Next to Windsor train station is a delightful cafe bursting with character and filled to the brim with delicious treats. The Low Road Cafe is easy to find as its front garden is adorned with hot pink flamingoes and palm trees that give a taste of what's in store. This cute kitsch paradise has become a breakfast hot spot and is packed with happy diners weeklong. The friendly staff and cleverly designed space, which allows the inside and outside dining areas to flow seamlessly, ooze a relaxed vibe. Once we stepped into the cafe the staff flashed warm smiles and gave us genuine greetings. Consequently the team have many regular customers who are drawn to the comfortable atmosphere and quality service. What's more, the décor of the cafe is just as cheerful as the staff. A turquoise feature wall, 70s print couch, hanging pot plants and miss-matched crockery all add to The Low Road's appeal. Their all-day menu is short, but sweet. Try the fried eggs, cornbread, avocado, rocket and hot sauce ($13) for a protein-packed breakfast and when coupled with the mango and orange frappe special ($7.50) it was a champion choice. For a hunger that needs serious attention, choose the breakfast salad of lemony haloumi, leaves, dukkah egg, shaved zucchini, roast mushrooms, red onion, fresh herbs with a yoghurt dressing and toasted sourdough ($15.50). Another menu highlight is the strawberry coconut milkshake ($6.50). The cafe offers daily specials each as tantalising as the regular meals. If you're somehow still hungry after your hearty meal, raid the cabinet for a sweet treat such as the raspberry, white chocolate and rosewater muffin washed down with a coffee. Next time you're in search of a brunch fix, take the high road and head to The Low Road Cafe. Great food, great service and a funky setting make mornings a whole lot easier.
Stones Corner and shopping go hand in hand; however come April 24, shopaholics will have an extra reason to head to the area. Yep, it's market time again, complete with all the arts, crafts, homewares and food stalls you can dream of. Plus, a very special occasion is on the agenda. ANZAC Day might be the main thing on everyone's minds this weekend, but another event is just around the corner. If you're fond of the lovely lady who brought you into this world, then you'll want to get browsing and buying at the Stones Corner Mother's Day Street Market. Nothing says 'I love you mum' like grabbing a gift early.
Co-ordinating your outfit for the Blue Light Disco. Feeling so nervous about slow dancing at the formal you could hurl. These are iconic experiences of youth, shared whether you were cool or a dork. School Dance finally brings these experiences to the stage, with emphasis on the dork. "Darwin's theory of evolution at its cruellest," the omniscient narrator reminds us. Windmill Theatre, who produced the show, are actually a children's theatre company, but with School Dance they've expanded their remit to include any adults who like an excuse to get a bit silly. Director of both company and show Rosemary Myers decided to prod the seeds of an idea that had been planted on an earlier collaboration with writer Matthew Whittet, sound designer Luke Smiles, and set and costume designer Jonathon Oxlade, who reminisced on their teenage nerdom while working on the show Fugitive. The men play Matthew, Luke, and Jonathon, three fictionalised versions of themselves at an earlier, unaware age. Best of all, the now mid-30-year-olds grew up in the 1980s, and references to Gremlins, E.T., and acid wash denim abound, wrapped up in a high-energy, Scott Pilgrim-esque package. Was music ever finer than in the '80s? The answer is clearly no, because each track played tonight is better and more rapturously received than the last (although Bonnie Tyler and Spandau Ballet are somewhat climactic points in the mix). The action veers onto course when Matthew literally starts to disappear, shortly after being ignored by the popular girl Hannah Ellis (Amber McMahon, who adroitly handles all the female roles). His legs go first. Then his torso and head. On stage, this is shown through the wearing of a black, slightly sparkling body stocking — one of the many creative, smoothly plausible tricks of staging going on. The set, lighting, and foley provide constant wonder. To rescue Matthew from the 'land of invisible teenagers' (a tentative title), the teens will need to call on Jonathan's knowing older sister, He-Man, a unicorn, and a massive act of bravery. The experience of watching this show is one filled with laughter, cheering, applause, and squeals of recognition. It's ecstatic and triumphant, bonkers yet homey. It's not highfalutin — there's hand farting, an extended, glorious passage of it, causing the kid behind me to lose his head — but School Dance reaches special heights all of its own. It's obvious a lot of love went into it, and the audience can't help but reciprocate. Image: Jonathon Oxlade, Luke Smiles, and Matthew Whittet in School Dance. Photo by Lisa Tomasetti. This review is based on the Sydney run of this production at the Wharf Theatres in January 2013.
There's no better feeling in the world than emerging victorious from a match — whether you had to fight tooth and nail or it was a landslide defeat, winners are most definitely grinners. And no matter which sport you play, position you're in or team you play for — if you have something to celebrate, you'll want somewhere to celebrate it. You know the deal — you're pumped from the game and want to revel in that winning glow. Going home just won't cut it. Cracking open a Heineken 3 and chatting incessantly about how great the game was, well, that's more like it. To help you do just that, we've put together a list of four spots that'll help you bask in the post-match glory.
Laughing in a doubled-over, can't breathe, feels-like-you-have-a-stitch kind of way isn't a planned thing. It happens spontaneously. It happens without warning. It happens at times and from sources you mightn't expect. That's what Brisbane Comedy Festival's After Hours component is all about when it returns for 2025: making the humorous magic happen in a different fashion, away from the usual routines, well-oiled jokes and hilarious shows that unleash the same comic gems night after night. Taking over the Fairfax Studio at Brisbane Powerhouse on Saturday evenings throughout the fest — on May 3, May 10, May 17 and May 24, to be exact — this always-changing late-night show is a chance for everyone involved to get loose. As for who that might be each evening, well, that's part of the surprise. The lineup changes weekly, and tickets to this variety show cost $22.
The new additions to King Street just keep coming in 2023, with the Bowen Hills stretch welcoming in crab shack Claw in August, then arcade bar Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq to kick off September. Launching next is Italian Riviera-loving restaurant Bar Gusto, the latest addition to Rydges Fortitude Valley. The 190-seater will join the precinct on Friday, September 15, giving pizza and pasta pride of place on the menu, and putting one of the area's fig trees at the heart of its outdoor space. Dine outdoors on the terrace here — or drop in for an al fresco drink — and being surrounded by greenery is part of the package. Bar Gusto's deck has been built around the century-old tree, in fact. Indoors, the fitout heroes walnut panelling with antique brass. The vibe that the joint is aiming for: laidback but timeless. In a place that seats 150 in its main areas, plus 40 in its private dining room, executive Chef Francesco Trucco leads the kitchen — whipping up a menu that goes big on tradition, with family recipes steering his dishes. "Gusto in my home country means taste, and we know it also means enthusiasm, which is perfect for the venue we've created here. Where I'm from we have an incredible culture around food, everybody can cook — your friends, your mum, your grandma — and at Bar Gusto with each dish, I'm sharing the love from my family with families here in Australia," said Trucco. Cooked in a Valoriani Vesuvio Igloo pizza oven, the restaurant's slices come in eight varieties, including sausage and taleggio; pancetta atop carbonara paste; a mushroom and ham number made with truffle paste; and a combination of Mooloolaba tiger prawns, caviar and crab meat. If you prefer pasta, black squid linguine is the signature dish, the ravioli comes filled with carbonara sauce and tucking into nonna's meatballs in napoli sauce is an option. Among the smaller bites, pumpkin and basil arancini, potatoes crocchette with crab and bruschetta sit alongside rosemary olives, fries and those Mooloolaba tiger prawns again, this time in chilli garlic butter. Gusto does grazing boards, too, while panna cotta and tiramisu are the dessert choices. Whether you're just after a sip or you're pairing your beverage with a meal, the wine list favours Italian and local vino. Prefer a cocktail? They're a big feature. Think: the Gusto Aperitivo (made with Campari, Regal Rogue wild rose, lime juice, grapefruit soda and orange slices), Dolce Colada (Sailor Jerry, banana liqueur, coconut, lemon, pineapple and coconut foam), Bond, Rosemary Bond (Tanqueray, Cinzano Bianco, rosemary syrup, lemon and peach bitters) and Razzmatazz (vodka and Chambord with citrus, vanilla syrup, seat salt and egg whites). In total, seven types are available for just one person, two more for sharing (including the summery watermelon punch), plus two mocktails as well. And, if you prefer a classic other than Bar Gusto's specials, just ask. Find Bar Gusto at 601 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills from Friday, September 15 — open 11am–9pm Monday–Saturday.
To pull off a great music festival there are three key aspects you really need to get right — lineup, location and licensing. With that in mind, let's all take a moment to welcome Jungle Love. Queensland's newest boutique festival has gone above and beyond to nail all three. Located at Lake Moogerah — an hour drive from Brisbane's Southside — Jungle Love is a music, culture and nature festival that focuses more on making memories and experiences than drops, moshing and bangers. The lineup alone is an immaculate curation of Queensland's best performers, all hand-picked based on their ability to woo a crowd. Sure, they might not be on high rotation at Triple J or be the most blogged about, but they certainly know how to deliver outstanding shows. Featured on the bill are Moses Gunn Collective, The Jensens, Closure In Moscow, Dubmarine, LeSuits, Bec Laughton and a heap more. So, while location and lineup get big ticks, licensing gets a bigger one — Jungle Love is BYO. There's no need to be stressed about inflated drink prices, just grab a slab of tinnies and be on your way. Just be responsible and don't bring glass — we don't need a few dickheads to ruin it for everybody. The inaugural Jungle Love takes place from November 20-21 with the Saturday night an all-out fancy dress — don't forget! There are limited tickets available, check out the full lineup and sign yourself up here.
Here at Concrete Playground, we try find the best of what's happening in our city. The brilliant thing that makes this job so easy is when people around us are so forward-thinking and creative, it doesn't take long for us to hear about them. Lost Movements is a project we have been following for some time now, run by a handful of passionate people who try to expose and promote the arts in as many ways as possible. The team brings together visual art, performance art, music and even burlesque under one roof in a treat for the senses. The Lost Movements warehouse parties are an example of a small idea taking off in a big way; since its inception, LM has grown to incorporate a zine and a frequent competitive art night called Scribbleslam. The LM team have recently embarked on a new project with their new warehouse HQ, Found. We spoke to Lost Movements mastermind Lincoln Savage (the dude even has a cool name) about LM and Found, and what to expect from the team this year. Describe the initial inspiration for Lost Movements? The concept has evolved and grown a lot since the first idea of bringing different arts together into the events. Initially I would say that we were driven by the desire to try something different from what was happening at the time around Brisbane. Since its inception, how has LM grown and what has been its impact on the Brisbane cultural landscape? It started as a warehouse party thrown together by a few people that went quite well. Over its life various people have contributed, which has influenced the direction, ultimately leading to the incorporation as a community organisation. It has given many musicians, performers and artists a chance to experiment and share their work with a larger audience. The collaborative environment nurtured by LM has also been beneficial the emerging arts in Brisbane. What are the plans for Lost Movements this year? This year I hope to keep experimenting and innovating, I think this is one of the most important things for what we are trying to do. With the new home slowly coming together it is opening up a lot of doors to create more serious experimentations with what can be done in a live environment. There are some interesting projects in the works involving gesture reactive projection mapping which we can hopefully implement in conjunction with the live events. Tell us about your new project, Found? Found is kind of the next step for all of these things. It is a venue dedicated to the emerging arts, music and also my personal direction in the use of technology to support creative expression. What is different about Found that you hope people connect with? It is a step away from the established norm of how we experience venues in Brisbane. We hope to provide something different by experimenting with the performer-audience interaction. What do you think is currently inspiring about the Brisbane art scene? Right now Brisbane feels like it is on the edge of shifting the culture away from pubs and Valley binge drinking culture to nurturing original live music, performances and experimental venues. There are a few people that I have been watching, including the guys over at Lucid putting on Daydream on February 15 — keep an eye out for that one. Tell us about some artists that you think are worth checking out Gus Eagleton is the first artist to hit the walls at Found; he is killing right now. Guido van Helten is a local currently in Iceland putting together some amazing works as well.
Hollywood's night of nights is fresh in your memory, your to-watch list has grown considerably, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball. Call Dendy Cinemas' latest special a case of great timing, then, with the chain offering up discount tickets that'll solve your problem. Until March 15, as long as you purchase online, you'll only pay $8 for your movie of choice at Portside and Coorparoo. Or movies. With everything from Black Panther to Phantom Thread to Lady Bird currently screening, there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. The special isn't available for special events, Dendy Arts sessions, pre-book tickets or preview screenings, but you're certain to find something to watch regardless. Plus, if you haven't had a chance to drop by the chain's new digs in Coorparoo, here's your excuse.
In recent years, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art has played host to an array of weird and wonderful exhibits. The Hulk's giant bed, a real-life snowman and Patricia Piccinini's otherworldly field of not-quite-flowers have all graced the South Brisbane site's halls and walls, as have David Lynch's inimitable art and a recreation of a real-life riverbed. But come summer 2020–21, the cultural institution is heading in a completely different direction. A gallery-wide celebration of motorcycles mightn't be the kind of thing you'd generally expect to find at GOMA; however, that's exactly what'll be on display from November this year till April 2021. Called The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire, the Queensland-exclusive showcase will explore the two-wheeled vehicle's enduring appeal — from the way it looks and how it has evolved over the years, to the way it's portrayed in popular culture and how it makes people feel. Obviously, the exhibition will do so by displaying plenty of motorbikes. Sourced from public and private collections from around the world, more than 100 will ride into GOMA — with some dating back more than 150 years. That'd be the Michaux-Perreaux steam-powered velocipede from 1868, which is the oldest-known motorbike on the planet. It'll be joined by a selection of the first Aussie built and designed motorcycles, including one made in Brisbane in 1906; record-breaking bikes, such as the land speed record-breaking 1951 Vincent Black Lightning; and a lineup of super-modern motorcycles that represent the vehicle's future. [caption id="attachment_762937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede (1869). Collection du musée du domaine départemental. Photo by Olivier Ravoire.[/caption] Honing in on the motorcycle's importance not just as a mode of transport, but as an ever-evolving machine, The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire will also feature interactive experiences — and while GOMA hasn't revealed what they'll be just yet, you can reasonably expect it'll be something more exciting than just hopping on a motorbike and driving around South Bank. Up Late events will form part of the program, too, for those wanting to party in the gallery and peer at historic motorcycles after dark. And, because there are quite a few motorbike-related movies to choose from — Easy Rider, Mad Max, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Purple Rain and Hot Rod, for example — GOMA's Australian Cinematheque will also get into the same gear, with its lineup set to be unveiled closer to the exhibition. The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire will display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art from November 28, 2020–April 26, 2021. For further information or to buy tickets, visit the exhibition website. Top images: Vincent Black Lightning (1951), image courtesy Bonhams; Majestic 350 (1930), photo by Olivier de Vaulx; Megola Sport (1922), courtesy Guggenheim Museum, photo by David Heald.
From 'King of the Mountain' to federal minister for the arts, Peter Garret knows the Australian music industry better than most. The now former minister, activist and legendary Midnight Oil frontman is locked in to deliver a keynote address at this year's BIGSOUND music conference in Brisbane, running September 9-11. It'll be the first major music industry appearance for Garrett since leaving federal parliament, so we're sure he's going to have few things to get off his chest; about public policy and activism in the music industry and of course, his own marvellous career in Midnight Oil. Joining Garrett on the keynote lineup of dreams, rapper and activist Brother Ali is heading to BIGSOUND for his very first Australian speech. The albino child of white Muslim parents, Brother Ali is one of the most unique voices in contemporary hip hop. You might have seen him throw down some serious truths in his recent keynotes at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Princeton University. Australia's answer to CMJ in New York or South by Southwest in Austin, BIGSOUND sees all corners of the Australian music industry converge on Fortitude Valley for days of panels, workshops, aforementioned keynotes, and (most importantly) live gigs, showcases and parties. With plenty of A&R talent also booked in to lay some knowledge on BIGSOUND conference-goers, this year's lineup is already one the event's most internationally-focused yet (bringing it ever closer to CMJ-ness). Of course, it's not all keynotes and panels; BIGSOUND's live music element is one of the prime poaching grounds for the best new talent in Australia, with Courtney Barnett, Flume, Megan Washington, Boy & Bear and more blitzing previous BIGSOUND instalments. If you're wanting to throw your hat in the ring, applications to play at this year’s event will close on May 15 with the first artist lineup announced in early June. So bands, producers, singer/songwriters? Here's who you need to impress. BIGSOUND 2015 INDUSTRY SPEAKERS: Peter Garrett – Keynote (AUS) Brother Ali – Keynote (USA) Ashanti Abdullah – Rhymesayers Entertainment (USA) Alex Maxwell – Troubadour (USA) Amy Morgan – Beggars Publishing / Glass Animals (UK) Avery McTaggart – The Windish Agency (USA) Ben Munro – Hostess (JPN) Ben O’Connor – Chapter Music (AUS) Eric Barleen – Another Planet Entertainment (USA) Guy Blackman – Chapter Music (AUS) Jacob Daneman – Pitch Perfect PR (USA) Jacqueline Saturn – Harvest Records (USA) Josh Moore – Bowery Presents (USA) Julia Wilson – Rice is Nice (AUS) Justin Sweeting – WME / Clockenflap (HK) Laura Snapes – Freelance Writer (UK) Lesley Olenik Golindo – Goldenvoice (USA) Lio Kanine – Kanine Records (USA) Lorrae McKenna – Remote Control Records (AUS) Marshall Betts – The Windish Agency (USA) Meg Helsel – Grandstand Media (USA) Melissa Yong – Other Sounds / Village Sounds (SGP) Meredith Fraser – Panache Booking (USA) Paul Buck – Coda Agency (UK) Phil Waldorf – Secretly Group (USA) Rachel Cragg – Nettwerk Music Group (USA) Robin McNicol – Superfly (USA) Sat Bisla – A&R Worldwide (USA) Talya Elitzer – Capitol Music Group (USA) Tunji Balogun – RCA Records (USA) BIGSOUND will take over Fortitude Valley from September 9-11, with early bird tickets capped at 100 this year from $350 for three days of panels, discussions and industry seminars and two nights of 140 bands across 14 venues. The limited allocation of early-bird tickets sold out quickly when they went on sale earlier this year, but another 50 have been released today with prices rising when they are sold out or on May 15, whichever comes first. Head here for details.
There's nothing quite like having time off, especially if that means having the opportunity to get out of the city for a good dose of fresh air, nature and countless outdoor adventures. We know figuring out where to go and how to fill your days can be a bit like putting a puzzle together. That's why we've done the hard yards for you by narrowing your choices down to eight must-do experiences in New South Wales' Mid North Coast region. Whether you're passing through on a road trip to Sydney or just keen to spend a few days over the border, you can return home with some new memories in tow and experiences checked off your bucket list. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_795539" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skywalk Lookout, Destination NSW[/caption] ENJOY PANORAMIC VIEWS OVER DORRIGO NATIONAL PARK When seeking out superb views, you'd be hard-pressed to find many as vast and stunning as the one from the Skywalk lookout in Dorrigo National Park. Walk along the 70-metre platform and, from the edge of the escarpment, you'll see everything from the dense rosewood subtropical rainforest and Bellinger Valley to the distant coastline and McGrath's Hump, also known as Old Man Dreaming, which, according to Gumbaynggirr legend, shows the profile of a warrior's face. [caption id="attachment_795540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bago Maze and Winery, Destination NSW[/caption] GET LOST IN A SWIRLY MAZE IN BAGO We all get a little lost sometimes, but you'll probably find the feeling of not knowing where to go next more fun when you're trying to make your way through the maze at Bago Maze and Winery. With over 2000 metres of lilly pilly-lined pathways, it'll make you feel like you've entered a magical world, if only for a little while. The best part is afterwards you can enjoy a meat or cheese platter with a few glasses of wine from the neighbouring vineyard. [caption id="attachment_795547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rotary Park, Destination NSW[/caption] CATCH YOUR DINNER IN TENTERFIELD CREEK Any keen fisherman will know a day out on or by the water is always a good time — even if you don't catch anything. Tenterfield Creek might not look like it holds many fishing opportunities at first glance, but locals know it's a great spot for snagging cod and yellow belly. Nearby spots, including Mole River Dam, Dumaresq River, Clarence River and Glenlyon Dam, are also stocked with golden perch, catfish and more (depending on the time of year). Don't worry if you're not experienced, as fishing charter companies like Northern Rivers Sportfishing can teach you the ropes for the day. Don't forget to get a fishing licence from Service NSW before casting your line. [caption id="attachment_795548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ebor Falls, Destination NSW[/caption] HIKE TO THE STUNNING EBOR FALLS Cascading over 100 metres of graphite-coloured, lava-formed rock, Ebor Falls is quite simply one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Australia. Although the falls are broken into two sections, there are three platforms to view them from, all of which offer incredible views over the gorge and Guy Fawkes River National Park. If you visit in the warmer months, golden daisies and rare ground orchids sometimes bloom around the upper falls making the whole place seem like a scene from a fantasy movie. Stay updated on park closures here. [caption id="attachment_795549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paragliding, Unsplash[/caption] GLIDE THROUGH THE CLOUDS OVER TAMWORTH Ever had a dream that you could fly? Well, this is the next best thing. Manilla Paragliding at Mount Borah offers tandem paragliding flights that last for about 30–40 minutes. You don't need any experience, just a bit of courage. Once you're in the air, you won't regret it. If you're lucky, while you're soaring high above the rest of the world, you might spot a local wedge-tailed eagle. For dinner, make a reservation at The Pig and Tinder Box, based inside the heritage-listed bank building, and enjoy pizza and other share-style dishes. [caption id="attachment_795550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fossicking, Unsplash[/caption] SEARCH FOR GOLD IN NUNDLE Nundle is steeped in history. The quaint little town maintains its heritage gold rush era roots from the late 1800s by keeping timeless traditions like fossicking alive. With its reputation as a regional treasure trove, people come from all over to experience panning for gold and sapphire in the Peel River. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and strike it big? Panning equipment is available for hire from Mount Misery Mine or Nundle Country Cafe. [caption id="attachment_803381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bellingen Canoe Adventures, Destination NSW[/caption] PADDLE ALONG BELLINGER RIVER AT SUNSET OR UNDER THE STARS Few would dispute that Australia is a country filled with nature worth seeing up close — and that shouldn't be limited to just walking or driving. Seeing your surroundings at water level from the comfort of a canoe or kayak is a pleasure you'll only understand once you've tried it. Bellingen Canoe Adventures in the Coffs Harbour area will take you for a relaxing paddle down the Bellinger River at any time you like, although we'd recommend a full moon tour for anyone looking for something truly peaceful. Thrillseekers won't be disappointed either — there are also whitewater options if you're keen for a rough and tumble ride. [caption id="attachment_802881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hot Air Ballooning, Destination NSW[/caption] SOAR ABOVE THE HUNTER VALLEY WINE REGION IN A HOT AIR BALLOON Speaking of seeing things from a different point of view, what could be more special than witnessing the vast expanse of some of Australia's most remarkable vineyards and valleys from a hot air balloon? If the Hunter Valley was a painting, hot air ballooning with Balloon Aloft would be one of the best ways to step back and admire the whole thing. Nothing really compares to a bird's eye view of Pokolbin, Lovedale and Rothbury from a wicker basket at sunrise — although having a champagne breakfast at nearby winery Peterson House afterwards does come close. Start planning your great escape to New South Wales this season by visiting the Visit NSW website. Top image: Bellingen Canoe Adventures, Destination NSW
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA The movies have come to Downton Abbey and Violet Crawley, the acid-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham so delightfully played by Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van) since 2010, is none too fussed about it. "Hard same," all but the most devoted fans of the upstairs-downstairs TV drama may find themselves thinking as she expresses that sentiment — at least where Downton Abbey: A New Era, an exercise in extending the series/raking in more box-office cash, is concerned. Violet, as only she can, declares she'd "rather eat pebbles" than watch a film crew at work within the extravagant walls of her family's home. The rest of us mightn't be quite so venomous, but that's not the same as being entertained. The storyline involving said film crew is actually one of the most engaging parts of A New Era; however, the fact that much of it is clearly ripped off from cinematic classic Singin' in the Rain speaks volumes, and gratingly. When the first Downton Abbey flick brought its Yorkshire mansion-set shenanigans to cinemas back in 2019, it felt unnecessary, too, but also offered what appeared to be a last hurrah and a final chance to spend time with beloved characters. Now, the repeat effort feels like keeping calm and soldiering on because there's more pounds to be made. Don't believe the title: while A New Era proclaims that change is afoot, and some of its narrative dramas nod to the evolving world when the 1920s were coming to a close, the movie itself is happy doing what Downton Abbey always has — and in a weaker version. There's zero reason other than financial gain for this film to unspool its tale in theatres rather than as three TV episodes, which is what it may as well have tacked together. Well, perhaps there's one: having Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery, Anatomy of a Scandal) proclaim that "we have to be able to enter the 1930s with our heads held high" and set the expectation that more features will probably follow. A New Era begins with a wedding, picking up where its predecessor left off as former chauffeur Tom Branson (Allen Leech, Bohemian Rhapsody) marries Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton, Mank) with everyone expected — the well-to-do Crawleys and their relatives, plus their maids, butlers, cooks, footmen and other servants — in attendance. But the film really starts with two revelations that disrupt the Downton status quo. Firstly, Violet receives word that she's inherited a villa in the south of France from an ex-paramour, who has recently passed away. His surviving wife (Nathalie Baye, Call My Agent!) is displeased with the arrangement, threatening lawsuits, but his son (Jonathan Zaccaï, The White Crow) invites the Crawleys to visit to hash out the details. Secondly, a movie production wants to use Downton for a shoot, which the pragmatic Mary talks the family into because — paralleling the powers-that-be behind A New Era itself — the aristocratic brood would like the money. With Violet's health waning, she stays home while son Robert (Hugh Bonneville, Paddington 2) and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern, The Commuter) journey to the Riviera — as part of a cohort that also includes retired butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter, Swimming with Men), who's determined to teach his French counterparts British standards. And, as the Dowager Countess remains in Yorkshire exclaiming she'd "rather earn a living down a mine" than make movies, potential family secrets are bubbling up abroad. That subplot takes a cue or two from Mamma Mia!; Downton Abbey creator and writer Julian Fellowes must've watched several musicals while scripting. Violet also notes that she "thought the best thing about films is that I couldn't hear them", because the production helmed by Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy, Late Night), and led by stars Guy Dexter (Dominic West, The Pursuit of Love) and Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock, Transformers: The Last Knight), has hit a period-appropriate snag: talkies are the new hot thing, but their flick is silent. Read our full review. AFTER YANG What flickers in a robot's circuitry in its idle moments has fascinated the world for decades, famously so in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 — and in After Yang, one machine appears to long for everything humans do. The titular Yang (Justin H Min, The Umbrella Academy) was bought to give Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith, Queen & Slim) and Jake's (Colin Farrell, The Batman) adopted Chinese daughter Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, iCarly) a technosapien brother, babysitter, companion and purveyor of "fun facts" about her heritage. He dotes amid his duties, perennially calm and loving, and clearly an essential part of the family. What concerns his wiring beyond his assigned tasks doesn't interest anyone, though, until he stops operating. Mika is distressed, and Kyra and Jake merely inconvenienced initially, but the latter pledges to figure out how to fix Yang — which is where his desires factor in. Yang is unresponsive and unable to play his usual part as the household's robotic fourth member. If Jake can't get him up and running quickly, he'll also experience the "cultural techno" version of dying, his humanoid skin even decomposing. That puts a deadline on a solution, which isn't straightforward, particularly given that Yang was bought from a now-shuttered reseller secondhand, rather than from the manufacturer anew, is one roadblock. Tinkering with the android's black box is also illegal, although Jake is convinced to anyway by a repairman (Ritchie Coster, The Flight Attendant). He acquiesces not only because it's what Mika desperately wants, but because he's told that Yang might possess spyware — aka recordings of the family — that'd otherwise become corporate property. Before all that, there's a stunning dance — a synchronised contest where families around the globe bust out smooth moves in front of their televisions, competing to emerge victorious. The dazzling scene comes during After Yang's opening credits and is a marvel to watch, with writer/director/editor Kogonada (TV series Pachinko) conveying a wealth of meaning visually, thematically, philosophically and emotionally in minutes. To look at, the sequence brings to mind Ex Machina's, aka the Oscar Isaac-led scene that launched a thousand gifs. In what it says about After Yang's vision of an unspecified but not-too-distant future, it's reminiscent of Black Mirror, with engrained surveillance technology eerily tracking participants' every move. It's here, too, amid the joy of the family progressing further than they ever have before, that the fact that Yang is malfunctioning becomes apparent, turning a techno dream in more ways than one into a potential source of heartbreak. When a feature so easily recalls other films and television shows, and so emphatically, it isn't typically a positive sign. That isn't the case with After Yang. Adapting Alexander Weinstein's short story Saying Goodbye to Yang, Kogonada crafts a movie that resembles a dream for the overwhelming bulk of its running time — it's softly shot like one, and tightly to focus on interiors rather than backgrounds — and that makes it feel like a happily slumbering brain filtering through and reinterpreting its wide array of influences. Another picture that leaves an imprint: Kogonada's own Columbus, his 2017 wonder that also featured Haley Lu Richardson (The Edge of Seventeen), who pops up here as a friend of Yang's that Jake, Kyra and Mika know nothing about. It isn't the shared casting that lingers, but the look and mood and texture, plus the idea that what we see, what we choose to revel in aesthetically and what makes us tick mentally are intertwined; yes, even for androids. Read our full review. WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY To watch films written and directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi is to watch people playing a part — in multiple ways. That's one of the key truths to features not only by the Japanese filmmaker, but by anyone helming a movie that relies upon actors. It's so obvious that it doesn't usually need mentioning, in fact. Nonetheless, the notion is as essential to Hamaguchi's pictures as cameras to capture the drama. He bakes the idea into his films via as many methods as he can, pondering what it means to step into all the posts that life demands: friend, lover, spouse, ex, sibling, child, employee, student, classmate and the like. Hamaguchi loves contemplating the overt act of performance, too — his Best International Feature Oscar-winning Drive My Car, which also nabbed its helmer a Best Director nomination at this year's Academy Awards, hones in on a play and the rehearsals for it in dilligent detail — but the auteur who's also behind Happy Hour and Asako I and II has long been aware that the art of portrayal isn't just limited to thespians. Shakespeare said it centuries back, of course. To be precise, he had As You Like It's Jaques utter it: "all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players". Hamaguchi's Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, his second film to reach cinemas in mere months, definitely isn't a French-set comedy; however, it lives and breathes the Bard's famous words anyway. Here, three tales about romance, desire and fate get a spin. This trio of stories all muse on chance, choice, identity, regret and inescapable echoes as well, and focus on complex women reacting to the vagaries of life and everyday relationships. They're about sliding into roles in daily existence, and making choices regarding how to behave, which way to present yourself and who you decide to be depending upon the company you're in. While Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy mightn't ultimately mimic Drive My Car's Oscars success, it's equally masterful. In the first part, model Meiko (Kotone Furukawa, 21st Century Girl) discovers that her best friend Tsugumi (Hyunri, Wife of a Spy) has just started seeing her ex-boyfriend Kazuaki (Ayumu Nakajima, Saturday Fiction), and grapples with her complicated feelings while pondering what could eventuate. Next, college student Nao (Katsuki Mori, Sea Opening) is enlisted to seduce Professor Sagawa (Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Tezuka's Barbara) as part of a revenge plan by her lover Sasaki (Shouma Kai, Signal 100). Finally, in a world where the internet has been eradicated due to a virus, Natsuko (Fusako Urabe, Voices in the Wind) and Nana (Aoba Kawai, Marriage with a Large Age Gap) cross paths — thinking that they went to school together decades ago. Hamaguchi's resume is littered with other obsessions beyond the fictions people spin to get through their days — to themselves and to each other, and willingly and unthinkingly alike — many of which also pop up in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy. Coincidence has a role in each of the movie's trio of intelligently and painstakingly plotted narratives, and destiny and fortune as well (as the name makes plain). The tangled web that romance weaves, and the sticky strands that represent alluring exes, also leave a firm imprint. So does seduction, and not always in its usual and most apparent form. All three of the picture's sections could stand alone, but each could've been fleshed out to feature length as well; as they exist, they leave viewers wanting more time with their lead characters. Commonalities ebb and flow between them, though, because this is a smart, astute and savvily layered triptych that's brought to the screen with everything that makes Hamaguchi's work so empathetic, warmly intimate and also entrancing. Read our full review. HELMUT NEWTON: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL One of the great treats in Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful stems from perhaps the film's simplest move: letting viewers peer at the often-provocative photographer's works in such a large format. Being able to do just that is the reason why the Exhibition On Screen series of movies exists, surveying showcases dedicated to artists such as Vincent van Gogh, David Hockney and Frida Kahlo over the years — and this documentary isn't part of that, but it understands the same idea. There's nothing like staring at an artist's work to understand what makes them tick. Writer/director Gero von Boehm (Henry Miller: Prophet of Desire) fills The Bad and the Beautiful with plenty more, from archival footage to recent interviews, but it'd all ring empty without seeing the imagery captured by Newton's lens firsthand. Every word that's said about the German photographer, or by him, is deepened by roving your eyes across the frequently contentious snaps that he sent Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Playboy and other magazines' ways. Those photos aren't run-of-the-mill fashion pics. Largely, the highly stylised images are of naked women — naked famous women, if not then then now, such as Isabella Rossellini, Charlotte Rampling, Grace Jones and Claudia Schiffer — and they're as fetishistic as the artform gets. They're the kinds of snaps that saw Susan Sontag call Newton out for being a misogynist to his face, as seen in a French TV clip featured in the film. The Bad and the Beautiful is an affectionate doco, but it also dives headfirst into the trains of thought that his work has sparked for decades. Anna Wintour explains that when someone books Newton, "you're not going to get a pretty girl on a beach". Women who posed for him, including the aforementioned stars, plus Marianne Faithfull, Arja Toyryla, Nadja Auermann and Hanna Schygulla, all talk through their differing experiences as well — and the portrait painted is varied. As a result, The Bad and the Beautiful is both a biography and a conversation. It covers the birth-to-death details, such as Newton's upbringing in Berlin, fleeing the Nazis in the late 1930s, and his time in Australia, where he met his wife June. It chronicles his stint in Singapore before heading Down Under, and his jaunts in London and Paris afterwards — and the fact that Monte Carlo and Los Angeles were both considered his homes when he passed away in 2004. The film is an easy primer on his life, complete with the requisite Wikipedia-style information, but it's an engrossing watch because of how eagerly it engages with the plethora of views that his images have and continue to inspire. (Admittedly, even a documentary that's clearly an authorised exploration of its subject couldn't justify really existing if it had left all traces of anything controversial out.) Don't go expecting answers, though. That isn't The Bad and the Beautiful's remit, unsurprisingly. That isn't necessarily a criticism; von Boehm's still-fascinating film presents the debate that's raged around Newton's works — are they sexist, art, both or neither? — and unpacks perspectives on either side, although the fact that this is a fond examination of his life, career, impact and legacy is never in doubt. A doco can be candid, probing, hagiographic and happy to let its viewers make their own calls, however, as this one clearly is. It can offer insider tidbits, conflicting views, comparisons and simply the change to look on in-depth as well, as is similarly the case here. And, it can let its images keep fuelling and furthering questions, which everything that Newton shot likely always will. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on January 1, January 6, January 13, January 20 and January 27; February 3, February 10, February 17 and February 24; and March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; and April 7, April 14 and April 21. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci, The King's Man, Red Rocket, Scream, The 355, Gold, King Richard, Limbo, Spencer, Nightmare Alley, Belle, Parallel Mothers, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Belfast, Here Out West, Jackass Forever, Benedetta, Drive My Car, Death on the Nile, C'mon C'mon, Flee, Uncharted, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Cyrano, Hive, Studio 666, The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman and Ithaka.
When the Queensland Symphony Orchestra turned 75 in 2022, it put on a huge free concert to celebrate, taking over QPAC's Concert Hall for an evening. It doesn't have a milestone birthday to mark in 2023, but it is hosting another free gig anyway — this time outdoors as part of a new annual tradition. Taking place at Roma Street Parklands, Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Under the Stars will enjoy its debut hour-long outing on Saturday, March 25, in what's set to launch a yearly show. "Queensland Symphony Orchestra is a wonderful cultural asset of this state and, importantly, it is accessible. We belong to all Queenslanders, and we are thrilled to be able to share the gift of music through this live, free outdoor event," said QSO Chief Executive Yarmila Alfonzetti, announcing the gig. "This is the beginning of what will be an annual outdoor orchestral concert, and we invite you, your family and your friends to enjoy." During its lengthy run, QSO has played many things, of course — including all of the classical greats, beloved film scores live as the movies screen, tunes for sweeping operas and teaming up with musicians well outside the classical realm. That longevity and adaptability is something worth not just celebrating, but continuing. While Roma Street Parklands show will stick with classical faves, it will still showcase plenty of variety. Attendees will hear 'Fanfare for the Common Man' by Copland to begin, followed by Tower's 'Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman'. Also on the list Dvořák's 'Carnival Overture', Delius' 'Summer Evening', Dohnányi's 'Symphonic Minutes', Tchaikovsky's 'Capriccio Italien' and Glinka's 'Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila'. Given how popular last year's 75th-birthday show was, expect the maiden Symphony Under the Stars to prove the same. Although attendance is free, registration from 9am on Sunday, February 26 via the QSO website is recommended. Bringing picnic baskets is encouraged, too, and there'll be food options available onsite. If you're wondering about the history of the QSO, it made its debut on March 26, 1947, with 45 members playing to a crowd of 2500 people at Brisbane City Hall. It now boasts 74 musicians, and is the state's largest performing arts organisation. Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Under the Stars will take place from 6.30pm on Saturday, March 25 at Roma Street Parklands. Entry is free but registration from 9am on Sunday, February 26 via the QSO website is recommended. Images: Peter Wallis.
At the moment, you can't go down to your local, order yourself a pint and chat with the bartender, but that doesn't mean you have to go thirsty. While you're at home, it could be a good chance to shake things up, sample new liquors, brews or wines instead of your go-to VB and even maybe brush up on your cocktail making skills. The only thing holding you back will be your supply — and right now, after a few weeks of staying at home more, we're betting it's looking a little lacklustre. One way of making sure your liquor cabinet is always well-stocked is signing up to an online subscription service — and in Australia there are many. Whether you're after wine, tinnies or whisky, a number of local booze subscription services are ensuring you don't go thirsty while social distancing. Here are eight of the best. CRAFT BREWS AND NATTY WINES FROM GOOD BOOZE PROJECT (MR WEST) Mr West is known for many things, but its bottle shop packed with craft beers and minimal-intervention wines is a standout. Previously, you had to visit the Melbourne bar to get said tipples, but now you can have them delivered with its subscription service, the Good Booze Project. Its mission is simple: deliver incredible booze to your door. So, expect to be sipping top-notch tipples from independent producers from around the globe. You can opt for boxes of three, six or 12 wines and six or 12 beers delivered to your door every month. There's the Explorer, Lover or Buff subscription levels for both wine and beer — and you can upgrade anytime. The Good Booze Project delivers across Australia and your box will arrive chilled every month, too, so you can crack open a cold one as soon as it hits your front porch. Right now, new members can nab a free Mr West crystal wine or beer glass pack (valued at $35), too — just enter SIGNMEUP at checkout. Plus, if you want something a little stronger to see you through iso, you can add on an order of Mr West's 1.5-litre 'bagnums' of negroni and espresso martini. For more information on the subscription levels and to sign up, head here. ARTISANAL GINS FROM GIN SOCIETY If you're a G&T person or a lover of a dry gin martini, look no further than Gin Society, which treats its subscribers to a full-sized bottle of a small-batch gin every two months. The company launched back in 2018 and features a range of local and international gins, with a focus on drops you won't find at your local bottle shop. Each time one of these hand-picked, premium gins lands at your doorstep, it'll be accompanied by an edition of Gin Journal magazine, too, featuring expert tasting notes, suggested cocktail recipes, bartender profiles, reviews and details about the gin's origins. Everything you need to ensure you enjoy that bottle of artisan booze to its fullest. So if you're not a gin whiz yet, you will be soon. The subscription will set you back $95 bimonthly, which includes a full-sized bottle of gin, the magazine, exclusive invitations to future Gin Society events and cost of delivery, no matter where you live in the country. Sign up for your bimonthly gin fix here. [caption id="attachment_765523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Naked Wines[/caption] BOUTIQUE LOCAL VINOS FROM NAKED WINES Online cellar door Naked Wines launched in 2012 with the aim of connecting at-home wine drinkers with winemakers across Australia and New Zealand. Since then it's grown to include more than 53 winemakers, including the likes of Enfant Terrible from Adelaide Hills, Le Petit Mort from Queensland's Granite Belt and Hilltops, NSW, plus Blindside from Margaret River. So, if you're looking to stockpile your cellar, you could be doing it with some top-notch drops from around the country. Its subscription service is a little different to others, and instead of signing up for a delivery every so often, you become a 'wine angel' for $40 a month. The money will go into your Naked Wines account and you can spend it how you wish, plus get a stack of discounts, exclusive wines and a free bottle once a month, which you'll receive with your next purchase. You can get cases of six, 12 or 15 bottles delivered to your doorstep. And right now you can nab a $100-voucher to spend on a case if you're a first-time Naked Wines customer (and over 18). Just head here to make your purchase. If you're based in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, your Naked Wines could be winging their way to you by the next working day. For Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra, delivery is within two-to-four business days. It's also free delivery for members if you're in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, however there are delivery costs of up to $20 outside of those cities. To order your first box — and get $100 to spend on it — head here, then sign up to become a wine angel. HARD-TO-FIND AND NEW-WORLD WHISKIES FROM WHISKY LOOT Keeping you suitably soused while you're stuck at home is Whisky Loot. And while it mightn't be new, there's never been a better time to get small-batch and hard-to-find whiskies delivered straight to your door. The monthly subscription service delivers a box of three 60-millilitre bottles, with a different theme every time, so you'll never drink the same tipple twice. The aim is to expand your palate and educate you along the way. So, if you're just entering the world of whisky or looking to sample something other than your go-to firewater, this is for you. As well as three tasty ambers, you'll receive expert tasting notes and a tasting journal (with your first box), both of which will help take you from whisky novice to aficionado. And although it's a subscription service, you can do it month-to-month, with no lock-ins. Best of all, Whisky Loot is offering $10 off your first order if you opt for the subscription, making it just $49 for your first round, which includes free standard shipping across Australia. All you have to do is enter SUPPORT5 at checkout. Plus, it'll be donating $5 from each box to Hospo Voice in support of the hospitality industry, which is doing it pretty tough right now. So, you can cheers to a good cause. For more information about Whisky Look and to sign up, head here. WINES PICKED BY TOP SOMMELIERS FROM THE BOROUGH BOX Pick this and you'll pretty much be getting the cream of the crop of natural wines, with Lo-Fi Wine directors James Audas (Noma) and Tom Sheer (Love, Tilly Devine) behind every box. This monthly vino subscription has just launched and features a range of sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines from every corner of the globe, with a particular focus on small-batch producers. So, expect Aussie favourites such as Good Intentions Wine Co, Das Juice, and Jauma alongside European wines, including Matassa (France), Lammidia (Italy), and Gut Oggau (Austria). Every box will contain six wines and contain one or two whites, one skin contact, one rosé, a couple of reds and occasionally a sparkling — though the ratios will vary. Plus, every bottle will come with information on where its from, who made it, what's in it and some tasting notes. You'll be spending $180 a month, but if you're a lover of minimal-intervention drops — and hate deciding which ones to buy — it's worth it. In April, deliveries will happen every Monday, then from May, you'll get your box on the first Monday of the month. Currently, The Borough Box is only available for delivery across Sydney and Melbourne. Keen to try some top-notch natty drops — every month? Head here to sign up. DIY COCKTAIL KITS FROM COCKTAIL PORTER Trying to up your bartending game? Enter Cocktail Porter. Founded Sydney's Cameron Northway (co-owner of Rocker), this at-home cocktail making subscription is sure to deliver the goods. The subscription works similarly to most DIY food delivery services, except with booze — and is available nationwide. You'll get fixings for a different seasonal drink delivered to your door, along with a recipe card, pre-measured ingredient and premium spirits, for $135, which may seem a lot to fork up at once but it'll make 14–18 cocktails (about a tenner each). Each month will feature a different cocktail, curated by world-class bartenders and based on "global drinking trends". In past months, there's been the likes of a treacle old fashioned with sweet Italian vermouth, burnt orange-vanilla syrup and cacao-macadamia bitters; a classic gin martini with your choice of flavoured vermouth; and a bloody mary with turmeric vinegar. If you're not ready to commit, Cocktail Porter also has a heap of one-of cocktail box options, includes a mini espresso martini kit for $69.95. If you're keen to get shaking and stirring, sign up here. WINE (YES, MORE!) FROM VINOMOFO Vinomofo has made a name for its not-so-snobby, fun approach to wine nerdery, since starting life in a tiny Adelaide garage back in 2011. Its sprawling online wine selection now caters to over 500,000 members worldwide. So it's safe to say it knows what it's doing when it comes to grape juice. There are two subscription packages to choose from — The Black Market ($139) and The Mofo Club ($179) — and you can opt to get them dropped off every one, two or three months. Each includes 12 wines, which is a bargain compared to some of others. While both packs are mixed, The Black Market features more reds; The Mofo is a mix or white and red wines, plus you'll get a link to some tasting notes so you can up your vino game as you sip away. It delivers across the country — and we mention you can get $25 off your first order if you sign up now? No? Just click here and you'll see. To sign up — and get $25 off your first order — head to Vinomofo's website. NEW-RELEASE AND CRAFT BREWS FROM BEER CARTEL Sydney-based beer haven Beer Cartel knows a thing or two about the big wide world of ales and lagers. And its not just a bricks-and-mortar bottle-o either, with its online store stocking over 1000 craft beers, handpicked from top breweries across Australia and overseas. And, if you're after regular beer deliveries, you can sign up to its Beer Club, which first began in a Kennards storage unit in 2009 and claims to be 'Australia's longest running beer subscription'. A The Bootlegger six-pack subscription deal will set you back $39.99 per month and will include three new releases and three of Beer Cartel's core range. The Speak Easy (12 beers) costs $69.99, with six new and six of the Cartel's go-to brews, while The Black Market pack features 12 new and super limited-release brews, which will cost $89.99. It ships Australia-wide, too, so if you can't make it down to the shops to stock up, these guys have got you covered. To join the club, head here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
If you're fond of spending your time browsing through stalls, looking at local wares and buying everything from arts and crafts to fashion and homewares, then you've probably made a visit to a BrisStyle market. The Brisbane group hosts several regular events around town, including the Brisbane Twilight Markets in King George Square and The Handmade Market outside the Queensland Museum. It doesn't usually focus primarily on greenery, though — which is one of the reasons that its returning Plant Market is so special. Here are two others: it's happening in spring, so it's the ideal time for it; and it's happening in Roma Street Parkland. From 9am–2pm on Saturday, September 24, you'll want to head to Roma Street Parkland's celebration lawn to get shopping. Yes, you'll be looking for greenery while surrounded by greenery. As well as plants, there'll be gardening accessories and floral-themed homewares on offer, and you can book into a kokedama workshop, too. Or, if you fancy learning how to make gum nut flowers, macrame pot holders or kokomodas, they're also part of the lineup of ticketed classes. Expect food trucks onsite as well, because we all know that trawling the markets is hungry and thirsty work. [caption id="attachment_784308" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane Marketing[/caption]
Brisbane's new favourite comic book store has done it again. Not content with filling their shelves with an interesting and eclectic range of illustrated tomes, they're also turning their attention to showcasing the city's underground art scene. Yes, they're all-round champs. From August 16, Phatsville Comix — aka Brisbane's long-running anthology — is in the Junky Comics spotlight. Select pages of original art from the influential yet under-acknowledged publication, chosen from 19 issues produced over 13 years, will deck the walls of the West End store. Of course, Phatsville Comix's books will also be available to buy, should you want to take something home with you. And if you head along at 4pm on opening day, you can also mingle with the talented artists, including Phatsville Comix founders Ben Sea, J-Stew, Glenn "Bad Teeth" Manders and Giles, plus Ben Hutchings, Glenno Smith, Jase Harper and Dean Rankine from the Australian comics scene.
So you didn't have the time or money to hop the pond over to Palm Springs to experience the epic Coachella music festival? Not a problem, YouTube has got it covered. Literally. The massive video library has created its own live-stream channel, appropriately named YouTube Live, and Coachella was the first partner to offer to broadcast live content for the channel from April 15 to 17 (US time). Among the lineup of over 100 performers include top acts The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Kanye West, Cee-Lo Green, Kings of Leon and Duran Duran. If you aren't already in-flight to take part of the madness first-hand, just sit back and watch it all go down on the Coachella live webcast for all three days of the festival. Although YouTube isn't the first site to introduce a live-stream channel, they certainly will have the most advanced webcast program, one that will cater to individual users based on their interests online and undoubtedly be sought after by big-name events worldwide. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8heZuMZLqRI
The Southside Tea Room is playing host to the Wrecked 'Em Markets this Saturday night. This cute kitsch heaven will be filled wall-to-wall with art, crafts, zines, posters, clothes and who knows what other goodies you'll get your hot little hands on. If you're keen to get in on the action, just bring along some coin and rummage around in search of a pretty item or two. Sellers are welcome to pitch a table and part with their pre-loved treasures. Make a night of it and grab a bite to eat or a cold one while you're finding the perfect item. We can assure you that there is no pot luck when it comes to receiving a tasty meal at the Southside Tea Room. So, snack on the happy pig pizza and select from a wide range of beers while you wile away your evening. Leaving an event with a full tummy and a couple of treats sounds like a successful Saturday night to us!
On September 23, the September-long cultural feast that is Brisbane Festival sets up shop at the Riverstage for one of its musical highlights: an afternoon with London Grammar, James Vincent McMorrow and some special guests. One heads to Australia for the first time since releasing their second album in June. The other drops by for the third time in just over a year. Both will put on quite the ethereal show. They'll be joined by this year's Splendour hits The Kite String Tangle, plus Mansionair and Wafia. In fact, with everyone on the bill boasting a connection to the annual Byron event (even if London Grammar ultimately cancelled their 2014 appearance), consider this a taste of the fest to tide you over until next year.
Trivia nights mean gathering your mates, 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 Ivory Tusk's next battle of pop culture tidbits, which takes place on Thursday, July 23. If you think you know everything there is to know about the show 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. Prizes are on offer — and if you want to break out those 90s and early 00s fashions, no one will stop you. Remember, though, it has been more than 15 years since Friends was on TV, making the contest not just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories. No one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way. Friends Trivia takes place from 7pm on Thursday, July 23. Attendance is free, but registration is required in advance.
As if the shorter days and cooler evenings weren't already reasons enough to turn to comfort foods, these strange times are causing us to do so now more than ever. And up there with the ultimate belly-warming bites are those from Taco Bell. The Tex-Mex giant now boasts seven stores in Brisbane, so if you're a big fan of Mexican-inspired food, chances are you've already started to make your way through its extensive menu. And, in some very good news, you can keep the flavour fiesta going while stuck at home in isolation. Yep, Taco Bell has teamed up with Menulog to offer free delivery for a limited time from some of its outposts across the city. That means you and your housemates can get stuck into its signature tacos, cheesy quesadillas and the fan favourite Crunchwrap Supreme, which is stuffed with your choice of meat, nacho cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato and crunchy tostada shell, without being stung with delivery fees. And don't worry if you live alone or nobody else is hungry as there's no minimum spend — not that we'd judge you for ordering all of those tasty items mentioned above solo anyway. So, if you're all tucked up in your blanket burrito and suddenly get a craving for an actual burrito, you can stay cosy and warm inside your home while the food comes to you. All you need to do is head to Menulog and find out the closest Taco Bell store to you to place your order. Not within the delivery radius? The stores are still open and offering contactless takeaway and drive-through, too. Taco Bell is offering free delivery across Brisbane via Menulog with no minimum spend for a limited time only. To place your order, head here. https://youtu.be/kaqlWl0DKxM
Prefer to consume your art in moving image form? Keen on taking a cinematic trip through the Asia Pacific? If so, you're in luck. The Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinémathèque can assist with both via its latest, almost five-month-long lineup. The movie offshoot of the 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, APT8 Cinema ventures into three strands of filmmaking relevant to the region. The Filipino industry earns not one but two programs, showcasing the works of slow cinema master Lav Diaz and surveying independent and experimental digital works. Peering around the rest of the area, a further batch of features considers the topic of Pop Islam, aka representations of Islamic culture in contemporary film, documentary and video art. Accordingly, you'll find everything from Cannes Film Festival best director winner Kinatay to Oscar winner A Separation among the selections, plus the unmoving frame of gangster effort Still Lives and the autobiographical animation of Persepolis too. And if you like sitting in one place for extended periods of time, Diaz's 13 films represent almost 70 hours of screen time. Now that's the ultimate movie marathon. Image: Production still from From What Is Before 2014 / Director: Lav Diaz / Image courtesy: the artist and Sine Olivia Filipinas, Manila.
Here in Brisbane, we’re not jealous of Melbourne. We’re not jealous of their great coffee, cleaner river, and super dooper lamingtons. Or the fact they always get the best music sideshows, house Luna Park, or have a Fitzroy. We’re not even jealous of their Sneaker Freaker Swap Meets – but if we were, that would be okay, because it’s coming to Brisbane! Sneaker Freaker Magazine are packing their bags, fluffing their neck pillow, and jetting up to Brisbane to set up shop in the middle of the City for our own Sneaker Freaker Swap Meet. You’ll be able buy, sell, trade and upgrade yo’ sketches or Nike Airs and get on in on some sneaky-deaky goodness. Blake House, that spiffy art gallery in the city, will be playing host, and there will be a heap of sneaker, streetwear, toys and collectibles going around. Bring some cash, bring some friends, and don’t be the guy that doesn’t bring socks.
Country music's ballsy blonde is now reading kid's books online and, in this time of uncertainty, it's pretty heartwarming. Through her charity Imagination Library, Dolly Parton is hosting a weekly bedtime story series: Goodnight with Dolly. So, if you've ever wanted Dolly to lull you to sleep, this is for you. Imagination Library is a book-gifting program for young children that runs in the US, Australia, the UK, Republic of Ireland and Canada. As of February this year, the charity has donated over 133 million books since its inception in 1990. Now, Goodnight with Dolly will see the 'Jolene' and '9 to 5' singer read books from the Imagination Library. Sure, it may be aimed at kids, but we're all in a bit of bedtime comfort right now. The ten-week series will feature books such as Watty Piper's classic The Little Engine that Could, Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama Red Pajama, Floyd Cooper's Max & The Tag-Along Moon and even Dolly's own titles Coat of Many Colors and I Am a Rainbow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ia-ozHDaLs&feature=youtu.be Goodnight with Dolly premieres at 10am AEDT (12pm NZDT) on Friday, April 3 and will take place at 10am AEST (12pm NZST) every week after for ten weeks. You can watch via YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
For five nights only, a seemingly ordinary Yeerongpilly warehouse will become a pop-up theatre — and the location for one of Brisbane Festival's big productions for 2019. From Tuesday, September 24 to Saturday, September 28, Invisible Cities will take over the cavernous site on Fairfield Road. As well as setting up a 1050-seat site that'll only operate for the show's run, the project will unleash a blend of theatre, choreography, music, water, sand, projection mapping and other dazzling technical elements, all to transport audiences to three fantastical cities. Here, you'll experience the joyful city of Zenobia, the golden confines of Beersheba and the seductive allure of Isadora. And, you'll feel the exploring spirit, too. Loosely based on the 1972 novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities follows the relationship between 13th-century Mongol conqueror and emperor Kublai Khan (Danny Sapani), and Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Matthew Leonhart). The production makes its Australian premiere at Brisbane Festival, direct from its debut at the Manchester International Festival.
It has been six years since Nodo Donuts first gave Brisbanites the gluten-free doughnuts they were craving. That's six years of baked-not-fried pastries served at a growing range of stores, including at Newstead, South Bank, the CBD and Camp Hill. Obviously, this is an occasion worth celebrating — and so Nodo is doing just that with a $6 special. Head by a Nodo shop from 7am on Wednesday, November 18 — or from 9am at its pop-ups in Carindale and Chermside — and you'll score a doughnut and a coffee for $6. Given that Nodo's doughnuts usually cost that amount anyway if you're just buying one, you're basically scoring a free cuppa. At Carindale and Chermside, you'll receive a voucher for a coffee to use at other Nodo stores, rather than some caffeine there and then — but the deal remains the same. It's a one-per-person special, and it's only available while stocks last. If you needed an excuse to have a doughnut for breakfast, well, you just found one.
Vampires can be slain by staking them in the heart. Werewolves aren't fond of silver bullets. But Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's addition to the undead world can't and won't be killed — not that anyone would want that outcome. First, What We Do in the Shadows jumped from a short film to a hilarious feature-length comedy. Next, it not only inspired a US television remake, which has been renewed for a season season, but New Zealand television spinoff Wellington Paranormal. And in the latter's case, following an exceptionally amusing six-episode first season, it's returning to Australian screens for its 13-episode second season this month. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: trust a mockumentary about the undead to keep coming back in new guises. The Cops-style spinoff follows police officers Karen O'Leary and Mike Minogue, who WWDITS fans might remember came knocking at the vampire share house's door. With the help of Sergeant Maaka (Maaka Pohatu), the cop duo keep trying to keep the city safe from supernatural happenings — including not only bloodsuckers and lycanthropes, but ghosts, aliens and more. Wellington Paranormal's second season once again explores the spate of paranormal phenomena popping up in the city, with a whole heap of new spooky occurrences attracting O'Leary, Minogue and Maaka's attention. The season starts with sea monsters — and a very high-profile cameo from Clarke Gaylord, partner of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern — and stays in strange but funny and silly territory from there. In Australia, Wellington Paranormal's first batch of episodes screened on SBS Viceland and was available to stream on SBS On Demand, and that's the case again this year. Episodes will drop weekly on both the free-to-air channel and the online platform from Thursday, November 28. For those following What We Do in the Shadows' continued evolution, Wellington Paranormal's success shouldn't come as a surprise. When the show was first revealed, Waititi described it as "Mulder & Scully but in a country where nothing happens" on Twitter, after all. Wellington Paranormal's second season starts screening on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand from Thursday, November 28.
After playing nine sold out shows in Australia early last year, the European party animals have turned the Vengabus around and are back in Brisbane for another night of summer fun and frivolity. The Vengaboys are best known for their 90s party anthems such as 'We're Going to Ibiza', 'Boom Boom Boom' and 'We Like to Party!'. Their infectious tracks have the ability to make even the biggest party pooper get down and boogie. The Vengaboys put their heart and soul into the performances. Be prepared for total pop-tastic cheese that will take you back to the golden moments of the 90's. The fab foursome will be joined by fellow Dutch pop partiers, Twenty 4 Seven. So get out your sailor suit, glitter and platforms and don't miss the party bus as tickets are sure to sell out quickly!
Filling your summer with overseas travel mightn't quite be on your agenda yet, but packing it with artworks from around the Asia Pacific can be at the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. As the two Brisbane galleries do every three years, they're turning their attention to the Asia-Pacific region — to take stock of Brissie's place in this part of the globe, and to celebrate the exceptional work being created by the area's talented artists. Displaying across the two South Bank sites from Saturday, December 4–Monday, April 25, this Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art marks the tenth hosted by either QAG, GOMA or both — and has been its flagship series since first gracing Queensland Art Gallery's walls almost three decades ago. To celebrate, APT10 is showcasing 69 artworks from more than 150 Asia-Pacific creatives, covering more than 30 countries. Among both newly commissioned and recent pieces, one key highlight is participatory shrine installation Shrine of Life/ Benjapakee Shrine by Vipoo Srivilas. It'll feature five hand-crafted ceramic deities decked out with gold and floral embellishments, with the quintet signifying identity, love equality, creativity, security and spirituality. Or, there's also the striking Hairloom by Rocky Cajigan, which does indeed possess a descriptive title. The Filipino artist has made a ten-metre-long loom of human hair, which is designed to comment on the Cordillera region of the Philippines. [caption id="attachment_834721" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vipoo Srivilasa Thailand/Australia b.1969. Shrine of Life / Benjapakee Shrine (detail) 2021. Mixed-media installation with five ceramic deities. Installed dimensions variable. Commissioned for APT10 / Purchased 2021 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Photograph: Simon Strong ©Vipoo Srivilasa.[/caption] Also on the bill: a cave-like environment made out of found materials, as crafted by Balinese artist I Made Djirna; huge sculptural vessels fashioned out of fibreglass and synthetic resin by Kuwait City- and San Juan, Puerto Rico-based artist Alia Farid; and Indonesian Australian artist Jumaadi's large-scale painted stories on cloth prepared by Indonesian artisans. Plus, Chong Kim Chiew will provide an installation that paints maps directly onto tarpaulin, and comments on reorientiation — geographically and politically — in Malaysia and throughout southeast Asia. The full roster of APT10 participants also spans artists from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Myanmar, Iran, India, Singapore, China, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Vietnam — and yes, the list goes on. [caption id="attachment_834719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannon Novak. Aotearoa New Zealand. b.1979. Nexus Central Installation (Installation detail). Pataka, Wellington, New Zealand, 2018. Courtesy: the artist.[/caption] Announcing this year's lineup, QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said that "APT10 is full of stories of travel, journeys, migrations and connections to place. It's layered with responses, questions and ideas about the present moment, the many issues facing humanity, and propositions towards the future from a diversity of cultural perspectives. It includes works of art that are by turn highly personal, deeply political, and full of joy." He continued: "with the global impact of COVID-19, APT10 has presented logistical challenges, but it has also been exceptionally rewarding to see how artists work through such tremendous change. It has necessitated new approaches to exhibition-making, and we've worked virtually with artists, advisors and collaborators to facilitate exchanges and outcomes from afar." Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art's 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10) will run from Saturday, December 4–Monday, April 25. For more information, head to the GOMA website. Top image: Rocky CajiganFontok and Kankanaey people, The Philippines. b.1988. Hairloom 2021 (installation view, APT10). Human hair, cotton thread, gauze, wood bars, acrylic glass, wooden beater, bamboo shed rod, aluminum heddle rod, wooden shuttles, rope, carved wooden board, carved hands, colonial sandstone piedras (bricks), gauze and woven shirts, fishhooks, stainless steel racks and rods. Case of Emergency (Dalican, Bontoc, Mountain Province 2616 Philippines) 2021. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas with etched acrylic glass, wooden box frame and stainless steel fastenings. Commissioned for APT10. Courtesy: The artist. Photograph: Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA.
Still the queen of zero-phucks-given cool, Kirsten Dunst has slammed the selfie in a brand new teeny, tiny short film. Directed by Matthew Frost for Vs. magazine, Aspirational follows Dunst out her Beverly Hills driveway and into an awkward celeb selfie moment. A cheeky WTF comment on social media-obsessed fangirls and celebrity 'moments', Aspirational is a nice little reminder that humans are freakin' idiots sometimes. Via Vs.
Baywatch. The name alone is insanely evocative, conjuring up images of bronzed bodies, bouncing breasts and David Hasselhoff blasting his way through "some people staaaaand in the darkness, afraid to step intooo the light!" For a time it was one of the most widely syndicated and watched TV program in the entire world – despite its altogether preposterous premise about impossibly attractive lifeguards solving crimes and stopping diamond smugglers with the same regularity that they prevented a casual drowning. The show was ridiculous and it was gratuitous...but it worked, and it was great TV. Fast forward twenty-odd years and Baywatch now finds itself the latest victim of a visionless Hollywood system forever sucking the life out of cinema by simply rehashing old ideas and formats rather then gambling on something new. TV to film has admittedly seen a handful of notable wins (21 Jump Street, for example), but the vast majority of these reboots fall harder and faster than the abysmal jokes they attempt to deliver (think Power Rangers, CHiPS and the disastrous Absolutely Fabulous). The new Baywatch movie is sadly no exception. This is puerile comedy at best, where the laughs are so infrequent they almost feel accidental. It is a film without purpose, failing to even entertain at the most basic level. There's no finesse to be found; no craft on display or subtlety to admire. It's a stupid and pointless movie whose only aim seems to be to rob you of both your time and your money. If that seems unfair, consider that the longest scene in the film centres largely upon Zac Efron's character having to fondle and examine a dead man's flaccid penis and scrotum while his partner laughs and takes photos on his phone. As for the second longest scene? Another man's penis (erect, this time) is wedged in a park bench and needs to be extricated while onlookers laugh and take photos on their phones. In amongst it all is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson – and it's a credit to the man's charisma and star power that he almost singlehandedly keeps this stinker afloat. With penetrating eyes and a big beaming grin, Johnson treads that appealing line between physically intimidating and loveably huggable (something we've not really seen since Schwarzenegger's iconic turn in Kindergarten Cop). His onscreen rapport with Efron is not without its appeal, although there's absolutely no plot or script to back it up. As the film's antagonist, Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra lends her class and talent to a project that otherwise has none. Meanwhile, the supporting cast grimaces and stumbles their way through scene after scene without any clear idea why they're there or what they're doing. Sometimes self-aware and other times bizarrely serious, Baywatch is a film entirely out of its depth, slipping beneath the waves and in no way worthy of rescue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyKOgnaf0BU
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level — and case numbers in each state varying — different parts of the country have navigated the situation in different ways when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Western Australia, that has meant a hard border and strict quarantine requirements. For folks who don't normally reside in WA, you could only visit the state if you're classified as an exempt traveller, applied for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then went into self-isolation for 14 days. If you didn't have somewhere appropriate to do the latter, you had to go into a mandatory state quarantine facility for 14 days, too. As initially announced at the end of October — and confirmed by WA Premier Mark McGowan yesterday, Friday, November 13, just before changes came into effect at 12.01am on Saturday, November 14 — the state has started to relax its border restrictions. Moving to a system it has dubbed a 'controlled interstate border', it's now allowing travellers from very low-risk states and territories to enter under eased conditions — people from places that haven't had any community transmission of COVID-19 for 28 days, who can now head to WA without isolating. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1327112476857548800 At present, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory fall into that category. So, residents from those states and territories can now venture west. You do still have to complete a G2G Pass declaration, and you'll undergo a temperature test and health screening upon arrival — and you're advised to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if necessary as well. If you live in New South Wales or Victoria, you're in a state that WA deems low risk. Stats-wise, that means there have been less than five community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average. For travellers, it means still self-quarantining for 14 days, and taking a COVID-19 test on the 11th day. And, this is likely to remain the case until those states have had 28 days without community cases, which is what WA requires to be considered very low-risk. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Tourism WA
Following in the footsteps of previous instalments of the Expressions series, Chapter IV brings another night of cultural diversity to The Powerhouse. Featuring dance, music and poetry from a wide range of artists, Chapter IV hopes to raise awareness for world issues and even to provide some monetary support for good causes through donations. Chapter IV will display works of performance art on social issues in countries like Nepal, Rwanda, Colombia, Tibet and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Donations taken at Chapter IV will be used to support the Children’s Welfare Organisation of Nepal. The Expressions series is run by the UnMute movement, who raise awareness of social issues through performance art and expression.
Forgetting, fixating, flailing, fraying: that's The Father. Anthony's (Anthony Hopkins, Westworld) life is unravelling, with his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman, The Crown) springing the sudden news that she's about to move to Paris, and now insistent that he needs a new carer to replace the last home helper he's just scared off. He also can't find his watch, and time seems to jump suddenly. On some days, he has just trundled out of bed to greet the morning when Anne advises that dinner, not breakfast, is being served. When he brings up her French relocation again, she frostily and dismissively denies any knowledge. Sometimes another man (Mark Gatiss, Dracula) stalks around Anthony's London apartment, calling himself Anne's husband. Sometimes the flat isn't his own at all and, on occasion, both Anne (Olivia Williams, Victoria and Abdul) and her partner (Rufus Sewell, Judy) look completely different. Intermittently, Anthony either charms or spits cruel words at Laura (Imogen Poots, Black Christmas), the latest aide hired to oversee his days. She reminds him of another daughter, one he's sure he had — and preferred — but hasn't heard from for years. When he mentions his other offspring, however, everyone else goes silent. More than once, Anthony suspects that someone has pilfered his beloved timepiece, which just keeps disappearing. Largely, The Father remains housebound. For the bulk of its 97 minutes, it focuses on the cardigan-wearing Anthony as he roams around the space he calls home. But this is a chaotic film, despite its visual polish, and that mess, confusion and upheaval is entirely by design. All the shifting and changing — big and small details alike, and faces and places, too — speak to the reason Anne keeps telling Anthony they need another set of hands around the house. His memory isn't what it used to be. In fact, it's getting much worse than that. Anthony knows that there's something funny going on, which is how he describes it when his sense of what's happening twists and morphs without warning, and The Father's audience are being immersed in that truth. Anthony has dementia, with conveying precisely how that feels for him the main aim of this six-time Oscar-nominated stage-to-screen adaptation, which novelist and playwright turned first-time director Florian Zeller has helmed based on Le Père, his own play. In a looping, winding, structurally savvy screenplay by Zeller and Christopher Hampton (an Academy Award-winner for Dangerous Liaisons) that plays out like a puzzle, disorientation is the key tool. Sometimes the change in details is subtle, as one well-appointed, high-ceilinged abode with views of the street below gives way to another. At other times, the contrast is sharp and jarring, and Anthony reacts accordingly. The Father does an extraordinary job of placing its viewers in the octogenarian's head, making them endure the same jolts and jumps, and share the same disarray and loss. And make no mistake: to feel as though your grip on what's real and right in front of you is slipping is something to be mourned. Also superbly handled in the script, and in Hopkins' powerhouse performance, is the fact that Anthony is caught between two extremes. Not only to himself, but to Anne, Laura and that man that's sometimes present, he often seems enough like his old self that little appears wrong. That sensation can linger, but it can also pass in an instant — just as he can segue from fact to fantasy in the blink of an eye as he spins stories and reflects upon memories, and from merriment to menace in his mood as well. Bearing witness to Anthony's experience doesn't just inspire horror in an empathetic fashion. Feeling for anyone in such circumstances is an innate reaction, so it still does just that, but it also evokes a visceral response. Ageing is something that we all aspire to, given that the alternative is dying young — and the physical and mental deterioration that comes with the passing years is one of life's universal fears. The Father reflects this not only by putting its audience in Anthony's shoes, but also by observing how both of its two main characters handle this simultaneously evolving and devolving situation. While Anne bears the weight of her father's decline in a dissimilar way, obviously, her life has been equally affected. Balance is one of The Father's masterstrokes, getting its viewers thinking of their own futures as well as of those they love. No one can escape this subject matter, after all, and no one can evade the film's devastating and heartbreaking gaze, either. A titan of cinema for decades — with 2021 marking 30 years since he frightened his way into celluloid history as Hannibal Lecter — Hopkins is similarly unavoidable. He's an actor with physical presence, inescapable command, that booming voice and a way of demanding that every set of eyes peers his way, and his well-established talents and traits are all on offer in The Father. As Anthony's condition worsens, he also displays remarkable fragility and vulnerability. Aided by Ben Smithard's (Downton Abbey) incisive cinematography, he can tower over everyone in the room and then shrink into its corners. In one late shot — the movie's most haunting — he's infantilised by the scenario and the camerawork in tandem, and it's utterly shattering. In the film as a whole and in Hopkins' performance, sentiment has no place. Indeed, The Father and its star are ruthless in conveying Anthony's inner state and overall journey. The more recent Oscar-winner among cast (and a nominee this year again, alongside Hopkins), Colman is remarkable in a different manner. Her version of Anne is weary, plagued by sorrow and trying to soldier on all at once, and hers is the epitome of a layered portrayal. She weathers Hopkins' charisma, savagery and uncertainty, but she's unselfish in every scene. This is a generous film all-round, even in its darkest moments. As overwhelming as The Father can be as it wades through Anthony and Anne's lives, its unflinching and unsparing approach is anchored in kindness and compassion — because to truly see something as tough as this is to give it the attention and focus it deserves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ox9ExOA1M&feature=youtu.be
Last-minute shopping, over-indulging at celebratory shindigs, and pretending not to be annoyed about receiving another pair of socks: they're each part of every Christmas. For kids and adults alike, so is many a seasonal-themed movie. If it has Santa or Christmas in the title, it's optimal viewing at this time of year. The folks at South Bank certainly think so, and have thrown together their yearly Christmas Cinema Series brimming with merriment. These free films aren't just for families. Any Yuletide movie held under Brisbane's starry skies and on the shores of Streets Beach at this summery time of the season is perfect for, well, everyone. Pack a picnic, bring your beach towel, and enjoy double features every night from December 15 to 23. The familiar but still festive and fun lineup includes everything from Jingle All the Way's '90s stylings to the classic treat that is Miracle on 34th Street. That's not all, with The Muppets Christmas Carol, Elf, The Polar Express, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone and more among a positively jovial and jolly selection of childhood classics gracing the waterside big screen.
After a stack of time spent cooped up in your house this year, there are likely few creative outlets you're yet to have a crack at. At-home ceramics? Paint-by-numbers? Banana bread? Done, done and done. But the dessert slingers over at Doughnut Time might just have a new one for you, involving some crafty flair and a much-needed sugar rush. Roll up those sleeves and get ready, because it's time to try your hand at doughnut decorating. Having made a comeback under new owners, relaunching stores in Queensland and Victoria, the doughnut company has just unveiled its latest creation — a series of DIY doughnut kits. Each comes with four plain doughnuts and all the trappings needed to whip up some mini edible masterpieces, allowing you to recreate Doughnut Time signatures with the help of colourful glazes, sprinkles and other toppings. You can have a go at making your own version of the Caramilk Baskin, or perhaps attempt the chocolate-caramel fusion that is Life On Mars. There is even a vegan kit, if you prefer your doughnuts and decorations cruelty-free. Each DIY kit clocks in at $34, with shipping currently available to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. Folks in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra, stay tuned — you'll be able to order kits to your cities in the coming days.
Oh wow, I haven't used or heard the word 'auteur' since I was in uni, but now I have found a use for it again: John Waters is about to hit our shores and he is a shock auteur supremo. What does auteur mean though? It's pretty much a filmmaker who has creative control over their works and has a strong personal style, something that's prevalent in Waters' one-man show This Filthy World. This Filthy World is a celebration of his film career, the path he took and the things that influenced him – true crimes, art crimes and even fashion crimes. This vaudevillian look into trashy life is elevated by Waters' ability to entertain an entire crowd with his fascinations and innermost thoughts. This Filthy World is also drawing on material from his latest paperback, Role Models, which is a tribute to self-acceptance and a witty celebration of life. Don't take grandma, this one's more for the more youthful and easy-going among us: there's adult themes and lots of swearing involved in this one.
Winter is in full swing — and, if you like celebrating frostier weather, adorable animation and mini golf all at once, the part-tee is just about to begin at Northshore. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Brisbane at a putt putt course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films. Yes, Pixar Putt is returning, with the kidult-friendly course heading to Hamilton, right next to Eat Street Northshore, from Friday, June 17–Sunday, July 24. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Flicks such as Coco, Monsters Inc, Onward, Luca, Finding Nemo, Up, Ratatouille, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, Inside Out and Soul all get some putting love, too. Clearly, there's no need for a trip to Disneyland — and this year's course features new holes inspired by Pixar's recent Turning Red and upcoming Lightyear. So, if you didn't beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a rematch here. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Dates and times vary, running daily during school holidays — so, from Friday, June 24–Sunday, July 10 — but only from Friday–Sunday otherwise. Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday–Sunday night — and they're only for adults. Operating from 7–10pm Thursday–Saturday and 7pm–9pm on Sundays, the late-night putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. If you're keen to get tap, tap, tapping during daylight hours — and likely with littlies for company — Pixar Putt opens at 10am.
Ten years. 20 films. One massive cinematic universe. That's what Marvel movies have been serving up since Iron Man slipped into his robotic suit back in 2008 — and if you're keen to revisit the majority on the big screen, then make a date with the Blue Room Cinebar in August and September. Actually, make four dates. Because there are so many flicks to get through, the venue's Marvel Marathon will span four Saturdays. It all kicks off at 10am on August 25, and then runs again on September 1, 8 and 15 — starting with Iron Man, obviously, then working through everything from Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther. The list goes on, obviously, so your favourite superhero is bound to make an appearance. Each Saturday costs $30, and there are limited seats available, so expect them to get snapped up quickly. And if you need a rest during each four-to-five movie session, there'll be a 15-minute break between each film.
It's official, Australia is going to be reppin' the glitter cannons, human-sized hamster wheels and furious fog machines at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. This morning, Australia has been announced as one of the competing countries for this year's contest, and we're even allowed back next year — if we win. Too kind. Australians will even be able to vote, probably at some whack hour of the day. Making a world stage of Vienna this time around, Eurovision is taking place from May 20 to 24, with the final exploding all over Stadthalle arena on May 23. So who's going to be our shining star, our glittering messenger to an estimated global audience of 195 million? Not Jessica Mauboy, who performed in last year's event with weird astronauts and dancers in budgie smugglers. Nope. While SBS is suggesting AC/DC and Midnight Oil (and Olivia Newtown John for some ungodly reason), we've got a few pitches of our own to make. Eurovision is about simultaneously bringing new faces to the world and earning ner-ner-ner-ner bragging rights for your country. Finland dressed up as orcs and played epic metal. Moldova danced in a circle with weird cone hats on. Germany put a disco Genghis Khan on stage. Let's show 'em. DONNY BENET If you've ever seen this Sydney maestro of groove live, you'll know Europe wouldn't be able to resist his seductive synthy basslines, sax solos and crisp white tuxedo jackets. If Benet had been the brains behind France's 'Moustache' track last year, they'd have earned a few more points. KIRIN J CALLINAN Because if we're going to meet the quirk of Eurovision halfway, we need Kirin. Things would undoubtedly get freaky. Plus, he'd give Conchita Wurst's beard a run for its money. CLIENT LIAISON Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller would 'Feed the Rhythm' inside 12 easy points from Malta with their applaudable live show. Plus, Monte wears a lot of mesh and Eurovision loves mesh. SIA The Grammy nominee would get 12 points for vocal range or oversized wig alone, but she'd probably bring along her dancetastic buddy Maddie Ziegler who would seal the deal. BLUEJUICE Get the band back together, bring the skipping ropes back on stage and channel all that newfound Boyz II Men goodness. TKAY MAIDZA Look, the kid's bloody talented, super fun live and if we could win Eurovision with a teenage rapper from Adelaide, we'd run the world. BRENDAN MCLEAN Certified king of dancing like no-one's watching, primed for the Eurostage after jigworthy escapades such as this killer video. UPDATE 11/2: Well, well, well. A dark horse joins the race. There's now a huge surge in support for a petition on Change.org, calling for the reunion of landmark Australian rock band TISM specifically to represent Australia at Eurovision 2015. "Since you left us in 2004, we've had a never ending parade of gormless depressing electro-indie, depressing indie-folk, and depressing Aussie hip-hop," say the petitioners. "We the undersigned, ask that you get on stage in front of the world and remind them of just how great Australian music is." They're up to over 500 signatures already. Want to add yours? Nominated by the Concrete Playground team.
A sunny getaway favourite for interstate tourists when the weather gets frostier down south, the Gold Coast isn't typically considered a winter wonderland. But that isn't stopping Cali Beach, the rooftop beach club that's usually about everything that Surfers Paradise's sultry climes have to offer, from embracing the dipping temperature with an alpine makeover. In 2022, the venue debuted The Rooftop Lodge, its wintry alter-ego — a place where you can still peer out over the coast, but you'll do so surrounded by snow and ice. The cold-weather revamp is returning in 2023, too, from Saturday, June 3 until the end of August. And this time, it's bringing ice skating with it. Each Friday–Sunday across the pop-up's season, you can head to the 5000-square-metre venue on a fourth-floor rooftop to pretend you're somewhere far less beachy and yet still at the beach. Yes, the bar is taking the concept seriously, with more than 60 snow-topped trees helping to set the mood and even fake snow part of the site. Expect big alpine energy and mountain chalet vibes as you get warm by the open fire pits as well. With this year's $350,000 temporary revamp, the ice-skating rink is a big addition, and has been purpose-built to replace the volleyball courts for winter. For when you're not sliding across its chilled expanse, The Rooftop Lodge will also feature ice-hockey machines, pop-up performances and market food stalls running all day from 11am till late. Cali Beach's VIP cabanas are also being decked out as luxury alpine lodges, with facades that fit the theme, more fire pits and Swiss ski village-style cosy furniture. So, gathering the gang and hanging out in your own space is still on the agenda, just adapting to the season. One key feature, so that you can still enjoy a dip on the coast: hot tubs. And, in partnership with Veuve Clicquot, The Rooftop Lodge will feature snowy igloo experiences for up to seven people, complete with the obvious drinks. Those transparent but warm spaces will also be decked out chalet-style, and whiling away your time in them will involve winter cocktail and food platters — and a $350 price tag. Wherever you decide to get comfy at The Rooftop Lodge, there'll blankets to help lock in the toastiness, plus fondue, marshmallows to roast by the fires, charcuterie boards, snowball martinis and boozy hot cocoas. Or, opt for the wintry dine-in menu at the View Deck.
Thirty-two teams. 64 matches. One huge month of football. That's the Women's World Cup equation for 2023, with the soccer frenzy taking over Australia and New Zealand — because both countries are hosting, and because everyone Down Under sure does love getting behind a huge sporting event. Suncorp Stadium — or Brisbane Stadium as the Milton venue has been renamed for the occasion — is home to a few games, but tickets are unsurprisingly proving popular. So, you might want to watch the Matildas and every other national squad that's made the cut at your local watering hole. Or, if you head to Howard Smith Wharves until Sunday, August 20, you can do so in a waterside brewery's barrel hall. For the latter, Felons is your go-to — and it's showing every single game live on the big screen. Even better, the beer-loving spot is plastering its Women's World Cup coverage across its rivergarden. Sitting under the Story Bridge, drinking brews, eating snacks, getting warm by the sun or the heaters, watching Sam Kerr and company do their best: now that's something to say cheers to.
With racially motivated discrimination, oppression and injustice in the global spotlight over the past few weeks, one confectionery company has taken the opportunity to rebrand two of its lollies that have names with racist overtones. Nestlé has announced it will rename its chewy red lollies, currently called Redskins, an antiquated and derogatory term for Native Americans, and its chocolate-flavoured, people-shaped Chicos, which means 'children' in Spanish and is considered offensive to people of Latin American descent. In a statement released today, on Tuesday, June 23, Nestlé said it will change the names of the two lollies and "acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues. These names have overtones which are out of step with Nestlé's values, which are rooted in respect," the statement said. New names have not yet been finalised, according to the company, but it is moving to change them "quickly". Race and discrimination is a subject that always demands action and attention, both worldwide and within Australia, however, it's been particularly thrust to the fore due to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, and protests over the death of American George Floyd at the hands of a police officer — as well as, at the local level, the ongoing fight to end the systemic mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori by law enforcement. A similar long-running debate about the offensiveness of the Washington Redskins NFL team has ramped up again in the US, too, with The Washington Post calling on the team's owner Daniel Snyder to change the name in an editorial published earlier this week. Calls for Nestlé to change the names of its two products, which are manufactured in New Zealand and Australia under the company's Allen's brand, also isn't new — with the debate raging when they were featured in a 2013 episode of MasterChef Australia — and they're not the only controversially named product on Australia supermarket shelves, either.
As a nation, Australians devour approximately 190,000 tonnes of meat per year. This equates to 120kg per person per annum, which is almost three times as much as the world average. Despite the phenomenal increase in meat consumption over the last few decades, particularly in pork and poultry, the number of pig producers in the country has reduced by 94 percent and there are only two major producers of chicken. This is largely why two-thirds of the world's meat now comes from factory farming. So what can you do about the animal cruelty and health problems this gross over-consumption is causing? Take part in Meat Free Week from March 18-24 to help spread the word and raise funds for this important issue. All money raised from the initiative goes to the animal protection institute Voiceless, who help protect factory farmed animals in Australia. And they're not trying to persuade you to become an avid vegan or vegetarian; it's simply about modifying meat consumption: limiting meat intake and only choosing free-range animal products in order to reduce the amount of factory farming in Australia. You could also improve your own health in the process as eating excessive amounts of meat can lead to heart disease, kidney failure or even cancer. Simply sign up and create your profile, read up and learn about factory farming so you can explain to others why it's so important, tell all your family and friends about it and get them to sign up as well or to sponsor you with a small donation, stock up on fresh ingredients and try out some delicious meat-free recipes designed by celebrity chefs, then go without meat for seven days and tell everyone how it's going through social media, particularly with the hashtag #meatfreeweek.
Remember those greasy kebabs you used to order during your uni days? Well, these definitely ain't it. Known for lovingly made Greek food, The Yiros Shop now boasts seven locations across our fair city. If you decided to channel some Lindsay Lohan in Mykonos vibes last night, we would point you towards the wagyu beef yiros, which comes with tomato, red onion, parsley and tzatziki. Or, maybe you're feeling more of the lamb, rocket and feta yiros with fresh beetroot and crunchy walnuts. The best part is, all the yiros come with the fries already stuffed inside, so you'll have a free hand to delete the evidence off your socials from last night. Who knew you were an aspiring Tik Tok star, huh?
Pull out your loose change stash and check under the couch, because one of southeast Queensland's favourite dumpling spots is serving up an impressive weekly deal. Every Monday, Harajuku Gyoza is slinging gyoza for $1 a piece. Head on at any time of the day and bring your appetite — and all the gold coins you can find. Customers can choose any kind of gyoza on the menu, other than open pork gyoza or Harajuku Gyoza's limited edition gyoza. And, you can order them in $5 plates of five, with one type of gyoza per plate. There is a limit of four plates per person; however that covers 20 dumplings, so you won't leave hungry. There is another catch — punters must download the Harajuku Gyoza app and present the promotional tile in the app to a staff member when you place your order to access the $1 dumpling extravaganza. Bookings are recommended, because everyone loves cheap gyoza — or, if you prefer, you can order to takeaway as well. [caption id="attachment_775115" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Harajuku Gyoza[/caption] Harajuku Gyoza's $1 dumpling deal is available every Monday until Monday, November 30 — at its Brisbane CBD, South Bank and Broadbeach venues.
If you're fond of eating out, having a drink with dinner and not splashing around all your cash in the process, then you're probably fond of the words 'bring your own'. When it comes to gathering the gang to share a meal and still feel good about your bank balance afterwards, this simple phrase ranks among the best there are. Pair it with an affordable eatery, too, and you're dining out in style while still keeping your pennies in check. Whether you feel like pizza, pasta, an Asian feast or a nice fish 'n' chips spread, we're directing you toward spots that you and your mates should head to for your next dinner catch-up.
