They might've already showered Petrie Terrace's Caxton Street with seafood at Gambaro Restaurant, opened a hotel on the same site and added Black Hide Steakhouse across the road too; however the Gambaro family hasn't finished building their food-and-drink empire yet. Cafe Gia is the next chapter, bringing home-style charm to Herston. Located on a sleepy street and housed in a former corner store, it's a lower-key addition to the fold — but an absolutely charming one. The vibe skews local and approachable, complete with a drinking bowl for visiting pooches, plus bottles of milk and daily newspapers for sale. The menu favours the unmistakable Italian flavours of children following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents, because that's exactly what the venue's owners are doing. That means dishes based on family recipes, such as meatballs on panini and baked eggs in Napoli sauce. Sure, they're technically breakfast options, but they're available all day long. It also means a display case filled with freshly made cakes and treats, including peanut butter brownie sandwiches (yes, really). And if you're just dropping by for a fresh brew, you're in luck too, with the aroma of Genovese coffee wafting through the air.
Summertime at Given Terrace staple Darling & Co is all about hangs in the venue's breezy space, and every Aussie knows that a weekend party isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, the Paddington spot has launched bottomless prosecco and spritz picnics, which are now on offer every Sunday. And the restaurant isn't simply offering the standard two hours of bottomless booze, either. Instead of table service, patrons have unlimited access to a fountain, which comes complete with a carved lion that has a prosecco tap for a mouth. You'll be able to pour your own bubbly from that tap throughout the two hours, while enjoying an extensive spread. Find a comfy spot while enjoying the grazing menu — it includes brisket and smoked cheddar croquettes, freshly shucked oysters and buttermilk crocodile, along with fried baby squid and chicken caramel glaze with blue cheese sauce. Sides include garlic and herb crostini and breads, plus a selection of charcuterie and cheese. Sparkling Springs costs $60 per person, with sittings at 2pm every Sunday until December 22. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.
When you've opened an Italian joint with a mean negroni menu, a Chinese Peruvian bar and eatery, and a Palm Springs-inspired gin-pouring garden bar, what comes next? If you're Vincent Lombino and Jared Thibault, aka the hospitality industry figures behind The Talisman Group, then you start a European-influenced wine bar and wine shop, too. And, you base all four spots in one location, all in Woolloongabba — giving visitors to South City Square a choose-your-own-adventure food and drink experience. Already, Talisman had Sasso and Casa Chow to its name. South City Wine is its other latest venture, opening when Purple Palm did. As well as a specific focus, it too boasts eye-catching decor that's designed to transport you to the other side of the world, such as marble tabletops, dark timber panelling, brass finishings and oil paintings, plus a heavy use of emerald-green hues. You'll find that colour gleaming brightly from South City Wine's exterior, striped awning and all; yes, its shopfront does indeed look like something you'd see in Europe. The venue also boasts plenty of outdoor seating, including booths, giving it a laneway feel, as well as a long communal indoor table backdropped by a wall of wine. Those vinos have been co-curated by Thibault, and take a global approach. Expect to sip Australian, New Zealand, French, Italian, German, Austrian, Spanish, Greek, Lebanese, American, South African and Argentinian drops from the opening wine list — 15 types of French champagne among them. South City Wine also goes big on French-inspired cocktails, with seven varieties on offer. Standouts include the 'Serein River' with St Germain and rosewater gin, and the 'Apricot Deauville' made with cognac and apricot brandy. Food-wise, the focus is on European bistro bites — and a hefty range of cheese and charcuterie to start, plus tins of anchovies, sardines and yellowfin tuna. Culinary highlights span lemon lime and bitter oysters, scallops crudo, pickled mussels, escargot in garlic butter, chicken liver parfait and venison tartare among the small plates, as well as fish of the day, whole-roasted portobello, and the trusty combo of steak frites among the mains. And, for dessert, there's a maraschino cherry reverse crème brûlée, a mini custard tart topped with berries, and a selection of ice creams and sorbets. "We have dreamt of this concept for many years and hope that South City Wine evokes memories of sitting back and sipping wine at a classic European neighbourhood wine bar," says Thibault. "Like the people of Brisbane, the Talisman Group is a rich melting pot of diversity, and we aim to bring our rich cultural experiences to life with each new venue." Find South City Wine at 5/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba — open 4–9.30pm Tuesday–Saturday, and also 12–2.30pm Friday–Saturday. Images: Max Homer / Judit Losh.
Celebrating Japan by actually heading to the country is back on the agenda, with the Asian nation's strict border rules finally relaxing. Can't make the trip ASAP? Fancy getting your Japanese thrills in a cinema instead — or until you can hop on a plane? Then Australia's annual touring Japanese Film Festival has timed its return well. As it does every year, this year's JFF has compiled a selection of must-see recent and retro Japanese movies, and will bring its lineup Brisbane in November. There's two parts: a classics series, showing iconic films on 35mm from Friday, November 11–Sunday, November 20 at QAGOMA; and a rundown the latest and greatest flicks the country has to offer, screening from Wednesday, November 23–Sunday, November 27 at Palace Barracks. The 2022 fest will open with historical drama Dreaming of the Meridian Arc, which hops between present-day Japan and the Edo period to tell the tale behind the man who completed the first-ever map of Japan. Also a huge highlight: the retro season's focus on filmmaker Mikio Naruse, with 1954's Sound of the Mountain, 1960's When a Woman Ascends the Stairs and 1964's Yearning on the bill — and showing for free. Back to the recent titles (and the paid part of the program), standouts include psychological thriller Lesson in Murder, which starts when a college student gets a letter from a serial killer on death row; drama In the Wake, about the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011; and the animated Blue Thermal, with the world of competitive gliding soaring onto the screen. Anime Supremacy! is unsurprisingly focused on characters who live and breath anime production; Baby Assassins gives battling the yakuza (and being hitmen) a kawaii spin, and culinary documentary The Pursuit of Perfection follows top Tokyo chefs Takemasa Shinohara (Ginza Shinohara), Natsuko Shōji (Été), Yōsuke Suga (Sugalabo) and Takaaki Sugita (Sushi Sugita). Top image: Baby Assassins Film Partners.
UPDATE: May 18, 2020: Good Boys is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Before the high-schoolers who populate every teen movie start worrying about heading off to college and having sex for the first time, they're tweens with not-too-dissimilar problems. That's the premise behind the familiar but very funny Good Boys, which leans so far into its Superbad-lite status that it has even enlisted Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg as producers. Instead of two horny 17-year-olds, this scaled-down coming-of-age comedy focuses on a trio of sixth graders. Instead of finding its characters on the cusp of graduation, it meets them as they start middle school. And instead of turning up to a lively shindig on a quest to lose their virginity, Good Boys' pre-teen protagonists navigate the age-appropriate equivalent: their first kissing party. The comparisons keep coming, although writer/director Gene Stupnitsky and his co-scribe Lee Eisenberg (the screenwriting duo behind Bad Teacher and Year One) don't just tread in Superbad's footsteps. Good Boys' predecessor boasted more than a little in common with Can't Hardly Wait, which in turn took Dazed and Confused's lead — and they all nodded to American Graffiti before that. Just a couple of months back, Booksmart did something similar too, using a firmly female-focused viewpoint to its advantage. There's not as obvious a point of difference here, with tween and teen boys getting mixed up in almost the same types of situations. But what Good Boys lacks in originality or perspective, it makes up for in charm, sincerity and a stellar cast of young talent. In a few years, Max (Jacob Tremblay), Thor (Brady Noon) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams) could relive these kinds of hijinks at the end of their high-school days — a thought that's probably crossed Stupnitsky, Eisenberg, Rogen and Goldberg's minds — but for now, they just want to be liked by the cool kids in their grade. And that seems possible after the lifelong buddies score a coveted invite to Soren's (Izaac Wang) pashing party. Alas, while Max is driven by his all-consuming crush on classmate Brixlee (Millie Davis), his friends have their own troubles. Thor is desperate to nab a role in the school production of Rock of Ages, but also desperate to seem like he doesn't care, while the gleefully dorky Lucas is struggling with news of his parents' (Retta and Lil Rel Howery) impending divorce. Plus, when the pals aren't trying to brush up on puckering up, they're unwittingly getting involved in drug deals with Max's older neighbour Hannah (Molly Gordon) and her bestie Lily (Midori Francis). Much of Good Boys' humour hits instantly and flows easily, as kids say the darnedest things in highly inappropriate circumstances — searching for "porb" and mistaking sex toys for weapons, for example. As the film's marketing campaign made a point of stressing, this may be a picture about children, but it definitely isn't for them in any shape or form. There's a more resonant layer to the gags, too — which, in a movie that spends plenty of time giggling as its central tweens swear, might not immediately seem the case. To see Max, Thor and Lucas not just face the reality that they're growing up, but explore an adult world that feels so strange and different to their pre-teen grasp on reality, is to remember the confusing ups and downs of going through the same process yourself. That said, this isn't a mere exercise in raucousness and nostalgia shaped around episodic antics, such as skipping school, sipping beers and running away from cops. Like Booksmart before it, Good Boys grounds its jokes, narrative and outlook in today's cultural and societal standards. In other words: goodbye lazy stereotypes and outdated views, and hello inclusiveness, emotional intelligence, and seeing these boys learn to respect women, themselves and each other. Stupnitsky and Eisenberg are still guilty of padding out the picture with a few too many recognisable scenarios, even with its brief 90-minute running time. But their film glows with authenticity nonetheless — because, for all the outlandishness they encounter, these kids always react in realistic ways. As much as Good Boys has an affable, genuine vibe on its side, it wouldn't work quite as well without its three child stars. Room's Tremblay, Boardwalk Empire's Noon and The Last Man on Earth's Williams not only sell their rapport, but play their parts with honesty and earnestness — and without a hint of precociousness. The bike-riding trio also shrugs off a Stranger Things insult, in a line that speaks beyond pop culture's current obsession with plucky children (see also: IT and IT: Chapter Two). Swap Good Boys' crudeness for a dash of the supernatural, after all, and this sweet, breezy and amusing film would fit nicely among all those classic 80s adventures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeyM8cRinI
When it comes to space, there's never a bad night to peer at the heavens; however this July might just be a better time than most. Unless you've been trapped under a lunar rock, you'll know that this month marks 50 years since the Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon, heralding humanity's first small steps and giant leaps on the Earth's only natural satellite. To celebrate — and to just get Brisbanites staring at the sky anyway — Australian Geographic is hosting stargazing nights at various stores. When you're done with the 9–5 grind on Thursday, July 11, just head along to Westfield Carindale, Garden City or Springfield Lakes and prepare to look up. No bookings are necessary. Simply make your way to your closest spot, take a gander through a few telescopes, chat to experts, and learn more about everything from space photography to star guides. Times and locations vary at each shopping centre — you'll be staring up from a site outside, obviously, including from the car park rooftop if you're going to Chermside.
Rough and tumble Sydney label R.I.P. Society have been hand delivering you the grungiest garage rock, darkest experimental fuzz and DIY post-punk electronica for five whole years — so they've got a few birthday toasts to give. Fronting up a chock-a-block lineup to The Studio, the beloved label has invited some of Australia's best to party down, with some iconic neighbours on top. New Zealand's legendary trio The Dead C will arrive for an exclusive Sydney headlining spot, along with label buds Feedtime, Bed Wettin' Bad Boys, Woollen Kits, Native Cats, Rat Columns, Cured Pink, Holy Balm, Ghastly Spats, Housewives, Constant Mongrel, Half High and Wallaby Beat DJs. Kicking off from 5pm on May 24, this is sure to be one rambunctious afternoon-to-midnight affair at the House. To celebrate the countdown to Vivid LIVE week, R.I.P. Society founder Nic Warnock has put together a solid playlist to kickstart your week and gear you up for the gig; from Melbourne's dark and stormy Constant Mongrel to Sydney's garage electro favourites Holy Balm with some wise words from Warnock himself. Crank it to 11 and bring your birthday wishes to the party. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-v_TibqZYRU Constant Mongrel — New Shapes "Constant Mongrel are redefining the rules of cool. Once, it was a huge indie music no-no to wear your own band's t-shirt while performing. Now, it's all the rage in some progressive Melbourne fashion circles thanks to Tom Ridgewell. New Shapes, new styles and later this year there will be a new 7" EP from Constant Mongrel on R.I.P Society records." Rat Columns — Another Day "A new addition to the R.I.P Society family is Rat Columns, the project of David West who's also the man behind the chic electronic project Lace Curtain and one of the three guitarists in Total Control. While this label has generally been moving towards the darker or the weirder side of the Aussie underground, Rat Columns play earnest, unashamed guitar pop. That's the type of life balance I wanna promote. Their first Sydney show is at the Sydney Opera House, lucky ducks." https://youtube.com/watch?v=mAram_OVcb4 Feedtime — I Wanna Ride "Feedtime are a band that feels like rock 'n' roll whilst creating a sound that's pure and unique to them. Feedtime sound fuckin' tough and but there's also a real depth and sensitivity to their music. 'Avant-garde pub rock' people have described them as, but it's not macho caricature stuff or in any way kitsch or whacky. Their songs are precise yet profound articulations of real life stuff, heavy stuff and everyday stuff. Hearing Feedtime for the first time, reading about their existence in Sydney, as well as how Aberrant operated as a record label was really inspiring." https://youtube.com/watch?v=DJg1h-3HPf8 Holy Balm — Holy Balm Theme "Holy Balm have been a staple in my experience of Sydney music. Through a do-it-yourself attitude and not being afraid to experiment and evolve in an organic manner they've become a empowering, positive experience both live and recorded. A great intersection of DIY post-punk and dance music." https://youtube.com/watch?v=so67hFjgv-A The Dead C — Outside "This is one of my favourite songs ever. Kind has a similar quality to Brian Eno's 'Here Come The Warm Jets', although much more crude and deconstructive. Still, I think this song is really beautiful. The Dead C's music shows that experimental music can be as emotive and invigorating as your standard three minute pop ditty." Catch the R.I.P. Society crew blasting amps at the Sydney Opera House Studio from 5pm on May 24. More details and stubs over here.
If you're seeking somewhere romantic for your summer holiday, check out the couples-only luxury accommodation on offer at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat. Elevated 25oo feet above sea level on the edge of an extinct volcano in the Atherton Tablelands, this award-winning escape boasts breathtaking views that look over the volcanic crater and beyond. Each treehouse has its own private spa that captures these vistas and some even have an al fresco shower for you to enjoy under the stars. Plus, there are in-room dining options available for fuss-free cook ups and tailored packages to help you celebrate special occasions.
Sports fans, Christmas has arrived — the athletic version that comes around every four years (or, in this case five), that is. Events have begun at this year's delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, the opening ceremony officially kicks things off on Friday, July 23, and two-plus weeks of competition awaits. If you're fond of all of the above, there's really not much that could improve the next fortnight. Actually, one thing could make your Olympics-watching couch sessions even better. We have two words for you: free pizza. They're two of the best words that exist, especially when used together — and they describe exactly what Pizza Hut is offering Aussies during this year's games. In total, the fast food chain will be handing out up to 285,000 freebies. Exactly how many it'll dole out depends on one big thing: how many medals Australian athletes win this year. Pizza Hut will give away a heap of pizzas to celebrate the Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a set amount each day during the games as well; however, it's also breaking some additional slices whenever an Aussie stands on the podium. That means you'll have multiple chances to grab a freebie. First up, there'll be 5000 up for grabs from 4pm on Friday, July 23 to celebrate the opening ceremony. Between Saturday, July 24–Saturday, August 7, another 1000 will be given away daily at 4pm as well. On Sunday, August 8, for the closing ceremony, Pizza Hut will bust out another 5000 at 4pm, too. And, whenever an Aussie wins a medal, it'll add 1000 more free pizzas to its giveaway at 4pm the next day for each gold we take home, another 500 for each silver and another 200 for every bronze. To score your 'za without spending a cent, you'll need to head to Pizza Hut's 'pizzas for podiums' website at 4pm each day. Unsurprisingly, you'll want to get in quick as it's a first in, first served affair. You can only enter twice per day — and, if you win, you'll be sent a voucher code for a large pizza with a pan base. You'll be able to choose from super supreme, barbecue meatlovers, pepperoni lovers, Hawaiian and cheese lovers, and you'll need to redeem before Tuesday, August 31 via a pick-up order. One entrant will also win a year's worth of free pizza — well, Pizza Hut's idea of a year's worth, with one free pizza on offer for 52 weeks — if you need any extra motivation to enter. Pizza Hut will be giving away free pizzas from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8 during the Tokyo Olympic Games. For further information, head to the chain's website.
Some kinds of movie magic never get old, and Studio Ghibli's films are exactly that type. Understandably, a whole heap of Brisbane cinemas have agreed with that idea over the years, hosting their own events dedicated to the Japanese animation house. The Elizabeth Picture Theatre is one of them, and the venue just keeps bringing back its Ghibli program again and again. We understand — who doesn't want to watch these animated delights over and over? Returning for 2023 from May–July, and screening twice a week on select dates — at 1.30pm and 6.30pm on various Thursdays and Sundays, to be specific — this year's fest gives fans yet another chance to catch Studio Ghibli's gorgeous features on the big screen. Yes, you should make like a moving castle to see Howl's Moving Castle (on July 20 and 23) this time. And yes, you'll be palling around with My Neighbour Totoro (on July 13 and 16) once again. Other highlights include Spirited Away (on May 18 and 21), Grave of the Fireflies (on July 27 and 30) , Ponyo (on May 25 and 28), Princess Mononoke (on June 8 and 11) and The Wind Rises (on June 1 and 4). If you've missed these films in their limited cinema runs or fest appearances in the past, consider this your chance to catch up. Sure, you might've seen everything that Studio Ghibli has made before — but these movies really are something extra special when they're flickering across the silver screen.
He wrote about cats wearing hats, grinches stealing Christmas, ham served with green eggs, and a creature called Sam. He was cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr Seuss. He jotted down the humorous rhymes and scribbled the colourful images from the books that were a staple of your childhood. All that, you know — but did you know about his secret art? Beyond the 44 children's stories, more than 400 World War II political cartoons, hundreds of advertisements and countless editorials that made him an icon, he also painted and sculpted for his own enjoyment. At The Art of Dr Seuss, both sides of his creative endeavours are on display as Mitchell Fine Art delves into 70 years of Seuss' art history. In the Brisbane return of a project that has toured the world, you can view rare works and buy prints and reproductions. You're also likely to get more than a few rhymes stuck in your head — that's just how Seuss would liked it, after all.
UPDATE, February 8, 2021: The Breaker Upperers is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and Amazon Video. Breaking up isn't hard to do in New Zealand's latest hilarious comedy. In fact, dumping someone you never want to see again couldn't be easier. For a fee, best friends Jen (Jackie van Beek) and Mel (Madeleine Sami) won't just do their clients' dirty work for them, but they'll come up with an elaborate scenario or even a song. Want to ditch an unwanted boyfriend via a country ditty? They'll start crooning. Certain that a scandal is the only way to stop your wedding? One of them will pretend to be the mother of your unborn child. Need something with a bit more finality? The pair will tell your wife that you're missing, presumed drowned. Welcome to The Breaker Upperers — the name of Jen and Mel's busy Auckland business, as well as the title of van Beek and Sami's astute and side-splitting film. The duo write, direct and star, and they're an uproarious force to be reckoned with. Comedians with considerable resumes on New Zealand television (as well as parts across Taika Waititi's filmography), their first big-screen adventure together doesn't just milk ghosting an ex for laughs. It's also the kind of female-focused buddy comedy that cinema could use considerably more of, telling a tale of thirty-something women who don't have it all together. Moreover, the movie's protagonists aren't chasing the usual romantic fantasy, and don't feel like they should be doing what rom-coms tell them. Actually, ever since Jen and Mel experienced their own respective relationship mishaps, they've each sworn to keep their love lives casual. That's easier for the pessimistic Jen than the amiable Mel, with two specific jobs thrusting their differences into focus. Firstly, the distraught wife of a former client (Celia Pacquola) keeps popping up in their lives — needing a shoulder to cry on, and making Mel start to doubt whether breaking up couples for cash is a line of work anyone should be doing. Secondly, high schooler Jordan (James Rolleston, delightfully asked to play dumb) hires them to dump his smart-talking girlfriend Sepa (breakout newcomer Ana Scotney), causing sparks to fly between the 17-year-old rugby player and Mel. As well as giving van Beek and Sami on-screen gigs over the years, plus directing Sami's one-woman TV show Super City, Waititi has an executive producing credit on The Breaker Upperers. While the brand of dry, awkward Kiwi comedy found in Boy, What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople is alive and well here, this is always van Beek and Sami's movie. They fire off gags and one-liners with such a hit rate that you might miss a few because you're laughing too much. They not only commit to the more outlandish aspects of the picture's humour, but flesh out their characters so they're much more than just a source of jokes. And, in a film with several standout musical moments, they make the best Celine Dion karaoke video you're ever likely to see. A little bit silly, a little bit sweet, yet still thoroughly smart in its ode to female friendship: that's The Breaker Upperers from start to finish. It's the cinematic equivalent of a great (not doomed) romance — hooking viewers instantly like love at first sight, throwing up plenty of joyful surprises and then riding off into the sunset. The film itself doesn't chart that narrative path, but that's the journey it takes audiences on anyway. It's also energetic, well-paced, and delightfully diverse in its appreciation of sexuality, sex positivity, gender, race, culture, body image and going grey at a young age. If it was your date, you wouldn't be asking anyone to break up with it for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-phMlkRiWIg
Abstract imagery, geometric patterns, and pieces that seduce while seeming to trick the eye: they're the domain of artist Lyndal Hargrave. Don't just take our word for it — take hers. Her first solo exhibition with Edwina Corlette Gallery is called New Geometricks, after all. Across a range of paintings and sculptures, Hargrave plays with patterns to explore the chaos of life. As Hargrave herself explains, "my attention is drawn to order and variation within this structure — from the nestled hexagons of a beehive to the microscopic grandeur of a butterfly’s wing”. It might sound a little like those magic eye images that were all the rage back in the '90s, but they've got nothing on the creativity and hypnotic pull on display here. Just try not to spend too long looking at any one piece, Mallrats style — perhaps by hobnobbing and hanging out at the official opening on February 13. Image: Lyndal Hargrave.
If action-packed yet artful heist films are your thing — and why wouldn't they be? — Julius Avery's debut feature, Son of a Gun, is bound to tickle your armchair thrill-seeking side. Newcomer Brenton Thwaites is JR, a 19-year-old locked up for a minor offence. While inside, he is taken under the calculating wing of crime boss Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). In an inevitably no-don't-you've-got-so-much-going-for-you! move, JR helps Lynch's crew orchestrate a daring prison escape — and is then invited to join in on the high-stakes heist they're planning next. Things, of course, turn progressively more dangerous. The film is all Aussie — written and directed by Avery (whose short film Jerrycan was a Jury Prize winner at Cannes), and shot in the disparate and desolate landscapes of Melbourne, Perth and Kalgoorlie. It's a nail-biting, chill-inducing thriller you'll need to psychologically prepare for. We warned you. We're offering competition winners the chance to see Son of a Gun with a friend at an exclusive preview screening on Monday, October 13, 6.30pm at Palace Centro (39 James Street, Fortitude Valley). To enter, click here. Son of a Gun officially releases in cinemas from October 16. See the film in style at Palace Cinemas. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eTOBcelRo9M
What's the deal with trivia nights based on pop culture commodities? They're awesome, that's what — and they're here to stay. This week, it's Seinfeld's turn. The show about nothing has inspired an evening about everything that made its nine-season, 180-episode run so great. In stellar timing given the news that the man that gave the show its name is touring Australia next year, the fun unravels at the Stock Exchange Hotel. Think of it as Festivus coming early for those who think they know every conceivable detail about the hit '90s sitcom — and about Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine. The gang at Man vs Bear trivia will put your affection to the test, potentially covering everything from soup to sponges, puffy shirts to Pez dispensers, and even the parade of famous faces that played Jerry's girlfriends. Yada, yada, yada — you get the picture. Of course, the bar will also be serving their usual array of drinks, in case those pretzels make you thirsty.
UPDATE, October 23, 2020: On the Rocks is available to stream via Apple TV+. Not once, not twice, but three times now, Sofia Coppola has given the Bill Murray-loving world exactly what it wants. One of the great comedic talents of the past half-century, the Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day star is also a greatly charismatic talent — and, understandably, viewers want to spend more time in his inimitable company. In Lost in Translation, Coppola found a way to take this idea literally, in a fashion. With Scarlett Johansson's unhappy twenty-something doubling as the audience's on-screen surrogate, everyone watching was able to vicariously pal around with Murray's character, a high-profile actor, while taking in quite the tour of Tokyo. In 2015 Netflix special A Very Murray Christmas, the filmmaker let Murray play himself, get jovial and ooze charm. And now in On the Rocks, he steps into the shoes of a debonair playboy art dealer who is determined to help his New York-dwelling adult daughter discover if her husband is being unfaithful. On the Rocks' premise really isn't far removed from Lost in Translation. The film's female protagonist is a decade older this time, her romantic troubles are complicated by both marriage and children, and another bustling city provides the backdrop, but the basic idea remains mostly the same. With Murray as the lively Felix and Rashida Jones as his overstressed offspring Laura, the movie takes them hopping around NYC as they endeavour to ascertain if the latter's workaholic other half, Dean (Marlon Wayans), is cosying up to his attractive young colleague (Jessica Henwick) while Laura is raising their two young daughters. In the process, Felix and Laura chat about anything and everything, covering topics both important and trivial. They eat and drink, and do so in luxe spaces while Felix naturally captivates everyone in his orbit and turns everything into an adventure. Over the course of their investigative escapade, Felix helps Laura work through her struggles, too — although here, their own complicated relationship is actually one of them. There's an immense sense of joy to Murray and Jones' pairing, and not just for Parks and Recreation fans pleased to see the sitcom's Ann Perkins and Mayor Gunderson share screentime (Jones also featured in A Very Murray Christmas as well). Felix and Laura's father-daughter bond has endured years of ups and downs, and nothing between them is perfect, but the actors' rapport makes every warm exchange and awkward moment feel authentic. That's one of the key aspects of On the Rocks, a film that serves up an instant-classic Murray performance on a platter, but never forgets that its story actually belongs to its female protagonist. Viewers spend time with Felix, and therefore Murray, because the movie's main character does — and enjoying the ebbs and flows of the duo's time together, whether cracking open caviar on a stakeout in a convertible or downing cocktails where Humphrey Bogart once proposed to Lauren Bacall, is all the more engaging because it's a back-and-forth tête-à-tête rather than a one-man show. Another way to describe the central dynamic here: lived-in. As proved the case with Lost in Translation, that's as much a credit to Coppola as not only a screenwriter, but as a perceptive creative willing to strip bare her own life experiences, fictionalise them, and create something both thoughtful and moving. The daughter of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now's Francis Ford Coppola, she clearly knows a thing or two about flitting around town with a father with the world at his feet, and it shows — and she's not afraid to admit that she's been cast in her own dad's shadow. When Laura watches on as Felix is pulled over by the police, sweet-talks his way out of a ticket and even enlists their help giving his vintage Alfa Romeo a push-start, in fact, it's easy to imagine the real-life Coppola family equivalent. Of course, this isn't the first time that the younger Coppola has drawn upon what she knows. Lost in Translation took ample cues from her experiences, including time spent feeling listless in Japan, plus the strain with her then-husband Spike Jonze. And, the Los Angeles-set Somewhere's focus on a Hollywood star and his pre-teen daughter found inspiration in her own childhood. Accordingly, On the Rocks follows their lead by tapping into rich personal depths. It may initially seem to tell a slight story, but that appearance is deceptive. The filmmaker is famously fond of relaying tales about comfortable lives and their corresponding problems — see also: Marie Antoinette and The Bling Ring — but she has always been savvy to the ways that women are forced to respond to the men and the world around them. The Virgin Suicides and The Beguiled make this point more forcefully; however, even with a wavering ending, it still lingers here as well. On the Rocks is a film with layers of resonance and insight, but it is also a caper — and a sparkling, banter-filled, often screwball one at that. In other words, it's a delight that blends intimate truths with entertaining moments, and finds poignancy and comedy in daily routines, idle chats with other mothers (including with fellow Parks and Rec alum Jenny Slate), low-key spy antics and sudden getaways to Mexico alike. Murray's general Bill Murray-ness and all-round presence is crucial, obviously. So is the affectionate, glimmering lensing by Philippe Le Sourd (The Beguiled) that makes New York seem like a playground, and the upbeat but still contemplative soundtrack by Phoenix. Indeed, combine all of the above, and this is a Sofia Coppola movie through and through. It's a big call, but if she was ever going to remake the great German father-daughter film Toni Erdmann, this just might be the end result. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4p0vjj_C8s
Boasting 64 hectares of public space right in the middle of the city, Victoria Park / Barrambin is a tree-lined Brisbane favourite for everything from leafy strolls and picnics to having a kick and taking the dog for a walk. When the first-ever Outdoor Adventure Festival rolls in, it'll also become home to two days showcasing adventure — it's right there in the name — and nature. On offer: an inflatable obstacle course, meditation, yoga, BMX stunt shows and plenty more. Across Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27, from 10am–5pm daily, the grassy Herston patch will welcome in a number of precincts, all offering different activities. At Basecamp, for instance, there'll be ultramarathon training with Andrew Hedgman, Mike from Alone Australia giving outback survival tips, Ben Polson showing people how to become a ninja and Aunty Theresa sharing authentic Indigenous storytelling. At The Great Outdoors, orienteering, archery, trail runs and challenges, disc golf and spikeball will all be on the agenda. And at The Sanctuary, pilates, horticulture and creating fishing nets (another wilderness survival skill) are on offer as well. Entry is free, attendees will want to head on in via Gilchrist Avenue, and there'll be food and live tunes, too. Expect an all-ages crowd for company, and to get your heart racing in the fresh air. [caption id="attachment_818960" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria Park[/caption]
If you only know two things about South Korea's film and television industry, then you likely know that it's been responsible for Parasite and Squid Game over the past couple of years. The nation's big- and small-screen output spans much further than that, of course — and, since 2010, Australia has boasted a film festival dedicated to its cinematic prowess. That'd be the Korean Film Festival in Australia, which started out as a Sydney-only event, expanded to Melbourne in its second year, then hit Brisbane in its third outing. Since then, it has made its way to other cities, too, with the just-announced 2022 lineup heading to Canberra as well. Across August and September — starting in Sydney from Thursday, August 18–Tuesday, August 23 at Event Cinemas George Street, and then hitting Melbourne's ACMI from Thursday, September 1–Monday, September 5; Canberra's Palace Electric from Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3; and Brisbane's Elizabeth Picture Theatre from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11 — KOFFIA will screen 13 impressive titles that showcase Korean filmmaking's finest. And while that lineup mightn't be huge numbers-wise, it's still filled with massive names, including two of the biggest movies from any country currently doing the rounds of the international and Australian festival circuits. If you haven't caught up with it at Sydney Film Festival, or don't have it on your Melbourne International Film Festival schedule, make a date with Broker, the latest release from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. The 2018 Shoplifters Palme d'Or-winner has made a movie in Korea — his first Korean-language film, in fact, and it's still exploring the director's favourite topics. That'd be the ties that bind and the connections of family, following two people who illegally take an abandoned infant from a 'baby box facility'. In another drawcard, Broker stars Parasite's Song Kang-ho, who won Cannes' Best Actor Award for his efforts. Also a must-see: Decision to Leave, a noir romance that saw Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook win Cannes' Best Director gong. Anything that the Stoker and Oldboy director helms is worth a look, but the fact that it has been six years since his movie — 2016's The Handmaiden — makes his latest even more exciting. The rest of the KOFFIA lineup spans opening-night pick Special Delivery, a crime-action film from Park Dae-min that stars Parasite's Park So-dam; mystery Hommage, which again features a Parasite alum — this time Lee Jeong-eun — and charts the searching for missing footage from one of the first feature films directed by a South Korean woman; and In Our Prime, with Oldboy's Choi Min-sik as a North Korean defector and mathematical genius working as a school security guard. Or, there's The Roundup with Train to Busan's Don Lee as a cop chasing a killer; the 80s-set Escape from Mogadishu; and Spiritwalker, about a man who loses his memory and wakes up in a different body every 12 hours — and the list goes on. KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL IN AUSTRALIA 2022 DATES: Thursday, August 18–Tuesday, August 23: Event Cinema George Street, Sydney Thursday, September 1–Monday, September 5: ACMI, Melbourne Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3: Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11: Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Brisbane The Korean Film Festival in Australia runs across August and September, touring to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the KOFFIA website.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Brisbane is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Brisbane. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, eat red velvet waffles for dinner, cycle through the City Botanic Gardens and take a road trip to eat Brisbane's best pies by the water. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the next few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Thought bingo was for your nan? Think again. It's also for you — or perhaps, if she's a groovy gran, for the both of you. Hijacking the traditional format of bingo with raves, conga lines and lip sync battles, Bingo Loco is 50-percent one of those strange dreams you get after eating too much cheese and 50-percent just a walloping good time. Come Saturday, February 27 at The Triffid, the MC will keep the night rolling, while confetti showers and smoke cannons go off throughout the evening (perhaps wear your glasses). Bingo ravers will compete for ultimate glory (and prizes) over the course of multiple rounds. In between the traditional bingo games, you'll be expected to groove to classic 90s rave bangers, partake in dance-offs and battle others for lip sync queen titles. Basically, be prepared for many high-octane, energetic activities — gone are the days of simply raising your hand when you've got a full sheet of numbers. Doing your stretches and vocal warm-ups first are advised. You'll vie for prizes, which in the past have included Coachella tickets, mobility scooters (nan, listen up), boats and lawnmowers (maybe for your dad), among other goldmines. Bingo Loco has been running across the globe for a few years and now will trumpet its way around Australia once more, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia.
It's the American cable TV network everyone knows by name in Australia, even though it doesn't air here. We all know its famed television static intro clip, too. That'd be HBO, which keeps carving out a place in TV lovers' hearts because it just keeps delivering must-see television programs. We've all just finished streaming our way through The White Lotus, after all — and next comes Scenes From a Marriage. As its name makes plain, Scenes From a Marriage steps inside a relationship, and finds that it's hardly a picture of domestic bliss. It stars two supremely watchable leads: Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. The former was last seen on our screens saving the galaxy and fighting evil in Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, and will also show up in Dune when it finally hits cinemas. The latter last popped up in IT: Chapter Two and the straight-to-digital Ava. And if pairing them up sounds familiar, that's because they've already navigated a complex and fraying marriage in 2014's A Most Violent Year. Given that their last collaboration turned out phenomenally, seeing Isaac and Chastain team up again looks to be a treat. And if you know your classic Swedish TV, you'll know they're following in footsteps other than their own, too. If that doesn't apply to you, this miniseries is adapted from an iconic work by one of the best Swedish filmmakers ever — the late, great Ingmar Bergman. Chastain plays Mira, a tech executive who is unhappy in her marriage to Isaac's Jonathan. He's keen to save their relationship, but marital troubles are never that straight forward — as this series promises to explore through the couple's private conversations. HBO is positioning its version of Scenes From a Marriage as a "re-imagining", which means that it shouldn't fastidiously stick to the original's beats, and it'll also jump to contemporary times. It'll still explore love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage and divorce, though. As the just-dropped full trailer shows, it's obviously going to get emotional. Writer/director Hagai Levi (In Treatment, The Affair) does the honours behind the lens — and you'll be able to watch and stream the full series via Foxtel in Australia from Monday, September 13, with new episodes airing weekly And yes, thanks to not just The White Lotus, but to everything from Watchmen, Chernobyl and The Undoing to I Know This Much Is True and Mare of Easttown, HBO has had a particularly great run with its miniseries recently. Obviously, that's yet another reason to be excited about Scenes From a Marriage, too. Check out the trailer below: Scenes From a Marriage will screen on and stream via Foxtel in Australia from Monday, September 13.
If you're going to set up a rooftop beach club anywhere in southeast Queensland, then the Gold Coast is certainly the place for it. And, as first announced in 2020, the sunny tourist spot did indeed become home to once such sprawling venue in 2021. But what happens when things get wintry, even in a city known for its warm climes? From mid-June through till the end of August, the snow — and a brand-new alpine makeover — will set in at Cali Beach instead. While Surfers Paradise tends to be blessed with year-round sunny weather, even southeast Queensland has been mighty frosty to kick off winter 2022. So, the Cali Beach crew is embracing the change of season with a shift in theme themselves — temporarily, of course. From Friday, June 24 until winter ends, the 5000-square-metre space venue on a fourth-floor rooftop on Surfers Paradise Boulevard is being transformed into a rooftop lodge. It's renaming itself The Rooftop Lodge, in fact. And yes, it's taking the concept seriously, with more than 60 snow-topped trees, fire pits and even fake snow falling across the site. Expect big alpine energy as you wander through a snowy forest the size of a tennis court, complete with a toboggan slide — and when you hit up the huge dome igloo bar within it. The idea is to make patrons feel like they've just slipped into a mountain chalet, which is quite the feat with the Goldie's sun, surf and sand just a stone's throw away. The winter oasis will also turn its Saké Sisters restaurant into an après-ski lodge, spanning both its fitout and its menu. As for the Cali shop, it'll become a chalet bar with fire pits and blankets. And, instead of hopping in the pool, you'll take a splash in two hot tubs. Between dips, there'll be ice hockey as well — because why not? Cali Beach's VIP cabanas are all being decked out as luxury alpine lodges, too, with facades that look the part, more fire pits and ski village-style cosy furniture. So, gathering the gang and hanging out in your own space is still on the agenda — just in a frosty-themed setup, rather than going beachy. Food-wise, the menu will include plenty of winter go-tos, such as charcuterie boards, fondue and marshmallows that you can roast by the fire. Or, sip wintry cocktails and indulge in a shotski, which'll see you downing shots off of a snow ski. The venue's entertainment lineup will also switch to fit the pop-up, including winter costumes — and entry will be free, although you'll be paying to eat and drink. Find Cali Beach Club on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise. The Rooftop Lodge will be open from Friday–Sunday weekly from Friday, June 24–Sunday, August 28.
First, King Street welcomed in Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Bowen Hills' new haven for getting retro over games and cocktails. Then, just for Brisbane Festival 2023, it became home to Esc. With Us, an inflatable installation that's also a nostalgic tribute to old-school gaming — complete with inflatable consoles. What's next? For one day only, an 80s-themed street party is taking over the precinct. Head by from 5–9pm on Saturday, September 16 to feel like you've skated back in time — and yes, there will indeed be rollerskating. As well as hitting up the arcade bar, then checking out puffy games in a space that takes its colour palette from the 80s — the latter courtesy of Melbourne-based art studio ENESS (Sky Castle and Airship Orchestra) — you can also strap on some wheels and go for a whirl thanks to Rolla Bae. This trip back four decades will span five 30-minute rollerskating sessions; prizes for best dressed, best moves and more; food and drink options from retailers on the street; and a disco vibe — plus tunes to match — with dancing highly encouraged. Also, entry is free, but you'll pay for whatever you eat and sip.
Yatala's latest retro movie night poses a dilemma. Will you show your 90s love, chat about Bettys and Baldwins, exclaim "as if?" and remember that Paul Rudd doesn't age? Or, will you wish 00s-era Lindsay Lohan was your best friend, wear pink even though it's not a Wednesday and write in a burn book? Of course, if there's a way to show your affection for both Clueless and Mean Girls, then that's an option — both films are on the bill, after all. One borrows from Jane Austen and made a star out of Alicia Silverstone, the other is based on a self-help book and boasts Tina Fey as a screenwriter, and they're each considered high-school movie classics for a reason. They'll also be playing from 7pm on Saturday, October 7 — the same week as Mean Girls day, as fans will know — which sounds like a fetch way to spend your Saturday night. Tickets cost $50 for a carload of six, so gather the gang, jump in the car and motor down the highway.
Dendy Coorparoo's big screens are back in action and, to see out the month of August and kickstart September, the eastside venue is screening a particularly vibrant array of features. Get ready for a nine-movie lineup of top-notch anime — and yes, that means there are plenty of gems. Screening between Friday, August 14–Wednesday, September 2, this Anime Festival will let you feast your eyes on an array of creative delights. On offer: huge Japanese hits Your Name and Weathering With You, the gorgeous and charming films from director Makoto Shinkai; the moving Wolf Children and Mirai from filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda, as well as his The Boy and The Beast as well; and the all-round classic that is Akira. Also on the bill is A Silent Voice, One Piece: Stampede and Dragon Ball Super: Broly — and yes, that's your next few cinema outings taken care of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhHJYjOBCNE Dendy Coorparoo's Anime Festival runs at various times between Friday, August 14–Wednesday, September 2 — check the cinema website for specific session details.
Finally, the lobster pop-up our bank accounts have been waiting for. Y'know... relatively speaking, anyway. It's all happening at Lobster Shack, which is taking over Petrie Terrace — across from the Barracks and right near Fritzenberger — for a very limited period. And, there's even proper Champagne to go with it. For $35, you can experience Maine lobster confit in a freshly baked roll with buttermilk and fennel slaw. The lobster tails are slow-poached in butter before being placed inside a brioche bun. You'll also receive parmesan-dusted truffle fries on the side. If you still don't feel like a baller, you can step up the fancy factor with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on the side for an extra $15. They'll be serving from midday between Thursdays and Sundays across September 6–23. Drop by until 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and then again between 5–9pm the same day. Or, head along from 12–9pm on the weekend. Just remember: the lobster is only available until sold out each day.
Named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region isn't short on highlights, whether it's gorgeous scenery or farm-fresh produce you're after. Keen on the latter but can't make the trip south from Brisbane on Saturday, May 6?Don't worry — Bee All Natural, Canungra Creek Finger Limes, Cauldron Distillery, My Mountain Farm and more are coming to you. Save the road trip for another weekend — instead, head to the Farm Gate to City Door Scenic Rim Markets: Mother's Day Edition at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct. It'll operate from 8am–12pm, serving up everything from fruit and vegetables, honey straight from the hive and cheese through to craft beer, boutique spirits and fresh ice cream. You can also nab handmade bath and body products, as well as some seedlings to help start your own garden. This country-meets-city event returns to Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct after debuting in 2022 — and, if it gets you thinking about holidaying in the Scenic Rim, there's a stall for planning that as well. Live music will provide a soundtrack, plus Mica Brasserie will be doing coffees. Feel like hitting the river afterwards, and tucking into some of the produce you've just bought? GoBoat and its picnic boats is also right there. And, because this market is all about Mother's Day, expect plenty of gift ideas, as well as a yoga class from 7.30–8.30am.
There’s action films, and then there’s action films — and the TILT Film Festival presents the latter. This isn’t a celebration of the beat-'em-up and knock-'em-down type, but of the fast and furious kind. Only the most extreme and daring feats grace its silver screens. The seven-film program showcases work from some of the world’s most renowned and acclaimed sports and adventure filmmakers, and stars daring and revered Motocross riders, climbers, skiers, snowboarders, karate masters, surfers and athletes. There are no half measures here; this is about living life to the fullest and testing all conceivable limits. Australian Martial Arts documentary 100 Man Fight kicks off the program, with a different source of adrenalin in the spotlight each night. Scale to Patagonian heights with Cerro Tore – A Snowball’s Chance in Hell, or surf the psychedelic seas with Strange Rumblings. If sliding down the slopes is your thing, check out the double bill of legendary snowboarding filmmaker Jeremy Jones’ Higher and free ski film Almost Ablaze. The cultural phenomenon that is the Crusty Demons celebrate the 20th anniversary of their daredevil antics, while On Any Sunday – The Next Chapter provides a star-studded modern-day homage to the art of motorcycle riding.
Losing yourself in a giant Pac-Man-inspired maze may or may not be your idea of the ultimate reality break, but it is something you'll actually be able to pencil into the diary when The Pac-Maze hits Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next year. Yep, someone has created a human-size version of the classic 80s arcade game that had you losing hours navigating tiny yellow Pac-Dots and avoiding ghosts. As with most immersive, themed experiences happening across Australia these days, this one's popping up in secret locations on unknown dates. At this stage, all we know is that it's only popping up for one day in each city — and that you can sign up for notifications and first dibs on pre-release tickets via the website. The Pac-Maze comes courtesy of the same masters of nostalgia that brought you the adults-only Lego bar, The Brick Bar, which means you can expect a bunch of interactive fun that'll delight both your adult self and your inner kid. Organisers are promising an immersive escape room-style experience, held within a 1.5-kilometre, LED-lit maze, with the chance to score prizes if you're quick enough to elude those multi-coloured ghosts (aka Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde). You can play solo or in teams of up to ten, though there are only 500 tickets in total up for grabs in each city. To stay in the loop and snag pre-release tickets, visit The Pac-Maze website.
The Hold Artspace is presenting two concurrent exhibitions in May, Reorganising Principles and Bald, Bald Head and Other Stories. Beau Allen's Reorganising Principles explores the lives of colonial settler woman in Australia's historical narrative using the medium of jewellery. Meanwhile, Kellie O'Dempsey's Bald, Bald Head and Other Stories will manipulate the Hold Artspace into a playful installation of drawing, video and performance. Exploring relationships between artist, studio and muse — as well as private versus public — this exhibition will be presented in light-filled, interactive means. Both exhibitions will launch Friday, May 29, from 6-8pm, and will show until June 6.
Ten years after setting up shop at Eagle Street Pier, Matt Moran's Aria Brisbane is saying farewell. With the inner-city waterside precinct slated for a huge revamp in the coming years, the acclaimed restaurant is closing its doors when its leases finishes, with Saturday, June 15 marking the last day of service. Co-owned by Australian hospitality group Solotel, Aria Brisbane opened as a sibling to fellow fine diner Aria Sydney, and quickly became one of the Brissie CBD's must-eat destinations. Moran's ever-changing menu has always skewed both seasonal and local, particularly highlighting Queensland ingredients — which pair well with the site's stunning river views. "All good things come to an end, and the end of the current lease seems like the perfect time for us to go out on top in Brisbane," explained Moran. "I want to thank our staff and also our loyal guests who have embraced Aria as one of the city's most sought after dining experiences." Moran also highlighted a selection of his favourite Aria dishes, including the scampi from the restaurant's first years, the confit pork belly and the banoffee with banana and caramel — and, in good news for Brisbanites, they'll all be on the menu until the Eagle Street spot closes its doors. For six weeks starting from Tuesday, May 7, patrons can tuck into Aria's ten-year (and ten-course) tasting menu. On the lineup is everything from goat curd cigars and duck and pea pie to fried brussel sprouts and toasted rice sorbet, available for lunch and dinner with or without matching wines. Solotel will remain part of Brisbane's dining and drinking scene — it also operates Riverbar & Kitchen, located a little further along Eagle Street, as well as Little Big House at South Bank. And as for Eagle Street Pier, a new $1.4 billion waterfront hub has been proposed for the riverside stretch, marking the biggest change since it was built back in 1989. If it goes ahead, current plans include two new towers to replace the existing buildings, permanently closing the zone between Charlotte and Market streets to vehicles, and adding apartments, a hotel, retail spaces, and new restaurants and casual eateries. Find Aria Brisbane at Eagle Street Pier, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane until Saturday, June 15 — open Tuesday–Thursday from 5.30–10pm, Fridays from 12–2.30pm and 5.30–10pm, and Saturdays from 5–10pm.
When Bob Dylan last toured Australia, it was billed as a 'once in a lifetime' experience. And, for all those who went, it was. It's just that now fans will be get the opportunity to have another such experience, because the legendary tambourine man will return to Australia for a national tour this August. This tour will be less exhaustive than his 2014 effort, with Dylan set to do eight shows — one in Brisbane on August 24, as well as one in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Wollongong, and two back-to-back shows in Melbourne. He will draw on his incredible 60-year career — which spans 36 studio albums and countless hits — for the shows, so you better start praying to the music gods that your favourite makes it onto the setlist. Dylan may be 76 years old, but he has certainly showed no signs of slowing down as he approaches 80. In 2016 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and, just this year, he oddly released his own whisky. But still, it could be the last chance you get to see this living legend perform live. His last tour sold out, so don't wait too long to get your hands on tickets.
During its decade-long tenure at the edge of Post Office Square, Rush has accumulated a steady stream of loyal regulars with its sophisticated yet relaxed style. On Fridays from 5pm you'll find the bar spilling out into the Post Office Square green, where you can kick back to live music as you wet your whistle. The restaurant menu features a range of salads, burgers, pizzas and mains that make great accompaniments to a Friday cocktail.
Round up the Avengers, call all your SHIELD buddies and pick up your mighty mjolnir. It's time to hulk out at Brisbane's Marvel Trivia night, rove your hawk-like eye over plenty of questions about the huge film franchise and snap out answers faster than Thanos can snap his fingers. If you've caught all 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date, watched every TV show and basically dedicated the past 11 years to this superhero-filled realm, then it's an evening that you've been training for. And if you're down with flerkens, wish you'd visited Wakanda, and know the difference between Peter Parker and Peter Porker, then you'll be in your happy place. Taking place from 7pm on Tuesday, May 28, the MCU trivia onslaught comes right in the middle of the series' two latest instalments — Avengers: Endgame and the forthcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home. Man vs Bear will be doing the quizzing, St Lucia's Red Room is your secret base for the night, and there's more than $600 in prizes on offer.
Throughout the pandemic, treating ourselves to Gelato Messina's desserts has become a tasty self-care go-to, and the chain has been releasing quite the lineup of special sweet treats — its own takes on Viennettas and Iced Vovos included — to help. Now, after a chaotic few weeks weather-wise across Queensland and New South Wales, the gelato brand is putting its OTT dishes to great use in another way, raffling them off to raise cash for flood relief. Buy a $10 ticket, go in the draw to win Messina treats, gelato tubs, chocolates, vouchers and merchandise: that's what's on offer until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. The gelato chain is hosting its own raffle, with $5000 in desserts and prizes up for grabs — in 150 packs filled with more than 60 of the brand's limited-edition wares. Those aforementioned Messinettas and Iced Vovo bavarians are included, with 2o of each on offer — and 20 of Messina's Basque cheesecake hot tubs as well. There's also 20 1.5-litre gelato tubs, 30 sets of its pick 'n' mix choccies, and five $150 Messina vouchers. Messina socks, caps, hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts and balm — they're all on the list as well. Tickets can be bought online, with 100 percent of the profits to be split between Australian Red Cross and Vinnies flood appeals across NSW and Qld. Winners will then be notified on Monday, March 21. Eating gelato, assisting folks in need: that's the best and most helpful way to enjoy dessert. Gelato Messina's flood appeal raffle is selling tickets until 11.59pm on Sunday, March 20. Head to the Messina website for further information.
UPDATE, MARCH 19: Due to concerns around COVID-19, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet will no longer screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas onFriday, April 17. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. David Attenborough will turn 94 in 2020, but the acclaimed broadcaster and natural historian isn't slowing down anytime soon. Fresh from narrating and presenting two new TV series last year — Our Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet — and even appearing at Glastonbury to promote the latter, he's now bringing his latest movie-length documentary to cinemas. Called David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the film sees Attenborough look back on his more than nine decades on earth, the sights he has seen and the changes he has witnessed. Specifically, he reflects upon humanity's enormous and damaging impact on the natural world. Produced by wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films and global environmental organisation WWF, the resulting doco us described as "a powerful message of hope for future generations". In the just-released first trailer, Attenborough doesn't hold back. "The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel, yet the way we humans live on earth is sending it into a decline," he comments — before further noting that "human beings have overrun the world". He calls the film his "witness statement" and his "vision for the future", exploring humankind's actions over its existence and how moves can be made to address the planet's current environmental state. Naturally, Attenborough's wise words are combined with striking footage — as you'd expect of anything that the broadcaster is involved in. A Life On Our Planet will screen in cinemas Down Under for one night only, on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year. Head along to see it on the big screen, and you'll also be treated to footage of Attenborough from the film's London premiere hours earlier, where he'll joined live on stage by a range of guests to discuss issues raised in the doco. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVkqjHrAzw&feature=youtu.be David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet was due screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced. Image: Joe Fereday, Silverback Films.
It's not an exaggeration to say that there's no pool in Brisbane quite like the Spring Hill Baths — and if you're going to take a spring- or summer-time dip, there's really no better spot. The heritage-listed venue dates back to 1886, making it quite the institution. It was the city's first in-ground pool, and has remained a splash-about mainstay ever since. Opening at 6.30am every weekday, it's the kind of place that you'll be happy to jump out of bed for when the sun starts streaming through the windows. Within its sturdy walls, the water is crisp, the grandstand seating oozes charm and the day is calm. Happy swimming. Image: Brisbane City Council.
Taking over the slice of Newstead that Chester Street Bakery once called home, Hello Gorgeous has one thing in common with its now-defunct predecessor: wherever you look, something catches the eye. In the site's previous incarnation, colourful and inventive cakes screamed out for attention. Now, it's the vivid decor. Given its name, this new watering hole isn't pretending to be modest. It might be compact in size, accommodating up to 100 people, but Hello Gorgeous is designed to make an impact. Emblazoned with the venue's moniker, a pink neon sign lights up one corrugated iron wall. Elsewhere, tropical prints and plants are scattered around the joint. Patrons grab drinks from a bar decked out with pastel pink tiles and gold detailing, then sit and sip at teal banquettes. In short, Hello Gorgeous is the kind of place that is luxe but casual — somewhere Brisbanites can head after work, settle in for a lazy arvo on a weekend or grab a meal up until 10pm every night of the week. Owner Justinn De Beer describes it as a place "for everyone to just relax, enjoy great food and wine, and have fun", an ethos that shines not only in the vibrant interiors by Bea Berry Designs, but in its multiple spaces. As well as the main bar, there's a deck out the front, a private dining room for 20 and the ability to host functions of up to 80 guests. Variety reigns on the menu as well. Primed for sharing, the food range spans chilli lime prawn skewers, grilled saganaki and paprika-dusted calamari — plus mains that include vegan potato and chickpea curry, crispy pork belly and pan-seared salmon. That's just the beginning. On the drinks list, you can choose from choose from a 19-strong wine list, 11 bottled and tap beers, and a range of classic cocktails. Updated July 17.
For 89 years, Luna Park Sydney has been in the business of whisking attendees off to another world. Amusement parks do that. They cast away the daily grind, getting visitors enjoying rides and games instead — and, from Saturday, April 13, getting lit in a rave room-style immersive installation that's about to become the Harbour City tourist spot's latest attraction. At the end of 2023, Luna Park Sydney welcomed Dream Circus, which has been filling the Milsons Point site's big top with rollercoasters, hot air balloons, underwater creatures, fantastical critters, futuristic lights, skulls, eyes, spiders and geometric architecture ever since. The $15-million experience that uses 360-degree projections, holograms, motion-activated LED screens, lighting, surround sound and spatial audio mapping is just one of the park's new additions, though. Sonic Neon is the next, this time taking over the venue's Crystal Palace. Lasers, mirrors, 26,000-plus lights: they all await at this six-room attraction, as hailing from Luna Park Sydney itself and Mandylights — which is also behind Dark Spectrum, the soon-to-return one-kilometre labyrinth in Wynyard's railway tunnels that's part of Vivid Sydney's program again in 2024 after debuting in 2023. When Sonic Neon arrives before May hits, it'll also bust out neon galore, obviously, alongside UV lights, interactive elements and a fitting soundtrack. Expect to take up to half an hour to wander through the all-ages fun's 150-metre-long expanse, which will operate daily. By filling Crystal Palace, Sonic Neon will make a space that dates back to 1935 — and was constructed for Luna Park Sydney's grand opening, in fact — its home. The site has also featured dodgems, the penny arcade and a BMX track over the years. "Immersive experiences continue to dominate the global market, and Luna Park Sydney is committed to delivering world-class experiences to Sydneysiders and visitors to our beautiful harbour," said Luna Park Sydney CEO John Hughes. "Luna Park Sydney celebrates the best of the old and the best of the new. Housing Sonic Neon in our 1935-built Crystal Palace will be a spectacular collision of heritage and modern technology." "This immersive experience will offer the public a new way to enjoy Sydney's original, ever-evolving playground." Find Sonic Neon at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Saturday, April 13, 2024, with tickets on sale from 6pm on Monday, April 8 — visit the park's website and the event's ticketing site for more information.
Not all tribute nights are created equal. First, there's the kind of collection of covers that you'll find at every suburban pub. Then, there are the affectionate odes that eventuate when a great music venue gathers a bunch of the country's best bands and asks them to craft their own homage. It's the latter that the Triffid has made their own in their less than two years of operation, with everyone from Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Pink Floyd and The Clash getting the loving treatment. On July 23, they'll be riding the lightning, heading off to never-never land and offering justice to all at their latest event — as long as you're a Metallica fan, that is. With each act playing four of the heavy metal behemoth's tracks and two of their own, Whiskey & Speed, Smoking Martha, Old Fashion, Simon Gardner and Fuzzpilot will take to the stage to show that when it comes to rockin' out and thrashing about, nothing else matters. Yep, their guitar riffs and growls will provide the fuel, the fire and that which you desire. If you don't make it along, expect the bell to toll for you.
For 125 million film and television lovers around the world, Netflix's two-note intro sound is synonymous with one thing: settling in to watch an episode or movie on your TV at home (or on your computer during your lunch break, or on your phone during your commute, let's face it). Soon, however, it could also echo through cinemas, with the streaming platform apparently looking into buying its own theatres. First reported by The Los Angeles Times regarding the sale of one particular US chain — Landmark Theatres, which Netflix ultimately opted not to purchase — the potential move would assist the company in achieving two things. Firstly, it could give the company a bigger footprint within the entertainment landscape. Secondly, it'd provide a cinematic outlet for its films. And, as you might've noticed, there's no shortage of the latter. Indeed, whether it's snapping up flicks at festivals, funding them from the get-go or saving the day when traditional distributors want to back out of putting their movies in theatres — as happened with both The Cloverfield Paradox and Annihilation earlier this year — Netflix's slate of originals is only growing. It has released more than 20 so far this year, and will more than double that number by the time December comes to a close. In total, Netflix will spend up to $8 billion on content in 2018 alone, and CEO Reed Hastings has recently said that's not enough. You mightn't think screening their films in cinemas would be important to the streaming behemoth, but playing in theatres is absolutely essential for one thing: collecting Oscars and other industry accolades. And they're starting to do just that, with Netflix's Icarus picking up the Academy Award for best documentary this year, while drama Mudbound garnered four nominations. Both had a short cinema run, something that's a necessity to meet the Academy's criteria. But, unsurprisingly, few existing theatre chains are eager to screen flicks that are also available on the streaming platform at the same time or shortly afterwards. On the international front, it's a battle that saw Netflix withdraw its films from this year's Cannes Film Festival, after the fest announced it had banned flicks that wouldn't also play in French cinemas. Part of the prestigious event's requirements is that movies also screen locally; however France also stipulates that a film can't make its way to home entertainment platforms, be it DVD or streaming, for three years after its big-screen appearance. Obviously, that doesn't work for Netflix. Last year, Okja was available online a month after it premiered it Cannes, while the Noah Baumbach-directed, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller-starring The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) released in October. Just how far Netflix will pursue their cinema prospects is yet to be seen, but the company isn't known for doing things by halves. At present, reports centre on opening theatres in the US, with no word on any international plans. Via The Los Angeles Times.
Brisbane has seen a dumpling invasion in the last year. Prior to this, dumpling enjoyment was restricted to a trip out to Sunnybank or a meal of yum cha in Chinatown. Now we have trendy and delicious dumpling places scattered so thickly throughout the city that it is hard to walk 100 metres without the allure of these little bundles of joy drawing you in. It is for this reason that Concrete Playground has narrowed down our top five dumpling places in Brisbane. Happy Little Dumplings This Happy Little place located in the vibrant James Lane is as joyful as its name suggests. With complimentary bottomless Jasmine tea and fillings such as Prawn Har Gow - plump prawns with a hint of bamboo, it’s little wonder that they had to open a second store (the original HLD is located in Bulimba for all the south-siders out there!). If you do however overdose on dumplings (impossible!) the desserts on offer are a must try. If you can’t choose between the mango pancake and the black sticky rice pudding, you might like to take both home, surround yourself with soft furnishings, indulge and let the blissful food coma take over you. Shop 10, 65 James St, Fortitude Valley; 07 3854 0741; www.littledumplings.com.au Harajuku Gyoza Things to bring to Harajuku Gyoza: 1. Your inner anime character 2. A sense of celebration. 3. An empty stomach. 4. Paracetamol for your ear-ache afterwards. From the minute you step through the giant heavy sumo-like door, you are greeted with a loud “Irasshaimase!” Japanese for “Welcome, come in!”. The gyoza (dumpling) menu is impressive and for all the lovers of these parcels of pleasure, the apple gyoza dessert is a bucket-list worthy treat. Without a doubt, Harajuku Gyoza is renowned for its fun atmosphere and gorgeous staff equipped with some serious pipes, don’t believe me? Order a shot of celebratory Sake and watch what happens. 394 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley; 07 3852 4624; www.harajukugyoza.com Brunswick Social Every wild night out in the Valley should begin and end with dumplings. Lucky for you, Brunswick Social provides a classy yet relaxed atmosphere with it’s indoor subdued décor and soft lighting. With dumplings and drinks aplenty, it’s a wonder why you would even stray from this place. The chicken and chive dumplings as well as the chicken sui mai are stand outs. Talk about the stock market over fish cakes or plan your next boozy encounter over a Singapore Sling. Whatever you fancy, it’s guaranteed you’ll probably end up back here for a midnight fix anyway. 367 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley; 07 3252 3234; www.thebrunswicksocial.com Sono Portside Wharf One might scoff at the mention of this place and wonder how on earth the humble dumpling and fine dining go together. Sono Portside offers it’s guests a modern yet traditional Japanese dining experience, and where would Japan be without it’s glorious gyoza? Although there is plenty of posh nosh to choose from on the menu, Sono’s pork and chive gyozas are grilled to perfection and offer undercover dumpling devotees a quick fix from the fancy food on offer. 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton; 07 3268 6655; www.sonorestaurant.com.au Bamboo Basket The dumpling chefs at this restaurant might as well be rockstars. It’s often one finds themself casually walking the streets of Southbank only to stop and stare through the glass windows of Bamboo Basket’s open kitchen and marvel at the craftsmanship of these heroes. Within minutes and with origami-style precision, bite-sized dumplings are formed right in front of you. You shed tears. You have just witnessed a miracle. The real wonder of nature however, happens once you enter the restaurant and partake in the delicious Shan-Dong style dumplings or any of it’s pan-fried friends on the menu. Prepare yourself for endless choices and your very own food baby at the end of the night. Shop 1003 - 1004/199 Grey Street South Brisbane; 07 3844 0088; www.bamboobasket.com.au
Father’s Day is coming up and we all know that dads can be hard to please. Or maybe they just don’t really care. After years of receiving socks and ties as gifts, maybe they gave up on an exciting Father’s Day years ago. Here at Concrete Playground we want to make sure that if nothing else, your dad’s stomach is satisfied on his special day. So here are our suggestions of the top five spots to take your old man. Mundo Churrasco If your Dad is the type of guy who likes to chew on jerky and mop up his steak juices with bread, then this Brazilian barbecue is the perfect place for him. Located in Bardon and open for lunch and dinner, Mundo Churrasco is a meat lover's dream. Order the ‘churrasco’ for an all-you-can-eat option with endless sides being topped up throughout your sitting. Waiters walk around with slabs of beef, chicken, and pork on large skewers and slice the meat off for you at the table, and keep coming until you politely decline. Not for the faint of heart, this meal is great for dad but you may end up with the meat sweats afterwards. Lure on Latrobe This destination ticks the ‘outdoor’, ‘laidback’, and ‘absolutely delicious’ boxes. Often found with a line up out the door, Lure’s popularity is well deserved. The food is amazing and the staff are welcoming and fun. If your Dad is an up and at ‘em kind of guy then this is the perfect place to go to break your fast. Get there early and influence your dad to get the breakfast burger. It's a guaranteed winner, and very reasonably priced so you can afford to pay. Archive Some dads have simple wishes, which may include a chicken schnitzel and a good pint of beer (or five). If this sounds like your old man then you have to take him to Archive in West End. With $10 chicken schnitzels, it leaves you open to try some of the unique boutique beers that they have on tap. There is always a great vibe, and live musicians singing foot-thumping hits. To take your dad back to his rocking youth, Archive is the place to go. Corner Store Café If your father is a green thumb then he will enjoy investigating the garden at Corner Store Cafe. Overlooking a herb and vegetable patch, Corner Store covers all of the ‘dad’ classics including burgers, curries, and a bowl of mussels for the seafood lovers. With food that never disappoints, your dad will be feeling very special after this Father’s Day lunch. Hundred Acre Bar If you have a large group to organise for Father’s Day then consider heading to the Hundred Acre Bar in St Lucia. With a diverse menu for both breakfast and lunch, including kids specials, the whole family will be pleased with your choice. Overlooking the rolling green St Lucia Golf Course and amongst their well-groomed gardens, it is a beautiful spot to enjoy a meal with the family…followed by a round of golf for the enthusiasts.
This year's Melbourne Cup is fast approaching, so it's time to start thinking about which glitzy locale has your name on it. To help you make your choice, here's a cheat sheet for four parties happening at four stand-out venues: the Regatta Hotel, the Boundary Hotel, Fridays Riverside and Riverland Brisbane. At the top of the list is the Regatta, which is hosting the annual Level 1 Cup Gala plus the new Level 2 Extravaganza, the most exclusive event in Regatta history. The latter is hosted in the brand new Glenolive function space and verandah (pictured below), with luxury food and drinks plus access to the rest of the hotel. To wrap up the day, head underground to the Walrus Club for the best afterparty north of the river. [caption id="attachment_870401" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] Those with a taste for history should consider the 158-year-old Boundary Hotel, which is hosting its annual Cup Day celebration. There's two available packages, each including a variety of food and drink options. The luxe $169pp gala is inclusive of live music and a good view of all the fashionable fascinators, while the $200pp luncheon adds a 3-course meal to the mix. If Fridays Riverside is your go-to, put together a group for the epic two-course share meal and three-hour beverage package. It'll be a great way to enjoy the day as you take in the live music and entertainment throughout the venue. Need we say dress your best? The freshest fit can win some sweet prizes. Riverland will be giving its street kitchen vibes a premium cup day makeover to bring you a prime posi for the arvo. Make the most of the event with canapés, music and the coveted Fashion on the Field prizes. This Melbourne Cup, the Regatta Hotel, Boundary Hotel, Fridays Riverside and Riverland are playing host to a range of festivities. For more information, head to the websites.
In Dune, Josh Brolin jumped wholeheartedly into one of the best sci-fi subgenres there is: the space opera. When a movie follows a spice-war fought by feuding houses on far-flung planets, no other description fits the bill. And, the 2021 big-screen hit — and 2022 big-time Oscar-nominee — firmly did its slice of science fiction proud. But, as well showing up for next year's sequel Dune: Part Two, Brolin definitely isn't done with sci-fi just yet. Making a rare small-screen appearance — his first ongoing episodic role since 2003, in fact — the Milk Oscar-nominee leads Outer Range, the next trippy streaming series that you'll want to add to your queue. That recommendation is based on the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the eight-part series, which'll hit Prime Video from Friday, April 15, and promises quite the mind-bending supernatural western. The setup: on a ranch in Wyoming, Brolin's Royal Abbott is trying to keep his land, and ensure that his family stays together, after his daughter-in-law Rebecca goes missing. His neighbours, the Tillersons, are after his parcel of turf, and strange things start happening — including an eerie black void in the middle of the Abbotts' west pasture. So far, the show is keeping most of its small town-set storyline close to its sci-fi/western/thriller/mystery chest — but the sneak peek certainly sets an unsettling tone. And yes, it's shaping up to be a big year for unnerving stories set in vast expanses of US land, with Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope covering the same terrain. Outer Range will drop two episodes per week, so you'll spend around a month soaking in its mysteries, turf wars and wild revelations. If you've currently got a Yellowjackets shaped hole in your viewing schedule, this might just fill it. On-screen, Brolin is joined by an impressive cast that includes Imogen Poots (The Father), Lili Taylor (Perry Mason), Tamara Podemski (Run), Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) and Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek). Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range will start streaming via Prime Video Down Under on Friday, April 15.
Some farewell tours seem to last forever — and, thanks to the pandemic, Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is one of them. Since September 2018, the music star has been saying goodbye all around the globe, including making the trip Down Under already. But what was meant to be his final trip our way resulted in some rescheduled gigs, so he's back again, playing one last-ever Brisbane show. It's been a big few years for the singer, not only with the huge tour — which spans more than 300 concerts across five continents — but with his life story hitting the big screen in biopic Rocketman. He had a massive first round of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australasia, too, with over 705,000 tickets sold to gigs a three-month period that spanned 34 Australian and six New Zealand dates from November 2019. Missed out then? Keen to go again? In Brisbane, he'll light up Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, January 21. Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting'. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career — well, never seen before the tour — which'll be displayed throughout the show. When the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes to an end, John will retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Image: Ben Gibson.
Art, design, food and shopping themed festivals have long made happy home in Brisbane - a city of foodies, art-lovers and culture huggers. But even our most established festivals would have trouble rivalling the newest design fun-fair in town; a) because it’s beyond innovative and b) it’s got some seriously a-grade world play going on. Containerval is the newest, edgiest mix of pop-up retail shops, performance spaces and food stalls that will be gracing the Northshore banks of the Brisbane River. Just a quick CityCat stop from just about anywhere, this festival will transform shipping containers into vibrant stalls, that will house everything thrifty, nifty and gifty – and then just about as many tasty treats as you can fit in a shipping container. A few big musical names will also be jumping on board – Sampology, Tom Thum and Michelle Xen are just a few people who’ll, assumedly, be hoisted onto shipping containers and made to perform. Containerval will be open Fridays to Sundays, with the exception of the third and final weekend when it will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday to incorporate Brisbane International Film Festival’s open-air cinema extravaganza. Words really can’t describe the layout, ideas and creativity Containerval has got going for it – have a good look at the photos here and check out the festival program here.
As well as its prime riverside spot on Brisbane Powerhouse's ground level, the city's new all-day watering hole boasts something that most other bars don't: one hell of a tomato juice bill. Now open in the space that was previously home to WATT Bar and Restaurant, Proud Mary slings southern-inspired fare and bloody marys as its drink of choice. Other cocktails, craft beers and wines are also on offer, but there's no doubting what the house favourite is. Choose from five different types of bloody mary, both as single drinks and in jugs to share — or tuck into a $45 five-course bloody mary brunch every Saturday, with optional bottomless booze (for an extra $30), too. Focusing on New Orleans-style and other French-influenced southern meals, Proud Mary's culinary lineup is heavy on both seafood and comfort. Think oysters with gazpacho, king salmon ceviche and oyster po'boys sliders, plus griddled crab cakes, pork belly sandwiches, and poutine with cheese curds and gravy. On the share platter front, you can build your own brisket tortillas, opt for a spread of the ocean's finest or feast on buttermilk fried chicken. Opening at 9.30am on weekdays and 8am on weekends, the brunch menu features croque monsieurs and madames, with specific weekend-only additions including goat's cheese tartine burgers, and hazelnut and almond-filled omelettes. And if you'd like a little entertainment with your meal, Proud Mary's will also host live music every weekend — between 2–6pm on Saturdays and 1–5pm on Sundays. Find Proud Mary on the ground floor of Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, open from 9.30am–9pm Mondays to Wednesdays, 9.30am–9.30pm on Thursdays, 9.30am–10.30pm on Fridays, 8am–10.30pm on Saturdays and 8am–9pm on Sundays.
