt combo is, and Marge's green dress, too, you can expect to see them wearing much less. That's what happens when The Bad Collective takes on a childhood favourite and turns it into a firmly adults-only stage show of the highly satirical kind, as it has already done with Shreklesque. In a production that's also obviously in the same vein as The Empire Strips Back, The Stripsons doesn't just give Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie the comedic treatment, but also Millhouse, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Mrs Krabappel, Mr Burns and Smithers as well — because The Simpsons has always been about more than its eponymous characters. The cast of burlesque, drag, musical theatre, dance and music talent donning yellow makeup includes Trigger Happy, Bebe Gunn, Lulu Lemans, Baron von Envy, Barbie Banks and Betty Lovecat, plus newcomers such as Indea Sekula, Kimi Young and Ella Nagel. The soundtrack for the two-hour show: all of the songs that you've had stuck in your head over the years thanks to The Simpsons, all accompanying a blend of dance, comedy, drag and striptease. (If "Dr Zaius, Dr Zaius, ohhhhh Dr Zaius" or "Who holds back the electric car? Who made Steve Guttenburg a star?" just popped into your brain right now, then you know what we're talking about.) And, that likely means everything from 'See My Vest' to 'Monorail' to 'We Put The Spring in Springfield' will get a whirl. Cross your fingers that 1991 hit 'Do the Bartman', which reached number one on the Australian charts, also shows up. [caption id="attachment_841043" align="alignnone" width="1920"] KTB[/caption]
Easter in Sydney doesn't just mean chocolate, hot cross buns and whatever other sweet treats the city's eateries happen to come up with at this time of year — it also means the Sydney Royal Easter Show. And, while you won't find the latter at El Camino Cantina's Tex-Mex joints in Brisbane, of course, the chain is getting into the spirit of the event nationwide with its limited-edition margarita menu, which it has dubbed 'the Royal Rita Show'. For its latest batch of creative flavours, El Camino Cantina is serving up Jelly Belly, Warhead, Chupa Chup and Kinder Surprise margs. There are Trolli Lolli and Rainbow Nerd versions, too. Basically, it's the candy and booze combination you obviously didn't know you'd someday want when you were a kid. These lolly-flavoured ritas are on offer from Tuesday, April 5–Saturday, April 30, costing $20 for a 15-oz glass, $24 for the 20-oz size and $35 for a tasting paddle of four 220-millilitre glasses. And if you'd like to pair them with tacos, you'll find a Royal Rita Show food menu on offer as well; think tacos with popcorn chicken, chorizo and potato hash, slow-cooked barbecue brisket, and prawns with bacon. In southeast Queensland, you'll find both the margs and tacos tempting your tastebuds at El Camino in Bowen Hills, South Bank and Chermside in Brisbane; Robina on the Gold Coast; and Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast.
UPDATE, MARCH 3, 2022: Due to weather conditions, the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail has been postponed from Sunday, March 6 to Sunday, March 13. This article has been updated to reflect that change. When the Ekka was cancelled for the second year in a row in 2021, no one got to throw a ball in a clown's mouth. Hopping on rides, seeing fireworks and browsing for showbags were all scrapped, too. That's obviously no fun at all; however, for the farmers who were due to exhibit at Brisbane's annual show, the impact cut far deeper. So, in response, an idea was born: the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail. It first appeared twice in 2021, encouraging Brisbanites to head south, hop between properties and enjoy local wares — and it's back again in 2022. Fancy throwing a little love towards the Scenic Rim's primary producers? Keen on a day out of town? Farmers in the region will be rolling out the welcome mat from 9am–3pm on Sunday, March 13. Follow the itinerary, and you'll be hitting up the likes of Scenic Rim Mushrooms, Scenic Rim Brewery, Tommerup's Dairy Farm, Bee All Natural Honey, Witches Falls Winery, The Overflow Estate 1895 and Tamborine Mountain Distillery. That's just a taste of the list of producers involved — and if you'd like to get up close to some camels and alpacas while you're in that part of southeast Queensland, that's on the cards, too. The full a trail route covers 22 stops, firmly taking care of ideas on where to start, where to venture next and what to see. [caption id="attachment_823620" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Top image: Sabine Bannard.
It has been six years since Ballistic Beer Co started serving up its yeasty goodness to Brisbanite's brew-loving masses, and that means two things. Yes, time really does fly when you're sinking — and making — cold ones. Also, the brewery is celebrating the occasion in style and throwing a huge shindig. While the beer company has three locations across the city, this one is happening at its home base in Salisbury. Anyone hankering for a beverage will find the brewery's usual tasty tipples and a heap of special-edition beers on offer across the weekend of Saturday, March 19–Sunday, March 20, so prepare to settle in for a celebratory two days. In between sips, there'll be cake, plus activities to keep all attendees occupied (even those too young for a brew). Think: cake, live tunes, giveaways and a petting zoo. And, because a hard-earned thirst needs a chilled drink and a hungry stomach needs something to line it with — other than dessert — expect a heap of food trucks and a barbecue as well.
Summer might be over, but the sun still shines and the weather is still toasty for most of the year in Brisbane. So, if you're keen on finishing up your weekend with a few drinks outdoors — and by the water, because that's one of the great things about living in a river city — that's still well and truly on the agenda. At Byblos at Portside, throwing in a few cocktails over Mediterranean bites is also on offer, with the bar hosting weekly Sunday Sessions. Stop by from 3pm, pull up a seat with a riverside view and get sipping — and listening to either live R&B tunes from Vibe Creators or the vocals of Lady Red. Entry is free, but bookings are essential. And, given the location and the timing, sticking around while the sun sets is heartily recommended. Also, when there's a cocktail called Hugo Weaving on the drinks list (a mix of Hennessy VS, elderflower, sparkling rosé cordial, mint and soda), that's worth a visit alone.
Vinyl fiends, rejoice: your annual excuse to boost your collection is here once again. No one ever needs a specific reason to stock up on records, but Record Store Day gives you just that anyway. It's a celebration of the medium, the stores that sell it and everyone who visits the latter to pick up the former. In Fortitude Valley on Saturday, April 23, Record Store Day is also a daytime party — and a shopping session, of course. Head into the Brunswick Street Mall from 10am–3pm for markets, record store pop-ups and live tunes, plus DJs spinning the obvious. Thanks to Suitcase Rummage, you'll be browsing for records — naturally — as well as vintage threads, books, jewellery, shoes, badges and more. On the decks will be DJs from the Valley's Catalog Music, QUIVR and 4ZZZ, and radio folks will be on MC duties, too. Spreading the vinyl love far and wide, there'll also DJ sets in Bakery Lane and a label showcase in Winn Lane as well.
When a Brisbane icon gets a revamp, it's always worth stopping by to see the results. Since late 2021, that's been the case with Woolloongabba's now 134-year-old Princess Theatre. And if you haven't yet found the right reason to make a visit, here's an ace one: the new Hot Dreams Festival. Taking over the venue from 2pm on Saturday, June 11, this music fest hails from the crew behind Nine Lives, including West End record store faves Jet Black Cat Music. But, it's hitting up The Princess rather than The Tivoli. And, it's also doing so in winter — because 2022's inaugural event wants you to ditch your coats, shimmy on over to the dance floor and heat things up by enjoying live tunes. On the bill: Lucy Dacus, Cate Le Bon and Andy Shauf, all heading to Brisbane from the US and Canada, plus Aussies Glass Beams, Pinch Points, Girl And Girl and Scraps. And, out in the courtyard, Moktar, Andras, Shandy and Scalymoth will be doing their thing on the decks, and taking the party into the evening.
Sometimes, it's good to know when an event just isn't for you. With that in mind, if you think that Jaws is the scariest movie ever made — and you weren't too fond of The Meg, Deep Blue Sea, The Shallows or Sharknado, either — then consider yourself warned. But if sharks don't phase you (or they even fascinate you), here's a night-at-the-museum-style experience that you don't get to enjoy every day. Make that a night at the aquarium, because that's where you'll be slumbering at Sleep Under the Sharks at Sea Life Sunshine Coast. Yes, you'll need to make a trip to Mooloolaba, but that drive will be worth it if you're keen to spend a night sleeping in the venue's 80-metre-long ocean tunnel as sharks swim above your head. Nightmare fuel? A rare thrill? You decide, with the next session taking place on Saturday, June 18. Before you bunker down beneath ocean predators for the night — 11 species of them live at Sea Life Sunshine Coast — you'll also get a tour of the place, including behind-the-scenes access that you wouldn't nab if you just went along during a normal session during the day. A pizza and ice cream dinner is included, too, plus breakfast the next morning — followed by a seal stadium show and some time with the penguins. Unsurprisingly, places are limited, so nabbing a $99 ticket quickly is recommended. Also, you'll need to bring your own pillow, sleeping bag and sleeping mat. And, this is a firmly family-friendly affair, so prepare to have kids for company.
You can never have too many occasions to eat cheese, but this returning Australian cheese festival isn't just keen to shower cheese fiends with creamy goodness. A collaboration between Bruny Island Cheese Co cheesemaker Nick Haddow and the organisers of Pinot Palooza, Mould wants dairy lovers to explore and devour the mild, hard and soft bites that Australia's best cheese wizards have to offer. Returning for a fourth time in 2022 — after a chaotic couple of years, as all fests have endured — the cheesy event will paint Brisbane Showgrounds yellow from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 3. And there won't just be a few cheeses on the menu. More than 75 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting for you to devour, spanning dairy from 27-plus producers. That lineup includes Bruny Island Cheese Co, naturally, plus Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow. There'll also be wares from Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, and newcomers such as Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses, Mould will also feature flavoursome fare from cheese specialists that've been created just for the fest, too. Think of it as a cheese tasting trip around Australia without leaving the city. Of course, snacking on samples and purchasing slices and slabs to take home with you are just two ways to enjoy cheese. The fest will have cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks so you can stretch your cheese knowledge as well as your cheese stomach. And it wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake — all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Unsurprisingly, Mould is rather popular. Last year, attendees tucked into a one million samples across the fest's three cities, and also took home over 3.5 tonnes of Aussie dairy products. So, if this the kind of event that your cheese dreams are made of, you'll want to nab a $45 ticket ASAP. Sessions run from 4.30pm–8.30pm on the Friday, 11am–3pm and 4–8pm on the Saturday, and 11am–3pm on the Sunday.
Maybe you'll see a glowing giraffe. Perhaps you'll spy a dazzling koala. Or, you might find yourself peering at the sun — but much closer than usual. They're just some of the lanterns that could be brightening up the inky night sky at the 2022 Luminous Lantern Parade, with the event making its return to South Bank Parklands from 5pm on Friday, June 10. The parade doesn't just give the riverside spot a new glow for the fun of it. It celebrates multiculturalism, and has for 15 years now. Over that time, it has grown to become quite the hefty event. This year's crowd might be a little more spread out than usual, but the parade will still champion diversity — and also welcome new Queenslanders, including migrants, refugees, international students and people seeking asylum. As well as the main event — which is free to attend — there'll also be live music and performances in the South Bank Piazza afterwards.
If you're a fan of musical theatre, then you know the name Jonathan Larson, the creator and composer behind smash-hit production Rent. And, you likely know his story, too, with the playwright and lyricist passing away at the age of 35 on the day that that now-huge show premiered its first off-Broadway preview performance, and never seeing the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon that it would become. Before that, Larson also created another musical called tick, tick…BOOM!; however, it didn't chart the same path. Instead, the semi-autobiographical piece was performed as a solo work before his death, following a character called Jon who worried that he'd made the wrong decision by chasing his dream of becoming a composer. After Larson died, tick, tick…BOOM! was reimagined as a three-actor show, then made its way from off-Broadway to off-West End, as well as West End itself. And, in 2021, it took the leap to the screen, too, courtesy of Netflix — in a film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield, the latter turning in an Oscar-nominated performance as Larson. That's a whole lot of history behind the latest big musical announcement Down Under: that tick, tick…BOOM! will make its Australian mainstage debut in 2023. That run will kick off in Melbourne, then head to Brisbane's QPAC Playhouse on Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 5. If you're wondering about tick, tick…BOOM!'s narrative, the rock musical is set in 1990, with promising young composer Jon as its focus. He's almost 30, living in New York City, and life as an artist isn't turning out as he planned — so he has to decide what to do next. The production is an ode to theatre and a tribute to New York, too, and has kept proving popular since it premiered in its current format off-Broadway in 2001. Playing Larson in Australia: multiple Logie-winner Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters, House Husbands, Five Bedrooms), with Elenoa Rokobaro (Rent) as Susan, Finn Alexander (Urinetown) as Michael, and Sheridan Adams (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) and Andrew Coshan (A View From a Bridge) also among the cast. Also, tick, tick…BOOM!'s upcoming Aussie seasons will be produced by Adrian Storey from StoreyBoard Entertainment (Chess the Musical, Barnum, Follies, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and directed by Tyran Parke (Chess the Musical, Barnum, Follies, Sunday in the Park with George). Check out the trailer for the Netflix film below: Updated October 31, 2022. Images: Jeff Busby.
Putting a spring in your step on an average Tuesday isn't the easiest thing to achieve. The last weekend is well and truly over, the next one seems forever away and you haven't even hit hump day yet. Putting some spice in your life is simple from 5pm on Tuesday, August 23, though. Your zesty escape: Salt Meats Cheese's Spice Meats Cheese dinner, a one-night-only affair that's all about drinks and dishes that pack a punch. On the menu: four courses of chilli-, 'nduja- and Sriracha-filled Italian dishes, starting with a spicy antipasto platter featuring chilli-marinated olives, spicy pecorino, sopressata, hot tromba and a homemade spicy capsicum dip. You'll also tuck into spicy beef polpette topped with Sriracha, spicy nduja and hot sopressa pizza, and a spicy rigatoni alla vodka made with Archie Rose's native botanical vodka. To wash it all down with, there are four cocktails to choose from — with your pick included in the $55 price. Sip a chilli-topped spritz, opt for a Tabasco margarita, or see what a cosmopolitan tastes like with a bit of that same hot sauce, too. Some are made with Archie Rose's native botanical vodka as well, including the Rhuby Tuesday, which includes fig and rhubarb syrup. Fancy more drinks? They'll cost you $18 a pop after your first one. Bookings for the Spice Meats Cheese dinner are essential — and Brisbanites can hit up Salt Meats Cheese at Newstead, or head down the coast to Surfers Paradise.
No one ever needs an excuse to escape their daily routines with a stint of mini golf, ten-pin bowling, laser tag or karaoke, but on Tuesday, September 6, Funlab's venues are giving you a mighty great reason to anyway. That's when the company's Day of Fun rolls around for 2022, and lets you get putting, rolling, shooting, singing and puzzle-solving for $5 a pop — all to help Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation. All day at its nine locations across Brisbane (and 54 Australia-wide), Funlab will donate all of its proceeds to the charity, which provides early-intervention mental health services to 12–25 year olds across Australia. So, you'll be aiding your own headspace — tap, tap, tapping your way around an indoor mini golf course will do that, for instance — and also showing some love to a great cause. Funlab's Brisbane's sites include multiple Holey Moley and Strike Bowling joints, plus B.Lucky and Sons — and the $5 deal covers bowling, darts, laser tag, escape rooms, karaoke, an hour of games and nine holes of golf (all at $5 per activity). Booking in advance is recommended. Obviously, if you'd like to add a few drinks — these venues serve plenty — that'll cost you extra. [caption id="attachment_681171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption]
One of the first lessons that we all learn about romance, usually when studying Romeo and Juliet at school, is also the saddest: they can't all have happy endings. Affairs of the heart can be glorious, magnificent, sweeping and life-changing, but they can also weather pain and end in sorrow. The entire romantic-tragedy genre is about just that, in fact. So, saying that Kenneth MacMillan's Manon fits the bill means preparing for a moving tale about love's highs and lows. Based on the 1731 novel Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost, the MacMillan-choreographed version was first performed by The Royal Ballet in London in 1974 — and Queensland Ballet is now doing the honours at QPAC's Lyric Theatre from Tuesday, September 27–Saturday, October 8. Hopping from 18th-century Paris to New Orleans, the story follows the eponymous Manon, who is about to enter a convent when two developments alter her path. Firstly, the rich and old Monsieur GM asks her brother Lescaut for her hand. Secondly, while that arrangement is being made, Manon meets and falls for Des Grieux instead — and off they flee. In Brisbane, there's an added bonus: for select performances, Queensland Ballet's Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO and his wife and former ballerina Mary Li are taking to the stage. Acclaimed Romanian dance Alina Cojocaru will perform, too, in two shows. Whoever's playing the iconic production's parts at any given time, expect a story about seduction and the lingering power of love. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Queensland Ballet (@qldballet)
Brisbane has long been partial to a party boat. The Island did the honours from the 80s through until early this decade, and Seadeck has cruised the river over the last couple of years. Now Yot Club has started sailing into the city's waters, and it's making quite a big splash — as you'd expect from a huge yacht with two bars, a stage, a dance floor and a 400-person capacity. Throwing its next series of shindigs throughout November and December, the glamorous, custom-built vessel is calling itself "the world's first super yacht entertainment venue". It's certainly something that southeast Queensland hasn't seen before, at the very least. Sprawling over two levels, it measures nearly 40-metres long and over 22-metres wide, and blends a licensed floating club and a luxe function space, including room for 200 people to enjoy a sit-down meal. With lounges across an open deck and undercover, a VIP room in the hull, both general and ticketed events set to welcome guests, and the promise of bands and DJs on its lineup, Yot Club wants to be the region's one-stop watery hangout. It serves up more than water, of course, thanks to a menu of classic and creative cocktails, plus brews chilled in the 45-keg-capacity cool room. Yot Club sets off from South Bank's Ferry Terminal One, with tickets starting from $49. Dates vary, but you can head along for a cruisy Friday or Saturday night, or enjoy a watery Saturday or Sunday afternoon session. Images: Yot Club.
It's easy to understand why Bart Freundlich, filmmaker and husband of Julianne Moore, decided to remake After the Wedding. A best foreign-language Oscar nominee in 2006, the original Danish feature is a thorny melodrama that's big on moral dilemmas, but even bigger on revelatory moments and performances — and gender-swapping the main characters, shifting the action to America and giving Moore a lead role was clearly too juicy an opportunity to pass up. So was casting his wife opposite Michelle Williams, another actor who can play steely and fragile in the same breath, excels at portraying complex, realistic women, and manages all of the above with the utmost subtlety. Indeed, if any uncertainty hovers over Freundlich's movie, it isn't "why?", but "why didn't it happen sooner?". Perhaps the answer to the second query resides in After the Wedding's narrative, which acts like a Rorschach test for audiences. Some will see splotches of #firstworldproblems connected through convenient, even implausible twists. Others will notice how the film stresses the enormous chasm between the needy and the rich, refuses to trade in simplicity, and has meticulously calculated each and every plot development. Of course, both perspectives can prove accurate at once. A movie can seem neat, chaotic, overly structured and random in tandem, because life almost always does the same thing. Leaning into these contradictions actually deepens After the Wedding — as its conflicted characters are forced to navigate testing circumstances, Freundlich's film never even thinks of settling into a safe, cosy niche. Location-wise, though, the opposite is true. After the Wedding is largely set in a privileged world, spending the bulk of its time in New York penthouses, offices and country estates. The film introduces Isobel (Williams) while she's meditating at the Kolkata orphanage she helps run, then whisks her across the globe to secure funding from business high-flyer Theresa (Moore) — and makes a point of stressing how uncomfortable Isobel is with the change of environment. That's the first major upheaval that pushes Williams' calm yet flinty character out of her comfort zone. When Moore's brittle hotshot demands that Isobel extends her trip and, even though they've just met, also insists that she attends her daughter's upcoming wedding, additional surprises follow. It's impossible to delve further into the plot without giving too much away; however Isobel is hardly thrilled when she meets Theresa's sculptor husband Oscar (Billy Crudup), or takes a proper look at Grace (Abby Quinn), the blushing bride. The best moral dilemmas double as mysteries, inspiring a series of questions. How will the intricate plot pieces fit together? How will the various players respond? How will tussling with a life-altering scenario change everyone involved? After dropping the first big revelation early — his film is called After the Wedding, after all — Freundlich keeps the complications coming thick and fast, but takes time to revel in Isobel, Theresa, Oscar and Grace's reactions. That's the nuts and bolts of the movie, as relayed in heated altercations, awkward exchanges, pensive moments, and big breakthrough scenes that push Isabel and Theresa to their limits. Naturally, Williams and Moore couldn't be better; fresh from stellar work in Fosse/Verdon and Gloria Bell, respectively, that's why the reliably excellent duo was cast. Without them, After the Wedding might've felt soapy, especially after discarding its predecessor's jittery camerawork for conspicuously smooth and gleaming visuals, but that's never the outcome. When a story loves thrashing in as many different directions as this one, it takes particularly textured and nuanced performances to hammer home its tender core, which is what Williams and Moore continually bring to the table. Elsewhere, Crudup is understated but underused in support, while Quinn holds her own with the film's high-profile leading ladies — and that's no mean feat. The elephant in the room? It's the place where elephants are far more common, with Isabel's life in India — and her bond to eight-year-old Jai (Vir Pachisia), the abandoned boy she's become a replacement mother to — never fading from view. Still, while she's desperate to return and keep making a difference, hers is never a clumsy white saviour tale. This part of the story is noticeably blunt, as are the film's other attempts to address class differences (as Isabel rattles off stats about child prostitution to Theresa, they're interrupted by a catering snafu over a lack of lobster, for example), yet the instinct to grapple with one's issues by helping others rings true. Perhaps surprisingly given how many twists it strings together, After the Wedding proves affecting and engrossing in general for the same reason: no matter what the film throws at the screen, its heaving emotional landscape always feels devastatingly real.
Kangaroo Point's One Fish Two Fish is lapping up the warmer weather with a month-long seafood and spritz feast. Eat your way through six tasting courses of the ocean's finest while sipping on bottomless tipples — yep, there's your next leisurely lunch sorted. Running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November, Fish & Spritz starts as all great seafood meals do: with oysters. From there, you'll tuck into whole cooked Mooloolaba prawns paired with sriracha and lime aioli, bite into Tasmanian salmon sashimi with soy, ginger and garlic, and enjoy crumbed flounder charcoal bao with pickled vegetables, chilli and coriander. Prawn dumplings, which come with steamed rice, green curry and herbs, help round out the menu, alongside black salt and pepper calamari with fried garlic and squid ink aioli. Drinks-wise, sip all the spritzes you can across a two-hour period — including Aperol, limoncello, pink peach, cucumber and mint, and Campari spritzes. Fish & Spritz runs from 12–4pm, with bottomless spritzes on offer from 12.30–2.30pm. Settle in for the whole thing for $79, or stick with the food only for $55.
When it rolls around each October and November, Palace Cinemas' British Film Festival, presented by MINI, serves up Australia's starriest cinema showcase. Take 2019's program, for example, which includes Keira Knightley playing a real-life whistleblower in Official Secrets, Helen Mirren facing off against Ian McKellen in The Good Liar, The Theory of Everything's Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones re-teaming for The Aeronauts, and Liam Gallagher getting the documentary treatment in Liam Gallagher: As It Was. Coming to our shores fresh from opening the London Film Festival, The Personal History of David Copperfield also ranks among BFF's highlights, too — as you'd expect from a witty flick based on Charles Dickens' novel, directed by Veep, The Thick of It, In the Loop and The Death of Stalin's Armando Iannucci, and starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie and Ben Whishaw. Elsewhere, British movie buffs can catch moving social-realist drama Sorry We Missed You, with I, Daniel Blake's Ken Loach directing his take on the gig economy; Happy New Year, Colin Burstead, the latest darkly comic film from High-Rise's Ben Wheatley; and Hope Gap, starring Annette Bening, Bill Nighy and God's Own Country's Josh O'Connor. Running in Brisbane from Wednesday, October 30 to Sunday, November 24 at Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, BFF's 2019 program also features a six-film retrospective paying tribute to Helen Mirren's stellar career, plus a 4K restoration of horror classic Don't Look Now. The list goes on, including the latest unsettling documentary from acclaimed documentarian Alex Gibney (Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief) — with Citizen K focusing on Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his exile in London.
Feeling spooky and hungry? When October comes around, that's a winning combination. That's when Brisbane embraces all things frightening and scary — and all the theming that goes with it, including bats, ghosts, witches and oh-so-many pumpkins. Understandably, Eat Street Northshore is getting in on the terrifying action, all thanks to a three-day Halloween party across the weekend of Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27. The site's vendors will be embracing the theme, magicians will be doing tricks and there'll even be special Halloween-centric entertainment. Plus, the Hamilton space will be decked out with all the appropriate decorations. Donning a costume and exploring all of Eat Street's culinary wonders is also on the menu, naturally. As a result, so are plenty of treats — whether you like doughnuts, chocolate, ice cream, gelato, churros, fairy floss or just dessert in general. Halloween Party Weekend will be open from 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm on Sundays — with entry to Eat Street costing $3 per adult. Image: Eat Street Northshore.
One afternoon. Plenty of brews. All of the pizza. Because three hours sipping beer and cider and eating slices is three hours well spent, that's what's on the agenda at Superfly Pizza's Cold Beers, Fresh Cuts, Hot Pizzas event. Taking place from 2–5pm on Saturday, November 2, this pizza party won't just serve up a few slices. When it comes to the good stuff, the Woolloongabba spot is letting attendees feast on all they can eat. The reason? Well, there's simply no such thing as too much pizza, as your brain, tastebuds and stomach all know. With Young Henry's joining the fun, you'll start off the party with a tinnie, too, then sip your way through tipples matched to your slices — including mids, lagers, pale ales, porters, an IPA and an apple cider. Because this is a shindig, expect to tap your toes to DJ-spun tunes as well — with tickets on sale now for $40. Image: Superfly Pizza.
What's more spectacular than spending time in Brisbane's great outdoors? Heading outside for an event dedicated to the city's multicultural community, that's what. Taking place at Roma Street Parklands from 10am on Sunday, October 13, that's MOSAIC through and through. The returning festival will unleash a storm of world music, dance and food — aka the type of storm that brightens things up, rather than darkens clouds. Three stages will showcase performances, acoustic songs and cultural storytelling, while an exhibition featuring photography, visual art and spoken word will also celebrate Brisbane talent. Plus, if you're keen to do more than watch, you can also make your way over to the MOSAIC mandala and make your own contribution. Markets will be selling handmade wares, and an array of international cuisine will also be on offer. Eat your way through a range of food stalls, grab a coffee from local up-and-coming baristas and watch a few global cooking demos.
Run out of things to read? Eager to keep building that pile next to your bed? Fancy trawling through piles of books, even though Brisbane's beloved Bookfest is still months away? If you're especially fond of vintage tomes, then head over to QUT Gardens Theatre on Thursday, October 10. From 12–3pm, the CBD spot on Queensland University of Technology's Gardens Point campus will be selling old books on a variety of topics, spanning everything from art history, fashion, and photography to film, design and politics. It's the type of sale you'll want to bring a tote bag to, or several — leaving with just one piece of reading material will likely prove impossible. Now in its second year, the QUT Vintage Book Sale raises funds for the The Indigenous Literacy Foundation, so your purchases will be helping a good cause. Arriving early is recommended, although the doors won't spring open until noon.
Trivia nights mean gathering your mates around, enjoying a few beverages and trying to convert your respective stores of knowledge into glory. At this particular trivia night, you'll do all that, but there'll be a particular emphasis on your pals. Given that the topic of the evening is a certain sitcom about a band of best buddies, celebrating your chums is the thing to do. Yes, Friends is in the spotlight at The Elephant's battle of pop culture tidbits, all to commemorate the show's 25th anniversary. If you think you know everything there is to know about the series that caused viewers to agonise over whether Ross and Rachel would get together, wish that Joey and Chandler lived next door and get their hair cut like Jennifer Aniston, here's your chance to prove it. Given that it has been a quarter-century since Friends first started on TV, this contest isn't just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories — although we're betting you've binged the show more than once thanks to the wonders of streaming. Friends 25th Anniversary Trivia takes place from 6pm for a 7pm start on Thursday, October 24. Tickets are free, but registering in advance is required. And no, no one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way.
In every sip of whiskey sits an inescapable clash. The bite, the flavour, the way it makes the back of your throat feel like you really have had a stiff drink: they all make you want to savour each mouthful. The warm feeling in your stomach, the intoxicating aroma: well, they make you want to sample as many varieties as possible. Head along to an event that offers both on Thursday, October 24, when A World of Whiskey takes over the Regatta's Walrus Club. Relishing the unique tastes of quite the number of amber spirits is on the agenda here, all to the strains of a live jazz soundtrack. In fact, $65 gets you a taste of 50 top tipples, plus canapes to line your stomach, and your own Glencairn glass to take home. What makes a classy drinking session even better? A classy drinking session that comes with its own souvenir.
Looking for a luxe but relaxed way to welcome in the last public holiday until Christmas? Like sipping drinks in a decadent underground cocktail lounge? If you're after all of the above — and you love 90s R&B tunes — then head down to The Boom Boom Room's retro shindig on Sunday, October 6. Given the venue's moniker, you can probably bet that one old-school track will get a spin: DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's 'Boom! Shake the Room'. There'll be more where came from, because the 90s is the decade that just kept on giving when it came to R&B. The fun kicks off at 5pm and, while you can just mosey on in whenever you feel like it, you might want to book in advance if you're keen on nabbing a booth — or splashing out on a vault spot. The bar already has a music-inspired cocktail list, so you can sip drinks inspired by famous musos and their hit tracks (including Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely', Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard it Through the Grape Vine' and Bruno Mars' 'Locked Out of Heaven') while you're there — even if they don't necessarily fit the R&B vibe.
Your next stint of Sunday shopping just got boozier, all thanks to City Winery Brisbane and BrisStyle. The former is Fortitude Valley's resident winery, the latter hosts markets around town, and the two are joining forces for another Sip & Shop Pop-Up event. Between 11am–4pm on Sunday, November 17, Brisbanites are invited to browse stalls, buy handmade wares and enjoy a few wines in the process, all at City Winery's James Street digs. If you've always thought your market experience needed a bit of vino, then you're in luck. If you've always wished your next wine-sipping afternoon would also involve shopping, you're in luck as well. Focusing on Queensland artisans, the pop-up will feature jewellery, art, clothing and homewares, with BrisStyle highlighting some of its popular online sellers. Plus, City Winery won't just be serving up beverages, but bites to eat as well. Image: BrisStyle.
UPDATE, August 19, 2020: Birds of Passage is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Thanks to Narcos, Blow and plenty of similar films and television shows, the term 'Colombian drug drama' conjures up a particular image. But that's not what viewers will find in Birds of Passage, a movie that falls into the same broad category while carving its own niche. Forget Pablo Escobar, piles of cocaine and cartels fighting against the US. Forget the genre's usual slick and shiny sheen, too. Instead, Ciro Guerra and Cristina Gallego (Embrace of the Serpent) immerse their feature within a highly insular indigenous tribe, watching as its way of life is forever changed after getting into the marijuana business. The result: a multigenerational crime saga that's as much a portrait of Colombia's Wayúu community as it is about dealing in illicit substances. If the above description didn't already distinguish Birds of Passage from other drug-fuelled gangland affairs, then its visuals achieve that feat. As they did with their last picture (which Guerra directed and Gallego produced and helped edit), the filmmaking duo take an ethnographic approach, as seen in each of the movie's vibrant images and scenes. Showcasing traditional locations, clothing and ceremonies, the pair don't just present these details — in every shot and sequence, they revel in them. With ample assistance from returning cinematographer David Gallego, Birds of Passage is filled with dusty plains far removed from the Colombian drug trade's stereotypical jungles, intensive rituals used to initiate courtships and striking jewellery that has more than a decorative impact. Indeed, to see the absorbing and engrossing film's frames flicker by is to walk through the Guajira region of in the country's north, bear witness to its first peoples and explore their intricacies. While it should go without saying, other dramas that do this aren't just rare — they're non-existent. It's this specificity that both marks and shapes Birds of Passage, especially as its story purposefully winds down a recognisable path. Guerra and Gallego want their audience to take in everything that makes the Wayúu who they are, but they also want to highlight that devastation can and will plight any culture, even this one, once it's steeped in a destructive cycle of power, wealth, death and bloodshed. When the feature opens in a desert village, such matters appear far from everyone's minds. Emblazoned in red from head to toe, local beauty Zaida (Natalia Reyes) is the centre of attention, with young men lined up to win her heart — and willing to dance until they drop to do so. Rapayet (José Acosta) doesn't falter; however, although Zaida is instantly smitten, her mother Ursula (Carmiña Martínez) is hardly convinced. The formidable matriarch sets a high dowry of 30 goats, 20 cows, five necklaces and two decorative mules, expecting that the determined suitor won't be able to pay. But after a chance meeting with weed-seeking American Peace Corps volunteers, Rapayet and his pal Moisés (Jhon Narváez) discover a way to make all the money they need (and all the goats, cows, necklaces and decorative mules as well). Set across a two-decade span from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, Birds of Passage charts the ups and downs that ripple throughout the entire Wayúu enclave, as seemingly simple choices have far-reaching consequences. It's not difficult to guess where Zaida and Rapayet's tale is headed across its five chapters, or that of their entire tribe — or to foresee that Ursula's fears about her possible future son-in-law will prove well-founded. That said, it's worth noting that she's also obsessed with dreams and omens, interpreting everything around her for signs about her family's future, a technique that Guerra and Gallego also deploy with their narrative. It isn't difficult to discern what'll happen at each turn, but that's the basis of this epic film's sweeping tragedy: audiences can glean what happens next, just as Ursula tries to, and yet everyone remains thoroughly powerless to stop it. The same idea bubbled through Gabriel García Márquez's landmark novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, and the same haunting feeling of inevitability, too. Tint the Colombian author's awarded and applauded 1967 tome with an extra layer of shattering bleakness, bring it to the screen with breathtakingly vivid images and set it in a unique gangster world, and that's Birds of Passage — almost. One of the wonders of this stunningly shot and performed movie is how it nods to literary greats, to on-screen crime sagas like The Godfather and The Sopranos, and even to Shakespeare's darkest accounts of misfortune, and yet remains a wholly distinctive work. In plunging viewers into a specific way of life, beholding its beauty and watching how something so fragile can crumble when plagued by corruption, Guerra and Gallego peer closely and systematically, while also seeing the bigger picture. That's what great ethnographers do — and great filmmakers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhQsCz0X4Vw
Spring is here, the weather is glorious and if you're feeling the urge to head out of town, well, you're not alone. From 2–5pm on Saturday, November 9, you can enjoy all of the above by venturing to Spring Mountain Lagoon Park. It's at Greenbank, so not that far out of Brisbane — and as your reward for making the trek, you'll be surrounded by a whole heap of animals. At Spring Day Out, you can pat cute pooches, and even take your own pupper along to an agility and obedience demonstration put on by the RSPCA. If you're fond of native critters, then get up close and personal with snakes, bearded dragons, lizards and green tree frogs, as well as a tawny frogmouth owl, a squirrel glider and even a baby crocodile. Feeling a little stressed? Karmably will be hosting one of its animal yoga sessions, so you can bend, stretch and bliss out while surrounded by baby goats and lambs. Entry is free, and there'll also be a free barbecue and free ice cream from Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van. And if you're wondering what's behind this afternoon shindig, it's to promote the new Spring Mountain Acreage Estate in the area. Image: Karmably.
It's vegan Christmas time, with, Brisbane Vegan Markets getting festive from 12pm on Sunday, December 2. Prepare to celebrate in healthy, sustainable, cruelty-free, meat-free and vegetarian style. On the second Sunday of each month, BVM celebrates ethical eating choices in the best way that anyone can: bringing together all of the stalls selling all of the vegan products. Given the season, this 2019 outing will feature multiple food stalls and vendors for all of your Chrissie culinary needs, plus plenty of gifts to put under the tree. The extra present, of course, is your own peace of mind. [caption id="attachment_755499" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane Vegan Markets[/caption] Stallholders always changes each and every month, but there'll be plenty this time around. Based on past markets, expect guilt-free grab bites and wares from a rotating range that has previously included I Should Coco, Grassfed, Tibetan Momo, Kings Indian Fusion, Fire & Dough, Tapioca Traders, Organic Frog Doughnuts, Chai Cart, Vegan Van, Vurger, Green Street Foods, Flour of Life and Popcorn Downunder — and they're just some of the Brissy traders known to sell their animal-free goods.
Orange juice is a tried and tested breakfast staple. Orange juice mixed with champagne? Well, that's a brunch classic. It still makes you feel like you're eating brekkie and getting a big dose of vitamins — while delivering an extra boozy kick. Yes, we're talking about mimosas. Yes, they're on the menu at Block House's brunch offering, which is particularly great news for northside residents. Head to the Nundah spot and you can spend 90 minutes sipping bottomless drinks, including brews as well. Food-wise, you'll eat your way through four or five share courses, again within that hour-and-a-half window. The $79 deal is a regular part of the cafe's menu, so it is available daily. You'll need to take a least one mate with you, because there's a two-person minimum. And if you rock up with a group, everyone at your table must partake in the boozy brunch special (not that they should need much convincing).
Tibet is the type of place everyone wants to visit — and the kind of destination few of us will actually make it to. Don't worry, the Festival of Tibet offers up the next best thing. It'll either help ease the pain of not jumping on a plane, or make you book a ticket overseas as soon as you can. Learning how to practice meditation and do yoga, all Tibetan-style, will do that of course. So will Tibetan songs, as well as a talk about the the Buddhist approach to living and dying. And there's more where that came from, with the event celebrating the resilience and optimism of a people and culture under threat, all through a showcase of the country's way of life — and for the 12th year running. [caption id="attachment_761351" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane Powerhouse[/caption] Hitting up Brisbane Powerhouse from Friday, April 17–Saturday, April 18, the 2020 festival lineup includes both ticketed and free sessions. Top image: Festival of Tibet.
It has only been three short years since Call Me By Your Name first hit cinemas; however the yearning romance instantly cemented itself as an all-time great. Adapting André Aciman's novel of the same name, every element of the film hit exactly the right note — including the tender love story, charting a summer dalliance between Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer), as well as director Luca Guadagnino's gorgeous use of the story's Italian Riveria setting. Hammer's awkward dance moves, Michael Stuhlbarg playing the dad everyone wishes they had, the use of peaches — you can remember this heartwrenching movie for any or all of the above. Actually, because there's never a bad time to revisit Call Me By Your Name, you can also re-experience it all again on the big screen on Valentine's Day. Palace James Street is doing the honours, kicking off at 6.45pm on Friday, February 14. Tickets cost $15, or $10 if you're a Palace member. If you really feel like diving in, you can also purchase peach cocktails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AYPxH5NTM
Feel like you've experienced every date option that Brisbane has to offer? If glitz, glamour, drinks, dinner and feeling like you're in a speakeasy several decades ago amount to your idea of a good — and novel — time, then make a beeline to Cloudland's Big Band Cabaret. It's a regular event, but in honour of February 14, the next one is Valentine's-themed. Taking place in the Valley venue's Rainbow Room, the decadent shindig will have you and your loved one dancing to the Franky Smart Big Band and lapping up performances by Jacqueline Furey's Burlesque Ensemble, all while eating your way through a three-course meal and enjoying a three-hour package of beer, wine and sparkling. [caption id="attachment_757163" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cloudland[/caption] The event has been such a hit over the last couple of years, it's no wonder that Cloudland keeps bringing it back. Head along on Friday, February 14 from 6.30pm. Tickets aren't cheap at $110 per person, but it's certain to liven up your Valentine's Day with something more than a little different.
Last year, VEND Marketplace added a new space dedicated to plants. Its mission: to help you fill your home with all types of greenery. And to help you do just that, it's hosting a huge sale. Welcome to the Greenhouse, as the area is aptly known. The place where gardeners' dreams come true, it's upping the ante from 8am on Saturday, January 25. That's when the 250-square-metre indoor garden will be slinging its green babies at a special one-day event — and yes, there'll be succulents, cacti, indoor plants, hanging plants, outdoor plants, pots and more. Plenty of plants will be on sale for less than $12, and there'll also be juice, smoothies, tea, coffee, beer and wine to drink. Plus, if you can find a hidden jungle animal, you'll nab yourself a free piece of greenery. VEND is also doggo-friendly, should you want to bring your four-legged pal with you. Image: VEND Marketplace.
Every week over at its Gasworks store, Salt Meats Cheese serves up all-you-can-eat pizza. Yes, it's as delicious as it sounds. If you're a vegan and you've been holding back, the eatery has you covered too. SMC mightn't ditch animal products as often, but when it does, it's something special. Next occurring on Tuesday, February 11, SMC's bottomless vegan pizza feast is in full swing again in 2020 — and again, it includes unlimited vegan pasta as well. All you need to do is book a table in advance, with sittings available from 5pm. The pizza and pasta free-for-all will set you back a highly affordable $25, and while you'll also have to buy a drink, you can choose from both boozy and non-alcoholic options. For an extra $5, you can also opt for all-you-can-eat gluten-free vegan pizza too. Finding decent slices that cater to dietary requirements is hard enough, let alone devouring as many as you feel like in one sitting, so expect this to be popular. Updated February 7.
Move over, craft beer — it's craft spirits' time to shine. Everyone's been to a day dedicated to the former, but from 1–4pm on Sunday, May 31 you can spend an afternoon with all the whisky, gin and vodka you could ever want with more than 30 exhibitors and master distillers showcasing over 100 craft spirits at 2019's Indie Spirits Tasting. For the fifth time, the Indie Tasting folks are bringing their spirit celebration to Brisbane for the type of event that whiskey, gin, rum, vodka and tequila-lover's dreams are made of. We'd keep listing different kinds of spirits, but we're getting thirsty. Taking place at The Triffid, tickets are $65 — and not only include samples of the best Aussie and international indie brands on offer, but free bar snacks and access to seminars across the afternoon too. And for those particularly eager, early bird tickets are available until May 15 for the discounted price of $45.
Whoever first thought to pair bacon and eggs was a smart person indeed. It's an all-time classic food combination, whether just served by themselves, accompanied by mushrooms and tomatoes for breakfast, plonked on a stacked burger or dished up atop a juicy steak. But will the duo work in dessert form? La Macelleria wants you to find out, with the Brisbane gelato joint serving up bacon and egg gelato for one day only. It's made from smoked bacon-infused, egg-based gelato, then filled with maple syrup candied bacon pieces. Whether you're salivating or horrified, you're intrigued by the savoury-sweet blend — admit it. Grab your scoop, or several, on Sunday, January 26. It'll be available at the chain's Teneriffe, West End and Coorparoo stores all day. (King Street won't be open on the day.)
After initially launching in early March, then shutting down due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is making a comeback — in line with cinemas reopening in Brisbane. Returning to finish its 2020 event, it's heading back to Palace James Street and Palace Barracks from July 14–August 4. And, when it restarts on Bastille Day, it's bringing most of its originally announced program with it. In one of the films on the 2020 bill, Eva Green (Penny Dreadful) rockets into space, playing a single mother who's also the only woman in the European Space Agency's astronaut training program. In another flick showing at the fest, voodoo, a secret literary society and a Haitian teen all combine. In other words: no matter what kind of French film you're looking for, you'll likely find it on the event's 31st lineup. If you're eager to catch the two aforementioned movies, then put Proxima and Zombi Child on your must-see list — but there's more where they came from, of course. Also on offer is Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano's The Extraordinary, which dramatises the real-life efforts of Frenchman Stéphane Benhamou — who runs his own Parisian shelter for autistic youth who aren't cared for by the system otherwise. And, there's also comedy The Bare Necessity. In the Cannes-premiering title, a radio show agony aunt in a small village is completely unaware that her adult sons have been calling in with their own problems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIsEZ2tTavU Other highlights include Oscar-nominee Les Misérables, about clashes between cops, teens and gangs in Montfermeil; as well as the 1968-set How to Be a Good Wife, which sees Juliette Binoche run a housekeeping school that prepares teenagers to become housewives. Or, French film lovers can catch Farewell to the Night, where The Truth's Catherine Deneuve is forced to deal with her grandson's radicalisation; plus rom-com Room 212, the latest movie by Sorry Angel's Christophe Honoré. Elsewhere a secret manuscript sparks a twisty whodunnit in The Translators, and life in 90s Afghanistan gets animated in book-to-screen adaptation The Swallows of Kabul. The Alliance Française French Film Festival screens at Brisbane's Palace James Street and Palace Barracks from July 14–August 4. Session times are yet to be announced — keep an eye on the festival website for further details.
